Love is in the Air

by Denise O'Hara

  She gave him an anxious smile. It was a brief time, but it also felt like a whole lifetime. To her at the very least. It was difficult to imagine a time he was not there! Or a time when he might not be there at all. “I hope that you have been enjoying that time?”

  “Of course.” Alex gave her a familiar, warm smile. “Would you care to join me for a walk?”

  She managed a nod as she fell in step beside him. The water seemed so tranquil. She wondered if it was as troubled below the surface as she was. “You and my brother seemed busy in conversation these last few days. How goes the business?”

  He cleared his throat as he looked over to the far shore, “There is an investment in Italy that Darcy has wanted to pursue for some time. But, today we had been distracted by another chat. About the past few weeks as a matter of fact.”

  “Truly?” She studied him, looking for signs that he spoke in jest. She could not fathom Darcy setting aside work for a casual conversation. She felt a twinge of curiosity. What could they have discussed regarding his time in Pemberley?

  There was something off about his smile. Anxious. She felt her chest tighten anxiously. He was normally so relaxed. And he never had trouble discussing things with her in the past. “Is all well?”

  The question seemed to throw him off. “Never better! I never would have dreamed to become a business partner to the likes of Fitzwilliam Darcy when I came here.”

  They walked along for a while in an odd sort of quiet. His reassurances seemed sincere enough. But his furrowed brow and the distracted way he looked at the water spoke otherwise. She did not know exactly what was going on, but it was easy to tell that something was on his mind.

  “You look lovely today.” He glanced at her as he tried to break the sudden silence. He thought he would be ready to tell her. He had agonized over all the right words to say. He had even asked her to meet him in this spot, right at this time to have a proper backdrop. But the very instant he had seen her face all the words had fled his mind. It was a wonder he was not stammering like a moon struck idiot.

  He never had such issues in the past. He always knew what to say in a port or during business dealings. He had long practice with haggling with ship-captains for passage. His talents aided Darcy's business, and netted him a partnership that promised to help him earn his own name.

  But Georgiana was not a client or a captain. They spoke so easily with one another that he never imagined he would find himself so nervous at the moment of truth. What was it about her that could drive him speechless? Who would have thought such a delicate young lady such as Georgiana could leave him tongue tied just with her presence?

  But something seemed to be driving her to distraction. She scarcely seemed to notice that he had paid her a compliment. Normally she would have blushed and given the smile he knew and loved so well. What was it that was troubling her? Surely her brother had not said anything to her yet? He did not have the opportunity to let anything slip. And he hoped that this was not the reaction when he did find the words to speak.

  “Are you certain that nothing troubles you this evening?” he gently pried.

  “Oh...no! All is perfect!” she exclaimed hurriedly, causing him to worry all the more. He debated trying to distract her with some tale and maybe give himself a moment to calm as well. Find the words that kept running from him.

  She bit her bottom lip, worry in her eyes. She seemed to be struggling for words like he was. He patiently waited for her to gather her thoughts.

  “It has been like a dream. I worry that these days will not last forever. I imagine that you have many plans out in the world.”

  “Nothing that cannot wait,” he assured her as they walked along. She gave a small, kind smile. , ,, though she did not appear to be completely convinced. He pondered what troubled her so deeply. “I actually wanted to ask something of you... regarding Italy.”

  “I am not certain I could answer anything regarding the country, I am afraid.” she answered as she looked over to him apologetically. “My brother is more versed in the countries trades than I would be.”

  “You are a brilliant woman.” he restrained an urge to take her hand. Even if they had grown very close since he came here, it was still far too forward as they were. One could not act on such a whim in polite society. “Any man would be lucky to have you in their life.”

  There it was! That shy smile he grew to love. He relaxed as the weight seemed to lift ever so slightly off her shoulders. Emboldened, he tried to find the words to continue.

  “You are strong and caring. And you have more bearing and talent than most women I have known.” He felt silly, stating all these obvious little things. But surprisingly, they seemed to come as a surprise to her.

  “You are too kind,” she slowly brought their stroll to a stop as she looked at him, her eyes full of puzzlement. “But I do not understand. What could that possibly have to do with business in Italy?”

  “I plan to travel there for a year to settle a dealing there.” Alex felt the words dry up as she seemed to sadden over the news. He had not expected that reaction, given her love of stories about his travels.

  “Oh...” She said softly as she started to cast her eyes down to the ground. He frantically reviewed the conversation in his mind. This wasn't how he had planned it at all. How was it that he had the hardest time anticipating these things when it came to the young lady? What had he missed? They spoke of the day... he mentioned business.. she mentioned.. him leaving.

  A flicker of understanding went through his mind as he let out a slow breath. He had meant to sweep her off her feet. Have a perfect speech about his intentions. But none of it seemed as important as this very moment.

  He reached out and gently lifted her chin with his finger. “I would be honored, Georgiana Darcy... if you would join me in Italy. As my wife.”

  She seemed at a loss for words as she let his words sink in. Her eyes lit up as she processed what he said. Then with a delighted cry she dropped propriety and threw her arms around him. He felt a frightfully large grin stretch his face as he returned the embrace though it was short lived as a familiar voice spoke up behind them.

  “I suppose that would be a yes. Not that there had been much doubt in the matter,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, seeming torn between joy for them and protective irritation as one of her guardians. Georgiana quickly took a step back and put both hands behind her back, face red from being caught acting with such impropriety. Her eyes glittered with a barely contained joy. It reminded Alex of the day that he had told her he would be staying.

  “Do not get too carried away in your celebration. You have not gotten Darcy’s blessing yet.”

  “My brother has shown his confidence and respect for Mr. du Pont, cousin. He has taken him on as a partner,” Georgiana replied confidently.

  “A business partner is one thing; a brother is an entirely different matter. Just do not be too hasty in your celebration until you are sure of Darcy’s consent,” he said.

  As concocted by the Colonel and Darcy, her brother did indeed give the couple a hard time, leading them to believe he was against the match. The Colonel suggested Darcy would terminate the business arrangement and Alex might want to go to India to wait him out.

  When the ruse was exposed by the Colonel’s laughter, a smile spread across Darcy’s face and he shook his head in resignation. “I will let Elizabeth know we will be requiring champagne instead of tea.”

  Alex could not help but grin and give Georgiana's brother a polite nod. Georgiana laughed at the joke with both relief and happiness and hugged her brother tight.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “She is so beautiful, Jane! Of course, how could she not be with you and Charles as her parents,” Elizabeth Darcy says of her newborn niece.

  “Oh, Lizzy, I cannot help but agree with you. Not that our child must be beautiful but that she certainly is,” Jane says with pride. “I do believe she looks somewhat like Harry, but I think Laura takes after her fat
her more than she does me perhaps.”

  “I believe you must be right. As far as my children go, I cannot seem to stake a claim as to appearance it seems. Wendy is so like Georgiana, and my sweet little Lawrence is the image of his father, are you not?” Lizzy says as she kisses her son. The four-month-old boy cooed and smiled in response, to the delight of his mother and aunt.

  “I am so happy, Lizzy. Thank you for traveling here to see us. I was desperate to see you all!”

  “As was I! If Mr. Darcy had made me rest another week before I could travel, I would have snuck out in the night and walked all the way! Well, even for such a good walker as me, thirty miles may be a bit much. On horseback then, but I assure you I was determined to come to you.”

  Jane laughed at her sister and reaches across the bed to give her a hug. “Oh, how I have missed you! That is the one negative of our expecting so close to each other. But I do think it is wonderful to have our children grow up together. Tell me all the news.”

  “Wait until you hear what he has done to poor Georgiana.”

  “Oh no, Fitzwilliam, please do not tell me you tormented dearest Georgiana?” said Jane.

  Darcy laughed and said, “Is that not what brothers are for?”

  “Do be serious; what did you do to Georgiana?” Jane asked.

  “As you know, Colonel Fitzwilliam introduced his friend, one Mr. Alexander Roche Du Pont to us last year, while I was indisposed and weakened, I might add. Practically on my death bed no less!” Darcy said emphatically. “The gentlemen helped in the household for nearly two months together. He and my sister were thrown together during that time and what do you think came of it?”

  “Besides saving your life, you mean?” asked Elizabeth with a playful smile.

  “Details, details, Elizabeth,” her husband responded with mock seriousness as he shook his head. “He recently asked for Georgiana's hand. When he came to ask for my permission, I may have led him to believe I did not feel particularly inclined to give it. I believe it would be accurate to say I had him shaking in his boots.”

  “Poor Alex did not know what to think! His good friend Mr. Darcy suddenly turned into the unreasonable, overprotective brother. When he came out from their conference, his face was positively ashen!”

  Jane looked at her brother-in-law in astonishment. A grinning Darcy repeated, "Ashen.”

  Elizabeth continued, “As Georgiana's other guardian, Colonel Fitzwilliam was in on the joke, of course, and always a willing participant in anything remotely mischievous, he went along with it most enthusiastically. Added to it, in fact. He patted Alex on the back telling him, “Well, Alex, I have seen Darcy like this many times before. There is nothing that can be done once his mind is made up.” He added that Alex should spend the next few years away to make the time go by faster, even suggesting some upcoming commissions in India that might fit the bill.”

  Mr. Darcy laughed before continuing, “Then Georgiana came in to talk to me, and I said to her, “You can do better than him, Georgiana! But if you still want him when you are thirty, you shall have my blessing. I would much rather you marry him than to be a spinster”.”

  “Georgiana was in tears!” said Elizabeth.

  “She was not in tears, Elizabeth,” Darcy interjected. “I confessed my little joke on them before the tears started. The tears you saw were tears of joy, my love.”

  “Tears of relief, more like,” responded his wife.

  Jane said, “I can completely comprehend the Colonel's role, but I must express my surprise at you being the instigator of it all, Mr. Darcy!”

  “A few years ago, I very well may have given the Colonel an upbraiding for such antics,” admitted Mr. Darcy. “Marriage and becoming a father have been the best things ever to happen to me. And a little trouble like almost dying had the effect of increasing my appreciation for what I have a hundred fold, at least. Life is too short for such nonsense as pride and taking oneself too seriously. Poor Georgiana! I do believe she grew up being a little frightened of me,” he said. “But after my little ruse, I do not think she will ever take me too seriously again.”

  Jane smiled warmly at her dearest brother-in-law. "She was raised by one of the best of men, Fitzwilliam Darcy. When she speaks of her brother, there is always such love in her voice and expression. You did an excellent job with her."

  Darcy smiled appreciatively at the sincere compliment. "Thank you, Jane. I could not be any more proud of the lovely young woman she has become. Still, I did learn much from the experience that I would like to do differently now. Such as the joy of tea parties where I am usually assigned to be the servant to Wendy and her dolls. It is a real treat when I am invited to join."

  “And the piggy back rides,” reminded Elizabeth. “Wendy will probably laugh at the idea of anyone ever being frightened of her papa! She knows him as quite the softy."

  “Children are so wonderful!” said Jane.

  “They are,” agreed Mr. Darcy.

  “Lizzy, do you mind if I steal Darcy away for a while? I want to show him something Caroline brought us back from her honeymoon.” asked Charles.

  “By all means! I am right where I want to be and shall still be here when you return,” answered Lizzy.

  “Gibb has excellent taste Darcy. You will love this,” Mr. Bingley said as he led his friend out of the room.

  Once alone Jane asked her sister, “Have you heard from Mama?”

  “Yes, I had a letter only last week. Mary is in love, and Kitty is well on her way to being the same. As you know, Mama is in love with the idea of her children being in love. So Papa should be vastly contented right about now,” laughs Lizzy. “With my confinement, I have not had a chance to meet the young Mr. Joseph, as you have. You must tell me in person all about him, for your letter on the subject was rather vague.”

  “Yes, well, it was hard to put an accurate description in writing. To begin with, he is very respectable,” says Jane.

  “I can tell you about Mr. Joseph, Aunt Lizzy! I talked to him for a very long time,” says Harry, as he and Wendy enter the room.

  “Harry, do you want something?” asked his mother.

  “Just wanted to see my little Laura,” he says before giving his sleepy sister a kiss. “I told Wendy I was already her favorite.” Turning his attention to Lawrence, he says, “And look at my cousin, here. You are a big boy, Larry.”

  “His name is Lawrence, not Larry,” corrects his mother.

  “Papa read me a book about a Lawrence and he said that some called him Larry. I rather like that.” Harry takes the baby’s hand and says, “Harry and Larry. See he likes it too!”

  Lizzy smiles at her nephew. “Well, you may call him that if you like. So, I am interested in your opinion of my sister’s beau, Harry. You said you were able to speak to Mr. Joseph?” she asked with an amused look toward Jane.

  “I talked to him for three or four hours probably. I stayed with him at his apothecary shop while Mother and Aunt Mary went to call on Mrs. Long.”

  Jane interjects, “Mr. Joseph was kind enough to make the offer of watching Harry when we stopped on our way to Mrs. Long’s. I believe he wanted to make a good impression. When we arrived at her house, we found her door open and saw her laying on the floor. She had a stroke, the poor dear, and when she came to she could not speak. It took some time to find the doctor as he was out on a call. Mary and I stayed longer than we had intended, but she assured me Harry was in good hands with Mr. Joseph. After the doctor had come, we were finally able to return to the shop and found the two of them sitting on a bench outside waiting for us. He and Harry had gotten into a little argument over some advice Mr. Joseph had given a customer regarding a treatment for her horse. ”

  Harry said, “He told a lady who wanted something for her horse’s colic that he had heard sometimes you had to pierce the animal to let out the air trapped. I told him I was raised around horses and I had never heard of such a thing. I told the lady she had better not do it or she would kill her
horse or herself for that matter. For when a horse is in distress you must never go too close or it will likely kick you to kingdom come. Mr. Joseph laughed and said what did I know about anything and I said quite a lot actually. Now I have heard of doing that with a cow and that must be where he was making his mistake. The lady was laughing and I said I was serious, she had better not do such a thing or she would be guilty of murder. Well, Mr. Joseph did not like my saying that even though it was completely the truth. I suggested he tell the lady he had given her wrong information or he would be guilty himself and I did not think my Aunt Mary would marry him. He said he was not engaged to my aunt or anyone else for that matter. I said he had better make up his mind because my aunt was already shopping for her wedding clothes.”

  “Alright, run along you two,” said Jane. “Harry you wanted to show Wendy your new paint set, did you not? Ask Miss Paige to help you set it up.”

  “Yes, mother,” said Harry. He took Wendy’s hand and led her out of the room in search of his governess.

  “Jane! What happened when you arrived?”

  “Oh Lizzy, the man was obviously flustered. You can well imagine for you know how stubborn Harry can be when he thinks he is right! Mary was starting to explain Mrs. Long’s situation when Mr. Covington said he had urgent business to attend and practically ran away. On our way back to Longbourn, Harry told us what he just told you. Mary was beside herself with embarrassment. Mama could tell something was amiss but Mary, dear girl, did not repeat a word of the exchange. I explained about Mrs. Long and thankfully, Mama assumed we were not ourselves because of that event. She hurried off to call on her friend and offer assistance. Charles took Harry outside and had a talk with him about how he speaks to his elders while I went to Mary. She was quietly crying, saying he would never marry her now. She was quiet and mostly read the next day. When Harry apologized she was very kind and said that is what one gets who counts their chickens before they hatched. I must admit, it was a very uncomfortable position for me to be in as well. We saw the gentleman on Sunday but he said very little and left quickly. Mama invited him to tea but he declined, saying he had another engagement. When we saw the lady with her horse she told us she had consulted a veterinarian who confirmed what Harry had told her and she had informed Mr. Joseph. I believe perhaps he was embarrassed and his pride may have been hurt for he does seem to be a man of many words who likes to talk on any subject that is brought up. He considers himself an expert of sorts. But I was informed that all is well between he and Mary. The gentleman continues to court our sister.”