Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own characters.
Mrs Bennet was one of many as she stood in the crowd ready to welcome the new Mr and Mrs Darcy.
It vexed her to no end that she could have had two daughters – two! – married off to two of the richest men in the country. But no, instead of keeping with her outlandish predictions, Miss Price had in fact taken her second daughter's place and wed Mr Darcy.
Sparing a look to Elizabeth now, she inwardly cringed at the new hairstyle she had taken upon – indeed, not one but three people had asked her if the Miss Eliza Bennet had succumbed to some type of illness, after all, one does not willingly cut their locks to such a startling short length without reason.
She was not certain if she liked what had come upon Elizabeth since her return. She was too independent by far and actually seemed to believe and encourage Miss Price's strange notions. Whilst having her home at Longborne once again warmed her heart, she knew it to be true that her headstrong child would be for Hammersmith once again in the not so distant future.
And if her heart could hardly bear the separation of one still unwed daughter, she was depressed at the prospect that she was to lose another daughter to the far outflung, unexplored reaches of the Americas. It did her heart wonders to know her beauty was to marry the much esteemed Mr Bingley, but why did she have to go so far away?
Dear Jane was to be spared the heartbreak of a loveless marriage with the odious Collins, and she knew that perhaps Miss Price did in fact have something to do with such luck.
For all the trouble Miss Price had brought with her ill advised house swap, she had to admit that she was feeling some gratitude for the strange woman. Indeed, she was certain that Mr Bennet looked to her as almost a daughter, and took her into his confidence much like he had done with Lizzie.
That didn't mean that the strange modern woman had completely won her over with her peculiar charm. Her suggestion for a wedding dress had been nothing short of scandalous! She had wanted the cut of the white material to expose her collarbone and arms for all to see.
She had quickly put her to rights though.
Mrs Bennet was drawn from her thoughts when applause sounded. The bride and groom had arrived! Throwing up her confetti, she didn't begrudge Miss Price – now Mrs Darcy – her happiness. Watching the happy couple pass her by, they reached the end of the line under the pretty rose arbour and drew near for a kiss.
Drawn to the image, she was struck by the passion shown on both sides for such a private action. And the duration! Flushing, she turned away.
Mrs Darcy's abandon was quite shocking!
Next chapter: Georgiana.
