The Same Noble Line: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Darcy and Elizabeth Happily Ever Afters) by Melanie Rachel

Author:Melanie Rachel [Rachel, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe, Lose Inheritance
Goodreads: 221207559
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-02-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Elizabeth walked beside Jane—behind her parents and in front of her younger sisters—just as she had each Sunday for as long as she could remember. She took solace in the routine, all her family strolling together to hear the service and Mr. Brown’s short, pithy sermons. But today, she took a few extra breaths and steeled herself for the change that was coming.

Today, Jane’s betrothed would be joining them in the Bennet pew.

Change did not frighten Elizabeth. She hoped she was braver than to mourn the loss of her eldest sister to a man who loved her so well as Mr. Bingley. But Jane’s impending departure still made her melancholy, and it was a struggle, at times, to conceal it.

As they came around a bend in the path, the entire Netherfield party came into view, standing on the other side of the little church-gate. Even Miss Darcy and her companion were there, so Elizabeth thought they must not have been waiting long.

“Good morning to you all,” Mr. Bingley said cheerfully, and offered Jane his arm.

Just like that, Jane was swept away, and Elizabeth was left alone.

But to her surprise, not for long. Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy stepped into the place where Jane had been. Mr. Darcy’s posture was as straight and composed as ever, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable. He seemed entirely indifferent to the jovial mood around him, but as they walked on, Elizabeth noted how he occasionally glanced toward Jane and Mr. Bingley, a faint softness flickering across his features. Was it approval she detected? A glimmer of satisfaction? She was not sure, but the idea that he might now approve what he had seemed to scorn when he first arrived last autumn was strangely satisfying.

Miss Darcy stepped around her brother. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. Are you well?”

“I am, Miss Darcy. And you?”

Miss Darcy smiled and nodded. “This is very exciting for me. I have never heard the banns called for someone I know so well as Mr. Bingley.”

As they entered the small chapel, the party filed inside, filling an entire pew. The tiny building, with its simple wooden beams and plain windows, had never seemed so full. Longbourn’s villagers craned their necks to catch glimpses of the Netherfield gentlemen, whispering amongst themselves, and Elizabeth fought the urge to smile at their fascination. Jane was well loved by them all, so it was Mr. Bingley who was under review, little though he appeared to notice. His attentions were all for his Jane.

The service began with the usual prayers and hymns, the familiar cadence of Mr. Brown’s voice lulling the congregation into a comfortable rhythm. But eventually, they reached the moment that Elizabeth had anticipated, and perhaps—just a little—dreaded.

Mr. Brown began to speak.

“I publish the banns of marriage between Charles Michael Bingley of St. Mary’s Parish, Scarborough, and Jane Eleanor Bennet of Longbourn Parish. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it.

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