Cecilia felt the blow to her spirit at the mention of Elizabeth’s name, but she’d come this far. She wasn’t about to stop now. Thus, she pressed on. “What happened with Miss Fitzgerald?”
“Fitzwilliam caught her in bed with another man,” he stated matter-of-factly. “She thought he’d gone to Pemberley for the weekend whilst she stayed at Oxford, supposedly to study, but he came back a day early to surprise her and caught them. Obviously, the relationship was over, that is, until she returned a few months later saying she was pregnant and claimed my brother was the father,” David said. “Fitzwilliam would have married her right there on the spot had Father not stepped in. He paid quite a lot of money to keep that story hushed.”
“You mean your brother has an illegitimate child?”
“No, that’s the thing. It wasn’t his child at all. In spite of Father, my brother would have married her, but reason prevailed, and he insisted on waiting until the child was born and a blood test taken. When the results came back, it wasn’t Fitzwilliam’s. He never entered into another relationship again. It was clear Stella had tried to trap him.”
“Oh, David, that was terrible. It must have been a nightmare.”
“Yes, it was,” he sighed, “but as hard as that was for him, Elizabeth’s leaving devastated him far worse. For a while, I wondered if he would recover, but he’s much better now. He’s moved on, and hopefully, by spring, he’ll be divorced and dating again.”
“By spring,” she whispered. “Hmm…it doesn’t sound like he was too affected then.”
“You don’t understand. After Stella, it was ten years before he entered into another serious relationship—and that was with his wife. He’s thirty-three. He doesn’t have ten years to waste. My brother doesn’t fall into casual relationships. He has to have some sort of affection before he will become intimate with a woman. Besides, Fitzwilliam needs to marry. He needs an heir.”
A chill ran through Cecilia. …He has an heir.
“David, I don’t know. From what you have described, your brother and his wife apparently loved one another at some point. But to me, it looks like either things changed or there was a misunderstanding. Do you think they could possibly make up? I mean, if she were to be found and they had a chance to talk.”
He tensed. “I have no use for Elizabeth Darcy. Should I find her, I won’t allow her to see my brother. I want to talk with her to get a few things straight, but I will not allow her to hurt him again. There is no possible way that what she has done can be justified. He asked her to have faith in him—to trust him, but she couldn’t do it.” Clearly angered, David pulled away.
“You don’t forgive, do you?”
“No! Not something like that. Not betrayal.”
Cecilia cringed. “David, there’s a reason for everything. You shouldn’t judge until you know the facts.”
“Cecilia, I know enough. Let’s not waste our time talking about my brother’s failed marriage. I leave for Tokyo tomorrow evening. Let’s spend our remaining time together more pleasurably.” He reached for her once more before falling asleep.
As David slept, Cecilia lay awake. She hated what she was doing. Her guilt increased. It was obvious that Fitzwilliam had once loved Elizabeth, but what would he do if he found out that Elizabeth had concealed her pregnancy? This was a keg of dynamite waiting for a lit match, and she knew someday it would come between her and David.
~*~
When it came time for David to go, he didn’t want to leave her, and he could tell she felt the same. She took him to the airport to see him off. As he was about to walk through the gate to his private jet, he cupped her face and kissed Cecilia goodbye.
“I’ll email you when I get to Tokyo, and I’ll ring when I arrive in Canada.”
She blinked several times, and he wondered if she wanted to say something. But she said nothing, so he slowly turned and walked away. He hadn’t taken more than a few steps when he stopped short.
“David!”
He turned to catch her trembling gaze—tears welling in her eyes, threatening to spill.
“David…I…I love you…” Her voice trailed off.
He stiffened and drew in a quick, sharp breath as a rush of emotions swept over him. Walking the few short steps back to where she stood, he touched her face, his eyes searching hers. She quivered as tears spilled out over her cheeks. He cupped her face and then wiped her checks with his thumbs. He knew what it had taken for her to say those words—the three words he had longed to hear.
“I know,” was all that he could say. Overcome by the moment, knowing the plane was ready for takeoff, he lowered his head, catching her lips and kissing her deeply, wishing he had one more day. Breaking the kiss, he once again peered into her eyes.
“I’ll see you when I can. I love you, too,” he whispered.
She fell into his embrace, resting against his shoulder, crying softly. “Don’t go. Please—please, don’t leave me,” she begged.
He gently stroked her back as people stopped to stare. “I must go, but I’ll come back. I promise,” he said as he pulled her back and dipped his head, kissing her once more. Then, releasing her, he turned and walked through the gate to the plane that awaited him. Leaving her was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Chapter Fifty-six
…How could you think such a thing when you know that I’m in love with you…?
Cecilia strode briskly from the airport terminal, her mind greatly troubled. She’d finally fallen in love, and it had to be with him. Now what was she going to do? If David should find out she was harboring a pregnant Elizabeth, he would be furious. And what if Fitzwilliam tried to take the children? She could not let that happen. It would be the end of her relationship with David. Where originally she hadn’t planned to care, she now cared deeply. She swallowed hard and bit back a sob. …Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive…
As she drove back from the airport, her ringtone sounded. She cringed. Cameron.
“Celia, why have you not returned my calls this week? I’ve been trying to locate you for days. We have a dinner engagement tonight. Have you forgotten?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, but yes I had,” she breathed out. “Cameron, I’m going to have to cancel. I’ve had a rough week, and I’m tired.”
“I imagine you are,” he sneered. “Darcy’s been in town, and you’ve taken a week off to spend with him. What are you now—his whore?”
“Cameron, I don’t have to take this crap from you, and I’m sick of it!”
“People are talking, Celia. You made a fool of yourself at the fund raiser!”
“The only ones talking are Amelia and her catty circle,” Cecilia snapped. “I’ve had enough. I’m through with you. I thought maybe we could come to an understanding and possibly form an alliance—a marriage of sorts, but it’s not in the cards, babe. I’m not marrying for convenience.”
“Celia, you don’t have to. I’ve told you that I loved you, and I meant it. You once loved me. We can make it happen again. I’ll pick you up in one hour. Be ready. We’ll talk about it then. I want to announce an engagement by Christmas and marry by June.”
“Hello! You’re not listening. I’m not dating you. David and I have an understanding. I’m with him now. I love him.”
The deafening silence screamed through the phone as Cameron’s heavy breath echoed in her ear. Finally, he spoke. “He will never marry you, darlin’. His family is much more important than yours will ever be. He’s English. He will use you and throw you away like Christmas trash. Babe, he will never love you,” Cameron said, “You know he’s from the English aristocracy. They don’t marry people like you. Search yourself, Celia. You know what I’m telling you is the truth. Your future is with me. Think about it, babe.”
His patronizing arrogance angered her—and also pricked her conscience. She’d never lacked self-confidence, but she knew David’s world was much bigger than hers. Thinking back to the GQ magazine article, she si
ghed. He could have any woman he wanted—the daughter of an earl, a duchess—anyone.
She shook her head and softly replied, “It doesn’t matter. I love him, and I will follow this for as long as it lasts. Cameron, I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”
“I’m coming over to take you out as a friend. You’ll come to your senses. We need each other, Celia. You’ll see that in time. In the meantime, I’ll wait for you. I’ve waited for six years. I can wait a little longer.”
“You just don’t give up, do you?”
“No, I don’t. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“No, you won’t. I’m not going home, and I’m not attending the Christmas Ball with you, either. Ask Amelia. She’ll be pleased as punch,” Cecilia smirked. “I’ve got to go.”
Sliding her phone shut, her tires screeched as she spun the car around and headed towards the Ashley River Road. Carlton House. She needed the strength of home.
Early December
Hodges Investigators had extended feelers throughout all fifty states, searching for a lead on Mrs. Fitzwilliam A. Darcy AKA Elizabeth Rose Bennet. Finally, after many months, they’d struck gold. Fumbling around, trying to locate David’s number, Biggs finally put a call into Pemberley’s corporate office.
“David Darcy’s office, Mrs. Honeycutt speaking.”
“Hello. This is Herman Biggs, Private Investigator. I need to speak with Mr. David Darcy.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Biggs. Mr. Darcy is not in his office at the present. May I take a message?”
“Just give me his mobile number. I’ll reach him that way.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Biggs. You’re not on the authorized list.”
“What!? Just give me the number. I assure you, he wants to hear from me!”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not authorized to do that.”
“Mrs. Honeycutt, please…All right, just have Mr. Darcy ring me at this number as soon as he can.”
“I’ll give him the message, but he’s not expected back in town for a few days, and I’m not sure he’ll be in the office before we close for the Christmas holiday.”
“Just make sure he gets the message. I’m leaving for the holidays myself. He can reach my mobile. He has the number.”
No sooner had Mrs. Honeycutt placed the receiver on the cradle, than she received a summons to meet Fitzwilliam’s secretary in the boardroom as soon as possible. Gathering the note, she placed it with the stack of papers accumulating on David’s desk.
~*~
David had emailed Cecilia every day while first in Tokyo, then Singapore, China, and finally, Hong Kong. And he called her every night from Canada. He told her more about himself, his boyhood, Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and what it was like to grow up at Pemberley. He told her he loved her and wanted to see if they could make something work. Cecilia wondered if he was thinking marriage, but if he did, he kept it to himself.
While waiting for his call, Cecilia prepared for the evening as she reflected on their last conversation. He had agreed to attend the Fort Sumter Reenactment Ball at the Magnolia Festival with her. When he came next, they would go to the King St. Tailor Shop where he would be fitted for an 1860s suit. David even had gone so far as to research it and send her the pattern he wanted for his suit, and he had been insistent on the fabric choices, but they mutually agreed on the colors. He would wear cream-colored linen cotton trousers with a burgundy lightweight wool vest and a black tailcoat. A cream-colored lawn shirt, burgundy and black checkered patterned cross-back braces, and a black cravat would complete the look. They would be the perfect couple. Cecilia teased, telling him he reminded her of Rhett Butler with his impeccable taste.
She couldn’t help but chuckle as she thought how her cream-colored silk hoop skirt with voile overlay and black velvet ribbons and a burgundy silk sash would give Scarlett a run for her money. Her seamstress had even agreed to fashion her gown with burgundy Irish roses in silk ribbon embroidered along the neckline coupled with mother of pearl beading. She laughed. She couldn’t remember when she’d had so much fun—even if it was over the Internet—or when she’d enjoyed late night conversations as much as she had theirs. The phone rang. She smiled as she picked up the receiver.
“How are you, love?”
“David, it’s so good to hear your voice. I’m preparing for the Antebellum Christmas Ball tonight. I’m going to wear a hoop skirt I already own. I wish you could attend.” She leaned back against her headboard wearing nothing but her pantaloons and chemise, settling in for a nice long talk.
“I would if I could, but even if I were in town, I don’t have the proper clothes for the event. If we do a lot of this, I’m going to have to see that tailor on King Street quite often.”
“Yes, you will. He still wants to double check with you on the measurements your tailor in London sent. It’s ready for a fitting. We’ll have to see him when you come.”
“We’ll do that.” He chuckled. “I must admit, I’ll have to become acquainted with some of the dances since I’ve never done this before. The waltz I know. The Virginia Reel? I haven’t a clue, but I’m a quick learner, and I’m looking forward to it.”
“You are indeed! I haven’t forgotten the last time you were here. David, I miss you so much.”
“I miss you, too, love.” He released a long breath. “Cecilia, come back to England and spend Christmas at Pemberley with me and my family. I want Fitzwilliam and Georgiana to meet you. My cousins William, Benson, and Richard and his wife, Rhonda, will be there. They will all love you as much as I do.”
“Oh, I wish I could,” she sighed, “but I can’t. I have an urgent matter of business that I have to attend to at that time. It can’t be put aside.”
They talked for another two hours before he yawned.
“It’s getting late, love. I have a nine o’clock meeting, so I must go. I’ll see you in eight days. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
~*~
David arrived in Charleston, planning to stay for two days and nights. He bought Cecilia a garnet pendant for Christmas to match her ball gown for the Magnolia Ball. Cecilia gave him a pair of 18k gold cufflinks with the Great Seal of the Confederacy to wear with his suit. Sitting in her master suite, they huddled together like two excited children on Christmas morning as they opened their gifts from one another.
“David, this necklace is beautiful! And it matches my dress perfectly.” Taking the pendant out of its case, she held it up to the light, watching it sparkle and shine. Tears stung her eyes. No one, other than her father, had even given her anything so lovely. She was truly touched. “Would you mind helping me with it?”
“I’m glad you like it. I’m not very experienced in picking out jewelry for women.” He smiled as he took the necklace from her hand and gently brushed her hair aside to fasten it around her neck.
“Well, you did very well. It’s beautiful.” She smiled. “Do you like the cuff links?”
“I love them. They’re handcrafted, aren’t they? Where did you find them?” Tracing his fingers over the great seal, he examined them closely.
“There’s a jeweler downtown who crafts custom-made jewelry. I’m glad you like them.” She turned away to hide a tear sliding down her cheek.
Turning back, she caught David intently examining her. “What’s wrong, love?” He reached and touched her face. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”
The kindness she read in his eyes caused another tear to slip as she shook her head. “David, I want you to know that I love you. It is not an infatuation or something that will pass. I truly love you, but I am afraid…afraid of the unknown.”
“Don’t be afraid,” he reassured. “You mean more to me than anything, and I’m not going to leave you. I promise. I love you, and it’s real.” Stroking her face with the back of his fingers, he asked, “Cecilia, have I done something to upset you, something to make you doubt me? Please tell me.” He studied her eyes, almost pleading.
“No, you’re perfe
ct. It’s not you…not us. Oh, David, I can’t tell you. Someday you will know, but today I cannot tell you.” She dropped her gaze for a moment. “There is one thing I want you to know, though. No matter what you hear, no matter what I do, please believe me when I tell you that you are the only man I have ever loved—the only one I ever will love, but someday you’re going to leave me.” She sobbed.
Pulling her into his embrace, he said, “How could you think such a thing when you know I’m in love with you?”
She shook her head and continued to cry.
Tipping her chin, he tenderly looking into her eyes. “Cecilia, you’re not pregnant, are you? If you are, I don’t want you to worry. I wouldn’t leave you. I would welcome a child—our child. It would be a cause for celebration, not a cause for distress. I love you—on that you can depend.”
She looked at him, shocked, then laid her head on his shoulder and cried all the harder. “No, I’m not pregnant. I wish it were that simple.”
He released a sigh and pulled her closer. “It’s all right, love. Shh…hush…It’s all right. I love you, and I’m here. You can tell me when you’re ready. I want you to know that whatever it is, I will stand by you. I am not going to leave you,” he murmured, stroking her back and scattering tiny kisses in her hair as she cried on his shoulder.
She glanced up and peered into his eyes. She wanted to believe him, but her doubts plagued her.
Later that night after they had made love, she cried herself to sleep while he cradled her in his arms. David’s worry was apparent, but if she told him what ate away at her, she would possibly destroy her best friend’s happiness, and if she did not, she would destroy her own.
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