When Lizzy was asked the same question about William, she announced “I will, most definitely!” with the pleasure of knowing she meant it with her whole heart.
The Archbishop asked who gave the bride to the husband to marry, Bennet stated “I do” with a tear in his eye as he took Lizzy’s hand and offered a gentle squeeze more so to feel her squeeze his in return. The Archbishop took Lizzy’s hand from her father and placed it in Darcy’s hand. They then recited their vows:
“I, Fitzwilliam George Alexander Darcy, take thee Elizabeth Rose Bennet to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my troth.” Darcy’s voice deepened during the recitation, the intensity of his emotions showing.
Next, Elizabeth recited her vows and then the couple released each other’s hands and Richard Fitzwilliam placed the rings on the pages of the Archbishop’s open bible. The archbishop took Lizzy’s ring and handed it to Darcy who placed it on the fourth finger on Lizzy’s left hand and recited the words after the Archbishop read them.
Although not normally done, the process was repeated when Lizzy placed a ring on the fourth finger of Darcy’s left hand and repeated the words William had just said to her.
After the giving and receiving of rings, they knelt as the Archbishop intoned a prayer of blessing. Once the prayer was complete, he joined their right hands together. “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.”
“Forasmuch as Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen,” the Archbishop concluded.
Once the final blessing was given, there were many shouts of congratulations from the congregation of family, friends, and neighbours. The newlyweds followed the Archbishop to the registry where the local parson and his clerk had the parish’s register open to the page where first Darcy signed and then Elizabeth, signed the name Bennet for the last time. Jane and Richard signed as witnesses.
After congratulating them, the parson, who had known Elizabeth since she was five years old followed the Archbishop, the two who had stood up with them, and the clerk out to give the newlyweds some privacy.
“Mrs. Darcy.” Darcy looked down at his wife, the words a benediction of their own.
“How well that sounds, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth whispered up to him.
Anything else they may have wanted to say was lost in a series of increasingly passionate, and deepening kisses. After they put themselves to rights, they exited the registry to the waiting arms and congratulations of their family.
Once the family, which nowofficiallyincluded the Fitzwilliams, congratulated the newlywed couple, the party made the walk back to the manor house to partake in the sumptuous wedding breakfast that was being laid out.
The ballroom was set up with tables along the walls laden with many dishes of food. There were many tables and chairs for the guests to sit and eat in comfort, with a raised platform with one long table for the bride and groom, and their family.
The newlyweds did not want to be separated, so they walked together to each of the tables to thank the guests for coming to share in their day and accept the good wishes of those that had come. Each and every time somebody addressed her as Mrs. Darcy, Elizabeth felt a thrill. Oh, how she loved to hear her new appellation.
The Darcys had been circulating for about two hours when Darcy asked his new wife if she was ready to leave, to which she nodded. She went up to her former chambers where Jane’s Abigail, de Chambé, was waiting to help her as Jacqui was already on the way to Darcy House in London, along with all of the new Mrs. Darcy’s belongings that had been packed up at Longbourn, which was their first stop on their journey as husband and wife.
Once she had changed into her traveling clothes and her magnificent wedding dress had been hung, covered, and put in a small trunk to go with them, Elizabeth Rose Darcy took one last look around her the bedchamber of her girlhood.
She was both sad to leave, while at the same time, extremely happy to be married and leaving with her William. From this day onward she would not have to be parted from her very handsome husband again. After her indulgent look, she closed the door on that chapter of her life and descended the stairs to the new chapter that awaited her.
Her husband was waiting for her at the base of the steps, as was her family that now included Anne de Bourgh as a cousin. The Hursts and Bingley had been included in the party that was to see the newlyweds off, it was only right as they were to become part of the family in four weeks when Bingley married Jane.
Jane, who had always been very close to Lizzy, was the first to hug her. “When will you tell me what Mama told you last night?” Jane whispered in her sister’s ear as they hugged.
“Mama will talk to both you and Mary before your wedding. All I will say is her advice is very reassuring and sound,” Elizabeth replied in returned a whisper.
“Lizzy, I will miss you so much. I cannot wait to see you in three weeks and hear where you have been on your wedding trip.” Jane looked to her newest brother. “William, I am so happy you are my brother and please look after my younger sister.” Jane smiled as she looked up at her new brother.
“You know I will, Jane. I will move heaven and earth to see she is happy,” Darcy vowed as he bowed his head to her to seal his promise.
“You had better!” young Tom said with a grin. “Just because I am no longer the oldest brother does not mean I will not keep an eye on you.”
“I would expect no less from either you or James,” Darcy chuckled.
“Do not forget in four weeks you will get two additional older brothers,” Richard smirked.
“In your case Richard, a much older brother,” James teased the former Colonel.
“Hey! I am only two years older than William, so I am not that old!” Richard retorted with a fake pout.
“Tom, James, do not pick on your older soon-to-be brother. Now move over and let the mother and father of the bride talk to their son and daughter,” Bennet grinned, seeing a foreshadowing of many holiday encounters to come.
