Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (76 page)

“I do.”  Mary called.  “Here, you take them Jane; the baskets are too much for you and Lizzy.”

“Why Eliza?”  Maria asked.

“Her shoulder was injured.”  Kitty said quickly.

“I can lift . . .”  Jane’s eyes turned to glare at Elizabeth and she realized that her secret might be out.  “Very well.” 

“BASTARD!” 

They gasped and stared at the house.  “Who was that?”  Louisa whispered.

“Not Fitzwilliam.”  Elizabeth said gratefully.

“Oh, I think it was Peter!” 

“I thought Michael.”  Charlotte said thoughtfully, “They do sound alike.”

Elizabeth took charge.  “Well nobody is rushing for aid, so let us assume that all is well and get this food set up.”

Quickly the women spread out the blankets, and brought out the hampers of cold shredded chicken, fruits, cheeses, biscuits and bread.  Working together, Kitty and Charlotte carried baskets packed with bottles of ale and ginger beer, and when everything was set to their satisfaction they sat down and watched the house. 

“They will be exhausted.”  Mary said worriedly.

Louisa laughed.  “They will be immobile in the morning.” 

“He will be so much fun to soothe tonight.”  Elizabeth smiled and felt the ladies looking at her.  “Oh honestly, that is why we are here, is it not?”

“How will you soothe Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth?”  Kitty asked innocently. 

“Yes, Sister, do tell?”  Jane grinned.

“I cannot wait to hear this, the great love secrets revealed!”  Charlotte prodded her.  “Tell us what is behind this love affair.  I heard that you two are courting again?”

“We are, and no, I will not tell you anything.”  Elizabeth glanced at the bottle of orange wine she had set aside.

“Will you tell us how you got that bruise on your neck?”  Charlotte smiled when Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide.  “Let me guess, Rosalie was teething . . .”

“Charlotte de Bourgh, I will pinch you!”

“Oh, is
that
how . . .”

“What are you talking about?”  Maria demanded.

“Never mind.”  Came the chorus of the married ladies. 

Darcy stepped out of the house and stretched; swinging his arms around, and was about to lean one hand on a tree when he heard a very familiar laugh.  He spun around and stared.  “Elizabeth!”

“Hello, Mr. Darcy!”  She called and stared at his hand paused over the buttons of his breeches.  Immediately he let go.  “We came to bring you some nourishment, and from the sounds of it, you men could use the interruption.”

“You heard our talk . . . forgive us ladies, let me apologize on behalf of . . .”

“Oh hush, Mr. Darcy.  Go fetch your comrades and come eat.”  Elizabeth’s eyes danced as she looked him over.  “Unless you would prefer picnicking with all of us at once?”

“Just one will do, I think.”  He stood up straighter when he realized she was appreciating him.  “Excuse me.”

“OH!”  Maria squealed.  “It is starting to rain!”  Everyone looked up as another big drop fell. 

“Hurry!  In the house!”  Elizabeth cried.

Darcy called inside for help.  The confused men appeared and spotting their ladies scrambling to pick up the blankets and food ran out to help.  Amid laughter and noise, they managed to get everything inside just as the downpour began. 

“The clothes!”  Jane gasped and looked between the half-dressed men and the curricle.  Lucas dashed out and lifted the roof, and ran back inside, dripping wet.  Jane greeted him with a bottle of ale and a kiss. 

Robinson looked at the fireplace and called over to Lucas.  “Well, have you tried this out?” 

“Now is as good a time as any.”  De Bourgh disappeared into the kitchen and returned with an armful of kindling.  Bingley followed with some logs and between them they arranged the wood.  “A match?”  He looked around.   “Anyone?”

“Here, Peter.”  Mary dug in a little bag, and came up with a tinder box. 

“Thank you, my dear.”  De Bourgh kissed her cheek and bent to the fireplace, and began striking the flint and trying for a spark. 

“Problem?”  Darcy asked from above.

“No problem.” 

“Looks like one to me.”

“Can you do better?”  He turned and held out the box.

“Probably not.”  Darcy chuckled and knelt beside him. 

“Oh for heaven’s sake.”  Elizabeth took the box from de Bourgh and struck a spark into the pile of dry grass and watched as it started to glow.  She pursed her lips and met her husband’s eye with an arched brow when she spun away.  Darcy and de Bourgh remained in their crouched positions and exchanged glances before silently adding kindling to the little flame.  Before long a cheerful fire was burning. 

“I cannot believe the difference in here!”  Jane was touring the cottage, Lucas leading her by the hand and showing off their work.  “It is beautiful!”

“Well, you can certainly see the difference between this room and the last, we learned as we went.”  He smiled proudly.  “We just had enough stone.” 

“You are wonderful.”  Jane looked to see that they were alone and kissed him.  “And you are very handsome, all covered with dust.”   She laughed as his chest puffed.

Darcy washed off his hands in a bowl of rainwater and found Elizabeth waiting with a towel and warm eyes looking him over.  “Thank you.”  He looked down at his open shirt.   “You like this?”

“You cannot possibly know how much.  That hint of your chest is most inspiring.”  Seeing his eyes darken, she laughed and took his hands in hers and examined them.  “Oh dear.”

Stretching them out, he smiled ruefully.  “I had gloves on until they began referring to me as a delicate flower.”

“Have they ever looked at you?”  She laughed up at his towering form and kissed his battered fingers.  “Sit down.”

“I am afraid I will never rise again if I do.”  Sinking against a wall near the fire, he watched her prepare a plate of food, and looked around the room.  Charlotte and Michael sat comfortably near the open doorway, watching the rainfall and talking quietly with Jane and Lucas.  Hurst was close to the fire; his eyes closed, but a smile crossed his face as Louisa placed a bottle in his hand.  The unmarried members of the party naturally settled together.  Maria kept looking at the exposed necks of the men and blushing; Kitty would nudge her and giggle.  Bingley and Robinson exchanged glances and joined in innocent banter with the girls.  Elizabeth sat next to Darcy and handed him a plate and a bottle of ale.  She took a sip from a mug in her hand, and he tried to peek inside.  “What have you there?”

“Hmm?”  She leaned on his shoulder and tilted her head up.  “Care for a taste?”

“What is it, Lizzy?”

“Suspicious of
me
giving
you
some strange drink?  Now that is a novelty!”

“All right, all right.”  Darcy set down the bottle and reached for the cup.  Elizabeth held it away.

“I asked if you wanted a taste.”  She leaned forward and kissed him.  Darcy felt the slightest caress of her tongue and tasted the wine.  A slow smile spread over his lips.  “More, Husband?”

“I can never taste orange wine again without thinking of Oakham Mount.”  He slipped his hand behind her head and drew her closer for a deeper kiss.

“Ahem!”  De Bourgh cleared his throat and the couple startled.  “How can you do that?”

“What?”  They demanded simultaneously.

“Kiss in public.”  Mary whispered and sat next to them.  “I am far too embarrassed.”

“I suppose that we are just used to it by now.”  Darcy shrugged and putting his arms around Elizabeth, rested his chin on her head while she settled against his chest.  “This is far too comfortable.” 

De Bourgh copied him, surprising Mary with a hug, then stretching out his foot, nudged Darcy’s boot and started to sing.  “Aye, She is a winsome wee thing, she is a handsome wee thing, she is a lovesome wee thing, this dear wee wife o’mine.”

Darcy chuckled and kissed Elizabeth’s upturned face.  “I never saw a fairer, never loved a dearer, and next to my heart I’ll wear her . . .”
¹⁵

“Hush.”  Elizabeth gasped and took his hands to place over her belly and held them tight.  Darcy stopped and the room grew quiet as everyone focussed on the couple.  She gasped again and looked up at him with tears in her eyes.  “Oh Fitzwilliam!”  Darcy blinked hard and kissed her, then hugged her tightly.  As everyone realized what had just happened, the ladies all began to clap and the men cheered. 

“A toast!”  De Bourgh raised his bottle.  “To the next Darcy!” 

“Hear, hear!”  Bingley cried.  “To the next Hurst!” 

“Absolutely!”  Hurst laughed and smiled at Jane.  “And to the next Lucas, and his fine home.”

“And the life we create here.”  Lucas kissed Jane and drank the toast.  “Thank you all.” 

Chapter 24

13 October 1811

Dear Darcy,

Words cannot convey my gratitude for your generosity.  Yes, I know that you are the one behind the purchase of the land from the Oakhurst estate.  Father was determined to keep your confidence, he said that you wished for me to believe that he was footing the entire scheme, but as fine as my father is, I know that he does not have the funds immediately available to snatch up such an opportunity before it is known by the general public.  Only one with far greater resources than he would have such sums liquid, and that Cousin, is you.  Please do not be angry with him for telling me all, it was actually a comment by Mother that led me to see beyond the immediate emotion of the news and question how it all came about.  I know that you do not wish for praise or thanks, I know that you helped out of devotion.   But through this you have given me the means to provide for my family and have given me a new purpose, so you will just have to bear it. 

I have placed the townhouse on the market and will reimburse Father as he will reimburse you.  We rode out to see the land, all of us squeezed into Father’s carriage, and he met the Oakhurst steward who showed us the limits of the new estate.  It is beautiful Darcy, forest, a good stream, pasture and farmland.  We have enough with the sale of my commission to build a home, perhaps the size of the dower house we occupy at Matlock.  Eva and I found the perfect setting, I think.  She will spend the winter pouring over house plans, putting in her requests for rooms and features, and undoubtedly Mother and Alicia will join her in the plotting.  Whatever she wants, it is hers.  I will begin collecting rents with the next quarter, and after paying my taxes, will put that money solely towards the construction of the house and outbuildings.  The steward at Oakhurst introduced me to his nephew and as he knows the land and tenants so well, I have hired him to take on the job of steward for me.  We have settled on the name of Peyton for our home.   

We may not actually be occupying our estate for a year or more, but it will come.  I am not one to gush, although my heart is so full that if you were before me, I imagine that I could effuse enough to embarrass us both to the point of uncomfortable blushes and awkward handshakes.  Thank God you are in Hertfordshire and we are spared that horror!  Please kiss your beautiful Elizabeth for me, and your sweet Rosa, and perhaps the baby to come?  

Your brother,

Richard

Darcy cleared his throat and set the letter down.  “Can nobody keep a secret?”  He said gruffly and clearing his throat again, picked up his pen and tried to distract his thoughts from his embarrassment.

17 October 1811

Dear Georgiana,

“Will you not join us, Darcy?”  Bingley called from the card table.  He was seated with Louisa and Hurst.  “We can use a fourth.”

“No, thank you.”  He cleared his throat again and regained control.  “As you see I am occupied.” 

“With letters, do you not have a secretary for that?” 

“If you must know, I am writing to my sister, however yes, Conrad opens my business letters, but I must respond to his work.”  He raised his brows.  “I am not a neglectful owner simply because I am not at home.”  He turned back to the desk. 

“I am afraid that I very much am.  And it is better that way.”  Robinson poked at the fire and walked to the card table. “I will be your fourth if Darcy is so unwilling, I will welcome a comfortable chair.”

“You know that Mr. Darcy dislikes cards, you should have known better than to press him.”  Elizabeth spoke softly as she entered the room and walked past the desk, “Mr. Darcy.  Please forgive my interruption.  I would appreciate your adding my greetings to your sister.” 

Startled from his concentration, he immediately jumped to his feet and bowed, whispering so only she could hear, “Miss Elizabeth.  It is no interruption at all.” 

She did not turn, so he did not see the smile spread across her lips, but he did hear the quick intake of breath when she realized he was reinstating their play.  Moving quietly, she paused near a shelf to take down a book, peruse and replace it, then took another, finally choosing one.   She made her way around the room slowly, feeling his eyes boring into her back as she moved.  Pausing for some time near his chair, she swayed, as if to music played in her mind.  Elizabeth heard him breathe deeply and knew that he sought her scent.  His attention and her movement did not go unnoticed.

“Darcy, why not walk with Elizabeth?  It would undoubtedly be more refreshing than staring at her.”  De Bourgh smiled and Mary elbowed him.

“Walking with her
would
be refreshing; however I find that I can admire her much better from here.”  The caressing tone of his voice was not lost on any woman in that room, and Elizabeth, blushing deeply, met his gaze for a moment, and saw the lift of his mouth as he recognized the effect of his words. 

Taking her selection, she settled into a chair near the fire.  The clock struck the hour, and they sat together in seemingly cordial, but truly electric companionship.  As far as they were concerned, they were alone.  The fire crackled and a log fell, sending sparks against the fire screen.  Both looked but said nothing.  His pen continued its steady scratching, her fingers turned the pages.  The clock ticked and then chimed the half-hour.  Elizabeth rose to her feet.