He whispered back, “I confess a similar eagerness.”
She flushed redder than Darcy had ever seen her face go before, and there was a bright mischievous light in her eyes when she looked up.
Thetete a tetewas interrupted as Mrs. Bennet had discovered yet another of her guests who had not yet given their congratulations to the happy couple. All of the four and twenty families with whom the Bennets dined were here today, along with some friends and relations with whom they did not dine with any frequency.
In the middle of the day, when Darcy looked around, he searched for Georgiana to ensure that she was doing well despite the noise and the crush of strangers.
His sister had found a role for herself playing with the many children of the families visiting Longbourn, first in the breakfast room that had been set aside as a nursery, where she was happily talking, laughing, cutting ribbons and decorating miniature bonnets for dolls.
Jane was also there, in charge of managing the many children, along with Maria Lucas. And, very oddly to Darcy, his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam was also there.
Despite her blindness, Jane had an instinctive knowledge of what the children around her were doing, and an ability with a few words and a smile to convince them to leave off some piece of naughtiness.
It perhaps helped that the more adventurous and naughtier of the children had gone outside to explore the hedges and the little wilderness and to throw snowballs at each other.
Later on when Darcy looked in at the nursery again, he found Colonel Fitzwilliam still there speaking to Jane. Georgiana however had gone outside to join the snowball fights.
It was impossible for Darcy to not note that his cousin was spending a great deal of time around Jane Bennet. Her illness had robbed her of none of her beauty. When Darcy mentioned this to Elizabeth, she shrugged. “I asked Jane last night about this right before we went to sleep — she is still quite broken hearted over Bingley, but… I think she is happier. She told me that Colonel Fitzwilliam has a way of talking about her disability that makes it seem… very ordinary, a very everyday thing. And not a matter to worry about except insofar as it makes things more difficult.”
“He does that with me — I dare say I was not really able to settle myself into making the most of what my life now was until he visited me.”
Elizabeth frowned with thought. “I am happy that she benefits in this way, but ought I worry? — he would not trifle with my sister? I know you like him very much, but after Bingley…”
“I am disappointed in Bingley, but perhaps not so very surprised. He always was changeable and overly influenced by a pretty face. Colonel Fitzwilliam… he is easy and voluble in company, but there is a deep core of seriousness to him. He knows what he is about, and he does not easily imagine himself to be in love, and when he flirts with women, everyone is always clear as to how far matters shall go.”
“Then nothing to worry about.” Elizabeth smiled. “And I shall think nothing more upon the matter — things will progress or not as determined by the principals, and our job merely is to kiss and smile at each other.”
Darcy pecked her cheek, then he added thoughtfully. “Hmmmm, Colonel Fitzwilliam is not so flush in the pockets that he would be able to marry without any consideration to his father’s opinion.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth said a little sadly.
Darcy hugged her. “If it came to it — though I will say nothing about the matter at this juncture, I would do enough for Jane to allow them to marry upon his officer’s salary, which is not nothing. Also he gained some amount of spoils for his share after successful sieges in Spain.” Darcy laughed. “We are very quick to speculate. It is ridiculous at such an early stage, but I would like to be Richard’s brother as well as his cousin.”
“You said he is your favorite cousin.”
“That is very true.”
Over the course of the afternoon Longbourn gradually emptied as those who were not particular friends of the Bennets and had only attended the party to say polite congratulations left. Shortly after the sunset the remaining guests prevailed upon the musically inclined ladies to play music while everyone sang Christmas songs, loudly and with great spirit.
Even Georgiana, her face glowing from the exercise she gained while chasing children round and round the house, was willing to play, though only because Elizabeth stood to her one side, and Darcy sat to her other, turning the pages of the piece and singing with her song.
Food was brought out and distributed, Christmas puddings, goose roasted to perfection, joints of beef stewed in gravy, and pies and pies and pies.
Darcy ate till he was quite stuffed, and then he ate more. Happy conversation, happy guests, happy friends, happy family. Elizabeth happily spoke to everyone, and the ring he had placed on her white hand flashed in the candlelight.
She naturally talked rather more than he did, but Darcy enjoyed his portion of the conversation too.
Mrs. Gardiner had been seated at his other side during dinner, and beyond her Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Darcy suspected that Elizabeth had a hand in ensuring that the people near him would be amongst those he enjoyed talking with.
There was fine rum, bowls of punch, excellent wines and cognacs; a feast. Hot chocolate, and mulled wine.
The room was too hot from the presence of so many people, despite the cold outside, and for half the night one of the windows was kept open to cool it off.
A similar scene was happening all over England. Thousands of people gathered together to enjoy meals with dear family and friends, the post rushing north and south, and east and west along the roads, interrupted by almost nothing. Men and women bundled in their furs all across the country watching their children throw snowballs and make snow angels on the ground.
Presents for children were being prepared by their parents, housewives were presiding over dinners, and millions of servants were receiving gifts of appreciation for their service. People who only saw each other once a year embracing and singing together.
Likely he was not even the only man who had the deep satisfaction and joy of having married in the morning.
