Christmas at Pemberley (42 page)

Edward corrected, “There is a
xebec
.”

Southland explained to a perplexed-looking Bingley, “A small, three-masted Mediterranean vessel.”

From where he sat, Darcy added “
Xylem
, Bingley. It's a woody plant.”

“
Xiphi
. A
sword
,” Elizabeth challenged. “It is one of my favorite Greek roots.”

“
Xyster,
” Mr. Bennet placed another word into play.

“One could always use
Xanthippe
,” Georgiana said softly.

Bingley laughed lightly. “Point well taken, everyone. I shouldn't play word games with those who devour books.”

“Miss Catherine.” Winkler approached Kitty near the instrument as she straightened the music sheets employed by both Mary and Georgiana earlier in the evening. “I would take my leave from you.”

Kitty turned her back to the room to ensure privacy. “I wish you might stay longer, Sir.”

“Do you?” he asked suspiciously.

Kitty's mouth set in a straight line. “When might I have spoken an untruth to you?” she asked tersely.

Winkler, likewise, stiffened with her tone. “I know of no prevarication on your part, but I'm a man who wonders why a stranger expresses intimate thoughts about a beautiful woman.”

“You consider me beautiful?” Kitty asked, ignoring Winkler's other remarks.

He closed his eyes in frustration. “Miss Catherine, you're well aware of my feelings.”

“I'm aware, Mr. Winkler, but a woman doesn't tire of hearing a gentleman say so. Promise me that you'll shower me with compliments. I'm quite vain,” she said teasingly.

Winkler started to reach for her but quickly dropped his arms to his side. “Catherine, I'd give you anything within my power,” he hissed. “But I need to know of Manneville's attentions. It's uncharitable of me to speak, but I fear with you, my reason is lacking.”

“There's no Mr. Manneville,” she whispered reassuringly. “My mother thought the gentleman a possible suitor and has thrust me into the man's path, but I've given him no encouragement.”

Winkler grudgingly noted, “I do not wish to press the point, but the gentleman could offer more than I. My living cannot compare to Manneville's wealth. We've no official engagement, Catherine. If you wished me to step aside, I'd do so. I want only your happiness.”

“If you truly wish my happiness, Mr. Winkler, you'll speak to Mr. Darcy in a speedy manner,” Kitty declared.

Winkler's smile widened. “Tomorrow, Catherine.”

Elizabeth tapped lightly on Georgiana's door. Within seconds of her entreaty, Georgiana's maid answered the door. “Is my sister available?” It was an impulsive act. With fondness Elizabeth remembered how when she'd first arrived at Pemberley, she and Georgiana had daily shared sisterly secrets. Elizabeth had desperately missed her nightly talks with Jane, and Georgiana had needed
someone to share the anxieties of a young woman, one finishing her time in the schoolroom.

The maid bobbed a curtsy and opened the door wider. “Please come in.” Georgiana motioned to the hearth. “Molly has just freshened the fire.” Turning to the maid, she added, “That shall be all, Molly. I'll ring if I need anything else.” The maid disappeared through the side entrance. “It's pleasant to have your company, Elizabeth. It's been too long.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Elizabeth pulled her chair closer to the one Georgiana occupied. “I wanted to thank you again for assuming the hostess responsibilities for my family.”

“They're my family also,” Georgiana corrected.

Elizabeth smiled warmly. “Of course they are.”

“Your parents have expressed their concern for you,” Georgiana ventured after an awkward pause.

Elizabeth laced her fingers. “I know.” She paused also. “Everyone is worried, and I'm profoundly sorrowful for having given any alarm. I didn't know how to justify what happened with what I expected from life, but the last week has brought new perspectives. My helping Mrs. Joseph find her happiness convinced me that Fitzwilliam and I will soon know our own. Even Mr.Winkler's message today added depth to what I've discovered.”

“I noticed the two of you speaking privately earlier this evening.”

Elizabeth's eyes widened. “There was a time my philosophical musings would've been of no concern to anyone.”

“You're loved unconditionally, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth ironically chuckled. “A blessing to be sure. Sometimes, I feel I don't deserve such devotion, but I'm thankful for it.”

“Shall you like having Mr.Winkler as part of the family?” Georgiana pointedly changed the subject.

Elizabeth accepted the fact that her fears of remaining childless made others uncomfortable. Only Darcy fully understood. “Mr. Winkler shall be a moderating influence on Kitty, and she'll bring some spontaneity to his existence.”

“It sounds as if you describe your and Fitzwilliam's joining,” Georgiana observed.

Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “To a lesser degree, but in many ways, it's true.” She suddenly remembered all those joyous moments when she'd tease Darcy from his habitual “doom and gloom” outlook. She'd not done so in a while. “I need to make a conscious effort to return a bit of mayhem to Fitzwilliam's life. The man has known enough sorrow of late.”

“I'm pleased to hear it,” Georgiana said with a light laugh.

“And what of you, Georgiana? Is your heart engaged?” Elizabeth asked.

She watched as Darcy's sister blushed thoroughly. For a moment, she expected the girl would deny her very noticeable attentiveness to the colonel. “Am I that obvious?” Georgiana said softly.

“Not too obvious,” Elizabeth teased. “Your brother has taken no note.”

Georgiana's agitation increased. “You shan't tell Fitzwilliam, will you? Please, Elizabeth, my brother mustn't know.”

“I'll keep your secret,” Elizabeth assured. “And what of the colonel? Does Edward return your affections?”

Georgiana's relief at being able to speak of her feelings became apparent as the conversation progressed. “Oh, how I wished I knew for certain. There are moments—one in the study a few days ago, for example—when it appears my cousin shares my interest. Then there are those when I doubt my sanity.”

Elizabeth reached for her sister's hand. “I don't doubt it. Men are usually the last to realize their affections are engaged. I imagine the colonel is having difficulty explaining his feelings to his rational mind.” She paused briefly. “Would you like to tell me of this moment in Mr. Darcy's study?”

“Oh, yes,” Georgiana gushed. “May I truly?” Before Elizabeth could answer, the girl continued. “We spoke of my Come Out, and then Edward took me in his arms, and we waltzed. Without music. We swayed so close together, and I thought for a brief span that he would kiss me.”

“Would you have allowed his kiss?” Elizabeth squeezed Georgiana's hand in a gesture of camaraderie.

“Is it wanton to say that I'd like my first kiss to come from Edward?” Georgiana anxiously bit her bottom lip.

Elizabeth leaned forward. “It's not wanton. It's the natural progression of a relationship. Edward is a gentleman, and he'll not take advantage. Again, he probably is experiencing some questions as to how your relationship has changed. May I make an observation?”

“Please do,” Georgiana encouraged.

“Tomorrow is Christmas, and Pemberley seems to have sprouted a large number of mistletoe berries.” Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with mischief. “Surely, an intelligent young lady could find herself under said berries when the colonel passed.”

Georgiana giggled. “I love the way you think, Sister.”

“IT'S A RARITY,” Mr.Winkler said to the nodding congregation, “that Christmas and Sunday coincide.” He paused briefly for that fact to register. “Last evening, we spoke of the sacrifice each must make to know God's glory. Today, I wish to address the wonderful sacrifice of the women in our lives. Specifically, I wish to speak of the undying love of our mothers.”

Darcy felt Elizabeth shift closer to him, and he brought her hand into his lap. He prayed that Winkler's sermon wouldn't upset her.

“In Exodus 2,” Winkler continued, “Jochobed made the ultimate sacrifice to save Moses from the Egyptians by placing him among the bulrushes. When Solomon would have divided the child between the two claimants, the true mother offered the boy to the other woman in order to save her child. Unselfish sacrifice is a part of motherhood. A woman's legacy is the faith she passes on to her children. It's the faith that sustains those children through hardships. It is a mother's Godly sway that defines her dotation.”

Darcy noted a single tear crawling down Elizabeth's cheek. Without thinking, he slipped his handkerchief from his inner pocket and into her hand.

“And what makes a good woman?” Winkler asked. “In Proverbs 31, we learn the words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. In these verses, God describes a woman's trustworthiness and her strength. ‘She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the
poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Strength and honor
are
her clothing. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue
is
the law of kindness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband
also
, and he praiseth her. Favour is deceitful, and beauty
is
vain:
but
a woman
that
feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.' Children are God's gift. We know that in certainty on this most precious of days. Trust in God and your household will know the Lord's reflection.”

 

Darcy escorted Elizabeth outside. “Are you well?” he whispered into her hair.

Elizabeth turned her head sharply to him. “Why should I not be?” She too whispered as the Christmas congregation streamed from the church.

“Mr.Winkler's sermon,” Darcy explained.

Elizabeth understood immediately. “I enjoyed the clergyman's words. In fact, last evening, Mr. Winkler and I spoke openly of motherhood. I believe that the gentleman changed portions of his message based on our discussion. You should have no more fears for my disposition, Fitzwilliam. God shall give us a child when He's ready, not when we are.”

“Are you certain?” Darcy pressed.

“I'm certain of my love for you. Everything else shall fall away as insignificant.”

It was another of those moments when his wife innocently expressed her affections, and his desire rose immediately. He stood on the Lambton church's steps and wished to take Elizabeth into his arms and make love to her. Surely, such thoughts would doom him to hell, but Darcy could no more ignore his overwhelming devotion to his wife than he could take flight. It was his destiny to love her.