Chapter 31

I n the middle of February, The Rose , accompanied by her three escorts, The Protector , The Guardian , and The Watcher , sailed from her dock on the Thames towards the Strait of Dover. On board waving at those who were farewelling them on the quay were the Rhys-Davies (sans Lady Rose, Lady Charity, and little Adelle), the Winstons, the Carringtons, and the Featheringtons. From there the ships would turn to the south and sail close to the coast of England through the English Channel. They would pass Plymouth, followed by Land's End, and then out into the North Atlantic Ocean.

There was a large group of family and friends to farewell the intrepid travellers. Lady Rose held her granddaughter, Adelle in her arms, as the not yet two year old mite wept for her mama, papa, and brother who were all aboard the ship. The Duchess was sad Gwendoline Winston, the Duchess of Hertfordshire, had not changed her mind and remained in England, but she understood why her friend had elected to join those sailing away on The Rose . This was to be the longest family voyage to date taking anywhere from four to six months.

Among the others present to see the sailing were the Fitzwilliams and De Melvilles. One of the latter family was keen to make his way to Gardiner House as Westmore intended to propose to Jane this very day. They had been courting for a little more than a month and he was completely, irrevocably in love with her. He was as sure as he could be without asking her directly that Jane was also in love with him .

Over the preceding month nary a day passed that the courting couple had not spent a good portion of the day in one another's company, well chaperoned of course, but together. The more time Westmore had spent with Jane Bennet the more he had fallen in love with her. He had been certain almost from the day he met her, that she was the only woman whom he could ever love, and want to spend the rest of his days with. Many of his friends spoke of marriage as being leg shackled , however, Westmore could think of nothing sweeter than having his life joined to Jane's until God saw fit to call him home.

"Go, Wes," Lord Jersey grinned. "I get the feeling you are anxious to make your way to Portman Square."

"Why is Wes in a hurry to see Jane, he sees her every day?" Lady Alicia asked innocently.

"Your brother intends to ask Jane if she will be your sister," Lady Jersey smiled lovingly at her youngest. "Would you like a new sister? Also remember if they marry, then you and your friend Lilly will be cousins."

"What are you waiting for Brother," Lady Alicia gushed, "I would love to have Jane, Lizzy, and Mary as my sisters, and even better to be related to Lilly."

Since the ball at Jersey House, Alli and Lilly had spent much time together at one another's houses. On her first visit to Gardiner House, Alicia had met the Bennet sisters and even though they were older by a few more years than herself, they never treated her like a silly young girl and she had felt an affinity to all three of Lilly's female cousins.

In addition, Westmore's parents became more and more impressed with Jane each time they were in company together. Before the rest of the Bennets returned to Longbourn after Mary had ordered her trousseau, there had been a few family dinners and other visits between the residents of Jersey and Gardiner Houses. His mother and Mrs. Bennet were soon on familiar name terms and his father greatly enjoyed trying to best Bennet at chess. Even more, Lord Jersey was well pleased at the skill of Elizabeth and Mary at the game. The former beat him and the latter played him to a draw. When he had discovered Jane could play, almost as well as Elizabeth, the Earl was greatly impressed.

"I agree with Alli, go to it, Son," Lady Jersey added.

Westmore took his leave of the others who had farewelled The Rose and her passengers and was soon in his coach on the way to see his beloved Jane.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The Fitzwilliam parents, Lady Rose and little Lady Adelle, who was still very upset her parents and brother had left without her, began the journey to Hilldale the day after The Rose's departure. The toddler's maternal grandparents would meet them at the estate and take Adelle with them.

Based on the last letter received from Marie, she was still doing well, albeit moving around very slowly and there had been no signs of labouring yet. The two mothers hoped she would not begin her lying in before they arrived. Rather, their prayer was she would not be ready to deliver until mid to late March as the accoucheur who had examined her in London had predicted.

The two Fitzwilliams in the coach could not wait until they were able to hold their first grandchild. Even though Lady Rose had two already, she was no less in anticipation of meeting Marie's and Andrew's babe.

Before the Bennets decamped from London, Lady Elaine and Cilla had agreed to remain in correspondence so they could adjust plans regarding the prewedding ball, and even the wedding itself if Marie's delivery was late or had been troublesome. Given the inherent risks of childbirth, all they could do was to pray Marie, and the babe would survive the coming travails.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~ ~

Life at Longbourn had settled into a comfortable routine since the four Bennets and Richard Fitzwilliam had returned from London. The latter was residing at Netherfield Park, although he spent the major portion of each day at the Bennets' estate in Mary's company.

Cilla, in close consultation with Mary and Richard, had begun to plan for the wedding in April. Bennet had much work related to both estates to keep him busy, so the only one who was at loose ends when she was not chaperoning was Elizabeth.

Jane was in London busy with her suitor, Mary was seldom not in Richard's company, Mama and Papa were busy, her brothers were at school until about a week before Easter, and her best friend, Charlotte, was with her husband in Hunsford. Even though she did not have as much to occupy her time, Elizabeth in no way resented the rest of the family for being occupied with their own concerns.

Elizabeth did have some acquaintances in the neighbourhood like the two Long nieces and Miss Julia Goulding. It was not that she felt herself above them, the problem was the former three and Elizabeth shared little in common. While she was well read, educated, and intelligent, the three young ladies were more interested in speaking of possible beaus and far more trivial things like the latest gossip, lace, and ribbons. Nonetheless, Elizabeth visited the young ladies every now and again.

She was regretting she had not answered in the affirmative when Mama and Papa had asked her if she would have liked to remain in London with Jane. Elizabeth's reply had been driven by the assumption she would have been in the way while Jane was being courted by Wes.

Letters from Jane had disproved that conclusion, but after refusing her parents' offer, Elizabeth was not about to put them to the trouble of sending her back to Town. When she was not required to chaperone Mary and Richard, or visiting her local acquaintances, Elizabeth rode her horse or walked over the much-loved paths of Longbourn—always with two footmen-guards escorting her. She read, embroidered, visited tenants of both estates as needed, and spent time in the still room, so it could not be said she was bored.

One day in mid-February Elizabeth was sitting in the drawing room, working on her latest sampler, with Mama, Mary, Richard, and Mrs. Jones when Hill proffered her the salver which contained a letter for her. It was an instant for her to identify Jane's script. Her mother looked at her questioningly.

"It is from Jane, Mama," Elizabeth explained.

"Go read it Lizzy. I am here with Mrs. Jones so if I am called away, your sister and Richard will not be alone," Priscilla allowed.

"Thank you Mama," Elizabeth stood and made for her bedchamber. She smiled to herself that Mary and Richard had been so wrapped up in their conversation neither had noticed her leaving the drawing room.

Elizabeth seated herself in the window seat which had been warmed by the February sun. She broke the Gardiner seal and began to read.

12 February 1811

Gardiner House

Lizzy, my dearest sister,

I miss you very much. Yes, even though I am being courted by Wes, life is always better when my sisters are close by. I will see you in about 3 weeks, if not sooner. You did not think I would miss such an important birthday as the one you will celebrate on the 5th day of March. My much younger sister will be 21! It is hard for me to believe you are about to reach your majority .

Silly goose! You should have remained in London with me. I know you think you would have been superfluous, but it is not true, I miss you greatly. If you had, we could have travelled home with the Gardiners to celebrate your birthday.

If I have not told you this before, I am completely, head over heels in love with Wes. It has been almost a month since I have known I love him and I think he intends to propose soon.

The Rose is departing on the 14th—only two days from now. Wes and his family will be among others farewelling those sailing with her, but he asked if I would be available for a private interview after he has seen them off! You have no idea how long I have been praying he would speak, and now in two days I believe he will.

Elizabeth looked at the calendar on the escritoire in her bedchamber to confirm her belief this day was the fourteenth. It was. As she read her sister's words, Jane could be engaged already! She went back to the words on the page.

I have found the other half of my heart in Wes. As happy as I am there is still a cloud of regret. If only you could find a man who will complete you the way Wes completes me. Before you say something silly like ‘ until I have your goodness I will never have your happiness' let me stop you right now. You Lizzy dearest are as deserving of finding your perfect match as Mary and I are. I am confident when it is time, it will happen.

Who knows, mayhap when you visit Kent you will find your soulmate.

"Hah!" Elizabeth exclaimed aloud, "Who will I meet in Kent other than the hateful Mr. Darcy who tried to separate Mary and Richard? The same one who thinks I am not tolerable enough to tempt him." Elizabeth cogitated for a few moments. "I suppose Jane has the right of it, one never knows what will be, or when." She allowed her eyes to return to Jane's words once again .

I have letters for Mama and Mary close to completion, but I wanted to post this one as soon as I finished it. I hope by the time you read this Wes will have proposed!

With all of my sisterly love,

Jane

Elizabeth sat looking off into the distance, and hoped that her dear sister's wish and prediction had already come true.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Westmore was announced by the Gardiners' butler. Madeline and Jane had stood to welcome him and took their seats after answering his bow with curtseys. "Mrs. Gardiner, if you will permit it, I would like to speak to Miss Bennet in private," he requested.

"My husband is at the office, but Jane mentioned you had wanted to address her today, and my husband has granted his permission for you to have a private interview with our niece," Madeline averred. "If after your talk there is permission to be sought, my husband is not the one you will need to see in order to seek it. The same parlour you used when you spoke to Jane privately the first time is ready for you. You have ten minutes."

Jane could hardly wait and was tempted to jump up and lead Wes to the parlour, but as hard as it was, she waited full of nervous and excited energy. As soon as her suitor turned to address her, Jane was on her feet.

As they approached the green parlour, Westmore noted Jane's maid seated outside of the room and two large footmen on duty a few yards on either side of the door. Like he had the first time they had been in this parlour together, the Viscount closed the door, leaving it cracked open.

Unlike the first time, Jane was led to the centre of the room and she watched with joy as Wes sank down onto one knee before her. He took each of her hands in his own .

"Jane Lydia Bennet, in case you do not realise this already, I love you with the whole of my heart. Today as I stood on the quay with my family and others as we farewelled The Rose , I felt not one iota of envy for the epic voyage I was not taking. All I could do was count the seconds until I was standing here before you, doing what I am about to do right now.

"You Jane are my sun, moon, and stars, you are my everything, and if you agree to my proposal today, you will be my partner, my confidant, my lover, my wife until death do us part. When I look at my future, if I try and imagine one without you by my side, I can see nothing. Jane, not only do I love you, but I respect you as well. Will you make my heart whole and accept my hand in marriage? Will you agree to be my wife?"

A few tears of absolute, unadulterated joy escaped Jane's eyes. She saw the look of concern on Wes's countenance. "Wes, my darling Wes. I am not sad; in fact, your proposal has made me happier than I can ever remember being before this, they are tears of happiness." Jane noticed how Wes relaxed. "I too am in love with you with a power I had not imagined possible. I could wax poetic about all the reasons I love you, but I do not want another moment to pass without my being your fiancée, so, yes. Yes Wes, nothing will make me happier than to become engaged to you, and to ultimately marry you."

It was the work of an instant for Westmore to stand and face his fiancée with a face splitting grin of pleasure. He had been accepted by the woman he loved more than he had ever thought possible.

Before he could determine if she would permit him to kiss her, Jane turned her head up while moving closer to him. Wes lowered his lips intending to begin with a chaste kiss, but he found that once their lips connected for the first time, neither of them wanted to break the contact .

After a few minutes of expressing themselves as only a couple newly engaged and violently in love could, the maid's cough from the hallway outside the room brought them back to the reality of the moment.

"We need to have some conversation," Jane said as she fought to return her breathing and heartbeat to a normal rate.

Her fiancé opened the door all the way so the maid and footmen without would have no concerns and then they sat on a settee facing the door, keeping an appropriate distance between them—albeit it was more than either would have chosen had they not been governed by propriety.

"I will make for Longbourn to seek your parents' permission and blessing in the morning," Westmore stated, his breath still rather ragged. "I know you are of age, but I am certain you desire your parents' blessing at the very least."

"In that you are correct, and I would like to accompany you," Jane replied. Before he could protest regarding propriety, Jane proceeded. "My maid will be in the coach with us, and you could ask your mother to join us so she may speak to Mama. I do not know about you, but I do not want to wait too long to marry. At the same time we cannot marry before Mary, as I do not want to detract from her wedding."

"What if we were to marry in a joint ceremony with Mary and Fitzwilliam?" Westmore suggested. "Of course, that is if they agree."

"If they agree, I would not object," Jane smiled a beatific smile.

"In that case, I think we should go inform your aunt of our engagement," Westmore said as he stood.

"Somehow I do not believe Aunt Maddie will be greatly surprised."

She was not.