Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (37 page)

“Who knows what lurks in our future . . .” Darcy’s chuckle deepened when her mouth gaped.  “Dearest truly, you do not fear empty rooms!”

“No.”  Elizabeth sighed.

“And who lives here?”  He waved his hand.  “Just us, and a servant or two, and as I recall, you are not afraid of me.”

“Who could be afraid of a man with such a ridiculous hole in his chin?”  She tapped the cleft and he smiled.  “You will not tolerate me indulging in self-pity.”

“Self-pity?”  His eyes twinkled and he kissed her softly.  “Poor Mrs. Darcy, she must live in this hovel . . .”

“Oh, hush!”  Sitting up, she adjusted her dress and put on her bonnet.  Darcy found his hat and saw a footman approaching.  The door opened and he stepped out, nodding to the man and turning to help her down.  Elizabeth grew solemn.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley . . .”

“Elizabeth!”

“I just wanted to see if you were listening.”  She laughed and took his arm.  They turned and looked up at the house.  Darcy felt her grip tighten, and did not move.  Elizabeth saw the footman looking deferentially at the ground, and by the front door stood an elder man and woman, waiting, and impossible to read.  Looking up to him, she asked softly, “Fitzwilliam?” 

Darcy’s posture straightened, his chin lifted, a familiar expression came over his face, and Elizabeth easily read it as pride.  She watched him uncertainly as his head turned and his eyes swept over her.  “I am overwhelmed, Elizabeth.  I never expected that the woman I married . . . I do not know what I have done to have received this honour, but I am so proud that you are the woman I am blessed to bring home.  Thank you for trusting me.” 

“I . . .” Elizabeth searched for something to say and at last held his gaze and smiled.  “I thought that you were the most handsome, enigmatic, challenging, impossible man I had ever seen.  I wished deeply that I had the honour of knowing you and prayed that you would notice me.  I knew when I first saw you, that I would never find anyone to compare with you, and I mourned the knowledge that I would never find myself here, on your doorstep, waiting to enter and begin our lives together.”

A soft breath escaped as he elatedly searched her face.  “Those were your first thoughts of me?”

“Yes.  I promised I would tell you today.”  She gasped and laughed when Darcy bent and scooped her up in his arms.  “Fitzwilliam!”  Hurriedly the stunned servants moved out of the way as he carried her over the threshold and gently set her down. 

Darcy’s eyes held hers, twinkling, and his smile glowed.  “I could not have you tripping and giving us bad luck, could I?”  She laughed and they turned.  “Mrs. Darcy, this is your housekeeper, Mrs. Gaston, and your butler, Lowry.  Mrs. Gaston, you are the most fortunate of women.”

“Mrs. Gaston, do not believe a word this man says.  I believe he is still drunk on my mother’s punch.”  Elizabeth smiled and felt his hand on her back. 

“I am delighted to meet you, madam.”  Mrs. Gaston curtseyed and watched as Darcy steered his wife down the hallway.  She turned to Lowry, “Who was that smiling man?”

“I do not know,” the butler’s astonishment matched hers exactly, “but I think that you will have another letter to write to Mrs. Reynolds.”

“THANK YOU FOR THE RIDE, Bingley.”  Samuel smiled and touched the brim of his hat as he stood outside of the open carriage door.  “It is much appreciated.  Good luck with your business.”

“Good luck with yours.”  Bingley grinned.  “Are you sure you do not want us to drop you off at Lincoln Inn?”

“No.”  He looked back at his father’s townhouse.  “Best to make my report now, then I can return to my life without fear of being summoned.” 

“I will come with you.”  Richard climbed down from the carriage. 

“No, no, you have to return to your barracks . . .”

“I am going to stay at my father’s home tonight, and it is not too far from here.  Bingley, just have your man drop my things off there, that will give them good warning that I am on my way.”  He winked.  “They will hide the port, undoubtedly.”

“I would, my stores are vastly depleted.  And I thought that Hurst had a hollow leg!”  Bingley grinned and sat back when Richard shut the door and waving, was soon off for his hotel. 

“Now then.”  Richard rubbed his hands together.  “Let us see if your father has any news.”

“I think Wickham might have heard about the inquiries by now and is safely away from here.”  Samuel rang the bell and waited for a servant to come.  “I did not know him that well, but he is not an idiot.”

“No.”  Richard rubbed his chin.  “Greedy, jealous, but clever in his way.” 

“Master Samuel!”  The elderly butler cried.  “Welcome home!”

“Thank you, Henry.”  Samuel smiled and began peeling off his coat and gloves.  “I will be staying overnight.  Is Father home?”

“Yes sir, only just, he went out a while ago, just after some rather rough individuals paid a call.”  He whispered loudly, “I was glad to see the back of them sir, been calling nightly for the past week.”

“Hmm, I imagine I know their identity.  Quite safe, I assure you.”  Richard smiled.

“If you say so, sir.”  Henry said doubtfully and watched them move off to Judge Darcy’s study. 

Samuel knocked and hearing a call, opened the door.  “Good afternoon, Father.”

“Samuel!”  Judge Darcy stood.  “And Fitzwilliam, it is good to have you both back.  The deed is accomplished, I surmise?”

“The wedding has been celebrated, yes.”  Samuel looked at Richard and back to his Father.  “Our new cousin is radiant, as every bride should be.  I am very happy for William.”

“Hmm.”  The judge waved them to their seats.  “She impressed you?”

“Very much, she is lovely and kind, she reminds me a little of Mother, or perhaps, how she might have been in her youth.  I am envious of William’s good fortune, no lady of the
ton
can compare.”

“Your mother?”  His voice softened momentarily.  “Well by your defence, I would say you are either smitten with Mrs. Darcy or you are angry for my interference.”

“Perhaps sir, I support my cousin?”  Samuel bristled.

“Of course, Son, you are quite right, I should consider all of the possibilities.”  Judge Darcy turned to Richard.  “And you; have you joined in the chorus?”

“I am convinced of her sincerity and Darcy’s feelings, and I am convinced that she will do well by him, I am not so sure of her place in our society, but she is no shrinking violet, she will learn quickly.  I regret offending Darcy, it is not a wise move, and I know that I will be years in repairing the damage.  His bride remembers as well as he.”

“Hmmph.”  The judge rubbed his jaw.  “Well, any progress with changing his mind over Georgiana?

“No sir, he is determined to carry through the plan, although, his wedding might spur him to think of other possibilities.”  Richard smiled and winked.  “Mrs. Darcy is quite delectable.”

Samuel’s face coloured.  “Do not speak of her that way!”

“I have no designs on her, I observed and reported.  I am only displaying my jealousy of my cousin and his freedom to marry as he chooses, no matter the reason.”  He heard the judge’s soft chuckle and turned back.  “As your father understands.  In the meantime, have you any news?”

“Yes, yes, Wickham was spotted.  Now it is just a matter of greasing some palms and watching his rat hole, and we will have him!”  His teeth bared and he struck his fist on his desk, then grimaced in pain.

“Father?  Are you well?”  Samuel sat up and concern etched his brow. 

“It is nothing; I should remember my fist is not my gavel.”  He stretched out his hand.  “I forget sometimes that I am not a younger man.  I appreciate your disquiet, Son, but there is no cause for alarm.”

“You are my father; of course I will worry for you.” 

“Just as I would do anything for you.”  Judge Darcy looked at him intently and then lifted his chin to Richard.  “Pour us some port, Fitzwilliam; let us drink to the unfortunate couple.”

“Unfortunate?”  Richard asked as he rose to his feet.

“Well . . .” The judge watched him pick up the decanter.  “. . . in medieval days, the witnesses to the wedding immediately followed the couple to their bedchamber to be sure that the marriage was consummated, and therefore legal.”  Samuel stared as Richard nodded.  “There certainly would not be much to witness at Darcy House tonight.”  He lifted his glass into the air.  “To the heir of Pemberley.”

“And to his bride.”  Richard smiled.  

“Indeed.”  Judge Darcy took a drink and sat back in his chair.  “Indeed.”

“AND THIS IS THE LIBRARY.”  Darcy spoke softly, opening the door and standing aside.  “It is by far my favourite room.” 

“I can well imagine why.”  Elizabeth turned and her smile faltered when she saw his sad expression.  “Fitzwilliam . . .”

“I am sorry, dearest.”  He took her hand in his and held it tightly.  “There are so many consequences to this plan that I never anticipated, and now as the day comes to a close . . .” Darcy’s voice trailed away and Elizabeth understood his thoughts.

“This is not the wedding day you had anticipated.”

“No, I mean, of course it is, I . . . I . . .” Shaking his head, he kissed her hand.  “I am being selfish.  I am struck suddenly that all of the joy I have felt from bringing you home will soon end.”

“No, you are not selfish, not at all.  I . . .” Elizabeth looked down at their entwined hands.  “Could we finish the tour tomorrow?”

“I apologize; my heart is not in it.  I am not accomplished with hiding my feelings, at least to those who know me.”  He tried to smile and failing, the corners of his mouth turned down. 

“I thought that perhaps we could retire.”

“Oh.”  Darcy’s frown deepened.  “Of course you are tired from the day . . . I will see you to your room and leave you in peace . . .”

“No . . . no that is not what I meant . . .” She blushed and kept her gaze to their hands.  “I thought that . . . well, there is a lovely fire in my chamber and a sofa . . . I thought that we could . . . talk?”  She felt him straighten.  “Maybe . . . dress comfortably . . . and . . .”

“Talk.”  He squeezed her hand.  “Yes.”

“Good.”  At last she looked up to see that he had brightened.  “How comfortably?”

“Nightclothes?”   He said quickly.

“Both of us?” 

Darcy started to smile, and then laughed as he caressed her cheek.  “Do you suggest one of us be even further undressed?”

“Fitzwill . . .”  Elizabeth gasped and started to laugh.  “Oh dear, you are teasing me!”

“Come.”  Tugging her hand, they walked up the stairs and to their rooms.  When they arrived at her door, he opened it and they stepped inside.  The fire crackled and a candle softly glowed near the bed.  Darcy closed the door and took both of her hands into his grasp.  “Shall we meet here?”

“Fifteen minutes?”

“So soon?”

“Have you a beauty regimen to complete, sir?”  Her eyes danced.

“No.”  He chuckled and leaned to kiss her tenderly.  “I thought perhaps that you . . . I have never . . .” He blushed.  “I know nothing of women and their . . . habits.”

“I find that very comforting.”  Elizabeth smiled and turning him around, gave a little shove.  “Go on, then.” 

“Yes, madam.”  Glancing behind him, he saw her standing with her hands on her hips and quickly disappeared into his chambers. 

Elizabeth turned to her dressing room where her new maid, Judy, awaited her.  “My goodness have you been here all evening?”

“No, Mrs. Darcy, the word went around that you were coming upstairs.”  She quickly went to work unbuttoning her gown.  “I laid out your nightdress, madam, do you wish to bathe?”

“No, I did this morning, I only wish to clean my teeth and brush out my hair . . .”  A few minutes later, she heard a door close and saw Darcy reenter the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses.  Blushing, she turned to find Judy standing with her nightdress ready.  “Mr. Darcy seems eager.” 

“There is nothing to fear, madam.”  Judy said matter-of-factly.  “Just lie back and let the master take charge, it will be over before you know it, especially the first time.”  She tied the ribbon at the top of the gown and began brushing out her hair.  “And in the morning I will be ready to care for you.”

“Care for me?”  Elizabeth watched the maid’s eyes as they cast down upon the dressing table and saw an assortment of balms she recognized for their soothing qualities.  Her cheeks coloured again.  “oh.”

“There.”  Judy finished and looked her over, adjusting the edge of the dress and tugging it down to expose her cleavage a bit more.  “Perfume?”

“Oh . . . he favours the lavender and rose water I made . . .” The maid sprinkled some on a brush and began moving it through her hair.  “Shall I remain if you need me madam?”

“No . . .” Elizabeth was overwhelmed but somehow very much comforted by the efficient and unflustered woman.  “No, you may go.  I will be just fine.”

“Yes you will, madam.”  At last smiling, she patted Elizabeth’s shoulder.  “Good night.”

“Good night.”  The maid disappeared through a doorway and Elizabeth could hear her feet on the wooden steps.  Sighing, she looked in the mirror, her eyes widening at how exposed her breasts were and whispered, “Many assumptions are being made below stairs, I wager.” 

Darcy sat by the fire, staring at the flames and rubbing the finger that should be wearing the missing ring.  He heard the maid depart and straightened, then seeing no sign of Elizabeth sank back down, waiting, waiting, one minute, five, seven . . . He was about to rise and knock on the door when she appeared wearing the sheerest of gowns, covered by the barest whisper of a robe.  His jaw dropped.  Even in the faint light of the room, he could see the contours of her body, and what he could not see, he easily imagined.  “Oh Lord, help me . . .” He whispered and was instantly on his feet and holding out his hand.  “You are . . . a dream come true, dearest.”

Blushing furiously, she pressed her hands against the gown, unknowingly allowing the outline of her dusky nipples to appear.  Darcy stared as she stammered.  “I . . . I am sorry, it is all that I had . . . Mama must have gone through my trunks . . .”