Chapter 27: 2 years later 1814
E: 18
F: 26

The last two years had flown by in a flurry of activities, Rachel had given birth to twins a year and a half after her marriage, they were named Derek and Annabelle, while Mary-Rose and her husband was blissfully happy, she had just before Elizabeth's eighteenth birthday announced her first pregnancy. Max and Marina had become parents early in 1812 to their first son, they named him, Nathaniel.

Though the situation around Europe was not peaceful as rumors about war and unrest was making people worried and the European countries called in men with experience and capabilities to lead men and fight if war was imminent. That left the Fitzwilliam family worried about Richard.

Elizabeth was celebrating her eighteenth birthday just a few short weeks after the announcement that she was to become an aunt again this time to Mary-Rose's child, and she could not be happier. The last two years had also seen a change between herself and Anne, they had managed to correspond somewhat civilly after their meeting two years previously, and now they corresponded freely, as Anne had moved to the De Bourgh house in London, and had begun to change herself, thereby slowly earning her younger sister's respect.

On her birthday, her father, the Earl of Matlock had bade her and William come to his study,
"Elizabeth, you are now eighteen and as promised, I give my blessing for your marriage to William."

Elizabeth smiled brightly, and met William's blue delighted eyes as he said, "Do say you will not make me wait too much longer, Beth?"

"I do not see why we should wait further than to the start of the autumn season. We could get married at the Pemberley Chapel, with my family, Georgiana, Richard if he is in London, Mr Bingley and the Bennets." Elizabeth replied.

Her answer suited him just fine; he had always hoped to be married from Pemberley Chapel like his father before him. "That is perfectly fine with me, Beth, as long as it makes you happy."

"It will make me very happy to become your wife at long last, Will." she replied with a heart-melting smile.

The Earl of Matlock smiled and said, "Then why not pick a date, I have a calendar here." He gave them the calendar, and quickly they settled on the fifteenth of September for their wedding. Then they returned to the sitting room which were full of guests, both family and friends.

Elizabeth gathered Georgiana, Mary-Rose, Rachel, Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia around to let them know that her wedding date had been picked and settled on. Jane whispered,

"Charles and I would very much like to share your day if you would not mind it, Lizzie?"

"Of course not. Though I think our men have already agreed on it as well." they looked over to see Charles Bingley and William shake hands and share a smile.

That evening the Fitzwilliam family held a ball to celebrate Elizabeth's eighteenth birthday, as she stood in the receiving line next to her mother and William, she was looking for her brother, Richard. "Where is he?"

"He will be here, Beth. He did promise you, he would if at all possible." she merely nodded, Richard had promised her.

Just as the first dance was about to start, Mary-Rose came over and said, "Look sister, who is at the door."

She turned and looked and saw Richard in full dress uniform, now a Colonel, and it did take everything in her not to run into his arms and embrace him warmly. Instead with a bright smile she made her way across the floor to him in quick strides, quickly followed by William. When she was only two or three steps from him, she lunged herself at him and exclaimed, "RICH!"

Richard had seen her approach and had waited for the assault and said fondly, "Hello, sis. You look beautiful! You have not changed a bit these last two years; only grown more beautiful."

"Neither have you, dear brother. When did you arrive in London? How long are you staying?"

Just then William joined them, "Richard, good seeing you!"

"And you, William! So when are you going to marry my sister?"

William looked very satisfied when he replied, "The fifteenth of September. You will be my best man, will you not?"

Richard laughed gaily and said, "Of course I will, old boy. Congratulations Will, and you, dear sister." He embraced her again and shook hands with William before he said,

"Elizabeth, will you honor me with the first dance?"

"Yes of course, Rich!" she replied, William just smiled as he waived them out on the dance floor.

During the dance, Richard said, "Are you happy that you are finally to be married to Will?"

"Could not be more delighted! Especially now that I know that you are to be his best man and will be here for my wedding!" She replied with a smile. He met her shinning eyes with a smile of his own. He was so happy to see Elizabeth so happy, engaged and so lovely in the glow of her love.

He thought about another beauty, the woman he had met in Copenhagen: Cecilia De Martinez. Her family originated from Spain, and she had inherited the looks from her grandmother, brown eyes and black hair, the warmest smile and the most wonderful sense of humor. They had met at a dinner when the highest Commander, Wellington had been over to see what was going on. They had formed an almost instant friendship, and within two days he had called upon her. It had already been three months since he had seen her the last time, even though they were writing each other, since they had an understanding. He did not know how his family would react to Cecilia, even if she had money. Her family was coming to London, and there he would call on her again.

Later that evening, Richard managed to get William and Elizabeth alone; he wanted to tell them about Cecilia before the rest of the family. Just before supper, he told them, "William, Elizabeth…I, I have met a lovely woman in Copenhagen."

William smiled; he could not wait to tease his cousin and soon brother-in-law and said,

"Well do tell, Rich."

"Her name is Cecilia De Martinez; she has Spanish roots on her father's side. Her family is wealthy, well connected too. Cecilia has the most wonderful sense of humor, she is kind and she has the warmest smile, you can imagine." Richard replied.

"So when are we going to meet her, brother?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Soon, I hope. Her family have been in Spain for her cousin's wedding and they are coming to England fairly soon. Sis, we have an understanding, so we are writing each other."

Elizabeth just smiled and said, "I know, Rich. You are after all a gentleman even if you are a soldier."

"Did she fall in love with you or your uniform, Rich?" William asked with a teasing smile.

"Why you…" Richard growled, and was ready to launch at William, who just laughed his head off.

"Peace you two! We are in public still!" Elizabeth warned quietly but with a teasing grin visible on her face.

Richard and William just looked at her, and Richard said,

"You will make an excellent wife, Sis, and an even better mother someday." That comment made Elizabeth blush a magnificent shade of red.

The evening ended with a waltz, which William and Elizabeth danced with each other.