Free Christmas at Pemberley by Regina Jeffers Page A

for Nan to place the tea and soup on a nearby low table before responding. “Mr. Darcy had business in Newcastle. We had hoped to be at Pemberley by Christmas, but now we’re unsure.”
    Mrs. Joseph glanced about the room. “At least, there’s a holiday touch about the space. The pine scent is quite comforting.”
    Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “The men gathered the greenery today, and the inn’s proprietress and I organized the arrangements.”
    Mrs. Joseph sipped the warm tea. “I approve, Mrs. Darcy.”
    Elizabeth smiled easily. “It was a female whim, but upon Mr. Darcy’s insistence, the gentlemen—at least, a few of them—acquiesced.” Elizabeth poured herself some tea. “I hope you’ll not find my next comment too personal,” she said tentatively. “But should you not be in the midst of your confinement, Mrs. Joseph?” Considering her own tenuous condition, Elizabeth added, “A woman cannot be too careful under the circumstances.”
    Mrs. Joseph’s chocolate brown eyes sparkled with the room’s warmth. “I suppose I should’ve taken the weather into consideration; it’s late December, after all. But as I’m a month from my delivery, I thought it best to support my husband. Matthew would never forgive himself if he wasn’t at his mother’s side when her time came, and I wouldn’t selfishly demand that he choose between the woman who sacrificed everything for him and me.” Mrs.
Joseph nervously giggled. “What if I were not my husband’s first choice, Mrs. Darcy? Can you imagine the wedge driven between us if that were so?”
    â€œI have no doubt that Mr. Joseph would realize his duty rested with you, as would the elder Mrs. Joseph,” Elizabeth assured.
    The woman shot a fleeting look toward her husband. “I wouldn’t wish for Mr. Joseph to choose me out of duty, Mrs. Darcy. I’m vain enough to seek the man’s love.”
    Elizabeth observed, “Few of us of any station have the luxury of knowing true love in marriage, Mrs. Joseph. If you are so fortunate, I commend your joining.”
    The young woman sipped her creamed soup. “Do you count yourself among those fortunate ones, Mrs. Darcy? I know it’s truly none of my concern, but as we are, apparently, the only female guests here, I suspect we’ll become intimate friends thanks to our circumstance.”
    Elizabeth didn’t turn her head, but she knew Darcy watched her. The thought of his constant attention brought a smile to her lips. “I know Mr. Darcy’s affections,” she said softly.
    â€œGood,” Mrs. Joseph pronounced. “Then you’ll understand the necessity of my accompanying Mr. Joseph on this journey.” She sighed deeply. “Of course, I had an ulterior motive. My father and I parted with bitter words. I had hoped that if I delivered his first grandchild where he might meet the babe that he would forget what he saw as betrayal.”
    â€œA child can resolve many ills. Our Lord sent his son to offer us forgiveness.”
    â€œI don’t wish to portray my father in a poor light. He placed everything aside to raise a daughter alone after my mother’s passing. He worked countless hours to create a successful business, but he provided me both sympathy and encouragement. Through all his trials, he demanded only one thing from me—my loyalty. He had chosen a man who would follow my father’s every order, but I had other ideas. Unfortunately, my father couldn’t fathom how
I could love another more than I loved him. To complicate the matter, Mr. Joseph accepted a living outside of Stoke-upon-Trent. My father took what he saw as my complete abandonment of him quite hard.”
    Elizabeth thought of her own father. “I’m one of five daughters, but I suspect that my father feels abandoned by each of us.”
    â€œHowever, he