Page 58

“A penny for a posie?” sang a gentle tenor.

Smiling at the familiar voice, Elizabeth glanced up to see Darcy walking towards her across Pemberley’s south lawn.

Lowering her scissors from the rose bush, she placed them in the basket, her eyes never leaving the delicious sight of her husband in his waistcoat and shirtsleeves, his cravat discarded an hour earlier during a madcap game of croquet.

After the festivities and demands of Georgiana’s wedding and hosting a houseful of family and friends, she was happy to see the ease that had returned to him.

“None for sale, kind sir,” she replied, laughing, as he came to stand beside her. “How did you find me?”

Darcy gave her a wry grin as he reached for the basket. “You may place the blame on your son, for bleating ‘Mama’ at full cry as the nurse led him away from your side.”

“Much like his father, endlessly frustrated if left unaware of my whereabouts at all times.”

“Minx.” Darcy slipped his hand into hers. “The husband and children of Elizabeth Darcy will always wish to be in her presence, especially at this time.” He leant over and kissed her cheek, his eyes fixed on the round swell of her midsection. “Are you well? Shall we sit?”

She shook her head and indicated walking was her preference. “I shall be improved in a month or so. It would appear we have ourselves another acrobat. ”

Darcy’s brows furrowed. “A son who excels at cricket, or a daughter who dances, but not an acrobat, if you please.”

Elizabeth laughed again as he led her along the path to where Pemberley’s remaining houseguests were enjoying the fine summer weather. Young Bennet Darcy had been returned to the nursery, where he enjoyed the company of his younger—by mere months and weeks—cousins.

But at least one dawdler remained out of doors, gurgling on the knee of her father. Elizabeth smiled at the sight of Saye, lounging on the grass with Lilly and their daughter. Florizel scampered about, exciting the little girl into fits of giggling.

Their antics prompted a chuckle from Darcy. “Saye’s reputation for modesty is thrown over by his adoration of Annabella. A being more perfect than himself?”

“She is an angel.”

“He is enamoured,” replied Darcy. “He does not even begrudge his brother for begetting a son before him.”

Elizabeth stifled a giggle. “Saye may even refrain from arranging an engagement in the cradle to her Darcy cousin, as is the Fitzwilliam family tradition.”

Her husband managed not to growl, so she continued. “Do you know, I have spent untold hours with your cousins these past two years, but it was not until this week that I recognised the full likeness you share with them. ”

“In looks?” Darcy scoffed. “Saye would be appalled. He believes himself far prettier than Fitzwilliam. And though he never would say it in her presence, comelier than Aurelia.”

Elizabeth bit her lip, amused that Darcy ignored any comparison to his own appearance.

“I refer to the wonderful lack of dignity all of you display with your children. It is a true mark of parental love when the presence of a man’s first child can render him so eminently silly.

Saye and Fitzwilliam behave with their children much as you do with Bennet.

You, however, have no equal in delighting me as husband and father. ”

Such a compliment merited his gratitude, and after expressing it as discreetly as one could on one’s own estate, where a gardener, small escapee from the nursery, or overly inquisitive relation might suddenly appear, Darcy asked about her original statement.

“Is the similarity also seen in the distaff side of the family?”

“Georgette has the mischief in her eyes, Georgiana is more heartfelt, but she is not yet a mother.” Elizabeth felt her husband sigh.

His sister had been wed only a few days, after an engagement he took pains not to prolong to a more favourable length.

Then, in Pemberley’s chapel, when Darcy had looked his most vulnerable, she had seen his cousins—Saye, Fitzwilliam, and Aurelia—with similarly pensive expressions as they stood with their spouses.

Now all of them could be seen on the lawn. Anderson and Georgette strolled arm in arm towards Sarah, who was gazing through a spyglass at something in the branches of a tall oak while Fitzwilliam stood watching her.

Darcy wondered at his wife’s wistful expression, prompting him to reflect back on the festivities that had brought the family together at Pemberley, and in the past. “Georgiana made a lovely bride.”

He felt Elizabeth sigh. “I regret I could not dance with you, but you cut an elegant figure with her.”

“You were a beautiful queen, reigning over your subjects.” Darcy looked at her thoughtfully.

“We have attended countless balls, before our marriage and since, but you did not have the wedding or many celebrations you deserved. My aunt would have given you a ball, had she not been distracted with her sons’ engagements. ”

“And our own distraction to ‘just get on with it’, as you said?”

“Forgive me,” he said ruefully. “But do tell me, do you regret our lack of ceremony? Without even Jane to bear witness for you?”

“I had been without her since her marriage. I was eager for my own, to you.” Elizabeth nudged him lightly. “There was much to be eager for, as I recall. ”

His face flushed. “Every minute of every day. My fervour has yet to wane. I proposed to you poorly the first time, and properly the second. Even though we were already betrothed, it was the last proposal—made by you—that was the most perfect.”

“You were an obedient suitor, and you have become a forgiving son-in-law. You have become my father’s favourite, and I have become your aunt’s favourite...” She trailed off, laughing merrily at his vexed expression.

How she can soothe me, provoke me, and amuse me, all in one moment!

Darcy squeezed her hand and guided her carefully around Florizel and the large chunk of cheese he was devouring.

“Forgiving Lady Catherine for her slights and insults is more easily done since she has moved her ire towards Saye and Lady Aurelia for the house party that brought wives to the Fitzwilliam brothers.”

“And yet one Fitzwilliam cousin remains unwed—Anne,” said Elizabeth as she settled onto the lawn blanket. She greeted Saye and Lilly, then grinned mischievously at Darcy.

“All of us are so content,” she said, “I wonder if perhaps it is time for another house party? After all the matches made at Matlock, who knows what could happen at Rosings?”

The End