Anne turned to Edward. “I will return shortly.” He smiled and squeezed her hand.
“Edward, I realize the trip was exhausting, but would you do me the favor of taking a stroll through the garden before going to your room?” Elizabeth smiled knowingly.
“I would love the exercise, Elizabeth,” he stammered, not understanding her impetuous request.“A few moments to stretch my legs would do me well.”
Darcy looked offended.“May I not join you?”
“Colonel, your cousin always was jealous of our private ramblings,” she teased.“Should we include him today?”
“I believe he earned that right, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled up at Darcy and took his hand. “Come, Love,we must hear all of Edward’s news.” Realizing she wanted some privacy, both men followed her outside.
They walked a short distance from the house before Darcy caught her hand to bring her to the point of this extemporaneous walk. “Elizabeth, Edward should return to his room. Would you like to tell us the purpose of this sudden need for the outdoors?” Darcy looked confused.
“I spoke to Mr. Harrison this morning. His interest in Georgiana grows, Fitzwilliam.”
Quick to react, Darcy began,“I will not have it, Elizabeth.”
She caught his arm to stop his thoughts. “Georgiana believes herself to have feelings for the man,” she continued. “I also spoke to her.”
“Do you not think, Elizabeth, Georgiana is too young for marriage?” Edward questioned.
“In age, she has reached a common time for marriage, but I agree she is too vulnerable to recognize her own worth. Mr. Harrison, I concede, would treat her well—would value her fine mind; I wish only for Georgiana to find real love, and I told her this.” Darcy paced as she talked. “Fitzwilliam,please; I told them both, you would not approve of such an alliance at this time, and I would not try to persuade you otherwise.” Her words lessened some of his concern.
“What else did you tell Mr. Harrison, Elizabeth?” Edward realized she took charge of the situation.
“IforbidMr. Harrison from requesting a promise of Georgiana until after her next birthday. Isuggestedhe secure the future of Hines Park to prove to you, Fitzwilliam, he sought Georgiana’s love and not her fortune, and Isuggestedthat if someone were to hurt Georgiana, you Edward were skilled in the ways of killing.” Because of it seeming initially out of place, both men laughed at this last reference. “Fitzwilliam, Mr. Harrison agreed, but he will present himself to you when Georgiana turns eight and ten. Between now and then we should learn all we can of Mr. Harrison’s past and his prospects; and we should expose Georgiana tovarious social gatherings. If it is meant to be a match, time will tell of its success.”
“Mrs. Darcy,” Edward began, “you are wise beyond your years. No wonder my cousin wanted to keep us apart at Rosings. He feared I might realize your worth.”Then Edward slapped Darcy on the back as he started toward Pemberley. “We will talk more later, Fitz,” he called over his shoulder.
Thoughts of losing Georgiana agitated Darcy, but Elizabeth’s manipulation of the situation brought him some relief. “Mrs. Darcy, my cousin is correct; although I always appreciate your wit, your astute insights are often unexpected.”
Elizabeth hastened to his waiting arms.“You are not upset with my interference into Georgiana’s life? I should not intrude in your family’s affairs. Did I do anything correctly, Fitzwilliam?”
“First, she is your sister too so what is there to censure? You gained Georgiana’s trust while forestalling Mr. Harrison’s attention; you earned a promise from Mr. Harrison, giving us time to assure his feelings for Georgina and his ability to provide for her. I am glad you are not a man with whom I must do business regularly. You handled it more amiably than I.” He hugged her tightly to him and kissed the top of her head. “Did you really threaten to have the colonel kill Mr. Harrison?” He seemed befuddled by the implications. “First, you threaten Mr.Wickham and now Mr. Harrison. I begin to fear for my safety, Elizabeth,” he mugged.
“You have nothing to fear from me, Fitzwilliam; the worst you have to suffer is my loving you to death.” She kissed him warmly. Elizabeth looked about nervously. “I am looking forward to this evening, are you not, Love?” she said tentatively.
“Any evening which ends with you and I in our bed is a glorious occasion,” he beamed.
“Then we need no company, Sir; we should send them all away.” Her teasing always aroused him, and Darcy felt sensual warmth creep into his body.
“Do not tempt me, Elizabeth—do not tempt me.” They walked back to the house arms around each other and in contentment.
The last of the party joined everyone for dinner. As the new vicar, Clayton Ashford met the Darcys on several occasions outside of church, and the dinner invitation honored his work in the village. He knew the Darcys to be generous, and how well they maintained the devotion of the community impressed him. He thought himself fortunate to be given a living in such a community. Many of his fellow clergymen had to cower and bow to their benefactors; the Darcys allowed him much latitude in the way he administered to his flock. Miss Darcy embraced the drive to help the poor, and Mr.Ashford hoped he could convince them to support his idea for a village school.
Clayton Ashford was a novelty to many in his parish for he was nothing like the previous clergyman. His appearance pleased the females in his congregation, but he could not be called handsome. He held himself with poise, although some saw his manners as a bit distant. His polite conversations addressed the needs of his parishioners, but he was easily distracted and rarely initiated the discourse. His sermons rocked the congregation with his passion for the church, but he lacked social worldliness.Ashford showed promise of being worthy of Darcy’s patronage, but Mr. Darcy still wondered if he made the right decision by giving the man the living; Ashford’s aloofness sometimes bothered Darcy because it reminded him of Darcy’s own dislike of social gatherings.
Entering the Darcys’ drawing room, Mr.Ashford did not anticipate a pleasing evening because he disliked such social exchanges, but he knew the Darcys served as his financial benefactors, and he would put forth a good effort. His host came forward to greet the vicar, and then Mr. Darcy handed him off to his wife for the introductions—the Bingleys, the Gardiners, several cousins, Mr. Harrison—and then Ashford’s glance fell on a young girl with sparkling eyes and a fetching smile; he had to concentrate to discover the girl’s name—Kitty Bennet, Mrs. Darcy’s younger sister. Being single, Ashford schooled himself when being introduced to young ladies. Never did he immediately take an interest in them, no matter how pretty they were.Yet, as soon as he saw her, Ashford’seyes could not leave Kitty’s face. He felt riveted to the floor, and if he were the type to curse, he would have done so for he felt foolish just standing and staring at her. Kitty Bennet offered him an encouraging smile so Ashford took advantage of the empty chair beside her. Although he had been in Derbyshire nearly nine months, not once had Clayton Ashford willingly sat next to an attractive young lady and willingly conversed with her.
Kitty Bennet held no idea the impact she had on the man; she simply enjoyed his attentions. She listened intensely to what he said, although she did not always understand his ideas. He spoke of John Wesley, Samuel Johnson, and Sir Joseph Banks. Ashford said these men offered opposing ideas of Christianity, but she knew them not; yet, she was willing to find out if it would please Clayton Ashford.As the evening progressed, she let her sister know her sentiments. Going to refill her tea, Kitty cornered Elizabeth. “Lizzy, thank you for inviting Mr.Ashford; he is a most interesting young man.”
“I am pleased you found someone to entertain you, Kitty,” Elizabeth held the amused look Kitty associated with their father.
“Would it be possible, Lizzy, to be seated near Mr.Ashford during dinner?” Kitty’s anticipation crisscrossed her face.
Elizabeth smirked,“I will try, Kitty.”
