Chapter 3
Elizabeth had supposed she had enough to contend with as regarded being the new mistress of Pemberley and her added duties toward its tenants during the Christmas season.
Now her responsibilities were more than doubled.
When her husband walked into the room, she said, “You will never guess what your sister and my son have been up to.”
“You are correct, my love. Perhaps you should tell me what your sister and my son have done.”
She smiled at his gentle chastisement. Of course, he had stated it aptly. Georgiana and she were as close as two sisters might ever wish to be, and Darcy could not have loved Ben more if he were his own flesh and blood. They were indeed a very happy family.
“Where do I begin? It turns out that Georgiana and Ben have conspired to invite most of our relations to spend Christmas with us at Pemberley.”
Darcy’s countenance belied his intention to feign a lack of knowledge.
“You do not look surprised,” said Elizabeth.
He shrugged. “I confess to have gotten wind of their scheme soon after it had begun. Both Mrs. Reynolds and my steward were obliged to break their confidences.”
“Your steward was made aware of this scheme before me.”
“I am afraid so, my love. Georgiana and Ben intended it as a surprise ... for both of us.”
“You obviously have not spoken with either of them on this matter, Mr. Darcy. I, on the other hand, was obliged to get to the bottom of this pursuant to the receipt of several letters today.”
“I pray you were not too upset with them, my love. I am sure they meant no harm.”
“I declare, the two of them have you completely in their power. Is there anything that either Georgiana or Ben might do that might meet with your disapproval?”
“May I have a moment to ponder your question?”
“By all means, take as much time as you need, whilst I consider how to accommodate this unexpected influx of guests for what might be weeks, if they arrive at all. Have you not warned me that Derbyshire winters can be quite harsh?”
“Do not fret, my love. Mrs. Reynolds, with my blessing, has been preparing for the possibility of receiving a large party of guests for a while.”
“It seems you have thought of everything then.”
Darcy made every effort to prevent the escape of the chuckle that threatened to bubble forth.
“Not everything. While I am privy to the list of invitees, I am quite ignorant as regards their acceptance.”
Elizabeth gathered the letters she had received and brought them to the sitting room couch where Darcy sat. “Here, see for yourself.”
Darcy accepted the first proffered letter. After a moment, he said, “I should not be surprised to find that Lord and Lady Matlock have accepted. In light of his miserable attempt to force a marriage between Anne and me, no doubt, my uncle is eager to play matchmaker between Richard and Anne.”
“That sounds of bitterness, my love. I thought you and your uncle had put your differences behind you. After all, it was very generous of him to remain at Pemberley with Georgiana, Ben, and Anne whilst we were on our wedding journey.”
“Yes, but that had little to do with me, I assure you. It has everything to do with his desire to control Anne’s fate and thus her fortune.”
“I wish you would endeavour to see your uncle in a more favourable light. After all, your cousin Richard is a second son. He could do worse than marry Anne.”
“Please, do not start parroting Lord Matlock. Besides, I thought you enjoyed having Anne live here with us.”
“Indeed, I do. However, we must allow that this arrangement will not last forever. If not Richard, then surely she will find happiness with another man. You must want that for your cousin.”
Darcy kissed Elizabeth on her temple. “You are correct, my love. And do not fear... I shall do everything in my power to remain cordial with my uncle.” Darcy reached for the stack of letters. “Who else has responded?”
“Ah, this is a letter from Mama. I am afraid you will be vexed by what she has to say.”
“Perhaps not. What does she say? Are we to receive your parents and your sisters for Christmas?”
“That depends. Are you prepared to cover the entire expense of their conveyance to Derbyshire?” Elizabeth immediately felt a flush of colour rising in her cheeks having voiced her mother’s outrageous request aloud.
Darcy’s opinion of her family had been low enough upon meeting them in Hertfordshire the year before.
Hitherto, she imagined his estimation of her family could not possibly sink any lower.
Darcy must have read embarrassment in Elizabeth’s face.
He took her by the hand. “If needs be, my love. Why do you ask?” Elizabeth handed him the letter and pointed to her mother’s uncouth sentiments.
After reading it, he reached over, cupped her chin, and looked into her eyes. “Consider it done, my love.”
Elizabeth moved to sit on her husband’s lap. One by one, the pages of her letters fell to the floor as she expressed her deep love and affection for him.
“What was that about?” he asked, a quarter-hour later.
“Am I not allowed to show you how much I love you ... however and whenever I choose, my love?”
“You will hear no objections from me.”
“I received several other letters today.”
“From the Gardiners, the Collinses – both Collinses – and Lady Catherine—correct?”
“Indeed. My uncle and aunt Gardiner send their regrets. I am afraid business concerns prevent their travelling so far from London on such short notice.”
“I am sorry to hear it. I have yet to spend any time at all in making their acquaintance. Perhaps we should invite them to visit us during the summer.”
“I should like that.”
“What of the Collinses? Will they be in attendance?”
“Which Collinses do you speak of?”
“Does it matter?” Darcy considered one of the brothers Collins was just as bad as the other. What the one possessed in ridiculousness and sycophancy, the other possessed in haughtiness and arrogance.
Elizabeth suffered little doubt as to where her husband’s thoughts tended, knowing what she did of how little he abided both men. “Fitzwilliam, what manner of family holiday are we to expect if you barely tolerate Mr. Collins?”
“Which Mr. Collins?” Darcy mocked.
“You decide. Besides, I suspect you will bear the elder Mr. Collins far better than you did during your time in Kent. Ben told me about your selfless advice to him to honour and respect Mr. Collins, even when you thought that he and I might wed.”
“I am afraid you are crediting me with far better intentions than I possessed. I knew you would never go through with that marriage.”
“You did, sir? How did you suppose that?”
“I realised that you were mine from the moment our lips met.”
“You are very confident, are you not?”
He smiled at this description of himself. “Well, there is that. There is also the fact that I am nothing if not patient, my love.”
In one week, the guest list was known to all and the arrival dates of all were fixed.
Elizabeth had given in to Ben and Georgiana’s request to decorate the halls of Pemberley with fresh greenery and sprigs of holly, sooner rather than later, all superstitions about engaging in such activities before Christmas Eve aside.
Nothing proved more entertaining to young Ben than witnessing his father honour his mama under the mistletoe. The fact that Ben and Georgiana had seen fit to adorn every room with the leafy green plant with waxy white berries gave them the occasion to witness the spectacle with alacrity.
As they did most evenings, Darcy, Elizabeth, and Anne sat around the fireplace whilst Georgiana exhibited on the pianoforte with Ben seated next to her, turning the pages at her subtle cues.
Being the grown-ups in the room, it was incumbent upon Darcy, Elizabeth, and Anne to consider with great determination what the upcoming weeks might bring, to imagine every conversation they might have with estranged relatives, and to calm their anxieties and fears with what they concocted as the perfect discourse to every possible encounter.
Anne welcomed the news of the imminent arrival of her mother with a mixture of trepidation and uncertainty.
She and Lady Catherine had barely corresponded during the weeks since Anne decided to make Pemberley her home.
For once in her life, she enjoyed a sense of belonging.
Was the peace of mind and sense of worthiness she now enjoyed about to be snatched away, stolen by her mother should she demand that Anne return to Rosings Park to live with her?
She took some comfort in the notion that Richard planned to join them for Christmas.
He would protect her from her mother, should it come to that.
It vexed Anne that her uncle might persist in his scheme to force her into a marriage with Richard.
The last thing she wanted was a marriage of convenience, especially after bearing witness to the joys of a true love match, as evidenced by her cousin, Fitzwilliam, and Elizabeth.
That being said, should the genial feelings she and Richard shared grow into something more, she surely would not object.
Elizabeth sat in a chair beside her husband on the opposite side of the fireplace from Anne.
Joy and contentment shone on both their faces.
From time to time, either would reach across and touch the other.
Any excuse would do. They liked touching each other.
Anne endeavoured to suppress the smile that threatened to grace her countenance.
She wondered if the two of them were even aware of how often they behaved thus.
From across the room, Georgiana looked up in time to answer her cousin’s unspoken question with a knowing smile. Everyone’s fondest wish was that any misunderstandings the two ladies had suffered through the years, owing to Anne’s futile pursuit of Darcy, had been forgotten.
Elizabeth admired her son from across the room. He is growing up so fast. The private tutor Fitzwilliam hired is but the first step. Before I know it, he will be off to boarding school.
Seeing him beside Georgiana, patiently attending her as she performed, Elizabeth could not help thinking of Ben’s late father, Randall Carlton.
Tears pooled in her eyes. She never truly had known the happiness she now felt.
She never truly had loved anyone as she loved Darcy, and she never had felt as loved as she did in that moment.
Much had happened since she was a young maiden of seventeen, marrying against her father’s advice.
Yet, she did not regret a moment of her past. To have altered a single course in the path that she had chosen thus far meant that she might not have been blessed with the gift of her beloved son.
Where would I be without Ben? What would I be without Ben?
Elizabeth subconsciously touched her belly. If what she suspected was true, Ben might soon have a sibling.
Always in tune with his wife, Darcy made note of her gesture. Elizabeth often does that, he silently conjectured. Leaning forward, he whispered softly, “Is there anything you wish to confide in me, my love?”
Elizabeth raised a silencing finger to her lips. The two lovers shared a knowing smile.
Tick ... tock ... tick ... tock. As much as Darcy enjoyed such moments with his family, try as he might, he could not help glancing towards the clock atop the mantle and wondering why it loomed louder than the lovely sounds emanating from the pianoforte.
The end of Georgiana’s rendition of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata coincided with the musical carillons of the clock.
“Bravo, dearest Georgiana!” He stood and stretched his legs, sauntered towards the instrument, and extended his hand to Ben. “It is time for bed.”
Elizabeth set aside her sewing and crossed the room to join her husband. “Georgiana and Anne, if the two of you will pardon me, I believe I shall retire for the evening, as well.”
If Elizabeth’s leave-taking came as a surprise to either Georgiana or Anne, they did not intend for her to know.
Moments later found Ben tucked in his bed, recanting a familiar refrain for that time of the evening. “Why can I not stay up a while longer, Da?”
“Ben, are we to have this conversation every night? Your bedtime is fixed, and no amount of conversation on your part will persuade me otherwise.” Darcy was adamant in that regard.
It had taken far longer than he would have thought for Ben to fall asleep in his own bed and remain there throughout the night without waking and joining him and Elizabeth in the master’s suite.
What was a man violently in love with his bride to do?
“But what about Christmas Eve? You promised I might stay up past my bedtime on Christmas Eve.”
“Yes, your mother and I conceded to your request to allow you to remain awake an hour past your bedtime as a part of our family’s new Christmas tradition.”
Ben yawned. Darcy and Elizabeth knew sleep would find him within seconds of their blowing out the bedside candle. His voiced trailed slowly along the path towards slumber. “This will be the happiest Christmas ever.”
Elizabeth and Darcy considered Ben’s words and both silently reaffirmed their resolve to allow for the joy the upcoming family gathering might bring.
For Elizabeth, it offered second chances for healing with her dearest sister and her father; for Darcy, it promised a time for celebrating his love for his new family, rejoicing and creating memories and establishing traditions.
Darcy and Elizabeth’s sentiments sang out in harmony as both leaned forward and bestowed a light kiss on either side of Ben’s face.
Elizabeth lingered a bit longer. “Indeed, my son, this shall be the greatest Christmas ever!”