Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (23 page)

“Or lack of it?”  She smiled.  “This is not a gift to buy affection . . . but to express it?”  Tilting her head she saw his relief.  “Fitzwilliam, I know that you care for me, please do not be afraid to say so.  I care for you as well, more every day.”  The happiness displayed in his eyes brought undeniable joy to her heart.  “What have you purchased for me?”

Darcy gazed at her with a smile, then laughing softly; he looked down at the bag.  “You always manage to put things right.” 

“Not always.”

“Lately.”  He looked up to her and then opened the bag.  “I asked what colour your gown would be so that I would be sure that these would match.”  Into her hand he poured out the emerald necklace, bracelet, and earrings.  Elizabeth gasped and raised her other hand to her mouth.  Darcy laughed at her reaction and touched the sparkling jewels.  “As my wife, you will have a vast array of jewellery to choose from, most of which is at Pemberley, and all has been purchased for the mistresses of our home for . . . centuries.  Some is breathtaking, some simpler than others, some was sold during hard times.”  He smiled when she looked up.  “But all of it meant for you.  I . . . I wanted you to have something from me, not from my ancestors.  And . . . I love how you look in green.”  His cheeks coloured and he touched the jewels in her palm then caressed her fingers.  “These are yours alone, dear Elizabeth.  I hope that you like them.  I . . . I wanted my bride to look her part at the ball, and show her . . . family and neighbours that . . . although she is marrying suddenly to a man she barely knows, that man . . . cannot imagine his life with another.”    Elizabeth’s lips parted and her eyes grew soft as they filled with tears again.  “Dear Elizabeth . . . I . . .” Darcy leaned forward and kissed her gently, and feeling her response, gave in and kissed her again.  He swallowed and forced himself away, and took the necklace from her hand.  “Let me help you.”

“Fitzwilliam, thank you . . . I . . .”

Darcy pressed his fingers to her lips.  “It is in your eyes, dear.  Say no more.”  Carefully he put the sparkling choker of emeralds around her neck and hooked the diamond clasp.  He touched it as she did and smiled.  “Is it heavy?”

“No, but it is . . . I have never felt the like.” 

“Here, give me your wrist.”  He placed the bracelet around it and then looked to the earrings.  “I will leave you to do those.” 

“They do not match the rest.” 

He laughed.  “You noticed!” 

“Is there a story in this, Fitzwilliam?”  Elizabeth bit her lip and attached the earrings.  “Oh, now these are heavy!”

“Uncomfortable?  The matching pair just did not strike me, I liked these better.”  He shrugged and looked down.  Elizabeth caressed his face and he looked back up to her.  “Lovely.  You were meant to wear jewels.”  Seeing her doubt, he turned around and saw a looking glass.  “Here . . .” Darcy pulled her up and took her to the mirror, and stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders as she gazed upon their portrait.  “What do you think?  Do you not look like you were born to be so dressed?”

Elizabeth studied the warmth in his eyes, the happiness in his expression, the way his hands held her shoulders, and felt the solid warmth of his body behind her.  She believed, she truly saw, that his care for her was genuine.  “You would have wanted me even if everything was fine with your sister, would you not?”

His mouth opened in surprise and then he nodded, and slipping his arms around her waist, closed his eyes as he kissed her cheek.  “Yes.” 

“Lizzy?”  They heard Jane calling down the hallway.  “Lizzy?  Where are you?” 

“Dinner is probably ready.” 

“I imagine it is.” 

They did not move until there was a knock at the door.  “Lizzy?”  The handle rattled.  “Who locked this door?”  Lydia’s voice demanded. 

Darcy smiled and Elizabeth felt it against her cheek.  “Elizabeth Bennet, did you lock us in here?”

“Well . . . I did not want to be disturbed.”  He felt the heat of her blush and his deep chuckle rumbled in her ear.  “Sir . . .”

“No, no.”  He turned her around and kissed her.  “No more sirs, no more distance.  We are to be married in days, and I have no intention of hiding my happiness.  There is nothing we can do about what awaits us at Pemberley, but since our marriage is to last long beyond the remaining months of my sister’s pregnancy, I want to start off just like any other . . . well, I want us to remember this time as one of joy.  I am happy; I pray that you are as well.”

“I am, Fitzwilliam.”  Elizabeth smiled and they hugged.  “I want the same happiness as you.” 

“LIZZY!”  They startled and broke apart.  In the doorway stood Lydia and Kitty, giggling over each other; and in Lydia’s hand was a key.  “What were you two . . . Ohhhhhhhhh look at the emeralds!  Mama!!  Lizzy has jewellery!  I want to wear it to the ball!”  Lydia ran from the room with Kitty in her wake. 

“Somehow, leaving here may not be as hard as I thought.”  Elizabeth shook her head.  “I never thought I would want to leave Hertfordshire.”

Darcy bent to her ear.  “Elizabeth,
You
cannot have a right to such very strong local attachment.
You
cannot have been always at Longbourn.” 

“What does that mean?”  She turned and demanded.

“It means, you were always meant for me.”  He kissed her hand and smiled.

“Your confidence is not always attractive.”  She started to walk away.  He held her hand and did not move.  “Mr. Darcy.”  He shook his head.  “Sir.”  It wagged again.  “Fitzwilliam . . .” His lips twitched and he started walking.  “Well, sometimes your confidence is very attractive.”  She laughed and holding his arm, they walked to the dining room and faced Mrs. Bennet’s joy.

Chapter 8

“C
olonel Fitzwilliam, welcome!”  Bingley extended his hand and beamed.  “Darcy!”  He bowed and gestured towards his side.  “I am not sure, have you met my brother, Franklin Hurst?”

“No, I have not had the pleasure.”  Richard bowed his head and noticed Samuel doing the same and smiled.  “Thank you for agreeing to host us . . .”

Bingley waved him off.  “You are standing up with him, I could hardly refuse, and you, Darcy, I am delighted to see more of his family supporting his wedding.  It occurs to me, two Darcys in one house, my sister will go distracted!”

“Miss Bingley.” Richard smirked at Samuel.  “Beware.”

“Fitzwilliam, you realize her brothers are before you.”  Samuel laughed.

“Do not hold back on my account.”  Hurst held up his hands.

“Gentlemen.”  Bingley cleared his throat and glanced at the parlour door.  “Please?”

“Forgive us . . . me . . .” Richard winked.  “Now where is our wayward cousin?  With his betrothed, I presume?”

“He received his post and I am afraid he is sequestered in the library, working hard, ever the master.  Besides, he was told in no uncertain terms to stay away from Longbourn today, much sewing is to be accomplished, I understand.”  Bingley grinned and indicated a hallway.  “Shall I take you or would you like to visit your rooms first?” 

“Of course they wish to see their rooms!”  Caroline and Louisa appeared.  “Colonel, it has been too long!  We have not met since that evening at the theatre, do you remember?”  She smiled charmingly and glided to his side. 

“As I recall, Miss Bingley, that was when we were introduced?  You tripped and fell against my cousin?”  His lips twitched as she coloured.  Louisa closed her eyes with the memory.

Caroline cleared her throat delicately.  “Oh yes, I remember.  How are your parents?  Will the earl be coming?  Your brother the viscount?”

“They are well, thank you, but will not make the journey from Matlock.”  He bowed and stepping out of her reach, noticed her eyes had alighted upon Samuel.  Turning his head to cough, he caught Hurst’s eye and contained a grin.  “Miss Bingley, may I present Mr. Samuel Darcy?”

“Miss Bingley, a pleasure.”  He bowed to her.

“Mr. Darcy, why, you are the very image of your cousin!”  Caroline purred as she curtseyed and hooked her hand over his arm.  “I am so sorry that we had no opportunity to meet at Pemberley!”

“Oh . . .” Nervously, he looked to Richard who folded his arms and raised his brows.  “I suppose that I was at school or working . . .”

“You are a barrister, sir?”

Confused, he looked from her hand to Richard, and back to Caroline.  “I . . . I hope one day . . .”

“And you will continue to reside at Pemberley?”  Caroline smiled encouragingly.

Samuel finally felt the light of dawn break through, and straightened, reclaiming his arm from the frightening young woman.  “I hope to find a home of my own, Miss Bingley.  Now . . . is this Mrs. Hurst?”

“He may be a pup, but he has that Darcy hauteur in him, no doubt about it.  At least he caught on quick enough.”  Richard murmured to Bingley before stepping forward to bow to Louisa.  “Mrs. Hurst.”

“Mr. Darcy, Colonel,” She smiled and nodded, then looking to Caroline, she spotted Hurst signalling her in the background.  “I think you would wish to greet your cousin first, gentlemen.  Caroline, shall we serve tea in the parlour in say, an hour?”  Caroline’s gaze was fixed on Samuel, who bore it with great discomfort.  “Caroline.”  Louisa nudged. 

“Oh.”  She startled and felt the eyes of the room upon her.  “Of course.” 

“Good, good.”  Bingley spoke quickly and ushered them forward.  “This way, gentlemen!”   

Chuckling, Richard glanced back at the ladies and seeing them enter a room, he nudged Samuel.  “Now do you see what I mean?”

“She is the one who was chasing William?”  He said in a low voice and tried to think of something polite to say.  “She is handsome, I suppose . . .”

“Do not let her hear you say that!”  Hurst murmured.  “She likes the potential of your profession and she loves your connection to Pemberley.  She will be after you next.”

“You are much more attainable than Darcy, not that she ever had a chance with him, although I suspect she is not serious about pursuing you.”  Noting his relief, Richard laughed.  “You are just entering the world of women looking for husbands, you will not be as attractive as our cousin, but they will come around.”  Samuel’s face reflected pleasure and pain at the thought.  “Perhaps after a Season of this nonsense you might change your mind and make your father happy, and marry your cousin?” 

“Why do you not marry her?”  Samuel said in a low, unhappy voice.

“Because I am nearly fifteen years her senior where you are only six.”  The two exchanged looks and Richard clapped his back.  “I am just poking fun at you; never fear, I will not press, your opinion was clear when we spoke with your father.”

“Here we are!”  Bingley reached the library door and knocking lightly; turned the handle and entered.  “Darcy!  We have company!” 

“Pardon?”  Distracted, Darcy looked up from the letter in his hand.  “Richard?”  He rose to his feet.  “Samuel!”  He strode across the room to them, “What brings you here?”

“A wedding, as I recall.”  Richard tilted his head and studied him.  “Are you well?”

“A note from Samuel’s mother.”  Darcy glanced at the letter, then raised his voice sharply.  “I thought you would be,” he glanced at Bingley, “
otherwise
occupied?”

Richard looked at the paper then back to his angry cousin, and quickly deduced that the news of Georgiana was not improving. “I have hired several men to do that, it could take days to discover the truth of it, and we can be back in London in hours if need be.  Besides, your uncle is more than happy to supervise this duty in my absence.”  Richard smiled grimly.  “I would say that his opinion matches yours.”

“You were hardly going to offer him a laurel and a hearty handshake.  I would have preferred you staying in Town.” 

“Noted, Darcy, but . . .”

“There are not buts about it!”  He growled.  Noticing Bingley and Hurst’s growing interest, he calmed with difficulty and changed the subject.  “This is a surprise to see you here, Samuel.”

“I wished to meet the lady who swept you off your feet.”  He smiled cautiously and saw that Darcy significantly relaxed with the mention of Elizabeth.  The cousins shook hands.  “I have no doubt that she is lovely.” 

“I thank you for your confidence; I cannot help but agree that she is.  Lovely and unlike any woman I have ever known.” He smiled and studying him then Richard, his smile faded.  “However, I will let you form your own opinion.  I have a feeling that Aunt Catherine has struck, and found a friend in Uncle?  And this has prompted your visit over . . . other matters?”

“Cannot hide a thing from you!”  Richard took a chair and accepted the glass Bingley offered him.  “Yes, our favourite aunt dropped by and expressed her doubts.”

“And you two are here to judge Elizabeth on their behalf.”  Darcy paced across the room and stood by the window.  Samuel started and looked to Richard.  The resemblance to his father was unexpected.  “I am not surprised at Aunt Catherine; I expected it after Elizabeth told me of their conversation.”  He laughed harshly.  “Her interrogation and denouncement, I should say.  I am disappointed in Uncle, though.  I thought that I had his support.”

“You still do, but I think that he wishes for a less emotional opinion.” 

Darcy looked up at him and lifted his brows.  “Emotional?  Mine or theirs?”

“Well they would not admit to being emotional about anything, would they Samuel?”

“Certainly my father would not.”  He murmured and taking a sip of the port, looked up at Darcy.  “Forgive me.”

“It is quite all right, Samuel.  I can imagine your father’s desire to appease me and still fulfil his vision of my duty.  In the end, I am afraid he will just have to live with my choice.”  He raised his brows to Richard.  “Although undoubtedly I will hear your opinion, Cousin.”

“Undoubtedly.”  He grinned and raised his glass.  “You know I will support whatever you do, but I will be honest.”

“I would expect no less from you.”  Darcy shrugged and saw the others watching them.  “Whether or not we accept the advice of our friends and family is a decision of our own free will.  They are welcome to give it, but we do not have to listen.”