Chapter 19: Return to Britain
After a harsh crossing from St. Petersburg to Copenhagen, the Fitzwilliam family spent the better part of four days visiting the sights, including many of the newly built government buildings in thecity.
"I love this city." Jane expressed one afternoon after a visit to an art museum; it was slightly windy but otherwise pleasant to walk around in the old city. Elizabeth agreed with Jane, even if her favourite place on the trip had been Italy, as it had been like a new world opening up to her.
Mary-Rose saw the dreamy look in Elizabeth's and Jane's eyes and could not help but tease,
"I think I can guess your thoughts, Jane and you, Lizzie, at this precise moment."
Jane replied softly, "I should hope not, Mary-Rose." Elizabeth just gave her sister a challenging look and raised one elegant eyebrow at her elder sister.
Mary-Rose said: "I do know, you are both thinking of two young men who have captured your hearts. Mr. Bingley in your case, Jane, and do not try and deny it as we all know he will be courting you when we return home. And you, dear sister, is thinking about William, the man of your dreams, but who also loves and adores you as much as you do him!"
Lizzie and Jane blushed as Mary-Rose was right. Mary-Rose laughed delightedly,
"Oh, I must be close to the truth for you to blush like that."
Lizzie regained her control and said, "Though what about Daniel? Are you not going to get married the moment we arrive back to Britain?"
Her elder sister blushed; she should know better than to spar with her younger sister so carelessly, as she had a sharp tongue, a clever wit and she had gained quite a bit of courage during their trip, to speak her mind.
On the fifth day, the Fitzwilliam family left Copenhagen on a ship bound for Dover – as the water of the North Sea could be on the harsher side this time of year, the Captain had warned that the trip might take a further two days than normal, bringing the amount of travel days up to six days instead of four.
England, Dover, five days after departure from Copenhagen
Elizabeth and Jane stood outside on the deck as the ship sailed the last miles into the safe harbour of Dover. Jane was radiant as she looked forward to seeing 'Charles' again, as the Fitzwilliam'shad been invited to spend a few days at Netherfield Park, though Jane and Elizabeth would stay at Longbourn. Since Elizabeth had been invited by the Bennet's to stay a few weeks and Elizabeth had politely agreed to their kind invitation.
"Welcome back to England, Elizabeth." Jane said calmly.
Elizabeth smiled and said: "Thank you, Jane. Looking forward to seeing Charles?" and saw Jane blush prettily.
Hertfordshire, Longbourn Manor
That morning Mr. Bennet said to his lady,
"My dear, from Jane's letter I gather that she and the Fitzwilliam family ought to arrive here in little less than a week."
Mrs. Bennet said,
"I know, Mr. Bennet, how can you be so tiresome? Jane did request that she and young Elizabeth share her room. I think she will fit right in with our children."
Just then their son and heir, John, came into the room and said,
"Father, I need your help with the tenants; there is a dispute between Mr. Baxter and Mr. Johnson."
Mr. Bennet sighed, as he murmured, "Not again." Then his eyes met his son's and said: "Get your hat, son, and I will be there in a moment."
John left, and Mr. Bennet said, "Now remember Mrs. Bennet, do not overwhelm Elizabeth, when she comes! She is our daughter's best friend."
"The poor dear, she will fit right in, and I am sure the twins could learn a lot from her."
Mrs. Bennet replied.
"They sure will, Mrs. Bennet."
Mr. Bennet replied and left the study to join his son.
London
When the Fitzwilliam family finally arrived in London, to their own townhouse, they were all ready to drop from the harsh crossing from Copenhagen, as none of them had gotten much sleep.
After resting for a couple of days, the countess sat down to write to Maxwell and Rachel about their arrival back in Britain, while Jane wrote to her family before she retired, while Lizzie sat at her desk and looked out into the garden, before she wrote to William;
London, Matlock House
October 15th, 1811
Dearest William,
As you can tell from my directions, I am back in England!
It has been a wonderful tour, but I will admit that I am glad to be home.
We will stay in London for some days, before we leave for Hertfordshire to visit the Bennet's and Jane will start her courtship with Mr. Bingley. As you know my sister, Mary-Rose is to be married to her fiancé Lord Daniel Blake, my brother-in-law's brother and they have decided they wanted to wed right away. I do think that Lord Daniel is a little impatient to have his wife to himself after this long time apart. They are to be married the day after tomorrow.
I miss you and Georgie terribly, and cannot wait for Christmas where we all shall be together at Matlock Lake House! If you want to reach me, you may write me at Longbourn.
Yours, Beth
What the Fitzwilliam family did not know was that Mr. Bingley had invited William and Georgie to Netherfield Park to surprise their family,especially Elizabeth, as a favour to Darcy, though in Charles Bingley's mind it was all to please Miss Jane. Jane and he had talked quite a lot of Elizabeth and William, and how happy they always seemed when they were together.
On the wedding day of Lady Mary-Rose to Lord Daniel Blake, Elizabeth stood and watched for the Blake carriage just as it arrived.
Elizabeth hurried to the doors, and quickly greeted her brother-in-law before she dragged her eldest sister to Mary-Rose's chambers.
"Is she ready, Lizzie?" Rachel asked.
"More or less, we need our sister's opinion though."
Elizabeth replied just as she opened the door to Mary's room.
Mary-Rose smiled and turned,
"Hello Rach. I am so glad you could come!"
The two sister's embraced each other warmly, before Rachel said, "Well you look beautiful, Rosie. Let us go and get you married."
The three sisters smiled and left the chamber, and joined the rest of the family in the drawing room.
The Fitzwilliam family made it to the church, Mary-Rose said,
"Lizzie, you are not angry that you will not be my bridesmaid?"
"No, I am not. It is Rachel's rightful position as your closest sister. Now, get ready, you will be married within half an hour." Elizabeth embraced her.
Soon after the music started, Mary-Rose was walking down the aisle towards Lord Daniel, who looked like he was ready to burst with happiness. Lord Daniel's best man was his brother and Rachel's husband, which Elizabeth personally thought was very sweet. It would be sisters married to brothers for the two couples.
After two very emotionally vows, Mary-Rose and Daniel were finally pronounced as "Lord Daniel and Lady Mary-Rose Blake."
The couple left the church with the biggest smiles on their faces. The couple was to enjoy their wedding journey to one of the Blake houses near the border to Scotland, up in Lancashire.
Elizabeth embraced both her sisters and told them to write her when they had time, and where to address their letters for the foreseeable future.
Daniel said,
"Elizabeth, I have already promised that we will celebrate Christmas at Matlock, so you will definitely see your sister in two months."
"Thank you, Daniel. Take care of my sister, will you not?"
"Of course, otherwise I would get you, Rachel and Maxwell on my case."
Elizabeth nodded as he was right. The couple left straight after the church for their wedding tour.
Netherfield Park, day of arrival
Charles Bingley, temporary owner of Netherfield Park, was running around, trying to make everything perfect for the visit of the Fitzwilliam's, while William said,
"Charles, calm down; it is just friends coming, not the royal family!"
Charles looked at him like he had two heads, before he asked, "Would you not do the same if it was at Pemberley, and Elizabeth was to visit?"
William had the good grace to blush and merely nodded.
"Thought so!" Charles murmured.
"Two carriages are approaching, Sir." A footman said.
"Good, ready to receive them. Thank you." Charles said.
William had to admit, his friend had grown a backbone during the summer. The carriages stopped in front of the doors, Charles stood ready to receive his guests alongside his eldest sister Louisa Hurst. His younger sister had been too busy in town to want to play his hostess, so Louisa and Jacob Hurst had agreed to come and help.
Bingley was looking forward to seeing Lady Elizabeth'sreaction to his surprise in the form of William and Georgiana, who were hiding in the sitting room – though he could not wait to see his angel, his Jane, again.
The Earl and Countess got out of the carriage first.
"Welcome to Netherfield Park, Countess and Earl Matlock, a pleasure to see you again. Have you not, Miss Bennet and Lady Elizabeth with you?"
Then a voice said, "No need to worry, Mr. Bingley, we are here."
They all turned at the voice of Elizabeth.
Charles smiled at the sight of Jane, as he hurried over to help her out of the carriage.
Just as Charles was about let Jane up the stairs to the doors, Louisa stepped forth and said,
"Miss Bennet, I am afraid my brother forgot to introduce us. I am Louisa Hurst, Charles' eldest sister, and this is my husband, Jacob."
Jane greeted them politely and with a smile. The Fitzwilliam family was also introduced. Then finally Charles could let Jane up the stairs to the doors, the Countess and Earl just looked on indulgently as Jane smiled radiantly.
Elizabeth could not help but be pleased to see her best friend and Charles Bingley so happy together! Louisa Hurst seemed like a kind woman, if a little vain.
Elizabeth was the last to enter the sitting room, and froze in the door as she spotted William and Georgiana!
William looked up and said with a heart stopping smile,
"Surprise, Beth."
With those words, she ran directly into his waiting arms; he caught her, and swung her around in glee at having her back in his arms. William had to do everything in his power not to kiss her right there, in front of everyone.
Georgiana came over, and Elizabeth had to withdraw from William's arms, very reluctantly, but managed to hug Georgie warmly.
"Hello dear Georgie! Oh, how I missed you."
"I missed you, Lizzie!"
Georgiana expressed warmly as she hugged her.
Soon the party was talking, and laughing about the trip, though William and Elizabeth could hardly keep their eyes away from each other.
The Countess saw both couples; Jane and Charles Bingley, and William and Elizabeth could hardly keep their eyes off of each other, "Georgiana my dear please come with me upstairs."
She sent her husband a glance to come along as well, the Earl smiled indulgently at the scene between his nephew and daughter, guided Georgiana out of the door as they left the room. Louisa and her husband had strategically also left the room with the Countess.
As the two couples were left alone, Jane and Bingley were sitting in the window seat and talked quietly together. William rose and held out his hand to Beth, which she eagerly took and together they walked out in the gardens.
When they were away from the windows, he took her into his arms and said: "If you do not want me to kiss you, stop me now, Beth!" He lowered his head to hers and caught her lips in a tender kiss.
Elizabeth almost immediately responded to his tender kiss, wrapped her arms around his neck and melted into his embrace. It was just as wonderful and magical as their first kiss together on her sixteenth birthday. Paradise and fireworks! She pressed herself further into his arms and kissed him back as tenderly and passionately as he kissed her. Though, standing was getting difficult as her legs felt weak and unable to hold her much longer.
William was sure he was close to dying; he had the woman he loved in his arms, kissing her, and she was kissing him back! When he withdrew, he said as he cupped her face with his hands: "I love you! I love you, Beth! I admire your spirit, wit, intelligence, heart and fine eyes!"
She held her breath as she thought, well hoped, that he was proposing to her.
"I cannot live without you any longer, Beth! You are my heart, conscience, my better half...my first true love...I know we had a rocky past, and I know I can be arrogant and a fool, and unworthy of you, but with you, I feel I can and will try, to become worthy of you and your golden heart..."
He held her eyes with his, as he dropped to one knee in front of her and took both her hands in his; she gasped softly in surprise. He asked: "Beth, Elizabeth... please, say you will be mine ... and do me the honour of marrying me?"
The arrogant yet caring boy he once had been, her best friend, was now standing in front of her as the caring, responsible, charming and handsome man she had gotten to know, and he was kneeling in front of her and asking her to marry him – it was everything she had ever dreamed it would be! She wanted badly to scream, cry and jump in happiness, but could not even muster the single word answer. After several seconds she finally managed to say: "Yes!"