Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (7 page)

“Mr. Parker, you are in lonely country here.  When we sent Gerry into the village to order a joint for dinner, everyone knew that Sommerwald was going to be occupied.  They’re used to the Walkers, the family that leases the estate, going to London for the Season.  So when they heard him make the order, why the tongues were wagging!  The news that Mr. Darcy was coming was through the village quick as lightning.  I think that you had best warn the master that the local gentlemen will come calling before long, and you know what follows is the ladies and the invitations.”

Parker’s eyes closed.  “I was afraid of that.” 

“It is to be expected.”  Judy said softly, and he looked to her.  “I think that Mr. and Mrs. Darcy will be fine with it. They probably could use a little social time with others for a change.  It might reduce the constant worry they keep trying to hide from each other.”

“But how can they socialize?”

“Miss Cargill is not out, there is the perfect excuse for her to always be left behind or not appear if anyone calls.  I will keep her occupied.”  Jennifer assured them. 

“I will speak to Mr. Darcy.”  Parker sighed.  “I just hope that it does reduce their worry rather than the opposite.”

“What will become of the baby?”  Mrs. Shaw asked.  “Are they leaving it here?”

“No, the baby will find a loving home in England.”  Parker got to his feet and looked around the table.  “They are counting on us to help them through this very trying time.  I, for one, would like to see the master and mistress finally enjoy their marriage.  I sincerely hope to leave here in August with joyful expectations for Pemberley.  Now, I have work to do.  Ladies.”  He bowed his head and departed. 

Judy stood as well, “I should attend Mrs. Darcy while Mr. Darcy is busy with the steward.  Smiling, she touched her sister’s shoulder and nodded to the buns.  “Will you make Miss Cargill a tray?”

“That is what I was about to do.” 

Judy left the kitchen and caught up with Parker on the stairs.  “Now . . .
what
was that jealous old bird about?  I thought that she was going to start spooning your porridge in your mouth.”

“Please.”  He said tiredly.

“Another bun, Mr. Parker?”  Judy said liltingly and nudged him.  “Come on, out with it!” 

“I danced with her a few times over the years.”  He shook his head when she laughed.  “What is so funny?”

Separating from him, she went to the door to the mistress’s chambers as he stood with the handle in hand for the master’s.  “I do not know; you must have quite a way about you, to leave such a lasting impression.  I never saw it myself.” 

“Get to work Miss Orchard.”  He said with a straight face.

“Judy is good enough for me, Mr. Parker.”  She bobbed him a curtsey and disappeared inside of the room.

Elizabeth was just choosing a dress for walking when Judy appeared.  “That was interesting.” 

“Madam?”

“I have never heard you tease Parker before.”  Elizabeth smiled when Judy’s mouth dropped open and held out a dress.  “I think that this one will do.”

“This one, madam?”  Judy was still blushing, but she held out the white gown doubtfully.  “I thought that you were going walking?”

“I am, and I intend to return here thoroughly dishevelled with my hem six inches deep in mud.”  Seeing Judy’s face fall, she laughed.  “I am sorry, but there are just some things that a woman must do to remain attractive for her husband.  And one of them is remembering what attracted him to her in the first place.” 

“Walking in the mud?”  Judy stared.

“No.”  Elizabeth laughed and patted her arm.  “Teasing him.”  

Chapter 3

“T
here you go, Lizzy.”  Darcy helped her up onto the horse.  “Very good.” 

“One ride with Mr. Ferguson and suddenly you feel that you must tour the grounds daily?”  Elizabeth said a little nervously as he watched her settle her seat and adjusted her stirrup.  Darcy put the reins in her hands and gave her leg a reassuring pat.

“One ride with Mr. Ferguson and I found that I did not hurt so badly anymore, and . . . I remembered how wonderfully freeing it feels to be on horseback.”  He walked over to his mount and swung up into the saddle.  “If there is one thing that you and I need, it is time to be on our own.” 

“It looks like rain.”

“Stop making excuses, Elizabeth.  The Mistress of Pemberley rides.”  He spoke sternly and was clearly not going to accept no for an answer. 

“This is not Pemberley . . .” She squealed when he gave her horse a little pat and she began moving.  “Will!”

Darcy just laughed and nudging his mount, confidently moved ahead of her.  “Keep up!  Unless you would like to stare at my back the whole way.”  Elizabeth was about to reply in kind when she noticed the rather nice way that Darcy’s thighs grasped his horse, and the impressive sight of his straight back and broad shoulders.  Darcy turned his head when he did not hear an answer and stopped.  “What thoughts are flying through your mind?” 

“I was just admiring your form.”  Elizabeth lifted her chin and continued past him. 

Darcy watched her go and took note of her bottom bouncing so very pleasantly on the saddle.  “I must say the same of yours, dear.”  Elizabeth looked over her shoulder and met his eye, “Ahhh, I think that we may be racing before the day is through.”   Darcy easily caught up with her and they wandered out of the estate and on their way down the roadway.  “It has been some time, but I believe that this path leads to the coast.  There is a little fishing village where I spent many mornings, watching the boats going out.” 

“Your father was not with you the last time you visited?”

“No, I was on my own.”  He noted her concern.

“No travelling companions?  You had friends . . .”

“Of course, and I travelled around England and Ireland with a group of them from school, but there came a point when I had had enough of them and I . . . I was close enough to Sommerwald that I came here.  Father was not leasing out the house then.  He wanted to come whenever he wished, and of course that is not possible when you have a tenant.”  He bit his lip and looked down.  “It was a relief to not be involved in their amusement any longer.”

“What did they like to do?”

“Gambling, drinking to excess . . . other things.”  He cleared his throat and looked ahead. “I was glad to part ways.  I . . . they were different when we were in school.  I suppose that the strict atmosphere held them in check and once graduated, they . . . were ready to sow their wild oats.”

“That sounds like your cousin Albert.  I wonder, have you maintained friendships with these men since?” 

“Casual, but nothing more.  I have been occupied with Pemberley.”  Their eyes met. 

“Was Mr. Manning one of them?”

“Yes.”  Darcy smiled with her ‘ah.’  “You were not impressed?  He is not a bad egg.  That was some time ago, I think that his oats are very thoroughly sown now.  We spent some of last summer together.” 

“So you preferred the solitude of Sommerwald to the companionship of others?”

“Being largely an only child, I suppose that is not unusual?  I am quite adept at entertaining myself.  I remember travelling with my parents and staying quiet so I would not disturb Mother.”

“Did she object to noise?

“No . . . I remember Father saying that she was delicate and needed to rest.  It occurs to me now that she was likely pregnant all of those times.”  He looked to her.  “The things you understand when you are all grown up.” 

“Yes, I . . . I am always having moments where I seem to have epiphanies.  Now I understand Papa’s jokes.”  Her smile faded and she looked ahead.  “Where else have you been?”

“Oh, all over.  Of course I lived in Eton and Cambridge.”

“What is Cambridge like?”  Elizabeth asked curiously. 

“I shall take you there.  I am afraid that my descriptions will leave you yawning.”  He chuckled as she squeezed his arm.  “You know I have no gift for speech, certainly not of flowery praise.”

“I was not seeking that, and you are doing just fine.”

“Thank you.”  He said softly and nodded to her horse, “You are as well.” 

“Thank you.” 

He lifted his chin.  “Castle Douglas.”

“Where?”

“Right before you, love, the village?  Many coaches go through there.  It is quite a hub in the area.”  He smiled.  “What did you think it was?”

“I was expecting a castle!”  Elizabeth laughed and he chuckled.  “Well, they are all over here!” 

He glanced around, remembering the location of several ruins, “True.  Would you care to see one?  Or shall we go into the village?” 

“Oh, the village, please.  It is a little chilly, perhaps some warm cider by the fire in one of the inns?”  Elizabeth’s head tilted and Darcy reached out for her hand.  “A good idea?”

“An excellent one, love.”  He gave her hand a squeeze and letting go, cleared his throat.  “Now, lessons.”

“I had hoped you forgot . . .”

“Never.”  His eyes twinkled.  “Now then, my dear, back straight, eyes forward . . .”

“You are one to talk about that . . .”

“
I
am giving the lesson . . .”

“I think that I am better off not having had a governess or schooling, I never would have paid any heed . . .”

“If you do not stop talking you will not learn anything.”

“My mind would be wandering down more pleasant paths . . .” She giggled at his glare.  “Would you care to know where my mind is wandering now?”

“No.”

“Yes, you would.”  She teased and gasped when her horse startled a little with a gust of wind. “Will!”

“Always, always pay attention, never let go of the reins.  Now, how do you slow your mount or regain control when it is startled?”  He spoke sternly but his lips were twitching.  “Mrs. Darcy?” 

“You are not to be distracted.”  She murmured while grasping her reins tightly and staring straight ahead.

Darcy’s smile grew as he watched his now determined student.  “Not when it comes to protecting you.” 

SAMUEL RODE UP the drive and as expected, found his father seated on his horse, staring out over the estate.  Judge Darcy did not even look away this time.  Father and Son sat together in companionable silence for several minutes until Samuel spoke.

“I saw Richard this morning.  He rode with me into Lambton.  I was disappointed that he did not stay longer.”

Judge Darcy nodded.  “Yes, he said that his time is short and he had to get on if he is to return to his post on the appointed date.”

“That is what he said, but he rode north, not south.” 

“Did he?”  The judge nodded.  “I wonder if he has made a decision.” 

“To give up his commission?  Do you think that is the right decision?”

“I am not the best judge of that.”  He looked to his son who smiled.  “He is a very good man who carries a heavy burden.”

“I think that he is going to see William.”

“I do, too.”  Judge Darcy drew in a breath and blew it out.  “And then we will see.”

“HOW ARE YOU COMING ALONG, Georgiana?”  Elizabeth joined her in the parlour, finding her sister surrounded by work baskets full of baby clothes in various stages of completion and decoration.

She looked up and sighed.  “How did everything become so muddled?” 

Laughing, Elizabeth sat down and looked at the mess.  “I think that it was because we were stuck in that carriage and you could not spread things out.”

“I have too many projects started.” 

“You will certainly have time to finish them.”  Elizabeth picked up one little gown.  “I like this.”

Georgiana looked up.  “Oh, you can see the difference between my first flowers and the last.”

“You certainly can, you are improving all of the time.”  Rooting in the basket, Elizabeth found the gown that she was decorating and quickly set to work.  “This will be the best dressed baby that was ever born, and we will certainly have many gowns to give to the poor house.”  She looked out at the drive when the crunch of wheels on the gravel was heard.  “Oh dear, another one.  Poor Fitzwilliam!”

“Another neighbour?”  Georgiana peeked out of the window and drew back when the three men exiting looked up. 

“When we stopped in at The King’s Arms for the cider, we were largely regarded as strangers passing through on a post coach, but then when the coaches all departed and we remained, I am afraid that we drew curiosity, and outright questioning.”  She smiled.  “They do not hesitate to ask your business here.” 

“But it is a busy town!”

“Oh they do not mind the strangers, but if one is actually living here, now that it s a different story!  Oh my, everyone certainly knows that Fitzwilliam is the absent landowner of Sommerwald now.  I suppose that it was bound to happen, first Mrs. Duncan orders meat and then we dared to stick our noses into the village.” 

“I will remain out of sight.”  Georgiana said quietly. 

“We will do our best to keep your identity at least a secret, but your condition . . . I am afraid that is just a matter of time.  I am sorry.”

“I understand, thank you for trying.” 

They looked out at the carriage.  “We must be running out of the local gentry by now.  Poor, dear man.  He was not happy to have our peace disturbed at the inn, we were having such a lovely time.”   Elizabeth sighed.  “But he has no choice, does he?    They are paying their respects to the house.  I suppose that we would have had the same at Pemberley if we had been there any longer.  When we return we will have to host a ball or something to meet them all and be done with it.” 

“This is not entirely unfamiliar, Elizabeth.  He is used to the tenants coming to him with their problems.”

“Oh, it is not that I think him incapable of meeting people, I just know that he is very shy.”  Seeing Georgiana’s brow crease, she laughed.  “You did not know?”

They heard Parker greeting the visitors at the door and the sound of their footfalls trouping across the wooden floor.  The deep rumble of male voices en masse was a different note in the house.  Elizabeth cocked her head as she tried to catch the conversation and noticing Georgiana watching her, shrugged a little.  “I keep expecting to hear girls giggling when there is a great deal of noise downstairs.”  Glancing at the clock, she sighed and returned to her sewing.