Mr. Darcy's Christmas Kiss: A Pride & Prejudice Christmas Variation (Christmas With Darcy and Elizabeth) by Alix James

Author:Alix James [James, Alix]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Winsome Wit Publishing
Published: 2024-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

The brisk winter air was biting as Elizabeth and Jane set out for Meryton. The cobbled streets glistened with frost, and the town hummed with quiet activity—shopkeepers arranging wares, matrons bustling between errands, and the occasional red-coated officer strolling past, tipping hats to passersby. Elizabeth tucked her gloved hands into her muff, her cheeks numbly flushed from both the cold and the anticipation of their task.

“Who shall we call on first?” Jane asked.

“Lady Lucas, of course. As you said, we have Mama’s support now, and she has already gone to see Aunt Philips. Charlotte will help us, I am sure, and if we can bring Charlotte’s family around, others will follow. The Lucas name carries weight—though not, I fear, due to Lady Lucas herself.”

Jane gave a small laugh. “You are dreadful, Lizzy. But yes, Mama’s closest friend is as good a place to start as any.”

They were ushered into the drawing room by a servant, where Lady Lucas sat embroidering with Charlotte at her side. Both women rose to greet the Bennet sisters warmly, though Lady Lucas’s expression carried a hint of curiosity, as if suspecting ulterior motives.

“Jane, Lizzy, how lovely of you to call!” Lady Lucas exclaimed. “I heard the most curious thing—you must tell us all about your night at Netherfield. I have always wondered at your father for his… eccentricities, but a thing such as this! Indeed, I do not exaggerate when I say that the entire town is simply aflutter with speculation.”

“Speculation,” Elizabeth echoed innocently as they took their seats. “How amusing. I had not thought a snowstorm worthy of gossip.”

Lady Lucas gave her a knowing look. “Not just the snowstorm, my dear. It is the company you kept. Two eligible gentlemen, under the same roof with you and Jane? Why, tongues are wagging from Purvis Lodge to the market square, and there are some who might say I ought not to have received you today.”

“Ah, yes, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley,” Jane said lightly, pointedly ignoring Lady Lucas’s slights. “Charming gentlemen, both of them. We had the most delightful dinner conversation.”

Elizabeth hid her smile behind a cough. “Indeed, and speaking of charming, Netherfield itself is simply beautiful. The ballroom alone—have you seen it, Lady Lucas?”

Lady Lucas blinked. “The ballroom?”

“Oh, you must have,” Elizabeth said, feigning surprise. “We were just looking it over to be sure that it is suitable, and it is far beyond that.”

“Suitable?” Lady Lucas glanced at Charlotte, who was eyeing Elizabeth with unbridled curiosity. “Suitable for what? A whelping room for ruined trollops?”

Elizabeth had to bite her tongue to keep from protesting Lady Lucas’s vulgar language. She simply smiled all the brighter. “Surely you have heard of the Christmas party. It seems everyone in the neighborhood is abuzz about it.”

“Christmas party?” Lady Lucas set down her embroidery hoop with deliberate care. “What Christmas party?”

Jane clasped her hands together, her eyes bright. “Why, the one at Netherfield, of course! Sir Thomas is hosting a grand gathering. A feast fit for a king, parlor games to last the night long, and I heard they are bringing in musicians from London.

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