There was a discussion about wedding dates, and, in the end, Elizabeth’s birthday on Saturday, the fifth day of March, was selected. As much as Fanny would have liked to be the one to organise the events, she was not put out. Lizzy being a Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the wedding breakfast would be held at Buckingham House. The Queen, displaying great sensitivity towards her granddaughter’s adoptive mother, invited Fanny to be an active participant in the plans for the wedding and following breakfast.
Not long after, the Bennets, Darcys, and Prince Frederick departed for Hertfordshire.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
There had been much speculation at Netherfield Park about their unscheduled trip to London, so when they arrived home, the six did not make their family and friends wait long before sharing the good news with them.
Prior to informing the others, Elizabeth took her Grandmama Sarah aside and told her of her betrothal, and more importantly of the King’s sanction, so Lady Sarah had no need to worry her granddaughter and William would suffer the same fate as her daughter and Prince Frederick.
No one was surprised by the news, as the families had expected this for some years. When the reasoning behind not waiting until after Elizabeth came out into society was revealed, besides indignation that any would want to use their Lizzy so ill, there was universal agreement the correct course of action had been taken.
By seven that day, the evening editions of the London papers were delivered, and on the front page was the royal announcement of the betrothal of Princess Elizabeth Priscilla Francine Bennet to Lord William Darcy, Marquess of Derby.
It was not heard in Meryton, but in London there were sounds of gnashing of teeth of many men, those who planned attempt to capture the country-raised Princess for their wife, most of whom were in desperate need of an infusion of cash.
One or two of the more desperate men shifted plans to act at the Princess’ coming out ball as if she were not married at that point—at least that was what they believed.
Chapter 33
By mid-February plans were finalised for their departure to London. Fanny had been communicating with the Queen’s principal Lady in Waiting, the Duchess of Wolverhampton, to make sure the wedding would reflect Elizabeth’s and William’s tastes as much as possible.
During February, Cassie felt the quickening and informed the family she was with child. She had shared her suspicions with Richard in January; she had not been surprised when he—very much attuned to his wife—told her he suspected it beforehand.
To Elizabeth’s and William’s chagrin, the weather over the last month had not been cooperative; they were forced to spend many a day inside the house. In addition to reading and the subsequent discussions, hours had been devoted to card games—vingt-un, lottery tickets, whist, and loo.
On the first cloudless day for some time, Elizabeth and William rode to Oakham Mount. Elizabeth wanted to watch the sun rise from the mount—merely a glorified hill—once more before she left, but the particularly cold weather meant they, and their escorts, departed after ten that morning.
Fortunately, the ground had dried sufficiently so they were not covered in too much mud by the time the horses stopped at the base of Oakham Mount. Leaving four guards with the horses, Biggs and Johns followed the betrothed couple at a respectful distance. Johns stopped just below the summit, while Biggs placed himself on the path where he could see the flattened surface of the top and still allow the couple the illusion of privacy.
“In little more than two weeks, we will never be separated again,” William pointed out as they looked out over the familiar view. Elizabeth stood in front of William; he wrapped his arms around her, holding her in tight against his body and resting his chin on the top of her head. Both would have liked to have stolen a kiss—as they had on a few occasions when they had snatched a minute of complete privacy during the last month— but knowing the ever-observant Biggs could see them on the summit kept them in check, despite their desires for a more passionate embrace.
“I am counting the days as well. Time cannot pass quickly enough, although it does remind me of a conversation I had with Jane on the eve of her wedding about a woman’s lot of leaving home,” Elizabeth said as she looked across the plain to Netherfield Park. “Before you ask, no, I do not require that we live within an easy distance of my parents, but I will miss them very much nevertheless.”
“There is no need to feel maudlin, Lizzy. You know we will see them many times during the year,” William assured his beloved. “Have you thought more about where wewilllive after the wedding? At Derby Springs or Pemberley? Rivington, the main estate of the dukedom, is an option, but I am not sure we need an estate which rivals—or exceeds—Pemberley in size.”
“We have many options, but I would like to live at Pemberley for at least the first year. For myself, I know I will always be happy at Pemberley, so as far as I am concerned it can become our permanent residence, but I will leave it up to you. I do not like the idea of Uncle Robert, I meanFatherRobert, alone for much of the year while Gigi is at Netherfield with the masters and my siblings,” Elizabeth informed her betrothed of her preference.
“As I love Pemberley, it will be no hardship for me to continue living there. I believe you are correct; Father will love having us with him. Also, remember we will be almost half of the year with the family between Hertfordshire, Kent, and London,” William reminded her. “I cannot hide a Royal Princess away in the wilds of Derbyshire forever, no matter how much I would like to have her to myself alone.”
Elizabeth blushed becomingly at the allusion to soon having time alone. She had read enough books, and she had grown up on a farm, so she had a very good idea what the marriage bed entailed—physically. She thought herself wanton that she was so keen to experience marital relations with her William, rather than having trepidations, which she had heard was appropriate for a new bride.
The wind starting to pick up was cold and biting, so they reluctantly separated and started walking down the hill, with Biggs and Johns following at a distance.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth knew she and the Bennets would not stay at Darcy House; she thought they would be hosted at Matlock, Hilldale, or Holder House. Instead, the day before departure, Fanny received a missive from the Duchess of WolverhamptoninvitingPrincess Beth, her adoptive parents, and her siblings to be hosted at Buckingham House.
As with other invitations from the Queen, this could not be refused. Wednesday was cold with occasional light flurries visible from the windows of the Bennet coaches as they drove past the royal guard members on duty in front of Buckingham House.
The Duchess of Wolverhampton met them on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and had one of the housekeepers show the Bennets and the Princess to their apartments. Everything there, from the décor to the furnishings, was gilded and ostentatious, as was the rest of the house. Thankfully, the furniture, including gigantic beds in their bedchambers, were comfortable in spite of being ostentatious.
Tommy had been wondering what he would do in the enormous house. Uncle Freddy took them on a tour and pointed out St. James Park across from the house, telling them that behind it was Green Park, which ended at Hyde Park. Uncle Freddy promised he would organise riding parties when the weather allowed, and that he was sure that a few of his nieces and nephews were in residence who would love to join them.
Before the end of the tour, he pointed out Westminster Abbey, where the wedding would take place in less than ten days, as well as the houses of Parliament, all visible from the upper floors of the house.
That evening at dinner, the Bennets were announced by a major-domo and joined the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Prince Frederick, Prince Edward, and Princess Amelia. The latter was one of her father’s favourites. Kitty and Lydia had been moved to Darcy House that afternoon; they would be more comfortable staying where they could be themselves with Georgiana, without having to worry about royal protocol. Tommy, even though he liked the idea of riding in the parks, missed Eddy, so Fanny sent him to stay with the Gardiners vastly pleasing the youngest Bennet.
Luckily, the Bennets at Buckingham House had been schooled in protocol, so they knew not to begin eating until the King had, and to cease once the King had completed the course in front of him. The King, conscious others took their lead from him, ate slowly so no one left food on their plate they preferred to eat.
