by Wells, Linda
“Colonel!” Mrs. Kelly said sharply.
“La, then!” He cried and closed his eyes. “I cannot win. It is hopeless.”
“I warned you, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth’s softening voice made him look up. “Miss Kelly, if you have not discovered by now, Mr. Fitzwilliam suffers from a similar affliction as my husband, a curse of fumbling over his words when addressing members of our sex. My husband is quite improved now, but he is also very fond of using his pen to express his sentiments.” She turned to Richard, “I cannot imagine you doing the same, but you are not one to lose yourself in a book. You are a man of a more …” She studied him and saw how his eyes darted to Sophie anxiously, “I believe that you prefer to demonstrate your feelings. Not that my dear husband does not as well, but I think that your time in the army prevented you from carrying a great library on your person, so you grew to appreciate the poetry of your surroundings, rather than the written word.”
“Well done, Elizabeth!” He said admiringly.
Immediately Sophie jumped on him. “Well done? Is it the truth or what you wish it to be?”
“No, she is entirely correct, but then she has had the opportunity to observe me. I read, of course, but when I was soldiering, books were a cumbersome luxury. So … do not expect a sonnet from me. But I will gladly take you anywhere and expound upon the beauty before my eyes.” His admiring gaze inspired a very becoming blush to creep over Sophie’s cheeks and Richard drew a great sigh of relief.
Mrs. Kelly watched the couple sitting together and turned to Elizabeth with a smile. “Our boys learned a great deal in school. I imagine that what the colonel read was not entirely lost on him.”
“My father would recall his days at school fondly, and sometimes I could catch him reviewing some old lesson.” Elizabeth smiled sadly. “He called it his time to enrich the mind.”
“He must have been a wonderful teacher for you.” Mrs. Annesley said kindly.
“There are many things that I will miss about him, even the more sartorial subjects.” She smoothed the skirt of her lavender gown.
“How much longer will you be mourning?”
“I imagine … well supposedly until September, but …” She shrugged. “I will consult my sister when she comes to visit.”
“More family is coming? How lovely! I am sorry that your aunt could not come today, it is always so nice to meet new people when they arrive in the neighbourhood.” Mrs. Kelly began the ritual of making tea. “We will have to host a dinner sometime.”
“I am afraid that Mr. Darcy and I will be returning to Pemberley very soon, in fact, we hope to depart in the next day or so.” Seeing her surprise she smiled. “I know that we had originally intended to stay through August, but we have pressing needs to attend. However, the Harding Darcys will remain for about another month. My uncle has not enjoyed his family estate since he was a boy, and as he has recently retired from the bench, this will be a nice private holiday for them.”
“He was a judge?”
“Yes, in London. And his son, Mr. Samuel Darcy who is also visiting, is clerking for a lawyer in the village of Lambton. He will eventually take over the practice.”
“That is what Stephen hopes to do. Perhaps he would benefit from a conversation with your uncle and cousin?”
“I will ask Richard to introduce them.” Elizabeth accepted her cup. There was a pause in the conversation and the ladies looked to Sophie who was laughing and had her hand to her mouth. Richard was presenting her with a box and had the lid open as he talked and waved his hand. “Finally. He has been carrying that around for weeks.”
“What is it?” Mrs. Kelly craned her neck to see.
“Chocolate. He bought it for her in London.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “I believe that Miss Kelly is very fond of it?”
“What a perfect gift! Yes, Sophie has a mug of it every morning, it is her one indulgence.” Mrs. Kelly smiled as Sophie took the box and was peeking inside. Richard was beaming at her. “I think that they will do well together.”
“I do, too. I hope that he does not wait too long. He wants everything to be perfect, but he needs her.”
“Why?”
Elizabeth realized that Mrs. Kelly did not know everything. “Name me a man who does not benefit from having a good woman by his side. Would not Mr. Kelly be a lost soul without you?”
“I wonder if he would ever admit that.” Mrs. Kelly said thoughtfully.
“My husband was a lost soul regardless.” Mrs. Annesley said sadly. “I thought that I knew him so well, and here he was living another life. I never questioned his business and in the end, I learned far too much of it.”
“Well, are you ready to begin your new life, then?” Elizabeth asked.
Mrs. Annesley straightened. “You found me a position?”
“I have. I have had the opportunity to meet you several times, and I have discussed it with my husband. He has a sister who is ten years his junior, in fact; she will be sixteen this week. She was attending a girls’ school, but it is time that she has a companion to … shepherd her into womanhood. We propose that you accompany her to London and live with her in our home. There, masters of different subjects will visit, and you will have the opportunity to escort her around Town to cultural events and sights. Naturally, we will come to join you at some point and the goal is to have her presented to court, we think in two years time. And then … the whirlwind of her Seasons will begin. I would love to learn with her, but I hope that much of the next few years I will be building our family.” She glanced down at her waist and smiling, looked up to the elder woman. “So, what do you think, Mrs. Annesley, would you care to come and live with us?”
“Oh my!” Her hand was on her chest. “I would be a fool to say no!”
“I have said no to far more important proposals. What is foolish to some may be seen as pure brilliance to others.” Elizabeth rubbed her fingers over her wedding band pensively. “Well then, it is almost June, let us say the end of July to start? That will give you time to dispose of your business here.”
“It will not take me two months!”
“No, but Miss Darcy is on holiday just now. She is a sweet girl, you may find that she is quite reticent, but I do hope that you will enjoy being with her.”
Mrs. Annesley nodded. “I am certain that I will, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Wonderful!” She reached for her reticule and handed over a letter. “My husband has prepared a contract for you. It describes your duties and his proposed compensation. If it is acceptable, simply sign it and have it delivered to Sommerwald tomorrow.”
She held the sealed letter shakily. “Yes, madam. Thank you …”
“No, thank you.” Elizabeth glanced over to the couple in the corner. “Mrs. Kelly, I would love to see your garden, could we take a turn?”
“Of course!” The woman was squeezing her teary friend’s hand. “But the colonel …”
“Oh, could we not leave them for a few moments of privacy? Just a few? It could prove to be quite productive?”
“Well …” Mrs. Kelly bit her lip and glanced to the doorway. “My husband and Robert are out playing golf … and the boys are busy with their governess …”
“So they will never know.”
“You are not setting a fine example for a companion to see, Mrs. Darcy.” Mrs. Annesley smiled as she put the letter away and dabbed at her eyes.
“Perhaps I am.” Elizabeth set down her cup. “When we are walking, I will tell you the story of how my dear husband proposed.”
The ladies quietly left the room and it was several moments before Richard and Sophie realized that they were completely alone. “Well, imagine that …” Richard looked after them through the window. “Despite her worry she still has room for me.”
“What are you saying, sir?”
“Elizabeth is a very loving woman.” He watched her walking, her hands were behind her back and she twisted a handkerchief as she followed her hostess.
“She is married to your co
usin.” Sophie said softly.
“I know.” Richard turned back and studied her.
“You seem to admire her …”
“Miss Kelly, are you jealous?” Richard laughed. “Even after I present you with such a valuable gift?”
She sighed. “No, of course not. Why would I be jealous of a married woman?”
“I have no idea, but you seem to be displaying that very emotion. I have a younger sister and jealousy is one thing I do recognize.” He lifted his chin towards the window. “Mrs. Darcy is concerned about her husband, see her there worrying her handkerchief?”
Sophie leaned forward and Richard took the opportunity to sniff the delicate scent of the perfume in her hair. “What is wrong? Is Mr. Darcy ill?”
“mmm?” Richard murmured. Sophie looked up at him and forgetting everything, he kissed her.
“Colonel!” Sophie sat up and held her burning cheeks in her hands.
“Forgive me.” He smiled.
“You are not in the least contrite!”
“No, I am not. I am … rather … may I kiss you again?”
“No!” She gasped.
“But your lips are so very soft …” His gaze drifted to her mouth and leaning, he went to steal another kiss when the sting of her hand across his cheek stopped him. “Ow!”
“You sir, had better behave!” Her eyes flashed as he rubbed his cheek. “We are not engaged, and I will not have my reputation ruined!”
Richard blinked, and then sat back from her and laughed. “Do you remember that Mrs. Darcy was proposed to after just such a kiss by my cousin?”
“I forgot … ?” Sophie quickly looked out of the window. “Is that what you were going to do?”
“I guess that we will never know, will we?” Standing, he held out his arm. “Shall we join the ladies on their stroll, Miss Kelly?” He lifted his brow and grinned.
“Your cheek is bright red.”
He glanced at himself in the window glass. “A battle wound I will proudly display to the ladies.”
“Oh, you are proud!” Sophie cried.
“I believe that I just said that.”
“That is not how I meant it.”
“I know.” He bent towards her, “Shall I resume where I left off?”
Taking his chin in her hands, she turned his face away. “No. Your pride deserves a bit of a bruise.”
“Will you kiss it and make it well?” Winking he opened the door to the garden when her mouth fell open. “I am incorrigible, I admit, but … I think that you like it.” Waving his hand, he indicated the door. “After you, Miss Sophie Kelly.”
“As it should be, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” Sophie walked out before him. “And if you forget, I shall remind you.”
Richard closed the door and followed her. “I look forward to it.”
“ELIZABETH …” Richard laughed and rubbed his hand over his face. “I am such an arse.”
“I think that I have known that for quite some time.” She crossed her arms over her chest and regarded him with a smile as the carriage bumped along. “I am proud of you, though.”
“Are you?” He stopped laughing and leaned back against the cushion. “Why is that?”
“You told her that you want her.”
“Of course I do.”
“No, not in a carnal way.”
“Elizabeth, should we be speaking of such things?”
“I thought you did not see me as a woman.”
“You forget nothing.”
“I will never forget an insult.”
“It was a compliment.”
Elizabeth sighed and looked out of the window. Richard moved to sit next to her. “I was going to propose today but she did not appreciate the Darcy approach to winning a wife.”
“The Darcy approach,” she looked down at the wadded up handkerchief in her hand, “was wonderful.” Looking back out at the passing scenery, she demanded, “Why can we not go faster!”
“Because we will lose a wheel on these ruts if we do. What is wrong? What was he doing today that has you so het up?”
“He was going to ride over the estate with Mr. Ferguson.” She said in a monotone.
“Was he looking for anything or anyone else?” He asked softly and saw her nod. “Are you truly surprised?”
“No.”
“I imagined Wickham being there, I am sure of it. Besides, if anything had happened, we would have been summoned home, would we not?” He took her hand and squeezed when she turned to him. “Relax, Elizabeth. You are becoming worked up over nothing, he is likely sitting at his desk trading tales with his uncle and Samuel, pulling out his watch every thirty seconds and wondering when you will arrive. Go home and tell him what a fool I was today.”
“I suppose that I am the one acting like a fool.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I just want to go home to Pemberley so badly, before anything else happens.”
“I know.” Richard wrapped her in his arms and held her. “I know. The baby is born and all of that bravery you have been sporting around is impossible to summon anymore.”
“Have you ever felt that way?” Elizabeth sniffed.
“If you promise to never, ever tell a soul,” Richard looked down at her teary eyes, “I will admit to feeling just as drained when the battle is over and I have survived.”
“I cannot imagine what you have seen.”
“I do not wish it on anyone.” He sighed.
“I hope that the next time you try to kiss Miss Kelly you are successful.” Richard laughed softly and she took a shaking breath. “I am sorry; I am making your coat all wet.” Drawing away, she touched the fabric. “I just …”
“Shh.” He moved back to his side of the carriage. “Look, there is the gate; now put yourself in good order or we will have him all foolish, too.” Winking, he looked the other way while she fussed with her hair and smoothed out her dress. When he turned back she had a determined look in her eye. “I know that face. I met it on the dance floor one night.”
“You deserved whatever you received from me.”
“Oh yes, and more. I do believe that Darcy would have beat the daylights out of me that night had there been no ball and, more importantly, no you.”
“Has he ever fought you? Besides the time in the study?”
“Lord, yes.” Richard chuckled. “And won!”
“Good for him.” She sniffed, but managed a smile.
“I have beaten him a fair number of times …”
“I have no interest in hearing that.”
“Naturally.”
“MRS. DARCY IS GOING to be highly unhappy.” Parker murmured when Darcy stepped into the master chambers and rested his hands heavily on a dresser. His eyes closed and he grimaced when he breathed.
“I know, Parker. She was highly unhappy when I told her what I planned to do while she was away.”
“It is a good thing your aunt is napping or you would have a taste of what is coming your way right now.” Harding placed his hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “I am so proud of your restraint.”
Turning his head, Darcy studied him. “Restraint? I suppose.”
“You had his life in your palm.”
“Death is a kind sentence in some cases, have you not found, Uncle? I think that living with the knowledge of what your actions have cost you is far more punishing.” His eyes flicked over his uncle’s pale face and closed as he drew in a deep breath. He rubbed his side. “Damn.”
“Darcy!” Samuel flew into the room. “They have returned!”
“So soon?” He said softly.
Harding let go of his shoulder. “Let us call for a physician.”
“No. I am fine.”
“Elizabeth will not accept that. We all know it.”
Darcy heard Richard’s voice and then Elizabeth’s. “Out. Both of you. She does not need to be alarmed with you two hanging about.”
“We will go speak to Richard.” Harding went slowly to the door.
Straightening Darcy winced and nod
ded to the men. “It will take both of you to restrain him from chasing down Wickham. Watch what you say. I did not release him like some bird in a covey only to be shot by a hunter.”
“I would be glad to join him.” Samuel said in a low tone.
“This is my battle, not yours.” Darcy fixed his coat and blew out his cheeks before turning to his disappointed cousin. “You and I need to speak before we depart.”
“Very well, William.” He turned and walked away.
Harding hesitated, “He is straining to be his own man.”
“That is not all of it. He has other things on his mind.” Darcy nodded to the door. “Here she comes.” His uncle held up his hand and nodding; set off down the hallway. Darcy heard his warm greeting and Elizabeth’s distracted reply. Standing as casually as he could, he managed a small smile. “Well, that was excellent timing, we arrived almost simultaneously!”
“That is fortunate.” Elizabeth was examining him thoroughly and Darcy was grateful that none of Wickham’s punches struck his face.
“How were the lovebirds? Did you manage to raise Miss Kelly’s ire?”
“Richard is capable of doing that on his own.” Elizabeth’s stance relaxed a little. “Oh, Will. I was a nervous wreck the whole time we were there. I had such visions in my mind!”
“Of what? Did you suffer fluttering and palpitations? Shall I call for the salts?” He smiled with the look she shot him and touched her cheek. “Here I am, hale and hearty and teasing you.”
She took his hand and held it to her face. “I was certain you would be lying here in a puddle of blood.”
“Well that certainly speaks of your poor opinion!”
“You know what I mean!”
“Do you not think I could take him?” Darcy’s chin lifted and his eyes held that pride she knew so well.
“Of course you could, I just …” Letting go of his hand, she wrapped her arms around his waist. Darcy’s eyes widened and then squeezed shut. In the background, Parker grimaced and was almost dancing, wanting to rip her away from his master. “I was so worried. Poor Richard, he was trying his best to placate me, but I still cried on his shoulder.” Darcy managed to squeeze her a little and tried to brace himself for the tight embrace he knew was coming, but Elizabeth let go.