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you know. He has lived at Pemberley a bachelor so long – and Georgiana was often at Rosings with her aunt, so I’ve heard. Why should we then impose our own child …?’
    â€˜But Jane! Emily will bring the joy of Christmas to the place!’ cried Elizabeth. Then, no longer able to resist, she held Jane close and murmured that she hoped the presence of the child would make it possible for her to conceive; would lift what she now began to see as a curse of childlessness that hung over Pemberley. ‘I do not even know any longer that Darcy wants a child as I do,’ she ended on so dejected a note that it was Jane’s turn to laugh and tease her sister for an attack of over-sensitivity.
    â€˜Darcy is in love, Lizzy!’ said Jane when they had both wiped the tears from her eyes. ‘It is not a sentiment of which he has much knowledge. He was accustomed always to have exactly what he pleased – as you know – for he was proud and lofty and assumed you would be flattered to accept his proposal before the words were out of his mouth. He learned he must make himself worthy of you, before you would take him.’
    â€˜I was pleased to accept him when I saw what a magnificent place Pemberley is,’ said Elizabeth; and she and Jane both laughed again.
    â€˜There, you are feeling better already! But you must understand the novelty for Mr Darcy in this whole situation. He loves you –and he does not think of a child yet, for you are wife, child and lover to him.’
    That may be,’ said Elizabeth; and she turned to walk back along the lawn to the barn, where Emily played entranced with the miniature house her father had built for her.
    â€˜Have you spoken of a child with Darcy?’ asked Jane as she hastened to catch Elizabeth by the door of the barn.
    â€˜Goodness, no!’ came the answer; and, before Elizabeth could go on, Mr Bingley had come out from the shadows at the back of the barn with a spar of wood he would cut down as a table for the doll’s house.
    Mr Bingley was all affability and declared himself delighted at his forthcoming visit to Pemberley. He had stayed there at this time of year before, because, as sister Lizzy knew, he had been a good friend of Mr Darcy for as long as anyone could remember. ‘It will be a merry and happy place this year, with Elizabeth Darcy at the foot of the table,’ Mr Bingley said with gallantry. He enquired as to the party for the children of the estate workers, which was by tradition in the way of taking place just two days after Christmas Day.
    â€˜I am the organiser this year,’ said Elizabeth, who was by now much soothed by the sympathy of Jane and the kind interest of Mr Bingley in the party, which would be held at Pemberley. ‘It will have a larger number of presents and parcels to give out than before,’ she continued. ‘I do not like to ask for charity – but the neighbouring families have been generous in their donations.’
    â€˜And no doubt you will invite them to the New Year’s Ball at Pemberley,’ said Mr Bingley, as the maid came down the lawn and said Mrs Darcy’s chaise was at the door.

Chapter 8
    Pemberley had never looked so beautiful as it did today: so Elizabeth was able to reflect, as she went through the park; for, entering at one of its lowest points, she was granted the opportunity to enjoy the mystery and delicacy of the woods in winter, and to appreciate the extent of land that was covered with ancient trees. After half a mile she was at the top of a considerable eminence, and here she alighted, electing to walk down to Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of the valley and approached by a well-tended road.
    She halted awhile to look over at the handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and she smiled to see the stream in front, widened even further under her own instructions a few