Page 16 of Lydia Acquires Adoration (Bennet Ladies Liberation #5)

Chapter Fifteen

Elizabeth sat in the pew with her husband and children, trying not to bawl. It seemed like the last day before Lydia’s wedding had disappeared. In the midst of final dress fittings and last-minute arrangements, she realized that her time with her sister had vanished. Now it was time for Lydia to walk down the aisle and on to her new life.

She hoped with all that she had in her that Lydia would find love in the life that she had chosen by marrying Mr. Burgess. Kitty had told her that she suspected they were already halfway there, and she was certain they would find their own way to happiness. So she was going to hold on to that hope, but it was difficult to keep her worries at bay.

Lydia's infectious smile lit up her face, illuminating the room and overshadowing any negativity. Meanwhile, Elizabeth fought her anxiety. She knew from experience that even being married to someone you loved was difficult. Elizabeth worried how much harder it would be without that connection to unite you. All she could do at this point was to hope and pray that things would go as well as her sister hoped they would.

William wrapped her in his embrace, his arm around her shoulder, holding her to his side. He understood how hard this was for her. Absorbing his comfort, Elizabeth lay her head on his shoulder and watched the proceedings with slitted, tear-bleary eyes. She watched her sister walk down the aisle on their mother’s arm. It was unusual, but quite fitting if you thought about it. Mama had done so much for them all, shielding them, teaching them and loving them with all she had. She deserved to walk her youngest daughter down the aisle. The pair of them were beautiful, Lydia a splendid reflection of their mother’s grace and beauty.

For all that she fought her worry, it was easy for Elizabeth to admit that her baby sister was a beautiful bride. Even with a short time to throw everything together, everything that they had arranged turned out gorgeous. Lydia’s periwinkle dress was beautiful, and the flowers and garlands were elegant. As she reached the altar, Lydia looked at her gentleman with such hope. If there was no love in her gaze, there was certainly respect and possibly more, possibly something on the way to love.

Lydia made her way down the aisle with her mother, the heady scent of the flowers in the air, making it seem like they could have easily been in a blooming meadow. There, at the end of her short journey, was her groom, the man she was entrusting all her hopes and dreams to. Despite the circumstances of their marriage, she could regret nothing.

Deep inside her, she knew that this was the right thing to do. It only took looking at the little girl who stood at the front. Clara was up there with Selene and Georgianna as her maids of honor. The little ring of flowers in her black curls was perfect in its simplicity. That little girl would be as good as her daughter, and she would see to her love and care. What better reason could there be to marry?

Looking up at Sebastian as she finally reached him, she admitted to herself that she was gaining a very handsome man in the bargain. Soon enough, her hand was in his while the vicar began to speak words of honor and duty, but she was paying more attention to the way her hand felt as it rested inside of Sebastian’s larger one. His hand was warmer than her own and she could feel the calluses on his palm that came from some sort of hard work as it slid against her skin. She was marrying a good, hardworking man who loved his family and loved that little girl so much that he would do nearly anything to protect her. How did she get so lucky?

Then, out of what felt like the blue, it was time for her to repeat her vows, promising to have and to hold for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. Only death would part her and Sebastian, and she found she liked that part, maybe the most. She quite liked the idea of being bonded to someone so strongly. There was also the bit about pledging her troth, but she was not going to think of that later.

Soon enough, she was stepping back from the vicar, arm in arm with Sebastian as he said, “Mrs. Burgess,” before kissing her on the cheek.

She could tell she was blushing by the heat she could feel in her cheeks, but that did not stop her from professing, “My, how lovely that sounds, husband.”

He smiled back, his blue eyes twinkling, before replying in a hushed whisper, “And I find I like you calling me husband.”

It was all the time they had alone together before all of her family descended them upon wishing them well. Of course, Selene was there, hugging Lydia, but she was far outnumbered by the many people who were connected to the Bennet ladies. Lydia found herself enveloped by hugs and kisses on her cheek, but she stopped when she felt a tug on her dress.

Looking down, she realized that Clara was becoming overwhelmed by the crowd. Her little fingers clutched at Lydia’s dress in a white knuckled grip that was sure to have Oakley tsking at the wrinkles. Lydia quickly leaned down to comfort her. Wrapping an arm around her thin shoulders, she said, “My poor dear, this is quite a few cheerful people that you do not know, isn’t it? But now that I have married your uncle, they are all your family and there is not a one of them who would not love and protect you.”

Clara’s eyes widened as she studied the crowd of people surrounding her. Lydia was just about to get Sebastian to pick her up, but then she saw Kiernan approach. Ever the gallant young man, Kiernan took notice of the girl’s fears and crouched down in front of Clara. “Hello, Miss Clara. I am Kiernan, and I am a brother of sorts to your new aunt here. I know these people do not mean you any harm, but there are quite a few of them. I know that a large crowd of people can be scary.” Nodding her head vigorously, Clara confirmed her fears and so Kiernan continued. “Would you prefer to be carried? That way, they won’t be towering over you. I can carry you, if you wish.”

Lydia watched as Clara bit her lip for a moment before nodding her head and whispering, “Yes, please, Mr. Kiernan.”

Bowing with a flourish, Kiernan exclaimed, “Whatever my lady wishes.” Then, scooping her up, he held her high in his arms so that she was able to look everyone in the eye.

As Lydia and Sebastian made their way out of the chapel through a sea of well-wishers, Kiernan followed closely with Clara in his arms. Lydia could hear him whispering to her about all the people they came across, letting her know who they were and how she was connected to them now. By the time they reached the carriages that would take them back to Pemberley for the wedding breakfast, he had her smiling and giggling.

Sebastian smiled at the pair, and asked, “Clara, do you want to ride in the carriage with your Aunt Lydia and I back to Pemberley or would you prefer to ride with some of the other children?”

She looked up at Kiernan with hopeful eyes and asked, “Can I ride with you?”

Laughing, he said, “You can, but I did not ride here in a carriage. I came on that mare over there. Her name is Epona, and I am sure she would love to have you ride her with me. But I understand if you do not want to ride a big horse with me. It is up to you.”

Clara looked from him to the horse and back again. “I will ride Pony with you.”

Kiernan looked at Lydia and Sebastian for approval before saying, “Wonderful. Have you ever ridden a horse before, Miss Clara?”

Watching them go, Lydia laughed. “And so the tradition continues.”

Helping her up into the carriage, Sebastian asked, “What tradition?”

Lydia waited until Sebastian entered the carriage and the door was closed before explaining, “Darcy’s horse was named Cadmus, but when Georgianna was little, she called him Crumpet instead, and Kiernan upheld the tradition. Then when Artie came along, he shortened Crumpet to Crumb. Now Epona, another fine and formal name, has been shortened to Pony. It is only fitting that Clara gets her turn at gifting a horse a nickname.”

Kiernan smiled as the once quiet little girl before him continued to pet the mare’s mane while talking to her. Clara, who had hardly spoken three words in all the time he had known her, seemed to be so fond of horses that she had found her voice.

“You are such a pretty horse, Pony. You have very soft hair. Does Mr. Kiernan brush your hair for you? It doesn’t have no tangles. My hair always tangles.” On and on she went. Of course, not a single word she said was to Kiernan. It was all to his horse, or rather, Darcy’s horse.

Kiernan was helping to train Epona for Darcy. She was highly intelligent, and he found that like Crumpet, she seemed to like children. He was using methods that he had learned about from the former colonel, Theodore, the Earl of Matlock. He was hopeful that eventually they would have a horse that was gentle around his mistress but proved to be highly protective of Elizabeth. If it worked, they would use the methods for training other ladies’ steeds. He and Darcy had even come up with the plan to breed Epona to Crumpet. Kiernan thought any horses to come from the union would be noble steeds indeed.

Deciding to try to speak to Clara now that she was a bit more open, Kiernan said, “You know Clara, I think Epona likes you.”

Looking up at him with wide eyes and a grin, Clara asked, “Really?”

“Yes. Really.” Kiernan laughed, happy to see her excitement. Curious if she would be more open with him now that her barriers seemed to be down, he prodded, “What do you think of moving back home with your uncle and your new aunt?”

Frowning, Clara wrapped her little hands in the horse’s ebony mane. At first Kiernan thought he had pushed too hard, but after a moment Clara said, “I like my new Aunt Lydia, but I do not like my home.”

Kiernan understood that the girl’s home estate of Swarkstone Park was mismanaged and grim. It seemed from the conversations he had gleaned information from that Clara had been quite neglected before she was brought to Pemberley by Selene and Sebastian. Though they had no way of knowing for sure, the condition they had found her in was highly suspect. He could understand why she might not like it.

Ruffling her curls, he reassured her. “I like your Aunt Lydia too, and you know what?”

Looking back up at him, she parroted, “What?”

Grinning at the girl, Kiernan said, “Lydia has plans to make your old home much nicer.”

“Nicer?” Clara asked, her eyebrows drawn together. From her tone of voice and expression, Kiernan wondered if she did not think it was possible to make her old home nice.

“Yes, she was talking about painting and fixing things and, of course, hiring more nice people. You remember Nurse Harris, don’t you? She is coming with you, too.”

Shaking her head Clara exclaimed, “But ‘keeper said, I did not get a nurse anymore, I was big enough to ‘fend myself.”

Though he could not be certain what that conversation had gone like, it was obvious that the housekeeper Lydia and Sebastian were replacing had been cruel to the poor girl. It took Kiernan a moment to be sure that he could keep his voice civil before he said, “One of the things your new Aunt Lydia is doing is hiring a new housekeeper. I have met Mrs. Wilson, and I can promise that she will be very nice to you and all the workers there, like Nurse Harris.”

Kiernan watched as Clara began running her fingers through Epona’s mane again before she asked, “There will be no more ‘keeper?”

“No, that woman will be gone from the place.” Explained Kiernan.

Nodding her little head, Clara leaned over and hugged Epona’s neck, hiding her face in the horse’s mane. Still, he could hear her say, “That is very good.”

Kiernan could not help but agree with her. Deciding to see if he could get her to laugh, he asked, “Clara, would you like to go faster?”

Jerking up right, she said, “We can go faster?”

Kiernan laughed. “Yes, Epona is only walking right now. She can go much faster if you do not think it will scare you.”

He watched as Clara seemed to consider his offer. Tilting his head so that he could see her face from where she sat in front of him, he watched her lips as they scrunched up. Then, after a moment, she nodded her head and said, “Faster!”

They never went faster than a trot, but by the time they reached Pemberley, Kiernan had her giggling like the little girl that she was. He was happy to have discovered how well she did with horses. Maybe working with them would help her. He decided to suggest that Sebastian get her a suitable pony to ride.

Dismounting, he held her steady until he could swing her down, and she giggled all the way. She quieted somewhat by the time he had her delivered to the nursery where all the other children were to have their own celebration, but the moment she saw Artie she ran up to him and said, “Artie, I rode Pony, and we went fast!”

Being that the boy was just as horse mad, he grinned, and said, “Did you ride Crumb? I love Crumb!”

Shaking her head, she tried to explain. “No, I rode Pony.”

Stepping in before it became an argument between the two, Kiernan said, “We rode Epona, but Clara has decided to call her Pony.” Soon after, the two children were talking about the horses that they liked, and Kiernan was sneaking out of the room to join the wedding breakfast downstairs.

Sebastian could not help but laugh at Lydia’s story as they journeyed back to Pemberley. He was surprised that Clara had not been afraid of the large mare. She was normally so timid but had seemed to be quite eager to meet the horse. Then again, he and his sisters had all been quite horse mad when they were younger. Maybe it was something that she had inherited.

Looking across the carriage at his bride, Sebastian wondered at it all. Not even a month ago, he had just been learning that his former brother-in-law was dead, and he had begun his desperate rush to get to Clara. Now he was married to a remarkable beauty who had put his and Clara’s needs before her own.

Watching her look out the window and smile at the passing scenery, he wondered if she was memorizing it. It would probably be some time before they visited Pemberley. There were so many challenges before them in handling such a badly run estate like Swarkstone Park. At that moment, Sebastian promised himself that he would always treat her well and even if she did not fall in love with him, he would do his best to love her. Lydia was remarkable, and she deserved to be loved. He would do everything in his power to ensure that she never had any reason to regret her decision.

Sebastian did not know if it was something in his expression or just happenstance, but Lydia looked back at him and asked, “What has you looking at me so?”

Feeling rather embarrassed to be caught staring, Sebastian struggled to come up with a suitable response. Fighting the desire to tug at his fancily tied cravat, he murmured, “I am finding it quite remarkable how much has changed in such a short time. There is going to be much to do at Swarkstone. It is going to be hard work, but I believe the rewards will be significant. In addition to securing Clara's happiness and future, we will work towards improving the circumstances of many families and at this moment, I cannot imagine undertaking this task with anyone else by my side. I find that I am eagerly looking forward to our future together.”

The sight of Lydia's widening eyes and blushing cheeks made Sebastian's heart thud in his chest, and a silly grin spread across his face. He was certainly looking forward to spending time with his new wife. Maybe eventually they would develop the sort of relationship he had always envied. The kind her sisters all seemed to have with their husbands.

It was a few moments be before Lydia responded. “I have a feeling that our future together will be bright. I agree with you that it will be hard work, but it will be worth the effort.” Then, with a little purse of her lips, she said, “I find I am looking forward to working side by side with you.”

The carriage ride to Pemberley was not that long, but it was certainly convivial and full of hope. When Sebastian helped Lydia down out of the carriage and went into Pemberley, he saw her smile matched his own. Moving into the dining room where a grand wedding breakfast had been prepared for them, he was happy to see so much food. Sebastian had not eaten much before the wedding and was happy to enjoy a delightful meal with his bride.

The room was soon full of happy, laughing people also finding seats at the table. The children were led to a separate room, where they were treated to a lavish feast of their own. There was not a quiet moment to be had, even with everyone eating. Everyone was jolly and more than once he was welcomed to the family by one person or another. Even Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Darcy were being welcoming and kind. He did not doubt for a second that if he stepped one foot out of line, they would rain down their wrath upon him, but Sebastian liked that they were so protective of Lydia.

Sebastian, who had never had this kind of experience in his own small family, was thrilled to be so welcomed. Looking down the table, he spotted Selene laughing happily with Georgianna and Kitty, as he had been told to call them. He was glad that Selene had been accepted into the heart of the family as well.

“We are a merry bunch,” commented Lydia from beside him.

Finishing chewing the bite of the pastry he had taken, Sebastian swallowed and said, “Yes, nothing like my past family experience, but I like it.”

Spearing a piece of asparagus with her fork, she laughed. “I am glad. I have every intention of having large family gatherings as often as possible. It would be awkward if you did not enjoy them.”

Shifting in his chair so he could look her more fully in the eyes, Sebastian said, “I have always wished I had a larger family. My father was always stern and imposing and with only my two sisters growing up, we did not have many happy family dinners and none like this.”

“Well, your wish for a larger family has been granted. In fact, given time, our family dinners will grow even larger. We Bennet ladies seem to be quite happy to expand our numbers.” Lydia was looking at her sister Kitty as she spoke.

Sebastian did not know how to respond to Lydia’s comment, so he shoveled something from his plate into his mouth and chewed it mechanically. Was she implying that she would be happy to increase the numbers as well? Her returning blush might imply she did. He found himself wondering how long it was going to take until the nursery would be complete to Lydia’s standards.