Saving Jane by Martin Hunnicutt

Author:Martin Hunnicutt [Hunnicutt, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19.

Mrs. Gardiner’s Christmas Arrangements

On Friday morning, about eleven, Mrs. Bennet called for the carriage to travel into Meryton to shop for new ribbons and to visit her sister.

“Come along Kitty, I want to find a different ribbon for your gown and bonnet. Mrs. Gardiner was so kind to provide us with new gowns but I do not like the colour of your ribbons. We shall search through all of Meryton and find just the right shades of blue for both our gowns and bonnets! Come along my dear!”

“Take every opportunity to enjoy yourself, sister,” Mrs. Gardiner called out to Mrs. Bennet. “Tell Mrs. Phillips I shall see her Sunday after church.”

“And you are certain you will not accompany us, sister?” Mrs. Bennet asked at the door.

“No, no. Go and enjoy your shopping. I shall mind my children and the gentlemen this morning.”

++**++

Meryton was bustling with shoppers searching for a few items for Boxing Day when Mr. Hill stopped the Bennet carriage in front of the mercantile and helped Mrs. Bennet and Kitty to descend to the street.

Just as Mrs. Bennet turned around to view the street, a very fine carriage passed on the street, heading toward the road leading to the north. She asked the family coachman, “Hill, do you know who owns such a team and equipage? Has Netherfield Park been let for Christmas?”

“I do not know madam,” Mr. Hill replied.

“Oh I suppose, it is just someone rich passing through Meryton,” Mrs. Bennet remarked. “Let us find ribbons that match our new gowns and then visit Aunt Phillips to fit them into our bonnets.”

“No one rich ever passes through Meryton,” Kitty remarked though her mother paid her no mind.

++**++

At Longbourn, once Mrs. Bennet departed to make calls, Mrs. Gardiner sought the manor’s housekeeper.

“Mrs. Hill, might I impose for a moment?” she asked when she found the dependable woman.

“Certainly, madam.”

“Mr. Gardiner and I expect friends from London to come for tea this afternoon on their way north. Could you ask cook to serve the left-over cake from last night?”

“Mrs Gardiner, please! Mrs. Bennet would turn me out to serve left-over cake to your guests. There are hot apple tarts and I know cook has a box of biscuits held back. We’ll put out a fine tea.”

“And I brought an extra tin of tea leaves,” Mrs. Gardiner said handing over the package with enough fresh tea for the next week. “After our tea, please make certain the servants receive fresh tea with their supper tonight.”

Mrs. Hill smiled at the expensive Christmas treat in her hands. “Thank you most kindly Mrs. Gardiner!”

++**++

Staring out the window at the December landscape of grey skies and brown grasses, Elizabeth sighed as Jane slipped an arm around her sister’s waist. “Lizzy, what is the matter?”

“I am sorry Jane,” Elizabeth replied. “I just realized that we may never again have our entire family for Christmas at Longbourn. Lydia is far away in Bath and next year you may have to stay in Hunsford rather than coming to Hertfordshire.

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