Mr. Darcy's Christmas Carol by Carolyn Eberhart Read Free Book Online Page A

“I have done what I could to relieve the suffering of those in my sphere who are more unfortunate than I. No one at Pemberley ever goes hungry,” said Darcy.
    â€œIndeed not!” cried the Spirit. “You oversee those on your estate well, and though it is not wrong to concentrate your goodwill in one place, the world is larger than your estate.”
    The good Spirit led Darcy straight to the Gardiners; for there she went and took Darcy with her, holding to her gown, and on the threshold of the door the Spirit smiled and stopped to bless Edward Gardiner’s dwelling with the sprinkling of her torch.
    Mrs. Gardiner, dressed in a fashionable gown that was festooned in ribbons, laid the tablecloth, assisted by Belinda Crachit, the second housemaid, also dressed in her holiday best. The oldest boy, Master Robert Gardiner, plunged his fingers stealthily into the sugarplums, surreptitiously stuffing the sweets into his mouth whenever his mother’s back was turned.
    And now the smallest Gardiner, a girl named Alice, came tearing in, screaming, “I smell the goose, I smell the goose!”
    â€œI can smell it also, my dear, there is no need to shout,” Mrs. Gardiner remonstrated as Alice danced merrily around the table. Taking a deep breath, the luxurious scents of sage and onion filled her senses. “Robert, if you do not stop eating those sugarplums, you will have no room for the goose, which means there will be plenty more for the rest of us. Stoke the fire so a more cheerful blaze greets your father.”
    Robert swallowed the last of his treats, “Yes, ma’am.”
    â€œWhatever can be keeping your father?” Mrs. Gardiner wondered aloud as she left the dining room. “And your brother, William? And Kate is also late by half-an-hour!” Kate had gone for a walk in the park with her best friend. It was the best way to show off the pretty red coat and furry white muff she received as gifts.
    â€œHere’s Kate, Mother!” As the door opened to let in the older daughter Alice cried, “There is such a goose, Kate!”
    â€œNo doubt your special spice is on that goose,” Darcy remarked.
    The Spirit smiled, “The little one is in no need of it. She already has all the season she needs.”
    â€œWhy, my dear, how cold you are!” said Mrs. Gardiner, rubbing her daughter’s hands. “I thought you would be warm enough in that new coat.”
    â€œI was more than comfortable. We had a wonderful time at the park,” replied the girl, “and it was such a pleasant walk this morning, Mother! The newly fallen snow twinkled like stars.”
    â€œYes, that is all very well,” replied Mrs. Gardiner as she led the children into the parlor. “Sit down before the fire, my dear, and warm yourself!”
    â€œNo, no! Father is coming,” cried Alice, who was everywhere at once. “Hide, Kate, hide!”
    So Kate hid herself and in came Edward, the father, looking quite seasonable in a red silk vest; his youngest son, William, was beside him.
    â€œWhy, where is Kate?” cried Edward Gardiner, looking round.
    â€œStill at the park,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
    â€œAt the park?” asked Edward. “She will be late for Christmas Dinner!”
    Kate came out of hiding prematurely from behind the door and ran into his arms. “I would never miss dinner. I swear I could smell the goose as soon as I turned the corner.”
    Alice grabbed her brother and bore William off to the kitchen, “You have to hear the pudding singing in the copper. You have to!”
    â€œAnd how did William behave?” asked Mrs. Gardiner as the children left the room.
    â€œAs good as gold,” said Edward, “and better. Coming home, he gave the guinea he received for Christmas to a crippled boy, much the same age as himself. He told me afterwards that he helped the boy because he was a cripple and on Christmas Day it is good to