“Because he has that look.” Absentmindedly, she drew lines up and down his chest with her fingertips.
“What look?” He turned and propped himself up on his arm.
“He has the look you had when you looked at me at Netherfield. Mr. Harrison looks that way at Georgiana.”
“She is but seven and ten, Elizabeth!”
“I am but one and twenty, Fitzwilliam. You are nearly eight years my senior.They are closer in age than are we.”
“Do you believe she is interested?”
“Georgiana is comfortable in his company. We need to be observant of the speed of their developing relationship. I would prefer she wait to see the depth of Mr. Harrison’s affection. Mr. Wickham was the only experience by which she may measure Mr. Harrison’s regard.”
“I am not sure I can be reasonable when it comes to Georgiana’s heart.You will have to help me, Elizabeth, to see what is best for her. I realize it to be foolish, but I would never wish to have herlive anywhere but Pemberley. She trusts you and will tell you things she will not tell me.Although our relationship is stronger than ever, Georgiana sees me as aparentas well as her brother.”
“You have been an excellent guardian for her, Fitzwilliam.You were no more than a child yourself when you began to be responsible for Georgiana. It must have been difficult to give up your youth to take care of her.You will make an excellent father.” Elizabeth rolled over and hid her face in his chest, thinking she said too much and knowing if Darcy looked at her at this instant, he would see her secret in her eyes. “Mr. Spencer will come tomorrow to check my ankle again. I want to be sure I can stand during the celebration for the tenants.”
“I will miss carrying you from room to room; I admit having you so close to me gave me great pleasure.” Darcy wrapped her in his arms. “Your ankle was a good excuse to embrace you several times a day without being censured for our lack of social grace.”
“It seems to me, Mr. Darcy, as this isourhouse, we should be able to setourown standards. I give you permission to take me in your arms anytime you so desire.”
“Then I would never let you go, Lizzy.” Darcy’s breath came in short, shallow bursts as he moved in closer to her.
“That would not be intolerable by any means, my Love.” She kissed him warmly as she returned to his embrace.
Christmas came to Pemberley; the house shimmered exquisitely, and Elizabeth loved everything about her new home. Mr. Spencer gave her a clean report, and she thought the baby bump became more evident although in her heart she knew it to be too soon. Her hand unconsciously drifted to her stomach several times a day, and she imagined Darcy’s joy when he found out.
For such arichhousehold, the gifts were simple—chosen books, a new walking stick, a muffler, a simple bracelet, a fan, sheet music, lace, and ribbons.These were gifts of love not of show; the pleasure came in being together as a family at last. Watching his eyes as he gave out gifts, Elizabeth took time to imagine Darcywith the child next Christmas. She decided he would spoil it with gifts of every kind.
Mr. Harrison allowed Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Darcy time alone before he joined their party, offering each a gift of his appreciation of their friendship.The Darcys dined on a Christmas goose with chestnut stuffing, bread sauce, mince pies, and Christmas pudding eaten with sugar and cream. The Yule Cake, soaked in ale and toasted, supplied the party with tradition. Darcy could not have been happier; Elizabeth hung on his neck most of the day, and they snuck off to various rooms to share intimate moments. During one such interlude, Darcy gave her a necklace of small pearls. “Elizabeth, the pearls caress your neck so beautifully; every time I look at you it is as if I see you for the first time.”
“But the first time you saw me, my dear husband, you stated I was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt you.” She kissed his neck and nibbled on his earlobe.
“Mrs. Darcy, you once said I was the last man you could ever be prevailed on to marry.” He kissed her mouth with the rush he felt each time he held her in his arms. “Can we not forget the past, Lizzy? There is nothing in my life before you—before you agreed to be my wife.”
“Then it is agreed—our life began on the road to Meryton; but may we remember our time here in August?”
“I doubt I can ever forget you in the conservatory,” he whispered.
“Then let us save the good memories and leave the bad behind.”
The day of the tenant celebration came at last. Elizabeth and Georgiana rushed about taking care of last minute details. Some of the public rooms had been rid of excessive furnishings, leaving only chairs and several small tables in each. Cold meat, bread, pie, and cider were found in each of the rooms, displayed on tables covered by simple cloths, dishware, and centerpieces of pinecones and berry branches gathered from Pemberley’s grounds. When the tenants first arrived they stood to the side of the room barely talking to anyone and not knowing what to expect, but Elizabeth and Georgianamoved from room to room talking to each family and pulling them out of their trepidation. Soon, more and more people gathered around, enjoying the food and the social time. Elizabeth took delight in hearing her husband praised for his tenants’ concerns and his efforts on their behalf. She learned of his spending two nights with the Lawford family waiting for the passing of their mother and how he rode into Lambton to get medicine for the little Damron girl when the child was sick. Meanwhile, Darcy walked about the rooms genuinely talking to the families and watching Elizabeth’s magic as she met each cluster of people.When she took the children onto her lap, Darcy fantasized about her holding their own children. She held a small baby while the mother found something to eat, and he could not resist being by her side any longer. Emotions filling his reason, he came behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders for a few minutes before moving on.As he did so, she smiled brilliantly at him and mouthed the words “I love you” before releasing him with her eyes.
Some of the men brought instruments, and impromptu dancing occurred, but mostly the children played around, rhythmically moving to the music. Georgiana brought out the gifts the three women made for the families—scarves, gloves, lace, ribbons, baby items—all decorated by the ladies for the extended Pemberley family. More than one mother cried at seeing her children so happy with new things.
Darcy and Harrison watched all this from their respective corners of the largest room. Harrison wondered at the scene as it played out, making mental notes of how the celebration shaped the opinions of Darcy’s tenants. Darcy, usually miserable in large gatherings, took comfort in watching Elizabeth’s and Georgiana’s smiles. Eventually, Mr. Howard sought out Darcy. “Mr. Howard, are you enjoying yourself?” Darcy shook his steward’s hand.
“It is a pleasant gathering . . . . Mr. Darcy, if I may make an observation,” Mr. Howard started, “your wife and sister created more goodwill today than all my ministrations to running this estate. I originally questioned your wisdom in involving Mrs.Darcy in the running of Pemberley, but it was a brilliant idea, Sir. All I hear is how these people did not want to come here today.” The steward stopped suddenly, knowing he said too much.
“Why not, Mr. Howard?” Darcy asked, unexpectedly curious.
“I do not want to say anything, Sir, which may seem inappropriate, Mr. Darcy.”
“I will take no offense, Mr. Howard.We have known each other for years; I trust your confidences.”
“Your mother’s memory is precious to those who have been at Pemberley for a long time, but those years are gone; for all her generosity, Lady Anne kept the social classes; these people expected to be entertained in the barn and then sent home to their drafty houses and hard lives; but your wife opened up your home to them; they are calling her themotherof the land.” Darcy found this reference amusing, but his eyes instinctively sought Elizabeth; she interacted with the people in the room in the same way he admired her doing in Hertfordshire—one of the reasons he fell in love with her—he knew when he saw her there he needed her in his life. “Lucas and Jefferson changed their minds, Sir, about going to the city to look for work; they plan to stick it out here; they credit Mrs. Darcy for treating them like one of the Pemberley family.They still know their place, Sir, but they also know someone cares about their future.They agreed to try the four-crop rotation after all.” Howard continued his observations although Darcy watched only Elizabeth. “These people are not sophisticated, Mr. Darcy; they live their hard lives based on their beliefs and their traditions. Old Mrs. Fleming over there swears the mosaic art at the Tissington well dressing this summer was your wife and sister.”
“Mr. Howard, you know I take no notice of such superstitions.”
