“I will do that, Patrick, but Jane tells me that David and Gillian Fitzwilliam will be travelling with them and May Gardiner is in Town. What say you to Gracie coming with me? I am sure that Lady Gardiner will welcome her to stay with May at Gardiner House.”
“Gracie,” Elliot called her over.
“Yes, Papa and Mama?” Grace smiled sweetly at Charlotte. Grace had started calling Charlotte ‘Mama’ right after the betrothal.
“Mama is to leave for London tomorrow.” Grace’s smile slipped and she looked at both with alarm. “Would you like to go with Mama? May is in Town and we are sure that you will see her.” He chuckled when her smile lit up the day like it had its own power, as all children do.
“Yes, yes, yes! I want to see May and go with Mama! Thank you, Papa, I love you ever so much. What an adventure this will be!” Grace exclaimed, not in the least daunted, even though she had never made a trip of this magnitude before. After kisses were awarded to the cheeks of both and tight hugs granted, Gracie returned to the dogs who had waited almost patiently for her in anticipation of more petting.
“I will send a note to Jane right away and go and ask Watson to pack for me.” She turned to Miss Jones. “Miss Jones, I suggest that you pack as well as we will leave very early in the morning,” she smiled gently at her companion and chaperone.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It was common knowledge that the Queen and some of the royals would be attending the wedding. This led to Bennet House being inundated with callers still in town and not a few members of theTonreturned to London a lot earlier than they otherwise would have. Those who had an intent to somehow work on the new countess to garner a coveted invitation to a royal sponsored wedding, were vastly disappointed. During the initial calls they faced Lady Longbourn flanked by her Grace, the Duchess of Bedford, Lady Madeline Gardiner, and Ladies Elizabeth and Mary. Not too many days later they found Ladies Jersey, Matlock, and Hilldale also included in the group during visiting hours.
As word spread that the Countess of Longbourn would not bend to anyone’s will and that she had a cadre of supporters, the visits slowed to a trickle. Word also was spread that if one had not already received an invitation, then it was likely that one would not be forthcoming.
The day that Elaine, Marie, Jane, and Richard Fitzwilliam arrived accompanied by Charlotte Collins and her soon to be daughter Grace Elliot, was a very happy day for all because since their wedding the family had little or no time with the newlywed Fitzwilliams.
It was also the first chance to see Charlotte since she announced her betrothal, and for those who had not, to meet her daughter. For Elizabeth, the arrivals made her happiness complete. She had her best friend at her side, who also happened to be her favourite sister. It was an added delight that her very good friend Charlotte arrived in advance of her original travel plans.
Lady Gardiner had been forewarned that Gracie was arriving that day, so May too had come to Bennet House so she could be there to welcome her friend. After a hug and kisses to her Mama, Grace left with the Gardiners to reside with May at Gardiner House.
Jane and Richard Fitzwilliam were but a few doors down at Matlock House. After changing and washing off the grime from the road, Jane and Tiffany returned to Bennet House and joined the families’ matriarchs, their sisters, and friends in the family sitting room. Once the Fitzwilliam sisters crossed the threshold, both were mobbed by their sisters as Tiffany too had been invited to reunite with her sisters and Georgie, who was soon to be her sister as well. Lily Gardiner had swapped places with Grace to stay at Bennet House with her cousins.
The young girls went off to entertain each other under the watchful eyes of their companions. The men headed to the billiards room; the cousins happy to be in each other’s company again as it had been above a month since they were all together before Richard’s wedding.
Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary, along with Charlotte repaired to the sitting room in the suite now shared by the two betrothed sisters. As soon as the door to the sitting room closed the interrogation Jane expected was foreshadowed with three inhales to see who could get their question out first. Jane pre-empted them all by holding her hand up and they complied. No one was foolish enough not to, and she asked to see the rings her sisters had received. There was much to admire, though they only afforded her a brief respite, then Lizzy led off the interrogation.
“How was your wedding trip, sister? Was Seaview Cottage pleasant to stay at?” Lizzy started with a less embarrassing topic and was truly curious about one of the properties she would soon manage with her husband.
“You will find out soon enough Lizzy, as Richard shared that William wrote to him telling him that he intends for the two of you to spend a month there each year, was it three weeks he said, maybe four?” she blushed prettily and Lizzy tried to hide her anticipation.
“Now, ask me the questions you truly want to ask or we can return to the others,” Jane challenged. Neither of the ladies before her were wilting flowers, and this was not the time for that. Perhaps if it were after they retired and were having a sisterly talk, but it was midday and they would soon be expected for tea.
“You are right, Jane. It is foolish to act like we are not all of age, but Charlotte is with us because she too has no idea what is about to happen. In reality, she is unsure that she had even truly consummated the marriage, and certainly any occurrences were not pleasurable,” Mary stated.
“I am glad you are here as I planned to seek you out. If you are not sure, then it is likely true. If he had managed to consummate as he should have, there would have been no doubt, Charlotte. It will be a most wonderful experience when you marry your Mr Elliot, even with your previous marriage it will be a first for you and with one that you love and who loves you in return.” Jane reached out and took Charlotte’s hand. “First, I want to assure you, sisters, that mother’s talk is most comforting and soothing,” she nodded at their relief. “I will not usurp her pleasure at sharing this with you. But I will caution you all this, you most especially, Charlotte.” When Elizabeth and Mary looked pensively from Jane to Charlotte, Jane laughed softly. “I believe Charlotte would agree with me that you, Lizzy, will love your husband and are naturally romantic so would find your way with your husband, talk or no.” She winked at Charlotte when Lizzy blushed. “I also think she knows you, Mary, are going to probably shock your husband with your demanding that he reminds you that he loves you and the where and when will not matter.” She laughed brightly when Mary nodded with hardly a blush.
“He is mine to love for all of my lifetime. I will not shrink from the pleasures nor hide from the pain,” Mary stated brazenly.
“It is that you need to remember, Charlotte. It is not the time of day nor the location so long as you have privacy. It is about the chance to be reminded that he loves you, and surprise him by reminding him that you love him and want him in return. It is that pleasure that will make you partners in a physical sense. It extends to a much deeper connection. I do not want you to shy away from the depth of your love, Charlotte, any of you. It will help gain such pleasures for you, even more than we will ever find as you know what a gift it is.” She again squeezed Charlotte’s hand then scanned all three ladies before her.
“Thank you, Jane,” Charlotte blushed.
“There is another point I want to stress, just in case your mother does not remind you,” Jane again nodded at Charlotte, knowing it was unlikely Lady Lucas had. “Trust yourself enough to be open to what pleases him, trust him to care for what matters to you. Be honest about what you enjoy, and be as honest about what you do not. Do not stay silent on either. Demand the same from him so you know you are becoming the wife you want to be,” Jane arched a brow as she looked at Mary.
“I plan on not letting Hugh out of bed until he begs for mercy,” Mary teased with a huge smirk.
“It can be a most satisfying situation,” Jane agreed, laughing when Lizzy and Charlotte gaped at the two of them. Lizzy then turned to her long-time friend.
“Just when did I become the least bold sister? This is quite unacceptable!” Lizzy scowled playfully and the four of them laughed together.
“Mary was never shy; she just had no reason to show it.” Jane took Mary’s hand in her other and squeezed it.
“Oh Jane, how I have missed your sweet way of turning people into saints,” Mary said as she laughed, kissing her sister’s hand.
As Jane was getting ready to answer her sisters, Richard was facing an inquisition of his own. He faced some lecherous jokes, but nothing too off colour as his wife’s father was present keeping a weather eye on the younger men along with the Duke of Bedford, Sir Edward and the Earl of Jersey. All that he would share was that he had never been happier, had never understood what happiness was before marrying Jane. Seeing that it was not the best time to tease him, conversation soon switched to the progress being made at his estate. On this subject, Richard waxed eloquently as he was much pleased at the positive improvements being achieved. All the men were very interested in Richard’s new horse breeding programme that he was building.
