Page 40 of Fitzwilliam Darcy An Honourable Man

Pemberley

Mr. Walker barely had time to open Pemberley’s front door before Georgiana flew through, Millie in her arms. She gasped for breath as she began addressing Mr. Walker animatedly before he could begin to greet her properly.

“They are coming home—Elizabeth, William, Richard, Evan! They shall begin their journey home tomorrow morning! Only two men were injured, Mr. Avery and Mr. Judson, and both of them are expected to fully recover. God has answered our prayers!”

Before the butler could say a word in reply, footsteps alerted them to the approach of Mrs. Reynolds who was coming from the direction of her office. Mille, having just been set on her feet, began running towards the housekeeper, and as the child got closer, the elderly woman stooped to catch the bundle of energy.

Rising with the child in her arms, she practically beamed with happiness. “Yes, we have received an express as well! It will be so good to have them home.” She tilted her head to look down at Millie, “I imagine you will be glad to see your papa.”

“Papa?” Millie responded and then craned her head to look behind at her mother. “Papa?” she repeated to Georgiana.

“Yes, we have talked about Papa coming home.” Georgiana moved close to rub Millie’s back affectionately as she addressed the housekeeper.

“Millie goes to the windows to look at the front drive when we are in the drawing room. She knows that Papa always rides up the drive when he returns from his morning exercise. When one of the servants asked me about Evan yesterday, she ran to the window and pulled back the curtain to peer out.”

Both servants laughed aloud. “It does not take children long to figure things out,” the old butler exclaimed. “I remember when Mr. Darcy had the servants search the house to find Master William one summer’s day when he was barely four.”

Mrs. Reynolds interrupted, “I remember that too! He was hiding because he thought he was going to be punished for breaking his mother’s favourite vase.”

“Yes!” Mr. Walker continued. “And all the time we were searching for him he was atop the ladder in the library, sitting partially on the ladder and partially on the last bookshelf. He was so quiet and still that no one noticed him. Thank God he did not fall.”

“And, poor Mr. Darcy was so relieved that the child was found and that he would not have to report back to Lady Anne that their son was lost, that he never did punish him,” Mrs. Reynolds finished as everyone had a chuckle.

Mr. Walker was the first to sober. “It will be so good to have them home, although I shall miss my good friend, Mr. Judson.”

“Yes, and poor Mr. Avery, too. Evan explained that Mr. Judson agreed to stay behind with him until he is well enough to travel,” Georgiana volunteered. “I have no idea how Brother and I could have been so blessed to have such loyal, trustworthy servants.”

The butler and housekeeper both coloured. “We feel that we are the ones who have been blessed,” Mrs. Reynolds replied.

Just then, Millie spied Margaret, a young maid who often played with her at Pemberley, coming towards them and began to point to her. “I suppose you want Margaret to play with you,” Mrs. Reynolds stated, glancing at Millie and then her mother. “Do you mind?”

“Of course, not. Give Mama a kiss.” Millie leaned in to kiss her mother’s cheek, and then Mrs. Reynolds handed her to Margaret, who had halted when she saw the party in the foyer included her little friend.

“Take her to the conservatory and let her play,” Mrs. Reynolds instructed, and as Margaret headed in that direction, she kept up a one-sided conversation all the while.

“What will you want to do first, little miss? Will you be riding the rocking horse or shall we find your ball and ...”

Georgiana followed their progress, smiling at Margaret’s banter until they were out of sight, then enquired, “Could I have a minute of your time, Mrs. Reynolds?”

“Of course, you may. Would you like to go to my office or the drawing room?”

“The drawing room,” Georgiana said, immediately heading in that direction with Mrs. Reynolds on her heels. They had no more gotten into the room and closed the door, before William’s sister looked both ways, as though she was not sure they were alone, and whispered conspiratorially, “We shall have a wedding to plan very shortly.”

The old servant smiled at Georgiana’s enthusiasm. “You may be correct.”

“I am correct! And after the wedding, I shall want to have a grand reception at Rosewood and invite everyone in Derbyshire and half of London. Will you help me to plan it?”

“Perhaps you had better wait until the Master informs us of his plans— cart before the horse and all that.”

“I know I should wait, but I am so excited!” Her voice got higher as she continued. “Who would have thought when William brought Miss Elizabeth to Pemberley that she would become my sister? She is free—free to marry and have lots of children, so Millie will have plenty of cousins as playmates.”

“My, my! We have gone from wedding receptions to children in two sentences,” Abigail Reynolds chuckled.

“I am awful! I know I am! But I have waited for this day for so long!” Georgiana stepped into the middle of the room and began turning in a circle like a child, arms straight out and eyes closed. She practically shouted. “My brother is getting married! Do you hear, Pemberley? You are to have a mistress once again, and the sounds of children’s laughter will be heard echoing down your halls!”

Laughing and crying at the same time, Mrs. Reynolds reached out to steady her as she came to a wobbly stop. “Well, in order that we both do not get into trouble, I suggest we wait until the engagement is announced, then I shall be more than willing to help you plan any number of soirees. Is that acceptable?”

Georgiana nodded her head in concurrence as she took hold of both the housekeeper wrinkled hands. “You have been like a mother to William and me, so I do not have to ask if you approve. You must be thrilled, as I can tell you love Elizabeth as much as William and I do.”

“At first I was determined to like Miss Elizabeth because I knew the Master cared for her. Later, as I learned her story and saw her fortitude in trying to overcome circumstances that would have crushed most young women, I admired her. But, I must confess, it was her regard for our dear boy that made me love her. Though I did not agree with the solution, she truly loved your brother enough to put his welfare before her own—willing to leave Pemberley rather than risk some harm coming to him. And that is why I know she will be the perfect mate for him and the ideal Mistress for Pemberley.”

“I could not have said it better. Elizabeth is the kind of woman I always wished my brother to marry. And to think that I was entirely wrong about her in the beginning, refusing to allow myself to see past her injuries and her circumstances—to see their bond. I am not sure if I actually professed my faults to either of them, so when she returns I shall confess my failings, ask their forgiveness and acknowledge that they are ideally matched.”

Mrs. Reynolds reached to take Georgiana’s hand. “That is one of your most endearing qualities—you have never been too proud to admit your mistakes.”

A tear slid down Georgiana’s face. “I always wanted you to be proud of me.”

Mrs. Reynolds pulled her into a hug. “You have made it very easy, my sweet girl.”

Barnwell’s Boarding House

The Family Parlour

Abby Barnwell stood at the door to the parlour beaming at her handiwork. She was immensely proud to have put together a proper wedding, including a lovely cake and refreshments with very little notice.

All the furniture had been moved out of the parlour, except for the pianoforte, and a large sideboard holding the refreshments and some tables along the wall. A few smaller, wooden chairs had been added so that the guests could sit and enjoy the refreshments afterward. A latticework trellis, made by her husband for just such occasions, had been placed at the front of the room. It was painted white, and lace was interwoven throughout the lattice. She always added fresh greenery with every wedding, weaving it in with the delicate lace. That greenery, along with flowers in crystal vases on every available surface, made the space a veritable garden.

Having used most of her mother’s best china, crystal and silverware, the entire room seemed to glow as candles reflected off every surface, including the mirrors along the walls and in the midst of all this finery stood a beautifully decorated cake. Initially meant for the family’s dinner, it had been diverted with excellent results as the cook had been instructed to decorate it with white frosting and faux flowers, making it proper wedding fare. Punch filled a large crystal bowl, and plates of tarts and scones and small sandwiches surrounded it.

Tears filled her eyes, as they always did before a wedding. The thought that some young couple would once again pledge their troth in her home and begin their lives as one always gave her pause—that it was George Darcy’s son and his bride made it all the sweeter. Taking a satisfying deep breath, Mrs. Barnwell set out to notify the vicar that all was in place, since Mr. Darcy had already been informed.

~~~*~~~

As Richard and Evan followed Mrs. Barnwell into the family section of the boarding house, Richard leaned over to whisper, “I will not believe any of this until I actually see it happen.”

Evan chuckled. “I know what you mean, but why is it so hard for either of us to believe?”

“Do you realise how many years I have wished to see my cousin happy? I know that marrying Elizabeth will make him deliriously so, but for this event to be accomplished so quickly and at so unlikely a time—it is like a dream.”

Before Richard had finished speaking, they reached the parlour and both stopped short at the entrance, amazed. The parlour had been converted to a wedding chapel. Their gazes fell on those standing along the side—the servants who had come from Derbyshire, evidently some Barnwell family members and a few of the Barnwell’s servants. Mrs. Barnwell smiled at the people assembled as she passed through them on her way to the pianoforte.

As she began playing the music she had rehearsed earlier, Richard and Evan had still not moved and Richard breathed, “My word!”

“My sentiments exactly!” Evan whispered in return. “I did not expect to see anything this impressive. Now I am actually starting to believe that my brother is getting married.” Their private conversation was cut short as an arm slid around each of their shoulders.

“Believe it! I am to be married today, and I am proud to have both of you to stand up with me.” William was barely able to contain his joy as he pulled both men along with him to the front of the room. Just as they reached the altar, Mr. Williamson hurried around all of them, taking his place beneath the trellis.

“I was delayed, as Lizzybet asked me to find her Bible and use it to conduct the ceremony.” He handed the Bible to William. “Would you hold this while I position everyone?” As he handed William the Bible, a paper fluttered to the floor unnoticed by everyone but William.

While Williamson was busy pointing out where Richard and Evan were to stand, William stooped to retrieve what had a fallen—a letter. Instantly he recognised his handwriting and knew it was the letter he had given Elizabeth in Kent. A sharp pang of regret pierced his heart to know that she had kept it all this time. At that very moment, Mrs. Barnwell changed the music to indicate that the bride was about to enter the room, so William could do nothing but place the letter in his coat pocket as he was afraid it might fall again during the ceremony.

As Elizabeth appeared at the door, all murmuring halted, and the room went silent except for the sound of the music. Mouths were agape at the vision of loveliness that was the bride. She wore a satin gown that could easily have been fashioned for her. The cap sleeves were off the shoulder and the bodice was low but not excessively so. Delicately embroidered blue flowers covered the bodice and sleeves, while a deep flounce of Brussels lace was featured on the hem and a smaller band edged the sleeves.

Elizabeth’s dark curls were piled atop her head, except for three long tendrils, fashioned into curls that hung over her right shoulder. Interspersed in her hair were the small white, flowerlike pins that Mrs. Barnwell had discovered in the dressing room. She wore pearl earrings and a single white pearl on a silver chain—on loan from Abby Barnwell as well. For a few seconds, she stood perfectly still as though waiting for some sign.

William, resplendent in his black coat and breeches, had just handed Mr. Williamson the Bible and turned to see her. His dimples were impossible to hide as a wide grin split his face. This display of happiness by the Master of Pemberley was more than any of the servants from Derbyshire had ever seen, and instantly there were murmurings among them. As servants and family alike looked from one half of the couple to the other, the principals locked eyes. Seeing her hesitation, William held out both hands, and Elizabeth slowly began walking towards him—towards her destiny.

As their hands met, their fingers entwined and neither could look away from the other. Seeing their devotion, Mr. Williamson did not demand their attention but instead solemnly began the ceremony. “Dearly beloved ...”

Just as both parties had requested, unbeknownst one to the other, he kept the service very short. The words of the ceremony seemed only on occasion to penetrate the consciousness of the young couple, and he soon learned to touch an arm or hand when a response was needed. After a few words on the sanctity of marriage, he leaned in to tap William’s arm, requesting, “Repeat after me.”

“I, Fitzwilliam Alexander George Darcy, take thee, Elizabeth Elise Lawrence, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”

As William concluded his pledge, Elizabeth began without prompting, “I, Elizabeth Elise Lawrence, take thee, Fitzwilliam Alexander George Darcy, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”

The rector did not have to ask for the ring, as William had already taken it from his pocket and, as Elizabeth finished her vows, he gently slipped his mother’s ring onto the third finger of her trembling left hand. So overcome with emotion that his eyes were now almost as dark as Elizabeth’s, William recited his last vow with an intensity seldom witnessed in such a setting.

“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.”

Not disturbed in the least that the ceremony had been taken out of his hands, Mr. Williamson looked from one to the other with a full heart as he intoned in his most solemn voice, “Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder!”

Everyone waited, but William and Elizabeth did not move. Before Mr. Williamson could prompt William to kiss his bride, Richard pushed his cousin towards Elizabeth, offering, “If you do not kiss her, I shall!”

Immediately William leaned in to capture Elizabeth’s lips and cheers rang out among the spectators. After a few moments, it was obvious that the couple were caught up in their happiness, so Richard gently chided, “That is enough, Darce. Save it for the honeymoon.”

Instantly remembering where he was, William pulled back, blushing furiously. For her part, Elizabeth coloured, too, but not from embarrassment in regards to the kiss. Knowing that he was finally hers and she was his brought a realisation of what was to come. And if making love with William brought just a small measure of the pleasure that his kisses created, she was not only unafraid, but eager to spend the night in her husband’s arms.

Her husband!

Elizabeth’s heart soared, and she held back tears of joy as she and William turned to acknowledge the well-wishers who surged forward to congratulate them. And as they spoke words of encouragement that she barely heard, she felt William’s warm hand begin to slide possessively up and down her back—the gentle pressure of his fingers conveying the need he could not express. Her eyes almost fluttered shut at the contact, but she managed to recover as this same hand moved to her waist and pulled her to stand closer to him.

~~~*~~~