memories.”
“It is not over yet!” She reminded him, both of them laughing as they returned their gazes to the painting.
Silently, in sweet harmony, they admired the canvas testimonial to what they, through God’s grace, had achieved in the long years of their marriage. They studied the painted images, each beloved beyond measure. The portraitist had easily identified the individual characteristics, capturing them brilliantly. Especially manifest was the love, unswerving commitment, and supreme happiness verily shining from their faces as proud parents to the next generation of Darcys.
She broke the quiet contemplation, tugging gently on his waist. “Come, love. Our family awaits and I have a special present for you.”
“I thought we were finished exchanging gifts this year.”
“It is something special I have held in reserve.”
“Secrets?”
“Of course! It is Christmas after all!”
With laughter and a final glance at the mute and fixed images, they exited the parlor to rejoin the animated reality.
The party had continued unabated, none even noting their absence. Lizzy squeezed his laced fingers, steering him toward the tree and the table where a handful of ornaments yet waited to be hung. She reached into a segregated box, unwrapping the tissue paper from a thin, narrow object, and handed it to her spouse.
“I saved this one for you to place,” she said softly, her eyes shining.
Darcy stared at the bookmark in his hand, swallowing past the lump in his throat as more memories washed over him: Elizabeth Bennet, his then betrothed, surprising him with a party on the occasion of his twenty-ninth birthday and gifting him with this bookmark, embroidered and sewn by her hand, tucked into a first edition copy of Milton’s
He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “And so we have, my heart.” He placed the bookmark onto a prominent front branch at eye level, turning back to his wife.
“Merry Christmas, Fitzwilliam.”
“Merry Christmas, Elizabeth.” And the kiss he gave her went on long after everyone in the room began clapping and cheering.
The End
About The Authors
Amanda Grange was born in Yorkshire, England, a few miles away from the town of Bingley. She spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer while also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had sixteen novels published, including five Jane Austen retellings and
Sharon Lathan is the author of the bestselling
Carolyn Eberhart is a debut author and is a member of RWA. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.