“You have Fanny and me here, two now very experienced wedding organisers, and I am sure your future mother-in-law is one too,” the Countess stated in a tone of voice that brooked no opposition.
The newly engaged couple had but to look at one another to see the other was hoping each wanted this as much as they did. Anne nodded as she smiled with such joy, she could barely catch her breath. “Aunt Fanny you are a genius. Aunt Elaine, you are correct, there is no good reason to wait a month. What say you we get married the day before you are all to depart?” she asked hopefully.
“What do you think, Elaine? Should we start planning?” Fanny teased Anne.
“Yes Fanny, we have our daughters here and they can all be put to work, except you Lizzy,” the Countess whirled to look at her, “so do not even think about it! I could see your mind working.”
“I will behave, Aunt Elaine. William will not allow me to over-exert myself even were I to be foolish enough to try to,” Elizabeth admitted.
With the wedding date resolved, the party prepared to return to the house. Ashby mounted his horse and galloped off in the direction of the Hunsford parsonage to see his friend Allenton about a common license.
Knowing the parties involved and that the Earl had blessed the union, Allenton issued the common licence without delay.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Two days later the carriages transporting the Ashbys pulled to a halt under the very large portico at Rosings Park. Lord and Lady Ashbury were in one coach with their only daughter, Lady Sarah Ashby, who was nineteen. The second conveyance conveyed Lord and Lady Amberleigh and their two sons. Their baby girl was in the third carriage with her nurse and the rest of the personal servants.
Lords Ashbury and Matlock knew and respected each other from their time in the House of Lords. Their political views did not always align, but there was a lot of common ground. Ladies Matlock and Ashbury knew each other reasonably well from their time in town while their husbands were in session, and they had attended many social events.
Once the Ashby family had time to change, Ian asked them to meet with him in the sitting room between his parent’s chambers. There he informed his family he was finally engaged to his beloved Anne, which made them all extremely happy as he and they had long waited for this glorious day and the congratulations equalled the relief the news gave.
Then he added the unexpected news of having the wedding in a mere sennight. Until he explained the very practical reasons why, his family was perturbed, but once they had absorbed the news and saw the basis for an accelerated wedding was reasonable due to Anne having four pregnant cousins, it was obvious waiting would mean Anne would have almost no family present.
The more they discussed it, the more Ashby’s family embraced the plan, and proportionally his mother got more excited about planning the wedding with Lady Matlock and Mrs. Bennet.
When the Ashbys entered the drawing room, there was a collective sigh of relief as those waiting for them saw the happiness on their faces.
Ashbury and Amberleigh joined the group where the Earl of Matlock was talking to Bennet and Gardiner. On being introduced, rather than be upset at being in the presence of one in trade, they were well pleased.
Both Ashbys knew much ofKing Midasby reputation and had wanted to invest with him for some time now, but had long been told he was not accepting any more investors. They correctly surmised that a family connection would change that for them.
The party was joined by Hunsford’s rector for dinner as he had been friends with Ashby for many years, even before he was retained as the curate at the living attached to Sherwood Park, so he had met Ashby’s family a number of times before.
He had not seen Lady Sarah Ashby for more than five years, and instead of the awkward youth of fourteen he had last seen, he saw a very pretty, intelligent, and composed young lady.
Not long after Allenton joined the assembled residents, the butler announced dinner, and the party filed into the formal dining room. It was noted by certain of those in attendance that Allenton led Lady Sarah into dinner, and she seemed not to object at all.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On Easter Sunday, the Hunsford Church was filled to overflowing. Since Mr. Allenton had become the rector, and as word of his style and substance made the rounds, each Sunday from his first onward, the number of those who came to hear his sermons steadily increased.
Once the parishioners accepted that anything they told the vicar in confidence went no further and this clergyman always had the parishioner’s best interests at heart, the community served by the Hunsford Church fully embraced and accepted the new pastor.
The unfortunate few of the Rosings party that had the displeasure of sitting through a service delivered by the late William Collins noted the two were at the opposite ends of the spectrum as clergymen.
The former had been considered a poor orator at best while Allenton was among the best. Darcy knew when, or if, Graham Allenton and Patrick Elliot met, they would be fast friends as they were cut from the same cloth. Both were very proficient at the vocation they had felt called by God to do.
After a most enjoyable service and a very well-delivered and apt sermon, the rector stood just outside his church and conversed with anyone who wanted to talk to him, greeting each of his parishioners by name.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A sumptuous Easter meal was served at Rosings Park whose guests, in addition to Allenton, included three families of parishioners, none of them landed. Thankfully, no one among the present party, including the Ashbys, held to the outdated and fading belief system regarding the distinction of rank being preserved.
After the meal, the three families thanked Miss de Bourgh sincerely and took their leave. The remaining party separated by sex so the men could stay at the table and enjoy some libations and cigars. The ladies repaired to the drawing room.
“Anne, have the two of you decided where you will live after your nuptials?” Lizzy asked Anne once she had been assisted by her sister Jane and her mother to situate herself on a comfortable settee and she put her feet up on a footstool.
“We have had that discussion, Lizzy. Ian loves his estate, and it is not more than a three-hour carriage ride from Rosings Park so it will be our primary residence. William recommended Mr. Kaleb Firth to be my new steward, and Ian agrees he is as honest as the day is long and very capable.
