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As Christmas drew closer and closer, Selfridges bulged with people.

Lydia acquitted herself well in cosmetics, even getting gentlemen to stop at her counter to buy gifts for their wives.

Elizabeth had a chance to observe her from time to time, and her naturally gregarious personality mixed with no sense of shame was a real asset in the world of commerce and sales.

The windows looked splendid, and Elizabeth sometimes walked about outside at the end of the workday to admire them, and to listen to the “oohs” and “ahs” from the passersby.

She knew it was vain, but she couldn’t help herself.

Also, she made sure that she was never late in meeting Lydia after her classes now that she knew of George’s perfidy.

Lydia had no sense when it came to men, but then again, she really was still a child in a woman’s body.

The staff at Selfridges had three days off for Christmas.

What a treat. They were fortunate that Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday, which they had off anyway, and Mr Selfridge, being the magnanimous sort in regard to his employees and trying to keep with British tradition (as much as an American could do so) gave them the Monday of Christmas and the Tuesday of Boxing Day off work.

Of course, Jane, Lizzy, and Lydia were expected home.

Their father stood at the station to greet them as they pulled in with a chug of black smoke on the last train to Meryton on Friday.

He hired a covered horse-drawn carriage with two large seats facing each other to get them all home.

Mary and Kitty were waiting with him. All of them save Elizabeth crowded into the back, laughing and chatting.

“We can make room for you between Kitty and me.” Mary pushed her sister over to the far end of the seat.

“No, that’s all right. I will climb up here and ride with Papa.”

“Outside? What if someone should see you, Lizzy?” Kitty’s shocked expression nearly evoked a laugh from Elizabeth.

“Who will see me in Meryton at this time of night? I’m sure that we can avoid the scandal.

Besides, who will Papa have to talk to?” Elizabeth climbed up next to her father and they set off towards Longbourn.

The sun had set, and the weather, though clear, brought a chill to her shoulders and left the grass damp.

Laughter and high-spirited conversation emanated from the carriage behind her, but Elizabeth was in no mood for merriment.

She had many things on her mind, not the least of which was her arrest, her liberation at the hands of Mr Darcy, and of course, his letter.

“A penny for your thoughts.” Her father broke her reverie.

For a moment, Elizabeth said nothing. It was good to be home but strange too.

It was as if she was observing herself from a great distance.

It was hard to put into words, and words that would not wound her father.

She was no longer the wide-eyed girl who left home last winter.

She felt part of something larger than herself and didn’t know how to explain how this homecoming was as disconcerting to her as it was joyful.

“Oh, you can keep your penny, Papa. My thoughts are not worth that much.”

“Is it so strange to be home, Lizzy?”

She started at his words. It was as if he could read her mind. “It is, a little. Perhaps more than a little.”

“You’ve grown into your own woman, as I knew you would. It makes me a little sad, though.”

“Why? All children grow up.”

“Yes, indeed they do, but many of them stay on the same path as their parents. You, Lizzy, will not do that. You haven’t done. I can barely see you off in the distance. It sounds silly, I know, but although you are sitting next to me… I miss you.”

Lizzy took her father’s arm and nestled into the sleeve of his coat as he drove. “I am not so far away as you think, Papa. Don’t miss me quite yet.”

***

As a family, they spent a pleasant day putting up a Christmas tree and making loops of paper in chains to hang on it.

Elizabeth and Jane bought something for each of them at Selfridges since Mr Selfridge was kind enough to give a discount to his employees on various goods.

They spent some of the afternoon wrapping gifts in tissue paper and decorating them with ribbon.

Since they were to have a large Christmas dinner at Netherfield the next day, their repasts were moderate for the season, and their mother insisted on the entire family attending Midnight Communion.

The preparations during the day, the ebullient spirit in the house, and the arrangements they made for their visit to Netherfield kept Elizabeth’s mind busy and lightened her mood.

By the time she lay her head on the pillow in the bedroom she shared with Jane, she felt more at peace with herself, and frankly, more at home.

“You’ve been very quiet during this entire visit.” Jane turned out the electric light next to the bed they shared.

“Are you happy, Jane?” A shuffling of bedclothes accompanied Jane’s settling into bed.

“Of course. I’m happier now than I have been in a long time. I do hope Mama and the younger girls will behave themselves tomorrow, though.” She sighed.

“I think they could burn Netherfield to the ground and Mr Bingley wouldn’t care a jot. He loves you, Jane. I could tell from the start.”

Jane didn’t say anything for a while, and then turned on her back to face the ceiling. “Would you be very angry with me if I left Selfridges to marry?”

Lizzy snapped on the light on her side of the bed. “Look at me.” When Jane did, her eyes brimmed with tears. “Jane. Don’t worry. If you should marry Mr Bingley, I’d be very happy for you.”

“Really?” Jane quickly dabbed her eyes.

“Silly girl. Of course. We women should be free to make our own choices.”

Jane gave a quick laugh, and her expression lightened. “You sound as if you are making a speech at the WSPU in Hyde Park.”

Elizabeth had to laugh. “I suppose I do. Even if you leave Selfridges, I will make my own way. Is that what you are worried about?”

“I don’t want to leave you in a lurch.”

Elizabeth turned the light off again and settled looking up at the ceiling. “Oh, don’t be silly. After all, I have Lydia…” She smiled to herself at the thought of Lydia being helpful.

“Yes, that worries me too.”

“I always can find a way. Now, go to sleep. Perhaps tomorrow Mr Bingley might give you a Christmas present you will never forget.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice?”

Elizabeth lay awake for a while longer, listening to Jane’s gentle breathing. She had put on a brave face for Jane, but she would miss her terribly if she left Selfridges and Mrs Clarke’s.

Sleep eluded her for a time. Maybe she wasn’t as independent as she thought she was.