Page 84 of To Love And To Cherish
“Excellent.” Darcy stood. “I will order my carriage readied and have my valet pack at once. I would also like to purchase a mount for Elizabeth. She may wish to ride part of the way.”
Adam nodded. “Kelpie is hers. She’s taken to the mare.”
“I insist on paying full price,” Darcy said. “And I’ll also purchase the black stallion, Rowan. He is a beauty. My friend Bingley is seeking a mount. Once he sees Rowan, he’ll be in contact.”
Arrangements were made swiftly. Trunks were packed, horses saddled. Lucas discussed renovations for Ellan Hall with Adam and Ancilla. Elizabeth and Miss King packed their things with a kind of dreamy efficiency. The entire household was soon prepared to ride.
The road to Inverness was lovely. When they reached the town itself, the church soon rose before them, formidable in its red sandstone, with a slate roof and slender spire. The old curfew bell hung high in the tower.
Adam rode up beside Elizabeth. “Since seventeen hundred and three, that bell’s rung at five in the evening. It signaled the beginning of curfew. No man could walk the streets without a lantern, and fire was always a danger with timber buildings.”
“Is the law still enforced?” Elizabeth asked.
Lucas called over his shoulder, “No, but the bell still rings. Now it’s just tradition.”
As they entered the Kirkyard, moss-covered gravestones leaned with age. Darcy gestured to the nearest wall. “The musket marks, see there. From the Jacobite executions.”
The air was thick with the memory of history, but Elizabeth said nothing, only took his hand in hers.
Inside, they were greeted by a rotund clergyman with a booming voice and sparkling eyes. “Welcome, my friends! What may I do for you today?”
Darcy stepped forward. “We wish to be married.”
Lucas followed. “And we, too, would like to be married.”
Daniel raised a hand. “As would I and my betrothed.”
The clergyman grinned. “A right Highland affair, then. Scotsmen always did prefer their ball and chain to any other fate. Come along.”
They were ushered into the dark church, light filtering through stained glass. The high altar dominated the nave, and the pulpit to the side stood like a sentinel above the pews. The couples lined up quietly.
Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand. Her fingers trembled slightly in his.
When the clergyman called them forward, the ceremony began, solemn and sacred. Darcy recited his vows, his voice a rich baritone, clear and unwavering.
“I, Fitzwilliam, take thee Elizabeth, to be my wedded wife…”
He saw her eyes brim, and his own voice nearly caught as he said the final words: “to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
The clergyman turned to Elizabeth. Her eyes never left Darcy’s.
“I, Elizabeth, take thee Fitzwilliam…”
Her voice was clear, her gaze intent upon him. When she smiled, the world seemed to narrow until only she and Darcy remained.
The registry was signed, Ancilla and Adam bearing witness. Then Lucas and Ancilla took their vows, followed by Daniel and Mary. Elizabeth stood for Ancilla, and Adam stepped forward for both of his brothers.
After the ceremonies, they walked to a nearby hostelry and gathered in a private parlor. Food was served, and wine was poured. Laughter bubbled easily. Darcy could hardly believe it. He was married. Married to Elizabeth Bennet.
As they rose to depart, Darcy turned to Adam. “Thank you. For everything. Your hospitality has been generous beyond all reason.”
He congratulated Lucas with a warm handshake and clapped Daniel on the back. “You’ve done well,” he said, then turned to prepare for departure.
Adam caught Elizabeth’s hand before she could follow.
“It has been my greatest pleasure to know you, Mrs. Darcy. I hoped, once, for a different ending, but now I see this is the best one.”
Elizabeth smiled, touched. “I truly had begun to hope for a future with you. But once Mr. Darcy proposed, I could think of no one else.”
