My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey Into Love Everlasting (60 page)

Darcy smiled with some surprise evident on his visage as well. "That is marvelous news. I do hope they encounter no further distress." He gazed lovingly upon his son, embraced so closely to his beating heart, speaking in a coarse whisper, "Nothing could be worse than losing a child, unless it is losing a beloved wife. Neither event would I wish upon my worst enemy."

Drawing Alexander's face near, Darcy bestowed numerous soft kisses, the babe calming until the tip of Darcy's nose brushed over pink lips. Instantly he opened wide, rooting for a meal. When that was not immediately forthcoming a loud bellow was emitted, the once placid face screwed in consternation.

"Apparently he is tired of me. Nourishment takes precedence over play or adoration, so it seems." He carried the upset babe to Lizzy, already drawing the shawl across her chest while releasing buttons. The process of positioning and latching was now accomplished rapidly, Alexander's cries stifled instantly as his mouth became active in pleasanter pursuits.

Darcy encircled his wife's shoulders, securing the shawl for privacy although no one would enter his study unannounced. He kissed Lizzy's temple, caressing Alexander's leg while he nursed. Never tiring of these moments of felicity, Darcy happily eschewed the work on his desk. Stacks of parchment, receipts, and invoices would regenerate no matter how diligently he applied himself; however, these precious interludes were a one-time experience to be savored. Yes, Alexander would eat again in a few hours and so on, but each day he matured in subtle ways, vague evolutions that meant he would never be quite the same. They may be blessed with a dozen children, each precious, but all unique in their personalities and actions. Darcy and Lizzy wanted to wholly absorb each minute with Alexander to be treasured in their memories and hearts for all eternity.

Darcy sighed, resting his head against Lizzy's. "I rather envy Mr. Collins, shocking as that is to confess. I would not be averse to spoiling two babies. Perhaps we can arrange something for the next pregnancy," he grinned.

Lizzy chucked. "Very sweet, but personally I prefer one baby at a time. And let us allow my bum to heal before we start planning further pregnancies. Unless, that is, we can figure a way for you to incubate one of them!"

Darcy laughed. "I am quite certain every woman on down through the endless ages has prayed for that miracle. Alas, the Almighty had a different plan. Very well then, one at a time is adequate, especially if they are all as adorable as our Alexander." He clasped one foot, toes automatically curling around the tip of Darcy's thumb where it pressed lightly the length of the sole. Alexander shoved against the pressure, causing his father to smile at his strength. The occupied infant opened one eye, shifted slightly, and momentarily lost his grip on the nipple. After a frantic search the nipple was found, Alexander casting a baleful glance at Darcy before attending to the serious business of eating.

"You of all people should know better than to disturb a Darcy while dining," Lizzy teased.

"Point well taken. Forgive me, my son." He bent to softly kiss the baby's downy cheek, planted a second kiss onto the beautiful flesh of his wife's breast followed by several others winding up her chest until reaching her lips.

The kiss was long, gentle, soothing, and loving rather than passionate. Darcy withdrew mere inches to gaze into Lizzy's sparkling eyes, hand and fingers stroking over her jaw and cheek. "I love you, Elizabeth, unbelievably so. You are beautiful and extraordinarily desirable to me. I know we cannot make love yet, but I do hope you understand my yearning for you is unabated. I will wait as patiently as you need, but when we can be together again, I will love you hard with all my soul pouring into yours. Nothing, not time or even Alexander, can usurp your place in my life. You are my heartbeat and breath, my beloved, precious wife."

They kissed again. Tenderness transmuting to urgency; passion growing as the kiss deepened; waves of desire swept through them both leaving them breathless. Lizzy moaned, hands gripping Alexander tightly, the infant oblivious as he ate. Darcy pulled away, his arousal well advanced, meeting Lizzy's glazed eyes with his own.

"Fitzwilliam," she whispered, as she always did when overcome by desire.

Darcy smiled beatifically. "Soon, my lover, soon. Anticipation is sweet, and believe me, my expectations are high so therefore it will be sweet indeed. I can promise you this, my soul." He kissed her again, temperately as passion was cooled, lingering teasingly over her lips before traveling along her jaw to then bury his face with a contented sigh into the delicate angle where slender neck met dainty shoulder.

THIS THIRD NOVEL OF THE Darcy Saga series is dedicated to my father, Edward Hudson, and my mother, Marge Shelly, who passed away in September. Naturally my existence is a reality due to their existence, but my thanks is for more than that. These two people have been a constant bedrock throughout my life no matter what tribulations troubled their own lives. Dad, I love you. Mom, I love you, miss you, and will never forget all you taught me. Next time I see you we will be free of all cares as we dance in Heaven!

Some special thanks: Deb Werksman for your patience, support, and friendship. Danielle Jackson for being utterly adorable and the best publicist on the planet. Simone van Lingen for your devoted friendship and for discovering Sourcebooks. Vee Stojcevski for your Aussie humor, proofreading skills, and being my #1 TSBO devotee. My husband and kids for loving me throughout the craziness. And above all, to my Lord and God for ceaseless inspiration.

Finally, and with all my heart, a huge thank you to my readers for taking this journey with me and the Darcys. The ride is just beginning!

SHARON LATHAN IS A NATIVE Californian currently residing amid the orchards, corn, cotton, and cows in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. She divides her time between being a homemaker nurturing her own Mr. Darcy and two teenage children and working as a registered nurse in a neonatal ICU. Throw in the cat, dog, and a ton of fish to complete the picture. When not at the hospital or attending to the often dreary tasks of homemaking, she is generally found reposing in her comfy recliner with her faithful laptop. For more information about Sharon and The Darcy Saga series, visit her website at: www.darcysaga.net.

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy:
Two Shall Become One

SHARON LATHAN

"Highly entertaining... I felt fully immersed in the time period.
Well done!"
--Romance Reader at Heart

A fascinating portrait of a timeless, consuming love

It's Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding day, and the journey is just beginning as Jane Austen's beloved
Pride and Prejudice
characters embark on the greatest adventure of all: marriage and a life together filled with surprising passion, tender self-discovery, and the simple joys of every day.

As their love story unfolds in this most romantic of Jane Austen sequels, Darcy and Elizabeth each reveal to the other how their relationship blossomed from misunderstanding to perfect understanding and harmony, and a marriage filled with romance, sensuality and the beauty of a deep, abiding love.

978-1-4022-1523-0 * $14.99 US/ $15.99 CAN/ PS7.99 UK

What readers are saying:

"This journey is truly amazing."

"What a wonderful beginning to this truly beautiful marriage."

"Could not stop reading."

"So beautifully written...making me feel as though I was in the room with Lizzy and Darcy...and sharing in all of the touching moments between."

Loving Mr. Darcy:
Journeys Beyond Pemberley

SHARON LATHAN

"A romance that transcends time."
--The Romance Studio

Darcy and Elizabeth embark on the journey of a lifetime

Six months into his marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy is still head over heels in love, and each day offers more opportunities to surprise and delight his beloved bride. Elizabeth has adapted to being the Mistress of Pemberley, charming everyone she meets and handling her duties with grace and poise. Just when it seems life can't get any better, Elizabeth gets the most wonderful news. The lovers leave the serenity of Pemberley, traveling through the sumptuous landscape of Regency England, experiencing the lavish sights, sounds, and tastes around them. With each day come new discoveries as they become further entwined, body and soul.