Who: Charles Bingley & Jane Bingley (!) What: Sweetness Where: Their Rooms When: Monday, August 8 Rating: Adorable Status: Complete
The last month had gone by in a blur. Planning their wedding had been at the very top of Jane's priority list, and Charles had input at every step of the way, of course, but many of the decisions had been hers. Some things she had been unable to share with him, and truly she'd kept some secrets even from Lizzie, wanting to surprise them all.
Things had only slowed in the day or two before the actual ceremony. When their parents had visited, Jane had managed to pull Mrs Bingley - her soon to be mother-in-law - aside and had asked her thoughts on the possibility of Jane partaking in traditional bridal mehndi. She hadn't desired to overstep in any way, but she did want to incorporate important traditions in their otherwise largely English wedding. Nalini had thankfully been excited about the suggestion, and promised that she, Louisa, and Caroline would ensure her henna was perfect, and that she could invite Lizzie if she wished as her bridal attendee.
After breakfast that Sunday morning, the women had been sequestered away, and Jane hadn't seen Charles since. It had been hours of sitting patiently still as Nalini delicately designed patterns onto her hands and feet. They had talked in that time, as well. The Bennet sisters had shared stories of their youth and family, and they had talked about Jane's dreams of her future with Charles as she became the next Mrs Bingley. It had been a relaxing and wonderful day, and at the end of it, her hands and feet had been darkly stained, just as she'd wished.
Until the ceremony, her entire outfit had been a secret she kept from the majority of people, but Lizzie had seen her dress as it was made with the row of delicate buttons down her back, and lace framed bodice. Her shoes matched Charles' vest, though they were mostly hidden beneath her skirts. The veil had been delicately embroidered with wildflowers to give color to her otherwise white ensemble. The flowers, which the estate had been bursting with, were all manner of summer colors in various shades of pink, orange, yellow, red, and purple.
It had been a flurry of activity to prepare and dress for the ceremony itself, but it had all been worth it. Jane would never forget seeing the look on Charles's face as she walked towards him in that church, or the exuberant excitement that had coursed through her as they spoke those sacred vows. When Mr Tomley had finally pronounced them husband and wife, and they had been able to sign all the appropriate documents to make it finally, truly official, she had felt so happy she might just float away without his hand to steady her.
They had not really been allowed time alone immediately. Of course others had given their congratulations, and they had returned to the estate to have a meal with their families, mingling and celebrating as a united family of one. Thankfully, as Lady Whistledown had promised, Jane's mother remained blissfully pleasant and even a bit quiet throughout the entire celebration. They would reconvene for dinner with the rest of Summerview's guests along with a dance to end the evening. For now, however, for the first time in two days Jane and Charles got to slip away from the crowd. They'd been informed their rooms had already been moved and changed even from just this morning, and they had a new marital suite to enjoy - together.
She slipped her hand into his as they left the breakfast, still in all the wedding finery, and grinning from ear to ear, "Oh, it's been just the most perfect day! I know we have more celebrating to do, but I'm very glad to have a little while to ourselves before the next part."
--
Charles had woken that morning filled with giddy nervousness, and the feeling had remained until the moment Jane had stepped into the aisle at the church. From that instant, his nerves were gone, replaced with a perfect surety that every other moment in his life had led him to this one, here with her.
Her father had placed Jane's hands in his, and Charles' eyes instantly brimmed with tears. Her hands were decorated with intricate mehndi designs, as would have been traditional for an Indian bride. It wasn't something that Charles had suggested or even informed Jane about, and he didn't know if it had been her idea or one of his family's… but it didn't matter. She was embracing something that would have been wholly new to her… for him.
They were pronounced man and wife, and Charles had never been happier to kiss her. His Mrs Bingley.
The congratulations and the meal that followed were a welcome way to ease out of the morning's height of emotion. He still kept Jane at his side, of course, touching her when he could, even just to brush a finger against her palm or wrist.
Now they were alone, hand in hand, as they made their way toward the promised marital suite. "I don't know that the joy will ever wear off," he admitted, with another glance over at her. "Are you prepared for that, Mrs Bingley?"
--
It would take some getting used to - that all would refer to her as Mrs Bingley instead of Miss Bennet now - but Jane was incredibly excited about that fact. In taking his name and joining his family, they had bound their lives and futures together in love. Being Jane Bingley was all she had wanted since she realized she was falling in love with him.
"I am very prepared for a life of endless joy, dearest husband," she agreed playfully, though there was enough seriousness to it that it felt true. Jane squeezed his hand gently as they walked, "Were the surprises worth the wait?" He had been kept far away from plans for her attire, after all, and it had become a point of gentle teasing these last weeks.
--
"Have the surprises truly concluded?" Charles asked, playfully in return- he could imagine that Jane had more things planned, and really, the day was barely halfway over. "Whether they are or not, I have found myself awed by each one. I wouldn't have wanted this day to proceed in any other way, Jane."
--
Jane laughed lightly, but a small flush did rise to her cheeks as she admitted, "Perhaps not. I haven't even had the time to truly show you the details of some of it, either." She would not point out where his name was hidden on her arms, though. That was for him to find.
"All I truly needed was for us to be married today, and that has come true. Everything else is wonderful, and I am thrilled to celebrate and have our dance later, but becoming Mrs Bingley was all I needed for this to be the happiest day of my life," she assured him, even as they turned down the last hall towards their shared suite.
--
Hiding the groom's name, and even some of the details of their courtship, was custom in bridal mehndi. Charles remembered Louisa showing hers off, the day she'd become Mrs Hurst. So he had to imagine- and hope- that his own name might be similarly scribed there on Jane's.
They turned the corner, and he paused a moment there just to turn in and kiss her. Not the first time of the day, and hopefully not the last, but… important, all the same. Charles' fingers lingering just under Jane's chin, and he smiled. "I will endeavor to give you as many more blissfully happy days as are in my power, my Jane, but if today is the pinnacle, I shall not complain."
--
She had relied on his family's advice and expertise in what elements to include in the mehndi, but Jane had been relieved that they'd encouraged her to do so. To see his face light up at the sight of it… well, it had been worth sitting still.
She smiled, and realized as he kissed her there in the hall that she wasn't the least bit worried anymore. Prior to today, if they stole a quick kiss in an otherwise not so private place, she'd always been happy, but there had been a small part of her that worried… that would rise up in anxiety over the fear of being caught or shamed or bringing ruin to her family. Now, they were married. She no longer had reason to worry, and that was just as blissful, "Perhaps the better phrase is just… the happiest day so far. I'm sure our lives will be filled with plenty of happiness. My previous happiest day was when you asked me to marry you, and now here we are, my love."
--
"So far," he echoed the phrase carefully, trailing it into one more kiss before he eased back to his place at her side, resuming their walk toward their new rooms. "I like that, Jane. I think I must love you more each day, with today the greatest so far."
Five months ago, he hadn't met Jane. And now he planned- had vowed- to spend the rest of his life with her. How miraculously the world turned.
"Not every day needs to be a pinnacle, of course. But if you at least rest your head at night with no less love for me than you woke with… I believe that will be more than enough."
--
She smiled brightly, and added, “I like the sound of that, too. Certainly our love has grown since we first acknowledged it.” The more time they spent together, and the more they learned about one another, the deeper that love grew. There were still plenty of things to discover, especially now that they were married and would be living truly beside one another.
Jane smiled over at him and remarked, “That feels easy to promise. I know there will perhaps be times when we don’t fully agree on something, but that would never make me love you less.” They were both committed to making one another happy, and that seemed to be a very good start. They had come upon the door to their new suite, then, and she smiled with a small flush in her cheeks. This would be the first time seeing what was intended - at least for now - to be their joint living space, “Ready?”
--
"I rather think our love was growing even before we acknowledged it to one another," Charles mused, almost playfully. In retrospect, he could easily see that he'd held admiration for Jane long before the words had passed his lips.
Pausing there in front of the door, Bingley reached to turn the knob and ease it open. He could see what appeared to be a sitting room, with large windows at the far wall, looking out over- if he had his directions and lay of the land correct- what must have been the hedge maze. But rather than stepping inside, he turned to Jane with… a grin tugging at his features, an eyebrow raised. "May I?"
He didn't know the tradition's source, but it still felt appropriate to follow. Once Jane had given her assent, Bingley eased her up into his arms, one hand behind her back, the other under her knees so he could carry her- rather gallantly, he thought- over the threshold.
--
She laughed a little as he suggested that their love had been growing before they had actually acknowledged it, but she had leaned a little into him as they walked, agreeing, “That certainly is true. It took time for me to acknowledge it to myself, but it was there before I truly said it. I can see that looking back.”
Jane could see the first few glimpses inside of the room before they entered, and it seemed to be beautiful and well-appointed. She looked back to Charles before she could step in, however, and his question was met with a gentle smile, “Certainly.” Although they’d danced, and he had twirled her around, he’d never picked her up in this way before. Thankfully, her dress wasn’t so cumbersome as to make it a difficult task for him to carry her - and she admitted that she was impressed with his strength as he easily lifted her.
Cheeks lightly flushed, Jane had one arm around his shoulders, and she couldn’t resist closing the very short distance to kiss him sweetly as they entered the room and were truly for the first time alone in a private space - their space.
--
This was now, for all intents and purposes, their home. Summerview had never really felt like that, since they hadn't initially set out to make their stays long-term. Yes, they would find a manor house to call their own, in due time, but this… this still felt good.
Charles leaned in to return that kiss, lingering even as he eased Jane back to a standing position. He idly nudged the door closed behind them, and trailed a touch over Jane's shoulders and upper back as he passed her, taking a few steps toward the windows, curious about the view and the layout both. "Ah, just as I thought- we can see the maze from here, my love."
--
If they had not wished to remain here for the sake of their siblings, Jane would have been happy to leave behind the strangeness and the gossip. Still, Summerview Park wasn't all bad. It would forever be the place she'd fallen in love with Charles. They would find their own home - a place to truly spend their lives together - but until then Summerview was their present residence.
She glanced around the room as Charles stepped around her to see the view. It was colorful and vibrant, the seating area plush and patterned. That was precisely what she'd hoped for, and she stepped over towards the windows when he said they could see the maze, "I suppose our hostess is one of the few that knows it's special to us. I couldn't have asked for a better view."
The maze and part of the gardens were visible from their window, and when the flowers were in full bloom it was beautiful. It was strange that there had been snow yesterday, but today had reverted to a perfect summer day, "I'm very pleased with the furnishings as well." Jane sat on a couch, and it was both beautiful and comfortable enough to feel she could relax.
--
There were three doors that led off this central room (other than the one back to the corridor). "I believe I heard Lord Stirling say that the rooms for him and his new wife had included both of their former bedrooms, as well as a private bathroom for their use." If they were going to share a bed, well, they hadn't really discussed that at all just yet.
Following Jane to the sofa, Charles knelt in front of her, this time to take up one of her hands. "May I?" the question even as he turned her palm up and started to run his fingers over the mehndi design, seeking patterns and… clues.
--
Jane had not actually spoken to the other married couple in attendance aside from giving her congratulations. Not out of any mean spirit, of course, she simply did not know them well, "Both former bedrooms? I had somewhat assumed it would just be one."
She had thought their shared quarters may have a single bedroom more akin to his previous accommodations, since it was bound to be nicer, or perhaps new altogether to celebrate both of their interests. Jane's cheeks flushed a little, but most couples she knew did share rooms, whether out of convenience or love or necessity in limited space. She supposed she'd known that couples with more money and large estates didn't need to share the same space unless it was desired, and that topic had felt too intimate to speak of previously.
As he knelt in front of her, she happily displayed her hands for his inspection, knowing what he was looking for. Perhaps most importantly, his name was hidden in that design, but there were also important moments in their relationship so far, depicted in the stain the henna had left behind. He would find maze-like patterns, music notes, a pair of shoes not unlike the pair she had thrown into the sea… an oyster shell like the one he had found her pearl inside of. Little moments that had defined their relationship in some way available there for viewing.
--
Charles had busied himself in studying the designs over Jane's hands, seeking out patterns and secrets in those dark lines. This, at least, allowed him to divert his gaze as he replied, "Both, I presume, in case you did not wish to share such a space with me."
He found the music notes, and then the maze, which he playfully traced over with one finger as if finding his way through to the center and then leaned down to kiss that spot just above her wrist.
--
Although he was looking at her hands as he spoke, Jane did try to gauge how he seemed to feel on the subject. He had turned the phrase to remark that it was likely in case she wanted her own space, not the other way around. Though it might feel forbidden still, she reminded herself that they were allowed such conversations now, "I want to share that space… as long as you do as well."
She smiled as he picked out a few of those beginning details, a shiver traversing her spine at that simple kiss to her wrist, "During the first visit, I asked your mother if it would be possible for me to partake in this tradition, and she seemed so excited that I was interested. She started planning the design almost immediately. It's so beautiful, and requires so much talent. I am very grateful that I was allowed the honor of carrying on such tradition."
--
"I do, Jane." It was an easy admission, flush to his cheeks notwithstanding. Charles laughed a bit, gently, as he spotted the shoes drawn into the mehndi pattern- he could still remember Jane's delighted laughter as the sea stole away with her footwear. "No matter what we… choose to share, as husband and wife, or when it may be shared… I am eager for every moment. My nerves over such… newness notwithstanding."
He spotted it, finally, and paused there to read over the name in the delicate mehndi script. Charles Abhijan. "She did it for Louisa, and one day will for Caroline as well. How very fitting that she was able to for her new daughter, as well." A pause, a smile, "I found it."
--
She smiled a little, cheeks still pink as he continued to find patterns on her hands and their conversation, while an important one, was broached with some amount of caution, "I think it's natural to have some nerves. All the things we've been forbidden to… to think of, or speak of, or desire… they're suddenly allowed and… even encouraged. I am a little nervous, too, but also excited. We'll get to explore that newness together."
Jane grinned as his eyes seemed to linger on one particular spot across her wrist, over where her pulse could be felt, "I knew that you would." She let one of her fingers trace just across it, "That was my favorite part."
--
Charles' father had imported some more… generic advice for such a time as marriage would occur, but that had been years ago now. That, perhaps, was less important than whatever he and Jane decided now, together. "Just tell me if ever I cross a line, my love. With those barriers so cleanly cut away, I do not wish to… alarm or offend you with any eagerness on my part."
He was a little surprised to see that his middle name had been included. "Abhijan is my middle name. Pride of a family. The expectations for an only son began early."
--
Jane had endured some advice from her mother, though she already knew some information from maids, not quite as sheltered as women of higher place in society. Though she had just married into far more money than she had ever dreamed, so she supposed her place had somewhat risen that day. Not that Jane cared about the money or status, "I promise I will communicate with you, Charles. I am eager as well, so I do not foresee offense being a concern."
"Your mother suggested including it, and I remember you telling me your middle name was more traditional." She put her hand gently over his and squeezed, "You have more than lived up to those expectations, my love. You are a wonderful son, adoring brother… and now you get to be my loving and devoted husband. Those titles and roles are just a part of who you are, but I am proud to be your wife."
--
He turned his hand over, giving Jane's fingers a gentle squeeze in return. "I could devote myself to no one else with quite the… ardent heart as I do to you, Jane. My Jane, my wife." Still clutching her hand, Charles eased up from his knees and pressed his lips to hers in a slow, lingering kiss.
--
She knew that the love they shared and felt for one another was not fleeting or fickle. It would stand the test of time. Jane would remain loyal and dedicated to him for all her days, and she knew that she would receive the very same in return. Although she might not have, at first, asked much out of a match, Charles had far exceeded her expectations and then some. It would still take some getting used to - those new titles they held - but they made her heart race with excitement now. She leaned into that kiss, her fingers coming up to gently linger against his cheek. They still had more celebrating to attend to this evening, but she was happy and relieved to get to share these private moments with just him for now.