The Christmas Season
Chapter 15
Although the Gardiners used to visit Longbourn every year at Christmas time, loaded with gifts and good cheer, for the past two years since Elizabeth had left Longbourn for good, the Gardiners were so displeased with their Hertfordshire relatives that they had not visited Longbourn at all. Therefore, the unexpected arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner two weeks before Christmas greatly surprised the Bennet family.
The Gardiners were received with pleasure by each and every member of the Bennet family. Mrs. Bennet was certain that they will provide a more sympathetic audience for her complaints than she had found at home lately. Surely her brother and her sister-in-law will agree with her that she was being extremely ill used by all. Mr. Bennet hoped for more news of Elizabeth, knowing that she corresponded regularly with her aunt, even though not one letter of hers had found its way to Longbourn ever since she left it nearly three years before. He knew that Lizzy did not care to write to him and she did not wish for any of the letters she might send to her sisters to fall into her mother’s hands and, he admitted it ruefully, probably his hands either. Jane and Mary were hoping for the same as Mr. Bennet while Kitty and Lydia were impatient to see what great gifts they would get, as the Gardiners had always been very generous to them around Christmas.
The whole family gathered on the porch when the Gardiners’ coach had been spied approaching the manor.
As soon as everybody was relocated in the warmth of the parlour, Mrs. Bennet shrilly asked for news on the latest fashions from town.
“Jane needs to get a few new gowns and I was thinking that we might get them in town so that they will be of the greatest quality and of the height of fashion” Mrs. Bennet beamed. “I am sure that she will be married as soon as Mr. Bennet summons Mr. Collins back, and she is in need of a splendid trousseau.”
“I think that we have already discussed this Mrs. Bennet. Jane does not wish to marry Mr. Collins and I certainly will not ‘summon’ him here” Mr. Bennet growled, causing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to give him a slightly approving look. “Mrs. Bennet is so disappointed that Mr. Bingley did not propose to Jane that now she is focused on Mr. Collins as her next suitor. Although she had based her assumption of Mr. Bingleys imminent proposal solely on the two dances that the unsuspecting young man danced with Jane at an assembly, she could not help crowing of it at the top of her lungs to all who would listen and many who would rather not, and fairly planning the wedding breakfast already, thus managing to scare away the whole of the Netherfield party in less than five days after their arrival in the neighbourhood. ‘Tis a remarkable feat even for our dear Mrs. Bennet, of which I am sure she is duly proud of” Mr. Bennet quipped.
“I am sure that it was the persuasion of those superior sisters of his that took him away” Mrs. Bennet sniffed.
“That they did have a hand in it I am absolutely certain of, but you Madam should not underplay your own merits in supporting their endeavours by providing them with ample proof that their fear of their brother being on the brink of becoming the victim of a fortune hunter were well founded” he replied sardonically.
“It is of no import now” Mrs. Bennet gave a frustrated sigh. “Jane will just have to marry Mr. Collins, since she did not manage to get an offer from Mr. Bingley.”
“Lizzy is engaged to be married” Mr. Gardiner blurted out, trying to put an end to the unseemly conversation which was obviously distressing poor Jane.
For a moment, the whole room was frozen in shocked silence. It was Mr. Bennet who first found his voice.
“My Lizzy is to marry?” he whispered incredulously. “Who is her suitor?”
“Undoubtedly some foot soldier or another” Mrs. Bennet scoffed. “Who else would have her, especially now that she has thrown all propriety to the winds and ran off to Italy or wherever, following an army . At least she has the decency to get properly wed as to not ruin the reputations of all her sisters” she sniffed.
Mr. Bennet fully ignored his wife’s unseemly outburst, entirely focusing on his brother-in-law’s face and waiting for his answer, shocked by the news that his little girl was never to be his ever again. He had hoped against hope that their relationship might yet be repaired once she returned to England and that she might return to Longbourn as his most cherished daughter. But if she was now about to marry this unknown man, he knew that this shall never happen.
“He is a good man” was all that Mr. Gardiner said in a much kinder tone than he felt was deserved by either his sister or his brother-in-law, withholding the name of Elizabeth’s fiancé just as she had asked of him to do.
The Darcy name was not unknown to the Gardiners. Mrs. Gardiner had been born and raised in the little town of Lambton which was situated barely five miles away from Pemberley, the Darcy family’s seat. Everyone in the area respected the family and there was only praise to be heard about the young master who inherited his estate when he was barely two and twenty and, contrary to many of his peers, proved himself to be a very serious and responsible young man, not given in to vices and a caring and fair master. Both Mr. Gardiner and his wife were still flabbergasted by the young man’s letter in which he respectfully asked for Mr. Gardiner’s permission to marry his niece. They knew that Lizzy was a rare gem and that she deserved the best, but they have never dreamed that someone of Mr. Darcy’s status will recognize that. Yet, his letter was full of humility and heartfelt delight and happiness that she had accepted him, humbly begging for Mr. Gardiner’s consent and blessing.
“He wrote to me to ask for permission to marry her. Given that Lizzy left Longbourn for good and that she came under my protection almost three years ago, I gave it to him” Mr. Gardiner said to Mr. Bennet with a challenging glint in his eyes.
“He wrote to you…” Mr. Bennet murmured swallowing his disappointment, well knowing that it was Lizzy who directed her young man to whom to write. “I… I trust you. Do you know him?”
“I have heard of him. All good things, I assure you” Mr. Gardiner reassured his rather miserable looking brother-in-law.
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Elizabeth sat on the ground, leaning her back against the trunk of the cypress tree which had become her most favourite place on the camp, and opened the letter from her Aunt Gardiner with great anticipation. She was always eager to read the news her aunt would impart of her little cousins, as well as of her sisters.
Gracechurch Street, London
December 10, 1810
Dearest Lizzy,
Know that we are all well here at the Gardiner House. Your little cousins are growing up fast and they are more challenging to care for by the day. I am not complaining though. It fills my heart with happiness that they are energetic and inquisitive children. They very much remind me of you, my dearest Lizzy.
Let me and your uncle wish you joy on the occasion of your engagement. I know much of Mr. Darcy and his family, as Lambton, where I grew up if you remember, is not five miles from Pemberley. I knew the late Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne, Mr. Darcy’s parents, and they were much loved and respected in the neighbourhood. And so is Mr. Darcy from what I hear from the friends in Lambton with whom I still keep up a correspondence. He is a good man, excellent landlord and loving brother to his young sister.
Do not be overly alarmed, but we have disturbing news from Longbourn. It seems that your fears about Mr. Collins and Jane were well founded. Mr. Collins is unwedded still and he recently paid another visit to Longbourn. Although he did not offer for any of your sisters, your mother seems to be now bent on having Jane marry him. Dear Jane did not complain of her mother’s pestering, but Mary wrote that your mother is insistently trying to persuade Jane to agree to a marriage by any methods at her disposal. Be assured that your uncle and I will do everything in our power to put an end to it, so please do not worry about dear Jane.
I so much long to see you again, dearest Lizzy, and to have you safe and sound back on English soil. I hope that your young man will contrive to get you home as soon as possible, and that you will be wed soon after. Did you set a date? Did you give any thought to your wedding plans yet? I am not sure if you would wish to marry from Longbourn. If you do not, please know that we would be more than pleased to have you marry from our house. Think on it my dearest Lizzy,
With all my love and sending you that of your uncle too,
Madeline Gardiner”
Elizabeth lowered the letter, tears of anger welling up in her eyes. So Mrs. Bennet was at it again. And although she hoped that Jane would not cave in to her mother’s demands, she feared that gentle, soft hearted Jane will end up doing just that. She had to return home and ensure that it will not happen. She let her tears fall freely. She knew that Mrs. Bennet cared nothing for her happiness, but Jane was always a favourite of their mother. The fact that Mrs. Bennet would push even sweet Jane into a loveless marriage enraged her.
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“My dear Jane” Mrs. Gardiner took his niece’s hand. “I hear that your mother is relentless in her intent of having you agree to this new marriage scheme that entered her mind.”
“She is” Jane said lowering her eyes uncomfortably. “I begged her to desist, telling her that I have no wish to marry Mr. Collins, but she will not relent.”
“And your father?”
“He would not give in to her demands to bring about the engagement, but he can do no more. He cannot stop her from haranguing me.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s lips thinned as she bit back a retort at her brother-in-law’s expense, being of the opinion that he could easily end his wife’s antics if only he had the inclination to do so. “Do you think you would enjoy coming back to London with us for a little while”
“You mean just like Lizzy was supposed to?” Jane looked up to her aunt with a doubtful look.
“Not exactly” Mrs. Gardiner patted Jane’s hand. “This would be of your own choosing and not your parents’ decision. I am inviting you my dear, to come to visit us and your little cousins. London is a fun place at Christmas tide. The fact that you would be away from your mother and her… aspirations, is coincidental” she smiled mischievously.
“I thank you aunt” Jane gave her aunt the first joyous smile in some weeks. “Christmas in London sounds delightful.”
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Darcy found Elizabeth under the cypress tree. As soon as he saw her he knew that she was extremely upset.
“What happened my love?” He lowered himself to sit next to her.
“I just got a letter from my Aunt Maddie. Just as I feared, Mrs. Bennet is now pressuring Jane to marry Mr. Collins” Elizabeth sighed and laid her head on his comforting shoulder. “Jane vows she will never marry him, but I know Mrs. Bennet all too well. She will manage to wear down poor Jane’s defences. Jane’s unparalleled kindness and sense of duty will get the better of her. I will need to find an arrangement to go home as soon as possible and prevent it.”
Darcy pondered the possibilities. “The earliest you could sail would be to join me and Fitzwilliam. We are to leave the day after Christmas.”
“Yes, I have thought of that” Elizabeth confessed. “But none of the other nurses are supposed to return home yet, so I cannot possibly sail with you. I shall have to find another ship that returns home with some other nurses.”
“I do have an idea which would solve this problem” Darcy smiled at her. She lifted hopeful eyes to him, waiting to hear what his suggestion will be. “We could marry here, then go back home together. Surely there would be nothing scandalous for you to return to England in your husband’s company.”
“Marry here!?” she asked in shock. “Oh I… I do not know… what about your family? And mine?” she stammered.
“The camp chaplain could easily officiate the marriage” Darcy said persuasively. “Us being married before we leave here will only make it so much easier for us to return home since as you said, neither of the other ladies will be available to leave with us to provide you with adequate chaperonage.”
Elizabeth bit her lower lip, deep in thought. He was right about that.
“My family is small and the part I really care for will understand. Furthermore… given your current relationship with your own family…” Darcy trailed off uncomfortably.
“Yes” she said softly. “I have no wish to marry from Longbourn” her alabaster brow was marred by a frown, “which means that I would not have my sisters present even if we were to marry in England. I think you are right. There is nothing for me to wish for being married there, except for my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s presence. By the way, Aunt offered for me to marry from her house if I do not wish to marry from Longbourn.”
“Your aunt and uncle will understand, surely” he murmured reassuringly.
“Oh yes they will, of that I am sure. They are truly the best and most loving people I have ever known. Jane and I used to stay with them for long periods of time when we were younger. Mary, Kitty and Lydia did not get to enjoy their company as much as Jane and I did. Come to think of it. they are far too strict for Kitty and Lydia’s liking and a bit too much bent on enjoying the theatre and the other diversions of the town than Mary approves of” she smiled impishly.
“They are my kind of people then” Darcy smiled.
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The nurses and the doctors’ wives, the only ladies in the camp, did their best to give a festive feel to the encampment that they were about to leave the day after Christmas, headed for another little place called El Pla, about a hundred miles away from La Bisbal.
On Christmas day the wedding of Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth was to be celebrated and all the camp was invited and eagerly anticipating the event. Wherever Elizabeth or Darcy went, they received the heartfelt congratulations and wishes for joy from the men.
Darcy was not a little amused when a very protective Ramon, closely seconded by Agostinho and Carlos, charged him to take good care of their Senhorita Bella or he would have to answer to them.
“You need not worry on that account” Darcy assured the three men whom he had come to like and respect very much. “Making Senhorita Bella happy, love her and cherish her for as long as I shall live is what I shall consider my joyful duty for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful to you for protecting her and being her friends. If you will agree, I should like for the four of us to be friends too. Any friend of Elizabeth is a friend of mine too.”
The men shook hands and Darcy found himself engulfed in some really fierce, truly Mediterranean bearhugs.
As Fitzwilliam has been given clear bill of health only a couple of weeks before, he and the newlyweds along with all the wounded that could safely travel were to sail for England the day after Christmas, the same time when all the troops were to quit La Bisbal with only a small contingent staying behind with the wounded who were still too ill to be moved either by land or sea.
The ladies, enthusiastically aided by the soldiers, gathered greens and even managed to find a holly tree to decorate the officers’ and the enlisted men’s mess tents. The effect was amazing, as the ladies added bows and colourful ribbons to the pinecones and holly wreaths and festooned long garlands of evergreens around the perimeter of the tents, giving them a homey feeling that put most of the men in a nostalgic mood.
After dinner on Christmas Eve, before everyone joined the camp’s chaplain for the Midnight Mass, Col. Fitzwilliam, Dr. Murphy, Dr. Porter, Ramon, Agostinho and Carlos treated Darcy to a drink in the mess tent celebrating his last night as a bachelor, while Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Porter and the nurses had a hen party for Elizabeth, replete with tea and cakes.
Elizabeth was blushing furiously when her dearest friend, Mrs. Murphy took her a bit aside of the other ladies and gently and tactfully offered a few words of womanly advice to the young bride-to-be.
On Christmas morning Rose softly whispered to Elizabeth. “Lizzy, wake up. It is time to get you ready to marry your prince” she smiled widely at her friend.
Elizabeth blinked sleepily at Rose. She had a hard time falling asleep last night after the midnight mass, especially after the little tête-a-tête she had with Mrs. Murphy. Aside her obvious nervousness about her upcoming wedding night, thoughts of her strife with her family, Jane’s plight and trepidation about the difficulties of her new life which William did not try to hide from her, a fact she very much appreciated, kept her awake until the wee hours of the morning.
“I have a surprise for you” Rose whispered teasingly. “Look at these!”
Elizabeth opened one lazy eye, then she suddenly sat up reaching out for the beautiful posy of pomegranate flowers that her friend held out to her. “Wherever did you get these? It is December for heavens’ sake!”
“Ramon found a flower shop in La Bisbal that has out of season flowers. They have greenhouses Ramon says, where they have flowers bloom out of their regular time.”
“Oh, Ramon…” Elizabeth smiled fondly, bringing the beautiful flowers to her nose. “And you too Rose. I thank you both.”
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The wedding of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet was the highlight of the Christmas of 1810 for all those celebrating it in the encampment of La Bisbal. Fitzwilliam and Dr. Murphy stood up with Darcy and Elizabeth asked Rose and Mrs. Murphy to be her maid and matron of honour.
Ramon had been speechless for a quite a few minutes when Elizabeth asked him to walk her down the aisle and give her away.
“You are my closest family here” Elizabeth smiled up to him. “You are the father of my godson and you were looking out for me like the brother I never had would have done. I would be honoured to have you give me away to my future husband.”
“Senhorita Bella, a honra é toda minha 19 ” Ramon finally answered with conspicuously shiny eyes. “You are the angel sent to us by God himself to save my Esterlita and little Raoul.”
The wedding was celebrated in the enlisted men’s mess tent where all could fit in to witness the joyous event. It was followed by the wedding breakfast and, after the newlyweds cut the cake that the camp’s cook surprised them with, the officers, the nurses, the doctors and the newlywed couple moved to the officers’ tent for the Christmas dinner to which Ramon, Agostinho and Carlos were also invited. Darcy bought a large number of kegs of ale for the enlisted men to enjoy, along with some cases of exquisite wine and brandy for the more private celebration that followed in the officers’ tent.
Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Porter, Rose and the other nurses prepared a superb surprise wedding gift for the newlyweds. A small tent had been erected for them, placed at a small distance from the other ones, far enough to ensure privacy but not as far off as to be unsafe. The floor of the tent was covered by a plush carpet, courtesy of Mrs. Murphy and a soft mattress covered and surrounded by a multitude of cushions lent by the nurses, gave the tent an oriental feel and look. A low table held three tall candles and an assortment of fruit and sweet meats, a bottle of sweet wine and two glasses. Moved to tears Elizabeth thanked her friends for the lovely surprise and blushed deeply as her grinning husband eagerly ushered her into the tent.
19 Miss Bella, the honour is all mine