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“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.

~~~*~~~

Chapter 41

Barnwell’s Boarding House

Hand in hand, William and Elizabeth made their way down a torch-lit gravel path that wound its way through the pleasant gardens behind the boarding house and beyond the stables, finally coming to a stop in front of a picturesque masonry cottage. Mrs. Barnwell had taken them aside after the wedding to tell them of her plans for them to spend their wedding night in this special place.

“It was my mother’s home during her last few years. She was tired of all the noise from the boarding house, so we sold the last of her jewels and built this especially for her. I allow only certain guests use of it, as it is very dear to me—all these furnishings were hers from before ...” Her voice caught and then she laughed self-consciously. “Well, never mind all that!” The handkerchief used to staunch the tears that had begun at the wedding was put to good use once more. “There are only a few rooms, but they are excellently appointed, and you are welcome to stay as long as you like.” She reached to take a hand of each of them. “You will remember tonight for as long as you live and cherish the memories. Do not be in a rush to leave in the morning.”

Before Elizabeth could utter a word in praise of the beautiful structure, William swept her off her feet, and she giggled as he carried her up the steps. At the door, he managed to turn the knob without putting her down and, once over the threshold, kicked the door shut with his foot.

Kissing her lightly, though not willing to put her down, he asked, “Would you care for a glass of wine?” As he spoke, he tilted his head towards a bottle chilling in a bucket on a nearby table, next to a plate of refreshments just like the ones at their reception.

Her gaze never leaving his, Elizabeth shook her head vigorously. “I had wine enough during the toasts.”

“Something to eat?”

More determined shaking of her head was his only answer.

“Then do you wish to have the bedchamber to yourself for a short while to change?”