"Here they are!"
Mary had been haunting the front windows of Rosings, surprisingly eager to spot the advance of the carriage that would bring her family to Kent.
"It has felt like an age since last we saw them," she remarked to Richard, who sat with her, affecting to read, but in truth enjoying the quiet morning with his bride-to-be.
"It may as well have been an age," he said, with a smile. "So much has happened.
He was right: Mary had made the final arrangements for their wedding, which would take place the very next morning, and Richard had made plans to visit his brother, Philip, in London, shortly afterwards. Mr Fitzwilliam had business in town, he said, and would be delighted to host the newlyweds at his house for a visit.
"Delighted to pass judgment," Richard had remarked, with a frown. He had not shown Mary the letter, but folded it and shoved it, unceremoniously, into his pocket.
The carriage rumbled to a stop, and Kitty and Lydia were the first to burst from its dark interior, scarcely waiting for their footman to open the door.
"Elizabeth ought to be here as well," Mary said, wringing her hands. "They will surely wish to see her."
"And they will." Richard hauled himself to his feet and crossed to her side, taking her hands in his and stilling her anxious fidgeting with a smile. "But they will, without doubt, be eager to see you too."
The door to the parlour flew open, as if to illustrate the truth of Richard's words.
"Where is Mary?" Lydia demanded. "Oh, look! You are here waiting to greet us, just as you ought!" She hurried forward and pulled Mary into a not-entirely-gentle embrace. After a moment too long for comfort, she was released, and Lydia turned a wicked grin toward Richard.
"Now, Colonel Fitzwilliam, might I warrant an affectionate greeting from you, too? We are to be related, after all."
"Indeed we are, Miss Lydia, and I rejoice at it, but if you will excuse me I must ensure your mother and father are in need of no assistance."
Bowing in a way that caused first Lydia and then Kitty, who had followed close on her sister's heels, to giggle, he departed.
Mary let out a breath that she had not been aware of holding, and gestured for her sisters to join her in sitting.
"Oh, I have missed you both." It was not a lie - whilst she had often despaired of her sisters' rowdy behaviour at Longbourn, Rosings had been so quiet of late as to be a trial to Mary's nerves, particularly after Lady Catherine's self-imposed exile.
The door opened again, admitting Mrs Bennet, on Richard's arm, and closely followed by Mr Bennet, accompanying Jane and Anne, who offered profuse apologies for her mother's present absence on account of a headache.
"She is not too unwell, I hope?" Jane asked, her voice filled with concern. "Perhaps we ought to call another time instead?"
Before Anne could answer, Mrs Bennet had sallied forth.
"Nonsense, Jane! I could not dream of not seeing Mary before her wedding, and we have only today - for tomorrow we shall return to Longbourn as soon as the wedding is over." She cast a pointed glare at her husband that suggested she did not approve of the fleeting nature of their visit but had, in this instance, been overruled.
"Of course you must stay," Anne insisted, with a warm smile. "I am sure Mama will join us shortly."
"Mary." Mrs Bennet settled herself in a comfortable chair and beckoned her daughter over to her. "How do you fare, dear? And Colonel Fitzwilliam, you look well. Are you excited for tomorrow?" Her voice took on a teasing, confidential tone that Mary could not recall her mother ever applying to her before that afternoon.
"Very much, Mrs Bennet. And your presence ensures the day will be all the more special."
"Will your own family not be in attendance?" Mrs Bennet asked Richard, laughing apologetically. "Beyond your aunt and cousin, of course."
"And Mr Darcy," Lydia piped up. "Is he not with you?"
"Yes, and where has Elizabeth got to?" Jane asked, a worried frown crossing her face.
"Perhaps they are together!" Lizzy said, with a sly laugh.
"They are walking in the grounds," Anne said, lightly. "But we expect their return before long."
Mrs Bennet's mouth fell open in surprise, and before Mary could think of something to say, Richard threw himself into the breach.
"It will be a small wedding, Mrs Bennet, for as I am sure you will appreciate, we are eager to marry and not delay in order to accommodate the arrival of more guests. I am conscious of not outstaying our welcome in Kent, with everything that has happened - and so we will go on to London directly." He paused and Mary lifted her eyes to his, sending him a smile that she hoped was encouraging. It must have been, for he continued speaking a moment later.
"My brother will be in London, and we shall stay with him there. It is quite some time since we were together."
This was delivered very stiffly and Lydia opened her mouth to quiz Richard further on his mysterious brother, sensing some delicious gossip, but before she could say a word, the door opened and Elizabeth and Mr Darcy walked in.
"I thought I heard voices!" Lizzy remarked, sweeping a tentative glance around her family before returning to Mary.
"Lizzy!" Jane rose and greeted her sister with a warm embrace. "How are you?" She peered behind her. "And Mr Darcy, how nice to see you once more."
"And I you, Miss Bennet. I trust Hertfordshire is as we left it?"
They fell to a brief discussion of Netherfield and its tenants, but Mary could scarcely tear her eyes away from Elizabeth's. After a moment, Richard cleared his throat and turned all attention to his cousin.
"Actually, this is perhaps as good a time as any, Darcy. You must tell Elizabeth's family your news."
Acknowledging his cousin withal deep bow, Darcy nodded. Glancing at Elizabeth for reassurance in a way Mary found endearing, he spoke, quietly, addressing the room with confidence.
"My cousin is quite right, for we ought not to keep it a secret, and it is bound to be talked of when my aunt joins us." A pause. "I have asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me, and am delighted to say that she has accepted. We shall be wed before the month is out."
