The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  Cecilia’s hand flew to her mouth. “Wonderful! I really like Mandy, and she and William are so good together. I hope we can all be close. I know it would make David happy. He holds a tight bond with his cousins. And don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word!”

  “I’m certain we’ll all be as close as the brothers and cousins are. Now come, let’s go. They’re waiting.”

  Elizabeth took Cecilia’s hand and the two walked into the sitting room where refreshments and friends awaited them. Settling in for a long evening of conversation and fun, the girls sat cross-legged in a circle around a Japanese-style table set with a buffet of finger foods and wine.

  ~*~

  Daniel Russell sat at the bar flanked on his left by Harvey Darcy, a man with whom he was rapidly forming a fast friendship, and on his right, was another man he was coming to admire—David’s brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Past Fitzwilliam were the younger Darcy cousins and Richard Winthrop, and on the other side of Harvey sat Asa Smith and Solomon Abercrombie, both eagerly excited to be engaged in conversation with anyone who shared their love for horses or the hunt. Harvey appeared to share both. Daniel chuckled as he sipped his whiskey and silently listened.

  “Say, Darcy, we are both pleased as a plump tick on a dog to have your nephew joinin’ our society. I’m lookin’ forward to viewin’ that Arabian stallion of his,” said Abercrombie. “I’m hopin’ to convince him to join me in breedin’ race horses. That bloodline of his will be a gold mine at the American track.”

  “And I am most anxious to see that English Setter and those pointers of his. I plan to have him down to Leafy Oak this fall for grouse and dove huntin’. I wanna see his dogs in action. Say, Darcy, why don’t you join us? We’ve got some mighty fine huntin’ here.”

  Harvey smiled. “I don’t mind if I do, Smith. I’ll see if my sons, William and Benson would like to come along, and perhaps my other nephew, Fitzwilliam, and his cousin Richard, will want to participate. They love to shoot, too. Perhaps all of us can join you—where did you say?”

  “Leafy Oak, my plantation estate down in Jasper County. We have some of the best bird huntin’ around. Hell, come for two weeks, and we’ll hunt duck, geese, and wild turkey, too.” Smith let out a belly laugh.

  Extending his hand, Harvey replied, “I’m looking forward to it. Susan, Elizabeth, and Amanda can visit with Cecilia, and we’ll make a time of it.” Turning to Daniel, he asked, “How about you, Russell, do you shoot?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. Count me in, Asa.” Daniel lifted his drink in acknowledgment. It had been years since he’d been hunting, and now with Cecilia about to be married, he intended to settle into retirement, doing the things he’d once enjoyed. He hadn’t told her yet, but as soon as Darcy had a firm understanding of the business, Daniel intended to retire to a life of leisure, splitting his time between his estate in Beaufort County and his townhouse in Charleston. Since the death of his wife, Ellen, he’d spent very little time at Whispering Winds, but now, he could relax and go home. He smiled. …I deserve a rest, James, yes, a rest.

  Turning to his right, he caught Fitzwilliam nervously glancing from his watch to the lounge entrance. “What’s the matter, Darcy, worried about your brother?” Daniel chuckled.

  “Not worried—just wondering what’s taking him so long. I think I’ll go and check to see if he needs anything,” Fitzwilliam said, excusing himself.

  “You go and do that,” Daniel said, amused. “It’s not every day a man gets married. His insides are probably tied up in knots.”

  Fitzwilliam looked back with a laugh as he left the lounge.

  ~*~

  David paced the bedroom of his penthouse suite, glancing between his image in the floor-length mirror and the picture window. Watson was in the dressing room ironing his shirt and making his morning dress ready for tomorrow. David had never been nervous about anything, but then, he’d never married before, either. He walked over to the window and looked out, gazing down at the assembled press below. …Damn it… it’s my wedding. Can’t they leave me alone? No, I know better than to have even hoped it. They’ll be at the church tomorrow, too. I’m glad I only have to do this once. I’m beginning to think we should have eloped.

  “David?”

  “Fitzwilliam!” David exclaimed, turning to face his brother. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in. How long have you been there?”

  “Long enough to see that you’re a nervous wreck. What’s wrong?”

  “Come.” David motioned for his brother to join him at the window. “It’s been one bloody hell of a week. The London tabloid press is here in force, stalking our every move. Cecilia and I have had very little privacy. They’ve followed me everywhere, to the tailor shop, to dinner. Everywhere we go the press is there.”

  “So? Did you honestly think they wouldn’t?”

  “No, I knew they’d come. But what I didn’t expect was the nasty stories printed about us.” He frowned. “The latest front cover of the Sun Sentinel says I’ve walked away from my family. You don’t think I’ve abandoned you, do you?”

  Fitzwilliam clapped his brother’s shoulder. “Do you even have to ask? No, David, I don’t, but you know how they are. Both of us have gone against the status quo, and this is part of the price we pay. Because we are Darcys, we will always be scrutinized. It can’t be helped, but this chapter will close when the next story comes along.”

  David momentarily closed his eyes and released an exasperated sigh. Fitzwilliam had a way of calming him when he was tightly wound. He opened his eyes and saw the reassuring look from his brother.

  David smiled and relaxed. “I guess it’s nothing compared to the hell they put you through a year ago, is it?”

  “No, and it will pass. No one bats an eyelash at Elizabeth or me now. They’ve moved on to you and Cecilia. That’s just how they are. Tomorrow you’ll be yesterday’s news,” Fitzwilliam teased. “Here, let me get you a brandy. Let’s sit and talk before going down to join the others.”

  Fitzwilliam poured two glasses, inquiring of Watson if he’d like to join them.

  “No, sir, if you don’t mind, there’s a certain lady waiting for me at the bar,” Watson said with a wry grin.

  David lit up. “Watson, are you seeing that redhead you met last month?”

  “Ah, no, sir. It’s the brunette—Lindsey. She works the front desk.”

  David’s smile broadened. “Playing the field, eh?”

  “Well, you know, sir, a gentleman gets around. If you’ll excuse me, your clothes are ready, and if you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way. I don’t want to keep the lady waiting.” Watson winked, strutting towards the door.

  David flashed a smile. “A true gentleman’s gentleman.”

  Fitzwilliam laughed. “Off you go, Watson. We’ll see you in the lounge.”

  Watson dipped his head and grabbed his coat, slinging it over his shoulder as he left.

  Once they were alone, the brothers pulled up chairs, settling around the table in the sitting room, sipping their drinks.

  “So, David, tell me what you have planned for a honeymoon. I don’t think you’d decided the last time we talked.”

  “No, I hadn’t,” David laughed, “but since you are taking the house in Tortola, I’m going to take our home in Greece. We’ll be in short walking distance to the village, and we’ll have the beachfront home for the month. It’ll give us much-needed time to relax and forget about everything—especially the press.”

  “I hear you, Brother, and that sounds good to me. You two need the time. Cecilia told Elizabeth you’re overseeing plans to renovate her estate home.”

  “Yes, we’re converting the upstairs library back to its former purpose. It’ll still be a library, but it will be set up as a schoolroom and children’s library. Cecilia also wants the nursery to be converted into a combination nursery/playroom with a common room and servants’ quarters like it once was. I’ll be doing that, too.”

  “So, are you planning to begin a family
soon?”

  “Whatever she wants, it doesn’t matter to me.” He shrugged. “I never cared much for children, but with her, that’s all changed. We’ll have as many as she wants,” David said with a grin. “The number doesn’t really matter. She wants sons, but I would like a little girl to spoil.”

  “You cheeky devil. Come on. Let’s finish our drinks and go downstairs. Your guests are waiting. Uncle Harvey has been entertaining two very interesting gentlemen—a Mr. Abercrombie and a Mr. Smith. They have a shooting party planned for us in the autumn. It seems you’ve interested them both in that horse the Saudi King gave you, and of course, your shooting dogs.” Fitzwilliam downed his drink while David groaned.

  ~*~

  The next morning dawned bright and beautiful. A streak of early morning light shone through the crack in the drapes, waking Cecilia. Rushing to the window, she threw back the curtains and lifted the sash, breathing deeply the crisp spring air. She whispered, “This is my wedding day… my last day as Cecilia Lawton of Carlton. This afternoon I’ll be Cecilia Darcy of… Carlton!”

  She turned and fell back in the oversized chair by the window and smiled. Sandy would be here soon with Elizabeth and Jane to help her prepare. She felt overwhelmed and very thankful it was David she’d meet at the church this morning and not Cameron. As soon as she was ready, they would be on their way to the church.

  ~*~

  As he stood inside the vestibule waiting for Cecilia, Daniel Russell sighed. He’d barely made it through the crowded press, and Cecilia and the Darcys had had to have a special escort in order to make it through the paparazzi mob. He shook his head to clear the image of the pandemonium outside and focus on the events inside. The fruit of his efforts was about to be realized.

  Leaning against the large glass wall, he mused. Years ago, he’d made a promise to an old friend. …James, this is the day—the day for us to celebrate, the culmination of our friendship. Cecilia is marrying today, and you would be proud of her if you could see her. You would like Darcy. He’s a man after your own heart, and he will take exceedingly good care of our Celia. …Yes…I can promise you that.

  Looking over the small church sanctuary filled to capacity with David’s English relatives, the Bennetts from Longbourn, the Chaplins from St Helena and Carlton, and Cecilia’s friends, Daniel nodded with a gentle smile. They were all here and waiting. Looking a little closer, he observed David standing next to his brother. Fitzwilliam had to gently brace his arm twice as they stood waiting at the front. It seemed, one would say, that young Darcy was nervous from the way he kept glancing over his shoulder and fidgeting. Again Daniel smiled and shook his head. As his mind wandered, his thoughts were interrupted by the rushing footsteps of someone approaching. He turned to catch the sight of his goddaughter.

  “Daniel?” Cecilia asked, “Are you all right? It’s time.”

  “Celia, I’ve never been better, and you, my dear, have never looked lovelier. Let’s go. Darcy looks fit to be tied.”

  Cecilia smiled and drew in a deep breath. “Yes, let’s go. I’m as nervous as a long- tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I can only imagine what David is feeling.” She slipped her hand in the crook of Daniel’s arm. As they entered the sanctuary, the Wedding March began.

  Glancing down at his goddaughter, Daniel’s heart warmed. Cecilia looked absolutely beautiful in her mixture of blue and white. Looking towards the front, he thought what a striking contrast she was to David, dressed in black and grey with a single white blue-tipped rose in his lapel.

  Was a grown man supposed to cry? No, he thought, and yet he wanted to. This was the little girl he and James had taught to ride when she was four, the little girl who threw her arms around his neck when he and Ellen came to visit. The young lady who had cried on his shoulder the day her father died, and now the young woman he was giving to an English gentleman whom he’d slyly picked for her three years ago. His only regret was that James was not here to walk her down the aisle himself, but then, just as that thought entered his consciousness, Daniel noticed a single white dove outside the sanctuary window. It sat perched on a low-hanging branch with a sprig of pink flowering almond in its beak as it gazed in the windowpane. Daniel smiled and tipped his head in recognition. The bird nodded as if to smile and then dropped the sprig and took flight. Daniel turned and glanced at the lovely bride by his side and softly chuckled to himself.

  Arriving at the altar, Daniel released Cecilia to her bridegroom, and the wedding ceremony proceeded. When the vows were spoken and the bishop pronounced them man and wife, no one could doubt their happiness, for the glow on their faces said it all. When David kissed Cecilia, Daniel silently said a prayer of thanksgiving. His duty to her was complete. A promise made… a promise kept.

  Chapter Seventy-seven

  …If I make it home, I’m going to marry her…

  As the new Mr. and Mrs. Darcy stepped out into the bright sunshine under showers of birdseed and well-wishers’ cheers, the paparazzi pressed in, snapping pictures. Pushing their way through the crowd, David and Cecilia made it to the limo waiting to take them to the reception. They would spend an hour or two there before heading off to the airport for an undisclosed honeymoon destination. Georgiana smiled as she stood and waved goodbye—her heart swelling with joy. Both of her brothers were now married.

  As she watched David and her new sister drive away, Georgiana’s mind again drifted to a young Marine somewhere in the world, wondering where he was and what he was doing at that exact moment. Reaching into her purse, she caressed his bundle of letters she always kept close. As long as they were with her, so was he.

  Suddenly she felt an urgency to pray, as if he were in danger. Quickly she stopped and lifted him up in prayer. She wondered if that was God speaking to her as this was not the first time this strange phenomenon had occurred, and regardless of the time or place, whenever the strange feeling hit, she would pray. Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the feeling was gone. She shrugged and cleared her mind.

  “Georgiana. Georgiana!”

  “Benson!” she turned to see her cousin’s smiling face.

  “Sorry to have frightened you. You seemed lost in thought.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Just daydreaming, I suppose.”

  “Shall I walk you to the car, or would you like to walk back to the hotel since it’s such a beautiful day?”

  “Well, since you asked, I think I’d rather walk. It’s not too far, and you’re right. It is a lovely day,” she said with a smile. “What did you think of the wedding?”

  Benson laughed, placing Georgiana’s hand on the crook of his arm. “I’m still in shock. I never thought he’d settle down, but I must admit, he couldn’t have picked a woman more suited to him.” Benson sighed. “David is married. Fitzwilliam is married. William is getting married. That just leaves me and you, Georgie.” As they walked down the steps of the church, he told his father that he and Georgiana would walk to the reception.

  “Well, what about you and Cynthia? She’s a nice girl and very pretty, too. And I dare say, I think she might like you.” Georgiana squeezed his arm.

  “Yes, I know she does, but I don’t know,” Benson said, as they leisurely walked side by side down Church Street. “I’ve never had David’s attitude about marriage, but I can’t say I’m eager for a ring on my finger, either. As far as Cynthia goes, well… she’s let me know in no uncertain terms that she is the marrying kind and that I needn’t expect her to live anywhere in between.”

  “Umm… Benson, how did you feel about that?” Georgiana and Cynthia had been friends for years, and she knew very well how Cynthia felt about marriage and sex. She also knew that Cynthia cared deeply for her cousin.

  He shook his head. “I’m not ready for marriage, and yet, I respect her. I’ll have to see. I’m twenty-seven. I have a successful job, plenty of money. I just don’t know. We’ve been dating off and on for six months, and honestly, I can’t see myself married to anyone else but her.”


  “Then you have your answer, Cousin. No one says you have to announce an engagement anytime soon. Just date.”

  “Georgiana,” Benson chuckled, “you don’t understand. A man needs more from a relationship than just good company. That’s why we haven’t had a steady commitment.”

  “I’m not as naive as you think. I do know that if what you’ve just told me is how you really feel, then I would suggest that you tell Cynthia, and see what she thinks.” She studied him for a moment. “Benson, perhaps you are ready for marriage. I mean, what’s the point? If the two of you love each other, then why would you want to wait? She’s out of school and settled into her career. You’re one of the richest men in Britain. Figure out what you want and tell her.”

  He looked down at his cousin just as they turned the corner onto Broad Street. “When did you grow up to be so smart? You’re absolutely right. I’ve played the field for years with David, but now I don’t want to be with anyone else but her, so maybe it is time we talked about the future. I’ll ring her tomorrow morning and see her as soon as we’re back in London.”

  They walked in silence until the hotel came in sight. Glancing at his cousin, he asked, “What about you? Are there any prospects in your life?”

  She tightened her grip on his arm. “Yes, there is someone. I met him a year and a half ago at Fitzwilliam’s wedding.”

  “Elizabeth’s brother?”

  “Yes, Elizabeth’s brother. We’ve been corresponding, but I haven’t heard from him since he went on special assignment. I reread his letters every night, and I pray for his safe return.”