Christmas in October

Happy day, Janeites!  What a strange bought of weather we  have had around the globe this year. I was reading an old favorite the other day, and was wishing for some lovely winter weather. You know, the kind with snowflakes ‘that stay on our nose and eyelashes.’

Well, that in itself is too far off, but I could at least put you in the holiday spirit with an excerpt from my Christmas novella work in progress. It is as yet untitled, but will once again star those precocious little Gardiner cousins, Emily and Victoria.

In this story, Mrs. Bennet has sent Elizabeth with Jane to the Gardiner’s before Christmas because of her rejection of Mr. Collins. The Gardiners will not be at Longbourn for the festive season, so Jane and Elizabeth are finding ways to make themselves merry in London. However, Emily Gardiner has an idea of her own. I hope you enjoy this raw unedited excerpt where this little scamp determines the greatest Christmas gift she can give to her favorite cousin, Elizabeth.

Excerpt:

“Oh, what a lovely time we will have when we are old enough to go to a ball like Cousins Jane and Lizzy,” Emily Gardiner said running her chubby fingers through the gauzy material. “We will dance all night and put our hair up and eat sweet meats without worrying if we will become sick. Oh, to be a grown woman.”

The young girl fell back in a swoon on the bed of her eldest cousin Jane, before her sister Victoria sat next to her and gently reached for her hand. “Emmy, you know we are not to touch Jane or Lizzy’s dresses. We must do as they ask, especially when they are out with their new friends. We don’t wish to ruin their chances with their beaus.”

Emily wiggled off the bed, and closed the door to the wardrobe. “I know, Tory. I am sorry. But I’ve always wanted to go to a ball, and won’t be able to for years! You will go two whole seasons before me. By the time it is my turn, there will be no more beautiful fabric or handsome beaus!”

Victoria patted the bed next to her and her younger sister sat down laying her head on her shoulder. “Emmy, I promise, when it is our turn to go to balls and parties, there will be many young men and beautiful gowns. Why, you only have eleven years until Papa said you can be out, and I have nine.”

“But cousin Lydia is already out and she is only fifteen. I wish to come out at fifteen.”

Victoria tskd the sound of a matron beyond her years. “Emmy, we need to be more like Lizzy and Jane and less like Lydia.”

“Why?” Emily asked.

Victoria bit her lip. “I am really not sure. I only know I have heard Mummy say to Papa, ‘I pray they girls are nothing like Lydia when they get older.’ That is good enough for me.”

“What are you two imps discussing?”

The door opened and in walked the two eldest Miss Bennets. Elizabeth sat in one of the chairs and opened her arms as Emily launched herself from the bed and into her cousin’s arms. Jane gently sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Tory onto her lap.

“We are discussing how we wish to be like you when we grow up,” Victoria said, smiling up at Jane.

“And not like Lydia,” Emily finished nodding her head.

Jane and Elizabeth were taken aback and did not respond immediately, causing Emily to continue. “Well, if that is what Mummy wants, so be it.”

“What do you both mean, not be like Lydia?” Jane asked smoothing her hand over Victoria’s braids.

“I really don’t know.”

“I think I do,” Emily cried, getting up and standing in the center of the room. “Like when she walks across the garden at Longbourn like this.” Emily began to sachet across the room, wiggling her hips.”

“Emily!” Jane cried. “Young ladies do not behave that way. It is inappropriate.”

“That’s what I thought. And that’s why Mummy and Papa do not wish for us to be like Lydia.” A deep, dramatic sigh shook the young girl’s body as she returned to Elizabeth’s lap. “Well, that means I will have to break Jacob’s heart.”

“Who is Jacob?” Elizabeth asked, surprise in her voice.

“He is the little boy who comes with the milkman. If I am in the kitchen when the bottles are delivered, he gives me a caramel. I told him I would marry him if he brought me caramels every day. He agreed and we are to be married when I come out.”

“Emily,” Jane’s voice was full of gentle reproach. “We do not wiggle our hips in public, nor do we marry the milkman’s son.”

“I figured as much. But he is so jolly! Now what am I to do?”

“You can behave like a good little girl and help Jane and I choose our gowns for dinner tonight.”

“May we really?” Emily sprung in the air and clapped her hands.

“Yes, you may. Emmy, you may help me choose mine.”

“And you, Tory, may help me choose my gown.”

After much decision making, the young girls alighted from the closet with their choices: a pale pink for Jane and a soft blue for Elizabeth.

“You girls know what you are about. These gowns are the perfect choices.”

“Yes, they are lovely,” Jane agreed, allowing the maid to slip hers on her.

“I believe,” Elizabeth teased leaning down to kiss Emily on the forehead, “you know my own mind better than I do myself. I should allow you to make all of my decisions for me. You have done a much better job than I would have done myself.”

“I would be so happy to, Lizzy. Next, I’ll choose your husband for you.”

Emily’s claim was met by a peal of laughter from her older cousins. “What a wonderful idea, Emmy. I have had no luck myself, so I will bow to your choice for me. Mama will be quite delighted that someone has taken such an eager interest in my future. You can give me no greater gift than to assuage my concerns on that score.”

The two older cousins patted the girls on the head as their Nanny lead them off to the nursery.

I will choose Lizzy’s husband for her. That will be the greatest gift. And he will be the handsomest and kindest man in the world!

There you have it, dear readers– a sure-fire recipe for an enjoyable holiday romp with the Gardiner girls. When an seven year old decides to choose your spouse, they might not have the same criteria you do, but  what could go wrong?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments, and have a wonderful week!