Chapter 18

Darcy appeared some fifteen minutes later with Jimmy tucked in the saddle in front of him. Edda saw them before Elizabeth did and jumped up and began waving around, calling to Jimmy once again. Elizabeth reached out her hand and touched the girl on the arm. "Hush, Edda. They have seen us. You do not want to scare Mr. Darcy's horse."

Edda moved back to the bench and sat down. One could tell from looking at her though that she was vibrating with excitement. "I wish I could ride the horse. Jimmy is going to be insufferable that he got to ride and I don't."

Elizabeth laughed as Darcy came to a stop in front of the ladies. "Wife, how are you?" He asked as he dismounted and handed Jimmy down. "I am well, husband. Miss Edda here has been helping me navigate the city. With the exception of being very tired and a wee bit peckish we are well."

Darcy could not help but swoop her up in his arms and kiss her within an inch of her life. "Do not disappear on me again, wife. I have not slept since you went missing. Georgiana is unconsolable that you disappeared when you were supposed to be together."

Elizabeth put one hand to her bosom and clung to him with the other. "I am well now, dearest. However, there is one small thing I need you to do before we head home."

"Anything for you my love." He stated adamantly.

Elizabeth grinned at him. "Miss Edda here would like a ride on your horse. She says Jimmy will be insufferable if he is the only one to get to ride."

The smile on Jimmy's face at getting to ride such a beautiful beast loaned testament to Edda's words.

Darcy turned to Edda and gave her a bow. "Miss Edda, it would be my pleasure to let you ride my horse." Having said that he lifted Elizabeth up into the saddle and swept the little girl up in front of her. The walk back to Darcy House went by rather quickly.

He lifted Elizabeth down and clung to her for several seconds before letting her feet touch the ground. As a footman came around to take the horse back to the stable Darcy told the footman to take the two children back to the kitchens and have cook provide a meal for them before they left.

The children were so excited to be fed they forgot to ask for their payment. Mrs. Darcy cleared her throat as they began to walk away and they turned back to her. Her brow went up, "Are you forgetting something?" She asked.

Edda cocked her head like a little bird as she though things through. "Oh!" She finally spoke. Holding out her hand she grinned up at the pretty lady who was being so nice to her.

Darcy laughed. "How much did Mrs. Darcy promise you, miss Edda?"

The little one practically glowed as she said, "Mum promised me a crown."

He pretended to be horrified. "No! She did not. That is not near enough for all the help you and Mr. Jimmy have provided." Edda was adamant that that was enough. Neither she nor Jimmy argued when he handed them two crowns each.

While the children were eating their meal, Darcy sent for the constable. He was beyond angry with Winnifred Kraft having the audacity to kidnap Elizabeth and threaten her. The constable thought it was convenient that the children were still there and would probably lead him back to Winnifred's house.

When all the legal maneuvering was done Darcy took his wife into his arms and carried her upstairs for some bonding time. He had ordered her a bath and dismissed the maid so he could have his wife all to himself. He needed reassurance that she was home and safe. He was doing his best to hold back on stripping her bare and taking her just to reassure himself she was there.

Elizabeth caressed his jaw as he stripped her out of her gown and tossed it on the floor beside the tub. "Dearest, there is something you need to know."

He drew back and savored her lips with his for endless minutes. Finally, he felt like he could control himself. "What my darling?"

"My courses have come." She bent her head so she did not have to bear his disappointment.

"What did that woman do to you when she took you from the book seller?"

Tears made their way down her cheeks as she whispered. "I do not know, Dearest. I was subdued rather easily because she stuffed a rag with chloroform on it over my nose. When I woke up my stomach was cramping and when I used the chamber pot I had already started a heavy flow."

Darcy pulled her close and held her. "We know that you were almost a month late so chances are whatever she poisoned you with caused a miscarriage." He looked down into her tear-filled eyes and said, "She has destroyed her last life. I intend to see her hung along with Helia Kraft."

"Fitzwilliam, do not be bitter. We do not know if the chloroform she used caused me to miscarry or if I was just late. We cannot let people like her steal our joy."

Darcy caressed her arms as he pulled away slightly. "I will let you bathe and tend to your needs. Come to me when you are ready. I need to at least hold you."

"Please send Molly to me when you go downstairs."

Darcy smiled but thought twice about swatting her on the butt for being cheeky. He did not want to embarrass her regarding her courses although he felt randy enough to disregard her delicate condition and mate with her anyway. He dropped another kiss on her pouting lips before stepping back from her. "Mrs. Darcy, do not look at me like that. I am tempted to throw a towel down on the bed and take you despite your being indisposed."

His eyes narrowed as he saw a flicker of interest in her gaze. "Do you want?" He managed to say before Elizabeth rose on her tiptoes and began desperately kissing him. He pulled away after ravaging her mouth.

Her breathing was erratic and she was clutching him convulsively as she mumbled, "Yes." In a desperate voice.

He finished stripping her and then removed his clothes. Stepping into the tub he picked her up and lifted her in also. "Come, sit down." He rasped. His hands pulled her down into the hot water and began caressing her all over. The water was barely warm when they finally left it. Darcy was grateful for the plumbing in the master suite that allowed the water to drain out without the servants having to carry the water back down the stairs. He was not embarrassed to love his wife physically when she needed him, he just felt that it was no one else's business what they did in the privacy of their chambers.

Elizabeth was content to let him lift her out of the tub and dry her off. Her lassitude was such that she staggered to her commode and pulled out her feminine products. She thought nothing of dressing in front of him. Darcy, in turn, watched his wife as she dressed and felt a renewed surge of lust. She was the epitome of feminism to him. Her figure might have been what most men would call light and pleasing, he adored her small breasts that he could cradle in his hands. Her tiny waist was almost so small that he could span it with both hands. Her hips were tapered over slender thighs although her buttocks curved outward nicely. She had the body of an athlete because she was. Others might make light of her being an accomplished walker, the truth was she often took off running when no one was looking.

He helped her into a night shift and bundled her into bed. "Let me go down to the kitchen and get you some food. Are you able to stay awake, love?" He asked.

"Yes, Dearest. I am hungry and would like some food."

When he made it back upstairs some fifteen minutes later she was clinging to his pillow and sleeping soundly. He shook his head in bemusement and set the food down on the table next to the window, stripped out of his heavy clothes and slid into bed beside her. With him in the bed, she let loose of the pillow and cuddled into her husband.