Chapter 54: Day before the wedding
Darcy sat behind his desk going over some files. He could hardly believe the past several weeks had flown by so quickly and now here he was about to be married to the woman he loved tomorrow. He had to admit he was having a tough time focusing on his work as each time he tried his thoughts kept going back over to Elizabeth. "As they are right now," he mumbled out loud as the door to his study opened.
"Georgiana said you were in here working, but I didn't think she was serious," Richard said to him. "But here you are."
"I was feeling anxious and thought I could occupy my time," he told him. "But as you can see I have accomplished very little." Darcy pushed back from his desk. "There were a few loose ends I wanted to tie up with the Mescal deal before I leave for my honeymoon," he told him.
"Are you feeling the wedding jitters?" Richard asked his cousin. "You are taking a huge step, giving up the life of being a bachelor, dating whomever you want, partying with your friends," he teased him.
"Tell me, Richard, when has that description ever matched my life?" he laughed.
Richard laughed, "Your right, getting married won't be such a sacrifice for you at all."
Darcy smiled when he thought of Elizabeth. "At least I can agree with you there, marrying Elizabeth is not a sacrifice, it is a privilege."
"What is Elizabeth doing today?" he asked him.
Darcy shrugged his shoulders. "I think she and Jane were going to spend the day together," he told him. "Or at least a part of it."
"Are you going to be seeing her later?" Richard asked.
Darcy shook his head. "No, we are not going to see each other until tomorrow at the wedding. She wants to observe the tradition of me not seeing the bride until just before the ceremony," he explained. "So, I find myself feeling tied up in knots waiting for tomorrow like a kid waiting for Christmas morning."
Richard laughed, "Well then I have a suggestion," he told him.
Darcy looked over at his cousin. "And what would that be."
Richard smiled, "I have rented out the track, and my friend has agreed to let us come over and test drive his new Ferrari."
"Is this the friend who owns the fleet of race cars?" he asked him.
Richard nodded his head. "Yes, so what do you say, are you up for it?"
Darcy thought about what Elizabeth might say. "I'm not exactly sure how Elizabeth would feel about me going to the track and driving an incredibly powerful vehicle at ridiculously high speeds."
Richard shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you could always go and then tell her about it later."
Darcy only hesitated for a moment. "Why do I have the feeling this is going to end up like the time we drove your father's car into the pond?" he commented as he got up from his desk.
Richard laughed, "Don't be silly Darcy this won't be anything like that."
"How can you be so sure?" Darcy asked him.
"Because for one thing there is no pond near the track," he laughed.
Just as they were about to leave Rupert called out to him, "Sir, I have a certified letter for you," he said as he walked over and handed it to Darcy. "It just arrived."
Darcy picked it up. "Thank you, Rupert," he said before the man left the room. He looked at the return address and let out a heavy sigh. "I will give you two guesses who this is from."
Richard knew it was from Wickham. "Darcy, don't read it now," he told him. "Just give it to me, I will read it, and if there is anything to it I will let you know," he said taking the letter. "We both know he's probably just attempting to torment you before the wedding tomorrow. Don't let his taunts ruin the occasion."
Darcy nodded his head. "You are right," he agreed as he passed the letter over to his cousin. "And I'm in too good a mood to let anything he has to say spoil it. Tomorrow I'm marrying the woman I love, and that's all that matters."
Elizabeth sat outside in the garden watching the leaves fall from the trees. It was a beautiful fall day. She kept thinking how her life would change over the next twenty-four hours. Longbourn would no longer be her home. From now on her home would be in London, or Derbyshire with Will. She thought about all the childhood memories she would be leaving behind, all the good times and bad. She thought about her parents and their marriage; she wondered for just a moment if either of them had doubts before they married each other. She thought about Will; she wasn't nervous about getting married. She knew marrying him was the right decision. She knew they would be happy, but still, there were so many couples who once thought those same things only to end in divorce. It was the sound of her father's voice that got her attention. "My dear Lizzy, do you have a moment to speak to your old dad?" he asked as he walked over and sat down.
Elizabeth tucked her arm inside of his. "Of course I do, you know I always have time for you."
He smiled and patted her hand. "I was just thinking this morning how different the house will seem after tomorrow."
"That's funny, I was just thinking how much my life will change after tomorrow," Elizabeth said.
He smiled, "It will change for you and for us," he said. "I suppose some fathers might take this moment before their daughter is about to marry, to ask her if she's sure? If this is truly what she wants? If she will be happy?" he began to say. "But I don't have to ask those questions of you; I can see the answers in your eyes every time you are with Darcy. I know you will be happy. I know your life together will be wonderful. You will have ups and downs, but I know that one day when you are much older and wiser as I now am," he teased, then continued, "You will look back on this moment and be able to say with no regrets marrying William Darcy was the best choice you ever made."
She reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you for coming out here and telling me that," she whispered softly. "I felt it in my heart, but to have you put it in words so perfectly just makes it that much more real for me. I love Will, and I'm so happy to be marrying him, to spend my life with him."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "How about you and I take a walk together up to the old oak tree?" he suggested. "Your mum is having a fit that the flowers for tomorrow's wedding breakfast are not just as she ordered and I could use some peace. Maybe we both could use some peace from all the wedding chatter, just for a little while."
Elizabeth smiled, "Oh I would like that very much," she told him as they walked off together.
Charles arrived at Darcy's in the afternoon. "So Charles are you ready to take the leap?" he asked his friend as he came into the living room.
"I am ready," he told him. "And what about you?"
"I am more than ready," Darcy laughed.
"Jane sent me a text a while ago; she said that her mother was driving her crazy with last-minute preparations. I told her it was not too late, the four of us could get on a plane and elope," he laughed.
"How did Jane respond to that?" Darcy asked him.
"She said that if I wanted to ever have peace in the family, I had better not make such jokes in front of her mother. Apparently, she does not believe that her mother's love for my bank account would help soften such a blow as our eloping would cause," he laughed.
Darcy laughed, "I think she's right. Mrs. Bennet would probably spend every moment we are together reminding us of the joy and happiness we would deprive her of seeing her two daughters so wealthily wed," he joked.
Charles laughed, "Don't you mean happily wed?"
Darcy shook his head. "Nope, I meant wealthily..." he repeated himself as they both laughed at the truth in the statement. Mrs. Bennet was most pleased with seeing both her daughters marry so well. Darcy knew that was her motivation, but it no longer bothered him because he knew Elizabeth's, heart. Besides he found that he had come to agree with his future mother-in-law completely, Elizabeth truly was deserving of the very best that he could offer her.
"Have you managed to keep the honeymoon destination a secret as you wanted to?" Charles asked.
"I have," Darcy told him. "I think Elizabeth will be very pleased. The only hint I gave was to tell her to pack her camera."
Charles laughed, "That's hardly much of a hint," he told him.
"You are right; it isn't," Darcy laughed. "In my endeavor to keep our honeymoon plans free from the press I did realize that meant telling as few people as possible. I wanted to surprise her, make our honeymoon a kind of gift to her. I want it to be special, something she will always remember. I couldn't take Elizabeth someplace she has never been, without having her bring her camera. I know her too well, she would be disappointed not to have it with her once she realizes where we will be staying."
Charles laughed, "Who would have ever guessed, my friend Mr. Darcy is a romantic at heart."
Darcy smiled, "I don't care what you call me, I'm happy to admit it, when it comes to Elizabeth I'm a romantic at heart," he told him.
"That's exactly as it should be," Charles said. "I find myself in the same condition as you."
Charlotte picked Lizzy up at six o'clock to go for dinner. "I'm so glad we get to have this time together before the craziness starts tomorrow, Lizzy. I just wanted you to know how very happy I am for you."
Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you, Charlotte, it means so much to me that you will be standing up with Jane and me when we take our vows. I know the wedding party has been a bit unorthodox with each of us being brides and maid of honor at the same time, but you have been so helpful. Really I would be lost without your help these past weeks."
"Lizzy, you and Jane are my best friends, you know I will always do what I can to be of help," she told her.
Elizabeth sipped her ice tea. "How are things going for you?" she asked changing the subject. "You look so beautiful; I guess what they say is true about motherhood."
Charlotte smiled, "Well my anemia is better, thanks to Collins. He's making sure I eat lots of things rich in vitamins and iron. The doctor said the baby is growing and the heartbeat is strong. We are both very excited to be having this baby."
"And you and Collins, how are things between you?" Elizabeth asked.
"They are better," Charlotte told her. "There are times when Lady Catherine still works her way into our private life, but he's trying so hard to be a better husband. I find I don't have to remind him nearly so often as I first did."
Elizabeth smiled, "I'm glad for you Charlotte, it means a lot to me to know you are happy."
Charlotte grew quiet for a moment. "I'm happy Lizzy. Collins is not a perfect husband, but he loves me, and I can see he's trying so hard to make things better for us. There are times when his fussing and carrying on can still get on my nerves, but every couple has their struggles, and I'm not perfect either."
Elizabeth finished eating her dinner. "Charlotte, I do think being married has agreed with you," she said.
"It will agree with you too, Lizzy," Charlotte told her. "Now I have a very important question to ask," she said changing the subject. "Have you discovered where Darcy is taking you for your honeymoon?"
"No," she told her. "He has kept the entire trip a secret from me. I don't think anyone, but Richard knows where we are going. Even Georgiana could not get it out of him."
Charlotte smiled, "Oh it's all so romantic," she gushed just a little.
Elizabeth laughed, "Charlotte I thought you weren't a romantic person," she reminded her friend. "Now here you are saying it's romantic that Darcy is keeping the location of my honeymoon a secret. I do believe having this baby really has messed with your hormones," she teased.
Charlotte smiled, "It has, I find there are times when I cry for no reason at all. I blame the pregnancy for my overly sentimental side popping through, but I will never admit that to Collins," she said. "You do have to admit it is very romantic that Darcy is just going to whisk you away to some unknown paradise where it will be just the two of you alone with no distractions," she teased.
Elizabeth let out a small sigh. "It is very romantic, isn't it," she agreed as they finished their dinner. The thought of spending the next three weeks alone with Will, made her heart beat faster. It didn't really matter where they went, as long as they would be together.
Charles was just about to phone Jane when his phone went off. He glanced down and saw that it was his sister Caroline calling him. He took in a deep breath not knowing what to expect when he answered, it had been several weeks since the two of them last spoke. "Hello Caroline," he said.
"Hello Charles, I wanted to apologize to you," Charlotte said. "The last time we spoke I was dreadful, the things I said were unkind, and I'm sorry."
Charles wasn't sure what to make of this change in her. "I appreciate you saying so," he said cautiously.
"I know you probably won't believe me, but I have had a lot of time to think," she told him. "A lot of time to really examine my life and I realize I don't like some of what I have seen."
Charles didn't say anything at first. "Caroline, we all have faults, none of us are perfect, but seeing those things and making changes in our life is what helps us grow," he told her. "I hope you know that as your brother that was all I ever wanted for you, was to help you grow."
"I see that now," she told him. "I'm only sorry it took me so long to realize how selfish I have been. I have learned a lot over the past several weeks."
"Brandon did mention to me that you were living in your flat now and had moved out of the hotel," he commented.
"Yes, I moved out of the hotel a few weeks ago," Caroline said. "It has been interesting, but one does what one has to, to get by."
"I heard from Louisa that you are doing the interior design for your place on your own?" Charles told her.
"I'm giving it a go," Caroline said. "I have found that I have a real talent for design and am thinking of opening my own business. Louisa is helping me get started. I'm going to be redoing their posh London apartment for them."
"That's good news," he told her. He felt encouraged by what he was hearing. "Perhaps once Jane and I return you could help her with some of the rooms here at Netherfield, she was saying she felt a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of doing it alone. We have started some remodeling in the master suite but nothing beyond that."
Caroline smiled, "If Jane wants my help I would love to give it, but we can talk about that another time. I just wanted to tell you, if you still want me, I would very much like to be at your wedding tomorrow. You are my brother, and I don't want to miss this important occasion in your life."
Charles hesitated, "You do know that I'm having a double wedding with Darcy and Elizabeth? Louisa told you, didn't she?" he said then added, "I want you there of course, but I don't want there to be an issue because of Darcy marrying Elizabeth. Can you promise there will be no problems?"
She smiled, "I'm fine with it," she assured him. "Truly I am," she said. "There might have been a time when I would have had issues with Darcy marrying Elizabeth, but if she makes him happy, then that's all that matters."
Charles was relieved. "Good," he said. "That's good news; I'm really very glad to have you be there tomorrow. We are family, and as such I want you to be a part of my and Jane's life."
"I want that too, Charles," she said before hanging up the phone. She took one look at her half-empty living room then mumbled, "As soon as I get back into his good graces, the sooner I can get my life back."
Darcy came into the living room to find Georgiana sitting in the chair reading her book. He smiled when he thought about how much his life was about to change, very soon Elizabeth would be there with them as well. "How is that new mystery novel?" he asked her as he walked over and sat down.
"It's all right, but I think I already have it figured out," she told him. "I'm pretty sure, in this case, the butler really did do it."
Darcy smiled, "Oh, well maybe I will just forgo that one then."
"So are you nervous?" Georgiana asked him as she put the book aside.
He laughed, "I know it is customary for the groom to have pre-wedding jitters, but I'm perfectly calm. I'm marrying the woman I love, and I couldn't be happier."
"I'm happy for you," Georgiana said. "Elizabeth is the perfect person for you."
"Georgie, you really are ok with the changes that are coming, aren't you?" he asked her. "I want you to know just because Elizabeth and I are marrying and beginning our life together, you are a huge part of our family and always will be. Pemberley is your home, and that will never change."
She smiled, "Oh William, I know that," she assured him. "But thank you for telling me, it is nice to know some things don't change."
"What do you mean?" he asked her.
"Well things like you being my big brother, and looking out for me. It's nice to know that you and Richard will always be there for me. I know I can depend on that," Georgiana said to him.
He smiled as she went back to reading her book. He opened his book, and settled in and began reading. He was glad that he was spending this last night before he and Elizabeth married with his sister. Having this moment together, just the two of them chatting and spending time felt right to him. As he thought about the wedding for a moment, he did acknowledge his one regret. He was sad that neither of his parents lived to see this day, to share in his joy with him. He missed them both very much, he knew they would have liked Elizabeth, and they would have been happy for him.
The past several weeks felt like they dragged on forever, but Elizabeth finally was about to become Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. She stretched and yawned as she crawled into bed. She was just about to text Will when she heard a knock at the door. "Yes."
Jane opened the door and came inside. "Lizzy, can we talk?" she asked as she came in and closed the door.
"Of course we can," she told her as she made room for her on the bed.
Jane climbed under the covers next to her sister. "Lizzy, I'm so happy, but a part of me feels sad too," she admitted.
Elizabeth understood completely, "I know exactly what you mean. I feel as though I have waited for this day my whole life and now in a few short hours it will be here, and I miss this old part of my life already."
Jane looked at her sister. "Things won't be so completely different, will they?" she asked needing reassurance. "I mean we will still talk every day and see each other at least once a week."
Elizabeth shook her head. "Oh no Jane, that will never do. We shall have to make a pact here and now to speak at least three times a day and see each other at least four times a week."
Jane's eyes welled up with tears. "Oh Lizzy you are teasing me," she accused her sister then said. "I know I'm being silly. I just can't help myself."
Elizabeth wrapped her arm around her sister. "I'm most certainly not teasing you, my dearest Jane," she told her as she held up her hand. "I, Elizabeth Bennet, soon to become Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy do so swear to call my sister Jane Bennet soon to become Mrs. Jane Bingley at least three times a day. To faithfully send her multiple text messages, and to come and see her four times a week for so long as I live. Now, this is a sisterly pact, and it can never be broken."
Jane smiled, "I swear to faithfully uphold this sisterly pact so long as I shall live," she told her as she hugged her sister.
Elizabeth wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled. "Now we are bound by this unbreakable pact to stay close and never allow life to pull us apart. Of course, this pact can't begin until after our honeymoons!" she laughed.
Jane wiped her eyes and laughed. "Yes, not until after our honeymoons!"
Elizabeth pulled the pillow up in front of her. "I have a confession to make to you."
"What is it?" she asked as she wiped the last of her tears from her eyes.
"I know I told you I didn't want any of those revealing nighties from the lingerie store," Elizabeth began to tell her.
"Yes, and I made sure there was not one risqué gift at your bridal shower," she reminded her.
Elizabeth laughed, "You did a wonderful job of making sure that my wishes were honored," she agreed. "However, I still have no idea what I'm going to do with so many candles, and bubble bath," she laughed thinking about the gifts she did get.
Jane smiled mischievously. "You could always have romantic candlelight dinners, and bubble bath for two," she teased her.
"That's a very fine idea, I rather like the thought of sharing a bath with Will," she told Jane then said, "back to my confession."
Jane smiled, "Yes your confession, tell me Miss Eliza Bennet what is it you have done. What deep dark secret is it that you must confess on the night before you marry?"
Elizabeth blushed a little. "I must confess to you that I did go into one of those shops, and I did buy several tasteful, but risqué nighties for my honeymoon," she told her as she lifted the pillow up to her face.
Jane laughed, "Oh Lizzy thank goodness! I was feeling so sorry for poor Darcy. Imagine him waiting for you eagerly to join him on your wedding night, waiting for you to make your grand entrance and you come out in your old flannel pajamas."
Elizabeth laughed, "Yes, I realize that's probably not the memory I want him to have of our first night together," she admitted then said. "I plan to wear a very daring red nightie that covers just enough to entice, but leaves room for curiosity."
Jane cleared her throat. "Well since we are sharing," she began to say. "I plan to wear the faux fur I was modeling the day Charles, and I met."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed in confusion. "And you were feeling sorry for Will because you thought I was going to wear flannel pajamas," she commented "Wearing a fake fur is way less attractive."
Jane smiled playfully. "Not when it's 'all' that I will be wearing."
Elizabeth laughed, "Oh now I understand. Well, then I think both our husbands are going to be very pleased come tomorrow night."
Jane looked serious for a moment. "Lizzy did Mum pull you aside and give you 'the talk?'" she asked trying to remain serious.
Elizabeth laughed. "Yes, she did, and I can tell you, I have never felt more uncomfortable in my entire life."
"I know," Jane laughed. "To hear Mum describe the wedding night you would think we were about to endure some kind of torture."
"Poor mama, she has no clue," Elizabeth sighed. "All I can say is if my wedding night with Will is even half as romantic and passionate as some of my dreams have been then I will gladly submit to that kind of torture every night!" she admitted to Jane as they both broke out into laughter.
Jane took out some tissues and wiped her eyes. "Oh Lizzy I know we will still be in touch with each other all the time, but I'm going to miss these moments with you."
Elizabeth smiled, she knew exactly how Jane was feeling. "Me too," she admitted as they hugged one another good night.
After Jane had left the room, Elizabeth picked up her phone and was just about to send a text off to Will, when she received one from him. "Just wanted to tell you how much I love you."
Elizabeth typed back, "Was just thinking about you."
"Hope they were good thoughts," he wrote back.
Elizabeth smiled, "Mm they were very good thoughts," she teased.
Darcy's heart skipped a beat, he knew she was teasing him, but he enjoyed every minute of it, "Well then share with me Miss Bennet, what good thoughts exactly were occupying you at this hour?"
Elizabeth blushed, then typed, "I was thinking how much I missed you today. How much I missed being in your arms and feeling you close to me. I was thinking how very much I will enjoy getting to go to bed with you each night from now on, snuggling close together and..." she wrote.
Darcy took in a deep breath; his mind was suddenly filled with images of the two of them together, "and what?" he typed back.
Elizabeth blushed, "For the answer to that question, you will have to wait until tomorrow night," she typed in and hit send.
"You are a temptress Miss Bennet!" he wrote back.
"I know," Elizabeth wrote back, "I love you" she typed in before putting her phone down and going to sleep.
