Chapter Twenty-Nine

Darcy

Christmas Day

A fter breakfast, Darcy, Elizabeth, and Maggie had gone for a walk around the grounds of Pemberly. The snow had fallen heavily overnight and he had delighted in watching the little girl make snowballs and throw them at the trees. After their walk Maggie had gone to her room to play for a few hours.

At Pemberley, the tradition was to eat Christmas Dinner at four, then they would open the presents in the evening. Hastings had informed Darcy that dinner would be served shortly, and he had sent Mrs Reynolds to fetch Maggie while he and Elizabeth stationed themselves by the drawing room door. She had been excited the previous evening as they readied the house—to Darcy it seemed clear that Christmastide celebrations were something that the child had been familiar with. Soon they could hear the light patter of the little girl’s feet in the hallway. Maggie burst into the room, her face full of wonder as she took in the festive sights.

“Christmas!” she cried, her eyes wide with delight as she ran to the centre of the room. Over the last few days, she had spoken more frequently. Darcy had gently tried to ask her what had happened, now that she had found her voice. However, any probing, and the girl cloaked herself in silence, so Darcy decided that he would allow her however much time she needed.

He chuckled warmly but then noticed her expression falter slightly. A shadow of sadness crept across her face, and she glanced downward. Sensing her homesickness, Darcy stepped in quickly, his voice cheerful. “Merry Christmas, Maggie. Why, look! There are wonderful presents waiting here for you. But we must wait to open them until after dinner.”

“What are we having for dinner?” Maggie asked curiously.

Elizabeth knelt beside her, smiling. “We shall have a true Christmas feast. There is roast goose, mince pies, spiced potatoes, a hearty pudding, and a plum tart..”

“May I open my present first? That is what Ma—” She stopped abruptly.

Darcy’s first impulse was to explain that gifts always came after dinner, but he had a feeling that the girl was about to say that this was what her mother always allowed. As he exchanged a glance with Elizabeth, he felt himself softening. He’d wanted to get away from rigidity after all. Besides, her mischievous smile held him for a moment, and he gave in with a grin.

“Very well, just this once, we shall open the gifts first. Mrs Reynolds,” he called, “please tell Cook to keep the dinner warm.”

Maggie clapped her hands in delight as Elizabeth guided her towards the small pile of gifts near the fireplace, each one wrapped in simple brown paper and tied with festive red ribbons. Maggie approached them reverently, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Which one is mine?” she asked curiously.

“They all are yours, darling,” Elizabeth said.

The look of joy on the little girl’s face was a sight to behold.

The first package revealed the beautifully crafted rocking horse, and Maggie’s face lit up. She touched the smooth, polished wood, then took the reins and gave it a gentle push. “Oh! It moves!” She pushed it again, giggling as it rocked forward and back. Elizabeth and Darcy shared a warm glance, both contented to see her so delighted.

As Maggie continued to examine her new treasures watched over indulgently by Mrs Reynolds, who had returned to inform them—with a look of deep embarrassment—that the cook had suggested leaving it no longer than half an hour, or the bird would be ruined, Darcy cleared his throat and turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth,” he said, his tone softening. “I have something for you as well.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise. “For me? Oh, I did not realise we were exchanging gifts. I’m afraid I have nothing prepared—”

Darcy raised a hand, stopping her gently. “Please, do not worry. It is but a small token.” He handed her a carefully wrapped package, which she took, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

She opened it to reveal a beautiful, leather-bound book. Her fingers brushed over the gilded title: Anabasis by Xenophon, a classic. Elizabeth’s mouth opened in surprise, and she looked up at Darcy with awe.

“A Greek classic,” she said breathlessly. “I have long wished to read this, Mr Darcy. Thank you. This is more than generous.”

He smiled, clearly pleased to have chosen well. “I am glad it pleases you. I thought you might enjoy it, given your love of ancient history.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze, momentarily speechless. While they were not alone—both Maggie and Mrs Reynolds were in the drawing room with them—Darcy found himself caught in the quiet intimacy of the moment, until Maggie’s eager exclamation returned them to the present.

“Oh, may we have dinner now?” Maggie asked, glancing back and forth between them, her gaze lingering on her toys. “Then play more?”

Darcy laughed. “I wager that she wishes to get the meal out of the way so she can play all evening.”

“I daresay you are correct,” Elizabeth replied, her voice warm as she stood. She gave Darcy a grateful look before following Maggie to the dining room, where a splendid Christmas spread awaited.

The table was decorated with garlands of ivy and sprigs of holly, and in the centre sat the roast goose, its golden skin gleaming invitingly. Roast potatoes, spiced red cabbage, and buttered carrots lined the table, all surrounded by the comforting scent of cinnamon and cloves. The cook—a stern faced man who had been a chef at the Palace of Versailles, before fleeing for England after the revolution—had truly outdone himself—and had been absolutely correct. If dinner had been postponed any longer, then the goose would have been dry as a bone.

They dined with cheer and laughter, and Maggie, was beginning to speak more freely, her shyness melting as Elizabeth and Darcy included her in every conversation. The meal was long and leisurely, filled with tales of Christmases past, and as the last of the pudding was finished, they returned to the drawing room, where a maid soon brought in steaming cups of hot chocolate.

The sweet aroma of chocolate filled the air as they settled back to soak in the festive atmosphere. Maggie played with her new toys on the floor by the fire, her face glowing with happiness as she took tiny sips from her mug, her sticky fingers occasionally reaching for the sweetmeats on the plate beside her. The traditional treats were tempting even to Darcy and Elizabeth—small marzipan fruits, sugarplums, and hazelnut comfits—perfect accompaniments to their rich hot chocolate.

Elizabeth sighed, glancing at the book he had given her, which lay on the side table. “Thank you again,” she said sincerely, looking over at him. “I shall treasure it always.”

Darcy inclined his head, smiling. “It was my pleasure, Elizabeth.” After a pause, he added, “Though, if you truly wish to give me a gift… there is a piece I often play with Georgiana at Christmas. It is for four hands. I wonder if you might indulge me in playing it?”

Elizabeth hesitated, laughing. “Surely, you would be better served with Maggie as a partner, for I fear my abilities would be insufficient.”

Darcy’s eyes twinkled. “I shall take my chances.”

She glanced at Maggie, who was happily preoccupied with her rocking horse, and then nodded with a smile. “Very well, I shall endeavour not to embarrass you too greatly.”

They took their places at the pianoforte, and Darcy placed the sheet music for Mozart’s Sonata for Four Hands before them. Elizabeth’s fingers hovered over the keys, and she glanced at Darcy, an amused smile tugging at her lips. Together, they began to play, the music blending smoothly as they moved through the lively passages, their hands occasionally brushing.

Darcy felt a thrill of enjoyment as they played and wondered if Elizabeth felt it too. He would occasionally give her an approving gaze. He was reminded in this moment, of how their lives, like their hands on the keys, could somehow fit together despite all odds. The music rose and fell, filling the room with a melody as harmonious as the unexpected bond growing between them.

As the final notes faded, Darcy placed his hand over Elizabeth’s, and for a moment, they simply gazed at each other, the unspoken warmth between them brighter than any candle.

Then Maggie, with impeccable timing, broke the moment with a squeal of laughter as her rocking horse tumbled over due to a failed attempted at balancing both herself and her new doll on top. Elizabeth looked away with a blush, and Darcy laughed softly, squeezing her hand before they both turned back to join Maggie and resume their perfect Christmas evening.