Elizabeth grinned at him. “Uncle Hugh and Aunt Helen told me about how your father worried when your mother was carrying you and then your sister. I am now fully prepared to be cosseted for the next six months or so.”
“You will not think I am a fool when I constantly question whether you should do something active if I think you look tired, will you not?”
Her hand cupped his jaw. “I expect you to love and cherish this little one as much as you do me. With that said, if you hover too much, we will have words between us. Whether we do this here in London, at Pemberley, or elsewhere, I suspect that the two of us will endure, grateful for either a son or a daughter.” She leaned closer. “My question to you is what you need to do or where we will need to be so that you are available to us. Where you will not be too busy overseeing a property or working to provide an income so you can enjoy enough time spent with our child so he or she properly knows their father.”
He weighed her words. “Do you recall me telling you what Mr. Crosgrove told me and Bingley about living a simple life? That no one placed demands on him because they never gave a thought that he might have two coins to rub together? How he and Mrs. Crosgrove lived a full life doing things together, spending time together rather than having things that would weigh them down?”
“I remember.”
“Would it surprise you to know that I have been considering what regaining Pemberley would mean for the two of us, now the three of us?”
“Darling man, knowing you as I do, it does not surprise me at all that you will review any prospects for our future from every available angle. Once you decide, know that I will support your choice with my whole heart.”
He kissed her forehead, his lips pressed against her skin as her words sank deep into his heart. Closing his eyes, his mind traveled north to Derbyshire. He could see clearly the day he welcomed his wife and sister to his former home. His butler would be there to throw open the door. Mrs. Reynolds would greet them with a smile and a warm pot of tea. His eyes shot open. His imagination was playing tricks on him. Mrs. Reynolds was retired. He did not yet own Pemberley.
He must have moved since his wife asked if he was well. How could he possibly answer when he did notknow? What he knew was that as long as he was with Elizabeth, he was happy.
When Darcy’suncle and cousins returned from Kent with the news that Lady Catherine refused to dismiss Mr. Collins from his position despite him being found guilty of dereliction of duty by the bishop, the Fitzwilliams washed their hands of them both.
Elizabeth spent the next week trying to avoid the gentlemen of the house. They hounded Elizabeth every waking minute, propping up her feet with pillows when she sat and forcing her into a chair when she dared to stand. After seven days of not being allowed to select her own food or even choose her own book from the library, she had enough.
Waiting until Viscount Smithton arrived and joined the other men in the study, Elizabeth stealthily descended the stairs to the entrance hall with Molly at her side. She directed the footman to commandeer the viscount’s carriage. When the servant glanced toward the study, Elizabeth gave hima lookthat stopped him from proceeding.
Providing directions to her aunt and uncle Gardiner’s residence on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside, she allowed the footman to hand her inside. Once they were settled, she signaled that she was ready to depart. From the carriage window, she watched the servant dash into Matlock House. Before they rounded Grosvenor Square, Darcy, Lord Matlock, and his two sons were standing onthe front steps. Even from a distance, she could see them barking orders, most likely calling for their horses.
Chuckling to herself, she settled back against the squabs.
“We did it, Molly.”
“Yes, madam. We did.”
Before they reached St. James Street, the four men flanked the carriage. Her husband, Richard, his eldest brother Harry, and Lord Matlock wore stern expressions. Their backs ramrod straight. And yet, Elizabeth loved them for their concern.
When the carriage drew to a stop, her husband leapt from his horse to hand her down.
“Might you have told me where you intended to go, Mrs. Darcy?” he spoke curtly, his voice deep.
“Would you have allowed me to leave Matlock House without any of you carrying me in your arms so I would not tire myself by putting my slipper on the ground?”
He grumbled. The other men looked away.
Offering his arm to prove that he was not being overbearing, he escorted her to the door. A butler who knew her well greeted her.
“Mrs. Darcy, welcome to Town.” The elderly gentleman bowed. “Mr. Gardiner is in the library. Mrs. Gardiner is with the children. Do come inside. I will let them know you have arrived.”
Looking back at the Fitzwilliams, she asked them to join her. Since they followed her, the least they could do was agree. Tightening her grip on her husband’s arm, she gave him no choice.
Glancingup and down the street, the house’s fashionable appearance surprised Darcy. Stepping inside, he soon realized how successful Elizabeth’s uncle was in furnishing the home with elegant decor. His servants went about with quiet efficiency.
Darcy remembered the Gardiners from his wedding to their niece. He introduced his eldest cousin to Elizabeth’s uncle.
“Pray excuse me, gentlemen. I am here to see my aunt,” Elizabeth said.
“Welcome to my humble home,” Mr. Gardiner said cordially.
“Hardly humble, my good man.” Lord Matlock clapped his palm on Gardiner’s shoulder. “My wife has been searching paper samples for the last year, finally settling on the one you have on your walls, only to be told that someone purchased the lot. Now, we know who has the influence to be one step ahead of my wife.”
Mr. Gardiner’s smile was completely bereft of sheepishness. Instead, he boldly claimed, “Such is the nature of the business I am in, Lord Matlock.” He turned his gaze toward his niece. “Madeline is in the nursery. Shall I ask her to come down?”
