Page 72 of His Dark Heart
“Why?” He hated the suspicion in his voice.
“Were you not present when I showed a man very similar to your description the letter I received?”
A dry smile flashed over his lips. Even at his worst, she could always call forth a smile from him. “I was.”
“Then it is equally fair that you ought to be allowed to read my reply, do you not think?” She offered the paper to him and took note of his caution as he took possession. Rising to her toes, Elizabeth brushed a reassuring kiss over his mouth. “I shall leave you to read.”
He shook his head. “No. Stay.”
“Very well.” She settled in her chair near the fireplace and took up the shirt she had been working on for him.
Bonny George,
Your letter, I fear, quite took me by surprise. I had resigned myself to never having your sweet words in my presence ever again. It was a gentle reminder of younger days before duty took a liking to me and made me a prosperous and happy bride.
It seems so very long ago, that day on Bishop's Hill when you told me of the house you dreamt of building for us. A lifetime has passed since then, and we have both lived a thousand years in scarcely a few moments. I cherish the memories I have of you. Ye shall always be my bonny George.
If you ever loved me, you would do as I ask, nay, plead now. Pray heed my pleas and return home now. Assure my Papa that I am fine and shall write to him as soon as may be. I had not realized the serious lapse in my correspondence. My duties here beg a great deal of my time and, at first, were quite overwhelming. I vow to do better in putting pen to paper for the benefit of those who care about me. You will, however, understand that a correspondence between our persons is quite impossible.
Trust, dear George, that I know what is best and right for me. In these brief months since my marriage, I have tasted power and wealth unlike that of which I knew before. People turn to me for help and guidance. I should be a fool and a coward if I denied enjoying my role.
My husband, the High Lord Darcy, Prince of Pemberley, depends upon my opinion. I daresay he actually listens on occasion. It is with affection that I jest at his expense for I know he listens frequently and rules the better for it. I am not the power behind the throne by any means, but my husband does respect my contribution to the running of his lands.
We did not see the truth at the time when we were ripped away from each other, but my husband is a good man. He has the potential to be a great man, and I need to be by his side to assist him in that endeavour. You must leave me be, dear, bonny George. You must. I beg this of ye.
I loved you once, but I am another man's wife now. There comes a moment when the reason behind a choice becomes clear. I could have run with you, could have damned Papa and Longbourn, but in the end it was I who made the choice to marry High Lord Darcy. If you find that you need to lay blame, then let that blame lie with me.
Go home, bonny George. My place is at my husband's side. It is there that I want to remain.
Elizabeth, HL
No affectionate closing was evident, just a simple, formal signature with her name and title. No endearments stronger than “dear.” And then, the last line: “It is where I want to remain.” She wanted to be with him! She was not going to leave! Caroline's evil insinuations faded as joy filled his heart. Elizabeth was not a liar; this was the simple truth. Caroline had tried to poison him without success.
He dropped to his knees before her chair and surrendered all to her in a position he had never taken before in his life. A queen and her subject, and he hardly cared. She set her sewing aside, and he quickly captured her hands, kissing the palms with vigour.
“My letter wins your approval then, my husband?”
“You want to stay with me!” His voice threatened to break. “I have never been happier.”
* * *
The excitement in William’s words made her smile: dark, dangerous High Lord Darcy looked like a little boy. Elizabeth slipped out of her chair to the floor in front of him, her lips pressed to his just long enough to remind her how he tasted, though she doubted she would ever forget. Cupping his face, she met his eyes and held his gaze.
“You will trust me enough one day to believe what I say. I am praying that day comes soon. Until then, I must inform you that I will be the only woman in your bed. If I walk intoourbedchamber and find another nude woman, you will be missing an important piece of your anatomy. Are we clear?” He nodded. “I meant it when I told George to go home. The work I am doing here has become important to me. I am able to help people on a daily basis and see lives made better for my efforts. That is a grand reward, and you certainly are not a terrible price to pay for providing me with that special luxury.”
“You have come to love my people, have you not?”
“They are a kind, generous people who want nothing more than what is best for those they love, behaviour I am certain they have learned from their prince.”
“Who learned it from his princess.”
“I have nothing to do with what kind of man you are, William.”
“That is wrong. You have everything to do with what kind of man I am. Before you, I ruled my people fairly but harshly. I had become cold and distant and did not see them as people. They were merely stepping-stones. That has changed for me, and the change came when you came into my life and opened up my heart.
“Thank you.”
Oh, if only she could now tell him now that she loved him! If only she could kiss his beautiful mouth and taste the word “love” on it! Their situation, brought about by George and Lady Caroline, was not fair. She was well aware of her feelings now, yet she was almost certain that he would doubt her. This sweet moment would fade away in distrust and hurt and all because she happened to be in love with the man she had married. Curse the poor timing of it all! Instead, she swallowed the words and smiled brilliantly.
