Jane’s delicately arched eyebrows rose at this.
‘I am surprised to hear you say so. I thought you would reserve that honour for yourself.’
Elizabeth put her cup down and shook her head.
‘I cannot fool myself. I love Mr Darcy dearly, and I know he loves me, but we are neither of us the best people. He is still inclined to be stubborn and proud on occasion, and I would not have him otherwise. I am still prone to making mischievous remarks and I can be hasty in my judgements. But you, Jane, have no such flaws. You will be the best of wives because you are the best of women.’
‘I am so thankful —’
Jane stopped suddenly.
‘Yes?’ Elizabeth encouraged her.
‘I am afraid I was about to say something uncharitable,’ said Jane.
‘There are only the two of us here. You may make one uncharitable remark without lessening my opinion of you,’ Elizabeth teased her.
‘It is only this,’ said Jane. ‘I am glad Miss Bingley wrote to say she could not attend the wedding as she and Mrs Hurst are ill. She did not like her brother falling in love with me, and if she had not gone to London so quickly with Mr Darcy, I think she might have tried to prevent it. So I am glad that she and the Hursts will not be joining us.’
‘Jane, that is very uncharitable indeed, for you, but immensely forbearing for anyone else,’ said Elizabeth merrily. ‘Miss Bingley is one of the most odious – no, the most odious woman of my acquaintance. It would have been horrible to have her at your wedding. I do not know what Mr Darcy said to her, but it must have been something very severe to make her retire to her mother’s house and remain there. For that, as for so many other things, I thank him.’
The maid came into the room and then hesitated when she saw them.
‘We had better join the others,’ said Elizabeth, for she knew the maid wanted to clear the table.
They finished the last remains of their breakfast and then went through to the morning-room, where they were met by a gust of noise and turmoil. Mary was practising on the pianoforte, for she was to play the organ at the wedding. Lydia was examining shoe roses and Kitty was running around, saying, ‘I have lost my shoe.’
‘I do not think you will find it under the cushion,’ said Elizabeth, laughing, for Kitty was lifting all the cushions and peering under the chairs.
‘Have you looked under your bed?’ asked Mrs Gardiner. ‘For you know you have never been careful about putting your shoes in the wardrobe.’
‘If the wardrobes were more commodious, there would be no need for the shoe to go missing,’ said Mr Collins, as Kitty tugged at the cushion beside him in an effort to look behind.
‘Mr Collins,’ said Mr Philips firmly. ‘Should you not be going to Lucas Lodge? You are to escort Miss Lucas to church, are you not? You do not want to be late.’
‘You are too, kind, Sir, but I do not have to leave for another half an hour,’ said Mr Collins, glaring at Kitty.
Mr Philips, however, was determined to be rid of him.
‘There has been a snowfall, as you can see. You should not leave anything to chance.’
‘A light snowfall only, Sir. The ground is barely dusted with white.’
‘Nevertheless, the snow often drifts in this part of the country and it could easily block your way. The road to Lucas Lodge is narrow and there is a particularly exposed corner where snow often gathers. If the carriage is impeded you might be some time on your journey. Better to go now and arrive early, rather than risk disappointing Miss Lucas. You do not want to slight her in any way.’
‘I had not thought of that,’ said Mr Collins, his eyebrows rising comically. ‘I thank you for your consideration, Sir. I will leave at once.’
He made a great to-do, with clumsy compliments and officious remarks delivered in equal measure as he left the room. Once in the hall, he took a great deal of time to put on a caped coat, a cloak, a scarf, a hat, and stout boots, and then – just when they thought they were rid of him – he returned for a cloak. But at last he had gone.
Eventually, Kitty found her shoe. Lydia teased her for losing it, and Kitty retaliated by snapping, ‘You nearly lost your reputation, and that is far more important than losing a shoe. You said you would be married before our sisters, but you are still unwed.’
Lydia paused in the middle of sewing a shoe rose on to her shoe.
‘I have changed my mind about marrying quickly,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘I used to like the idea, but I think quite differently now. I would rather be married well, than married quickly. If Jane had accepted her first offer of marriage, she would be marrying Mr Collins, but she bided her time and now she is marrying Mr Bingley instead. He is a much nicer man, as well as a much better catch. I am sure my second offer will be much better than my first one, and it will be worth waiting for.’
Elizabeth and Jane exchanged glances.
‘It seems Lydia is learning some sense as she grows older,’ said Elizabeth. ‘There may be hope for her yet.’
They heard the sound of a carriage. Kitty looked out of the window and said, ‘Georgiana is here already, and I still have not found my shoe!’
The Darcy carriage rolled to a halt and Georgiana climbed out, attended by a maid.
Elizabeth had suggested that Georgiana should dress with the younger Miss Bennets, so that she might know the pleasures of sisterly companionship before going to the church as one of Jane’s attendants. Elizabeth was rewarded for her thoughtfulness by the sight of Georgiana’s excited face as she was greeted cheerfully by the three youngest Miss Bennets, who soon took her upstairs to dress.
As the young ladies disappeared, Mrs Gardiner turned to Jane.
‘Now, my dear, it is time for you to dress.’
Elizabeth felt Jane’s excitement as they retired to their room, where Hill, the housekeeper, and Polly, the maid, were waiting for them.
‘I am glad you are here with me, Lizzy. I need your calming presence,’ said Jane. ‘I am so happy and so excited. To think, I will soon be marrying my beloved Charles, and then I will be going to Pemberley, where I will soon see you marry your beloved Mr Darcy. This must surely be the best day of my life.’
Jane instructed the maid to help Elizabeth, but Elizabeth refused.
‘You must have the ministrations of Hill and Polly first,’ Elizabeth said. ‘I will dress when you are ready.’
Both young ladies had bathed on rising. Jane now took off her day dress and, with the help of both Hill and Polly, put on her undergarments and her shoes. Polly then dressed her hair before helping her on with her gown.
‘I cannot hug you, though I am longing to do so, for I do not want to crush your gown,’ said Elizabeth. ‘Mama and Papa would be so proud.’
‘I wish they were here,’ said Jane sadly.
‘So do I. But I believe they are here in spirit. They would be delighted to know you are marrying such a good man – and Mama would be delighted you are making such a good match,’ she ended on a teasing note.
Jane smiled.
‘Dear Mama. She always wanted the best for her girls. She had high hopes we would all make good marriages, and she would be excited to know I am to live at Netherfield Park. She used to drive Papa to distraction by talking of marriage so constantly. I must confess, she used to drive me to distraction at first as well. I was very young when she started to encourage me to take an interest in young men, but she knew our situation was precarious, even though it looked secure to the outside world. I remember how embarrassed I was when a young man in London started writing me poetry, and Mama bought me a new frock so that I might look my best when next I saw him. But I understand her reasons now. She knew that an accident was all that stood between us and destitution, and that is why she wanted to see us settled. Now my wedding day is here. I like to think she knows of it, somehow. And now, Lizzy, it is time for you to dress.’
Elizabeth was soon attired, with her hair elaborately arranged in honour of the occasion.
She went along the corridor to see if her sisters were ready, and met them coming out of Kitty’s room. She was pleased to see that Kitty was wearing two shoes. Georgiana was with them, and they made a handsome group.
‘Is it time?’ asked Georgiana.
‘Yes. We should be going downstairs.’
They all went down.
The house had an empty feeling to it. Everyone save Mr Gardiner had already gone to the church. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, glancing at his pocket watch. He put it away when he heard the young ladies and complimented them on their looks.
Then he looked up and saw Jane, who had followed after.
‘My dear,’ he said, taking her hands. ‘I wish my sister, your mother, could have lived to see this day. You are breathtaking.’
Jane smiled, and Elizabeth felt a burst of joy.
The clock chimed the quarter hour and they donned their outdoor clothes and then went outside, where the carriages were waiting. The Bennet carriage was supplemented by Mr Darcy’s carriage, which had remained after bringing Georgiana to Longbourn. They divided into two parties, with Jane, Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner in one carriage, and the younger ladies in the other. Then they set off through the country lanes to the church.
The whole neighbourhood was delighted with the wedding, and everyone from the baker’s boy to the physician bowed as the carriages rolled past.
They halted outside the lich gate and climbed out of the carriages in a bustle and a flurry of silk and satin. Elizabeth organised the younger ladies whilst Mr Gardiner offered Jane his arm.
‘Shall we, my dear?’
Jane took his arm and they went into the church.
The church was crowded. All their friends and neighbours were there to see Jane married. The Gouldings were there, from Haye Park, and the Purvises. Sir William Lucas was smiling benignly and Charlotte was studiously ignoring Mr Collins, who was so busy talking he did not even look at the wedding party.
But Elizabeth scarcely noticed them. Her eyes went at once to Mr Darcy, who was standing by the altar with Mr Bingley.
As Elizabeth walked up the aisle after Jane, she thought it would not be long before she herself was walking up the aisle as a bride. There was something in Mr Darcy’s eyes that showed her he was thinking the same thing and they held each others’ gaze until Elizabeth reached the altar. Jane took her place next to Mr Bingley, and Elizabeth helped the other attendants to take their place. Then the service began. It was simple and unaffected. The rector’s voice was sonorous as the readings echoed around the venerable church. The hymns, sung with great feeling, seemed as though they would lift the roof. But the most touching part of all was the moment when the rector announced that Jane and Mr Bingley were man and wife.
Jane took Mr Bingley’s arm and together they processed up the aisle, followed by their attendants.
‘Allow me to congratulate you, Mrs Bingley,’ said Elizabeth, as they left the church.
‘Oh, Lizzy, I am the happiest woman alive,’ said Jane.
Then Mr Bingley claimed her and handed her into the carriage and they set off for Longbourn, and their wedding breakfast.
‘That will soon be us,’ said Mr Darcy softly to Elizabeth, as he came up beside her and drew her hand through his arm.
‘I know,’ she said. ‘My sister thinks she is the happiest woman alive, and I did not want to contradict her on her wedding day, but she is wrong, because I am.’
The servants had made a special effort, and Longbourn was looking at its best when the wedding party alighted and went into the drawing-room. Every surface had been cleaned and polished. The mirrors were shining and the gilding on the picture frames glowed. There were fresh flowers from the hothouses of Netherfield Park, and the wedding breakfast was a sumptuous repast. They all gathered round the table in the dining-room and ate their fill, then toasted the happy couple.
At last it was time to go. Elizabeth ran up to her room and looked around it for the last time. It had seen every important moment of her life. It had heard all her confidences, and it had wrapped her round with comfort and warmth.
But now it was no longer hers. The next time she visited, it would belong to the Collinses. She had feared this moment for so long, but now, when it came, it was not as bad as she had predicted. In fact, she felt that she was able to let Longbourn go. She felt the past slipping away from her, and when she ran downstairs again she was ready to fully embrace her future.
She joined her family in saying farewell to their Meryton guests, until the only people left were those who were joining her on the journey north to Pemberley, and her Uncle Gardiner with his four children. She took a fond leave of them all.
‘Shall we?’ asked Mr Darcy, offering his arm as the carriage awaited.
Elizabeth took Mr Darcy’s arm and walked to his carriage.
They were to travel in easy stages, with their own three carriages carrying them, and one hired carriage following with the servants and the luggage. Elizabeth travelled with Mr Darcy, Georgiana and Mrs Gardiner in Mr Darcy’s carriage. Mr and Mrs Bingley travelled with Kitty in Mr Bingley’s carriage, whilst Mr and Mrs Philips travelled with Mary and Lydia in the Bennet carriage.
Once they were all settled, they set off.
Elizabeth waved to her uncle and cousins, until they were out of sight, and then turned all her attention to Pemberley.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Elizabeth found the journey to Derbyshire fascinating. The weather was fine, if cold, and the roads were dry. Mr Darcy knew the route well and had arranged for them to stay in respectable inns along the way. They took in the beauties of Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth and many more as they made their way north. Elizabeth’s interest sharpened as they entered Derbyshire. She had never been so far north before. The smiling landscapes she was used to, with their streams and fields, gave way to more majestic scenery of rocks and moors. There was a rugged grandeur about it and Elizabeth found it exhilarating.
At last came the day when they neared Lambton. In the morning, the road climbed and they could look down on to the surrounding countryside. They saw fields of sage green, with brighter patches of emerald, fading into purple and blue on the horizon. Here and there, outcrops of rock added grey and russet tones to the view. There were no habitations to be seen, except a smudge on the horizon where a small town could be inferred.
When the carriage had climbed to its highest point, they stopped for a picnic. They sat on rugs within the spreading roots of a huge oak, which towered, leafless, above them. They ate from hampers which were filled with food, bought fresh, each morning: cold chicken and ham, bread and cheese, with lemonade and wine to drink.
Their conversation was lively. For many of the travellers, this was all new. For Mrs Gardiner, it brought back happy memories, which she was keen to share. Elizabeth listened avidly to every detail about Lambton, which would shortly be her home.
When they had finished, Elizabeth wandered to the edge of the escarpment whilst the others lounged on the rocks. She looked down at the magnificent view.
She was joined by Mr Darcy.
‘Well, Lizzy,’ he said, ‘what do you think of your new home? It is very different to the countryside you are used to. Do you like it?’
‘Yes, I do. From up here, I can see for miles. How far away from Pemberley are we?’
‘Less than half a day’s drive. You can just see the chimneys on the horizon if you look very carefully.’
She followed his direction and shaded her hand with her eyes, the better to see. She thought she could just make out the chimneys.
‘Do you see them?’
‘I think so, but I am not sure.’
‘You will see them at close quarters soon. I suggest we press on when our picnic has been packed away. If we travel without stopping, then we will reach Pemberley in daylight. I would like you to see it clearly as we arrive. You will have the best chamber in the east wing, but I have ordered the west wing to be made ready
for us after our marriage. We will have it entirely to ourselves. You must change it in any way you wish. There are seventeen rooms and you may arrange them to suit your own tastes. The sitting room at present faces east, but there is a rarely-used room on the west which could be fitted up as a sitting room if you prefer. The decorations I leave to you.’
‘Will you not mind me changing them? Pemberley is your childhood home. I know how precious that is,’ she said.
‘Yes, Pemberley is my childhood home, but I am a child no longer. I am soon to be a married man, and I want my wife to have everything she wishes. The rooms can be decorated and furnished as you wish.’
They had been moving closer and closer together, instinctively, and now his hand touched hers. She felt a rush of tingles and her eyes were bright as she looked up at him.
‘Everything I have is yours, Elizabeth,’ he said in a sultry voice, ‘and I will use it to make you happy.’
‘Lizzy!’ Kitty’s voice broke the moment. Which was just as well, Elizabeth thought afterwards, for the urge to kiss him had been very strong.
Elizabeth turned towards her sister and took a small step away from Mr Darcy. He, too, stepped back.
‘We have all finished and we are ready to go,’ said Kitty.
Elizabeth looked towards the others. Everyone was standing up. The ladies were smoothing their skirts and the gentlemen were tugging down the front of their jackets. The servants were putting the hampers back in the final carriage.
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy rejoined the others and then set out on the final stage of their journey.
They had been travelling for almost two hours when Mrs Gardiner said, ‘I recognise that church spire, and that tree. We must be approaching Lambton.’
‘And Pemberley,’ Mr Darcy said. ‘We are almost there.’
Elizabeth looked out of the window, eager for the first appearance of Pemberley, and she felt her spirits flutter when the carriage turned in at the lodge. The park was much larger than she had been expecting. It was so large that she could not see the house. She felt all her senses quickening as she took in every sight and sound of her new home. The drive was well kept, with hills rising gently to the left and falling away to the right. As they progressed, they drove through a wood and then climbed for half a mile, before finding themselves on an eminence where a stone folly stood.
A Companion For Miss Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 30
