Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice

by Wells, Linda

“Hush!” She glanced around at the crowd.

  Darcy only pressed harder. “If I was drunk, I could not possibly achieve such an impressive display of length or girth for the woman I love.”

  “Fitzwilliam!”

  “I am excused by my supposed inebriation. See Aunt Catherine hanging from the window? She rolls her eyes in disgust, but she also peeks with keen curiosity. Remember, she told everyone in her letter of our passion for each other.”

  “That does not mean that she wishes to see it displayed!”

  “Cathy does, look at her blatant stare, and Miss Bingley …” Elizabeth’s eyes closed. “Ahhhh, things came to a head today …”

  “Will.”

  “Good, I missed it.” He chuckled when her eyes opened. “I would have thrown her out. You are far too kind.”

  “You are not drunk?” She peered up at him.

  “No, love. I am happy.” He nodded to Bingley. “Now he is drunk. As is his brother, although he handles it quite stoically. Richard has the tolerance of a bull and Uncle is … well, he is sleepy.”

  “Why are you so happy?” Elizabeth searched his twinkling eyes.

  “My very good friend changed the course of his family’s history today. It was an honour to aid him and an honour to witness.” They watched Jane biting her lip and trying to speak some sense to her deliriously happy and sotted husband.

  “Oh dear.” Elizabeth whispered.

  “Do you know why else I am happy?” She looked back to him. “You are wearing a white dress. And I am soaking wet.” Her eyes widened. “Whatever shall we do, Mrs. Darcy?”

  “You planned this!” She gasped.

  “I did not dress you!” He chuckled.

  “You saw me at the window!”

  “My Juliet.” He kissed her.

  “You … you thought to hug me, and …”

  “Ravish you.” Darcy growled.

  “You achieved that already today.”

  “And, have you no desire for more of me?” He pressed against her again. “I know you do. Are your cravings as strong as mine?”

  “Your confidence is … Fitzwilliam Darcy!” Separating herself from him, she peeked at her gown. “Oh no.”

  “Beautiful.” He looked her over approvingly.

  “Will!”

  “Too bad you wear stays, though. I like it better when I can see your buds puckered and begging to be soothed.” His mouth pressed to her ear. “Like this morning … I have thought on the sight of loving my Elizabeth Rose all day long. I want to love her again. Velvet pink petals glistening with dew.”

  “Will Darcy! What has come over you? Where is my reticent husband?” She blushed furiously. “Hush!”

  “If you make me your puppet, why cannot you be my flower?” His eyes were twinkling at her helpless disbelief. “Well … maybe I am a little drunk.”

  “Are you well, Charles?” Jane asked tentatively of her beaming husband.

  “Janie, Janie … we have a home.” He grinned. “A beautiful home. I cannot wait to show it to you. I hope that you like it.”

  “I know that I will.” She gasped when he hugged her tightly. “Your Father would be so proud of you.”

  Bingley drew away and his smile was gone. “Do you think so? I am so unsure of this.”

  “We will be fine.” Jane nodded and held his hand. “We will.”

  “You will stay by my side?” He asked earnestly.

  Jane’s eyes filled with tears, “Where else would I go?”

  “I do not know, Jane. I only want you to be happy with me.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Are you? Are you happy with me?”

  “Oh Charles, of course I am. And I promise to show you from now on.” She kissed him and his eyes lit up again. “I want you to be happy with me, too.”

  “Of course!” He laughed and taking her hand, he called up to Caroline. “I did it Sister! The Bingleys have an estate! It is not Pemberley, but …” He looked at the manor and shrugged, “What is?”

  Caroline nodded and managed a smile. “I am happy for you, Charles.”

  “Are you?” Cathy looked at her with a smirk. “If you want to be welcome there, you had better be. Either that or find a home of your own.”

  “You are one to talk.” Caroline said in a low voice.

  “I bet that I find someone at this ball before you do.” Cathy raised her brow.

  “I do not gamble!” Caroline gasped.

  Cathy laughed and seeing Lady Catherine returning to her seat turned to join her. “Coward.”

  “Darcy!” Richard called. “I have been found out!”

  “Oh?” He straightened and hugged Elizabeth to him again. “How so?”

  “My wife has discovered my sobriety. Crafty woman!” He grinned. “What will you do with me now?”

  “Take off your boots, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” Sophie stood with her arms crossed and her toe tapping.

  “This is promising!”

  “You will not walk with those muddy boots all over Mrs. Darcy’s clean floors. Did you swim with them on?”

  Looking down, he examined his footwear curiously, “No, but we stomped around in the weeds before we jumped in.” Dropping to a bench, he tugged them off. “Well gentlemen, I am not alone in my filth. You heard the sergeant.”

  “Only a sergeant, Colonel?”

  “Hmmm, my dear, you should know that a sergeant wields a great deal of power over the men.” He winked and grabbed her around the waist. “We need a good jig. What say we practice our dancing?”

  “What say you change your clothes?”

  “Once they are off, they will not be back on for the night.” Richard grinned. “Nor will yours, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”

  “There is more than one bedchamber in this house. And I will have you know that unlike our home, they actually contain beds.” She raised her brow as he wagged his head and drew her onto his lap. “Richard. I am not a tavern maid.”

  “No, my dear girl, you are most definitely not.” He smiled into her eyes. “You are blushing.”

  “You are becoming tender.”

  “I am always tender with you.” He kissed her gently.

  “I should take off my boots, too.” Darcy smiled. “But that means you must let go of me.” Chuckling at her expression, he looked down. “Sweetheart, you have so many layers on beneath that dress, you are in no danger of exposing your modesty. I promise.”

  “Are you certain?” Elizabeth whispered.

  “Would I want any man to see you?” Darcy kissed her and letting go, sat down beside Richard to remove his boots. A footman had appeared to take possession of them and when finished, Darcy sat smiling up at his damp wife and took her hands. “Was I late?”

  “Yes.”

  “Were you worried?”

  “Yes.” She looked down to their hands.

  “I am sorry, dear. You did not see the message I sent, telling you that we were on the grounds?”

  Elizabeth’s head lifted. “What message?”

  He stood and taking her hand, pointed to Bruin grazing on the lawn. She sighed and closed her eyes while he hugged her. “Hmm. Next time I will think of something a little more obvious.” Darcy kissed her temple and jumped when he felt her sharp pinch. “Very well, a great deal more obvious.”

  Chapter 40

  Elizabeth touched the three spots of blood on her nightdress and sought desperately for reasons for them to be there. Theories and solutions flashed through her mind and were discarded just as quickly until she was left with one and only one conclusion. Her hand pressed on her belly, willing the child inside to make itself known. But there was nothing. Just the swelling. She drew a shaking breath and tried to hold back the tears that demanded to be shed. Everything is fine, Lizzy. Surely if he had died, there would be more than these spots. This is nothing to your courses. This is nothing to last time. Determinedly, she looked into the mirror. “If it is over we will … try again.”

  “Pardon me, Mrs. Darcy? Did you say something?” Judy bustled thr
ough from the bedchamber. “Oh, there is your nightdress! I looked for it under your pillow.” Taking it from her, she frowned when she spotted the stains. “Is this blood, madam?”

  Elizabeth started, “Oh, yes, I scraped my finger; I must have touched the fabric. Will it be difficult to remove?”

  Judy examined it. “No, it should pose no trouble. I will just put it in with the men’s swimming clothes, best to get it while still fresh.” Smiling, she bundled the dress up in her arms. “I will be going downstairs, is there anything else?”

  “No, Judy.” Elizabeth picked up her watch and focussed on the dial. “My, where has the day gone?”

  “It is not so late, the ladies are all at breakfast, but I daresay the gentlemen will be late risers.” She laughed. “Except for the master, of course.”

  “Of course.” Hearing the door to the servants’ stairs closing, Elizabeth studied the rose made of rubies and put her hand to her mouth as she heard her husband’s voice from the night before, I have thought on the sight of loving my Elizabeth Rose all day long . She felt her cheeks redden. “Fitzwilliam Darcy! I will be suspicious of every gift of roses for the rest of our marriage!” Pinning the watch to her gown she closed her eyes and held her belly. Everything is fine. Looking back at the pale face in the mirror she said to the woman who stared back at her. “This is just another Darcy male trying to frighten me.”

  “TRY SOME VINEGAR ON THAT.” Parker said as he watched the laundress critically.

  Looking back at the man leaning over her shoulder, she glared. “I know my business, Mr. Parker, you just keep to yours!”

  “Watch your tongue, Missy.” Judy snapped as she added Elizabeth’s gown to her basket. “It is not Mr. Parker’s fault that the men of the house chose to leap into the lake and give you a pile of clothes to repair.”

  “I wish that they would strip down if they are going to be foolish.” She muttered and scrubbed at the stain left by some slimy weed on Bingley’s formerly pristine shirt.

  Seeing Parker crooking his finger, Judy glanced at the clothes and followed him out. “Could you speak to the master about his swimming habits? That shirt she is scrubbing would pay her salary for a quarter year! This is no pair of poorly made breeches or an old shirt that must be cleaned! We do have enough to tend to with more guests and their servants arriving today. ”

  “If this had not been a spur of the moment celebration, I imagine that the gentlemen would have swum nude as is the custom.” Judy’s cheeks pinked. Parker nodded towards the frustrated woman scrubbing over a tub. “I think that the master will limit his clothed swimming to dips with his wife from now on. He is suffering this morning if that makes you feel any better.”

  “Suffering? Well we all know that it is the colonel’s fault. Every time he gets Mr. Darcy to drink too much he does something foolish.”

  Parker leaned his head and whispered, “He is mortified about his display to the mistress before everyone.”

  “From what I understand, he was very affectionate, not boorish like some men get when in their cups.” They moved against the wall so that a stream of servants could pass. “Mrs. Darcy asked if anyone has commented on him.” She waited for another maid to go by then leaned to him again. “I told her that the ladies were all too concerned about their own husbands to pay much attention to hers.”

  “Did she believe you?”

  “I do not know, she was a little difficult to read this morning. I gather from Lady Matlock’s maid that the countess was not in the least bothered by any of them. That is an old married woman for you.”

  “One who is used to her husband’s habits. I imagine she would think quite differently if this had not been a private family party in front of Pemberley.” Seeing Mr. Evans waving for his attention, Parker nodded to him and returned to Judy. “I think it is a good thing for the master to relax from time to time. And what did he do wrong, other than kiss his wife?” He winked before leaving. “It sounds like a fine occupation to me.”

  “Get going, Mr. Parker.” Judy said as her cheeks reddened again.

  “As you wish, Miss Orchard.” He bowed and went off to see the butler.

  Judy put her hands to her cheeks and then glared as a pair of maids passed her with a giggle. “Don’t you have work to do?”

  “MY SISTER WAS MISTRESS of this home for thirteen years.” Lady Catherine pronounced when she came to a stop beside Elizabeth in the gallery, startling her quiet contemplation of her husband. She looked up at a portrait of Anne Darcy, painted not long after she had married.

  Elizabeth looked to her predecessor’s face, “I will be fortunate to serve half as long.”

  “Do not placate me, Mrs. Darcy, it is unbecoming.”

  The elder woman regarded the younger, she had not come to breakfast with her guests. Her husband’s absence was understandable, but Elizabeth should have appeared. She looked tired, more tired than a mere sleepless night warranted, and the glow that had suffused her features in days past was missing.

  When provocation did not provide a response, Lady Catherine turned her complete attention to ferreting out the cause of Elizabeth’s withdrawal. “I hope that my nephew’s drunkenness was atoned for by his apology?”

  “Fitzwilliam’s only error was his method of informing me of his return. He should know better that when I worry, I do not see subtlety.”

  “Yes, he should. But that display of affection …”

  “Requires no apology. It was family, Aunt. He was happy and relaxed, and tired from the journey. He did no harm to anyone but himself. He deserves some peace. He deserves a few moments of joy … before …” Elizabeth’s voice cracked as she held her face in her hands.

  “Mrs. Darcy!” Lady Catherine stared. “This is inappropriate!” Looking around, the supremely uncomfortable woman took Elizabeth by the arm and sat her down roughly on a bench. “Now stop this unseemly behaviour at once! You are Mrs. Darcy, you do not cry over … well whatever it is, certainly not where you might be seen by your guests and staff!” Awkwardly, she patted her arm. “What has come over you?”

  “It is nothing, Aunt.”

  “Do not lie to me, Niece. I find it intolerable.”

  Elizabeth immediately thought of Darcy at the Meryton Assembly. She heard the strains of the song that they did not dance to. “It is nothing.” Wiping her eyes, she looked up when she saw a handkerchief offered to her. “Thank you.”

  “I do hope that this pending ball is not overwhelming you. I assure you; it will come and go before you know it. These men who come today, they are all old friends of your husband’s, and you know that Darcy would not take men as friends who are anything less than himself.” She arranged her dress around her knees and looked up at Darcy’s portrait. “Oh, I know that he had a falling out with them briefly, but that was when they were young and foolish, too fond of drink and too far from home. But every young man needs that taste of freedom.” She glanced at Elizabeth’s bent head. “Well, my son had entirely too much of a taste, but that is neither here nor there. He is well-married to Anne and recovering as best as he can.” She looked up at her sister’s portrait. “It has been a surprising turn of events.”

  “Quite.” Elizabeth whispered. Lady Catherine saw how her knuckles were white; she was clutching the handkerchief so tightly.

  “I should tell you we are still hoping that Mr. Manning takes a fancy to Cathy. I have made that quite clear to Miss Bingley, although, she really is not likely to be chosen by any of Darcy’s friends. Once they know who she is.”

  “She has an admirable dowry, and is healthy. She could provide an heir for any of them.” Elizabeth said softly.

  “Certainly, and that is fine, but my dear, I do not want to meet that woman at any function of our circle, do you? Even if she does accept our chastisement, she will always want your husband. She will always want your position. Who needs to contend with that every Season, or even in your home? It is better to marry her off to some man who will take her out of your sphere. Y
ou will come across her at your sister’s home, but it will not be often, and it will be by your choice, not hers.”

  Elizabeth looked at her companion. “You are so soft, Aunt.”

  “I fail to see the humour in that statement.”

  “It was sarcasm.”

  “Hmmph.” She sniffed. “So, the men are not to be worried over, Miss Bingley will be dealt with. Susan, Grace and I have examined all of your plans, and we are astounded by all you and your staff have accomplished. All is well in hand. What does that leave?” She studied Elizabeth. “Your sister, Mrs. Bingley. What has happened between the two of you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nonsense. She seems awed by you, as she should be, nonetheless, it is not the relationship you once shared. You are closer to Mrs. Fitzwilliam now.”

  “It is not a competition. It is simply two different women, and the separate friendships I have with them.”

  “I doubt that your sister feels that way about it.” Lady Catherine looked at her sister’s portrait. “I had a falling out with my sister when she married George Darcy.” Elizabeth dabbed at her cheek and looked up at the woman who had her husband’s eyes. “It was our reunion that gave birth, so to speak, to our hopes to unite our children. Well, the best laid plans …” She glanced at Elizabeth who was still staring at the portrait. “There was a ring …”

  “It has been misplaced, Aunt.” Elizabeth said clearly.

  “How? It is important to me that I know where it is, for my sister’s sake.”

  “It is not for your sister’s sake, Aunt. She has long departed this earth.” She looked to her with a smile. “You wanted that ring?” Lady Catherine pursed her lips. “Why?”

  “It is not your business.”

  “Then stop making it so and do not pursue this further.” Elizabeth spoke with quiet command.

  Lady Catherine noted the finality in her tone. “I understand that your husband refuses permission for Georgiana to attend the ball.”

  “Yes, and he will not be moved. And neither will I.” She looked to Darcy. “We are quite united about protecting our sister’s future. We are aware of her mature features and that she attracts gentlemen’s attention; we were all witness to how the Kelly boys were drawn to her at Matlock. We feel that to expose her at the ball would be a mistake.”