Chapter 32 #2
“I dare say even were Bennet to try suggest a month longer, he would have to face Jane, Eliza, and Mary. No man I know would risk the ire of those three.” Sarah laughed with the relief of knowing her first born was so happy she would defy even her parents to claim it.
Fanny had said they had not dared to gainsay Mary or they may have had a hard time regaining her trust, and Mary was quieter in her affections, but when she was with her Marquess, they were never more than a few inches apart.
If that was the kind of love Charlotte had found, what more could a mother hope for?
What joy to be a grandmother in but a few months!
The nursery needed some new toys and books, some new bedding, and a new doll for the bed.
Lady Sarah Lucas was already behaving as a new grandmother.
Trying to contain her excitement as her thoughts ran around all the wonders soon to be gained, Lady Lucas explained what had happened and what would soon occur to Maria, who stared at her mother in such surprise her jaw had dropped at the explanation that Charlotte was cutting her mourning in half.
Her brothers joined the family discussion and were no less surprised than their sister.
The Lucas patriarch went to his study to compose an express to his oldest child expressing their full-throated support and the hope that she would marry from Lucas Lodge.
He stopped midway through his response to reread the missive from his son in law to be and found it contained many similarities to the words Charlotte had offered in hers.
He finished the express to his daughter and added a separate sincere welcome to the family to Mr Elliot with a specific passage to his soon to be granddaughter Grace.
It was moments like this when a man is reminded the heart has no limits.
The organ had an unlimited capacity to love and Sir William came to the realisation that even before he met her, his granddaughter already owned a piece that he had not known he had in his heart.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A little later at Longbourn, the express for Lady Elizabeth Bennet, which had originally been directed to Bennet Park had just been read by a mystified and joyful Elizabeth.
Suspecting what it was, she had read it to herself first, taking a moment to just be Charlotte’s friend and feel the happiness the news had gifted before she shared it with all those present as they had gathered at Longbourn for the first time in the new family sitting room.
“Everyone here will support her decision to go into half mourning and marry her Mr Elliot whenever she chooses, Lizzy,” Mary stated emphatically before everyone else did.
“I am certain the gentlemen will help him procure a special license should he want one so they can marry even sooner. That buffoon she was married to was misery incarnate and she has paid her dues. If Sir William will not let her marry there, you will tell her she can marry here with us, will you not, papa?” she nodded at Elizabeth and turned to lock eyes with her father.
“I can imagine doing nothing else, though it may strain my friendship if they are opposed. I will see if it is necessary before I offer, but if it is necessary, I will offer, Mary,” he promised his middle daughter.
“Mary, if you could teach me how to do that?” Lydia arched a brow, lightening the tension and helping everyone resettle, winking at her sister affectionately, the most like Lizzy of the five.
Darcy, too, was extremely happy for his friend who had not only found an estimable partner, but a love match to boot.
Lady Longbourn was on the verge of suggesting that they go to Lucas Lodge to wish them joy when Hill announced the five Lucases.
It took but seconds for the guests to understand that their daughter had the full support of their friends and that all the Bennets were delighted for Charlotte.
Had it been some months before, Lady Lucas would have been driven to an apoplexy at the news that the Bennets would soon be related to the Royal Family, and that the next two daughters to marry would do so at Westminster Abbey in the presence of the Queen and other royals.
Now she was pleased to know that her approbation was genuine for the Bennets and their good connections.
In fact, better than just about any family in the kingdom could boast. Lady Lucas was very impressed.
Her friend had known about the Royal connection for days; Fanny did not keep secrets from Hattie as they saw each other almost daily, but neither had breathed a word of it.
If Charlotte had not added the Post Script, there was no telling how long it would have been before she would have been privy to the information.
The Lucases were invited to stay at Bennet House when they came to Town for the double wedding in August. Between all of the extended family’s townhouses there was ample room for guests who did not have their own homes in Town.
Charlotte had shared the elegance of the Bennet’s town home with her mother.
Sarah Lucas had hoped to one day see Bennet House; with this invitation she would be hosted there herself for a few short days.
Darcy was relieved to learn that he did not have to part with his beloved for a trip to Town the following day. He had intended to collect the draft of the settlement and the ring that he wanted to present to his betrothed.
Mary’s ring had arrived by courier from Woburn Abbey, the Duke’s estate, that very day and the women were enamoured of the gold banded ring with a massive ruby surrounded by diamonds.
Darcy would have preferred to present the ring to his beloved the day he proposed, but it was in London in the vault at his bank.
They would all travel together to Town, so he could complete his tasks while she was at the modiste.
There would still be ample time left to see his betrothed for functions, dinners, and other enjoyments such as walks in Hyde Park.
Fanny had received affirmative answers from both Elaine Fitzwilliam and Sarah De Melville that they would assist with the upcoming events and would arrive in town within a day or two of the Bennets and their party as the group departing Hertfordshire planned to leave early the following morning.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
With trepidation for its contents, Charlotte received a return express from her father.
She was apprehensive to read the letter and had one of the footmen summon her betrothed for moral support.
A little more than half an hour later, the man she loved entered the sitting room to join his affianced and Miss Jones.
Feeling no small amount of nervousness, Charlotte inhaled and held her breath as she broke the seal.
‘At least Papa answered when they could have just cut me. Please, God, let this not be a break with my family,’ she prayed then opened her eyes to read her father’s words aloud for her betrothed to know them as she did as she wanted no secrets from him:
Lucas Lodge
Hertfordshire
13 July 1812
To our dearest daughter and most beloved sister,
With such a greeting, she knew that this was not a letter bearing bad tidings and she visibly relaxed, tears of joy and relief rolled down her cheek.
Elliot saw his betrothed relax so he merely held his hand back as he did not want to intrude on her moment with her family, even a vicarious one, as they had done what he hoped, not what she feared, and supported her.
Your Mama, Frank, Maria, John, and I send you nothing but good wishes and joy.
If not you, who could possibly deserve such happiness, to find a man to love her who she loves in return.
We agree without reservation with your decision to keep to a six-month mourning period.
You have the right of it, daughter! That blowhard, may he rest in peace, did not deserve any of your precious time mourning his loss.
Please tell your betrothed that we all welcome him to the family with open arms and cannot wait to meet both him and our soon to be granddaughter. As you can imagine, your siblings, the younger two especially, cannot wait to have a niece.
Your Mama and I would like to host your wedding and have you married from Lucas Lodge.
The Bennets have volunteered Bennet Fields for anyone who may need accommodation for however long it is needed, and Fanny would like to host a ball in your honour.
It was not needed, but the full support of the Bennets is appreciated and will ensure that no one will speak against you for your decision.
We love you, Charlotte.
You are and you always will be my dear girl,
Papa
The tears that had trickled were now a stream that flowed freely. They were tears of joy, but they were still tears. Elliot handed her a handkerchief to dry her eyes, his hand holding hers until she was able to focus on him.
“If you want to marry from your parent’s home, my love, then it will be so,” Elliot offered with the depth of meaning to what he said. He was very relieved for his Charlotte as she had been nervous and uncertain with regards to how her parents would react.
“Would you be able to get away for so long a period?” Charlotte asked once her equanimity was restored, the hope and love shining in her eyes making him chuckle.