Chapter 16

Lizzy made her way to the bookshop after church on the 12th of April. Her need was to be alone on this last day before her entire life changed. Once married, she assumed the world of reading about new works being published, discussing with customers their desires for a good book, and making certain a tidy profit was made each month would no longer be hers. She had felt useful. Her neighbours admired her. Being Mrs Darcy she feared would mean her no longer being allowed to treat them as equals. Her lack of understanding what this marriage would mean nagged at her conscience.

Still, there were often imaginings of things she might enjoy. Time with her husband, alone, just the two of them, to talk of books, his memories of Italy, perhaps his thoughts on when the war with Napoleon would end, and what crops he grew so she could understand the family business. Speaking with him had always been a great enjoyment—the two of them had always discussed things of consequence.

Ant then there would be kissing. She hoped Fitzwilliam's kiss was more like her first than her second. The one with Wickham had reminded her of all those gentlemen she had encountered over the years who knew how to charmingly discuss the roads, and the weather with all manner of practiced amiability. It was an agreeable experience but did not awaken expectations of something more—perfunctory versus possibilities. In her memory, the one in Vauxhall had invited her to explore new worlds with him.

Elizabeth heard a noise and looked up to see Iphigenia had returned with a swollen belly. It was a wonder she had managed to squeeze through the door Linus had fashioned for her. Still, her litter of kittens did not appear imminent. She jumped onto Lizzy's lap, and prodded her hand to apply some affection to her ears. Next, she looked quite demanding as though she had been the one neglected during their separation. It was obvious she wanted to be fed. She was dutifully given some chicken brought by her companion for her own sustenance. Once fed, she went to the basket and blanket that had been empty since she absconded in early March and promptly fell asleep.

Elizabeth returned to her imaginings of marriage to Fitzwilliam. Would he be the sort of husband who would leave her with no warning only to return demanding some form of comfort with no concern for her missing him. That had not been her father's way. He never wanted to stray from his book room, nor spend much time with her mother.

Finally, she put away childish things and turned her attention to being able to leave the shop's ledgers and correspondence as up to date as possible for Mr Goodwin.

Just as she was preparing to return home, there was a knock on the door. She opened it to receive a message from a man in livery. He told her in a most solemn tone that his employer, Mr Darcy, had directed him to deliver this note to her personally.

Her first thought was, he has changed his mind. This is to inform me the wedding is off.

The last day of their journey to Pemberley, Darcy had risen early, ahead of his party to travel alone. Richard was left behind to be the ladies' guardian. Arriving home at least two hours before they would, he immediately began putting the plans for tomorrow in motion. Mr Hobson, to whom Darcy had given the living at Kympton, was in his vestry when Mr Darcy stopped to inform him both couples he had sent word about would be present tomorrow at ten in the morning. The procured common license was shown him. The clergyman was asked if he could think of any reason the weddings could not take place. Hearing no, he left to accomplish his last distance to home.

Once at Pemberley, he only stopped to clean the road from his body before immediately writing a letter to Elizabeth to inform her of his hopes for the next day.

Dearest Elizabeth,

I have returned to Pemberley. Your sister, my sister and Richard will arrive in a few hours. On my way home, I stopped to speak with the Reverend Hobson about his obligation to marry the four of us tomorrow. If you are still willing, please meet me at ten in the morning. My carriage will arrive to bring you to the church. I am also writing a note to Mr Goodwin, so he is prepared for the day's event.

Lizzy, I have never desired anything so much as being married to you. There is no one of my acquaintance whose company I enjoy as much. My feelings have become clearer to me since last December when I clumsily proposed. The words I said that day were all about duty and my ability to improve your status. Not a word of my ardent love was spoken despite my rapidly developing attachment. I understand you may not have a similar affection for me, but my dream is your feelings will grow to mirror mine.

All my love,

Fitzwilliam

The ides of April dawned with sun streaming through Elizabeth's window. Her first act was to put on her dressing gown and slippers and sit on the edge of her bed, draw his note from the pocket and read it once more. She believed she must be past twenty times reading it, particularly his second paragraph and the heartfelt declaration of love he had penned. She was eager to tell him she reciprocated before they said their vows. His words were not flowery, comparing her to a summer day, but they perfectly took away her apprehension about his reasons for marrying her.

Next, she walked to the chair where her wedding dress was waiting for her to don. It had come several hours after his note. It was a beautiful blush silk gown, simply embellished with darker pink rosebuds. Included was a wreath for her hair of more silk rosebuds. Also included were gloves and slippers and a note from Jane.

Dearest Lizzy, this dress was chosen for you by the sister who has adored you since birth, the sister you will acquire through marriage who is eagerly looking forward to meeting you, and the aunt who protected you with quiet wisdom when our parents could not be bothered. Please know it is given to you with the sincerest love.

The sentiments of the note caused her to tear up slightly, when she heard the knock of Esther arriving to help her dress and style her hair. Elizabeth hoped for another conversation with her friend illuminating the secrets of married life.

"I have brought you some tea and a bun. I am certain it is currently unappealing, but you must eat something, It will be hours before you will be able to partake of Mr Darcy's sumptuous gilded pheasant and those little cakes you love… which I have learned from Jamie are called Madeleines."

"Your Jamie is a store of knowledge."

"And your Mr Darcy has a wonderful memory when it comes to remembering things that give you pleasure. He had the Madeleines sent for our wedding breakfast for you alone."

"Perhaps my groom is a traitor to England and is encouraging my admiration of things French. He knows I adore Beaumarchais and Moliere."

"Why so silly today of all days?"

"I will be serious if you insist. How was your time alone with your husband? Did you enjoy yourself?"

"I did, and I am of the opinion Jamie did also."

"What are the tell-tale signs of a husband who has experienced pleasure?"

"Smiles. Longing looks. Casual touches as one goes about everyday activities."

"Jamie was always very adept at delivering looks of love long before he even proposed."

"Yes, he did."

"Fitzwilliam, tends to wear a mask to shield his true feelings. From my first meeting him that day at Netherfield, he seemed to fear exposure of something. At first, I thought it was simply arrogant disdain, I perceived, but soon it became clear there was something being hidden from me as well."

"Have you determined what it was he was concealing?"

"We discussed his possible guilt the morning of your wedding. I am no wiser now than then. However, he sent me this yesterday and his words are so very honest and without pretense."

Elizabeth handed Esther the note she received from Fitzwilliam, and she quickly read it. "You are correct, Lizzy. His love for you is obvious. Put your fears behind you and go forward into this marriage with every confidence."

As the bride was dressed and her hair styled for her momentous occasion, the two friends continued to talk about what Esther had enjoyed on her honeymoon. She answered every question her friend asked about what to expect and assured her friend she would also soon experience the same.

Fitzwilliam's Town Coach drawn by four matched horses with the Darcy coat of arms arrived to bring her to the church at Kympton. It had been decided she was to be accompanied there by Mr Goodwin, and his sister Beatrice. Esther and Jamie took the more ordinary household's carriage to collect Mrs Thatcher and Linus. Elizabeth also insisted they must take some food to Iphigenia at the Lambton bookshop on their way to the church.

Elizabeth's trip turned out to be quite consequential in terms of what was communicated by Mr Goodwin and Mrs Swift during their journey. She could not wait to tell Fitzwilliam what had transpired. In truth though, there was a moment of doubt he might not approve, but her outlook this morning matched the sunny day. She batted her anxiety away and became positive he would.

The first person she saw when the coach pulled up was her sister Jane, looking as beautiful as Esther had described paintings of Renaissance ladies, standing in the doorway waiting for her arrival. The two sisters embraced with nary a care for any who saw their display of deep love for one another.

Jane introduced her to Miss Georgiana Darcy, the young woman who would soon be Elizabeth's sister. She was not exactly as Lizzy had been led to believe. Wickham had called her proud. Miss Bingley had described her as the most accomplished young lady of her acquaintance. Neither description seemed to capture her fundamental nature. Georgiana seemed much more vulnerable than either had painted her. It was obvious her pride was more akin to shyness and her accomplishments, which could be many, did not make her eager to display them. Her demeanour upon meeting Elizabeth seemed almost relieved, as though she had been waiting to make her acquaintance so she could finally confide some sisterly secret.

After exchanging pleasantries, Miss Darcy motioned to a footman standing in Pemberley livery close by. He walked toward them and opened the box he was holding. Inside were two small identical bouquets, one for each bride.

"My brother wanted both of you to have as beautiful an arrangement of flowers as possible on such short notice. He had Pemberley's horticulturalist gather suitable plants from the greenhouse to mix with bluebells from the grounds."

Elizabeth's smile showed just how delighted she was with his gesture. "These are lovely. The carpet of them up by the waterfall were only beginning to bloom the last time I was there. I had a similar thought as your brother but no greenhouse to enhance their beauty."

"He told me he had heard you considered the idea."

"I believe he must have learned about my wish from my Aunt Gardiner. Though not here for the occasion she is letting Jane and I know she is wishing us joy."

Mr Goodwin appeared in the church doorway to let his daughter's nieces know Mr Hampton was ready to begin.

Within what seemed like a very short time, their vows had been said, they had been pronounced wed, and the register had been signed by both couples. Elizabeth was most pleased to have married a Mr Darcy who smiled almost the entire time, and the man she had first met at Netherfield who stared at her critically did not even attend one second of the ceremony.

His curricle was waiting outside to transport them to Pemberley for the wedding breakfast. It too had been festooned with greenery and flowers. Once inside, he gave her a quick kiss in front of their well-wishers before he took up the reins. She could not wait until their social obligations were met, and she could tell him all the things which had happened to give her joy today.

The marriage of Fitzwilliam to his Elizabeth was all that he had planned for it to be. So far there had been none of Mozart's opera's 'day of madness.' Yes, there had been numerous obstacles to overcome, but all had been manageable. He had obtained a Bishop's license with the help of Mr Gardiner and Mr Phillips to verify what was needed to marry Mr Bennet's disowned daughter. Mr Hobson had been willing to play his part on very short notice. Though both brides and both grooms were missing the kind of family involvement most couples enjoy, it did not dampen the events meaning in any way.

Jane, Georgiana, and Mrs Gardiner had been diligent in their duty to provide new clothing for his bride's trousseau. Mr Goodwin handed Lizzy the deed to the Lambton Book Shop during the carriage ride to the church. He had told Mr Darcy how pleased she was with his gesture and quickly put it in her reticule to show her groom. He had also given her a sixpence for her shoe and showed her the one he would give her sister. Mrs Swift had come prepared to loan her the garnet Celtic cross given to her by Mr Swift that she had worn for her wedding. She had been instructed to do so by her niece who did not want Lizzy to wear the cross given her by her father for the occasion. It was important to her Aunt Maggie that her niece wear something that represented a loving marriage. And finally, Georgiana had told him how pleased the two brides were with the bouquets of bluebells he had had made for them.

The trip to Pemberley was short. He could not wait until they were finally alone and could discuss all the things he wanted to tell her. He prayed she would understand why he had waited. In the meantime, he decided to let her know about his surprise during the wedding breakfast. "The first thing we must do upon arrival is to allow our guests to wish us well. The servants will also want to meet you. Are you prepared for all our social obligations?"

"Of course. Esther made certain I ate something so I will not faint from hunger."

"Indulging in the sumptuous dishes my cook and her kitchen team will follow."

"Do you know if we will have gilded pheasant like Cosimo di Medici?"

"Pheasant quite possibly, but I doubt its preparation will involve any gold. We will have Madeleines, because I requested them for you. We will also have ices. Your sister Jane specifically asked for them. Richard loves lobster so I am certain it will be served."

"What do you want?"

"Smoked trout from my lake, of course,"

"I am looking forward to trying some."

"There is a surprise planned for after we eat. I have hired musicians to play so I may finally dance a reel with you."

"How delightful, Fitzwilliam. You are so thoughtful."

"I know what you truly want is to attend a private ball. I promise we will have one this summer and you will be able to experience one more thing you have dreamed of doing."

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide with his words. Her face then settled into a quizzical expression, but she said nothing. Within seconds they had arrived at the house and her odd expression was lost in the commencement of their duties.

Two hours later they were finished eating and waiting for the musicians to begin. He asked her if she had spent any time with Lady Cassandra?

"Yes, I spoke with her after you introduced me… during the time the food was being put out. She seems very worried about her husband."

"Tomorrow I must ride over to Ashcroft Abbey to see if he is there, and Richard will escort her to Matlock."

"Is Ashcroft Abbey the estate Mr Wright told me you wanted to lease for Richard and Jane?"

"Yes, I have been trying to arrange a meeting with Sir Arthur Dugdale to ask whether he would consider the proposition for more than a month."

"How long will you be?"

"I should be able to return by mid-afternoon tomorrow." He was thinking it might be an appropriate time to discuss her ownership of the bookshop, but she had another topic to inform him about.

"Iphigenia returned yesterday. She is about to have kittens. I plan to allow her to continue her employment at the shop despite her wanton behaviour. Do you have any need for mousers here at Pemberley?"

"You need to learn to say 'we' rather than 'you' with regards to Pemberley."

"I will try Fitzwilliam, but I have so little understanding of Pemberley currently. I have not even seen the library yet. You need to help me learn exactly where rodents might need to be eliminated." At first his face registered her words as an afront to his estate, but within seconds he confronted his inbred arrogance and laughed at her obvious humour.

"She smiled, as she decided to change the subject once again. Her gloves had been removed to eat. His hand was casually brushed by her bare one as the deed Mr Goodwin had given her was pulled from her reticule and laid upon the table. "Did you know Mr Goodwin planned to give me his bookshop?"

"Yes, Mr Gardiner informed me of his plan. Your parents denied you a dowry, but I believe it was felt you deserved a legacy, and it was the logical asset because of how hard you worked to make the shop profitable."

"Yes, that is what he said when he handed me the deed this morning. Did you know he has given me his family's oldest business. His father started it more than fifty years ago."

"My father and I both bought books there as boys."

"Would you object to my working there in the future, or would you prefer I hire people to take care of the selling of books?"

"The decision is yours. Only you will be able to determine how much you want to devote to being Mistress of Pemberley, and how much time you need to ensure the competent running of your shop."

"You are correct, Fitzwilliam. I must carefully consider all my obligations." She turned to him and captured his gaze with an intense one of her own. "The musicians are setting up. Did you ask them to play a certain reel first?"

"They are known for their Duchess of Devonshire Reel."

"Wonderful, I know that one. It was played at the assembly in Lambton last November."

"It is probably the same musicians."

Amidst the anticipation of their first dance together, neither noticed Mr Wright approach. "Mr Darcy, I must speak with you."

"What is it. The musicians are about to play."

"Pardon me, Mrs Darcy for interrupting your wedding breakfast, but my news is quite dire. Mr Brown from Ashcroft Abbey is here. Lord Smallwood has been wounded."

"Did he say how critical his wound is? Have you told Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

"No, and no. I thought I should tell you first."

"Have Jessup saddle my horse and yours. Also, ready a carriage for the Colonel to take Lady Cassandra to Matlock. The Earl must be informed. I will find my cousin."

"Elizabeth, do you know where Jane is?"

"I believe Richard was showing her the gardens."

"I will go in search of them. Would you see if you are able to find Lady Cassandra and Georgiana? Hopefully I will meet you back here soon."

As Darcy searched for his cousin, one thought was prominent. His wedding day was not after all to be free of operatic madness. Richard and Jane were in deed in the garden, sitting quite close together on a bench, holding hands, with their heads inclined toward the other whispering sweet nothings to one another. He broke the news to the colonel about his brother, and they quickly made their way back to the grand hall where he had left his bride.

She had performed her task superbly. Lady Cassandra was seated in a corner awaiting her brother-in-law's news. He sat in the chair next to her, took her hands, and quietly broke the distressing information to her about Bertie. She began weeping and Jane stepped up to replace her husband with the job of comforting her.

Darcy was impressed that his bride had done more than had been delegated to her. Mrs Reynolds had been solicited to let their guests know an emergency meant the dancing would have to be cancelled. Mr Swift and Mr Goodwin were requisitioned to work with the Pemberley employees to ensure people were able to leave as efficiently as possible.

Ten minutes later the hall had been mostly emptied. Darcy asked his bride to see him off. Once outside as they stood waiting for Mr Wright he said to her. "I wanted to show you the library this afternoon and then retire to our rooms. Mrs Reynolds will have to show you around. As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men … "

"Do not fret, Fitwilliam. You have given me a most wonderful day, and taking care of your cousin is most important now."

Her words of reassurance were followed by a caress of his cheek with her still ungloved hand and a look of longing. His arms pulled her to him, enfolding her tightly in his grasp. His lips pressed those lips of his dreams with the same passion he had been possessed by in Vauxhall Gardens. Her reaction was just as it had been before. They were melting and merging into one another. This time her mouth opened before his to elicit what had so invited her the first time, the sensation of tongues exploring with abandon, on a quest to capture each other's soul.

Upon hearing horses approaching, he pulled away first this time. Once again, his desires were interrupted. Despite wanting to revolt against duty, he still mounted, and the two men began to ride down the drive in the direction of Ashcroft Abbey. He refused to concern himself with what Mr Wright had witnessed, but his emotions demanded he look back to see her one last time before they were out of sight. He was staggered by what he saw, Elizabeth who was expert at concealing tears was crying with abandon from what appeared to be obvious distress sparked by either the experience of their kiss or its termination.