Page 205 of The Governess of My Heart
The wedding day was beautiful, as it had snowed the previous day, and Lady Martha never left Elizabeth’s side until she was ready.
“You look beautiful, Elizabeth, and Fitzwilliam is a lucky man,” she said, admiring her niece.
Edmund and Emily sneaked into her room, wanting to see her as the bride. Even though she knew she was not moving far away, Elizabeth felt sad to leave Ashton Park.
Lord Anderson felt emotional to see her in her wedding dress, and the party set off to the church in happy spirits.
The wedding was a beautiful affair, and the church was filled with happy faces of friends and family who wished nothing but joy for the couple.
Darcy had anticipated the moment for a long time, as he had imagined Elizabeth walking into the church countless times in his dreams. However, nothing was close to reality.
As Elizabeth walked down the aisle with her father, Darcy held his breath. Even from a distance, he could see her eyes sparkle with joy as she saw him, and she smiled, a smile so beautiful and special, and Darcy knew it was meant only for him. For a few moments, everything and everyone around them seemed to vanish as they stood in front of each other in awe.
Mr. Bingley and Mary had to remind the couple to concentrate on the ceremony, much to their embarrassment.
Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged their vows, and each made promises in their hearts to keep the other happy. Darcy could not express the peace he felt when they were announced as man and wife.
“My dear wife, you have enchanted me with your beauty this morning; I could hardly say my vows,” he finally said as they stepped down from the altar.
“You did manage quite well despite the enchantment,” she said and smiled.
They left the church, and Darcy led her to his carriage.
“Fitzwilliam, do you need Georgiana to accompany you?” Lady Martha teased as always, making everyone laugh.
Darcy was not pleased with it and was glad he could rightfully deny Lady Martha this time.
Once in the carriage, he put a coat around Elizabeth, seeing her shiver. Elizabeth did not know whether it was due to the freezing weather that she felt that way or because of the look on her husband’s face.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked.
“Yes, very much, I thank you!” she said, and Darcy put his arm around her.
“You do not know how much I have longed for this moment.”
“You mean our wedding?”
“No, just to put my arm around you and sit next to you like this in our carriage.”
Elizabeth looked at him, puzzled.
“It might be such a simple thing, Elizabeth. I have traveled with you countless times in this carriage, but I could never do this, and today I have the right.”
“Not just today, but every time we are alone in the carriage.”
“Only when alone? I will hold you this way even if we have company, especially when Lady Martha is present,” he said. For a passing second, Elizabeth sensed him looking annoyed as he recollected how she had mocked him in the past.
“I sure will miss how she taunted you until the wedding,” she said with a laugh.
“I am so glad you are finally mine,” he said with contentment.
The wedding breakfast was a happy affair, and as much as Darcy wanted to be alone with his wife, he realized that Mr. Bingley and Mary were leaving for their honeymoon the next day, and Elizabeth wanted to spend time with her sister.
The Gardiner children enjoyed the company of Edmund and Emily. After years, Pemberley seemed like a different place, and Mrs. Reynolds mentioned the same.
“Mr. Darcy, after your mother’s death, we have hosted several balls and parties here, but I have not seen such a happy gathering like this till now. I am certain your marriage will bring much more joy to your life and everyone around you.”
Darcy thanked her, and he remembered the first conversation he had about Elizabeth with Mrs. Reynolds; she had recommended her as a good friend to Georgiana, and neither of them was aware that she would become the mistress of Pemberley in the future.
