21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
December 1811 Longbourn, Hertfordshire Elizabeth
C hristmas was by far Elizabeth’s favorite time of year. There was something about the good cheer that permeated the lives of those in and around Longbourn that made the holiday season desirable. Mrs. Bennet, who so often criticized and insulted her two stepdaughters, left off, preferring instead to focus on the many social events that occurred whilst speculating on what gifts she would receive.
Some families did not exchange gifts during the season, but Mrs. Bennet’s love of worldly possessions ensured that those that dwelt at Longbourn did. For Elizabeth and Mary, that meant carefully selecting gifts that would suit the recipient, and effort to make the present meaningful. They did so even with their stepmother, though they knew she would openly express her disdain or distaste for their offerings.
Charlotte often asked Elizabeth why she bothered. “If I do not give her a present, then her manner will be even worse than it already is,” she replied. “I would rather have her decry my efforts than be furious that I made none.” In truth, though Mrs. Bennet responded negatively to anything from Mary or Elizabeth, she still used the items with regularity. The hypocrisy amused them.
Elizabeth looked forward to this Christmas more so than usual, for her aunt and uncle and cousins were to be their guests. Mrs. Bennet never denigrated her stepchildren in front of their exalted relations. Indeed, their presence often rendered her bitterly silent.
And so, with a week until Christmas, Mary and Elizabeth eagerly awaited their relations’ arrival. At long last, the carriage stopped in Longbourn’s drive. Elizabeth and Mary threw cloaks on and stood outside the manor house door, rubbing their arms against the cold and bouncing excitedly on their toes.
“My dear cousins!” Viscount Mavery cried delightedly.
“James!” Mary and Elizabeth fell into his embrace. He kissed the tops of their heads and pulled back, grinning from ear to ear.
“What a pleasant time we shall have!” he said cheerfully. “We have two weeks here before we go to London, and then the entire season is ours to enjoy.”
“Yes, we are all anticipation, I assure you,” Elizabeth replied. Turning, she reached for Susan, who had followed her brother. “Dear Susan, how good it is to see you!”
Lady Susan smiled broadly. Before she could reply, Lady Elmwood spoke.
“Can we not go inside?” she asked. “It is freezing.”
“Yes, Maria, we all know how much you like the cold. Perhaps you ought to have married that foppish Lord Channing so that you could winter in warmer climes.” Uncle Mavery smiled mischievously.
“You know I cannot stand the man. No, I would rather winter in the frigid north than be his bride.” She swatted her husband playfully as they went inside.
This, Elizabeth knew, was an old jest between them, and she laughed along with her relations. James escorted Mary and Susan, leaving her to trail after them.
“Where is your father?” Uncle asked.
“In his study—where else?” Mary shook her head in mock disappointment and then rolled her eyes. Their cousin James chuckled and patted her arm where it looped through his own.
Elizabeth watched the interaction with great interest. Mary, she had deduced, felt herself to be in love with their cousin. She blushed every time his name came into conversation, and she often spoke of favoring blond men with green eyes.
Elizabeth wondered if the attraction was only one-sided, or if James, too, admired Mary as more than just a cousin. If he did, then Mary would be a bride before Elizabeth. She could not see her cousin being comfortable allowing other men to court the lady he fancied for long.
Mr. Bennet emerged from his study just as the group moved to the drawing room. He greeted everyone happily, and they ambled into the room, eager for tea and biscuits.
Mrs. Bennet was nowhere in sight. It was hardly surprising, for Mr. Bennet had delayed telling her of their additional guests until a week prior. The lady had flown into a rage, crying that he had misused and abused her, and that she was far too busy planning Lydia’s wedding to attend to guests.
Yes, dear Lydia was engaged to Mr. Collins. That had been a triumph for Mrs. Bennet. She crowed loudly about how desirable her daughters were in comparison to others. And while she did not name names, Mary and Elizabeth knew she referred to them. The wedding would be held after Christmas but before Twelfth Night. Mr. Collins had returned to Kent and his parsonage until then, eagerly planning to make everything ready for his ‘dear, sweet bride.’
Uncharacteristically, Lydia had insisted that the marriage take place before Elizabeth and Mary departed for London. Mrs. Bennet wished to delay, declaring that a spring wedding would be just the thing. She further said that it was not necessary for ‘those two’ to be in attendance. Lydia must have felt grateful for Elizabeth’s aid in securing her proposal, for she stubbornly insisted that all her sisters be in attendance. Finally, Mrs. Bennet capitulated, and the date was set for December twenty-seventh.
Lydia and Kitty were in the drawing room. They had a book of fashion plates open between them, along with a piece of paper and a pencil.
“This one would look lovely on you, Lydia,” Kitty said. Her cheer sounded forced, and Elizabeth was reminded that Kitty, too, had wished for Mr. Collins to propose.
At least she is making an effort to be happy on Lydia’s behalf. Elizabeth came nearer to see what design they discussed.
“Yes, perhaps, but it needs to be in a different color,” Lydia said. "I look dreadful in green.”
They looked up as Elizabeth neared, suddenly realizing they were no longer alone.
“Good day, Miss Kitty, Miss Lydia,” Uncle Mavery greeted them. “How are you?”
“I am to be married!” Lydia squealed. “The first of all my sisters, and yet I am the youngest!”
“Oh?” Aunt Maria turned to Mr. Bennet for an explanation. “Thomas?” They seated themselves to continue the conversation.
“My cousin and heir, Mr. William Collins, has lately asked my youngest to be his bride. Lydia has accepted and they will marry after Christmas.”
Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle exchanged a glance, but both offered Lydia their best wishes. Lydia thanked them and proceeded to detail everything that her betrothed had told her about Hunsford.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh, do you say?” Aunt Maria cut in when Lydia drew a breath.
“Are you familiar with the lady?” Lydia asked curiously. “I suppose you must be, being a countess. I understand Lady Catherine is the daughter of an earl.”
“She is. And yes, we do know her. I have not seen her in town in some time, for she prefers to remain at her estate. She has a daughter named Anne. She is…oh, about Lizzy’s age now.” Lady Maria smiled kindly at Lydia, though her expression looked a little tight around her eyes.
“I believe there was a greater connection at one time,” Lord Elmwood said shrewdly, looking at Mr. Bennet. Papa would not meet his gaze, and Elizabeth wondered what her relations concealed.
James and Mary had separated themselves from the group and looked rather cozy on the settee nearest the fire. Their backs were partially to the gathering, but Elizabeth could see their heads bent close together. Mary’s cheeks were pink, and her eyes glistened with emotion.
“I believe James is smitten,” Susan whispered into Elizabeth’s ear. “I have longed to speak to you of it, but had no wish to put my suspicions in a letter.”
Elizabeth turned to her cousin. “I, too, have deduced that Mary holds a tendre for your brother, but I have not pressed for her to confide. He feels the same way, then?”
“Yes. I overheard him tell Papa that Mary had no need for a season, for he would propose and marry her. But Papa told James that Mary deserved a season, and he could not propose until she had been given the opportunity to meet other eligible gentlemen.”
Elizabeth chuckled softly. “I am certain that he did not like that very much.”
Susan shook her head, curls bobbing. “No, the argument continued for some time until Papa ordered James from the study. I believe this visit before we depart for town was partially to pacify my brother.”
“He seems very pleased with his conversation partner,” Elizabeth observed.
A noise from the hall indicated someone else’s arrival, and the group turned to the door in anticipation of greeting the newcomer. Jane swept in, entirely overdressed for the afternoon. Her blue silk evening gown showed her figure to the best advantage, and her hair had been swept up to accentuate her elegant neck and high cheekbones.
“Welcome!” she said enthusiastically. “Lord and Lady Elmwood, it has been too long.” She approached and curtsied low—lower than required, even amongst new acquaintances of rank. “How was your journey? Pleasant, I hope?”
Aunt Maria exchanged a bemused glance with Uncle before answering. “We are well, Miss Younge. It has been quite some time since we were last in company.”
“Jane has gone by Miss Bennet since her childhood, Lady Elmwood.” Mrs. Bennet entered the room, head held high and a haughty expression on her countenance.
“Be that as it may, my niece has the rightful claim to the name Miss Bennet, ” Uncle replied with steel in his voice. “I shall address your daughter by her proper name.”
Thankfully, Mrs. Bennet did not reply. She swept to another chair and sat. “Who called for tea?” she asked frostily.
“I ordered it when our guests arrived, madam,” Papa said in warning. In truth, Elizabeth had ordered tea, but she recognized his attempt to protect her. She only hoped her younger sisters did not reveal the truth.
“Oh. That is fine, then.” Mrs. Bennet began pouring from the pot. She asked after her guests’ preferences, just as a hostess ought, and soon everyone had tea and biscuits. The conversation continued, and Elizabeth relaxed just a bit.
Jane took her tea to the chair nearest the settee where Mary and James sat. Elizabeth watched with narrowed eyes as she attempted to turn the viscount’s attention to her instead of Mary. James’s posture grew stiffer and stiffer until he finally asked Mary if she would show him to his room. Jane jumped up, volunteering to do the honors.
“No, thank you, Miss Younge,” he said testily. “My cousin is more than capable of assisting me.” Without another word, he returned his tea things to the tray and held out his arm to Mary. She took it, and they left the room.
“What is the matter with your stepsister?” Susan asked softly. “She is practically throwing herself at my brother. I thought you said she was a demure, soft-spoken lady.”
“She is—was. I do not understand what happened to her. Everything changed over the summer, and not for the better. She has not confided in me, and so it all remains a mystery.”
Elizabeth watched as Jane left the room, and then she turned to her cousin. “We had a new neighbor for a time, and he all but officially courted Jane. After throwing a ball for the neighborhood near the end of November, he went to town and has not returned. We all expected him back after a sen’night. If Jane knows anything about the situation, she has not shared it with me. Though I suspect that the incident at the conclusion of the night might have driven him away.” She hurriedly explained it all, worried that Jane would come in, or her stepmother would overhear.
“Perhaps he saw something mercenary in her behavior,” Susan mused. “If she is so altered, as you say, then it is better for him to have escaped now than to marry her and discover he had been deceived.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I agree wholeheartedly. Her spirits seem depressed, yet she seems ready to forget him.”
“By throwing herself at James!” Susan said vehemently. “Well, she is in for disappointment, for my brother’s heart is already engaged elsewhere.”
“Yes, and we must take comfort in that. You and I both know that even if she forces a compromise, my uncle will not force his son to marry her. All she would succeed in doing is ruining her reputation.” Elizabeth frowned. In the past, Elizabeth would have insisted Jane would never behave in that way, but now…
“What of your reputation?” Susan asked.
“Jane is not a Bennet. Her conduct will not affect me, especially if my uncle hastens us all away from Longbourn should she attempt anything.” Elizabeth shrugged. “If it happens here, we could attempt to keep it quiet, though I find it more likely that she would attempt a public spectacle.” It pained her to think so poorly of Jane, but she could not help it—protecting her cousin was paramount.
Susan crossed her arms and glared at the spot where Jane had been seated. “Then, we must ensure that my brother is not alone whilst we are here.”
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. Sounds from the front door drew her attention, and in a few minutes, four little children walked calmly into the drawing room, their parents following closely behind.
“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, sir, and their children,” Mrs. Hill announced.
“Gardiner!” Uncle Mavery said, smiling. “It has been some time. How are your investments?”
“Let the man have some tea and settle his children first, Mavery,” Papa said humorously.
Chuckling, Mr. Gardiner agreed. As they bustled the children off to the nursery for their tea and biscuits, Elizabeth considered her relationship with Jane’s aunt and uncle.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner treated Mary and Elizabeth as their nieces. Both strongly disapproved of Mrs. Bennet’s conduct in connection with her stepdaughters, but neither was in a position to be of much aid. When they came to visit, they always brought gifts for each of the five young ladies of Longbourn, regardless of whether or not they were related by blood.
Uncle Mavery met Mr. Gardiner when Elizabeth was eleven years old. The Gardiners had arrived to escort Jane to London for the summer. Mr. Gardiner impressed Uncle with his intelligence and genteel behavior, and they became friends. Though they did not often meet in person, they did correspond, and Lord Elmwood had even invested in Gardiner’s Imports and Exports with great success.
That her uncle, an earl, was willing to befriend and acknowledge a man in trade spoke of his liberality and humility. Elizabeth hoped her own husband would be as just someday, so that she might maintain her connection with the couple who treated her as their blood niece.