by Wells, Linda
“Perhaps next year I will accompany Mr. Darcy to some of his old haunts. I will have to ask him about his time in London.”
“He was quite refrained from what I understand.” Judy pushed another pin into place and stepped back to admire her creation. “It is just lovely, Mrs. Darcy. I love your hair; it has such life to it.”
“It will have a life of its own when the weather turns humid, which it should before too long. Then you will be cursing all of these curls!” Elizabeth laughed as Judy smiled and went to fetch her gown. She opened up her bottle of Milk of Roses and peered inside. “We need to order some more lotion.”
“I understand that the apothecary in Lambton carries a few of your favourites, shall I go in tomorrow and have a look?”
“Yes, and I believe that Mr. Darcy is in short supply of some of his cologne. Perhaps Parker might accompany you and see if there is anything suitable there for him.” Elizabeth smiled when Judy’s mouth opened. “I am sure that you miss your time to talk like you had at Sommerwald.”
“We do, madam.” Judy said quietly. “Thank you.”
“I heard some maids whispering of a romance between you, and spoke to Mrs. Reynolds. Whatever your feelings for each other, you do need to take control of what the staff thinks. If you care to meet each other, you must not be seen. I do not wish to promote an atmosphere of gossip about the house.” Elizabeth saw that Judy was becoming increasingly embarrassed. “What I witnessed at Sommerwald was everything proper, and truly a relief for me to see, given the tension during our visit. Do you have any plans?”
“We could not remain your servants if we married, madam, and we would surely not risk being accused of loose morals by … pursuing anything else. We are satisfied with what we have, and will be careful not to promote talk. We have barely spoken of anything unrelated to our work since returning to Pemberley in any case. We are very happy with you and Mr. Darcy.” Judy said softly when Elizabeth stood, and bravely, she gathered the gown to slip over her mistress’s head.
As she buttoned it up, Elizabeth regarded her in the mirror and tried to think of something she could do. “If you have decided that you are satisfied with simply being friends, I will not say another word. I would hate to lose you, and Parker has been with Mr. Darcy for ten years, I know that he would not wish to lose him, either. But please know that I would not think of accusing either you or Parker of improper behaviour. So if the whispers continue, please tell me and I will address the offenders personally.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy, I am sure that it will not come to that.”
“Then I am happy.” She turned back to the jewel box as Judy wiped her eyes. “Now, what shall I wear to this inquisition? I just love these emeralds Mr. Darcy gave me. Let me see.” She dug around busily, watching Judy in the mirror from time to time.
Georgiana appeared at the door, “Oh, Elizabeth, you look lovely!”
“Excuse me.” Judy fled the room and down the servants’ stairs.
“Is something wrong?” Georgiana asked curiously.
“No, not a thing.” She said softly. I must speak to Will about them.
“Oh.” Georgiana twisted her hands together and tilted her head. “Are you nervous?”
“No. I have met the Monroes before. This is just a small dinner.” She stood and smoothed her gown with her palms.
“Lizzy, you are not nervous are you?” Darcy’s deep voice asked. She sighed as he held out his hand.
“Come, love. You are breathtaking.”
“Thank you.”
“If only there was dancing tonight … Perhaps when we come home?” He looked her over appreciatively. “Perhaps we will be the first to leave?”
“It sounds as if you have a second evening planned, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth reached up to fix his perfectly tied neck cloth.
“I think that I will retire early …” Georgiana offered.
“That is lovely, dear.” Darcy murmured and took Elizabeth’s hand.
“Have a wonderful time.” Elizabeth said softly as she smiled up at her husband.
“I will read a book …”
“Hmmm, improving the mind by extensive reading. Well done, most attractive. It is an excellent accomplishment.” Darcy tore his eyes away from Elizabeth’s long enough to see Georgiana hiding a smile behind her hand. “Goodnight, Sister.”
“WELL, WHERE DID you find my waistcoat?” Darcy demanded as he knelt and looked beneath the bed.
“In the fireplace, sir.” Parker said flatly.
“Oh.” Darcy’s cheeks took on a pink tinge and he straightened. “Good thing it is nearly July, then.”
“Quite, sir.”
“Yes.” Clearing his throat, Darcy darted a look at the grate.
“It was cleaned a month ago, and has not been lit since.”
“Did I ask?”
“It was on the tip of your tongue.”
“I believe that you and Judy are far too quick to tidy up in the morning. Mrs. Darcy was quite fatigued and she needed her sleep.”
“We will remember to knock three times, sir.”
“You knocked twice?”
“Per your orders, sir.”
“hmm.” Darcy stood and still searching the corners of the room, glanced at Parker, “Please ask Evans to ascertain that the vintage we enjoyed last night is kept in good supply?”
“I will take care of it immediately, sir.”
“Your amusement at my expense is less than appealing, Parker.”
“Forgive me, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy blew out his cheeks and ran his hand through his hair. “It did not simply walk away. It is in this room somewhere. I want it found.” He looked towards the mistress’s chambers. “Perhaps Mrs. Darcy remembers hearing something fall …”
“Yes, sir.”
Darcy regarded his man once more and saw that amusement remained in his eyes. “How goes your friendship with Judy?” Instantly Parker’s eyes dropped and it was his cheeks that coloured.
“Cordially, sir.”
“Good.” Darcy nodded, satisfied, and went to the door, tossing over his shoulder, “There is a fair in Kympton next week. I have no objection to your escorting Judy, if you wish.”
He strode on through the sitting room, leaving Parker staring after him. “Th … thank you, sir.”
“I am probably starting something I will regret one day.” He said softly to himself and then arriving at the mistress’s chambers, he spotted his wife at the window. “Lizzy? Have you seen my …” Tilting his head to see what she was doing, he walked up behind her. Elizabeth was holding his pocket watch up to the sun. “What are you doing?”
She started and blushing, gathered the chain and watch to slip into his waistcoat pocket. Carefully she secured the fob; and patting it all she lifted her head and met his eye. “I was just testing it; to be sure that the repair was satisfactory.”
“It runs well, does it not? Its heartbeat has been restored.” His eyes twinkled as her blush deepened. “The case is as perfect as it can be, I think. Perhaps we should have our jeweller in London look at it the next time we visit.”
“No, no, I have decided that I like the slight imperfections. There are marks that are meaningful and should not be completely polished out.”
“I see, and you needed to steal it away to … What exactly were you testing?”
“Nothing. And I did not steal it. I nearly stepped on it this morning when I was searching for my nightdress … which I forgot I had not put on.” Darcy smiled and touched her hair. “If it were not for the moonlight …” She glanced up at him and briskly walking towards the door, rested her hand upon the handle. “Are you ready for our exercise?”
“Always. Day or night.” His lips twitched and he gestured to the window. “It is a nice, bright day, is it not? But of course you have noted that already. Forgive me; it was the moonlight you enjoyed, I am without a doubt that you enjoyed it very much.”
“Fitzwilliam.”
“Yes, my lov
e?”
“Hush.”
Darcy’s chuckle deepened and he took her hand in his. “Hush? Shall I simply shine my watch at you to show that you were heard? But then again, who did not hear you last night …”
“WILL!” She spun around.
“Yes, just like that! Will, oh Willllllllllllll.”
“Oh you are proud!” He laughed outright. “It is not amusing!”
“No, it is not, it is everything lovely.” Raising her hand to his lips, he brushed a kiss over her fingers and was pleased to see her self-conscious smile. “Now then, ride or walk today?”
“I think that I have had enough riding for some time.” Elizabeth shot him a look and saw that he was absolutely beaming. “You know, you were hardly a silent partner.”
“Oh, I know. I wondered who was making all of that noise and realized at some point that it was me.” He slipped his arms around her waist and hugged her back against his chest. “I imagine that had we been sleeping at an inn, we could have put the loudest of the revellers to shame.”
“And broken the bed.” She whispered.
“Quite.” He kissed her tenderly and let go. “Of course, had we been sleeping at an inn, last night would not have happened.”
“It would have happened, Mr. Darcy. I promise you that.” She touched his lips and traced over his smile. “Was it the wine, do you think?”
“Loosening our inhibitions?”
“I had no idea you were so strong.”
“Did you not?” He whispered. “I am glad to have demonstrated that to you so … effectively.”
“Your thighs, Fitzwilliam …” Elizabeth blushed once more and feeling his hand take hers, she smoothed her gown.
“You are trembling … how can you possibly be nervous now? Alone with me?”
“It was a wonderful, wonderful night.”
“Yes, it was.” He leaned and whispered in her ear, “Your thighs, Elizabeth …”
“Shhhhhh.” She hid her face on his shoulder for a moment before looking up to him with a sparkle in her eyes.“Ohhhh, Lizzzzzzzzzzzy…”
“That is the way of it, dearest. I am certain I babbled incoherently, well, more so than usual.” Lovingly he kissed her temple and entwining their fingers; they at last left the room, and walked, slowly swinging their hands. Every so often they looked at each other shyly, and eventually, the quiet couple descended the stairs and reached the great foyer. Darcy stopped and just drew her into his arms, and rested his cheek on her head. “Did you hear anything else between my cries of … well … did you hear me?”
“If you had not been teasing me so terribly I would have been telling you how much I loved your very coherent babbling. Yes, we began with passion, but then your tenderness, Will …” His embrace tightened and she closed her eyes. “I have been reciting your words over and over, and I rose in the darkness so that I could write everything down before it slipped away with sleep.”
“Lizzy …”
“And then I found your watch shining in the moonlight …” Kissing his chest, she relaxed while he listened and rubbed his hands over her back. “I knew that you would be looking for it.”
“Did you? Why did you keep it?” He looked down at her upturned face.
“I was just waiting for you to come and tease me.”
Darcy chuckled and hugged her again. “Why am I not surprised?”
“This has been the most wonderful day …”
“The day is quite young. I wonder if Georgiana has wakened yet.” They kissed and he let go. “I am all yours today. No estate business, no distractions. Anyone who enquires will be told we are not at home.”
“Oh my.” Elizabeth laughed. “Mrs. Annesley arrives today.”
“And she will settle in and assume the duties we explained to her, occupying Georgiana who will set to work showing her the house.” Darcy’s brows rose. “Better and better.”
“Your aunt and uncle come home, too.”
“They will be going to their home, dear. They will be grateful to have reached their destination and will not bother us.”
Elizabeth laughed at his pleased smile. “What exactly do you have planned, Mr. Darcy?”
“You forget, we have an appointment with a field of buttercups.” He kissed her nose and his eyes twinkled, “And you agreed to ride.” Elizabeth groaned and he chuckled. “We have been busy these past weeks and I think that we should enjoy the day while we can, and before the whirlwind begins. Last night was only the beginning of the many invitations we will receive as the families return to the country.” Elizabeth closed her eyes and he kissed her forehead. “I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“If this was a year ago I would be delighted with the prospect of meeting new people, I suppose that keeping to our family party could not last forever.”
“That response indicates that you are not yet bored with me.”
“Yet.” Elizabeth laughed.
“I think that I just made a discovery. Does this mean that the more invitations you accept the more disappointed you are with me? Is this a more effective sign than you not stirring milk into my coffee?”
“Not at all, meeting new and interesting characters simply gives us the opportunity to find relief in our own company.”
“As we did last night when we returned home.”
“Well … it does not always have to involve great exercise … passionate discussions do not have to involve passion.” She giggled when one of his brows rose. “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, love. But may I say that I enjoy both forms of expression?”
“It was hardly necessary; however I concur with the sentiment. I was just playing the devil’s advocate to see what you would do.” Elizabeth squealed and spun away as he tried to tickle her waist. She wagged a finger of warning at him as he grinned. “I suppose that we will be expected to host something or other.”
“We have a harvest celebration.”
“mmm, that is for the tenants. Your neighbours of similar rank will expect at least a dinner. You are married now; there is no excuse of a single man unwilling to be sociable anymore.” She bit her lip as they strolled towards the door. Darcy opened it and they stepped outside. “When did Pemberley last host a ball?”
“A ball? There has not been one here since I came of age. Everyone for miles around came for that.” He made a face. “I danced every set.”
“Did you?” Elizabeth looked at him appraisingly. “And how was it?”
“Torture, I assure you. But with Father hosting, I had no choice. I felt like poor Bruin being cornered by Daisy.” Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. Darcy’s brow creased and he suddenly understood, “No! No, I promise you, I did not respond! I … I was … inundated by hopeful ladies and parents, but thankfully Father agreed I was far too young to consider marriage. He simply wished me to … get my feet wet, so to speak.”
“I will not say what is in my mind.”
“Lizzy.”
“I hope that all of these potential wives are married now.”
Darcy grinned at his green-eyed wife and reached for her hand, “I suppose. I did not keep notice of them. They probably watched me far more.”
“Wonderful. Ladies to meet who coveted you. Ladies who have seen your pile of bricks.” They turned and looked up at the imposing Pemberley facade. Elizabeth spoke softly while he took her hand in his, “So much house for so few people.”
“Well … we are working on that.” Darcy kissed her and they rested their foreheads together before turning and setting off to the stables. “Happily.”
Chapter 26
“Good morning, madam.” Evans bowed his head. “May I have a moment of your time?”
“Certainly.” Elizabeth smiled and set down her pen. “What can I do for you?”
“Mrs. Darcy, we have discussed this, it is I who perform the tasks.” He smiled slightly, but it extended to his eyes.
“I was not proposing shining the silver for you.” She laughed.
“Of course not, madam.” Seeing her brow rise expectantly, he indicated the door. “If I may?”
“Yes.” Curiously, Elizabeth watched him close the door and return to her. “This must be serious, or at least something you wish to keep from the gossips who roam the halls carrying feather dusters.”
“The gossips are not all female in this household.”
“I stand corrected. Now, I assume that your concern is over a member of our staff?”
“Indeed madam, I will not waste your time beating about the bush.” He cleared his throat and looked at her through his bushy eyebrows. “Mrs. Darcy, you really should not need to concern yourself with matters below stairs …”
“Mr. Evans, I believe that the servants are exactly one of the mistress’s most important concerns, is it not my position to assure a smoothly run household? I trust you and Mrs. Reynolds to … oh. It does not concern Mrs. Reynolds does it? I know that she sometimes seems a little …” Elizabeth searched for a diplomatic word, “… passionate in her care for Pemberley House, but I know that she is tough as nails with her charges. I have rarely been needed to step in.”
“No, this does not concern Mrs. Reynolds …” He hesitated.
Elizabeth watched the man struggling and took a stab at what he was not quite ready to say, “It does not concern a valet under your supervision, does it, Mr. Evans?”
“While that was not my primary reason for wishing to speak with you, I will take the opportunity to say that I was quite surprised to learn of Mr. Darcy’s subtle endorsement of Mr. Parker’s attentions to Judy. I believe that Mr. Parker is as well.”
“Mr. Parker should not be, and if he is, then he certainly has an excellent relationship with my husband and may speak to him at any time. I realize you may fear that a precedent is being set here, but I have no doubt that members of the lower staff have flirted within full view of you and Mrs. Reynolds for years.”
“Of course, we are not without feelings, but I will not tolerate anything that might disrupt the efficiency of this household. May I say Mrs. Darcy; it is a rare mistress who recognizes we even exist.”
