Hence she asked for her fiancé, his parents, Jane, Andrew, and his parents to meet with her in the lakeside drawing room the Monday after the engagements were announced, a few days before the family and friends from London and Meryton were due to arrive at Castlemere and Pemberley.
“William and I have discussed when we should marry, and we are of like minds with the uncles that there is no imperative to have a long engagement. It is not like anyone can accuse us of anticipating our wedding vows as it is known throughout society I was with child beforehewas sent to Hades,” Elizabeth revealed.
“If that is the case, then why do you and William not marry the same day as us?” Jane suggested.
“You would not object, Janey?” Elizabeth enquired. “We do not want to detract from your day.”
“No silly, other than marrying Andrew, I can think of nothing which I would like more,” Jane insisted. “It will be like we dreamed as little girls, a double wedding. Besides with our family and friends all to arrive to attend our wedding, what could be better?”
“Andrew, do you agree as well?” William verified.
“Why would I object? Of course I approve,” Andrew confirmed.
“Mama and Papa? Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie? Do any of you have an objection?” Elizabeth questioned.
“Robert and I do not,” Lady Anne stated happily. “The sooner you become our daughter, the happier we will be.”
“Neither do Reggie and myself,” Lady Matlock added. “Jane is already counted as a daughter and you and your younger sisters nieces. You and William marrying the same day will only enhance the celebration.”
“In that case, I will apply to your Uncle Adam for a common licence,” William decided.
“Soon to be your Uncle Adam too,” Jane pointed out teasingly.
“I suppose we should tell the four younger girls,” Lady Anne suggested.
The four were taking a ride around the lake. Mary was ridingJamil; Anna had her own pony with her, Miss Younge was on the mare Mr. Darcy had made available for her to ride. Kate and Lydia each rode a pony from the estate’s stables. They were protected by six guards and two grooms.
“They should return in an hour,” Elizabeth estimated.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The four younger girls could not have been more excited if it were one of them marrying in a little more than a sennight.The main reason was all four of them would perform the duties of bridesmaids. Before the double wedding, Lizzy was to be Jane’s matron of honour, now Mary and Lydia would stand up with Jane while Kate and Anna would be Elizabeth’s attendants.
Andrew had asked Richard to stand up with him before the decision regarding the double wedding had been taken.
Richard and Anne were on their way and expected to arrive on Wednesday. The two grooms decided if Richard agreed, he would do duty to both of them. Even though it was a double wedding, Mr. Lambert would solemnise the ceremony for Jane and Andrew completely (Elizabeth had insisted Jane be married first regardless of her own rank) so Richard would be able to attend both grooms without a problem.
Given the departure from London the day after Andrew proposed, Jane had not purchased her trousseau in Town. Instead she had been giving her custom to the dressmaker in Lambton, which had endeared her to the lady and her seamstresses who had never had so much work at one time.
Anything she felt was not attainable in Lambton would be ordered in Town after their wedding trip.
Elizabeth had a rather extensive wardrobe, so all she ordered in Lambton was a wedding gown. She refused to marry the man she loved in an ensemblehehad ordered purchased.
With the wedding breakfast being held at Castlemere, Mrs. Reynolds, Pemberley’s cook, and some of the kitchen maids had the pleasure of working closely with Mrs. Bannister, the cook, and the rest of the servants at the Duchess’s estate to make sure everything would be perfect on the day.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Anne and Richard, along with Mrs. Jenkinson—Anne’s longtime companion—arrived at Pemberley as planned. Richardaccepted the request to stand up for William as well as Andrew without a moment’s hesitation.
Two days after the three from Rosings Park arrived, the convoy from London and Meryton reached Pemberley and Castlemere. As would be expected, the Portnoys and Barringtons were to be hosted at the former estate. With young Peter not having reached two months yet, the group from Hertfordshire—who had met the Gardiners on the Great North Road—had taken a day longer to travel than normal to facilitate shorter distances between stops.
The Longs and Gouldings who had not seen Lizzy’s estate previously were awed by what they saw. They had heard about the castle and the large lake, but until they saw it with their own eyes, it had not been real for them.
Except for the Gardiner children, after they had refreshed themselves, an hour later, everyone met in the lakeside drawing room.
Elizabeth stood and waited until the hum of conversation ceased. “As I am sure you have heard, I am to marry William Darcy.” All those who had arrived that day nodded they were aware of the recent engagement. “What you do not know is on the thirtieth, you will attend not one but two weddings.”
It took a few moments for the import of her words to sink in. “Jane and Lizzy, you are marrying in a double ceremony!” Madeline exclaimed happily.
