The snow gradually eased over night, but it was still impossible to travel. Darcy and Georgiana faced the prospect that they would be spending Christmas at the inn. To pass the time, the pair each wrote letters. Georgiana wrote letters to Wickham that she then burnt in the fire, saying that they contained things she never wanted to be read. Darcy understood and did not press her further.
Darcy's letters were firstly to Bingley, to inform him of Georgiana's safety, their current whereabouts and plans to remove her to Pemberley when able to. His second letter was to Colonel Forster, to inform him of Wickham's last known whereabouts and confirm his status as deserting the militia. His final letter was to his solicitor, asking for information to be drawn up for the Mrs Younge in his employment. He was circumspect in his requests, but wanted to know any relevant background information on the woman not already known. Georgiana had informed him she was planning to take the Darcy carriage to Ramsgate to visit her sister, but Darcy was skeptical of this. Surely she would try to hide somewhere unknown. He doubted she'd take the Darcy carriage anywhere else but Darcy house, then vanish on a stage coach. He was prepared for the possibility that Mrs Younge would never be found.
Darcy addressed his letters to be sent express, but knew they would have no way of being sent until the snow cleared. He deeply regretted the fact his friend was likely beside himself with worry, but there was nothing that could be done.
Georgisna and Darcy shared Christmas stories from their childhood. Darcy remembered Georgiana's first Christmas at Pemberley, and Georgiana delighted in hearing the story. Georgiana surprised Darcy with a Christmas memory of her own. "Do you recall the mistletoe in the front doorway? I never knew what it was as a child, only that it had berries and papa always insisted it hang on that doorway. I asked him about it one year- you were at Cambridge- and he told me what it was for. He said our mother used to hang it, and always demanded a kiss underneath it. Father couldn't bear to leave it down at Christmas after she died."
Darcy had a knot in his throat. "I- i do not remember." He said.
Georgiana smiled sadly. "I always miss him more at this time of year. He always seemed happiest at Christmas."
"It was our mothers favourite time of year. I do not remember the mistletoe, but I do remember her decorating Pemberley. I remember an enormous Christmas tree in the public rooms and people coming for miles around to see. She would always be singing Christmas carols. It was such a happy place to be."
"I wish I knew her" said Georgiana with a tear in her eye. "I do not have any female family members I feel close to."
Darcy felt a stab of regret. If he married, Georgiana would have a sister, but she obviously loved him too much to point out such a thing.
Darcy hugged his sister tight.
"You remind me so much of her, Georgie. Especially when you sing. Will you do something for me tomorrow? Will you sing for me?"
Georgiana smiled. "Since I never got to get you a Christmas present, I shall."
Christmas Day dawned bright and sunny. The snow reflected dazzling white against the crystal blue sky, and lifted everyone's spirits. Another day of sunshine and everyone should be on their way. Whether it was due to this, or because it was Christmas Day itself, everyone was in exceptionally good spirits. A makeshift church service was arranged in the front reception room, which passed the morning cheerfully.
The inn keeper baked fresh bread, and an apple pie, and served mutton instead of the watery soup they'd partaken the last few days. The meal was followed by some rousing carol singing, which Georgiana enjoyed. Darcy was even able to convince her to sing a few solo songs, although only because it was his Christmas present, admonished Georgiana. Darcy laughed, and praised his sister for her beautiful singing. In the midst of all the cheerful celebrating, Darcy found his mind back in Hertfordshire. He wondered if Miss Bennet sang. He was sure she had a lovely voice. He wondered distantly if he'd ever have the opportunity to hear her sing.
Funnily enough, at that very same moment, the Bennets were gathered around Elizabeth on the piano at Longbourn. As Elizabeth launched into another Christmas carol, her mind suddenly flew to Mr Darcy, and wondered how he was spending his Christmas. This infuriated her, because she was quite determined to still be cross with him. And indeed she still nursed very wounded feelings over what he'd said, but deep down she would always wonder over his welfare. Until she stopped loving him, Elizabeth had to accept this.
It had been nearly a week and Bingley had not heard from Darcy over his pursuit of the couple. Bingley and Henry were wise enough in their surmations that the light snow in Hertfordshire usually meant heavy snow up in the north, and it was entirely probable that no word could be sent through as yet.
The snow had kept everyone in Hertfordshire busy. Henry went out with his father to ensure that the tenants were all faring well and ready for Christmas, then Henry went out with Bingley to do the same. It was Bingley's first winter on the estate, and he was amazed at everything the land holder had to do.
Upon entering Longbourn to collect Jane, following one of these outings, Bingley exclaimed "I cannot imagine having to do this with an estate any larger than Netherfield! How Darcy manages to run Pemberley I have no idea!"
"Pemberley is a much larger estate than Netherfield, Mr Bingley?" Mrs Bennet's interest was piqued.
"Oh to be sure, Mrs Bennet!" Cried Bingley. "Why, Netherfield would fit ten times over within Pemberley!"
"Oh! My word! I knew Mr Darcy was a wealthy man, but such fortune! Oh my! Ten times the size of Netherfield!" Swooned Mrs Bennet.
"And ten times the work, too!" Said Bingley, shaking the snow from his hair. "Ten times the tenants to visit, ten times the problems to placate. Why it's a wonder he gets any time to socialise at all!"
"No wonder he's always so serious" quipped Lydia "he's got far more work to do than papa, and look how boring HE is."
"Thank you Lydia." Her father chimed in. "I was hoping you'd choose today to start talking sensibly, as a gift to your papa, but I see you have not."
Lydia pouted at her father and went off with Kitty to compare their new laces and ribbons.
Since her last conversation with Mr Darcy, Elizabeth had begun to look more closely at her own family. She had initially been stung that he had cast the same critical eye over her family as he had her, and had unfairly criticised her family. Now that she observed them, however, she realised that there was a grain of truth in what he said. Her father was distant from his family- his reaction to Jane's happy news and his comments to Lydia clearly showed this. And there was his complete dismissal of needing to protect his daughters from Mr Wickham. Mrs Bennet had always been prone to unladylike outbursts, over one's wealth, for instance, or the indelicate way she spoke of Jane's falling with child. Elizabeth recalled too, wishing her younger sisters would tame their wild ways, and could hardly begrudge Mr Darcy for thinking similarly. She had always been defensive when he spoke to her, due to his initial characterisation of her, which shattered her pride. She had not ever let go of her characterisation of him as an arrogant, self-absorbed man, except for that day under the mistletoe. He had been different that day. Or had she softened to him? She could not tell. All she knew was that every other interaction was peppered with what she believed were insults to herself and her family. She realised that she had never given him credit as a man who had to make hundreds of decisions a day that were carefully thought out and based on keen observation. Had she, she would have seen that his observations were based on fact. Her family certainly did have flaws. Even her own behaviour could be seen as scandalous, as he'd implied. Goodness, it took months for Elizabeth herself to not think of herself so, and she knew the elopement had been forced upon on her! Elizabeth wondered if things might have been different had she bothered to correct Mr Darcy's misunderstanding that she'd eloped willingly.
Elizabeth realised with shame that in her eyes, Mr Darcy had never stood a chance. Her opinion of him was as a man who wounded her pride and thought only to put himself above others. Yet, she was hearing that he was a man who was responsible for hundreds of people's happiness on his lands, and who had journeyed through snow to salvage the reputation of his sister. Elizabeth realised that though he had flaws enough, he was nowhere near the villain she'd painted him to be. He was a good man, though extremely misguided, and it was time for Elizabeth to stop hating herself for being in love with him. The only regret she needed to have was telling him she'd never marry him. Oh, how she wished she'd never uttered those words!
