"Jane!"
Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia all flew to their eldest sister the moment she exited the carriage. There was shouting, laughter, and tears. After she could wait no longer, Mrs Bennet squeezed in for her share of the hugs and noise, exclaiming that Jane was still as beautiful as ever. Several minutes of fussing later Jane managed to reach her father for a tight embrace. Mr Bennet discreetly wiped away a tear that threatened to fall. For most of them it was their first meeting with Jane in nine months.
Darcy beheld the scene with wonder. For all his reservations about the propriety shown by certain members of this family, it was clear they loved each other dearly. It was the kind of fierce, affectionate, selfless love no one in his own family ever displayed, not even when Colonel Fitzwilliam returned from months away in battle. Perhaps his family's brand of affection was more outwardly proper, but who had the happier lives? He was grateful to now have Elizabeth to teach him this kind of joy.
He and Georgiana exchanged a look, and he knew she was having the same thoughts.
Mr Collins cleared his throat, hoping to be acknowledged too, and everyone looked to him in shock. He had been completely forgotten in the commotion, but that was not the only source of their surprise. He looked quite altered from the last time any of them had seen him - even Elizabeth and Darcy. He had lost some weight, and frown lines were etched into his cheeks and forehead. It was the look of a troubled man.
Everyone greeted him, if not with the same enthusiasm shown his wife, then at least with politeness.
The group repaired to the parlour to talk while awaiting the call to dress for dinner. There was so much to say, from so many people, that despite the amount of conversation none of the Bennet ladies felt they had caught up at all yet when it was time to go change.
Elizabeth managed to steal a moment alone with her sister while walking her to her chamber.
"Jane, is Mr Collins well?" she whispered anxiously.
Jane frowned and shook her head slowly.
"It is difficult for him right now. He is out of favour with Lady Catherine due to your engagement. You know he venerates her rather too much, and her displeasure is putting quite a strain on him. He is torn between loyalty to me and to her; he came here because he knew it was important to me, but has been fretting constantly about making her angry. He fears losing his living though I have tried to remind him his appointment is for life."
"Oh Jane, I am sorry you will suffer for my marriage!" Elizabeth cried.
"I hope her anger will be of short duration. I cannot imagine anyone holding a grudge against someone else's happiness for very long. After all, it is not my husband's fault that Mr Darcy did not want to marry Miss de Bourgh."
"No indeed, for he decided against her many years ago. But you are the usurper's sister, and in close proximity to abuse at her convenience."
"I do believe she will see reason. She simply needs time to adjust to the idea. Perhaps getting away from her for a fortnight will help."
Elizabeth was skeptical, but replied that she hoped Jane would be correct. They reached their chambers and separated to dress.
Conversation at dinner continued where it had left off earlier. The Darcys opted to remain mostly quiet out of respect for the reunion occurring in their home. Eventually, however, there was a lull that gave Mr Darcy the opportunity he was waiting for. He stood up.
"Mr and Mrs Bennet, Mr and Mrs Collins, Mr and Mrs Lucas, Elizabeth, Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia. Georgiana and I are delighted to host all of you here in our home and have felt exceedingly privileged to witness your family's enthusiasm for life and love for one another. I believe I have learned some new things about all of you even in these first two days that increases my excitement to join your family through marriage.
"We have many activities planned for the rest of this month, but the next event will, I hope, be one of the happiest memories for all of us."
He reached for Elizabeth's hand, who was sitting to his right, and bade her stand beside him.
"I am overjoyed to announce that tomorrow at noon, here at Pemberley, Elizabeth and I will be married."
An uproar ensued. Mrs Bennet was partly overwhelmed by the excitement of a surprise wedding, and partly disappointed in losing her opportunity to parade Elizabeth and Darcy around her neighbours before hosting the finest wedding they had ever seen. She expressed both sentiments. It was barely noticed, however, over the effusions of varying force from her four other daughters and Georgiana. John issued his congratulations without being heard by anyone. Mr Bennet looked on in amusement while Darcy and Elizabeth smiled happily at each other.
After a couple of minutes, Mr Collins felt it was his turn to be heard; he stood and cleared his throat. The engaged couple took their seats.
"Pardon me if I am speaking out of turn, but as a clergyman and, moreover, the heir to Longbourn, which of course is not so noble an estate as this, but it is still a fine estate that I will be pleased to become shepherd to - many years in the future, that is," - he nodded respectfully towards Mr Bennet - "I feel it is incumbent on me to say my share. I must first thank Mr Darcy, whose gracious condescension and generosity has brought us all here today, and I hope all of my sisters are suitably grateful," - he looked around to assess their looks of gratitude, and whatever he saw must have satisfied him, for he carried on - "as I say, suitably grateful for the opportunity herein to reside in such a grand home among such august company as Mr and Miss Darcy. Not the least grateful, of course, should be my sister Elizabeth for gaining the notice of such a man and managing to win his hand, even over the much more eligible Miss Anne de Bourgh, and despite the objections of Mr Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and his uncle, the Earl of Matlock. Your elevation shall be a great change from your more modest upbringing and I can only hope you will be a credit to our family and show proper humility and respect for your superior new husband and his noble relations and peers."
Darcy's countenance was darkening rapidly. Elizabeth gently squeezed his hand under the table.
Mr Collins realised he was straying from his point, and noticed a deep blush on his wife's face. He supposed Jane was being modest at what she must know he was about to say and pressed on.
"Anyway, as I was saying, we must all thank Mr Darcy for the opportunity to all be together here today, despite the disapproval of certain prominent relations for the imminent union, but Jane and I have our own announcement that certainly everybody can approve of and take appropriate delight in."
"No, not now -" she quietly entreated, not wanting to steal her sister's moment, but alas, it was too late. He pulled her to her feet.
"Jane and I would like to announce that we are expecting the future heir to Longbourn, or at least we should all hope it shall be a son, due to the continuing entail that makes daughters unfortunately less valuable than sons, as delightful as they are. He will arrive in November."
Everyone was silent for a few moments, uncertain whether he had quite finished speaking, and uncertain what exactly had been said and whether they should feel insulted. Eventually, however, the salient point sunk in.
"Jane," Mrs Bennet's voice shook, "Jane, you are with child?"
"Yes, Mama," she answered, and lightly touched her stomach.
The second uproar of this dinner ensued. Jane fought her embarrassment at her husband's speech and at the attention that should not even be on her tonight, and accepted her family's congratulations with her usual grace and serenity.
Elizabeth was genuinely happy for her sister and partook in the celebration. When no one was watching she leaned over to Darcy, who still looked disgruntled, and whispered in his ear, "Please forgive him. He is too accustomed to deferring to his patroness, and is confused as to how to treat you and me as his relations in light of her anger."
He nodded, attempting to understand. "At least, after tonight, we shall not have to see much of him for a few days," he whispered back, and she chuckled.
The second evening at Pemberley was even more merry than the first, due to the exciting promises of a wedding the next day and a babe in a few months. Before going to their own chambers for the night, the five Bennet sisters gathered together on Elizabeth's bed, just as they had done the night before Jane's wedding many months ago.
After half an hour of cheerful conversation Kitty and Lydia departed, and Elizabeth welcomed the moment alone with her two married sisters.
"Jane, Mary," she said in a low voice, "Mama pulled me aside earlier tonight to tell me what to expect of the wedding night. I presume she gave you both the same speech. Is there much truth to what she said?"
They answered simultaneously. "Yes," said Jane. "No," said Mary.
Elizabeth could not help laughing. "That was not helpful!"
Jane and Mary looked at each other.
"I think every woman's experience will depend on her husband," Mary said slowly. "There is potential for pain and potential for pleasure. Relations may be frequent or rare. Every marriage is different."
Elizabeth looked from one to the other. "Will I - do you think my experience will be more like Mary's or like Jane's?"
Mary glanced at Jane a touch uncomfortably. "You know Mr Darcy best," was all she said to Elizabeth.
Jane added, "Mr Darcy loves you very much. He will be gentle with you, I am certain. And after the first couple of times you and your body will be accustomed to it. You have nothing to fear."
"Will it hurt?" Elizabeth asked.
Jane and Mary looked at each other again.
"It might, but only the first one or two times," Jane said.
"If Mr Darcy proceeds slowly and is… attentive… throughout, it will be much better," Mary added with a blush.
Elizabeth studied them both. All three women were rather embarrassed. "Very well. Thank you for answering my questions."
#
The morning of her wedding day dawned bright; it was a beautiful June day. Elizabeth awoke and looked around her chamber. After only two nights at Pemberley, she would move out of this room and reside in the Mistress's chambers permanently. That thought made her smile. Her happy solitude did not last long as all the women in her family burst into her room to begin the chaotic preparations.
The ceremony uniting Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet was short but meaningful, only twelve people in the room including the rector of Kympton who officiated. Mary and John served as their witnesses, to avoid asking the Collinses to be put in a potentially awkward position.
Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper, was overjoyed with her master marrying and from what she had seen so far of Elizabeth she was pleased with her new mistress. She showed her approval in the sumptuous feast that followed the wedding, where there were more fine foods and fine wines than twelve people could be expected to consume in an afternoon.
After only a couple hours of merrymaking Darcy spirited his new wife out of the room without anyone noticing.
"It is time for our second hiding place," he said with a wicked grin as he hurried her down the hall and up the stairs. When they reached the hallway containing their suite he picked her up to carry her the rest of the way amid her laughter.
Mr and Mrs Darcy reached the Master's chambers where he sat her on the edge of the bed. He locked all the doors then sat down beside her, angling himself to face her, and took her hands.
"Are you nervous?" he asked her.
She bit her lip and studied his face. If her mother and aunt Phillips were to be believed, after hearing all their little comments about men over the years, he must be bursting with impatience for this moment. Yet here they sat and his expression held nothing but loving concern. Even in this, the realisation of his long-held hopes and his right as her husband, he cared only for her comfort above his own. Her heart swelled with the love she felt for this man.
"No," she said. "I trust you."
He smiled gently. "Did your mother have the opportunity to explain what happens?"
She gave a small laugh. "Yes, and my sisters explained some more, and I feel as confused as ever."
"Can I attempt to clarify what confuses you? Is there anything you would like to ask me?"
She shook her head. "Show me."
And he did.