Page 73 of Obligation and Redemption
The passions are the seeds of vices as well as virtues, from which either may spring, accordingly as they are nurtured. Unhappy they
who have never been taught the art to govern them!
Ann Radcliffe
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Elizabeth had noticed that very few Christmas decorations adorned the walls of Darcy House and meant to ask Mr. Darcy if this was by design or if she might make some alterations before the festive season began in earnest. There were just five days until Christmas, so she planned to ask him before the end of the day.
Since the time of their theatre outing, Elizabeth had completed her preparations for her own family’s Christmas presents, buying some and making others, and all were ready to give to the Gardiners, so that they could deliver them to the family on their annual holiday visit.
She was in the couple’s shared sitting room, preparing the packages to be sent when Mr. Darcy entered, surprised by her presence.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy, you find me finishing up my packing for Longbourn’s Christmas, and I am glad that you are here, for I wanted to ask you about your usual preparations in your home for the holiday.”
“When I am in town, my housekeeper usually takes charge of the task. I believe this Saturday will be the day, with all of the staff in attendance to decorate with greenery brought in from Pemberley.”
“How marvellous! Do you assist?”
“I did as a child, but have not in years.”
“I see.” Elizabeth pondered. “Do you mind if I help? I dearly love the hanging of the green.”
“You are now the mistress of the house; you may do as you like.”
“Will you join me, then?”
Darcy was taken aback by her request. As it had been years since he had participated—since his mother’s death, in fact – he did not know what the endeavour would entail. “If you wish me to.”
“Of course.”
“I came to tell to you that I plan on introducing you to my relations on Saturday, perhaps after our decorations are complete.” Elizabeth looked at him bemused, as he continued.
“I had planned on waiting until Christmas, for Fitzwilliam would be in attendance, and I considered, since you and he had met and seemed to enjoy one another’s company, that you might find comfort in his presence, but I realise that you do not need a comrade as I had once thought.
Your comportment at the theatre impressed me with the idea that you will do well with only myself as your attendant. ”
This speech was made in sincerity, but it puzzled Elizabeth exceedingly. He seemed almost nervous. “If that is your wish. I look forward to making their acquaintance. I have long desired meeting your family. ”
“I must warn you that Fitzwilliam is unlike his family in many ways, for he has been in the service of the King for some time now, which has made him more understanding than his family of the lower classes.”
“I am not afraid, sir.”
“Of course you are not.” He provided a faint smile then continued, “So this box is bound for Longbourn?”
“Yes, our family exchanges gifts each year, and I have finally completed making mine and have only to send the package through the Gardiners.”
“And what is your family to receive?” Darcy was curious as to how Elizabeth had been spending her pin money.
Elizabeth then told him that her father was to receive a book that she had found at the bookstore on Bond Street, her mother a lace cap that she herself had made, her sister Jane, a novel, Mary, sheet music, and her two youngest sisters, bonnets with ribbons and fabric so that they themselves could adorn them.
“I used to make gifts for all of my family, but my father had an overabundant supply of embroidered handkerchiefs, hence I decided to give him something he would truly want, so he gets a book from me now. My younger sisters would rather make their own gifts.” He took mental note that there was nothing of great import or expense; indeed there was nothing that would suggest that she had just married one of the most affluent men in England, which somewhat surprised him.
He thought of how Miss Bingley would have found plenty of expensive gifts to show off her increase in wealth.
“Oh, and my aunt and uncle here in London, they are to receive tickets to the theatre. I asked Franklin to procure them, and I plan on gifting them on Sunday along with the other presents.”
“You give all of your family gifts?”
“I know our tradition might seem a little excessive, but not everyone participates. I see it as a time to do something for my family from my heart, in remembrance of Christ’s gift to us.
I know my younger sisters just like to receive more bonnets and ribbons, but I believe giving is more about the giver than the receiver.
Mr. Darcy, will you not come with me on Sunday?
We will not be out in public, just a simple visit to my family to wish them a happy Christmas. ”
“I plan to attend services with my family and had expected you would do the same since you will be meeting them on Saturday.” At her look of disappointment, he continued, “However, I see that I should have said something earlier. For this one last time, you may go with your family. I will have a carriage available for you.” Elizabeth was silent, wanting to encourage him to come, if only for a short call at the usual pick up time, but knowing that he might get angry if she persisted.
She stood there biting her lower lip as she thought through this and finally came to the conclusion that forcing the idea to accept her family would not work; it had certainly not worked towards herself and their marriage.
“Very well. But if you change your mind, you would be most welcome.”
Darcy then made his excuses and departed for the day.
He was troubled by Elizabeth’s continued association with her family, but supposed after leaving for Pemberley in the next few weeks that she would be limited in her time spent in their company and would likely, on her own, see the inferiority of the connection and naturally decrease time in their presence when next they were to return to town in the spring.
THE HOUSE WAS ABUZZ WITH ACTIVITY as the servants gathered supplies and ladders to decorate the great home.
Upon learning of the plans to adorn the home in greenery, Elizabeth had ordered that hot drinks and other refreshments be made available to the staff as they readied the house for the season.
She joined in the activity of hanging the greenery in the low places and adorning the tables.
Elizabeth took it upon herself to follow her own inclinations about where and how the boxwood would be placed in the foyer along with the flowers from Pemberley’s hothouse that had arrived the day before.
Elizabeth had always loved flowers, fresh or dried, wild or from the garden.
She had an eye for nature and how to present a display indoors.
She had helped to decorate her home each festive season for the past fifteen years.
However, the housekeeper had different ideas of how things should be done, for she had been in charge of this custom since Lady Anne died, and she did not take kindly to the new mistress interfering.
Since the arrival of Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Johnson had continued on with civil obedience to Elizabeth’s wishes, which was not too difficult since the new mistress had made few demands and mainly kept to her own chamber and the music room.
She was nosing her way into the kitchen, but was mainly just observing and learning the system that had been employed in the home for years by asking questions about her own role to play.
The housekeeper continued in her silent derision of the mistress, not willing to give her the respect due her position.
However, when Elizabeth had begun to meddle in the decorating, Mrs. Johnson could not stand idly by and watch as she made the house into an indecorous display.
“Mrs. Darcy, please allow me to do this for you. We have been preparing the house each year for Christmas and have much experience in how to display the greenery to the greatest advantage. Your help is simply not needed.”
It was but the work of a moment for Elizabeth to sum up the meaning behind the housekeeper’s respectful but disingenuous words, and not wanting to offend but also desiring to set the boundaries, said, “I am sure you have done an admirable job these many years, for I have seen how well this household is run with your leadership, and I have enjoyed the display of flowers that greet me every morning. But, as this is now my home, I desire to participate on occasion in the fitting of the ornamentation, and this is one of those times. I promise not to interfere too much in your traditional trimmings, but I do plan to play my part in decorating my new home.” Elizabeth smiled sweetly to the woman hoping for this to be the end of the challenge.
She knew she had every right to play a part in the endeavour and hoped that if it came down to it, Mr. Darcy would agree.
Just as this thought came to mind, she heard his familiar voice from the doorway .