“Yes, that would be lovely,” she said. “Mama could not object, as long as I was with you and Fitzwilliam.” She gavea nervous laugh. “No one could object, as you would not let anything befall me.”
“No, indeed, we would not,” Darcy agreed.
His eyes wandered over to his wife again. He frowned. Was not Wickham holding her rather too closely? Georgiana did not seem to object or even to notice — but then, she was wholly engrossed in the music.
Darcy cleared his throat, forcing his feet to keep time with the steps. He must keep control of himself, for certainly there was no need to worry. He would not stoop to behaving like a jealous husband when there was no reason. He was being ridiculous.
The dance soon ended, and Wickham brought Elizabeth back to his side, handing over her hand to his waiting arm. “Your wife is a charming dancer. She not only plays the pianoforte with passion, but dances with it as well.”
Elizabeth looked surprised, and not a little embarrassed. “Nonsense,” she said briskly. “You are too kind, Mr Wickham.”
Wickham bowed, his eyes dancing with mischief. “I speak only the truth, Mrs Darcy. I thank you for allowing me a chance to stand up with you.”
He backed away, returning to Georgiana. Darcy turned away before he might say anything that he would regret. As always, Wickham was charming — too charming. Exactly what did he mean by turning that charm on Elizabeth?
Chapter 24
When Elizabeth opened her eyes on Christmas Eve day, she blinked several times, looking about her in confusion. There was a strange quality to the light in her room.
No sooner was she fully awake than she understood, and a smile tugged at her lips. Snow! That was the strange, soft, bright, peaceful quality of sunlight hidden behind a blizzard of tiny flakes — and it also explained the thick silence that lay over the house.
Breakfast was a cheery affair. Elizabeth looked about her, feeling full of goodwill for everyone. How lucky she was! From her husband, who was proving to be so much more than she could have ever guessed, to Georgiana, now almost another sister to her. Even Mr Wickham was proving to be more pleasant than she had feared. There were some things about his behaviour that were a little odd, to be sure, but no doubt it was the strain of being at Pemberley, in so difficult a social situation. With luck, next year would see them all far more confident in his worthiness, and in Georgiana’s happiness.
After breakfast, Elizabeth made her excuses and returned to her room to put the final touches on her Christmas presents. As she intended to give tokens to the staff as well as to her family, there was a considerable amount to do.
The result was rather good, even if she said so herself. Thankfully, Elizabeth did not have to.
“Everything is so grand, Mrs Darcy,” Stephans said, her tone full of wonder. “The servants will be stunned when they open these. I know I am.”
“Thank you, Stevens,” Elizabeth said with a merry laugh. “I am glad to hear it. And you must excuse me for spoiling the surprise in your case, but I cannot very well do without you.”
Stevens, who had gradually come to believe that her mistress valued warmth over formality, laughed with her. “Thank you, Mrs Darcy. I am very glad that you would say so.”
Elizabeth gave her a nod of acknowledgement. “Now, we must go about wrapping them.” She looked up at the little clock that sat on her mantel. “Would you retrieve the brown paper and ribbons —”
A brisk knock on her door interrupted her. Elizabeth cocked her head to the side. “Now, who could that be? I will go out into the hall and see who it is. Hide the presents away for me, and we will wrap them later.”
Likely it was Lady Catherine with another lesson, Elizabeth thought. She was not precisely sorry that she had refused Mr Darcy’s offer to send his aunt away. Just as she hoped, she had gained a great deal of ground with Lady Catherine. Even better, she had begun to find some things toadmire in her difficult relation by marriage. Elizabeth liked to think the feeling was mutual.
Still, there was a part of her that was looking forward to the day Lady Catherine returned to Rosings Park and left her in peace, even if she had learned a great deal from her aunt by marriage. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she went to answer the door. In the case of her marriage and how to carry out her duties as a wife, she had learned a great deal of whatnotto do from Lady Catherine.
“Oh! Mr Wickham, it is you,” Elizabeth gasped in surprise when she opened the door and saw him waiting for her. “A very good day to you.” She slipped through the door and closed it behind her, keeping her hands firmly clasped on the doorknob behind her back.
“You look surprised to see me,” he remarked.
“I was expecting Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth explained. “Please excuse my lack of composure. I assure you, it was not out of any displeasure at seeing you.”
“Not at all,” he smiled. “Perhaps it is even somewhat of a relief, hmm?” He gave her a conspiratorial wink. “But perhaps I ought to leave, if you are expecting her.”
“No, we have no appointment,” Elizabeth told him. She indulged herself with a small laugh. “I half expect her to be waiting around every corner and behind every drape, simply to check up on whether I am performing my duties here at Pemberley to her satisfaction.”
“It is my humble opinion that you are doing a splendid job without her lessons,” he smiled. “I would not be worried about Lady Catherine’s opinion, for she always has somethingcondescending to say, no matter how well one’s duties are dispensed.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you for your vote of confidence, sir.” She looked at him curiously, wondering what had brought Mr Wickham to her door. He did not seem to be there merely for an idle chat. “Is there something I can do for you, Mr Wickham?”
“I wondered if you might take a walk with me? I should welcome the company — and, well, sometimes it is easier to bring up what is on one’s mind when one walks.”
“Certainly,” Elizabeth said in surprise. He seemed to imply that he had something of a serious and even delicate nature to impart. “Perhaps we might walk through the portrait gallery, if that suits you. We may each admire the paintings of our respective spouses.”
