Chapter 32
While Mrs. Bennet prattled on during the ride to the church, Lizzy and her father were lost in thought. Mr. Bennet still had a nagging feeling that there was more to Mr. Darcy’s lengthy absences than either the bride or groom cared to reveal, but whatever the cause, Mr. Bennet was sure his daughter knew of the reason as the couple seemed to have formed a bond that was usually reserved for those who shared a secret.
Lizzy’s mind was more pleasantly engaged. She was thinking about Mr. Darcy and how fortunate she was to have found such a man. While most men would be offended by her impertinence, Mr. Darcy found it amusing, and he had often told her how much he admired her strong character. She would be brave for him and not give into her fears, but he must do the same and not be overly protective of her or he would hear about it.
When Lizzy entered the church vestibule, she was met by Jane, who was wearing a panel attached to her pale yellow dress to hide her pregnancy, but even with her bulging middle, she looked particularly lovely as yellow was her best color. However, on this day, the most beautiful Bennet sister was Elizabeth. Her wedding dress was white satin with a gauze overdress and trimmed with Brussels lace matching her waist-length mantilla. Her only jewelry was a single strand of pearls that Mr. Darcy’s mother had worn on her wedding day.
Standing near the altar was the bridegroom, whose impatience to be married was providing amusement for the guests, but even if he had made note of the whispers, he would have ignored them as his mind was fixed on one thing: his ardent desire to make Elizabeth Bennet his wife. He even ignored the tittering of Mrs. Gardiner and Aunt Susan, Mr. Bennet’s sister, who were listening to Lord Fitzwilliam describe his own nuptials.
“I was in the vestry, but they found me,” the earl explained, “and after being dragged from my hiding place, Eleanor and I were united in wedlock—the emphasis being on ‘lock.’ We promised to stay married for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, and by God, we have lived up to those vows. She is richer; I am poorer. She is hale and hearty, while I am sick whenever I am in her company. It could be better, but it could not possibly be worse. And because we are both too stubborn to die, we remain married.”
But Darcy heard none of this. He had just taken out his pocket watch when the church doors opened. As he caught sight of his bride, a sense of well-being surged through him. As Elizabeth drew closer, he knew that she was feeling exactly the same thing, and their hearts beat as one.
Except for the absent militia, Netherfield was as crowded as it had been on the evening of the ball, and Elizabeth and Darcy had to squeeze through the throng to greet all of their well-wishers. While moving amongst their guests, Lizzy heard snatches of conversation, all complimentary, about how well the two eldest Bennet daughters had done in the business of getting husbands, but among those bits of overheard dialogue was her mother informing her friends that ten thousand pounds was not even close to the true amount of Mr. Darcy’s yearly income. How did Mrs. Bennet know that? they asked. She replied, if his assets were not substantially larger than that sum, how could one account for the large estate, the house in town, the carriages, the clothes, etc., etc.?
The Fitzwilliam brothers were enormously popular and covered both ends of the spectrum. While Lord Fitzwilliam entertained the married women with his double entendres or stories about his unhappy marriage to Lady Macbeth, the colonel, handsomely accoutered in his regimentals, had all the local beauties surrounding him, much to the chagrin of the Lucas boys and the other youths of Meryton. But Georgiana put a smile on the lads’ faces when she offered to play a jig on the pianoforte so that they might dance, and Kitty’s response was immediate. She stood in front of the colonel so that he would have to ask her to dance first.
But before the day got away from him, Darcy was determined to have a conversation with Jane Bingley. He understood why she was unhappy with him. In addition to interfering in her relationship with Charles, he had insulted her sister with his ungracious proposal, and when he had returned to renew his efforts to win Lizzy, his behavior was so erratic that at a minimum it invited criticism, but more alarmingly, it had aroused her suspicions.
When Darcy approached, Jane, who was sitting in the parlor in order to avoid the press of people, was having a conversation with Mrs. Glenn, who had recently become a grandmother, but the older woman kindly left the two to have their talk.
“Mrs. Bingley, I know that you have reservations about your sister marrying me, but…”
Jane blushed at this revelation. “I am sorry Lizzy repeated what I said. I thought our conversation was confidential.”
“Your sister did not betray your confidence. I am afraid on this subject your face is an open book, and I understand the cause for your concerns. I was not the best suitor, but I would ask that you put aside all prejudice and judge me from this day forward as I intend to be the best of husbands.”
“Sir, please understand that I only want my sister’s happiness, and since Lizzy has informed me that she cannot be happy without you, I wish you joy.”
“Be assured, Mrs. Bingley, that you and Charles are always welcome at Pemberley, and I know that Elizabeth and I will be welcomed at Netherfield Park. I anticipate a lot of time being spent on the road between Hertfordshire and Derbyshire. We shall visit so often that our carriages will leave ruts in the road.”
By the time Mr. Darcy returned to his wife, Jane was reassured. The dour gentleman from Derbyshire really could be quite charming, and she had absolutely no doubt that he loved Elizabeth. But she would hold her brother- in-law to his promise to allow Lizzy to visit frequently because if Lizzy did not come to her, she would go to Lizzy.
By evening, when the last of the guests had departed, not so much as a cake crumb was left, only a few scraps of meat remained on the platter, and the punch bowl had been emptied and replenished several times. Lizzy was glad she had instructed Mr. Jackson to make sure that enough food was set aside for the servants so that they might join in the celebration.
“I really should go downstairs and compliment Mrs. Bradshaw for the wonderful job she did today,” Lizzy said as she collapsed into a chair, “but I am too tired.”
“No need,” Darcy answered. “She already knows it as there is nothing modest about Mrs. Bradshaw, but we shall thank everyone when we get to Pemberley.”
The mention of Pemberley was Jane’s cue to suggest that the newlyweds remain at Netherfield until the day after Christmas. “It will be so much fun. We shall all sing Christmas carols and have punch and light the Yule log. Besides, after all of the busyness of today, you will be so very tired,” Jane said, addressing her sister, and Charles nodded in agreement.
Darcy said nothing. Instead, he looked to Elizabeth.
“Jane, thank you for your offer, but we must adhere to our original plan.”
When Jane started to protest, Georgiana interrupted. “Mrs. Bingley, I am the reason we must depart tomorrow morning. At my request, there is a certain person who has been invited to Ashton Hall by my aunt Marguerite, and he will be there on the day after Christmas.” She looked at William in such a way that it gave the impression that Georgiana had tried to put something over on her brother. Jane, not wishing to cause trouble between the siblings, said no more, and an uncomfortable silence followed until Jane said that she wished to retire.
Lizzy walked with her sister to the staircase and kissed her on the cheek. “Jane, do not be upset with me, please. I promise I shall be here for the baby, if not sooner.”
“I am not upset with you, Lizzy. It is just that you have not even left, and I am already missing you. But you are as tired as I am. Would you like for me to help you take your hair down?”
“Thank you, but that will not be necessary.”
“Is Mrs. Brotherton to help you undress?”
“No, I can manage.”
“Lizzy, don’t be silly. You cannot unbutton your own dress. I shall send Mrs. Grover to you.”
“No, thank you, Jane. I really can manage.”
“Oh, I see,” Jane said, blushing, now realizing that Mr. Darcy was to provide that service. “Well, you always were braver than I, so I shall say good night.”
