Chapter 26
On Sunday evening, Fanny gave Jane the pre-wedding talk. Jane had the example of her parent's felicitous marriage and even before her mother stressed that the marital bed was not a duty, but rather could and should be a pleasure, Jane had started to form an opinion based on not only her parent's marriage but the example of their closest friends as well.
Being deeply in love with Andrew she was confident he would be solicitous to her needs before her mother's talk, but even more so after. The last vestiges of nervousness Jane had felt were banished by what her mother imparted to her.
Andrew and Jane had managed some stolen kisses and by the way her body had reacted to him, Jane was sure she wanted much more—both kisses and other yet things not yet experienced with Andrew. She knew she could not get enough of him and was well aware that there were passions just below the surface that would be released on the wedding night.
After her mother departed, Lizzy—who would stand up with her—joined Jane in her bedchamber. "I will miss you Janey, but I could not ask for a better older brother than Andrew. You two fit together like a hand in a glove," Elizabeth stated as the two lay on the bed next to one another.
"You, my sisters, and brother will be missed," Jane responded wistfully. "But it is the way of things is it not? As women, if and when we marry, we cleave unto our husbands and go whither he goes. The truth is Lizzy, even though I will miss all of you and Mama and Papa, I am excited to begin my life with Andrew."
"How did you know you were in love with him?" Elizabeth asked shyly.
"Is your question related to your feelings for a certain tall cousin of Andrew's?" Jane prodded.
"Possibly." Elizabeth blushed deeply.
"Elizabeth Pricilla Francine Bennet! Do not try and obfuscate with me. Neither I nor any of the rest of us are blind, I have seen the way the two of you look at one another. Is that why you are asking how I knew I was in love?" Jane asked gently.
"It is," was the simple reply Elizabeth gave without lifting her eyes to look at her sister.
"There were two things for me," Jane revealed. "Whenever Andrew was not with me, I would be thinking of him, willing him to come back to me. The second—to me even more indicative of love—was that there was no version of my future I could envisage where Andrew was not a part."
"If that is the case, then I am in love with William," Elizabeth admitted both to herself and Jane. "I was worried he thought me to high for him as he seemed to pull back after I learned of my parentage. There was a time I thought he would not ask me to dance at the ball, but whatever was holding him back seems to not be an issue any longer."
"Andrew has told me that William is not one to leap and then look. Surely you have seen in your debates with him how completive he is?" Jane asked.
"It is true, he does like to cogitate fully before making a decision. I am glad that whatever held him back now seems to be in the past. I would give up my title, my wealth, everything if any of them were impediments to my being with William one day," Elizabeth told her older sister.
"That will not be needed Lizzy, but your statement only proves the depth of your feelings and love for William. He is a very lucky man to have won your heart sister dearest." Jane squeezed Elizabeth's hand.
"Are you nervous for—well you know—the wedding night?" Elizabeth asked as she embarrassed herself.
"That is not the question I would expect from a younger sister not yet out," Jane teased.
"We do live on a working farm, and you know I love to read," Elizabeth explained as she blushed from the roots of her hair to her toes.
"No Lizzy, I am not nervous, if anything, I am in anticipation," Jane shared.
"First you, then in March—the day after my birthday—a double wedding for Cassie and Richard and Anne and Jamey. The number of us not married is dwindling," Elizabeth stated.
"And you, Lizzy, will have one year to prepare for your coming out. The Ton will be in a frenzy. It is not every day that a previously unknown Princess of England is launched into society," Jane opined.
"That is what I am dreading Jane. At least with everyone who knew and liked me before my position and fortune was known, I know liked me for myself. In society, it will be like I am a minnow swimming in shark infested waters, where many will only be interested in a connections to my royal grandparents and my wealth." Elizabeth expressed her worry.
"Never forget Lizzy, if you and William become more than friends, you have known one another for years before your true status was revealed," Jane reminded her sister.
Deep down Elizabeth would have preferred to simply be Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of a country squire. She knew she could not shirk her duty and as Jane had reminded her, if she William became more, he knew her as Lizzy and as not 'Princess Elizabeth incredibly wealthy heiress.'
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On Monday morning, Andrew—who had been moved to the Red Rooster Inn for the night before his wedding so he would not see his bride—was joined by the men to break his fast before they would make the one-mile trip to the church at Longbourn.
Andrew had not gotten much sleep with the anticipation, but at least he had not been alone at the inn. Richard—who was standing up for him—William, and Jamey had slept at the inn as well.
The day was cold, a typical winter day in Hertfordshire. Thankfully it was mostly clear and there was no snow on the ground. After the wedding breakfast to be held at Netherfield Park, the newlyweds would make their way to Hilldale House, on London's Portman Square, where they would overnight. On the morrow they would depart to Uncle Robert's Seaview Cottage near Brighton where they would remain for a month complete.
It would be the first Christmas that either would be away from his or her family, but neither had complained. They would be with the new family which would be created as soon as the rector announced them man and wife.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At Netherfield Park, Jane was in the private sitting room attached to her suite breaking her fast with her sisters, brother, and Georgiana. Jane could not manage more than some tea and toast with strawberry jam, one of her favourites.
Once they were done eating, each of her siblings stood and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek starting with Tommy. Mary hugged her eldest sister for a long time before bestowing her kiss on Jane's cheek. Kitty, Lydia, Georgiana followed which only left Elizabeth.
"Lizzy you need to return to your bedchamber to dress so you can return and assist Jane," Fanny shooed her second daughter as she entered the sitting room. "You are standing up with Jane, so you need to be here to help her."
"Yes Mama," Elizabeth gave her mother a kiss on her proffered cheek and then exited the sitting room to her bedchamber on the opposite side from Jane's. That was one more change; since she had turned ten, Elizabeth had shared a suite with Jane but would no longer after last night. Elizabeth entered her bedchamber where her maid Miss Jacqueline Arseneault, who had been with her since she turned twelve, waited for her. She affectionately called her maid Jacqui.
Once Jane had completed her bath, her maid dried her hair in front of the fire as she brushed her mistress's long blond locks. Once de Chambé had helped her into her stays and chemise, Jane asked her to call her mother and Lizzy, if she was ready, into her chambers.
It was but a minute before Fanny and Elizabeth joined Jane to help her with her gown. It was relatively simple, but then again with Jane's beauty, she did not need elaborate gowns.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At the same time Jane was being helped into her gown an enormous coach arrived at Netherfield Park bearing the Duke and Duchess of Bedford and the Marquess and Marchioness of Birchington. They were shown into the largest drawing room where they were met by Bennet, the Prince, Lord Holder, Darcy, and Gardiner. Lord Matlock had left to join his son at the inn.
"Your Royal Highness," the Duke intoned as he and his son gave deep bows and their wives deep curtsies.
"Come now Bedford, no reason to stand on ceremony, we are cousins after all. How are you Cousin Rose?" the Prince asked.
"I am well thank you, Cousin Frederick," the Duchess returned.
"You have met all of the gentlemen here except for Mr. Bennet, the master of this estate," the Prince surmised. The Duke of Bedford confirmed it was so.
"This is Thomas Bennet who I am sure by now you know from Marie is the adoptive father of my daughter, Princess Elizabeth. Bennet, Lord Sedgwick and Lady Rosamund Rhys-Davies, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, and their son, Lord Sedgwick Junior, Marquess of Birchington. You met the Marchioness the other day." The Prince performed the needed introductions.
"Will we meet our cousin Elizabeth?" Lady Rose asked.
"You will your Grace, however she is assisting her sister into her wedding gown I believe," Bennet stated.
"As your adoptive daughter is our cousin, please call me Bedford, my son Birchington, and I am sure my wife would want you to call her Lady Rose," the Duke allowed. "No need to 'your Grace' us."
"Now Cousin, who is this Uncle Freddy Marie was telling us about?" Lady Rose asked with a smile.
"I will explain, but I want to apologise to Lady Marie for releasing my anger I hold for her parents at her at the coming out ball. Believe me when I tell you I understand better than most living with the dictates of parents," the Prince granted.
"Your anger was justified your Highness," Lady Marie replied. "It also helped open both my and Wes' eyes to the cruelty my parents visited on our late sister. To keep peace with our parents, we tried to ignore their actions and carry on as normal for too long, but those days are past."
"It is a pity it came to this point, but my Priscilla left clear instructions and as her parents never attempted to reach out to her, there was nothing to be done," The Prince clarified.
Just then Fanny entered the drawing room with Jane and Elizabeth. The Duke and Duchess who had known Priscilla before she married instantly knew who her daughter was even before she approached Marie and hugged her aunt.
Introductions were made and Jane and the Bennets were congratulated on Jane's nuptials upcoming. It was decided that there would be time at the wedding breakfast to talk to Elizabeth as the hour to depart for the church at Longbourn had arrived.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Charlotte Lucas was not devoid of intelligence and for a while now had suspected 'Uncle Freddy' was much more than the late Lady Priscilla's ex-husband. Seeing the array of peers of the realm seated in the church was one thing, but then four people entered just before the scheduled start of the wedding rites and Charlotte did not miss the greetings. From what she heard, they were the Duke and Duchess of Bedford and the Marquess and Marchioness of Birchington.
Charlotte's parents used to be the only titled persons in the area before Lady Priscilla took up residence at Netherfield—even though her father was a lowly knight. Then the neighbourhood found out her former husband was none other than a Prince, second in line to the throne. It was about ten or eleven years ago the Bennets seemed to become close connections of a number of peers and an extremely wealthy and well-established family from Derbyshire.
The protective cocoon around her friend Eliza had not been missed by Charlotte although she had never verbalised her thoughts. Given what she was seeing at Jane's wedding, Charlotte decided it was time to have a conversation with her friend.
Before Charlotte could have more musings on the subject, Mrs. Bennet and her family, not involved in the wedding party, took their seats. Charlotte saw the handsome Viscount take his position to the right of the altar with Mr. Fitzwilliam behind him. Mr Dudley and his curate, Mr. Collins, assumed their positions. Charlotte smiled shyly to herself as she felt a feeling of pleasure suffice her body as she watched Mr. Collins.
Just then the one vestibule door opened, and Elizabeth glided up the aisle to take her position opposite Richard. William Darcy had never seen her look better. Her maid had done wonders with her sometimes unruly tresses and her light-burgundy velvet gown accentuated all of her bountiful womanly assets.
Once Elizabeth took her position, Mr. Dudley indicated the congregants should stand and this time both vestibule doors opened, and Jane entered the church on her father's arm. She was glowing with happiness as her eyes sought and found her groom's as he stood beaming at her.
Bennet stopped and lifted Jane's delicate gossamer veil. "I could not have parted with you to one less worthy my Jane, you will be a very happy woman," Bennet told his daughter softly and then kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you Papa, and yes I will be," Jane averred and kissed her father on his cheek before he returned the veil to its correct place. Andrew was standing ready. Bennet placed his eldest daughter's hand on her groom's arm and the two turned as one and took their place in front of the parson.
Before they knew it, the two had recited their vows and the rector intoned the final benediction of the wedding ceremony. "God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."
Save signing the register in the vestry, it was done. The congregation stood as one as Mr. Collins led the couple and their two attendants to the vestry where the register was open to the relevant page. Jane signed Bennet for the final time, followed by her husband and then the two witnesses. Once the register was signed by all, Elizabeth, Richard, and Mr. Collins withdrew and closed the door.
Andrew pulled his wife to him who went most willingly to him, and captured her lips. This was not a chaste kiss as the previous ones had been during their betrothal. It was a toe-curling kiss that had the promise of much passion yet to come which caused Jane's heart to speed up beyond anything she had ever experienced.
After a number of deep kisses that left both husband and wife gasping for breath, they separated knowing their family was waiting for them just beyond the door. They neither realised Andrews hands had dislodged some of the pins on Jane's hair until they spied a few on the floor. Andrew assisted his wife to replace them and once they had put things to right—as best they could—the couple exited the vestry to welcoming cheers and wishes for their happiness from the waiting extended family.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
"Andrew and Jane Fitzwilliam, Viscount and Viscountess Hilldale," Nichols announced proudly as the newlywed Fitzwilliams entered the ballroom at Netherfield Park where the sumptuous wedding breakfast planned by Fanny, Elaine, and Edith waited on groaning tables with the amount of repast available.
For the next hour the couple made their rounds of the room greeting and thanking one and all for their attendance and good wishes. When they reached the tables where the family was seated, Jane was introduced to the three Rhys-Davies she had not yet met.
Both of Elizabeth's newly met aunt and uncle looked on with happiness knowing their decision to go their own way and not follow their parent's ruinous edicts any longer had brought them into the bosom of a large and loving family.
"Eliza, will you join me on the balcony please," Charlotte requested.
"Was there something particular you wanted to show me, Charlotte?" Elizabeth asked once they gained the chosen balcony. It was cold, but after being the hot ballroom neither repined some cold fresh air.
"Eliza, for long I have suspected there was a secret about you. Seeing the number of peers, the way you are guarded and protected, and the way the Price looks at you with fatherly pride, my suspicions have risen to the point I must ask you what is the secret about you? If you choose not to tell me I will understand, but you know me well enough to be assured of my discretion." Charlotte waited and looked at her friend as she saw a number of emotions play across her face.
"You know I would not keep this from you my friend," Elizabeth opened. "It started the day I was born…" Elizabeth told Charlotte an abbreviated version of events up until she was informed of her heritage some days before.
Now it was Charlotte's turn to be silent as she stared at her friend in wonder. "My goodness, Eliza you are a royal—a Princess!" The two looked around after Charlotte's exclamation and fortunately there were none close enough to them to hear.
"I am still Elizabeth—or in your case, Eliza—so please do not treat me any differently. My birthfather will return to London on the morrow and speak to his parents. Once they decide how they want to proceed—even if they want to acknowledge me—then I will know more about the way forward," Elizabeth explained.
"It goes without saying I will not mention what I now know to another living soul until your rank and parentage become public knowledge," Charlotte assured her friend.
"Your integrity and confidence were never in doubt," Elizabeth stated meaningfully. "Now let us return to the heat of the ballroom." The two friends linked arms and made their way back to Elizabeth's family.
After Jane and Andrew enjoyed a little repast and some lemonade, they continued to mingle with the guests for another hour. Jane gave Elizabeth a nod and the two made their way to Jane's former bedchamber.
"Jane I have never seen you glow with happiness as you do now. Thank you for giving us such an honourable and fine brother," Elizabeth hugged her sister after she had changed into her travel attire.
"Oh Lizzy, why cannot everyone be so happy as I am on this day?" Jane gushed.
"When each of us find a man—or in Tommy's case, a lady—so well matched to us, I am sure we will know the unbridled joy you are experiencing today, Janey," Elizabeth opined.
"You mean like a certain tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed man of our acquaintance," Jane teased.
"Much can happen before I come out in more than a year. You know I hope it will be William, but we none of us can know the future," Elizabeth stated evenly.
"It is time Lizzy," Jane informed her sister as her maid took her wedding gown and last valise down to be loaded into the coach. After one last look around her childhood suite, Jane and Elizabeth joined Andrew and the rest of the family under the portico in front of the manor house.
There were many hugs and kisses for Jane, and not a few backslaps for Andrew interspersed with a few bear-hugs. Once all the farewells were complete, the newlyweds boarded the large comfortable Hilldale chaise and six.
Andrew knocked his cane on the ceiling of the cabin and the driver gave a flick of the reins, which put the team in motion. The family remained waving until the carriage reached a turn in the drive and it disappeared from view.
Elizabeth informed her parents and birthfather she had disclosed the truth to Charlotte. All agreed it was the right thing to do and none were surprised she had suspected part of the truth on her own given the lady's intelligence.