One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories Read online

  Darcy looked at his wife with new respect. It brought to mind a conversation he had with his father when he was about ten years of age. They had been in the stables and his father had him work with the groom to muck out the stalls, clean and sort the tack, and groom the horses. When his father noticed his son’s resistance to such manual labor, Darcy was taken to task. He remembered his father’s words well.

  “Son, a real man knows how to care for everything under his authority. A man that can do, is far more worthy of being called a gentleman than a man who orders someone else to do something he chooses not to try. It does not mean that you will ever know everything there is to know, but to deliberately deprive yourself of basic skills of life is to deprive your family and anyone else that is under your care.”

  He wondered what his father would think of his new wife. Somehow, he knew his father would be pleased that he had not settled for one of the simpering, society debutantes whose only skill was spending the Darcy coffers until they were bone dry.

  Richard stood and dusted off the front of his uniform with his large hands. “Georgie, might you take a stroll with me around the prettyish little wilderness to the side of the inn? It will give you time to reflect on all that has been said.” In three steps he reached his cousin’s side and, taking her hand, he walked her out of the door, removing her option to decide; leaving Darcy and Elizabeth alone.

  Darcy could not take his eyes from Elizabeth. The burn in his heart changed to something more, though he could not put a name to it. How could he not admire her?

  Elizabeth wondered if she had gone too far. Experience with Lydia and Kitty had shown her the wisdom of setting boundaries and letting them move as freely within those borders as possible. Quick discipline when they pushed the limits of propriety was the only thing that seemed to hold sway over them. She worried what would happen to her younger sisters now that she and Jane were both gone from Longbourn. Elizabeth wished that her parents would set aside their own desires, for once, and give needed attention to the youngsters. However, wishes were like fishes, hard to capture and hold.

  She looked at the man standing before her. Elizabeth had been aware that he struggled with her exerting her right as Mistress in speaking to his sister as she had done. Yet, this man had respected her position and supported her. It was something she had only ever seen in the marriage of her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Theirs was the relationship she had always hoped for in a marriage.

  “Did you mean what you said, Elizabeth?” Darcy quietly asked her. His gaze had not moved from her face.

  “Are you inquiring about the whole of what I said, or was there a part in particular, William?”

  “The part where you said that you intended to start as you mean to go on.”

  Elizabeth weighed her words carefully.

  “Yes, William, I meant it.” While she had no affection for Fitzwilliam Darcy, she was developing a respect for him as an honest, upright man. That he loved his sister, she had no doubt. That he treated his cousin as an equal in the matter of guardianship was honorable. Adding to what she already had learned about the man, his dignifying Mr. Wickham with an offer of a new start was evidence of a compassionate heart. Elizabeth felt tremendous hope that affection would grow if they continued on the path they were headed.

  “As you mentioned before, we are players in a romantic drama, William. I believe you to be correct in this estimation of our situation. Too many of the productions I have read have ended poorly for the lovers. I long for a better future than Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Iseult.”

  “Lancelot and Guinevere,” Darcy countered.

  “Hero and Leander,” was her addition. They both chuckled at how well matched they were in this discussion. It bode well for the future.

  “Elizabeth, fairness to you would be for me to wait to come to you until we have developed some affection for one another. I am blatantly aware of your sacrifice for the Darcy name you now bear. I do not want you to feel uncomfortable or feel like the marriage bed is owed to me.”

  There! It was done. Darcy had wondered how he would make his opinion known and had been wrestling with how to approach the subject since they had left Longbourn. He was surprised at the strength of the longing he had for his new wife. Her beauty and character had drawn him like a hungry bee to a tree dripping with honey. Darcy was almost eight and twenty years of age and knew that, with this woman, his waiting to experience the joys of marital relations was almost over. However, he would not pressure her to do what she was not prepared to do.

  “William, I thank you for your consideration.” Elizabeth briefly closed her eyes as resolution filled her heart. “While I feel my respect and admiration for you growing, it is but a small bud, not a large oak. To face the obstacles we need to overcome, to properly play our roles, we need much more than that, do you not agree?”

  “I do.”

  “Then, the only thing left available to us right now is passion, William.” Elizabeth’s face flamed as she made this bold declaration. “In the words of the Bard, ‘we know what we are, but know not what we may be’. Like Georgiana, we have an opportunity, William; an opportunity to start as we mean to go on— to become the characters that we play.”

  “So, Elizabeth, to be clear, you are saying that you are willing to do all within your power to make this marriage work. Would this be correct?” He took a step towards her, never taking his eyes off her lovely face.

  “You are.” The words came out in a whisper.

  Darcy drew close to her, lowered his head, and touched his mouth to hers. It was a gentle touch filled with warmth and tenderness. He stepped back only when he heard Richard’s voice coming down the hall to the private dining room. Their time alone was over. However, hope burned bright, the flicker now a flame.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The sun was shining through the master bedroom window, gradually advancing and forming a path across the floor, pouring a strip of light over the bottom corner of the bed. Darcy had been awake for a while, marveling at all he and his wife had learned and experienced throughout the night. For him, it had been worth the wait. The struggle to remain chaste while at University had been challenging; almost overwhelming at times. Since taking the reins of Pemberley, Darcy often ended the days exhausted from hard physical and mental labor so that his sleep was immediate and his dreams few. The grappling then had not been as hard, but it was always there.

  Next to him, pressed against his side, was a woman of whom dreams were made. Her curiosity and willingness to engage willingly with him bespoke a commitment to the partnership the two of them had begun only the day before. Elizabeth had been proven correct in her thinking about having passion forge a strong bond. Already Darcy could feel a tug on his heartstrings and the person at the other end was his wife. He smiled in contentment.

  Elizabeth could tell that her husband was awake. She could feel his hand stroking her hair, stopping occasionally to twist a curl around his finger. The side of her face resting on his chest rose and fell with his breathing. She smiled softly to herself. The embrace was intimate, one Elizabeth realized would be oft repeated in the days and years to come.

  “William,” she whispered, her breath moving the soft dark hairs on his chest. “It is not time to rise as of yet, is it?”

  He chuckled. They were like-minded in their reluctance to leave their haven, their refuge.

  When they had arrived at Darcy House the evening before, three notes had been sent. The first went to Darcy’s attorney requesting an appointment to draw up the settlement papers for Elizabeth’s benefit. The second went to Georgiana’s seamstress for an appointment for Elizabeth in two days’ time, and the last one was a note to the Gardiners asking that they bring Jane Bennet to visit the next afternoon. Thus, Elizabeth would see her sister and share her news. He could not imagine Elizabeth’s father rousing himself to send notice of her marriage, nor would her mother think of telling anyone but her closest neighbors. Darcy wanted to shout it to the
moon and back. How could one day make such a difference in his life? He kissed the top of his wife’s head.

  “Yes, dearest, it is time to greet our day. We would not want your family to find us here, would we?”

  He loved Elizabeth’s laughter. He loved her sharp brain and he loved her passionate nature. A sudden thought flickered through the recesses of his mind. He knew that he did not know Elizabeth well enough to be in love with her. It was not love at first sight. But, what he did know about her he liked very much. The potential for future felicity was there to be cultivated like the wheat fields at Pemberley. Hard diligent work with constant attention would see that their relationship would bear fruit. It was such a pleasant thought that he smiled into her hair.

  Elizabeth felt his mouth move and wondered at the man she had married. At first, she had worried because it seemed that he was emotionless, almost unfeeling. She knew that to be married to a man who was emotionally bankrupt would be like trying to draw life-giving water from a dry well. It would eventually destroy them both and they would end up with a loveless marriage similar to the arranged marriages so common amongst the ton. However, he had provided an abundance of evidence that he felt things very deeply. Elizabeth was proud of him for accepting her input and supporting her. And, she loved the patience and generosity he showed her during their wedding night. Without being aware of it, she hugged him to herself, filled with gratitude for being attached to such a man.

  Darcy did not know what motivated her to caress him so tenderly, but he was not above viewing it as an invitation. It was one she readily accepted.

  They still beat Georgiana down to the breakfast room. Both blushed furiously at her innocent inquiry as to whether they had slept well.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to his barracks as soon as they arrived in London the day before. He promised to try to get away later that day to accompany the Darcys when introductions were made to his parents, Lord and Lady Matlock. Darcy wanted Richard’s support and Elizabeth was grateful for it. Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth were inclined to put off confrontation and Darcy figured it would be good practice for them before meeting Lady Catherine.

  When the Gardiners and Jane arrived that afternoon, Elizabeth waited with Darcy and Georgiana to receive them in the front drawing room. There had been no explanation in the note, just a statement of Elizabeth’s presence at that address. Thus, there was much to explain. Elizabeth had acquainted Darcy with the depth of affection she felt for her sister, her aunt, and her uncle. She also made him aware that the Gardiner marriage was one she hoped to emulate. Thus he thought it wise to pay close attention to how the couple interacted and the attention they gave their nieces.

  After hugs and introductions were exchanged, they were seated and a tea tray was brought in and served. The Gardiners knew of the Darcy family. Mrs. Gardiner had grown up five miles from Pemberley, so she was aware of the Darcy wealth and position. Mr. Gardiner, as a successful London businessman, also knew of the family. He managed a consortium of businesses that specialized in trade with the Orient and profited tremendously from the spice trade in the Indies and the coast and islands surrounding Africa. Fitzwilliam Darcy was a partner in the Gardiner business interests and Mr. Gardiner perceived from Darcy’s position behind Elizabeth’s chair, that there was soon to be a closer relationship between the two families.

  “Lizzy, how is it that you find yourself at Darcy House? It was only two days past that we put you on the coach to Meryton at the request of your father. Our expectations were to hear of your engagement to Bennet’s cousin, Mr. Collins.” Mr. Gardiner was as direct in his personal life as he was in his business. They had pondered the invitation they had received from Mr. Darcy. Rumor had it that he was a proud man who kept himself separate from those considered lower in society. To have his niece in the Darcy home was unexpected. Even though she was a gentleman’s daughter, the difference in influence with peers of the realm and society in general was notable. Mr. Gardiner had also noticed the ring Lizzy wore on her left hand. It was a large blue stone, most likely a sapphire, surrounded by glittery diamonds. He had his suspicions as to what was going on and his niece’s first words confirmed it.

  “Mr. Darcy and I married yesterday in Meryton, Uncle.”

  Darcy noticed the look between Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner at Elizabeth’s announcement. It was as if the words were expected and unexpected at the same time.

  Jane rushed to Elizabeth’s side and hugged her again, her congratulations sincere.

  Darcy was surprised when he met Miss Bennet. She was the same height as Georgiana with the same fair coloring. Her serenity was in direct contrast to Elizabeth’s vivacity. While she may have been considered beautiful by some, she paled in comparison to his wife. As the conversation and explanations flowed, Darcy deeply appreciated the kindness of Miss Bennet in including Georgiana in the discussion.

  It was Mrs. Gardiner who next caught Darcy’s attention.

  “Miss Darcy, I knew your mother when she first came to Pemberley as a new bride. My father was a bookseller in Lambton. Your mother had such deep love for your father that she regularly came into the shop looking for that special book to add to your father’s collection.”

  Darcy glanced at his sister’s face and found her as enraptured as he was at Mrs. Gardiner’s words. He remembered the love and affection his parents had for one another. To Georgiana, who never had a chance to know her mother, this was like the finest music to her ears. He watched as Georgiana leaned forward in her seat so she would not miss a word.

  Mrs. Gardiner chuckled at part of the memory. “It was not long before your father started sneaking into the shop as well. He surmised what your mother was about and decided to leave a list with my father of particular volumes he hoped to add to Pemberley’s library. There were several times that they almost accidentally encountered each other on their secret missions, Miss Darcy.” She paused and watched the young girl. “Their joy in each other spread joy to others. Mr. Gardiner and I married several years later and I vowed to have the same happiness in my marriage that your parents had in theirs.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner, for sharing that with us.” Georgiana had been overcome with emotion, so Darcy spoke. It, too, touched his heart to hear that others found his parents to be exactly as he had. They had been an exceptional couple who put marriage and family above all others.

  “Mr. and Miss Darcy, please know that my heart still aches at the loss of your mother. Lady Anne had the appearance of a composed, regal woman— and she was. However, she was particularly beloved by the children of the village because she never failed to stop and encourage them in the games they played. She loved life and adventure. In fact, once, three of the Miller boys were disgruntled because they were tired of playing pirates. Lady Anne heard them complain and stopped her stroll around the village to tell them the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. She had them enthralled; practically eating out of her hand. Then, she walked them to the end of the street where the old woodcarver’s house was in disrepair and found a tree branch that was sticking up out of a pile of stones.”

  “Excalibur,” Darcy softly spoke. “I remember that place. Mother took me there after telling me the same story. I thought the place was magical and tried and tried to move that branch.” He looked down at his sister’s face, which looked up at him in amazement. “I must have been about five or six years of age the first time she told me.”

  Darcy cleared his throat, which suddenly felt restricted, like someone was squeezing the air from him. “Mrs. Gardiner, I do not know if you have been back to Lambton recently, but the sword is still there, waiting for other young boys to try to remove it from the stone.”

  They chuckled as he had intended. Elizabeth stood from her chair and moved next to him, entwining her small fingers with his, squeezing gently. It amazed him how that single touch squeezed his heart as well.

  The rest of the visit went well. Darcy only hoped that Elizabeth’s introduction to
his relatives later that night would be just as smooth. He had worried about Gardiner’s connection to trade but knew the man as a savvy businessman who was honest in his dealings with others and was honorable by nature. He could not say that of his own uncle. He only wished he could.

  The Gardiners and Jane had risen to leave when Jane whispered to her sister that she had been introduced to an amiable gentleman the night before while attending the theater. His name was Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth could tell that the man had left a favorable impression on her sister because of the roses that appeared in Jane’s cheeks as she mentioned his name.

  “Bingley?” Georgiana had overheard the name. “He is a close friend of my brother, Miss Bennet.”

  His sister’s words caught Darcy’s attention. “Yes, he is one of my closest friends.”

  “It is a small world, is it not?” asked Mr. Gardiner.

  Before Darcy could reply, a noise could be heard outside the drawing room at the entry of his home. The loud voice of a woman demanding Darcy’s whereabouts was accompanied by the thump of a walking stick on his marble floors. Aunt Catherine had arrived.