Bennet looked around the room and then looked at John. That young man could say a great deal with a single look. “It seems my ladies wish for a holiday at the seashore, so off we shall go! I can contact Edward about finding a house big enough for all of us.”
“Let me write Cousin Darcy. His man of business already has a list of houses in Ramsgate. I will write him directly!”
Beth wrote to both William and Gigi separately. To Gigi, she just wrote that they all planned to come to Ramsgate for a time during the summer, and to her other cousin she wrote:
Dear Cousin Will,
Might I importune you and your man of business to locate a house at Ramsgate big enough for ten people and their servants for summer? We would like to arrive within a day of Georgiana’s stay if at all possible. The Bennets will pay for one month, and I will pay for the rest.
I think you will approve of the Bennets. They are a genteel family, and three of the girls are close in age to Gigi. If she has not already described them to you, Miss Jane Bennet is one and twenty but will have a birthday in July. Miss Elizabeth has just turned twenty. Miss Mary is eighteen. Catherine is sixteen, and Lydia turned fifteen in Spring. All of an excellent age to be friends with Georgiana. Mr. Bennet and John and Jackson will see to our safety, and Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Greaves will keep us all well behaved.
If any house you find comes with servants, then we will bring only a few. Do let me know what your man finds as soon as possible! We are most excited for a seaside holiday!
Your favorite cousin,
Beth
Three days later:
Cousin Beth,
I will not say ‘favorite’ cousin, since Richard would likely take offense, and maybe even your brother. I would not ask you to make me your favorite cousin, for Gigi would be devastated.
There is a house very near the cottage I rented for Georgiana for the summer. Her move in will be 1 June, and she can stay until 1 September when I will arrive and take her to Pemberley. She is hoping you will travel with us at that time.
The house I have secured for you is rather large, but it is quite close to Seaview Cottage, and your party is numerous. It has twelve bedrooms. More than you need, but its proximity to Gigi and the ocean I think will make it worth it to you. There is a housekeeper, a butler, a cook, two footmen, and a maid of allwork. I have paid the lease, so you and Mr. Bennet can decide how to split the cost. I will give the paperwork to John if he would stop in London on the way.
Actually, Gigi just told me she wrote in her letter asking you all to stay with us in London for a day or so and everyone set out together. Do let us know if this would be possible. I will escort Gigi to her summer house, and then I must to Pemberley for several weeks. I will attempt to join at the end of summer.
Your cousin and friend,
William
“I knew handing it over to Darcy was the correct course! He has leased us a large house near Georgiana’s cottage. There is a housekeeper, a cook, and a couple of other servants in residence, so we will not have to take a lot with us. Maybe just a couple of maids to help us dress and another footman in addition to Jackson? Oh! Mr. Hill acts as your valet and butler….I wonder if the butler there can act in both of those roles?”
Uncle Thomas waved his hand in the air, “I am quite sure I remember how to dress myself. If the butler there cannot shave me, I am sure Jackson would be up to the task.”
“Very well. Eddie rarely has enough to do. He can help in the house too. Will you stay at Darcy House before we go on to Ramsgate?”
“No. The girls and I will stay with the Gardiners for a night. We rarely visit them in town.”
“Very well, I will let Gigi know it will just be my crew. We will caravan to Ramsgate on the first. How exciting! I have never had a seaside holiday.”
“Andwehave never seen the ocean at all.” Lydia injected. It was difficult to tell if she was excited about the trip.
“A wonderful indulgence for everyone! Come Lydie! Show us a smile and a bit of excitement. It will not kill you.”
Lydia simply turned and walked up the stairs, but there was a bounce in her step no one had seen in a great while. It gave her sisters hope.
Chapter Fourteen
The coach and four that used to belong to Viscount Rosemont pulled up in front of Darcy House. There were no insignia or other telling markings on the coach, but the four matching greys could not be missed. It was unfortunate, in London at least, that it did not take much to start rumors back up. In several gossip rags the next day, rumors of TF from S (which was inferred to be Theodore Fitzwilliam from Staffordshire where Rosemont Estate was located) having lost his coach and four in a card game (which he did not, he had to sell it to cover some losses) had been banished to a Scottish estate (he was not, he was at his own estate). Despite the inaccuracy of the rumors, Beth, Mamie, and John were very welcome at Darcy House. Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy, as well as Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, waited at the top of the stairs for their guests. Since it was a lovely day at the end of May, there were many people out walking on the prestigious street. No one noticed a rather fine-looking man, with blond curls just showing under his hat, standing near a lamp post staring as the group disembarked. If hate and envy was a color, that man would have been bathed from head to foot in it. When the visiting groupentered the house, the man turned and stalked off, shoving anyone aside who got in his way.
“I am so happy you all will be going to Ramsgate too! This summer will be ever so much fun! I just wish Will and Richard could stay the summer with us.” Gigi’s face warred with a pout and an ecstatic grin. It was very amusing to witness!
“Now sprite, I will come and spend a week or so with you in July. My general requests my help with some troops in Brighton. The town is overrun with redcoats, and some order needs to be put in place before Prinny shows up at his palace. I may be ordered back to London at any time, but I will do my best to visit this summer.”
“And I am needed at Pemberley. I have been away too many months. I will be with you as soon as I catch up on everything. Likely toward the end of July or beginning of August. It is not like you will be alone there.”
