17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Christmas Day dawned bright and clear, and Darcy House was resplendent in its festive decorations. Holly wreaths adorned every door, and garlands draped along the bannisters, twined with red ribbon, their glossy green leaves and bright red berries a cheerful sight. In the main parlour, a vast Yule log smouldered in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room, and the air was filled with the scent of pine and the delicious aromas of the Christmas feast being prepared in the kitchens.

The guests began to arrive, their faces lit with excitement and joy. The Gardiners were the first, followed by Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley - the Hursts and Miss Bingley were away visiting Mr. Hurst's family in Bath - and finally the Matlocks. Elizabeth was delighted to meet Lord Matlock, who seemed very much like an older version of Mr. Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, the second son and a close friend of Mr. Darcy. A charming gentleman, handsome in his red coat, his looks and charm reduced Lydia and Kitty to near-incoherence.

Elizabeth and Georgiana shared a laugh as they helped to distribute hot mulled wine to the guests, and Elizabeth caught Darcy watching them with a soft smile on his face. She blushed and looked away, but she could not help but feel a warm glow at the thought that he was pleased with her newfound friendship with his sister.

Mrs. Bennet was full of gratitude to Lady Matlock for her kindness. "Oh, Lady Matlock, you have been so good to us. I do not know how we will ever repay you."

"My dear Fanny, it is my pleasure," Lady Matlock said warmly. "I have no daughters of my own, and I am delighted to have your charming girls to dote on. And how many times have I told you, you must call me Helen!"

The food was delicious, a feast of roast meats, vegetables, and all manner of sweet treats. Elizabeth's favourite was the Christmas pudding, rich and spicy, served with a generous helping of brandy butter. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room, and Elizabeth felt a deep sense of contentment.

She found herself seated next to Lady Matlock, who smiled kindly at her. "Miss Elizabeth, I hope you are enjoying yourself."

"Very much, Lady Matlock. It is a wonderful day."

"I am glad to hear it." Lady Matlock's eyes were kind. "You must miss your father very much, Miss Elizabeth."

Elizabeth's smile faltered. "I do, Lady Matlock. He was a good man. "

"I am sure he was. You must be very proud of him."

"I am," Elizabeth said quietly. "He was a wonderful father."

"I am sure he was." Lady Matlock patted her hand. "You and your sisters are a credit to him, Miss Elizabeth. I am sure he is very proud of you all."

"Thank you, Lady Matlock." Elizabeth blinked back tears. "That is very kind of you to say."

"It is the truth." Lady Matlock smiled. "Now, I believe my son has cozened you into agreeing to a dance?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Yes, I do. I am looking forward to it."

"I am sure you will enjoy it. Richard is a fine dancer."

Elizabeth smiled. "I am sure he is."

She looked around the room, at the happy faces of her family and friends, and felt a deep sense of gratitude. Her father was gone, but she was surrounded by people who cared for her, and she was forging new bonds of friendship and love. She had not imagined she could possibly feel so content this Christmastide, and suddenly she felt a deep pang of guilt; how could she feel so happy, when her father was gone?

Elizabeth felt the need for a few moments of solitude, and she rose quietly, slipping out of the room. She made her way to the back of the house, where she had seen a door leading out into the garden. Wrapping her shawl more tightly around her shoulders, she stepped out into the crisp, cold air, her breath misting in front of her. The snow crunched beneath her boots as she walked, and she looked around in wonder at the serene beauty of the garden.

The trees and bushes were blanketed in white, their branches heavy with snow. The garden was hushed and still, the only sound the faint rustle of the wind in the trees. Elizabeth felt a pang of sadness as she looked around. She had always loved the garden at Longbourn, and she knew she would miss it terribly. But there was a beauty here too, a quiet, serene beauty that she found soothing.

She walked slowly along the path, her breath visible in the cold air. The contrast between the cold outside and the warmth she felt inside from the day's events was striking. She felt a sense of contentment and peace, despite the sadness that still lingered in her heart. She had enjoyed the day, had enjoyed the company of her family and friends, and she felt a deep sense of gratitude for the love and support that surrounded her.

As she walked, she thought of her father. She paused by a snow-covered bench, her eyes drawn to the delicate tracery of frost on the ironwork, thinking of her father's favourite spot in the garden at Longbourn, the bench under the old oak tree where he would sit and read. She could almost see him there, his head bent over a book, a slight smile on his lips as he lost himself in the pages. She remembered sitting with him there, her own book in her lap, the two of them companionably silent. For a moment, the pain of his loss almost overwhelmed her once again.

He had been a wise man, her father, a man of deep intellect and understanding. He had taught her so much, had instilled in her a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge. She missed him terribly, missed his quiet strength and his gentle wisdom.

Elizabeth sat down on the bench, the cold seeping through her skirts. She didn't mind. She looked around the garden, her eyes drawn to the delicate beauty of the snow-covered plants and trees. She felt a sense of peace, a connection to her father's memory. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the cold, crisp air, and she felt a sense of calm settle over her.

She would never forget her father, would never stop missing him. But she knew that he would want her to be happy, to find joy in her life. He would want her to be strong, to be the person he had always believed she could be. She would honour his memory by living her life to the fullest, by being the best person she could be.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, looking around the garden once more. She knew that her father would be proud of her, proud of the way she was handling herself in the face of adversity. She would continue to make him proud, would continue to honour his memory in everything she did.

With a sigh, Elizabeth stood, brushing the snow from her skirts. She felt a sense of peace, a sense of connection to her father's memory. She would never forget him, but she knew that he would always be with her, in her heart and in her memories. She walked slowly back to the house, her steps light and sure. She felt an odd sense of contentment, a sense of peace, almost as though her father had laid his hand on her shoulder and whispered his blessing in her ear.

Elizabeth stepped back into the house, the warmth enveloping her like a comforting embrace. The contrast between the cold, crisp air outside and the cosy interior was stark, and she felt her cheeks begin to tingle as they thawed. She brushed the snow from her boots and hung her cloak on a peg, then made her way through the house. The sound of conversation reached her ears, muffled by the walls and doors, and she smiled. It was a happy sound, a sound of family and friends gathered together.

She walked down the hallway, her steps light on the thick carpet, and turned a corner. She was about to enter the drawing room when she heard a voice – Bingley's voice – speaking quietly. She paused, realising that the door to the small parlour was ajar, and that Bingley and Jane were inside. She was about to turn away, to leave them to their privacy, when she heard Bingley speak again .

"...the special license, Jane, and we can be married as soon as you are willing."

Elizabeth froze, her eyes wide. She knew she should leave, should not be eavesdropping on such a private conversation, but she could not make her feet move. She heard Jane's voice, soft and gentle, and she could picture her sister's serene expression.

"Oh, Charles, I – I do not know what to say."

"Only tell me when you would like to be married, my love, and I shall arrange it all."

There was a moment of silence, and Elizabeth could imagine Jane's blush, her hesitation. She heard the rustle of fabric, and then Jane's voice again.

"I do not want to wait another day."

Elizabeth's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. She heard Bingley's delighted laugh, and then the sound of a kiss. She could imagine Bingley stepping forward to kiss Jane, then stepping back with a confident smile.

"I will find a clergyman in the morning," Bingley declared.

Elizabeth could not help herself. She stepped into the room, her face flushed with excitement and tears of joy in her eyes. "Jane!" she cried, her voice trembling with happiness.

Jane turned, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Lizzy!" She rushed to her sister, and the two embraced, holding each other tightly. Elizabeth could feel Jane's heart pounding, and she knew her sister was as overjoyed as she was.

"Oh, Jane," Elizabeth whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I am so happy for you."

"Oh Lizzy, nobody has ever been so happy as I!"

Elizabeth could only shake her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked up at Bingley, who was beaming with joy. "Well," he said, his voice confident and joyful, "I suppose I had better make the announcement. Jane, my love, would you come with me?"

He took Jane's hand and led her into the drawing room, Elizabeth following close behind. "Ladies and gentlemen," Bingley said, his voice ringing out clearly, "I have the great pleasure of inviting you all to a wedding... tomorrow!"

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then Mrs. Bennet shrieked in joy. "Oh, my Jane! My beautiful Jane! I knew you would be married first!" She rushed to her daughter, enveloping her in a tight hug. The other sisters clustered around, exclaiming and laughing, and Elizabeth stood back, watching the scene with a smile.

Elizabeth sat at the piano, her fingers gliding gently over the keys. The piece she played was one her father had loved, and for a moment she was transported back to Longbourn, to the cosy evenings they had spent together. The room around her was tastefully elegant, the fire crackling in the hearth and candles casting a soft glow. The rich wood of the piano gleamed in the light, and the chairs around it were plush and comfortable.

Georgiana came hesitantly to join her, and Elizabeth smiled at her. "Come, Miss Darcy," she said gently. "Do you play this piece?"

"A little," Georgiana admitted shyly, sitting down beside Elizabeth. "I – I will try, if you like."

"Please do," Elizabeth encouraged her, and after a few moments Georgiana's fingers began to move over the keys. She was hesitant at first, but Elizabeth smiled encouragingly at her, and soon she was playing with more confidence, her shyness falling away.

The rest of the group began to gather around the piano. Mrs. Bennet was fussing over Jane, who sat in a comfortable chair, beaming with happiness. Mr. Bingley stood beside her, looking down at her adoringly. Mr. Darcy stood a little apart, his eyes on Elizabeth, and she blushed to see the proud, tender expression on his face. The Gardiners were talking quietly with Lady Matlock, who had taken a special interest in the Bennet sisters.

As Georgiana and Elizabeth's duet came to an end, Elizabeth began to play a simple, well-known tune, and one by one the others began to sing along. Jane's sweet soprano, Bingley's light tenor, Kitty's clear voice, Mary and Mrs. Gardiner's altos, the Earl of Matlock's deep baritone. Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana, who was singing softly along as she played, and then at Darcy, who was not singing but was watching her, his eyes warm.

Even Mrs. Bennet, who usually could not hold still for a moment, was caught up in the moment, singing softly. Elizabeth could not remember ever seeing her mother so calm and contented.

It was a moment of pure joy, of unity and love, and Elizabeth felt her heart swell with happiness.

As the last notes of the song faded away, Elizabeth rose from the piano and moved to the window. Outside, snow was falling gently, soft white flakes drifting down from the sky to blanket the world in a pristine covering. Elizabeth watched the snow fall, feeling a sense of peace steal over her. It was as though the world was being reborn, cleansed and renewed. The moonlight glinted off the snow, casting a soft, silvery glow, and the street lamps outside the house added their own golden light to the scene.

Inside, the room was warm and cosy, the fire casting a gentle glow and flickering shadows on the walls. Elizabeth gazed out of the window, lost in her thoughts. It had been a day of many emotions, and her heart was full. She thought again of her father, of how much he would have loved to see Jane's happiness, and she felt a pang of sorrow.

"Miss Elizabeth. "

She turned, startled, to see Darcy standing beside her. She had not heard him approach. He held out a glass of wine to her, and she took it gratefully.

"Thank you, sir."

He inclined his head, and for a moment she thought he would speak, but then he merely turned to look out of the window with her. Elizabeth sipped her wine, feeling a sense of peace and contentment steal over her.

As Elizabeth stood beside Darcy in companionable silence, gazing out at the falling snow, her thoughts drifted back over the evening. The joy of singing around the piano, the warmth and love that had enveloped them all. Jane's engagement announcement – oh, how her heart had leapt with joy for her beloved sister! Jane deserved all the happiness in the world, and Elizabeth could not imagine a better husband for her than Bingley.

She thought of the kindnesses she had received that day. Darcy's gentle support, his quiet strength. The way he had looked at her, his eyes full of pride and tenderness. Georgiana's shy but sincere friendship.

Elizabeth sipped her wine, feeling a sense of contentment steal over her. It had been a day of many emotions, but in this moment, she felt only gratitude. She was grateful for the love that surrounded her, and she was grateful for the peace that filled her heart.