“I am pleased to hear it, Sir,” she murmured. “I would hate to think my affections were not returned.”
Darcy bent to kiss her tenderly and then withdrew enough to lock eyes with her.“What bothers you, Elizabeth?”
“What makes you think there is something wrong, my Love?”
“Elizabeth, do not try to hide what bothers you; are you feeling unwell?” He stroked her hair from her face.
“It is nothing, really—something quite innocent that Jane said. She commented on how often Bingley missed your company, and I kept thinking how much I used to depend on Jane’s understanding; but since we are together, I think of nothing else but your presence. I felt guilty for abandoning my sister. Add that to my earlier thoughts of Pemberley being my home now, and I judged myself to be a poor daughter indeed.”
Darcy pulled her to him, allowing the curves of her body to linger beside his muscular frame. The truth she offered held levels of pain for her, and he tried to be sensitive to her needs. He stroked Elizabeth’s hair, realizing the depth of her “confession.” Elizabeth needed him for himself, and she needed him above all others in her life. “I can remember nothing before there was you in my life, Elizabeth.” He whispered the words close to her ear.“Sometimes life brings two people such as you and I together. How do we explain to others we need only each other to experience happiness? When you accepted my love, we became joined as few are. It does not make you a poor daughter; it makes you my joy and my delight.”
Elizabeth asked tentatively, “Do you miss the company of your gentlemen friends such as Mr. Bingley?”
“I found Bingley’s company today a pleasant way to spend my time until I could return to your arms. I need only you in my life. I teased about having no future guests in my house, but there was truth in my words.You consume me and fill me, Elizabeth.” Darcy took the kiss this time to a deeper, more passionate level as if he had to possess her.
Darcy found Georgiana at the pianoforte in the music room. “Fitzwilliam,” she spoke in surprise upon seeing him enter the room.“Is there something the matter, Sir?”
“I was concerned for your well-being,” he began,“as is your sister Elizabeth.”
Georgiana blushed with his attention. “I am fine, Sir, I assure you.”
“I wish you peace and contentment, the kind I found with Elizabeth.” Darcy took his sister’s hand.
“I understand your caution, Fitzwilliam; I am not disappointed, nor am I angry about your choice on my behalf.” Georgiana touched his cheek tenderly. “If anything,” she continued,“I am more confused about what I should or should not be feeling.”
“Elizabeth and I only desire your future happiness. We asked Mr. Harrison to wait because we want to give you time to know yourself better.As a young woman, many changes will occur in the next year. At least, that is what Elizabeth says happened with her and her sisters. We simply wish to make that transition easier for you. Elizabeth assures me this is what is best for you at this time.”
“I am thankful to have Elizabeth with us,” Georgiana looked at him closely. “I never knew how much I needed her type of love in my life.”
Darcy chuckled lightly.“That is a sentiment I easily share.”
“You really chose well, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana returned his steady stare.“When the time comes, I hope to be as wise.”
“Speaking of my lovely wife,” he cleared his throat,“Elizabeth made another suggestion of which we both hope you will agree.”
“You have my attention.” Georgiana shifted a bit uncomfortably.
“It is nothing of which to be concerned.” Darcy noted her shift. “As you know, I have a plan for Pemberley’s future, one which involves Elizabeth as an active partner in running the estate. The times change, and I must learn to change with them. Elizabeth agreed to become familiar with the management of the estate and our other properties. Even in London, she studied the books and the finances on the Darcy holdings.”
“I knew you offered some liberty in this matter, but I never realized you involved Elizabeth to this extent.”
“Many of my gentlemen friends would be shocked if they knew of my doing so, but I care not. I will do what is necessary to keep Pemberley a viable part of this community. It is my duty to our parents to maintain Pemberley in its glory. Elizabeth knows my desire for the estate. I, as you also know, gave Elizabeth a jointure; if something happens to me, she will continue on with my vision.”
“Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana gasped. “I am amazed you chose to trust Elizabeth with so much responsibility. It is unheard of.”
“It is a change,” Darcy said calmly, “but do you not agree it is necessary?”
“Of course, I agree,” she assured him. “Elizabeth will blossom under your tutelage. She is so perceptive about what needs to be done, and she possesses the courage to see things through.”
“I am gladdened by your assurances,” he said, taking her hand in his, “because Elizabeth believes you, too, should become familiar with the estate. She wishes you to join her in this endeavor.”
“Me!” Georgiana’s voice cracked.
“My Dearest One.” Darcy caressed her chin line. “You will live in a world foreign to what we have now. Cities are infringing on the estates, and the life we know in Regency England will never be the same again. Elizabeth believes it would be to your benefit to know how an estate should be run. A man, who values you as a learned woman, will accept your knowledge and welcome your ideas. If not, maybe the man is not an appropriate choice.”
“Fitzwilliam,” she stumbled through the words, “you and Elizabeth trust me that much?”
“We do.” Darcy held her eyes, trying to relay the truth of his words. “Elizabeth wishes you to help her with Pemberley if, Heaven forbid, I meet an untimely demise. She wishes not to make decisions for your ancestral home without your input.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she said, flushed with excitement, “I am overwhelmed by your confidence in me. I will try not to let you down. I mean, I may let you down, but I will try not to do so.”
“Then you are pleased with the idea?”
Georgiana’s arms snaked around his neck as she hugged him closely. “The fact you and Elizabeth value me gives me a purpose.”
“Then you will join us with Mr. Howard tomorrow afternoon.” Darcy stood to leave.“I encourage you to ask questions of Mr. Howard, Elizabeth, and me when you need to do so.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana’s eyes sparkled with delight.
The lessons started the next afternoon as Darcy requested. To his satisfaction, both Georgiana and Elizabeth asked astute questions and offered insights he and Mr. Howard did not consider. “Do you really believe punishing Mr. Jenkins for poaching a deer when his family is hungry is the best way to resolve the problem?” Elizabeth asked.
“If we do not, then all the tenants will help themselves to the game on the estate. Soon there would be no game left,” Mr. Howard confided.
Georgiana asked,“Is there not some way to share the game? Mr. Jenkins was only trying to take care of his family—he was not trying to make a profit from the kill. None of us believe it was a malicious action; he did what any of us in this room would do in a similar situation.”
Darcy sat behind his desk, fingers clasped and listening to the conversation. “I believe I hear you saying Mr. Jenkins’s punishment does not meet the crime.”
“Exactly,” Elizabeth chimed in.
Darcy cautioned, “Then what do you propose? Please remember I must discourage the other tenants from following suit.”
Elizabeth paced the floor several times before turning back to her husband. “Obviously, Mr. Jenkins owes the estate for the deer. Is there not a disagreeable job for him to do as repayment? The job should be one nobody wants to do. Mr. Howard, can you not think of something?”
“I suppose so, Mrs. Darcy. Maybe something to do with the waste pots.”
“That would resolve one of the issues,” Darcy summa
rized. “But there seems to be a bigger problem.”
“Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana’s voice came out small, “I have an idea, if I may.”
“Of course, Dearest One,” he encouraged her.
“It seems every year the estate has an abundance of some sort of game. Some years it is the deer. Other years it is the rabbits.When there is an abundance, the animals destroy prize vegetation. Why not have a controlled kill of the animals in plenty to regulate the population? We could offer the animals to the tenants on an equal basis. My first inclination is to give them the meat, but it might be better for their self-respect if the tenants pay the estate, either with money or physical labor. They could clear away the brush, plant gardens, repair walls—whatever Mr. Howard needs.”
“Interesting.” Darcy leaned back in his chair to consider his sister’s suggestion. “It would resolve several areas of concern. What do you think, Mr. Howard?”
“The animals are often killed anyway, but are done so indiscriminately,” he mused. “We could better balance the natural habitat. I am unsure how to go about this, but I would be pleased to pursue it if you like, Sir.”
“Let us, you and I, look into it, Mr. Howard,” Darcy set forward once again. “Where might we use the staff we already have in place in an efficient manner?”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Howard picked up the account ledgers for the estate.“Is there anything else, Sir?”
“No, thank you, Mr. Howard.” The man bowed to each of the family members and then exited. Darcy came from around the desk. “Well, Georgiana,” he teased, “I see I can retire tomorrow as Master of Pemberley.”
“Do not tease me, Fitzwilliam. I was shaking throughout that exchange.” Georgiana held out her hands to show him how they twitched.
Elizabeth came to sit beside her. “Georgiana, you were very mature in your thinking. I was quite impressed.”
Georgiana still seemed unsure.“Were you, Elizabeth?”
“Exceptionally so.” Elizabeth squeezed the girl’s hand.“You and I will make a formidable pair.” Elizabeth looked up and winked at Darcy.
“You were very insightful,” he added. “Tomorrow, if the weather permits, I would like for the three of us to ride out and begin to examine the estate together.”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana stood and straightened her dress. “I think I will go practice for a while. I promised Anne we would work on some music together. She wants us to play when she and Edward announce their engagement.”
“Then we will see you later, Sweet One,” he said as Georgiana exited.
Darcy’s attention now turned back to his wife. “Do not look so smug, Mrs. Darcy.” He pulled Elizabeth into his arms. “No one likes a prideful woman,” he whispered into her ear as he kissed the side of her neck.
“Nor a prideful man,” Elizabeth added as she allowed her lips to lightly brush against his.
Darcy breathed in deeply. “Wait here,” he told her as he crossed to close and lock the study door.
“Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth allowed her voice to rise in anticipation.
Darcy returned to her embrace, basking in the warmth of her affection. “Yes, my Love?”
An inviting smile convinced Darcy that lifting Elizabeth into his arms and sitting her on his lap would receive her approval. Cradling her there, he first traced her lips, then along the line of her dress, with his fingertips.“Do you love me, Elizabeth?” he murmured in her ear.
She captured his lips with a demanding response. “How could you think otherwise?”
Darcy slid his hand up her leg and became intoxicated by the small gasps Elizabeth emitted. The touch of his hand brought a quick rise in her desires; his touch left her wanting more intense sensations.
“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth could barely speak his name as shudders ran through her body. “You are incorrigible, Sir,” she stammered.
“And you are too tempting, my Love.” Darcy slowly removed his hand from her leg.
Yet Elizabeth was not finished with him; she began to kiss along his chin line.“Would you like to join me on the floor?”
“I may need more encouragement,” he teased.
Elizabeth stood briefly, turning to lean down and kiss his upturned face, kissing him deeply and passionately while enticing his lips apart. She withdrew reluctantly, but her mouth hovered above his.“I will ask you again, Sir, if the floor has not some appeal for you?”
Darcy swallowed hard, trying to refocus.Then, instinctively, he stood long enough to lower them both to the floor. “I love you more than life, Lizzy.”
At dinner that evening, Mr. Ashford returned to Pemberley. Kitty Bennet boldly placed him across from her at the place settings. Ashford felt more comfortable being in the company of those gathered at Pemberley than previously.The pleasure of again seeing Kitty Bennet haunted his thoughts most of the day, and being allowed to take her hand when going into dinner nearly undid his composure. Pockets of conversation broke out about the table. Georgiana and Jane discussed a book they both read. Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle entertained the Gardiner children. Bingley felt it his duty to chaperone the interchange between his wife’s sister Kitty and the young vicar Mr. Ashford. Darcy spoke extensively to his cousins Edward and Anne.
“Have you finalized your travel plans, Edward?”
“Anne and I will travel to my parents’ estate at the end of the week. My parents’ anniversary party will be the night of the next full moon. Anne and I will formally announce our engagement that evening as all our dear family will be in attendance. You and Elizabeth will attend, shall you not, Darcy?”
“Unless something would happen with Elizabeth’s delivery, I see no reason we could not attend.” Darcy caught his wife’s eyes with a promise of continuing passion.
“I do not wish to change your mind, Darcy. You are one of my best friends, as well as my cousin, but I must remind you Lady Catherine will, obviously, be in attendance.”
“I appreciate your concern, Edward, but I welcome my aunt’s presence on your behalf.”
Anne whispered,“I hope my mother is as gracious.”
“Do not concern yourself, Anne.” Darcy lightly touched her hand. “Even Lady Catherine should see Edward’s love is the best choice you could make.”
Anne dropped her eyes rather than respond, but all three knew Lady Catherine’s fury was not easily assuaged.
“Darcy,” Bingley called out to get his friend’s attention.
“Yes, Bingley?”
“Have you heard Mr. Ashford’s plans for a village school?” Bingley’s eyes lit up.“It is fascinating.”
“Really, pray tell, Mr.Ashford.” Darcy leveled one of his looks on the man, and the vicar shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“Of course,” Ashford stumbled a bit at first, “that is, if you approve, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy nodded at Ashford’s acknowledgment of his position in the community.
“Many of the larger villages establish a village school to educate the children of the area. If a community wishes to grow and to prosper, it needs citizens who are at least minimally educated. How can you, for example, get your tenants to understand the need for a balance between nature and agriculture if they know nothing about the need to conserve the land or to rotate the crops? I believe a school will benefit the community, and I seek your support in this endeavor, Mr. Darcy.” Ashford did not break his gaze as he engaged Darcy, a fact Darcy admired in the man.
“You certainly have enough books you could donate to the school.” Bingley liked the idea.
“If we choose to open such a school,” Darcy guarded his words carefully, “I am sure some books could be procured for it. Mr. Ashford, why do we not plan on meeting later in the week to discuss what you envision, and then we will decide what we can or cannot support.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We appreciate the opportunity to speak to you on this matter.”Ashford played the humble card.
Kitty started to say something, but the look both Bing
ley and Ashford shot her told Kitty this was not the time. Darcy would decide without encouragement from her, but Kitty thought if she got the chance she would ply Elizabeth on Mr. Ashford’s behalf.
As conversations resumed, Edward turned again to Darcy. “When shall you arrive at my parents’ estate?”
“Elizabeth, Georgiana, Kitty, and I will travel to Nottingham and stay with Lord and Lady Pennington for a few days prior to arriving at Matlock.We will come a day or two before the party, depending on Pennington’s availability.”
“I have not seen Lady Pennington in some time,”Anne added.
“Elizabeth and I met them by accident when we were in London. Her Ladyship took quite a liking to my wife. Plus, it will do Georgiana and Kitty well to socialize with other young people at the Penningtons’ and at Matlock.”
Edward confirmed,“I will convey your plans to my mother and father.”
“I wrote to Lord Pennington earlier today to request the honor of joining them prior to the party. I should hear from him before you and Anne leave us.” Despite his early protest to the contrary, Darcy liked playing host to those he loved.
When the men rejoined the women after dinner, Georgiana and Anne played numerous songs to the delight of everyone. Elizabeth gifted them with two vocals before returning to her seat beside Darcy.
“That was beautiful, Elizabeth,” he whispered to her as he kissed the back of her hand.
“You are prejudiced on my side, I believe, Sir.” Elizabeth touched his cheek tenderly.
“The first time I heard you sing at Lucas Lodge, the clarity of your voice sliced through me. I stood with my eyes closed, taking in your joy for life. I was deeply disappointed when you chose not to continue.”
“Then you offered to dance with me.”
“Which you promptly refused,” Darcy reminded her.
Elizabeth took his hand in hers. “I do sorely wish we were more reasonable in those days.”
“As long as we are never apart again.” Darcy massaged the inside of her wrist with his fingertips, an action she always found to be exceedingly erotic.
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