Page 55 of A Life Diverted
E lizabeth Elaine Wendell thought she was living inside of a dream. She was engaged to William and could not have been happier about it.
Her thoughts wandered to the pledge she and Jane had taken when they were much younger, Jane had been fourteen and Elizabeth eleven.
They had sworn that they would never marry for anything but the deepest love and respect, just like they saw between Mama and Papa on a daily basis.
Grandmama Beth had also told them stories of how much in love she and the late Grandfather James had been.
Now that pledge had been honoured. Jane was completely in love with David, and he with her, and the same could be said about Elizabeth and William.
Since accepting William and both her Bennet and Wendell parents bestowing their consent and blessings on their engagement, Elizabeth had felt as if she were floating on a wispy cloud high above the earth.
“Mother and Father, I think that it is time for me to live under your roof again, that is, until William whisks me off to Pemberley. Also, I want to officially take the name Wendell again. I spoke to Mama, Papa, and Grandmama Beth, and they all agree that is how it should be,” Elizabeth stated.
After the furore over the dual engagements that day had lowered to a dull roar, Elizabeth had requested a few minutes with her Wendell parents.
“Ellie, there is nothing we would like more,” Cilla responded with a wide smile on her face. “However, we never wanted to pressure you. As long as you are ready for this change, we welcome it.”
“I promise you, Mother, unless it was what I truly desired, I would not have agreed with Mama when she opined that I was ready,” Elizabeth assured Mother.
“In that case, we will be beyond pleased that you want to use the Wendell name again, and to have you join us at Netherfield Park,” Cilla enthused.
She had to try and regulate her excitement.
This was the final step of Ellie’s return to their family, and Cilla could not remember this feeling of unbridled joy, certainly not since before Ellie had been kidnapped.
“I will send a note to Catherine so that she will have the housekeeper prepare chambers for you.”
“What of William, he may not remain under the same roof now that I am his fiancée, may he?” Elizabeth enquired.
“No, Ellie, you are right,” Wendell said with a grin. “When William asked to address you, your mother and I discussed this. With your Bennet parents’ permission, William will move to Longbourn while you are at Netherfield Park. By the by, have you two spoken of a date to marry yet?”
“No, Father, we have not,” Elizabeth replied.
“I still need to speak to Jane, because I have always dreamed of marrying in a double ceremony with her.” Elizabeth’s face fell as she realised something.
“But that cannot be, can it? Jane will marry from Longbourn, and I am sure you would prefer I marry from Willowmere, would you not? I had even thought to ask Charlotte and Barney if they would join the same ceremony, but Charlotte will marry from Lucas Lodge.”
Cilla and Wendell looked at one another, communicating silently as those married for more than three decades and still hopelessly in love were able to do. Both nodded.
“Ellie dear, if Jane and Fanny agree, we are completely sanguine with you marrying from Longbourn. It is where you grew up and became the estimable lady you are, and until we were reunited, it was the only home you had known,” Cilla assured her daughter.
Seeing Ellie light up with pleasure was well worth the concession.
Both she and Joseph were rewarded with their daughter throwing her arms around their torsos in turn and giving them each a warm hug.
“Thank you, Mother and Father. I will go speak to Jane. If she and Mama agree, then we will speak to Charlotte and Lady Lucas,” Elizabeth gushed.
Elizabeth made for the music room where she knew that Jane and David were sitting and listening to Mary, Giana, and the twins as they enjoyed instruction from the music master who came from London once a week.
Lydia was sitting at the pianoforte, and Henry was playing his violin when Elizabeth entered the room.
Seeing her younger Bennet siblings, she decided she needed to tell them she was moving out of Longbourn, so they did not hear it from another.
“ Signore da Funti , may I interrupt your lesson for a few minutes, I need to speak to my younger sisters and brother?” Elizabeth requested.
“ Potresti, Signorina Elisabetta , not too long,” Signore da Funti agreed.
“ Grazie , Signore da Funti ,” Elizabeth responded gratefully. “Will you three come sit here next to me?” She patted the sofa she had seated herself on. As soon as the youngest three Bennets had sat, Elizabeth related the news regarding her name and where she would be living from that day onwards.
“Lizzy, Aunt Cilla said you would not be taken from us,” Lydia wailed.
“And that is true. While we are all at Netherfield Park, I will see all of you at least once a day, and more than likely far more than that. As you know, William and I will marry as soon as we set a date.” The youngest three nodded.
“At that point I will leave the house I am living in, regardless of which one it is.
However, one thing will always hold true.
Regardless of my family name, be it Wendell or Darcy, I will never stop being your sister, and no matter where I am living, we will see each other whenever possible.
“You remember how much Papa loved the library at Pemberley, do you not?” Again, there were three nods.
“My hope is, if Mama and Papa agree, you will spend part of the summer with us there, and when we travel to London for the season, we will definitely stop in Hertfordshire. We will always be in contact, even if we do not see one another on a daily basis.”
Lydia threw her arms around Lizzy. “Thank you, Lizzy. I would not have survived never seeing you again,” she stated dramatically.
Mary and then Henry each hugged Lizzy. They were replaced with Giana. “I want to repeat just how happy I am that you will be my sister, Ellie. In addition, I will gain three more sisters and four additional brothers.”
“Do not forget one more sister when Charlotte marries Barney,” Elizabeth pointed out. “And you will be related to Maria, and the rest of the Lucases, who will also be your relatives by marriage.”
Giana nodded her agreement keenly.
Then, as had been promised, after not too many minutes, Signore da Funti had the attention of his four students once again.
After listening to Lydia and Henry play their respective instruments for a few minutes, Elizabeth turned to the settee where Jane and David were seated. “Would you two accompany me to the parlour? There is something I wish to canvass with you.” She requested and was happy to receive two nods.
“What may we do for you, Ellie?” David asked once he and Jane were seated on a settee and his sister opposite in an armchair.
“It is about a dream Janie and I had from the time we were little girls,” Elizabeth responded. “Janie, do you remember the promises we made? We have already fulfilled one of them by accepting men we love and who love us.”
“You are referring to us marrying in a double ceremony?” Jane verified.
“Indeed,” Elizabeth confirmed. “Before you say I will need to marry from Willowmere, Mother and Father have already given me permission to ask you this knowing it will mean marrying from Longbourn.”
“If that be the case, then of course, I would love to marry in a double ceremony with you and William,” Jane replied excitedly. “What think you, David?”
“I have no objection. Sharing the ceremony with Ellie and William will only enhance the joy of the day,” David agreed. He cogitated for a few moments. “I can understand why Mother and Father agreed. This has been your home for most of your life.”
“After we have Mama’s agreement, I propose we speak to Charlotte and Barney,” Elizabeth suggested.
“You mean a triple ceremony?” Jane gasped.
“I do. You would not object, would you, Janie, or you, David?” Elizabeth queried. “I was thinking that seeing that upon her marriage our best friend will become our sister, marrying together would be perfect.”
“Of course, I do not object,” Jane insisted. Next to her David nodded emphatically. “Will the Lucases not want her to marry from their home?”
“That is why once we gain Mama’s agreement; we need to speak to Charlotte and Barney.
If Charlotte agrees, she will know how to approach Sir William and Lady Lucas,” Elizabeth related.
“I almost forgot, before we make this request of Mama, I need to confer with William. He, Aunt Catherine, and Richard should arrive in a half hour or so.”
It was a surprise to no one when Darcy agreed to his fiancée’s proposal without delay—he could deny Ellie nothing she asked—and the Bennet parents added their hearty endorsement thereafter.
William and Richard stated they had something to discuss, but it could wait.
The two couples along with Mary who had completed her lesson, made the short walk to Lucas Lodge.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The five walkers were shown into the sitting room at Lucas Lodge where the Lucases and Barney were ensconced.
On entering, Elizabeth and Darcy received sincere congratulations from all of the family members.
At least, Johnny made his wishes without wincing too noticeably.
As soon as the wishes for lifelong happiness had been conveyed, Maria and Mary excused themselves and made their way to the former’s bedchamber.
“Charlotte and Barney, may we speak to you?” Elizabeth requested.
Lady Lucas waved them away. “You may use the small parlour, I believe there is a fire in the grate, so it will be warm,” she instructed.