Chapter 28

Georgiana stayed at Netherfield Park for a few days before the wedding, but there were so many preparations to be made by both parties that there was no chance for visits to be made. If the carriages were sent for, it was to ferry one of the betrothed to a fitting, not for their spinster sister to pay house calls. Besides, as Georgiana wrote to Mary when she knew her friend was frustrated, it would not do to be underfoot.

Luke brought letters between the girls several times a day. It was a warm week, and he had been given a fine new horse by Darcy when they had returned from London. The road crossed a bridge which arched over a sweet flowing river, where he could smell water mint and hear the birds singing in the trees. Naturally, he teased Mary for turning him into a 'messenger pigeon', but now that they were friends again she just smiled.

"Besides, you're n…not a pigeon." she said, plucking a stray leaf from his coat. "Look at your olive branch! You must be a dove."

"It's cow's parsley, you fool." he pretended to grumble. The young woman laughed and held out her hand for the letter.

Georgiana's note was pensive. She had been walking with Fitzwilliam after breakfast, only for their exercise to be cut short by the arrival of yet another houseguest. Mary read between the lines, seeing her quiet young friend standing in the vast Netherfield garden with nobody at her side, then slowly making her way back to the house. The walk was long enough for her to shed a few tears, but by the time she wrote to Mary, they were transformed into pragmatism.

I must lose my brother's company, if not his love. You must say goodbye to your sisters, for when they are married they will be beyond our reach. Do what you can to ease their departure, and I shall do the same here. Let our happiness together wait, for once it begins, it shall not fade. I will happily be patient if it means I can kiss my new sister with an easy heart.

Mary smiled at the letter, and sent Luke back with a quickly scrawled reply.

You write like a priest, not like my sister. Perhaps you are considering taking orders?

Luke rode back a few hours later, rolling his eyes. Mary gave him a cheeky grin and a ginger biscuit before reading her reply.

I shall write however I choose! I would still be your sister if I wrote like Saint Peter!

Mary was about to write back when she heard her mother's joyous exclamation from the house. The dressmaker had arrived with so many parcels that they could barely fit through the door. Between the stacks of fabric, the sticky scent of flowers and Mrs Bennet's enthusiasm, Mary could not summon the energy to resist. She stepped through the door, and let her sisters' happiness engulf her.

Two more days passed in a giddy blur, and it was only when they were standing at the entrance of the church that Mary felt like she was truly awake. She looked down at her blue silk dress, and then at the lace gloves that held a hothouse bouquet. They were all beautiful, and for the first time she let herself be a part of it. The flowers and fabric were beautiful, and that meant that she was, too. She smiled, and wondered if that was how Jane felt all the time.

There was a small laugh beside her, and a tiny hand tucked itself into her elbow.

"Mary!" Georgiana giggled, "I dropped my flowers in the bush! Look, a little ladybird climbed onto them."

"Georgiana!" Mary exclaimed. She had to stop herself from throwing her arms around the girl, and instead settled for a fond kiss on the cheek. When Miss Darcy returned it, her eyes were dancing.

"We are wearing the same dress, but I think the colour suits you far better. No matter, for the bouquets set off my eyes. I dread to think who chose the hairstyles, and I only pray that your sisters look less frightful than I do when they arrive. Perhaps the ladybird is the best dressed of us all!"

"You are being silly." Mary replied, smiling. Georgiana kissed her again, and then sighed happily.

"No, I am content. I have wanted to see you all week, and now I have. Let me say strange things, I beg you, for I have been playing at being mistress of Netherfield for too long. I am not used to being severe. I cannot remember the last time I smiled. But now, I cannot stop!"

"Nor I." the other girl said, fighting back a laugh, "But we must. They will arrive soon."

Georgiana took Mary's hand and raised it to her lips. There was no need to break the silence. Neither of them needed to speak. They understood each other completely. Together, they turned to look out across the churchyard. The wispy pink clouds were starting to stick together, darkening the sky, but it did not look as if it would rain. The town was quiet, and when the church bells began to ring the sound was as sweet and rich as honey.

In those endless moments, the world felt complete.

THE END