Mrs Bennet's Christmas

by Philippa J Rosen

  “I can’t abide the man,” said Darcy to himself. “And yet I must speak to him and give him words of comfort.”

  He proceeded to the dining room. Wickham sat at a table alone, a glass of brandy in front of him. He looked up.

  “Why, Darcy, what the devil are you doing here?”

  Darcy explained that he and Lizzy had spent Christmas Day with their mutual mother in law and father in law. He explained that Collins had arrived uninvited and that he and Lizzy had given up their bed chamber for the good Reverend.

  Wickham chuckled.

  “Typical of Collins. To just turn up uninvited. And I suppose he tried to read you one of his wretched sermons?”

  “Yes. We managed to prevent it though.”

  Something dawned on Wickham.

  “So that’s why me and Lydia were invited for Boxing Day only. They were trying to keep us apart, to ensure you and I weren’t there at the same time. I’m right, aren’t I? If you had known I would be there you wouldn’t have come. Would you?”

  Darcy said nothing. He merely shrugged which told Wickham everything he needed to know.

  “We were on our way to Longbourn and decided to stay here for the evening so that we could get up tomorrow, fresh for the festivities. Not Christmas festivities, but Boxing Day festivities. It seems that Mr and Mrs George Wickham are not welcome for Christmas Day itself.”

  Darcy looked steadily at Wickham. He did not say anything, but his contempt was clear enough.

  “And then Lydia went into early childbirth. It shouldn’t have been here for another two weeks.”

  “I didn’t even know your wife was with child,” said Darcy.

  “Lydia didn’t tell you then?”

  “From what Lizzy says, Lydia mentioned it in a letter. Her letters are becoming less frequent it seems. But she didn’t tell me.”

  Wickham shrugged. He didn’t care one way or the other.

  “She had her reasons, I suppose.”

  Their conversation was very stilted.

  “So, what would you like. Boy or girl?” said Darcy.

  “It makes no odds to me,” said Wickham in his usual, infuriating, casual manner.

  “Have you decided on a name yet?”

  “If it’s a boy, then perhaps George. After me.”

  “And if you have a girl?”

  Wickham gave a wicked little grin and looked at Darcy full in the face.

  “Georgiana. Perhaps I should call it Georgiana.”

  Darcy’s face darkened. He stood up and loomed over Wickham, his fists clenched.

  Wickham really thought Darcy might strike him and held up his hands to placate him.

  “It was a jest, Darcy. Can’t you take a jest? We have not thought of a girl’s name yet. I assure you it won’t be Georgiana. Now, please sit down. You look like some fellow out of a cheap melodrama standing there like that.”

  “Sometimes, Wickham, you go too far,” said Darcy in a measured tone.

  Darcy sat down. The stilted conversation limped on for a few more minutes before they both gave up and sat in uncomfortable silence.

  A few hours later, Lizzy came downstairs. She was exhausted and sat beside Darcy in the dining room.

  “Well?” said Wickham carelessly.

  “You are a father, Mr Wickham. You have a daughter.”

  Darcy shook Wickham’s hand briefly.

  “Congratulation, Wickham,” he said shortly.

  “Thank you. I think given the circumstances I should order another brandy.”

  “I think under the circumstances you should go and see your wife and child,” said Lizzy.

  “I suppose you’re right. I wonder if the poor thing looks like me?”

  “Yes, she does rather.”

  Wickham stood up and threw the rest of the brandy down his throat.

  “Well, that’s something, I suppose.”

  He left to go and visit Lydia and her new born child as if it were a kind of chore.

  “I pity the child with a father like Wickham,” said Darcy as he watched him leave.

  “You can never tell,” said Lizzy. “Fatherhood might change him. After all, look at you.”

  Darcy bristled.

  “Me? Was I such a terrible husband before we had little Fitzwilliam?”

  Lizzy put her hand on his arm tenderly.

  “I was jesting, my love. You are a marvellous father, and you have always been a marvellous husband. I do realise how lucky I am.”

  He took her hand and put it to his lips.

  “And so am I, Lizzy. So am I.”

  They looked at each other. Each of them knew that the other was thinking about their baby boy.

  “I do hope we won’t have to stay here too long tomorrow,” said Lizzy.

  “I think I will go and talk to the coach driver and see how things are outside. Try to establish when we might press on. I just hope the snow hasn’t settled.”

  Darcy left Lizzy to find the coach driver, who was enjoying a tankard of ale with Ted the landlord of the inn. He joined them in a tankard too and chatted easily to the men.

  “So,” he said, “do you think the weather will have improved by now?”

  “I’ve been outside, sir. The snow has stopped. It doesn’t look as bad as it did earlier.”

  “Then you think we might set off in the morning?”

  “I believe so, sir.”

  “Excellent. Now, can I get you fellows another tankard of ale…?”

  Chapter 6

  A little while later Wickham returned to the dining room. Lizzy was still there, and she got up to leave when she saw Wickham.

  “Don’t leave, Mrs Darcy. I thought we might talk for a while.”

  “You wish to talk, Mr Wickham? With me?”

  “If you don’t mind, Mrs Darcy.”

  Wickham seated himself opposite Lizzy. She noted a strange look on his face. It was a look of dazed contentment. The look of a man who has found purpose and happiness but doesn’t really understand why. She looked closer. His eyes were watery.

  “How is Lydia?” asked Lizzy.

  “She is well, thank you.”

  “And the baby?”

  Wickham could not help himself from laughing in sheer joy.

  “My daughter? She is well, very well indeed.”

  “Are you quite alright, Mr Wickham?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “You have an odd look on your face.”

  “Can I talk to you in confidence, Mrs Darcy?”

  Wickham was trying to hold back his emotions. It was no use and the dam burst and all his finer feelings flooded out. Feelings that were quite new to him.

  “It is the most extraordinary thing, Lizzy. I have never loved anything or anybody as much as that little girl. I went up and fell in love with her at first sight. And when I picked her up and held her in my arms, I was simply overwhelmed with a rush of feelings I have never felt before. Not really. Does any of that make sense to you, Lizzy? Forgive me, I mean Miss Bennet. Forgive me, I mean Mrs Darcy. Good heavens, I feel quite giddy with it all.”

  Lizzy smiled at him.

  “Mr Wickham, it makes perfect sense. When you become a father or a mother, it changes everything.”

  “But me, Mrs Darcy. How on earth could such a thing happen to me, George Wickham? You know what I’m like, what I’ve always been like. And yet, that tiny infant has made all that null and void. Every mistake I’ve made, every person I’ve wronged, every cowardly and foolish act I’ve done. None of it matters. It’s as though it’s all been washed away and redeemed by my daughter.”

  “I understand.”

  “My daughter? Those words seem so strange. She is the first thing that I have ever accomplished that could be deemed truly good. She’s the only thing that has ever truly belonged to me. She is going to redeem me, Lizzy, I know it. She has already. Sorry, I know I should call you Mrs Darcy, but I feel so giddy with happiness.”

  “Yes, you said,” said Lizzy with a little laug
h. “And I don’t mind if you call me Lizzy.”

  Mr Wickham prattled on, his words coming so fast that sometimes he made no sense at all.

  “I will ensure she has the best upbringing and education money can buy. A female deserves a good education too, doesn’t she? I will buy her the finest clothes and ensure she doesn’t want for anything. I will tend to her when she is ill and comfort her when she cries. I will buy her a pony and buggy as soon as she is old enough and I will make sure she is sent to the finest riding school in the neighbourhood. And most of all, I will ensure she does not become engaged to a man like me.”

  “And have you decided on a name for your daughter?” said Lizzy, when she had the opportunity to speak.

  “Yes, Lydia and I have discussed it. We are going to call her Fan.”

  “After my mother? Oh, Mr Wickham she’ll be delighted.”

  “Thank you, Lizzy. I’m glad you like it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go and see my wife and daughter again.”

  “As you wish, Mr Wickham.”

  Wickham hurried off and Lizzy shook her head in wonder. It seemed that fatherhood might suit Wickham after all. More than that, even, for already he was a doting father.

  Darcy drained his tankard and took a walk outside. The snow had stopped, and the sky was clear. He looked up at the stars, too many to count. One star stood out. It shone brighter than the others and seemed to rest over the coaching inn.

  He saw a man approach him.

  “Good evening,” said Darcy.

  “Good evening, sir.”

  “Have you come to stay at the inn?”

  “No, sir. I’m a shepherd.”

  “A shepherd? Really?” said Darcy astonished. “Then, you have come to visit somebody at the inn?”

  “No, sir, I’m looking for one of my sheep. It’s gone astray.”

  “But, it’s Christmas Day, you shouldn’t be out shepherding on Christmas Day.”

  “Tell that to the sheep, sir.”

  “Well, good luck. I hope you find him.”

  The shepherd thanked him and moved on in search for his lost sheep. Darcy watched him go with a little chuckle. He returned to the inn and went to find Lizzy. She was still in the dining room, sitting alone and thinking about Mr Wickham and his new family.

  “Well, Lizzy, it seems the snow has stopped. The sky is clear, and the coach driver says we should be able to continue our journey early tomorrow.”

  He sat down next to her. She did not reply.

  “Didn’t you hear me, Lizzy? We should be able to continue to Pemberley in the morning. Isn’t that good news?”

  Lizzy looked at him, a strange look on her face.

  “Are you alright, Lizzy?”

  “Yes. I’ve just been speaking to Mr Wickham.”

  “Oh yes?” said Darcy shortly. “Did he try and touch you for a loan?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Well what did he have to say for himself?”

  “It’s astonishing. I think he’s changed. In fact, I am certain of it. He’s changed. He’s actually changed.”

  “Changed? In what way?”

  “It’s difficult to put in words. He just seems…less Wickham than before.”

  “In a few hours? Surely not.”

  “I can’t quite believe it myself. But the birth of his daughter seems to have given him purpose at last.”

  “Really? And where is he now?”

  “He’s gone to see Lydia and Fan again.”

  “Fan?”

  “That’s what they’ve decided to call the baby.”

  “Well, not less than two hours ago he told me he might call the child Georgiana if it were a girl. I had to stop myself from striking him.”

  “He was trying to annoy you for the sake of it. You know how he is. But that was before the child was born. He went to see Fan and Lydia and he came down a different man. I know it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. To use his words, he fell in love with the child at first sight. And I can’t blame him, for I saw the child and she is indeed very beautiful.”

  Darcy shook his head in disbelief. Wickham a changed man? Surely that was impossible. But then he thought back to how he and Lizzy used to talk together. And then, they learned more about each other and their relations softened. And then suddenly they were in love.

  “Perhaps we will see him and Lydia and the child tomorrow,” said Darcy.

  “That would be pleasant.”

  “And then we can make our way back to Pemberley and see our own child again.”

  She smiled at him fondly.

  “Then let us retire to bed. It’s been a long day hasn’t it?”

  “It has, my love. But a very enjoyable one too.”

  Darcy took Lizzy’s hand and led her upstairs to their bed chamber. Fortunately for them, their room was some distance from Wickham and Lydia’s. Little Fan cried lustily that night, but Lizzy and Darcy didn’t hear her and slept well. Mr Wickham slept little but didn’t care, for he spent the night comforting his new daughter with diligence and delight.

  Chapter 7

  Darcy woke early the next morning. He pulled back the curtains looked out of the window. He smiled. The sky was blue, the sun though weak at the moment, had already begun to melt the remaining snow. There would be no question now about travelling to Pemberley without any further delays. He woke Lizzy and told her the good news.

  “No snow at all?” she said.

  “Very little. In an hour it will all be melted.”

  “Then let’s get dressed and have a little breakfast and leave within the hour.”

  They quickly bathed and dressed and went down for a light breakfast.

  Wickham was already there, sipping a large cup of strong, black coffee. He looked weary but elated somehow, as though his weariness was a a very small price to have paid for staying with his daughter for the entire night.

  “Good morning, Mr Wickham,” said Lizzy.

  “Good morning, Mrs Darcy.”

  “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Even better than last night if that were possible. I spent the entire night with Lydia and Fan. Lydia is very tired, so I took it upon myself to look after my daughter. She slept on my chest for a good deal of the night. I think I love her even more this morning. Extraordinary, isn’t it?”

  “Astonishing,” said Lizzy.

  “Amazing,” said Darcy.

  “Are you leaving for Pemberley today?”

  “Yes, we are going to set off after breakfast. We are eager to see our child also.”

  “And have you enjoyed your Christmas celebrations?”

  “Yes. Will you be visiting Longbourn? I think my mother will be expecting you.”

  “Impossible, I fear. Lydia is tired and the physician suggested she remain here another day or so. Obviously, Fan will need to remain here to, so she can be nursed. And I couldn’t possibly leave them again. In fact, I can’t imagine being apart from them again.”

  “You see?” whispered Lizzy to her husband.

  Darcy was surprised, but he could see Lizzy was right about Wickham.

  Wickham finished his coffee and announced he would go and see his wife and daughter again. The delight on his face when he said ‘my daughter’ was palpable. He hurried from the room and went upstairs, climbing two steps at a time.

  “Well, well, who would have thought it,” said Darcy with a look of wonder on his face.

  They ate a pleasant, light breakfast and made preparations to leave. The snow was all gone by now, so they decided to leave at once. As their things were being packed onto the coach, Lizzy turned to her husband.

  “I will go and say farewell to Lydia. Would you like to see your new niece?”

  “Of course. I’ll come up with you and wait outside. Then you can say farewell to your sister and bring the child out.”

  They made their way upstairs. Lizzy knocked on Lydia’s door and went into the room. Lydia was holding Fan in her arms while Mr Wi
ckham looked on proudly from an armchair, a couple of feet from the bed. Lizzy spoke to her youngest sister.

  “Well, Lydia, we are returning to Pemberley. Merry Christmas, my darling.”

  “Thank you, Lizzy. It’s too bad we can’t see Mother and Father and Jane and Mary and Kitty. Not to mention Horatio and Alexander. But the physician says I should stay in bed another day.”

  Well, Lydia. I will send a messenger to explain all and to wish them a Merry Christmas on behalf of you and your husband.”

  “And Fan. Don’t forget her.”

  “Yes, of course, on behalf of Fan too. Now, do you think she would like to meet her Uncle Fitzwilliam?”

  “Yes, of course, Lizzy.”

  Lizzy picked up the child gently, holding her close and tight to her chest, and went outside.

  “Here she is, darling. The newest member of our family.”

  Darcy was beguiled by the child and made cooing little noises to her.

  “I hate to find myself agreeing with Wickham,” he said, “but he’s right. She’s a beautiful baby.”

  Fan grasped his finger firmly in her tiny fist.

  “Why, I think we’re firm friends already.”

  Lizzy took the baby back and returned to Lydia’s room. She was about to hand her to Lydia, when Wickham interrupted her.

  “Let me hold her, Mrs Darcy.”

  She handed the baby to her father and the joy in his demeanour shone through. Lydia watched them both, as happy as she could ever remember.

  “Lizzy?” she said.

  “Yes, Lydia, darling?”

  “Come closer. I want to speak to you in confidence.”

  Lizzy pulled up a chair close to the bed and Lydia whispered to her. Though in truth, Wickham was so engrossed in his child that he would not have heard a single word.

  “Do you see? Do you see how George dotes on his daughter? He seemed unhappy when I told him I was with child. There was a time when I thought he was sure to leave me. I thought he might abandon us both and return to London or Paris. But if you could have seen his face when he first looked on Fan…”

  “I’ve seen the change in him, even in a few short hours. It’s a miracle, Lydia. A Christmas miracle.”