Miss Darcy's Christmas

by Karen Aminadra

  Richard was astounded by how many people crammed onto the ice that morning. They hired skates and tentatively stepped out onto the frozen river. It had been many years since Richard had the opportunity to ice-skate and his feet were unsteady beneath him. Luckily for him, Georgiana came to his rescue by taking hold of his hand. Despite them both wearing thick gloves, Richard imagined he could feel the warmth of her skin upon his.

  “Look!” Georgiana pointed as they skated past a metal brazier burning fiercely hot on the ice. “The ice must be thick indeed.”

  The notion of hot metal and fire started Richard’s knees trembling. One of his skates slipped beneath him.

  Georgiana tugged his arm closer to her, steadying him. “Careful!”

  Richard was glad she was there. If she had not been, most likely he would have landed on his behind most inelegantly. He called out to Alex, “How thick do you think the ice is?”

  “Who cares?” he cried back, skating off ahead with Rebecca.

  It took a few more minutes for Richard to find his balance and remember how to skate. For him, the key was not to think about the depth of the ice beneath him, nor the frigid river beneath that.

  After a while of skating in silence, Richard looked down and watched Georgiana confidently and effortlessly gliding along beside him as though she were born on the ice.

  “Georgiana,” he spoke, his voice catching as she upturned her head to look back at him, squinting in the sunlight.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Georgiana, forgive me if I am being impertinent and overstepping the line, but…” Richard hesitated, unsure if he should plough on.

  “Go on,” Georgiana prompted. “You can ask me anything.”

  Richard swallowed as they swerved to avoid another couple skating towards them. “What happened with Lord Hugh last night?”

  He watched her face fall and regretted asking. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry.”

  Georgiana shook her head and gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. “It is quite all right, Richard. It’s just…” she hesitated. “It’s just that I do not like even thinking about Lord Hugh.”

  At her confession, Richard wanted to pry. He wanted to know what happened between them. He desperately yearned to know if there was anything he could do to help the young lady beside him who had captured his heart. Instead, he skated on in silence hoping Georgiana would find the words to express herself.

  “I’m afraid, dearest cousin, I have been frightfully foolish yet again.” Georgiana did not look in his direction but remained staring at a fixed point ahead of them.

  Richard, however, kept his eyes firmly on her.

  “I promised myself that I would never be so foolish as to allow a man to persuade me that I was in love.” She huffed, her breath trailing out in a cloud behind them as they traversed their way around a group of children learning to skate. “And yet all it took was a little flattery, a handsome face, and some attention on Lord Hugh’s part to make me lose my head again.” She momentarily glanced back at him. “Oh, do not get me wrong. I was never in love with Lord Hugh…well, not as I perceive true love to be anyway. But to my eternal shame, it did not take very much persuasion on his part to have me fancying myself enamoured.”

  They skated on in silence for a little while. Richard was unable to find the words to console his cousin. They both smiled and waved cheerily as Alex and Rebecca lapped them.

  “After a short visit, Lord Hugh believed there was an understanding between us.” Georgiana shook her head. “I don’t know…” She huffed. “I may have said something foolish enough to give him hope. But if I did, I do not remember what it was.”

  They turned around and skated back in the direction they had come.

  “I know that your mother would have simply called it a harmless flirtation. Nevertheless, Lord Hugh certainly took it far more seriously.” She sniffed and rubbed her nose with the back of her mitten. “If I’m entirely honest with you, Richard,” she glanced at him, this time holding his gaze for a second or two before continuing, “I did not spare Lord Hugh a single thought between visits.”

  Her words filled him with hope. He held his breath.

  “It was then that I realised anything that had passed between myself and Lord Hugh was just that—a harmless flirtation and nothing more.”

  Richard’s heart hammered, and he slowly released the breath he was holding.

  “From then on, I did my level best to distance myself from him. My intention was to let him know as gently as possible that there was nothing serious between us and that he ought not raise his hopes on that account. Unfortunately, I underestimated his zeal.”

  Again, she fell silent, and Richard was unwilling to break the spell.

  “I do not know if I am being childish, but there’s just something about Lord Hugh that I do not trust. I cannot quite put my finger on it,” she muttered.

  Richard toyed with the idea of telling her all about Margaret Ainsworth and the illegitimate child she bore Lord Hugh but thought better of it. They were in a public place after all, and such a tale was more than likely to upset Georgiana rather than reassure her. The retelling could wait for another time.

  They skated on and caught up with Alex and Rebecca, who waited for them close by a food stall.

  “Anyone fancy roasted chestnuts?” Alex called out cheerily.

  Together, the four of them shared a bag of chestnuts while sitting on the wall at the edge of the river.

  Richard replayed Georgiana’s confession in his mind. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and to tell her he would never let anyone hurt her. But now was not the time. The story was not ended. She had mentioned nothing of last night’s goings-on or of what happened in the dining room.

  Alex shot off, leaving Richard with the two ladies wondering where he disappeared to. When he returned, he was carrying four tiny cups of hot mulled wine.

  “Oh, my goodness! That does taste good,” Rebecca cooed as she sipped.

  “Yes,” Georgiana tittered. “Now it feels like Christmas.”

  * * *

  It was agreed that they would take another turn or two on the ice and then head back to Pembroke Square to warm themselves through. Georgiana had to admit that she could no longer feel her toes, and the promise of going home for hot chocolate and one of Cook’s excellent mince pies was irresistibly tempting.

  There was something reassuring and quite natural about holding Richard’s hand while they skated along. It filled her with a warmth and belonging that she wished would reach down and warm up her feet. After they’d skated for a while in silence, Georgiana realised that Richard was waiting patiently for her to continue telling him about the night before. The last thing she wanted was for Richard to think ill of her, so she chose her words carefully.

  “Do you remember last night when you and Alex went in search of George?” she asked.

  “I do.”

  “That was when Lord Hugh sought me out to dance.”

  “Oh. I thought as much.”

  Georgiana watched Richard’s face fall. “Do not blame yourself, Richard. I doubt very much you could have prevented it. And besides, I knew I had to tell him something. The foolish man was under the impression that we were both head over heels in love with each other.”

  “And you are not?”

  “No, Richard! I told you I was not in love with him.” For an instant she thought she saw relief pass across his face but was unsure. “I have never been in love with him, and I can promise you wholeheartedly that I will never be in love with Lord Hugh DeVere.”

  She watched Richard’s mouth curl into smile. This time she was far more certain of the relief she saw in his face.

  “He started declaring very loudly that I had jilted him.” Georgiana shook her head. “He was making a scene! I was mortified.” She squinted up at Richard. “You don’t believe him a simpleton, do you?”

  Richard laughed bitterly and shook his head. “No, my dear Geo
rgiana, I do not believe him a simpleton. Believe me,” he held her hand tighter, “there are a great number of things that I could accuse Lord Hugh DeVere of being, but a simpleton is most certainly not one of them.

  Once again, the inkling that Richard knew far more about Lord Hugh than he was letting on raised its head.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  Richard glanced furtively around them. “Not here and not now.” They stopped skating and faced each other. “But believe me, Georgiana, I will tell you everything that I know.”

  Twenty-five

  By the time the four of them drove back to Pembroke Square, it was snowing heavily.

  As they pulled up in front of the house, Richard turned to Alex. “I think it would be best if you took Miss Hawkins directly home.” He peered out at the sky. “This does not look like it’s going to abate any time soon.”

  Alex reflected and agreed with his friend. “You’re right. Well,” he beamed at Georgiana, “it has been an absolute pleasure yet again to spend time with you, Miss Darcy. Let us hope the snow stops soon and we can repeat the pleasure, eh?”

  Georgiana thought she had never been so happy in her whole life to make new acquaintance other than that of her sister-in-law, Elizabeth. She was growing increasingly fond of Rebecca and Alex. “I hope so too.”

  “Hurry into the house!” Rebecca bade.

  Richard descended, turned back, and offered Georgiana his hand. She was grateful for his assistance. The snow was so heavy, it was falling on the tips of her eyelashes, and she could scarcely see the step to climb down. As she placed her winter boot upon the snow-covered tread, her foot slipped and she tumbled forward.

  Richard’s reflexes were lightning fast. One second Georgiana had the sensation of falling headlong forward, and the next she was being scooped up by Richard’s strong arms and being held tight to his body. Her heart pounded in her ears, not just from the shock of slipping over, but from the intimacy. All too soon, he had her on terra firma, her heart pining for a repeat of the embrace.

  “Are you all right?” Alex called from inside the carriage.

  With her cheeks ablaze, Georgiana responded, “Quite all right, thank you.” She was glad her blush could be attributed to embarrassment. Only Georgiana knew the real reason.

  “We had best get inside before she takes another tumble,” Richard chuckled.

  Georgiana caught the expression on Richard’s face. If she were not mistaken, his eyes reflected the same longing she felt. She stood motionless peering up at him through the falling snow.

  “Cheerio, then!” Alex cried and disappeared back inside carriage.

  Georgiana was acutely aware of Richard’s bodily presence as they mounted the steps. Before they reached the front door, it swung open, revealing the butler.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, sir. Miss Darcy. Welcome home.” Hobbs held the door open wide, and Richard and Georgiana hurried inside. “I am ever so glad you are back,” the butler continued, “for the mistress is in a right state.”

  “Is she all right?” Georgiana panted.

  Hobbs reassured her that Aunt Henrietta was quite all right apart from being out of sorts and upset.

  “The mistress received a visitor, sir.”

  Having taken off her outdoor things, Georgiana turned to Richard for guidance.

  “We’d better go and see her,” he said, striding past her and heading into the drawing room.

  Aunt Henrietta was in her favourite chair beside the fireplace. She stared into the flames and did not look up when they entered. However, she made sniffling noises and Georgiana guessed she was crying.

  “Mama,” Richard said as he knelt down beside her, “whatever is the matter?”

  “Oh, my dear boy! Whatever shall we do?” she sobbed.

  Georgiana dug her hand into her pocket and retrieved her handkerchief. She handed it to her aunt, taking away her damp one and leaving it on a nearby table.

  “Mrs Fotheringhay came to pay me a visit this morning.” She sniffed and blew her nose.

  Richard and Georgiana glanced at each other, puzzled.

  “And?” Richard asked.

  “She said she came to share some gossip with me.” Aunt Henrietta took a deep juddering breath. “Mrs Fotheringhay told me that she heard among the ladies of the ton about Georgiana and Lord Hugh DeVere.”

  Richard groaned and hung his head.

  Georgiana was aghast. She stepped backwards until she fell onto the settee behind her.

  Aunt Henrietta’s eyes welled with tears which spilled over and ran down her cheeks. “She then had the audacity to congratulate me on the forthcoming nuptials of my niece to Lord Hugh DeVere.”

  Georgiana swallowed, her stomach sank down into her boots.

  “Mama, I can assure you that Georgiana has never been engaged to marry Lord Hugh.” Richard said vehemently, taking hold of one of his mother’s hands. “He has invented the whole thing.”

  Aunt Henrietta looked up. Her eyes locked with Georgiana’s and the latter could see the pain within. “I should never have encouraged him, Georgiana.”

  “These rumours will die down in time when no wedding is forthcoming,” Richard mumbled. “It is something we must endure, I’m afraid.”

  “But don’t you see?” Aunt Henrietta wept. “He is telling everyone in town that he and Georgiana are to be wed.”

  “So you said. It is a lie, is it not, Georgiana?” Richard spoke with ardour. His eyes willed her to speak out.

  “Of course, it is!” Georgiana fairly screeched.

  “That is not what worries me.” Aunt Henrietta wiped at her face with the handkerchief. “If Lord Hugh persists in his assertion of their engagement while Georgina simply denies it, he may claim that Georgiana has jilted him! She will have her reputation sullied. Which gentlemen would want to court a woman if he fears she might jilt him too?”

  “Damn him!” Richard blasted, rose to his feet and stomped about the room in thought.

  Georgiana could see precisely what her aunt was getting at. Lord Hugh was ensuring that, if he could not have Georgiana, then he would make sure that it was near impossible for her to find any other man. Her stomach knotted. Tears filled her own eyes. “I wish had never come to London. I wish I had never laid eyes on Lord Hugh DeVere.” She sniffed back the tears and angrily wiped her face with the back of her hand.

  “Whatever shall we do?” Aunt Henrietta asked. “We must think of something to counter this slander and safeguard Georgiana’s reputation.”

  “Don’t you worry, Mama.” Richard stopped pacing and stared out of the window, his voice a threatening growl. “I will make certain of it one way or another.”

  * * *

  The atmosphere in the house was heavy and the conversation stilted from then on. Georgiana felt miserable and wretched, Aunt Henrietta repeatedly declared that she blamed herself, and Richard did his best to steer the discussion away every time the subject came up.

  The snow continued to fall heavily well into the afternoon. A welcome respite arrived in the form of hot buttered crumpets and tea at three o’clock in the afternoon.

  The mood lifted with the advent of something to eat and drink. Georgiana took Richard’s lead and told her aunt all about skating on the River Thames.

  By the time tea was over, Aunt Henrietta was complaining of a thunderous headache. “It is all the weeping, no doubt,” she said wearily, rising from the armchair and heading towards the door. “I think I shall take my dinner in my room tonight.” Standing in the doorway, she turned and addressed Georgiana. “I am frightfully sorry, my dear. I ought never to have encouraged that man, and I most certainly should never have teased you. Forgive me.”

  In an instant, Georgiana was out of her seat and running across the room into her aunt’s arms. “Aunt Henrietta, there is nothing to forgive.” She squeezed her tight. “The man was determined to make mischief. He knew what he wanted and set out to get it. When he couldn’t, he decided to destroy it.”
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br />   Aunt Henrietta’s bottom lip trembled.

  “I shall bear it, Aunt.” She pulled back and smiled. “And if anyone should utter a single syllable on the subject within my hearing, I shall have no compunction in telling them precisely what a horrid, odious man Lord Hugh is.”

  Aunt Henrietta chuckled. “That’s the spirit, my girl. We’ll get through this, and any man worth his salt will see you for the treasure you are.” She kissed Georgiana on the forehead and left them alone.

  Georgiana closed the door behind her aunt and returned to the settee, wishing there were some more crumpets left. She glanced over Richard. “Would you think me gluttonous if I called for some more crumpets?”

  Richard chortled and pulled a face. “No, because I might beat you to it!”

  Georgiana rang the bell and asked Hobbs if they might have some more crumpets. He returned in no time at all bearing a tray with another pot of tea and yet another plate of hot buttered crumpets.

  “Mmm…this is just what I need.” Georgiana sighed as she picked up two and put them on a cake plate.

  Richard followed suit and sat down opposite her. They ate on in silence for a few minutes before Richard asked, “Do you want me to tell you what I know about Lord Hugh now?”

  Georgiana almost dropped the crumpet in her hand. “Yes.”

  Twenty-six

  Richard observed his cousin all afternoon. Whilst she appeared hurt and upset by what Lord Hugh was attempting to do to her reputation, she handled it well. Once he heard her words to his mother, he realised he had no cause for concern whatsoever. They both came from strong, hardy stock, and he was proud to discover that she too possessed the family’s fighting spirit.

  He decided that now was better than later to tell her all he knew about Lord Hugh and his reputation for philandry. He just had to think how to phrase it without alarming her.

  Richard rose and crossed to the window. He peeked out at the sky. The sun was now setting behind the houses in front, and Richard was relieved to see the snow had stopped falling. “Georgiana!” Richard cried out, as his eyes fell on the scene before him on the road.