by Wells, Linda
“Is she alive?” Gladney demanded as he fell down beside her and looked to Elizabeth. “Is she?”
“Yes, she is.” Elizabeth looked up at the terrified man. “She seems to just have the wind knocked out of her, she landed on her back.” Anne moaned as she slowly came around. Gladney took her hand and leaned down to speak softly to her.
Darcy knelt beside Elizabeth and put his arm around her shoulder. Their eyes met and she read the thoughts that were there. “I was not going to jump, Will. I refused to gallop, too. Anne was just so determined; I could not convince her to hold back. She said that Albert has been teaching her to ride for months, and he has been so proud of her.” He nodded but did not say a word, only kissing her temple as he watched Gladney live out the very fear that was coursing through him.
“Anne.” Gladney urged her. “Open your eyes.”
“I … it hurts …”
“What hurts?” He asked quietly.
“Breathing, oh it hurts …”
“If it was just the wind, she will feel better in a few minutes. If it was a rib …” Richard looked to Darcy.
“She would be gasping in pain.” He murmured and then touched his cousin’s shoulder. “Anne. Can you move your legs?” All eyes went to her feet and a sigh of relief went around the crowd as her boots moved. “Thank God.” He rested his forehead against the back of Elizabeth’s hat and prayed while he hugged his wife.
“Should we fetch a wagon? I cannot see her walking back, nor any of you carrying her.” Cathy asked.
“I’ll do it.” Richard grabbed the bridal of Anne’s horse and pulling himself up, sat awkwardly on the side saddle. He smiled grimly at Sophie and rode off.
“I will go tell Aunt Catherine …” Cathy climbed back on her pony and quickly followed him.
Sophie looked at her brothers and back at Anne. “I am sorry, I … I never should have encouraged her. Elizabeth was trying to convince her she had not had enough practice, but …” Mr. Kelly put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her.
“It is not your fault. Anne is an adult, not a child to be manipulated by a dare.” Lord Matlock assured her.
“I wanted to impress you. I am so poor at so many things, and I thought that I had learned how to ride …” Anne spoke to Gladney and took a shaky breath.
“You do not need to impress me, Anne. You have stayed by my side while I struggle. That is impressive enough. And you can ride. I watched you, and you were doing very well until you jumped. You did not follow your mount’s lead and you are too green to attempt such a high obstacle. Next time …” Her eyes widened and he nodded. “What does your mother tell you to do? Practice?” He aided her to sit up. “When we go home, we will practice together.”
“Yes, Albert.” She said softly and looked to Elizabeth. “I should have listened to you. Why would you not jump?” Everyone looked at her and Elizabeth felt Darcy’s arms tighten around her waist. “It is as Albert said, I am not experienced enough. I need much practice.”
“And we also will do that at home, love.” Darcy assured her and meeting Gladney’s eyes, nodded. “I think that we have had enough riding at Matlock.”
HURST YAWNED and stretched as he woke from his nap in a sunny corner of Bingley’s study at Netherfield. Blinking, he ignored the newspapers that slid from his belly to the floor and turned to the sound of his brother’s laughter. “What is it?”
“You are awake.”
“I am like a cat. Give me a meal and a cushion in the window and I am a happy man. However, I hope that I am not the subject of your amusement.” He sat up and nodded at the letter Bingley was holding. “Interesting news?”
Bingley smiled and cocked his head at him. “This is from Darcy. Something has happened, the tone of this letter is unusual. He was always a rather imposing individual … but … it has been so long since we have met. I wonder if I will recognize him.” Bingley said thoughtfully and hearing his brother’s impatient throat clearing, he smiled. “Sorry. Darcy reports a royal set down he delivered to our brother Collins.”
“Oh yes? Now that is something I would have enjoyed witnessing. That pompous fool has been begging for one since his ascendency to Longbourn’s throne. I am grateful that we were far removed from the area this Season, even if it did mean being with Caroline.” He grinned with Bingley’s sigh. “Sorry to bring up such a distasteful subject, but at least you escaped for a few months.”
“We must have her married.” He muttered.
“It is a buyer’s market, and she is spoiled fruit.”
“Well, can we not turn her so the best side shows to the customer?”
“I am afraid that there is no best side.” Hurst grinned. “And you cannot just cut out the bad spots and convince the man that the rest is sound.”
Bingley laughed and pushed back from the desk to wipe his eyes. “Listen to us.”
“Laugh or cry, Bingley, your choice.”
“What is happening in here?” Jane appeared in the doorway and looked between the two mildly embarrassed men. “I could hear you all the way down the hallway.”
“We were discussing spoiled fruit, Jane dear.” Bingley grinned.
“Cooking it might help. To make it digestible.” Hurst offered.
“Poaching.” Bingley pointed at him and nodded. “In syrup.”
“No amount of honey could rescue that pear.” He said as he laced his fingers over his belly and looked to Jane. “Do you agree?”
“I have not the first idea what on earth has struck you. What are you drinking?”
“Nothing.” Bingley stood and walked around his desk. “We are simply enjoying the news from Darcy.”
“Oh yes, Darcy.” Hurst smiled. “I forgot. What is his request?”
“Nothing particular, but my curiosity is piqued. Jane, would you like to visit your mother? We could take the carriage or ride. It is a fine day.”
“You wish to visit Mama?”
“No, I wish to visit Mr. Collins. You will visit your mother.”
“You seem hesitant, Mrs. Bingley.” Hurst tilted his head.
Jane played with her fingers and looked up, “I have not told her that we intend to give up Netherfield.”
“Jane! We have been speaking with estate agents for months!” Bingley cried. “You have not told her?”
“She seemed so dispirited. Papa died and she has had to adjust to Mary taking her place, and we were gone for so long, Lizzy has been absent …”
“You are avoiding your mother.” Hurst laughed. “I never thought I would see the day. Jane Bingley is not feeling equable towards her family.”
“Elizabeth would be amazed.” Bingley grinned.
“Our separation and return has been educational.” Jane said quietly and looking to Bingley she cast her eyes back down at her hands.
“I would like to think that I had something to do with that.” Bingley smiled and taking her hand; raised it to his lips.
“Of course you did.” She blushed and looked at Hurst then to her husband. “I suppose that I will have to tell her sometime.”
“I find nothing wrong with slipping out the back way.” Hurst offered.
“No, no. We will tell her.” Bingley grinned. “And then we will run!”
“I THINK THAT IT IS TIME to take your seats, boys.” The priest said quietly.
“But we want to stay with the colonel.” Adam looked to Richard. “We are his seconds!”
“I certainly hope that a duel will not be in order, Son!” Lord Matlock snorted. “Or do you have something else in mind?”
“No, I have no nefarious schemes planned.” He laughed and placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder.
“Fine thing, as I see the bride is arriving.” Gladney glanced out of the window and smiled at Anne.
Richard’s smile fell and he nodded to the boys. “Go on and sit with your mother, she needs you. I will be fine on my own. This is not enemy territory.” The boys sat down and Richard looked to Darcy who was visibly remind
ing him how to breathe and relax. Richard copied his movements and when he heard the priest clear his throat; drew a deep breath and turned to face the altar.
“Here she comes.” Robert murmured by his side.
“How does she look? Is she frightened?”
“No more so than you are.”
Richard looked at him and nodded. “I do hope that I will not be subjected to your family’s good will any longer now?”
“You mean our threats?” Robert said out of the corner of his mouth.
“Exactly.” Eyeing his kilt, Richard murmured, “Or shall I expose you to the congregation?”
“It might just attract me a wife.” Robert eyed him and grinned. “Why haven’t I thought of that sooner?”
Richard smiled and hearing Sophie’s approach, turned to find her at his side. A deeply held breath was finally let go. “Hullo, my love.” He said shyly.
“Oh.” She whispered and held his eyes while tears appeared in hers. “Hullo.”
“TO THE JOYFUL COUPLE! May they live long, love long, and be very, very happy.” Darcy raised his glass and bowed his head to Richard.
“Bless you, Cousin.” Richard laughed. “Mrs. Darcy, watch your husband, I do believe he may be tipsy.”
“Hmmm. I think that you may be correct.” Elizabeth took his glass and finished off his wine. “May I join you.”
“That sounded like a toast, love.” Darcy chuckled and setting the glass down, held her hands.
“It was.” Elizabeth laughed as he pulled her to his chest and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“They are both tipsy!” Richard snorted and squeezed Sophie’s hand held tightly in his. “Why are we not?”
“Because we want to be awake for our wedding day.”
“And our wedding night.” He murmured against her ear. Sophie blushed and he laughed. “If I survive that long.”
Rubbing his face, Richard peered into the mirror in his dressing room at Gladney. “Come on, man. Stop being such a fool! This is hardly virgin territory for you …” He groaned at his own words. “Idiot!”
“Mr. Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy had a gift delivered here this morning for your wedding night. Would you like to open it now?”
“For me? It is not for S … Mrs. Fitzwilliam?” He stopped and smiled. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam as well?”
“The courier said specifically that it was for you to open privately, just before you met Mrs. Fitzwilliam.” Richard’s valet presented a box.
Curious, and relieved to have something to occupy himself, Richard lifted the lid away. “Wine …” He smiled, remembering his cousin talking of sharing a glass of sweet wine with Elizabeth to calm both of them on their first evening. “Two bottles. Does he want me to perform or not?” He chuckled. “Shortbread?” Reading the note that was attached, his cheeks pinked. “Well … my wife will certainly enjoy this reminder of her home … A pillow? ‘To be used in lieu of candlesticks.’ Well, hopefully no fighting on our first night!” Biting his lip, he drew out a familiar-looking box. He opened it and laughed long and loud. Picking up the delicate object, he grinned and read the note. “Never again will I confine myself to the embrace of a skin.” Examining it, he snorted when he saw that the end was cut off. “So we are to begin our family tonight?”
“Richard?” Surprised, he turned to find Sophie nervously standing in the doorway. “I heard you laughing and … I thought I would rather be with you than pacing in my room.” She looked down at her robe and back up to him. He was staring at her bare feet and she blushed. “What is that in your hand? Is that what made you laugh?”
“Pardon?” He looked at the condom and quickly stuffed it back into the box. “It was … a note from Darcy. That is all … look, he sent us wine!” He grabbed the bottle. “And … Elizabeth sent shortbread …”
“Oh.” Sophie laughed and dropping her eyes, blushed furiously when she saw that his robe had fallen open. “Are you hungry?”
“I … I … I …” Richard saw where she was staring and blushed just as deeply, “Just for you.” He reached out for her hand and held it tightly. “Shall we? Before I burst?”
“We … we cannot have that …”
“Oh we can. And we will.” He laughed and raised her hand to his lips. “And with luck, you will, too.”
Chapter 31
Richard darted a quick look towards the woman at his side and then back up at the canopy. Is she awake? Will she be offended if I rise? What do I say to her? Should I find my robe? Darting another look, he sighed. Sophie’s back was to him. Please Lord, I did not hurt her, did I? Why is she not sleeping against me? Darcy said that Elizabeth sleeps in his arms. Should not Sophie do the same? Have I offended her? Perhaps she wishes she was in her own bed? Maybe we should meet in her room and then I should depart afterwards? But Darcy and Elizabeth spend the whole night together, how did they decide that? He kicked himself for being so insecure but he could not help it. Whatever he had felt for Sophia Fitzwilliam before they tumbled into the bed in the master’s chambers the night before had been increased a thousand-fold when he made her his own.
But this was no courtesan and no maid. This was his wife and he had no idea how to behave now that the day was new. This woman was going to remain by his side forever. Instead of whining about not touching her, he should have been asking his cousin how to be a husband. Selfish bastard. He kicked himself again. Spotting his robe mysteriously lying at the end of the bed, he carefully reached for it and looking at her again, slipped it on before standing, cringing as the bed creaked and the mattress rocked. Quickly tying the belt he turned and looked at her. She had not moved. Breathing a sigh of relief, he crept away into the washroom and closed the door behind him.
Ten minutes later, relieved, hair brushed, breath freshened, he carefully turned the handle on the door and entered the room, approached the bed and stopped dead. It was empty. “Sophie?” He looked around and then towards the door to the mistress’s chambers. “Sophie? Are you well? Where are you?” He looked to the closed dressing room door. “Sophie?”
The door opened and she appeared. “Oh, I thought that I had time …” She blushed and played nervously with the belt on her robe. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” He stood still and stared. “Were you waiting for me to rise?”
“Yes.” She kept her gaze down. “I … I … I did not want you to see … me.”
“But I … like seeing you.”
Silence enveloped them and finally Sophie took a breath. “What shall we do now? The sun is high in the sky …”
“Oh … you do not wish to …” He glanced towards the chamber door. “Of course not.”
“What?” She looked up to him.
“Return to bed.” He waved it off and walked across the room. “I will summon your maid and … and we can have breakfast …”
“No, no … I mean, breakfast would be nice.” Sophie smiled and walked up to him. “I had a wonderful night.”
“You did?” He asked quietly and took her hands. “I hardly knew what I was doing. I was so terribly inept and nervous. May I apologize again for making a mess of things. You would think that I am a youth of thirteen just discovering what … what things are all about.” Looking into her eyes he smiled. “And you have no idea what I mean. I suppose that is to my advantage.”
“You made it easy for me.”
“I tried. But I wanted it to be extraordinary.”
“Do you think that your nerves are settled now?” She tilted her head. “Or shall I put some blinders on you?”
A smile appeared, “So I am a skittish stallion?”
“Well, I do know your lineage, so I have hope for you.”
Richard laughed and hugged her. “What are you suggesting Mrs. Fitzwilliam?”
“Would you like to try again?”
“If you do.” Sophie smiled shyly and nodded. He kissed her and took her hand. “Very well then. Let’s go.”
“I AM AFRAID that I am quite at a loss this m
orning.” Mrs. Kelly sat down at the dining room table after taking a sweet bun from the buffet. “I am used to meeting my daughter at her chamber door, and then we would walk downstairs together …” Drawing out her handkerchief, she dabbed at her eyes. “Who will I talk to now? The boys are always up and gone, or at their lessons …”
“Well then, you rise earlier and eat with them.” Elizabeth smiled and poured herself a cup of chocolate from the silver pot on the buffet. “If Lord Matlock was not so determined to speak with Mr. Darcy this morning, I promise you that my husband would not miss breakfast with Georgiana and me.”
“Mrs. Darcy is quite correct; you create the habit that fits your family as it changes.” Lady Catherine agreed, much to everyone’s surprise. “Fortunately my daughter married a man who wished to live in our home, so I did not have to suffer her departure when she married.”
“Rising earlier to eat with them is fine, but then they still scatter to their own devices. Now what do I do?” Mrs. Kelly looked at the women in turn. “Lady Cathy is still at home with you Lady Matlock, but one day she will marry and leave you. What are your plans? Or will you follow Mrs. Darcy and take in a child?”
“Certainly not.” Lady Matlock picked up a piece of toast and buttered it. “This favour you are providing for this so-called friend of Harding’s is well and good, Susan, but I think that it is foolishness, especially at your age. What sort of a man is it who leaves his child with a stranger? Not even family? If he was so fond of his wife and the child that took her life, why does he not go to the ends of the earth to provide for her?” She then took up some jam. “He is a good-for-nothing and I am amazed that a man of Harding Darcy’s calibre would associate with him. Mark my words, this girl will be a wild one, just like her father.”
“How can you say that? Hope is an infant!” Georgiana cried.
“Georgiana …” Susan cautioned.
“No, I agree with my sister’s affront!” Elizabeth took her hand under the table and squeezed hard. “This baby will be raised by two loving parents, and I know that Samuel is already quite taken with his baby sister.”
“She is not his sister.” Lady Catherine pronounced.