Darcy's Temptation (66 page)

“Mrs. Darcy.” A woman rushed over to speak to Elizabeth. The woman made Elizabeth a perfect curtsy. “We be thankin' ye Mistress for thinkin' of us in yur time of happiness. I brung ye somethin' for the babes.” She thrust two wooden rattles in Elizabeth's hand.“Me son carved 'em himself.”

“Thank you for your goodness, Mrs. Fleming. Mr. Darcy and I are pleased you are here today. Enjoy the activities.” Elizabeth touched the woman's hand before moving on. She placed the rattles on a blanket holding various gifts designed for the children.

Darcy came up behind her and lightly touched her waist. Elizabeth turned to look up at him; she caressed his jaw line as she gifted Darcy with a gigantic smile. “Mrs. Reynolds is bringing the children down from the nursery, my Love.”

“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.” Darcy scanned the area.

“The day is perfect.”

“I am pleased to see you wearing my mother's necklace; you have not worn it since our wedding.” Darcy's eyes drifted
down Elizabeth's body. “You are very beautiful today.” He whispered in her ear.

“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth leaned in close and lowered her voice, “if I did not know better, I would think you had unchaste ideas.”

Darcy gave her a mysterious smile.“I miss you, Mrs. Darcy.”

“And I you, Sir.” Elizabeth blushed with her boldness as she examined his physique closely.

His breath came shallower.“Then maybe. . . .”

Elizabeth touched his lips with her fingertips.“Not maybe,” she whispered again.“Definitely.”

“I love you, Elizabeth.” Seeing her wearing his mother's necklace made Darcy feel very possessive, and a surge of need rushed through him.

“Shall I expect this reaction each time I wear this necklace?” Elizabeth smiled, watching his eyes fill with desire.

“Definitely,” he teased.

Elizabeth taunted,“Then I will wear it and nothing else.”

“Not fair, Lizzy.” Darcy nearly moaned.

She pursed her lips.“Touché, my Love—
definitely
not fair.”

 

Mrs. Reynolds and Hannah brought down the children and handed them to Darcy and Elizabeth. They took a dominant position on a slight incline. Standing very close to each other in a show of solidarity, they waited for the crowd to gather around. Georgiana helped Mr. Harrison, who still struggled, although his progress was evident to everyone. Elizabeth motioned for Kitty and Mr.Ashford to come forward also.

Darcy cleared his throat as the gathered masses moved even closer. He hated speaking at any type of gathering beyond one of a few close friends. Elizabeth, sensing his discomfort, edged closer, allowing her fingers to caress his arm in the guise of shifting the baby in hers. Darcy glanced down at her when her touch awakened a knowledge he was no longer alone.

Clearing his voice a second time, Darcy began to speak. “Friends and family of Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy and I welcome you today, and we appreciate your sharing in our happiness. As many of you know, Pemberley has been blessed of late.We are blessed to have Mrs. Darcy's sister, Miss Bennet, accepting the hand of our own Mr. Ashford.” The crowd acknowledged the happy couple as Ashford brought Kitty's hand to his lips.

Darcy continued, “The Pemberley family and I have been blessed to have my sister Georgiana Darcy with us for these many years. Her goodness and generosity is well known among you. Now, Miss Darcy has accepted the hand of Mr. Harrison and will split her time between his estate in Dove Dale and in London, as Mr. Harrison will serve county Derby in Parliament.”The crowd took great pride in their connection to the new PM and showed it with cheers and applause.

When the commotion settled, Darcy prepared to raise his voice again, but before he could express the words in his heart, he gazed into Elizabeth's eyes. Finally, he turned back to the faces he knew as the Master of Pemberley. “I am blessed to have found an incomparable woman who in a short time made Pemberley her own. Mrs. Darcy loves this estate as I love it, and this remarkable woman has given me—given us—the greatest gift of all. She has given Pemberley a future. Help me to welcome my daughter, Ella Jane Darcy, and my son, Lucas Edward Darcy.” With that, Darcy and Elizabeth turned back the blankets and allowed those gathered that day to view the heirs to the land. A tumultuous roar burst forth, and both parents reassured their children all was well.

Elizabeth placed Ella in her mother's arms and took Lucas from Darcy. Cradling her son close to her, Elizabeth began to circulate among the clusters of people anxious to see the heir to Pemberley. Darcy, Georgiana, Mr. Harrison, Kitty, and Mr. Ashford were immediately surrounded by well-wishers.

After a few minutes, Darcy rejoined Elizabeth among the crowd. “Mrs. Darcy, your father wishes to hold his first grand-son,” Darcy spoke authoritatively, but Elizabeth knew he wanted to relieve her of her duties to his tenants.

“Of course, Mr. Darcy.” She excused herself from the group and thankfully placed Lucas in Mr. Bennet's waiting arms. To her father Elizabeth whispered words of endearment, and Mr. Bennet returned her sentiments. “I miss you at Longbourn, Lizzy,” his eyes misted as he spoke to his favorite daughter,“but it is quite evident your place is here with Mr. Darcy.”

Elizabeth looked up, catching Darcy's gaze across the lawn. “It is, Papa. Coming to Pemberley, I found myself. I belong at Pemberley because Mr. Darcy is here.”

 

It was the Bennets last night at Pemberley. Mrs. Bennet took stories of Elizabeth's success as the estate's mistress and mother of Darcy's children to Hertfordshire to share with any who might listen. Mr. Bennet took memories of his first grandchildren, knowledge his Lizzy found happiness, and a stack of Darcy's books to read. He would return the books at Kitty's wedding.

“Mr. Bennet.” Clayton Ashford approached where the older man stood with Darcy.

“Mr.Ashford.” Mr. Bennet turned toward the young vicar.

Ashford looked a bit backward.“May I speak to you, Sir?”

“Of course, Mr.Ashford.”

“If you will excuse me.” Darcy started to take his leave, but Ashford asked him to stay.

“I have some news which I feel an obligation to tell both of you,” Ashford began.“I lately received a letter from my father's uncle. Unfortunately, the man recently lost his only child—his son. As I am the next male in line, his estate will fall into my hands upon my relative's passing.”

Ashford said the words so solemnly, Mr. Bennet knew not whether the vicar looked forward to the event. “Well, young
man, it seems your potential is more than I anticipated.” Mr. Bennet thought the situation to be amusing.

“Thank you, Sir. Of course, I wish no harm to my relations. I simply chose to make you aware one day I will be able to give Miss Bennet a nicer home. I believe your daughter deserving of more than I am currently able to give her.”

Mr. Bennet teased,“You believe our Kitty to be deserving?”

Mr. Ashford looked a bit askance. “Most definitely, Mr. Bennet.”

Mr. Bennet gave Darcy half a wink. “Mr. Ashford, I once thought my Kitty to be one of the two most foolish girls in the country—her sister Lydia being the other. However, if she earned the regard of a landed gentleman, I may have to change my estimation of her.”

Darcy picked up on Mr. Bennet's teasing nature. “Maybe, Mr. Bennet, we should ask the size of Mr. Ashford's estate before we offer our congratulations or extend our approval.”

“I believe you are correct, Mr. Darcy.” Both men took Ashford into their gaze, leveling a serious stare on him.

Ashford began to stammer.“I believe, Sirs, it has an income of a little less than three thousand pounds per year.”

After an exceedingly long pause both Darcy and Mr. Bennet began to laugh. Darcy slapped Ashford on the back. “We apologize, Mr. Ashford, for taking our pleasure at your expense. Although I would hate to lose you from our community, I am sure both Mr. Bennet and I extend our sincere congratulations. We are pleased for your beneficial situation. Where might the estate be?”

Ashford still appeared confused, but he relaxed some.“Near Bedfordshire, Mr. Darcy.”

“Well, we will pray for your relations' continued good health,” Darcy added with a smile.

“Considering my wife's nerves can tolerate no more than the splendor of Pemberley right now, I will spare you, Mr.Ashford,
by not sharing your news with Mrs. Bennet until we are well on our way to Longbourn.” Mr. Bennet patted Ashford's shoulder and strolled away.

Ashford looked bewildered. Darcy took it all in before trying to assuage Ashford's qualms. “Do not fear, Mr. Ashford, Mr. Bennet only finds those amusing whom he believes to be the most worthy. You will get used to the man's sense of humor; even I once feared asking for Mrs. Darcy to become my wife.”

“How could Mr. Bennet consider you to be unworthy?” Ashford thought this to be an amusing possibility.

“The man may appear indolent, but he cares dearly for his daughters. I am sure your news pleased him thoroughly.” Darcy led Ashford back toward the gathering. “When will you tell Miss Bennet?”

“Soon—I wanted to give Miss Bennet more than simply my love; it appears God answered my prayers, but I will sorely miss my time tending to my congregation.” Ashford's eyes affectionately drifted to where Kitty stood talking to her sisters and Georgiana.

“I am sure your Lord will not turn his back on your service in his name,” Darcy assured him. “When the time comes, you will find God has bigger plans for you.”

Ashford asked in all honesty, “Do you truly believe as such, Mr. Darcy?”

“There was a time, Mr. Ashford, I thought my destiny to be decided by my birth right. However, since meeting Mrs. Darcy, I have been persuaded to see God places a person on the path, but his destiny is still in his own hands.”

They joined the four ladies, and Elizabeth stepped to Darcy's side, intertwining her arm through his. “May I, Fitzwilliam?” she asked as he nodded in agreement.

“Kitty.” Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with excitement. “Mr. Darcy and I have news for you and Mr. Ashford. Lord and Lady
Haverty called upon us last week to pay their respects and to meet the twins. While here, I showed Lady Haverty to the nursery; your design impressed her Ladyship. She offered to pay you two hundred pounds to redecorate two rooms at her estate.”

“Elizabeth,” Kitty gushed,“tell me you do not jest.”

“We do not jest, Kitty,” Elizabeth confirmed what she said. “If Lady Haverty is pleased, you could earn additional funds for your talent.”

“Did you hear, Clayton,” Kitty bubbled with laughter, “I could earn money just like an independent woman might do.”

“I heard, Miss Bennet.” Ashford barely acknowledged Kitty's enthusiasm.

Jane Austen,
Pride and Prejudice
, 1813

As the evening progressed, Kitty finally cornered Mr. Ashford alone for a few minutes. He pretended to read, but Kitty knew his attention to the book to be a sham. “Mr. Ashford,” she spoke softly, hoping to relay a sense of intimacy,“have I offered you some offense?”

Ashford brought his eyes to meet hers. “No, Madam, I find little fault with you.”

Kitty, who had grown wiser in the past year, knew just what to say. “My dear, Clayton,” she whispered, “we each have one fault: I keep no secrets, and, you, my Love, conceal everything. Please tell me what displeases you.”

Ashford looked deeply into Kitty's eyes, holding her gaze before he spoke.“Miss Bennet, when one first meets you, he finds you to be a little rough around the edges, but on closer examination, he cannot help but see you are absolutely beautiful.”

Kitty blushed and looked away briefly, but, finally, she returned his gaze once again. “Mr. Ashford, you try to distract me from my pleas with your words of flattery. Please, Clayton, I beg you not to shut me out.”

“If you insist, Miss Bennet, but it will seem foolish,” he began slowly. “Although I applaud your ingenuity, I fear your abandoning me for the fame you may achieve as an
independent
woman. I know your preference for balls and parties, and I can give you none of that—at least, not in the near future.”

Against propriety, Kitty took his hand in hers. “Clayton, I love you.” She paused before continuing, hoping to find the right words. “May I tell you something? Last winter when I traveled to Nottingham with my sister and Mr. Darcy, I went for many long walks across the Pennington and the Matlock estates, and on those walks, I found myself. I found I am not my sister Lydia; I am more like Elizabeth. I have a certain resolve to prove myself better than the station in life which defines me, and although balls and socials once were my entertainment of choice, I am no longer that foolish girl; I would prefer the company of well-informed people and good conversation.That is the person I have become, and that person loves you. I would like the opportunity to earn part of my own money; my father can give me very little as part of my dowry, and I want to bring something to this marriage besides my regard for you. We may use the money I receive to purchase the extras for the parsonage, to buy books for the school, or even put the money away for our children.” Kitty dropped her voice on the last line.