“Miss Darcy,” Mr. Collins bowed stiffly before continuing, “I entreat your pardon for imposing on your family’s good will, but I beg to know of Her Ladyship’s continued good health.”

Georgiana considered the cleric’s impertinent freedom beyond the pale, but Kitty had warned her of the man’s determined air of following his own inclination. Eyeing Mr. Collins with restrained wonder, Georgiana managed to assure the man that his patron awaited him in the drawing room.

“I’m pleased to hear it, Miss Darcy.”

He puffed up to begin again, but Kitty shrewdly said, “Charlotte, you look exhausted. Were the roads horrid?”

“They’re passable with great care,” Charlotte Collins assured them. “Miss Darcy, allow me to add my gratitude to that of my husband for granting us your hospitality.”

Georgiana noted a painful impatience cross Mrs. Collins’s countenance. “I’m certain my sister shall be pleased to have you among our guests, Mrs. Collins. Elizabeth speaks often of your long-standing friendship.” Turning to the young vicar, Georgiana greeted the man who assisted Mr. Nathan with everyone’s wraps. “Mr.Winkler, it was considerate of you to see Mr. and Mrs. Collins to our door, Sir.”

“Mr. Collins called at my home when he could secure no one’s services because of the road conditions,” he said dryly.

“You took upon yourself a great kindness,” Georgiana remarked. “You’ll dine with us, Mr. Winkler,” she ordered. “It’s the least we can do.”

“Thank you, Miss Darcy,” he said politely. “And you, Miss Catherine. It is pleasant to hear of your return to Derbyshire.”

When the young vicar bowed over Kitty’s hand, Georgiana noticed his apparent nervousness. Something told her that the cleric had chosen to escort the Collinses to Pemberley because of Kitty’s return. She would have to ask her friend about the possibility. “We’ll join my aunt and the others in the main drawing room.”

“Come, Cousin.” Kitty took Mr. Collins’s arm. “Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are away, but are expected this evening. Mr. Darcy plans a surprise for my sister. We’re all part of Elizabeth’s Christmas. In addition to Her Ladyship and Miss De Bourgh, the Bingleys are in attendance, as are your family: Mama, Papa, and Mary.”

Georgiana walked beside Mrs. Collins and the vicar. They trailed Kitty and her cousin. “Elizabeth is well, I pray,” Charlotte whispered.

“Mrs. Darcy is quite well. I cannot imagine Pemberley without her. She brings life to my brother’s home.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Charlotte added. “Elizabeth was always the most resourceful of our friends.”

They entered the room to find Collins bowing low over Lady Catherine’s outstretched hand. “Oh,Your Ladyship, I cannot thank you enough for the benevolence you have shown me and Mrs. Collins.”

“And you found your relative well, Mr. Collins?” Lady Catherine intoned royally.

“We did,Your Ladyship. Of course, Mrs. Collins and I steadily resisted the invitation of my Warrington cousin to remain through the festive days.”

He bowed again to Miss De Bourgh and a third time to the room as a whole. The man was everything Georgiana had heard: Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or Society, the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally a great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected propriety. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine De Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance, and humility.

“It’s good you have come, Collins,” Lady Catherine declared. “We may need to leave early for Kent.”

Georgiana recognized her aunt’s manipulation and remained silent, but the others civilly protested Lady Catherine’s exit. “You cannot mean to depart, Your Ladyship,” Caroline said. “Surely, Mr. Darcy would not approve of such a precipitous change in your travel plans.”

“Certainly,” Mr. Collins clarified, “we’ll do as Your Ladyship directs, but I would encourage you to think upon it, Ma’am. The roads were treacherous, were they not, Mr. Winkler?”

Without even an introduction, Collins had brought the man into the conversation. Mr. Winkler bowed to the room. “The going would be quite slow, Your Ladyship.”

Georgiana added quickly, “May I present Mr. Thorne Winkler? Mr.Winkler holds the living at Lambton.” She introduced the man to each cluster of guests.

“I’m extremely pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Winkler said formally. “It’s been a fortuitous occasion to have Miss Catherine among my congregation when she has visited at Pemberley.”

Mr. Bennet winked at his daughter. “I gladly bequeath my daughter’s religious development to you, young man.”

“I assure you, Mr. Bennet, that Miss Catherine doesn’t require my guidance.Your daughter brings honor to your household.”

When Georgiana shot her a warning glare, Lady Catherine stifled a snort of derision.

Mr. Bennet ignored Lady Catherine’s unbecoming behavior. “Of which daughter do you speak, Mr. Winkler? After all, Mrs. Darcy is also my daughter,” he said teasingly.

“Papa, stop it!” Kitty protested. “Mr.Winkler’s not aware of your propensity to twist people’s words.”

Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Very well, Kitty. I will spare the gentleman for the time being.”

Kitty flushed, but Georgiana would’ve bet it wasn’t from embarrassment. When had Kitty and Mr. Winkler moved to a more intimate stage? Georgiana’s need to speak to Kitty privately increased.

Mr. Collins explained, “When Mrs. Collins and I could secure no other transportation, I called on Mr. Winkler, and the gentleman was kind enough to escort us to Pemberley personally in his gig.”

“His gig?” Mrs. Bingley gasped. “My, Charlotte, you must be chilled through. Come nearer the hearth. Let me pour you some tea. We have not seen you in well over a year.” Jane gestured to a cluster of chairs.

Mr. Bingley followed his wife’s lead. “You, too, Collins. Winkler. Please join us for tea. Miss Darcy has most graciously provided us with the best of Pemberley’s hospitality.”

“I believe my niece is capable of welcoming her own guests, Sir,” Lady Catherine intoned. Her words stilled the room.

Georgiana blushed, but she managed to say, “In my brother and sister’s absence, I hold no objection to Mr. and Mrs. Bingley’s assistance. After all, we’re family and close acquaintances.”

“Thank you, Miss Darcy,” Jane said softly. “As Mr. Collins is a Bennet cousin and Mrs. Collins is a long-time neighbor from Hertfordshire, it seemed only fitting to offer my subvention in Elizabeth’s stead, but I would never think to circumvent your position at Pemberley.”

Lady Catherine had created a rift in the group’s rapport.“Of course not, Mrs. Bingley. I would never criticize anything of your doing.”

“This is an excellent room,” Mr. Collins observed as he shot a glance at Lady Catherine. “Of course, it is nothing when compared to Rosings Park.”

Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Beware, Collins, that you don’t offend the man who offers you hospitality despite his absence. Praising Her Ladyship would be advisable only if you cannot offend Mr. Darcy, unless you’ve a deep desire to be driven into the elements.”

Collins blustered, “I meant no offense, Miss Darcy. Both estates are magnificent in their own rights.”

Georgiana bit back her retort. To think that anyone might attempt to compare the two was ridiculous. Pemberley’s rooms were lofty and handsome, displaying Fitzwilliam’s taste; they were neither gaudy nor uselessly fine — with less of splendor and more real elegance than the furniture of Rosings. “No offense taken, Mr. Collins. Rosings Park is a grand estate fitting my aunt’s position as an Earl’s daughter and a baronet’s wife. Pemberley reflects the same noble line on the maternal side, and on my father’s, a respectable, honorable, and ancient, though untitled family.” With some satisfaction Georgiana noted her aunt’s raised brow and her cousin’s smirk of amusement.

“I’m certain my husband regrets his wording, Miss Darcy,” Charlotte intervened.

Mr. Bennet replied, “I’d assume that Mr. Collins’s regrets are numerous, but God offers forgiveness. Does He not, Collins?” The mocking smile returned.

“Our Lord is benevolent,” Collins responded in some confusion.

“Then everything is well.You shall ask for forgiveness for your offense, and we’ll all go forward.”

Mr. Nathan tapped on the door. “Excuse me, Miss Darcy. Mr. and Mrs. Collins’s quarters are ready. Meg waits in the main foyer to escort them to their rooms.”

“Thank you, Mr. Nathan. Might you also make one of the empty bedchambers available for Mr. Winkler’s use?”

“Certainly, Miss Darcy.”



“Pardon, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Livingstone bowed. “Mr. Rennick mentioned that you planned to depart tomorrow. I thought you should know, Sir, a misty rain has returned. What little thaw we earned today has refrozen. The wet rain is freezing on the slick surfaces.”

Darcy had knowledge of this weather’s turn, but he’d hoped to keep it from his wife. “Thank you, Livingstone. I suppose Mrs. Darcy and I will have to reevaluate our plans if the rain continues overnight.” He noted his wife’s fallen countenance.

The gentleman bowed again. “I’m at your service, Mr. Darcy.”

Watching him walk away, Darcy returned his attention to Elizabeth. “Livingstone could be in error, my dear. No one can predict the weather.”

“I know it’s insensible, Fitzwilliam. I’m warm, I want not for shelter or food, but all I desire for Christmas is to be at Pemberley with my family.”

Darcy wondered if his wife had discovered his surprise. “Your family is in Hertfordshire.”

“You’re my family, Fitzwilliam. You and Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds and the tenants. Pemberley is my home,” she insisted.