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"Are you well?" Jane asked when Elizabeth did not speak.

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes," she said. "I think so."

"The dinner was acceptable, was it not? There were comments made, certainly, but I don’t think it was too disastrous."

Elizabeth shook her head. There was nothing in her mind except for that kiss to the top of her hand, that moment of connection that somehow burnt away every word, every thought, every reason why this marriage might not make sense.

"And Mr Darcy was not so horrified by your family that he’s running away from the engagement," Jane said, and Elizabeth almost missed the amused look on her face because she was in such a daze.

"No, no," she said. "He’s going to organise the banns to be read on Sunday."

"Excellent," Jane said. "Well, I think this has all been very successful then," she said. "Although Mama cannot stop going on about the fact that Bingley will be returning. But it does not matter. As I have told her, I liked him, yes, but that is over. I have put all thoughts of him away. We can meet as friends, indeed neighbours. But there is no reason to think there will be anything more."

And then it was Elizabeth’s turn to give Jane a disbelieving look.

"Is that so?" she said, and the two sisters linked arms before going back in to inevitably face the many questions of their mother and sisters.

◆◆◆

Darcy rode hard across the fields, his blood boiling in his veins.

It had been bold of him to kiss her hand, but he had hoped it might satiate this need he had to be close to her, but no, that one moment of contact had whipped up his blood. And he’d had to tear himself away before he kissed her properly.

That could wait. That must wait until their wedding.

Which he intended to set in motion first thing the following morning.

It was tempting to lay out the expense of getting a special licence, but then there was no use in marrying quicker if it meant that Georgiana would not be there to attend. He would not wish to do so. It was only fair to wait for Bingley to stand up with him, especially since he was using the man’s house as his base.

He had decided he would take the liberty the following day of rehiring some of the staff, or replacements if they had taken on work. He did not want to have to fight with his own cravat again.

And whilst Georgiana was here, they would need a cook, although she would travel with her maid at least. And then, if Bingley wasn’t happy with the situation, Darcy could pay them well enough to make up for the inconvenience.

Although he rather thought that Bingley would be quite happy to have Darcy deal with the matter. He was an amiable fellow and he seemed to trust Darcy’s judgement.

But perhaps he shouldn’t, considering how Darcy had steered him wrong when it came to the elder Miss Bennet.

Needing to run off some of his nervous energy before bed, he rode twice around the estate of Netherfield, pleased that the horse did not spook in spite of the dark, and then returned to the bleak and empty Netherfield, only glancing once or twice back in the direction of Longbourn to wonder what Elizabeth might be doing now.

◆◆◆

Never before had Elizabeth dressed so carefully for church.

While she enjoyed a nice dress, she did not think about her appearance for every event. But this time she chose her dress and her bonnet and her gloves carefully indeed. They were still black, of course, for she would stay in mourning until her wedding day. But the nicest black items she owned. She was aware that all eyes in the church would be upon her.

Mr Darcy’s eyes especially.

She could not forget that feeling that had awoken inside her at the simple press of his lips to her hand. They had not been alone again since. He had come to take tea, and they had walked with a chaperone – but there had been no more kisses to her hand. From the gossip she had heard, it seemed both Bingley and his sister had arrived since she had last seen him. And now, having not seen him in two days, she found she was keen to do so. That certainly seemed like a good omen for their marriage.

She was ready before everyone else, save for Jane, who sat with her in the parlour as they waited for their mother and sisters.

Mary was next, dressed in her Sunday best. She was perhaps the one Bennet who never missed church.

Kitty and Lydia skipped in together. They had to be made to attend quite often, for sitting and not talking for that period of time was something they found rather challenging. But today they were keen to go, of course they were, because their family would certainly be the topic of interest today.

And finally Mrs Bennet entered the room, also dressed in the finest of her black dresses. She glanced around the room and nodded.

"You all look very well," she said. "Come now, we mustn’t be late. This is an important day for all of us. Mr Darcy marrying your sister will certainly mean our family is paid much more attention than it has been of late."