Page 91 of Collins Takes Charge

That Christmas was a very special one at Longbourn. Not only was the Christmas message delivered by William Bennet in St Hugh’s, but for the first time since 1682, the whole of the Bennet family was at Longbourn to celebrate the Lord’s birth.

On Boxing Day, those residing at Longbourn, the parsonage, and Netherfield Park attended the wedding of Miss Charlotte Lucas to Colonel Jackson Forster, solemnised at St Alfred’s Church in Meryton. There was a lavish wedding breakfast celebrated at Lucas Lodge. The newlywed Forsters left for a short wedding trip to Brighton. They would be back in Meryton in a sennight, on New Year’s day.

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Rather than go to London to have her trousseau and new clothing made, Mary had requested that Uncle Edward send bolts of fabric, before he came to Longbourn. She then took the fabric to Mrs Nash, the dressmaker in Meryton, and had the lady make Mary’s wedding gown and other needed items.

Mary had decided that as she would soon be a parson’s wife that she needed to support the local businesses. Besides that, she was more than pleased with the quality of what Mrs Nash produced.

Thanks to the completion of the calling of the banns a fortnight prior, before Mr Pierce left the parish, when the first Friday in January dawned, there was no legal impediment to Bishop Lankershim conducting the wedding service to join Mary Bennet to William Bennet in matrimony. William would have asked his original mentor, Mr Fergus Davidson, to do the honours; however, the latter’s wife was nearing the end of her confinement, and he was not willing to be away from her for three or four days.

For the two days before the wedding William’s parents had joined Bethany and Clem in being hosted at the parsonage so they could be near their son for his last few days as a single man.

Mary had the talk from her mother and Aunt Maddie the previous evening. Mamma had left her nervous, but Aunt Maddie’s words had done the opposite.

The night before the wedding, William Bennet’s father and brother had offered some friendly advice. It had mortified William, but he had borne it well. Clem was to stand up with him while Mary had requested that Lizzy do so for her.

At just before nine that morning, William and Clem made their way to the front of the church to join Bishop Lankershim, while the Collinses, the Osborne parents, and Bethany Bennet took seats in the first pew to the right of the altar.

The Gardiners and their three eldest children took their seats next to the Phillipses in the second pew on the left of the altar.

The Lucases, which included Colonel and Mrs Forster were in the next pew back.

Those from Netherfield Park filed in soon after. They split their party and each group sat on opposite sides of the aisle. The only one who did not take his seat was Hilldale who was waiting for Miss Bennet. Darcy had no such luck as the lady he loved would be standing behind the bride.

The church filled quickly. It was not only those invited by the Bennets, but many of the other parishioners as well. In the short time William had been the rector of St Hugh’s, they had discovered the same thing those in Hunsford had. Their new parson was an excellent man and an even better spiritual advisor. The last one to enter before some of the Bennets was George Keating who had come to see his good friend marry.

Hilldale’s face lit up when Jane followed Mrs Bennet in. The two youngest Bennets were behind Jane, with Mmes Crawford and Taylor following them. The latter sat herself next to Kitty and Lydia while the former, by prior agreement, sat with her sister. Fanny left one seat open next to the aisle for her husband while Jane and Hildale sat next to her.

Darcy did feel envious that he could not do what Andrew was doing, but he would be able to see Elizabeth for the whole of the ceremony. Once the newly married couple left the celebration, he planned to propose. He was fairly certain his Elizabeth was expecting him to do so. As far as he heard, Andy planned to propose to Miss Bennet as well. It was only right they should propose to their respective Bennet sister on the same day as they had each asked for their courtships on the same day as well. He looked at Anna who was waving to Miss Kitty. She was beyond pleased that he intended to gift her five sisters. His thoughts were interrupted when the bishop signalled the congregants to stand.

The vestibule doors opened, and Bennet stepped into the nave of the church with Mary on his arm. Darcy had never seen her look better. Behind them Elizabeth followed, holding the bridal bouquet.

William was transfixed. Yes, his Mary was a beauty, but much more than that, she was the perfect woman to be his wife.

Elizabeth did not miss the smouldering look, laced with longing she was receiving from her William Darcy. Now, if the man would stop dilly-dallying and propose!

As soon as the couple was before him, after Mr Bennet had handed his daughter to William Bennet, Lankershim gave the signal for everyone to be seated. He had been right about William Bennet, or Collins as he was then. He was an excellent clergyman, a credit to the church, and a man of honour. Lankershim opened his Book of Common Prayer and began, “Dearly beloved…”

There were no objections, and in due course, Lankershim had the pleasure to announce Mr and Mrs William Bennet.

Upon signing the register, Elizabeth and Clem Bennet exited the registry. Once the newlyweds also signed the register and were alone, they shared some deep kisses. Mary’s hair was put to rights before they exited the registry and joined their respective parents to walk back to Longbourn.

Elizabeth accepted Mr Darcy’s arm so he could escort her to Longbourn’s manor house, where the celebratory meal would be held. Fanny had exceeded anything she had ever done before, in the planning of the meal. She had made many changes, but some things remained the same; she still set an excellent table.

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By the time the newlyweds were ready to leave their wedding breakfast, Collins and Ophelia, and Clem and Bethany had moved to Longbourn. Mary and William would not take a wedding trip now, other than the next few days when they would be alone at the parsonage. Even the housekeeper, cook, and servants had been given two days off. There was food prepared so Mary and William would have complete solitude.

After receiving more wishes for felicity from their friends, their family members accompanied Mary and William to Longbourn’s front door where some tears were shed by Fanny and Ophelia.

It took a few minutes, but the newly married couple was soon on their way to their own house.

Mary knew what William had done to improve the lives of all the Longbourn Bennets, and she would be forever grateful that he came to see them. He had taken charge in many ways, and she was hoping he would soon take charge again, when she became his wife in all ways.

Chapter 34

Not long after Mary and William left the wedding breakfast for the parsonage, Hilldale and Darcy arrived in front of Bennet at almost the same time.