Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice, page 31
Elizabeth spoke tersely. “Just as my imaginary pregnancy does …”
“Do not throw that at me, I told you …” He snapped.
“You were not going to!”
“BUT I DID!” He bellowed.
“But you were not going to.” Elizabeth repeated softly, and rising from the bed, walked to the window, slipping behind the curtains while trying hard not to cry. Darcy’s head bent and he held it in his hands, trying hard to think of something to say.
How did it come to this? How did we move from lovemaking to a fight so quickly? What brought this on? Never in my life have I fought with a woman! He searched desperately for a solution, staring at the shape of her small form behind the curtains, the tail of his robe spread at her feet like a train. All he wanted was that woman back in his arms. What started this?
Finally comprehension dawned. “Lizzy.” He whispered and climbed out of the bed, shivering as the cold air surrounded his naked body. He looked at his robe and could not stop the slight smile, imagining her swamped in yards of fabric. Standing behind her, he spoke softly, “Elizabeth, I do not have any regrets in marrying you.”
“It certainly sounds that way.” She whispered.
Darcy could hear the tears in her voice. “Forgive me, I … I thought I was saying how much I love you.”
“By speaking wistfully of how your duty would have been easily fulfilled by marrying some proper lady?”
“I never said that you were improper, and I was not speaking wistfully.” Darcy licked his lips. “I … I think the problem is that having spent the most incomparable, wonderful, loving night of my life with the woman I adore, I am exceptionally frustrated that I cannot express to her … you … how thrilled I am to be your husband. I want you desperately.”
“I want you, too.” Her voice cracked. Darcy opened the curtains and stood behind her, slipping his arms around her and so glad to feel her hands take his. They stood looking out of the window trying to think of something to say. Elizabeth took a long shaky breath. “Is it always so foggy here? I do not remember this when visiting before.”
“It is worse in winter.” He said softly and kissed her temple. “Sometimes it lasts for days. The coal fires …”
“Oh.” Falling back into silence, they remained tightly embraced until she felt him shiver. Turning, she saw he was naked and gasped. “Fitzwilliam, anyone can see you!”
“Not in that pea soup.” He nodded to the street. “No church for us today, it is unsafe to travel.”
“We could use some church, I think.” Elizabeth opened the robe and wrapped it around his backside, and pressing their bodies together, they kissed. “Forgive me for being so childish.”
“You were not childish, love. You are as unsure as I what to do. We cannot even follow the normal conventions for newlyweds. Your fears are justified and you are innocent.”
“Not as innocent as I was a day ago.” She smiled against his chest.
“But far more innocent than I want you to be.” Darcy rested his cheek in her hair. “I do not wish to give up sleeping with you.”
“I do not think I could bear to sleep alone, now that I have experienced your embrace.” His arms tightened and she whispered. “I also must say that the warmth you radiate is extraordinary. What a wonderful winter this will be!”
Darcy smiled and kissed her cheek. “Will you feel the same in the summer?”
“I will let you know.” She caressed his brow and closed her eyes when his mouth found hers. Their heartbeats increasing, she felt his desire growing again, and with his hands running over her shoulders, he drew her hard against his chest.
“Help me, Lizzy …” He urged softly.
It was the last thing she wanted to do, but she tried. “Perhaps your sister left behind some modest nightdresses?”
Darcy’s forehead found hers. “Do you think that will help?”
“It cannot hurt. Mama started to speak of ways to hinder pregnancy … well she spoke of many things, but … perhaps there are things we can do? And then maybe we would not have to wait …” He nodded seriously. “But … in the meantime … we may kiss and touch …” Darcy’s head dipped down and he kissed her lovingly.
“Like this?”
“Yes.” She breathed.
“Well …” Darcy swallowed. The look of absolute surrender was clear in her face, and he knew it was up to him now. “It is Sunday, and … we will endeavour to behave on Sunday.” Darcy caressed her cheek with his fingers, his touch seemed to bring the focus back to her eyes and he drew a long calming breath. “And perhaps we will manage to find some willpower today.”
“I am not certain that I wish to pray for that or not.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled and relieved, Darcy laughed softly and hugged her. “Or maybe my prayers will be answered another way.”
“I have faith in you, love. I do.”
“I HAD NO IDEA you were coming back to Town so soon.” Richard unfurled his napkin and looked his father over. “What brought this on? No fox at Matlock?”
“Quiet.” Lord Matlock glared at his son and poked at his eggs. “I am not in the mood.”
“Well then, tell me the news. Let me guess, you are here to wish Darcy well on his magnificent match?”
“Magnificent, my foot!” Waving his fork at Richard, he leaned forward. “Your mother and I practically prostrated ourselves to him, welcoming the girl, disregarding the insult of ignoring your sister …”
Richard wiped the bit of potato that flew from his father’s mouth from his nose and smiled. “Darcy would never have married Cathy; or Anne …”
“Fool.”
“You are not alone in that opinion.”
“No, my sister has made that clear. Her apoplectic letter in response to my foolishly cheerful one is one reason I returned. I believe I have calmed her, but she is out for blood. I do not envy Darcy, but then again, I am not happy with him either.” He growled then winced when he went to pick up his coffee, and rubbed over a spot on his arm instead.
Richard’s brow creased. “Problem?”
Shooting him a look, Lord Matlock hesitated. “A slight injury, nothing to be concerned about.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing. Who else is unhappy with Darcy’s bride?”
“The judge.”
“Serves him right.” Lord Matlock said with satisfaction. “Cosying up to the boy …”
“Hardly a boy; and Judge Darcy does live on the estate.”
“Influencing Darcy …”
“He has no daughter to marry off …”
“But he has a son!” Lord Matlock waved his knife this time and Richard leaned back. “A son to marry Georgiana!”
“Do not be ridiculous, Father.”
“How is that ridiculous? It is ambition, not unlike mine for your sister. He has nothing to give the boy, no estate, some money perhaps. That dowry would do a lot of good things for his family.” Lord Matlock’s voice drifted away. Richard studied him and startled when he spoke. “Well?”
“What?”
“When are you going to marry her?”
“Me?” He stared. “She is fifteen! And my, well I share guardianship! You are out of your mind!”
“I would marry your brother to her in a heartbeat and he is two years your elder.”
“I think that the mighty viscount could do much better than an untitled child bride if he just took the time from his drinking to look around.” Richard said dryly. “Besides, he would be through that dowry in days if he does not die first from some disease. You should speak to him, Father, he needs to begat an heir before too long.”
“Which is why you should consider courting Georgiana, not marrying now, but put it to Darcy, say in two or three years …” He nodded significantly and pointed at him. “You will be out of this army business, have a pretty, young, submissive girl as your wife, and plenty of money. It is your easiest option! A guaranteed future! Keep the girl with child and your son might be the heir of Matlock if your brother disappoints as I suspect he will. Make the match now, sign a contract … Come, you could live on Pemberley, he would be glad to give you a home there! Perhaps in the manor! Darcy trusts you; she likes you, what better match for Georgiana? The girl is shy; can you see her in the marriage market? Darcy will be glad to have the match made and avoid putting her through the Seasons, save himself some trouble as well. Go on, Son; speak to him while he is well-satisfied with his new wife and getting some of his own.” Lord Matlock gestured to his crotch with his middle finger and laughed. “He is feeling no pain this morning, I am sure. That could be you in a few years, make a woman of her.”
“Thank you, no.” Richard muttered.
“Do not count on your brother to keep you when I am gone.” He said bluntly. “I am fond of you, Richard, quite fond. Fonder than I am of your brother. I want you cared for. Damned entailment keeps me from doing anything.” He growled. “But we dare not change it!”
“That entailment keeps Matlock intact. I will be fine.”
“Marry your cousin.”
Richard recovered his humour. “Anne?”
“Wretched girl.” Lord Matlock glared as he tore up a piece of bread and dunked it in some gravy. “I pity the man who takes her.”
“As do I, but there is Rosings.”
“Indeed, and your aunt lords it over me. Anne will go to whoever kisses my sister’s boots to her satisfaction. But when this girl who married Darcy sends him to an early grave, Pemberley will be in Georgiana’s hands.” He raised his brows and nodded.
“She may just produce an heir, you know, as you said, Darcy is feeling no pain this morning. Why not meet Elizabeth before you declare her a witch?” Richard wiped his mouth and put down his napkin. “She is lovely, and kind, and probably the best thing that has ever happened to him.”
“I thought that you said she is not one of us? My sister seems to believe that.” He watched Richard get to his feet.
“She is not, but I am beginning to think that is not a bad thing at all. I thought that you were going to help her in society? You want Darcy to like you.” Richard smiled when his father sighed and went to the dining room door. “Darcy is honeymooning, I would not disturb him, send a note if you want to see him.”
“I will see him at Christmas. Where are you going?”
Richard waved his hand over his uniform. “To fulfil my duty as a second son, and earn my keep, Father.” Lord Matlock laughed. “Safe journey whenever you return. Give Mother and Cathy my love, and my brother …” He thumbed his nose and his father nearly choked. “Take care.”
“Take care, Son. I will see you at Pemberley.” He reached for his cup of coffee again, and grimaced at the pain in his arm. “Damn!”
“OH, THOSE BENNETS!” Caroline angrily pulled her hat from her head and threw it across the front hallway. A maid scrambled to retrieve it. “Can they not manage a church service without mortifying behaviour?”
“You are angry over Mrs. Bennet’s crowing about Mrs. Darcy.” Louisa said in a soothing tone. “It is to be expected.”
“It is a triumph of significant proportions for that family.” Hurst wandered into a parlour and poured himself a glass of wine. “Any mother would be celebrating that connection. I have no doubt that her neighbours will soon tire of it.”
“Exactly!” Caroline seized the subject. “She is crass, unsophisticated, rude …”
“Tell us what you really think.” Hurst laughed and sat down. “Is this not as Louisa said? Anger over your utter failure with Darcy?”
“No.” She sat down with a thump. “It is no longer my affair what Mr. Darcy takes as his wife.”
“Who.” Louisa corrected and received a glare. “And somehow I doubt you have washed your hands of him.”
Caroline’s cheeks reddened. “Nevertheless, my concern lies with our brother.”
“Bingley?” Hurst smiled. “Ahhhh, Miss Bennet.”
“She is lovely, sweet, kind …”
“And brings with her that horror of a family! Oh, it is one thing for Eliza to marry Mr. Darcy, he will never see that family, he will take her to Pemberley,” she sighed wistfully, “or London, he will never deal with them again. But our brother, he is smitten with Jane Bennet. If he marries her, we will be stuck in this forsaken country forever, with them on our doorstep!”
“You could marry and escape it all …” Hurst offered.
“I cannot count on finding a suitor with an estate; I will have to rely on my brother’s good fortune, just as you do.”
“Well that is an unprecedented display of honesty, I must say. Perhaps there is hope for you yet. Of course you are still hanging onto your brother’s coat tails.” Caroline made a face at him and he stretched his arms over his head. “I am perfectly happy visiting Bingley wherever he is. I have my sport to keep me occupied, and the men of the neighbourhood are not bad company.” Smirking, he looked to Louisa. “What about you?”
Louisa shrugged. “There are some things lacking in the ladies, but then they do enjoy learning from our example.”
“It is a miserable neighbourhood!” Caroline spat. “Nothing is here.”
“The very definition of a country estate, Sister. Pemberley is no different, only larger.” Hurst chuckled and saw his wife’s brow knit. “What is it, Louisa?”
“Does Charles have intentions for Jane Bennet or is this all her mother’s speculation? She practically has them married! Has he spoken to you?”
“Well.” Hurst set down his glass and finally spoke seriously. “He is interested, but is unsure if she returns his feelings. You are women, what do you see?”
“Nothing.” Louisa said thoughtfully. “She is so mild that I doubt she would cry out if a wasp was in her hair. I have no idea if she is in love or merely being polite.”
“Exactly!” Caroline crowed. “And we do not want to be connected with the Bennets! Relatives in Cheapside!”
“Relatives in Derbyshire …” Hurst pointed out with a grin.
“Miss Darcy is Mr. Darcy’s sister, too. And she has a dowry, a considerable dowry.” Caroline looked between them and nodded significantly. “And you saw how they got along this summer before she left with her companion to Ramsgate. Even Mr. Darcy noted it. I could tell that he was speculating about a match between our brother and his sister. They are suited …”
“Do not attempt to surmise what Darcy is thinking at any time. The man is inscrutable.” Hurst returned to his wine.
“Besides, she is so young …”
“So is Charles! By the time he is of a good marrying age, she will be presented and out. Perfect timing! Make the match, put the idea in Charles’s head and suggest it strongly to Mr. Darcy!”
Louisa nodded slowly. “But Mrs. Darcy would probably want her sister to win out.”
“Well then the first thing we must do is convince Charles that Miss Jane Bennet is not interested and while it is fine for Mr. Darcy to marry a girl with no dowry, it is not a small issue for him. He must do better. I say we leave for London in the morning and speak to him while he is far away from Miss Bennet’s smiles.”
Hurst and Louisa exchanged glances. “What do you think, Mr. Hurst?”
“It frankly disgusts me that you think Bingley is so malleable, the man is not a fool, he is young and after listening to you two, I can understand his hesitation with engaging in more than a flirtation with any members of your sex.” Feeling their unrelenting stares, he sighed. “If I saw any indication of attraction on Miss Bennet’s part I would fight you vigorously, but unfortunately I find myself agreeing with Caroline. And … I admit that Mrs. Bennet’s antics are disquieting and a match with her daughter means to remain in her company. But I do not hold with making Bingley’s decisions for him. Present your case, if you must, but leave him to mull it over.” Hurst stared at his sister pointedly.
Caroline smiled widely. “Of course, of course! I will have Netherfield closed up …”
Hurst stopped her. “A brief excursion to Town does not require such measures.”
“Noooooo.” Caroline glanced at Louisa. “Of course not.”
“How will we travel? Charles has the carriage.”
“We could hire one like I did for church.” Hurst offered.
“Good!” Caroline leapt to her feet. “I will tell the servants to begin packing.” She bustled out of the room.
“She is entirely too happy about this.” Hurst noted.
“She sees the danger of being connected to the Bennets. They may have an estate, but they are not what we hoped Charles would have when he married, and if there is any chance of him joining with Miss Darcy, it should be explored. If he decides against her, Miss Bennet will still be here. Nobody is anxious for a girl with nothing, no matter how pretty she is.” Louisa patted his knee. “It is wise. Besides, you know Charles well; do you not think that he looks at Miss Bennet because she is the best available girl at the moment? How many times have we seen him fall in and out of love?”
“Many.” Chuckling, he shrugged. “Very well, a trip to Town for a few days then we will all return together. Just promise me you will rein in your sister’s enthusiasm, we all know that it is Pemberley she ultimately seeks, and Miss Darcy just comes with greater rewards.”
Louisa sighed. “I know, but it does us no harm, either.”
Hurst finished his drink and set down his glass. “Yes, but it is not our life to direct. Leave Bingley to make his own decisions. He is not a boy, no matter what his sisters may think. What he does is his decision, nobody else’s.”
“I WONDER HOW your brother and sister are getting along.” Susan smiled encouragingly to Georgiana. “Married five days! I imagine they are discovering so many things about each other they never revealed during their courtship. Hopefully they are pleased with the little habits that were well-hidden before.”
“Fitzwilliam has no bad habits.” Georgiana said pensively. “He is perfect in every way.”
“Nobody is perfect, dear.” She patted her hand and nodded when Georgiana looked up to her quickly. “Even your dear brother.”
