Chapter 37

Christmas in the neighbourhood, similarly to other neighbourhoods in the country, was the festive time of merriment. Dinners and parties were going to be held at this or that family's residence. Invitations were and would be sent out by word or by small notes, so everybody could plan. The matrons of the area cleverly distributed the dates among themselves so that no two big events would be held at the same time to avoid creating the awkward situation of having to choose which to attend. That would cause resentment among the families.

As the Bennet family had decided not to attend anywhere on the 24th, the Netherfield party also stayed put. The Bennets used the day to simply be with family. Mr. Bennet directed the new Yule log to be brought into the house (it was a man's job after all). He and Mr. Gardiner took their share of the hard work of pulling and lifting. It was to be the centrepiece in the blazing fire of the fireplace on Christmas Day. It was wrapped in hazel twigs and dragged home, to burn in the fireplace as long as possible through the Christmas season. For this, earlier in the week, an old oak tree, that had got hit by lightning the previous year, was cut down and pieces were taken by the families of the estate. The tradition was to keep back a piece of the Yule log to light the following year's Yule log. It was brought in too from the back of the pantry where it had waited for its last performance.

The Gardiners then were told to just relax, so they did and went to visit with Mr. Gardiner's other sister.

Then, Mr. Bennet and the girls went outside to cut the holly and evergreens for decoration. The girls then, by the direction of Mrs. Bennet, decorated the inside of the house on Christmas Eve. It could not be done before as it was considered unlucky to bring greenery into the house before then. Kitty and Lydia brought out all the ribbons from last year and some new ones to enhance the greenery. Kitty added whole walnuts, apples, and cones to the arrangements. The two younger girls were very artistic the elders had found, and they let them do the majority of the design and work.

Mrs. Bennet directed the marinating of the venison for the next day's main course. She had Hill and a maid bring out the finest china they had, one with the beautiful hand painted flowery pattern, the best glasses and silver. Everything was to be polished. While the girls and Mrs. Bennet were doing that, they reminisced about Christmases past. Jane then started a song and they all joined in. This job was finished by setting the table up with a nice white laced tablecloth for the Christmas dinner. The Phillipses would join them as well as it was their tradition.

...

The trio spent their time organizing the Christmas gifts. Bingley made some last-minute purchases seeing what the Darcys had bought. Darcy kept his appointment with Mr. Phillips about his aunt's case. When he returned they viewed the gifts Bingley had prepared for the tenants. Both Darcy and Georgiana were very impressed with the Christmas boxes or rather baskets that were filled for the tenant families.

'Bingley, you have done all this?! Good for you.'

'Oh, how happy the people will be!' Enthused Georgiana.

'I have to tell you that it was the best part of landlordy thing I have done.'

'Landlordy thing? Are you in the business of creating words now?' They all chuckled.

'You know what I mean. What I meant is that I really enjoyed making them. Well, with the housekeeper. She was god sent. And of course Cook.'

They had a merry dinner among themselves with Georgiana playing on the pianoforte afterwards. When she retired, the men went to play a last round of billiard.

'So, how do you feel about becoming a land owner?'

'I tell you, it is hard work. I have never felt this exhausted at the end of a day.'

'I know the feeling.'

'And it is not only that you are out and about, but that your mind is occupied by finding solutions or planning things. I have visited with several of the neighbourhood gentlemen, and they were very accommodating. I guess people really like to talk about their achievements. Anyway, I listened and made notes. I have given my steward a bonus for all the education he gave me. My head wants to explode from all this knowledge.'

'Do not feel bad. You are hit with it all while most of us are grown up with it.'

'Yes, I know that. You know, Miss Bennet expressed how impressed she was at what I had been doing.'

'And that is…'

'Important.'

'How is it between you two? From what I have seen, you are very close, at least when with her family.' Bingley straitened from his shot.

'I think I love her.' He simply stated.

'You think?' Bingley laughed.

'You have got me. I just wanted to sound different from previous proclamations of mine… This is different. I can see a future with her, Darcy. When I am with her, my heart is light, and I want to bring her with me, home. I think it is time to take things to the next level. I will have to declare myself.'

'You sound like you have it bad.'

'Yep.' Bingley emphasized the 'p.' 'And you?'

'I have it bad as well.' He laughed. They both did.

'Miss Elizabeth is a lovely woman. If you marry her, we will be brothers!'

'If Miss Bennet will take you.' Darcy winked at him.

...

On Christmas Day, Darcy only saw Elizabeth at church. They asked permission to visit them soon as they had some gifts for the family. First, Mrs. Bennet demurred but suggested the day after.

'We will be busy in the morning with visiting the tenants and will have a late luncheon. Would you like to come after? Or better yet, why do you not join us for the luncheon? Nothing fancy, just informal.'

So the Netherfield party arrived on St. Stephen's Day at two o'clock at Longbourn. Their driver and the Longbourn footman, Richard, had the task to take the gifts inside. The family was looking at the arriving boxes in wonder and some with excitement.

They had lunch first as it was already on the table. Mostly cold things were on offer, including the remains of the venison and the plum pudding.

Do they not say that giving is better than receiving? Well, if they do not, they should. It was all channelled through Georgiana and explained away her eagerness to get to know their lovely family. The men justified their actions as wanting to say thank you for the warm welcome they had received.

Well, there was something for everybody. Georgiana, like a true lady, explained the choices and how she had asked about them to get them the right gifts and get the colouring right for them. The men felt free to gift Mr. Bennet with a bottle of fine cognac, a delicate wooden book carrier, and a book to carry: Lord Viscount Nelson's biographical memoirs. Mr. Bennet was suitably thankful. Inside, he rejoiced with his new addition to his library and already saw good use of the book carrier, her would keep it on his desk with the books he wanted to read.

The three younger girls received their hats and matching reticules with delight. They ran to the mirror to try them on. The two elder sisters were given beautiful shawls. Jane was also given a gorgeous wooden box with a key to keep things in and inside a box of perfumed soap. Elizabeth received a Walter Scott book, Lady of the Lake, and an exquisite fan with a romantic scene painted on it. The matron of the house was gifted a shawl as well as a richly decorated porcelain elevated fruit bowl. To top it all, from Bingley the whole family received a big basket of oranges, bananas, dates, and pineapple.

Bingley and Darcy sat back and enjoyed the happy expressions on the faces of their favourite family of late. Darcy was watching especially his Elizabeth's reactions if she liked her gifts. The shawl was rapt around her. The light red shiny colour suited her indeed. Georgiana was right. Never argue with a woman about colours, he chuckled to himself.

When the boxes and wrapping papers were quickly discarded tea was served. Darcy asked Elizabeth with his eyes to join him in the bay of the window. They both stood.

...

'La, Lizzy and Mr. Darcy are standing below the kissing bough!' Lydia exclaimed loudly. Everybody looked at the couple. As they heard their names and 'kissing bough,' they both slowly looked up, and there it was, the berry-laden mistletoe with holly, ivy, and with its ribbons (they neglected the candles that year as, the previous year, one of them fell on a guest who escaped with minimal injury as the candle stopped burning on impact, but Mrs. Bennet did not want to risk such an incident this year).

Darcy could not believe this was happening. He did not know how to feel for a second. He hated attention on himself such as this especially, but on the other hand, it was an opportunity to kiss Miss Elizabeth. He looked down at her. He could not let it go. He would not let it go.

'Lizzy, it is bad luck to refuse to be kissed.' Winked at her Mr. Gardiner. Everybody found it a great joke.

'Kiss, kiss, kiss…' Lydia chanted merrily. She found it ever so funny to embarrass her sister like that. Secretly, she wondered what a kiss felt like.

Elizabeth had not taken another breath since the fact that they were standing under the mistletoe was announced. Is he going to kiss me? Oh my, my family! She closed her eyes shut to prepare herself and looked up at him. He was by this time looking at her with a determined glint in his eyes. Yes, he was going to kiss her.

Darcy cleared his throat. He glanced at Elizabeth's father and received a reluctant nod. He looked back down on his beloved and with one stretched arm, he pulled her close to him. Elizabeth was shocked at the feel of his hand on her waist; she stepped closer without protest. She put her hand on Darcy's chest to support herself; then, she felt his muscles contract under her touch. She shivered. Her heart nearly stopped as Darcy leaned in to meet her lips with his while with his other hand reached up to hold her head, his thumb hardly moving yet caressing her throat under the chin. His intimate touch made her knees weak. Darcy felt that and supported her. On instinct, she closed her eyes just before their lips touched. For Darcy, everybody disappeared from his consciousness as he focused on her lips and then as he felt Elizabeth's soft silken lips on his. It was heaven. He also closed his eyes. Darcy felt Elizabeth with his whole body though they hardly contacted. In the moment of their lips touching, all his senses concentrated on where their mouths met. His arms unconsciously pulled her to him more as his hand and arm contracted. Darcy let his lips leave hers for a second and went back immediately for another. He moved his lips slowly and tenderly on Elizabeth's. Elizabeth was pliant under his wordless tutelage. He made the second kiss last a little longer but did not dare do more. He slowly raised his head while looking at Elizabeth. He could not have enough of her expression of being drunk on their kiss as she opened her eyes and looked straight into his. He could see it in her eyes: a hunger was born. Darcy himself did not fare much better though not a novice. He plucked a berry from the mistletoe with the widest grin on his face. He bowed his head to her and stepped back.

There was a moment of silence before everybody erupted in claps and cheers. Witnessing that kiss moved everyone present. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet did not know what they expected, but it almost felt like they were intruding on the couple, so intimate, so lovely was their kiss. Lydia's eyes were in her forehead; she could not take her eyes off her sister and Mr. Darcy. All of a sudden, Mr. Darcy did not look like a bore anymore.

Bingley murmured to him from behind him, 'You, dog. I cannot believe you kissed before I did!' Darcy chuckled. He turned around and in his still reeling state answered,

'And it was the sweetest kiss! I hope you watched and learnt.' Bingley's face was a picture. Darcy openly laughed. Then he quickly sobered and looked back at Elizabeth to see how she fared.

'Darcy, I do not recognize you.' Darcy shrugged.

Jane went to Elizabeth immediately as well. She became crimson when it dawned on her that they really kissed, and in front of her whole and extended family. Her mother gave her a hug. Even her father patted her hand. She looked back at him. Their eyes met. In silent communication, he asked her if she was fine. She nodded and demurely turned back to her family.

My beloved is shy, mused Darcy distractedly. How he wanted to show her more. Now that he had tasted her sweet lips, he wanted more, much more. It must have been her first kiss, he thought. Dear Elizabeth, let me be your teacher! For the rest of the afternoon, he was useless for any kind of conversation as his mind kept returning to their shared moment. What an unexpected gift. And what a gift! He gave up talking and took up his habitual escape position.

A little while later, Elizabeth met him at the window where he was looking out to the garden in silent contemplation.

'You seem deep in thought.'

'Miss Elizabeth. I was reliving our moment.'

'Mr. Darcy! You cannot say things like that!' She looked around in panic as she spoke. She did not want him to know how gratifying his confession was to her. She had been doing the same.

'You wanted to know what I was thinking; I responded with the truth. You will find, Miss Elizabeth, that I do not like to state untruths only for propriety's sake if I can help it… How are you?' He spoke in a hushed tone. She looked at him.

'That… that was my first…'

'Kiss?'

'Mr. Darcy!' He chuckled. Then he said with more solemnity,

'I know.' She looked at him confused.

'I know it was your first. I am honoured. I hope you do not mind that it was me.' He looked at her while she looked away. She shook her head a little. 'Will you not look at me?' She slowly turned back to him.

'Was it your first?' She knew it was inappropriate to talk about such things, but she could not stop her curiosity.

'No.' Elizabeth did not know how to feel about that and it showed. He shrugged. 'I am almost eight and twenty.'

'Of course.' She did not dare ask more although she burned to know whom he had kissed.

'The only kiss that has really mattered to me is the one I shared with you just now.' Elizabeth swallowed and looked down.

'You are a man of the world. My aunt says that you are one of the most sought-after bachelors in the ton. I never realized… The richest, most beautiful women…'

'Are you asking why then I am here?... With you?' She did not dare look at him just then. She nodded. He looked around before he spoke.

'I have been part of the ton for about ten years. I started to casually be interested to find someone maybe three-four years ago. There have been beautiful women, and there have been very rich ones, too. The crux of the matter is that I could not imagine giving them the Darcy name. I could not imagine wanting to grow old with them… I did not really know what I was looking for… but I did learn what I did not want… I did not come to Hertfordshire to find my future partner.' He paused and waited for Elizabeth to look up at him, 'you captured me without even trying. If we can find some privacy sometime, I would tell you more.' Elizabeth tried to hear his words as they were meant. Future partner… I captured him without trying… All the ladies of the ton could not make him want them… for a wife… but I did. The next minute she had tears in her eyes, and so she had to look away, but not before Darcy saw them.

'Are those happy tears?'

Elizabeth took a calming breath, straightened, and looked back at him. She raised her head and said,

'You will just have to find out, Mr. Darcy.' Darcy shook his head. His impertinent Elizabeth was back. He never knew which side of her would show. He liked this tiny bit of a woman. He liked her very well. Elizabeth turned and left him at the window. She looked back at him only once wearing the loveliest smile.

...

When it was time to say goodbye, Darcy leaned forward to bestow a kiss on Elizabeth's hand. As he rose, he whispered that there was a fake backplate to the book she had received from Georgiana.

Well, have I delivered their first kiss?

You will just have to wait to see what is in the letter…

Do not forget to check out the gifts on the story website.