Sorry for a longer than usual wait. I had a bit of difficulty with the wedding and the chapters that follow. We are quickly catching up to where I am in my writing. This is the last chapter before the wedding. I hope you all enjoy.
Thanks again to all who have favorited, followed, and reviewed.
Mr. Bennet arrived at Darcy House the following morning. The two traveled together to collect Lord Matlock then journeyed to the church. They were greeted cheerfully by the curate, who led then to the minister's office at the back of the church. Mr. Malone called them in at their knock. He was a lean man with a open expression. Lord Matlock introduced Mr. Bennet.
"Please come in." he said directing them to the chairs in front of his desk. "Would you care for some refreshments?" The gentlemen declined. "Straight to the matter it is then. How can I be of service?"
"We are hoping you would agree to conduct my nephew's wedding service." Lord Matlock stated.
"Of course. I had not heard of your engagement, Mr. Darcy."
"It is only a recent thing." Mr. Darcy replied. "Are you available Monday?"
"Monday? This Monday?"
"Yes, sir."
"The day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, sir."
"How recent is this engagement?"
"Mr. Darcy proposed to my daughter a fortnight ago." Mr. Bennet remarked.
"It is a short engagement but not unheard of." Mr. Malone commented. "I would have expected to see you sooner if you had planned such a short engagement."
"I proposed in Kent." Mr. Darcy explained. "I returned two days after the proposal but Elizabeth remained a week longer."
"You could have come when you returned."
"I was only able to speak to Mr. Bennet about my proposal this past Monday after Elizabeth came to London."
"And you did not come then because?"
"It is a delicate matter, Joshua." Lord Matlock stated. "I know we can trust your discretion."
"Of course." Mr. Malone replied firmly. "It is not the first time I have performed marriages after short engagements due to delicate matters."
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet quickly began to protest assuring the minister that he had misunderstood the situation. Lord Matlock calmed his companions.
"It is not a compromise or anticipation of vows, I assure you." Lord Matlock said to his friend.
"Truly?" he asked and the men all nodded. "Then why?"
"Because of Catherine."
"Your sister?"
At Lord Matlock's nod, Mr. Malone frowned.
"How is she involved?"
"She wants Darcy to marry her daughter. She was not pleased to discover his interest in Miss Elizabeth."
"What did she do?"
"Miss Elizabeth was injured before coming to London. She has spent the past week recuperating. While she is not completely healed, she is well enough to be married. We hoped to have it done quickly to prevent Catherine from causing further harm by gossip or other means."
Mr. Malone considered his words for a long moment.
"I can preform the ceremony Monday morning."
"If you could give us another small indulgence." Lord Matlock began causing Mr. Malone to give him a questioning glance. "We need the ceremony preformed at Darcy House."
"You do not have a special license from the the Archbishop, I suppose?"
"No, we do not. The amount of time it would take..."
Mr. Malone held up his hand.
"Can you give me a sound reason why the wedding could not happen at the church?"
"As Lord Matlock stated Elizabeth was injured and is still healing." Mr. Bennet said.
"If she can travel to Darcy House surely she can travel to the church."
The three men shared glances. Mr. Malone studied them.
"Am I to understand Miss Bennet is convalescing at Darcy House?"
"She is a good friend of my sister and my cousin, Anne de Bourgh. When she was injured, Anne instructed her to be brought to my home as she did not know the address of Elizabeth's relations in London." Mr. Darcy supplied.
"And Miss Bennet could not have provided the address?"
"At that time she could not."
"And since then?"
"The doctor has recommended she not be moved while she recovered."
"Will she be married from her sick bed?"
"The front drawing room, actually, if the doctor agrees. Otherwise, she will be moved to the sitting room adjoining her room."
Mr. Malone considered the matter for a few moments.
"I understand the desire not to wait and the considerations for Miss Bennet's health so I will agree to preform the ceremony at Darcy house."
"Thank you, sir."
The details of the license were sorted then the gentlemen parted. Lord Matlock was returned to Matlock house. Upon their return to Darcy House, Mr. Bennet had a short visit with his daughter before the doctor arrived. Captain Carson examined Elizabeth while the men waited in the sitting room. The men rose as he exited Elizabeth's room.
"She is recovering well." Captain Carson stated.
"Is she well enough to be moved?" Mr. Bennet asked.
"She can sit up on her own now. She would need to be carried but she could be moved. Will she be transported to her relations' home?"
Mr. Darcy looked to Mr. Bennet. He knew the older man wished to have Elizabeth moved to the Gardiner's home once the doctor approved.
"Not that far." Mr. Bennet said to the surprise of the other two men. "I do not see the need to have her jostled about to go to Gracechurch Street only to be jostled about to be brought back."
"Brought back?" Captain Carson questioned.
"Elizabeth and I are marrying on Monday morning. I hope you can attend."
"I would be honored to, Mr. Darcy. You will need to be careful transporting her to the church and back."
"We had a discussion with the minister this morning. He agreed to hold the ceremony here." Mr. Darcy said. "We had hoped you would agree Elizabeth is well enough to be brought downstairs to the drawing room. Otherwise, we will have the ceremony in here."
"As long as she is carried to the drawing room.
"I will have two footmen carry her down on a chair."
"She may be well enough to stand for the ceremony but not much longer than that. Her present attempts are reassuring and promising of a full recovery."
"Present attempts?" Mr. Bennet asked.
"She was encouraged by her ability to sit up on her own and the ability to move her legs. She wished to attempt to stand."
"She stood?"
"She attempted to. She manage to remain on her feet a few seconds." Captain Carson replied. "She is a determined young lady. I would not be surprised if she was walking again by week's end though I would still recommend you ensure she does not try to go too fast or walk too long without rest."
Mr. Bennet chuckled a bit, "I am glad the task of restraining Elizabeth's desire to walk falls to you, Mr. Darcy, as I have never had success at the task."
"I am sure she will understand the limitations."
"Understanding and heeding are two separate things."
Mr. Bennet and Captain Carson departed. Georgiana spent the day with Elizabeth. A note arrived before dinner to inform them that Mrs. Gardiner and Jane would call on Sunday after church. The evening passed quickly. While the rest of the house went to church the following morning, Elizabeth spent her time writing letters to her family. She planned to have her sister take them with her when she departed. As promised her aunt and sister arrived after church. Georgiana joined them as well. Mrs. Gardiner had brought along a dress for Elizabeth to wear for her wedding.
"Elizabeth has been practicing standing." the younger girl explained to their guests. "William said the doctor believes she may be able to stand for the ceremony."
"That's wonderful." Jane replied with a smile. "I am so glad you are almost to your old self."
"I plan to walk to my husband." Elizabeth said wrote on the slate.
"Lizzie, you must take your time. If you rush you could hurt yourself further." Mrs. Gardiner stated.
"I am determined." she said, her voice still rough.
The older ladies shared a look.
"If you are going to make the attempt, we shall help you." her aunt said finally. "But you must not push yourself. If you feel tired or weak you must rest."
Elizabeth agreed with a nod.
The next twenty minutes proceeded with Elizabeth taking a few cautious steps. She leaned on her aunt while Jane and Georgiana stood in front of her lest she fall. Twice the ladies caught her and helped her balance again. Mrs. Gardiner finally insisted she rest when she reached the far side of the bed. Georgiana called for refreshments ensuring they brought the special tea for Elizabeth's throat.
"You did very well, Lizzie." her aunt said.
Elizabeth gave her a smile of thanks. Refreshments arrived along with Lady Matlock and Anne. Once everyone was settled with cups and tea cakes, the conversation turned to the wedding on the morrow. Lady Matlock discussed the decorations she had planned.
"There will only be a small group of us attending, correct Aunt?" Georgiana said.
"Yes, I believe the total is about fifteen, that is including the bride and groom."
"So the aisle need not be that long?"
"No, though I believe William's side will be longer than Elizabeth's." Lady Matlock remarked. "By my count the bride's side will only have three as Miss Bennet will be standing up with Elizabeth.
"I will sit on Lizzie's side." Anne commented. "I am closer to her than William."
"Mrs. Annesley and I can sit on Elizabeth's side as well." Georgiana added. "Richard will be standing up with William. So two rows of three chairs should be enough."
"That would make the room more even." Lady Matlock remarked.
"The distance would only be the length of the bed then."
Lady Matlock considered then nodded, "I suppose so."
"Elizabeth should be able to walk that." Jane said.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded.
"You can walk now?" Anne asked excited.
"A little." Elizabeth answered quietly.
"How wonderful. Soon you will be walking about again. We should walk in Hyde Park. I have always wanted to."
"Perhaps the gardens here first." Lady Matlock remarked. "I doubt William will agree to a walk in Hyde Park until Elizabeth is fully recovered."
"Aunt is right. William is very protective."
"Maybe a carriage ride then before they travel to visit Lizzie's family."
"That we may be able to be arranged."
"With William trailing behind you on his horse." Lady Matlock added with a chuckle.
Elizabeth's dress was shown and Lady Matlock recommended a fitting. Jane and Mrs. Gardiner assisted Elizabeth to her feet. The dress was tried on and discovered to be a bit loose. Georgiana quickly sent for her lady's maid. The woman arrived and the dress was pinned. The sewing took place in the sitting room and the dress returned. The second fitting deemed it to be perfect. Once back in her morning dress, Elizabeth made a slow walk to the end of the bed and back.
"I think you will be fine to walk tomorrow." Mrs. Gardiner remarked. "But we will have the doctor see you before you are taken down."
Elizabeth nodded. Their guests departed when Elizabeth's medicine arrived. She laid back on the bed and allowed herself to drift off. After a short nap, Georgiana returned. Elizabeth made two more practice walks before dinner. She was quite pleased with her progress. After dinner, another walk was made then the two settled in to read. Georgiana departed when Mrs. Taylor arrived with Elizabeth's medicine. After a brief discussion and her medicine, Elizabeth settled into her bed. She slipped into slumber thinking about her upcoming wedding.
Up next the wedding.