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Part Eighteen
"Jane! Oh let me take him!" Elizabeth cried as soon as her sister came through the door. The baby was sound asleep, and Elizabeth scooped him up into her arms. "I can hardly remember William being this small. Oh, he is adorable, Jane!"
Jane gave her sister a tired smile. "Are you thinking of having another one, Lizzie?"
"Jane!' Elizabeth said, blushing. "Let's not rush things." Then she smiled pertly and added, "Not that the thought hadn't occurred to me, though."
"Are you two going to stand by the door all afternoon, or can we get you and Robert settled in upstairs, my dear?" Charles appeared at her side.
"Of course, Charles," Elizabeth said hurriedly. She ushered Jane and her husband up the stairs ahead of her.
Once the new mother and baby were safely ensconced in their room, Elizabeth asked her sister if she felt like having any lunch.
"Not really, Lizzie. I'd just like to get a little sleep. It's next to impossible in the hospital!"
Elizabeth nodded her agreement. "How well I remember! I think there was a rush on babies when I had William."
"Speaking of William......where is he?"
"Oh, Will had to go to Pemberley to take care of some matters, and William went with him." Elizabeth said easily. She wasn't sure if her sister had heard any of what had transpired the previous evening.
Jane looked thoughtful. "Charles mentioned a bit of resistance from our parents regarding your engagement. What happened?"
A short laugh from her husband brought Jane's eyes around to him. "Oh," he said, self consciously, "Well, it wasn't much. I'm sure your father has come around by now." He looked to Elizabeth hopefully.
"I wouldn't know. I haven't spoken to him today." Elizabeth said tightly.
"I did." Jane said. "He called my room this morning, and said they'd be by later, for tea." She watched the two before her exchange glances. "All right. Out with it. What's going on?"
"Nothing," Elizabeth said quickly, and began tucking the blanket around Jane. "Papa was just a bit concerned that I was rushing into things, that's all. Now, I want you to get some sleep, especially if you have to deal with Mama later on!" She smiled and moved to the bassinette to peek in on her nephew. He is so sweet! No, I wouldn't mind terribly if another one came my way. She glanced back at Charles. "Lunch will be ready whenever you want to come down." Then she left them alone and closed the door.
Wonderful! Just what I need. Mama scurrying about the place, poking her nose into absolutely everything! And I'm not sure that I'm ready to face Papa, yet. She decided that a long walk this afternoon might be in order, to clear her head before her parents arrived.
After lunch, Charles retired to his study to get some work done while Jane was sleeping. Elizabeth bundled herself up in her warmest clothes, pulled on her boots, and set her sights on the familiar paths of her youth.
Mrs. Reynolds didn't quite believe that she'd heard right. "I beg your pardon, sir?"
"This is William. My son." Will said quietly.
Silence.
"Your son." She said it tonelessly, not quite sure in her own mind whether to believe him or not.
Will watched her anxiously. Mrs. Reynolds might be a member of his staff, but she had worked in this house for more than 25 years, and as such, was valued by him as much more than an employee. She was the one he'd run to when he'd scraped his knees as a boy. When his father had disciplined him, she would offer a sympathetic ear. And when his mother had died, and later his father, Mrs. Reynolds was always there.
"I......" she began, then looked at William again. "He does look very much like you did as a child." She paused. Will waited for her to continue. He desperately needed her to understand, and accept this situation, if Elizabeth was to return with him as his wife. "Does his mother know that he's here?"
Her question surprised him. He didn't answer for a moment, and Mrs. Reynolds spoke again.
"If she doesn't....and you've managed to snatch this boy away from her, I'll not be a party to it!" She stood her ground, defying him.
Quickly Will tried to assure her. "No, no! She knows he is here!"
The housekeeper moved closer to the small figure on the sofa. "Poor little tyke." Kneeling down beside him, she noticed that William had drawn the blanket up to cover most of his face, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. "Would you like some lunch, little one?" she asked softly.
William's eyes flicked to his father. "Daddy?" he mumbled into the recesses of the blanket.
Will quickly moved to gather the boy up and hold him close. He prayed for more success in comforting his son that he'd had the night before.
Mrs. Reynolds stood, eyeing the pair before her. Finally she said, "I'll have something sent up for your lunch."
Will nodded and watched as she stiffly left the room. The sound of sniffling redirected his attention to William. He tilted the boy's chin up to look at him.
"Here, now. What's this?" He smiled in an attempt to disguise his own apprehensions. William sniffed again. "Would you like to see the dogs after lunch?"
Will was encouraged to see the boy's face brighten. It seemed he wasn't going to be getting as much work done as he thought.
Mrs. Reynolds delivered her instructions to the kitchen and retreated to her private room. She sat down heavily in the armchair next to her writing desk and put her head in her hands. She hardly knew what to think.
How did this happen? Who is the mother of his little boy? Good Lord, I hope it isn't some low-life tart trying to climb the social ladder on my poor boy's reputation! Although I seriously doubt he would have stooped so low.....not with a common tart! She frowned. The timing of this was certainly odd. That little lad was about two years old, if she judged correctly, and her dear Fitzwilliam had been in such a state for at least three. There was a very real possibility that he may have succumbed to the tricks of a devious girl with a pretty face, while he was feeling so low.
Mrs. Reynolds got up from her chair to open a cabinet drawer and withdrew a small framed portrait. "I promised you I'd look after your boy, Lady Ann, and I'm going to do just that! No young upstart wisp of a girl is going to be taking our Fitzwilliam for a dance. He deserves far better!"
She carefully placed the picture back in the drawer and slid it closed. She knew that she had only a few minutes more to tame her emotions, before she must tend to the waggling tongues of the staff. As unsettling as the prospect was, a son was a son, illegitimate or not. Knowing her dear Fitzwilliam as well as she did, Mrs. Reynolds's biggest fear was that he would feel compelled to marry this woman, whoever, and whatever she may be.
I will not stand by and see him throw away his life because of one error of judgment!
With a last glance into the mirror, she opened the door and made her way back to the kitchen to squelch the rumours that were sure to be circulating, before they could leave the house.
After more than an hour out in the brisk February air, Elizabeth felt chilled. The fresh, cold air had indeed cleared her head. She felt ready to deal with her parents, to deflect their attentions from Jane. When she returned to the house another forty minutes later, it was to discover a letter waiting for her. The return address indicated the publishing house in Leeds that had expressed an interest in hiring her. Eagerly tearing open the envelope, Elizabeth quickly scanned the enclosed letter. She could hardly believe the contents, and reread it several times before running off to Charles' study.
"Come in," he called in answer to her knock.
"Oh, Charles!" she cried, breathlessly. "You'll never guess!"
Charles looked up in astonishment. "Whatever are you---"
"I've got a job!" Elizabeth thrust the letter at him. "That publisher in Leeds.....I just got this today, and they've offered me a position to start in three weeks! I don't even have to go for an interview! They were so impressed with my final results at Christmas that they want me right away!"
"That's marvelous, Lizzie!" Charles said enthusiastically. "I'm so very pleased for you. It doesn't rain but it pours, what? First you and Will getting married, and now you get a job!"
Elizabeth's eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped open. "Oh, no!"
"What?" Charles puzzled.
"Oh, no!" Elizabeth repeated. "How am I to work in Leeds when I'll be living at Pemberley? What am I to do?"
Charles took her hands in his and spoke firmly. "Lizzie, don't fret. You and Will can figure it out together. When do you have to give them a reply?"
Elizabeth searched the letter again. "By Wednesday."
"There!" Charles said, smiling. "You can talk to Will when he returns tomorrow. Leeds isn't that far from Pemberley, anyway. You'll have no problem sorting out the details."
Elizabeth sighed. She realized that he was right. All benefits from her earlier walk duly expunged by the news in her letter, she now had a most dreadful headache making itself known. To add to her discomfort, the clock in the hall chimed four times.
"Oh, Lord, Mama will be here shortly," she moaned. "I've got to find something for my head." She left the study in search of some medication.
Charles tidied up his papers and went upstairs to see if Jane and his son were ready to come down and face the chaos about to descend upon them.
In a quarter of an hour, the Bingleys and Elizabeth met in the upstairs hallway and made their way to the drawing room together.
"Were you able to sleep well?" Elizabeth asked her sister.
Jane nodded. "Yes, it was very quiet. I feel much better for it, thanks, Lizzie."
They didn't have long to wait before the Bennets arrived en masse. Mrs. Bennet flowed into the room like a tidal wave, followed by Kitty and Mary. Mr. Bennet entered last, a little cautiously, Elizabeth thought. Since no-one would be able to speak until their mother had exhausted, or at least put a dent in, her enthusiastic oratory regarding Jane's aptitude for motherhood, Elizabeth began to pour out the tea. Passing cups to her younger sisters, she motioned them to take seats on the sofa furthest from their mother, and then poured out two more cups.
"Mama, won't you sit down and have some tea?" Elizabeth interrupted the steady monologue with a polite nudge on her arm.
"What? Oh, yes Lizzie, thank you." Mrs. Bennet took the proffered cup and sat next to Jane, without so much as a pause for breath.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Jane. She mouthed the words 'I tried', and handed the other cup to her sister.
Charles and Mr. Bennet had already helped themselves to the tea, so Elizabeth poured one out for herself and sat down next to her mother. Mrs. Bennet seemed to suddenly realize the presence of her other daughter, and turned her attentions in that direction.
"Lizzie, where is that darling Will of yours? I do hope he didn't suffer any ill effects from last night." She actually appeared a bit embarrassed.
"He went back to Pemberley just after breakfast." Elizabeth replied, sipping her tea.
"WHAT?" screeched her mother, casting a murderous gaze in her husband's direction. "You see! I told you, but you wouldn't believe me! And now Lizzie's chances are ruined, all ruined!"
"Mama," Elizabeth tried to interject, but the woman was quickly becoming incoherent.
"I hope you are proud of yourself, now that you have chased away the best prospect that your daughter will likely ever have!"
"Mama!" Elizabeth tried again.
But Mrs. Bennet was not to be stopped. "Oh, my poor dear girl, what shall become of you? If your father hadn't been so foolish.....but now it's all too late!"
"MAMA!" Elizabeth finally had her attention. "Will only went to Pemberley to straighten up some business. He's been away for a week, after all. He'll return tomorrow morning."
Mrs. Bennet's affectations eased suddenly. "Oh. Tomorrow you say?" She smiled in a complete reversal of attitude, and smoothed her skirt with her hands. "Well, I'm glad to see that he doesn't harbour a grudge for your father's behaviour last night."
Jane looked up curiously. "What behaviour was that, Mama?"
Elizabeth made a face at her sister in an effort to get her to drop the subject. But Jane ignored it, and Mrs. Bennet had no qualms about furthering her husband's disfavour.
"Why, he only hauled off and ploughed Will so hard that he fell face first onto the ground! He is very lucky that Lizzie's young man showed more good breeding, and refused to hit him in return." their mother huffed.
Jane was appalled. She could think of no reason why her father should behave so. But glancing at Lizzie, she decided not to press her mother for any more information on that subject. "How are your arrangements coming for tomorrow's dinner, Mama? Do you need any help?"
Mrs. Bennet launched into a detailed description of her trials and tribulations concerning the upcoming event. Elizabeth sighed and moved away from the conversation. As she stood at the side table refilling her teacup, she became aware of her father standing at her elbow. Without looking up, she said,
"Do you have something to say, Papa?"
Part Nineteen
"Two things, actually." Mr. Bennet pitched his voice so that only Elizabeth could hear. "I wanted to apologise to you and your fiancé for the things I said last night. And, of course, for striking him. But I must add that if I had known of your feelings for him earlier, I would never have jumped to such a conclusion."
Elizabeth finally met his eyes. "I did tell you that I love him, when you first learned of our engagement."
"Aye, but that described how you feel now. Anything could have happened in three years, and three years ago I believed you to despise him." He brought his lips together to form a grim smile. "What I have a real difficulty with is your decision not to tell him you were expecting his child, Lizzie. How could you have done that? He must be quite the forgiving soul, for I'm not sure I would ever be so generous in his place."
Elizabeth lowered her face. "Our relationship has been one misunderstanding after another. He loved me, I hated him. Then I grew to love him, but I thought he hated me!"
Mr. Bennet smiled. "You obviously met somewhere in the middle."
His daughter smiled weakly, and rubbed her temples to relieve some of the pounding in her head. "Yes, we were thinking along the same lines for a short time that summer. We met up again by chance when I went on that trip with some of the girls from school. They wanted to tour Pemberley, since we'd been to many of the other estates in the district. While we were there, Will suddenly appeared from around a corner and ran right into me!" She laughed a little, remembering the scene. "He didn't realize who I was until he picked me up from the garden I'd fallen into. Anyway, the rest of my friends went on to Yorkshire after a couple of days, and I stayed on at Lambton so I could see more of Will."
"What happened, then, that you split up after that?" her father asked gently.
Elizabeth glanced surreptitiously at the other occupants of the room before pulling him further away from them. "It was that stuff with Lydia, Papa."
He appeared confused. "What did Lydia have to do with anything?"
Elizabeth sighed. "Lydia didn't just run off with George Wickham, Papa. The whole business started when George found out how Will felt about me, and thought he could use that information to scam some money out of him. So he set about kidnapping Lydia, knowing that Will would do anything for me."
"Why was I not told any of this?" Her father's expression hardened.
"I was still in Derbyshire when Lydia first disappeared. Then I heard from Jane, and Will heard from George. Will convinced me to return home and say nothing until I'd heard from him, as he was going to try to sort it all out. But the whole thing went wrong, and the two of them took off with the £250,000 Will had laid out to try to catch George!"
Mr. Bennet was aghast. "Two hundred and fifty......"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes. But in the end Lydia did run off with George Wickham, so there didn't seem to be any reason to tell the family any differently."
"But what about Will's money? That was extortion, plain and simple! Surely he didn't just let it go at that!" Mr. Bennet spluttered.
Elizabeth hurriedly shook her head as she motioned her father to keep his voice down. "No, the police were watching for them, but we think they slipped out of the country before the information got out to the airports."
"That explains why we've never heard from Lydia since that brief note soon after she had disappeared." Her father looked at her sympathetically. "And so ended your brief romance, eh Lizzie? Will Darcy didn't want to see another Bennet again, I suppose."
"Ah!" Elizabeth said a bit triumphantly. "You made the exact same mistake that I did. Will didn't give a toss about the money! He was feeling guilty about not being able to save Lydia from George, and how he had let us all down. I interpreted his silence as just what you said; he didn't want to ever see me or my family again."
"Oh, Lizzie," Mr. Bennet sighed. "I don't know what to say. If I could get my fingers on Lydia's scrawny neck.......!" He looked into Elizabeth's eyes as he took her hands in his. "I seem to have greatly underestimated the value of Mr. Will Darcy."
"That seems to be a common affliction in the Bennet household," Elizabeth said.
Her father looked down at the floor uncomfortably. "I didn't do any serious damage to him, I hope."
"Well, he's got one heck of a bruising along that side of his face." Elizabeth replied. "Aside from that he said he was okay, just sore. You'll see on Sunday."
Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes. "Oh, yes. Sunday!"
"Oh, Lizzie!" called her mother from the other side of the room. "Do come over here and help us sort out the seating arrangement. I forgot all about it, and now that your Will is coming, my original is useless."
With a resigned sigh, Elizabeth joined her mother and sisters.
"Mrs. Reynolds! MRS. REYNOLDS!" bellowed Will.
A half-dozen people came running from various doorways in response to the urgent cry. Mrs. Reynolds, however, sedately crossed the hallway to the study, dismissing the others en route.
"MRS. REY---- oh! There you are!" Will looked at her helplessly.
The housekeeper fought the urge to laugh. Mr. Darcy, master of Pemberley and executive of a dozen different corporations, was at this moment attempting to untangle a two-year-old from around his neck. The boy hung on for dear life, his body dangling down his father's back.
"Would you mind?" Will gestured to the waving body behind him.
Mrs. Reynolds said not a word, but took a gentle hold of William and lifted him down. Gazing impassively at Will, she said, "Will that be all, sir?"
"No, that will not be all, sir!" Will said, exasperated. "Do you see the state of this room?"
She looked around. "It does seem a bit untidy today, sir."
"Untidy!" Will looked at her as if she had grown another head. "Nothing, absolutely nothing is where it should be! There are little fingermarks all over the furniture, and the report that I just spent the last two hours working on has been accidentally deleted from my computer!"
"I'm afraid I can't help you with your computer, Mr. Darcy."
Will closed his eyes in frustration. Lord help me to find patience! Opening them again, he spied William reaching for the shelf above his desk. Horrified, Will yelled, "No! William, don't touch that!"
The little boy jumped in fright at the sound, and tumbled backwards from the chair to the floor. Immediately he began to cry. Will rushed forward and scooped him to his chest.
"Oh, I'm sorry, William. I didn't meant to frighten you. Shhhh."
Mrs. Reynolds stole a glance at what was on the shelf that attracted the child's attention. She saw a figurine of a woman, in a yellow dress that flowed as if it was caught in a wind. The face was laughing and the loose, dark hair also swirled in the unseen wind. That's the figure he had commissioned several years ago. I remember when it arrived, he was so excited! I thought he was going to give it to that young lady he was smitten with that summer, it looks so much like her. Her thoughts were interrupted by Will's voice.
"I'll get it down for you to look at, William, but you mustn't touch. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded solemnly and Will got up from the floor to retrieve the figurine from its place of honour. He then sat down beside the child once more and showed him the treasure.
William's face beamed. "Looks like Mummy!" he whispered in awe.
"Yes, very much so." his father replied softly.
Mrs. Reynolds stared on in shock as the realization hit her. Of course! It all fits, now! He was head over heels with that young lady, what was her name? Emma? Emily? Elizabeth! What ever happened to separate them that summer? I had hoped that Fitzwilliam had finally found a wife, but then she was gone and he never spoke of her again.
"Mrs. Reynolds?" Will was looking at her questioningly.
"Oh, excuse me, sir. What did you just say?"
"I wondered if you might take William to find something for his tea. It's getting a bit late, and he's hungry." He looked at her a trifle sheepishly. "And I wouldn't mind if you could give me an hour to try to salvage some of my efforts from this afternoon."
She smiled and reached out for the boy's small hand. "Come along Master William. Let's see what we can find in the kitchen. I'm sure that Mrs. Dodson keeps some special things for little boys who have had a busy afternoon."
William placed his hand in hers, and they proceeded to the door. Before leaving, Mrs. Reynolds turned back to see Will, still sitting on the floor, gazing wistfully at the figurine in his hands. A dreamy smile played about his mouth.
"Thank goodness they're gone!" Elizabeth collapsed into a chair. She heaved a great sigh and closed her eyes. "I thought Mama would never shut up! If it wasn't that blasted dinner, and I dread to think of what little surprise she has in store for us this year, then it was my wedding, Will's money or how many more children I should provide him with!"
Jane grinned. "And how many children did you say you would have, Lizzie?"
Charles flashed her a grin of his own. "She said 'an even dozen, Mama'." He made a passable attempt at the incredulous expression that had illuminated Mrs. Bennet's face at her daughter's flippant reply. Jane and Elizabeth laughed.
"What did you expect me to say?" Elizabeth whined. "I'm afraid I might strangle her on Sunday if she continues in this vein."
The three sat in silence for a few minutes. The clock chimed the half hour.
"Lord, is that the time?" Elizabeth cried. "I have to call William before he goes to bed! Excuse me, please, Jane. Charles." And she quickly left to go to her room.
Once inside, she closed the door and lay down on the bed. Pulling the phone onto the pillow, she keyed in the number for Pemberley. After two rings, a woman's voice answered.
"Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds speaking."
"May I speak with Mr. Darcy, please."
"Just one moment, please." A pause, then, "May I tell him who is calling?"
"It's Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth. Very good, miss. Just a moment."
There was a soft click as she was put on hold. Elizabeth waited patiently. She wondered what her two dears had been up to all day. She also hoped that William hadn't been a problem. He could certainly do considerable damage when he set his mind to it.
"Hello, Elizabeth?" The sound of Will's voice in her ear caused her heart to give a little flutter.
"Hi! How's it been going? Has our son been behaving himself?"
Will laughed. "As any two-year-old would, or so I have been told! Elizabeth I'm going to have to spend the rest of the night making sense out of the chaos that is my study!"
"Oh, I am sorry, Will. He can be a right little devil when it suits him."
"Don't apologize. It was rather amusing. After I got over the shock of it, that is. He's in the bath just now, but he won't be long. Mrs. Reynolds is in there with him, and she's got him all figured out already! She told him you were on the phone, so he wanted out immediately."
"Are you still coming back in the morning?"
"Oh, definitely," he replied. "But I'm going to have to bring my laptop with me. I just didn't get as much done as I needed to. My 'helper' was more of a distraction, I'm afraid." Elizabeth smiled. She'd been there hundreds of times before.
The sound of voices in the background signaled William's bath was over. A minute later Elizabeth heard his voice in the earpiece.
"Mummy?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Did you have a good day with Daddy?"
"Yes."
"Did you see the dogs?"
"Yes."
Elizabeth was familiar with this type of one-sided conversation. Her son might talk a blue streak at home, but on the telephone he was the exact opposite. "Were you a good boy?"
A slow "Yes," was the response.
"I called to say goodnight to you, sweetie. Are you ready for bed now?"
"Yes, Mummy."
"I love you a whole bunch, William, and I miss you. You go right to sleep tonight. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight." Elizabeth felt a lump rise in her throat as she listened to the quiet voice on the other end. She knew he was safe, but he was still so far away....
"Goodnight, Mummy." There was a clatter of the phone and then Will's voice again.
"Are you still there?"
Elizabeth smiled to herself. "Yes, dear."
His voice was very quiet as he said, "I'll get our son settled into bed and when he's asleep I'll ring you back."
"When he's asleep, eh? I'll have enough time for a bath then!" Elizabeth laughed.
Will's reply was quick. "Then I'll be thinking about you in it while I wait."
Elizabeth blushed even though there was no-one else to hear. "I'll be waiting for your call."
Will gave a low throaty chuckle and they said their good-byes.
Part Twenty
After the little one had finally fallen asleep, Will had retreated to his study and spent the last hour on the telephone.
As the light went out on the phone, indicating the call was finished, Mrs. Reynolds made her decision. This house is about to be turned upside down. I can feel it. She stood in front of the closed door to the study and gave a sharp knock. A muffled voice was heard from within, and she took it as an invitation to enter.
Will was sitting at his desk seemingly lost in thought. The figurine of the woman sat before him on the desk as he idly ran a finger along it's curving lines.
"Mr. Darcy."
His head turned to look at her, but his mind was evidently somewhere else, someplace far away. Mrs. Reynolds pulled up another chair and sat down.
"Fitzwilliam." Now she had his attention. He raised an eyebrow at her, a small smile on his face.
"You've changed hats." he said quietly. "It's been a long while since Aunt Ruth has wanted to talk."
She returned his gaze unwaveringly. "It's been a long time since you've been willing to talk to her."
He acknowledged the truth of her comment with a slight nod. Mrs. Reynolds watched him for a moment in silence.
"Tell me about her."
Will sighed contentedly. "Where do I start?" He leaned his head back to rest on the chair and closed his eyes. "She is more than my heart. She is my very essence. When I thought I'd lost her three years ago, my life became meaningless, and I merely went through the motions of existence." He looked sadly at his companion. "Well, I hardly need to remind you of how miserable I was, making everyone else's life a misery in the process." Then his face lit up with a dazzling smile. "But now that I've found her again, I won't let her go this time. She's given me back my life. But not only that; she's given me my son."
"He is a lovely child." Mrs. Reynolds said carefully. She studied the man before her. There was no doubt he was happy; deliriously so. That worried her, for in this state he was dangerously vulnerable. "Elizabeth, isn't it? The boy's mother?"
"Yes. You met her more than three years ago, when she was staying in Lambton on holiday."
"I remember." She nodded. "I thought her a very nice young lady, then. I had also believed you to be thinking of marrying her."
"I was."
"What happened, then?" she pressed.
Will sighed and rubbed a hand across his brow. "George Wickham."
"Ohhh!" Mrs. Reynolds said distastefully. "What could he have possibly said to turn her head?"
Will bolted upright. "No, no! Nothing like that at all. He.......ran off with Elizabeth's sister." He suddenly sprang from his chair and began pacing around the room. Picking up several toy cars from in front of the bookshelves, he continued, "Well, there was a lot more to it than that. I don't want to go into the details, but suffice it to say that I tried to extricate her sister from George's clutches and failed miserably. I could hardly bear to face Elizabeth and her family after that."
Mrs. Reynolds eyes closed briefly and she shook her head disbelievingly. "So you turned tail and ran."
Will looked offended. "I perceived her as cold and indifferent, regretting the time we spent here in the summer. She thought that I wanted nothing to do with her, or her family, after what had happened with George."
"So you went your separate ways, to suffer in silence," she finished. He nodded, and Mrs. Reynolds frowned. "That is the single most foolish thing I've ever known you to do!" He said nothing. "When did you first learn of your son?"
"A few days ago."
Mrs. Reynolds hands rose to her face. She wasn't sure whether to be angry with this young woman for keeping the information from him, or to be grateful that she hadn't told him, and then refused him access to his son. "So, she never told you. How could two people make so many poor decisions?"
Will chuckled. "That's been the story from the beginning of our acquaintance!"
"Well, then," she said, rising from her chair and crossing the room to stand before him. "What are you going to do now?"
He smiled. "I've already told Elizabeth that I want her and our son to move in as soon as possible."
"I see."
"And we are to be married."
I knew it! "Are you that sure of her feelings?" she asked, her eyes searching his in concern. "Please don't compound your past mistakes with----"
"There's no mistake." he interrupted. "I have no doubts this time. It's not my wealth, nor the social position that interests her. Elizabeth turned me down once before despite all that! She never told me she was pregnant because she didn't want to trap me into a marriage she believed I didn't want." Will watched Mrs. Reynolds closely as she absorbed what he'd said. "Ruth, I need you, at least, to accept Elizabeth for who she is and not what has happened in the past. She will be my wife, and lady of this house. It will be difficult enough for her, coming here with circumstances the way they are. She will need to work closely with you at any rate, and I hoped that you would offer your support."
Mrs. Reynolds raised a hand to place it gently against his cheek. "She will be granted every courtesy as befits her position as your wife. I will personally see to that. If she can bring such joy to your life, how could I not accept her?" But let the lady beware should she not be what he thinks!
Will smiled and whispered "Thank you."
"Have you told your sister, yet?"
"She knows everything." he said. "I went to Georgiana's when I first learned about William. I didn't know what to do, and she was an enormous help in sorting out my feelings. We're expecting her at Netherfield tomorrow. She wants to meet her nephew."
Mrs. Reynolds smiled knowingly. "I'm so glad you could turn to your sister when you needed advice. She has grown into a fine young lady."
"She certainly has," Will said wonderingly.
"I have only one further question, then I shall leave you to your work." She moved her hand to touch the other side of his face. Smiling, she said, "What did Elizabeth hit you with?"
Will laughed and kissed her cheek.
The shrill sound of the alarm awoke Will from a not-quite-so-restful sleep. He looked at the clock groggily, slammed a hand down to turn off the alarm and pulled the blankets over his head when he saw that it was half past seven. He vaguely remembered finally getting to sleep sometime around four. William had awakened shortly after midnight as the result of a bad dream. He had been inconsolable for at least an hour, before Will was able to distract him. But then all the lad wanted to do was play, since he was wide awake, and by the time he tired himself out enough to fall asleep again it was already after three o'clock.
A small foot pressed into Will's back and he surrendered any thoughts of gaining more sleep. Carefully extracting himself from the bedclothes, he quietly made his way to the connecting bath for a shower. The hot water only emphasized the desire to return to his warm bed, so he turned the tap to cold. That did the trick. He remained in the shower for only a few minutes more.
Humming softly, Will stood before the mirror and applied shaving lotion to his face. As he picked up the razor, he caught sight of a little face peeking around the corner at his reflection. He turned around to face the small intruder.
"William! Did you just wake up?"
The little boy nodded his head slowly, all the while staring at Will's lathered face. Realizing that his son was curious about what he was doing, Will knelt down and invited him to touch the white foam. William extended a finger and poked it into Will's face, giggling when a mound of foam stuck to his fingertip as he pulled his hand away. Will laughed, too, and stood up to return to the sink. With one eye on William's reflection, he continued with his shaving. He could see the boy's eyes grow wider as he progressed. By the time he'd finished, though, Will's attention had wandered, and he suddenly realized that William was no longer standing in the doorway. Nor was he anywhere else in the room.
Quickly drying his face and hands, Will ran back into the bedroom, but the boy was nowhere to be seen.
"William?" he called. "William!"
He was about to call for assistance in searching the house when a muffled voice came from the direction of the dressing room. Will hurried to the doorway and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Good Lord!"
The room was a shambles. Every drawer that could be opened had been emptied of its contents. Clothes were strewn everywhere. A mound in the centre of the room moved, and William's head emerged.
"Boo!" William laughed delightedly.
Will was far from amused. "William Bennet Darcy!" he growled. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
William looked at him, eyes as round as saucers at the sound of his father's voice.
"Come out of there. Right now!"
William struggled out of the pile of clothing to stand before the disapproving man. Will was hard pressed not to laugh at the sight of the two-year-old, draped in one of his woolen sweaters. He leaned down to grasp the sleeves of the sweater and proceeded to extricate his son from its folds.
"Why don't you go find some of your own clothes to put on. The bag Mummy packed for you is next to the bed." Will watched his son scamper off to the bedroom. Sighing, he turned his attention to the battleground before him. One by one, he began picking up shirts, socks and sweaters, thrusting them hurriedly into the closest drawers. When the last items had been stored away, Will returned to the bedroom to see if William needed help in getting dressed.
His eyes swept the room. There was no William.
"Not again!" Will groaned. He caught the sound of running water and sprinted to the bath.
William had pulled a chair up to the sink, a can of shaving lotion in his hand. The contents of the can were spread all over his face.......the sink......the mirror....and the floor.
Will covered his face with his hands and shook his head.
Part Twenty-One
"Charles?" Elizabeth called to her brother-in-law as he passed her open door.
He popped his head around the frame. "Yes?"
"What are you doing?"
He grinned. "Taking Jane her breakfast."
Elizabeth laughed. "I should be so lucky!"
Charles winked at her. "I'll have a chat with Will when he gets back!" and he disappeared.
Elizabeth smiled to herself. She couldn't recall ever feeling so happy and contented. Charles and Jane had their perfect little son, and their perfect little life, but Elizabeth no longer felt envious of them. After years of listening to her sister wax poetic about her marriage, Elizabeth was about to embark on her own, with the only man she had ever wanted. She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them as she sighed happily. The memory of her conversation with Will last night filled her with a warmth that coiled around her like a blanket.
Stop your daydreaming, Elizabeth Bennet! Get yourself downstairs to breakfast.
She ate alone, since Charles was upstairs keeping Jane company. When she was finished, Elizabeth decided to take a walk while she still had some time to herself. Georgiana and Brian would be arriving in a few hours, and hopefully Will and their son before that.
The sun was shining, dispelling some of the cold in the air. Elizabeth thought she had never seen a more perfect day. She walked through the wooded grounds nearest to the house, enjoying the relaxed freedom of solitude. Her thoughts were the most enjoyable companions she could ever want in Will's absence.
As she headed back to Netherfield along the northern edge of the woods, Elizabeth's heart leaped as she spied the sleek Jaguar approaching along the drive. She sprang into a run, tearing across the distance between herself and the parking area behind the house.
"Will!" she shouted as he emerged from the car. Elizabeth could see the smile spread over his features as he caught sight of her racing toward him. In a few seconds she was in his arms, welcoming him with a enthusiasm she could barely contain.
"I missed you so much last night," she breathed into his ear. "Especially after that sizzling conversation we had! I had trouble getting to sleep at first, but when I did, oh boy! I didn't want to wake out of those dreams!" Elizabeth nibbled on his earlobe, then moved on down his neck.
Will drew her body against his, slipping his hands inside her coat. The warmth of her lips on his skin was driving him mad. Pulling back just enough to detach her from his neck, Will lowered his own lips to her slightly pouting mouth, and surrendered himself to her. Nothing else existed at that moment but his desire for Elizabeth.
The sudden blare of the car horn caused them both to jump, Elizabeth giving a startled shriek. Will rolled his eyes and turned around to pull William from the driver's seat and set him on the ground before his mother.
"I wish I could say that my lack of sleep last night was due to our stimulating conversation, but I'm afraid it was not." He frowned at the top of William's head. "I really wish you had come with us, Elizabeth, if only to save me from the escapades of this one!" Will ruffled the boy's curls. Looking at Elizabeth once more, he said in a self-pitying tone, "I'm sure every member of my staff at Pemberley derived great amusement form my pathetic attempt at parenting!"
Elizabeth burst into laughter. "Surely it wasn't that bad? You survived! What makes you think everyone would be laughing at you?"
Will grimaced. "You didn't see the state of my room this morning, nor the bath, not to mention the dressing room!"
Elizabeth picked up her son and gave him her most seriously displeased expression. "And just what did you get up to young man? I hope you haven't disgraced us with your behaviour."
William's smile faded as he heard his mother's disapproval. His lower lip began to quiver. Elizabeth drew him into a hug, while shaking her head at Will.
"You let him take full advantage of the situation, didn't you? You just can't do that, Will. You have to be firm with him."
Will smiled suggestively. "I'm sure you'll teach me everything I need to know, Elizabeth my dear." He nodded at their son. "He didn't get much sleep last night either. Nor did he sleep at all on the trip here. I think he could use a nap. We ate lunch about an hour ago, so he shouldn't be wanting anything for awhile."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him. "And I suppose you'd like to lie down for a bit, yourself?"
Will grinned. "Perhaps for an hour or so, it that's amenable to you?"
"I see no reason why not." Elizabeth's expression was all innocence. "Let's get inside, then, and I'll get this one settled down."
Will retrieved his son's things from the car and followed Elizabeth into the house.
Elizabeth raised her head slightly. Was that a knock at the door? The answer was apparent with another knock, louder this time.
"Who is it?" she called.
The voice on the other side of the door belonged to Charles. "It's me."
"Tell him to get lost." Will whispered in her ear, and continued nuzzling her neck.
Elizabeth smiled. "Charles, what is it? Does Jane need something?" She almost missed hearing his answer as Will continued to distract her.
"In case you had forgotten, you were expecting Georgiana to arrive for lunch. She's here now." Charles said patiently. When there was a long silence, he said "Elizabeth? Are you all right? What are you doing?"
Will growled in frustration. "Charles, bugger off!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Charles' voice was heard again. "Oh, I didn't realize you were back already, Will. Sorry." Elizabeth giggled. "What shall I tell your sister?"
The fire in his eyes nearly made them glow as Will replied, "Tell her I'm having mad, passionate---" Elizabeth, blushing furiously, hurriedly covered his mouth with her hand. Will's eyes laughed at her.
"Tell her we'll be down in a minute!" Elizabeth called, her own eyes upbraiding her companion. When she was sure that Charles had gone, Elizabeth removed her hand. "Get yourself dressed, dear, and we'll go down to greet your sister."
Will caught her hand and drew it to his lips. He began by kissing her fingertips, then gradually moved to her palm and, from there, up the soft skin of her arm. When he reached her neck once more, Elizabeth was shivering with delight.
"We are not going anywhere, my love, until we finish what we've started." he said softly. Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest but Will placed a finger on her lips. "I didn't make that long trip, thinking of this moment every second of the way, only to be interrupted by Georgiana's untimely arrival! No, no," he now breathed into her ear, "let them think what they may......." His words became lost in the caresses that his lips were bestowing on the heated surface of her skin.
His efforts were not in vain. Elizabeth readily abandoned all thoughts of their visitors, and surrendered herself to the passion blazing within her.
Charles looked up as the dining room door opened to admit Will and Elizabeth. "Well, it's about time!"
Elizabeth blushed and looked anywhere to avoid the gazes of the others at the table. Will just met each person's eyes, challenging anyone to comment.
"Sit down, then. We were going to start without you, we were so tired of waiting." Charles looked laughingly at his wife at the far end of the table.
Will held Elizabeth's chair for her. When she was comfortably seated, he walked around the table to give his sister a kiss. "Georgiana, I'm so glad you've come."
She shot him a disbelieving look. "Somehow I rather think you to be annoyed with my sense of timing." She shared a knowing look with Brian, seated beside her. "However, I perfectly comprehend your feelings." Georgiana winked at her brother. "You remember Brian, don't you Will?"
Despite his efforts to maintain a cool exterior, Will felt his composure slip at the realization that his little sister was a woman now, with a woman's desires. He frowned slightly at the man next to her, wondering just how close the two of them had become. "Yes, of course. How are you Brian?"
"Very well, thank you," the younger man replied.
"How are your classes coming, Georgiana?" Elizabeth managed to say as Will returned to his own chair beside her.
"Fine, fine." Georgiana's gaze flicked from Elizabeth to her brother. "Where, may I ask, is my little nephew? Is he not joining us for lunch?"
Will shook his head. "William had some lunch on our way back from Pemberley. He's having a nap right now."
Georgiana stared at him. "You took him to Pemberley already? I'd dearly love to have seen Mrs. Reynolds face when you showed up with a two-year-old in tow!"
Will smiled. "She was a tad surprised."
"Somewhat understated, I should think!" Georgiana laughed. "She has always thought of you as practically her own son, Will. You must have shocked her half to death!"
"Don't exaggerate, Georgie." Will looked down at his plate. "She had no problem at all with the situation."
Charles laughed at his friend. "Do you take us for idiots, Will? Your sister is quite right. Even I could see how your housekeeper took on the role of mother after your father died! You must have her wrapped around your little finger to bring home this story and have no repercussions!"
This line of talk was doing little for Elizabeth's confidence. She hadn't thought of the reception waiting for her when she finally showed her face at Pemberley. She looked at Will with some concern.
Will shook his head. "Don't worry, my dear. Mrs. Reynolds won't bite you. She's promised me that she'll look after you and make sure that you are accorded every courtesy that my wife deserves."
Elizabeth was only a little relieved at this. Fortunately Jane changed the subject.
"Georgiana, are you planning to stay here tonight? You can't possibly be thinking of returning to Manchester this evening?"
Georgiana looked adoringly at Brian. "Actually we are to travel on to Chelmsford to visit Brian's family. We can stay there until Monday morning since I don't have any classes until that evening."
"Lizzy!" Charles suddenly exclaimed. "Did you tell Will your news?"
"What news?" Will asked, looking at her.
Elizabeth smiled weakly. "I've been offered a job."
"That's marvelous!" cried Georgiana. "Is it from that company in Leeds?"
Elizabeth perked up a little with Georgiana's enthusiasm for her. "Yes, as a matter of fact it is. They want me to start in about three weeks." She glanced back at Will and bit her lip, waiting for his reaction.
"Have you accepted the offer yet?" he asked.
"No, not yet." she replied quietly.
Will looked at her in some surprise. "Why not? Is it not what you were looking for?"
"I wasn't sure how I could work in Leeds if we are to be getting married and living at Pemberley."
Will stared at her. "Elizabeth, we don't have to live at Pemberley. We can purchase a home in Leeds if it's more convenient for you. I can take my work with me anywhere. All I need is a computer, although I'll still need to make occasional trips to London." He took her hand in his and looked seriously into her eyes. "You worked very hard to get your education. Don't abandon your dreams now. Do you want this job?" Elizabeth nodded silently. "Then first thing on Monday, call and accept the offer."
Elizabeth kissed him soundly on the cheek. "That was certainly easy enough. What else can I get away with asking you for while you're in such a mood?"
"Well I know what I want to ask him." Georgiana piped up. All eyes turned toward her. "I want to know who gave you that horrid bruise!"
Charles laughed while Will glared at him and Elizabeth looked at Jane in mortification.
"Elizabeth's father." Will told her flatly.
"Oh, don't leave it at that!" Charles continued to laugh. "You should have seen him, Georgie! Face down on the pavement! Okay, okay, I admit it wasn't funny at the time," he said after seeing the murderous looks from both Elizabeth and his wife.
"It doesn't sound very funny now, Charles." Georgiana looked to her brother for some sort of explanation.
"It was just a misunderstanding." Will sighed. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm looking forward to this dinner at your mother's tomorrow. At least that's one place I won't have to explain anything. Your mother will have told everyone before we even get there!"
Everyone laughed at that. The rest of the meal passed in more neutral topics of conversation.
Following lunch, Georgiana asked Jane if she could see the new baby, and the ladies went upstairs to the nursery. The men moved to the library where they could stretch out comfortably.
"Brandy, anyone?" Charles asked, holding the decanter aloft.
Both Will and Brian nodded affirmative, Charles poured out the glasses and passed them to his companions.
"A toast.....to Lizzy and Will! At last!" Charles smirked.
"Amen to that." Will raised his glass to his lips and sipped at the brandy. Looking across the rim of the glass at Brian, he said "Don't ever make the same mistakes that I have, Brian. When you've found the perfect woman, don't let her slip from your grasp. Hold on tightly and don't let her go."
Charles snorted in amusement. "Don't listen to him Brian. He's besotted with Lizzy and thinks everyone else should be in love, too. You're far too young to be thinking that seriously."
With a sly smile Brian said "Don't worry, Will. I won't be repeating any of your mistakes. I plan to be very careful."
Will's eyes narrowed as he wondered whether he should be offended by the younger man's remark. Then again, he wasn't sure that he wanted to know. What did he mean about being very careful? I'd better have a chat with my sister!
That same sister was at that moment fussing over little Robert Bingley. "He is so beautiful, Jane! Oh, I just love little babies!"
"Thank you, Georgiana." Jane said as she placed the baby back into his cot. "I can hardly contradict you on that point!"
Georgiana stole another peek at the baby then turned to Elizabeth. "Do you think we could check on William and see if he's awake yet?"
Elizabeth smiled at her. "I doubt he'll be up yet, but we can look in on him if you like."
She led the way down the hall to her son's room. Quietly she pushed open the door. As expected, the little boy was still fast asleep, sprawled across the bed. The stuffed dog that Will had given him clutched tightly in one arm, his kitten, Darcy, curled up in a ball at the end of the bed.
Georgiana let out a small gasp. "Oh, my! He looks so much like Will! I can see why you never told me about him. He looks like such an angel!"
Elizabeth laughed softly. "I don't think anyone at Pemberley would believe that, from what your brother told me of his antics there!"
Georgiana looked at Elizabeth with a very serious expression. Elizabeth thought she was going to say something, but the younger woman quickly looked back at William.
"I don't believe it. He must be a sweetheart."
When they had rejoined Jane in the hallway, Georgiana turned to address Elizabeth.
"Thank you, Elizabeth, for bringing such happiness back to my brother's life." Impulsively, she hugged her friend.
Surprised, Elizabeth didn't know what to say, considering that she had indirectly been the cause of Will's misery. Georgiana released her, and Elizabeth saw a tear roll down the young woman's cheek.
"Oh, Georgiana," she said softly. "Don't cry. Please don't cry."
"I can't help it." Georgiana sniffled. "Oh, it's not because of Will, not in the way you think." She took a deep, steadying breath. "I'm afraid I'm being rather selfish in this. You see, I spent a good deal of time and effort looking after my brother for the last few years, trying to distract him from his unhappiness. Part of me was thrilled to finally leave it all behind to go to Manchester, while another part felt so guilty at abandoning him. You can't imagine the relief I feel, now that I can entrust Will to you!" Georgiana smiled. "I'm free now, to live my life as I choose."
Elizabeth glanced at her sister. "Georgiana, just how serious are you and Brian?"
Georgiana blushed. "Serious." she said simply.
Elizabeth pursed her lips. "Georgiana, you haven't known each other very long. Are you sure?"
The younger woman looked up at the two sisters watching her. "How long is long enough to know that you love someone? A month? A year? How long was it before you knew?"
"True enough, Lizzy," Jane said. "It took only a month for me to realize how I felt about Charles."
"While it took me the better part of a year!" Elizabeth finished. "You know that your brother is going to be very protective of you, Georgiana. I'm not sure he's ready to accept that you're all grown up now."
"You mean that I'm sleeping with Brian," Georgiana stated. "I know. That's why I wanted to speak with you first. Quite frankly, my sex life isn't really any of his business. I never enquired about his."
Jane caught Elizabeth's eye. "I thought you said this girl is shy?"
Elizabeth smiled. She was looking at Georgiana as she replied, "She seems to have gotten over it remarkably well! Georgiana, your brother has a right to be concerned about your relationship with Brian, especially in light of the fact that you have a great deal of money. You, yourself, told me that Will has been pursued by money-hungry women for most of his life." She placed a hand on her friend's arm. "Can you blame him for wanting to protect you from the same?"
Jane watched the interplay between the two women. Her sister obviously cared a great deal for the younger woman's welfare, while Georgiana was struggling with her newly-found independence, and showed a little of the rebelliousness of her youth. There was one subject they hadn't addressed, though.
"All feelings aside," Jane said, "have you been using protection, Georgiana?"
"Have you, Georgiana?" Elizabeth echoed, suddenly alarmed. "You don't want to end up like me."
Georgiana smiled. "What, with a wonderful husband and a beautiful child?" At the earnest look on Elizabeth's face she continued more seriously. "There's no need to concern yourself. We've taken precautions." She raised her eyebrows questioningly at her brother's lover.
But Jane saved her sister from the embarrassment of answering. "Well, Lizzy. Now you can assure Will, and he won't have to embarrass Georgiana with his questions."
"And I won't have to embarrass him with my remarks about his own conduct!" Georgiana murmured with a smile.
"So let's go back downstairs," Jane continued, "and find our men."
It didn't take long to determine that the men were in the library. Jane joined her husband on the sofa, while Georgiana took the chair that Brian vacated for her. Elizabeth merely perched herself on the edge of Will's chair. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
"Much better," he said quietly, so only Elizabeth would hear.
"Well, Georgiana," Charles said. "I'm sure you found my son to be the most handsome baby you've ever seen!"
Georgiana laughed. "He is, indeed, a beautiful baby. As handsome as his parents!" She looked at her brother. "We peeked in on William, too, while he was sleeping. He's adorable, Will!"
"Yes, when he's sleeping." Will grumbled. Elizabeth swatted his shoulder. "Next time you're home, Georgie, ask Mrs. Reynolds how adorable he was!"
His sister smiled. "But he's your son, Will. He'll never do any wrong in Mrs. Reynolds' eyes!"
Their conversation continued in this pleasant vein until nearly a half-hour later, when a maid appeared at the door.
"Excuse me, Miss Bennet. There's someone asking for you." She led a shy William by the hand and into the room. When he saw his mother, William released the maid's hand and ran across the room.
Georgiana was delighted to see him. She spent the last hour of their visit entertaining the little boy, and playing with him and his toys on the floor. She was perfectly aware of her brother's scrutiny, both of herself and of Brian, but preferred to leave that confrontation for another day. Hopefully Elizabeth would pave the way for her.
When it was at last time to leave, Georgiana gave her nephew a big hug. Then she turned to Will.
"The three of you are going to be very happy together. I'm really thrilled for you, Will." She hugged him tightly, not wanting to let him go too soon. From now on their lives would be altered dramatically. Gone would be the quiet evenings comfortably sitting with each other by the fire in the music room at Pemberley. Georgiana stifled a small sob and stepped back from him. "I'll see you next weekend at Pemberley?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not sure." Will told her gently. "I'll have to let you know." He squeezed her hand, and Georgiana nodded, then kissed his cheek.
"Good-bye, Will." Brian said, extending his hand.
Will grasped it firmly. "Good-bye, Brian. Take care." The words were simple enough, but the underlying message was clear. You'd better take very good care of my little sister!
Elizabeth took Georgiana aside. "I'll have a word with Will. Don't worry about a thing." She gave her a quick hug, afraid that Georgiana might cry again.
Then they were away; off toward Chelmsford in Brian's old Ford.
"I'd better get that girl a car of her own." Will grumbled as they watched the battered car disappear down the road. "Brian's doesn't look all that reliable."
Elizabeth winked at Jane. "I'm sure Georgiana will appreciate the gesture, my dear." She laughed and, handing William into his father's arms, went back into the house.
The remainder of the day was spent in quiet family-oriented activity. William had enjoyed playing with his Aunt Georgie, and now wished to continue. To the great amusement of the others, Will was the one to perform this task. Elizabeth looked archly at her brother-in-law as he laughed at Will's antics, reminding him that his turn would come soon enough.
The next day would be the dinner at Longbourn. Elizabeth sighed as she realized that Will would be subjected to most of her unfortunate relatives all at once. Thank goodness we can leave for Pemberley next week! Jane had assured her that although she would love for her sister to stay longer, she wanted Elizabeth to feel free to go at anytime. She knew that the future Mrs. Darcy needed to establish herself at Pemberley as soon as possible.
After William's bath, Elizabeth dressed him in his pajamas and tucked him into bed, snuggling up to him to read a story, before it was time to turn out the light. She returned to her own room to see Will seated at the desk in the corner, his laptop open in front of him. She approached him from behind and peered over his shoulder at the screen.
"Will you be much longer with that?" She ran her fingers through his curls.
"About a half-hour more," he replied, trying to ignore her proximity.
"Hmmm." Elizabeth leaned down to purr in his ear, "Can I not distract you from that?"
Will chuckled. "Very easily! But I'd ask you not to. I would much rather leave this completed and be able to focus one hundred per cent of my attention on you. Half an hour, I promise."
"Oh, very well." Elizabeth pouted. She retreated to the other side of the room, where she picked up a book and flung herself onto the bed. After a few minutes, though, a better idea occurred to her.
Seeing Will absorbed in his work, she quietly slipped into the dressing room to choose more appropriate attire for the evening. She quickly sorted through the few pieces of lingerie that she owned, dissatisfied with the selection.
"I really need to get some new things," she muttered.
Finally, she decided on a simple satin nightgown, definitely unsuitable for the winter months. Looking at herself in the mirror, she concluded that it wasn't nearly as bad as she'd thought. In fact, it was actually quite flattering! She then threw her old terry robe over it and rummaged around in the drawer for some candles she's seen there the other day.
Elizabeth made sure that Will was still occupied at the computer before stealing back into the room and placing the candles in the small candelabras on the night tables. She lit the tapers, turned out the table lamps, discarded her robe and settled herself into the blankets. There was nothing to do now but wait for Will to notice.
Part 22
Not more that two minutes later he sighed "Finally," shut down the computer and rose from his chair. When he shut off the light on the desk he noticed that the only light in the room was now coming from the flickering candles on either side of the bed.
The scent of the candles filled the room. Will gasped at the vision of Elizabeth illuminated in the flickering candlelight, her hair curled tantalizingly around her throat. One of the straps of her gown had slipped from her shoulder, promising to reveal more to his hungry eyes. He moved closer to the bed, lured by the smile on her face and the look in her eyes.
"How do you do it?" he whispered hoarsely. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "How do you manage to look more beautiful every time I see you?"
Elizabeth laughed delightedly and pulled him towards her. She kissed him fervently, her hands working at the buttons of his shirt.
"I thought you'd never turn off that computer!" she murmured against his lips.
"You were such a good girl," he softly laughed, "letting me finish my work without interruption."
She pulled back to look him in the eye. Will was astonished when she suddenly pushed him down onto the bed and finished removing his clothing. Then she sat back and allowed her hands to wander over his body.....exploring.
"I'm tired of being a good girl." Her voice was a husky whisper. "I want to be bad!" Elizabeth slipped the remaining strap of her nightgown from her shoulder and let the garment fall.
At that, Will reached up to cup her face with his hands and draw her to him. If it was possible for Elizabeth to excite any more desire in him, then this wanton behaviour certainly accomplished that! You surprise me more every day, dear Elizabeth. I surprise myself! God, how could I ever think that you didn't want me as much as I wanted you?
Then his thoughts were lost in a haze of desire.
Will was humming cheerily to himself when he saw the bathroom door slowly open, and William standing in the doorway with an eager smile on his face. Will's eyes widened in alarm. Pointing the handle of the razor in the boy's direction he said firmly, "No." Then he called, "Elizabeth!"
"Yes?" came her voice from the other room.
Will steered William out the door. "Please find something else with which to amuse your son. I don't want a repeat of yesterday." He returned to the bathroom, closing the door behind him, but not before hearing Elizabeth laughingly say,
"I'm sure there are some parts of yesterday you wouldn't mind repeating, Will! I know I wouldn't!"
Twenty minutes later Will emerged once again to find William and Elizabeth dressed and looking at a picture book in the window alcove. She looked up at his entrance and smiled.
"Shall we all go down to breakfast?"
They joined Jane and Charles in the dining room. The sisters agreed they should leave for Longbourn at three o'clock, in order to allow time for any last minute assistance their mother might require. Until that time Elizabeth helped Jane in organizing the baby's things, then Jane helped Elizabeth to re-pack her clothes and William's for their move to Pemberley. Will and Elizabeth had decided to leave on Monday morning. Jane was saddened that her sister was going, and at the same time very happy that Elizabeth was finally going to be settled with a man she loved, and who loved her, despite all they had done to hurt one another.
As the afternoon wore on Elizabeth's apprehension grew. She well knew her mother's fondness for controlling her daughter's lives, and was worried about what the day's events may bring. Will didn't seem concerned in the least, which worried her even more; for he was likely to be the centre of her mother's attentions, she was certain.
At least Aunt Maddy and Uncle Edward will be there. We can have some intelligent conversation!
Elizabeth suggested that they travel to Longbourn in one car, knowing that her sister would not wish to stay long into the evening and thus necessitate their own early departure.
The house was abuzz with activity when they arrived. After seeing Jane safely settled in the parlour with little Robert, Elizabeth left Charles and Will to look after William and set off in search of her mother.
"Oh Lizzie!" Mrs. Bennet sighed. "Thank goodness you're here. I don't know what's gotten into your sister, but she has my nerves in such a state!"
Here we go! "Which sister, Mama?"
"Why, Kitty, of course!" her mother replied with an exaggerated wave of her hand. "She's been up and down these stairs a dozen times, each time asking if any guests have arrived! She knows they won't be here for at least another hour, but does she care how she gets on my nerves with her flitting about? No!" In an abrupt change she continued. "Oh, did Will come with you? I do hope he's forgiven your father for his horrid behaviour the other night. Although I know that I won't! Is he quite all right? I know you said that he wasn't hurt, but--"
"Mama!" Elizabeth could bear her mother's prattle no longer. In a calmer voice she continued. "Mama, is there something I can help you with?"
Mrs. Bennet picked up several printed placecards and pressed them into her daughter's hand. "Certainly. You can put these around the table. You remember the seating arrangement we drew up? If not, there's a plan on the sideboard." She turned back to the flowers she had been arranging. "There's nothing else for you to do after that. Except, of course if you would speak to Kitty and get her to sit down somewhere out of the way. I'll finish these flowers and have Mrs. Hill ready some tea for us. Oh, bother these things! Everything is determined to vex me today!"
Elizabeth left her mother to her bouquets, and entered the dining room. There she found Kitty peering out the window at the front driveway.
"Kitty? What on earth are you doing?"
Her sister jumped at the sound of Elizabeth's voice. "Lizzie! You scared me half to death!" She looked sheepishly at the floor. "I was just....just.....I wanted to see when people arrived."
"Kitty, is there someone in particular you are hoping to see? Or maybe someone you don't want to see?" Elizabeth asked. "I know how Mama's mind works."
Kitty looked down at her hands. "Actually, she invited Richard." The name was spoken so quietly that Elizabeth had to ask her to repeat it.
"And who is Richard?"
"Dennison." Kitty smiled dreamily.
"Erica's brother?" Elizabeth saw her sister nod her head slowly. She realized that he must be the mystery guest on the her mother's seating list. Mama does it every year! At least this time she invited someone that her daughter actually likes! "Well, Kitty, it will be a lot easier on everyone's nerves if you would just go and join Jane in the parlour until the guests arrive. I'm sure the baby will keep your mind occupied for awhile. And if that doesn't help, I'm sure my son can think of something to distract you!"
Kitty's smile faded a bit. "Is your fiancé in the parlour, too?"
"Of course." Elizabeth frowned at her sister. "What's the matter, Kitty?"
"He just makes me nervous." Kitty said warily. "He's so quiet and serious all the time."
Elizabeth laughed. "He's not serious all the time, I assure you!"
"Lizzie, are you really in love with him, or are you marrying him because he's William's father? Mama says--"
"I know what Mama says!" Elizabeth interrupted angrily. "And I would ask that you don't believe a word of it! I do love Will very much, and we are going to be ecstatically happy together. Mama has no idea what she's saying."
Kitty paled at the vehemence in her sister's tone. As soon as she could, she escaped the room, leaving Elizabeth to her original task.
When Elizabeth made her way back to the parlour she encountered her father as he emerged from his study.
"Have you been hiding in there all day?" she scolded him.
He held his hands up in surrender. "I didn't realize you were here, Lizzie. Where is Will? I must have a word with your young man before the others arrive."
Elizabeth gestured towards the parlour when a squeal of laughter from beyond the door verified her son's presence in that room. Father and daughter exchanged amused looks. The door suddenly opened and William ran into the hallway, Charles chasing after him.
"William! Charles!" Elizabeth reprimanded. "Is this any way to behave?"
William giggled as Charles caught him and lifted him high in the air. He slung the boy over his shoulder and, with a smirk in Elizabeth's direction, marched back into the parlour. Elizabeth and her father followed.
Mr. Bennet caught Will's eye as soon as he entered. He gestured for the younger man to join him in a quiet corner of the room.
"Will," Mr. Bennet began when they were a safe distance from the others. "I must apologize for hitting you the other night. It was unpardonable behaviour on my part."
Will shook his head slightly. "Please think no more about it. To be perfectly honest, I would have done a hell of a lot more if I had been in your shoes. Let's just forget the whole thing ever happened."
Mr. Bennet looked at him incredulously. "If that is your wish, I shall offer no objection. But I have to say that you astonish me with your capacity for forgiveness, both for my transgressions and for my daughter's. I never thought of you as so.......well, I hadn't previously thought it of you." He grimaced at the colourful mark on Will's face. "Did I do that?"
Will nodded. "Surprised us all."
"Will?" Elizabeth called. Both gentlemen looked in her direction. "My aunt and uncle have just arrived. I'd like to introduce you to them."
Will excused himself, and he and Elizabeth went to greet the new arrivals. Will was pleasantly surprised to discover that Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were well-learned and intelligent people with whom he could have an enjoyable conversation. There was none of the flightiness characterized by Mrs. Bennet evident in these relatives of Elizabeth. Eventually, Will drew Mr. Gardiner away to join Charles in a discussion of fishing, and fishing at Pemberley in particular, while Elizabeth continued her talk with her aunt.
"Elizabeth, it's true, then, what your mother has told us?"
"That depends on what she's said, Aunt Maddy." Elizabeth watched her son playing with Kitty as she spoke.
"Well, you introduced Will as your fiancé, but your mother indicated that he is also your son's father. Now that I can see them together in the same room it's easy to see why she thinks that as well. I won't bother to repeat the rest of her information as we both know how much credit to apply to it." There was concern written all over her face as she looked at Elizabeth closely, awaiting her reply.
"Yes, he is William's father. That is a very long story, Aunt, and I don't really want to go into all the details. Please just believe me when I say that Will and I have gone through a lot of heartache to get to this point, and we are very much in love. Whatever else my mother may have to say on the subject is completely irrelevant!" Elizabeth looked very seriously at her aunt.
Mrs. Gardiner considered her words. "I've always believed you to be a sensible girl, Lizzie. Although I usually hold no credence to your mother's tales, I must confess that I am relieved to hear you denounce her story this time. I harbour a terrible fondness for you, my dear, and if this man will truly make you happy I shall be very pleased for you. I hope he realizes what a wonderful woman he is getting for his wife."
Elizabeth gave her aunt a hug. "Thank you, Aunt Maddy, for your confidence in me. I know I have tried everyone's patience the last few years. It wasn't any easier for me to keep it a secret from all of you."
Other guests began to arrive, and so their conversation came to an end. Elizabeth immersed herself in greeting the newcomers and catching up on their news since she had last seen them. Her mother had already informed everyone of her engagement to Will, so all that remained was to introduce him to each of her relatives that he had not previously met. Fortunately there was little that they had in common with him, and combined with the awe of his wealth and position, the Philips's had very little to say. At last it was time for dinner, and Elizabeth sighed in relief that a major portion of this social ordeal was over. With any luck they wouldn't have to stay very long afterwards.
Upon entering the dining room, and moving to her place at the table, Elizabeth noticed that the placecards she had arranged earlier had been changed.
"This isn't the seating plan you drew up, Mama." she said in surprise.
Mrs. Bennet bustled about the room. "No, Lizzie, dear. I changed it. It will be much easier for us to discuss the wedding if you and dear Will are seated at my end of the table."
Elizabeth stared at her mother. She was becoming increasingly irritated at the woman's use of the word 'dear' every time she referred to Will. "Discuss the wedding? But we haven't even talked about it ourselves, yet."
Mrs. Bennet looked at her daughter with a confident smile. "Then all the more reason for us to do so today. Lizzie, a wedding is a big undertaking. And a man like Will, with his position, well, every detail must be absolutely perfect! Oh, this will be the most important event in Meryton all year! What a celebration it will be!" and she wandered off to the kitchen twittering away to herself.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed. She felt a hand on her arm and looked up.
"Problem?" asked Will.
Elizabeth gave him a pained look. "Yes, but not entirely unexpected. Mama wants to talk about our wedding, so she's moved our seats to either side of hers at dinner."
"Oh." Will looked thoughtful. "But she does have a point. We should start making plans." He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close.
Smiling, Elizabeth said cheekily, "One would think that you are impatient to marry me, Mr. Darcy!"
Will grinned. "One would be quite correct in that assumption, Miss Bennet!" He leaned forward to kiss her.
Just then the others began filing into the room to find their seats at the table. Will and Elizabeth stepped away from each other to move to their respective places. Mr. Bennet plunked William down in his chair between Elizabeth and Kitty, and motioned for everyone to be seated.
As usual, Mrs. Hill had prepared an excellent array of dishes. If it hadn't been for the proximity of her mother, Elizabeth knew that she would have enjoyed the meal far more. But Mrs. Bennet's constant commentary to Will on the quality of the meats, peppered with more blatant enquiries about the size of his own household staff, was embarrassing her to no end. She had few opportunities to participate in any conversation, since her attention was also on attending to her son's needs, but her mother left little room for anyone else to interject at any rate.
It wasn't long before Mrs. Bennet changed the subject to her preferred topic: the wedding.
"Well now, Lizzie, I've already spoken to the vicar, and he assured me that there would be no problem with any date in July that we might like. August is a bit too hot for my taste, and the roses will be much better earlier in the summer. I thought the first Saturday in July would be perfect. But then we'll have to move quickly to make the rest of the arrangements in time." As she spoke Elizabeth's eyes met Will's across the table. "We must make a trip to London to find your wedding gown, Lizzie. There is simply no place in Meryton to buy a decent one! And we'll need to start drawing up the guest list. So what do you think of July, Lizzie, or is there another date you had in mind?"
Will muttered under his breath "How about tomorrow?"
But Mrs. Bennet had heard him. "Oh, dearest Will," she laughed, "don't be ridiculous! Proper weddings take time! You really mustn't be so impatient. After all there's no need to rush." She stopped suddenly and turned her attention toward her daughter. In a loud whisper she said "There is no reason to rush things, is there Lizzie? Oh my goodness! You're not pregnant again, are you?"
"Mother!" Elizabeth cried in horror. All other conversation at the table stopped as the heads turned in their direction. Elizabeth turned bright red. She glanced at Will to see him staring, his expression one of shock at the woman's lack of sensitivity for her daughter. Turning back to her mother, she said tightly "I most assuredly am not!"
Mrs. Bennet leaned back in her chair and huffed, "Well, Lizzie, you can hardly blame me for asking. It took you long enough to finally get engaged after the first one!"
Elizabeth was speechless. Her eyes stung with tears which she refused to let her mother see. A mixture of anger and humiliation compelled her to throw down her fork and race from the room.
Everyone's eyes followed her retreating figure, and then turned to watch Mrs. Bennet. All eyes but Will's. He glared at his hostess in barely contained fury then, as quickly as Elizabeth, he rose from the table and disappeared through the door.
Mrs. Bennet looked at her audience. "Well, it makes perfect sense!"
"Makes sense!! Makes sense!!" Mr. Bennet cried in disbelief. "You've never made sense in your entire life!"
"You've certainly outdone yourself this time, Fanny." Edward Gardiner added.
"I beg to differ!" Mrs. Bennet defended herself. "Our grandson there is nearly three years old, and they never thought to marry in that length of time. Now, one child with his mistress is all well and good, but two? He'd simply have to marry her, then!"
Mr. Bennet was livid. "Have you forgotten that Lizzy never told him about William in all that time?" he hissed.
"Oh, that's what Lizzie told you," she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand, "to soften your opinion of him. She knew as well as I, what your reaction would be to the truth."
Everyone stared at her in shocked silence as Mrs. Bennet helped herself to another slice of beef.