“When did you inform my daughter where you were taking her for the wedding trip?” Bennet grinned.
“The day we sailed from Southampton,” Will shared.
Elizabeth did not relinquish her niece until she placed her into the waiting cradle in the nursery.“How did they do on their first carriage ride, Jane?” Elizabeth asked as she walked with Jane to show her which suite was hers and Perry’s.
“They did surprisingly well; I believe it was the way that Perry planned the trip. We stopped often and did not travel as far as we could have each day. Rather than two, the trip was four days. My husband is a doting and most considerate father,” Jane informed her younger sister.“Now tell me, how did you enjoy your honeymoon, sister dearest?”
“It could not have been better, Will chose the perfect thing as he knew how much I wanted to travel,” Elizabeth told Jane.
“And how is the, well, the rest of your marriage?” Jane asked as delicately as she could.
“With nothing to compare to, I would still say that the personal part of our union is as good as it could be,” said the blushing bride.“Luckily, my mother and Mother Tammy let me know that desiring my husband did not make me a wanton and was, in fact, perfectly natural and right.”
“Mama told me the same before I married my Perry,” Jane agreed.“I can hardly believe that we are in our third year of marriage; time goes by like the blink of an eye.”
“That is why we need to enjoy each day that God allows us in this world!” Elizabeth hugged her older sister and went in search of her husband to see if he wanted to join her for a‘rest,’which she very much hoped he, too, wanted.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The night before the wedding, Richard was with the men in one of the drawing rooms, being ribbed mercilessly by his newest brother.“Peace Will, you have returned the favour from before your wedding tenfold!” Richard exclaimed good-naturedly.
“That I have,” Will returned with a smug look.“Did I not promise you that I would have my day?”
“If I am able to attain half of the felicity that I see between you and Lizzy, we will be very happy,” Richard stated as he changed the subject.
“That is my wish for you and my sister,” Wes stated and then took another sip from the snifter of brandy in his hand.“There is no need to admonish you to treat her well as I have no doubt that you will. I look forward to gaining a slew of brothers and sisters on the morrow.”
“You two are far too besotted, one with the other, not to have a felicitous marriage,” Andrew opined as he held up his snifter in salute to his brother.
“Is everything organised at Lake View House for your arrival, Richard?” Will asked.
“Yes, thanks to Andrew, all is organised. Uncle George and Aunt Anne offered Seaview as well. If Loretta wants to extend the trip, then we will spend a few weeks there after the Lakes,” Richard replied.
The men did not stay up too late as the wedding was at nine in the morning, and Richard would have their heads if they made him late for it.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Loretta had just received the talk from her mother. Like Lizzy and Jane before her, what her mother imparted washed her anxiety away and made her long for the wedding night. As Lizzy’s wedding night was, hers would be at an inn, but Loretta cared not so long as she was able to be with her Richard.
After her mother left her chambers, she was joined by Elizabeth and Jane.“It sounds like your mother’s talk was very similar to the one we received from our mothers before our wedding,” Jane told the bride after Retta related its gist.
“Yes, and I can tell you that it is very good advice, especially the part about not being afraid to ask what gives your husband pleasure or telling him what is pleasurable to you,” Elizabeth informed her soon-to-be sister.“Even showing him. Apparently, men are more visual, so my husband promised they very much liked that.”
“Did…I mean…was there much pain and blood the first time?” Loretta softly asked about her only fear remaining.
“There was some momentary pain but nothing significant, and each time we repeated the exercise, it became less,” Elizabeth explained.“There was little blood in my case.”
“Richard will not want to cause you pain, so if it hurts more than you can easily manage as it did with me, then I am sure that he will wait until you are ready to proceed,” Jane offered the wisdom of her perspective.“For me, there was a bit more blood than Lizzy described, but remember that it is different for every woman.”
“I thank you both. While Mama eased the anxiety, I find the recounting of your experiences tremendously helpful,” Loretta said.
The three chatted for another hour when Jane had to leave to feed her babes.
“In the morning, we will be sisters, Lizzy,” Loretta stated.“I love your brother most dearly.”
“And he is deeply in love with you, Retta,” Elizabeth told her soon-to-be sister.“Sleep well, and before you know it, you will be at the altar as the parson pronounces you man and wife.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
