Page 94 of Heiress of Longbourn (Pride and Prejudice Variations)

Darcy House

London

Christmas Day, 1815

“Anne, Merry Christmas!” Elizabeth Darcy exclaimed, rising to her feet and moving forward to embrace her guest. “How are you?”

“I am well enough,” Anne assured her. “Do you mind if I feed Susanna?”

“Please do go ahead,” Elizabeth directed and slipped out into the hallway. A minute later, she returned and took her place across from her guest. “I told the servants to keep everyone out of this room until we leave, so do not worry about privacy.”

“Thank you,” Anne said, and looked down adoringly on her little daughter, who was rapturously sucking milk from her breast. She trailed her left hand through Susanna’s sparse hair and asked, “How are you doing, Elizabeth?”

“I am well enough, though rather tired. It is a busy season.”

Anne was quite certain that there was another reason for Elizabeth’s fatigue, but she did not press her. “It is indeed. I am hopeful that after the New Year, we will all be able to rest more, though of course that is dependent on the activity of high-class villains in our society.”

Elizabeth sighed and said, “That is regrettably true. Is there any additional news about the Scottish end of this kidnapping ring?”

Anne clenched her jaw and said, “Yes, Mother has heard from Mrs. Mason, who leads the Scottish branch of the League. They have tracked down Goudey and are in the process of rescuing the girls caught up in his web. There are dozens of girls involved, unfortunately, and it will take some time to find them all, though Mrs. Mason is determined. Many of the girls will not be welcomed home after their ordeals, I fear, so you and Darcy can expect a contingent of young women to arrive at Pemberley in the near future.”

“We will make room for them,” Elizabeth said fervently. “Mrs. Reynolds will take good care of them, and our new parson, Mr. Warrick, has proven a most diligent and gentle friend to the young women in our care. But what of Goudey? Is there any way he can be called to account for his part in this disgusting scheme?”

“We believe so, yes,” Anne said, lifting Susanna onto her shoulder to burp her. “He is a business man, not a member of the nobility; it is easier to deal legally with such men.”

Elizabeth nodded sadly. It was a horrible reality that highborn men and women frequently abused and used their social inferiors. “What of Mrs. Scofield and her vile nephews, Anne?”

“The nephews will be tried and will either be executed or imprisoned. Mrs. Scofield is gravely ill and may well pass away.”

“Ill?”

“Yes; her bullet wound is infected. We did provide medical care within two hours of her attack on the house, but an infection set in, and it is likely she will not survive.”

Elizabeth shivered and said, “That is sad, but it is even sadder a woman could be so indifferent to the suffering of other women that she would conspire to sell girls into servitude.”

“I quite agree, though, given Lady Adbury’s views on the matter, it is not terribly surprising. The lady was quite indignant at Mrs. Scofield’s arrest for assault and attempted kidnapping, and while we are confident that she was not personally involved in abducting any girls, she obviously has no sympathy for those of the lower classes.”

Elizabeth’s eyes strayed to Baby Susanna, and she promptly burst into tears, provoking Anne to pat her comfortingly on the arm.

“I am sorry,” Elizabeth gasped, mopping her face with her handkerchief. “I did not mean to break down, especially given that we have much for which to be thankful. Many girls have been saved through the League.”

“Well, you have your reasons for being more emotional than usual, do you not?” Anne asked slyly.

Her friend blushed rosily and said, “Is it that obvious?”

“To me, yes, dearest Elizabeth, but I have a small baby and remember well the signs of pregnancy. Have you told Darcy?”

“Not yet, but I plan to very soon. I wanted to be certain, you see, but I am confident now.”

“Congratulations,” Anne said warmly. “But come, if you are recovered enough, I believe I heard visitors out in the vestibule for our family Christmas gathering. For all that there is sorrow in the world, we have much to celebrate today as we remember the birth of the Christ Child, who came to earth to save us.”

Elizabeth gulped and then smiled. “You are entirely correct, Anne. God has been very good to us. I am so grateful for you and our extended circle of family and friends, and for our work with the League that allows us to right some of the wrongs that plague our country.”

***

Two hours later, Elizabeth Darcy sat on a comfortable sofa in the drawing room of Darcy House, with her little son on her lap and her beloved husband at her side. The room was decorated for Christmas with boughs and mistletoe, and was filled with their extended family. Jane and Charles Bingley were present with their two little sons, along with the Earl and Countess of Matlock. Georgiana Darcy and Kitty and Lydia Bennet were seated on a long settee in the corner of the room, whispering to one another, while Mary Bennet, who had trained under a music master for the last two years, was softly playing a Christmas hymn on a small pianoforte.

The Gardiners were here as well, along with their five children, and the eldest Miss Gardiner, twelve years of age, was cooing eagerly over baby Susanna Fitzwilliam while the infant’s parents looked on fondly.

Fitzwilliam Darcy rose to his feet and the various conversations faded away while Mary finished the last chords of her song.

When silence had truly fallen, the master of Pemberley looked around with a heart brimming with satisfaction. His three years of marriage to Elizabeth had resulted not just in great personal happiness but in a significant enlargement to his family and social circle. He loved the Gardiners and the Bingleys, the Bennets and the Fitzwilliams, and greatly rejoiced at the presence of so many children in the great house which had, for so long, been preternaturally quiet.

“My dear family,” he said, “I know that the children will soon grow restless. Merry Christmas to you all, and I thank God for each and every one of you. We will be going in to dinner soon, but before we do, I wish to read a short passage from the Gospel of Luke.”

He opened his Bible and read.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David

5 To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

***

“Elizabeth, are you well?”

“Yes, my love, I am very well. I loved our time celebrating Christmas with our family tonight.”

“Are you quite sure you are not ill? You seemed so tired, and I noticed that you did not eat very much.”

Elizabeth Darcy sat up in bed to gaze into the face of her beloved husband, who was bending over with a concerned expression.

“I do feel rather ill, my love, but for the very best of reasons. Fitzwilliam, we are going to have another child!”

The End of ‘A Golden Daffodil Christmas’ ... but turn the page and keep reading!