“Shall we join them?” Jane’s voice broke through her musings.
Elizabeth hesitated. But then she squared her shoulders. “If Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are plotting how best to charm Meryton, I should like to see how they intend to manage it.”
Jane chuckled as they made their way to the breakfast room. “Lizzy, you know very well that Mr. Darcy’s charm lies in his reserve.”
Elizabeth arched a brow. “His reserve or his glare? The distinction is subtle.”
The breakfast room wasalive with warmth. Mr. Bennet was seated near the fire, a cup of coffee in hand as Mr. Bingley gestured toward a sheet of paper spread before them. Mr. Darcy stood beside the table, his expression calm but attentive as he listened to Bingley’s ideas.
“Ah, my dear girls!” Mr. Bennet greeted them as they entered. “You see, Mr. Bingley has concocted a plan to win over every heart in Meryton, while Mr. Darcy prepares to scowl them into submission.”
Bingley laughed good-naturedly. “I shall take that as high praise, sir.”
Darcy’s lips quirked slightly, though he said nothing.
“Good morning,” Jane said warmly, taking a seat beside their father.
Elizabeth hesitated, feeling Darcy’s gaze on her as she chose a chair. “Mr. Bingley, I must say, you are taking this project very seriously.”
“Of course!” Bingley exclaimed. “A celebration is no small thing, Miss Elizabeth. And Sir Thomas deserves nothing less than our best effort.”
Darcy nodded. “We aim to show the neighborhood that he and his household are deserving of respect—not pity.”
Elizabeth glanced at him, startled by the conviction in his tone. “That is a delicate balance, Mr. Darcy. Respect is not easily won, particularly in a place as entrenched as Meryton.”
Darcy met her gaze, his expression thoughtful. “Which is why we must approach this carefully. The event itself must be flawless, and more than that, it must leave an impression strong enough to shift opinions.”
“Flawless,” Elizabeth echoed with a small, teasing smile. “And do you consider yourself an expert in such matters, Mr. Darcy?”
“Not an expert,” Darcy admitted, the corner of his mouth twitching. “But I believe in thorough preparation.”
Bingley clapped his hands together. “Then let us prepare! Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet—what advice might you offer? Surely you know your neighbors better than we do.”
Jane hesitated, but Elizabeth leaned forward, her mind already turning. “If you wish to win Meryton’s favor, you must appeal to their pride. Make them feel involved, important even. Invite the key families to contribute something—a dish, a decoration, a piece of music. Let them feel as though they are part of the celebration, not merely guests.”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in displeasure but in focus. “A sound strategy.”
Mr. Bingley nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, exactly! And what of the entertainment? Should there be games, carols, perhaps a bit of theatrics?”
“Certainly nothing too grand,” Elizabeth said. “Something familiar, comforting. People like what they know.”
“Then it is settled,” Darcy said, his voice quiet but firm. “We will begin inviting the neighborhood at once and ensure they feel invested in the event.”
The rest of the morning passed in a flurry of conversation and planning. Elizabeth found herself oddly drawn to Darcy’s quiet competence, the way he listened carefully to every suggestion and offered thoughtful solutions. There was a steadiness about him that was so… opposite of anyone else in her life. A sense that he would see this endeavor through no matter the obstacles.
When Darcy caught her eye as they finalized the guest list, she felt her heart stutter. She quickly looked away, but the warmth of his gaze lingered, stirring something within her that she wished she could savor forever.
By the time the morning was over, Elizabeth felt both invigorated and unsettled. This Christmas party was shaping into something far more significant than she had anticipated—and Mr. Darcy, she realized, was shaping into someone far more intriguing than she had imagined.
The remnants of breakfaststill lingered on the sideboard as the company gathered in the drawing room. Sir Thomas had taken a chair near the hearth, his cup of coffee resting on the arm as he listened to Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley exchange ideas for festive entertainments.
“No dancing,” Bingley decreed. “Much as I enjoy the activity myself. Darcy and I felt… well, you know, the intent is for everyone to find something to enjoy, and dancing…”
“There are some who cannot, even if they wished to,” Miss Bennet finished. “A game of forfeits might be suitable. It is always popular, especially among the young.”
“And charades, perhaps?” Bingley added, his smile growing. “Something to involve both the children and the adults.”
Sir Thomas gave a thoughtful nod. “Both are excellent suggestions. Simple yet engaging.”
