Chapter 26
"It is so good to see you, Jane," Elizabeth said sincerely when her sister stepped out of the carriage in front of Matlock house.
"It was kind of you to invite me. And to send a carriage with a maid and one of your brothers as an escort," Jane said embracing her.
"The escort was William's idea. He suggested it might be wise to ask Henry to be your escort so that Mrs. Bennet wouldn't get the wrong idea," Elizabeth said impishly.
"It was wise of him. Mama at first mistook the invitation as an open one and tried to insit on her and Lydia joining. Mr. Fitzwilliam was quite firm that the invitation was limited to me currently. She of course then chose to believe the invite stemmed from the visocunt being taken with me. I tried to correct her, but well you know how she is," Jane said flushing lightly with remembered embarrassment.
"She thought she could shove me out the front door after belittling me most of my life and that I would be inviting her to Harocurt? Mrs. Bennet must be confusing me with you. I am not that forgiving," Elizabeth said raising her eyebrows at Mrs. Bennet's audacity.
"Don't nurse a grudge, Lizzy," Jane said softly.
"Your right my statement reeks of a resentful nature. I should try and do better. Let us speak of happier things. I have a surprise for you. Mr. Bingley shall Christmas with us at Harcourt thanks to William!" Elizabeth said cheerfully as she lead Jane into the house.
"Oh Lizzy," Jane said softly. "I know you mean well, but we were wrong about his regard for me, even if he is not courting Miss Darcy. I have no wish for him to think I am desperately throwing myself into his path."
"Your modesty does you credit, but I disagree. And you are not desperately throwing yourself into his path. You are MY dearest sister, and we are celebrating Christmas at MY estate. If anyone is putting themselves in anyone's path it is Mr. Bingley. He choose to accept the invitation knowing you would be present, Jane. I hope you do not mind, but I have missed you dearly so I was hoping we could share chambers tonight. If you would prefer a guest chamber-"
"No. I would much prefer to spend tonight with you," Jane said interrupting Elizabeth to assure her she had the same preference.
"Brilliant. Let us refresh ourselves and dress for dinner. You shall get to meet the infamous Lady Catherine tonight. She wishes to browbeat my cousin Anne into marriage with my cousin William. I have promised Anne to help her escape such a fate," Elizabeth said with a chuckle. "Aunt Catherine is, as of yet, unaware of Anne and mine's unholy alliance," Elizabeth added gleefully.
…
"We shall make a merry party at Harcourt, won't we?" Elizabeth said happily sliding her arms through Georgiana and Anne's. "Is not my Jane wonderful?"
"She is very beautiful and kind. No wonder Mr. Bingley favors her. Shall we spread mistletoe throughout the house to aid in their courtship?" Georgiana asked innocently, her eyes shinning with excitement.
"We must!" Anne exclaimed in delight. "What sort of Christmas games do you think would best further their courtship, Lizzy?" she asked eagerly.
"They are very much in love," Elizabeth said with a smile. "WE need not do anything to further their courtship other than what we have, ensure they are not seperated and keep outside interference at bay. We have succeed already."
"But Lizzy," Georgiana said aghast. "We have too! Anne and I were planning on it!"
"Yes," Anne said nodding. "We simply must set up Christmas at Harcourt to promote courtship."
"Very well, if it means that much to you both, we shall," Elizabeth assured them. "We will have to determine how to deal with Aunt Catherine though, Anne. She will undoubtedly attempt to use the opportunities we create for Jane and Mr. Bingley to further your own courtship with William."
"William isn't courtng me Lizzy," hissed Anne, glancing around frantically to ensure her mother had not heard Elizabeth's teasing comment. "Don't say such things!"
"Perhaps you can engage my brother to circumvent Aunt Catherine's attempts," Georgiana suggested hopefully.
…
"You and Mr. Darcy get along quite well, Lizzy," Jane said later that night as the two prepared to snuggle under the blankets.
Before Elizabeth could respond a knock sounded at the door which cracked open and Anne's voice whispered into the room, "Lizzy? Jane?"
"Come in and join us Anne," Elizabeth called out cheerfully. "We were just about to have a good coze."
"We don't want to intterupt," Georgiana's voice said hesitantly.
"You and Anne are a welcome interruption," Elizabeth assured them.
"There is plenty of space for all of us in here. I have never seen a bed so big," Jane proclaimed, agreeing with Elizabeth.
With giggles the other two joined them. Once they were all snuggled under the blankets, Elizabeth said laughingly, "Now what shall we discuss?"
"I do believe you were about to tell me about how you and Mr. Darcy are getting on much better and if there is a romance blossoming," Jane said mischeviously.
"I was about to do nothing of the sort. William and I have decided to set aside our differences, as cousins should," Elizabeth said blushing. "So naturally we have a more amiable relationship now."
"He looks at you a great deal still," Jane teased her sister.
"Come now, Jane, you shall embaress Georgie with your teasing." To Georgiana she added, "Do not worry I don't intend to start hunting your brother. Though I do hear that it is one of the acomplishments of many ladies of high society. They play the piano, net screens, speak foreign languages and hunt cousin William for matrimony."
"It is not I who is embarrassed, Lizzy," Georgiana said cheekily. "Though I would not object to the union Jane suggests."
"Nor would I," Anne said slyly. "And you did promise to help me."
"So I am to sacrifice myself on the altar of matrimony to spare you marriage to a handsome, agreeable gentleman?" Elizabeth teased.
"Just so," Jane said teasing back. "You being such a duitful creature and all."
"Why Lizzy, did you just call my brother not only agreeable, but handsome as well?" Georgiana exclaimed giddly.
"Pray tell, pay no attention to what words leave my lips. Was the soup course not lovely?" Elizabeth said quickly.
"You may change the subject if you like, Lizzy, but we shall all draw our on conclusions," Jane said primly.
"And I know just what those conclusions will be," Anne said giggling.
"Perhaps a double wedding? My brother and you, and Jane and Mr. Bingley," Georgiana said with glee.
"Ah, now it is time to tease Jane," Elizabeth said merrily ignorong Georgiana's comment regarding her and Darcy. "How will the ballroom at Harocurt do for an engagement ball do you think?"
"Who's engagement? Yours and William's or Jane and Mr. Bingley's?" Anne said giggling.
"Jane's!" Elizabeth exclaimed blushing and lightly pinching Ann in retaliation for her words.
Later, once the others had fallen asleep Elizabeth's mind drifted back to Darcy. She did find him handsome and amiable. Part of his newfound amiability towards herself she suspected was due to her new status. Now that she was Lady Elizabeth and his cousin he found her worthy of civility, for he had certainly not felt the need to exert himself to be friendly to her when she was merely Miss Elizabeth. She would do well to remember that fact or risk her heart becoming attached to him. She remeinded herself he had been uninterested in her before and it would not do to misconstrue his kindness as regard now, he merely did his duty as her cousin. To be the object of his admiration would be quite nice though, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
