My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey Into Love Everlasting (31 page)

Phillips entered upon Lizzy's acknowledgement, bowing formally and announcing that there were two gentlemen in the foyer asking to speak with the Mistress as Mr. Darcy was absent.

"Who are they?" Lizzy asked with raised brows.

"They did not offer their names, madam."

"How odd," she murmured, rising with a shrug toward Georgiana, who also rose to trail along curiously.

"Madam, can we two lonely travelers intrude upon your hospitality for the fine Irish whiskey reputedly lurking in the liquor cabinet at Pemberley?"

"Whiskey, brandy, port, whatever you wish for, kind sirs, but first give us a kiss!"

Georgiana had already released a cry of delight and dashed to her favored uncle, Lizzy turning to a grinning Richard Fitzwilliam for a kiss.

"Richard! What a wonderful surprise! We were expecting this wayward traveler to breeze in eventually," Lizzy laughingly declared with a gesture toward George Darcy, "but you are an unanticipated albeit fantastic addition."

"He attached himself to me in London," George declared, "and I could not rid myself of him. Pathetic, really, so I dragged him along. Elizabeth, you appear to have swallowed an enormous ball."

"I wish it were that simple as then it would be lightly filled with air and not expanding further. Come, gentlemen, whiskey is secured in the liquor cabinet. Phillips, your penance for being roped into deception by these two mischief makers is to bring us a tray of comestibles for our weary travelers."

She linked arms with Richard, who said, "You look quite well, Elizabeth. How are you faring?"

"Very well, all considered. I have a husband who dotes most profoundly and a sister nearly as devoted, so I am not allowed to overtax."

"Where is the doting husband, by the way?"

"At the wool barn. I do not know when he shall return, but he usually arrives in time for dinner."

George laughed. "William miss a meal? Do not be ridiculous. Whiskey, Colonel?" he asked as he crossed directly toward the liquor cabinet.

"Please. Georgie, I want to hear all about Wales. Your letters were expository and Mother enumerated additionally, but I wish to hear more from your own lips. Especially, my dear cousin and ward, about this Lord Gruffudd you so eloquently chronicled."

Georgiana blushed scarlet. Lizzy chuckled, laying one hand softly on Georgiana's arm. "Richard, for shame! Do not tease your cousin so. Can a young woman not notice a handsome man and gush to a trusted guardian without being interrogated? Besides, ladies need their little secrets."

"Very well, I am properly chastised. Forgive me, Miss Darcy." He bowed gallantly her direction. "Skip past Lord Gruffudd to your birthday celebrations. I believe you were in Cardiff at the time?"

Georgiana overcame her embarrassment and launched into a detailed account of the merriment delivered by her aunt and uncle for her eighteenth birthday. Refreshments were brought and the small group exchanged stories for the next hour with much laughter ensuing.

Darcy was greeted to the distinct sound of revelry drifting down the hall as he discarded a dusty coat into the waiting hands of Mr. Taylor. "We have visitors?"

"Yes, sir. Dr. Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam arrived this afternoon."

Darcy nodded, striding briskly to the parlor, and paused on the threshold to view the scene. Col. Fitzwilliam stood in the middle of the room with arms gesticulating as he related what Darcy quickly ascertained was a tale of foolish new cadets attempting to learn marching maneuvers. Lizzy and Georgiana were laughing gaily, while a grinning George sat sprawled on his deceased brother's favored chair with long maroon-covered legs crunched into the minimal space.

"I leave for the day and all manner of disorder arises. Pemberley apparently now hosts anyone who wanders by?"

"With such fine whiskey and beautiful, charming women in residence, it is only to be expected, William," George retorted with a follow-up sip of the amber liquid in his glass.

"I assuredly cannot argue the charming women, or the whiskey for that matter. Richard, it is wonderful to see you. I trust all is well?"

"Tolerably, cousin. I urgently needed to breathe fresh air and escape the adolescents lately come to my regiment. Besides, Dr. Darcy required a companion on the road. To keep him safe, you understand."

George snorted, Darcy chuckling as he crossed to his wife and sister. "Georgie dearest," with a quick kiss to her cheek before lifting Lizzy's fingers to his lips. "Beloved, you are well?"

"Perfect, dear. I have been marvelously entertained. Our guests seem to be bursting with amusing anecdotes."

"Passes the time, I suppose. Uncle, we have had no news since Devon. What have you been up to? And please tell me Darcy House is yet habitable?"

"No worries, William. The cousins all send their best wishes. We spent a week on the coast, then I departed to visit friends in Dorset. I actually was only in London for four days, which is why Darcy House is undamaged. Mrs. Smyth expressed her sadness to see me depart, but I longed for Pemberley. Nothing quite compares to the autumn here."

"I am discovering the same," Lizzy said. "William told me the gardens were particularly lovely in the fall, and he was not exaggerating."

"Of course," Richard interjected. "This is your first autumn here! I had forgotten. Mr. Clark and his staff are remarkable. My parents should allow him to train their gardeners."

"I arrived at the end of autumn past, but the rains and cold weather set in shortly thereafter so William had little opportunity to acquaint me extensively with the gardens. Except for what I could see from windows, that is."

"What a shame," George murmured. "Holed up inside with nothing to do all winter. How trying that must have been." He glanced slyly at his nephew, who was approaching with whiskey decanter in hand.

"Yes," Darcy intoned dryly. "It was terribly stressful, but we managed." He refilled his uncle's glass without meeting his eyes. "Of course, it was blessedly quiet. Virtually relative free until Christmas."

"Ah, Christmas at Pemberley." George dreamily stared into space, ignoring Darcy's playful slur.

"Will you stay for Christmas, Uncle?" Georgiana asked with a pleading tone.

"We shall see, dear. I am enjoying my leisure. By the way," he pulled a folded piece of parchment from his pocket, "it is a bit crinkled, I fear, but I have a missive from Raul. Have either of you heard from Miss de Bourgh?"

Lizzy shook her head negatively, Darcy responding, "Not for a month. I rather assumed she was otherwise entertained."

"Apparently quite so. Raja states that all is progressing smoothly. He is working at the hospital in Ashford as well as offering his services throughout the community as required. Lady Catherine is now singing his praises to all who will listen, probably questioning when he will officially propose and increase her prestige in society."

"Undoubtedly Miss de Bourgh wonders the same," Lizzy said.

"So he has not secured her hand as of yet? What is he waiting for?" Darcy was honestly surprised.

"Soon, I garner from his letter. He wanted to be established somewhat, earn Lady Catherine's undying respect and approval, and shower Miss de Bourgh with the full treasure trove of courtship rituals. I gather he has exhausted the arsenal of romantic tomfoolery, so with nothing remaining, engagement is imminent."

"Hopefully he has left a few romantic gestures in reserve. Women appreciate that sort of thing." Lizzy smiled winsomely at her husband.

"Is this true, Darcy?" Col. Fitzwilliam asked with a raised brow and smirk.

"I have found it to be so, yes. You would do well to remember the information, cousin." Richard shuddered, taking a quick sip of whiskey.

Lizzy laughed. "We must find a nice lady for you, Richard. You are far too wayward. Capricious, poor soul. You need a steady girl to stabilize you."

"Shackle, you mean," George spoke in defense of his friend. "Not all men are destined for domesticity, dear Elizabeth. Some of us prefer being footloose and fancy free! Although having a woman about can have its advantages, I suppose. Back massages, home decorating, darning socks, that sort of thing, eh, William?"

"Precisely, uncle. That is why I chose marriage," Darcy answered seriously, eyes twinkling and meeting Lizzy's.

"The day I darn socks will be the day the sun fails to rise. Back massages are acceptable, however." She and Darcy shared a brief, knowing smile.

Yet holding his wife's eyes, Darcy spoke to his uncle and cousin, "Speaking of matrimony, I am thankful that you both are here and do pray you intend to stay for a while. Elizabeth has agreed to marry me, again, in a ceremony at Pemberley Chapel."

Col. Fitzwilliam smiled delightfully, lifting his glass Lizzy's direction. George whistled and declared with a grin, "Romantic gesture of the highest order, indeed. Well done, William! How marvelous for me as I missed the official nuptials. When is the date?"

"We have not decided as of yet," Darcy answered, still gazing at Lizzy. "I was opting for November twenty-eight as a perfect commemoration of the happiest day of my entire life."

"I, however," Lizzy interrupted softly, "reminded my husband that I will be as enormous as a house by late November, if not in the actual throes of birth travails. Additionally it somehow seems irreverent to waddle down the church aisle to be wed while clearly nearly to burst with child!"

"I do believe, my dear niece, that it is far too late to hide that fact. Besides, I am sure God is privy to the fact that you two are already legally and spiritually bound, and shall withhold the lightning bolt."

Lizzy reddened but persevered, "All true, Dr. Darcy. I think we should wait until after the baby is born..."

"And I," it was Darcy's turn to interrupt, "refuse to wait that long. I have a burning urge to exchange vows with my wife in the Darcy family chapel. She has accepted my proposal so cannot renege on the agreement." He spoke with a slight edgy tone and clenched jaw, but wore a smile for Lizzy and eyes indigo with desire.

"Well," George boomed as he rose with a spine-cracking stretch, "I am free all next week. You, Colonel?"

"My docket is empty for a couple weeks," Richard shrugged. "A wedding is an adequate entertainment, I suppose."

With the family thus settled, the last weeks of September glided by with happy serenity felt all around. The weather held clement and sunlit during the day with a slight chilling come sundown. The gradual metamorphosis about the extensive grounds began as autumn colors invaded, leaves burnished with golds and reds. The emergence of the multihued dahlia, purple toad lily, marguerite daisy, calendula, nasturtium, rosemary, and salvias provided a fresh plethora of vibrant color and fragrance to the summer-fading blooms. The numerous bushes with variegated foliage accented the already dazzling displays. The gardeners were especially busy preparing the vast gardens for the winter freeze and spring flowering, bulbs arriving by the wagon loads.

Lizzy watched the digging for several days before gathering the nerve to ask Mr. Clark if she could assist with the care of the private garden to the east of the manor. If he was shocked or dismayed in any way by her request, it did not show. Thus it was that Lizzy could be found most days on her knees in the soft turf with two gardeners named Robert and Harry aiding nearby. Naturally the modest garden was already faultless, and Lizzy had no desire to radically transform anything. She merely wished to plant a few of her favorite plants and to fulfill a long-standing pleasure to work with soil and flora, gardening having always been a pastime she enjoyed.

Additionally, she resumed her duties as Mistress. She had not consciously recognized missing the simple household tasks while on her holiday, but once confronted with the pile of papers Mrs. Reynolds had carefully organized on her desk, she delved in with nearly as much gusto as Darcy. Naturally Mrs. Reynolds had managed all matters efficiently during her Mistress's absence, but she had no qualms with relegating authority to Mrs. Darcy. Rather she considered it her proper duty to do so. Thus the ledgers, purchasing notes, detailed lists of tasks completed, staff concerns, and so on were methodically perused in a series of meetings between the two women over several days.

Lizzy and Darcy rediscovered the contentment of evenings working side by side at their sitting room desks and in the joyful sharing of estate business. They naturally fell into the previous pattern of quietly attending to individual tasks or engaging in extended discussion of estate affairs. Darcy had accepted his wife's innate common sense that frequently opened a new avenue of thought regarding a subject or dilemma. However, in general he managed the business of Pemberley with minimal input, and Lizzy was unconcerned since she knew he did not need her participation. Plus there was still a large amount of his ventures that she simply did not comprehend. Instead, the dialogues were more for the joy of sharing.

Lizzy's curricle was utilized frequently as the fair weather continued. Darcy fretted, as always, but kept his fears mostly hidden. His only stipulation--stated softly but with an edge--was that she never travel too far and always have Georgiana as her companion. To this she agreed. Fortunately her dearest friends were in close proximity.

Sanburl Hall, home of Harriet Vernor, was less than two miles from door to door. She could easily walk the distance, and had numerous times during the spring and early summer months, but walking long distances was fast becoming a difficulty. Marilyn Hughes lived three and a half miles away, Rymas Park nestled on the edge of Rymas Brook and such a beautifully serene locale with the forest encasing the quaint house that Lizzy delighted in her visits there. The need to feel the wind upon her face and command the little carriage was too great to completely ignore, so even when a visit was not planned, Lizzy and Georgiana would commandeer the vehicle for a jaunt about the estate and a picnic.