by Meg Osborne
“This has been a lovely Christmas,” Jane said, as the two girls got ready for bed that evening. “Although I have missed seeing our parents and sisters.”
“I am sure they did not miss us half so much!” Lizzy said, crawling into bed and shivering beneath the cool, crisp sheets.
“Father will have!” Jane observed, tying a ribbon at the end of her plait, and sitting down on the edge of the bed.
“Yes!” Lizzy laughed. “I am sure he has been quite overrun with silliness. Poor Father. But he did consent to sending us away!” More than consent! Lizzy thought, recalling her father’s amused acquiescence to Aunt Gardiner’s request. “Yes indeed, she may take Lizzy and Jane. That will be two persons less to complicate our Christmas celebration. Pray, ask them if they would not rather take Mary, Lydia and Kitty as well, and spare me entirely!”
“It has been a pleasant time,” Jane mused, clambering into bed and pulling the sheets up to her chin. She sighed, contentedly, and Elizabeth could barely contain her amusement.
“Rendered all the more pleasant by the ball on Christmas Eve and a reacquaintance with a certain Mr Bingley?” she teased. “Jane, dear, you are so transparent.”
“Am I?” Jane asked, rolling over and facing Elizabeth directly.
“Only to me, dear.” Lizzy winked. “I am sure Aunt and Uncle scarcely noticed you drifting off into dreamland half the day.”
“I dare say they were more concerned by your behaviour,” Jane replied. “What on earth was the matter with you, Lizzy? You kept hopping up and down like a jack in the box. We quite thought you had lost your mind at one point. Were you expecting callers?”
“No, not really...” Lizzy said, vaguely. “I was just excited by spending Christmas in London.”
Jane looked as if she did not quite believe this hurried explanation, but with a yawn, she shook off the notion. “I am too tired to quiz you further but trust you had your reasons. You always do..."
Lizzy rolled onto her back and stared up into the blackness above. Christmas Day was understandably not ideal for receiving callers, but the day after...perhaps that would be when Mr Bingley would come? Now, she must manoeuvre a way to keep Jane at home, so that she would be present when he came. Mrs Gardiner would help her, she didn’t doubt it, although that might mean her confessing the part she had played in listening to the gentlemen’s conversation, and she was not sure how easily that would sit with her aunt. No matter, Lizzy thought. I may not need to tell her anything. Surely everybody will want to stay close to home tomorrow.
Elizabeth’s hopes were dashed at breakfast when their aunt greeted them brightly.
“Good morning, girls! Well, I hope you do not have too many things planned for today, for I have an important task I hoped you might aid me in.”
Jane smiled, welcoming any effort that might assist the aunt who had so happily welcomed them into her home for Christmas.
“What is it?” Lizzy asked, hoping her reluctance was not so evident to the others present at the table as it sounded to her.
“I have prepared some baskets to take to a few people we know locally who are in need of some Christmas cheer. Workers in Mr Gardiner’s factory, people like that. There are not a great many, but of course I cannot ask him to come with me as we normally might -although you know we are not often here for Christmas itself, so it is rather a treat to do the task of distributing our gifts amongst people personally. I hoped you both might come with me, and spread a little companionship and comfort. What say you?”
“Oh, how lovely!” Jane replied, smiling. “Yes, I think that would be a wonderful idea, don’t you Lizzy?”
“Yes,” Lizzy said, frowning. However would Mr Bingley find them now? “Only, I do hope we will not be gone for long.”
Her response caused a frisson of unhappiness around the table, and she hurried to overcome it.
“I am sorry, of course, I would be more than happy to come with you and I do indeed agree that it is good and important work. Please forget my comment!” She laughed. “I think I am not fully awake yet.”
“You need feeding up, that is the problem!” Mr Gardiner said, from his seat at the end of the table. “Both of you must be hungry. Here, my dear, stop discussing your day’s plans for half a moment that we might all enjoy a hearty breakfast!”
Everyone fell to eating and Lizzy was granted a few moments’ peace to puzzle out the problem herself. Surely Mr Bingley would not take their being out as a rejection. He would simply return another time. Thus mollified, she turned to her aunt and began to question her on the people they would be visiting, in a concerted effort to make up for what had seemed like a reluctance to be generous. As Mrs Gardiner talked, she grew more animated, and her enthusiasm for charity was infectious. By the end of breakfast both Jane and Lizzy were happily piling on their layers, and ferreting out any sorts of ribbons and rick-rack they might add to the baskets to make them all the more festive. With wide smiles and full hearts, the trio headed out into the bustling London streets, eager to share their bounty with those less fortunate.
***
“Come on, Darcy. I’ve never seen you so slow to move!” Bingley chided, as the two men walked.
“I do not share your sense of urgency,” Darcy replied, gruffly. “And of the two of us, only one is walking an unnatural pace. You do realise Miss Bennet will still be at home whether you race there or walk?”
“I am eager to see her!” Bingley breathed. “And to hear her answer. Do you really think she will say yes?”
“I hardly think it likely she will say no,” Darcy reassured him, having already had to do so close to a dozen times in the past day. Christmas with Charles and his sister had been almost interminably long and quiet, punctuated only by Christmas services, and an enjoyable dinner. There had been no games, no singing, nothing Darcy imagined typical of Christmas celebrations. He vaguely remembered such celebrations from his youth, back when his father and mother had been alive, and Wickham welcomed almost as one of the family. His lips turned down at the recollection of that man. How fortunate he had stayed behind in Hertfordshire when Darcy made his escape to London. That was one thing to be grateful for.
“Look, up ahead!” Bingley said, slowing his pace at last. “Does that not look to you like the Bennet sisters?”
Darcy squinted, making out the figures of three women walking quickly down the street, laden with baskets and bundles.
“Yes, I believe so,” he began but had scarcely finished speaking, when Bingley raised his hand in a wave.
“Good morning!” he called.
“You need not shout,” Darcy grumbled, but obediently followed his friend in hastening to catch up to the party of women.
“Mr Bingley!” Jane Bennet smiled. “Mr Darcy!”
He noticed the slightly cooler way she addressed him but did not take offence at it. If anything it confirmed to him anew the veracity of her feelings for his friend. When his eyes at last sought out Elizabeth, he noticed an amused half-smile playing about her lips as she observed the tableau of the two lovers, awkwardly greeting one another.
“Good morning, gentlemen!” A jolly-looking woman said, nodding at them.
“Oh, please do allow me to introduce my aunt,” Jane said, quickly recalling her manners. “This is Mrs Gardiner. Aunt, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Bingley said, effusively. Darcy nodded, but felt the shrewd lady’s eyes examining him closely, and cleared his throat.
“We were actually planning to call on you, but it seems you are busy. Please forgive-”
“We are just being charitable!” Elizabeth said, her eyes dancing. “Perhaps you would care to join us?”
He noted the challenge in her voice and found himself answering almost before he had a chance to think about it.
“Of course, Miss Bennet. We would be honoured.”
Where had that answer come from?
If Darcy was surprised by his easy acquiescenc
e, the emotion was even more evident on the faces of his friend and Elizabeth herself, who seemed quite taken aback when he offered to carry the basket she was holding. Bingley hurried to follow suit, and soon the party fell into step once more, the ladies relieved of their burdens and the gentlemen eagerly following their instruction. Mrs Gardiner led the party, speaking knowledgeably about the area in which they walked, the tenants who lived there and the situations of all those she planned to visit, insofar as their being in need of a little Christmas cheer.
“How marvellous this is,” Bingley commented. “And how kind you are to do it!” His comment was aimed at Mrs Gardiner, for she had been the one last to speak, but his eyes sought out only Jane. Darcy groaned internally, resigning himself to another day of his friend being utterly unreachable in the presence of Jane Bennet. Perhaps he could contrive to give them a moment of privacy that his friend might ask the question he so desperately longed to ask and they might all go on again rationally.
The group fell to work, and the day passed in a blur, as household after household was opened up to them and welcomed them as if they were old friends, not strangers offering charity. Darcy felt a startling realisation that he was enjoying himself. He did not struggle for topics of conversation and at one particular house, when the home’s youngest resident determined to climb into his lap, he quite naturally reached for his pocket watch and allowed the young master to hold it, and watch its hand ticking around and around. What would dear Aunt Catherine say if she could see me? he thought, with a grin.
“It seems even Mr Darcy has been won over by your hospitality,” Elizabeth Bennet’s laughing voice reached his ears, and he looked up, expecting to see her laughing at him. Instead, he noticed a strange expression on her face, as if she did not quite recognise the man before her, and could not trust the image in front of her eyes.
“It is a long time since I have been so welcomed into a home,” he responded, with a deferential smile at the lady of the house. That lady blushed, and hurried to retrieve her child.
“I am sorry, sir,” she said. “I do hope little George hasn’t made a mess of your fine coat.”
“It has been through worse, I assure you!” he said, not even looking down at the garment. His arms felt strangely empty without their wriggling burden, and he folded his hands in his lap, quite at a loss with what to do next.
“I suppose we must move on,” Mrs Gardiner said, after a few moments more. “For we have still more gifts to deliver.” She asked a question or two of the lady’s neighbours, establishing who was likely to be home at present, and the party moved on.
“I am sorry you have been roped into our charitable doings!” Elizabeth remarked, falling into step beside Darcy, as they traced the path given them by their previous hosts to the next home in need.
“Why are you sorry?” Darcy asked, incredulous. “It is a splendid day, and quite the best thing one could do over the Christmas holiday. I am only sorry we did not undertake it ourselves.” He blinked. “Of course, London is not home -”
“Ah, no. Tell me of Pemberley. I have heard it is quite expansive.”
One glance at Elizabeth’s eyes ensured she was not teasing him, but genuinely interested, and he proceeded to describe his family home to her, and the tenants that lived under his care.
“I wonder you do not prefer to spend Christmas in Derbyshire, Mr Darcy.” There was a slight edge to her voice, as if she knew some secret that she was not about to share. He looked at her again, but she did not seem angry with him. There was real interest in her features.
“I would like to spend it at Pemberley in future,” he admitted. “My sister is there, and I fear she is lonely.”
“Tell me about her,” Elizabeth said, with enthusiasm. “She is younger than you, I believe.”
“That is right,” Darcy smiled, as he thought of Georgiana, and he spoke animatedly about her interests and abilities.
“And yet you do not bring her to London?”
“No.” Elizabeth’s question had been innocent, but it brought memories of Wickham flooding back, and Darcy felt his eyebrows draw together. “There is too much society in London for poor Georgiana. She is a quiet person, much preferring to be at home in the countryside.”
“Ah, she is like her brother, then,” Elizabeth said, evidently noticing his changed mood, and smiling gently, to encourage him to keep speaking.
“I confess I am not fond of the town. I came -” He hesitated, wondering just how much he should admit of his motivations for bringing Bingley back to London and away from Netherfield - and the Miss Bennets. Taking a deep breath, he began again. “I came to London at the insistence of Miss Bingley.” That much, at least, was true. If Caroline had been given her way, Georgiana would have been fetched to London too and the party would stay on indefinitely. “I confess I allowed myself to be too easily persuaded that a removal was in all of our best interests.” He met her gaze. “It is not an opinion I necessarily hold to now.”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth replied, with another secretive smile.
“Here we are!” Mrs Gardiner remarked as they drew level with another small house. “Jane, you have your basket still, do you not? Oh, I see Mr Bingley is carrying it. Wonderful. You two might as well lead the charge!”
Chapter Seven
“Good afternoon, wife!” Mr Gardiner called, as the party returned home.
“Company manners please, my dear, we have brought guests with us!” Mrs Gardiner smiled at the rest of the party, but Elizabeth sensed an amused blush tainting her aunt’s cheeks. She clearly thought highly of Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy and did not wish to be embarrassed in front of them.
“Won’t you please go on into the sitting room?” she said, catching a servant. “I shall order us tea.”
“Actually, Mrs Gardiner,” Mr Bingley turned to her, nerves making his face serious. “I wonder if I might take a moment to speak to Miss Bennet?”
Aunt Gardiner hesitated for a moment, looking to Lizzy for confirmation, and Elizabeth hurried to think of some answer she could give that would reassure her aunt that all was - or would be! - well.
“Oh, Aunt, I wonder if you and I might show Mr Darcy the library? I was just telling him about your collection, and he is very fond of reading, as I am...” She trailed off, glancing desperately at Darcy. He wore a look of bemusement, and she silently willed him not to contradict her.
“That is quite right,” he said, nodding fervently in agreement.
Surprised that he not only failed to correct her, but indeed confirmed her story with enthusiasm, Lizzy did not hear her aunt’s answer, and begged her repeat herself.
“Very well,” Mrs Gardiner said, with a curious smile at Jane and then back to Elizabeth. “We shall only just be down the corridor, but please do not wait for us. The sitting room is occupied by my husband and I don’t doubt he will be more than capable ordering tea when you are ready for it.”
Elizabeth beamed at Jane, who seemed suddenly very excited. At last! she thought, inwardly rejoicing. At last Jane will hear the question she has so longed for! When she glanced back towards Mr Darcy she noticed he was wearing an indecipherable look on his face. His usually stern features were relaxed, almost hopeful, but when he noticed her gaze, he turned away abruptly and asked a question of Mrs Gardiner.
“Oh, I had planned on attending,” her aunt said, as the trio reached the library. “But with my husband still recovering his health do not think it will be possible.” She masked her disappointment with a smile.
“That is a great pity,” Mr Darcy replied. “I am sure you have had to give up on some of your usual entertainments in order to nurse your husband.”
“It is of no consequence,” Mrs Gardiner brightened. “And we have had Jane and dear Lizzy here to help us enjoy the season. They told us of Mr Bingley’s party and that it was a wonderful evening, very much enjoyed by both of them.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Darcy glanced at Elizabeth again, and she turned to the bo
okshelves, seizing on the first tome she saw.
“Was this the book you referred to?”
Darcy glanced over the book, his brow arching quizzically.
“The Mysteries of Udolpho?”
Mrs Gardiner tilted her head on one side, evidently amused by the notion of the great man before them finding interest in such novels.
“It does not spark your interest?”
“Alas, no,” he returned it. “But then I feel that men do not possess one-half the interest in romance that women do.” He bowed, stiffly. “I mean no offence."
“Of course!” Mrs Gardiner giggled, the action belying her years. A knock at the door permitted a servant to enter, and ask a question of her, and with a sigh, she hurried the servant away. “Excuse me a moment, there is a problem I must resolve.”
“And what of you, Miss Bennet, do you plan to attend the masquerade ball this New Year’s Eve?”
“Another ball!” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with fun. “And a masquerade, too?”
“Indeed.” Mr Darcy’s answer was more a “harrumph” than an actual word, and Lizzy struggled to maintain her composure, imagining just what the sensible and staid Mr Darcy thought of the nonsense of masks.
“Are Mr Bingley and yourself attending?” she asked, casually. “And Miss Bingley, too, I expect?”
“Our party certainly intends upon making an appearance.” His eyes met hers. “And I hope you and your sister will also attend.”
Something about his manner in asking the sudden question caught Elizabeth off-guard, and as was now becoming a habit, she wondered at the miraculous change that seemed to have been wrought over Mr Darcy since she had known him at Netherfield.
“I did not think you fond of parties, sir.”
“I am not.”
“Yet you encourage me to attend one you must be reluctantly visiting?”
“I wish to see you again, and -”