Page 63 of Elizabeth Bennet Says Yes to Mr. Darcy

“Since I married Jane. All the credit belongs to her.”

A quiet knock at the door interrupted our conversation. Georgiana entered, an envelope in her hand.

My heart clenched at once.

“A servant from Longbourn just brought it,” she said.

Bingley stood up.

“I'll leave the brother and sister to their secrets.”

He squeezed my shoulder as he passed, then left the room.

Georgiana handed me the letter. Elizabeth's handwriting covered the address.

“I think it's a good letter,” my sister said.

“How could you possibly know that?”

“The servant was smiling.”

I broke the seal.

My dear Fitzwilliam,

Jane insists that a reasonable fiancé sleeps the night before his wedding. Since you have never shown a consistent inclination toward what is reasonable where I am concerned, I fear you will spend the night imagining every reason that might prevent me from arriving at the church.

I therefore inform you that my dress is ready, that my mother has given enough instructions to see three weddings through, and that my father has hidden the keys to his carriage to deny me any possibility of escape. Above all, I am certain.

I promise you neither a docility you do not desire nor a perfection I do not possess. I promise to speak to you when I am afraid, to contradict you when I believe you are wrong, and to remember that your silence does not mean indifference. Tomorrow, I will come to you because I want to.

Try to sleep, then. I would like to marry a man capable of staying awake during the ceremony.

Elizabeth

I reread the letter.

“Well?” Georgiana asked.

I folded the sheet carefully.

“The servant was right.”

She smiled, then came to sit beside me.

“Mama would have liked Elizabeth.”

Emotion made it difficult to respond.

“Yes.”

“I don't remember much of her. Mostly her perfume and the way she played with my hair. But I think she would have been happy that you're marrying someone who makes you laugh.”

I took my sister's hand.

“Elizabeth already loves you.”

“I know.”