"Mrs. Darcy, there are people downstairs in the front hallway who say they are your parents."
Disdain dripped off every syllable uttered by Giles, Pemberley's butler. Elizabeth pretended not to notice. Every day the man demonstrated that he did not approve of the upstart county lass his master had married. In the months since William had brought her home as his bride, Giles's friendliest tone of voice could be described as frosty. On the other hand, Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, and most of the other staff had quickly warmed to her.
Elizabeth shot to her feet as her heart pounded faster. She had assumed her parents were safely ensconced at Longbourn for the Christmas season. What could have brought them to Pemberley unannounced?
She hurried from her sitting room and followed Giles down the grand front staircase, her heart contracting with every step. Her mother and father were indeed standing in the hall. Their rumpled, travel-worn attire contrasted noticeably with the grandeur of the room the inhabitants of the house called the marble hall, both because of the classical statues set in niches along the walls and because of the black and white marble squares that made up the floor.
It was an impressive room, meant to awe any visitors to Pemberley, and from the expressions on her parents' faces, it was having the desired effect. Elizabeth had been duly impressed when she had first arrived at Pemberley, but now the room tended to remind her of a mausoleum, grand and cold and forbidding. She and Mrs. Reynolds had recently finished decorating the room with holly boughs and mistletoe for the yuletide season. The greens helped to soften the effect of the room and make it more welcoming.
Elizabeth focused her thoughts on her parents. Why had they come without writing first?
Her father's careworn face relaxed into a smile when he saw her, as if her presence made the unfamiliar surroundings more bearable. However, the moment her mother noticed Elizabeth, she commenced fluttering her hands and taking rapid breaths as if she had recently experienced a terrible shock.
In other words, everything was quite normal.
Before Elizabeth could open her mouth, her mother launched into a torrent of complaints. "Oh my dearest Lizzy! You do not know how we have suffered! The ruts in the road and the quality of the coaching inns! And there was a most disturbing odor in Lambton when we traveled thought it!"
Standing by the ornately carved double doors, Giles watched this performance with a pinched mouth and lifted chin that left no doubt as to his opinion of the Bennets.
The best Elizabeth could do was to treat her mother's shrieking as if she spoke in a normal conversational tone. She embraced both her parents. "This is a surprise! I did not expect to see you so soon. Is something wrong?" She searched their faces for signs of agitation. Had something happened to one of her sisters?
"Everything is well," her father assured her.
Mrs. Bennet gaped at her husband. "How can you say that, Mr. Bennet? When we have heard the most frightful news imaginable?"
Fear gripped Elizabeth's chest. "What has happened?"
Her mother drew herself up to her full height. "Meryton is about to be invaded!"
"What?"
Her mother's head nodded vigorously. "Mrs. Long was the first one to rouse my suspicions." Now she lowered her voice. "There have been a great many strange men visiting Meryton—speaking in French accents!"
Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes. "Fanny, I explained both the men are laborers from Ireland. They speak with Irish accents."
Mrs. Bennet put her hands on her hips. "And how would you know a French accent from an Irish one? Mrs. Long met a Frenchman when she was one and twenty. She knows what they sound like!"
"Mama—" Elizabeth began.
"But that is not all." Her mother continued. Colonel Forster's regiment had been wintering over in Meryton as before and then they decamped suddenly – called away. Just like that! I am certain they are in Brighton this moment preparing to fend off a ferocious French assault."
Elizabeth bit her lip to stifle a smile. "I have read nothing about that in the papers."
"Of course not!" She waved her handkerchief dramatically. "They do not wish to alarm the populace. But why else would they have called the regiment away?"
"There was political unrest in the North," Mr. Bennet murmured.
"Mrs. Long does not believe it," Mrs. Bennet said with a dismissive nod. "And, what is more—Mr. Long does not believe it. He was in the militia for a year in his youth and said such orders were highly irregular.
"Fanny—" Mr. Bennet started.
Her words continued unchecked. "An invasion is imminent. Nothing you may say can convince me otherwise."
Elizabeth feared this was the truest statement her mother had uttered since arriving.
Mrs. Bennet continued without even taking a breath. "And, of course, Meryton will be one of the French army's first targets."
"Before London?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, London will be well-defended. Meryton no longer even boasts a militia!" Mrs. Bennet flicked open her fan and vigorously fanned her face. "But we can stay here, can we not, Lizzy?"
Elizabeth did not know where to start unraveling her mother's convoluted reasoning. Her father offered her a defeated shrug and sympathetic head tilt. Apparently he had given up on reasoning with his wife.
Well, she would need to apply logic to the situation another time. "Yes, of course, Mama. I am very pleased to see you both!" She smiled at them. "Welcome to Pemberley."
Her father gave her a rather sad smile, but her mother grunted in response. "Now, if you will have them show me to my room. I am greatly fatigued by all this travel!" Now that their immediate fate had been settled, Mrs. Bennet was eyeing the hall critically. "Oh, Lizzy!" Her hand flew to her mouth. "You have hung greens already!"
"They make the house more festive," Elizabeth replied.
"But don't you know? It is bad luck to hang greens before Christmas Even!" Her mother's eyes were round with concern.
"Just a superstition—" Her father interjected.
"No it is not!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. She wrung her hands. "Oh, we are in for it now!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Elizabeth. "You have practically begged the French to invade."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Instead, she gestured to the butler to assist her parents. Perhaps her mother would be more rational after she rested and freshened up. One could only hope.
If anything Giles's expression had grown haughtier during the conversation. When Elizabeth sent him to ready the guest chambers, it was a relief to separate him from her parents. They exchanged pleasantries until a maid arrived to lead the Bennets to their room. As a maid led Mrs. Bennet up the stairs, she warned the wide-eyed girl about the imminent French invasion. Elizabeth and her father fell behind, staying out of earshot.
"I apologize, Lizzy," he said. "Trying to stop her was like trying to halt a runaway carriage. Finally she declared she would come to Pemberley with or without me. I thought my presence might mitigate the damage."
Elizabeth took her father's arm. "I am very pleased to see you both, Papa. And this will furnish you with an opportunity to see Pemberley."
He smiled gently. "Yes, I must confess, it was something I am anticipating with pleasure. What I have seen so far is quite grand."
Elizabeth gave her father's arm another reassuring squeeze, but her spirits sank. With Georgiana visiting Rosings Park for the yuletide season, Elizabeth and William had been anticipating a quiet Christmas celebration by themselves. Since Elizabeth had arrived at Pemberley after their wedding voyage, her life had been a whirlwind. She had spent much of her time familiarizing herself with the household and the servants, caring for tenants, entertaining neighbors, and the many other tasks required of Mrs. Darcy. William had been looking forward to having her to himself over Christmas, and the feeling was very much reciprocated.
Well, Mama and Papa are only two people, Elizabeth reminded herself. And Papa will happily spend much of his time in the library. Certainly I can find a way to occupy Mama. Perhaps an occasional sleeping draught….
Elizabeth and her father had just reached the top of the stairs when she heard quick footsteps tapping up the stairs behind them. Looking back, she found one of the footmen rushing toward her, brow creased with worry. "Madam, Mr. Giles sent me to inform you. Miss Darcy's coach is on the drive!"
Elizabeth blinked. Georgiana? What was the matter? Her sister-in-law had planned a visit at Rosings lasting for at least three more weeks, through twelfth night. Lady Catherine had cut off all discourse with William and Elizabeth, but insisted on Georgiana's company—no doubt to counteract their pernicious influence. Georgiana had assented in part because she hoped to mend the breach between her brother and her aunt, although William had told her not to bother.
Elizabeth turned to her father. "Papa, I must meet Georgiana's coach. Sally will help with anything you might need, and I shall see you at supper."
Her father patted her hand reassuring. Elizabeth quickly retreated down the great marble staircase. Georgiana was just entering the house as Elizabeth reached the hall. The slight woman was slightly rumpled from travel, and some of her blonde curls tumbled into her eyes. But Elizabeth was most concerned about the strain around the younger woman's mouth.
Elizabeth hurried to embrace her. "What is the matter, my dear?" Elizabeth asked. "Are you feeling quite well?"
"Yes, my health is good." Georgiana grimaced. "But William was correct. Aunt Catherine took every opportunity to disparage you and William. The larger problem, however, is that she had invited two candidates for my hand to Rosings—both distant relatives of hers. I could not stomach the prospect of three more weeks in their company."
This was one of the longest speeches Elizabeth had ever heard from Darcy's sister, clearly she was quite disturbed. Elizabeth squeezed Georgiana's hand sympathetically. "Of course not! Were they both so terrible?"
Georgiana sighed, pushing curls from her eyes. "I suppose not, but was not prepared to meet suitors, particularly without you and William to give me advice."
Of course, after the Wickham debacle, Georgiana would be reluctant to trust her own judgment about men. It had been very wrong of Lady Catherine to attempt to influence her niece's decision in that regard, but obviously she was hoping to circumvent William's authority. Elizabeth barely prevented herself from saying something cutting about the noblewoman.
Georgiana had ducked her head and was watching Elizabeth warily. "So I decided to come home. I hope you are not too disappointed with me."
Elizabeth gave her another hug. "No, of course not, darling. I am very happy to see you and William will be as well. He is out visiting tenants, but will be home for supper. We would have missed you at Christmas! Oh, and my parents have come to visit from Longbourn as well."
Georgiana gave a gentle smile. "I am pleased I will have the opportunity to meet them. We shall be a merry party!"
Yes, thought Elizabeth. Especially if my mother would cease her talk about invading French soldiers!
Georgiana gave her sister-in-law another hug. "And you have decorated so nicely for the yule season. Mama never hung greens before Christmas Eve."
Elizabeth smiled, but inwardly she considered that she hardly wanted another reminder of her decorating deficiencies.
Elizabeth was pleased to have her sister-in-law home for the yule season; certainly she should not have remained at Rosings Park if it made her uncomfortable. But she could not prevent a pang of regret over more loss of privacy with William. But it is a big house. Elizabeth watched Georgiana retreat up the stairs. She is merely one more person. We shall hardly notice her.
Elizabeth had only taken one step toward the stairs when a brisk knock sounded on the door. Oh no, what now? Elizabeth fervently prayed for a wayward deliveryman. Giles hastened to answer the door. Elizabeth instantly recognized the tall figure silhouetted against the pale winter sky. "Richard!" She exclaimed.
Colonel Fitzwilliam strode into the hall, beating some of the dust off of his clothing with a pair of riding gloves. "Elizabeth." He smiled and gallantly kissed the back of her hand. "I apologize for appearing so suddenly. But I received a letter from Aunt Catherine complaining that Georgiana left Rosings suddenly."
Elizabeth's brows knit together. "And you came to chastise her?"
He guffawed. "No. I came to congratulate her on her narrow escape." But then his face sobered. "And I was concerned that Aunt Catherine had done something that disturbed my fair cousin."
Like William, Richard was very aware of Georgiana's fragile emotional state. "I think Georgiana would be very pleased to discuss the situation with you," Elizabeth said.
Richard scowled. "So Aunt Catherine is up to something! Blast!" His eyes glanced up the stairs as if he could magically conjure Georgiana with his thoughts.
"You rode all the way from London because of a letter?" Elizabeth asked.
His eyes burned with a peculiar intensity. "I would ride from Spain if Georgiana needed me." Abruptly he shifted, beginning to unbutton his great coat. "However, heroic measures were not necessary. I was in Matlock for the holidays with my parents. I accompanied General Burke and his wife to Edgemont. They have long been friends of my family."
Elizabeth's eyes opened wide. She knew the war hero was a friend of Richard's parents, but she had not guessed they were that well acquainted.
"Well, you may ascertain Georgiana's state of mind at supper," Elizabeth assured him.
Richard's eyes again sought out the stairs. "Is she extremely agitated? Perhaps I should speak with her now."
"I think it likely she is indisposed at the moment." A faint frown troubled Richard's features, but he nodded. "Should I have a maid show you to your customary chamber?"
His easy smile returned. "No, I can find it myself. Thank you." His eyes wandered around the hall. "My mother would say that hanging Christmas décor before Christmas eve is bad luck. Although I think it looks lovely."
Elizabeth simply nodded. She had nothing more to say on the subject.
A second later he was striding up the stairs.
This was getting ridiculous, Elizabeth thought. Their hopes of a cozy Christmas alone were evaporating before her eyes. "We simply have too many relations," she murmured to herself. From his post near the door, Giles gave her a sidelong look. Elizabeth gave him a sunny smile; she would never let him know of her troubles.
With Mrs. Reynolds busy readying rooms for the new arrivals, Elizabeth determined that it was her responsibility to speak with Cook about additions to their party and alterations to the menu. Elizabeth had only taken one step toward the kitchen when a loud, imperious knock reverberated on the door. "Oh no," she groaned. "This is simply too much!"
Giles hastened to throw open the door; to Elizabeth's horror, Lady Catherine swept into the marble hall. Elizabeth managed to cover her mouth before she uttered a cry of dismay, but no doubt her expression was less than welcoming.
Lady Catherine was on the arm of a young, handsome, dark-haired man in well-tailored clothing. Behind her trailed a small retinue of servants and a scrawny, ginger-haired man in a garish blue coat. He absently carried several sheaves of wheat in his right hand.
Elizabeth strode across the hall and greet Lady Catherine with a curtsey. The other woman regarded her coolly. "Miss Elizabeth. I trust you are well?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said through clenched teeth. "And it is Mrs. Darcy now, ma'am. We sent you an announcement of the wedding, but perhaps it went astray."
"Hmph." Lady Catherine sniffed.
"We did not expect your ladyship." There was an understatement. "I understood you were to spend the Christmas season at Rosings Park."
The other woman disengaged her hand from the dark-haired man's arm and stalked into the hall, eyeing everything critically—no doubt searching for sources of disapproval. Elizabeth was grateful for Giles's fastidiousness for once. "And I understood," Lady Catherine said acidly, "I was to spend the yule season with Georgiana, but she fled Rosings and returned here." She eyed Elizabeth as if she had encouraged such behavior in her sister-in-law.
But Elizabeth was only now understanding the implications of Lady Catherine's presence. "You followed her all the way to Derbyshire?" Elizabeth said faintly.
The other woman regarded Elizabeth haughtily. "I was concerned about her well-being and I wished to reassure myself that she arrived safely home."
"I may assure you she is excellent health, so there is no need—"
Lady Catherine interrupted, giving no indication she even noticed Elizabeth was speaking. "And Georgiana barely had time to acquaint herself with Lord Robert, Viscount Barrington, or Mr. Worthy." She gestured to the handsome man and the scarecrow-like man, who ignored the glories of the marble hall in favor of examining the wheat in his hand.
Viscount Barrington at least had the grace to appear abashed. "I apologize for imposing on your hospitality," he said to Elizabeth. "My own estate is only a half an hour drive from here, so I can just as easily depart in the morning."
What could Elizabeth possibly say in response to this declaration? "No, of course we are pleased to have you stay."
There was a pause while every eye in the hall turned to Mr. Worthy. After several seconds he glanced up from the wheat. "I hope you do not mind hosting me, Mrs. Darcy. You have the most fascinating hybrid here—I found a few sheaves in the field on the way here." Lady Catherine cleared her throat. "And, of course, I am pleased to make Miss Darcy's acquaintance."
Elizabeth managed to keep a straight face as this declaration, but she did see Lady Catherine's lips tighten slightly. She could see why Georgiana might harbor some doubts about this "suitor."
With all of the unexpected visitors so far, Elizabeth had felt an obligation to take them in. However, Lady Catherine would present many difficulties. Not only did she bring a large retinue with her, but her presence would likely disturb Georgiana. "I am not sure now is the right time for a visit. Perhaps if you—"
"We have come all the way from Kent," Lady Catherine's voice was rising to imperious heights. "It was quite a long and arduous journey."
Elizabeth blinked rapidly. What was she to say in the face of such a declaration? "Of course, you are welcome to stay tonight. I will have some rooms made up." Maybe William would find some way to dissuade Lady Catherine from staying for the entire holiday season; he would not be pleased to find her here.
She turned to Giles, but before she could utter a word, Lady Catherine gasped. "Holly boughs before Christmas Eve! Why would you allow your staff to do such a thing?" She drew herself to her full height and looked down her nose at Elizabeth. "It is horribly bad luck, you know."
"I had not heard that," Elizabeth smiled sweetly at her husband's aunt. She gestured to the butler. "Giles, Lady Catherine, Lord Robert, and Mr. Worthy will need to be shown to guest chambers."
Giles glared superciliously at her, but then turned a charming smile on the guests. There was no doubt where he thought she ranked in relationship to the new guests. "This way, my lady, my lord, Mr. Worthy." He gestured politely up the stairs.
Soon Lady Catherine and her entourage were gone from sight; Elizabeth stood in the marble hall by herself trying to understand what had just happened to her yule season. Thus she was the only one available to answer the door at the sound of yet another knock. At this point, I am numb to any more shocks, she thought as she opened the door.
However, she was immediately proved wrong when she saw standing on her doorstep…Mr. and Mrs. Wickham.
Lydia threw her arms around Elizabeth. "Lizzy! We were visiting George's friends in Lambton when we heard you were entertaining visitors for Christmas—even Mama and Papa! I was so excited. It has been forever since I have seen them!"
Words failed Elizabeth, so she merely opened the door wider to allow the couple to enter.