Free Christmas at Pemberley by Regina Jeffers Page B

misses you the most, Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Joseph said with some amusement.
    Elizabeth blushed from the obvious. “I flatter myself that Mr. Bennet prefers me over my sisters. I’m terribly vain, you see, Mrs. Joseph. Perhaps you may not wish my acquaintance, after all.”
    â€œI wouldn’t criticize your pride, Mrs. Darcy,” the lady teased.
    â€œMy sister Mary once observed that pride is a very common failing. That human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us.”
    â€œYour sister is quite wise, Mrs. Darcy.”
    Elizabeth smiled happily. Having a lady’s company created a relaxed atmosphere. She quite enjoyed the pert Mrs. Joseph’s easy-going wit. “Mary has been called several things, but ‘wise’ isn’t among them. She’s my most serious sister and the most talented. Mary spends countless hours at her studies and at practicing her music.”
    â€œTell me of your other sisters, Mrs. Darcy.”
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    â€œThen what would you have me do?” Mr. Joseph asked through gritted teeth.
    Mr. Horvak asked, “Could Mr. and Mrs. Joseph stay in the common room?” As a group, they had determined that it would be impossible to move people’s rooms. Each occupant was a minor
son of the aristocracy or a titled gentleman, except for Mr. Betts and Mr. Dylan. Although they lacked status, the two remained as Mr. Washington had refused to ask them to relinquish their shared chamber. With their hard work about the inn, the men had earned a right to a room.
    â€œI cannot see it,” Mr. Washington insisted. “A woman sleeping where men play cards and drink is not appropriate. Mrs. Washington and I have taken pallets before the kitchen hearth and Nan in the storeroom. Every space within the inn is full. If I had a private parlor…”
    â€œWe cannot ask Mr. and Mrs. Joseph to resume their journey,” Darcy insisted. He had watched his wife’s animation with pleasure. She had needed another lady’s company, and besides advocating the solution to the Josephs’ predicament because it was the charitable thing to do, Darcy wanted Mrs. Joseph’s presence to ease Elizabeth’s unrest.
    â€œOf course not,” Mr. Washington declared. “However, the best I can do is a mattress in the stables. I have drivers and footmen and valets to house in addition to each of your rooms. We would be sorely pressed if some of you gentlemen hadn’t pitched in with the chores and hadn’t brought us some ready meat to feed everyone. People are sharing the attic and the storage areas. You and Mrs. Joseph might spend your days in the common room and your nights in one of the stalls. We can put your Tilbury coach and maybe a couple of ours under the lean-to. That will free up more space.”
    â€œBut are there not others sleeping in the barns?” Padget asked.
    â€œSeveral of yer men have bedded in the loft.”
    â€œIt doesn’t seem proper,” Padget continued. “To place a woman in such a position.”
    Washington sighed heavily. “It be all I can see as proper. Mr. Joseph will see to his wife’s safety.”
    Resigned to the solution offered, Mr. Joseph gathered his gloves. “I cannot place Mary and my child in danger by returning to
the roads. We had two close calls today—too close for my mind’s peace.” He stood reluctantly. “I should speak to Mrs. Joseph. I hope, Washington, that there are additional blankets available.”
    â€œI’ll see to it, Sir.”
    Darcy moved ahead of Joseph. Reaching Elizabeth, he extended his