Miss Darcy's Christmas Read online

  Miss Darcy’s Christmas

  Pride & Prejudice Continues, Book 5

  Karen Aminadra

  Miss Darcy’s Christmas

  Pride & Prejudice Continues

  Book 5

  Karen Aminadra

  Two cousins, one aunt, and a suitor – what could possibly go wrong?

  Georgiana Darcy’s head is in a spin after being invited to London for the Christmas season.

  Thrust into high society, she is overwhelmed by the attention.

  Her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the dashing Lord Hugh DeVere come to her rescue.

  But all is not as it seems. One is goodness himself, while the other has all the appearance of it.

  With her head full of love and matrimony, can Georgiana see the gentlemen for who they truly are?

  Having dreamt of finding true love, will she accept a match that dazzles on the surface, or dare she strive for a love that fills her heart?

  Miss Darcy’s Christmas © 2017 by Karen Aminadra. All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Cover designed by www.stunningbookcovers.com

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Karen Aminadra

  Visit my website at www.karenaminadra.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: Dec 2018

  Flourish Publishing

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  Thanks

  My heartfelt thanks to Brenda and Beverley as always. Love and respect to Katie and Cari for their kind words of encouragement and their advice.

  Much appreciation to the talented Daniela at www.stunningbookcovers.com for the wonderful cover art.

  And finally, from the bottom of my heart I give thanks to my wonderful husband, always there, always loving, and always full of inspiration.

  Contents

  Thanks

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-one

  Twenty-two

  Twenty-three

  Twenty-four

  Twenty-five

  Twenty-six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-eight

  Twenty-nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-two

  Other Titles

  One

  Miss Georgiana Darcy arrived home to Pemberley, in her brother’s carriage, from visiting her aunt, Lady Matlock. She dismounted in a hurry as soon as it stopped, ran up the steps, and in through the front door. Her haste was such that her nimble fingers fumbled with the ribbons as she tried to unfasten her bonnet. She tossed the offending object unceremoniously onto the table in the centre of the entrance hall and ran through the great house towards her brother’s study. Only the thought of upsetting him stayed her tongue from calling out his name as she ran, her excitement was so great.

  Fitzwilliam Darcy looked up from his work at the desk, his face a picture of concern as Georgiana burst through the door and stood grinning inanely before him. “Whatever is the matter, Georgiana?”

  “Oh!” Georgiana panted, out of breath and desperately trying to form her words so she did not sound out of her wits. “Dearest brother, I have the most exciting news.”

  “So exciting you thought it necessary to run?” His eyebrows rose as he spoke, while he replaced his quill pen in the holder.

  Georgiana approached the desk and leant upon it. “I have just this moment returned from visiting with our Aunt Henrietta.” She paused to catch her breath.

  “Is she well?” Darcy asked as he came around the desk and took hold of his sister’s hands, the concern still on his features. “For what are you agitated? Is something wrong?”

  Georgiana shook her head. Her soft curls bouncing with the movement. “No, not at all. She is quite well, I assure you. In fact,” she grinned from ear to ear, “she has made me a proposal.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened at her declaration. “Oh?”

  Georgiana nodded, swallowing to wet her dry throat. “As you know, since our dear uncle died earlier in the year, our poor aunt has suffered greatly.”

  “That she has. She is only now entering into half-mourning. She has taken Uncle Thomas’ death very hard indeed.” Darcy let go of his sister’s hands and crossed to the drinks table, where she watched him pour her a small glass of wine. “Here, drink this.”

  Georgiana gratefully took it, sipped slowly, and allowed the liquid to quench her thirst. “Our cousin Thomas and his wife Eleanor have settled in quite well now as Lord and Lady Matlock.”

  “Good. I am heartily glad to hear it. An estate as large as theirs needs a seamless transition.”

  Georgiana watched as he tilted his head towards the open door, his gaze fixed upon it. She strained her ears to listen for what he discerned. Shortly, she heard the unmistakable sound of her new sister-in-law’s footfalls coming towards them. She turned around, the grin returned to her face, more than pleased to see Elizabeth Darcy.

  “Whatever is going on?” Elizabeth asked as she passed through the door. “I heard a carriage pull up, and then I thought I heard someone running?” Her eyes sparkled as they locked onto Georgiana’s, and she stood beside her husband.

  “That was me, I’m afraid,” Georgiana replied lowering her eyes in shame. She twisted the stem of the glass with her fingers nervously. “I know a lady is not supposed to run, but I was in such a state of agitation.”

  Gently touching her arm, Elizabeth replied, “It is of little consequence when we are alone as a family, Georgiana. Do not be so hard upon yourself.”

  Georgiana looked up into her sister-in-law’s deep and caring eyes and breathed easily.

  “Then do tell us what has you in such agitation,” Elizabeth encouraged while absentmindedly rubbing at her swollen belly and standing next to her husband.

  Georgiana glanced at Elizabeth’s growing girth, and her heart swelled with love at the thought that she and her brother were to have their first child.

  “You mentioned our cousins, Lord Thomas and Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam of Matlock,” Darcy prompted.

  Shaking her head, Georgiana collected her thoughts. “Yes. Oh, how remiss of me!” She finished off the last drop of wine, handed the glass back to her brother, and continued. “Our aunt, I am afraid to say, is feeling a little out of place now that there is a new mistress in Matlock Hall.”

  Darcy’s head bobbed slowly up and down. “Sadly, that is often the case with a dowager. Soon the dowager’s house will be built. I am certain of it.”

  “That is very sad, though. Is there nothing that can be done?” Elizabeth asked.

  “That is what I want to say. Our aunt has the wonderful notion of going to London this Christmas.”

  “That will be delightfully diverting for her,” Elizabeth added.

>   “Yes, it will be,” Georgiana agreed.

  “Although,” Georgiana watched as Elizabeth’s smile slipped as she spoke, “I do not think a widow on her own in London’s society is very proper.”

  With his eyes sparkling and a smile playing on the corners of his mouth, Darcy said, “Not proper at all. But that is not what has got you into a state of agitation, is it?”

  Both Georgiana and Elizabeth giggled. Darcy knew her so well.

  “No, it is not.” She paused before pressing on. “Our aunt has asked if she may have permission to take me with her this Christmas.” She knotted her fingers together nervously as Darcy and Elizabeth gazed at each other questioningly. “You will both be at Netherfield with the Bingleys and Bennets,” she looked sorrowfully at Elizabeth. “You know how uncomfortable I am around the Bennets.”

  Elizabeth burst out laughing. Georgiana loved the sound of it.

  “Yes, I am aware of how tiring my family is to many people, my dear sister.” Elizabeth reined in her laughter.

  “Our aunt says it would be diverting for her to introduce me into society now that I’m seventeen years old. She thinks a play or two would do her the world of good,” Georgiana added, her eyes locked on her brother’s pleadingly.

  “Well, what do you say?” Darcy asked, turning to his wife.

  “This winter I cannot chaperone Georgiana in society. We all know very well that I shall enter my confinement almost as soon as we arrive at Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire. That would mean Georgiana would have to wait another year before her debut. She would then be eighteen.” She shot Georgiana a look filled with mirth. “She shall be a veritable old maid by then.”

  Darcy said nothing as he watched the repartee. The silence stretched on for what seemed to Georgiana to be an eternity as he thought about his wife’s words. They all understood what Elizabeth meant by pointing out that the following Christmas season Georgiana would be eighteen years old. By that age, she would be considered by some in society to be a little old, perhaps even a spinster. Tongues would wag, wondering why she was not married or engaged to be. Even if Elizabeth had meant it in jest, society could be cruel to a young lady, Georgiana knew full well.

  She looked down at her hands clenched before her and frowned, feeling the cruelty of such a world that would designate her as unmarriageable by the time she was merely eighteen.

  “You are right, as usual, dearest Elizabeth,” Darcy replied. “However, I am concerned for your safety.” His gaze moved to Georgiana’s, and her stomach sank. “Will our aunt be in a fit state to chaperone you in our nation’s capital?”

  “Oh, Fitzwilliam, this is not only for my benefit but for hers too. Our aunt needs distraction. She needs something to take her mind off her mourning, and introducing me into society is the perfect solution. She knows so many people there and has already discovered which musicians and singers are to perform this year. She is quite as excited as I am.”

  Darcy’s eyebrows knit together. “But I had so hoped…so wished…to introduce you into society myself, with Elizabeth.”

  Georgiana took a deep breath to say something, but her sister-in-law beat her to it.

  Tenderly laying her hand upon her husband’s sleeve, Elizabeth spoke, her voice soft and gentle. “Perhaps this way is for the best. I know, my dear, that you do not enjoy balls and assemblies as much as others do. We will both be occupied greatly over the next few months, and Georgiana, at seventeen, is ready to be introduced into society. It would be cruel to make her wait another year.”

  With bated breath, Georgiana watched the interaction between the married couple. Darcy slowly nodded at her words.

  “Your aunt never had a daughter of her own. Having lost her husband earlier in the year must have been the greatest blow she has ever experienced in her life. Let them both take joy in each other’s company by allowing Georgiana to go with Aunt Henrietta to London this Christmas.”

  Darcy inched closer to his wife, lowering his head towards hers. “You are right, as usual,” he muttered, placing a kiss on the end of her nose.

  “So I can go?” Georgiana’s eyes opened wide.

  “You may go,” Darcy inclined his head. “At Netherfield we shall be but twenty-eight miles from our aunt’s house in London. Dispatches can reach us rapidly, and should you need to come to us or send for us to come to you, we can be there within a few hours.”

  His concern touched her deeply. “Yes, brother,” she replied, her voice throaty with emotion.

  “So it is decided then,” Elizabeth chirped cheerily. “We are to Hertfordshire this Christmas season, and you are to London. I hope you take every opportunity of enjoying yourself.”

  “I intend to,” Georgiana replied, her smile lighting up the room.

  Two

  Three months later found Georgiana sitting opposite her aunt in her chilly and draughty chaise carriage on their way to London. Sitting beside them were their maids, who hung on every word the dowager said as she wittered away all the while.

  “Of course, it was all vastly different in my day,” she bemoaned, staring unseeingly out of the carriage window. “The dresses were far more elegant than today’s fashions by a long chalk. And I particularly enjoyed wearing a wig rather than having my own hair tugged about and abused as is the mode today.” She nuzzled her chin deeper into the black-and-white ermine fur collar on her pelisse. “It was so much nicer to be able to remove it after a long day. Refreshing, I should say. These days one has to put up with a tired head. I am so relieved I am not young now.”

  Georgiana smiled kindly at her when she caught her aunt’s eye.

  “But you, my darling niece,” she said as a bemused expression brightened her demeanour, “will be the belle of any ball and the toast of London this season, I daresay. You mark my words, Georgiana. Everybody will want to be acquainted with you.”

  “I do not know about that, Aunt. I am content just to be going to spend Christmas in London with you.” Georgiana looked down at her hands, carefully folded in her lap, uncomfortable with such talk. She did not relish the idea of being the centre of attention.

  Aunt Henrietta’s smile turned indulgent as she accepted the compliment. “Dear Elizabeth looked well, did she not?” she said, changing the subject.

  Georgiana nodded in agreement. She had not expected to see Elizabeth looking as spritely so close to her delivery date. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam departed for Hertfordshire one week before Georgiana travelled south with her aunt. The Darcys had travelled in convoy with Mr and Mrs Collins, the minister and his wife, along with their son, William, following.

  As their route took them past Netherfield Park, they sojourned there overnight. Georgiana was overcome to see not only Elizabeth so close to her time but also Jane Bingley, Elizabeth’s sister. Georgiana was overjoyed when her brother and his closest friend married the sisters the winter before. She could not have imagined better matches for the gentlemen than the ones they chose for themselves. It was a delight to spend time amongst them. More than once throughout her own childhood, Georgiana had wished for more siblings. Elizabeth and Jane both treated her as a beloved sister. She cherished their new relationships, and she could tell by the happiness on Fitzwilliam’s face that the three ladies getting along so famously brought him great joy.

  A hole in the road jolted the carriage and brought her mind back to the present. As her eyes traced the pattern on the material of her aunt’s dark grey mourning dress, she wished, If only I could be half so fortunate as my brother and Elizabeth have been.

  Fitzwilliam Darcy had always been a doting brother to her. Georgiana had never wanted for anything since their father died. Darcy had taken care of everything. He saw to it that she had the best governess he could find and that her education lacked nothing. He indulged her frequently, often buying her gifts and trinkets. She felt blessed to have him as a brother.

  Now, after seeing him with his new bride, together not only at Pemberley but at Netherfield Park, Georgiana was more
than ever convinced that he was a doting husband too. There was no doubt in her mind he would also be an adoring father.

  A smile played around the corners of her mouth at the thought of a new member of the Darcy family. She wondered if Elizabeth would give birth to a girl or a boy. Not that it mattered either way to the married couple, or to her either. The new arrival was excitedly anticipated by all. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth were still in the midst of the flush of romance that engulfed all newlyweds, and she doubted this would be their only child.

  Georgiana admitted to being envious of their love and the romance between them. She was not jealous, for her brother continued to lavish affection upon her and her new sister was all she had ever wanted. However, more than once over the past year her mind had strayed back to a time when she believed she was in love. She knew now it was a passing fancy, a childish folly, but she wished and hoped for true love to come her way. In society, she understood, women rarely had the good fortune to marry for love. She crossed her fingers and prayed she would be one of the lucky ones.

  She shifted position, moving her numbing posterior, and watched the scenery pass by outside the window. She knew now how foolish she had been that summer. Her affection for the son of their late father's steward, George Wickham, was nothing more than a fleeting fancy. His easy manners and silver-tongued words were all that convinced her of his ardent love. How wrong she was. After confessing all to her brother in a letter, Darcy had rushed to be by her side. As soon as he arrived, Wickham’s character changed, and he shied away from both her and her brother. She began to see him for what he truly was, a fortune hunter. In the presence of her brother, he no longer kept up the act of being a man head over heels and passionately in love. George Wickham’s prize, she discovered much to her chagrin, was nothing more than her thirty thousand pounds in dowry.