Once contented and relaxed, he cradled her close to his body, her head resting against his shoulder. “Marriage is going to be one bloody hell of a love affair, Miss Lawton.”
“Yes, indeed it is, Mr. Darcy…indeed it is.” She rose up on one elbow and gazed into his eyes. “And we are going to be the happiest couple in the entire world.” As she bent down, capturing his lips, David was once again lost in Cecilia Lawton’s kiss, just as he’d been from the very first time she had kissed him.
Chapter Seventy-one
…a gentleman’s gentleman…
As Cecilia fell back into her chair, she took a deep breath, her head still spinning from the change of events. Two days earlier, she’d been engaged to a man she could barely stand, and now she was engaged to the man she thought she’d lost forever, the only man whom she knew she would ever love. Sighing, she picked up her appointment book. It had taken all morning, but finally, the last appointments were attended to.
That left only one more detail—Daniel. She hadn’t seen her godfather since Saturday night, but from the relieved smile that had graced his face, she knew he was pleased, especially after that scathing talking-to he’d given her when she’d told him about her engagement to Cameron. She laughed to herself. …Apparently he likes David. Well, we’ll see. I need him to cover for me. I’d better call him.
After attending to one more minor detail, she picked up the phone and called. When all was said and done, Daniel had agreed to oversee her operations for the next two months, giving her the time she needed to be with David. With the business considerations taken care of, Daniel moved the conversation onto a personal level.
“Celia, I’ve been watching you and young Darcy from afar. I’ve always known there was an attraction between the two of you. I’ve even talked with him about it.” Daniel heard her gasp and chuckled. “Oh, don’t sound so surprised. After all, your happiness is one of my main concerns. I recognized right from the start that Darcy was worthy of you, and I want you to know that I could not be more pleased with your decision, even if it does have most of the old women from here to Georgetown burning up the phone lines, talkin’ about it.” He laughed into the phone.
“They’ll most likely still be talking about me this time next year. I’ve done it again, haven’t I?”
“The old biddies will get over it, so don’t give them another thought. They don’t amount to a hill of beans anyway. Besides, I do believe Darcy would have gotten along well with James. That little stunt he pulled Saturday night reminds me of your father. I could see James doing the same kind of thing, or for that matter, it just as well could have been me when I was Darcy’s age. But just because I approve of him, doesn’t mean I don’t want to grill him, so send him down to my office.”
Cecilia released a nervous laugh. “Daniel! I’m over twenty-one and out of school. You don’t have to scrutinize my dates, let alone my fiancé. I’m quite capable of deciding my future.”
“Oh? Are you now?” he teasingly reprimanded. “You came very close to making one of the worst blunders of your life. I want to speak with Darcy, and I’m not joking, Celia. It’s my responsibility to look after you.” His firm voice declared he wouldn’t be moved, and she knew it.
“Why didn’t you talk with Cameron when we became engaged?”
“Who says I didn’t? That arrogant ass! I’ve known him since he was in diapers, and I’ve never liked him or Sheldon, either one.” Daniel paused for a moment. “Cecilia, let me be very serious with you. You suspected it was Lucinda who called you that fateful afternoon, and in fact, it was, but don’t forget—Lucinda is my niece. She acted at my directive.”
“You! Daniel, how could you do that to me, and why haven’t you told me this before now?”
“Because I saw no reason to. Also, I knew I had to show you instead of tellin’ you, or you would not have believed me, so it had to be as it was. And do not think your father didn’t know about it. James knew, and it was all I could do to keep him from going over to Sheldon’s and having it out with both him and Cameron. But reason prevailed, and we separated the two of you. That is why your father was so agreeable to sending you away. Didn’t you ever wonder about that?”
“Yes, I suppose I did, but I thought that perhaps he wanted me to explore life, and besides, I was with Ron Bennett’s daughters.”
“No, it wasn’t that. Being with the Bennett girls certainly helped, but James wanted you away from Cameron.”
“He cared, didn’t he?”
“Yes, Celia, he cared, and so do I. That’s why I promised your father that I would take care of you. I’ve watched over you all these years, and of late, I’ve grieved over you. If Darcy is half the man I believe him to be, it will be a pleasure to turn you over to him and let him worry about you for a change. This old man needs a rest.”
“I love you, Daniel.”
“I love you, too, dumplin’.” Daniel chuckled. “Now, I want to see if Darcy is the man I think he is. Send him down.”
Cecilia rolled her eyes and laughed. “Dumplin’! Daniel, I’m warning you, behave yourself.”
Cecilia placed the phone in its cradle and glanced up, still smiling as David came through the door with a cup of coffee. “Darling, I hate to do this to you, but Daniel wants to speak with you. Seems he takes his role as my godfather very seriously. His office is on this floor. It’s to the right of the elevator. His name is on the door,” Cecilia said with a smile.
David laughed. “Is this a joke?”
Cecilia lifted a brow and tilted her head with a smile. “It’s no joke, darling. He’s for real.”
Startled, David asked, “Do I have to ask permission, or is this for a blessing only?”
“Hell no, you don’t have to ask permission! He made a promise to my father, and I’m afraid he takes it very seriously. This is his way of fulfilling it, but don’t be surprised if he also has a little fun at your expense.” She laughed, slightly embarrassed. However, after the argument they’d had over Cameron and the little talk he’d just given her, she knew Daniel was deadly serious.
David drew in a measured breath, shaking his head as he shrugged his shoulders and set his coffee on her desk. “All right, for you, I’ll do this.” He turned and exited.
Cecilia rose from her desk and went to the door, watching David head in the direction of Daniel’s office.
~*~
David released a deep breath as he walked towards his destination. This turn of events had been totally unexpected. He knew he hadn’t experienced what Fitzwilliam had, but he certainly felt like he’d been through the wringer, and now he was about to jump into a bloody inquisition. He knew he must really be in love to put himself through this!
When David reached Daniel’s office, he felt somewhat intimidated, but he was resolved to follow through with whatever it took to make everybody involved happy. If he had to ask for her hand, he would.
Daniel was scribbling something on a legal pad when David appeared at the door, but he glanced up and signaled David to have a seat before returning to his work. “That was quite a spectacle you created Saturday night, Darcy.” Daniel continued to write. “Do you always make such a grand entrance to a ball?” Daniel asked in a dignified manner as he finally raised his eyes.
“Sir, I do apologise for creating a scene, but I was des—”
“Desperate. Yes, I had that much figured out, but Darcy, come now, why did you have to make such a display?”
Studying the man before him, David thought Daniel was beginning to enjoy putting him through torture.
“Sir, I believe the answer is obvious! I’m in love with Miss Lawton, and you were about to announce her engagement to someone else!” David paused. “If I must ask for your consent, your blessing, or whatever you deem necessary, then consider this an application. I love Cecilia. I want to marry her, and I’ve never been more certain of anything in my entire life!” David spat out, jumping up.
At this, Daniel broke into a big smile and laughed.
“Darcy, come down from your high horse and resume your seat. I was only testing your resolve. You have my permission, blessing, and anything else I can give you. A marriage in a month’s time is a hurried-up affair, but I know Celia, and I suppose you, too, can’t wait to marry. If that’s what the two of you want, then go to it,” he said with a smile. “She isn’t gettin’ any younger and neither are you.” Daniel laughed once more. “But on a more serious note, though, make her happy, Darcy. Make her happy, because she deserves it.”
David let out the deep breath he’d been holding, and smiled, looking directly at Daniel Russell. “On that, sir, we can agree. I will spend the rest of my life doing just that. Her happiness is my greatest concern. You can be assured of that. She means everything to me.”
“I’m greatly relieved to hear it, and Darcy, I’ve always known, since I first noticed you looking at my goddaughter, that you were the one to make her happy. That’s why I pointed you in her direction. Of course, I had to let nature take its course, but I was confident in which direction this would go, though you almost blew it. But, if Celia can forgive you, then so can I.”
Startled, David observed the old man closely. “Sir, how did you know when we didn’t know ourselves?”
“Because I’m older and wiser than you, and I’ve been around the block a few times. That’s why.” Daniel chuckled in amusement. “I noted the attraction, and furthermore I recognized that you are a good man. I also knew that Celia’s heart is not easily touched, and that you cannot resist a challenge attached to a pretty woman. She, on the other hand, needs a strong man, and you are definitely that. She won’t be happy with a man she can dominate, or a man she doesn’t respect. Remember that, Darcy. She needs a man who is her equal, and you are certainly her equal in so many ways.”
“I like you, Russell.” David reached over and shook his hand.
Daniel smiled as he rose to his feet and went to his liquor cabinet where he took out two glasses. “Now, have a whiskey with me before you go back to your sweetheart. You two should be planning your honeymoon. I’ll be covering for her for the next two months.” He poured two glasses of Gentleman Jack and handed one to David. The two men conversed for another thirty minutes before David left to find Cecilia.
~*~
When David returned to his fiancée’s office, he looked rather grave.
“Well? What did he say?” Cecilia asked, more than just a little concerned.
David broke into a big smile. “We have his blessing. He said, and I quote, ‘Go to it.’ I rather like him, even though he had me very anxious for a short time. Let’s find someplace to eat, and I’ll tell you all about it over lunch.”
Cecilia shuffled a few more papers, left some instructions for her personal assistant, and then they headed in the direction of the stairwell. But before leaving, she stopped by Daniel’s office to give him a hug and a kiss. Soon after, they headed down the stairs and out the door to Cecilia’s car, making their way to their favorite café on Queen Street.
When they arrived, they took an outdoor table under the pergola now covered in sapphire-blue, sweet-scented, wisteria blossoms. Ordering their sandwiches and iced tea, they settled in to talk. “Cecilia, were you aware that Daniel set us up?” David asked before taking a sip of tea.
“What do you mean?” She frowned, startled at his words.
“Just what I said. He set us up. You remember our first night together? It was by his design.”
“How do you know that? Did he say so?”
“No, he only told me that he pushed us together and let nature take its course. I figured it out from there. Remember the day we were negotiating the coffee contract? Remember his phone call?”
“Yes, yes I do. Why, that—”
“Lawton,” David held up his hand, “have a little respect for your elders. It didn’t turn out so bad, now did it? But had I known back then what he’d done, I wouldn’t have liked it. However, now that it’s done, I’m rather glad he interfered. Look at us, Cecilia. We owe our happiness to a well-meaning man’s interference. He loves you, and so do I.”
“Well, since you put it that way, I suppose I can forgive him just this once, but I’ll wring his leathery neck if he ever does anything like that again.” She lifted her glass to her lips.
“You’ll do no such thing. I like him, even if he does drink foul-tasting whiskey.”
Cecilia burst out laughing, coughing tea into her napkin. “Oh, so you don’t like Gentleman Jack, do you?”
“It’s the worst-tasting stuff I’ve ever had.”
Amused, she replied, “It was Daddy and Daniel’s favorite. The two of them used to shoot it straight. I see you have a lot to learn about Southern gentlemen.”
“You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
“No, not in the least, and if you are going to be here with us, you’ll have to acquire the taste. It’s what most of the men drink.”
“What am I marrying into?” he whispered as he rolled his eyes.
“You’ll get used to it. After a while, it’s not so bad.” Cecilia glanced up to see the waiter approaching their table. “Well, here come our sandwiches.”
While they ate, David suddenly fell back in his chair, uttering a low curse. “Damn! I forgot all about Watson. I haven’t seen him since Saturday night. I need to ring him. He probably thinks I’ve dropped off the face of the earth!”
Cecilia laughed. “David, I’m sure he’s all right. The last time I saw him he was in the very capable hands of one of my maids, Jenny O’Donnell, but you go ahead and call him if it pleases you.”
“I have to, Cecilia. I need him to get my things ready for the return flight tomorrow. He’ll need access to your suite in order to pack.”
“Go ahead and give him a call then, and tell him we’ll meet him at your room, and then he can come up with us—but don’t expect him to be alone. Jenny gets around.” Cecilia winked.
“I see,” David said with a crooked grin as he pulled out his mobile.
After several rings, a very sheepish Watson answered the phone. David couldn’t help but hear a woman’s giggles in the background. Once business was concluded, David admonished Watson. “Now off you go, and Watson…”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re a gentleman’s gentleman. Remember that. I expect you to be at least as good as me.”
“Yes, sir.” Watson chuckled.
Sliding his mobile shut, David looked at Cecilia and grinned while she rolled her eyes.
“This must be the third British invasion. First the Redcoats, then the Beatles, and now you and Watson.”
David laughed aloud. “Never let it be said that a Brit doesn’t know how to handle a woman.” He touched his glass to hers. “Cheers, Ms. Lawton.” They finished lunch and headed back to the Lawton Hotel.
Chapter Seventy-two
…You’re insatiable…
The next day, David, Cecilia, and Watson boarded Pemberley Two, headed for London. Shortly after takeoff with Watson secured in the front sitting room, David and Cecilia comfortably situated themselves in the bedroom of his Lear jet for privacy.
They discussed their plans as David held Cecilia close, her head resting on his shoulder. “I’m going to put an announcement in The Sunday Times soon after we arrive. When we return to Charleston, will you do the same there, and do you think we could be married in your family church?”
“I think it can be arranged. I’ll place the announcement and speak with the parish rector. I’m sure Bishop Lowndes would be pleased to marry us, but I don’t want a society wedding. I will not be put on public display. I only want our closest friends and family there. I have no family of my own, but of course, I consider Daniel Russell and the Chaplins to be family.”
“I’m relieved about the wedding since I don’t like public displays either, but you are wrong about one thing. You’ll soon have more family than you can imagine. I have several cousins, aunts, and uncles who will love you. When we’re in England, we’ll have
a formal dinner to announce our engagement to my family.”
“That sounds good to me. I’m looking forward to meeting them.” Cecilia snuggled closer with her head resting on David’s chest just under his chin. “I still can’t believe this is real. We are getting married, and you want to live in Charleston. I wouldn’t have thought you would ever leave England.”
David kissed the top of her head. “You can’t leave Charleston, but I can leave England. Since Pemberley Estate and Darcy House belong to Fitzwilliam, I have nothing holding me there. You have your business, your father’s research and historical work, and four homes in South Carolina, so it just makes sense that Charleston should be our home. My personal preference would be to live at Carlton House in the winter, but what would you say about spending the summer at James Island? Then, perhaps, we can use the townhouse whenever we need to be in town. What do you think?”
“Oh, I would love that. James Island is beautiful in the summertime. I only lived in town because it was convenient.”
David looked at her with a warm smile. “I’m glad we agree on that then, for I want our children to learn to ride and grow up in the country. I believe it gives one a greater appreciation for the land. I want to stock the libraries with works of literature, history, and philosophy. I want our children to have the same education Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, and I had. We can do some of the teaching ourselves, if you would like, and we can hire tutors as needed until they’re old enough to attend the prep school you attended. With your MBA from Harvard and my undergraduate degree from Oxford, we would do well,” he said, glancing down at her with a smile. “If you disagree with any of this, tell me. I want you to be happy with whatever we do.”
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