Darcy's Temptation (6 page)

“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Howard picked up the account ledgers for the estate.“Is there anything else, Sir?”

“No, thank you, Mr. Howard.” The man bowed to each of the family members and then exited. Darcy came from around the desk. “Well, Georgiana,” he teased, “I see I can retire tomorrow as Master of Pemberley.”

“Do not tease me, Fitzwilliam. I was shaking throughout that exchange.” Georgiana held out her hands to show him how they twitched.

Elizabeth came to sit beside her. “Georgiana, you were very mature in your thinking. I was quite impressed.”

Georgiana still seemed unsure.“Were you, Elizabeth?”

“Exceptionally so.” Elizabeth squeezed the girl's hand.“You and I will make a formidable pair.” Elizabeth looked up and winked at Darcy.

“You were very insightful,” he added. “Tomorrow, if the weather permits, I would like for the three of us to ride out and begin to examine the estate together.”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana stood and straightened her dress. “I think I will go practice for a while. I promised Anne we would work on some music together. She wants us to play when she and Edward announce their engagement.”

“Then we will see you later, Sweet One,” he said as Georgiana exited.

Darcy's attention now turned back to his wife. “Do not look so smug, Mrs. Darcy.” He pulled Elizabeth into his arms. “No one likes a prideful woman,” he whispered into her ear as he kissed the side of her neck.

“Nor a prideful man,” Elizabeth added as she allowed her lips to lightly brush against his.

Darcy breathed in deeply. “Wait here,” he told her as he crossed to close and lock the study door.

“Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth allowed her voice to rise in anticipation.

Darcy returned to her embrace, basking in the warmth of her affection. “Yes, my Love?”

An inviting smile convinced Darcy that lifting Elizabeth into his arms and sitting her on his lap would receive her approval. Cradling her there, he first traced her lips, then along the line of her dress, with his fingertips.“Do you love me, Elizabeth?” he murmured in her ear.

She captured his lips with a demanding response. “How could you think otherwise?”

Darcy slid his hand up her leg and became intoxicated by the small gasps Elizabeth emitted. The touch of his hand brought a quick rise in her desires; his touch left her wanting more intense sensations.

“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth could barely speak his name as shudders ran through her body. “You are incorrigible, Sir,” she stammered.

“And you are too tempting, my Love.” Darcy slowly removed his hand from her leg.

Yet Elizabeth was not finished with him; she began to kiss along his chin line.“Would you like to join me on the floor?”

“I may need more encouragement,” he teased.

Elizabeth stood briefly, turning to lean down and kiss his upturned face, kissing him deeply and passionately while enticing his lips apart. She withdrew reluctantly, but her mouth hovered above his.“I will ask you again, Sir, if the floor has not some appeal for you?”

Darcy swallowed hard, trying to refocus.Then, instinctively, he stood long enough to lower them both to the floor. “I love you more than life, Lizzy.”

At dinner that evening, Mr. Ashford returned to Pemberley. Kitty Bennet boldly placed him across from her at the place settings. Ashford felt more comfortable being in the company of those gathered at Pemberley than previously.The pleasure of again seeing Kitty Bennet haunted his thoughts most of the day, and being allowed to take her hand when going into dinner nearly undid his composure. Pockets of conversation broke out about the table. Georgiana and Jane discussed a book they both read. Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle entertained the Gardiner children. Bingley felt it his duty to chaperone the interchange between his wife's sister Kitty and the young vicar Mr. Ashford. Darcy spoke extensively to his cousins Edward and Anne.

“Have you finalized your travel plans, Edward?”

“Anne and I will travel to my parents' estate at the end of the week. My parents' anniversary party will be the night of the next full moon. Anne and I will formally announce our engagement that evening as all our dear family will be in attendance. You and Elizabeth will attend, shall you not, Darcy?”

“Unless something would happen with Elizabeth's delivery, I see no reason we could not attend.” Darcy caught his wife's eyes with a promise of continuing passion.

“I do not wish to change your mind, Darcy. You are one of my best friends, as well as my cousin, but I must remind you Lady Catherine will, obviously, be in attendance.”

“I appreciate your concern, Edward, but I welcome my aunt's presence on your behalf.”

Anne whispered,“I hope my mother is as gracious.”

“Do not concern yourself, Anne.” Darcy lightly touched her hand. “Even Lady Catherine should see Edward's love is the best choice you could make.”

Anne dropped her eyes rather than respond, but all three knew Lady Catherine's fury was not easily assuaged.

“Darcy,” Bingley called out to get his friend's attention.

“Yes, Bingley?”

“Have you heard Mr. Ashford's plans for a village school?” Bingley's eyes lit up.“It is fascinating.”

“Really, pray tell, Mr.Ashford.” Darcy leveled one of his looks on the man, and the vicar shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Of course,” Ashford stumbled a bit at first, “that is, if you approve, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy nodded at Ashford's acknowledgment of his position in the community.

“Many of the larger villages establish a village school to educate the children of the area. If a community wishes to grow and to prosper, it needs citizens who are at least minimally educated. How can you, for example, get your tenants to understand the need for a balance between nature and agriculture if they know nothing about the need to conserve the land or to rotate the crops? I believe a school will benefit the community, and I seek your support in this endeavor, Mr. Darcy.” Ashford did not break his gaze as he engaged Darcy, a fact Darcy admired in the man.

“You certainly have enough books you could donate to the school.” Bingley liked the idea.

“If we choose to open such a school,” Darcy guarded his words carefully, “I am sure some books could be procured for it. Mr. Ashford, why do we not plan on meeting later in the week to discuss what you envision, and then we will decide what we can or cannot support.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We appreciate the opportunity to speak to you on this matter.”Ashford played the humble card.

Kitty started to say something, but the look both Bingley and Ashford shot her told Kitty this was not the time. Darcy would decide without encouragement from her, but Kitty thought if she got the chance she would ply Elizabeth on Mr. Ashford's behalf.

As conversations resumed, Edward turned again to Darcy. “When shall you arrive at my parents' estate?”

“Elizabeth, Georgiana, Kitty, and I will travel to Nottingham and stay with Lord and Lady Pennington for a few days prior to arriving at Matlock.We will come a day or two before the party, depending on Pennington's availability.”

“I have not seen Lady Pennington in some time,”Anne added.

“Elizabeth and I met them by accident when we were in London. Her Ladyship took quite a liking to my wife. Plus, it will do Georgiana and Kitty well to socialize with other young people at the Penningtons' and at Matlock.”

Edward confirmed,“I will convey your plans to my mother and father.”

“I wrote to Lord Pennington earlier today to request the honor of joining them prior to the party. I should hear from him before you and Anne leave us.” Despite his early protest to the contrary, Darcy liked playing host to those he loved.

 

When the men rejoined the women after dinner, Georgiana and Anne played numerous songs to the delight of everyone. Elizabeth gifted them with two vocals before returning to her seat beside Darcy.

“That was beautiful, Elizabeth,” he whispered to her as he kissed the back of her hand.

“You are prejudiced on my side, I believe, Sir.” Elizabeth touched his cheek tenderly.

“The first time I heard you sing at Lucas Lodge, the clarity of your voice sliced through me. I stood with my eyes closed, taking in your joy for life. I was deeply disappointed when you chose not to continue.”

“Then you offered to dance with me.”

“Which you promptly refused,” Darcy reminded her.

Elizabeth took his hand in hers. “I do sorely wish we were more reasonable in those days.”

“As long as we are never apart again.” Darcy massaged the inside of her wrist with his fingertips, an action she always found to be exceedingly erotic.

“I plan to grow old with you, my Love.” Elizabeth squeezed his knee and slid her fingertips up the inside of his thigh when no one looked on. His quick intake of air brought a sly smile to her face.

Jane Austen,
Northanger Abbey
, 1817

Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Gardiner joined Elizabeth in what would become the baby's nursery. “This room has not been used since Miss Georgiana was born,” Mrs. Reynolds said, touching some of the delicate items found there.

“Much of it is dated and not usable,” Mrs. Gardiner added. “Some items are rotting, unfortunately.”

“I do not mind the fact some items are dated, but I would prefer quality to quantity. My tastes tend to be less ornate than what I see here.” Elizabeth walked around the room, lightly touching the items, very much as she did that first day back in London at Kensington Place.

“So, where do we start, Elizabeth?” her aunt asked.“Do you have a vision for the nursery?”

“I really have no idea; this is not an area in which I excel.” Elizabeth sat down in frustration. “However, I cannot just ignore the need to have things as I would like them to be. It will be the place where my child will spend a great deal of its time.”

Hearing their voices, Kitty came through the open door. “What a lovely room,” she gushed.“Will this be the nursery?”

“That is what we planned, but I have no idea where to begin.” Elizabeth looked about in disbelief.

“Well, I would start with the drapes on that window. That heavy fabric blocks all the light. Something lighter, maybe in
yellow—would be better.” Kitty walked about the room, moving items here and there.

Mrs. Gardiner smiled at Elizabeth, who nodded to Mrs. Reynolds. “Kitty,” Elizabeth began, “do you have other ideas about what we might do in here?”

“Of course, if it were my child's nursery, I would remove this dark carpeting. I saw a rug in an East Wing guest room, which would work perfectly in this room. The pattern was more playful. I would keep the crib, naturally, but a new mattress is needed. I would trim it with lighter colors—white lace and yellow ribbons. I love this little brush, though. It is exquisite.” Kitty's excitement grew as she envisioned the necessary changes.

“Ladies, it sounds like we need to put our Katherine in charge of the renovations in this room. Would you like that, Kitty?” Elizabeth came to stand in front of her younger sister.

“Do you mean it, Elizabeth?”

“I would like for you to check with me or Mrs. Reynolds first, but you may move items in some of the unused rooms, add paint, order some new fabric or other needed items.”

Kitty's pleasure showed. “You are trusting me with your child's nursery?”

“Remember Mr. Darcy has discerning tastes—nothing ostentatious,” Mrs. Gardiner cautioned.

“I promise,Aunt Gardiner. I will make wise choices.”

“Then we should try it.” Elizabeth spoke with more confidence.

Kitty spun her sister around in circles. “How can I ever thank you, Lizzy?”

 

A few days later, Darcy sent for Kitty to come to his study. Although Darcy always treated her well, he still intimidated Kitty; she never abandoned her original opinion of the haughty, prideful gentleman.“Did you wish to see me, Mr. Darcy?”

“Please come in and have a seat for a moment.” He came around the desk to sit across from her.

“Have I done something to displease you, Sir?” Kitty felt like a schoolgirl being reprimanded.

Darcy laughed.“Is that what you thought? I am sorry if you were concerned. I heard from your father, and he approved of your staying with us at Pemberley. I spoke to Elizabeth and she is very pleased with your suggestions for the nursery. She feels your talents lie in art or design, and I promised my wife I would secure tutors for you to enhance that talent, as well as to improve your studies. Mr. Thompson will come to you three days per week. He will supervise your drawing lessons and teach you languages.We have an extensive library at Pemberley of which Elizabeth and I would like to see you take advantage. Elizabeth says you are familiar with the pianoforte, but playing music is not to your taste.”