Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (59 page)

“NO!”  Came a chorus of voices from the assembled staff. 

Instantly she stopped and looked at the group of servants then pointed.  “ook!”

“Oh your father is going to be furious.”  Mrs. Reynolds whispered.  Mrs. Robbins snatched her up and took her straight up the stairs to the nursery, chastising her all the way out of relief and frustration.  Matthews and Mrs. Reynolds approached the mess and he knelt down to the books. 

“Only three are torn and one truly ruined.”  He said softly.  “The rest can be pressed perhaps, to get the wrinkles out?”

“Iron a book?”  She said doubtfully.

“Which one did she destroy?  Not a first edition of something, I hope?”  Conrad picked up the titles.  “This is poetry.”

“The master’s favourite.”  Mrs. Reynolds moaned.  “There is no hiding this from him.” 

“Well, give me the mangled ones, and I will attempt to smooth the pages.”  Bernard accepted the stack of books.  “They started reading to her, that is why she came in here.”

“You make that sound like an accusation; they are always in this room.”  Matthews took the four torn books and looked over the titles.  “All of them are

Robert Burns, and from the look of it, well-read.”  He set them down on a table.  “I will speak to Mr. Darcy when he comes down.”

“I hope they do not dismiss Mrs. Robbins.”  Conrad noted.  “She loves that child.”

“No, I will fight for her if that is the reaction, but this cannot happen again.” He looked around at them all.  “Keep the doors shut on unoccupied rooms, keep the door to the kitchen shut at all times.  There are too many ways for a child to be hurt here, not to mention how many things she might hurt with her curiosity.  I do not look forward to her learning to climb up the stairs.”  Matthews bent and picked up a loose page, and set it atop the stack.  “Back to our duties.”  He nodded at them all and left the room. 

“Oh dear.”  Mrs. Reynolds looked back and closed the door behind them as they all filed out. 

7 SEPTEMBER 1811

Lady Matlock wrote to me that after three weeks, Richard and Evangeline seem to be settled in the dower house.  It is a beautiful home, it is nearly as large as Longbourn, and far enough from the mansion to maintain both privacy and some semblance of sovereignty over their lives.  Evangeline did not miss a step moving in.  She was mistress of Meadowbrook for years after Ellen Harwick’s death, so operating this home presents no difficulty whatsoever.  Richard has dived into work.  He has taken no time to relax with his retirement from the army, and Lady Matlock worries to see him working so hard.  That he stays out with the steward all day, beyond even his father and brother’s desire to work is a testament to his determination, and clearly a product of his days as a colonel, but it does nothing to save his legs.  Evangeline feels that he suffers as much now as before, and despite her urging, he will not slow.  A man and his pride, I suppose.

“I was thinking of going to visit.”  Darcy looked up at her.  “Just to look in on him, let him know how my search has progressed.  And try to convince him to relax.”

“By yourself?”

“No, I was hoping that we could go together.  It is not far at all to Matlock, we could go early in the morning, spend the day there, undoubtedly we would be invited to spend the night, then come home in the morning, or afternoon.”

“No Rosalie?  No sisters?  No Mr. Bingley?”  Elizabeth sighed and rested against his chest.  “Just us?”

“Yes.”  He kissed her forehead.  “The girls have Mrs. Annesley, Rosa has Mrs. Robbins, Bingley is quite old enough to look after himself, and he is here to take care of anything that might arise.  I think that we have been dutiful parents long enough and deserve a little holiday.”

“To a relative’s home.”  She looked up at him with a little smile.  “Not quite a second honeymoon.”

“Would you really like one?”  Darcy sat up and searched her eyes.  “Say the word love, and we will be off.  Now is the time, before the pregnancy is obvious, and you are too tired to enjoy yourself.  And when the new baby comes, you will be feeding him, and there is no doubt that we cannot leave.”

“Without Rosa?”  She glanced at the three drawings she had received for her birthday.

Darcy followed her gaze.  “Would you truly relax if she was with us?”

“Would I relax if she was absent?”  Elizabeth bit her lip and he nuzzled her neck.  “We do not have time, do we?  Not to do something really enjoyable, like visiting the Peaks.”

“No, I suppose not.  We will be leaving for London in a few weeks, then to Netherfield.”  He looked at her sadly.  “We should have thought of it sooner.”

“We will be free of guests soon enough.”

“Yes, by becoming guests!”  He laughed.  “Is Kitty sure that she wants to return to Longbourn?”

“She did not have the same experience there that I did, Will.  She was neither neglected nor praised.  Mama accepted her, and Papa let her be.  She is simply a happy girl who tries to fit in wherever she is.  I think that she would like to spend time with Jane now.  With Georgiana returning to school, she will not have anyone but me to occupy her here, and she sees how busy I am.  Mrs. Annesley will go with her, and maybe do Mama some good in the process.”

“But she could be learning from you.  You are the greatest teacher she could have for being the mistress.” 

“Kitty is not destined for a future in our sphere.  I just do not see her married to someone with a great estate.”  She shrugged when his brow furrowed.  “Do you?”

He studied her while he thought then answered slowly.  “No.  I suppose not.  Mr. Evans looks at her, I noticed.”

“Yes, Mr. Evans does.”  Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled.  “But I think he is just enjoying seeing such a happy girl.  She is too young and before you say it, she is not me.” She laughed and removed her hand from his lips when he kissed her fingers.  “And he is in no hurry either.”

“How do you know?”

“I asked.”

“You did not!”

“Of course, I did!  I did not come straight out and ask if he liked my sister!  I do have some tact!”

“I am waiting to hear what it is.”  Darcy looked at her sceptically.  “Go on.”

“I merely asked what his opinion was of the couples he marries, which ones he felt would be successful and if the age of the bride and groom had any bearing on their future happiness.”  She lifted her chin when he chuckled.  “And he said that he would not consider marrying a girl younger than eighteen, and preferably twenty or more. 

“Why is that?”

“Because she would have experience, and when she came to him, she would not wonder if she had made a mistake if she had waited a little longer.”

“And she would not be a giggling girl, but wise to the purpose of marriage?”  He kissed her nose and lifted his brows.  “Of course you were none of those things.”

“I never giggled.”

“I have heard one on occasion.”

“Did you mind?” 

“No, love.”  He stood and held out his hand.  “Come.”

“Where?” 

“I have a belated birthday gift.”

“Very belated!”

“Well it only just arrived!  War makes delivery difficult!”  Laughing, he took her hand and they exited their chambers. 

“War!”  Elizabeth laughed.  “What does that have to do with my birthday?” 

“Your gift is from the continent.”  His eyes twinkled as hers grew round.  “You see, I had to work quickly to find a gift for you on your day.”

“So the picnic and lovemaking on the precipice overlooking Pemberley was not your original plan?”

“No.”  He chuckled when her mouth opened and he stopped to take advantage of her tongue.  “mmm. I improvised very nicely, I think.” 

“You certainly did!”  She sighed and leaned on him as they started to walk again.  “I would not mind having that repeated.  Vigorously.”

“Vigorously?”  Darcy slipped his hand around her waist and kissed her ear.  “How vigorously?”

“Hold nothing back, Husband.”

“Forget the birthday gift; let us return to our room.”  He started to turn her around when they heard Rosalie’s voice, and indistinctly heard Mrs. Robbins talking in a low rapid tone.  “What is that about?”   They walked out to the landing and saw them disappearing upstairs.  They looked at each other and hearing Rosalie laugh he shrugged and they continued down the stairs. 

“Mr. Darcy, sir.”  Matthews caught his attention.  “When you have a chance, I would like to speak with you.”

“Is it pressing?”

“No sir, not at all, whenever you have time.”  He nodded at Elizabeth and walked away. 

“Something is in the air.”  Elizabeth whispered.  “Mrs. Reynolds just looked this way and nearly ran.”

“Perhaps I should go after him?”  Darcy looked down the hallway in the direction Matthews had taken.

“No, he said it could wait, and you do have a present for me.”  Elizabeth tugged at his waistcoat.  “Come on, show me!”

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek and they kept on until they entered the library. Closing the door behind him, he joined her, and pulled away the cloth that covered her gift.  “Here we are.”  

“What is it?”  Elizabeth looked over the beautiful mahogany box and back up to him. 

“Open it.”  He smiled and watched as she lifted the lid and gasped.  “A new music box.”

“Oh Will!”  She squealed and turned to hug him before turning back to the box.  “Look at all of the songs!”  She lifted up the rolls, “There must be twenty!”

“Almost, fifteen.”  Watching her look at each in wonder, he took one from her hands and put it in place, pulled the lever to wind the mechanism, then let it go.  “Listen.” 

“Ohhhhh.”  She sighed as the gentle notes filled the room.  “A waltz!”

“Scandalous.”  He whispered and slipping his arms around her waist, swayed behind her, nibbling on her throat and pressing his groin to her back.  “Do you like it, love?  It is still just an experimental one, but I had a standing order to ship as soon as the craftsman was ready to sell.  Do you like it?”

“If you dance with me like this, how can I not love it?” 

Darcy closed his eyes and rubbed his hands down her hips and back up over her belly to her breasts.  “Dance with me?” 

“I am.” 

“That is not the dance I want.”  His tongue traced over her ear.  “I locked the door . . .”

“Lovemaking with music?”  She turned and saw his warm darkened eyes.  “How long have you thought of this?”

“Forever.”  He kissed her and went back to the music box, picking up the largest roll and setting it in place.  He turned around to find Elizabeth waiting by the chaise lounge.  He removed his coat and loosened his cravat.  “Too many clothes, love.”

“We cannot be too long.”  She smiled when he walked up to her and took her back up in his arms.  “We cannot be vigorous.”

Darcy started to laugh, then holding her closer he bowed his head, his chest rocking with his chuckling, and his grip around her body tightening.  “Oh Lizzy, the more vigorous I am, the shorter the lovemaking.”  He loosened his grip a little to find her eyes sparkling up at him.  “Don’t you know that by now?”

“I had noticed . . .” She was silenced with his mouth on hers and a kiss that stole her breath.  He allowed no opportunity for any response other than her mouth and tongue stroking his just as hungrily as he devoured hers.  Putting out his hand, he lowered them down to the chaise, still kissing, and with his knee separating her legs, he quickly opened his breeches, and tore away just long enough to raise her skirt, and look up at her.  Elizabeth reached for him and tugged his swollen, burning pole, bringing his hard body inside and on top of her. 

“So tight.”  He groaned and started moving, hard and fast.  “Oh I think about this constantly, Lizzy.”

“Tell me!”  She gasped and placed her hands against his chest, while he stared down at her, panting and watching their bodies moving together.  “Feeling me?”

“Touching you, smelling you . . . so wet, Lizzy!”  His eyes closed and he felt her hands slip behind his head and draw his face down so they could kiss.  Darcy moved his hands beneath her bottom and lifted her hips up and began grinding into her.  “Does it feel good, love?”  He panted and breathed in her ear.  “Tell me what you want.”

“Kiss me.” 

He lifted his head to kiss her and with a groan, realized that she wanted to suckle his tongue.  Instantly, his vigour slowed, and he melted into her passionate kiss.  His arms moved around her shoulders, and joined, they rolled from the chaise and onto the floor, never noticing the drop, so lost in the feel of their bodies so completely engaged.  Her relentless, sensuous strokes made every nerve in his body tingle, he felt so alive, and so wanted, and he never wanted it to end.  Elizabeth concentrated on his soft tongue beneath her lips, the quiet deep moans he unconsciously uttered, and the incredible feel of him, so deeply rocking within her.  At last her kiss faltered and Darcy lifted his head in time to see her chin lift up as her head fell back, and inside he felt that squeeze, that embrace of her body, and he was lost, two long strokes was all he needed before shuddering back down into her arms. 

“Oh my.”  Elizabeth sighed into the ear that rested by her mouth.  “That was . . .”

“Indescribable.”  Came his muffled voice.

“Oh no, I can describe it.”

“You can?” 

“mmmmmmmarvelous.” 

Darcy started to laugh and rolling to his side, propped his head on his hand.  “My goodness.”

“Too graphic?”  She smiled and they kissed.  “How did we land down here?”

“I have no idea.  Fortunately the rug is thick.”  He kissed her again and leaned down to kiss her belly.  “Forgive me my child; I suppose that you are a bit dizzy.”

“Rocking is comforting for a baby.”  Elizabeth declared.  “He is just fine.”

“We will see when he starts kicking you what his opinion is.”  Darcy caressed her face with his fingers.  “I love you.”

“I love you.” 

He lifted her jaw and they kissed again.  “We should try this with our clothes off, sometime.”

“I have heard that it is quite enjoyable.”

“Really?  And from whom have you heard?”

“Oh everyone!”  Elizabeth laughed.  “It is likely in a few of these tomes you have . . .” She looked over to the bookshelves.  “Some books are missing.”