“Poor Mr. Darcy,” Jane said, laughing. “He is very unhappy that he cannot be with you. I am sure Mr. Bingley could empathize with him as he has the same complaint.”
“I understand Mr. Darcy’s frustrations, but there are good reasons why unmarried ladies should not be left alone with their suitors,” Lizzy said, while thinking of the passion of Mr. Darcy’s kisses and his reaction to them. “When he leaned against me in the study at Netherfield, it was impossible not to notice that there seemed to be a third party present, and I had to be very careful, because it would be two against one.”
Jane nearly doubled over laughing. Lizzy had always been more comfortable in discussing the relationship between a man and a woman, but now that she was experiencing love for the first time, Lizzy had thrown off all restraints. It gave Jane hope that a week from Saturday, her wedding night would be pleasurable—something she had not anticipated.
Mr. Darcy was neither smiling nor laughing. Because all of his efforts had been directed toward disentangling himself from Miss Montford so that he might be with Elizabeth, he had not given any thought to what would happen once he got to Hertfordshire. Since the weather had turned cold, there were to be no strolls along woodland paths or walks to the gazebo or riding in the park. It seemed as if their brief respite in the library and billiards room might be the only time they would be alone together until they were married. He would have to wait until Charlotte’s wedding and hope that he could have a few minutes to speak to Elizabeth alone.
As for their engagement, it could not be publicly announced for several weeks, at a minimum, or it might prove embarrassing to Miss Montford and risk Sir John’s ire, and it would not make him look very good either— courting one woman while romancing another. Good grief, what a mess!
And there was no guarantee he would even have time to talk to Lizzy at the wedding breakfast. Since his efforts to ingratiate himself with Bingley’s neighbors had succeeded, he would have all the local gents wanting to speak to him, and he would have to be personable to their wives or risk offending anew. What he needed was something to draw people’s attention, so they would not notice if Elizabeth and he managed to slip away. Yes, some kind of diversion was required, but what? Fireworks? A bonfire? And then an idea came to him, and he knew just what to do. He went to his desk and began writing,
Chapter 50
Finally, the day of Charlotte’s wedding arrived, and the house hummed with activity as everyone made ready for the wedding. Mr. Darcy had made his carriage available to the Bennets, and Lydia and Kitty had climbed in ahead of their mother and older sisters. Because of their lack of seniority, the two youngest Bennets had to give way, but not before Lydia had commented, “Mr. Darcy did not send the carriage for you, Lizzy. Everyone knows that he does not like you, but we became friends when we were together in Brighton. Mr. Wickham…” Jane shooed Lydia away from the carriage. Even the patient Jane had tired of Lydia and her stories of Brighton and her dear Wickham.
While Bingley stood by the church door so that he might assist the Bennet ladies, Darcy, along with Georgiana, waited inside the vestibule for Lizzy to arrive. Because no one knew of their relationship, the couple had to be satisfied with furtive glances, of which there were to be many. Even though Darcy realized the necessity for circumspection, this endless waiting was having a deleterious effect on him and the only possible explanation for his sending Mercer to London with a note asking Antony to come to Netherfield. He hoped that was not a mistake.
When the bride walked down the aisle, Lizzy was elated. Charlotte Lucas, who did not like any fuss, had chosen a pale yellow dress that showed off her complexion and dark hair beautifully, and the effect was more than satisfactory. In contrast, Mr. Collins wore his parson’s suit with black hose that accentuated his spindly legs, but because he was so happy that his wedding day had finally arrived, his whole demeanor was one of pure joy. Even Lizzy had to smile when she saw the beaming parson.
The wedding breakfast was attended by intimate friends and family, all wishing Mr. and Mrs. Collins joy. In short order, the musicians began playing, and couples flocked to the dance floor. Darcy dearly wanted to ask Elizabeth to dance, but his presence in any venue always drew scrutiny. He did not want anyone gossiping about him until he was prepared to make an announcement, but surely one dance could do no harm? He had been making his way toward Elizabeth when there was a commotion in the foyer. The source of the excitement was quickly revealed: Antony, Lord Fitzwilliam, had arrived.
Darcy and Georgiana looked at each other in alarm. Antony wasn’t supposed to be here. The note had specifically told him to go to Netherfield Park. To add to the confusion, the earl was not alone. With him were his daughters, Amelia and Sophia, and a Madame Konig, who was being introduced to the guests as the girls’ “traveling” governess.
Sir William and Lady Lucas’s joy at having an earl in their home could barely be contained. When Lady Lucas was excited, she always spoke too loudly and in a shrill voice, and while his wife was nearly shouting, Sir William was almost speechless, hemming and hawing and harrumphing his way through his introductions of Lord Fitzwilliam.
After acknowledging everyone’s bows, Antony asked to be directed to the bride and groom. Using his prerogative as a member of the nobility to always get his way, as soon as Lord Fitzwilliam made eye contact with Mr. Collins, he let him know that he must wait his turn as the earl would first speak to his wife.
“Mrs. Collins, my heartfelt congratulations, and may I add that you are absolutely glowing, bringing much- needed sunshine to a drab autumn day? I hope you do not mind me joining you on this the happiest of occasions. I was supposed to go to Netherfield, but when I learned there was a wedding in the village, I could not resist. My only regret is that I arrived too late to attend the ceremony and thereby serve as a witness to the exchange of vows.”
“It was a simple ceremony, milord,” Charlotte said, trying to hide a smile. The sight of this aristocratic dandy, in his green brocade jacket standing next to her husband in his parson’s attire, was too funny for words.
“When it comes to church services, Mrs. Collins, simple is good; short is even better. May I ask, did you cry? I did at my wedding. In fact, my brother had to keep handing me one handkerchief after another, and it did not stop with the ceremony. I cried all through the wedding breakfast and for a good many days after that.
“And this gentleman is now your husband,” he said, turning to Mr. Collins, who bowed so low that his hand brushed the tops of his shoes. “Mr. Collins, your reputation has preceded you. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has remarked on how diligently you tend to your flock. I know that same sense of obligation will have you spending all of your time talking with your guests, so I shall not detain you a moment longer. But, first, please allow me to introduce my daughters, Amelia and Sophia, and their traveling governess, Madame Konig.”
After overcoming the surprise of finding Lord Fitzwilliam attending the wedding festivities of her friend, Lizzy had to make a real effort not to laugh. The earl was as colorful as any of the ladies at the breakfast. His footwear, with their gold-thread stitching, jeweled buckles, and high heels, was as out of date as his attire, making him look like a courtier in the court of a newly crowned George III. But then Lizzy realized that this show had a purpose, and the gaudiness of his apparel was deliberate. She was convinced he had come to Lucas Lodge as a diversion, and when she looked at Mr. Darcy and he would not return her look, she knew she was right.
It was his little cousins, Emmy and Sophie, who saved Mr. Darcy from a stern rebuke. After bending down so that both girls could kiss him on his cheeks, Lizzy had heard him say: “When I last saw you, I thought it was not possible for you two to get any prettier. But I was wrong. Here stand before me two of the loveliest young ladies in the kingdom,” and the pair squealed with delight. The girls then introduced Madame Konig to Mr. Darcy, and Lizzy looked for his reaction to the woman he knew to be his cousin’s mistress.
