Chapter 16 #2
“Mama told me the same before I married my Perry,” Jane agreed. “I can hardly believe that we are in our third year of marriage; time goes by like the blink of an eye.”
“That is why we need to enjoy each day that God allows us in this world!” Elizabeth hugged her older sister and went in search of her husband to see if he wanted to join her for a ‘rest,’ which she very much hoped he, too, wanted.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The night before the wedding, Richard was with the men in one of the drawing rooms, being ribbed mercilessly by his newest brother. “Peace Will, you have returned the favour from before your wedding tenfold!” Richard exclaimed good-naturedly.
“That I have,” Will returned with a smug look. “Did I not promise you that I would have my day?”
“If I am able to attain half of the felicity that I see between you and Lizzy, we will be very happy,” Richard stated as he changed the subject.
“That is my wish for you and my sister,” Wes stated and then took another sip from the snifter of brandy in his hand. “There is no need to admonish you to treat her well as I have no doubt that you will. I look forward to gaining a slew of brothers and sisters on the morrow.”
“You two are far too besotted, one with the other, not to have a felicitous marriage,” Andrew opined as he held up his snifter in salute to his brother.
“Is everything organised at Lake View House for your arrival, Richard?” Will asked.
“Yes, thanks to Andrew, all is organised. Uncle George and Aunt Anne offered Seaview as well. If Loretta wants to extend the trip, then we will spend a few weeks there after the Lakes,” Richard replied.
The men did not stay up too late as the wedding was at nine in the morning, and Richard would have their heads if they made him late for it.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Loretta had just received the talk from her mother. Like Lizzy and Jane before her, what her mother imparted washed her anxiety away and made her long for the wedding night. As Lizzy’s wedding night was, hers would be at an inn, but Loretta cared not so long as she was able to be with her Richard.
After her mother left her chambers, she was joined by Elizabeth and Jane. “It sounds like your mother’s talk was very similar to the one we received from our mothers before our wedding,” Jane told the bride after Retta related its gist.
“Yes, and I can tell you that it is very good advice, especially the part about not being afraid to ask what gives your husband pleasure or telling him what is pleasurable to you,” Elizabeth informed her soon-to-be sister.
“Even showing him. Apparently, men are more visual, so my husband promised they very much liked that.”
“Did…I mean…was there much pain and blood the first time?” Loretta softly asked about her only fear remaining.
“There was some momentary pain but nothing significant, and each time we repeated the exercise, it became less,” Elizabeth explained. “There was little blood in my case.”
“Richard will not want to cause you pain, so if it hurts more than you can easily manage as it did with me, then I am sure that he will wait until you are ready to proceed,” Jane offered the wisdom of her perspective.
“For me, there was a bit more blood than Lizzy described, but remember that it is different for every woman.”
“I thank you both. While Mama eased the anxiety, I find the recounting of your experiences tremendously helpful,” Loretta said.
The three chatted for another hour when Jane had to leave to feed her babes.
“In the morning, we will be sisters, Lizzy,” Loretta stated. “I love your brother most dearly.”
“And he is deeply in love with you, Retta,” Elizabeth told her soon-to-be sister. “Sleep well, and before you know it, you will be at the altar as the parson pronounces you man and wife.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“The Honourable Mr Richard Fitzwilliam and Lady Loretta Fitzwilliam,” Broadhurst’s butler intoned proudly as the newlyweds entered the ballroom to cheers from the assembled guests. Loretta was glowing, and Richard was grinning from ear to ear.
They made the rounds to greet guests, and Elizabeth and Will returned the courtesy from their own wedding by taking Loretta and Richard to sit for a while so that they might partake of their own wedding breakfast. The break was very welcome as the bride and groom were off their feet for the first time in a few hours as Broadhurst’s church was walking distance from the house.
After both Lords Cyril and Wes made toasts to the happy couple, it was time to change into their travelling attire.
Lady Sarah accompanied her daughter to the chambers, which had been Loretta’s since she had left the nursery.
“You look like a very happy woman, Loretta,” her mother told her as she was assisted out of her wedding gown by a maid as her lady’s maid and Richard’s valet were already on the way to the first inn.
“I am, Mama. Richard and I are perfectly balanced, and I could never imagine loving any life partner any more than I do him,” Loretta stated as she stepped into her travel gown.
“It will be hard not to see you every day, Loretta,” Lady Sarah said, “so I will look forward to seeing you during the upcoming little season.”
“A girl could not have wished for a better mother, Mama. I will miss you too, but it is the way of our world, is it not? We marry and then cleave ourselves unto our husbands and leave our father’s homes,” Loretta stated.
Mother and daughter shared a tearful hug then descended the stairs arm in arm where Richard was waiting for his new wife.
The de Melville's, Fitzwilliams, Darcys, and Rhys-Davies accompanied them to the waiting carriage under the portico. “Look after my baby,” Lord Cyril told his new son.
“You know that I will do so always and to the best of my abilities, Father Cyril,” Richard replied firmly.
“We just returned, and now I must farewell you again, Rich,” Elizabeth hugged her brother tightly.
“Have an enjoyable wedding trip, Richard, and we will see you when you return to Brookfield,” his mother said as she hugged her younger son. “All my children are wed now, so I will just have to wait for my grandchildren’s weddings!”
The family stood back and waved as the driver put the team into motion. Once the carriage took the turn towards the estate’s gate, the family returned inside to be with the wedding guests.