“Perhaps, Elizabeth, we might take this homecoming inside and out of the cold,” she heard Darcy say from behind her. Happily, Elizabeth released Charlotte and turned toward the still-open door and Mr. Nathan. She laced her arm about Georgiana’s waist and pulled Darcy’s sister along beside her. “This is the best Christmastide I’ve ever known.”
Darcy had watched with delight as his wife rushed into her father’s open arms. “This is what she needed,” he congratulated himself, but then his eyes fell on the others who trailed from the door to greet them. “What the hell is Collins doing here?” he asked the waiting footman, who answered with a shrug.
Then he saw the one person who could answer all his questions. “Edward!” he called as he skirted the group encircling Elizabeth. “Thank God, you’ve returned safely.” He encompassed his cousin in an affectionate hug. “You’re a most agreeable sight.”
“Was on my way to Matlock, but the storm, and Georgiana’s being beset with so many guests, forced me to tarry until your return.”
Darcy said privately, “I’m afraid the Earl is at Lincolnshire with Lindale. Elizabeth and I stayed at Matley last evening.”
Edward nodded. “So I heard. First from Georgiana and then from Her Ladyship.”
“Lady Catherine? I don’t understand,” Darcy whispered urgently.
“Her Ladyship has taken refuge at Pemberley, along with Anne and the Collinses,” Edward disclosed.
“Lady Catherine is here?” Darcy said incredulously. “Now? How dare she!”
“She dares, Darcy.” Edward said cautiously. “I’ll explain in greater detail later.” They both shot a glance to the welcoming party. “For now, let’s escort Mrs. Darcy safely into the house.”
Darcy accepted his cousin’s advice. He turned to where his wife hugged Mrs. Collins. “Perhaps, Elizabeth, we might take this homecoming inside and out of the cold,” he suggested.
Her brightest smile graced his wife’s face, and Darcy’s heart leapt in pleasure. She caught Georgiana about the waist and headed toward the open doorway, but a brief word from his sister sent Elizabeth spinning around to meet the colonel’s eyes. “Edward,” she called and hurried down the steps toward him. “How did I miss seeing you?”
Impulsively, Edward caught Elizabeth and spun her around in the air before planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Easy,” Darcy warned with a bit of jealousy. “Do not damage my most precious possession, Cousin.”
Edward didn’t look at Darcy when he teasingly said, “Mrs. Darcy liked me first, Fitz.”
Darcy reached for his wife. “But the lady liked me best,” he said flatly.
“I love you both,” Elizabeth declared as she laced an arm through each man’s offered elbow. “Just in different ways.”
They followed the group who had greeted them to the morning room, where Elizabeth found her other sisters and Mr. Bingley. “You’ve been at Pemberley throughout the storm?” she asked as a footman poured tea for everyone.
“Miss Darcy was gracious and found everyone more than adequate shelter,” Bingley declared.
Elizabeth caught Georgiana’s gaze. “My dear, Georgie,” she said in admiration. “I’m so proud of you.”
Georgiana blushed. “Edward made it easier.”
“Georgiana required no assistance. She’s the perfect hostess,” Edward insisted.
“Ah, Mr. Darcy,” Caroline intoned as she entered the room. “My maid assured me of your return, but I had to see it for myself. It was naughty of you to leave Miss Darcy to serve in your stead.”
“Miss Bingley, I wasn’t aware you had plans to join Charles for the festive days. If I had, I would’ve sent a separate invitation in your name.” Darcy hated how the woman continued to ignore Elizabeth’s presence in his life, and he took perverted pleasure in his veiled insult.
“Miss Bingley is my sister of a sort,” Elizabeth said with her own twisted smile, something Darcy immediately recognized. “As such, she needs no invitation to join us at Pemberley. Miss Bingley is as welcome as say, Mr. Collins, for example.” Elizabeth gestured to her weak-chinned cousin, who had returned with gusto to his breakfast.
The clergyman swallowed quickly and washed down too large a mouthful with a quick gulp of ale. “Mrs. Darcy is all benevolence, Miss Bingley. My cousin does her husband credit.”
Darcy loved the interchange. It was the old Elizabeth, the one who delighted in the absurd, sitting casually between her eldest sister and her father. “For once, we agree, Mr. Collins,” Darcy said as he leaned back in his chair. “My wife is phenomenal.”
Mr. Manneville entered on that note, and Darcy rose with Edward for the introductions, and then welcomed the stranger into the group. However, he didn’t miss Edward’s steely stare to Darcy’s questioning glance. “My aide, Lieutenant Southland, is also with us,” Edward explained.
“And where is this lieutenant?” Elizabeth asked.
Although Elizabeth directed the question to the colonel, Manneville answered. “Probably waiting attendance on Miss De Bourgh,” he said flatly.
Darcy noted his wife’s momentary alarm. “Edward has just informed me, my dear, that my cousin Anne and my aunt have unexpectedly joined us for Christmastide,” Darcy said evenly.
He realized that until that moment, Elizabeth had thought he’d arranged for the Collinses’ visit. “How delightful,” Elizabeth said with a forced smile. “It’s been ages since we’ve seen Her Ladyship.”
As if on cue and followed by Mrs. Jenkinson, Anne entered on the lieutenant’s arm. Glancing at the full table, her eyes fell on Darcy. “Fitzwilliam,” she gasped in joyous greeting. “I heard you had returned. I’m so pleased to see you again.”
Darcy swallowed his astonishment. His cousin’s greeting was more words than he could ever remember Anne saying in one setting. Usually, a nod of the head or a weak smile was the extent of Anne’s conversation. “As I am you.” He started to bow, but she rushed into his arms, and so Darcy hugged her and kissed Anne’s forehead. “I’ve missed you,” he said before shooting Edward a raised eyebrow of amusement. He set Anne from him and said, “You’re looking well, Cousin.” Anne had color in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes.
“I am well, Fitzwilliam,” she said softly. “We all went skating yesterday.”
“Skating?” Darcy questioned, and Edward confirmed with a nod. “I see that my sister had the foresight to take advantage of the weather.”
Georgiana looked cautiously at the colonel. “It was Edward’s idea and Lieutenant Southland’s execution. Mr. Manneville was also most helpful.”
Before Darcy could respond, Anne said, “Let me present Lieutenant Southland.” She gestured the man forward. “The lieutenant is Edward’s aide. Lieutenant Southland, this is my cousin, Mr. Darcy.”
The men exchanged bows. “It’s my honor to be among the colonel’s family,” the lieutenant said.
“The colonel is beyond family in our estimation,” Darcy responded before he directed the man to Elizabeth. “Lieutenant, may I present my wife, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I’ve heard the colonel speak so fondly of the Darcys, I must claim a prior acquaintance.” Southland bowed to his hosts.
“As Mr. Darcy has indicated,” Elizabeth said graciously, “Colonel Fitzwilliam is more than family.” She then bowed to Anne. “As is Miss De Bourgh. Welcome to Pemberley.”
Darcy noted Anne’s blush, but she managed to say, “Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Darcy. Georgiana has served you and my cousin well in your absence.”
Elizabeth smiled broadly at Georgiana. “I would’ve expected nothing less. Mr. Darcy’s sister comes from the best stock.”
“That she does,” a strong, authoritative voice declared from the open doorway. “Georgiana is Lady Anne Darcy’s daughter. My sister served this estate in an exemplary manner.”
Everyone scrambled to his feet in acknowledgement of Lady Catherine’s presence. Darcy waited the span of three heartbeats before responding, “It’s true that Lady Anne has left a great legacy, but the current Mrs. Darcy reigns graciously as Pemberley’s mistress, and it’s under her tutelage that my sister has blossomed. They give honor to my mother’s memory.” He didn’t remove his eyes from his aunt’s face. His words warned her that he
