The Duke and Duchess had spent three days with their son and daughter-in-law. They would all travel to town with a stop at Snowhaven for the weekend. When they continued, they would be joined by the Fitzwilliams at Snowhaven for the rest of the journey to London. Mary, who was always as regular as clockwork just like her sisters, had just missed her courses. She did not want to say anything to raise Hugh’s hopes until she missed the following one as well. She did not feel ill like Lizzy had, and she did not expect to feel any effects; yet if she was with child, then she was in the earliest of stages when little or nothing would be felt. She had prayed that she did not follow her mother with early onset sickness in the morning. She did note that her breasts were more tender than they had been in the past. She felt sad that as soon as her state was confirmed she would have to stop riding her mount Callisto. As nothing was confirmed, her mare would be one of the horses that would make the journey to Town with them.
Although she knew that they were at their estate far away from London, Mary still felt guilty that she had not been there to support her newest sister after Mr Jacobson had passed. Her feelings were mitigated due to the distance, but not ameliorated.
Birchington could understand why his wife felt the way she did but tried to get her to see that she was feeling guilty about something that she had no control over. His Mary was a very caring woman and he thanked God above each and every day for allowing them to meet.
On Saturday morning just after sunup, the carriages departed for Snowhaven. They were welcomed at the Fitzwilliam’s estate a little after nine in the morning. After washing off the travel dust they joined the inhabitants to break their fasts. After breakfast the two younger married couples and Tiffany went for a leisurely ride and Mary found herself trotting next to Tiffany on her bay mare.
“Are you in anticipation of partaking in limited events during the little season to prepare you for your coming out during the season?” Mary asked with a gentle smile.
“Yes, I am so very excited,” Tiffany bubbled with evident joy. “I am much pleased that Kitty and Loretta will be sharing the experience with me. We celebrated my eighteenth birthday a fortnight ago. Kitty’s birthday is in November and Loretta’s is at the beginning of February, right before the season starts.”
“It did work out well, did it not?” Mary observed playfully, “and the following year, Helen and Georgie will follow. Lydia still has an additional year to wait. At least we get to keep Lily for another four to five years before she has to traverse her rite of passage.”
“I may be an old married woman by the time they come out,” Tiffany got a dreamy look in her eye as she thought of a certain viscount. Before Mary could comment, the younger girl continued with her thoughts as if she knew what Mary was about to say. “I promise I am in no hurry and will only marry for the deepest love. How can I not when I see so many examples in the felicitous marriages around me?” Tiffany then grew sombre. “How is Helen? I have not heard from her, but I did receive a letter from Lydia just after her father passed.”
“From what my parents and sisters have written to me; she is very sad but she has much support around her. Her brother Tim has returned to Town with them so at least neither will be alone and surrounded by those who love them. I received an express from my parents the day before we departed.”
As the ladies rode ahead, the Viscount and the Marquess rode three abreast with the Viscountess in the middle. The two Fitzwilliams looked on with pride seeing their youngest sibling blossom and so poised even when riding.
‘My baby sister will not have any problems dealing with the catty debutants in Town,’ Andrew told himself as he watched her ride ahead of him with the love of a brother shining in his eyes. ‘No rake had better dare to harm my sister, Kitty, or Loretta. What they may have intended as a light dalliance or amusement would turn into a case of misadvised social suicide!’
After a three-hour ride they returned to the stables and handed their mounts to the grooms to brush and water. The residents of Snowhaven relaxed and enjoyed the respite of all the comforts of being tucked away at a country estate before having to face the spotlight of society.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Three days later the various conveyances arrived at their homes in London. The Bedfords decided to use Rhys-Davies House on Russell Square, two houses down on the same side of the square as Birchington House. The Fitzwilliams and their entourage pulled to a halt at Matlock House. After accepting birthday wishes from Richard and Jane, Tiffany made a beeline for Bennet House to see and condole with her friend with a footman behind practically running to try to keep up with her.
The Bennets only allowed their extended family entry to their home during the initial few days of the Jacobsons’ mourning. Tiffany was informed that Miss Jacobson, Mr Jacobson, and the two younger Bennet girls were in Lady Lydia’s and Miss Jacobson’s sitting room. As she was so desirous to see Helen and confirm that she was well, Tiffany barely knocked and did not wait for an entreaty to enter before showing herself in. She assumed that the young man that she did not recognise was Helen’s brother.
“You are very welcome, Tiffany,” Lydia welcomed her with warm gentleness. “You know everyone except for Tim. Allow me to do the honours.” Tiffany inclined her head in agreement. “Tiffany, this is Mr Timothy Jacobson, Helen’s older brother. Tim, this is Lady Tiffany Fitzwilliam, our sister gifted to us when Jane married our brother Richard. We had claimed her as such long before and are just glad our siblings fell in line with our expectations,” Lydia reported as they greeted one another.
“Mr Jacobson, Helen, please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your dear papa.” Helen stood and the two hugged in the middle of the room.
Helen, who thought that she had already cried all of the tears possible, cried tears of friendship for the warmth that she felt emanating from the youngest Fitzwilliam sibling.
“On behalf of Helen and myself, your condolences are appreciated, Lady Tiffany. As you are my sister’s sister, please call me Tim,” he bowed again as he made his request.
“Only if you will call me Tiffany like the rest of my sisters and brothers.” She sat down on Helen’s other side, still holding her hand. “When are you going back to school, Helen?”
“I will return in a fortnight. Lydia and Kitty return on the morrow,” Helen replied, grateful for the moment to focus on her friend and their sharing of news.
“How long will you be with the Bennets in London, Tim?” she asked Helen’s brother.
“My plans are not set Lady Ti …” receiving an arched look from the young lady to remind him of their accord he chuckled slightly as he corrected himself, “Tiffany. I have a good steward at Janet’s Well thanks to your father, William, and Lord Longbourn; I do not have to rush back. I am looking forward to spending time with Helen and her sisters.”
“Your sisters as well!” Kitty admonished him.
“Where is Georgie?” her cousin and sister Tiffany noticed that she was not present.
“I believe that the Darcy ladies are at the modiste,” Lydia informed Tiffany. “Lizzy needs to order some gowns that will hide…” Lydia clapped her hands over her mouth as she was not sure that she should say anything.
“Do not trouble yourself, Lydia. Our sisters Jane and Lizzy are very close and they do not keep secrets. Jane let it slip at Snowhaven before our trip to town that she and Lizzy are both with child. I cannot wait to be an aunt again,” Tiffany smiled playfully. The conversation was light, almost making Helen smile with the talk of their relations.
“It will be the first time for all of us Bennet sisters!” Kitty offered with a dreamy look in her eyes thinking about the fact that she was a member of the group of three girls in their circle that would have her coming out in the next year, and they too would then enter the marriage mart. At one time she had believed herself infatuated with Wesley De Melville, Lord Westmore, however she was not blind. Very early on she saw the way that he and Tiffany looked at each other whenever they thought that the other was not looking. He had his three and twentieth birthday two months ago. Kitty did not feel envious of her friend and sister, she saw more than enough examples of felicitous marriages in their circle of friends and family that she would never want anything less for herself.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The next evening there was a family dinner at Darcy House. The dinner was attended by all of the extended family. It was not lost on anyone how Tiffany blushed when Lord Wesley singled her out to greet first after he had bowed to his hosts. Kitty and Lydia reported that they were happy to be back at school, but that they would feel even better when Helen re-joined them.
