“Thank you, Mother and Father. I will go speak to Jane. If she and Mama agree, then we will speak to Charlotte and Lady Lucas,” Elizabeth gushed.
Elizabeth made for the music room where she knew that Jane and David were sitting and listening to Mary, Giana, and the twins as they enjoyed instruction from the music master who came from London once a week.
Lydia was sitting at the pianoforte, and Henry was playing his violin when Elizabeth entered the room. Seeing her younger Bennet siblings, she decided she needed to tell them she was moving out of Longbourn, so they did not hear it from another. “Signoreda Funti, may I interrupt your lesson for a few minutes, I need to speak to my younger sisters and brother?” Elizabeth requested.
“Potresti, SignorinaElisabetta, not too long,”Signoreda Funtiagreed.
“Grazie,Signoreda Funti,” Elizabeth responded gratefully. “Will you three come sit here next to me?” She patted the sofa she had seated herself on. As soon as the youngest three Bennets had sat, Elizabeth related the news regarding her name and where she would be living from that day onwards.
“Lizzy, Aunt Cilla said you would not be taken from us,” Lydia wailed.
“And that is true. While we are all at Netherfield Park, I will see all of you at least once a day, and more than likely far more than that. As you know, William and I will marry as soonas we set a date.” The youngest three nodded. “At that point I will leave the house I am living in, regardless of which one it is. However, one thing willalwayshold true. Regardless of my family name, be it Wendell or Darcy, I willneverstop being your sister, and no matter where I am living, we will see each other whenever possible.
“You remember how much Papa loved the library at Pemberley, do you not?” Again, there were three nods. “My hope is, if Mama and Papa agree, you will spend part of the summer with us there, and when we travel to London for the season, we will definitely stop in Hertfordshire. We will always be in contact, even if we do not see one another on a daily basis.”
Lydia threw her arms around Lizzy. “Thank you, Lizzy. I would not have survived never seeing you again,” she stated dramatically.
Mary and then Henry each hugged Lizzy. They were replaced with Giana. “I want to repeat just how happy I am that you will be my sister, Ellie. In addition, I will gain three more sisters and four additional brothers.”
“Do not forget one more sister when Charlotte marries Barney,” Elizabeth pointed out. “And you will be related to Maria, and the rest of the Lucases, who will also be your relatives by marriage.”
Giana nodded her agreement keenly.
Then, as had been promised, after not too many minutes,Signoreda Funtihad the attention of his four students once again.
After listening to Lydia and Henry play their respective instruments for a few minutes, Elizabeth turned to the settee where Jane and David were seated. “Would you two accompany me to the parlour? There is something I wish to canvass with you.” She requested and was happy to receive two nods.
“What may we do for you, Ellie?” David asked once heand Jane were seated on a settee and his sister opposite in an armchair.
“It is about a dream Janie and I had from the time we were little girls,” Elizabeth responded. “Janie, do you remember the promises we made? We have already fulfilled one of them by accepting men we love and who love us.”
“You are referring to us marrying in a double ceremony?” Jane verified.
“Indeed,” Elizabeth confirmed. “Before you say I will need to marry from Willowmere, Mother and Father have already given me permission to ask you this knowing it will mean marrying from Longbourn.”
“If that be the case, then of course, I would love to marry in a double ceremony with you and William,” Jane replied excitedly. “What think you, David?”
“I have no objection. Sharing the ceremony with Ellie and William will only enhance the joy of the day,” David agreed. He cogitated for a few moments. “I can understand why Mother and Father agreed. This has been your home for most of your life.”
“After we have Mama’s agreement, I propose we speak to Charlotte and Barney,” Elizabeth suggested.
“You mean atripleceremony?” Jane gasped.
“I do. You would not object, would you, Janie, or you, David?” Elizabeth queried. “I was thinking that seeing that upon her marriage our best friend will become our sister, marrying together would be perfect.”
“Of course, I do not object,” Jane insisted. Next to her David nodded emphatically. “Will the Lucases not want her to marry from their home?”
“That is why once we gain Mama’s agreement; we need to speak to Charlotte and Barney. If Charlotte agrees, she will know how to approach Sir William and Lady Lucas,” Elizabeth related. “I almost forgot, before we make this request of Mama,I need to confer with William. He, Aunt Catherine, and Richard should arrive in a half hour or so.”
It was a surprise to no one when Darcy agreed to his fiancée’s proposal without delay—he could deny Ellie nothing she asked—and the Bennet parents added their hearty endorsement thereafter.
William and Richard stated they had something to discuss, but it could wait.
The two couples along with Mary who had completed her lesson, made the short walk to Lucas Lodge.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The five walkers were shown into the sitting room at Lucas Lodge where the Lucases and Barney were ensconced. On entering, Elizabeth and Darcy received sincere congratulations from all of the family members. At least, Johnny made his wishes without wincing too noticeably. As soon as the wishes for lifelong happiness had been conveyed, Maria and Mary excused themselves and made their way to the former’s bedchamber.
