Chapter 48

Awakening Elizabeth glanced over toward Jane, who had slept with her to provide both with comfort after the near kidnapping in the park, who still slept peacefully. She quietly left the bed and went to the dressing room to summon her maid to help her dress. Once attired, Elizabeth went down stairs and headed for the library, where she assumed Darcy would be waiting for her. Peeking her head in, she was pleased to see she was right. Sensing her presence, he looked up from his reading. He started to rise to greet her but she waved him back to his seat and took a seat next to him.

Darcy allowed his gaze to rest on her face. She colored under his eyes and he leaned down to follow through with his lips, the message his eyes were conveying. After kissing her, he said, "I find myself reluctant to ever let you out of my sight again."

"Jane and I discussed it last night. It will not take long for society to learn about the attempted kidnapping in Hyde Park yesterday. While I know Aunt Maria takes good care of our social positions, perhaps we might capitalize on the storm of gossip that is about to beset us. Surely in light of the attempted kidnapping society would understand, and if Lady Jersey were to have her say, even encourage us to marry quickly," Elizabeth said. "Besides I think we can safely assume that this new happening will quickly cause the ton to forget about Lady Catherine's possible scandal."

"Yes, it would be impossible to keep what happened quite. There were witnesses and it is the type of sensational event that will grow wings of its own. A tradesmen attempting to kidnap a young lady from the first circles out of Hyde Park, a location society regards as part of their domain. I do believe Aunt Maria can turn the gossip to our advantage. And because they will desire a first hand accounting all the Fitzwilliams, including Aunt Catherine, will be welcomed and feted at any event they attend."

"So our little adventure has safely laid to rest Aunt Kitty Cat's scandal. It also has hopefully paved the way for an earlier wedding then the ton originally deemed acceptable, " Elizabeth said wryly.

"I would happily marry you today, Elizabeth, regardless of the ton's thoughts on it," Darcy said.

Elizabeth laughed at this and said, "Perhaps not quite today. I think Aunt Maria would have a few choice words about that. But perhaps by special license and within the week? That should give papa, enough time to arrive in London or us to go to Longborn."

"Consider it done. I will take Bingley with me to get one today, and I will drop in on Lady Jersey, so that she can turn society into finding a small quick ceremony not only acceptable but prudent. I do not doubt with her hand on the tiller of gossip, it will be managed. An invitation to the wedding should pave the way," Darcy said dropping another light kiss on her lips, unable to help himself.

...

Mrs. Bennet was in awe the day she married off her two most deserving daughters, Lady Catherine at her side. She merely nodded as she took in the scene of the wedding breakfast held at Netherfield. The Duke and Duchess of Richmond as well as Lady and Lord Jersey were in attandance, but they were not expected to stay long at the wedding breakfast.

Lady Catherine had firmly informed Mrs. Bennet that Lydia and Kitty would return to Longbourn after the ceremony. Mrs. Bennet, subdued once again by the presence of Elizabeth's family had agreed. She had actually agreed with every suggestion Lady Matlock or Lady Catherine made, to in awe to argue. She silently delighted in the fact that she would be able to tell her neighbors how she and the grand ladies had been in complete agreement on every aspect of the wedding. Privately Mrs. Bennet would have preferred more lace on the dresses and a more elaborate grand wedding, but the two titled ladies did not, so she said nothing. She consoled herself with the fact that once Jane was the mistress of Netherfield, she could plan an elaborate ball in an ostentatious show of wealth.

…

Darcy smiled at Elizabeth, his wife. He had always wanted her to be a Darcy, even when she was a small child before he had learned to love her as a man loves a woman. He reflected that his parents, and her birth parents, would be happy with their union, based off of love. Lady Jersey had left the wedding breakfast eager to return to town with her own version of the events. The Lady had come through for them with society. The highest sticklers for proper behaviour had agreed amongst themselves that it was imperative that the two marry quickly for Elizabeth's protection from vulgar fortune hunters. Any nay sayers knew better then to contradict the general opinion. To say the quick marriage was scandalous was practically synonymous with believing Lawton Sr's actions that day in Hyde Park were acceptable.

Darcy had no idea how Lady Jersey and her counterparts managed it, but he was thankfuk they had. The ladies for their efforts did require a pennance though. Darcy would not be abscounding with his bride to Pemberley or taking a wedding trip with her, not until later. Society's leaders wanted Elizabeth's presence in town, and his own. He would give them there due for another month and a half, but by mid July he intended to leave town with his bride. He planned on her celebrating her birthday, July twenty-first at Glenwood, her parents home, before making their way further north to Pemberley, where they both belonged.

The End