Page 109 of To Love And To Cherish
And now he had proposed a marriage of convenience, one she sincerely hoped might, in time, become something more.
Charlotte dared to hope.
The wedding was simple, yet elegant. The service, performed by Mr. William Bennet, was dignified and well-executed. The groom appeared genuinely pleased, and Charlotte, resplendent in a pale green silk gown gifted by Elizabeth and never before worn, was near to bursting with quiet joy. She looked not only elegant but pretty, and her expression of contented anticipation softened her features in a most becoming way.
Sir William and Lady Lucas had travelled from Hertfordshire to attend the ceremony, and it was they who volunteered, as a gift to their daughter, to remain at the Bertram estate for a few days to care for young Miriam while the newlyweds took a brief wedding journey. Mr. Bertram had presented Charlotte with the funds to arrange the wedding breakfast, which was elegant and exceedingly well attended. The food was plentiful, the company agreeable, and the weather mild for mid-March.
In the week preceding the wedding, while Mr. Bertram was occupied in London with the business of the marriage, Charlotte had taken it upon herself to give Nanny Wilkins a well-earned visit to her family. In her stead, Charlotte herself had overseen Miriam's care.
By the sixth day, the child had been gently but firmly introduced to a new regimen. Bedtime was established at half past seven. Meals were to be eaten, not flung across the room, and tantrums, if indulged, no longer resulted in thrilling games of chase or impassioned theatrics from a frazzled nanny. When Miriam collapsed into tears or fury, Charlotte calmly informed her where she would be waiting when the child wished to speak respectfully, then removed herself. It worked.
By the time Mr. Bertram returned, he found his daughter asleep in her bed and his betrothed reading quietly by the fire. Charlotte explained the changes with gentle firmness andrecommended that Nanny Wilkins be given a pension and replaced with a trained governess accustomed to strong-willed children.
He agreed to everything.
On the morning of his wedding, Mr. Bertram felt more than satisfaction; he felt hope. In Charlotte, he saw a woman of good sense, composure, and warmth. He was already developing a tender regard for her, and as he watched her moving through the crowd of guests, serene and elegant in green silk, he thought perhaps love would come in time.
It might already have begun.
Chapter 57: Lydia
Elizabeth nestled against Mr. Darcy before the fire at Darcy House, the warmth of his arm around her matched only by the beauty of Georgiana's music as she played the pianoforte. After a moment, Elizabeth turned to him and said softly, "William, I will visit my sister Lydia tomorrow. I have not seen her since she was eleven years old. She desperately needed to be separated from my mother, who was beginning to shape her into a siren, a savior for the family. Lydia is fair, with blond curls and sapphire eyes. A beauty and strong-willed. That combination, in my mother’s hands, would have led to ruin."
He said nothing, only pressed her hand with quiet tenderness, his eyes fixed on hers.
"When I returned from London years ago," Elizabeth continued, "I saw her for only a week before she was sent away. I don’t know what sort of young woman she has become. I hope she has changed. I have written to her every week since she left, and Liddy seems to have grown into a reasonable girl. But I must see for myself. If she is respectable, I wish for her to reside with us."
Darcy looked at her. "Do you wish me to accompany you?"
"No. I must speak to her alone. If there is anything in her character that might harm Georgiana, I will not bring her into this house. I will only tell her that you are now her guardian. That alone will ease her mind. Her greatest fear is that Papa will die and she will be left to Mamma’s devices."
"If you need me, send the groom. I will come."
She kissed his mouth. "Thank you."
The next morning, the Darcy coach drew up before the Women’s Finishing Academy situated in a respectable neighborhood. Elizabeth descended and asked to see Miss Lydia Bennet. She was shown into a small private parlor reserved for family visits. A few moments later, Lydia entered.
Elizabeth stood at once. Lydia was at least three inches taller than herself, with golden curls streaked with lighter threads. Elizabeth was momentarily startled by how much she resembled both Jane and their mother.
Lydia stopped at the threshold and stared. "Lizzy? You are beautiful and so grown-up!"
Elizabeth laughed and opened her arms. Lydia flew across the room and embraced her. Tears sprang to Elizabeth’s eyes. "Little sister, you’re all grown up!"
Lydia laughed. "Yes, but don’t tell Mamma. She’ll come and try to marry me off to some horrid old man."
"Come, sit with me," Elizabeth said, taking her hand and guiding her to the couch.
Outside the French window, the garden was brightened by the autumn sun.
"Lydia, I came to tell you that Papa has given guardianship to my husband. Mr. Darcy is now your guardian. You are safe from Mamma’s schemes."
Lydia stared. "Papa is no longer my guardian?"
Elizabeth nodded solemnly. "That’s right. You are free of mamma."
Lydia covered her face with her hands and began to weep. Elizabeth reached for her handkerchief.
"Dearest, I did this to protect you. I could not bear to leave your future in Mamma’s hands."
