“I know that you have known my sister her whole life,” William said seriously to Will,“just remember that she has a cadre of brothers who will be willing to deal with you if you ever do anything to hurt Lizzy.”
“If you knew Will as well as I do, you would know that it is not in his nature to hurt anyone intentionally, especially not one who he loves like our sister,” Richard defended Will.
“That I believe,” William stated,“but as one of her older brothers, I felt that I had to say something. Now it is done, we can move on with the most pleasant task that I have before me. I meant no offence, Will.”
“No offence taken, William. I would not have expected less and would do the same with the man who one day has the honour of being accepted by Georgie,” Will returned as he extended his hand to shake William’s to back up his words with action.
William left the two cousins alone, and about twenty minutes later, he poked his head through the door to tell them it was time to take their places.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The carriages bearing the family from Snowhaven arrived, and their passengers had all filed out a little before the one bearing Elizabeth, Andrew, and Bennet arrived. After the last of the family, excepting Georgiana, entered and took their seats in the front pews, the doors to the vestibule were closed. The doors were opened again briefly, and Georgiana made her way up the aisle towards her position opposite Richard. William Bennet was struck at how beautiful Miss Darcy was as she glided towards her spot with measured, slow steps.
Once Miss Darcy was in place, William gave a nod to the string quartet leader, and they played a flourish. As they did, William gave the sign for the congregation to stand. The doors to the vestibule opened, and with Andrew on her right and Father Bennet on her left, Elizabeth started the walk toward her destiny, to the love of her life, to finally join with her Will.
Will knew that Elizabeth was beautiful, but he had never seen her looking more so than she did as she walked toward him. She gave him a saucy look that promised much love, laughter, and pleasure to come for the rest of their lives; and at last, he understood why Carstens had insisted on the waistcoat that he was wearing, as it matched her gown perfectly.
For her part, Elizabeth looked directly at Will’s eyes and held his gaze as she was guided up the aisle. Will was more handsome than any man deserved to be, but to her, on this day, he looked like a god amongst men. She watched as he approached them as they had stopped near the altar. Father Bennet lifted her veil and kissed the cheek on his side, and Andrew had done the same on the other; then Andrew had placed her arm on Will’s while Bennet took his seat in the pews with his wife and other children.
As they approached the altar, Elizabeth drew near to Jane, who took her hand and squeezed it for support. Elizabeth stopped for a second next to her older sister, sharing a knowing look only they could interpret, then Will led her to a position in front of William, who gave the sign for the congregation to be seated.
William opened the Book of Common Prayer and began the liturgy.
“Dearly 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 in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
“First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.
“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.
“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. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
“I require and charge you both…”
The service flew by in a blur, and before they knew it, they were reciting their vows as they took each other’s hands:
“I, Fitzwilliam George Darcy, take thee, ElizabethRose Bennet Fitzwilliam to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or 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 plight thee my troth.”
“I ElizabethRose BennetFitzwilliam take thee, Fitzwilliam George Darcy to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey,” Lizzy paused, gave Darcy a saucy look and continued,“till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
The couple released each other’s hands, as Richard placed the ring on William Bennet’s open Bible pages. William blessed the ring before handing it to Will, who took the ring and placed it on the fourth finger on Lizzy’s left hand, saying:
“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.”
After the giving and receiving of the ring, they knelt as William intoned a prayer of blessing. Once the prayer was complete, he joined their right hands together and said:
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
“Forasmuch asFitzwilliamandElizabethhave consented together in holy Wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth each to the 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 together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen
It was done; they were married; all that was left was to sign the register. With Georgiana and Richard in tow, the newly married Darcys followed Mr Beckman into the vestry and into the room on the other side of the door where the register was kept. Will signed first, and then Elizabeth signed her maiden name for the last time.
“Finally, you are my sister, Lizzy,” Georgiana gushed as she congratulated her sister then her brother.
“Do not forget that you have gained a bunch of new brothers and sisters today, Gigi,” Elizabeth said as she accepted the well wishes.
“Including this old ex-soldier,” Richard grinned.
