Vol 2, Chapter 17 #3
“I, Fitzwilliam Alexander Darcy, take thee, Elizabeth Sarah Bennet, 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, obey, and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
The clergyman raised his eyebrows as Darcy added the one word to his vows but said nothing and nodded for Elizabeth to continue:
“I, Elizabeth Sarah Bennet, take thee, Fitzwilliam Alexander Darcy to be 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 an appreciative look as he added the same word to his vows 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 and Richard placed the rings on the pages of the vicar’s open bible. He handed Lizzy’s ring to Darcy who took it and then placed it on the fourth finger of 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.”
Although not normally done, the process was repeated as it was with Jane and Andrew when Lizzy placed a ring on the fourth finger of Darcy’s left hand and repeated the same vow.
After the giving and receiving of rings, they knelt as the vicar 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 Alexander and Elizabeth Sarah 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.”
It was done; they were married! As their family and friends called out their good wishes, the newlyweds felt a surge of joy like they had never felt before.
Jane and Richard followed them into the vestry where they signed their names just three spaces under where Jane and Andrew had written their names in May.
After witnessing the signatures, Jane and Richard wished the couple well again and followed the vicar out of the vestry.
“Wife!” Darcy exclaimed.
“Husband!” Elizabeth returned. “Kiss me, William, I have never been kissed as a married woman,” She gave her husband a saucy look.
As he had just vowed to obey her, he kissed his wife thoroughly.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Mr. Fitzwilliam and Lady Elizabeth Darcy,” Hill announced proudly as the couple entered Longbourn’s ballroom to join the revellers celebrating their wedding with the celebratory meal. Gigi reached her new sister ahead of Esther, Tom, and Mark.
“You are my sister, Lizzy!” Georgiana gushed.
“As am I,” Esther added as she curled her arm around Gigi’s.
“And Tom and I are your brother’s now, Gigi,” Mark pointed out.
“And William is brother to all of you,” Elizabeth reminded them.
After a few minutes with their siblings, Elizabeth and Darcy started to make the rounds. Almost an hour later, Darcy noticed that his wife looked a little wan, which was out of character for her. “Have you eaten or had something to drink today, my love?” Darcy asked with concern.
“With all of the excitement this morning, I own I did not,” Elizabeth confessed. Darcy led his wife to where her parents, grandparents, and some of her aunts and uncles were seated. He helped her into a chair and then proceeded to bring her a little repast, and both water and lemonade.
“I have not eaten today, Mama,” Elizabeth informed her mother when she received a questioning look. “And I did not drink either,” Elizabeth admitted sheepishly.
“Thank goodness William is so solicitous of your needs, Lizzy,” Priscilla teased as she rolled her eyes at the unnecessary sufferings of young love.
After eating a little and more importantly, drinking, it did not take too long before Elizabeth looked and felt somewhat better.
She was still hungry, but at least she had something to tide herself over.
For the next hour, the newlyweds made the rounds of the ballroom, making sure they spoke with each of their guests.
Before they knew it, Elizabeth was changed into her travel attire, and she and Darcy were being wished safe travels by the family who gathered in front of the house to farewell them.
Once the couple was situated in the comfortable Darcy coach and the door had been closed by a footman, Darcy struck the ceiling with his cane and the driver urged his team of six to walk on.