Chance Encounters

by Linda Wells

  Elizabeth laughed, and kissed his chin. “My goodness, sir, I do not recall ever hearing you speak so quickly!” He laughed. “Yes, I am truly delighted, and gratified that you thought of such things. I am sure that Georgiana will enjoy visiting dressmakers with me, since you have stated clearly that you do not.”

  “If it means spending time with you, my love, I will gladly make the sacrifice.” He ran his hands down her back.

  “Oh no, I would rather make my purchases, then see your reaction when I make my entrance!” She hugged him tightly. “Thank you.”

  They heard the dinner bell ring and proceeded downstairs. Mrs. Harris had ordered a simple meal. Remembering her wedding night she realized that nothing much would be eaten. The newlyweds were grateful for her decision. They simply wanted to be together, rejoicing in their new freedom to talk and touch, and revel in their solitude. When they finished, they walked to the music room, where Elizabeth played for him. He came and sat beside her, and soon they were entwined, exchanging the kisses they had been denied for days.

  They pulled slightly apart, and Darcy tucked her head to his chest. He tried to control his voice, but could not help the slight crack in it when he asked, “Lizzy, are you feeling tired?”

  Elizabeth took a breath. This was the moment that they had been building towards. It was time to become his wife. She gazed into his passionate eyes. The desire there was unhidden. “Yes, I would like to retire. Shall we go upstairs?”

  He nodded and rose, taking her hand to assist her. Keeping it tightly in his grasp, he led her to the bedchamber door. There they stood. He looked down to their clasped hands and ran his thumb over the circle of gold on her finger. Lifting his eyes, he gazed into hers and slowly lifted her left hand to his lips, first kissing the ring then turning her hand to kiss the palm and her wrist. She closed her eyes slowly then opened them, and following his lead, lifted his left hand to her mouth, kissing his palm, and rubbing her cheek upon it. Darcy traced her lips with his finger and whispered, his voice shaking slightly. “Shall I come for you in half an hour?” Unable to speak she nodded, and entered her rooms.

  ELIZABETH EXAMINED herself in the mirror; her new nightdress was very revealing. She shook her head, knowing that her aunt had chosen it for that very reason. She decided not to wear the robe. The half hour had passed, and there was no sign of William. She heard the nervousness in his voice; she knew that he was as anxious as she was. Their passionate encounter at Rosings relieved her initial trepidation, but that had been spontaneous. This night was the farthest thing from it. They both knew exactly what was supposed to happen, and she was grateful for her aunt’s honesty with her. After waiting another ten minutes, she took a long last look at herself, then smiling, she took a breath and opened the door to his bedchamber. The room was lit only by a few candles and the softly glowing fire. She spotted him, dressed only in his breeches and shirt. He was barefoot, and stood leaning on the window frame, staring out at the darkness.

  Elizabeth entered the room. He did not see her. She cleared her throat. He did not hear her. “William.” Nothing. Finally, Elizabeth picked up a book from a nearby table and dropped it onto the floor with a loud thud. Startled, he turned, and caught sight of the barely covered Elizabeth, her hair flowing around her shoulders, her eyes dancing, and a very amused smile on her face.

  He sucked in his breath. “Oh Lizzy, you are so beautiful!”

  “I was wondering if you would ever notice me.” She crossed the room and placed her hands on his chest. Darcy’s heart was pounding, watching her breasts and hips sway with each step. When she touched him, running her hands over his well-muscled body, he shuddered. “What captured your thoughts, my love?”

  He touched her hair. “Are you not nervous?”

  “No, I know that I should be, but I feel so comfortable with you, I am not at all worried.” Then she placed a kiss over his heart. “What concerns you, William?” He placed his hands lightly on her waist, and looked into her eyes. “I am afraid that my inexperience may be a disadvantage for you. I am so afraid of hurting you.”

  Elizabeth looked at his dear face. He was so nervous, and she truly was not. His anxiety had served to calm hers. She trusted him completely, and she decided it was entirely up to her to put him at ease. She smiled and immediately started unbuttoning his breeches. Darcy watched her hands. “What are you doing?”

  “I think that it is high time that you acquired some experience, Mr. Darcy.” She grinned at him and pulled his shirt free. Darcy looked down at her, a slow smile spreading over his face. “Sir, I am more inexperienced than you, but I think that even I know that this will be much more enjoyable with your assistance.”

  She slipped her hands over his skin. He jumped, closed his eyes and groaned. “Lizzy, that feels so. . .” His voice trailed off. Suddenly he opened his eyes, and seeing the desire in hers, he quickly tore off his shirt.

  “Mmmm. That is much better.” She purred, delighted to see his chest and arms. She was not entirely ignorant of the male form. She had been to museums and saw the marble statues and paintings, and she did have access to her father’s library, but none of that was comparable to the warm, hard beauty of his finely toned body. She ran her hands over him, delighting in the feel of his soft, smooth skin, and then up to touch his deliciously bare neck. “Oh, I wish I were taller!”

  Darcy burst out laughing, all nervousness decidedly gone. How does she have this power to change my moods so quickly? It was his turn to touch now. He ran his fingers through her hair, spreading it out like wings, delighting in the softness and sweet scent released by his ministrations. “I have dreamed of seeing you like this, my love.” His eyes moved down to her lips, and he drew her to him, first kissing her softly, then deepening the pressure, he stroked them repeatedly. Feeling her breathing increase he pulled back, placing his fingers beneath the straps of her gown. “May I see you now?”

  “Yes, please,” she whispered. He untied the belt of the nightdress and pulled the straps over her shoulders, watching as the gown slipped silently into a puddle of silk at her feet. He took her hands in his, and stepped back, his eyes travelling slowly down and back up her rapidly blushing form. “I always wondered what happened when you blush, Lizzy. Now I know that it is not only your cheeks.” This only made her blush more, and he laughed, reaching out to touch her breasts for the first time. “Oh darling, you are so soft.” He moaned.

  “I think that it is only fair that I see all of you, too.” Trying to regain her composure she finished unbuttoning his breeches and slid them down over his hips, exposing his arousal, and dropped them to the floor. “Ah, that is better. Now we are on even ground.” She whispered, stroking its thick and heavy length and revelling once again in the odd combination of his soft skin and hardened flesh.

  He shuddered and knew that he could not allow her to touch him for long and still be able to achieve the purpose of this first union. He pulled her to him and they stood, kissing deeply, both of them allowing their hands to travel unceasingly over the other’s form, learning every curve, until breathless, they pulled apart.

  Without a word, Darcy drew back the covers to the bed, and helped her in. He willed himself to walk around to the other side and climbed in next to her, immediately pulling her back into his embrace, so that his body encompassed hers. They took their time, despite the desperate screaming urgings of their bodies. They both knew that they wanted this to be special. Darcy began by cupping her small face in his large warm hands, “I am overjoyed that I waited for you, Lizzy.” He whispered, his eyes speaking his emotions as his lips descended to take possession of hers. Elizabeth’s hands came up to hold his face, and they exchanged the tender, lingering strokes marking their first journey to passion. They took turns tasting each other. He indulged his desire to run his tongue from her delicate earlobe to her breasts; she suckled the neck that had been hidden from view for far too long. His hands ran over her breasts over and over, making her moan and writhe. She discovered tha
t he responded to the barest touch of her fingertips, stimulating his body so that he jumped and groaned as she traced her way over his smooth chest, sides and bottom.

  Darcy kissed his way down from where he suckled her breasts, to her flat belly, and to her thighs, pausing to brush his nose and mouth over the thatch of curls, and lovingly partaking of her sweet essence. She moaned softly, begging for more while shying away at the same time, her fingers wrapped in his hair. Trembling with anticipation, he nuzzled his way back to her lips, brushing his mouth, hair, and hands over her body, and gently urged her legs apart, to settle himself in between. He held her face in his hands, and they kissed, their tongues dancing, as she grew used to his weight. When he felt her relax, he whispered, “Look at me Lizzy.” Opening her eyes she saw nothing but love looking back at her. “Are you ready for me, my love?” He asked softly, leaning to kiss her again when she nodded and watched as he swallowed and drew a deep breath. As one hand moved between her legs, she felt his fingers gently stroke her moist folds, then taking himself in his hand; he eased into her. Her eyes opened with surprise at the first feel of him, and his closed in relief. He paused, and forcing himself to hold back, he slowly and steadily continued to push, moaning, as the warmth and her tight clasp almost overwhelmed him. Finally he felt her barrier. He looked at her closed eyes, and panting, begged her to look at him. She did, and with a shaking voice he said, “I promise I will try not to . . .”

  She put her hand to his lips. “I love you, William. You will not hurt me.” He stared deeply into her eyes, took a breath, and entered her fully. She gasped for a moment, but felt no pain. When he opened his eyes to anxiously see her face, he was overjoyed to see her smile.

  “You are well?” He asked, disbelieving.

  “You seem disappointed!” She laughed, all of her anxiety forever banished.

  Relief and joy flooded through him. “No, my love, I am thrilled!” The extraordinary pleasure he was feeling, being encased within the body of the woman he loved, sent his heart pounding and his desire for completion instantly replaced all of his fears.

  They both relaxed, and he began to move within her, steadily increasing his pace, in a movement that he had no need to be taught. She instinctively opened wider for him, and moved with him. They rocked together, smiling, staring into each other’s eyes, and then finally kissing deeply as he thrust faster and faster. The straining taut feeling that she experienced when he touched her before began rising in her again, and this time she knew what it meant. She relaxed and let the exquisite feeling rush over her, and felt the exhilaration of her body embracing his inside of her. She moaned his name over and over, her completion finally allowing him to find his. He gasped and shook and called her name, declaring his love for her, ultimately collapsing in a trembling heap, then kissing her with utter abandon. They lay together, joined; then slowly, he withdrew and pulled her close to him, her head resting on his chest. She revelled in the pounding of his heart.

  After lying quietly for a few minutes, he kissed her hair. “Are you well, darling?” He whispered. Elizabeth turned so that she could see him, and caressed his face, “Yes, it was . . . so wonderful, William. I love you.”

  A sense of male pride flowed through him, “You cannot begin to know how happy that makes me feel, Lizzy.” Combing his fingers through her hair he laughed and suddenly declared, “I guess that we are not so inexperienced now!”

  Elizabeth was delighted in his silliness. “No we are not, but I would suggest that we follow the old adage, practice makes perfect.”

  “Is it lesson time, my love?” He asked hopefully.

  Elizabeth laughed. “It seems that you were right, we need not worry about being unable to fall asleep tonight!”

  Darcy’s low growl of warning made her squeal with delight as she found herself tumbled over and pinned under his body. “Sleep is the last thing that you will experience tonight, my good wife.” Elizabeth looked up into William’s eyes and saw a different man. Gone was the cautious bridegroom. Here for the first time, she was viewing her lover, a man alive with confidence and passion. There was a fire burning in his gaze as he moved to her side and raked his eyes over her body. His gaze followed the path of his open hand, stroking her firmly from her neck, down over her breasts, across her belly to her thighs. It was a movement indicating possession and adoration. He stroked his hand back up to her face. His desire so evident, that she burned to feel him take her again. He leaned down and hovered over her mouth then kissed her deeply, his tongue exploring. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. “Mine,” was all he said before reclaiming her mouth, entwining his fingers in her hair and holding her head in his grasp. Elizabeth brought her hands around him, and caressed his broad back, pulling him against her, and kissed him, suckling his tongue and revelling in his groan. “Lizzy.” He moaned heatedly in her ear.

  “Are you mine, Will?” She spoke as he scraped his teeth over her neck.

  “Yes, Lizzy, every bit of me is yours, yours alone.” His mouth descended to lave her breasts and massage them with his hands while she ran her fingers through the hair that brushed her face. She felt his potent manhood pushing against her thigh as his mouth returned to devour hers again.

  She pulled away long enough to beg, “Please love me William,” before he immediately reclaimed his prize.

  Unspeaking he rose from her, lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist while looking deeply into her eyes, then without hesitation, plunged completely into her and thrust with the vigour and relentless motion he had imagined time and again, a motion she had unknowingly craved. He felt his need for release building and with joy felt her body again embracing his, and drank in the incoherent moans she uttered as she pulled his head down for a desperate kiss. At last he reached his moment of release and held her tightly to him, gasping, filling her with his essence. He rolled to his side, taking her with him where they remained entwined, unwilling to separate. Darcy’s cheek rested on her hair, and she could feel his lips press against her temple just as he felt her kiss upon his chest. They said not a word, but fell asleep safe in each other’s arms. Home.

  Chapter 21

  Once the carriage containing Elizabeth and Darcy departed, Bingley observed with a combination of amusement and horror the reactions of the various members of the Bennet household. Mrs. Bennet was overcome with joy for having married off her least favourite daughter to a man she now knew was one of the most eligible in the country. She demanded that Jane tell her everything of their courtship, and insisted that she describe his home to her in detail. She burst into Mr. Bennet’s library, where he had silently retreated, and chastised him for not telling her of the courtship. While this occurred, Lydia and Kitty were giggling over the suddenness of the ceremony, and discussing if their sister had needed to be so quickly married. That in turn horrified Jane, who assured them, not necessarily successfully, that it was decidedly not the case. Lydia flipped her hair at Jane and declared that even if it was not true, she certainly would not say no to such a handsome man, even if he did not smile and talk. Mary jumped on the theme and began preaching of the need to guard a young lady’s virtue, and was happy that at least Elizabeth had the sense to marry right away. Jane was mortified, and ran into the garden, where Bingley had the supreme pleasure of comforting her, and assuring her that the behaviour of her family meant nothing to him, since he was marrying her, and not her sisters. He, of course, stayed for dinner. Mr. Bennet ate alone in his library, and said not a word to anyone the remainder of the day.

  Upon returning to Netherfield, Bingley dismounted, handed the reins to his and Darcy’s horses to the stable boy, and with an uncharacteristically serious look on his face, entered the house.

  “Charles, where have you been? We waited dinner for you. And where is Mr. Darcy?” Caroline asked when he came into the music room. She and the Hursts were gathered there playing cards.

  “I have been at Longbourn all day, Caroline, where I suspect I will be spending most of my
days from now on, with my betrothed.” He poured himself some wine and walked to look out of the window. Caroline wrinkled her nose in distaste. “As for Darcy, he has departed. I suspect he has been in London for some hours by now.”

  “London?” Caroline and Louisa looked at each other. Neither of them had noticed his removal from the house. “Why would he leave for London? He only just arrived yesterday. Has something happened?”

  Bingley laughed to himself. Yes indeed, something has happened! He turned away from the window and regarded his sister. Even though he had assured her for quite some time that she would never win Darcy, this news would be a blow. “Yes, Caroline. This morning, Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet were married. I stood up with him at the church. They have gone to London to begin their honeymoon.”

  “NO!!” Caroline stood with her hand on her chest. Louisa stood with her and stared at her brother. “But they were not even engaged! I have heard nothing of this! Did he court her? How could this happen? Was she compromised?” Caroline voiced each thought as it flew through her mind. “This cannot be! His family must disapprove, they must!” Then growing increasingly agitated she howled, “He was mine! Pemberley was mine! I am the rightful mistress, not that, that, that, impertinent, country chit!”

  “Caroline, calm down!” Louisa held her sister. “This is certainly a shock, but you know full well that he was never going to marry you. You have refused to accept this, but now you must!”

  Caroline pulled away from her and stormed up to Bingley, who was regarding her with trepidation. He was never good with displays of anger from anyone. “How did this happen? When did they meet? How did she fool him? Why did you not stop the wedding? Why was it so sudden?” She demanded, her hands grasped his lapels and she shook him.

  “Caroline! Enough!” Louisa pulled her away and made her sit on the sofa, where she glared at her brother and breathed erratically. Louisa looked up to him; he was staring in disbelief at his sister. He had never seen her so disturbed before. “Charles.” She gained his attention. “Perhaps if you just tell us what happened, Caroline will understand and calm.” Louisa was the eldest sister, and she had cared for both of her younger siblings. She knew their characters and how to handle them. Caroline needed details, and Bingley needed to be directed.