Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (81 page)

“Yes, the colonel told me the story.” 

“Good.  I would rather not confess it all to you now, but I assure you sir, that your daughter is going to a good man, in a sound, if somewhat depleted home.  It will be refurbished before very long and I hope that she and Richard will be able to live there happily.  He will naturally be master of Gladney, however in preparation for his likely future, I have asked him to join with me here on a regular basis, so that he learns all about Matlock and most importantly, so that I may instruct him on his duties in Parliament . . . should that day come.” 

“That is sensible.  I am doing something similar, on a smaller scale, of course.” 

“Yes, well . . .” Lord Matlock cleared his throat, “Your eldest, he should be settling down soon?” 

“He has not found his partner yet.” 

“Has he had the opportunity to look?  You say that you avoid London, is that fair to him?  I have visited Sommerwald.  That is lonely country for you.  Allow him to go somewhere.  Perhaps he could join Richard and Miss Kelly, and come to stay with us next Season?  The Darcys will surely be there, I know that my niece will be in London.”  He smiled and shrugged.  “I must return in January, so . . . there is time to discuss it.” 

“Thank you, sir.”  Mr. Kelly shook his head.  “I am overwhelmed by your welcome.  I expected . . . I am not certain exactly what I expected, but surely not this.” 

“Well, I have learned a number of humbling lessons.  We will just leave it at that.”  He blew out his cheeks and smiling, pointed at Mitchell and Adam, running after their elder brothers.  “What are the plans for those two?” 

“Mitchell has expressed interest in marrying your niece.”  Mr. Kelly winked.

Laughing, Lord Matlock looked over to Darcy and Richard talking with Samuel.  “My son thought that you were entirely too protective of Miss Kelly.  I pity the suitor who approaches Darcy.” 

Stephen looked around and said heatedly, “I am just saying that she is breathtaking.  Is there something wrong with that?” 

“No, nothing at all, but she is barely sixteen, Mr. Darcy made it abundantly clear that he would not entertain anyone regarding his sister for a very long time, and you, Brother, had better give it up!  He would not even allow us to dance with her!” 

“I know.”  Stephen groused.

“I do not think that she wanted to dance.  She was incredibly shy, they were right to keep her cloistered at Sommerwald, she is not ready to be out.”  Robert mused and then seeing his brother’s continued disappointment, he nudged him, “Now, Lady Catherine, she is the perfect age.” 

“On the shelf.” 

“No more so than Sophie, they are the same age.” 

“Are you interested in her?”  Stephen asked Robert curiously. 

“Not in the least, but I thought of you.”

“Me?”  He laughed.  “Me?  Marry a Lady?  And bring her home to what?  My room in Father’s house?  At least you know you will inherit the estate.  I have nothing to offer.  I am not even past my apprenticeship yet!  I cannot marry, I can only imagine.” 

“Just like me.  I am learning a great deal, but I look forward to the day when it is over.”  Samuel joined them and grinned.  “Divvying up the ladies?” 

“You heard us?”  Stephen shot a look over to Darcy and Richard.

Samuel followed his gaze and laughed.  “It is quiet and your voices carry, but they are in a deep conversation.  By all means, take a look at Cathy, it would delight her family.”

“Seriously?”  Stephen’s brow creased.  “Why?  She must have a dowry and expectations.”

“She does.”

“Well, why not you?”

“No.  I know what I want in my wife.”  Samuel drew a breath and his smile fell away for a moment and he looked to his hands, then back up.  “Hopefully one day I will find her.” 

“Describe her.”  Stephen challenged.

“Not a chance.”  Samuel grinned. 

“Absolutely ridiculous.”   Richard grumbled to Darcy as the men fanned out across the meadow.  “I am engaged to marry her, to marry in . . . days!  And still I can dance with her no more than twice!  Two dances before her brothers stepped in!  And they were both jigs!  How am I to make love to my bride if I am hopping and spinning around her?  I need a quadrille, a . . . a . . . minuet . . .”  Richard finally noticed Darcy’s tightly pursed lips and twinkling eyes.  “What?”

“Nothing.”  He grinned and looked the other way. 

“You find my discomfort amusing?” 

“Yes.”  He laughed.  “I find everything about your frustration amusing.  I rejoice in it.  You have had it far too easy and I have enjoyed seeing you come aloft at the slightest smile from her and then have to hide behind some convenient object.  Ahhh, memories . . .”

“Memories indeed.  I heard you two last night.”  Richard growled.

“Heard us?  Doing what exactly?”  Darcy tilted his head. 

“I heard the laughter behind your closed door.  I know what that was about.” 

“It was about happiness, Cousin.  Your desperation has made you hear what you desire.  Elizabeth was exhausted and was asleep almost as soon as she was safely resting in my arms . . .”  Darcy’s chin lifted as Richard’s brow rose and he said gruffly, “What were you doing lurking outside of our door in the first place?”

“I was not lurking, I was passing.  I . . . Fine, I was on my way to her chambers . . .”

“Richard!  Good Lord, in days you will be married!  What has happened to you?”

“I did not even knock; I just wanted to be near her . . .”

“And who would that benefit?  You, obviously.  Stop being so selfish!  It is moments like this that your resemblance to your brother appears, do you realize it?”  Richard stared and Darcy nodded.  “I have Fitzwilliam blood coursing through my veins, too.  I am at times as selfish a man as there ever was, so I know what I am saying.  Let the poor girl become accustomed to this life you are giving her.  She may come from excellent circumstances, but she is still no more of your world than Elizabeth was of mine.   You are anxious to feel her at last, but you will not be spending your lives in your bed, as intoxicating as that prospect sounds.” 

“I know, I know.  Lord, I am a hypocrite.  No wonder Elizabeth does not let go.”  Richard kicked a stone and stared at the ground.  “I kissed her.”  

“Yes?  You are engaged.  I certainly kissed Elizabeth.”

“It scared me.”  Shooting Darcy a look, he was relieved to see that he was not laughing.  “I . . . I let myself go, I lost control . . . I . . .”

“You let yourself feel.”  Darcy said quietly. 

“God, yes.”  Richard’s relief that he was understood was palpable.  “I have never felt so . . . it was a miracle that I stopped.  If we had been alone in a room, I . . .” He held up his hand.  “I hate to think what I might have done.  She deserves more from me.” 

“And she will receive it.  On her wedding night.  Elizabeth and I did not have that joy.  We did our best, but . . .” Darcy became quiet and looked across the fields. 

Richard kicked himself.  “You are correct, Darcy.  I have no business complaining, not to you of all people.” 

“Well.  I certainly have no reason to complain now.” 

The sound of hoofs on dirt turned all of the men’s heads and they were greeted with a spectacular sight.  From across the meadow, five women on horseback appeared, riding through the wildflowers.  The men stood in stunned fascination, and gradually, the group came together to watch. 

“Where is Sophie?”  Mitchell asked.  “Oh, there she is, in the lead.”

“Of course she is in the lead.”  Adam declared.  “She is my sister!”  Mr. Kelly laughed and placed his hands on his son’s shoulders.

“That is my bride.”  Richard elbowed Darcy.  “Look at her!  What a horsewoman I have!” 

“She is going to leap, look.”  Robert grinned and looked to Stephen.  “I wonder if there is bet on between them?”

“Is there a village nearby?  She will want her chocolate.”

“I have laid in a supply at Gladney.”  Richard said to nobody in particular.  The Kelly men exchanged knowing glances and watched as Sophie’s mount easily leapt a hedge.  She stopped on the other side and called for the ladies to join her. 

“There goes Cathy.”  Lord Matlock watched proudly as his daughter proved her skill.  Stephen’s head tilted and he watched Sophie clapping and congratulating her. 

“No, Lizzy . . . do not jump.”  Darcy whispered and clenched his fists. 

“Are you praying, Darcy?”  Samuel laughed.  “What was that story you told me about Elizabeth’s riding lessons?”  He turned to Richard.  “She dismounted and was hopping over a bush, trying to teach the horse how to leap!” 

“No!”  Richard snorted and grinned.  “I cannot imagine Elizabeth doing such a mindless thing!  She is far too intelligent to . . .” He watched Darcy’s frozen expression.  “What is wrong?  Surely you have taught her by now.” 

Darcy said nothing and resisted striding across the meadow.  It was Georgiana’s turn and displaying the skills of a girl raised at Pemberley, she too easily made the leap.  Mitchell cheered for her and Robert sent him a quelling look.  Elizabeth and Anne were left and the two women looked at each other. 

“No!”  Darcy cried as they moved their horses away from the hedge to gain running room. 

“Darcy what in God’s name is wrong?”  Richard demanded.  In a flash, Anne made the jump and just as quickly was on the ground, falling on Elizabeth’s side of the barrier.  Immediately Elizabeth was off her horse while the other three ladies leapt over the hedge to join her.  Darcy and Richard were running, but Gladney had caught up to them.  Elizabeth was kneeling on the ground with Anne’s head resting on her knees. 

“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.”