by Wells, Linda
“Of course he did.” Elizabeth helped her to settle on her side. “You did not think he would keep that to himself, did you? He is quite happy to leave staff issues to me.” Picking up another bottle, she tucked it next to her hip. “And I do not like her treating you with anything but the utmost respect.”
“She was not disrespectful. It is nothing more than the stares I would receive outside of this estate.”
Elizabeth sat down beside her. “That is not the point. Mrs. Shaw is employed by your brother. She has a very desirable and powerful position and it is essential that she is loyal to him. I will not tolerate anything less from someone who is so integral to this household. In fact, it is her position to enforce such things with those below her. I think that is part of the problem, the only one here below her is Amy. She is used to having a full complement of lower staff when the Walkers are in residence.”
“Jennifer, Judy and Parker are her equals?”
“As is Mrs. Duncan.” She nodded. “However that does not excuse any animosity she holds for you.” Georgiana said nothing and Elizabeth arranged the last bottles around her. “There, that should relieve some of the discomfort.”
“It feels better already. It only started this morning.”
“Maybe the ride to the sea was ill-advised since you ache so much today?” She tilted her head.
“Oh no, it was … it was bumpy and uncomfortable, but … it was very nice. We were both very quiet, but … it was nice.”
“Fitzwilliam? Quiet? I cannot imagine!” Elizabeth laughed and stood up to fold a blanket and placed it over a chair. “When we first met, oh to hear the sound of his voice was something.” Shaking her head, she smiled. “I love his voice.”
“Why?” Georgiana watched her.
“Ohh.” She bit her lip and glanced at the door, then whispered, “It makes me feel warm all over.” Georgiana giggled and put her hand to her mouth. Elizabeth blushed and shrugged. “Obviously it is a good thing he does not have such an effect upon you.”
“No, he just sounds like Papa to me.”
“Does he?” Elizabeth smiled. “I wonder if you sound like your mother to him?”
“I will have to ask him. It will give us something to talk about.” She sighed and ran her hand over her belly. “Maybe when this is over.”
Elizabeth sat down and took Georgiana’s hand to squeeze. “What do you think? Is it possible? Could you have been pregnant in August?”
“I … I do not know.” She stared at Elizabeth but she was not seeing her. Instead she was lost in a memory of Wickham. Another squeeze on her hand, and she blinked. “I remember feeling ill in September. George said I must have caught a cold, but I remember how worried he was. We … we were not eating as well then and had moved … the places we went were increasingly poor.”
Elizabeth tried valiantly not to speak her mind on Wickham’s capacity for worry. “This is when he was selling your things?”
“That was not until almost the end.” She whispered and wiping her eyes, focussed back on Elizabeth. “Oh, I am so tired of crying all of the time!”
“I imagine you are tired of a great many things.” Elizabeth let go of her hand and sat up. “Well, there is no way to know for certain unless you have an examination by someone with far more knowledge than anyone else in this home.”
“When will they be here?”
Elizabeth looked at her watch. “I imagine in an hour or so, depending on how much persuasion his sister requires to leave home. Be grateful that Mr. Campbell agreed to help us. This is quite a secret for him to keep, but we need a midwife. I am willing, my Aunt Gardiner has been present at many births and told me everything that happens, and I have read every book and journal I could in your brother’s libraries.” She shook her head. “In a pinch, I … I hope I could care for you. Your brother has read everything that I showed him as well.” Georgiana’s eyes widened. Elizabeth smiled, “Oh no, can you imagine your poor brother delivering you? He would be a wreck.”
“But he would still do it if he had to.”
“Yes.” Elizabeth’s eyes shone. “Yes, he would.” Standing, she patted her shoulder and smiled. “There is always Richard …”
“Oh no!”
Elizabeth laughed. “I am sorry to startle you. That man would probably drop the baby on his foot. Go on and sleep, you are white as a ghost.”
Georgiana hugged her pillow and watched her sister walk to the door. “Fitzwilliam showed me where he takes you to look at the sea. I felt very privileged to be there.”
“Did he tell you that your father used to take him there? I felt privileged that he would share that place with me. I think that marks it as a place to take the people he loves.”
“We talked about Mama.”
“So your trip was not entirely spent in silence.” Letting go of the door handle, Elizabeth leaned against the wall. “What did you ask of him?”
“Everything he could remember. I had heard it all before, but this time it was different, as if she was a real woman, not just a story.”
“I imagine that your papa took her to that spot a few times.”
Georgiana nodded and stared into a corner of the room. “She died having me. Papa always said that she wanted me so much, she lost so many babies and so wanted a little girl.”
Elizabeth noticed that Georgiana was looking at the handkerchief doll she had made months ago and walked back to sit on the bed. Gently, she caressed her hair, “Are you afraid of dying when this baby comes?”
“Yes.” She whispered. “But I imagine every woman who goes into labour thinks about that.”
“I know that I will.” Elizabeth bit her lip. “I am not so worried for me, but for whom I would leave behind.”
“Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana looked back to Elizabeth and saw her eyes tearing up. “Oh, Elizabeth, please do not cry!”
“I am sorry.” She searched and finally found a handkerchief wadded into a ball in her sleeve. “That man drives me to distraction.” Wiping her eyes, she drew a breath and smiled. “Well, hopefully Mr. Campbell’s sister will come, and if that fails, we will find someone in the vicinity who will take good care of you both. All of this talk and worry about what might happen is all stuff and nonsense.” She lifted her chin determinedly and Georgiana straightened with her. “Are you certain that you want to feed the baby until we have a wet nurse for him?”
“Yes. I am decided about that. I will not raise him, but I carried him, and … I just think that it is right.”
Elizabeth stroked her hair and studied her face. “I am concerned that you will decide you cannot give him up. If that is your choice, Fitzwilliam and I will do our best to protect you both, I hope you know that. But it will irrevocably change the path that your life takes.”
“I know, but I will give him up. It is the best thing I can do for him. He is innocent of how he came to be formed; he should not have to spend his life paying for it. If I was exposed by keeping him, then he would suffer the same consequences as I. That is not fair.” Elizabeth hugged her. “You see? I have been listening to you and Fitzwilliam all along.”
“I always hoped that you were.” She kissed her cheek and smiled. “I am so very proud of how you have grown.”
“Fitzwilliam said the same thing to me.”
“It sounds like Fitzwilliam had a great deal to say to you, he just did not use a great many words.” Elizabeth hugged her again and went to the door. “Now try to rest, hopefully we will have some answers soon. I love you.”
She watched the door close and looked back to the doll. “I love you, too, Elizabeth.”
“THERE YOU ARE.” Darcy spotted Elizabeth peeking around the study door and laughed. “Why are you hiding?”
“I was not sure if you were busy or entertaining.”
“Richard?” He lifted his chin to the window. “He is out there talking to his mare.”
“A bit of a one-sided conversation, I think.”
“Yes, that horse is brillia
nt.” He sat back and read her eyes as she entered the room. “Is she well?”
“I have surrounded her with hot water bottles.”
His lips twitched. “Mrs. Darcy’s Cure-All.”
“They helped you.” She saw his worry behind the smile. “She is full of nervous anticipation.”
Nodding, he drew a breath, “What do you think?”
“I think that it will be soon.”
“So do I.” They held each other’s eyes for several moments until he offered his hand to her.
Elizabeth walked around the desk, and to her surprise, he grasped her hips and pulled her forward to stand between his legs. “Will!”
“What have I done?” He smiled when she rested her hands on his shoulders and bent down to look him in the eye. “Shall I rephrase that? What have I not done?” His lip caught in his teeth as he began bunching the fabric of her dress in his hands, slowly raising the skirt.
“Do you think that I am unaware of your machinations?”
“mmm, no. I think that you dare me to be bolder.” Darcy’s gaze moved to her mouth and he felt a thrill ripple from his stomach to his groin when the tip of her tongue appeared to wet her lips. “ohhhhh love …” He let go of her skirt and holding her face in his hands, kissed her. “Your lips are so warm.” He murmured against her mouth. “Are you going to sing to me?”
“Are you going to give me reason to?”
“oohhhh, Mrs. Darcy …” His hands slid down her shoulders and seizing her bottom, squeezed. Elizabeth shrieked and covered her mouth with her hands as his rubbed possessively. “Do not hide that!” He commanded. “I need to kiss those ruby lips.”
“Fitzwilliam!”
“Yes, Elizabeth?” He slid one hand up her spine to settle behind her neck and smiling into her eyes, he kissed her tenderly.
“The door is open!”
“Georgiana is in bed? Richard is talking to the only woman who will have him?” Elizabeth giggled. “Parker and Judy have walked in on us too many times to count …” Her eyes widened and he bit his lip. “I should not have said that …”
“They have?”
“No, of course not …”
“Oh, Will …”
“Now those are the words I want to hear.” Darcy murmured against her ear and nibbled her lobe. “Ohhhhh, Willllllllll.”
“Fitzwilliam!” Elizabeth gasped and closed her eyes as his wandering mouth suckled her throat. He could feel her melting into his arms. “ohhhhh.” She moaned until his lips engulfed her mouth and without breaking the kiss, he lifted her onto his lap.
Darcy drew away to see her desire-drugged eyes open. “Beautiful …” He caressed his palm over her breasts. “You are entirely too well-dressed.”
“So are you.” She tugged at his cravat. “And entirely too aroused.”
Laughing as she wiggled on his lap, he brushed the hair away from her face. “How can I be too aroused?”
“Well …” She bit her lip and pressed her mouth to his ear. “I was thinking how lovely it would be to … arouse you myself …” Darcy listened to the soft voice and stared forward. “You know, just use my warm, soft, wet lips to … suckle …”
“Oh, Lord …”
“And lick …”
“Lizzzzzzy …”
“And … savour.”
“When?” His voice nearly cracked. “Now?”
“mmmmm, no.” Tenderly her tongue traced his ear and she nipped his lobe. “You see, you are already very, very aroused.”
“That is just fine, I can bear it!” He pulled away and stared at her. “Truly!”
Elizabeth giggled and held his face. “You dear, lovely man.”
“Elizabeth Darcy … You are not going to leave me like this!”
“The door is open.” She tried to escape his embrace, but he was not budging. “Will!”
“No!”
“It is your own fault that you are in this condition!”
“Oh, and tell me that you do not want me, Miss Tease.” In a moment his hand was beneath her skirt and between her thighs. “It is so warm!” They both moaned while he stroked. “So wet.” Darcy brushed his mouth against her throat again, and then nibbled over her pounding pulse. “Shall I suckle you my love? I will be more than glad to exercise my tongue.”
“Not fair.” She sighed and closed her eyes.
“It is not meant to be …” Their mouths met hungrily and they both jumped when the front bell rang.
Elizabeth stared at him. “Who is that?” She looked to the door.
“Who cares?” Darcy turned her face back to him.
“Will!” They heard voices and footsteps. “Oh heavens! Is it the minister?” She slid from his lap and straightened her skirt. The look of absolute disbelief on his face was heartbreaking. “I am sorry! The door!”
“New rule, Elizabeth. You do not ever enter my study without closing and locking the door. Do you hear me?” He demanded and shifting, looked down at his lap. “Look what you have done!”
“I have done?” She gasped. He stared at her and cupped his hands over the prominent tent pole rising from his breeches. Elizabeth’s hand went to her mouth and she laughed. “I did do that.”
“You do not have to look so smug about it.”
She reached forward to touch and he growled. “No, no, no. If you touch that, my dear, you better have plans to follow through.”
Elizabeth laughed and backed away. “Yes, oh, master.”
“Some master I am, I cannot even manage my wife.” He sighed.
“Sir, the post.” Parker appeared with a stack. “Mrs. Darcy? Mrs. Shaw is waiting for you in her office.”
“Is she? Thank you.” He left and she turned to find Darcy with his eyes closed and breathing slowly. “What are you doing?”
“I am considering Caroline Bingley on my lap.”
Her head tilted. “Is that working for you?”
“Like a leap into Pemberley’s lake in January.”
“Hmm. Well, then you would definitely need me to warm you.” Elizabeth kissed him when he groaned and tapped his stack of letters. “We both have work to do.”
“Yes, we do.” He took her hand and kissed it. “And it has nothing to do with letters. Stay.”
“Hush. We are fortunate. That could have been Mr. Campbell and you would have had to rise.” She looked at him sternly, “Now … keep thinking cool thoughts.” Darcy’s gaze did not move from her eyes and she felt a shiver run from her head to her toes that had nothing to do with being cold. “Stop that!”
His voice was deep, and soft, “You are the one who is leaving me.”
Elizabeth held his cheek in her hand, and smiled into his eyes. “I would never leave you, Will.”
Darcy held her hand against his face, “Never? Do you promise?”
Nodding, she kissed him. “Read your letters.”
When she reached the door he called her name. “When this is over and we know that Georgiana and the baby are well, I want us to go home. To Pemberley. Just the two of us. Aunt and Uncle may remain here with Georgiana while she recovers. I want us to finally go home. We will be free then.”
“I think that is a wonderful idea, Will.” Blushing with his obvious pleasure, she turned and walked down the hallway. That is a glorious idea!
Arriving at the kitchen door, Elizabeth was about to enter when she noticed Parker helping Judy down from a ladder. Taking the duster from her hand he ascended it himself to reach the woodwork above the window in the dining room. He said something, and Judy crossed her arms and laughed up at him. Smiling to herself, Elizabeth pushed open the door.
“Mrs. Duncan, what is that heavenly aroma?”
“Shortbread, Mrs. Darcy.” She nodded to a plate across the room. “I made up a fresh batch, but with the colonel back in the house, I imagine it will be gone before sunset.”
“I think that Mr. Darcy and I would have polished it off without his help.” Elizabeth leaned over the plate and breathed in. “Yours is th
e best I have ever had, Mrs. Duncan. I will have to watch you sometime before we leave, so that I may teach our other cooks your secrets. Although, maybe it is something about the Scottish air that makes it special.” She straightened and smiled.
“I think it’s our butter, madam.” She laughed with Elizabeth’s shrug. “I did not think I would like a mistress wandering about my kitchen, but I am enjoying our talks.”
“Does Mrs. Walker come in?” Elizabeth took a seat at a well-seasoned work table and looked around the tidy room.
“Mrs. Walker.” She sniffed and picked up a handful of flour to throw down and plopping bread dough onto it; began to knead vigorously. “I heard from their coachman that she goes around introducing herself in London as the Mistress of Sommerwald.” She watched Elizabeth’s brows rise. “I’m not one to tell tales, mind you, but it crossed my mind, how can you be the mistress if you are simply paying rent?”
“Well, I suppose that she is the mistress while she lives here. My sister just married and they live in a home that is under lease. I would call her the mistress.”
“Hmmph.” She threw down some more flour. “She implies her husband owns the estate.”
“Now that is a different situation entirely.”
“I thought so.” The women looked at each other.
“What are you about, Mrs. Duncan? Do you hope for a new tenant?” Elizabeth smiled when the woman’s cheeks reddened. “Mrs. Shaw seems to prefer them.”
“Ahhh. That woman.” She whipped out a knife and cut the dough into four loaves. “She was thrilled to have you all come, thrilled to have Parker come, as well.” She winked when Elizabeth laughed, “She was expecting to be showing off. A summer with the family, parties, dinners, a full staff … She thought you would melt in with the neighbourhood … Instead she has upper servants pressed in to do the work of maids, a pregnant girl, mourning and … Judy.”
“It is too bad that our needs did not coincide with hers.” Mrs. Duncan laughed and Elizabeth continued thoughtfully, “And we have more guests coming.”
“Too bad.”
“What is too bad?” Mrs. Shaw asked and seeing Elizabeth, she stopped. “Oh, Mrs. Darcy, I hope that you were not waiting too long.”