“So, best friends fell in love with sisters. Needless to say, that is unusual.”
Darcy laughed, “Charles married the sister with the more pleasant disposition.”
Elizabeth countered, “Jane found the more amiable husband.” Then she reached out to squeeze Darcy’s hand, and he 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 each moment of each day we spend together.”
Their banter often amused Harrison; he found Georgiana too enjoyed a spirited relationship with her brother and his wife. In Harrison’s opinion, Pemberley offered a refreshing look at English country estates.
“My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has also been asked to join us. He is a neighbor of yours; his father owns a large estate in Matlock, but as a second son he chose the military as his career. Along with myself, he serves as one of Georgiana’s guardians,” Darcy added.
“The good colonel,” Georgiana turned to Harrison, “recently became engaged to 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 Fitzwilliam and I together so they are among our favorites.”
“That will be our New Year’s party group along with the new vicar and Mrs. Annesley,” Georgiana was a bit anxious. “We hope you will agree to stay with us until then, Mr. Harrison.”
“Having no close relatives in this part of England, being able to share your celebrations will make the time more memorable.” Georgiana blushed, but she looked forward to his company. “Plus, I am anticipating the gathering you are having for the Pemberley tenants between Christmas and New Year’s. It is an ingenious idea, Mr. Darcy.”
“I can take no credit for this celebration; it is the creation of my wife and my sister as a way of remembering our mother, but their plans far exceed anything of which my mother ever dreamed,” Darcy deferred the thanks. He no longer worried about the outcome of the celebration. Because he trusted Elizabeth with his heart, he trusted her with Pemberley too.
“Fitzwilliam, what do you think of Mr. Harrison?” They lay across their bed having exhausted themselves in love.
“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.” Absentmindedly, she drew lines up and down his chest with her fingertips.
“What look?” He turned and propped himself up on his arm.
“He has the look you had when you looked at me at Netherfield. Mr. Harrison looks that way at Georgiana.”
“She is but seven and ten, Elizabeth!”
“I am but one and twenty, Fitzwilliam. 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 need to be observant of the speed of their developing relationship. I would prefer she wait to see 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 sure I can be reasonable when it comes to Georgiana’s heart.You will have to help me, Elizabeth, to see what is best for her. I realize it to be foolish, but I would never wish to have her live anywhere but Pemberley. She trusts you and will tell you things she will not tell me.Although our relationship is stronger than ever, Georgiana sees me as a parent as well as her brother.”
“You have been an excellent guardian for her, Fitzwilliam.You were no more than a child yourself when you began to be responsible for Georgiana. It must have been difficult to give up your youth to take care of her.You will make an excellent father.” Elizabeth rolled over and hid her face in his chest, thinking she said too much and knowing if Darcy looked at her at this instant, he would see her secret in her eyes. “Mr. Spencer will come tomorrow to check my ankle again. I want to be sure I can stand during the celebration for the tenants.”
“I will miss carrying you from room to room; I admit having you so close to me gave me great pleasure.” Darcy wrapped her in his arms. “Your ankle was a good excuse to embrace you several times a day without being censured for our lack of social grace.”
“It seems to me, Mr. Darcy, as this is our house, we should be able to 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 in closer to her.
“That would not be intolerable by any means, my Love.” 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 gave her a clean report, and she thought the baby bump became more evident although in her heart she knew it to be too soon. Her hand unconsciously drifted to her stomach several times a day, and she imagined Darcy’s joy when he found out.
For such a rich household, the gifts were simple—chosen books, a new walking stick, a muffler, a simple bracelet, a fan, sheet music, lace, and ribbons.These were gifts of love not of show; the pleasure came in being together as a family at last. Watching his eyes as he gave out gifts, Elizabeth took time to imagine Darcy with the child next Christmas. She decided he would spoil it with gifts of every kind.
Mr. Harrison allowed Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Darcy time alone before he joined their party, offering each a gift of his appreciation of their friendship.The Darcys dined on a Christmas goose with chestnut stuffing, bread sauce, mince pies, and Christmas pudding eaten with sugar and cream. The Yule Cake, soaked in ale and toasted, supplied the party with tradition. Darcy could not have been happier; Elizabeth hung on his neck most of the day, and they snuck off to various rooms to share intimate moments. During one such interlude, Darcy gave her a necklace of small pearls. “Elizabeth, the pearls caress your neck so beautifully; every time I look at you it is as if I see you for the first time.”
“But the first time you saw me, my dear husband, you stated I was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt you.” She kissed his neck and nibbled on his earlobe.
“Mrs. Darcy, you once said I was the last man you could ever be prevailed on to marry.” He kissed her mouth with the rush he felt each time he held her in his arms. “Can we not forget the past, Lizzy? There is nothing in my life before you—before you agreed to be my wife.”
“Then it is agreed—our life began on the road to Meryton; but may we remember our time here in August?”
“I doubt I can ever forget you in the conservatory,” he whispered.
“Then let us save the good memories and leave the bad behind.”
The day of the tenant celebration came at last. Elizabeth and Georgiana rushed about taking care of last minute details. Some of the public rooms had been rid of excessive furnishings, leaving only chairs and several small tables in each. Cold meat, bread, pie, and cider were found in each of the rooms, displayed on tables covered by simple cloths, dishware, and centerpieces of pinecones and berry branches gathered from Pemberley’s grounds. When the tenants first arrived they stood to the side of the room barely talking to anyone and not knowing what to expect, but Elizabeth and Georgiana moved from room to room talking to each family and pulling them out of their trepidation. Soon, more and more people gathered around, enjoying the food and the social time. Elizabeth took delight in hearing her husband praised for his tenants’ concerns and his efforts on their behalf. She learned of his spending two nights with the Lawford family waiting for the passing of their mother and how he rode into Lambton to get medicine for the little Damron girl when the child was sick. Meanwhile, Darcy walked about the rooms genuinely talking to the families and watching Elizabeth’s magic as sh
e met each cluster of people.When she took the children onto her lap, Darcy fantasized about her holding their own children. She held a small baby while the mother found something to eat, and he could not resist being by her side any longer. Emotions filling his reason, he came behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders for a few minutes before moving on.As he did so, she smiled brilliantly at him and mouthed the words “I love you” before releasing him with her eyes.
Some of the men brought instruments, and impromptu dancing occurred, but mostly the children played around, rhythmically moving to the music. Georgiana brought out the gifts the three women made for the families—scarves, gloves, lace, ribbons, baby items—all decorated by the ladies for the extended Pemberley family. More than one mother cried at seeing her children so happy with new things.
Darcy and Harrison watched all this from their respective corners of the largest room. Harrison wondered at the scene as it played out, making mental notes of how the celebration shaped the opinions of Darcy’s tenants. Darcy, usually miserable in large gatherings, took comfort in watching Elizabeth’s and Georgiana’s smiles. Eventually, Mr. Howard sought out Darcy. “Mr. Howard, are you enjoying yourself?” Darcy shook his steward’s hand.
“It is a pleasant gathering . . . . Mr. Darcy, if I may make an observation,” Mr. Howard started, “your wife and sister created more goodwill today than all my ministrations to running this estate. I originally questioned your wisdom in involving Mrs. Darcy in the running of Pemberley, but it was a brilliant idea, Sir. All I hear is how these people did not want to come here today.” The steward stopped suddenly, knowing he said too much.
“Why not, Mr. Howard?” Darcy asked, unexpectedly curious.
“I do not want to say anything, Sir, which may seem inappropriate, Mr. Darcy.”
“I will take no offense, Mr. Howard.We have known each other for years; I trust your confidences.”
“Your mother’s memory is precious to those who have been at Pemberley for a long time, but those years are gone; for all her generosity, Lady Anne kept the social classes; these people expected to be entertained in the barn and then sent home to their drafty houses and hard lives; but your wife opened up your home to them; they are calling her the mother of the land.” Darcy found this reference amusing, but his eyes instinctively sought Elizabeth; she interacted with the people in the room in the same way he admired her doing in Hertfordshire—one of the reasons he fell in love with her—he knew when he saw her there he needed her in his life. “Lucas and Jefferson changed their minds, Sir, about going to the city to look for work; they plan to stick it out here; they credit Mrs. Darcy for treating them like one of the Pemberley family.They still know their place, Sir, but they also know someone cares about their future.They agreed to try the four-crop rotation after all.” Howard continued his observations although Darcy watched only Elizabeth. “These people are not sophisticated, Mr. Darcy; they live their hard lives based on their beliefs and their traditions. Old Mrs. Fleming over there swears the mosaic art at the Tissington well dressing this summer was your wife and sister.”
“Mr. Howard, you know I take no notice of such superstitions.”
“You may not, Mr. Darcy, but most of the people in this room do. Even good Protestants keep these deep-rooted heathenish superstitions. If you live in Derbyshire, you know one-third of Britain’s population died during the Black Plague while most Derbyshire villages escaped such devastation. If you ask the locals, the well dressing celebrations with the blessing of the villages’ waters were the reason we were spared—just like the plagues of Egypt, we were passed over.The Tissington mosaic was of two women in a field of wheat and barley; they were dressed in green and brown. Look at what she has on; your wife looks like the emerald green valleys of Pemberley in the early spring and your sister in the brown earth hues; they epitomize the changes coming to Pemberley, Mr. Darcy, but they also show these people who profess loyalty to your family the land will always be there for them. Mr. Darcy, you chose well, Sir—very well, Sir.”
Darcy listened intently, never taking his eyes from Elizabeth. “Thank you, Mr. Howard; enjoy your evening.” He urgently wanted to be near her; he must tell her how much he appreciated her. Darcy came up behind his wife and caught her around the waist.“Have I told you this afternoon how very beautiful you look, Elizabeth?”
She smiled up at him tenderly, and her eyes sparkled with delight.“Do you not think the green is too bright? I wanted a more leafy forest green, but the dye did not take as well as I wanted.”
“Yes, it did, my dear. Mr. Howard says the people relate it to the green valleys of Pemberley in the spring.” He whispered in her ear.
Glee overtook her face. “Then it worked. Georgiana’s brown velvet is the rich land, and I am the life springing from it. It was a silly ploy—an idea sprung from a tale Hannah related last summer when I stayed at the Royal Crown about maids in the field being good luck—but I hoped it would create a mood.”
“And from where may I ask did you learn such devious manipulations, Mrs. Darcy?” His smile portrayed an interest he had never spoken.
“From the master, my Love—from you.” She smiled generously, and he tapped her chin with his index finger before moving on. He found Harrison still staring at the proceedings.
“Mr. Darcy, you are blessed with two very progressive thinking women in your household.”
“Some would not call progressive thinking in a woman a blessing, Mr. Harrison.”
“Then, they would be a foolish prats, Mr. Darcy. Look how well they orchestrated this evening. People are happy; they are praising your family as caring landowners: they praise you, Sir, for your attention to the land and your wife and sister to their attention to the people.This is a lesson I wish to replicate at Hines Park, Sir. It is amazing how something so simple may be so ingenious.”
“My Elizabeth changed me, Mr. Harrison. She gave Georgiana a voice, and now she weaves her magic over my ancestral home.You are right, Sir, I am blessed.”
Elizabeth approached, “Come, Fitzwilliam, we need to bid our guests farewell.You know everyone. It will help me learn them too if I hear you call the names. Mr. Harrison, would you consider helping Georgiana with the baskets to be given to each family?”
“Gladly, Mrs. Darcy.” He moved past her to find Georgiana in the hallway.
“What is in the basket, Elizabeth?” Darcy asked, curious as to what she thought the people needed.
“The basket is your sister’s idea, Fitzwilliam. It has some cold meat, bread, a few potatoes, corn, candy, and some tea. She even added a candle and a branch of consecrated mistletoe to proclaim in each dwelling a happy new year; and I should not forget a slice of our family’s Christmas plum cake to be shared on New Year’s for luck. Georgiana wanted everyone to have a good meal on New Year’s. She has a very generous nature, Fitzwilliam.”
As each family left to return to their lodgings, Darcy and Elizabeth spoke to them, wishing them a fulfilling New Year’s, and then Georgiana and Mr. Harrison gave them a gift of fresh food so all would have a fulfilling meal to start the new month and year.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy whispered in between families, “I was wrong; my mother was not perfection; you are, my Lizzy, you are.”
“Then I please you, Sir?” she teased and reached up to caress his cheek.
“Our matrimonial felicity, I may assure you, Mrs. Darcy, is guaranteed. By the way, the green accents your eyes.”
“Yellow is my preferred color, Sir, as well you know, but the green is a nice alternative.” She squeezed his hand before greeting the next family.
As they prepared to ascend the staircase that evening, they were both very satisfied with the day. “I will be happy to see all our guests tomorrow, Fitzwilliam. I miss Jane’s company desperately, but if I have my way, we will not see much of her or Mr. Bingley for the first few days. I know it is devious, but I gave them rooms secluded from the rest of the party. I want Jane and Mr. Bingley to find time for eac
h other.”
“Who says they did not do so already, Elizabeth?”
“Fitzwilliam, they truly have more affable natures than do we. They tended Bingley’s sisters and Mr. Hurst, as well as my mother and sisters. Could you imagine our distress if we were at Netherfield?” Darcy rolled his eyes; the image of having so many unwelcome people about would easily have him more than a bit irritable. He thought he would probably resort to physically throwing them from his home. “If it is up to me, we will not see them for at least eight and forty hours.”
“My sister’s romantic nature is influencing you, Mrs. Darcy.” He laughed at her feigned innocence.
Elizabeth tried to put on a happy face, but she was wearier than she expected; her energies spent. She sagged against Darcy as they climbed the stairs. “Are you not well, Elizabeth?”The concern he could not hide.
“I am just a bit tired, my Love.” She pushed her hair back from her face and fanned herself. Something I ate has not set well, Sir; that is all.”
“I will not have you wearing your energies so thin, Elizabeth. You try to do too much.” He picked her up to carry her to their room.
Enjoying a renewal of his attentions to her health and well-being, she whispered,“I will cut back, Fitzwilliam; I promise. After NewYear’s, you, my Love, may control my schedule.”
“Elizabeth, I plan to hold you to that promise.Your fate will be mine.”
“My fate has been yours, Fitzwilliam, for so many months. I cannot remember a time when there was no Fitzwilliam Darcy in my life.” She kissed him passionately, and then she sank back against him.
“Tonight, my Love, you sleep in my arms, and I do mean sleep.”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam, I need some sleep.”
CHAPTER 24
“I can imagine he would have that sort of feeling—the mixture of Love, Pride, and Delicacy.”
Darcy's Passions Page 37