Assumed Engagement (29 page)

Nothing monumental happened that evening, but by the end of it, both reflected back on yet another very pleasant time, enjoying each other's company and the company of those around them. Also, by the end of the evening, Bingley's two cousins noticed the way Elizabeth and Darcy looked and spoke to each other, and so gave up on their attempts to attract his attention.

At the end of the evening, as the
Bennet
family was departing, a very pensive Bingley said good night to his bride-to-be. Georgiana and Darcy stood off to one side, taking in this tender moment along with the
Bennets
.

Without much reserve and in front of all those looking on, he leaned over and kissed her gently. "Sleep well, my love."

Because of the darkness of the night, it was not apparent how much Jane blushed. But as
Elizabeth
watched, she thought about how this wedding almost did not happen. She looked over at Darcy, and wondered if he was thinking the same thing. She was sure there could not be a happier couple.

*~*~*

The day of the wedding finally arrived! Morning broke again with the declaration that it would be very warm day. But it would not be merely another ordinary day; it was a day of celebration. Even the birds seemed to take notice as they began to announce very early that something special was in the air as they flitted from tree to tree, chirping noisily.

Elizabeth
awakened early, having actually slept very soundly, but she awoke with a fiercely beating heart. She thought of the joy her sister was experiencing and was so happy for her. She thought of the joy that seemed to be just barely lingering at her grasp. Was it real or just a figment of her imagination?

Today she would not try to ascertain his feelings. She would put everything into making this the day of her sister's dreams, and not be diverted by useless wondering.

As soon as the household began to stir, things became more and more hectic. As Mrs.
Bennet
went from ecstatic euphoria to vehement vexations,
Elizabeth
was most grateful that Mr. Darcy was not there to witness this. Even the calm, reassuring words of her aunt did little to quieten her mother's nerves. She could only hope that by the time they reached the church, she would be more composed.

Her father tried as much as he could to stay out of the way. He found solace in the study for a short time, but was called upon to help wherever he could.
Elizabeth
did her best, along with her aunt, to shield Jane from her mother's outbursts. Even when they were outbursts of joy and anticipation, it was enough to cause each person stress.

The warmth of the day also did not help matters. As the morning broke and the sun began to rise higher in the cloudless sky, the heat seemed to imprint itself on everyone in different ways.

It was difficult to get
Elizabeth
's two youngest sisters moving.
Elizabeth
was restless. Mrs.
Bennet
seemed more highly agitated than normal and Jane seemed oblivious to the heat, but very much aware of the effect it was having on everyone else.

Baths were drawn, clothes were set out, and hair was done up.
Elizabeth
's hair was pulled up with woven ribbons and flowers throughout. Some of her curls were left to hang loose. Her dress was a mint colour that brought out her rosy complexion and brightened her eyes.

When she had finished dressing, she stood back and looked at herself. She was pleased with how she appeared, and tried to think it was only because she wished to look nice for Jane's wedding day. She guardedly wondered, however, if
he
would be pleased with her appearance as well.

As everyone gathered downstairs to leave for the wedding,
Elizabeth
sought out Jane and took her hand. "Jane, you look simply beautiful! Without a doubt, Charles will think that you are the most beautiful bride that could ever be!"

"Oh,
Lizzy
, you are just saying that." With an added thought, she said, "I am so nervous!"

"As any bride usually is. Do not worry; everything shall go very smoothly. In just a short while, you shall be Jane Bingley. Mrs. Charles Bingley! You must start getting used to that!"

"It still seems so much a dream,
Lizzy
."

"I know. But it is
real
!"

When everyone was ready to leave and gathered downstairs, Mr.
Bennet
announced the carriages were ready.
Elizabeth
rode with Jane and she noticed Jane turn back and take one last look at what would now be her former home.

When they arrived at the church, they were ushered to a small room that had been set up for the bride and those in her party for last minute preparations. Jane remained in the room; not wanting to take the chance that Charles would see her before the wedding. Windows were opened and water was brought in to help alleviate the heat.
Elizabeth
was grateful that hers and Jane's dresses had short, puffed sleeves. She felt sorry for the men who would be wearing long sleeve shirts, vests and jackets. Though it was still morning, it would be most warm for them.

The sound of people entering the church raised the level of anxiety in the room. They heard the gentle playing of music by Georgiana at the piano. The reverend's wife came and announced to the family that they were now to be seated; all but Mr.
Bennet
, who would escort Jane in, and Elizabeth, who would stand up with her sister.

Elizabeth
walked over and took Jane's hands in hers. "Today is the day of which you have often dreamed, Jane. Charles is the man of those dreams and I could not be happier for you."

As she reached out and hugged her, Jane said, "
Lizzy
, I only hope and pray that the man of your dreams will soon find his way into your heart." As they pulled away,
Elizabeth
did not know if she was speaking in general terms, or of someone specific.

"Come, ladies. It is about time for us to walk out."

Both Jane and Elizabeth felt their hearts tumble, as they realized the time had come. They were escorted to the back door, and stood off to the side as Georgiana began to play the special music they would walk in to. As the first chords began,
Elizabeth
took a deep breath and stepped out into the centre aisle. The walk toward the front seemed an eternity to her and she first saw Bingley, a smile lighting up his face. She glanced over to his side and saw Darcy, dressed so elegantly, and standing somewhat askew as if to afford him a better view. She saw him shift his weight from one foot to another and she smiled as she thought to herself,
He certainly seems to dislike standing up in front of everyone!

Darcy watched
Elizabeth
glide down the aisle and he could not fathom how he could ever live without this woman who had so commandeered his senses. She beamed as she came toward them. Darcy, in his preoccupied state, almost took a step toward her, as if she was coming down the aisle to him as his bride. He stopped himself just in time, and shook his head in an attempt to rein his thoughts under control. As she stepped off to the left and turned to look back at Jane, she gave a quick glance over at him. He was not watching for the bride. He was looking at the woman he passionately desired for
his
bride.

Georgiana suddenly changed the volume of her music as Jane began her processional up the aisle. Everyone stood as she progressed forward, Bingley's smile growing larger and larger as she came closer and closer.
Elizabeth
felt her heart swell as the joy of this day reached its culmination.

When Jane arrived at the front with her father, he leaned over and kissed her, and then sat down. The minister opened in prayer, thanking God for this fine couple that He was about to join together, and asked His blessing upon this ceremony and their future married life together.

He read in the Scriptures from 1 Corinthians 13, which talks of love. "Love is patient, love is kind…" He extolled the virtues of paying heed to this passage on what love is and is not. As the ceremony went on, the heat pressed upon those in the front of the church and the air grew stifling.

When it came time for the vows, Bingley spoke his loudly and confidently; Jane spoke hers quietly and meekly. As they finished, they looked at each other and smiled. Charles placed a ring on Jane’s finger as a symbol of his commitment to her.

Finally the minister called for everyone to bow their heads to pray. His words came forth, "Heavenly Father, our God in heaven, we thank Thee this day for this couple that has been joined together in holy matrimony…"

Elizabeth
bowed her head and closed her eyes, but at the sound of movement across from her, she brought her glance up to Darcy.

Darcy, knowing that everyone would have their heads bowed, felt it would be a good opportunity to pull out his handkerchief from his pocket and wipe his forehead. In the course of an instant, he pulled it across his forehead, suddenly becoming very much aware of an overwhelming scent of gardenia. As he opened his eyes to ascertain why the scent was so overpowering, he discovered to his astonishment that he had just wiped his forehead with a handkerchief that bore the initials
EB
!

Elizabeth
gasped as she recognized immediately that it was
her
handkerchief he was using. The corner of it hung down from his hand and she was able to see her initials very clearly. Upon hearing her gasp, Jane and Charles opened their eyes, looking first to
Elizabeth
. Noticing her wide eyed astonishment looking beyond them, they both turned to see a very mortified Darcy, handkerchief in hand, not knowing what to do!

The minister continued his prayer, unaware of what was taking place in front of him. Bingley began to lightly snicker, Jane's shoulders began to shake, and
Elizabeth
could only look on in wonderment at the man standing across from her. Darcy, on the other hand, harbouring such a strong tendency his whole life to avoid those weaknesses that give way to ridicule, wanted merely to disappear.

He quickly pocketed the handkerchief, all the while three pairs of eyes were on him. No, there were actually four pairs! He looked over at the piano and saw Georgiana's eyes peering over the top of it. He could only imagine that she was enjoying this all too immensely and most likely was the perpetrator of it. She was the last one who had the handkerchief in her possession and was supposed to have returned it to Miss
Bennet
! Obviously she gave it to
Durnham
to slip into his pocket after dousing it with gardenia scented toilet water!

Darcy relaxed a bit, and just as the prayer was about to end, looked down, feeling a bit foolish, but suddenly could not help himself. He began to chuckle, and then all of them up front found it very difficult to keep from joining him. As the reverend concluded with his, "Amen," he looked out to four beaming faces standing in front of him.

He pronounced Charles and Jane husband and wife, giving the groom license to kiss his bride. Charles leaned over and kissed her tenderly. If it were not for the fact that he was looking forward to this part of the ceremony the most, he feared he would not have been able to control the laughter that was about to burst forth from him.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley turned to everyone. As Georgiana began playing again, they marched, laughingly, back down the aisle. Darcy and Elizabeth stepped toward the centre, watching them. He would begin escorting her down the aisle after Charles and Jane had reached the door. He put his arm out for her, and she slipped her gloved hand through, again taking his arm so very slightly.

"You have my handkerchief, Mr. Darcy," she said under her breath to him, looking out to everyone else with a smile to hide her words.

"Caught red-handed, Miss
Bennet
!" he replied, nervously smiling back.

"You mean red-faced! Where did you find it? I lost it at
Pemberley
."

"Now we are to walk, Miss
Bennet
." They began walking down the aisle, and he brought his other hand over and reached for her fingers, pulling them forward and out over his arm. He wrapped his large fingers around her slender ones.