Women of Pemberley by Rebecca Ann Collins Page B

choosing the particular piece, but she was disappointed by his reticence and the lack of an opportunity to pursue the matter by subtle means. Despite the ease of their companionship, she was unwilling to question him directly.
By the time the children had opened up their gifts and exclaimed with pleasure at each and every one, it was late evening and quite dark.
Jane had assumed that James would be staying to dinner, an assumption confirmed by her husband, who insisted that of course he was staying and not just to dinner but for whatever period he wished to stay in the district. Bingley had already ordered that his trunk and bag be brought indoors.
"Really James, you cannot want to go back and forth in sleet and rain," he declared, and so it was settled without argument that he should stay.
James was not averse to the idea. The family was clearly happy to see him and so was Emma. He found their company congenial, and the liveliness and warmth of the Bingleys' home was especially comforting after long, depressing days in London arranging the disposal and settlement of his brother's affairs.
When they went in to dinner, Jane naturally assumed that James would sit beside Emma. As they talked, he told her that since he had last seen her, they had all moved to Standish Park in Kent, where he expected his mother would remain permanently.
"What will you do with the house in Mayfair?" Emma asked.
James admitted he had not decided but added it was too large for him, "I shall probably use it far too infrequently to warrant maintaining a complete household there. If I receive a good offer, I may sell; if not, it will be leased. There are many affluent businessmen who could find it suitable-- more so than I would."
Turning to Emma, he said, "You would not miss it, would you Emma? I gather you never liked the place."
Surprised that he knew of her aversion to the house, she confessed that she did not really care for it. "But where would you live in London?" she asked.
James confessed that he had not made any arrangements yet but would probably lease a smaller place closer to Westminster. "Since I intend to spend most of my time in Kent when Parliament is not sitting, I do not think I shall miss it either," he said.
Changing the subject, he was keen to remind her of their plans to visit Canterbury and extract from her a promise to come down to Kent in Spring.
Emma was equally determined to tell him of her concerns about the Irish famine. "When you arrived today, I had just returned from Kympton, having spent some time with my cousin, Emily Courtney, the rector's wife," she said. "We have been working very hard collecting donations of food, clothing, and money for the victims of the Irish famine. I am sorry that our government has done very little or nothing to help."
James, touched by her intensity of purpose and concerned at the stories she related was very surprised. "Emma, I cannot believe that the government has done nothing, I shall make enquiries when I am back in London and write to you," he said earnestly. It was the first time he had seen her so deeply concerned and ready to be involved in anything outside of her immediate family.
Sunday, being cold, was spent mostly indoors, where they made music and played card games with the children to keep themselves occupied after walking briskly to church and back.
Emma took the opportunity to acquaint James with more tragic tales from Ireland, using Kitty's letters as evidence, leaving him greatly disturbed. Before leaving, James promised again to send news of the government's work in Ireland.
The Bingleys bade him farewell, at the same time inviting him to return and stay with them whenever he was in the area. "You must not wait for an invitation, Mr Wilson," said Jane. "As you can see, we have plenty of room-- and you are always welcome."
He thanked them profusely and, before he went, bade farewell to Emma and the children, reminding them that they were expected at Standish Park in