Chapter 4
By the dawn of Christmas Eve, all the Bennet and Fitzwilliam guests who had planned to be at Pemberley had arrived and settled into their routines.
Thankfully, the roads had favoured the guests throughout their journeys and all had been welcomed in their turn, several bearing a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty, purpose and hope.
Ben’s elation shone on his face and nothing anyone might say or do stood a chance of altering it.
He never recalled seeing so many people he knew and called family in one place at the same time.
Even the spectacle of Gillian and Emily in awe of his Aunt Georgiana and their wont of joining her—joining them, for her afternoon practice did not bother him as much as it might have, had he not managed to find other means of enjoying her sole company.
Ben raced to Georgiana’s door and tapped lightly. Upon his entering the room, she smiled and said, “Good morning, Ben. Have you come to escort me to the music room?”
“Indeed. I suppose the girls will be there upon our arrival. I wish to have a few words with you whilst I have a chance.”
“Ben, are you not happy to have Gillian and Emily at Pemberley? They are delightful.”
“I am satisfied to have all our family here. That is what I want to discuss with you.”
Georgiana offered her hand to Ben and the two headed towards the music room. “What would you like to discuss?”
“I simply wanted to thank you again for helping to make our grand family holiday possible. This is the best Christmas ever.”
“I assure you, it was no trouble on my part.” She was correct.
Whilst she and Ben had planned the scheme, Mrs. Reynolds, along with Darcy and his steward, had carried it through.
“Still, I am happy to know you are pleased. I confess to being exceedingly happy, as well. I wish every Christmas will find us surrounded by family and friends.”
“I could not agree more! I can hardly wait for this evening’s merriment,” said Ben.
“Nor I, to be sure,” said Georgiana.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth was equally delighted with the prospects the occasion afforded. In spite of the cold air nipping at their noses, Elizabeth and Jane enjoyed a brisk stroll about the garden and admired nature’s wondrous adornment of the shrubbery and trees.
Jane said, “What a beautiful home this is. It is almost magical, and I do not recall ever seeing you this happy.”
“It is such a pleasure to have you here, dearest Jane.”
“Thank you for inviting us. I must confess the invitation came as quite a surprise.”
“Actually, we have Ben to thank for the pleasure of receiving everyone at Pemberley for Christmas.”
“My little nephew has always had a tender heart.”
Elizabeth’s gaze drifted toward the direction in which the men had set off a half hour earlier in pursuit of the Christmas Yule log.
Whilst Darcy had meant for the excursion to serve as a basis for a tradition amongst Ben, Richard, and himself, Ben wanted both his grandfather and his great-uncle, the Earl of Matlock, to accompany them, as well.
Before long, by Lady Catherine’s contrivances, the party included both of the Mr. Collinses.
Mr. Bennet, however, being satisfied to spend every moment since his arrival accustoming himself to Pemberley’s library, made some excuse about the folly of someone of his age attempting such a feat.
Hearing of this, his wife was inclined to agree.
Thus, he had remained by the comfortable fire with a promise to read to Ben upon his return; hence starting their own tradition.
She smiled wistfully. “It is most unfortunate not everyone in our party shares your sentiments.”
“I take it you are referring to Geoffrey and young Ben’s history.”
Elizabeth had made no secret of her disapproval of Jane’s marrying Mr. Collins.
She had apologised by way of a letter, but this was her first time in company with Jane since the wedding.
In turn, Jane had written to her dearest sister and had insisted there were no harsh feelings.
Both of them had made the best choices for their situation.
Were she to do it all again, Jane would not change a thing if that is what it took to lead her to the happiness she now enjoyed with Geoffrey Collins, for he was the best man she ever knew: an excellent father, a good provider, and a loving husband.
Indeed, he was everything a gentleman ought to be.
Jane said, “Dearest Lizzy, some things are best forgotten, do you not agree?”
“Jane, if I am to be completely honest, I would say that I shall never forget the acrimony that marked my departure from Kent.”
“I confess that Geoffrey has alluded to lingering feelings of discord in that regard, as well. I know none of the particulars. I consider it a private matter between the two of you; however, it is water under the bridge.” Jane looked at her sister intently.
“I am only asking that you show Geoffrey the same manner of charity that I would show my brother, Fitzwilliam, were he ever to do anything to affect my felicity. Shall I lock the two of you in a room until both of you agree to get along as a brother and sister ought?”
Elizabeth laughed at the notion of having to endure such a sentence. “Oh, heaven forbid, dearest Jane. I dare say it need never come to that. In such case as this, I simply must rely even heavier upon my philosophy to think only of the past as its remembrance gives me pleasure.”
Snow blanketed the grounds on Christmas Day.
With the exception of Lord Matlock, everyone was so delighted in being at Pemberley that the possibility of extending their stay pursuant to a heavy snowstorm found its way into many of their silent prayers at church.
The brilliant gleam of the sun reflecting off the snow covered ground upon their return to the manor persuaded some of the members of the party to consider praying a bit harder.
Soon it would be time for dinner. The formal dining room, as well as the smaller one, gaily boasted lavish decorations of greenery and red berries on the mantles and tables, as well as in the doorways.
A misfortunate event concerning Elizabeth and her cousin William Collins had precipitated the mysterious disappearance of the, theretofore strategically placed, mistletoe about the manor.
Georgiana had made it a habit of enjoying her meals in the smaller dining room with Gillian, Emily, and Ben, of late. Elizabeth had suggested that her younger sisters might do the same. Unfortunately, Kitty and Lydia were of a different opinion and neither hesitated to voice it with alacrity.
Whilst preparing for dinner, Lydia made her sentiments known once more. “Georgiana may very well eat with children should she desire. I certainly shall not.”
“Of course not, my dear,” cried Mrs. Bennet.
“How on earth are you to garner the attention of Colonel Fitzwilliam amidst the distraction of children? Besides, you are nearly six and ten. Kitty is seven and ten. What was Lizzy thinking in suggesting such a thing? She has no compassion for my nerves!”
Mrs. Bennet suffered an added note of vexation when Mary entered the room. “Mary, how on earth do you expect to catch a husband in such a gown?”
Confusion graced the younger woman’s countenance. “Husband? Mama, I assure you that I am not expecting to catch a husband.”
“March back to your room this instant and put on the gown I had the maid lay out for you. One might only guess what type of woman might capture the colonel’s fancy. After all, who would have thought that Mr. Darcy would prefer Lizzy? All you girls must be displayed to your greatest advantage.”
Hours later, Lady Catherine was astounded by the diverse guests assembled around her beloved late sister’s table.
It is woefully plain to see that Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy is in over her head.
How dare she place her ghastly mother next to me?
The daughter of a tradesman seated next to the daughter of an earl?
Lady Catherine huffed. Clearly, Elizabeth knows nothing of protocol and etiquette. At least Mrs. Bennet has the good sense not to try to engage me in any sort of discourse.
Her ladyship observed Charlotte politely nodding in response to her husband’s nonsensical observation on the elegant table setting.
Mrs. Collins seated next to her husband, her ladyship silently protested.
Elizabeth’s sister Jane seated next to her husband, Geoffrey Collins.
Do my eyes deceive me or are those two holding hands underneath the table?
If her smiles are any indication, heaven knows what else is taking place beyond my view.
Her sardonic musings were interrupted when Darcy fulfilled his role as host in expressing his gladness at being surrounded by family members, both old and new, and then offered a toast to his wife.
Lord Matlock, in his highly prized role as head of the family, proposed the next toast.
“Mrs. Darcy, pardon me, my dear Elizabeth, it has been my honour and my great pleasure to welcome you and your son into our family. We are blessed and happy indeed to receive the rest of your family, as well. Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Collins, Mr. and Mrs. William Collins, Miss Bennet—” Oh, how Lady Catherine wished her loquacious brother would hasten to a conclusion.
She fought to refrain from rolling her eyes.
“Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia, I welcome you, one and all, to our family.” The silly young girls were beside themselves with glee having been singled out by the aristocrat as their unrestrained giggles attested.
Just when her ladyship was about to utter a silent prayer of thanks for the unexpected brevity of her brother’s speech, Lord Matlock raised his glass again.
“At the risk of speaking out of turn, I propose a toast to the increasing regard between my son Richard and my dearly loved niece, Anne.”
Lady Catherine gasped aloud. Surely, her brother was getting ahead of himself.