Christmas at Pemberley (11 page)

“Yes, our Mary has snatched up a viable candidate. At least, Mrs. Bennet has said such on countless occasions, so I must believe it so. After all, Her Ladyship has deemed my wife to have no mental deficiencies.”

Charlotte chuckled lightly before saying softly, “Lady Catherine is perceptive in her evaluations.”

Mr. Bennet smiled knowingly. “Lizzy has assured me that nothing is beneath the great lady's attention.”

Mrs. Collins tightened the line of her mouth. “Her Ladyship is all kindness. She has taken it upon herself to oversee my domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, offering advice on how everything ought to be regulated.”

Georgiana, who sat at the table's head, could easily hear their conversation, and she recognized the extent of her aunt's interference into the Collinses' lives. It didn't surprise her. As a child, she had admired her aunt's steadfastness, especially after Sir Lewis's passing. Few men could run an estate as efficiently as did Lady Catherine. Time, however, had taught Georgiana that Her Ladyship was not in commission for the peace of the area surrounding Rosings Park; instead, Lady Catherine was a most active magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to
her by Mr. Collins, and before him, Mr. Knight; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, her aunt sailed forth into the village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty. Lady Catherine bullied people into doing what she said, and although Georgiana understood her aunt, the girl couldn't help but feel sorry for those of whom Her Ladyship took notice. She also felt compassion for the former Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam, who had been thrust by Sir Lewis's death into a man's world.

“Tell me of your Hertfordshire family, Mrs. Collins,” Georgiana ventured.

“Mr. Darcy!” Mr. Joseph looked up in surprise from where he draped a horse blanket over the stall's slats to protect his family's privacy.

Darcy remained some six feet removed from the enclosure. “Could I speak to you privately, Mr. Joseph?”

The man glanced behind him and then squeezed through the narrow opening between the fence's slats. “How may I serve you, Mr. Darcy?” the man asked warily.

Darcy gestured to the barn's main door. “Over there.” When they had secured privacy, Darcy cleared his throat. Uncomfortably, he began, “My wife has taken a liking to Mrs. Joseph.” He noted the man's frown. “Therefore, my Elizabeth is greatly concerned for Mrs. Joseph's health and well-being.”

“Please express our gratitude to Mrs. Darcy, but I'll see to my wife's safety.”

Darcy nodded. This would be embarrassing. “I would expect nothing less, Mr. Joseph. Yet, Mrs. Darcy has charged me with a specific task: My Elizabeth wishes us to share our chamber with you and Mrs. Joseph.”

As suspected, the man took the suggestion as criticism. “I may not be as rich as the Darcys of Pemberley,” Joseph hissed through gritted teeth. “But I can provide for my wife and child.”

Darcy understood Joseph's anger. “I assure you, Sir, that I intend no offense.”

“What is it, Matthew?” Mrs. Joseph appeared at her husband's side. She offered Darcy a brief curtsy. “Has something happened to Mrs. Darcy, Sir?”

She wore her cloak and gloves with a blanket draped about her shoulders. “Mrs. Darcy is well, Ma'am, but she worries for you and your child.”

Mrs. Joseph glanced at her husband's sullen countenance. “It's not the most comfortable accommodation, but Mr. Joseph will see to our beds.”

Darcy sighed deeply. “I have promised my wife that I would extend an invitation to you and Mr. Joseph to share our quarters.”

“And I've assured Mr. Darcy that we do not require his benevolence,” Mr. Joseph emphatically asserted.

The lady placed her hand gently on her husband's arm. “Matthew, I'm certain Mr. Darcy is as uncomfortable at making his offer as you are at receiving it. May we hear him out before we respond?” Her husband grudgingly nodded. “Finish what you came to say, Mr. Darcy.”

“Thank you, Ma'am.” He took a deep breath and proceeded with his invitation. “As I said previously, Mrs. Darcy voices her concern for your health, Mrs. Joseph. It is miserably cold outside, and without heat, this situation will only increase. Mrs. Darcy believes it best that we open our door to you.” He paused briefly to gauge their reactions. Mr. Joseph still saw Darcy's commission as interference, but the lady puzzled over what Darcy said.

Throwing caution to the side, Darcy continued. “My wife and I have lost two children, and it is likely that Mrs. Darcy is being overly cautious,” he explained. “But your comfort and protection, Ma'am, is important to Elizabeth; therefore, it's important to me.” He swallowed his qualms. “I shouldn't share additional intimacies, but my Elizabeth has denied her own gestation until an hour ago when she spoke of what she would want for our child if we were in your situation.

“Mrs. Darcy has protected her heart from the pain of losing another child by not accepting our future happiness. Tonight, she has acknowledged our possibilities—our joined life. Through you and Mr. Joseph, Elizabeth has allowed the world to keep spinning. She has promised to keep you safe, Mrs. Joseph, and I have promised the same for her. I'm not offering royal accommodations.You'll still lie upon a pallet, but it will be before a warm hearth. You'll have some privacy. My offer must be superior to a straw bed and sharing this space with more than a dozen drivers, hostlers, and footmen.”

Darcy didn't miss the shiver shooting through the woman's body. “Matthew, it would be infinitely better than what we have here,” she said softly. “Can you see past your pride to accept Mr. Darcy's kindness?”

Joseph's countenance softened when he looked upon his wife's upturned face.As Darcy loved Elizabeth, this man loved his wife. “Is this what you wish, my dear?”

“I shall accept whatever decision you make.”

The man nodded slightly and then turned to Darcy. “How will this work, Sir?”

Darcy smiled in triumph. “In truth, I'm not certain. Mrs. Darcy was rearranging the room's furniture when I left. She has sent for an additional screen to separate the room. I suspect, Mr. Joseph, that we should leave the details to our wives.They are likely more adept than either of us in such matters. It'll be a life experience for us all. Yet, it will pass; within less than eight and forty hours, we'll each be on our way.”

“Then should we not go in, Matthew? I must admit that I should love another cup of tea.” Mrs. Joseph reached for her husband's hand. “Thank you, my husband.”

The man's good humor restored, he said, “Allow Mr. Darcy to see you to the inn. I'll gather our belongings and the blankets Mr. Washington provided and join you there.”

Darcy spotted his footman waiting nearby for possible orders. “My man will help you, Joseph.” He gestured his servant forward.
“Jasper, would you see to Mr. Joseph's luggage? Show him to Mrs. Darcy's chamber.”

“Immediately, Sir.” The footman moved to where the Josephs had stored their luggage.

Offering his arm to Mrs. Joseph, Darcy escorted her toward the inn. “Mrs. Darcy will be pleased to have a female companion. I sent her maid ahead, so my wife is quite lonely.”

“Was what you said of Mrs. Darcy true, Sir? Has she known untimely pain twice?” She stepped gingerly on the icy surfaces.

Darcy tried to mask his own hurt. “Elizabeth has projected our losses to her current condition. If you have any thoughts of gratitude, Mrs. Joseph, I would ask that you treat my wife well. You'll have no other obligation. I'll be quite content.”

Without asking Georgiana's permission, Lady Catherine stood to end the meal.“The ladies shall withdraw,” she announced to the table.

Everyone's eyes immediately fell upon Georgiana, and she felt her composure falter, but Kitty, who sat on her left, reassuringly touched Georgiana's hand under the table linen. For a brief second, they held each other's gaze, and then Georgiana recovered. “Thank you,Your Ladyship, for reminding me of my duty. I was so enjoying the conversation that I didn't wish it to end.” On shaky knees, Georgiana forced herself to her feet. “As my aunt has indicated, the ladies shall take tea in the green drawing room. I've arranged cards and other entertainments for when the gentlemen rejoin us.” The other ladies followed her example. “Your Ladyship, might I ask you to lead the way?”

With satisfaction, Georgiana noted her aunt's flustered countenance. The fact that Lady Catherine hadn't expected the light rebuke pleased her. With a huff, her aunt exited the room followed by Georgiana. However, outside the dining room Georgiana paused to speak to each woman as she passed. “Mrs. Bennet, might you and Mrs. Bingley pour the tea?”

“Of course, Miss Darcy.” Jane caught her mother's arm to control the woman's predictable response to Lady Catherine. She directed Mrs. Bennet toward the drawing room.

Georgiana continued her instructions. “Miss Bennet, may I impose upon you and Miss Bingley to see to the card tables? I would be most appreciative.”

“As you wish, Miss Darcy.”

Charlotte paused briefly. “Mrs. Jenkinson and I shall see to the chessboards.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Annesley shall assist you.”

Although Kitty had tarried outside the closed dining room door for support, Georgiana first felt compelled to address her cousin. “Anne, please tell me Her Ladyship does not plan further acerbic displays.”

Anne glanced nervously toward the direction everyone led. “Who can say for certain what Her Ladyship has planned?”

Kitty moved closer, but Georgiana continued, “Why has my aunt come to Pemberley? Does Lady Catherine mean to wreak havoc on Fitzwilliam's celebration? Does she so despise my brother for defying her? Or is Mrs. Darcy her target?”

Anne looked sympathetically at Georgiana. “All I know for certain is the Earl left for William's Wood to attend the birth of Rowland's child. Whether my mother therefore placed her objections aside and returned to Pemberley of her free will, or she truly feared the storm, I cannot say. Her Ladyship used the Collinses as an excuse for not departing for Kent, but, as you know, she managed to send word to Mr. Collins to come to Pemberley rather than to Matley Manor. Of course, that is assuming the Collinses' coming to Matlock was the original intention.” Anne moved away to follow the others.

“Do you believe Lady Catherine will intentionally hurt Elizabeth?” Kitty whispered.

Georgiana frowned. “I have no idea. My aunt is quite unpredictable. I do know, however, that it would kill Fitzwilliam to see
Elizabeth injured by Lady Catherine. I must do something to ensure Her Ladyship does not ruin my brother's holiday.”

“I shall speak to Charlotte and see what she knows.We need to discover whether Lady Catherine planned to meet the Collinses at Pemberley or at your uncle's estate.”

“Thank you, Kitty. I couldn't do this without you.”

“We are sisters,” Kitty insisted. “Maybe not blood sisters, but sisters, nevertheless.”

Georgiana smiled sweetly. It was a comforting thought. “Yes… yes, we are.”