Page 53
Elizabeth longed to rise and embrace Mr Bentham, and many in the congregation appeared to share her joy.
“Mr Bentham, you have made us very happy!” Mr Bennet declared.
Mr Walters examined the papers before turning to Lady Catherine.
“Your ladyship, I find no grounds in this document to refuse the marriage of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
He offered Darcy his hand.
“Sir, come tomorrow morning, and we shall discuss what must be sent to the vicar at Pemberley.”
Lady Catherine began to protest, but few were still listening. Friends and family gathered about Elizabeth and Darcy, eager to express their sympathy and relief.
“We are going to Pemberley,” Darcy whispered in her ear, making her tremble with delight. She smiled radiantly and turned to receive Jane’s embrace.
The sisters smiled at each other.
“Weddings at Pemberley!” Jane said.
Chapter 20
They left for Pemberley two days after that eventful Sunday, which could have ruined their happiness but had instead settled their difficulties at last. Darcy carried Mr Walters’s letter in his coat pocket, close to his heart. It confirmed that the banns had been duly read in Meryton and that Lady Catherine’s objection had been answered. They travelled in good spirits, moving from one carriage to another at their stops, a happy family eager to reach Pemberley and leave the troubles of the past months behind.
They longed to put aside thoughts of Lydia and the scandal surrounding her unhappy marriage. Above all, they wished to look confidently towards the future and prepare for Elizabeth and Jane’s weddings. The sisters had resolved to marry on the same day, and the grooms had little choice but to accept.
“This is how our lives will be, my dear brother-in-law! Do not hope for anything else. Our wives will always have their way, and we shall agree to everything!” Darcy lamented with feigned concern. Yet he was secretly delighted by how readily Elizabeth took charge upon their arrival at Pemberley.
Georgiana awaited them with a bright smile. Perhaps a trace of sadness lingered in her heart, but Elizabeth was, after all, the woman she had imagined beside her brother, and that eased her natural anxieties. She admired Elizabeth and treasured the prospect of belonging to a large family. As the carriages drew up before Pemberley, she remembered a home filled with people, laughter, and unrestrained happiness. Pemberley was alive again, as it had been when their mother was with them. Overcome with delight, she hurried down the steps to welcome them, tears of joy blurring her sight.
“I hope you are not crying, my dear sister! My wedding is so near, and I need your help!” Jane exclaimed, taking her in her arms. Elizabeth then thanked Georgiana warmly for helping Mr Bentham settle their difficulty, and Darcy smiled as he watched them embrace.
From the beginning, Georgiana eagerly took on guiding and teaching the Gardiner children. She was so earnest about the task that a room was soon set aside for their lessons.
The weddings were to take place in a few days, and preparations began throughout Pemberley.
∞∞∞
Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper, led Elizabeth to her rooms.
“I hope the rooms please you, madam. They belonged to Lady Anne.”
Elizabeth looked about her in astonishment. It was the most beautiful bedchamber she had ever seen, and she made no effort to conceal her delight.
“It is wonderful, Mrs Reynolds!” she whispered, winning the elderly lady’s affection at once.
Mrs Reynolds then showed her the dressing room, where Lady Anne’s clothes were still kept.
“The master asked us to leave Lady Anne’s clothes here, but we have made room for yours until you decide what you wish to do with the rest.”
Elizabeth smiled. She had perhaps ten gowns. Remembering what Georgiana and Darcy had told her of their mother’s elegance and fondness for fashion, she admired the gowns made from rich fabrics, chiefly silk, their styles a little old-fashioned but still elegant.
“Thank you, Mrs Reynolds. We shall find a use for all these gowns and those in London. I am certain Miss Darcy would like some of her mother’s dresses, and I intend to have a few altered for myself. With everything that has happened, I have had little opportunity to prepare for the wedding.”
Mrs Reynolds smiled, her affection for this courteous and amiable young lady growing.
“We shall find a suitable wedding gown, madam. We have a skilful seamstress who would be pleased to alter it for you.”
To her surprise, Elizabeth found a marble-floored room adjoining her apartment, where a bath of steaming water awaited her. Exploring her new home was a pleasure, and the splendour of her rooms surpassed anything she had imagined. In the warm bath, she took a moment to reflect on what life had given her. She was happy and determined to share that happiness with everyone around her.
