by Lady Waller
Her gaze finally met his. “You don’t hold the highest opinion of the Bennets.”
At times he forgot how unyielding his opinions must seem. Hadn’t he told her once that his good opinion was seldom regained? An old habit he tried hard to amend. “That changed the day I married you. If you want your family here for Christmas, then that is a wish I shall grant. No trickery or subtle manipulation needed.”
A wrinkle formed between her eyebrows. “Are you cross with me?”
“Never.” He bent down and kissed her. “But you almost got one of those yippy dogs as a gift.”
A smile twitched at the corners of her lips. “Perhaps next year.”
“Shall I call Georgiana upstairs to attend you? She mentioned earlier she’d like you to read to her, but maybe it is she that should read to you.”
“I think I shall nap for a bit before I write Jane a farewell note.” Her tone lightened considerably.
Darcy left his wife curled on her side. While he did not approve of the behavior once exhibited by the Bennets in regards to finding suitable husbands for their daughters, he could not see any harm in having a quiet Christmas with them as guests. For a few days, at least. He sat down once again to see to his affairs, but first he penned a letter to Longbourn and Mr. Bennet. Quickly after, he wrote one more letter as a way of adding a surprise.
Chapter Four
Preparations for the Guests
The preparations for Christmas were well underway, with a little over a week to Christmas Day. Darcy had asked Mrs. Reynolds to order double the raisins to make sure the plum puddings would be a treat for their guests.
Elizabeth’s mood had brightened but often he found her staring out the window of the library instead of reading the book in her lap. If he were to be honest, Darcy liked Elizabeth’s father but barely tolerated her silly younger sisters. The youngest, Lydia, he’d not cared for at all. As much as he tried not to, he often wondered if George Wickham found affection for his wife as he himself had found for Elizabeth. Fatherhood could force the other man to act more gentlemanly, or it could send him into an abyss.
He watched his wife from the doorway now, careful not to interrupt her deep thoughts. Elizabeth would make an excellent mother, and their future children would no doubt wrap her around their fingers. She placed a hand on her abdomen as if his thoughts had travelled through the space between them and co-mingled with hers. His mouth crooked into a smile.
Her eyes jumped to the door and she startled. “My dear, you should not sneak up on a woman heavy with child. You could send her to the birthing room.”
Although she chastised him, her eyes sparkled with warmth and love. He entered the room and bent down to place a kiss on top of her head.
“Sorry, my love. I did not mean to startle you.”
“How long were you watching me?”
“Long enough to watch the worry mark your beautiful face with a frown. What troubles you?”
She traced circles on top of her stomach. “I suppose the first babe will always be the scariest for a mother.”
“Your youngest sister and closest friend gave birth without issue. I have nary a doubt that you can do whatever they can do tenfold.”
“Says the man who isn’t birthing the child,” she said, her tone dry.
“There’s the impertinence I’m used to seeing.”
Her mouth curved into a happy smile. “What are your plans for today?”
His mind shifted focus to his estate. Not a day went by without the need to attend to its affairs. No wonder his father had often seemed distant and burdened with the responsibility. Darcy glanced at his wife and noted her sincere interest, which made the burden all the easier to bear. “The neighbors are asking for a fox hunt. It seems the farmers are losing some of their stock. I’ll make arrangements for another hunt while your father is in attendance.”
“I think he should like that very much.” She reached up and squeezed his hand. “Thank you again for bringing them to Pemberley.”
He squeezed her hand in return. In truth, there wasn’t much Elizabeth could ask for that he wouldn’t find a way to provide. He’d offered to send funds for Mr. Bennet’s traveling expenses, but her father had declined any assistance.
Darcy left her in the library and went in search of his sister. She’d asked to speak with him after the morning meal. He found her practicing her pianoforte, and she played one of his favorite melodies.
He sat in a chair just inside the room and waited for her to finish. Once done, she stood and curtseyed and he clapped his appreciation. “The finest in all of England.”
Her face lit up with the compliment. “You spoil me with your kind words, my brother.”
“You asked to speak with me this morning?”
“I received a letter from Miss Bingley.”
Irritation settled in his shoulders and he twisted his neck in search of relief. Sometimes he thought it was as if the youngest of the Bingley sisters was in attendance at Pemberley. He did not wish for his sister’s friendship to sour, but he longed for her to have a friend with a deeper sense of kindliness. Miss Bingley had never been kind to Elizabeth, always thinking herself above his wife. And she’d been almost too kind to Georgiana, thinking her worth improved by association with the youngest Darcy.
He waited for his sister to continue, not giving her the verbal cue she longed to receive.
“You’re not going to ask me what it said, are you?”
“You are going to tell me whether I want to know or not, am I correct?”
She twirled and giggled. “Yes, I am. Miss Bingley is at their London house for Christmas and she says that she heard the palace is decorated with mistletoe and a yew tree.”
“Is that so?”
“She also says that although the customs appear a bit foreign, that any house of worth will follow the example.”
Darcy squinted at Georgiana. Had she learned from Elizabeth to ask for something without having to say the question out loud? He refused to fall into her trap. “We have a feast planned and I should think that is enough celebration.”
“I could talk to the estate manager, Mr. Lodge, about having some mistletoe brought in.”
“Mistletoe is for kissing and courting. Neither of which you will be doing at Christmastime.”
Her bottom lip thrust out. “The yew tree?”
“Trees are meant for the outdoors. What would we do with a tree inside?”
“We’d light candles around it and hang raisins from the branches.”
“Does it seem prudent to have fire so close to a tree?”
Her nose wrinkled. “You’re spoiling all my fun.”
He stood and patted his sister on the shoulder. “I’m nothing if not sensible. The same thing I wish for you. Now, I have to discuss fox hunt preparations with Mr. Lodge. Enjoy your practice time and don’t forget to visit Elizabeth.”
His sister cast her eyes down at the floor. He’d disappointed her. Not her, he reminded himself. He’d disappointed Miss Bingley’s ambitions.
He went in search of Mr. Lodge, confident all was coming together according to his plans.
Chapter Five
The Bennets Have Arrived
Elizabeth placed both hands on her abdomen. The little Darcy had grown quite excited within the past few hours, thumping her from the inside at every occasion. Did she feel the same excitement as her mother to be? The Bennet family was scheduled to arrive by evening, and Elizabeth made final inquiries with Mrs. Reynolds and the cook that all preparations were ready for their arrival. Five days until their Christmas Eve feast and she was assured it would be the happiest of affairs.
Although she would miss her dear Jane and their mother, the prospect of spending time with her father brought on a sense of cheer. She missed their long conversations about the neighbors and the countryside. He loved to read as much as she did, and she wondered what books he had to recommend.
She paced by the front windows, staring down the long
drive. Would Kitty and Mary have changed in the last year? Neither wrote to her, although she’d written to both a few times. Father and Jane were the only two to keep her apprised of the news from Longbourn and Meryton.
A hired carriage loped through the end of the drive, the horses trotting at a pace that showed their weariness. Elizabeth shook out her skirts and smoothed her hair. She asked Thomas to fetch both her husband and Georgiana. It had snowed again, and the frosty wind blew her skirts and nipped at her cheeks.
The carriage rattled to a stop at the front of the house and Elizabeth walked down the steps to meet her family. The driver climbed down from his perch and opened the door. He assisted first Kitty and then Mary. He closed the door behind them and set to unloading their luggage. Kitty wore a brightly colored wool coat, and matching ribbons were attached to her bonnet. Mary in contrast wore the darkest greys and browns on the color spectrum.
“Where’s Papa?” Elizabeth asked, concerned that the two Bennet sisters were in the carriage alone.
“Oh Lizzy, the unimaginable has happened.” Kitty rushed forward and presented her with a shallow hug. “My, you’ve grown quite large.”
Mary walked up beside them. “I hope there is a pianoforte I can use while I’m here. I haven’t practiced in days.”
Kitty groaned. “How can you think of practicing at a time like this? The Bennet name will once again be dragged through the muddiest of moors. And our dear mother, I should say her nerves won’t survive this travesty.”
Elizabeth grabbed Kitty’s forearm. “Where is Papa? What has happened?”
Kitty burst into tears, her wailing making it impossible to understand her words.
Mary handed her a kerchief she’d had at the ready. “This is the third time she’s bawled since Papa left.”
Kitty sniffled into the cloth.
Mary turned her attention to Elizabeth, her expression as monotone as her voice. “Lydia’s husband has abandoned her and the baby. As soon as Mama arrived, he walked out the door and hasn’t returned. He has been gone almost two weeks. Papa is looking for him. A rider found us this morning at the inn and we were left to ride the rest of the way here. Alone.”
“No!” Elizabeth gasped. “This can’t be.”
Kitty finally spoke between sniffles. “Lydia and her baby are disgraced. No gentlemen will want to be associated with our family now. Mary and I will die spinsters.”
Georgiana joined them at the bottom of the stairs. “Welcome to Pemberley.”
Kitty wiped away the remainder of her tears and tucked the kerchief into her sleeve. “Your ribbons are lovely. The shade of blue matches the sky in summer. I must borrow it.”
Fitzwilliam joined them. He gave them a curt bow. “Ladies.”
Kitty recovered enough to giggle, and Mary looked past him.
Elizabeth addressed Georgiana. “Would you be so kind as to see my sisters to their rooms?”
“And a pianoforte,” Mary added.
The three younger women ascended the stairs while she and Darcy stayed and watched the unloading of the carriage.
Darcy glanced around. “Your father did not come?”
She crumbled into his arms, uncaring of the audience of the coach driver. “Poor Lydia. Mr. Wickham has deserted her and the baby. Papa has left to search for him, and Mama, this may send her to the grave.”
He rested his chin on her head. “Why are we never through with that foul man?”
She wanted to growl with the fierceness of her anger. “Lydia would be better off a widow.”
His chest rumbled against her with a laugh. “That is a very bold opinion.”
Times like this she wished for the sweeter disposition of her older sister. “It’s the only opinion I can have at this moment. What shall we do?”
He rubbed a hand along the length of her back. “We should wait to hear news from your father. The news could be a misunderstanding. Your sister and mother have been known to exaggerate a situation. I’ll send out some inquiries by post tomorrow morning. All will be well.”
Elizabeth could not imagine how all would be well, but she trusted her husband and leaned on him as if to absorb his strength.
Chapter Six
More Bad News
The afternoon continued without issue as Kitty preferred to settle in the large sitting room and sew, while Mary and Georgiana took turns practicing the pianoforte. Elizabeth returned to her sanctuary in the library while Fitzwilliam wrote inquiries into the full truth behind Wickham’s newest treachery.
She didn’t pretend to read this time and stared out the window in sorrow. Had Jane been informed of the terrible news or was she already on her way to America? Once Elizabeth knew the facts from a more reliable source, she’d write to her sister.
She should not be surprised at Wickham’s behavior. Never had she met a more dishonorable man. If he had indeed left Lydia and their baby behind, her father would be forced to take them in at Longbourn. Closing her eyes, she prayed a small prayer that her youngest sister wouldn’t be left forsaken. Not at Christmas.
The turmoil and disappointment exhausted her, and she dozed for a while in her chair.
Fitzwilliam woke her by stroking his thumb along the edge of her jaw. “Are you well, my dear?”
“I am sad and angry at the same time. This is not the family reunion I’d imagined.”
“I’ve written an inquiry to my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and I will send it out in the morning. If Wickham has deserted his family, it is also possible he’s deserted his post too. The military won’t stand for this kind of behavior from a commissioned officer.”
“I can only hope this is a misunderstanding and Papa will set things right upon his arrival.” She leaned her face against his hand. “I didn’t mean what I said earlier. I don’t wish Lydia’s husband to be hanged for desertion.”
“Every man makes a choice. Wickham constantly chooses the path of ill fortune. It will follow his child too, I’m afraid, unless things can be set right.”
How lucky fate had granted her the good fortune of marrying such an honorable man. “Our children will be lucky you are their father.”
His eyes gleamed with pride. “It’s almost time to change for dinner. Do you feel up to dining with your sisters tonight?”
She held out her hand and he helped her to stand. “I should count my blessings that they are here. I wanted my family at Christmas, and I shall appreciate the time spent with my sisters.”
Elizabeth changed into a brown muslin gown and joined her family in the dining room. The first course had been set and she sipped her soup while Kitty prattled on about the gossip of the countryside.
“Jane invites us to dine often at Netherfield now that Mr. Bingley has purchased it for a country home, but Mama says it isn’t appropriate to intrude on their newly wed year. She worries that Jane is barren because she’s yet to become with child.”
“Kitty!” Elizabeth stared in horror at her sister. “Do not repeat such a thing.”
“Mama says either she’s the problem or Mr. Bingley is. Two of her daughters providing an heir while the third has yet to show a bump.” She shrugged. “Mama’s words, not mine.”
Elizabeth glared at her younger sister. “You should not repeat such things about your own sister. I am sure there is nothing wrong with either Jane or Mr. Bingley.”
Kitty would not be dissuaded from her gossip. “Mama thinks if Jane cannot produce an heir, Mr. Bingley will apply for an annulment.”
Fitzwilliam banged his cup against the table. Mary jumped and Kitty covered her mouth with her napkin. Georgiana’s eyes grew wide.
“You are upsetting Mrs. Darcy. I ask that you please find another subject with which to amuse yourself.” His tone took on a hard edge that left no room for argument.
The group finished their first course in silence and Elizabeth found it too hard to eat the remaining courses spread out before them. Once it became time to adjourn, she made her excuses and asked if Georgiana would
entertain her sisters for the evening.
Her husband held her elbow gently. “Shall I walk you to our room? I can ask Mrs. Reynolds to have the maids prepare you a bath.”
Once again she mused how fortunate she was to have such a caring husband. “I can make it on my own and please don’t bother Mrs. Reynolds. She has enough to do with our extra guests in attendance. I think I’ll lie down for the evening.” She rubbed her hand along the edge of his dinner coat. “Please be kind to Kitty and Mary.”
He smiled down at her. “As long as she refrains from further gossip, you have my word.”
Chapter Seven
A Request for Help
Morning came and Darcy stretched away from his wife. Before the child, she’d never snored, and now after the past few months he’d become accustomed to the sound that let him know she was in a deep sleep.
He’d expected a restless night from her, as she often tossed and turned while stressed, but once he’d curled up beside her she’d stayed on her side all night. He loved her for her moxie, but he enjoyed watching her at peace with the world in her sleep.
He dressed quickly and paced the length of the hall outside of his study. He stopped in front of a portrait of his father. Often he wondered how the elder Darcy would have handled the situations concerning George Wickham. Would he have scoffed at the idea of the assistance Darcy had provided thus far? The never-ending request for money. The lying and trying to elope with Georgiana before snaring Lydia Bennet?
They would not hear back from his cousin for several days. Anger riled him to start his pacing again. He thought once he’d procured the marriage contract between Lydia and Wickham, it would be the end of their association. Wickham had not only hurt the Bennet family again, but he’d stolen Darcy’s gift to Elizabeth. The gift of spending Christmas surrounded by her family.
