Darcy's Passions (52 page)

She kissed him fervently, welcoming the strength of his arms around her. Darcy held her there to him, their arms encircling each other, their legs entangled, their breathing jagged, their
hearts pounding into each other's ribcages. It seemed that there was nothing he needed more than to be loved by her. The outside world as they knew it stopped—it was only the two of them left in their world.

 

New Year's Eve late afternoon brought the carriage carrying Edward and Anne to Pemberley. Darcy met them in the courtyard. “Edward, you are here at last; I feared you would not come.”

“We had some
difficulties,
but we are happy to be here, Fitz. May we stay several days at Pemberley? Anne and I need to make some arrangements before we go to Matlock for my parents' anniversary party.”

“Of course, Edward; you do not need to ask.” Darcy shook his hand. Then he turned to help Anne from the coach. “Anne, it pleases me to see you looking so refreshed. I hope you are well.”

“Edward keeps me from dwelling on my illnesses, Fitzwilliam. I feel so much stronger when I am on his arm.”

Darcy smiled with the knowledge Lady Catherine's hold on Anne would soon be over.“Let us go into the house, shall we?” He offered Anne his arm, and she actually smiled up at him.

“Darcy, where are Mrs. Darcy and Georgiana?” Edward asked.

“Elizabeth went to find Georgiana when she saw your coach. They will join us shortly.We have several other houseguests; let me introduce you.”

 

Elizabeth discovered Georgiana in the music room listlessly sitting on one of the window seats and staring outside. “Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne just arrived. Your brother asks you to come greet them.”

“What?” Georgiana's distraction caused confusion.“I am sorry, Elizabeth, did you say something?”

Elizabeth came to sit beside her sister. “Georgiana, what is wrong? You have not been yourself the last few days.What bothers you?”

“It is a foolish idea; forgive me, Elizabeth. I am distracted, but I really do not know why.”

“Is your distraction related to Mr. Harrison?” Elizabeth recognized the signs.

Georgiana blushed and turned her head to divert her eyes from Elizabeth's knowing glance. Elizabeth turned her chin and forced her sister to look at her. There was a long pause, and then Georgiana blurted out, “Mr. Harrison spends his time with your sister Kitty. He and I have not walked the grounds in two days, Elizabeth. He seems to have found other amusements.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, Georgiana,” she hugged the girl closely to her. “Mr. Harrison has eyes for no one but you. He knows your every manner-ism; Kitty is flirtatious, but Mr. Harrison wants a woman who shares his vision; Kitty is not that woman.”

The tears and sobs consumed Georgiana; she could barely speak.“What do I do, Elizabeth?”

“Georgiana, your brother would never agree to a proposal from Mr. Harrison at this time, and I would not support it either. Mr. Harrison will need to wait for you. Your brother would not consider such an alliance until you are at least eight and ten. He feels he just found you himself; Fitzwilliam will not be anxious to have you leave Pemberley.You must learn more about Mr. Harrison before you give your heart to him. Find out does he have the same honor your brother possesses; does he have the humor of Colonel Fitzwilliam. There are many things you need to know about a man before you agree to be his wife; I would not want you to marry unless you found
real love—
real passion. Do not settle on a man who offers only agreeable company. He should accept your opinions and arouse your feelings.”

“When did you realize you loved my brother?”

“I cannot tell you the exact time or date. As I look back, I feel he always fascinated me; he would make me so angry I would try to find fault with him; then he would do something so unpredictable. He helped me carry water to my sister's room at Netherfield, out of everyone he could have chosen, he honored me with a dance at the ball, and he shared walks and the field of wildflowers at Rosings. One moment I professed hating him, and then I found I
could not take my eyes from his, and I wanted the regard he once offered me. Obviously, he did the honorable thing; your brother saved my family because he loved me. I finally saw him for the man he always was and allowed myself the pleasure of truly loving him. Now, he gives me more than I could imagine. I am not talking about the wealth of Pemberley; of what I speak is a more intangible gift.Your brother allows me to be a woman with her own independent ideas. Although we rarely disagree about issues, I could differ from him, and Fitzwilliam would listen and be accepting. He allows me to love him on my own terms without the demands society might place on us. I find that for a man who once required society's approval for his every move, your brother is able to see what merits real ‘worthiness' in a relationship.”

“But what if Fitzwilliam wants to present me to society this season? How may I disappoint him and still maintain Mr. Harrison's regard?”

“I will speak to your brother about waiting another season before your presentation, but I will not lie to him about the reasons.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth. I could not face Fitzwilliam without you.”

“Now, your brother wishes you to come greet the colonel and Anne. Tell him I will be there shortly; I must see Mrs. Reynolds about something for tonight.”

 

As Georgiana turned toward the drawing room, Elizabeth went to find Mr. Harrison; he lounged in the billiard room although he did not play.“Mr. Harrison, I sought your company.”

“Mrs. Darcy, may I be of service to you?”

“I want to speak of something serious, and I desire you to speak the truth.” She came in close to let him know she wanted his absolute attention.

“Of course, Mrs. Darcy.” He escorted her to adjoining chairs.

“Mr. Harrison, I am not a foolish woman; I see how you look at Miss Darcy.”

“I am afraid I do not hide my feelings well. I would seek your husband's approval if I thought Miss Darcy returned my feelings.”

“Mr. Harrison, Mr. Darcy would not accept such a proposal at this time regarding his sister, and I told Georgiana I would not support her relationship with you.”

“Am I such a poor choice for Miss Darcy?”

“This is not what I meant, Mr. Harrison; my early inclination is to believe you to be an excellent choice for my sister; you listen to her and treat her like a woman whom you would respect as well as love.”

“Then what is your concern, Mrs. Darcy?”

“For all her fine learning, Georgiana is a delicate young girl who wears her heart on her sleeve, and until I am sure you will not break her heart, I will not
persuade
my husband to give his approval. What I am going to suggest is you return to Hines Park and, literally, get your house in order. Prove to Mr. Darcy your regard for his sister has nothing to do with her fortune. Allow your affection for Miss Darcy to stay in check until both of you feel
real love.
I have no objections to your occasional visit to Pemberley, but until at least the end of the summer and Georgiana's next birthday, I
forbid
your obtaining a promise from Miss Darcy. I want her to be free to choose you without any obligation to do so. Do you understand my wishes, Mr. Harrison? I will not allow you to trifle with Georgiana's heart. If you two are to really love each other, it will stand the test of time.”

“Mrs. Darcy, your wisdom is never a question.”

“Neither should be my resolve, Mr. Harrison.”

“I will abide by your wishes, Mrs. Darcy, but when the time expires, I will make my declaration to Miss Darcy and pray she will accept.”

“Come, Mr. Harrison, my husband has guests for you to meet.” She took his arm as they returned to the drawing room. “One of them, Colonel Fitzwilliam, a man trained in how to kill another efficiently, is Georgiana's other guardian.” Elizabeth smiled deviously.

“I thoroughly understand, Mrs. Darcy.” Harrison looked uncomfortable as he mulled over her words.

“Elizabeth, there you are,” Darcy called as she entered the room on Mr. Harrison's arm. She quickly left Harrison and slipped into Darcy's outstretched arm.

“I am sorry, Love; I wanted to let the staff know the colonel and Anne have joined us. I did not mean to be so long.” She slid her arm around his waist as she turned her attention to their guests. “Edward, you are most welcomed, and Miss de Bourgh, we cannot tell you what joy you brought to this household today. I am excited you are here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy; Edward and I have been anticipating the pleasure.”

Turning back and gesturing to Harrison to join them, Elizabeth said, “Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss de Bourgh, this is one of our houseguests, Mr. Chadwick Harrison of Hines Park.”

Edward made his bow. “I know Hines Park; I did not realize you took possession of the estate, Mr. Harrison.”

“I have, Colonel Fitzwilliam; my father passed recently.”

“We offer you our support, Sir,” Anne added softly. Harrison made an acknowledging bow and took his leave.

“Georgiana, why do you not show Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson to their rooms? I am sure she would like some time to freshen up.”

Anne turned to Edward. “I will return shortly.” He smiled and squeezed her hand.

“Edward, I realize the trip was exhausting, but would you do me the favor of taking a stroll through the garden before going to your room?” Elizabeth smiled knowingly.

“I would love the exercise, Elizabeth,” he stammered, not understanding her impetuous request.“A few moments to stretch my legs would do me well.”

Darcy looked offended.“May I not join you?”

“Colonel, your cousin always was jealous of our private ramblings,” she teased.“Should we include him today?”

“I believe he earned that right, Mrs. Darcy.”

Elizabeth smiled up at Darcy and took his hand. “Come, Love,
we must hear all of Edward's news.” Realizing she wanted some privacy, both men followed her outside.

 

They walked a short distance from the house before Darcy caught her hand to bring her to the point of this extemporaneous walk. “Elizabeth, Edward should return to his room. Would you like to tell us the purpose of this sudden need for the outdoors?” Darcy looked confused.

“I spoke to Mr. Harrison this morning. His interest in Georgiana grows, Fitzwilliam.”

Quick to react, Darcy began,“I will not have it, Elizabeth.”

She caught his arm to stop his thoughts. “Georgiana believes herself to have feelings for the man,” she continued. “I also spoke to her.”

“Do you not think, Elizabeth, Georgiana is too young for marriage?” Edward questioned.

“In age, she has reached a common time for marriage, but I agree she is too vulnerable to recognize her own worth. Mr. Harrison, I concede, would treat her well—would value her fine mind; I wish only for Georgiana to find real love, and I told her this.” Darcy paced as she talked. “Fitzwilliam,
please
; I told them both, you would not approve of such an alliance at this time, and I would not try to persuade you otherwise.” Her words lessened some of his concern.

“What else did you tell Mr. Harrison, Elizabeth?” Edward realized she took charge of the situation.

“I
forbid
Mr. Harrison from requesting a promise of Georgiana until after her next birthday. I
suggested
he secure the future of Hines Park to prove to you, Fitzwilliam, he sought Georgiana's love and not her fortune, and I
suggested
that if someone were to hurt Georgiana, you Edward were skilled in the ways of killing.” Because of it seeming initially out of place, both men laughed at this last reference. “Fitzwilliam, Mr. Harrison agreed, but he will present himself to you when Georgiana turns eight and ten. Between now and then we should learn all we can of Mr. Harrison's past and his prospects; and we should expose Georgiana to
various social gatherings. If it is meant to be a match, time will tell of its success.”

“Mrs. Darcy,” Edward began, “you are wise beyond your years. No wonder my cousin wanted to keep us apart at Rosings. He feared I might realize your worth.”Then Edward slapped Darcy on the back as he started toward Pemberley. “We will talk more later, Fitz,” he called over his shoulder.

Thoughts of losing Georgiana agitated Darcy, but Elizabeth's manipulation of the situation brought him some relief. “Mrs. Darcy, my cousin is correct; although I always appreciate your wit, your astute insights are often unexpected.”

Elizabeth hastened to his waiting arms.“You are not upset with my interference into Georgiana's life? I should not intrude in your family's affairs. Did I do anything correctly, Fitzwilliam?”

“First, she is your sister too so what is there to censure? You gained Georgiana's trust while forestalling Mr. Harrison's attention; you earned a promise from Mr. Harrison, giving us time to assure his feelings for Georgina and his ability to provide for her. I am glad you are not a man with whom I must do business regularly. You handled it more amiably than I.” He hugged her tightly to him and kissed the top of her head. “Did you really threaten to have the colonel kill Mr. Harrison?” He seemed befuddled by the implications. “First, you threaten Mr.Wickham and now Mr. Harrison. I begin to fear for my safety, Elizabeth,” he mugged.

“You have nothing to fear from me, Fitzwilliam; the worst you have to suffer is my loving you to death.” She kissed him warmly. Elizabeth looked about nervously. “I am looking forward to this evening, are you not, Love?” she said tentatively.