Darcy’s eyes opened to the first streaks of light working their way between the window shutters’ slats. He inhaled his wife’s sleep-seduced body as she burrowed deeper into him, seeking his heat as her own. Even during the warm summer months, Elizabeth woke in need of the day’s heat; and from that first morning when they had awakened in each other’s arms, Darcy had willingly provided it. Enjoying her softness along his body’s length, he tightened his embrace. Elizabeth had invaded his dreams, haunted them, in fact, from the night of the Meryton assembly, the night he had first laid eyes on her.
He would wake in yearning, thinking of how it would be to fill his lungs with her scent and to know her taste on his tongue. Elizabeth’s ardent spirit had ruined his life — the arrogant and presumptuous life he had led before meeting her: the dreadful time when he had simply existed, half-alive and half-dead. Sometimes, he had wished that he could explain how much she had changed everything he had known before her, how much joy Elizabeth brought him each day. He had even considered begging her to forego their having a child. If it meant losing Elizabeth, Darcy would rather not have an heir. Pemberley could pass to Georgiana’s children.
A light knocking brought his senses fully alert. Easing Elizabeth away, Darcy unwrapped the blanket and sat on the bed’s edge. Standing gingerly and testing his legs, he had taken several steps in the door’s direction before he recalled the double occupancy. He reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head and then cinched a robe over that.
Watching his step in the crowded room, Darcy made his way to the door. Opening it, he found Mrs. Washington and Nan holding ewers of hot water. “Morning, Sir,” the inn’s proprietress whispered. “Brought ye fresh water.”
“Thank you, Ma’am,” he said huskily. “Put it on the table.” He gestured to a small side table along the wall.
“Breakfast be ready in half an hour, Sir,” she informed him.
“Mr. Joseph and I will be down soon, the ladies a bit later.” Darcy remained by the door. “How does the weather look?”
“Stopped raining. Now if we kin get some sunshine to help with the meltin’, things might return to normal.” Mrs. Washington brushed a hair wisp under her cap.
Darcy had wanted to depart for Derbyshire. “What are the travel possibilities?”
“Mr. Washington say it’ll not happen ’til the morrow, but ye kin sees for yerself when ye come down, Sir.” She turned to leave. “It be a good thing, Mr. Darcy. What ye and Mrs. Darcy did.” With a quick glance about the room, the woman disappeared into the dark hallway.With a disbelieving look of her own, Nan closely followed.
Darcy hefted one of the ewers and carried it to his side of the room. Pouring some water in a bowl, he undressed to the waist and washed as best he could. Then he lathered his face and finally lit a candle so he might see his reflection in a small mirror. Removing the razor from its case, he ran the edge along the whetstone to sharpen it.
“So handsome,” a husky whisper brought his attention to the bed’s female figure.
Smiling broadly, Darcy teasingly leaned over her, pretending to want to kiss Elizabeth while spreading the lather from his face to hers. “Morning, Love,” he whispered seductively.
“No!” she gasped on an inhalation and shoved hard against his bare chest. “You cannot, Fitzwilliam.” She pulled the blanket over her head, further muffling her words of protest.
Darcy gently wrestled the linens from her hands. Leaning over her and pressing his weight across Elizabeth’s body, he lovingly caught her hands and brought them to rest above his heart. “I could.” He draped himself closer. “But I would not.” He paused to give her time to stop squirming. “If you promise me your loyalty.” He shielded his words from the Josephs.
Elizabeth quieted before staring deeply into his eyes. “I’m far from devoid of proper feelings where you’re concerned, Mr. Darcy. I love you to distraction.”
Darcy stroked her cheek. “My heart beats out a love staccato — one bearing your name, Lizzy.”
A hushed conversation from the partition’s other side told him that the Josephs also stirred. He released Elizabeth and sat on the bed’s edge. Taking a steadying breath, Darcy spoke loud enough for all to hear. “Mr. Joseph, if you’ll see to the fire, I’ll light the candles. Mrs. Washington has brought hot water. I suggest we dress and go down to breakfast. Then the ladies can see to their needs and follow us.”
From the screen’s other side, he heard the stirrings come to life. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I’ll inform you when I’ve completed my ablutions.”
“Perhaps we can assess the road conditions ourselves.” Darcy reached again for the razor and adjusted the small mirror. Making the first swath, he added, “Mr. Washington doesn’t hold out much hope, but I’d prefer to draw my own conclusions.”
“Good morning, Edward,” Georgiana said from her place at the table’s head. She’d purposely arisen early because she knew her cousin would be one of the first to breakfast. Her eyes followed his movement. For nearly three years, Georgiana had pined after the man. Edward Fitzwilliam had offered her comfort when she’d foolishly considered an elopement with George Wickham. Along with her brother, the colonel served as her guardian. He had, over the years, read her bedtime stories and tended to childhood injuries.
However, the incident with Mr. Wickham had changed everything. She’d learned, despite her naivete, some very hard lessons, and Edward had guided her every step. Because of him, she’d allowed her shame to fall away. As proof, Georgiana would offer her ability to converse with Kitty about Lydia Wickham’s marriage without fighting the fear of someone else knowing of her earlier insensibility.
“Good morning, my dear.” Edward bent to kiss her cheek. “You’re up early.”
“I keep country hours,” she countered.
The colonel began to fill a plate from the covered dishes. “I wanted to inspect the roads to see whether it would be safe to send a messenger to the Earl regarding my return.”
Georgiana’s gaze followed his shoulder’s line to his narrow waist, which the cut of his uniform emphasized. His familiar form looked leaner, but there was nothing wrong with the colonel’s appearance. At age one and thirty, he’d now served in the British military for a decade. During those years of service, she’d stood silently cheering his successes as he neared his career’s pinnacle. But while the colonel saw to his duty in the American war, Georgiana had taken a vow that if he returned home safely, she’d no longer remain silent.
Edward came to the table with a plate heaped high with eggs, bacon, and kippers. He speared one and inspected it. “Thank God for British food, at last.” He took a hefty bite.
“You’ve lost weight, Edward.”
“I plan to allow your brother’s generosity to add a few pounds to my frame.”
Georgiana breathed easier. She’d worried whether he might rush off to William’s Wood. “Then you’ll remain with us for a few days? I’d enjoy that very much.”
He smiled lovingly at her and reached for her hand. “You didn’t think I’d leave you alone with Lady Catherine in residence? With Darcy away, our aunt will take advantage. Even after Darcy’s return, I’ll tarry a few days.Your brother isn’t likely to be of a mind to accept an invasion of his marital bliss.”
She interlaced her fingers with his. “Although I truly welcome your presence in dealing with Her Ladyship’s demands, I pray that Pemberley offers other inducements.” Georgiana slid her hand up his sleeve. “You were missed, Edward — more than words may express. You were always in my prayers.”
Georgiana noted the exact second her cousin’s demeanor changed. He said nothing out of the ordinary, but she heard the hitch in Edward’s breathing. It matched hers. A frown graced his forehead. As if he were unsure what had just happened, the colonel said, “I thought of you always. Ask the lieutenant. He’ll tell you that I’ve sung your praises on two continents.”
She slowly removed her hand and returned it to her lap. “What more could a lady request of a man she admires?” she asked with a bit of amusement when his eyes followed her hand. “To be spoken of… to have her name on his lips.”
