Free A Summer Shame by Elizabeth Ann West Page B

their little picnic.
    "I'm telling you, when I was younger, I could offer food to any of the creatures and they would come to my hand!" Darcy blew out a frustrated breath, before beginning to crawl and tackle the still laughing Mrs. Darcy. As Elizabeth playfully fought off her husband's affection, she struggled to restore her decorum.
    "Perhaps . . . perhaps it was the squirrels' father you knew so well and the son is suspicious!" She lost her countenance into another fit of laughter making her husband growl and silence her lips with a kiss. The summer grounds of Starvet House had provided a reclusive retreat for the couple during the few hours they could find privacy. As Darcy returned to a sitting position, Elizabeth remained laying with her feet in the water on the thick blanket they had situated right at the water's edge. The clouds drifted lazily above in a sky of pure blue.
    "I'm not so sure I wish to ever leave Scotland, sir. The idea of living in London after enjoying this idyllic place leaves a poor taste in my mouth. Must we go back?"
    Darcy cleared his throat, smiling at his own bonny lass captivated by the spell of the northern country. "Enjoying our honeymoon is what I hoped for, but wait until your first sight of Pemberley." Darcy rolled to his side and rested next to his wife, blowing his warm breath on her neck as he described to her the vistas and charms of his home estate. "Starvet House indeed lures a person's soul to the bliss of nature, but Pemberley captivates you, and will never let you go."
    Nestled in her husband's arms, Elizabeth sighed at the metaphors he painted, knowing it was also his way of telling her she belonged to him. Closing her eyes in the gentle sunlight, their rest only disturbed by the sound of a horse approaching. Scrambling to right her dress and position, her husband stood to approach the rider he recognized as one of his own servants.
    Elizabeth watched from afar as her husband's body language stiffened and he hastened quickly back to their picnic. Awaiting his return, Elizabeth began to return the dishes and food to the basket as Darcy said not a word and shook out the blanket.
    "Is there something so very wrong?"
    Darcy pressed his lips and nodded. "She is recovering, but your sister had a fall down the stairs."
    "Heavens!" Elizabeth doubled her efforts to pack everything up quickly and did not wait for her husband's assistance to load her portion of the picnic on Zanzibar. She mounted just before him and with her new riding skills, rode like the wind the few miles back towards the manor house. When she glanced behind her, she need not worry, Mr. Darcy's mount Paladin was not very far behind.
     
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    Bowling on the greens of Matlock had to be the most exasperating game in the world if you asked Jane Bennet. The only sister to retreat to the countryside with her adoptive family, Jane had no designs to comfort their mother as Mary did, especially since now it was clear to her that Mrs. Bennet was directly responsible for the tedious social position the entire Bennet family found themselves in. As Jane wound her arm with gusto, she rolled the ball towards the pins only to narrowly miss for a third time.
    "Poor luck, Miss Bennet. Poor luck." The Viscount Torrington offered to instruct her on her aim, and Jane gritted her teeth as the handy man stood too close to instruct her on swinging her arm, back and forth, much like she already was doing, while keeping his other hand more on her posterior than waist for guidance.
    "Thank you, my lord. I shall endeavor to roll my bowl with greater care on my next turn." She nearly insulted the man with the force she tore herself away and began to walk back towards the refreshment table. Covering her eyes with her hand since the new bonnet fashion had nary a brim to it, she searched for Lady Matlock on the far side of the yard playing a round of croquet with some of the other house party members. Jane wished her sponsor was