by Wells, Linda
“Sacrifice!” Elizabeth stared. “You were to marry well … you had the best chance because you were so beautiful … Sacrifice! That is the most ridiculous notion I have ever heard. You were perfectly yourself after Mary and I were married; it was not until your wedding that you changed. I think that you were jealous of me for being gone. You wished it for yourself!”
“No, of course not!”
“Papa never doted on you. He appreciated your beauty, he appreciated his first child, but he never gave you his attention, Mama did. You were perfect in every way to her. I know, I was forever told how inferior I was.”
In the hallway, Darcy kept his hand on Bingley’s shoulder. Not quite holding him back as giving him support as he heard his wife being revealed to him. Hurst stood out of sight of the women, and watched the scene unfold. Elizabeth was leaning forward, staring unflinchingly at Jane. And Jane had her head bowed. The other women were absolutely silent.
“You were correct; we should have left this to speak about privately.” Jane murmured.
“At least you are present; apparently every aspect of my life has been dissected for the amusement of Longbourn and Netherfield and nobody put a stop to it.” She saw her sister’s eyes well up with tears. “If I hurt you, I apologize.” Elizabeth closed her eyes to take a hold of her raging emotions and then opening them, gratefully saw Darcy in the doorway. He entered the room and moving to stand behind her, rested his hand upon her shoulder. Elizabeth reached up and drew strength from his touch. Hurst took a seat beside Louisa. Bingley hesitated, and then seeing Jane’s distress, sat beside her.
“It seems that we missed quite a discussion.” Darcy murmured, rubbing his thumb along Elizabeth’s throat. “As uncomfortable as it is right now, I prefer to have this exposed tonight, rather than dancing around it under the guise of politeness for the length of your stay. As my wife has opened the door in her inimitable way, I will continue through. Miss Bingley, you are being given a great opportunity to forward your chances to marry, I suggest that you spend your time preparing for it. Unending compliments only set my teeth on edge and do nothing to encourage a future invitation. I think that I need not mention your behaviour towards my dear wife.” Caroline nodded and then looked down at her hands. His turned to Jane. “Mrs. Bingley,” clutching her handkerchief she managed to look up, “I have learned that expressions of disappointment contain the same message as effusions. My wife loves you; otherwise she would not speak so harshly.” Jane looked to Elizabeth. “I hope that over the course of your visit, your friendship will be repaired.”
Elizabeth watched as Jane’s gaze moved to Bingley. His love for her was heartbreakingly clear. He offered his hand and as she clasped it, he stood, bringing her with him. Nodding to the room, Bingley said quietly, “Please excuse us.”
Hurst puffed out his cheeks when they had gone. “I do not envy the walls in that room tonight.”
“If they talk, then it will be exactly what they needed to do months ago.” Darcy leaned down to kiss Elizabeth’s cheek. “You, however, have done enough talking for one night, love.”
“Have I?” She said softly.
“mmhmmm.” Tugging her hand, she stood and he guided her around the sofa and into his arms. He held her close and rubbed his hands over her back. “I will take a cue from my friend and wish you all a good night.” He smiled at Georgiana over Elizabeth’s head resting against his chest. “You are hostess now.” Georgiana’s already wide eyes grew like saucers. “Train her well, Mrs. Annesley.”
“Mr. Darcy …” Caroline began and was immediately silenced by his instantly cold stare. “Good night.”
“Good night, Miss Bingley.” He smoothly guided Elizabeth out the door.
“You may close your mouths now, ladies.” Hurst said with admiration in his voice. “You have to hand it to the man. He does nothing by halves.”
“THIRTY MINUTES.” Darcy pronounced as he drew out his watch and consulted the time.
“Far too long.” Elizabeth leaned heavily on his shoulder as they strolled along with their arms around each other. “You must pay a tribute, sir.”
“I like the sound of that.” He watched as her hand wandered over his coat and one-by-one, freed the buttons. He cocked his brow. “Are you undressing me, Mrs. Darcy?”
“I thought that I would do in fact what you were doing with your eyes all night.”
“You noticed?”
“I think that everyone noticed.” Their eyes met and he leaned to kiss her.
“How was it? It seemed that emotions were running very high.” Darcy murmured as soon as they were out of earshot of the room.
“I do not know what came over me towards the end, but I felt so violated, and you know what happens when I am frightened.” Worried eyes examined her and he nodded. “Do not mind me, I was not serious.”
“Yes, you were, love. And you are very tired.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me that? This afternoon I explained to Samuel that a woman does not appreciate being told that she looks anything but perfect by her suitor.”
“I am not your suitor, I am your husband.” His eyes warmed as hers narrowed. “And I heard the verbal sparring that was underway. I am absolutely speechless about what has been discussed of us, though considering the source … Your reaction was entirely justified.”
“Jane did not apologize.” Elizabeth said sadly.
“She will. You know that she will. She is not used to sparring with anyone approaching your talent. When Bingley came in, she wilted like a flower. Miss Bingley was silenced; I admire that more than I can say.”
“As you told me, I had to state clearly whose home it was. I thought that I had established my position with Miss Bingley in London, particularly with Lady Catherine’s assistance, but it seems that I needed to remind her here. After all, Pemberley was her ultimate goal.” Darcy frowned and shook his head. Elizabeth touched the scar on his cheek. “And I suppose that it did not occur to me that it would be necessary to do at all with Jane. I am sorry that I lost my temper.”
“Do not be, you needed to express yourself. I hope that what was said does them some good.”
“I hope that he kisses more than her hand. Jane needs a lesson in passion.” Elizabeth smiled and leaned against his shoulder as he kissed her hair.
“He was voicing what sounded a great deal like regret when we were alone.” Darcy sighed. “I was sorrier than I could say to hear him.”
“Regret that they had married?” When he nodded, she became quiet and he tilted his head.
“What are you thinking?”
“I imagine that he is disappointed in himself as much as Jane. He kept hoping that she would return to the girl he fell in love with, but I imagine he never said a word while it was happening. I wonder if he did not notice until the damage was done and then did not know how to repair it.” Elizabeth said thoughtfully, smiling when she observed Darcy’s attention. “What did I say?”
“That thought never occurred to me.”
“Now, that is a surprise.”
“Why?” He demanded.
“Because you are a master of feeling disappointed in yourself when you miss some detail or other. You suppose yourself the seer of all things in your world.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Hmmm.” Darcy hugged her waist. “I disliked being seated so far away from you tonight.”
“No paddy fingers under the table. No stockinged foot sliding up your thigh …”
“Hmmmmm. And tonight I think that we both needed it.” She saw his lips twitch.
“What are you thinking?”
“It is a surprise.”
“Tell me!”
“No.”
“Tell me …” She whispered seductively.
“ooooh.” His eyes lit up. “Hold that thought.”
“I can think of many things I would enjoy holding.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “And tasting …”
“Lizzzzy.”
“I need you.” She w
hispered. “I want you.”
“Lord, help me.” Darcy bent his head and breathed in her perfume. “Why were you not seductive last night, when the house was still ours?”
“Perhaps I enjoy torturing you?”
“Perhaps?” He chuckled. “I hope that you ate tonight, so that you may keep up with all my imagination is conjuring.”
“I do eat!”
“Do not even attempt to protest. Your habits are my business.” Their eyes held and disregarding the footman stationed at the end of the hallway, he bent and caressed her cheek before tenderly brushing her mouth with his lips and just barely tasted her tongue. The thrill of that slight touch ran down both of their spines. Darcy drew away, “Peppermint?”
“Do you prefer ginger?”
“As long as it is from your tongue, love …” Smiling, he kissed her temple. “Can you tolerate cider, do you think?”
“What is on your mind, Mr. Darcy? You know what cider does to me!”
Chuckling, he signalled the footman and placed his order. Turning back to her he was grinning. “I do.”
Her hands landed on her hips. “This will be a long night with little sleep.”
“I certainly hope so.” Darcy’s gaze travelled over her and he took her hands back into his. “You promised me this morning, remember?”
“You are undressing me with your eyes again.” Elizabeth whispered.
“Mmmm. No. You are quite … quite … bare already.” His grip tightened and glancing at his breeches, Elizabeth shifted to conceal his arousal.
“Do not worry about hiding that, love.” Pulling her closer, he nuzzled her ear. “I know the perfect place.”
“I ASKED PARKER about it this morning. We had plenty of time to talk; he said that Darcy and Elizabeth were sleeping late.” Bingley drove as closely as he could to the base of the cliff, and then setting the brake, helped Jane down from Elizabeth’s curricle. “With the angle and the leaves on the trees, you cannot really see it from the drive above, but he said that it should be visible from the bottom.” Taking her hand, they walked over the uneven ground until they found the faint path that lead to the cliff. Together they stood with their heads back, looking over the craggy face. At last he spotted something. “Look there!” He pointed.
“Where?”
“That boulder there … about ten feet from that lone pine stuck in a fissure, I see a piece of the curricle. Do you see?”
Jane strained and the gasping, her hands went to her mouth. Bingley stared and put his hand around her waist. “Mr. Darcy was stuck there? No wonder he was so terribly hurt.”
“Good Lord.” Bingley whispered. “Do you know the odds of him being discovered, let alone living long enough for Elizabeth to demand that they find him?”
“She did not ever give up on him.” Jane whispered.
“From what I heard from Parker this morning, everyone else had. When those men who died were brought to the manor and he pulled back the blanket, expecting to see Darcy’s battered body … Poor Elizabeth, the horror and then the hope she must have felt in just moments. Everyone else was cold and tired, but she would have climbed up here alone. From what I understand she was on her way before the men knew what she was doing.” Bingley looked away from the spot where his friend had nearly died and found Jane with tears running down her face. “What are you thinking?”
“I do not know if I would have had her strength. I am so ashamed to say that … especially to you.”
“You do not know what strength you have until you need it.”
“But … here I have been thinking ill of her for all of these months, for abandoning the family.” She looked back up at the cliff. “She would not abandon her family, not ever. Mr. Darcy is her family now.”
“Am I your family, Jane?” Bingley asked gently.
“It did not occur to me that I had finally left home until we came here.” Jane felt his hand take hers. “We lived too close to Longbourn, and when we were visiting your family in Scarborough, I was wearing mourning for Papa.”
“So you were still tied to your childhood home?”
Jane nodded and met his eyes. “And I never tried to demand my rights as your wife; I let Caroline continue to assert her wishes at Netherfield.”
“I never stepped in.”
“You should not have had to. It was my fault for thinking it would all resolve itself without a word. I lived as a guest, not your wife.” She looked down at her feet. “I am so ashamed of myself.”
“I think that we are both guilty of hoping for the best when we needed to make it happen ourselves.” Bingley smiled ruefully. “So, it is agreed, we are doing the correct thing, moving far from Longbourn?” Jane nodded. “And I hope to send Louisa and Hurst home to London after the ball.”
“And Caroline?”
“If she does not find a husband this time …” Bingley glared.
“Charles! You look positively menacing!” Jane cried.
“Do I?” Looking back up at the cliff, his smile faltered. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“I do not know. Somewhere. Alone …” He looked again at the cliff and could feel the emotion that had lived there. “Together. We have work to do.”
THE SCENT OF ROSES DRIFTED in through the open window and Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes. Sunlight flooded the room. They had slept unusually late, but she was in no hurry to rise. Instead, she turned and nestled her head upon Darcy’s shoulder. With her touch, his hand moved around her waist and drew her close. A sense of contentment and safety washed over her as she breathed in the lingering scent of his cologne, and pressing a kiss to his chest, she settled against him and listened. His heart beat in its familiar steady cadence and by the way his arms held her, heavily and loose, she knew that he was sleeping.
“Good morning.” She whispered as she played with the soft dark hair on his chest. Kissing along his throat, she smiled with the tickle of his beard and idly traced her finger along his jaw, stopping to feel the cleft in his chin, before travelling along his arm to circle his hip. “Thank you for such a wonderful night.”
Elizabeth’s hand slid over his warm smooth skin and down to his handsome seat. She thought of how he reassured her after such a difficult evening, how he took charge and swept her away, loving her and wanting nothing in return. Her wandering hand brushed over his stomach and finally caressed his penis where it lay draped over his thigh. Her touches were having an effect it seemed. She laughed softly when he sighed and pressed into her palm. Well, let’s see if we can rouse the old man.
She touched the warm velvet skin, tracing her finger down its length into the soft nest of hair and back up to the tip. The smile that lifted her lips as she fondled him became a blush when sticky wetness coated her fingers and his musky scent reached her nose. Feeling a thrill of wickedness, she slid from his embrace and down to his waist, taking with her the sheet that covered them. She looked over her sleeping man possessively and then settling comfortably with her head resting on his thigh, she lifted his heavy cock.
“Hullo there.” She addressed it with a smile. “Feeling a little lonely? Shall I help you to stand proud?” Tenderly pulling back on the soft skin, she swirled her tongue over the round knob, tasting him. Darcy moaned. “More, you say?” She whispered, kissing it before taking him fully within her mouth. Her tongue swirled and played, sucking and licking as he grew ever harder.
“mmm.” Darcy breathed deeply and sighed. “Ohhhh that is sooo warrrrm.” His lips parted, “Oh love, you know just how to …” His eyes flew open and he looked down to see Elizabeth’s soft lips wrapped around him. “I am not dreaming …” He groaned as a sudden surge of blood rushed to his groin. His head fell back on the pillows and his heart started pounding.
“Ahhhhhh, that is better.” She purred, caressing her hands over him. “Sooooooo much more to love now.”
“Lizzzzzzzy.” He moaned and lifting up on his elbows, he strained to see what she was doing. Elizabeth gigg
led and looking him straight in the eye lapped her tongue tenderly over the tip. “Oh, Lord …” Rising to her knees and nudging him back, she looked into his bewildered, passion-filled eyes while tracing a finger slowly between his balls. Darcy’s hips bucked, and when her touch stroked the smooth skin behind his scrotum, he cried out as pleasure shot through his body. “Lizzy!”
Holding him steady, she bent and brushed her slightly parted lips over his now-proud shaft while Darcy watched in wolfish fascination. When she took him into her mouth he cried out again and gripped the bed sheet with clenched fists as his toes curled and he tried desperately to hold on.
“What … what are you … doing …?” His head fell back as sensations like endless fingers of electricity fired through every nerve.
Elizabeth whispered, “He was asking to come out and play …”
“Pardon?” Darcy laughed helplessly and reached to touch her hair.
“I could hear him calling … Come play with me, Lizzy.” She looked into the one-eyed serpent in her hand. “Did you not?” When she made it nod at her she blushed and hid her face against his hip.
Darcy’s jaw was dropped open and his face was as red as hers. “Elizabeth Rose Bennet Darcy … What has moved you today! You have reduced my … the Darcy pride to a … puppet show!” Darcy sat up and retrieved her head from its hiding spot. His eyes were bright and twinkling and despite his wife’s obvious embarrassment, the mischievous sparkle of the devil was still dancing in hers. He caressed her hair and attempted to address her seriously. “Come and play, you say. Is that so? Well, who am I to argue?” He grinned and then moaned as he watched her tongue swirl around him again. “Sweetheart, I will not last more than a minute if you keep this up.”
“That will not do at all, Mr. Darcy, my love. Whatever shall we do?”
“You had better let me do the tasting for a while, Little Miss Innocent.” Pulling her up onto his lap, she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders. They looked down at his erection clasped between their bellies and then held each other’s eyes. Darcy’s hands cupped her bottom possessively. “I like this position.”
