by Linda Wells
“Your poor attempt to assert yourself was cruel, in so many ways.” Darcy said quietly.
“I realized that the moment you left this room.” Mr. Bennet finally met his eye.
After that, Mr. Bennet could not possibly deny him further, and apologized for his foolish attempt to protect his family’s reputation. Clearly his wife and daughter’s approach to deal with the gossip head on was far more effective than his family’s method of hiding and ignoring it. He asked for a day, but he knew what his answer would be. Yes, they may marry before going to Pemberley, if not; he would not be present to give Lizzy away. He wanted that privilege. Standing, he looked outside at the dark garden, and could hear the servants moving about the kitchen to begin the work of the day. Sitting down, he wrote a note, telling his decision, and asking that they talk, then went upstairs to slip the note under her door and paused to listen. The tears had stopped and the room was silent but for the creak of the bed. He touched the wood and walked away.
The sound of the paper sliding across the floor was just loud enough to wake Elizabeth from her light doze. She was again curled on her side, her cheek resting on William’s chest. Her head rose and fell with each steady breath, and she cuddled into his warmth and thought over her reaction to his touch. Why should she draw away from him? Would not the feel of his hand giving love be different from Wickham, who was taking from her? She looked up at his peaceful face, the soft glow from the fire lit up his features, and she could see his dark lashes fluttering slightly as he dreamed. Elizabeth smoothed his hair and his mouth lifted in a small smile. She determined at that moment that she would not allow Wickham to frighten her away from receiving William’s touch.
“Will?” He did not wake. She raised herself up so that she was lying over his shoulder and tenderly began kissing his lips. Darcy stirred and mumbled incoherently. Elizabeth smiled and studied him, then began pressing kisses over his cheek, and down his neck to the point where his open nightshirt ended and his shoulder began. Her soft lips wandered over his throat, tickled by the new whiskers, and she found his beating pulse and settled there, nibbling gently, and rousing him. “Ohhhhhhh.” He moaned, and his eyes blinked open.
Darcy bent his head and met Elizabeth’s warm gaze. He scanned her face, and saw her welcoming smile. His breath hitched and he swallowed, feeling the rising tension between them. “Lizzy …” He rolled over so that he laid on his side, embracing her, then closed his eyes as he captured her lips, tenderly caressing and stroking her as she returned his kiss by suckling his soft tongue. They lay entwined that way, only kissing and caressing for seemingly hours. Darcy’s lips slowly travelled down her throat, and finding her pulse, indulged his desire to taste her, allowing his mouth to caress that sensitive spot relentlessly to draw out her low moan. At the same time, he lifted from her just enough to untie the ribbons of her gown and drew it from her shoulders. His kisses travelled lower to her soft mounds, and languorously, he tasted the nirvana of her breasts. Around and around his tongue passed over her tightening nipple, and his teeth nipped gently at the bud, each time making her back arch in response. She moaned and he rose again to reclaim her mouth, and kissed her love-swollen lips. Elizabeth ran her hands over his back, drawing him closer and clinging to the hard muscle and comforting weight of his body. Darcy’s kisses returned to her throat, and he searched until he found the secret spot he knew would be there, her shudder told him he had reached his goal and he suckled, licked, nibbled and kissed over and over while running his hands around her breasts until he was rewarded by her lips on his ear, crying the soft moan he craved to hear, while her body writhed and arched below him and her hands entwined in his hair as she reached the pinnacle of her pleasure. As she calmed he withdrew enough to kiss her lips and look again into her eyes. “I love you.” He whispered, then moved from her to lie back on the pillows and drew her to his chest. She closed her eyes and regained control of her breathing while his hand slowly stroked her waist. Elizabeth reached and placed it on her hip, where he paused, waiting to see what would happen. When she did not flinch or move away, he began stroking lazy circles over her curves.
Elizabeth’s hand stole down Darcy’s chest to lie over his arousal. He thought of protesting, but it was clear that she had made a decision. He would gladly follow her wherever she felt comfortable going, and he could not deny that it felt so very good. Darcy closed his eyes and melted into the enjoyment of her hand on his body, and remembered her sweet touch from when she caressed him before. Elizabeth watched her fingers drifting up and down. Somehow she had pulled up his nightshirt, and was lovingly stroking his ever-hardening flesh. Darcy became lost in the pleasure of her agonizingly slow caress. He moaned and Elizabeth moved to cover his mouth with her own to silence him. Darcy responded by wrapping his arms around her and they kissed, while she stroked and fondled and soon, much too soon, his body twisted and arched, his cry swallowed in a deep kiss. He fell back against the pillows and Elizabeth hovered above and kissed him. “I love you, too.” Darcy smiled and tenderly ran a finger down her cheek. She reached for a handkerchief from the table by the bed and wiped her hand and his stomach. He sat up and took it from her, looking at it for any embroidery, and seeing that it was plain, wadded it into a ball and tossed it into the fire. She laughed and hugged him. “No evidence?”
He smiled and pulled her back down to lie on his chest. “Precisely.” They both closed their eyes and listened as the clock chimed six times. “Thank you.”
Elizabeth looked back and smiled. “You enjoyed yourself?”
Darcy squeezed her. “Immensely … but that is not why I am grateful Lizzy, you came to me …” He sighed and struggled to put his thoughts into words. “I will not pretend to understand what you experienced yesterday, but I do know what it is to feel vulnerable and frightened at the actions of another. For you to come to me … it tells me that you are willing to face your fears where I respond by withdrawing. Your willingness to approach me … you told me how much you need … ME … Lizzy I can not express how deeply I cherish your trust. I wish so much that I could find a way to make you feel what I do.”
“Will, do you not realize that you have succeeded? I know how difficult it is for you to express yourself. I treasure each time that you tell me your feelings. I recognize the gift that it is. You tell me in so many ways that you need and trust me.” His embrace tightened, and she whispered. “Everything is going to be well.”
“Yes, it is.”
She smiled to hear him express optimism and raised her brow. “Colonel Forster was correct when he said that we would be a formidable couple.” Darcy laughed out loud and Elizabeth hurriedly covered his mouth, and looked to the door.
He shrugged and smiled. “Well dearest, if we are caught, we will just have to marry today!” Laughing, he kissed her. “Do you not realize that I have been trying to be caught and forced to marry you sooner every time that I kiss you in the open?”
“No!” Elizabeth looked at him with wide eyes.
Nodding, he smiled. “It was a lost cause, it seems. Your father was equally determined to ignore that behaviour as well; he knew full well what we were doing.”
“You chose the wrong parent to work on, Will. When it comes to marriage, you should have opted for Mama to offend.” Elizabeth laughed and squealed as he happily pulled her up to lie on his chest and looked up at her smiling face.
He brushed back the curtain of hair that fell over him and murmured against her lips before capturing them again, “I propose that we offend your mother as soon as possible.”
BINGLEY LEFT for Longbourn at the earliest decent time. He needed to see Jane, after all of the misery from the day and night before; he found that he was craving the comfort of the woman he now knew he loved. While riding through the village, he viewed the residents going about their daily tasks in blissful serenity, as if their behaviour had not in the least changed irrevocably so many lives. Netherfield was a fine property, precisely what he could afford and handle at t
his time, but he was seriously considering giving up the lease and looking elsewhere … but only after he had secured Jane’s hand. Somehow living amongst these people had lost its appeal.
One good thing had come of all of this mess. Seeing Darcy and Elizabeth’s reunion made him desire such a love. His commitment to his courtship was strong and he was determined to care for Jane as Darcy did his Elizabeth, he only hoped he was worthy of her. He was welcomed into the house and shown into the dining room. Darcy and Elizabeth sat side by side, not even attempting to hide how their hands were clasped under the table. The bruises of yesterday were now dark purple and ugly. Georgiana sat by Mrs. Annesley, and gave him a weak smile. He noticed that she would not look at her brother at all and would speak to her plate when addressed by Elizabeth, and only in one word answers. The other sisters were much subdued, almost silent. The evidence of the previous day’s events was too clearly displayed before them to be able to make light of the matter.
Only Mrs. Bennet seemed able to maintain her cheer. “Mr. Bingley, so good of you to call! How are things at Netherfield?”
“Oh, well, my sister Caroline is preparing to remove to London, and I thought that Darcy would need the carriage this morning to bring Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley back.” He glanced up at his friend.
“Miss Bingley is leaving? I was not aware of her plans to return.” Darcy could see that Bingley’s expression was very troubled.
“Ah, yes, she … decided that she would prefer to remain in town.” He met his eyes and it was clear that he did not wish to discuss the issue before the Bennets.
Darcy nodded. “I see. I am surprised that Richard did not come with you.”
“The colonel had plans for the morning, but I suggested that he speak with you before going forward. I must say that it took a great deal of convincing. He must be a spectacular leader on the battlefield, and I imagine it would take a strong man to dissuade him from his set course.” Bingley again stared at Darcy meaningfully. Elizabeth watched the exchange between the men, as did Mr. Bennet.
“William, perhaps we can go to my father’s bookroom after we finish eating, we have much to discuss.” She looked at her father, who nodded. “Mr. Bingley would you care to join us?”
His relief was evident. “Indeed, yes.” He finally was able to relax and turned to Jane to see her concerned gaze.
“Is Miss Bingley well, Mr. Bingley?”
He grimaced and whispered. “I am afraid that my sister has raised my ire for the last time.
Her eyes grew wide. “What happened?” Bingley noticed the other girls were trying to listen and shook his head while indicating her sisters with his eyes.
“Later.” She looked around and nodded.
When breakfast ended, Darcy insisted that he carry Elizabeth to the bookroom. “I have a cane, William.” He smiled. “As long as I am here, you will be carried. Besides, what better excuse do I have to hold you close?” She laughed and settled against his neck. Georgiana looked up at their retreating backs with tears in her eyes, and got up to rush back to her room. Mrs. Annesley sighed and followed her, along with Mary and Jane. Bingley and Mr. Bennet joined Darcy and Elizabeth.
“Well, what is it, Bingley?” Darcy asked when they were assembled and the door was closed. “What happened with Miss Bingley?”
He paced and ran his hand through his already unruly hair and told them the story of Elizabeth’s burned note. Darcy held her hand tightly and she covered her mouth with a gasp. “Of course, who else would try to prevent me from receiving Elizabeth’s note?” He looked at her. “It cannot be undone.”
She nodded and turned to Bingley. “And you have decided to sever your ties with her?”
“It has been a long time in coming, Miss Elizabeth, I assure you. I will have to consult with the attorneys; they will tell me what I may do.” He glanced at Mr. Bennet who was listening quietly. “My greater concern right now is your cousin, Darcy. We spent some time puzzling out what Wickham meant with his last words.”
“As have I.” Darcy lifted Elizabeth’s hand to his lips and kissed it then unconsciously pulled her closer to him. “I have a suspicion … what did you conclude?”
“We believe that John Lucas may have been Wickham’s dupe. He admits being in his company; and he clearly had a goal.” All three men looked at Elizabeth, who flushed and looked down.
“I had reached the same conclusion … you say that my cousin is …”
“Darcy, if he could call for torches and pitchforks I would say that he would have descended upon Lucas Lodge last night. As it is, it was all Hurst and I could do to convince him to stay his action before meeting with you. I will not say that Lucas’ involvement is innocent, but neither do I think he should be drawn and quartered. Lucas expressed his remorse for believing Wickham, and he did try to offer help here. He could not have possibly imagined such an outcome. I am not trying to excuse him. Clearly he wished to separate you.” He glanced between Darcy and Elizabeth, and saw that Darcy wore a fierce expression of possession on his face and Elizabeth’s eyes were closed, her head was resting on his shoulder.
“Wickham preyed on the weak. He used them to his advantage. Look at my sister, my father, the countless young ladies he defiled, and the debts he undoubtedly left behind.” He attempted to control his anger. “I am not surprised that Wickham would use Lucas to spread his vile lies. Lucas wanted to hear the worst of me. And the gossips of the town likely embellished it with great amusement.” Darcy turned to see that Elizabeth was crying and wrapped his arms around her. He could care less who saw. “How many times was he warned away from you, my love? Even before we were together, you told him that you were not interested. His obsession has hurt so many.”
“So must he die for it? That is what Mr. Bingley is implying. Your cousin seems bent on revenge just as strongly as Mr. Wickham was.” Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked up at his angry face.
“What would you have me do, Lizzy?”
“Send Georgiana to Pemberley with Colonel Fitzwilliam so that will get him away from here. Then you can speak to Mr. Lucas. He has committed no criminal act. Spreading lies is not punishable by the law, but if he truly is repentant, and if he did come to Longbourn yesterday to help and not to see his wishes fulfilled, perhaps …”
“You wish me to forgive him?” Darcy shook his head in disbelief. “Lizzy, I almost lost you, I almost lost Georgiana, and the town thinks of us all as … well I do not even know. He accosted you, he shot me … my forgiveness has limits, my love. I am no longer a man who will silently accept what the world gives me. I will fight for what is mine.”
Elizabeth nodded and stroked his cheek. “But what do you do when the fight is clearly won? Do not change your cause into a mission of revenge. Then you are no better than Wickham.”
“It seems Darcy, that the idea of sending your volatile relative to Pemberley with your sister is sound. She seems desirous of being out of your company in any case.” Mr. Bennet raised his brow and Darcy’s gaze dropped to his lap.
“She is having difficulty seeing our wounds. She blames herself.”
Mr. Bennet nodded. “You have my permission to marry whenever you wish, today, or next year. It is on your timetable. If you have decided to delay until you have healed a bit, I suggest that you and I, and perhaps Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hurst, pay a call on Lucas Lodge. A final call.”
“You will break your ties with them?” Darcy asked.
“Should I?”
“They are your neighbours, sir. Once we are married, I do not expect to spend time in their company again.”
“Well then, perhaps we might leave that decision to be made after we visit. I would suggest you call him out, and you would undoubtedly win, but … perhaps it is time to frighten him thoroughly and move on to your future.” He smiled.
A small smile appeared on Darcy’s face. “Frighten him?” He looked at Bingley then Elizabeth. “Now that is an interesting idea.”
“THERE YOU GO.” Darcy set
Elizabeth down before Georgiana’s door and looking up and down the hallway, bent and kissed her, then licked his lips. “Why are there never any witnesses?”
“What am I going to do when you leave me tonight?” She smiled up at him with a twinkle in her eye. “I suppose I will have to enlist Mr. Collins to carry me about.”
“If I hear of any other man daring to touch you, I will employ my newly-learned throttling skills most effectively.” He growled.
She laughed and caressed his jaw. “No, no, my love, I do not care to have your face completely blackened.”
“You are implying that I would lose? I am hurt!” He looked affronted.
“Forgive me, I meant no such implication, I only point out that your opponent may not quietly find his way to dusty death, so to speak.” Her bubbling laugh made his lips twitch and he traced his finger over her cheek.
“You make a sound point. Forgive me. However, I am serious.” She looked around them and seeing they were still alone stood on her toes and kissed him.
“I know, William. Now, let me see if I can coax your sister to talk.” He nodded and knocked on the door.
Jane opened it and looking behind her slipped out and closed it quickly. “Lizzy, I am so glad that you are here. She is berating herself for what she has done.”
“Well at least she is speaking. Do you think she will see me?” She looked at William, who nodded. “See us?”
“I really do not know. She is very disturbed by seeing your injuries, and feels that it is her fault that you have them at all.”
Elizabeth folded her arms. “Well, if you think about it, it is her fault.” Jane’s eyes grew wide and Elizabeth reached for the handle and opened the door. She strode in to see Mary sitting by the bed and Mrs. Annesley holding her hand. “Mary, Mama needs you downstairs. Jane, Mr. Bingley would like to visit with you. Mrs. Annesley, if you would like to enjoy a cup of tea, I am sure that cook will be able to accommodate you.” Darcy stood back and watched as the women exchanged glances and filed out of the room. He closed the door behind him and waited to see how Elizabeth handled the situation. She sat down in the chair Mary had occupied and looked at Georgiana, who was now hiding her face in her hands.
