would brook no disparagement of Elizabeth during Her Ladyship’s stay.
Lady Catherine remained framed by the door until Edward led her to the table, but all the while she maintained Darcy’s gaze, only looking away when the colonel held the chair for her. It was the place that Elizabeth should’ve claimed, and Darcy saw the pleasure of his acceptance twist his aunt’s mouth. “The household hasn’t suffered in your absence, Darcy.The colonel has advised Georgiana in her duties,” she announced.
“I beg to differ, Your Ladyship,” Edward interrupted. “My cousin is quite capable. Georgiana and Miss Catherine had everything well in hand before Southland, Manneville, and I arrived.”
Elizabeth smiled brightly. “Georgiana and Kitty have become great friends — a fact that pleases me.”
“As well as me,” Darcy said to curtail any objection from his aunt.
“When you didn’t arrive as expected,” Georgiana said, “we were most concerned, especially with the weather.”
“If there had been some way to send word, I would’ve done so readily, but thick ice coated the northern shires. Luckily, we found shelter at a small inn outside of Harrogate. I apologize for causing you any form of anguish, my dear.”
“As with Edward,” Georgiana said softly, “as you have returned safely, I am content.”
“Prestwick’s Portal was quite an adventure in itself,” Darcy smirked.
The table’s curiosity exploded, and his guests bombarded him with requests for details. However, his wife’s frown caused Darcy to hesitate, and in the breadth of that hesitation, Mrs. Bennet swept into the room. “Oh, my dear Lizzy,” she exclaimed.
Immediately, Elizabeth was out of her chair and catching her mother to her. “Oh, Mama,” she sobbed. “I’ve longed for this moment.” Elizabeth choked out the words and held tightly to the woman.
“It’s all well, my girl,” her mother coaxed. “Letting one’s child go is never easy,” she whispered hoarsely. “Come, let us sit.” And in a rare understanding, very much as she must’ve done when Elizabeth was a small child, Mrs. Bennet caught Elizabeth’s hand and led her daughter to the table. “Let us refresh your tea.” And just like that small child, Elizabeth allowed her mother to tend to her.
Darcy watched the woman he’d never respected give Elizabeth a loving dose of maternal care, and in that moment, he ached for his own mother’s touch. Mrs. Bennet won his devotion with that simple gesture. “Your visit has surprised Mrs. Darcy,” he said. “And I thank you for making the journey from Hertfordshire.”
“Well, we would’ve come before if Mr. Bennet would have agreed to the trip, but the man prefers his study,” Mrs. Bennet said vituperatively.
“You’ve no more concerns about that matter, Mrs. Bennet,” her husband teased. “Now that I’ve seen Mr. Darcy’s library, I’ll return to Pemberley more times than my son may care to entertain me.”
Darcy didn’t understand Mr. Bennet’s indolent defense in dealing with his family, but he’d developed a fondness for the man. Mr. Bennet possessed a quick mind and a biting wit: two characteristics that Darcy admired in Elizabeth. “Pemberley’s door is open to you at all times, Father Bennet. No invitation is needed.” He shot a quick glance at his aunt, but, miraculously, Her Ladyship offered no comment.
“So, once again,” Edward said, leaning forward, “tell us what happened at the Prestwick’s inn.You have piqued my interest, Cousin.”
Another glance to Elizabeth displayed her uncomfortable stance, and it occurred to Darcy that his tale might embarrass her before his aunt, but the others would find Elizabeth’s courage remarkable. He wouldn’t allow Lady Catherine’s opinions to define his marriage. With a pause to draw Elizabeth’s attention, he began his tale of ice, of overcrowding, of community, of a couple denied a room and then facing the impossible, and of his incomparable wife who brought order from chaos.
“I cannot imagine sharing my room with complete strangers,” Caroline said censoriously. “What a quaint concept. Very far from Mayfair.”
“Sir Jonathan and Mr. Horvak shared a room,” Bingley reminded her.
“But they held a previous acquaintance,” Caroline insisted. “A stranger.” She shivered in disgust. “How did you know the Josephs weren’t thieves?”
Darcy eyed Bingley’s sister with renewed displeasure. “As we were all unable to travel because of the weather, a thief would’ve had difficulty escaping,” he said flatly. “Besides, the man holds a living outside Stoke- upon-Trent.”
“And they named the child after my cousin?” Edward taunted. “If I were you, Mrs. Darcy, I would demand satisfaction.You did all the work, and Darcy took the credit.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “I’m certain it would have done the boy irreparable harm had the Josephs named him ‘Elizabeth.’”
“Or made him a world-class pugilist,” the colonel observed.
“Or that,” Elizabeth responded.
Georgiana stood and acknowledged the others about the table. “If you would excuse Kitty and me, we’ll make a brief trip into Lambton.”
Darcy frowned. “What’s so important, Georgiana? Would not your time be better spent in helping the others hang the holly?”
“Mrs. Foxmour, Fitzwilliam. She lost her long battle with her illness. Kitty and Mr. Winkler aided the family in the lady’s last hours. I thought it best that Pemberley is represented at the service,” she said. “I’ll not be long. Mr. Winkler arranged an early service because of Christmas Eve.”
Darcy stood. “I’ll go.You remain with our guests.”
“But you have just spent hours on the road,” his sister protested.
Elizabeth caught his eye and gave a slight shake of her head. “Allow Georgiana and Kitty to handle it, Mr. Darcy. There are more than enough hands to decorate the house, and our sisters have performed admirably. You might call on the Foxmours later today.”
Darcy swallowed his need to control every estate detail. “Of course, Georgiana and Kitty are quite capable. Please inform Mr. Foxmour of my intent to call on his family before this evening’s service.” Georgiana nodded, and she and Kitty slipped from the room.
“Do you wish for me to accompany them?” Edward asked.
Darcy sighed in defeat. “My sister and Miss Catherine are no longer green girls. They’ll represent Pemberley properly.” It hurt him to let Georgiana become a woman; he would miss the young girl he’d raised after their parents’ deaths.
Elizabeth sighed also. “Fitzwilliam, I suspect we should change our clothes and then see to turning Pemberley green with holly.”
Darcy nodded his agreement. Turning to his butler, he said, “Have we found a Yule log, Mr. Nathan?”
“It’s in the kitchen waiting for Mrs. Reynolds’s orders.”
“Then tell the good lady to bring on the troops. I expect Pemberley to glisten with the Christmastide spirit.”
“Mr. Darcy, you be honoring me family, Sir.” Mr. Foxmour led Darcy to a place close to the hearth. Discussing the late lady’s exemplary life, several of his other tenants stood about the room. Darcy had accepted their reverence as part of his way of life.
“I apologize for missing the service. Mrs. Darcy and I were stranded in the North because of the weather.”
Foxmour nodded his acceptance with a quick jerk of his head. “Miss Darcy be sayin’ so, Sir. She and Mrs. Darcy’s sister be treatin’ me family well. Miss Catherine taught me wee ones to draw, and she be sendin’ a fine dress for me mother for the buryin’.”
Darcy hadn’t known those specifics, but he had no objection to his family interjecting themselves into his cottagers’ lives. He was in a battle to save his estate. The city’s draw had taken renters away, and he appreciated any “debt” which kept a family on the land.
“I’ll not keep you, Foxmour. I wanted to pay my respects and to see if you needed anything.”
“We be fine, Sir. Me wife has seen to me mother’s things.”
Darcy accepted the man’s reassurances. It was a matter of pride on Foxmour’s part. “If something arises,
