by Linda Wells
“I … I am so sorry, did I hurt …” Her mouth was instantly engulfed with his kiss and she felt his hand taking hers and resting it back on top of the bulge. He kissed her with demanding strokes, as he showed her not to be afraid to touch him. Panting raggedly, he drew away long enough to stare into her eyes and allowed her to see the deep desire he felt. They closed again, and reclaiming her mouth, his hand moved back to her breasts, a thumb making endless circles over the tightened bud. Her muffled moan drew out his groan and his lips moved to below her ear, where he licked and kissed and breathed. The sensations that were spreading over her body were overwhelming Elizabeth, and she was rapidly approaching the point where she would succumb and beg for him to take her wherever he wished to go. The movement of the pony suddenly reminded her of their location, and the memory of her father’s voice sounded in her ear.
“William, we must stop.” She panted and felt him draw her possessively to him. Darcy could not bear to let her go. “William …”
With a tremendous effort he stopped his ministrations and attempted to calm his breathing. He placed his hands over hers, and kissed her gently, meeting her eyes. “I love you Elizabeth. I did not mean to become so carried away… I meant no disrespect … I just needed to show you …”
She placed her fingers on his lips and he kissed them. “I love you William.” She swallowed, calming her own desires.
He buried his face on her shoulder. “I have dreams of us loving each other. I imagine waking up with you in my arms, and I am so disappointed when you are not there. I know this seems a short courtship and engagement but it is interminable to me.” He looked up. “Do I shock you?”
“No, I feel the same, I dream of you also, and now I do not have to worry of you thinking me improper, hoping that you would want me by your side at night.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Night, day, all times.” He kissed her and they rested their foreheads together. “Do not move.” Darcy whispered. Her position pressed against him was an exquisite torture. It was no use; he would have to suffer the discomfort of his desire. A frustrated sigh drew his attention and he opened his eyes to see Elizabeth appeared just as miserable. “Darling are you well?” She blushed and shook her head. He smiled “Neither am I.”
She met his gaze. “You feel this … ache too?”
His smile grew. “Oh yes, constantly.”
Her eyes widened and she bit her lip. This time he leaned forward and took a nip. “William!” He laughed and squeezed her. Somehow it was easier to bear knowing she wanted him just as deeply, even in innocence.
Darcy kicked the pony and they turned. “We should return.” He declared. She nodded, they were in a secluded area, but they were risking too much the chance of being seen, and she knew how tempted they both were to yielding to desire. She replaced her bonnet while he watched her curls disappear with regret. Darcy gave her instructions and soon the pony was galloping, his hands not on the reins, but around her waist. She was smiling with her success and he was fulfilling his fantasy as they rode, their bodies rising and falling against each other in perfect rhythm.
They arrived at the stables to find Bingley and Hurst talking with Georgiana. Darcy told Elizabeth how to slow the pony and they came to a stop before them, his hands had moved to rest on his thighs as soon as they came in sight of the others. Elizabeth beamed with her accomplishment. “Well done, Miss Elizabeth!” Bingley cried. Darcy quickly dismounted, not willing to linger with so many witnesses about, and held up his arms to help guide her down.
Elizabeth slid down the pony’s side and he stepped back immediately. She smiled. “Thank you.” She turned. “And thank you, Mr. Bingley, although I suspect you should be congratulating Mr. Darcy more than I. Without his guidance, I am afraid this pony would never have stopped!”
The group laughed. “Well, it was an admirable display. Perhaps for your next lesson, Darcy may ride his own mount.” Bingley winked at him and Darcy glared.
Hurst chuckled. “Leave him alone, Bingley.”
“No, I have waited years for this opportunity.” He took Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on his arm, and began walking. “Miss Elizabeth, have I ever told you the story of how my good friend Darcy and I met?”
“Bingley!” Darcy bellowed.
She turned back to Bingley. “No sir, but I would enjoy the tale.” He grinned and they set off. Elizabeth looked back at William and smiled apologetically. Besides his ire, he was obviously feeling possessive. Darcy’s eyes never left them.
“Come Georgiana.” She took his arm and he nearly dragged her, trying to catch up.
Hurst followed. “Slow down, man. He will do no harm.” Darcy’s gaze smote him and he shrugged. By the time they reached the house, Elizabeth and Bingley were laughing heartily and Darcy recognized a familiar light in his friend’s eyes. He knew what it meant. Bingley had discovered the joy of his Elizabeth.
“Not this time.” He muttered.
Georgiana looked up at his dark countenance. “William?” He did not answer. They entered the house and Elizabeth immediately let go of Bingley’s arm. Darcy watched and saw the disappointment register on his face.
“Miss Elizabeth, do you wish to change your dress?” Darcy blurted out. She stared at him with surprise. “I … I only ask because your mother did insist…” He just needed her to go away from Bingley.
“Your dress is in my bedchamber.” Georgiana offered. “Come, and I will help you to change.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you, I suppose I should change if I am to stay for tea.”
“You are?”
She laughed at William’s wide eyes. “Mr. Bingley was kind enough to invite me.”
“It is my pleasure.” Bingley bowed.
Darcy’s eyes met hers and seeing the warmth he knew was just for him, relaxed. He held out his arm and offered his escort upstairs.
The trio left and Bingley watched them go. “You are playing with fire, Bingley.” Hurst said when they were alone.
They entered his study and sat by the hearth. “Why do you say that?”
Hurst snorted. “Come on, I saw the same thing that Darcy did. You are attracted to Miss Elizabeth.”
Bingley looked confused. “Well, who would not be? She is beautiful, vivacious, intelligent, kind …”
“And spoken for.”
He stared. “I am not attempting to take her from Darcy. I would never do that!”
Hurst rolled his eyes. “Bingley you go through women almost as quickly as my wife goes through abigails. It is a compulsion with you. I think you can not help yourself.” Bingley’s brow creased. “I thought you were interested in Miss Bennet.”
“I am!” He said defensively.
“Are you?” He shook his head. “Well, I need to speak to you on another subject. Are you aware that Caroline and Louisa are plotting to somehow compromise Darcy or ruin Miss Elizabeth in his eyes?”
Bingley was still wrestling with the thought of him merely toying with Jane, and startled. “What? Darcy has known of Caroline’s ridiculous wishes for years. Even if he were somehow trapped alone with her, he would never marry her. We have discussed this many times.”
“I am not as concerned for him as I am for Miss Elizabeth. They spoke of Lucas, and trying to convince Darcy she was unworthy. Who knows to what lengths Caroline may go?”
Bingley’s brow creased in confusion. “Surely his courtship should have ended this fantasy of hers.”
“I believe it is making her desperate. She has presumed very openly that he would eventually offer for her.”
“Good Lord, can not the man fall in love in peace?” Hurst raised his brows. “I swear I did not know I was doing anything!” Bingley insisted.
“Perhaps it is time that you do, before Darcy murders you.” Bingley stared. Hurst sighed. “You wish to be a respected member of society one day, start with your own house.”
With no little resentment, he asked, “What makes you suddenly so wise, Hurst? As I recall,
you spend your days drunk or asleep.”
“That is to avoid your sisters.” He closed his eyes. “I am not always drunk or asleep, and in that position I hear things. Are you aware that your sisters plan a compromising position between you and Miss Darcy?”
Bingley startled. “Pardon?”
Hurst nodded. “You are not prepared as Darcy is to avoid any chance of being caught alone with Caroline. You should take precautions to avoid the same with Miss Darcy.”
“Good Lord. Should we speak to Darcy?”
“Leave the man alone. He has enough. We can handle this ourselves.”
“How?”
“I was thinking, I could speak to Louisa or …” He grinned. “We could let them try to trap you and turn the tables on them.”
Bingley sat forward. “And do what?”
“I do not know, but I would love to teach them a lesson.” He laughed. “What say you?”
Bingley nodded eagerly. “Yes, it is time that I finally take charge.”
Chapter 18
After the transportation debacle to the assembly, Darcy was determined that his arrival at Lucas Lodge would not be dictated by Miss Bingley. He ordered his carriage readied, and when it pulled up to the front of Netherfield, he, Georgiana, and Bingley boarded and went on to the dinner. Hurst volunteered to stay behind and escort his wife and sister, and looked forward to listening to the complaints and plotting that were sure to ensue. Darcy wanted to arrive to not only see Elizabeth, but to observe John Lucas. The decision to overlook the shooting incident was not an easy one; the man’s behaviour that evening would determine if it had been correct.
“Welcome, welcome!” Sir William cried. “Mr. Bingley, so good to see you, but your sisters and Mr. Hurst, are they not coming?” He looked worriedly at the empty carriage as it pulled away from the door. The addition of the Netherfield party was the highlight of his evening, such rich and socially connected people were just the sort of guests Sir William craved.
“Ah sir, my sisters are preparing quite carefully tonight. They wish to grace your home with the latest of fashion. We simply decided to come ahead.” Bingley’s beaming smile matched Sir William’s in every aspect.
The older man relaxed. “Well, capital, capital, then please come in!” He ushered Bingley past and turned to greet Darcy. He hesitated. It was clear that he was somewhat conflicted in how to address him. “Mr. Darcy.” He bowed solemnly and checked his effusions. “My house is honoured with your presence. I do hope that you are quite recovered from …” He glanced up at Darcy’s scalp and cleared his throat at the sight of his raised eyebrow and set jaw. “Uh, yes, well, and who is this lovely young lady on your arm?” He smiled at Georgiana, who was studying her toes.
“Sir William Lucas, this is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.” Sir William bowed low. “We are delighted to have you join us this evening, Miss Darcy.”
She managed to peek up at him and saw a kindly face, and smiled a little. “Thank you, Sir William, I am happy to be here.”
Sir William looked up to Darcy who was watching Georgiana with concern. “You remind me of my youngest daughter, Maria. I hope that you will have an opportunity to meet her tonight, I believe that she is helping her mother at the moment.”
Darcy nodded. “Perhaps she will.” He bowed and they proceeded into the room.
The whispers swirling around them were hardly unexpected, but still annoying. There were the usual discussions of his income, speculation over the identity of the girl on his arm, men’s words over the shooting incident, and most predominantly, he heard his and Elizabeth’s names, as well as John Lucas mentioned. Realizing that he would be watched carefully that night, he sighed and began looking about the room for Elizabeth. He could hear the unmistakable bubbling laughter of his beloved, and his height gave him the advantage he needed to help him locate her in the crowded room. Darcy bent to Georgiana. “I have spotted Elizabeth, shall we join her?”
She finally looked up and nodded. “Yes, please.” She whispered. He gave her hand a squeeze and moved them steadily to the corner where he found Elizabeth talking to Jane and Bingley.
“There you are, Darcy, I was wondering what was delaying you.” Bingley smiled and turned to Elizabeth. “Obviously he found something of interest in the crowd.”
Elizabeth smiled up at William, “Is that it, Mr. Darcy? Here I was; all anticipation for your company and I find that you are so easily distracted by others. Perhaps I should not have wasted my time waiting for you when there are so many other interested parties about.” She waved her hand eloquently to encompass the eager faces and leaning heads of the rather indiscreet eavesdroppers who surrounded them. Elizabeth obviously saw everything that he had, and displayed no intention of allowing it to bother her.
Darcy felt his tension easing. “I assure you Miss Elizabeth, had I known that you were so eager for my presence, I would have entered through this conveniently placed door behind your sister, and avoided the crowd all together.”
They laughed and Bingley clapped his shoulder. “I have no doubt of that at all!” Bingley moved Jane off in another direction, leaving the three others behind.
Elizabeth hugged Georgiana. “I do hope that your brother behaves himself tonight, once he starts talking it is difficult to make him stop.”
Georgiana relaxed and stopped clutching his arm. “Oh Elizabeth, do stop teasing him! He is so happy to be seeing you tonight, he was like a caged animal all day waiting to come, and was dressed at least an hour early.” Elizabeth’s expression changed and her eyes shone as she smiled radiantly at him.
Darcy was flushed with embarrassment. “Georgiana, nobody needed to hear that!” He admonished quietly.
Elizabeth touched his arm and his eyes lifted from the floor and met hers. “I did. Thank you, William.” He resisted the impulse to take her up in his arms, crowd be damned.
The moment was broken by Charlotte’s arrival. “Eliza, I have not seen you in so long, what have you been doing?” She insinuated herself between Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy tilted his head in question, and Elizabeth shrugged slightly.
“Charlotte, you remember Mr. Darcy and his sister from church; do you not?” Charlotte turned and curtseyed. “I have been spending a great deal of time with both of the Darcys.”
“I am sure that has been most entertaining, but you must not neglect your old friends. Look, here comes John!” She waved him over and he walked warily forward and regarded the scene. Darcy was staring at him coldly, as was Elizabeth. Georgiana felt the tension, and spotting Mary, murmured an excuse and slipped away to join her.
“Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, how good to see you both.” John met Darcy’s piercing eyes. “I do hope that you are quite recovered, sir.
Darcy nodded curtly. “No permanent harm was done. Accidents do occur, even amongst the most experienced hunters.”
The relief on John’s face was evident and he relaxed. “Yes, I am grateful that we are able to agree on that. I will certainly never again position myself behind another man when I shoot.”
“That is wise.” Darcy did not appear as if he was going to further the conversation, so John turned to Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, you and your sisters are all turned out very prettily tonight. You honour my father’s home.” She recognized a truce had been agreed to between the men, and as much as she wished to berate him, she could not ignore his obvious efforts at civility.
“Thank you Mr. Lucas, you are very kind.”
John shifted uncomfortably, it was clear that his presence was unwanted, but he had no desire to leave her alone with Darcy, so he stayed. “How long do you intend to remain in the area, sir? Perhaps we can try another hunt before the fox season begins.”
“My plans are not yet determined, but I do expect to remain at least through the end of November.” He looked to Elizabeth and smiled slightly.
John saw her blush and wondered at it. “I imagine you will be anxious to return to your estate for the winte
r, it is in Derbyshire, I believe?”
“Yes it is. The Peaks are beautiful any time of year, but I especially enjoy them in winter.”
John nodded. “I imagine it becomes quite cold there, with the higher elevation. Are you snowed-in frequently? Are you trapped in your home with no contact with the outside world for weeks? I have heard that often the roads are impassable for much of the season, not even affording such a luxury as going to church. You must be quite adept at entertaining yourself, sir.”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “I must admit that indeed, the winter can be rather harsh, however, I have an exceptionally well-stocked library, filled with the selections of my ancestors. I doubt that a lifetime will afford enough time to peruse them all. Then there are winter activities such as sleigh rides and skating. And of course, the winter is when an estate as large and complex as mine prepares for the coming year, the land may sleep, but the planning never ends. But I am sure that you are aware of the work involved in estate affairs. Although only a fraction of the size of Pemberley, I am sure that Lucas Lodge experiences similar issues.”
John saw that Darcy was no fool and realized what he was doing. He turned to Elizabeth. “Is it not fortunate for us to live in such a temperate climate, so we never feel stranded in a cold, white, lonely desert for bleak months? We suffer from rain and mud, but that never lasts for long. You are free to enjoy your walks through every season here, Miss Elizabeth. I hope that upon your next foray into the vicinity, you might take note of the new fencing I have been installing between our estates. I noticed the need when I began the oversight of the daily operations last month. It is good to know that on that unhappy day when my father leaves this earth, I will be fully prepared to take on the responsibilities that I was born to accept.”
“You are fortunate that your father is still here to teach you. Mr. Darcy lost his father at about the same age that you are now, and he was left to manage Pemberley, his home in London, and do you not own other properties, sir?” She smiled at him.
Darcy’s lips curved up as he appreciated her subtlety. “Yes, I own an estate in Scotland, and many other properties which I lease out for farming or livestock, as well as tending to my other investments.”
