Chapter 13
December 20, 1811 Meryton
The next morning dawned crisp and clear with a soft blanket of white covering the country side. With a wide smile at breakfast Bingley suggested they send a note to Longbourn for a sledding party. Jane had mentioned to him that her young cousins hoped to get to sled while in the country. He happily informed his friends that Netherfield boasted a few sleds that had been found in the barn. Georgiana squealed with excitement and the plan was quickly agreed to by Darcy and the colonel. A note was dispatched before Miss Bingley was awake to arouse objections to the scheme. Receiving an affirmative answer, Darcy suggested Bingley ask his cook to prepare some hot drinks to take with them.
An hour later, at the appointed time saw the Netherfield party greeting the Bennet ladies and the Gardiner's children at the designated sledding hill. Elizabeth, with her one of the 5 year old twins perched on her lap, had pushed off down the hill just before the party from Netherfield arrived. Darcy watched in contentment has she held onto her laughing cousin. He could easily imagine her sledding with their own children at Pemberly. With a grin Col. Fitzwilliam challenged Darcy to a race pulling him out of his revere. At the bottom of the hill Elizabeth declared Darcy the winner.
"He only won because there was something down at the bottom he wanted very much," Col. Fitzwilliam protested good naturedly.
"While I had sufficient motivation to reach the bottom and greet Miss Elizabeth," Darcy argued back, "you must admit that it was my superior sled ridding skills that bested you yet again."
Sputtering the colonel demanded a rematch. With a smile full of bravado, Elizabeth inserted herself into the challange, stating that her and her male cousin, Natahniel, could easily beat either gentleman. Back at the top of the hill, Nathaniel eagerly agreed with his cousin and clammored onto a sled with her. The two gentlemen settled onto their respective sleds and when the oldest Gardiner child declared go, all three sleds set off down the hill. Elizabeth and Nathaniel speeding away quickly after the helpful push Jane supplied.
"Foul Miss Elizabeth," Col. Fitzwilliam said good naturedly once they all had reached the bottom. "Had I of known assistance was allowed, I would have had Bingley give me a push!"
"But would Bingley have pushed you at the start or would he have been a few minutes behind time?" Darcy teased his cousin.
"True. Best not to rely on Bingley. Perhaps Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty would give me a push. "
"My youngest sisters are more likelyto hold onto you and your sled then push you away Colonel," Elizabeth cheerfully told him.
"You would get further with a push from the twins," Nathaniel told the colonel seriously.
…
As the younger memebers of the sledding party began to tire, Mr. Bingley's servants showed up in a wagon bearing hot drinks and food for the sledders. Seeing how the Gardiner children appeared worn out, Darcy suggested that the wagon be used to transport them back to Longbourn. Elizabeth found herself unsuprised that Darcy was so thoughtful towards the children, it fit with the man's character as she was begining to understand it.
Lydia and Kitty also claimed fatigue, clammoring into the wagon as well. Jane admonished them that if they rode in the wagon they would be expected to help the children's nurse. Once the wagon started off on its slow journey towards Longbourn, Bingley offered his arm to escort Jane and Darcy offered his to escort Elizabeth. Col. Fitzwilliam with a wink to Georgiana offered her his arm. Smiling his young cousin took it and quietly said, "He is doing very well, isn't he?"
"It is a Christmas miracle. She seems to like him very much if I am any judge," the colonel whispered back.
…
Once back at Netherfield Miss Bingley's strident tones greeted the returning party. "Charles, how could you leave me all alone today? And to drag poor Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy out into the snow to romp around with the Bennets. I am sure they were absolutely miserable with you making them engage in such undignified behavior. Please accept my profound apologies Mr. Darcy," Caroline said in a simpering tone.
"I doubt either of my cousins felt dragged Miss Bingley," Col. Fitzwilliam said jovially. "They are Derbyshire born and bred, nothing like a good romp in the snow to enjoy oneself."
"Tis true Miss Bingley, my sister and I found ourselves quite pleasantly entertained," Darcy told her without a hint of the smile that had graced his face in Elizabeth's present.
"By the way sister, have you set the menu for tomorrow night when the Bennets join us?" Bingley inquiried.
"You certainly were not serious about such. As your hostess I cannot possibly plan a dinner in such short of a time."
"I did not realize you did not plan on planning dinner for our current guests. I must remeber to thank Mrs. Nicholls for planning our meals," Bingley said blandly.
"Of course I plan all the meals for all small party. It is after all the duty of a good hostess," Caroline said with a flutter of her eyelashes toward Darcy.
"Then if you can plan a meal good enough for Darcy and his relatives, I do not see why you cannot plan one that includes the Bennets," Bingley said firmly.
With a glare at her brother Caroline sniffed and agreed that she could very well plan a meal that would satisfy the Bennets. Mentally she determined to prepare a meal worthy of more then the unconnected, lackluster Bennets. Mr. Darcy she was sure would see her worth.
"Splendid," Bingley said cheerfully. "And say Caroline, while you are at it what say you to a twelfth night ball?"
"Haven't we entertained these yokles enough with the ball in November? " Caroline responded scathingly.
"Caroline, you just yesterday were bemoaning missing the balls and entertainments of the Christmas season. I have thought about it and I am decided. There is no need for us to rush back to London to enjoy balls, we shall host our own. Tomorrow night we will personally invite the Bennets and the next day we will send out invites to the neighborhood."