Darcy's Temptation (64 page)

“I will bring in an extra wet nurse tomorrow,” Darcy said as he rubbed his son's back, waiting for the burp to come. He looked back to Elizabeth. “It is amazing, Elizabeth, how this immense love sweeps over a person when he holds his child for the first time.”

“A baby is a testament to love.”

“In that case,” he teased,“we must be twice as much in love as everyone else.”

“Is everything well with Georgiana?” Elizabeth felt ashamed for not asking sooner.

“My sister will marry Mr. Harrison,” Darcy said at last.“He saved her from Captain Rutherford. Edward and I decided our story would be she came to Hines Park to announce her engagement, and the storm delayed my arrival.”

“You do not intend to tell me what happened?”

“Tomorrow, my Love, I will tell you everything. Edward will bring Mr. Harrison here, along with Georgiana. We need to discuss several things regarding Georgiana and Kitty, but you must be exhausted this evening. My sister and Mr. Harrison are safe; that is what is important.”

As he walked toward the window carrying their child, Elizabeth asked, “Have you considered names for our children, Mr. Darcy?”

“You know me too well, Lizzy.” Darcy laughed at himself. “Before I heard your screams, I took our daughter into my study. I stood at the French doors, and I foolishly showed her the gardens when a thought came to me from my tour on the Continent. In Italy, I discovered the phrase
Dare alla Luce,
which means
give unto the light.”

“Like in the well dressing mosaic?” she teased.

Darcy graciously ignored her taunt. “At first, I considered the name
Lucy,
as a reference to the
light,
but with a son, too, I have come upon a different idea. Traditionally, I should consider naming my son after my father, but our Pemberley breaks
with traditions.
Dare alla Luce—give unto the light.
What do you say to Ella and Lucas?”

“Ella Darcy—Lucas Darcy—not traditional names, but I believe they suit our children.” Elizabeth eased Ella from her breast. “May we put the children safely between us and rest together, Fitzwilliam?”

“Of course, Lizzy; you must be exhausted. I cannot wait for Georgiana to see the babies; she will be so happy.” Darcy looked pleased again.

“You realize, Mr. Darcy, we are likely to be descended upon by various relatives over the next few weeks. When we next have a child, my Love, let us do so in the dead of winter when the roads will prevent travel, then we will have the child to ourselves.” Elizabeth looked about her. She moved Ella next to her in the bed, caressing the baby's face. “Lucas, my son, you must protect your sister.” Elizabeth teasingly rubbed the boy's stomach.

Darcy sat down on the edge of the bed.“Ella, my daughter, you must teach your brother some of your mother's sensibility and your father's foolishness.”

“We will have quite a household,” Elizabeth snickered.

“A year ago there was only Georgiana and I in this house. Now we have added so much more. I have you and the twins. Georgiana will have Mr. Harrison, and we can even consider Kitty and Mr. Ashford.” Darcy stroked Elizabeth's arm as he spoke. Her curls spread out over her pillow, and Darcy enjoyed the intimacy of the scene.

“Then you regret nothing about our life, Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth asked nervously.

“Regrets, my Elizabeth, are the past crippling a person in the present.They are a waste of time.” Darcy caressed her face. “I regret nothing about us, Elizabeth. Nothing at all.”

Jane Austen,
Pride and Prejudice
, 1813

Darcy told Elizabeth all the details of Captain Rutherford's attack on Hines Park, including his intended conquest of Georgiana. “Mr. Harrison used the last of his energies to save Georgiana. They beat the man nearly to death, but his only thought was to save my sister.”

“Captain Rutherford hated Mr. Harrison that much?” Elizabeth readjusted her position in the bed.

“When Mr. Harrison became a designee for Parliament, Captain Rutherford felt the need to step up his resistance. From what I heard from the captain's cronies, they planned to burn Hines Park to the ground, but the storm delayed their efforts. If not for the storm, we may have found the estate in ruins and Mr. Harrison dead. The delay made it easier to overcome the captain's forces because they partook of Harrison's wine cellar too much.”

“Shall the constable take offense?”

“As Edward is the son of the Earl of Matlock, Mr. Harrison headed to Parliament, and Georgiana my sister, I doubt it.”

 

It actually took Edward an extra day to return to Pemberley. The constable had numerous questions, and Chadwick Harrison took a turn for the worse, but they managed to roll into Pemberley early in the morning. Georgiana supervised when
the staff took Mr. Harrison into the house. She gave orders to Mrs. Reynolds about his care. “I expect someone to tend to Mr. Harrison's needs immediately.”

Mrs. Reynolds laughed with amusement. “Yes, Miss Georgiana,” she said while thinking how grown up the girl suddenly became.

 

Georgiana knocked on Elizabeth's door, excited about the news of the babies. “Come,” Elizabeth called, knowing her sister would visit immediately upon her return.

“Elizabeth.” Georgiana came rushing to her side. “I missed you so.”

They embraced as Elizabeth took in the confidence the girl showed.“I missed you also.” She touched her sister's face.“Did he hurt you?” Elizabeth asked tentatively.

“I was frightened, but I knew somehow Mr. Harrison would come for me.The captain, I believe, was surprised by my resourcefulness. I do not think he ever judged me to have any grit.” Georgiana seemed proud of herself.

“Then he did not know the true you,” Elizabeth added with a smile. Hannah and one of the wet nurses entered, carrying the twins. “Now, my dear Sister, let me introduce you to your niece and nephew.” Georgiana giggled with anticipation. Hannah placed the girl in Georgiana's arms. Her son became Elizabeth's. “Georgiana, may I introduce Ella Jane Darcy and Lucas Edward Darcy.”

“I love the names,” Georgiana squealed. She turned back the blanket to look at her niece, gently touching the fuzzy soft baby hair.“She looks like you, Elizabeth.”

“Then let me show you your brother reincarnated.” Elizabeth seemed pleased when she turned back the blanket on her son.“Fitzwilliam can never deny this child.”

Georgiana stepped over to the bed to see her nephew up close. “An heir for Pemberley,” she said softly as she touched
the child's head.“Fitzwilliam must be ecstatic.”

“Your brother does seem quite pleased with himself—as if he planned it this way. I believe Fitzwilliam discovered love is not thunder's flash but something more subdued and mellow.”

“A melodious harmony,” Georgiana finished Elizabeth's thought.

“Exactly,” Elizabeth added,“one logical progression.”

 

Darcy and Edward met in the study. “The constable finally questioned Mr. Harrison. His retelling of Rutherford's attack coincided with what I told the man earlier, and no legal action will be taken against us. Rutherford's men are a different story. Harrison's servants are restoring the house; two of his staff were laid to rest yesterday. Unfortunately, Mr. Harrison had some complications due to the number of times Rutherford beat him so Georgiana and I attended the rites in his place. I thought it best for Georgiana to be seen taking on the responsibilities as mistress of the estate.”

“As usual, Edward, you are thorough in your assessment of the situation.” Darcy showed his disapproval.

“Accept it, Fitz,” Edward offered a gentle warning. “You may insist on a longer engagement, but Georgiana chose Mr. Harrison for her own, and like you with Elizabeth she is determined to have her way. It is one of those damnable Darcy traits in which you so often take pride.”

Darcy shrugged his shoulders as if he did not like relinquishing control of his sister's future.“I suppose I have no choice.”

“Good,” Edward added with finality.“I do have other news.”

Darcy seemed less interested.“And that would be?”

Edward slid Darcy's insignia ring across the desk.

Darcy picked it up, examining it closely. “Where did you get this?”

“From off Captain Rutherford's finger.” Edward hoped to solve the mystery. “Georgiana says you never take it off; you
had the ring on when you left for Hull, but I do not recall seeing it when we found you in Brigg.”

Darcy leaned back in his chair, holding the ring close where he could see it. Images filled his eyes.

 

 

“Rutherford was one of my attackers!” Darcy's voice held confusion.“He planned my attack.”

Edward continued with the mystery. “Do you remember what the captain said when we forced our way into the bedchamber?”

With disbelief laced through his voice, Darcy whispered the words reverently. “Mr. Darcy, you are a hard man to kill.” He shook his head in bewilderment.“
Honi soit qui mal y pense.
”
⁵

“Evil to him who thinks evil,” the colonel translated. “Very appropriate.Thank God the man failed in both his attempts.”

“Yes,” Darcy spoke quietly. “Now both Mr. Harrison and I have a chance for a brighter future.” Both men sat contemplating what might have been. Eventually, Darcy changed the atmosphere found in the room. “Before you leave for Bath, Edward, you must come to the nursery and meet
my future.
”

“I told you Elizabeth would make you happy, Fitz.”

“All right, Edward,” Darcy warned jokingly,“I will learn to listen to your advice. I bow to your intuition. Now, come and see how I polluted the shades of Pemberley.”

“You remember, Darcy?”

“I remember, Edward. Most of it came back over the last few weeks. I sat watching Elizabeth, worrying about her—learning to love her again, and the memories came sneaking back in. At first, I thought them to be my dreams, but later I knew otherwise.”

Edward embraced his cousin. “You deserve happiness, Fitz. Now, I must see these children. It will bedevil Lady Catherine when I rant and rave about them.”

“Have you made arrangements to send her Ladyship away?” Darcy asked as they crossed to the doorway.

“When my commission expires next week, I will make arrangements for Anne and me to holiday in Italy.While there, I will let a small villa for our aunt. Do you suppose Italy to be far enough from Rosings?” Edward's sly smile lit up the room.

“Maybe you should consider India or even China.” Darcy's mood improved. “In a little over a fortnight you will be married as well, and then you may begin your own family.”

Edward laughed,“You have a head start.”

“It is not a competition,” Darcy reasoned.

Edward placed his arm around Darcy's shoulder as they climbed the staircase. “Everything we ever did was a competition, Fitz. Do you suppose we could change our stripes?”

“Tigers never do,” Darcy laughed.

Edward laughed, too.“No, tigers never do.”

 

Georgiana snuck into Mr. Harrison's room in the late afternoon. “Mr. Harrison,” she spoke quietly as she came close to the bed. “I brought something for you to see.” Georgiana sat on the edge of the bed.

Harrison's eyes slid open; he tried to smile at Georgiana. “Miss Darcy,” he said through the laudanum, “you should not be here unchaperoned.”

“I brought my own chaperone.” Georgiana leaned down closer to show him the bundle she carried in her arms.“This is my niece Ella Jane Darcy. Is she not beautiful?”

It took a few seconds for Harrison to refocus his eyes on the child.“She favors Mrs. Darcy,” he said at last.“Is Mr. Darcy disappointed not to have a son?”

“That is the beauty of it all; Elizabeth had twins. I will bring Lucas to see you later.” Georgiana's eyes danced with happiness.