“No need to argue over who had the biggest share of luck in your love for one another. I would say you are equally blessed. William, I have no doubt your parents are shining their love down on you from heaven.
“I can confidently say they would whole heartedly approve of your Elizabeth. Although they are by God’s side now, they are still sorely missed. My late father Gerald loved his older brother, your grandfather, Gilroy, to distraction as they were the only two Darcy sons. Although George was more than two decades younger than me, I always enjoyed spending time with my father’s favourite nephew. I am sure my parents and yours are celebrating your good fortune on high,” he offered soothingly to both.
Both Darcy and Elizabeth expressed their emotions in tears that ran down their cheeks in reaction to what the archbishop had said. It was something Darcy had needed to hear because the closer his wedding was, the more he missed his parents and wished they were there to witness his marriage to the love of his life. Darcy’s cousin could not have said a more perfect thing, and it caused the unacknowledged sadness of his parents not being there to lift.
“Now now, you two, I understand why and appreciate that my words gave ease and relief, but there is truly no more need for tears. Tomorrow you will join your lives together for eternity, and a more suited couple I have never had the honour of conducting the holey sacraments of marriage for,” he smiled benevolently.
“Thank you for what you said regarding my parents, Cousin Archie. Until you did, I had not realised how sad I had been that they were not here,” Darcy replied.
“They are here; they are and always will be a part of you, my love,” Lizzy said as she placed her hand over his heart.
“Your fiancée has the right of it, William. They are always with both you and Georgie,” the Archbishop agreed.
In acceptance of the fact his parents were and would always be with him, Darcy lifted his countenance to the heavens and held his Lizzy’s hand. “Mother, Father, this is the woman I love, Elizabeth Bennet, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me and although no one can ever replace you mother, I know she will be an excellent mistress of our estates and houses. Her family has accepted both Georgie and me without reservation and for ourselves, not what they can gain from us,” he offered in reverence and a level of joy he had not yet been able to feel when talking to his parents until now.
“I would have been honoured to meet both of you, and I promise I will always love and cherish your son,” Lizzy added gently, her eyes lifted to the heavens.
With a tear running down his cheek at the touching scene before him, the Archbishop waved the couple away as the emotions in the room were thick enough to cut with a knife.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That night after a pre-wedding dinner at Netherfield Park, Fanny Bennet knocked lightly on Elizabeth’s bedchamber door. On hearing the invitation to enter, she sat on the bed with her second daughter and held Lizzy’s hand.
“This is your last night we have sole claim on you as a daughter living under our roof. Tomorrow your William will have the honour, and I dare say pleasure, of your protection, though you must know all of us will protect and love you all of your days. He really understands you Lizzy, and your father and I are equally happy and relieved your marriage will be a true partnership, which is the only kind of marriage in which we knew you would find your own happiness. Tomorrow night will be your wedding night and I need to talk to you about what to expect in the marriage bed,” Fanny offered softly. With a blush rising in her cheeks Lizzy nodded for her mother to proceed.
“The intimacies of the marriage bed are not something to be feared, especially not with someone who loves you the way your William clearly feels for you. When there is love like the two of you share, the marriage bed will be a wonderful, even pleasurable experience for both of you. Anyone that advises their daughter tolie back and toleratethe relations between man and woman has no idea of what they speak.
“Never be afraid to inform William of what you like, and do not like, and let him know you want to know the same from him. Just as you want your marriage to be a true partnership Lizzy, the same is true of the marriage bed. My wish for you is that you will discover it is as pleasurable to give as to receive, and never be ashamed of the relations you will have in private with your husband. A good relationship in the marriage bed enhances your marriage as a whole and gives a depth of joy you will both benefit from.
“I will not lie to you Lizzy; there will be some pain and blood the first time, but it is only the first time when this should happen. The pain will be but a moment and marks your becoming a woman in every sense of the word. William cares about you so if you need to stop for a moment at that point, I am sure he will understand. He is a man who will never force you to do that which is unacceptable to you. That is why telling each other what you enjoy, and do not enjoy, is so very important.
“If you never think of your relations with your husband as a chore, they will never be so. No matter what anyone else may say, both the husband and wife deriving pleasure from the marriage bed is a good thing and does not make you a wanton, nor is it a sin to love your husband as only a wife can.
“Both you and William are passionate people, so I believe you will both take much pleasure in your marriage, both out of and in the marriage bed. Never be afraid to be spontaneous, and regardless of what society professes, night-time is not the only acceptable time for relations with your beloved husband. Whenever the two of you have privacy and you both desire the same thing, it is never wrong.
“I am jumping ahead, but when you are with child there is no reason to stop having relations with your husband until you feel it is too hard for you as you approach your lying in.
“Remember, you will have a partnership, and like any good and equal partnership the shared experience of love, passion, and pleasure will be very fulfilling. Do you have any questions for me Lizzy? If you feel the need, I can summon your aunt Maddie to see you and talk to you as well.” Fanny gently squeezed her daughter’s hand.
After she calmed down at the thought of the pleasure and experiences she would start to share with her husband starting on the morrow, Elizabeth shook her head. “No Mama I have no questions. I always love to talk to Aunt Maddie, but your talk was very thorough, so there is no need for more information at this time. Thank you, Mama, you have helped me look forward to the marriage bed with pleasure and not fear.” Lizzy squeezed her mother’s hand in return.
Mother and daughter shared some memories, some words only they would ever be able to share from moments they had made theirs, then hugged and shared tears of joy. After kissing her second daughter on both cheeks, Fanny Bennet slipped out of her daughter’s chambers.
On her way back to the master suite, she could not help feeling a little forlorn that after the service at the Longbourn church on the morrow, she would not have four daughters at home anymore, and would have the hard task of seeing her Lizzy leave with her husband to her own home.
And soon after two more daughters would follow Lizzy into marriage, but at least Mary would only be three miles away. Thankfully there was another four weeks before the double wedding.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At Netherfield Park, Darcy was experiencing some good-natured teasing from the three married men in residence as they were drinking brandy while playing some billiards.
“Do you need any pointers or advice, William?” the Earl winked at Andrew.
“No thank you, Uncle Reggie, I think I will be just fine.” Darcy’s colour deepened and he could think of little worse than getting advice on his relations with his Lizzy from his uncle, Andrew, or Hurst.
“Are you sure William? We do not need to give youthe talk?” Andrew ribbed his cousin.
“Absolutely not, Andrew! I do not need to be mortified the night before Lizzy becomes my wife, thank you very much for not giving it!” Darcy proclaimed.
