"Elizabeth, William asked me to give you this, with his love." Lady Anne handed Elizabeth a small velvet bag which contained a velvet box.
Mrs. Bennet released a giddy gasp, "Jewels, Elizabeth!" She stopped herself from expressing her dismay that the box was so small.
Elizabeth opened it to reveal a delicate gold chain which held an exquisite gold pendant with a purple stone. "Oh, how lovely. It is exactly what I would have picked for myself."
"I do believe that is true. I can see you selecting just that. It is very simple but…elegant and tasteful." Mrs. Bennet had been working hard to repair her relationship with her most vexing child. That included accepting the differences between them and that what made her happy would not make Elizabeth happy.
Lady Anne removed the necklace from the box and gestured for Elizabeth to turn around. She placed it around her Elizabeth's neck and fastened it. Elizabeth stood before the mirror, smoothed her wedding gown, and ran a hand over the pendant. "I love it; it is perfect. Does William know what color my dress is? The gem complements my dress so nicely. I have never seen an amethyst like this."
"It is actually a purple sapphire. And I do not believe William knows so your gown will still be a surprise to him. Your mother threatened us all rather effectively that he must not find out. I just told him the necklace would suit you well when he asked. I believe his thoughts were similar to your own."
Elizabeth had chosen a lavender silk gown for her wedding, a nod to their future at Stillmeadow. That William had chosen the gem for that reason as well delighted Elizabeth.
"Lizzy, you are a vision. Your young man will be overcome with joy." Mrs. Bennet sniffled and dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. Elizabeth hugged her mother and patted her back. When she tried to pull away her mother held her tighter and lingered in the embrace a few seconds longer.
The receipt of the necklace was the final act of preparation. The three ladies joined the others in Longbourn's sitting room. The Gardiners had already taken the younger girls, including Ana, to the church. Mrs. Bennet would go in a carriage with Lady Anne and Lady Catherine while Mr. Bennet would be escorting Elizabeth, along with Mary and Jane who would attend their sister.
"Such a short ride to use the carriage for but we must do things right, I suppose. And it is a bit cold so we must keep warm." Mr. Bennet said when they were seated in the carriage. His manner was overly bright and spoke of nothing of significance as they made their way to the church and waited in the anteroom. Mary peeked in to see if everyone was seated.
"I think they are ready," she said just before the clock chimed ten. At her father's nod she and Jane began their walk down the aisle.
"You have gone away before Lizzy, whether it be to London or Lucas Lodge, but I always knew you were coming back. I shall miss my girl, but I am proud of the woman I am giving to Mr. Darcy. I hope Mrs. Darcy will come back to see me."
"Of course, I will, Papa. And you must come see me. Though you do not like to travel, Kent is not so very far away nor is London. And William will need help as he assembles not one but two libraries."
"Oh, well, if there are libraries to be assembled, how can I deny you? You may count on my attendance."
They both fell silent as they awaited their cue. Finally, they stepped into view of the guests. However, Elizabeth noticed not a single one of them. Her gaze immediately focused on William who stood facing the vicar. His best man, Geoffrey Smithson, looked back at her and leaned in and whispered something to William. She saw her betrothed angle his body to look at her. He very noticeably took a great breath and released it shakily. She was still a few feet away when he turned fully toward her and offered his hand. Mr. Bennet shook a discreet finger at him, unwilling to part with Elizabeth before he absolutely had to so.
Finally, he relinquished Elizabeth Bennet so she could become Elizabeth Darcy. The traditional vows from the Book of Common Prayer were taken and the marriage license signed. Family and friends then made their way to Netherfield Park. Still more members of the neighborhood joined them for the wedding breakfast.
Elizabeth had greeted a constant stream of well wishers and had spoken to what she believed was every single person she had even known in Hertfordshire. She had no time to sit nor to eat a single bite of the breakfast she had helped plan. She wanted William but he looked to be in deep conversation with Sir William Lucas. In need of respite, she slipped from the room to find a few moments of quiet to herself. She had not gone far when she heard the door she just exited open again behind her. She quickened her pace and turn the corner only to find herself in the portrait gallery with no convenient room to duck into to avoid the rapidly approaching follower. Instead, she hid in a window alcove and pulled the curtains closed.
The footsteps stopped near her, and she heard William's voice whisper from the other side of the curtain. "Is this a private alcove or may I join you?"
"William! Thank goodness it is you."
"Here, hold this." Through the gap in the curtains, he handed her a napkin wrapped bundle and then walked away. He returned a few minutes later with a few cushions in hand. Elizabeth watched as he tossed the cushions of the floor, then moved aside the pedestal that once displayed objet d'art for a previous tenant. He reclaimed the bundle with one hand and offered the other the Elizabeth. "Will you sit, my lady?"
"I am happy to join you elsewhere, I am not really hiding just hiding from another conversation that was with somebody that was not you."
"Oh, I fully understand your need to do so as I was feeling it as well. This is as good of a place as any. Now, sit." He helped her lower onto a cushion then sat crossed legged beside her in the tight space. He opened the bundle to show three sweet rolls. "Mary handed it to me on my way out of the dining room. I must say I like your sister. And your father is rapidly becoming one of my favorite people. I stood with him for a full three minutes in perfect accord without either one of us uttering a single syllable. I appreciate a gentleman of few words. I have never before noticed how weddings make people so loquacious.
Elizabeth took one of the offered rolls. "I do not think people are more loquacious at weddings, it is just that you have never been one of those celebrated at a wedding breakfast so did not realize every guest would want to speak with you."
"You knew?"
"Yes, my Aunt Gardiner warned me and encouraged me to eat heartily this morning as she thought we might not have an opportunity to eat during the celebration. I was too excited then to take her advice. I am regretting that now. Not the excitement, just the not eating. And now, to us, my husband. May this is a good omen for a sweet life." She raised her roll in expectation and waited for William to raise his own, then tapped them together as if making a toast. She took a healthy bite and sighed in satisfaction. They ate in silence and then both looked at the remaining treat with longing.
"I suppose I should be a gentleman and offer this to you."
"And I should be very ladylike and insist I could not eat another bite even though I am quite hungry…but we could share. I do not suppose you have a knife on your person do you?" By way of answer, William shook his head and lifted the roll to her lips. She took a bite then watched as he took the next bite. She thought it was a very intimate thing to do and her mind wandered to other intimacies they would share.
"Elizabeth, what are you thinking? Bite." He offered the roll to her again. She took a bite and chewed slowly.
"I was thinking of your lovely gift." She touched the pendant.
"Liar," William teased. "I will not press you, but you must know you can tell me anything."
"I know and I will tell you. Soon but not now. I was not lying, though; the gift is lovely. I shall treasure it and I vow to wear it every day."
"I am glad for I hoped you would wish to do so. My mother's jeweler will probably run to the back room the next time he sees me coming. I knew exactly what I wanted, and I was rather adamant in my wishes for the design." Elizabeth picked up the pendant to examine it more closely.
"You had this made for me?"
"I did. We had just returned from viewing the estates. I sent the jeweler on a mad quest to acquire a purple sapphire. I thought it just thing to mark our nuptials."
"William, such sapphires have to be rare and expensive. To have something like this made so quickly, the cost must have been exorbitant."
"Oh, it was considerable, but we can economize. We will only be able to eat meat on Sundays and we shall only have fires lit when icicles are hanging off your nose. Then there are the donkeys. They will have to pull the carriage, for horses are such expensive beasts. I hope you do not mind slow journeys. Very…slow…journeys." Elizabeth could not help but laugh. "My dear Mrs. Darcy, you are worth the expense."
"But you purchased an estate and a townhouse. Then there is everything that goes into those homes and all the staff. I cannot even fathom such sums."
"I do have a few pounds saved," William joked then became serious. "Did your father not show you the marriage articles? We will never have to worry about money. My businesses turn a handsome profit, and I am always exploring new markets. In a few years, I expect my income will rival my father's just from trade alone. When you factor in the anticipated income of Stillmeadow, I assure you, we have all we would ever need and then some."
"Ahem…pardon the interruption Darce, and my apologies Mrs. Darcy, but you should know your absence has not gone unnoticed." Geoffrey Smithson said quietly on the other side of the curtain.
William drew it aside and looked up at his friend from his place on the floor. "How did you know we were here?"
"I could claim it was my finely honed intuition, but it had more to do with the furtive whispers and the fact this is the only window nook of many with the curtains drawn. The toe of your boot poking out from under the curtain was also a good indication."
"I am sure my mother's nerves are threatening to overtake her. I should go to her." Elizabeth made no move to leave.
"Er, might I ask what you are doing here?" Smithson asked.
"We just wanted a moment alone. I am sure you understand, Smithson."
"Well, yes, while I understand that, I confess I am at a loss as to why here. I imagine there is an empty room that you have popped into for a moment. Nor do I imagine anyone would begrudge you if you began your journey to London."
William and Elizabeth looked at each other as they surveyed their odd surroundings. "It just happened this way," Elizabeth replied. "I really should be going to my mother."
"I did not mean to overstate the situation, Mrs. Darcy. A few people have made inquiries, but your mother is not among them. However, your charming sister asked that I search you out. I would very much like return to her and impress her with how ably I completed my task." He sketched a jaunty salute to the pair still on the floor and headed back toward the festivities.
"Well, my dear, I suppose we must go back. The sooner we do, the sooner we may leave for London, as Smithson suggests." He stood up and offered his hand to Elizabeth to help her. Elizabeth was silent and thoughtful as she watched William's friend hurry away.
"My mother is probably in raptures with two gentlemen turning their attentions toward Jane. Mr. Bingley certainly seems smitten, but I do hope your friend Mr. Smithson does not get his hopes up. Of course, our acquaintance is brief, but he seems a bit too erudite for Jane's liking. And, as much as it pains me to say, I think Jane would be challenged to hold his interest at length." Elizabeth loved her sister but had recently accepted the fact that Jane was not the person she always thought her to be, and their relationship, which she had prized above all others, had shifted and would never be the same.
"I would agree with you there. Smithson is a very good man and one of my closest friends. He is serious but also steady and loyal, with quite a wry sense of humor. He would be an excellent match for the right lady." As they entered the dining room, William noticed it was not Jane but Mary Bennet who had captured his friend's notice. He gestured toward them. "However, it looks as though we are mistaken in our assumptions. Now, I can see the two of them progressing very nicely."
"Why did I not think of Mary? She is exactly as you described Mr. Smithson, though I do think I will let them sort themselves out unless asked."
"I concur. My efforts at drawing Mr. Bingley's attention to Jane were not well considered and created an unnecessary amount of strife in our lives. Did I mention Mr. Bingley inquired about taking over the lease for Netherfield Park? I see no reason to decline. Once the others leave for Eastmoor it will be empty and there are still several months left on the lease. It makes good sense but I wanted to ask your opinion before agreeing."
"If that is his wish, so be it. And if he brings his sister, I shall look forward to hearing how my mother takes to her." Before William could respond, Mr. Gardiner came up to them where they stood just inside the doorway.
"Are you coming or going, Lizzy, Mr. Darcy? If you do not mind me saying so I would recommend the latter. Take my word for it, from the moment you first express your desire to leave it will take at least an hour before you are out the door, and that is if you are lucky. Then you still have hours ahead of you in the carriage. You may want to offer your farewells and be on your way."
"Thank you, Mr. Gardiner, that is good advice. I am inclined to agree with you. What say you, Elizabeth?"
"I agree as well."
"Your father has said he will make an announcement about your intention to depart and offer one last toast whenever you are ready. You need only tell him when."
"I do confess at being rather daunted at the prospect of saying goodbye to so many." She looked across the still crowded room. "I have known most of these people my entire life, yet I feel so different."
William took Elizabeth's hand. "An ancient philosopher once said, 'No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.'"
Elizabeth looked at him curiously.
"I see this is not the time for Heraclitus so I will just say I understand, and it is to be expected, but it is also time to go home, Elizabeth."