“No more than I, dearest, for I shall be attended by the prime bull of Derbyshire! How fortunate am I?” 

Chapter Twelve

Christmas Guests

The Darcys approached the day of Georgiana’s return home with mixed emotions.

Darcy adored his sister and had missed her enormously. Far too often in the course of his adult life, business and social requirements had separated him from her. One of the fortunate consequences of settling into marriage had been the prospect of dwelling exclusively at Pemberley, with only occasional forays to Town necessary. All too soon Georgiana would be a woman and leaving him for another man. He lamented the very thought and did not wish to squander the time he had remaining as her guardian.

Lizzy was fond of Georgiana even though they had spent little time together. She pined for her own sisters, surprising herself, in truth, at how oppressive the quiet and solitude of Pemberley often felt when she had passed many an hour wishing for such quiet and solitude at Longbourn. The relationship she and Georgiana had forged thus far promised to be a sisterly one, and Lizzy recognized that this was a crucial necessity for both of them.

Nonetheless, neither Elizabeth nor Darcy relished having their tranquil honeymoon shattered. The three weeks since their wedding had been magnificent. The freedom to express their love in any way they desired, anywhere they desired, was liberating. Darcy, especially, felt as if a locked and guarded chamber had been opened in his soul. His entire life he had regulated his emotions, rigidly controlled his actions, suppressed his own desires, and dwelt in a world where honor and dignity and appearances were prized over compassion and happiness and passion. In three short weeks, that man had all but perished and Darcy’s spirit had danced at the wake.

His joy was not exclusively a product of his love for Elizabeth and the marvelous expression of that love, but also from the result of the peace that came from loosened strictures to his character. Where he once feared impropriety or performing in any way considered imprudent or sensational, he now dreaded reestablishing those traits. When he fully dwelt on his life thus far, he admitted honestly that careful adherence to society’s rules had brought him mostly grief. Amazingly, breaking from that mold, laughing and smiling openly, and bending the rules on occasion had not caused Pemberley or the world to come crashing down!

Now they would be surrounded by guests, mostly family to be sure, and the test would be whether Darcy reverted to his somber, serious self, or allowed joyfulness to bubble forth. One look at his lovely wife’s face and he did not doubt the answer.

They made love leisurely, cuddling afterwards as they conversed and tenderly caressed until passion ignited yet again. Rising late, they tarried in their sitting room until after noon, cognizant that, for the next two weeks, they would be expected to arise earlier than they had so far done and to break fast with their guests. Darcy caught up on correspondence and several business transactions while Lizzy wrote letters. Her gifts had already been sent, and the tenants’ gift boxes were prepared and waiting for distribution over the next several days. After lunch Darcy rode off on Parsifal to visit a couple of the farms.

The final Christmas details and needs were completed. Holly and ivy vines trailed along the terrace railings and a sizeable pile of each remained to decorate the inside banisters. The maids had gleefully pounced on the occasion to design elaborate mistletoe ornaments to dangle throughout the manor. The Yule log was dressed, Mrs. Langton had the mealtime essentials well in hand, and the guest chambers were cleaned and stocked. Pemberley and its new Mistress were ready!

It was late afternoon when a footman announced that the Matlock carriage was approaching, and Darcy and Lizzy prepared to greet their guests before the main entrance.

Col. Fitzwilliam alighted first, reaching in for Georgiana, who jumped out with all the enthusiasm of youth and launched into her brother’s waiting arms.

Darcy had never been able to contain his joy where it involved his dear sister. He twirled her about, laughing gleefully, before setting her on her feet and kissing her cheek. “I missed you, Georgie! Welcome home.”

“William! It is good to be home,” Georgiana replied breathlessly and then turned rapidly from her grinning brother to her new sister, standing cheerily at his side. “Elizabeth! It is wonderful to see you again!”

The two young women embraced each other. “Welcome home, Georgiana.”

Georgiana gestured at the bright flambeaux along the front drive and entrance that illuminated the trailing boughs of holly and ivy. “Pemberley is so beautiful! I do not remember it ever lovelier. What a sensational Christmas it will be!”

Darcy greeted his cousin heartily. “Darcy, old man, you are positively beaming! Married life surely agrees with you,” Col. Fitzwilliam decreed.

“More than I could possibly verbalize, cousin. Someday you must give up your reckless bachelor ways and discover the joys of matrimony.”

Richard shuddered. “Not too hasty, Darcy, not too hasty. Mrs. Darcy, if I may be so bold, you are radiant. Shocked I am, to tell the truth,” he said, with a sly glance at Darcy. “Personally, I thought you would be weary of this old codger by now!”

Lizzy laughed as the Colonel bowed and kissed her hand. “Not yet, Colonel. Perhaps in a week or two.”

Lord and Lady Matlock had approached the small group on the veranda and were smiling pleasantly. Darcy welcomed them formally to Pemberley, and they both greeted Lizzy with warmth.

“Please,” Darcy said with a step toward the house and the offer of his arm to his aunt, “let us hasten to the parlor where it is warm and tea awaits.”

Georgiana linked her arm through Lizzy’s, smiling shyly. “My brother is glowing, Elizabeth, and so are you.” She blushed. “I cannot convey in words how delighted I am for you both.”

“Thank you, Georgiana. We are blest, especially now that our family is with us. I trust your trip here was not overly arduous?”

“Not in the least, aside from being anxious to arrive. Cousin Richard is thoroughly entertaining. His stories nearly induce me to wish I were male so I could join the military.”

Lady Matlock laughed her throaty laugh, “Richard exaggerates, my dear Georgiana. I am certain you would discover that the realities are contrary to his stories. Nonetheless, his wit does pass the time.”

Col. Fitzwilliam raised one brow and feigned shock, “Exaggerate? I?” while Lord Matlock chuckled.

Tea was served in the main parlor, to the particular relief of the fatigued travelers. The ladies sat on settees by the table while the gentlemen conversed in a knot by the fire.

“Lady Matlock, William and I have readied your suite if you and Lord Matlock desire to abide for the night.”

“Thank you, my dear; however, I believe we will recommence our journey after dinner, if you do not object. It is not much further, and I am afraid our older bones prefer the comforts of home.” She smiled and lightly touched Lizzy’s hand, “I would be honored if you would address me as Madeline. We are family now, Elizabeth.”

Lizzy blushed, “I am touched, Madeline. Thank you. William and I are pleased you and Lord Matlock will be sharing Christmas with us. I admit I am rather fond of Christmases with copious masses of friends and family underfoot.”

“Georgiana informs me that your uncle and aunt will be celebrating here as well?”

“That is correct. They will arrive three days hence. Also, a gentleman friend of William’s from Leicester, a Mr. Lathrop and his wife, are expected the same day. The poor man lost his father this past year, and my husband extended an invitation as a way of cheering him. Plus, I do not think they have visited together for well over a year.”

“I do believe I met Mr. Lathrop a time or two, several years ago. He was at Cambridge with William, correct?”

“Yes. They met there.”

“Ah, yes, I do recall. He sojourned at Darcy House one summer while the two men were off term. Agreeable young man, I seem to remember, serious and reserved yet generous and polite.” Lady Matlock laughed softly. “Quite like William, in point of fact! I contemplated at the time whether the two of them ever actually conversed with each other, both being so taciturn.” She glanced pointedly toward the man in question, who was smiling, effulgent, and laughed loudly at some anecdote of his cousin’s. “How changed he is now. Perhaps Mr. Lathrop has found the same fount of joy in his marriage as my nephew has.”