Sharon Lathan - The Trouble with Mr. Darcy

“Indeed,” he growled, pulling her onto his lap, hands searching relentlessly under her raised skirt. “As much as I would like to love you here in the moonlight, alas this place does not afford us the privacy of our balcony at home. Come, Mrs. Darcy, we can discuss poetry on our bed.”

And amid her tinkling laughter he rose with her clutched in his arms, striding purposefully into the candlelit chamber attached and proceeding to fulfill his vow until they were undeniably and utterly satiated.

“Have you noticed how prolific and colorful the narcissus this year?”

Lizzy glanced over at her sister-in-law where she stood next to the window facing the broad, cobbled avenue of Grosvenor Square. “In truth I had not peered out the front windows this morning. I did note the buttercups on our bedchamber’s terrace. I adore spring blooms.” She paused, laying her embroidery aside to gaze contemplatively at Georgiana. “Tell me truthfully, dear sister. Are you deeply enthralled with the beauty of the Square or searching the corners for the mail carrier?”

Georgiana turned from the window and returned to her seat across from Lizzy. “Can both be true?” she asked, the hint of a blush touching her cheeks. She settled her secretaire onto her lap, dipping her quill into the embedded inkpot but then pausing above the parchment music sheet spread upon the surface. “Only a week has passed, yet it feels an eternity. This is the negative to love, I suppose?”

“The poets declare the absence shall foster fondness within the heart, as in Mr. Bayly’s Isle of Beauty . True to a degree, as a separation does cause one to dwell upon their lover with longing leading to an increasingly emotional reunion. Nevertheless, I abhor William being away from me for any length and firmly believe our relationship grows stronger with constant communion.”

“How marvelous that will be,” Georgiana said, her eyes dreamy. “I greatly desire to begin our life together.”

“Very soon you will. Did he promise to write you?”

“Yes. Uncle granted permission. Of course, it has not been long since we parted so my expectations are unfair.”

“He knew when Kitty’s wedding was to be and thus your return to London. A man in love marks these dates upon his heart. My guess is a letter at the least, and very soon.”

Georgiana sighed, and then chuckled as she shook her head. Her eyes were sparkling with humor when she met Lizzy’s gaze. “I am rather pathetic, am I not? I was fine while diverted in Hertfordshire, yet here it is a day later and I am moping as a lost puppy. I cannot focus enough to complete this sonata I started on the voyage across the Channel!”

“Missing your collaborator?” Lizzy asked with a lift to her brow.

“I believe it is more that I miss my friend, who also happens to be the man I love and an excellent musical collaborator.”

“Your own personal muse?”

“A male muse?” Georgiana laughed. “Yes, I suppose he is to a degree. Oh, Lizzy! I cannot wait for you and William to know Mr. Butler completely. He is warm and delightfully humorous. A valued friend and companion. I do miss him.”

“I am sure Mr. Butler is of a like mind and will hasten his return to you.”

Georgiana nodded, frowning slightly as she peered at the notes. “Yes, I have faith that this is true. I must be patient. Staffordshire is a distance not easily traversed for a seven-day visit or a letter. Besides, he did propose celebrating Easter with his family before returning, so surely it will be a fortnight at the least. I know how he missed home and his friends. He is undoubtedly immersed in entertainments and familial concourse.”

Lizzy cocked her head, brows knitted. “What are you not telling me, Georgie?”

Georgiana looked up in surprise and then flushed. “Oh, nothing really! I fear I am a silly, imaginative girl at times, Lizzy. Pay me no heed.”

“Nonsense! And I shall pay heed to your moods. You have a concern, clearly, and I am here to commiserate. Do you doubt Mr. Butler in some manner?”

“No, oh no, not in the slightest!” Georgiana put the secretaire aside and scooted to the sofa’s edge to reach Lizzy’s hand. “It is just”—she waved her other hand in the air, biting her lip before continuing in a halting voice—“vague feelings regarding Lord Essenton.”

“Mr. Butler’s father? In what way?”

Georgiana shrugged. “He is a stern man, Lizzy. I sensed this before Sebastian told me of their relationship. He is rather frightening, if you must know, with a disapproving air. You know how Lord Essenton feels about Sebastian’s musical studies and his, in Lord Essenton’s opinion, pointless rambles across Europe. I fear he will see our engagement as another whimsy.”

“Surely not. Taking a bride is a serious commitment. Certainly Lord Essenton will interpret Mr. Butler’s decision as a positive sign for his future settling at Whistlenell Hall?”

“I do hope so. Yet”—she paused, picking absently at her dress—“I do not think Lord Essenton fond of me. He may reject Mr. Butler’s choice.”

Lizzy was truly shocked. “You must be mistaken, my dear! How…” She shook her head, squeezing Georgiana’s hand tightly. “There is no possible way Lord Essenton could deny your excellence, Georgiana. In all ways imaginable you are a perfect choice, even if Mr. Butler was not madly in love with you. Rest your mind, my love. You are allowing your fancies to run amok. I guess your personal sensations of disapproval were merely shadows of Lord Essenton’s annoyance at Mr. Butler’s situation. Besides, Mr. Butler, if he is the caliber of man I judged him to be and you claim, would not be cowed in this matter any more than he was in pursuing his studies abroad. You have nothing to fear, I am sure of it.”

Georgiana rose to kiss Lizzy’s cheek. “Thank you, Lizzy. You always speak wisely and ease my fluttering heart.”

“Pardon the intrusion, Mrs. Darcy. Miss Darcy, this was delivered for you.”

They both started, not hearing the silent entry of the butler. Georgiana recovered and took the sealed envelope from Mr. Travers’s hand, absently thanking him as a vibrant smile spread over her face upon noting the sender. She tore the wax, moving toward the window as she read.

Lizzy grinned happily, turning her attention to Mr. Travers, who waited patiently. “Mrs. Darcy”—he bowed—“a servant from the Matlock townhouse delivered this.”

“Thank you, Mr. Travers. One moment, please.” She rapidly scanned the paper, smiling as she resumed, “Lord and Lady Matlock will be dining here tonight, as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Simone. Could you please send word to Mrs. Smyth that I wish to speak with her and adjust the menu? At her convenience.”

He bowed and left the room, Lizzy returning her attention to Georgiana, who was rereading Mr. Butler’s letter for the third time now.

“From the silly expression on your face I presume your qualms have been allayed? Mr. Butler is in Town, probably has been waiting for days while you tarried and partied in Hertfordshire, and is aware of our arrival some twenty hours ago? The besotted man must be clairvoyant or have spies! Or have you been redirecting me when in truth you evaded William’s security forces and snuck out for a clandestine engagement last midnight?”

“You know the latter is not true,” Georgiana answered Lizzy’s tease with a giddy laugh, her eyes scanning the words. “Sadly the former is not true as yet. He wrote this two days past from Whistlenell Hall in Staffordshire. He anticipates arriving in the week after Easter. He writes cheerily and expresses nothing remiss.”