A Wife for Mr. Darcy

realize that by befriending Bingley, I had stepped into a different world—a much more expansive and inclusive world. Two generations ago, Bingley’s grandfather was a blacksmith in the North of England, and now his grandson has more money than most earls. To live as my father did is to look backward. I want to go forward.
    “As to the matter of London society, that too will change, albeit at a much slower pace. But if your concern is rubbing elbows with the ladies of the ton , it will not happen because I do not associate with the Prince of Wales and his followers. Even so, there are enough Caroline Bingleys in society who would enjoy making your life unpleasant. But I do not care about what other people say. Let them throw their best punch. I can take it because I will be with you.”

    While waiting in the foyer for the carriage to be brought ’round, Darcy told Elizabeth that he would be leaving for London in the morning.
    “You and Jane will be busy making preparations for the wedding and breakfast, and I must go to London as I have business with George Bingley. He has written a second letter asking that I return to town as I am venturer in several of his schemes, and it will also serve another purpose. You will miss me so much that you will move up our wedding date and forego a courtship.”
    “You are very sure of yourself, Mr. Darcy,” she said, smiling.
    “Yes, I am, because I am sure of your love for me and mine for you.”
    Lizzy thought she would melt. “Mr. Darcy, since you have addressed all of my concerns, we shall talk about a wedding date when you return.”
    Darcy took Lizzy’s hand and led her to the area under the staircase and kissed her good night. “Elizabeth, I promise that you will not be sorry as I shall make you the happiest woman in England.”
    “Yes, I know.”

Longbourn was in a state of upheaval. Corsets, chemises, stockings, and dresses were all thrown about, and Lydia and Kitty were elbowing each other for room in front of the mirror. While Mama and Mrs. Hill were helping Jane to get dressed, Aunt Gardiner and Betsy assisted Lizzy. Even Mary, who professed to have no interest in baubles and beads, was wearing earrings and a cross necklace.
    With a house full of ladies running hither and yon, and with orders being shouted or praises being bestowed, the volume had risen to such a level that Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner had removed to Mr. Philips’s house until such time as they were summoned to the church.
    Mrs. Bennet was all aflutter, and since she had no intention of relaxing until the vicar had pronounced Jane and Mr. Bingley to be man and wife, she would take brief rests before going back into the fray. She thought about how congratulations would pour in and smiled at the thought of Jane being the talk of the county for months, if not years, because no one could possibly make a more advantageous marriage than her dear Jane. Every time she said, “five thousand a year,” Mrs. Bennet started giggling. With such a son-in-law, she would never again have to worry about the entail.
    Lizzy was possibly as nervous as Jane. She had not seen Mr. Darcy in a week, but he had surprised her by writing a love letter to her, and as promised, it had burnt her fingers with its passionate prose, and she kept it in a chest under her bed under lock and key.
    When Jane walked down the aisle in her beautiful ivory dress and diaphanous veil, many whispered that the village had never seen a more beautiful bride nor such a handsome groom, and because she had endeared herself to all, everyone, including Mr. Bingley’s sisters, wished her joy.
    The day was sunny, but cold, and so the guests quickly got into their carriages and wagons and made their way to Netherfield Park for the breakfast. Every Bingley brother and sister and all of their children were in attendance, and Lizzy found this gathering of Bingleys to be most agreeable, including Caroline Bingley. Lizzy had learned that Miss Bingley, and possibly her twenty-thousand-pound inheritance, had drawn the attention of Lord David Upton, and it appeared that her future might include having everyone address her as “milady.”
    Darcy made the rounds as if he were the groom, visiting with Charles’s neighbors and joining in a conversation with George and James Bingley, both of whom were discussing new investment schemes, eventually making his way over to Mrs. Crenshaw. But after she had informed him that she may have misjudged how far