Miss Darcy's Christmas

by Karen Aminadra

  In an instant, Georgiana was on her feet and by his side. “Whatever is it?”

  “Look!” Richard pointed.

  The snow that afternoon had fallen thick and fast, settling a hefty layer covering everything and silencing the world. From around the corner came a carriage on sleigh tracks, its occupants giggling with excitement.

  “Oh, my word!” she exclaimed.

  Richard looked down as Georgiana’s face lit up like a candelabra. They watched the carriage’s progression down the street and, to the delight of both, another one followed as the first passed out of view. This one’s occupants were mainly children whose excitement bubbled over.

  “What would you say if I had sleigh tracks put on our carriage?” Richard asked as his cousin’s upturned face answered him immediately. “We could take a ride together.”

  “Oh, yes! That would be delightful!” Georgiana turned back to the wintry scene outside the window, almost pressing her nose against the ice-cold pane.

  “I’m quite certain that Mama would have no objections if we converted the old phaeton.” In a flash, Richard left the room in search of Hobbs.

  Richard didn’t miss the look of exasperation on Hobbs’ face. He pushed it to one side. He realised the man was getting on a little bit in years, but it wasn’t as though he would personally have to put the sleigh tracks onto the carriage. He wondered briefly, as he headed back into the drawing room, if they hadn’t been overly lenient with him.

  “Right.” Richard clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “That’s that all sorted. Now, Georgiana,” he crossed to her and laid his hands upon her shoulders, “let’s get ourselves prepared to brace the chill winter evening, shall we?”

  Richard led the way upstairs to the bedrooms. He did not know which one of them was the most excited, himself or Georgiana. As he bounded into his room, changed into a pair of thick socks, and retrieved his greatcoat, scarf, and mittens, Richard saw it all as a stroke of luck. It would be far easier to explain about Margaret’s baby and Lord Hugh’s reputation while they were driving along and enjoying such a beautiful wintry scene.

  Richard arrived back down in the entrance hall before Georgiana and had the pleasure of watching her descend the stairs. She was elegantly dressed in a long deep green woollen pelisse with matching fur-trimmed scarf, gloves, and bonnet. Richard’s heart stopped. She is perfection itself, he thought. He blinked rapidly to clear his mind. “You look wonderfully warm.”

  “It is my intention to remain so,” she giggled, lifting up the blanket in her hand. “Whilst it is fun and exciting to take a sleigh ride in the snow,” she quipped, checking her scarf was tight enough around her neck, “the last thing either of us wants is to come back with a ghastly cold and with our extremities like blocks of ice.”

  “You are quite right,” Richard chuckled along with her. “It would dampen the spirits somewhat if we were to freeze to death.”

  Hobbs appeared, informing them the phaeton was ready, and together they rushed headlong out of the house and climbed into the waiting carriage.

  Richard dismissed the driver, took hold of the reins himself, and they set off, sliding along the snow.

  For a while neither of them spoke a word, simply enjoyed the night and each other’s company. Richard, however, knew he had made a promise to tell his cousin everything he knew about Lord Hugh. He had no idea how his cousin would take it nor how she would likely be affected by the sad tale of Margaret Ainsworth. Mentally he checked his pocket for a handkerchief. He never felt fully dressed unless he had one seconded somewhere about his person.

  “I believe now is as good a time as any for me to tell you about Lord Hugh.” Richard moved so he could see his cousin’s face.

  The smile she wore slipped. “Oh. Very well then.”

  “I do not wish to ruin this beautiful evening, but this night might take away some of the ugliness of what I’m about to tell you.”

  He watched Georgiana settle into the corner of the phaeton, ready to listen to all he had to say; then he turned his attention back to the road before taking a deep breath and beginning with rumours that reached his ears when they first arrived in London.

  Throughout the telling, Georgiana remained stock still. She did not utter a word or even move a muscle until he was done.

  “And this is the man who wishes to marry me,” she breathed, her voice heavy with sadness.

  “I’m afraid so.” Richard glanced back at her. He could not read her expression.

  As the silence dragged on, Richard wondered whether he should turn the phaeton about and head home when Georgiana finally spoke up.

  “And what is to be done?”

  “About Lord Hugh?” Richard sputtered. “I had not thought to do anything about him. Other than to tell you, that is. I do not wish to be responsible for ruining the man’s reputation.”

  “It seems he is doing very well at ruining his own reputation, wouldn’t you say?”

  Richard had to admit she was correct.

  “No, what I meant was, what is to be done about Margaret Ainsworth and the child?”

  “What do you mean?” Richard’s eyes traversed her face in an attempt to read her mind.

  Georgiana sat upright and shuffled a little closer to him. An involuntary smile graced his lips at her proximity. “What I wish to know is who is taking care of Margaret and the child? You said her father was without work now.”

  “He has a small income.”

  Georgiana snorted. “The sum you told me is hardly sufficient for Mr Ainsworth, two daughters, a grandson, and servants. What is Lord Hugh to do? Does the Duke of Somerset know about his grandchild?” She slipped her arm into Richard’s, snuggling up to him.

  “I’m afraid to say the Duke of Somerset does know about little Walter. And, no, neither is doing anything about it.”

  “So she is entirely friendless,” Georgiana’s voice faltered, and she laid her head against Richard’s arm.

  She feels it deeply. Richard wanted nothing more than to stop the carriage and hold her. Yet he did not. He feared she did not feel for him as he felt for her. Could she ever love me?

  “What kind of trade does her father have?” Georgiana asked him.

  “He used to work as a bookkeeper for a bank here in London,” he informed her.

  She frowned in thought. “Can a position not be found for him in Bournemouth?”

  “I do not have any contacts in Bournemouth, I’m afraid,” Richard confessed. “Or else I would help the man.”

  “What about private work?” Georgiana sat bolt upright, turned and faced him. “Will Alex not need a bookkeeper or accountant when he is married?”

  Richard was overwhelmed by her questions but touched by her compassion and desperation to help the family. “I cannot rightly say. I have no idea how Alex’s finances are arranged. At present, I believe his father handles his allowance.”

  “And when he is married and has a household of his own,” Georgiana splayed out a gloved hand, opening her eyes wide, “he will need to take on someone to make sure he does not exceed his income, will he not?”

  Richard chuckled. “Most gentlemen do that themselves.”

  He watched Georgiana frown and pursed her lips at him. “Surely it would be more prudent to have a professional look at the account’s ledgers, would it not?”

  Richard laughed harder. Finally, he understood her train of thought. “Yes,” he grinned, “I believe it would be most prudent to have one’s own bookkeeper.”

  Seemingly content that Richard now understood her, Georgiana laid her head back upon his shoulder. “And it would be even more prudent to keep that bookkeeper on a retainer throughout the year, do you not think?”

  Richard could not prevent himself from chuckling at her audacity. “You are quite right, dearest Georgiana.” The laughter stopped, and his voice deepened. “It is much better to allow the man to provide for his own family rather than giving him charity.”

  “He is quite likely
too proud to accept charity.”

  “Again, you are right.” He rotated his head as she lifted hers, and he gazed lovingly into her eyes. “Your compassion astounds me.”

  Richard could see she held her breath.

  Her voice was thick with emotion when she spoke. “Surely any decent human being would feel the same.”

  “I fear that these days, they are few and far between.”

  A cry ahead forced Richard’s eyes back on the road only to discover the carriage had drifted to the right and into the path of an oncoming carriage. He was embarrassed he lost control, but even more, he lamented losing the moment between them.

  As Georgiana settled back, nestling against him, Richard turned the carriage towards the river, wondering what was going on there that evening.

  * * *

  Georgiana saw the signpost and knew Richard steered them towards the river. She was curious to discover what was happening on the frozen river. Long before they even reach the riverbanks, they heard strains of music on the air, singing, and the unmistakable sound of merrymaking.

  Georgiana smiled at Richard as he gazed down at her. “It sounds to me as though London is thoroughly enjoying this particularly cold snap in the weather.” He grinned.

  “Indeed, I believe she is.” Georgiana’s stomach fluttered with excitement.

  “The least we could do is stop for a cup of mulled wine, should they have any,” Richard shrugged.

  Georgiana giggled. “It would not be in keeping with the festive spirit were we to pass up such an opportunity.”

  “Indeed, you are right.” Richard sniggered and spurred the horses on. “I believe it is our civic duty to participate.”

  Georgiana gripped his arm tighter, buried her face in his sleeve, and laughed. “Besides, we cannot very well report back to your mother if we have absolutely no experience of the festivities whatsoever.”

  Richard threw back his head and laughed in a way that made Georgiana’s heart soar. “Do you know, I believe you’re right!”

  The pair of them, infected by the contagious Christmas spirit, laughed and joked as they parked the carriage amongst the others beside the river bank. Georgiana wished the night would never end. She did not believe she had ever felt so contented, and she never wanted to leave Richard’s side.

  Richard helped her to dismount, and together they made their way onto the ice.

  “Look! Over there!” Richard pointed. He bent his head down so close to her face that she could feel his breath on her skin. “Let’s get some mulled wine to warm us through.”

  Georgiana merely nodded, unsure whether she could find enough voice to answer.

  The mulled wine certainly did its trick. The hot spicy beverage burned its way down Georgiana’s throat and into her stomach, warming her much faster than she expected.

  She spied a Punch and Judy puppet show, and they made their way towards it. “I haven’t seen one of these since I was a little girl,” she cried out to be heard.

  “I remember how well you loved it whenever the travelling fair came to Lambton.”

  They stood with the other revellers, men, women, and children alike, watching the performance put on by the puppeteer.

  Their enjoyment was cut short by the screeching sound of a voice Georgiana hoped she would not have to endure again.

  “Cooey! Miss Darcy!” the disembodied voice cried out.

  Richard turned around and complained in Georgiana’s ear. “Dear God in heaven! Spare us.”

  “Miss Darcy! Oh, it is you!” Lady Francesca reached them. “My brother said it couldn’t possibly have been you, for he believes you at home, but it is! Imagine my surprise.”

  Georgiana’s eyes darted around the sea of people at the mention of Lady Francesca’s brother. She was gratified when Richard took a protective step closer to her. She clung on tighter to his arm, her heart pounding in her chest at the thought that any moment now Lord Hugh would appear from out of the crowd.

  “What unseasonable weather we’re having!” Lady Francesca pouted.

  Georgiana hid a smile as Richard scowled at the Duke’s daughter. “What do you mean unseasonable? It is winter, and it is freezing. In my experience, the two go hand-in-hand.”

  “How droll you are, Colonel Fitzwilliam!” She chortled falsely and flapped a mitten in his direction. “I am aware that it is winter, and it is perfectly normal to have freezing temperatures, but even you must admit these are unusual.”

  Richard bowed. “You are right.”

  Georgiana felt him tense beside her. She did her level best to think of a reason to depart so soon after their arrival.

  Lady Francesca gushed with happiness. “I am so excited for you, my dear Georgiana!”

  “Oh?”

  Lady Francesca tapped her playfully on the arm. “Yes, silly! My brother told me this morning.” She grinned at them expectantly.

  Both Georgiana and Richard were nonplussed. Georgiana blinked at her.

  “Oh! How you can contain your excitement is beyond me,” she squealed.

  Cautiously Georgiana replied, “Excitement? Excitement about what?”

  “About your engagement to my brother!” Lady Francesca clapped her gloved hands together. “I can tell you most sincerely that Hugh has not talked of anything else all day.”

  Georgiana felt her knees go weak and buckle underneath her. “I…”

  Richard put his arm around her waist and held her steady.

  “Hugh says he will travel to Somerset to see father and ask his permission tomorrow morning.” She beamed at them. “Just think, Georgiana! By the summer you and I will be sisters.”

  Georgiana trembled with fear until she realised that Richard, standing so close to her, was also trembling. She glanced up into his face and saw fury there.

  “I beg your pardon, Lady Francesca, but I believe you are mistaken.” Richard’s voice contained no hint of friendliness.

  “Indeed, I am not.” Lady Francesca stuck out her chin. “My brother informed me this morning that he proposed to Miss Darcy last night at the charity ball.” She leant a little closer to Richard, unafraid of his stature or the edge to his voice. “My brother says that Miss Darcy accepted his proposal and that they shall be married in the summer.”

  “What? I never said any such thing,” Georgiana stammered, a wave of nausea washing over her. She shook from head to foot, and just when she thought things could not get any worse, the sea of people parted to reveal a very drunk Lord Hugh making his way towards them.

  “There she is!” Lord Hugh bellowed, his mark of ale sloshing onto the ice beneath him as he staggered towards them. “The love of my life, Miss Georgiana Darcy!”

  Georgiana wanted the ice to open up and swallow her whole. The people around them started gossiping and pointing towards her. Her eyes welled with tears of indignation. “I am no such thing and you know it.”

  “What’s that?” Lord Hugh exaggeratedly put his hand to his ear to hear her better. “Are you saying you are not the love of my life when we are engaged to be married?”

  Georgiana hissed, “We are not engaged, Lord Hugh!”

  He turned around in a circle, his arms spread wide. “We are to be married in the summer, you know,” he called out to the crowd at large.

  “You lie!” Georgiana sobbed.

  “What?” Lord Hugh spat. “You’re jilting me?”

  Georgiana then realised the whole thing was staged. Her stomach sank. “How can that be when we were never a couple? Stop lying!”

  “How could you?” he bellowed, his face an exaggerated picture of pain. “Why are you ending this, my love? Do not jilt me, Georgiana!” He stretched out his hands towards her.

  Georgiana sidestepped behind her cousin.

  Richard stepped forward. “That’s enough, Lord Hugh. Let’s talk about this sensibly.”

  “Oh, I should have known you would be here,” Lord Hugh’s words slurred as he turned back around and pointed a wavering finger in Richard’s directio
n. “Has she turned her affections to you now? I wouldn’t put it past her.” He spat on the ice. “Don’t trust her, whatever you do.”

  Richard strode up to the drunken man and stood almost nose-to-nose with him. “I said that is enough.”

  Georgiana caught a glimpse then of Richard, the soldier. That was a part of his life she never got to see. She only knew Richard, the gentleman. Now she knew that Richard, the soldier, was just as much a gentleman.

  “What do you think you’re going to do about it, eh?” Lord Hugh breathed in Richard’s face.

  Georgiana watched Richard’s fists clench and then release. She would not be in the least surprised if Richard was tempted to strike the fellow.

  “So confess it. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Lord Hugh pushed on. “You’re in love with my fiancée, and she has transferred her affections to you,” he bellowed.

  “You either stop this foolishness now or I will make known your reputation throughout the country. Is that clear?” Richard growled.

  Lord Hugh’s eyes opened wide and he laughed. “You seek to sully my reputation?” He pointed past Richard’s shoulder directly at Georgiana’s face. “It is she who ought to have her reputation sullied for what she’s done to me.”

  “In refusing to marry you, Georgiana has only done what her family would have forced her to do in any case.”

  Lord Hugh’s eyes bulged in their sockets. “You what?” He swallowed and staggered backwards. “Her family would have refused their consent?” he demanded, not quite believing what he was hearing. He snorted.

  “That’s right.” Richard nodded. “Shall we say that we find the idea of your other women and…other children…distasteful.”

  Lord Hugh stood glowering at Richard, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

  Other children? Georgiana wondered if there was more to the story than Richard had already acquainted her with.

  “Damn you, Colonel Fitzwilliam! Who do you think you are?” Lord Hugh grunted. “Do you think you’re better than me? Hmm?” He gave Richard’s shoulder a shove.