“You did not tell me,” he cried as he turned toward Elizabeth. “Was he suspicious of you? Did he treat you poorly?”
“William!” Elizabeth patted his arm and shook her head. “When next I saw you, months had passed. Mr. Collins was simply confused by it. He never said or did anything that betrayed any suspicions on his part.”
“What shall we do first?” Anne asked excitedly, drawing their attention out the window as the trees opened and revealed their first look at the sea. “Walk along the seashore? Or explore the town?”
Elizabeth chuckled as she observed her son displaying a most determined red face and noted the new fragrance in the carriage. “I believe I shall clean William and feed him while you settle in.”
“I have arranged for a nursery maid,” Darcy said as he squeezed her hand. “We could take a walk on the promenade after you have finished.”
“Oh, yes!” Anne cried. “That would be grand.”
“Not too far, though,” Elizabeth reprimanded. “You must not overdue on your first day, Anne.”
Anne’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but she agreed. Not long after, the carriage entered the outskirts of Ramsgate and turned onto a street with several quaint cottages. They drew to a stop before the last one on the corner and Darcy waited for the door to be opened.
He had not been here since removing Georgiana from the place the summer before he met Elizabeth. As he stepped out of the carriage and looked over the structure, the memories of that horrible summer flooded back upon him. If he had only been more thorough in checking Mrs. Younge’s references. If he had only visited his sister more frequently. If he had maintained his temper and not alienated his sister.
“William?”
If he had only been in a better humour at the Meryton ball.
Darcy shook off the thoughts and turned to find Elizabeth waiting for him to hand her out of the carriage. He smiled, pushing away his regrets, and took her hand. “Welcome to Ramsgate.” His voice was husky with emotion and he coughed to clear it away.
Though she looked at him suspiciously, Elizabeth accepted his assistance, stepped down onto the pavement, and looked about while he took up the baby. She turned back to accept the child and waited while Darcy handed Anne out of the equipage as well.
“It is lovely,” Anne sighed as she slipped a hand about her cousin’s arm. “Shall we go inside?”
Darcy noted her weight upon him and was pleased they would rest a bit before venturing forth. He led the small group up the few stairs and knocked. The door was opened quickly by the same woman who had tended the house for Georgiana.
“Mr. Darcy.” The housekeeper curtseyed. “Your rooms are ready, sir. I’ll have my son fetch your things for you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. … Carlton?” Darcy asked, hoping his memory served him correctly.
The woman’s countenance glowed. “Yes, sir.” She blushed and turned to lead them up the stairs. “I’ve placed Miss de Bourgh on the first floor as you requested, sir. It will be less tasking for her as she recovers.”
She showed them to a pretty little room off the back hall with an open window allowing the sea breeze to lift the white lace curtains. The walls were the colour of a spring sky and the furnishings a polished oak. The white and yellow accents gave the room a bright airy feel.
“It is lovely,” Anne cried as she removed her outerwear and stepped into the room.
“There is a basin there,” Mrs. Carlton said as she pointed toward the dressing stand. “Your maid has already arrived and should attend you shortly.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Carlton,” Anne called over her shoulder from the window as the others turned to leave the room.
“The room is perfect for my cousin, Mrs. Carlton.” Darcy said as he followed her and Elizabeth up the stairs to the second floor.
“I am certain you will find your rooms as comfortable, sir.” Again, she led them toward the back of the house and opened a door on the opposite side from Anne’s. “This will be for Mrs. Collins.”
They stepped inside to find a room the colour of new grass with white accents. The windows here had also been opened and the breeze lifted the curtains in greeting.
“The door just here,” Mrs. Carlton stepped forward and opened it, “connects to what would be a sitting room, but I have set it up as a nursery, as requested.”
They stepped into the room and found everything needed for William. Elizabeth thanked the lady and began to address her son’s needs. Though Darcy would have liked to linger, he followed the housekeeper through the door leading to the hallway. She turned back toward the front of the house and opened the door nearest the stairs for him.
“This is your room, sir.” Mrs. Carlton stepped inside, and Darcy followed.
The room was definitely more masculine, but kept with the softer, marine colours. The walls here were a deeper sea blue and more wood was seen.
“The door there is locked,” Mrs. Carlton pointed. “It leads to the babe’s room, as you requested.” She raised a brow his direction.
“Thank you, Mrs. Carlton. Both my cousins have been unwell recently and I hoped to be able to help with the boy to give his mother a rest.”
The woman’s features softened, and she smiled. “That is generous of you, sir. It is nice to see a young man who cares for children.”
Darcy nodded as he turned to survey the room once more and heard the sounds of Nelson moving about in the dressing room. “That will be all for now, Mrs. Carlton. May we have some refreshments served in the parlour in one hour?”
“Certainly, sir.” She turned to leave but hesitated at the door. “It is a pleasure to welcome you back to Ramsgate, sir.”
Darcy nodded and she left. He thought she might have been about to say more, but perhaps it was merely his imagination. Shaking off the momentary feeling of unease, he entered the dressing room and allowed Nelson to remove the road dust and refresh him. When finished, Nelson handed him a key and turned to leave.
“How …?”
“I removed if from the other side earlier to-day. If you are to assist with the child, you must have access to the room.” Nelson bowed and left the room with Darcy’s soiled clothing under his arm.
Taking a deep breath, Darcy reentered his room and approached the locked door. He could hear Elizabeth’s soft voice on the other side. He slipped the key in the lock and turned it, then twisted the knob. The door opened to reveal her in a rocking chair, the babe at her breast as she sung a sweet whispered lullaby. One hand played with the small dark curls behind his ear as the boy held tight to her bosom, sucking fiercely, his eyes locked with hers.
Unable to move, Darcy stood there and watched them until the child’s motions became less urgent and finally stopped, his mouth slipping from her skin, a trickle of milk running from the corner of his lips. Elizabeth wiped his mouth and stood to carry him to his cradle. Once he was settled, she began to cover herself.
Broken from the spell, Darcy stepped forward and stopped her movement. Their eyes locked and he felt the need between them wash over him, fiercer than anything he had ever felt before. He leaned forward and caressed her lips with his but drew back before it became too passionate. Instead, he took her hand and led her to his room.
“I have not yet bathed,” she whispered, but he silenced her with another kiss.
Once the doors were locked, he drew her to the bed and sat, pulling her forward into his embrace so that she stood between his legs. His breath caused gooseflesh to rise upon her breast and her nipple hardened beckoning him. His tongue drew a lazy circle about it, tasting the sweet residue of her milk until he latched onto her as his son had done moments before and received the same nourishment. Elizabeth moaned and laced her fingers in his hair, pulling him harder against her. His teeth ran over her soft skin eliciting another assurance of her pleasure.
He broke away and helped her remove her garments then retrieved a basin Nelson had left in the dressing room and wiped away the road dust from her creamy s
kin. His lips followed the path of the rag and soon she was writhing upon his bed, demanding what she knew he could give her. Removing his own clothing as quickly as he was able, he joined her, and they found their release in each other’s arms.
Afterward, they lay together, her head upon his shoulder. “You will sleep here, will you not, Elizabeth?” he whispered.
“It will seem strange if my bed is unused.”
“Please.” He kissed her hair. “For this fortnight, can we not pretend …?”
Elizabeth sat up and looked down at him. She ran a hand over his cheek. “It will make returning so much more difficult.”
“I care not.” He pulled her down to him. “You are mine these weeks, mine alone.”
***********
Elizabeth and Anne walked arm in arm along the seaside while Darcy followed a few steps behind with William sitting on his shoulders. He had learned within the first day or two that to put the child any lower meant to be constantly struggling to keep him upright or nearly dropping the boy as he attempted to reach the water. Certainly, Darcy had lost a few hairs in the process as the baby considered them excellent means of securing his position, and he did not show himself as a proper gentleman without his beaver and dignity in place; but he had witnessed another young father doing the same and decided it was the best way to proceed. In addition, it helped to further his fantasy.
Anne had been correct. Darcy was very much aware of the speculative glances their little party received. He supposed Elizabeth chose to ignore them. Though no rumours had reached his ears and Nelson assured him nothing had been said by the staff, he feared that if they remained any longer he would make some error that would confirm all the busybodies’ suspicions of his and Elizabeth’s relationship as well as William’s parentage. Even now, though he knew better, he was unable to tear his eyes from her form as they progressed down the beach.
“Good morning, Miss de Bourgh, Mrs. Collins, Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Woodston, an elderly widow who was visiting the seaside with her youngest daughter’s family stopped to speak to them. “Master William, I see you have found the best attitude to watch the waves again.”
Several days earlier, Little William had been pointing at the sea and gurgling excitedly. The diminutive widow was unable to see what had him in such a state until some ten minutes later when a ship came into view. It was determined that, given Darcy’s height and the lad’s youth, he was as good as a topman; a position her son, Captain Jonathan Woodston of His Majesty’s Navy, had assured her was one of the most important posts for spotting dangers. The party chuckled over the shared joke while the baby babbled happily.
“Will we see you at the assembly this evening?” the woman asked as they prepared to continue their walk.
“I fear not,” Anne replied. “We are leaving quite early to-morrow morning.”
“Oh, but I had hoped to see you all dance.” The woman’s eyes misted over as she smiled at Elizabeth. “There is nothing so romantic as a ball while on holiday.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks, reddened by the winds off the sea and the bits of sand which flew about, darkened further. “Perhaps, but we are a family party, Mrs. Woodston. I am already wed, and my cousins are determined not to enter into the state.”
The older lady’s gaze fell upon Darcy. “You are correct of course. I was lost to my memories of my Gerald.” She told them once more how she had met her late husband at Portsmouth when his ship was in harbour until William began kicking against Darcy’s chest, eager to move on. “Oh, but I have told you all this before, I am certain. Forgive me for delaying your exercise.” She waved and continued on her way.
“I believe we are leaving Ramsgate at just the right time,” Anne said after the woman was a distance away.
“But I shall miss it.” Elizabeth’s voice was so soft Darcy nearly did not hear, but he agreed with her sentiment completely.
For the last fortnight they had clandestinely lived as husband and wife. Elizabeth would retire to her room each night, settle into the sheets and give the impression of her sleeping there, and then join him in his room via the nursery. Darcy had never slept so well in his life as he did when she was cradled against him. Nelson had become the master of discretion, awakening them without causing Elizabeth alarm for being found in the arms of her paramour. The torture would be severe when Darcy had to release her back to Collins on the morrow.
A bit of spittle struck Darcy’s cheek drawing him from his melancholy thoughts, and he laughed as he lifted the boy down from his perch. Elizabeth turned to see what had amused him and, drawing his own handkerchief from his breast pocket, wiped the drool away before returning the cloth to its place.
“Thank you, my dear,” Darcy whispered as he looked lovingly at her.
Anne cleared her throat. “This is as good a place as any we might find to sit.” She helped Elizabeth spread the blanket, and the ladies took a seat while Darcy lowered William to the sand.
Their first excursion to the shore had seen Elizabeth nervous and overprotective of her son, wiping his hands each time he attempted to taste the sand and rushing to gather him whenever he fell. Darcy had finally begged her to sit and enjoy the sea herself while he monitored the babe and allowed him to be an adventurous boy. Initial fears relieved, Elizabeth now joined Anne and Darcy in laughing at the child’s inquisitiveness. Sand was scooped into piles with only a minimal amount ingested and waves chased him back to the safety of his mother when he ventured too close. In no time, he was asleep with his head on her lap. Darcy settled on the edge of the blanket, watching Elizabeth as she ran her fingers through their son’s hair. A sweeter picture had never been painted.
“I dislike the thought of leaving here,” Anne declared. “To-morrow we will be back at Rosings where the wind is heard in the trees but not felt in the house. How I wish we could stay forever in this pleasant place.”
Elizabeth and Darcy did not respond. They shared her sentiments, but for such different reasons.
“Darcy?” a man’s voice broke into his musings.
The party turned to see Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley a few feet away. “Bingley!” Darcy cried as he stood and approached his friend. “Whatever are you doing here?”
The men shook hands as Bingley responded. “Jane and I desired time away from Hertfordshire and I remembered your sister holidayed here once. Are you here long?”
“We leave to-morrow.” Darcy motioned toward the ladies. “My cousin took ill due to the heat and it was decided the sea air would revive her. I was charged with escorting her and Elizabeth a fortnight ago.”
Mrs. Bingley stood a little taller. “Mrs. Collins, sir.”
Darcy’s mind was blank as he looked at her.
“My sister’s name.” She turned toward her sister. “Lizzy, you did not write that you were travelling.” Her voice held a scolding tone.
“It happened very quickly,” Elizabeth replied. “Forgive me; I am unable to stand lest I wake William.”
The lady’s features softened as her eyes fell on the boy. “He is so grown.” She lowered herself to the blanket and gently touched his cheek, causing the babe to twitch in his sleep. “A precious angel,” she whispered before laying a hand upon her stomach.
The party was silent until Elizabeth introduced Anne to her sister and brother-in-law. “Shall we dine together this evening?” she suggested.
“Are you not attending the assembly?” Bingley asked, and then chuckled as he looked in Darcy’s direction. “Of course, you are not, how foolish of me.”
“Were we to remain another day or two, and should the ladies desire it, we would,” Darcy replied with a smirk. “I am not such a curmudgeon to sabotage their enjoyment.”
“Indeed,” Bingley’s eyes travelled over his friend’s attire. “I must say this is the most relaxed I have ever seen you.”
“I have just finished assisting William with his towers.” Darcy motioned to the small mounds of sand near the edge of the blanket.
“And now
we should return to the house,” Elizabeth said. “William will awake hungry.”
Darcy stepped to her side and gently lifted the sleeping child to his shoulder. Elizabeth and Anne stood and shook out the blanket before folding it and draping it once more over Elizabeth’s arm. The now larger group began to make their way off the sand and onto the walkway leading toward the cottages.
“Are you certain you will not join us this evening?” Elizabeth asked her sister. “Perhaps prior to the assembly? I would like to hear the news from Meryton.”
“That is a splendid idea,” Bingley crowed. “An early dinner, perhaps?”
“Yes,” Anne agreed. “Then we can retire at a reasonable time and wake with the sun for our travels.”
The time was settled, and Darcy provided the direction of their cottage before the parties separated. He could not help but feel a slight uneasiness. Mrs. Bingley’s eyes no longer seemed to hold that hint of innocence from when he had first met her and her smiles appeared forced at times, but most of all the disparaging tone in her voice when she corrected him for being overly familiar with her sister rang in his ears.
***********
“Jane, you look beautiful as always.” Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand as they sat together on the sofa. “I am so pleased you saw us to-day and stopped. I have missed you.”
“Have you?” Jane asked as she released her sister’s hand and reached for her teacup. “Your letters are so rare and appear out of date by the time received.”
Elizabeth lowered her head. “Yes, I have found the same to be true of those I receive. I fear … the post in and out of Hunsford might not be overly reliable.” Even to her sister she felt the need to protect Mr. Collins. It left a bitter taste upon her tongue and she, too, sipped her tea.
“You simply must entrust all your letters to me, dear Lizzy,” Anne chimed in. “I am certain that anything I post for you will be received timely.”
Mrs Collins' Lover Page 29
