Page 227 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Elizabeth crossed the room and kissed his cheek.

The neighboring families were already gathered when they reached the church. Their Sunday clothes filled the pews with color, and the low conversation faded as Mr. Bennet entered with one daughter on each arm.

As she walked up the nave on her father’s arm, Elizabeth saw Charles first, with Mr. Hurst standing at his side. His attention was fixed upon Jane.

Then Elizabeth looked at Fitzwilliam.

He stood beside Mr. Fernside, dressed in dark blue. His handsome cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, stood next to him. Elizabeth felt her heart stutter. She was too happy for words. His eyes remained on her as she came up the nave, and when she reached him, he held out his hand.

Fitzwilliam closed both hands around hers before taking his place beside her.

Mr. Bennet went to the Bennet pew where his daughters and Miss Georgiana sat together.

Mr. Fernside opened the prayer book.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.”

Jane and Charles were married first.

Elizabeth listened as her sister repeated the vows in her sweet, clear voice. Charles never took his eyes from Jane, and when she promised to love, cherish, and obey him, his fingers tightened around hers.

Tears gathered in Elizabeth's eyes. Jane glanced toward her after Mr. Bingley slipped the ring on her finger, her own eyes bright, and smiled.

Then Fitzwilliam took Elizabeth’s hand.

She looked up at him as they made their promises. She would always remember his low, resonant voice as he said, “I will.”

Elizabeth spoke with equal certainty when her turn came.

She watched as Fitzwilliam reached into his coat and took out the gold band Elizabeth had returned to him.

He placed it upon her finger.

“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow.”

Elizabeth looked down at the familiar ring resting once more upon her finger.

Fitzwilliam's thumb passed gently across her knuckles before his hand closed around hers.

Mr. Fernside completed the service and pronounced the two couples husband and wife.

The registers were brought out. Jane and Charles signed first, and then Elizabeth took the pen and wrote her name.

Elizabeth Bennet.

She set down the pen, and Fitzwilliam signed beneath her.

Mr. Hurst, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mary added their names as witnesses. When everything was complete, they left the church together.

Outside, in the courtyard, smiling neighbors gathered around the newly married couples with congratulations. Elizabeth laughed as she accepted their good wishes and clever quips.

Kitty and Georgiana were approaching arm in arm when Steven Goulding joined them.

“It has been a happy day for your family, Miss Kitty. I hope there will be another such day before too long.”

He held Kitty's gaze, and color rose into her cheeks. “I look forward to that day, Mr. Goulding.”

Before going to congratulate the newlyweds, he flashed her a smile.