Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice)

by Wells, Linda

  “I am glad that we came here today.” Mary took his arm and he squeezed her hand. The captain called them forward and de Bourgh’s expression returned to that of a seasoned commander. “I am so glad.”

  11 JULY 1811

  I have received several letters today, the first was from Mary. She has met her new sisters and finds them to be pleasant ladies, almost twins, finishing each other’s sentences and giggling constantly, as unlike their mother and brothers as they could possibly be. Each is very great with child, and each has a little over a month to go. Mrs. de Bourgh arrived from Rosings while they were visiting and a very happy reunion ensued. Mary was shown the home where Peter’s life began and where he visited on his rare returns to England, but Mary said that she had a much better view of his life after touring the ship. He took her through the different quarters, seeing where he would have lived as a boy, and as he rose in rank, how his accommodations changed until she saw his last bed as the captain. It was a revelation to her. They plan to return to Rosings via London and at last begin their married life together. She is scared out of her mind, but there is good staff around her, and she is grateful for the training I was able to provide for her here.

  My second letter was from Jane, and yes, she is at last pregnant! Robert is ridiculous with his joy. I can hear his laughter in her description of his silly antics. I can see his smiles in the memory of Fitzwilliam’s happiness when we knew Rosa was coming. She has yet to tell Mama and Papa, although Papa looks at her quizzically. She and Lydia are conspiring on the best way to break the news to both sets of grandparents, and Jane is wondering if she can possibly hide her condition until the due date. Poor girl! Her joy radiates from the pages and I am so happy to share her happiness.

  Setting down her pen, Elizabeth yawned. “Why am I so sleepy?” Shaking her head determinedly, she stood and walked over to the open window and tried to let the fresh air revive her. She could see Kitty sitting in the rose garden, her sketch book and crayons around her. From below she could hear the sound of Georgiana practicing the pianoforte. The girls had separated somewhat since coming to Pemberley. Feeling a little more awake, she returned to her desk to finish her journal entry, but was distracted by the ribbon hanging from her husband’s book.

  11 July 1811

  What are you about, Mrs. Darcy?

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened and she gasped.

  Do you really think that I do not know when you go off by yourself in the phaeton? Do you really think that I do not have you followed? Do you really think that young Jim just happened along when the wheel got stuck in the mud and was able to free it and return you home, and further, do you really think that he would keep your secret that you nearly overturned the carriage in the process?

  Dearest Elizabeth. Please do not test my nerves. If our daughter is not to travel the stairs alone, than I give you the admonition that you do not drive or ride alone. You are the most sensible, intelligent, wonderful woman when you are standing on your own two feet, but put you on or behind an animal and I … I will not say. Please love. Please. I trust you with my life, but not with a horse.

  I love you will all of my heart.

  “That man!” She cried and pressed her hands to her burning cheeks. “That …sneaky, underhanded …distrustful …dear man!” She read his admonition again and groaned. “I was sure that Jimmy … Ohhhhhh! He told him! Of course he told him, why would he not, they all work for him, not me. He is the master, but … OHHHHHHH!” She cried, “How am I to improve if I do not practice?”

  “By not practicing alone, Mrs. Darcy.”

  She looked up to see him leaning on the doorway and smiling. “I love you.”

  “Well, I love you, too.” She glared and moved the ribbon before slamming the book shut while he chuckled. Standing up she started to walk past him and stopped. “You have me followed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Am I so terrible?”

  “Frankly, yes.”

  Elizabeth frowned and walked out of the sitting room and into their chambers. “You have me followed? How long has this been going on?”

  “Since the moment I taught you to ride. From the first time I let you hold the reins while you drove. You have never ever been alone.”

  She gasped. “Never?”

  “No.” Darcy’s arms remained folded and his brows rose as she became increasingly embarrassed and angry. “You drove into the lake, dearest. Remember?”

  “I did not, I came near the edge once, but that was the horse’s fault.” He snorted.

  “You tried to leap a hedge and fell off.”

  “It was a low hedge.”

  “You fell off.”

  “Into the grass.”

  “You fell off.”

  “I was not hurt.”

  “Your bottom was purple for a week, and while it was fascinating to see it gradually change colour and to observe how you attempted to keep me from noticing, an utterly impossible task might I add since I am very fond of your bottom, I do not like you being injured. Especially when it might have been your neck that was broken.”

  “You leap hedges.”

  “I know what I am doing.”

  “But …” Elizabeth stalked away while he watched. “You just want to control me.”

  “Do not be ridiculous.” He said sternly. “You are the least controlled wife I know.”

  “Aunt Helen …”

  “Knows absolutely nothing of her husband’s affairs and estates. She is a force in society and in her household. You, my love, are privy to nearly everything of mine.”

  “Nearly?”

  “Nearly.”

  “You do not trust me with all?” She raised her chin while his brows rose. “Just like you do not trust me with …”

  “A horse?”

  “Well? What do I not know of your affairs?”

  “Is that not defeating the purpose of keeping a secret? You tried to keep secrets from me. What is the difference?”

  “Those are secrets of …personal foibles.” Elizabeth declared and he burst out laughing.

  “You are being utterly unreasonable! So … I should look over your foibles that risk your life and limb and expose to you … You do not even know what secrets I keep from you, it could be a birthday gift that I have hidden.” His eyes twinkled and she became increasingly infuriated.

  “Fitzwilliam.”

  “Elizabeth.”

  They stared at each other, neither giving in. “Where else do you not trust me?” He groaned. “No sir, tell me. Are my accounts not in order; is that the reason behind Matthews being hired? Tell me, do you have Conrad visiting the shops to see where the money is spent? Do you send emissaries to the tenants to correct my poor attempts at bringing them aid?” She sobbed. “What else do I do wrong? Am I not a good sister? Are you disappointed with me as a mother?”

  “Lizzy.” He sighed and walked towards her. “You are being ridiculous.”

  “Ridiculous!”

  “I never said any of those things, I only wish you not to ride alone. I do not want you to be hurt, you are becoming quite irrational in these declarations and it is not … like …” Darcy stopped and looked at her.

  “What?” She took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. “Why are you staring at me? What else is wrong? Have I suddenly grown warts or have two heads?”

  “Elizabeth.” Darcy stepped closer and searched her face, then put his hands on her shoulders. He raised his hand to caress her cheek, then lowered it to touch her breasts. She winced and he drew away quickly then returned his gaze to her eyes. Her mouth opened in surprise. “Dearest …” His voice caught. “Your courses. They have not come …”

  “No.” She gave him a confused look then turning, she ran back to the sitting room where she kept a calendar and started paging backwards. Spinning back around, she stood with her hands pressed over her mouth. “Oh Will! I am irrational!”

  “You certainly are!” He laughed and picked her up to hug her and spin around
the room. “You are the most beautiful, irrational, wonderful … Is it true?” Setting her down, he touched her belly. “Do you feel ill?”

  “No, just sleepy.” She gasped and looked at him. “I am sleepy!”

  Darcy laughed and wiped the tears that appeared in his eyes. “What else?”

  “Well look at me! Am I not crying!! Oh Will! I … I do not think that you need to worry about me riding alone for a very long time.” Elizabeth fell into his arms and they hugged tightly. “Please let it be true.”

  “Do you think that it happened in the glade?” He kissed her and wiped her cheek, then before she could answer, he scooped her up and carried her to their bed. “I need to look.”

  “At what?” She laughed when he sat on the edge and set her down on the floor between his legs. Smiling, he reached up behind her and unbuttoned the gown, pulling it down to her waist. “Will.”

  “These must go.” He pulled the ribbons of her stays and removed them, and then lifted off her chemise to see her breasts before his mouth. “Now, let us see.” Elizabeth closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his hair as he tenderly caressed. Darcy’s eyes closed, and he let the feel of the flesh answer his questions. “They are different, love.” He whispered. “How did I not notice sooner?” His eyes still closed, he opened his mouth and latched on, suckling once again. Elizabeth gasped with the familiar feel of his strong tongue and lips working, his nose pressed into her, his hands holding her back and drawing her to him. Letting go, he moved to the other nipple and did the same, and finally, let go. “Not yet.”

  “Too soon.”

  “But it will come. I cannot wait to drink from you again.” Running his hands over her, he slipped her gown down to so it fell to the floor and pressed his lips to her naval. “Hello my child.”

  “Oh Will.” He looked up to see her teary eyes, and standing, picked her up and laid her on the bed. Quickly he undressed and lay beside her.

  “Come here.” Darcy kissed her, caressing over her body and then between her legs. He sighed when her hand did the same for him, and they lay together, kissing and touching. Darcy slipped one, then two long fingers inside of her and she moaned in his mouth as their kisses deepened. Her hold tightened as she stroked him, and his gasp was stifled by her exploring tongue. At last he removed her hand and stared into her eyes. “I am … Slow down, love.” He begged. “Let me recover.”

  “No.” Elizabeth laughed and began kissing his neck, biting and laughing louder when he groaned and clasped her tightly. “You need to be punished.”

  “For what?”

  “For not trusting me.”

  “I do!” He gasped when her tongue found his nipple and she began sucking the same eager way he had just done to her. “Oh … Lizzy … love …”

  “Lower?”

  “Please!”

  “No.” She sat up and climbed astride him and sighing, they merged together. “I think that you will agree that I am an excellent rider of this particular mount?” She lifted her brow and he grinned, reaching up to brush back her hair and lifting his hips upwards to make her gasp.

  “Agreed.” Pulling her down to kiss, she lay flat on top of him, and they held each other, completely entwined. “This is the only mount for you.” He whispered and began suckling her neck until he felt her gasp and clasp him. Rolling to his side, he kissed his thoroughly relaxed wife. “Now,” he ran his hand over the curve of her waist and pulled her close. “We have only a few months before such positions are impossible.” Rolling again, he rested his full weight upon her and smiled before he began duelling with her tongue. Drawing away, he licked her lips. “We need to take advantage while we can.”

  Elizabeth ran her hands down over his shoulders to squeeze his firm bottom, and laughed when he growled. “I am waiting, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Forgive me.” He laughed, and getting up on his knees, looked down her body then back up to her dancing eyes. “I will not deny my lady her pleasure.”

  “WHAT ARE THEY DOING?” Georgiana asked Kitty as she hit the shuttlecock. “They are dreamier than ever.”

  “Well Fitzwilliam is asleep.”

  “No he is not, look, he just has his eyes closed. See how he keeps smiling and reaching for Elizabeth’s hand?”

  “Oh.” Kitty watched and missing; ran to retrieve the errant birdie then returned. “They are different. Maybe it is being here. I cannot remember seeing Lizzy so … I do not know, happy.”

  “Well, that is just Pemberley.” Georgiana giggled. “Uncle Henry claims that Cupid is constantly flitting about.”

  “I cannot imagine him talking about Cupid!” She looked out over the lawn. “Someone is here.”

  “Hmmmm. Oh, that is just Mr. Evans.”

  “Mr. Evans? Who is that?”

  “He is the parish priest for Kympton; it is one of the livings that Fitzwilliam has to give. I think that he has been out of the area visiting his family for the last month or so. He is very nice, and comes up to do services for us from time to time.”

  “Oh. He seems to have spotted us.”

  “He probably has some business with Fitzwilliam, or is just checking in after not seeing him for so long. They meet a lot over parish concerns.” She raised her voice. “Elizabeth, Mr. Evans is coming!”

  Elizabeth saw the young man off in the distance slowly making his way across the lawn, and waved to him. He spotted her and waved back. About to speak to Darcy, she started laughing instead. “Oh Rosa!”

  “What is she doing?” Darcy asked from his comfortable position against the tree. All he heard in response were whispers and clapping. “Elizabeth?”

  “Open your eyes and see.”

  “I am afraid to.” Blinking open his eyes, he moved only to have a shower of grass fall before his face. “What?” He startled and an avalanche of green fell into his lap. Rosalie squealed and immediately dove for his crotch to grab a handful, and he yelped, covering the vulnerable spot protectively. Wide-eyed, she flew to Elizabeth and hugged her neck while she laughed.

  “Papa! Ow!”

  Squeezing his eyes shut, Darcy gritted his teeth as the pain slowly receded. “It is not funny, Lizzy!”

  “I am sorry, Will.” Elizabeth hugged Rosalie. “You must not touch Papa there, love. Only Mama does that.”

  “And I sincerely hope that she will kiss it to make it feel better.” Darcy took a deep breath. “That hurt.” Rosalie continued to whimper and cling to Elizabeth, and he at last relented and sighed. “Come here, little love.” He held out his arms and she cautiously approached. He picked her up to sit on his lap. “Now, what were you doing to Papa?”

  “She was decorating you.” Elizabeth scooted over to kiss him. “Are you well?”

  “No damage, nothing worse that I have experienced before.”

  “Let me guess, via Richard.”

  “He is evil, I keep telling you, but you fail to believe me.” Smiling at last, he looked at the mess around him. “She was at this a while. I guess that I fell asleep.”

  “I am not surprised; you have been running yourself ragged since we returned home, well besides other activities.” He took her hand and kissed it when she smiled. Brushing some more grass from his hair she looked at him seriously. “Must you visit every corner of the estate? Foolish question, I know.”

  “I would not be me if I did not, would I? Besides, Nichols had so much to share with me, and needed my approval. I think that the worst is over, and now we can relax.” He grunted when Rosalie pushed off of his chest and got up. “Is she tired?”

  “No.”

  “Oh.”

  Rosalie took off running and he sighed. “Here we go.” Struggling to his feet, the rest of the grass fell around him and he started chasing after his errant daughter. “Come here, Rosalie!” It did not take long for his long legs to catch up with the baby and he soon scooped her up, lifted her high in the air then back down for a hug.

  “You have yourself a handful, sir.” Mr. Evans called out.

 
; Darcy turned to spot the reverend walking over to meet him. “Evans, welcome back!”

  “Thank you; I could say the same to you. Good afternoon, Miss Rosalie.” She looked at him fearfully and clutched Darcy’s neck cloth. “Ah, you did not like me when I christened you, but surely you have forgotten that?”

  “She is a little shy.” Kissing her cheek, he pried her hands free.

  “Mr. Evans!”

  “Mrs. Darcy.” He bowed. “She is shy?”

  “Oh, just a little. She will warm up to you if you just leave her be.” She led the way back to the blanket and shaking off the grass, spread it back out. “Not the most dignified sitting room, but it will do. Please have a seat.”

  “Thank you.” Laughing, he sat down and watched Darcy kneel with his bundle and settle against the tree. “It is good to see such a happy child.” The three of them watched as Rosalie yawned and curled up in Darcy’s arms. Hearing laughter in the background, he turned his head and spotted the two girls. “That is Miss Darcy, but … that is not Miss Bennet.”

  “No, that is Mrs. Darcy’s sister, Miss Catherine Bennet; she is the eldest unmarried sister now. Miss Mary was married last month.”

  “Well that is wonderful news. She was a very nice young lady; please convey my best wishes when you next write to her.”

  “I will, she will be glad to hear from you, she always enjoyed your sensible sermons.” Elizabeth laughed when he groaned. “What brings you here today? Just a social call?” She smiled and lifted her brow. “Church business?”

  “Church business. Yes, that is it!” He shook his head. “Too long gone, I am out of practice. Well, nothing pressing. I think that I have caught up with my visiting of the sick, I just thought I should look in on you and see if there is anything that I need to address.”

  Darcy thought, “No, nothing that I know about. You look after the tenants, dear, do you know of anything?”

  “Well no, but the next time I drive out …” Elizabeth smiled at her husband and he sighed. “I will surely make note of any concerns.”

  “Of course you will.”

  “Well that is good to know, an easy return then.” Evans smiled. “How is your fencing, Mr. Darcy?”