Chapter 31
Like wildfire, word spread through the Ton that Lady Bethany Osborne, the suo jure Duchess of Leeds, was engaged to Lord Fitzwilliam Darcy, Viscount Conyers.
There were many parents of eligible sons and daughters who would have preferred their child be the one to marry the fabulously wealthy duchess or the very wealthy viscount.
It was well known that there were many connections between the families, not the least of which was that the engaged couple were distant cousins.
With the unequivocal support of the Prince Regent and Her Majesty the Queen, none in society were willing to feel the wrath of the Crown if they erred and spoke out against the match or the families involved.
As such, any who felt that way and had the opportunity to see the engaged couple or any of their family members, bit the inside of the cheeks and paid every arrear of civility, accompanied by sincere-sounding wishes of congratulations.
Further, much as they might be jealous that it was not their son or daughter as the one betrothed to one or the other, they would do nothing to harm their chances of being invited to the wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the wedding breakfast, which would be held at the massive mansion which was Leeds House.
Many wanted to see and be seen at the wedding.
There was also much interest in seeing the inside of Leeds House, a privilege very few outside of a circle of family and close friends had ever enjoyed.
Hence, whenever members of the family and close friends were seen shopping to complete Lady Bethany’s trousseau, they would be fawned over by those hoping to be invited to the most anticipated wedding since Princess Charlotte married Frederick I, King of Württemberg in May of 1797 at the Chapel Royal at St James’s palace.
Thanks to the young Duchess of Leeds marrying Viscount Conyers at Westminster Abbey, there was far more room than at the Chapel Royal, so many were hopeful.
It was well known that none but those bearing invitations would be allowed into the Abbey to witness the nuptials.
Those who attempted to ingratiate themselves did not realise that their behaviour made it certain they would not receive an invitation to the ceremony or the celebratory meal following it.
Any who thought to try and force their way in would have to contend with Biggs, Johns, and their men.
If that were not enough, there would be a contingent of the Royal Guards at the church and house afterward.
The reason was simple. The Queen, Prince Regent, and a half dozen princes and princesses would attend the wedding rites as well as the subsequent wedding breakfast. Her Majesty felt so warmly about the young duchess, she would not miss showing her approbation in the most public way.
While in London, Bethany had joined William to tour Conyers House with Mother, Mamma, and Mother Anne—which is what she called her soon-to-be mother-in-law now.
She was familiar with the layout of the house from all the times she had visited Darcy House.
The reason was simple; the two houses were almost identical.
Thanks to Mother Anne assisting William in redecorating after he reached his majority, Bethany found very little she felt needed to be changed.
Other than the colour scheme in the mistress’s chamber, she did not ask for anything else to be redone.
The staff and servants who served at the house were charmed when it became apparent that their soon-to-be mistress only needed to be told a name once, and she did not forget it.
Using their correct names like the master did, showed them a level of respect greatly appreciated.
It only made them more determined to serve their employers that much better.
There was no time before the wedding to go to Conyers Run in central Nottinghamshire.
However, seeing the estate before the wedding was not as important for two reasons.
They would stop there for two days on the way to the Fitzwilliams’ house at Lake Windermere for their wedding trip.
Also, their primary residence in the country would be Hornby Castle.
With all the shopping completed, and very tired of all those trying to gain an invitation to the wedding, the extended family returned to Hertfordshire.
They would remain in residence there until ten days before the wedding.
It was not only the betrothed couple who needed to be away from London society for their own peace of mind.
None of the members of the family were immune from those importuning them to exert their influence to gain them access to the wedding and breakfast; hence, everyone was pleased to be away from Town.
The Ronsons were in possession of the information of what Ladies Amelia and Fanny wanted done in their absence to prepare for the celebration, and any questions would be resolved by courier.
It had been suggested to Conyers that for propriety’s sake he should reside at Netherfield Park. That was overruled by both members of the engaged couple, who said that the less than one mile between Longbourn’s dower house and the mansion were more than adequate to satisfy propriety.
Each morning, with John and Brian as escorts, Bethany would ride out towards the dower house on Jupiter.
There, William would be waiting for her atop Zeus, and they would go galloping across the fields.
More often than not, they would ride up to the summit of Oakham Mount.
Once dismounted, John and Brian would care for their horses as the couple took seats on the flattened boulder to watch the sunrise.
They revelled in their closeness and invariably had the fingers of the hands closest to one another interlaced as they sat and spoke of whatever topic they chose.
The fact that both wore gloves did not lessen the pleasure either took in the intimacy of their connection.
Given that their backs were to the huge guards, the two men—as far as the affianced couple was aware—did not know they were pushing the bounds of propriety in that fashion.
Neither of them could wait for the day they were married and would not need to worry about displaying the intimacies between them.
After watching the sunrise, they would ride to Longbourn’s manor house, and Conyers would remain there for the rest of the day, only departing for the dower house well after dinner each night.
On the final Saturday at Longbourn before the journey to London on Tuesday upcoming, as was her wont, Bethany walked William out to the drive where a groom was holding Zeus for him. One of John’s and Brian’s men was standing just outside the front door.
“Bethie, my dearest, loveliest Bethie, you realise that Monday will be the final day we can meet in the early morning before we depart Longbourn, do you not?” Conyers verified.
“As the day after the morrow is the Sabbath, and on Tuesday we depart at daybreak, we will not have another chance for one of our morning rides here. However, I hope that we will be able to ride out in London in the mornings when you are not required for some wedding-related activities.”
“Yes, William, my love, I am aware that Monday will be our final ride from Longbourn before we are married. I do not repine that because I cannot wait to be your wife,” Bethany responded.
“And yes, unless the weather interferes, you and I will watch the sunrise from Oakham Mount in the morning on Monday. Also, in London, when I am not required for final fittings or other such pursuits, I too hope we will ride out together. I would like to ride in Marylebone Park[16] as Mother told me that it is far less used than Hyde Park. Since it became known that my family and I like to ride early, that park has become much more crowded. I had hoped that the announcement of our betrothal would have stopped the dandies and peacocks from trying to impress me with their preening. I assume that until we are married, there will still be one or two who might think he would be the one to turn my head from you.”
“I would call out anyone who attempts such,” Conyers growled.
Bethany kissed her affianced’s as yet ungloved hands. “We had better part before the guard helps you onto Zeus,” she teased.
After kissing her hands in return, Conyers mounted his horse.
As he rode away, his head was turned towards his lady love until he could no longer see her.
He consoled himself that he would see her on the morrow, and they would sit next to one another in the Bennet pew at St Hugh’s Church to hear Sir William Collins’s sermon.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On Monday morning, Bethany galloped atop Jupiter with William on Zeus next to her, matching her speed.
She relished this ride more than most for the simple reason that it would be the last time she could ride astride until after their wedding trip.
She would ride in London; however, it would be on the hated side-saddle.
Then after the wedding, Jupiter and Zeus would make a slow journey to Hornby Castle, where she and William would be after their wedding trip.
None of their sisters would accompany them on the wedding trip, as was done sometimes; however, John, Brian, and some of their men would be with them to ensure their safety.
Hence, Bethie would enjoy this ride as much as possible. She felt at peace as she listened to the thundering hooves of Jupiter and Zeus while the wind whipped past her ears. As much as she felt she was alone with William, she was not. John and Brian were a few lengths behind them, ever vigilant.
After a longer gallop than normal, they reached the base of Oakham Mount with time to spare before the sun broke above the horizon.
Brian rode up ahead of them while John would remain at the base of the hill.
Bethany and William followed the huge man riding his gelding up the hill.
As expected, there was no one else on the summit.