Darcy's Temptation (8 page)

“Elizabeth, I think I will take a walk in the garden before dinner,” Kitty said after making her curtsy to Mr.Ashford.

“Maybe Mr. Ashford would care to join you.” Elizabeth gave Kitty a slight glance.

Ashford offered Kitty a bow. “It would be my honor, Miss Bennet.”

They walked for a long time in silence, the tension thick. “You will leave for Nottingham soon?”

“In two days, Sir,” Kitty's voice trembled; she could not look at him for her nerves controlled her racing heart.

“How long will your family be away?” His voice betrayed his thoughts.

“Elizabeth says we shall be gone a fortnight. I have lessons prepared for that long.” Kitty took a seat on a bench and motioned for Mr.Ashford to join her there.

“The Darcys arranged a tutor for you then?”

“Yes, Sir, Mr.Thompson comes to me three days a week.We are working together on drawing and the languages. I practice with Miss Darcy on the pianoforte. Mr. Darcy opened his library to me.You will be happy to know I chose a piece by Samuel Johnson to read; I did so at your recommendation. Perhaps when I finish it, we may discuss some of Mr. Johnson's ideas.” Kitty turned slightly so she could speak to Ashford directly.

“I am flattered, Miss Bennet, and I look forward to being able to discuss your reading with you.” Ashford's eyes sought hers. For a reason he could not verbalize, having her attention became instantly important.

A silence followed where neither knew what to say. “Did I tell you my sister and Mr. Darcy are allowing me to design the baby's nursery?” Kitty blurted out.

“You must be excited they trust you with such a responsibility.” Ashford tried to convey the pride he felt in knowing her by his tone.

“Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have been most kind.They even ordered additional gowns for our trip,” Kitty gushed with excitement.

Ashford let his eyes drop from hers. “Then you anticipate several gatherings?” he asked tentatively.

Kitty noted for some reason her leaving bothered him, and she wanted to know more. “The Penningtons plan multiple gatherings, as do those at Matlock. I assume Georgiana and I will meet many new acquaintances.” As Kitty relayed this information, she watched Ashford closely.

Each of his statements came out as questions. “You are anxious to go?”

“Such opportunities come rarely to those such as I, and I have nothing here or at Longbourn to make me regret going.” Kitty hoped she gave Ashford the opening he needed.

“Miss Bennet,” he stumbled with the words, “I think any young lady should experience what life has to offer; yet, if you will so allow it, I would like the opportunity to call on you upon your return.”

Kitty's heart skipped a beat. “Mr. Ashford, I would gladly accept the possibility for your attention upon my return.”

Ashford wanted to take her into his arms and feel Kitty Bennet's closeness, but propriety, as well as his place in the community, would not allow such diversions. Instead, he whispered, “Thank you, Miss Bennet.”

Kitty answered as she could by taking his arm to return to the house, but Ashford's closeness did not escape her sensibilities. Although she knew Clayton Ashford for less than a fortnight, Kitty enjoyed his company more than anyone she ever met. She desired his companionship, yet she also worried her interest in Mr. Ashford had its roots in her profound loneliness
of late. Since Lydia's patched-up wedding, many in Meryton avoided her company. Until she came to Pemberley, she was unsure she could overcome the stigma Lydia's foolishness left on her family. She did not want to mislead Mr. Ashford with a romance built on his willingness and her loneliness. The fortnight of her journey would give Kitty time to reflect on this amiable young man.

 

Not as large as Pemberley, Lord and Lady Pennington's estate was still a stately property. Kitty found the great hall and oak stairway fascinating. Alabaster was used extensively throughout the house, and the mantelpieces displayed hewings of fine woodcarvings. “Mama would be struck silent,” she whispered to Elizabeth as they entered one of the public rooms.

Elizabeth laughed lightly at her sister's naïveté. Elizabeth was Mistress of Pemberley for less than three months, but her perspective changed once she married Darcy.

“Darcy, my Boy.” Lord Pennington came forward to meet them. “We are most excited to have you with us.” He embraced Darcy. “Ah, you brought your beautiful bride. Welcome, Mrs. Darcy; and Georgiana, my Child, look how you have grown!” His jovial nature encompassed them all. “And who might this be?” Lord Pennington's attention turned to Kitty.

“This is Mrs. Darcy's sister, Catherine Bennet, Your Lordship,” Darcy made the introductions.

“Your Lordship.” Kitty dropped her eyes and made an appropriate curtsy.

“Evidently, beauty runs rampant in your family, Mrs. Darcy,” Pennington teased as Kitty blushed.“Her Ladyship will join us in a moment.”

“Her Ladyship will join you now,” Lady Pennington said as she stepped through the door. The Darcy party offered the obligatory bows.

“Mrs. Darcy,” she exclaimed, “it is so good of you to bring our Fitzwilliam to visit so soon.”

“I assure you, Lady Pennington, the visit was my husband's idea.”

“If so, my dear, it is because you gave him contentment at last.” Lady Pennington gestured to chairs for all of them.

“Elizabeth would never consider me to be amiable,” Darcy mocked his wife.“In fact, just a few days ago she called me
difficult
.”

Lady Pennington laughed at Darcy's playfulness. “Are they this way all the time, Georgiana?”

“Often much worse,” Georgiana added to the mirthful tone.“They seem to like to look into each other's eyes often.”

“It appears, Mrs. Darcy,” Darcy said, turning to his wife,“we are to be attacked on all sides.” He actually laughed out loud, something he rarely did.

“I will expect you to defend me, Sir,” Elizabeth added happily.

Lady Pennington smiled at their good humor. “It is nice to see Fitzwilliam happy at last.” Then her Ladyship nodded toward Kitty.“This is your sister, Mrs. Darcy?”

“Kitty is one of my sisters; I am one of five daughters. If you recall, my eldest sister is married to Mr. Darcy's friend, Charles Bingley.”

“And your other sisters?” Lady Pennington asked. “Are any others married?”

Elizabeth shot Darcy and Georgiana a quick glance of panic, not sure how to respond. It was Georgiana who found her voice first. “Elizabeth's youngest sister Lydia is married to an officer in the regulars who is stationed in the North. In fact, you may remember him; his father was our father's steward.” Elizabeth could not believe how calm Georgiana appeared, considering her history with the nefarious Mr.Wickham.

“Do you mean George Wickham?” Lord Pennington asked, but the frown on his face indicated his disapproval.

Kitty dropped her eyes; a reminder of Lydia's shame followed her even here in Nottingham.The thoughts of Clayton Ashford's countenance brought her hope.

“My sister Mary is at home with my parents,” Elizabeth changed the subject. “We asked Kitty to remain with us at Pemberley.Would you like to share our news, Fitzwilliam?”

“Kitty will stay with us for Elizabeth carries an heir for Pemberley.” Every time he said the words, Darcy felt a tightness in his chest, as if saying the words finally made them real.

The look on Lord and Lady Pennington's faces showed their pure delight. “Oh, Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Pennington laughed excitedly, “my cousin Lady Anne would be so pleased her beloved Pemberley would be so blessed. Is this not exquisite news?” She turned to her husband.

“A heir for Pemberley will be most welcomed. Congratulations, Darcy.” Lord Pennington shook Darcy's hand.

“I must warn you,” Darcy added quickly, “cigar smoke makes my wife very ill.”

“For her Ladyship, tripe would send her into fits,” he laughed. “Well, I am sure you would like to freshen up. A servant will show you to your rooms.We have another guest, a Captain Rutherford, staying with us. He is out riding right now. I am sure you will like him, Darcy; he is an acquaintance of Edward's.The captain will attend the party with us.”

“I look forward to meeting him.” Darcy stood and took Elizabeth's hand.“We will see you once we freshened our things.”

Going up the stairs behind the maid leading the way, Elizabeth caught Georgiana's hand and mouthed the words “Thank you” to her.

When they reached their rooms and were out of earshot, Georgiana told Elizabeth, “It felt good to be able to vocalize about Mr. Wickham; it is my way to rid myself of his ghost. I hope, though, I did not embarrass you, Elizabeth.”

“I do not want to publicize Lydia's actions, but I agree with you. Trying to hide her connections will only amplify them. Acknowledging Lydia's marriage and then moving on seems the best way to handle the situation.”

“If Fitzwilliam did not save me, Lydia's fate could be mine. I cannot judge her.”

 

At dinner, Captain Rutherford joined the party. “Are you not on duty?” Kitty asked without thinking.

“I am on extended leave,” the captain assured her.

The captain, though not as tall as Darcy, still offered a strong and powerful profile. His hazel eyes and angular nose made him rather young looking. His blond curls lay close to his head, giving him a halo-like quality.

As anticipated by the Penningtons, Georgiana Darcy became the object of his attention that first evening. Attractive and distinguished, Rutherford offered Georgiana much of his time. The captain's smiling eyes helped Miss Darcy overcome her natural shyness around strangers, and she managed to hold up her end of the conversation.

“I understand you recently met Chadwick Harrison, Miss Darcy,” Rutherford said as he sipped his wine after dinner.

“Mr. Harrison was my brother's guest at Pemberley for several weeks.”

Rutherford mused,“How did you find Mr. Harrison?”

“Mr. Harrison was very amiable.” Georgiana flushed in remembrance.

“He was a favorite of yours then, Miss Darcy?” The offhanded remark caught Georgiana off guard.

“Any person Fitzwilliam prefers is one of my favorites, Captain.” Georgiana did not like the turn of the conversation. “Are you familiar with Mr. Harrison, Sir?”

The captain sounded mysterious.“Only by reputation.”

“Then you will get the opportunity to meet Mr. Harrison,” Lord Pennington added. “I understand the Earl invited Harrison to the party.”

“Really?” Kitty looked knowingly at Georgiana. “I, for one, am most anxious to reacquaint myself with Mr. Harrison.”

“Mr. Harrison will be at the party?” Elizabeth chimed in.

Lord Pennington assured her, “Yes, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Then we shall all be happy to renew our acquaintance.” Elizabeth guarded her words more than did Kitty.

“Did Mr. Harrison tell you about his time in the Americas?” Rutherford tried to sound casual, but even Darcy began to notice the captain's interest in Chadwick Harrison.

“I would suspect, Captain Rutherford, if you want to know about Mr. Harrison's time in America, you should go straight to the source itself. My family is not of the nature to discuss the business of others of our acquaintance.” Darcy's eyebrow shot up as a visual sign to his loved ones to follow his lead in dealing with the captain.

“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” Rutherford seemed embarrassed. “I was just interested in something I heard.”

 

When the gentlemen withdrew, Elizabeth moved to sit next to Georgiana while Lady Pennington showed Kitty many of the portraits in the family gallery. “What was your private opinion of Captain Rutherford, Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked when they were finally alone.

“I do not know, Elizabeth. Earlier during the meal, we spoke of music and books. I found him congenial and very entertaining. In fact, I looked forward to speaking to him more. I felt comfortable, which you know is difficult for me, But—then….”

Elizabeth seemed concerned,“But what?”

“The captain seemed to press me for my opinion of Mr. Harrison. Although he said nothing of a negative nature
about Mr. Harrison, there was something, which bothered me. It was a feeling I could not identify; I felt a need to protect Mr. Harrison.”

“Of course, your previous connection to Mr. Harrison may account for your protective senses,” Elizabeth teased Georgiana as much as she knew the girl's sensibilities would tolerate,“but I, too, felt uncomfortable with the captain's questions. Even your brother sensed something was amiss. Just be aware of what you say to the man.”

“Maybe it was just curiosity on the captain's part. I am sure others know Mr. Harrison's political preferences. He does little to hide his opinions.”

“You are probably correct.” Elizabeth patted her hand. “Rumors spread quickly in a rural community.The elder Mr. Harrison's death and his son's taking over the estate are sure to arouse interest in the man.” The ladies agreed on the surface, yet both refused to speak their concerns about Captain Rutherford.

 

For the rest of the week, Captain Rutherford continued to show deference for Georgiana Darcy. He never returned to the subject of Chadwick Harrison, and, in reality, Harrison's presence appeared to be the least of Miss Darcy's concerns. She and the captain walked through the gardens together and joined each other in the music room.The captain played the violin very well, and the two often practiced together. Kitty joined them, but the captain was obviously taken with Georgiana.