Darcy roused, groggily noted the emptiness of his arms, and groped for where his wife’s luscious body should lay. While his sleepy mind decided she was probably nursing Michael, his eyes slit open and noted with surprise that she sat by the fire. After a few seconds of sluggish mental assimilation, his gravely morning voice broke the calm, “Beloved? Are you well?”
“I am fine, love. Just thinking.”
“Come back to bed. I need you.”
Lizzy joined him under the quilted counterpane, their arms embracing naturally and hands caressing. Darcy nestled his head onto her right chest, cheek pillowed by her bosom with warm breath wafting over her sensitive skin, humming in cat-like satisfaction.
“I love you, Mrs. Darcy,” he mumbled in a thick sleepy voice.
“I love you more, Mr. Darcy,” she retorted with the standard playful response, feeling Darcy’s amused smile against the soft flesh of her breast.
“How long do I have you all to myself before your mother and sister descend upon Netherfield?”
“They will be here mid-morning, before noon. Charles and Jane should arrive shortly thereafter.”
“Yes, and that reminds me. Do you mind terribly if Bingley and I desert you all this evening and spend some time at the Meryton billiard hall? Mr. Bennet has informed the men of our visit and although I am sure they are more delighted at the prospect of Bingley’s presence than mine, a dinner and games have been arranged.”
“They undoubtedly fear being humiliated once again at the billiard table.” She responded, rubbing her face against his silky hair. Darcy snickered evilly, offering no rebuttal to the plausible truth. “Do not fret about us womenfolk, my love. We can entertain ourselves without the dashing men about to liven the atmosphere.”
“I have no doubt of that. I was most concerned for Jane. Do you think she will be distressed to have Bingley gone?”
Lizzy shook her head after thinking on his query for a moment. “I do not believe so. We can dine at Longbourn as planned and I judge that the familiarity of family with the children playing at our feet will soothe her. She needed to distance herself from Hasberry for a while and this is a perfect place to start.” She continued to play with his hair, fingers running through the brown locks absently. “Physically she has recovered and is overcoming her grief. Also, Ethan’s walking has evolved to running so she is keeping busy!”
Again she felt Darcy’s smiling lips graze her skin. “Indeed! Life is never the same again once they begin to walk. Alexander was easy to control, but I have a feeling I will need to install stout locks or barricades over the stairways to prevent escape and severe tumbles when Michael begins to toddle, which, considering his precociousness, will likely be well before Alexander did.”
They both laughed and nodded. Darcy’s hand traveled from its warm roost on her hip to the flat expanse of her abdomen, pressing gently into the soft flesh, his voice low when he spoke. “I do not like to think on the sadness of losing a child. Bingley has recovered from the loss for the most part, but it must be extremely difficult for a woman.”
Lizzy squeezed tightly and said nothing. The trauma Jane suffered in miscarrying her second child during the middle of her pregnancy was profound, as they both knew, thus words on the subject were unpleasant. The midwife assured them that Jane was healthy and should conceive and carry easily in the future, as the stillborn, a girl baby that Charles would not allow Jane to see, was malformed, hence the cause of the miscarriage. It was a tragedy nonetheless, the past three months a difficult period for both Bingleys. The sturdiness of their now nearly two-year-old son was a balm to aching hearts.
Silence fell for a spell. Darcy closed his eyes, stroking his wife’s velvet skin, utterly at peace. Lizzy, conversely, was tense. Breaking the news about Wickham’s imminent return into their lives was not a topic she relished relaying, yet she knew it needed to be spoken, before events intruded and he discovered the information in a more startling manner.
How to broach the subject? For the past hour she had played through scenarios, practiced the best words to ease his distress, but nothing would make the blow any easier. Just say it! She chastised her cowardice and opened her mouth to speak…
“How long ago did Michael nurse?” He interrupted in a sultry drawl, fingers initiating the subtle frolicking over her skin that drove her mad. “Experience has taught how diverted we become with family and activities intruding, so I think it essential we make love while we have the opportunity to do so. Agreed?”
“Lydia and Wickham are coming to the wedding.”
Darcy froze, the hand that encompassed her left breast clenching.
Lizzy bit her lip, the blurted statement shrilly spoken in her haste to forestall his amorous attentions that would surely have driven thoughts of offensive family members out of her mind. She groaned and cringed at her lack of tact. “William, I…”
“Yes, I know they are coming.”
“You… What?”
He rose up, serious eyes engaging hers. “Mr. Bennet told me last night. He thought I should know and be prepared.” He smiled, smoothing the hair by her startled eyes. “Your father does not know all the details of my past interactions with Wickham, but he knows there is a certain… animosity, shall we say? I gathered that he is none too thrilled either, although I am sure he is anxious about Lydia and will be pleased to see her.” He paused, frowning and cocking his head. “Is this why you were sitting by the fire in thought rather than nestling with your husband?”
She nodded. “I was trying to think how to tell you. You… you do not seem too upset. I thought you would be furious.”
“I am not sure how I feel. I have known our meeting was inevitable, but over these past months I have given up dwelling on it. Time does heal some wounds, I suppose. That is not to say I trust him.” His face grew sterner, mouth pressed into the thin line Lizzy recognized as stubbornness and a precursor to a domineering demand. “I command you to avoid him as much as feasible, Elizabeth. And I forbid him to have any interaction with our sons. My opinion has not changed and my decree that the Wickhams have no place in our lives persists.”
“Do you think him dangerous?”
“I put nothing past him. I know for cert that he has no love for a Darcy and do not want you or our children subjected to his tongue or possible exploitation. Primarily I merely wish to avoid any unpleasantness. Perhaps we will all be shocked and discover him to have matured or tamed or found God. Who knows? But I will not take any chances with my family. Do you understand?” She nodded, Darcy intently examining her eyes for the tiniest hint of disobedience, but in this situation she was in total agreement. “As we have discussed in the past, he is not a man to be taken lightly. I will be watching him closely, so you do not need to fret. I want you to enjoy this time with Kitty. Leave the vigilance to me.”
“You are worrying me, William.”
He smiled, bending to kiss her forehead. “Forgive me, dearest. You really have nothing to be concerned about. I doubt if Wickham will attempt to cross me, and remember that Richard will be here as well. Wickham was always far more terrified of him than me, for some reason. Even now that he no longer wears the uniform, Wickham will be quelled by the presence of Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
He brushed a thumb over her lips, leaning closer while pushing his taut muscled body onto hers. “Now, what say we return to the previous topic? The far more pleasant one involving me loving you.” He lingered, lips a scant hairbreadth away from hers. “I am positive I can drive all other thoughts from your mind, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I would accuse you of arrogance, but in this matter you speak the truth, Mr. Darcy.”
He laughed, rolling to his back with her encased amid strong arms and long legs. Every muscle rippled, Lizzy shivering at the feel of his solid thighs tenaciously clutching her hips and the radiant heat oozing from the steely plains of his torso. He lifted his head to close the small gap for a kiss, but Lizzy withdrew.
“William, I worry for you.” His brow rose que
stioningly and eyes widened. “Promise me you will avoid Wickham as well. Do not let him bait you into acting foolishly.”
“Elizabeth, I have greater forbearance than you give me credit for!”
“Do you? I seem to recall a rash urge to strangle him with your bare hands not too many months ago! You are a man of great passion, my love, despite your uncommon self-control and wisdom. Your emotions do, upon occasion, overrule your temperance and reserve. Thankfully your shortswords and dueling pistols are secured at Pemberley! Please be careful, that is all I ask. Remember your family in the present and not the conflicts of the past. Promise me.”
“I promise. I will happily pretend the man is invisible as much as is possible. Even if that means being a poor host.”
“It will give you a ready excuse to stand in the corner and glower, since that is what you prefer in large gatherings anyway.”
Darcy grunted at her tease, pulling her firmly to his mouth and tightening every muscle enclosing her body. “Can we stop talking now? My need for you has taken on an urgency that I fear may be interrupted at any moment by a demanding baby. Thwarted sexual satisfaction will put me in a fouler mood, and we would not want that, now would we?”
Lizzy’s laugh and retort were stayed by a fervidly seeking tongue, communication essentially nonverbal from there on. No interruptions occurred, both exiting the bedchamber sometime later tremendously satisfied and in buoyant spirits.
Chapter Eight
Anticipating a Marriage
Contrary to Darcy’s tease about the women spending hours dedicated to wedding plans, there really were few left to finalize. Kitty had arranged everything with a straightforward simplicity that drove Mrs. Bennet into nervous fits. Mrs. Bennet had apparently decided that as the final Bennet daughter to be wed, it needed to be an affair of pomp and renown. The morning and early afternoon visitation as the three waited for their assorted guests to arrive would follow a typical pattern.
“I am certain Mr. Hennings could provide a few more flower arrangements in short order,” Mrs. Bennet declared, Lizzy rolling her eyes for the umpteenth time while Kitty calmly waited for her mother to finish the thought before rebutting it. “This is a meager amount! Only four around the altar and the one you will be carrying? Not nearly sufficient!”
“Mr. Hennings has provided what I asked for, Mama. There is no need to burden him further.” Kitty did not look up from her embroidery hoop.
A few minutes later: “I spoke with Mr. Janssen yesterday, Kitty. He said he would be delighted to bake the cake for you.”
“I plan to cook it myself, Mama, as you know since you helped me purchase the ingredients three days ago. The fruit is drying already and the marzipan is prepared. I pray you did not impose upon Mr. Janssen for an item we do not require?”
“No, no! It was merely a suggestion.”
Then again, following a heavy sigh: “I do wish you had prevailed for a special license. His family connections are illustrious enough to afford it and you certainly had the time.”
“That is not the point. We had no need to apply for such a thing.”
“Of course, it should have been you, Lizzy, who had done so,” Mrs. Bennet interrupted, having not listened to Kitty’s response, her eyes dreamy as she continued. “It would have been marvelous to see Lady Lucas’s face when one of my daughters was married after noon with leave by the Archbishop of Canterbury himself!” Her eyes grew mournful as she turned to her younger daughter. “Really, Kitty, if you could only think of your poor mama you would have granted me this one wish.”
“Mama, please!” Lizzy scolded. “The wedding will be perfect as it is. It is Kitty’s happiness that counts the most.”
“Of course! Yes, yes, you are correct, Lizzy. I only want what is best for my dear girl! Are you sure the kitchen staff here is adequately prepared for the occasion? Perhaps we should scrutinize the menu again, add something more. It is such short notice, but it must be stupendous!”
“It is only breakfast. They will handle it superbly.”
“But what about the dinner that evening? Two meals in one day of such magnitude?”
“The bride and groom will be gone and it will just be family, Mama. No need for ostentation. The Netherfield staff can manage it, I assure you.”
And on it went until mid-afternoon and the relieving disruption by the footman announcing the arrival of the Bingleys. Darcy was sent for from his solitude in the library, entering the foyer as the group massed for hugs and greetings.
“Bingley!”
“Darcy old man. How are you?”
“Well, quite well indeed. Mrs. Bingley.” He bowed toward Jane, who smiled and curtseyed.
“William, I expected to see Alexander trailing behind. Ethan has spoken of nothing else nearly the entire journey.”
“I forced him to nap, much to his chagrin, so it is fortunate that Ethan is clearly in the same state.” He inclined his head toward the Bingleys’ nanny, whose arms were laden by the sleeping form of the Bingleys’ young son. “Mrs. Geer, a room has been prepared for you and Master Bingley. Arguston will escort you there, if you approve, Jane?”
“Please. He was a terror, I am embarrassed to admit, refusing to sleep or sit still until we began pulling into the drive whereupon he suddenly collapsed in exhaustion.”
George laughed. “I am convinced your dear son holds not a candle to the youngest Darcy in terms of a wicked temper.”
“I wish I could argue the point, but I am afraid it is the truth.” Darcy grinned, clasping his wife’s hand in the crook of his arm as they filed into the parlor.
It was a bedlam of voices and bodies as they refreshed the new arrivals with tea and spirits, exchanging pleasantries with Kitty gladly answering the identical questions asked of her by Lizzy over the past two days. Jane was paler than typical, but otherwise outwardly recovered from the horrendous ordeal of miscarrying her second baby. Her countenance was cheery as Kitty gushed about the wedding to come.
Lizzy leapt for joy to see Kitty reverting to her giddy self. The past year and a half had been filled with trials and heartache, her present happiness often seemingly not in the fates with her newfound strange reserve a remnant of too many disappointments. Additionally, Lizzy prayed the presence of family and a blissful event would wash the residuals of grief from Jane’s heart—at least as much as was possible after a tragedy of that magnitude.
The cacophony had dimmed only slightly when a fresh outpouring erupted upon the surprise arrival of Mr. Bennet with Joshua and Mary Daniels in his wake. They had halted at Longbourn first, Mary physically evicting her father from his study to accompany them to Netherfield. Hugs, kisses, formal bows from the menfolk, and two more slumbering children were relocated to waiting chambers while fresh tea and edibles were brought in.
Kitty once again embarked on a question and answer session, not tiring in the endeavor. Sitting as the guest of honor on the sofa amid a gaggle of Bennet females, she waxed on as only a bride-to-be can do.
Mr. Daniels greeted his brother-in-law with staid formality, never considering Mr. Darcy more than a client. A tied packet of documents was delivered with appropriate rectitude, Darcy not even cracking a smile although his eyes glittered humorously. George casually leaned against the liquor cabinet, whiskey decanter in one hand and brandy in the other as he served drinks to the gentlemen gathered around.
“May as well get started on the celebrating,” he said jauntily. “Bingley, Daniels, drink up. Get a jump on the other gents at the pub!”
“The pub?” Mr. Daniels asked, taking the whiskey tumbler automatically as it was thrust into his hand.
Mr. Bennet answered, “The men of Meryton are gathering for an impromptu dinner and games. News of our guests has spread. Mr. Bingley especially has many friends in the neighborhood.”
Mr. Daniels paled. “I am not certain… that is I should stay with Mrs. Daniels and the girls.”
“Nonsense!” George airily waved the brandy toward the clutch
of jabbering females. “All these women talking weddings and mothering? Lord, be merciful! We need to be surrounded by manly sweat, drunken cursing, and discourses on hunting and politics to remind us we are of the stronger sex for at least one night. Pity Colonel Fitzwilliam is not here to test my skill at darts.”
“Perhaps it is for the best, Dr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet offered with a smile. “Humiliation at games of skill twice in a row may not be healthy for your ego.”
“My ego is towering enough to handle it, I assure you. Besides, the chessboard shall not sit idle for long, Mr. Bennet. Be wary. 'Pride cometh before the fall,' as the Good Book says.”
“Indeed,” Darcy said. “But does it not also ask, ‘Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?’”
George laughed heartily, pouring more whiskey into Darcy’s untouched glass by way of answer.
“Speaking of Colonel Fitzwilliam, have you heard from him, Darcy?” Bingley asked.
“Not for a couple of weeks,” Darcy answered, frowning into his glass.
“I still am in a state of shock that Colonel Fitzwilliam is now a married man,” Bingley said. “I do not know him as well as you, Darcy, but I have to say I thought bachelorhood had a firm grip upon him. The abruptness, his choice of wife, the whole matter took me so by surprise.”
“And many others, myself included!” George declared, features falling into a pitiable expression of mourning. “I am the lone bachelor in the crowd now. It is a tragedy.”
They all laughed, Mr. Bennet speaking with false placation, “Rest easy, Doctor. I am sure we can find you a nice lady somewhere.”
George gasped dramatically, hand clutching the vivid green silk swathing his bony chest. “Perish the thought! You wound me, sir!”
“I have an aunt, sir, who may be perfect for you.”
They collectively gaped at Mr. Daniels, not due to his statement, but due to the obvious teasing tone it was uttered in. Stunned silence fell for a heartbeat, Mr. Daniels’s face beginning to color, but the lull was broken by Dr. Darcy’s loud bray and a reverberating clap to the young man’s shoulder.
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