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

by Wells, Linda

  Darcy chuckled and kissed Elizabeth’s upturned face. “I never saw a fairer, never loved a dearer, and next to my heart I’ll wear her …”15

  “Hush.” Elizabeth gasped and took his hands to place over her belly and held them tight. Darcy stopped and the room grew quiet as everyone focussed on the couple. She gasped again and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Oh Fitzwilliam!” Darcy blinked hard and kissed her, then hugged her tightly. As everyone realized what had just happened, the ladies all began to clap and the men cheered.

  “A toast!” De Bourgh raised his bottle. “To the next Darcy!”

  “Hear, hear!” Bingley cried. “To the next Hurst!”

  “Absolutely!” Hurst laughed and smiled at Jane. “And to the next Lucas, and his fine home.”

  “And the life we create here.” Lucas kissed Jane and drank the toast. “Thank you all.”

  Chapter 24

  13 October 1811

  Dear Darcy,

  Words cannot convey my gratitude for your generosity. Yes, I know that you are the one behind the purchase of the land from the Oakhurst estate. Father was determined to keep your confidence, he said that you wished for me to believe that he was footing the entire scheme, but as fine as my father is, I know that he does not have the funds immediately available to snatch up such an opportunity before it is known by the general public. Only one with far greater resources than he would have such sums liquid, and that Cousin, is you. Please do not be angry with him for telling me all, it was actually a comment by Mother that led me to see beyond the immediate emotion of the news and question how it all came about. I know that you do not wish for praise or thanks, I know that you helped out of devotion. But through this you have given me the means to provide for my family and have given me a new purpose, so you will just have to bear it.

  I have placed the townhouse on the market and will reimburse Father as he will reimburse you. We rode out to see the land, all of us squeezed into Father’s carriage, and he met the Oakhurst steward who showed us the limits of the new estate. It is beautiful Darcy, forest, a good stream, pasture and farmland. We have enough with the sale of my commission to build a home, perhaps the size of the dower house we occupy at Matlock. Eva and I found the perfect setting, I think. She will spend the winter pouring over house plans, putting in her requests for rooms and features, and undoubtedly Mother and Alicia will join her in the plotting. Whatever she wants, it is hers. I will begin collecting rents with the next quarter, and after paying my taxes, will put that money solely towards the construction of the house and outbuildings. The steward at Oakhurst introduced me to his nephew and as he knows the land and tenants so well, I have hired him to take on the job of steward for me. We have settled on the name of Peyton for our home.

  We may not actually be occupying our estate for a year or more, but it will come. I am not one to gush, although my heart is so full that if you were before me, I imagine that I could effuse enough to embarrass us both to the point of uncomfortable blushes and awkward handshakes. Thank God you are in Hertfordshire and we are spared that horror! Please kiss your beautiful Elizabeth for me, and your sweet Rosa, and perhaps the baby to come?

  Your brother,

  Richard

  Darcy cleared his throat and set the letter down. “Can nobody keep a secret?” He said gruffly and clearing his throat again, picked up his pen and tried to distract his thoughts from his embarrassment.

  17 October 1811

  Dear Georgiana,

  “Will you not join us, Darcy?” Bingley called from the card table. He was seated with Louisa and Hurst. “We can use a fourth.”

  “No, thank you.” He cleared his throat again and regained control. “As you see I am occupied.”

  “With letters, do you not have a secretary for that?”

  “If you must know, I am writing to my sister, however yes, Conrad opens my business letters, but I must respond to his work.” He raised his brows. “I am not a neglectful owner simply because I am not at home.” He turned back to the desk.

  “I am afraid that I very much am. And it is better that way.” Robinson poked at the fire and walked to the card table. “I will be your fourth if Darcy is so unwilling, I will welcome a comfortable chair.”

  “You know that Mr. Darcy dislikes cards, you should have known better than to press him.” Elizabeth spoke softly as she entered the room and walked past the desk, “Mr. Darcy. Please forgive my interruption. I would appreciate your adding my greetings to your sister.”

  Startled from his concentration, he immediately jumped to his feet and bowed, whispering so only she could hear, “Miss Elizabeth. It is no interruption at all.”

  She did not turn, so he did not see the smile spread across her lips, but he did hear the quick intake of breath when she realized he was reinstating their play. Moving quietly, she paused near a shelf to take down a book, peruse and replace it, then took another, finally choosing one. She made her way around the room slowly, feeling his eyes boring into her back as she moved. Pausing for some time near his chair, she swayed, as if to music played in her mind. Elizabeth heard him breathe deeply and knew that he sought her scent. His attention and her movement did not go unnoticed.

  “Darcy, why not walk with Elizabeth? It would undoubtedly be more refreshing than staring at her.” De Bourgh smiled and Mary elbowed him.

  “Walking with her would be refreshing; however I find that I can admire her much better from here.” The caressing tone of his voice was not lost on any woman in that room, and Elizabeth, blushing deeply, met his gaze for a moment, and saw the lift of his mouth as he recognized the effect of his words.

  Taking her selection, she settled into a chair near the fire. The clock struck the hour, and they sat together in seemingly cordial, but truly electric companionship. As far as they were concerned, they were alone. The fire crackled and a log fell, sending sparks against the fire screen. Both looked but said nothing. His pen continued its steady scratching, her fingers turned the pages. The clock ticked and then chimed the half-hour. Elizabeth rose to her feet.

  “How fares your sister?” Darcy immediately asked. The other conversations stopped and heads turned.

  “She is improving, I thank you, sir.” Elizabeth curtseyed, and started walking. When she reached the desk, Darcy caught her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. “Mr. Darcy …”

  His voice, deep and very low, touched only her ear. “Please do not call me sir, not after what we have shared. I have attempted to ignore you, Miss Elizabeth, after our …”

  “Evening together?”

  “You make it sound like a mere night of dancing.”

  “So it was.”

  “Oh no, it was a night of passion, one that I relive constantly.” He tugged her hand and pulled her closer. “I cannot imagine anything harder than trying to ignore you when my feelings are running so high.”

  Elizabeth bent to smile into his eyes. “Why would you wish to ignore me? Are you in danger of acting out your desires again?”

  “Very much so.” Darcy murmured against her ear. “May I show you what I am thinking, dearest?”

  “We dare not …”

  “Why?” He whispered. “I need you.”

  “Fitzwilliam Darcy!” Elizabeth cried and he kissed her soundly before she straightened and whispered furiously. “We are not alone, despite our fantasy.”

  “I know, perhaps that is why I want it even more.” At last he tugged her hand and settled her onto his lap.

  “I was wondering how long it would take for him to get her there.” Robinson said thoughtfully as he arranged his cards.

  “I am dying to know what they whisper about.” Louisa watched and caught her husband’s amused smile. “They are courting!”

  “I know, so leave them to it, we are playing cards.”

  “I am trying to pick up some pointers. Now that this work is done, I hope to see Miss Martin invited to visit?” Bingley raised his brows pointedly to his sister and heard
Hurst chuckle. “I cannot wait for this next week to pass!”

  “There was not much point in inviting her with you not at home the past days.” Louisa smiled. “I promise, she will be here soon, and you will certainly see her at Lucas Lodge. And then you might put these lessons to use.”

  “We must behave, I am afraid.” Elizabeth noted, at last seeing the faces turned their way.

  “Too much attention.” Darcy rested his forehead on her hair. “All I want to do is hold you. I am afraid that truly it is all I have the strength to do.” Elizabeth kissed his cheek and saw Richard’s letter. She read it and looked up to see his face had coloured and his eyes cast down. “You are a good man, Fitzwilliam.” Seeing his continued embarrassment, she reached for another letter. “From Uncle Henry?”

  Kissing her hair, he relaxed again, and hugged her. “Yes, I was going to return his note after writing to Georgiana; he says that the family rejoices in my decision about Longbourn.” He met her eye. “They do not mince words.”

  “That is why I like them so much.” It was her turn to look down.

  Darcy gently raised her chin and kissed her. “It is the right thing …”

  “I know.” She said softly and looked at the letter. “Tell me, was there a wager laid about how long your tolerance would last?”

  Darcy smiled and laughed. “If there was, I think they would have kept it to themselves. Although, they do invite me to join in the wagering for Audrey’s delivery date, and sex of the child.” Elizabeth’s eyes rolled. “Uncle looks forward to coming to Pemberley afterwards for the fox season.”

  “Just what we need after time away.”

  “They love us, you know.”

  “I know. I just so want to be home alone with you for a good long while. I look forward to winter before the fire, just like this.” Elizabeth stroked back his hair.

  “They suspect a baby.”

  “To bet on, no doubt.” They both rested their hands over the rapidly increasing bulge. “I feel him constantly now.”

  “I wait for the day when I may feel him as well.” He looked down to her belly. “Do you hear me, child of mine? Your papa insists that you reveal yourself.”

  “Well that should work.” She poked him with a smile. “Rosalie is unsure of Wallace, when I left her she was patting his head, I am not sure if she thought he was a pet or a doll.” Darcy laughed and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Any other news?”

  “Aunt Helen objects strenuously to a gentleman working like a servant on the dower house.”

  “I would expect nothing less from her.”

  “She undoubtedly had much to say on the subject, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “No longer Miss Elizabeth? Sir?”

  “Sir?” His lips hovered over hers before delivering a tender kiss. “If only we were alone.”

  “I no longer am amazed at the Darcys’ comfort with displaying their affection; I only admire his ability to do it at all.” De Bourgh watched the couple talking quietly across the room.

  “How do you feel?” Mary squeezed his hand.

  “Like I have spent the past three days on deck during an unending gale.”

  “That is bad?”

  “It is not good.” De Bourgh surprised her and pulled her close. “Bone tired.”

  Hiding her discomfiture she looked across the room to her sister, and saw her encouraging smile. “Fitzwilliam seems very rested and well.”

  “Darcy is a consummate actor, if he does not wish you to see him tired, you will not.” He kissed her and laughed to see her blush. “Bingley and Hurst look like the very devil.”

  “They do seem weary of the project, as does Mr. Robinson.”

  “I think that we have done well by our brother. Darcy said that he was grateful for this opportunity to understand how hard his people work for him, it is something he could not really experience at home amongst them.”

  “Why is that? Could he not perform labour at home?”

  “No, he could not and keep their respect as the master, just as I could not swab a deck as the captain.” Nodding towards his brother, he smiled. “Darcy understands this.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “It is a good thing that we were so willing to work, Lucas’ enthusiasm is boundless.”

  “It is his home, it should be.”

  “Quite right, my dear.” They sat in silence for several minutes. “You have not spoken of your visit to Longbourn.”

  “There is not a great deal to say. It was a visit that could no longer be delayed.” She added softly, “Mama was Mama.”

  “I would think that she would wish to mend bridges with you, especially in light of losing Elizabeth and Darcy’s favour.” He looked back at her and raised her hand to his lips. “Mary?”

  “There never were bridges between us, so how can they be mended?” She shrugged.

  “Do you wish for me to do the same as Darcy? Cut ties with her?”

  “No.” Mary saw his focussed expression and smiled. “You will not let it go, will you?”

  “No.” He entwined their fingers. “Tell me.”

  “Oh, I have never had a relationship with either of my parents, I just happened to live at Longbourn.” Mary closed her eyes. “Mama was displeased that we were not staying with them. I told her that Mr. Bingley invited us so of course we would stay at Netherfield. She was angry, she said that all of Meryton visits Mr. Bingley at Netherfield but she may not because of Lizzy. Papa came in and sat down. After that she did not say another word about Lizzy, but began on when I will produce a son for you. It was like talking to Lady Catherine.”

  “They are alike in many ways. So you are certainly experienced in dealing with such behaviour.” He kissed her cheek. “Babies seem to be a favourite theme.”

  “Naturally, it is the theme of her entire marriage, the reason she is so bitter. If only I had been a boy …”

  “If only Elizabeth had been a boy, or Lydia or Kitty, no dear, do not blame yourself for your mother’s behaviour.”

  “I do not.” At last she relaxed against him. “I did not have the experience that Lizzy did. When I think about it, I think that I actually had it far easier; sometimes it is not so bad to be ignored. You are not forced to relive conversations that never happened, or feel that you will never measure up.”

  “Philosopher.” De Bourgh smiled and played with the ribbons on her cap. “Will you play for me?”

  “Of course, what would you like to hear?”

  “Dear Mary, anything would make me happy.”

  “Something soothing, I think.”

  “Then you will have a room full of sleeping men.” He chuckled and stood to lead her over to the instrument, then returned to the sofa.

  “Oh, Mary is going to play.” Elizabeth looked up to see Darcy’s eyes were closed. “Will?”

  “Hmmm.” Mary started playing a lively Scottish air and Darcy roused himself. “Do you feel, Miss Bennet, the inclination to dance a reel?”

  “While I would love to dance with you at any opportunity, I fear that to press you now would lead to your collapse in an exhausted heap, therefore, I will not encourage your scheme to resume our play when you are so tired.” She saw a little smile play over his lips and rising, held out her hands. “Now, dare to despise me for ending your desire.”

  Darcy took her hands and stood. “Indeed, I do not dare.”

  “Where are you two going?” Hurst winked at Bingley.

  “It is time to retire.” Elizabeth entwined her fingers with Darcy’s. “Thank you all so much for all of the effort you have given to my sister and brother.”

  “It was a pleasure, Mrs. Darcy.” Robinson stood and bowed. “I have never been involved in such an experience before and I am grateful to be included.”

  “I think that sums up all of our feelings.” Hurst nodded and sighed, putting down his cards. “Including the one about retiring!”

  “PLEASE DO NOT STOP.” Darcy murmured from the pillow. “Ever.”

  “How does it feel?”
Elizabeth whispered in his ear.

  “It is indescribable. Why have we not done this before?” Her laugh finally made his weary eyes open and he found her smiling face inches from his. Reaching to caress her jaw, he kissed her. “How can you be so happy?”

  “Look at my occupation, how can I not be happy?” Darcy’s lips lifted in a little smile and she kissed it. “I am not nursing aches and pains as you are. Three days of labouring has at last taken its toll on you; and very clearly on the rest of the gentlemen if our quiet evening was any indication. I am glad that you have reached the end of your ability to help before you suffered a lasting injury. You are a mass of bruises my love; and I am amazed with the unlikely location of some of them. You look as if you were in the stocks and flogged in the town square. This is not the body of a man who is doing good works.” She traced her fingers over his back, moving from one mark to another. “How did you ever become bruised on the back of your neck?”

  “I do not remember; Bingley at fault seems probable. I think that I was less tender after falling from a horse.”

  Gently kissing the bruise, she drew away and continued her massage of his shoulders and back. “Should I call Adams to do this? His hands are much stronger than mine?” Hearing him growl his dissent, she smiled and worked her way down his spine to his bottom, nibbled the dimples and enjoying his satisfied sigh, rubbed back up then down again, this time continuing to his thighs and to his feet. Darcy moaned deeply and she laughed as her hands wandered their way over his body. She paused, despite his instant protest, to put a little salve on his back. The scent of the cloves surrounded them and she could see him breathing in deeply as she stroked over his skin. “I can feel how tight you are. Relax, Will.”

  “Keep touching me like this and I will.” He said softly and sank into her slow, deep, and steady movement. “Are you tiring, love?” He whispered. Elizabeth bent to kiss his cheek and continued massaging until his back finally lost its tension. Her hands came around to rub his arms and he rolled over to look up at her. “Will you rub this side, too?”