Darcy's Temptation (14 page)

Harrison, too, snapped to a more acceptable form of address. “Unfortunately, Miss Darcy, they lacked much of what you and your sister accomplished at Pemberley.”

By that time, Darcy came to greet them. “Ladies, your sister wishes to return to her home soon,” Darcy said to Georgiana and Kitty.“Are you ready to join her?”

“I am sorry to delay your departure,” Harrison politely begged Darcy's pardon.

“It is I, Mr. Harrison, who took too much of your time.” Georgiana knew Harrison would not complain.

“I am not seeking to apply blame,” Darcy stated.“Elizabeth tires easily now, and she wishes to depart soon.That is all I wish to imply.”

“Then we must leave you, Mr. Harrison.” Kitty judiciously took his arm to return to the waiting carriage.

Darcy offered his sister his own arm, and she gave him an appealing smile. “You appear very content, Georgiana.” Darcy looked closely at his sister.

“Like Elizabeth, I am content to be returning to my home.” Her words hid the fact that from now on, her dreams would be associated with this garden and this estate.

Jane Austen,
Persuasion
, 1817

For a week the Darcys enjoyed their return to Pemberley without interruptions of their time or their peace. Without houseguests, they could set their own schedules and their own interests. Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana returned to regularly scheduled time to deal with estate business.The ladies did not ride out as did Darcy and Mr. Howard, but they did address issues with the tenants.

“Do you not think we should also set up a regular schedule for visiting the tenants?” Georgiana asked as they sat in Darcy's study, enjoying an unusually sunny early February day.

“You are probably correct,” Elizabeth said. “The tenants need to know we care for their needs, and regularly going among them would help relay that concept. My only concern is as my time comes due, the need for the visits shall fall on your shoulders, and I would not want you to feel the burden of that responsibility alone.”

“Elizabeth, I would enjoy being a part of helping the tenants. It is an area of which I am passionate. In the past, Fitzwilliam would never tolerate my going among them, seeing me as too fragile. Until there was you, my brother considered me too delicate to be involved in the estate. I do not know how you changed his thinking, but I would welcome this as an area of the estate business in which I could be of service.”

“Of course, Kitty or even someone from the household staff could help during my confinement, I suppose,” Elizabeth offered. “If you are sure, Georgiana, then we should look into how we want to approach this endeavor.”

“I am sure, Elizabeth.” Georgiana allowed her eyes to meet her sister's.“It is important to me.”

They continued to work on a tentative schedule for nearly an hour before breaking for some afternoon tea. “We will consult both Fitzwilliam and Mr. Howard,” Elizabeth added as she closed the journal in which she recorded her notes. “We will start our visits at the beginning of the week then.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” Georgiana said as she handed her sister a cup of tea, and they moved to sit across from each other.

Elizabeth looked out the study's windows. “I am looking forward to my first springtime at Pemberley,” she said wistfully.

Absent-mindedly, Georgiana confided, “I am pleased to be here and not in London this year.”

“Will you not miss the society London offers?”

“I shall miss some of the concerts, but not the pressure of London's society toward perfection. I feared being found wanting.” Georgiana's ease in speaking to Elizabeth began when they first met and continued as Elizabeth accepted Georgiana's feelings as legitimate. The young girl needed someone such as her brother's wife in her life, and although Elizabeth was only a few years older than Georgiana, she took on a “motherly” role.“I shall not miss delaying my coming out for the sake of your confinement.” Georgiana gave Elizabeth a huge smile.

“Your brother said as much several days ago,” Elizabeth teased.

Georgiana gasped,“Did he really?”

They sat in companionable silence for several minutes before Georgiana got enough nerve to broach a subject, which had come to life since her meeting with Chadwick Harrison. She began cautiously, “Elizabeth, may I ask you a very personal question?”

“Of course, Georgiana.”

“You and Fitzwilliam have an unusual connection; how did you achieve such openness in such a short time?” Georgiana leaned forward as if to hear the “pearls of wisdom” she expected from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth actually cackled with mirth. “Oh, Georgiana, if you are looking for me to give you such secrets, I am afraid I have none in my possession.” Elizabeth saw disappointment flit across Georgiana's face. “Please believe me,” she added quickly, “if I possessed such wisdom, I would gladly share it with you.You know how dramatic the changes were for your brother, but mine were much more subtle. Of course, I owe it all to my husband.”

Georgiana seemed puzzled.“To Fitzwilliam?”

“Your brother, when he spoke to you of your hopefully finding a man who would not be intimidated by your intelligence, he spoke of a man like himself.” The puzzling look on Georgiana's face amused Elizabeth.

“Does Fitzwilliam believe I should seek a man like him? I am sorry, Elizabeth, but my brother's moodiness would sorely play unfriendly on my nerves.” Georgiana laughed uneasily, fearing she said too much.

“I agree,” Elizabeth joined in the mirth. “I believe your brother and I were destined for each other.We serve in perfect complement to one another.”

“But how did you achieve that complementary relationship? That is what I would like to know.”

“The relationship must be based on absolute trust; you can hide nothing from your mate.Your brother opened himself up to me shortly after I accepted his advances, but it took me longer to achieve such emotional honesty. He expressed his vulnerability in telling me about your parents' love, his shyness, his vision for Pemberley, his intimate thoughts, and his constant need of assurance of my regard. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed,
sometimes I felt protective.Your brother needed so much from a relationship; I often thought I could not satisfy everything he required of me.

“Fitzwilliam wanted me to share everything. I assume because he took care of everything for so long, he needed someone with whom he could entrust some of those responsibilities without worrying about the outcome. Why did we fight so violently before my fall? It was because your brother still held vestiges of total control. Like our courtship, each of us needed my accident and recovery to reach an understanding. We found relief only in sharing—an intrinsic need of being a part of each other.

“The biggest change for me came the day I realized your brother meant more to me than anything else in the world. I no longer thought of my parents and sisters as ‘my family' or Longbourn as ‘my home.' Fitzwilliam became everything I needed and wanted in life. I can honestly say I remember little of my life before your brother. It is as if I did not exist until he loved me.”

Georgiana asked seriously,“So where do I go from here?”

“You must not rush things. Find a man who really listens to you and values your true self.That is not an easy task, but you will be happier than you can imagine. Do not settle for less, Georgiana. If you want my secret, that is it. Fitzwilliam allows my confidence to grow while still being my constant joy.”

Georgiana asked quietly, “Are there many men like my brother?”

“I cannot say,” Elizabeth laughed. “I think, however, what you really ask is Mr. Harrison that type of man?”

Georgiana blushed and diverted her eyes. “I still prefer his company to all others.”

“Time will give you the answers, Georgiana,” Elizabeth added softly. “I know it sounds trite when I say be patient, but it is the key. Do not rush into a relationship.” The women sat
together for some time, sharing the connection in silence before returning to their duties.

 

Kitty Bennet kept herself busy with the renovations for the nursery. At first, disappointment found her when Mr. Ashford did not appear upon her return to Pemberley. However, she learned by accident he traveled to Kympton to administer to the needs of the curate, who took ill. Although she desperately wanted to see him again, knowledge of Mr. Ashford's caring nature sustained her.

So, on an early February afternoon, Mr. Ashford took Kitty by surprise when she espied him walking up the lane to Pemberley. She stood in the nursery watching his stride and mannerisms as he approached the house. Kitty wondered what it would be like to have Clayton Ashford kiss her.Would it be as Mr. Darcy said—like coming home? The cleric seemed nervous, but confident at the same time, and she saw the glint of a smile slip into the corners of his mouth when he looked up at the house. A warmth crept into her being, and Kitty found she had to sit down and gulp for air.“Why do I react this way when I think of Mr.Ashford?” she said out loud.

 

The light tap on Darcy's door announced the presence of Mr. Ashford; the vicar entered the master's study. He had been a guest at Pemberley a few times already, but this time the situation held a difference—a yearning and a need for something intangible. Studying his employer, Ashford thought Mr. Darcy did not look surprised to see him.

“Good afternoon, Sir,” Darcy stood and acknowledged the man,“it has been several weeks since we saw you, Mr. Ashford.”

“I have been in Kympton. Old Mr. Matthews took ill. I planned to call upon you before now, Mr. Darcy.” Ashford shifted uneasily as he took the seat Darcy offered.

“What brings you here this afternoon, Mr. Ashford?” Darcy took his usual seat behind the desk.

Fearing he might lose his nerve if he did not speak quickly, Ashford went directly to the point. “I came today, Sir, to seek your permission to call upon your sister Miss Bennet with the ultimate goal of asking her hand in marriage.” Ashford gasped for air, trying to clear his dry throat after looking into Darcy's formidable eyes.

“I assume you made your intentions known to Miss Bennet.” Darcy amused himself with Ashford's nervousness.

“I have, Sir.”Ashford remained in all seriousness.

Darcy teased,“And she is willing?”

Ashford swallowed hard.“I believe so, Sir.”

“I would act in Mr. Bennet's stead, but, of course, I would seek his consent.” Darcy smiled knowingly. He hoped Mr. Bennet was not as hard on Mr. Ashford as he was initially on Darcy.After a few moments of excoriating silence, Darcy added, “Mr.Ashford, may I speak openly?” Darcy, too, sounded serious.

Ashford sat forward, giving Darcy his full attention. “Certainly, Sir.”

“Our Kitty will not be an easy woman to love, but she will be a jewel for the man who helps her find her true worth. Unfortunately, my wife's mother is a foolish woman who taught her younger daughters that beauty is more important than substance. The result was the youngest daughter ran off with an unsuitable match. We arranged her marriage to save the rest of the family.

“As you may imagine, I do not share this information easily, but if you choose to align yourself with Miss Bennet, you inherit some of the baggage. The other daughters rose above the standards taught by Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Bingley are exceptional women. Mary Bennet is one of the most devout young ladies one could hope to meet; only Lydia selected poorly. My wife and Mrs. Bingley chose to bring Kitty
into our fold. Now that you know her background, Mr. Ashford, do you wish to withdraw your interest in Miss Bennet?” Darcy held the man with his intense gaze.

“Of course not, Mr. Darcy,” Ashford stammered, “but it does explain my initial reaction to Miss Bennet.The batting of the eyes and the pursing of her lips nearly drove me away until I looked beyond those exaggerations.” Darcy chuckled at Ashford's earliest evaluation of Kitty Bennet. “Yet, the more I looked into her eyes, the less chance I had to withdraw. Is that not a mark of a man in love, Mr. Darcy? In Miss Bennet's eyes, I saw the man I want to be.”

Darcy actually laughed out loud this time, shocking and embarrassing Ashford. “I am sorry, Mr. Ashford, your words brought me back to my early days of admiring Mrs. Darcy. I am afraid Elizabeth's
fine eyes
haunted me for many months before I admitted loving her. At least, you eliminated the torture I felt at the time, Sir.”

“Then you hold no objections, Mr. Darcy?” Ashford seemed hopeful.