She and Darcy sat shoulder to shoulder in the family pew. All their guests, except Lady Catherine, who claimed a megrim, had joined them for the services. As she looked about the church, Elizabeth was pleased to see many from the community in attendance. Kitty’s eyes glistened with pride as she watched Mr. Winkler, but, surprisingly, Georgiana’s eyes glowed equally as bright, and Elizabeth wondered privately if her husband’s plans for a Season for his sister might be taking a divergent path. She also chastised herself for not seeing the obvious.
As the children finished an interesting rendition of “Come, Thou Almighty King,” the gathering fell silent and Mr. Winkler took his position in the pulpit box. Elizabeth relaxed into the comfort of Darcy’s shoulder. His warmth brought her contentment, and she sighed deeply.
Then Winkler began to speak from the heart. “This is the Eve — the eve above all others. It represents the ultimate of sacrifices on God’s part. Before He sent His Son into the world, our Heavenly Father knew what Jesus would face. Christmas also represents a personal sacrifice on the part of Mary and Joseph. In all practical terms, God asked the impossible. Of real people. There would be very few in this room who would willingly accept what God asked of this couple.
“Mary made an unbelievable claim, and Joseph accepted it, but please think of the censure they must’ve faced from family, friends, and neighbors. Mary’s apparent infidelity would’ve driven a wedge into the best of marriages. Add to that the financial strain of a long journey to pay their tax debt. However, although it was emotionally bizarre, Mary and Joseph accepted God’s plan for them, and they learned that accepting God brings its own disputations. God’s presence in a person’s life does
Elizabeth shifted her weight uncomfortably. Is that what she had done? Had she expected that if she prayed to God that He’d make her life perfect? And had she not always disdained
“God has His own agenda in our lives. As He did with Mary and Joseph, God tells us what He expects of us: He doesn’t ask us if those plans match ours. God sent His angel to Mary and Joseph; He didn’t ask their permission. What does this mean for us? It means that His will shall prevail over our preferences. One cannot change it.
“God could’ve made things easier for Mary and Joseph, but He didn’t because each person grows from the adversity he faces. If that’s so, Mary and Joseph must’ve grown to gargantuan size. They traveled by foot and by donkey to pay taxes. Despite being enceinte, Mary found no room at the inn.”
Elizabeth immediately thought of the Josephs and young William. God’s will had prevailed over Prestwick’s Portal.
“Mary and Joseph had to flee King Herod’s vengeance,” Winkler continued. “This too must have been a difficult journey. All in all, we must realize that God could’ve changed each of these difficulties, but He wanted Mary and Joseph to rise above such adversity. What’s God’s will for you? It may not be an easy journey upon which you embark, but our Lord will be with you as you make your way.
“On Christmas, the Christ child received the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold declared the child as a king among men. Sweet smelling frankincense represented Jesus’ pure spirit. Bitter myrrh predicted Christ’s death. As we finish our program for the evening, I charge you to consider what you would give the Christ child on his birthday? What is God’s plan for you? And what are you willing to sacrifice to make it so?”
As they stood to depart, Elizabeth caught Darcy’s hand. “What did you think of Mr. Winkler’s message?” she whispered.
Darcy leaned close so he might speak to her privately. “My esteemed father used to warn of two faults. The first of those was to be wary of the prayer that the Devil answers, and the second was never to share one’s plans with God for our Maker would find it offensive. I believe God holds His vision, and He understands what we need and when we need it.”
Elizabeth acknowledged his advice with a nod of her head. “I’d like to speak to Mr.Winkler further on this concept. I’ll ask him to join us this evening.”
“Is this for you or for Kitty?” Darcy asked suspiciously.
Elizabeth shot him a steely glare. “The man is already to be Pemberley’s guest for both Christmas and our Boxing Day celebration. One more evening shan’t progress his and Kitty’s affections any faster. If Georgiana’s evaluation is correct, Mr. Winkler’s affections are fully engaged already,” she said tersely. “You may delay their joining with your objections, but you should know by now, Fitzwilliam, that the heart finds its own rhythm.”
Darcy gave her a curt nod. “I said I’d allow Winkler his due, but his interest in your sister creates a situation. When I fund the man’s ideas, the community will wonder if I do so because I believe them to benefit the local population or because he holds a
“I hadn’t considered how such an alliance must appear. I apologize for my gruffness, Fitzwilliam.”
“You offered no offense, my love. I cannot fault you for protecting your family. It was a characteristic which attracted me to you.”
“Would you care to explain to me what brought you to Pemberley, Your Ladyship, and do not waste my time with tales of weather woes?” Upon his return to the house, Darcy had demanded that Lady Catherine attend him in his study.
“And why would I offer you a prevarication?” Lady Catherine asked haughtily.
Darcy realized his refusing to accept her excuse of a megrim would thoroughly irritate his aunt, but he’d have the truth from her. “I should’ve added diversion to my list of exceptions. I’m well aware of your ability to twist a confrontation to your advantage. Do not play verbal games with me, Aunt. I want to know your reasons for coming to my home — especially, at this time.”
“You’ve offered the olive branch,” she reasoned. “Suppose that I decided to accept it.”
Darcy frowned. “I issued the last offer during the summer. Why not travel under pristine conditions rather than in winter’s worst?” He raised his hand to stop her response before he finished. “Over the past two years,
“Mrs. Darcy insisted on your offers of reconciliation?” she asked incredulously.
“As far as I was concerned, Your Ladyship, your interference in my life crossed the line of good intentions. With the genuine frankness of your character, your reply to the letter, which announced my arrangement, was loaded with language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth that my initial reaction was that all intercourse between us was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth’s persuasion, I was prevailed upon to overlook the offense and seek a reconciliation. My wife has a generous heart, and I’ve honored her magnanimity.”
The thought of being beholden to Mrs. Darcy, obviously, disturbed his aunt. She stammered, “I… I have… I’ve long considered what Lady Anne would’ve expected of me. On your mother’s deathbed, she asked that I take an interest in your and Georgiana’s lives. If I’m not at Pemberley, I cannot serve your mother’s memory.”
Darcy eyed her suspiciously. “My mother’s memory is cherished at Pemberley.”
“Even with Mrs. Darcy in Lady Anne’s position?” she questioned curtly.
“Elizabeth is not my mother, but, likewise, I’m not George Marcus Lucien Darcy, and the Pemberley of today is not the one my esteemed father knew. You deal with Rosings Park on a daily basis, so I’ll not bore you with the details of keeping such a large estate solvent, but you realize as well as any that I make investments in modernization, and I look for concessions that’ll sustain this way of life. Pemberley survives where others fail because I accept that change is necessary. Elizabeth succeeds as Pemberley’s mistress because of her intuitiveness and her benevolence.
“My wife honors her predecessor by maintaining the traditions my mother established. Occasionally, she
