Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (94 page)

They stepped up their pace, and William began to coax Alexander by jostling him up and down and soothing him with words of love. For a brief time, it worked. In fact, they were already inside the foyer before he began to cry in earnest and would not be comforted. Instantly, William led Elizabeth towards his study.

“You can feed him in here just as comfortably, and it is much closer. No need to awaken the whole house by trying to gain the nursery.”

She proceeded to comply, taking a seat in her usual chair. While she opened her gown in order to feed their son, William searched a drawer in his desk where he kept a supply of clean handkerchiefs. Draping one across Elizabeth’s shoulder in case she needed it, he sat down in a chair across from her. There he watched, utterly contented, as she fed Alexander. 

“From the noises he makes, one would think he has not had nourishment in days,” he offered, bemused at the loud sucking sounds coming from the small child.

“He was fed not long ago, though he fell asleep halfway through,” Elizabeth offered, smiling. “Besides, he always sounds as though he is starving.”

William’s expression sobered. “Do not judge him too harshly. I know a small bit of how he feels.”

One eyebrow rose wryly. “Oh? Pray tell what do you know about starving, Mr. Darcy?”

“I starve for your love constantly. Nevertheless, I have thought of never having another child if it means you will not suffer as you did with Alexander’s birth. I would never sacrifice your health. You and Alexander are all I shall ever need.”

“Fitzwilliam, I intend to be your wife in every way and to have many more children. The rigours of childbirth are great, but they are well worth the outcome. And Mr. Booker said that we could resume our…
activities
… after the eighth week.”

“But, you were not well at eight weeks. You are barely stronger now.”

“You are mistaken. I AM well. And I know from experience that you can be a very gentle lover. Please, do not make me wait any longer.”

And with that pronouncement, William was on his knees before Elizabeth’s chair. After running a hand over Alexander’s soft curls, he leaned in to kiss her in such a way that there was no doubt that they would resume
activities
as soon as their son was asleep.

It was not long afterward that they encountered Mrs. Reynolds at the top of the grand staircase as they took a sleeping Alexander to the nursery.

“Mrs. Reynolds,” William said quietly, “after Mrs. Darcy and I take Alexander to the nursery, we plan to rest for a short while, since we both rose so early. Besides, our guests are not due until later.

Well aware that the Bingleys, the Fitzwilliams and the Landinghams were expected to arrive that afternoon, the housekeeper was not bothered in the least.

“Everything is in order for their arrival, sir.”

“Excellent.”

It was a struggle, but the housekeeper managed to repress a smile. She had seen that look on William’s face enough times to know what he was about. If the master felt that he and the mistress needed…
rest
… then who was she to thwart their plans?

“I shall see that the maids do not disturb you. They can always clean those rooms later.”

As she watched her employers go down the hallway towards the nursery, Mr. Darcy’s arm protectively around his wife, she could no longer hold back her smile.

~~~*~~~

Mrs. Curry had waited anxiously in the nursery for her charge to return, staring at the door the entire time. Upon the Darcy’s appearance in the doorway, she leapt from her chair, rushing to take the sleeping figure from his father. Without hesitating, she hurried the child back to his bed, kissing his cheek as she lowered him down to the mattress. William and Elizabeth watched her pull a coverlet over him and gently ruffle his silky curls in a loving gesture.

“Elizabeth?” William whispered.

“Hmmm,” she replied, still staring at the scene. Chuckling, he gently employed two fingers under her chin to turn her head.

“Come, darling, I have something I wish to show you.” Instantly he began to lead her down the hall, past her bedroom towards his own suite of rooms.

Elizabeth giggled. “Fitzwilliam, you know that I think the bed is too high.”

By then they stood before his dressing room door, and he opened it, pulling her inside. “We shall be in here only a moment.” He continued through that room and into his bedroom, letting go of her hand once they stood in front of a certain picture on the wall. Lowering the painting, he exposed a safe, which he opened immediately.

“I have a present for you.”

“Another? You are too good to me.”

“I can never be good enough. And there is nothing I can offer that can rival your gift to me—our son. Nonetheless, I commissioned a small token to commemorate Alexander’s birth.” 

Then pulling a long, blue velvet box tied with a white ribbon from the safe, he held it out to her.

Elizabeth’s eyes flicked from the box to him and back again, before she took it. Then, holding her breath, she opened the lid and pulled back a layer of delicately thin paper.  She gasped as she carefully removed a gold, heart-shaped locket strung on a delicate chain. One side was engraved with Alexander’s name and date of birth—the other was embedded with diamonds, emeralds, and citrines in a daisy motif. Threaded on either side of the locket were small rings of gold, each embedded with diamonds.  

“Oh, Fitzwilliam, it is so beautiful!”

“The flowers represents the month of April, when Alex was born. There is also room for a small portrait and a lock of his hair.”

As he sat the box back in the safe in order to show her how to open the locket, a small paper fell to the floor. Elizabeth stooped to retrieve it and found that it was a commission for that locket and more.

“Fitzwilliam, this order is for six lockets.”

He looked penitent. “I instructed the jeweller to prepare several, as I intended to present you with one upon the birth of each of our children. Then, all that would have been required is to add the child’s name, date of birth, and the flower that represents the month they were born. Each heart was to fit between one of the diamond rings. ”

Elizabeth giggled. “And you decided on a half-dozen.”

“I… I ordered them before you had such trouble with Alexander’s birth.”

“Oh, Fitzwilliam, a long labour with your first child is not unusual according to Mr. Booker, and he said that I would likely not have such a long labour with our subsequent children. Even if that were not the case, is our son not worth every second of the pain?”

“Alexander is truly a blessing, my love, but for me to see you in pain is agony itself! I do not wish to ever see you go through that again.”

Elizabeth squeezed his hands. “I understand that you love me and that you suffer when I suffer. I would feel the same way if you were in pain. Nonetheless, the grief of knowing I would have no more children would be more unbearable than the pain of childbirth. And just as you were there for me with Alexander, I will need your support with our future children. I can bear anything as long as you are with me.”

“Then you are not averse to having another child?”

“On the contrary, holding Alexander only serves to make me desire as many children as God will allow. And with your help, all shall be well. You will see.”

“You are so brave, Elizabeth,” William whispered as he pulled her into his arms. “If only I were half as fearless.”

“So, tell me, my fearful husband,” she replied with a wicked smile, “if there are any lockets left when the last of our children are born, what shall become of them?”

“I had not thought of that possibility.”

Elizabeth ran a hand playfully over the hard muscles of her husband’s chest, before continuing upward to caress his cheek.

“Then I suppose we shall just have to make it our duty to ensure there are none left.”

~~~*~~~

That afternoon
The Parlour

The atmosphere in the house was electric with anticipation. This was the first gathering of most of the family at Pemberley in many years. Elizabeth’s health had been so unstable immediately after Alexander’s birth that William was consumed with worry. So it was not until after she improved significantly, that his thoughts turned to inviting the rest of the family to see his son, and as soon as the invitations were extended, they had been accepted. In addition to the Bingleys, Elizabeth’s father and the Landinghams, who were bringing Georgiana, Richard and his new bride, Lady Colleen, were accompanying the Earl and Countess of Matlock to meet the new heir of Pemberley.

Having missed Richard’s wedding because she was advised not to travel, Elizabeth was especially eager to see Lady Colleen. William had attended the wedding, consenting to travel to London to stand up with his cousin only at Elizabeth’s insistence.  Not surprisingly, he had arrived and departed Town in the space of three days, so anxious was he to return to her.

Being their nearest relations, the Bingleys and the Landinghams were already frequent visitors to Pemberley, while Georgiana stayed at Westcott Manor and Pemberley in equal measures. In fact, Aunt Audrey and Jane had just returned to their own homes two weeks before, having removed to Pemberley for Elizabeth’s lying in and stayed until her recovery was assured. However, both the Bingleys and Landinghams had consented to stay at Pemberley during the Fitzwilliam’s visit, in order to fellowship with the rest of the family. Thus the stage was set for a lovely gathering.

~~~*~~~

When the Bingleys, Mr. Bennet, the Landinghams and Georgiana arrived, right behind one another, William, Elizabeth and Alexander were on the portico to meet them. As Georgiana emerged from the carriage, she ignored her brother who had started down the steps in order to rush towards her sister and Alexander.

“Please, may I hold him, Elizabeth?”

“Once we are in the parlour and you are seated, you may.”

So after all the greetings were done and they were all ensconced in the parlour, Elizabeth motioned for Georgiana to sit beside her. Gingerly she laid Alexander in her sister’s arms and swiftly Georgiana arranged the baby so that he lay facing her. Then she began to remove the blanket in order to see his legs and feet.

“Oh, Elizabeth, he has gotten so big since I last saw him!”

William chuckled. “You saw him four days ago, sweetling. I do not think he could have changed that much.”

“Yes, he has! You see him every day so you would not notice.” She looked to Audrey Landingham for agreement. “Do you not think he has grown significantly, Aunt?”

Lady Landingham immediately took the seat on the other side of her niece, smiling down at the child who had captured her heart as well.

“I certainly do!” She winked at Elizabeth who had leaned over to hear her answer. “And he seems much more alert! See how he follows me with his eyes when I speak?”

As though on cue, Alexander gurgled.

“He knows we are talking about him!” Georgiana exclaimed, her eyes still glued to her nephew. All the other occupants of the room exchanged knowing smiles.

Just at that moment, Mr. Walker appeared at the door again. “The Fitzwilliam’s coach has been reported at the first gate, sir.”

Knowing that it would take about a half -hour for the coach to reach the manor, William did not move from his perch near the hearth. “Thank you, Walker. Please summon me in time to greet them.”

The servant nodded, disappearing out of the room and leaving the door open as they had requested earlier. From that moment on, a jumble of conversations ensued in all areas of the room. William, Charles and Marshall were conversing near the hearth while surreptitiously watching the women ogle the baby. Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet constantly inched closer to the sofa, eventually coming to stand behind it where he had a better view of his grandson.

He had visited Elizabeth twice since her marriage, always by himself. He used the opportunity to visit Jane as well, insisting to both daughters that he travelled alone in order to escape the hysterics of his wife and other children for a brief time. Left unsaid was that Mrs. Bennet would not have been welcomed at Pemberley in any event. Neither daughter brought up the subject of their mother, for they well remembered the vitriol directed towards Lizzy at Jane’s wedding.

“Would you like to hold him?”

Thomas Bennet was startled from his thoughts by Elizabeth’s question. He began to mumble, “He is so small.  I do not think I should be trusted—”

“Nonsense!” Elizabeth declared.

Instantly, he was being pulled around the sofa to take the place alongside Georgiana. Across the room, he heard the men laugh just before Alexander was placed in his lap. Not knowing what to say, he could only smile at the child and chuck him under the chin. That was good enough! Alexander smiled and waved his arms in his usual manner.

“He is pleased!” Georgiana declared.

Leaning over to kiss her father’s cheek, Elizabeth added, “He feels safe with you.”

Just then, Mr. Walker reappeared at the door, and without a word, William nodded. The servant left as William walked over to take Elizabeth’s hand.

“If you will excuse us, Elizabeth and I shall greet my other relations and escort them here.” Addressing his aunt, he added, “Will you see to Alexander if he begins to fret?”

Audrey nodded. “I shall be glad to, though I think he is quite content at present.” 

Mr. Bennet looked up to wink at Elizabeth. “I think we shall be just fine until you return.”

~~~*~~~

Later

The food and drink was magnificent and the conversation stimulating, thus the entire group found themselves enjoying the fine hospitality of Pemberley. After the ordeal they had endured to rescue Elizabeth and learning of Catherine’s treachery, the opportunity to welcome a new Darcy into the family was seen as a chance for them to acknowledge what was truly important—family. 

After dinner, the men all assembled in William’s study to enjoy some newly imported cigars, while the ladies retired to the music room. As William passed out the cigars, Lord Landingham asked the Earl if he had heard anything more regarding Lady Catherine.