Page 17

Pemberley

“You best not run,” James cautioned his youngest cousin.

“Yes, Aunt Lizzy will not have it. She will send you off to the nursery,” Henry cautioned as the two passed little Beau. “Where are you off to in such a hurry anyway?”

Beau leaned in and whispered, “Theo said Cook makes the best lemon tarts, so he sent me to get some.” He licked his lips in anticipation of the treat.

James chuckled. “Yes, my brother loves them almost as much as I did at your ages.” He squatted down to look his youngest cousin in the face, and with a serious mien, said, “However, my brother also knows that Cook will not have you bothering her right now. I suggest you run on out to the garden and I will see what I can do.”

“You promise?” His eyes were bright with anticipation.

“I promise to try,” James said as he stood and ruffled Beau’s hair. The boy ran off, and James turned to Henry, “Do you remember when we were that age – running around the halls of Pemberley?”

Henry chuckled. “I remember well the shenanigans we got into around here.”

“Come on,” James said, “I think I might be able to keep the boys out of the kitchen for at least a little while.”

The two went to talk to Cook, then exited out the back and made their way to the stables, where they were soon off on a ride.

This might be the last solitary ride the two had for a few weeks.

Aunt Kitty’s family had already arrived from America last week, and Aunt Mary’s family was to be here sometime this afternoon, along with many friends who would be joining them for a grand gathering in celebration of Rose’s coming out.

Tonight would start the festivities.

Elizabeth entered the drawing room. Seeing her husband standing near the door, she walked over to his side, leaned in, and whispered, “The children are all in bed. I have never seen such a crush in our nursery. Theo and Beau insisted upon torturing the girls, so I had the girls moved to another room.”

Darcy nodded. “I shall have a talk with Theo tomorrow. He and Beau are becoming quite a nuisance, especially to the girls.”

She chuckled, “I am sure you and your cousin were quite the pair when you were their ages.”

“Hmm… yes. We had our moments as well. What we did not have were female cousins around to torture; well, except Anne, but she was most often kept at Rosings.”

She chuckled. They had often discussed the differences in their upbringings – she from a family of five girls, and he from a family of one sister and mostly male cousins.

Over the years their own family grew to include two more girls – Isabel and Rachel – as well as Theo, their youngest. The Bingleys had six children, Mary and her husband had four, and Kitty returned from America with her husband and three kids in tow, Beau being her youngest.

Elizabeth leaned closer, saying, “Just so you know, Isabel is determined to talk you into allowing her to attend the ball next week.”

He shook his head, crossed his arms, and said with a growl, “She is far too young.”

“Yes, well, I told her as much, but she is determined to talk you into it. After all, she feels she must practice for her own coming out in two years.” She reached out and placed her hand on his crossed arm, “Perhaps we could have a small dance for the younger ones earlier that day. Then they would not feel so left out. You know how much she and Rachel love to dance. With all the cousins here, there are plenty of partners for them.”

Darcy looked down at his wife’s lovely face.

She had a good point. He gave a small smile and nodded as he unwound his arms and wrapped his hand around hers, kissing the back, then he turned his attention back to the other side of the room where his sister sat at the pianoforte playing expertly for everyone.

“Georgiana insisted upon playing this song. It was a favorite of our father.”

Elizabeth sighed and closed her eyes, her body naturally swaying to the rhythm of the music.

The song ended, and James stepped up to the instrument, leaned down, and whispered into his Aunt Georgiana’s ear. She gave a small smile and a nod, then placed her fingers upon the keys, ready to begin.

James cleared his throat, then held his hand out to Rose, inviting her to join him at the instrument.

“My whole life I have known Rose as a sister. She is as close to me as any of my other siblings, and I cannot fathom life here at Pemberley without her.” He turned to indicate his parents at the back of the room.

“The halls of Pemberley have known much joy, and even sorrow, through the years, but with every challenge we have faced it as a family, together. There are several family members who are not here this evening to join us in Rose’s presentation, and in memory of them we have chosen to sing a particular song.

This tune was often sung by my mother, and it was a favorite of her father as well.

” With that he turned and gave his aunt a nod.

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears as the clear voices of James and Rose filled the air with the sweet melody.

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

Darcy squeezed the fingers held in his own and drew her attention. When she looked over, he handed her a handkerchief.

She chuckled. “You are always prepared for my tears.”

He leaned close to her ear, saying, “This time I was warned. James wished to honor your father and mother, as well as Lydia, and he anticipated your reaction.”

She turned back to continue listening. “These words were some of the first to comfort me in my time of distress when I could not open my eyes or move my body, but could still hear what was being said around me. It is a feeling I shall never forget – like being held down in a grip you cannot escape. Yet these words sung by our son gave me hope that I would wake.” She looked up into her husband’s eyes.

“I am so very glad I was able to come back to you, and that I remembered the love we shared.”

Darcy drew her hand to his lips, depositing a sweet kiss upon the back of her fingers, and replied, “It was my dearest wish during those days after you woke that you learn to love again. God truly answered my prayers.”