Darcy's Passions (45 page)

“I am glad to hear Edward won Anne's heart; I hope they will be happy.” Darcy's affection for his cousins genuinely showed.

“Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Pennington turned to Elizabeth, “would you two care to join us for some tea?”

Elizabeth looked up to Darcy before she answered,“We would be pleased to join you, Lady Pennington.”

They found a confectionery shop, which also served tea, and took a table.The conversation happened naturally although Elizabeth consciously controlled her tendency to be too mirthful. Darcy and Lord Pennington discussed the current political scene while Lady Pennington pumped Elizabeth for details of the wedding.“A double wedding with your elder sister—how delightful! Is Mr. Bingley that amiable young man you brought with you to the earl's birthday celebration, Fitzwilliam?”

“He is, your Ladyship.”

“Is that not romantic? Sisters married best friends.”

Darcy and Elizabeth smiled at her words of approval. A sudden thought hit Lady Pennington. “Fitzwilliam, please tell me you gave Mrs. Darcy your mother's necklace for her wedding.That was one of the last things she said to me before she passed.”

“I did, your Ladyship.”

“Good . . . . It was important to her; it was her request for your wife to have it. She always said the green reminded her of Pemberley in the summer and the white, it in winter.Together the jewels were a history of Pemberley worn about her neck.Were they not beautiful, Mrs. Darcy?”

“The necklace was a splendid gift from my husband, but your story made it priceless. Thank you for sharing it with me, Lady Pennington.”

“Of course, my dear.” She reached out and patted Elizabeth's hand, then she stood to take her leave having finished her tea.“This place was adequate, but I cannot say I enjoyed it as much as Gunter's on the east side of Berkeley Square.You must have Fitzwilliam take you there in the spring, Mrs. Darcy—just drive up in an open carriage, and the waiters will bring out the finest teas, sorbets, and
ices. I adore the burnt filbert cream ice.” Then she turned to Darcy. “Fitzwilliam, you chose well; your mother would be happy with your choice. It will give me great pleasure to let the rest of the family know your wife is exactly what you need, and Lady Catherine is a bitter old woman.When you are ready to rejoin society, you will come to stay with his lordship and me.You will bring Georgiana too; it has been too long since we saw her.”

“We will do so as soon as possible, your Ladyship.” Having made his promise, he bowed; taking Elizabeth's hand in his, he repeated his thanks; he knew any censure from his family for marrying Elizabeth was solved. Lady Pennington's opinion in the family easily outweighed anything Lady Catherine could offer.

 

Although it was the middle of the afternoon, Darcy and Elizabeth lounged lazily across the counterpane on the bed. Exhausted, Darcy lay back with his arm across his eyes; Elizabeth lightly kissed the upper part of his arm not because she wanted him again, but her new husband still fascinated her, and she needed to touch him when he was near.

They spent several hours the last couple of days going over the books of expenses for Pemberley and their other holdings. Once she agreed with Darcy to learn about how to run the estate, she took to the information with a desire to please him. How quickly she grasped the basic information surprised Darcy. There was still much for her to learn, but his plan brought satisfaction. Elizabeth's security and the future for their heirs depended on her understanding about their various holdings. Most gentlemen would never consider sharing such information with their wives; it was not in their domain, but Darcy knew having Elizabeth as his partner, and not his dependent, would offer his family security in these uncertain times. Her strength of character would be an asset for their future success. Lost in his thoughts, he did not expect her to slide her arm across his chest and bring his attention to the present moment rather than future plans. He reached out and
encircled her in his arms, turning on his side to enclose her in his embrace. “Fitzwilliam,” she giggled lightly, “would you buy me a gun? I would like to learn to shoot.”

This was clearly not the conversation he expected in the middle of a tender moment. “Dare I ask what brought on this request? Does my embrace drive you to violence?”

Elizabeth started to laugh, and she began to kiss his chest and move up his neck. “You, Sir, create a strong emotional response in me, but I would not call it violence.”

He could barely remember her request by the time her kisses reached and consumed his mouth. “Then why do you need a gun?” He finally got the words out.

Elizabeth continued to kiss his face, but she managed to answer, “I told Lydia I would shoot Mr. Wickham if he ever showed his face at Pemberley. I would like to keep my word.”

Darcy took both hands and pulled her head back where he could see her expression to see if she teased him.“You are serious, Elizabeth? What brought this on?”

“You know me, Love. My mind jumps about uncontrolled. Mr. Wickham's expenses were in the ledger today; it reminded me of my confrontation with Lydia.”

“What confrontation?”

“It was after Mr. Wickham's congratulatory letter. I warned Lydia I would not tolerate her being a part of any plan Mr. Wickham may have. I told her if he ever tried to come to Pemberley, I would see him shot as a trespasser.”

Darcy could not control his laughter. “Elizabeth, you are amazing! I can think of no other woman who would speak as such. Although I would not wish you to experience death, a woman should be able to defend herself,” he reasoned.“I know the perfect gun for a woman such as you are. I married a woman who would shock the world if they knew.”

She began to kiss his face again. “You are right, Mr. Darcy, you married a shameless woman. I desire your constant attention; I
desire a secure future for our children; I will let no one hurt you. I am afraid you chose poorly; I possess too much gall and not enough sugar.Are you sorry for your lack of foresight?”

He kissed her deeply before answering. “Lizzy, I need no one in my life but you. In hindsight, I am blessed to have such an amazing woman in love with me. My only regret is I denied my love for you to myself and others so long.”

“You are forgiven, Mr. Darcy.” She kissed him lightly. “However, forgiveness has its price.”

“What payment shall you demand as penance, Lizzy?”

She ran her hand up his body, sending shivers of pleasure through him. “I have but one true vice, Fitzwilliam—you.” Their love was all-consuming; the world could choose to judge; but they were secure in each other, and such judgments were of little consequence.

They were in London a fortnight although they went out very little. A few evenings of concerts and the theatre, some shopping, walks in the park, and a satisfying evening with the Gardiners met their need for outside entertainment, but they decided the draw of Pemberley could be denied no longer. “Mr. Thacker, we will spend the Festive Season at Pemberley this year. I will send you word of our return to town.”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy.”

“Mr. Thacker, I want you to see Mrs. Rowling gets some rest. She has been ill for several days. Call a physician if necessary.” Elizabeth walked past her husband as she placed several items in the hands of a waiting servant to load onto the coach.

“I understand, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Do not let her tell you otherwise, Mr. Thacker. You tell her those are my orders if necessary.”

“She is stubborn, Mrs. Darcy, but I will see to it.”

In the few weeks they stayed at Kensington Place, Elizabeth established a rapport with the servants. She knew the majority of them by name already, and Darcy overheard more than one of them praise her for her graciousness. Her husband did not foresee the many facets of Elizabeth Darcy, but both he and his staff welcomed them. Darcy was pleased with himself for winning Elizabeth's love, and he marveled how life sprang into action whenever she walked into a room. He doubted he could ever
command
people's respect as she did.

“Are you ready, Elizabeth?”

“That is what you asked me, Fitzwilliam, when we came here for our first night together.”

“Is your response the same as it was then, Mrs. Darcy?”

“It is, Sir.” She took his extended arm.“I am most anxious to go home to Pemberley.”The smile on his face reflected the pride in his heart at having Elizabeth as his wife.

 

They stopped for the evening at the same inn where he left the rest of the party the day he discovered Elizabeth at Pemberley. He delighted in the irony of the tale. “Just think,” she teased, “if you had not done so, you could be sharing your room tonight, Mr. Darcy, with Caroline Bingley.”

“Elizabeth, that is not funny!” However, he laughed because that was what they did: she teased, and Darcy laughed.

When they entered the inn, Mr. Harvey, the innkeeper, rushed to greet them properly. Darcy easily accepted such homage, increasing Elizabeth's amazement at the customary
reverence
as being normal. She was more inclined to wait her turn where Darcy was the type to move to the head of the line. “Mr. Harvey, this is my wife Elizabeth.We will require your best rooms tonight.”

“Of course, Mr. Darcy, we are honored you chose our establishment once again.We heard from Miss Darcy on her return to Pemberley you took a wife.We extend our well wishes, Sir. Mrs. Harvey will show you to your rooms, and I will have your trunks brought up, Sir.Will you be joining us in the dining room, Mr. Darcy?”

Darcy looked about the room crowded with common travelers often found on the roads leading to and from London. No one of consequence was noted and inroads of his former disdain for others showed on his face and in the manner in which he said, “No, Mr. Harvey, we will take our meal in the room.”

“Yes, Sir, I will have it delivered shortly.”

With the requirements for all their needs outlined to the innkeeper, Darcy took Elizabeth's arm in his, and then they ascended the steps to the room. She watched him intently throughout this
charade he played whenever they were in public. Two different men possessed his body. Although not as severe as her first impression of him, Darcy still possessed the same haughty reserve he used with her and others in Hertfordshire.Then there was the man who shared her bed, brought her flowers, and searched for her approval. Elizabeth supposed his breeding taught him to expect a certain amount of veneration from others. She found it both amusing and exhilarating how he could command a room simply by stepping through its doorway. She assumed she would never be able to duplicate such power over others. He may teach her the “workings” of Pemberley, but she doubted she could ever
command
people's respect as he did.

During the evening, Darcy became quieter and more resistant than she had seen him, and Elizabeth felt unsure as they neared Pemberley whether he ventured second thoughts about their relationship or whether he tired of her “silliness.” He stared at his wife, but it was not the stare that displayed his passion for her.This look showed contempt and disorder. Conversation was minimal, and when they crawled into bed that evening, Elizabeth felt disappointment because for the first time he did not take her into his arms. She could tolerate his not talking to her over dinner, but she did not think she could live without his touching her. Distraught, she began to sob although she fought to hide her feelings.

It was sometime before she felt his hand taking hers. They lay on their backs staring up at the ceiling's darkness. Darcy held her hand, but that was all he offered her. “Elizabeth?” His voice came out distant and shallow.

“Yes, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth waited for his rejection; she did not think he would deny her in public, but she would just be “Mrs. Darcy” from now on. The tears rolled down her cheeks, but she emitted no sounds; she would not let him know it hurt her.

It was a long time before he spoke again.“I do not . . . I do not want to lose what we had in London.” She allowed herself a little gasp.“I was standing downstairs giving orders to Mr. Harvey, and I realized how little I changed after all. It frightened me I could so
easily slip back to the way I was before there was Elizabeth Bennet.” The tears flowed more freely, but the darkness shielded them from Darcy's view. “Elizabeth, please say something.”

She swallowed hard before she answered. “Fitzwilliam, you cannot control your station in life; it is what you do with the position which will define you.”

He rolled over to caress her face when he realized she cried. “Elizabeth, have I offended you?”