Mr. Bingley and Mr. Bennet do not tarry.”
Her notice brought embarrassment. “Of course, Miss Darcy.”
“Ladies,” she intoned and led the way from the room.
“If you gentlemen will excuse me,” Elizabeth said as she stood. The small inn possessed only six rooms to let, and different gentlemen, each driven to seek shelter from the elements, occupied four of them. Two farmers, Mr. Betts and Mr. Dylan — strangers before the storm — had agreed to share the last available room, meaning she remained the single female. Feeling quite conspicuous, Elizabeth had chosen to withdraw to allow the men some freedom. There was no private room where they might take up their cards, cigars, and drink. Instead, the eclectic group shared the common room.
Darcy reached for her hand. “I will accompany you, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled at him. She knew he worried for her health, and she fooled no one regarding her condition, but it was important to her to take control of this pregnancy. She had to deliver on her own terms. Her husband meant well, and she counted herself a lucky woman. What female would deny the company of a highly intelligent and caring man? Besides, Elizabeth considered her husband more than just a bit attractive: Fitzwilliam Darcy was a fine specimen, and she often found herself with unladylike wanton thoughts. In fact, she considered him roguishly beautiful and heart-stoppingly seductive, and even after two years, Darcy’s charms — the same charms that she had once adamantly denied — made her vulnerable. “You may, most assuredly, escort me, but I would encourage you to join the gentlemen in cards or talk of sport.”
“I will consider it, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth simply nodded her understanding. They had traveled together because Darcy had refused to permit her being out of his care. Her husband had portrayed his business trip as an opportunity for Elizabeth to see a part of England she had never experienced, as well as a means to purchase unique Christmas gifts. He even subtly suggested that she might visit with her sister Lydia when they stayed in Newcastle. And although she appreciated her husband’s attentiveness, she wouldn’t believe that Darcy was unaware of the fact that Lydia and Mr. Wickham had left Newcastle for Carlisle some three months prior. More than likely, her husband had had a hand in Mr.Wickham’s transfer. Darcy had seen to Lydia’s marriage when no one else could assist the Bennets in locating Mr. Wickham. Unabashedly aware of her sister Lydia’s propensity for profligacy, Elizabeth did what she could to keep her youngest sister from the poorhouse. The Wickhams were extravagant in their wants and heedless of the future. They were always spending more than they ought. By practicing what might be called economy in her own private expenses, Elizabeth had frequently sent her sister additional funds, but it was not enough to prevent the Wickhams from moving from place to place in quest of a cheaper situation.
Darcy stepped into the room with her before gathering Elizabeth into his embrace. Without prelude, he kissed her thoroughly. “I’ve been wanting to do that for the last two hours.” He trailed a line of wet kisses down her neck. “I never tire of touching you,” he rasped.
Quickly enticed by his heat, Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered closed as she whispered huskily, “For too long, I tried to keep my heart safe.”
He teased, “You could not. Not even when you were wretchedly blind to my finer qualities?”
Elizabeth chuckled ironically and pressed herself to him. “I did once gratify my vanity in useless mistrust. I’ve courted prepossession and ignorance, and I once drove reason away.” She felt her husband’s deep steadying breath and his instant hardness along her thigh.
“And you love me that way?” he rasped as his mouth slid along her collarbone.
“I love you in every way possible, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth snaked her arms about his neck.
Darcy kissed her deeply before reluctantly releasing her. “I shan’t tarry long.” He straightened his coat’s lines. “I was never a card player.” He glanced about the room to see that the maid had stoked the fire as he had instructed. “Keep the door locked. I’ll knock upon my return. One never knows how a man will act when he has nothing to do but to drink.”
“Do you expect trouble?” she asked with a touch of concern.
Darcy shook his head in the negative. “Just trying to anticipate the possibilities,” he mumbled. “Trying to protect my wife.”
“You have my permission, Mr. Darcy, to cater to my needs as often as you please.” Elizabeth went on tiptoes to kiss his chin while a slight smile crossed his face.
“Thank you,” Kitty whispered as Georgiana passed her in the drawing room.
Georgiana’s eyes scanned the room, making sure her brother’s guests found adequate refreshments. “I gladly accept your gratitude, Miss Kitty,” she mumbled. “But I’m at a loss as to what I’ve done to earn it.”
Kitty observed Georgiana’s countenance closely. She had admired Mr. Darcy’s sister from the beginning of their acquaintance. With Lydia’s speedy marriage, Kitty had been left with no confidante and little confidence in her own ability to attract a man. Fortunately, Jane and Elizabeth had stepped in — had brought Kitty to Pemberley and to Mr. Bingley’s estate in neighboring Cheshire. Her elder sisters had introduced Kitty to young women and men of quality. While at Pemberley, Kitty had found a copemate in Georgiana Darcy.“I overheard your conversation with Miss Bingley regarding Lizzy.”
Georgiana kept her eyes on the room, but she said softly, “Elizabeth is my sister, and as a Darcy, her name is mine to protect. However, even if it were not so, I would defend Elizabeth. It is the least I could do for all she’s given me: acceptance, understanding, compassion, conviction, and you, Kitty.” She finally looked at her friend. “Yes, Kitty, Elizabeth’s gift of her own sister was one of her greatest. I desperately needed someone with whom to share my childhood musings. Luckily for me, you also sought such conso-ciation. We’ve done well together, and, for that, I owe Elizabeth my allegiance.”
Kitty flushed from the notice. “You honor me, Miss Darcy.” Emotions washing through her, Kitty’s eyes filled with tears. “Those early days were awkward for us, but our amity pleases me. We’ve become quite adept at recognizing the best in each other.”
“That we have.” Georgiana smiled reassuringly. “Therefore, until Elizabeth’s return, would you assist me in seeing to everyone’s needs? You’re familiar with Pemberley’s inner workings.”
“I’d be pleased… very pleased.”
“Have you recently spent time in London, Miss Bingley?” Mrs. Bennet had cornered the woman near the pianoforte.
Caroline’s eyes hardened in disapproval. “I’m often in London, Mrs. Bennet, as well as Edinburgh. I travel to my friends’ country seats when Society is not in Season,” she intoned aristocratically.
“I certainly would have no objection to time in London, but Mr. Bennet hates town.” Mrs. Bennet announced a bit louder than necessary.
Caroline smiled mockingly. “If you were to spend time in London, Mrs. Bennet, where might you stay? If Mr. Bennet despises London, it’s not likely that he maintains a home in the city.”
Mrs. Bennet ignored the woman’s tone. Although she was well aware of her social abyss, she let nothing dissuade her, so she had succeeded where others had failed. Despite her family’s financial situation, she had married off three daughters and a fourth had made a respectable match. Only Kitty remained unattached. Jane and Elizabeth had married well, especially Elizabeth. “My brother and sister Gardiner maintain a London home,” Mrs. Bennet declared.
Miss Bingley replied with feigned graciousness. “Oh, yes. That would be the brother in Cheapside, would it not?”
“And you find Cheapside below you, Miss Bingley? If I recall, you once called upon my Jane at my sister Gardiner’s home. Did you find it lacking?”
