Chapter 26
Birthdays were not something ordinarily much celebrated in the Bennet household.
A favorite dessert might be prepared, and note of the anniversary date made at dinner with a small gift or two.
However, Mary felt it would be only proper and right to mark the occasion in a bigger way for her father this year in light of the fact that, had the shooting accident ended in a different result, he would not be celebrating a birthday at all.
Knowing her father would likely not want a big fuss made, she proposed a simple dinner party and suggested that he choose the guests. He immediately listed both the Yarby gentlemen, and Amelia as his desired attendees.
“Not the Phillipses?” Mary asked hopefully. The more people who attended, the more Mr. Bennet would have to circulate and therefore not be able to spend much time with Amelia in close conversation. “What of the Collinses, or at least Sir William and Lady Lucas?”
“No,” her father replied. “I believe a smaller party will suit me quite well.”
The sole invitation was duly written and hand delivered with a happy and grateful acceptance immediately issued.
***
The day of the celebration arrived, and throughout Longbourn House the aromas of roasting beef and parsnips mingled with the scent of the spice and fruit cake baked earlier that morning.
Mary and Kitty made decorations of colorful paper streamers and hung them in the dining room, hoping their father would not think them too silly.
As they worked, Kitty muttered that she would have preferred to have this celebration be “family only”; however, she allowed as how she was “resigned to it” and would do her best to be a gracious hostess.
That evening, Mary again wore her maroon dress with the garnet necklace and made Sarah rework her hair style twice until it was exactly the way she wished.
Satisfied, Mary went downstairs where she found Kitty looking quite elegant, dressed in one of their mother’s more beautiful gowns that had been cut down for her.
Their father was wearing his finest attire as well.
They all moved into the drawing room to await their guests.
The Yarby brothers and Mrs. Withers arrived on time and bearing gifts.
Mr. Yarby’s present was obvious from its wrapping: a bottle of spirits of some kind.
However, Mary could not discern what was in the long, flat package Amelia carried.
Acting as hostess, she took both offerings and added them to the gifts from Kitty and her that she had already set out, then invited her guests to take seats and tried to steer the conversation to safe and uncontroversial topics.
Mr. Phillip Yarby sat next to Kitty, and he was as charming as before, paying her attentions that were solicitous without being too flirtatious.
Mary could not help but note that her father had sat, not in his favorite chair, but on one of the two settees, likely in the hopes Amelia would join him.
But she had chosen to sit by her brother Robert on the opposite settee—a place Mary herself had hoped to claim.
No matter, she would have him on her right at the table during dinner, she thought as she joined her father on the settee.
And once Amelia becomes mistress of Longbourn, she will take her place at the head of the table across from Papa, and I shall once more be relegated to a place somewhere in the middle.
***
Following the dinner—declared “utterly delicious” by all—the party moved back to the drawing room for dessert, tea, brandy, and the opening of gifts.
“I should have advised everyone in advance not to buy me presents,” said Mr. Bennet. “It was not necessary; your attendance here at this little celebration is more than enough.”
“Nonsense, Papa, you certainly deserve all you can get this year after what you went through in the accident,” declared Kitty. “Even though, if we are going to be honest, you did receive a goodly number of Christmas presents.” She giggled.
“It is true that most people make little mark of their natal day with a grand celebration and presents,” Phillip Yarby noted. “But if such a meal as we just enjoyed might become a tradition, then I can only hope to receive an invitation every year to honor you, sir.”
Mr. Bennet laughed. “Should you choose to move your business to Meryton, Mr. Yarby, I think I may safely say I should be willing to invite all of you to every birthday from here on.” His eyes slid over to Amelia’s briefly, and Mary could easily see their mutual admiration.
She was still getting used to the idea, but she told herself her father deserved to be happy.
“Now!” Mr. Bennet continued, “I believe we should get this embarrassment of generosity over with. Kitty, dear, will you pass me your present?”
Her eyes dancing with excitement, Kitty jumped up and handed her father a wrapped package, noting that she would like the ribbon back, please, as it was one of her best. He opened it and exclaimed his delight at a pair of felt slippers.
“During your convalescence, I noticed your slippers were beginning to look shabby, Papa,” she said, clearly proud of her choice. “Do you like the color?”
“Indeed, I do—it goes perfectly with my dressing gown. Thank you, my dear girl.”
Next came a book on philosophy from Mary, which was gratefully acknowledged, then the bottle of fine brandy from Robert and Phillip Yarby.
Finally, there was just the package Amelia had brought.
Mr. Bennet made a display of trying to guess its contents, with teasing glances at Amelia who, Mary noted, again did little to hide any affection on her countenance.
Finally, he removed the wrapping to reveal a beautiful white shirt, and it was immediately apparent that Amelia had sewn it.
Mary took a sharp intake of breath—such an intimate gift!
A handmade shirt was something only a wife would sew for her husband, or perhaps a sister for a brother.
She was stunned at the personal nature of the present, and a quick glance at her sister showed she was having a similar reaction.
“Well!” Mr. Bennet said a bit too heartily. “How thoughtful. I have been in need of a new shirt since the hunting accident, Amelia, and neither of my girls are quite clever enough with a needle to make me one. I thank you very much.”
Kitty jumped to her feet. “If you needed a new shirt, Papa, you could order one from the seamstress in town. Or, I am certain Mary and I could have managed it, somehow!” She turned to Amelia, her face reflecting her anguish. “How…very inappropriate of you, Mrs. Withers. You are not his wife—yet!”
Amelia’s face flushed red. “I am so sorry. I thought that, since everyone here tonight is aware of our intentions, it would not…offend. I beg your pardon, Miss Kitty, Mary, and yours too, Eugene, for my foolish behavior.” She lowered her head and pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Kitty’s response was to cry, “I know you have an understanding, but…it is simply happening too fast!” and rush from the room, sobbing. Then everyone heard the front door slam. They sat in awkward silence a moment, trying to figure out how to navigate this breech of manners.
“Now, now—let us not get in an uproar and spoil this fine party,” Mr. Bennet said to smooth over the upset. “Perhaps Amelia’s gift is a bit premature, but as she said, you are all aware of our attachment. Come next summer, she will be my wife and mistress of Longbourn.”
“Indeed, Papa,” Mary said, “but Kitty is not quite reconciled to it yet. This whole thing is still just a bit raw for her, you see. Amelia, please do not berate yourself. Nobody outside of the family need even know of your gift, and therefore, there is no reason for shame.”
There were murmurs of agreement all around at Mary’s practical viewpoint, and Amelia sent her a grateful smile. After another moment, Mary asked, “Shall I go find Kitty and attempt to calm her?”
To Mary’s surprise, Phillip Yarby stood. “Will you allow me to seek her out, Miss Bennet? At times like these, sometimes an impartial voice can deliver the greatest influence.” At her nod, he strode from the drawing room, grabbed his coat from the entry, and went outside.
***
“Ah, there you are, Miss Catherine,” Yarby said when he at last located her walking in the back garden.
“Oh, but I see now that you came out here without your coat. Please, allow me to lend you mine.” He did not even wait for her to accept but took off his heavy wool coat and wrapped her shivering body securely in it before guiding her to a stone bench by some large fir trees and gently helping her sit.
Kitty sniffed once or twice before remembering her manners. “Thank you, sir,” she whispered. “I should not have behaved in such a manner. Is everyone most frightfully angry at me?”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “My sister feels it is entirely her fault and is quite remorseful for upsetting you, believe me.”
“I know she did not mean to disturb me. It is just as I said; this romance between her and Papa has all happened so very quickly. Mama did not always take my side in family matters—I was not her favorite—but somehow I feel I am now the only one trying to honor her memory.” She brushed away another tear that had slipped down her cheek.
“It is all too fast,” she repeated softly.
“I can assure you, it came as sudden news to me as well. Indeed, Amelia had written not a word of her growing affection for your father in her letters. It was a great surprise when I learned of it that first day after we visited you here at Longbourn. However, after meeting your father, I soon realized, much to my relief, that I can brook no opposition to the match. And believe me, I am quite protective of my little sister!” Seeing a brief smile cross Kitty’s face, he continued.
“Of course the thought of your father replacing your mother in such haste is very distressing; it would be for anyone. But I am certain it does not mean he can easily cast aside the memory your mother. And I can assure you that Amelia does not seek to be a mother figure to you but, rather, more of a friend.”
Kitty nodded and sniffed again.
He pulled his handkerchief from a pocket and handed it to her, waiting until she wiped her eyes and blew her nose before continuing.
“And…truly, Miss Catherine, would it be the worst thing in the world for your father to find happiness again? It seems to me that love is so rare that, when it comes, you must grab it quickly with both hands, for circumstances can sometimes arise to cause a severing of that affection from which there can be no recovery. Trust me, I know.”
“You…lost a love?” Kitty whispered, looking into his eyes for the first time.
“I did. I shall not bore you with the particulars, but I spent years agonizing over my lack of courage for not claiming that love more boldly. Instead, I counted on the lady’s affections remaining steadfast throughout an enforced separation, only to learn our love was not strong enough to endure. She married another while I waited.”
“Oh, how sad,” Kitty whispered. “How tragically romantic.”
“So, if I learned anything from that experience, it is this: when love comes, you must rejoice for it, even if the timing might be thought ill or inappropriate by some.”
Kitty nodded slowly. “I do want Papa to be happy. What kind of daughter would I be if I did not? And your sister is very nice. Her friendship with Mary has been a blessing. Mrs. Withers will make my father very happy, I am certain.” She covered her face with her hands.
“Oh, I am an idiot! I have ruined Papa’s party. ”
Phillip laughed softly. “Not at all,” he said gently.
“You do the memory of your mother credit with your love and loyalty to her. But would you have your father or you and your sister pine away for Mrs. Bennet forever? Life goes on, and so must we. It does no good to dwell in the past, even as we keep the happy memories of our lost ones in our hearts forever.”
He stood. “Come, I am eager to partake of that lovely cake I saw in the drawing room.”
Kitty gave a final sniff, then smiled and rose. She took the arm Mr. Yarby offered, and the two walked back inside where the celebration, although a bit muted from the earlier high spirits, continued in a pleasant manner.