by Wells, Linda
“Today it was.” She smiled to see his curiosity. “I am used to something softer.”
“Why the change, then?”
“I have an insistent modiste, now.” Elizabeth laughed and he smiled, dropping the offensive garment to the floor. He stood back and considered her. All that was left were her chemise and stockings. It was extraordinarily arousing to see her so nearly bare, and he noticed that when he stopped his undressing, she began to tremble again. Understanding, he set back to work.
“It is my turn now, I think.” Taking her hand, he lifted it to his chest. “Will you help me?”
“Oh.” She released the button at the top of his shirt, and watched it fall open, then caressing her hands along his wrists, opened the cuffs. He raised his arms over his head, and she slowly pulled his shirt from his breeches, then helped him to lift it up and off, so that he stood bare-chested before her. “I do not think I will ever grow tired of this view.” Her fingers glided up his tightly muscled torso, becoming lost in the thick black nest of hair. Darcy closed his eyes, and then opened them with surprise when he felt her lips press against his skin and felt a bolt of electricity when she licked his nipple; it was his turn to fight nerves, and moving quickly he reasserted control.
“Dearest … Come.” Holding her hand, he led the way to the bed, pulled back the counterpane, and guided her onto the sheets. Darcy remained standing and she watched with fascination as he lifted her leg and unrolled one stocking, then moved to the other. Holding the leg high in the air, he caressed both hands over it, and then bent to kiss her calf. He lowered it gently, and taking her hand, rested it over his arousal. Her fingers caressed the hard shape then moved to free the buttons of the fall, and reached inside to draw him out. Darcy’s eyes closed when her touch found his burning skin and in a flash his breeches were gone, and he was nude before her.
“I love seeing your desire for me.” Elizabeth whispered. Caressing his pride with both hands, she sat up to fondle him, and he instantly was on the bed, by her side, and wrapping her safe within his arms.
“Your trembling has stopped.” He spoke softly as he kissed her face, her throat, then her lips.
“So has yours.”
Darcy whispered, “I become undone when you touch me, Elizabeth. I hardly know what to do with myself.”
“We are both shy, then.” She smiled and he nodded. “I think that makes me feel even more secure with you.”
“I cannot imagine being so open with anyone else, nor do I want to.” He nibbled on her neck and she sighed, then opened her eyes suddenly to find his twinkling at her. “I did not leave a mark, love.” She sighed again as he smiled to himself. This time.
They lay together, kissing and touching. Elizabeth’s hands explored his back; Darcy’s caressed her breasts through the transparent chemise, then lifted it up and away before he settled over her, finally joining their bodies. As they kissed, his hand explored lower, down over her hip, and then he surprised her by rolling them to their sides. They lay together, slowly rocking and kissing. “Oh Elizabeth, this feels so good.” He moaned, then separating a little, he watched their movement and touched her cheek. “Look dearest.” Elizabeth gazed down to see his length slide into her.
“Ohhh.” She sighed as he filled her and withdrew, filled her and withdrew.
“See how wet you are?” He whispered as he slipped inside again. “See how I am covered with you? I love to watch this. I love to see us together.” She reached down to rub his base and he moaned. “More darling, more.” Slowly her hand caressed over his heavy curls and he moaned louder, and reciprocated by stroking her pearl. Elizabeth gasped and closed her eyes. “Does this feel good?” He asked softly. “Please tell me.”
“Please keep touching me.” She sighed and moaned. “Please, come into me.” Elated, Darcy did just as she asked, thrusting and stroking steadily while their mutual fondling heightened their anticipation. “Oh, oh, more!” She let him go and embraced his shoulders. Now enveloping her tight in his arms, he began thrusting harder, and could feel the tension growing within her. His excitement grew as he willed her to come with him, and he plunged into her, giving all that he had. Their mouths met and their tongues fought with fervour equal to the motion of their pounding hips. Darcy revelled in the feel of her legs gripping his body and urging him to drive deeper, while Elizabeth drowned in the glory of his possession. When she suddenly relaxed and cried out, Darcy gratefully let go.
“Ohhhhh!” He gasped and swallowed. “Oh, Elizabeth, it was so long, it lasted so long!” Another spasm shook his body and she gripped him tighter as he voiced his pleasure. One more great shiver travelled through him and he rested his face on her shoulder and panted.
“We need to remember this.” She sighed and kissed his hair while rubbing his back. “This was glorious.”
He pulled himself together and looked up to smile at her in wonder. “What a gift your love is for me! I never imagined … Oh dearest, you are correct, we must remember this.” They remained lying side by side, and clung together, whispering endearments between kisses. Eventually Darcy turned onto his back and she cuddled against his chest.
“I feel so much better.” Elizabeth sighed and hugged his waist.
Darcy chuckled and lifted his head from where it rested on her hair. “I do, too.”
“What did you have to be worried about?” She smiled and kissed his nose.
“I had to sit here through countless meetings while worrying about how you fared.” He turned and nuzzled his face across her breasts and laughed. “I would wager that you did not spare a thought of me.”
“How much?”
“Oh, you thought of me? Let me guess, it was wishing that I was with you?”
She lifted her chin. “Perhaps it was cursing you for marrying me?”
“Impossible.” He returned his face to her shoulder, and closed his eyes. “You love me too much.”
“I do.” Elizabeth sighed and hugged him. “I cannot imagine settling for less than what I have with you, grand estate or not.”
“So you will not let it frighten you anymore?”
“Oh, I will worry, but … you are correct, I should not let the words of those so wholly unconnected to me harm my feelings of worthiness. My sole concern should be your opinion, not theirs.”
“And my opinion is irrevocable.” He whispered. “Now my love, sleep, we have one more dinner and we can go home.”
An hour later, Elizabeth woke, and after a bit of a struggle escaped Darcy’s protective embrace. She gathered her discarded clothes and after donning a robe, settled at the writing desk in their sitting room.
6 July, 1809
Today Alicia thankfully joined me while I left the house to pay calls. Fitzwilliam saw us off, whispering apologies to me the whole way to the carriage. I found myself reassuring him more than being worried of the visits to come. When we were at last on our way, Alicia could not stop laughing, and told me that she had no memory of seeing Fitzwilliam so open with his feelings. I have to claim some satisfaction with that knowledge. There is so much of him that I have yet to learn.
We called on four ladies, ones who were specially selected by Aunt Helen. We met Mrs. Kendall, whose husband owns an estate near Rosings and is apparently a great confidant of Lady Catherine’s. Then we moved on to Lady Monroe, who advises the Almack’s board. Next were Lady Grafton and finally Mrs. Smythe. Alicia kept the conversation to approved topics, and I followed her lead, trying to remember all that I have been taught to do. I felt the women examining everything about me. At least my gown was admired by them all, and I hope that my manners were acceptable. Mrs. Kendall was rather direct with her desire to learn every detail of my courtship with Fitzwilliam; and I believe that Aunt Helen would have been pleased with my ability to skirt the topic. Mrs. Smythe was interested in delving into our plans for children, as if she was hoping for me to make some announcement there and then. She seemed rather disappointed with my absolute ignorance over the signs of pend
ing motherhood. Alicia told me later that the woman was well known as a great gossip; and I understood that her word of my innocence would go far to dispel rumours. Lady Grafton was simply a kind woman. What the ulterior motive was in our visit to her parlour escaped me.
The difficulty with the visits was not these four women, but the others who were also there paying calls. I was questioned and prodded, reminded of my unworthiness and the enormity of the position I had accepted, and it seems, how many women were unhappy that my husband was lost to them all. When we at last returned, Fitzwilliam reassured me of my merit with his words and his touch. I cannot know what the future will bring me, but I do know that I will live in a house filled with love. I am so grateful to have married him. Millie just came into the room and set a bouquet of roses on my dressing table and a little note expressing his feelings was tucked amongst them. When did he prepare this? I thought that I left him asleep! I believe that I can bear anything with such a dear man by my side.
She set down her pen to smell the flowers and looked up to see Darcy standing beside her. “When did you do this?”
“Now, I cannot tell you all of my secrets.” He leaned down and kissed her, then read over her entry, his lips set in an unhappy line until he came to the end when he smiled again. “I think that I might have to steal this journal from time to time to learn your secrets.”
“I will lock it away.” Elizabeth laughed and closed the book before he could page back through it.
“Now that is hardly fair. I know that you read mine.” He laughed softly as she blushed with her guilt. “Perhaps someday I will write something in there to gain your attention.”
“Such as?” She turned and stood up to embrace him.
“Mmmmm, Let me consider that.” He kissed her, and before he became too lost drew reluctantly away. “We should prepare for dinner. Do you have something suitable for the evening?”
“Suitable appropriate or suitable to inspire envy?” She raised her brow and he laughed again. “Both, I think.”
“Excellent.” He snatched a rose from the vase and handed it to her. “I look forward to it.” An hour later he leaned on the doorframe to her dressing room and watched with satisfaction as Millie put the finishing touches on Elizabeth’s hair. She spotted him and stood.
“What do you think?” Elizabeth asked when they were alone. “I do not wish to outshine the bride.”
“You still are a bride, my love. Miss Bingley is just engaged.” Darcy smiled as she stood before him and touched the lovely blue gown. “You are stunning Elizabeth.” She looked down and he took her hand. “You have met Miss Bingley before.”
“Yes.”
“She criticized you.”
“Yes.” Elizabeth sighed. “Am I really so transparent?”
Darcy slipped his arms around her waist and hugged her. “Yes, to me you are, have you forgotten your resolve not to let other’s opinions affect you?”
“This is different. She was interested in me as a wife for her brother until she heard that Longbourn was small. I did not understand her concern; it was not as if Mr. Bingley would receive the estate as part of the marriage settlement.”
“He would not have received a large dowry or prestige either.” Darcy said softly. “Miss Bingley is always looking for things that would increase her value.” He kissed her throat and rested his cheek on her head. “Besides, you were not interested in Bingley anyway.” Elizabeth squeezed his waist to reassure him and he squeezed back before continuing. “I am very curious about this man she has accepted. The last person I would have expected her to marry would be an apparently younger son who is studying law. He seems to be a younger version of Stewart.”
“But Mr. Stewart has excellent prospects!” She said into his chest. “This man of Miss Bingley’s could be the same.”
“He could, but Miss Bingley wanted me, or my ilk. This is a spectacular step down from her machinations. I honestly could not understand why there were no other men asking for her. She has an excellent dowry, and she is not without wit or accomplishments. There are any number of gentlemen who would welcome her as their wife. I always thought that she wished to outdo her sister’s choice of Mr. Hurst. The only thing that I can consider as problematic is her tie to trade.”
“Did you ever consider her?” Elizabeth waited and after a long silence she finally peeked up at him. Darcy was looking down at her with his brows raised. “Was that a foolish question?”
“I was in love with you when I met her, was I not?”
“But you had no hope of me …”
“Dearest, I always had hope of you.” He kissed her forehead and let her go. “Come, let us go and meet this lucky man.”
“Why do I think that you are speaking with your tongue firmly in your cheek?” She laughed and took his hand as they walked down the stairs.
“I do hope for her happiness, Elizabeth. And his.” He caught her raised brow and let his lips twitch.
WICKHAM STEPPED FROM HIS CAB and eyed the facade of the Hurst’s townhouse. It is not Grosvenor Square, but it will do for a honeymoon. Damn that Bingley, I was almost certain I would avoid a settlement, not that I have anything to back up those papers I signed. He laughed, thinking of his friend who worked at the bank and provided the false statements of his account. Well, soon enough it will be mine, I will disappear, and Caroline will return to mooning over Darcy. It will be good to get away from such a miserable woman. Raising the knocker he waited for the door to open. Too bad Georgiana is too young, I am certain I could have talked her into eloping; it would have been so much easier with a little girl. Thirty thousand would have been so much better too, especially if I could have hurt that insufferable bastard in the process. ‘Stay off of my land and away from my family!’ You do not alarm me, Darcy! Prig! The door opened and Wickham stepped inside, and was ushered upstairs to join the family.
“Dear Mr. Wickham!” Caroline purred. “Oh, how handsome you are in your blue coat! Do you not agree, Louisa?”
“You look very fine, sir.” She said quietly and met her husband’s eyes which immediately rolled upwards. She nodded at him and he coughed.
“Wickham, have you determined a date yet?”
“The sooner the better, I say.” Wickham laughed and winked at Caroline. “Do you not agree my dear? I have the license; shall we go in the morning?”
“Oh Mr. Wickham, you make me blush!” She gushed.
“I am serious, my dear.” He raised her hand and kissed it. “I am more than ready to be your husband, why should we wait a moment longer? I long to introduce you as Mrs. Wickham.” He stared into her eyes and watched the flush spread up Caroline’s neck to her hair. “Shall we, my dear?”
Hurst cleared his throat. “I assume that you will acquire new apartments as befit a married couple, sir? You can hardly expect to keep your rooms at the boarding house now.”
Wickham startled from his quarry. “Oh … I had not thought of it. I wished for my wife to join me as we looked at properties.” He smiled at her. “I would not think of purchasing our home without her.” Caroline giggled.
Hurst nodded and spoke again, “Mrs. Hurst and I will be leaving town, and then we are expecting a great many guests for the little Season and beyond, you see.”
Wickham took the hint. “And of course, you will need the rooms …” He glanced at Bingley. “Are you being sent away as well, sir?”
“I suppose that I will, but I expect to be visiting Pemberley this autumn, and I have an open invitation to stay at Darcy House, but of course would not dream of imposing during the honeymoon.” He laughed. “I can well imagine that my presence would be most adamantly unwanted. The Darcys will leave in a matter of days, I understand.” He smiled at Wickham. “Your thought that they had travelled for their honeymoon was incorrect. Mrs. Darcy was making the rounds this morning paying calls. I spotted her carriage twice in Mayfair today.”
“Mrs. Darcy.” Wickham laughed uncomfortably. The Darcys in town and worse, in public
, was not part of his plans, and in his discomfort, he slipped. “I have heard enough of her that I can only offer condolences to him, he could have done so much better.” Bingley frowned and looked at Louisa who stared at Wickham, who covered quickly, “Forgive me, Bingley, he is your friend.”
“I was under the impression that he was yours as well.”
“Of course he is! And like the rest of society I suppose we will have to tolerate his wife.” Wickham said solemnly and was pleased to see Caroline’s head nodding. “It is only that I know his father’s expectations for him; we spent a great deal of time together, talking about his desires for both of us. He was my surrogate father after mine died, and took good care of me. His loss has been devastating.”
“I am so sorry to hear of your pain.” Bingley said sincerely. “I know how highly Darcy values his father’s memory.”
“Oh yes, I am sure that he does, but the estate is not the same without Mr. Darcy there.” He sighed sadly and looked at Caroline. “You know my feelings about losing his presence, my dear.”
“Would you turn down an invitation to Pemberley should it come, I hope that you and Mr. Darcy can share your memories of his father? I do not wish you to reject your friendship with Mr. Darcy simply because of his choice for wife.” Caroline asked worriedly then looked to her brother. “Surely you could suggest it, Charles?”
Bingley shook his head adamantly. “I will not Caroline; the Darcys’ guests are their own business, I am grateful to have received his card after the date of his wedding. I have heard of a great many men who have been dropped from his acquaintance.”
Wickham snorted. “That is no great surprise.”
“I dropped a good many from my acquaintance when I married, Wickham. It is a good opportunity to clean the slate.” Hurst noted.
“Of course, of course, I meant no offence. I will assuredly do the same very soon.” Wickham bowed to Caroline and moved to look out of the window, and noting Caroline’s worried expression in the glass’ reflection, tried to repair the damage. “If invited I would certainly enjoy returning to my boyhood home. I hold a great many memories of the place.” He watched as a carriage pulled up to the door. “I believe that your guests are arriving.”
