“Be that as it may,” Mr Darcy said softly.
“Well, then, certainly Jane will. She never denies anyone if she can help it, for I have never met a kinder soul, nor one more eager to promote others’ happiness.”
Mr Darcy leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You must be missing her, and all your family. I am sorry they could not be here with us.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I do miss Jane,” she admitted. “But — I find myself much more content here than I might have expected. If I might put it so, I miss them, but I am not lonely.”
I am not lonely, for I am with you.
I love you.
The words were almost on Elizabeth’s lips, though she knew she could not bring herself to say them. Not yet.
Mr Darcy let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “Elizabeth —” he whispered, their lips nearly brushing.
She let her eyes fall closed, relishing the moment. The moment before his lips would have touched hers, they heard footsteps echoing down the cavernous room. Mr Darcy let out a soft growl of frustration, then leaned back, turning to see who was coming.
Elizabeth tried to hide her disappointment as Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared in the archway connecting the north end of the portrait gallery with the southern portion.
“Had you come in search of me, Fitzwilliam?” Mr Darcy asked as he rose from the window seat, a tinge of annoyance in his tone. Elizabeth smiled crookedly to herself, feeling the same frustration.
A smile tugged at the corner of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s mouth. “Pardon the intrusion. I can come back later,” he said.
“No, do not worry,” Elizabeth said hastily, before the embarrassment could mount any further. “I should go back to my room to finish preparations for tonight’s festivities. Excuse me.”
Though telling herself she should not, Elizabeth could not resist the temptation to turn and look back. When she did, she found that Mr Darcy was watching her with a wry smile, as though he, too, could not bear to look away.
Elizabeth forced herself to look back where she was going, before she embarrassed herself yet further by tripping. To her profound relief, she left the gallery without incident. Even after she had returned to her room, her pulse continued to race.
Did Mr Darcy feel for her as she felt for him? Everything in Elizabeth’s heart told her the answer was yes.
Chapter 25
Darcy awoke early the next morning, heartened by the knowledge that it was Christmas Day. The evening before had been all ease and comfort, with a quiet supper, card games, and carols around the hearth, and Georgiana delighting them with her performance on the pianoforte. He rose from his bed, eager to begin the day. Padding to the window, Darcy saw that a thin layer of snow had blanketed the grounds, though thankfully not so much that it would impede the carriage.
Darcy dressed quickly and went downstairs. The others would soon join him, for they planned to attend the Christmas service at Lambton church, then return home for a festive breakfast. But before they came down, he would take this opportunity to check on the surprise he had planned.
Going to the front door, he was glad to see that the grooms and stable boys were already hard at work preparing the carriages. Greenery decorated the coaches, along with sprigs of holly and red berries. Darcy smiled at the effect. Fanciful though it was to have the carriages decorated for Christmas, it was worth it, for he suspected Elizabeth would be delighted.
He did not have long to wait for her response. Soon, the whole family was gathered in the foyer, ready to depart for the church service they would attend at the Lambton parish. Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open in surprise and wonder. “It’s wonderful!” She looked at him, and his heart skipped a beat at the joy spreading across her face. “It is a most wonderful surprise, Mr Darcy, and I thank you for it,” she asked.
“It was not me, really. Thank our stable boys and grooms,” he said. Despite his nonchalant words, his chest swelled as she came to his side and grabbed his arm, pressing close to him.
She did so, and the stable boys nodded shyly at her praise. The head groom stepped forward and gave a respectful bow at the waist. “It was nothing, Mrs Darcy. We were glad to do it, and may I be so bold as to say, a merry Christmas to you.”
“Thank you, Mr Greaves,” Elizabeth said, looking rather touched. “Merry Christmas to you, and to all your family.”
Georgiana and Wickham joined them in the first carriage, while the rest of the party would take the second.
“Oh, how I am looking forward to the service this morning!” Georgiana exclaimed. “It is so long since I have been to the dear little church in Lambton. The choir is very fine.”
“Does your church in London have good musicians as well?” Elizabeth asked curiously. “Such a contrast it must be to little country churches! I cannot imagine how packed the churches are in Town.”
“Ah, I cannot say. We have not yet attended the church by our London home,” Georgiana replied. She gave a guilty smile. “We have been much distracted by setting up the new house.”
“Of course, I cannot imagine how much work it must be to establish a new home,” Elizabeth said. While her words dispelled some of the awkwardness in the coach, Darcy was unsettled by the implications. It had been months. Had they gone all that time without attending services? That was Wickham’s influence, he had no doubt of it. Georgiana had always been eager to attend. Admittedly, he suspected she enjoyed the music more than the sermon, but still, Georgiana had hardly missed a Sunday.
The old stone church of Lambton was filled to overflowing with people coming for the Christmas service, and more beautiful than ever with its decoration of evergreen boughs. Never had Darcy found it so easy to give thanks as with his wife and sister beside him. Georgiana was restored to him, more dear than ever for being so nearly lost, and in better health and spirits than he could have hoped. And Elizabeth…Darcy hardly knew how to express his growing feelings for his wife. He was only profoundly glad that they had found each other.
