“They were not in either cupboard,” Darcy informed her as he reclaimed his seat. “Care to explain?”
“Maybe I left them in my room,” she said in a blithe tone that guaranteed she had not. Then, before he could argue further, she shoved a package into his hands. “Here. Start with this.”
Elizabeth laughed at Georgiana’s complete unconcern and settled back against the cushions, watching as Darcy unwrapped a slim leather notebook. It was bound in dark green, the initials W.D. embossed in understated gold on the cover.
“For jotting things down when you’re walking the grounds,” Georgiana explained. “You’re always stopping to make notes on your phone, and I thought it might be nice to have something you wouldn’t forget to charge. Just in case.”
Darcy traced a finger over the gold letters, his expression softening. “It’s perfect, Georgie. Thank you.”
“And this one is for Elizabeth.” Another box, smaller, wrapped in red paper. Inside was a delicate porcelain cup painted with tiny violets.
Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s from the village market,” Georgiana said, pleased. “One of the local artists makes them. I just thought it was pretty.”
Elizabeth met her gaze, struck by how easily Georgiana included her, how little hesitation there was in the gesture. “I love it. Thank you.”
More packages followed, each one thoughtful rather than extravagant. A pair of impossibly soft wool socks for Elizabeth, dyed in shades of lavender and moss. A set of hand-stitched bookmarks for Darcy, each with a different motif. A framed sketch of Athena and Waffles sleeping nose to nose, which caused Darcy to cough suspiciously while Elizabeth marvelled at Georgiana’s obvious talent.
“How did you even—” Elizabeth began to ask.
“I asked William for a picture. He took one on his phone.”
The moment lingered, warm and golden, before Georgiana broke it with a brisk clap of her hands. “Well. That’s the lot. And before either of you scold me about overspending, I’ll remind you that I am quite capable of affording Christmas presents.”
Darcy sighed. “I know how capable you are, Georgie. But you don’t need to spend your money on me.”
“One day I’ll have a husband and a family and maybe I won’t. But for now, just enjoy it.”
Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “She doesn’t confine her presents to Christmas.”
She grinned. “I’ve heard that’s a family trait.”
Georgiana rolled her eyes. “What good is money if we can’t spend it on the people we love?”
“Charities are a good start, I hear,” Darcy answered drily.
“As if I don’t donate on the regular.”
Elizabeth watched them bicker good-naturedly and broke in before it escalated. “I don’t think I’ve ever asked what you do, Georgiana.”
Georgiana smiled. “William hates when I mention it, but our father left Pemberley in a trust and gave him lifetime use of the property. He left me a different trust with money.”
“He was wrong to do that,” Darcy said and turned to Elizabeth. “Pemberley is worth far more than the amount put aside in her trust.”
“But you have to pay enormous taxes on the trust and it takes more work to keep it profitable,” Georgiana replied. She addressed Elizabeth. “So, you see, it wasn’t a present in the proper sense. More like a perpetual responsibility. Along with the guardianship of hismuchyounger sister.”
“I think Pemberley is the best present I’ve ever heard of,” Elizabeth said with a little smile.
“Oh, it’s aprivilege, to be sure.” Georgiana reached for another cup of coffee. “But one we have to work diligently to keep.”
“That’s the truth. So, I asked Georgie to legally join the trust when she turned eighteen—”
“And when I did, he stipulated that I was entitled to 50% of whatever was left after all the expenses were paid. I told him that before I signed off onthat, he would have to take my inheritance back and use it for Pemberley. And now we’re in it together, fifty-fifty.”
Elizabeth looked at Darcy, who still seemed exasperated that his sister hadn’t kept her inheritance to herself instead of using it for Pemberley’s benefit—and his. How very like him. “Did he argue with you about it for long?”
“A month or so, but I flatly refused to sign the papers adding me to the Pemberley trust until he promised to take the funds.”
