{ psl: a longbourn christmas }

[moralized]

[ The month of November carried on and the monotony of everyday life was broken up by the visits of Mr. Cartwright, who after being formally invited to Christmas dinner had surprised the elder Bennets by announcing his intention to perform a duet with Miss Bennet at the party. The pair practiced in the formal parlor with the door wide open and even the gossiping servants could find nothing imprudent to pass on. Every time they eavesdropped in, the pair spoke matter-of-factly on things such as tempo, chords, and movements. Mrs. Bennet could not bear to be in the same room as him and no entreaties to either husband or child to cancel this nonsense were given any serious thought. So she spent her days stewing in discontent and speaking on how ill used she was to her sister Mrs. Phillips, who of course told the whole town in her turn.

November faded away into December, and soon Mrs. Bennet was in a frenzy about the coming guests. There were arrangements to be made, arguments to be had, and eventually all was settled that the Bingleys and Darcys (including Georgiana) would all stay at Longbourn. It was a point of pride that Mrs. Bennet had room for all of them to stay comfortably, though it turned out that Miss Darcy would have to share Kitty's room with her. No matter, as the two girls were thick as thieves now and Mary had been spared from giving up her room to the young heiress thanks to Kitty's insistence that this was what Georgiana wanted. Having never had a sister, the young lady was excited to share quarters with someone who had become such a close friend.

The carriages arrived on Christmas Eve and after settling in, resting from the long journey from the last inn, and dressing for the occasion, the families gathered in the parlor to await their final guest as well as the dinner bell. Jane and Elizabeth were resplendent in expensive gowns, and Kitty and Georgiana were not far behind in their own. Mary wore her best gown, which she had worn to Lizzy's wedding. It was a soft green that was light enough that as she examined herself in the mirror she was reminded of Mr. Cartwright's eyes. Kitty insisted on weaving a cream colored ribbon through her hair for her and Mary thought it best not to protest in front of Miss Darcy, who agreed she looked lovely.

Now with all set, Kitty taps a foot upon the carpet and looks towards the door. "Where is this mysterious fellow?" she asks, sounding impatient. In truth, she appears about ready to burst out of her chair. Ever since her arrival home she's seemed different. Not simply more confident in herself and better behaved, but as though she is always on the verge of saying something, but then thinks better of it. Mary can only see it as a good thing that she's thinking before she speaks. ]

I am sure he is almost here.

[ He is not yet at the point of being considered late, as they have not been called to dinner. And Mary wonders to herself if this is Kitty eager to see a gentleman bachelor. The thought worries her a little. But Mr. Cartwright is a sensible man who does not flirt or gives consequence to those he feels is unworthy of his attentions. Perhaps Mary is being a bit harsh on her sister, or perhaps jealousy is rearing its ugly head again. ]

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[enswathe]

( he arrives at longbourn in a flurry of snow and holly. the puff of air snorted by his horse lingers in the full moonlight as atticus and his goods are helped down by a footman. a smile cuts into his rosy cheeks, and he thanks the man with a clap to his shoulder. he's let into the house by mr. brooke and the rosiness in his features fade as he takes off his hat, but cheeriness remains in his voice. )

Nadelik Lowen, Mr. Bryok. ( atticus addresses mr. bennet's valet by his cornish last name. after he removes his greatcoat and hat and hands it to the waiting servant, they chat in cornish like old friends. ) If I didn't fear Dustros' appetite and tenacity, I would have brought you a Star Gazy pie. Alas, you shall have to find comfort in this. ( he gives him a small wreath comprised of holly, ivy, and mistletoe weaved around withy with a small apple and mistletoe hanging in the middle. ) As well as one for your master. ( the footman behind him carries a larger wreath. it's a cornish bush, a traditional cornish item to hang on the twentieth of december to welcome in god's light, though it is four days past the traditional date. he said this would be his first british christmas in some time, but atticus still wants to celebrate and share their cornish heritage. mr. brooke thanks him and shows him to the parlour where the guests are waiting.

laughter precedes his entrance.

unlike the other gentlemen's dark tones, atticus wears a double-breasted tailcoat gold, like the first spring sunrise, with a matching waistcoat; a silk damask with floral sprigs. a silk purple pansy is attached to his lapel. clean-shaven and with his hair neatly combed, atticus looks every bit of the gentleman he was raised to be. under his arm is what appears to be dustros or a large beast with flecks of snow stuck on its fur, but it's his violin case, wrapped in a flokati rug to prevent the instrument's wood from contracting due to the cold.

his gaze first settles on miss bennet before flickering to the master of the house, his wife, his married daughters, and his sons-in-law. from the descriptions provided by mr. bennet, atticus can place names on their faces: the two with golden hair are the bingleys, the two with dark hair and dark eyes are the darcys, the young girl sitting at the table is miss kitty bennet, and the other blonde-haired girl sitting alongside her is —? perhaps mrs. wickham? but, then, where is her husband?

they all rise to greet him, but mr. bennet is the first to approach him and they shake his hands. atticus gestures to the footman to give mr. bennet the wreath. ) For you and your family. A Cornish bush. Pardon me for a moment, please.

( because of the significance of his violin, atticus declines to hand it to the waiting footman and puts it on the table near the fire himself so it can warm. it's dangerous to bring a wooden instrument out in the cold, but atticus had said that he and miss bennet would perform tonight. he intends to keep his promise. in the firelight, his white shirt shines, starched with rice from the laundress earlier that week.

mr. bennet introduces atticus to everyone and he is correct in his earlier assumptions, except for the blonde-haired girl who was not mrs. wickham but is mr. darcy's sister, georgiana. he is all smiles and politeness to them, bowing and murmuring words that convey the honour of making their acquaintance. mrs. bennet is cold but civil when he bows to her and expresses his gratitude for her hospitality. she curtsies back but doesn't smile. furtively, he cuts a glance at miss bennet with amusement glinting in his green eyes and a restrained laugh pulling at his mouth.

mr. darcy observes this and almost frowns, but covers it before his wife spots it. before formally meeting him, he already had misgivings towards mr. cartwright. but the man's noble mien and expensive clothing only deepen his suspicions. )