Naturally, Darcy House was very grand. The front hall soared—two stories in height—and was dominated by a grand staircase clad all in marble. Swags of pine boughs and garlands of ivy and holly decorated the walls and banister. Every candle was lit, making the room glow with warm, yellow light.
Elizabeth was pleased she had worn her most elegant day dress, dark green velvet with white lace trim, but it still felt shabby compared to the grandeur of Darcy House.
The welcome Elizabeth and her family received was anything but shabby, however. Miss Darcy was shy with the adults but overjoyed to see the children again. They danced around her as she distributed sweets. Colonel Fitzwilliam was jovial and welcoming. And Mr. Darcy…
When Elizabeth walked through the door, his eyes lit with a warmth to rival the grandest Yule fire. He said little to her but placed a tender kiss on her cheek, much to her father’s consternation.
The visitors were ushered into a very large drawing room, elegantly decorated in blue silk. There was an enormous fire in the hearth, blazing steadily, fueled by what looked like half a tree.
Aunt Gardiner exclaimed, clapping her hands together, “Oh, a true Yule log! So few houses nowadays have a fireplace big enough.”
“Did you really keep it going all night?” Elizabeth’s young cousin Harry asked.
Mr. Darcy’s eyes twinkled as he nodded solemnly to the boy. “Indeed, we did. Georgiana lit it with a piece of last year’s log last night, and it blazed strong through the night. We paid one of the kitchen boys a little extra to make sure it did not go out.”
Harry’s mouth formed a perfect “o” as he watched the fire.
“And we have a real plum pudding, too!” Miss Darcy exclaimed. Several of the children clapped their hands.
One of the maids entered and proceeded to serve wassail to the adults while the children received apple cider.
“And now,” William announced, “it is time for the gift giving.”
Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth. “But we have brought nothing for you!” she cried. The Gardiners’ tradition was to give presents only to their children on Christmas morning before attending church. Nobody had thought to bring gifts for the adults at Darcy House.
William noticed her expression. “Do not be alarmed. Georgiana and I wanted to give you each something since we are so grateful to have friends here to celebrate Christmas. With the exception of Richard, the rest of our family is in the countryside.”
Miss Darcy nodded vigorously. “Your presence is making it so much more festive. And I love to give gifts—especially to children!”
William smiled at his sister. “What Georgiana means is that she loves to shop.” She laughed.
Somewhat mollified, Elizabeth took a seat and enjoyed the sight of her young cousins receiving their toys, each carefully wrapped in brown paper. Miss Darcy knew the names and ages of each Gardiner child—an impressive feat considering the size of the brood. The girls received dolls and miniature tea sets while the younger boys were thrilled with lead soldiers. Harry, the oldest, loved his toy sword.
The children were so happy, and the Darcys regarded the fruits of their gift giving with such satisfaction, that Elizabeth had to blink back tears. Although Miss Darcy had obviously been responsible for the purchases, William was equally delighted as he observed the children’s reactions to each gift. He would make a good father someday.
Elizabeth had stopped chastising herself for such thoughts. It was pointless.
The gifts continued to flow. Aunt Gardiner received a beautiful silk scarf. Uncle Gardiner crowed over a bottle of French brandy. Elizabeth’s father seemed quite pleased with a book of poetry that William had chosen just for him.
Perhaps William had deliberately kept Elizabeth’s present for last. He smiled shyly as he handed her a small velvet bag. The size suggested that it was jewelry; perhaps a necklace or ear bobs? Elizabeth’s stomach churned. She loved pretty jewelry and had so little, but was it proper to accept a gift from Mr. Darcy? She had given him no answer to his proposal, although at that moment she found herself wondering why in the world she had delayed.
“This is from me and Georgiana,” he said solemnly as he placed the little bag on Elizabeth’s palm. Clever William. Elizabeth would have fewer reservations about accepting a present from his sister.
She opened the drawstring and upended the bag. A ring tumbled onto her palm. “Oh!” It was designed in an old-fashioned style and contained a single beautiful diamond. A diamond!
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth exclaimed, “I cannot possibly accept this! It is far too grand.” It must be a family heirloom.
He exchanged a glance and a smile with his sister. “I told you she would object,” he said. Then he regarded Elizabeth more solemnly. “It was my mother’s, but Georgiana and I both want you to have it. This is the ring my father gave my mother upon their first wedding anniversary.”
Elizabeth held it out to Miss Darcy. “Then you should have it.”
She shook her head. “I shall wear my mother’s wedding ring when I marry. I do not want or need that one.”
“It is too much!” Elizabeth exclaimed, although her eyes could not help being drawn to the sparkling diamond. She had never expected to own such a grand piece of jewelry in her life.
Taking her hand in his, Mr. Darcy curled her fingers around the ring in her palm. “No. It is just enough. Even if we do not wed, it is the ring you were born to w
ear.”