Neither the Bennet nor the Bingley family participated in the tradition of putting Christmas charms in their pudding, but they did add a silver sixpence, and whoever found it on Christmas Day was to receivewealth and good luck in the New Year. This year, the sixpence was found by Jane.
A coin! Perhaps that is what was missing from my wish at the well!Jane determined that she would return to the well and make her wish again without delay, just as soon as the weather was dry enough. She had not felt comfortable asking anyone, even Lizzy, for actual money. A shop account paid for by Mr Bingley, that she only used to buy gifts for his family was one thing. Begging her characters for coins was beneath her.
Jane smiled and thanked all who congratulated her on finding the sixpence. As the numerous desserts were passed around the table and Jane accepted a glass of syllabub, her friends all expressed the hope that the resultant good luck would conclude with her finding her home and family.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Tuesday 29 December1812
Netherfield was a blaze of light as Mr and Mrs Bingley greeted their guests in the receiving line with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth. Mr and Mrs Bennet joined them in the receiving line, considering that it was their daughter’s wedding that was being celebrated.
Jane did not join the receiving line, of course. Instead, she mingled with Mr and Mrs Bingley’s guests, as Mary and Kitty did, to ensure everyone was at ease and enjoying themselves. There were a number of important people present in addition to the Matlocks and Viscount Heatherden. Mr Darcy’s godfather, Sir Hugh Taplow was present along with Mr Darcy’s close friend, the famed physician Sir Alastair Gilchrist.
There were a few noble couples who had been friends of Mr Darcy’s parents, and others whom his aunt insisted must be invited, in addition to the half dozen bachelors, and a few unmarried ladies who were daughters of the married couples present. Mr Bingley had also invited a few close family friends who were still in trade in different parts of the country. Lady Matlock, having arrived on Boxing Day and knowing thehigh ranking guests well, assisted Mrs Bingley on last minute changes to her dinner seating plan.
Mr and Mrs Hurst did not join the receiving line with their brother’s family, she preferring to attach herself to the company of the Kings and her brother-in-law, he setting off instantly for the card room. There had been a bit of a row on Boxing Day about the Hursts’ sudden preference for the company of the King family.
“Of course I have no objection to Mr King or his family, but could you explain to meyoursudden fondness for them? You objected vociferously to my dear wife on the point of connections. Both you and Caroline have looked down on every person above you in station here in Meryton, but suddenly you have a partiality for the Kings? They are not as rich as us, so what is it about, Lulu?” Bingley was determined to know on Boxing Day afternoon in the drawing room.
“Did you know that Miss King’s mother was the youngest daughter of Earl Harcourt?” his sister demanded. “Miss King has written to her mother’s family, who cut her parents off when they eloped, and they have been receptive to a connection with her.”
“Truly, Lulu?” Bingley was incredulous. “You objected to Jane on the basis of her having an uncle in trade, and you accept Miss King’s uncle in trade because she is connected to an earl?”
“Well, I do not know who else we are meant to converse with in this beastly village when your other guests have turned the locals against poor Rupert. Everyone we meet has been quite unpardonably rude since Mrs Bennet’s dinner.” Mrs Hurst was unconcerned about the opinions of her brother, or anyone else. “As a clergyman without an estate, a girl with ten thousand and a connection to an earl cannot be considered too low for Rupert.”
“Mr Rupert was openly and unnecessarily unkind about my sister in her own mother’s drawing room, in the hearing of no less than seven others, and only to impress a young lady who, like her brother, was only interested in rank, fortune, and taking suitors away from other members of her sex just to prove that she could.” For once, Jane Bennet wassteaming. “He was quite lucky not to have been sent on his way; instead he was encouraged to redeem himself. If he has managed to gain the good opinion ofanyonein the village, I am glad to hear it, and perhaps when others in Meryton learn of it, maybe they will soften to him as they eventually did to Mr Darcy. But please do not suggest that your brother has anyone to thank for his current reception in society but himself.”
“Brava, Mrs Bingley,” Viscount Heatherden entered the room. “I second my brother’s opinion. No man, particularly that of the clergy, ought to find shewing kindness to the ladies hereabouts to be a burden. It is the responsibility of the nobility and their families to set an example for others, and I hope my brother has shownourfamily to advantage during his stay, but I cannot doubt his sense of honour on that subject.”
“Of course, my lord, Colonel Fitzwilliam is very well regarded in Meryton,” Mrs Bingley assured the viscount.
“And where is the young lady I am to stand up with for the first? Miss Mary, I believe?” the viscount inquired.
“You have not even met the girl. I thought Miss Mary was at her mother’s house today, minding her little cousins,” Mrs Hurst objected. “We thought she was promised to the colonel for the first.”
“The lady in question will be the next Miss Bennet, I believe, after Elizabeth joins our family.” The Viscount lounged back in his chair and crossed his legs. “Of course my brother reserved her first for me; I am sure we Fitzwilliams know our duty.”
Mrs Hurst and her brother-in-law knew not how to argue with him, and so the subject was closed.
Three quarters of an hour after Mr and Mrs Bingley began receiving their guests, most of the locals had arrived and it was time to open the dancing. The evening started with the minuet, led off by Mr and Mrs Bingley and Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. Not long after, they were joined by Mary and Viscount Heatherden, and the floor quickly filled with couples.
Jane was watching the dance with interest when Colonel Fitzwilliampresented himself in front of her and bowed. “Miss Jane, you must not disappoint me. I insist upon claiming your first dance.”
Giggling as she took his arm, Jane accompanied him to the dance floor. “Was there no other lady pining for a partner that might have been better served?”
“I believe I have done my duty in introducing the bachelors present to Miss Mary and Miss Kitty, as you see they are on the floor already, and Miss Lucas as well.”
“Very well, Colonel, I am satisfied by your efforts.” Jane ceased speaking and allowed herself to enjoy the dance.
Mr Rupert Hurst danced the first with Miss Mary King, and it was evident that the two delighted in one another’s company. He danced with two of the ladies from London next, and sat out a dance or two to speak with Mr King while Miss King was dancing with others. Jane and Fitzwilliam observed to one another that he was a prime example of a man who did not at all mind having what was too good for him.
Jane danced with Mr Darcy, Viscount Heatherden, and Sir William Lucas, then spent time by the side of the room with Lydia, Georgiana, and Mrs Annesley. There had been a terrible row about Lydia attending the ball. She had been brought back in last summer, and neither her parents nor her next eldest sister approved of her attendance. Lydia was now sixteen, and would have been the only young lady in Merytonnotattending, the only others remaining home being less than fourteen years of age.
It had been Georgiana, and surprisingly, Elizabeth and Darcy who fought for her to go. Lydia had improved lately, and deserved a reward. Mrs Annesley had generously offered to be responsible for her as well as Georgiana, until after dinner, when all three would retire upstairs for the night. Elizabeth had insisted that this washerengagement ball, and she quite understood Lydia’s unwillingness to be the only Bennet left alone at home for the celebration. At length, after the offer of Mrs Annesley’s services, Mr and Mrs Bennet had relented. Lydia and Georgiana were only to dance with Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Viscount Heatherden, and Mr Bingley.
As midnight approached, Jane was approached by Sir Alastair Gilchrist, a famed physician from London, and a close friend of MrDarcy. The man had been interested in her amnesia from a professional standpoint since his arrival the day before, but his friendly manner and light-hearted banter had quickly, to Jane’s delight, turned playfully flirtatious. The man was in his mid-forties, with a smashing head of hair, and a handsomer countenance than an unmarried man of his age deserved.
“Miss Jane, will you join me for the supper set?” he begged. She accepted with a small thrill in her heart. Even if she had no intention of staying here, if she could help it, there was no harm in indulging in a harmless dalliance just for tonight.
