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They stopped at the stables, and Darcy vaulted off before helping her down, his strong hands around her waist and her silly little mind forgetting all words once more.

Why did that keep happening?

Standing closer than they ever had before, Elizabeth looked up into his face and forgot to breathe.

His lips were right there.

She could raise herself up just an inch or two and then finally their lips would meet and—

"Good night, Elizabeth," he said gruffly. "I'll see you in the church."

And he pressed the swiftest of kisses to her forehead before turning on his heel and marching out of the stable door.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Elizabeth felt like she'd barely slept. Well, she hadn't, really. It was the early hours of the morning by the time she got to bed, stashing Mr Darcy's coat in the bottom of her wardrobe. She supposed after today it would move with her. To Pemberley. How strange that she would be taking this piece of his clothing with her in her belongings. He had told her to keep it, though, and she didn't want to return it.

She was awoken early by her sisters, all unaware of how little sleep she'd had, and they began primping and preening themselves for the wedding, with only Jane really fully focused on Elizabeth, although Elizabeth was rather gratified that her mother made sure Hill dressed her hair first, as it was, as her mother said, her special day. Although she couldn't help but add, "It'll be yours next, though, Jane." Jane smiled awkwardly and grimaced at her sister in the mirror.

The borrowed maid helped her into her gown and assisted Hill with her sisters, too, and so everyone would be happy with their appearance.

Elizabeth hoped it would be Jane’s day soon, and that Mr Bingley was only holding off on proposing marriage until this wedding was out of the way. She had to believe he wouldn't disappear on her sister again.

She was the first one ready, which meant she had to sit and wait nervously for her sisters and her mother. Mr Darcy had sent a carriage to take them to the church, for it was such a tight squeeze in theirs, and Elizabeth was grateful, for it looked likely to rain. She would not like to arrive at the church looking bedraggled – or crumpled from having her sisters practically sat on her lap.

Jane joined her in the parlour to wait.

"You look lovely, Jane," Elizabeth said. They had all gone into half mourning, other than Mama, for the occasion, with Elizabeth leaving her mourning clothes behind altogether. It felt rather odd, but was, of course, what was appropriate. But her sisters were dressed in shades of purple, and Jane had a ribbon in her blonde hair to match.

"Thank you," she said. "Not as lovely as you, of course, but then I shouldn't. Today is about you – you and Mr Darcy." Jane smiled. "How are you feeling about today? Are you excited? Nervous?"

Elizabeth twisted her hands together awkwardly. "Both, I think," she said. "I want to marry him. But marriage is such an unknown, isn't it? That alone is enough to make one nervous."

"He loves you," Jane said. "And I think if you do not already, you will love him too, in time. And marriage will very soon not be an unknown. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Lizzy, and I'm sure you're going to get it."

Elizabeth smiled at her sister's kind words, and then the rest of the Bennets piled into the room and it was time to leave. She would not be late to the church.

◆◆◆

That day, Darcy and the rest of those staying at Netherfield were not late. Darcy wouldn't have allowed it. He would have simply gone on without them, because this was his wedding day. Despite being exhausted from the late-night ride over to Longbourn and the walk back to Netherfield, there would be no more opportunity to sleep, for today would be a busy day and he and Elizabeth would be the centre of attention. Not something he greatly desired, but he would put up with it.

They took Bingley's carriage because the sky threatened rain and the ladies did not want to appear sodden at the church. It made quick work of the journey down to the church and so, in fact, when they arrived, they were early and there was hardly anyone in sight.

Just the vicar, who shook his hands and expressed his pleasure that they were holding the wedding there, and a few people from the village who were clearly keen to get a good view, since they were not part of the invited guests who would be sat near the front.

He nodded to the vicar and then stood at the front with Bingley, feeling nervous.

What if she did not come? After all, she had told him yesterday that she did not love him. Well, she hadn't stated it in so many words, but that was what it amounted to.

Maybe she would decide she did not want a marriage where there was no love.

And yet there was so much love. He felt so much love, and he thought in time she could too.

If she'd just give him a chance.

Georgiana sat in the front pew, joy written all over her face, along with Miss Bingley and the Hursts, who did not look quite so pleased.

Slowly the church began to fill. There were two aunts and uncles of Elizabeth's, one set he had met in Meryton, and they introduced the others, the Gardiners from London. Mr Gardiner seemed a very sensible fellow, and Darcy was pleased to find he would have relations whom he understood a little bit better than he thought he understood Mrs Bennet.