“A very good idea. My sisters and I do the same. Even though we enjoy the smell, most insects do not, and it helps keep our clothes from being damaged.”
Continuing on with the box, Anna said, “The shells are so tiny. May I take them out of the box, Mama?”
“You may. My Aunt Gardiner sent the shells when she visited the seaside with her family, and my sister Jane made little bracelets for each of us. Would you like to try mine on?”
“Yes, Mama. Papa says there are a lot of shells in the sand at Ramsgate. I hope Aunt Georgie will bring some back for us.”
Elizabeth tied the shell bracelet around Anna’s wrist, saying, “It fits you perfectly.” Anna giggled with glee as Elizabeth proceeded to take out more childhood treasures and allowed her to examine every one of them. There were two small acorns with faces painted on them which she sat between her dolls and the wooden cat perched on the side of the vanity. Then there wasan old Roman coin that once belonged to Elizabeth’s father, and lastly a pretty pink ribbon.
“This ribbon is one that my sister Kitty gave me when she was little. She also likes pink. One year my three younger sisters all took ill at the same time. Jane and I took care of them, and Kitty gave each of us one of her pink ribbons when she felt better. I should be happy to share it with you if you like. It will look quite lovely in your hair.”
“I would like that, Mama,” Anna said, smiling up at Elizabeth, who took the ribbon and began weaving it with her hair into a long braid.
“There, what do you think?” Elizabeth asked when she finished.
“It makes me look very pretty, Mama, just like you when you wear my ribbon with the roses.”
Elizabeth had told Anna how Jane weaved her favourite ribbon into her hair for the wedding and how much her papa liked it. While William was gone, she had been wearing it to please Anna and to let her know how important her gift was on her special day.
Moments later Elizabeth was surprised when she saw her daughter’s brows furrow and her little mouth turned down in disappointment. “What is it, Anna?”
“Grandmamma says she does not like too many ribbons or laces. She says they are friv … friv…..”
“Frivolous?”
“Yes, Mama, frivolous,” Anna repeated.
“Frivolous means unimportant or unnecessary. In one respect she is correct, for you are quite lovely just the way you are and need no adornments to make you look pretty.” She kissed Anna on the top of her head, adding, “However, on occasion it is very nice to wear something special, or to try on pretty things like we are doing now. Do you not agree?”
“Yes, Mama.” She smiled broadly while looking in the mirror and touching the ribbon in her hair. Then, moving her hand to her chest, Anna touched the emerald cross which Elizabeth had allowed her to wear while sitting at the vanity. “I love Papa’s necklace, too, but I do not think it is frivolous. It sparkles and it is green, like your eyes.”
“You are very observant, Anna.” Elizabeth chuckled. “Papa says that is what inspired him to buy it for me. And when we wear his lovely gift, we should ask God to bless him for his kindness and pray that he and Aunt Georgie are having safe travels on their journey back to us.”
Being an obedient child, Anna closed her eyes and folded her little hands in her lap while quietly saying the words. When she finished she looked up again and smiled sweetly.
“Thank you, Anna. Your prayer was very fine. Since Papa’s express said he and Aunt Georgie would be home tomorrow, I have asked cook to prepare a special treat for our dinner. I understood from one of the maids that we have summer apples in the store room and cook has agreed to make us apple tarts.”
“Papa likes apple tarts. They are his favourite.”
“I know. He told me so when he visited our family at Longbourn and we had them with tea. I wonder…. Mrs. Potter says you have some very pretty dresses in your closet which Aunt Eleanor bought for you. I think it would be nice if we both looked our best when Papa comes home. We should ask Molly to help us fix the pink ribbons in our hair.”
Anna clapped her hands in excitement. “Oh, yes, Mama! And do you think she could help us with Dolly and Janie’s hair too? I would also like them to have pink ribbons.”
“What a lovely thought! We should look through our ribbons in the morning and choose the best ones for all four of us.”
At that moment there seemed to be some commotion in the hallway, with several servants talking in raised voices. Thenthere was a frantic knock at the door. When Elizabeth called out “Come,” it was Molly, accompanied by Mrs. Potter, who both rushed into the room.
“Ma’am, we just learned that the barn is on fire,” said her maid, a little out of breath.
“Oh, dear!” Elizabeth replied in alarm. “What is being done to remedy the situation?”
“The workers are tending to it, and some of the tenants have been called over. Her Ladyship has asked for all of the house servants to help with the water buckets and to bring other necessities lest anyone be hurt. Most of the animals have been freed, but the blaze is quite large. May we go and see what we can do to help?”
“Of course, please do. Anna and I will go to the balcony and watch from there. Please, be careful.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy,” they both answered leaving quickly.
“Mama, I am scared for the kittens.” Tears began to form in her eyes. Anna and Elizabeth had stopped by the barn on Wednesday and old Jackson had shown them the new litter. “What if their mama could not get them out of the barn in time?”
