Chapter Text
Bingley, Darcy and Fitzwilliam had been up very late, playing billiards and drinking whisky. It was well past midnight before they parted for bed. Darcy had then slept fitfully, too excited about the wedding to rest. He had seen the sun rise at four o’clock but forced himself back to sleep. He did not want to be yawning through the service. By six he gave up the battle and rose, heading directly to the stables; he needed to channel his restlessness and thought a hard ride across the countryside might soothe his nerves. He pushed his horse to a gallop and watched the countryside fly past. Without conscious thought of where he was headed, he found himself approaching Oakham Mount, which brought back strong memories of the day before and the feel of Elizabeth in his arms. The wait was down to hours now but still it was too long. He kicked his mount back into a gallop and headed back to Netherfield. Perhaps a bath would calm him. When he emerged from the bath and went down for breakfast he found that Bingley had still not appeared. At the end of breakfast when Bingley still had not emerged, Darcy asked his valet to check on him. The whisky and the late night and taken their toll and a bleary eyed, hungover Bingley eventually descended to drink many cups of coffee but blanched at the sight of the pound cake.
Jane and Elizabeth woke in a strangely bare room, the sunshine emphasising the emptiness. Geeson had packed all of their belongings and sent them away already. The only things left were their wedding clothes. The sisters had talked late into the night, snuggled together in bed, sharing their hopes and fears. The fact that their husbands were close friends had been very reassuring; they would still meet. Elizabeth secretly hoped that if Jane and Charles visited them at Pemberley, she and William would be able to convince them to look for an estate in Derbyshire. The different characters of the sisters were displayed in their reactions to separation from their family: Jane was sad to be parted from Lizzy but very glad she would still be near home because it would give her mother great pleasure to have a well-married daughter nearby; Elizabeth was sad to be parted from Jane but quite pleased at the opportunity to establish herself afresh in her new life and love her family from a distance where she would not be regularly faced with their foibles. In these last hours before the wedding Jane was serenely happy and appeared little different than the day or week or month before, while Elizabeth was like a skittish kitten, full of energy and not entirely sure what to do with it. When her mother called for her to settle herself down Elizabeth laughed at herself, thinking that she should ask her mother to have some compassion for her poor nerves. Geeson’s presence was calming; she had organised the morning to ensure that both ladies would be fully prepared and at their most beautiful when it was time to walk to the church.
It was nearly 10 o’clock when Geeson and Hill slid into a pew at the back of the church, just ahead of the brides’ entry. Though they had not known each other long, Elizabeth hoped that she and Geeson would be together for many years, so thought she ought to be there on this momentous day. She had certainly earned a place with the miracle she had done with Elizabeth’s hair. Elizabeth and Jane had picked flowers from the Longbourn garden to make crowns for each other but Geeson was the one who had managed to affix them. Jane’s had gone on easily, her blonde curls framing her face beautifully, but Elizabeth’s unruly locks had resisted the initial attempts to contain them. Geeson glanced back at the doorway where her mistress waited. Miss Elizabeth looked beautiful and she was proud of the role she had played in that.
Both of the brides had wanted Hill to attend. The kindly housekeeper had been a fixture throughout their lives and it would have felt wrong to take such a step without Hill watching over them. When their mother had retreated to her rooms with a nervous complaint and their father had hidden in his library, Hill had always been there to care for them. Despite the many preparations that needed to be completed for the wedding breakfast, Hill managed to find time to come to the church. She would not miss two of her girls getting married for the world. She watched the pair of them entering the church. They both looked so beautiful. It felt like only yesterday that they had been babies. She sighed; Longbourn would certainly feel their absence.
Mrs Bennet watched excitedly as her two oldest daughters were escorted down the aisle by their father. She had been hoping and planning for such a day since Jane had turned fifteen. The years of disappointed hopes while she waited for Jane to find the husband she deserved had wreaked havoc on her nerves but all was well now. Jane and Lizzy were to be rich and darling Lydia was already married. She had seen Lizzy’s marriage settlement and knew that she no longer needed to worry for herself or her unmarried daughters. It was a relief but also left a feeling of emptiness. Her purpose for so long had been seeking good marriages so the girls would be protected and now it was no longer needed. Mrs Bennet caught sight of the curate smiling shyly at Mary. Making a match of them would be worthy of her talents. She felt renewed energy as her sense of purpose returned.
D early beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, to join together this man and this woman, and this man and this woman, in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate...
Charlotte thought that honourable estate was a good description of her marriage. It had given her a respectable position in society in exchange for enduring the company of Mr Collins. Happily, she had been able to arrange their lives to keep this to a minimum. She had never been romantic and marriage had certainly not changed that. She looked at the two couples standing at the front, gazing at each other so lovingly and suspected that their marriages would be very different from hers but that would not necessarily make them happier. She derived her happiness from being able to do good in the parish and being married to Mr Collins gave her that opportunity. It was a satisfactory arrangement which would get even better now that Anne was in charge of Rosings Park. Yes, she was quite content.
...and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly...
Captain Carter looked at his bride with a small sigh. He didn’t dislike Lydia; she was rather pretty and he quite enjoyed her liveliness. He had always intended to settle down once he had inherited his uncle’s estate. Following the militia was no life for a young woman. When he had pictured his future wife she had been a calm, useful sort of woman who would help him make the most of the small estate. Calm and useful were not words that could be applied to Lydia. He expected, or at least he hoped, that she would become more domesticated once they set up home together. She clearly felt his gaze upon her because she looked up and smiled at him and he felt her admiration. No, this was not the type of woman he had expected to marry but it was the one he did marry and he was determined to make the most of it.
...but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God;
Mary glanced surreptitiously at the curate standing at the front of the church. She had not thought much about marriage for herself. She knew she was not pretty like her sisters; she had certainly been told this often enough. There had been a brief hope with Mr Collins; he had seemed determined to marry one of them to compensate for the entail. Mary had believed she was the most suitable wife for him but he had not seen it. Instead he had been swayed by a pretty face. When she heard he had proposed to Lizzy she lost all respect for him. If he could not see how ill-suited they were, then he had very little judgment. The fact that he had proposed to Charlotte Lucas only days later confirmed this. That had been a fortunate escape for her. Recently though she had started to think that marriage might be a possibility after all. She had been working closely with the curate on her plans to start a school and had found him very likeminded. He listened to her ideas and took them seriously. Mr Knowles did not mock her for being serious or for quoting from books; instead he would discuss the texts with her. They had spent many hours together in the church, losing track of time in the intensity of their conversations. It was good to have a friend. She had never had a friend of her own. She was friendly with the Lucases but Charlotte had been Lizzy’s friend and Maria was Kitty’s. Georgiana did not count because she was now a sister and belonged more to Lizzy. That her friend was a man had been unexpected. Then at the engagement ball Mr Knowles had asked her to dance. Twice. That was something that happened to her sisters, not her. It caused her to think about him differently and made her hope as she never had before. Her discussions with Charlotte had shown her what parish life could be; she thought it would suit her very nicely. And so would he. The thought triggered a smile and when she glanced at him again, found that he was smiling back at her.
...duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. First, it was ordained for the procreation of children...
Mrs Gardiner looked fondly on her two favourite nieces as they listened to the words of the marriage service. She was immensely proud of the fine young women they had grown up to be and was very pleased with the husbands they had chosen. Those who find love, wealth and compatibility all combined within the same person are truly fortunate. Then she turned to her husband, trying to remember exactly how he had looked the day that she had walked down the aisle to join him at the front of the church, nearly ten years ago. He had looked a little nervous but oh so handsome. The intervening years had added some weight but otherwise he was still the man she loved and married. Their love had continued to grow as their family expanded and she believed that love was about to increase again. It was too early to voice her beliefs but she would not be surprised if Edward suspected already. He always knew, almost as soon as she did. She thought she would invite Kitty and Mary to stay with them in London when the time approached. Mary had proved to be surprisingly good with the children. It would be good to have additional family to pay attention to the older children while she focused on the baby.
Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.
Mr Bennet felt weary. His two favourite daughters were getting married. He was knowledgeable enough to recognise that openly having favourites did not promote harmony in the family but he was not wise enough to conceal his preferences. Maybe it was time for him to get to know Mary and Kitty better. Perhaps they had more sense than he had previously credited; both had seemed much improved these last months with Lydia away. Mary’s school project had given focus to her energies and forced her to mix more with other people, both of which had benefitted her behaviour. Kitty was not of so ungovernable a temper as Lydia, and removed from the influence of Lydia’s example, she became less irritable, less ignorant and less insipid. The thought of Lydia saddened him. He should have kept her more in check, curtailed her wild behaviour. Well, now that was Captain Carter’s job. He hoped for both of their sakes that their marriage was more successful than his own. He had been far too hasty, influenced by her youth and beauty and obvious affection for him. In his eagerness to bed her, he found himself proposing only weeks into their acquaintance and then married within the month. Mrs Bennet’s charms had lasted for a few months but every year pushed them further apart. Now he spent most of his time in the library, hiding from his wife and daughters. No, he did not wish such a life on even Lydia.
Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
Richard was so relieved that Will had finally found someone to love, someone who would help and comfort him. Elizabeth was just the woman for him. Already she had been a force for good, making him confront his behaviour where he had erred. More importantly, she made him laugh. Pemberley would be a happier place with cousin Elizabeth there. It would do Georgie good too. Richard looked at the two couples preparing to recite their vows, looking at each other with such love and he felt a brief longing for some mutual society himself, to have someone look at him with such love in their eyes. He knew the moment would pass; he always felt like this at weddings. Some day he would give in to his mother’s pressure and find a wife but that day was still far in the future. They needed to see off Napoleon first and there was still the threat of war across the Atlantic. No, this was not the right time for a Colonel in the Regulars to marry. Some day but not today.
Therefore, if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
There ought to be a law! Caroline fumed silently. She wished she could stand up and stop this wedding but degradation of status was not against the law... just against common decency. She did not understand how the Earl and Countess of Matlock could sit there, next to the Gardiners of all people, looking happy at their nephew marrying beneath him. It was bewildering. She was pleased that Charles would be staying in Hertfordshire; as long as he didn’t come to London she could pretend this abominable marriage had never taken place and she wouldn’t have to acknowledge Jane in public. How she had ever thought of her as a very sweet girl, she did not know. She wished they had never come to this hateful place. At least her ball had been a success; the London guests had been very impressed with her hostessing skills. She must convince Louisa to hold a ball and let her organise it.
Charles, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
Charles had believed himself to be in love so many times before but it had never felt like this. The ones who had gone before were nothing to him now; forsaking them would be no hardship with his angel at his side. His voice was firm as he answered, “I will.”
Jane, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
Jane could hardly believe her wedding had finally arrived. She had been so devastated when Charles had left Netherfield, apparently with no thought of returning. Her heart had been broken and she could not imagine it ever being whole again. Until he came to Gracechurch Street and told her he loved her. Kitty had chided her for forgiving him so easily, said she should have made him work harder for her hand, but a life with Charles was everything she wanted and she would not risk that to exact revenge. It was not in her nature. She was very willing to obey and serve him, though she could not imagine Charles giving her commands. The thought almost made her giggle but that would be wholly inappropriate during her wedding so she kept her countenance as she seriously answered, “I will.”
Anne’s attention wandered as Bingley and Miss Bennet exchanged their vows. They were both pleasant people but she had no ties to them and marriage in general held no interest for her. She had spent most of her life being told by her mother that she would marry her cousin Darcy, something she had never wanted to do. The idea of marriage had felt like a prison. She would go from being controlled by her mother to being controlled by her husband. She had no desire to obey and serve anyone. She was the daughter of Sir Lewis de Bourgh! People should be obeying and serving her. What a relief it had been when she and Will had confronted her mother, proclaiming they would never marry each other. And today was the conclusive proof. Will would be safely married to another. For most gentlewomen, marriage was the only path to security and respectability but the mistress of Rosings Park had both of these already. She smiled at Uncle Matlock who had made this possible. Anne finally felt free.
I, Elizabeth, take thee, William, 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.
Having made his own promises, Darcy thrilled at Elizabeth repeating the words. They would indeed love and cherish each other. He hoped there would be more better than worse and his careful management should ensure that there would be no poorer. The thought of sickness still terrified him. It prompted memories of his mother, too weak to even hold her newborn baby. Of his father withering away, becoming a shell of his former self. Then he happened to notice Anne watching him intently. She looked so well and served as a welcome reminder that not all illnesses were fatal. Sometimes people could return to health. He looked at Elizabeth’s parents, fit and well. He would do all he could to keep his family healthy but beyond that he had to accept God’s will. It would be better to have even a day married to Elizabeth, basking in her love, than to live forever alone, in fear of loss. His morbid thoughts were interrupted by the sardonic look in Elizabeth’s eye as she promised to obey him. He had to hide his chuckle by pretending to cough. That was not a promise he would care to test. Her love was more than enough for him.
With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship...
It was nearly done. They had made their promises and in just minutes they would be bound to each other for the rest of their lives but this binding felt like liberation. They would finally be free to be together fully. Elizabeth remembered vividly the feeling of William’s body against hers as they embraced yesterday. The excitement she felt as they kissed. The loss when he pulled away from her. Tonight there would be no pulling away. There was a degree of apprehension about taking the next step; despite the words of her mother, her aunt and Lydia she still did not have a completely clear idea of what would happen but her love for William, and yes, her desire for him, meant there was more anticipation than fear. His eyes, which held hers as he said the words, blazed with passion and she was sure that he would see that reflected in her own.
Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
The Earl clutched his wife’s hand and she leaned her head on his shoulder. He was so happy his nephew had found someone he loved and who loved him in return. Together they would be a formidable force. He was well aware of how much his own wife helped him in all aspects of his life. And would be helping him with bringing his sister into check when they travelled to Rosings Park. Catherine must learn to accept Anne coming into her inheritance. He felt slightly ashamed that he had not acted sooner, believing Catherine’s reports that Anne’s illness was too great to take on such responsibility and that there was nothing to be done. He would try to make it up to Anne by staying as long as necessary until she was established. In extremis he would even bring Catherine back to Derbyshire with him if nothing else worked. He really hoped it would not come to that. He did love his sister but the thought of her permanently ensconced in Lumsdale Manor made him shudder. He placed a gentle kiss on his wife’s cheek. Together they would find a solution.
Forasmuch as Charles and Jane, and Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth, 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, and man and wife, together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peal of bells filled the air and the sun shone as the newly wed couples emerged from the church. They made a joyous parade back to Longbourn. Kitty beamed with pride as the guests took in the tasteful decorations. Everything looked splendid without being ostentatious; the floral decorations from the garden were in keeping with the natural beauty of the two brides. The furniture had been rearranged so that the crowd of well-wishers was comfortable rather than cramped. The tables and sideboard heaved with the dishes of the wedding breakfast. Mrs Bennet looked like to burst with happiness as Jane and Lizzy brought their husbands to the top of the table. Lydia looked put out as both Jane and Elizabeth walked past her, regaining their previous rank; she consoled herself with the fact that she still was seated ahead of Kitty and Mary.
The meal was a great success. Bingley exuded his natural charm but even Darcy managed to be engaging, smiling broadly throughout and conversing with the guests, much to the surprise of the local folk, though not to his relatives who knew what he was like in unguarded moments. With Elizabeth at his side as his wife he felt he could conquer any challenge but with so many friends and family surrounding him it was actually easy.
Jane moved serenely around the room, accepting the good wishes with a quiet glow. Elizabeth was almost frenetic, determined to have last conversations with all of those she would be leaving. Initially Darcy had stayed by her side but quickly realised that she was trying to include him in the conversations and this was holding her back from what she truly wanted to say so he politely excused himself and instead stood near the window, with her father, as they watched her progress.
“I will miss her,” Mr Bennet said quietly.
“I promise that I will take good care of her,” Darcy replied. “I know that she will miss you too so you will always be welcome at Pemberley.”
“I will take you up on that, son. I have heard great reports on your library.”
Darcy was taken aback by the term. It was many years since he had been anyone’s son and it had not really occurred to him that Mr Bennet would take on the role of father. He was uncertain how he felt about this but he appreciated the acceptance that the word signified.
Darcy looked at his pocket watch. It was past three o’clock and they really should be setting off for London. He walked to Elizabeth’s side, where she was talking with Charlotte Collins and Anne, and quietly said, “It is time.” She looked disconcerted for a moment but then turned to smile at her husband and took his arm. Together they made a tour of the assembled company, making their good-byes, Elizabeth often embracing where Darcy offered a handshake. He could not escape with just a handshake with all though. Bingley called him brother, hugging him and thumping him on the back. His aunt and uncle, Richard and Anne all embraced him tightly, making him feel their love for him. Georgiana, who would be staying with the Matlocks for a month, grabbed both of his hands in hers and practically bounced up and down in excitement. “I am so happy,” was all she could say. At the door Mrs Bennet surprised him by throwing her arms about him, while tears of joy streamed down her face.
Darcy extracted himself in order to help Elizabeth into the carriage. He held out his hand to her, saying simply, “Mrs Darcy.”
“Thank you, husband,” she replied as she climbed in and took her seat. William settled in beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders, pulling her into his side. Elizabeth snuggled in willingly, resting her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. He tapped on the carriage and it drove off, leaving Longbourn and the waving guests behind. William placed a kiss on the top of her head but seemed content for the moment with just holding her close. The movement of the carriage and the warm arm around her, after the excitement and activity of the past weeks, soon lulled Elizabeth into sleep, and before long William’s head drooped, resting on top of hers. So it was that Mr and Mrs Darcy arrived unaware at Darcy House, only waking when the carriage stopped and the driver dismounted, servants bustling about removing trunks and carrying them into the house. Before opening the carriage door, William tilted Elizabeth’s head so that he could capture her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. She brought her hands to his head, pulling him nearer, returning the kiss with her own passion. Catching his breath, William leaned his forehead against hers and whispered, “Shall we, Mrs Darcy?” before escorting her into her new home.