“Of course, Georgiana. Let us have some tea and get to know Mr. Harrison while we wait for Fitzwilliam’s return.” Elizabeth, like her father, played to such amusements.
How easily Georgiana conversed with Chadwick Harrison entertained Elizabeth. He traveled the world, and Georgiana had questions about the world. In between his anecdotes, Elizabeth ascertained Mr. Harrison sought Darcy’s advice on his estate. Darcy assumed control of Pemberley at about the same age, as is Mr. Harrison now. Harrison could seek the advice of some of his closer neighbors, but all those estates had elderly owners, and many were in decline. Darcy had a reputation for innovation, and Pemberley had not been, reportedly, impacted by the draw of the larger cities. Chadwick Harrison wanted Darcy’s insights.
When Darcy strode into his study, he did not expect the mirth and laughter borne into the hallway. Elizabeth and Georgiana engaged in an animated conversation with a young gentleman. He stepped to Elizabeth’s side and leaned down to kiss her hand, a symbol of his claim on her in case the stranger had other thoughts.
“Fitzwilliam, we are so pleased you finally returned. We entertain Mr. Harrison.” Elizabeth gifted her husband with a broad smile.
“I see, Elizabeth.” His voice held some hesitation.
“Mr. Darcy,” Harrison rose to his feet and made his bow,“I am Chadwick Harrison; my parents are Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison of Hines Park.”
“Of course, Mr. Harrison, our parents were acquaintances. I offer my condolences on your father’s passing.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am apologetic for intruding on your time. I came here today to leave my card and request a date when we might talk.”
“Mr. Harrison seeks your advice, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth added, “on the running of Hines Park.”
“I would be happy to speak to Mr. Harrison today if you ladies will allow me to reclaim my study.” He spoke to them all but looked only at Elizabeth.
“Obviously, I can go nowhere by myself; Mr. Spencer ordered me off my feet. Do you believe I might prevail upon you for assistance?” Their playful teasing returned to their conversation in the past week.
“Come, Mrs. Darcy,” he laughed as he swept her in his arms.
“Ask Mr. Harrison to stay for dinner, Fitzwilliam.” She looked back at Harrison and Georgiana as Darcy carried her toward the door.“Georgiana and I want to hear more of his stories.”
Darcy half turned to his visitor.“I will return in a few minutes, Mr. Harrison, once my new wife has her amusements at my expense.” Darcy pulled her to his chest as he carried her from the room, and she rewarded him with a kiss on the neck.
Georgiana stood to make her exit. “We hope you will stay for dinner, Mr. Harrison.”
“Thank you, Miss Darcy, I can think of nothing more pleasurable.”
Chadwick Harrison quickly became a favorite at Pemberley. He rode the estate with Darcy in the morning, walked the grounds with Georgiana in the afternoon, and dined with all the Darcys inthe evening. They asked him to leave his lodgings at the Royal Crown in Lambton and stay with them at Pemberley through New Year’s.
“We are expecting my eldest sister and her husband, as well as Kitty, one of my younger sisters. Jane and I shared our wedding day. Her husband Charles Bingley is Fitzwilliam’s best friend,” Elizabeth added during dinner.
“So, best friends fell in love with sisters. Needless to say, that is unusual.”
Darcy laughed, “Charles married the sister with the more pleasant disposition.”
Elizabeth countered, “Jane found the more amiable husband.” Then she reached out to squeeze Darcy’s hand, and he kissed her fingertips tenderly. “As you can readily tell, Mr. Harrison, my dear husband and I at one time had a contentious relationship, but our devotion grows each moment of each day we spend together.”
Their banter often amused Harrison; he found Georgiana too enjoyed a spirited relationship with her brother and his wife. In Harrison’s opinion, Pemberley offered a refreshing look at English country estates.
“My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has also been asked to join us. He is a neighbor of yours; his father owns a large estate in Matlock, but as a second son he chose the military as his career. Along with myself, he serves as one of Georgiana’s guardians,” Darcy added.
“The good colonel,” Georgiana turned to Harrison, “recently became engaged to our other cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent. Her mother Lady Catherine is the sister of our mother.We hope Anne’s health allows her to join us.”
“The last of our guests, Mr. Harrison, will be my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, from London.They were very instrumental in bringing Fitzwilliam and I together so they are among our favorites.”
“That will be our New Year’s party group along with the new vicar and Mrs. Annesley,” Georgiana was a bit anxious. “We hope you will agree to stay with us until then, Mr. Harrison.”
“Having no close relatives in this part of England, being able to share your celebrations will make the time more memorable.” Georgiana blushed, but she looked forward to his company. “Plus, I am anticipating the gathering you are having for the Pemberley tenants between Christmas and New Year’s. It is an ingenious idea, Mr. Darcy.”
“I can take no credit for this celebration; it is the creation of my wife and my sister as a way of remembering our mother, but their plans far exceed anything of which my mother ever dreamed,” Darcy deferred the thanks. He no longer worried about the outcome of the celebration. Because he trusted Elizabeth with his heart, he trusted her with Pemberley too.
“Fitzwilliam, what do you think of Mr. Harrison?” They lay across their bed having exhausted themselves in love.
“He is pleasant enough. His political beliefs are more pronounced than are mine, but I admire his plan to save his land.Why do you ask?”
