The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  “Yes, I know. You think you have it, too. We’ve discussed this before.”

  “Lizzy, listen to me. Don’t pass me off as someone who has lost her mind just because I am different from you. I think there is something to all of this. Aunt Cordy gave a foretelling about the legend. Cordelia Bennet Cole lived to be a hundred years old, Lizzy, and on her deathbed she spoke a prophecy. She saw a vision of a dark-haired man and woman. She said the fulfillment would come through the line of first sons. Except for the Scottish line, we were all blonde. And there was one other salient thing.” Jane took a deep breath and looked her sister directly in the eye. “She said that someday a dark-haired man would come from England and the Bennetts would reunite, but the course of true love would not run smooth. She said our destiny is fixed by Fate. The family talked about it for years. Lizzy, I have a strong feeling about this. You told me over Christmas that Fitzwilliam is distantly related to us through the English Bennets. What if the doves mean something? What if it’s true?”

  “It’s not. It’s merely a coincidence. Jane, I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. I don’t believe in Scottish folklore, second sight, Indian legends, or white doves. Let’s not talk of this anymore. It unnerves me. The next thing you will be telling me is that something bad is going to happen. I won’t have it. I’m too happy to even consider it. We’ve got better things to occupy our time rather than prattling on about superstition. Charles and Fitzwilliam are due here any minute. Let’s think about them.”

  “All right,” Jane said as she breathed deeply and rolled her eyes with a smile. Her sister, who had a keen intellect and a sharp mind, was as stubborn as a mule and blind as a bat when it came to things that defied logic, and Jane was well aware of the difference that existed between them. She also knew her sister well enough to know where the line was and when to stop, so the subject was quickly dropped.

  While the sisters continued to talk of other things, the doorbell rang. Jane hurried to the door. “Charles, Charles, I’m so glad to see you,” she squealed, throwing her arms around his neck.

  Elizabeth stood back and looked on with an amused smile, watching Jane make a display. But her amusement quickly faded when Fitzwilliam came through the door. Darcy moved with a slow, deliberate walk—a walk filled with great confidence and pride. When he reached her, her arms instinctively curled around his neck as he pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her again and again. Stepping back, he reached and brushed an errant curl from her face.

  “I’ve missed you, Liz.” He smacked her bottom playfully. “Now, what’s for dinner? It smells good and I’m hungry.” He smiled seductively, the heat in his dark eyes leaving her in no doubt of his unguarded double entendre.

  “Come this way,” she breathed out. “It’s almost done. Let me take your coat.”

  ~*~

  After they finished their meal, the men loaded the dishwasher while the ladies put the food away. When the kitchen was clean, they took the pie and coffee to the front parlor where they all nestled in for conversation.

  “Our brother, Joseph, has been in contact. Things are rather slow right now, so he will be coming home next week for one month,” Jane said, serving Charles a slice of lemon pie. “It’s the first leave he’s had in almost three years. His birthday is in three days. He’ll be twenty-five.”

  Fitzwilliam turned to Elizabeth. “You and your brother are that close in age? It escaped me before.”

  “Yes, we’re eleven months apart and very close.”

  “I gathered as much from all of your escapades. Especially the exploding cow piles.”

  “Exploding cow piles?”

  “Don’t ask, Charles. I’ll explain later.” Jane rolled her eyes.

  “She’s right. You don’t want to know,” Fitzwilliam said, affectionately squeezing Elizabeth’s knee.

  Elizabeth put her cup back in its saucer. “Oh, forget about that.” Elizabeth smiled tightly. “It’s nothing, really. I was about to tell you about Daniel and Kat.”

  Fitzwilliam’s lips curled. “Carry on then.”

  Elizabeth took a slight breath and began. “Daniel wants to move into the civil engineering frat house, and Kat has decided to move in with Marion Henley and Sandy Burns. Since she already spends all of her time at their apartment, studying, moving in with them would be a good option for her.”

  “That sounds well and good for Kat, but don’t you think Daniel is a little young to be on his own?” Darcy asked.

  “No, not really. Our older cousin, James Barnett, is the house advisor. He’ll watch after him. Besides, Daniel needs his freedom and space.”

  “Well, if you say so, then I’m sure he’ll do fine.” Darcy smiled. “Is there anything else? You look as if there’s something else on your mind.”

  Elizabeth hesitated. This next news she’d just as soon not tell. “Well, yes…there is one other thing,” Elizabeth dropped her eyes. “It’s our cousin, Liddy. She says she’s going to marry Jackie Lee Nunley…the drug dealer you heard about at Thanksgiving.” Elizabeth cringed. The worried look on Fitzwilliam’s face did not miss her notice. She looked to Jane, who took the subtle hint and picked up the conversation.

  “I’m afraid our cousin Liddy is the talk of the town right now, and Elizabeth and I are both embarrassed. We get questions and looks, and it’s…well…it’s uncomfortable. Walnut Grove is just a sleepy little Southern town made up of mostly farmers and local merchants. Since nothing ever happens around here, it was quite a shock to discover we were supplying most of the pot and cocaine for the Southeastern Hub.” Jane paused for a sip of coffee and cleared her throat. “It has been discovered that Jackie Lee was growing the largest and most potent marijuana in this country.” She cast an uneasy glance between her sister and Charles. “It’s also come to light that he has connections to a drug lord in Colombia, South America. He was importing cocaine into the United States and selling it out of Knoxville. He had quite an operation in place. And rumor has it that his empire may have reached as far as Canada. Anyway, the Canadians are interested in the investigation.”

  “The U.S. Attorney’s office wants him to give up his contact for a reduced sentence or possibly no sentence,” Elizabeth interjected as she poured herself another cup of coffee. “If they can catch a bigger fish, they would be even happier, or so I’ve heard. Also, of all things, his attorneys intend to play the family card should he and Liddy marry.”

  “Elizabeth, that sounds terrible. Would they really give him such a light sentence or let him off? I don’t think that’s likely.” Fitzwilliam put his cup down, leaning back to catch her every word.

  “That’s what Uncle Randy says, but I doubt it, too. My uncle is trying to cover for his daughter, who is hell-bent on disgracing us all.”

  “Lizzy, we’ll get through this like our family always has, by sticking together and supporting one another. Nobody is going to blame us, and I don’t see how they could blame poor Liddy, either. She’s young—only twenty-one. Girls that age make mistakes all the time,” Jane said as she tried to set her sister’s mind at ease.

  Charles nodded in agreement.

  “For God’s sake, Jane, she’s pregnant! This isn’t a small mistake,” Elizabeth railed. “She will take everyone down with her to get what she wants. And what kind of life will that child have? Lydia and Randy will have to raise it. They have no money. We will have to help them. It will be expected.” Elizabeth picked up a napkin, twisting it nervously.

  “Lizzy, if they need us, it’s our Christian duty to help. After all, Lydia is Daddy’s sister. He would take care of her and her family if he was here, and you know it. He loved her. We owe it to Daddy to help them if they need it.”

  “Well, I don’t know why he cared so much. She only used him for what she could get from us. She squandered her inheritance and then wanted more. Our cousin is no different. She hasn’t got a lick of sense and takes every opportunity to goad us. You know that. Besides, Jane, Liddy thinks things are owed to her
.”

  “Lizzy, please, they are family. It will all be forgotten in time.”

  “Perhaps. It’s just that I expect people to be responsible and honorable, and the Nunleys and our cousin are neither. Don’t get me wrong. I do feel for Liddy, if for no other reason than she’s too damned stupid to come in out of the rain. And blind, too.” Elizabeth fidgeted with her napkin, ripping it in shreds.

  “Elizabeth, it will pass, and as you have said, she is your cousin, not your sister.” Fitzwilliam took the napkin out of her hands then took her small hand in his, patting it gently.

  “I know. It’s not that.” She shook her head. “We’re a close family. When one of us hurts, we all hurt.” She looked poignantly at Fitzwilliam. “This is going to make the national news, and I will be so embarrassed. No, I’m already embarrassed. I’m mortified. The local networks out of Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, the major three, and CNN and Fox News will all be here during the trial, swarming like bees in a honey hive. They will be all over us looking for a story. I don’t like it one bit. Our whole family will be scrutinized, and Liddy will make a fool of herself while Uncle Randy and Aunt Lydia will be helpless to stop her. I know I am coming across as cold and unfeeling, but I can’t help it.” She looked directly at her sister. “I’m so angry. Liddy may be our cousin, but she is one of the most vain, self-centered persons I have ever known.” Elizabeth glanced between Charles and Fitzwilliam. “While it is true just as Jane says, I have never understood it. Father always overlooked everything where Lydia and Liddy were concerned. I know he loved his sister, but that doesn’t excuse it. I’m so embarrassed that the two of you will be exposed to this,” she said, casting a fleeting look between Charles and Fitzwilliam.

  “Elizabeth, please,” Jane begged. “You are making a mountain out of a molehill.”

  “Jane’s right.” Charles glanced at Fitzwilliam. “You needn’t worry about us. Darcy and I will stand by you and Jane. It isn’t going to change how we feel, is it, Darcy?”

  “No, not in the least. Elizabeth, don’t concern yourself. It doesn’t matter. Let’s not talk of it any longer.” Fitzwilliam pulled Elizabeth into a reassuring hug, but he was anything but sure himself as his thoughts drifted to his father. Although the thought of publicity of this kind connected to him, and eventually his family, bothered him, he chose to push it aside. He would consider it at a later date.

  As the evening wore on, Fitzwilliam pulled Charles aside for a private talk. “Charles, how are we going to manage this? I want time alone with Elizabeth, and I know you feel the same way about Jane. What do you suggest we do?”

  “Well, Jane and I are going to watch a movie. You can join us if you like, and then…” Charles paused for a second, rubbing his chin. “Do you think Elizabeth would stay with you at our house tonight, and perhaps I could stay here since Kat and Daniel are still at Longbourn? I don’t know where your relationship is in that regard, but I suspect it’s the same as ours.”

  “I think she would, and since that’s agreeable with you, I’ll ask her. I’m not interested in a movie. You and Jane go ahead. I want to talk with Liz. We’ll go to the library and listen to music whilst we talk.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Charles grinned.

  When the men returned to the ladies, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth left for the library. As soon as they were alone, Fitzwilliam gathered Elizabeth into his arms, murmuring between kisses, “Liz, stay with me tonight. In fact, stay with me this week whilst Kat and Daniel are at Longbourn.”

  “What about Charles?” she whispered.

  “Charles won’t mind. I’ve already spoken with him. He’s staying here with Jane. I need you tonight. Come home with me…stay with me,” he urged. His voice deepened as he continued to trail kisses gently down the side of her neck.

  Quivering from the rush of warmth rising in her, Elizabeth closed her eyes. “You certainly have a way of convincing a girl, don’t you?”

  “I’m a man set to his purpose,” he answered in hushed tones, “and my purpose is you.”

  “All right,” she said quietly. “I don’t think Jane will mind. I’ll speak to her privately once the film is finished. Let’s pick out some music. Then we can just sit and talk. I want to hear all about your trip to Hertfordshire and what you found out.”

  “Not tonight, Liz. I have other things on my mind. When the time is right, I’ll tell you everything. Right now all I want to do is hold you.”

  After selecting a few CDs, they took a seat on the sofa where he pulled her into an embrace as they lay down together, snuggling close. “Liz, you don’t know how much I have missed you. I’ve thought about you day and night, especially at night.”

  She smiled, lifting her head from his shoulder, “I’ve missed you, too. My days have been busy, but my nights have been lonely. Hold me.” She rested her head in the curve of his neck and slipped her arms around him.

  With a contented sigh, he said, “Next time I go to England, I will take you with me as my wife.” He squeezed her gently. “We have much to discuss, but it’ll wait until we get home—to our house. Elizabeth, we belong together,” he whispered, brushing his lips against hers before catching her mouth with his as he pressed their bodies together. They listened to the music, one CD after the other playing while they held one another, occasionally kissing, as the night closed in around them.

  Finally fatigue from the long trans-Atlantic flight began to set in. But tired as he was, sleep was not what Darcy had on his mind. “Elizabeth, it’s eleven o’clock, and if we stay here much longer, I am going to drift off. Let’s collect your things and go home before we both fall asleep. I have much I want to tell you, and I have some things I bought for you. Two of them are a surprise, but as you can guess, I have your engagement ring. Let’s go home.”

  “You really do think of us as a couple, don’t you?” She laughed softly. “Do you realize you have said ‘home’ two times now?”

  “As I’ve told you before, home is wherever you are, and I never exaggerate.” Chuckling, he tapped the tip of her nose. “I’ll explain later. Come on. Let’s go.” Pulling her up from the sofa, they walked into the den only to find Jane and Charles cuddled up on the chaise lounge fast asleep. As they quietly slipped from the room, Elizabeth quickly ran upstairs and packed her bag while Fitzwilliam waited near the front door.

  Entering the Harwell House, Fitzwilliam turned on the lights. “Liz, let’s put your things in the adjoining room to mine. It was the mistress’s suite in its day. When you’re ready, meet me in the upstairs sitting room. Here,” he said, picking up her overnight bag, “I’ll help you with this.” Taking both his and her luggage, they walked up the stairs.

  After putting away her things, Elizabeth took a small box from her bag and placed it on the dressing table. Then she changed into a long white low-cut silk nightgown, fitted at the bust with a drawstring. It held her full bosom securely, displaying her cleavage pleasingly. She brushed her finger over the delicate Brazilian embroidery gracing the bust line of her gown, and sighed. …This was supposed to be for my wedding night. It was part of Mom’s trousseau—white for purity and delicate pink roses for femininity. Well, this is close enough. We will be married soon. Quickly wrapping herself in the long white matching robe and taking one quick look in the gilded mirror, she grabbed the box from her dressing table and went straight to the upstairs sitting room to wait for him.

  Darcy appeared shortly in a pair of silk pajamas wrapped in a thick cotton terry robe. He placed a small gift bag beside the sofa as he took a seat next to her. They sat silently, lost in their thoughts with too many emotions stirring within them. After a moment, Fitzwilliam broke the quiet.

  “Elizabeth, I think I know you well enough to understand how you feel about some things, and I know how I feel, so I’ll come to the point. I’m in love with you,” he said softly as he placed her hand in his and gently stroked her fingers while he gazed into her eyes. “I want us to marry soon. I’m not the kind of man to do
things by half. Now that we are a couple, I don’t think I can wait until summer, or rather, I don’t want to. What do you say about a wedding in three weeks?”

  She looked at him thoughtfully. “Fitzwilliam, we won’t be able get away for a honeymoon. Once school starts, it will be hard to spend time together, especially with the heavy load we both have, and after being with you, I don’t think I can be without you, especially at night. Therefore, a wedding in three weeks is fine with me. But what about Charles and Jane?”

  Fitzwilliam flashed Elizabeth a big smile. “It’s all taken care of. I’ve talked with Charles on the flight back, and he is just as eager to marry as I am. How do you think Jane will feel?”

  “I happen to know she won’t mind.” Elizabeth grinned. “While Mary Beth was here, the three of us made our wedding gowns. Mary Beth’s wedding is set for February 6th in Nova Scotia, and I was secretly hoping you and I would marry sooner than summer.” Elizabeth raised her hand and gently stroked his face. “I can think of nothing I would like better than to come home to you in the afternoon.”

  “Nor I.” He released a contented sigh and turned his head to kiss her soft palm as he pressed his own against it.

  She glanced at him and then momentarily looked away. “However, there is another matter of concern that I wish to share with you.”

  Sensing the weightiness behind her words, Fitzwilliam nodded, bracing himself.

  “I don’t wish to start a family right away. Fitzwilliam, I hope you can understand. I really do want to teach a little longer before I become a mother. I also want more time to be alone with you. I’ll be twenty-six on February 25th. We have time.” She paused a moment. “I saw a doctor while you were gone, and I’m on the pill.”