Four of the five Lamberts were waiting for them when the coach came to a halt. Elizabeth recognised Aunt Gwen, Uncle Tim, Addie, and Henry. There were quick words of welcome before everyone went inside to escape the biting cold.
Once divested of their outerwear, they all made for the drawing room. Gwen pulled Elizabeth into a hug. “It was devastating to read what Maddie told us in her letter. I am so very sorry Lizzy, I know how close you and Janey were,” Gweneth said next to Elizabeth’s ear.
The embrace and kind words released some tears which were never far from the surface. Addie and Henry were distressed to see Lizzy so sad, but they had been told what had befallen the Bennets, so it was not completely unexpected.
When Elizabeth was welcomed by her Uncle Tim and he expressed his condolences, Mary was introduced to Gwen who proceeded to pull the younger Bennet into her arms and whisper words of comfort. It was decided that the three arriving guests would go up to their chambers to wash and change, which would also allow the Bennet sisters to compose themselves.
By the time the three returned to the drawing room, the children had been sent back to the nursery. Gwen called for tea and soon the housekeeper, a kindly looking lady in her middle years, was supervising the placement of the tea service andsome welcome biscuits.
“Gardiner, when do you begin your return journey?” Lambert asked. “I hope you will rest for at least a few days first.”
“I must away at first light on the morrow as I intend to arrive home on Saturday, so I do not need to be at an inn on the Lord’s day,” Gardiner replied, “although I do appreciate your offered hospitality. I will have much rest in the coach as I will not have two chattering girls with me,” he teased.
“Even if Uncle Edward does not value your hospitality,” Mary said as she smiled at the named man, “we do.”
“You two are welcome to remain here for as long as you need,” Lambert told his nieces. “Addie is much in anticipation of lessons on the pianoforte, Mary, and all three expect at least one story a day from you, Lizzy. Not only were they treated to some when we last visited Gracechurch Street, but in letters between the older cousins, Lilly, Eddy, and Peter never fail to mention how much they love it when you tell them stories.”
“When we next come to visit, there is a good chance Lizzy’s and Mary’s younger sisters will be with us if that is acceptable to you two,” Gardiner related.
“Edward, you know this is a large house. If we ever needed it, my late parents’ estate is less than three miles from here, and there is another good sized house there,” Gwen reminded her brother-in-law. “So yes, as many as you and Maddie desire to bring with you, would be more than welcome.” She turned to the sisters. “We are aware you like to take long, solitary walks, Lizzy. This estate is somewhat larger compared to what has been related to us of Longbourn’s size. Due to that, walking is not ideal, but if you know how to ride, it is the best way to see the combined lands of Lambert Hills and Green Hill. However, even though Rory’s future estate is not as large as this one, together there is much land to cover.”
“I do not ride,” Elizabeth explained. “I began to learnwhen I was seven, but Papa did not have a pony. He put me on his gelding, and the horse sensed my fear and threw me off his back. It was not only my dignity which was damaged that day, as it cost me a broken arm. Since then, I have not ridden a horse.”
“Is this my niece who claims her courage always rises at any attempt to intimidate her?” Gardiner questioned.
“That is not playing fair to use my own words against me!” Elizabeth put on some mild outrage. She regulated her look and turned to her younger (not by many years than Uncle Edward) uncle. “I take it you have a larger variety of horses here than my father has at Longbourn?”
“I have no basis to compare, but we do have an extensive stable. If you agree to learn, my stable master or I will teach you, and you will begin on a pony like the one Addie rides.”
“So not as far to fall,” Elizabeth responded drolly. “At Longbourn, we have two work horses who are used to pull the carriage when they are not needed on the estate.” Everyone noticed the dark look Elizabeth got when she mentioned the last, but no one commented. “There is Nellie, the old mare Janey used to…” Some tears fell as she spoke of Jane and Nellie.
“And then there is Father’s gelding, the one that threw Lizzy,” Mary completed for her sister.
“In that case, the stables here are much larger. There are carriage horses, work horses, and a good number of animals for riding from smaller ponies, to cobs, all the way up to full sized horses,” Lambert shared. “Unless you object, Lizzy, I will teach you myself. Paulson is a good teacher, but I think I am better, especially with someone like you, who is nervous to ride.”
“And what of you, Mary?” Gweneth queried, “Do you ride?”
“After the accident with Lizzy, our father never took the time to teach any of the rest of us to ride, so no, I do not. But, ifit is a possibility, I would love to learn also.”
“In that case, I will teach both of you,” Lambert decided.
“While you two are in deep mourning, we will not have any festive public events at the estate,” Gweneth told her nieces.
“We do not expect you to change your lives for us,” Elizabeth insisted as Mary nodded her head emphatically. “If there is anything we feel we cannot attend, we will simply keep to our suite. On that subject, thank you. It is large and very comfortable. Our shared bedchamber was smaller than the one each of us has now.”
“Even though we were not directly related to Jane, we also mourn her, so for at least the first month you are with us,” Lambert looked at his wife who nodded, “we will not attend anything beyond church and family related events.”
A half hour later, the butler announced dinner.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That evening when Elizabeth and Mary retired to their suite—each sister had a bedchamber separated by a private sitting room—and once they were ready for bed, they met in Elizabeth’s chamber and snuggled under the warm covers. The heat radiating from the crackling fire caused the temperature in the room to be very pleasant.
“What think you, Lizzy?” Mary wondered, “Will you enjoy being here?”
“That depends on you, Sister dear,” Elizabeth averred. She did not miss the quizzical look on Mary’s countenance. “I could only be happy here if you are. What do you feel, Mary?”
“I think, no, I know, I will favour our time here,” Mary replied. “Aunt Gwen and Uncle Tim are such pleasant and genuine people, and the children are darling. I will have as much fun teaching Addie to play the pianoforte as I did with Lilly for the few days we were at the Gardiners’ house. I promised Lilly I will dedicate as much time to her lessons thissummer as she desires.” Mary paused. “I think of Jane all the time, but I do not feel her presence here like I did at Longbourn or Gracechurch Street.”
