You had a good reason not to attend me, as you bore Roseanne a fortnight later. Not that it would make a fig of difference to us, but we are pleased that you are happy that none of your children have a port-wine birthmark. It is sad that there are yet some who are ignorant and small-minded enough to draw negative connotations from something that, as His Grace correctly said at your wedding, you were kissed by God with that mark.
One of my main worries for Papa was that he would be very lonely at Longbourn once we had all married and moved away. It will never be an issue thanks to you and the sons and daughter you have gifted him.
That Mary, Richard, and their brood are only three miles away does not hurt either. Of course, the new Duchess of Hertfordshire and her duke live not many miles further at Falconwood. Can you believe that Lydia is a duchess? It was sad that her parents-in-law were called home to God within a fortnight of one another in April of 1818. Is it not amusing that the two youngest (before my brothers and sister were born) in the family have married the highest-ranking men.
Anna loves Harry very well and discharges her duties as the Countess of Granville with aplomb. William is very pleased that their main estate in Nottinghamshire is only twenty miles from Pemberley. As you well know, we all meet in Londonfor the season each year, not to mention the calls at each other’s estates.
As Henry is soon to be 7, would you and Papa object if we gifted him with a cob as a birthday gift?
Yes, in fairness, we will do the same for my other two brothers and youngest sister when they reach the same age, if you and Papa approve, of course.
It is bad enough that my brothers rib their older nephews and nieces about being their uncles, but wait until Roseanne is old enough, if she is of a teasing disposition like her second eldest sister, she will enjoy much sport because of that.
We will stop at Longbourn when we travel to London in November, and also, we will all see one another over Christmastide at Longbourn.
You and Papa did very well when you purchased Purvis Lodge and annexed the land to Longbourn. It also gave you a house to live in while Longbourn’s manor was practically rebuilt. You mentioned that there are enough chambers for the extended family to be hosted there, with just a little help from Netherfield Park.
As this will be the first time I am to view the new mansion, I am in great anticipation of seeing it.
Please tell Papa my next letter will be to him. Warmest regards to you, Papa, my brothers, and little sister.
Lizzy
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Christmastide 1819
When Longbourn had been renovated, given the rapidexpansion of the family with the addition of all the spouses and children who had joined the family, the main drawing room had been made three times larger than the old one. In addition, a much bigger music room, which was separated by a wall which could be retracted as it was now, had been constructed.
Mary was seated at the pianoforte, with Anna next to her, as they played carols. As accompaniment, they had Jane on the harp, Kate playing the cello, and Lydia had her violin in her hands. The children who knew the words were singing the carols, helped by their fathers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Louisa was seated on a sofa in the drawing room: Aunt Hildebrand was on one side and Lizzy on the other. Her aunt was holding Roseanne on her lap as the toddler of one chattered away to no one in particular. Little Annabeth, also one, who had begun to walk about a month past, was for once—a very rare occurrence—sitting quietly on Lulu’s lap. She could not believe how many grandchildren she and Thomas had, and she was only forty.
“Lulu, Aunt Hildebrand, did you hear that the miscreant George Wickham did not even live long enough to complete his hard labour?” Elizabeth asked. The two ladies shook their heads. “I am sure Richard will tell Papa, if he has not already. He tried to steal something from a fellow convict. The man did not appreciate it, and Wickham ended up dead. There were no witnesses, and I am sure the gaolers did not look too deeply.”
Before the ladies could reply, Annabeth’s time of sitting peacefully was over when she saw her papa playing with her brothers on the rug. She squirmed off her Grandmama Lulu’s lap, and as soon as she reached the floor, she was running as fast as her little legs would carry her towards him, a stream of “Papa up, Papa up,” coming from the mite. Elizabeth followed her daughter—a much younger copy of herself—with a hugesmile on her face.
“When will Uncle Christopher join us?” Louisa enquired.
“I expect him in an hour. Even though he retired after Epiphany this year, he wanted to call on his successor and some of his friends in the area,” Hildebrand replied.
“You will be with his children and their families next year; will you not be?” Louisa queried. She saw her aunt nod her head. “I hope you know they would have been welcome here. Speaking of that, Anne, Ian and their two are spending the festive season with the Medfords at their house in Sanditon. We will all see them for Easter at Rosings Park in 1820. You and Uncle Christopher will join us, will you not?”
“Yes, to both. It is funny that we have been more than half of the year away from Scarborough since we moved into my house. But, I repine nothing. Between you and Charles and all of my nieces and nephews, we always have somewhere to visit.” Hildebrand paused as she cogitated. “Is Thomas still bound and determined that no mention of the murderous, excommunicated, late former parson will be made in his hearing?”
“Yes indeed, it is so. I, however, will never repine the effect that man had on Thomas by making him finally follow the dictates of his heart. We have a love as deep as the deepest ocean and look at the four blessings we have received from Him. For that, I will be forever grateful,” Louisa insisted.
“Amen, Lulu, amen,” Hildebrand said, eyes to the heavens.
~~~The End~~~
