The wedding caravan from Netherfield snaked its way through the back country roads to the local church. In the lead carriage sat the bridegroom and his closest supporter Fitzwilliam Darcy. There in the open carriage the two friends finally had an occasion to talk, without the ever present sister of the groom hovering nearby.
"I do hope that after I am married Caroline can relax. These past few months I have never seen her so frazzled." Bingley said while surveying the country side.
"She is probably just apprehensive of her new role, and of course of her new sister." Darcy responded, a slight smile forming on his noble face.
"You are perhaps right Darcy, but of course she is not just gaining Jane but all the Bennet sisters." Charles explained, with a lively and quite larger smile now plastered on his face. "I do affirm that Miss Elizabeth will make a fine sister-in-law, I do hope she finds a companion who will not take her far away from Jane. My future wife has already expressed a desire to stay near her dear sister."
"Really? Well that is something to consider." Darcy said aloud hoping that Bingley missed his deeper meaning.
"Look Darcy we are almost at the church! In less than an hour I will be an old married man." Bingley exclaimed his smile getting larger by the minute.
Standing by Jane in the vestibule of the church proved to be Lizzy's ultimate trial. She knew that at any moment Mr. Bingley would make his entry.
Mr. Bingley was not the problem it was who would be following behind him. Watching the church door became Lizzy's undoing and she swore she would have fell faint if not for her Aunt Gardiner who had come to claim her before the ceremony began.
Kissing her sister good luck Lizzy made her way up the aisle with her Aunt by her side. Sitting in the front pew between her Aunt and Uncle, Lizzy's insecurities were coming to their boiling point. Running her hand nervously over her neck Lizzy turned to see the entrance of the newly arrived attendees.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurst sashayed down the aisle followed by Caroline Bingley. All three Lizzy asserted looked as if they had caught wind of something pungent in the air. Settling themselves in the opposite pew they turned to watch the bridegroom and his supporter walk to front of the church.
Refusing to turn around Lizzy continued staring straight forward, trying her best to keep her wretched hand from touching her neck once again.
Without looking over she could sense where the groom was now standing since she was confident she could feel his companion's eyes watching her.
Lizzy thought to herself. "He is probably wondering where his magnificent necklace is. Wouldn't he be stunned to know that it is stashed behind a pile of old farming books?"
A small grin formed on her face as she turned to see her sister and father walking up the aisle. Jane looked so lovely and Lizzy wondered how she was ever going to get through the happiest day of her sister's life. How she longed to be home, in her room, safe from Mr. Darcy.
Standing near Charles, Darcy had decided he had finally had enough.
"She isn't wearing my gift! Alright fine. Fine Darcy. That's fine, but why is she averting her eyes from me? What have I done to deserve such treatment?" Darcy began his own internal battle. "I can forgive her for not wearing it, but for heaven's sake she is acting as if I have wronged her!" A frown began to form on Darcy's face. "Of course, saving her sister from a life of ruin, putting George Wickham back in his rightful place, and securing her beloved sister's happiness; these are all punishable acts! She will talk to me and disclose the mystery. I will demand it!"
Gazing one more time at Lizzy, Darcy forced himself to look away from what his heart desired most.
The church bells rang, Mrs. Bennet sobbed, and the newlywed couple beamed with love as they exited the church.
Finally Mrs. Bennet's dreams had come true, her daughter had married well, very well indeed, and all their futures were secure with Mr. Bingley's fortune.
In an instant the newly united Mr. and Mrs. Bingley were ushered into their awaiting carriage and on their way to the wedding breakfast. In all the commotion and revelry Lizzy had suddenly realized that she was now standing next to the one person she had tried to avoid for the past two months, Mr. Darcy.
While Lizzy finally dared to look up at him she found that his gaze had not been on the newlyweds at all but had in fact been locked on her for some time now.
"Miss Bennet." Mr. Darcy said looking down at the sister of the bride.
Curtsying Lizzy attempted her rehearsed greeting. "Good Morning Mr. Darcy. It is a very pleasant day for a wedding is it not? I know Jane was very excited that the weather held out."
"Yes I agree Miss Bennet the weather could not have been better for today. It truly is a beautiful day for a wedding, for a couple in love, for new beginnings."
Already growing anxious by their short interaction Lizzy began to part ways with Mr. Darcy, knowing that what she needed to say to him would be better said at a different time and away from the growing attention of Miss Bingley.
"Well Mr. Darcy, I should be off to find my…"
Interrupting her Mr. Darcy continued. "Miss Bennet I hope that you might save me a dance this afternoon."
"Well I will have to see, I might not be up for dancing today." Lizzy nervously smiled and began to turn away to find her Aunt and Uncle.
Feeling a hand on her arm she turned to find Mr. Darcy closer than ever. Still grasping her arm Mr. Darcy continued, refusing to allow Lizzy the final word.
"Miss Bennet I see that you have refused my gift and now you refuse my presence. You owe me an explanation and I will look forward to hearing one today. My father always said that a heart does not forget. I never clearly understood what he meant till right now. Good day." And with a swift motion Mr. Darcy had turned and walked away leaving Lizzy silently shaken and Caroline Bingley open-mouthed.
Wretched hand Lizzy thought as again she found herself feeling for the invisible necklace.