Chapter 26 #2
“Do not let your insecurities get the better of you Richard. Andrew has the right of it. No Bennet sister will ever agree to that which she does not want to do. Look at the way that your Jane put a flea in Bingley’s ear as she sent him away.
When she was with him, I was unable to see the signs of her regard.
When she is with you, or talks about you in your absence, even one as blind as I once was would be able to see the deep and abiding love that she harbours for you.
Remember that she does not need to marry any man for her security.
The only reason that any of the Bennet girls will marry is irrevocable love and respect.
Search your heart, cousin, and you will see the truth and banish your unfounded insecurity, as today is to be the happiest day of your life to this point,” Darcy added to aid his cousin’s sense of reason.
“All will be well. I see the truth in your words and will banish my feelings of inadequacy.” The groom hugged his cousin, tears pricking the corners of his eyes. “I knew there was a reason I asked you to stand up with me, William. Andrew, I pray that you know that I did not slight you.”
“There was no slight inferred or taken Rich. Remember, I was there watching as you two grew up and took comfort at knowing you and William were like inseparable twin brothers, and thankfully that has never changed. Rather than envy it, I was, and am happy for the bond that you share. I never lost my brother; I gained one more.” Andrew hugged his brother tightly as they slapped each other’s backs.
The Earl too felt a swell of emotions as he watched the interplay between his sons, two by the grace of God, one because of God’s grace.
“Time to take your places at the altar, you two,” he said in a gruff voice thick with emotion.
“Andrew, you and I need to go sit before our wives think that we have gotten ourselves lost.” With a hug to both men, Lords Matlock and Hilldale returned to their seats and the groom and William made their way out of the receiving room to take up their positions facing the congregation.
Archibald Darcy shook Richard’s hand and greeted his cousin Darcy with warmth. Richard saw the Bennet matriarch and five of her daughters take their place in the Bennet pew in the front row to his left. As soon as they were seated, he looked to the doors that led into the church from the vestibule.
Lord Longbourn, with Jane on one arm, and Lizzy, who was standing up with her sister, following behind, waited until the door to the church was closed behind his wife and other four daughters before the three entered the vestibule.
He took a moment longer with them and looked at his two oldest daughters.
How he would miss them, but he did not begrudge them the love of good men, as he thanked God every day that he had been accepted by his Fanny.
“Jane, you will be a very happy woman,” he said as he covered her hand on his arm with his other hand.
“I know that both you and Richard will never let anyone take advantage of you and things will be resolved quickly and with all sense and fairness. You will never come close to exceeding your income, and I pity anyone who tries to cheat you!” he teased then continued in a more serious tone.
“You are loved, my daughter, and always will be. I hope that you know how proud we feel when we see the young woman you have become.”
“Papa,” Jane admonished him lightly, “it would not do for the bride to enter the church crying. You and Mama are the best parents that I could have wished for. I love you all and always will.” Then she turned, releasing her father’s arm and took both of her sister’s hands in her own.
“Lizzy, you are not just my sister but my best friend, my confidant, and my North Star. I will miss our nightly talks. Today I become Mrs Richard Fitzwilliam, but nothing will ever break the bonds of sisterhood that we share.” Elizabeth could not stop the tears that coursed down her cheeks as she squeezed her sister’s hands.
“I love you, Janie, and I wish you all the joy in the universe.” It was all Lizzy could manage, and it was more than enough for two whose hearts were so closely bound.
With that, Bennet nodded to the attendant who opened the doors, which signalled the start of the melodious strains from the string quartet. Lizzy led off and walked down the aisle toward the waiting groom and his attendant.
‘Good Lord, how could I have ever called her “not tolerable enough”? She is a vision and the handsomest woman of my acquaintance!’ A thunderstruck Darcy berated himself yet again as he watched his beloved woman make her way up the aisle to her position opposite him.
The doors had closed after Lizzy had started up the aisle, and once she was in place the music changed, the doors opened again, and the congregation rose as one.
On her father’s arm, the bride stepped into the church and there was a collective gasp from those assembled.
It was not just Jane’s beauty or the incredible wedding dress that had been created for her, what had caused such a response was the light show that the gems on her dress and in her hair caused.
The sunlight had graced her after but two steps down the aisle and it was as if someone had just placed crystal chandeliers in the church.
White and blue refractions projected onto every surface and person gathered.
Richard Fitzwilliam was agog at the ethereal beauty that was making her way toward him.
It took a tap on his back from his cousin for him to manage the closing of his mouth, which had involuntarily fallen open at first sight of his betrothed.
It took him the length of time until her father kissed her cheek and placed her dainty hand on his arm to regulate his breathing.
At the contact Richard felt a jolt as if he had been struck by lightning, ‘It is true, she really loves me. God always help me be the man that is truly worthy of her affection.’
At last they stood together in front of the Archbishop who, after indicating that the congregation sit, commenced the wedding liturgy.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation…”
Before the couple realised it, the ceremony flew by and Richard heard himself repeat his vows.
Next Jane repeated her vows.
The couple released each other’s hands and William placed the rings on the pages of the Archbishop’s open book of common prayer. The Archbishop took Jane’s ring and handed it to Richard who placed it on the fourth finger of her left hand.
“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.” Richard promised his Jane.
Traditionally it was not normally done, but by prior mutual agreement the process was repeated when Jane took Richard’s ring from the prayer book’s page and placed it on the fourth finger of his left hand and then intoned a similar vow in which she returned Richard’s promise.
After a closing prayer asking God and His Son Jesus to bless the couple, the Archbishop raised his hands above the almost wed couple’s heads and concluded the ceremony as follows:
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Richard and Lady Jane have consented together in holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and hereto have given and pledged their troth either to the other, have declared the same by the giving and receiving of a ring and by the joining of their 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.”
It was done. After the congratulations rung out and many tears were dried, the couple and their witnesses followed the church’s pastor into the registry to sign the register.
“I knew how it would be. Jane could not be so good for no reason.” Lady Longbourn was heard to say as the couple headed to the vestry. Jane smiled to herself, her tension easing as she truly was no longer just an object of beauty to her mother.
Mr Hastings had the registry book open to the correct page and as her new husband, the Archbishop, Longbourn’s vicar, and the two who stood up with them witnessed it, Jane signed the name Bennet for the last time.
She was now Lady Jane Fitzwilliam. Richard signed his and the deed was done.
The two clergymen, Darcy, and Elizabeth left the newlyweds alone for some privacy.
The couple had kissed before, but these kisses were full of pent up passion and desire they had barely held at bay.
When Jane felt Richard’s tongue on her lips, she opened her mouth to allow him access, and soon her tongue was responding in kind.
Her arms snaked around her husband’s neck and she pressed herself against him as tightly as was possible so that their bodies melted into one.
As much as Richard wanted to ravish his bride, he would not allow himself to dishonour church property in such a way, though he would feel less frustrated had he but known that Bennet had too considered consummation here after he and his Fanny had signed the registry so many years ago.
As hard as it was as his manhood was swollen with tumescence, he separated from her and took a step back.
“Jane, I never want to let you go again, but we must calm down and leave the registry.” He managed to get out with ragged breath.
“Our families are awaiting us in the nave of the church just outside of that door,” he reminded them both because Jane had a blaze of passion in her eyes that promised that their marital relations would not be passive.