Elizabeth rose with the sun, planning to walk in the glass buildings before breakfast, for she knew that the remainder of her time would be spent decorating Rosings for the Christmas season with Mr. Darcy. She could not deny that she was cheerfully anticipating spending the day with the gentleman.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was surprised to see the man himself, already hard at work preparing for their day in the snowy outdoors.
He looked up at her, his face alight with pleasure. “Miss Bennet! I had hoped to have everything in order before you awoke, but I see you have caught me checking off my lists.”
“I had no idea such a fuss was necessary in order to gather greenery. I wish you had told me, sir, and I would have joined you earlier,” she replied, looking at the piles of blankets, tools, baskets, sheets, gloves, and caps.
“No need, for I have done this sort of thing many times,” he said, waving his hand. “I am quite good at the organization of such an enterprise, but I fear I sorely lack in the artistry necessary to place the decorations in a pleasing manner.”
She crossed the hall to stand by him. “Ah, but that is my strength. I shall likely tax you greatly with my demands in that area.”
He chuckled and stood to face the lady. “And shall you select the foliage which pleases you? For only you will know what you require, and you may have whatever you wish. I was quite the tree climber in my youth. High branches were a welcome challenge.”
Elizabeth was delighted with his teasing and clasped her hands in front of her. “Shall we have a Christmas tree? We had one last year at Longbourn, and it was beautiful. It was quite my favourite part of the decorations.”
“My sister has insisted upon a Christmas tree at Pemberley for several years, ever since Queen Charlotte began the tradition.”
A shadow crossed his face, tugging at her heart.
“You must miss your sister.”
“Indeed, I do,” he answered with a sigh. “This will be the first Christmas we have spent apart since she was born, sixteen years ago.”
“Where is she?”
“We were both at our house in London, preparing to return to Pemberley, when I was summoned by my cousin to come here with all haste. Georgiana remained in Town, though she removed from Darcy House to my uncle’s residence there. I would not have her endanger her health by travelling so far through the country in the cold and snow.”
But you would risk your own.
“She will be with Colonel Fitzwilliam and his family?” she asked.
“Yes. In fact, she joined them the day after I left. And you, Miss Elizabeth? Will you miss your family?”
“Yes, but I would not have been home in any case as I planned to be in Kent to help Mrs. Collins.” She looked at her hands. “I confess this has been no great inconvenience for me. Jane will be with her husband and his family in London, and my other sisters shall be merry together with my mother. ’Tis unlikely they will suffer very much due to my absence, though my father shall feel the loss, I think.”
He stepped to her side, offering her his arm. “Shall we break our fast together before we venture into the wilds of Rosings Park?” he asked gently. “I admit I am eager to be on our way. I have not helped with hanging greenery for several years – not since I was twenty-two, I believe.”
“Why not?”
“I had so many more responsibilities after my father died that I had to choose where I spent my time. I went with Georgiana to gather what she wanted, but I allowed servants to take my place in the decoration of the estate.”
His smile faded. “Perhaps I should have spent the time with her instead.”
Elizabeth looked up at him. “I am certain you did what you thought was best for everyone at the time. ’Tis always easy to see a better path after the fact. Hindsight is better than foresight, you know.”
He nodded, and they made their way to the small dining room for breakfast.
~~oo~~
Near the end of their meal, Darcy cleared his throat.
“Miss Bennet, please do not take offense, but I have a suggestion. Of course, you always have the power of refusal. You must do what you think right.”
“You have piqued my curiosity, Mr. Darcy. Please, speak your mind.”
He took a deep breath. “Georgiana was extremely cold the first time she went with me on an excursion similar to the one we undertake today, so I proposed a remedy. She agreed, and the next year did as I recommended. My sister was happy to tell me it was a splendid idea, as she was much more comfortable. Since this is the coldest Christmas I have known for many years, I would share my recommendation with you. I sincerely hope you will not be too shocked at the impropriety.”
She chuckled. “Mr. Darcy, you are, without a doubt, the most proper gentleman I have ever met. If you think your scheme is not improper, I doubt I shall think it is.”
Darcy coloured. “This is a bit embarrassing, but please remember, I am thinking only of your health and comfort.”
He rushed through the rest of his speech. “You will freeze in the clothes you are wearing. I spoke with the head groom, and he gave me an older boy’s trousers and heavy coat. For you.”
“You think I should dress like a boy today?” she asked, her eyes open wide. “Would that not scandalize the neighborhood?”
He shook his head. “I have considered that. There will be no one there but the two of us and a few trusted servants.”
Elizabeth swallowed hard. “I do not object on my part, but perhaps I should not expose myself to the censure of others. It may reflect badly on you, as we will be together.”
“Pray, do not worry for my reputation. I have no misgivings, for my concern your wellbeing far outweighs any reservations I might have otherwise,” he replied, eyes twinkling.
“Besides,” he continued, “you could simply wear a dress over the trousers. Your pelisse coats are all too fine to subject to a day of tromping about the woods, and they are much too thin to keep you warm. I would loan you one of my own great coats, but anything of mine would be far too large for you.”
Elizabeth bit her lower lip. “That is all very true. You have put a great deal of thought into this.” She was quiet for a moment. “You are right, and I shall do as you advise, but I ask a favour.”
He raised a brow. “Ask whatever you will.”
“It must be a secret, for both of our sakes. I doubt your aunt would approve of either of us,” she said, laughing quietly. “You would be condemned for thinking of me in such a way, and I would be excoriated for exposing myself to the disapproval of the world.”
Darcy nodded, smiling. “I have already thought of that. No one else shall know. You can trust me.”
“I trust you implicitly, Mr. Darcy.”
“I shall always strive to deserve your confidence in me, Miss Bennet.”
I have never before seen him smile so much.
She basked in the glow of his warmth.
He has gone to a great deal of trouble to please everyone. He thinks of others before himself. That is what makes a man truly handsome.
~~oo~~
Elizabeth nearly skipped down the stairs after she donned her thickest dress. Seeing Mr. Darcy awaiting her at the front door, she tried to contain her enthusiasm and walk more sedately.
He walked forward to meet her. “Was everything to your liking?”
She chuckled, placing her hand in the crook of his elbow. “If you refer to the trousers, yes,” she whispered. “Most warm and pleasing.”
“Do you have proper shoes for the snow?”
She pointed her toe so that it showed beneath the hem of her dress. “I walk every day, sir. As you see, I have sturdy, leather walking boots, to my mother’s great distress.”
“Excellent. I was wondering if I should send you a pair of Hessians,” he said, knitting his brows. “The snow is quite deep and still coming down. I fear it may come above the top of your boots. Your feet will be cold and wet – you may catch a chill.”
“I truly appreciate your concern,” she said, patting his arm lightly as she looked up at him. “However, my father worries for me even more than you do. He had these boots made for my Christmas present last year. As you see, the toe is rounded. They are in the style of Hessians, but made to fit me. I doubt even you could find fault with them.”
A smile danced on his lips. “But did he think of long socks?”
“Of course. Woolen ones. In fact, I am over-warm while we remain indoors. Shall we go?”
He motioned to the footmen, and soon they were swathed in coats, caps, scarves, and gloves.
Darcy looked at her and laughed. “Have no fear that you will be talked of, for I doubt anyone would know who is hiding under that mound of clothing.”
His laughter is wonderful. A truly glorious sound, worth any amount of my mortification.
“Sir,” she replied, striking a gloved hand to her chest. “You wound me.”
He tilted his head. “I did not dare to hope that I had the ability to wound you. I thought you did not care at all for my good opinion. Has that changed?”
Her muffled voice was merry. “Can you not tell?”
“All I see is your eyes, and they appear to be mocking me.”
“I should like to get to know you better, and that is definitely different from the way I felt in April. I think I misjudged you badly, and I am sorry for it.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them to look at her. “You did not. I am not the same as I was then.”
A horse whinnied just beyond the door.
“Shall we go?” she asked. “The men and horses await us in the cold.”
He shook his head, as if to clear it, then held out his arm to her. “Of course. Come.”
~~oo~~
They had been hard at work for several hours when Darcy ordered the men to return to Rosings with the loaded sleds and horses.
“You must be cold and tired. We should go back for tea and hot soup,” he said to Elizabeth. “I asked Mrs. Robinson to have it ready for us.”
She resisted the urge to stretch and ease her cramped shoulders. “I confess I am frozen and weary, but a little rest and something to eat and drink will soon put me to rights.”
They began to walk towards Rosings.
“Do you think we have enough greenery?”
“Nearly,” she replied. “I have a few more ideas, but it should not take long to gather what I need.”
“I have a scheme as well.”
She turned her head to look up at him and tripped over a root, sending her sprawling in the snow.
Darcy knelt beside her. “Are you injured?”
“No, I think not, though I am a bit humiliated. Will you help me up?” She extended her hand to him.
Darcy tried to help her to her feet, but she cried out as soon as she put weight on her foot.
Without a word, he picked her up as if he were cradling a child.
“Mr. Darcy, you must put me down.”
“You cannot so much as stand, and the sleds are much too far ahead for me to catch them. I see no other solution.”
He began to walk towards Rosings.
“Miss Bennet, ’twould help if you put your arms about my neck. You are dead weight otherwise, and we have over a mile before we reach the house.”
She blushed furiously but did as he asked. “Will you agree to put me down when we are in sight of Rosings?”
“If you are able to walk by leaning on me, I will. Otherwise, I shall carry you the entire way.”
Elizabeth began to chuckle.
Darcy glanced down at her. “You are amused?”
“I am. You are covered in snow and look like a snow beast of some sort.”
“And what are you? My prey?”
She feigned shock. “Do you mean I am in mortal danger? I thought gentleman protected young ladies.”
“You said I was a snow beast. I suppose that means I am not a gentleman.”
In the midst of their banter, Darcy and Elizabeth had failed to notice the man directly in front of them.
“You will unhand my future wife this instant!”
Thomas had returned; he was very angry.