Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice

by Wells, Linda

  “Aunt and Uncle Gardiner were to bring me with them on their trip to the Peaks this summer. They were to visit friends in Lambton, and we would visit all of the places of interest on our travels, surely Pemberley is on a list of places to be seen …”

  “And you would have run into me? Would you have come to my study and knocked on the door? Or perhaps leapt upon a horse and found me in a field?” He smiled as she became increasingly annoyed.

  “I think that fate was determined that we would meet, no matter the circumstance. And thus we have our second chance.”

  “I love hearing that theory, as impossible as it seems.”

  “It is only impossible if you refuse to open your imagination.” She finished with his tie and stood on her toes to kiss him.

  “Imagination … You were awake with me if you heard our neighbours. Why did you not turn to me? You know I would respond.”

  “Because I want our baby to be conceived at Pemberley.” Darcy’s mouth dropped open. “There you big selfish beast! That is why you only received kisses and peace at night!” Blushing furiously, she spun away and began walking rapidly down the drive.

  Recovering his composure, he quickly caught up to her and grabbed her hand. “I am not selfish!”

  “All you wanted was to assuage your desire.”

  “I wanted to address yours, as well.” Elizabeth looked at him sideways and saw that he was beaming. Darcy swung their hands and taking a great breath, looked forward. “Well now, you have certainly set a great task before us. Where shall we begin? Let us see …”

  “What have I done?” Elizabeth laughed and leaned on his shoulder. Darcy wrapped his arm around her and they walked together down the drive. They passed the spot where the carriage went over the side and did not spare it a glance. She was too busy laughing as he waved his hand and expounded on places where he wanted to take her and explore nature in its rawest form.

  “What do you think?” He grinned.

  “I think that you have been considering this for quite some time!”

  “The Darcy seed must be planted! It is growing season!”

  “Oh heavens! Do you hear yourself? Who would recognize you?” She covered her mouth and laughed harder.

  “Nobody, absolutely nobody in the world would recognize me but you. Is that not wonderful?”

  Hugging her to him he looked out over the view. Free of the trees, all of Pemberley was laid out before them as they began the final descent towards the manor. Activity was everywhere. Men and boys worked in the garden, towards the stables he could see the carriage had arrived. Far in the distance he could just discern the fields of the home farm and by his side was the person who meant everything to him. Pride welled up in his chest.

  Elizabeth watched the Master of Pemberley’s gaze sharpen and imagined all that was swimming through his mind as he looked over his domain. Her eyes turned to the manor. It was as if he read her thoughts when he looked back down to her.

  “It is rather wonderful to be mistress of all this, is it not?” Darcy smiled to see her surprise. “What do you admire more, our beautiful home or me?”

  “What a question!”

  He nodded at the house. “Most would say our home. It is the bricks and mortar that matter, the size of the purse, our name …”

  “Well … most have not seen you in your bath.” Her eyes sparkled when he blushed and dropped his arm from her shoulder to take up her hand again. “Did I say something … ?”

  “A little less conversation is in order, I think.” He said roughly as his pace increased.

  Elizabeth protested as he nearly ran, “Will!”

  He stopped long enough to give her a thoroughly heart-stopping kiss, then grabbing her hand again; he grinned with satisfaction at the dazed look in her eyes. “Welcome home, Mrs. Darcy!”

  “HOW WAS THE HONEYMOON?” Mr. Evans asked Parker when the senior staff finished dinner. “From the looks of them they are still on it.”

  “I daresay the Darcys have only just begun their honeymoon.” Parker smiled and looked to Judy who was seated across from him. “What do you think?”

  “I agree. They are happier now than they have ever been.” She held his eyes for a moment and returned to her plate. “I believe that all of us will be seeing frequent displays of … camaraderie.”

  Evans laughed and set down his napkin. “Now that is a word I would not have used. But then, you and Parker are excellent at what you do. I suppose that it is useless to try and pry out any details of the trip from you?”

  “Go on and try.” Parker smiled and took a sip of his ale. “We are only closed-mouthed about the master and mistress.”

  “How was that Mrs. Shaw?” Mrs. Reynolds asked with bright curious eyes. “Was she still after you?”

  The cook pushed back in her chair and folded her hands over her ample lap. “After him? I heard from Mrs. Duncan that she was delighted you would be coming. Well? Did she succeed?”

  “Perhaps I should amend my statement; I will be closed-mouthed about my business as well.”

  “She did not succeed at anything!” Judy cried and seeing the eyes of the table upon her, she glanced at Parker before looking to Mrs. Reynolds. “Mrs. Shaw felt more loyalty for the tenants than the master.”

  “No!” Mrs. Reynolds gasped. “How can she do that? Mr. Darcy is the kindest, most generous master!”

  “Obviously Mrs. Shaw disagreed.” Evans said dryly.

  Parker smiled at Judy and looked to his companions. “That she was not dismissed was Mrs. Darcy’s doing. Mr. Darcy spoke to me of her, he was most displeased. Mrs. Darcy convinced him to give her a chance. He was furious when he heard that the Walkers acted as if they owned the estate.”

  “No!”

  “Take some wine, Mrs. Reynolds. I fear your heart will be fluttering quite madly tonight with all of this scandal you are hearing.” Mr. Evans poured her out a glass from the bottle leftover from the Darcys’ meal. “So, the tenants … what becomes of them?”

  “Out on their ears, so I’ve heard.”

  “Good for the master!” Mrs. Reynolds said heatedly.

  “You exchange letters with Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Johns?” Judy asked casually.

  “Certainly, when I knew the Darcys were going to Sommerwald, I asked Mrs. Reynolds for the address. I thought that the cook there should know the master’s preferences. After all, he should not have to suffer through meals he dislikes in his own home.”

  “Mrs. Darcy could have told her.”

  “Mrs. Darcy was on her honeymoon, she had other tasks to address.” Mrs. Johns’s chin lifted. “Why they took Miss Darcy with them …”

  “She will return in a fortnight, I believe.” Parker interrupted, “I think that you will be glad to see the return of the sweet girl of years past.”

  “Thank heavens. I did not like the way she upset the master or Mrs. Darcy. Did you notice that she was becoming quite plump, too?” Mrs. Reynolds took another swallow of her wine. Parker and Judy looked at each other. The wine was loosening the housekeeper’s tongue.

  Judy spoke up. “Remember, Mrs. Darcy dismissed her maid for saying as much? She was not plump, it … you will see that she has become quite the young lady.”

  “She is blossomed?” The cook asked sagely.

  “Very much, so. There is no trace of a little girl there anymore. She is quite womanly. You will see when she returns.”

  “And she will have a new companion as well, and then leave for London.”

  Evans grinned. “Mr. Darcy is clearing the house.”

  “He is not ridding himself of his sister.” Parker said sharply.

  “But if he is going to continue with the plans he clearly has for his wife, he will want to do it without his sister in the vicinity. Imagine my surprise to open the front door and find the two of them engaged in … camaraderie on the front step!”

  Mrs. Reynolds leaned forward. “Is Mrs. Darcy with child, Judy? Do you know?”

  “No. Not yet.”
She looked at Parker and he nodded. “However, the Harding Darcys have a new baby.”

  Silence fell over the room.

  “But how?”

  “A friend in Scotland asked them to take his newborn after his wife died. Just for a little while, until he is back on his feet.”

  “One of those.” Mrs. Johns tsked. “Mrs. Darcy has a soft heart. I bet that she will wind up raising it. A natural child.”

  “She is an orphan, not a bastard.” Parker spoke up. “Entirely legitimate.”

  “But abandoned.” Evans nodded thoughtfully.

  “But saved.” Parker noted.

  “Has she a name?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.

  “Hope.” Judy smiled.

  “Well that is appropriate, I must say.” Mrs. Johns nodded. “That woman deserves a chance to raise a child after all she suffered.”

  A bell on the wall rang and they all looked up. “The library.” Evans noted. “That is mine.” He got up and nodded to the rest. “I suspect it is the master telling us to retire for the night. He is always good about that sort of thing.”

  Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Johns rose with them. “No more lazing about in bed with them home.”

  “We were hardly sleeping until noon.”

  The older women went on their way and the young maids quickly appeared to clear away the table. Parker and Judy were left alone before very long. “Are you glad to be home?” He tilted his head and smiled.

  “Yes and no.”

  “I feel the same way.” He looked down at his hands. “I stopped outside of your door last night.” Judy’s eyes widened. “I thought to see if you were comfortable, but …”

  “I … I would have liked that.”

  “Would you have asked me in?” He looked back up and saw the look in her eyes. “Forgive me for pressing. It was uncivil.”

  “You were not at all.”

  “Thank you for that.” He smiled and looked up when Evans appeared. “Well?”

  “Dismissed for the night. I sent Jacob around to extinguish the candles. The Darcys ask not to be disturbed. And they will address their own preparations for sleep so you two are finished for the day as well.” Chuckling, he held onto the back of a chair. “What do you say to a few rounds of vingt-un Parker?”

  Parker smiled at Judy and nodded. “Why not?”

  “I will retire.” She stood and looked at him. “Good night.”

  “Good night, Judy.” The men said together. Evans went to a drawer to retrieve the cards and Parker stood to refill their glasses with ale.

  “Sweet girl.” Evans said softly as he watched Parker move around. “Be careful. If I can see it …”

  “Mr. Darcy knows, Evans. And I have not so much as held her hand.” He raised his brows. “Anything else?”

  Evans held up his hand and smiled. “Not a thing. It is good to have you home.”

  Parker took a drink and listened to Judy taking the steps up to her room. “Yes and no.”

  “MRS. REYNOLDS.” Darcy frowned and called again. His deep voice echoed off the marble in the great foyer. “Mrs. Reynolds!”

  “Yes, sir?” She bustled up to him and looked at the black wreath he held in his hands.

  “What is this?”

  “A mourning wreath, sir. For Mrs. Darcy’s father.”

  “Who ordered it to be hung?”

  “Nobody, sir, I just assumed … well, it is for her father, sir.” She was entirely unsure what was wrong. “Mr. Barnes told us the news and of course Pemberley would honour the mistress’s father.”

  “Mr. Barnes?” Darcy’s gaze travelled to her. “How did he know?”

  “I believe that he was told by the steward at Sommerwald. He mentioned that a wreath had been hung there, and as this is your home … I did not want Pemberley to be lesser than Sommerwald, Mr. Darcy. ”

  “Ferguson.” He nodded and closed his eyes as he remembered suggesting that the young man contact Barnes on some point of estate management. “Of course. We were surprised by the wreath appearing upon our door then, but Mrs. Shaw had very definite beliefs about observing a death. She is quite superstitious.”

  “Irish.” Mrs. Reynolds said sagely.

  “I am not certain …” He looked at her curiously then shaking his head, he handed her the wreath. “Well, Mrs. Darcy has mourned long enough, Mrs. Reynolds. As have I.” He reached over to his arm and removed the ribbon on his sleeve. “This is a time of new beginnings; we cannot do that mired in the past. Do you not agree?”

  “Of course, sir.” She was confused, but nodded when he handed her the ribbon. “It is my understanding that wreaths should only be hung at the deceased’s home, but as it was done in Scotland …”

  “Hopefully it is not a subject that we will need to explore again for a very long time. Please take down any other symbols of mourning. Mr. Bennet did not expect his daughter to carry on forever with his loss, and considering his behaviour …” Remembering his audience, he nodded his head. “That is all.”

  “Yes, sir.” Mrs. Reynolds hurried off to tell the staff to take down the black ribbons around the house.

  Darcy sighed. Mourning was decidedly not part of his plan to move ahead. Elizabeth had made the slightest mention of the decorations the evening before, but he knew for her to say anything on the subject of her father was to speak volumes. She had had enough of sadness too, so away it must go. “You had your honouring Mr. Bennet, and frankly, it is more than you deserved in my opinion.” He muttered and looked up to the top of the stairs when he heard a familiar laugh. To his great pleasure, he saw that his suspicions were confirmed. There was his wife, dressed beautifully in an emerald green riding habit. His smile grew as she descended the stairs.

  “You are lovely, dear.”

  “I am not in lavender. I had no riding habit in mourning colours so …” She looked at him worriedly. “Is this acceptable? I could wear anything in Scotland, but here … I …” She looked down and smoothed her skirt. “I want to do everything correctly. At Pemberley, everything matters.”

  “There are no hard and fast rules to this, dearest.” Darcy took her hand and kissed it. “You may have noticed, I have discarded my armband.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled and asked only half-jokingly, “Do you think that Papa will haunt us?”

  “I imagine he is too busy haunting Longbourn to visit us.”

  “Oh my!” Laughing, she leaned on his shoulder as they walked to the front door. “What will Jane say, do you think?”

  “Whatever it is, I have no doubt that you can hold your own against your elder sister. After all, you have taken on peers.” Elizabeth looked around the foyer and Darcy stopped walking. “What is it? Are you nervous?”

  “Unaccountably so. There are no excuses now.” She saw the quizzical set to his brow and reached up to stroke the wrinkles. “There is no Georgiana to hide behind, no travel to take us from our duties here. We are simply Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. Newlyweds.”

  “Not so newly.” He smiled.

  “No, and that means that the neighbours will give us no leeway in settling in. They think that we have done that long ago. I have so much to learn!”

  Darcy nodded to a footman who opened the front door for them and they strolled out into the sunshine. “Yes, you do, but Sommerwald was not a hotel. You were the mistress, you presided over everything, you were not making visits or meeting vast amounts of people, but you did conduct yourself without any trouble no matter the circumstances. And they were quite trying at times, were they not? You addressed staff troubles as handily as you took on caring for Georgiana. I credit you for so much of her growth. Aunt Susan was lovely and a godsend to be with her those first months after she returned home, but it was you, Elizabeth, you, who made the lessons of her behaviour clear to her. If that is not the mistress of a great estate at work, I do not know who it was. Pemberley should be a holiday in comparison.”

  “You dear man.” She whispered and looked down.

  “Do you see what happe
ns when I am thoroughly satiated in the morning?” He winked as she gasped, “I am full of poetry today!”

  “You are full of something!” Laughing, she relaxed against him.

  “Do you feel better? I cannot bear to see you doubting yourself. I pray that I cheered you?” His head tilted when she nodded with a smile. “Good.” He breathed out a great sigh. “I am not very talented in such things.”

  “Do not begin doubting yourself now, Will.”

  “If you insist.” He pointed his chin towards the stables. “I asked Barnes to have several suitable ponies in the paddock for you to choose from.”

  “I thought that I was to ride a stallion?”

  “You did.”

  Elizabeth looked straight ahead. “I believe that the stallion rode me.”

  Darcy’s mouth opened and closed, and then he sent her a sidelong glance. “Then you will need to continue your lessons and take charge of him. It takes a firm hand …”

  “Or a firm grip.” She pursed her lips.

  “I am in the hands of a master.” He threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, what will we do when we are in company, Lizzy?”

  “I think that we will have a wonderful time teasing each other and confusing everyone else.” She smiled as he nodded. “So, a pony?”

  “A pony. It is safest for you, love.”

  “Thank goodness.” Darcy smiled to see her relief and waited when he saw her lips rise up again. “After all, I already have a stallion.”

  Chapter 21

  “Whoa, settle down.” Darcy said softly and rubbing his mount’s throat, listened to Mr. Barnes as they looked over the home farm. The steward was showing him the work that had been completed over the past months. Nodding, he followed the man’s pointing finger, taking note of the light green sheen of wheat just starting to rise from the earth, and the fields left in clover. “I apologize that you had to face the tenants largely on your own.” Darcy murmured.

  “I was simply following your orders, sir. Everyone knew of your injuries, and none expected you to appear in person. I think that Mrs. Darcy would have had something to say about that.” Barnes smiled when Darcy cleared his throat and glanced at him with a slight upturn to his lips.