“I made it for you, Cousin.” The girl threw her arms about Mrs Bingley’s neck.
“Oh, you are a darling! I adore it.” Mrs Bingley returned the girl’s embrace. “I will wrap it in paper and save it to bring out every year, and we shall always treasure it as our first Christmas star since Mr Bingley and I married! Idohope you will forgive me and my sisters for abandoning you all here without any of the fun you expected! I fear that me being married and living at Netherfield is still quite new for us.”
“We shall forgive you if you tell us a story at tea time like you used to.” Four-year-old Edward was solemn.
“Of course I will, and you must all come to Netherfield tomorrow for a special day,” Mrs Bingley invited her cousins.
“What will be special about it?” asked Nicholas, age seven.
“I have not decided yet, but there will be something very nice to eat at tea, and we shall think of something lovely to do!” Mrs Bingley promised.
“What if we practised a Christmas pageant?” Jane suggested. “I assure you, there are plenty of old clothes in the attics to make costumes with.”
“A nativity play!”Justine cried. “Weneverget to be in the nativity,because the children who live in Meryton always practise for it before we arrive, and since we always spend Christmas here, we only get to watch.”
“Truthfully, the Christmas Pageant is usually reserved for the tenant and worker children, it is a very important contribution to the parish for them each year.” Elizabeth reached across Lydia for a pair of scissors. “Henry and Franklin Lucas and the Goulding children might enjoy the opportunity to join us as well, and would give us enough players.”
“Mrs Goulding’s sister is visiting, perhaps we could borrow her baby!” Kitty exclaimed.
“Well, perhaps we would not ask toborrowher child, but I am certain that if the parents were invited in the afternoon to see the production, she might consent to allow her babe to occupy the manger for a short time.” Elizabeth laughed. “How much time would we need? The children would need to arrive at dawn to get in enough practise.”
“That would be far too long, in my experience,” Jane advised. When the ladies turned to her, she continued. “Children tire quickly, and they need variety in their day. If we make them practise all day, they will become fatigued and cross, and by the time the afternoon arrives, it will be a disaster. More than two hours of practise would weary them to the endeavour. It will be better to have someone standing by to remind them of their line if they have one before they enter the scene to deliver it. Though two hours of practise is hardly enough, it will have to do. The audience will be indulgent, and all that is important is for the children to have fun. Perhaps have the children arrive at ten in the morning. They can spend two hours practising. Then feed them a small meal, and give them an hour of quiet storytime, allowing any of them who need naps to fall asleep and take a short one then. Then an hour or so to prepare for the actual show. Maybe ask any parents who will be invited to watch to arrive just before three, and start the production at three.”
“We could have a lovely afternoon tea for everyone just after the play!” Kitty suggested enthusiastically.
“Will our sister have enough time to plan such an event? Jane, can the kitchens at Netherfield manage on such short notice?” asked Mary worriedly.
Mrs Bingley looked up into the air, thinking and counting on her fingers. “We might need to order some things from thevillage, and quickly, but I believe we could manage something quite nice. Charles will consider it a fine idea, of course.”
“You should send a note to Mrs Nicholls and the cook right away,” Elizabeth advised.
“I rather think I ought to go home and begin to find what is needed. I should help Mrs Nicholls and cook immediately, and send invitations, if we are to be successful.” Mrs Bingley looked disappointed. “Though I hate to leave you all when we are having such a lovely time. I just promised to tell a story at tea.”
“Go and make us a play, Cousin Jane.” Edward went to his cousin and tried to pull her from her seat.
“I would be glad to stand in and tell a story at tea time,” volunteered Miss Darcy. “Perhaps I might know one you all have not heard.”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Lydia was exuberant. “AndIshall stay at Longbourn for the night, and tell you all a story at bedtime. Perhaps one of my sisters will take a turn tomorrow.”
“I think I will.” Elizabeth assisted Nicholas in the creation of a paper chain. “It may be my last opportunity to do so for some time, considering that I am to marry so soon.”
“I can come with you and help you if you like, Cousin Jane,” Justine offered hopefully.
Mrs Bingley looked at Elizabeth wryly. They could hardly leave the girl behind when she so wished for the distinction of her eldest cousins’ undivided attention.
“Very well. Get your pelisse and gloves, and I shall tell your mother. Elizabeth must come and help as well, you will learn as you get older, that when you must accomplish a thing, you can never prosper without the help of your sister.” Mrs Bingley looked about the table. “Will you all manage without us?”
“We can, Sister. You must plan for tomorrow’s delights, we will manage quite well here,” Mary promised, followed by the agreement of Kitty, Lydia, Miss Darcy, Mrs Annesley, and the children.
Less than an hour later, Mrs Bingley, Elizabeth, and Miss Justine Gardiner travelled to Netherfield in Mrs Bingley’s carriage, and Jane left for the parish charitable boxing event in the company of Mrs Bennet and Mrs Gardiner, leaving the children in the care of their nurse and cousins. Jane enjoyed the church event greatly, and thought all of the items in the boxes, both the practical and the indulgent, were all excellent choices for families in need. She would have to discuss the idea with Edward, he might like the idea for the squatters’ village near Godmersham.
Chapter Thirty
Tuesday 22 December1812
The following morning, Charles Bingley left Netherfield on horseback, escorting Mary and Kitty Bennet as they rode in the two carriages sent to collect Henry and Franklin Lucas, the three Goulding children, and their nurses. Their parents, the parson, and a small group of others would arrive just before three o’clock that afternoon to view their production, then the parents would accompany their children home after the splendid tea that Mrs Bingley and the cook were planning.
Jane, Mrs Bennet, and Mrs Gardiner had stopped in Meryton on their way back home the day before and purchased a small toy for each child who was expected from the general store. There was the little cup and ball game, and also a set of spillikins, both of which Jane played often with her nieces and nephews, two balls, a bag of marbles each for Henry Lucas and Nicholas Gardiner, and two stuffed dolls for the youngest guests. Mrs Bingley was thrilled with the idea of their young guests each having a small gift to return home with them.
