Christmas in October-“Merry and Bright”

Happy Friday, Janeites!

I hope you are getting into the Holiday mood, because we sure are!  One of the greatest things about the holidays are JAFF Christmas stories!  I LOVE them because they are always merry and bright.

It has been 7  years since you were first introduced to Elizabeth Bennet’s young cousins Emily and Victoria Gardiner in “An Unexpected Merry Gentlemen,”  and 4 years since you visited them in my last Christmas novella, “Comfort and Joy.”

Between work, my family and football, I’ve tried to carve a bit of time here and there, and I think this might be the year where the Gardiner girls will have another holiday adventure with their favorite cousin Elizabeth, and OUR favorite gentleman, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

In my upcoming novella, Jane is visiting London as in canon, but this time. with Mrs. Bennet angry about the rejection of Mr. Collins, Lizzy joins her. What ensues is an honest attempt by little Emily Gardiner (a shadow of Lizzy’s spirited ‘younger self’) to bring about the best Christmas gift her elder cousin was unaware she needed…a husband!

I hope you enjoy this UNEDITED excerpt from my upcoming holiday novella, “Merry and Bright” and the amusing antics of Emily and Victoria Gardiner.

Merry and Bright

“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 sweetmeats 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 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 too, 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! 

I wonder who little Emily Gardiner will become enchanted with as Elizabeth’s future husband? Stay tuned to find out, and while you’re waiting, may your holiday be Merry and Bright. 🙂