Read Online Christmas at Pemberley by Regina Jeffers - Free Book Online

horrid?”
    â€œThey’re passable with great care,” Charlotte Collins assured them. “Miss Darcy, allow me to add my gratitude to that of my husband for granting us your hospitality.”
    Georgiana noted a painful impatience cross Mrs. Collins’s countenance. “I’m certain my sister shall be pleased to have you among our guests, Mrs. Collins. Elizabeth speaks often of your long-standing friendship.” Turning to the young vicar, Georgiana greeted the man who assisted Mr. Nathan with everyone’s wraps. “Mr.Winkler, it was considerate of you to see Mr. and Mrs. Collins to our door, Sir.”

    â€œMr. Collins called at my home when he could secure no one’s services because of the road conditions,” he said dryly.
    â€œYou took upon yourself a great kindness,” Georgiana remarked. “You’ll dine with us, Mr. Winkler,” she ordered. “It’s the least we can do.”
    â€œThank you, Miss Darcy,” he said politely. “And you, Miss Catherine. It is pleasant to hear of your return to Derbyshire.”
    When the young vicar bowed over Kitty’s hand, Georgiana noticed his apparent nervousness. Something told her that the cleric had chosen to escort the Collinses to Pemberley because of Kitty’s return. She would have to ask her friend about the possibility. “We’ll join my aunt and the others in the main drawing room.”
    â€œCome, Cousin.” Kitty took Mr. Collins’s arm. “Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are away, but are expected this evening. Mr. Darcy plans a surprise for my sister. We’re all part of Elizabeth’s Christmas. In addition to Her Ladyship and Miss De Bourgh, the Bingleys are in attendance, as are your family: Mama, Papa, and Mary.”
    Georgiana walked beside Mrs. Collins and the vicar. They trailed Kitty and her cousin. “Elizabeth is well, I pray,” Charlotte whispered.
    â€œMrs. Darcy is quite well. I cannot imagine Pemberley without her. She brings life to my brother’s home.”
    â€œI don’t doubt it,” Charlotte added. “Elizabeth was always the most resourceful of our friends.”
    They entered the room to find Collins bowing low over Lady Catherine’s outstretched hand. “Oh,Your Ladyship, I cannot thank you enough for the benevolence you have shown me and Mrs. Collins.”
    â€œAnd you found your relative well, Mr. Collins?” Lady Catherine intoned royally.
    â€œWe did,Your Ladyship. Of course, Mrs. Collins and I steadily resisted the invitation of my Warrington cousin to remain through the festive days.”

    He bowed again to Miss De Bourgh and a third time to the room as a whole. The man was everything Georgiana had heard: Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or Society, the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally a great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected propriety. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine De Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance, and humility.
    â€œIt’s good you have come, Collins,” Lady Catherine declared. “We may need to leave early for Kent.”
    Georgiana recognized her aunt’s manipulation and remained silent, but the