CHAPTER 4
“I do not want people to be agreeable,
as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”
as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”
Jane Austen in a letter to her sister
Cassandra
No one in the Darcy party nor the Penningtons
wanted to leave for Matlock, but the time for the anniversary
celebration drew near. Bringing tidings for the Matlocks’
anniversary and to openly acknowledge Edward and Anne’s engagement
offered pleasant possibilities, but the shadow of Lady Catherine’s
censure for Darcy’s choice of a wife and Anne’s choice of a husband
loomed greater than life.
“I am not anticipating this gathering,” Darcy told
his wife as they dressed for the journey.
“Surely, your aunt will not spoil her daughter’s
engagement party and her brother’s anniversary party.” Elizabeth
hoped for small civilities, although she was all too familiar with
Lady Catherine’s meddlesome ways.
“Elizabeth, we both know predicting either your
mother’s or my aunt’s actions is impossible.”
Much to their chagrin, Lady Catherine already
resided at Matlock when they arrived, but Darcy and Elizabeth
avoided her through much of the afternoon.
Late in the day, Elizabeth descended the staircase
of Lord and Lady Matlock’s mansion, looking for her husband. As she
reached the bottom and turned toward the sitting room, Lady
Catherine de Bourgh exited into the foyer, and Elizabeth found
herself face to face with Darcy’s disapproving aunt.
“Lady Catherine.” Elizabeth started and quickly
added a curtsy.
“Miss Bennet.” Lady Catherine’s disdain radiated in
her voice.
Elizabeth did not want a confrontation, but she
would not back away from one. “It is Mrs. Darcy now your Ladyship.”
Elizabeth returned Lady Catherine’s glare.
With an indignant sniff, Lady Catherine snorted,
“Others may address you as such, but I will never recognize such an
unholy union.”
“Your recognition was not sought, your Ladyship,”
Elizabeth made her own displeasure known. “My husband would surely
welcome it, but our union will survive your censure. Now if you
will excuse me, I will speak to Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth started
past the woman, but Lady Catherine’s voice stopped her.
“Your presence at Pemberley taints my sister’s
memory, Madam.”
Unfortunately for his aunt, Darcy stepped into the
hallway at that moment.“Lady Catherine, if you have something to
say to me or to my wife, please step into the study.” He offered
Elizabeth his arm as he led her to a nearby settee. Elizabeth felt
his anger in the stiffness of his arm.
Lady Catherine did not appreciate being so
dismissed; her anger and her folly increased as she followed Darcy
and Elizabeth into the study. Darcy closed the door behind his aunt
and joined Elizabeth in the seating. He did not acknowledge the
fact Lady Catherine still stood in the middle of the room. Finally,
Lady Catherine seated herself across from them.
Darcy’s eyes left Elizabeth’s face, and he leveled
an intense stare on his aunt. It was the kind of stare he used in
difficult business dealings. Even Elizabeth feared approaching him
when he looked as such, but Lady Catherine did not flinch.
Elizabeth nearly admired the woman for it. “Your mother, my
sister, would not be satisfied with your matrimonial situation,
Fitzwilliam; you chose against your duty to your family. You
dishonor your mother’s memory in both your choice of a wife and
your denial of Anne.” Undaunted, Lady Catherine squared her
shoulders and waited for Darcy’s response.
Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, and she realized he
stroked her wrist with his fingertips. How Darcy maintained his
composure, Elizabeth did not know; her own stomach twisted and
turned, and she knew she paled.
“My mother always wished for Georgiana and me to be
happy. She married for love, and I believe my marriage to Elizabeth
would please her for I am truly happy. As for Anne, I would think
you would wish the same for her. Edward truly cares for
Anne.”
Lady Catherine rolled her eyes in disgust. “Your
mother would never accept the dishonor you brought to Pemberley. It
will suffer with Miss Bennet as its mistress.”
Darcy knew if he allowed himself to react to Lady
Catherine’s accusations as he wished to do, she would win, and he
would never give his aunt the pleasure of such a victory.Therefore,
Elizabeth felt his grip on her hand tighten as she, too, struggled
not to let her countenance change. “Again, you misspeak, Aunt.
Elizabeth won the hearts of the tenants with her compassion and her
charity. I fear if I spoke out against her, I would have a riot on
my hands. The future of Pemberley is more secure than ever;
Elizabeth carries my child, an heir for Pemberley. Mrs. Darcy makes
Pemberley a home rather than just a fine country estate.”
“So you do not intend to at least acknowledge your
lack of caution put the Darcy name in jeopardy?” Lady Catherine
fixed her gaze on Darcy, while totally ignoring Elizabeth.
Darcy fought to keep his voice even in his
response. “I will not acknowledge that remark with a reply. I am
the Darcy family now.” He purposely lifted Elizabeth’s hand to his
lips for a kiss.
“Well, I see, Miss Bennet, you succeeded in
capturing my nephew with your arts and allurements.” Lady Catherine
shifted her attention to Elizabeth in hopes of breaking at least
one of them. “You attained a position far above what you deserve,
but your lack of breeding will betray you to society. Society will
not be easily fooled by your charms.”
Elizabeth’s slight pressure on Darcy’s hand let him
know she intended to respond on her own. She spoke quietly, but her
voice held a strength Darcy recognized. “Lady Catherine, you are
correct; I lack the breeding to purposely insult my loved ones and
call it civilities. I also lack the breeding it takes to meddle in
another person’s life to the point of putting my own happiness
above his. If others choose to act as you do in such situations, I
will be pleased to be excluded from their company. Yet, if my
husband chooses to forgive your interference in his life, I will
once again offer you my respect and begin our relationship
anew.”
Lady Catherine’s distaste for such a situation
became evident as a sneer formed upon her mouth. “I will never seek
your respect, Miss Bennet.”
Darcy’s contempt played through his response. “Miss
Bennet is Elizabeth’s sister Mary. My wife’s name is Mrs. Darcy,
and you will address her as such, or you will not speak to
her.”Then he turned to his wife before standing and offering his
hand, palm up.“Are you ready, Elizabeth?”
As they started to exit, Lady Catherine’s demanding
voice called out. “Wait, I am not finished with you,
Fitzwilliam.”
Darcy paused only briefly to look at Elizabeth
before they exited together, her hand on his proffered arm. “I
thought I heard something, Mrs. Darcy, but I must be mistaken.” He
gave her an amused look as his eyebrow shot up. Elizabeth pursed
her lips and gifted him one of her enigmatic smiles.They were on
the staircase before either of them took a breath.
As the extended party all sat down to dinner that
evening, all went well. Lady Catherine completely ignored Darcy,
Elizabeth, and Kitty. She did direct a few simple comments toward
Georgiana, but more out of curiosity over Captain Rutherford rather
than to offer her niece any form of civility. When the men retired
to the study, Lady Matlock and Anne kept Lady Catherine company
while Elizabeth, Kitty, Georgiana, and Lady Pennington moved to the
far end of the drawing room to talk about gowns for tomorrow’s
ball.The time passed quickly in quiet splendor. As the men rejoined
the ladies in the drawing room, both Darcy and Elizabeth assumed
the impasse of the last few hours would be the order of the
evening, especially considering their earlier confrontation with
Lady Catherine.
Darcy moved to sit with Elizabeth, taking her hand
in an intimate grasp. Edward retrieved Anne from her mother’s side
and brought Anne to sit across from Darcy and Elizabeth.The
conversation began anew with the colonel sharing a story of their
youth. “Darcy pulled Anne’s hair, causing her bonnet to slip to the
side. Anne turned to grab the bonnet and ended up stepping ankle
deep in the mud.” They all laughed at the colonel’s retelling.“Anne
was so angry she chased after Darcy, tearing the hem of her dress.
My aunt was furious.”
“My mother pretended to be angry,” Darcy added.
“She took me to task with her words, but under the surface she
fought back the laughter.”
“My sister would never laugh at Anne’s mistreatment
by her son.” Lady Catherine’s words brought an icy silence to the
room as she came forward to tower over them. “Lady Anne would be
appalled then by Fitzwilliam’s treatment of Anne; she would be
horrified at how he continues to mistreat my daughter by denying my
sister’s wish they marry. Instead, he takes up with a woman of
little or no consequence and brings shame to this entire family by
bringing a child by her into this world.” By now Lady Catherine’s
words reverberated in the silence of the room.
Darcy and Edward both jumped to their feet. Anne
protested, “Mother!” while Elizabeth buried her face in her
hands.
“Be quiet, Anne!” Lady Catherine snapped.“You
should, at least, Sir, send the child away and not mark this family
with the corruption of the ancestral name of Darcy.”
“That is enough, Madam!” Darcy’s voice boomed
through the room, and even Lady Catherine retreated a few
steps.“You will not speak of my wife in those terms.”
“Lady Catherine,” Edward tried to intervene, “Anne
and I love each other. Please be happy for us and let Darcy’s
choice be just that—his choice. My cousin has never been so
happy.”
“Anne,” Lady Catherine looked past Edward, “you are
not well; you should return to your room to rest.”
Automatically, Anne rose to follow her mother’s
orders, but Edward’s hand gripped her arm, holding her in place. He
never took his eyes from Lady Catherine as the control for Anne
came to a head. “Anne is feeling perfectly fine, are you not,
Anne?” Edward’s words demanded a like response from his
intended.
Anne’s voice came out shaky, but there was a sense
of resolve in her manner.“I will remain with Edward.”
“You will not control my daughter at your whim,
Sir.You prove you care nothing for Anne for you jeopardize her
health with your actions!” Lady Catherine’s challenge echoed
through the room.
“It is you, Aunt, who made Anne an invalid.”
Edward’s words pierced the air, and Anne steeled herself, knowing
the confrontation loomed.“You browbeat her into submission, but I
will not tolerate your doing so any longer!”
“This is your fault!” Lady Catherine turned back to
Darcy. “Your denying your mother’s wishes means I must give my
daughter to this—this—!”
“This what?” Lady Pennington took a step forward to
join those surrounding Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine’s anger now consumed her, and she no
longer guarded her words. “Anne deserves a fine estate of her own.
Instead, all she receives out of this marriage is Edward’s title as
a son of an Earl. Anne brings her wealth and bloodline to the
marriage.What do you bring, Colonel?”
“He brings the kind of love to protect me, Mother.”
Anne grasped Edward’s arm for support.
“I withdraw my consent, Child.”
“I am no child. I am of age, Mother; I do not need
your consent.” Anne swayed against Edward, and he placed his arm
around her shoulders to brace her.
“Catherine,” the Earl now intervened, “although you
are my sister, and I normally offer you some latitude in your
opinions, Edward, whom you deem unworthy of Anne’s regard, is still
my son. I will not tolerate your censure of him. You will leave my
house tomorrow morning; you are no longer welcome here!”
Lady Catherine began to protest,“I never!”
“That is just it, Catherine. None of us in this
room ever stopped your censure, and we allowed you to hold court
over everyone else.We will no longer tolerate such behavior. Please
leave us immediately.”
Lady Catherine looked about her; no one in
attendance gave her encouragement. In fact, Matlock, Darcy, and the
colonel all literally turned their backs while the rest of the room
dropped their eyes and refused to look at her.As if by consensus,
everyone began conversations with those in close attendance,
ignoring the old woman who stood mouth agape. “You will pay for
this insult!” she barked before exiting the room.
Darcy immediately dropped to his knees in front of
Elizabeth. “My Love, come with me,” he whispered in her ear.
Elizabeth stood as he led her from the room. “We need fresh air,”
he continued as he retrieved their outer garments against the cold.
Darcy wrapped a pelisse around her, pulling a shawl from
the shelf to give her extra protection. Elizabeth still covered
her face with her hands so Darcy led her gingerly to the
gardens.
“Elizabeth,” he began once they were clear of the
house. “Elizabeth, please, do not shut me out.”
Elizabeth did not know why she still cried, but the
agitation of her mind was painful. So much went awry; all of her
family’s mistakes hit Elizabeth full force. “Fitzwilliam, I am
sorry.” Elizabeth scrambled to his embrace, needing the solace only
he gave her.
Darcy lifted her chin to kiss her lips
lightly.“Sorry for what, my Love?”
“Everything you gave up for me!”The sobs began
again.
He wiped away the tears with his handkerchief. “I
received so much more of value in return.”
Elizabeth nearly wailed. “I made you the
laughingstock of the ton; I cost you your position in
society!”
“Elizabeth, I was never part of the ton;
they tolerated me because of my family’s wealth, but I was always
on the outside looking in. Do you not remember my actions at
Meryton and at Netherfield? I hung on the outskirts of each group,
listening and nodding, but not interacting. I hate each time I must
be in large groups; I am never at my best. I become invisible, but
you, Elizabeth Darcy, looked past my coat of invisibility; you saw
me when I was not there.” Darcy locked eyes with her. “I do not
need the ton. I do not need Lady Catherine. I need
you—without you, I am nothing again.”
Elizabeth clung to him, desiring the strength of
his devotion. Being held by Darcy created an intimacy Elizabeth
needed.“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
He traced her chin line with the back of his hand,
and their eyes locked in an intimate moment.“I love you, my
Lizzy.”
Elizabeth whispered to him,“You do not play fair,
Sir.”
“I prefer to use all my advantages, Mrs. Darcy.” He
kissed her gently again.
When she spoke, Elizabeth’s voice sounded shaky.
“Then you do not regret aligning yourself with someone such as
me?”
“Elizabeth, I sought your attention for nearly a
year; desperation and depression were regularly my company. Each
night I dreamed of your loving me, of having your eyes light up
when I entered a room. I dreamed of your desiring me as much as I
desired you. Now, all those dreams come true in you. Aligning
myself with you is the answer to every dream I ever held; how could
you doubt how much I love you?”
“But what of Georgiana? Have I not ruined her
reputation as well? We prepare for her coming out, but I darken
your sister’s chances.”
Darcy laughed lightly.“We both know if Georgiana
had her way, her coming out would be postponed indefinitely. She
rejoices in your current condition not totally for our sake. I
suspect your confinement gives my sister joy for her coming out
will need to be delayed another season. Georgiana will be accepted
no matter what our situation. People in the ton respect
money. Georgiana comes from money—she will succeed remarkably.
Plus, under your tutelage my sister develops a confidence she never
possessed. I am sure she would never question my choice in marrying
you.”
“My brother’s right, Elizabeth.” They both spun
around to find Georgiana standing tall and majestic in her
confidence. “My aunt’s bitterness should never make you question
your worth to Fitzwilliam or to me.You touch our lives in so many
ways; you cannot suspect we have any regrets.You brought life to
Pemberley.”
Elizabeth continued to sob throughout this
exchange, but now the tears were those of joy rather than despair.
She rushed to Georgiana’s arms.“Thank you, Georgiana.”
Offering them comfort, Darcy now moved to encompass
both women in his embrace. “A man of lesser fortune would be
wealthy to have the two of you in his life.”
After several minutes, Darcy encouraged them to
return to the house. “Would you object to my foregoing the rest of
the evening with your family and returning to our rooms instead?”
Elizabeth pleaded for privacy.
“I will go with you,” Georgiana offered. Elizabeth
nodded, and Darcy agreed.
Elizabeth caressed his cheek as they parted. “Thank
you, Fitzwilliam.”
“I shall not be long, my Love. See to her,
Georgiana,” he whispered to his sister before they ascended the
staircase leading to the guest rooms.
“Fitzwilliam, how is Mrs. Darcy?” asked Lady
Matlock when he reentered the room alone.
“Georgiana is with her. My wife begs your
forgiveness for leaving the gathering early.” Darcy’s breeding took
over his reactions. He moved to Edward’s side. “How are you dealing
with this?”
“The prospects of returning to Rosings any time
soon does not play well on my disposition at the moment.”
“Then you and Anne will extend your stay at
Matlock?”
“Indefinitely,” Edward added while viewing Lady
Pennington’s civilities to Anne. “Anne will need to recoup her
resolve before facing our aunt again.”
“Do not stay away from Rosings too long, Edward.
Her Ladyship will plot to keep the property upon your marriage; you
must be there to prevent her deceit.Would Anne consider an earlier
date for your marriage? It would resolve some of your
issues.”
Edward shook his head in disbelief. “You are
probably right, Darcy. The depth of Lady Catherine’s evil amazes
me. How can she be the sister of your dear mother and my father?
How can she abuse her daughter in the name of love?”
Darcy leaned in to share his private beliefs. “Do
not allow Lady Catherine to stay on the estate. Place her in London
or
better yet in Vienna or Paris. Keep her away from Anne. Our aunt
will never stop until she has her way in this family.”
“I fear you are correct, and that grieves me so. I
will speak to my father; his support will lend viability to the
solution. Now, if you will excuse me, Anne needs me as Elizabeth
needed you.”
“Of course.” Darcy bowed to his cousin.
Edward and Lady Pennington helped Anne to her feet
and led her toward her quarters. Captain Rutherford, thankfully,
made a quiet exit when the ruckus started.The Matlocks and Lord
Pennington conferred privately in the corner.
Darcy scanned the room, finding Kitty huddled in a
chair in the corner. Her eyes were down, but he could see sobs
shook her retracted shoulders. Until of late, Darcy had very little
interaction with his wife’s sister, his earlier opinions of Kitty
Bennet tied closely to those he knew of Lydia. Darcy watched Kitty
and Lydia as they chased after the members of the -shire stationed
at Meryton, and he thought them to be quite silly and lacking in
common proprieties.
Now, he saw his wife’s sister as a young woman hurt
by his aunt’s words. What Lady Catherine said to him and to
Elizabeth affected Kitty as well, so Darcy moved to sit beside her.
He slid his arm around the girl’s shoulders, and Kitty surprised
him by collapsing against him and allowing her tears to flow freely
now. For a moment, Kitty reminded him of Elizabeth. “Miss
Bennet—Kitty.” Darcy brushed her hair from her face as he spoke to
her softly, encouraging her to trust him.
Finally, Darcy made out some of her words between
the sobs. “Mr. Darcy—thank you for loving Lizzy—I was wrong—I do
not want to be like Lydia—we brought you such mortifications—can
you forgive us?”
“Kitty.” Darcy pulled the girl closer. “It is I who
should apologize to you; it is my family who crossed the line of
civilities tonight. I am sorry to see you suffer.”
Kitty pulled herself upright and looked Darcy in
the eyes. He saw the shift of her shoulders, obviously, a Bennet
trait. “Mr. Darcy, I am ashamed I once believed you to be prideful
and haughty.”
“It seems your sister’s earliest opinions of me
permeated the whole family,” he laughed lightly.“But I was just
thinking something similar; I used to believe you to be very much
like your youngest sister. Now, I see traces of my Elizabeth in
you.” Darcy cupped Kitty’s chin when she started to drop her eyes
again.
“Lydia brought much shame on our family. Our Uncle
Gardiner paid dearly to save her foolish name, as well as ours. In
Meryton, some people no longer speak to Mary and me. I hoped in
coming to Pemberley, I could leave that behind.”
“Reputations are not something we can buy, Kitty;
you must earn them with exemplary actions, and even then, some of
lesser consequence, but more wealth, will set themselves in
judgment.You must know in your heart your actions speak of your
purity.”
His words did not bring Kitty the comfort Darcy
hoped. Her tears flowed again, and after several awkward moments,
she finally confessed,“But I once allowed Mr. Denney to kiss me!”
She blurted out her confession without much forethought.
Darcy gently brushed the tears away with his
already damp handkerchief. “What you allowed was not the end of the
world, although I would never encourage such actions. Yet, what
liberties Lydia allowed Mr.Wickham showed her lack of regard for
you and all your sisters. I know if Mr. Denney demanded more of
you, you would never participate, especially if you knew it could
hurt your whole family.”
“Of course not, Mr. Darcy,” Kitty exclaimed a bit
too loudly. She dropped her voice after looking around to see if
anyone noticed.“I was just curious what it would feel like.”
“And how did it feel, Kitty?” Darcy wondered about
the workings of the young female mind.
“Mr. Denney’s beard scratched my face, and his
breath smelled of port and cigar smoke. It was not what I expected;
my novels describe a more pleasant experience.” Kitty felt foolish
for having believed such romantic notions.
Darcy chuckled again at Kitty’s naïveté. “Do you
know Elizabeth kissed me several times before we were married?” A
short gasp told him Kitty never expected Elizabeth allowed him such
privileges. “Of course, we already set a date for our marriage when
this occurred. However, I know from my friend, Mrs. Bingley did not
allow him more than the holding of hands.”
“Jane would never cross the line of propriety.”
Kitty did not appear surprised by this news.
“As I see you to be more like Elizabeth—more
passionate—more feelings in your interactions, I share this with
you so you see there is no true standard. Do you see Elizabeth as
any less proper than your sister Jane?”
“Most certainly not! Elizabeth is all what a lady
should be!”
“Both Mrs. Bingley and my Elizabeth did what was
best for them—they neither hurt their family and both have a clear
conscious. That is what you see when you look into their faces—the
purity of their actions and the purity of their hearts. Do you
understand what I am trying to tell you?”
“Lydia hides her actions with too much face paint
and too many ribbons on her bonnet,” she said with some
conviction.
“Quality—not quantity—is the standard.”
Kitty looked about sheepishly. “Mr. Darcy, may I
ask you something else?”
“Of course, Miss Bennet.”
“Mr. Ashford, before we left Pemberley, asked if he
might call on me when I returned.Would you speak to him on my
behalf?”
“Do you wish for Mr. Ashford to make such calls?”
Darcy seemed amused.
“I reflected on it for the past several days. I
would like to get to know Mr.Ashford better.” Kitty hoped she did
not seem too forward for Darcy’s standards.
“I will speak to Elizabeth tomorrow, and we will
determine what is best for your future. I must say Mr.Ashford seems
like a sensible young man.” Darcy’s approval brought Kitty
joy.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
“Are you ready to retire for the evening? If so, it
would be my honor to escort you to your room.” Darcy offered
Elizabeth’s sister his arm.
Kitty stood and took his arm, happy to be accepted
as part of his family.At the top of the stairs, she turned to him
one last time.“May I be allowed one last question?”
Darcy’s smile showed no annoyance with Kitty’s
entreaties. “Certainly.”
“When you first kissed Elizabeth, what was it
like?”
The laughter came easily this time, and Darcy half
teased her when he said,“Of course, your sister had no beard, and
she did not smell of cigars or port, so my experience was more
pleasurable than the one you described.”
A pout took Kitty’s lips. “Do not tease me, Mr.
Darcy. I really want to know.”
“Very well, Miss Bennet.” He started by looking
away and visualizing the moment.“Your sister just agreed to be my
wife. Elizabeth tilted her head to look up at me, and I knew I
could do nothing else. It was exciting, breathless, and
exhilarating—all the things one would expect when two people are in
love, but it was more than that; it was as if I was coming home—it
was where I belonged. I guess it was very much like those novels of
which you are so fond.”
“I knew it had to be better than Mr. Denney. Mary
said all kisses are purely to lead to sins against God’s will.”
Kitty’s astonishment showed with the enthusiasm in her tone.
“Your sister Mary is more devout than most of us,
but I will
share one more insight. If there is a Heaven on earth, mine lies
in your sister Elizabeth. Now, we spoke beyond what a married man
should say to his wife’s sister; I will see you in the morning,
Kitty.”
Kitty dropped him a curtsy before giving Darcy a
large smile and heading to her room. Darcy chuckled in watching her
go. I hope my child is a son, he thought. Another female
in my household may be more than I can handle.
With that, he returned to his rooms. Georgiana left
when she saw him come in. “I gave her some chamomile tea to help
her rest. Elizabeth says she waits for you to join her before she
sleeps.”
The description he just offered Kitty of their
first kiss came back quickly to his mind’s eye.“I will go to her
soon.”
Once alone, Darcy stayed in the sitting room,
exhausted by the pretense he played. He did not know how long he
sat there staring at the dying embers in the fireplace.
“Will you not come to bed, my Husband?” Lost in his
own thoughts, Darcy jumped at the sound of Elizabeth’s voice.
“How can you still want me there after the public
humiliation my family caused you tonight?” Darcy could not take his
eyes from the woman he loved.
Elizabeth, likewise, sought assurances from him
once again. “How can you still want to be there after the
mortifications my family cost you?”
In a second, Darcy crossed the room and violently
pulled her to him, grasping her so tightly Elizabeth could hardly
breathe.“My Love, do not leave me.”
“I can go nowhere—you are my everything,
Fitzwilliam. My life lacks purpose without you there.”
Darcy kissed her, demanding Elizabeth’s love,
branding her as his; he never felt such need to possess her. Once
he thought he might never know her love, but now he fully
understood
the depth with which Elizabeth loved him. He could not lose her;
Elizabeth must continue to love him.
“Let us go to bed. I need you where nothing comes
between us.”
Darcy picked her up; Elizabeth snuggled into his
chest.“My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth,” he spoke softly into her
hair,“with you, I am finally home.”
Chadwick Harrison, like many of the Matlocks’
neighbors, arrived at the estate in the late afternoon. Nearly a
month had passed since he last saw Georgiana Darcy, and the man
missed the sweetness of the woman, but when he found her, a naval
officer kept her company.
“Mr. Harrison,” Georgiana said, looking up from the
pianoforte when he entered the music room, “it is pleasant to see
you again.” She stood and made her curtsy, but the woman emerging
in her never took her eyes from Harrison’s countenance.
Harrison made her the proper bow. “Miss Darcy, you
are looking well. I have not seen them yet, but I assume your
family is in health.” Georgiana shot the captain a furtive glance.
All those present at last night’s fiasco pretended no such
confrontation occurred. The captain, the only other person in the
room at the time of Lady Catherine’s attack on her family members,
chose to ignore the issue in deference to his allegiance to Lord
and Lady Pennington.
“They are, Sir. My family wishes to renew its
acquaintance with you.” Georgiana offered Mr. Harrison an endearing
smile. Turning to the officer she added, “May I introduce Captain
James Rutherford.”
“Captain Rutherford.” Harrison made the man an
obligatory bow.“I am pleased to meet any friend of Miss
Darcy’s.”
“Mr. Harrison,” the captain acknowledged the man
with a like bow. Sensing Georgiana wished to speak to Mr. Harrison
privately, the captain excused himself. “Miss Darcy, I hope you do
me the honor of a dance set this evening.”
Georgiana felt uncomfortable. For the past several
days, she accepted the captain’s attention, but now with Mr.
Harrison in the room, she no longer wanted the captain’s regard,
but she saw no way out. If she refused the captain his dance,
Georgiana would have to sit out the rest of the evening, and
Georgiana wanted to dance with Chadwick Harrison. “It would be my
pleasure.” She smiled briefly at Rutherford before he exited.
Georgiana moved from the instrument bench to a
settee, and Harrison followed her there.“Has your time at Hines
Park been productive, Sir?” Georgiana asked politely once they were
seated.
“It has, Miss Darcy. I am anxious to speak to your
brother during the evening; I have questions to which I hope he has
answers. Plus, I wish to extend a dinner invitation to your family
while you are in the area.”
“I would enjoy seeing your estate, Mr. Harrison.”
Georgiana dropped her eyes before they met his.
“My estate is progressing. I would like your
opinion of it. I value your opinion, Miss Darcy.” Harrison hoped to
say more, but his promise to Mrs. Darcy prevented that.The sexual
tension made them uncomfortable, and they fought valiantly against
the emotions trying to surface. When Harrison first met Georgiana
Darcy there was an instant attraction, but in his first estimation,
he considered her to be naïve. His weeks at Pemberley proved his
initial opinion to be in error. Miss Darcy possessed an independent
spirit hidden by the beauty of her face. Harrison found during
those weeks with Georgiana he could socialize without the pressure
of mating or remain silent without censure.This contradiction
confused him at first; now he welcomed it.
Noticing they were actually alone, the couple fell
silent. Finally, Harrison said, “I missed my conversations with
your
family, Miss Darcy. Hines Park is sadly without the fulfillment I
found at Pemberley.” Harrison looked around to make sure no one
could observe or hear him. “Miss Darcy.” she turned to look at him
as he lowered his voice.“Please excuse my impropriety when I tell
you I missed you.”
“Mr. Harrison,” Georgiana said, blushing deeply,
“although I cannot accept your lack of proper manners, I do accept
your words most willingly.”
Harrison said nothing else; he wanted to tell
Georgiana he loved her, but he made progress; therefore, he turned
his attention to other matters. When the time came, Harrison knew
Georgiana Darcy would, at least, listen to his plea. “How long have
you known the captain?”
“Only about a week—he is an acquaintance of my
guardian Colonel Fitzwilliam; the captain is a guest in the house
of my mother’s cousins, Lord and Lady Pennington.When I first met
him, I thought you two were familiar because the captain asked me
many questions about you.”
“Did he now? What did the captain want to know?”
Harrison’s interest peaked.
“Nothing in particular which I recall—the captain
just wanted to know my opinion of you.” Georgiana felt somehow she
betrayed Mr. Harrison.
Although concerned about the captain’s questions,
Harrison did not want to alarm Georgiana.“I hope, Miss Darcy, you
were able to offer the captain a good report on my behalf.”
Georgiana laughed lightly, and Harrison’s heart
skipped a beat. “I found several good things to share with him.”
Georgiana looked at Harrison and smiled. He thought he could spend
the rest of his life sitting on this settee with this woman.
“Like the captain, I hope you save at least one
dance set for me this evening.”
“I will look forward to it.” Georgiana’s voice
broke with anticipation.
Harrison knew he treaded the line with his words,
but he also implored, “Would I be too forward if I ask you to
double my pleasure this evening and not only consider a second set
with me but a place by my side when we go in to dinner?”
“My brother may object,” Georgiana offered, “but I
will save you the set before dinner is served, but that means I
must dance with others first.”
Harrison would not take pleasure in watching
Georgiana dance with the captain and others, but the prospect of
sharing her company over dinner allowed him tolerance. “I
understand, Miss Darcy.”
Knowing they should spend no more time alone,
Georgiana suggested they find Kitty. “I am sure Miss Bennet will
want to save you a dance set this evening, as will my sister
Elizabeth.”