The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  “David told me about the way the two of you looked at each other.” He glanced at his cousin. “Georgie, I don’t want to see you get hurt. Are you sure about this? I mean, he’s a Marine. Not only is his job dangerous, but they are notorious for wild living—drinking and partying.”

  She smacked his arm and laughed. “Like you and David! I’d say he’s just like any other man then, so why is it different if he’s interested in me? Why am I different?”

  “Well, you’re…you’re my cousin, and—”

  “I’m no different from Cynthia. That’s the trouble with brothers and cousins. You have one standard for me and another for your girlfriends.”

  “Point taken, and it gives me a different perspective on Cynthia. I’ll think about it.” Turning the curve into the Lawton parking lot, he said, “Well, we’re here. After the reception, let’s take the horse-drawn carriage tour of the city. I’d like to see the attractions and talk a little more.”

  She looked up and smiled. “I’d like that very much.”

  They walked inside and headed towards the dining hall where David and Cecilia were waiting, along with William and Mandy and Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam.

  Afghanistan

  The day broke cold and miserable over the mountains as a cruel wind whipped through the camp. A small group of Marines huddled around a fire, smoking cigarettes and rubbing their hands together, trying to get warm.

  “Bennett, you were careless last night. You’re gonna get your damn head blown off. What’s wrong with you lately?”

  “I don’t know what your problem is, Bailey. I figure we’re even now. Last week, I picked that raghead bastard off of you just as he was about to slit your throat. You, me, and Butler—we’re a team. That’s what we do—cover each other’s asses.”

  “Yeah, that’s what’s worrying me. We’ve been cutting it awfully close lately. I’m afraid one of us, maybe all of us, ain’t gonna make it back this time. The further we go up into these Godforsaken mountains, the more dangerous it gets. It’s not like it was in Iraq when we were taking out insurgents. These guys are better trained and more determined—and deadly. One of us is gonna get killed.”

  Butler cut his eyes across at his companion as he took another drag off his cigarette. “Shut up, Bailey! I don’t want to hear that talk. I have a wife and a baby at home. I’m going to make it outa here.”

  “We’ve been out here for six friggin’ months, Butler, and we’re no closer to finding their central command than the first day we arrived. We’ve lost two lieutenants and a half a dozen enlisted men. It’s so damned cold it would freeze the wart off a well digger’s ass in Utah. You can see your breath with every word uttered. Even the horses struggle with this bitter cold. When is this gonna end?”

  “It’ll end when we get our man. He’s up there. It’s our job to find him…and find him we will. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking my coffee back to my tent. I’ve got some things to look over before we head out today. Have the horses saddled. We’re going out in an hour,” Bennett said as he put out his cigarette and grabbed a cup of coffee. Coffee. It wasn’t good, but at least it was hot.

  Once in the confines of his tent, he pulled out the reconnaissance maps they’d gotten from last night’s spy planes. Poring over the maps, he jabbed his finger at one particular mountain range. …He’s there—there in those caves or those clefts in the rocks. I know he is. We’ve just got to find him.

  As Joseph sat studying the map, his mind drifted to last night. It had been close—too close. Had it not been for Bailey, he wouldn’t be sitting here today studying this map at all. Returning to camp from a scouting expedition, he’d wandered a little further than he should have. Georgiana Darcy had been on his mind. While he’d been lost in his thoughts, an Afghan scout had crept up behind him and had been about to fire when Bailey appeared out of nowhere, putting a forty-five round right between the young man’s eyes. The cracking sound of the revolver had shaken Joseph to the core.

  When he’d recovered his wits enough to get up off the ground, he’d walked to where the body lay and rolled the young man over. What he saw sickened him. It had been a boy—a boy no more than fourteen or maybe fifteen—younger than his baby brother. That was the thing that stuck in his craw. These people would use children to fight, and if he didn’t fight back, these children would kill him just as dead as if they’d been men. Sometimes, children as young as ten had attacked his group. He thanked God he’d never had to kill a child, but others had. This was war.

  He shook his head. That was why he hadn’t wanted to become involved with Georgiana. She’d almost gotten him killed last night. Bailey didn’t know about her. No one knew. But Bailey did know he wasn’t his usual sharp self. Bennett let out a rough breath as he took another sip of coffee. He had to get a grip. He had to push Georgiana Darcy deep down inside of himself, or there would be no future for them. Still, before he went out today, he would pull out her letters and reread them. He smiled. …She must be praying for me. Somebody is—somebody was last night.

  After he’d read the last letter, he bundled them together and tucked them safely away in his breast pocket, and then folded the map and put it back in his map-sack. Today they would scout the eastern side of this mountain range, looking for one more piece to the puzzle…one more clue.

  Chapter Seventy-eight

  …The only woman I want to carouse with is you …

  As soon as they could escape the reception hall and paparazzi mob, David and Cecilia were in the air headed for Greece. The reaction David received when he announced their destination had been priceless, giving him more memories to record in the journal he’d begun shortly after they’d become engaged.

  Cecilia had never been to Greece, so David was elated that he could show her something for the first time—something common to him, but new to her. Seeing the look of wonder in her deep violet-blue eyes when he pointed out and explained some little ruin that seemed insignificant to him, and yet, was one she’d never heard of, thrilled him. They toured the islands, visiting any tourist shops they could find. He was amused as she dragged him from one shop to another, adding to her extensive collection of history volumes for their home library.

  After a week of touring the ancient ruins of Athens, they retired to the small villa owned by Pemberley, PLC, complete with a pool and easy access to the beach. They were close enough to walk to the marketplace to shop and explore the unique treasures of the local villagers. The rest of their time they spent relaxing on the beach or swimming in the ocean, content and happy. In the evenings, they relaxed by the pool where they laughed and talked late into the night about their future and Lawton & Co.

  Taking long walks, hand in hand, along the beach, they played like two young lovers. David could not remember a time when he’d felt more carefree nor could he imagine ever being without Cecilia. They were quickly becoming one soul…one mind…one body—soul mates.

  The month passed all too quickly. Soon they would have to return to ordinary life.

  “Are you ready to go home, love?” David asked one evening as they sat on the beach watching the sun set.

  “Well, I have enjoyed our time together very much, but I think that I am ready to go. I want to settle into our life at home and get back to work. We do have a lot to do, and I know you’re anxious to begin the changes to Carlton House.”

  “It does need to begin straightaway, and I want to become familiar with the company. I meant everything I said about expanding into the international markets.” He gave her a tender kiss and then helped her to her feet. “Let’s go home, Mrs. Darcy.” They walked along the beach one more time with the ocean lapping at their feet before returning to the villa.

  ~*~

  The first order of business upon settling into St. James House was to pick up the wedding pictures. While Cecilia unpacked, David went to the studio. Standing at the counter flipping through the album, a pleased smile curled his lips. They were more than he had hoped for—me
mories for a lifetime. Their wedding day had been a blur to him, and now, looking through the album, he could actually “see” his wedding. But most precious to him was the locket he now held in his hand. He opened it to look at the picture the photographer had inserted into the gold casing. It showed the two of them sharing their first kiss as man and wife at the altar. It seemed so appropriate to the inscription he’d had engraved on the other side. He knew she would love it.

  “Thank you, Mr. Phillips. You did an excellent job with the wedding pictures.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. It was a true pleasure to photograph your wedding. You are a lovely couple, and I wish you both all the happiness possible.”

  “Thank you again. I believe we shall be happy…in fact, very happy.” David beamed as he collected the packages and headed for home. When he arrived, he went straight to the garden room where, as he had suspected, she was resting.

  “Cecilia, love, I have our pictures. Would you like to see them?”

  “Of course! Bring them here, and let’s look at them together.”

  Handing her the album along with the box, he stood back to watch her reaction.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s for you. Open it,” he said with a smile.

  She opened the box and removed the locket. Opening the heart-shaped pendant, she looked at their wedding picture as she ran her finger over the inscription. Yours… Forevermore… David.

  “Darling, you never cease to amaze me. This is lovely. I will cherish it always.” In tears, she rose to her feet and hugged him. “Help me put it on.”

  David took the locket from her hand, and as he put it around her neck and fastened it, he remembered the first time he had helped her with a necklace. …She still has the same effect on me. Turning around, she kissed and hugged him again.

  “You are so kind to me. I don’t deserve it.”

  “Oh, yes, you do. You deserve it and so much more, and I am never wrong,” he said teasingly before lifting her into his arms and taking her upstairs. They would look at the pictures later.

  ~*~

  They hadn’t been home a week before Cecilia began to feel sick and listless. Worried when her condition didn’t improve, David insisted that she see a doctor. She was reluctant at first, but he finally won the argument, and she agreed to make the appointment with her personal physician.

  After a thorough examination and a battery of tests had been done, Cecilia waited in her doctor’s office to speak with him. He sat down across from her and opened a folder.

  “Mrs. Darcy, the only thing wrong with you is that you’re going to have a baby,” said Dr. McKinley with a gleeful smile.

  “You’re kidding!” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I’ve only been off the pill for two months. I would not have expected it this soon,” Cecilia said, overcome with a mixture of surprise and joy.

  “Well, the test says you are. Make an appointment with your OBGYN. He can run further tests and tell you exactly when you are due, but I suspect sometime in February.”

  “Thank you, Dr. McKinley.” Cecilia hugged first the doctor and then the nurse before she left his office, overjoyed with the news. …I can’t wait to tell David! He will be so surprised and as happy as I am. Neither of us expected this so soon.

  ~*~

  After dinner, as the couple watched the evening news, Cecilia turned to David and asked, “Which do you think we should restore first, the nursery here or at Carlton House?”

  Looking at her curiously, he replied. “I hardly think that should be our first priority. There’s plenty of time to get to those rooms, and there are more pressing things to do…unless?” He paused, comprehension finally dawning. He stared at her in astonishment. “I thought you said it would take six months to a year.”

  She rolled her eyes and laughed at his expression, so much like a little boy in a state of wonder. “Well, that was my understanding, but apparently not, because I definitely am, and he is due sometime in February.”

  As the reality of what she had just told him fully sank in, David jumped up and took her in his arms as he swung her around, kissing her face all over until he found her lips.

  “We are going to have a baby! This is wonderful news! I must ring my brother and Elizabeth, and of course, Georgiana will be thrilled, and we must tell Bingley.” Pure joy spread across his face. “We will fix all the nurseries. I was working on the plans for Carlton House. Now I must add this to it, and of course, the townhouse will have to be redecorated. We’ll have to stay in town this year. I want you close to medical care and—”

  She cut him off. “David, I’m not the first woman to have a baby.”

  “Yes, but it is our first baby, and I want everything to be perfect.”

  “It will be, darling, but you’re right, there is much to do and plan. Go ahead with the plans for Carlton House, but let me help you with the nursery. We’ll move there after the baby is born. We really need to get things settled with the company, because I want to stay home for at least six months after he is born. I may work from home for a while after that. It all depends on how I feel and how he does.”

  David laughed at Cecilia’s enthusiasm. “Cecilia, are you aware that you have called the child he three times now? It could be a she.”

  “David, this is a boy. I know it is. You’ll just have to trust me on this one. Besides, Georgiana has told me that Darcy men produce more boys than girls, so this little one is a boy.” She laughed, but she was certain she was right. This child felt like a boy, so for now, it would be.

  As she thought about the child, her mind shifted back to Lawton and her corporate responsibilities. For the first time in seven years, they didn’t seem nearly as important.

  “David, you’ll have to assume all of the responsibility at Lawton for a while, and you’ll have to help me now until this sickness stops. Right now all I can think about is our child.” She walked over to the sofa and sat down, fatigue once again setting in. David followed and took a seat beside her, linking his fingers with hers as he took her hand in his.

  “That’s exactly what I want to discuss with you. I have been going over the books and framework of the company. The business is well structured. Your father was an excellent businessman, but I know we can do better by bringing Lawton & Co. further into the global economy.

  “I’m going to begin bringing home documents to read at night. I’m going through everything with a fine-toothed comb until I understand Lawton as well as I do Darcy Enterprises and Pemberley. I’ll take much of the responsibilities and give you a break,” he said, reassuring her.

  “I always knew you were a dedicated and good businessman. I saw it the first time we met. Treat the company as if it’s your own, because it is. With this child it will pass from the Lawtons to the Darcys,” she said with a sigh as she gently patted his knee.

  “Cecilia, it will always be Lawton, even if your son bears my name.”

  “I know. I’m just glad that I will have a son or, if I am wrong, a daughter.” She smiled.

  “Well, Darcy men do produce more sons than daughters, just as Georgiana told you, or so they have for well over five hundred years. You’ll probably get your wish, if not with this one, then with the next.” He looked into her eyes as he raised her hand and kissed it.

  ~*~

  David spent many long hours with Daniel and the Lawton Group attorneys, coming up to speed rapidly on the intricate workings of the company. He brought home the documents he’d promised, and what he did not bring home, he viewed online through the company intranet. Sitting on the sofa in the library, he pored over them, item by item, as Cecilia either sat with him, working on a piece of handwork for the baby, or laid her head in his lap, resting while he worked. As he read, he would question her about one thing or another, absorbing the information as he went.

  One evening after dinner, he approached Cecilia with his plans and strategies as they retired to the library. Sitting down together, he handed her a folder. “Love, loo
k these over and tell me what you think.”

  Opening the folder, she removed the contents and scanned them one by one. “Darling, this looks good. Your venture to explore the Asian markets as well as the European is really paying off. You’ve found a market for the cotton. Dorian Stahl? The Dorian Stahl—the top designer in Paris?”

  “Yes,” David grinned, “he’s a friend of a personal friend of mine, Alex Abrahams, who does consulting work in advertising with all the top designers. Dorian mentioned to my friend some years back about his search for premium cotton cloth, so when I got in touch with Abrahams and asked him to see what he could find out from amongst his connections, he contacted Dorian, who was very enthusiastic. He, along with an Italian designer in Milan, is offering to buy this year’s crop once it’s produced into cloth.

  “Another associate, Harry Blackburn, made contact with two top New York designers. If we can double next year’s production, they also want the cotton. Apparently the distinctive properties of true Sea Island Cotton are renowned even to this very day.”

  She stared up at him, a smile creeping over her features. “You really do have connections, don’t you?”

  “I told you I did. That’s who I’ve been on the phone with all week. Read on.”

  Returning to the papers in hand, she continued. When the last report was reviewed, she placed them back in the folder and set it aside.

  “David, you never cease to amaze me. I love the plan to create silk cotton blends. That will give a beautiful drape to the cloth, and our linen cotton blends will be the best in the world. I’m astounded by the intricate detail you’ve put together for the designs of the cloth—even the patterns you’ve chosen are unique, and I must add, very beautiful. You really do know how to put things together. I want to go with everything you’ve proposed. You’re as much a part of Lawton now as I am.” She smiled.