“I am Miss Abernathy, but we will help you, Mrs Higglebottom,” promised Miss Abernathy, gesturing to the two servants down the hall. “Let us ask one of the footmen for assistance.”
“Oh thank heavens, Thomas always knows where to find them.” Mrs Higglebottom headed towards the footmen standing across from one another in the hall. “Thomas, do run above stairs and see if my spectacles are beside my bed.”
The footman’s lips curled slightly, and it looked as if he was attempting desperately not to laugh. Mary noticed that the buttons on his livery were done up wrong, and then made eye contact with Lord Chesley, who could hold in his hilarity no longer, and burst into hearty laughter. The footman across the hall turned out to be none other than Captain Lytton, who was now holding desperately onto a side table as he indulged in his mirth.
“Whatever is so funny?” Mrs Higglebottom asked as the young ladies joined in the laughter. Once she looked properly and realized even without her spectacles that the footman was indeed a guest, she joined in their amusement. At length, the footman Thomas was located, who reminded Mrs Higglebottom that her spectacles were in her pocket, and they all parted eventually to return to their rooms.
That evening,Miss Winslow and Miss Blackwood refused to come down for dinner, taking trays in their rooms. They were offended by having missed lunch; they had been hiding since the very first round of hide and seek, and no one had bothered to find them or notice they were missing, even at the noon meal. Mrs Darlington thought it was unfortunate, but said nothing else about the two ladies that none of the men wished to court.
CHAPTER 27
Gracechurch Street,
London
12 June, 1812
Lizzy!
Uncle returned to us two days ago, tanned and in great spirits after his time by your host’s river. My aunt says you spoil him, but I know that she is happy for him that he had time to enjoy some fishing while he was from town. He brought Kitty with him, having stopped for her in Meryton before returning to London, as planned. My aunt has all manner of outings arranged for us, though it is more exciting for Kitty than me. I have been in the city these three months, and have seen a great deal already, but Kitty has seen nothing. I am ever so much more sophisticated than she after my time here. Ha!
We are to go to the theatre tonight, and the gown my aunt had made for me as a gift at her modiste is divine. Kitty’s is nothing to it, though she loves hers anyway, for it is not white. I will allow that she looks very well in it, do you not agree it is a good colour for her? I sent sketches of both of our gowns,and I coloured them with watercolours. You must write back with your agreement that my gown is finer.
My friend from school has invited me to stay with her family in London for the Christmas holidays. Aunt Gardiner is to call upon her home with me and Kitty next week to determine if they are trustworthy, and they and Mama will decide if I am to go. Lizzy, please write to my aunt and tell her that I simply must be permitted to visit Miss Brockway. I shall die of embarrassment if I am not permitted to go.
Are you married yet?
Yours,
Lydia
A week later,Elizabeth felt no closer to meeting her future partner than before. Mr Brentwood had moved on after Elizabeth rebuffed him gently. He was now showing attention to Miss Abernathy and Miss Penfield. Miss Penfield was also receiving attention from Mr Fletcher, who seemed to be a good match for her, though it was quite obvious that she was his second choice to Jane, upon whom he had not given up. Elizabeth hoped Miss Abernathy would not accept Mr Brentwood, for a better recipe for a union like that of Elizabeth’s parents she had never encountered.
Mr Cartwright was still following her about assiduously. Elizabeth wished she knew what it was about her that interested him. She attempted to make him understand that her interest in steam engines had long since waned, and that if she had her way, she would learn no more about them as long as she lived. The man was oblivious, and refused to take the hint.
Mr Whittaker had shown her some interest, once he had given up on Jane. Elizabeth liked him well enough, and she found his conversation engaging, but she did not believe that a match was in the making. Men, it seemed, took far longer to be dissuaded from their enthusiastic first impressions, so he followed her about in an effort to impress her with descriptions of his library and the park around his home.
Elizabeth smiled at her younger sister as they were handed into her carriage by Mr Elwood, who had taken an interest in Mary after she expressed an interest in his charitable efforts. Mary, ever pious, had shown great enthusiasm for his work with London’s parish schools, as well as his endeavours with wounded officers returning from war, and orphanages. Mary also continued to receive notice from Colonel Gordon, though Captain Lytton had abandoned her to pay court to both Miss Crawford and Miss Bingley, who Elizabeth could tell preferred the attentions of Lord Chesley.
The company was on their way to Glastonbury Abbey, for a tour guided by Mr Wifflethorpe, whose expertise lay in the legends of the place. The Darcys and Mr Bingley were to accompany them; Mr Bingley unable to spend an afternoon away from Jane, and Miss Darcy wishing to see the ruins with her friend. With the carriages of the men added to the conveyances, the journey was exceedingly comfortable.
When they arrived, Elizabeth took the arm of Mr Whittaker and smiled as Mr Bingley handed Jane out of his carriage and tucked her hand in his arm with a brilliant smile. Jane blushed with pleasure, and Elizabeth prayed that her sister might finally have met her match, even if he had not been intended for the guests.
Elizabeth observed Mr Darcy scowl at her elder sister and his friend as he assisted his godmother, sister, and his sister’s friend from his carriage. Mr Darcy had joined her on her walks two more times since he had arrived at Ever After End, though Elizabeth had not yet determined what his objection was to his friend and her sister forming an attachment.
Each time they encountered one another, he was quick to dismount and offer her his arm, though his conversation was awkward and halting. She determined that the man was not above his company, but only excessively shy. Once she endeavoured to find a subject that he was comfortable with – such as his home, his tenants, and books, their conversations were engaging and enjoyable. He still watched his sister and her interactions with the other ladies closely, though he avoided conversation with his godmother’s guests assiduouslywhen he was in the house. She saw him observing her often, and wondered what he meant by it, although she lacked the courage to ask him.
Elizabeth was rather mortified about it, for she and all the others had been warned away from the man by Mrs Darlington, but she was well on her way to admiring him in earnest. Elizabeth was a slight, petite woman, and had never been attracted to such a tall man before, but his looks and his form were very much to her taste, and his devotion to his sister and godmother was endearing. She learned that he had lost his parents and took responsibility for all his concerns at a young age. It was easy to understand his resulting reserve and seriousness, though she was determined to overcome her admiration. He was not for her.
“Welcome,my friends, to a place where history hums beneath your feet, and legends whisper through the very air you breathe. This is Glastonbury Abbey – no mere collection of ruins – but a sanctuary where myth and truth entwine, echoing across centuries!” Mr Ignatius Wifflethorpe exclaimed loudly as he led the group to the ruins.
“This is the highlight of Mr Wifflethorpe’s year, my dear,” Mrs Darlington said to Miss Darcy as that lady meandered behind on the arm of her godson. Georgiana and Miss Bates nodded and followed their guide attentively.
“Here, beneath these weathered arches, stood one of the greatest monasteries in all of England!” Mr Wifflethorpe continued. “Imagine the solemn footsteps of monks tracing paths each day through these cloisters, their chants rising like mist over Somerset. Picture pilgrims arriving in droves, seeking solace, healing, and perhaps… a glimpse of something greater!”
Mr Darcy watched quietly as Miss Elizabeth Bennet listened attentively to their guide, who proceeded to edify his audience. “But Glastonbury is more than stone and mortar. It’s a living, breathing story,” Mr Wifflethorpe went on. “They say Joseph of Arimathea,bearer of the Holy Grail, planted his staff upon Wearyall Hill – and there it blossomed into the sacred Glastonbury Thorn. Can you feel the weight of that legend pressing down upon this land?
“And of course, the great King Arthur himself is said to rest here. In 1191, monks uncovered what they believed to be the tomb of Arthur and Guinevere, nestled in this very ground. Was it truly the Once and Future King, or was it the Abbey’s bid to draw the gaze of the world? No matter. The power of the tale lingers, as if Arthur’s spirit refuses to fade, waiting – always waiting – for a time when he is needed once more.”
