by Linda Wells
“Please forgive me.”
“It was not your doing. It was mine and our parents, and … another.”
“I did not end it when I should.”
“I did not ask you to.”
“But you hoped for it.”
“I did.”
“It is over now.” He turned and picked up a wooden box. “This was Mother’s, it should be yours.”
She opened the box with a shaking hand. Inside were her mother’s rings, her grandmother’s combs, all of the little symbols of the Bennet women for generations. Mr. Bennet looked at her with tears rolling down his face. “This should go to your daughter, and hers, it is your history. I hope that someday you will be proud of it again.”
“You do not wish this for your daughters?” She asked in a tremulous voice.
He choked back his tears. “They will receive things from their mother. These have always belonged to you and yours.”
Sarah handed the box to Bonnie and held out her arms. Mr. Bennet pulled her to him and they burst into tears. There was not a dry eye in the room. Soon the invisible line separating the families was broken and the sound of questions and greetings and laughter filled the air. Eventually Elizabeth offered to show them to their rooms and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were left alone again. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to him, and they looked out at the beautiful peaceful landscape together.
THE CHRISTMAS celebration began that evening with a visit by the families and some of the servants to the Pemberley chapel. Mr. Higgs, the young man who Darcy had given the living at Kympton, arrived early to conduct the service at the estate before returning to his church to repeat the same for his parishioners. It was a favour performed every year by that pastor. Christmas had never really been celebrated by the family in years past. The servants decorated their domain and were permitted to enjoy the day, but the unhappy marriage, and generally quiet nature of the orphaned Darcys inspired only a day for exchanging a few gifts and sharing a large meal. This year was to be a revelation.
The addition of the noisy Bennets, the jovial Douglass’, the unendingly happy Bingley, and the bemused but pleased Fitzwilliams, not to mention the deeply in love Darcy and Elizabeth, created a scene that had not been witnessed in the halls of Pemberley in ages.
Marshall, under the watchful gaze of his father and nearly every other male in the room, approached Georgiana to compliment her on the beautiful decorations that he had seen throughout the house, and asked her easy questions about the furnishings and people in the various paintings he had noticed. He had asked his mother for guidance, and Sarah, knowing very well the shame and caution that Georgiana would be feeling, advised him to simply appear friendly, and expect nothing in return.
Darcy watched apprehensively, and Elizabeth saw the worry in his eyes. “She is fine, William. She needs to learn how to talk to a gentleman, well actually talk to anyone who is not in the immediate family. This is a good experience, and you started it by encouraging him to be friendly.”
“I do not want her to be hurt.”
“He is asking her about your great-uncle Horace’s painting, how could that possibly hurt her?” Elizabeth’s raised brow and pursed lips met his frown. He glanced at the portrait and a small smile appeared.
“I suppose that Uncle Horace is enough of a frightening incentive to quell any feeling of romance in a young lady.”
“He is rather frightening, and I doubt very much that Georgiana is in any way ready to think of romance.” Elizabeth squeezed his hand, and she felt him relax. “Now the answer I desire is what are your cousin’s designs on my sister? What is that all about?”
Darcy glanced over to a corner where Mary sat at the pianoforte looking through the music, and Richard stood attentively by her side. “I honestly do not know.” He knit his brow. “I am afraid that my attention at Longbourn was not on my cousin, so if something was brewing there, I certainly missed it. He spoke of his attraction to you and Jane …”
“Really?” Elizabeth smiled and saw Darcy look at her sharply, scanning her face with worry. She pinched him. “Stop that!”
He smiled a little. “I will always be jealous, Lizzy.” He raised her hand to his lips.
“What will you do when we arrive in London?” She tilted her head, and grinned.
“I am hoping that nobody will wish for our company and I can keep you all to myself.” Darcy smiled and drew her to him for a soft kiss on her cheek.
“Mmm. I like that plan!” They moved, hand in hand, across the room to speak with Lady Matlock.
Jane and Bingley were standing beneath the kissing bough and he nudged her. “It seems a shame to waste this perfectly good ornament.” He raised his eyebrows and puckered his lips.
“Charles, you could not possibly think of kissing me here!” She whispered furiously and glanced around the room.
“Why not? Is that not the purpose of this lovely bit of decoration?”
“Yes …”
“I need your kisses to give me life. You are the only woman who can save me.” He held his hand to his forehead dramatically.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh that is the silliest bit of nonsense I have ever heard!”
Charles laughed and squeezed her hand. “Your sister said that I was a charmer, you do not agree?”
“Well of course I agree … but that does not excuse you from silliness.” Jane shook her head.
“You are avoiding my kisses.” He whined.
“Charles! Shhh! You are a little boy who wants his own way!” She looked around to see if anyone was watching, then moving very quickly she rose up on her toes and kissed him.
Charles grinned widely. “Was that so hard?”
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet observed them from across the room. Sarah and Angus watched as well. “When is their wedding?”
“At the end of February; I hope that you will be able to make the journey, and of course stay at Longbourn.” Mr. Bennet looked at her hopefully.
Sarah stared at her hands. “Would there be room for us? I imagine that Elizabeth and William will be with you, and other family.”
Mrs. Bennet patted her arm, bringing Sarah’s eyes back up. “The Gardiners will come, but all other guests will stay at Netherfield.”
“I would like to see Longbourn again.” She looked at Angus.
He read her expression and nodded. “Then we will certainly be there. We will go on to London afterwards. Marshall can look after things at home and I will have some business to attend in town by that time.”
“I understand that you are a brewer, sir?” Lord Matlock approached the couples.
“Yes, My Lord, I am.” He drew himself up.
Lord Matlock waved his hand. “Matlock will do, sir.” Angus relaxed and nodded. “Darcy tells me you are doing well?”
“Yes, quite so, it is certainly an appreciated product.” The men laughed and Mrs. Bennet moved away with Sarah. Richard and James wandered over, and Elizabeth, wanting to interview Mary, nudged William to go join them. Jane sent Charles on his way as well, and gradually the sexes separated to their own conversations.
Lady Matlock stood near Jane and observed her for some time. “You seem quite interested in my nephew, my dear.” She said quietly.
Jane jumped and turned, blushing, to look at her. “I … I am happy for my sister’s choice.”
“Are you perhaps regretting yours?”
She looked down at her hands. “Of course not, I … I am quite content with Mr. Bingley.”
“What do you see in my nephew? I notice that you have similar dispositions. You are both quiet and very dedicated to your loved ones.”
“Yes.” She turned back to look at Darcy.
Lady Matlock followed her gaze. “I think that he is much better suited to Elizabeth, she has the liveliness that he lacks. She draws him out like no other person I have ever seen. She gives him the confidence to express the joy of life he has always forced himself to suppress. He is behaving as a rambunctious boy
for the first time, but only with her. He is laughing out loud, he is smiling and free. I think that a woman who resembled him in nature never would have drawn him out in this way. Besides your sister’s matching him in intelligence, she is teaching him how to live. He will teach her of the world, but her gift of happiness will far exceed his offerings. Certainly you would not begrudge your sister or Darcy such love?”
“Oh no, I … I suppose that I admire that he is … a man.” She glanced at Bingley and back at Lady Matlock.
“Ah, I see. Well, yes, your Mr. Bingley does have some growing to do, but he is handling his sister, and he is taking the steps to secure an estate. I understand that he oversees the operation of several factories in Scarborough, although he does not really have a hands-on approach as Darcy does with Pemberley. And most important, he has decided to give up his old life in society and marry you. It seems he already possesses the boyish joy to live that Darcy is only beginning to discover.”
“But will I hold his attention?” Jane said softly.
Lady Matlock’s eyes widened. “Is that what worries you? Is that what you admire most in Darcy, his unwavering constancy to Elizabeth?”
“I suppose it is.”
“I can not guarantee that your Mr. Bingley will not wish to return to his old habits, but have you ever spoken to him of his past life? Have you questioned his ability to be true to you alone? You must address these fears now, before you marry, or they will gnaw at you every time that he leaves you. And he will need to leave you alone from time to time.” She patted her arm. “Talk to him. I have a feeling that he will appreciate it.” She smiled at Jane’s furrowed brow. “And do stop coveting your brother-in-law. Your sister will strangle you if she finds out.”
“I do not covet him, but I do admire his devotion. Thank you Lady Matlock.” She thought over the older woman’s advice. She hated confrontation and knew that Charles did as well, and Lady Matlock was correct, he was changing and growing, had he not said as much to her at Longbourn before they left? Jane chose to suppress her worries and settled back into happy complacency, there was no need to broach the subject.
Bingley approached Darcy who was standing by the fireplace, staring down at the flames, but was surreptitiously sending little glances into the mirror and smiling, watching Elizabeth talking animatedly and encouraging sensible conversation between her younger sisters and newfound cousin. “So are you still blissfully happy?”
Darcy turned to regard his friend. “It has barely been a month, Bingley, but I suspect that I will be this happy fifty years from now.”
“Fifty!” Bingley laughed at his friend’s confidence in both his felicity and long life.
Darcy lifted his brow. “I look forward to every moment of my marriage, the good and the bad. Tell me, has your confidence improved over the past month?”
Bingley looked over to Jane and smiled. “As a matter of fact, it has.”
“How so?”
He returned to meet Darcy’s gaze. “I had to go to London after I saw you at Longbourn. There were papers that I needed to review and sign concerning Caroline … I made a point of visiting, well, my haunts of bachelorhood.” Darcy nodded, remembering Bingley’s tales of the boxing parlours, taverns, and the gentleman’s clubs. “Do you know what I found? I found that I did not belong there anymore. I knew that I had a beautiful, sweet, loving woman who trusts me and was waiting for me in Hertfordshire, and my only thought was how can I finish my business and return to her as quickly as possible.” He smiled. “I actually felt pity for all those lonely fools I saw in the clubs.”
Darcy grinned and clapped him on the back. “Excellent Bingley! You have come far!”
“You gave me a great deal to ponder, my friend, I am indebted to you.” Bingley clasped his hand and looked at him seriously.
Darcy looked down, unable to accept the praise. “Have you told Jane these revelations?”
“No, should I?”
Lifting his head again, Darcy placed his hand on Bingley’s shoulder and met his eye. “Yes, Bingley. Do not hold back your thoughts, whatever they are. Talk to her. I started with letters, and now, I share everything with Elizabeth, although I admit sometimes she must cajole it out of me, and there are some things still …” He paused and looked down again. “But I could not imagine living with her and holding back something as important as this. I can not understand a marriage of convenience where the couple lives essentially separate lives and shares only an occasional evening in the marriage bed.” He looked back up. “Does that make sense to you?”
Bingley smiled. “Yes, it does, but … I am not you, Darcy, and the thought of having such a conversation with Jane is not one that I would relish. And she is so happy, why should we speak of unpleasant things, especially if they are in the past?”
Darcy knew of no easy way to explain his convictions, and also knew that his friend likely would not ever feel the intense devotion that he experienced for Elizabeth, despite his declarations of love. Bingley was correct, they were not alike, and Jane was not Elizabeth. “Bingley, you know your mind and heart, and hopefully Jane’s as well. I will not attempt to impose my ways upon you.”
“You are not imposing Darcy; you are simply being my friend.” Their private conversation was interrupted by Richard joining them. Bingley took the opportunity to walk away and mull over Darcy’s words.
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth with Mary and elbowed him. “All right Cousin, explain yourself.”
“What?” Richard followed Darcy’s eyes and flushed. “I am merely curious about her.”
“Why?”
“What kind of a question is that?”
“She is hardly your type, Richard.” Darcy said quietly. “I know the sort of ladies who attract you.”
Richard spoke softly so no one could hear. “I am not attracted, I just … Darcy my life is about to change … we have talked about my need to get away from soldiering and start over, it just occurred to me that perhaps I need to re-evaluate my choices in women as well.” Darcy’s gaze was unwavering, demanding more. Richard shook his head. “I like her, Darcy. She is not the least attracted to my uniform, or to my status. Even as a second son, I have attracted women simply because I am the son of an Earl, but she is unimpressed. If she blushes, I think it is from receiving the attention of any man. I could just as easily pay attentions to Miss Douglass.” He glanced around the room and said quietly, “I know that I am very fortunate to be receiving this estate and money from my father, but it is nonetheless a small estate. No woman of the ton will want to come to me there.”
“So you are looking elsewhere.” Darcy said and nodded his head in understanding. “But why Mary? She is a quiet young woman, I know her fondness for sermons and … well frankly Richard; she is not your type.”
“And Elizabeth is yours?” He laughed. “You two are complete opposites.”
He smiled slightly. “Yes and no. Where Elizabeth is joyful and happy, I am quiet and withdrawn, but we are both passionate and well … we are well-matched.”
“You present an impossible example, Cousin. You are the rare love match.”
“Then do not look to us as your example, your parents would serve you better. But as for Mary, perhaps her time here at Pemberley this spring will allow you the opportunity to … know each other.”
“That is what I am hoping. I will have my hands full, learning all that I need to know for my new home and life, but I do hope to come and visit Georgiana while you are away. If Miss Mary is here I could … see how she is getting on while she is in the area. So do I have your permission?” He looked at him with a mixture of command and pleading.
Darcy smiled and clapped his back. “Of course, Richard. Just please do not suggest anything more to her or anyone else. Elizabeth was suspicious of your motives and sent me to speak to you.”
Richard laughed. “Women are adept at spotting possibilities, even if they are only fantasies.”
“I will make no comment.” He glanced back a
t his wife and sister. “If nothing else, perhaps you may find a friend.”
“That I would like, and you are correct, although you have not said the words. I know that I am not ready to marry.”
“Did I say that?” Darcy smiled. “Well, yes, I implied it. One thing at a time; let us see you in a cravat for a while.”
“That will not produce the grandchildren my mother is demanding!” The men laughed and James wandered over to them. Richard nodded at him. “Speak to my brother if you want to speak of marriage.”
“Why me?” James stared at him and sighed. “All right, yes, I have agreed that this is my year. Let the Season begin!”
Bingley returned to the group and laughed. “I am thrilled to not have to participate in the manhunt this year, or ever again.”
Richard grinned at him. “I rather thought you enjoyed the experience. How many …”
“It no longer matters. I have found my angel.” He looked lovingly over at Jane.
Darcy smiled, realizing that his ideal of marriage could not be applied to either his friend or his cousin. That did not stop him from poking fun at him, though. His lips twitched. “I think that Richard may have spotted one.”
“Enough Darcy.” Richard glared at him. “This new frivolity of yours is most unbecoming.”
Darcy laughed. “Blame my wife for that!”
Eventually the sexes mixed together again, and Darcy happily sat beside Elizabeth at the pianoforte, turning pages for her and trying stoically to pay attention to the music instead of becoming lost in the bewitching sound of her voice. Bingley sat next to Jane, smiling and talking with Bonnie. Jane watched him and shifted uncomfortably. He noticed and turned to her, lifting her hand and kissing it. “Jane, you are so quiet.”
“I am always quiet next to you, Charles.” She said softly.
“I suppose that is true, but I do love to hear your voice, and I think, my dear, that something is on your mind?” He kissed her hand again and fixed his gaze on her wide blue eyes.
She looked at him, then away to Darcy and Elizabeth. “They are so perfect together.”
Bingley turned to regard his friend. “I hope to someday be the man he is.” He smiled and looked back at Jane, seeing her startled expression. “Jane?”
