Chapter Twenty-Three #2
Georgiana flushed with color and did not answer, so Elizabeth added her insights. “As you can easily see, Mr. Harrison, my sister is no longer a precocious child. Miss Darcy is quite the young woman,” she added boldly.
Harrison realized his impropriety. “Forgive me, Miss Darcy, although I am no longer that skinny youth, it did not occur to me you would change also.”
Recovering graciously, Georgiana said, “Please return to your seat, Mr. Harrison.” She joined them when Harrison held a chair for her. “You say our parents were acquaintances? How well do you remember my parents?”
“I am afraid I have only childhood memories of coming to Pemberley. It overwhelmed me then as I must admit it does now.” His words spoke of the house, but Elizabeth suspected his thoughts spoke of Georgiana.
If Georgiana realized the implications of his words, she did not indicate it in her demeanor. Naturally, Elizabeth was aware of how easily the Darcys hid their true feelings, so she watched this scene play out with interest.
“May I have some tea brought in?” Georgiana offered.
“That would be lovely, Georgiana. Let us have tea and learn more of Mr. Harrison while we wait for Darcy’s return.” Elizabeth, like her father, played to such amusements.
Unsurprisingly, how easily Georgiana conversed with Mr. Harrison entertained Elizabeth.
He had traveled the world, and Georgiana held questions about the world.
In between his anecdotes, Elizabeth ascertained Mr. Harrison had sought Darcy’s advice on his estate’s soundness.
Darcy had assumed control of Pemberley at about the same age as Mr. Harrison appeared to be at present.
Harrison stated that he could seek the advice of some of his closer neighbors, but all those estates had elderly owners, and many of the estates were in decline because of lack of foresight.
Darcy held a reputation for innovation, and Pemberley had not been impacted dramatically by the draw of the larger cities. Harrison required Darcy’s insights.
When Darcy strode into his study, he had not expected the mirth and laughter that carried into the hallway.
Elizabeth and Georgiana engaged a young gentleman with an animated conversation.
He stepped to Elizabeth’s side and leaned down to kiss her hand, a symbol of his claim on her in case the stranger had other thoughts.
“Darcy, we are pleased you have returned. We entertain Mr. Harrison.” Elizabeth bestowed a broad smile upon him.
“I see.” His voice held some hesitation.
“Mr. Darcy.” Harrison politely rose to his feet and made his bow. “I am Chadwick Harrison. My parents are Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison of Hines Park.”
“I did not know of your return, Mr. Harrison. Our parents were acquaintances. I offer my condolences on your father’s passing.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am apologetic for intruding on your time. I came today to leave my card and request a date when we might speak.”
“Mr. Harrison seeks your advice, William,” Elizabeth added, “on the running of Hines Park.”
“I would be happy to speak to Mr. Harrison today if you ladies will permit me to reclaim my study.” He spoke to the room, but he looked only upon Elizabeth.
“It should be apparent to everyone, I can go nowhere without assistance. Mr. Spencer has ordered me to limit my steps. Might I prevail upon your assistance?” Their playful teasing had returned in the past week.
“Come, Mrs. Darcy.” He laughed as he swept her into his arms.
“Ask Mr. Harrison to stay for supper, William.” She looked back at Harrison and Georgiana as Darcy carried her towards the door. “Georgiana and I wish to hear more of his stories.”
“Yes, please stay for supper, Mr. Harrison.” Georgiana rose to make her exit.
“Thank you, Miss Darcy, I can think of nothing more pleasurable.”
Darcy half-turned to his visitor. “I will return in a few minutes, Mr. Harrison. That is once my new wife has her amusements at my expense.” Darcy pulled her to his chest as he carried her from the room, and she rewarded him with a kiss on the neck.
Chadwick Harrison quickly became a favorite at Pemberley.
He rode the estate with Darcy in the morning, walked the grounds with Georgiana in the afternoon, and took supper with all the Darcys in the evening.
They asked him to leave his lodgings at the Royal Crown in Lambton and stay with them at Pemberley through New Year’s.
“We are expecting my eldest sister and her husband, as well as one of my younger sisters. Jane and I shared our wedding day. Her husband, Mr. Charles Bingley, is Darcy’s intimate acquaintance,” Elizabeth added during supper.
“So, companions married sisters? Even you must see, that is unusual.”
Darcy laughed, “Bingley married the sister with the more pleasant disposition.”
Elizabeth countered, “Jane found a more amiable husband.” Darcy kissed her fingertips tenderly. “As you can readily tell, Mr. Harrison, my dear husband and I at one time had a contentious relationship, but our devotion grows steadily.”
“My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has also been asked to join us. He is a neighbor of yours. His father is the Earl of Matlock, but as a second son, he chose the military as his career. He and I serve as Miss Darcy’s guardians,” Darcy explained.
“The good colonel,” Georgiana turned to Harrison, “means to marry our other cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent. Her mother Lady Catherine is the sister of our mother. We hope Anne’s health allows her to join us.”
“The last of our guests, Mr. Harrison, will be my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, from London. They were very instrumental in bringing Mr. Darcy and me together, so they are among our favorites.”
“That will be our New Year’s party along with the new vicar and Mrs. Annesley,” Georgiana said a bit anxiously. “We hope you will agree to stay with us until then, Mr. Harrison.”
“Having no close relatives in this part of England, sharing your celebrations will make the time more memorable.”
Georgiana blushed, and Darcy wondered what might be his sister’s reason.
“Moreover, I am anticipating the gathering you are hosting for the Pemberley tenants between Christmas and New Year’s. It is an ingenious idea, Mr. Darcy.”
“I can claim no credit for the celebration. It is the creation of my wife and my sister as a means of remembering my mother, but their plans far exceed anything of which Lady Anne Darcy ever dreamed,” Darcy explained. He no longer worried about the outcome of the celebration.
“William, what do you think of Mr. Harrison?” They rested across their bed.
“He is pleasant enough. His political beliefs are more pronounced than are mine, but I admire his plan to save his land. Why do you ask?”
“Because he has that look.” Absent-mindedly, she drew lines up and down his chest with her fingertips.
“What look?” He turned and propped himself up on one arm.
“He has the countenance you had when you looked upon me at Netherfield. Mr. Harrison looks that way upon Georgiana.”
“She is but seven and ten, Elizabeth!”
“I am but one and twenty, William. You are nearly eight years my senior. They are closer in age than are we.”
“Do you believe she is interested?”
“Georgiana is comfortable in his company. We should be observant of the speed of their developing relationship. I would prefer she wait to know the depth of Mr. Harrison’s affection. Mr. Wickham was the only experience by which she may measure Mr. Harrison’s regard.”
“I am not confident I can be reasonable when it comes to Georgiana’s heart.
You must assist me, Elizabeth. I realize it to be foolish, but I would never want her to live anywhere but Pemberley.
She trusts you and will confide things she will not share with me.
Although our relationship is stronger than prior, Georgiana sees me as a parent as often as her brother. ”
“You have been an excellent guardian for her, William. I know from Georgiana’s tales how you always made time for her interests.
You will make an excellent father.” Elizabeth rolled over and hid her face in his chest, thinking she had said too much and knowing if Darcy looked at her at that moment, he would see her secret in her eyes.
“Mr. Spencer will come tomorrow to examine my ankle again. I wish to know assurances that I can stand during the celebration with the tenants.”
“I will miss carrying you from room to room. I admit having you in my arms has given me great pleasure.” Darcy rolled her to her back and draped himself over her. “Your ankle was a good excuse to embrace you several times a day without being censured.”
“It seems to me, Mr. Darcy, as this is our house, we should set our own standards. I give you permission to take me in your arms anytime you so desire.”
“Then I would never let you go, Lizzy.” Darcy’s breath came in short, shallow bursts as he moved closer.
“That would not be intolerable by any means.” She kissed him warmly as she returned to his embrace.
Christmas came to Pemberley. The house shimmered exquisitely, and Elizabeth loved everything about her new home.
Mr. Spencer presented her a stellar report, and although she knew in her heart it was too soon to tell, she thought the baby’s presence had become more evident.
Her hand unconsciously drifted to her waist several times a day, and she imagined Darcy’s joy when she revealed her secret.
Although not necessary, for the true joy of Christmas was still a religious holiday, the Darcy household exchanged gifts from love: chosen books, a new walking stick, a muffler, a simple bracelet, a fan, sheet music, lace, and ribbons.
Watching his eyes as he distributed gifts, Elizabeth allowed herself time to imagine Darcy with their child.
She decided he would spoil it with gifts of every kind.