The pews lining the aisle had white ribbons with two white roses each, one for each bride, symbolising her purity. Each bride’s bouquet, being carried by her maid of honour, was comprised of shades of white, red, and pink roses.
When they reached the head of the aisle, the children went to sit with their mothers and siblings. At that moment, St Alfred’s vicar nodded and the inner vestibule door leading into the nave of the church was closed. Then, he signalled the congregation to stand. As soon as everyone stood, he gave his signal to the men at the rear of the nave. Each one opened an inner vestibule door as the organist began to softly play a piece from Handel’sThe Arrival of the Queen of Shebafrom his oratorioSolomon.
As soon as Jane entered the nave of the church, her eyes sought out Andrew, who had locked his eyes onto her. When they were about halfway up the aisle, Sir William and Charlotte began to walk, Maria following them.
Jane was thankful that Mr Pierce, St Hugh’s rector, stood alongside his colleague. He would administer the vows for Jane and Andrew, while St Alfred’s vicar would do everything else. By the time Papa stopped near the head of the aisle, Andrew was standing ready to take her hand from Papa. Her father lifted her delicate lace veil and kissed both of her cheeks, and then replaced it. She watched as Papa transferred her hand from his own arm to Andrew’s, signifying the transfer of her protection to her soon-to-be husband.
As Andrew led her to her place, the process was repeated by Sir William. The only difference was that Charlotte wore a wedding bonnet, not a veil.
Once both couples and their attendants were before him, the clergyman gave the signal for the congregants to be seated. As soon as all had been seated, the parson opened hisBook of Common Prayerto the relevant page and began. “Dearly beloved…”
To the couples being married, the time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, the concluding prayers were recited, and they had each been announced man and wife to a cheering congregation.
“Do you want my curtsy now or after we sign the register, Lady Hilldale?” Elizabeth teased her sister.
As she was too busy looking at her husband, Jane ignored Lizzy’s quip. Unfortunately, as there were two couples, they did not tarry in the registry. After their witnesses had signed, Jane signed Bennet one last time while Charlotte waited to write Lucas for a final time.
For her part, Charlotte felt like she needed to pinch herself to wake from this dream, although if it was a dream, she really did not want to wake. She was now Charlotte Fitzwilliam, all because Eliza had dragged her to London, and Mr Hurst had told her Richard that he wanted him to meet a lady. He did not have an estate, and they would live in London most of the year, but Charlotte only cared that she was with her Richard. Thanks to his careful saving over the years and all the money invested with Edward Gardiner, with his wages from his work, they would have close to four thousand pounds per annum. Richard had not been sure it was enough, while to Charlotte it was a veritable fortune, seeing that Lucas Lodge barely earned one thousand pounds a year. She would have married him regardless of his fortune because Charlotte, the same woman who had said she did not need love to marry a man, was deeply in love with her husband, as he was with her.
When the couples returned from the registry, their families and closest friends remained. There were personal wishes of happy and hugs bestowed before those who hadwaited began to make for their conveyances to carry them to Netherfield Park.
Seeing that he had stood up for Richard, Darcy was one of the last to head out of the church. He was stopped by his cousin, whom he counted more as a brother than a cousin. “That leaves you as the only single one of our age, William. With Anne, Andy, and me all married, it is your turn now,” Fitzwilliam said next to his cousin’s ear.
“All in good time, Richard, all in good time.” Darcy grinned and made for his coach. Gigi was with the Bennets, so it was only him in his conveyance. When Richard had mentioned him marrying, a very pretty face with sparkling emerald-green eyes danced before his eyes, so he sat back and thought of his future, which he was certain, or at least he fervently hoped, included Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Two hours later, both brides having changed, the Fitzwilliams, Darcys, Bennets, Lucases, and Hursts waved farewell to the retreating coaches.
The Hilldale equipage was headed to Ramsgate. Andrew had considered taking Jane to the Lakes, where his parents owned a house on a hill which had a spectacular view of Lake Windermere as well as some of the smaller waters. What changed his mind was the rapidly cooling temperatures in the north, so instead they went south, where it was significantly warmer.
The carriage bearing the newlywedded Fitzwilliams, a new one—a Bingley conveyance and a gift from Richard’s parents—was headed in the same general direction, except they were for a house belonging to William Darcy near Brighton.
Like Harry had told him he had done with his wife on the journey after his wedding, Fitzwilliam told his Charlotte exactly what it was that he did and the role that Harry played. “That is why we have more outriders than my brother and new sister. Whenever you are at home, or leave the house, there will be footmen with you who are much more than footmen, like those giants who are with Harry and his family.”
Charlotte was amazed to learn, along with everything else she learnt, that Harold was Sir Harold and Louisa was Lady Hurst. She could not help but smile.
“What is so amusing, wife of mine?” Fitzwilliam enquired.
“Eliza has divined much of what you have just told me,” Charlotte replied. Seeing her husband’s shocked look, she added, “She never forgets anything, but not only that, she is able to put memories together to make a picture. She told me that she believes that you work in some secret job and that Harold is not as he portrays to the world.”
“That reminds me that Hurst told me that Lizzy came to the conclusion that the older Mrs Hurst is titled all because she could remember a conversation from some years ago. My late predecessor would have loved to recruit both Jane and Lizzy when they got older if they were not gentleladies. Of course, Bennet would have more than likely objected,” Fitzwilliam related. “It seems that my cousin William also saw through Harry’s persona, although I do not think he is aware of my job yet, but I believe he and Father suspect.”
“Perhaps Jane would have refused, but with Eliza’s sense of adventure, I am sure she would have accepted. Enough about that; tell me about Seaview House.”
“I am yours to command…” Fitzwilliam proceeded to follow his orders.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
About a sennight before Easter of 1810, the Bennets, Darcys, Fitzwilliams, Lucases, and Hursts arrived at Rosings Park to celebrate the holy day with Anne and Ian Ashby. The former was increasing, having just missed her third set of courses, but she had not felt the quickening yet, so she did not plan to tell her family. The rest of the Ashbys arrived the following day from their estates in Surrey.
The various men had been at their estates for the spring planting, which had ensured that they were all able to attend.
Regardless of her intent, Anne’s Aunt Elaine, Aunt Fanny, Aunt Leticia, and Louisa, who herself had just begun to suspect she was with child again, all took one look at Anne and knew she wasenceinte.
The group greatly enjoyed their time together, especially as this was the first time since the wedding in October that the Bennets had seen Jane or the Lucases had seen Charlotte. There were many hugs between the new wives and their families, and not a few tears of happiness were shared.
On the penultimate Sunday of April, the residents of Rosings Park made the less than half-mile walk to St Cuthbert’s Church in Hunsford. It and the parsonage were across a lane from the great estate.
