Chapter 1.25 #7
Cassandra replied in a lower voice, ignoring Darcy, “Your guess is only half correct, Elizabeth. Indeed, I feel better than I have felt in many years, but I did not sleep at all the entire night—and neither did David.” Darcy promptly spilled his coffee on his coat.
He looked at them in disbelief, waiting for some sign of remorse from his friend or embarrassment from his wife. He saw none.
“I cannot deny that I am happy you reached an understanding with David, Cassandra; however I also cannot refrain from telling you that you are shameless to make such a public confession,” he scolded her.
Cassandra smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mr Darcy; I learned that from your wife.”
A lost Darcy witnessed Elizabeth and Cassandra laughing together. Elizabeth leaned over to him and covered his hand with hers.
“Forgive us, my love. It is a joke between Cassandra and me. I shall explain it to you later.”
“By all means, my dear wife, do explain it to me. But a little later, as now I am going to have a word with David—if he is awake.” He rose from his seat, but Cassandra stopped him with a mischievous smile.
“He is very much awake, but there is no need for you to go anywhere; he will be here soon.”
“You are shameless, you know that,” Darcy repeated to his friend, shaking his head in reprobation. Then his countenance softened, and a caring smile appeared on his lips. “I am pleased to see you happy, Cassandra.”
“Thank you, Darcy. I shall always be indebted to you—
“Oh, stop speaking nonsense; we have serious things to discuss,” he interrupted her, while Elizabeth considered that neither Darcy nor Cassandra was comfortable receiving gratitude.
“So true, Darcy. We have many things to discuss,” said the colonel, striding into the room.
“Good morning, Mrs Darcy, Lady Cassandra,” he said politely, but Cassandra laughed.
“No need to be polite. I already told them what happened,” Cassandra confessed. “I hope you do not mind.”
“Mind? No indeed, I am quite pleased.”
“I am not pleased at all, David as somebody could hear her,” said Darcy. “For heaven’s sake, there are a thousand people in this house, not to mention the servants. We must be guarded. You would not want to ruin your reputation forever, would you?”
“I am sorry, Darcy. You are correct as usual. It is your home, and I have no right to disrespect your rules. I promise I will be more cautious from now on,” Cassandra apologised, as did David, but Elizabeth began to laugh.
Neither Cassandra nor the colonel managed to discover why she was laughing. Darcy did not need to ask; he was only grateful that his wife chose not to betray his own occasional disregard for the rules.
“David, we must discuss your plans; considering the situation, I hope you will not long delay your wedding. I know I am not Cassandra’s guardian; still I dare say I am responsible for her and—
“Of course you are responsible for me, my dear elder brother,” Cassandra replied. “And I would be more than grateful to you if you would take care of everything. I already told David he was to ask you for my hand, you know. Elizabeth, shall we go upstairs now? I want to talk to you privately.”
“Gladly,” Elizabeth said, and as she rose from her seat, she leaned and unexpectedly placed a soft kiss on Darcy’s lips. He had no time to react—even less to scold her—as two servants and Colonel Thomason entered the room at that moment.
Darcy spent the next few minutes slightly embarrassed, wondering whether the others had noticed his wife’s impulsive gesture; however, he could not deny that the taste of her lips was indeed delicious. He checked the clock to see how many hours remained until he could be alone with her again.
∞∞∞
Such a joyful Christmas Eve had not been seen at Pemberley for years, Darcy thought.
He was deeply, completely happy—happier than he would have dared to dream a year earlier.
There he was, surrounded by his dearest relatives and friends and wondering how a family dinner could be so perfect.
He smiled at himself as he realised how pleased he was to have Elizabeth’s family there, though his tranquillity was somewhat disturbed.
And there were David and Cassandra; his beloved Georgiana, more lively and cheerful than he could remember; his old friend Bingley, completely charmed by his wife; and his dearest Elizabeth, glowing with happiness as she hosted their small party and frequently turned her sparkling eyes toward him.
The dinner ended, and Darcy invited the gentlemen to his library for a short drink, as they were all desirous to be reunited with the ladies as soon as possible. While they enjoyed their wine, their conversation was interrupted by Darcy’s servant, entering with an express for Mr Bingley.
“For me? Who would send me an express?” he wondered and broke the seal so hastily that he tore the paper.
A moment later, his face paled as his mouth opened in shock. The others put down their glasses and moved toward him as he was in evident need of support.
Finally, Bingley lifted his eyes to Darcy and then to David, and managed to articulate: “Caroline has left for the Continent. She married Markham a month ago.”