by Wells, Linda
“Then keep me occupied.” He patted the bed and held up his limp member. “Give us a kiss.”
“Pig.”
He laughed and took another long draw. “I believe I was called a stallion last night.”
“Now you are a worm.”
Wickham snorted. “A one-eyed worm.” He relaxed and looked at the paper he had thrown to the floor the night before. “Insufferable bitch.”
“What?” Dorothy glared.
“Not you. Caroline.” He spat her name. “Now what am I supposed to do? My name is known in every circle as one to be avoided thanks to her.”
“Can you blame her?” She picked up the nightdress and put it on. “I am surprised she did not ask more questions and find you out sooner.”
“Well that was the beauty of it, I think that she knew something was not quite right with me, but that connection to Darcy, that was what drove her.” He puffed again. “Prig.”
“She would marry you to get revenge on him?”
“No, no, she thought it would get her into Pemberley, the first circles, she thought we were the best of friends. What her plans were from there is anybody’s guess. I do not know if she planned to just use the connection to move up in society or if she actually thought she could seduce him.” Wickham snorted. “As if that would happen, that little girl he married is quite the tasty morsel. Caroline had nothing on her; of course, I never got to taste her …”
“Too bad, you could be a married man now.” Dorothy grinned.
“I would have dropped her the second I had the dowry.” He laughed. “I was hanging on for that, God I wished I could just once have told her to shut up and stop her yammering about Darcy! Damn him! That is the fourth time he has crossed me!”
“Fourth?”
“The inheritance, the extra funds, the club, and now the wedding, throw in his damned wife on top of it. The bastard gets everything he wants. It isn’t fair; everything is handed to him on a salver.”
She laughed. “What do you expect? He is the HEIR!”
“Heir my … I want what is mine.”
“Yours?” Dorothy shook her head. “How many years did you fleece his father? Poor bereaved man; and you got that education from him! Weren’t you presented at court?”
“No, he died, and I could never talk him into it before then, he didn’t forget that I am no gentleman.” Wickham sighed. “The best time was when Darcy was gone on his Grand Tour; I was the favoured son then. I spent hours in his study listening to him reminisce, and entertaining his daughter.”
“You did not. You visited when your pocket was light. You are no man to hang about for no reason.”
“I did sit with him, well for a short while until he tossed me a coin. I still say that Darcy owes me more, but fat chance of prying it from him now, not after Caroline.” Wickham eyed her. “You know too much of me.”
“You mean that I know enough not to be taken in by your charms.” She laughed.
He shrugged and waved his growing member at her. “I have to find somewhere to hide out until I can reappear with a new persona. Care for a husband for awhile? I could be Mr. Younge.”
“Tempting, but I accepted a position in a girls’ school this autumn.” She smirked. “No men allowed.”
“Not a companion? Or was it governess?”
“Maybe I will try that next. For now I am the sewing mistress.” She shrugged and he rolled his eyes. “Well it will be payback for all the lessons I had to endure. I look forward to bossing around the little heiresses.”
He grabbed her and dragged her back into the bed. “Hmm, well until then, I will remain here, and you can endure me.”
21 JULY 1809
Three days ago would have been our wedding day, and today we would have just arrived at Pemberley. For all of the reasons that the 18th of July is not to be our anniversary, as difficult as they were to bear at the time, I am grateful that we married sooner. How could I have missed these weeks as the husband of Mrs. Darcy? I wonder even more so how we could possibly have remained chaste, although admittedly the past five days have been a miserable reminder of the time before we were married. Elizabeth promises that it is over today. I intend to celebrate that fact enthusiastically.
Elizabeth giggled when she read his entry then walked back into the mistress’ bedchamber and headed for her dressing room. “Poor dear man. First he is terrified that I am dying, then when I am not, he is so miserable to be without me.”
Hearing the sound of boots striding across the chambers, she looked up to see him standing in the doorway with her journal in hand, his finger stuck in the page. Darcy held the book out to her. “It is over? You said that it is over!”
“You read my journal?” Elizabeth lifted her hand to her breast in mock horror. “My private thoughts and feelings? Why Fitzwilliam, how could you?”
“Do not toy with me Wife!” He growled and entering the room, scanned over her dressing table, scooped up a handful of ribbons, fashioned a hideously misshapen knot out of them, kissed it, and stuck it into the book. “There! Now you know I read it!” Darcy dropped the book and grabbed her and held her tight to his chest. “You are free of this …malady now?”
“I am.”
Darcy kissed her hard; there was no hint of romance, only raw desire. “You are well? You are able to … we can …”
“Yes.” Elizabeth squealed when he immediately picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down so that her legs dangled over the edge; and spread open her robe. “Will … what … ohhhhhhh.” Her eyes closed when he leaned over and magically grew a hundred hands that seemed to touch her everywhere at once while his mouth devoured hers, then found its way to the wildly pulsing spot on her neck. Elizabeth’s back arched under his relentless care and when he thrust into her, she gratefully wrapped her legs around his waist. Darcy braced himself on the bed and stared down at her, his mouth slightly open, and his heavy breath blowing wisps of hair around her face. It was not long at all before his eyes squeezed shut and they both found release. When the shudders ended, he opened his eyes to find the soft expression that always came over Elizabeth’s face after they had loved. He leaned down to kiss her gently.
“Dearest.”
“What came over you?” She smiled then laughed at what greeted her when she opened her eyes. “You are still clothed.”
“You just noticed?” He chuckled and kissed her again before standing and looking down at his sorry appearance. “Oh Lizzy, I am hopeless, surely you know that by now? I have warned you of my feelings.”
“If your feelings continue this way, we will not have episodes like this to endure for long.” She smiled and stood. “Let me get a cloth.”
Darcy watched her go, and feeling fingers of fear wind around his heart, followed her into the dressing room where she was wringing out a damp cloth. She began to clean him, but he stopped her movement and held her hands. “What do you know of becoming with child?”
“What … Well, that they come when … Well, what we just … Why do you ask? Surely I do not need to explain this to you?” She tilted her head and smiling, caressed his cheek. “We have only been married a month, please do not become discouraged already, Fitzwilliam. We will have our babies. Do not worry.”
She found herself inside of his arms in a moment, and his face pressed onto her shoulder. “I love you.”
“I love you.” She said softly, and embraced him every bit as tightly, and quickly deduced the problem. “Are you hoping that I go on suffering my … malady forever?” She felt his nod and stroked over his back. “But then we would not have the joy of seeing our children grow. I want to know if our son will have your solemnity or be an unending source of worry when he wanders off to chase a whim. I want to know if our daughter will be a handful, challenging every convention or if she will be the perfect example of the proper miss. I want to see our children wrap their stern father around their fingers and make him laugh with joy. Why would you want to wish this away? As much as
I have come to admire your mother for producing you and for all I now know she did for this home and wish to be like her, I am not she.”
“You will not leave me?” He said into her hair. “Do you promise? I cannot bear the thought, let alone the reality if it would happen. Perhaps, perhaps we should not …”
“Do you truly believe that you could never love me again? I could not bear to be without you any more than you could stand to hold back from me.” She hugged him. “Oh Will, what has come over you today?”
“You are so young, it only means that the chances of you becoming with child are so much greater, and it will happen so many more times. Every time will be another risk. Every time I might lose you, and it would be my fault for putting you in danger because of my desires.”
“So you made a mistake, did you not? You should have married an old woman who you could not stomach touching.” She listened and heard nothing but his sniff. “What are you thinking about?”
“The day we finally met, in the park?”
“Yes.”
“I came back to learn your address, and you were talking with your aunt and sister. You were holding your cousin Benjamin’s hand, and Amy was peeking around your skirts. Do you remember?”
“Yes, I do.” Elizabeth rubbed his back. “Did that make you think that …”
“One day that would be our children. It struck me so forcefully then.”
“Then do not be afraid.”
“Are you?” He asked softly. “Honestly dearest, are you?”
“Not yet.” She laughed and at last he lifted his head, and rested his forehead on hers. “I cannot fear the chance of something happening; ask me again when I am in the throes of labour and cursing you ever touching me.”
Darcy smiled a little and chuckled. “Would you really do that?”
“I have heard tales of it, but of course they were from Mama so again, you must consider the source.” She smiled and caressed his face. “Please do not worry until there is reason to, and please, do not hold back from me.”
“I do not think that I can.” He kissed her and hugged her tightly. “I am a mess.” Elizabeth laughed and he drew away to smile. “What is it?”
“Well, you are a mess, as am I. Shall we continue what we started?” She held out the damp cloth that was still in her hands.
He took it from her and put it down, then untied her robe and began to caress her curves. “I do think that we need to continue what we started.”
“Fitzwilliam, we are due at the Henley’s home in two hours!” She protested.
“It takes an hour to travel there.” He murmured and began to suckle her throat.
She squealed and batted him away, “NO! I will not meet the neighbours with … with love bites on my neck!”
“Just one?” He grinned and kissed her again. “A little one. Just for show?”
“Infuriating man!” She cried and wriggled out of his grasp. “I must dress, Millie must do my hair … you, you sir are in need of a razor, and a clean pair of breeches!” He walked determinedly forward and she dashed out of the way. “Fitzwilliam!”
“Com’ on lovie.” He cocked his head. “Give us a kiss.”
“I do not even want to think of where you heard that.”
He stopped and grinned. “Where do you think I heard it?”
“Some … Some cesspool that your roughish cousin introduced you to, I presume!”
“What do you know of cesspools of bad behaviour?” He now crossed his arms and stood straight, glowering down at her. “Have you been a frequenter of such places? Have you visited Bond Street after dark?”
Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide. “ohhh, what happens after dark?”
Darcy laughed and drew her into his arms. “Nothing that either one of us needs to know.” He kissed her then dipped his head down to nip her breast, and smiled at the small strawberry he left behind. “There, that is all I wanted.”
“I find that hard to believe, but I will accept it.” She sighed and patted his bottom. “Go on, get dressed, and let us meet your friends.”
“Yes dearest.” He buttoned his fall and walked rapidly from the room, calling. “Hurry now, we are going to be late!”
“WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU, DARCY.” Benjamin Henley nodded over to the group of ladies in his drawing room. “You have had a rough time of it these past years, and it is good to see that you found a girl to lift your spirits.”
“She has indeed, sir.” Darcy smiled a little and Elizabeth tilted her head and lifted her eyes to the ceiling for a moment. He hid a chuckle by taking a drink, then returned his attention to his host. “I am happy for your invitation, sir. I was surprised that you are returned home so soon.”
“We had enough.” He indicated some chairs and they sat down. “Julia was discouraged and there is only so much you can do to cheer a girl when she gets that way. It was best to just come home for now. Perhaps we will go back for the little Season, but I would just as soon wait for next year.”
“Were there no interested suitors?” Darcy asked. “She is beautiful girl.”
“She is; I had my hopes for you taking a liking to her.” Henley laughed when Darcy sighed. “No, no, I am not chasing after you, not that it matters now. But it would be a bit of a farce to say it did not come up in conversation. I tried it on your father once and he said he was determined to stay out of your affairs of the heart.”
“I am grateful sir, that he in fact did not.” Darcy said softly, but did not elaborate.
“Hmm, is that so?” He looked at how the newlyweds gazed at each other and raised his brow. “Well then, Julia had plenty of men buzzing about, but she has very set ideas on what she wants. She is young, there is time.”
“Well, my wife and I,” Darcy paused to savour the novelty of that phrase for a moment, “we are planning a house party in October. There will be several eligible gentlemen invited.”
“A house party!” Mrs. Henley heard and turned to her daughter. “I cannot remember the last time Pemberley held a ball, will you host one, Mrs. Darcy?”
Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide and she looked to Darcy who looked equally uncomfortable. “Oh, I do not know, we had not discussed it. I was thinking perhaps we could have a dinner, and invite some of Mr. Darcy’s closest neighbours, and we have the Harvest Home in September.”
“You simply must have a ball.” She said positively.
“Mama, do not press her, she is only just married.” Julia said quietly. “You must forgive my mother, Mrs. Darcy, she is thinking of matchmaking, not dancing.”
“I understand that very well, Miss Henley, I assure you.” Elizabeth smiled and thought of her mother’s machinations. “We will have several unattached gentlemen visiting.”
“Who?” Mrs. Henley pounced.
Elizabeth saw Julia’s eyes roll and remembered the feeling too well. “Mr. Bingley, Mr. Harwick, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Stewart.”
“Daniel Stewart?”
“Why yes.” Elizabeth smiled at Julia who was suddenly sitting up straighter. “He is a friend of both my husband and myself. His sister Laura will come as well. Do you know her? She is a delightful woman.”
“I have seen her about town.” Julia glanced at her mother then to Elizabeth. “Mr. Stewart seemed distracted this Season, I even heard that he might have been interested in a woman.” She stared straight into Elizabeth’s eyes.
“No, he was a friend, nothing more to that woman, a very dear friend. She has a love match, why would she look for less with another man? He looks at her like a sister, and her husband as a brother.”
“Who?” Mrs. Henley demanded.
Julia smiled and nodded at Elizabeth. “I had heard that Mr. Stewart was attached, but I was mistaken Mama.”
“Well!” Mrs. Henley beamed. “The son of an Earl! Now that would be a very fine match, my dear! We must pursue it! You seemed to get along well when he visited last year.”
Elizabeth studied Julia then turned to Mrs. Henley. “He i
s the second son, does that bother you? I have heard that second sons are not as desirable as first.”
“Naturally, my dear, but my daughter has been left property by her grandmother, so she is not in need of a man with an estate, but to marry the son of a peer! Well! That would be something!” She patted her hand. “Leave it to Mama, dear.”
Julia looked at Elizabeth with wide eyes, and she understood the embarrassing machinations of a determined mother all too well. “Do you ride, Mrs. Henley?”
“Oh no, my dear.” She laughed.
“What a shame, I will be inviting many neighbours to visit when our guests come and we ladies intend to do a great deal of riding while the gentlemen enjoy their sport. Miss Henley, I do hope that you will join us frequently? I am sorry that your mother will not be able to join us, but perhaps you can help me to know our neighbours?”
Julia nodded and smiled. “I will, Mrs. Darcy, I will be delighted to be of help. Thank you.”
Elizabeth looked up to Darcy who was watching her with a tiny smile that highlighted the crinkle around his eyes. Pursing her lips, she raised her chin, and he did not try to hold back his laugh.
Chapter 2
“I appreciate this Mr. Gardiner.” Bingley said sincerely and settled into a chair opposite the man’s desk. “When Darcy wrote with his advice that I seek you out, I was ashamed I had not thought of it myself.”
“I imagine that you had quite enough on your mind. Darcy wrote to me as well in case you called.” Mr. Gardiner sat forward and clasped his hands. “I understand that your sister has very well ruined herself in the eyes of upper society?”
“Yes and no.” Bingley sighed. “Although she is currently a laughing stock, I imagine that will all be forgotten by next spring and she could start anew, but, well frankly sir, I do not know what to do with her. I have no home of my own, and my brother Hurst is anxious to close up his townhouse and return to his father’s estate. Grouse season will open soon and he is quite fond of his sport. I have an invitation to Pemberley, but, well, I suppose that Darcy was not joking when he said that my sister is never to be invited.”
