Page 94 of To Love And To Cherish
“I see,” Elizabeth said thoughtfully. “Well, then, I need not fear upsetting any established habits by introducing a few of my own. At my childhood home, we always decorated with holly, ivy, and pine, and we had a Yule log. I should like to do the same here. Today is the twentieth, and I hope to cut some greenery so that we may enjoy the fragrant wreaths for several days before Christmas.”
“I shall send word to John, our head gardener.”
“I will need wreaths for the dining table, the breakfast parlor, and the music room; those are the rooms in which we spend the most time.”
“Of course.”
“Does Mr. Darcy have a favorite dish we might serve on Christmas Eve?”
“Mr. Darcy has always favored venison, served with bread, and roasted vegetables.”
“And dessert?”
Mrs. Reynolds gave a small, almost apologetic smile. “The master has never included dessert in the menu.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Dessert is my favorite course. Does he prefer any particular sweet?”
“It has been so long, madam, I cannot say… though I do recall he once favored plum pudding.”
“Then add plum pudding to the Christmas Eve menu, and mince pies and apple pies for Christmas Day.”
“Certainly.”
“We shall have goose for Christmas dinner, unless Mr. Darcy does not care for it. I should like wassail served on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”
“His mother always served goose on Christmas Day, ma’am. I believe Mr. Darcy enjoyed it.”
Elizabeth rose. “Wonderful. I shall ask my sisters if they would like to help with the wreaths. May I meet John in the gardener’s workshop?”
“Yes. I will send Ruthie to escort you.”
Elizabeth paused. “Mrs. Reynolds, would it be too much to ask Cook to prepare extra pudding and pies for the servants to enjoy a Christmas dessert as well?”
Mrs. Reynolds looked touched. “I shall speak to her. We can bring in extra help from the village. Cook has family there who would be glad of the work. I believe it can be done.”
A short time later, Elizabeth entered the drawing room and found her sisters and Mr. Bingley gathered. She greeted them and said, "Will any of my sisters care to help me gather holly, pine, and ivy to make wreaths for Christmas?"
Georgiana’s face lit up. "I’ve never made a wreath. I should love to help."
"So would I," Kitty said. "It sounds delightful."
Jane laughed. "I’ve always made them at home. Of course, I’ll help."
Ruthie appeared, and the women followed her outdoors. At the gardener’s workshop, they met John and explained their purpose. He fetched a wheelbarrow and led them through the grounds, clipping branches of holly and pine, and trailing vines of ivy. The ivy was washed and hung to dry.
"I’ll wrap the banisters with the vines, once they’ve dried, Mrs. Darcy."
He wired the greenery into wreaths while the ladies chatted and laughed around him. Georgiana produced a length of red plaid ribbon and tied neat bows to adorn the six completed wreaths, which they carried into the house, placing them in the dining room, the music room, and the breakfast parlor. Though simple, the bright holly berries rendered the wreaths festive, and the pine sprigs made them fragrant, lending the rooms a cheerful Christmas air. When John brought in a Yule log and set it in the music room, Georgiana exclaimed, “I feel like singing Christmas carols!” She found some music and began to play,and the women gathered around the pianoforte and sang to her accompaniment.
Darcy entered the room and leaned against the doorframe, grinning.
"So Christmastide has fallen upon Pemberley."
He joined in the final chorus and then allowed Georgiana to show him the wreath she had assembled. Bingley arrived soon after, and the group settled into conversation.
"How do you celebrate Christmas at Longbourn?" Georgiana asked.
"We always have goose for dinner," Elizabeth said. "With carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts."
