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“I am not pouting,” she said naughtily. “This is pouting.” She pushed her lower lip out just slightly and gazed up at him with sadness in her eyes. An image of Elizabeth as a small girl flashed before him. Good God, what if they had a daughter like her? He would be entirely helpless in the face of this . . . face.
“You are going to be the death of me, Elizabeth Bennet.” She helped hold the strips of wood while Darcy bound her arm. He tied the final knot quite efficiently and gently pulled her sleeve down over his work. “But I will likely enjoy every moment of my demise.”
Uncle and Aunt Gardiner arrived quite early the next morning. Before they could alight from the carriage, Jane was handed out, and Elizabeth would have run to her sister had Mr. Darcy not reminded her of the ice. Instead, she began to bounce on her toes. She held out her arms, and Jane collapsed into them as Mr. Darcy greeted her and stepped away to meet her other relations.
“Oh, Lizzy,” Jane whispered. “I feared I should never see you again.”
For Jane, such a sentence was tantamount to an oration. Elizabeth embraced her sister and teasingly whispered in her ear, “You may not weep, Jane, for it is my wedding day. It would be bad luck.”
It worked. Jane straightened, and the tears did not fall. “I cannot believe it. You are happy! You were so angry with Mr. Darcy. Whatever has happened?”
Elizabeth smiled as she welcomed her aunt and uncle. “Papa?”
Her father was nearly hidden behind the others, but he stepped forward to place a kiss on her brow. “My dear girl,” he said softly. “It is good to see you.” He pulled away to search her face. “So very good.”
She leaned in and embraced him. “I love you too, Papa. Please, everyone,” she called, “please come inside.”
When they arrived in the drawing room, they found Aunt Matlock and Georgiana waiting.
“William,” said his aunt, “You have some preparations to make, do you not?”
Georgiana did not speak, but she was nearly glowing.
Mr. Darcy nodded. “I shall see you at the church,” he told Elizabeth. “Mr. Bennet, sir, I believe there are still papers to be signed.”
Papa nodded and joined her betrothed. Mr. Darcy’s smile was dazzling, and Elizabeth had to catch her breath. He bowed to everyone else, and the two men departed.
Jane turned to stare at her. “I do not believe I have ever seen him smile, Lizzy.”
“And such a smile,” Aunt Gardiner said with a laugh. “Were I not a happily married woman . . .”
“I am suddenly feeling rather de trop,” said Uncle Gardiner merrily.
The earl arrived a moment later. “Mr. Gardiner,” he announced after the introductions, “if you will follow me, we shall leave the ladies to their business, whatever that might be.”
“Please do,” Aunt Matlock said, waving them off with the back of her hand. “We have much to accomplish, and you will only be in the way.”
Georgiana did manage a small laugh at this. Elizabeth was encouraged.
“Georgiana,” she said, “I know you have only just now been formally introduced to my aunt and sister, but l believe you will all get along splendidly. I do have a special request for you.”
“Anything, Elizabeth,” the girl assured her. “It is your wedding day.”
“You will be an excellent sister, Georgiana,” Elizabeth proclaimed, then nodded at Aunt Gardiner and Jane. “Do not allow them to put feathers in my hair. No feathers!”
The women laughed, including Aunt Matlock. Georgiana watched them all for a moment before breaking into a gentle laugh herself.
“Very well, Elizabeth,” she replied. “I shall be your protector.”
“Come, my dears,” Aunt Matlock said, holding out her hand. “It is time.”
Later, when the all the ladies but Jane had removed downstairs, Elizabeth gazed at herself as she stood before the glass. She heard a quiet sigh behind her.
“Oh, Lizzy,” Jane said, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. “You are beautiful.”
Elizabeth turned one way and then the other, admiring how the silk made the lace overlay appear to shine in the light. “It is Aunt Gardiner’s gown, but I am so grateful to have it. It is quite the loveliest thing I have ever worn.” She turned to her sister.
“Jane,” she said quietly. “Will you not tell me what happened at home after I left?”
