Chapter 32

He dusted his hands off before he wiped his brow.

"Two weeks have passed by quickly for me," Fitzwilliam thought as he gazed down at his work with satisfaction. He nodded when he heard his brother in law, Fredrick, announce on the other end,

"Bushes and weeds!"

Fitzwilliam turned and called out.

"Fredrick? How's it progressing on your end?"

"Just hauling out this last one and… I… should… be done!" he heard Fredrick exclaim.

The two of them were out in the front lawn of Hawkswood and were weeding as well as repairing the bushes for the seasonal guests who would be attending the gardens of Hawkswood. He also knew that Elizabeth was in charge of that and she had asked if it were possible for the grounds to be repaired and ready when that time arrived. Already, as Fitzwilliam placed his hands on his hips, the flowers around were blooming and the birds were feeding their babies with the fresh worms from the ground. He shook his head when he heard Fredrick exclaim.

"And there we go!"

Then suddenly, as he yanked out a large root, Fredrick tumbled backwards and did a few summersaults across the lawn and when Fitzwilliam rushed up to him, to know if he was fine, he was amused when he heard his brother in law say.

"Well, root?! Did you have enough?! It took me two hours and you didn't budge when I had to hack you out with that spade! Then you asked me to do the impossible which was pull you out!"

Fitzwilliam heard this and started to laugh. He couldn't help it; he needed a good laugh after what had happened with him not too long ago and upon seeing the gardener in Fredrick, his heart felt more at ease and he laughed more when Fredrick asked, holding his prize root.

"Excuse me, Fitzwilliam? What brings you to such a hearty laugh? This root and I had a little dispute and we didn't agree on who would win so…" he raised his prize, "I took the upper position!"

Fitzwilliam only reared his head back as he laughed more. The birds above him, who had nest with babies, seemed to be as charmed with Fredrick's victory as Fitzwilliam was with Fredrick! Never in all his life had had had he imagined that Fredrick would have this sense of humor and in this moment, Fitzwilliam needed it more than ever! He thanked God for allowing him to have such a funny brother in law as Fredrick! He continued to laugh as Fredrick scowled, but not in a mocking way, as he asked.

"Uh… root? What do you think?"

When Elizabeth gazed down at her needlework, she heard the front door open.

She swallowed when his tall figure made his way over to her and before long, he was beside her but at a distance which made her pause and in her gesture, she peered up and met his eyes. His fragrance was that of the fresh air outside and she knew he'd been out there hard at work. The way he stared at her and how she was feeling reminded her of something which he had spoken to her not too long ago, though right now, it seemed as if he'd spoken it the other day and his voice whispered, though unspoken now.

"I promise you, Elizabeth, I won't ever hurt you again."

Her heart pounded and she felt her throat twist when he gently took a step towards her, before he reached his hand out and offered it to her. Setting the design down, Elizabeth slowly reached out and placed her hand in Fitzwilliam's and she felt the roughness of the skin but she also felt how muscular he was. How firm they were and how they showed his willingness to sacrifice for her and do anything… even die if the need was called for it. She remembered how he had soothed her when the two had stepped out of the carriage, a few weeks before, after attending the doctor's office; how he had spoken not a word when the news had settled and how she was to accept it. But that had happened two weeks back and the past couldn't be replayed. She swallowed when she read an unspoken message from him. She pressed her lips together and refusing to picture if anyone was watching them, she closed her eyes when his nose and breath, hovered over her before his soft, gentle voice asked.

"Can I make love to you tonight?"

His heart pounded as he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving before he closed his eyes and kissed her soft lips with his. There was nothing more which needed to be spoken as he wrapped her in his arms and tenderly kissed her first. He knew that taking things slow was better than speeding things along but he hadn't experienced this before without first offering up prayer first and then progressing with stepping forward and making love to his wife. He felt her little hands touch his back and he remembered his little girl up in Heaven and the memory of how she had smiled at him, her glowing eyes, like that of a five-year-old, playing with her mama up in Heaven, only made him love his wife more as he passionately kissed her.

He then progressed on to the next part of his love for her and continued to pray as he did. Deep within him, Fitzwilliam hoped and knew that Our Blessed Mother and Lord were pleased that he had offered the gift of drawing closer to God with the loss of his first child and made the decision to draw closer to his wife, Elizabeth. Instead of resenting and growing angry at God, Fitzwilliam knew, as he was making love to her right now, that he had thought well of what he had pondered in his heart with what had happened two weeks before and he felt more at peace than ever before! He swallowed as he drew back and when he saw how Elizabeth relaxed under him, he smiled before he initiated again.

"Funny bush!" Fredrick's voice exclaimed.

"I decided to dig a hole for you and instead? What do you give me?"

He shook his head as he placed his hands on his hips as he exclaimed.

"Tiny, tiny, roots!"

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were standing outside and the two of them laughed when they witnessed how Fredrick, coachman, butler, brother, and now gardener, was speaking to the newest bush that arrived earlier. Elizabeth smiled as she took marveled at her brother as he continued to speak,

"As if you need a talking to!"

All Elizabeth could do was smile when her husband leaned in and asked.

"Does he do this all the time?"

"Only when the plant doesn't give listen to him," she answered as she turned her head to the right and placed it on her husband's chest. The two had stepped outside after being upstairs in their room earlier and they needed the air. Elizabeth was only thankful when she heard Fredrick speaking to those bushes as if he were speaking to his future nieces and nephews. She swallowed when she remembered how Fitzwilliam had been so gentle with her and how she was not closer to him because of what he had explained to her before the two had made love to each other. With her body, she quietly stood next to Fitzwilliam as she heard her brother's voice speak.

"Well… may as well finish what we started, huh? I'm not losing my mind but I believe you need to know how it feels to have tiny roots inside a huge hole! Dug especially for you because my sister's seasonal spring festivities will be happening soon and she needs to make sure you're well presented for her guests!"

He glanced over his shoulder and raised a brow at her. Elizabeth's heart only pounded more when she realized that her head was on her husband's strong chest. She basked in this moment when her eyes met her brother's and he quickly turned away. But he didn't do so without announcing his feelings to her as he cried out/

"Someone's in love!"

Fitzwilliam had to narrow his eyes as he focused on his work.

He didn't wish to injury the teeth but he felt his heart pound when he heard Jim ask.

"Sir? How in the world are you going to clean this one?"

In a low tone, Fitzwilliam answered.

"This isn't a cleaning, Jim; cavity."

The patient underneath him groaned and Fitzwilliam patted the patient's shoulder as he soothed.

"Son? I still don't understand how you managed to allow that to appear but we're going to have to do more than just clean those teeth! This will require a little work."

Both of the men heard the young youth only groan aloud. Cleaning and drilling out cavities were to different procedures and Fitzwilliam remembered how he had studied that at university. He sighed before he asked,

"Jim? Better supply those tools; we'll be using them."

"Right away, sir."

Elizabeth stood outside Hawkswood when the carriage of her husband appeared. She shook her head when her Fredrick leaped down from his coachman's seat and opening the door, he bowed low as he saluted.

"To the master of Hawkswood, may he escort and greet his lady in waiting who is -"

"Oh, hush up!" Fitzwilliam exclaimed as his feet touched the ground. He stared at Fredrick with such a funny expression that all Elizabeth could do was bubble over and laugh. She couldn't help it as the horses neighed in response as Fitzwilliam continued, setting his attention on Fredrick.

"You and your funny sense of humor, Fredrick White!" He had remembered that their last name was White and Elizabeth couldn't help it. She was already starting to understand why Fredrick's sense of humor and wit eased any tension between any party and she was thankful that her husband appreciated his funny side. Fitzwilliam spoke on as Elizabeth laughed.

"Bowing low, Fredrick?"

One of the horses neighed and the carriage gave a jerk backwards. The door which Fredrick was holding hit his back end a little and he jumped and turning around, didn't answer Fitzwilliam's question as he scolded,

"Now, boy?! What was that all about?"

"Best return into the manor before they become a little antsy, Fitzwilliam."

Elizabeth spoke as she reached out and touched her husband's hands. He turned and met her gaze and his softened when she did this. She felt more secure and loved with him than any other man and remembering that he had promised to never again hurt her, Elizabeth's own heart pounded when she recalled how he had spoken to her how he had offered their miscarried baby up to Our Blessed Mother and hoped that they would conceive again and start a family. His masculine body glowed in the afternoon light and she pictured him more as a man of the family, the protector of her heart, spiritual leader, and provider for the Darcy family. Elizabeth's heart felt more at home with him than any other man and the way he made her feel emotionally and physically allowed her to live her life and feel safe. Something which she wanted for so long and buried underneath hurt and pain from others who hurt her feelings in the past, Elizabeth had been touched the evening before when Fitzwilliam had whispered to her his plan and hope and this had broken her wall of reserve and she felt her heart slip into his and her body and soul relaxed.

But then Fredrick's voice interrupted her thoughts as he exclaimed.

"Please don't mind if you two will excuse me; I have some talking to do with these males!"

Fitzwilliam waved his hand in response as he replied, barely leaving his eyes from Elizabeth.

"Go on ahead, Fredrick; those stallions need a great lecture every now and then."

"You're telling me!" his voice exclaimed before he closed the carriage door, made his way over to the lead stallion, who was to the right of the four horses, and taking the halter, gently guided the horses and carriage away from the front entrance of Hawkswood and to the back of the manor. But Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam's gazes were focused on each other and Fitzwilliam's warm, masculine smile soothed and helped Elizabeth feel better and her heart slipped into his chest and his body responded. He took a step closer towards her and when he leaned forward, he closed his eyes, before he planted a kiss on her forehead. Then he wrapped his arm around her upper back as he asked,

"Shall we?!"

Standing up on tiptoe, Elizabeth leaned up and kissed him in response. Words were not necessary.

"How I love it when you swing the bat like that," Fitzwilliam heard Elizabeth muse as he rolled his sleeves up.

The sun was shining and the blue sky was gorgeous and the fresh breeze touched his lips as Fitzwilliam rolled up his sleeves for Elizabeth to see his masculine muscles. Thank goodness that it was the weekend and while the rest of the servants, including silly Fredrick, were busy about tending the grounds for the seasonal spring opening, which would be hosted at Hawkswood on Elizabeth's invitation, Fitzwilliam had decided, that on this Saturday, he would take the liberty of doing something active outside and much to his surprise and amusement, he was touched when he heard Elizabeth compliment him on how he appeared in the light when he swung the baseball bat which he'd fetched out of the shed at the back of the manor. Though Fitzwilliam didn't play the sport much he'd always loved it and in his past time at university, he had swung here and there and played a few times and enjoyed it.

"Though today," he thought as he pulled up the last piece of fabric on his sleeve, "I'm going to simply just bat and swing to allow myself to breath. And with her watching me," he glanced over at Elizabeth and gave her a wink, "I'm more than pleased to have to show off in front of her!"

"Need someone to place the ball down for you to swing?" Elizabeth called; she was standing to the right side of Fitzwilliam and he had already stationed the equipment for the sport as it was. The balls were near him but when he heard her ask this, he paused, and thought a moment. He felt his heart race when he felt the wedding ring on his left finger.

Shrugging his shoulders, he thought aloud.

"Why not?" He gestured with his hand and he felt his heart race again when he heard Elizabeth's excited footsteps make their way over to him and before long, she was beside him, and her eyes twinkled like the morning light. He couldn't help it; he had to lean over and tap her on the cheek. When he did, he heard a voice exclaim.

"Eh…!"

"Oh, hush up, Fredrick!" Fitzwilliam called over his shoulder.

Elizabeth heard this and she narrowed her eyes before she turned around and titling her head to one side, she watched as her brother, who was carrying a shovel, walked past them and she called out,
"Fredrick White! How is it that you're spying on us?"

Her brother whistled as he walked by the couple before he answered,

"Everyone here at the manor's watching, Elizabeth; you and Fitzwilliam have been watched since the moment the two of you were married! And the servants can't help but spread it around town whenever something of delicious word -"

He was interrupted.

"Or called gossip," Fitzwilliam called out as he took hold of the bat.

Elizabeth raised her brows when her husband announced this. She smiled inside as she watched as Fredrick, who was retreating at that point, peered at his brother in law's turned back, as he finished.

"And announce it around town."

"Ha! Enough with all that!" Fitzwilliam exclaimed and Elizabeth heard her husband stomp the bat on the dirt. She knew that the area where he had stationed all his equipment was ready for him to practice and she was anticipating excitement when he was going to do this. But in this moment, she knew that he longed to have her brother excuse himself and leave the two alone. She couldn't blame him and when Fredrick received the message, he silently blew a blow kiss in her direction, which she returned, before she turned back to her husband and waited for him to do what he had informed her about he was going to do.

"Well, Elizabeth?" he asked after a moment. When she felt a hand brush her hair to the side, she glanced up and met his eyes when he finished.

"The batting practice?"

Her hand touched his wrist which was on her cheek as she whispered.

"Most certainly! Show off, Mr. Darcy!"

Fitzwilliam didn't need any further encouragement than that.

"Whew! Hand me that towel, would you please?" Fitzwilliam asked.

He swallowed before he rubbed his eyes with his fingers as the sweat poured down his face. Batting practice and showing off to his wife, which gave him the greatest feelings in the world, Fitzwilliam couldn't believe that the time had passed by so fast! One minute, he was relieved that Fredrick had disappeared and returned to his "gardening", the next, he was batting and hearing Elizabeth place the small balls on the stand for him to swing, while all the time, watching her as he did.

It wasn't in a commanding tone which he had asked her to hand him the towel, which was left at the porch by the manor, it was because Fitzwilliam needed something to wipe down his workout water from his body which was leaving him. He also felt a bit patched but he didn't wish to bother Elizabeth with this request. She was gone and back like a quite dove in a nest, only momentarily leaving her little ones to retrieve a meal for them, before she returned back and wit the towel in her hands, she handed it over to him.

"Ah, thank you so much, Elizabeth!" he exclaimed before he started to wipe down his face. He then proceeded to his neck and ears. He felt parched and he swallowed and a bird above him chirped. He peered up and shaded his eyes a bit.

"Huh," he spoke aloud.

"Do you witness how sweated down I am, too?" he asked the little creature. Even from his distance, Chris could tell that the bird was one of the newly born ones, not yet an adult, but not flying either. He shook his head as he resumed wiping his face down. He sighed as he asked,

"Elizabeth? How long have we been here?"

There was no response and his heart nearly stopped when he glanced up and noticed that her figure was no longer standing near him. He swallowed and he immediately, started to scan the yard, wondering where she'd gone. The towel was still in his hands as he called out.

"Elizabeth?! Where are you?"

He turned around and the bird above him chirped but he ignored it. Where was his wife?

"She was here a second ago," he thought aloud as he turned around. Still there was no sign of Elizabeth and his heart started to beat more.

Then he jumped when a voice suddenly but femininely laughed.

"You sure do have a way of worrying about me."

Turning around, there stood his wife, holding in her hand a huge glass of water.

He blinked and he felt hot under the collar and a little upset as he asked, after a moment's pause.

"Where in the world and how did you do that?"

"How did I do what?" Elizabeth asked softly but her laugh was still present on her lips.

Fitzwilliam felt more uneasy than before. He didn't wish to yell at her but he felt the temptation to so he silently offered a prayer of plea before he answered.

"How did you know I was thirsty? When after a second ago, you were here and then you were gone!"

Elizabeth lowered the glass and her expression softened. As he watched, Fitzwilliam heard Elizabeth answer.

"I noticed you were thirsty early on and when you were staring up at the bird, I took that as my chance to sneak away and surprise you with a glass of water. I'm sorry," she lowered her head slightly but raised it quickly,

"I should have informed you that I was going to do that but I wanted to surprise you!"

His heart was pounding in understanding when Chris watched as Elizabeth returned her attention to him as she added,

"I took the liberty of our little baby bird to distract you to dash over and retrieve the glass for you."

"May I? My throat is so parched!" Fitzwilliam exclaimed in response. He didn't wish to scold or yell at her again and in this moment, all he could hear was the feeling of his throat, which was shouting at him.

"Better soak me with that water or you'll have a hard time swallowing!"

"Water to the rescue!" Elizabeth's voice responded and Fitzwilliam soon was gulping the liquid down. He only closed his eyes when he felt it drip down his throat and touch his skin as he did.

The glass was large and beautiful but it contained enough for him to swallow down and he didn't care what a sight he was making in front of his wife. After all, they were married, were they not?

When he heard footsteps, he opened his eyes and when he met Fredrick's eyes, he shook his head and scowled at him; he had the bat in his hand and he held it up. The minute his brother in law spotted this, his eyes widened and he rushed away. Fitzwilliam's intention was that if heard another peep surface from Fredrick, he would give him a gentle tap on his back side with the bat, but he wouldn't send him flying across to kingdom come! That was something Fitzwilliam had been taught but if he lost his temper, Fitzwilliam knew what the result of it would be. He smiled inside when Fredrick glanced over his shoulder and gave him a brother to brother teasing frown and when he nodded, Chris knew that Fredrick knew of his taunting manner and he was thankful that the two were getting along just finely and that they were liking each other as brother to brother would. Elizabeth seemed to notice this so she only momentarily peered at her brother and she waved. He in turn, as Fitzwilliam continued to drink the liquid, waved back as he did.