Page 53 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“We would have been here sooner, Lizzy, but Mamma had the modiste make all of us new gowns! I have three, Mary has two, Jane has four! Oh, but what about Lizzy, Mamma?!”
“Lizzy will have made her own arrangements,” her mother batted the question away. “I am sure Mr Darcy will have seen to her trousseau.”
“A modiste visited Pemberley and saw to it that I would have all the clothes needed for a marriage to a fine gentleman,” Lizzy said with a smile as she kissed her mother’s cheek. “Father paid.”
Her mother’s splutter and shocked face had felt like a kind of revenge in itself. Her father had indeed paid for the fine trousseau made by Matlock’s finest modiste with little grumble. Fittings had taken an entire day at Pemberley, the array of fabrics and ribbons making her quite dizzy.
It felt strange to have so many guests arrive for the wedding. Pemberley had been a sanctuary to her these past months. Jane and her father had fitted in perfectly, and Lizzy had scarcely noticed the addition. Her mother, however, was an entirely different matter. So too was Mr Darcy’s aunt, who had consented to come to the wedding after all, unfortunate Anne trailing alongside her. Lady Catherine had looked upon his choice of bride with poorly hidden disgust.
“I hope you understand what is expected of you,” she had said under her breath. “And the weight of my disappointment. If the special licence had not already been procured, and the announcement made, I would insist Mr Darcy call the entirething off. Enough damage has been done already, without a broken engagement to add to it.”
“I too am thrilled that our two families are joined at last!” Lizzy smiled. “Thank you indeed for your gracious welcome.”
Though the statement could have perhaps been delivered a little more tactfully, Lizzy had given what others may have thought of the match little room in her thoughts. She was utterly consumed with love, each hour of waiting until they were married feeling like a year. They had kept a careful distance from one another, suddenly all too aware of the power that desire held over them. Save for a few stolen kisses, she had barely spent any time with Mr Darcy at all. The anticipation of their married life would soon be over, and they would be joined in all ways.
“Lizzy?” Jane mumbled from beside her. “It cannot be time to rise.”
“I could not sleep. It is dawn.”
“A little longer,” Jane yawned. “It shall be a tiring day. You should sleep, Lizzy.”
“I cannot wait. The wedding will be at nine, dear sister, and there is not a moment to waste. I will call my maid to assist me in my ablutions, and then when I am ready, I will insist that you wake.”
“Fine,” Jane yawned, turning over and immediately drifting back to sleep.
Lizzy pressed the bell beside the bed, and in a few minutes a rather tired looking Penny appeared holding a basin of hot water. She set it down by the window, readying the things Lizzy used each day. Her morning routine was well practised, Penny taking the role of her lady’s maid with ease.
“I thought you’d be awake early, Miss. Mrs Reynolds woke me an hour ago so that I’d be prepared.”
“I could not sleep.”
“I’m not surprised,” Penny smiled. “The whole place has been in a whirl! We’ve not had a wedding at Pemberley since my mother were a child. I barely slept myself! I’m right excited for you, Miss.”
“Thank you,” Lizzy smiled. “I feel as though there is an army of butterflies dancing in my stomach.”
“A kaleidoscope,” Jane yawned from her place in the bed. “A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope. Mary told me.”
“Thank you, sister,” Lizzy laughed. “I did not realise you had become an encyclopaedia in my absence.”
Penny aided Lizzy in her ablutions, chatting away merrily for the entirety of their morning routine. Lizzy was too distracted to participate, merely nodding in what she hoped was the right place from time to time. Penny began brushing her hair, the curls wild and refusing to stay in any one position for more than a moment or two. Jane politely stood beside her, and when Penny grew frustrated, she simply held her hand out for the brush. Jane was well used to Lizzy’s stubborn hair, and the maid was happy to be dismissed.
“You may leave us for a while, Penny. Thank you.”
Penny nodded, gathering the used water and scuttling out of the room. Jane began running the brush through Lizzy’s hair, far gentler than Penny’s rough touch. Lizzy looked at their reflection in the mirror before them. The scene was so familiar to her.A sadness washed over her; perhaps this was the last time her sister would help her in this way.
“Do not be nervous, sister. Everything will be wonderful.”
“I know that it will. I am not nervous – rather, eager to begin my new life.”
Jane stared at her, far more intently than she had ever known Jane to look at her. Lizzy tried not to squirm under her scrutiny; how was it that Jane, her dearest sister, could see into her very soul?
“What on earth happened here, Lizzy?” Jane asked softly. “You are so different - Mr Darcy, too, is changed.”
“We grew close in my time here. He took the most wonderful care of me, Jane. I saw him for the man he is, truly.”
“I never thought I would see him smile, but when he is near you, he cannot help himself,” Jane smiled.
Lizzy laughed softly. Indeed, her betrothed had smiled near constantly. His whole face changed when he smiled, his eyes bright and his laugh easy to evoke. She adored his smile, just as she adored everything about him. She could not imagine a life without him now.
