Jonathan walked over to the fire and stood before it, “That is true,” he admitted. “And I can tell you there are those in the family who are very grieved by this.”
“As they should be; it is a grievous action that a man should abandon his wife at such a delicate time. I am sorry to say it does not bode well for the marriage,” he responded. “If Mr. Wickham can so easily abandon his wife and child at this time, who will she turn to when her father passes? She will most likely need the support of her sisters, and that, my dear boy, could become an issue for you.”
Jonathan furrowed his brow, “Tell me, Uncle, how could my wife’s sister needing help cause me troubles?” he asked. “Other than the financial burdens that might come from any assistance I should offer, what possible effect could this have on me?”
“You should not disregard so easily the very real financial burdens having to care for Mrs. Wickham, and her child may one day be for you,” he warned him.
Jonathan sighed heavily, “Uncle Winthrop, do you believe the things you teach to those in your care?” he asked him directly.
His uncle furrowed his brow, “What kind of thing is that to ask of me!” he demanded to know, feeling somewhat offended. “You know very well that I do!”
Jonathan walked over and sat across from him. “Uncle Winthrop, I meant no offense,” he told him. “But I must speak freely to you now. If we believe the things we profess, then should I worry about the possible burden I might someday be forced to reckon with where Miss Bennet’s sister is concerned? Would God not provide for us if such a time should come to be, as it so clearly tells us in the Holy Scriptures?”
Bishop Winthrop sighed heavily. He considered all that his nephew said, “I will concede that you are right. If the need to help Mrs. Wickham should arise, then provision for you to help care for her would be supplied by the Almighty. However, there are other issues at stake here that you must be aware of,” he said. “There are those even within the church who will not look kindly on your marriage to Miss Bennet. They will consider her tainted by her sister’s actions, and could actively work against you as you seek to further your role in the Church.”
Jonathan leaned back in his chair, “I hope you are not one of those people, Uncle Winthrop?” he remarked. “Because if you are, then you are not the man I always believed you to be,” he said sadly.
Bishop Winthrop narrowed his eyes, “How can you even think such a thing!” he demanded. “You misunderstand me, Jonathan! Truly, I did not come here on the very day of your wedding to dissuade you from marrying Miss Bennet,” he corrected him.
“Are you very certain that is not your purpose in this discussion we are now having?” Jonathan asked.
“Certainly not!” his uncle assured him. “I am merely attempting to convey to you what you will be up against if you do choose to go ahead and marry Miss Bennet. Jonathan, you know it has always been my fondest wish that you might one day follow in my footsteps and succeed me as the Bishop of London.”
Jonathan tried to remain patient, “Can I safely assume by what you have said you believe my marrying Miss Bennet will somehow diminish my chances of that ever happening?”
Bishop Winthrop nodded his head, “I am very sorry to say there are those who have long memories, and who would never support you as the Bishop of London if you proceed with this marriage,” he admitted.
Jonathan considered what he said. “Tell me, Uncle, these people you speak of, what is their heart in attempting to keep me from marrying Miss Bennet? They think themselves better than everyone else; they consider themselves superior to Miss Bennet and her family? I wonder how they would feel if the curtain was drawn back and the light was shined on their own sins?” he commented. “If I were to break my engagement and not marry today, these same people would be delighted with me for doing so. They would congratulate me on such a prudent decision and consider me fortunate to be free from such a disgraceful family as the Bennets,” he said as he got up and walked over to the window to look out.
“I believe you are probably right in what you have said,” his uncle admitted. “Jonathan, you must understand; there are men who hold position and rank, even within the church, who are themselves the worst of hypocrites. They are only concerned with appearances and holding on to what they have.”
Jonathan turned back around and looked intently at his uncle, “If I were to do such an abominable thing to someone like Mary, how could I ever look at my reflection in the mirror again and not count myself among the hypocrites?” he asked him.
Bishop Winthrop stood up and walked over to his nephew. “Jonathan, when I came to see you this morning, I did so with a heavy heart because I know that your dream of being in service to the Lord has been a long-held one,” he told him. “I also know you truly love Miss Bennet, and that your desire to share your life with her in service to God is genuine. My regret is that we live in a world where those who look down on others can hold so much power and wield it without regard or thought to those they hurt most. I meant what I said to you before; Miss Bennet is the best young woman that there ever could be for you. She will make you happy, of that I am sure. However, that happiness will come at a cost to you. It is you who must decide how best to proceed now that you know what you will be facing,” he told him before turning and walking to the door.
“Uncle Winthrop,” Jonathan called out to him. “I do not need time to consider the matter. I know in my heart and can say with a clear conscience the notion that Miss Bennet is in any way tainted by the actions of her younger sister is preposterous, and I will give them no credence. I have betrothed myself to Miss Bennet and given my pledge to her family that I will marry her. I will not go back on that promise. I hope you would not wish me to do so,” he told him. “I love Mary. I am bound by that love, as well as duty and honor to marry her. I will not falter in this.”
His uncle nodded his head, “I was sure that is how you would feel,” he told him, sounding just a little melancholy. “I will not lie to you, Jonathan. I am concerned about your future and how things will come to be. Nonetheless, you have my blessing in your decision. I will support you and do what I am able to.”
Jonathan smiled, “Thank you, Uncle Winthrop,” he told him. “I would prefer it if Mary never knew of this discussion. It would only serve to bring her great unease and further shame, which she has done nothing to deserve.”
“Very well,” his uncle agreed. “I will say nothing to her.”
Once they arrived at the church, Mr. Bennet stood waiting near the back with Mary for the ceremony to begin. He looked over at her and smiled, “You look very lovely, my dear girl,” he told her.
“Do you really mean that Papa?” she asked him.
Mr. Bennet nodded his head, “Yes I do, child,” he assured her. “There was a time I did not hold out a great deal of hope for you, Mary,” he began to say. “I thought you just as silly as your sisters. But now, I see how very wrong I was. You have quite astonished me, Mary. I am very proud of you. There has been a remarkable change in you that I find very agreeable.”
Mary sniffled in as her eyes filled with tears, “Thank you for telling me so, Papa,” she whispered softly.
“There, there,” he said as he took her hand in his and wrapped it around his arm. “There is no need for tears today. You have chosen a very good man in my estimation. One who seems very sensible; I like him very much, and I believe the two of you will be a very good match.”
Mary nodded her head, “I believe we shall, Papa,” she told him.
Mr. Bennet held out his arm to her and said softly, “Well my dear Mary, I believe it is time.”
Mary took in a small breath to steady her nerves and placed her hand on her father’s arm. “I am ready, Papa,” she said as they began walking together down the church aisle. She looked down to the front of the church and saw Jonathan standing there waiting for her. Mary began trembling just a little, as she suddenly felt overwhelmed with doubts that Jonathan would truly marry
her. She looked around the church and saw that everyone was looking at her. She took in a small breath and did her best not to falter.
Mr. Bennet reached over and gently patted her hand. “Do not be uneasy, Mary; all is well,” he whispered to her. “I am right here with you.”
Mary looked over at him briefly as her eyes shimmered with tears. That was the first time she could ever remember that her father offered her comfort instead of ridicule for showing her emotions. “Thank you, Papa,” she said softly. She quickly blinked away her tears and took in a small breath as they reached the end of the aisle.
Jonathan stepped over to her as the Bishop Winthrop asked, “Who gives this woman to be married?”
Mr. Bennet spoke so that all could hear, “I will,” he said as he placed Mary’s hand onto Jonathan’s arm and stepped back to stand next to Mrs. Bennet.
Mary stood next to Jonathan at the altar near the front of the church, listening carefully as Bishop Winthrop began the wedding ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here before God on this occasion to join together this man and this woman in the state of holy matrimony. A covenant instituted by God to signify the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church. The marriage bond was established by God and the Holy Scripture commends that it is to be honored among all people, and not to be taken lightly,” Bishop Winthrop said for all to hear.
Mary looked to Jonathan as tears filled her eyes. She could hardly believe the day had finally come and she was now standing before God with the man she loved, committing to spend the rest of her life with him for all in attendance to bear witness to. It was all like a dream she doubted would come true, and yet, it was. She carefully and solemnly listened as Bishop Winthrop spoke to the seriousness of marriage. How a husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. How the two shall come together for the purpose of loving and supporting one another with the intent to bring forth children and raise them in the teachings of the Lord. She felt her heart beat faster as she considered each word and their importance; not only to her, but to Jonathan as well. When Mary was asked if she would take Jonathan to be her husband, she said “I will” with a pure heart and clear conscience, knowing full well her love for him was true and enduring. She had waited for this day to come; the day they would join together and seek to live their lives as one before God in service to their Lord and Savior. She waited, holding her breath as the Bishop asked Jonathan. For a brief moment, fear and doubt crept in, and she felt her heart begin beating faster. A single thought took hold of her; the thought that Jonathan would reject her. She felt her eyes fill with tears as she looked over at Jonathan and waited anxiously for his response.
“Do you, Jonathan Samuel Godwin, confess now before all who are here to take Mary Louise Bennet as your wife? Do you solemnly and with great reflection promise now before God and family to love her, to support her, and to keep her all the days of your life, in times of joy as well as times of sorrow? Clinging only to her in times of prosperity as well as adversity, for as long as you both shall live?” his uncle asked him.
Jonathan looked at his uncle and then over to Mary. He smiled at her and nodded his head, “I will take thee,” he said as he placed the ring on her finger. “With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
It felt like Mary’s heart finally began beating again as all the anxiousness just faded away. She felt assured that this journey she was about to begin with the man she loved, and who loved her would be filled with many trials and at times tribulations. And yet, above all else, there would be peace in the Lord, comfort in being together, love for one another, and knowledge that she and Jonathan were equally matched in both spirit, heart, and mind. Their mutual desire to care for and love their fellow man as demonstrated by Christ Himself had brought them together and would sustain them going forward.
Tears filled Mary’s eyes as Bishop Winthrop had them sign the registry and then pronounced them before all assembled there to be husband and wife. After all was completed and should take place, Jonathan took Mary’s hand in his and led her down the aisle toward the waiting carriage that would carry them back to Pembroke to celebrate their marriage with all their family and friends. As friends and family cheered for them, Jonathan helped Mary into the carriage and then climbed in beside her. As he gazed into her lovely face, her cheeks flush from the chilly morning air; he counted himself among the most contented of men. He gently cupped the side of her cheek with his hand and leaned over to kiss her. This time, the kiss they shared was considerably less awkward and filled with the love and desire they both felt for each other.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was not long before Pembroke house was filled with those wishing to greet the newly married couple and wish them joy. A generous wedding breakfast was served with ham, eggs, fish, buttered toast, various breads, hot rolls, coffee, tea, chocolate and of course, the wedding cake. Mary found herself struggling with all the attention, but did her best to manage through with Jonathan by her side. After greeting a dozen or more guests, some of who she scarcely knew, she was relieved when her father-in-law requested that she come and sit with Mrs. Godwin and rest for a bit. “Mary, my dear girl, you look a little anxious; perhaps having some tea with Mother will help you feel a little better,” he said as he took her by the arm and helped guide her into the parlor.
Mary nodded her head, “I think that a very good idea,” she said softly.
“I did not have a chance to tell you how very pretty you look today, my dear,” he commented. “I will readily admit, seeing you and Jonathan exchange your vows brought back so many fond memories for me. I found myself thinking how long it has been since I have taken Mrs. Godwin away on a trip. I think if her doctors say that it is all right, I will take her to the seaside in the spring. I think she will very much enjoy seeing the seaside again.”
Mary smiled, it was plain for all to see how much the Admiral adored his wife. “Oh, I think that a very thoughtful idea,” she told him. “I have heard Mrs. Godwin say on several occasions that she very much enjoys the sea.”
“I believe that is my doing, Mary. As an old sea dog, I have often told her stories of my many adventures while I was away,” he told her.
“Has Mrs. Godwin ever sailed with you?” she asked him as they came into the parlor.
“No, my dear, I am afraid that my regaling tales have never been so enticing as to get her onboard one of my ships,” he laughed. “No, her fascination with the sea ends at the shoreline, I am sorry to say.”
Mary took in a small breath, “I do not know if I could sail either,“ she admitted. “Although, I do love the seaside, and am very happy to be going with Jonathan.”
“Lyme is very beautiful, and you will have the added advantage of going so late in the year when some of the most beautiful storms come rolling in,” he said as he guided her to the sofa.
Mary furrowed her brow just a bit, “Do you enjoy storms, then?” she asked him, somewhat surprised by his comment.
He nodded his head, “Oh yes, my dear, very much so,” he told her. “You will learn soon enough that I am very interested in the world around me, and can go on talking about it at great length,” he teased her as he released her arm and said to Mrs. Godwin. “My dear wife, I have brought Mary to come and sit with you for a little bit. There are far too many guests here, and she needed a moment to catch her breath, I think.”
Mrs. Godwin smiled, “Thank you, Admiral,” she replied with a sparkle in her eye. “Now, go and rescue your son next; take him and have a nice cup of coffee so that he is not overcome either.”
The Admiral nodded his head, “I will go at once,” he told her before departing.
Mrs. Godwin looked over at Mary, “I hope you do not mind, that I had the Admiral bring you over to sit with me. I remember well how tiring it could be as each guest would come to greet me when the
Admiral and I married,” she told her as a small coughing fit came on.
Mary's brow furrowed with concern, “Are you well? Can I get you anything to help?” she asked her.
Mrs. Godwin held her handkerchief up to her nose and mouth for a moment as the worst of the coughing fit passed. “Oh no, my dear girl; as I said, it sounds so much worse than it is. I am improving; even the doctor has said how astonished he is with my recovery,” she assured her. “In fact, I am doing so much better that the Admiral is thinking of taking me to the seaside in the spring,” she leaned over and whispered softly. “It is to be a delayed wedding trip of sorts,” she told her. “When the Admiral and I first married, he had to leave the very next day, and we had so little time together. He was away for several weeks, it was a very difficult time for me,” she sighed a little. “However, when he returned, he made up for it by taking me to visit a very lovely village that was not far from where we lived. We stayed at the most charming little inn, and I shall always cherish those memories most dearly. Since that time, every few years he likes to whisk me away on an adventure. He says it keeps him young, but I think he does it more for me. He knows how I love to travel and explore the countryside. Although, I think the Admiral is a bit of a romantic at heart as well.”
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