Christmas at Pemberley (45 page)

“Because, Your Ladyship, you honor
family
. You never wanted me at Pemberley because you wanted to align your branch of the
family
with that of your dear sister's. You've returned to my husband's house because you desire a connection to your
family
—to your niece and nephew.”

“Yet, neither wants me here,” Lady Catherine said unguardedly.

Elizabeth's voice rose in her husband's defense. “Mr. Darcy's allegiance to family is as deep as yours, Ma'am. He'll not turn his back on his cousin if Anne chooses Southland.”

“So, Darcy would circumvent my position if I object to Anne's engagement?” Lady Catherine asked incredulously.

“You know Mr. Darcy's sense of duty as well as any. Can you imagine his turning away from Miss De Bourgh?” After a few moments' silence, Elizabeth said, “You didn't appear earlier to have a strong disdain for Anne's choice. Why is it that you have retreated from the possibility? With your familial deference, I cannot imagine your not wanting to experience the thrill of recognizing your own grandchildren. And what of your grand nieces and nephews? Tell
me, Your Ladyship, that you have no desire to see your flesh give birth,” Elizabeth demanded.

“I never said I've no desire to know Anne's children or Lindale's or Fitzwilliam's or those of Georgiana!”

Elizabeth took offense that Darcy's aunt omitted knowing her children. “Then what are you saying, Your Ladyship?” Elizabeth was on her feet—no longer content to sit in subjugation to Darcy's aunt.

“I'm saying, Mrs. Darcy, that I may not know any of these children beyond Lindale's. I have little time: I'm dying, Madam!”

ELIZABETH FROZE IN MID-STEP. “That's not amusing, Your Ladyship.”

“It's not a topic I would take lightly, Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Catherine said sadly.

Elizabeth returned to the footstool and recaptured Her Ladyship's hands. “How do you know this?”

“Doctor Lipton—in London.” Lady Catherine's eyes misted with tears, and Elizabeth noted the defeat in the woman's shoulders. “I've an enlarged area in my stomach. It's too great for the surgeon.”

Elizabeth's own eyes blinked back tears. “How long?”

“Six months—a year—maybe two. As the illness progresses, Lipton shall gave me laudanum, but that shall be the extent of his assistance.”

Elizabeth fished a handkerchief from her sleeve and slipped it into Lady Catherine's trembling hand. “Are you in much pain?” She choked back her grief.

“Constant discomfort, but not pain. Not yet.”

Elizabeth's mind raced with a thousand questions. “Does Miss De Bourgh know?” If so, it might explain Anne's speedy acceptance of the lieutenant's attentions—someone to protect her.

Lady Catherine discreetly dabbed at her eyes. “No. No one knows but you.”

Elizabeth couldn't fathom such a disclosure. “Why me? Why tell me?”

“Because I must tell someone,” Lady Catherine said flatly.“And if nothing else, Mrs. Darcy, you are circumspect.You would take a secret to your grave, and that's exactly what I expect you to do.”

“Surely, you'll allow me to tell Fitzwilliam.”

Her Ladyship frowned. “No one, Mrs. Darcy,” she said emphatically. “I want no one's pity. If Darcy accepts my gestures, I wish it to be because he finds a need for his aunt in his life, not because he holds regret.”

Elizabeth swallowed hard. “It'll be as you wish,Your Ladyship.” They sat in silence for several minutes, each contemplating what had just occurred between them. “The strength of your resolve is beyond my comprehension, Ma'am,” Elizabeth said softly.

“No pity from you either, Mrs. Darcy. I shan't tolerate your allowing me free reign just because Lipton has pronounced me ill. If you do, I'll make your life miserable—purposely run roughshod over your household.”

“That shan't happen, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth reassured.

The corners of Lady Catherine's mouth turned up in approval. “Good.We'll deal well with each other.”

“It would seem that we should make arrangements for Anne's marriage as soon as possible. That she has been compromised plays well to the speed of Miss De Bourgh's joining.” Elizabeth began to organize her thoughts.

“Why would I wish this so?” Lady Catherine asked suspiciously.

Elizabeth ignored the woman's tone. “Because you want to see Anne safely in the care of an honest gentleman. And if we wait, Miss De Bourgh may have to spend a year in mourning with no one to assist her with Rosings or with personal decisions.We'll let it be known that you don't approve, but you'll accept Anne's decision. It'll deflect emphasis from your illness. You'll have time to transition the estate into Southland's able hands. When you arrive in Kent, charge Mr. Collins with calling the banns. That would put the marriage a month off, which gives Viscountess Lindale time to recover before traveling from Lincolnshire.”

“What of your own confinement?” Lady Catherine asked curiously.

A bitter smile touched Elizabeth's mouth. “I should've known that you would be aware of my condition.”

“We are family, Mrs. Darcy.”

“We are, Your Ladyship.” Elizabeth's voice softened. “I'll be well into my sixth month. The trip may take longer than expected, but Fitzwilliam and I shall attend.” Another moment of silence occurred. “Let me ring for Mr. Nathan and order some tea, as well as some toast and jam. I suppose the negotiations must begin.” Elizabeth rose to tug on the bell cord. “Mr. Darcy's idea of Edward's presence seems a logical solution. It'll appear that the colonel initiated the match.” Elizabeth sat in a nearby chair. “Should I remain,Your Ladyship? If you prefer, I'll withdraw after serving the tea.”

“You
must
stay, Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Catherine insisted. “For but one, I've no secrets from you.”

Elizabeth couldn't resist the taunt. It was her nature. “You may as well share that one also,Your Ladyship.”

Lady Catherine leveled a sympathetic gaze on Elizabeth. “I'll tell you because it may bring you hope. Anne was my third child. The first two didn't survive.”

“There you are,” Georgiana said as she entered the library.

Edward spun around in surprise. “I apologize, Georgie,” he said tentatively. “I was unaware that you sought me.”

“My brother had asked me of your whereabouts.” For a moment, Georgiana paused on the threshold, but with a steadying breath, she set her plan into action.With satisfaction, she noted the approval in Edward's eyes as she approached.

“Are you aware of your brother's reason for my immediate presence?” He took a step closer as if drawn to her, and Georgiana's heart did a flip.

She frowned minimally. “Something to do with Her Ladyship and Mrs. Darcy.”

Edward smiled conspiratorially. “I've heard no shouting, nor have I observed the servants rushing to tend either lady.”

Georgiana purposely paused under the mistletoe ornament. “It's a miracle of sorts.”

“Am I to stand guard or to serve as a negotiator?” he asked casually as he stepped into the circle she had imagined as being part of the mistletoe's magic.

Georgiana smiled widely at him, but her resolve wavered with Edward's closeness. “Knowing Fitzwilliam,” she said with a breathy catch, “all contingencies are possible.”

Surprisingly, Edward moved closer still, and Georgiana quit breathing. “Well, in the absence of hysterics, I don't see a need to rush to your brother's side,” he rasped.

“What shall you do instead?” she managed to murmur. Instinctively, Georgiana's chin rose in anticipation.

Edward's palm cupped her chin, and his thumb stroked her lips. “I'd thought to keep a Christmas tradition,” he said softly. “To kiss under the mistletoe the prettiest woman I know. That is, if she'll have me.”

Georgiana's heart sang. “Claim the berry, Colonel,” she whispered as she closed her eyes and waited.

 

Edward didn't understand what had come over him. He'd awakened this morning with thoughts of Georgiana, and those images had grown into full-fledged desire. He'd made a quick reconnaissance of the house to locate all the mistletoe balls that the ladies had hung yesterday. Then he fantasized throughout Winkler's sermon about sliding his lips down the slender column of Georgiana's neck. Now he refused to let this opportunity slip away. He didn't know when everything had changed between them, but it had, and he had to accept it and move forward.

He'd obsessed over the past few hours about Georgiana's lips' softness, and Edward meant to taste them. Her warm breath
brushed his cheek as he lowered his head to touch her lips with his. He recognized her innocence, and so, he made himself go slowly. A slight brush. Small kisses planted at the corners.A soft nibble on her bottom lip. The problem with this slow seduction was it was taking away all his self-control.

Edward slid his arms about her and pulled Georgiana closer. With one hand, he lifted her chin to position his mouth over hers. He rested his lips on hers, allowing Georgiana to experience his mouth's pressure before deepening the kiss. As she leaned into him, Edward slid his tongue along her lips' seam. When she gasped, he claimed her mouth's soft tissues.

After a few more seconds of pure pleasure, he forced himself to lift his lips from hers, but Edward's mouth hovered a breath away from hers. “Georgie, I would kiss you again, but if you do not wish it, you should leave this room now,” he rasped.

“I shall stay,” she managed to say. Georgiana slid her arms about Edward's neck and rose on her toes to meet his lips with hers.

Edward groaned, and his mouth returned to hers. This time she met his mouth with parted lips. It was so intimate; more intimate than he'd have thought possible. He was not without experience, but Georgiana's kiss felt perfect—even with her inexperience. His tongue entwined with hers, and she responded tentatively. The kiss deepened as she arched into his embrace.

His practical mind demanded that he cease kissing her, but for the life of him, Edward couldn't release her. Years of war had branded him as part of the unclean, but Georgiana's goodness wiped all his dissipation away.

The sound of people moving about the hallway penetrated his desire-driven brain, and he reluctantly raised his head. “You're so beautiful,” he murmured as he kissed Georgiana's head as it rested against his chest. He simply held her then as each recovered his breath. If someone would walk in on them, he would simply be Cousin Edward, Miss Darcy's guardian. Oh, how he wanted to shed that designation and to assume another role in Georgiana's life.

“Georgie, we cannot stay here any longer,” he said reluctantly.

Slowly, she drew her arms from around his waist. “It was perfect,” she whispered.

Edward smiled lovingly. “Yes, it was.” He caressed her cheek. “Meet me later in the conservatory,” he said. “We should speak privately, but that conversation will be delayed until I see what Darcy requires of me, and then there will be the usual gift exchange and an early supper. Will you wait for me that long, Georgiana—that long before we can speak of what has just happened?”

“I've waited for this for over three years. A few more hours shall seem miniscule.”

Edward kissed her nose's tip, before reaching up and claiming five berries from the overhanging ball. “Extra berries for when we meet privately,” he said teasingly.

“I'll bring a few of my own,” she said with a husky laugh. “In case we use all of yours and find additional ideas to discuss.”