Chapter 21
On leaving Mercury with the capable groom, Lizzy made her way to the breakfast parlour where she joined the family to break her fast.
“Why did you not wake James and me to join you on your ride, Lizzy? After today it will be a while until we can ride with you again. We leave for Cambridge on the morrow,” Tom Bennet asked.
“I will miss you both as well, Tom, and everyone else. I will see you at Jane and Mary’s wedding, and do not forget when Mama and Papa collect you for the Christmastide term break you will all be joining us at Pemberley for the festive season, so we will be seeing each other, Lizzy reassured her brother.
“I know that, but I will miss you ever so much, Lizzy,” he sighed resignedly.
“Me also!” James chimed in.
“I will miss you and my sisters, and Mama and Papa as well, but I promise we will see each other quite often and I will write to you. Do not forget that even if I were not marrying my William today, I would only see you on your breaks from school,” Elizabeth offered placatingly.
Tom and James acknowledged the truth of what Elizabeth said, but they knew there would be a major change to the family dynamic today, and another, possibly even larger one in four weeks when Jane and Mary wed.
“Before you know it, Mama and Papa will collect you from Cambridge and you two boys will be joining Georgie and me with Lizzy and William at Pemberley, and we will all have a very good time. Do not forget the Fitzwilliams, the Gardiners, the Hursts, Anne, Mary and Richard, and Jane and Charles will all be there as well,” Kitty stated in sympathy, as she knew exactly how they felt.
“We know that, Kitty.” James replied with a tight smile. “However, it will be different when you, Tom, and I are the only Bennet children still living at Longbourn.”
“Life would be very boring if there was never change, my sons,” Bennet stated gently as he walked in.
“We know Papa,” answered Tom on behalf of his brother and himself. “We will just miss our sisters, that is all.”
“Missing your sisters is normal and natural. Do not forget Mary will be with Richard at Netherfield Park, and we will be visiting Pemberley and Longfield Meadows during the summers. With your being at Cambridge, you will see your sisters almost as much as if they were still living here,” Fanny pointed out with a genuine smile.
What better proof that she and Thomas had done well guiding them into loving, kind people than in a moment of change there was regret at the losses of those they loved from their everyday lives.
“Yes Mama,” the boys chorused.
“Miss Lizzy, it is time. I instructed Arseneault to have a bath ready for you after you broke your fast.” Fanny stood.
Elizabeth nodded her acquiescence to her mother, going around the table to kiss everyone on the cheek. With that, Elizabeth Bennet went up to her chambers to get ready for the biggest day of her life so far.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After her bath, she was assisted into her wedding dress by Jane, her mother, and her lady’s maid. The creation by Madame Chambourg was one of a kind, and it was exquisite. Fanny Bennet strung an elegant necklace of pearls around her daughter’s neck. Her maid Jacqui assisted Elizabeth to fasten the matching earrings, and her hairpins had pearl heads which stood out beautifully with Elizabeth’s raven coloured hair.
A half hour before the ceremony, Elizabeth took one long look around her now packed-up bedchamber where she had slept for the last twelve years of her life. She would miss Longbourn as the home of her childhood, but she had no regrets.
In a little over a half hour, it would no longer be the home of her heart. Considering who would be waiting at the altar in the nave of the Church, Elizabeth Bennet had to admit her heart was with William, and she was at home with him, no matter what walls gave them shelter.
Fanny, Mary, Kitty, Tom, and James Bennet made the short walk with the Gardiners and Georgiana Darcy to the Longbourn Church. They entered to find it was full and greeted neighbours as they took their seats in the Bennet Pews, on the right in the front.
Across the aisle sat the Fitzwilliams, Bingley, Anne de Bourgh, and the Hursts. Darcy stood with Richard Fitzwilliam and the Archbishop in front of the altar. The Church was very tastefully decorated with white and yellow flowers and the forest green bows set them off perfectly.
Elizabeth took her father’s arm, and with Jane holding the dress’ train, made the short walk to the entrance to the Church where George and May Gardiner were waiting for the bride with their mother in the vestibule. Madeline Gardiner kissed her niece on the cheek and then entered the church, signalling to the archbishop that the bride was ready.
The inner vestibule doors were opened, and May Gardiner walked up the aisle, dropping white daisy petals as she did. She was followed by her brother George who had a pillow with the rings, which he handed to Richard Fitzwilliam and then joined his family in the pew. Once he sat, the ethereally beautiful Jane Bennet walked up the aisle and the doors closed behind her.
Bingley’s eyes were glued to the vision that was his fiancée, praying the next four weeks would fly by. Once Jane reached the altar, the Archbishop gave a signal, the congregation stood and then the doors opened one more time.
The sun’s rays were behind Elizabeth, and Darcy thought she looked like an angel with the aura of light until the doors were closed. Without the bright light behind her, he could see her dress of off-white silk with gold trim, there was a layer of a fine white meshed organza that had pearls that matched her jewellery and hair pins. Elizabeth’s veil was made of the same material and also decorated with pearls.
How he loved his gorgeous Lizzy! He could not imagine a more beautiful woman anywhere in the world. A few steps from the altar, Bennet lifted the veil, kissed his daughter on the cheek, and placed her hand on Darcy’s arm. The couple walked up the steps to face the Archbishop who commenced the service from the Book of Common Prayer.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony…
They soon reached the point when Darcy was asked if he took Lizzy to be his wife, his clear and loud baritone “I do” was heard by all but only those in front saw his smile.
