As the days went by, Mrs Reynolds discovered what a gem Master William had found in Miss Elizabeth. The only changes she asked for were in the mistress’s suite. Lady Anne’s pink and peach floral paper did not suit her, and Miss Elizabeth preferred simpler but more comfortablefurniture. No changes were made just because she could. She demonstrated her thoughtfulness by offering anything she was changing to Miss Gigi, if she wanted it.
As the servants came to know their future mistress, the mood in the house lightened considerably when the housekeeper’s words about the type of woman the master would bring home as his wife had been prophetic.
During the tour, Miss Elizabeth had asked to see the kitchens and meet all of the servants who worked there, not only Cook. It soon became apparent that once one of them had been introduced to the lady, she remembered their name after being told it once.
While Gardiner and Matlock fished, Maddie visited friends in Lambton. At those times, Elizabeth was undergoing riding lessons, and like most things she set her mind to, she was a quick study. When Gigi was not studying with Mrs Annesley, she was with Lizzy and William, especially when they began to ride over the estate. Elizabeth was very happy with the mare William had selected for her. She was a docile horse and had quickly bonded with Elizabeth. Her name was Aphrodite.
Jane and Andrew, with a groom and footman as escorts, would often ride—Jane had always been the horsewoman in the Bennet family—when they were not conferring with Lady Matlock about possible wedding plans.
The sennight at Pemberley passed as time was wont to do, and before they knew it, it was the final Monday in July, and the convoy of coaches was on its way to Meadowbrook in Berkshire to collect two Bennet sisters and four Gardiner offspring. As was their wont, Matlock, Hilldale, and Darcy had made sure they had adequate reservations for all in the party at preferred inns for the two nights they would be on the road.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“What is it, Richard?” Charlotte asked. The engaged couple had been sitting with Anne in one of the newly refurbished drawing rooms at Rosings Park.
“Good news and a summons,” Fitzwilliam replied. I will read the letter.
25 July 1812
Pemberley
Richard, my dear son,
From Snowhaven, we made for Hilldale so Jane could see her future home. As you can guess from my direction, we are at William’s estate, as he wanted Lizzy to see it.
If I did not mention this in a previous letter, Lizzy accepted William this time. Evidently, this proposal was not laced with insults! They are as well suited as your brother and Jane are. You will finally have William as a brother, which will make your Charlotte sister to Jane and Lizzy.
“If I were cruel, I would inform Mother of who William’s affianced is. I worry too much that she would give herself an apoplexy,” Anne stated with a smile.
“When will we see Jane and Eliza?” Charlotte asked.
“Mother has the right of it; I will enjoy having William as a brother. As to your question, I was getting to that. Allow me to read on,” Fitzwilliam suggested.
We depart here on Monday the 27th of this month. We need to collect the Gardiner children and the next two younger Bennet sisters at an estate in Berkshire on our way to Hertfordshire. We should be there by thefinal day of this month.
Father and I ask that you join us at Netherfield Park (Mr Bingley, William’s friend, has put his leased estate at our disposal) on the 31st of July. You, Andrew, and William will sleep there, and the three affianced ladies will sleep at their respective family estates. Further, if she is physically able, we ask that Anne accompany you.
Please tell Charlotte thatMotherandFatherare looking very much forward to seeing her again, especially after Jane and Lizzy have vouched as to what a wonderful, compassionate, excellent, upstanding, and intelligent woman you are to marry.
This will allow us to see Sir William and Lady Lucas again, and meet Charlotte’s siblings as well.
With much love,
Mother
“Anne, are you feeling well enough to travel? We will go as slowly as you need,” Fitzwilliam queried.
“Yes, I am. I would like to see Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie, as well as Andy, of course. More than that, I am in great anticipation of meeting the lady who tempted Andy to offer for her. I will enjoy being able to come to know Miss Elizabeth without being under Mother’s scrutiny. While her gimlet eye was turned on me, I had to act the invalid. I always thought I would want to know her if my mother was not there. Now we will be cousins,” Anne replied.
“Then we will depart early on the final day of the month and travel as slowly as you need,” Fitzwilliam stated.
Neither lady disagreed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Fanny, I have a letter from Lizzy and Jane. They and the Gardiners will collect our daughters and the Gardiner children in Berkshire. They will arrive here on the final day of July, and will not be alone,” Bennet reported after reading the epistle.
“I know they will not be alone; the Gardiners will be with them,” Fanny replied.
