Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (35 page)

“I hope that you know how foolish that statement is.” 

“I am glad that you think so.”  She smiled and looked back down to his hand, but the ring was gone.  “Fitzwilliam . . .”

“Lizzy, Lizzy . . .” Jane called and tried again.  “Lizzy!”

“Oh!”  She startled from her contemplation of Darcy’s suddenly rosy cheeks.  “Yes?”

“I asked your sister to describe your mother’s plans for your wedding breakfast, Miss Eliza.”  Caroline spoke and exchanged looks with Louisa.  “I am certain that it will be a display unlike any other that we have ever experienced.  Will we have the opportunity to meet more of your family?  Will your relatives from Cheapside be in attendance?”  She shot a look at Darcy who stiffened noticeably.  “They are from your mother’s side, I believe?  What a fine addition to the festivities!”

“My aunt and uncle cannot attend, Miss Bingley.”  Elizabeth spoke steadily.  “But I hope to visit them while in London.”

“Oh!”  Caroline beamed and smiled at Louisa.  “Will that not be wonderful!”

Richard watched Darcy and stared at him pointedly, then looked at Bingley.  “I meant to ask you earlier, Bingley, you are still off to London tomorrow as well?”

“Yes!”  He smiled and looked to Jane.  “Business calls, but I will be back in a week or so.”

“Oh.”  Jane saw Elizabeth urging her to speak and shook her head. 

“Could Samuel and I beg a ride with you, then?”  Richard looked to Darcy.  “Unless you will offer us room in the wedding coach, Cousin?”

“No.” 

“I thought not.” 

“Is your sister in Town, Mr. Darcy?”  Louisa asked.  Everyone turned to her and she continued on.  “We just enjoyed seeing her so much in the summer . . . Charles especially, did you not, Brother?”

“Oh, yes of course, and I certainly anticipate meeting her again sometime.”  He smiled.  “But she is still at Pemberley, correct, Darcy?  I have not heard you mention her moving to Town.”

“Yes, she is at home, otherwise she would be here for the wedding.” 

“I do so hope to see her again very soon.”  Caroline smiled.  “All of us friends gathering at Pemberley, just like last year!”  She looked to Jane, “Oh, but I suppose that you would not be able to make such a journey, dear Jane.”

Jane noticed Bingley’s frown and noticed Elizabeth glaring at Caroline.  “I . . . I will be glad to see my sister and her husband whenever I have the opportunity.” 

“And we will make sure that you have that opportunity.”  Darcy said quietly. 

“Yes, however, I intend to spend the next months enjoying the intimate company of my new husband and sister.  I am sure that you understand my disinterest in entertaining people outside of the family for some time, Miss Bingley?”  Elizabeth smiled sweetly and entwined her fingers with Darcy’s.  He looked at her proudly and his cousins nodded their appreciation.  Hurst chuckled. 

“Oh.  Of course.”  Caroline coloured.

“Lizzy.”  Jane turned to her.  “We promised Mama that we would not be late for supper.”

“You are not leaving!”  Bingley cried. 

“You only just arrived!”  Darcy held Elizabeth’s hand tighter.  “You must stay!”

“But the sun is setting.”  She pointed to the window.  “This was just a whim of mine to come.  Jane is correct, we should start back.”

“I will come with you.”

“And leave me to worry about you returning in the dark?  No, sir.”  Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled at him.  “I will see you at the church in the morning.” 

“And then you will never have to be separated when the sun sets again.”  Bingley grinned. 

“Unless they argue.”  Samuel noted.

“These two ever disagree?”  Hurst laughed.  “Why, I cannot imagine a cross word ever leaving either of their mouths.”

“You have witnessed far too much of our courtship, Hurst.”  Darcy rose to his feet and offered Elizabeth his hand.  “I believe that I will have to begin it anew, starting tomorrow.”

“Is not your wedding day a bit late to begin courting your wife, Darcy?”  Richard chuckled as he watched them linking arms and smiling at each other.

“No, not at all.” 

“At least this time I will know that you are doing it.”  She whispered.

“And I will know that it is welcome.”  He nudged her as they walked to the door, and waited for the coats to be delivered.  “Thank you so much for coming today.  I hoped you would.”

“After reading your aunt’s letter, I needed to see you.”  Elizabeth watched his thumb stroking over her fingers, and whispered so softly that he had to bend to catch her words.  “I am so afraid of failing.  I will treasure your letter; it made me feel so special.”  She turned her hand so that their thumbs caressed together.  “You are the only one who seems to believe that I will do well.”

“And my opinion is the only one that matters, dearest.”  Darcy kissed her hand, and letting go, he watched her don her coat and bonnet, then linked their arms and followed Bingley and Jane out to the carriage.  Bingley handed Jane in and stepped back.  Darcy held both of Elizabeth’s hands in his and looked into her eyes.  “Sleep well, my Elizabeth.  Try.” 

“I will.”  Darcy leaned forward and she stood on her toes to receive the softest of kisses.  Elizabeth slowly sank back down to the ground.  “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”  She opened her eyes to see his little smile and taking his hand, climbed into the coach.  Darcy closed the door and signalled the driver to walk on, and spoke softly to the face that watched him through the window, “Trust me.”

“THEY ARE MARRYING NOW.”  Georgiana listened to the clock striking ten. 

“If not now, then very soon.  Imagine all the activity as her family fusses over her and brings her to the church, and how very handsome your brother is, standing at the front and watching the woman he loves coming to him.”  Susan smiled with the memory of her wedding day.  “I am so happy that he has chosen with his heart, and was not pressed to accept one of his cousins.  A girl from the country, somehow that seems to be so much more appropriate for him.”  She noticed Georgiana’s confusion.  “Be happy for your brother, this is the most important day of his life.  Today anything seems possible to him.  Say a prayer for his and your sister’s happiness and health.”

“I will pray for him.” 

“And your sister, she will love him, and he deserves that.”  Georgiana remained silent, twisting her hands and moving to stand by the window. 

“Miss Georgiana?”  Mrs. Reynolds appeared with a letter in her hand and a wide smile.  “A note from your brother!  And one for you as well, Mrs. Darcy.”  She distributed the letters and clapped her hands.  “Ah, it is a joyous day for Pemberley!  The staff is raising their cups in toasts to the happy couple and anticipate their homecoming.  I hope that it will not be long before we see Pemberley filled with little ones!  Imagine Mr. Darcy as a father!  And just wait until you marry a fine man someday, Miss Georgiana, and your babies will come to play with their cousins!”  Georgiana burst into tears and ran from the room.  “What did I say?”  Mrs. Reynolds asked Susan worriedly. 

Susan sighed but did not chase after her.  “She is worried about her new sister.  I pray that letter is more comforting than not.” 

“How can Miss Darcy doubt her brother’s choice?”  Mrs. Reynolds shook her head sadly.  “He had the good judgment the Lord gave him to pick a sensible country girl, did he not?”

“How do you know she is sensible, Mrs. Reynolds?”  Susan asked with a smile.  “She might be a flighty thing, more worried about fashion than running a household.”

“Oh, Mrs. Darcy!”  Mrs. Reynolds laughed and waved her hand at her.  “I do not for a moment believe that our good Mr. Darcy could have been drawn in by one of those women.”

“I seem to remember a conversation we had recently where you were.”  She broke the seal on her letter and looked back up to her.  “No?”

“Well . . . blame my nerves.  But I did receive a letter from Mrs. Gaston at Darcy House, and Parker, Mr. Darcy’s valet, has informed them that our new mistress makes the master smile!”  She raised her chin.  “Well, that is good enough for me.” 

“I hope it is good enough for Georgiana.”  Susan sighed. 

“Shall I send up some punch for you both?”

“Wait until noon, when we know they are married.” 

“Ah, I had not thought of that.”  Mrs. Reynolds checked the clock.  “Oh I would love to have seen this wedding!”

“DEARLY BELOVED, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony. . .”   Darcy looked down at Elizabeth, wishing her hand was in his, and started when Mr. Pierson’s voice reached him again.  “. . . and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.”

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat and a round of titters were heard from the members of the congregation.  Darcy caught Richard’s eye, and inwardly shared the distaste he was displaying with his grim expression.

“First, it was ordained for the procreation of children. . .”  Darcy heard a soft sound and looked back down to see Elizabeth’s eyes were bright.  She felt his body shift closer to her, and looked up to see his expression was just as sober.  Tears began to track down her cheeks and Darcy was hard pressed not to wipe them away and give in to them himself.  They had to be prompted to respond to the reverend’s questions.

“Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?”  Mr. Bennet, hesitantly, looked between the emotional couple, and with a sigh, gave Elizabeth’s hand to Mr. Pierson.

“Please understand Elizabeth, this is for both of us.”   Darcy whispered as he took Elizabeth’s hand from the minister and turned to face the altar.  He could feel her fear as the tremble in her body travelled down to her fingertips. Darcy wondered if she could feel his hand shaking as well.  Chancing a glance down to her, he studied her eyes: wide, dark, but focused, and as always, so beautiful.  He took a breath and drew strength from the slight woman at his side.

Elizabeth looked up to find Darcy’s blue eyes examining her.  She felt the warmth and strength of his grip, the slight tremble in his touch comforted her, knowing that he was just as worried as she.  With that, her tears ended, and her courage rose, now that they were facing their future together. 

“I Fitzwilliam
take thee Elizabeth to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to
love
. . .”  Darcy stressed the word and she drew in a sharp breath.  “. . . and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.” 

Elizabeth remained frozen, looking into his eyes and reading the message he was trying to send.  Mr. Pierson finally prompted her to begin, “I Elizabeth take thee Fitzwilliam
to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to
love
,”  Darcy squeezed her hand tightly when she paused, and kept his eyes on hers.  “. . . cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”

Darcy paid no notice to Richard fumbling with the ring and the payment to the priest, he looked only at Elizabeth, and without prompting took up the intricately engraved band and slipped it onto her finger.  “With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body . . . I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” 

A long-held breath was released by both.  The rest of the service was a blur of prayers and blessings, but neither of them really listened, only going through the motions as directed by the priest.  Elizabeth’s hands were firmly in his clasp.  Her ring received the unending caress of his thumb, and their focus was entirely on each other as the service, surprisingly short, came to its end. 

“We are married?”  Elizabeth startled when Reverend Pierson’s voice stopped.

Darcy looked at the expectant faces watching them.  “I believe we are.”  The slow smile spread across his face.  “What were you expecting, Mrs. Darcy?  A thunderclap signifying the event?”

“At least a herald of angels bursting into song!”  She laughed. 

“Congratulations!”  Richard offered his hand to Darcy and bent to kiss Elizabeth’s cheek.  “Welcome to the Fitzwilliam family.”

“Thank you, Colonel.”  She nodded and then smiled when Samuel beamed and kissed her.  “Thank you, we are cousins now?”

“We are, and may I welcome you to the Darcy family?”  He kissed her again and seeing Darcy’s frown, laughed and moved on.

“Lizzy!”  Jane threw her arms around her.  “Oh Lizzy!”

“No, do not cry, I only just stopped!”  They hugged tightly. 

“Enough of this!  We have a houseful of food to enjoy!  You can do all of this hugging business at Longbourn!”  Mrs. Bennet shooed everyone to the church doors.  “Mrs. Darcy!  How well that sounds!”  

“She is delighted for you, Lizzy.”  Mr. Bennet kissed her cheek and smiled sadly.  “As am I.”  Turning, he offered Darcy his hand.  “Take care of her, sir.”

“I will.” 

“I know.”  He looked between them and taking Jane’s arm, walked past Bingley, looking at him pointedly, and out of the church.  Bingley startled and felt Caroline taking his arm.  Without saying a word to the married couple, she led him away.  Looking back to Darcy he smiled and shrugged.

Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged glances.  “Now what do we do?”

“You sign the register.”  Mr. Pierson indicated the book and gave Elizabeth a smile.  “Your last official act as Miss Elizabeth Bennet.  Ah, I will miss you.”

“I will miss you as well, sir.”  She laughed and noticed Darcy’s knit brow.  “What is running through your mind?”

“I cannot help but wonder what has put you on such intimate terms with your reverend.  What exactly did you do in your younger days?”