Although the marriage between Richard Fitzwilliam and the former Anne De Bourgh was a marriage of convenience, both were happy with the situation. Richard was very attentive to his wife and did everything possible to make her last months of life happy. At Anne's insistence, they consummated the marriage more than once.
Unwittingly, Anne fell in love with Richard and felt happy by his side but sad because she knew she was going to die soon, on the other hand, Richard felt affection for Anne whom he considered his best friend, and he would miss her when she was gone.
Little by little, Richard became familiar with the tasks the master of Rosings had to perform. Three times a week he toured the estate, meeting with Lady Catherine and the steward to discuss the repairs and improvements needed to be made, and also kept up a regular correspondence with Darcy.
In early September, at Anne's insistence, Richard went to Pemberley to attend Darcy's wedding. He arrived with his parents two days before the wedding.
PPP
Mary was looking thoughtfully out the window. So many things had happened in such a short time, most of them sad... Her father had died 4 months ago, Lydia's pregnancy out of wedlock, and her recent death.
While she never had a good relationship with Lydia, she was very saddened by her sister's death. At the suggestion of the Gardiners, they were going to say within six months that Lydia had died in a carriage accident. She understood that it was important for the Bonnets' reputation to change the date of her sister's death as it eliminated any possibility of her dying in childbirth.
Since this morning was Elizabeth's wedding, she was going to leave her mourning. Her dress was light yellow and Georgiana's was light blue. Johnny had a very nice blue suit. She was very happy for her cousin and the prospect of living with the Darcys and Johnny in Pemberley.
PPP
A group of about thirty people gathered at Pemberley chapel to witness Elizabeth Thompson's wedding to Fitzwilliam Darcy.
As the organ played, Elizabeth with tears in her eyes, entered the church hand in hand with Johnny. Elizabeth was radiant in a new pearl-colored gown with beautiful flowers and pearl adornments in her hair, while Darcy was wearing a dark blue suit that brought out the color of his eyes.
When he saw his bride, Darcy was immensely moved. He had never seen his Elizabeth so beautiful. At last, Johnny smiled at Elizabeth, and sat near Mary.
It was clear to the priest who officiated the ceremony and to everyone present that this was a love match. The couple said their vows with conviction and feeling, both of their voices trembling with emotion.
At the wedding breakfast, Richard mainly talked to Georgiana and Mary; they were both very happy that they were now going to live together…
"Richard, I am so happy. I finally have two sisters!"
"You already told me three times, Georgi. And you, Miss Bennet, are you happy?"
Mary smiled, "Very happy Mr. Fitzwilliam. Are you going to stay a few days at Pemberley?"
"Yes, but only three days. Afterward, I must go back to Rosings as my wife is very ill and I cannot be away for long." He replied with a sad smile.
Both nodded.
They chatted for a few more minutes, until Georgiana exclaimed, "Mary, they're about to go." Looking at Richard, she added, "If you want, come closer to the piano."
Georgiana for the first time addressed an audience of so many people, "Today is a very happy day as my brother married my dear friend." she smiled, "Mary and I want to dedicate this performance to him."
The two friends played a duet of Mozart's 40th symphony, followed by the piece Georgiana had composed years before when Darcy returned from university.
Darcy listened with great emotion to his sister and Mary playing and clearly remembered that distant day that was the beginning of his great love for his wife. Elizabeth smiled at her two best friends and gently squeezed Darcy's hand.
From a few steps away, Richard watched Georgiana and Mary play with feeling. The few times he had conversed with Miss Bennet he had been greatly impressed by her character, sensibility, and directness. At no time she flirted with him, nor he with her, and everything she said was interesting and even stimulating. He recognized that she was a pretty young woman, but what he liked most about her was not her physical appearance but the tranquility and peace he felt when he was with her.