Chapter 1

The wedding preparations for Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy took over a month to arrange. The special license was obtained and invitations sent to their close family and friends, informing them that the glorious occasion would take place at Pemberley, Darcy's familial estate. The ceremony would be followed by a small assembly for their closest friends and family, specifically at Elizabeth's request. While it was not traditional in the slightest, she had begged so persuasively that Darcy had acquiesced, and arranged for an afternoon of merriment to follow the wedding breakfast.

The happy day arrived, dawning bright, clear and altogether pleasant for most of those involved. Miss Caroline Bingley, however unwilling she was to acknowledge her jealousy of that same Miss Bennet, made use of her excess energy by ordering the servants about and ensuring that every flower petal was in place and every table was decorated with an arrangement most pleasing. She did this not out of love for the new bride, but in part in affection for her new sister-in-law, Jane, who had the privilege of being Elizabeth's maid of honour.

Miss Bingley, always aware of her unmarried status, redoubled her efforts to play the part of perfect hostess, regardless of the fact that she had no claim to such a position, in her hopes of catching the eye of Darcy's handsome and lively cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

"Where have the lilacs been left?" Caroline demanded crossly to the servants that had been rallied for the day's nuptials.

"In the foyer, Miss Bingley," answered one of the maids, momentarily distracted from her duties of twisting ribbons around candle holders.

Caroline whirled on her heel and went in the direction of the foyer, having to remind herself not to reveal her true feelings about the pending ceremony. "Still, it should have been me," she muttered under her breath after making sure no one was within earshot. "She's naught but a common little thing. How could Darcy choose her over me, who has been in his company for years? Why, she cannot even stitch a hand towel."

She took a deep breath, trying to allay her irritation, lest it poorly impact her complection on the big day. It was the slightest bit effective, and she resolved to keep her emotions more calmly controlled for the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, secluded in their own wing of the great estate, Elizabeth was being assisted by her dear friend Charlotte Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Jane and their younger sisters. Elizabeth was seated before a large dressing table framed with such charming bronze embellishments that she often forgot she was soon the be the possessor of it. She smiled to herself, surrounded by her closest female companions and was certain that she had never felt quite so happy being fussed over as she was today.

"Oh, Lizzy!" her mother, Mrs. Bennet, exclaimed while clutching her chest. "First Lydia, then Jane, and now..." She broke off as emotion overwhelmed her, and several tears began to run down her cheeks.

"Mama!" Elizabeth cried, "you need not be crying yet! I could still change my mind." She bent her head as though considering such a drastic turn, but in reality was hiding the mischievous tilt of her smile.

For a moment everyone in the room froze, staring at her in shock. Mrs. Bennet was the most affected, as she would not put it past her most headstrong offspring to decline such a fortuitous match, even if only to spite her mother.

Finally, Elizabeth burst into hysterical laughter, overcome at the thought that anyone would believe for an instant that she had intentions of giving up her beloved Darcy. The other ladies relaxed and Lydia and Kitty even shared a private look of amusement as their mother continued to fan her pale face, trying to keep from fainting away as she cried for the salts.

"Lizzy, you will be the death of Mama! I am sure of it!" Jane said with a giggle as she rubbed her mother on the back. Once Mrs. Bennet had sufficiently recomposed herself, Jane went back to her position behind Elizabeth to twirl several of her dark curls into little rings beside her face.

"Here, Jane, do use these," Lydia begged as she held out a pair of small pearl combs. "I got them from Georgiana. She said that they belonged to Darcy's mother."

"They would look so becoming on you, Lizzy!" Kitty cried in agreement. "I daresay they would be the perfect accompaniment to your dress! And now you have your 'something borrowed', as well as 'something old' in the same item! And your dress is new, so all you need is something blue!"

Elizabeth could not help but smile at her excitable sister's enthusiasm. "Indeed, Kitty. They're lovely. Thank you both for procuring them for me. Jane, if you would do me the honor?" Elizabeth asked as she handed the combs up to her eldest sister. "Just tuck them in somewhere that the flowers won't cover them. I want to be sure that Darcy sees how much his sister approves of our match."

"Posh, he already knows that she approves," Jane replied as she took tucked the little ornaments into Elizabeth's curls. "He's going to have to drag you away from Georgiana's approving arms just to get his chance at a wedding night."

She took a step back to check her handiwork. "That's not quite right. Let me finish your hair, then we'll add them in after. They really are beautiful, and the white stands out against your dark hair. We may not even need any flowers, after all."

"She has to have flowers!" Lydia and Kitty both protested loudly at the same time, earning a look of annoyance from Mary, who kept their mother company. Jane waved away their dramatics and continued to twirl and pin Elizabeth's hair into place, leaving the little combs on the dressing table.

Elizabeth picked them up, her fingers playing over their smooth pearls as she grew lost in thought. The wedding night. I wonder what it will be like? Mama tried to explain, and so did Jane, but I can't imagine how it will feel. Or if Darcy will be happy with my performance. All I know is that I'm supposed to just lay there, according to Mama, or let him tell me what to do, according to Jane. But I don't think I have lain anywhere for longer than five minutes, unless I'm going to sleep. And I'm fairly certain that sleeping isn't part of it.

She had already dismissed Lydia's account of the marital bed as a teasing jest. Still, she couldn't help a shiver of quiet anticipation as she recalled her younger sister's whispered words from a few evenings prior.

"My wedding night with Wickham was beyond amazing, dear Lizzy. I would say that I'm sure you will find out for yourself soon, but Darcy is such a bore that I would be astonished to learn that he has even half the talents of my George. Why, George's favorite thing to do is kiss me all over."

"All over?" Elizabeth had repeated. Her agile mind flew with possibilities, trying to imagine Darcy's lips anywhere but the back of her hand, where they frequently alighted. Of course she knew that he would kiss her lips after they were married, though with what frequency she couldn't try to ascertain. He had only attempted once prior, when they were unchaperoned for a moment in the garden several days ago. The whole thing had been a rather hurried affair, and he'd ducked in to press his lips against hers after Jane had hurried back to the house to retrieve her shawl.

Unfortunately, Bingley had also been out on a walk, and came upon them. He'd laughed as they hastily pulled apart, clapping Darcy on the shoulder and giving Elizabeth a wink. Bingley had teased them in an overly loud voice, in Elizabeth's opinion, until Jane returned to stroll with her husband as their walk resumed. Elizabeth and Darcy had no choice but to join them.

Elizabeth shivered as she recalled the intensity of Darcy's eyes as he'd stared down at her, his hand upon her cheek just before he swooped in. The supple softness of his lips against hers had been pleasant, but Elizabeth found the entire experience too fleeting to make any firm opinions on the matter. She hoped they would do it again tonight, when she had more time to examine her feelings on it.

A proper kiss sounds quite nice, Elizabeth thought as she continued to toy with the pearl comb in her fingers. She craned her neck against the sharp tugging that came from Mrs. Bennet's fingers as she fussed over a curl Jane couldn't quite manage.

Author's Note: Yes, I will publish the whole story here, a little at a time. I plan to update 1-2 times a week, as I've only just finished writing / editing it last night. It's available on Amazon if you don't want to wait, but I will complete it here, as well. It's listed as "The Wedding Night" by Nadine Reynolds.