Chapter 31
Two days later, his brother’s personal courier arrived at Bennet Park with two deliveries; a thin one from Gardiner and a much thicker one from Lizzy.
Suspecting what the news was, while surprised by the speed the deed seemed to have been accomplished, Lord Longbourn took the expresses with him into the drawing room where his wife, his only daughter in the house currently, and the Rhys-Davies were seated, coincidently also discussing wedding plans, clearing his throat to get the attention of the room.
Dovedale
Derbyshire
Brother and Sister,
As you ceded authority to me to consent or deny a betrothal request for Lizzy, this missive will cause no genuine alarm or be met with true surprise. William came to see me this day and requested permission to marry our Lizzy.
As sure as we are that she would never agree to that which is unacceptable to her, I waited until I spoke to her before I sent this to you. It took no time at all to determine that she is being granted her heart’s desire.
We agreed that she can continue to stay at Pemberley as there are so many chaperones in residence, not the least of whom is Mrs Charlotte Collins.
To make sure that there is not even the appearance of impropriety, Maddy insisted, and it was agreed with no resistance from anyone, that Miss Arseneault will sleep in Lizzy’s bedchamber until we all depart Pemberley.
If you have any amendment to what we have agreed to, please have my courier bring your response to me forthwith.
Your brother,
Edward Gardiner
Next Bennet broke the Darcy seal. Inside was a second sealed letter with: ‘Please give this to Mary and Hugh after you have read my letter’ on a sheet of parchment sealed within.
That missive was handed to Mary as Bennet read aloud to all:
Pemberley
Derbyshire
8 July 1812
My dearest Mama, Papa, and family,
I write this to you from the happiest of women.
William asked for my hand today and I accepted him with a heart bursting it was so full of love for my now betrothed.
He has time and again proved to me that the man that I know today is the real Fitzwilliam Darcy and despite any rumours you may have heard, he is the only man that I will ever agree to marry.
Papa, you will be interested to know that he proposed in the library, and what a library it is!
I worry that once you see it, you will never want to leave it!
No Papa, we will not put a bed within for you, though I may demand to have one myself!
I jest with you, but in all seriousness, I thank you for ceding your authority to Uncle Edward.
I would have hated to have had to wait days to find out that my betrothal to this wonderful man had been approved.
Mama you are gaining another and very worthy son to go along with Richard and my soon to be brother Hugh. We would like to marry in about a month if that meets with your approval.
Mary, it is time for you to open your letter.
With much love and respect,
Lizzy
“Our turn,” Mary said as she sat next to Hugh on a settee and broke the seal on the letter addressed to her and her betrothed.
Pemberley
Derbyshire
8 July 1812
My dearest sister and brother to be,
William and I would like to marry with you, if it is at all possible.
Please understand if you want a day just for yourselves that we will, of course, understand.
It is only that we do not want to wait more than a month and have to beg Mama to host a second wedding within days of your own, and we will not marry before you as I would never forgive myself.
William may have waited longer; I, however, would prefer not to.
It is up to you Mary and Hugh; we will abide by whatever decision you make.
With much love,
Lizzy
Before she read the missive aloud, she looked at Hugh who nodded his agreement.
After she read it and explained that as far as they were concerned, they would welcome a double wedding, Fanny asked if the Queen would countenance a double wedding at Westminster Abbey and would she be willing for the wedding ball to be for both couples.
The Duchess said that she was sure that her cousin would not object, as Lizzy and William would be cousins by marriage to the royals, but to be safe penned a request to the Queen that was sent with Bennet’s personal courier to Buckingham House with instructions to wait for a response before returning.
It was decided that whether the Queen agreed or not, Lizzy needed to return home as there was much planning to undertake and she would have to go to Town to visit Madame Chambourg’s shop for her wedding gown and the rest of her trousseau.
Lizzy had visited Darcy House on a few occasions.
It was now necessary that she take a full tour of the house as the future mistress.
The express that was sent suggested that the Gardiners and the Darcys return with her.
They had planned to go to Town the following week, and if need be, they would wait for a day or two until Lizzy returned.
“So long as this does not affect our Helen’s trip to Surrey.” Bennet warned everyone, and in full discussion it was determined that it would not as they would simply depart from Hertfordshire rather than Derbyshire.
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On her first view of her in-law’s home, Snowhaven, Lady Jane Fitzwilliam was impressed by the castle and the welcoming wings that spread from its sides like arms ready to hug her.
When the carriages halted, they were met by their father, mother, brother and sister.
After the effusive welcome, Richard asked where his young sister was and was informed that she was at Pemberley.
Once they refreshed themselves, the newlyweds returned to the drawing room where Jane was informed that Lizzy too was betrothed.
She was very pleased that she would see Lizzy when they travelled to Pemberley the following morning.
They were also informed by a very smug Andrew that Granville was to be married to Lady Sarah Ashby in a double ceremony with Anne and Ashby but in Surrey, not Kent.
Although he had done no more than make an introduction, Andrew claimed full credit for the once confirmed bachelor’s upcoming nuptials.
The party at Snowhaven had a very pleasant dinner and no one commented that the newlyweds excused themselves to go to bed early, they were ‘tired’ after all.
“Marriage looks very good on Richard and Jane. I like that she calls us Mother and Father like you do Marie,” Lady Elaine noted once they had departed.
“That way when we are with Thomas and Fanny we will not respond to Mama or Papa from our newest daughter. When will we travel south Reggie?” she asked, looking forward to seeing her friends with whom she had grown close and with whom, God willing, she would share grandmother duties and pleasures with, waiting as her husband considered his response.
“Unless there is a reason to go earlier, I thought to arrive at Ashbury by the first or second day of August. You will travel with us, will you not Andrew and Marie?” the Earl looked at his heir and the woman he considered a true daughter.
“We will,” Andrew answered with a chuckle.
“We will not leave you to just the newlyweds who will not see or recognise any but each other.” He winked at his mother who laughed in a low, sultry laugh he loved to win.
“We depart for Hilldale on the morrow.” He again focused on his father.
“I want to meet with my steward and take care of any problems that may be. We will return to Snowhaven at least three days before you are ready to depart for Surrey.”
After some more conversation, the rest of the Fitzwilliams retired for the night.
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When they arrived at Pemberley the next morning, Jane was surprised to see a row of Gardiner carriages waiting in position to depart the estate.
Jane soaked in the house and grounds her sister would be mistress of and was truly impressed and could not but be happy for her.
They had barely stopped and alighted from their carriage when they were swarmed by a horde of young ladies and Gardiner children.
After Tiffany threw herself into her brother’s arms and hugged her newest sister, they fought their way through the young people, Jane all but fell into Lizzy’s arms in her excitement.
She had missed her best friend and sister even though she was blissfully happy, and when she looked at Charlotte, she could not help but smile the smile Richard swore could light up the sun when she saw that Charlotte too looked incandescently happy.
Jane would only understand why later when Lizzy described the blossoming friendship between Charlotte and Pemberley’s pastor.
It was then that Jane noticed that everyone was in traveling attire and that three Darcy carriages had joined the Gardiner conveyances.
After they joined their uncle and aunt in the largest drawing room, Jane enquired why they were already getting ready to travel.
Lizzy related the contents of the express from their parents calling them all back to Hertfordshire for wedding planning.
When Jane asked if she and her husband should join the trip, she was assured that they should continue to Brookfield as planned and they would all meet in Surrey for the weddings.
Elizabeth took her sister aside. “Jane, will you please be my matron of honour? I cannot imagine getting married without you standing up with me.”
“It will be my absolute pleasure Lizzy. When we have more time, we need to talk sister,” Jane said cryptically. The sisters hugged tightly relishing that they were together, albeit for a very short visit.
After a much shorter visit than had been anticipated, the Fitzwilliams headed to their estate while the rest headed to Snowhaven to return Tiffany to her parents on their way to Hertfordshire.
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