Page 229 of A Question of Character

Mrs. Bennet’s eyes filled with grateful tears.

“My dear Mr. Darcy, I knew you would never permit such a dreadful thing.”

He calmed her nerves with his vow and earned his future mother-in-law’s permanent approbation.

From that day forward, Mrs. Bennet regarded him with a degree of admiration that nothing—not even occasional disagreements over wedding arrangements—could materially diminish. Whenever anyone praised Mr. Darcy’s fortune, manners, or consequence, she invariably added that he possessed something far more valuable still.

“He is a gentleman who keeps his promises,” she would say with unmistakable satisfaction. “One cannot ask for more than that.”

During the months preceding the wedding, the old friends rebuilt their confidence in one another by degrees. Neither attempted to deny the injuries of the past, but both ceased allowing those injuries to govern every present judgment.

Mr. Wickham stood up with Mr. Darcy in lieu of having the colonel there.

Colonel Fitzwilliam had written with genuine regret, explaining that military duty admitted no argument. His letter contained warm congratulations for the happy couple, affectionate assurances regarding Georgiana’s continued improvement, and an earnest apology that he could not stand beside his cousin upon so important a day. Darcy accepted the disappointment with the resignation of a man long accustomed to the demands of a soldier’s profession, though Elizabeth knew he would have welcomed his cousin’s presence.

When the morning of the wedding arrived, Wickham appeared before the church punctually, dressed with appropriate elegance but without any unnecessary display. He greeted Darcy with the easy familiarity that had gradually been restored between them, pausing long enough to straighten one cuff before offering his hand.

“I trust you have not changed your mind overnight.”

Darcy accepted the offered hand with a smile.

“I have had no such temptation.”

“I am relieved. Mrs. Bennet would never forgive either of us.”

Darcy laughed, the sound easing the last traces of nervous anticipation before they entered the church together.

His cousin had been called away with his regiment and sent his regrets.

The colonel’s absence was remarked upon by many of the guests, several of whom had anticipated meeting the famous Fitzwilliam relation whose praises Darcy occasionally, if sparingly, bestowed. His letter was read aloud privately after the breakfast, where even Mrs. Bennet admitted that military obligations must occasionally supersede family celebrations, though she lamented that handsome officers invariably seemed to be elsewhere when society most desired their company.

Mr. Hurst stood up with Mr. Bingley in the joint ceremony.

No one expected Mr. Hurst to display great enthusiasm for the proceedings, and yet he acquitted himself remarkably well. Though he maintained his customary air of comfortable indifference, he arrived on time, wore an expression of suitable gravity during the service, and even offered Bingley a sincere, if somewhat sleepy, word of congratulations afterward. Mrs. Hurst declared herself astonished by her husband’s attentiveness, while Bingley accepted it as naturally as he accepted every kindness offered him.

The church itself seemed unusually bright despite the chill of the December morning. Evergreen garlands adorned the pews, candles glowed warmly against the pale winter light filtering through the windows, and nearly every familiar face from Meryton appeared among the assembled guests. The rector, who had christened several Bennet daughters years before, confessed afterward that few ceremonies had afforded him greater pleasure.

Jane and Elizabeth each chose a sister.

The decision had occupied surprisingly little discussion. Both brides desired to honor their family equally, and neither wished the occasion to produce disappointment among those they loved. After much cheerful conversation, they arrived at an arrangement that satisfied everyone save, perhaps, Mary, whose preferences differed from those of her sisters in nearly every respect.

Since it seemed likely that Lydia would marry before Mary or Kitty, Jane chose their youngest sister.

Lydia accepted the distinction with unconcealed delight. Her gown suited her admirably, and she performed every duty entrusted to her with an earnestness that surprised those who still remembered the impulsive girl she had once been. More than once during the ceremony, Elizabeth observed Wickham’s gaze resting upon Lydia with unmistakable admiration. Lydia, fortunately, remained entirely attentive to Jane until the service concluded.

Mary politely declined when Elizabeth asked, and so Kitty took her place.

Mary explained with characteristic honesty that she preferred witnessing the ceremony from beside her parents rather than participating in it.

“I believe,” she said with a modest smile, “that Kitty would enjoy the distinction far more than I.”

Kitty’s pleasure proved impossible to conceal. Though she began the day in considerable trepidation, fearing she might commit some dreadful mistake before so many observers, Elizabeth’s reassuring smile restored her confidence. By the time they left the church, Kitty carried herself with a happiness that rivaled the brides themselves.

The wedding breakfast at Longbourn lasted well into the afternoon. Toasts were offered by Mr. Bennet, Mr. Philips, and even Sir William Lucas, whose speech exceeded every reasonable expectation for length while falling somewhat short of coherence. Mrs. Bennet declared repeatedly that everything had been arranged perfectly, despite finding minor faults with nearly every course before ultimately pronouncing the meal a triumph.

Both couples went on an extended wedding trip.

Their departures occurred within the hour, two handsome traveling carriages rolling away from Longbourn beneath showers of good wishes, waving handkerchiefs, and more than a few happy tears. Mrs. Bennet wept openly once the last carriage disappeared beyond the trees, though she recovered sufficiently to begin planning her first visit before the afternoon had concluded.