Page 83 of Her Favourite Daughter

“As I do you, Bethie. As I do you.”

They had sat on the boulder for longer than normal. Knowing this, Conyers stood and assisted Bethie to stand. They donned their gloves and walked back to where Johns was holding their horses.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Notwithstanding Bethany preferring to ride with William each morning before the wedding, it was not to be. There was too much that needed to be done which required her presence. However, they rode as many days as they were able to, and more often than not when they did, it was in Marylebone Park. It not being a fashionable park, like Hyde Park, meant that when they were riding early in the morning, the park was almost deserted.

From the Wednesday before the wedding onwards, Bethany’s time was no longer her own. She and William had elected not to have a pre-wedding ball, but given the location of the wedding and the royals attending, there was much to do. To Bethany, it was a small price to pay, as come Friday she would be married, and then, no one would be able to keep her from William. Besides, the last thing she wanted to be was missish and leave all of the arrangements to others while she gratified her own selfish desires.

Before she knew it, it was the night before the wedding. Earlier that day, Madame Chambourg had come in person to see the wedding gown on her. For any fittings before this one, a seamstress had come from the shop; but for the final one, Madame wanted to be the one to make sure everything was as it should be.

Madame Chambourg had created a gown in shimmering ivory silk with a translucent gossamer overlay, which only added to the way the gown reflected the light as Bethany moved in it. It was empire-waisted and was not too low-cut in the area of the décolletage, just as she had requested. The train extended about ten feet behind the gown. Lilly and May Gardiner would carry her train until she began the walk up the long aisle at Westminster Abbey. The sleeves were puffed, and a pair of above elbow-length gloves had been made of the same material as the dress.

The veil was made of extremely delicate Belgian lace. When it was in place anchored by her emerald encrusted tiara, it would hang below her chin in the front and sides. At the back, it ran all the way down to her train. Her matching slippers were ready and would only be donned once she was in the vestibule at the Abbey before she began her walk on Papa’s arm.

There had been no question as to who would escort her to William. It would be Papa’s final act as her guardian. Her protection would fall to her husband after the wedding was solemnised. With her wedding, her trustees would no longer hold official positions; however, they, like Papa, would be available if called upon for assistance.

Even without the rides in the morning the last two days, Bethany had still seen William at Leeds House each day. That had stopped today, all because of a superstition about not seeing the bride the day before the wedding.

A family dinner was held that included the Bennets, Amelia, the Collinses, the Gardiners, the Phillipses, the Lucases, the Smythes, the Hilldales, and the younger Fitzwilliams. The Darcys and the older Fitzwilliams had remained with William so he would not be on his own for dinner the night before his wedding. Everyone retired early.

All those who had attended the dinner with Bethie were being hosted at Leeds House to be with her for her final night as a single woman. She had very much enjoyed her time with those of the extended family in residence. Before she went to her suite, she spoke to Jane, Charlotte, and Caroline where they extolled the pleasures of a felicitous, respectful, loving marriage. They did not answer any of the questions Bethany posed about what to expect on the wedding night, telling her that her mamma and mother would provide that information. The three only said that being in a marriage based on love and respect made everything far better.

Not long after she had changed and was ready for bed, Mamma and Mother knocked on Bethany’s door and entered. They sat on the bed with her, and between them proceeded to tell her what to expect in the marriage bed and beyond. When Mamma and Mother had completed their talk, Bethany had context for what her sisters and cousins had told her earlier.

She was kissed by both of her mothers and reminded of the necessity to eat and drink something before dressing for her wedding in the morning. It took her a while to fall asleep, but when she did, she dreamed of her William.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Viscount Conyers, and Richard Fitzwilliam who was standing up with him, stood next to Charles Manners-Sutton, The Most Reverend Willowmere, by Divine Providence, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury near the altar in Westminster Abbey. Off to one side was the Bishop of London as concelebrant and stood ready to assist His Grace as needed.

Conyers still could not believe this day was finally here. But it was. His mother and father sat behind the two rows of pews reserved for the royals. Next to them sat Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie, Andrew, Charlotte, Anne and Granville. Just beyond Granville were Giana and Petunia Smythe, their heads together speaking softly.

Across the aisle, in the first pew on that side, was an open space for Meryton once he handed Bethie over to him. Next, sat Mother Fanny—as he had been asked to call her—Aunt Amelia, Grandmamma Beth, Aunt Penelope, James, Mary, and Kitty. Behind them sat the Gardiners and Phillipses. In the pews beyond them were families from Meryton who had been invited.

As soon as he saw the inner vestibule doors close, Conyers’s breath hitched. His Bethie was here!

The Archbishop gave the signal for the congregation to stand, the pipe organ began to play, and the doors leading into the nave were pushed open. Meryton had his Lizzy—today she was his Lizzy one last time—on his arm as he began the walk up the aisle.

Jane Fitzwilliam, Viscountess Hilldale, followed behind with the bridal bouquet in her role as matron of honour.

When Meryton reached a point before the rows where the royals would sit, he stopped. A side door opened and everyone from the archbishop down bowed and curtsied as the Queen and the Regent led some of the princes and princesses into the nave. When they sat, the Prince Regent nodded to accept the courtesies. The organ, which had gone silent, began to play again signalling to everyone to stand straight up again. With that Meryton, Bethany, and Jane resumed their walk the rest of the way to the head of the aisle.

Conyers was so lost in the vision of his beloved Bethie approaching that it took an elbow from Fitzwilliam for him to make his way down the marble steps to meet his bride.

Meryton lifted the front of his daughter’s delicate veil. “No matter what your name is, you will always be my Lizzy,” Meryton whispered next to her ear and then kissed her forehead. With that done, he gently replaced the veil. Next he took her hand from his arm and then placed it on her groom’s arm.

‘I could not have parted with her to one less worthy,’ Meryton thought as he entered the pew next to his beloved wife.

The archbishop gave the signal for the congregants to sit. Then, the bishop handed him a copy of the Book of Common Prayer, opened to the relevant page. His Grace took a deep breath and began the wedding rite.

It seemed like no time at all until the couple were pronounced man and wife. At that point, everyone in the abbey stood and bowed and curtsied while the royals exited. As soon as the door closed, people were free to exit the church. With that done, the newly married Darcys and their witnesses made their way to sign the register, which was on a stand on one side of the altar. There, another clergyman waited to assist as needed. The bride signed ‘Bethany Elizabeth Anne Elaine Rose Bennet Osborne’. In that way, she honoured both her adoptive family and her by blood family.

All he cared about was that she was now Lady Bethany Darcy. When he saw how Bethie scribed her name, Conyers had thought that the way she did was wholly appropriate. After he signed, Jane and then Richard added their names as witnesses.

“There is no going back now,” Conyers teased as they walked to join the extended family and close friends all waiting to congratulate them.

“I would not have it any other way,” Bethany replied pertly.