The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
Dinner Celebration
Mr. Bennet had asked Aunt Gardiner to bring gowns for his five daughters. She had their measurements, and their seamstress made adjustments to the already-made gowns. Their warehouse always had gowns that could be altered. Mr. Bennet wanted his daughters to look their best; this night, they did in the empire-cut gowns, which were easier to fit.
Edna's brother met Georgiana and Kitty during the evening dinner but was not ready for anyone. The Darcy cousins liked the Bennet girls and knew there would be time to get to know them better; there was no hurry.
Unfortunately, Georgiana kept staring at George, the man who had seen Edna, when she thought nobody was looking. Many noticed and wondered what was happening, but there was nothing to worry about because soon she would find out the truth about George.
Penny and her brothers asked William why their father made a carving of someone who looked so much like Elizabeth. He told them it was because the lady their father was to marry, the one someone murdered at the engagement ball, looked exactly like Lizzie. Now, they believe George's tale without a doubt.
Bartlett, Richard's brother, flirted with Lizzie's aunt, and she seemed receptive. However, Bartlett kept trying with Penny, who ignored him, making Richard and William laugh. Richard said, "The way he chooses, I will have grown children before he marries. Penny's heart belongs to you know who since she was fifteen. My brother knows the same and ignores it, saying George is a nobody. Of course, he said she would be his if he had seen Lizzie before you. I think he only wants impossible ladies."
William laughed some more, adding he believed he knew whose son George was. Edna's brother had already asked if George was his brother because they looked so much alike. "I don't know." William answered, "But I will soon find out, though he might be, which will make me happy." He had changed how he felt about George, and thanks to him, Lizzie was safe. He would keep an eye on him and hoped he would marry Penny, who would keep him straight.
He noticed his soon-to-be young sisters, Lydia and Kitty, behaving and Mr. Bennet staying close to them. Georgiana was not trying to talk to George, who avoided her like the plague, but Richard was now standing by her, making sure she would behave. Darcy was glad that Lizzie would soon be helping him with his sister. Today, he felt happier than he had in many years since his father died, but he still wished he would hear his father.
That evening, her Aunt Gardiner explained the marriage bed to Lizzie. She said not to be afraid because it was the best thing about marriage. Lizzie hoped so because William had not kissed her once since his father kept a close eye on them. What if she did not like it? Though she believed she would, thinking about him or whenever he looked at her made her feel warm all over, and she wished to be in his arms.
Reading for bed, William knew he had chosen well. He was glad he had not let his pride blind him. Though he wondered if she still thought he had swallowed a broom and hoped not. Too bad he could not ask her without revealing she had seen the picture. One day, he would find out. Nevertheless, he was happy Lizzie would be his wife at this time the next day. Finally, he went to sleep thinking about his favorite fantasy, hoping he would dream about it.
The Wedding
William Darcy was getting ready, being fuzzy, arguing with his valet, and making his cousins laugh. His uncle was happy after he heard about George but had ruined some of his nephew's mood. He said Lady Catherine was coming because he had thought it was wrong to exclude her, but she was yet to arrive. Though William was unhappy, he reasoned that Mr. Collins had told her something was happening, and she would have come anyway. They did not know she would not be coming because her daughter felt sick, so there was no reason to worry. Or not yet, because they were all in for a surprise.
Reggie observed, "Caroline should be thanked. Her insistence on ruining your bride made you decide quickly."
"You are right. Nonetheless, I will never thank her. However, I hope we find her soon." Darcy pulled a small pistol, "We are all ready for her. I will not hesitate to shoot if I see her." He was not truthful. He planned to get the tincture his uncle took to calm her or cure her. Mrs. Reynold's cousin could do much, he would ask. Mr. Darcy cared for Charles, who loved Caroline, so Darcy wanted her well. After hearing Mrs. Bennet and Bingley: He felt that something awful had happened to Miss Bingley the day her father died.
At Longbourn Lizzie's sisters helped her dress. It was uncanny how well the gown fitted Lizzie, but a tad short, which would be fine since they were walking. It was empire cut, with a square neckline with gold piping threaded with seed pearls. The puffy short sleeves also had the same piping. They admired the lace, the collar, the wide skirt, and the light blue silk gussets embroidered with white and gold silk threads a gold silk with piping separating the lace and the gussets. Lydia said it first, "A fairytale dress; I love the top and fuller skirt, you look beautiful." They all agreed. Lydia and Nancy fixed her hair on top of her head with curls around her face. She wore her mother's bobs, and a ruby and diamonds cross with a gold chain Mr. Darcy gave her. Her big present would com later.
A present from the Penelope Darcy, arrived, a cream color fur bolero jacket with a note, "Dear Elizabeth, William asked me to buy this to gift you later today since the weather is getting chilly. But I told him you could use it now. Sincerely, Penny"
"How perfect, I was thinking you would need a shawl, and I was going to offer mine." Jane exclaimed.
After she had the exquisite tiara on, the sisters thought she looked like a real princess
"A princess marrying a prince; I hope to be so lucky!" Lydia sighed.
"Doubtful, if you continue not behaving. But I will behave, and I might also be lucky." Kitty said annoying Lydia and making the sisters smile. They were all happy getting ready for the big day and hoped it would be the same.
While they helped Lizzie getting ready, their father had a surprise. He did not want to deprive his wife from the joy of helping her daughter this day and sent Mr. Hill to get her. Fanny Bennet stood at the door of Lizzie's room; she had heard Lydia and Kitty, and said, "My Lizzie is a princess. I am so proud of you." She stood, tears clouding her eyes, sad she had made such a mess of her life.
When Lizzie saw her, she hurried to her mom and hugged her carefully, not wanting to do mess the dress. "Mom, I am so happy you are here. It makes this day perfect." It did; her mother's words meant a lot to her.
She admired all her daughters, seeing her husband been right, they all had a little of both, some more that the others, but they all looked like they were the daughters of the handsome and gentle husband she lost.
Dee kept asking Lizzie to pick her up and whined when Lizzie told her she was afraid to damage the dress. Lydia and Kitty started arguing who would pick her up when their father looked inside. When Dee ran to him, he picked her up, and Dee licked his face. Jane and Mary smiled, and Lydia fuzzed it was unfair.
Lydia pointed out her father's jacket would be covered with Dee's hair, her father shrugged, "Mr. Hill will brush for me," and grinned, and his daughters grinned with him, including Lydia. They liked to see their father smiling.
Before leaving for the church, Lydia tied a blue bow around Dee's neck to match her mommy's wedding dress.
"My Lizzie, a princess, your husband is getting a jewel. I am glad Pemberley is a little over an hour away by horseback from my home. I will not need to miss you. Let us go my beautiful daughters; I am a lucky man." He noticed they all wore the pearl pendants hanging from hold chains, and matching bobs their brother to be, brought them. He had given a similar set to Mrs. Bennet that she was wearing. They wore the dresses made for the assembly with the lace shawls their grandparents gifted them. He was proud of his daughters, if a little sad his wife was such a disappointment.
He noticed she looked sad, but his mind was made up. He would not divorce her; why hurt his daughters more. People would think they were having a disagreement, which was suitable. He already told his father, who agreed.
William had also invited a few friends who were visiting nearby. Two were Reggie's cousins, one was Lady Antonia, a good friend, who asked if Mr. Bennet was a widower, irritating Richard's brother who had already noticed Penny smiling at George, who was a nobody. He had complained about it several times. He said Mr. Bennet was too old for Lady Antonia; he had to be over forty and was married, but he was too handsome; he heard other ladies including his mother.
He wanted to know what was wrong with Lady Antonia, and Lady Penelope; he would be an earl, and neither one of them would look at him. That was him, many debutants had pined for him, he was a handsome man, but he had decided it was either Penny or Lady Antonia. It was true few ladies were as beautiful, or as independent and clever as either one of the two ladies were. Regardless, whether he believed they pretty and good choices neither one liked him.
Lady Antonia told Louisa and Penny, "I'll wait for Mr. Bennet. I know he will be my husband. I have dreamed about him for years, and I married him. And in one of my last dreams, he looked exactly as he does now. Did you know I first saw him when I was four? He was starting Cambridge. He was tall, blond, and I told him he was pretty, and could he wait for me. He laughed and said he would try. He is still very handsome, no wonder his daughters are so pretty. I know his family; they told he married someone older than him." She sighed.
"His name is Thomas; he does not remember me. He danced with me while his brother played the piano and gave me a rose, my mother indulged and pressed it for me. He said he was sorry, but he was too old for me, and I told him I was going to marry him anyway. His mother gave me a miniature of him when I asked for it a few years, I was nine or so. I have it and the rose. When Reggie said he met a Mr. Bennet; I decided to come. I knew he lived around here." Lady Antonia told Penny.
They laughed conspiratorially. Penny asked, "Is him your older man?"
Lady Antonia nodded. "By the way, Lord Fitzwilliam is a pain. I like visiting your cousin, but dread Lord Fitzwilliam. He always shows up when I visit; hopefully, he will leave us alone."
"I hope so; I think I will marry soon. I will try my best to get a proposal." Penny made a moue. If needed she would propose George, Fergus had suggested it, saying Penny's dowry was larger than Georgiana's, and she owned several homes. He was of the opinion she could propose.
"Ah, let me greet Thomas' parents." Lady Antonia said. Gentlemen admired the tall beauty with platinum hair, who never looked at anyone.
The Wedding
They walked to the church, their Gardiner relatives joined them, along with her mother. Mr. Bennet did not want people in town to gossip. They would keep appearances until they left. The walk was less than 10 minutes away. Lizzie held her father's arm, with her family behind. Everyone in Meryton, not invited, had come to see the wedding, one people would remember for years to come.
Mr. Darcy waited inside, his stomach churning, until he saw Lizzie. In that moment he knew he genuinely loved her and was glad the daybook had opened his eyes. Lizzie saw the Lucas. and his mother with her sister and her husband. Her mother smiled proudly, making Lizzie smile.
Lizzie felt her heart bursting with happiness, thinking this was a dream. William waited for her, and all others ceased to exist. He was so handsome, looking like her prince in his formal wear. She was certain nobody looked as good as he did. When he turned his face and smiled Lizzie knew she would soon love him. He was no longer the odious proud man, but her William. For a moment she noticed how much he looked like an auburn hair George; but she decided it was her imagination.
Edna's parents swore they saw Edna and Gus, holding hands and standing by the couple. Edna wore the same dress than Lizzie, and when Edna turned around and smiled at them, they decided it was true; it was their secret. They looked like before. Their eyes were wet, with happy tears, knowing this was a gift. Richard had explained about George's gift; so, the couple, would be giving George Wickham a large gift of their own, their daughter's dowry, to get his life started, They had plenty and had discussed it with their son who agreed and told them that he had seen Edna and her love marrying; however, the family never told anyone else. They felt George had taken their sadness away.
Outside the church, an old lady stood with others waiting to see the bride, she looked fidgety, and her hand kept going inside her spencer's pocket. Dee left the church, sniffing the ground, when the old lady saw the terrier, she walked away fast and climbed on a waiting carriage, just in time before a barking large dog, reached the carriage.
In the church, Mrs. Bennet felt something was going on and saw the old lady walking too fast for her age. She knew who it was; so, when she saw an envelope on the ground, she picked it up. The envelope was for Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst. She would give to them and would tell them to be careful. She waited till the carriage was far away before returning to the wedding.
Seconds later, Dee, a small terrier puppy, went back into the church to sit by Mr. Bennet; he had not noticed the dog gone but had seen Mrs. Bennet walking out and would ask.
After they signed the book, Darcy took Lizzie in his arms. He kissed her briefly, only a caress, but it left both breathless. Now, Lizzie believed her Aunt Gardiner was right and was looking forward to what her aunt had explained.
At the breakfast, Charlotte told Lizzie she was the most beautiful bride ever and everyone thought the same. Lizzie invited her to visit, explaining that William had told her there were a couple of rich widowers, perfect for Charlotte.
The bride and groom held hands, both glowing with happiness. Someone had mentioned an old lady had been chased by a nasty big dog, but nobody paid attention. Mrs. Bennet, who was there, said the old lady was Caroline, and gave the letter to Mr. Bingley.
Charles confirmed it was from Caroline and was relieved, recognizing the stationary. Now, he knew where to find her. It was only a few lines. There were two more short letters, one for Mr. Darcy, saying she still cared for him, but would leave him and his bride alone, and everyone else, because her father wanted her to be good, and he was not mad at her.
The one for Luisa said she was afraid and that was all. The one for Charles was the same and asking him not to be mad at her. She wrote she threw the gun and the knife near near an apple tree. He would look for them, he went to show his friend the letter.
William told Charles if he found her, he had a tonic for her, made by someone special. He recommended that Charles would find out what happened the day his father died; and if he found her, send an express and he would send the tonic. Regardless, he would send several bottles of the tonic when he arrived at Pemberley. "When you find her, find a lovely place for her to live, but not with you. I know you care for Miss Bennet, my sister, but I cannot recommend you, if you are with your sister."
Charles agreed, "I only wish to be as happy as you are today. But first, I am going to find her. Reggie and Louisa will go with me, after we seek Amy. She is the young maid who saw what happened. She has tea salon, the last I heard. My best wishes, be happy."
Mrs. Bennet told Lizzie how proud she was her daughter had married such a distinguished gentleman. And told her, she hoped to see her again. Lizzie hugged her mother, with great affection, healing many old wounds.
When Jane came to congratulate her, Lizzie also hugged her. Jane now hoped one day she could have her sister back.
William wanted to get on the road, to his life with Lizzie, though he wondered if Lizzie would bring her daybook with her. It was turning into an obsession. Well, she said she would show him the picture, and he hoped so. He stood to admire her; she was beautiful; to think he had called her tolerable. He had said it because he had been a silly proud man.
He thought it might be funny to see the drawing again and read what she wrote after she came back from getting tea. But there was time; and he remembered, again, his curiosity had gotten him in trouble more than once. Not with Lizzie because she would laugh if he should fall into temptation, he hoped.
No, forget the daybook, he decided, what he wanted was to kiss Lizzie, his beautiful and perfect bride, yes; and he wanted his fantasy; that was a better idea. No sense in angering Lizzie, now that he had her, the one he loved.
His father and those who knew him, knew how single minded he was, but now he was a married man, and it was time to change. Though his single-minded way had gotten him the perfect bride for him, he reasoned. He went to Lizzie who had changed her clothes for something warmer. He smiled and picked up Dee. It was time to leave.
The end?
A/n The end for now. I have a couple new stories to come. One mini-horror, and a ghostly story coming soon. A short story, a wonderful fairy tale I wrote and is ready, it is cally Fanny's Birthday and the Wolves. And another, a sequel to Mr. Bennet's treasures, called Mr. Darcy's fishing and love. I had only planned five chapters and ended up with thirteen. Thanks to all of those who commented and read.