“Oh, well that is true. I like you so very much Beth! You make me feel...ummm…well, like a young lady, not a girl. Like I might be interesting, not a dullard.”
The girls were giggling together when Darcy finally entered the room. He shook hands with John and gave the ladies a little bow. “I apologize for not being here to greet you. My man of business kept me. I located some of that French brandy you were hoping to find. Radison is boxing it for you.”
“Excellent! Uncles Gardiner and Bennet will be most appreciative! Do let us know how much it cost you so we can pay you for it.”
Darcy was not sure he would ever get used to how openly his cousin spoke of money and the cost of things. Was he being a prig again? Quite likely. Beth had begun teasing him almost as much as Richard did. It was like having a sister closer to his own age. Cousin Marie would tease him on occasion, but she had a sharper, more dagger like, wit. Beth was always kind, but to the point, in her teasing. John was what he would have wanted in a youngerbrother, even if hewasa steward’s son. He was nothing like Wickham. John was a gentle giant, and probably the most intelligent person Darcy had ever met. Mrs. Russell had all the manners of thetonbut never admonished Beth for being herself. He really needed to ‘loosen up’ as Beth had told him several times. “No, no. It is a gift from me to you, so you can gift Misters Gardiner and Bennet. It was no trouble at all.”
“Well, if you’re sure. I never say no to a gift! Speaking of which, we have one for you too. Radison will have placed it on your desk by now.”
“As much as I hate to interrupt, my dear, we still need to stop by the Gardiner’s to say goodbye to Madeline and the children. We have planned a very early start tomorrow.”
“Of course you are right Mamie. I’m sorry we didn’t get to visit more William. Since we are cousins, you can write me too! Maybe we should use one of your messengers to send letters back and forth. Gigi and I plan to write every day!”
“It would likely cost me less than postage.” Darcy gave a sardonic grin. “I will make sure to write you if I need any of your sage advice.”
“That means I may never hear from you again! Mr. Darcy asking advice? Never!”
Everyone chuckled, and William did not even flinch when Beth hugged him and kissed his cheeks. The smile she gave made him know she was pleased with his progress in ‘loosening up’. He would look forward to having the three of them at Pemberley later in the year. Darcy was sad to see them go.
Chapter Twelve
“Beth!” A beautiful dark haired young woman came running out the front door of Longbourn, with an even more beautiful blond gliding behind her at a more sedate pace. Another one with dark hair stood at the door.
“Lizzy!” Beth was helped down by their new footman and ran into her cousin’s arms.
“How did you know it was me?” Lizzy laughed.
“Hmmm…how indeed? And that would be Jane, and Mary stands at the door like a real lady. Where are the other two?”
“Upstairs with their governess, likely looking out the window.” Lizzy looked up, and was correct, two young blonds were looking down on the scene below. One was smiling, and the other had pursed lips.
“I’m guessing the one smiling is Kitty, and the other Lydia.”
“You already know us well from our letters.” Jane smiled serenely.
Just then an older gentleman exited the house and came over to Beth. “You must be my niece. You look almost exactly like your mother, except your hair is darker. More like your father.”
Elizabeth walked straight to him and gave him a hug. Thomas Bennet was more startled than he would like to admit. His girls occasionally hugged him, but he had not been touched by a stranger in many a year. He stood rigid for just a moment and then grabbed up the girl who looked so much like his sister and gave her a bear hug. She smelled sweet, like roses, just like his sister used to. Lord, what a fool he had been. “I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a good friend to me, once. I wish we would have reconciled long ago. Now it is too late, but you are here, and I am glad of it.”
Elizabeth’s eyes were glassy when she stepped back. “I am as well, uncle.”
“Will you not introduce me to your companions? Lizzy has told me of who you are traveling with, but we should observe formalities.”
“Of course! Thomas Bennet, please meet my governess, companion, and true friend, Mrs. Mamie Russell. Also meet my travel brother, and best friend to my true brother Ethan, John Smith. Mamie, John, my Uncle Thomas, Jane Bennet, Elizabeth, and Mary. Those two up in the window are Kitty and Lydia.”
“Your ‘travel brother’?”
“Yes. Ethan thought it would be safest if John traveled as my brother and Mamie as my aunt. We were going to change it when we arrived here but decided to leave things as they are. If you do not mind, of course. However you choose to introduce us to your neighbors will be fine.”
“Maybe we will introduce Mrs. Russell as your aunt on your father’s side, and John ashernephew. There are a few in town who knew your father and obviously knew my sister here. Although Mrs. Russell has blond hair, they would not believe she is related to any of us, and it’s best you do not have a second brother, when I’m sure my daughters have told half of Hertfordshire about you and Ethan.”
“Oh, of course, that makes sense. Did you get that Smithers? Jackson? Eddie? Mamie is my aunt on my father’s side, and John is her nephew.” Beth looked around to see if there were any other servants within hearing distance. “I’m sure you’ll speak to your own servants.” Her servants all bowed in acknowledgement. All three of them truly liked their American employers and would keep their confidence. Jackson was already thinking he might ask to travel back to America with them when they returned. He had been a cavalry soldier and was impressed by what he’d been told about their horse farm. Gainful employment was hard to come bythese days, and he really wasn’t good looking enough to be a footman. If it wasn’t for Colonel Fitzwilliam, his brother would never have hired him.
Mr. Bennet shooed them all inside like a gaggle of geese and Jane called for the housekeeper, Hill, to show them to their rooms. The three young Bennet ladies were agog at the size of John. Beth had written about him many times, but there was no one near Meryton of his size. Six foot five inches with shoulders nearly as wide as the doorway. Jane thought he was rather handsome. Mary found him completely intimidating. Lizzy was Lizzy and liked him immediately because he was Beth’s friend. Mr. Bennet would hold his opinion until he had a chance to speak with him a bit. John Smith had not yet said a single word.
~~~~~
Jane ran a very comfortable home. The servants were cheerful and respectful. The furniture was fashionable but commodious. Tea was ample, but not ostentatious. Their rooms were relaxing and welcoming.
