Elizabeth pulled her sister into a crushing hug. When they pulled apart, they shared a resolute look and linked arms before walking back into the party.

Elizabeth joined her father where he stood next to several of the other men discussing some sort of hunting. She linked her arm with his and leaned her head on his shoulder, a gesture that made two of the older men smile fondly. He excused himself and sat with her near a window where they stayed close and conversed about all manner of things silly and important for a quarter hour until Mr. Bennet said, “Shall you be well, my dear?”

She smiled wanly. “Yes, Father, I shall.” She sighed and returned her head to his shoulder. “I am very tired today, that is all. Do not worry for me.”

“It is a father’s prerogative to worry for his daughters,” he replied. “Now tell me the truth. How are you faring?”

Quietly, she said, “Some days it is very hard. I confess today has been trying. But I believe that some good rest and time to become adjusted to each other is all that is needed.”

“Truly?” he asked.

“Yes, truly. He is a good man, I think. He will be kind to me.”

“Of that I have no doubt. I could not have let you marry him if he was anything less,” said Mr. Bennet in his soft, deep voice. “But that does not mean it will not be a difficult transition for you. I have looked at the calendar, and if all goes well with the harvest, we will come visit you in late October or early November if it suits.”

“Oh, Father! Of course it suits. It will be perfect! How long will you stay?”

He smiled at her enthusiasm. “I cannot say. It will depend on the weather and how long it will be wise to stay from home.”

“I wish you could stay for Christmas, but I know it will be difficult to travel in the colder weather.”

“We shall see. Now I believe there is a man over there desperate to steal you away but hesitant to interrupt us. Why don’t you put him out of his misery?”

He smiled and kissed her cheek and she did the same, trying not to cry when he escorted her to Mr. Darcy’s side and they said what felt like their final goodbye.

As they were leaving the party, she pulled her father tight for one last embrace and whispered in his ear, “Write to me, Father. You must promise.”

“I promise, dear girl.”

His eyes were suspiciously shiny as he stepped back and let her husband hand her into the carriage, giving up his rightful place to another. His heart was full of prayers that he had not sent off his favorite daughter to a life of misery just to save the others. God forgive me.