Christmas at Pemberley (13 page)

Her cousin picked her up, clutching Georgiana to his chest, and swung her around in a circle. “My, goodness!” he laughed easily. “What happened to my little Georgie?”

“You've been away for a year, Edward,” she protested.

“So, I have.” He laughed again as he set her on her feet. “Where's that rascally brother of yours?” He glanced toward the main stairs.

“Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Darcy are on their way from Northumberland,” she explained.

Edward frowned. “Well, Fitz will be delayed. We barely made it from Liverpool on horseback. Darcy won't chance it in a carriage.” The colonel gestured to the men waiting behind him. “Do you have rooms available, Cousin? I don't wish to attempt riding to Matlock.”

“Of course.” Georgiana nodded to Mr. Nathan, and the man ducked into a servant's passageway to do her bidding.

Edward spotted Kitty waiting patiently. “And is this who I believe it to be?” he asked teasingly.

“You remember Mrs. Darcy's sister Catherine from the wedding, do you not, Edward?”

The colonel bowed to Kitty. “Absolutely. I am pleased to find you at Pemberley, Miss Catherine.”

Kitty curtsied to the group. “I'm certain Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth shall be thrilled for your return, Colonel.”

Edward placed Georgiana's hand on his arm. “Allow we to introduce my traveling companions, my dear. Miss Darcy. Miss Catherine. May I present Lieutenant Roman Southland? The lieutenant is my assistant.”

The officer bowed formally. “Miss Darcy, the colonel has spoken often of his cousin, but his words didn't do you justice.” He kissed Georgiana's outstretched hand. “Thank you for accepting our intrusion upon your hospitality.”

“Pemberley would never turn away the colonel's associates,” Georgiana responded. “Edward is family.” She wanted to ask what her cousin had said of her and how often the colonel spoke of her, but instead, Georgiana smiled welcomingly at the man.

“And this gentleman,” the colonel indicated the man not wearing a uniform. “This is Mr. Beauford Manneville. Mr. Manneville is from South Carolina in the Americas, but he's come to our ‘enemy' shores to do business with our government and to renew his acquaintance with his distant cousin Lord Shelton.”

“Welcome to England, Mr. Manneville.” Georgiana curtsied and again extended her hand. “I'm sorry that your first experience on British shores brings you icy roads.”

The colonel laughed softly. “You don't understand, Georgie. In South Carolina, snow rarely falls. Cold weather doesn't tarry either. Is that not correct, Manneville?”

The man openly shivered. “I've never been so cold, Colonel, and you may leave your levity out of it, Sir.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed stiffly. “As you wish, Manneville.” He turned to Georgiana with a touch of lightheartedness. “And from what did we pull you ladies?”

Georgiana suddenly remembered the others waiting in the drawing room for her return. “Oh, Edward,” she gushed. “I am doubly happy to see you, especially in Fitzwilliam's absence. We've a houseful of guests, including Lady Catherine and Anne.”

“Darcy invited our aunt for Christmas?” he asked incredulously.

“No. Her Ladyship invited herself, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Lady Catherine visited the Earl, but His Lordship and the Countess have traveled east to welcome the arrival of Viscount Lindale's first child.”

Edward beamed with the news. “Did you hear, Southland? I'm to be an uncle. My brother Rowland's wife is in her confinement.”

The lieutenant removed his gloves and laid them nearby. “Then it is fortuitous that we didn't seek Matlock. It appears your family is scattered between here and Lincolnshire, Sir.”

“They are. That they are.” He smiled genuinely at Georgiana. “Come, Gentlemen. I'll introduce you to Lady Catherine De Bourgh, my family's paragon of virtue,” he said teasingly.

Georgiana fell into step beside him as they climbed the stairs. “In addition to Her Ladyship and Anne, the Bingleys and the Bennets are in residence,” she said softly.

“My, you do have a houseful. I thought you exaggerated, Cousin. How many await me in the drawing room?” he directed Georgiana toward the open door. Kitty and the lieutenant followed, and Mr. Manneville brought up the rear. “Counting you three, we number nineteen,” she responded. “Fitzwilliam invited the Bennets and Mr. and Mrs. Bingley as a surprise for Mrs. Darcy, but others have sought shelter at Pemberley.” Georgiana leaned against him. “Handling so many distinct personalities has been challenging.”

His finger stroked her arm. “You've performed well, Georgie. I'm proud of you.”

They had reached the open door. Taking a deep breath, Georgiana glided into the room.“Look who's joined us,” she announced.

 

For the length of two heartbeats, no one moved, and then Anne, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Bingley rushed forward to greet the colonel. Anne, who was the closest to the door, reached him first.

“Edward,” she gasped. “You've returned to us. Bless the Heavens!”

The colonel embraced her warmly. “I'm well, Anne.” He kissed her cheek. “You look lovely.”

“My health has improved,” she said shyly.

“That pleases me more than you know.” Edward then turned to his aunt. He took Lady Catherine's outstretched hand and bowed over it. “Your Ladyship.” He offered the obligatory air kiss. “You, too, look well.”

“I am as I always am, Edward.” She accepted his whispery kiss on her cheek. “You are a fortnight early, Sir. The Earl departed for Lindale's estate less than a day prior.”

“So Georgiana has informed me.” He glanced about the room taking in familiar and unfamiliar faces. “I pray Lady Lindale has a safe delivery.”

Lady Catherine stepped to the side. “We are anticipating Darcy's arrival,” she clarified.

The colonel nodded his understanding. “As I have explained to Georgiana, I would not expect Darcy for, at least, another day. We traveled by horseback from Liverpool. The roads remain treacherous. We walked the horses the last seven miles or so.”

“That's disappointing,” Mr. Bingley observed, “but safety is paramount to speed in such cases.”

The colonel blew out a long breath. “It was a difficult journey.” He shook Bingley's hand. “If you will allow the impropriety,” he said to the group, “my associates and I will freshen our clothes and then rejoin you. With such a large party, introductions will take some time.”

“Of course, Colonel,” Lady Catherine declared before Georgiana could open her mouth. “I assume my niece can have meals sent in.”

Edward interrupted. “Georgiana is a gracious hostess, Aunt. My cousin will see to our needs without error. She's Lady Anne's daughter and understands her duties.”

“Come, Gentlemen.” Georgiana gestured toward the hall. “Mr. Nathan has indicated that your rooms are ready. I'll show you the way.”

The three travelers bowed solemnly to the room and followed her. Georgiana caught Edward's hand. “Thank you for deflecting Her Ladyship's implied censure.”

“You don't need rescuing, Georgie,” he whispered. “But I'll act your gallant if you prefer.”

“You are my gallant, Edward,” she said softly.“You always have been.” With a coy smile, Georgiana moved away to order food and drink.

“In late summer, the British won the Battle of Bladensburg and marched into Washington,” the lieutenant explained to a captivated audience gathered around the drawing room hearth. He, the colonel, and Manneville had updated the Pemberley household on the action he and Colonel Fitzwilliam had seen in the Americas. “We burned most of the public buildings, and the American President, Madison, fled into the countryside.”

“It sounds as if the British have everything in hand,” Mr. Collins remarked.

Edward said dryly, “The lieutenant omits the fact that he saved me from a bullet at Bladensburg.” His words sent an obvious shiver through his young cousin's body, and he wished he had withheld the information that had brought Georgiana anguish. He still couldn't believe the changes in her. She was absolutely mesmerizing.

“It was my duty, Sir,” Southland protested.

“It was an honorable act,” Edward corrected.

Manneville chortled. “You hear only the British side.”

Mr. Bennet questioned. “Is there another side, Mr. Manneville?”

The man stood closer to the fire than the others. He continued to warm himself. “If you inquire whether my loyalties lie with the Brits or the Yanks, Mr. Bennet, I'd confess to neither passion.” The man's words smoothly tripped from his tongue. “My father was British and my mother American. I win either way.”

Caroline Bingley, who'd been watching both strangers carefully, ventured, “Have the British suffered losses, Mr. Manneville?”

“The American defense of Fort McHenry turned back the British forces, Ma'am.” He continued with the enticing lilt that took tragic events and softened their edges. “In the North, Captain Thomas MacDonough destroyed the British fleet in the Battle of Lake Champlain. The British have retreated into Canada.”

“When we departed,” Edward explained, “our forces under Wellington's brother in marriage, Sir Edward Pakenham, marched into the city of New Orleans. Some 10,000 troops and fifty ships are involved.”

“Shall the British prevail?” Kitty asked innocently.

The lieutenant resumed the telling. “The Americans have a veteran leader in Major General Andrew Jackson.”

Mr. Manneville let out a harsh chuckle. “They call Jackson ‘Old Hickory' for a reason. He won't bend.”

Lady Catherine interrupted, “Well, I have had enough of this unholy war for one evening.” She stood to depart. “Edward, we are pleased in your safe return. Matlock will be sorry he missed you.”

“I'll send Father word when the weather changes.” He bowed to her. “Good evening, Your Ladyship.”

“I should've taken my leave some time ago,” Mr. Winkler announced to the group.

Georgiana caught Kitty's blush. Mr. Winkler had stood behind Kitty's chair for the last hour. “You cannot leave, Mr. Winkler. I cannot have you hurt after playing the Good Samaritan for Mr. and Mrs. Collins.”

“That's too kind, Miss Darcy. But I should not…” Winkler began.

“Nonsense,” the colonel declared. “Mr. Darcy can afford a room for your comfort, Winkler.”

Georgiana's gaze never wavered. “It's settled, Sir.”

An hour later, Georgiana and Kitty climbed the main stairs together. “When had you planned to tell me of Mr. Winkler?” Georgiana teased.

“As I did not know myself until this evening, how could I tell anyone?” Kitty's eyebrow kicked up.

Georgiana giggled. “What do you think of the possibilities?”

Kitty clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “Delicious. At least, in some ways. Mr. Winkler is a fine-looking man. But then again, so are Mr. Manneville, Lieutenant Southland, and your cousin.”

Georgiana jerked to a stop, her mind rebelling at her friend's words. “Kitty, you're welcome to choose among our guests. Look to Mr. Winkler, to Mr. Manneville, or to the lieutenant. Look to any of them except the colonel.”

Kitty wrapped her hand around Georgiana's elbow and smiled sweetly. “Exactly as I supposed. So, that's how the land lies?”

“That's exactly how it is.”