Chapter 12
It was the Darcys’ turn to host, and both families were well settled at Pemberley, which was covered in a fresh blanket of snow.
The family was enjoying their time together, as they always did, and Andrew was regaling them with tales from his first half year at Cambridge.
Well, everyone was as happy as usual except for two members of the family.
Elizabeth was looking forward to seeing Will again to see what books that they had both read since seeing him in September, hoping at least one was in common as she enjoyed their debates about the books as much as he did, or so she had always believed.
For some unfathomable reason William seemed distant to her this visit.
He was as polite as he ever was, but whenever she would try and engage him in one of their discussions about a book or other subject, it seemed that he was always busy or had something else that he was about to do.
William could see that he was upsetting his cousin, but he was not sure if there was another way that he could create some distance between them.
He had debated talking to someone, but he let his embarrassment overrule that possibility, and besides, he did not know who he could talk to.
It did not register with him that none of his thoughts about Lizzy were sexual in nature, but he did not yet have the ability to understand the difference.
When the weather allowed it, he took long, punishing rides on Zeus.
He did know one thing for certain, he was as unhappy as his little cousin was.
He missed their talks and debates over books and other things, and he was punishing himself as much as he was her, but he felt that it was what he needed to do.
Although he was already as tall as his father, he was still a noticeably young man, still somewhat immature, and the last thing that he wanted to do was cause pain, especially not for their Lizzy; so he chose a path to deal with his confusion not knowing it was not the correct path.
He knew that no matter his attraction that he would never act on it; again missing a chance to see that his attraction for Lizzy was one of an intellectual connection only.
He was acting out of guilt, certain that somehow the feelings that were directed at Lizzy made him an aberrant.
What he could not have known was that he was causing Elizabeth to feel like he was discarding her, and this was not a feeling she liked.
She sat one afternoon searching her memories to see if she had somehow offended William, and she could find no reason for his current behaviour.
Once she was sure that she had done nothing to warrant William being distant, she decided if that were what he wanted then she would no longer seek him out.
Both the Darcy and Fitzwilliam parents noted the difference in the interactions between William and Elizabeth, but when Mr Darcy asked his son what the trouble was, William, who abhorred disguise, did something that he had never thought he would, he prevaricated to his father telling him that nothing was wrong.
Ladies Elaine and Anne sat down with Lizzy. “Lizzy what is going on with you and William?” Elaine asked her daughter. Lizzy huffed and crossed her arms protectively.
“He never has time for me anymore!” she stated truthfully.
“I do not think that he does not want to spend time with you, my sweet niece,” Aunt Anne said. “Young boys, as they become young men, sometimes want to spend more time with others like them.”
“Andrew and Richard are as they always were,” Lizzy said pointedly.
Both mothers had no ready response, so they sent Lizzy on her way to go find Georgiana and Anne. “Her observations are correct, Anne. William is the only one who seems to be acting out of the norm,” Elaine said.
“I am going to have to speak to him. I know that George tried, but mayhap it will take a mother’s touch,” Anne responded.
“William will not want to be near them if Andrew or Richard see that he is hurting their sister’s feelings,” Elaine observed.
Once the two ladies parted, Lady Anne went to check on Alex in the nursery then she went to find William. She found him on his own, hidden in his chambers. With a perfunctory knock Lady Anne entered, closed the door, and went to sit next to her son who looked miserable.
“What is the cause of this change in you, William? Especially your treatment of Lizzy,” his mother asked gently.
“I am not treating her…” he tried to bluster but his mother cut him off.
“Since when has my son who hates disguise started to use it himself?” she asked pointedly.
William was mortified. His mother had just accused him of lying and worse it was true. But he could not talk to her about it; what was he to do. “I, er, I mean…” he mumbled unintelligibly.
“When you are ready to talk you know where to find your father or me. In the meanwhile, if I were you, I would think about what I am doing and what your intent is in behaving this way. Do not forget, William, that this little girl, for that is what she is regardless of her wit and abilities, was discarded. How do you think she sees your change in behaviour towards her?” With that his mother stood, kissed him on his forehead and left the chambers.
William knew that he had made a mess of things, but unfortunately, he was stubborn, so he told himself that things would be hard for some time but then everything would work out for the best. What his mother said about Lizzy rang true on some level, but he had to believe that he was doing the right thing, otherwise he was just dispensing pain for no reason.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Since the twin’s birthday was less than a fortnight before the birth of the Son of God, rather than just one big celebration in the month of December, the extended Bennet family had two big celebrations in the month.
The three-year-olds had a most enjoyable party which included the family, and also the Lucases, Longs, and Gouldings were present.
The Bingleys had been invited but ever since their pretentions had been exposed, the three Bingley women made as few calls as possible, so they did not have to hear anyone else snicker at them.
Mr Bingley and his son did make an appearance but did not stay exceedingly long.
Bennet sat and looked at Kitty; in looks she reminded him of Lizzy, but in character they were vastly different.
Kitty was a little bit of an introvert and would defer to her twin or anyone else rather than assert herself.
Like her mother she had the greenest eyes, as three of their four children did, and William’s eyes were a light brown.
He imagined that Kitty was taller than Lizzy would have been at the same age as she had been a lot smaller than Kitty at the age when she had been stolen away from him.
Tom was somewhat of an imp who liked to push the limits.
In other words, he was a normal, rambunctious three-year-old boy.
But now it was Christmas Eve. Bennet was sitting with his brothers-in-law and their wives.
Jane was sitting with all of the children, including the older boys Graham and William, in a circle around her as she read the story of Christmas to them.
“I have two new investors in my company,” Gardiner shared, as the three men sipped glasses of Bennet’s good port which this very brother had supplied of course.
“Anyone we know, Gardiner?” Bennet asked, as he savoured his sip.
“I do not believe so. It is the Darcy and Fitzwilliam families. The wives have shopped at my warehouse a few times, were suitably impressed, and said something to their husbands. Evidently the two did their due diligence, liked what they found, and approached me to see if I was accepting any more investors,” Gardiner relayed to his brothers.
“How big of an investment did they make?” Phillips asked.
“Each one purchased a five percent stake so it was reasonably substantial, but they believe, and I agree, that the return will be substantially more than if they had left their money in the four percents,” Gardiner said.
It was not a boast on his behalf, simply a statement of fact based on his track record.
As the men were discussing their business interests, the women were talking about their families.
“How are you feeling being six months with child, Maddie?” Tammy asked.
There was much relief that she was finally with child after she had been married for some years.
Maddie had despaired and thought herself barren, but just when she had almost given up hope she had become so.
Feeling the quickening was a very joyous event for Maddie.
As she rested her hand on her swollen belly, she said, “I am doing as well as can be expected, as long as this one does not kick me too much.”
“I am so happy for you and Edward, Maddie,” Hattie offered honestly.
“One day, many years from now, our Jane will make a good mother. Look how patient she is with the children,” Maddie opined.
The other two agreed as Tammy pulled the cord that would summon her housekeeper to verify how the preparations for the Christmas Eve dinner were proceeding.
Mrs Nichols appeared within a minute and informed the mistress that all was on schedule and would be ready for the family as soon as they returned from the Christmas Eve service at Longbourn’s church.
The family loved the vicar, Mr Holden, but he was well into his sixth decade and had just taken on a young newly ordained curate, Mr Christopher Pierce.
Mr Pierce’s first sermon would be delivered at this evening’s service.