Chapter 19. Mrs Gardiner’s Arrangements
On Friday morning, about eleven, Mrs Bennet called for the carriage to travel into Meryton to shop for new ribbons and to visit her sister.
“Come along Kitty, I want to find a different ribbon for your gown and bonnet. Mrs Gardiner was so kind to provide us with new gowns, but I do not like the colour of your ribbons. We shall search through all Meryton and find just the right shades of blue for both our gowns and bonnets! Come along my dear!”
“Take every opportunity to enjoy yourself, sister,” Mrs Gardiner called out to Mrs Bennet. “Tell Mrs Phillips I shall see her Sunday after church.”
“And you are certain you will not accompany us, sister?” Mrs Bennet asked at the door.
“No, no. Go and enjoy your shopping. I shall mind my children and the gentlemen this morning.”
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Meryton was bustling with shoppers searching for a few items for Boxing Day when Mr Hill stopped the Bennet carriage in front of the mercantile and helped Mrs Bennet and Kitty to descend to the street.
Just as Mrs Bennet turned around to view the street, a very fine carriage passed on the street, heading toward the road leading to the north. She asked the family coachman, “Hill, do you know who owns such a team and equipage? Has Netherfield Park been let for Christmas?”
“I do not know madam,” Mr Hill replied.
“Oh, I suppose, it is just someone rich passing through Meryton,” Mrs Bennet remarked. “Let us find ribbons that match our new gowns and then visit Aunt Phillips to fit them into our bonnets.”
“No one rich ever passes through Meryton,” Kitty remarked though her mother paid her no mind.
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At Longbourn, once Mrs Bennet departed to make calls, Mrs Gardiner sought the manor’s housekeeper.
“Mrs Hill, might I impose for a moment?” she asked when she found the dependable woman.
“Certainly, madam.”
“Mr Gardiner and I expect friends from London to come for tea this afternoon on their way north. Could you ask cook to serve the left-over cake from last night?”
“Mrs Gardiner, please! Mrs Bennet would turn me out to serve left-over cake to your guests. There are hot apple tarts, and I have a box of biscuits I held back. We’ll lay out a fine tea.”
“And I brought an extra tin of tea leaves,” Mrs Gardiner said handing over the package with enough fresh tea for the next week. “After our tea, please make certain the servants receive fresh tea with their supper tonight.”
Mrs Hill smiled at the expensive Christmas treat in her hands. “Thank you most kindly, Mrs Gardiner!”
~~}{~~
Staring out the window at the December landscape of grey skies and brown grasses, Elizabeth sighed as Jane slipped an arm around her sister’s waist. “Lizzy, what is the matter?”
“I am sorry Jane,” Elizabeth replied. “I just realized that we may never again have our entire family for Christmas at Longbourn. Lydia is far away in Bath and next year you may have to stay in Hunsford rather than coming to Hertfordshire.”
Jane bent her head close to Elizabeth’s and smiled. “Then we shall make this the most memorable Christmas the Bennet and Gardiner families have ever had. Our cousins are the perfect age for Christmas celebrations.”
Smiling now, Elizabeth hugged Jane. “I wish to be more like you for you always place others ahead of yourself.”
When Mrs Gardiner returned to the parlour after speaking to Mrs Hill, she rearranged a few chairs in the sitting area. Then she made certain potpourri, and appropriate knickknacks were positioned around the room while a bright blaze in the fireplace warmed the parlour.
“Aunt, what are you about?” Elizabeth asked watching her industrious aunt brighten the room by opening the curtains that Mrs Bennet preferred closed.
“Nothing my dear... just admiring my sister Bennet’s beautiful parlour.”
“Lizzy,” Jane said. “I wonder if you would do me a great favour.”
“Certainly; what is your wish?”
Jane touched her gown and said, “Since we have both dressed in green this afternoon, would you mind changing? We could have callers, and I would not want them to confuse us in their conversation after their call.”
“Callers? Who would call this afternoon? Mamma has gone to visit Aunt Phillips.” Elizabeth looked astonished at her sister’s request.
“Now Lizzy, I think Jane’s idea is excellent. Go put on that lovely yellow gown that your uncle and I gave you for Christmas.”
“But I hoped to save it for Christmas Day,” Elizabeth argued.
“Please Lizzy,” Jane asked. “And I will come fix your hair.”
“Oh, very well,” Elizabeth agreed as Jane lead her above stairs to change as Mr Gardiner stepped to the parlour door.
“Well, my dear? Is all in readiness?”
Mrs Gardiner leaned in to kiss her husband underneath the sprig of mistletoe hung over the door. “My most excellent husband removed the greatest impediment to my surprise by convincing Mr Collins to return to Hunsford early.”
“My dear, what did I tell the man but the truth? It is much harder to travel across London at Christmas. I merely pointed out that it was imperative that he be in Hunsford for his first Christmas with his new congregation.”
Glancing toward the library where Mr Bennet had retreated after breaking his fast earlier that morning, she asked, “Have you discussed some investments with Thomas for the futures of his other daughters?”
“No, my dear,” Mr Gardiner said. “With Jane’s engagement, he sees the entire matter as settled and gives no more thought to their futures.”
Rather than finding despair in his wife’s lovely brown eyes, Mr Gardiner recognized the flint of determination.
“Then I shall make every effort to find good husbands for my nieces.”
Turning at the sound of footsteps on the stairs, Mr and Mrs Gardiner watched Jane come down the staircase with a satisfied smile on her face as Elizabeth walked down, lovely in the fresh, yellow gown with her hair up and a few, narrow, yellow ribbons woven into the braids.
“You are lovely Lizzy!” Mrs Gardiner told her niece just as Mr Gardiner turned toward the window, hearing horses and a carriage in the drive.
“Mrs Gardiner, I believe our guests have arrived for tea.”
“Guests? Who have you invited for tea, Uncle?” Elizabeth asked. “I doubt we have new tea leaves for the afternoon and nothing more than biscuits to serve.”
“Come and wait with me,” Jane said leading her sister into the parlour where Mary prepared to play the pianoforte at her aunt’s request. There were voices in the hallway, ones that Elizabeth knew she should recognize but they were muted behind the walls and doors of Longbourn.
“Come this way and meet my nieces,” Mr Gardiner said opening the door and leading his guests into the parlour.
“Mr Darcy! Georgiana! How did you come to be in Meryton?” Elizabeth exclaimed as she hurried across the room where she hugged Georgiana and almost reached for Mr Darcy before remembering herself and dropping in a curtsey with a bright smile on her face that was reflected by surprise and pleasure in the gentleman’s face.
“I am certain you remember my niece, Elizabeth, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner said with a touch of false gravity that did not match the twinkle in his eye.
Leaving Mr Darcy with her aunt and uncle for a moment, Elizabeth took Georgiana to meet Jane and Mary and left her there to talk of music while she stepped to the hall to find Mrs Hill and request tea.
“Oh miss, your Aunt Gardiner already ordered the tea. We have her gift of fresh tea leaves, and cook’s hot apple tarts and fresh biscuits for the guests.”
“Thank you, Hill,” Elizabeth said before she returned to the parlour. When she stepped through the door, Mr Darcy stepped away from her uncle and aunt to address Elizabeth directly.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am pleased that as the second daughter, I must not call you ‘Miss Bennet’ during our visit. I have been jealous of my sister being able to call you ‘Elizabeth’ so freely in London.”
Blushing furiously, Elizabeth dipped her head and asked, “May I introduce my sisters, Mr Darcy?”
“I would be most pleased, Miss Elizabeth.”
Leading the way to the pianoforte where Georgiana and Mary were sorting through the sheets of music, Elizabeth turned to Jane first.
“Mr Darcy, may I present my eldest sister, Jane Bennet.”
“Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure to meet you. Miss Elizabeth has spoken of you with great affection several times.”
“It is an honour to meet you Mr Darcy. Elizabeth has spoken of your sister...” Jane paused glancing significantly at Elizabeth, “...and of yourself with great admiration since her return from town.”
Blushing, Elizabeth thought that Mr Darcy’s face reflected pleasure hearing Jane’s words.
“And brother, this is Elizabeth’s next younger sister, Mary. We have been speaking of music and problems with fingering through the same pieces.”
“Miss Mary, I am pleased to make your acquaintance though I believe Georgiana plans a complete concert with you this afternoon.”
“It is very nice to meet you Mr Darcy,” Mary replied turning back to Georgiana.
“And where are your mother and other sister?” he asked.
Elizabeth smiled politely when she said, “They are out making calls. My aunt gave them new gowns for Christmas and my mother wanted to display them for our Aunt Phillips who lives in Meryton.”
“I am sorry to miss the introduction,” Mr Darcy replied politely though from Elizabeth’s comments, he had expected them to be less than properly behaved. “And will you remain in Hertfordshire for the winter Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth replied honestly when she said, “I do not know sir. If I can guard my tongue regarding Mr Collins and my parents forcing my sister to accept his marriage proposal, I may be permitted to remain. However, it is more likely that I shall express my opinions too strongly, pique my mother’s temper and once again be exiled to Grace Church Street. ”
“And our company is a great punishment...” Aunt Gardiner commented dryly making Elizabeth laugh.
“Mr Darcy,” said Uncle Gardiner. “Come sir, I must make one more introduction.”