by Wells, Linda
“We are both so much better, I promise.” She saw Charlotte’s concern over Kitty’s shoulder and laughed. “I am truly well, just very sore, but I refuse to wear a sling to the wedding. And my dear Fitzwilliam is much better, too. Now we will speak no more of it. This is Jane’s day.”
“Where is Rosalie?” Mrs. Gardiner asked when she at last received her hug.
“Yes! I want to meet my niece!” Kitty cried.
“Mrs. Robbins has her in my old room, Papa took her over as soon as we arrived and showed the way upstairs. I think that he is smitten with his granddaughter! Mama greeted us and was back in the house so fast that she did not have a chance to meet her yet.” Elizabeth’s smile faltered then she fixed it to her lips and continued, “I cannot say that I blame her, I am not going near Rosa until after the wedding. We took separate coaches so that our clothing remained clean and our nerves were not frayed.” She laughed. “And I see that you took your own advice and left our cousins at home!”
“I am not a fool, Lizzy. They will do just fine without us for a few days.” Mrs. Gardiner patted her hand. “Now, I will go check on my sister. I understand that she is very pleased with your husband.”
“Yes.” Elizabeth sighed and shrugged. “And my husband was very glad to leave before his poor nerves were frayed too much by her attention. I suppose his kindness has won me some approbation, at last.”
“Your mother has been worried for her future for twenty years.” Mrs. Gardiner said gently.
“Then why would she not be happy for me from the beginning?” Elizabeth held up her hand. “No, do not answer; I have no desire to discuss it. This is Jane’s day.”
“I agree. And now we should see what sort of spectacle is being prepared downstairs.” Mrs. Gardiner left and was joined by the other girls, leaving Elizabeth and Jane alone.
“Are you well?”
“Yes.” Jane sighed and twisted her hands. “Aunt gave me another little talk last night.” She looked at Elizabeth pointedly. “It was not quite the same as yours.”
“Mine was a little more hopeful, I presume?” She sat down on the bed and Jane joined her. “I received four talks before my wedding night, each one had a bit of truth, but in the end, it was a night that nobody could possibly have predicted for me.” Elizabeth smiled and squeezed Jane’s hand. “Has Robert reassured you?”
“Yes. He is very eager, but I know that he will be very kind.” Biting her lip she blushed. “And he is going to thank Fitzwilliam for the wedding trip. He said that after listening to his little brothers arguing in their bedchamber, he … he was looking forward to the freedom and privacy we will experience outside of his family home.”
Elizabeth started to laugh, and raised her hand to her mouth. “Forgive me, Jane. But to hear you speak of privacy at an inn … I am sorry. I am spoiled living at our quiet homes.” She giggled. “I wonder if you and Robert will be shushing each other in the middle of the night as Fitzwilliam and I do!”
“Lizzy!”
“Oh Jane, just wait, you will understand the joy of loving your husband very soon, and the magnification of every little sound when you are trying to be quiet.” Elizabeth picked up the bonnet and placed it over Jane’s hair, then tied the ribbons. Finishing, she hugged her. “You are lovely. Are you ready?”
Jane nodded and taking Elizabeth’s hand, they walked down the stairs. Mr. Bennet was waiting with a smile. “Well, it seems that sense will dwell in this house for the last time.” He sniffed and took Jane’s hand. “I am happy for you, Daughter.”
“Thank you, Papa.” Her brow wrinkled. “Who is playing?”
“Oh, Georgiana and Mary have prepared several duets for entertaining your guests.” Elizabeth smiled. “They have been working very hard.”
Mr. Bennet cocked his head. “I am overwhelmed with the change in Mary’s skill. Perhaps she should stay here and entertain her father instead of going with you to Pemberley?”
“Papa, you would not do that to her would you? She is so excited to see our home!”
“Lizzy, you have been gone from Longbourn too long if you do not recognize my teasing.” He said sadly.
“Forgive me, Papa, it has been a difficult time.” Elizabeth’s eyes welled up and she was grateful to be distracted by her mother’s arrival.
“Jane!” Mrs. Bennet pulled Jane to her side and began to fuss over the gown. Elizabeth stood next to her father and watched the scene.
“So Mama thinks that I am wonderful now?” She asked quietly.
“She will probably never forgive you for marrying better than Jane, but she is certainly happier knowing for certain that despite everything, your husband is an honourable man and will look after all of his family. Even the members he does not wish to know.” Mr. Bennet looked over his shoulder at Lydia. “I am growing uncertain about school for her.”
“Why? Is she protesting?” She looked over to her pouting sister. “I suppose that she is upset with the attention that Jane is receiving, and is making her unhappiness known?”
“Loudly.” He shrugged. “I have taken away every privilege and it makes no difference. I fear that by the time school begins, she might just run away.” He looked at Elizabeth meaningfully, “I think that her precocious development is doing her no favours. The men of the neighbourhood are quite taken with her look, and her youthful exuberance is very appealing to their imaginations.”
“Her figure is fully formed.” Elizabeth noticed with surprise. “When did that happen?”
“I hardly know. But Mr. Collins has certainly made note of it. He is a leering fellow, and the way your mother dresses her is no help in discouraging that. I appreciate how Miss Darcy actually appears to be dressed appropriately for her age, despite her wealth. Your mother does not care; you were all dressed as women at that age.” He shrugged helplessly. “Lydia knows what it is to feel a man’s admiration, and how to draw it.” He looked at her with resignation. “Mr. Collins is no man I would care to call Son, but it could be the best offer Lydia might expect, and it would save the estate and your mother, as well as your husband from responsibility he should not bear if I fail to provide for her.”
“Oh Papa, she is not fifteen!”
“We will see.” He met her eyes and smiled sadly. “Better married young than wandering the streets of London and selling herself if she runs away.” Elizabeth’s horrified look made him tilt his head. “Surely you are not innocent to these things? Not after the time you just experienced?”
“No Papa, but I never considered it for my family. Do you really think that Lydia would be seduced by someone?”
“That man who tried to end your life, was he not a known seducer? Darcy told me that he had fathered at least two children with servant girls during his years at Cambridge. Darcy cleaned up more than his old debts to spare his father from knowing what his ward was truly like; he found homes for the foundlings, and new situations for the girls.” Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide. “He spared you, as well? Forgive me for telling you then, it was not my news to relate. Perhaps though it will help you to understand better why he was so upset with himself for not exposing Wickham sooner.” Mr. Bennet patted her hand when understanding appeared in her eyes.
“Lizzy, I held Rosalie many times while you and Darcy slept, and as I looked down at her, I thought of how I had failed my family, and how I knew that my granddaughter would never face want because of her father’s neglect. I know that Lydia is incorrigible, and I also know that it is probably too late to change that. She is overindulged and indolent. I see her as facing a very hard and short life after running away from school in London; or married to her dream of a soldier who will likely abuse her, or leave her to her own devices when he goes to war. Marrying a foolish minister who will worship her beauty and feel himself lucky to have such a pretty young woman to satisfy his desires might just be the best that she can expect, and she would have a home.” He looked around him and patted her back. “Well that is a decision for another day; now let us se
e your sister married to the man of her heart.”
DARCY CROSSED HIS ARMS and his lips pursed back the little smile that kept trying to appear. “You can breathe, you know.”
“It feels like a noose!” Lucas complained and glanced at Darcy. “Forgive me.”
“No, no. I understand, but a noose implies that you are unwilling, why not call it a yoke and your beloved is the burden?” He chuckled to see Lucas’ eyes roll. “Come now, you endured Professor McMaster’s literature course.”
“I did, and I thought I was free of his fanciful thinking. You do not impress me as a poet, you are far too staid.”
“I leave that to my lovely bride to answer.” He smiled and laughed to see Lucas blush and look back up at him.
“Umm, thank you for the wedding trip.”
“You are welcome. What convinced you?”
“The bit about actually enjoying the honeymoon without …holding back.” Lucas shrugged when Darcy’s smile grew. “I wish we were leaving tonight!”
“No, you should enjoy your first night in your home, even if it must be quiet, and is not your home yet. It is a memory that will never be replaced. You will mark that place as your own, for the rest of your days.”
Lucas smiled and nodded at his feet. “Did … Bingley have anything to say?”
“Best wishes and joy.” Darcy assured him. “He is off to find his way. I just hope that he takes the correct path.”
“I hope that he finds it, and, I am grateful that he let her go.” Lucas stared down the aisle of the church and watched the guests filter in. “He would have made her a very good husband.”
“He would have been the most prudent choice.” Darcy nodded and smiled when he received a sharp look. “You are the better one, the one who loves all of her, as she does you.”
“Thank you.” Lucas drew a long deep breath and both men chuckled when Sir William toddled up the aisle, shaking hands and slapping backs. “He should have been in politics.”
“Well as the magistrate for the neighbourhood, he is. Surely Mr. Bennet does not want the position.”
“No, no, that is surely true.” Sir William stepped up and beamed at them. “Is everything ready, Father?”
“It is; it is! The ladies are just arrived; your brothers are escorting them down the aisle now!” He grinned and bobbed. “A great day! Capital day!” He shook Darcy’s hand and hugged his son. “Good show, Son!” He happily flew back down the aisle to escort Lady Lucas, and at last all of the guests were in place. The vicar appeared along with Mr. Collins, who attempted to address Darcy, but was given no more than a curt nod. Instead Darcy focussed on Elizabeth walking towards him, and smiled at her dancing eyes. He saw her glance unhappily at Collins, then turn to watch Lucas. Darcy’s brow creased until he heard his sharp intake of breath and looked to see Jane, a vision in blue, walking towards him. Darcy looked to Elizabeth, and matched her smile. Jane and Robert held hands and took their vows, as every happy couple in that church silently renewed their own. When it was over and the names were affixed to the register, the blushing couple happily settled into a borrowed barouche and enjoyed their first kiss as man and wife.
Removed from the noisy group of family and friends, Darcy at last took his bride’s hand in his and kissed it. “Now, Mrs. Darcy. Now may we go home?”
“I beg for some cake, love. I want something sweet.” She laughed as his eyes lit up with a memory.
“Something to hold in your mouth?” He whispered against her ear.
“I want to taste you.” She whispered back.
“But we will be at an inn tonight.”
“I have been given a new perspective about lovemaking and inns today.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “It seems that anonymity may be the key to freedom.”
“Lizzzzzzzzzzzzzy.” He said heatedly.
“Mr. Darcy, I think that it is time that our bed was the one to keep our neighbours awake all night.” Elizabeth kissed that certain spot below his ear then drew away. “What do you think?”
Darcy’s eyes were dark and his tongue slowly moistened his lips. He glanced around to be sure nobody was looking, and leaning forward to bite the identical spot below her ear, whispered, “I think that it is time that you had some cake.”
“HOW IS MR. DARCY?” Caroline asked and noticing the pointed look from her husband, added, “and Mrs. Darcy? Are they feeling quite well?”
“I believe so.” Bingley sat down heavily on a sofa in the Hursts’ drawing room and picked up a pillow to hold. “They seemed in good spirits, glad to be leaving, and to be attending Miss Ben …” He glanced at the clock, “Mrs. Lucas’s wedding.”
“Do not tell me you were standing in some tavern as the church bells rang, toasting your lost love.” Robinson laughed and received a glare from both his wife and brother. “You broke it off, Bingley.”
“I said nothing of my feelings. You have a desire for discovering gossip that is not actually in existence.” Looking down at the pillow, he played with the tassels. “I am only missing my friends. It is difficult to imagine that I will not see them again for so many months.”
“Perhaps you will.” Hurst entered the room with a letter in his hand, and took a seat. “This just arrived from Mr. Tate.”
“Your tour guide?” Caroline looked at the letter curiously. “Is something wrong with your plans?”
“No, nothing is wrong with the plans, but there is something wrong with the Continent. Napoleon, to be exact.” He sighed and shrugged. “I am afraid Bingley, that it is still too dangerous to undertake the journey.”
“But we were not going to travel through France.” He took the letter and looked at it. “So travel through Switzerland in inadvisable as well? Could we take a ship to Italy and bypass the war?”
“We could, but it would not be an easy journey. You have travelled to Spain enough times, Robinson. How is the journey?”
Becoming serious, he sat up. “Well, if you have no stomach for it, I would say it is hell. Disease, cramped quarters, stomach in your throat. Not for the casual traveller. There is the possibility of pirates and shipwreck, too. I have done it overland and by sea, neither is easy, but I am glad to have merchants to do the travelling for me now, and men to take care of my business in the south.”
“We will not be travelling there this winter?” Caroline asked.
“Not unless you can sprout wings and fly.” Robinson laughed. “Perhaps we will be shifting our attention to other locations.”
“To the islands?” She asked with wide eyes. “We will cross the ocean?”
“If we do we may not return.” He sighed. “Perhaps this estate was a good purchase.” He mused and shrugged. “Well I won’t be solving this problem today.”
“I think that we should reevaluate our plans.” Hurst turned to Bingley. “What do you say?”
“Darcy gave me a book today, a travel book of Britain …by Gilpin.” He started to laugh. “He suggested that I give it a look, very soon.”
Hurst smiled and began to laugh. “I see that your friend is trying very hard not to direct you.”
“And yet he does not stop caring for me at every turn. And his wife was just as concerned.” He looked up with a smile. “Perhaps we should read this book and speak to our guides.”
“And plan another trip.” Louisa said with relief. “I would rather not die at sea.”
“I cannot help but agree with you.” Hurst agreed.
“I will write to Darcy and let him know that his message was received.” Bingley laughed softly. “And understood.”
“GOOD HEAVENS.” Darcy said flatly. “Did a garden explode in here?”
“It is rather colourful, isn’t?” Mr. Gardiner chuckled and took a sip of the punch. “The end result of two very strong-willed ladies with entirely different visions.”
“Jane could not stop it?” He whispered and looked around in awe.
“Jane is a mediator at heart.” Mr. Gardiner laughed at his incredulous look. “You hav
e not seen Jane at her best, Son. I think that Jane Lucas will be truer to form than Jane Bennet ever was.” He winked and lifted his chin to where Lucas stood with Jane on his arm. “Look at him, the man is desperate to leave.”
Darcy watched Lucas’s fixed smile then his eyes travelled down to where he gripped Jane’s hand. “If he is not careful, she will be crying with pain soon.”
“I am afraid that her cheeks will be that shade of red for many days to come.”
“Does she blush over the anticipation or the antics of the mothers?” Darcy mused. “Lady Lucas seems calmer than Mrs. Bennet.”
“My sister has always been of an excitable bent.” Mr. Gardiner sighed. “My mother may not have been educated, but she certainly knew how to marry off her most troubling girl.”
“What was Mrs. Bennet like as a child?” Darcy forced his eyes away from the sight of his mother-in-law extolling the virtues of her daughter to her neighbours. Two daughters married! was shrilled across the room.
“Ah, well turn and watch your sister, and you will see the identical model.” Mr. Gardiner pointed his glass to a corner and laughed at Darcy’s alarm. “Not Miss Darcy, Lydia. No, no, Father saw Bennet sniffing around her, Mother knew an opportunity when she saw it … ah that poor man was engaged before he knew what happened to him. Oh well, he has at least three girls who do not make men cringe, and with some work and luck, perhaps he will have four. Not bad, that.”
“I suppose not.” Darcy sighed and looked at Georgiana. “I hope that I do well by my sister.”
“You will, Son. I cannot offer you advice for a girl her age, though. I have not lived it yet.”
“No, all I have are my aunt and uncle for this.” He looked back to the wedded couple, free at last from Mrs. Bennet. “Look, they are making a move to escape.”
Mr. Gardiner watched as Lucas guided Jane to a doorway, sent a backwards glance into the room, and with a smile, slipped into the hallway. The two men watched the window and saw them hidden behind a lilac bush just outside the door. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner chuckled and raised their glasses in toast. “Well done, Lucas.”
