The Harvest Ball

by Lily Bernard

  Caroline was seated to Peter Carter’s right and she silently thanked Mrs. Darcy for placing her there. She felt shy and wracked her brain trying to find a topic that she and Mr. Carter could discuss. Jane sat to the vicar’s left and she tried not to be too obvious as she attempted to overhear their conversation. Again, Caroline noticed that he was very well dressed. To her relief, Mr. Carter began the conversation, “Miss Bingley, will you remain in Derbyshire long?”

  “My plans are not set, and I am enjoying my stay with my brother and Jane. I normally spend the entire Season in Town, but I am very happy here and I believe I will remain for at least a few more weeks.”

  “I am happy to hear that.” Mr. Carter quickly smiled at his dinner companion and then turned his attention to his plate. Jane was certain she heard him say that he was happy Caroline would remain in Derbyshire. What did he mean by that? Does Mr. Carter have feelings for my sister? What can I do to encourage her to spend more time with him?

  “Mr. Carter, I cannot help but notice your clothes.” The words escaped her mouth before she could control her tongue.

  “My clothes, Miss Bingley?”

  Jane could not believe what Caroline just said. Why would she say such a thing to someone she hardly knows? I know she attended the best finishing schools, but she certainly did not learn to ask that type of question there!

  “I recognize the work of one of London’s foremost haberdashers. My brother, Charles, and my brother in law often use the same store. I thought a man of God would be dressed more simply.”

  “You are very observant, madam. The truth is, I am dressed this way because my mother will not take ‘no’ for an answer. Every season she has the tailor send me new clothes in the latest styles despite my repeated pleas to allow me to make my own sartorial decisions. I should be angry about it, but my parishioners are benefitting from my mother’s objective of having a well-dressed son despite my protestations.”

  “I do not understand how your new wardrobe benefits your congregation.”

  “When my new garments arrive, I donate all my old clothes to my worshippers. If you return to my parish, you might notice some of the tenant farmers wearing an unusually stylish jacket or waistcoat.”

  “How very generous of you, Mr. Carter.”

  “Thank you for saying that, Miss Bingley, but I do not think of it as being generous, merely doing my Christian duty. What happens to your gowns when they are no longer the latest fashion in Town?”

  “I am embarrassed to say that I do not know. My maid removes them from my closet and where they go from there, I cannot say.”

  “I would venture to guess that your maid gives them to her family or perhaps she sells them to have a little extra money.”

  “I thank you for asking that question. I will look into the matter as soon as I speak to my maid later this evening. I will make sure my old dresses are donated to the local church, so another woman can enjoy wearing them.”

  “How very generous of you, Miss Bingley.”

  Caroline paused and looked down at her hands while she gathered her thoughts. “Mr. Carter, please accept my apology for asking about your clothes. I noticed how well dressed you were when we met in September. I confess that I am too accustomed to judging people by the quality of their clothing instead of getting to know someone for who they are. I hope you will forgive me.” Jane was smiling as she heard her sister apologize. Perhaps meeting Mr. Carter has had a positive effect on Caroline. There is always hope!

  “There is nothing to forgive. I admit that I was often embarrassed to wear such expensive clothes when many of my parishioners have so little. As soon as I began donating them to the neediest of my flock, they did not seem to mind that their spiritual leader was a bit of a Beau Brummell.” They smiled and both felt that they knew each other better. Jane was happily surprised by the conversation that had just transpired next to her. He has told her so much about himself and I believe she will make sure her old dresses are donated. This man has had a profound effect on her. Who is Caroline becoming? She is not the same woman she was six months ago.

  Caroline was also deep in thought, before meeting Peter Carter, I never thought about what happened to my old things nor did I care. If someone was not dressed in the latest fashions, I could not be bothered to speak with them. What is happening to me? Do I have feelings for Mr. Carter and have these feelings changed the person I am? If I am not the social climbing Caroline Bingley, who am I? Caroline smiled at the positive changes in herself and began to enjoy Christmas dinner. She took small bites of the Christmas goose and braised vegetables but was so distracted by Peter Carter’s presence she could not enjoy the food on her plate.

  On the other side of the table, Richard was seated next to Lady Emily. I see Lizzy and Darcy are trying to play matchmakers. Well, they will get no complaint from me. “Lady Emily, are you enjoying your time in Derbyshire?”

  “Yes, I have grown to appreciate the weather here and I have always been close to my brother, Peter. Although he is very busy taking care of his congregants, for the first time in a very long while we have had the opportunity to have many meaningful discussions.”

  “May I presume to ask what you speak about?”

  “Life, love, families; the usual after-dinner conversations.” Lady Emily smiled at Richard with affection before turning her eyes to the food before her. Once again, Richard felt his cravat tightening on his neck. I will dismiss Barton in the morning! Is the man trying to strangle me? What did Lady Emily’s smile mean? Does she feel affection for me? I must spend more time with her before declaring myself. Declaring myself? I do not know if I will ever see her again. Richard, do not think that way! I do not know when, but I must see her again. I refuse to let Emily slip out of my life!

  “Mrs. Covington’s roast lamb has always been a favorite of mine. She has catered to my preferences since she came to Pemberley many years ago and I came here during my holidays from school. She failed to realize that anything she put before me was far better than any food served at school Her plum pudding is not to be missed!”

  “Thank you for the suggestions. Ginger bread has always been my favorite Christmas dessert. I wonder if it will be served this evening?”

  “Based on my past holidays at Pemberley, I believe you will not have to wait long before ginger bread is before you.” Emily smiled at Richard’s comment and returned to her meal.

  Elizabeth had been a bit nervous about hosting so many people since this was her first Christmas dinner in the large dining room. She smiled as she looked around the table and saw everyone enjoying their meal. When the last dessert was finished, all the guests praised the dishes that were served and Elizabeth’s remarkable hostessing skills.

  Later that evening, Darcy knocked on the door of his wife’s chambers and entered with his hands behind his back. It was obvious to Elizabeth that he was unsuccessfully trying to conceal the fact that he was holding a very large box. “What are you attempting to hide from me?”

  “I suppose I am being a bit obvious, but before we get to it, I must thank you for tonight. Everything was just perfect and it appeared as if you have been planning large festive meals your whole life.” They both laughed. “Now, back to whatever you think I am holding behind me. I know we said that only the children would receive gifts but when I saw this, I knew you must have it.”

  “I really should not accept it since we agreed to no gifts, but my curiosity has been piqued and I am eagerly awaiting to see what is inside.” Darcy sat beside his wife on the edge of her bed and watched her face react to the contents of the box. “Oh, William, this is the most wonderful gift I have ever received. But how?” Elizabeth was overcome with emotion as she held up a beautiful framed painting of Longbourn, her childhood home.

  “I wrote to an artist I know in London and commissioned the painting. Then, I wrote to Mr. Bennet and asked his permission to have Mr. Townsend set up his easel on the drive so he could best capture the house in the afternoon light.
Do you like it? I thought you would enjoy hanging it here in your bed chamber to look upon whenever you wish.”

  Elizabeth placed her hands around her husband’s neck and pulled him close enough to kiss. “It is wonderful. I will hang it over my fireplace so I can see it every morning when I wake up. I cannot thank you enough for this thoughtful gift.” Darcy was pleased that he had surprised his wife and was delighted with her reaction. “However, you are not the only one who did not adhere to our no gifts policy. Now, where did I put it?” Elizabeth was tapping her fingers to her lips pretending she could not remember where she had put her husband’s present. “Oh, yes, here it is under the bed.” Elizabeth presented Darcy with a box nearly as big as his gift to her.

  “Whatever this is, you really should not have.” They both laughed. Darcy opened the box and inside was a beautifully embroidered waistcoat. He could see the hundreds of tiny stitches which enhanced the beautiful fabric. “You have been so busy caring for Bennet, organizing everything for our guests and supposedly resting, I cannot imagine how you found the time to work on this. You are my dearest, most wonderful wife and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will wear it tomorrow at the Yuletide party and show everyone how clever I was to have the good sense to make you my wife.”

  Elizabeth teased her husband, “there you go again, what about my good sense?” Darcy embraced Elizabeth and as they began to kiss, they knew that their love for each other was, without question, the greatest gift of all.

  Chapter 11

  December 1813

  Mrs. Reynolds and Elizabeth spent many hours working together while planning for the Boxing Day party. The housekeeper told her as much as she remembered from the Boxing Day celebrations held at Pemberley when both of Darcy’s parents were alive. Together they read through all the notes in the housekeeper’s office and decided that one of the planned highlights would be the lighting of the Yule Log. The log had to be large enough to burn throughout the remainder of the festive days. Several footmen were needed to carry the Yule Log into the ballroom fireplace after it had been cut from one of the oldest trees in Pemberley’s forest. The kindling from the last Yule Log was traditionally used to light this year’s and, of course, Mrs. Reynolds knew exactly where the kindling from many years’ past was kept in storage. She had always hoped that the Darcy family would once again celebrate Christmas as they once had. Before it was placed in the hearth, the adults laughed as many of the young children attempted to climb up on the Yule Log which was thought to bring them good luck.

  When Mr. Carter arrived with his sister, Richard immediately noticed that Lady Emily was wearing a beautiful dark green gown. He assumed that she was finally out of mourning for her husband, yet when he approached her, she seemed more distant than she had been at Christmas dinner. He thought Boxing Day might hold some unknown significance to her and perhaps today’s events reminded her of her unhappy marriage. He hoped that he would one day hear Lady Emily explain her behavior, but she demurred when Richard asked her to dance one of the holiday reels with him.

  Georgiana organized games for the children, Oranges and Lemons, Pins, Battledore and Shuttlecock. Darcy and Elizabeth were delighted to see their dearest sister taking charge of all the little ones.

  While the musicians were tuning their instruments, Darcy and Elizabeth stood in the center of the ballroom and welcomed their guests. “Welcome back to Pemberley! Mrs. Darcy and I are very happy that we are all together to celebrate this joyous season. It has been many years since we celebrated Christmastide together and let us pray that these celebrations will continue for many years to come. Cheers!” Darcy raised his glass, and everyone joined him in his toast. After he spoke, Elizabeth was given the honor of lighting the Yule Log, when the flames began to rise, everyone cheered again for the renewal of this Pemberley tradition.

  When people approached Darcy to thank him for the party, he subconsciously rubbed the stitching on his new waistcoat; which prompted his guests to comment on the beauty of the needlework. Mr. Ward, one of Pemberley’s longtime tenants approached Darcy and expressed his admiration for Darcy’s beautifully embroidered garment.

  “My lovely wife made this for me. I do not know where Mrs. Darcy found the time, but I treasure her kindness.”

  “We are all very happy about the woman you took as your wife, sir. She has visited us many times and is always very kind and generous to my family; I know the other tenants feel the same way. We are all very grateful for Mrs. Darcy.” His host nodded and smiled in response, but he could not speak; his heart was overflowing with love for his amazing wife.

  As the musicians were warming up their instruments, buffet tables were loaded with platters of cold meats, breads, cakes, biscuits and cider. The children were not permitted to sample the Yule Cake which was soaked in ale and only offered to the adults. Many small tables were scattered around the ballroom and were covered with simple cloths and centerpieces made from pine cones and berry branches.

  Elizabeth noticed that Mr. Carter was dancing with Caroline and Richard was speaking with Lady Emily. Perhaps I am better at matchmaking than I thought. I cannot see Caroline being attracted to a clergyman but none of William’s friends would have ever expected him to marry someone like me. I suppose love is love and only time will tell if their feelings are real. She has been much more pleasant to be around. I have not seen her usual sneer or overheard her criticize anything in months!

  When the tenants departed, they were all handed gift baskets containing some cold meat, bread, a few potatoes, a slice of the Darcy family’s Christmas plum cake, a sack of corn, some candy and some tea. Each gift basket also contained some candles and a few small presents for the children; skipping ropes for the boys and balls in the cup for the girls.

  Several days later, Elizabeth awoke in her husband’s arms and as she opened her eyes, she noticed that William had arranged to have her portrait of Longbourn hung on the wall above her fireplace. She stared at the portrait of her childhood home and admired how the morning light, coming in through the windows, enhanced the colors of the painting. I am truly married to the kindest, most wonderful man in the world. For so long, I thought I would never feel joy again, and then William came back to me. She had tears in her eyes as she felt William awaken beside her.

  “Good morning, my love.” Darcy turned to kiss his wife, “Elizabeth, why you are crying? Are you unwell?” Darcy sat up and took her hands in his.

  Elizabeth smiled at her husband and shook her head. “When I awoke, I saw the painting of Longbourn, and I began reminiscing about everything that has transpired in the past two and a half years. In that time, I went from happiness to utter heartbreak and now the overwhelming joy I feel every day.”

  “I am happy you like the painting, but I hope it does not continue to make you sad when you look at it. When I look at Longbourn, I see the home where my wonderful wife became the woman she is now, the woman I love with all my heart and always will.”

  “That is how I shall look at it as well. If I had not been happily walking Longbourn’s fields, I would never have met you or gotten to know the wonderful person you are. You are correct, Longbourn is an important part of my current happiness and I thank you again for my cherished gift.” Elizabeth turned in William’s embrace and began kissing him. Their passion was quickly ignited and, on this morning, the Darcys were not present to greet their guests when they arrived in the breakfast room.

  Shortly after the new year, Richard gathered his courage and rode to Kympton to call on Lady Emily. After he was welcomed to the parsonage, Richard asked, “Lady Emily, would you care to join me for a walk? The weather is unusually mild for January and I know that I always enjoy the fresh air after spending so many days indoors.” Mr. Carter did not wish to send one of the maids out into the cold weather, so he accompanied Richard and Lady Emily for propriety’s sake.

  While they were walking, the Carter siblings told Richard about growing up in Ipswich and several humorous stories that all
siblings share. They spoke of past Christmas celebrations at their family’s estate in Suffolk but did not mention Emily’s parents or her marriage. They did not stay outside for long due to the temperature and when they neared the parsonage, Richard accepted their invitation to join them for tea. As it drew close to the time for his visit to end, a feeling of sadness overcame Richard as he stood to take his leave. He was sorry he would be separated from Lady Emily for the foreseeable future. “I thank you both for your kind hospitality. I have enjoyed spending time with you,” He directed his gaze at the object of his affection, “and hope to see you both again soon. Lady Emily, are you planning to return to Town, or will you remain in Derbyshire?”

  “My plans are not yet established. I will remain here until Twelfth Night and I will then decide what to do next. Safe travels, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” Lady Emily curtsied, and Richard bowed before quickly leaving the parsonage. After his visit to Kympton, Richard decided it was time he returned to Rosings; there was nothing or no one keeping him in Derbyshire.

  Once he was back in Kent, he knew in his heart that he was deeply in love with Lady Emily, but he was saddened to acknowledge his feelings were not reciprocated. Perhaps she was still emotionally fragile because of what her parents made her do and the very bad experience her marriage had been.

  Jane insisted on hosting the family at Birchwood Manor for their Twelfth Night Celebration. She knew her sister was already doing too much so soon after giving birth. By Twelfth Night, the Darcys had been entertaining most of the family for more than a month and Jane insisted on helping her sister by assuming all the planning for the celebration. “Elizabeth, Mama and Papa will stay at Birchwood for Twelfth Night and then leave to visit Catherine for a few days before departing for Longbourn. Please let me do this for you; after Twelfth Night you are soon to London and preparing for Georgiana’s debut. Charles and I would like to establish some of our own holiday traditions, so perhaps hosting the Twelfth Night Ball can be our first.” Elizabeth was inwardly relieved and readily accepted when Jane volunteered to host the event.