“William! We are at Buckingham House; there are guards and footmen all over the place who can see us,” Elizabeth scolded with mock indignation.
“If I must accustom myself to the guards and other personnel who will be around us from now on, they must accustom themselves to my kissing my royal wife when I need to,” William replied impertinently.
“You are incorrigible, husband,” Elizabeth returned, “which is one of the many things I love about you.”
The two did not notice a footman in royal livery had opened the door of the ornate coach and was waiting for them to alight. Elizabeth had her husband make sure all of her hairpins were in place in her hair, then William turned and handed his wife out.
A major-domo led them to a large ballroom, where the breakfast was being held. Two footmen opened the huge doors as a butler announced them. “Your Royal Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Your Graces, Lords, Ladies, and gentlemen, I present to you Lord Fitzwilliam Darcy, Marquess of Derby, and Princess Elizabeth Pricilla Francine Darcy, her Royal Highness, Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Marchioness of Derby.”
“My, that is a mouthful,” William whispered to his wife and was rewarded with one of her tinkling laughs.
The newlyweds brought themselves under regulation and bowed and curtsied to the King and Queen. The King took a sip from a goblet, thereby signalling the commencement of the feast. William and Elizabeth made their way around the ballroom to thank those who had come to celebrate with them.
When they reached the tables where the people of Meryton were seated, they took a bit longer to speak to each one. “Please allow me to wish you much joy and happiness, my royal cousin,” Collins bowed over Elizabeth’s hand.
“Thank you, Cousin. As long as you keep my friend happy, we will be friends,” Elizabeth returned smilingly.
“You know Charlotte’s happiness is, and will always be, my priority, Cousin Elizabeth,” Collins averred.
“Yes, I am aware that you make my friend and cousin very happy,” Elizabeth owned.
Sir William, normally a voluble and ebullient man, was awestruck. He had been in a receiving room at St. James when he was granted his knighthood, but never inside the King’s and Queen’s primary residence in London. Everywhere he looked, his eyes fell on another member of royalty or a peer.
Next, the couple stopped to speak with Mr. Bingley and the Hursts. The three would be forever in their debt for what the Princess did at the assembly to rehabilitate their family names and hold that they should not be held responsible for Miss Bingley’s actions, and as such they had not been tainted by those actions.
“Your Highness and Your Lordship, on behalf of my sister, brother, and myself I wish you both joy and happiness for the future. We thank you for including us in the celebration of your wedding day and inviting us to your ball tonight after what my sister attempted to do in Meryton,” Bingley stated thankfully.
“As I told you at the assembly, Mr. Bingley, you are no more responsible for your sister’s actions than you are for the sun rising in the east. We are happy all of you are here to celebrate with us,” Elizabeth told Bingley sincerely.
After the couple spent time with each of the neighbours from Meryton, they continued around the room for about an hour, when they arrived where the family was seated. As would be expected, their first stop there was the King and Queen.
“You look exquisite today, Granddaughter,” the Queen complimented after Elizabeth kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “You have caught a very handsome husband there.”
“Grandmother!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she blushed deeply. “I do not disagree, but this is not a discussion I would have thought to have with the Queen.”
“Are we not a flesh and blood woman?” the Queen asked.
“Yes, you are, Grandmother,” Elizabeth replied.
“I agree with her Majesty,” added Lady Sarah who had been talking to the Queen.
“Thank you, Grandmama,” Elizabeth smiled. “We have to be careful not to give my husband a swollen head,” Elizabeth teased.
Throughout the teasing, William tried to keep a straight face, but it was a losing battle as the corners of his mouth turned up. “Just accept their words graciously, Grandson,” the King advised.
“I will endeavour to do so, your Majesty,” William replied.
After accepting good wishes from the Prince of Wales and some other royal aunts and uncles, Elizabeth sat down at the table with their non-royal extended family.
“You two need to eat; there is a long day and longer night ahead of us,” Lady Elaine advised. “Balls at St. James seldom end before the sun rises, and as you two are the guests of honour, you will not be able to slip away until a few sets after supper.”
“When will it be polite to depart the wedding breakfast?” Elizabeth asked.
“You want to be away from us already, Lizzy?” Fanny teased her second daughter.
“No, Mama, not at all. I did not get much sleep last night, and I would like to rest before tonight,” Elizabeth stated.
“Indeed, Sister,” Richard drawled, “I am sure you and William want torest.”
