Espying a family crest engraved upon a plaque, she eagerly made inquiry of the owner of the establishment and bade him explain the origin of the item to her. Her spirits soared! Surely this would be the perfect keepsake to present to Mr. Darcy to forever commemorate their very first Christmastide together!
She would have the craftsman engrave such a plaque with the Darcy family crest and it would hang forevermore in Fitzwilliam’s study as a symbol of her love. With an ever-sinking heart she listened to the man explain most apologetically that each family employed their own woodworker and he was the only one permitted to replicate the family crest. This plaque was the crest of his own family.
Chapter Six
With despondent heart, she thanked the merchant courteously and left, her spirit crushed. She could hardly direct a man in Fitzwilliam’s employ to produce such an article and moreover to keep it secret from his master. She relented her standards insofar as she did purchase a hefty tome of the history of the land in the district Pemberley sat, but she made solemn oath that only if she were weakened by illness or took a tumble from a horse would she present such to Darcy on Christmas Day.
Fatigued and dispirited, Elizabeth finally conceded and allowed her maid and servant to have refreshments brought to her at the hotel. She supped the reviving tea but managed only a bite or two of the dainty pastries which did little to replenish her drooping energy. Sitting quietly, she reviewed all she had seen so far, wondering if any of them might do. Yet all the articles she had seen, beautiful as they may be, were entirely unsuitable. Each could be purchased by any wife and given to any husband.
She was in search of a special and unique expression of her love. She had spent the day entire scurrying from one merchant to the next in a fatiguing frenzy and to what avail?
Afraid she might succumb to the defeat and tiredness threatening to overpower her, she bit her lip that she might banish the tears pricking her eyes. She would not give way! Barely fortified by the tea and refreshments, she rose quickly from her seat and ventured outside once more. A slight giddiness assailed her but closing her eyes against it she steadied herself and carried on. She pulled her cloak tightly around her for the day was no longer young and the wind was whipping around her gown as if to mock her. Flakes of snow blew viciously, determined to catch in one’s eyes and make everything hazy and indefinite.
She fought her way on, no longer sure which way the few remaining merchants she had not yet called upon lay. She called out for her maid but received no answering call. Discomfited and disoriented, Elizabeth tried to reverse her course, but could no longer see the entrance to the hotel.
“Tilly!” she called again. “Chambers!” She could hear nothing over the howling of the wind and the flapping of her cloak as she fought to keep it in place. She knew not whether her quickening breath was caused by the raging wind or the increasing panic in her breast.
And then – a hand on her arm! Were she a more sensitive creature she would have fainted dead away but as it was, she cried out in fear and tried to pull away her arm.
…. mistress… come here... come here.… come here….
The voice was everywhere, surrounding her, it was of the very wind itself.
“Let go of me!” Elizabeth demanded desperately. Why could she not free herself? The hand upon her arm was like a claw, clinging and strong.
“Please,” she pleaded, “I have money, my purse- 0h!” She realised in horror that her maid carried the reticule. She had nothing with which to bargain.
“Let me go!” she pleaded once more.
…. calm yourself down madame…. calm yourself down… mean you no harm… want to help…. ….know what you need… Christine knows ….
The creature still had not released it’s grip on her arm, but though she knew not why, Lizzy did feel herself calming. There was something about that voice. Something powerful, something compelling…
“Who are you? What do you want of me?” she whispered.
…. listen madame…... listen….I know …. Christine knows….
“What do you want me to do?” Elizabeth wasn’t even sure if she had spoken aloud or only thought the words, but the grip on her arm was abruptly released and she was sent spinning round and round and round…
Her giddiness of before increased until her head was throbbing and pounding. She was on the point of passing out then suddenly, the voice spoke again, right beside her this time, though she could see no-one.
….walk on madame… walk right on … and when you come…. to the door you go in…. you go in you go in you go in you go in……
“What doorway?” asked Elizabeth weakly, “How will I know it?”
She stopped spinning as abruptly as she had started, and now she sat upon a bench shivering, but it was not of fear. She had no comprehension why, she simply felt an intense need to do what the voice asked of her.
“How will I know it? “she asked again, a little stronger this time
The presence she had felt was fading, Elizabeth could sense it. “Please!” she called out desperately. “Where am I? How do I find the door?”
Softly now, so she had to strain to hear it, the voice came again,
…walk on… walk on… find the door... find the door… walk on….
The voice was gone. Elizabeth looked around, dazed. The flurry of snow petered away and the blackness of the sudden storm faded. The sky grew brighter once more and a ray of sunshine broke through the clouds and seemed to light a path before her. Elizabeth stood, and though she looked everywhere about her, she saw nothing familiar to her.
There were a few old dwellings and the street was cobbled under foot. She could see no-one, not Tilly nor Chambers, neither merchant nor coachman nor child in the street. And still she was not afraid. A raucous chittering at her feet startled her and she looked down in confusion. A red squirrel! It was acting most curiously, its tail flicking rapidly in a most agitated manner, paws swatting the air resembling for all the world a tiny pugilist.
She couldn’t help but smile, its manner was determined, as if it had a mission to execute and meant to do it. She turned away, intending to walk to the next corner and see if she could find a street known to her. She had taken only one step away when she felt an angry little tap-tap-tap on her ankle, the squirrel chittering even more vociferously.
It ran around behind her and skittered back and forth so that she couldn’t pass without risking a swipe from those sharp little claws. Oh, this was absurd! She was trapped in a street she knew not where, by a red squirrel who would not let her pass. A terrifying thought occurred to her – perhaps the creature was rabid? She dared an apprehensive look at it and was relieved to see no sign of frothing at the mouth. Feeling very foolish, she looked in its eyes trying to determine if there was any sign of madness.
And then, the strangest thing yet. The squirrel was suddenly silent, and abruptly ceased its frenetic dashing. There was no sign of lunacy. It sat quietly … looking directly at her. It made no sense, none at all, yet Elizabeth would remain convinced forevermore that the little animal was waiting patiently. Waiting for her to understand.
Slowly, it moved around her again, and she turned with it as if pulled. It jumped away deliberately, its little body arching and stretching but it didn’t go very far. Quite intentionally, it stopped, looking back over its shoulder at her.
walk on
Elizabeth straightened her back, looked at the squirrel and no longer caring if she sounded foolish, whispered, “I will go.”
∞ ∞ ∞
It was quite some time later that the squirrel came to a halt. With a final dramatic swish of its bushy tail, it chittered loudly and then raced off at speed. In front of Elizabeth was the white stucco façade of a little terraced house. It had no adjoining properties and stood solitary and elegant. Elizabeth stood, looking tentatively at the red front door enclosed within two Grecian columns, then gasped as it was slowly pushed opened.
“Madam?” A woman of mature yea
rs stood in the doorway. She was of trim build and was beautifully attired. Her features were of an uncommon perfect symmetry, her voice composed and cultured.
“I, -” Elizabeth hesitated. She had no explanation for her presence, no idea who this woman was nor how she had been led here and, most inexplicably of all, why she was here.
“Would you care to come in madam? I am Mademoiselle Dubois.” This time Elizabeth detected a definite French accent. Strangely, she felt no apprehension. There was an inherent respectability and kindness about this woman that inspired confidence. Elizabeth stepped into the establishment with an ease of spirit and trust.
What she found there she would never tell another soul. But when she left, some hour or two later, it was with the perfect Christmastide gift for Mr. Darcy.
Chapter Seven
“M
istress Darcy, Mistress Darcy?”
Elizabeth wondered dazedly why Tilly sounded so concerned. Had she overslept for church? Did she have an engagement she had neglected?
As she livened and her inertia faded, she awoke fully, sitting forward with a start.
She saw that she was in an alcove within the ladies parlour of the inn. She remembered coming here to rest for a few moments after taking tea- but how did she get back here?
Her last memory was of the mysterious woman behind the red door and her strange experience therein. But try as she might, she could not recall her steps after that. She must have returned to her current seat and yet she had no memory of doing so. No memory for that matter, of where she had come from. Anxiously, she looked down and gave a sigh of relief. The neat little package lay safely in her lap. After what she had been through to obtain this token of her love for Fitzwilliam, she must guard it carefully …. and ensure no-one else ever saw it.
“Tilly?” she must know if she had been missed. “How long have you been gone?”
“You were greatly fatigued mistress. You said you would take a rest and I was not to disturb you. I went to get the supplies as you tasked me and am just now back ma’am. I were worried when I saw you so still.”
“Thank you Tilly. And the others? They have returned?
“Yes ma’am, they await in the tea-room. They thought you was still out doin’ errans an’ then when they saw me they set me and Chambers off to find you.”
The little party was reunited forthwith and set off without delay for Pemberley, each of them tired but satisfied. None, it might be said, more so than Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.
∞ ∞ ∞
The next interlude before the great day itself passed peacefully and contentedly. That is to say, as peacefully and contentedly as any household wherein resides Mrs. Bennet may be. On only two occasions did Jane, with the utmost gentleness, have to intervene when that lady’s tongue threatened to run away with her. In other discussions Elizabeth managed to distract Mrs. Bennet with a well-laid compliment which re-directed her attention entirely.
When Jane enquired with concern if Eliza had found a gift she deemed fitting for Mr. Darcy, Eliza smiled sweetly and declared she had indeed and promptly led Jane to her rooms to show her the book she had secured. Jane was a little nonplussed since Elizabeth had formerly been so thoroughly adamant that no mere perfunctory thing anyone might purchase would suit, but she said naught. Indeed, since Eliza showed such pride and satisfaction in the historical book, she privately thought that her sister must have previously suffered a temporary bout of uncharacteristic insecurity and was so delighted to see her restored that she thought no more of it.
As a result of much consultation with Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth was thoroughly serene as to the table on the day of December 25th. There would be meat and fowl and fish, fruits and vegetables galore, soups and sweets, wines and brandy and mulled mead. She could think of no local or distant fare she had not discussed with the housekeeper. Truly, they had enjoyed many hours planning the table.
So far as Mrs. Reynolds was concerned, Elizabeth could do no wrong. Having served the Darcy family long and faithfully, she now enfolded Lizzy into her deep and abiding respect for them. She had known Mr. Darcy since his number of days scarce reached four years and had seen him grow into a man his father and all the fathers before would be proud of.
And now, since he wedded Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he had become an even better man. She had not thought this could be so, but his love for his wife had brought a new vigor to him. He was still, as he always would be, proudly and ardently dedicated to his responsibilities, but the pleasure and joy his marriage brought him were plain to be seen. For a man to whom mirth had been an infrequent companion, he now laughed freely and often.
Christmastide morn broke decidedly chilly but bright and cloudless. Even the household staff was excited – they had been given an extra days stipend and were eager to show their appreciation. The happy group gathered together to break the morning fast and Lydia was only thirty and five minutes tardy. After a satisfying meal of kippers and eggs, all dispersed to spend the day as they pleased. They were to reconvene in several hours where, after dinner, they would exchange their very first keepsakes. Since they were all of family, there would be no unexpected awkwardness of someone suffering embarrassment by having nothing to exchange.
A pleasant, leisurely day was passed by all. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, chose to take a long, comfortable drive through the wide extent of the Pemberley woods. When, after a gradual ascent, they reached a notable eminence, Elizabeth pleaded that she may disembark, for she dearly wished to take in the view.
Mr. Darcy was all courtesy as he assisted Elizabeth to dismount the coach and led her to a knoll to stand upon. Charles and Jane scarce noticed their departure as they seemed to have found uncommon vistas in the other’s eyes.
If Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam had but known, the very spot they now stood upon was precisely where many of his forebears had also stood, surveying the vast range of the Pemberley lands in their time.
Fitzwilliam placed his arm around her shoulder as they took in all before them. Beyond the edge of the woods, beyond the valley thereafter, their eyes were drawn as one by the majesty of Pemberley House.
Elizabeth was immediately pulled in by the mists of recollection, the scene before her evoking the memory of how she had once stood here many months ago.
On that occasion, she had been unmarried, had been indeed, the farthest from that idyllic state as it was possible to be. Relations between herself and Mr. Darcy had, in fact, been ruined for all time. She had a brief but sharp and painful remembrance of the scene between them as he had asked for her hand. She had heard nothing of love and all of the sacrifice he would have to make to accept her! Accordingly, she flung the honour back at him with as many of his most deplorable faults as she could divine.
It was truly a wonder they had not only reunited, but united! Wishing to quickly banish such memory, she turned to him and smiled. “I stood here once before my love. With my aunt and uncle.”
“Mr. and Mr. Gardiner. I know my dearest. It was a surprise that I shall never forget to find you at Pemberley .”
“It was an embarrassment to me!” she declared honestly.
“Let us talk no more of that time dearest. It is finished and we are together now as we shall always be.”
Darcy’s arm around her tightened and Elizabeth leaned into his solidity.
Leaning down to whisper in her ear he said, “Besides, it could be no more discomfiting to you than to myself. If I had admired you before my ill-fated proposal, I was afire after it. Your very displeasure aroused in me emotions and sensations I had never known possible.”
Elizabeth turned her head that she might see his countenance. There was a spark there that she had become intimately familiar with. Feeling heat rise to her own cheeks, she said, ‘Are you saying husband dear, that I was in a temper?”
“I am saying my dear, that you kindled such fires in me as will never be extinguished. I am very much afraid they will require tending forevermore.”
She said in a voice that was not quite steady, “And I am very much afraid we must think of such matters as will distract us for it will be quite some considerable time before we may think of such ….enthusiasms.”
Darcy’s response was immediate and most amiable, “It may be quite some time before we may act upon them dearest, but I think you will find there is no distraction commanding enough to make me cease thinking about them. Of that I assure you, I am quite incapable.”
Elizabeth owned to being somewhat fearful to continue in this vein, so she again tuned her head and leaned against her husband, her head resting on his shoulder. They stood there without further words for a considerable time until Bingley’s call roused them.
“Darcy! if we do not return to the house, we may find that our companions have eaten their fill and we are left with bones.”
“Ha!” laughed Darcy, “your appetite is a wonder to behold my friend. To be sure, we must take all measures to ensure you are not deprived of satisfying it.”
Bingley’s laugh was loud and long and all the party full of jest and smiles for the entirety of the journey homeward.
Chapter Eight
Upon changing for dinner and enjoying the finest repast they could any of them recall, they repaired to the drawing room.
Mrs. Bennet was heard to remark that her table had surely been as full if not with quite such a diverse menu on the occasion of her last gathering. But of course, she did not have a merchant who stocked such exotic imports as Mrs. Darcy patently did.
It was here, in the stylish drawing room, that Elizabeth and Mrs. Reynolds had achieved their greatest triumph. Before the astonished eyes of the little group stood a yew tree of seven foot in height placed in an immense tub. Upon it, were ribbons and bows of silk and lace Lizzy, Georgiana and Jane had painstakingly fashioned to decorate the boughs of the tree.
Mr. Darcy's Unexpected Christmas: A Pride and Prejudice variation Page 3
