Beginning, Previous Section, Section XXXIII
"I was beginning to think we'd never have a minute's peace," Richard said as he stepped out of the house and led Olivia to his father's Range Rover.
"Where are you taking me?"
"That's a secret." Olivia shook her head and submitted to being strapped into the passenger seat of the vehicle. Richard kissed her and went around to the driver's side and got in. In minutes he stopped the Range Rover in front of their unfinished house.
"What are we doing here?"
"Your wedding present is here," Richard said as he unstrapped Olivia and helped her out of the SUV. He helped her onto the first floor decking and then up to the second level, where he told her to close her eyes. She did as she was bidden while Richard lit several lanterns. He then brought Olivia to a blanket, sat her down and told her to open her eyes. She looked around at both her immediate surroundings and the undisturbed view through an opening in the framework.
"Wow! You can see the whole estate from here! Look! I think Charles and Jane have arrived at William's house. I hope Mrs. Reynolds is there. William and Lizzy are probably still at your parents' house."
"Mrs. R should be there," Richard said. "By the way, it was very nice of you to invite her to the wedding." Olivia smiled.
"I really didn't have anyone else to invite, since you were kind enough to make arrangements for my aunt to come up. I did invite my old college roommate, Saffron, and my step brother, but I don't know if he can get leave to come country on such short notice. Mrs. R has been such a fixture in your life, I thought she ought to be here. Now, what's going on?" she asked as Richard opened a bottle of champagne and filled two glasses.
"I wanted to exchange wedding gifts in private," Richard explained as he handed Olivia a glass. "The evil twins were getting on my nerves."
"I wish you had said something back at the house," Olivia smiled. "That's where I left your present."
"Really? What did you get me?" Richard asked eagerly. Olivia smiled enigmatically and raised her glass.
"To us."
"To us, Angel," Richard said. He took a sip of champagne then set aside the glass. "Here," he said as he reached for a rather large box and handed it to Olivia. She looked at him curiously and then began to tear at the paper. She opened the box and saw a large wooden box inside. She frowned at Richard as she struggled to lift it out of the wrapping. He gave her a hand and placed the box in her lap.
"It's a memory box. It's rather old and rather empty," Richard said with a tinge of worry.
"Where was it made?"
'If you tell William I'll deny it, but it was made in England around a hundred years ago."
"It's beautiful. Why is it called a memory box? I've never heard the term before." Olivia asked as she ran her fingers over the ornately carved wood.
"Well, that's what my gran--my Scottish grandmother-called it. When she first married my grandfather, they were very poor. Her brother made a box for her as a wedding gift. She kept it under her bed and over the years she filled it with all her favorite things. She always referred to it as her memory box and claimed that her whole life was in there. I...well, I kind of thought that since we were starting a new life together, that you might want one of your own." Olivia gave him a teary smile and ran her hand along Richard's cheek, a familiar and intimate gesture that always made his heart leap.
"What happened to your grandmother's box after she died?"
"I'll show it to you when we get to Scotland," Richard smiled.
"Well, I know the first thing I'm going to put into it," Olivia said as she opened the latch. "Oh! Someone beat me to it," she laughed as she saw a photograph of Richard at age two. It was a photograph of him she hadn't seen before. She turned it over and read "Sweet Pea, 1972."
"Sweet Pea?" Richard shrugged.
"She called me that until I was old enough to tell her to knock it off. She sent this photo to GB during one of our visits abroad. She thought you'd get a kick out of it."
"I love it. What's this?" Olivia lifted a small gift box out of the chest.
"I thought you needed something a bit more substantial," Richard said.
"This is substantial!" Olivia said of the chest she still held on her lap. "I love it!" And you," she added as she leaned forward and kissed him. "But I won't say no to a bonus gift." She opened the box and found a Sterling silver chain with a medallion in a complex Celtic design.
"I thought you needed something that represented the Irish side of the family," Richard explained as he set the chest aside so she could get a better look at it.
"It's beautiful!" Olivia smiled as she held the necklace up to watch its amethyst stone twinkle in the moonlight. She leaned forward and Richard fastened it around her neck. "Thank you," she whispered before wrapped her arms around him for a kiss.
"So can we go and see my present now?" Richard asked when they parted. Olivia picked up her glass.
"I think we should stay here and drink a little more champagne."
"No!" Richard pouted, as he withheld the bottle and began to turn off the lanterns.
"All right! All right, you big baby! Come on!" Olivia took the bottle from him and picked up the blanket. She raced Richard down to the Range Rover, a task made difficult for Richard since he was left to carry Olivia's memory box. She laughed as she got into the vehicle and started the engine. "Come on, slow poke or I'll leave you behind!"
"Hey, is this any way to treat your spouse?" Richard cried as he struggled to get into the Rover.
"You're not my spouse yet," Olivia corrected, and laughed all the way back to the house.
Shortly after 2:00 a.m. Richard stumbled out of his bedroom and blindly made his way down the hall. He found the guest room just beyond the master suite and quietly pulled open the door. He closed it behind him and climbed into the bed.
"Hey! Get out of here!"
"No," Richard mumbled as he wrapped himself around Olivia and settled in.
"Grandma Bess will skin you alive if she catches you in here."
"I'll take that chance," Richard said as he closed his eyes. "I don't understand the rationale behind making us sleep in separate rooms tonight. We've been living together full time since February."
"Me, either, but I never argue with Bess," Olivia said as she entwined her fingers with Richard's.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I can't sleep back there knowing you're sixty feet away."
"I couldn't sleep either," Olivia said as she rolled over to look at Richard. "I've been lying here reliving our entire relationship."
"Just the highlights, I hope."
"Well, there haven't been too many lowlights. In fact, I can only think of two, and thinking about them made me realize something very important."
"I'd just as soon we both forget them."
"No, Richard. You and I have only had two serious fights, the night of William's Christmas party and after I found out that you'd kept those rumors secret from me."
"Don't remind me," Richard said as he rolled onto his back and pulled Olivia closer.
"No, listen. As I thought about those two incidents, I realized how I almost let something insignificant come between us."
"You hardly thought my interference insignificant at the time, as I recall."
"No, I didn't. But that's the point. I didn't have things in perspective then. I do now and I know that nothing is more important than what we have together. As long as we never lose sight of that, we can withstand anything else."
"I agree wholeheartedly. So does dad. He gave me the whole father-son lecture thing about how to stay married and be happy forever."
"Good. I'd do what he says if I were you," Olivia said drowsily. Richard tussled her hair as Olivia swatted at his hand.
"Thanks for the train set, by the way," he whispered.
"I thought you'd like that. Didn't even have to see your gift registry, either," Olivia quipped. "I just wish you hadn't taken it all out and set it up--."
"What's the point of being given a set of trains if you can't play with them?"
"Well, you don't have the layout table yet. And you left your poor father to put them all back into the boxes when you went up to bed," Olivia scolded.
"Poor dad, my foot! He was loving every minute of handling those trains," Richard smiled. "And I bet he's jealous of my Digital Command Control! He doesn't have computerized components in any of his trains!"
"Then we know what to get him for Christmas! You should have seen him at the train store! I had to drag him out of there, just like Kathleen warned me I would." Richard laughed for a moment, then grew quiet as he began to doze off.
"Hey, when did you have time to go shopping for trains this week?" he asked, suddenly alert once more.
"Who said I did? Your birthday is coming up soon and I decided to shop early. Hugh and I picked them out weeks ago."
"Oh," he said as he settled. He lifted his head again. "Then what am I getting for my birthday?"
"Nothing, if you don't let me sleep," Olivia yawned. "You know, I can't wait to do the whole set up when we get back from Scotland. I want to help you with the layout and scenery."
"Hey! I thought these were my trains!" Olivia laughed and rolled over.
"Good night, Silly Man."
"Good night, Angel," Richard whispered as he snuggled close to the woman who in twelve hours would become his wife. A few hours later, he rose and returned to his room, where he managed to sleep for another hour.
William went down to the kitchen and found Mrs. Reynolds making pancakes.
"You needn't have done that, Mrs. Reynolds. You're here this weekend strictly as a guest."
"I still make better pancakes than you do, so which of us would you rather have make breakfast?"
"Your logic is as infallible as your pancakes, Mrs. Reynolds," William smiled. He went to the cupboard and took out plates and glasses to set the table.
"You'll need two more place settings. Georgiana and Mr. Brandon arrived a little while ago."
"Oh? Where are they?"
"Right here!" Georgiana gushed as she rushed into her brother's arms. "Miss me?"
"A little," William teased as he always did when Georgiana returned from a trip abroad. "How was your flight?" he asked as he carried the plates into the dining room. Georgiana picked up several glasses and followed him.
"It was delayed for hours. We didn't get to the house until after midnight."
"So why are you here so early? The wedding isn't till this afternoon. The two of you might have...slept in." William averted his gaze from his sister and busied himself setting the table.
"I certainly wanted to, but your sister had other ideas," Christopher said as he entered the dining room. "Hello, William." William smiled weakly and shook his hand. He was still somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of Christopher seeing his sister so he decided to keep the discussion away from anything that might give him more knowledge of it than he was ready to handle.
"Well, I'm glad you're here. Aunt Kathy said something about wanting us over a little early for pictures and she was a little concerned that Gee might not get here on time." Lizzy entered the dining room and greeted both Christopher and Georgiana warmly.
"I didn't know you were coming so early," she smiled as she took her seat at the table.
"Mrs. R is making pancakes," Georgiana explained. "Where else would I be?"
"Did I hear the word pancakes?" Charles asked as he and Jane entered the room.
"Ah, all the happy couples," Mrs. Reynolds smiled as she approached the table with a platter stacked high with pancakes. She caught sight of William's expression and frowned at him reproachfully. He smiled weakly and went to get flatware. Lizzy accompanied him to fetch the rest of the glasses.
"Gee looks very rested and happy," Lizzy observed.
"Yes, she does," William said curtly. But when he returned to the table and sat down, he made an effort to be more sociable. "Lizzy and I were just saying how well rested you look, Gee."
"Do I?" she laughed. "That's odd, considering that I spent the better part of the past week with Aunt Catherine. I was never so happy to see an airport in my life!" William smiled at Lizzy sheepishly.
"Why were you visiting your aunt?" Jane asked.
"Oh, Christopher was traveling in Belgium last week, so I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to visit Aunt Catherine and then make a quick escape."
"That was probably wise," William observed.
"She's not pleased about Richard's marriage. She thinks that an engagement of anything less than six months is shocking."
"As I recall, Gee, she found Olivia rather shocking as well," Lizzy noted.
"Well, I didn't exactly pay attention to that part of her diatribe. I think my ears had gone numb by then."
"Speaking of Olivia, how is the happy couple?" Christopher inquired.
"The two of them are very well. Livy ought to be over here in a little while."
"For what?" William asked. "I should think she'd be very busy this morning." Jane and Lizzy exchanged a glance and a smile. Lizzy patted his hand tolerantly.
"You owe me a quarter," Bess whispered to Olivia as she took her seat at the breakfast table.
"Did he make that much noise?" Olivia laughed.
"He bumped into my door!" Bess replied. "You can't have a better confirmation than that."
"I'll pay up, but it was a sucker bet. I knew he'd come, too. But he only came because he said he couldn't sleep by himself. And that's all he did."
"I know," Bess said as she inspected Olivia's complexion. Olivia blushed and turned her eyes to her plate as Richard entered the room and took a seat opposite her.
"Hello, Angel. Good morning, GB," Richard said as he reached for the carafe of coffee.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!" Corrine cried as she and Caitlin entered the room and dragged Richard away from the table. "You're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding."
"But I'm hungry," Richard whined as he strained to return to the morning room.
"Go back upstairs. We'll bring you coffee," Caitlin offered.
"And some toast, if we feel like it."
"Pierce will bring him a full breakfast," Kathleen said as she arrived on the scene. "Richard, you should stay away from Livy until the wedding. She'll be leaving for William's house in a little while so would you mind staying upstairs for an hour or so?" She spoke sweetly, but Richard knew better than to gainsay his mother. He cast one more glance at Olivia, who was gazing back with a wistful look. Then he sighed dramatically and retreated to his room.
"You all don't believe in superstitions, do you?" Olivia asked as the twins and their mothers took their seats.
"I don't believe in flouting tradition," Kathleen said as Evan and Doug entered the room behind Hugh. Olivia looked around the table at the three couples and sighed longingly. Bess squeezed her hand.
"It's only for a few hours."
William and Christopher were in the study getting caught up on business when two cars pulled up in front of the house. Within seconds, the front hall became a flurry of activity as Olivia arrived with Kathleen, Bess, a manicurist, and a hair stylist. Mrs. Reynolds ushered them all into a room that she had prepared for their use. The stylist wanted to start right in on the bride but Olivia insisted that she be done later. She wanted to spend a little time with Lizzy before she would be forced to sit and submit to a half hour in a chair. The stylist started to argue, but Kathleen sat down in the chair, effectively settling the matter. Olivia gave her a kiss and slipped out of the room with a promise to return within a half hour. She grabbed Lizzy by the hand and led her outside to William's car. Lizzy ran back inside and grabbed the keys.
"That's a pretty necklace," Lizzy said after a few minutes of driving in silence. "Where am I going by the way?"
"Into town; I have a quick errand to run. As for the necklace, Richard gave it to me last night," Olivia replied. "Oh, Lizzy!" she said suddenly. "Did you ever think this day would come?"
"If you mean did I ever think that there was a man on this earth crazy enough to want to marry you, no. But if there ever was such a man--."
"Indeed! Isn't he divine? He's the most wonderful man on the planet!"
"I suppose it would be in bad form to argue with you today," Lizzy teased. Olivia hugged her.
"I suppose that you'll be getting married soon, too." Lizzy bowed her head.
"So everyone tells me," she sighed. "Last night after you and Richard went out, Kathleen observed that engagements usually came in threes."
"Very subtle, that Kathleen," Olivia smiled. "I suppose William was in the room."
"Yes he was," she sighed again. "Charles said that he thought that deaths came in threes, and Hugh agreed with him, and then Bess said maybe it was both. And do you know what William said?" Olivia shook her head. "He said that if Gee showed up today wearing an engagement ring he'd have a heart attack." Olivia was speechless. Lizzy wore a pained expression as she drove along the town's main street. "It's hopeless, Livy. He's not going to ask me."
"Oh, don't be ridiculous! I know William wants to marry you. He's told me so on several occasions. He's just waiting to make sure you're ready."
"I'm ready! I'm ready! What do I have to do, take out an ad in the Times? I've done everything possible to give him hints."
"Why don't you just ask him?" Olivia asked.
"I can't propose to him! He's supposed to propose to me!"
"Lizzy, it's the twenty-first century. You don't have to wait for him to pop the question," Olivia said as she directed Lizzy to pull into an empty parking space near Harpy's.
"But I want him to pop the question! Call me old-fashioned, but--." Lizzy shook her head. "I'm sorry. You didn't bring me out here to discuss my miserable life, did you?"
"Not exactly. I just wanted to escape for a few minutes. But if you need to speak to someone, you know I'm here for you. I don't want my getting married to change that." Lizzy reached out and hugged Olivia.
"I want you to have the most wonderful marriage ever. In fact, I'm sure you will. You and Richard are so right for each other."
"Thanks for sending him my way," Olivia smiled.
"My pleasure," Lizzy smiled back and Olivia got out of the car.
"So what do you think? Should I let this woman cut my hair? I've been trying to let it grow out some and Richard likes it like this."
"I think you should do whatever makes you happy," Lizzy suggested.
"Then why don't you?" Lizzy shook her head.
"Enough about me," she said. "Let's go back to the house and get you gorgeous for the wedding."
"I have an errand to take care of first, and besides it's not for another three hours yet!"
"You need all the time you can get," Lizzy teased before she followed her friend down the street.
"Now that is a wedding dress," Lizzy said approvingly as she walked into Olivia's room. "Not much lace, though."
"I had a good deal of it removed. But I love it," she smiled at herself in the mirror. "Here, look," Olivia said as she handed a snapshot to Lizzy. "Bess took a picture of the dress before Clara cut into it."
"Ewww! No offense, girl, but this was pretty sad."
"It was the seventies, Lizzy! I'm sure it was quite the thing in its time. I think it was kind of cute--for my mother."
"Well, it looked awful on you," Lizzy laughed.
"Exactly; hence the transformation. Kathleen's tailor took the dress apart and remade it into something completely different."
"Wouldn't it have been easier to simply buy something new?" Olivia snorted at the suggestion.
"Apparently not; we tried that, remember? Besides, this was my mother's dress, Lizzy. Bess found it for me among the things we sent up to the house to put in storage. It was her idea for me to wear it and Kathleen brought in Clara to custom tailor it for me. I'm so grateful to them both for giving me an opportunity to wear my mother's dress. That way, I can have a little bit of my parents' karma with me today."
"Of course," Lizzy said as she hugged her best friend. "And I'm sure they would say that you've never looked more beautiful." There was a knock on the door and the pair was summoned downstairs, where the others were already assembled. Kathleen had already gone back to the house to welcome her guests and taken Mrs. Reynolds with her, but the others were on hand to watch as Lizzy and Olivia descended the stairs. There was a general gasp of delight and surprise as the group caught its first glimpse of Olivia. But William only had eyes for Lizzy, who floated down the steps in a floral gown with a fluttery hem. She noticed him, but wouldn't allow herself to read anything into it. She turned her eyes to the others at the base of the stairs. Christopher and Charles were both beaming; Jane and Georgiana had tears in their eyes. Bess wore a serene smile as she reached out to embrace her grandson's bride.
"You do look like an angel," she said simply. "Who knew what he'd been babbling about all this time?" Olivia laughed at the joke.
"We'd better get going," William said as he took Lizzy's arm and headed for the door.
"Yes, I think Richard would flip if we were late," Georgiana said.
"Where's your veil?" Bess asked.
"Mrs. Reynolds took it with her. I thought it would be best if I didn't strangle myself trying to get into the car with it on," Olivia explained as she got into the waiting limousine. Lizzy and William got into the same car, along with Bess, while the others piled into another car. In minutes they were at Fitzwilliam House. Bess sent Olivia inside with Lizzy and shooed the others around the side of the house to the garden.
"William," she said as she took firm hold of his arm to prevent him from following the others. "If you don't propose to Lizzy before the weekend is over I'm going to disinherit you." William raised his eyebrows in surprise, but before he could form a reply she slapped him on the derriere and sent him to find his cousin. William stumbled forward and turned to stare at Bess, who was already heading into the house. William laughed and turned toward the garden. His eyes immediately met Jane's, who had paused to look for him. She gave him a knowing wink and went on ahead.
When Bess entered her bedroom she found Olivia pacing as Lizzy and Mrs. Reynolds carefully tried to fluff out the veil behind her.
"Stand still," Mrs. Reynolds commanded. Olivia did as she was told and the veil fell into place. "That's better." Bess stood at the door and smiled as Olivia did a slow turn to look at herself in Bess's full-length mirror.
"Perfect," she said. Mrs. Reynolds handed Olivia a bouquet of lilacs and white roses. Olivia inhaled the heady scent and smiled.
"I'm ready."
William found Richard sitting calmly in the tent spinning two rings on a table.
"Shouldn't I have those?" William said, breaking Richard's concentration and causing one of the rings to go flying off the table.
"Geez, Fitz!" Richard cried as he fell to his knees and went in search of the ring that had hit the floor and rolled away.
"I've got it," William said. He bent and picked up the platinum band. "Yours?" Richard nodded as he handed Olivia's diamond band to his cousin.
"Did you know that this is the first time she's been without this ring for more than a few minutes since Christmas? She's only taken it off when it was absolutely necessary."
"I think today qualifies,' William smiled. He placed the rings in his pocket beside the third one he had taken to carrying at all times. He could empathize with Olivia's devotion to her ring. "You've got something on your knee," he said as he glanced down. Richard swore softly and went to get a napkin as William stepped outside the tent to look at the assembled gathering. The string trio began to play and William stepped back inside to wait for Richard. But his movement was arrested by an unexpected sight, and he strode out of the tent to investigate. Upstairs, meanwhile, Bess sent everyone out of the room so she could have a moment with Olivia.
"Well?" Olivia reached out and hugged Bess tightly.
"Thank you so much for everything," she said with a kiss to the older woman's cheek.
"Nonsense! All I did was find an old dress. You did all the hard work...convincing Richard to fall hopelessly in love with you and all that."
"That was no work at all!" Olivia admitted with a laugh.
"Well, I hope the rest of your lives together goes just as smoothly. Shall we go downstairs? I'm sure Hugh is ready for us." Olivia nodded. The two walked out arm in arm and descended the steps to where Hugh was waiting with Kathleen and Lizzy.
"Oh, no!" Olivia laughed when she saw him.
"What's wrong, is my slip showing?" he asked as he glanced down. Olivia shook her head.
"No, no, you look fine, Hugh," Olivia said as she suppressed a laugh.
"And you look gorgeous," he said as he bent to kiss her cheek. "Richard's eyes are going to pop out."
"I hope so," Bess said as she and Kathleen left the pair and went out to the garden, where David and Matt escorted them to their seats. Lizzy fussed with Olivia's veil.
"Now you're supposed to have something old--your mother's dress, something new--." Olivia rolled her eyes.
"I have on a new pearl necklace."
"Good, now for something borrowed..." Lizzy pulled a lacy handkerchief from her purse and handed it to Olivia. "This was my grandmother's. My mother carried it at her wedding." Olivia smiled and tucked it into her hand with her bouquet.
"I think I may need this."
"And something blue...." Olivia lifted the hem of the gown to show off the blue ribbon that had been stitched into the hem. "Perfect."
"Ladies," William said as he accepted hugs from Phoebe and Agnes. "This is a lovely surprise."
"It was a surprise to us, too. We had no idea that Richard was getting married until Olivia came to see us today," Phoebe said.
"She came into the shop this morning and told us that she and Richard were getting married. It was so sweet of her to invite us to the wedding, even on such short notice. Luckily Irene agreed to cover for us and Harpy let us go." Agnes added. "Olivia said she wanted it to be a surprise for Richard." William smiled as he recalled the bride's disappearance from Darcy House with Lizzy and his half hour search for the missing pair.
"Yes, and we're so delighted to be here...if only to see you in a tuxedo. You look even more gorgeous than usual, sugar." William accepted the compliment graciously and excused himself to see to the groom.
"May I go now? Richard won't wait forever, you know," Olivia quipped. Lizzy stuck out her tongue and led the way to the garden entrance. When she reached the door she turned to Olivia once more and the two friends hugged. Lizzy gave Hugh a quick kiss on the cheek and stepped outside. She walked over to the head of the aisle and smiled at Richard, who waved back. She giggled at the typically irreverent gesture and looked back at Hugh. He nodded and Lizzy began her trek down the aisle. As she made her way, she glanced at William, who was smiling at her. She tried to smile back, but her heart was fluttering so wildly that she felt lightheaded. For a split second, she imagined herself the bride making the trip to the altar to marry the man she loved above everything else. Her smile became steady and confident then, and she smiled at William and Richard as she reached the altar.
"Hello, Bright Eyes," Richard said with a wink. Lizzy winked back as she took her place. Then Richard grew serious and turned to look up the aisle. Olivia was standing there beside his father, looking more beautiful than he'd ever seen her. She smiled radiantly as she began her walk. She cast her eyes around the garden to take in the whole scene and was quite impressed with the setting. It was then that she focused her attention on Richard. She reached his side and Hugh placed her hand in his.
"Hello, Angel," Richard whispered. Olivia looked down at the kilt Richard wore. It was identical to his father's.
"Nice knees," she replied, causing a smattering of laughter among those in the front row of the assembled gathering. The couple turned to the priest, who began the ceremony. It was very brief, but as lighthearted and charming as the couple themselves. Throughout the ceremony, William observed Lizzy's expression. She, in turn, watched the ceremony with great interest, looking wistful--almost sad, as the couple exchanged their vows. When the ceremony was over, Richard and Olivia turned to accept the cheers and applause of the gathering as they made their way up the aisle. Lizzy continued to stare at the spot the newly married couple had just vacated. William frowned and went to her side. She absently took his arm and stepped over to the spot where Richard and Olivia had taken their vows.
"I want to be a bride," Lizzy confided with a pout.
"Me, too," William replied. Lizzy frowned.
"You want to be a bride, too?" William cleared his throat, unwittingly drawing the attention of most of the people behind him.
"I want you to be a bride."
"Oh," Lizzy smiled. "That makes more sense."
"So what are you going to do about it?" Jane called out. William and Lizzy spun around and saw that the entire family--indeed, the entire gathering save for the two principles--was watching the pair. Richard and Olivia had made their escape into the tent for a few moments of privacy.
"You look amazing, Mrs. Fitzwilliam," Richard said as he took Olivia into his arms. "And I've been waiting 209 days to call you that."
"Really?" Olivia said, knowing that he would be unable to resist revealing the meaning behind his comment. But she decided to turn the tables on him. "Has it been 209 days since you proposed? I thought it was 210." Richard's expression froze as doubt overtook him.
"No, I'm sure it's...I think it's 209," he said as Olivia smiled. She had no idea which number was correct, but she derived a hint of satisfaction from knowing that she had won the first round in their newly established partnership. But Olivia's smile gave her away. "You are a very wicked woman, Olivia Crenshaw Fitzwilliam."
"Why, thank you."
"I would suggest that he propose," Bess said pointedly.
"It would be great if he had a ring handy," Charles said.
"Oh, I'm sure Lizzy would wait for the ring," Hugh said. "You'd trust him for it, wouldn't you, Lizzy girl?" Lizzy blushed crimson, but she nodded.
"Well, William? We haven't got all day," Kathleen sighed. "Richard and Olivia have a plane to catch." William smiled and turned to Lizzy.
"I've heard of shotgun weddings, but shotgun proposals...."
"Quit stalling, Will!" Matt called out.
"Just get to it, man," Christopher piped up. Georgiana didn't speak, but silently urged William on.
"This is frightfully embarrassing," William said softly. He took Lizzy's hand in his and reached into his pocket. "I do happen to have a ring, actually...," he said in a voice he hoped only she could hear. "I thought I should have it on hand, in case--."
"...An angry mob forced you to propose?" Lizzy whispered with trembling lips. William smiled sheepishly.
"To tell you the truth," he said as he placed the ring on Lizzy's finger, "I had something slightly different in mind."
"Hold that thought," Lizzy said as she placed her fingers over his lips. She wrapped her arms around William and kissed him, her newly adorned finger dangling proudly over his shoulder. The crowd burst into applause. Lizzy pulled away and smiled at William.
"I haven't..."
"You can say everything that needs to be said later, in private," she said. She took hold of William's hand and rushed up the aisle and into the tent where Richard and Olivia were already dancing to music only the two of them could hear. The bride looked up and saw William and Lizzy enter, followed by a steady stream of wedding guests. She kissed Richard's cheek and left him to go to Lizzy.
"I am the happiest woman alive!' she gushed as she embraced her best friend.
"I beg to differ," Lizzy said as she raised her hand to show the solitaire William had placed on her finger. Olivia shrieked in delight.
"When did that happen?"
"About a minute ago. I think you and Richard are the only two people who didn't see him propose," Lizzy laughed tearfully.
"No one heard him propose," Jane observed slyly as she put an arm around Lizzy's shoulder. "But the man came through in the crunch, and that's all that matters."
"It's not as though I had any choice," William said sheepishly as he joined them, having escaped the congratulatory handshakes and good-natured ribbing of Hugh and Uncle Stewart.
"What's this?" Richard said as he arrived at the little circle. "Fitz and Bright Eyes are trying to upstage our wedding?"
"Not intentionally, I assure you," William replied. "You know I planned to propose to Lizzy after you two left."
"So what happened?" Richard asked as Lizzy looked up at her new fiancé in surprise. William shrugged and smiled at Lizzy.
"I don't think she could wait any longer."
"Nor could Grandma Bess," Jane teased as she saw the matriarch coming toward the group.
"I want more great grandchildren," she said as she reached up to hug Richard and then Olivia. "Lots of them," she added as she hugged Lizzy and William in turn. "And honorary ones, as well," she said as she gave a final hug to Jane.
"So I'll remain in your will?" William asked. Bess smiled enigmatically and led the bride and groom over to the receiving line. Richard and Olivia welcomed with each of their guests, the groom's face registering both pleasure and surprise when he saw Phoebe and Agnes.
"I'm very glad you could join us today," he said with a curious smile for his bride as he hugged Agnes. Olivia beamed back at him.
"So are we; it was a beautiful ceremony," Phoebe said as she took her turn at the groom. The two waitresses wished the couple joy before they moved on. Richard greeted the last of the guests before he took Olivia's hand and led her outside the tent.
"You invited the girls?" Olivia nodded.
"My brother called this morning and told me that he couldn't get a flight out of Hamburg, so I thought I should beef up my side of the aisle." Richard shook his head and pulled Olivia close.
"Maybe we can arrange to see him while we're in Europe. I'd like to meet him." Olivia smiled gratefully. "But it was really sweet of you to ask the girls. I can see they were truly tickled to be here."
"Well, it was probably their one chance in a lifetime to see you in a kilt," Olivia said as she slowly ran her hand over her new husband's fanny.
"Madam, please! I am a married man!" Richard cried as a genuine blush colored his cheeks.
"I know!" Olivia smiled wickedly, but only momentarily. "Thank you, Richard," she said, growing serious, "It was a perfect wedding."
"Well, that's because you were the perfect bride. None of this could have happened without you to inspire me," Richard said looking deeply into his bride's eyes.
"The sight of you in a kilt inspires me," Olivia said archly. Richard smiled and led her back into the tent.
"We'd better get this reception over with very soon...and by the way," he whispered in her ear, "You may see me in a kilt anytime you need inspiration, Mrs. Fitzwilliam."
Richard and Olivia returned to the tent and sat down to a sumptuous luncheon. Olivia approved of all the arrangements Richard had made and offered him a consulting spot on her web page. He declined the offer but again promised to help William and Lizzy with their wedding.
"When will it take place, Lizzy?" Jane asked. Lizzy bit her lip thoughtfully and Jane laughed. "Suffice to say, William, your Aunt Catherine will approve of the lengthy engagement."
"Not too lengthy, I hope," William frowned. Lizzy smiled and assured him that she wouldn't keep him waiting any longer than necessary. Hugh tapped William on the shoulder and he rose to offer a toast to the happy couple. A round of toasts ensued, culminating with a toast from the bride and groom, offered by Olivia.
"To bad storms, fried hard drives, Charles Bingley and hunky friends with geeky talents, email courtships, running away to Elverson, and a chance meeting that changed my life forever," Olivia said. Richard winked and William and Lizzy laughed, while nearly everyone else was a bit confused. "I suppose you had to be there," Olivia said. She raised her glass and everyone joined her in the toast.
Eight months later...
"Hello, Olivia," Lizzy said as soon as she heard her friend's voice on the phone.
"Lizzy! When did you get in?"
"About an hour ago. I am beat!"
"How was London?" Olivia asked as she flipped through a stack of mail on her desk.
"It was glorious!"
"And William?"
"He behaved quite well, far better than I expected." William had been less than pleased when, shortly after Christmas, Georgiana announced her intention to return to London with Christopher after the holidays. William had summarily cornered Christopher and demanded to know his intentions toward his only sister. Christopher had answered honestly that he was very much in love with Georgiana and wanted her with him, but that he was not yet ready to think long term. William tried to dissuade Georgiana from going with him, and after a number of heated arguments between the siblings--and at least one between William and Lizzy--he reluctantly watched her leave for Europe with most of her valued possessions. Christopher and Lizzy spent the next few weeks carefully negotiating a truce between the siblings, which culminated in William's agreeing to visit the couple in London in the early spring.
"William loves Gee, regardless of what he may think about her relationship with Christopher," Olivia said.
"He loves Christopher, too. That's what makes this whole situation so silly. Anyway, once he was able to forget the whole "cradle robbing" speech he gave me on the airplane, we had a really nice time! Christopher's townhouse is fabulous!"
"I know. We spent a night there on our way back to the U.S. after our honeymoon. Alas, it was only for the one night."
"So how are my wedding plans coming along?" Lizzy asked as she accepted a cup of tea from Mrs. Reynolds.
"Well, I have good news and bad news," Olivia replied.
"Yes?" Lizzy set aside the cup and sat up.
"Well, the good news is that I was able to book that singer you loved so much at Charles and Jane's wedding. Kathleen thought it might be kind of odd to have the same guy for both weddings, until GB reminded her how cute she thought he was."
"And what's the bad news?" Olivia hesitated for a moment.
"I can't wear that dress you picked out for me." There was silence on Lizzy's end as she took in this information and tried to figure out what excuse Olivia might come up with.
"Why not?"
"It doesn't fit."
"What? Of all the lame excuses, Olivia Crenshaw Fitzwilliam, that has to take the cake! I know you hate pink, but you promised!"
"I know what I promised, but it's impossible."
"Make it possible! I thought you worked out every morning! Do a few more sit-ups and lay off the dessert for the next six weeks."
"Sorry, Lizzy, I can't," Olivia said with barely suppressed laughter.
"Olivia!"
"Jane has volunteered to wear it in my place."
"I don't want Jane to wear it in your place! She has her own dress to wear!" Lizzy pouted. William entered the library and frowned at Lizzy's pout.
"What's the matter?"
"Olivia refuses to wear the dress I picked out for her. She's reneging on her promise."
"Why?" he asked reasonably.
"She said it doesn't fit." William shrugged.
"Well, if it doesn't fit..."
"Hey! Whose side are you on?" William threw up his hands in surrender and backed away.
"Lizzy, would you like to know why the dress doesn't fit?" Olivia asked.
"No, quite frankly, I wouldn't."
"In that case, may I speak to Will for a moment?" Lizzy sighed and called William, who reluctantly returned to her side.
"She wants to explain to you why she's fat--." Lizzy extended the phone to William and then just as quickly pulled it back. "Livy?"
"Yes?"
"You are getting fat, aren't you?"
"I prefer the expression 'great with child,' myself." Lizzy shrieked and William began to back away once more.
"William, she's pregnant!" William smiled and sat down. "She and Richard are going to have a baby!"
Two hours later, Olivia and Richard arrived at the townhouse for dinner in answer to Lizzy's summons. She immediately rushed to Olivia and practically pulled her out of her coat.
"This I have to see!" Olivia laughed as Lizzy ran her hands over the tiny but distinct lump on her abdomen. "Gee, Richard! You didn't waste any time!"
"As if it was all my doing!" Richard replied as he carefully led Olivia to the nearest sofa.
"It was all his doing! He promised Kathleen a grandson before our first anniversary and I think he must have done something to make sure he kept his promise."
"Don't be ridiculous! They aren't due until early October," Richard said as he returned William's amused smile.
"They?" Lizzy and Olivia cried in unison.
"You know twins run in our family. Uncle Stewart was a twin, mom had twins, Corrie had twins--." Olivia closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Well, why don't we leave you two ladies to talk? Fitz and I have some wedding business to discuss," William said as he nodded toward the study. Richard rose to follow his cousin as Lizzy eyed the pair suspiciously. But the moment they were out of sight she turned back to Olivia.
"I'm so happy for you," she smiled. "But it sounds rather unplanned. Are you okay with it?"
"It was unplanned, but I'm delighted. And as you can see, Richard is excited enough for the both of us."
"Yes, but will he share his toys when the baby comes?" Lizzy teased. "You know, you don't look so big to me. I bet you could get into that dress if you really wanted to."
"Oh, I'm sure I can--today. But your wedding is six weeks away, Lizzy."
"I see your point. So I guess I have to go out and find a pink maternity matron of honor gown." Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Would you mind if I just took care of it? I let you choose your own dress for my wedding..." Lizzy graciously conceded, much to Olivia's relief.
"Have William send me his swatches," she teased.
"So exactly how pregnant are you? And why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"You're right," William said as he closed the library door behind his cousin. "Olivia is glowing. But then, she's been radiant from the moment you put that ring back on her finger."
"I think marriage agrees with both of us," Richard said as he threw himself into a chair. "I can't wait till we move into parenthood."
"I think you'll both make wonderful parents."
"You know what my mother said?"
"That Olivia was already experienced in raising a child?" Richard's face fell. "Just a guess."
"You've spoken to her, haven't you?" William swore that he had not, but in fact the happy grandmother had spoken with William earlier in the day. She was disappointed to learn that Richard had already spilled the beans to his cousin weeks earlier, but elated nonetheless at the prospect of welcoming a new addition to the family. Richard quickly brightened. "So how was the trip?"
"It went far better than I expected. Gee is apparently very happy with Christopher and he dotes on her even more than I dote on Lizzy."
"What did you think? He'd be keeping her in a cage?" William shrugged.
"I guess I was afraid that she wouldn't be as happy as she'd been insisting she was. Turns out, she's even happier. I'd feel better if she and Christopher were planning to marry, though," William admitted. Richard laughed.
"You think everyone should get married. By the way, what did you do with Amy and Adam down in Livy's office? I hear they've become quite an item and that they have you to thank for it." William shook his head.
"I did very little. I'd been down there for a series of meetings over the next in the Companion series and noticed Adam's interest in the girl. I just gave him a bit of encouragement."
"You little matchmaker, you!" Richard smiled.
"But right now I'm more concerned with my own love life. Did you take care of that little favor I asked of you?" Richard nodded.
"It's at the house. Want us to bring it down?" William shook his head.
"I'll come over to collect it on the weekend. Lizzy is going to a conference with Charles so I'll have time to get it without her seeing it." Richard nodded. "How are the rest of the plans coming?" Richard smiled.
"Livy just showed me her design for the groom's cake. It looks like...well, trust me, you'll like it."
"Why won't you tell me what it'll look like?"
"It's Livy's surprise," Richard said enigmatically.
"Come upstairs," Lizzy said. "I want to show you the accessories I got in London to go with the dress." Olivia rose and eagerly followed Lizzy upstairs. They entered the master bedroom and went into the huge dressing room.
"You know," Olivia said as she looked around, "When I moved in with Richard, I had to stow all my stuff in a guest closet."
"William has more closet space than any four people I know, "Lizzy laughed. "I have about half the amount of clothes that he does." She picked up a bag and went into Gee's room. "But just to be on the safe side, I keep the dress in here so William won't be tempted to peek at it." Lizzy closed the door as Olivia unzipped the garment bag that held the dress.
"I still can't believe that Kathleen bought this dress for you on spec," she smiled.
"It was hardly 'on spec.' She had great faith in her nephew," Lizzy sniffed.
"More than you did at the time, as I recall." Lizzy stood and looked at the gown she would be wearing when she took her vows with William and smiled at the memory of the day Kathleen surprised her with the wedding gown.
"Come in, Lizzy," Kathleen said as she ushered her soon to be niece into the penthouse apartment. "I'm so glad you could come."
"Thank you for inviting me. Livy has told me a lot about this place and I admit I've been dying to see it."
"Oh, that's right! You've never been here before. We've had this place for ages. Hugh and I raised the children between here and Greenwich. Come, I'll give you a guided tour before we sit down for lunch." Kathleen was as good as her word and Lizzy returned to the entrance gallery very impressed.
"It's a great apartment!"
"I love it here, especially now that there are no longer three children riding tricycles up and down the halls," Kathleen laughed. "Come on into the dining room," she said. The two women sat down and a servant came out of the kitchen and served them lunch.
"You're probably wondering why I asked you over today," Kathleen began as the dishes were cleared and a light dessert of fresh fruit was placed before them. "I trust that my nephew finally got around to issuing a proper proposal?" Lizzy laughed.
"Yes, he did. After we saw Richard and Olivia off at the airport he brought me back to the house and proposed quite handsomely," Lizzy reported.
"I'm glad to hear it. I know we shamelessly goaded him on at the wedding, but the boy was rather taking his time about it, you know." Lizzy laughed again.
"You needn't have bothered. It turns out that William had every intention of proposing to me the next day. He had planned to take me down to the playhouse with a picnic, and he had written a list of all the reasons why he loved me...he showed it to me that night."
"Oh, dear! Well, all's well that ends well," Kathleen said insouciantly.
"I admit I had begun to despair of his ever proposing," Lizzy said.
"Well, now that he has," Kathleen said as she clapped her hands and rose from the table, "I think I have something you'll be needing soon."
"Oh?" Lizzy asked as she followed Kathleen into the master bedroom, where a large box had been placed on the bed. It hadn't been there when they toured the room earlier.
"Here, Lizzy," Kathleen said, gesturing toward the box. She stepped back as Lizzy cautiously approached the bed. Lizzy gasped when she recognized the name on the box.
"What--?"
"Open it!" Lizzy took a deep breath and opened the box with trembling fingers. She put her hands to her mouth as the tears began to flow. "You--."
"I thought it might come in handy," Kathleen said simply as Lizzy reached out to embrace her. Lizzy hugged her tightly and cried for several minutes as Kathleen rocked her gently. "Now, as my mother would say, stop making those horrid faces. I want to look at it again, don't you?"
"When did you--?" Lizzy managed.
"It arrived yesterday. It takes forever to make one of these things, you know."
"You ordered this--?" Lizzy assayed again, but she was incapable of uttering whole sentences.
"It looked so perfect on you, I couldn't leave it behind, could I? I contacted Hugh and told him I'd just bought you a wedding dress and he was delighted that we were able to do this for you. You know we already consider you as much a part of our family as Livy." Lizzy started to cry again, and it was some time before she could collect herself.
The sight of the dress still brought tears to her eyes months later, and she wiped them as Olivia held up the gown in front of herself.
"You know, this one would fit me," she teased. "Not that I'd be caught dead in all this lace."
"That one is spoken for," Lizzy said as Olivia hung the gown on the high hook in Gee's closet. "Look at this," she added as she began to pull things from the bag. "I found this little beaded purse in an antique shop."
"Gaudy," Olivia sneered. Lizzy stuck out her tongue.
"And since I intend to wear the pearls Bess gave me, I wanted earrings that matched. These came closer than anything else I've looked at. William was kind enough to buy them for me."
"A prince of a guy," Olivia said as she held up one of the earrings. "I think they're lovely. Have you found a head piece for the veil yet?"
"That's the best part; Gee and I went to all the bridal shops in London looking for one and we found two we liked," Lizzy said as she opened a box and unwound a large wad of tissue paper.
"You bought two head pieces?"
"Well, it's not as though I could try them on with the gown while I was in Europe, Livy. I figured it was better to have a spare than none at all." Olivia was forced to concede the wisdom of Lizzy's thinking. "Besides, I'm sure I can find another use for the other one. What do you think?" She held the two pieces up for inspection. The first was a small tiara of rhinestones and gold metal; the second was a small piece covered in lace and pearls and very similar to the dress.
"I think that either could work. But you're asking the wrong person; I just had a few sprigs of flowers in my hair with my veil," Olivia said.
"Yes, I know, nature girl, but I trust your taste." Olivia sighed and pulled a chair over. She sat Lizzy down and put the tiara on her head. She pulled Lizzy's hair into a pile on top of her head and placed Lizzy's hand over it. She stepped back and bit her lip thoughtfully. Then she tried the other head piece on Lizzy and pulled her hair up again. Then she put her hair back down and arranged it around her shoulders.
"This one. This is definitely the one. You should take it to someone, though, and see if you can get the color to match the dress a little better."
"You think so?"
"Yes, because otherwise the tulle won't match. But I think that this is perfect for you."
"Thanks, Livy," Lizzy said as she looked at herself in the mirror and held the hem of the lace close to the headpiece for inspection. "Now, that we've figured out what I'm wearing..."
"I know, I know...I need something to wear," Olivia sighed. "I always do."
On the last Saturday in May, William and Richard drove over to the church where their grandmother and both their mothers were married to their respective spouses. William emerged from the car resplendent in a white tie and tails, looking extremely nervous. Richard jovially slapped him on the shoulder and escorted the groom inside where Charles, Matt, David, and Christopher were waiting, along with Hugh.
"Here he is, safe and sound," Richard said as he entered the waiting room, where his mother immediately stopped him to pin a boutonnière to his lapel. She approached William a bit more delicately and coaxed a smile out of him with a smile and a few well-chosen words.
"Where have you two been?" Christopher asked Richard as he adjusted his cuffs for the third time.
"We went for a walk and I told him a few important things," Richard said. Christopher was very tempted to laugh, but he saw that Richard was serious. "What did you tell him?"
"Oh, anything he wanted to hear: what a great guy he is, how lucky he was to have a fine woman like Lizzy--the usual." In fact, William and Richard's chat had been exactly in that vein. They'd walked to Suicide Hill and sat on the sled that sat at the top of the run awaiting the next snowfall.
"Thanks, Richard," William said as he squinted at his cousin in the late afternoon sun.
"You're calling me Richard. Now I know you're scared."
"I am scared. What if I'm a colossal failure as a husband?"
"William--I can call you that, can't I? I have never known you to fail at anything you ever wanted. And you want this with Lizzy more than everything you've ever wanted in your life all rolled into one. You won't fail." William looked up at his cousin, moved by his display of confidence. Richard smiled impishly. "Lizzy won't let you," he added. William smiled for the first time all day.
"She's wonderful, Fitz."
"I know. I knew that the first time I met her, and I knew exactly who she was wonderful for. From that moment on, I knew the two of you were fated for each other. By the way, I expect you two to name at least one son after me." William laughed and shook his head.
"I may have to talk Lizzy into that, but I'm game, although it's hardly fair payment for what you've done for us."
"Hey, if I hadn't done what I did, I would never have found my own prize. I wouldn't give up what I have with Livy for the world."
"Well, the two of you have set a good example. Lizzy and I will try to follow it."
"I don't know. I can't see Lizzy racing trains with you on Friday nights, cuz." William winced.
"No, but I guess no one's perfect."
"Well, you can always knit together," Richard sneered.
"I'm content with that," William smiled. "Shall we go get me married?"
"By all means!"
Epilogue
The largest, most lavish wedding Lizzy had ever been to in her life turned out to be her own. Over three hundred guests crowded into the ancient church to watch her become Mrs. William Darcy. Unlike Olivia, who had chosen to continue to use her maiden name professionally, Lizzy was more than eager to change her identity to reflect her new status. The wedding was the realization of her childhood dreams. Olivia and Jane had relied on their combined memory of Lizzy's childhood fantasy to bring about the event she had always dreamed of. It was elegant without a hint of ostentation, and as large as it was, the two managed to make it seem as intimate and unique as the couple tying the knot.
Olivia was the matron of honor in a deep rose colored dress, while Charlotte, Georgiana, and Tineke served as bridesmaids. Jane chose to not be in the bridal party and served as the coordinator for the event as well as Lizzy's pillar of strength through all the last minute preparations. Hugh escorted her down the aisle, steadying her as her knees trembled. She was hardly able to take in the swags of pale pink roses that were festooned around the altar and in the balcony. Nor could she hear the song that was being sung by the soloist or see the reassuring smile Bess gave her. All she could see was the man waiting for her at the altar.
William, for his part, forgot all his nervousness the moment he caught sight of his bride. He took her hand from Hugh and smiled into her eyes with confidence. William caught a glimpse of his mother's pearls around Lizzy's neck and gave Lizzy's hand a gentle squeeze as he and Lizzy knelt to accept their blessing. She stole a glance at him from behind her veil as she knelt and smiled radiantly. Within a matter of minutes the happy couple realized its dream of becoming husband and wife. After Richard handed his cousin the rings he winked at Olivia, whose tears of joy he had predicted in spite of the fact that she hadn't cried at her own wedding. She'd cried a good deal afterwards at the reception, but Richard had confidently bet Olivia that she wouldn't be able to get through William and Lizzy's ceremony without shedding a tear.
When the wedding was over and William and Lizzy marched up the aisle in a flurry of rose petals, Richard turned and warned the other groomsmen about lollygagging around the altar. The trip up the aisle proceeded at a rather brisk pace, therefore, with Richard and Olivia laughing arm and arm as they followed the happy couple.
The reception back at the house continued the fantasy, as William whirled Lizzy across the dance floor oblivious to the smiling crowd. She was his; he was hers, and the world as they knew it ceased to exist for the length of time William held Lizzy in his arms for their first dance as a married couple. When the dance ended, William led Lizzy to her seat. She reached across her groom to take Olivia's hand.
"You were right; it was magical," Lizzy gushed. Olivia smiled knowingly.
"And if you play it right, it stays that way," she said as she cast a loving look at Richard. She suddenly made a face and clasped a hand over her abdomen. William, who was sitting beside her, instinctively grabbed her arm.
"Are you all right?" he asked as Richard leapt to his feet. Olivia nodded and smiled as Richard reached her side.
"They kicked!"
"They?" Lizzy and William said in unison. Olivia smiled sheepishly and looked up at her husband.
"They...he was right about the twins." The wedding party all gathered around to feel the babies kick before Lizzy and William cut their cake--a five tier confection that was elaborately decorated and adorned with roses. Lizzy and William laughed when they spied the groom's cake, which was shaped like a Companion laptop. After a night of dancing, William whisked Lizzy off to New York, where the couple spent the night before flying off to the French Riviera for three weeks.
On a rainy morning the following October, a few weeks before their due date, Connor and Douglas Fitzwilliam came into the world. The fraternal twins were named for Richard's paternal grandfather and Olivia's father, respectively, and Richard declared to the world that under no circumstances was either of his sons to ever be referred to as "Fitz." Lizzy gave birth to the first of her three children nearly two years later, a daughter. Their second child was named after his Uncle Richard, as promised, and he had all the vitality and personality of his namesake. He grew up roughhousing with his two fair-haired cousins on the lawns of Greenwich and in the townhouses of the two couples in New York--or rather three, counting the brownstone in Brooklyn where Jane and Charles Bingley raised their own two sons.
Jane sold her share of the shop to become a full-time mother, but both Lizzy and Olivia continued their careers, eventually merging Cherry Blossom with Olivia's company and moving it to the Darcy Building. Charles remained the CEO of the operation and Lizzy remained a vice president. Olivia became vice president of her own division and continued to design and host her own pages for Celebrations, Etc. and all the computers in the Companion line. Charlotte did finally find a man after the company made the move uptown. He was an employee of Richard's at Fitzwilliam/Fitzwilliam named Roger Cuthbert. And some five years to the day after Lizzy and William had tied the knot Georgiana marched into William's office and announced her engagement to Christopher. William was delighted to give her the wedding of her dreams, and to welcome Christopher into the fold.
"You need a bigger vehicle, cuz," Richard laughed as he watched William try to squeeze one more bag into the back of his SUV.
"We always manage to come home every weekend with more than when we left. Is that possible?" Richard nodded seriously.
"It's the kids...they're constantly growing, you know." William rolled his eyes and got into the car.
"See you back in the city." Richard waved him off and got into his trusty Range Rover where Olivia waited. Richard glanced in the back, where the two boys slept soundly.
"How'd you manage that?" he asked as he pulled the vehicle out into the road behind William to start the trip back to New York.
"Hammer," Olivia said simply.
"You know, you're getting sillier by the day."
"I know," she smiled. "I think the years of exposure have finally begun to take their toll." Richard flipped on the high beams and took hold of Olivia's hand. He held onto it all the way home.