Chapter 30 #2
“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.
As it was their duty to do so, Fitzwilliam and Jane made a slow circuit of the room, making sure to stop and say words of thanks for the good wishes and company of each person. It took a little more than an hour before they reached the head table where their family was seated.
For Jane it was a relief to be off her feet while her gallant husband went to make her a plate. ‘What will I do for my next birthday?’ Jane asked herself silently. ‘There will never be another one with a celebration like today’s.’
The wisdom of her mamma insisting she eat when she left her bed this morning had been apparent in the church with the lack of hunger pangs, but now, when Richard placed a plate before her, Jane realised she was ready to eat.
With Richard seated next to her and surrounded by her brother and sisters—which included Anna—she felt contentment wash over her as she had a few bites of each of the items Richard selected.
The dear man had selected all favourites of hers.
All too soon for their family, but not soon enough for Jane and Richard, it was time to change. They would reach the inn on the Staffordshire–Derbyshire border, where they would stop for the night. From there, it was about two days to the Lakes.
Elizabeth accompanied Jane to the bedchamber Jane had used at Holder Heights since she had left the nursery.
Everything had been packed up already, and most, other than what was needed for the wedding trip, had already been sent to Rosings Park.
The suite would feel empty without Jane across the sitting room from Elizabeth.
Thankfully it would not be for long. Mary had agreed to move in so there would still be two sisters sharing the suite.
First the paper on the walls would be changed, as the light pastel colours Jane preferred did not match Mary’s choices.
When Jane was changed into her travel attire, she looked about the room.
Other than her wedding gown, which would be folded, packed, and sent to Rosings Park, her closets were empty.
There was a small valise on the dresser with the last few things.
Jane nodded to her maid who took the valise and exited her mistress’s former bedchamber.
Jane wrapped Lizzy in a hug. “I will miss you,” she stated as a tear rolled down her cheek and then she released her sister.
“As I will you, but this is not a sad parting; I know you will be very happy.”
“Yes, I will be! However, that does not mean I will not long to see you and Mary. Not to mention Mamma and Papa, Jamey and Charlotte, all of you. But I will not be maudlin. It is, after all, both the day of my wedding and my birthday. We will see one another often, I promise you that.” Jane pulled Lizzy into another hug, this one of a much longer duration.
The sisters linked arms and made their way down to the entrance hall, where their family members awaited them. Jane left Lizzy’s side and went to her husband, who offered her one of his arms, which she wrapped around one of hers.
They all exited the house to the drive, where a former de Bourgh barouche box stood ready, the coachman holding the ribbons of the two matched pairs.
The former mistress of Rosings Park used to demand three pairs of horses be used.
Fitzwilliam, who actually understood horseflesh, changed it to two pairs almost immediately.
While Jane was being farewelled, Fitzwilliam had an uncharitable thought.
Had Mrs de Bourgh not been committed to Bedlam already, hearing that, one of the foundlings, as she incorrectly called them, was now the mistress of Rosings Park, would have been enough to make her insane.
Once she had wished everyone farewell, Jane gave Kitty and Lydia another hug before stopping in front of Lizzy and Mary. She pulled them into her arms. “I love you both very much.” With that said, Jane released them and allowed Richard to hand her into the coach.
Fitzwilliam joined his wife and nodded to the footman, who closed the door and recessed the step. He struck the ceiling with his cane, signalling the coachman to proceed. As they departed, he and Jane waved to their family members until they could no longer see them.
Like they had from the church, the two shared the forward-facing bench. Their lack of sleep from the previous night soon caught up with them, and they fell asleep in one another’s arms.