Free Longbourn to London by Linda Beutler Page B

travelling so amiably out of their normal routine, and to have met the infamous Mr. Darcy and found him to be a charming and obliging man who appeared to be in love with their favourite niece, had been…exhilarating.
    “Any quickening yet, Maddy?”
    “Not yet, but it is just about time. I still think it would be a lark to name this child Lambton…”
    “Not Pemberley?”
    “I fear that would embarrass our soon-to-be nephew too greatly. Lambton would be bad enough!” They laughed.
    “Well, I am just sorry you must travel during this time. I know you will be more easy in a rollicking carriage after another few weeks.”
    “Yes, even though we are to spend Christmas at Pemberley—my, how well that sounds—and the journey is much farther, I look forward to it a great deal more than the few hours it will take to get to Longbourn. And now to act the part of mother-of-the-bride to poor Lizzy! The letter from Fanny concerns me greatly.”
    “Then you had better answer it now. And Lizzy’s too. Feel free to send your responses by express, my dearest, I think the situation warrants it. I know my sister’s nerves.”
    Mrs. Gardiner grew contemplative. “Edward…do you suppose we might not be aware of showing such marked partiality for certain of our children as Thomas and Fanny do? I cannot think it right, and would be offended to find I was behaving in such a manner.”
    “I pray neither of us do, my dear. But I know to whom to apply for an answer. Our children love their cousin Jane. She would tell us, should we ask, whether any of them have remarked on any consistent preference shown by ourselves. As you say, we may be unaware.”
    Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “If the topic arises during our visit, I shall ask Jane. I would be mortified to know I was behaving like Fanny.”
    “I know you would. Now off with you; you have letters to write, and I must finish reading this contract from our shipping company before asking your opinion of it.”
    Mr. Gardiner helped Mrs. Gardiner to her feet, and she kissed his balding forehead before withdrawing to her escritoire in the drawing room, where she produced the following two letters.
    17 November 1812
Gracechurch Street, London
    My Dear Sister,
    Please rest assured I am prepared to take on whatever tasks you may wish to assign me to prepare Elizabeth for her wedding. How well I can imagine the confusion a double wedding might bring about. I recently saw some lovely fabric, and with your permission and subsequent approval, I plan to purchase a length of it and present it to Lizzy as a gift. If you do not like it, she may use it for something other than her wedding ensemble, but I believe you will approve. It is a sheer type of mesh of a unique colour called candlelight. The edge of the fabric has a wide band of embroidered leaf outlines in various shades of green, and I think this would do very well as a petticoat border under a solid-colour gown, or as the outer layer of a multiple-layered skirt. I shall secure it tomorrow morning, and you may judge for yourself when I arrive. If I can purchase enough, it would also be suitable as veiling. It put me in mind of Lizzy the moment I saw it.
    This is a joyful time coming upon us, and your brother and I are looking forward to seeing Jane and Lizzy happily settled. We believe you will discover Mr. Darcy improves greatly upon further acquaintance. You may find this hard to believe, but we are convinced his affection for Lizzy is quite as long-standing as is Mr. Bingley’s for Jane. I shall speak more of this when we are together.
    Fondly,
M. Gardiner
    And to her niece, she wrote:
    My Dearest Niece,
    Of course, dear Lizzy, you find me more than willing to meet in private when your uncle and I arrive at Longbourn. We may certainly include Jane, if you wish it and she chooses. I own I am surprised by the topic of our discourse, but rest assured, I act as your advocate in all things with all of your family and acquaintance. I suspect you