28th December

'Hill! Hill!'

Elizabeth woke to the sound of her mother's voice in the passage outside. She stretched and yawned, turning her eyes to the window to gauge the time of day.

'Oh, there is so much to do. Where is Hill!'

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and turned over to face the door, just as it burst open and her mother bustled in, wearing her nightwear with her hair still in a plait and curl-papers.

'Are you not up yet, child?'

Elizabeth gestured to the window. 'It is yet early, mamma. You should still be sleeping.'

'I will sleep tomorrow. There is much to do before Charlotte's wedding. You must be dressed and ready before we leave. 'Tis a shame you cannot come to the church… Oh, where is Hill?' Mrs Bennet turned to rush away but Elizabeth called her back.

'Mamma, please calm down. Jane and Aunt Gardiner have offered to stay back from church with me, and they will help me finish my preparations before everyone returns here for the wedding. So, you see, there is no need to fret.'

'Oh? Oh well, then. If it be so, then it must be.' She moved over and sat on the edge of her bed, taking up her daughter's hand between both of her own. 'How do you feel today? Is your leg sufficiently improved to stand up for your vows?'

Elizabeth smiled. 'It is well enough. I will be able to stand, although walking will be a problem. Papa will not be able to walk me down the aisle, but he can support me until he gives me away. Then Mr Darcy will support me.'

'Very well.' She patted the hand she held and then placed it back on the bed. 'Now, I must be getting along. There is so much to do.' She hesitated, then leaned down and kissed Elizabeth's forehead. 'I am proud of you, Lizzy. We may not always see eye to eye, but I do love you, as I love all my girls.'

'I know, mamma. I love you too.'

Elizabeth leaned back into her pillows as her mother hurried away, exhaling a breath from deep within. It wasn't a huff of relief, or annoyance, more as if she were taking and releasing a deep breath before the storm. Then she threw the bed covers back and reached for a walking stick her father had given her. It gave her some small sense of independence and at least allowed her to refresh herself without an audience.

She was sitting at her dressing table, staring at her reflection in the mirror, when the maid arrived, sent by her mother to help her prepare for breakfast.

As she was helped down the stairs, Elizabeth could hear her mother chivvying someone in the sitting room, she was not sure which poor servant it was, but she chose to avoid the room and instead went through to the breakfast room.

Her father smiled at her as she came in. 'Ah, Lizzy, you have managed to avoid your mother then? She is in fine fettle today.'

'So, I heard,' she replied. 'But I have not completely managed to avoid her, as she came to wake me at dawn.'

'It is unlike you to sleep so late.'

'I know, but with my morning walks curtailed I have been sleeping later.'

He nodded, then gestured to one of the servants to bring more coffee. The servant poured Elizabeth a cup and then moved on to pour for Mr Bennet.

'Could you bring me some toast, some butter, and preserve?' Elizabeth asked the servant.

Once served, she sat and buttered one of the pieces of toast and regarded her father, who was concentrating on his paper.

'Papa, what are your plans for Kitty?'

He looked up, peering at her over the top of his glasses. 'Ah yes. Kitty.' He took his glasses off and placed them carefully on the table. 'I have had a letter from the school, and they are willing to take her.' He gestured for the servant to leave them. One they were alone, he continued. 'I will take her down to London after your wedding. The school is located in the country, south of Greenwich, and about ten miles from the Gardiners, so your aunt has promised to visit regularly.'

'What will they teach her? All the usual skills, I presume?'

'It's not a normal finishing school, more a place for young ladies who have lost their way. They will first teach her prudence, morals, and regret. Once she is back on the correct path, she can expand her lessons. The other young ladies there have also fallen from the right path, some more so than others. She will find out exactly what sort of life she could have expected had she gone with Mr Wickham, because one of the young women who now works there did exactly that, and was abandoned, with child.'

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. 'One of his… ah… conquests… will be there?'

Mr Bennet nodded. 'She works there now, thanks to Mr Darcy, who placed her in the school until her child came. Taking a position there once her daughter was born, meant she could keep her child with her. Her life will never be the same again. She apparently came from a decent family, not high up but not very low either. She could have expected to marry a clerk or shop owner but as her family disowned her, she now works as a maid.'

'So, Kitty will learn from this poor woman…' Elizabeth said slowly.

'Yes, yes. She will see what would have been.'

Elizabeth slowly nodded, her mind whirling. 'I wonder how many… No. I will not say.'

'How many other women there are that he has ruined? How many of his by-blows exist?'

'Yes, that was what I was about to say. But it was not appropriate for me to do so.'

'Too many, will do as answer for both.'

'One is too many.'

'Indeed, it is. Still it is what it is, and we cannot change the past. Let us, instead, think of the future on this day. My Lizzy, I have to say that I admire your choice, he will suit you very well, and you will keep him on his toes, I have no doubt.' He reached over and patted her hand. 'I will miss you.'

Elizabeth smiled. 'Not for a while. I will be here for some weeks yet.'

'Indeed, and you have chased us away from Longbourn to boot.'

She laughed. 'Miss Bingley was kind to offer you accommodation at Netherfield, to give Mr Darcy and I some privacy here, especially given that she herself wanted to be Mrs Darcy at one point.'

'The lady does seem to have suffered an epiphany. I much prefer this version.'

'It was needed.' Elizabeth popped the last mouthful of toast into her mouth and drank the last of her coffee. 'I suppose I should go and see if mamma has calmed down. I can no longer hear shouting.'

'Leave her for now, my dear. She is enjoying herself immensely – she has waited a long time for this day. If you are looking for some occupation while we await the others, come through to my study and join me in a game of chess?'

Elizabeth did so, glad to spend this time with the man who would soon be supplanted as the most important in her life.

They were one game each when they were interrupted by Mary.

'Papa… Oh, Lizzy, there you are. Mamma is looking for you. Papa, mamma sent me to ask if you were ready for church.'

Elizabeth stood, leaned over to give her father a peck on the forehead and said, 'You had best find your coat, papa. Mamma is on a mission.'

Helped my Mary, she left the room and moved toward the sound of her mother's voice.

The family, and the Gardiners, had gathered in the parlour, and all of them, excepting Jane and Mrs Gardiner, were ready for the outdoors.

'Oh, Lizzy, there you are at last. Mary, is your father ready to go?'

'Almost, mamma.'

'Very well. I have ordered the carriage to be brought round. As Jane and my sister are staying here with Lizzy are staying, there will be room for all of us.'

Lydia, who was peering out of the window, called out, 'The carriage is ready.'

'Oh Lord! I just hope everything is ready for when we return…'

Mrs Gardiner took her arm and led her gently to the door. 'I will take care of everything while you are away. The plans are all well in hand, and the servants have arrived from Lucas Lodge and are now working hard in the kitchens. All will be well, you will see.'

'Lizzy must be in her best looks…'

By this time, they were at the outer door and Mrs Gardiner led her out and toward the carriage where Mr Bennet was waiting. 'She will look beautiful. Now, here is Mr Bennet.' She handed Mrs Bennet over to her husband and stepped back while he helped her into the carriage. Jane moved to stand next to her as they watched Mary, Kitty, Lydia and finally the two gentlemen enter the carriage and then waved them off.

'Now, come Jane, we have much work to do, and only an hour to do it in.'