Healing Mr Darcy’s Heart
Page 25
Henry, Bingley, and Jane with their easy-going natures made for a delightful mix while Jonesy was often seen in the company of Kitty. Georgiana enjoyed the extra guests, speaking up more than she would have in the past. Darcy and Henry spoke briefly about her newfound confidence, hoping she would continue to bloom under Elizabeth’s tutelage. Darcy watched the exchange of gifts with a full heart. His fondest wish to have Elizabeth in his home as his wife had come true. His sister seemed poised to leave her shyness behind, and he was gratified to see Bingley’s obvious felicity.
Many of the gifts exchanged are more personal. Georgiana is pleased with her various sheet music purchased for her by her brother and cousin. Elizabeth, with Darcy’s assistance, purchased a fur-lined pelisse for Georgiana which the young lady adores. In return, Georgiana gifted her new sister a music box which Lizzy will treasure all of her life. Darcy never has a concern about cost when he is shopping, so Lizzy and Georgiana are the recipients of some dazzling jewelry. Smaller pieces have been obtained for Jane, the Bingley sisters and even for Kitty. Lizzy’s special gift from Darcy is a beautifully crafted side saddle.
The men exchange more manly items including some fine cigars, walking sticks, and some aged wines. Jonesy bought all the men matching riding crops, jesting they can ride about looking as if they belong to some exclusive equestrian club. Elizabeth presents Darcy with a bundle of new shirts, summer and winter shirts of high quality. After conferring with Barnabas, she was able to obtain the style and cut most appropriate for her husband. When Darcy receives her offering, he gives a deep rumbling laugh.
“You know me well, My Darling. I would venture a guess Barnabas was only too pleased to assist you in your endeavor?” Darcy cannot control his mirth. Caroline, however, comments on the shirts. In her mind, a man of Darcy’s station should have lavish gifts bestowed on him as fitting as Master of Pemberley.
“Shirts Mrs. Darcy? I would think you would want to mark your first Christmas together with something more dignified or refined?” Caroline hums.
“Mrs. Darcy’s gift to me is perfect, and once again she has proven to me why only she is the woman for me. My Elizabeth completes me and understands me better than anyone else. I adore her gift, and I adore her.” Darcy puts a stop to further musings on Caroline’s part. As the day slides into the evening, the group enjoys singing Christmas carols accompanied by Georgiana on the pianoforte and Darcy reads aloud to them about the birth of Jesus from his family Bible. Elizabeth sits next to him while he reads and thoroughly enjoys hearing his rich voice as he reads the well-known verses. The evening meal is a lavish Christmas feast with everyone complimenting Elizabeth for the well-planned delicious fare. In contrast to other meals long ago when the Darcy siblings were alone, the people around the table are in high spirits due to the festivities, so the conversation flows easily and constantly. Darcy pronounces the evening a success as the guests finish the last of the games and other entertainments before retiring for the night well after midnight.
In the Master’s chambers, Lizzy presents one more gift for her husband. This one could not be given in front of the others as it is of a very personal and intimate nature. The feelings this last gift will engender are too powerful.
“I have one more present for you, Fitzwilliam,” Lizzy begins, “I hope you do not think it odd or you think it foolish or too peculiar. It is unorthodox, to say the least.”
Darcy’s curiosity is piqued. He cannot fathom what she might have to give to him. He watches intently as Lizzy produces something wrapped in a cloth. She holds it before him in one hand as she unfolds the cloth to reveal a Queen Anne pistol but not just any pistol. “I had Henry obtain this for me. It is the pistol Cooperton used on you. I know it is strange, but I wanted it. To remember how close I came to losing you and I’ll be forever grateful you came back to me. I hope never to know that kind of fear again, but during the time, I knew the depths of my emotions for you. I loved you deeply then, and I love you as profoundly now.”
Darcy takes the gun from her, turning it over in his palm as he checks to make sure it is unloaded. He stares at it contemplatively while a welter of raw emotion sweeps over him. He recalls his horror at seeing it pointed at Lizzy. He had to act to protect her, would do so again if necessary. He gives a small soft snort as he marks the scraps on it from where he kicked it away after Cooperton dropped it. As he fixes her with his blue eyes, there is a little disorder in them but also warmth and intelligence.
“I cannot put it into words, but I understand the sentiment attached. It sounds somewhat silly to say, but I am glad you obtained it. I too recall the feeling of almost losing you, and I never want to take what we have built for granted. I suppose only we two will understand the desire to have this weapon.” Darcy examines the pistol once again as it rests in his palm. “No Lizzy, I do not think it odd or foolish. We have lived a lifetime it seems. Such profound experiences with intense emotions attached. I am still in awe of you, and I have finally reached this place, and again, I hope never to forget how fortunate I am to have you.” Darcy lets a small ironic laugh, “did you know Cooperton put a lesser amount of black powder into the pistol? It seems he had a different pistol explode on him when he overloaded it. He became leery of putting too much powder in, the result being the shot was not as powerful as it could have been. Henry discovered this when he went into town to ask after the miscreants.” Darcy opens up his arms to her as he murmurs, “I am so fortunate.”
This man understands and accepts her. He does not criticize nor censure her. Instead, he acknowledges her sentiments because they are his own. Lizzy and Darcy are one, connected by their great love. Darcy puts the gun in the bedside table, later he will lock it away in one of the cabinets in his study, but for now, he only wants his Lizzy.
The next morning after breakfast Henry finds Darcy in his study. Darcy just finished securing the pistol, and he greets Henry, motioning for him to take a seat. After settling himself behind his desk in the large leather chair, Darcy waits for his cousin to speak.
“Yesterday was one of the most satisfying Christmas’s I can remember. Elizabeth did very well with the arrangements considering she has not been at Pemberley all that long.” Darcy agrees and voices his pleasure with the outcome. Today is Boxing Day, and Elizabeth has already made appropriate plans for this day. “I have been corresponding with Anne regularly, and she reports success with the move of Lady C to the dowager house. That does not mean her Ladyship has softened in any way, but instead, she saw the futility of contesting Anne. Anne reports the move was made easier by my absence. However, she is eager for my return. I would leave tomorrow if you do not need me and if you did not object, I would ask if when I return with Anne, she may spend the remaining time until our nuptials here at Pemberley. I would stay at my parents’ manor then both Anne and I could oversee the final preparations at Matlock Manor for the wedding breakfast.” Henry settles back in one of the wingback chairs facing Darcy’s desk.
Darcy agrees to the plan, stating, “Elizabeth will be pleased to host Anne here. She wishes to acquaint herself with Anne. I see no issues plus you would be able to visit your intended with proper chaperones.” Darcy snickers.
“Fitz, this courtship is different than the one you and Elizabeth had. I have known Anne all her life, and while I would do nothing to ruin her reputation, even you have to admit it seems silly to have a chaperone for us.” Henry sits up straight in his chair as he glares at his cousin.
Darcy sits back in his chair and regards his cousin seriously. “I am certain you would not bring such censure to Anne’s door, but propriety must be maintained at all times,” Darcy sniffs haughtily.
Henry narrows his eyes as he sits up even straighter, “Indeed this coming from the man who had the former Miss Elizabeth in his bedchamber when he was ill! Do not be a hypocrite, Fitz.”
“Propriety and convention were swept aside in that instance due to the serious nature of the illness which had befallen me. Furthermore, you yourse
lf acquiesced to the break in decorum. You cannot compare the two. I am Master of Pemberley, and I will have my guests act according to what I deem as responsible behavior,” Darcy intones as if lecturing a small child while steepling his fingers in front of him.
“You insufferable prig! You are supercilious, condescending, pompous, overbearing, autocratic…”
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Henry,” Darcy interrupts the tirade. Henry finally notes the smug grin and upturned mouth. “So easy to bait, I would have thought you a better opponent than that. I salute your command of the English language. However, I cannot fathom you would know that many big words.”
“Aren’t you the witty one? Now that you have had your sport with me, can have your assurance Anne will be welcomed? I do not wish to intrude as you are still a newlywed.” Henry waits for his cousin’s response.
“Anne is most welcome here as you know. It is my understanding Jonesy is planning to depart tomorrow as well, so I imagine you will have some company for part of your travels. Tell me more about how Anne is managing her mother?” Darcy is curious to know how the often timid Anne came to stand up to the imperious Lady Catherine.
“Anne decided once we announced our good fortune to her mother that she would no longer accept her mother’s domination over her. Anne set up the dowager’s house for Lady C then had staff members who are loyal to her mother overtake the duties in the dowager’s house. Anne only retained staff who would see her as the Mistress of Rosings. Any vacancies, Anne has already filled with new personnel. She is competent, Fitz, she was never allowed to do for herself nor discover her worth. Her mother overshadowed all Anne ever did.” Henry fills a glass with some water from a pitcher before he continues. “Unfortunately, Lady Catherine will not attend the nuptials so my parents decided it would be best to have the celebration here at Matlock Manor. I look forward to marrying in our family’s church, and Anne has no regrets over having the ceremony here. Especially since neither of us has a wish for Mr. Collins to marry us.” Henry pauses as Darcy snorts and murmurs something under his breath. “Mother has invited many of our acquaintances in addition to family and friends. I fear some of the guests will be from the ton but there was little Mother could do but invite them so she would not give offense.”
“I already determined there would be those who because of rank or privilege would have to be invited. Now that I have Elizabeth, most will ignore me because I am no longer sought after for their daughters.” Darcy will know some ease in this upcoming event.
“I would not be too sure. There will be those who will seek you out for business gains and do not underestimate the more worldly side of the ton. You will not be ignored I can guarantee. On a different note, I will be taking this time to assist Anne in starting renovations to Rosings. Any ideas or if you have a list of decorators who you find talented and trustworthy, I would be most grateful for your insights.” Henry gulps a large swallow of water as Darcy begins to compile a list of shops and tradesmen who are near enough to Rosings to attend to the renovations. As he writes, Henry brings up a different subject.
“What do you think of our cohort spending much of his time with Mrs. Darcy’s sister? He seems to be a bit taken by Miss Kitty.” Henry had already teased Jonesy about Miss Kitty, to Henry’s surprise, Jonesy did not mind but rather enumerated some of what he found attractive about the young lady.
“As I told Elizabeth, I will tell you. I am pleased with the changes I have noted to Miss Catherine’s manners. I overheard some of the dialogue between the two, and while I do not think Miss Catherine has Elizabeth’s intelligence, I can say her responses and insights were sound, showing a good understanding. I have come to believe the changes in her behavior are real and not transitory. However, I learned my lesson painfully regarding forcing my opinions or will upon another. Jonesy will make his own decision as will Miss Catherine. If they suit, I will gladly celebrate their union.”
“I see. I suppose you have the right of it. They are both old enough to make their own choices. Will Miss Kitty be returning to Netherfield with the Bingleys then? They will take another tour of the estate near here then they are to return home. If Jonesy wishes to pursue the connection, he will have to make a trip to Hertfordshire and acquaint himself with the Bennet family.” Henry purses his lips.
“He has already made plans to stay with the Bingleys at a later date. He asked me about Miss Catherine’s family. I told him to expect an intelligent landed gentleman who delights in the follies of others and a silly mother but not to let that stop him if his heart is engaged. I did give him one piece of advice though,” Darcy twists his mouth into a wry smile, “I told him to buy an estate a good distance away from Mrs. Bennet.”
“Good advice indeed. I believe we should be making our way to the stables for the Boxing Day hunt. Being the staff has the day off, we will be forced to saddle our own horses. Miss Bingley was in a bit of a snit because she would not have the attention of the servants of which she is so accustomed to.” Henry rolls his eyes. He never had to deal with Caroline’s pandering, but he was witness to Darcy being her constant target. He breathed a sigh of relief when Darcy told him he held no interest in ever seeing that lady in the family quarters. Henry dreaded the thought of having Miss Bingley as family, and he would have made moves to decrease his contact with the woman should Darcy have married her.
As Henry makes his way to the door, he cannot help but to inquire of his cousin, “I say, Darcy, you will be able to sit your horse today, right?” Darcy does not answer but rolls his eyes and gives an exasperated sigh. Henry grins cheekily then leaves.
Chapter 25
The Boxing Day fox hunt is a tradition the Darcy men took part in for many years, while the servants gain a day off for their own celebrations and to receive boxes of goods from the Master. For Darcy, it means the chance to partake with friends on a fox hunt and for fellowship afterward. The fox hunt is a success, the hounds catching a scent and following it diligently. The fox is caught, and the men reconvene to a favorite pub for some camaraderie.
Darcy is welcomed enthusiastically by the other gentlemen as are Jonesy and Henry who hold acquaintances in the area. Bingley is acknowledged and makes some new friends. Laughter rings out, the crowd being jovial and particularly jolly during Christmas. Darcy makes it known that soon Henry will be joining the ranks of married men, so he is given all sorts of advice on how to create a happy home and most importantly what to expect on his wedding night. Some of these same men and their wives will be guests at the wedding breakfast, so they do not let Henry off lightly. Before Darcy and his party become well into their cups, they opt to leave the merry gathering and make for Pemberley before the cold and dark makes their journey too difficult.
The ladies enjoyed some parlor games during the time without the men, and they enjoyed a light lunch of cold cuts. The evening meal will be simple tonight with a few of the kitchen staff available for food preparation. Those staff who decided to attend their duties today are the ones who did not have family nearby and wished to continue their tasks. Even so, Elizabeth will not hear of them taxing themselves, so she does not order a lavish meal which allows the faithful servants to complete their duties early to enjoy the remainder of the evening. At length, Caroline comments on the lack of staff.
“I really cannot fathom Mr. Darcy would approve of having little to no staff available especially when he has company. It must have been an inconvenience for the gentlemen to have to tack up their mounts today for the hunt. Then to arrive home to only a simple meal, why I would not think it is something he would agree to.” Caroline states with authority. Louisa has given up trying to redirect Caroline, and in an effort to treat Jane and Elizabeth with some respect, Louisa finds to her continued surprise the former Bennet sisters are good company. The inclusion of Kitty, she watched with alarm, but after spending some time in Kitty’s presence, Louisa has in common with Kitty the love of good fashion. Caroline refuses to give any of the sisters credit.