Chapter 16

Snow Games

T he party settled into something of a routine. Mornings were reserved for individual interests. Usually Elizabeth and Georgiana, as the girl had asked Elizabeth to address her, would meet for piano practice. In the afternoon, the younger generation would gather in the parlor for games. Each day, Suzy managed to partner Elizabeth with Mr. Darcy. Against all good judgment, she relished her time with him. Elizabeth warned herself not to fall further head over heels for the man, but it was a lost cause. She was thoroughly smitten with the gentleman, even though nothing good could come of it.

After three days of indoor activities, the weather finally turned. Overnight, a significant snowfall had transformed the world outside Meadow Haven into a winter wonderland. The trees and fields were draped in a thick blanket of white. The air was still, the only sound the occasional click of ice flowing down a nearby creek.

Elizabeth stood at the window of her room, gazing out at the scene with a mixture of awe and anticipation. Suzy would plan outdoor games today. A tingle of anticipation ran through her as she imagined Mr. Darcy helping her with her coat and scarf. But the thrill soon evaporated. Elizabeth resolved to find a way to impede Suzy’s efforts to push her into Mr. Darcy’s notice. It would only lead to heartbreak for Elizabeth. She was determined to spend the entire day with Suzy, and if she must share time with a gentleman, she would ensure it was with Nicholas.

There was a knock at her door, and before Elizabeth could respond, Suzy burst in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Lizzy! Have you seen the snow? ‘Tis perfect—just what we needed for our plans today!”

Elizabeth turned to her friend, smiling at her enthusiasm. “And what would that be?”

“A sleigh ride, of course! Colonel Fitzwilliam and I have arranged everything. We will go out after breakfast.” She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I will ensure that you and Mr. Darcy share a sleigh.”

Elizabeth’s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. “I pray you do not.”

Suzy laughed, waving off Elizabeth’s entreaty. “Nonsense. It is the perfect opportunity for you two to…” She gave Elizabeth a saucy wink before adding, “become better acquainted.”

Before Elizabeth could respond, Suzy raced out the door. “I must be on my way. I cannot allow my guests to sit in the breakfast parlor alone.” Sighing, Elizabeth followed.

The group of young people were pleased with the diversion the snow provided. After breakfast each donned their warmest gloves and coats before braving the cold. Mr. Darcy’s tall figure waited at the bottom of the steps. When he saw her, he bowed. “Miss Gardiner, are you prepared for a frigid ride?”

Elizabeth swallowed. The possibility of spending time with Mr. Darcy, even in the confines of a sleigh, filled her with a mix of dread and anticipation. “I am looking forward to it,” she finally replied.

The groomsmen brought around two sleighs. The first seated four people comfortably, though all six people could have easily fit. The second was much smaller. The horses pawed the snow as they waited.

“Nicholas, will you drive us?” Suzy did not wait for her brother’s agreement before directing the others. “Miss Darcy, you will sit up front with my brother. Colonel, you will sit in the back with me.” Then, with a sweet smile she turned to the two remaining members of the party. “Mr. Darcy, if you would be so good to drive my friend.”

Mr. Darcy bowed to his hostess. “It will be my pleasure.” Then he turned to Elizabeth. “Are you ready?”

Elizabeth offered a tentative smile, noting the way his eyes softened as he spoke to her. “As ready as one can be.”

“I shall do my best to ensure you have a pleasant experience,” he replied, offering her his arm as they approached their sleigh. Mr. Darcy helped Elizabeth into the seat, ensuring she was comfortably settled before climbing in beside her. Elizabeth’s breath caught when, for one delicious moment, his thigh brushed against her own. He settled himself and moved a respectable distance away before taking the reins in hand. He gave them a quick flick, and the horses began to move, the sleigh gliding smoothly over the snow.

The ride was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. The crisp air stung Elizabeth’s cheeks, but the warmth of Mr. Darcy’s presence beside her was enough to keep the chill at bay. At one point, the sleigh hit a bump causing her to slide into his side. He was so warm, so solid. She wished to snuggle closer, but propriety demanded she move back to original spot on the bench.

Elizabeth stole a glance at Mr. Darcy, her heart skipping a beat when she found him watching her. “It’s beautiful, is it not?” she said, gesturing to the snow-covered fields.

“Very much so,” he agreed, though his gaze remained on her rather than the scenery. “I find that winter, despite its cold, has a certain charm.”

Elizabeth’s lips curved into a smile. “You do not prefer the warmth of summer?”

“I have come to appreciate the beauty in all seasons,” Mr. Darcy replied, his voice low. “And in the unexpected joys they bring.” His deep baritone sent a shiver across her.

They rode on in silence for a few moments longer. Elizabeth could feel her earlier apprehensions melting away, replaced by a warmth that had nothing to do with the layers of clothing she wore.

Mr. Darcy pulled them to a stop overlooking a creek. Snow rested on the rocks along the bank, and ice had formed in the slower, more shallow waters. It was amazing what one snowfall could do to change the desolate appearance of winter. She was about to say so when a sudden shout from Colonel Fitzwilliam interrupted her thoughts.

“Snowball fight!” He called out from his own sleigh, which had pulled up alongside theirs. Suzy, seated beside him, giggled as he helped her from her seat.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth barely had time to react before the first snowball sailed through the air, narrowly missing Mr. Darcy’s shoulder. “It seems we have been challenged,” he said, a smile playing at his lips. “Shall we defend ourselves, Miss Gardiner?”

Elizabeth laughed, her spirits lifting as she gathered a handful of snow. “I suppose we must, Mr. Darcy. It would be a shame to let them win so easily.”

“Over here, Miss Darcy,” Nicholas called. The three pairs took their positions, and the battle began in truth.

“Oh!” Miss Darcy cried when Colonel Fitzwilliam launched a snowball into her chest. He laughed heartily, until another one splattered across his own broad form.

“That will teach you to accost my sleigh partner!” Nicholas wore a smirk.

The battle quickly descended into chaos. Mr. Darcy proved to be adept at the game, his precision and speed making him a formidable opponent. Elizabeth, though less skilled, managed to hold her own, her laughter ringing out as she dodged and returned fire.

The cold was forgotten in the flurry of snowballs and the rush of adrenaline. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth found themselves working together, their movements synchronized as they shielded themselves against the onslaught from the other participants.

Their four foes went on the attack, forcing them to retreat. Stepping backwards, Elizabeth lost her footing when a well-aimed snowball caught her on the shoulder. With a startled cry, she tumbled down the bank into the shallow creek below. The icy water soaked through her clothes instantly, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips as the cold bit into her skin.

“Elizabeth!” Mr. Darcy scrambled down the bank to reach her. “Are you hurt?”

“N-no, I am well,” Elizabeth stammered, though her teeth were chattering from the cold. “It is just… v-very cold.”

“We must get you back to the house immediately.” With haste, he removed his gloves and worked at the buttons at the front of her coat.

“Wh…what are you do…doing?”

“You must be out of this coat.” He pulled the offending garment from her and then quickly slipped out of his own thick coat. “Here, take mine.”

Elizabeth wished to refuse his offer, but she was so cold. She allowed him to wrap her in the warm folds and guide her back to the sleigh.

Suzy’s eyes were full of fright. “We must get you warmed up right away, Lizzy. You will catch your death out here.”

Darcy hugged Elizabeth’s shivering body to his side as he guided the sleigh back to the house. “It will not be long, now,” he assured her.

∞∞∞

The warmth of the library was a welcome contrast to the biting cold that still lingered in Darcy’s bones. He hardly felt it as he rushed Elizabeth back to the house, but after her mother took her away for a warm bath and a rest, the freezing temperatures began to penetrate. It had been hours, but he had not yet escaped the chill.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, drawing Darcy closer. He had sought refuge here, hoping for a moment alone to collect his thoughts. The day was not over and already his emotions had run the gamut between exhilaration and terror. Suffice it to say, he wished to never experience such again, but it was nothing compared to the frustration felt when her mother guided her up the stairs. He wanted to be the one to care for her.

He crossed the room and moved toward the fire, eager to shake off the remnants of the cold. As he neared the hearth, he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Startled, he turned to find Elizabeth seated in one of the armchairs, her feet tucked beneath her and a book resting in her lap.

“Miss Gardiner,” Darcy began, struggling to find his composure. “I did not realize anyone else was here.”

Elizabeth offered him a small, hesitant smile. “It is a public room.”

Darcy hesitated. “May I join you?” he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, her smile widening slightly. “There is plenty of room by the fire.”

Darcy took the seat opposite her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was Elizabeth who broke the silence first. “Thank you for your kindness today, Mr. Darcy. I am afraid I was rather foolish to have fallen into the creek.”

“You were not foolish,” Darcy replied quickly, his tone earnest. “It was an accident, nothing more. I only regret that you suffered from the cold.”

Elizabeth’s fingers traced the edges of the pages absently. “My mother was beside herself with worry. I am afraid she will never let me hear the end of it.”

Darcy smiled slightly at that. “Your mother cares for you very much. I can understand her concern. But I am relieved to see that you seem to have recovered.”

Elizabeth nodded, lifting her gaze to meet his. “I have, thanks to the warmth of the fire—and to your help. I am grateful, sir.”

Darcy shifted slightly in his seat. Her words made him feel both proud and uncomfortable. There was so much he wanted to say.

“Miss Gardiner,” he began, his voice low and careful. “I have… “

Elizabeth looked up. Her blue eyes, so bright in the light of day looked dark by the light of the fire. “Yes?”

Darcy cleared his throat. “I have come to admire you… greatly.”

Elizabeth’s lips pulled upward. “I admire you, as well,” she whispered.

Darcy could feel his control slipping, the desire to reach out to her, to take her hand, nearly overwhelming. The fire crackled softly, the only sound in the room as they sat there, staring at one another.

Finally, Elizabeth looked away, breaking the spell. “I should return to my room. My mother will worry if she finds me gone.”

Darcy stood as well, his heart aching with the loss of the moment. “Of course,” he murmured, his voice tight.

As Elizabeth made her way to the door, she paused, glancing back at him. “Thank you, again, Mr. Darcy.” And then she was gone, leaving him alone in the library.

∞∞∞

Richard made his way down the dimly lit corridor of Meadow Haven. The evening had settled in, and most of the guests had retired to their rooms. He had too much energy for sleep, however, and decided to play a round of billiards. With any luck, Darcy or Nicholas would be found there.

As he approached the billiards room, he heard the unmistakable sound of balls clattering together. A small smile tugged at his lips. He pushed open the door and was greeted by a surprising sight. The very un-Darcy figure of Lady Susan Corwell was draped across the table as she lined up a shot.

Startled, Lady Susan looked up, her expression quickly shifting from surprise to playful defiance. “Come to challenge me, have you?”

Richard grinned. “I did not expect to find you here, Lady Susan, but I suppose I could be persuaded to join you.”

She straightened, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she stepped back from the table. “I should warn you; I am very good at this game. Father will no longer play me.”

Richard chuckled, taking up a cue and examining the table. “I would not expect anything less, but I will not go easy on you simply because you are a lady.”

Her laughter rang out. “Good.”

They played for a while, exchanging playful banter with each shot. Lady Susan’s skill was evident—she was precise and confident, her movements fluid and graceful. Richard found himself genuinely impressed, but more than that, he was captivated.

“How do you think our plan is progressing?” he asked, leaning against the table after missing a shot.

She paused, her cue in hand. “With Darcy and Elizabeth, you mean?”

“Yes,” Richard nodded, watching her closely. “They have been spending more time together, and I think they are beginning to understand each other better.”

Lady Susan sighed. “Today’s proceedings gave me hope. Although I would never wish for my friend to be dunked in freezing water, I was quite pleased with how your cousin responded.”

“Should we continue as we have been or allow things to unfold as they will.” Richard stepped closer, drawn by her warm eyes and enticing smile.

She placed her hand on his arm. “Perhaps we should allow things to take their natural path.”