“Well, Mrs. Darcy, prepare yourself. I’m interviewing an administrative assistant for my office this week. I’m also going to hire two, possibly three, more assistants for marketing and sales, which I intend to personally train. I want an aggressive team. I want a special group assembled for the Carolina Gold project. Next year, we are going to launch that endeavor. Reuben, Daniel, and I have discussed it, and we will be planting 3000 acres next year at each plantation. Reuben wants to use aerial planting as opposed to the way you’ve done it before. I agree, so I have given him the go-ahead, and I’ve already made plans to release the seed rice to the South Carolina Agricultural Cooperative for inspection. I’ve been assured by the committee that they will accept it, and the seed rice will be available for sale to others who wish to grow it. Carolina Gold should be in American supermarkets in two years and European markets in four—tops.”
“Uncle Reuben has really taken a shine to you, hasn’t he?”
David only smiled.
“Well, David, I couldn’t be more pleased. Take both the cotton and rice into your own hands, and do what you feel is best,” she said with a soft smile. “You are aware that one of us will have to travel to Belize and Colombia very soon for the palm oil and coffee?”
“I’ve already scheduled the trip. I think you should stay here and let me go. My Spanish is decent, and I think Carlos Sanchez rather likes me.” He chuckled, putting his arm over her shoulder.
“Then you go. I’m still tired, and the morning sickness hasn’t abated yet,” she said, placing her hand over her flat abdomen, anticipating the small bulge that would soon form.
David gently placed his hand over hers, patting it, and then gently stroked her stomach. “Cecilia, do you think you will feel like attending William and Mandy’s wedding in Yorkshire in two weeks? Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam will be there.”
“Yes, I wouldn’t miss it. I came to know Mandy quite well—especially at my bachelorette party. I think with very little effort we can become good friends,” she said, snuggling into his embrace as his arms tightened around her. “Enough about business. It’s time for bed, Mrs. Darcy.” He took her by the hand and led her to their bedroom.
~*~
September came quickly, with business concerns becoming pressing as David hung up the phone with his Asian contact. A thirteen-hour time difference made conducting business by phone difficult. He wanted to negotiate a contract in Indonesia, but after his recent conversation with Mr. Chung, he knew this could be problematic. Since he would not have the Lawton or Darcy name linked to a sweatshop, he would have to observe the operation in action. The standards had to be above average with premium wages and excellent working conditions for the Indonesian economy. Therefore, he would have to travel to Asia soon to make arrangements concerning the Sea Island Cotton.
Falling back in his chair, David rubbed his forehead. The trip had been put off twice because of Cecilia’s health, but now that she was well enough to return to the office, he didn’t have a legitimate excuse to postpone it any longer. Still, he didn’t want to leave her alone. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. They had a trip planned in a few days. A smile crossed his features with the thought of the solution to his concerns. He’d speak with Cecilia and see what she thought. Rising from his desk in the study, he went to find his wife.
“Cecilia, when we go to the Cumberland Plateau next week, I’m going to ask Georgiana if she will come back with us to stay with you whilst I’m in Indonesia. I can’t delay it any longer. The cotton harvest begins in October. It needs to be ginned and processed to ship by the middle of November. That’s not much time. I have got to go soon if we’re to carry through with our plans for this year. If I don’t go in person, the deal will fall through.”
“I can stay by myself. I’ve been alone since Daddy died. I’m a big girl, David.”
“I know you are. That’s not the point.” He cast a concerned look. “You’re carrying my child, so of course, I will worry. You and our child are my responsibility, and I take that responsibility very seriously,” he said, releasing a tense breath as he settled down beside her.
“You are a good husband,” she said with an amused smile. “I would love to have Georgiana come regardless of the reason. I’ve not been able to get to know her as well as I would like. Her visit will give me the chance.”
Cradling her face in his hands, he touched his forehead to hers. “Thank you. That’s one less worry. Come, let’s go to bed. I’m exhausted and we’ve got an eight o’clock appointment with the architect concerning our plans for Carlton House. Also, I need to ring Asa Smith and let him know I can’t make the shooting trip he’s planned for next week. Daniel will be attending, and Uncle Harvey, William and Benson are coming, but with Elizabeth in her condition, Fitzwilliam can’t make it either. We’ll take a rain check.” Rising from the sofa, he extended his hand and helped her to her feet.
“I’m glad you are not going. I’m going to miss you terribly while you’re away on the business trips you have to make. I don’t know if I could stand it with you gone on a two- week hunting excursion, too. Remember that I know Asa and Solomon. They like to drink and carouse. Now mind you, I don’t think they would cheat on Miss Evelyn or Miss Louise, but I don’t want my husband carousing,” she teased, squeezing him around his waist as they walked towards the stairs.
He chuckled. “You’ll never have to worry about that. The only woman I want to carouse with is you, Mrs. Darcy. And you must bear in mind that Harvey will be there with his sons. I seriously doubt they’ll be doing anything other than shooting.”
“Well, if you really want to hunt, take a weekend in late October. Ducks and geese are plentiful at that time. They come in droves to glean the last vestiges of rice left behind from the combines.”
“We’ll see when October arrives,” he said as he placed a kiss upon her forehead. “I don’t have any waterfowl dogs. I suppose I’ll have to acquire a pair of Black Labradors.”
“In time, darling…in time,” she said, smiling. Taking the stairs, they soon retired for the night.
Chapter Seventy-nine
…memories for a lifetime...
After David and Cecilia had headed for Greece, Fitzwilliam had quickly readied his family for their flight to the British Virgin Islands. Having arranged for Georgiana to return with Harvey, everything had been taken care of. The plane had taken off from Charleston in the late afternoon, making one stop in the Florida Keys to buy Elizabeth a wardrobe of swimwear from an exclusive boutique owned by a long-time family friend in Key Largo.
Once they arrived in Tortola, he quickly had the servants settle everything in and unpack. He had one thing in mind—the lagoon. Having already changed into his swimsuit while Elizabeth settled the twins in for their afternoon nap, he approached her in their room. “Elizabeth, change into your blue swimsuit, and hurry. I have something I want you to see,” he said with a glint in his eye. “Meet me on the veranda when you’re ready.”
When Elizabeth appeared in the turquoise-blue French bikini, he set his lime twist aside and dropped the magazine he was reading. Exhaling slowly, he eyed her from head to toe. “Mrs. Darcy, you are drop…dead…gorgeous. Fran was right. That cut is perfect for you.”
She smiled. “Fitzwilliam, you flatter me.”
“No, Liz, darling. I’m telling you the absolute truth. You’re beautiful,” he murmured as he picked up the beach blanket and reached for her hand. “Let’s go.”
Quietly walking on a jungle path illuminated by beams of light breaking through the tall towering trees, the only sounds they heard were the fluttering of birds overhead and an animal screeching in the distance. When they reached their destination, Fitzwilliam stepped aside and smiled, allowing Elizabeth to cross the threshold into the heart of the lagoon. As she entered the clearing, Elizabeth gasped. Before her was a clear blue pool surrounded by mahoganies with hanging vines and philodendrons, a plethora of enormous elephant ears and large ferns, white cedars and kapok tre
es, and colorful flowering shrubs and multiple varieties of fruit trees.
“Fitzwilliam, it’s a scene out of a tropical paradise!”
He softly laughed. “Liz, this is a tropical paradise.”
“And we own this?” she turned and asked in disbelief.
“Yes, darling. It was a wedding gift to my grandmother from my grandfather. She christened it Eden. He acquired it when he bought the Blue Dolphin Hotel chain on the islands. We own the offshore drilling companies, too, so when a company representative comes on business, he stays here with his family.”
She looked up at him in wonder, amazed at the vast wealth her husband possessed. Turning back to the sight before her, she said, “I’ve never seen anything like this. The waterfall tumbling down from that cliff and the white sandy beach are breathtaking. And the water is so blue. It’s beautiful cast against the emerald green, and just look at all of those colorful flowers. Hibiscus, gardenias, and I don’t even know what all else. Look,” she said, pointing across the pool, “those are orchids and bromeliads in those trees, and those are coconut palms with real coconuts.” She gestured with her hand. “And are these banana trees? They’re unusual.”
“Yes,” he chuckled, “they’re tropical pink bananas, native to the Caribbean and Central America, and they taste much better than the ordinary ones you find in the supermarket. There are papayas, breadfruit, jackfruit, and star fruit here, too, just to name a few. This lagoon is a tropical rainforest, filled with exotic animals and fauna. It’s known as the land of turtle doves and love birds, and if we’re lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the red-legged tortoise,” he said, pulling her into a hug. “Before we leave, we’ll gather some of the fruit and take it back. But for now,” Fitzwilliam said as he flicked the blanket open, “put your things down and let’s go swimming.”
“It is safe, isn’t it?” she asked with a slight smile.
“Liz, if it weren’t safe, I wouldn’t have brought you here,” he reassured. “Now come on; let’s go.”
Placing her bag on the blanket, they waded out into the pool where both dived into the clear blue water. “Fitzwilliam, this water’s salty. I thought it would be fresh,” she said, ducking her head to wash back her hair from her face.
“It’s brackish. The water coming down from the mountain is fresh, but the water in the pool is mingled with saltwater from the ocean. Often dolphins will venture in through the channel and play. The last time David and I were here with a party of friends, a school of three came and actually allowed us to approach and play with them. Maybe they will come again. The water is clear, so you’re likely to see some brightly colored fish. Look. There’s a school now!” he exclaimed.
“Oh, they’re beautiful. Did you bring the camera?”
“You don’t think I would forget it, do you? I intend to have several pictures of you here—in the falls, under the falls, in the gardenia bushes, and anywhere else I can think of…and Elizabeth, I want pictures just for me.” He grinned.
She laughed, shaking her head with a sly smile. “You mean me in the raw, don’t you?”
“I see you catch on quickly,” he said, reaching over to stroke her face with the back of his fingers before tracing the curve of her neck and untying her strings. Removing her suit, he tossed it ashore.
“It works both ways, love. Remove your trunks. If mine go…yours go, too.” She arched an eyebrow.
Grinning broadly, the trunks soon joined the bikini. Taking her hand in his, they both dived under water and swam, playing with the school of colorful fish that wove in and out from between their legs, nipping Fitzwilliam. Coming up for air, they laughed.
“Fitzwilliam, did those fish bite you?”
“It was interesting, but it only tickled.” He grinned.
“Just as long as they don’t hurt you. After all, it’s my job to nibble and caress, not theirs.”
He chortled. “You cheeky imp! I’ll make you think nibble.” He splashed her, and once again they went underwater, swimming through the rushes. Surfacing for air several times and diving back again, they explored the coral, the shells, and anything else that took their fancy as they frolicked and played for nearly an hour.
Finally, Fitzwilliam said, “Let’s lay in the sun and rest. We’ll soon have to return to the villa to check on the twins, and I want to take some pictures.”
Giving him a saucy look, she took his extended hand as they waded through the water and walked to shore. Stretching out under the afternoon sunshine, Elizabeth couldn’t resist running her fingers over the firm planes of his chest and down his torso. Finding her destination, she caressed and stroked while their arousal grew. It wasn’t long until she straddled his hips, taking him inside of her. Gently rocking back and forth, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him while his hands instinctively went to her breasts, fondling and massaging. Their soft sighs, whispered in the quiet of the lagoon, could be heard on a gentle breeze.
Before they dressed and returned to the villa, he took pictures of her standing against the rocks of the falls with water cascading over her and in the gardenia bushes with the leaves covering her appropriately while sweetly scented blossoms framed her face. She looked as if she were Mother Eve in the Garden of Eden, but instead of fig leaves, she was adorned with palm leaves, luscious fruit, and beautiful topical flowers. Fitzwilliam snapped photograph after photograph. Never had there been a more beautiful woman than his Liz. Putting the camera aside, they once again made love on a grassy mound under the yellow hibiscus.
Returning to the house with a blanket full of fruit and exhausted from their excursion, Elizabeth attended to the twins before lying down for a nap. Fitzwilliam took out his journal to record the events of their first day in their tropical heaven. Jotting down the last entry, he set it aside and transferred today’s pictures to his laptop, cataloging each one. Smiling, he put everything away and sat back with a coconut-lime twist while he watched his sleeping wife and children. Life couldn’t be better. He took out some work he’d brought along for down time and looked over the last proposal David had prepared before leaving Pemberley. Contented, he worked while his family slept.
~*~
Each day they enjoyed the sun and the ocean while playing with the children, being careful not to overdo it in the sun with the babies. In the warmth of the afternoon, while the children and their nannies napped, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth would walk to the blue lagoon to swim, making love as the mood struck, which it often did. Sometimes they made love partially submerged at the water’s edge while the waves lapped at their feet and legs. Then other times they found a thick carpet of grass under a flowering bush. Whatever the case or occasion, they enjoyed themselves and their time together at every opportunity, creating memories for a lifetime.
Before returning home, Fitzwilliam promised to take her to the international marketplace on Tortola, only to ‘look,’ as Elizabeth put it. He chuckled at the thought of his wife merely looking. Even though he had billions, she still felt the need to economize. It seemed that she could not escape her mother’s teachings concerning financial prudence, though there was no real need for it.
Fitzwilliam had many things to record in his journal that would one day join the others in the Pemberley library annex. He had been keeping one off and on for years, but of late, the recordings were much happier ones.
Chapter Eighty
…this time you’re not leaving my sight…
Shortly after their return to London, Fitzwilliam noticed that Elizabeth had begun to act strangely. She seemed to be extremely sensitive to smells and would often run to the bathroom, purging her stomach, and she scarcely touched her food. Often he would find her asleep in the middle of the morning. He was clearly worried. One afternoon he approached her in their bedroom.
“Love, what’s wrong. You don’t seem to have any energy, and you aren’t eating. Are you ill? Do you need to see a doctor?”
“Oh Fitzwilliam, I hope you won’t be upset with me, but I think I�
�m pregnant. I haven’t had a period since Alex and Emily’s birth, so I don’t know for sure. I was under the impression that if I nursed regularly, I wouldn’t ovulate, but I fear I may have been misinformed,” she said, twisting her fingers nervously, her eyes filled with apprehension.
“Elizabeth! You don’t mean it! This is wonderful!” He closed the distance between them and gathered her into his arms. “Nothing would make me happier. If you are, this time you’re not leaving my sight. I want to share everything there is to experience.”
“Everything? Including the morning sickness? You’ve got to be kidding!” she said, looking at him with amusement, very relieved at his acceptance.
“Everything. I’ll hold your hand and do whatever I can. When will you know?” he asked cradling her head against his chest.
Glancing up, she responded, “Well, the early pregnancy test says that I am, but I won’t know for sure until I see a doctor. I’ll make an appointment on Monday, but Fitzwilliam, if I am not, then we’ll have to take some precautions. Do you realize that if I am, this baby will be only thirteen months younger than the twins? I just got my figure back! This is what happened to my parents with me and Joseph.”
He chuckled softly while holding her in his arms. “If you’re not, I’ll start using a condom. But if you are, then I guess you’re Fertile Fanny, and I’m virile and potent.”
She playfully smacked his arm. “That’s not funny, not in the least.”
~*~
After seeing the doctor, Elizabeth received confirmation that she was indeed pregnant and due in late February. David had called with the news of Cecilia’s pregnancy. Fitzwilliam laughed and joked with his brother about the legendary strength of the Darcy men. Fitzwilliam was not only happy about the pregnancy, but very determined to be there every step of the way. This was one experience he intended to enjoy to the fullest.
The Cumberland Plateau Page 89