Read Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice for Free Online Page A

challenge . . .” Darcy’s hand found a similar position on her bottom and rubbed without the slightest hint of delicacy. 
    “Will!”
    “Hmm?”  His hand dipped down and she felt a cold breeze blowing on the back of her legs. 
    “Fitzwilliam!” 
    Letting go of her skirt, his palm rubbed purposely upwards and finished with a pinch.  She jumped and stared at him.  “Are we not amused, Mrs. Darcy?”
    “We are not, Mr. Darcy.”  She glared.
    “What a shame, I most certainly am.”  Lovingly, he caressed over her bottom.  “mmmm, so tasty .”  Darcy winked and taking her hand in his, he squeezed just as the man arrived. 
    “Good day, sir.  Are you Mr. Darcy?” 
    “I am.  You must be Mr. Ferguson?”  Seeing him nod, he turned to Elizabeth as he dismounted.  “Dearest, this is Sommerwald’s steward, Mr. Andrew Ferguson.  Sir, this is my wife, Elizabeth Darcy.”
    “Mrs. Darcy, congratulations on your wedding.”  He turned back to his master, “It is a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, sir.  We have exchanged so many letters, I was sure that I could imagine your every feature, and naturally, I was entirely wrong.”  He laughed. 
    “Who did you expect to see?”  Elizabeth smiled at the good-natured man with bright red hair. 
    “Ahh, now that I think of it, I was picturing my grandfather.  A stern, but fair man.” 
    “I think that describes you well, Mr. Darcy.” 
    “Unsympathetic?”  The furrow appeared between his brows. 
    “Determined.”  She smiled and looked back to the steward.  “I suppose that you have much to discuss with my husband, now that you do have him here.” 
    “I intend to take advantage, I admit, madam.  I was going to suggest a ride together in the morning, Mr. Darcy?  The boys will be driving the sheep through the river to prepare for the shearing.”  He looked at him expectantly. 
    Darcy saw Elizabeth’s nodding head out of the corner of his eye and inwardly smiled.  “I think that is an excellent idea, just plan to take it slowly, I am recovering from a bruised rib.” 
    “Ahh, nasty, that.  I was kicked in the chest once by a mule.”  He shuddered.  “Well it is not Pemberley, sir, so we should not be out that long.”
    Elizabeth looked around her at the numerous stone walls and seemingly empty horizon.  “How big is Sommerwald?  I confess that when my husband told me we were going to a lodge, I expected a snug cabin in the middle of a forest, not a stone house in the centre of a field.  It is the size of Longbourn!”
    “It sits in the centre of two hundred acres, love.”  Both men laughed when she stared.  “It has to be self-sustaining; otherwise I could not afford to keep it, despite the rents.” 
    “Ah that is something else we have to discuss, sir.”  Ferguson said significantly.  “But it will keep for tomorrow.  I’ll let you get on with your walk.”  He went to the horse and climbed back on.  “Good evening to you both.”  He touched his hat and galloped away. 
    Elizabeth and Darcy watched him, their hands naturally finding their way together again.  “Two hundred acres, this is not a lodge, Will.” 
    He brushed his fingers along her cheek.  “Perhaps one of our sons may live here one day.”  Their eyes met and drawing her back into his arms, they looked over their land.  “We will see.”
     
    “SO YOU ARE TRAVELLING to Matlock to make a decision?”  Judge Darcy settled back in his chair and regarded Richard carefully.  “You seem to be at a great crossroads in your life.” 
    “That I am.”  He said quietly.  “I am not afraid of responsibility or difficulty.  I have certainly had my fair share of both over the past few years.  It is odd, being in this position.  I was raised with no expectation of being the heir, and . . . here I am with my very much alive elder brother practically demanding that I take his place!”  The distaste in his expression was absolutely