~~H~~

Exodus

Sunday was a hectic day not only for the residents of Longbourn and Netherfield, but even more so for the servants.

At Longbourn Jane and Elizabeth were going through their belongings and with the help of their maid, packing up everything they planned to take with them.

At Netherfield Caroline was somewhat put out when her sister informed her that she had to vacate the mistress suite, to give the servants time for a thorough cleaning in preparation for Mrs Bingley's arrival the next day.

'Where am I supposed to sleep tonight,' Caroline asked in a huff.

'I have granted permission for a bed to be made up for you in my room,' Aunt Mathilda told her. 'You might as well get used to my company. I just hope you do not snore.'

Caroline bristled, 'certainly not.'

'Good,' was her aunt's laconic response.

~~H~~

Even Purvis Lodge did not escape unscathed since Darcy was getting ready to take his bride to London.

When Richard casually raised the topic of joining his parents and the rest of the family on their return to town after the wedding, Lady Matlock vetoed the idea.

'Reggie and Sarah will be taking Georgiana back to Matlock for Christmas to give Darcy and Elizabeth a few weeks of privacy. While your father and I will go to Kent for damage control since your aunt will be most unhappy when she hears of the wedding.'

Lady Matlock shrugged casually. 'Edith mentioned that she invited you to stay here when she offered for us to extend our visit. So, you might as well remain here where it is significantly more pleasant than in town.'

'Will you not be going to Derbyshire?'

'No. Parliament will reconvene early in the new year. I have no wish to spend all that time travelling to Matlock only to turn around to come back. Which is why we decided to spend some time with Catherine.'

'Are you certain that you do not want me to come along for support?'

'You do not need the stress of Catherine's tantrums, especially when your father is much better positioned to deal with it. You know… head of the family and all that.'

Richard was relieved when no one in the family thought anything amiss with him staying at Purvis Lodge when everyone else left.

~~H~~

In the evening, Jane and Elizabeth spent what they considered the most embarrassing hour of their lives as each of the matrons of their family provided them with their advice regarding the marriage bed.

Their worst blushes were caused by Mrs Bennet who explained in excruciating detail the physical aspects of what they could expect.

While this might have been informative, and of course it was, Elizabeth could not help but consider how her mother had come to that information. She was certain that she must be turning scarlet from head to toe, trying not to think of her parents… Elizabeth frantically suppressed the image coming to her minds.

She was relieved when their mother finished by asking, 'do you have any questions?'

Elizabeth hurriedly assured Mrs Bennet that she had explained enough.

As soon as Jane and Elizabeth were alone again, Jane turned to her sister, 'you do not think that mama and papa…'

'Stop. I do not want to think of anything like that,' Lizzy begged and was relieved when Jane changed the subject.

Their relief was short-lived when Mrs Gardiner came to see them. Fortunately for their peace of mind, their aunt did not dwell on the physical aspects but encouraged them to enjoy themselves since their husbands-to-be loved them and were sure to be concerned with making the experience as enjoyable as possible for them. After all, if their wives enjoyed the experience they would be eager to repeat it.

The last lady to come and speak to them on the subject was Edith.

'Have you had enough yet?' she asked with a mischievous grin.

'What are you doing here?' asked Elizabeth.

'Your mother was concerned that you did not ask any questions and thought that you might be too embarrassed to ask her. Since I am closer in age to you, she thought you would feel more comfortable asking me to clarify whatever concerned you.'

The sisters had mostly recovered from their shocks and the resultant blushes. Elizabeth managed to explain, 'the problem was that when mama explained… things, I could not help but wonder if she and papa…'

Edith laughed. 'I understand. It is difficult for children to think of their parents as having desires.'

'It just seems so wrong at their age…' Lizzy sighed.

'I wonder how you will feel in thirty years about your husband?' Edith asked and raised an eyebrow.

Elizabeth's eyes flashed as she exclaimed, 'but that is different. Fitzwilliam…'

'Precisely my point.' Edith said with a smug grin.

~~H~~

After everyone had gone to bed, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam finally admitted to himself what his cousin had blurted out the previous day.

He was head over heels in love with Edith despite having fought against it for weeks, which was turning into months.

Things were not made easier for him when he discovered that despite their disparity in ages, his mother wanted to be friends with the lady. He had been amazed when he found out that within an hour's acquaintance Lady Matlock was on a first name basis with Lady Wentworth.

He thought that perhaps their ranks had something to do with their instant friendship until he remembered all those other countesses with whom his mother was strictly formal.

And even his father had offered the familiarity he usually reserved for family.

Was that an indication that both his parents were hoping for a connection between himself and their new friend? Especially since his mother had encouraged him to remain.

But he was going to disappoint them. He loved Edith too well to risk injuring her in any way.

~~H~~

The wedding between Jane and Bingley, and Elizabeth and Darcy went off without any trouble. After the sumptuous wedding breakfast at Netherfield, there was an exodus.

Darcy and Elizabeth planned to spend a week or two at Darcy House before relocating to Pemberley. His cousin, Reginald Fitzwilliam and his wife, together with Georgiana headed north to Matlock.

Most of Bingley's family also headed also north, except for Aunt Mathilda and Caroline Bingley, who were bound for London.

Also on their way to London were Lord and Lady Matlock, before bearding the dragon in her den.

When a thunderstorm blew across Meryton two days later, Richard claimed that he could hear his aunt's screeches amongst the thunder.

~~H~~

You wanted a wedding…

My brain has gone on strike since I removed its fuel – nicotine.

I hope I can still write without smoking.

~~H~~

The Colonel and the Heiress (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2022