"I can't believe some women try on these dresses for fun," I grumbled unhappily. We'd been shopping for over two hours and still hadn't found the perfect wedding dress for my sister.
Jenna, who had been calm and serene when we'd first arrived at Bridal Row that morning, was starting to look a little frazzled herself.
"Well, it's not like you have to try on the dresses, Ellie," she said tersely. "I just need your advice on the perfect dress."
"I've been giving you my advice! They all look great," I protested, but it fell on deaf ears. Our sales assistant Alana was back with another armful of dresses for Jenna to try.
"Now this would look lovely on you," Alana cooed, holding up one of the dresses – a minimalistic ivory sheath. "It takes someone with a wonderful figure like yours to carry it off."
"Gag me," I whispered under my breath. Jenna glared at me before smiling at Alana and taking the sheath from her.
"Well, the good thing is this dress is really easy to put on," she said doubtfully as she stepped out of the change room a few minutes later.
"Too easy – it's like it's a nightie or something," I observed. "Don't you want something a little fancier?"
Alana pursed her lips disapprovingly. "We find that most modern brides are more interested in this sort of style," she said coolly.
"Well, I don't think my sister's a modern bride," I stated firmly. "She's classic, elegant and…" As I try to think of another suitable adjective, I start rummaging through the racks of dresses myself.
Alana looked horrified. "Be careful with those, young lady!" she snapped. "There's a reason we handle the dresses for our customers, you know."
I remained silent because I've found the perfect dress for Jenna. I rescued it from the rack and held it up in triumph.
"Maybe we should just have a coffee break," Jenna said wearily. She looked as though she was about to collapse.
"Jen, try this on. Trust me."
She groaned.
"Try this on and then we can take a coffee break," I urged.
"Fine," she huffed, taking the dress from me and heading back to the change room.
And then there was silence.
"Are you still awake in there, Jen?" I called out eventually.
The door swung open. I gasped out loud and even Alana's mouth fell open.
Because the dress doesn't look anything like I imagined. It's even better.
The boned corset top fits perfectly, showing off Jenna's tanned shoulders. The princess-style tulle skirt floats around her like dreamy white clouds. And the tiny glittering crystals flash like fire as she does an experimental twirl.
"I love it," she said in surprise as she admired her reflection in the mirror. "Charlie is going to love it too. Oh, thank you so much, Ellie."
And just like that, all the frustration and stress of the past two hours is forgotten. All I can do is stare at my sister and know she will be a beautiful bride.
"Mmm, this might just be the best burrito I've ever eaten," Jenna says in satisfaction as we dig into our Mexican food.
"That's just because you haven't eaten since lunch yesterday," I laugh. "But I agree – the food here is pretty good."
We're scoffing down our dessert – churros with strawberries and chocolate sauce – when Charlie approaches our table.
"Glad to see you waited for me to start eating," he teases.
"I saved some churros for you," Jenna smiles as she hands him a paper bag.
"Wow! I think I might marry you," Charlie says.
"I think I might let you," she replies sweetly and they share a chocolate-laced kiss.
I'm starting to feel a little like a third wheel but fortunately Charlie changes the topic.
We chat away happily until Charlie finishes his last churro.
"Ready to go, ladies?" he asks.
Jenna and I are staying at Netherfield with Charlie this weekend. They're considering getting married at the Hunter Valley Gardens, not far from Netherfield, and we thought it would be a good opportunity to check out the venue as well as shop for Jenna's dress.
I've been to the Hunter Valley before but had never really appreciated just how picturesque it is.
"Hey, isn't that where Will lives?" Jenna asks, pointing ahead.
"Yeah, that's Pemberley," Charlie nods.
"Can we go have a look?" she questions. "Will he mind?"
"No, I shouldn't think so," Charlie says, turning into the massive driveway. "He's always chuffed when people want to see this place."
I stiffen. The thought of seeing Will Darcy again makes me feel physically weak.
"I think I'll stay in the car. You guys go ahead."
"I don't think Will's even around this weekend," Charlie says as though he hasn't heard me. "He said something about going to Brisbane this week. But his housekeeper and his sister are probably around."
That cinches it for me. I do want to see Pemberley and if Darcy's not on the premises, this is the perfect opportunity to explore.
"This is beautiful," Jenna breathes almost reverently as we enter the estate.
And it is. Pemberley is even larger than I thought, with these incredible vineyards to one side, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and tennis courts on another, and…
Darcy has his own winery?
I don't even realise I've spoken the words out loud until Charlie answers my question. "Yes, Pemberley Wines – they're expensive but people seem to think they're well worth it."
The grand front door is opened by a round-faced woman with chestnut-coloured curls and a beaming smile.
"Master Charles!" she exclaims in delight. "Oh, it's been too long since I've seen you. Let me have a look at your face."
Jenna and I snigger quietly as Charlie is subjected to an enormous hug and then a playful pinch of the cheeks.
"Shame on you for not coming to see me, especially when you've just bought an estate in the Valley," she scolds in a strong Irish accent.
Charlie turns pink.
"I'm sorry, Mrs Reynolds, I've just been so busy. I'm getting married, you know…"
Mrs Reynolds' eyes light up. "Are you? Is one of these the lucky lass?" She peers at Jenna and I.
"Yes, this is my fiancée, Jenna, and her sister Ellie."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Reynolds," my sister says softly.
Mrs Reynolds gives Jenna the once-over and nods approvingly.
"This one's a keeper," she says. She turns to Jenna. "You will take care of Master Charles, won't you? Him and Master William – like my own two sons, they are."
"I will," Jenna promises, giving Charlie a meaningful look.
Mrs Reynolds then tries to entice us to try some of her homemade shepherds pie but we're all stuffed to the gills with Mexican food. She finally relents and starts giving us a tour of Pemberley instead.
"That one is my Master William," she says proudly as we enter a hall filled with family portraits.
Darcy looks about sixteen in his family portrait. He still has the same green eyes but his thick dark hair is slicked back and he's wearing an expensive suit. His expression is serious and grave. There's a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"He's such a lovely young man," says Mrs Reynolds and there's warmth in her voice. "So thoughtful and kind and considerate."
Thoughtful? Kind? Considerate?
I'm startled. Whilst Darcy has certainly exhibited hints of these characteristics at times, his callous treatment of Wickham had convinced me that it was all show. But to have these words coming from the woman who practically raised him after his parents died…
"I wasn't always the housekeeper, you know," interjects Mrs Reynolds. "It was my husband who worked here – he was one of the top wine-makers at Pemberley Wines. So Mr Darcy gave us a cottage on the estate. My husband passed away six years ago and Master William's Aunt Catherine wanted to evict me. Said there was no use for me now that my husband was gone. It was Master William who stood up for me and said he still wanted me here. He doubled my wages the next day. I was so touched."
I don't remember much about the rest of the tour. I do remember being generally awed by everything Mrs Reynolds showed us. But my mind is in a daze – wondering if maybe, just maybe, I've misjudged Will Darcy.
Author's Note: Is this the beginning of a turnaround for Ellie and Darcy? Or will their pride and prejudice continue to get in the way of a happily ever after? What do you think?