Chapter 22. Christmas in Derbyshire
“Miss Darcy! Miss Darcy!” called the housekeeper as she entered the music room with a large package in her arms.
“Yes, Mrs Reynolds,” Georgiana asked, looking up from the pianoforte. “What do you have there?”
“It is a package come for you in the coach sent to Hertfordshire. The boys just returned, and they brought gifts. They report the master at Longbourn was preparing to dispatch his own carriage when the Darcy carriage arrived.” The housekeeper placed the large parcel, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, on a table near Miss Darcy.
The young woman rose from her seat to take the package, but she could not loosen the knots.
To assist, Mrs Reynolds pulled a pair of shears from an apron pocket and snipped the strings quickly.
Inside the paper, Georgiana found a new gown of silver and grey with black trim–perfect for half-mourning at Christmas. There was a letter of course and Georgiana opened it while Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Annesley unfolded the gown and held it up.
“This is very fine needlework,” Mrs Reynolds commented. “Did this come from a seamstress in town?”
Smiling Georgiana explained excitedly, “This is a Christmas gift sewn by my friends in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth and her sisters made this for me from the latest magazine. Mr Gardiner provided the material and the Bennet sisters, and their mother sewed this gown for my Christmas.”
Mrs Annesley smiled. “The Bennet girls are excellent seamstresses.”
“There were other packages Miss Darcy,” Mrs Reynolds said. “I had the footmen place them in the dining room.”
“Where is my brother?” Georgiana demanded joyfully as she ran out of the room.
“I forget she is still a girl at heart,” Mrs Annesley said folding the gown over her arm. “If you will find Mr Darcy and ask him to attend us in the dining room, please Mrs Reynolds. I believe Miss Darcy’s lessons for today are complete.”
It took almost twenty minutes to locate Mr Darcy in the library with a gentleman from Kympton with a business proposal to build a brewery in the town.
William was interested and asked the man to provide estimates for all expenses for two years before providing the building and land.
As the gentleman headed toward the door with Adams, William made his way to the dining room to find his sister as excited as if it were Christmas already.
“Georgie, what is the fuss?”
“The Bennets sent us Christmas!” his sister exclaimed. “The sisters and Mrs Bennet made me a new gown.”
Georgiana held up the grey silk gown and William smiled. “It will be lovely for Christmas dinner with our family.”
“And they sent more!” she announced pointing toward the table where William found packages and boxes filled with straw. From the first box, he withdrew a bottle of brandy, a gift from Mr Bennet.
“Bennet knows this is my favourite bottle,” he told his sister.
From another box, he withdrew a ham from Mrs Hill’s kitchen, and a letter. Packages were opened that contained woollen gloves for Georgiana and Mrs Annesley as well as a handful of new handkerchiefs for William with blue and yellow flowers embroidered in the corners.
Watching his sister exclaim over the gifts, William opened his letter from Mr Bennet.
**++**
Sir, I must report that my entire family misses the Master of Netherfield and his bright sister from our holiday gatherings.
My lady wife frets that the loss of your father will affect your health and weight.
She claims you do not eat properly when you worry so she had the kitchen send a ham prepared as you like.
I determined to send you brandy and I hope it is strong enough to warm you in your northern winter.
While we miss your visits and stories, I must tell you that Lizzy suffers most. She writes faithfully to Miss Darcy and embroidered handkerchiefs for you–as she has for four years now.
Young Thomas asks when you shall come to climb trees once again.
Netherfield is sound–Howell and Lynton send their greetings.
Your tenants are prepared for winter with the coal deliveries–Sir William Lucas worries that you have spoiled all the tenant farmers with coal for winter heat, but I remind him how much time would be lost from ploughing to allow the men to cut and split wood for winter.
We look forward to your next letter. Happy Christmas! Thomas Bennet and family
Postscript - Your carriage arrived the day before I had determined to send my own, so I am making use of the return journey to send these humble gifts.
My wife is most tearful–she misses you both dreadfully this holiday.
And Elizabeth carries her book with her everywhere.
I have to take it from her at meals and place it on a table in the corner.
She wears gloves to turn the pages and prattles on about the restoration, King Charles, Shakespeare, and the lovers Romeo and Juliet.
I hope you have teenage daughters someday sir–they are the most trying creatures under heaven!
**++**
Georgiana approached him with her letter and offered it to him.
“Should you like to read my letter from Lizzy, brother?”
“Yes, please Georgie,” William replied as Mrs Annesley and Mrs Reynolds began organizing the room once again.
Georgiana held the new gown against her form and twirled around the room while William read the letter from Miss Elizabeth.
**++**
Dearest Georgie, We miss you and Mr Darcy.
The past Christmases with you both here have spoiled us for your company and laughter.
Jane says you are our sixth sister, and we are incomplete without you.
Know that we think of you each day and pray that you and your brother are well.
I do not complain but admit that I selfishly miss the Darcys at our table.
I encourage Papa to write regularly with news of the neighbourhood and the tenants.
The barns are full, and the cattle, sheep and pigs are fat this Christmas.
The tenants are well fed and there is peace across all of Hertfordshire–except when Lydia and Thomas argue over the last biscuit at tea.
Mary and Kitty play duets though they both say that you are the preferred music partner.
We sing and play but wonder how you would have fingered the piece differently.
We each helped to knit the woollen gloves for you and Mrs Annesley.
Nanny Brice reports that winter in Derbyshire is much colder than here in Hertfordshire and she encouraged us to send the woollen items to keep you warm.
My Uncle and Aunt Gardiner provided us with the grey silk, and we all worked very carefully with the pattern to make your gown for Christmas.
Mamma said you would be able to wear it as soon you will be in half-mourning.
And of course, I made Mr Darcy his new handkerchiefs.
Then Jane laughed at me but refused to explain herself for entire day before she pointed to the handkerchiefs and showed me that I had embroidered Forget-me-nots for ‘King Richard’s cousin’.
Have a Happy Christmas! Your friend, Elizabeth
Postscript–a kiss and a hug for the book! Give one to Mr Darcy for me! Nothing could make me happier except for you and your brother to come home to Hertfordshire!
**++**
William smiled as warmth filled his heart for the first time in many months.
**++**
The arrival of the Fitzwilliam family was a sombre affair on a cold, grey, and snowy afternoon.
Mr Adams and three footmen with umbrellas moved back and forth from two carriages bearing the earl, his countess, viscount, colonel and lady.
The carriage with the family’s maids, valets and trunks went around the great house to the covered servant’s entrance.
The third coach arrived with Lady Catherine, her daughter Anne and the lady’s companion. Their maids and trunks were in a smaller carriage that went around the house to the dryer back entrance.
Inside the door, William and Georgiana stood in black clothes with sombre servants in attendance.
“William! Georgiana!” called Lady Edith in greeting. “Pemberley is hardly decorated for Christmas.”
“William, I need some brandy!” the earl announced. “And I know my sons are both cold and in need of warmth.”
“Cousin,” Abigail said in greeting though Georgiana and William did not know which of them she meant.
“Your man is careless with the umbrella!” complained Lady Catherine as she stormed into the room; Anne and her companion, a Mrs Jennings, followed close behind her.
Once Adams closed the door, Darcy greeted his mother’s relatives while Georgiana watched them carefully. Only Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed genuinely glad to see them. The girl spoke to each relative but took Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm, saying, “Come Richard, allow me to show you to your room.”
“I say Georgiana, I take precedence over Richard!” the viscount complained.
“In my father’s house while we are mourning his passing, I shall take the arm of my guardian,” Georgiana explained. “There is no one here to see my give my arm to the younger brother.”
“Surely it is time to end the mourning,” Lady Catherine exclaimed. “It has been months since...”
“The household is in mourning,” William said. “Now, we shall show you to your rooms to rest for a time. We dine at eight.”
“I remember my way to the family rooms,” Lady Edith replied.
“But you are staying in the guest wing,” Georgiana said. “I decided that those rooms were better suited for your stay.”
“I have my own requirements...” Lady Catherine replied but once again William interrupted his aunt.
“My sister decides these matters in this house.”
He smiled coldly at his relatives. “You will be in the guest wing.”
**++**