A Wife for Mr. Darcy

were not to be my wife in such a short time.”
    Lizzy blushed. If it was anything like the last one, it very might well self-ignite.
    “I love you, Mr. Darcy.”
    “And I love you, Elizabeth. But considering that we are to be married this week, don’t you think ‘Mr. Darcy’ is a little formal?”
    “Then what shall I call you, Mr. Darcy?”
    “Those who love me call me Will.”
    “I love you, Will,” and she kissed him and then placed her head on his chest, and they remained in each other’s embrace until propriety moved them to join the others.

Mrs. Bennet could hardly believe her good fortune in having two daughters so well married. It was true that Jane had made a fine match. But Lizzy! Oh, my! She was to be married to a man who had ten thousand a year and very likely more. What a wedding they would have. She would go with Lizzy to London to have her gown made by a modiste , who would address them in French. She was sure Mr. Darcy would order a new carriage, most likely white, whose interior would be lined with the finest pearl white satin. Mrs. Bennet was sure that dukes and earls would attend, and because of that, it would be best if the wedding breakfast was held at Netherfield. She was planning the menu when the lovers returned to the parlor.
    Unwilling to let Mr. Darcy out of her sight, Mrs. Bennet insisted that he stay for supper, and Jane and Charles were welcome to stay as well. During the meal, it was her intention to learn every last detail about the upcoming wedding, and thus the inquisition began. Would they marry in the spring or summer? Summer, she suggested, since there was so much to do, and because there would be so many guests, it would be necessary to use the gardens at Netherfield, and for that, they needed fine weather. Mr. Bennet finally interrupted his wife and asked that she allow Lizzy and Mr. Darcy to speak before making any additional decisions on their behalf.
    “Mama, Mr. Darcy and I have decided to marry in the village church later in the week,” Lizzy responded, ignoring her mother’s open mouth and stare. “Of course, we will need to consult the vicar, but we were thinking possibly Friday. The ceremony will be followed by a reception here, after which time, Mr. Darcy and I shall leave for Pemberley.”
    “Oh, Lizzy!” a disappointed Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Even Jane had more than what you are proposing.”
    Bingley, who was already immune to insults from his mother-in-law, laughed to himself at Mrs. Bennet’s suggestion that a Darcy wedding must be bigger and better than a Bingley wedding. Money was good; money and a pedigree were even better.
    Lizzy looked to Mr. Darcy, who then explained his plan, and after Mrs. Bennet realized that she would be a guest at Pemberley and that her friends and neighbors would be invited to the manor house of which her daughter was now mistress, she set aside all objections and gave her approval. Before going into supper, Jane pulled her sister aside and suggested that she wear her wedding dress.
    “Lizzy, the gown is so beautiful. With a few alterations by Mrs. Lyle, the gown will look as if it was made for you. I would be honored if you would wear it.”
    Lizzy did not see any reason why she should not. The two sisters had been wearing each other’s frocks since they were children, and Lizzy readily agreed.
    Now that everyone knew that Lizzy and the gentleman from Derbyshire were engaged, as anticipated, Mr. Darcy became the focus of their attention. Although he escaped further inquiries with his departure, Lizzy was peppered with questions from her mother and sisters until she begged to be excused so that she might retire. She had a letter to read.
Dearest Elizabeth ,
You told me that I should have been ashamed of myself for writing you such a torrid love letter. Well, shame on you for reading another one. Although I think that bodes well for me. I will see you in my dreams and for tea tomorrow. I love you .
Will
    Lizzy felt as if her face was on fire as she was blushing from head to toe. After complaining of the contents of his first letter, she had rushed upstairs to read the second, and he had anticipated it. Well, he would never know she had read it as she would never own to it. Although she had committed the first letter to memory, she retrieved it from the chest under the bed, and after reading it twice more, she placed it under her pillow, hoping that she would dream of Mr. Darcy.

    As soon as Lizzy saw Mr.