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"I sent him a written instruction yesterday that if he mentions me one more time I shall refuse to listen." Lady Catherine looked satisfied. "He's been very quiet since then."

Elizabeth began to laugh. "I hadn't expected so many improvements in one visit."

"I expected you to approve." Lady Catherine drew a second folder from beneath the notebook. "I have made a beginning upon your wedding. If the narrative insists upon a family quarrel, it shall have to conduct one among the flowers."

"You may offer suggestions. Darcy and I will choose the arrangements."

"Excellent! I shall begin immediately!" Lady Catherine stood. "I shall write to Fitzwilliam. If there is anything I can hasten in London, he ought to let me know. You have both spent quite enough time waiting."

She reached the door, then turned. "Rosings chapel is available. I shall host the wedding if you wish it."

"Thank you. I should prefer my family about me at Longbourn, but we must discuss what is practical."

Lady Catherine visibly swallowed an objection. The effort appeared to require more strength than her entire speaking strike.

"Then discuss it," she said. "I can be generous in Hertfordshire if necessary."

Charlotte rose to see her out. Elizabeth followed. Her ladyship had conceded Longbourn and was still coming to the wedding. Elizabeth would try to remember both when the folder was opened.

At the step a gust threatened her hat. Elizabeth caught the trailing ribbon and held it while Lady Catherine secured the pin.

"A most undignified atmosphere," her ladyship pronounced.

"We have complained repeatedly."

"Clearly not to sufficient effect."

She departed with her ribbon secured and her opinions in excellent order.

Inside, Charlotte removed the folder of proposals, which her ladyship had left on the best chair. "An ally," she said. "One who will require firm upholstery."

Elizabeth laughed, then looked at the pages. They were covered with labor. Some of it was unwanted, much of it extravagant, but Lady Catherine had sat alone and tried to imagine a different contribution to their lives. Elizabeth would write her thanks before she declined the swans.

"Swans?" Charlotte asked when she explained.

"Apparently the wedding breakfast lacks grandeur."

"It will also lack swans. Put that in writing."

Elizabeth did.

CHAPTER 23

Elizabeth returned to Longbourn a week after the good news, having spent two days on the road with Charlotte. Her friend had arranged a visit while Mr. Collins remained in Kent. Jane met them in the hall and held Elizabeth tightly before saying anything at all.

Their father had come home from London before the ceremony, leaving the last arrangements to Mr. Gardiner and Darcy. Elizabeth found him in his library with a letter in his hand, laughing and wiping his eyes in a manner which suggested that relief had considerably improved his appreciation of absurdity.

"Papa?"

"Oh, Lizzy!" He waved a letter at her. "You must read Darcy's account of Wickham's awakening! It's the most absurd thing I've ever—" He dissolved into laughter again.

Elizabeth watched him with concern. He had not put the letter down even to find his handkerchief. She fetched the handkerchief from the desk before taking the pages.

She read:

Mr. Bennet,

I regret to inform you that I have accidentally sparked Wickham's awareness. It went very poorly.