The Ashes of Longbourn (28 page)

             
Colonel Fitzwilliam could not help but overhear the conversation from the hall and opened the door to the study slightly.  “Bingley, if I might be of service, I would like to offer two of the soldiers who are finished with their work here.  Their time in service is at an end and they are looking for employment.  I am sure that they would accept such a position as escort for your aunt and sister.  They can be ready within minutes as well.”

             
“That would be a blessing, Colonel.  Could you send the men here immediately?”

             
“Indeed, I will.  If there is anything else I can do, do not hesitate to ask.”

             
Once the men were hired to escort the ladies to Scarborough and remain there to assist Mrs Bingley and her niece, the group left Netherfield.  Aunt Geraldine gave her beloved nephew a kiss on the cheek as she wished him and Jane all the joy they could find for the future, and apologized for Caroline’s fooling her into bringing her.  “I will take a heavy hand with that sister of yours, as your mother spoiled that girl until the day she died.  Caroline has always believed she was meant for better than what she deserved.  It is time that she is corrected in that matter.”

             
“If you need anything, please, send an express to me.” Charles said as he handed his aunt into the carriage.  Caroline had refused his assistance and would not even speak with her brother as she was, once again, forced to leave Netherfield.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
On Thursday morning, the sun was shining brightly and the weather was pleasant, as if to ensure that the wedding of Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley was perfect.  Elizabeth wore a new dress for the occasion; her clothing size had increased as she recovered her strength.  She was pleased she was able to be at Jane’s side, to be witness for her beloved sister at the moment of her greatest dream coming true.  Jane was beside herself with joy.  “Oh, Lizzy, if a person could die of pure happiness, I should lay down this moment.  In just an hour, I will be Mrs Jane Bingley.  This is the moment I have been waiting for all of my life.”

             
“And you deserve such happiness, Jane.  You and Charles will have a long and joyous life, I am certain of it.”

             
“Lizzy, having you beside me, this is how I always dreamed it to be.  And our husbands are the best of friends, which is even grander than I would have thought possible.  We will be very happy, will we not?”

             
“I can speak only for me, as my husband is all that I could wish for.  I pray that Charles makes you feel the same.”

             
Giggling, Jane embraced her sister.  “Charles is perfect, the man I have dreamed of all of my life.  Ohh, I cannot believe that I am so nervous.  We have been as close as a married couple, well, with a few exceptions.  I have thought of Charles as my husband for so long now that I feel foolish for being so anxious for the ceremony to be done and we will finally be wed.”

             
“Well, it is my duty to pass on to you our family heirloom.  As I wore these combs for my wedding, it is now your turn to wear them.  Then we will return them to Uncle Edwin to keep safe for our cousins.”

             
“Thank you, Lizzy.” Jane took the combs in hand and went to have her maid assist in placing them in her hair.  A knock came to the door, announcing her uncle was ready to escort Jane Bennet to the arms of her betrothed.  Within the hour, Jane Bennet would become Jane Bingley.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
The wedding breakfast went as planned, and all were delighted with the feast that Mrs Gardiner and Louisa Hurst had planned.  It would be the last chance that the Hursts would be able to travel until well after the baby was born, and Charles was most pleased that they were able to be with him for this important event.  He also looked forward to meeting his niece or nephew when the babe arrived. 

             
Lord and Lady Matlock decided that they would return to London to make certain that Lady Catherine was settled into her townhouse.  They also needed to meet with the solicitor to prepare for the sale of Rosings and the permanent placement of Anne de Bourgh.  Colonel Fitzwilliam decided to remain at Netherfield for another fortnight.

             
Colonel Forster had returned, with the soldiers, to Brighton, after Mr Storm was taken to London and placed in custody to stand trial.  The solicitor had already contacted the family with the information as to when the trial would be and who would be needed to testify.

             
Mr Gardiner needed to return to London, though he left his wife and children at Netherfield until he returned for Christmas, which was fast approaching.  He also took a list of items which Darcy wished purchased for Elizabeth.

             
The new Mr and Mrs Bingley spent a week at Darcy House in Town, before returning to prepare Netherfield for the fast approaching holidays.

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 22

             
Bingley was pleased to plan his first Christmas at his estate, with his new family.  He spared no expense, and insisted that Netherfield be prepared for tours.  Decorations of holly and ivy and mistletoe were wrapped with ribbons and draped on the bannisters, above the doors, and across the mantle of each of the public fireplaces.  A kissing bough was constructed and the Phillips volunteered to bring the remains from the previous year’s Yule log from their home for Christmas Eve.

             
As it was a year for new, the Bingleys and Darcys decided to start a new tradition.  One day, Mrs Gardiner was reading a book to her children about a family from Germany describing how they celebrated Christmas.  The thing that caught the attention of all was the part of the family cutting down an evergreen tree and bringing it inside the house, decorating it with ribbons and glass baubles.  This sounded interesting to everyone and a message was sent off to London to Mr Gardiner to locate any glass baubles that would be fitting for such decorations.

             
Jane and Georgiana took Elizabeth to Meryton to do some shopping.  Darcy did not like his wife going without him, as he was concerned for her well-being.  Who would move her in and out of her chair, and who would be there to move the chair if there were stairs or other impediments?  Only when Mrs Gardiner spoke privately to her nephew did he calm.

             
“William, we are all very pleased with the way you have cared for Lizzy, and that you brought her back to life.  Now, you have to accept the fact that there will be moments that you will not be together.  It will not be for long, as they only plan to be gone for a few hours.  It is a big step for Elizabeth, as it is the first time she has been strong enough to make such a decision.  She needs you to be proud of her for her improvement.”

             
“I know that I should not be so overprotective, it is just so difficult to breathe when she is not nearby.  I worry that something will happen to her, that I will not be there to protect her and I will lose her.”

             
“That is a natural reaction, especially this first time.  Jane and Georgiana will take very good care of Elizabeth, they love her dearly. William, this is the first time that Elizabeth has had a desire to be seen in Meryton since the fire.  Most there have not seen her; they have only heard what happened to her.  For her to have the strength to wish to be seen in the village, in her wheeled chair, proves how much your love has brought Elizabeth to life.”

             
Darcy stood and walked to the nearest window, leaning his head against the cold glass.  “Is she strong enough to take the looks that she will glean? And what of the whispers behind her back?  I could not tolerate her being caused any further pain.”

             
“These are people she has known all her life.  I am sure that it will be a safe beginning.  She knows who will whisper, for they whisper about everything.  And they know her forthright nature; she will put them in their place if needed.”

             
When he turned his head towards her, Mrs Gardiner could see the tears that welled in his eyes, begging to overflow.  She stood              and walked to his side, placing a hand gently on his arm.  “William, it will be difficult for you, but it is necessary.  Lizzy cannot be kept hidden away for the rest of her life.  Allow her this chance to expand beyond Netherfield.  If you do not, if you attempt to keep her here and under your protection, our Lizzy will revolt against you.  I do not wish to see either of you in further pain.”

             
Nodding, Darcy looked at his new aunt and his eyes begged her.  “If I remain here, would you be kind enough to go with the ladies? Will you watch over my wife for me?  I will spend time with your children while you are gone.”

             
“Very well, William.  I will do it only this one time.  Now, you go and speak with your wife.  Make sure that she knows that you love her and that you will not jump on your horse and race after her.  I will retrieve my things.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Mrs Gardiner and the young ladies made their way to the shops of Meryton, prepared to do a great deal of shopping.  Though she was nervous, Elizabeth was thrilled to be riding in the carriage and excited to see the shops decorated with holiday trimmings.  One of the footmen that Darcy had come to rely upon while at Netherfield was dispatched with the carriage to be the one to lift Elizabeth when she required it, thus relieving some of Darcy’s anxiety.  The young man, Jacob, was one of Mrs Hill’s nephews and had known Elizabeth all of her life.  A second footman was sent to move the wheeled chair when it needed to be taken up steps to enter a shop.

             
The first shop was the general store, where Elizabeth looked through all of the special items that had been stocked for holiday gifts. There were pretty little boxes for treasures, toy soldiers and even a charming tea set for little girls. Elizabeth chose a tea set for her eldest cousin, Angela, and a cloth doll with a sweet smile and brown curls for the younger              Gardiner daughter, Jessica.  For Jonathon, she chose a very fine chess set for him to begin learning the game.  He had wished to learn after watching his beloved cousin, Lizzy, win game after game against all in their family.  Jonathon had challenged his cousin to a game when he was well versed at it.  Finally, for young Thomas Gardiner, a set of soldiers and horses were determined to be the gift for him.  He had taken a great liking to Colonel Fitzwilliam and was often heard attempting to order his siblings about.  Elizabeth knew that Angela would request tea parties with her as often as possible, and relished the different topics that they could discuss.  She remembered her Aunt Helen doing the same for her and Jane when they were but small girls.  And Little Jessica would most likely name her new doll Lizzy and carry the small reminder of her elder cousin everywhere she went.

             
The next shop was the milliners, where ribbons and fabrics were chosen to take to the dressmaker’s shop.  There were several new colors that Jane and Georgiana insisted would be beautiful on Elizabeth. Mr Blaine had long thought highly of Jane and Elizabeth, and was pleased to have a chance to visit with Elizabeth after so long.  He delighted her with news of his family, including the new granddaughter that his son bestowed upon him.  Elizabeth chose several items that she spoke privately with Mr Blaine of having sent to Netherfield for her.  They included items for the ladies in her family and some handkerchiefs that she wished to stitch for her husband.

             
At the bookshop, the other ladies teased Elizabeth relentlessly that they had an advantage to be able to remove her from the shop if she took too long, for her wheeled chair allowed them to move her easily.  Teasing back, Elizabeth stated that all she had to do was grab hold of the bookshelves.  Mr Sawyer had just unpacked a new shipment and it was quickly sorted through by Elizabeth, choosing items for several of her family members.  A very special selection was made and she asked that it be wrapped very well, for she did not wish her husband peeking inside it.

             
The merry group arrived at the dress shop filled with holiday joy.  Hearing them enter the shop, Mrs Lark came from the back room.  “Mrs Darcy, how wonderful it is to see you here.  I would have been happy to come to you, I pray you know that.”

             
“Of course, Mrs Lark.” Elizabeth said with a smile.  “You have been so kind and generous to both Jane and me through all that has happened this year.  We have come to consider you with the highest regard and respect, and cannot begin to express our appreciation to you.”

             
“Dear me, if you continue to speak so, I will not be responsible for any tear stains that are found on your gowns.”  Mrs Lark grasped hold of Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it.  “Now, what do you ladies have in mind for me to make for you?”