Chapter 19 I Do #2
He stood tall and elegant, his unruly dark lock falling over his brow.
His eyes shone with happiness, and she smiled back.
It did not feel like a forced wedding or the result of a compromise.
He had chosen her, and she had chosen him.
He had come to rescue her, and she, in turn, would save him from his loneliness.
They were smiling at each other when the rector began in a deep baritone, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
She listened carefully as Mr. Darcy intoned his vows.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both do live?”
His dark eyes were looking at her intently, and she heard his answer, clear and low, in his resonant baritone.
“I will.”
Then the rector turned to her.
“Elizabeth Bennet, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both do live?”
She lifted her eyes to her intended and answered in a clear voice,
“I will.”
The rector then took the ring from Colonel Fitzwilliam and handed it to Mr. Darcy. He gently slid the ring onto the fourth finger of her left hand as he spoke his vows.
“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow.”
The rector then turned to the congregation.
“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. I pronounce that they be Man and Wife.”
Darcy smiled broadly as he offered his arm and led her to the registry. He signed his name, and she followed with hers. It was the last time she would ever sign as Elizabeth Bennet.
She began to realize then the great import of this day. In those few short moments as they had spoken their vows, her entire world had changed, and her life would never be the same. The enormity of this change made her dizzy, and she clung to his arm a little tighter lest she stumble and fall.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Jane drew near and added their signatures, then Mr. Darcy led her down the nave and out of the church. She saw no one but him.
He leaned toward her. “You are lovely, Elizabeth. You are truly the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
He handed her into his carriage. “To Longbourn, Peter.”
Seated beside her, he cleared his throat. “Mrs. Darcy, at the risk of embarrassment, I wish to speak of the stipulations you placed on our marriage.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Your father said you expressed a wish to know me better before I visit your bed.”
She flushed. “Yes, Mr. Darcy, that was my stipulation.”
“Mrs. Darcy, do you know how long it will take you to know me better?”
She hesitated. “Mr. Darcy, my aunt Gardiner advised me not to delay too long, lest I tempt you to seek solace elsewhere.”
His brows rose, and he suppressed a grin, but he said nothing.
“I was hoping you would give me two months to know you better before you visit my bed. Will that be too long, sir?”
He smiled wryly. “No, Mrs. Darcy, I think two months is entirely reasonable. We must spend time together each day, so that you may know me well enough to look forward to my visit with pleasure rather than dread.”
She choked. “Sir, you speak very candidly.”
“Yes, I did say it might cause us both embarrassment. But would it not be far more comfortable for you to know what to expect than to lie awake each night wondering if I intend to come through the connecting door?”
She covered her eyes. “Yes, I suppose so.”
His eyes were smiling again. “You suppose so?”
“I meant, yes, it is more comfortable to know what to expect.”
“Very well, Mrs. Darcy. Today is the tenth of July. Two months from now will be the tenth of September. You have the rest of the summer to enjoy yourself as a maiden. You need not fear that I will be unfaithful to my vows nor come to you before time.”
She sat silent, and as he regarded her face, he saw her cheeks flame hot.
Gathering her courage, she spoke. “Mr. Darcy, at the risk of displeasing you, may I ask something of a personal nature?”
“Of course. What do you wish to know?”
She lifted her eyes to his for only an instant before dropping them again to her folded hands. The question cost her an effort. “Do you have a mistress who lives near Pemberley? Someone I might encounter by chance, in the village or at church?”
His brows rose, and a faint color touched his face as he considered her question. Seeing her head bowed and her expression flushed with embarrassment, his manner softened.
“My dear Elizabeth,” he said gently, “you need never fear that a question of yours will offend me. I would rather you speak plainly than suffer in silence.” There was warmth, even amusement, in his eyes.
“I am happy to assure you that I have no mistress at Pemberley, nor anywhere else. In truth, I have never had one.”
Her fingers tightened together, though she did not yet look up.
“My father disapproved of such arrangements. He warned of the risks of a disease that was cutting down our young men, and he would not have me risk it. More than that, it never suited my inclinations.”
He reached for her hand, drawing her attention back to him. “You may be certain, Elizabeth, that I intend to be faithful to my vows, in every sense of the word.”
Only then did she lift her eyes, relief and gratitude mingling in her expression, and she found that the fear she had felt before was no longer present.
Her eyes were still fixed on her hands. “Thank you, sir, for your frank reply.”
“I see we are nearing your father’s home. Do you have any other questions before we arrive?”
“No, sir, none at present.”
“Very well, my dear. I wish that you would always feel free to ask me about anything. It would be better for our marriage if we addressed our questions and concerns openly. I find it remarkably easy to be candid with you, Elizabeth, and I am very pleased that this is so.”
“Let it be the same for me. I would rather you ask me directly when you have a question than have us stumble forward in uncertainty.
Mr. Darcy’s brow furrowed. “I do not mean to command you, but I ask that you please remain near me, or with your father or sisters during the Wedding Breakfast. I do not trust Mr. Collins. Marriage may not deter him.”
Elizabeth said, “Oh, my father told me this morning that Mr. Collins is betrothed to Miss Mary King, and they are to be married sometime next week.”
Darcy’s expression did not change. “That is very good news, but I still do not trust him. However, his betrothed may be one of those who likes to hang on a man’s arm. If that is so, she will do us a great service.”
They were laughing as the carriage rolled into the Longbourn drive.
As they walked past the rose garden toward the entrance, she reflected on their conversation.
Her new husband was remarkably easy to speak with; he listened attentively, and his replies were thoughtful.
She was surprised at the endearments he had used, yet found herself pleased to be called my darling and my dear.
The words had slipped from his tongue with the ease of long familiarity, as though they had been married for years instead of minutes.
She smiled to herself. All in all, she was contented and felt she had made the right decision.
Perhaps, in time, theirs might become a true love match.