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Monday morning, bright and clear, proved perfect for traveling and welcoming the Gardiners to spend Christmas at Longbourn. The children tumbled out of the Gardiners’ coach into Jane’s waiting arms. Though three hours was not really so very long to be confined to a carriage, their young cousins would be hard pressed to agree and were ready to follow Jane into the garden to spend pent up energy.
Jane adored the Gardiner children. They brought the first genuine smile to her face since Miss Bingley’s letter had come. One more reason to appreciate the Gardiners’ arrival.
Mama waited inside the parlor with tea and refreshments on the low table in front of her. Afternoon sun warmed the room invitingly, dust motes playing in the sunshine. In the warmth, the pale, floral-print curtains reminded Elizabeth of the garden in early summer.
“How lovely all this looks!” Aunt Gardiner placed her large basket on the sofa as she stood just behind. “You are so very good to have this waiting for us.”
“Aunt Gardiner!” Lydia and Kitty burst in, the door hitting the wall behind, adding another small dark mark to the paint where the door handle struck.
Aunt Gardiner extended her hands and greeted them with kisses on their cheeks. “How well you both look! See what I have brought you from town!” She opened her basket and handed bundles to them all.
“Do sit down girls and act like the refined young ladies you are.” Mama gestured them all toward seats around the table, but that did not stop Kitty and Lydia from dancing in the sunbeams.
“The ribbon I longed for! Oh look Mama!” Lydia draped a length of pink embroidered ribbon across her bodice. “Will it not look well on my sprigged muslin gown?”
“Indeed it will, child. You are so thoughtful, sister.” Mama unwrapped a bundle of silk flowers. “You chose these to go with my blue gown.”
“Indeed, I did. I am certain you will find some good use for them.” Aunt Gardiner smiled broadly.
Kitty bounced on her toes. “Oh, oh, the lace is so beautiful! I cannot wait to put it on my bonnet!”
“I hope you will be able to do so before we leave. I would very much like to see your work.”
“Thank you for the music,” Mary’s tone was demure, but her eyes glittered.
Somehow Aunt Gardiner always chose the most thoughtful gifts. The beaded reticule suited Jane as did the book Elizabeth had once borrowed from the circulating library on her last visit to London.
“Surely you must be peaked by now. Sit down and refresh yourself.” Mama began serving tea and talking of all the changes in the neighborhood since the Gardiners’ last visit.
Aunt Gardiner listened politely to Mama’s list of grievances and complaints at how ill-used they had all been. Two of her girls had been on the point of marriage. Yet, still after all that, there was nothing in it.
Jane blushed and examined her new reticule closely. Elizabeth steeled her spine to keep from squirming in her seat.
“I do not blame Jane, for Jane would have got Mr. Bingley, if she could. But, Lizzy! It is very hard to think that she might have been Mr. Collins's wife by this time, had not it been for her own perverseness. He made her an offer in this very room, and she refused him.”
Aunt Gardiner reached for her hand. “But sister—”
Mama pulled back. “The consequence of it is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have. Worse yet, Longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever. The Lucases are very artful people indeed. They are all for what they can get. I am sorry to say it of them, but so it is.”
“Mama!” Jane’s eyes pleaded for reprieve.
“It makes me very nervous and poorly, to be thwarted so in my own family, and to have neighbors who think of themselves before anybody else. However, your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts. I am very glad to hear what you have to tell us of long sleeves.”
None of Mama’s news was truly new to Aunt Gardiner, having heard it all in prior correspondence with Elizabeth. Perhaps because of that, or her general level of compassion for her nieces, she was only too pleased to turn the conversation to how long sleeves were being worn in town.
Half an hour later, Aunt Gardiner begged leave to stretch her legs outside. Elizabeth offered to show her the changes in the garden, and they hurried off together before Mama could protest.
The evening chill would set in soon. They had perhaps an hour before the cold—and waning light—would drive them in. But for now, they could enjoy the colors of the sunset as they painted the autumn blossoms and the dry leaves and grass that crunched underfoot.
“It seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane,” Aunt said. “I am sorry it went off. But these things happen so often! A young man, such as you describe Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks. When accident separates them, he so easily forgets her. These sorts of inconstancies are very frequent.”
“An excellent consolation in its way, but it will not do for us. We do not suffer by accident. What think you of it when the interference of friends persuades a young man of independent fortune to think no more of a girl with whom he was violently in love only a few days before?” Elizabeth plucked a tall stalk of grass and swished it across her path.
“But that expression of ‘violently in love’ is as often applied to feelings which arise from an half-hour's acquaintance, as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, how violent was Mr. Bingley's love?”
“I never saw a more promising inclination. He was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies by not asking them to dance. I spoke to him twice myself without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”
“Oh, yes—of exactly that kind of ‘love’ which I suppose him to have felt. Poor Jane! I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get over it immediately. It had better have happened to you, Lizzy; you would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. Do you think she would be prevailed on to go back to London with us? Change of scene might be of service.” Aunt Gardiner raised a knowing eyebrow. “Perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as anything.”
“What an excellent scheme, I think she will be most pleased of it.”
“And tell me of yourself, now. Are you sure you are unaffected by your brush with marriage?” Aunt Gardiner clasped Elizabeth’s hands.
“I assure you, Mr. Collins has left me utterly unscathed. I shall not repine his attentions.”
“I am relieved to hear it, for it seems your mother is intent on making you regret your choices.”
Elizabeth shrugged “I have grown accustomed to it, I think. And she is not so very intent. She is now recommending that I encourage the attentions of yet another young man.”
“Indeed, this is news to me. Pray tell me more of him.”
“He is an officer in the militia and hails from Derbyshire. That alone should ensure your approval of him.”
“My approval?” Aunt stopped short and stared into Elizabeth’s face. “That you desire it suggests there is some attachment on your part.”
“I assure you, neither of us is violently in love. He is a pleasant gentleman. You will see for yourself I am sure. Mama has many engagements planned for whilst you are here. I have no doubt there will be opportunity to see you are introduced.”
“I shall look forward to it.” Aunt’s expression did not quite agree with the sentiment.
“So shall I. I would value your opinion on the gentleman both my parents seem to approve of.”
