by Wells, Linda
“I thought so.” Robert laughed. “So what is the story?”
Darcy held up his hand. “My dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth is the daughter of a gentleman from a different circle than mine. My cousin made damn sure that I was marrying not only for love, but a woman who could bear the position she would attain upon becoming my wife.” Darcy watched Richard squirm. “It was miserable at the time, but I know that it was done with love. She has proven herself both worthy and capable, as I always knew she would. As you can see by their embrace, Elizabeth has forgiven his interference.”
“How did you assign yourself this duty? Or was this your parents? Your father is an earl, I understand?”
“Yes to all of it.” Richard glanced at Darcy. “Fortunately the woman I choose will only have to put up with me, a colonel in the Horse Guards.”
Darcy’s head wagged. “That is not entirely true. She will certainly require a strong backbone and every one of the qualities you demanded of Elizabeth.”
“Because she might have to face your being sent to war? And she would be moving in the peers’ circles?” Robert looked between them, not reading the two cousins’ stares. “Gentlemen?”
“Naturally.” Darcy said softly.
“But as we continually discover in life, anything can happen at any time. My brother might fall in a river and then where would I be?” He looked down at his hands and up to Robert. “Of course this is all conjecture over a glass of fine port; your brothers could very well do the same about you. All I know for certain is that whoever the woman is that I marry; I want to be accepted for the man that I am.”
Darcy smiled at him and looked to Robert, “I promise you, he is an excellent man who desperately needs a good no-nonsense woman to love him and kick him in the behind once in a while.” Robert smiled. “If you think about it. That is who we all need.”
“Well, Sophie would certainly do that for whoever might court her.” Robert looked at Richard inquiringly. “If that is what you are hinting about?”
“That is a problem.” Richard sighed. “I do have to return to London. Very soon.”
“And you do have to go to Matlock.” Darcy reminded him. “But, once there, I see no reason why you cannot come and visit here from time to time.”
“But you will be back at Pemberley.”
“Not until August. Surely you can win a campaign in that length of time? Or at least determine if you want to?” Darcy smiled and appreciated the rare sight of Richard’s blush. “Well, that is a fine place to begin.” They could hear Elizabeth and Sophie returning.
“Do I have any say in this campaign, as you call it?” Robert said in a low tone.
“Who sent you here today?” Darcy muttered.
“My father.”
“For what purpose?”
“To make an invitation …” He stopped as he felt Darcy’s eyes bore into him and spoke slowly, “To get a good look at the colonel and determine if he is worthy.” Richard gaped and Darcy nodded. “It seems that my father is on the same page as you, Colonel. And you saw through it easily, Mr. Darcy.”
“So he is.” Richard laughed and lifted his glass to toast Darcy, “Well done!”
“What was well done?” Elizabeth asked. Instantly the men were on their feet, and she smiled when Richard looked Sophie over appreciatively when she appeared in Georgiana’s fine morning dress.
Darcy caught her eye and winked. “Dearest, while you were out walking this morning, the Kellys came by to pay a call.”
She feigned surprise, “Did they? Whatever could they want?”
“I do not know, and they have been here for hours.” His eyes twinkled and taking her hand pulled her into his arms.
“Perhaps they are nosing for an invitation to dinner.” She whispered and leaned against his chest.
“I am certain that is the case. After all, everyone knows that a joint was ordered from the butcher for this house.” Darcy and Elizabeth turned to look at them inquiringly, “So tell us Mr. Kelly, what brings you to our humble abode?”
Robert laughed, “We were not after your joint, sir. It was merely an invitation for you and the colonel to come and join a final hunt before the weather turned against us.” There was a rumble of thunder and they looked out at the storm. “Not that it is too inviting now.”
“A hunt.” Darcy bit his lip.
“I think that you are well enough for it, Will, you did not feel any pain when we rode into Castle Douglas, and you carried me upstairs without a moment’s hesitation.”
“I agree, I am probably well enough for the riding …” He smiled at her curious gaze. “I was just considering how you would do.”
“Me?” Elizabeth stared.
“Yes, you, love. I want you to ride the hunts at Pemberley.”
“Have you lost your senses!” She gasped.
“I do not believe so. But I was not suggesting that you were ready to ride on a hunt now, I would never risk that with a novice rider.” Smiling, he squeezed her hand and seeing her relief, chuckled. “Miss Kelly, have you ever ridden along with the hunt?”
“Oh yes!” She laughed at Elizabeth’s widened eyes. “I am sorry, Mrs. Darcy, but with my brothers, I had no choice but to learn to ride and to do it well. I can fire a pistol, too.” Sophie blushed under the growing admiration in Richard’s eyes as a smile spread across his face.
“She does scream when the pistol fires and cannot hit the side of a barn.” Robert mentioned casually.
“When did you last shoot, Miss Kelly?”
“It has been years, Colonel.” She admitted and sent Robert a look when he laughed. “Mama said that it was not ladylike and nearly strangled Papa when he taught me. But I do remember.”
Richard’s smile practically beamed at her, she was showing off for him. “I am certain that you do.”
“Would you like to learn, love?” Darcy asked seriously.
“No.”
Nodding, he looked her over. “Hmm, you are probably correct; you would be terrible at it.”
“Pardon?”
“Just as you are a terrible rider; and a terrible singer …”
“I am not a terrible singer.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because I have practiced and practiced …” She stopped and stared. His head was tilted and the amusement in his expression infuriated her. “That was unkind, sir.”
“Practice makes perfect. Tomorrow, we ride.”
“Where?”
“To the sea.”
“Oh, that is a long ride if you are not used to it.” Sophie said knowingly.
“It is not so long.”
“Have a cushion ready when you return home.” Richard laughed.
“Have I not suffered enough already?” Elizabeth demanded of Darcy.
He looked at the ceiling thoughtfully and back to her, “No. After that we begin shooting lessons.”
“To what purpose? You are only giving me a skill that I can use against you one day.”
“No, no, no, we are agreed to limit our arguments to pillows as weapons.” He smiled and pulled one of her curls and watched it bounce back into shape.
Elizabeth batted him away. “If you recall, sir. I have been most effective with silencing you by pillow.”
“You suffocated him?” Sophie gasped.
“In a way.” She smiled as Darcy’s gaze drifted to her breasts.
“Mrs. Darcy, dinner is ready to be served.” Parker announced and stepped away.
“Good, I am famished!” Richard declared and held out his arm for Sophie. “Shall we?” He sent a knowing look to Darcy and quickly headed out the door with Robert following closely.
Darcy and Elizabeth stayed behind for a few moments. He smiled and laughed softly at her raised brow and pursed lips. “I also taught you the secrets to double entendre.”
“I know, and I love it.”
“You most certainly did not silence me with our pillow fight.” He said softly. “That tongue of yours …” He gave
an involuntary shudder. Elizabeth stood on her toes and nibbled his lips. “Oh my …” Darcy moaned.
“This is our honeymoon now?” She whispered.
“Yes.”
“Good.” Taking him by the hand, she led him to the door. “I have plans for you, Mr. Darcy.”
“What sort of plans?” He asked as she pulled him along.
“You will give your riding lessons …” Elizabeth stopped walking and her eyes danced as his demanded her answer. Tracing her finger over his parted lips, she promised. “… and I will give mine.”
Chapter 6
Darcy watched Amy adding some coals to the fire and stoking it. Elizabeth stirred against him and he looked down to her face resting against his chest, and then back up to the girl trying to complete her work as quickly and quietly as possible. Judy entered, sending a quick look to Elizabeth, and quietly urged Amy to hurry.
“It is fine, Judy. She is not disturbing us.” Darcy said softly.
“I am sorry, sir. I hoped you would sleep longer after yesterday.”
“Mrs. Darcy is still asleep. Do you have the tincture prepared?”
“Yes sir, shall I leave it here for her?” Judy set down a glass on the bedside table.
“Thank you.” He looked to the curtained window, “Has the rain ended?”
“Yes, sir, although it is rather grey so far. Parker is tending to Mr. Kelly and I just finished with Miss Kelly. I think that she is hoping to leave quickly. She feels that they were imposing terribly upon you.”
Darcy sighed, “And so we should have sent them out into the storm?”
“I took the liberty of saying something to that effect, sir.” Judy looked around the room and picking up Elizabeth’s robe from a chair, laid it across the end of the bed. “Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”
“No, thank you. I suppose that Parker has his hands full, so I will take advantage of his occupation for a few more minutes of peace.”
“Yes, sir.” Judy looked to the fireplace. “I think that is fine, Amy.” The girl nodded and gathering her things, left the room ahead of Judy. The door clicked shut. Darcy watched the fire growing, and kissed Elizabeth’s forehead.
“What tincture are you two feeding me?”
Darcy smiled down at her. “Ah, you are awake! I hope that you are well-rested, I have many things planned for us today …”
“Will. What is in that glass I heard Judy set down?”
“The willow bark, you stubborn woman. Now you may have a taste of your own medicine!” He stroked away the tangled curls that lay across her face. “I know that you are sore.”
“A little.” She sat up and groaning, curled back against his warm chest. “Very well, more than a little.”
“I thought as much. Well, if our guests depart in time, we can take a carriage to the coast instead of riding.” Seeing one brown eye fixed upon him, he tapped her nose, “This time.”
“You are determined.”
“I am.”
“It was a wonderful evening. If all of our guests could be as warm and friendly as the Kellys, I think that I would like to entertain often.”
“It was wonderful because we were ourselves.”
“True.” Elizabeth smiled and traced the stubble on his chin. “Richard is smitten.”
“Amusing, is it not?”
“And Miss Kelly is as well.”
“How very convenient.” Their eyes met and they both laughed. “Perhaps if we remain here a little longer they might do something about it?”
“I have always appreciated your exceptional mind, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth snuggled back into his arms. “Amongst other things.”
“OH …” Sophie said softly when she found her way into the drawing room. Richard was there alone, standing at the window with his hands clasped behind his back. “Good morning, Colonel.”
He turned to face her with a warm smile. “Good morning, Miss Kelly!”
“You are an early riser, sir.”
“I am afraid that I will be this way until the end of my days. I will always listen for the sound of the sergeants calling for the boys to wake at dawn.” He watched her looking around the room self-consciously and tilting his head, waved to a sofa. “Shall we sit and wait for the others?”
She sat down and watched him take a chair nearby. “I think that I heard Robert moving around, but that might have been a servant.”
“Hmm, it could be. Parker has three of us to ready this morning. Ordinarily Darcy would be first down, but … I do believe he was serious about starting his honeymoon at last.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Darcy seem,” She hesitated, “very fond of each other.” Richard snorted and she laughed, relaxing at last. “I suppose that was a colossal understatement.”
“Either that or you were completely oblivious to your surroundings last night, and I do not think that is you at all.” Richard stretched out his legs as her cheeks pinked. “Did you mind their happiness? Did you find it disconcerting or off-putting?”
“Not at all.” She said thoughtfully, “I would say it is rare and wonderful. My parents are happy together, but I have not seen demonstrations of affection like the Darcys show. Their care for each other comes out in everything, the way they look at each other, how attentive they are … even how they argue with each other.” She laughed.
“Yes, they are very fond of exchanges of wit.” He chuckled. “I believe that was one of the things that drew them together; they found their soul mate in the middle of a debate.” Sophie smiled and he warmed to his subject, “I have a feeling that the affection you see between them will remain just as tender when they have been together decades. Their attraction is much more than physical, as you have noticed from their conversation, and they have not even begun to explore each other.”
“Why is that? Surely they enjoyed courtship and a time of engagement?”
“Their courtship was …” He searched for a word and just took the best one. “Brief.” Sophie’s head tilted. “I daresay that neither one of them knew it was a courtship until Darcy suddenly made up his mind one fine day, and from what I understand, leapt from his chair,” Richard stood, “pulled Elizabeth to her feet …” He took Sophie’s hands and pulling her up, stared into her eyes where he read surprise, confusion, and no small amount of anticipation. Richard smiled and then letting go, stepped away. “… and proposed.”
“Oh my. How incredibly romantic!” Sophie’s hand went over her heart.
“My cousin did not shilly-shally. And Elizabeth, bless her, listened to her heart and thankfully said yes.” Taking Sophie’s hand again, he urged her to sit back down and sat beside her. “Their beginning, like their marriage, was unique.”
“A love match …”
“Yes. They met in mid-October and were married by the end of November. It was a whirlwind romance. It seems that a lengthy courtship is not necessary when the two people just know they were meant to be together.” He met her eyes and saw that his words were not lost on her.
Blushing, Sophie looked down at her hands in her lap, searching for something to say when she was struck by a thought. “But … this is March … surely they have honeymooned by now?”
Richard nodded. “Darcy suffered a horrific carriage accident and has only recently recovered.”
“Oh, how terrible.” Sophie could read the distress in Richard’s face and knew then how deeply he cared for his cousin. “But he is well now.” She said reassuringly.
“Thankfully, yes.” He said softly.
“Is this why Mrs. Darcy commented on his ability to tolerate riding for long?”
“Yes.” He looked back at his hands and cleared his throat. “So, you are truly an accomplished rider?”
“I am disadvantaged by the side saddle, but … I have been known to win a race or two.” Sophie laughed and he looked back up. “I imagine I could beat you.”
Richard chuckled. “I guarantee that you would not.”
“How much would you care to wag
er on it?” She lifted her chin. “I never race without a prize at the end.”
“Ahhhh, a gambler.” He shook his head. “My mother told me to avoid gamblers.”
“Your mother probably gave you many edicts and directions that you promptly ignored if you are anything like my brothers.” Sophie’s eyes danced and his widened. “I can think of a few.”
Richard sat back and waved his hand. “Go on, Miss Kelly, give it your best.”
“Do not drink too much?”
He smiled, “I am inordinately fond of Darcy’s port. It is like mother’s milk to me.”
“Then perhaps it is time to be weaned?” She said pointedly.
“Perhaps. My brother would be interested to hear of it.” Richard urged her on, “What other vices shall you test me on? I am sure that there are scores of them.”
She looked down to her hands clasped in her lap and spoke softly, “I am sorry, Colonel, I should not be speaking to you in such a familiar way. I … I just want to know more about you.”
“Miss Kelly … I am flattered that you feel this way, and I want to know more of you, otherwise I would not encourage your questions.” He sighed and closed his eyes. Sophie looked up as he became silent. “I am an earl’s son, I was raised to be a gentleman and … for the most part I am. I … joined the army out of necessity. I could have followed any path as your brothers are learning now, but I chose the army because it … I felt it would provide me with a family of sorts that I did not have at home, if that makes any sense?”
Sophie saw his eyes open and nodded. “I think so. I am sorry to know that you prefer a barracks to your father’s house.”
“It is a complicated situation.” He sighed. “For the past ten years, I have been away from home, either fighting on the continent or back in London training my boys … and avoiding my family as much as possible.” Richard gestured to the room. “I feel more at home with Darcy and Elizabeth than I do with my own family. The fault for that is on both sides, and I am trying to rectify it now.”
“I am glad to know that you are trying, Colonel.”
“You have good reason to avoid men in uniform. It is not an easy life and soldiers are not always received well, I admit. Our reputation for unsavoury behaviour is well-earned. I had my fair share of revelry. But I can assure you that I am hale and hearty, and my days of carousing are in my past.”