Christmas at Pemberley (54 page)

“He's a cad and a thief,” Lady Catherine declared.

Anne poured fresh tea for her mother. “Can you imagine living constantly with such scandal? I'm thankful at moments such as these that I never mastered the
ton
's attentions.”

Elizabeth explained, “According to Edward, on Christmas, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte finally decided to quit fighting the Regent. Prince George convinced his daughter that his wife would replace Charlotte on the throne with Princess Caroline's adopted son William Austin if our Prince should meet an untimely demise.”

Darcy smiled cautiously. “We don't know those to be the facts, Elizabeth.You gossip about His Royal Highness.”

“Everyone gossips about the Prince,” she retorted. “What else are we to do in the trenches of Derbyshire?”

Lady Catherine added, “Or in Kent?”

This new agreement between his wife and his aunt still perplexed Darcy, but he knew Elizabeth would explain it eventually. Something of significance had brought these two different women into accord. “Then gossip on,” he said wryly. “It's not as if I can stop you.”

“As my husband, you could forbid it,” Elizabeth countered.

“I could, but you have an uncanny way of defying me and then convincing me that it was my idea.”

Lady Catherine snorted. “Your dear father used to claim the same about my sister.”

Darcy's eyebrow rose in curiosity, but Elizabeth went on with her tale. “Anyway, Edward suspected something troublesome with Mr. Manneville so he sent a
casual
letter to Viscount Keith marking Edward's return.”

“Mercer Elphinstone's father?”The story held Lady Catherine's attention. “How very daring of the colonel!”

“The viscount was in Scotland, but the Regent's men intercepted our cousin's letter,” Elizabeth continued. “The Prince sent Edward orders to detain Manneville.”

Georgiana gasped, “You knew of this, Fitzwilliam, and you told no one?”

“Of course, I knew. When Mr. Nathan answers Pemberley's door in the night's middle to find the Prince's courier, he had better report to me first or lose his position.” His masked warning had landed squarely on his butler's shoulders. “Of course, Mr. Nathan is a superior servant. He understands the need to protect Pemberley first.”

Elizabeth took up her tale again. “It's long been assumed that Lady Elphinstone holds great sway over Princess Charlotte.”

“For a woman who spends little time in London, you seem well versed in the Prince's court,” Darcy challenged.

“I have an aunt who devours the gossip pages,” she reminded him.

Darcy chuckled. “I hadn't considered your Aunt Gardiner's influence.”

“Why do you suppose her letters are so thick?” Elizabeth taunted. “One can only describe a child's latest sniffle or accomplishment so many times without being bland.”

“Then finish your story, my dear.” Elizabeth smiled prettily at
him, and Darcy's heart took flight. He loved seeing her animated and challenging once again.

“Lady Elphinstone reportedly encouraged Princess Charlotte's relationship with Captain Hesse.The princess's correspondence with the captain is what Edward recovered from Manneville's room.”

Her Ladyship chortled. “How delightful for Edward. He'll earn a promotion for his efforts.”

Darcy warned, “As long as the Prince isn't upset that Manneville escaped.”

“Maybe the Regent can finally convince Charlotte to accept Orange,” Lady Catherine observed.With that, she stood to take her leave. “The Collinses have seen to my coaches.”

The Darcys followed her to their feet. “We'll see you out,Your Ladyship.” Darcy came around the table to place his aunt's hand on his arm. Only then did he notice how Her Ladyship's hand trembled uncontrollably. He started to say something, but a staying glare and a slight shake of his wife's head stopped him. Instead, he locked her hand into place with his free one. Slowly, he walked his aunt to the main door where Mr. Nathan awaited with her outerwear. Lady Catherine's domineering spirit overshadowed how frail she appeared.
Why had he not noticed this before?
“You'll no longer be a stranger to Pemberley,” he said dutifully.

“And you and Mrs. Darcy shall witness Anne's marriage,” Lady Catherine announced.

“Depending on Mrs. Darcy's lying-in,” he reminded her.

 

A quarter hour later, the Rosings coaches departed for Kent.“Come, Mrs. Darcy. You may retell your tale,” he said. “The Bingleys and your parents have yet to hear the latest. I expect they slept through the fracas.”

When they reentered the morning room, the Bennets, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, and Mr. Grange were helping themselves to breakfast. “Her Ladyship found safe roads?” Mr. Bennet asked as he scooped jam onto his toast.

“We certainly hope so,” Darcy said as he resumed his breakfast.

Mrs. Bennet took the chair beside Elizabeth. “I cannot imagine Mr. Collins's consequence once he pronounces Miss De Bourgh's vows.You'll suffer another of the man's odious letters, Mr. Bennet,” she declared.

“You're mistaken, my dear,” her husband corrected. “I find Mr. Collins's letters most entertaining. They're very much like the man himself.”

“Where is Kitty, by the way?” Elizabeth asked as she sipped her second cup of tea.

Jane sat across from her mother. “Charles asked Kitty to summon Caroline.We were all up so late last evening, he couldn't seem to make Miss Bingley hear his entreaty.”

Darcy hid his true reaction to the idea that Caroline Bingley remained abed at the current hour. He'd escaped having his friend's sister as the mistress of his household. “Having so many of our friends and family at last evening's celebration did honor to my tenants. My steward, Mr. Lynden, reports that the cottagers returned home singing Pemberley's praises. I thank you for your participation,” he announced to the table.

“We were pleased to be present for your Boxing Day celebration, Mr. Darcy. It speaks well of you and of the man in whose hands I've placed my daughter's future,” Mr. Bennet solemnly replied.

Upon that note, Kitty burst into the room. “What is it?” Georgiana asked as she rushed to Kitty's side.

“Miss Bingley.” Kitty paled. “Her room is empty. Not a dress or a brush. Nothing.”

Bingley was up and moving immediately. “Are you certain, Kitty?” he asked as he darted past her and headed toward the stairs. Jane followed closely behind him.

Elizabeth caught Kitty about the waist to steady her sister. “She left this note.” Kitty handed it to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth read it quickly and passed it on to Darcy, who scanned
it before saying, “I'll share this with Bingley.” Darcy dashed from the room to find his friend.

“What did the note say, Lizzy?” Mrs. Bennet asked excitedly.

“Miss Bingley has eloped with Mr. Manneville,” Elizabeth announced.

“I suspected as much,” Mrs. Bennet said coyly. “The man offered Miss Bingley a chance at a prominent marriage.”

Elizabeth shook her head in denial. “You don't understand, Mama. The colonel and Lieutenant Southland, along with members of the Regent's personal guard, hunt Mr. Manneville. Miss Bingley has made a terrible mistake.”

20 MARCH 1815

 

Edward had arrived at Pemberley two days prior with the specific purpose of speaking to Georgiana.They were to marry in ten days, but he he'd received new orders to report directly to Wellington. On 13 March, the Congress of Vienna had declared Napoleon an outlaw. Four days later, the British government, along with Russia, Prussia, and Austria, had vowed to end Napoleon's hopes by placing 150,000 men in the “emperor's” way. Ever since Napoleon's landing on Antibes on 1 March, the newly minted Major General had spent his days couriering information between the Home Office and various leaders of Britain's military forces.

“You look magnificent in the new uniform.” Georgiana's soft voice stayed the anxiety building in his chest.

Edward turned slowly to take in her beauty's complete perfection. He smiled with satisfaction. “I was a colonel for so many years, I sometimes forget to respond to my new title.” He allowed his eyes to trace her figure. “I never tire of looking at you,” he said seductively. “I'm the most blessed of men to have won your regard.”

Georgiana remained framed in the open doorway. “I'm pleased you've returned early to Pemberley. We can finalize our wedding plans together.”

Edward's frown lines deepened. “That's why I needed to speak to you, Georgiana. Please come and join me.”

Georgiana's countenance betrayed her concern. “Is something awry?” She allowed Edward to take her hand and to lead her to a nearby settee.

Edward didn't answer immediately. Instead, he waited until she was properly settled. He had retained her hand and brought it to his lips for a soft caress. “I feel it's been a lifetime since I last looked upon your countenance.”

“Edward, please,” she pleaded. “I cannot concentrate on the niceties until you tell me what troubles you.”

He grasped her small hands in his, but Edward couldn't make himself look directly at her.“Georgie,” he said in his most comforting voice, “I'll not be in England on our scheduled wedding day. With Napoleon marching toward Paris, the government has assembled all able forces. I'm to report to Hull for departure in one week.”

He raised his eyes to see his beautiful bride-to-be fighting back the tears. “So soon?” she questioned. “I'd hoped that you would have escaped seeing more action. You… you've already… already served on two fronts.” Georgiana swallowed her panic.

“I've no choice, Georgiana. We agreed that I'd not accept a buyout.”

Georgiana intertwined her fingers with his. “I know,” she said with finality. They sat together for several silent minutes, thinking their way through the dilemma. Finally, she said, “We'll marry on Monday.”

Edward removed his eyes from the close examination of her long delicate fingers. He had planned to carry all these memories with him. Now, he was ready to argue with her declaration. “Georgie, I've been thinking. Maybe it's best if we wait until after this campaign. There's the strong possibility that I could return no longer whole, or worse yet, make you a widow. I would not have your mourning my passing wearing your bridal gown.”

“Edward, please tell me that you don't believe me so shallow?”

“Georgie, I just want to protect you.”

“I'm not made of fine porcelain,” she protested. “If my husband is injured, I'll tend him.”

Edward caressed her cheek. “You deserve better than a broken man.”

“May I not decide for myself what I deserve?”

“But…” he began; however, Georgiana's scowl turned his counterpoint null.

“Edward Fitzwilliam,” she chastised. “You're one of the most articulate men I know, but now isn't the time to speak. Instead, listen well to my words.When you leave to join Wellington's forces, you'll do so with the knowledge that I belong to you forever. We shall marry on Monday. His Lordship and the Countess shall be at Pemberley tomorrow, as shall your brother, the Viscountess, and Lindale's heir. With Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth here also, we need share with no one else.”

Edward smiled lovingly at her. “What happened to that sweet naive young girl who feared the world?”

Georgiana's mouth set in a straight line. “That simpering miss learned from her hard lessons. Surely, you don't prefer the Georgiana who you cradled in your arms after Mr.Wickham's dejection and possessing the realization of her own stupidity.”

“That Georgiana still needed me,” Edward taunted. “The woman I see before me now is an echo of her brother's wife.”

“Elizabeth has shown me resolve's strength, but what you see is the Georgiana who has always wished to be an independent woman. However, that independence allows me to choose your protection and your love.”

Edward chuckled. “I'm not sure I'll ever understand the depth of your graciousness and the reasons you love me, but I'm content to wallow in your goodness.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “We'll marry on Monday, and I'll leave on Thursday. Do you suppose your brother could ready the dower house? I'd planned for us to visit the Fitzwilliam holdings in Scotland, but that will wait
until my return. I'll leave for the Continent with the memory of your kiss on my lips.”