“But—”
“You needn’t take any of it on, my dear. Mrs. Hodges will arrange everything, provided that a fleet of servants are hired on. I am more than willing to do this.”
“A ball at Donwell,” said Emma. “In my condition.”
“You needn’t dance if you are unable.”
“Of course I am able! It is early days yet. I am hardly an invalid.”
“A ball is just the thing to celebrate Christmas, don’t you think? Our neighbors will love it.”
“Indeed, they shall. But what about you?”
Emma’s eyes saw rather too much.
“I am sorry,” George said contritely. “I should have told you about our guests before issuing the invitation. It sounded like such a good idea when we were together.”
“You and John, agreeing to host a ball at Donwell, a thing that has not been done for ages. Will wonders never cease?”
“Sometimes,” offered George, “old dogs can learn new tricks.”
“Especially when there are up to something,” said Emma.
Now why should she say that?
It now occurred to George Knightley that there was much he did not know about being a husband. Isabella was a compliant creature and would fall in with John’s plans. Would Darcy’s wife be as suspicious as Emma?
May heaven help us all might not be a proper prayer, but it was certainly heartfelt.
Darcy decided that he should begin with news that was small and pleasant. After that, he would move on to the larger subject of Christmas.
“I was thinking,” he said to his wife. “It might be advantageous for your mother and sisters to extend their stay by a few days.”
Elizabeth lowered her teacup. “Advantageous? For whom?”
“It would allow time for more gowns to be ordered. Er, for Christmas.”
There. That was not so bad. Elizabeth would like this news. After all, hadn’t shopping been her idea?
“This is quite a change. You were itching to pack them off early tomorrow morning.”
“Well, yes,” he admitted. “It now occurs to me that because they are coming out of mourning, they each might need a new ball gown.”
“A new ball gown?” Elizabeth observed him narrowly. “Why?”
Darcy spread his hands. “Every woman enjoys looking her best.”
“Yes, and this is very generous of you. However, you ought to consider their life in Meryton. Of what possible use are new ball gowns?”
“Come now, your mother’s social circle is not as constrained as all that.”
“There will be a Christmas assembly, of course, and invitations to dine with various neighbors. None of these require new clothes.”
“They might,” said Darcy lamely. “One never knows.”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you up to?”
“Why, nothing.”
“Fitzwilliam,” she said. “You cannot expect me to believe that.”
Darcy was betrayed into a smile. “I might as well tell you. It is useless to hide anything from you, even if it is an agreeable surprise.”
“A surprise,” repeated Elizabeth.
“We shall be spending Christmas together this year. Your family and ours.”
“At Pemberley? But I thought—”
“Not at Pemberley, my love. We have been invited to spend the week in Surrey.”
“Where? Whom do we know in Surrey?”
“A school friend of mine. We were at Cambridge together.”
“Which friend? It is not like you to spend Christmas with strangers, Fitzwilliam.”
“John Knightley and his brother are not precisely strangers. We shall be staying at the Hartfield estate, or perhaps at Donwell Abbey.”
“Donwell Abbey!”
“It is their family estate. George mentioned hosting a Christmas ball there.”
Elizabeth lowered her voice. “Have you said anything to Mama?”
“Well, no,” he said. “You are the first. New gowns are definitely in order. I trust there will be no objection?”
“Are there unmarried gentlemen living near Donwell Abbey?”
“I did not inquire, but for your mother’s sake I certainly hope there are.”
There was a pause. “Are you planning to match Georgiana with one of the brothers?”
Darcy nearly laughed aloud. “Alas, no,” he said, “for they are married—to a pair of sisters, as it happens. I daresay you’ll like them.”
“Do you?” she countered.
Darcy had no answer for this.
“Christmas,” said Elizabeth slowly, “but not at Pemberley, and shared with people I’ve never met.”
“You could look them up in Debretts.”
“I think I shall.”
“As for Pemberley, we’ll depart Surrey just after St. Stephen’s Day. It is a short distance to London, and once here we’ll arrange for your family’s return to Meryton. We should arrive at Pemberley well before Epiphany.” He paused to smile. “I trust this is satisfactory?”
“I’ll—inform Mama. She will be delighted.”
“If you should like to visit the shops this afternoon, you are welcome to use the carriage. As charming as you are in half-mourning, my love, I believe you would like something new.”
“Thank you, I would. However,” she added, “I suspect that you have not told me the whole, Fitzwilliam. There is more to this plan of yours, is there not?”
Darcy leaned in to kiss her cheek. “All in good time, my dear.”
When he stepped back, he found Elizabeth studying him with disconcerting intensity. “Whoever he is,” she said slowly, “I hope he is worthy of Georgiana.”
Darcy could not help but laugh. “It is nothing like that, truly.”
Elizabeth did not seem satisfied, but she said nothing more.
Darcy breathed a long sigh of relief. He had done his part. This plan of Knightley’s had better work!
Chapter 4
As expected, Mr. Woodhouse was not pleased about the plans for Christmas. The weeks passed, and while he did not precisely complain, he frequently sighed. He was sighing now, for goodness’ sake!
George Knightley had all but abandoned hope of matching his father-in-law with any woman. Who would have him? The man would try the patience of a saint!
Mr. Woodhouse now waited in his overstuffed chair before the fire, drumming anxious fingers against the chair’s arm. “Dear oh dear. So many guests,” he said in his gentle way. “Why did you invite so many, Mr. Knightley?”
“We’ll have only five. Darcy wrote to say that one of his sisters-in-law is spending Christmas elsewhere. With a married sister, I think.”
“Why could they not all do likewise?”
“Because we invited them, Papa,” said Emma mildly. “You enjoy when friends come to see you.”
“Yes, but these are not friends. New faces, new names. How shall I remember them all?”
“There are not so many.” Emma counted on her fingers. “Mrs. Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and Miss Georgiana Darcy. I am looking forward to meeting them.”
“They should arrive this afternoon,” added George.
Mr. Woodhouse glanced toward the windows. “Is it snowing? The weather is so changeable at this season. Such a distance they must travel! It is so much safer to remain at home.”
“It is quite pleasant out. A matter of sixteen miles will mean little to Darcy.”
“Home is the best place to celebrate Christmas. And I do not see why Isabella and Mr. John Knightley must stay at Donwell. I miss seeing the children.”
Here was another favorite theme.
Emma spoke up. “John and Isabella will come for after-dinner tea, Papa. We’ll have cards and music. John told me that Miss Darcy is musical.”