~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
With Lizzy’s birthday falling on the Sabbath, the little celebration was held on the Saturday, one day before the actual date. As all she was interested in washaving fun, Lizzy would not have known or cared what date her birthday was marked.
It was the first time Lizzy had eaten cake and other sweet confections. It was soon discovered that she had a sweet tooth. The nurse who was watching the two older Miss Bennets had to work hard to make sure that Miss Lizzy did not consume too much sugar, as she was well aware how hard it would be to calm the little miss down.
After the birthday celebration, Phillips revealed his engagement and the date of his wedding, which would be from Beech Hill in Devonshire. He related that the Morrises had departed Netherfield Park the day after the notice of the uncle’s impending death was received, and since their departure a black-edged letter had arrived. As he would be the agent for leasing the estate, all personal post for the Morrises was sent to him.
Then, it was Gardiner’s turn to inform the other two men that he too was engaged, and he was waiting to hear from his lady and her father. He believed he would marry from Lambton the week before Easter.
If Fanny thought that her self-imposed exile at mealtimes would be looked on with regret by her husband or brother, she was wrong. Neither man repined her absence. Other than once when Gardiner knocked on his sister’s door, and she refused him entry, he had not attempted to see his sister.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Gardiner departed on Monday as planned. Seeing that he was to depart with the light in the morning, Gardiner kissed and hugged his two eldest nieces farewell the previous evening.
After farewelling Gardiner, Bennet sat sipping coffee in his study. He was aware there could be temporary improvements in his condition, but he felt better than he had for some time. He took rides around the estate again and became more involved with the tenants as he had before his health began to worsen.
On the final Friday of the month, Hill placed an epistle from Gardiner on the master’s desk before he returned from a ride.
Bennet entered his study after changing out of his riding attire and found the missive from Gardiner waiting for him. He rang for coffee, and after a few sips, broke the seal and smoothed out the paper.
23 February 1792
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Bennet:
The date of my wedding to the wonderful Maddie Lambert is decided.
I intend to depart London on the 27th of March to arrive in Lambton on the Thursday of that week. I should have mentioned that we settled on Thursday the 5th day of April of this year.
Although it is during Lent, the rector of the All Saint’s Church in Lambton has agreed to marry us. He understands that with my businesses I have not much free time, and it does not hurt that one of my newer investors is his patron. No, I did not appeal to the patron to intercede.
Please let me know if your health is such that I can safely be away. After the wedding, we will be with the Lamberts for Easter, and then the Monday after the holy day, Maddie and I will take a wedding trip of a sennight to 10 days, making our way back to London slowly and seeing places of interest along the way. I ask about your health because in one of your letters you had mentioned that you thought the end was near. The man I saw earlier this month did not look ill.
I will wait for you to advise me. If you feel that you need me to remain, then I will see what can be done, as I could not in good conscience leave the girls at Fanny’s mercy or, heaven forfend, under the power of the brute of a cousin of yours.
Regards,
Gardiner
Bennet appreciated Gardiner’s sentiments, but the way he felt now, he wanted to write immediately so his brother-in-law would be able to proceed with his plans with a clear conscience. He pulled a sheet from the pile of paper, dipped his quill in the inkwell, allowed the drops to drip onto the blotter, and began to write.
24 February 1792
Longbourn
Gardiner,
When I wrote to you of my health, I thought that the end was indeed near, but as you saw me when you were last here, I am vastly improved.
As much as I do not want to raise my expectations, it could be the miracle I have been begging Him for. I cannot remember the last time I felt in such good health. All I can do is lift prayers of thanksgiving because if this is a temporary change or the gift I have prayed for, I am thankful for His Grace.
Go! Marry the woman who is your match. The girls and I will be here when you return.
I am not sure who will return home first, you or Phillips. He leaves for Devonshire a fortnight before you depart London, and I have not an idea how long their wedding trip will be.
