Page 123 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“You are crying too.”

“I outrank you.”

Darcy heard and nearly lost his composure. Elizabeth saw the twitch at the corner of his mouth. “Do not laugh,” she whispered.

“You began it.”

The clergyman gave them a stern look. They became solemn with difficulty. At last the words were spoken.

The marriages were declared. Charles Bingley turned to Jane with an expression of such joy that he almost kissed her before propriety permitted.

Darcy looked at Elizabeth.

She lifted one eyebrow.

“Mrs. Darcy,” he whispered. The name struck her strangely.

She smiled. “Mr. Darcy.”

His eyes warmed. It was not yet time to kiss her. He seemed to find this personally unreasonable.

Elizabeth enjoyed his suffering.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The Church Door

The first person to embrace Elizabeth after the register was signed was not her mother.

It was Georgiana. She crossed the vestry so quickly that Mrs. Annesley barely avoided losing hold of her shawl. “My sister.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. She hugged the girl tightly. “Yes.” Georgiana pulled back, crying openly now.

Darcy stood beside them. Elizabeth looked at him over Georgiana’s shoulder. His face had gone soft.

“Do not start,” she warned.

“I have said nothing.”

“You are thinking sentimentally.”

“I am allowed. It is my wedding day.”

Richard appeared. “There he is. The romantic hero of Hertfordshire.”

Darcy’s face closed at once.

Richard grinned. Jane was surrounded by Bingley, Mrs. Bennet, Louisa, and Kitty. Caroline stood just beyond them, uncertain.

Jane saw her. For a second Elizabeth wondered what she would do. Jane held out her hand.

Caroline looked at it.

Then she took it.

“Mrs. Bingley,” she said.

Jane smiled. “Caroline.” It was not complete reconciliation.