Chapter 28: The Wedding
The morning of the fifteenth of September dawned bright and clear, the sun was rising and it looked to be another beautiful day.
Elizabeth lay in her bed, just thinking about the day to come, it was her wedding day – she was going to become Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, become Will's wife. She and the female members of the family, and friends had travelled to Pemberley early the day before, as the distance to Pemberley was quite a stretch.
She was in one of the many guests rooms at Pemberley, all the males of the family had been staying in the dowager cottage since the night before. All her things had been moved into the Mistress suite on the floor above her, including her stack of letters from Will, and her other small knick-knacks and familiar things, which had dominated her room at Matlock Lake House.
The night before had been quite a party; or well a very lively dinner with her whole family and the closest friends of the family, which had lasted until the early hours of the morning.
Jane, Mary, Catherine, Lydia, Mary-Rose, Rachel, Anne and Elizabeth had gathered up stairs after dinner and the celebration to indulge in gossip and good natured teasing of the bride, or brides to be. Anne and Elizabeth had exchanged a few words in private,
"You look lovely in that cream dress, Elizabeth. Actually I do not think I have ever seen you look this beautiful."
"Thank you, Anne. You look very well; blue does compliment you very well. Not that I should be surprised since we shared the darker colouring from Papa."
"You know, I never wanted to stay at Rosings, not in the long run. I intend to speak with the lawyers and Uncle, and hand Rosings over to Richard next year. He should not be sent back to France, especially now with all those rumours going around."
Elizabeth smiled gratefully at her biologically elder sister, and said,
"That sounds like a truly kind and good idea. You are sure you do not want Rosings?"
"No, what do I know of estate management? Besides I like London, and it will let me see Aunt and Uncle Fitzwilliam once in a while and you when you are in town." The two sisters smiled, before Elizabeth said,
"Well shall we join them?"
"Yes, we should. After you," Anne said, and held the door.
"No, no I insist you first." Elizabeth had seen the teasing shine in her sister's eyes.
"Together?" Anne asked, she was well aware that Elizabeth was in a truly teasing mood, and rightly so as Elizabeth darted out a second before her. "I will get you for that, Elizabeth!" she laughingly called after her sister.
After a small breakfast, a bath and as she was about to be dressed in her lovely white wedding gown when her room was invaded by her sisters, the Bennet girls, Mrs. Bennet, her mother, Mrs. Gardiner and Jane followed by her maid who was carrying her wedding dress.
Her mother said, "We thought we should prepare the brides together, so here we are."
Elizabeth merely smiled happily at the people who meant the world to her, "I am so glad that we are all together for this day. Mama, did Richard leave last night or did he manage to get some sleep before he left for dowager cottage?"
"He left last night with William, Maxwell, Daniel, Jonathan and Charles for the dowager cottage, it seem like your brother wanted to celebrate with your brother, brothers-in-law, Charles and William." The Countess replied.
Jane and she were helped into their wedding dresses. Elizabeth's was a dream of a dress; floor length obviously, it had small puffed sleeves and the high empire waist which was in fashion. The bodice was decorated with embroidery and small crystals which made the dress sparkle and spread on the skirt were several small clusters of embroidered flowers and to finish off the dress, it had a small train. The Countess then brought forth a large blue box and said, "This is the Fitzwilliam tiara, and it is always worn by Brides, and now it is your turn."
Elizabeth was speechless and just lowered her head towards her mother so she could place the tiara on her hair. The Countess put it on her daughter's head, and said,
"Now you are ready to begin your new life as a wife. There is just one more thing, your father gave me a letter to give to you, and it is from your Papa." Elizabeth took the letter and opened it,
Rosings Park, 1803
My dearest daughter,
Today is your wedding day! What a wonderful day for you and your intended! I am sure you are exceedingly happy; my brother Patrick would not let you marry without love.
I am sure it will be a wonderfully beautiful day! Since you are a Fitzwilliam by all intents and purposes; you are likely already wearing the Fitzwilliam tiara for your wedding and a very beautiful dress, to make your intended speechless and breathless when he sees you in the church today. Will you marry from Matlock Lake House Chapel or maybe even Pemberley Chapel?
Today I am a very proud father! I will watch your wedding from where ever I am, - I have only one regret; that I will not walk you down the aisle and give you away to a worthy man, my personal guess; young William Darcy.
I wonder if you will have a lengthy wedding trip or if you and your husband will have your honeymoon at Pemberley? Whatever will happen will happen; and I am sure you will be happy and in love with your partner of your future life.
Your loving father
Lewis De Bourgh
Elizabeth smiled at her family, and discreetly wiped off a tear from her eye. "It was a letter from Papa, he wished me happy on my wedding day."
Soon after the ladies walked down waiting for the two brides, Jane and Elizabeth were left alone. "Are you ready to get married to Mr. Bingley, Jane?"
Jane smiled angelically, "Yes, I am indeed. Lizzie, are you ready?"
"I have been more than ready for a long time." She replied.
Jane was dressed in a lovely white gown with flowers in her hair and a lovely veil covering her corn-golden hair. The dress had blue trimmings, and showed off her lovely blue eyes, her golden hair, her fine figure and brilliant smile.
Elizabeth then said, "Well shall we go to our grooms?"
"Yes, indeed dear Lizzie." Jane replied and giggled lightly.
They walked down and joined several ladies, and soon after they were all on their way to Pemberley chapel.
At Pemberley Dowager Cottage –
William and Charles Bingley were both trying to control their nerves, though Charles was trying to ruin his hat. Richard was sitting in a chair, and was laughing at the two men. William turned to Charles and said,
"Your hat." Charles looked at him like he had two heads.
"You are ruining your hat, now hand it over." William said.
Charles did hand over the hat, and William handed the hat to Richard and took up pacing from one end of the room to the other. Waiting for the carriages from the manor, they should arrive within an hour so he could finally be united with Beth in marriage.
"William, will you sit down instead of ruining your rug." Richard said firmly, and put his arm around his cousin and forced him into a chair and thereafter forced Mr. Bingley into a chair next to his cousin. They were amusing, but with those nerves, William would flee and Bingley would ruin his wedding outfit if they were not stopped.
An hour later, a footman entered the room, and said, "Carriages with the Fitzwilliam crest has been spotted coming from the manor towards the chapel."
Richard said, "Good, thank you, Walters. Give the signal to prepare the two open carriages to take these two to the chapel."
"Yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam."
Soon after the whole wedding party was assembled at the chapel, William and Mr. Bingley were waiting at the altar for their brides to appear.
In the attaché room, just off the church proper, Lord Matlock and Mr. Bennet were waiting with their two daughters.
"Are you ready for this step, Elizabeth?"
"Yes, Father, I am. William and I have been in love for so long it seems…and now I'm to become his wife, it seems so surreal." Elizabeth replied with a smile towards her father.
Jane and Elizabeth had together decided on bridesmaids; Anne, Mary, Kitty and Lydia – their sisters, to show their siblings just how much they cared, and how honoured they were by their side on this important day.
Anne came over and lightly touched her sister's shoulder and said, "They are ready for us, Elizabeth."
"Well, let us not keep them waiting. Lead the way, Anne."
Anne nudged the rest of the girls, and began the walk into the church. Elizabeth turned to Jane and asked,
"Any last words before we do this?"
"None, besides congratulations! We both made it to this day!" Jane replied happily, with a smile which lit her face with happiness even more than usual.
Elizabeth laughed gaily and embraced Jane and then the two girls walked with their fathers into the church.
William turned to look as Beth walked towards him, he almost began to walk towards her, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him, and he looked to see Richard there, who simply rolled his eyes.
Finally Lord Matlock handed Elizabeth over to William with the words, "Take care of her, William." William nodded.
The ceremony started, "Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman and this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.
The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.
It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honoured among all people.
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.
Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.
Into this holy union Bride and Groom now come to be joined.
I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God that if both of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, you do now confess it or forever hold your peace."
The chapel was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, William met Beth's stunning eyes and they shared a delighted smile.
Soon after William placed the golden ring on her finger, which made it official that she was finally Mrs. Darcy legally and affectionately. They may have shared their wedding with Charles Bingley and Jane, but at that moment, all they saw was each other.
Both couples went up to the registry, where William stole the first kiss between him and his wife before she even signed her new name. Elizabeth blushed when their kiss ended, and smiled at her husband... husband, he was her husband now! What an extraordinary thought!
Elizabeth finally signed the registry; Elizabeth Darcy nee Fitzwilliam.
The whole wedding party returned to Pemberley where a feast waited for them, the brides circulated a bit, but mostly stayed by their new husband's side.
Jane and Elizabeth spoke as they stood close, "So where are you and Mr. Bingley off to, your wedding tour I mean?" Elizabeth asked.
"We are going to Bath, Charles has rented a house on the Royal Crescent for a week before we travel to the coast to Lyme Regis."
"Oh that sounds wonderful, Jane! I am sure you will enjoy it!"
"What of you and Mr. Darcy?" Jane questioned.
"We are to remain here, we both wished it. Just the two of us, Georgiana is going with my parents back to Matlock and will return home in two weeks, so Will and I can have some time for ourselves." Elizabeth blushed at her statement but smiled.
"That sounds wonderful, Lizzie! I am sure you will now have your happily ever after, just as you deserve." Jane said and squeezed her friend's hand.
"And you and Mr. Bingley will be the sweetest and kindest couple, so kind that you will be cheated by your servants and exceed your income," laughter was clear to see in both their eyes as they knew that Mr. Bennet had expressed much the same viewpoint the evening before.
Mr. Bingley and William also talked, "So you got your girl, Darcy."
William could not help but smile, "Yes, but so did you, Bingley. Congratulations!"
"You too, old friend. So you and your lovely wife will be staying here at Pemberley?"
"Yes, Beth and I are staying here. We both just want to have our peace and get some time together. What of you and Mrs. Bingley?"
"We are off to Bath and then Lyme Regis next week."
"Sounds amazing, my old friend. I know you will be very happy, safe travels, my friend."
Richard came over to Jane and Elizabeth, and said, "Mrs. Bingley, my congratulations on your nuptials!"
"Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam, you are very kind!"
Richard smiled, and said to his sister, "Well, Sis, you are now married to Will, happy?"
"I could not even describe my happiness, Rich!"
Richard smiled and embraced his sister. "I could not have been happier for you, Sis – though I am happy that I got William as my brother-in-law."
Elizabeth fondly rolled her eyes at her brother. Her husband and Rich had always acted more like brothers than cousins, as long as she could remember.
The whole day went with talking, dancing and congratulations from friends and family. But finally William and Elizabeth could wave off the last of the guests, including their family and Georgiana who went back to Matlock.
"What a day..." Elizabeth said with smile playing over her lips.
"Indeed, what a day it has been, the best day of my life, I believe." Will replied and put his arm around his wife as they went upstairs.
"I believe the best day was... no, you are right, today is the best day in my life." Beth said as they walked upstairs.
"I love you, Beth."
"And I love you, so much, Will."
That evening, Will did keep his promise he had made to her long ago at Netherfield Park, that they would fall asleep in each other's arms every night.
Elizabeth had been saved by love; not only romantic love, but the love of her family, the love of friends and of course, by the love from the man she called her husband.
Not the end, but the beginning of their happy life together…
