Chapter 25: Christmas & Twelfth Night Ball
William and Georgiana arrived five days before Christmas, both aware of the drama between the two fighting sisters. Richard was to arrive that same day from London, where he had been for a short meeting with his Colonel.
William was anxious to see Elizabeth and see how badly she was clinging to her temper and her dignity, and help her survive Christmas without another fight with Anne. Georgiana and William both quickly greeted Marina, Max, their uncle and aunt before they were showed up to their normal chambers, and from there William went to Elizabeth's sitting room, knocked and waited.
"Enter"
He opened the door and saw her sitting in the window seat with the view over the gardens; she was dressed in a lilac colored floor length gown which suited her very well.
"Hello Beth." He greeted from his position in the threshold of her door.
She turned her face to him so quickly and her eyes widened in delight, as she nearly catapulted towards him.
"William! Oh I am glad to see you!" She gushed, her arms around his neck, he pressed into her, wrapping her in his embrace before passionately kissing her. Her body reacted of its own accord, melding into him. Pulling him closer to her in a desperate claiming, her mouth opened to him, deepening the kiss.
All her frustration from the past week evaporated like mist when William kissed her. She did not know if it was, he or she that moaned, but her body was quivering with desire and suppressed longing for William.
William had to use all of his control to draw away from her, "Gosh Beth, you have no idea what your kiss does to me."
"Probably the same that your kiss does to me, Will. I feel weak in the knees, and..." she blushed and could not meet his eyes.
"And what, Beth?" he asked, he was curious about what she felt when he kissed her.
"And... desperate for more." She whispered and did not meet his eyes.
"Beth, dearest I feel that too, I just respect you too much to continue to kiss you as I know where it could lead." He felt himself colour slightly.
"You feel that impossible desperation for more privacy between us?" She whispered.
"Yes, my love I do. Now to change the subject, do you trust me?"
"Yes, of course I do trust you, William." She replied.
"And you know how deeply I love you, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then I am sure everything will be well, while Georgiana and I are here, correct?"
"Yes," she could see what conclusions he wanted her to draw and that she should let him deal with Anne, if she became a problem while he was there.
"I love you, William."
He smiled and said, "And I love you so dearly, Beth. Now come on, Georgie is anxious to see you." He offered her his arm and they walked down the corridor to Georgiana's chambers.
Christmas arrived; it had snowed heavily for the last week complete. Therefore the grounds of Matlock Lake House were white with a heavy blanket of snow. It made the manor house look like a perfect winter wonderland.
Elizabeth dressed with her maid Melanie's help in an icy blue dress which suited her beautifully with her dark hair. Her hair was only put up half, the rest allowed to flow freely down her back. It made her an enticing picture; one she was sure would please William and leave him with the adorable face he made when he could not believe his own eyes.
She quickly with the help of her maid got all the presents into the family parlor on the first floor they used on Christmas morning. What she was not prepared for was the sight of her sister's and their husbands. She flew tothem and exclaimed, "RACHEL! MARY!" The three sisters embraced each other, and tried all at once to tell what had happened. The rest of the family laughed at their heartfelt reunion. Just as they all sat down, a voice said from the back,
"Have you not forgotten someone, Sis?" Elizabeth turned to face her brother, and said,
"Of course not, Rich! Where have you been? You know the tradition."
"I had to see if it was possible to get to church, well if we take the sleighs it will."
Everybody was soon busied with presents, talk and the like. Though William was completely lost when he glanced at his fiancé, she had never looked more beautiful, and just then met her brown eyes which held a happy and slightly entertained smile. Anne was there still, but it was mostly the Earl and Countess who minded her, as their children was too occupied with each other.
William handed Elizabeth a present and said, "You will find it does match."
She eagerly opened the parcel to see a velvet blue box; with shaking hands she opened it to find the matching earrings and ring to the necklace he had gifted her the year previous. "Oh Will! It is beautiful!"
"All for you, dearest." He simply replied with a smilethathe knew made her weak in the knees.
William and Georgiana showered Elizabeth in gifts, andshe returned in kindas she too showered them in gifts, things she had found while on her tour, things she had found in London and even a few small things she had found in Meryton. Elizabeth said,
"Georgie, you see that basket there?" She indicated an old fashion picnic basket,
"Yes, Lizzie, I do?"
"Well that is my last gift to you, dear." Georgiana squealed and ran to get it; William smiled happily at seeing his sister so happy with his fiancé.
"Thank you, Beth."
"I am only trying to make her happy; she is to become my sister. Besides I do hope that she will like it, and that you will let her keep it." Elizabeth replied,
William was just about to ask why he would not allow his sister to keep her gift when he heard his sister exclaim, "OH! It is the most adorable puppy I have ever seen!"
"Touché, Beth." He whispered,
"It is just a Cocker Spaniel, so she will not grow very big, so she can reside inside the manor." Elizabeth explained quietly.
Just then Georgiana joined them, and begged, "Brother, please, please let me keep her, please?!"
"Of course, you shall keep her, Georgie. But she will be your responsibility." William said seriously, though with a glint in his blue eyes.
While the happy couple and Georgiana were seated in a corner, Anne observed them; William had hardly spoken with her besides a customary greeting and exchange of happy Christmas and such normal exchanges of conversation. He looked different, and so did her sister, if she had to be honest with herself. They looked happy, content with each other.
The day before New Year's Eve
The days between Christmas and New Year's went by in a storm with parties at the neighbour's homes, sledge rides over the grounds, talks in the parlor and even a snowball fight had been fought. Soon the day before New Year's dawned and Elizabeth was up early again to wait for the arrival of Jane. They had of course exchanged quite a few letters over the past weeks, but she was anxious to see her friend again. Jane had written that she and Mr. Bingley and a maid were travelling together to Derbyshire. William had been in contact with Charles Bingley, and could confirm that he was to travel with Miss Bennet to Derbyshire.
Soon after breakfast, the butler entered and said,
"A carriage has been spotted, Your Lordship."
Elizabeth was out of her seat before her father could say anything, in her eagerness to greet her friend and companion. Soon the carriage stopped at the front steps to the manor, and Jane and Mr. Bingley and a maid came out of the carriage. Elizabeth drew Jane into an embrace, and said,
"It is wonderful to see you again! Did you have a happy Christmas with the family?"
"It is wonderful to see you also, Lizzie! Yes, I did, and I am to send you their holiday greetings and they all thank you for the wonderful gifts." Jane replied, as she was practically dragged into the manor, she curtsied to the Earl and his wife,
"Thank you again for having me, your lordship and your ladyship. Happy Holidays."
"It is our pleasure, Miss Bennet. Happy Holidays." The Countess replied.
Elizabeth dragged Jane up to her room, next to her own and said, "Now, tell, show and explain everything about your Christmas. You even travelled with Mr. Bingley all the way… my, Jane!" She smiled teasingly at her friend.
Jane blushed, and then slowly removed her gloves, to reveal a stunning ring with a diamond surrounded by sapphires. "HE PROPOSED?" Elizabeth exclaimed.
Jane blushed crimson and nodded, "Charles did propose to me, he proposed to me the day after Christmas. He had already secured Papa's consent. I am the happiest woman in the whole world, Elizabeth!"
"Now tell, did he go down on bendedknee? Did he call you his beloved, darling Jane? Tell, Jane!"
Jane did explain, and Elizabeth listened in enraptured happiness for her friend. "So, when are you to be wed?"
"Papa does not want me to be wedded until I am twenty. So we both will have long engagements." Jane replied. Elizabeth's eyes suddenly grew big as tea cups,
"Oh I have the most brilliant idea, Jane!" She said,
"Do tell, Lizzie!"
"I was thinking a joint wedding, you and I wed to best friends? We are nearly sisters in our affections for each other, and Will and Mr. Bingley are best friends and will nearly become brothers." Elizabeth explained.
"That is a beautiful and a very good idea, Lizzie!"
"We definitely have to talk to Mr. Bingley and William about it, right away."
They did, and both men liked the idea of being wedded to their fiancés in the same ceremony.
Twelfth Night (the Eve of the fifth of January 1812)
The Twelfth Night finally came, and Jane and Elizabeth dressed in their fine costumes, to go to the Twelfth Night Ball at Haddon Hall, owned by friends of Elizabeth's parents.
It was also the last day of her brother's Richard's leave from his post in London; he was leaving the next day. From there, he was to sail to Copenhagen, nobody knew for how long.
Jane was dressed as a sixteen-century peasant lady, it made her look fine and very beautiful in a simple pink gown with her golden hair put up elegantly with ribbons and small pearls. Jane had told her that Charles Bingley was to dress similar so they would match, as he had been invited as a guest of William's. Elizabeth was dressed in a fantastic icy white gown with a train, and sewn in silk and a shimmering fabric which made it look like a lot of small diamonds all along her gown, Jane said,
"Lizzie, you look wonderful! Mr. Darcy will not be able to keep his eyes off of you tonight."
"Thank you, Jane! You look stunning as well."
Melanie put up her hair in an elaborate up do, with several gem studded pins and a shimmering ribbon to match the dress. Then came her mother's jewels, the three layered diamond necklace, the tiara which William had had made especially for her, when they had discussed the Twelfth Night ball, weeks in advance, then the diamond earrings and her ball gloves. She looked herself in the mirror, she looked very mature. The gown showed off her body, especially that she was well endowed, which made her blush. Would William like it? Would he think her daring? Or would he get that adorable besotted look on his face?
Jane said,
"Ready to go, Lizzie?"
"Yes, I am ready to go, Jane." She replied and gave herself a last glance in the mirror.
They left the room, and walked down the stairs and where met by amazed exclamations and an adoring glance, met Elizabeth's eyes from William's amazed and adorable besotted face.
She asked, "Will I do, Will?"
William looked at her, she made him tongue tied with the costume she was wearing, "Do? Elizabeth, Beth… my god, you look…. Amazing!" He could not take his eyes off of her, she looked absolutely beautiful.
Soon after the company of Elizabeth, William, Jane, Mr. Bingley, Anne and the Earl and Countess left Matlock Lake House to go to the ball.
The Manor house of the Montgomery's was filled with guests. They were loudly announced,
"The Earl and Countess of Matlock, Miss De Bourgh, Mr. Darcy and Lady Elizabeth, Mr. Charles Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet."
They walked into the crush of people; Elizabeth clung to William's forearm, a little worried of being separated from him, or her party in general. Jane walked close to her, and said,
"I never thought I would attend anything on this scale."
"You might as well get used to it, Jane. When you marry Mr. Bingley, this will become more of a habit to you, well maybe on a lesser scale, but all the same." Elizabeth replied.
They walked near the edge of the dance floor, waiting for the first dance, as Elizabeth has promised William. The music started soon after, and William twirled her out on the floor to dance.
"You have never looked more beautiful, my love." He said with a smile just for her.
"You look very regal, Will." He was dressed in silver breeches, crisp white cravat with a silver stickpin with a small diamond, white linen shirt, silver waistcoat and to finish the ensemble he wore a black but very fine evening coat, near his breast he bore an inherited Russian Star.
"Have you ever gotten the bean from the Kings cake, Will?" she questioned.
"No, I have not, Beth. Though I am sure many a young lady in the neighbourhood wished for that to happen. If you and I were to find it, I would not mind it though." They shared a laugh at the notion.
Now that they were engaged, they were allowed to dance three dances during the evening. Elizabeth looked over and found Jane and Mr. Bingley, they were as always absorbed with each other.
"They are such a lovely couple."
"Indeed they are. Though I think you and I am a better couple, Beth." He replied, confident in his statement.
"Indeed we are, Will." They danced close, so close that their shoulders brushed each other and enough for him to hold her hand for a moment, and their eyes met.
When the dance finished, a man near William's age approached them, and said, "Darcy!"
William said and turned to the man, "Eric Montgomery, as I live and breathe, it has been long since I have seen you."
"You as well, old friend. Do introduce me to this beautiful woman by your side, if you please?" The man replied with a friendly smile.
"Eric Montgomery, may I introduce you to my fiancé, Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, this is my old friend from university, Eric Montgomery."
She curtsied prettily, and said, "It is a pleasure, Mr. Montgomery."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Elizabeth." He kissed her hand, and then met William's eyes again and said,
"I do congratulate you, Darcy! Congratulations to you both."
Soon, a set of actors played out Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night", and it was humorous.
"To think that people actually do this every year! It must be terrible to arrange for all of this." Elizabeth whispered to William, while they sat next to each other during the play.
"Actually, all the homes in the area host the ball; we take turns hosting the Twelfth Night Ball, though Pemberley have been exemptfrom the rule since Father's passing." William explained quietly.
"So we are going to host it once we are married?"
"If you wish to, Beth."
"I would like to try to host it, though not right away." She explained.
"We will once you are ready to do it, dearest."
They ceased talking and enjoyed the play, before the dancing recommenced. A man bearing a black mask asked her to dance, she looked to William to see if he knew the man in question, and he nodded though his old facade was up.
"Lady Elizabeth, you look gorgeous dressed like that." The man stated.
"I am afraid you have the advantage, Sir. You know my name, but I do not know yours." She said, in a confident if reserved tone of voice.
"Duke Damon Blackmoore." The man replied,
"You know my fiancé, I take it, Your Grace?"
"Yes, Darcy and I attended Cambridge together. I cannot fault, Darcy for his taste as you are quite beautiful." Elizabeth merely raised an eyebrow at the backhanded compliment, and even thenshe was not sure it was meant as a compliment or an insult on William's character.
She managed to keep her mouth closed, and merely smiled politely at the man, "Maybe once you have given Darcy his heir, you will appreciate another's company."
Elizabeth's fury grew at the man's words, and then said, "Your Grace, I would thank you for keeping your insinuations to yourself! I love my fiancé, and I would never do what you suggest! A gentleman you may appear, though you lack everything which makes a man a gentleman! My fiancé will always be much more of a gentleman than you ever will be. Thank you for the dance."
She broke away from the man's hold, and with her back straight she went straight to William's and her parent's side while she was seething inside. Her mother asked,
"Elizabeth, are you quite well?"
"No, I am not, Mother. I have just been insulted, and so have William!"
William listened, and said, "I am not surprised that Blackmoore would stoop to insults. What did he say to you, Elizabeth?"
"Merely that I would appreciate his company once I had given you an heir! I told him where he could shove his words and left as you saw."
William looked furious, and was about to walk over to the arrogant and presumptuous Duke, when Beth's voice told him,
"No, William, do not do it! Please do not! We both know that you love me, and I love you! He is just out of line and a fool."
"I do not suffer fools easily, Elizabeth."
"I know, but for this once, do it for me. So we can enjoy the rest of the night? You still have my waltz."
William and Elizabeth did end the evening with dancing the scandalous waltz together, and enjoyed the company of their family and friends.