Author's note: first, I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words! And I include those of you who pointed out some parts that I missed! The problem with having kids and writing quickly is that I compose the stories in my head, then type them out in between lunches, homeschool lessons, etc. I end up missing a few things that I had written in my head! So I appreciate when you pointed out that Lizzy did not, in fact, tell Darcy he was the last many she could ever marry. I meant to include that! I appreciate you point it out to me! When the story is complete, I will go back and make the changes that I need to.

Thank you all so much for reading! This is a shorter chapter, but it needed to end on the cliffhanger! :)

Chapter 31

"A wedding in Derbyshire?" shrieked Mrs. Bennet.

"Yes, Mama," Lizzy said, trying not to wince at her mother's ear-piercing words. "Mr. Darcy and I plan to marry from Pemberley in a month."

"Why not from Longbourn church, where all your friends can see?"

"Because, Mama, Jane has invited me to stay with her after her marriage. Without a proper wedding trip, she would like me to accompany her as she takes over her new duties as both mistress and mother."

"Then you should wait and be married after you have seen Jane settled!" her mother exclaimed. "Have you no compassion on my nerves? How can I plan a wedding that takes place in the wilds of the north?"

As Mrs. Bennet continued her complaints, Lizzy's mind began to wander. It travelled to Netherfield, where she knew that Darcy, like herself, was eagerly waiting for the morning to pass so they could once again be in one another's company – properly chaperoned, of course.

Darcy had called on her father the previous evening, immediately after the party at Netherfield had come to a consensus on the location and timing of the wedding. Her father was not surprised by the visit, as he had given his permission for the courtship some months prior. He was surprised, however, by Darcy's smiling responses to the teasings throughout the interview.

Lizzy waited until the next morning to share the news with her mother, as she was quite overcome by the physical and emotional exertions of the day. She had wished for her bed and knew that her mother would not allow her to sleep if she were aware that her daughter was to marry someone with such an income as Darcy.

"Lizzy? Lizzy!"

"Yes, Mama?" Lizzy asked in confusion, her thoughts pulled back to Longbourn.

"Honestly, child, were you not listening to a word I spoke? We must make immediate plans for London! You should have access to all the best warehouses because your husband is as good as a lord with his ten thousand pounds per year!"

"No, Mama, there will not be time," Lizzy again explained. "Jane will marry Oakley, and I will accompany them to Matlock, where I will remain until my wedding. After that, we will join Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to tour the Lakes for our wedding trip."

Kitty interjected before her mother could begin to pout, "Mama, I have heard Colonel Fitzwilliam say that his mother purchases all of her clothes from the town nearest Matlock."

"Hmph, well, if the seamstress is good enough for a countess, then she is good enough for my daughter, I suppose," Mrs. Bennet sniffed.

"And Mama, if we wait any longer, then Lydia will have already removed to Brighton with her husband and the entire militia. This way, she can travel quickly to Derbyshire for the wedding while the entire company makes the transition," Lizzy reminded her mother.

"Well, I suppose, when you put it that way," Mrs. Bennet huffed in annoyance.

Sighing in relief, Lizzy sat back and smiled at Kitty. Since her return home, the two had spent much time together, when they weren't helping their mother plan Jane's wedding. Kitty had anticipated having more time with Lizzy before the younger sister was the only daughter left in the Bennet household. Although Kitty was disappointed her sister was marrying sooner than anticipated, Lizzy had promised that all of her sisters would invite her to visit regularly.

"With Lydia's improvements, you might even be given permission to go to Brighton with her for a time!" Lizzy exclaimed with laughter.

Kitty had laughed with her sister, but the idea had merit. Lydia was still a fun-loving girl, but her marriage had brought a measure of maturity to her character that had not been present before. The two youngest girls were reforming the friendship that had all but disappeared when Lydia became old enough to demand everything she wanted from her sister.

Once Mrs. Bennet had accepted Lizzy's wedding date and location, she turned her attention back towards Jane's wedding. The few days leading up to those nuptials seemed to pass in a blur to Lizzy. As much as she wished to spend time with her new fiancé, she knew there would be more opportunities to see him once they had all removed to the north.

The morning of Jane's wedding was cloudy but dry. Mrs. Bennet was in raptures over Jane's beauty not being marred by rain or damp grass. Secretly, Jane had the same relief. She was not marrying for love precisely, but if it was not love, then it was something very close to it.

Oakley stood at the front of the church near the parson, with his brother at his side to stand up with him, as well as his young sons. As Lizzy made her way down the aisle towards them, she spied Darcy sitting in the front row near his cousin. She took her place and turned towards him. The look in his eyes as he drank in her features took her breath away. She was hardly able to take her attention from his gaze, but forced herself to look at her closest sister coming down the aisle and saying her vows.

The parson's words were profound, yet brief. All too quickly, Jane and her husband had shared a kiss and were signing the register. Lizzy moved forward and signed her name as well, stating she was a witness, and gave the pen to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Once that duty was discharged, the colonel escorted Lizzy to where Kitty and Darcy were standing to the side. Partners were quietly exchanged, and they exited the church to find their newly-joined families.

Carriages were retrieved and the wedding guests made their way to Netherfield. Georgiana had offered to host the wedding breakfast at the larger estate in order to accommodate more guests, a plan to which Mrs. Bennet happily agreed, especially when Georgiana mentioned she would greatly rely on Mrs. Bennet's advice for seating and floral arrangements.

The wedding breakfast, too, appeared to pass as if in a dream. The guests were lively, and the bride was exquisitely beautiful. Jane's normally gentle smile had been transformed into a beam of delight and joy. Finally, it was time to end the festivities. Plans had been made for Jane and Oakley to head immediately for Matlock, while the remainder of the family would leave the following day with Oakley's sons.

Jane and Lizzy embraced, and Lizzy gave Jane a sly wink, causing the new bride to blush. "Lizzy," she scolded slightly, but with a smile.

They all bid the couple farewell, then returned to their homes for the night, eager to depart the next day.

***
Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.

She had been at Matlock for an entire week now, helping tend to the Oakley boys and get Jane settled in as mistress. Now, with everything like clockwork at Matlock, it was time for her to see Pemberley.

The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent.

Lizzy's mind was too full for conversation with the maid who accompanied her for propriety's sake, but she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased, and there it was.

Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned.

Lizzy was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. At that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!

I see now where some of his pride has come from, she admitted. What it must feel like to have the care of all of this land. He takes pride in his duties, which is a much better pride than feeling himself to be above any appearance of work.

They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of the house, butterflies began to form in her stomach. This was it. She would be introduced to all she encountered here as the future mistress of the house.

The carriage door opened, and Lizzy was delighted to see Darcy there to offer a hand down. She wanted to be demure in their greeting for the benefit of the servants, but she could not help herself. Throwing herself into his arms, she whispered, "This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen."

Darcy laughed, which caused a surprised look to come across the face of an elderly woman, whom Lizzy surmised to be the housekeeper. She was quickly introduced to Mrs. Reynolds, and they went inside. Darcy and Lizzy followed the woman into drawing room, where Georgiana was reclined on a settee, Bingley at her side in a chair. The pregnant woman began to stir, but Lizzy quickly said, "Oh, no, Georgiana! Please don't get up on my account! After all, we are to be sisters; I must teach you how it is done, since I have had four already."

Laughing, Georgiana sat back down. "What do you think of Pemberley?" she asked her friend.

"I was just telling Darcy it is the most beautiful home and I have ever encountered. I look forward to months, if not years, of exploring the grounds!"

"Just as long as you take a footman with you," Darcy said with a serious face.

Lizzy made to protest, but he continued, "Because the grounds are so extensive, there are often poachers or wild animals in the woods that make it less safe than Hertfordshire."

Mrs. Reynolds raised her eyes slightly at this exchange; the idea of the master having to explain himself to anyone!

Lizzy nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you for helping me to understand."

Darcy smiled, relieved, and said, "I promise to find a footman who is an excellent walker."

"That is all I require!" Lizzy said. "Or perhaps even a sturdy maid."

Darcy nodded in acquiescence, then turned to Mrs. Reynolds and said, "I believe we should give the future Mrs. Darcy a tour, should we not?"

Mrs. Reynolds agreed, eager to come to know her new mistress better.

The group spent the better part of three hours going through the house. Georgiana insisted on accompanying them, claiming she had spent the morning saving her strength so she could witness Lizzy's reactions on first seeing each of her favorite rooms.

The music room was, quite naturally, Georgiana's favorite room of the house. While there were several instruments in the room, such as the harp, the crowning feature was the beautiful piano that Darcy had purchased for his sister shortly after their return from Ramsgate. The gift and its repeated use had done much to soothe the girl's wounded soul and begin to mend.

Lizzy noticed as they toured that the decorations appeared to be recent. Georgiana explained that her husband and brother had encouraged her to replace many of the outdate styles that were remnants of their mother's decorating. The Bingley sisters contributed their opinions, Georgiana said slyly, but those opinions were not often followed.

At last, they reached the room Darcy most anticipated showing his betrothed: the library. Lizzy gasped as the double doors swung open to show a room that was three stories in height. Rich wooden bookcases with exquisitely carved designs held thousands upon thousands of books. Towering pillars held up each case, which then swept towards the high ceilings, curving into arches and forming endless loops.

Lizzy entered the room with a reverent awe, turning every which way to see the magnificence before her. "I do not think I shall ever leave this room," she said, which prompted a smile of a satisfaction from her husband.

"It has been the work of many generations," he told her.

He led her to a beautiful spiral staircase that wound its way up the bookcases, opening into balconies that wrapped around the room, providing easy access to the books without necessitating a tall ladder. She ran her fingers down the intricate carvings in the handrails.

"This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined," she whispered breathlessly.

"I'm relieved you like it," he teased. "Is it tolerable enough for you?"

Lizzy laughed and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "It's perfect."

A hall clock began to chime, and Lizzy gave a small start. "Oh! What is the time?"

Realizing that she was somewhat overdue for her return to Matlock, the two couples made their way to the front door, with Mrs. Reynolds behind them. The elderly housekeeper personally retrieved Lizzy's wrap, her way of demonstrating her acceptance of this new mistress. The young woman had clearly fallen in love with Master Darcy, whom Mrs. Reynolds had loved as a son since he was four years old. In return, Lizzy grasped the housekeeper's hands and whispered, "Thank you for your years of service. I look forward to coming to know you better."

At last, Oakley's carriage took her from Pemberley towards Matlock. Along the way, she closed her eyes and envisioned the days of bliss ahead with her husband, a beautiful estate to explore, and an incredible library with new adventures to discover.

Upon her arrival, Lizzy exited the carriage to discover Jane rushing towards her. "Lizzy! I have been so worried! You were gone so long!"

"Really, Jane, I am only a few minutes later than I anticipated."

Jane threw herself into Lizzy's arms. The young woman had been followed outside by her husband, whose face was grim.

"Jane, have you been crying?" Lizzy asked in concern. She looked up, giving Oakley a hard stare. "Why, pray tell, is my sister so upset?"

Oakley met her gaze with confidence. "We've just received an express from Longbourn," he said grimly.

Lizzy looked at Jane in horror. "What has happened?"

"Oh Lizzy, we've just received the most dreadful news about Kitty!"