Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe it’s already 2015! What better way to start the new year than with Jane Austen! During the month of January, we are having a ‘Jane in January’ event, focusing primarily on “Pride and Prejudice,” with a few exceptions.
December 31, 1811.
Mr. Bingley and his party have left Netherfield. Jane has gone to London with the Gardiners.
“Hurry along now, hurry along.” Papa ushered Kitty and Lydia ahead of him as he trudged down the stairs and into the parlor, exactly the same as he had done last year and the year before and the one before that.
Elizabeth turned aside and bit the inside of her cheek. Mama would scold if she sniggered aloud. Proper young ladies do not laugh in company.
Still, Jane would have shared a private laugh with her when they finally tucked into bed had she not already left with the Gardiners for London. Gone only a day and already she was sorely missed.
“You have had the maid remove all the ashes?” Papa pulled chairs toward the center of the room, into a rough circle.
Mama flipped her skirts and settled into a seat. “Yes, yes and Hill has given all the kitchen scraps away as well. I dare say your pointers are very happy tonight.”
“Capital, capital.” Papa nudged a final chair into place.
He asked the same questions every year. There was something quite comforting in his predictability.
“Truly Mr. Bennet, I do not understand why you insist upon this—”
“Do not say foolishness, Mrs. Bennet,” he raised a warning finger.
She arranged the fringe on her shawl. “It is naught but superstition and nonsense.”
“I endure your endless talk of lace and frippery. One evening of the year, it is not too much to ask of you—”
Mama harrumphed. “When you put it in those terms—”
“It is very nearly midnight.” Kitty cried, clapping softly.
They all turned toward the venerable longcase clock in the corner, its hands nearly overlapping below the ‘12’.
Papa rose and hurried to the front door. The clock struck the first chime of midnight and he opened the door. “Welcome to eighteen twelve. Now to usher out eighteen eleven.” He tromped through the hall to the back door. It creaked in protest and thumped against the wall like it always did when fully opened.
A sharp breeze whistled through the front door. Elizabeth rubbed her hands up and down her upper arms. Somehow, it always seemed to be windy on New Year’s Eve.
“Do hurry along Mr. Bennet or we shall catch our deaths.” Mama drew her shall more tightly around her shoulders.
Papa waved her down as he passed through the parlor.
“Halloo there—is a first footer wanted here?”
Surely that could not be…Elizabeth rose, but Lydia and Kitty preceded her to the front door.
“Mr. Wickham!” Lydia squealed and shouldered Kitty out of her way.
How did he know Papa’s custom? Surely Lydia must have suggested it! Did she know no propriety?
“Come in, come in.” Papa ushered Mr. Wickham in and shut the door.
“A tall, dark and handsome man is the best first footer.” Lydia clung to Mr. Wickham’s right arm.
“But only if water will run under his foot.” Kitty clutched his left.
They half escorted, half dragged him to the parlor.
He glanced at Elizabeth, who remained several steps behind them. It was difficult to determine whether he simply tolerated her sister’s attention with good humor, or he actually enjoyed them. In either case, he was jolly company.
“Sit down, Mr. Wickham and let us see your feet.” Lydia shoved a chair at him.
“You will find them very acceptable, Miss Lydia,” he stammered.
Kitty pulled his arm and he stumbled into the seat.
“I believe we can take one of His Majesty’s officers at his word regarding the shape of his feet.” Papa folded his arms over his chest.
“Besides, I believe it equally significant that he does not arrive empty-handed.” Elizabeth cocked her head and quirked her brow.
Mama glared and Mary rolled her eyes. But Mary had an excuse. She had hoped for Mr. Collins’ attentions when Elizabeth had declined them. Since he turned them to Charlotte, Mary had been taciturn and broody.
Mama leaned toward her. “Do not be so rude. Mr. Wickham is welcome regardless—”
“No, Lizzy is right. It is a bad omen indeed for a first footer to arrive empty handed.” Papa wagged his finger at Mr. Wickham.
“Never fear, my gracious hosts! I have come well prepared for the evening.” He reached into the market bag slung over his shoulder. “Let me see now, here is a coin.” He handed it to Mama with a bow.
She giggled as she took it.
“And a bit of whiskey.” He passed a flask to Papa. “Sweets for two sweet young ladies.” He handed Lydia a piece of shortbread and Kitty a small black bun.
He must have visited Papa’s favorite baker in town. That was the only place one could acquire a black bun in Meryton.
Elizabeth ran her knuckles along her lips. What could such diligence mean?
“And Miss Mary,” he handed her a small paper packet, “for you, salt, replete with symbolism you best appreciate.”
She took it, a little light returning to her eyes.
He turned to Elizabeth. “I fear all I have left for you is this.” He held up a lump of coal.
“Lead him through the house and demonstrate the excellent work of your mother’s staff. Then we may warm his welcome by putting the coal on the fire.”
“Mr. Wickham does not need to see the house is clean.” Mama sniffed.
“And I am sure he would much rather a toast than to put coal on the fire.” Lydia donned a well-practiced pout.
“At the right time, my girl.” Papa twitched his head toward the door. “There is an order to these things that must not be forsaken.
“Indeed.” Mr. Wickham offered his arm and Elizabeth slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. They headed for the kitchen.
What had motivated him to choose her to accompany him? “You are very good to be so attentive to my father’s traditions.”
“It is a pleasure to offer service in whatever way I can.” He bowed from his shoulders. “A man in my situation has so very few true joys in life I must indulge in the ones available to me whenever possible.”
“Surely you exaggerate, sir.”
“Perhaps I do, but can you blame me for taking every opportunity to call upon a family of so many fair sisters.”
But was there one he wished to call upon more than the others? “That is a reason I can much more readily believe.”
“No one can doubt your powers of perception,” He paused and stared deep into her eyes.
Oh! His gazed reached in and plucked the strings of her heart. Surely he could not mean—
“Have you found the house to your discerning standards?” Papa asked, suddenly behind them.
“Cleaner than even my grandmother could desire.”
How was it, Mr. Wickham seemed able to respond to any unexpected remark with such aplomb? His wit was even quicker than hers and there were few about whom she could say such a thing.
“I have poured a toast in the parlor then.” Papa pressed the dull steel flask into Wickham’s hand. “Your gift is most appreciated, but my ladies are not accustomed to the rigors of whiskey. You and I may so indulge, but wine is far more to their sensibilities.”
Wickham tucked the flask into his coat. “Of course you are right, and very gracious of you to make it so.”
They followed Papa back to the parlor. On the way, Wickham placed his hand over hers in his arm and pressed it. Though he did not look at her, the corner of his lips lifted just a mite.
Why was he paying such attentions to her? What did they mean?
No sooner did they step into the parlor that Papa pressed a glass into her hand. “Add the coal to the fire and we shall have a toast.”
“Hurry, Lizzy, must you always take so long at everything?” Lydia edged her out of the way and looped her arm in Wickham’s.
Elizabeth tossed the coal into the fire. “And so we shall have warmth in the coming year.”
“To Longbourn and all who dwell within.” Wickham raised his glass. “May the welcomes continue to be warm, the table full and filled with flavor and prosperity.”
They all sipped their glasses.
“If I may have the privilege, sir?” Wickham placed his glass on the mantle.
“It is your right.” Papa gestured at Mama.
She offered her hand. Wickham took it and brought it to his lips as she tittered.
Lydia edged closer, but he turned toward Mary and extended his hand.
Her cheeks flushed and she muttered sounds that resembled protests, but she extended her hand toward him.
He kissed it with the same ceremony he had her mother’s and she flushed deep crimson.
Lydia and Kitty jostled for position nearest him and presented their cheeks.
Wickham smiled, eyes twinkling, and placed a kiss on each of their cheeks. As one they sighed and pressed a hand to their cheeks.
Such silly girls. Perhaps Papa had not exaggerated when he called them the silliest girls in all England.
Elizabeth fought not to roll her eyes. She turned aside and into Mr. Wickham’s shoulder.
“Would you deny me my kiss?’ he whispered, far closer than he should have been.
“Of…of course not.” She raised her hand, but he leaned in very close.
How warm were his lips on her burning cheek. It was very pleasant indeed to be kissed by such a handsome man. Even more pleasant, the lingering of his gaze on her face and he slowly retreated.
“Will you stay a little longer, sir, or do you care to usher out last year’s troubles and sorrows with you?” Papa gestured toward the back of the house.
“I would not overstay my welcome. Lead the way, sir. Ladies.” Mr. Wickham bowed and followed Papa out.
The backdoor swung shut and Elizabeth sank into a chair. No doubt he would be off in search of another house in want of a first footer. Preferably one with pretty young ladies to kiss. It had been presumptuous to think he could be partial to her. But it was a pleasant thought for the moment that it lasted.
What would it be like to be the object of attention of a desirable young man? Surely it would be quite agreeable. But would she ever know that for herself?
38 comments
2 pings
Skip to comment form
I love Jane Austen! Happy new year everyone from the U.S.!
That was a delightful short story. A wonderful custom lost in time. Thankyou. Happy New Year to all readers all over the world… May peace reign in your lives and countries in 2015.
Interesting traditions for the new year.
This custom welcoming in the New Year was neat. It’s a shame it was lost along the way. However, it’s too bad that Wickham was welcomed into the Bennet’s celebration. Happy 2015 to all!
HAPPY 2015 to all!!!
thank you for kicking off 2015 with such a FUN & GENEROUS giveaway!!!!
good luck to all!!!!
I like the insight to the first foot tradition, and the midnight tradition. Thank you!
I loved this missing scene. Elizabeth is taken by Wickham, but at least does realize he likes women. I love her thought at the end, “What would it be like to be the object of attention of a desirable young man? Surely it would be quite agreeable. But would she ever know that for herself?” Little does she realize that she has been the object of one man’s attention and will continue to be. Absolutely enjoyable. I am in the US.
Interesting New Years tradition and cute scene. I look forward to more!
Thanks for this post. It was interesting to read about various New Year’s traditions from the 1800s. I am in the US.
Lovely. I would like to know what the “footer” means? “Halloo there—is a first footer wanted here?” Wickham does have the ability to appear charming and he spread it around in this episode.
Happy and Prosperous New Year to everyone worldwide.
Happy New Year 2015 from Oregon USA!
Thank you forball the great giveaways you
are planning and for that nice little story!
Love to see this tradition incorporated into the scene. As much as I enjoyed reading this, I must admit that while I was reading, in my head I was screaming out to Mr. Bennet to get Wickham out of his home ASAP. 🙂
Happy New Year to all of you! I am from the US.
wow that was wonderful. I loved the tradition, especially since it is New Years Day! Thank you Maria.
Loved the excerpt! Interesting tradition….thanks, Maria! I still hatesssssssss Wickham!
Great scene! I’m in the US. All the prizes sound great – but I already have the book by Abigail Reynolds.
Happy New Year to all!! May I wish everyone a very Janean year!!
Loved this vignette–thank you!! 🙂
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Happy New Year! Love that you are doing Jane in January and focusing on P&P.
Darn that Wickham, always trying to be a charmer… Thank you for the many giveaways. I’m in the US.
Such a fine way to begin a new year! Dear old Mr. Bennett. Ready for P&P month here in the US
Happy new year to everyone! Amazing vignette and an even more amazing giveaway! I’m International.
Happy New Year!. Love this chapter. Wickham could be really great if he wasn’t so….Wickham. It is good to know that Lizzie doesn’t really fall for him before she knows his true nature. Thanks for the giveaways. I have read all these books but a magnet would be nice.
Fantastic story!!! Really enjoyed it.
Two things I liked about this chapter:
1) The attention to detail with the New Year’s eve traditions. I learned a little something while simultaneously being entertained.
2) Yup, Wickham sure is a charmer. He knows exactly what to do to ingratiate himself to everyone. Knowing what happens in the novel, I shivered a bit at how calculating he could be.
I look forward to reading more!
I love knowing how people in the past celebrate New Year. I’ve read somewhere about it before but not in a story so incorporating the tradition to P&P is an interesting endeavour. Thank you very much for the prizes too. I’m international and I hope to win Austensibly Ordinary, The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen or Dying to Write.
Thank you for the ‘first footer’ tradition. I really enjoyed it. Yes, Wickham is a ‘smooth’ character and it’s a good thing Elizabeth realizes it despite her heartstrings being pulled! I am in Canada so one of the e-books would be wonderful!
Happy New Year to All!
Such a flirt and charmer! Oh Wickham . . . This was a fun missing scene. I did notice Mrs Bennet stopped complaining as soon as there was a handsome young man in her home.
What a fun tradition. I’m not so sure about Wickham though. Smooth talker.
This is a great way to start the new year. Thank you! (US)
I was surprised to see that Wickham could be a thoughtful houseguest who was respectful of traditions. It’s so different from his general rottenness that I’ve come to expect! Both his behavior before and after this is indicators of how he really couldn’t have reformed, but at this point, Lizzy seems to have reasonable hopes.
An interesting :lost scene”. I didn’t expect this.
I, too, regret that the first-footer was Wickham.
It’s not clear to me if all the commenters understand this custom. Here is an explanation of the custom – and of the gifts – from Wikipedia:
In Scottish and Northern English folklore, the first-foot, also known in Manx Gaelic as quaaltagh or qualtagh, is the first person to enter the household of a home on New Year’s Day and a bringer of good fortune for the coming year.[1][2]
Although it is acceptable in many places for the first-footer to be a resident of the house, they must not be in the house at the stroke of midnight in order to first-foot (thus going out of the house after midnight and then coming back in to the same house is not considered to be first-footing). It is said to be desirable for the first-foot to be a tall, dark-haired male; a female or fair-haired male are in some places regarded as unlucky. In Worcestershire, luck is ensured by stopping the first carol singer who appears and leading him through the house.[citation needed] In Yorkshire it must always be a male who enters the house first, but his fairness is no objection.
The first-foot usually brings several gifts, including perhaps a coin (silver is considered good luck), bread, salt, coal, or a drink (usually whisky), which represent financial prosperity, food, flavour, warmth, and good cheer respectively .[2] In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England,[citation needed] and involving subsequent entertainment.
In a similar Greek tradition (pothariko), it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good luck or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who enters first into the house. After the first-foot, also called “podariko” (from the root pod-, or foot), the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the New Year.
A similar tradition exists in the country of Georgia, where the person is called “mekvle” (from “kvali” – footstep, footprint, trace). – from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-foot
Like everyone else, I neglected to say where I live. I’m international (Canada). Any of the prizes would be a delight.
Oh my, Wickham is so charming how could anyone resist him if they didn’t know better. It was neat seeing the Bennet’s participating in such a fun holiday tradtion. I loved the details of the New Year’s customs.
Thank you for the little story and the giveaway opportunity. US Resident
What a wonderful idea! This year is Emma bicentenary, have you some project?
I’m italian so enter me for the international giveaways!
A tradition I knew nothing about; how delightful!
What a wonderful tradition! Wickham gives me a little bit of the willies. Lol but I love the idea of the tradition being carried on. A sweet glimpse into things we have not seen.
And I am in the US and have no preference. 😉
Sounds like a fun way to begin the new year! Good luck, everyone!
Interesting tradition. I have never heard of it.
Ooh that Wickham sure is a slick one! Charming, indeed. I’d heard of this tradition before; it’s very enjoyable & it’s too bad more people don’t do it. I rang in this new year by sleeping lol.
I’m in the US & I’d like to enter for the notecards. Thanks!
[…] find included on most days this month with the “Jane in January” logo. Click here to go to one of the dates, log in, and then click that you […]
[…] find included on most days this month with the “Jane in January” logo. Click here to go to one of the dates, log in, and then click that you commented. The drawing for two winners […]