While Mrs. Bennet prattled on during the ride to the church, Lizzy and her father were lost in thought. Mr. Bennet still had a nagging feeling that there was more to Mr. Darcy’s lengthy absences than either the bride or groom cared to reveal, but whatever the cause, Mr. Bennet was sure his daughter knew of the reason as the couple seemed to have formed a bond that was usually reserved for those who shared a secret.
Lizzy’s mind was more pleasantly engaged. She was thinking about Mr. Darcy and how fortunate she was to have found such a man. While most men would be offended by her impertinence, Mr. Darcy found it amusing, and he had often told her how much he admired her strong character. She would be brave for him and not give into her fears, but he must do the same and not be overly protective of her or he would hear about it.
When Lizzy entered the church vestibule, she was met by Jane, who was wearing a panel attached to her pale yellow dress to hide her pregnancy, but even with her bulging middle, she looked particularly lovely as yellow was her best color. However, on this day, the most beautiful Bennet sister was Elizabeth. Her wedding dress was white satin with a gauze overdress and trimmed with Brussels lace matching her waist-length mantilla. Her only jewelry was a single strand of pearls that Mr. Darcy’s mother had worn on her wedding day.
Standing near the altar was the bridegroom, whose impatience to be married was providing amusement for the guests, but even if he had made note of the whispers, he would have ignored them as his mind was fixed on one thing: his ardent desire to make Elizabeth Bennet his wife. He even ignored the tittering of Mrs. Gardiner and Aunt Susan, Mr. Bennet’s sister, who were listening to Lord Fitzwilliam describe his own nuptials.
“I was in the vestry, but they found me,” the earl explained, “and after being dragged from my hiding place, Eleanor and I were united in wedlock—the emphasis being on ‘lock.’ We promised to stay married for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, and by God, we have lived up to those vows. She is richer; I am poorer. She is hale and hearty, while I am sick whenever I am in her company. It could be better, but it could not possibly be worse. And because we are both too stubborn to die, we remain married.”
But Darcy heard none of this. He had just taken out his pocket watch when the church doors opened. As he caught sight of his bride, a sense of well-being surged through him. As Elizabeth drew closer, he knew that she was feeling exactly the same thing, and their hearts beat as one.
***
Except for the absent militia, Netherfield was as crowded as it had been on the evening of the ball, and Elizabeth and Darcy had to squeeze through the throng to greet all of their well-wishers. While moving amongst their guests, Lizzy heard snatches of conversation, all complimentary, about how well the two eldest Bennet daughters had done in the business of getting husbands, but among those bits of overheard dialogue was her mother informing her friends that ten thousand pounds was not even close to the true amount of Mr. Darcy’s yearly income. How did Mrs. Bennet know that? they asked. She replied, if his assets were not substantially larger than that sum, how could one account for the large estate, the house in town, the carriages, the clothes, etc., etc.?
The Fitzwilliam brothers were enormously popular and covered both ends of the spectrum. While Lord Fitzwilliam entertained the married women with his double entendres or stories about his unhappy marriage to Lady Macbeth, the colonel, handsomely accoutered in his regimentals, had all the local beauties surrounding him, much to the chagrin of the Lucas boys and the other youths of Meryton. But Georgiana put a smile on the lads’ faces when she offered to play a jig on the pianoforte so that they might dance, and Kitty’s response was immediate. She stood in front of the colonel so that he would have to ask her to dance first.
But before the day got away from him, Darcy was determined to have a conversation with Jane Bingley. He understood why she was unhappy with him. In addition to interfering in her relationship with Charles, he had insulted her sister with his ungracious proposal, and when he had returned to renew his efforts to win Lizzy, his behavior was so erratic that at a minimum it invited criticism, but more alarmingly, it had aroused her suspicions.
When Darcy approached, Jane, who was sitting in the parlor in order to avoid the press of people, was having a conversation with Mrs. Glenn, who had recently become a grandmother, but the older woman kindly left the two to have their talk.
“Mrs. Bingley, I know that you have reservations about your sister marrying me, but…”
Jane blushed at this revelation. “I am sorry Lizzy repeated what I said. I thought our conversation was confidential.”
“Your sister did not betray your confidence. I am afraid on this subject your face is an open book, and I understand the cause for your concerns. I was not the best suitor, but I would ask that you put aside all prejudice and judge me from this day forward as I intend to be the best of husbands.”
“Sir, please understand that I only want my sister’s happiness, and since Lizzy has informed me that she cannot be happy without you, I wish you joy.”
“Be assured, Mrs. Bingley, that you and Charles are always welcome at Pemberley, and I know that Elizabeth and I will be welcomed at Netherfield Park. I anticipate a lot of time being spent on the road between Hertfordshire and Derbyshire. We shall visit so often that our carriages will leave ruts in the road.”
By the time Mr. Darcy returned to his wife, Jane was reassured. The dour gentleman from Derbyshire really could be quite charming, and she had absolutely no doubt that he loved Elizabeth. But she would hold her brother-in-law to his promise to allow Lizzy to visit frequently because if Lizzy did not come to her, she would go to Lizzy.
***
By evening, when the last of the guests had departed, not so much as a cake crumb was left, only a few scraps of meat remained on the platter, and the punch bowl had been emptied and replenished several times. Lizzy was glad she had instructed Mr. Jackson to make sure that enough food was set aside for the servants so that they might join in the celebration.
“I really should go downstairs and compliment Mrs. Bradshaw for the wonderful job she did today,” Lizzy said as she collapsed into a chair, “but I am too tired.”
“No need,” Darcy answered. “She already knows it as there is nothing modest about Mrs. Bradshaw, but we shall thank everyone when we get to Pemberley.”
The mention of Pemberley was Jane’s cue to suggest that the newlyweds remain at Netherfield until the day after Christmas. “It will be so much fun. We shall all sing Christmas carols and have punch and light the Yule log. Besides, after all of the busyness of today, you will be so very tired,” Jane said, addressing her sister, and Charles nodded in agreement.
Darcy said nothing. Instead, he looked to Elizabeth.
“Jane, thank you for your offer, but we must adhere to our original plan.”
When Jane started to protest, Georgiana interrupted. “Mrs. Bingley, I am the reason we must depart tomorrow morning. At my request, there is a certain person who has been invited to Ashton Hall by my aunt Marguerite, and he will be there on the day after Christmas.” She looked at William in such a way that it gave the impression that Georgiana had tried to put something over on her brother. Jane, not wishing to cause trouble between the siblings, said no more, and an uncomfortable silence followed until Jane said that she wished to retire.
Lizzy walked with her sister to the staircase and kissed her on the cheek. “Jane, do not be upset with me, please. I promise I shall be here for the baby, if not sooner.”
“I am not upset with you, Lizzy. It is just that you have not even left, and I am already missing you. But you are as tired as I am. Would you like for me to help you take your hair down?”
“Thank you, but that will not be necessary.”
“Is Mrs. Brotherton to help you undress?”
“No, I can manage.”
“Lizzy, don’t be silly. You cannot unbutton your own dress. I shall send Mrs. Grover to you.”
“No, thank you, Jane. I really can manage.”
“Oh, I see,” Jane said, blushing, now realizing that Mr. Darcy was to provide that service. “Well, you always were braver than I, so I shall say good night.”
It was not a matter of her being brave. It was a matter of trust, and Lizzy trusted Fitzwilliam Darcy.
***
While Darcy brushed her hair, Lizzy told her husband of the embarrassing conversation she had had with Jane.
“I am sure I shocked her by not having a lady’s maid help me to undress.”
“But why should you be some quaking creature hiding under the covers? It is so different in the wild. When I was in North America, I lived very close to a pack of wolves, and the mating pairs would have a splendid courtship of nuzzling and nibbling and sleeping side by side, and before they performed the act, they whipped their tails at each other and jumped all about. It was a joyous experience, not something to be got through.”
“Are you going to whip your tail at me?” Lizzy asked. Darcy immediately put down the brush. After helping Lizzy out of her dress, he tried to untie her stays, but they were knotted.
“Who tied your stays?” Darcy asked.
“My mother laced me up.”
“Oh, I see. Your mother hopes to delay the inevitable.”
“Don’t be silly. I am sure it was unconsciously done.”
“Hmmm.” Darcy tried to unknot the laces, but the stays stayed on. “I am going to have to cut the ties.”
“Oh no, you are not. These are the only stays I have with me.”
“Then borrow another from Jane tomorrow.”
“How am I supposed to explain that? My husband could not wait and cut right through my ties?” Lizzy started to laugh, which only made the chore more difficult.
Finally, he walked with her to the bed and told her to bend over.
“Sir?”
“By bending over, you will round your back, and it will be easier that way.” Finally the knot came undone, and Lizzy was left standing in her chemise.
“I have a very pretty nightgown,” she said, looking down at her plain cotton gown.
“You are going to get out of this nightgown to put another one on?” Darcy asked confused.
“Well, it is silk and very pretty. I bought it in London.”
“Do what you want, but it seems redundant to me.”
“Will, you are not being romantic at all. This is not how I pictured my wedding night.”
“So you have been thinking about our wedding night?” he asked, slipping his hands around her waist. “So have I.”
“I am sure my thoughts were quite different from yours.”
“Really?” Darcy asked as he ran his hand along her neck, exposing her shoulder.
“Yes, really.”
“Lizzy, be honest.” But his wife said nothing, refusing to confirm the obvious. “After you remove your stockings, why don’t we get in bed?”
“Can I not leave them on? My feet are cold.” Her feet were the only part of her body that was.
“I shall warm them up for you.” He reached up under her nightgown and rolled down the first stocking and then the second. After doing so, Darcy quickly shed his boots, breeches, and blouse before climbing into bed with his wife. When they were both under the covers, Darcy ran his hand down her body before reaching under her nightgown.
“You said you were going to warm my feet first,” she said, whispering in his ear.
“They will be warm in a minute. I promise,” and he pulled the covers over their heads.