Mr. Bennet bowed formally to Georgiana and then accepted her hand to walk with her. “Mrs. Bennet insisted that Mr. Grange join us. After all, Robert will soon be part of the family. Is that not right, Grange?” Mr. Bennet said jovially over his shoulder. He leaned closer to Georgiana. “I might require something stronger than tea to warm my old bones, Miss Darcy. Besides a fair cup of tea, I pray Mr. Darcy also serves a respectable spot of brandy.”
Mr. Bennet grinned conspiratorially at her, and all of Georgiana’s apprehension fell to the wayside. “Mr. Bennet, a smooth brandy and my brother’s library await you.”
“Miss Darcy,” Jane Bingley apologized. “How do I express my regret for thrusting an uninvited guest upon Mr. Darcy’s household? I realize your brother designed this Christmas celebration for Elizabeth’s benefit, and my sister Miss Bingley is not among Lizzy’s devotees, but I appreciate your accepting Caroline’s presence so graciously.”
Georgiana had accommodated a second unexpected guest with as much elegance as she could muster. Although her brother would have relayed his dismay about people imposing on the Pemberley household’s goodwill, Georgiana couldn’t follow suit. For her, serving as Fitzwilliam’s hostess spoke of how far she had come from that girl who had foolishly consented to an elopement. “Miss Bingley has a long-standing relationship with my family. It’s not an imposition, Mrs. Bingley.” Georgiana motioned a waiting footman forward. “Please show Mrs. Bingley’s nurse to the children’s rooms and ask Mrs. Reynolds to prepare a room for Miss Bingley.”
“You’re too kind, Miss Darcy. My husband and family are in the blue drawing room.” With a curtsy, Elizabeth’s older sister disappeared into the house’s interior.
Feeling the agitation of being Pemberley’s “mistress,” Georgiana let out a slow breath. She would have liked to spend private time at the pianoforte, to secret herself away from the world, but Fitzwilliam had asked her to organize Elizabeth’s surprise, and Georgiana would do her best. So, despite wondering whether she was designed to run any man’s household, Georgiana straightened her shoulders. She loved Elizabeth, and her sister had suffered enough. Steadying her resolve, she followed Mrs. Bingley toward the room where her brother’s guests waited. “Does anyone require fresh tea?” she asked as she swept into the room.
“Elizabeth, may I present Sir Jonathan Padget and Mr. Horvak. Gentlemen, my wife, Mrs. Darcy.” Both men bowed their greetings. “Sir Jonathan and Horvak are stranded also,” Darcy explained as he possessively placed Elizabeth on his arm.
Smiling politely, she said, “I am pleased for the acquaintance, Sir Jonathan. Mr. Horvak.” Both men possessed a strong aristocratic look. Besides his clothes’ fine cut, Sir Jonathan had chiseled, square jawed features. Horvak, tawny-haired and with roguish good looks, maintained a powerful ease, like that which Elizabeth recognized in her own husband.Wealthy and titled men had many of the same qualities.
“Please join us, Mrs. Darcy.” Horvak held her chair.
“Your husband was just explaining his difficult negotiations with Mr. Parnell.” Sir Jonathan gestured with an ale glass in his hand. “It is not surprising. Both Horvak and I have tangled with Parnell previously. A man wishing to ship out of Newcastle or Middlesbrough has to go through William Parnell.”
“Parnell is as tenacious as they come,” Mr. Horvak reported. “But one cannot totally blame the man. Brought himself to prominence with hard work and diligence.”
“Does Mr. Parnell have a family?” Elizabeth asked in curiosity. When Darcy had related conversations with the man, Elizabeth had wondered what had made Parnell so negative in his responses.
Horvak shrugged his shoulders. “I couldn’t say for certain, Mrs. Darcy. Parnell spends countless hours at his office or down by the docks. The man neglects his wife if he’s taken wedding vows; that would be a fact.”
“It’s also a fact that Parnell is one of the area’s richest men. If he’s married, Parnell’s wife wants for nothing but his company.”
“And you shall leave me stranded in Derbyshire without family with less than a week before Christmastide?” Lady Catherine argued with her brother.
The Earl expelled a sigh of exasperation; he had tried repeatedly to reason with his sister. “Catherine, the eventual heir to this title is about to be born, and I plan to be with my son when his child comes into this world. Rowland has sent word that it is only a matter of days before Amelia delivers her first child. The Countess insists that we travel to William’s Wood. You could always journey with us. I am certain that Rowland would welcome you and Anne.”
“But not Mr. and Mrs. Collins,” she declared. “I have promised the Collinses return transportation to Kent. Collins visits a cousin in Warrington. In fact, I have asked the Collinses to join me here. I am ever attentive to my duties.”
The Earl’s jaw set. “You invited your clergyman’s family to my home?” His voice increased in volume. “Catherine, sometimes you forget yourself. I had thought that you simply arranged their journey as you commonly do,” he said through gritted teeth. “Dear Sister, you may rule Rosings Park in lieu of Lewis De Bourgh, but Matley Manor is under my domain. I invite the guests!”
Lady Catherine’s eyebrow rose in disbelief. “You’d deny the Collinses? This was my childhood home, Martin,” she asserted.
“The house will be closed while the Countess and I are in Lincolnshire. I had planned to release the staff on Christmas Day anyway. You may choose to accompany me and Her Ladyship to William’s Wood, or you may return to Kent.” He slammed his fist on a nearby table’s edge, sending china and silver to the floor.
“Well, I never!” Lady Catherine sputtered.
The Earl shoved to his feet. “Never what, Catherine?” he accused. “Never considered anyone else’s opinions? Never showed true compassion? Never offered your genuine condolences? Never expressed love? There are so many things that you’ve never done, that I’m at a loss as to which one you mean!” He strode from the room without looking back.
“We had planned to wait for Mr. and Mrs. Darcy’s return,” Charles Bingley announced to those gathered in Pemberley’s small dining room, “but I cannot keep a secret.” Bingley lovingly reached for his wife’s hand. “In June, Mrs. Bingley and I will welcome a new addition to our family.”
The Bennets immediately congratulated their eldest, but Georgiana withheld her felicitations. She recognized how this news would “kill” Elizabeth, especially if her brother’s wife failed in her own delivery; and even though she desperately wished for her brother and sister’s speedy return, Georgiana was happy that Elizabeth didn’t have to witness this display.
“Oh, Jane, how smart you are,” Mrs. Bennet declared. “You’ve already given Mr. Bingley an heir and a daughter. “Another child. Another son. I just know it shall be another son.”
“I note your lack of enthusiasm,” Caroline Bingley whispered conspiratorially.“I thoroughly understand your disdain. My brother has aligned our family with an inferior bloodline, and, unfortunately, so has yours.”
Irritated that Miss Bingley had thought her so base as to wish Elizabeth’s sister not to know happiness, Georgiana warned, “Be careful, Miss Bingley. Your speech smacks of disappointment.” As soon as the words escaped her lips, Georgiana would’ve taken them back. They were uncharacteristic.
“My,” Miss Bingley began, “I see Mrs. Darcy’s lack of decorum has permeated your normally amiable nature, Georgiana.”
Georgiana stiffened. “If I could have even half of Elizabeth’s courage or her intelligence, I’d consider myself a fortunate being.” She shot a glance at Mrs. Annesley, who nodded her approval. Needing to escape an embarrassing situation, Georgiana stood. “If the ladies will join me in the music room, the gentlemen may see to their cigars. Miss Bennet has agreed to entertain us this evening. Mr. Grange, I shall charge you with seeing that
