I offer all of the apologies for the lengthy delay! At first it was some family medical issues (all mostly resolved satisfactorily now) but then it was this chapter, this stage. I am getting stuck on some tangents that seem to want me to pay attention to them even as I try to write to my outline. Then they hide any inspiration from me so that I am down to writing one sentence a day! I need to set a word count for myself each day and just do it even if I can't seem to find the right path. All that to say, I hope and plan to be more regular in updating. Indeed, my own schedule has me writing 2 chapters a week going forward and my "real life" schedule would seem to have space for this. We'll see but thank you so much to everyone who is reading and especially to those who like, follow and comment. I appreciate you!
A rainstorm threatened the now annual birthday picnic. The day before the planned event dawned dark with ominous clouds doting the horizon. The storm began mid-morning and continued all day bring driving rain, flashes or lightning and booming thunder. Elizabeth and Mary tried to stay busy – reading and drawing respectively. But by late afternoon they were standing side-by-side at the floor to ceiling window in the front drawing room. They watched the rain turn garden paths into shallow streams and witnessed its force drive small branches to the ground. Though normally one to enjoy a rainy day and the opportunity to cozy up with a book alone or a game with her family Lizzy was despondent about what it meant for the picnic.
"Now it is certain," she said, flinging the heavy curtain against the window as thunder nearly shook the house and moving back to the sofa.
"Certain?" Mary asked, taking a seat beside her sister.
"I thought if it was just a quick storm that moved on by the afternoon there might be time for the roads and the field where we picnic to dry, but now I believe we must acknowledge that we will not be able to do it."
"I am disappointed, but might we not postpone for a few days and hold it once the conditions are improved?" Mary asked.
"I suppose it is possible, but remember the Darcy's are traveling to visit relatives in Scotland in a sennight. I imagine that it would be difficult to find another time that did not conflict with the obligations incumbent upon them before leaving Derbyshire for the rest of the season."
"I had not thought of that," Mary admitted. "Well, we can have a wonderful celebration indoors can we not?"
"We certainly can," Mrs. Gardiner declared as she swept into the room holding a folder paper aloft. "It seems the Darcy's have a plan to salvage the celebration tomorrow."
"What plan?" Elizabeth asked.
"They would like to keep it a surprise, but I am told we are to arrive as planned at ten tomorrow morning."
"This rain is some of the worst I have seen," Mary observed. "Will the roads be passable?"
"Oh certainly," their aunt replied. "Though the rain looks to be here to stay for today as long as we have a respite overnight the carriage should have no difficulty in the morning."
Both the absence of the pitter patter of rain pelting her windows and the sliver of light slipping though her curtains told Elizabeth her birthday plans could proceed. She had harboured some small worry that the downpour would continue and prevent any kind of journey to Pemberley. Due to the Darcy's impending departure this meant that she might not see her friends again until next summer. But now, as she sprung from her bed and drew back the windowpane to confirm her suspicions Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief.
The sun was shining in a cloudless sky, its light turning the water that remained on the fields, pooled in puddles and in droplets still clinging to the grass into crystal-like reflectors. The family all emerged from their rooms full of energy, eager for the novelty of the celebration that awaited them.
Elizabeth was delighted to find Mr. Barlow at the breakfast table when she and Mary arrived.
"Good morning, ladies," he stood to greet them. "And before the festivities are underway and I am forgotten in all the hubbub allow to me wish you a happy birthday and present you with my gift." With a flourish the elderly gentleman removed a small box from his jacket pocket. Elizabeth moved to embrace him.
"Mr. Barlow, you are too kind," she said as her head rested in his shoulder. "You being here is gift enough."
"Because I am so ancient that each day I remain above ground must be considered as a special provision form the Lord above?"
Mary gasped slightly but Elizabeth laughed and agreed with his assessment, "that's it exactly."
"I suppose I cannot take it back now."
"You could try," she offered cheerfully as she sat beside him with the box in her hands. "Shall I open it?" He nodded and Elizabeth removed the top. Inside, resting on a neatly folded pink handkerchief was a small silver cat which bore a striking resemblance to Mr. Whiskers.
"I thought it would make a good addition to your collection," Mr. Barlow told her as he put the plate he had just filled in front of her and moved to fix another for Mary.
Starting with her second summer at Barlow Hall Mr. Barlow had gifted Lizzy a trinket for her birthday. Each one connected to a special memory she had made in Derbyshire. Thus far she had a miniature of Barlow Hall, a small music box that played her favourite piece by Mozart, a silver harp which she learned to play from her music master in the summer and form last year - a horse.
"It's perfect," Lizzy told him, turning the trinket over in her hand and examining it closely. "I love it. Thank you." She moved to hug the gentleman once again. He rose and folded her into his arms.
"You are welcome, child." The two took their seats. After a minute of contented silence where all three dug into their respective meals Mr. Barlow said, "I have my eye on a gold dipped paint holder for next year."
"You are incorrigible," Elizabeth responded, snatching a muffin from his plate.
The trio were soon joined by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. They both wished Elizabeth a happy birthday and presented her with letters from Longbourn. This too had become a Barlow Hall birthday tradition. The family ate and chatted amicably about their plans for the day before Elizabeth excused herself to read her letters.
Jane's covered both sides of two sheets and was filled with a list of all the things she liked best about Lizzy and a brief update on their mother's attempts at match-making. Kitty and Lydia short a short joint missive wish their sister a happy birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet also send a joint letter, but it was written in the close hand of her father. It was not as brief as her younger sisters, but it was not nearly as long as Jane's. It contained some news of Meryton and the neighbourhood – her mother's contribution no doubt – and some complaints about how much her sense and conversation were missed – clearly from her father. It ended with the news that he had sent extra pocket money to Mr. Gardiner that she might purchase anything she wished in Lambton to celebrate her day.
Not long after Lizzy had stowed her letters away Mrs. Gardiner was admonishing her to begin preparations for the party. They would leave within the hour. Though the Gardiners assigned a maid to the girls during their summer they were so much accustomed to helping one another get ready that by the time Polly appeared to assist them both Mary and Lizzy were already in the new dresses the Gardiners had gifted them for the occasion. The maid was quite adept at hair however and so her help was welcomed for that final stage of ready-making. It was not until the family were ensconced in the Barlow carriage that Lizzy began to wonder what one Fitzwilliam Darcy would think of her pale-yellow dress and expertly arranged hair. She carried the whirr of anticipation with her for the full half hour journey.