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Once his aunt arrived, Mrs Bingley and her nephew discussed what to do with Miss Bingley.

In the end, they decided to apply to the same asylum where Mrs Bingley’s sister had been housed until her death some three years previously.

It was in the northern Welsh countryside, far away from any cities, and more than ten miles from the nearest town.

A letter was dispatched with a courier to the institution’s director. Hildebrand Bingley, who was very familiar with the staff at the home, wrote a letter which was included with her nephew’s.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

When Jane departed for Falconwood in early December, Charles Bingley travelled with her.

There was, of course, a maid with them in the carriage.

Thanks to letters between Jane and Betsy, Charles had been invited to the parsonage to be hosted by William Collins so that he would not reside in the same house as his fiancée.

Like so many before him, when Bingley saw the huge mansion at Falconwood, his mouth hung open. He had seen Hertfordshire House, which was not small, but it was nothing to what he was seeing this day.

After farewelling Jane, his coachman took him to the parsonage in the village.

He would spend each day at the manor house with Jane, and they would find brief moments to steal a few kisses.

Collins would join them to be with his betrothed when parish duties were completed.

They passed their time in this manner until those who had been in Hertfordshire arrived at Falconwood.

Elizabeth conferred with her housekeeper to make sure that everything would be ready for the celebration after the ceremony. As usual Mrs Greaves had things well in hand.

Keeping busy was a balm to her soul, as Elizabeth was missing Archy greatly.

Letters took almost ten days each way, but at least they had frequent contact.

Elizabeth was going over some figures in the ledgers before she went to spend time with her children, when Greaves presented her with the silver salver.

There was one letter on it, but an oh-so-welcome one; it was from Archy.

As soon as the butler left, Elizabeth hungrily broke her husband’s seal. She opened the missive and began to read.

6 December 1811

Greenfield

My dearest, darling Lizzy,

How I have been missing you. That more than anything has spurred me to make sure things have been done as expeditiously as humanly possible. I miss our children terribly as well and cannot wait until I can hold and hug all of you.

“No more than I have been missing you, you dear, dear man. How I wish you were home already, as do the children. Well, Matty does, as he can understand and feel that you are not here,” Elizabeth told the cavernous study. She returned to the letter.

As I intimated I would, I had the two families placed in the manor house until their new, larger cottages are built. They will remain in the house until their new dwellings are ready for habitation. I could do no less, even if it were not winter.

I have good news, my love. As things stand now, with the progress that has been made and plans in place, I will feel comfortable leaving Greenfield and beginning my journey back to you and our wonderful children in the next 2 to 4 days.

Hence, by the time this letter arrives in your hand, I may be as little as 5 days behind it.

All I can do is pray there will be no setbacks. I do not expect any, but if there is a delay, I will write to you.

I do not believe I will arrive home in time to give Betsy away, but I am sure either Gardiner or Phillips, whichever she chooses, will do a good job performing that honour.

Has there been any progress between Jane and Mr Bingley? You remember I was convinced there was a spark there.

I was well pleased to see in your last letter about Mary and Fitzwilliam’s engagement. It was about time! They are as well suited to one another as you and I are to each other.

Before I lay my head down and dream of my beloved wife tonight, I will pray that He makes sure there are no delays to keep me here past the estimate I gave you. Your letters have been very welcome, but nothing can replace seeing you and feeling you in my arms, my Lizzy.

With all of my love and so much more,

Your Archy

“That is the best news!” Elizabeth exclaimed to the study. “As He has been to us for so long, God will continue to be good to us. I know you are on your way home to me and the children.”

Elizabeth folded the precious letter and placed it in her pocket. After spending time with the children, she would add it to the others in her memory box.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

“Papa is coming home,” Matty repeated as he jumped up and down.

“Mama, Papa,” Gracie added as she toddled towards Elizabeth, her arms up to be picked up.

“Yes, Matty, I am not sure what day Papa will arrive, but I believe he is on his way home as we speak.” Elizabeth bent down and lifted Gracie into her arms. Every day she could feel her children getting heavier as they grew.

Since the time that the twins had a few teeth in their mouths, she no longer fed them from her breast, although truth be told, Elizabeth missed that special bonding she felt with her children when she fed them herself.

The twins would be two in less than two months, and Matty would soon be four.

“Papa will read me stories when he gets home.” It was a statement from Matty. He loved his mama’s stories, but he preferred having both of his parents read to him together.

With one of the nurses trailing, the three children walked with Elizabeth to her chamber, where she added Archy’s letter to the others she had received since his departure.

The dear man had written from each inn he had stayed at, from Liverpool, Dublin, and then every few days from Greenfield.

Elizabeth was more than pleased the letter she was secreting in her box would be the last one from Ireland, and she would have her husband in her arms soon enough.

Elizabeth led her brood to the family sitting room where her sisters and Betsy were going over the last-minute plans for the wedding which would be solemnised in two days. The entry of the Chamberlain three was the end of all work, as the children became the centre of the attention of their aunts.

When Elizabeth shared her good news, Betsy was sorry His Grace would not be present to walk her up the aisle, but she was happy he was on his way home to his family, a sentiment echoed by all of Elizabeth’s sisters.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The curate did a capital job as he performed the ritual which joined William Collins and Betsy Walker as man and wife in the sight of God and man.

Mary and Jane were both more than pleased to have their fiancés sitting next to them at the wedding.

Bingley had been at the parsonage for a week before he had to return to Netherfield Park to attend to his sister; she had been accepted in Wales.

Bingley would have accompanied Caroline, but his aunt insisted he return to his betrothed.

She would undertake the journey and was accompanied by four large footmen and half a dozen outriders.

With his sister on her way to Wales, Bingley, Richard, and William had arrived the day before the wedding.

After the sumptuous wedding breakfast, the new Mr and Mrs Collins returned to the parsonage for a week of connubial bliss.

The curate would conduct the Sunday services in two days.

The three men who returned to Falconwood were put in the farthest guest wing from where Marys and Jane’s suites were located, with many footmen placed between them and the ladies at night.

On Monday after the wedding, a Hertfordshire coach was spotted approaching the house.

Elizabeth ran to greet her returning husband, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.

She was so happy to see him that she did not notice he had lost some weight while he had been away.

After greeting everyone and spending an hour or two with the children, where stories were read and told between hugs and kisses, husband and wife retired to their suite and were not seen again until Tuesday morning.

By the time they emerged, the Darcys, Fitzwilliams, Barringtons, and Anne de Bourgh had arrived to spend Christmastide at Falconwood.