As she glanced around the table, Elizabeth noticed the Earl of Matlock and his wife only taking tiny, disapproving sips of their champagne. Believing Richard’s death had banished the “upstart country miss” from their lives, they had been dismayed to find her foisted on them by their nephew. No doubt they were wondering how potent her “arts and allurements” must be to entrap two wealthy and discerning men.
She pushed any misgivings from her mind. Perhaps over time, they would come to believe she truly loved William. At least they had attended the wedding; Lady Catherine and her daughter had simply refused the invitation.
Elizabeth watched as Georgiana conversed with Jane, whose gentleness was helping to coax Darcy’s sister out of her shyness. Aside from the principal participants, no one had been more excited about their union than Georgiana. The prospect of having Elizabeth as her sister had made her giddy with joy for the past three weeks, and she had been essential in helping Elizabeth prepare for the hastily scheduled wedding.
William had been conversing with her father, seated on his other side, but now he turned to her and clasped her hand in his, raising it to his lips. His eyes smoldered as they held her gaze. “Mrs. Darcy,” he murmured. The delicate sensation of his lips brushing her hand sent shivers up her arm and down her spine—and she could not help imagining that evening…when he would finally embrace her in the marital bed.
She had expected to be nervous, but instead, she felt delightful anticipation, even eagerness. She loved him, and she trusted him. He stoked a passion in her she had not known existed. And tonight, she would have an opportunity to express that passion.
Elizabeth smiled at William, willing her eyes to convey all her love. However, she could not withstand such an intense look from him without also desiring his touches—in places not appropriate for a wedding breakfast. To distract herself, she glanced about the room once more.
Charles was smiling serenely at Jane; he had been shocked, but thrilled, at the news that his best friend was to marry his wife’s sister and had immediately commenced a search for houses near Pemberley. Apparently, Jane believed one could sometimes be “too close to family.”
As Elizabeth watched, a nursemaid entered the dining room and brought baby Anna to Jane. Dressed in a long white dress and a lace cap, Anna was simply adorable. Jane looked over at Elizabeth, smiling. Jane knew her sister wanted to hold the baby. She and Charles stood and brought their bundle to Elizabeth’s seat.
Elizabeth happily took her niece from Jane’s arms. “I knew you would want to see her before it was time for her nap. You might leave before she wakes up,” Jane said.
Elizabeth smiled down at the plump, happy baby and said directly to her, “I will miss you! You simply must move to Derbyshire!” Anna babbled and grabbed at one of Elizabeth’s curls.
Charles and William laughed. “You already have Jane on your side; you need not enlist my daughter as well!” Charles said.
Anna turned her gaze to William and smiled sunnily at him.
“I know this is your child,” Elizabeth observed to her sister and brother. “No one else could have such a gentle disposition. Even when she is tired, she smiles and coos.”
“I am sure your children will be much the same,” Jane said diplomatically.
Elizabeth glanced at her new husband over the bundle of baby and saw his eyes crinkle as he smiled. “No, I do not expect so.” Jane looked puzzled. “I believe any child of ours would be…passionate.”
“And full of opinions,” William added.
Charles clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Well, Darcy, fatherhood is wonderful. I wish you well. But you best prepare now. We had a devil of a time choosing a name. You should start considering your choices now!”
William’s face grew serious. “Perhaps we would have difficulty selecting a girl’s name, but I think we know what we would name a boy.”
Elizabeth looked at him in puzzlement. During their brief engagement, they had barely discussed raising children, let alone naming them. Then suddenly, she understood him quite clearly. She met his eyes, nodding her agreement.
Without speaking, they were in perfect accord. There was only one possible name for a boy—because the person who had brought them together was still with them in spirit.
Charles watched them curiously. “You would name him George after your father?” He asked.
“No.” William shook his head, smiling at his wife. “His name will be Richard.”
The End
About Victoria Kincaid
As a professional freelance writer, Victoria writes about IT, data storage, home improvement, green living, alternative energy, and healthcare. Some of her more…unusual writing subjects have included space toilets, taxi services, laser gynecology, bidets, orthopedic shoes, generating energy from onions, Ferrari rental car services, and vampire face lifts (she swears she is not making any of this up).
Victoria has a Ph.D. in English literature and has taught composition to unwilling college students. Today she teaches business writing to willing office professionals and tries to give voice to the demanding cast of characters in her head. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two children who love to read, and an overly affectionate cat. A lifelong Jane Austen fan, Victoria confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice.
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The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
By Victoria Kincaid
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, a despondent Darcy travels to Paris in the hopes of forgetting the disastrous proposal at Hunsford. Paris is teeming with English visitors during a brief moment of peace in the Napoleonic Wars, but Darcy’s spirits don’t lift until he attends a ball and unexpectedly encounters…Elizabeth Bennet! Darcy seizes the opportunity to correct misunderstandings and initiate a courtship.
Their moment of peace is interrupted by the news that England has again declared war on France, and hundreds of English travelers must flee Paris immediately. Circumstances force Darcy and Elizabeth to escape on their own, despite the risk to her reputation. Even as they face dangers from street gangs and French soldiers, romantic feelings blossom during their flight to the coast. But then Elizabeth falls ill, and the French are arresting all the English men they can find….
When Elizabeth and Darcy finally return to England, their relationship has changed, and they face new crises. However, they have secrets they must conceal—even from their own families.
Amazon Top 10 Bestseller in Regency Romance Amazon Top 10 Hot New Release in Regency Romance
Average of 4 stars on Amazon (almost 120 reviews)
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Pride and Proposals Page 23
