Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (79 page)

“I thought your mother was dead.”  He said suspiciously.

“Father.”

“Hmm.”  He grunted and looked at the pen in his hand.  “I’ll ask the master if he comes by again.”

Wickham thought quickly.  “It may be too late then, she lives in Derbyshire.  If it arrives on Christmas it would be a miracle as it is.”  He sighed and looked out of the window.  “Poor Mother.”

“ahhhhh.”  The pen was thrown back at him.  “Go ahead, then.  Just watch what you say.”

“You can read it when I’m through.”  Wickham offered carefully, suspecting that the man was illiterate.

The mountain of a man’s brow creased and then he laughed.  “As if I want to read your blubbering!”  He checked Wickham’s ankle, seeing that the chain was still in place and started to leave the room. 

“Have you heard anything else from the judge?”

“Don’t need to, he said he would call if anything was to change.  Two weeks and we leave.  You start thinking of a plan.  I’ve never been on a gentleman’s estate and you know this one.  So you have to figure out where this accident is going to happen.”  Christmas showed the handle of his knife. “And I’m going to make sure you carry through with it.”

“Why?  What does he have on you?  Or is this just money for you?” 

“Didn’t you hear us talking?”  He rolled his eyes, “My brother’s in Newgate waiting for a ship to Australia.  I nearly was, too.”  He shrugged and stood at the door.  “First I had to play suitor to the cook at a gentleman’s house and pump her for information, rather enjoyed that,” taking out the knife, he scratched the blade at his chin with a smile.  “Good lass she was . . .” Clearing his throat, the lifted his chin at Wickham, “Then I had to find you, and now I have to make sure you carry out the job.  I’ve robbed enough of them; spilling a little more blood won’t make a difference.  Might have given it up for my girl, though . . .”  He blinked and grew serious.  “I don’t know why he won’t just have me do it, but that’s his business.  You finish the job and I get my brother released.  That’s a good enough bargain for me.” 

“Maybe he will change his mind . . .”

“Ha!”  Christmas grinned.  “You worked for him, do you think he’d let it go?”  Laughing, he closed the door behind him. 

Wickham looked down at the letter and began scratching again.  “No.  No, I don’t.”

ELIZABETH LAY in their bed hugging a pillow while waiting for Darcy to appear and thought over the events of the day.  Georgiana’s withdrawn behaviour was understandable.  Cathy and Lady Matlock confused her with their respective spite and criticism.  Richard had been as observant as he was at Netherfield, but this time it was directed at his own family.  Lord Matlock was . . . oddly quiet.  And then there was the viscount.  “What were you about staring at me?”  She said softly and recalled the conversation they had when Darcy had been engrossed with Richard.  “Why did he say that he appreciated my enjoyment of vigorous exercise?”  Elizabeth jumped when Darcy’s warm form settled in behind her and he kissed her throat.

“I am sorry, dear; I thought that I was noisy enough not to startle you.”  He smiled and rolling her over to face him, it faded.  “Were you lost in thought?  You were so quiet when we retired, it is unlike you.  Please tell me that nobody berated you while I was busy with Richard.  I would think that their spite had been spent by then.”

“Berated?   No.”  She saw the deep concern in his eyes and shook off the odd conversation.  “No . . . I spoke to the viscount briefly.”

Darcy growled.  “What did he say?”

“He asked how I found Pemberley, and he mentioned his endowment, how large it was in comparison to yours.  Is Matlock similar to Pemberley?  He said that he would enjoy showing it to me, and that he was certain I would declare it magnificent.”  Elizabeth watched the furrow appear in Darcy’s brow, and too unsure of why he would be concerned, changed the subject.  “What do you think about Georgiana?  Will?” 

Darcy’s relentless gaze scanned over her face and settled back on her eyes.  Instinctively he drew her tightly to his body and murmured in her ear.  “This has been an exhausting day, and it is showing in both of us.  Every conversation is treated with suspicion.” 

 “No small wonder when our every movement has been dissected by your aunt and her daughter.”  He nodded against her neck.  “Lady Matlock reminds me of Lady Catherine.  Did your uncle purposely set out to marry a woman like his sister?”  A low chuckle welled up in Darcy’s chest.  “The thought crossed my mind when he complained of Lady Catherine that the sentiments were veiled opinions of his wife.”

Darcy’s head lifted and he smiled into her sparkling eyes.  “I think that my uncle would drop to the floor with a stroke if that observation was ever presented to him.” 

“Then I will be sure to keep my thoughts to myself!”  Elizabeth laughed.  “He does not know?”

“Perhaps.”  Shrugging, he kissed her.  “I will have to mention it to Richard.  Knowing him he has thought the same for years.”  Darcy’s lips began nibbling over her throat.  “I could not have survived this day without you.  I was leaning solidly towards losing my temper and throwing them all out.”

“Please do not credit me for your patience.”  She sighed and leaned her head back. 

“You tamed the lion, love.”  His wandering mouth found her necklace and his head popped up.  “You are wearing this to bed?”

“I love it.”  She looked down and back up to see his delighted eyes.  “Cathy did not seem impressed, but I certainly am.”

“Cathy?”  Darcy’s hands and lips returned to travelling over her.  “What do you mean?  When she remarked on your dress?”  He stopped his caresses to touch the ruby and smiled at her.  “Lizzy, love . . . She recognized it.  My mother’s portrait from her coming out hangs at Matlock, and Mother was wearing this very necklace.  Cathy has looked at this all of her life.  She knows what it is and what it means to me.”

“She . . . Oh Will, she thought it would be hers one day!  No wonder she was so bitter towards me!”  Elizabeth looked back at the jewel and stared at him.  “Did you purposely give me this to make her jealous?”

He groaned and rolling on top of her kissed her pursed lips.  “No.  I found it as I said when I was reminiscing about Mother today, and I wanted you to wear it.  Do not read more into my actions, I am not that complex.”

“Yes, you are!”  Darcy only smiled and then sighed as her hands glided down his back and lifted his nightshirt.  They kissed slowly and settled into each other’s arms.  Elizabeth moaned while his lips wandered over her face and she caressed his soft bottom. 

A loud rap on the door followed by laughter made them jump.  Darcy swore under his breath.  “Richard.”

“What was that?”  Elizabeth’s hand was at her breast.

“Schoolboy pranks.”  He explained disgustedly.  “Knocking on the dormitory door and running off . . .”

“Oh.”  She giggled and Darcy shook his head.  “I suppose he will knock on everyone’s door?  Or just ours?”

“We are the ones most likely to be interrupted, love.”  Bending to resume his activity, they heard Cathy wishing Georgiana goodnight.  He murmured from the vicinity of the ruby, “I never should have invited them . . .”

“How was Georgiana when you wished her goodnight?  Did she say anything?”

His stopped. “No. What upset her before everyone arrived?”

“She was studying a portrait in your father’s room.   I nearly cried out when I recognized who it was.” 

Their eyes met and he rolled away from her to stare up at the canopy.  “I forgot about that still being here.  I will burn it in the morning.  In fact as everyone in this house is determined to disturb us,” he started to sit up, “I will do it now.”

She held him down and leaned her weight onto his chest.  “No, no, ask her if she would like it taken down, but do not destroy it.”

“Elizabeth . . .” He spoke in a tight, quiet, voice. 

“Her child might want to see his true father one day.”  She said softly and saw his pained expression. “I am sorry, dear, but just a few minutes ago you spoke of reminiscing about your mother and what that means to you.  I am not in any way forgiving or endorsing him, but this child should at least have the opportunity to look upon his father’s portrait.  I realize that it might mean exposing Georgiana as well, but this is years from now, decades possibly.”   Elizabeth cuddled against his side, resting her head over his pounding heart and hugging him.  “Everyone will know he is not our child, if we do not tell him when he is young, someone else is bound to say it to him.”

“Undoubtedly.”  He said bitterly.

“And she might . . .” She hesitated and Darcy’s arms moved around her.  “Georgiana might need to look at the portrait.”

His voice was tight.  “With regret?” 

“I do not know.  She will not tell Susan, I doubt that she will tell me if her regret is for her actions or for her loss.” 

“Good Lord.”  Darcy fought his emotions and gripped Elizabeth tighter.  “I cannot bear this conversation any longer, Lizzy.  Please stop.” 

“I am sorry, Will.”  She said softly and wondered what he would do as the pregnancy progressed and he had to look at his sister’s growing belly.  Darcy turned to bury his face in her hair.  “I love you.”

“I love you.” 

Elizabeth felt him take a deep breath as his hands began moving over her again.  She laughed softly.  “Not to be distracted, are you?”  As an answer, his palm found her breast and squeezed.  His kisses resumed below her ear while his hand caressed over her hip, and then he stopped and lay still.  After a few moments, she hugged him and rubbing his back asked quietly, “Will?”

Wordlessly he sat up and pulled off his nightshirt, then lifted hers off and away.  He remained on his knees looking down at her then touching the ruby laying between her breasts, closed his eyes, and hung his head. 

“Every step forward seems to be met with another back.  Now I have to consider Wickham’s portrait along with my family’s behaviour.  What will be next?”  Elizabeth sat up and knelt before him.  Darcy’s forehead rested on hers and they held each other. Pressing his mouth against her ear he spoke quietly, “I need you . . .” He looked down to his withering arousal.  “Don’t let them take you away from me.”

Elizabeth lifted his jaw and smiled into his sad eyes.  “Look at me.”  Darcy nodded and sighed as her tongue traced over his lips and entered his mouth, exploring and reassuring him with the embrace.  He was becoming lost in the kiss when her caressing fingertips traced down his chest to his navel, and touched him.

“Oh Lizzy . . .”  He broke away and groaned, looking down to her slowly moving hand.  

“Stay right there . . .”  She kissed down his chest and parted her lips to draw his softened erection inside. Darcy gasped.  Swirling her tongue over and around him, she felt the thrill of bringing him back to life as he hardened and grew within the warmth of her mouth.  Darcy gripped her shoulders and his head tilted backwards.  Between groans he was murmuring something that she could not quite hear.  When she grasped his hips and he slowly began to rock, she stopped and kissed her way back up his chest to his mouth.  “Better?”  Elizabeth asked shyly.

“What did you do to me?”  His eyes were wide and an astonished smile lit his face.  “Lizzy . . . Oh what . . . Dearest!”  Pulling her to him he laughed when she hid her face against the soft hair of his chest.

“I am a wanton.” 

“Blessed heaven you are!”  Rubbing his hands from her shoulders to her waist, Darcy laughed when he caught her blushing face peeking up at him.  “Come here.”  Clasping her tightly, they fell down together with a bounce onto the bed.  His eyes smiled as she relaxed with the sight of his obvious delight, and facing each other, he caressed his fingers down her shoulder to rest on the curve of her hip.  “Now . . . where were we?”

Chapter 25

“G
ood morning, Mother.”  Samuel smiled and kissed Susan’s cheek when he entered the dining room at the dower house Monday morning.  “How are you feeling?”

“I am well, dear.  Please forgive my behaviour yesterday.  I am so embarrassed that I kept us from dinner with the family, and I saw how I upset you.  I was so sure that your father would come home with you.”  She said sadly. 

“I tried.”  He sighed and sitting down at the table, watched her pick up the coffee pot.  “And what upsets me is that he clearly wants to come home.  I do not understand him, he can be so demanding and harsh with me, but is so incredibly gentle with you.”  His eyes widened and he spoke quickly, “Not that I want him to treat you . . .”

“No, no, I understand what you are saying, but he expects so much from you, dear.  All of his hopes that he carried for our five babies are now on your shoulders, and he . . . it is not just the expectations, but also the hopes for you.  He loves you dearly and is so proud of you.”  Susan poured him some coffee and watched him.  “You wish he would say that to you?”

“He tells everyone but me.”  He wrapped his hands around the hot cup and watched the steam curling above it.  “I do not want to disappoint him.  I love my father, but it seems that when I went away to Cambridge, something changed in him.  It seems that over the past five years it has become worse.”

“Ever since his brother died.”  She sighed and nodded.  “As dreadful as it sounds, I thought that it would be a good thing for him, the competition that he imagined would end.  But instead he sank into a terrible depression.  To the world he became harsher, but to me the pain he feels is clear.”

“I suppose I might have felt competitive if my elder brother had lived.” 

“No . . . Not in the same way, there is no estate to inherit.”   She looked around and his eyes followed hers.  “This home is no more ours than any other.  It was very kind of your uncle to invite us to live here after your grandmother died.  Even though your father is so rarely here and we can well afford to have a country home, he would not think of moving off Pemberley or purchasing the townhouse.”