Christmas at Pemberley (16 page)

“We'll finish our tea and then return to the room, Fitzwilliam. Nothing ill shall occur during broad daylight.” Elizabeth stated the obvious.

Darcy squeezed her hand. “We shan't be long—less than an hour.”

 

Darcy and Mr. Joseph walked along the rural road, scrutinizing the area carefully. Although some thawing had occurred, the icy conditions remained. “This could refreeze overnight and make travel
slower.” Joseph indicated the water accumulating in the ditches lining the road.

Darcy made his own observations. “But the road is graded well. See how it curves down to allow the runoff.There's little water on the road's surface. Another day should permit our escape. I imagine the main road has already opened to limited service.”

“It will be a slow go, nevertheless,” Joseph added. “Between the resumed traffic and the storm's remnants.”

Darcy turned toward the inn. “I suppose we should start back. I wish to speak to Mr. Simpson regarding his assessment of the dangers before discussing our plans with Mrs. Darcy.”

“You seek your wife's opinion, Mr. Darcy?” Joseph's eyebrow rose in disbelief.

“As my wife is very astute, I'd be a fool to ignore her fine mind.” Darcy suspected that his marital bliss came not from his seductive prowess but because he treated Elizabeth as his partner rather than as chattel. He was of the mind to believe that she'd never have consented to marry him if he hadn't admitted that she had taught him about selfishness. He remembered well his confession to Elizabeth:

“I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son, I was spoiled by my parents, who allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you? You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but more advantageous. By you I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.”

“Then it's as Mrs. Joseph asserts?Yours is a love match?” Joseph added smugly.

Darcy walked on in silence for a few minutes. “I would've assumed, Sir, that you, too, cared deeply for your wife. Was I mistaken?”

“You've not erred. My wife holds my highest regard.”

“Yet, you refuse to admit to loving your wife,” Darcy observed.

Joseph countered, “I do not hear your professions, Sir.”

Darcy chuckled. “I see how it is. If I'm man enough to admit to loving Mrs. Darcy, you could follow suit. If that's what it takes, Joseph, I confirm that I'm hopelessly in love with my wife. You now have my permission to admit your own weakness.”

The man reddened. “I assure you, Mr. Darcy, that I do not require nor seek your permission for anything.”

Darcy's smile widened. “And that's how it should be, Joseph. My affection for my wife—my decisions regarding my estate—my sister's guardianship—are all mine. They're none of your concern unless I choose to share them, as your life belongs to you until you care to speak of it. Do not mimic another man's actions, Joseph. Do what's best for you. That's a lesson which I learned from Mrs. Darcy.”

Only the crunch of their boots on the frosty lane broke the silence for several minutes. “I didn't mean to offend, Mr. Darcy.”

“You didn't offend, Joseph. I spoke because I observed in you my own tentative nature. We men are not free to express our thoughts. Women strike up instant relationships. Look at our wives as proof. It is how Society deems our roles so we must develop confidence in our choices, and, more importantly, we must guard against accepting outside examples as the norm. The true north is what works for us—what makes us personally satisfied with our lives.”

“What do you think of Mr. Manneville and the lieutenant?” Mrs. Bennet asked Kitty as they laced the threads of a matted waistcoat they repaired for Mr. Bennet.

Kitty had taken refuge in her mother's room. She had accepted responsibility for monitoring Mrs. Bennet's activities. Kitty, who loved creating fashionable designs, concentrated on the looped stitches forming a monogram. “They're fine-looking gentlemen,” she mumbled.

“I'd imagine that one or both would be considering marriage,” Mrs. Bennet hinted as she fluttered about the room.

Still involved in the stitching, Kitty absentmindedly responded, “Mr. Manneville said as much earlier today.”

“Did he now?” Mrs. Bennet asked with delight. “That's a fine situation.”

Kitty's head snapped up in full attention. “Mama, don't even think it! Mr. Manneville will return to America.”

“But the man is very rich, is he not?” Mrs. Bennet's tone conveyed the direction of her thoughts.

“If he's to be believed,” Kitty confirmed.

Picking up her embroidery hoop, Mrs. Bennet returned to her stitching. “I suppose one might corroborate the man's worth through the colonel or Lieutenant Southland.”

Kitty recognized her mother's manipulations. “I've no desire to live in America,” she asserted.

“Who says the man cannot be convinced to stay in England?”

Kitty's eyes widened in disbelief. “Mr. Manneville despises English tea!”

Mrs. Bennet chortled. “What does that have to do with anything? I'll speak to him myself to determine his true intentions.”

“Southland, I've been looking for you.” Colonel Fitzwilliam cornered his aide in the library.

The lieutenant scrambled to his feet. “I apologize, Sir. I was unaware of your return to the house.”

“Some thirty minutes ago,” the colonel offered a mild reprimand.

The lieutenant remained at attention. “Again, I apologize,
Colonel. While I was reading, I evidently lost track of time, Sir.”

“Relax, Lieutenant.” Edward reeled in his temper.

Southland lowered his shoulders. “How may I serve you, Sir?”

“You can tell me what you're about. What's this I hear of your having an intimate conversation with my cousin?”

The lieutenant's glance was so brief that Edward couldn't read the man's true motive. “I assume, Sir, that you refer to my speaking to Miss De Bourgh.”

“You had better not have spoken intimately to Miss Darcy,” Edward growled.

“As Miss Darcy is so much younger than Miss De Bourgh?” Southland asked uncertainly.

Edward jerked his head up in surprise. “As Miss Darcy is an innocent.” Warning rang in Edward's tone.

“And Miss De Bourgh is not?”

That was the wrong thing to say. “I'll not tolerant insolence, Lieutenant!” Edward swallowed his initial anger. “Damn it, Roman! You know that wasn't what I meant. Miss De Bourgh is equally as innocent, but she has a companion with her at all times. At Pemberley, Miss Darcy's companion allows her charge some freedom. I'd not approve of your approaching either cousin.”

“Did I say something to offend Miss De Bourgh? If so, I'll apologize immediately, Sir.”

“Miss De Bourgh didn't appear offended by your conversation,” Edward conceded.

The man appeared puzzled. “Then what brings your ire, Sir?”

“I'll not have my cousin made an object of scorn, Southland.”

“Scorn, Sir? Why would you believe I meant to
scorn
Miss De Bourgh?”

Edward's gaze locked on his aide's countenance. “Miss De Bourgh isn't the type men seek out for simple conversation.”

“I don't understand why not, Sir. Miss De Bourgh is quite handsome and very literate. She may be a bit shy, but in small gatherings, I imagine the lady shows very well.”

Edward narrowed his eyes. “Are we both speaking of the same Anne De Bourgh?”

The lieutenant frowned. “I speak of Lady Catherine's daughter.” He paused briefly. “You do recall my brief connection to Rosings Park, do you not, Sir?”

Edward stammered, “Of…of course, Southland.” The colonel's brow rose in curiosity. “Then you truly enjoyed your time with my cousin?”

“Absolutely, Colonel, and I'd be honored to join Miss De Bourgh again.”The man's honesty rang true, but Edward still questioned whether any man could give Anne his attentions without first considering her dowry. She had cowered under Lady Catherine's reign so long that he was certain that Anne had lost the vibrancy she once possessed. It would probably become his father's province to find Anne a suitable marriage of convenience, one of which his aunt would approve—possibly to a widower who needed a mother for his children. “And I'll avoid Miss Darcy unless her companion is present.” Southland's words brought Edward from his thoughts.

The colonel's voice was hesitant. “Allow me to caution you, Lieutenant. I didn't bring you to Pemberley to feather your social connections.You're Mr. Darcy's guest, and you're my assistant. I expect you to perform under those guidelines. I appreciate your earlier kindness to Miss De Bourgh; yet, I cannot condone your laying a liaison's foundation with any of the females under Mr. Darcy's protection. If that's your purpose, you'll know the Earl of Matlock's full power, as well as your commanding officer's, in response.”

“I understand, Sir.”

“Our husbands should be on their way back,” Mrs. Joseph remarked. “And the other gentlemen are coming down to breakfast.”

Elizabeth said pointedly. “I am grateful for your presence in that regard. If you and Mr. Joseph hadn't joined us, I would have cautiously taken my breakfast in my room. None of the men have
been rude, but it's quite intimidating when one is the only woman among so many men. Like an invasion of holy ground.”

Mr. Horvak and Sir Jonathan stopped at the table to pay their respects. When Elizabeth and Mrs. Joseph started to rise, Sir Jonathan said, “Please. That's not necessary. We're kindred souls—those waiting for the Christmas spirit to clear a way home.”

“Do you suppose we should even attempt a journey today, Sir Jonathan?” Elizabeth asked.

“My coachman came by earlier, and he seemed to think we'd need another day.”

Elizabeth frowned. Despite enjoying Mrs. Joseph's company, she wanted to be elsewhere. “Mr. Darcy and Mr. Joseph are completing their own analysis.”

“I suspect your husbands will come to the same conclusions,” Mr. Horvak said.

As Nan entered with the gentlemen's meals, Elizabeth said, “We'll leave you to your breakfast.” Noticing Mary's sudden grimace, she added, “Mrs. Joseph requires a bit more rest.”