Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (63 page)

“I do not know.”  Darcy shrugged.  “I do not know, there are too many arguments, too many opinions, but I can see without a doubt how it would drive a man who has been slighted his entire life over the edge.”

“What are you implying?  Your Uncle has done nothing, has he?”  Elizabeth’s brow creased and she looked at him worriedly.  “He seems quite well, saddened over the situation, but he seemed to have new life breathed into him when I saw him holding Hope.” She nudged him and he started from his fixed stare at the Pemberley landscape mounted over the fireplace.  “Will?” 

“Oh . . . yes, dear.  Yes, he seems quite well now, much improved from how he once was, as does Wickham.  What miracles Hope is wreaking upon the men in her life.”  Folding the letter, he patted her leg and got to his feet to stuff the letter inside of the book.  He walked to the bookshelf and shoved it into place before turning to her.  “Well now, what were we going to do?”

“I was under the impression that you and I were going to make use of that rug.”  She nodded at the bearskin.

“Oh, of course, shall we?”  He tugged at his neck cloth.

“No.  I am not going to fall down on that rug to have you attempt to love me when your mind is occupied and your desire is nonexistent.”  She stood and walked up to him.  “Do you need to be alone?” 

Surprised, he studied her.  “I . . . Why would you think that?”

“Do you want to dwell upon what your father wrote?  I think that his words were perfectly clear.  He said to reward where it is deserved, aid not only your own, but those who surround you, and to love with a clear mind and open heart, even if the answer must sometimes be no.” 

“Is that what he said?”  Darcy smiled a little and reached up to hold her jaw and caress her cheek with his thumb.

“That is my interpretation and may I say that you are already fulfilling all of those things?  Just as he said, he had begun to appreciate all of those qualities in you.  Perhaps that is why he recognized the absence of them in himself.”  

Darcy’s sigh was long.  “I was a boy then.”

“You were a man of two and twenty.”  She reminded him.  “Your personality was formed.”  He smiled and said nothing.  “I will add one more charge to you.”

“Of course.  I am all anticipation.”

“Are you certain?”  She lifted her chin and his hand moved to her throat.  “I will not tell you unless you promise to take it seriously.”

“I dare not ignore anything you tell me, Elizabeth, I do so at my peril.”  His smile was a little less sad. 

“Very well, then.  Prepare yourself.”

Now he laughed.  “I am, trust me. Please impart your twenty years of wisdom upon me.” 

“Nearly one and twenty . . .” She reminded him.

“I concede, Madam.  Your vast, superior, and wise advice.”

“That you may keep or ignore . . .”

Darcy lifted both hands to heaven.  “Tell me!” 

“Let it go.”  Elizabeth said simply and took his face in her hands.  “Whatever it is, whatever is pressing you, whatever that letter has inspired in your far too active mind . . . let it go.”

He rested his hands on her shoulders, “It is difficult.”

“If it was not, you would not be half the man your father determined you to be.”  Elizabeth’s hands dropped and she held his waist.  “Answer me this, what good comes of pursuing your thoughts, whatever they may be?  Any good, to you, to Pemberley?”

“None whatsoever.” 

“Well then?”  She cocked her head.

“Do you have any idea at all what I am thinking?”

“Honestly?  No.  And I will not press you to tell me.” 

Darcy stared into her eyes and biting his lip, let go of her shoulders and walked back to the bookshelf.  He took down the history and leafed through until he found the letter, and walking over to the fireplace took the tinderbox and knelt before the grate.  Elizabeth joined him and watched him strike a spark and set the note on fire.

“Why did you do that?”

“So I would not read it again, and dwell upon his words.”  He watched it burn to ash.  “I am letting it go.”  When he turned back to look at her she was smiling.  “You are happy with me.”

“What shall we do now?”  Elizabeth said softly.

“Ah, now that rug looks more inviting to you, does it?”  He drew a long breath and looked back to the see the wax seal burning.  Setting down the tinderbox, he took her hand and they rose to their feet.  “I think that we need something far more symbolic to mark this moment.” 

“If only I knew what this moment signified.”  She laughed and he chuckled.  “What do you suggest?”

“Let us go swimming.”

“You said that it was too cold!”

“Ahhh but just imagine how I will warm you?” 

“I have seen your assets when cold, Fitzwilliam.”

“And you shall warm me.” 

“In cold water?”

“A great deal of rubbing will be required.”  His eyes twinkled.   “No?  Shall we wait for July, when we have guests here?”  Her eyes widened.  “Or at Matlock when we attend the wedding?  There will be any number of chances to be seen . . .”

“You are terrible!” 

“August then?  Oh, September when Miss Bingley is here!  She may come upon us while riding and be witness to just how very fine your eyes are!” 

“Fitzwilliam Darcy!” 

“What is it, love?” 

“I will not have Miss Bingley see you unclothed!” 

“Me?”  He laughed.  “Very well.  I suppose that the water will be too cool again then.” 

“And I will not have her see you unclothed and not displayed at your very best.”  Elizabeth whispered wickedly.

“Elizabeth Darcy!”  He wrapped his arms tightly around her and rested his chin on top of her head.  After several moments of silence, he spoke gently, “Thank you, dearest.”

“Are you well?”  She asked and listened gratefully to the steady, strong, beat of his heart.

Darcy held her as closely as he could.  “I will be.” 

“I BELIEVE THAT HE KNOWS.”  Harding said to Richard as the two men rode slowly over the grounds of Sommerwald. 

“I believe that he suspects . . . but what that is, I could not say.”  Richard looked ahead and watched the shepherds moving the flocks of sheep from one pasture to another.  “He is persistent and he is not a fool.” 

“But there is no way to discover all, unless one of us talked.  Wickham had his golden opportunity, he could have exposed me and likely had a dream fulfilled in seeing my dispatch at Darcy’s hands.” 

Richard laughed shortly, “Darcy would not have taken your life in that way.  There are far more effective ways to kill you, more satisfying ones to his way of thinking.  He would strike where it hurts.   He would ban you from Pemberley.  He would wash his hands of you.  He would take Hope away.” 

“That would kill Susan.”

“And you, I suspect.”  Richard looked over to the shaken man.  “So the fact that so much time has passed since you all met Wickham and the child remains in your collective arms, I think would indicate that whatever my cousin has concluded is enough in your favour that he is stepping away.”

“Good Lord.”  Harding murmured.  “My life is left dangling.”

“He has too many pieces of the puzzle not to figure some sort of connection.”  Richard shrugged.  “I promise you, I will not help him along.  I do not want him to know.  But I do enjoy you dangling.  I enjoy that greatly”

“There is no need to taunt me, Colonel.”

Richard laughed.  “That is the first hint of the Judge Darcy I remember appearing in a long time.”

“That man is dead.”  Harding said grimly.  “Dead, gone, buried . . .”

“Good.”

“Colonel!” 

Both men swung their heads and Richard beamed.  “Sophie!”  Instantly he urged his mount to move and he quickly joined her.  “This is a great surprise!  How did you know to come here?” 

“You told me . . .” She began and noticed him glancing at Stephen, who was just arriving.   “You told me that this was a favourite location and I thought I would come and see why.”

“Why is it?”   Stephen looked around.  “It is no different from every other pasture for miles around.” 

“Not so.”  Richard said quickly,  “This resembles closely the pasture at Gladney.  I am learning by observing.  Judge Darcy, how did you come to rise to your position?  You could probably impart some valuable information to this young lawyer.”  The two men exchanged looks.

“I would be glad to.  My son has heard enough of my advice, it will be a pleasure to offer my guidance to you, Mr. Kelly.”  Harding noticed the young man looking at his sister who was looking wistfully at Richard.  “What say the two of us maintain a respectable distance to the engaged couple and allow them a pleasant visit, eh?” 

“Well . . .” Stephen said doubtfully.

“Excellent!”  Not waiting another moment, Richard kicked his horse.  “Come along, Sophie!  Keep up!” 

“Hey!”  Stephen cried uselessly as his sister gleefully took off after her betrothed.  

Harding grabbed Stephen’s reins to stop him from following.  “As long as we can see them, they are fine.  Let them alone.” 

Richard looked behind him and slowed.  “They are not giving chase!” 

Sophie drew up with her panting pony and laughed.  “Stephen wants to.”

“Stephen is a pain in the . . .” Richard noticed her raised brow.  “Neck.” 

“That is not what you intended to say.”

“No, but it is a reasonable substitute.”   His smiled as he took her in. “You are a picture sitting on that pony!” 

Sophie laughed.  “Oh my, I wonder what compliments I can expect of you in the future?   Instead of complimenting my eyes or my skin, you will remark on my horsemanship or my skill with Whist.” 

“Probably.”  He shrugged and looked down at his gloves holding his reins.  “As long as you understand the sentiment . . .”

“I do, Richard, I do.  I understand that flowery prose does not fall easily from your tongue.”

“No, I am rather straightforward.  I . . . look forward to waking up . . . a married man.”  He saw a blush begin creeping up her throat and gripped his reins tighter.  “I do.” 

“Oh my.” 

“Are you well?”

“Oh, I was the recipient of tutoring from Mother last night . . .” Richard’s brow creased and Sophie’s blush deepened.  “Enough of this . . . tell me of your mother.”

“A harridan with a touch of compassion.”  Sophie stared.  “She is.  And she will test you.  After all, you are probably going to assume her position one day.  When we move into Gladney, you will have the joy of months under her tutelage.  Now I ask you, would you prefer your mother or mine?”  Richard grinned.  “A difficult choice?”

“Terrible!  And entirely unfair!”

“I can bet that after an hour with my mother you will be volunteering eagerly to hear yours.” 

“Why are we speaking of our mothers?  Should we not speak of us?” 

“Sophie, I promise you, I am not an orator, nor can I read sonnets, let alone compose them.”  Richard sighed.  “What do you want?” 

“I want . . . I want you to kiss me again.”  She watched his face light up.  “You are leaving tomorrow and . . .”

“I will come back, I promise you.”  Richard noticed that the judge and Stephen were engaged in an animated conversation.  “Sophie, quickly . . .” He reached over and took her hand.  “Come here.”  He leaned and kissed her.

“Too fast . . .”  Sophie protested when he drew back  “I want a real kiss.”

“I am afraid that will have to wait for July, my dear.”  Richard laughed.  “If you wish for a breathing bridegroom on your wedding day.  But I must admit; I am delighted and intrigued by your curiosity.”

“I would not be so forward if you were remaining here.”   She said hopefully.

“I am not sure which holds more allure, your forwardness or my staying?”  He leaned towards her again.  “You are welcome to try and convince me to stay . . .”

Sophie sat up in her saddle.   “Now you are trying to take advantage, sir.” 

Richard sat up and shook his head.  “You are going to be a challenge.  But I love a challenge.”  Their eyes met and they both felt their cheeks redden.  He cleared his throat.  “Come on, let’s see how far we can race before our guards notice we are gone.” 

Gathering her reins, she prepared to begin, “What is the prize?” 

Richard turned his head and laughed before he took off.  “I guarantee it will not be chocolate for me!” 

“CAREFUL LOVE.  I do not want you to slip.”  Darcy held Elizabeth’s hips and guided her down into the water.  She leaned into his arms and settled back against his chest.  He kissed her shoulder and nuzzled his nose against her throat.  “There now, how is that?” 

“Lovely.”  She sighed.

“Not too cold?”

“mmm, no, it is just right.”  Elizabeth looked behind her.  “Now, do not fall asleep.”

“It is tempting.”  He whispered.  “Every inch of me is so relaxed.  Thank you for that.” 

“It was my pleasure.” 

“Mine, too.”  His eyes twinkled when she grinned triumphantly.  “But as wonderful as this bath is, I am still taking you swimming in the lake.” 

Chapter 24

“H
ere you are, madam.”  The maid curtseyed and handed Elizabeth a napkin. 

“Thank you, Missy.”  Elizabeth smiled and turned with the folded cloth in hand to face her curious husband. 

“What have we there?”  He reached for the cloth.

“It is not your business!”  Elizabeth slapped his hand. 

“It is so.  It is my napkin and whatever is within is mine as well.”

“You
were
an only child!  What of those vows proclaiming that you would share your worldly goods with me?”

“It is not sharing if you are hiding it behind your back.”  Elizabeth squealed when he tried to quickly reach around her.  Too fast, she spun away and escaped, but her running was no match to his long stride and he caught up with her in seconds.  “Ha!”  He laughed and held her waist.  “I have you!” 

“You think so, do you?”  Elizabeth’s eyes were dancing, and she ducked down and under his arms.

“Slippery woman!”  He cried and stretching, grabbed her arm and pulled her backwards into his.  “I will not hold you so loosely this time, my love.”  Darcy firmly wrapped one arm around her waist and biting his lip poked at the handkerchief.  “What is it?”