Page 25 of Compromise & Consequence
“Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.”
Mr. Ashbury turned his attention to Elizabeth.
“Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
No! – her mind screamed, but the words, “I will” fell from her lips.
Too soon, she heard Mr. Darcy repeat his vows in a hard voice.
“I, Fitzwilliam Arthur George Darcy, take thee Elizabeth Rose Bennet to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, forpoorer, 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
She took quick notice of how he had stressed the word poorer.
It was now her turn, and she made sure to state and enunciate her full and proper name, wondering if anyone would notice besides her uncle.
I, Elizabeth Rose Isabella de Cortez Bennet, take thee Fitzwilliam Arthur George Darcy, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better forworse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to…” – she swallowed hard – “…obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
Mr. Darcy then took her hand in his and said, “With this ring, I thee wed: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Without care, he pushed a plain gold band onto her finger. They then attended a small table where the marriage certificate awaited their signatures.
She cast a longing glance toward the heavy oak doors at the back of the chapel, experiencing one last urge to flee toward freedom. The soft rustle of silk from Jane’s gown reminded her forcibly of why she did this. Filled with a fierce love for heradopted family, she set quill to page and for the last time wrote the name, Elizabeth Bennet. As for Mr. Darcy, he scrawled his signature, handed the document to Mr. Bennet, and turned on his heel.
“I will wait in the carriage,” was all he said.
To think that she had met him not more than a dozen times and now she was bound to this taciturn man till death do they part. It happened so fast; she didn’t realize until much later he had not fully repeated all of his vows. He had omitted to say,with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.
Aunt Frances and her cousins all hugged her, and Uncle Thomas then escorted her to the carriage. At the door to the conveyance, he took her shoulders and gazed deep into her eyes.
“Be brave, Elizabeth. Know that we love you.”
“We do not have all day,” Mr. Darcy snapped.
With no aid from her husband, not that she expected any, Elizabeth climbed into the carriage where she sat facing Mr. Darcy like a servant.
Better get used to this, Lizzy.
Mr. Darcy rapped on the ceiling and said, “Drive on, Wilkes.”
The carriage jolted to a start, throwing Elizabeth off the seat. Her husband, who had turned to scowl out the window, was not able to stop her forward motion and she hit her cheek on his knee.
“I had hoped you were finished throwing yourself at me, Madam.”
She scrambled back onto the seat and glared at him, before turning her face to the window and passing the time watching the scenery. They trundled through Meryton and within the half-hour were on London Road, heading toward town.
“I thought I was to Pemberley?”
“My plans have changed. We are going to Darcy House in London.”
The sun was sinking to its rest when they reached the outskirts of London and the streets were dark when they entered Belgrave Square. Mr. Darcy exited the carriage and waited for her to disembark with the help of a footman. Without a word, they mounted the stairs, and the door opened before they reached the top.
“Good evening, Mr. Darcy,” his butler said in greeting. “Mrs. Whittaker has set up the family dining room for you to enjoy a light repast after you have refreshed yourself.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Darcy took her elbow and brought her forward. “Mrs. Darcy, this is my butler, Mr. Burke.”
The butler did not so much as raise an eyebrow over the insult of Mr. Darcy introducing a servant to his wife and not the other way around. Elizabeth notched it up to her husband’s profound arrogance and lack of regard for her as a gentleman’s daughter.
