Christmas at Pemberley (22 page)

“Southland, just the man I wanted to find,” Edward declared as he entered the library. Neither of them addressed their previous conversation. The colonel knew the man would act professionally. He didn't have to guard against Southland's maneuverings.

The lieutenant scrambled to his feet and came to attention. “I apologize, Sir. I should've informed you of my whereabouts.”

“We're not on the front, Lieutenant,” Edward assured. “I simply require your assistance in arranging an entertainment.”

“I'm at your disposal, Sir.”The man remained in formal stance.

Edward's eyebrow rose in amusement. “Then I can count on you to coordinate filling the bird bath.”

Southland flustered, “If that…if that's what you require, Sir.”

Edward fought the desire to smile. “We should recruit Mr. Manneville to our efforts.”

“I assure you, Colonel, I need no assistance in filling a birdbath.”

Edward laughed easily. “Wait until you see it, Southland. You may have second thoughts.

“That cannot be,” Darcy protested.

“We're fifteen miles south of Harrogate. Not close to Skipton or Bradford—at least, not under these conditions,” Mr. Washington
explained. “The few area farms depend on each other for these needs.”

Elizabeth's concern rose quickly. “What is Mrs. Joseph to do? Surely, someone in the neighborhood could assist us.”

“We've had no need of such services,” Mrs. Washington admitted sheepishly. “God never saw fit to bless Mr. Washington and me with our own children, and Nan be too young to be having her own brood. The girl need be taking a husband first.”

“But you know something of what a woman must go through. You can assist Mrs. Joseph with the delivery?” Elizabeth pleaded.

“I'm afraid not, Mrs. Darcy. I know nothing of birthing babies.”

“SO THIS IS THE BIRDBATH.” Manneville smirked.

Edward laughed lightly. “Does it not resemble one? A gigantic birdbath?”

Southland looked on from the structure's edge. “What the hell is it?”

Inspecting for any damage, Edward strolled leisurely about the circle. “When Darcy and I were boys, we believed it had been left behind by an ancient civilization—like the monoliths. As a young lad, my cousin envisioned it the creation of some visitor from the stars. It was Darcy's mother who gave it the affectionate name of ‘The Birdbath.' It's made for great adventures,” he said in reminiscence. “Yet, in truth, no one knows for sure. The area is perfectly round and lined with flat rocks. Darcy's father brought in engineers and covered the area with Parker's cement. In the summer, the rain creates a shady place for a cooling splash. In the winter, we supplement the rain with water from the well over there.” He pointed to a small, bricked structure. “Then we let nature take its course. The birdbath makes a wonderful skating pond. Notice how the rain from the last two days has formed a solid base.” He gestured to the frozen surface. “We could add a coating or two today, and tomorrow we could skate upon the bowl.”

Southland analyzed the situation. “We should add a few buckets at a time. The surface would refreeze faster that way.”

“An apt evaluation,” the colonel summarized. “That means you would need to come out here every few hours to check on its progress. Can I entrust this project to you, Southland?”

The lieutenant bowed. “It's a way to repay the Darcys for their generous welcome. It would be my honor, Sir.”

Manneville groaned. “I'm not looking forward to the cold, but I'm not afraid of a bit of hard labor. I'll join you, Southland. Especially, if it's a debt of honor.”

“Thank you, Gentlemen. I'll send some footmen to help carry the water. We need another three to four inches of ice.”

“Elizabeth, I don't want you to do this,” Darcy whispered sharply. They remained in the darkened hallway outside their bedroom. “It's not proper. No one can expect it of you.” Darcy feared that his wife's assisting Mrs. Joseph during the woman's delivery would send Elizabeth further into depression, especially if Mrs. Joseph lost the child despite Elizabeth's best efforts. “I forbid it, Elizabeth.”

There had been a time that those words from him would have guaranteed that Elizabeth would've ignored his orders, but with a better understanding between them, she'd come to believe he meant well—meant to protect her. “Fitzwilliam, you know above all others that I've no choice. We're the only ones who stand between disaster and hope for the Josephs.”

“What if we cannot give the Josephs what they seek?” He caressed her cheek. “I cannot bear to see you distraught.You're my life, Elizabeth. I'd remain lost forever without you.”

Elizabeth walked into his embrace. “My love,” she murmured as she buried her face in his chest. She remained in his arms for several elongated moments before raising her eyes to his. “I shan't return to my mind's dark corners. Your love has healed me, Fitzwilliam. So even if I cannot bring Mrs. Joseph's dreams to fruition, I'll not retreat to the Elizabeth of late.”

“Are you certain, Elizabeth? This is what you mean to do?”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam. This is what God has placed in my path.”

Darcy kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. “You are an angel—a Christmas angel come to life.”

Elizabeth laughed lightly. “A non-heavenly being is more likely.”

Darcy smiled easily. “You do know how to bedevil a man's sanity.”

“You deserved every moment of my disdain,” she asserted.

“Deserved is debatable,” he argued, “but I'd go through it all again to earn your love.”

Elizabeth's hands fisted at her waist as she stepped away from him. “You do not fight fairly, Fitzwilliam Darcy. How can a woman argue against such statements?”

Darcy smiled broadly. “Fighting requires the asking of forgiveness afterwards by one or both of the opponents. As our bedchamber is currently occupied, that's not a possibility.”

“See. That's what I mean. Always the most rational of men.” She went on her tiptoes to kiss his lips. “Let's rejoin the Josephs for now. We may argue at our leisure after we deal with this crisis.”

Darcy caught her hand. “I'll add an upcoming argument and a bout of forgiveness to my agenda book.” He bent to kiss her forehead. “I may be rational, but I'm still a man in love.”

“Miss Darcy, do you have a few minutes in which we might speak privately?” Mr. Bennet stood by the music room's door.

“Certainly, Mr. Bennet. Please come in, and close the door. I just finished my practice.”

He smiled easily. “I waited patiently and enjoyed the music.Your expertise on the pianoforte is as exquisite as Kitty has led me to believe. I wish my daughters possessed such talent, but other than Mary, none of them has showed the discipline for practice.”

Georgiana left the instrument bench. “Join me before the hearth, Mr. Bennet. Should I send for tea?”

“That's not necessary, Miss Darcy. I'll not take much of your time.”

Georgiana settled herself on one of the settees. “Hopefully, you've not found Pemberley's hospitality lacking.”

“Far from it. Of course, I'm a man of simple needs: country rather than city living and a bountiful library. Of what I wish to speak is Lizzy's health. Upon our arrival, I'd planned to address my concerns to Mr. Darcy, but as he's not available, I'm pleading with you for information. Plus, I'm uneasy with your aunt's appearance at Pemberley—whether she would attack Lizzy. I tell you, Miss Darcy, I'll not have it. I love all my daughters, but Elizabeth is the one most like the Bennet family. The rest are very much Gardiners, displaying characteristics of my wife's relatives.”

“What do you require of me, Mr. Bennet?” His request made her uncomfortable. No one at Pemberley discussed Elizabeth's gestation.

“Mr. Darcy's letter described Lizzy's mental withdrawal. Your brother expressed his anxiety for Elizabeth, and in her letters, my daughter's innate wit and sauciness is missing. How bad has it been for Elizabeth?”

Georgiana took a deep breath as she composed her response. “I agree Elizabeth has lost that special something that makes her unique. She laughs; she cries; but my sister's singularity has disappeared. Having to serve Mrs. Bingley during your eldest daughter's delivery was a double-edged sword. Elizabeth loves Jane and would never wish her sister ill, but Mrs. Bingley's success greatened Elizabeth's failures. In fact, I was thankful Elizabeth was not present for Mr. Bingley's announcement of another child.”

Mr. Bennet nodded his understanding. “And Elizabeth is currently with child?”

“So says Hannah. Early on, Elizabeth's maid noted her mistress's condition, but my sister has refused to acknowledge her gravidity. Fitzwilliam has insisted that we accept her reluctance. He has consulted the doctor, and Doctor Palmer advises us to allow Elizabeth to handle this gestation without outside criticism.” Speaking so frankly on this personal subject was both liberating and embarrassing.

Mr. Bennet sighed deeply. “I've always known that Elizabeth would find such failures to be pure tragedies. She prides herself on perfection.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Should I anticipate Lady Catherine's censure, Miss Darcy?”

“I wish I knew for certain, Mr. Bennet. If so, Fitzwilliam shall never forgive Her Ladyship. My brother would banish our aunt from his home, but the damage could already have been inflicted. Kitty is trying to determine if it was truly by necessity that my aunt sought Pemberley's refuge. Our unease comes from the fact that Lady Catherine sent word to the Collinses the evening before she ordered her coach to Lambton. Kitty hopes Mrs. Collins might share what she knows of Her Ladyship's motives.”