Chapter 18

Yuletide Decorations

D arcy could scarcely contain his relief when he saw Elizabeth walk into the breakfast room. It had been a long and worrying week with Elizabeth confined to her bed under the watchful eye of her mother. The entire household had felt her absence, the usual warmth and liveliness of the party replaced by a dullness accompanied by his own palpable tension. But today, that tension broke as Elizabeth entered, her steps still a bit tentative but her smile as bright as ever.

She was immediately enveloped in warm embraces by her father and the Earl of Effington. “I was beginning to believe you would never return to us, my girl.”

Elizabeth smiled up at her godfather. “You know me better than that, Uncle Paul.”

He chucked her playfully on her chin. “Yes, you are a fighter. Always have been.”

Darcy stood a little apart, his heart racing as he took in the sight of her. She was pale, and there was a certain fragility about her that had not been there before, but she was here, and she was smiling.

Their eyes caught as she moved to sit down. For that brief moment, everything else in the room faded away. In the warmth of his gaze, her expression softened into a shy smile that sent a rush of warmth through him. He had not seen her since that night in her room— the night when he confessed his love for her. She had said she cared for him, but was it love? Would it grow to be love? He longed to talk to her again. To ask her what their futures held.

“It is good to have you back,” Georgiana said brightly, breaking the spell as she poured Elizabeth a cup of tea. “We have missed you terribly.”

“Thank you, Georgiana,” Elizabeth replied, her voice still a little weak. “I have missed you all as well. It is good to be up and about again.”

Once the meal was finished, Lady Susan clapped her hands together with enthusiasm. “Now that Lizzy is feeling better, I think it is high time we finished decorating the house for Christmas. What do you all say?”

Mrs. Gardiner placed her toast upon her plate. “Elizabeth is not allowed outside to gather greenery,” she warned, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Darcy, seeing the faint disappointment on Elizabeth’s face, quickly spoke up. “Then we shall gather all the greenery necessary and bring it inside. Miss Gardiner only needs to supervise, if she wishes.”

Nicholas and Richard both nodded in agreement. “Indeed,” Richard added with a grin. “We can handle the heavy lifting.”

“Perhaps we can play a duet while the gentlemen gather the supplies? Then you can supervise, as my brother said, while we decorate.”

Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana. “I would be pleased to play with you this morning, but when the men return with the greenery I will assist with the decorating. I have had quite enough of sitting still to last a lifetime. I prefer to be an active participant in the festivities, not just a spectator.”

Darcy admired her determination, though he did worry that she would attempt to overdo things. But he knew better than to argue with Elizabeth. Instead, he would hover near and ensure she did not do too much on her first day away from bed.

The men were gone for no more than three hours. Lady Susan had given them strict instructions to gather as much mistletoe, holly, and other evergreens as they could manage. Several servants accompanied them to pile their cuttings onto a cart. Finally, the party turned back toward the house.

“I am tempted to force you to remain out of doors for a while longer, but even I cannot pretend we have too little greenery. Besides, it would be cruel to keep you from Miss Gardiner’s side for so long.” Richard clapped Darcy on the shoulder.

“I do not know what you refer to,” Darcy evaded.

Richard laughed heartily. “Do you not? I had assumed after a midnight visit to her room, that you two had come to an agreement.”

Darcy cursed the heat he felt in his face. “How do you — ”

“Lady Susan let it slip one day while we played billiards.” There was a story there, but Darcy did not care to probe. He was too excited to return to Elizabeth’s side. He hurried toward the house, causing Richard to laugh more.

Lady Susan had hot chocolate and gingerbread waiting for the gentlemen. “At last! I thought you had been swallowed up in a snow drift!”

Lord Effington kissed his daughter’s cheek. “Hardly. We simply needed sufficient time to gather the excessive amounts of decoration that you and Elizabeth require.”

When hands were sufficiently warmed and bellies sufficiently full, the decorating commenced. The house soon filled with the scent of pine and holly. To no one’s surprise, Darcy hovered near Elizabeth, always ready to assist her with any tasks he deemed too strenuous.

“Allow me to do that for you,” he suggested.

Elizabeth held a pine garland decorated with bright red ribbons. “Nonsense. I can do this sir. I give you permission to continue your supervision.” She stepped up on a small stool and reached high to hang the garland above the mantel.

Darcy hovered near. “Elizabeth,” he hissed, “you are not yet recovered enough. Allow me.”

She threw him a saucy look and returned to her task. But as she lifted onto her toes to secure the garland to the wall, the stool tipped and she lost her balance.

Darcy moved without thinking, his arms shooting out to catch her before she could fall. He pulled her close, steadying her against his chest, his heart pounding from the sudden rush of adrenaline.

“Elizabeth, are you all right?” he asked, his voice filled with concern as he looked down at her.

She nodded. “I am well. Just… a little unsteady, I suppose.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The world narrowed to just the two of them, standing so close that Darcy could feel the warmth of her body against his. Elizabeth’s hands rested on his chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You should be more careful,” he murmured.

Elizabeth’s gaze softened. “I will. I promise.”

They lingered there, the proximity making Darcy acutely aware of everything about her—the way her hair brushed against his arm, her floral scent mingling with the fresh greenery around them, her pink lips parted ever so slightly. So inviting. The temptation nearly overwhelming as he dipped his head.

∞∞∞

Mr. Gardiner, standing a few paces away, regarded them with a mixture of concern and amusement. He cleared his throat. “Mr. Darcy,” he said, his voice gentle but firm, “I believe Elizabeth can stand on her own.”

Darcy blinked, realizing how long he had been holding Elizabeth, their proximity far closer than was proper. He reluctantly stepped back. Elizabeth’s cheeks were flushed, though whether from embarrassment or something more, he could not be sure.

Darcy turned to Mr. Gardiner. “Sir, may I have a moment alone with your daughter?”

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Mr. Gardiner. For a moment, the man regarded Darcy with a thoughtful expression, as if weighing the request. Nearby, Lady Susan and Richard exchanged a quick, excited glance, their expressions betraying their anticipation.

Mr. Gardiner nodded, though his tone remained stern. “You may have five minutes.”

“Thank you, sir,” Darcy replied with a respectful bow, his heart racing as he turned to Elizabeth.

He offered her his arm, and though she looked slightly disoriented, Elizabeth accepted it without hesitation. He led her out of the room, the eyes of their friends and family following them as they moved into the corridor.

Darcy led her to the library and closed the door behind them. The curtains were drawn, and his eyes took some time to adjust to the darkness of the room. He escorted her to the fire, its light casting a warm glow across her face. She was so beautiful. He took a deep breath and then stepped closer.

“Elizabeth,” he began, his gaze locked on hers, “I have thought long and hard about what I am about to say. You must know that from the moment I met you, you have occupied my thoughts in a way that no one else ever has. I have admired your strength, your wit, your kindness, and your beauty. You are, without question, the most remarkable woman I have ever known.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught as a small smile spread across her face.

“I stand here now, not as a man bound by the expectations of society, but as a man who loves you. I love you with all my heart, and I cannot imagine my life without you.”

Kneeling before her, he took her hand in his. “Elizabeth Gardiner, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Elizabeth’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She took a deep breath, as if steadying herself, and then, with a smile that was both radiant and filled with certainty, she nodded.

“Yes, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered, her voice trembling with joy. “Yes, my love. I will marry you.”

Darcy surged to his feet and pulled her close, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. “You have made me the happiest man in the world.”

She smiled up at him, her eyes shining with love. “And you have made me the happiest woman.”

He kissed her again, this time, urging her lips apart until she opened for him. “Mmm,” she hummed. The soft sound sent a thrilling jolt of desire through him. His hands rubbed circles on the small of her back. He longed for more but was careful to go no further. Soon, he told himself.

With great reluctance, he broke the kiss. He pressed his forehead to hers. “I do not wish to wait.”

She giggled. “When do you have in mind?”

“Will you marry me on New Year’s Eve? Let us begin 1812 together, as husband and wife. I do not want to spend a single day of the year without you by my side.”

Elizabeth’s smile widened, and she nodded again, her heart full. “Mama will not like it, but I find I agree with you. I am ready to be Mrs. Darcy.”

Darcy leaned down, capturing her lips once more. Elizabeth responded with equal fervor, her arms wrapping around his neck as she returned his kiss.

When they finally parted, both were breathless. “I love you, Elizabeth,” Darcy whispered, his voice filled with the depth of his feelings.

“And I love you,” Elizabeth replied, her voice just as soft, just as certain.

With great reluctance, he stepped away from her. “Our five minutes has long passed. I do not wish to earn your father’s wrath, especially when I have something very important to ask him.”

To his delight, Elizabeth's smile broadened even more. “I will ask him to join you.”