A Rare Ability: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation (A Pemberley Romance Book 10)
Page 28
Soon he had returned, and climbed in beside her, reaching out to her. When she was in his arms, he could at last relax. She lay beside him, and her hand cupped his cheek.
“I’ve been thinking, William. Have you entered that chamber since it was your mother’s?”
He shook his head reluctantly.
She pressed herself closer to him, and he could hear her steady breathing. “I’m sorry to have raised the subject, but I can understand your difficulty.” There was a smile in her voice. “Tomorrow, when you are about your business, I will talk to Mrs. Reynolds. I will ask her to change all the furniture in the chamber, including the bed. I will select what I would like from the guest chambers, so there will not be too much expense.”
“Oh, but …” he began, but she pressed her finger against his lips.
“And it will be done more quickly, too. I would not have you reluctant to come to me.” Her finger lifted; began to trace his lips in the darkness. “And I will also change the decor somewhat, and install the furniture in different places. Soon it will seem a different room, you will see.”
He tightened his arms around her, pulling her even closer.
“But always roses, William, always roses.” She lifted her face to his. “Thank you for arranging that they were there tonight.”
But she still smelled of lavender. He buried his face in the side of her neck and drew a great breath. He felt much better.
“Thank you for being here with me.” His own things were around him, his own Pemberley, and he had brought his bride.
The closeness of her body, her back warm under his hand, her lips parted below his, her breath fanning his cheek, all caused a wave of heat to crash through him and the touch of her mind, helping him — “I’m so fortunate you are with me, Elizabeth.” His cares receded, there was only Elizabeth.
Chapter 69
The cat was lying stretched out on the grass below the terrace, enjoying the heat of the sun. Elizabeth smiled down at him, remembering when he’d first arrived at Pemberley with the steward.
The long ride from Netherfield had been all forgotten as he had launched himself at her, and William had smiled indulgently as it had refused to be parted from them for the first few weeks. But her husband was as attached to it as she was, and could often be seen relaxing in a chair with the cat’s head settled under his chin, its paws each side of his neck, its purr loud enough to hear across the room
A shadow beside her, and William’s chuckle as he followed her gaze down to the ground below. His arm stole around her waist. “He is as much part of our family as the children.”
She smiled up at him. “Indeed. And he is more patient with them than they are with each other.”
He nodded. “I think his patience is about to be put to the test.”
Elizabeth followed his gaze. Several nursery maids were following their charges down to the shade of the chestnut tree, where Georgiana waited with a small picnic. The shrill cries of the children drifted up to them, and she counted. Her own twins, staggering along, little William holding his sister’s hand protectively. She smiled to herself. Rose had been walking longer than Will, and she was probably holding him up as much as he was supporting her.
Jane’s eldest child, a little steadier on his feet, was following; his younger baby brother in the perambulator with the nurse.
Then Rose spotted the cat and veered away from their previous route.
Elizabeth leaned over the stone balustrade as far as she was able. She made her secret chirruping noise and the cat raised his head and looked around, then up at them. It rose, stretched prodigiously, and then leapt onto the great stone urn beside the terrace, up onto the balustrade, and walked along to them, climbing onto her shoulders, curling his tail around, purring loudly.
“Over here, you heavyweight, Elizabeth has enough to carry.” William scratched behind his ears, and looked down at her. “We are very fortunate that he’s such an affectionate animal.”
She smiled, and leaned against him, suddenly weary. “I think he was so young when you saved him that he feels we are his family.”
Her husband glanced at her. “Come and sit down, dearest. You look as if you need to rest.” He looked further down the terrace to where her sister was sitting in the shade. “Why don’t you join Jane?”
“Thank you, but first I’d like to walk the other way with you.” She tucked her hand in his arm and leaned against him as they walked slowly.
“Are you sure you’re well?” He looked anxiously over at her.
She nodded. “I’m all right, William. I just hope the weather breaks a little before my confinement. You have no idea how difficult it is to be cooped up in one room for so many days.”
He laughed. “I believe you told me that many times when I called upon you. But the weather was inclement then, so I supposed you did not feel quite as badly about it as you protested.”
She looked at him reproachfully, and he chuckled. He looked round. “So, where are we walking to?”
“Just to the side of the house. I want to look at the new oak.” She laughed. “I hope our grandchildren will play beneath its branches, instead of the chestnut.”
“Well, a couple of decades more might mean it is large enough, but when we planted, I was thinking of a century or so.” He reached up and unwound the cat from his neck, placing it, protesting, onto the balustrade. “You’re too warm on my shoulders, old chap.”
Elizabeth looked out at the sapling and frowned. “Is it too dry, William? I would not like to lose it.”
He shook his head. “It will be all right. We must not water it too often in this heat, or the roots will not grow deep, searching for moisture. A shallow-rooted tree is always at risk in winter storms.”
“Of course.” She leaned against him. “I’m glad you collected the acorns from the meadow above Meryton — and that we have brought the writing chest back here, too.”
She could see the old stump beside the oak. It had been carved into a hiding place, and the little chest, which now held sketching materials, was tucked inside it.
William’s arm was around her, and she spoke dreamily. “Who would have thought that our secret notes would have brought us together like this?”
“We would have been together even without them, I believe, Elizabeth.”
“Would we?” she said thoughtfully. “I think at the very least that the notes speeded our knowledge of each other.”
“True,” he nodded.
She laughed. “I remember, when you made me the offer of marriage, you talked about wondering who the author was, and I stopped you.”
He nodded again. “I am glad you prevented me continuing, or I might have offended you.”
“Oh, William!” She reached up and touched his face. “I know you found my family a major obstacle when thinking of me. After all, Jane told me of your visits to events in that season, seeking another lady.”
He jerked round. “When did you find that out?”
She settled herself back into his embrace. “I am not offended. It was when you told your uncle and aunt about your visits to the balls after you returned to Netherfield when they called there.”
He groaned. “I wish to forget that time, and my state of mind then.”
“Then we will forget about it, completely.” She reached up and kissed him.
“No,” he said, heavily. “I will confess I am ashamed of the way I thought then. I thought that you had shown me that I might find a lady who could assist me with social events and requirements. I searched for another, but from a family known to mine. I cannot excuse it.”
“And when did you decide that you would not find one?”
“It was Richard. He told me that even if I did find another, I could never make a success of marriage to anyone else, he could see my heart had already been stolen away by you.”
She sighed happily. “We have much to thank Richard for.” There were a few moments of silence. “And, since we became engaged, and then during our mar
riage, you have convinced me of the change in you; you are amiability itself with my family.”
“I have learned to respect many people from all walks of life. After all, even with little education, everyone else seems to have a greater understanding of social cues than I.”
“You have learned a great deal, my love. You are very much better at such occasions, although it is still a tiring thing for you.”
His arm drew her closer. “It is easier with you beside me, with your love here at home, and your acceptance of me, regardless of my ability.”
She raised her face for him to kiss her. “I will always be here for you.”
He lowered his face to hers, and her legs went weak. Even after three years, his nearness could still have this effect on her. He lifted his head.
“You must rest, dearest. Do you want to go to your chamber, or lie on the daybed by Jane?”
“I will stay outside, William, I think. I really wish to be able to see the gardens as long as I can.”
His gaze assessed her. “I think I need to write to Dr. Owsley and instruct him to be nearby. And the lying-in nurse.”
She nodded. “You know me very well. I think it will be a few more days yet, but I know you wish to be prepared.”
She knew he was anxious, because Jane’s recent confinement had been very difficult, and Charles Bingley had regaled him with tales of how nearly he had lost his wife. She reached out her hand.
“Don’t be concerned. It will be easier this time — I’m sure there is only one baby.” She laughed. “I could not believe how much I was kicked and pummelled. Then I discovered they had both been at it.”
He placed his hand gently on her swollen stomach. “I have decided you will be our obedient one, won’t you? You’re much calmer than the twins.”
“We’ll have to see,” Elizabeth cradled her hand over his. “But you’re not to worry about anything. Remember, Lydia has had three confinements with not the slightest difficulty, and little medical attention.”
He smiled reluctantly. “Do you think I need to increase his allowance?”
“No, I don’t think so. She is intimating Chamberlayne might quit the army, and wants to be a gentleman. Perhaps it would be best if they need the income from his employment.”
“Very well.” They were nearing the spot where Jane was resting, and he moved his arm from round her, and took her hand upon his arm. “You can rest now, my love. Let me assist you.”
She sat on the day bed and laughed up at him. “I am most ungainly, it would be better you leave me to it, if you please.”
His smile was unguarded, open. “Ungainly is still beautiful when it is you, Elizabeth.”
He helped her to lie down, and bent to kiss her forehead. “See if you can sleep a little. I will order tea and bring the children to you in an hour.”
She watched as he drew Mr. Bingley away and they walked off in conversation. She smiled, then craned over to look at her sister.
“Are you well?”
“I will be well, Lizzy. We can sleep a little now, before the children arrive for tea.”
Elizabeth sighed and rested her head back on the pillow. She was the most fortunate person in the world. She would change nothing about her life, nothing.
As she drifted into sleep, his face was in her vision, his serious, dark eyes, full of love. She could rest, certain of his protection.
Harriet Knowles
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A Rare Ability
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