The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  “Yes, well, it’s a moot point.” David glanced over at his valet with a half crooked smile. “I suppose the jack and the spare are in the boot.”

  “I would assume so, sir.”

  “I’ll see what I can find,” David said, sprinting around to the back of the car.

  Thirty minutes later and a little dirtier, they were back on the road. Speeding down I-95 at over ninety miles an hour, Watson finally spoke up. “Sir, you’re going to get a speeding ticket or worse, if you continue at this speed. The sign back there read 70 mph. I suggest you slow down to 75. We’ll get there, sir.”

  David cast Watson an incredulous look and rolled his eyes. “Watson, if they pull us over, I’ll simply pay the damn ticket and get on with it.” But he did ease up on the accelerator, causing Watson to smile.

  They drove on through the early morning and late into the afternoon, taking turns behind the wheel and stopping only for gas and to grab a quick bite to eat. Not long after taking the exit from I-95 to I-26, a tractor trailer jackknifed, backing up traffic for miles. After two hours in gridlock traffic, David took the nearest exit with the navigation system recalculating the route that took them into Charleston on the backcountry roads. Finally arriving at five o’clock, David was exhausted.

  Time was of the essence, and there wasn’t a moment to spare. Securing a room at the Lawton with less than one hour before the ball began, David took a quick shower. Watson hurriedly helped him dress, knotted his cravat, and smoothed his re-enactment suit. With the preparations complete, David flew from the room for the lift, followed closely behind by Watson. They arrived just as the door closed.

  “Damn it! We’ll have to take the stairs. The ball begins in fifteen minutes, and the engagement will be announced before the first dance. Come, Watson, there’s not a moment to spare.”

  David raced down three flights of stairs faster than he’d moved since his rugby days. Was it the Blue Room or the Green? He couldn’t remember. Just as he was about to decide, he heard the orchestra strike the warm up. …it’s the Green! Making a mad dash, he entered the room, and there stood Cecilia next to Cameron on the platform, with Cecilia’s godfather preparing to speak.

  Cecilia’s eyes instantly locked with his as he took a few steps and stopped. Summoning every ounce of strength he possessed, David stood tall and erect, his calm demeanor not revealing that his confidence was rapidly deserting him. Uncertain of how she would receive him and aware of the spectacle he knew he was creating, he glanced around the room. …I’m not too late. Thank God! I’m not too late.

  As he walked towards Cecilia, a deathly silence fell upon the room. His pulse quickened. He could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing on end. All eyes were riveted on him. For a split second, both he and Cecilia were frozen in place, gazing at one another.

  Cecilia’s eyes pierced him, searching questioningly. Swallowing hard against the lump in his throat, some force from deep within propelled him forward. Slowly moving towards her, he saw her take one tiny step in his direction. When he reached the middle of the room, David halted, once more swallowing hard and blurted out, “Cecilia, you have a choice.”

  She stood still for what seemed an eternity, staring, her eyes glistening with tears. David’s heart lodged in his throat as the room appeared to close in around him.

  “Sir.” Watson tugged at David’s sleeve. “Speak.”

  David turned to catch his valet’s encouraging nod. Turning back, he looked her directly in the eye. Having rehearsed his speech a thousand times since crossing the state line, all he could say was, “Cecilia, I’m the one—the one who loves you. Marry me!”

  She stood silent, rooted in place. Suddenly, a big smile spread across her face as she ripped off her engagement ring and pressed it into Cameron’s hand. “Yes!” she whispered, and then rushed down the steps and into David’s arms as they fell together.

  Grabbing her, David swung her around and kissed her as the room erupted into a loud round of applause and cheers. But he was oblivious to everything except the woman in his arms. Holding her in his embrace, the crowd faded away into a clutter of noise and shadow, peace finally washing over him while weeks of pain and numbness dissipated.

  Cameron was about to lunge in a fit of rage when a large hand clenched his shoulder. “Don’t do it, son. Let her be. She’s made her choice.” Daniel Russell stood firm, holding him back.

  Cameron turned and jeered at the older man. Jerking himself free, he stalked from the room, followed by his mother and Amelia.

  Before following his son, Sheldon Taylor turned to Daniel. “Cecilia has gone too far this time, Russell. If she thinks she can embarrass my son publicly in front of all of Charleston and get away with it, she’d better think again,” he ground out. “Nobody shames my family and gets away with it. She and that Englishman will pay for this!”

  “Sheldon, I would counsel you to be prudent. The Darcys are far more powerful than you know, and Cecilia has friends in high places who will come to her aid, so I wouldn’t make idle threats. Cut your losses and leave, if you know what’s best for you.”

  “I’ll leave, but only because Cameron has chosen to do so. Lawton doesn’t own this town, and Darcy’s an upstart here. This is Charleston—not London.” With that parting shot, Sheldon Taylor turned and joined his family.

  When the room quieted from all of the commotion, Daniel took the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce the engagement of my goddaughter, Miss Cecilia Emmaline Lawton, to Mr. David Darcy of London, England.” The old man smiled, and once again, the room erupted in applause. When it died down, Daniel continued. “Let the first dance begin. David, Cecilia, this year’s Belles and Beaus,” he said as he gestured towards the couples, “please lead the way.”

  The orchestra struck the chord and David and Cecilia led with the Viennese Waltz. He held her close while directing her to a small alcove near the back of the ballroom. Once securely out of sight, he fought to steady his nerves. It was important to state his case—to swallow his pride and tell her how he felt.

  “Lawton, I’ve missed you. Heaven knows I tried to forget you, but I couldn’t. I love you, Cecilia.” He hesitated a minute, gathering his courage as he gazed into those amethyst eyes, eyes that had held him captive almost from the beginning. “Cecilia, I’ve been a fool. The things I said, the things I did! Can you ever forgive me?”

  She smiled. “When you’re in love, there is no need to say you’re sorry. You being here tonight tells me everything I need to know. I love you, David. That’s all that needs to be said.”

  Tightening his arms around her, he covered her mouth with his. He knew she’d forgiven him because she’d accepted his proposal, but there was nothing that compared to hearing her say it and knowing she still loved him in spite of all he’d said and done. Breaking the kiss, he brushed her cheek with his fingers, gliding down her throat to her necklace. He gently lifted it. “You wore my necklace. Why? Did you believe I would come?”

  Shaking her head, she replied, “I had no expectations that you would come. I thought I knew you well enough to believe I’d lost you forever, but I once told you that no matter what, I’d always love you. That’s why I wore the necklace.” She sighed. “Though, I do wish to know, what made you come?”

  “You know me too well. You’re right about my damnable pride. If I hadn’t been able to put that aside, I would have lived with the regret for the rest of my life—but it was Cameron. Cameron made me come. While he was in England on business, the pompous arse made a special trip to London to tell me the news of your engagement.” David shook his head. “I knew you didn’t love him, and worse, I knew he didn’t love you. His arrogance, his conceit, was more than I could stomach, but it served its purpose by jarring me to my senses.”

  He stroked the side of her face, brushing away a stray strand of hair. “When I was thinking of only me, it was easy to deny what I felt, but the thought of you being married to him shocked me into reality. I couldn�
�t bear to see you in a loveless marriage, not when I loved you, not when I needed you. If I’d lost you for good, I don’t know how I would’ve survived it.” He smiled tenderly. “Cecilia Lawton… a long time ago you took the best of me. As an old song from the 70s put it, ‘finish what you’ve begun and take the rest.’” He bent low and kissed her.

  Pulling back, Cecilia’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “Bread?”

  He nodded.

  She shook her head and laughed. “David Darcy, you’re a real scoundrel. Do you know that? Coming in here and sweeping me off my feet.”

  The twinkle in her violet eyes encouraged him. “Ah, but I’m a reformed scoundrel—though I think you rather like scoundrels, Miss Lawton,” he said with a mischievous grin of his own as he leaned down to brush her lips again.

  “Only when they’re handsome, Mr. Darcy—only when they’re handsome,” she whispered against his lips.

  “Lawton, you’ll be the death of me yet,” he said, just before their lips met again in a deep lingering kiss.

  Breaking the kiss, she murmured, “Then we’ll die happy,” and kissed him again.

  Releasing him, she took his hand in hers, gently caressing the cufflinks. “You wore them.”

  “Yes. They were a present from a very special lady. I will treasure them always.”

  Smiling, she reached up and touched his face.

  “Cecilia, I’d rather stay here all night and snog like a couple of teenagers, but we must return before we’re missed.”

  She sighed. “I suppose so, but for once, I’d like to do what I want instead of what’s expected.” They kissed once more before breaking their embrace.

  Returning to the ballroom, David caught sight of Watson and laughed. His valet had managed to find a beautiful redhead serving wine at the refreshment table. David flashed him a smile and Watson returned a thumbs-up. As David and Cecilia stood by the serving table, Charlestonians came forth, one by one.

  “Congratulations, Darcy.” Solomon Abercrombie clapped David’s shoulder before offering his hand. “Apparently you are the right stud,” he winked. “Now that you are to be one of us, we’ll have to talk about that horse of yours, and Smith here wants to see your English Setter.”

  Asa Smith stepped forward, pumping David’s hand. “That’s right, Darcy. Both my pointers and my setters could use some fresh blood. I’m looking forward to seein’ your English bird dogs in action, especially that stud you told me about. As I told you before, I’m lookin’ for a good stud dog for my champion setter. You’ll have to come huntin’ with me.” He smiled, raising an eyebrow as he tipped his head to Cecilia.

  “Sir, all in good time… all in good time.” David laughed while Cecilia rolled her eyes.

  As Asa and Solomon left, Robert and Elaine Russell approached. “Cecilia, I’m so happy for you, darlin’. And he’s such a handsome beau, too!” Elaine said, taking Cecilia’s hands and kissing her cheek.

  “Congratulations, Darcy. I always knew you were a smart man. You’ve walked away with the most beautiful Belle of the Ball.” Robert gave a hearty laugh. “I wish the two of you all the happiness in the world,” he said, extending his hand.

  “Thank you, Mr. Russell. I’m sure we will be very happy. In fact, I know it!”

  All but a few came by to offer their congratulations, and as Robert Russell had told him long ago, those few didn’t count anyway. If they wanted to scowl and look down their self-righteous noses, David didn’t care. The only thing that mattered to him was that he was at peace, and that he had the woman he loved. Mingling and mixing into the early hours of the morning, David couldn’t think of any place he’d rather be than here in South Carolina, here with Cecilia, the only woman he had ever loved, the only one he would ever love—his future bride.

  Chapter Seventy

  …I moved heaven and earth to get to you…

  When the ball ended, David and Cecilia were among the last to leave. On the way up to the eighth floor, David said, “I’m glad this is over. I had a wonderful time, but I’m tired. You don’t know what I’ve been through. I moved heaven and earth to get to you.” He looked down into her sleepy eyes. “Let’s just go to bed. We can talk more tomorrow.”

  Yawning, she leaned into his tall frame. “It’s already tomorrow, but I know what you mean. I’m emotionally exhausted as well as physically drained. I just want to sleep in your arms. We’ll talk when we wake up, and you can tell me all about it.” She chuckled. “Wake up? Will I wake up and discover it was all a sweet dream?”

  “No, love, it’s no dream, or if it is, it’s one that comes true. We’re together, never to be parted again.”

  Entering her suite, they undressed and fell asleep almost instantly, holding one another in a lover’s embrace.

  When they awoke, Cecilia had David’s things brought up to her suite and ordered room service. They showered together, making love, kissing, caressing, and talking. Before they dressed, he pulled her onto the bed where they sat facing each other.

  “Do you think you can clear your calendar for two weeks and come to London with me? I want to show you my home, and I want you to meet my family and friends. Then we can come back to Charleston and marry. I don’t want to wait any longer. We’ve been through enough, and we’ve waited entirely too long already.”

  “We’ll go by the office on Monday, and I’ll see what I can do about my calendar. I’d love to come to London, and we’ll talk about a wedding while we’re there. I agree that we’ve waited long enough. Would one month be soon enough?”

  David only smiled and nodded. One month would seem like an eternity to him, but it would have to do. He wanted her to have a wedding, and a wedding would take time to plan.

  As they sat looking at one another, Cecilia laced her hand with his. “David, I’m curious; when did you first fall in love with me?”

  He sighed in contentment. “I don’t know exactly when I started to love you, it’s been so long now, but I think it must have begun back when we spent our first night together nearly two years ago. Although the night you threw the vase at me gave me pause to think.”

  She grimaced, and he chuckled.

  “I didn’t know what I was feeling at the time, but I knew it was different with you. I found myself making excuses to come to Charleston. I know I tried to resist being drawn to you, but it proved useless,” he said. “Did you ever wonder why I cut our time short when I came to see you that January?”

  “Yes, I did, and I was quite upset when you left.”

  “You were?” he shook his head with a smile. “I would have never guessed it. I simply thought it was in keeping with your disconcerting ways and impenetrable manner.” He smiled and shook his head. “I left because my emotions were in turmoil. Had I not left, there was a good chance I would have been in danger of declaring feelings I wasn’t ready to admit to yet. I was attracted to you, and it bothered me. I fought it for months. As to when I knew for certain that I loved you, it was when I came for the Magnolia Festival a year ago. I never wanted to be in love with anyone, but you pulled me in before I knew what was happening.” He pressed her hands between his.

  Tossing her head, she laughed. “My story is similar. I had resolved never to allow my true feelings to be known. It was a defense I constructed for the label people gave me.”

  “Cold, hard bitch?”

  “Yes,” she nodded, “cold, hard bitch.”

  “You’re anything but. One simply has to get past the wall you’ve raised to find the woman within—a beautiful woman who is as good as she is beautiful.”

  Cecilia laughed. “My closest friends have said that, but you’re the one who scaled the wall, Prince Charming.” She smiled.

  “And I found my princess.”

  She laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I do know that you were so gentle with me, and no one had ever been so loving or kind. I was taken aback by it. I responded to your tender affection, and I wanted more of it. It caused me to look deeper. Like you, I
was not looking for love. In fact, I didn’t think I needed it until that week in November when I knew I loved you.”

  Abruptly changing the subject, she frowned. “David, you do want children, don’t you? It’s important to me. I want to have a son.” Her eyes searched his.

  He chuckled. “Yes, I do. Very much. I’ve thought about it, and I want to see your family continue. The thought of you being the last of the Lawtons bothered me from the first time you told me about it. I know we can’t produce a Lawton heir, but we can start a new branch on the family tree, uniting your family with mine. We’ll have sons, and daughters, too, and we’ll teach them to value their heritage.”

  “I’m so glad you feel that way. You don’t know what it means to me to hear you say those things.”

  “I haven’t always felt that way. Before you, children and family heritage held little to no appeal to me, but you have taught me that our roots are important, and a knowledge of the past is essential for the preservation of the future.”

  “David, where should we raise our family? Where do you want to live?”

  He laughed. “Hmm…Well, I’ve thought about that, too. I’d like for us to live at Carlton House at least some of the time. I’d like to use the old school room for the purpose it was intended. Even though our children will bear my name, they will still be Lawtons. I want them reared in your family tradition.”

  She squeezed his hands. “Nothing would make me happier, David. The house has been empty for far too long, and the thought of children—our children, playing in those hallowed halls is more than I could ever hope for.”

  David smiled as he reached for her and pulled her to himself. “There’ll be time enough to talk about living arrangements later. Right now, I need you.” Toppling back, he caught her in his arms and rolled them over, settling on top of her and making love.