Christmas at Pemberley (26 page)

“Mr. Bennet, might I request a few moments of your time?” Winkler asked as the guests gathered for afternoon tea. When Mr. Bennet's eyebrow rose in curiosity, Winkler quickly added, “Privately.”

Mr. Bennet nodded his agreement. “This way, Winkler.” He led the clergyman across the hall. “Will this do?”They had stepped into an empty drawing room.

The man glanced about nervously. “Yes, thank you, Sir.” He paused awkwardly. “Perhaps we might sit.”

“Of course.” Mr. Bennet led the way to a cluster of chairs. Once they settled themselves comfortably, Bennet asked, “What might I do for you, young man?”

Winkler nervously cleared his throat. “I wished to speak to you, Sir, regarding your daughter Catherine. Miss Catherine and I have become acquainted over the past two years; with each of her Pemberley visits, I've found my affections for your daughter have increased. I'd like your permission, Sir, to court Miss Catherine with the hopes of making her my wife.”

“You hold a
tendre
for Kitty?” Mr. Bennet asked with amusement.

“Yes, Sir.”

“You will excuse my surprise, Mr. Winkler. Although Kitty has her merits, I have never considered her as a woman who might engender the regard of a sensible young man. I mean, your wife must have additional responsibilities beyond her role as mistress of your household.”

“She would,”Winkler acknowledged.

Mr. Bennet shook his head in disbelief. “It wasn't so long ago that Mrs. Bennet allowed Kitty and my youngest Lydia to be given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. My wife permitted our daughters to dispose of their time in the most idle and frivolous manner and to adopt any opinions that came their way. Love, flirtation, and officers filled their heads.”

Mr. Winkler frowned. “But was that before any of your daughters married? If I recall, Mrs. Wickham took her vows over two years ago.”

Mr. Bennet laughed lightly. “I suppose it was. At Longbourn, it seems we're always preparing for a wedding. The time goes too quickly for an old man.”

Winkler smiled at last. “My father refuses to realize that my sister is two and twenty. To him, Rose is a willowy girl of twelve.”

Mr. Bennet sat back into his chair. “Then I must reconsider how I see Kitty,” he said easily. “It'll be an effort, but I'm willing to broaden my opinions.”

Winkler appeared confused by Mr. Bennet's witticism. “I'm certain that Miss Catherine would easily fill the role of wife.”

“I need no convincing, Winkler,” Mr. Bennet said. “I concede my earlier error.”

Again, Winkler was flustered. “I have… I've spoken to Miss Catherine, and we've agreed to a time when I might court her. This will allow Miss Catherine time to observe what will be required of her as my wife. I've plans to educate the village children and wish to organize a charity for our elderly. I'd expect your daughter to embrace those initiatives and add her own special insights. Of course, I wish to speak to Mr. Darcy also.As Mrs. Darcy's sister, Miss Catherine could hold great sway in the neighborhood.”

“It would appear that you've thought this through thoroughly. Mrs. Bennet and I would like to see Kitty well settled, and having her close to Jane and Elizabeth would be to Kitty's advantage. I've no objection to your suit, Winkler. It'll please Mrs. Bennet, as well.”

“We would wait for Mr. Darcy's approval before announcing our understanding,” Winkler said.

“Then I'll refrain from informing Mrs. Bennet of this fortuitous event. My wife dotes on her daughters' successes,” Mr. Bennet said in renewed amusement.

Mr. Winkler stood and extended his hand. “Thank you, Sir. Perhaps we might carve out time during your stay to speak of possible marriage settlements. With your permission I'd ask for Mr. Darcy's participation in that interview. He prefers to be made aware of anything affecting his position as Pemberley's master, and he's my patron.”

“Count yourself lucky, Sir, that the great man's aunt is not the one from whom you must seek favor.”

“Miss Darcy and I have made arrangements for our Christmastide celebrations in lieu of Mr. Darcy's presence,” Edward explained to the group gathered for afternoon tea. “Of course, we'll join Mr. Winkler for services, and then return to Pemberley for an abundant meal. Knowing Mr. Darcy, there'll be plenty of wassail and appropriate trinkets.”

“How about the Christmas pudding?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“Elizabeth, Mrs. Reynolds, and I spent much of the Stir Up Sunday creating Mrs. Oliver's special recipe,” Georgiana explained.

Kitty enjoyed a party, so she added, “Shall there be snapdragon and charades?”

“Between now and Twelfth Night, there'll be plenty of games and music,” Edward assured.

“Roast goose?” Mr. Bennet asked.

“Absolutely,” Georgiana said. “And if anyone has a special request, I'll ask Mrs. Oliver to do her best to meet it.”

Mr. Manneville chuckled. “Even very American delicacies, Miss Darcy?” he taunted.

“Within reason, Mr. Manneville,” Georgiana said tartly.

Edward added, “Tomorrow, we should be able to skate, and on Christmas Eve, we'll hang the holly and other greenery.”

Georgiana left her position near the open door and joined Edward before the hearth. She slid her hand into the crook of his arm, and Edward automatically cupped her hand with his free one. “Of course, the Tenants' Ball is set for Boxing Day. My brother and Mrs. Darcy shall entertain his cottagers and many from the village. It's great fun—very much like a country assembly,” Georgiana declared.

“Without even the possibility of the local gentry,” Lady Catherine grumbled.

“Very true, Aunt,” Edward interrupted her possible tirade. “But that's what makes the Pemberley Tenants' Ball so enjoyable. No one has to worry about the
ton
's arbitrary rules. A young man can show his intended his attentions without the two-set rule coming into play.”

Lady Catherine scowled, “Commonness.”

Tightening her hold on Edward's arm, Georgiana clarified, “It's not necessary that you make an appearance. Although Fitzwilliam would welcome your presence, there'll be plenty of food and entertainment at the main house. However, your attendance would bring my brother a great honor in his tenants' eyes.”

“The Bennets will be happy to partake of Mr. Darcy's hospitality,” Mr. Bennet declared.

“As will the Bingleys,” Charles announced.

“I'd like to attend,” Anne's quiet voice stayed the room.

“You most certainly shall not!” Lady Catherine roared. “Who shall protect you from the riff-raff?”

Edward smiled secretly. “If that's your worry, Your Ladyship,
I'll ask Lieutenant Southland to escort Anne. You wouldn't mind, would you, Lieutenant?”

Southland bowed to Anne. “It would be my honor, Miss De Bourgh.”

“See, Aunt, that was easy to resolve. The lieutenant will guard Anne from ordinary connections,” Edward said cynically.

“Everyone is welcome, but no one must decide tonight,” Georgiana said judiciously. “What the colonel and I wish to convey is the Darcys' wish for an enjoyable Christmastide.”

“I didn't hear you express an opinion of Mr. Darcy's Tenants' Ball, Miss Bingley.” Everyone had dispersed to late afternoon activities; Manneville had joined Caroline on a settee opposite the hearth.

“I thought you'd joined the lieutenant, Mr. Manneville.” Caroline said in feigned indifference.

“I begged a reprieve from the cold,” he confessed. “And you didn't answer my query. That seems to be a pattern,” he teased. “Do you hold no interest in Mr. Darcy's Tenants' celebration?”

Miss Bingley shook her head. “It's not my preference, but I'm sure my brother and Mrs. Bingley shall insist that we participate; therefore, I'll be committed to make an appearance.”

“Why is the event repugnant?” Manneville probed.

Her brow lowered in a frown. “I don't know how to explain without sounding extremely prejudiced.” Miss Bingley paused briefly. “And, of course, I don't know why I might choose to share such intimate thoughts with you, Sir.”

“Maybe because you know that I'll not judge you,” Manneville said quietly. “We Americans see issues differently from our British counterparts.”

As if embarrassed, Miss Bingley shifted. “You must understand, Sir, that my father sacrificed much to build his fortune—the fortune Charles inherited. He worked countless hours and dealt with scrupulous as well as unscrupulous clients, all to give his wife and
children a better life. There was a time when all any of us could hope for was to live on Society's fringe. All our wealth could not open doors, but slowly that has changed.

“To aid our transitions, my father sent Charles to university and my sister and me to a private seminary in London. We learned to associate with people of rank. It may sound petty, but to attend Tenants' celebrations and to associate with those of lesser connections seems a betrayal to all my father wished for us.”

Manneville maintained his teasing tone. “I'm thankful to hear your explanation, Miss Bingley. I feared that jealousy precipitated your objections.”

“Jealousy!” she gasped. “To whom would I direct my disdain?”

“I'd heard,” Manneville said softly, “that you'd once set your sights on Mr. Darcy.”

She demanded, “Who speaks of my private life?”

Manneville chuckled. “Mrs. Bennet is only too happy to elevate her daughters' virtues at the expense of others.”

“Vile, disgusting woman,” Caroline growled.

“Yes,” Manneville said, “the good lady regaled me with tales of your deceit in matters most personal—of your separating the former Miss Bennet from your brother and of your unsuccessful manipulations to land our host.”

Caroline turned red with anger. “That old tabby,” she spit out the words. “With such apparent connections, could anyone criticize me for dividing Charles from Miss Bennet?”

Manneville scoffed. “Then you don't deny the rumors, Miss Bingley?”

Realizing she'd said too much, Caroline calmed her expression. With a deep sigh of exasperation, she confessed, “I have no wish of denying that I attempted to separate my brother from Miss Bennet. My only regret is that Charles spent several months suffering from disappointed hopes. I never wanted that for him.” She raised her chin in defiance.

Manneville tilted his head back and laughed soundly. “Good
for you, Miss Bingley. I admire a plucky woman—one who knows what she wants and is willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve it. Too many women bemoan their fates.”

Obviously shocked by his response, Caroline stammered, “But I was…I was unsuccessful…unsuccessful in both cases.”

“We know disappointments,” he said as he stood and extended his hand. “What I want to know, Miss Bingley, is whether you're the type of person who can focus her energies elsewhere and earn different fortunes.” He held her gaze for a few seconds before adding, “I thought I might take in the splendor of Mr. Darcy's conservatory. Would you care to join me?”

She slid her hand into his. Manneville helped her to her feet. “Different fortunes? Of what type of fortunes do we speak, Sir?” She hooked her arm through his.

“Not houses or land or tenants,” he said as they strolled toward the door. “Connections and manipulations. Those are the real assets.”