A Wedding Breakfast

As two open barouches were driven away from the church at Meryton a large number of guests lined the walk from the church door to the carriages. The guests were applauding; some threw confetti or flowers. Mr. Charles Bingley had married Miss Jane Bennet and Mr. William Darcy had married Elizabeth Bennet. They would drive less than four miles to the wedding breakfast. The barouches would immediately return to the church to pick up guest. Every conveyance in Meryton was pressed into service for the event.

The sisters had stood in their father's study and said they wanted a simple double wedding with friends and family. Mr. Bennet questioned their decision. Both men had estates and business interest. He wondered if a simple country wedding would pay the gentlemen due respect. He was willing to spend he said. No they pleaded, the gentlemen had agreed. My dears he had explained, a successful farmer will raise a family on thirty pounds a year. Jane's husband would have an income one hundred and seventy times that amount and Elizabeth's three hundred and forty times. They were wealthy by any standard. He felt a simple country wedding with friends and family would not be proper. They were his two favorite daughters, he reluctantly agreed. After his daughter left he sat in his library chuckling. He would enjoy watching the folly of this plan. The Bennet family was an old established family at Longbourn and the Bennet sisters were marrying men of fortune and connections. Jane and Elizabeth both had a very small dowry and no connection to the ton or titles. Yet both had managed handsomely.

There were guest from London, Lady Fitzwilliam and her son Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, Aunt and cousin to William Darcy; Georgiana Darcy sister to Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Reynolds, housekeeper at Pemberley. Mr. Darcy had invited his housekeeper who had known him since he was four. Mr. Bingley guest included Mr. Hurst and his wife Mrs. Louisa Hurst and Miss Caroline Bingley, both were his sister. The principle guest of Jane and Elizabeth included their Mother and Father Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Sisters Catherine (Kitty) and Mary, Aunt and Uncle Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Aunt and Uncle Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their four children, Sir William Lucas, Lady Lucas and daughter Maria Lucas and two brothers, Mr. and Mrs. Long and children. And of course the rest of the Meryton residences it seemed were invited from the Doctor to the blacksmith. The guest list had quickly grown like weeds in a fertile field. Mr. Darcy had made arrangement for Lady Fitzwilliam, Georgina and Colonel Fitzwilliam to stay at Lucas Lodge. It was a very common practice. They were not acquainted prior to arrival in the neighborhood but the invitation was extended because of titles. Longbourn, Lucas Lodge and Netherfield Park were full.

The Wedding Breakfast had to be held at Netherfield Park because of the size of the wedding party. Normally the breakfast would have been held at Longbourn, home of the two brides but the manor house would not accommodate fifty or so guests at table. Three days prior to the event Netherfield Park was not livable while it was undergoing preparation. The doors of the ballroom, dining room and hall were all removed to create a large room. Tables made of doors; planks and saw horses were set up and covered. Chairs, serving dishes, claret jugs, pots, pans, silverware, glasses, table coverings and china were borrowed from neighbors. The servants from several houses were combined to cook and wait the breakfast. Mrs. Caroline Bingley was charged by her brother to make sure all that was borrowed would be returned to the owners. She would also have to get the house back to normal for her brother and his new wife. Darcy saw she was not happy about the chore but she seemed to accept the duty with a measured amount of grace.

It was decided over tea, a few days before the wedding, by three members of the wedding party Charles was the guilty party. He had extended extra invitations. Charles was of the opinion he would get married once. He confessed he had invited an extra guest on more than one occasions. Mr. Bennet said it was no matter, he was confident the guest list was now fixed. Before the wedding Charles would have to travel far to find someone not invited. At this point Jane came to the aide of her future husband saying one invitation extended often required a second for a relative. Mr. Bennet said he would be sure to take a basket of bones to the breakfast for any stray dogs Charles may have invited.

This was all done in friendly good humor with smiles and laughter. Charles took the banter in good spirts making little effort to mount a defense. He smiled and laughed, said there was plenty of wine and food for the guest. Mr. Darcy smiled at the comments; glanced at Elizabeth and Georgina who were sitting together. Elizabeth said teas at Longbourn were always like this. Father was always fair and even handed in his teasing. However, she thought she had received a measure more than the rest. Mr. Bennet said he would have none of that. He had been outnumbered by women at Longbourn for many years. He might get the odds to even but would never have the advantage of numbers. Mr. Darcy could see where Elizabeth got her quick wit. He was becoming a little more at ease in the company. Lady Fitzwilliam remarked it was very difficult to plan a wedding; most families didn't have experience and got one maybe two tries. The Bennet's would get four tries at mastering the event. Mr. Bennet said by the time the fourth came around and she attended he hoped she would have a chair to sit on at Lucas Lodge for breakfast. Mr. Bennet remarked that all of Meryton was taking their meals standing for three days in honor of his daughter's wedding.

Darcy was taking Lady Fitzwilliam to Lucas Lodge after the tea when she remarked she liked the Bennet family. He said he was disappointed in Mrs. Bennet's manners but was learning to accept his new relations. Lady Fitzwilliam laughed and explained to her nephew that her manners could be dismissed. She was a woman with four unmarried daughter, a small estate with limited income, entailed away on her husband's death. Sunday a great weight will be lifted from her shoulders and sadness would arrive with the absence of her two daughter's departure.

"William, my dear you will never have to carry that burden and are many years away from feeling that sadness." She had said.

Both couples had a few minutes after changing before all the guests would arrive. Darcy had excused his valet, Taylor and knocked on his bride's door. He heard her say enter. He opened the door and entered. Elizabeth stood by a mirror with her maid, Mildred who was finishing her hair. Elizabeth dismissed Mildred. Darcy had brought Mildred up from London earlier in the week and introduced her. She was in her mid-thirties. She could change maids if she didn't approve. He explained she had been a lady's maid for several years until her mistress died in childbirth. She was happy but showed a concerned look. He apologized for taking on too much. She explained Hill had always been her and Jane's make do ladies maid. She didn't want to shove her aside before their big day. She asked if Mildred could take over after the wedding. He had smiled and agreed.

He walked across the room and took Elizabeth in his arms. They looked at each other and kissed. She leaned against his chest and said; "William Darcy, husband."

"Elizabeth Darcy, wife." he replied.

"Is it time to go down and entertain our guests?" she asked.

"Taylor will knock when all the guests have arrived. We can have a few more minutes." he said.

"We have a lifetime." she said.

"Is that all, it won't be enough." he replied.

A light knock on the door and they knew it was time to go down. They walked to the head of the stairs where Charles and Jane waited. Darcy felt Elizabeth and he should go down first because it was Charles house. There were cheers and applause as they came down the steps. Elizabeth wore a splendid silk lavender gown. Both were smiling. A toast was proposed by Col. Fitzwilliam. A maid served them wine and the room drank the toast. Charles and Jane descended the stairs and again there were cheers and applause. This time Darcy proposed a toast and the room drank to the newlyweds. Both couples started greeting guest and making introductions where needed. They were very busy with so many guests to greet. Elizabeth caught a glimpse of Charles and Jane moving thru the assembly. After forty five minutes everyone sat down to breakfast. The meal could have served as breakfast, diner or supper with eggs, bacon, ham, roast beef, chicken, pork, vegetables, cakes, pastries and puddings.

The couples were seated at a head table and got a chance to talk for a few minutes. Darcy explained he was trying to leave about 3:00pm so they could be at London House by six or half past. Tomorrow they would travel to Bath. Charles said they would spend the night at Netherfield Park and travel in the morning. They were going to the coast. Darcy asked how he would get away from all the guests. Charles smiled and said there were musicians coming and the room would be cleared at four o'clock, the wine would be replenished and they would have a dance. He and Jane would slip upstairs and the guest could dance until dawn. There was enough food and wine for everyone for two day. He said he didn't care when they left, that was Caroline's problem.

Both couples were up again after some food moving along the tables making sure they talked to everyone. Elizabeth got a chance to speak to Mrs. Reynolds for a few minutes. She asked if Mrs. Reynolds enjoyed the trip. She stated she had and was having an enjoyable time at Netherfield Park helping with the preparations. Elizabeth said she was a guest, Mr. Darcy told her she had been invited as a guest. She stated she had been a housekeeper for forty years. One could be in a different place but not a different person. She asked if Elizabeth had any instruction for Pemberley. Elizabeth stated she did not. She felt when she arrived at Pemberley she would have to ask her for instruction.

A special table had been setup for the kids and maids were serving them. Darcy and Elizabeth stopped at the table to talk with the children. A few days before the wedding Elizabeth and Jane were playing hide and seek with the Gardiner's children. Darcy was requisitioned to join the game. The youngest, Martha who was five found Darcy and thought she had captured him mixing her games with capturing the flag.

"I captured Mr. Darcy." She had told Elizabeth.

Everyone laughed and one of the older kids said no, Elizabeth captured Mr. Darcy. Martha didn't understand the implication and was adamant she had captured Mr. Darcy and started crying. Darcy picked her up and consoled her explaining the differences in the games and that Roger meant Elizabeth had captured his heart and they would be married. She continued to sob. He had carried her into the house. Mrs. Gardiner took her and laid her down for a nap. It was a good story over tea and everyone had laughed about Martha capturing Mr. Darcy.

While they were talking with the kids Martha looked up and asked Mr. Darcy if Elizabeth could go home with them tomorrow. They could go to the park and play captures the flag. The whole table erupted in laughter and it startled Martha. She felt they were making fun of her and she started crying which turned into sobbing. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Darcy reached down and picked her up. She laid her head on his shoulder still sobbing. They returned to their table and Darcy sat her on his lap. He promised they would come and play captures the flag as soon as possible. After a bit she turned and hugged his neck, laid her head on his shoulder and fell asleep. Mrs. Gardiner was told of her daughter's problem and went to the head table.

"Mr. Darcy, I can take her if you like?" she said.

Elizabeth leaned over and quietly asked; "Does this mean I can't go home with Martha tomorrow and play capture the flag?"

She looked at Darcy with a disappointed look. They all laughed except Martha who was sound asleep.