Mistletoe and Mischief Page 13

  Elizabeth laughed. “You are incorrigible.”

  “I suppose I may be,” said he, “but I should like to think that I have also made some improvements to my character since meeting you.”

  “Indeed, you have.”

  After glancing around briefly, he pulled her close to him. “I do not know if you noticed, Elizabeth, but you were standing beneath the mistletoe.”

  “I had noticed,” said she. “I was waiting for you to realize it.”

  Fitzwilliam laughed. “I suppose I cannot disobey the rules of the mistletoe.”

  “I should be most disappointed if you did.”

  Fitzwilliam leaned toward Elizabeth, and she closed her eyes in anticipation. Moments later, the butterfly-soft sensation of his lips on hers caused a smile to blossom on her face. But it was not enough, and she pushed forward, deepening the kiss and grabbing at the lapels of his waistcoat to bring him closer to her.

  Fitzwilliam chuckled against her mouth in appreciation, and once they had parted, he asked: “Do you believe your father may be available for a call tomorrow? Has his business been properly concluded?”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I think he shall be quite at leisure to accept a caller.”

  “I am glad to hear it. Then perhaps we may soon announce our engagement and relieve my cousin's anxiety.”

  Mr. Bennet had left for London before Elizabeth had accepted Fitzwilliam's proposal of marriage, so the pair had agreed to maintain the secrecy of their engagement until such time as Mr. Bennet's approval could be secured. It had not always been easy to remain silent on the subject, so the prospect of revealing themselves was quite appealing.

  “Perhaps you should encourage Mr. Bingley to accompany you,” said Elizabeth casually.

  “Should I?”

  “Did you not know? Mr. Bingley has proposed marriage to Jane, and she has accepted him.”

  Fitzwilliam laughed. “I am glad to hear it, but I am surprised he has managed to keep the secret from me.”

  “It was a recent development, or else you might have heard something. Still, I suspect he is quite proud of having kept the secret from you thus far.”

  “Yet you are willing to spoil his fun?”

  “I do not want to delay my sister's happiness any more than my own. Bring Mr. Bingley with you, and this Christmas season shall become all the happier.”

  “Consider it settled then. I have no desire for further delay myself. My love for you is too great to maintain such secrecy for long.”

  Elizabeth gave him a warm look. “Those words are quite pretty, dear sir. Have you further lovers' words to offer?”

  “If you desire them, then I shall provide them.”

  “Perhaps you should compare my eyes to the stars that dot the night sky—or perhaps the snap-dragons whose heated lair so fiercely scorched my arm.”

  “I should never venture to do so,” said Fitzwilliam, “for my anger, once roused, is difficult to quell, and the game of Snap-dragon has drawn my ire most decidedly.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “I love you, Fitzwilliam, even if forgiveness shall never come easily to you.”

  “And I love you, Elizabeth, dearly, deeply, and completely.”

  The lovers then shared one more kiss under the mistletoe, failing to realize that a bright-eyed Lydia had come upon them, having been sent by her mother to ensure Elizabeth had sustained no lasting injury. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam's anticipated timeline would soon be shattered, but ultimately, the end result would be the same. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam would wed, and they would have a happy and fulfilling life together.

  Still, neither could ever quite countenance the game of Snap-dragon after that Christmas season, and Fitzwilliam Darcy seemed to bear a particularly strong grudge against it.

  The Yule Log

  by

  Colin Rowland

  I came across the tradition of the Yule log and decided it might be nice to explore the possibility of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy possessing differing opinions on the observance of this tradition.

  “I do so love the Christmas season,” said Elizabeth to Jane as they crossed the expansive snow-covered lawn fronting the Pemberley manor. “Everywhere one travels, the people are happier and their laughter is more easily and often provoked; why, I can even detect a spring in their step. It is not an exaggeration to proclaim this to be my favorite time of the year.”

  Georgiana had invited Elizabeth and Jane to enjoy the Christmas holiday with her at Pemberley, and the sisters had been quite pleased to accept. The friendship between Mr. Darcy’s sister and Elizabeth had grown in the months since Mr. Darcy had begun courting Elizabeth, and Elizabeth now considered Georgiana to be a dear friend.

  Elizabeth and Jane had arrived in Derbyshire the previous day in the company of their aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, who had reluctantly agreed to act as chaperone for the visit after Mrs. Bennet begged and cajoled her. Mr. Gardiner and their children had remained at Longbourn for the Christmas celebration, a fact Mrs. Gardiner bemoaned as the trip progressed. Mr. Darcy was himself absent, having accompanied his sister to Lambton to complete her purchases of Christmas gifts.

  Mr. Bingley, who had gone to London for the purpose of tending to business affairs, was expected to join the company later in the evening so that he might share in the Christmas observance on the morrow. While walking to the drawing-room earlier that morning and discussing the gentleman’s anticipated arrival with Jane, Elizabeth had noticed that none of the staff and servants were bustling about to make the manor ready for Christmas. She had inquired of Mrs. Reynolds and been informed, to her dismay, there were no decorations prepared, as Mr. Darcy did not encourage such. In response, Elizabeth had asked permission of the estate’s master to address the lack. Approval had been given, but only grudgingly.

  Refusing to be disheartened by Mr. Darcy’s unenthusiastic response, Elizabeth had cajoled her sister to accompany her as she explored the estate grounds for growths of holly and ivy with which to decorate the manner. In a wonderful stroke of good fortune, they had even discovered a growth of mistletoe prospering in a stand of evergreens. Elizabeth planned to pluck the sprigs and fashion them into kissing boughs for placement atop a few of the manor doors.

  “Is it not time to return?” asked Jane of her sister once morning had become afternoon. “This traipsing around the property and climbing through thickets has given me quite the appetite. May we at least suspend our exploration long enough to assuage our hunger?”

  Elizabeth chuckled quietly at the plaintive request. She loved her sister unreservedly but was aware of Jane’s antipathy toward spending much time out of doors. Jane much preferred to occupy herself with pastimes she thought more respectable for a young lady. To Jane, a productive day was one spent performing needlework, reading an uplifting book, or composing letters for dispatch to relatives or friends.

  In contrast, Elizabeth’s fondest memories were of mornings spent walking well-worn paths and exploring the hills and valleys surrounding her home of Longbourn, a habit she intended to continue during her stay at Pemberley.

  “Very well,” said Elizabeth with a quick laugh. “I certainly would not like my sister to perish from hunger. Before we go, however, let us explore the copse behind the stable. I require some rosemary for the kissing boughs. I spoke yesterday with Mrs. Reynolds, and she informed me some members of the staff have experience in fashioning them, so we can be certain of some aid should we require it.

  “Still,” continued Elizabeth after a brief pause, “the attitude of the staff seems somewhat odd. When I asked Mr. Darcy’s manservant why preparations for the holiday had not yet begun, Mr. Snell said the season has not been commemorated at Pemberley for some time.”

  “I have heard none of the staff discussing Mr. Darcy’s Christmas plans,” said Jane, “apart from what Mrs. Reynolds told us this morning.”

  “It may be Mr. Darcy does not normally spend the holiday at Pemberley but instead with his aunt at Rosings Park. He would not need Christmas f
inery within the manor should he typically spend the season with Lady Catherine.”

  “This year may see the establishment of a new tradition,” said Jane. “In the future, he will prefer to remain at Pemberley with his wife and children rather than spend it away from his home and treasured friends.”

  “Has Mr. Darcy acquired a fiancée since last we saw him?” asked Elizabeth with a smile. “If this is so, he has been remiss in advising us. Hurry and gather your possessions so our return to Longbourn is not delayed. I will send for a carriage and locate my aunt, as I have no wish to cause trouble for Mr. Darcy and his soon-to-be wife.”

  “I refer to you, dear sister, as you well know,” said Jane with a laugh. “The man is besotted. He watches your every move and is constantly by your side. When you are together, the rest of the world ceases to exist in his eyes. I am certain you will soon be engaged, possibly even before the week is spent and we return to Longbourn.”

  “Where do you find these ideas?” asked Elizabeth, chuckling. “He has given no indication of his undying love for me. I believe your hunger has compromised your intelligence. Let us return posthaste so your intellect may be restored.”

  Elizabeth set off smartly toward the manor, leaving Jane to catch up as best she could. Upon entrance to the main hall, they shed their outer cloaks and went to locate Mrs. Reynolds in the hope of obtaining a light midday meal.

  “Thank you,” said Elizabeth when the brunch was completed and the dishes cleared from the table. “Please compliment the cook for her delicious food.”

  “Thank her for all of us, if you please,” said Mrs. Gardiner in agreement with Elizabeth. “I cannot remember a meal I have enjoyed so much.”

  “I will relay the message,” said Mrs. Reynolds as she turned to depart the dining room.

  “Might there be small nails available for our use?” asked Elizabeth, her question halting Mrs. Reynolds’s progress in crossing the room.

  “For what purpose?” asked the housekeeper after a moment of hesitation.

  “We need only a small number,” said Jane. “The morning’s exploration afforded us a sufficient amount of greenery with which to fashion decorations for use in adorning the manor. We will spend the afternoon preparing what we can and intend to place the decorations about the building in time for tomorrow’s Christmas celebration.”

  “Mr. Darcy has not decorated the manor at all since the passing of his father,” said Mrs. Reynolds. “In truth, we do not make mention of the season, as it appears to anger him.”

  “I believe his spirits will be lightened by the festive spirit the decorations will arouse,” said Elizabeth with confidence.

  “We shall see,” said Mrs. Reynolds, her voice carrying a note of doubt as she left the room.

  Some minutes passed before she returned. When she did, she held a hammer and a small wooden box containing an assortment of nails. “I have brought what I could find. Please consult with the butler before affixing them to a wall.” She gave the box to Elizabeth and departed the room, stopping at the door to regard the two young women as they placed the morning’s treasures on the table. Elizabeth, glancing up, took note of the housekeeper’s expression of concern mingled with dread, as if the woman were desirous of an outcome different from what she knew was inevitable.

  “Will you stay and assist us with the greenery?” asked Elizabeth of Mrs. Gardiner, who shook her head in the negative.

  “I thank you for the invitation,” said she, “but I am involved in some demanding needlework at present and wish to return to it. Mrs. Reynolds showed me a lovely sewing room with the provisions I will require, and I wish to spend some time there.” Nodding to the sisters, the older woman left the room.

  The two sisters set to their task and were quickly absorbed in the work of fashioning the wreaths and boughs they considered essential to the proper observance of Christmas.

  Elizabeth and Jane toiled without pause until the daylight began to fade and shadows commenced the work of shrouding the room in darkness. At last, when the third and final wreath had been completed, Elizabeth straightened her back, its ache testament to the effort she had expended.

  Both sisters surveyed the room, taking note of the wreaths laid upon the table and the pair of kissing boughs waiting to be attached above a doorway.

  Jane grasped the signal cord and pulled to summon the housekeeper.

  “Please locate Snell,” said Elizabeth when Mrs. Reynolds appeared. “The wreaths and boughs are complete, and I need someone to assist with putting them in their places.”

  “I urge you to reconsider what you are doing,” said Mrs. Reynolds. “Mr. Darcy will not appreciate your interference with his established Christmas routine. He has chosen to forego the observance, and we take care to avoid mention of the season in his presence.”

  “He made no protests before leaving this morning when I informed him of my intentions to display seasonal decorations,” said Elizabeth. “His only demand was that they be muted in appearance.”

  “As you wish,” said the woman with a sniff, turning from Elizabeth. “I will ask Mr. Snell to assist you.”

  “I think you have angered Mrs. Reynolds,” said Jane once the woman had left the room. “I hope she does not develop an abiding resentment, for it shall make your position difficult when you are wedded to Mr. Darcy.” This last was spoken with a smile which became a laugh as she beheld her sister’s mild annoyance.

  Before Elizabeth could respond, Mr. Darcy’s manservant appeared. “You sent for me, madam?”

  “Enough,” said Elizabeth to Jane. “If you do not wish to assist me, dear sister, then you may go find your amusement at another’s expense while I discuss the decorating of the manor with Mr. Snell.”

  Jane merely smiled, however, and remained, though she held her tongue.

  “Mrs. Reynolds informed me of your intentions to display the decorations of the season,” said Mr. Snell to Elizabeth. “I would advise you against such an action, as Mr. Darcy will not receive your efforts kindly.”

  “Is there no one possessing the joy of Christmas in Pemberley or its environs?” asked Elizabeth, exasperated at the frequent opposition with which she had been beset. “Your master has authorized me to adorn the house with muted decorations, so my sister and I have constructed two kissing boughs as well as some festive wreaths. I have requested your presence because I require your assistance in placing them in appropriate positions. Will you help me accomplish this, or must I complete the task alone?”

  “I will participate in your misguided endeavor to instill a sense of Christmas joy in Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Snell, the displeasure in his tone matching his words. “However, I would ask that you consider amending your decision. The master may very well be upset upon discovering such drastic changes have been made to the manor, no matter what he may have expressed in terms of approval.”

  With Mr. Snell’s help, all was made ready for the following day’s celebration; the wreaths were attached to the doors, where they would be noticed upon entering the estate, and the kissing boughs were placed above the entryways to the sitting room and the dining room. While the effect was much milder than that which would be found at Longbourn, Elizabeth thought she had abided by Mr. Darcy’s request that any alterations made to the house’s appearance be minor.

  “Thank you for your assistance,” said Elizabeth to Mr. Snell when the final decoration had been hung.

  “Please, madam, do not mention it,” said the man as he walked from the sitting room.

  “Ever,” he added to himself as he entered the hallway to return to his room. While Elizabeth heard his remark, she chose not to comment upon it.

  Having now accomplished their purpose, Elizabeth and Jane took the opportunity to sit and rest. As they did so, Elizabeth pondered the staff’s reactions to her attempts at imbuing the manor with some semblance of the joy of the holiday. While she was aware there were some who were not enamored with the season and put little effort into the decorating of t
heir homes and properties, never had she encountered any who opposed its celebration. She was unsettled by the notion that the man whom she had come to love might be against its observance.

  “I am sure the staff is mistaken,” thought Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy is a busy man, and in all probability, he has not been afforded the time required to prepare for the festivities.”

  “They have arrived,” said Jane suddenly, interrupting Elizabeth’s ruminations.

  Looking toward the front hall, Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy and his sister enter the manor. With haste, she rose from her seat and followed Jane to the entrance hall to welcome the travelers.

  Mr. Darcy appeared disturbed as he surveyed the boughs attached to the lintels above the two doors. In Elizabeth’s estimation, they were small and plain, bearing none of the refinements of gaily colored paper usually seen at Longbourn. Furthermore, they were simple in their design, each having two sprigs of mistletoe with a branch of berries on either side. The whole was woven together with supple evergreen branches shaped into the form of a spray of greenery. To Elizabeth, their simplicity imbued each with beauty and encouraged one to pluck a berry and offer a kiss under one of them.

  “These are the unobtrusive decorations you spoke about this morning?” asked Mr. Darcy. “It seems our definitions of unobtrusive differ. I also do not recall mention of there being anything attached to the surface of my doors, yet they are adorned as well. It was my understanding you wanted to adorn a few of the windows with small trinkets.”

  “I think they are delightful,” said Georgiana in defense of Elizabeth, “and I appreciate the attempts to brighten the dispiriting mood of this hall.”

  Georgiana had grown since Elizabeth had last seen her some months previous. Her height had increased until she now stood almost at Mr. Darcy’s shoulder. The fat of childhood had all but disappeared, leaving a beautiful young woman in its place. Her eyes had assumed some of the intensity of her brother’s, so when she gave her attention, it seemed she could peer completely through whoever she was studying. Gone was the shy girl, replaced by a woman confident of her place in the world and the role she would play in guiding her own personal progress.