by Linda Wells
Astonished, Darcy absorbed the news. “No, no, the news is hardly a secret; in fact, I prefer to have the truth spread rather than these horrendous rumours. Does Elizabeth know the connection?”
“No, I leave that to you to explain. You have a long trip to accomplish, and it will certainly fill some of the time.” He smiled slightly at Darcy’s knowing look. “I do know that Elizabeth wants to meet her.”
“Of course she will. Mr. Douglass is a fine man, I can only hope for such a man to accept my sister someday.”
“Well sir, let us rejoin the ladies. I am sure that you will wish to continue your journey soon.” They stood and walked out into the hallway just as Elizabeth and Jane were coming down the stairs. Darcy smiled at them and looked at Elizabeth in confusion when Jane instantly turned bright red with embarrassment. Elizabeth looked at her sister and sighed.
“What is wrong with Jane?” Darcy looked behind him when Elizabeth came forward to take his arm and steer him into the drawing room.
She sighed again then said softly, “I was giving her a sisterly talk.” He stared at her expectantly. “About marriage.” Her pointed gaze met his, and Darcy suddenly felt a flush coming over his face.
“You … you did not tell her … Lizzy, you did not tell her what we …” He glanced around the room and bit his lip, then dragged her as inconspicuously as possible back into the hallway. “Lizzy, please tell me that you did not speak of our lovemaking!” His mouth was pressed close to her ear and his hands were grasping her to him.
Elizabeth attempted to clamp down the stirrings that his deep voice in her ear always inspired. “I only told her of the mechanics, not tales of your prowess.” Her warm breath against his neck and the soft feel of her body against him was inspiring enough, but to hear her speak of his … ability was just too much.
“My prowess, Mrs. Darcy?” He growled. A shiver went straight down her spine, and he felt her reaction. His instant arousal pressed urgently against her. “I think that we need to discuss this further.”
“But we are to leave very soon.” She said weakly in protest.
“I have a feeling that it will not require much time.” Darcy licked his lips and met her gaze. Glancing around the empty hallway, he took her arm and led her quickly up the stairs to her old bedroom, and soundly closed the door.
Mr. Bennet watched them depart from the open drawing room door, smiling in amusement at the enthusiasm of the newly married, then his gaze met his wife’s and he was surprised to see her raised brows and expectant smile. He shook his head and she nodded, and then returned to her work.
Twenty minutes later, Darcy and Elizabeth entered the room, flushed, bright-eyed, and smiling. Bingley barely held in his laughter, but vowed to tease his friend about it in the future. Soon the couple took their leave of the family. Darcy again invited the Bennets to Pemberley for Christmas, only four weeks hence, and Mr. Bennet said that it would ultimately depend on the weather, as he did not relish such a difficult journey in the snow.
“Take care, my daughter, and if you should meet your aunt, well, tell her that I hope we might see each other at Pemberley someday.” He allowed her to peck his cheek and he patted her shoulder.
“I will, Papa, perhaps at Christmas?” He smiled and nodded. “We shall see.”
Elizabeth turned to see Mary’s sad face. “It is not the same here without you, Lizzy.”
“Oh Mary, I am sorry, but perhaps this is your chance to become the impertinent one in the household. Papa will need someone to warm the chair in his bookroom. Why not you? And I promise, we shall ask him for permission to bring you to town in the spring. You and Georgiana can keep each other company while William and I face the approbation of the ton.”
“They will love you, Lizzy.” She said with conviction. “But, I would like to come, thank you.”
“Good! And you know that Aunt Gardiner told me she would ask you to come with them on their trip this summer, so you will be at Pemberley as well. We will see a great deal of each other.” The sisters hugged and Elizabeth turned to see her mother.
“You seem to be keeping your husband well-occupied, Lizzy. You will have his heir before too long, I suspect.”
“Mama!” She whispered and glanced at Lydia and Kitty.
Mrs. Bennet smiled and patted her cheek. “It is your greatest duty as a wife, my dear. But it seems you are enjoying the experience. I am happy for you.”
Elizabeth blushed, realizing that their little escape had been noted and murmured her thanks before saying her farewells to the other girls. Jane was last and she hugged her fiercely. “Now, I want you to enjoy this long wait for your wedding, Jane.”
“You did not tell me everything, did you, Lizzy?” She whispered.
She squeezed her sister’s hand. “No, I did not. There are some things that you will have to wait and discover on your wedding night. I just did not want you to be fearful.” A warm smile appeared. “Now, in the meantime, do not restrain your affection for Charles too much, you must keep him interested!”
“Oh Lizzy, you sound like Mama!”
“Well I am an old married woman now!” She laughed and felt William’s hand upon the small of her back.
“Come my love, we have many miles to cover before we rest for the night.” He smiled and she took his hand, entwining her fingers with his. “I can not wait to bring you home.”
LADY MATLOCK determinedly strode down the hallway in search of her niece. It was time to put a stop to the never-ending tears, and the habit of running off to hide. She asked a passing footman of her location and he indicated the music room. The sound of laughter coming from the doorway stopped her in astonishment, and she looked in to see Georgiana seated at the instrument, searching through a large pile of sheet music, a bright smile lighting her face. “Georgiana! What is this?” Lady Matlock demanded.
“Aunt Ellen?” She blushed and looked with confusion at Mrs. Annesley.
Closing the door and walking up to the two women she moved her eyes between them. “Georgiana, you just ran from the dining room in tears upon hearing that your brother and Elizabeth were happy and on their way here. You have done nothing but cry and remain silent when questioned since you arrived. Your cousins are warring with theories that you are angry with William for not bringing you home himself, to guilt over causing their injuries, to jealousy that he loves his wife and that you feel that he is abandoning you. Now either you have been putting on quite a show for the benefit of your relatives, or we have been entirely wrong in reading your mood. Which is it?”
Georgiana’s mouth gaped. “I am not at all angry with William, or Elizabeth, or jealous or … anything! I am so very happy for them! William is the dearest of brothers, and Elizabeth is just so wonderful!”
“Then why did you run from the room?”
“I am just so happy that he is finally loved, and to hear that it appears in his letters … oh you can not know what joy it brings me to know that he smiles! I just become so emotional when I think of him being loved and I … I thought that I should leave the room so that you would not have to look at me.” She said softly then added. “If I feel jealous, it is only with the desire that someday I will feel such affection from a man who might accept me, despite my transgressions.”
Lady Matlock took a seat and stared at her niece. Mrs. Annesley broke the silence. “My Lady, I understand how Miss Darcy’s behaviour could be misunderstood. She has endured, and in some ways caused, a great deal of distress in the past months. But we have spoken of this very often. She understands where her actions caused some events to be far worse than they might have been, and she also understands how others have affected them by their own behaviour. Each person contributed to the whole in a significant way. I assure you though; she feels nothing but the greatest admiration for Mrs. Darcy, and only hopes that she can be a good sister to her. She can not wait to share her with her brother.” Mrs. Annesley smiled and patted her hand.
“Aunt Ellen, since my return home
, I have taken time to reread all of the letters that Elizabeth sent me after Ramsgate, and I have spent a great deal of time meditating on the conversations we had in Hertfordshire, as well as when William talked to me. I know that it is in my hands to determine my future. I can sit and cry over what I can no longer change, or move on. That is what everyone has told me. I regret every one of my actions, but I know that I can not be bitter about them; otherwise I will be no better than my mother. I have no desire to live as she did. I think that my brother’s marriage will be a great example to me of what my future could be.”
“Well, I must say, this is a great relief. I was ready to give you a thorough tongue-lashing and threaten you to paste a smile on your face for your brother’s return. I do not want this joyous time for him and Elizabeth to be spoiled by your behaviour.” Georgiana’s eyes widened. “However, as it seems that your entire family has mistaken your motivation, I will instead apologize and ask; how do you wish to welcome them home?”
“Really?” Georgiana looked to Mrs. Annesley who nodded her encouragement. “I … I had thought of a special dinner for them, with all of William’s favourites and I think that I know some of Elizabeth’s, too, and I was just looking through the sheets here to put together a little concert for them … and oh, I wanted to ask if there were any flowers in the hot house that we could use to decorate their rooms …”
“That all sounds just wonderful, Georgiana. We shall give them a grand welcome! I imagine though that when they arrive, the first thing they will wish for is a warm bath!” The three ladies laughed and moved to some chairs around a table. Georgiana brought some paper and a pen, and they began working out the details of the homecoming.
CAROLINE BINGLEY sat alone in front of the window that looked out upon Hanover Square. Muffled sounds of servants going about their work could be heard. The clock chimed, carriages made their way down the street, people walked by, but nobody approached her door. She had dropped off calling cards at thirty addresses with Louisa her first day back. Nearly all of them went to people who she could hardly call friends, but the barest acquaintances, ones she had been introduced to at various balls and parties. The only thing she had in common with those people was the shared connection to Mr. Darcy. They were all far above her in status, and in fact, the majority of them were not at home, but in the country at their estates. The other cards had been delivered to friends she had made in finishing school, girls, nearly all married now, who were from her true circle, tradesman’s daughters who were taking the first steps into the gentry, or lower-status gentlewomen, below the rank of Hurst’s family. These were the only people who had responded to her calls and allowed her visits. The others either were not at home or had decidedly shut her out.
She tried to reason it out, thinking that it was Mr. Darcy’s fall and her association with him that made the members of the ton less welcoming to her. However that made no sense, she knew full well he would be welcomed back the next Season. But slowly, very slowly, the thought that perhaps it was she that was the problem began to enter her mind. She looked down at the society page, reading the wedding announcement again. It was done. He was gone, and had never been there for her in the first place. She set her sights far too high, and now she was paying the price. She looked forward to the next day’s paper, and the gossip about what a mistake Darcy had made. She looked forward to being invited into the homes of the ladies who mattered and telling them what a country nobody Eliza Bennet was. She thought of entering a tea room and being the centre of attention when she spoke of her knowledge, then the growing vindictive smile fell from her face. She had no carriage, and no funds to hire a cab. She would have to walk to the fashionable places. She could not hang about shops making purchases while gossiping. All she could do is sit in that window, and wait, and watch the world go by. Charles’ punishment was going to be most effective.
THE CARRIAGE lurched again as a gust of wind hit it hard, and Elizabeth braced her body by holding tightly to the strap with one hand, and clutching William’s arm with the other. His chuckle made her glare at him. “What is so amusing?”
“Forgive me; I was only thinking that it is a fine thing that my coat is so heavy, else my arms would be quite bruised from the abuse they are suffering at your hand.” She had been comfortably reclined against him until she sat up to take in the view.
The rocking seemed to have stopped and Elizabeth cautiously relaxed her grip. “Is it always like this?”
Darcy closed his book and tossed it across the carriage to land on the opposite seat, glanced out the window as they made a turn, then wrapped his arms around her waist to draw her back to his side. “No, but it is still autumn; and the weather is always changing. Although I think that the period of warmth we just experienced is already a fond memory. Winter in Derbyshire is cold.”
She snuggled into his embrace. “I am not so concerned about the weather once we arrive. I am simply very unfamiliar with travel. The only place I have ever been is London, and I had never slept at an inn before. It seems that every moment with you is a new experience.” She looked up at the lips that were curved in his familiar little smile. “I should think that you would be quite pleased with my fortitude.”
His smile grew. “I am delighted with you, my love.” He kissed her nose. “How may I distract you from the rigours of travel?”
“Tell me of Pemberley.” He laughed. “Not the house, but tell me of your day. I have no idea what to expect. Will you leave me every morning only to return at dark? Will you shut yourself away in your study and not wish to be disturbed? Will you go on long trips?”
“It seems that you are anticipating my abandoning you almost as soon as we arrive. I did not marry only to separate from you, Elizabeth.” He kissed her forehead. “I think that you are worried over your role, but dearest, remember, Pemberley has had no mistress for sixteen years. You will be establishing what your duties will be. Whatever you wish to take over from Mrs. Reynolds is entirely your decision.” He peeked down at the face resting on his chest. “Surely you are familiar with running a household from observing your mother?”
“Yes, of course, she is many things, but she did train us very thoroughly in that.”
“Well, think of Pemberley House as a slightly larger version of Longbourn.” He smiled at her raised brows.
“How much larger?”
“Oh, well, I would hazard a guess of about … five times?” Elizabeth spun around to face him.
“FIVE!” She cried.
“Six?” He bit his lip and attempted to hold back his laughter and failed. Instead he pulled her struggling body tight to his and began showering kisses over her. “I do not mean to frighten you, but it is a very large estate. We will do this together. And to answer your questions, I do like to ride over the estate every day in good weather, and I wished you to improve your skills so that you could join me. I do like to know my tenants and their concerns, and I hope that you will visit them with me as you did your father’s. I do work in my study and meet with my steward, but I would be overjoyed if you were to spend your time with me when you are not busy with your own activities. I very occasionally need to make overnight trips to other estates to discuss concerns with other landowners, but I notice that they always brought their wives with them. I intend to bring you with me whenever I can. I will no longer bury myself in work to find a way to make the day pass. I wish to share all of my life with you, Elizabeth.”
Their faces were nose to nose, his legs were stretched out across the seat, and she was lying on top of him with her arms around his neck. “You are an unusual man.”
Darcy’s lips twitched, then he resumed his favourite occupation of nibbling on her throat. “Do you mind so terribly?”
“Oh no, not at all … in fact, I feel very smug about it.” He returned to his previous position and regarded her sparkling eyes and waited. “All of these women who cover themselves in lace and feathers to attract their husbands, and it seems that all I need to do is appea
r dishevelled and work by your side.”
“I prefer you dishevelled.” Darcy growled in her ear. “And I take great pleasure in destroying the careful work of your abigail.”
“I noticed.” Elizabeth moaned as she felt his hand begin to travel up her legs and cup her bare bottom. “Oh, Willlllll.”
“Mmmmm?” He captured her lips and began stroking his tongue with hers. Elizabeth moved to sit up, and quickly unbuttoned his coat and the fall of his breeches, reaching inside to release his very potent arousal. She stroked up and down and saw him watching her closely.
“What are your intentions, Mrs. Darcy?”
She straddled him, and slowly sank down onto his hardened shaft. Darcy’s head fell back and he groaned while biting his lip. “I think Mr. Darcy, if I am to travel the estate with you, I must be thoroughly acquainted with my mount.” She whispered seductively.
He sat up and turned so that her knees rested on the seat, and he drove his hips upwards, burying himself deeper inside. She gasped with his move. “Prepare for a hard ride then, my love. Your mount is quite restive.” He pulled her tight against his chest and attacked her lips. The carriage struck a rut and they flew up off of the seat for a moment, and she landed, impaled deeper than ever. They both groaned. She began to move upon him, and he rested his hands on her hips, helping her rise and fall. The wind blew and the carriage buffeted them from side to side, and still they rode, hanging on to each other as the springs creaked and groaned, and masked the unrepentant cries of pleasure they both exclaimed. With one last thrust upwards, Elizabeth fell over the brink and clutched him, nearly strangling him with her hold, and nearly suffocating with his kiss. Darcy soon followed and revelled in the heart-stopping release. Breathing heavily they finally drew far enough apart to rest their foreheads together. Darcy opened his eyes and glanced out of the window. He kissed her cheek. “Lizzy, look.”
