Well my mother is calling me to attend her guests. I remain your beloved sister,
Jane
*~*~*~*~*
Lizzy continued to review her correspondence. Mary wrote that she had completed her book and had sent it to Lady Jane, who would carry it to the publisher. Kitty and Lydia wrote of their anticipation of the start of school after the holidays. Her mother and father appeared to be pretty much the same.
Putting her correspondence aside, Elizabeth decided she had accomplished all she must for the day, and walked to the library to peruse the shelves for something to read.
As she was looking over the stacks, she heard steps behind her and a deep voice behind her saying, “Miss Bennet it appears that your ankle has healed.”
Hmmm, Elizabeth smiled, so we are role-playing. She turned around to face William. “Ah Mr. Darcy, sir, I am quite sorry. You see, I must admit to being dishonest with you, sir. I was trying to escape, to get away from you. I am afraid that I misunderstood your character. I am quite sorry, Mr. Darcy. Do you think you might forgive me?”
“No indeed madam, I do not believe I can forgive you so easily, Miss Bennet.” Darcy approached her as she was backed up against the stacks. “It was most cruel of you to lie to me in such a blatant and imprudent manner. I do not think I will be able to forgive you so easily, Miss Bennet.”
“I beg you for your forgiveness, Mr. Darcy. I am very, very sorry. Is there anything that I can do to show you the sincerity of my desire to make amends, sir?”
“I am unsure at this time, Miss Bennet. But at this point I find you have been most naughty. I fear there may be a need for some form of punishment,” Darcy said as Elizabeth saw his piercing ebony pools stare deeply into her eyes. If she had not known they were role-playing, she would have been quite sure he was severely angry with her.
“Mr. Darcy, sir, I humbly beg for your forgiveness. Truly, I regret my impertinent and dishonest manner of escape. I am also sure that I do merit chastisement.” Elizabeth looked up into his eyes, as he pressed her against the bookshelf.
“Yes, Miss Bennet. I do believe you deserve punishment, indeed. And you will receive it.” Darcy paused, ran the back of his hand down her cheek, and stopped at her mouth to run a finger along her lips. Elizabeth reached out to bite his finger.
“Miss Bennet, this will simply not do. It is most improper for you to attempt to bite me when you are supposed to be begging forgiveness. I find there is nothing else to do but to begin your instruction,” and with that, Darcy put her over his shoulder and moved with her to the couch near the fireplace. He sat down and put her over his lap face down.
“Miss Bennet, you do believe that you deserve my censure and punishment, do you not?” Darcy said as he caressed her round buttocks through her skirt.
Elizabeth was wiggling and attempting to escape. “Mr. Darcy, this is highly improper, unhand me, sir.”
Darcy began to lift up her skirts until they were all above her waist, and he returned to caressing her bottom, “I fear, Miss Bennet you are long past the point of escaping your spanking. You will be disciplined, and most severely, I fear,” he said began to caress her naked bottom.
“Mr. Darcy, you cannot mean to… you do not intend to…” Elizabeth squirmed in his lap.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Oh, but I most assuredly do intend to,” and as he said that he lifted his hand, and swatted her bare cheek.
“You have been quite impertinent with me, Miss Bennet,” and he swatted her opposite cheek.
“You have lied to me more than once,” and he smacked her on one cheek and then the other, just hard enough to sting a little, but not enough to hurt her.
“Mr. Darcy, please, please, I am sorry! Please, please forgive me!” Elizabeth squirmed yet again, and Darcy’s manhood sprang to life beneath her.
“Then there have been all those times when you impudently teased me in front of company,” and he lightly smacked both cheeks yet again, and then rubbed them. Darcy was becoming quite aroused.
“And of course, there were all those times when you deemed to show me your erect nipples through your gown,” and he swatted and rubbed each cheek yet again.
Elizabeth continued to wiggle against him increasing the strength of his erection. Her breath was becoming faster, and her arousal at his spanking excited and surprised her. “Mr. Darcy, might I do something else to make this up to you. I can feel your manhood pressing against me. Cannot I see to your relief?”
“That truly deserves a spanking, for that is an extremely naughty offer, Miss Bennet,” and he spanked her once more on each cheek and then rubbed her bottom. One cheek and then the other, getting closer and closer to her womanhood with each pass, until he inserted one of his fingers into her folds as he rubbed her buttocks.
“So, Miss Bennet, you think you will work off your penance by assisting me in finding my pleasure? Well we will see if you are able to bring me release, and then I will decide whether to grant you my forgiveness,” he moved her onto her knees with her body facing over the back of the couch. He moved to his knees, and began to caress her folds with his tongue and fingers from behind. When he was sure she was every bit as aroused as he, he rose to his feet.
Elizabeth was a bit startled by this position, but quite aroused. She continued to be amazed by William’s creativity, and his spontaneity. Such variety! Never would she have imagined he could find such a variety of ways in which to take her, and with that her thoughts left her, as he impaled her from behind with his length.
She leaned forward over the couch, pressed her backside more into his body as he plunged forward over and over into her. Darcy’s hands were on each side of her hips and after just a few strokes he brought one hand around to caress her hard nub as the other spanked her cheek. As he moved, Darcy’s moans were louder than she had ever heard before, and this position allowed him greater depth and more range of motion. She felt him slide in and out again and again as he caressed her. Finally, the tightness broke free to bring her own release with Darcy following quickly behind her. He collapsed forward onto her, but not wanting to harm her, pulled her back to sit on top of him on the chair behind them. Still inside her as he began to soften, he lightly caressed her breasts through her gown and said, “I find that you have truly gained my forgiveness.”
Then his voice softened to that of her husband, “But have I gained yours, my love? My Luscious Lizzy, I love you so.”
Elizabeth pulled her head back to rest under his neck and reached up to kiss his chin. “I am quite well, William. I think you could have been quite an actor on Drury Lane should you have chosen it, my love.”
“I have not yet shocked you beyond your ability to accept my lovemaking, have I?”
“Well, I never imagined that you would take me in the same manner that my horse mates. But we have already discovered that you are not at all like my horse,” Elizabeth giggled.
“If I ever go too far will you stop me, my love? I would never wish to harm you. You know that do you not?” Darcy asked her quite seriously.
“I do know that, William. But I find I must ask you a question?” she said as she played with the messy curls of his hair.
“I am listening, my Lizzy,” Darcy said.
“You told me several days ago that you had numerous fantasies about me before we married, and you warned me you might decide to role play one of them. That should you ever call me Miss Bennet I would know you were playing out a fantasy. But, William, did you truly think of this when we were in the library at Netherfield? I fear I am quite shocked you would have wished to do something like what we have just done, then. Did you want to spank me then, William?” Elizabeth questioned.
“Oh, Good God, Lizzy. How do I explain this to you?” He said as he pulled her to rest against his shoulder. “I could not have possibly imagined all of this in the library in those short minutes we were there. Although, I did think that I should punish you for your white lie. But no, such were not my thoughts at
the time. Later however, when I returned to my chambers, I will admit I thought of what might have happened if that scene had played out differently. I will admit to you, as I told you I would never lie to you, that I have imagined quite a number of variations on what we just did over the past few weeks.” He lifted her head to look into his eyes, and to see if she was shocked.
“Lord, William, I should be quite shocked to hear you admit such. But you are so creative, of course, you have thought through some of the fantasies we have staged. That actually makes sense to me. I could not imagine that you just impulsively came up with this recent scene we have enacted,” she said as she giggled and kissed him lightly.
“Well, I do perhaps ad lib a little bit, depending on your reactions and what you say,” he kissed her nose.
Lizzy looked down at his chest a bit embarrassed to admit to what she wanted to say. “Well, I admit to having a couple fantasies of my own.”
“Truly? Before we were married? Or since then?” William was curious indeed. “Will you tell me about these fantasies, my Lizzy, so I can help make them come true?”
“No, my love! But when you least expect it, I will show you,” Elizabeth said and kissed him lightly. Then she turned to face him and kissed him deeply. “I love you, William.”
*~*~*~*~*
Over the next couple days, the Darcys enjoyed their solitude as they attended to business matters and preparations for the holiday. Elizabeth had sent an express to the Gardiners with a request to obtain something special for William for the holiday. William had already obtained Elizabeth’s gifts while in London. They were content with each other, and continued to enjoy their growing adventurous intimacy.
The twenty-second of December soon arrived, and their family began to arrive at Pemberley. Lord and Lady Matlock came with Georgiana and Richard. The Bennet party included two carriages. One included Mrs. Bennet, along with Mary, Kitty and Lydia. The other carriage included Mr. Bennet, along with Jane and Bingley. The Gardiners were due the next day, as they had decided to spend a night with Mrs. Gardiner’s family in Lambton.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Darcy were at the front entrance awaiting each of the carriages as they arrived. Her sister Lydia was the most inappropriate, but at least she was enthusiastic.
“Lord, Lizzy, I mean Mrs. Darcy; oh, how nice that sounds! What a mansion you have managed to get for yourself. You are so rich now, I imagine you will forget about your poor relations,” she said as she giggled quite loudly. “So have you managed to plan a ball for us, so we can dance with all of Mr. Darcy’s rich friends?” she asked as she hugged her sister.
Elizabeth glanced at William to see how he handled her sister’s embarrassing behaviour. He responded, “Why, Miss Lydia, I know you are not yet out. But we will make sure to allow some time for you to dance over the holiday, should you chose it.”
Lizzy greeted all of her relations with joy. As she reached her father he said, “Well, Lizzy, how do you like Pemberley? Are you enjoying your new home? I declare that now that you have left Longbourn, it is difficult for me to have five minutes of sensible conversation each day.”
“Oh, Papa, I find I like Pemberley very well indeed. But I am happy to see my family.”
Mrs. Reynolds had a team of servants at the ready, to assist each guest with their trunks and get them to their assigned chambers. She had the precision of a drill sergeant, but the pose and kindness of a hostess at a fine Modesto. All the guests were to settle in and rest before dinner.
If any had noticed, Mrs. Bennet had not spoken a word other than, “Good to see you, my dear, Mr. Darcy,” as she greeted them. She was as silent as perhaps she had ever been.
*~*~*~*~*
Fanny Bennet remembered the last time she had arrived at Pemberley. She had been shocked by the size and the elegance of the estate. Tom had told her of his time there with the Darcys, and of his long friendship with George Darcy. But she had not realized the enormity of what George’s friendship had brought to her husband.
She had not imagined that Tom was a friend of such a man. So fine an estate! And he had such a lovely wife. Why she was a Lady, the daughter of the Earl of Matlock.
Fanny had not held in her exclamations on that first visit. When she heard her youngest’s appallingly inappropriate exclamations upon arriving today, Fanny was mortified to remember that her words were not any more prudent on that first visit.
It was not that Fanny had not been raised to act as a lady. She was the daughter of a tradesman, but her father had been very successful. He saw to it that his family had the best he could afford in the way of education and clothing. She had truly wanted for nothing at the time.
Through his friends, her father had managed to get her invitations to many of the finest balls in all of England. She had enjoyed an unofficial season in London, though because she came from trade, she had not the connections to be presented at court. Though most had not known that.
In fact, Tom Bennet had not known when first he met her. She remembered the first time she saw him. He was quite handsome, and he had the warmest smile and the most expressive eyes she had ever seen. He had asked her to dance, and the first time their hands had touched; well, it was as if she had fallen in love at first sight.
Fanny Gardiner had not always been a silly creature. She believed he had seen in her a lively, intelligent companion. They had shared their love of books and music, and enjoyed observing the folly of others.
But today, as she sat in a chamber at Pemberley--thinking of their history and the effect that this place, this house, this family had had on her family-- tears began to fall from her eyes. He had never loved her. She knew that. She had not wanted to accept it, but she knew it to be true.
She remembered that fateful day they had arrived here at Pemberley. She had seen his eyes when they took in the presence of Lady Anne. Maybe Tom did not know she had seen it, but she had. She had known he was in love with Lady Anne, a deep unrequited love that left him bereft of the ability to love another.
Fanny had tried to act the part of a lady while at Pemberley. But she had been so desperate to gain Tom’s attention, she had acted the part of a silly schoolgirl. Instead of capturing his attention, she believed she had finally lost it forever when they were in this house.
Fanny’s tears changed from silent to deep sobs. She remembered that day well. She had seen Tom go into the library, and had decided to wait just long enough for him to settle in with a good book before joining him. She had hoped for a private intimate moment with her husband there.
Before she could enter, she saw Lady Anne and Lady Catherine enter the library. Lord, how she wished she could have remained ignorant of what she had heard. She had moved quietly to the door that had been slightly ajar, and had listened to a conversation that had broken her spirit, perhaps forever.
She remembered that conversation. How Lady Anne and Lady Catherine had criticized her. They discussed how below them she was. How she had lowered Tom in their eyes, and how the association with the Bennets would forever damage Tom’s godson if something were not done.
She knew her husband was in the room, hidden behind a bookshelf most likely. Hearing what she heard, she knew how it would affect him. She learned that Anne, too, thought him once in love with her and had thought he might ask to court her.
A pain as sharp and piercing as a knife slashed into her heart. She was ashamed. She was heartbroken. Part of her died that day. She had slipped from the door, and returned to her chambers and cried for her loss. Cried for the love that she would never have, that Anne would have instead. Cried for the pain she had caused to her husband, by connecting himself to her.
A tear fell onto her hand, today, she cried for all those things yet again. She felt more alone than perhaps she had ever felt in her entire life, here at Pemberley. She had contemplated that coming here might be difficult. But never imagined that this soul-wrenching pain would collapse upon her spirit so completely.
She also cried when she co
nsidered the silly, hardened creature she had become. In order to protect herself from her husband, and not feel the pain of knowing he did not love her, she had created the ‘silly, nervous, fluttering, Mrs. Bennet’ her family now thought her to be. But that was not Fanny at all. Fanny was a woman who deeply loved a man that did not love her.
Chapter 23
Tom Bennet rose with the dawn and looked out the window of his chamber at Pemberley. God, he was back here! He never imagined what it would be like to return. How unbelievable it was to realize that his daughter, his Lizzy, had replaced Anne as Mistress of this place. When he remembered the pain he had felt for so long, it seemed like vindication that Lizzy was Mistress of Pemberley. Tom Bennet and his low connections, not good enough for Anne, had been a part of creating the new Mistress. He smiled as he thought of it.
The early morning light filtered into the chamber, and he turned around to look at the room. He believed it was the same chamber he had occupied all those years ago. His daughter would not have known it, so it must have been Mrs. Reynolds who remembered.
Tom saw a book lying on the small desk near the window. He had not noticed it the night before. Looking at it closer it was a copy of Much Ado about Nothing. It was extraordinary as he looked at it, as it looked like a copy he had many years ago, a first edition.
He absently picked up the book and noticed a note placed into the front flap, which read,
We found this in the Mistress’ chambers when we were preparing it for your daughter, Mr. Bennet. It appears that this book belongs to you. Perhaps, Lady Anne borrowed it from her husband many years ago, and forgot it was in her dresser. We thought you would like to have it back.
White Lies and Other Half Truths Page 23
