Mrs Bennet's Christmas by Philippa J Rosen

Author:Philippa J Rosen [Rosen, Philippa J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2019-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

“Well, we are on our way at last,” said Lizzy.

“Yes we are, my love. I didn’t wish to leave your mother and father’s excellent Christmas celebrations…”

“Neither did I, darling. But I don’t mind if it will get us to our little boy earlier.”

“Of course, we won’t make too much progress in the night, but we will save extra time anyway.”

“Why so?”

“Because we will not have to pack our things now. And we will not have to wait while your mother eats her breakfast.”

Lizzy chuckled.

“She does have a prodigious appetite, doesn’t she?”

The horses trotted down the lane. The driver had lit all the lamps and drove carefully, ensuring he avoided any potholes. Progress was indeed slow, but it was cheerful too as Darcy and Lizzy talked about little Fitzwilliam’s first Christmas and how they would celebrate the entire season, right up until Twelfth Night.

Lizzy looked out of the window.

“Why, darling,” she said, “it’s starting to snow.”

“Snow for Christmas. How marvellous.”

They put their heads out of the window and enjoyed the sensation of the flakes on their faces. Then Darcy pulled his head in.

“I do hope it doesn’t settle, Lizzy. The roads may become unmanageable for the horses.”

“You’re right. We may be stranded, and our return home would be delayed.”

Darcy shouted up at the driver.

“How are the roads, diver?”

“Starting to look bad, sir. The snow is coming down heavy.”

“Well, press on. Do the best you can.”

“Yes, sir.”

The coach slowed down to a walking pace. After another few minutes, the driver shouted down.

“The road is treacherous up front, sir. I fear we may need to stop.”

“Keep going, man, keep going.”

The driver pressed on for another few minutes. Darcy looked blackly at Lizzy.

“It’s no use, Lizzy. We are going to be snowbound, isolated and alone on the road.”

“Wait,” said Lizzy, “didn’t my father say there was a coaching inn hereabouts.”

“Yes, you’re right. Down a small road called Hobbes Lane I think. What was the name?”

Darcy leaned out of the window again.

“Driver, I believe there is a coaching inn somewhere near here. It’s on Hobbes Lane.”

“I know it, sir. It’s not far.”

“Can you get us there?”

“I’ll get you there, sir.”

The coach continued slowly. At length they came to a little cinder track with a finger post at the corner. It pointed to Hobbes Lane. The driver turned left and continued down the lane for a hundred yards or so. And then they saw it; a brilliantly lit coaching inn. The name on the sign said, ‘Road to Bethlehem’. Darcy and Lizzy sighed with relief. The coach drove through the gates and pulled up. Darcy jumped down and helped Lizzy out. They proceeded to the inn.

The inn was pleasant enough, warm and roomy and well lit. It was a little plain, with a few sparse Christmas decorations and baubles here and there.

They went inside directly and spoke to a pleasingly plump lady at a little wooden desk.

“Have you a room for the night?” said Darcy removing his hat.

“You’re lucky,” she replied. “We have one room left.

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