Page 64 of The Wager
She wrapped her arm around his and hugged it tight to her side, touching the side of her head to his shoulder.
"There are times when you take my breath away, and that makes me happy."
"There they are!" Lady Courtland cried out as they entered the room. "Call off the search, they have found their way back."
"We were not lost, Aunt Sarah." Elizabeth crossed the room, holding out her left hand. "My handsome fiance had a surprise for me, which some dreadful cad attempted to sabotage."
Ashton shrugged nonchalantly, flashing a smile when Elizabeth gave him a disapproving look.
"I cannot let Darcy have all the fun," he explained.
"As long as you remember, dear Cousin Edmund, that revenge is best served cold, and I have a very long memory."
When every member of Elizabeth's family was seen nodding their heads in agreement, Ashton's brow furrowed. He turned to Jane.
"Should I be worried?"
"Yes." Jane gave him a sad look and shook her head slowly. "Hopefully our children will remember you when you are gone."
"When I am gone…" With a tilt of his head, Ashton said, "Jane Hamilton, your humor is delightfully random. I look forward to spending the rest of my life married to you!"
DarcyandElizabethdidnotmarry the next day. They stayed with the original plan and departed for Hertfordshire where the planning of the weddings and all the orbiting social functions reached a dizzying crescendo.
"I cannot, Mamma!" Elizabeth exclaimed and sank into the closest chair. "I have yet to spend a minute with William in the two weeks we have been here since returning from London."
"But, Lizzy, all your friends wish to congratulate you and Jane and share in your excitement."
"The reason for my excitement is hiding out at Netherfield Park," she huffed out in exasperation. "In one week, our friends and neighbors will gather at Longbourn Chapel and can extend their congratulations there. I am done being carted from one neighbor's house to the next, and wish to spend a quiet evening with my future husband." She dared look at her mother. "Is that so difficult to understand?"
For a brief minute, she thought Mamma would not even look at her and silently chastised herself for losing her temper. She inhaled deeply through her mouth and released that breath through her nose to calm her temper. Their mother had been anticipating this time in their lives since their birth. Who was she to deny her mother this little sliver of happiness?
"I am sorry, Mamma," Elizabeth began.
"No… you are right. I have been selfish." Mamma smoothed her skirt and began to play with one of the lace frills that edged her quarter-length sleeves. "You have already seen the Longs and Gouldings twice, and Lady Lucas comes by every second day. She has been a godsend."
"You and Lady Lucas have been friends for a very long time."
"We have. I cannot remember a time when Martha Lucas was not in my life, much like Mr. Bennet." Mamma finally looked at her directly. "I have been blessed in my life, Lizzy. Yes, there were hard times and I have never regretted loving and marrying your father, but in looking back, I can see that God placed people in my life for a purpose, just like He has with you and Jane."
Elizabeth knelt by her mother's chair and gently clasped Mamma's hand in her own, pressing the palm against her cheek.
"Although William and his cousin would always have arrived in Meryton with Mr. Bingley, I have no idea how our introductions would have gone if he had not met me earlier in town with Aunt Sarah." She chuckled softly. "I believe William might still have insulted me. He does not like public assemblies, nor does he like dancing with strangers. His temper would have been tested to its limits."
"I believe you and Mr. Darcy would have found each other. There is a chemistry between you, even more so than Jane and Edmund. No, no, do not deny it," Mamma declared when Elizabeth began to object. "Where Jane and her beau smile, you and Mr. Darcy laugh."
"We do." Elizabeth kissed her mother's hand and resumed her seat. "However, do not discount the depth of Jane's feelings for Edmund. She is like an elegant swan. Calm on the water's surface while paddling like mad below."
"She will need that calm in the life she has chosen."
"Jane will do just fine. In some ways, her beauty is a secret weapon."
"What do you mean?"
"Upon meeting my sister, strangers are often dazzled by her physical appearance, failing to see what lies beneath the surface. As she engages them in casual conversations, she carefully gathers information about their character. It took her only two weeks to form an accurate opinion of Mr. Bingley - one that found him lacking in certain aspects."
"I did not think him so bad," Mamma said and frowned. "He was such a congenial gentleman."
"He was a gentleman who thought he could buy a wife, and only a beautiful one would do for him. He cared not what Jane desired, only that he could parade her around like a trophy and bear them beautiful children."
