My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey Into Love Everlasting (58 page)

Lizzy playfully slapped his knee. "Beast! Watch your tongue, Mr. Darcy, or I shall inform her that you are hopelessly inept and require comprehensive instruction in basic parenting skills!"

Darcy winced. "Very well, madam, you win. While we are on the subject of your family, I have a thought that I wish for your opinion on. I had the notion of sending the coach to Hertfordshire for your family's transportation. With five now traveling and the weather unpredictable, I thought it may be more comfortable, not to mention safer. However, I was unsure what vehicles Mr. Bennet possessed, having only seen the landau, and I would never wish to offend by extending the offer. What do you think?"

Lizzy thought carefully, answering with deliberation, "Papa owns nothing remotely as grand as the coach, to be sure. In truth, he would probably be mildly offended if the offer came from you. If, on the other hand, it is
my
idea and I express my concern for Mama's nerves while traveling to the far colder regions of Derbyshire, I think he would be placated. Anything to divert a paroxysm of nerves during a daylong carriage ride will be welcomed, I can assure you! He may be slightly embarrassed, but his thankfulness will outweigh." She smiled at her spouse, beckoning him forward for a tender kiss. "You are the soul of kindness, William. Thank you."

Darcy blushed faintly. "It is a simple thing, Elizabeth. To change the topic, the birth announcements should be ready in a day or two. I have compiled a short list of friends and family to notify and Mr. Keith will send them once they arrive. The list is on the bed stand for you to peruse for accuracy as well as the envelopes for you to personally address. The post was extensive today. I received a missive from Richard as well stating he will be spending Christmas with his parents." He smiled happily, glancing a kiss to her temple. "And you sent the invitation to the Gardiners, yes?" She nodded. "It is rapidly transpiring into a full house of guests after all."

Lizzy frowned. "As delightful as it is to have family about, I do not want Alexander exposed to an endless parade of people handling him."

"I emphatically agree. We will be cautious. They can gaze upon his adorable face as he lays here in his cradle or wait until he wakes. By the way, I spoke with Reverend Bertram this afternoon and scheduled the christening for the Sunday following Christmas. Nearly all the family will be here so it is perfect, do you agree?"

"Absolutely." She peered up at his face with a grin. "That gives you one month to rethink naming him 'William' rather than 'Fitzwilliam.'"

"I do not need to contemplate the subject any further. There are enough 'Fitzwilliams' in this family. Annabella named her son Fitzwilliam and Anne can do the same if she wishes. That should appease tradition."

"What about appeasing Lady Catherine? She will be devastated."

"Perhaps it is time she learned to deal with disappointment, and do not pretend you are overly concerned for Lady Catherine's sensibilities, Mrs. Darcy. We have discussed it with serious reflection and I am satisfied with the names chosen. They are strong names all and pay tribute to those dearest to us as well as fulfilling tradition." He competently transferred the limp baby from shoulder to nestle in the crook of his arm, Lizzy tucking the blanket over naked feet after a kiss to tiny toes.

Darcy resumed, "Reverend Bertram is thrilled, as you can imagine. I tried to convince him we are planning a simple ceremony, but I have a suspicion he anticipates the whole of Derbyshire to arrive."

"And an angelic benediction for the heir to Pemberley?"

"Perhaps. He began talking about rearranging benches and clearing sections of the balcony." Darcy laughed, shaking his head. "My caution was unheeded. At least the chapel will be sparkling clean for the occasion. He did ask who we had named as godparents."

"You told him the Bingleys, obviously."

"Yes. He was concerned that we had not decided on the third godparent."

"We have time, love. I have a very strong suspicion the choice you wish for will soon be available. Be patient and trust."

"Words of faith and conviction coming from my wife?"

"Your strong beliefs are rubbing off on me, Mr. Darcy." She reached for a light kiss to his nose, Darcy chuckling.

"Mrs. Reynolds requested a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss a few Christmas issues. Nothing too intense, as I have expressed our wish to proceed as last year. The groundsmen are already amassing piles of holly and mistletoe, and although I do not know this for cert, I imagine the maids are fabricating new kissing balls to ensnare the unmarried footmen. With so much scheming I wonder how any of them complete any real work over the holiday season."

"If my memory serves, the servants were not the only Pemberley inhabitants to profit from strategically located mistletoe. In fact, I clearly recollect you reaping the benefits, sir." Darcy grinned in happy remembrance, meeting his wife's eyes with a lusty twinkle. "New topic... I talked to Georgiana regarding delivering the tenant gift packages this year. She stammered a bit, but was agreeable. Perhaps Mary and Kitty can accompany her for moral support! By the way, your shy sister asked me to request a favor of you."

Darcy glanced over with raised brow. "She was too timid to speak with me personally?"

"Listen and you will understand. The invitation for the Cole's Masque arrived three days ago, as you are aware. Naturally we cannot attend, or at least I cannot."

"I certainly will not be attending without you," he declared firmly. "It is a pity. The image of you in my arms dancing the waltz is most appealing."

Lizzy smiled and chuckled. "Listen to you, Mr. Darcy! Suddenly so desirous of dancing and socializing! Who is this man I am now married to?"

"The same selfish one from years past, who wishes to squire the most beautiful woman in all England on his arm, spreading envy amongst the unfortunate, and increasing his arrogance. However, we already know my faults. You were speaking of Georgiana."

"Simply put, Georgiana expressed an interest in attending this year. While on tour with the Matlocks she danced at a handful of social engagements and enjoyed herself immensely; however, she knows how strict you are about the rules of officially 'coming out' and feared your censure."

Darcy was frowning, lips pursed in thought. "I did not know of her dancing while in Wales. Did she fear sharing this with me?"

"Only in the sense that she did not desire to disappoint you or incur your anxiety over her well-being. She knows how worried you were over Lord Gruffudd and abhors causing you any pain. She yet harbors guilt over the Ramsgate affair, to the degree of hurting you and earning your disrespect."

Darcy sighed deeply, speaking roughly, "I never blamed her for any of that and made my thoughts perfectly clear."

"She knows this, dearest, but her love for you is so great as to yearn only to please you. Surely you understand how tremendously high her esteem for you? You are all she has had in her latter years to admire and emulate."

"Until you." His countenance softened. "Thank you, Elizabeth, for being a friend and sister to Georgie. What do you deem wise regarding her attending the Masque?"

"Well, assuming she can be properly chaperoned by either the Matlocks or Richard, and since it is a local affair, I do not think it untoward for her to attend. The invitation did include her name, after all. Of course, I do not claim to be fully versed in all the finer nuances of high society, but if Lord and Lady Matlock allowed her to dance at balls while touring, it should not be an issue here in Derbyshire."

"I suppose I agree. An engagement or two over the winter will in no way effect her appearance at Court and formal admission to society at Almack's in the spring. Perhaps Miss Mary, Mr. Daniels, and Miss Kitty can attend as well. I can request Sir Cole include them on the guest list."

Lizzy laughed. "Unless her personality has drastically changed with the advent of love and impending matrimony, Mary hates balls and would likely cringe at the idea. Kitty, of course, is another matter entirely. Should I inform Georgie of your agreement or will you?"

"I will talk to her. I judge it the appropriate time for us to have an earnest brother-sister chat. If you do not object to my absence for an afternoon, I think I will escort her to luncheon and shopping in Matlock. It has been a while since we spent quality hours together and I am sure she has merchandise requirements, for Christmas if nothing personal."

"That is a brilliant plan! You should invite her for tomorrow since the roads have cleared and we have a spell of moderate weather. I can meet with Mrs. Reynolds. It is past time for Alexander and I to move beyond the top floor, is that not right, my darling?" She brought his miniature feet to her mouth for delectable nibbles, the deeply sleeping infant not even flinching. "Want to see the billiard room where you will be spending so much of your time, sweetheart? How about your papa's study? He sleeps like you, William, in a comatose state."

"It is the satisfied sleep of one who is utterly loved, and well sated, although for variant reasons." He kissed the top of her head. "Should we lay him down for now and join the others in the music room? Georgiana has a new song she wishes to perform for you."

"Yes, I suppose. Oh! It is just so hard to leave him!"

"Mrs. Hanford says he will have more awake hours as he grows, but for now sleep is crucial for his health. I do not imagine he would sleep as deeply being passed around and with the pianoforte pounding in the background."

Darcy rose, laying Alexander cautiously into the cradle to avoid waking, but the contented infant merely stretched, emitting a smattering of baby gurgles before resuming his pose of tranquil slumber. The blanket was smoothed and another added, both parents transfixed for another few minutes before Mrs. Hanford was notified and they departed.

Talking about Reverend Bertram's concerns over the third godparent was the impetus Darcy needed to finally make a decision and take action as he should have done weeks ago.

The selection of an infant's godparents was a solemn task undertaken with the utmost seriousness. The responsibilities of the adults who willingly assumed this role were critical and never taken lightly. On down through the ages the Church-instituted custom of assigning mature persons, at least two of whom must be the same sex as the infant, was approached with deep forethought. A godparent's place in the child's life was a vital one. He or she was ascribed the honored task of ensuring that the innocent babe grew strong in the tenets of faith, assisting in the teaching of Christianity as essential to one's existence so that one day the aware youth would consciously declare his belief in Christ for full salvation. Logically, therefore, the godparent needed to be a man or woman of faith themselves and in close enough proximity to the youth during his formative years.

The godparent was not a legal guardian, that station ascribed for variant reasons, although they could be deemed so if all parties wished it. In Georgiana's case guardianship had been granted to the two men closest to her who were the most mature yet also youthful and financially stable. James Darcy had stipulated in his will that if his son could not fulfill the duties of Master of Pemberley and primary guardian for any reason, the estate would be managed by Col. Fitzwilliam until Georgiana married.

However, since financial and physical well-being was not an obligation of the godparent, the role was not dependent on wealth, blood, or station. Thus, Georgiana's godparents were her brother, Aunt Madeline, and Mrs. Reynolds.

Fitzwilliam James Alexander Darcy was baptized by Reverend Bertram in the Pemberley Chapel thirty years prior with his proud parents flanked by James Darcy Sr., Mr. Henry Vernor, and Anne's sister Lady Muriel Griffin.

Naturally not all families placed extreme importance on the selection of godparents. The amount of prudence undertaken was directly correlated to the depth of religious faith within the family. In the case of the Darcys, faith was a major facet in their day-to-day lives, so the decision was seriously contemplated. Lizzy may not have been as strongly adherent to religion as her husband, but she certainly understood the importance to him and the prerequisite of choosing wisely. For several weeks prior to Alexander's birth they had discussed the options. Although they had felt strongly that their firstborn would be male, they still had to consider the alternative. They gravely considered everyone they knew, but their hearts and sound deduction inevitably returned to two names that without any doubt they knew to be perfect--the Bingleys always the clear front runners.