Kara Louise: Only Mr. Darcy Will Do

He paced back and forth, as if his fierce strides would bring her into view. She knew he did not want her making that long, strenuous walk in her condition! Not alone and especially not when she was carrying their child!

He gazed out at the valley below, his eyes taking in the verdant greens that would soon give way to the reds and browns of autumn. He watched the path that wound its way down the hill toward Braedenthorn. He did not see her.

He had just returned from three days in London and was disappointed that she had not been home to greet him. When inquiring of Mrs. Reynolds as to her whereabouts, she informed him that Mrs. Darcy was visiting her sister and would return in time for dinner. The look of apprehension on her face prompted him to press her for the particulars on her means of transportation.

“She has walked, Mr. Darcy,” she said nervously, knowing well his feelings on the matter. “But I am quite confident she is still able-bodied enough to do so.”

Concern for her safety and the welfare of their baby battled with the anger that rose as he realized that in his absence, she had gone against his bidding.

Darcy immediately left the house and climbed up the ridge himself, his anger and concern propelling him. He remained at the top and watched, hoping she would appear from around some curve in the path or out from behind a hedgerow. He chose not to walk down himself, for there was always the possibility that she may have taken the Bingleys’ carriage home and would miss her.

As he waited, pacing back and forth, he allowed his thoughts to drift to Elizabeth and the baby she would have by mid-spring. Joy flooded him at the thought that he would be a father, while at the same time he feared that walking the three miles to Braedenthorn would in some way harm her or their unborn child.

At length, he saw her coming from around a curve in the path. She was oblivious to him and seemed to take each stride effortlessly as if there was no alteration in her condition. Immediate relief swept through him, and he walked over to the bench and sat down.

Leaning back and crossing his arms, he waited—rather impatiently. Now that his concern for her welfare was satisfied, his ire again began to rise. His foot tapped on the ground mercilessly as he kept his eyes on the spot where she would come up from the path. It was but a few minutes before Elizabeth reached the top. He smiled, much as he always did, whenever he had the opportunity to watch her when she was oblivious of his scrutiny.

When she looked up and noticed him sitting there, she abruptly stopped. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened in comprehension at his presence. Just as quickly, however, she ran up to her husband and sat down on his lap, wrapping her arms about his neck.

“When did you arrive home, my dearest? I thought you were not to return until tomorrow.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead.

“I returned a day early. Are you surprised?” he asked with playful sarcasm.

She reached up and combed her fingers through his hair. “I am surprised, but delighted!”

Darcy pulled her closer, enclosing her tightly within his arms. He pursed his lips as if pondering his next words, then asked, “Can I always expect you to defy my directives when I am away? Dare I ask how many times you have walked to Braedenthorn on your own?”

Elizabeth leaned her head against his shoulder. “My dear Fitzwilliam, this was truly the only time… save for the day two weeks ago when the weather was so pleasant. I can barely restrain myself when the sky is so blue and the air is so warm, for my condition shall soon keep me housebound!”

“Elizabeth!” Darcy exclaimed. “Braedenthorn is not a stroll; it is a three-mile hike! I will not allow it as long as you are carrying our child!” He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Besides, you should not be walking about without an escort. If something happened to you…”

Elizabeth cupped his face with her hands and turned it toward her. She leaned in with a smile on her lips and a sparkle in her eyes and kissed him, rendering him silent. His arms tightened about her even more, and his hands pressed lightly against her back.

“Nothing has happened to me and nothing shall. It is a very easy walk, as you have declared many times yourself.”

“That was before…” Darcy looked down at her dress, which only had a barely discernable bulge. “What would have happened had you been too tired to return?”

Elizabeth laughed. “The Bingleys do have a very nice carriage that I am sure they would allow me to take. Although it is not as nice as yours…”

“Ours!” Darcy corrected her.

Elizabeth nodded her head and smiled. After a year of marriage she still had a difficult time believing all this was hers. “Ours.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I regret causing you concern. I had such a longing to see little Annabeth. She is now just beginning to smile.”

“From now on you take the carriage. Do you promise?” he asked, wanting reassurance.

Elizabeth breathed in deeply. “Yes, I promise.” She fingered the collar on her husband’s coat. “Tell me, how was your time in London?”

“All transpired well. Fortunately there were no surprises.” He leaned over and kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head. “You will not believe who I came upon while stopping in at my solicitor’s office.”

“Who?” Elizabeth asked.

“Mr. and Mrs. Willstone and Emily.”

Elizabeth pulled back in surprise to study her husband’s face. “And how were they?” she asked.

“They are all doing well. Emily is about to have a new brother or sister. She has grown considerably. I am told that Miss Matthews has a strong attachment to a young man from Bristol.”

“Truly? Was the meeting between you awkward? Did you sense any ill feelings?”

“I felt awkward at first, not knowing how they perceived me. I did apologize, however, for the misunderstanding and hoped they would understand.”

“And?”

Darcy grasped Elizabeth’s hand and brought it to his lips. “Mrs. Willstone was very gracious and attributed my actions to secure your regard as romantic in the least. They expressed a wish to dine with us when we come to Town for the season.”

“I should like that very much. I so look forward to seeing Emily again.”

“As she also wishes to see you.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Any other news?”

“Your aunt and uncle are well. Kitty is doing much better living with them and caring for the children. Since Mary wed Reverend Flourand and moved to Birmingham, Kitty found living with the Wickhams and your mother not especially palatable.”

A twinkle appeared in Elizabeth’s eyes, and she grasped Darcy’s coat sleeve, giving it a tug. “We must introduce her to someone.”

Darcy looked down with a sly grin. When he looked up, he said, “I already have.”

“You have? Who?” Elizabeth asked with eager, yet incredulous interest.

“Hamilton was with me when I stopped by to visit them. He was in port for a few weeks. He certainly had a captive audience in Kitty, who laughed at every one of his jokes and who was enthralled by his stories of being at sea.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “But certainly he cannot afford to marry someone like Kitty. She has nothing to contribute to the marriage.”

“I am not saying that they will, but Hamilton will do well in the navy, and he does have a fairly substantial inheritance. He merely likes people to think he is destitute.”

“He is a good man. I think they would be good for each other.” Elizabeth bit her lip as she pondered whether to ask her next question.

“Go ahead and ask,” Darcy said. “I know you want to know.”

“Has there been any news of Wickham’s whereabouts?” Elizabeth asked, fearful of the answer.