Darcy's Passions (49 page)

“A few foolish words cannot destroy us, my Love. Do you know what I thought as I lay on that ledge? I thought:
Fitzwilliam loves me. He will come for me.
That is all I kept thinking—despite what I said when I stormed out of this house, I knew you still loved me, and I knew I loved you. Please come to me in our bed, Fitzwilliam.”

He began to kiss her stomach and then moved up her body. By the time Darcy got to her lips, Elizabeth's body rose to meet his.“I love you, Lizzy.”

 

Darcy was out of the house when Mr. Spencer called to check on Mrs. Darcy's progress. Propped up on the pillows of her bed, she happily greeted the physician. “Mrs. Darcy, your husband would make an excellent nurse. His care for your well-being was exactly what you needed.”

Elizabeth remembered Darcy's passionate kiss before he left and knew what she needed from him, but she had another more pressing question for the doctor. “Mr. Spencer, did the fall hurt my baby?”

“So, you did realize you were with child? These great men are concerned with their heirs; and when Mr. Darcy did not ask about the child when I was here the other day, I knew he did not know, but you could not tell me if you had knowledge of it. I did not tell him for he was too distraught over your health. He would allow no one else to tend to you, Mrs. Darcy.”

“When I realized I was falling, I tried to protect the child. I grabbed at every rock and branch to slow down my descent. Please tell me I have not hurt it.”

“The three days we waited should be enough time for the injury to show if the fall hurt the child, but I would like to wait at least two more weeks before we can be sure.These types of injuries are sometimes slow to surface.”

“I do not want Mr. Darcy to know until we are sure, Mr. Spencer. If there is a chance I will lose this child as a result of my fall, I wish to spare him knowledge of wanting it and then losing it. It would be best he had no time to dream of its life here at Pemberley. His nature is not one to forgive his part in my accident; you must know of his self-reproach.”The doctor nodded his head.“My husband plans a New Year's celebration with family and friends. I wish to tell him then.We will be married two months by that time. From my last catamenia, I suspect the child came from our first few nights together. Is that possible, Mr. Spencer?”

“It is quite common, Mrs. Darcy, especially for young, healthy girls as yourself.Would you allow me to examine you now, Mrs. Darcy?”

“Could we pretend you need to check my injuries again in two weeks, Mr. Spencer?” She asked in a conspiratorial tone.

“I delivered both Mr. Darcy and his sister; that was the last of the joy this house saw. After Lady Anne's death, a veil hung over Pemberley; both husband and son loved her too much to let joy
back into their lives. There has been too much death and not enough life in this house; I will help you keep your secret, Mrs. Darcy, until the new year if you promise to limit your walks to the flat land for the time being.”

“Gladly, Mr. Spencer—gladly.” Elizabeth's hand instinctively rested on her stomach. After Mr. Spencer left, Elizabeth wondered at his words. Obviously, what she once thought to be Darcy's contempt for others was, actually, his sorrow at having no one to whom to turn to for love. Georgiana was too young, and Mr. Darcy grieved for his wife. No one helped Fitzwilliam to deal with his own pain. As she lay back across the bed, nursing her wounds, she rued the day she thought him to have improper pride. She would make sure he never felt alone again; Elizabeth would always be there for him.

 

Since the time Elizabeth swore Mr. Spencer to secrecy a week passed; everything turned snowy and white at Pemberley, and a level of normalcy returned to its halls. She walked carefully, avoiding slippery paths; Darcy guarded every move she made, but she enjoyed the extra attention and allowed him to indulge his concerns. There were still eleven days to the celebration she and Georgiana planned, and many little details needed addressing. She was at the desk in Darcy's study when Mrs. Reynolds entered.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Darcy, a Mr. Chadwick Harrison is asking for Mr. Darcy.”

“Show him in, Mrs. Reynolds.”

 

“Mrs. Darcy, thank you for seeing me.” He made the obligatory bow. Elizabeth automatically sized him up—proper gentleman in dress—too young to look so serious—pleasant countenance otherwise—a bit unsure of his welcome at Pemberley—old money but new ideas.

“Mr. Harrison, you must excuse my manners. I had a nasty fall last week, and my ankle will not support my weight for more than a few minutes at a time. I just returned from a short walk, and my
ankle will not tolerate my rising to my feet again so soon.”

“That is quite all right, Mrs. Darcy,” he nodded to her.

“Please have a seat, Mr. Harrison. My husband will return shortly. May I be of service to you in the meantime?”

He took the seat she offered. “I heard Mr. Darcy recently married. May I offer my congratulations?”

“Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Do you know my husband well?”

“In reality, I have not seen Mr. Darcy since I was about the age of three and ten; Mr. Darcy, I believe, was off at the university in those days. My late father owns an estate in Dove Dale; I recently returned from the Americas to assume my rightful position as his heir.”

“Were you in the Americas for an extended time, Mr. Harrison?”

“For a little over a year, Mrs. Darcy—we had property in sugar-cane, but my family and I objected to the conditions of the workers. I sold the property to small farmers to break up the slave trade.”

Speaking his political stance to a perfect stranger shocked Elizabeth, but before she had a chance to respond, Georgiana entered the room. “Elizabeth, the baskets for the meals arrived,” she stopped short when she saw the stranger in her brother's study.

Georgiana blushed, and her beauty froze Mr. Harrison in place. Elizabeth took in their first impressions with great interest before she made the proper introductions. “Mr. Harrison, may I present my husband's sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”

Harrison bowed to her, but his eyes never left Georgiana's face. “Miss Darcy, it is good to see you again.”

“I am afraid, Mr. Harrison, you have the advantage. I do not recall our meeting before today.”

Harrison chuckled. “I do not doubt it, Miss Darcy, you were a precocious child of seven or eight years, and I came to Pemberley with my parents Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison.” Harrison felt a strange sensual awareness as he looked at Georgiana Darcy, and he could not force his eyes from her countenance.

Georgiana blushed and did not answer so Elizabeth added her insights.“As you can easily see, Mr. Harrison, my sister is no longer precocious or a child.”

Harrison realized his impropriety. “Forgive me, Miss Darcy, although I am no longer that skinny youth, it did not occur to me you would change so much.”

Recovering graciously, Georgiana said, “Have a seat, Mr. Harrison,” she came to join them.“You say our parents were acquaintances? How well do you remember my parents?”

“I am afraid I have only childhood memories of coming to Pemberley. It overwhelmed me then as I must admit it does now.” His words talked of the house, but Elizabeth suspected his eyes spoke only of Georgiana.

If Georgiana realized the implications of his words, she did not indicate it in her demeanor. Of course, Elizabeth was aware of how easily the Darcys hid their true feelings so she watched this scene play out with interest.

“May I have some tea brought in?” Georgiana offered.

“Of course, Georgiana. Let us have some tea and get to know Mr. Harrison while we wait for Fitzwilliam's return.” Elizabeth, like her father, played to such amusements.

 

How easily Georgiana conversed with Chadwick Harrison entertained Elizabeth. He traveled the world, and Georgiana had questions about the world. In between his anecdotes, Elizabeth ascertained Mr. Harrison sought Darcy's advice on his estate. Darcy assumed control of Pemberley at about the same age, as is Mr. Harrison now. Harrison could seek the advice of some of his closer neighbors, but all those estates had elderly owners, and many were in decline. Darcy had a reputation for innovation, and Pemberley had not been, reportedly, impacted by the draw of the larger cities. Chadwick Harrison wanted Darcy's insights.

 

When Darcy strode into his study, he did not expect the mirth and laughter borne into the hallway. Elizabeth and Georgiana engaged in an animated conversation with a young gentleman. He stepped to Elizabeth's side and leaned down to kiss her hand, a symbol of his claim on her in case the stranger had other thoughts.

“Fitzwilliam, we are so pleased you finally returned. We entertain Mr. Harrison.” Elizabeth gifted her husband with a broad smile.

“I see, Elizabeth.” His voice held some hesitation.

“Mr. Darcy,” Harrison rose to his feet and made his bow,“I am Chadwick Harrison; my parents are Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison of Hines Park.”

“Of course, Mr. Harrison, our parents were acquaintances. I offer my condolences on your father's passing.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am apologetic for intruding on your time. I came here today to leave my card and request a date when we might talk.”

“Mr. Harrison seeks your advice, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth added, “on the running of Hines Park.”

“I would be happy to speak to Mr. Harrison today if you ladies will allow me to reclaim my study.” He spoke to them all but looked only at Elizabeth.

“Obviously, I can go nowhere by myself; Mr. Spencer ordered me off my feet. Do you believe I might prevail upon you for assistance?” Their playful teasing returned to their conversation in the past week.

“Come, Mrs. Darcy,” he laughed as he swept her in his arms.

“Ask Mr. Harrison to stay for dinner, Fitzwilliam.” She looked back at Harrison and Georgiana as Darcy carried her toward the door.“Georgiana and I want to hear more of his stories.”

Darcy half turned to his visitor.“I will return in a few minutes, Mr. Harrison, once my new wife has her amusements at my expense.” Darcy pulled her to his chest as he carried her from the room, and she rewarded him with a kiss on the neck.

Georgiana stood to make her exit. “We hope you will stay for dinner, Mr. Harrison.”

“Thank you, Miss Darcy, I can think of nothing more pleasurable.”

 

Chadwick Harrison quickly became a favorite at Pemberley. He rode the estate with Darcy in the morning, walked the grounds with Georgiana in the afternoon, and dined with all the Darcys in
the evening. They asked him to leave his lodgings at the Royal Crown in Lambton and stay with them at Pemberley through New Year's.

“We are expecting my eldest sister and her husband, as well as Kitty, one of my younger sisters. Jane and I shared our wedding day. Her husband Charles Bingley is Fitzwilliam's best friend,” Elizabeth added during dinner.

“So, best friends fell in love with sisters. Needless to say, that is unusual.”

Darcy laughed, “Charles married the sister with the more pleasant disposition.”

Elizabeth countered, “Jane found the more amiable husband.” Then she reached out to squeeze Darcy's hand, and he kissed her fingertips tenderly. “As you can readily tell, Mr. Harrison, my dear husband and I at one time had a contentious relationship, but our devotion grows each moment of each day we spend together.”

Their banter often amused Harrison; he found Georgiana too enjoyed a spirited relationship with her brother and his wife. In Harrison's opinion, Pemberley offered a refreshing look at English country estates.

“My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has also been asked to join us. He is a neighbor of yours; his father owns a large estate in Matlock, but as a second son he chose the military as his career. Along with myself, he serves as one of Georgiana's guardians,” Darcy added.

“The good colonel,” Georgiana turned to Harrison, “recently became engaged to our other cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent. Her mother Lady Catherine is the sister of our mother.We hope Anne's health allows her to join us.”

“The last of our guests, Mr. Harrison, will be my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, from London.They were very instrumental in bringing Fitzwilliam and I together so they are among our favorites.”

“That will be our New Year's party group along with the new vicar and Mrs. Annesley,” Georgiana was a bit anxious. “We hope you will agree to stay with us until then, Mr. Harrison.”

“Having no close relatives in this part of England, being able to share your celebrations will make the time more memorable.” Georgiana blushed, but she looked forward to his company. “Plus, I am anticipating the gathering you are having for the Pemberley tenants between Christmas and New Year's. It is an ingenious idea, Mr. Darcy.”

“I can take no credit for this celebration; it is the creation of my wife and my sister as a way of remembering our mother, but their plans far exceed anything of which my mother ever dreamed,” Darcy deferred the thanks. He no longer worried about the outcome of the celebration. Because he trusted Elizabeth with his heart, he trusted her with Pemberley too.

 

“Fitzwilliam, what do you think of Mr. Harrison?” They lay across their bed having exhausted themselves in love.

“He is pleasant enough. His political beliefs are more pronounced than are mine, but I admire his plan to save his land.Why do you ask?”

“Because he has that look.” Absentmindedly, she drew lines up and down his chest with her fingertips.

“What look?” He turned and propped himself up on his arm.