Page 39 of Saving Jane
On Friday morning, about eleven, Mrs Bennet called for the carriage to travel into Meryton to shop for new ribbons and to visit her sister.
“Come along Kitty, I want to find a different ribbon for your gown and bonnet. Mrs Gardiner was so kind to provide us with new gowns, but I do not like the colour of your ribbons. We shall search through all Meryton and find just the right shades of blue for both our gowns and bonnets! Come along my dear!”
“Take every opportunity to enjoy yourself, sister,” Mrs Gardiner called out to Mrs Bennet. “Tell Mrs Phillips I shall see her Sunday after church.”
“And you are certain you will not accompany us, sister?” Mrs Bennet asked at the door.
“No, no. Go and enjoy your shopping. I shall mind my children and the gentlemen this morning.”
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Meryton was bustling with shoppers searching for a few items for Boxing Day when Mr Hill stopped the Bennet carriage in front of the mercantile and helped Mrs Bennet and Kitty to descend to the street.
Just as Mrs Bennet turned around to view the street, a very fine carriage passed on the street, heading toward the road leading to the north. She asked the family coachman, “Hill, do you know who owns such a team and equipage? Has Netherfield Park been let for Christmas?”
“I do not know madam,” Mr Hill replied.
“Oh, I suppose, it is just someone rich passing through Meryton,” Mrs Bennet remarked. “Let us find ribbons that match our new gowns and then visit Aunt Phillips to fit them into our bonnets.”
“No one rich ever passes through Meryton,” Kitty remarked though her mother paid her no mind.
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At Longbourn, once Mrs Bennet departed to make calls, Mrs Gardiner sought the manor’s housekeeper.
“Mrs Hill, might I impose for a moment?” she asked when she found the dependable woman.
“Certainly, madam.”
“Mr Gardiner and I expect friends from London to come for tea this afternoon on their way north. Could you ask cook to serve the left-over cake from last night?”
“Mrs Gardiner, please! Mrs Bennet would turn me out to serve left-over cake to your guests. There are hot apple tarts, and I have a box of biscuits I held back. We’ll lay out a fine tea.”
“And I brought an extra tin of tea leaves,” Mrs Gardiner said handing over the package with enough fresh tea for the next week. “After our tea, please make certain the servants receive fresh tea with their supper tonight.”
Mrs Hill smiled at the expensive Christmas treat in her hands. “Thank you most kindly, Mrs Gardiner!”
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Staring out the window at the December landscape of grey skies and brown grasses, Elizabeth sighed as Jane slipped an arm around her sister’s waist. “Lizzy, what is the matter?”
“I am sorry Jane,” Elizabeth replied. “I just realized that we may never again have our entire family for Christmas at Longbourn. Lydia is far away in Bath and next year you may have to stay in Hunsford rather than coming to Hertfordshire.”
Jane bent her head close to Elizabeth’s and smiled. “Then we shall make this the most memorable Christmas the Bennet and Gardiner families have ever had. Our cousins are the perfect age for Christmas celebrations.”
Smiling now, Elizabeth hugged Jane. “I wish to be more like you for you always place others ahead of yourself.”
When Mrs Gardiner returned to the parlour after speaking to Mrs Hill, she rearranged a few chairs in the sitting area. Then she made certain potpourri, and appropriate knickknacks were positioned around the room while a bright blaze in the fireplace warmed the parlour.
“Aunt, what are you about?” Elizabeth asked watching her industrious aunt brighten the room by opening the curtains that Mrs Bennet preferred closed.
“Nothing my dear... just admiring my sister Bennet’s beautiful parlour.”
“Lizzy,” Jane said. “I wonder if you would do me a great favour.”
“Certainly; what is your wish?”
Jane touched her gown and said, “Since we have both dressed in green this afternoon, would you mind changing? We couldhave callers, and I would not want them to confuse us in their conversation after their call.”
