Page 110 of The Sisters' Holiday
Jane had the pleasure of sitting beside her Aunt Maggie when the last mile of road brought Norland Park into view at last. Mrs. Dashwood had tears in her eyes as she joined hands with Jane on one side of her, and an exceedingly buoyant young Margaret on the other.
“As much as it shall warm my heart to see so many love matches come to their natural conclusion at Norland, nothing shall ever compare to my great love. I am to be reunited with my poor Henry in every room of Norland, where my memories of him shall be comfort enough for the rest of my days.”
Mrs. Gardiner shared a mischievous look with the viscount at her side before extending her hand across the carriage to offer Mrs. Dashwood a handkerchief. “And how long until that serenity shall be met with the merry noise of grandchildren?”
The viscount still held Mrs. Gardiner’s other hand, and that lady’s query was answered only with a very droll look from Mrs. Dashwood. She turned her gaze back to the resplendent coastal vista around them, as the sun-drenched manor grew ever-closer, and Jane knew her aunt’s frequent sighs to be those of a lover indeed.
Norland had precisely enough rooms to house the Palmers, Mrs. Jennings, and Colonel Brandon, who arrived a few days later to join the party of extended family. Colonel Brandon was long-acquainted with Richard Fitzwilliam, and had been instrumental in recommending the nowformercolonel’s replacement in Meryton; he had also given some aid in the search for Lydia, and was thus received with a hearty welcome despite being the most somber of their large party. Within a week, Mrs. Jennings had persuaded Mrs. Bennet that he would do as well for Mary as the droll Julius Palmer would do for Kitty.
The banns were called on three consecutive Sundays for the four happy couples, and the neighbors of Norland all made a fine showing of welcoming the Dashwood ladies home. The weeks were filled with large dinners, musical parties, and, at Mr. Bingley’s insistence, ice skating. This happy time culminated in what everyone desired most, when Viscount Bellamy finally announced his engagement to Madeline Gardiner – and his intention that they should be far and away the happiest of couples.
Marianne and Elinor were the first to wed their beaux in a florally festooned chapel near Norland Park. Neither couple desired a wedding trip until summer, and they were persuaded by Mrs. Dashwood to remain indefinitely at Norland Park. Mr. Bingley nearly made it to the altar without fulfilling Jane’s prediction, but on the morning before the wedding, Lady Rebecca happened to notice an advertisement in the paper for alarge manor for let, not three miles distant, and she was more than happy to allow Jane every triumph.
Jane and Mr. Willoughby, and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy married three days later, and the two happy grooms easily persuaded their equally elated ladies to journey back to London. Not long after their return to town, Mr. Darcy and the viscount were treated to a visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and a florid recitation of her opinion of their chosen brides. Banished from all her relations’ homes forever, she was left with no choice but to vent her ire elsewhere, and thus she soundly punished Edward Ferrars by withdrawing all her support in assisting him.
That unfortunate gentleman had the additional misery of seeing his wish granted, for he was welcomed back into the home of his ailing mother. She had lately taken a companion recommended to her by Lord Avery’s daughter. Miss Lucas made every attempt to ingratiate herself to the grand old lady, though she fell short of securing the same good opinion of Edward Ferrars. It was with considerable chagrin that on the very evening Charlotte Lucas intended to risk her employer’s displeasure by compromising the young gentleman she considered her rightful property, Edward Ferrars instead announced his intention to wed Miss Caroline Bingley. And that couple, who were just as happy as they had any right to be, never enjoyed good company in London again.
