Edith watched as May scurried to Maddie as soon as her basket of petals was empty. Edith had to smile when she noticed how William nudged Richard, causing him to remember to descend the two marble steps to come stand at the head of the aisle. Paul and Jane stopped a foot or so from Richard, and then, her father lifted the veil and kissed each of Jane’s cheeks, after which he replaced her veil. Thereafter, he placed their eldest daughter’s hand on Richard’s arm.
As the couple and Jane’s attendants climbed the two marble steps, Paul came and stood next to Edith. As soon as Jane and Richard stood before Mr Pierce, with Lizzy and Mary taking their positions behind and to the side of their older sister, the rector gave the signal for the congregation to be seated.
Once everyone who was not part of the party near the altar, was seated, Mr Pierce opened his well-worn copy ofThe Book of Common Prayerand commenced with, “Dearly beloved…”
Jane had to fight to maintain her composure when she was reciting her vows and had just promised to obey Richard when, from behind her, she heard in extremesotto voceLizzy add, “Only if Richard obeys Jane.”
Elizabeth knew Jane had heard her when she saw the way she was fighting to maintain her equanimity. She decided that if she had the urge for further commentary, it would be silently thought and not said. She had forgotten how keen Jane’s hearing was.
In what seemed like the time it took to blink, Edith’s eldest daughter was married and no longer bore the name Carrington-Bennet. Even though Jane would sign that name for a final time in the registry, she was now a Fitzwilliam and under Richard’s protection. After the concluding prayer, Richard led Jane towards the registry with Lizzy and William following them.
While Elizabeth hugged Jane, William shook Richard’s hand before they switched to the member of the newly married couple they had not wished happy yet.
The four found the register open to the relevant page on a stand. Elizabeth signed first, and then William added his name. As Jane was signing her former family name for the final time, Elizabeth and William exited the room and pulled the door closed behind them.
It was a full fifteen minutes before Jane and Richard exited the registry, their swollen lips announcing what they had done with the privacy they had been afforded. Their family members and close friends were waiting for them. They were surrounded by those who loved them, and congratulations flowed liberally. Eventually people departed for Holder Heights, leaving only the Carringtons, Fitzwilliams, and Darcys.
“You two will do very well together,” Holder declared after he kissed Jane’s cheek.
“If your married life is half as felicitous as what Charlotte and I share, then you will be very happy, little sister,” Hadlock whispered in her ear as he hugged Jane.
“I know you will always treat Jane well. Hence, I need not warn you what will happen if you do not,” Elizabeth said in jest after she hugged Richard.
“It will be my life’s work to see Jane happy,” Fitzwilliam responded.
“Good answer, Son,” Matlock said as he clapped his son on his back.
“Jane and Richard, I could not be more pleased that you are married,” Lady Elaine enthused. “As much as Reggie, Andrew, and I would like to remain to join in the celebration at Holder Heights, we must depart for Hilldale directly. Marie had not commenced her labours this morning, but I believe it will be very soon.”
“Mother, Richard and I understand fully,” Jane allowed. “We were pleased to have Father here with us until today, but now it is time for you both to be there to support Marie and Andrew.”
The same day Jane had accepted Richard, the then Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie had asked to be called ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’. There would be no confusion as Jane addressed her parents as Mamma and Papa. Richard now called Mamma ‘Mother Edith’ and continued to address Papa as ‘Holder’.
Next, Lady Anne approached Jane. “I have considered you a niece from the time your mother and father adopted you, but now you are one in fact,” she said as she hugged her niece.
“I suspect you will be able to call one of us more than a niece one day,” Jane said slyly as her eyes flicked to where Lizzy and William stood and spoke.
“If it is His will, it will be,” Lady Anne replied. In her mind, Lizzy and William were formed for one another, but she would never try to influence them one way or the other. If they ever came together, it would be because it was what they both desired.
“You have done very well in your choice of wife, Rich,” Hilldale stated. “I understand you two will be in the Lake District for your honeymoon. Did Jane not want to go to the coast?”
“As you know, the Carringtons have been to Seaview House and Lake Vista House not a few times over the years. Jane enjoys being near Brighton; however, her preference was the lakes. Thanks to the time of the year we married, it is warm enough to go there.” Fitzwilliam paused. “My prayer is that Marie and your new babe survive the travails of childbirth and are both healthy afterwards. Please tell my sister I am thinking of her.”
“She will appreciate that.” Hilldale saw his parents heading towards the doors leading to the vestibule and then out of the church. His father’s trunk was already lashed to the coach. “Time to go, Rich.”
The family members walked the three departing Fitzwilliams out to the waiting conveyance. They boarded, and with waves to their family, they were off.
Except for the newlyweds, the remaining family members climbed into their various equipages and began the less-than-two-mile journey to Holder Heights. Once the rear carriage disappeared from sight, Fitzwilliam led his wife to the white, open landau to be pulled by a matched pair of white horses. He had the bag of coins ready for when they travelled through the town. They climbed aboard, both sitting on the forward-facing bench—sitting next to one another was an advantage of being married—before the coachman was told to walk on.
Even before the coins were tossed into the air, there had been cheers by those lining Holder’s main street. The coins caused the cheers to become a roar of approval.
It took less than ten minutes before they approached the manse at Holder Heights. Jane did feel a little wistful, regardless of how happy she was. Even though she would always be welcomed here with open arms, it was no longer her home. That distinction fell to Rosings Park and, when in London, Fitzwilliam House.
Jane smiled as she saw that it was John who placed the step when the coach came to a halt. Richard employed his own guards, but she would miss the gentle giants who had watched over her, her brother, and sisters for many years.
Mr Belle, the butler, first added his wishes for their happiness before leading them to the double doors leading into the ballroom. He nodded to the two footmen. Each one opened one of the doors, and then he stepped in. As soon as the doors opened, the crowd within had quieted. “The Honourable Mr Richard and Lady Jane Fitzwilliam,” he announced proudly and then stood aside.
There were rousing cheers and the clapping of hands as the newly married couple stepped into the ballroom.
