Page 70 of A Christmas Understanding

“There must be two dozen oranges here.”

“Your aunt said Cook required oranges,” Darcy said.

“She said Cook required some oranges.”

“I was not given a number.”

“So you purchased every orange in London?”

He shrugged. “Not all of them.”

She laughed and began unpacking the fruit.

It had been four days since she had given him permission to call upon her, and Darcy had discovered that courting Miss Elizabeth Bennet involved considerably more physical exertion than he had anticipated. Not that he had any objection.

Yesterday there had been additional ribbons. The day before, he had delivered a quantity of bay and rosemary after discovering that Mrs. Gardiner’s usual supplier had already promised much of his stock elsewhere. Bingley had assisted by buying an excessive amount of ivy and then abandoning half of it in Darcy’s carriage.

Darcy had carried it in, and what they could not use, he took back with him to Darcy House for the front hall.

Miss Elizabeth held up an orange. “This is a particularly fine specimen.”

“I am gratified to hear it.”

“Why? I did not say you had grown it.”

“No, but I told my steward to ask my cook where one might purchase good oranges.”

She smiled and returned the orange to the basket. “You must be exhausted.”

It was not something he had ever thought he would enjoy, being teased by a woman. But being teased by her was . . . well, suffice to say, it was something he greatly anticipated after they were married. In a particular chamber of the house that was neither the drawing room nor the front hall.

“Mr. Darcy.”

He realised Miss Elizabeth had asked him something.

“I beg your pardon.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You were very far away.”

“Not so very far.”

A little colour entered her cheeks.

Darcy had learned not to rush those moments. He had also learned that if he stared too long, she would usually say something designed to punish him for it.

He looked at the oranges instead. “What did you ask?”

Before she could respond, Bingley entered carrying another two parcels. He was followed by Master Edward, who clutched a third to his chest.

The household had become busier as Christmas approached, and Mrs. Gardiner, no doubt delayed with the care of Miss Bingley, was only now making her arrangements. She maintained that everything would be accomplished, but while she was planning Christmas dinner, the Bennet ladies had quietly taken on most of the decorating tasks. Darcy had been given his orders. Bingley too, had been recruited to help.

“Where is Mrs. Gardiner?” Bingley asked.

“Out with Jane,” Miss Elizabeth said. “My aunt has errands which she insists upon doing herself.”

“And Miss Bingley?”

“With the girls.”