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Except from Brother of
the Bride From Chapter 5
The joyful couple returnto the parlor in good time and proclaimed their
happy news. After many hugs, happy tears, and handshakes had been
exchanged, Darcy requested that the newly bethrothed pair retire with
him to his study for a discussion of their plans.
"Georgiana, as you know, Richard resigned his guardianship when you came
of age," Darcy told the couple after they settled into chairs before his
desk. "To marry, you need nothing from either of us, but for your dowry,
my permission is required, and you have it, of course."
"I would marry your sister no matter her consequence!" declaired
Llewellyn. Georgiana gazed at him in adoration.
"Pleasing as those sentiments are, your progeny would certainly regret
thirty thousand pounds." Darcy's cutting remark embarrassed the couple,
but he pressed on. "Let us be sensible and speak of this, uncomfortable
as it may be. Georgie, you are present because I raised you to take an
interest in these matters. "Lord Llewellyn, upon
your marriage, these funds will be yours to dispose of as you wish.
This, of course, will be covered in the settlement, but a settlement is
nothing but a piece of paper. I place enormous trust in your character,
milord. I hope you are not offended." Darcy's voice and manner indicated
he cared not a whit whether he affronted the young viscount. He wished
to make a point. To his credit, Llewellyn did not
answer right away but considered Darcy's words. "What you say is true,
sir. Unfortunately, I know of gentlemen who have lost their wives' funds
through foolish and reprehensible living, leaving their dependents in
desperate straits. I pledge to you that when I take my vows to love and
honor Miss Darcy as my wife, I shall also vow to protect and nurture her
dowry." "Well said, milord."
"I trust Lew unreservedly," declared Georgiana. "Lew,
is it?" Darcy smiled. "Yes," said
Llewellyn. "I prefer it to my given name, Algernon. My mother has an
affinity for uncommon names. My brothers are Cornelius and Thaddeus, and
my sister is Penelope." "I thought the countess
was named Catherine." Llewellyn shrugged. "A name
she dislikes. Mother has never forgiven her parents for not giving her
the name Cordelia." Darcy raised an eyebrow. "I
see. But her only daughter is--" "Penelope, I
know. My father allows my mother only so much leeway and no more.
Besides, my brother is Cornelius. It is close enough, I trust."
Georgiana laughed. "Oh, Brother, your face is a study! Never fear, I do
not like uncommon names." She blushed as she turned to Llewellyn.
"Should we be blessed." The viscount took her
hand. "We shall have the most boring of names for our children, my
dear." "Ahem," injected Darcy. "Let us not put
the cart before the horse. There must be a wedding before we speak of
children." He shot a warning glare at Llewellyn.
"Of course, sir." He released Georgiana's hand.
"Excellent. This brings us to the ceremony. Have you given a thought as
to the date?" Georgiana sighed. "I know there
will be demands upon us--balls, parties, those sorts of things."
"Indeed. You are the granddaughter of an earl and will be a future
countess. I am afraid this will not be a hurried business."
"Like yours?" Georgiana gasped at her own impertinence. "Oh, forgive
me!" Llewellyn was clearly taken aback. "Three
months for the progeny of gentlemen is hardly hurried," cried Darcy,
"and that was after a year of courtship." A very unconventional and
dramatic courtship, he reminded himself. The
viscount grimaced. "I am afraid three months would look very bad in our
case, Georgie." "Very true, milord, but I see no
trouble with a summer wedding, do you?" "Not at
all." Llewellyn turned to Georgiana. "It is, of course, up to you, my
dear. Would July or August suit?" "July sounds--"
She suddenly blanched. "Oh, no! It will not do! Not at all!"
Llewellyn again took her hand while Darcy flew to his feet. Both men
tried to calm her to no avail. "Brother! I cannot
marry in July! Lizzy! I cannot!" The viscount
frowned. "Will Mrs. Darcy object to your marrying?"
She whirled on him. "Of course not! But I cannot marry in July! It is
unthinkable!" "But why?"
"LIZZY!" she shouted. "Lizzy?" Darcy's eyes shot
open. "OH!" "What?" cried Llewellyn.
"My lord, my wife--" Darcy paused. "We are expecting an addition to the
family in the early summer." "Ah, my
congratulations, Mr. Darcy. Then, perhaps before Mrs. Darcy's
lying-in--" "NO, not before!" Georgiana squeezed
his hand. "Afterwards! I cannot marry at Pemberley until after the baby
is here." "You wish to marry at Pemberley?" asked
Llewellyn. Of course, Pemberley!" She frowned.
"What is wrong with you?" "Ah, Georgiana," warned
Darcy. "Pray forgive her, milord. She has spent too much time with
Elizabeth, I am afraid." Georgiana began to weep.
"I am so sorry, Lew! I have always dreamt of marrying from Pemberley.
Nowhere else will do." Llewellyn consoled her,
assuring Georgiana that the ceremony would be held at her family’s
estate. Meanwhile, Darcy's mind ran through the
possible dates. Assuming the babe is on time, and Bennet certainly
was, the birth should be in early July. A few weeks of lying-in and the
child should be churched no later than late August. So, October will
do-- "September!" cried Georgiana. "We can
marry in September." She looked at Llewellyn. "That is not too long, is
it?" His finger traced the last tear on her
cheek. "I would wait a lifetime for you, Georgie, so I suppose I can
wait until September." Georgiana turned to Darcy.
"Brother, may I marry in September?" Any
objections faded in the face of his sister's big, dark, wet eyes, so
reminiscent of their mother's. "Let us ask Elizabeth."
~~~ "September?" repeated Elizabeth. "That
is not too soon after lying-in, is it Lizzy?" begged Georgiana.
"No, I do not think so." Elizabeth turned to Darcy. "What is your
opinion?" "I do not--"
"That will be no trouble at all, Georgiana," declared Lady Matlock. "I
would be happy to assist Elizabeth in hosting your wedding breakfast.
After all, I have the experience of Henrietta's nuptials." Her tone left
no room for argument. "The final decision must be
left to Mrs. Darcy, Aunt." To his surprise,
Elizabeth capitulated. "It will be as Georgiana desires. Can we not make
it the event of the year, my dear?" "Of course,
Lizzy," Georgiana promised. "Only the family."
~~~ "Are you certain about this, Elizabeth?"
asked Darcy once they had retired for the night. "Say but the word and I
will end this straight away." "Do not concern
yourself," she replied. "I do own I was taken aback by the chosen date
at first, but you will recall how quickly I recovered after Bennet's
birth. My mother too. She was on her feet very quickly after Lydia." She
smiled. "We Bennet ladies are made of stern stuff."
Darcy was not amused. "Childbirth is not a joking matter, madam."
"I know. Forgive me." She ran a hand down his
cheek. "Truly, Fitzwilliam, all will be well. I will be well. There will
still be a month to plan everything. Your aunt wishes to help, and it is
Georgiana's wish. Mid-September will do admirably."
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