The person sitting beside Mr Darcy was not drawn in, but Elizabeth’s cheeks coloured as she remembered she herself had been sitting in that position.
“It is a superb likeness, Kitty,” she said, collecting herself firmly. “Though I am not sure I have ever seen that expression on Mr Darcy’s face.”
“Oh, he’s careful not to let you see it,” Kitty said with a naughty giggle. Georgiana snickered and the two girls nudged each other, making Elizabeth’s cheeks flame even redder.
“Out, Kitty,” she said firmly. “Mrs Annesley will be using Mary’s room, so Mary will need some help to move her things. I am sure she can find something for you to do.”
Still giggling, Kitty reclaimed her sketchbook and allowed herself to be ushered from the room.
“We didn’t mean anything by it,” Georgiana was telling Mrs Annesley as Elizabeth turned back from closing the door. “I only hoped…”
“This is not your business, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Annesley said, kindly but quite firmly. “Such things will happen in their own good time, if they are meant to be, without interference from little sisters, however well-meaning.”
Georgiana met Elizabeth’s eyes and bit her lip.
“It is all right, Mrs Annesley,” Elizabeth said, letting a teasing note enter her voice. “I quite understand Miss Darcy’s eagerness. If I had a brother and there was even a remote possibility of his marrying Miss Bingley, I believe I would be leaping at the opportunity to matchmake him with the first alternative lady who crossed his path, as well!”
Georgiana burst into laughter, and Mrs Ansley shook her head reproachfully, though she couldn’t help but smile.
“You might be correct there, Miss Elizabeth. That woman threatened me with dismissal for advising her, one day when she came to call, that Miss Darcy was at her music practice and not able to receive her. Had I ever thought for even a moment that Mr Darcy might entertain the idea, I believe I should be joining in the matchmaking with a will!”
Georgiana’s laughter turned to coughs then, and both Mrs Annesley and Elizabeth turned to the task of attending to her, though they smiled often at each other as they comforted their charge.
With Georgiana’s maid Delia now present to care for her mistress as well as Mrs Annesley, Elizabeth soon found herself surplus to requirements in the sickroom. Excusing herself, she rejoined the boisterous party below stairs, happily agreeing to a game of Blind Man’s Bluff with her young cousins, with whom she always delighted in playing. She soon suspected that her entire family was in on the matchmaking attempts when she removed her blindfold to find herself quite unaccountably beneath a sprig of mistletoe, Mr Darcy right in front of her.
Elizabeth looked instinctively to her father, but Mr Bennet was smiling indulgently at her. Even sedate Jane, quite caught up in the excitement of the moment, cried out that they must surely kiss, else bad luck would follow!
Tentatively, Elizabeth rose up on tiptoe, meaning to place her lips to Darcy’s cheek. As she neared, though, she saw the edge of his mouth kick up in a broad smile, and right at the last moment, he turned his head so that their lips met.
Whoops and cheers from her gathered loved ones had Elizabeth’s cheeks blushing scarlet as she dropped back down to rest on her heels again, but she could not keep the smile from her lips. Mrs Bennet clapped her hands and embraced Mrs Gardiner, crying out excitedly that soon she should have two daughters married, and Mr Bennet departed the room for his study, glancing meaningfully at Darcy as he did so.
Not about to be left out of any conversation about her future, Elizabeth slipped from the room mere moments after Darcy, boldly opening the study door and entering without knocking just as Darcy was in the midst of asking Mr Bennet’s formal permission to court her. Both men gaped at Elizabeth, shocked.
“Elizabeth, this is not…” Mr Bennet began.
“I am sure you were not going to say this is not my business,” she cut him off with an arch of her brow, and even her father could not argue that point with her.
Darcy laughed. “Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, you are as always correct. This is very much your business, and I think it a disgraceful custom when men arrange women’s affairs without reference to the ladies in question. I assure you that I intend Georgiana to have a say should any young man ever dare approach me with a request to court her.”
“No doubt she will be delighted to hear it,” Elizabeth said pertly, before turning back to her father. “Well, Papa?”
“Well, indeed.” Mr Bennet sighed and took a seat behind his desk. “If Mr Darcy had come to me a month ago with this request, I should have laughed in his face and told him that he was the last man on earth you would ever marry, but I believe you may have had a change of heart, Lizzy?”
“You know how greatly we have all been misled as to Mr Darcy’s character, Papa.” She gave him an appealing look.
“Just a moment,” Darcy interjected, making Elizabeth turn to him in surprise. “I would not have you make excuses for me, Elizabeth. I acted like a pompous prig on my first visit to Hertfordshire, and I am heartily sorry for it. While my character may have been misrepresented by Mr Wickham, I must also bear some blame for the impression you gained of me.”
“Well said, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet said with a nod, “and it is your recognition of your own failings, and your obviously genuine efforts to remedy them, which have led me to the conclusion that you are one of the best men of my acquaintance — and the only one upon whom I might ever consider bestowing the hand of my dearest Elizabeth. If, of course, she does not give you the Collins treatment and inform you that you are the last man on earth she could ever be persuaded to marry!”
“Papa! I did not say that!” But Elizabeth was smiling. “I only told him that I could not make him happy, and I was convinced he could not make me so.”
“What, then, of Mr Darcy, dear Lizzy?” Mr Bennet became serious, reaching to take her hand in his and pressing on it gently. “Do you think he could make you happy?”
Elizabeth darted a sideways glance at Darcy, who waited with his heart in his mouth for her answer. “I believe so,” she said at last. “And I hope, and pray, that I might be able to make him happy, too.”
“I see.” Mr Bennet did not release her hand, but he did turn his attention to Darcy. “How, then, shall we proceed from here, you two? Since you are apparently making decisions mutually now, perhaps you might care to inform me of your intentions?”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth; the corners of her lips turned up in a small smile. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to drop to one knee, but she spoke, forestalling him.
“A courtship, I think, Papa. Mr Darcy and I — our rapprochement is still quite new. We need to come to know each other when we are not deliberately trying to ruffle each others’ feathers.”
“And a courtship offers you the option to get to know each other without the restrictions of formality,” Mr Bennet nodded slowly, finally releasing Elizabeth’s hand. “This is to your liking, Mr Darcy?”
“If I had any indication that she would accept, I would propose right now,” Darcy said honestly, “but I am content to allow Elizabeth all the time she needs to make her decision.”
Elizabeth’s smile was soft and tender as she gazed back at him. “Not so very much time, I think,” she said with a smile, “but some, at least. I would not for the world steal the centre of attention from Jane and Bingley right now. Besides, their engagement will keep Mama from paying undue attention to us.”
Mr Bennet cocked his head. “You do not propose to make the courtship public, then?”
“I think it unwise to try and keep the news from getting out,” Darcy said thoughtfully, even though he saw Elizabeth frown slightly. “There are too many residents in Longbourn, Mr Bennet, among them my sister. I have only lately promised to keep no more secrets from her, and I fear her excitement at the news would be such that she will be unable to keep it to herself.”
Elizabeth sighed. “You are correct, Mr Darc
y; I must confess, I had not considered Georgiana. Of course you would want to tell her. Very well, then.”
“If you are truly set against it…” he began, but she shook her head.
“No… perhaps I just wanted a day or so to get used to the idea before driving Mama to new heights of excitement.”
Mr Bennet chuckled at that. “You might as well get it over with, Lizzy. Perhaps having Jane and Bingley to divide her attention will be for the best.”
Darcy could not disagree with that assessment, and from Elizabeth’s expression she too was feeling relief that Mrs Bennet would not be solely focused on their courtship. He had the sinking suspicion that Mrs Bennet would be hinting at him to propose sooner rather than later and putting unconscionable pressure on Elizabeth to accept, no matter her inclinations.
After further discussion, they agreed with Mr Bennet that the morrow would be soon enough to formally announce the courtship to the rest of the party. Darcy wished to inform Georgiana first, and Elizabeth was more than happy to let him do so. Georgiana was, after all, the one whose life would be most greatly affected if Darcy and Elizabeth chose to progress beyond mere courtship.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Shall you go up to see her now?” Elizabeth asked as they took their leave of the study, pausing outside the parlour door.
“I will, though she may be sleeping. She will be delighted, you know.” He looked down at her seriously. “You need not fear that she will not accept you. I assure you, she will be as ardent an advocate as you might wish.”
“I was already confident of it, to tell the truth.” She smiled up at him. “The rest of your family may not be quite so delighted, however, to hear of your interest in an impoverished country miss with little beauty and no connections.”
Darcy glanced at the closed parlour door. “Allow me to set your mind at rest,” he said, his arm stealing around Elizabeth’s waist, “on at least one of those matters. Nobody, upon spending more than the briefest time in your presence, could think you anything other than one of the handsomest women of their acquaintance. Every moment I have spent in your company improved your looks in my eyes, until I am now quite certain you are the loveliest lady I have ever been privileged to look upon.”
She found it quite difficult to breathe, never mind think, when he was looking at her like that with his dark brown eyes gazing deep into hers, his deep voice intimately hushed.
“I have found — that you — improve upon better acquaintance too, Mr Darcy,” she said, quite breathless.
“Call me Will,” he whispered, before brushing her lips very softly with his own.
“Will,” she breathed in response, and his eyes darkened.
“Go into the parlour, Lizzy. Before I forget myself.” Lifting his head, he dropped his arm from around her waist and took a deliberate step back. “We are, after all, merely courting.”
She laughed, blushing a little at his teasing tone, and retreated into the parlour. Mrs Bennet gave her a look full of expectations, but Elizabeth did her best to look unconcerned, going across to take a seat beside her aunt. Mrs Gardiner glanced at her and Elizabeth returned a look full of appeal.
“I brought a new fashion magazine with me,” Mrs Gardiner said then, “should you like to see it, Lizzy? There was a design for a day dress in there which I think would be most fetching on you.”
Grateful for her aunt’s assistance, Elizabeth declared at once that nothing would please her more, and her aunt duly produced the magazine.
Mrs Annesley opened the door to Darcy’s knock, and gave him a quizzical look. He realised he had a broad grin on his face, but could not for the life of him suppress it.
“I wonder if I might have a few minutes to talk to Georgiana alone, Mrs Annesley?” he requested. “I have some news to share with her.”
“Indeed?” Mrs Annesley’s tone encouraged him to enlighten her.
“It will not be made public until tomorrow,” Darcy apologised, “though it is quite possible you have already guessed, knowing your astuteness.”
“If I did not suspect already, the smile on your face would have confirmed it for me. My lips are sealed, but I wish you every happiness, Mr Darcy. Delia, come with me for a few minutes,” Mrs Annesley turned to call to the maid. “Mr and Miss Darcy wish for a private conversation.”
Georgiana was sitting up in bed, pillows propped behind her and a shawl swathed around her shoulders. She looked inquiringly at Darcy as the door closed, leaving them alone.
“What is it, Will? News of Wickham?” Her mouth twisted when she said his name, as though she had bitten into a sour lemon.
“No. I leave his pursuit in the capable hands of our cousin, dearest. Likely enough, we will never hear his name again.” Shaking his head, Darcy drew a chair up beside the bed and took Georgiana’s hand in his. “No, I have some much better news to share. The rest of the household will be advised tomorrow, so you must not speak of it to your maid or Mrs Annesley yet, but I could not keep it a secret from you for a minute longer.”
“How long have you kept it a secret already?” Georgiana demanded, narrowing her eyes at him.
Darcy pretended to consider. “Well, it has been more than five minutes, I think, but certainly less than ten.”
Georgiana giggled at his teasing, and he was pleased to hear laughing no longer made her cough. Smiling lovingly at her, he said “I have just come from Mr Bennet’s study, where I asked his approval to court Miss Elizabeth with a view to marriage.”
Georgiana clapped her hands with delight, before suddenly freezing. “Wait… Will, have you asked her yet?”
“Oh yes, I did that right after she told Mr Bennet I might.” Laughing at his sister’s shocked expression, Darcy knew nothing else would satisfy her but a complete recounting of the entire conversation. More than willing to relive those happy moments, he settled more comfortably into the chair and began.
While Darcy did not wish to draw too much attention to his interactions with Elizabeth, she was once again seated beside him at dinner, and he was able to quietly advise her that Georgiana was entirely delighted with their news. Elizabeth favoured him with a joyous smile.
“I have told nobody, though I think my aunt suspects,” she murmured back, her soft words covered by the clinking of plates as the serving dishes were passed around.
“I think your aunt is a very perceptive woman,” Darcy said. Mrs Gardiner was even then giving them an amused look. He was quite sure that tomorrow’s announcement would come as no surprise to her. “Shall you tell Jane?”
“Tonight.” Elizabeth smiled at him again as he spooned potatoes onto her plate. “I can barely hold my excitement in, I must share it with someone!” Her eyes were sparkling brightly. To Darcy she had never looked more beautiful. He wanted to stand up right then and there and proclaim to the world that he was in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and one day soon she would be his bride, the new mistress of Pemberley. Just as soon as he could convince her to accept his hand, anyway.
Catching her father’s sardonic eye from Mr Bennet’s seat at the head of the table, Darcy restrained himself. Contenting himself with a quiet “I believe I know exactly how you feel,” to Elizabeth, he turned to offer the potatoes to Mary, seated on his other side.
Darcy did not know quite how he managed to get through the meal without saying something untoward. Elizabeth was laughing, happy as he had never truly seen her, turning her shining eyes to him again and again. He was transfixed, barely able to eat the excellent dinner. Somehow he muddled through and managed to recall his manners enough to compliment Mrs Bennet on the quality of Longbourn’s table. The lady of the house beamed at him; there was no way she could possibly have missed his attentions to Lizzy. No doubt she was already mentally planning their wedding.
He found that he did not care in the slightest what extravagances Mrs Bennet might have in mind. The only thing he wanted at his wedding was Elizabeth as his bride.
The family were to walk to the
church that evening for Midnight Mass; Georgiana and Kitty were staying behind, not considered well enough to be permitted outside in the cold night air. Mrs Annesley elected to remain behind too, but the rest of the Longbourn household set out a little after eleven o’clock, the servants carrying lanterns to light their way. Bingley had driven over from Netherfield, of course; he would not miss the chance to spend a moment with Jane, even though it would mean a very late return home for him.
Standing in the church with Elizabeth by his side as the parson spoke of God’s love for all humanity and the joy of the Christmas season, Darcy could not help but think that this year, he had found his very own Christmas miracle. While he would never have wished Georgiana’s misfortune upon her, without her thoughtless flight to Hertfordshire and her subsequent illness, it was very likely he would never have crossed paths with Elizabeth again, would never have had the chance to set straight the misunderstandings between them.
A note of music startled him, and he looked up to see the parson’s wife at the pianoforte, beginning to play a carol he recognised; the sweet notes of Mendelssohn filled the small church. Beside him, Elizabeth’s sweet voice rose in song.
“Hark, the herald angels sing! Glory to the newborn King!”
Lifting his own voice to join hers in giving praise, Darcy sent a silent prayer of thanks heavenward along with the Christmas hymn.
Yes, he thought as Elizabeth’s bright eyes sparkled up at him, as her gloved fingers brushed his lightly on the hymnal they shared. This year, he had a great deal to be thankful for.
A Christmas Miracle At Longbourn (The Darcy And Lizzy Miracles Book 1) Page 17