“I bring you the gift of gold, New King,” said the first wise man, played by James Goulding.
“I bring you scents! Happy birthday, New King!” exclaimed the second wise man, Peter Goulding.
“This is myrrh,” announced the third wise man, Franklin Lucas, as he handed over the small wooden box toJoseph. Then he turned to the side of the stage, and called behind the curtain. “Lizzy, what is myrrh?”
“I will tell you later!” Elizabeth was heard hissing as the guests roared with laughter.
The smallest shepherd, played by little Madeleine Gardiner, crept close to the babe and whispered loudly. “I do not have any gifts, but when my cousin Jane gives us cake, I will share mine.”
Mr and Mrs Gardiner both wiped away a proud tear, and Mrs Bingley was openly weeping at her youngest cousin’s performance as Lydia’s voice closed the scene.
“And that is the story of the very first Christmas, when hope was born in a little town called Bethlehem.”
A half hour later, tables groaning with food had been laid at the edge of the ballroom. More tables had been set with chairs and tablecloths nearby, and footmen served the guests as the nannies and maids assisted the children to boiled eggs, muffins and preserves, cambric tea, and cake at their very own table. Justine proudly displayed the beaded cross her father had given her on the occasion of her playing Mary. It was not an expensive piece, simplistic in nature. Something well suited to a very young girl and only valued at a few coins, but she wore it with all the pride one might expect from a young girl who had enjoyed such a special day.
The children all thanked Mr and Mrs Bingley, who promised a similar activity each Christmas that they were in residence at Netherfield. When their guests left, each child took their small toy and the event was declaredThe Best Christmas Pageant Ever,but everyone promised not to say that on Christmas Eve in church, for even the children did not wish to ruin the pageant that was performed by the tenant children.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Thursday 24 December1812
Jane awoke on Christmas Eve and was thoroughly depressed. She felt guilty for her thoughts. It was a wonderful blessing for her to experience the hopes and dreams of her characters far beyond what she had imagined for them; to help them, befriend them, and share a bit of the lovely world she created…
But…she missed her family.
Edward, Cassandra, Fanny, and her brother’s other children would be preparing to go out and collect greenery to decorate Godmersham today. Jane was certain that her hosts and their guests were preparing for the same, and that it would be a splendid day.
Still, all Jane wanted was to pretend a headache and return to bed. She missed Cassandra, and Fanny, and Edward, and young Edward, and George. She missed her mother.
She wondered ifshehad caused her wish not to come true by staying up late to complete Mr Bingley’s slippers.Shedid not know the rules of well magic. What if she ought to have gone to sleep before midnight? She would not make that mistake again this evening. She would retireearly, and forgo the attendance of church at midnight with the others. It was not a lie that late night entertainments resulted in real headaches for her more often than not anyway. She would request one of Mrs Nicholls’s sleeping draughts, and hope to wake at Godmersham tomorrow.
It would be ungrateful in the extreme to her hosts to remain in bed on such a festive day, so she rose and performed her ablutions in the dressing room. She dressed with the help of Daisy, then headed to the breakfast room.
Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had returned the day before. The two men had said only briefly that Mr Wickham had been convicted and executed, but refused to say anything further, citing a desire not to throw a pall on the festive days ahead. They had sadly missed the nativity while in London, but they heard all about it the evening before at dinner, and Darcy assured his sister and his intended bride that should Mrs Bingley host a children’s festival in the summer, that they would of course make every effort to attend if it brought Elizabeth and Georgiana pleasure.
“Mr Bingley, have there been any further inquiries from your advertisements?” Jane made a point of asking every morning. She could not just stay in the man’s home indefinitely without at least acting as if she were interested in how she had ended up there, or where she belonged.
“No, but I did receive a letter yesterday from a physician who believes that a treatment called mesmerism might help you regain your memory,” answered Bingley as he poured milk into his tea. “Mr Bennet and Sir William found the suggestion highly interesting, but I must admit, I know little of the science. Darcy does not think much of the idea.”
“Animal magnetism?” Jane replied in surprise. The treatment, known as both animal magnetism and mesmerism, was highly debated in society.Shehad always regarded the reports of success with skepticism.
“You do well to regard the method dubiously, Miss Jane. I cannot boast of knowing even a half dozen people of sense or sound logic that have anything worthwhile to say about it.” Mr Darcy passed the marmalade to his sister.
“Well we need not reply, if the idea has no merit.” Bingley sipped his tea. “Mr Bennet and Sir William have been writing a series of advertisements including your likeness and what we know. The day before the ball, we shall get it all together and send them out to all of the major newspapers in England, since only advertising in Hertfordshire and London has not yet borne fruit.”
“I do thank you, sir,” Jane said. “I fear I woke up this morning feeling terribly homesick for my family, and when you do not know how to get home, it is an awful feeling.”
“Oh, that does make me sad.” Mrs Bingley looked sympathetic. “I know I would miss my family terribly, even if I could not remember much about them, or did not know where they were. You must feel horribly lonely, even among all of us here. I believe I would miss my family evenmorein such circumstances. Especially atChristmas.”
“You comprehend my sentiments perfectly, Mrs Bingley, but I feel blessed to have made so many wonderful friends amongst your family and neighbours.” Jane bowed her head. “I cannot feel anything other than grateful that if I cannot be with my family, that at least I have made such good friends.”
Later that morning the household was out in the wagons with the gardeners and footmen as the men cut and helped the ladies to gather pine boughs, holly, ivy, hawthorn, laurel, bay, rosemary, and hellebore. Absent were Kitty and Lydia, who had stayed the night at Longbourn to spend time with their cousins. The household at Longbourn was spending the day in a like manner, collecting greenery and decorating for Christmas, even though the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts would be held at Netherfield. The crowning achievement for the outing, a giant Yule Log wrapped in hazel twigs, was dragged back to the house by the men.
After two hours outdoors, the household returned, red-cheeked and in high-spirits, to light the Yule Log, and enjoy soup, mince and pork pies, thick slices of bread slathered with black butter, nuts, fruit, plum cakes, and gingerbread, accompanied by glasses of wassail, which wouldbe drunk by everyone except the children without abandon through Boxing Day, whenmostof the occupants ofthis houseat least, would exerta bitof self control, at least until the New Year, and the Epiphany, when the festivities would reach the height of immoderation. Most households celebrated the whole twelve day feast with unrestrained overindulgence.
When the food had been eaten, the household commenced decorating the house with the greenery that had been collected. Garlands were created, paper chains were hung, boughs and kissing balls of mistletoe went up, and hellebore was tucked in charmingly here and there. Everywhere was the decor enhanced with thick sashes and ribbons of red and white, as well as the charming ornaments created by the Bennet sisters and their cousins, which had been shared between Netherfield and Longbourn. Justine’s star was hung above the mantel in the drawing room, and every time Jane turned about, she caught either Mr and Mrs Bingley or Mr Darcy and Elizabeth under the kissing boughs. When the house was prepared to Mrs Bingley’s satisfaction, everyone went upstairs to rest for a short time, then bathe and dress for dinner.
The Christmas Eve feast at Netherfield was a joyous occasion attended by the entire family. Mrs Bingley was stunning in a gown of pomegranate, and wearing a pearl and diamond parure that was obviously a generous gift from her husband. Mr and Mrs Bennet arrived with Kitty and Lydia, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and all of their children. Mr and Mrs Phillips came as well in their own equipage. Mrs Bennet ranted about the grandness of her daughter–Mrs Bingley–in her jewels–and Jane was filled with contentment at that moment to witness the family’s joy. The children ran about in excitement, and the adults drank wassail punch and conversed until dinner was announced.
