Mr. Darcy's Promise (43 page)

Elizabeth’s heart had begun to race with those few passionate kisses, and she was confused why he stopped.
This had better not be about some silly promise again, because if he makes me actually ask him t
o
negotiat
e
with me I will not hesitate to push him back in the mud!
“Some promises are made to be broken, William,” she said sternly.

He took her chin in his hand and kissed her raised impertinent eyebrow that he loved so much. “You might have to explain that to me sometime. Relax, I have something for you. Stay there and close your eyes.” He waited until she had done as instructed.

She could hear him walk around her, open a drawer, and then come and stand behind her. His hands took her hair and gathered it to one side, tucking it around her left shoulder. She heard him take a deep breath which formed goosebumps over her entire body. His closeness to her made her heart start fluttering all over again.
Yes, he will always affect me so.
But she found only comfort with this thought. She felt something cold touch her at the top of her gown just above her breasts and soon she felt it come around her neck. She opened her eyes and looked down. It was her emerald and pearl necklace! She gasped. “William! How did you get it back?”

He was having just as difficult a time clasping the necklace as before, perhaps more. He tried to concentrate on the clasp but his hands were shaking and the candle in front of Elizabeth was creating quite the visual distraction as it silhouetted her small body under the silk gown. He cleared his throat. “Wickham pawned it for traveling money and I was lucky enough to find the jewelry store he sold it to in Meryton.”

She reached up and touched it, somehow wanting to prove the moment was real. It was the necklace that meant so much to her. She was beginning to, and could have, accepted its loss forever but now that it was back, she felt a wave of emotion come over her. She tried to blink back the tears. “Thank you so much!”

William finally closed the necklace clasp before he leaned down and twisted that beautiful ringlet at the base of her neck, the same one that tempted him for all these months. He put his arms around her from behind and took that final step closer. “You are welcome, again, for it is not often that a man gets to give his wife the same present twice. But I have a confession to make.”

Elizabeth leaned into his body, feeling his face warm against hers. “And what is that?”

He leaned down and kissed her neck where the necklace lay and whispered, “I lied to you that night before the theatre when I gave
you this necklace the first time.” He kissed her neck again and again, working his way down to her shoulder.

Elizabeth knew this game. It was one she rather liked. “And what exactly did you lie about?” The intimacy of his mouth on her neck made it very difficult to focus. He continued placing kisses on her neck all the way up to her ear where he stopped.

Darcy inhaled deeply, smelling her fresh scent he loved, and then whispered, “I said you have never looked so tempting before and that was what I must endure. I must tell you that I lied, for I am tempted far more now than I ever was that night.”

I

t was every bit just like the dreams she had had five and a half years before. It was spring, the birds were singing their individual melodies, and the sun was warming the cedar trees above them. She felt the wind and momentum of the swing push back the curls on the side of her face. She had been swinging now for half an hour and for the last ten minutes, William had been pushing her. Each time the swing came back he would whisper something sweet in her ear, just quiet enough that their two boys would not hear, and then push her again.

He first whispered to her, “Young William and little Richard and I love you more than life itself.” Then next he said, “I want to be with you always.” Then, “You mean everything to me.” And next, “I want to be everything you need from me; just ask and it shall be done.” He continued whispering those verbal affirmations of his love, each time giving her a push so she would go higher. On the last time he took the ropes in hand and slowed the rocking motion, walking her back to stillness. “I think you are even more beautiful when you are with child.” He reached his arms around her waist and drew her close, kissing her neck sweetly as his hands caressed her swollen abdomen. And just like in her dreams, she felt the baby move, as if responding to the kisses themselves. He came around in front of her and first took her face in his hands and kissed her gently, “I love you dearest Elizabeth.” Then he put his hands on both sides of her protuberant abdomen and said, “And I love you too, little Miss Darcy.” And he kissed her belly tenderly.

“William, why do you insist on calling the baby a girl? Our luck so far has given us two boys in a row!” As deeply moved as she was by the realization of her dreams, she couldn’t help rekindle the five-year battle between them over the sex of the baby. Ever since she suspected she was pregnant the first time, a mere three months into their marriage, he had insisted that each baby was a girl.

“Perhaps I just want to see a little brown-eyed curly haired little thing bounce around the house, or perhaps I just want to have a reason to name something other than a chicken after you. Perhaps I want more kisses from beautiful girls than you give me!” He said that last part mockingly.

“Well, perhaps you just need to
negotiate
more to get those kisses you say you want.” She gave him her most impertinent look. “But I might remind you that, unlike you, I never made a promise to kiss you whenever you want. I know when making a promise is wise and when it is unwise. After all, some promises are made to be broken.” Elizabeth felt the baby kick hard. She was due to deliver near the end of May, so she had a few more weeks to go. Somehow, though, she felt differently these last few days, more fatigued.

“Are you ever going to explain why some promises are made to be broken? I think promises are excellent ways to show love and devotion.” This was old familiar ground for them, but Darcy enjoyed this conversation. It reminded him of the first time five years ago.

“Yes, but sometimes promises, certain promises, can get in the way of showing love and devotion.” Elizabeth felt her belly harden in that familiar way. She put her hand on her belly, glad that she was sitting down on the swing. She tried to breathe deeply because the muscles usually relaxed after a minute or so. The doctor had explained that they were preparatory to real labor pains, but not to worry.

“Are you having the tightening again?” he asked, concern etched in his face. She nodded and he placed his hand on her tight abdomen. She was trying to breathe regularly but he could tell she was hurting. He rubbed her belly in circular motions with one hand and tilted her chin up to look at him with the other. “I am right here, just
breathe. It will be over soon, they always go away.”

Looking at her dear husband’s eyes relaxed her more than anything. It reminded her of that first night they were intimate. She had glimpses of the desire in his eyes before that night but after they made love, he didn’t hide it from her. She saw that look often, almost every time he looked at her. He had been so careful with her, gentle and kind, and deeply patient and more passionate than she imagined.
She never slept in her own bed after that. Not once. At night, he would ask her about her day, and she would tell him. They would discuss his business he had worked on and he would inform her of their finances. They shared everything with each other. The more they talked, the more they wanted to be with each other physically. It seemed to be a precursor to each intimate moment. It made the union mean more when they expressed their love in numerous ways.

Elizabeth was breathing normally again and he saw her sit up straighter. William asked, “Better?” She nodded. “That one was harder than the rest have been. Should we head back home? Have I fatigued you too much?”

“We can wait. The boys are so happy with the paper boat you made them. Just let them play a little longer. Now I believe I was explaining why a wise woman does not make promises that she does not see the benefit in making.”

“And I am assuming the wise woman you speak of is yourself.” He was still kneeling in front of her, looking at her beautiful face. He tried to listen closely because this was closer than she had ever come before to explaining why some promises were meant to be broken.

“Indeed. Promises have a certain power to them. It is like a contract between two people, the one making the promise, and the one it is made to. You are a businessman, what would happen if one of the two wanted out of the contract?” Elizabeth was struck with another episode of tightening and she felt it all the way in her back. She leaned over and tried to regain her relaxed breathing. William started rubbing her abdomen once again, and moved her face to look directly at him. Their eyes locked for the next minute.

Looking in his eyes made her think of Georgiana for some reason; perhaps because they shared their eye color. Georgiana came out into society two years after they were married and found a wonderful man in her first season who cared nothing for her dowry; a welcome change from Wickham. Georgiana’s husband was soft-spoken, kind, and very attentive to her. He was everything Georgiana needed in a husband. Georgiana had that love match that Georgiana had once assumed Elizabeth and William had.

Georgiana too was expecting a child— their first— but her confinement was not expected until September. It had taken longer for her to conceive, but so far she had no problems carrying the child. Elizabeth suspected that her dear sister would do very well. Georgiana had insisted on being present for the two boys’ deliveries and she found herself quite useful in keeping William’s anxiety in check, who had also insisted that he be present for the births. When Elizabeth had begun to labor with her firstborn, William, it was Georgiana who gave the instructions to her older, usually more wise, brother. She gave him little tasks to accomplish, effectively making him feel needed and useful during a very stressful situation. When young Richard was born, Darcy was a little more prepared emotionally to see Elizabeth in such pain and distress but Georgiana again stepped up and told him when he was being helpful or hurtful. Since young Richard’s birth, Georgiana had become more and more interested in caring for ladies in that delicate situation. With her husband’s support, she extended care and nursing to many of their tenants in their childbed. It was uncommon for a gentleman’s daughter to desire to work in any kind of manner but it was what Georgiana enjoyed. Elizabeth remembered asking her about it once. Georgiana had simply smiled and said, “Life has many concertos, I simply want to help the composer create a happy tune. It brings me joy to see their joy fulfilled. It is the one thing that equals mastering a new piano piece for me.”

William could tell the abdomen had relaxed. He was beginning to get worried how far they were from home. He tried to pick up the conversation where they left off. “As a businessman, if one wants out of a contract, it must be agreed upon by both parties.”

Elizabeth sat up straighter. “Exactly my point. If one of the party does not agree to release the other from the contract, or promise in this metaphor’s case, then at least one of the parties is unhappy. If they cannot see eye to eye, then one of them is trapped in a contract that they do not want to be in.”

“So you are saying that making promises, even those honorable ones, might make the one of the parties unhappy?”

“Emphasis on ‘might.’ Not all promises are bad. But even the honorable ones might not be appreciated.”

“Elizabeth, will you just tell me which promise you wanted me not to make?”

“It was not that I did not want you to
make
it, I did not want you t
o
keep
it. There is a difference.” Her breath caught in her throat as another round of pain started in her back and wrapped around to the front. This one was powerful and intense. William leaned his head down to gaze directly into her eyes.

“Look at me, Elizabeth. We can do this.
Slow, deep breaths.” He started rubbing her abdomen in circular motions again with one hand, and with the other, he reached around to her back. He covered her hand with his and pressed gently but firmly against the small of her back. He saw her face wrinkle in pain but she kept eye contact.

His eyes were so serious. She needed to help him relax. They were simply a few preparatory labor pains, nothing to be concerned about. She truly needed Colonel Fitzwilliam’s jokes right about now to bring about the smiling eyes of her husband. Thinking of Richard made her want to laugh. He too had found a lady who was exactly who he needed. She was an heiress who had
struggled her first few years in society. Although she had all the claims that wealth gave her, she shocked others who expected different things from a gentleman’s daughter.

When Richard met her and told his first joke, he was amazed that a woman would laugh so hard and so long in the social setting where refinement was expected and demanded from a lady. From that first joke to the latest, Richard was enamored beyond words. His wife would laugh at every joke, no matter how bad it was, and even beg for more. Richard told Darcy once that he finally didn’t want to be funny just so he could appear different and unique. Now that he had found his perfect match, he wanted to be funny simply to hear the joy his jokes brought to others. No, his wife wasn’t the refined woman society expected but she had a joyful heart and a great ability to laugh: both of which only brought out the best of Richard.

The tension eased in her back and abdomen. She took another relaxing breath and smiled back at William. “Thank you. It helps to look in your eyes.”

Now that the third episode had come and gone he knew it was time to head back home. He stood and gathered the boys who moaned but obediently gathered their belongings. Little William was now four and a half years old and took his role as elder brother very seriously, a trait that he had inherited from his father. Richard, however, was just like his namesake. He was focused when necessary but could be easily distracted the rest of the time. R
ichard was only two, but Darcy knew that there were definite correlations in personality to the elder Richard. The boys followed closely at the heels of their father who had rejoined Elizabeth by this time. “Come now, let us get you back to the house. You are beginning to worry me with those labor pains.” He offered his arm and Elizabeth stood to take it and they began walking.

Elizabeth called out to Little William and Richard. “Boys, run ahead, you know the way. William, take good care of Richard, do not cross the bridge without holding his hand.”

“Yes, mamma.” Little William said. “Come, Richard, you have to hold my hand.”

The proud parents watched their two oldest run ahead hand in hand. Elizabeth turned to William and said, “They are quite close you know. It will be nice to have another boy but a girl would be nice too.” She looked at William who smiled back at her.

“I would love to see a little Miss Darcy running around. But I am afraid we will just have to see . . .” Just then she stopped walking and doubled over in obvious pain. “Perhaps we will see sooner rather than later.” He knelt down in front of her, touching the creases in her brow with his thumbs. He had seen this before, the baby was coming soon and he was still not in visual distance of Pemberley. “Look at me Elizabeth, do not close your eyes. Breathe. In and out, slowly.” He took his hands and supported her shoulders with one and rubbed her back with the other. He stood looking in her fine eyes and knew he needed to get her back quickly. The frequency was one thing, the intensity only added to the concern. He stared in her eyes, the same eyes that captured his heart all those years ago. The same eyes he went to bed with, and the same eyes he begged to see as soon as he woke. She was truly everything to him. She had given herself to him so fully that first night that he very nearly cried with happiness. Her desire for him was equal to his desire for her and it was the perfect union. Their passion had not died down in the slightest over the last five years, for when they couldn’t be intimate, like after the babies were born, they would hold each other and let their bodies express themselves in other ways. She truly was more beautiful now than ever before. Her eyes told him when the tension released before she stood up again. He needed to make progress on getting home. He decided distraction was a good idea. He began walking and then picked up the conversation where they left off. “So you are comfortable letting me make promises, but keeping them is not always on your list of acceptable behaviors. Is there a method to your rules of which promises one can make, and which ones can be broken? I am cognizant of the fact that you think some promises are made to be broken, so which ones exactly do you want me to break?”