A/N: Did you figure out the naming protocol for the Darcy heirs? How many of you got it before Lizzy disclosed the future heir's name in the last chapter?
Chapter 46: Christmas with the Bennets
Mr. Darcy slept very well through the night. When he woke, he felt disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. He got up and looked out of the window and finally remembered where he was. His man Jones came in with his morning ablutions and he wished his faithful servant and friend "Happy Christmas" before quickly getting groomed and dressed to present himself downstairs to the Phillips. He could not wait to go next doors to see Elizabeth again.
Mr. Phillips was the only one in the morning room drinking coffee. He told Darcy that he would offer him a cup, but Darcy might prefer to go over to the Bennets and join them for Christmas breakfast. Mr. Darcy could not deny the truth of this and gratefully took leave of his host after wishing him a happy Christmas.
When Mr. Darcy entered the dining room, the Bennet family was all gathered there around the table. Everyone looked very pleased to greet him, wished him a merry Christmas, and invited him to take the empty chair next to Elizabeth. Breakfast was quite a spread with a fair number of sausages, potato salad and stollen, a braided sweet loaf, all traditional Christmas breakfast items from their great grandmother's root. Mr. Darcy especially enjoyed a sweet biscuit called Lebkuchen, a confection made of spices and nuts and was coated on the outside by a thin layer of chocolate. He sat next to Elizabeth who in daylight appeared to be a little shy with him. He dropped his hand under the table and squeezed her fingers and she smiled at him, making him feel extraordinarily happy.
After breakfast, the Bennets settled into the drawing room. They were waiting for the Gardiners and the Phillips to arrive so that they could have a small worship service at home on account of the conditions of the streets. Overnight, a couple more inches of snow had accumulated making it difficult and dangerous for carriages to move around. Mr. Bennet, having been an Oxford don and thus ordained, was qualified to conduct a religious service. While waiting, the girls decided to sing Christmas carols. Again Mr. Darcy was presented with some heavenly songs. His Elizabeth sang the alto part for most of them as there were more sopranos among them.
Mr. Bennet sat down by Mr. Darcy and said, "Mr. Darcy, could you blame me for wanting to keep my girls with me for as long as possible?"
Mr. Darcy replied with a smile, "I hope that the sisters will gather together with their father and mother for many occasions in the future. For my part, I have not had a more felicitous Christmas celebration than this in my life. Perhaps Elizabeth and I will host the family at Pemberley next year."
"Ah, I do thank you for thinking ahead. We usually have Christmas at Longbourn. This year, Gardiner is not able to leave the affairs at the War Office even for a few days. Hopefully, next year we will be able to have Christmas in the country again, be it Pemberley, Longbourn, or even Netherfield."
The Gardiners and the Phillips arrived shortly after and Mr. Bennet began to tell the Nativity story after everyone had settled down. More carols and hymns were sung, and prayers were said until Mr. Bennet gave the benediction. Afterwards, Mr. Darcy took his leave to go back to his own house because his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, if he managed to take some leave for the holiday, might be waiting for him. Mrs. Bennet made him promise to bring the Colonel when he came back at two o'clock for Christmas dinner. Mr. Gardiner also had to leave to go back to his house to look over some documents about weapon production schedules that he needed to approve on Boxing day.
Mr. Darcy decided to walk the mile to his house. Elizabeth was quite envious and wished she could go with him as it was so very beautiful out in the streets with hardly any traffic. Darcy promised that he would come back soon with his cousin in his sleigh and perhaps then they could form a group to go for a sleigh ride in the park.
When he arrived at his own house, quite exhilarated from the exercise and by the beauty of the winter wonderland, he found his cousin waiting for him rather impatiently.
"Darcy! I thought you would never come! You are not yet hitched but you are already lost! That bodes well for the felicity of your union with Miss Bennet. I do not think that even Milton was so smitten as you now or ever!" teased the Colonel.
"Richard, I do apologize for leaving you alone in the house without warning you about it. My excuse is that I did not know whether you would be able to get leave or not. I am here now," said Mr. Darcy in a light-hearted tone.
Colonel Fitzwilliam stared intently at Darcy's face. "You look happy, joyous even. Does Miss Bennet have any sisters? I would like to get one of them if she would transform me into this…luminous person that you are now," teased the Colonel again.
"Richard, I have just trudged a mile in six inches of pristine snow through the park. The exercise has probably brightened my face. And it is Christmas, the season of joy. As for Elizabeth's sisters, there are four of them. The eldest, Jane, is spoken for. Bingley and Miss Bennet are in a courtship. The only other sister who will soon be out formally is Miss Mary. She has a somewhat quirky personality and is quite clever. You may not be able to handle her. At the very least, she would be a challenge for you. In any event, they will all be my sisters soon. Do not trifle with any of them!" Darcy feigned a bit of outrage but could not suppress a smile spreading across his face.
"Say what you want now. I shall be able to see for myself soon, I wager. You will be going back to the Bennets for Christmas dinner, won't you? You must secure an invitation for me as well. I have no mind to eat another lonesome dinner for Christmas!"
"I already have. You will be in for a real treat. Mrs. Bennet's talent for setting a fine table is unparalleled. For this special occasion, I am sure it will be outstanding. In a way I am a little glad that Elizabeth does not count among her accomplishments extraordinary menu designs or else I would have to widen all the doors here and at Pemberley after a few years."
Colonel Fitzwilliam simply looked at his cousin and marveled, "You are indeed changed, all for the better. You used to jest, of course, but always with a hidden barb somewhere. Now you are completely congenial. I am beginning to think that you have some of the Fitzwilliam's blood in you after all."
Mr. Darcy just smiled even a bigger smile and invited his cousin to his study to have a chat to catch up while having tea.
"You said that Mr. Edward Gardiner was in the Christmas party with the Bennets? I just met Mr. Gardiner, rather, I was the attaché of Lord Beresford during the meeting at the War Office but did not have any opportunity to speak to him. From what I observed, Mr. Gardiner's talent in military logistics will be increasingly critical for the battle plans in the coming year."
"You will have the opportunity to speak to him later today. From what I have observed, he avoids talking about his war efforts. Actually no one tried to broach the topic during this holy season. He also built all three townhouses in which the Gardiners, the Bennets and the Phillips now live, and you will visit this afternoon. They are marvelous buildings with all the modern conveniences that one would want. They are a sight to behold."
"Indeed! Why did I not come with you when you visited Bingley last Autumn? It might have been I who were to be related to this fascinating family," quipped the Colonel.
"You will be related through me to my future family, you blockhead! Do not even joke about taking my place for Elizabeth. I do not allow it. More importantly, you would be completely incapable of holding a conversation with her. Besides, you were in Portugal fighting for King and Country."
"That I was. Who said anything about holding a conversation? Is that all you do with Miss Elizabeth?"
"Richard….," exclaimed Darcy exasperatedly.
"Alright, alright! I guess you are serious about your possessiveness. I will be content with choosing from the remaining Bennet sisters. The way things look, I reckon I will be on the Continent for a few more years yet. By the time I come back, perhaps the youngest Bennet sisters will be out."
"Richard, have you considered leaving the army soon? You have served with honour these past ten years, and are one of the youngest full colonels in the army. The ladies at my uncle's house party all wondered where you were once they had found out that I was off the marriage mart."
"Indeed! Father said from your description of Miss Elizabeth, none of the ladies at the house party could compare. Besides," he puffed up his chest then and said in the manner that was meant to imitate Darcy's, "I would not give consequence to any lady who was slighted by another man. Just as well….it may sound unseemly, but deep down all soldiers wish for the battles and wars where they can earn glory and honour not only for their King and Country but also for themselves. As you said, I have had ten years of experience and earned my promotions on my own merits. I am well positioned to do my best for England, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Bonaparte is not a small-time thug. His ambition and more importantly, his defeat, which is sure to come if I and Wellington have anything to do with it, will go down as a momentous event in history. I feel fortunate to play a role in this historical moment, and shall indeed see to the end of this war and victory over Bonaparte. Besides, as the second son, I do not have much to do stateside."
Darcy started when his cousin said something that was almost exactly like what he said when he saw Elizabeth for the first time at the Meryton assembly. He had not realized that he had used the same argument to decline an introduction to a lady so frequently that his cousin had used it perfectly against him. But it was the second part of his cousin's comment that really shook him. The Colonel, always jovial and care-free when off-duty, just uttered something that cut through the present haze of the war situation with so profound an insight that he himself had not thought about in such clear terms. The truth was many in England of his circles considered Bonaparte a hero-figure, and did not realize their idol's world-dominating ambition could have devastating consequences on their flippant selves.
Darcy said thoughtfully, "I salute you for your sentiments. England is indeed in good hands if all our soldiers are like you. Do be very careful and I pray to God that He will watch over you and all your comrades in arms."
"Now, now, do not get mawkish on me and make me out to be nobler than I am. Remember, I may be driven more by selfishness and vainglory than loyalty to King and Country. Do not try to turn to solemn conversations to distract me from my single-minded goal to meet your betrothed and her family!" the Colonel said with exaggerated irritation to try to lighten the mood, as he well knew that his cousin could slip back to his usual too serious demeanour with the blink of an eye.
Darcy understood that his cousin was uncomfortable with praise that he well deserved and decided to change the subject.
"What say you to a sleigh ride in the park with the fair occupants of the Bennet House? Let us refresh ourselves and change now. We may have enough time for one ride in the sleigh before dinner."
The Colonel jumped up enthusiastically and slapped his cousin on the back and said, "What a grand idea! Let's go!"
Mr. Darcy laughed and said to the Colonel, "You may not think the idea so grand if I tell you that the most enthusiastic participants of the sleigh ride will likely be under ten years old."
As the sleigh turned the corner into Arlington Square, Mr. Darcy saw that Elizabeth and her cousins were outside building snow sentries on the steps of the Gardiners' residence. Jonathan Phillips was holding up three-year-old Harry Gardiner to place two berries into the face of the sentry as eyes while Elizabeth was holding baby Sarah. When little Harry saw the sleigh, he struggled to come down from his perch in Jonny's arms. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he started dashing toward the sleigh. His cousin Lizzy was faster and grabbed him by the collar. She gave Sarah to Jonny and hoisted up Harry, and walked with the rest of the party toward the stopped sleigh.
When they were still a few yards away, Tommy shouted out, "Mr. Darcy, Lizzy said you would take us for a sleigh ride!" Darcy could not help his big smile seeing the beautiful picture before him: his love holding a little boy in her arms and looking very rosy and vigorous surrounded by merry children.
Harry started yelling excitedly, "Sleigh! Sleigh!" until he saw the soldier stranger standing next to Mr. Darcy and turned his head around to rest his face against Elizabeth's neck.
Mr. Darcy reached out his arms to Elizabeth asking her to hand Harry over to him. Elizabeth was surprised but gently asked Harry whether he would like to go over to Mr. Darcy. Harry turned and eyed Mr. Darcy and then the sleigh, and leaned toward Darcy.
Darcy caught Harry in his arms and then turned to Elizabeth, and said, "Miss Elizabeth, Miss Gardiner, please allow me to introduce my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, to your acquaintance."
Both Elizabeth and Emily Gardiner curtsied, and said, "How do you do, Colonel Fitzwilliam?"
Fitzwilliam bowed deeply, and said, "Miss Elizabeth and Miss Gardiner, how do you do? It is my great honour to finally meet you. I look forward to becoming cousins to all of you soon."
Darcy then introduced the Gardiner boys, Tommy and Harry, and Jonny Phillips. Harry struggled to get down to the ground and bowed deeply to the Colonel, making everyone laugh, which in turn made Harry laugh.
The sleigh ride was a grand success. As expected, the youngest cousins were the ones who were the most excited and they were invited into the sleigh first while Colonel Fitzwilliam smirked knowingly at his cousin for his very young company. His smirk fell away when the young cousins demanded that their cousin Lizzy came with them. It was decided that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth should sit shoulder to shoulder in the middle with young Harry on Lizzy's lap and Emily and Tommy on the outside. Darcy grinned triumphantly at his cousin as he was led by Jonny Phillips carrying baby Sarah into the house for the introduction to the rest of the Bennets' extended family. Not only did Darcy not mind having the young ones with him and Elizabeth in the sleigh, but he was also having some rather felicitous thoughts in his mind that this would be the foretaste of similar scenes at Pemberley with his own brood during one of the long sleigh rides around the estate. The fact that the sides of their bodies were touching at many places made the sleigh ride so much more enjoyable.
Chapter notes:
In the US, Trader Joe's sells Lebkuchen imported from Germany from a few weeks before Thanksgiving to just before Christmas. I highly recommend them! If you go to my profile, you will see the Lebkuchen in my profile picture. My husband and I consumed 23 boxes (7 cookies in each) between Thanksgiving and New Year last year! For readers in the US, I hope the Lebkuchen will remind you of this story when you shop at TJ's.