Mrs Bennet's Christmas

by Philippa J Rosen

  “I am so happy, Lizzy. I only wish Mother and Father were here and my other sisters. That would make the day perfect.”

  Darcy and Lizzy were about to return downstairs, when the door opened, and Wickham emerged. With a look on his face which mingled happiness and contrition, he extended his hand to Darcy. Surprised, Darcy hesitated for a moment. Then he graciously shook Wickham’s hand.

  “Congratulations, Wickham.”

  “Thank you, Darcy.”

  Lizzy and Darcy went downstairs.

  “I need to send a message to Mother, my love. I’m going to tell her that Lydia and Wickham can’t come.”

  “I wonder…,” said Darcy.

  “What?”

  “I wonder if it would be possible for them to visit Lydia instead.”

  “I could leave some kind of hint in the message.”

  Bess said she would be happy to write down any message and for Ted to take horse and deliver it to Mr and Mrs Bennet. Lizzy dictated while Bess wrote. Lizzy’s message said that they were now returning to Pemberley. It said that they had met Lydia and Wickham at the Road to Bethlehem. She went on to say that Lydia had given birth to a baby girl. She also said that their daughter, son in law and new grand daughter wished them a Merry Christmas and regretted that they (the Wickham family) would be unable to join them for Boxing Day on orders of the physician.

  Lizzy read the message again and thanked Bess. Bess handed it to Ted who got on his horse and rode quickly to Longbourn.

  “Well, that’s done,” said Lizzy.

  “Indeed. Shall we depart?”

  “At once.”

  They climbed into the coach and settled themselves in for the long journey home. They didn’t mind the discomfort, because of what lay at the end of the journey.

  In the meantime, Ted rode swiftly to Longbourn. He knocked on the door. Mr Bennet was expecting Lydia and Wickham and opened the door, assuming it was his daughter and son in law.

  “Mr Bennet?” said Ted.

  “That’s right.”

  “I have a message for you, sir.”

  He handed Mr Bennet the message, gave a smart salute and got on his horse again to return to the coaching inn.

  “Who is it, Mr Bennet? Is it Lydia arrived at last?”

  “Not exactly, my dear.”

  “Good. Because I want to eat a little breakfast before they arrive.”

  Mr Bennet read the message. Afterwards his feelings were very mixed. He was delighted that he had a granddaughter, of course. But he was also disappointed that Lydia and Wickham would not be joining them for Boxing Day. He knew that Lydia had been due to give birth in a couple of weeks, so assumed the journey to Longbourn would not be too bad.

  With some trepidation he approached his wife.

  “I have received a message, my dear.”

  “From whom Mr Bennet.”

  “It’s about Lydia and Wickham. It seems that Lydia has had her child. She has a daughter.”

  “We are grandparents once more, Mr Bennet.”

  “We have, Mrs Bennet. And what’s more, they’ve named her after you.”

  “After me? You can’t call a child ‘Mrs Bennet’.”

  “No, they’ve given her the same Christian name as you. Fan.”

  Mrs Bennet clapped her hands with delight.

  “And when will they be arriving, Mr Bennet? For I know my new granddaughter will be anxious to meet her grandmother.”

  “They’re not coming.”

  Mrs Bennet stopped clapping her hands.

  “Not coming? What do you mean?”

  “The physician has advised that Lydia stay in bed. It’s regular practice following childbirth.”

  “Man’s a fool,” said Mrs Bennet. “I think they should ignore his regular advice and come anyway. Why, we could send a coach for them.”

  “No, my dear,” said Mr Bennet firmly, “the doctor is quite clear about this. She needs rest.”

  “Oh, dear. I am so upset, Mr Bennet, that I am not sure if I will be able to manage any breakfast this morning.”

  “I am sure you’ll finds a way, my dear.”

  “I hope so. First, that wretched Mr Darcy takes Lizzy away from her mother, and then the wretched physician stops me from seeing my youngest daughter.”

  Mr Bennet went to his study. He sat at his desk and sipped his coffee as he perused the message once more. He knew at once that it was from Lizzy, even though he did not recognise the hand writing. Lizzy’s letters always told more than was actually written, especially to Mr Bennet who was able to read between the lines. He gleaned that Lydia, and even Wickham, were disappointed that they could not visit Longbourn to celebrate Boxing Day. But what if Longbourn were to visit them?

  He folded up the letter and spoke again to his wife.

  “Mrs Bennet, I have an idea concerning Lydia and Wickham.”

  “Really? Are you going to tell the physician he is a fool and then send a coach for Lydia?”

  “No. However, if Lydia cannot come here, perhaps we can go there.”

  “But they live miles away.”

  “No. They are currently staying at a coaching inn, only a few miles from here. We could go and see them there.”

  “You mean, if whatshisname will not come to the mountain then the mountain must go to whatshisname?”

  “Something like that. Darcy and Lizzy happened to see them there last night. I suspect it’s their idea for us to visit the inn.”

  “Why, Darcy is marvellous isn’t he?” said Mrs Bennet without irony.

  “So, how do we proceed, my dear?”

  “We proceed with breakfast. And then we bathe and get dressed. Then we shall need horses and coaches. We will take our celebrations to Lydia and her husband.”

  “All of us?”

  “All of us. Including Mr Collins.”

  “Mr Collins too?” said Mr Bennet.

  “Yes. We had to suffer him yesterday. There is no reason why Lydia and Wickham shouldn’t suffer him today.”

  The rest of the house was wakened. All the guests were urged to come down to breakfast at once.

  “What’s the matter, Mother?” said Horatio.

  “I’m still tired,” grumbled Alexander.

  “I don’t know, darlings, but your Grandmother must have a reason for waking us early.”

  All the guests proceeded to the dining room where they were served breakfast. Like the previous day it was an excellent, and large, breakfast.

  Like the previous day, Mrs Bennet ate a large plate of food. When she had finished, she looked expectantly around the room, assuming the other diners would have finished by now, so that they could visit Lydia forthwith. However, nobody had finished so she ordered another large plate of food.

  At last everybody was finished. Mr Bennet stood up to make an announcement.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologise on behalf of Mrs Bennet and myself for hauling you out of bed so early after making merry last night. However, we have received news that Lydia has given birth to a daughter. She and the child are at a coaching inn. Her physician has advised her to stay there for a day or so. Therefore, we intend to visit her there. The inn is not far, and we trust you will join us in congratulating her and her husband in person.”

  “And we can celebrate Boxing Day at the same time,” added Mrs Bennet helpfully.

  Everybody turned to each other with delighted smiles at the news. All made it clear that they wished to take a coach to the inn, though some had different motives than others.

  “It will be marvellous to see Lydia again,” said Jane.

  “I look forward to meeting her baby,” said Kitty.

  “I’m sure the food will be plentiful at the coaching inn,” said Mrs Bennet.

  “I may be able to deliver my sermon at last,” said Mr Collins.

  “Excellent,” said Mrs Bennet. “We shall meet in the hall in half an hour.”

  They all dispersed and returned to their bed chambers. They dressed in warm clo
thes and congregated in the hall, beside the front door. Everybody was eager to take the coach to The Road to Bethlehem. Horatio and Alexander jumped up and down with excitement while the others chatted in animated fashion. Mr Collins read to himself, his lips moving, from a sheaf of papers.

  “Are we all here?” said Mr Bennet.

  “Yes,” they cried in unison.

  “Very well, let us depart.”

  He opened the door and led them out into a little courtyard. A path led to a small cindered clearing where several coaches were waiting. They climbed in and the coaches set off. They rode through woodland, the trees black and sodden, with not a leaf in sight. It was a cheerful journey though, short and quick and before very long the coaches pulled into the courtyard of the Road to Bethlehem.

  Chapter 8

  Everybody chatted happily as they made their way inside. To their surprise the inn had been decorated for Christmas with a great deal of coloured paper and tinsel and even a great banner which read, ‘welcome to the Bennet Family’. They did not know that Lizzy had previously spoken to Bess and Ted. She intimated that it was likely that her family would visit the inn this morning and it would be pleasant to welcome them; and so Bess and Ted acted accordingly.

  Mr Bennet approached Bess at her little desk. He took off his hat in greeting.

  “Good day, Madam. Merry Christmas. My name is…”

  “Mr Bennet,” said Bess, “you’re Mr Bennet. And this is your family I take it?”

  “Er, yes. How did you know?”

  “Your daughter Elizabeth spoke to us before she left. She said she thought you would all be coming to see your other daughter.”

  “Lydia you mean?”

  “Yes. And she said it would be pleasing if we were to offer you some kind of welcome. So, my husband and I put up some special decorations.”

  “Well, I’m very glad you did. Now, to business. We have come for two reasons. Firstly, to meet the newest member of the family. Secondly, to enjoy some Boxing Day festivities. Have you a large room where we can enjoy Christmas Dinner and make merry for a few hours?”

  “Yes, of course. And dinner will not be a problem. We have plenty of food and drink in the kitchen.”

  Mr Bennet hesitated, unsure whether or not to mention the matter.

  “Have no fear, sir,” said Bess with a laugh, “your daughter told me about your wife. My husband Ted has gone to a nearby farm to get some extra food.”

  “Splendid,” said Mr Bennet.

  “Dinner will be served around one o’clock, so you have plenty of time.”

  “Thank you. And my daughter Lydia? And the baby?”

  “They are on the upper floor. If you wish to go up directly, I can take you there myself. She has no idea you’re coming, so it will be a pleasant surprise.”

  “Thank you. Would it be possible for myself and my wife to go up alone? To start with at least.”

  “Of course. I will have some drinks served to the others and I will take you both up quietly while they’re making merry. She’ll be delighted to see you.”

  Bess spoke to Ted. Mr Bennet spoke to his wife. A few minutes later Bess and Ted brought in large trays with several bottles of warming liquors. There was a general cheer as the tray was set down and glasses fetched. They sampled the delicious liquors with delight and a great deal of noise.

  Bess took the opportunity to signal to Mr Bennet. Mr Bennet took his wife’s hand and followed Bess upstairs.

  Bess knocked gently on Lydia’s door.

  “Come in,” said Wickham.

  The door opened and Lydia looked up.

  “Mother, Father, what a wonderful surprise.”

  “Well,” said Mr Bennet, “We surmised that your sister has already met the newest member of the family, and we didn’t want to miss out. So here we are.”

  “And Jane?”

  “She’s downstairs. And Kitty and Mary too.”

  Mr and Mrs Bennet looked at Wickham holding his daughter, gently but firmly as if she were a precious thing.

  “Merry Christmas, Mr and Mrs Bennet. Come and meet your granddaughter.”

  He handed the baby to Mrs Bennet who fussed over her and made little clucking noises.

  “Is it true about the name?” said Mrs Bennet.

  Wickham and Lydia smiled at one another.

  “Yes, we called her Fan. After you…Mother,” said Wickham.

  “You hear, Mr Bennet. They named the child after me.”

  He noted a little tear run down his wife’s cheek.

  “Yes, Mrs Bennet, so I hear.”

  Mr Bennet took Wickham to one side.

  “What does the physician say?”

  “There is nothing to be alarmed about, sir. He merely said a coach journey would be inadvisable for a day or so. It’s cold outside you see, and the roads are bad.”

  “So, she will be able to have visitors and perhaps come down and join us for dinner later?”

  “I don’t see why not?”

  “Splendid.”

  Mr Bennet clapped him and the back in jovial fashion.

  “Perhaps the others could come and meet you all? A couple at a time?”

  “Yes, I think Lydia would like that.”

  “And you?”

  “What do you mean, sir?”

  “Would it be agreeable to you also. I know fathers often get overlooked at times like these. I should know.”

  “If it makes my wife happy, then it makes me happy. In any event, I should like to see your family again. And I would be very happy for them to meet my daughter.”

  Mr Bennet looked at his son in law closely. There had been a change. It was difficult to describe, but he was different somehow.

  “Oh, and by the way,” said Mr Bennet, “Mr Collins is here too.”

  Wickham’s face fell but only for a moment.

  Mrs Bennet returned the infant to Lydia and she and Mr Bennet returned to the others, still merrily enjoying the various liquors. Mr Bennet announced that Lydia and the baby were very well, and they could go upstairs and greet them in groups of two.

  Kitty and Godfrey went first. Then Mary and Thomas. Then Jane and Charles together with Horatio and Alexander. Horatio said later that he liked Fan, but she didn’t say very much.

  Finally, Mr and Mrs Collins went upstairs to the little room.

  “Lydia, darling,” said Charlotte, “how are you?”

  “We’re very well,” said Lydia.

  “So, this is the child,” said Mr Collins. “As she is newly born and therefore susceptible to original sin and the workings of Satan, perhaps I should give a blessing?”

  He stood over the child and raised his right hand.

  “Lord,” he said, “this child is doomed to be a miserable sinner with all the weaknesses and wickedness with which all mankind is cursed…”

  Fan and Lydia gave their opinion of his blessing. Lydia fell asleep and Fan vomited on his shoes and cried incessantly until he left the room. Wickham took the child and rocked her to sleep and watched happily as his wife slept also.

  By this time Bess had prepared a large room for the festive dinner.

  “Dinner will be served in a couple of hours,” she said to Mr Bennet.

  “Thank you. That will give us a little time for a walk around the grounds. By your leave.”

  “Of course. Enjoy your walk.”

  The others thought a walk around the grounds would be very agreeable. The air was warmed by the sharp winter sun and they were warmed by the liquors. They walked for a while around the gardens of the inn, with their neatly manicured lawns and handsome fountains and interesting looking statues, some from as far as Rome and Athens (or at least decent copies thereof). And a handful of beehives were dotted around the extensive lawn. Horatio and Alexander found them most interesting and asked many questions.

  As they walked, they talked. All were agreed that Lydia’s baby was very beautiful. Some remarked on a strange alteration which had befallen Mr Wickham. One or two
remarked that they were looking forward to another Christmas dinner

  When they returned, Bess served them bowls of hot punch laced with brandy.

  There was a piano in the lobby of the inn and Mr Walton played some pleasing music, popular songs of the time, to which they all sang lustily.

  At precisely one o’clock, Bess showed them to the large room in which dinner would be served. They seated themselves and waited. A few minutes later, the food was served. The victuals were perhaps even more varied and plentiful than at Longbourn.

  Instead of goose, a plump partridge with forcemeat was served, together with a large side of roast beef. There were potatoes, roasted, boiled and sautéed. The roasted vegetables had been glazed in honey, gleaned from the beehives outside. In addition, there was a variety of nuts, sausages, baked meats, herbed bread puddings, sauces and thick gravy.

  Drinks were then served. Red and white wine in elegant glasses, with thick red stems, and sweet cordial for Horatio and Alexander.

  Waiters filled the plates with huge hillocks of food. Two seats were still vacant, before which rested two plates, which they also piled with food. When everybody had been served and were about to eat, knives and forks lifted in the air, Mr Collins raised his hand.

  “We haven’t said grace yet. I will therefore give thanks for this bounty.”

  There was a slight groan around the room.

  He stood up and was about to speak when the doors at the end of the room opened. Wickham and Lydia entered, smiling broadly as the others welcomed them. Wickham pushed a little basket on wheels in which lay Fan, fast asleep. Lydia eyes were bright and refreshed from sleep.

  Irritated by the interruption, Mr Collins continued.

  “Lord, we thank you for this partridge and this roasted beef. And for these sausages and potatoes and carrots and beans and…”

  Fan woke and immediately began to cry. Although less than a day old, her cries still managed to drown out Mr Collins words and he gave up and resumed his seat. Wickham took her out of the basket and rested her on his shoulder. At that moment, he thought he loved his daughter even more, if that were possible.

  Wickham, the baby still on his shoulder, and Lydia sat down. Mr Bennet raised his glass and made a toast.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad you are here. I would like to make a toast to my daughter, son in law and newly arrived granddaughter.”