Chapter 14 #2
For her part, Elizabeth looked directly at Will’s eyes and held his gaze as she was guided up the aisle.
Will was more handsome than any man deserved to be, but to her, on this day, he looked like a god amongst men.
She watched as he approached them as they had stopped near the altar.
Father Bennet lifted her veil and kissed the cheek on his side, and Andrew had done the same on the other; then Andrew had placed her arm on Will’s while Bennet took his seat in the pews with his wife and other children.
As they approached the altar, Elizabeth drew near to Jane, who took her hand and squeezed it for support.
Elizabeth stopped for a second next to her older sister, sharing a knowing look only they could interpret, then Will led her to a position in front of William, who gave the sign for the congregation to be seated.
William opened the Book of Common Prayer and began the liturgy.
“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; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
“First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.
“Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.
“Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Therefore, if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
“I require and charge you both…”
The service flew by in a blur, and before they knew it, they were reciting their vows as they took each other’s hands:
“I, Fitzwilliam George Darcy, take thee, Elizabeth Rose Bennet Fitzwilliam to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
“I Elizabeth Rose Bennet Fitzwilliam take thee, Fitzwilliam George Darcy to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey,” Lizzy paused, gave Darcy a saucy look and continued, “till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
The couple released each other’s hands, as Richard placed the ring on William Bennet’s open Bible pages. William blessed the ring before handing it to Will, who took the ring and placed it on the fourth finger on Lizzy’s left hand, saying:
“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
After the giving and receiving of the ring, they knelt as William intoned a prayer of blessing. Once the prayer was complete, he joined their right hands together and said:
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
“Forasmuch as Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have consented together in holy Wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth each to the other and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen
It was done; they were married; all that was left was to sign the register.
With Georgiana and Richard in tow, the newly married Darcys followed Mr Beckman into the vestry and into the room on the other side of the door where the register was kept.
Will signed first, and then Elizabeth signed her maiden name for the last time.
“Finally, you are my sister, Lizzy,” Georgiana gushed as she congratulated her sister then her brother.
“Do not forget that you have gained a bunch of new brothers and sisters today, Gigi,” Elizabeth said as she accepted the well wishes.
“Including this old ex-soldier,” Richard grinned.
“Alex will be happy to have so many brothers now, especially as some of them are around his age,” Will opined.
“Georgie and I will leave you now,” Richard said as he took his new younger sister’s arm.
“Why are Will and Lizzy not joining us?” Georgiana asked in her innocence. She received no answer as Richard closed the door behind him after propelling Georgiana back into the church.
The newlyweds shared a small laugh at their sister’s expense, and then Will drew his wife into arms. “Mrs Darcy,” he said reverently.
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth returned softly.
Their lips met hungrily, and had they not been aware of the family members waiting for them on the other side of the door, they may have allowed themselves to go far beyond just one.
Will’s one hand roamed over her back which elicited a little sigh from his wife while his other held her close to him, and in response, her arms found themselves around her husband’s neck.
After about five minutes, they broke apart and put themselves to rights.
Once they were ready, Will opened the door leading to the church and led his bride inside.
Will was met by his parents and siblings, while Elizabeth fell into her mother’s arms with her brothers, sister, and sister-in-law awaiting their turns.
The Rhys-Davies and Bennets were just behind the Fitzwilliams.
After Alex wished his brother and new sister joy, he looked around at the family, waiting for their turns to wish the ecstatic couple joy as well.
“All of the Bennets and Fitzwilliams are now my brothers and sisters?” he asked hopefully, and his mother nodded.
“Does that make my uncles and aunts additional parents as well?” asked the twelve-year-old boy.
“No, my son,” Lady Anne replied, “you still only have your father and me as parents; the rest will remain your uncles and aunts.” She laughed when Alex still looked a little sceptical. “Find me at the wedding breakfast, Alex, and I will explain it to you.”
“You are a Darcy now, Lizzy,” Andrew drawled as he hugged his sister.
“I am, but I will also be a Fitzwilliam for all time, Andrew,” Elizabeth promised as she returned his hug and kissed his cheek.
“You are next,” Elizabeth whispered in Richard’s ear as she hugged him.
The Bennets replaced Anne after she had hugged her younger sister. First, Elizabeth went to where her older sister was sitting; Jane’s smile was radiant as she looked at her sister so full of excitement before her.
“God was very good to us when he guided us to meet one another. You are a bride of incomparable beauty, Lizzy,” Jane told her as she hugged her sister as close as she could, given her girth, “I am so happy that this active babe waited so that I could attend your wedding. You will excuse me if Perry takes me directly home and not to the wedding breakfast, will you not?”
“Of course I understand, Janey; I hope that all will be well,” Elizabeth replied, her concern evident as she searched her sister’s features.
“The pains have just begun, there are many hours yet, but it is time to leave,” Jane said as she winced a little.
After a brief discussion among the family, it was decided that Tammy would leave with her daughter, Perry, and Lady Rose.
Everyone followed them out and wished them an easy trip and hoped that Jane would gain her home before the babe was ready to make its appearance.
Perry had one of his grooms ride ahead to notify the midwife and doctor that their services were needed by the Duchess of Bedford forthwith.
After they departed, the remaining family members entered their carriages for the short ride to Snowhaven and the tables that were groaning under the weight of the delectable food awaiting one and all at the celebratory meal.