Chapter 23:

The two days remaining before the wedding passed on quite rapidly. Mrs. Bennet had insisted that Lizzy be dressed as befitting her soon to be new position of Mrs. Darcy, and to his credit, Mr. Bennet conceded and gave her a generous amount for her trousseau. Lizzy's wedding dress was absolutely exquisite and having taken only two days to be done—it had been quite expensive. This was Mr. Bennet's last gift for his daughter and he knew that she would never need for anything, and she was, after all, his favorite daughter.

Mrs. Bennet insisted that Mr. Darcy not come call on them on the day before the wedding, for it was a bad omen to see the bride. He agreed—having already spent a good portion of the day in Longbourn on the previous day and needing to rest before the wedding the next day. They were to have a small family wedding, followed by a wedding breakfast at Longbourn, which Mrs. Bennet had every intention of outdoing herself in, and then they would travel to London, arriving by night at Darcy House. Mr. Darcy had already informed his staff of his plans and was eager to spend a few weeks in London. They had spoken on the previous day about staying two weeks but it now seemed that they really did need time to recuperate from all the traveling and being mid-season, it made sense for them to stay in town through the season. Georgiana would join them and so it seemed Miss Bennet. He still needed to rest and recuperate, if he loath to admit it, even to himself.

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Lizzy allowed her mother to take her from fitting to fitting, making note of greeting every person who passed by, eager to share her good news. A daughter was getting married and a to a man of ten thousand a year! Mrs. Bennet's previous prejudice against Mr. Darcy had all been forgotten and she now spoke of him as a doting mother in law would.

Mr. Darcy's reputation had been somewhat lacking in Meryton, mainly due to Mr. Wickham's lies, but now that he was dead, it turned out that many a person were left with owed money. It seemed he had lied about many things and seeing Mr. Darcy marry the town's precious jewel, he was easily forgiven and it was all forgotten. His pride was now understood and his prejudice was now found to have been misplaced.

Lizzy ate quietly during their early supper, barely listening to her family. Mrs. Bennet moved supper earlier, although not fashionable, for she wanted everyone to have an early night for the upcoming wedding day.

It dawned on Lizzy, as she looked around the table, her family talking and passing the potatoes, Cornish hen, and butter, that that this would be her final night as Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Although she knew that she was already married, she did not feel as if she truly were. And though they had declared each other husband and wife in Scotland, they had not been declared in England..

Mrs. Bennet was unusually quiet that evening, taking small bites of her food and looking nervously around her. She had been dreading this all week, feeling she had not rightfully prepared to do her duty, but alas, even if she had tried preparing, she knew Lizzy would have found fault. Mrs. Bennet shrugged her shoulders, always ignoring the comments, jokes, and eye rolls that her husband and daughters said and did towards her. Although no one was currently putting her down, she nonetheless felt like shrugging, imaging Lizzy's critical eyes, as she began the dreadful conversation of the wedding night.

"Well then" said Mrs. Bennet, after the pudding, standing up and motioning for the help to clear up, "Let us make haste and get to bed. No whining girls! Tomorrow there is a big day upon us and Hill needs to prepare this room. We shall break our fast in this very room after the ceremony" she said, almost squealing from excitement, "If either of you need to eat something beforehand" she said with a knowing look towards Lydia and Kitty, "I have asked Hill to leave some scones in a basket in the kitchen."

The Bennets all dispersed and Mrs. Bennet avoided making eye contact with Lizzy, knowing she would be knocking on her door shortly and not knowing if Lizzy knew that she would.

A surprised Lizzy was her answer, when Mrs. Bennet hesitantly knocked on her second to eldest door after spending as much as possible down the stairs, overseeing the preparations, once she could not make up another excuse for where she was needed, she treaded up the stairs, looking around to make sure no one saw her, as she knocked and let herself in.

"Mama!" said Lizzy, surprised to see her mother, blushing and looking rather uncomfortable her room.

"Lizzy" said Mrs. Bennet, still standing by the door, "Surely you must know why I have come." Lizzy looked her quizzically and then understanding dawned on her.

"Oh" said Lizzy simply, now likewise blushing. Mrs. Bennet did not reveal it, for she rarely did, but she felt hurt that Lizzy had not expected her to speak to her of such delicate matters—who else would have such a conversation? Did her daughter think she would not do her duty as her mother?

"Are you nervous?" asked Mrs. Bennet, now walking closer. Lizzy had been brushing her hair when her mother knocked and Mrs. Bennet came up to her and put her hand out for the brush and began brushing the hair as she spoke, her eyes on the beautiful locks in her hands. "I remember when you were little and I would fight with you to allow me to brush your hair, do you remember?"

Lizzy looked at her mother's reflection in the mirror, a reflection she had not been privy to see before. Mrs. Bennet, albeit not what Lizzy would have chosen for herself, was her mother. And here she was smiling, remembering brushing her daughter's hair on the night before her wedding.

"I do" said Lizzy, smiling back. "I was not an easy child" teased Lizzy. Mrs. Bennet laughed.

"No, no you were not" she teased back. "All of my children were difficult" she said. Now it was Lizzy's turn to laugh.

"Not Jane" said Lizzy, still laughing.

"No, never Jane" said Mrs. Bennet, now more serious. She handed the brush back to Lizzy and sat down on the bed, motioning for Lizzy to join her. "I have never done this before and I know you will find fault with whatever I say, but know that I do love you and wish you to start of your married life with happiness. My own mother sat me down before my wedding and I do believe she meant well but I am not sure her advice was truly that helpful. Your father was besotted with me!" she recalled, her eyes watering, "Until he was not" she added in an inaudible whisper, "Pardon me, this is all very emotional" she said, holding back a sob.

"Oh, Mama" said Lizzy, placing her hand on her mother's back, soothing her.

"No" said Mrs. Bennet, looking up and forcing a smile, "Tonight and tomorrow are about you. Your husband will expect you to bare him children, something you know better than others of its importance, but the act which brings you children is also not unpleasant, though it may be at first. Do what you feel comfortable with and allow him to lead, with your permission" she said. Lizzy listened careful at the cryptic advice and could not help but ask:

"Was this your mother's advice or is this your own?" asked Lizzy.

Mrs. Bennet smiled at her daughter and patted her hand lovingly, "Tomorrow you shall be Mrs. Darcy!" she said.

"If only you knew" murmured Lizzy to herself with a smirk.

"Well then" said Mrs. Bennet, standing up, dusting off her dress and looking around the room but not looking directly into Lizzy's eyes, "Sleep well my dear."

"Thank you, mama" said Lizzy, fearing she did not quite understand her mother's words and possibly, she did not understand her own mama.

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