Chapter 9
The rest of that evening was spent talking with Richard and Georgiana at the hotel. Wedding plans were fleshed out and Georgiana made some suggestions about some of the traditional elements of a Scottish wedding that Elizabeth thought would be nice to include.
"You must contact a baker immediately to begin on your cake," Georgiana told her. "The cake needs time to soak in the brandy, so it is ready for your wedding."
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at the girl. "Please explain what you are talking about Georgiana," she said. "If they baked the cake now, surely it would go bad before the wedding."
"No, Elizabeth, the traditional wedding cake is fruitcake, and it needs to soak in brandy for a while to add flavor to it. Two months is a rather short timeline for a wedding, which is why you need to get started on planning it right away. Ask Mrs. Reynolds for her suggestion about who should make it. In fact, she would make an excellent wedding planner for you or can suggest someone who can help."
Looking at William, who nodded at her, she just agreed with Georgiana. The wedding in Scotland was mainly for his family and friends after all, so she would likely need someone to help with all the details she would be unfamiliar with. They could find someone to begin making the plans before they left for Tennessee, and then Elizabeth could focus on it once they returned.
After several hours of this discussion and the one about how to thwart Aunt Catherine, Richard and Georgiana departed. Georgiana would not see them again until they returned from their trip, but they would see Richard the next day with his father.
Elizabeth woke feeling somewhat anxious. She quickly readied herself for meeting the University of Edinburgh and she was able to get answers to the questions she needed to complete her research. Upon returning to the hotel, she pulled out her computer and worked on her thesis, while William sat across the room working on his own tasks.
Lunch was delivered just after noon, and Elizabeth and William talked quietly as they enjoyed the meal. After, they rested, lying on one of the beds in the suite and watching television, occasionally sharing their thoughts, but mostly thinking about the Earl's visit. Soon enough, William received a text on his mobile from Richard, letting them know they were on their way.
Half an hour later, Richard and his father arrived in their suite. The Earl was a tall man, although not as tall as his son or nephew, and rather handsome for his age. He was not what Elizabeth had expected; he was swarthier and less patrician than Elizabeth envisioned.
"So, William, you have been 'entrapped' and are engaged to marry an 'upstart, uncouth Yank," that gentlemen said loudly the moment he entered the room.
"Uncle," William complained. "You should not repeat what Aunt Catherine says. Would you like to meet Elizabeth and form your own judgment of her?"
"Please, introduce me to your lady. I can tell she is lovely, although according to Catherine, she is rather 'ordinary'," he replied, laughing.
"Uncle, meet my intended, Elizabeth Bennet," William said formally. "Elizabeth, this is my uncle Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, and Member of Parliament. And despite the titles, he is a rather pleasant person and not typically as prone to spouting inanities as he has been thus far."
"It is lovely to meet you, my dear. Please, call me Uncle Henry and ignore all the rest. If William likes you well enough to ask you to marry him, I cannot imagine you are anything like Catherine has said, especially as she has never met you. You must have a brain in your head for William to be able to tolerate you," Lord Henry Fitzwilliam greeted, taking her hand in his and bowing over it slightly.
"I am pleased to meet you as well, Uncle Henry," Elizabeth replied. "And thanks, I think."
He laughed. "So, you are to marry this summer, July, is it? In Inverness? My wife would be thrilled to help you organize the wedding and whatever else you may need. I know you are traveling back to the United States next week and are concerned that Catherine will attempt to block your return somehow?" William nodded in reply and Lord Henry plowed ahead. "I will add Elizabeth's name to a list that will guarantee her easy entry into the United Kingdom. I can also ensure she will be able to obtain the necessary visa and licenses and the like. If you do run into any issues, call me immediately and I will get it all fixed right up."
Elizabeth just looked at William. "Thank you, sir," William replied after a moment. "Will you and Aunt Helen be able to travel to Inverness in June to help Elizabeth and I plan the wedding? We will be speaking to Mrs. Reynolds tomorrow to get things started, but with us being out of the country for two or three weeks, much of the work will need to be done in June."
"I am sure Helen will be able to stay for most of the month of June, but I will not be able to stay the whole month," Henry said. "Will you bother inviting Catherine at this point?"
William scowled. "It depends, although I cannot imagine doing so. I will not allow her to make a fuss and ruin the wedding in any way. Perhaps you can advise her that raising a ruckus will result in my cutting her off forever. I have not spoken to her since the incident with the ring."
"Ah yes, I had almost forgotten about that incident," Henry recalled. "I am not certain I would bother – she will not be able to be pleasant. Where will you be having the wedding?"
"We were thinking somewhere outdoors near Loch Ness," William replied.
Lord Henry considered this. "I believe the MP from Inverness has a nice little estate near there that would be an ideal location for a private wedding. How big an event are you planning?"
"Elizabeth's family is small, and she does not anticipate inviting many people, if any. Mostly, the wedding will be for the sake of my family and for the employees of Pemberley. We considered marrying privately and then having a reception nearby," William explained.
Lord Henry considered this. "Helen is the event organizer in the family. You should speak with her about your ideas, and I am certain she will have suggestions. I would not be surprised if she starts speaking to Mrs. Reynolds as soon as you ask her, and they have it practically organized while you are gone."
"I think I would be okay with that," Elizabeth interjected. "I have no idea what I am doing with this. I know William wants a more traditional Scottish event, to honor his family. As long as no one tries to force me to wear a hideous dress, I cannot imagine having any issues with anything they plan."
"Be careful, my dear," Lord Henry said. "If you give those two ladies a carte blanche, you may get more than you are expecting."
"I want a small, intimate ceremony, and the reception can be larger, even if it needs to be held a day or two later," Elizabeth told him. "Once we return to Inverness, I will speak with her and Mrs. Reynolds and see what we can come up with. William and I have talked and have similar ideas about what we would like – neither of us like to be in the spotlight for too long."
Lord Henry laughed. "My wife is anxious to plan a wedding for one of her children. Neither of my son are particularly interested in marriage at the moment, and Georgiana is too young. She will be in her element with this. William will have her number and I will tell her to expect your call soon."
The four conversed a bit longer, but almost as quickly as he arrived, the Earl was ordering his son to return him to the airport for his return flight to London.
Elizabeth and William spoke after he left. "That was easier than I thought," he told her. "I expected him to bluster a bit more, but apparently, whatever Richard told him eased his mind. We have time to return to Inverness if you like, or we can leave in the morning."
"You need to be at work tomorrow, do you not?" Elizabeth asked.
"I had intended to be," he replied honestly.
"Let us drive up this afternoon," she said. "We can go straight to your home and then I can return to Inverness the following day."
"You could stay with me until we leave," he suggested quietly. "You do not have to return to your flat."
She smiled at him. "We will be married in another week, Will," she replied.
"I am not suggesting anything other than you staying in the house. You can start making any changes and you will be able to meet with Mrs. Reynolds more easily if you are not traveling back and forth. There is less traffic near my house, and you can start learning to drive on the correct side of the road," he ended on a tease.
Elizabeth looked at him for a moment. "Sure, although I will need to go into Inverness in the next day or two to get the rest of my things. And if I start moving my things into your house now, I will not have to take as much back with me."
"Our house, mo ghràidh, or it will be in about a week," William reminded her before leaning in for a kiss. "I love you, dearest, and I cannot wait to be married to you."
"I love you as well, William," she replied. The kiss momentarily became heated before they reluctantly separated, each going to pack their things so they could leave.
It did not take long for them to gather their belongings, so within the hour, they were in the car and headed back north toward Inverness. In the car, they spoke about any number of things, the play from the other night, the sights in Edinburgh, William's family, Elizabeth's research, and finally the trip to Tennessee.
They picked up take away before arriving home that evening. It was getting late, and so they hurried through the meal before each prepared for bed. Elizabeth had not shared this bed with William before and somehow it felt more intimate to sleep with him in the bed they would occupy in a few weeks as a married couple, even if all they did was exchange a few kisses and then sleep.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke alone in the big bed, a note and a small nosegay of flowers from his gardens.
Mo ghràidh,
The last week has been eventful and the next more so; when you were still sleeping so peacefully, I did not want to wake you. I will return around noon to bring you back to the office with me so you may meet with Mrs. Reynolds. Ring me when you wake, m'eudail.
Love, William
She smiled as she brought the flowers to her nose and then searched for her mobile. Seeing that it was nearly ten, she was surprised at her sleeping so late. "He is right; the last weeks have been eventful," she said to herself as she rose.
When William arrived just after noon, Elizabeth was ready to go with him to the distillery. She had used the quiet moments to research Scottish wedding customs and found herself looking forward to speaking with Mrs. Reynolds and later with William's aunt and sister who would be coming in June to help them with the arrangements. William's aunt had called last night as they were driving back and was, as expected, thrilled that her nephew was marrying and was ready to step in as acting mother of the bride and groom and provide whatever aid was necessary. Elizabeth and William would have a week after returning from the States to recover from jet lag, and then she and Georgiana would be coming to stay until after the wedding. Elizabeth had also been commanded to begin referring to her as "Aunt Helen" just as his uncle had done.
Aunt Helen was also considering an engagement party for the couple, but Elizabeth and William had both protested against the need. William said he would consider a small dinner with some close friends and perhaps a small party to be held a few days before the wedding for those who would travel for the event. These plans would be discussed further in June.
Elizabeth felt pleased by this easy acceptance and the many offers to be of aid. She found she was looking forward to meeting this new aunt next month and was actually feeling rather pleased to be a part of what seemed like a loving family. That was something she had not had in many years, and even then, it was only when she was with her Granny that she felt truly loved and cared for.
Mrs. Reynolds was excited to see Elizabeth once again and expressed sincere congratulations on their engagement. Just as Aunt Helen had done, she offered her assistance with the wedding plans, although she seemed to have some sort of awareness of the couples plans to marry sooner. However, she knew several people who needed to be contacted immediately, and soon, a wedding cake was ordered, a location secured for both the ceremony and the reception, and mockups of invitations would be ready for them to review on Friday.
A second reception would be planned for the employees of Pemberley Distillery, since they could not all be invited to the reception for family and friends. It would be held a week after the wedding and groups would be able to filter in all day to congratulate the couple. Mrs. Reynolds would be fully in charge of this celebration, and it would feature a second cake and a catered meal for employees to partake of.
The afternoon passed quickly with Mrs. Reynolds and Elizabeth engaged in wedding planning, while William worked on his own business. His opinion was solicited on occasion, but for the most part, the two ladies made plans without consulting him. Elizabeth liked Mrs. Reynolds very much and told William that she reminded her of the Granny in East Tennessee. Living as she had in an isolated 'holler' in a rural area of the Appalachian Mountains, some of the language of the original Scottish and Irish settlers still existed and her grandmother had spoken with a cadence and rhythm similar to the Scottish brogue. Elizabeth had found the similarities in the language of the two cultures fascinating and it had been a point of study while completing her master's degree in history.
Elizabeth returned to the office the following morning and split her time between wedding planning, working on her master's thesis, and learning more about the company. She would receive shares in the company upon their marriage, although the marriage contract was written in such a way that only entitled her to those shares as long as she was married or if she were widowed. Likewise, on the day of the wedding, she would be entitled to a certain amount of money and if the couple divorced, much of that would be returned to William. The ancestral properties remained William's regardless of their marriage status, although if they had children, they would be inherited by the children in equal shares, with the exception of the Derbyshire Pemberley, which would go to the eldest Darcy son, per a long-established contract. That property could only be inherited by a Darcy and if they only had girls, the husband of the eldest would have to take the Darcy name and any child of the union would have to keep the Darcy name to keep the property.
That prenuptial agreement was received late Thursday, and William and Elizabeth reviewed in thoroughly that night over dinner. Elizabeth protested several times at the amounts she was being given, and at times was in awe of the wealth William commanded. His 'overly generous nature' led to a couple of minor arguments during this discussion, and Elizabeth laughed at both of them when the discussion was finally concluded, and both had signed the document. It would be scanned and returned to the solicitor the following day and filed with the appropriate parties. Darcy's will had also been updated to include Elizabeth as a benefactor.
Once these items were settled, Elizabeth and William were aware that nothing stood in the way of the planned elopement on Tuesday. They would fly from Inverness to London on Saturday morning, with a layover there to meet with Uncle Henry and Aunt Helen for lunch. After that, they would fly first class across the Atlantic with a layover and change of planes in Philadelphia, before arriving in Knoxville some time on Sunday. William had advised Elizabeth on precautions to avoid the worst of the jet lag, especially since they were traveling west, which was typically easier on the traveler. The first-class accommodations would help as well, but upon arriving in Knoxville, they would take Monday to rest in Elizabeth's apartment, although Elizabeth had a meeting with her adviser that afternoon. On Tuesday, they travel to the small mountain town of Gatlinburg for a wedding. A cabin was rented for Tuesday and Wednesday nights before they needed to return to Knoxville so Elizabeth could defend her thesis on Thursday. The following weekend and week would be used to say goodbye to Elizabeth's friends, who would be informed of her engagement.
No one outside of the clerk who process the paperwork and the pastor who read the service, would know about the wedding. Elizabeth would hold off on changing her name on any of the legal documents until after the Scottish ceremony. While this secrecy was not truly necessary, something impelled William to keep the matter a secret and Elizabeth was willing to do so. They would know they were already married, even if everyone else did not yet know.