“Had you asked me this question when you requested the courtship, my reply would have been the same. Yes, Richard, yes, I will marry you, and only you.”
As if he had been shot out of a cannon, Fitzwilliam rose to his feet and was standing before Jane in a moment. He gently pulled her to himself and revelled in the fact that rather than resist, she willingly fell into his arms. As he was aware of who stood guard just the other side of the walls, Fitzwilliam knew he would have to regulate his passion for now.
They were so close Jane could feel his heartbeat through their clothing. She turned her head up towards him and closed her eyes. Her breath caught when his lips brushed against hers, and her heart began to race like a galloping horse. She felt bereft of the touch of his lips when he pulled back. Jane opened her eyes to see him looking at her questioningly. She decided to give him a reply he would not be able to misinterpret. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him to her.
Denying his betrothed that which she obviously desired was the last thing Fitzwilliam would have done. This time when their lips met, it was with hungry passion; their first chaste kiss was all but a figment of their imagination.
Suspecting their ten minutes was almost gone, and as much as he did not want to, Fitzwilliam pulled back.
Jane was not pleased Richard had withdrawn his lips. However, as reluctant as she was to cease the wonderful activity, Jane understood why Richard had exercised prudence as soon as she heard the clearing of a throat from outside the door by either John or Brian.
Even though her legs were somewhat unsteady, Jane reached the door and pulled it all the way open so the men outside would be able to relax.
“Before you go to request your father join me, I would like to present you with this.” Fitzwilliam was holding a gold ring with four round-cut diamonds in a cluster with two smaller stones on either side of the ones in the centre. “This ring was my late maternal grandmother’s. She decided that seeing that Andy would, as he should, have all the Fitzwilliam jewellery, and as we do not have a sister, I was to have all her jewels to present to my wife one day. Rather than object, Mother heartily endorsed Grandmama Phillipa’s decision. This was the ring my late maternal grandfather presented to her the day they became engaged.”
“It is a very beautiful ring,” Jane opined. She watched as with his free hand Richard reached for her left hand. She straightened the fourth finger and looked on as her betrothed slid the ring onto her finger. It fit snugly, as if it had been made for her. “I think I should go ask Papa to join you.”
Not trusting himself to speak as his unadulterated joy bubbled up, Fitzwilliam simply nodded.
Jane floated out of the study, fighting the urge to skip down the hallway like she used to when she was a young girl. She smiled at John and Brian beatifically. The result was the two who prided themselves on not showing emotion while on duty, could not but grin back at her.
When Jane entered the drawing room, she was met with many expectant faces. She kept her hands behind her back. “Papa, Richard awaits you in the study,” Jane said with a face-splitting smile.
Holder stood and made his way out of the room. As he passed Jane, he looked at her hands behind her and saw the ring on her significant finger. He nodded to his Edith and told Samuelson to be ready with flutes of champagne as soon as he returned with Mr Fitzwilliam in tow.
“Jane, will you come to me?” Edith requested.
As she would never disobey her mother, Jane came to stand in front of Mamma.
“Your hands, dear,” Edith commanded.
Lady Elaine saw her mother’s ring as soon as Jane moved her hands. “It suits you very well,” she stated without delay.
“Richard proposed, and I have accepted him,” Jane gushed. She knew the cat was out of the bag before Papa returned, so there was no reason to remain coy about what had occurred. Before she finished the sentence, Jane was surrounded by all the ladies in the drawing room admiring her ring and congratulating her.
The longest and tightest hugs were from Lizzy and Mary. Both were effusive in their wishes for Jane’s future felicity.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Granting Richard his permission and blessing was the easiest thing for Holder to do. He and Edith had discussed exactly this scenario the night after Jamey’s wedding, and she had agreed that Richard was the ideal husband for Jane, meaning there was no reason to refuse his application when he made it. Hence, when Holder spoke, he spoke for both.
“Have you two discussed a wedding date yet?” Holder asked.
“We have not. That would have been rather presumptuous of us had we done that before we gained your consent and blessing, would it not?” Fitzwilliam returned.
“Good form on your part. However, I am sure you have thought about it.”
“If Jane agrees, I will not set any date without her, but for my part, I think a date close to her next birthday would be good.”
Holder was relieved by Richard’s thinking. He was certain Edith would be very pleased that she would have four months to plan Jane’s wedding. “That sounds very sensible. I think we should join those in the drawing room. Although I think an announcement will be superfluous as I am certain everyone has spied Jane’s ring by now.” He paused. “Do you know what Jane’s dowry is?”
“I have heard rumours, but whatever the amount is, I want the settlement to leave it under her control. My late Uncle Lewis left me more money than I will need in a few lifetimes,” Fitzwilliam responded.
“There is time to talk about marriage contracts, and Jane may not agree.” Holder clapped his son-in-law to-be on his back and led the way out of the study.
As soon as the master and Mr Fitzwilliam entered the drawing room, the butler and two footmen followed them with trays full of flutes of champagne. Once everyone had a glass, Holder raised his and simply said, “To Jane and Richard.”
The toast was echoed by those in the room.
