Chapter 20
January 1811
The last few weeks had been delightful and seemed to fly by. The whole of the festive season had been relaxing and the most enjoyable one Elizabeth could remember for many, many years. It snowed the day after Christmas. A riding party had been organised and a large group had ridden on the freshly snow-covered ground early the following morning. The riding party included Elizabeth’s younger siblings.
Lilly rode a cob, while Eddy and Peter rode ponies. In addition Charlotte, Richard, Tiffany, Giana, Andrew, Frank, Johnny, and Maria Lucas, Uncle Reggie, and the Gardiner parents were part of the group. Aunt Elaine remained at Matlock House with Marie who no longer rode, as she was with child.
The reunion with the Lucases, who she had not seen since her banishment from Longbourn, had been everything Elizabeth had imagined. The Lucas family enjoyed their time in Town immensely, and Sir William only related the story of his investiture at St. James Palace once.
It had not taken long for Lady Lucas, Aunt Sarah now, to agree to hold the ball and wedding breakfast at Netherfield Park. Madeline Gardiner extended an official invitation to the Fitzwilliams to reside at the Gardiner’s estate for as long as they were in the neighbourhood. An appreciative Mr. Darcy wrote to his sister, expressing his thanks to the Gardiners for the invitation to be hosted with them.
Before departing for the estate, the house on Gracechurch Street was mostly closed up and the Gardiners’ possessions they wished moved with them were loaded into carts. Gardiner intended to stay at the Gracechurch Street house when he needed to travel to London on business, so furniture sufficient for his needs at those times would remain there. The housekeeper, butler, and a skeleton crew of servants would also remain. No Gardiner servants were dismissed; they were offered positions at Netherfield Park, and all accepted gratefully.
As the Matlock coach rolled through Meryton, Elizabeth was seated between Tiffany and Giana in the carriage, each one holding one of Lizzy’s hands. Richard and Charlotte sat on the bench opposite.
It was one thing to speak of returning to the neighbourhood, it was another thing altogether to be there. As they passed the inn, Elizabeth wore a half smile as she looked at the spot where she had kicked the seducer and left him writhing on the ground.
Fanny Bennet was exiting the haberdashery with Lydia when she saw the three large coaches, followed by three carts, traverse the High Street. She watched as she saw the convoy’s lead conveyance make the turn onto the road leading to Netherfield Park.
She rarely came into the town now but her darling Lydia wanted new ribbons, so Fanny indulged her. She decided being snubbed and ignored was worth it, as she would hurry home and have the carriage readied so she could hie to Netherfield to implement her plan. She was sure no one else would be clever enough to visit the new owners on their first day.
Elizabeth did not see Mrs. Bennet, and visibly relaxed after the turnoff to Netherfield. As they traversed the last mile to their new home, Elizabeth thought about her upcoming reunion with Mr. Darcy. She was nervous, but a good sort of nervous anticipation. She knew he had admired her, but she had no idea what the state of his feelings were now. It was somewhat ironic to her that just by learning about his true self from his family, she now held the man she used to dislike in tender regard.
“That is a handsome house!” Tiffany exclaimed as the manor house came into view.
“If I recall correctly, it is not above twenty years old. There was a great fire here some five and twenty years ago, so the house we see now was rebuilt from the cellars on up,” Elizabeth elucidated.
“I remember William writing how you walked here. Which direction is the estate you used to live on, and how far is it?” Giana asked.
“It is three miles away, and Longbourn is north-east from here,” Elizabeth replied.
“Personally, I cannot wait to see my cousin’s face when he sees who the Miss Gardiner we all have praised to the skies is,” Richard grinned. He loved his cousin, but he loved ribbing and discomfiting him even more.
“Behave yourself,Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam,” Charlotte said playfully.
“That is theHonourable Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam to you, mi’lady,” Richard returned his betrothed’s jest.
As he had planned, Richard met with his General, Grant Atherton, between Christmas and Twelfth Night. As sorry as the General was to see one of his best colonels resign, he had wished Richard well. The day before Twelfth Night it was done—his commission had been purchased and he was a civilian.
Charlotte transferred to her family’s carriage and the Lucases departed for Lucas Lodge, as they wanted to give the family time to settle into their new home. They did not desire to be badly unmannered and intrude on the Gardiners the day of their moving in. As they turned off the High Street towards Lucas Lodge, Charlotte saw the Bennet carriage, with Fanny and Lydia Bennet within, coming from the opposite direction. She hoped Mrs. Bennet was not so deficient in common sense to try and intrude at Netherfield Park.
Mr. and Mrs. Nichols waited for the family at the front door. “Is this big house our home Mama and Papa?” little May asked in wonder as she looked up at the imposing stone structure.
“Yes, darling, it is. For those who do not know them, these are our butler and housekeeper, Mr. and Mrs. Nichols.” As Madeline finished, Mrs. Nichols hugged Elizabeth to her, with tears in her eyes.
Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Nichols were sisters, so the latter was well aware of Miss Gardiner’s suffering. Elizabeth was cognisant of just how close the housekeeper was to her older sister, Mrs. Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Hill had retired and were living in a cottage on the estate. They would see Miss Lizzy on the morrow.
When her father had told her he had given the Hills a cottage at Netherfield Park, Elizabeth had hugged him as tightly as she was able and thanked him and her mother profusely over and over again.
“Welcome home, Miss Lizzy. My sister wants you to know that she expects you for tea at her cottage when you take your exercise in the morning,” Mrs. Nichols conveyed.
The family was about to enter the house when they heard a carriage approaching. “Who would be so rude as to intrude just as we arrive?” Gardiner asked with asperity.
“Mrs. Bennet,” Elizabeth stated. “I would know that carriage anywhere.”
“Lizzy, go inside with your brothers, sisters, and our guests,” Gardiner ordered.
“No, Father. I cannot run every timethatwomanrears her ugly head. If it is all the same to you, I will face her,” Elizabeth stated in a tone which brooked no opposition.
