Read Online Darcy's Temptation by Regina Jeffers - Free Book Online

her hand to lead her back to the house.
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    Two days later, the Darcys lost Bingley and Jane, as well as the Gardiner family. “Must you go so soon, Jane?” Elizabeth nearly pleaded.
    â€œMy uncle and my dear Charles both agree we should take advantage of the dry weather and milder temperatures,” Jane reasoned. “We will travel together as far as Hertfordshire, assuring safety in case we need each other.”
    â€œI know it is best, but I do so miss your company.”
    â€œYou have Mr. Darcy now, Lizzy. He is your family as Charles is mine.” Jane’s practical nature showed.
    Elizabeth countered,“That does not mean I miss you less, Jane.”
    â€œWe will return in the spring when the weather permits.”
    â€œYour stay must be an extended one then. I am told Pemberley in the spring must resemble Heaven itself; we will enjoy it together. I should be quite pleasingly plump by then.” Elizabeth’s playful attitude returned.
    Their aunt entered to check on Jane’s progress in packing. “Our husbands wish to leave soon.”
    â€œIt is my fault. I hoped if I delayed the packing, I might be able to spend another day with my sister and you.”
    â€œElizabeth,” Mrs. Gardiner said, taking her hand, “we all know Mr. Darcy will be able to fill your time when we leave. Besides, you have Kitty and Georgiana now.”
    â€œBut it does not keep me from needing you,” Elizabeth protested.

    â€œYour uncle and I will return before your confinement; we would not want to miss such a happy occasion. He and Mr. Darcy already discussed how they might entice the bigger fish from the lake.”
    â€œMen!” Elizabeth laughed.
    â€œThey are strange creatures,” Mrs. Gardiner added.
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    Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana spent several hours each day with estate business. Georgiana rode her favorite horse while Darcy took Elizabeth out in a curricle or a phaeton; he would not let her ride the horse he bought her when they first came to Pemberley.“It is too dangerous now you are with child.”
    â€œYes, my Husband,” Elizabeth agreed, yet she playfully rolled her eyes when Darcy looked away.
    The women as before added a new dimension to how Darcy looked at his estate. His decisions did not waver, nor did his resolve, but he reviewed issues and problems with different perspectives, often hearing Georgiana’s and Elizabeth’s voices in his head.The ladies developed a new respect for him; Darcy held direct responsibility for the well-being of everyone on the estate, as well as indirect influence on the surrounding community and Derbyshire itself.
    â€œAt age three and twenty Fitzwilliam assumed control over all this.” Georgiana gestured to the landscape rolling out in front of them. “Plus, he became responsible for me at the same time. When I look at all he learned from the time he was eighteen to the time of our father’s death, I am surprised he functions in such an exemplary manner.”
    Elizabeth slid her arm around Georgiana’s waist and acknowledged, “If I knew what Fitzwilliam faced every day, I could have seen past his preoccupation with being right; our journey to find each other could have been more pleasant.”
    â€œI doubt that could happen,” Georgiana offered as they waited for Darcy to rejoin them.

    Elizabeth looked at her in surprise.“Really?”
    â€œFitzwilliam had to go through the pain to know your love could save him. Because he has always been in charge, my brother needed you, Elizabeth, to show him what he wanted was not what he needed .”
    â€œYou are growing up too quickly, Georgiana,” Elizabeth chuckled. Hearing Darcy return from the trail sprawling in front of them, Elizabeth turned back toward him. “Did you find the problem with the stream?”
    â€œA large tree tumbled across the opening. I’ll have Mr. Howard send some men out here to