“My only qualm,” Edward added quickly, “is I’d like a day or two before we make the announcement official. My father would have my head on a platter if he thought Her Ladyship had learned of this before he did.” He caught Georgiana’s hand and brought it to his lips. “I would also like the opportunity to court you properly. You deserve better than this melodrama. Unfortunately, I must leave on Tuesday, but I’ll return before Twelfth Night, and you and I will settle things between us. Hopefully, that’ll not be too disappointing.”
“I’ve waited for this for years,” Georgiana said. “A few more days will be of little significance.”
Compared to their mornings, the Darcys’ Christmas evening was quiet — not quiet in the literal sense, but without incident. He’d released his staff, and he and his guests had dined on cold meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and more Christmas pudding. They had played snapdragon, hoodman blind, hot cockles, and taboo. As Georgiana accompanied him on the pianoforte, Mr. Winkler had led the others in several hymns. All in all, the guests had simply enjoyed each other’s company.
Darcy had taken the opportunity to speak privately to his clergyman. “I mean to apologize, Winkler,” he’d said. “I didn’t consider your suit with the proper dignity. You’re a valuable member of this community, and no one, especially me, wishes to lose you. Please trust me to deal honorably with your request. Despite how it may have sounded, I would protect both my sister and Mrs. Darcy’s.”
He wasn’t content with Mr. Winkler’s acceptance. He supposed the man had taken a wait-and-see attitude. When Darcy had mentioned it in passing to Elizabeth, she’d suggested that he place himself in Winkler’s stead and consider the violence of the man’s affections. “What would you have done if I had been the one in this situation?” she had whispered.
Darcy hadn’t enjoyed Elizabeth’s reminder of his own desperation at being denied her hand. “But it was you who kept us apart,” he had said tersely.
“It doesn’t change the focus of Mr. Winkler’s heart,” she’d said humbly.
“Is everything in place for tomorrow’s Tenants’ Ball?” Darcy asked as they prepared for bed.
Elizabeth placed her hairbrush on the vanity. “Mrs. Reynolds assures me there is nothing else to do. Perhaps I’ll make a pre-Christmas trip a tradition. I’ve missed all the last-minute details.”
“I’ll schedule a new adventure each year,” he said as he removed his boots and stockings.
Behind him, he was aware of Elizabeth as she slid her dressing gown from her shoulders and placed it on a chair back. “Mr. Darcy,” she said softly. She waited for his full attention, but she need not have. Darcy was completely attuned to the change in her voice. Then she stood and turned to him. “I believe I owe you a proper thank-you for bringing my family to Pemberley.”
Darcy swallowed hard. She was absolutely radiant. Elizabeth’s luminous eyes spoke of devotion. She wore a pale yellow gown of silk and lace, cut in a Grecian style. It draped across the increased girth from her breasts’ swell. Her ivory skin glistened in the candlelight. “Lizzy, you grow more beautiful with each passing day.” His eyes focused on her lips. “I’m the wisest of men to have recognized your gifts,” he rasped.
She laughed in a throaty manner. “Are you prepared to accept my gratitude, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth walked into his arms. As he pulled her closer, she slid her hands around his waist and under his shirt. Going on her tiptoes, she kissed the hollow of his throat.
Caught by her allure, Darcy kissed her passionately before scooping his wife into his arms and carrying her to his bed. “I love you, Elizabeth,” he declared as he followed her down.
Silently wrapped in contentment, Darcy kissed the top of her head. “It’s been a most unusual day,” he drawled lazily.
Elizabeth leisurely rolled over in his arms, and lovingly spooned her body with his. “Two engagements on Christmas Day. It’s unprecedented.” She caught his hand and placed it on her stomach where he might experience their child’s movements. “What do you think of the lieutenant?”
“I spoke with Edward at some length to better understand the situation. His aide has an idealized view of the life at Rosings.”
“The ideal and reality must find a common ground,” Elizabeth murmured. She liked talking to Darcy this way. They couldn’t see each other’s countenances so the words outweighed the facial expressions: Truth. “Lady Catherine appears willing to teach her daughter and new son of Rosings’s inner workings.”
“How did you manage to convince Her Ladyship to do so? I expected to have to physically separate the two of you?” he taunted.
Elizabeth shifted her backside closer to his chest. “I have my charms,” she teased.
Darcy kissed her nape. “I succumb easily to your charms, my dear, but my aunt hasn’t always been your advocate.”
“Everyone changes, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth countered. “I suspect Lady Catherine is feeling the self-imposed deprivation of her family. Mayhap, Her Ladyship belatedly realized she had done you a disservice.”
Darcy chortled. “Perhaps Saladin will sprout wings like Pegasus.”
“Only time shall tell,” she said reticently, and Darcy wondered if she kept something from him. “Let us accept what Lady Catherine is willing to give us. I’d like for our child to know her, as well as the Earl.”
“At least, Anne’s marriage may give Her Ladyship an opportunity for grandchildren.”
Elizabeth’s tone remain guarded, and Darcy became more alert to what she didn’t say; however, before he could ask, she changed the subject. “How do you honestly feel about Georgiana’s choice?”
“I am thankful that Edward thought to give my sister time to change her mind. Despite his posturing regarding Matlock, I suspect that he, too, doesn’t understand what has happened.”
Elizabeth snuggled her buttocks into his body, and Darcy’s desire increased. “Very few men do,” she observed.
Darcy breathed in the smell of lemon in her hair and of lavender oil on her skin. Half-enthralled by his wife’s closeness, he had trouble considering her earlier question. “I suppose you’re correct,” he hoarsely confessed. “I certainly couldn’t comprehend why my heart lurched to life every time you walked into a room.”
Elizabeth chuckled, but she wasn’t finished with the conversation. “I cannot imagine a better husband for Georgiana. The colonel shall value your sister’s independence. Besides, who knows her better? Georgiana shall become a confident force in the colonel’s life because she shall not fear that her husband might discover her darkest secrets. Edward knows her flaws and sees beyond them.”
Darcy sighed in defeat: first, for his quickly dying desire, and secondly, for the loss of his sister. “How do I allow my sister to leave Pemberley — even though the man is Edward?”
“You must find a way, Fitzwilliam.You cannot send Georgiana off with the burden of your doubts.”
“I know,” he said heavily.
Elizabeth rolled over to cup his face in her hands. “Georgiana carries you with her — every breath your sister exhales contains your spirit.You’ve been a brother, a guardian, a parent, and a friend. She’s everything you esteem in this world; you’ve treated Georgiana with respect and tenderness.”
“It’ll be as if I’m losing our mother again. Each day, Georgiana resembles Lady Anne in more definition.”
Elizabeth stroked his cheek. “Why not consider Georgiana’s leaving as a way to keep your mother’s essence alive? Sending it out to meet the world. With Edward, Georgiana shall have a man who accepts your sister’s wit and intelligence over her beauty and her wealth.With the colonel, Georgiana shall not have to subjugate herself to her husband. And it’s my belief that Georgiana is in love with Edward. Is that not what you want? For our sister to marry for affection and respect?”
“I want her happiness above all else.”
Elizabeth wrapped her arm about his neck and pulled herself closer. “Allowing Georgiana the freedom of choice shall secure her happiness. I guarantee it.”
A light tapping on his chamber door brought Edward from a deep sleep. He dreamed of Georgiana and their wedding night, and he was sore to leave his bed to answer the door.
