Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley

by Kelly Miller

  Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Anne, if you persist in carrying Jasper so much, I fear he will forget how to walk.”

  With a sheepish smile, Anne’s gaze lowered to the sleeping puppy on her lap. “In my own defence, I began carrying Jasper in the house to appease Mrs. Reynolds, who always looks askance upon the poor puppy as if she expects him to soil the carpets at any moment. However, I shall not deny I find it soothing to have him in my arms. He seemed to become attached to me within minutes of our meeting as if he had been waiting for me to come along and adopt him.”

  With an affectionate smile, she placed her hand on Anne’s arm. “I dare say he was.” She stood as he entered the room. “Graham, please join us.”

  He bowed to her curtsy.

  Anne offered him a nod and then pointed at the puppy on her lap. “Please excuse me for not giving you a proper greeting. As you can see, I could not be happier with my new friend. I cannot thank you enough for bringing us together.”

  “I can see a cheerfulness in you that was lacking before, and I could not be more pleased. I have come to take my leave of you. I am afraid it is time for me to return home. Miss de Bourgh, please give my best wishes to your mother.”

  Anne gave him a glowing smile. “Of course I shall. It was a pleasure to have made your acquaintance.”

  “Yours as well.” He took Elizabeth’s hand and kissed it. “I have already taken my leave of Darcy. I thank you for your kind hospitality, Elizabeth. I know I never need fret for my friend’s happiness. In you, he has found his perfect match. It has been a delight spending time with you.”

  “We have enjoyed having you here.” Elizabeth’s brow creased. “Will you not visit us again in the future?”

  His smile faltered. “I fear not. I shall meet you again one day, but by that time, you will have forgotten me.”

  She laughed. “I cannot think it possible.” Her face sobered as she gave him a steady gaze. “Do take care of yourself. I wish you all the best.”

  With a long final stare, and a solemn bow over Elizabeth’s hand, he made his exit.

  ***

  Thursday, September 21

  Darcy and Elizabeth hastened towards the stables in order to keep up with Bennet. The toddler ran at full speed after Rory, who led the way, barking as he went. His wife held the bag of treats while he carried a bucket filled with a special mixture of grains sweetened with a touch of honey.

  When they reached the stables, Bennet grabbed his mother’s hand and pulled her to the door of his pony’s stall. “Mama, open.”

  Darcy stood behind his wife, placing a hand on her shoulder as she gave Bennet a piece of apple from the bag and unlatched the door. She hesitated with her hand holding it shut. “Remember, Bennet, never sneak up on a horse. Talk to him so he knows you are there.”

  “Danny, it is me, Bennet. Here is apple for you.” His son moved towards the pony, who swung his head from his breakfast of oat hay to face him. Bennet handed Danny his snack, taking care to keep his small hand flat and open as he had been taught. After a moment, the pony returned to his meal. After stroking the pony’s neck, Bennet left the stall.

  Darcy opened the door to Regal’s stall, and he was greeted with an enthusiastic nicker as he set the bucket in the stallion’s trough. While Regal ate his treat, he rubbed the horse’s neck and shoulder.

  Bennet was standing at the entrance to Regal’s stall. An endearing crinkle formed between his son’s brows as he pointed to the bucket. “Papa, why did Regal get that? Is it his birthday?”

  He smiled at Bennet and Elizabeth, who now stood behind their son. “No, it is not Regal’s birthday, but he is a very special horse. You see, a few years ago, I was riding Regal home after visiting our neighbours, the Stewarts. When we reached the bridge at the north end of Pemberley, one we had crossed countless times before, he took one step on it and backed up, refusing to go over it. I dismounted and tried to persuade him to walk over it, but he locked his legs and resisted my efforts to pull him forward. Then he became agitated, stamping his feet and snorting, so I gave up and let him back away. I took a close look at the bridge, and it seemed sturdy enough to me, but given Regal’s unprecedented defiance, I decided to take the long way around. I sent a couple of men to examine the bridge the next day. They found that several of the main support boards had rotted and needed to be replaced.”

  Elizabeth put a hand on their son’s head. “Do you understand what Papa is saying? Regal saved him from getting injured by preventing him from crossing an unsafe bridge.”

  Bennet’s eyes grew wide. “Regal saved you, Papa?”

  “Yes, he did.” He checked the bucket and found that the stallion had finished the oat mixture, leaving the bucket with nary a trace of its former contents. He stroked the big stallion on the nose as the horse’s large, dark eyes seemed to behold him with a shining reflection of affection and intelligence. You would have saved my life a second time if you had been given the chance. Thank you, my friend.

  Removing the empty bucket from the trough, he set it down outside the stall. As Bennet moved ahead to visit the horse in the next stall, Elizabeth spoke in low tones. “I have good news to share.”

  A grin came upon his face as he admired her glowing skin, broad smile, and sparking eyes. “You are with child?”

  Her jaw dropped. “How did you know? I must caution you that it is still a mere suspicion on my part. I was unsure whether I should mention it yet.”

  He hesitated but a moment before making his reply. “Because, my love, though you are always beautiful, when you are with child, you manifest a spectacular luminous quality.”

  She searched his face. “And you are happy at this news? You will not be as anxious as you were when I carried Bennet?”

  He laughed and leaned down to kiss her nose. “I could not be happier, my love. Bennet will have a brother or a sister, and we shall have another child to love.”

  With an exultant yelp, she grabbed him in an exuberant embrace. She emitted a squeal when he lifted her up and spun her around as if she weighed no more than a child.

  Bennet’s rather chubby legs moved at an impressive rate as he ran to them. “Me next, Papa!”

  Setting his wife down with care, he kissed her forehead, and she moved aside to let Bennet have his turn. His son’s delighted squeals fuelled his grin. At length, the toddler was set on the ground, and he scampered down the aisle to greet the other horses.

  He took her hand as they followed Bennet. “Have you thought of names?”

  She peered at him with a raised brow. “Not as of yet. Since you mention it, I take it you have a suggestion?”

  “When you were pregnant with Bennet, your selection for a girl’s name was Jane Anne, so I assume you still wish to use that name for a girl.” He paused, taking a heavy breath as his gaze lingered on his wife. “If he is a boy, or if we have another boy child in the future, what would you think of naming him Graham?”

  She met his sombre expression with a crooked smile. “After your friend?”

  Darcy nodded, giving her a wisp of a smile. “Would you mind?” He had not told his wife of Graham’s true identity nor of the revelations given to Richard and him. As soon as Graham had departed, most events associated with the angel seemed less vivid and more like a dream.

  Elizabeth cocked her head as she appeared to give the matter deep consideration. After a moment, she displayed a bright smile, pronouncing the name in a lilting fashion, “Graham Darcy. Yes, it is an excellent name.”

  About the Author

  Kelly Miller is a native Californian who loves animals, singing, playing the piano, good food, good movies, and exercise. She is such an “excellent walker” that her husband—and sometimes their two dogs—has been known to trail behind her on excursions. Her appreciation and enthusiasm for both Jane Austen and writi
ng are rather recent, but are powerful and enduring.

  She lives in Silicon Valley with her husband and daughter, both of whom are trying to get her bitten by the travel bug, which she has thus far evaded.

  Kelly’s blog page is coming soon at www.kellymiller.merytonpress.com and she is on Facebook: www.facebook.Author.Kelly.Miller

  Acknowledgements

  I am most grateful to Jane Austen. In a woefully short lifespan, she created a host of unforgettable characters that continue to live on in films, books, and plays all over the world.

  This story was also inspired by a host of fantasy movies that made an impression upon me. They include: Death Takes a Holiday, The Bishop’s Wife, and Heaven Can Wait.

  I wish to thank everyone at Meryton Press for making my first experience with a publishing company a good one. The biggest possible thank you goes to my amazing content editor, Carol Bowes. Carol not only coaxed the best possible prose out of me, but with abundant generosity and patience, she taught me how to be a better writer and alerted me to the many bad habits I did not know I had. Editor Regina McCaughey-Silvia made a number of pertinent word recommendations and scouted out areas that needed reworking. Ellen Pickels lent her awesome expertise to ensure the grammar was on point, made her own inspired suggestions for improvements, and put everything in its proper format. Janet Taylor’s artistry created the perfect front and back covers, and her tireless efforts towards marketing this book to a wider audience is much appreciated.

  I also value the members of A Happy Assembly, many of whom gave me kind and encouraging comments when I posted an early, unedited version of this story. Likewise, I wish to thank several others of my unofficial beta readers: Mom, Tim, Karen W., and Selina.

  Special thanks to my daughter, Alexa, for lending the use of her photogenic countenance for my book cover.

  Book Club Questions

  Graham told Darcy he wished to live for a time as a mortal to better understand why they cling so fiercely to their lives. Do you suppose Graham achieved his stated goal? Why or why not?

  While on his holiday at Pemberley, Graham came to feel love, or perhaps infatuation, for Elizabeth. What qualities did he see in Elizabeth that attracted him?

  When Elizabeth and Darcy had their argument, which of them did you believe was wrong? Did you come to change your mind later about who was more at fault?

  Did any of Jane Austen’s characters in this story seem appreciably different from the way she created them? If so, who and why?

  This story gave readers a look into the lives of Darcy and Elizabeth a few years into their marriage. How did you feel about this portrayal? Was it different than you would have expected?

  The book describes Graham as an “angel of death.” Using examples from Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley as springboards to your discussion, consider what you think his existence is like in his world. What difficulties is he likely to face? What would give him satisfaction?

  Describe how the concept of trust was important between the key characters in Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley.

  As we get to know Graham, we learn many things about his personality. There are obvious ways in which Graham differs from Darcy, but what, if any, traits do they have in common?

  What are your perceptions of the affair between Sarah and Graham? Did Graham take advantage of her even though he refrained from employing his powers to secure her agreement? Did Graham’s arranged introduction to the altered Mr. Oakley change your perception of the affair? If so, why?

  Horses and dogs play key roles in this novel. With reference to examples from the book, describe your feelings towards the animals featured. In the Regency time frame, were people more or less likely to have close relationships with their horses and dogs than they do now?

  This novel is a romantic fantasy. Discuss other books you have read or movies you have seen that came to mind as you read Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley.