Chapter 24:
Jane Bennet woke up early on her beloved sister's wedding day, eager to help her with the preparations. She donned her robe, washed her face and hands, and though she very much wanted a hot drink, she refrained from calling on the maids, for she knew they were all busy preparing for the wedding breakfast, which would take place right after the ceremony.
Jane knocked on her sister's room, and with a smile, she walked in, ready to help her and found her already up, looking out the window, admiring the sunrise before her.
"Lizzy!" exclaimed Jane, "You are awake!"
"Yes" said Lizzy, turning around with a closed smile, "I could not sleep."
"Nor I" said Jane softly, for it was the truth. She had not been able to sleep well since she saw Mr. Bingley and though they had not spoken since his first visit, she was still unsure of how she felt about the entire situation. He was finally making his intentions clear, but Jane was not sure if she was ready to welcome them. But Jane shook her head slightly, as if refraining herself from woolgathering. Today was Lizzy's day and after the wedding, perhaps while in London, they could become reacquainted.
"Oh Jane, how I wish I could see you this happy!" said Lizzy, walking towards her sister and clasping her hands with love. Lizzy noted Jane's guarded smile and knew at once what she had been thinking of.
"One day" said Jane with a forced smile, "Though I am very happy to see you thus, you and Mr. Darcy, for he seems to be an entirely different person."
"Yes, he does" said Lizzy pensively, to think that I did this to him, or perhaps he was this all along and I want too blind by prejudice to see it.
"Come, let us get you ready for your big day!" said Jane with emotion, "Mama shall be here soon and we will not cease hearing about her nerves!"
"Indeed" said Lizzy, laughing. Their laughter was interrupted by Mrs. Bennet frantic entrance, her hair in curls, her morning gown on, and her eyes open wide with excitement.
"Today is the day!" she announced, walking in, followed by two of the maids who looked tired and likewise ready to endure the loud noises that they were expecting that morning, for the entire staff knew how loud Mrs. Bennet could be. And they had no reason to suppose that on this morning, she would not be.
The morning bustle came and went, the ladies in the house donned their finest, and the bride looked exquisite, but most of all, she looked happy.
Lizzy did not remember all the details from that morning, feeling herself float through the morning and allowing herself to be led from here to there, up until they arrived at the Church and then her senses became hyper-aware. She heard the crunch of her shoes on the ground, the chirp of the birds on the tree, and the still quiet that seemed to come from inside, where Mr. Darcy was likely waiting.
Lizzy grasped her father's extended arm and she saw that his eyes were wet. He blinked rapidly, not wanting anyone to see him thus, and he gave her a big smile.
"Are you ready, my dear?" he asked, offering his arm.
"Yes, papa, I am" said Elizabeth softly, hearing the voice from outside her own body, as if she were an observer. She saw and heard her sisters walk up the stone steps, loosing themselves inside. She saw the tails of their colorful dresses and then it was just her and her papa, arm in arm.
Mr. Bennet paused by the entrance, where both doors were held open for the bride, and Elizabeth noticed for the first time, the people that had gathered outside the Church, eager to see the groom and the bride. Lizzy waved at the shopkeepers and tenants who had come to see her and they waved back, wishing her blessings on this special day.
She smiled at her father and they walked in, Elizabeth's eyes straight on the man facing away from her. She noticed blurs of colors and faces but she kept her eyes forward and she almost tripped, and held on to her father tighter, when Mr. Darcy turned around and their eyes met. She felt her heart skip a beat and she knew, at once, that she was home. To think that a month ago she loathed him and she had promised that he would be the last man on earth she could have been prevailed upon to marry. Lizzy smiled, holding back laughter. She had never been particularly religious but at that moment, when Mr. Bennet gave her over to Mr. Darcy, and he held her hands in his, and they got lost in each other's eyes, she did in fact pray, a prayer of thanks. She was grateful for being abducted with Mr. Darcy and taken to Scotland where they had a chance to escape reality and see each other's essence. If only all couples had such a chance, she thought to herself.
The priest called their attention for their vows, and they finally and reluctantly, pulled their eyes from each other, their hands still held together, and they recited their vows amongst the few gathered. It was an intimate ceremony, the only possible type with such a short notice, but it was beautiful.
When they were pronounced husband and wife, Mr. Darcy leaned in and softly kissed Elizabeth's cheek and then with a sly smile whispered.
"Mrs. Darcy" he said softly, placing another kiss on her other cheek. Lizzy blushed becomingly and smiled, the words escaping her lips...
"Mrs. Darcy" she repeated in disbelief and in awe and in most of all, utter and sheer happiness.
PNPNPNPNPNP
The wedding breakfast was lovely—the beautiful weather adding to the beauty inside. The birds were chirping, the sky was clear, and the wind was breezy. The doors to Longbourn were open, as guests poured in and out, wishing their congratulations to the lovely couple.
Mr. Darcy, who had never been at ease with strangers, managed well, with Elizabeth on his side. She smiled and talked, and charmed everyone who came by, allowing him to stand quietly and simply stare at the beauty and joy before him.
After a couple of hours, which seemed like minutes to Mrs. Bennet, who had outdone herself with the wedding breakfast and was enjoying it immensely, the happy couple bade their farewells and got into the Darcy crested carriage.
The carriage ride was full of soft whispers, and surprisingly, laughter. After an hour of enjoying each other's company, they fell asleep in each other's arms, each of them still not having recuperated from the lack of sleep they had endured.
They left Longbourn around noon and made it to the Darcy House by nightfall, the house ready to receive the new mistress. Lizzy awoke when the carriage stopped and felt suddenly nervous, though the thought alone was silly, for they had practically lived together and shared a bed in Scotland. But this was different. Lizzy gulped at the thought.
"Are you nervous?" teased Mr. Darcy, whispering those words into her ears, as they got out of the carriage and were welcomed by the housekeeper, Mrs. Pots, and their staff.
"I have arranged a wedding supper for you both" she said sweetly.
"I thank you" said Mr. Darcy. "May I present to you, Mrs. Darcy?"
After said introductions, Mrs. Darcy was shown to her room, where she washed herself up and joined Mr. Darcy for a quiet supper, for they were each too nervous to talk. Mr. Darcy walked Mrs. Darcy to her room, which was adjoined to his by a door.
"I have requested for your things to be moved to our room" he said, "I am afraid I have missed you the few days we were not together and I could not bear to have that again."
Elizabeth melted at his words and allowed him to lead her to the door of his room, where the room was decorated with rose petals and candles.
"Oh my" said Lizzy, not having expected this. "This is too much!" she said, bringing her hands to her mouth in shock.
"I am afraid" he said, now placing his hands on her hips and bringing her close, "That it is not enough."
Mr. Darcy leaned in to kiss her but Lizzy stopped him, a question blurting out before her.
"Have there been any before me?" she asked, biting her lips, dreading the answer.
"None" he said, looking into her eyes. He noted her heaving chest calm down.
"And after me?" teased Lizzy, now caressing his face with her hand.
"Never" he replied with passion.
She wrapped both her arms around his neck and lost herself in his arms and they finally, at last, spent their first night, as husband and wife.
PNPNPNPNPNP
Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I hope the wedding was as lovely as everyone expected.
someone asked if mrs bennet was warning lizzy by saying "until he was not"...no, not at all. i think she was expressing her own regret and frustration. i think its obvious in pride and prejudice how frustrated mr bennet is with his marriage. he married a dumb pretty girl and clearly regrets it. i think mrs bennet also regrets that she didnt have the marriage that she envisioned and that after his infatuation was over...he treated her with ridicule. honestly, she smart to just ignore it and pretend she doesnt notice it but at least in my story she is very aware of it and is saddened by what could have been...
Deanne27...yes...do we ever really know another person? i think ppl are constantly evolving and we get glimpses and there are times when we understand them but then they change and grow, we see ppl from our own limited perspective. i think thats how lizzy sees her mom, from her own limited prejudiced perspective and obviously influenced by her own father's perspective. i dont think lizzy at this point in time has the maturity to see her mother differently but maybe in the future...
so in my original story there would only be 1-2 chapters left but im so excited to be expanding. ive enjoyed re-reading and editing and now we are going to spend time in London...
till soon,
xoxo
