Elizabeth made small talk as she circled the room. Darcy had begged a few minutes to address some urgent correspondence that had arrived during their absence, but she would have preferred that he’d stayed with her. As much as she adored having her dear family with her, Elizabeth required time to privately analyze what had occurred between her and Lady Catherine. Unfortunately, that analysis would have to wait until she retired for the evening, but Darcy’s presence would make the wait tolerable. “Yes, Miss De Bourgh’s engagement was a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one, nevertheless,” she said in response to Jane’s inquiry regarding the afternoon’s announcement. “I wasn’t aware of Miss De Bourgh’s prior acquaintance with the lieutenant, but Fitzwilliam was.” Although they’d not discussed it, Elizabeth knew her husband would repeat the skewed tale to protect his cousin’s reputation.
“The lieutenant doesn’t possess Mr. Darcy’s consequence, but I’m certain it’ll be a companionable match,” Jane added.
“The colonel says the man is in line for a promotion,” Bingley said privately.
Elizabeth smiled easily, “Lady Catherine sees the advantage of having a son who has honorably served his country.” Georgiana’s and Kitty’s entrances immediately caught her eye. Their agitation couldn’t be hidden. “Excuse me,” she said to the others and met her sisters in the room’s middle.
“What is it?” she whispered anxiously as she caught Georgiana’s hand.
“It’s Mr. Darcy,” Kitty hissed. “He’s refused Mr. Winkler’s suit.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Are you certain, Kitty? Mr. Darcy assured me that he’d see to your future.”
Georgiana sighed deeply. “My brother asked Mr. Winkler to wait indefinitely — until I find a match. Elizabeth, I’ve no desire for a Season. How do I make my brother understand?”
Elizabeth shot a glance about the room. “Georgiana, you’ll come with me to speak to your brother. Kitty, you’ll remain here and assist the colonel in entertaining our guests.”
“But I wish to come also,” Kitty protested.
“I need you to stay here,” Elizabeth insisted. “I cannot have everyone knowing what we discuss, or Mr. Darcy shan’t budge.”
Without knocking, Elizabeth slid the door to Darcy’s study open and entered. She tugged a reluctant Georgiana along behind her. Pointedly, she closed the door before turning to say, “You promised you wouldn’t pit your sister against mine, but that’s exactly what you’ve done.”
Darcy glanced up with a smile at his wife’s entrance, but a second glance at Elizabeth’s countenance told him she was upset. Then, she delivered her accusation, and he knew immediately that this would be a heated exchange. “Could this not wait until Pemberley no longer holds outside guests?”
“As those guests are of whom you object, my husband, I don’t think that’s possible.” She now stood before his desk.
Darcy remained seated. He’d realized his error in dealing with Winkler, but he’d not found an opportunity to correct it. “What has your sister disclosed?” he tried to keep his tone disengaged.
“That you refused Kitty’s match until Georgiana marries,” Elizabeth declared. “Can you deny that you have done it?”
Hers was an accurate summary, but his wife didn’t understand the ton’s snobbishness. Georgiana would be judged by Elizabeth’s connections. “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to protect my sister’s future.”
“By destroying Kitty’s?”
Darcy stood and slowly circled his desk. “Kitty’s future is far from destroyed. I simply asked Winkler to lengthen his engagement.”
“I didn’t hear you disparage Mary’s joining with Mr. Grange,” she accused. “Is my sister’s repugnance so strong as to taint Georgiana? If so, how can you consider my presence to be to your sister’s benefit? Shall I hide in the country while you entertain in London?”
How could Darcy explain that their marriage eliminated any objection the aristocracy would have to his wife? He was a plain “Mister,” but he came from those with titles, and he was one of the country’s wealthiest men. All those realities would protect Elizabeth, but not her family. He had considered how Mary Bennet was locked away in an insignificant part of Hertfordshire, but even his association with Bingley could be called into question. “When Georgiana goes to London, you’ll be in attendance as my wife.”
“But shall I be her sponsor? Shan’t my presence shame your sister’s entrance into Society? After all, I’ve the same connections as Kitty.” Elizabeth’s hands fisted at her waist.
Darcy needed to reason with her, but when she took that stance, reason would be a hard purchase. Her connections were the same as Kitty’s, but there was no reason to remind Lady Jersey and the other ton leaders of that fact. “I admit I didn’t handle Winkler’s request well, but I’m familiar with how the ton thinks. Although Winkler is a minor son, he has no significant inheritance, and Kitty’s joining would ultimately reflect on Georgiana. Plus, we’ve spoken previously of the delicacy of my future dealings with Winkler if he marries Kitty.” Darcy moved closer. “You must realize the depth of my responsibilities to this estate and to the neighborhood.”
“It sounds very much as if your prejudice has returned, Fitzwilliam,” she said softly.
Darcy took her into his arms and pulled his wife closer. Thankfully, she didn’t resist the gesture. “That’s not so, but I’m charged with Georgiana’s future. As such, I must consider how the beau monde will accept her. The situation is not of my making. What would you have me do? The ton’s influence is too strong.” He kissed her forehead. “I regret that I’ve given the appearance of improper pride. I seek a solution that will benefit both our sisters.”
“I don’t want Kitty to be denied because of me,” Georgiana protested from where she had remained beside the door.
Darcy turned to his sister. “Georgiana, you’re some years out of the schoolroom. People believe I’ve denied you your inheritance long enough. Most young ladies enter the Season at seventeen. You’re already nineteen and will be twenty before your Come Out. It’s unprecedented to wait so long,” he explained. “I’m charged with meeting my obligation to you.”
“But I do not wish a presentation.” She raised her chin in defiance.
Edward had noted the distraught look on Georgiana’s face when she entered the room earlier. Immediately, he would’ve gone to her, but Mrs. Darcy’s mother and Miss Bingley both quizzed him on Anne’s engagement. “Yes, the lieutenant saved my life during one of the American skirmishes,” he’d said. “I’m pleased that a man I admire has agreed to protect my cousin.”
“It was a speedy joining,” Miss Bingley said coyly.
Edward wanted to lambaste her gossipy nature, but he said, “Southland has expressed his regard for my Kent family on numerous occasions, so, of course, he was happy to renew his acquaintance with my cousin. I suspect, as they’re both more mature, that the time seemed appropriate to express their common regard rather than to let Fate separate them again.”As he spoke, he observed how Mrs. Darcy led Georgiana from the room.
Determined to know what had brought on Georgiana’s pique, Edward excused himself and began to circle the room. He would question Kitty, who seemed as agitated as did Georgiana. He paused periodically and spoke to one grouping or another, but he continued on his quest. The Bingleys had taken it upon themselves to organize several parlor games while they waited for the Darcys’ return. Finally, he reached her. “Walk with me, Miss Catherine,” he said as he steered Kitty away from her sister’s betrothed.
Once they were out of earshot, Edward asked softly, “What disturbs Georgiana?”
Kitty didn’t hesitate. “Mr. Darcy has decided that Miss Darcy should have a Season.”
Edward’s chest constricted. “Why should that be an issue for my cousin?” he asked evenly.
Kitty sought a private corner before she responded. “Mr. Winkler has asked Mr. Darcy for permission to court me. My sister’s husband has permanently delayed Mr. Winkler’s suit until Miss Darcy makes a match. Mr. Darcy seems to feel the connection wouldn’t benefit Georgiana.”
Edward grimaced. “My cousin wishes to protect his sister.” Although he disdained his cousin’s tactics, he understood Darcy’s objection. In fact, if Georgiana’s presence didn’t rattle his brain so completely, he might’ve considered Darcy’s diplomacy reasonable.
“Yet, Georgiana eschews her brother’s plans,” Kitty protested.
“Why would Miss Darcy not want to experience a Season?” He’d his own reasons for not wishing to see a bunch of young bucks fawning at Georgiana’s feet, but he’d thought a Season would be necessary before he could declare himself. At least, a few days ago, those had been his thoughts.
Kitty paused and turned to him. “Surely, Colonel, you know what Miss Darcy wants above anything else.”
Edward strode through Pemberley’s halls toward his cousin’s study. Mr. Nathan had told him all the Darcys were together in Darcy’s private room. Just as he opened the door, unannounced, he heard Georgiana say, “But I do not wish a presentation.”
Quietly, Edward eased the door closed and waited. “Edward, thank Goodness.” Darcy’s recognition brought an immediate blush to Georgiana’s cheek. “Perhaps you can reason with your ward.”
Edward stepped around her in order to place himself between Darcy and his sister. He suspected his cousin wouldn’t be happy with what he’d have to say, and Edward would protect Georgiana from Darcy’s rage. “How is Georgiana acting unreasonably?”
Darcy stepped away from his wife. “I’ve decided that Georgiana will make her debut this Season, probably in the fall, after Mrs. Darcy’s confinement, but Georgiana prefers to ignore her obligations.”
Edward turned to glance at a downcast-eyed Georgiana. “Is what your brother said true, Georgiana? Do you shun a Season’s experience?”
“Tell the colonel the truth, Georgiana,” Elizabeth encouraged.
Edward noted how Darcy eyed his wife suspiciously, but his cousin remained silent. “Well, Georgiana,” he prompted.
Barely audible, she said, “I do not wish it.”
“Tell me your reason,” he said softly.
He watched her struggle with her composure, but Georgiana managed, “I want a match of my own choosing.”
“Is that all?” Darcy interrupted. “I’d never force you to marry someone you didn’t favor.You must know that, Georgiana.”
Elizabeth stepped past her husband to rush to Georgiana’s side. “Of course, your sister knows you wouldn’t force her to marry someone not of her choosing.”
“Then what does Georgiana mean? Would someone care to enlighten me?” Darcy fumed.
Edward returned his gaze to Darcy. “I agree with Georgiana. She shouldn’t be given a Season.”
“I agree also,” Elizabeth added.
“This is madness,” Darcy asserted. “We cannot coddle Georgiana forever.”
Edward took an intercepting step toward his cousin. “No one indulges one of your sister’s whims.” He paused before saying, “Georgiana’s been compromised.”
His words, obviously, shook his cousin’s composure, and Darcy’s hands fisted. “Who?” he growled. “How is it possible? My sister’s been at Pemberley.”
“Not compromised in the strictest sense, but compromised nevertheless,” Edward explained. He heard Georgiana’s labored breathing, but Edward didn’t turn around. Elizabeth would protect her.
Darcy turned red with anger and began to pace. “I want to know who. I’ll kill him!”
Edward removed his sword from its sheath and handed the blade to Darcy. “It was I,” he said calmly. “I compromised Georgiana by kissing her repeatedly.”
With incredulity, Darcy accepted the sword and turned it on his cousin. “How could you?” he asked in disbelief. “I trusted you with my sister. My father trusted you.”
The sword pointed in Edward’s direction caused Georgiana to react. “It’s not Edward’s fault. I encouraged him,” she protested.
“And I encouraged her to encourage him.” Elizabeth stepped forward and moved the blade aside. “Fitzwilliam, truly look at them. Could you wish a better choice for Georgiana? Edward has guarded your sister throughout her life, and he’ll continue to do so.” She removed the sword from Darcy’s grasp and returned it to Edward’s outstretched hand. “Georgiana has carried a serious affection for the colonel for as long as I’ve known her. Your sister’s affection was not the work of a day, but has stood the test of many months’ suspense.”
“And you didn’t inform me,” Darcy accused.
Elizabeth eased closer to him. “I was unsure of my suspicions until last evening, but I could say nothing until Georgiana was ready to act.”
“And you?” Darcy turned to Edward. “When did you return Georgiana’s affections?”
His cousin struggled to understand what had occurred. Edward recognized the confusion. His mind hadn’t caught up with his foolish heart. “I returned to Pemberley to discover a vibrant woman. I’ve thought of little else since my arrival. If she’ll have me, and with your approval, I would make Georgiana my wife.” He glanced over his shoulder at Georgiana. The glow of happiness on her face could be addicting. He hoped he could keep that radiance there forever. He extended his hand to Georgiana, and she slid her hand into his.
Edward watched as Elizabeth mimicked the movement with Darcy. “What say you, Fitz? Will you accept my suit? It’s not as if you need to learn more of my potential.You already know all my most intimate secrets.” Although Darcy, obviously, hadn’t known all his secrets until a few moments ago, Edward attempted to lighten the mood, but Darcy remained silent for an elongated moment.
Then he asked seriously, “This is your wish, Georgiana?”
She confidently said, “More than anything, Fitzwilliam.” The fingers of her free hand wrapped around Edward’s arm, and he flexed his muscle in response to her touch.
Finally, Darcy nodded his agreement. “I can think of nothing I would like more than to give Georgiana to someone who truly cherishes her.”
“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. It is probably Darcy with another sword, he thought as he groggily staggered to answer the entreaty. In America, his sleep was forever being disturbed with relayed news of the war’s progress, but he hadn’t expected the circumstance to follow him to Pemberley.
He had properly proposed to Georgiana, and she had accepted. That thought had played through his mind all evening, and in his dream he’d gathered her into his arms and had taken a long, leisurely drink of her lips. His lips had skirted her neck’s slender column, and he had kissed along the shoulder blade. But then the tapping had started in the back of his brain and had rattled him out of that exquisite moment. “Coming,” he grumbled as he reached for the door’s handle. “What the… ” he cursed as he jerked open the door. His sleep-induced brain half-expected to find Southland or another officer on his threshold, or even to face his cousin’s angry countenance. The appearance of Darcy’s butler jolted Edward alert. “Mr. Nathan?”
“Forgive me, Colonel, this just came for you by special courier, Sir.The messenger was from Carlton House.” Mr. Nathan extended the silver salver upon which the note rested. He reverently bowed as Edward reached for the heavily waxed paper.
Edward lifted the enveloped “orders” from the tray. Shaken by the possibilities, he warned the butler, “Tell no one of this, Mr. Nathan. I’ll inform Mr. Darcy of its contents in the morning.”
“As you wish, Colonel.” The butler bowed out and closed the door.
Edward took the message to the desk to break the seal. He found a taper and lit it from the fireplace embers. Then he stirred the coal and added more to warm the room before lighting a branch from that first single candle. “What are you avoiding?” he chastised himself as he straightened the bed’s linens. He knew exactly what he eschewed: News from Carlton House meant his letter to Elphinstone had drawn the Prince Regent’s notice. “It might be something worth knowing,” he reasoned aloud.
Accepting the inevitable, Edward brought the folded pages to the bed. First plumping up the pillows and crawling under the blankets, he took the opener he had retrieved from the desk drawer and broke the seal. Silently, his lips read the words that could change everything. “I knew something didn’t make sense,” he grumbled. “Damn! Darcy will kill me.”