Page 52
Book 2 Chapter 9
“Miss Bennet, allow me to introduce Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He is to stand up with me this morning. Darcy, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the dearest friend of Charlotte, who is her bridesmaid.”
They bowed and curtseyed to each other. Both of them were enjoying the calmness of the vestry, compared to the noise and agitation they had left in their wake. The last two days, even that morning, had been nothing but drama-filled.
“You are missing Bennet daughter whose appearance seems to have caused chaos.”
Darcy’s rich voice could have held censure but the smile on his handsome face took any sting from the words.
“And you are the gentleman who made such a memorable impression back at Michaelmas.”
Elizabeth adopted the same light teasing tone as Darcy. He bowed at her description before ruefully grimacing.
“I was the worst sort of boor at the time, but I have worked hard to redeem my reputation and the people of Meryton, Miss Goulding most of all, have been generous in accepting my apologies.”
He indicated Bingley.
“I spent all autumn concerned that I had abandoned my friend Bingley but upon my return I discovered that he had replaced my grumpy words of advice with a much more pleasant alternative.”
All three of them laughed.
“Charlotte was a good choice. Her family moved to Lucas Lodge when I was only one year old, it was just before my second birthday. I have no memories of that time whereas Charlotte lived through it as an eight year old. Mr. Bingley could not have chosen a better helpmate. I am so happy for her, indeed for them.”
Bingley bowed in thanks. The Rev Ferry put his head round the door.
“Gentlemen, if you would take your places please. Miss Bennet, I will escort you to the door, as the bride should be here any minute.”
Despite the cold Elizabeth walked round the outside of the church, no need to suffer the stares of everyone until necessary. She saw the Lucas coach approaching so stood and waited while the parson quickly moved to the alter. Two minutes later and Sir William and Charlotte were ready.
“Your big moment Eliza. All eyes on you!”
Even at this moment the two friends were teasing each other.
“Thank you for that.”
She took her friend’s hands.
“You look beautiful Charlotte.”
And with that she was off. She focused on the Rev Ferry and ignored the stares from all around. The wedding breakfast would be bad enough, but now was not the moment to notice glares and scowls. There would be plenty of time for that later.
Winter weddings did not drag on. A wedding in July often had a sermon of some length. A similar wedding in January got a few words and then the service moved on. Before she knew it, Elizabeth was in the vestry, signing the register as one of the two witnesses. She gently rested her hand on the arm of Mr. Darcy and followed the newly-weds down the aisle.
Darcy invited her, and Sir William and Lady Lucas, to use his coach for the short journey to Lucas Lodge. The Bingleys had used the Lucas coach and for a moment or two it was just the six of them. But they barely had time to congratulate the new couple before the neighbourhood descended. Elizabeth slipped away.
“I am being rude but I cannot help noting that you are keeping your distance from your parents. Mind you, they are doing the same.”
Not a question but demanding an answer.
“I live with my aunt and uncle in London. It is my permanent home.”
Darcy knew it was nothing too outrageous, she was the bridesmaid at the most important wedding of the year after all. It was not the normal scandal. But then Elizabeth turned the tables.
“My turn to be inquisitive. May I ask why Mr. Bingley’s sister is glaring at us both, me especially?”
Darcy chuckled.
“Do not think yourself special. Miss Bingley scowls more fiercely at any woman who talks to me. She has delusions of becoming Mrs. Darcy. Despite repeated disavowals that such a thing could ever happen, the latest just this morning, she still acts in such a manner. In the past, I have tried to allow her to maintain her dignity but it has not worked. I was ruthlessly blunt with her this morning, even although it is her brother’s wedding day. She will be gone by 12.30 at the latest in order to return to London in daylight.”
