A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (25 page)

She
smiled up at Darcy. “I will.”

“Who
giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

Mr.
Gardiner stood to place Elizabeth’s right hand in Darcy’s left, only to find it
already there. “Her aunt, Mrs. Madeline Gardiner, and I give our niece,
Elizabeth Anne Bennet, to Mr. Darcy.” It was more than the usual wedding
statement, but it was imperative, in case of future difficulties that there be
no question as to the blessing and consent for Elizabeth to marry.

After
Mr. Gardiner was seated, Judge Pierce nodded to Darcy. “Please repeat after
me.”

“I,
Fitzwilliam John Alexander Darcy, take thee, Elizabeth Anne Bennet, 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 plight thee
my troth.” Darcy was quick to repeat the words. He sincerely meant them from
his heart.

Turning
to Elizabeth, he asked her to repeat the following, “I, Elizabeth Anne Bennet,
take thee, Fitzwilliam John Alexander 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.”

Lord
Matlock handed Darcy the ring he had chosen the day before. It had been Darcy’s
mothers and was a large diamond surrounded by brilliant blue sapphires. He
placed it on Elizabeth’s left hand, took both her hands in his, and faced her
as they heard Judge Pierce clearly declare, “Those whom God hath joined
together let no man put asunder. “

To
the room, he stated, “Forasmuch as Fitzwilliam John Alexander Darcy and
Elizabeth Anne Bennet 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 together. Amen.”

Darcy
looked down at Elizabeth. “Wife,” he whispered to her.

She
chuckled softly. “Yes, William, I am your wife.” She stretched up as he leaned
down and kissed her tenderly to the smiles and best wishes of their family and
friends. As they turned to receive congratulations, the Honorable Judge Pierce
again spoke. “Please join me in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.” The
applause was spontaneous and loud. The couple looked up to see many of the
servants gathered at the doorway to witness the ceremony. “Because of circumstances,”
the Judge continued once it quieted, “we need to get the rest of the legal
procedures completed. If the gentlemen would join the newlyweds in signing the
registry, this next necessity can be settled. The men stepped aside when they
realized that the Duke wanted to act as official witness to the wedding. Mr.
Haggerston and Judge Pierce were thorough in all matters legal and official, so
had Lord Matlock, Viscount Stanley, and Mr. Gardiner sign their names below
his. Lady Matlock signed as the Lady’s witness.

After
the legal aspects of the wedding were cared for, Darcy announced, “My staff has
prepared a small meal for us to enjoy, if we could step into the dining room.
We have several other matters that need to be cared for on this day before all
will be done and we can relax.” The bridal couple led the gathering into the
appropriate room, followed by the Duke and Duchess. Once seated, the Duke began
his explanation as to how he and his wife came to know the new Mrs. Darcy.

“Several
years ago, my wife and I were living in India. Our son, Christopher, just four
and ten years of age, who was at that time our only child and heir, was injured
and Miss Elizabeth, excuse me, please, Mrs. Darcy,” everyone chuckled at this
mistake. “Mrs. Darcy tended to my son’s care and saved his life.” All were
familiar with the story. They knew, too, that the reputation of His Grace was
that of a fair man who wielded his power and wealth for the benefit of the
people of England, more so than for his own personal gain. “The Duchess and I
will forever be grateful for the intervention of this young lady. If our son
were not at Oxford, he too, would be in attendance. It was our pleasure to
witness this happy occasion and we thank you for letting us invade your home
uninvited.”

“Your
Grace,” Mr. Darcy answered. “Mrs. Darcy and I are pleased you came. You are
always welcome in our homes.” The pleasure it gave him to include Elizabeth as
his wife in this invitation was tremendous, filling his already brimming heart
with love and appreciation for this good woman.

While
the meal was taking place, Mr. Haggerston was preparing an announcement that
would appear in the next day’s newspapers. “
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
, of
Pemberley in Derbyshire and Grosvenor Square, London has married
Miss
Elizabeth Bennet
, originally of Hertfordshire, and late of London.
Witnesses to the wedding were His Grace, Christopher Robert Winters, Duke of
Devondale, and his wife, Her Grace, Marie Victoria Winters, Duchess of
Devondale; Martin Fitzwilliam, Lord Matlock, Earl of Smithton; Elaine
Fitzwilliam, Lady Matlock, Countess of Smithton; Henry Fitzwilliam, Viscount
Stanley; Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam; Mr. Charles Bingley; Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Gardiner; Mr. Samuel P. Haggerston; and Miss Georgiana Darcy. The ceremony was
officiated by the Honorable Judge Archibald M. Pierce. A celebration followed.”
One of Darcy’s messenger’s was dispatched to deliver the announcement to
The
Observer
and
The Times
.

After
the meal, which Mr. Haggerston was finally able to share, the guests departed.
The Duke and Duchess were the first to leave after extending an invitation for
all to dine at their residence in four days time. Lord and Lady Matlock offered
to keep Georgiana for at least a week at their home. Her bags were soon packed
and they, along with their sons, were on their way across the square to Matlock
House. Bingley, after repeated handshaking and slaps to Darcy’s back, left as
well, his smile almost splitting his face in two. Mrs. Gardiner had yet to
speak to Elizabeth about the expectations of the wedding night. She and her
husband, Mr. Gardiner, hoped to be able to return to their home without any of
the Bennet’s noticing that they had been absent. If not, they had devised a
plan where they informed their brothers-in-law that they had been at a business
appointment. However, before they could return to Gracechurch Street, there was
yet an important matter to care for. Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Haggerston, and Mr.
Darcy needed to go to the Bank of England to transfer the assets owned by
Elizabeth that were in Mr. Gardiner’s name, to Darcy. As they prepared to leave
for the bank, Elizabeth handed her new husband a folded note, which she
requested that he read before they finished their transactions at the bank. Judge
Pierce offered to accompany them with the registry, proving the marriage had
taken place in case of any question during the transfer. The four men entered
the carriage and the two women, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner, went upstairs to
the sitting room in the Mistresses chambers.

It
was the first time that Elizabeth had been inside her new rooms. She was
pleased with their understated elegance. Darcy had told her that the mistress’s
suite had not been updated since his mother had used them almost six and ten
years past. Elizabeth wanted to change nothing. The blues and creams of the
fabrics and the wall coverings were peaceful and serene. It was a pleasant room
and Elizabeth could foresee spending many hours there, reading and tending to
her needlework.

Mrs.
Gardiner was nervous and hesitated to bring up the subject she wanted to
discuss with her niece. Elizabeth, too, was filled with apprehension. Finally,
Elizabeth said to her aunt, “Please, Aunt, just consider this practice for when
your own daughter is in my position. What was it that you wished your own
mother had told you before your wedding?”

Madeline
Gardiner smiled at the memory. “My dear Lizzy, my mother told me to lay still,
let my husband do as he pleased, and think of England the whole time I had to
bear his attentions.” She laughed again and Elizabeth chuckled along with her.
What followed were reassurances of the wonders of the wedding night and a
comment or two about how pleasurable the act could be when the husband and wife
loved one another deeply. “I suspect, Lizzy, that by tomorrow morning, you will
wonder what you ever had to worry about. Enjoy this time of getting to know
your husband. It is but one manner of expressing your love and affection for
each other. Come to know him and remember the vows you made only a short time
ago. You will be blessed with a union that is as strong as iron, as loving and
affectionate as your uncle’s and mine, and one that continues to grow for as
long as you are alive.”

Her
niece gratefully hugged her aunt. This woman, Madeline Gardiner, had been the
perfect mentor. Elizabeth wanted to be the same type of wife for her new
husband.

In
the carriage, on the way to the bank, Darcy discreetly opened the note from his
wife. He was pleasantly surprised at what it contained.

December 4, 1811- Our Wedding Day

(
Darcy smiled at reading
this.)

Darcy House – My New Home
(Darcy’s
smile grew wider.)

My Dearest, Beloved Husband,

I will not embarrass you by writing words of love in this note as I am
aware that you are in company with gentlemen that would not want to hear of such,
but know, please, that each beat of my heart is for you.

I asked that you read this before you finish your business at the bank
because I have three requests. If you are in agreement, I would appreciate that
you redirect funds from the account to be distributed as follows:

1)
     
30,000£ to Colonel Richard
Fitzwilliam as a reward for saving my life and the lives of my loved ones on
the condition that he resign his commission - today!

2)
     
4,000£ to Mr. and Mrs.
Hill, the house servants at Longbourn, who offered me affection and protection
when I direly needed it. They are, on this day only, without master or mistress
at Longbourn and, if you should so desire, could pack and be gone before they
had to make difficult explanations to their former employers

3)
     
6,000£ to Jane Bennet, to
use as she sees fit

My husband, this is the first time in our marriage that we have been
apart and I do not know that I like it. Please, dearest man, hurry home.

Your adoring wife,

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Darcy

At
Darcy’s chuckle, the three men wondered what the missive contained. They had
all observed him as his smile broadened as he read. Darcy carefully folded the
note and put it in the breast pocket of his vest, close to his heart.
“Gentlemen, we have business to take care of. To the bank!”

When
the gentlemen returned from their errands, Mrs. Darcy, as hostess of her new
home, welcomed them with a warm fire, hot tea, and a variety of cakes. None of
the men were hungry and Mr. Haggerston and Judge Pierce quickly left after
taking leave of the Darcys. As they walked out the door, Mr. Haggerston took
Darcy aside to remind him of his responsibility for this night. Even though
Darcy’s ears turned red, he responded in all seriousness that he was fully
prepared to follow through. The two gentlemen entered the carriage that awaited
them and left.

Now
that it was just the four of them, Darcy asked Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to
accompany him and Elizabeth into his library. He invited them to call him
Darcy, as his family did, and Mr. Gardiner asked him to refer to him as
Gardiner, Edward, or Uncle, as Lizzy did.

“Gardiner,”
Mr. Darcy’s manner became serious. “I am aware of what faces you when you
return to Gracechurch Street, and I was wondering if there was anything that is
within my power to aid you in whatever actions you are to be confronted with. I
cannot imagine that Mr. or Mrs. Bennet will be satisfied that the wedding has
taken place and that any access to the shares that they may have felt they
deserved is now gone. You have been a source of wisdom, strength, and loyalty
to my wife and I feel such support should not go unrewarded.”