Page 65 of Master of Netherfield
When Christmas day arrived, the family ventured to the chapel for services conducted by the parson from Lambton and then returned to the house for luncheon. After the meal, Georgiana presented each relative with a small gift–stationary, brandy, ribbons and candy, and she received a box from her brother with a large set of paints and canvas.
“Who is your modiste, Georgiana?” asked Lady Edith. “Your mourning will end, and I should like to take you to my dressmaker for new gowns this spring.”
“Thank you, aunt. I shall discuss the matter with my brother.”
“Your brother?” asked Lady Catherine. “What does your brother know of fashion and a good seamstress? Your gowns are six months out of fashion.”
Preparing to offer support for her charge, Mrs Annesley relaxed when she saw that Miss Darcy was in no distress over her aunt’s comments.
Lady Edith commented, “And your gowns are ten years out of fashion, Catherine. You dress as if you were attending the royal box with Queen Charlotte at the turn of the century.”
**++**
At the appointed hour for dinner, William came out of his chambers and went to Georgiana’s door. When he knocked, Mrs Annesley openedthe door and William grinned to see his little sister in her new gown of grey silk with the black trim. With her hair half up and a cameo on a grey ribbon around her slender neck, Georgiana was on the threshold of being a lovely woman.
“Do I...”
“You are lovely Georgie!”
“Elizabeth and her sisters did well!”
“Yes, the Miss Bennets are most marvellous with their needles,” William said.
“But more so brother, their thoughtfulness makes this Christmas so far from home bearable.”
“Shall we do down, ‘Miss Darcy’? Our guests wait,” William said offering his sister his arm. At the top of the stairs, they saw their guests waiting for them in the foyer and as they came down the steps, every eye turned to Georgiana in her lovely gown.
“And you wondered if William understood fashion?” Lady Edith prodded Lady Catherine who only scowled while Anne and Abigail were most complimentary of Georgiana’s gown. Richard was proud of his cousins and without paying attention to precedence, William escorted his sister into the dining room and seated her at his side for Christmas dinner.
**++**
On Boxing Day, William and Georgiana gave small gifts and money to the servants of the household who then travelled in the Darcy carriages or wagons across the frosted fields to visit with their families for the day. The guests complained that there were no full meals prepared in the kitchens that day, but William ignored his relatives. Early in the afternoon, Matlock and Lady Edith announced their intention of leaving at first light the following morning.
“We shall be home in time for supper,” Lady Edith explained to William. He did not protest the plan in the least and encouraged Lady Catherine to make the same effort. Since she would be a guest with Matlock for a few days, Lady Catherine decided she should follow her brother closely.
At dawn the following morning, the guests were bundled off with heated bricks, extra blankets, corked bottles of hot tea and hotter coffee, biscuits, cheese and bread. Richard promised to visit them in spring and as Adams closed the door on the Fitzwilliam family, William promisedhimself that his sister would have a Happy Christmas next year at their home in Netherfield.
**++**
Part 3: 1812
Chapter 23.Letters in March
The remainder of winter was long and hard with heavy snow across the whole of England. Letters between Derbyshire and Hertfordshire were infrequent, but everyone spent their hours reading, working with needle and thread, practicing music, or making plans for planting in the spring.
**++**
Dear Georgiana, We have good news to share from Hertfordshire this first week of March. Over the winter, Mr Finch, our Uncle Phillip’s partner in the law office, has renewed his attentions to Charlotte Lucas. You may not remember that four years ago, when Sir William Lucas was elevated to the knighthood by His Majesty, Charlotte’s parents forced the young couple to end their courtship. Charlotte was much affected by the refusal of her parents to allow the match. Sir William and Lady Lucas thought a better match for Charlotte would appear, but she lingered at their home without suitors. She is now five and twenty years, thus able to marry without her father’s permission and she has made Mr Finch aware of her wishes. In December, there was a dance at Meryton where Mr Finch asked Miss Lucas to dance three separate times, and the matrons all approved of his declaration. After an engagement of only two months, they are to marry from Lucas Lodge and set up housekeeping in a very pleasant cottage in Meryton.
We all turn our needles to sewing new quilts to gift the newlyweds–this winter seems to never end, and the cold is every day closer. Your Affectionate Friend, Elizabeth Bennet
**++**
As the days grew longer and warmer, a letter arrived at Longbourn that gave Mr Bennet pause. After reading the contents twice, he asked Mrs Bennet to join him in the library and forbade admittance to any of his daughters for over an hour. In time, Mr Bennet sent Mrs Hill to summon Jane and Elizabeth to join them in the library.
“We have come, Papa,” Jane said with Elizabeth at her side.
“Close the door and sit girls,” Mr Bennet told them. “We have much to discuss.”
