~*~
Elizabeth smiled brightly as she walked down the hallway in the family wing of Pemberley. Her spirits had lifted after her morning spent in the reassuring arms of her husband. She had needed that extra strength to face her daughter. It would not do to weep and be needy when Anna Beth would be craving the reassurance only a mother could provide.
Easing open the door to Anna Beth's sitting room, she beamed with joy at the sight that greeted her. Anna Beth, dressed in her wedding gown, was standing in front of the floor length mirror that was temporarily brought out from her dressing room. Elizabeth strode quickly to her daughter, reached for both hands, and turned her to look into her eyes.
"Oh, Anna Beth! You look so beautiful, my darling." Then leaning forward, she pressed a light kiss on her cheek. Stepping back, she appraised Anna Beth with something akin to wonder. Her daughter wore her hair in an elegant braided bun on top of her head with a bandeau set around the forehead. It was adorned with a single teardrop diamond in the center, and fine ringlets of curls shaped her handsome face.
"I'm so pleased we decided on the Chantilly with the white satin underdress. You simply look magnificent; a more stunning bride this county will not have seen," Elizabeth gushed.
"Mama…" Anna Beth was prevented from finishing her thought by a light knock on the door as someone entered the room. They both looked to see what the interruption was about, and watched as her grandmother stood at the doorway. Anna Beth rushed toward her exclaiming, "Mae-ma! I'm so happy to see you!"
Mrs. Bennet laughed merrily as Anna Beth hooked her arm through hers, and they walked towards her mother. "Anna Beth, dearest, let me look at you!"
The bride-to-be twirled in a circle as Mrs. Bennet fluttered her handkerchief and flattered her with exclamations such as, "What fine lace and satin! And look, the diamond sparkles as brightly as your eyes!" Her grandmother's enthusiasm was difficult to suppress. Weddings had always been her favorite events, and since this would be her first grandchild's wedding, there was no reining in her effusions.
Amused, smiling brightly, Anna Beth replied, "Mae-ma, I was just about to tell mama how I feel every bit a princess." Tears began to surface as she continued, "I must tell you both how much I appreciate everything that you have done in preparation for this day—my wedding day. I love you both more than words can say."
Both ladies immediately encompassed the young bride in a tight embrace. Anna Beth rested her head on Mrs. Bennet's shoulder as her mother leaned back to observe the two.
Elizabeth was the first to speak. "We love you very much, Anna Beth. Nothing has given us more pleasure than to plan your wedding. It is what every mother dreams of doing for her daughter. Is that not so, Mama?" Mrs. Bennet nodded sedately to Elizabeth.
"That is right, my dear; the day I found that I was to plan a wedding for not only one daughter but two, was one of the happiest moments of my life. Two daughters married to such rich husbands! It had to be the grandest affair Meryton had ever seen." Mrs. Bennet took a few deep breaths as her age prevented her from bearing too much excitement.
Anna Beth and her mother chuckled, and Elizabeth replied, "Yes, Mama, it was quite impressive. I believe you were the envy of all the ladies in the neighborhood."
"Quite right!" Mrs. Bennet bragged.
Anna Beth's expression became more serious as she approached the topic that weighed heavily on her mind. "Mama, I am so nervous." She paused to take a trembling breath, and then spoke in a rush, "I love Jeremiah! Truly, I do, but how do I know I'm doing the right thing? How do I know if I will make a good wife? Will I fail him? I am so afraid of being an embarrassment to him or his family."
Still enfolded in her grandmother's arms, Mrs. Bennet gently rubbed her back as her mother stepped towards her. Taking her hand, Elizabeth answered compassionately, "Anna Beth, you are a wonderful woman with good sense. You will make a proper wife to Jeremiah, and he will be a worthy husband to you. There will be trials and tribulations that come your way, but the love the two of you share will see you through them. These challenges will make your marriage stronger. I have no doubt that your marriage will be a success."
After a moment's reflection, Elizabeth questioned, "Do you have reason to believe that Jeremiah might embarrass you?"
"No! No, no; how can he embarrass me? He is everything that a gentleman ought to be," she stated firmly.
"So why would you believe you could embarrass him? Are you not what a lady ought to be?" Elizabeth countered.
Anna Beth huffed, "Of course I am, Mama. Do not be so silly."
"So it is settled. You and he will be deliriously happy," Elizabeth said with a smirk.
Anna Beth released her grandmother to embrace her mother. "Oh, Mama! You always know just what to say to make me feel better. I do not know what I would do without you."
Mrs. Bennet watched her daughter and granddaughter with great pride. As her gaze rested on Elizabeth, she noticed that Elizabeth had her eyes tightly closed, preventing the tears that threatened to fall. There had been a time when she considered Elizabeth to be an obstinate, headstrong girl who insisted on disobeying everything she asked of her. Now, she could see what kind of woman was there the entire time—one with conviction, a woman who knew what she wanted and who loved unconditionally.
A knock at the door interrupted the magic of the moment and the three ladies turned to see who had entered. Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Georgiana all rushed in with spirits high, excited to see the bride in all her glory. Shrieks filled the room as the aunts embraced their niece one by one. A little overwhelmed, Mrs. Bennet thought this was an ideal time to converse with Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, dear, my feet are in need of a bit of rest. Would you care to join me over there on the settee?" Mrs. Bennet pointed to the far side of the room near the window facing the east gardens.
Elizabeth followed her mother, Mae-ma, as Master Bennet had christened her when he was learning to speak. Eventually the name garnered the attention of all the grandchildren. She marveled at the change in her mother. It almost seemed that as soon as all her daughters were happily married to suitable husbands, Mrs. Bennet's nerves had settled. She was still a little flighty and on occasion had to call for her smelling salts, but as the years had passed, with the pressure of poverty in the hedgerows lifted, she became a loyal companion to her husband, a loving grandmother, and a supportive mother. Both her parents visited their children and their families often, and when not traveling, Mrs. Bennet spent less time gossiping while Mr. Bennet spent less time in his bookroom. Elizabeth was content to watch her parents grow closer, and it had been devastating for everyone when Mr. Bennet passed away a few years previously.
It had been decided that Mrs. Bennet would move into a small cottage on the grounds of Pemberley. The house was just the size to suit her needs, and she adored the cozy atmosphere it possessed. That three of her daughters lived nearby was an added blessing. Having Mrs. Bennet so close to Pemberley was no hardship on the Darcys. On the contrary, for she adored spending time with her grandchildren and spent most of her days playing with them and reading to them. Even Mr. Darcy grew accustomed to his mother-in-law's frequent presence. Only occasionally did Elizabeth get frustrated with her mother, such as when she reverted back to her all-knowing, demanding ways. And at those times it was easy to wish her a good day and send her back to her own cottage. Everything considered, it was pleasant situation for everyone.
Once she had assured herself that her mother was seated comfortably, Elizabeth asked, "Mama, how are you feeling this morning? You seem a bit tired. Did we overtax you with wedding preparations?"
Mrs. Bennet smiled graciously. "Goodness no, dear. I loved every bit of it. You know how much I enjoy planning a party."
"That is good. It would not do to have you fall asleep during the ceremony," Elizabeth teased.
Chuckling, Mrs. Bennet responded, "You well know that I can stay awake, missy. I will not miss seeing my Anna Beth married, no matter how tired I
may be."
"Well, inform me at once if you need to remove to your room. I had a maid prepare a guest room for you, so that you will not have to travel back to the cottage. Staying here will also give you the opportunity to breakfast with my sisters before they depart for their homes."
"Yes, that will be lovely, my dear. It will be nice to spend time with Mary before she returns to Meryton." She sighed.
Sensing there was something her mother wanted to say, Elizabeth took her mother's hands in her own. Patting them softly, she ventured, "Mama, what is it? You seem as though you wish to speak of something other than my sisters' travels."
Looking down at their joined hands, Mrs. Bennet answered, "Yes, that is true. I asked you to join me because I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. I know we have had a strained relationship in the past, but I have always loved you. I always have wanted only what was best for you."
Squeezing her hand, Elizabeth urged her mother to look up at her. When she did, Elizabeth noticed the tears flowing down her cheeks and reached for her handkerchief to wipe them away. "I love you too, mama. Sometimes we may disagree, but my love has been always constant."
"It was just that when you were a baby, I made all these plans for you and your sisters, and when you set off on your own course I did not know how to deal with it. I could not relate to your desire to spend all day out of doors or reading those books of yours. I should have handled things much better, but I was afraid you would frighten away all the eligible men. I should have known that a worthy man would see what a special woman you are.
"I have watched you with your children, and to see the love and support you provide for them warms my heart. Anna Beth needed reassurance this morning, and you knew exactly what to say. The relationship you have with your children is enviable to any parent who has had the pleasure of observing you. The connection is unbreakable. If your father were still alive, he would be just as proud of you as am I."
Elizabeth's vision suddenly became blurry as she gazed upon her mother. Never before had she realized how much she desired her mother's good opinion until it was given so ardently just now. She had always accepted as fact that she was her mother's least favorite daughter. To hear those words left Elizabeth in such a state of happiness that all she could do was lean forward and embrace her mother as tightly as she dared without hurting her.
Swallowing hard, Elizabeth kissed her mother's cheek, and then sat back to face her fully. "I have longed to hear you speak so. I have known you cared for me, but to hear you speak the words—I am blessed—fortunate to have you as my mother. Thank you."
"I'm sorry it has taken me this long to express in words the love that always has been in my heart."
"We shall think of the past only as it gives us pleasure. No more regrets."
Then looking about the room she glimpsed her sisters fussing over Anna Beth. Turning back to her mother, Elizabeth gleamed, "Let us rescue my daughter and head to the church."
Rising to her feet, she addressed the room, "Ladies, it is time to depart. We have a young woman to marry off!"
Turning back to assist her mother in rising from her seat, she guided her by the elbow as they followed the jubilant assembly of women out of the room.