Chapter Seventy-two

 

 

…You’re insatiable…

 

The next day, David, Cecilia, and Watson boarded Pemberley Two, headed for London. Shortly after takeoff with Watson secured in the front sitting room, David and Cecilia comfortably situated themselves in the bedroom of his Lear jet for privacy.

They discussed their plans as David held Cecilia close, her head resting on his shoulder. “I’m going to put an announcement in The Sunday Times soon after we arrive. When we return to Charleston, will you do the same there, and do you think we could be married in your family church?”

“I think it can be arranged. I’ll place the announcement and speak with the parish rector. I’m sure Bishop Lowndes would be pleased to marry us, but I don’t want a society wedding. I will not be put on public display. I only want our closest friends and family there. I have no family of my own, but of course, I consider Daniel Russell and the Chaplins to be family.”

“I’m relieved about the wedding since I don’t like public displays either, but you are wrong about one thing. You’ll soon have more family than you can imagine. I have several cousins, aunts, and uncles who will love you. When we’re in England, we’ll have a formal dinner to announce our engagement to my family.”

“That sounds good to me. I’m looking forward to meeting them.” Cecilia snuggled closer with her head resting on David’s chest just under his chin. “I still can’t believe this is real. We are getting married, and you want to live in Charleston. I wouldn’t have thought you would ever leave England.”

David kissed the top of her head. “You can’t leave Charleston, but I can leave England. Since Pemberley Estate and Darcy House belong to Fitzwilliam, I have nothing holding me there. You have your business, your father’s research and historical work, and four homes in South Carolina, so it just makes sense that Charleston should be our home. My personal preference would be to live at Carlton House in the winter, but what would you say about spending the summer at James Island? Then, perhaps, we can use the townhouse whenever we need to be in town. What do you think?”

“Oh, I would love that. James Island is beautiful in the summertime. I only lived in town because it was convenient.”

David looked at her with a warm smile. “I’m glad we agree on that then, for I want our children to learn to ride and grow up in the country. I believe it gives one a greater appreciation for the land. I want to stock the libraries with works of literature, history, and philosophy. I want our children to have the same education Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, and I had. We can do some of the teaching ourselves, if you would like, and we can hire tutors as needed until they’re old enough to attend the prep school you attended. With your MBA from Harvard and my undergraduate degree from Oxford, we would do well,” he said, glancing down at her with a smile. “If you disagree with any of this, tell me. I want you to be happy with whatever we do.”

Cecilia propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him intently. “So far I agree with you on everything, but you had better inspect our libraries before you buy any books. They may not be in as much need as you think. And I do want our children to have a classical education. It’s been years, but I can read and write Greek and Latin, and I speak Spanish and French fluently. I’ve read all of the classics, and I’m familiar with more than just Southern history. I was educated in the classics at a Jesuit school. My father saw to that.”

David eyes twinkled. “I thought as much. There’s a lot more to you than one notices upon first acquaintance. And you’re right; I’ll have to inspect our libraries. In fact, I haven’t even been interested in such things for many years. It was always Fitzwilliam who took an interest in books, but now I have a reason to have that interest myself.”

David shifted about on the bed for a comfortable spot. “I’m going to bring my cars, personal horses, and shooting dogs with me when we return, and I want to acquire a set of hounds. Asa Smith wants to introduce me to coon hunting. I’ve looked into it, and it looks interesting. He says that Walkers and Redbones are the best breeds for that. He tells me they fox hunt here, too.”

She looked at him and laughed. “Yes, that’s right,” she said. “They’ll make a Southern gentleman out of you yet! As for hounds, they’re not hard to find. As soon as we’re settled in, I’ll take you to some of the best breeders in the South. We’ll get you a set of whatever you want and a bloodhound for me.”

“I’ll hold you to it, Lawton. From what I’ve seen, a farm is not complete without some kind of hound. We’ll get a pair of each and a bloodhound for you. I want to breed them, and after talking with Solomon, I think I’ll explore horse breeding, too.”

He hugged her and gave her a gentle kiss. “Now, I’d like to select your engagement ring and our wedding bands whilst we’re in London. Would you like to come with me, or do you want me to surprise you?”

“I think I’ll come along.”

“Very well, we’ll go together then. Also, I’m entitled to some of my family’s estate jewelry, and I want to choose several pieces for you. I thought you might like to have one of the family wedding sets. There are many precious gems, as well as diamonds and pearls.”

“I will look, and we can choose together. There are several heirloom pieces in my family as well that were worn mostly during the season.”

“That’s when these pieces were worn. My mother would wear them when she was in London attending some social function or other.”

He paused for a moment, turning and looking her directly in the eye with a more serious countenance. “I want you to know that I plan to retire from Darcy Enterprises to work for you, but I will remain on the board of directors for Fitzwilliam’s sake, and I’ll still retain a joint controlling interest of the company. I’m also going to put your name on everything I own and control concerning Pemberley, PLC.”

“David, I’m honored that you would consider that, but it isn’t necessary.”

“On the contrary; it’s very necessary. In case something should happen to me, I want you to carry on in my stead. It would also secure my interests in Pemberley for any children we should have. I trust you in this.”

“I can see the logic behind it, and I suppose we will need to talk about Lawton, too. I don’t plan to have a prenuptial for the same reason. I trust you.”

David laughed as she gave him a hug. “I have dreams for your company, Cecilia. I want to build a legacy for our children, and I’m willing to invest half of my cash inheritance into Lawton. I would like to see you go into the international markets more heavily than you already are. That’s my field of expertise with Darcy Enterprises. I believe you need to expand your import/export business and contract to have your cotton processed yourself instead of selling it raw. We’ll have to go overseas to have that done, and then we can market the cloth to top designers. With your shrewd business sense and expertise, along with my import/export knowledge, we can go far towards expanding your family business. What do you think?”

“I’m listening, and I’m very interested. Tell me more.”

He smiled and nodded. “I’ve been studying your rice and cotton foundations. We need to accelerate those projects. There is a big demand for the cotton cloth. You need to plant all the available land you have. I know it’s still in the developmental stages, but you already have the best cotton on the market. You need to go with it now. Don’t wait. As for the Carolina Gold, I’ve researched the markets there, too. In its day, it was the world’s leading rice. It can be again.”

She wrinkled her brow. “I’m encouraged about the rice, as I’ve thoroughly researched it myself, but do you really think we can compete with the Egyptian and Pima cottons?”

“Yes, I do. Months ago, I mentioned it to a couple of my associates in London who contacted some of the top designers in New York, Paris, and Milan, and they will take all we can sell them.”

She reached up and brushed a lock of hair from his brow. “Then it will be your project. We’re planting fifteen hundred acres this year, and I’m buying all the land I can as it becomes available. If you think you can market the cotton, then go for it.”

He tightened his embrace. “There’s one other thing. I know you haven’t gone public with the company, and I also know what a headache it is to do so, but you might want to consider it. You’d make an excellent CEO, and you know I’ll be there to help you every step of the way if you ever decide to take Lawton in that direction.”

She dropped her lashes, tapping her fingers on her lower lip. “I have been thinking about it for several years now. Daddy didn’t want to take that step because he would lose control by giving power to the stockholders, but the benefit is that I wouldn’t have to work as hard. I believe Daddy’s heavy drinking and his pouring himself into Lawton shortened his life. I’ll think about it, and then we’ll talk. I want you to learn everything you can about Lawton, and we’ll discuss this again.”

“After our honeymoon.”

“Yes.” She chuckled and nodded in agreement.

Smiling, she reached to take his hand. “David, I couldn’t be more pleased at how well we complement one another. I know how good you are in the business world, and now that you’re willing to work for me, I get an international business partner as well as a husband. I am indeed fortunate.”

“And I get a shrewd businesswoman as well as a wife who is GIB.”

“GIB?”

“Good in bed,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“So that’s important in the bargain, hmm?”

“Very—perhaps the most important.” he teased, pulling her on top of him.

“Sometimes I think you can’t get enough. You’re insatiable.”

“It’s been five months, Lawton.”

“Didn’t you see anyone while you were in London?”

“Lawton, I won’t ask you about Cameron if you don’t ask me about London.”

“You’re incorrigible!”

“Do I hear any complaints?”

“None!”