Chapter 19 b~ Extraordinary Offer
The remaining days preceding the wedding were days of bright hope occasionally shaded by sentimental tears for the girlhood that was to be left behind. Jane was not the only one suffering in this way. Everyone at Longbourn felt the impending change with mixed feelings for their gentle Jane had added sweetness to the chores of the servants, from the kitchen maid to Hill, her kind words and active benevolence would be missed by them all. Naturally the family too were unsettled – with the exception of her mama who never spared a thought for what home without Jane would be like. Her grieving would come later when all the fun and novelty of talking of her married daughters excellent match had worn thin. It was then that she would look for Jane, her most willing and obedient daughter, to take on some little task – one she did not like to do herself - and lament that she must scold Mary into doing it. This will only bring more tears for Jane had ever been a comfort when she suffered from nerves. Happily unconcerned with her future troubles Mrs. Bennet was in excellent spirits on the morning of the wedding.
Jane was cajoled into good humour by her dearest sister to keep her from spilling any tears over her last time to wake in their room or even to call Longbourn her home. Elizabeth worked assiduously to keep all such thoughts from lighting long in her sister's mind. She could not prevent Jane from surprising the chamber maid with an affectionate hug. Unable to resent how her efforts had come to nothing in one unforseen moment Lizzy could only resist her own tears and repair the damage by providing them both with handkerchiefs when they began to cry and quickly distracting them by making them laugh instead. The chambermaid soon snuck away, too overcome to do her duty until Miss Jane left for her wedding. With a smile now restored to Jane's lovely face it was encouraged to stay by many references to 'Charles' and his several virtues as the business of dressing for the church was accomplished.
After all of Elizabeth's dilligence, though Jane smiled radiantly through the ceremony, it was she who was biting the inside of her lip to resist the tears. She was unable to focus on the ceremony, so consummed was she by thoughts of her dearest sister leaving her behind with no companion to whisper her secrets to. As a result tears gathered unbidden in the corners of her eyes in such numbers that they rested on her lashes waiting for permission to fall. Darcy watched her, greatly concerned. When the Bride and Groom, too dewey eyed and blushing to notice anyone besides themselves, stepped into the vestry they were earnestly congratulated by their witnesses. The moment all signatures were added to the book the newlywed exitited the church to be rejoiced over by their neighbours and the good reverend Brown made his way down the aisle of the church to chat with old friends. Elizabeth turned to face the wall taking a brief private moment to release her tears and secretly wipe them away. Darcy could not leave her, but drew her to him.
"My love what is the matter?" Greatly distressed to observe that his words brought more tears he pleaded, "Is there aught I can do to bring you comfort?"
Unable to answer him she shook her head, a handkerchief covering her face. Helpless against her tears he pulled her into his embrace.
"What is it that troubles you so?"
"Jane, she will go to Netherfield and-" she sniffled. "I will not have anyone to brush my-" her next word came out as a sob, "hair, or- or-" struggling for control she managed to complete her sentence with the woebegone expression of a much younger girl. "-talk to until we fall asleep."
He whispered promises into her ear that turned her sobs into laughter, for in her maidenly innocence the thought of him brushing her hair and giggling with her in the night seemed absurd. Not at all displeased that he had cheered her he continued in a low voice,
"Dearest it is only for a little while you know, unless of course you change your mind, but I do not think you will. You will see me at Pemberley and I am a different man at Pemberley – Lord and master, you know, very responsible, very serious,"
"Not too serious I hope."
Before he could answer, Mr. Bennet opened the vestry door causing Elizabeth to move guiltily out of Darcy's embrace. Approaching the couple with a displeased expression he called out so others could hear him,
"Dry your silly tears, Lizzy, and hurry outside or our guests will arrive at the breakfast before we do."
She did as she was bid, sparing an apologetic glance for Darcy as she left him with her father.
"Sir you know I mean to marry her you have as security the signed settlement papers-"
"She has not yet agreed to marriage-"
"I think she might have in another moment-"
"That may be so but she would have agreed because of losing Jane. I should hope you would want her to be more certain of her answer."
Sighing, Darcy acknowledged that he was right. "Of course. I saw her tears and wished to bring her comfort."
"Yes, yes, however as you are not yet even engaged that privilege is still my own. I must go, but we will speak in my study before you run off to Derbyshire."
The wedding breakfast was full of the friends and family of bride and groom. Mr. Bennet joined his wife to make them welcome, performing his duty with grace if not with pleasure, and soon retreated with his second daughter into the bookroom.
"My girl, what did I observe in the vestry?"
Her answer was calmly given and though he noticed some embarrassment in her countenance he saw no hint of shame.
"You shall miss your Jane very much, my love, but do think of your poor Papa! I shall be without you both for a few weeks. I am not at all eager to imagine those few weeks stretching further into the future, do think of us, my dear, of your mother and sisters too who will be left behind."
Had he not added that reminder of mother and sisters, she might have continued to be undecided. The thought of bearing the burden of her mother's frets and fusses, of attempting to guide Lydia and Kitty into some more rational pursuits made her wish desperately to escape.
She offered him a tremulous smile. "I do not like to leave you alone Papa but I cannot remain forever. Mr. Brown and all my family are here; Mr. Darcy has a special license – let us be married now and spare yourself the expense of another wedding breakfast."
"Your mama-"
"Then let it be quietly done, like Romeo and Juliet. Would you not feel happier knowing I am to go away, even stay in his home, that everything will be proper."
"A secret wedding is proper?"
"We can return married and everyone will assume it was done in Scotland."
"Oh certainly an elopement is just the thing."
"I fear that I will be tempted to do just that, would you not prefer that it was done in your own home, Papa, with Mr. Brown to perform the ceremony?"
"Your mama-"
"Will be very pleased to tell everyone of my good fortune in marrying a man 'so rich, and good looking too' "
Her imitation made him smile, "You do not mind being thought a little scandalous?"
"I will be accompanied by my married sister and her husband; everything will look proper enough."
"What about your gentleman has he no proper pride to consider? Will he not object?"
"He loves to play the charming rogue, this will be quite in keeping with his reputation in London, though in truth he is an honourable man, and I have come to love him dearly."
"Well, my girl, you leave me little choice."
Mr. Bennet sent first Mr. Brown and Mrs. Gardiner into the library; he then found the prospective groom and as they left the crowded drawing room he said,
"It seems Lizzy means to have you and I fear she means to have you today. I hope you have, as she claims, acquired a special license?"
Smiling broadly he acknowledged, "I have."
"And is it with you?"
Still smiling he answered "It is not." Mr. Bennet stopped a little relieved, but Mr. Darcy urged him forward, "I put it in Elizabeth's keeping."
Mr. Bennet froze but as they had reached their destination and Mr. Darcy had no desire to delay he opened the door himself and his host walked in unsure that he had properly understood, but when he saw the document in Mr. Brown's hands and the expression of admiration on the old clergyman's face as he examined it, he resigned himself to losing both his most sensible daughters in one day.
There was no way to pull Jane from her guests and Elizabeth had no wish to disturb her neighbours or her mother with the information, all would easily be explained later. The ceremony was soon over and the conspiritors all rejoined the celebration with happier faces than before, with the exception of Mrs. Gardiner whose expression was equally bemused by the odd turn of events.
To keep their secret Elizabeth remained at Longbourn that night, Darcy informed his host that night that he would not go early to Pemberley but would accompany them. He was easily accommodated, the sudden change of plans pleased Caroline who would travel to London with the Hursts immediately following breakfast the next day. Charles could only be pleased with the alteration for as they had guests the newlyweds would be obliged to spend the evening of their wedding in the company of his sisters. Darcy's presence would ensure their best behaviour. Darcy met Elizabeth early the next morning along with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet to sign the registry. Elizabeth was then embraced by her aunt and uncle who called her a foolish child but kissed her affectionately before they returned to London.
He had not returned to Netherfield when the family assembled for breakfast. Mrs. Bingley, unwilling to neglect her first guests, joined her husband at breakfast the next day. The last to arrive was Caroline who, having learned that Mr. Darcy had yet to appear, ate very slowly. The Hurst's carriage arrived, pulled by Bingley's own horses, before Darcy returned. Caroline recalled some essential object forgotten in her room and after the servant returned without it she attempted to go herself and would have done more if Hurst had not objected to leaving the horses standing any longer. The carriage, therefore, was proceeding down the drive when Darcy was discerned through its window at last; and a nod was all the farewell Miss Bingley received from him.
Darcy's approach had also been noticed by his hostess and she insisted they remain in the breakfast room to greet him laughing at her husband's entreaties and blushing when he confidently asserted that Darcy would not expect such civility this morning. Jane, believing herself to be right, would not be tempted away before being assured that he was comfortable. Bingley was proud of having such a wife. Darcy smiled his apology to his friend and gave Mrs Bingley a note from her sister that made her gasp with surprise and embrace Darcy most affectionately. Charles was too shocked to object and a hint of a question regarding her determination to welcome his friend began to form when she returned to his side exclaiming,
"You must congratulate your new brother on his marriage, darling! Are you not excessively pleased?"
Darcy, observing the uncertainty on his friend's face, disclosed his secret marriage to Elizabeth. After a few moments of stunned silence, Bingley was most enthusiastic in his well wishes. Jane immediately wrote to Longbourn to beg that Elizabeth would join her at Netherfield. Darcy's carriage delivered the note to Longbourn and brought his wife and her trunks to him at Netherfield.
*~.*.~*
Having an impulsive wedding, but signing the registry the next day seems silly. You would think they could have simply be married the next morning. For the story it needed to be impulsive, for records, security, 'officialness' it needed to be registered, I thought perhaps the registry book could be on display at the breakfast. With E's justifiable trust issues 'officialness' would be important to her. It is why her father is present and her own vicar performs the ceremony. (I thought they would grow to understand one another during the trip and marry in Scotland but I kept thinking that would have D behaving as scandalously as she suspects him of being so we marry secretly) Am I, as the author being overly concerned about recording an unimportant detail (the registry) that may not be needed? Does it make the reader wonder what the point of that was? Should I remove that detail?