Chapter 2

"Mama, leave it be. I can fix it with the flowers, but you'll only undo the rest if you keep pulling it like that," Jane protested. "Here, see?" She took the comb from Elizabeth's grasp and deftly tucked it into place, anchoring the errant lock which had so offended their mother. The flowers were easily added and Jane stepped back, thoroughly satisfied with her work.

"Oh, Lizzy." Her mother stepped back as well. "You look as lovely as a rose. Mr. Darcy won't be able to keep his eyes off of you." Her own eyes watered as Elizabeth stood and stepped into her wedding gown, slipping the sleeves up over her shoulders. Charlotte began tugging at the ribbons on its back, tying Elizabeth in. "I'm so proud of you, my girl."

Elizabeth gaped at her, then quickly recomposed herself.

"And your father," Mrs. Bennet continued, unaware of the shock her words had caused, "how your father will react on seeing you today." She began to cry in earnest, unable to go on.

Elizabeth turned to the mirror, excited to see herself. She nearly didn't recognize the woman staring back at her, so different her reflection was. Dark curls cascaded around her face, held in place by her wreath. The little pearl combs were tucked in as well, showing when she turned her head just so. Diamond earrings adorned her lobes and a matching pendant was clasped onto a chain around her neck. Her wrists and fingers were bare, awaiting the ring that Darcy would bestow upon her during their ceremony.

She had to fight back a sniffle or two of her own. Jane held her hands out to her dearest friend and sister, then pulled her close. "You really do look radiant."

Mr. Bennet found himself with nothing to do but wait. He woke up to an empty bed, his wife having already rushed off to meddle in the last minute wedding details, and his daughters no where to be found. As he walked through the luxurious halls of Pemberley, he chuckled to himself at the fine fortune that had befallen his precious Elizabeth. While it would be hard to part with his level-headed daughter, he felt better for knowing that she would be so well maintained.

"Good morning, sir," came a cheerful voice from his right. Mr. Bennet turned to find his son-in-law, Mr. Charles Bingley, in attendance.

"Good morning, my dear boy," Mr. Bennet responded, pulled from his deep thoughts. "How are you today?"

"Fine, fine," Bingley replied with a nod. "Lovely day for a wedding, isn't it?" he asked with a gesture towards the large bay window of the study beside them. "Most enjoyable."

"It is indeed. I trust Darcy will find it as enjoyable as you did on your own wedding day, if I remember correctly." He gave his son-in-law a polite smile as he set his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I do recall you having a grand time."

Bingley went quite red at this statement. It was true, he had enjoyed a glass or two more of the fine wedding wine than he usually drank. It had gone to his head, causing him to ply Jane mercilessly, requesting dance after dance, until the crowd at cheered as they finally retired to their rooms for the evening.

"Yes, well. I had good reason to be, marrying your beautiful daughter," Bingley murmured. "I must be off! Darcy will be expecting me soon, and I don't want to be late." He gave Mr. Bennet a slight bow and disappeared down the hall with a jaunty wave.

Mr. Bennet watched him go, a small smile on his face. "He and Jane were meant to be together. One only hopes that my high spirited Lizzy will find the same compatibility with her husband after today. She swears that she does."

He carried on his way to the opposite wing, where his little gaggle of females were sure to be in an uproar over something or other. He could only imagine the possibilities today – the flowers not to Lydia's liking, Lizzy's usual bun not being up to snuff, his charming wife in tears over the loss of another daughter from their household. He shook his head but kept walking, certain that they would need him to calm them after any number of debacles. Or calm their mother, at the very least.

Feminine laughter filled the air outside of the bridal room. Mr. Bennet paused in surprise, wondering if he should enter such a womanly domain when all was going well. Mustering up his courage, he knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Mary called from the other side.

"It's your father, I just came to ensure -" He was cut off by the door swinging wide and an ambush from his youngest three daughters.

"Good morning, Papa!" Mary exclaimed.

"Don't you look dashing," Lydia said.

"Wait until you see Lizzy!" Kitty cried.

"I'll see her, if you lot would let me through the door," he said as he laughed with them.

Entering the room, Mr. Bennet stole a glance at his wife, who had not looked quite so well in a very long time. She had tears in her eyes and was staring beyond the three silly girls before her. Jane caught his eye and moved out of the way so that he, too, could see his loving daughter Elizabeth.

His mouth gaped open. He had never seen his darling, clever Lizzy with such a glow in her cheeks, so many sparkles in her eyes, nor a gown so breathtakingly lovely. Pure white silk was covered with a white lame' over skirt that featured tiny, delicately embroidered flowers. It nipped in just above her natural waist, as was traditional, and no more than hinted at her fit form with an elegant turn.

"Why Lizzy, you look..." he trailed off, unable to put it into words.

"Stunning," Jane uttered. "Simply stunning."

Elizabeth smiled at her family, near to bursting with her joy. Mr. Bennet felt the moment deeply, and moisture gathered at the corners of his eyes as he truly realized that today was the day – his bright, witty, clever daughter would be leaving him behind, and he was no longer the most important man in her life. Today was the day that he would give her away.

"You are more radiant than the sun," he finally whispered, pulling her in for a hug.