Chapter Nine
“Ah! A letter from Lizzy!” Beth waved the epistle around in the air.
“Do you intend to read it or fan yourself?” John smirked as he read the newspaper.
“Oh, hush you! I shall read it and not tell you a thing about it.”
Dearest Beth,
We are all so happy at Longbourn to hear you have arrived safely on our shores, and that you are only a few miles away! When will you come to visit? Are you waiting for an invitation? Consider this your formal invitation to visit your long, lost family. We will all be bereft until you arrive.
It is such a coincidence that you have met Uncle Edward and Aunt Maddie already.
Jane was upset she missed meeting you first, but now she will just have to wait with the rest of us.
Aunt Maddie wrote me already and said you may have underplayed just how big Mr. Smith is.
I am not sure we will have a bed big enough for him!
Papa said he can sleep in Mama’s old room, so he can keep an eye on him, or maybe he can scare us girls away from his end of the hallway.
I have told you of my father’s humor, so I am sure you are laughing.
Your rooms are being prepared as I am writing this. Please come soonest. Just send a note ahead so Jane can have the fatted calf prepared.
Your most beloved cousin,
Lizzy
Beth was looking forward to meeting all her cousins, but she was most excited to meet Lizzy. She imbued her letters with so much life and humor.
“So…what did your cousin have to say, my dear. Are we invited to visit soon?”
“We are! Although Lizzy is not sure they have a bed big enough for John. Uncle intends to put him to work scaring off my cousins from his end of the hallway. Do you think you could do that John? Should you not practice your intimidating growl and scowl?”
“It never worked on you.” John said with a pout. “So, will I be staying above the stables? I never ordered that livery your brother said I should buy, in case I needed to play servant.”
“No, no. You’ll stay in the mistress suite next to Mr. Bennet. I see no reason for you to play servant. The Bennets know you’re like a brother to me, and the Darcys have accepted you as more than a servant. We are traveling as family, so let’s leave things as they are.”
“Good to know. I’ll be more accepted as a businessman than a servant, and the servants in London, so far, treat me as only a little above them. Likely it will be the same in Hertfordshire.”
“So, when would you like to leave, Kitten?” Mamie poured herself another cup of tea.
“Some of our clothing should be ready by the end of the week. Anything else can be sent to Longbourn, or we can travel back. It is only, what…a four-hour carriage ride?”
“That’s what Mr. Gardiner said.”
“Do you think we should purchase our own carriage and horses, or continue to hire them?”
“I spoke of that to Mr. Gardiner also. He said he could likely find us a rig and ponies at a very good price. I can go and speak to him today. Will you ladies be out shopping again, or visiting with the Darcy’s or Mrs. Gardiner?”
“Let us go visit Mrs. Gardiner and then Cousin Gigi. We shall decide our travel plans this evening. I will write Lizzy back tomorrow.”
~~~~~
The ladies spent a pleasant afternoon having tea with Mrs. Gardiner and then the Darcys.
Beth and Gigi agreed to write while they were apart and make plans for summer and autumn depending on what occurred.
Beth thought it would be a smashing idea to visit the seashore with all her cousins and would discuss the possibility with them when she arrived in Hertfordshire.
Mamie noticed Mrs. Young frown as the girls were discussing it but wrote it off as the woman just having a sour disposition.
She had frowned for most of their visit.
“Please have John contact me if he has any trouble locating a carriage and horses. My man of business would likely be able to locate one for you in short order.”
“We will do that…and thank you for the pleasant afternoon! We will make sure to let you know of our plans before we leave town, and Gigi, I will write to you very often. You must keep me informed of your plans, and I will let you know how I get on with my Bennet family. William, make sure you drop a few words in occasionally.”
“Of course.” Darcy said and began to bow over Elizabeth’s hand. She would have none of it, at gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek, which made him blush. Then she gave Gigi a bigger hug and kissed both of her cheeks.
“That is the way we say hello and goodbye in America to good friends and family. Get used to it!” Gigi and Beth giggled while Mamie looked on fondly, Darcy looked a bit uncomfortable, and Mrs. Young scowled and was heard to say under her breath, “How gauche.”
Darcy heard it and gave her a look that made her know she was on a very fragile thread.
All her plans would be ruined if she was let go from her position, so she cleared the scowl from her face and tried to wish them a pleasant goodbye.
Maybe she could interfere with their letters to each other.
If she were caught though…she would have to talk with her friend and get advice.
The risks were great, but so were the rewards.
After the door closed Mr. Darcy turned to her, “Do we need to have another discussion Mrs. Young?”
“No, Mr. Darcy. I apologize. I have some prejudices against Americans. My uncle died during the rebellion and...well…it is no excuse at all. I am not being a good example to your sister if I cannot be civil to everyone. I will amend my behavior.” Bernice looked down at her hands and tried to look humble and contrite.
“See that you do.” As Darcy stalked down the hall to his study, Bernice Young thought to herself, ‘Oh how I hate that man. Just wait Mr. High and Mighty, you’ll get yours, and your insipid sister too!’