Georgiana gasped, frozen for a span of seconds with hand to her breast, but the stasis broke at the sheepish but dazzling smile Sebastian directed her way. She flew off the piano bench and was across the room before her fiancé took a breath, barreling into his body and embracing tightly.
Darcy was gazing with lifted brow at his irritated wife, Lizzy not appreciating his humor at the words she knew he must have heard. Yet they both melted at the sight of Georgiana’s effusive happiness. Then Darcy was taken aback when she left Mr. Butler’s arms after mere moments to launch into his.
“Thank you, Brother! Thank you! You have made me the happiest woman alive! But did you have to take so long?” And she actually punched him in the arm.
“Hey! We had numerous matters to discuss, such as your admission to the Conservatoire, Miss Darcy.”
“Are you pleased?” He nodded once, grinning. “So we can marry soon and be together in Paris studying?”
“Georgiana, I would never stand in the way of love being fulfilled, or your musical ambitions for that matter. I am incredibly proud.” This time he enfolded her within his embrace, not letting go for a long while.
Sebastian was unable to steal his beloved away for private kisses and conversation for hours, but the afternoon and evening brought immeasurable joy nevertheless, as he grew closer to the people dearest to his future wife. Preliminary plans were set in motion for a late spring wedding, the men frequently lost in the ensuing discussions, and not a single person thought of the recent traumas.
Love remained the greatest healing force, so it seems.
Chapter Twenty-One
On the Banks of the Serpentine
“You look absolutely beautiful, Mrs. Darcy.”
He crossed the room, fingers lifting to tie the bonnet strings under her chin.
“Thank you, dearest. I desperately need to stretch my legs, so I also thank you for allowing me to leave the house.”
“Since when have my allowing or not had any bearing on your actions, especially walking?” He shook his head while laughing. “I can recall perhaps a handful of occasions when my dominating demands were harkened to when you disagreed with me. In this instance I surmised this venture wise for everyone involved, as it may improve your grouchiness.”
“It will improve my grouchiness, I can assure you. Being cooped up irritates me…”
“Yes, I know,” he agreed with a teasing lift to his left brow.
“I shall not deny it. And I will only partially blame you and the good doctor for keeping me chained to the house since I admit to not being hale enough to journey far. Of course, a large part of that is entirely your fault, Mr. Darcy.”
“Ah, I see we are going to start that standard accusation again, even before we are certain.” He grinned, extending his arm, which she readily took.
“Indeed we are. I am preparing you for the eventuality, whether I am with child now or at a later date.” She tiptoed and planted a firm kiss to his dimpled chin. “How do I look? Well enough?”
He grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger, turning her uplifted, smiling face side-to-side. “Hmmm… Rosy, if a bit pale from want of sunlight. Eyes clear, lively, and sparkling. Cheeks full and nose pert. Adorable in every way and full of youthful vigor. Quite perfect, my dearest wife. Perfect.”
“Thank you.”
“As stunning and hearty as you appear, are you sure you shall not be overcome with nausea midway along the promenade?”
“I make no promises. But my stomach is currently stable and I do not plan to embarrass you in front of all London society.”
“I was only thinking of you possibly messing this gorgeous gown. I would be standing there foolishly grinning and declaring to any onlookers that my divine wife may soon be presenting me with a daughter.”
“Ridiculous man. Now who is leaping ahead before we are certain? In all seriousness, thank you, William, for planning today and setting aside your business to be with us.”
“Nothing pleases me more than the thought of spending an entire day with my family and our friends. Besides, I need this outing and respite from the chaos as much as you.”
“Are you sure nothing will interfere? No pressing affairs that Mr. Daniels will insist must be attended to immediately or the fate of Pemberley will teeter on the edge of destruction?”
He winked, lowering his voice in mock secrecy, “I told him I was leaving the country for a while so he would not pester me.” She laughed and shook her head, Darcy continuing in a normal tone, “I am all yours today. Did you doubt my assertion?”
She shook her head, eyes flaring with sudden mischief and promise. “No. Merely wanting to reaffirm. I intend to prove my healthiness to you, my husband, so you will no longer worry and annoy me with your overbearing attentiveness. I want to walk the garden paths, frolic with the children, laugh with our friends, and eat until bursting. Then”—she leaned into his body, mouth brushing against his ear—“later while the children are napping I will further prove my robustness by removing all your clothing and ravishing you all afternoon until you are begging for mercy.” She seized the lobe between her lips, tugging decisively before running the tip of her tongue over the sensitized skin.
Darcy growled deep in his chest, pulling her body hard against his torso. Huskily, he responded, “Do not tease me if you are unsure of the outcome.”
She placed her smiling lips lightly over his. “I am acutely aware of the outcome and prepared to ensure you are not disappointed.”
“I am never disappointed with you, Elizabeth. However, I will admit the prospect as you outline it is abundantly appealing.”
He brushed his lips over her collarbone, Lizzy squeezing tightly. “You have been so patient and devoted, Fitzwilliam. My love for you has grown to another level through this trauma. I cannot explain it, but I know it to be true. Your care for our sons and me has been remarkable. My gratefulness is not the root cause of my yearning to love you, but I will say that the emotion augments my desire. Truthfully, as much as my pride hates to admit it, I do feel vulnerable these days. It may be pathetic, but activity clears my mind and erases the residual fear. Vigorous loving declares my vitality in a special way that heals me, not to mention how enjoyable it is to love you.”
She ended her statement with a teasing smile, but Darcy sensed the unease underneath. His embrace was tender but stalwart, gazing into her eyes for several heartbeats before whispering, “Elizabeth, I love you.”
The consuming kiss that followed conveyed his boundless love and happiness, Lizzy returning the searing exchange wholeheartedly. Instinctively their hands kneaded and stroked as mouths battled gloriously. Lizzy’s escalating ardor was felt deep in her belly, in those hidden places that only his touch could reach. Darcy’s heightening passion was felt pressing hard into his wife’s lower abdomen.
Both of their hearts were pounding, the mutual rush of blood and heavy breathing drowning out all extrinsic sounds and Darcy had taken a sideways step toward the bed when they were interrupted.
“Mama! Papa! I got bread cumbs for the duckies! Nanny has Michael dressed and sent me to get you. Hurry! Carriage outside!” Alexander had barreled into their legs, grabbing on to skirt and breeches, and was tugging insistently. Darcy and Lizzy staggered at the forceful impact, clutches steadying the other as they separated a pace. Lizzy burst into laughter, Darcy turning his red face and aroused body away from his son. Fortunately Alexander was innocently impervious, although as he grew, his awareness would follow a similar path as Darcy’s with regards to his parents. Frequent embraces of an intimate nature would be a matter of course for the numerous Darcy offspring to witness, their parents’ love and passion multiplying as the years progressed.