When Elizabeth arrived at Netherfield, only her aunt was there. Caroline had gone to Meryton with Bingley and Edward Gardiner was ice fishing with some gentlemen he had met at the Lucases.
Lady Madeline grew excited when Elizabeth entered the parlor. She went to stand by the fireplace without having looked at Elizabeth closely as she entered the room. “Look Lizzy, we found some lovely greenery not a mile away. There is more in the greenhouses that we will bring in on the morrow for Bingley shall be wed in but a few days.”
Elizabeth nodded her approval before sitting on the sofa near the fireplace. She dared not speak for her anger and tears would flow together and she did not wish to ruin her friend’s wedding with her own troubles.
Her aunt came quickly to her side as Elizabeth dropped her head into her hands. “Lizzy, what has happened? Are you ill again, dear?”
She shook her head and moaned into her hands. “I have ruined my chance at any future with Mr. Darcy.”
“What do you mean, Lizzy? Are you not in love with him?” Lady Madeline seemed shocked.
Elizabeth raised her head. Her eyes were red and she knew a headache would soon appear. She hated crying for that very reason, but when she was angry, the tears always came. “I do love him even though I should not. Today he said he loved me too, loved and admired me. But he knows I did not approve of his sister for Charles and some other gossip from a most unreliable source has poisoned him against me.”
Her aunt rubbed her back. “Well, I say if he will not even listen to your side of things he would not make a very good husband at all. I did like him though for he is handsome, intelligent, and a match for the likes of you, my sweet girl. Are you certain there is nothing that might be done?”
“If I write to him, what could I say that will change his opinion? He once told me that his good opinion once lost was lost forever. He believes I am only a spoilt lady of the Ton.” Elizabeth said, her voice wavering and her lips trembling.
Lady Madeline gave a wry laugh. Elizabeth could not see the humor in her situation. “Oh dear, I see we have two proud people, prejudiced against each other, locked in a battle of love and hate. I do think you ought to write to him and have your uncle take the letter to Longbourn. He will speak with Mr. Darcy on your behalf.”
“I do not wish for the Bingleys to know. I would not ruin Charles’s wedding day for my own happiness. As long as we keep this a secret, I will do as you say. I do not wish to alarm Charles and Caroline though I feel a headache coming.” Elizabeth rubbed her temple and smiled weakly at her aunt.
“Come, I shall have chamomile tea sent up and I have a draught my physician made for me. It will help you tremendously. And cool water and a cloth for your head.”
Elizabeth left her aunt and went upstairs. Her heart ached over Mr. Darcy’s words, but she was determined to hide her disappointment from her friends until Bingley was off on his wedding trip with Miss Darcy.
The wedding! Elizabeth had not thought what torture it would be with Mr. Darcy in attendance. He would most certainly attend the wedding of his only sister. She cursed fate for bringing her to Hertfordshire and closed her eyes as the pinch of pain seized her head.
Bingley, in his morning coat, stood at one end of the decorated ballroom. Elizabeth sat in the last row of seats as Mr. Darcy stood beside her friend and looked out over the assembled guests. Elizabeth dropped her gaze whenever his eyes swept over her.
The groom had invited the whole of Meryton and the surrounding county to see him marry Miss Darcy. Elizabeth thought it a sweet gesture, and it helped her to escape notice, but Caroline had thought it silly as they still knew only twenty or so of the families who lived nearby.
Bingley had told his sister that he intended to know all of his guests before his first wedding anniversary with Miss Darcy. Caroline had dismissed his claim as absurdity.
Elizabeth breathed deeply as she lifted her gaze and pretended to only see Bingley awaiting his bride. She swallowed the lump in her throat when Mr. Darcy turned and caught her gaze, pulling it in his direction.
He seemed as she had always known him to be; a light in his eyes and lips ready to smile. Her heart flipped in her chest and she fanned herself for the air the movement supplied.
It was a dangerous game to look upon the man and recall his words that day. How ardently I admire and love you. They seemed like a curse to her now and she finally dropped her gaze.
She would not remain in Hertfordshire after the wedding for it was too painful to think of him just down the road from Netherfield.
There was Jane’s wedding first in London and then Lydia and the duke would have their ceremony at his estate in Manchester.
Elizabeth had received a letter from Lydia the day before telling of the proposal and wedding date. She wrote that she hoped Lord and Lady Stafford would come and show their support.
Now that she had faced Mr. Darcy, she thought she might face down the duke as well. Elizabeth loved Lydia but did not wish to sanction her marriage to a scoundrel, even if he was family.
Her thoughts of her family melted away as Miss de Bourgh ceased her efforts on the piano forte. Everyone stood as Miss Darcy came down the aisle holding her sweet bouquet of silk flowers Caroline had custom-made in an exquisite shop in Mayfair. Miss Darcy walked slowly towards Bingley and the vicar on Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm.
She was a beautiful bride and Elizabeth turned to see Bingley’s expression when he caught sight of her. Her heart contracted and her breath was taken again by the joy her friend’s smile betrayed. If there was ever a man in love, Bingley was that man.
When their vows were said and they were announced to those gathered as husband and wife, Elizabeth patted the happy tears she had indulged with her lace handkerchief. Bingley lifted his wife off her feet and cradled her in his arms ready to carry her out to the carriage that waited in the drive.
There was laughter from the men and gasps from the ladies as the happy groom carried his wife back down the aisle and quit the ballroom.
Caroline chased after them scolding her brother. “Charles, the wedding breakfast! We must have the wedding breakfast!”
Elizabeth waited to leave the ballroom until Mr. Darcy had gone and then she lingered there. Colonel Fitzwilliam approached and offered her his arm. “Come, Miss Bennet, or you will not have a seat for the meal. I might be persuaded to bring you a plate here if you prefer.”
She smiled at the soldier, admiring his red coat and his effort. “I thought I might go upstairs after toasting the happy couple. Neither will notice my absence with all the well-wishers mingling about.”
The colonel laughed. “Mr. Bingley will most certainly miss your presence if I may say so. You are his best friend, Miss Bennet. Leave your own worries here and return to nurse them later. I promise to be delightful and provide distraction if you sit with me.”
Elizabeth wondered whether he knew about the pain his cousin had caused her and was attempting to make peace with her in his stead.
She thought it did not matter and placed her hand upon his bright, cardinal-red sleeve. “Since I do enjoy a man who is delightful and distracting, I accept your offer.”
The colonel laughed and Elizabeth thought he would be a wonderful husband for one of her younger sisters. He was charming and knew how to coax a lady out of her mood.