Read Darcy's Temptation Online

Authors: Regina Jeffers

Darcy's Temptation (5 page)

“My fear is we are too close to Longbourn for our marital felicity. Mrs. Bennet appears at our door regularly, and Jane's kindness will not allow her to rebuke her mother.” Bingley paused and looked a bit uncomfortable with his next thoughts. “Mrs. Bingley is not willing to abandon Netherfield yet, but if things do not change soon, I will try to convince her. If that were so, would you help me find something closer to Pemberley? I would like Jane to have access to Mrs. Darcy; her family is important to my wife.”
“Mrs. Darcy would certainly welcome such a change, as would I. We spent little time together since our respective engagements.”
“Male companionship has been lean at Netherfield. Even going shooting became an ordeal.” Bingley looked uncomfortable again.
Darcy tried to assure his friend. “When you are ready to
change, Charles, it would do me well to serve you once again. In the meantime, I will be aware of any land which may come available.”
“Darcy, are you as content with marriage as you seem?”
“Bingley, Elizabeth's presence creates such satisfaction. Pemberley was never so alive; you should have seen her and Georgiana at the tenant's celebration. I could not be prouder of either of them.When I chose Elizabeth as my wife, I chose her obvious beauty but also her wit, her intelligence, her compassion, and her devotion. I need a woman beside me who will help me transition Pemberley into a new age. Elizabeth is that woman for me.”
“Your words sound as if you plan for your estate, and Elizabeth plays a major part in that plan.”
“I do. Some will judge me poorly, although I know you will not be one of them. Elizabeth is learning the estate's business. I will not have a dependent—Elizabeth will be my partner.That lifestyle works for the two of us. I do not advocate it for everyone, but it is what I need. Elizabeth fills in the areas which I cannot.” Darcy's matter-of-fact statements persuaded Bingley to their truth.
Bingley offered his friend a light chuckle with the irony he saw in the situation. “You once told me duty to your family's name outweighed your need for affection in a choice for a wife. Luckily, you found both in Mrs. Darcy.”
“Your wife's sister certainly captured my heart, Bingley.” Just dwelling on Elizabeth brought a gamut of images to Darcy's mind, and a hint of a smile formed on his lips. “Speaking of our wives, maybe we should return to Pemberley. I imagine Mr. Harrison is ready to depart.”
 
“Mr. Harrison, you will be missed,” Elizabeth turned to her guest.“Your stories of the Americas were very entertaining, Sir.”
“Mrs. Darcy, you never lack for hospitality and generosity. You welcomed me as a member of your family during the most holy of days. I am blessed to earn your friendship.” He bowed to Elizabeth respectfully.
Elizabeth appropriately dropped her eyes before acknowledging his praise. “Mr. Harrison, you are welcome at Pemberley anytime, Sir.” Darcy stood beside his wife and sister as they bid the man farewell.
“Mr. Darcy, your counsel was most enlightening.” Harrison finally turned his attentions to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy, I look forward to seeing you again.” He wanted to embrace her—to hold her—but instead he offered Georgiana a loving glance and a proper bow before leaving in his coach for Dove Dale.
Walking back to the drawing room, Elizabeth instinctively encircled Georgiana's waist with her arm. “Mr. Harrison will return soon, Georgiana. Mark my words.” Elizabeth held concerns for Georgiana's gentle disposition. Although she knew Harrison expressed a desire to know Georgiana better, Elizabeth's wariness at his honest entreaty held trepidation; yet, she did not wish to belie the man until she knew for sure. Her qualms lay only with protecting Georgiana. Miss Darcy held back tears while smiling at her new sister.
“I will wait,” Georgiana whispered, knowing she could open up her thoughts to Elizabeth without fear of censure. Their relationship created the female bond Georgiana always desired. Since Elizabeth entered Fitzwilliam's life, Georgiana found herself able to express her innermost thoughts. Elizabeth caught Georgiana's eye and nodded without further comment.
 
Later that afternoon, Darcy and Elizabeth reclined leisurely across their bed, having spent themselves in passion. He brushed his lips across hers playfully. “Mrs. Darcy, your husband loves you most ardently.”
“I am pleased to hear it, Sir,” she murmured. “I would hate to think my affections were not returned.”
Darcy bent to kiss her tenderly and then withdrew enough to lock eyes with her.“What bothers you, Elizabeth?”
“What makes you think there is something wrong, my Love?”
“Elizabeth, do not try to hide what bothers you; are you feeling unwell?” He stroked her hair from her face.
“It is nothing, really—something quite innocent that Jane said. She commented on how often Bingley missed your company, and I kept thinking how much I used to depend on Jane's understanding; but since we are together, I think of nothing else but your presence. I felt guilty for abandoning my sister. Add that to my earlier thoughts of Pemberley being my home now, and I judged myself to be a poor daughter indeed.”
Darcy pulled her to him, allowing the curves of her body to linger beside his muscular frame. The truth she offered held levels of pain for her, and he tried to be sensitive to her needs. He stroked Elizabeth's hair, realizing the depth of her “confession.” Elizabeth needed him for himself, and she needed him above all others in her life. “I can remember nothing before there was you in my life, Elizabeth.” He whispered the words close to her ear.“Sometimes life brings two people such as you and I together. How do we explain to others we need only each other to experience happiness? When you accepted my love, we became joined as few are. It does not make you a poor daughter; it makes you my joy and my delight.”
Elizabeth asked tentatively, “Do you miss the company of your gentlemen friends such as Mr. Bingley?”
“I found Bingley's company today a pleasant way to spend my time until I could return to your arms. I need only you in my life. I teased about having no future guests in my house, but there was truth in my words.You consume me and fill me, Elizabeth.” Darcy took the kiss this time to a deeper, more passionate level as if he had to possess her.
Darcy found Georgiana at the pianoforte in the music room. “Fitzwilliam,” she spoke in surprise upon seeing him enter the room.“Is there something the matter, Sir?”
“I was concerned for your well-being,” he began,“as is your sister Elizabeth.”
Georgiana blushed with his attention. “I am fine, Sir, I assure you.”
“I wish you peace and contentment, the kind I found with Elizabeth.” Darcy took his sister's hand.
“I understand your caution, Fitzwilliam; I am not disappointed, nor am I angry about your choice on my behalf.” Georgiana touched his cheek tenderly. “If anything,” she continued,“I am more confused about what I should or should not be feeling.”
“Elizabeth and I only desire your future happiness. We asked Mr. Harrison to wait because we want to give you time to know yourself better.As a young woman, many changes will occur in the next year. At least, that is what Elizabeth says happened with her and her sisters. We simply wish to make that transition easier for you. Elizabeth assures me this is what is best for you at this time.”
“I am thankful to have Elizabeth with us,” Georgiana looked at him closely. “I never knew how much I needed her type of love in my life.”
Darcy chuckled lightly.“That is a sentiment I easily share.”
“You really chose well, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana returned his steady stare.“When the time comes, I hope to be as wise.”
“Speaking of my lovely wife,” he cleared his throat,“Elizabeth made another suggestion of which we both hope you will agree.”
“You have my attention.” Georgiana shifted a bit uncomfortably.
“It is nothing of which to be concerned.” Darcy noted her shift. “As you know, I have a plan for Pemberley's future, one
which involves Elizabeth as an active partner in running the estate. The times change, and I must learn to change with them. Elizabeth agreed to become familiar with the management of the estate and our other properties. Even in London, she studied the books and the finances on the Darcy holdings.”
“I knew you offered some liberty in this matter, but I never realized you involved Elizabeth to this extent.”
“Many of my gentlemen friends would be shocked if they knew of my doing so, but I care not. I will do what is necessary to keep Pemberley a viable part of this community. It is my duty to our parents to maintain Pemberley in its glory. Elizabeth knows my desire for the estate. I, as you also know, gave Elizabeth a jointure; if something happens to me, she will continue on with my vision.”
“Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana gasped. “I am amazed you chose to trust Elizabeth with so much responsibility. It is unheard of.”
“It is a change,” Darcy said calmly, “but do you not agree it is necessary?”
“Of course, I agree,” she assured him. “Elizabeth will blossom under your tutelage. She is so perceptive about what needs to be done, and she possesses the courage to see things through.”
“I am gladdened by your assurances,” he said, taking her hand in his, “because Elizabeth believes you, too, should become familiar with the estate. She wishes you to join her in this endeavor.”
“Me!” Georgiana's voice cracked.
“My Dearest One.” Darcy caressed her chin line. “You will live in a world foreign to what we have now. Cities are infringing on the estates, and the life we know in Regency England will never be the same again. Elizabeth believes it would be to your benefit to know how an estate should be run. A man, who values you as a learned woman, will accept your knowledge and welcome your ideas. If not, maybe the man is not an appropriate choice.”
“Fitzwilliam,” she stumbled through the words, “you and Elizabeth trust me that much?”
“We do.” Darcy held her eyes, trying to relay the truth of his words. “Elizabeth wishes you to help her with Pemberley if, Heaven forbid, I meet an untimely demise. She wishes not to make decisions for your ancestral home without your input.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she said, flushed with excitement, “I am overwhelmed by your confidence in me. I will try not to let you down. I mean, I may let you down, but I will try not to do so.”
“Then you are pleased with the idea?”
Georgiana's arms snaked around his neck as she hugged him closely. “The fact you and Elizabeth value me gives me a purpose.”
“Then you will join us with Mr. Howard tomorrow afternoon.” Darcy stood to leave.“I encourage you to ask questions of Mr. Howard, Elizabeth, and me when you need to do so.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana's eyes sparkled with delight.
 
The lessons started the next afternoon as Darcy requested. To his satisfaction, both Georgiana and Elizabeth asked astute questions and offered insights he and Mr. Howard did not consider. “Do you really believe punishing Mr. Jenkins for poaching a deer when his family is hungry is the best way to resolve the problem?” Elizabeth asked.
“If we do not, then all the tenants will help themselves to the game on the estate. Soon there would be no game left,” Mr. Howard confided.
Georgiana asked,“Is there not some way to share the game? Mr. Jenkins was only trying to take care of his family—he was not trying to make a profit from the kill. None of us believe it was a malicious action; he did what any of us in this room would do in a similar situation.”
Darcy sat behind his desk, fingers clasped and listening to the conversation. “I believe I hear you saying Mr. Jenkins's punishment does not meet the crime.”
“Exactly,” Elizabeth chimed in.
Darcy cautioned, “Then what do you propose? Please remember I must discourage the other tenants from following suit.”
Elizabeth paced the floor several times before turning back to her husband. “Obviously, Mr. Jenkins owes the estate for the deer. Is there not a disagreeable job for him to do as repayment? The job should be one nobody wants to do. Mr. Howard, can you not think of something?”
“I suppose so, Mrs. Darcy. Maybe something to do with the waste pots.”
“That would resolve one of the issues,” Darcy summarized. “But there seems to be a bigger problem.”
“Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana's voice came out small, “I have an idea, if I may.”
“Of course, Dearest One,” he encouraged her.
“It seems every year the estate has an abundance of some sort of game. Some years it is the deer. Other years it is the rabbits.When there is an abundance, the animals destroy prize vegetation. Why not have a controlled kill of the animals in plenty to regulate the population? We could offer the animals to the tenants on an equal basis. My first inclination is to give them the meat, but it might be better for their self-respect if the tenants pay the estate, either with money or physical labor. They could clear away the brush, plant gardens, repair walls—whatever Mr. Howard needs.”
“Interesting.” Darcy leaned back in his chair to consider his sister's suggestion. “It would resolve several areas of concern. What do you think, Mr. Howard?”
“The animals are often killed anyway, but are done so indiscriminately,” he mused. “We could better balance the natural
habitat. I am unsure how to go about this, but I would be pleased to pursue it if you like, Sir.”
“Let us, you and I, look into it, Mr. Howard,” Darcy set forward once again. “Where might we use the staff we already have in place in an efficient manner?”

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