Chapter 28 #2
Everyone watched as the bride entered on Mr Bingley’s arm, followed by her aunt, holding the bridal bouquet.
Even though the bride was wearing a veil, Collins had a good view of her left cheek, where he saw the devil’s mark. He came very close to standing and decrying that such a woman would be permitted to enter God’s house, but as hard as it was, he remained silent because he would stick to his plan.
Louisa saw nothing nor anyone other than her beloved Thomas as she walked up the aisle on Charles’s arm.
He looked very dapper and other than some greying around the edges of his hair, he had a young and fit looking body.
She supposed if he was one of those indolent men who did not move from his study, he would have looked quite different.
It took a gentle elbow to Bennet’s side from Gardiner to remember to breathe again.
As soon as he saw his affianced enter the nave of the church, Bennet had taken a deep breath and never released it.
She was wearing a pale pink, empire-waisted gown, which he had heard was made of satin.
She was wearing a wedding veil, but rather than the dark ones she would sometimes wear in public, this one was made of delicate Belgian lace which was altogether translucent.
He was not worried about any undesirables like the Kingstons intruding because Biggs, Johns, and their men were guarding outside. Some of them had been in place since just after nine. The other guards had arrived with his daughters.
It took another nudge from Gardiner for Bennet to descend the two marble steps and wait for Lulu to reach him at the head of the aisle.
He grinned from ear to ear as she came close to him and stopped.
Bennet watched as Bingley lifted the veil, kissed each of his sister’s cheeks and then lowered it again.
He placed Lulu’s hand on Bennet’s waiting forearm.
“Are you ready to become Mrs Bennet?” Bennet whispered in Lulu’s ear.
“More than ready, willing, and able,” Louisa replied with a wide smile on her face.
Together, they climbed the two marble steps and stood before Mr Pierce.
The vicar gave the sign for his congregants to be seated.
Then he opened his well-worn Book of Common Prayer to page four hundred seven and twenty even though he could recite the liturgy without the book.
He began with, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…” Everything went as expected until Mr Pierce recited: “…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 for ever hold his peace.”
Collins had been waiting for just this very moment. He stood as speedily as his girth would allow. “I do. I object! As an honoured clergyman, I do not give my sanction for this man to marry a woman with the mark of the evil one on her face,” he said loudly.
Mr Pierce looked at his patron. “Bennet, who is that?”
Even with the ridiculous wig, Collins was easily identifiable. Bennet shook his head, first at Lizzy who was about to go notify the men outside they were needed and next at Maddie’s cousin who was about to stand.
“No, I know no man who goes out in public with a dead cat on his head,” Bennet responded.
“It is me, William Collins, the rightful owner of the Longbourn estate,” he screeched, pulling the wig from his head. “You may not marry, I forbid it, and it is against the laws of man and God. That clergyman may not marry you when a fellow man of the cloth objects.”
“What laws of man is Bennet contravening in marrying?” Phillips demanded.
As he had not been ready to be challenged in this way, Collins was at a loss how to reply.
“You claim to be a clergyman,” Maddie’s cousin stated as he stood.
“I am! Who are you to question me? A clergyman is above all of you here,” Collins blustered.
“Are you telling me you are above me, the son of an earl?” Fitzwilliam queried.
Darcy stood. “And me, the grandson of an earl and the nephew of one. Since when has a lowly parson been above a landed gentleman?” he enquired.
By now, Collins was sweating, rivulets running down his face. He had not expected any opposition, and certainly not anticipated highborn men being present. How did his cousin have such connections?
“As to me and who I am to question you? I am Charles Manners-Sutton, The Most Reverend Willowmere, by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. You may have heard of me. I was here visiting family, but it seems I am needed in my official capacity.”
Collins felt an urge to relieve himself then and there. He stared at the Archbishop of Canterbury with his mouth open, but no sound was made.
“You have demonstrated a complete lack of human compassion, never mind no knowledge of canon law, or the role and position of a clergyman, and if all of that were not bad enough, you attempted to interrupt a wedding for purely selfish reasons, none of which would cause the ceremony to stop. We are all God’s creatures, so how dare you call a birthmark that Lord God kissed Miss Bingley with, soon to be Mrs Bennet, the mark of the devil? That, Sir, borders on blasphemy!
“I will not have one such as you representing the Church of England in any capacity. I defrock you forthwith. Word will go out to every parish in the realm that you are no longer a clergyman.”
Bennet decided he needed to say something so he interjected. “Collins, you are on Longbourn land, but given Cousin Charles’s punishment, I will not have you arrested. Darken my land again, and I will not be so forgiving.” Bennet turned to the Archbishop. “Pardon me for interrupting you, Cousin.”
The Archbishop inclined his head to the groom. “No exception taken, Bennet.” Then he turned back to the sweating man. “Now leave this house of our Lord before I excommunicate you as well!” The archbishop commanded.
As Collins was on the end of the pew and still very much in shock, he lumbered out of the pew and went behind it, squeezing against the wall until he reached the doors leading to the vestibule and scurried out. What bad luck that Cousin Bennet was related to His Grace!
When he saw his cousin’s enormous men outside the church, he did relieve himself.
He was certain his cousin would set them on him.
Sniffling, and his pants soaked in his own urine, Collins reached the rented carriage and climbed in after telling the coachman to make for his parsonage with all speed.
As the conveyance jerked into motion, Collins realised it was not his parsonage any longer.
If he tried to remain there, he would be arrested.
All he could do was go and pack his personal belongings.
Then he would make for Faversham and go to visit his old mentor, Mr Fergus Davidson. He would know how to help.
As soon as the former parson had vacated the church, the Archbishop spoke, “My Mary and I were on a holiday, and I had no intention of revealing who I am. I am sorry it was needed, but I could not let that man spew such drivel without speaking. Mr Pierce, please continue and marry these good people.”
“It will be my great pleasure, thank you, Your Grace,” Pierce replied as he bowed to the Archbishop. “Now where were we…ah yes. I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at…”
From that point onwards, the ceremony proceeded without a single interruption. After the vows and Bennet slipping the wedding band onto Lulu’s finger, Mr Pierce concluded by reciting the ending prayers, “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
“Forasmuch as Thomas and Louisa have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to 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 so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.”
There was much applause from the congregation, none more so than the Archbishop.
The newlywed Bennets made their way to the registry with their witnesses to sign the register. Bennet signed, and Louisa used the name Bingley for the final time.
“Even I did not think that man so witless as to attempt to object to your marriage,” Gardiner remarked after he signed the register.
“His stupidity knows no bounds,” Bennet commented. No one disagreed.
Hildebrand signed the register and hugged her niece, now Mrs Thomas Bennet. The older lady’s eyes were suspiciously moist.
Gardiner followed Miss Bingley out of the room and pulled the door closed. As soon as they were alone, Bennet pulled Lulu to him and kissed her deeply. His kisses were returned just as ardently.
“Come, Mrs Bennet, our family awaits us. Mrs Bennet, how well that sounds.”
“I could not agree with you more, Thomas. I love our family and friends, but I hope they do not tarry at the wedding breakfast for too long,” Louisa said as she looked at her husband through her lashes.
“You will not hear any argument from me, my love.”
Mr and Mrs Bennet exited the registry and were swarmed by their ecstatic family and close friends. Soon enough, everyone who was invited to the wedding breakfast began the walk back to Longbourn.
Before they left the church, Phillips wished the newly married couple every happiness and headed back home to his very enceinte wife.
Hill took much pleasure in announcing Mr and Mrs Thomas Bennet after he had wished the master and mistress happy on his behalf and that of all staff and servants at Longbourn and Netherfield Park.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A little less than two hours later, those travelling to Netherfield Park were the last to depart.
A cart had conveyed the Bennet sisters’ and the companions’ trunks to Netherfield Park as soon as the family left the house for the church, which meant there was nothing to delay the departure.
Bennet and Lulu soon discovered they were very compatible in the marriage bed as well.