by Linda Wells
“It seems that I am very much attracted to women with blond hair and big blue eyes.” Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.
“So when you came to Longbourn . . .” Mr. Bennet addressed him.
“It was to meet my birth father.”
“I must have made a wonderful impression.” He smiled sardonically.
Alex’s smile was exactly the same. “It was . . . memorable.”
“I would like to know you, Mr. Carrington.” Mr. Bennet said softly. “I cannot make up for not taking responsibility for you, but I can try to be your friend, if you would like.”
Alex looked at his father, then his sister, and his friend, finally turning to Mr. Bennet. “Please call me Alex, and yes, I would like that as well.”
The two men rose and shook hands. Elizabeth kissed first her father, then her brother. Mr. Bennet offered his hand to Philip. “Thank you sir, you have raised a fine son. I doubt that I could have done better, and probably would have done much worse. He is fortunate to have you as his father.”
“Thank you, sir.” Philip placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I will leave you two alone. I think that you have much to discuss.” He looked at the two men once more, and exited the room with the rest of the group.
Alex and Mr. Bennet stared at each other for a minute, and then sank down into their chairs. “Well, sir, where shall we begin?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“At the beginning, sir. Tell me all.” The men stayed in the library until the very early hours of the morning. They both left with a new understanding of themselves.
“GEORGIANA MAY I SPEAK TO YOU?” Darcy asked. He was standing, a little nervously, at the door to her bedchamber. Georgiana was supervising the packing of her clothes, separating out the things she would take on her honeymoon from the things that would be sent to Kingston Hall, where she and Alex would live when they were not at the Carrington townhouse in London.
“Of course, William, please come in.” She dismissed her maid and led him into the small sitting room adjacent to the emptying dressing room.
Darcy took a seat and looked about the room. Was it only two years ago that he had everything redecorated in an effort to please his depressed sister after Ramsgate? And now the event that he feared would never happen for her was about to take place, and he was going to see her married. He cleared his throat, and attempted to control his emotion. “Georgie, I . . .” He looked down, he fiddled with his cuff, he ran his fingers through his hair, and then looked up to his sister’s understanding blue eyes. “I do not think that we will have the opportunity to speak alone again like this. The wedding preparations, small as they are, seem to be taking over, and well, I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of you, and I know that you will have a happy life with Alex. You could not have accepted a better man.” He let out a breath, and looked at his twisting hands.
“William. Thank you.” She stared down at her own hands; the two siblings were identical in their native shyness, although both had been touched by the same woman to achieve the ability to express themselves. Georgiana gathered her rapidly forming thoughts. “I know that I have chosen a wonderful man, and with the example that you and Elizabeth have shown me, I hope to achieve a similar felicity in my marriage. Alex has stated the same hopes, as he has seen you and his own parents’ enduring relationship. I knew after seeing your happiness that I would only marry for the same reasons.” She drew a deep breath.
“I . . . I shall miss you Georgie. Pemberley will be lacking without you, but I always knew that someday you would leave. It is just, you must understand; you were the only family I had for a very long time. After Mother died, I . . . I consoled myself by taking care of you, at least, when I was home from school. It was good to know that I would be coming home to see your happy welcoming face, someone who loved me without reservation. For many years when I was at Cambridge, seeing you was the only reason I returned. After father changed, and began talking to me, it was . . . wonderful to feel like a family, and see your happiness making us both smile. When he died, you were all that I had left, and I was determined to do well by you. If I did not have Elizabeth, and now Wills, I . . . I do not know how I could have faced your wedding day.” He looked up at her, his eyes bright with emotion, his hands twisting together. Georgiana understood how hard it was for him to talk about his feelings, as she was afflicted the same way.
She sat beside him, taking his hands. “I could not have been blessed with a better brother, and I could not have accepted any man’s offer until I knew that you were loved and not alone. I would have gladly stayed at Pemberley all my life rather than leave you.” She hugged him. “I thank you for everything you have done for me, my entire life; some things more than others.” They exchanged a look, knowing she meant Wickham. “I love you William, and though I will be another man’s wife, I will always be your little sister. You have not lost me.”
Darcy smiled. “You are correct; I just wanted to tell you . . . that I love you too.” He kissed her cheek and hugged her. “Now, go finish your packing. I am sure that Alex is impatiently waiting for your return to his side.” He stood and squeezed her hand. “We are both blessed with finding our soul mates.”
“And what a surprise that they were brother and sister!” She laughed.
Darcy chuckled. “Just like us!” He smiled and feeling much better, went in search of his wife.
DARCY AND ELIZABETH STOOD on the steps of Pemberley and waved a tearful goodbye as Georgiana and Alex departed for their honeymoon amid a shower of shoes from the servants. He looked down at his glowing wife, and she reached up, caressing his cheek. “She is very happy, William.”
“I know.” He whispered.
“Let’s go visit our son. I think that our guests can entertain themselves for the time being.” She took his hand and led him inside and up to the nursery. They entered the room and dismissed the nurse. Elizabeth lifted little Wills from his cradle and the couple walked back to their bedchamber, settling into their favourite chair.
“I think that he looks like you, Lizzy.” Darcy started the familiar argument.
“I do not have dimples, sir. You do, at least when you care to show them, you do.” She teased.
“Do I not smile enough for you?” He asked as he raised his brow.
“Well, you smile more than you once did. It does not seem to be a struggle to coax one from you anymore.” She grinned, her eyes sparkling up at him.
“It is hard to believe that I ever was that man, Lizzy. I am so grateful for you taking pity on me that momentous birthday at the theatre.” He wrapped his arms around her and their son, and rested his hands over hers.
“That was not pity sir; it was the joy of a challenge, and fascination with your beautiful eyes.” She entwined her fingers with his. “I am just thrilled that you allowed yourself to accept my challenge and respond. I have often wondered what moved you that day. It certainly was not in your nature to respond in such a way.”
“I do not think it was in your nature to issue such a challenge, dear Lizzy.” He whispered, nuzzling her neck.
She closed her eyes, and moved her head to allow him room to brush his lips. “You do not?” She asked softly.
“No, but I do think that whenever you see that I need you, you have always ignored the urge to hold yourself back, and instead jumped to reassure me. I think that was what you were doing that night.” His gently kissed her ear.
She lifted her head. “But I did not know you then.”
“Yes you did. You dreamed of me, remember?” His smiling eyes twinkled.
“So I did. But you have neatly avoided explaining your behaviour, sir.” She raised her brows.
“Ah, you are far too clever, my love.” He hugged her tightly to him. “Well, now you must know, I dreamed of you, too.”
“You did? What was this dream?” She asked curiously.
He gently caressed her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes. “I dreamed of meeting a lady who would fill my heart w
ith joy, my soul with peace, and my life with love. I knew that I would recognize her instantly when she smiled at me. I knew that when I first looked into her eyes, I would feel the connection and that when this happened, my life would be transformed, and that I should do everything in my power to win her heart, because without her, my life would continue as the lonely, empty existence it had been up to that wonderful day.”
“And you saw me.” She whispered, in awe of his tale.
“And you saw me.” He repeated, leaning down to tenderly kiss her lips.
“I love you, my William.”
“I love you, my dearest Elizabeth.”
Epilogue
The two men on horseback appeared to be identical. Both sat straight, proud, with fine athletic figures and apparent ease. Dark, intense eyes scanned the fields, the older man, distinguishable only because of his gray-streaked hair and deeply incised laugh lines around his eyes, looked at his mirror, and a warm smile spread over his face. “Well Son, are you ready to take on your assignment?”
William Darcy, Wills to his family, drew a breath and nodded at his father, and inwardly chuckled as he saw the excitement that he was so obviously trying to repress. He found it hard to believe sometimes the descriptions his mother and other family members gave of his father in his younger years, when he never smiled, was never happy, and could not consider displaying any emotion other than that of a very solemn, sedate, man. He did still have that look about him, especially in a crowded room, but the image he had of his father at home was one of great happiness and joy, particularly when in the company of his mother.
“Yes, I think that I will enjoy this challenge to plan next year’s crops. With this year’s harvest now complete, I will have all winter to think it through, and decide what grew well and what should be changed.”
Darcy nodded. “Very good, but remember, I expect your report by Christmas, so that we can refine it if necessary.”
“Of course, Father.” Wills looked at him, and shook his head. “Now that I am five and twenty, I find it all the more extraordinary that you were Master of Pemberley at two and twenty. I do not think that I would have been capable of taking it on, or making it what it is today. The crops are such a small part of the whole. I would have been overwhelmed.”
Darcy smiled. “You do not know that. Never say never, Wills. I rose to the challenge because I had to. Just be grateful it did not happen that way for you.”
“I will make you proud, sir.”
“You always have.” Darcy looked away, feeling his chest swell. He was so very proud of this boy, this man.
The two worked their way back to the stables, dismounted, and walked into the house. They were met at the door by their housekeeper, Mrs. Henderson, the granddaughter of Mrs. Reynolds. Darcy smiled as a maid took his hat. “Where might I find my wife, Mrs. Henderson?”
“Oh sir, Mrs. Darcy has not returned from her walk yet.”
Darcy felt a jolt and spoke sharply, “She has not returned? How late is she?”
“She is an hour past her time, sir.” She cringed. She knew what was coming, and sure enough, there was the look of panic in her master’s eyes, the one that always came when he thought Mrs. Darcy was in any danger, real or imagined. “I am sure she will be right home, sir. It is a lovely day for walking.” She tried to reassure him, but knew it was an exercise in futility.
Trying to control his voice he asked, “What path did she take?”
“The lake path, sir.” He nodded and taking his hat back from the maid, turned and began walking out the door.
“Father, where are you going? She is fine, she always is.” Wills tried. “I will come with you.”
Darcy met his son’s gaze. “No Son, she is not always fine. I will go and find her. You should get to work.” He turned and left the house to mount a fresh horse and begin his search. His chest tight, the old feeling of fear was rising in him.
Wills went to his rooms and changed from his riding clothes and descended to the study his father had given him when he came of age. It was actually meant to be the mistress’s study, but his mother had moved into his father’s when she moved into Pemberley, just over twenty six years ago. He sat down behind the desk and thought of his father’s expression and wondered at it. His cousin Richard Fitzwilliam only that past summer had told him the story of his mother’s abduction. That was their first trial, but so many other times his parents’ marriage had been tested. He was old enough to remember his father sobbing at her bedside several times, after accidents, deaths, and his mother’s voice, begging him to come back to her when he lay in that same bed. They were chilling times, which always led back to the extraordinary marriage they had. He hoped he would someday find a wife he could love as his parents obviously did. Like his father, he was unhappy with the pretence of society. He looked up at the sound of a horse as it galloped by on the drive, and saw his father set off on his search. His face did not hide the worry that Wills could easily see, even at such a distance. Mama is fine Papa, you will see.
“Lizzy!” Darcy called as he rode slowly down the path. His eyes darted around, searching for any sign of her. “Lizzy, where are you?” He kept on, pausing slightly at the old spot where Wickham had attacked, then, unable to stop himself, reined in the horse and dismounted, forcing himself to look over the edge of the cliff to see if she lay by the stream below. Letting out a stale breath at seeing nothing more than the placidly flowing water, he returned to his horse. “Lizzy!” He called again. This time he thought that he heard a voice. Kicking his mount, he continued on, looking, looking, then relief.
“There you are!” He jumped down and throwing the reins over a branch, rushed to her.
Elizabeth smiled up at him from her seat on a fallen tree, still just as lovely as she was the first time he saw her. “I knew you would come for me.” She caressed his face, seeing the fear there. “I am so sorry for worrying you.”
Darcy sat on the log and brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. “Are you well? What has kept you?”
Ruefully she pulled up her skirt and showed him her swollen ankle. “I had an altercation with a root that had the impertinence as to grow across the path.” She pointed to a spot not too far away. “I considered limping back, but I thought my dear husband would not be happy about that, surely he would come to rescue me before too long.”
Darcy was already removing his tie and took her foot in his hand, moving the ankle to be sure it was not broken, then quickly bound it up. He did not say a word. Elizabeth knew that he was trying hard not to say exactly what was on his mind, and further knew that he would anyway.
“Lizzy, I do not want you walking alone again.” She smiled. If she could have laid a bet, she would have won. He gently set her foot down and then lifting her up in his lap, he kissed her. He looked seriously down at her; and said softly, “Please stop torturing me like this.”
“Will, I do not walk to torture you. I walk for exercise.” She stroked his cheek. “I could just as easily demand that you stop riding.”
“You would never do that, besides, Wills is always with me.” Holding her close, he buried his face against her throat. “Wills thought you were fine.”
“But he offered to come with you?” She asked, and felt his nod. “He is a good boy.”
“He is hardly a boy anymore, Lizzy.” He whispered, letting his fears go now that she was in his arms.
“They will always be my little boys, just as Beth will be my little girl, even though she is married.” She kissed his cheek. “I wish . . .”
He held her tighter. “What do you wish, sweetheart?”
“Never mind.” She whispered.
“You wish that we had more children.” He looked up at her wistful face.
She nodded. “It was not for lack of trying, was it?” She laughed and hugged him. He smiled at her. Their many losses had been so hard on them both, sometimes he wondered if it was something from his Fitzwilliam side that had to do with it, Rich
ard only had two, and Mark managed three.
“I should not complain, our three are wonderful, and taking in Kitty’s has been a joy. But soon they will be grown and leave us, too.” She paused. “Sometimes I look at Jane and I am jealous.” She admitted.
“Would you truly wish to have birthed twelve children?” Darcy asked, now brushing back a stray curl, and laughed when she made a face in horror. He kissed her cheek. “I am just so happy that they finally had their boy.”
Elizabeth wiped a tear and laughed. “Poor baby Charles. He will be spoiled and overprotected. We must make sure to look out for him, William.”
He nodded. “We will.” She kissed his lips, “I think, my dear Elizabeth that what you are feeling are the pangs of a mother who just married off her daughter.” He smiled and his eyes regained their twinkle.
She pursed her lips. “Oh, and you did not hole up in the library at the thought of your baby girl leaving home!”
“I do not deny that at all! I am merely making an observation of you.” He hugged her tightly to him. “Wills will never leave us.”
Snuggling into his chest, she listened to his steady heartbeat, and relaxed. “I could not bear to lose him, too.” She whispered. His chuckle rumbled in her ear. “Georgiana’s Bess is engaged, did I tell you? No, the letter just came today. The first of her three to marry, Alex will undoubtedly be asking you for advice on giving up his only daughter.”
“No doubt.” Darcy smiled. “He did say something about trying for another. Perhaps it is not too late for us.” He brushed her lips seductively. It was time to cheer her.
She smiled. She was not formed for melancholy. “Mr. Darcy, what exactly do you have in mind?” Her eyes were lit up and sparkling, seeing the old familiar desire in his.
“I think, my beautiful, luscious, fascinating wife; that I wish to ravage you most thoroughly.” He began nibbling her neck, on that particular spot that made her so very happy. Elizabeth drew his head up to hers and kissing his hungry lips moaned, “Ohhhhh Will, yes, please, yes.”