“That sounds perfect to me. Of course, there will be more than adequate chaperonage in both conveyances.” Elizabeth paused as she remembered something. “Are you looking forward to us travelling to Hilldale on the morrow?”
“Just as you will be when we travel to Pemberley on Monday, yes, I am,” Jane conceded. “Mother says that the last time the house was updated was before she married Father. They lived there for only a year before the old earl went to his eternal reward, and they moved to Snowhaven. With the season in London and the late Lord Matlock’s illness, they hardly slept at Hilldale.”
“When William told me I am free to change whatever I wish in his homes, I told him just what you told Andrew. I made it clear I will not make changes just because I can. Only if it is needed will anything be made over,” Elizabeth insisted.
“Before that, we need to rise and dress. I am sure there are those we would very much like to see in the breakfast parlour,” Jane pointed out.
Elizabeth did not need a second hint; she shot out of the bed and ran towards her own bedchamber.Jane clambered out of the bed and rang for the maid who had been assigned to her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The ride to St Mary’s was accomplished in less than two hours. Given the distance, there had been no need to have a rest break along the way. The two coaches arrived at the convent a little before eleven in the morning.
Gardiner pulled the chain hanging next to the heavy front door. There was the faint sound of a bell ringing somewhere within the building. A postulant opened the door. Gardiner handed her their cards and explained that they were family of Miss Lydia Bennet. The postulant left the visitors in the entrance hall while she made her way to Mother Superior’s office. It was not long before a nun, in full habit, approached them.
“I am Sister Agnes, the Mother Superior at St Mary’s Convent,” she identified herself. “The postulant told me you are Lydia’s family?”
“Indeed, Sister Agnes,” Gardiner replied. “I am her uncle, Edward Gardiner; my wife, Madeline Gardiner and these two young ladies are two of Lydia’s older sisters. They are Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
“Ah, yes,” Sister Agnes interrupted. “Lydia has spoken of her older sisters. You are the two eldest, are you not?”
“Yes, Sister, we are,” Jane confirmed.
Gardiner did not miss the way the nun looked at the other four visitors. “Allow me to introduce Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hilldale, who is betrothed to Miss Bennet, and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, affianced to Miss Elizabeth. The young lady is Elizabeth’s soon-to-be sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and the last lady is Mrs Annesley, companion to Miss Darcy.”
“It seems that congratulations are in order to the Misses Bennet. Lydia never mentioned any of her sisters in courtships,” Sister Agnes returned.
“Aside from just wanting to see our baby sister, we want her to meet her future brothers and sister,” Jane explained. “I know we did not notify you of our intent to call, so if it is not a good time, we will return later. However, if it does not interfere, we would appreciate visiting now.”
“Be easy, Miss Bennet, I had not thought to deny you. I just needed to satisfy myself that all of you are connected to Lydia in some way,” Sister Agnes clarified. “Lydia is doing very well here, but I will allow you to see for yourselves.”
“Thank you, Sister,” Gardiner said gratefully on behalf of all.
Sister Agnes led them to what could have been a sitting room, except the furniture was austere and not built for comfort. “I will have Sister Etheldreda, who has been supervising Lydia while she has been with us, escort Lydia to you.” With that, Sister Agnes left the room, pulling the door closed behind her.
Some minutes later, the door was pushed open. Lydia had no idea why Sisters Agnes and Etheldreda came and called her from her lesson; however, she knew not to question them. She had been looking down but looked up on entering the room. She wiped her eyes, thinking she must be dreaming. Before her stood Jane, Lizzy, Aunt Maddie, Uncle Edward, Mr Darcy, and three persons unknown to her. “How is it you are here?” Lydia enquired as she ran forward, tears streaming down her cheeks, and fell into the open arms of her two eldest sisters.
“That is a fine welcome,” Jane teased.
“We were in the area visiting,”Elizabeth divulged. “Do you think we could be less than ten miles from you and not come and see you?”
Lydia said nothing; instead, she hugged her sisters as tightly as she could to make sure they were real and not apparitions. She dried her happy tears, and after a few moments when she was satisfied it was in fact Jane and Lizzy, she released them and accepted hugs from her aunt and uncle.
The last was something new for Lydia. She had always kept herself apart from the Gardiners in the past because, in her mind, they were too interested in propriety. Now she realised, had she learnt from them instead, there was a very good chance she would have never been in the position she had been. She enjoyed the feeling of warmth she got from the Gardiners’ unreserved affection for her. She stood back looking questioningly. Jane was on the unmet gentleman’s arm, and Lizzy was on Mr Darcy’s.
“Lydia, dear, Lizzy and I are engaged. You know Mr Darcy, Lizzy’s betrothed, and this is Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hilldale, the man to whom I am engaged. The young lady next to Lizzy and William is Miss Georgiana Darcy, and behind her is Mrs Annesley, Gigi’s companion. We wanted to tell you our news in person and have you meet your future brothers and sister,” Jane explained.
“My Lord, it is an honour…” Lydia stopped when the man raised his hand.
“Lydia, we are to be brother and sister. Please address me as Andrew,” Hilldale requested.
“ThenAndrew, it is a pleasure to meet you. You have a treasure in Jane; never forget that,” Lydia admonished. She turned to look at Lizzy with the same questioning arched eyebrow as her older sisters sported from time to time. “Lizzy, excuse me if I speak out of place, but did you not dislike Mr Darcy?”
“Like Andrew said, I too am to be your brother. My name is William, and your soon-to-be sister is Gigi.” Darcy paused. “Your sister and I have settled all of the misunderstandings between us, and we started again. You know Elizabeth and how vociferously she refused the late Mr Collins. As such, you must know that unless it was her inclination to do so, she would have refused me and sent me on my way.”
Lydia was sure that Mr…no, William’s words were nothing but the truth. “As I was unaware that either of you were being courted before I was sent away, will you tell me how this all came about? I know I was self-centred and selfish in the extreme then, so if it was not about me, I would have not cared about your being courted.”
“As it is a nice day, is there somewhere for us to sit in the garden? Then, we can tell you all,” Maddie said.
