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, please call on me at the main house.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”



He had left the decorations to his guests and his staff and had retreated to his study to review newly arrived correspondence and to escape the inevitable confrontation with his aunt. He had addressed a letter to his solicitor and another to his steward, Mr. Lynden, before the room’s door opened and his cousin slipped in and slid into the chair across from Darcy.

“I’m busy, Edward,” he murmured without looking up from the instructions he was writing.

“And I’m the cousin with whom you’ve shared everything since we were boys,” the colonel argued as he propped his booted feet on the corner of Darcy’s desk.

Darcy placed the pen to the side. “Then tell me what the hell Her Ladyship is doing at Pemberley,” Darcy grumbled.

“I wish I knew. She swears the weather left her no choice, but before Her Ladyship left Matlock, Lady Catherine sent word to the Collinses to meet her at Pemberley.”

“I thought the Collinses traveled with her.”

“They will return to Kent in the second coach, but Mr.Winkler brought them to Pemberley when the Collinses arrived on the mail coach in Lambton.”

Darcy growled, “Damn! I swear if our aunt ruins the Christmastide for Elizabeth…” Before the colonel could respond, a tap on the door took their attention. “Enter!” Darcy called.

The door opened to a hesitant Lieutenant Southland. “Excuse me, Colonel.” The man bowed. “Mr. Nathan told me where I might find you. Will you and Mr. Darcy allow me a moment of your time, Sir?”

Edward shot a quick glance at Darcy, who reluctantly agreed. “Come in, Southland.”

“Thank you, Sir.” The lieutenant quickly closed the door and came forward to stand politely beside the imposing desk.

“What may we do for you, Southland?” Darcy’s eyebrow rose in amusement. He gestured the man to a chair, one of the lessons he’d learned from his late father — never permit a man the advantage of standing over him.

“I seek your advice, Mr. Darcy, as well as that of the colonel. On a private matter.” Southland had, obviously, added the idea of privacy as an afterthought.

“If it deals with your service, Southland, perhaps we should discuss this at another time.”

“It concerns Miss De Bourgh,” the lieutenant said evenly.

Darcy sat forward with interest. “What of our cousin?”

“I wish to pay my addresses to Miss De Bourgh, and I seek your advice on how to approach Lady Catherine.”

Darcy shot Edward a conspiratorial smile. “This is a speedy arrangement, Southland.” Both men moderated their expressions. “Her Ladyship will question your motives, Lieutenant. Our aunt is quite protective of our cousin.”

The lieutenant stiffened, but his facial expression remained noncommittal. “I expected as much. I possess no title and have only limited connections. Lady Catherine would prefer that her daughter find a more compatible match.”

“You appear to be arguing Her Ladyship’s side of the issue,” Edward said wryly. “Trust me, Southland, my aunt will require no assistance in disparaging your suit, and although it is admirable that you anticipate Lady Catherine’s objections, your time would be better spent in convincing Her Ladyship of your worth.”