Darcy's Temptation (68 page)

Elizabeth knew exactly what he needed at that moment. He needed her pledge that they would survive. “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”

Darcy swallowed hard as she arched toward him. “Come bid me do anything for thee.”

Elizabeth pulled his head down to hers once again, kissing him with all the passion she felt whenever in Darcy's arms.“Make me yours, Fitzwilliam; I want to be your wife in every way.”

He picked her up in his arms and carried Elizabeth to her bed.“Elizabeth, I will spend my life trying to make you happy.” He laid her back on the pillows and began to kiss lightly down her arms and torso.

“I am happy in your arms, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth kissed behind his ear and along his chin line. “I am happy right this moment because I see the man with whom I fell in love; my life is complete with you and the twins.”

“I will live in thy heart,” he spoke softly as he set to proving his desire. Elizabeth smiled at Darcy's unexpected vulnerability. He wondered for a moment if he would ever deserve her love. Then he allowed himself the pleasure of enjoying the warm fragrance of Elizabeth's skin. Elizabeth arched against him, and Darcy lost himself to her.“Lizzy,” he moaned.

 

Darcy led Elizabeth and the rest of his party to the private box for the theatre production. Mr. Harrison and Georgiana sat together; initially, they would live at Kensington Place when they were in London. Darcy reasoned it would be more
comfortable
for his sister to be in her “home” while learning her duties as Mr. Harrison's wife with all his new responsibilities. Kensington Place already had a trained staff capable of handling the type of entertaining the Harrisons would need in those early days of their marriage. Eventually, Harrison would take his own place for the two of them. It would be another two months until their wedding. Georgiana
insisted
on coming to London with Mr. Harrison after the first of the year. Darcy
insisted
she spend the Festive Season at Pemberley.

So, they compromised. Georgiana and Mr. Harrison would marry in mid-November. They would spend the Festive Season at Pemberley, helping Elizabeth with the tenant celebration. Although not married, Harrison, with Georgiana at his side, would offer his tenants a similar gathering for All Hallows Eve. Elizabeth and Darcy would serve as their mentors in this matter. The Bishop at Matlock would marry Georgiana. The wedding breakfast would take place at her uncle's estate; the Matlocks planned an elaborate affair for her. Matlock would be closer to London, but Darcy felt she should be at Pemberley,
although the small church could not hold the anticipated throng who would attend.

Lady Haverty, still chattering on to Kitty and Mr. Ashford, joined the Darcys as a revered personage.The seven of them sat comfortably in Darcy's box. Lady Haverty became a staple at Pemberley over the last few months. Initially, when she came to the estate, she showed Darcy her disdain for his choice of a wife, but Elizabeth made inroads into her Ladyship's regard that first day, although, in reality, Elizabeth cared not for the woman's manners. Then she reasoned Darcy lost his mother and his Aunt Catherine; if she could build a relationship with Lady Anne's childhood friend, then maybe Darcy would see his wife differently.

That was when Darcy had no memory of Elizabeth, but even with the return of his husbandly attentions to his wife, Elizabeth continued to cultivate a positive relationship with Lady Haverty. The woman, lonely for her own family, happily embraced the young couple, listening to the opinions of Lord and Lady Pennington and the Matlocks rather than Lady Catherine. Now, Lady Haverty deemed it her responsibility to Lady Anne's memory to serve as a “sage” to the young Mistress of Pemberley. Elizabeth listened to the venerable older woman and then did what she deemed best for her family; yet, Lady Haverty never considered Elizabeth's independent mind a slight to her Ladyship's position in society. Instead, the woman learned to enjoy the new life springing from Pemberley. Now, her Ladyship thought helping Kitty Ashford to be the perfect way to enjoy the Darcys' company while building herself a reputation for innovation in her home—a friend of young designers.

“You will love the performance,” Lady Haverty invoked as she took one of the lower seats in the box.

Kitty gushed, “This is magnificent! Look at the chandelier, Clayton.” She pointed out the obvious with her eyes and the tilt of her chin.

Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Chadwick Harrison took the seats behind them. Although not raised in a life of opulence, Elizabeth knew what was expected of her:The constant gazes of others who came to the theatre to be seen and those who came to the theatre to look at the rich and the famous were to be ignored. Polite indifference was the rule, and Elizabeth lightly touched Kitty's shoulder to reel in her sister's enthusiasm.

Watching the stage with polite attention, Elizabeth realized many of the stares were directed toward her. She turned to look at Darcy; his handsome profile brought a smile to her face. Instinctively, she rested her hand in the crook of his arm. Darcy looked down at her hand, took it in his, brought it to his lips, and returned it to his arm. Elizabeth gave him the slightest purse of her lips, and Darcy's eyebrow shot up with the provocation.

A hard stare brought Elizabeth's attention back toward the stage and the audience. An attractive woman sat with a small party in a private box across the way. Elizabeth became acutely aware of the scrutiny in which she found herself. “Fitzwilliam,” she whispered as she leaned close to him so as not to disturb the performance, “who is the striking lady in the box on the right?”

Darcy dreaded the question; he hoped Elizabeth did not notice.They spent two exquisite days at Kensington Place rekindling their love, and now his response could destroy those moments. “No one of any consequence.” He tried to avoid the inevitable.

Elizabeth felt his body stiffen under her light touch and noticed how Georgiana shifted her weight away from where Elizabeth sat. She raised her eyes once more to the woman, and she knew even without her husband's confirmation; Elizabeth looked into the steady gaze of Cecelia McFarland. Her eyes misted over, as she fought back the tears. She looked at Darcy again, silently demanding he acknowledge her question. Darcy
took her hand into his lap and began to stroke her inner wrist with his fingertips. He dropped his chin and mumbled softly,“I am sorry, Elizabeth, for hurting you. Please know I love you more than life.”

He did not raise his head again until Elizabeth touched his chin with her index finger. Darcy looked up at his wife, and she held him there with her gaze.The music swelled behind them, but neither of them turned away. He let his gaze run over her.A jumble of memories rushed at Elizabeth, but she gave Darcy a nod, stating she knew her position as his wife. He squeezed her hand as she leaned in to say,“I adore you, my Husband.”

Relief flashed across his eyes; Elizabeth would not turn him away. He read her answer in the silence which coursed between them. Finally, Darcy mouthed the words,“Thank you.”

 

Cecelia McFarland carefully watched this interplay between husband and wife. For someone of such low connections, Elizabeth Darcy carried herself well. It almost explained why the haughty Mr. Darcy married her.The woman affected his heart, and the right woman could capture even the crustiest man's heart.Yet, in Miss McFarland's twisted opinion, this pert young woman corrupted the Darcy bloodline; Fitzwilliam Darcy needed to purify his name. By the time the curtain came down, Miss McFarland convinced herself, despite his earlier cut, Darcy still deserved something better than Elizabeth Darcy. Cecelia McFarland decided she would confront the Mistress of Pemberley and make her stand for Darcy's attention one last time.

Elizabeth watched as the spectators made their way toward the exit. “I will fetch the wraps,” Darcy whispered in Elizabeth's ear, while motioning to Mr.Ashford to join him.

Lady Haverty took Kitty's arm, joining the throngs working their way through the vast interior passages. Her Ladyship took up a position on the staircase's vast landing where those stiffly
bowing to one another could admire her. She introduced Kitty to various friends and pointed out several dignitaries to the young girl's delight.

Finally, Elizabeth and Georgiana stepped through the draped door to the box and into the busy corridor. Mr. Harrison led Georgiana a few feet away to introduce her to some members of the Parliament.

When Miss McFarland stepped casually in front of Elizabeth, the woman's appearance took her by surprise. Elizabeth wanted to turn away, but there was nowhere to which to run. Miss McFarland closed the trap. “Mrs. Darcy, I presume,” the woman's voice nearly purred with perfection.

Cecelia McFarland, by all standards, easily portrayed a woman of social standing and position. Her well-bred manner seethed with ambition. Elizabeth felt a bit intimidated; yet, she would not give Darcy up without a fight. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “The purloined author Miss McFarland, I assume?” Elizabeth's voice matched her enemy in false sweetness.

“Where is your husband?”The woman moved in closer to tower over Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wanted to take a step back to open up the sightlines, but instead she used one of Darcy's tricks and stepped up to be within inches of the woman's face. “Mr. Darcy, unfortunately, has no time to continue your relationship, Miss McFarland. I thought he made the point clear previously. I would suggest you seek your interests elsewhere.” Elizabeth watched with delight as the woman flinched with her words.

“Should we not allow Mr. Darcy to make that decision? In what world do you believe you could compete with me? No matter what you do, Mrs. Darcy, you will always be found wanting. With whom do you believe your husband spent his time before he was called home for your lying in?” A sneer curled the edges of the lady's lips.

Elizabeth's voice dripped with sarcastic sweetness. “Mr. Darcy and I spent the weeks before my lying in with his cousins in Bath. So, if you wish to insinuate otherwise, Madam, it will be my pleasure to call you out as the liar you are. Check the social registry; you will find us there.” Elizabeth purposely turned her back on the woman and began to put on her gloves.

Miss McFarland's temper steamed; she deluded herself into thinking Fitzwilliam Darcy cared for her, and the woman would not be defeated so easily. “This is not over, Mrs. Darcy,” she said to the back of Elizabeth's head. “The game is not yet won by you.”

Elizabeth turned slowly to look at Cecelia McFarland once again. “Do you play chess, Miss McFarland?” Elizabeth plastered on her face the fake smile she often used with Lady Catherine.

Miss McFarland looked taken aback. “I despise the game.” Her voice held pure contempt.

“That is too bad, Miss McFarland. It is a favorite of my husband's; yet, that is neither here nor there. If you knew the game, you would know the king is useless without his queen. That is called
checkmate
.” With that, Elizabeth walked away to join Georgiana. She never looked back to see the woman's look of utter bewilderment.

 

“Who is that attractive woman speaking to my sister?” Kitty whispered into Lady Haverty's ear.

“I believe it to be Miss McFarland,” the older woman shared before greeting an acquaintance moving down the Grand Staircase.

“Excuse me, Lady Haverty.” Kitty dropped a quick curtsy and started to leave, wishing to be at Elizabeth's side.

At seeing the girl's obvious distress, Lady Haverty clutched Kitty's arm. “What is wrong, Mrs. Ashford?” her Ladyship hissed into Kitty's ear.

“Miss McFarland played poorly by my sister; I must go to her.” Kitty confided.

“Played poorly how?” Lady Haverty demanded.

“I am not at liberty to say,” Kitty added quickly, trying to make her exit,“but let us just say if the woman were successful the Darcy name would be tainted with scandal.”

As Kitty ascended the stairs to be by Elizabeth's side, she saw the woman in question turn to leave Elizabeth's company. Miss McFarland unceremoniously raised her skirts enough to descend the steps quickly. She bumped into several slower theatregoers exiting the building. Kitty stepped to the side to allow her to pass, never looking again at the woman who nearly destroyed all their lives.

Just as Kitty reached Elizabeth and Georgiana, a scream of surprise echoed through the rafters of the hallway. They all jumped from the sound; spinning around, they caught only the commotion of bodies bumping into each other and sprawling at the foot of the Grand Staircase.The crowd pressed forward, including what was left of the Darcy party, bending over the railing, everyone anxious to see the source of the hubbub.

Leaning awkwardly against a column support post of the staircase reposed Miss McFarland. The hem of her gown was torn and her dress askew. Blushing, the woman quickly pulled herself to a standing pose, recovering her demeanor and straightening her dress. However, the snickers of the crowd did not stop even when she restored her bearing, and she looked around nervously for some explanation.

The crowd froze in some horrid montage. Miss McFarland stood alone by the support post, trying to determine how to extricate herself from an obviously embarrassing situation, and, momentarily, she locked eyes with Elizabeth Darcy, noting a look of amusement on the woman's face.The crowd continued to stifle twitters and guffaws. Finally, someone in the back could be heard plainly in the silence of the hall. “My God, the woman's bald!”

A look of horror overcame Miss McFarland's composure as she automatically reached for the wig she wore, finding it setting awry, covering her head but not in place.Tears filled her eyes as she looked into the faces of all those who would now shun her.With her hand trying to adjust the wig as she ran, the woman, who only moments ago commanded the room, now fled from it in alarm.The titters became full out laughter as she streaked past the members of the
ton.