“I’m sorry, Lizzy. This must be difficult for you.”

Elizabeth sighed. “It is. But it is done.”

“I’m sure it isn’t all bad. Mr. Darcy is desperately in love with you. If you ask it of him, I’m sure he will take the time to get to know our relations and see their merit. He cannot fail to see their worth if he knows them, surely. His pride cannot be so important to him.”

“You don’t know him, Jane. His pride makes most of his decisions, I fear.”

Jane shook her head. “But he chose you, Elizabeth. His heart must be stronger than his pride.”

Elizabeth looked at her in surprise, and her heart lightened ever so slightly.

Chapter 21

Elizabeth stood outside the church on her father’s arm, her pale blue dress fluttering in the light morning breeze. She took a deep breath and let her father lead her into the unfamiliar building. She would be Mrs. Darcy in less than half an hour. She had a slight urge to take off running down the street, but knew deep down it would do no good. This was her destiny. She could do aught but face it head on.

Darcy stood at the front of the church next to Charles Bingley. His family sat in the pews behind him, whispering quietly as they awaited the bride. The other side of the church was less populated than his. Her mother and sisters were there, as were her aunt and uncle and a handful of people he assumed were acquaintances of her family in town. Comparing it to his own side of the chapel, hers looked rather sparse. His entire family from the evening before had come as well as the cousins that had not been present. In addition, several of his friends from school and the club were there. Her friends are probably all in Meryton and couldn’t make the journey, he thought.

Suddenly, he wondered if she would have liked to marry from her home. He was slightly abashed that he had not thought of it before. But had not her own father suggested London as the location? Or had it been Darcy, himself? He couldn’t remember. He felt like he’d lived a lifetime since that fateful day in Kent. No matter, it was done now and there was nothing he could do about it. He would ask Elizabeth later if she would have preferred marrying in Hertfordshire and if she said yes, he would apologize. Problem solved.