“I can imagine doing nothing else, though it may strain my friendship if they are opposed. I will see if it is necessary before I offer, but if it is necessary, I will offer, Mary,” he promised his middle daughter.
“Mary, if you could teach me how to do that?” Lydia arched a brow, lightening the tension and helping everyone resettle, winking at her sister affectionately, the most like Lizzy of the five.
Darcy, too, was extremely happy for his friend who had not only found an estimable partner, but a love match to boot. Lady Longbourn was on the verge of suggesting that they go to Lucas Lodge to wish them joy when Hill announced the five Lucases. It took but seconds for the guests to understand that their daughter had the full support of their friends and that all the Bennets were delighted for Charlotte.
Had it been some months before, Lady Lucas would have been driven to an apoplexy at the news that the Bennets would soon be related to the Royal Family, and that the next two daughters to marry would do so at Westminster Abbey in the presence of the Queen and other royals. Now she was pleased to know that her approbation was genuine for the Bennets and their good connections. In fact, better than just about any family in the kingdom could boast. Lady Lucas was very impressed. Her friend had known about the Royal connection for days; Fanny did not keep secrets from Hattie as they saw each other almost daily, but neither had breathed a word of it. If Charlotte had not added the Post Script, there was no telling how long it would have been before she would have been privy to the information.
The Lucases were invited to stay at Bennet House when they came to Town for the double wedding in August. Between all of the extended family’s townhouses there was ample room for guests who did not have their own homes in Town. Charlotte had shared the elegance of the Bennet’s town home with her mother. Sarah Lucas had hoped to one day see Bennet House; with this invitation she would be hosted there herself for a few short days.
Darcy was relieved to learn that he did not have to part with his beloved for a trip to Town the following day. He had intended to collect the draft of the settlement and the ring that he wanted to present to his betrothed.
Mary’s ring had arrived by courier from Woburn Abbey, the Duke’s estate, that very day and the women were enamoured of the gold banded ring with a massive ruby surrounded by diamonds.
Darcy would have preferred to present the ring to his beloved the day he proposed, but it was in London in the vault at his bank. They would all travel together to Town, so he could complete his tasks while she was at the modiste. There would still be ample time left to see his betrothed for functions, dinners, and other enjoyments such as walks in Hyde Park.
Fanny had received affirmative answers from both Elaine Fitzwilliam and Sarah De Melville that they would assist with the upcoming events and would arrive in town within a day or two of the Bennets and their party as the group departing Hertfordshire planned to leave early the following morning.
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With trepidation for its contents, Charlotte received a return express from her father. She was apprehensive to read the letter and had one of the footmen summon her betrothed for moral support. A little more than half an hour later, the man she loved entered the sitting room to join his affianced and Miss Jones. Feeling no small amount of nervousness, Charlotte inhaled and held her breath as she broke the seal. ‘At least Papa answered when they could have just cut me. Please, God, let this not be a break with my family,’ she prayed then opened her eyes to read her father’s words aloud for her betrothed to know them as she did as she wanted no secrets from him:
Lucas Lodge
Hertfordshire
13 July 1812
To our dearest daughter and most beloved sister,
With such a greeting, she knew that this was not a letter bearing bad tidings and she visibly relaxed, tears of joy and relief rolled down her cheek. Elliot saw his betrothed relax so he merely held his hand back as he did not want to intrude on her moment with her family, even a vicarious one, as they had done what he hoped, not what she feared, and supported her.
Your Mama, Frank, Maria, John, and I send you nothing but good wishes and joy. If not you, who could possibly deserve such happiness, to find a man to love her who she loves in return. We agree without reservation with your decision to keep to a six-month mourning period. You have the right of it, daughter! That blowhard, may he rest in peace, did not deserve any of your precious time mourning his loss.
Please tell your betrothed that we all welcome him to the family with open arms and cannot wait to meet both him and our soon to be granddaughter. As you can imagine, your siblings, the younger two especially, cannot wait to have a niece.
Your Mama and I would like to host your wedding and have you married from Lucas Lodge.
The Bennets have volunteered Bennet Fields for anyone who may need accommodation for however long it is needed, and Fanny would like to host a ball in your honour. It was not needed, but the full support of the Bennets is appreciated and will ensure that no one will speak against you for your decision.
We love you, Charlotte.
You are and you always will be my dear girl,
Papa
The tears that had trickled were now a stream that flowed freely. They were tears of joy, but they were still tears. Elliot handed her a handkerchief to dry her eyes, his hand holding hers until she was able to focus on him.
“If you want to marry from your parent’s home, my love, then it will be so,” Elliot offered with the depth of meaning to what he said. He was very relieved for his Charlotte as she had been nervous and uncertain with regards to how her parents would react.
“Would you be able to get away for so long a period?” Charlotte asked once her equanimity was restored, the hope and love shining in her eyes making him chuckle.
“I would never forgive myself if you had to marry me by proxy, as you will be marrying me, Charlotte, no one else,” he teased, chuckling when she laughed, banishing the last of her tension. “You leave at the end of the month to go to Surrey for a wedding, correct?” She nodded her agreement. “A week later will be Lady Elizabeth and Darcy’s double wedding that I too will attend. From then it will be a little more than a month until we wed. There is a deacon that I employ when one of the three of us is on holiday. That means that Gracie and I will be near you from their wedding until ours until we return to Derbyshire as a family. When you write to your friend, please include a note from the both of us thanking Lady Longbourn for her overly generous offers.”
Rather than lose her family, Charlotte would have them with her when she entered into her true marriage, one that would be full of respect, felicity and love. Never in her dreams had she imagined that she would one day enter into a marriage that was of both the heart and mind. Just as Eliza used to describe her expectations of what her marriage would be.
Elliot wrote to his parents and brother at their estate as well as the one in Liverpool to announce his finding a new wife, all about her, and that they would marry in Hertfordshire from her home with the date. He explained that the Elliots would be hosted at an estate owned by the Earl of Longbourn and his family, and suggested that they arrive a fortnight prior to the wedding, if possible, to get to know their new daughter and sister, and her family. An added benefit is that they would have time to be with Grace who loved them all dearly.
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