William was shocked at the revelation but quickly replied, “I do not care for your fortune, Lizzy. You must know that.”
“I know, Will. You have always been generous with your gifts for me, and you have given me your favourite stallion and the house in Ramsgate.” Lizzy caressed his arm around her waist. “You are the best of men.”
Chapter 16
“Do you mean to tell me that she has finally accepted you?” Mr. Bennet beamed, “I am most happy to hear it, William! I am in disbelief because I did not think Lizzy would ever relent. I thought she would be a spinster and yet she will be the first to marry. Come and sit by the fire. You are still damp from Lizzy’s unplanned swim.”
William laughed as he used a towel to dab his soggy clothes, “I would have begged a thousand times if she would have allowed it but she had not wished for me to ask her again after my first blunder, and only when she requested that I repeat the question, she readily accepted me and we wish to marry alongside my cousin Richard. Since all of my family is to attend and Lizzy was also travelling to Kent for it, I wonder if you will consent to joining us there, or if I can convince Richard and Mrs. Jenkinson to move the venue to Hertfordshire, it might be better for all of us.” He explained, “Mrs. Jenkinson’s family could not be happier and her parents will attend, but Mrs. Jenkinson did not feel comfortable marrying from Kent in any case, as many who had seen there before the engagement only knew her as my cousin Anne’s companion. Being at Hertfordshire with Netherfield and Longbourn would be to everyone’s advantage, as Rosings is being remodelled and the Gardiners will already be at Haye Park to attend the wedding.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled, “And what are Lizzy’s thoughts on this, William? You know you will not be able to override her wishes. Not that you are the servant and she, the master, but she has strong opinions, even for one so young, and you might wish to bend to her demands.”
William laughed as well, “Yes, sir. If at all possible, I would do all as she wishes. She has had a hold on me at ten years old and it is even stronger now, and I would do anything for her, not because I fear her but I love her and wish her happiness above all else. I am certain we will argue and become frustrated with each other often but I wish to give her the world if I can. She was the one who actually offered the alternative location, sir.” He smiled. “She is brilliant and suggested that the Fitzwilliams would enjoy Netherfield and we can certainly host the Grantleys as well. I have the settlement papers in my safe and will ask you to sign it tomorrow. What is rightfully hers will always remain that way and I will contribute all I can. I know you will be pleased with what I will settle on her, sir.”
“I heartily approve,” Mr. Bennet responded, “I always thought of you like a son and am most pleased that I will be gaining you as one. Your parents, I hope they will be satisfied with your choice.”
“I have no doubt about it. I told them that I was returning to Netherfield in the middle of the season, as I had no desire to spend one more minute with vapid ladies in town, and if I were not to be successful with regaining Lizzy’s friendship, that I would travel to Pemberley until I received a sign that she wished to see me again.” William explained. “I was acutely miserable without her and my parents saw for themselves that I was a poor companion to my family for the entire month. They will be thrilled for me.”
Mr. Bennet nodded, “Lizzy will have to tell her mother and my dear wife just might faint with the news. If you will let me know about the Fitzwilliams and their decision, I am willing to do as you wish. I am very happy for you both.”
The gentlemen shook hands with smiles and William departed for the drawing room to wait for his betrothed to change into dry clothes.
~*~
“But we must have the wedding breakfast here! It will be the grandest celebration Hertfordshire has ever seen and we will have such a number of courses for the breakfast and we must fill the church with as many flowers as possible! I can hardly believe it! My Lizzy, married! And the first one as well!” Mrs. Bennet gushed the next day.
Lizzy rubbed her mother’s arm. “Mama, you know that my wish is for a small wedding ceremony, next to the ocean if it were possible, and married by a pirate captain of a ship, if I could have my dream wedding, but Lady Matlock is planning majority of the celebration and Will must ask for his cousin’s permission to hold the double ceremony before more can be planned. Mrs. Grantley is happy for her eldest daughter’s wedding but since the future Mrs. Fitzwilliam has been previously married, they will wish to keep the ceremony simple.”
Mrs. Bennet frowned, “But could we not have double the breakfast courses and a great more number of flowers since two couples are being wed? And the other groom is the son of an earl! Could we not have the grandest ceremony that Hertfordshire has ever seen?”
“Mama, I am marrying the man of my dreams because I cannot live without him. I honestly do not have any concerns about the wedding breakfast but I do wish to keep everything simple.” Lizzy leaned on her mother’s arm and laid her head on her
