Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (86 page)

“And you as well.”  Elizabeth held her hand.  “You love him so much, how can you bear to be parted from him so long?”

“I had Georgiana this time.”  Their gazes went to the door.  “And now my dear Samuel is home.  Mr. Easterly has given him the entire month of January to visit.”  She found her handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.  “It is so very kind of him.  Harding spoke to him about granting the favour, and I know it was to make up for his absence.”  Elizabeth squeezed her arm and she smiled.  “Someday.” 

Elizabeth looked up when Darcy and Georgiana returned to the room.  “Now then, is everyone here?  Where is . . . what am I to call him?”

“Bertie.”  Richard called out.  His parents and sister laughed.  “He hates it with passion.”

“Then I would rather not fuel his passions.  Albert?”

“He will hate it as well, but he will not remember, carry on.”  Lord Matlock fell into a chair.  “You seem to have a bee in your bonnet, Mrs. Darcy.”

“I only wish to celebrate this day as it should be.  We attended church, we consumed an outstanding meal, and now . . .”  A maid came in bearing a wide silver bowl filled with currents, raisins, almonds and figs.  Another came in with a punch bowl and yet another had a tray loaded with cakes.  

“What is this?”  Darcy stood behind her chair and placed his hands on her shoulders.  He watched as a footman opened a bottle and poured it over the fruit.  “Is that brandy?”

Richard took a sniff and stood from the card table.  “It certainly looks like it.  What are you up to, Elizabeth?” 

She laughed and moved to sit on the floor by the table.  “Come on, gather around, surely you have played snapdragon?”

“No.”  Chorused the room and she sighed.  Darcy knelt beside her.  “What do we do?” 

“Samuel, you are closest, could you light a match, please?  Now everyone sit back unless you want your eyebrows singed!”  Samuel touched the flame to the tray and with a
whoosh
there was a fire burning with a bluish glow.   “Quickly everyone, snatch a fruit!”  Elizabeth cried and boldly reached into the flames and popped the soaked raisin into her mouth.  “Come on!” 

Darcy stared at her with his mouth open, and following her lead grabbed a current.  “It is hot!”  He laughed when he dropped it in his mouth. 

“What do you expect?”  Richard chuckled and gave it a try, opening his mouth to expose the flame on his tongue.”

“You look like a demon, Richard!”  Cathy gasped

“This is easy!  Will you try, Mother?”  Samuel smiled.

“I have not done this for years . . .”  Her hand reached forward and back a few times, then shutting her eyes she quickly moved in for her prize.  “Oh, I did it!”  She said with more relief than delight.

“I shall be burned!”  Lady Matlock cringed.

“Oh go on, Grace.”  Lord Matlock reached in.  “I rather like that sensation.” 

Cathy sniffed and reached in, lingering a little too long.  “Oh!” 

“Twit, you are not quick enough, go on try again!”  Richard pushed her.

“What is this?”  Gladney reentered the room and stood by the doorway in disbelief.

“Bertie, come on, this should be right up your alley.”  Richard moved over a little. 

“Why?”  He looked at the scene suspiciously.

“You are always snatching a reward from a flaming pile.  You are full of false courage, get to it.” 

“What is the prize?”  Gladney demanded.

Richard groaned.  “Your pomade will not catch fire.”  Grabbing his hand, he stuck it into the flames.  Gladney yelped and stumbled back.  “Fine, do it yourself!”

“There is a prize!  Find the lucky raisin and you may have a wish of your choice for the reward.  Just take care not to swallow the button!”  Elizabeth laughed as instantly the men responded and grabbed for raisins.  “I do not even care to know what you all are hoping for.”  Elizabeth smiled at her staring sister and popped another current in her mouth.    “Come on, Georgiana, they are lovely.”

Darcy nodded and she cautiously reached in.  “Ow!”  She withdrew her hand. 

“With confidence, Georgiana, we would not let anything hurt you.”  Darcy urged.  “Try.” 

“Very well.”  Biting her lip she plunged her hand into the flaming mass and squealed when she snatched a handful of fruit. 

“Excellent!”  Darcy laughed and looked to Elizabeth who was sitting back, watching the family taking turns stealing into the flames.  The conversation had changed.  It was the familiar rhythm of insults and boasting, challenges and tale telling that naturally come about when a family gathers and is willing to let down its guard.  Darcy moved away from the table and she leaned into his arms, and looked up to him.  “I know it will probably not last beyond the next sunrise, but I thank you for this one night, dear Elizabeth.” 

“Maybe a little of it will last.”  She closed her eyes as he pressed his lips to her forehead.  They smiled when Georgiana reached in again and Samuel threw a current at Richard who immediately retaliated with several of his own, and then they both went after Cathy and Gladney.  “Charades next?”  She giggled when Darcy groaned softly.  “A word game?”

“Dancing.”  He whispered in her ear. 

“And then what would you like?” 

Darcy nodded to the table.  “What is in that punch?”

“I am certain it is more wine than juice.”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Why?”

“Because I think that you and I need to become silly drunk and then go upstairs,” his eyes twinkled, “and I shall present you with your gift.”  Then pressing a tiny gold button into her hand, his teeth gently nipped her ear.  “And you can present me with mine.” 

Chapter 27

 
“Y
ou have made a great many families happy today.  It was so nice to see them anticipating the arrival of the master.”  Elizabeth hugged Darcy’s arm as their sleigh glided away from the tenant’s home on Boxing Day. 

“None of them knew that I would appear, love.  I never have before.  I am rarely at Pemberley for Christmas.”  He smiled to see her surprise.  “You have turned my life upside down.”

“No dear, that is what you have done to mine; at least you are familiar with the places you sleep at night! I am just barely finding my way around another vast home.  Blame your family for your feelings of discombobulation.”  She lifted her chin and stared determinedly forward.  “
I
am righting the ship.” 

“Is that so?  Well then, Captain, are we finished?”  Darcy glanced to the back of the sleigh. 

“One more.”  Elizabeth laughed when he sighed and laughed harder when he looked at her with one raised brow.  “Oh very well, yes, we are finished.”   She saw his eyes twinkling as he watched the horse’s direction.  “Do not try to fool me, Fitzwilliam Darcy.  You are enjoying yourself immensely, and I am glad to see it.  We needed this time alone.” 

“We did, but most of all, I am enjoying watching you.”

“That is silly, you may watch me anytime.”  She kissed his cheek, and he smiled at her.  “What do you find so fascinating?”

“I am acutely aware of how you carried the entirety of the conversations.  I thought that I was fairly relaxed around my people, but seeing how easily you meet them, complete strangers, I . . .” He ducked his head to kiss her.  “I am ashamed.  I am as aloof as you have accused.” 

“I thought that you did very well.”  He snorted.  “I know how uncomfortable you are with fawning, but it was my impression that they truly hold you in high regard.  Not one of the smiles and bows were offered as people attempting to appease the master, but because they genuinely respect you.”  He looked down at the reins and back out to the snowy pathway.  Elizabeth smiled as his embarrassment grew.  “It is I who have been failing so terribly today.”

“You?”  His head whipped around.  “Whatever do you mean?  I just said that you do so well with them!”

Elizabeth gently tapped his hands and pointed forward.  He continued staring for a moment then looked ahead.  “I know, but . . . I am completely unsure if I am behaving properly.  I mean, well, just how
should
the Mistress of Pemberley behave to her tenants?”

A slow smile appeared and he chuckled.   “Elizabeth Darcy, are you actually asking me how to be aloof?”

“No!”  She gasped.

“It certainly sounds that way.”  His lips twitched and he shot her a look before returning his attention to the path.  “My aunt’s unending criticisms have hit home and you are feeling self-conscious.”  When she looked down, he nudged her, “How did your mother greet Longbourn’s tenants?” 

“Ohh,” Elizabeth groaned.  “She put on airs.”

“Superiority?” 

“Perhaps that is the wrong way to put it, but she does enjoy being mistress of the largest estate in the area.”

“What of Netherfield?”

“Oh no, that does not count, it is let out.”  Darcy’s eyes looked heavenwards.  “
She
is a resident of longstanding in an estate with a longer history.”  Elizabeth fluttered an imaginary handkerchief and smiled to hear the rumble of his laughter.  “I pleased you.”

“You know that you do.  Nobody in my life has ever approached the happiness you bring me simply by sitting by my side.  And when you grace me with your smile and your voice . . .” Elizabeth’s pink face grew pinker with a blush.   Holding the reins in one hand he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her warm cheek.  “I think that you are setting the precedent for the mistresses of this estate to follow for generations ahead.  Mother has been gone for too long for anyone to clearly remember her, even I barely remember her.  You do whatever you think is best.  I trust you.”

She stared at him with unhidden awe.  “Sometimes I am overwhelmed with how very much you trust me.”

He smiled and looked back over the horse’s head.  “You would prefer suspicion on my part?”

“No!” She snuggled against him.  “Ignore my babbling, I am cold.  It is clearly freezing my mind.” 

“I will have you home and warm very soon, my love.  Look, there is the Bensons’ home.  Our last stop.” 

“It looks like a snug cottage.”  She smiled and sat up, fixing her coat while observing the small house.  “All of your tenants’ homes seem to be well-maintained.”

“I would hope so; my steward would get an earful if they were not.”  Darcy pulled on the reins and the horse slowed to a stop.  “Here we are.” 

Jumping down from the sleigh, he held out his hand and helped her down, then reached into the back for the last of the boxes.  The door of the cottage burst open and two boys rushed out.  “Mr. Darcy!”  The eldest cried and then stopped dead to bow. 

Darcy heard a giggle from Elizabeth and shaking his head, turned to them and nodded.  “Boys.  Will you please help to carry these in?”

“Yes, sir.”  They ran up and Darcy gave them each a box, and reserving the heaviest for himself; offered Elizabeth his hand.  “Right this way, sir!  Mother is so excited!” 

“Oh no.”  He whispered. 

“You will be fine.”  Elizabeth squeezed his hand. 

“Mr. Darcy, please, come in.”  Mr. Benson met them at the door, taking the box and bowing all at once.  “This is such a surprise, sir!  If anything we thought your steward might come, but yourself, sir!  And Mrs. Darcy!  It is a great honour!”

“Mr. Darcy, welcome, sir.  Mrs. Darcy, I saw you at church, madam but never expected to see you here. Welcome, madam.”  Mrs. Benson was still hurriedly folding her apron and smoothing her dress nervously, while darting her eyes around the room. 

“Thank you.”  Darcy paused as the family looked at him expectantly and drew confidence from Elizabeth’s warm eyes.  “Mrs. Darcy, this is Mr. and Mrs. Benson and their children.”

“I am very pleased to meet you.”  Elizabeth smiled kindly at the bewildered family.  “Your home is lovely.”  They heard a baby coo and all eyes turned to a cradle near the fire.  “And what a plump little cherub you have!”  She bent to tickle the bright-eyed baby’s chin.

“Oh, thank you, Mrs. Darcy, she is my angel.”  Mrs. Benson blushed as she regarded her baby with pride.  Elizabeth straightened and rejoined Darcy as the woman waved her hand at the room.  “We are happy to be at Pemberley.  This is a good sound home.”

“The new chimney works perfect, sir.”  Mr. Benson said eagerly.  “Can’t tell you how nice it was when the place stopped filling up with smoke.”

“I can imagine!”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Did you order repairs, Mr. Darcy?”

“Of course, as soon as I was aware.”  He looked at her and saw the encouragement in her smile and returned to his tenants.  “Is there anything else that could use some attention, Benson?”

“Oh, no sir, nothing at all.”  He said fervently, and looking to his wife made a face. 

“I think that Mrs. Benson disagrees.”  Elizabeth said softly.

“I think you are correct, Mrs. Darcy.  Please do not hesitate to tell me.”   Darcy fixed his serious gaze on Mr. Benson.  “Is it the house?  The children?  Are they well?”  He looked to the two boys staring up at him. 

“Yes, sir.  Healthy as horses, sir.”  Mrs. Benson looked expressively at her husband. 

He waved her off and turned to his master, “Well sir, you see, I . . . I found this piece of glass.”  Darcy’s brow furrowed and he watched as Mr. Benson dashed across the room and up a ladder to a loft and back down again, gingerly carrying a thin object covered in burlap.  He unwrapped it, and there lay a rectangle of glass, about the size of bread box. 

“You found this, you say?”  Darcy touched it curiously.

“It wasn’t on the estate, sir, I . . . I would never steal from you, sir.”

“I was not concerned of that, I am only curious how such an object could be lost and remain undamaged.”  He looked at the man expectantly. 

“Tell him, Alfie.”  Mrs. Benson urged.

“It was left from the reglazing at the Porter estate.  Mrs. Benson’s brother worked on it, and he . . .” Darcy held up his hand and the man stopped.  “We were wondering, sir, if I could put a window in our bedchamber.  It gets terribly warm back there in summer and it would be nice to have a bit of light.  I know it would increase you taxes sir, but we would be glad to pay it in our rent for you . . .”