"Expectations" (Book 2), by Gratiana Lovelace (2018-2019), (Completed)

Ch. 36 End: Solemn Vows

"Expectations" (Book 2)--Ch. 36 End: Solemn Vows, 

December 30, 2019 by Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1272, and on Wattpad)

[an original Regency romance copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace, 2018 - 2019; all rights reserved); [(1) story cover art, left]

[As is my custom, from time to time I will illustrate my story with my ideal cast consisting of (in order of appearance/mention): Richard Armitage as Lord Christian Blount Earl of Sussex, Kate Winslet as Lady Madeline Sinclair Blount Countess of Sussex, Dame Maggie Smith as Lady Lucretia Beckham Knott, Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Elizabeth Blount, Crispin Bonham-Carter as Lord Harold Blount, Dame Judi Dench as Lady Catherine Blount the Dowager Countess of Sussex, Corin Redgrave as Lady Madeline's father the Squire Sutton Sinclair, Amanda Root as Mrs. Russell her aunt, Rupert Penry Jones as Lord Duncan the Viscount Lindsay and the second son of the Duke of York, David Oakes as Lord Alfred the Marquess of Malten and the first born son and heir to the Duke of York, Emma Thompson as Lady Gwendolyn "Gwennie" Lindsay of York their sister; and Margaret Clunie as Lady Constance Knightsbridge daughter to the Duke and Duchess of Lancashire and betrothed of the late Lord Alfred; Hugh Grant as her brother Lord Robert Knightsbridge the Marquess of Wyre and the heir to the Duke of Lancashire, and others as noted.]

Author's story content and serializing scheduling notes: For the most part, my ratings for the chapters will be PG-13—for romantic interludes and dramatic moments. If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with these ratings, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Ch. 36 End: Solemn Vows

With a wedding and two vow renewals occurring over the Summer of 1816, the Sussex, York, and Lancashire families—not to mention the Winston and Knott extended Grandmama and Aunt, respectively—everyone is well versed in wedding rituals, as well as the happy loving new families. All that remains is to have Lady Gwendolyn Lindsay of York and Lord Robert Knightsbridge the Marquess of Wyre of Lancashire wed and then a large London Reception for all of the bridal couples.

If only it were that simple. Lord Robert and Lady Gwendolyn both wish for an intimate family wedding gathering with only their closest friends and family attending—with a smallish wedding breakfast. Then they would consent to be part of the massive London Reception to be held in the honor of all of the recent bridal couples. And Lord Robert and Lady Gwendolyn threatening to bolt to Gretna Green for their wedding if their wishes were not acceded to, was the final persuasive argument that won the day with their parents for a smaller wedding.

So in early August of 1816, a caravan of carriages the Sussex, York, and Lancashire families and their personal attendants, as well as, wagon carts filled with trunks of clothing, and personal items travel North from Sussex to the York family seat for the lovely intimate wedding of Lord Robert and Lady Gwendolyn. Journeying with three pregnant ladies—because by then Lady Constance also thinks that she might be breeding—and three elderly grandmothers and aunts, is a bit daunting. So the families elect to make the trek over a sennight of easy stages—with longer hours of travel on the first three days staying overnight at excellent hostelries and a brief overnight sojourn in London at their townhouses, before the elderly ladies and the pregnant ladies begin complaining more strenuously about the uneven road conditions due to recent rains causing for bumpy rides, necessitating more breaks in traveling.

But in the end, they all arrive in York—with the York and Lancashire ducal parents swiftly attending to the York Cathedral wedding and York Castle wedding breakfast details over the following week. This following week also allows the elderly ladies to nap near continuously whilst the other ladies flutter around Lady Gwendolyn and creating a bridal gown for her. The men do what men do—shoot birds and game, shoot pool, and play cards.