Edward smiled lovingly. “Yes, it was.” He caressed her cheek. “Meet me later in the conservatory,” he said. “We should speak privately, but that conversation will be delayed until I see what Darcy requires of me, and then there will be the usual gift exchange and an early supper. Will you wait for me that long, Georgiana — that long before we can speak of what has just happened?”

“I’ve waited for this for over three years. A few more hours shall seem miniscule.”

Edward kissed her nose’s tip, before reaching up and claiming five berries from the overhanging ball. “Extra berries for when we meet privately,” he said teasingly.

“I’ll bring a few of my own,” she said with a husky laugh. “In case we use all of yours and find additional ideas to discuss.”



Darcy’s agitation had increased after his short meeting with Mr. Winkler. The clergyman hadn’t taken well to Darcy’s request to postpone indefinitely his joining with Kitty Bennet. Winkler hadn’t seen the necessity of Kitty waiting until after Georgiana’s Society debut.

“Are you ashamed of Mrs. Darcy’s family?” the clergyman had demanded.

Of course, he had denied the man’s accusation, but as he waited outside the drawing room where his wife and Lady Catherine held court, he wondered once again about his motives. He’d received instructions from his father — repeatedly — on his duty to Georgiana. He couldn’t change his natural inclination to protect his sister, but Mr. Winkler had remained adamant.

“I did not deny the match,” he reasoned. “Simply asked for a long engagement.”

“How long might that be, Mr. Darcy? What if Miss Darcy doesn’t make a match during her first Season? What then? Your sister is beautiful and is wealthy, but she’s of a gentle nature, and I cannot believe you would force Miss Darcy into a match she didn’t desire. If she makes no match, must Miss Catherine and I wait additional Seasons?”

“How am I to know?” Darcy had felt the inadequacy of his response.

The clergyman had stood upon that note. “Mr. Darcy, I respect you, but I’ll not allow you to dictate my every action. As my patron, I sought your approval, but I’ll marry Miss Catherine with or without it. I’ll seek another living, if necessary.”

“Do nothing foolish, Mr.Winkler,” he had warned.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Darcy, love makes a man very foolish.”

Love truly had made him foolish; otherwise, why would the Master of Pemberley be lurking outside the door of one of his own drawing rooms waiting to be invited inside? Darcy glanced warily at the closed door. His wife and aunt had been ensconced behind the damn thing for over an hour. He’d wait another quarter hour; then he’d insist that his wife join him. After all, they had responsibilities to the rest of their guests and to his household.



Of course, he’d not stormed the room, as he’d wanted to do. Nor had he demanded that his wife and aunt inform him of what had transpired. Instead, he’d reluctantly joined the other guests in the main drawing room. Everyone had had a late breakfast following the morning services. That is, everyone except those involved in the negotiations regarding Anne’s ruination.

“It was a poignant service, Mr. Darcy. Not typical for a Christmas message, but very apropos,” Bingley said as Darcy joined his friends and Mr. Manneville.

“I’m certain Winkler would appreciate hearing you say so,” Darcy said flatly. He turned his head to see the clergyman approach Kitty, as she sat beside Georgiana.

Caroline edged closer to Darcy, something he wished that she’d not do, but something she’d continued, even after his marriage. “It’s insightful, Mr. Darcy, to employ a clergyman who takes a more progressive stance. So many Catholics and Calvinists refuse to accept the teachings of the Anglican Church. Mr. Winkler has reached out in a non-denominational way.”

Darcy would have preferred to speak of something other than his clergyman. He already felt remorse about how he had handled his conference with the man. He would have to find a way to broach the subject of the man’s request to marry Kitty. “Many of my tenants are of Irish Catholic descent, and as such, have kept their beliefs. Mr. Winkler’s is the only church within seven miles. He’s addressed the community’s needs in his sermons and in his ministration to the neighborhood.”

“You’re fortunate to find such a man,” Jane said quietly, but her eyes rested on the pompous Mr. Collins, who had cornered Mary and Mr. Grange and was delivering his own version of a Christmas message.

Darcy smiled easily. “I am indeed, Mrs. Bingley.”

At that moment, arm in arm, Elizabeth and Anne entered the room. “Oh, Mrs. Darcy,” Bingley called upon recognizing them. “You were missed.”

Elizabeth rushed to Darcy’s side and claimed his arm. Instantly, he felt whole. Issues would resolve themselves as long as she remained beside him. “You shall excuse me, Mr. Bingley,” she said as she curtsied. “Lady Catherine, Miss De Bourgh, and I planned for the festivities celebrating Lord Lindale’s heir. I regret my tardiness.”

“Where is Her Ladyship?” Caroline asked suspiciously.

“My mother would freshen her things before joining us,” Anne said defensively.

Manneville asked, “And Lieutenant Southland?”