Under the Mistletoe Day 4: Christmas at Pemberley by Regina Jeffers

You know I love a good kissing scene, especially one between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. However, I enjoy it just as much when an author provides such amorous scenes between the secondary characters. In her Christmas novel, Christmas at Pemberley, Regina Jeffers does not let me down. Not only was I wrapped up in a perfect Christmastime story, but I was also smiling and sighing at the mistletoe scenes. Enjoy!

Excerpt from Christmas at Pemberley by Regina Jeffers

“And what of you, Georgiana? Is your heart engaged?” Elizabeth asked.

She watched as Darcy’s sister blushed thoroughly. For a moment, she expected the girl would deny her very noticeable attentiveness to the colonel. “Am I that obvious?” Georgiana said softly.

“Not too observable,” Elizabeth teased. “Your brother has taken no note.”

Georgiana’s agitation increased. “You shan’t tell Fitzwilliam, will you? Please, Elizabeth, my brother must not know.”

“I shall keep your secret,” Elizabeth assured. “And what of the colonel? Does Edward return your affections?”

Georgiana’s relief at being able to speak of her feelings became apparent with the girl’s sigh of relief. “Oh, how I wished I knew for certain. There are moments—one in the study a few days ago, for example—when it appears my cousin shares my interest. Then there are those when I doubt my sanity.”

Elizabeth reached for her sister’s hand. “I do not doubt it. Men are usually the last to realize their affections are engaged. I imagine the colonel is experiencing difficulty explaining his feelings to his rational mind.” She paused briefly. “Would you like to tell me of this moment in Mr. Darcy’s study?”

“Oh, yes,” Georgiana gushed. “May I truly?” Before Elizabeth could answer, the girl continued. “We spoke of my Come Out, and then Edward took me in his arms, and we waltzed. Without music. We swayed so close together, and I thought for a brief span that he would kiss me.”

“Would you have allowed his kiss?” Elizabeth squeezed Georgiana’s hand in a gesture of camaraderie, rather than to have the girl think Elizabeth sat in judgment.

“Is it wanton to say that I’d like my first kiss to come from

Edward?” Georgiana anxiously bit her bottom lip.

Elizabeth leaned forward. “It’s not wanton. It’s the natural progression of a relationship. Edward is a gentleman, and he will not take advantage. Again, he probably is experiencing some questions how your relationship has changed. May I make an observation?”

“Please do,” Georgiana encouraged.

“Tomorrow is Christmas, and Pemberley seems to have sprouted a large number of mistletoe berries.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Surely, an intelligent young lady could find herself under said berries when the colonel passed.”

Georgiana giggled. “I love the way you think, Sister.”

* * * * *

“There you are,” Georgiana said as she entered the library.

Edward spun around in surprise. “I apologize, Georgie,” he said tentatively. “I was unaware that you sought me out.”

“My brother had asked me of your whereabouts.” For a moment, Georgiana paused on the threshold, but with a steadying breath, she set her plan into action. With satisfaction, she noted the approval in Edward’s eyes as she approached.

“Are you aware of your brother’s reason for my immediate presence?”

He took a step closer as if drawn to her, and Georgiana’s heart did a flip.

She frowned minimally. “Something to do with Her Ladyship and Mrs. Darcy.”

Edward smiled conspiratorially. “I’ve heard no shouting, nor have I observed the servants rushing to tend either lady.”

Georgiana purposely paused under the mistletoe ornament. “It is a miracle of sorts.”

“Am I to stand guard or to serve as a negotiator?” he asked casually as he stepped into the circle she had imagined as being part of the mistletoe’s magic.

Georgiana smiled widely at him, but her resolve wavered with Edward’s closeness. “Knowing Fitzwilliam,” she said with a breathy catch, “all contingencies are possible.”

Surprisingly, Edward moved closer still, and Georgiana quit breathing. “Well, in the absence of hysterics, I do not see a need to rush to your brother’s side,” he rasped.

“What shall you do instead?” she managed to murmur. Instinctively,

Georgiana’s chin rose in anticipation.

Edward’s palm cupped her chin, and his thumb stroked her lips. “I had thought to keep a Christmas tradition,” he said softly. “To kiss under the mistletoe the prettiest woman I know. That is, if she will have me.”

Georgiana’s heart sang. “Claim the berry, Colonel,” she whispered as she closed her eyes and waited.

Edward did not understand what had come over him. He had awakened this morning with thoughts of Georgiana, and those images had grown into full-fledged desire. Earlier, he had made a quick reconnaissance of the house to locate all the mistletoe balls that the ladies had hung yesterday. Then he fantasized throughout Winkler’s sermon about sliding his lips down the slender column of Georgiana’s neck. Therefore, he refused to permit this opportunity to slip away. He did not know when everything had changed between them, but it had, and he had to accept it and move forward.

Over the past few hours, he had obsessed over the softness of Georgiana’s lips, and Edward meant to taste them. Her warm breath brushed his cheek as he lowered his head to touch her lips with his. He recognized her innocence, and so, he made himself go slowly. A slight brush. Small kisses planted at the corners. A soft nibble on her bottom lip. The problem with this slow seduction was it was taking away all his self-control.

Edward slid his arms about her and pulled Georgiana closer. With one hand, he lifted her chin to position his mouth over hers. He rested his lips on hers, allowing Georgiana to experience his mouth’s pressure before deepening the kiss. As she leaned into him, Edward slid his tongue along her lips’ seam. When she gasped, he claimed her mouth’s soft tissues.

After a few seconds of pure pleasure, he forced himself to lift his lips from hers. However, Edward’s mouth hovered a breath away from hers. “Georgie, I would kiss you again, but if you do not wish it, you should leave this room now,” he rasped.

“I shall stay,” she managed to say. Georgiana slid her arms about Edward’s neck and rose on her toes to meet his lips again.

Edward groaned, and his mouth returned to hers. This time her lips parted eagerly. It was so intimate; more intimate than he would  have thought possible. He was not without experience, but Georgiana’s kiss felt perfect—even with her inexperience. His tongue entwined with hers, and she responded tentatively. The kiss deepened as she arched into his embrace.

Edward’s practical mind demanded that he cease kissing her, but for the life of him, he could not release her. Years of war had branded him as part of the unclean, but Georgiana’s goodness wiped all his dissipation away.

The sound of people moving about the hallway penetrated his desire-driven brain, and he reluctantly raised his head. “You are so beautiful,” he murmured as he kissed Georgiana’s head as it rested against his chest. He simply held her then as each recovered his breath. If someone would walk in on them, he would simply be Cousin Edward, Miss Darcy’s guardian. Oh, how he wanted to shed that designation and to assume another role in Georgiana’s life.

“Georgie, we cannot stay here any longer,” he said reluctantly.

Slowly, she drew her arms from around his waist. “It was perfect,” she whispered.

Edward smiled lovingly. “Yes, it was.” He caressed her cheek. “Meet me later in the conservatory,” he said. “We should speak privately, but that conversation will be delayed until I see what Darcy requires of me, and then there will be the usual gift exchange and an early supper. Will you wait for me that long, Georgiana—that

long before we can speak of what has just happened?”

“I have waited for this for over three years. A few more hours shall seem miniscule.”

Edward kissed her nose’s tip, before reaching up and claiming five berries from the overhanging ball. “Extra berries for when we meet privately,” he said teasingly.

“I shall bring a few of my own,” she said with a husky laugh. “In case we use all of yours and find additional ideas to discuss.”

*Sigh* I just love this scene. Sweet Georgiana receives her first kiss, and from the man she has been pining over for some time. What tenderness and passion Jeffers has created in this scene. I sure hope they have enough berries for later! 

*Excerpt provided by the author and used with author's permission

***GIVEAWAY TIME***

Regina Jeffers has kindly offered ONE paperback copy of Christmas at Pemberley to one lucky commenter! OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!! To enter, please leave a comment and fill out the Rafflecopter form! Winner will be announced Tuesday, December 11!  Good luck! =) 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

From the Publisher:

Darcy has invited the Bennets and the Bingleys to spend the Christmastide’s festive days at Pemberley. But as he and Elizabeth journey to their estate to join the gathered families, a blizzard blankets the English countryside. The Darcys find themselves stranded at a small inn while Pemberley is inundated with refugees seeking shelter from the storm.

Without her brother’s strong presence, Georgiana Darcy tries desperately to manage the chaos surrounding the arrival of six invited guests and eleven unscheduled visitors. But bitter feuds, old jealousies and intimate secrets quickly rise to the surface. Has Lady Catherine returned to Pemberley for forgiveness or revenge? Will the manipulative Caroline Bingley find a soul mate? Shall Kitty Bennet and Georgiana know happiness?

Author Bio:

Regina Jeffers claims she has spent a lifetime in the classroom, as a student earning multiple advanced degrees, and as a teacher of forty years. She says, “I do not remember ever having Jane Austen as part of the curriculum… lots of Shakespeare, but little of Jane Austen in my schooling. But, I read Pride and Prejudice when I was twelve, and the world opened. Like many of you, I was Elizabeth Bennet– a girl with an above average IQ and a relatively pleasing face, but I had no other spectacular talents, at least, none I could recognize at that tender age. However, reading Austen, I became convinced that there would be someone who would not be intimidated by my intelligence, my quick wit, my sometimes-caustic tongue, and my love of twisting the King’s English. There would be a Mr. Darcy in my future. Naïveté: That is the only word for it. Yet, I still believe there is a Mr. Darcy. Maybe he is not Colin or Matthew or Elliot, but Mr. Darcy exists for each of us if we open our eyes and our hearts to the possibilities.”

In the late spring of 2007, one of my Advanced Placement students challenged me to “Just Do It.” So, I wrote Darcy’s Passions, self-publishing the book as a gift to my AP class and to me. Ulysses Press followed the sales on Amazon, and the rest is history.

Connect with Regina Jeffers


Facebook | Goodreads | Website   Blog | Twitter

Read It Now!


Kindle | Nook