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The Cumberland Plateau

Page 83

by Mary K. Baxley

Cecilia propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him intently. “So far I agree with you on everything, but you had better inspect our libraries before you buy any books. They may not be in as much need as you think. And I do want our children to have a classical education. It’s been years, but I can read and write Greek and Latin, and I speak Spanish and French fluently. I’ve read all of the classics, and I’m familiar with more than just Southern history. I was educated in the classics at a Jesuit school. My father saw to that.”

  David eyes twinkled. “I thought as much. There’s a lot more to you than one notices upon first acquaintance. And you’re right; I’ll have to inspect our libraries. In fact, I haven’t even been interested in such things for many years. It was always Fitzwilliam who took an interest in books, but now I have a reason to have that interest myself.”

  David shifted about on the bed for a comfortable spot. “I’m going to bring my cars, personal horses, and shooting dogs with me when we return, and I want to acquire a set of hounds. Asa Smith wants to introduce me to coon hunting. I’ve looked into it, and it looks interesting. He says that Walkers and Redbones are the best breeds for that. He tells me they fox hunt here, too.”

  She looked at him and laughed. “Yes, that’s right,” she said. “They’ll make a Southern gentleman out of you yet! As for hounds, they’re not hard to find. As soon as we’re settled in, I’ll take you to some of the best breeders in the South. We’ll get you a set of whatever you want and a bloodhound for me.”

  “I’ll hold you to it, Lawton. From what I’ve seen, a farm is not complete without some kind of hound. We’ll get a pair of each and a bloodhound for you. I want to breed them, and after talking with Solomon, I think I’ll explore horse breeding, too.”

  He hugged her and gave her a gentle kiss. “Now, I’d like to select your engagement ring and our wedding bands whilst we’re in London. Would you like to come with me, or do you want me to surprise you?”

  “I think I’ll come along.”

  “Very well, we’ll go together then. Also, I’m entitled to some of my family’s estate jewelry, and I want to choose several pieces for you. I thought you might like to have one of the family wedding sets. There are many precious gems, as well as diamonds and pearls.”

  “I will look, and we can choose together. There are several heirloom pieces in my family as well that were worn mostly during the season.”

  “That’s when these pieces were worn. My mother would wear them when she was in London attending some social function or other.”

  He paused for a moment, turning and looking her directly in the eye with a more serious countenance. “I want you to know that I plan to retire from Darcy Enterprises to work for you, but I will remain on the board of directors for Fitzwilliam’s sake, and I’ll still retain a joint controlling interest of the company. I’m also going to put your name on everything I own and control concerning Pemberley, PLC.”

  “David, I’m honored that you would consider that, but it isn’t necessary.”

  “On the contrary; it’s very necessary. In case something should happen to me, I want you to carry on in my stead. It would also secure my interests in Pemberley for any children we should have. I trust you in this.”

  “I can see the logic behind it, and I suppose we will need to talk about Lawton, too. I don’t plan to have a prenuptial for the same reason. I trust you.”

  David laughed as she gave him a hug. “I have dreams for your company, Cecilia. I want to build a legacy for our children, and I’m willing to invest half of my cash inheritance into Lawton. I would like to see you go into the international markets more heavily than you already are. That’s my field of expertise with Darcy Enterprises. I believe you need to expand your import/export business and contract to have your cotton processed yourself instead of selling it raw. We’ll have to go overseas to have that done, and then we can market the cloth to top designers. With your shrewd business sense and expertise, along with my import/export knowledge, we can go far towards expanding your family business. What do you think?”

  “I’m listening, and I’m very interested. Tell me more.”

  He smiled and nodded. “I’ve been studying your rice and cotton foundations. We need to accelerate those projects. There is a big demand for the cotton cloth. You need to plant all the available land you have. I know it’s still in the developmental stages, but you already have the best cotton on the market. You need to go with it now. Don’t wait. As for the Carolina Gold, I’ve researched the markets there, too. In its day, it was the world’s leading rice. It can be again.”

  She wrinkled her brow. “I’m encouraged about the rice, as I’ve thoroughly researched it myself, but do you really think we can compete with the Egyptian and Pima cottons?”

  “Yes, I do. Months ago, I mentioned it to a couple of my associates in London who contacted some of the top designers in New York, Paris, and Milan, and they will take all we can sell them.”

  She reached up and brushed a lock of hair from his brow. “Then it will be your project. We’re planting fifteen hundred acres this year, and I’m buying all the land I can as it becomes available. If you think you can market the cotton, then go for it.”

  He tightened his embrace. “There’s one other thing. I know you haven’t gone public with the company, and I also know what a headache it is to do so, but you might want to consider it. You’d make an excellent CEO, and you know I’ll be there to help you every step of the way if you ever decide to take Lawton in that direction.”

  She dropped her lashes, tapping her fingers on her lower lip. “I have been thinking about it for several years now. Daddy didn’t want to take that step because he would lose control by giving power to the stockholders, but the benefit is that I wouldn’t have to work as hard. I believe Daddy’s heavy drinking and his pouring himself into Lawton shortened his life. I’ll think about it, and then we’ll talk. I want you to learn everything you can about Lawton, and we’ll discuss this again.”

  “After our honeymoon.”

  “Yes.” She chuckled and nodded in agreement.

  Smiling, she reached to take his hand. “David, I couldn’t be more pleased at how well we complement one another. I know how good you are in the business world, and now that you’re willing to work for me, I get an international business partner as well as a husband. I am indeed fortunate.”

  “And I get a shrewd businesswoman as well as a wife who is GIB.”

  “GIB?”

  “Good in bed,” he said with a mischievous grin.

  “So that’s important in the bargain, hmm?”

  “Very—perhaps the most important.” he teased, pulling her on top of him.

  “Sometimes I think you can’t get enough. You’re insatiable.”

  “It’s been five months, Lawton.”

  “Didn’t you see anyone while you were in London?”

  “Lawton, I won’t ask you about Cameron if you don’t ask me about London.”

  “You’re incorrigible!”

  “Do I hear any complaints?”

  “None!”

  Chapter Seventy-three

  …you complete me in every way…

  As the limo pulled through the great iron gate of Darcy House, Cecilia’s eyes widened. Although she’d been to London many times with her father, and then later on her own, she’d never taken the tour of the beautiful estate homes, nor could she have imagined the splendor of an 18th century English townhouse such as the one set before her. Unlike Southern mansions, this one was landscaped with ornately sculptured hedges and a water fountain in the center of the drive. Pleasing statues decorated a neatly manicured lawn. All of it spoke not only of the wealth of the family that owned it, but also of their discriminating taste.

  To Cecilia, it looked like the perfect place for children to play yard games, hiding in and amongst the gardens and maze of hedgerows. Elizabeth had told her of the majesty of her new home, but there were no words to describe what Cecilia saw. She gla
nced at David and smiled. He could marry anyone—the daughter of an earl, a duke, a marquis. And yet he had chosen her! Her heart warmed and filled to overflowing for the man beside her.

  David carefully took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “What do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful. Different from what I’m used to, but beautiful. Elizabeth is indeed a lucky woman to have fallen in love with Prince Charming and I with his charming brother—a prince of my own.”

  David heartily laughed. “Somehow that’s not what I expected you to say. We are far from being royalty. This is nothing compared to the Queen’s castles.” Seeing a man standing on the portico, he gestured. “Higgins has come to meet us. He’ll get someone to unload our luggage, and I’ll give you a tour of my family’s home,” he said as a servant followed by two others approached the limo.

  When the car rolled to a stop, David exited, followed by Cecilia. After giving instructions, David turned back to Cecilia. “Let’s go in. My brother and Elizabeth should be there to greet us.”

  When they stepped into the spacious entryway, Elizabeth flew down the stairs into Cecilia’s embrace, hugging her old friend dearly. “Celia, I am so very glad to see you and to know that we’ll soon be sisters. I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  “I’m so glad to see you, too, and I can’t wait to see how Alex and Emily have grown. How are they treating their daddy?”

  “Fitzwilliam is a natural. He’s quite good at changing nappies,” Elizabeth said, glancing at her husband with a teasing smile as he made his way from the library.

  “Nappies?” Cecilia raised a brow.

  “Diapers,” Elizabeth giggled. “That’s what they call them over here. You have a lot to learn.”

  “David, just you wait. Your turn is coming,” Fitzwilliam said with a confident smile.

  “Well, to let you know how much I’ve changed, I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

  Just as they had finished greeting one another, Georgiana entered the room with Alex, followed by Clara with Emily. “David! I’m so glad to see you,” she said, passing Alex off to his father before pulling David into a tight embrace.

  Hugging her back with an affectionate kiss to the cheek, he replied, “Georgiana, I want you to meet my fiancée, Cecilia Lawton, from Charleston, South Carolina. Cecilia, this is my sister, Georgiana.”

  Georgiana quickly extended her hand. “Cecilia, it’s so good to meet the woman who has tamed my wayward brother. It’s about time he settled down. My brother’s been smitten with you for some time now. You should have seen the way he pined away in that semi-dreamy state for the last year. I knew there had to be a woman behind it.” She laughed.

  “Georgiana! I’ve done no such thing!”

  “Oh, yes, you have.” She gave him a cheeky look. “Just because I’m six years younger than you doesn’t mean that I don’t have a keen eye when it comes to analyzing my brothers. Observing the two of you has educated me in matters of the heart,” she giggled, glancing between her two brothers’ red faces.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Georgiana. I have heard so much about you that I feel I already know you,” Cecilia said, smiling with genuine affection.

  Turning to David, Cecilia raised an eyebrow. “Hmm… I think we have some more exploring to do. Pining away, huh?”

  David rolled his eyes and laughed.

  Lifting Alex from Fitzwilliam’s arms and taking Cecilia’s hand, Elizabeth suggested, “Come, ladies, let’s call for tea and take this conversation to the drawing-room. I believe Fitzwilliam and David need to talk.” Elizabeth took Georgiana and Cecilia with her for refreshments while the brothers left for a private conversation.

  As they entered the study, both walked over to the drinks cabinet. Fitzwilliam poured two glasses of wine and selected two cigars. They took seats in the wing-backed chairs in front of the fireplace and lit their cigars while they settled in for a long talk.

  “Fitzwilliam, what do you say to spending a week at Pemberley? Elizabeth’s never seen the estate, and I want Cecilia to see it before we have to return to Charleston.”

  “I’m glad you brought that up, because now that the two of you are here, we’re planning to have the children christened at Pemberley Chapel. I called the vicar at Lambton as soon as I knew you were coming to set the christening for Saturday. It’s long overdue. Elizabeth wants you and Cecilia to be the godparents.”

  “I know Cecilia would be as honored as I am. She talks frequently about the children. I believe she really grew to love them whilst they were in Charleston.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Fitzwilliam said as he took a sip of his wine. “I understand you want to host an engagement dinner. Do you want to hold the dinner in London or Derbyshire? The family can make it at either place.”

  “I’d prefer Pemberley. We’ll invite some of the neighbors as well.”

  “Good, I’ll have Elizabeth and Georgiana arrange it.”

  “Fitzwilliam, before I forget, I want to mention that I have discussed with Cecilia the matter of our family heirloom wedding sets. Cecilia and I would like to choose one together. Have you given one to Elizabeth yet?”

  “No, we can take care of that when we go to Pemberley, but I do suggest you get Cecilia one of her own as well as the heirloom set.”

  “Yes, I intend to. Tomorrow, when we will go to Garrard’s, I’m going to buy her a ring and an engagement present.”

  With a lull in the conservation, David contemplated what he was about to say. Although he’d thought it through, he knew it would not be easy to tell his brother his plans, but tell him he must.

  “Fitzwilliam, there is one other thing that I need to tell you.” He took a puff of his cigar and hesitated. “I’ll be leaving Darcy Enterprises to join in partnership with Cecilia. My resignation will be effective in one month, when we marry.”

  Fitzwilliam winced. “I thought you might be leaving. I’m not entirely surprised, but I hate to lose you. You’re good at what you do and will be sorely missed—and not just in business, either.” Fitzwilliam looked into his brother’s eyes. “David, if there is anything we can do to help you and Cecilia, just ask.”

  Knowing his concern, David reassured him. “I will, but I want you to know you’re not losing a brother. We’ll visit each other often. I want very much for our families, especially our children, to know one another. Cecilia told me she used to spend her summers with the Bennetts, and I want our children to do the same. Perhaps we can alternate spending Christmas and holidays between Charleston and Pemberley.” David swallowed against the lump in his throat while suppressing the burning sensation in his eyes. “Fitzwilliam, you’re gaining a new family—mine, and I want us to keep that close connection.”

  “Yes, we will.” Fitzwilliam took a long draw on his cigar and lowered his gaze. “I have always wanted us to remain close, especially with our immediate families. I feel life is taking us in different directions, and it saddens me to think that you won’t be here when I will want to see you on a whim. You’ll be an ocean away. I’m going to miss you.”

  David quickly added. “Yes, but I’ll only be a phone call away, and if you should ever need me, I’ll come. And I know you would do the same for me.”

  “I do know that, but I’ll feel the loss just the same.”

  Both brothers remained quiet for a moment, and then David spoke. “Fitzwilliam, I’m taking my inheritance to invest in Cecilia’s company. I’ve learned a lot working with our business, and I plan to use that knowledge to expand Cecilia’s interests, but I won’t undercut my family.”

  Fitzwilliam glanced up. “I’m not worried about that. Even if we do cross markets, there’s enough for both of us. Although, there is one thing. I want you to remain on the board of directors. I need you.”

  “I have no intention of giving up that position. I’m marrying—not divorcing my family.”

  “I know, David, I know—and thanks.”

  ~*~

  Th
e following day, David and Cecilia left for the offices of The Times. He intended to place a simple announcement in the upcoming Sunday edition, but before he could leave the building, the editor-in-chief called him back.

  Once The Times editor realized who was placing the announcement and its significance, he insisted on pictures and an interview. David, knowing he must relent, granted the interview, along with a series of pictures of him and Cecilia for the front page of the society section. David was his usual confident self, and Cecilia had to laugh at the interest one simple announcement appeared to create.

  After leaving The Times building, he and Cecilia made their way to Garrard’s of Mayfair to choose an engagement ring. The very same sales associate that had helped his brother was available to help them as well.

  “What are you looking for in a ring, Mr. Darcy?”

  Deferring to his fiancée, he said, “Cecilia, do you want gold or platinum?”

  “Hmm…I’d like yellow gold and a single round diamond no larger than a carat or perhaps two.”

  “Nonsense! Rhett bought Scarlett the largest diamond he could find. I’ll have the same.” He looked the clerk directly in the eye and said, “Bring us all you have in two carats and larger.”

  Cecilia blinked twice and nodded to the associate. “Let me see what you have, then.”

  “Miss, would you like to see our colored diamonds. They’re all the rage this year. We offer black, blue, red, pink, and yellow.”

  “No, I’m a traditional American girl. I prefer white diamonds.”

  The sales associate smiled and went to the back, returning with several trays of engagement rings of two to five carats, all flawless with no inclusions. Cecilia immediately spied an 18k gold elegant engagement ring with an eternal cut five-carat diamond. It was surrounded by a circlet of fourteen interlocking sapphires mounted in platinum upon a diamond heart-shaped, split-shank channel setting. Completing the collection was a choice of either a matching 18k gold wedding band with a full circle of channel-set round diamonds, or a similar band of sapphires and diamonds. With either band, it was a striking combination with an equally impressive price tag of over £450,000. David smiled as he glanced between the rings and Cecilia’s captivated look.

 

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