Update ch 45
Elizabeth and Jane descended the carriage the following morning at Darcy's home. Elizabeth was thrilled with the sun shining on the grand building that would be her home. In her nerves, though she had attempted to study the building, she noticed more details than the night before. The building was free of ostentatious baubles and gold linings that had to be repainted multiple times per year like the other houses Lady Catherine had taken her to. This building spoke of a simple elegance. She smiled brightly as she took Jane's hand, and they stepped up to the door, which opened before they reached it.
Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were waiting just behind the butler. Georgiana was bouncing with excitement. Mr. Darcy wore a half smile as he took in Elizabeth's appearance and bright countenance. He bowed in greeting as they curtseyed after the butler and footman took their outer garments. "I see you are well. Anne is very eager to spend the next hour with you as she prepares. Georgiana will take you up."
Georgiana let out a little squeal as she relinquished her brother's hand and led her friends up the stairs. Mr. Darcy attempted to take Elizabeth's hand, but Georgiana was too quick for him. At the top of the stairs, Elizabeth paused to look back at Mr. Darcy. His look of exasperation at not even getting a moment alone with her made her smile anew. With a soft wink of promise, she turned and continued following Jane and Georgiana.
Mr. Darcy had enjoyed how the sun shown down from the window in the roof and lighted Elizabeth's hair and dress. He sorely wished they need not observe propriety for another 3 weeks. He sighed in frustration as he returned to his study to speak with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Warden, and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Don't look so downcast that she cannot spend all her time with you. You have already arranged for the first banns to be read at church in the morning. You even sent the express to Pemberley and Hertfordshire for the banns to be read in your home parishes without delay. In less than a month, you will be able to wed." Mr. Bingley harrumphed. "Miss Bennet and I spoke after dinner yester night. She is not yet ready to accept my hand, but she did allow me to court her formally if her father agrees."
"That is an improvement." The colonel stated merrily. "A toast, to young love!" He raised his glass and downed his glass. The others followed suit, not quite finishing their glasses. "In a month, I shall be the only single man amongst my friends and family, for I doubt Mr. Bingley's courtship will be that long. My mother will be relentless."
Mr. Bingley laughed and blushed as he hoped the colonel's words would come true. "Then join us at Netherfield, and perhaps one of the Bennet's shall take your fancy. The two youngest will be enamored of you directly as you wear a military uniform. They would ensure you are never bored, and your mother is unlikely to search for you so far from Matlock."
The colonel thoughtfully watched Bingley as he considered the idea. "Though I doubt I could come to care for one so young as a younger sister of the Misses Bennet, your plan does have the advantage of giving my mother space to enjoy her success in seeing Anne married and Darcy engaged." He paused and looked to Mr. Warden. "She and your aunt intend to parade you around London for the next few weeks, so I hope you are of a strong constitution, or you had best plead ignorance and leave as soon as the ceremony finishes."
Mr. Warden chuckled. "I shall enjoy letting our aunts parade us around town, so long as Anne gets her rest. I enjoy social calls, and we will use the time to decide how we shall manage Rosings. I am tired of pretending not to care for her. My situation is entirely different from yours. There were many times I despaired of ever finding a way to convince Anne to elope with me. We had clearly given up on Mr. Darcy marrying years ago."
Mr. Darcy chuckled. "If I had known I was delaying your happiness, I might have searched for Elizabeth sooner. Though in truth, I did not know what I wanted in a wife until I met her."
"Which is why you insulted her before you met her." Bingley laughed at his own joke. Mr. Darcy choked on his drink as the others asked to hear the story.
"I was in a foul mood." Darcy exclaimed in defense. "Elizabeth has forgiven me. There is no need to point out all the ways I nearly lost my beloved to my unimaginable pride and haughtiness."
The colonel chuckled at this. "I had told you that you would regret your words many times over. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is perfect for you, for you are likely to listen to her, as you never did when any of us tried to correct you."
Mr. Darcy blushed and turned to the window. Mr. Bingley declared that he knew more of Mr. Darcy's back than he did his face, "at least when company is about."
Reluctantly, Mr. Darcy turned and returned to his seat. "The ladies cannot come down soon enough and give you better things to talk about than my reticence."
The colonel sensed Mr. Darcy had reached the end of his patience and was embarrassed, so he changed the subject back to Mr. Warden's upcoming wedding. "You shall stay with your aunt, you said."
"Yes, Lady Cartwright offered us a place to stay for a month while we decide where to make our home. My quarters will not do for us, and Anne has only ever lived at Rosings. We will not return to Rosings immediately, especially if Lady Catherine stays there."
Mr. Darcy rose. "After I wed, I intend to travel to Pemberley. You would be most welcome to join us for the summer. Elizabeth would enjoy your presence, and the two of you could learn with Elizabeth how to run a home the size of Pemberley or Rosings. I have a copy of Rosings' books, for I have been in frequent contact with the steward and housekeeper and have made all the principal decisions almost since I took over Pemberley from my father. I shall be glad to relinquish this to your and Anne's charge."
Mr. Warden agreed his idea had merit. "My father includes my eldest brother in talk of the estate, but he would always shoo me out of the room when talking estate matters. I believe he thought it would make me jealous to hear of how to manage an estate. As though I would poison my brothers to become heir."
"One can never be too careful." The colonel chuckled.
Their laughter stopped when a footman entered to say the ladies were ready. All the gentlemen quickly turned serious and moved to the parlor which had been arranged for the wedding. The room was bright and had been filled with fresh flowers for the occasion. Georgiana had ordered some gauze fabric to cover the mantle and windows, creating a beautiful scene with a fragrant breeze filtering in.
Lady Matlock and Lady Cartwright were sitting together on a sofa with an indifferent Lord Matlock sitting in a high back chair, so the colonel and Mr. Bingley sat behind the ladies. Mr. Darcy stood with Mr. Warden and the reverend, who immediately started telling Mr. Darcy it would be his time soon. Mr. Darcy listened intently before the ladies entered, allowing Mr. Darcy to introduce his betrothed to the minister. The reverend chuckled as he remembered getting the notice of the reading of the banns.
Elizabeth stood with Anne, ready in case Anne grew tired through the service. Mr. Darcy stood beside Mr. Warden as his witness. Anne rested her arm on Elizabeth's occasionally, but otherwise was fine. Every time Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy to see how he fared, she found he was watching her intently. Elizabeth would smile at him and look away while the colonel would cough lightly to remind his cousin to attend the reverend.
At the conclusion of the service, the guests were escorted into the drawing room where a wedding breakfast was waiting for them while Mr. Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Warden, and Elizabeth stayed back to sign the register. Mr. Warden helped Anne walk into the drawing room with the reverend. Elizabeth was about to follow when Mr. Darcy held her back. "Just one moment please." He asked so quietly, Elizabeth leaned in to give him a small kiss. He responded by pulling her close to him and adding, "The banns cannot be read quickly enough, Elizabeth. I long for you."
Elizabeth smiled. "Within a month we shall be wed. My uncle warned me that I would have my hands full keeping you a gentleman. Your family are waiting for us."
"Our family." He smiled and kissed her lightly again, resting his forehead over hers. "Soon enough they shall be your family too."
"I do not think I shall be calling Lady Catherine 'Aunt Catherine' any time soon."
Mr. Darcy laughed. "No, I do not believe I shall either. We cannot choose our relations."
Elizabeth stepped away and pulled her arm to his and moved them to the drawing room, where everyone else was busy congratulating Anne and Thomas Warden. Elizabeth continued pulling him into the mix and soon they were conversing pleasantly with Mr. Darcy's family. It was no shock to Mr. Darcy that Elizabeth charmed his aunt immediately. It was more surprising to him that she also charmed his uncle. Elizabeth's easy, pleasing manners and quick wit soon secured her place in the family.
When the wedding breakfast finished, Mr. Darcy escorted Elizabeth and Jane back to Mr. Gardiners. He joined them for dinner while the ladies shared more details with the Gardiners than Mr. Darcy had noticed. Mr. Gardiner then took Mr. Darcy into his study for a glass of port. Mr. Darcy gave him the directions for the church and quietly excused himself so that he could return home. He knew Mr. Gardiner would not give him time alone with Elizabeth, so he took his leave, stating that he looked forward to seeing them in church, where they would witness the first banns.
AN: Fall break has come, which means time to write. Unfortunately, the characters in this story have been mute lately. I cannot tell what they are doing, but I believe that I have found a way forward. Then I have 3-4 new ideas for the next story. Those characters have been talking so loudly it almost gives me a headache, but I don't want to give them free reign until this story is done. Maybe I shall do a short Christmas story. Mr. Darcy's cat could cause some trouble at the Netherfield ball, delaying their departure...