Christmas at Pemberley

Edward had arrived at Pemberley two days prior with the specific purpose of speaking to Georgiana.They were to marry in ten days, but he he’d received new orders to report directly to Wellington. On 13 March, the Congress of Vienna had declared Napoleon an outlaw. Four days later, the British government, along with Russia, Prussia, and Austria, had vowed to end Napoleon’s hopes by placing 150,000 men in the “emperor’s” way. Ever since Napoleon’s landing on Antibes on 1 March, the newly minted Major General had spent his days couriering information between the Home Office and various leaders of Britain’s military forces.

“You look magnificent in the new uniform.” Georgiana’s soft voice stayed the anxiety building in his chest.

Edward turned slowly to take in her beauty’s complete perfection. He smiled with satisfaction. “I was a colonel for so many years, I sometimes forget to respond to my new title.” He allowed his eyes to trace her figure. “I never tire of looking at you,” he said seductively. “I’m the most blessed of men to have won your regard.”

Georgiana remained framed in the open doorway. “I’m pleased you’ve returned early to Pemberley. We can finalize our wedding plans together.”

Edward’s frown lines deepened. “That’s why I needed to speak to you, Georgiana. Please come and join me.”

Georgiana’s countenance betrayed her concern. “Is something awry?” She allowed Edward to take her hand and to lead her to a nearby settee.

Edward didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he waited until she was properly settled. He had retained her hand and brought it to his lips for a soft caress. “I feel it’s been a lifetime since I last looked upon your countenance.”

“Edward, please,” she pleaded. “I cannot concentrate on the niceties until you tell me what troubles you.”

He grasped her small hands in his, but Edward couldn’t make himself look directly at her.“Georgie,” he said in his most comforting voice, “I’ll not be in England on our scheduled wedding day. With Napoleon marching toward Paris, the government has assembled all able forces. I’m to report to Hull for departure in one week.”

He raised his eyes to see his beautiful bride-to-be fighting back the tears. “So soon?” she questioned. “I’d hoped that you would have escaped seeing more action. You… you’ve already… already served on two fronts.” Georgiana swallowed her panic.

“I’ve no choice, Georgiana. We agreed that I’d not accept a buyout.”

Georgiana intertwined her fingers with his. “I know,” she said with finality. They sat together for several silent minutes, thinking their way through the dilemma. Finally, she said, “We’ll marry on Monday.”

Edward removed his eyes from the close examination of her long delicate fingers. He had planned to carry all these memories with him. Now, he was ready to argue with her declaration. “Georgie, I’ve been thinking. Maybe it’s best if we wait until after this campaign. There’s the strong possibility that I could return no longer whole, or worse yet, make you a widow. I would not have your mourning my passing wearing your bridal gown.”

“Edward, please tell me that you don’t believe me so shallow?”

“Georgie, I just want to protect you.”

“I’m not made of fine porcelain,” she protested. “If my husband is injured, I’ll tend him.”

Edward caressed her cheek. “You deserve better than a broken man.”

“May I not decide for myself what I deserve?”

“But…” he began; however, Georgiana’s scowl turned his counterpoint null.

“Edward Fitzwilliam,” she chastised. “You’re one of the most articulate men I know, but now isn’t the time to speak. Instead, listen well to my words.When you leave to join Wellington’s forces, you’ll do so with the knowledge that I belong to you forever. We shall marry on Monday. His Lordship and the Countess shall be at Pemberley tomorrow, as shall your brother, the Viscountess, and Lindale’s heir. With Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth here also, we need share with no one else.”

Edward smiled lovingly at her. “What happened to that sweet naive young girl who feared the world?”

Georgiana’s mouth set in a straight line. “That simpering miss learned from her hard lessons. Surely, you don’t prefer the Georgiana who you cradled in your arms after Mr.Wickham’s dejection and possessing the realization of her own stupidity.”

“That Georgiana still needed me,” Edward taunted. “The woman I see before me now is an echo of her brother’s wife.”

“Elizabeth has shown me resolve’s strength, but what you see is the Georgiana who has always wished to be an independent woman. However, that independence allows me to choose your protection and your love.”

Edward chuckled. “I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the depth of your graciousness and the reasons you love me, but I’m content to wallow in your goodness.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “We’ll marry on Monday, and I’ll leave on Thursday. Do you suppose your brother could ready the dower house? I’d planned for us to visit the Fitzwilliam holdings in Scotland, but that will wait until my return. I’ll leave for the Continent with the memory of your kiss on my lips.”

Bingley heaved a deep sigh. “What can I do? Caroline is Mr. Buckley’s wife. I’ve seen the marriage license. The man married her aboard ship and then a second time when they landed in Baltimore. He claims he wanted to alleviate my anxiety, but I question the legality of their first joining. It wasn’t a reputable ship upon which they sailed to America.”

“Did not Miss Bingley realize her mistake when Manneville became Buckley?” Edward asked.

Bingley looked heartbroken. “Caroline had no choice: Buckley had thoroughly compromised her. Luckily, the man was not entirely without scruples. He does own a house in Charleston and a decent-sized estate south of there. But I don’t think my new brother is totally solvent. He was most anxious to finally receive Caroline’s dowry.”

“And you’ll comply?” Darcy shook his head in disbelief.

“I cannot deny Caroline her inheritance. My father’s will specifies that she’d receive it without my consent when she reaches the age of five and twenty. That’s in another two months; whether I wish to delay it or not, I have no alternative.” Bingley took a deep drink from his wine. It was too early for any others to imbibe, but Bingley had suffered much from his sister’s actions. “My new brother holds high ambitions. Maybe he and Caroline will do well together. I can only hope it will be so.”

Edward placed his teacup on the tray. “I wish I’d known Buckley had taken your sister’s carriage, and that she was with him. We looked for a single man, not a couple.”

“Bingley and I assumed that was part of Buckley’s motivation in convincing Miss Bingley to accompany him. He had no coach of his own nor did he know the best places from which to ship out. Miss Bingley served as a source of information and provided the perfect cover for the man’s escape.”

“It’s a shame, Bingley, that the man used your sister so poorly,” Edward remarked. “We were late in discovering Buckley’s real name and his familial connection to Hesse.”

A light tap on the door ended their conversation. Elizabeth appeared, and Darcy’s whole composure changed. “It’s time to leave, Mr. Darcy.”

“We’ll be there momentarily, my dear.”

She gave them a quick curtsy and departed.

“Mrs. Darcy glows,” Edward noted.

“She celebrates the third calling of your banns,” Darcy teased.

“I suspect it’s more than that.” Edward said smugly. “But either way, we shouldn’t tarry.”

“Miss Catherine,” Edward said as he touched Kitty’s elbow. He’d expected her to be one of the first down for the church services. Her relationship with Winkler was common knowledge, and a summer wedding was expected. “May we have a few moments together?” He nodded toward an empty drawing room.

“Of course.” She sounded suspicious. “Is there something faulty, Sir?” she asked when he closed the door behind them.

“Nothing is out of kilter,” he assured. “I wanted to speak to you privately because the others don’t know of the service you did me when I searched Buckley’s room.”

“It was truly nothing,” she began, but his scowl cut off the words.

“Neither the Prince Regent nor I consider it to be nothing. Because you forestalled Buckley’s return to his room, I managed to find Princess Charlotte’s letters. Now, the princess is free to accept Prince Leopold’s attentions. This pleases the Regent very much. He’s sent you a gift to show his approval.”

Kitty gasped, “A gift from the Prince. Surely, you must be mistaken!”

“No mistake, Miss Catherine.” He produced a small teardrop diamond on a gold chain. “Our Prince wished to send something grander, but I convinced our sovereign that you’d have trouble explaining anything larger to your family.”

“Oh, my!” She looked amazed. “It’s exquisite. I’ve never owned anything half as fine.”

“The Prince wasn’t satisfied with just the necklace,” Edward continued. “He’s dowered you with two thousand pounds in your name. I’ll deliver the papers when we have the opportunity to speak again privately.” He hooked the necklace about her neck. The teardrop fell between her breasts and was hidden from view.

“This is too much,” Kitty declared, but she fingered the diamond lovingly. “How might I thank the Prince?”

“I’ll see to it for you. Possibly, you might write a note of gratitude.”

“Most certainly.” Kitty stood in complete shock.

Edward smiled happily. “My tale of how Buckley manhandled you and how you persevered entertained His Highness most thoroughly. So, there’s one last thing.” Kitty’s eyes widened in disbelief. “His Royal Majesty cannot bestow a title on you, but he thought that once you and Mr. Winkler joined that he might concoct a reason to give your new husband a knighthood. Sir Thorne and Lady Winkler sounds quite delicious, does it not? You’ll have something even Mrs. Darcy doesn’t have. The Prince will make arrangements to bring you to St. James.”

Kitty’s mouth remained agape. “Just like Lady Lucas. I’ll be Lady Winkler. Mama will be so pleased, and Lydia will be eaten up with envy.” She impulsively hugged Edward. “Oh, how do I thank you?”

“As before, your silence is required,” he cautioned. “For that, you’ll reap the benefits.”

“Tell His Royal Highness that I can be as silent as a tomb.”

Mr. Winkler’s voice rang clear. “Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and our Saviour Christ saith None can enter into the kingdom of God except he be regenerate and born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of His bounteous mercy He will grant to this Child that which by nature he cannot have that he may be baptized with Water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ’s holy Church, and be made a living member of the same.”

He had taken the boy in his arms at the beginning of the service, and his son had immediately fallen asleep. It was his role in tending to their child, and Darcy never tired of it. When Elizabeth could not quiet the boy, Darcy would cradle him and whisper words of protection—a vow of love—and young Master Darcy would go silent.

Now, he and Elizabeth presented the boy to the community. His child secured Pemberley’s future, and he couldn’t contain his happiness. Looking over at his wife, Darcy observed the same completeness—not so much that she had delivered a male heir for the estate, but that God had found her “worthy,” after all. Darcy had no doubts that Pemberley would know such happiness again and again.

The ceremony had progressed to the point where the boy’s godparents would perform their duties. Requiring three godparents, Darcy had asked Edward, Bingley, and Georgiana to serve in his and Elizabeth’s stead. His cousin and sister were to marry and would see to the boy, as would Bingley and Elizabeth’s sister Jane. His son would never suffer. He would have the best of everything.

“Dearly beloved, ye have brought this Child here to be baptized; ye have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive him, to release him from sin, to sanctify him with the Holy Ghost, to give him the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in His Gospel to grant all those things that ye have prayed for: which promise He, for his part, will most surely keep and perform. Wherefore after this promise made by Christ, this Infant must also faithfully, for his part, promise by you that are his sureties (until he come of age to take it upon himself) that he will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God’s holy Word, and obediently keep His commandments. I demand therefore, Dost thou, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?”

The three godparents responded together, “I renounce them all; and, by God’s help, will endeavour not to follow, nor be led by them.”

Winkler continued, “Dost thou believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles’ Creed?”

Together again, they answered, “I do.”

“Wilt thou be baptized in this Faith?”

“That is my desire.” Two strong male voices and his sister’s sweetness answered.

“Wilt thou then obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?”

“I will; by God’s help.”

Darcy shifted the boy in his arms. He rolled back the blanket and traced the soft cheek with his fingertip. His heir wouldn’t approve of what was to follow. The baptism would interrupt the boy’s sleep.

“Almighty, ever-living God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of His most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to His disciples, that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation; sanctify this Water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that this Child, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Mr. Winkler’s prompting led the congregation, and the onlookers responded, “Amen.”

Then the clergyman took the boy into his hands, and Darcy fought the urge to snatch the child away and take him home to Pemberley. He felt bereft of his son’s warmth. “I charge you as this child’s godparents to name the boy.”

As planned, Georgiana answered for them. “Bennet Fitzwilliam George Darcy.”

Over his wife’s shoulder, Darcy could see a lone tear sliding across Mr. Bennet’s wrinkled cheek. Darcy thought of his own dear father’s countenance and imagined the pure joy that would have been displayed upon his parents’ faces at this moment. Elizabeth’s father had escorted Georgiana and Kitty to Pemberley after Anne’s wedding. Besides wishing to see Elizabeth safely delivered of her child, Mr. Bennet had wanted to escape the chaos surrounding the preparations for Mary’s nuptials. Therefore, when Darcy and Elizabeth could not attend Anne’s wedding, Mr. Bennet had volunteered to see Georgiana and Kitty to Pemberley from Kent.

Keeping with the Darcy family tradition, early on, he and Elizabeth had agreed to bestow their firstborn son with his mother’s family surname. He was Fitzwilliam Darcy because Lady Anne was a Fitzwilliam. Young Bennet would maintain the tradition. Elizabeth’s family name would live on after her father’s passing.

Repeating the name, Winkler officially certified it. “Bennet Fitzwilliam George Darcy, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” And the clergyman immersed the child in the water, and the congregation said the requisite “Amen,” over the boy’s verbal protests of being jarred awake.

Elizabeth took young Bennet from Winkler and quickly wrapped him in a large thick cloth, which Georgiana handed her. “I have you,” she whispered to the boy and pulled him closer. “You are God’s child, now.” She kissed the dark curls on the boy’s head, and he quieted immediately.

Darcy looked on in satisfaction as Winkler recited the next passage from The Book of Common Prayer. “We receive this Child into the Congregation of Christ’s flock, and do sign him with the sign of the Cross. In token hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the Faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ’s faithful soldier and servant unto his life’s end.”

After that, Darcy heard little of what remained of the service. His mind remained on the Madonna-like image of his wife and child. Yesterday, they had received a detailed letter from Mary Joseph describing the three-month-old William. Elizabeth had read it twice, and even he’d delighted in her oral recitation. Soon, she would mimic Mrs. Joseph’s epistolary style and send volumes of newsy letters of their son’s accomplishments: the boy’s first tooth, first word, his first steps. Just as Mrs. Joseph had predicted, many momentous occasions would follow this day.

The most surprising part of Mary Joseph’s letter wasn’t the final passing of her husband’s mother, but the news of Mary’s reconciliation with her father, who was none other than Edgar Parnell.

“Did you know of Mrs. Joseph’s connection to Parnell?” he had asked Elizabeth after reading the businessman’s letter, in which Parnell had agreed to partner with Darcy in a shipping venture.

“Of course, I didn’t know,” she had protested. Then Elizabeth smiled widely before saying,“If so, I might have withheld my services until the dear lady promised to speak to her father on your behalf.”

Darcy had laughed at her and then chased his wife about his study. It was the first time they had made love since she had delivered their child some three-plus weeks prior. Afterwards, as they had lain, wrapped in each other’s arms, on the animal rug before the hearth, he had nuzzled into her hair and whispered, “Thank you, Lizzy.You’ve given me a perfect world.”

“My heart has been transformed by your love and by God’s grace.”

Darcy had brushed the hair from her face. “Our last Christmas changed our lives. We befriended the Josephs and will be forever connected to them. Georgiana and Kitty have chosen men to complete them. Anne knows family, at last. You and my aunt have resolved your differences, and we’ve both come to know the grace of God in our child’s face.”

Elizabeth kissed him briefly. “I had looked for God in all the wrong places. He’s not found among the dead, not in the cemetery. I looked so hard for Godly things that I nearly missed God’s grace when it presented itself. I’ve come to understand that a person needs God’s love the most when he sees the need the least.”