A Darcy Christmas by Nora Kipling

Author:Nora Kipling
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heart Candies Publishing

9

A Christmas Eve Revelation

The twelve days of Christmas at Rosings had been filled with laughter, games, and more warmth than Elizabeth had ever expected. Lady Catherine’s decorum-driven gatherings, while often rigid, had softened under the festive atmosphere, bringing out a rare sense of cheer among the guests. Elizabeth, to her surprise, found herself looking forward to each day’s activities, in no small part due to her growing connection with Mr. Darcy.

Their morning walks had become a quiet routine, a shared moment of peace away from the bustling crowd. With each passing day, Elizabeth found her initial resentment toward him melting away, replaced by a genuine fondness. Darcy, for his part, seemed more open and vulnerable than she had ever seen him, his formal manner easing into a gentler, more genuine presence. They shared conversations on everything from literature to family, and each day Elizabeth found herself more captivated by his kindness, thoughtfulness, and the depth of his character.

On Christmas Eve, Lady Catherine had arranged an intimate family dinner, followed by a small gathering in the drawing room. The air was filled with the warm scents of cinnamon and evergreen, and soft candlelight cast a golden glow over the room. Elizabeth, dressed in a simple gown of deep burgundy, joined her family and the other guests as they settled in for a cozy evening by the fire.

As the guests mingled, Darcy found his way to her side, greeting her with a soft smile. “Miss Elizabeth,” he murmured, “I trust you are enjoying this evening’s festivities?”

Elizabeth returned his smile, feeling the now-familiar warmth that his presence brought. “Very much so, Mr. Darcy. It has been quite… unexpected, these twelve days of Christmas.”

“Unexpected?” Darcy raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. “I hope you do not mean unpleasant.”

“Not at all,” Elizabeth replied, laughing softly. “I must admit, Rosings has been far more welcoming than I anticipated. And I believe I have come to appreciate it more with each passing day.”

Their gazes held, and for a moment, the sounds of the room faded into the background, leaving them in a world of their own. But their private bubble was soon interrupted by Lady Catherine, who cleared her throat from across the room and called for everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she announced, her voice carrying its usual tone of authority, “in honor of Christmas Eve, I would like to share a family tradition. Each guest shall draw a name from this basket and offer a kind word or compliment about the person they select. It is, after all, the season of goodwill and grace.”

Elizabeth felt a hint of amusement at Lady Catherine’s attempt to encourage warmth and goodwill, given her usual demeanor. But as she drew a name from the basket and offered a kind word to Colonel Fitzwilliam, she saw that even Lady Catherine’s heart might be softened by the spirit of Christmas.

When Darcy’s turn came, he reached into the basket, his hand emerging with a small slip of paper. He unfolded it, and Elizabeth noticed a flicker of surprise in his expression as he glanced at her.

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