My intellectual property is the storyline, all new characters, new character development, and new developments. Glorioux
Chapter 10 Changes
New Direction-New Problems
Darcy closed his eyes and tried to figure out what had gone wrong in his life. He remembered following his uncle's advice on his choice of wife, and now, his life was falling apart. He no longer knew what or who he was; he might be one of those creatures in the secret book. He had been informed that his uncle was not the person he believed; plus, his friends were behaving out of character.
He needed someone to trust, but to whom should he talk?
Everything around was in a turmoil, he had never felt so low. If things were not bad enough, he had been told he wasn't quite human. Of course, the Darcy family was not the same as ordinary people, but nothing like his wife's people.
He didn't want to give up his wife in exchange for another; regrettably, he didn't know what he wanted.
When they left the room, Echtwulf and Leo lowered their voices. "Don't upset her. We have orders to follow, so watch out. And don't be proud, here," Echtwulf gave Darcy a band, a bracelet, "wear it. Call for help if you need it. Just touch it and think that you need help."
Gavin just looked at Darcy like he was nothing; it was a cold, condescending look.
Darcy was fuming; he had never shared a room and had never followed orders if it didn't suit him. It seemed his life had changed, and this time he had to obey. Indeed, his life had taken a wrong turn. I was already bad enough.
George had just arrived and was climbing the steps, when he saw Elizabeth and held his breath.
Darcy growled, "George, she is my wife, careful."
George thought he had seen an angel since he could see her glow."Your wife? She looks nothing like the Bennet I met. My Lady," George bowed gallantly. William Darcy didn't like it; George was much too handsome and charming,
Two of the warriors felt sorry for him, their Lady had that effect on many, but one took notice of George, liking his looks. The Lady was here for a while, perhaps a human lifetime, but one day, she would go to the one she had been promised since before she was born. One of the warriors knew this without a doubt because he could see beyond time. He was there to make sure that she was safe, until such time when she was ready to go. Though, it was undoubtedly a humbling job for one like him, it didn't matter to him. He was here to look out for her, as he should, even if others advised him otherwise.
"Forget the Lady, she is taken." Echtwulf looked at George, not friendly.
George laughed, "I don't poach, we both suffer when others do it to us. Anyway, William, we must talk. It is about Georgiana."
"What now." William sighed and asked.
"She hid in the carriage, I noticed her a while after I left her. Now there is snow everywhere so I couldn't take her back. She is downstairs." George explained.
"I cannot deal with her now. She cannot be here, nobody can see her. They would know; take her to the dower house." William sounded tired.
Grey was watching George, she liked him a lot. He was more than attractive. He might, hmm, yes, he might be the one. She thought and smiled at George. She was tired of being alone.
Smoke looked at her with censure, she was a warrior. Grey ignored her; he was fine and had their blood. Stone shook her head disapprovingly; Grey sighed. Another fool, refusing to give up on an old lover; a lothario who didn't deserve her.
She could do as she wished. All were fools, if not look at Smoke, in love with their lord; she wasn't the only one; she was one of many. He had never strayed, not once after he married, all the other females ceased to exist. His brother was the same; it #was a waste of time.
She saw another pretty female coming and hoped she wasn't her human's lover because he was her, "Mrs. Darcy my pleasure to serve you," Miss Reynolds ran up to Elizabeth.
"You are not needed," Miss Grey indicated. They didn't need help.
"Mr. Darcy?" Miss Reynolds asked.
"Yes, please go," by now Darcy knew better; he was learning.
He went to the library, he needed a drink, urgently. He was going over the last months and what he learned today. He served a large glass of brandy and plopped by the fire. He stared at the flames while he thought.
What a mess, he just found out his uncle was a man to despise. He just couldn't believe what he was told. Now he understood why his father disliked the entire lot. Violating a child, how could he? His father told him how he had been tricked. His mother was not a nice lady and had made his father suffer. His uncle Edmund, his father's twin, despised her. He thought that they both had loved George's mother, what a mess.
Darcy didn't stay long; he was concerned and wanted to see Lizzie. Hurst was up to something. He was worried, during dinner, Louisa Hurst had asked intrusive questions about his wife. Besides, Hurst had already mentioned his cousins. Maybe they had heard her come. Perhaps the cousins had already seen Lizzie's people with their telescope. He needed to tell one of the ones that came.
He went into her room, Elizabeth sat on the bed. She wore a strange nightgown with an equally unusual dressing gown, he had never seen such colors, rather fetching. He noticed how long her hair was; that night it had been braided. "Good night, I'm going to sleep," he walked to the door between the rooms.
"My father wants me to sleep with you; it is important for my safety and the baby's well being. The baby isn't strong because you weren't around. I need to be near you. It isn't my choice, so don't expect more than nearness." Elizabeth sounded imperious.
There were other changes, Darcy had observed. Regardless, she wasn't going to order him, "I sleep alone."
"You better accept it because that is changing." She pointed her open hand and moved a large wardrobe against one door, and, then, moved a dresser against the other door.
The dogs sat by the doors, and the owl perched on a wardrobe to look straight at him. His mouth hung open; she was indeed changed.
"How?" he asked.
"I am my father's daughter." She shrugged her shoulder. "Get on your side and stay there. They," she pointed at the animals, "will keep an eye on you. I am tired."
She stood to take the dressing gown off. She had said all that needed to be said.
Her nightgown was a bit transparent, he could see her body, and at once, he was hard as a rock. Her breasts looked bigger, he thought.
She was his wife, he approached her and reached to touch her.
"Don't touch me. I said sleep. You don't deserve my touchI've seen my parents and my father Bennet and his wife, they are different, passionate but also loving. You forgot how unloving you were."
She didn't add that it had taken her days to feel better, until her promised had healed her sadness, showing her how one behaved with a beloved. Not that they had done more than kissing.
"You are my wife." He insisted; he hadn't learned.
"For now, when the baby is born I will be gone." She exhaled.
"The baby is mine, under our law is mine." He was sure.
She laughed derisively. "Try to stop me, my girl is mine. What will you do with a female child?"
She omitted an important fact, there were two children, a female, and a male, not only a daughter; there was no sense in alerting him. She missed her mother. She wanted family around; hence, she was going to invite her sisters if their father would let them come. He had begged to keep her there.
His father's wife was presenting them during the next season. Jane was a good loving sister again; her sisters were doing well. All but Lydia, who was already in trouble, poor her father. Elizabeth was planning to stay until early May; hopefully, there would be time to see them.
"I am going to sleep." Lizzie was inside the covers.
"Open the doors, I will stay." William said.
She opened them. "The dogs and L'Roy will keep you inside."
That night. her natural scent kept him awake. In the middle of the night after tossing and turning, he went to sleep, finally. Somehow he'd moved closer to her.
Whenever he awoke in the early morning, he felt her leg over his and opened his eyes. Her nightgown had rolled and uncovered her shoulder. She was a vision of beauty with her odd colored hair spread on the pillow. Her face relaxed in her sleep, her fleshy rosy lips were barely open, and her long eyelashes adornes her face. Her hands tucked under her head. She looked much younger, so innocent, like a fairy sleeping in a meadow.
Her beautiful shoulder called him, so he stretched his hand to touch it. He heard a growl over the headrest.
He looked up, the smaller dog sat on top of the headboard, half floating. Darcy ignored it and touched her softly, with his knuckles. Just with that, his cock throbbed, only .with her. Bloody hell, he thought irritated, I have needs.
He only cared about himself and still thought only of himself.
Her eyes opened, and she looked at him, "Good morning," before she could say anything else, she stood up quickly and moved to the private area. She was barely able to reach the chamber pot, on time, to throw up. She retched, nothing but bile and dry heaves.
The only good thing was that he stood up with alacrity to hold the chamber pot. He sat Elizabeth down to run for a towel. He took care of Georgina long enough since she was eight and for the last months, until just days ago.
His wife looked at him gratefully. "Sorry, I wasn't sick before." She looked miserable.
"Nothing to be sorry about; it is the baby." He wet the towel and cleaned her face with great care and tenderness. She didn't recognize her husband; he was another man.
A baby, the idea was growing in him, the solution for Georgina. The reason he married, perhaps, but he knew it was more than that.
"I think we should tell people that twins run in the family." He suggested.
She jumped, twins? How did he know? She stopped herself from saying anything and listened.
"It is time to tell you, my 15-year-old sister is with child..." he wanted to say, 'it was the original reason why I married you, but it is no longer so.' Too bad that his stupid pride kept his lips closed.
"Was that the reason why you needed a wife?" Lizzie asked.
He looked chagrined, "Yes, so you know, the reason I suggested the twin idea is because I was a twin, my sister died before Georgina was born." Darcy looked sad. A nasty thought about his sister crossed his mind, based on what he had just learned; he would think about it later.
Finally, for once, he left his pride aside and looked at her straight on the eye. "My dear, marrying you was the best thing that ever happened to me. To be honest, I forgot that was the reason I married. I am indeed a lucky fellow." He told her the truth.
When she started heaving again, he surprised her by rubbing her back. "Here darling, take a deep breath," he sat her on his lap, and she allowed him.
Elizabeth hadn't lied when she told him that his nearness made her feel better, as well as his touch. It was in her nature because she was carrying his offspring.
He pressed her against his chest, "Shh, my dear, relax, breathe, shh." He caressed her back, not sexually, since he was no longer aroused. He was caring and nurturing with those he cared for, a side of him only a few knew.
Immediately, after he pulled a ribbon, his valet came in, averting his eyes. "Have the kitchen send me tea and dry toast. Hurry, the mistress is sick."
Seconds later, Mrs. Grey was at the door. "What is wrong with my Lady?"
"She had morning sickness," Darcy explained while he rubbed Elizabeth's back gently.
She didn't have knowledge of morning sickness and wasn't sure what to do. Their healing energies might not work not knowing what caused the problem. She needed more time to learn.
Mrs. Reynolds came, "My poor Lady, you drink a little tea and dry toast." Mrs. Stone had followed.
Gavin stood at the door, "Is there a problem?"
"Yes, too many people, she needs quiet," Darcy growled.
Gavin grinned, and Darcy noticed that the being was much too handsome. At once jealousy made him sick. This one was different from the other two, but he wasn't sure how.
Mrs. Grey agreed, "There are too many people. Everyone out, I will consult. She wasn't sick before."
The dogs went out with Gavin, and everyone left. Darcy sighed in relief; there was only one thing to do during the few months he had, he needed to convince her to stay. He wanted to raise his daughter because he couldn't stand the idea of losing his child.
William thought about his uncle, deciding his uncle would never enter this home. William wouldn't let him come near her, not near his wife or child. A seed of distrust was growing and taken hold. Neither his father nor his uncle Darcy had liked uncle Fitzwilliam, not at all.
Hurst had heard the fuzz and tried to get close, but Wind, the large hound, saw him. Hurst was stopped by a giant dog that looked like a wolfhound. The dog snarled threatening, "I hear you. Easy, I am leaving."
At breakfast, Hurst saw the 'guests' and correctly guessed; he thought, they are not from around here. They were all too perfect, fascinating. Maybe we will be lucky. More to help. I hope this is our chance; that was his judgment.
Charles's smile was like a bright sun. "Mrs. Darcy, the loveliest of them all."
Miss Bingley might have coughed but also made calf-eyes to Darcy.
Charles ignored her and got up to kiss Elizabeth's hand when a nasty, loud growl made him back-up.
Wind's hackles were up, and Elizabeth laughed, "It is okay, darling," she said, petting the brute.
Darcy knew an ally when he saw one, so he dropped bacon and other meats for his "allies,' and by the end of breakfast the dogs liked him. Darcy knew that they would keep other males at bay. "Good boys," he praised them. Merlin licked his leg, thanking him and sat on his foot; all was quiet when they heard a loud hoot. It was L'Roy. Miss Bingley screamed, and everyone else laughed.
"It is just L'Roy," Elizabeth chuckled, looking at Miss Bingley mischievously.
Hurst was fascinated. These beings were amazing. Maybe, he could take them around and introduce them. Who knew, maybe the beings might be persuaded to stay long enough, to ask the beings to help.
Elizabeth wasn't done. "He likes breakfast. He prefers meat, mushrooms, maybe a couple more things. Come, sweetie," she called, and the owl winked.
Hurst saw it and was speechless.
She passed L'Roy a bowl with kidneys, mushrooms, and bacon; and Darcy added a bit of beef. L'Roy winked his eye, again, and nodded.
Darcy grinned, good, another to help him to keep his guests on their place.
"So do you have a menagerie, how bourgeoise, pretending to be somebody." Miss Bingley retorted viciously.
Echtwulf growled, "I would watch what I said about our Lady; you have no idea who, she is."
Leon bared his teeth.
"Since when do you have protectors? What are you now, a duchess?" Miss Bingley asked haughtily, accenting 'a duchess.'
"Mr. Bennet raised her," Gavin added, his voice cold, looking at her as if she were rubbish. "He was charged with her care. She is special, very, much more than a duchess; so you would do well watching your words. You will be sorry if you continue this path.
When he finished, Miss Bingley snorted, she and Louisa looked at each other smirking, wishing to mock Gavin. Both disliked how the handsome elegant gentlemen protected the country mouse. They loathed her new clothes, the best quality, probably foreign made. They could see how pretty she was and made them meaner. But what Caroline hated the most was how Mr. Darcy looked at his wife, the undeserving country maiden.
Hurst pinched Louisa, and she listened. He whispered, "No siding with Caroline, do it or else!" Most of the table heard the threat. He didn't understand what was going on with his wife, she was behaving secretive, peculiar. He had to observe more, aware her hated sister was particularly nasty, lately. Even if Louisa didn't understand his objectives, she could ruin it all. It was a chance in a lifetime, one they believed impossible. His cousins might be right, the Bingley were trouble.
This is going to be a long breakfast, Darcy thought; he couldn't wait to be finished because he didn't like how Charles was looking at his wife, it was just too much. He wanted them gone; otherwise, his chances to Lizzie were second to none. Besides, he wanted to wring Caroline's neck, daring to distress his wife, his manners were practically gone.