“I hope so — since if he marries you I shall be there oft.”
“If? Papa, I assure you, I have thought this through.”
He sighed and patted her hand.
“I did not rush wildly into an attachment. My reason is as in control as it ever has been.”
Mr. Bennet pulled his cap off his head and rubbed the bald patch on top. He then picked the cap up and put it back on. “I attempted to question him, subtly, but I have gained little sense of how Mr. Darcy shall act as a husband. I doubt he knows either.”
“Oh, Papa.” Elizabeth impulsively leaned over and kissed his forehead. “I do dearly adore that you care and put yourself out to such effort.”
“I worry for you, sweet girl.”
“I shall no longer be your burden.”
“You shallalways,no matter what, be my burden. You are my daughter — never a burden, always a joy.”
“I will be happy. Papa, I will be completely happy.”
“I hope so.” Mr. Bennet swiped his hand over his forehead. “Please do not let me face the prospect of seeing my dearest child unhappy with her choice of partner in life.”
Elizabeth was deeply moved, though she had always known of the depth of her father’s care for her.
She embraced him.
He said, “My blessings you always carry with you. Be happy, my child.”
But as she left, Elizabeth felt some odd presentiment of anxiety.
Darcy’s tall lean form smiled at her. Anxiety, worry, and thought about other than him was passed away.
Chapter Seventeen
Christmas Day dawned bright, clear and cold. Thin snow whitened everything, and the crisp dry sun made the weather comfortable. A perfect day to celebrate the birth of the savior of all mankind.
Darcy stepped out as soon as he was dressed for a brisk morning walk. Next year he and Elizabeth would host everyone at Pemberley. He usually hated extended parties at home composed of anyone but his closest of friends. WithElizabethhe could tolerate any party.
The air pinched at his cheeks and the snowy ground crunched under his heavy boots. After a quick walk through the white blanketed woods and gardens, Darcy marched rapidly back to the house.
The past few years Bingley had held a big New Year’s celebration including a fox hunt and a ball at Netherfield, while Bingley’s mother-in-law — no one believed Mr. Bennet to be the one driving the Bennets to host — held a comparatively modest celebration feast on Christmas day.
Around noon Darcy and Bingley would ride with a group of local gentlemen around the neighborhood before they all headed to Longbourn. His fortunate sister and Jane were to travel to Longbourn and Elizabeth immediately following a Christmas breakfast.
When Darcy briskly stepped into the house, he saw that the Yule log still sat smoldering in the hearth. It had been dragged to the house from where it had been cut the previous day with all of the servants following and singing carols. Then the family members poured oil and salt over the wood and lit the log on fire using splinters from the previous year’s Yule log that had been saved by the Bingleys. It was bad luck if the log went out too quickly, and Darcy took it as a pleasant omen, fitting with his high feeling this season, that the ashes had not died out yet.
Bingley came down the big stairs in an elegant dressing robe. “Darcy, old man. Darcy! Out already on Christmas morn! On such a day a man ought for once to sleep.”
Jane — she would be his sister next year — stood behind her husband and smiled widely at him. “We saw you walk into the house — glorious day! Happy Christmas!”
“It is! Happy Christmas!”
Georgiana came from her room, wrapped in a thick woolen night robe. “Fitzwilliam, I am so glad!” She hopped happily. “Jane and I will be off to see Lizzy and Mrs. Bennet next.”
“Happiness — I wish I were with you.”
Everyone gathered in the breakfast room where rich Christmas cakes and hams awaited them. The staff of Netherfield adored Jane and Bingley and had produced a succulent spread. Darcy only half paid attention to the conversation. He had sent to London for a ring he could give her to symbolize their engagement and love, and he hoped to have a chance to give it to Elizabeth privately and to sneak a kiss from her.
Georgiana’s exclamation caught his attention. “Oh! Mr. Peake is not to ride out with the other gentlemen?”
