Darcy, My Hero

by Florence Prescott

  To the inexperienced eye, Mr. Darcy still appeared calm. But Elizabeth could see one vein bulging in his neck, and she knew he was about to lose his manners with the innkeeper. Darcy took a step closer to the desk, then his gentlemanlike smile disappeared in an instant.

  “Innkeeper, I will tell you once and then not again. I am looking for a scoundrel in your hotel by the name of Wickham. He would have arrived here with a young woman who was taken from her home without her father’s permission. If I must ask you again, I will be forced to involve the constable and I am quite sure that you would not want me to do that, would you?”

  The innkeeper gave a nervous cough, then looked down at a book in front of him covered in notes scrawled in haste. He could not seem to read his own handwriting, so he grasped for a pair of spectacles and put them on. After a moment of fumbling, he finally gained purchase of his book and was able to see it.

  “Ah, yes. A man came here a few days prior and paid for the week. He said the misses with him was his bride, but I knew something twasn’t right. He looked all a fright, but she would not stop her girlish giggles. It did not exactly give ‘em an air of respectability. What do you want with ‘em?”

  Elizabeth stepped forward to answer the question, strictly out of concern that Mr. Darcy might be losing his temper and that would get them nowhere.

  “Sir, not only is my sister’s virtue at stake, but so is the reputation of my entire family. She is young and reckless and must be saved from herself. We cannot achieve any of this without you, sir. Please, help us.”

  The innkeeper muttered something under his breath, then tapped the notebook.

  “Room four. Top of the stairs. Far as I can tell, they have not left except for a meal now and then. Should be in the room still. Just asking that you do not cause a scene. I do not want my other guests knowing I gave you the information, you hear?”

  Darcy was already making his way up the stairs before the innkeeper finished his ultimatum, so Lizzy was left to offer their thanks. Once she had, she followed behind Darcy and met him outside of room four. There was no noise coming from inside, which worried Elizabeth.

  What if they already left? What if it was too late?

  9

  Elizabeth felt that they should approach the situation with caution, but Darcy had no intention of waiting. He raised his fist to knock on the door in fury, but Lizzy took hold of his arm to stop him.

  “Do not approach them in anger. If you frighten them before Wickham has even opened the door, they may not open it at all.”

  For a moment, Mr. Darcy looked as if he would not heed Elizabeth’s advice. Then, he took a breath, and knocked on the door with a gentle hand. At first, nothing happened. There was no answer from inside. Finally, after a second knock, the door swung open, and Lydia was standing on the other side. In the seconds before she realized who was there, she appeared as joyous as a new bride. But then, she saw Elizabeth, and she attempted to close the door again with haste.

  “Do not dare close that door, Lydia Bennet,” Lizzy said, blocking the door with her foot. “You will let us pass.”

  Lydia glanced behind her, then turned back and glared at her sister.

  “You just want to ruin this because you are unhappy. George and I are to be married. You will see. And then I will be more respectable than all of you.”

  Elizabeth suppressed the urge to give her sister the slap she deserved. Instead, Darcy, detecting the distress that formed between the sisters, pushed the door open in spite of Lydia’s feeble attempts to stop him. When they got in the room, they discovered Wickham, already packing his bags, as if he intended to climb out the window while Lydia was engaged with Lizzy. The terror on his face only enraged Elizabeth further. The scoundrel did not have the courage to stay and face the consequences of his horrible behavior.

  Darcy took a step toward him, which caused Wickham’s cheeks to turn pink from fear.

  “And where do you think you are going, George? Did you intend to leave this young woman behind and escape the results of your actions?”

  Even Lydia looked betrayed.

  “Georgie, dear. Were you really going to leave me?”

  Wickham gave a nervous laugh.

  “Of course not, dear. I was… just packing our bags for the trip back to Meryton. I thought I would hurry things along, my love.”

  Elizabeth sighed in relief.

  “You have not married yet, then? There is still time?”

  Lydia’s brow furrowed.

  “Time to what? Lizzy, you will not change my mind. I love George and he has promised he will marry me.”

  Elizabeth and Darcy both turned to face George at the same moment; Elizabeth was positive they were having the same thought, though it was Darcy who spoke.

  “Oh, yes, Miss Bennet. Mr. Wickham will marry you. In fact, you are going to come back to Longbourn with us, discuss the matter with Mr. Bennet himself, and then you will be married in the church in front of God and her family. Am I being understood, George? Is my meaning clear enough for you?”

  Lizzy knew it was hardly the time to consider such things, but as Mr. Darcy stood up to Wickham, it made her desire him all the more. She had to force the thoughts from her mind, even as she saw the way his eyes shined when he became passionate.

  Lydia stared at Elizabeth as if she had lost her mind, but the look of terror in Wickham’s eyes returned anew.

  “How silly! Of course, we are to be married. As if there were ever any question about it. I would be happy to marry at home if that is what papa wants. But we did not believe he would have approved the union. Would he really allow it, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth tried to control her tone, but had little luck doing so.

  “You did not give him much choice, did you Lydia?”

  If Lydia realized that her sister was grieved, she showed no sign of it. Instead, she packed her travel case with great joy. Elizabeth turned to Darcy, incredulous, but he was focused solely on Wickham.

  “Do not take your eyes off of him, Miss Bennet. He is apt to leap from that window should we do so.”

  They continued to watch each of the couple with care until, at last, they finished packing and were able to leave the room. As Lydia and Elizabeth climbed into the waiting carriage, Darcy stayed outside with Wickham for a moment. Lizzy could only just hear what Mr. Darcy was saying.

  “Listen and make sure you hear every word, George. Whatever you convinced that young girl of to get her here with you, we both know that your promises are worth nothing. If you attempt to abandon her, now or at any point in the future, you will have to contend with my own anger, as well as her family’s. When we return to Meryton, you will marry Lydia Bennet, you will be a faithful and attentive husband, and you will provide for her in any way she needs. Do you understand me?”

  Elizabeth could not hear Mr. Wickham’s answer, but when he stepped into the coach, he looked pale and uneasy. Darcy followed him in and sat beside him, so close that Wickham could not move.

  “Is all well?” Elizabeth asked.

  Darcy nodded, his expression unchanged.

  “It will be, Miss Bennet. It will be.”

  10

  Events unfolded with haste after the coach arrived at Longbourn. It was barely an hour before Mr. Bennet was calling for the clergyman, though much of that hour was filled with shouting, from both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. In the midst of all the tumult, Darcy asked Elizabeth to slip away with him. She followed him up the stairs and into the room she shared with Jane. It was rare that she was grateful for her sister to be away, but this was one of those occasions. Lizzy shut the door behind them, then turned to Mr. Darcy with a smile.

  “Where would we be without you, Mr. Darcy? I cannot even imagine what might have happened to Lydia had you not intervened. This family is forever in your debt sir.”

  Darcy reached out for Elizabeth’s hand, then took it to his lips and kissed it with a gentle touch.

  “You owe me no debt, Elizabeth. I only wish I h
ad done something sooner. I only wish that I…”

  Lizzy took a step closer to him.

  “What do you wish Mr. Darcy?”

  He brushed her hand against his cheek with a smile.

  “I wish that you would do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband.”

  Elizabeth did not know what to say; she was in awe of Mr. Darcy and was surprised by his sudden proposal.

  “Do you mean it?”

  Darcy pulled her nearer to him, so near that she could feel his strong heart beating. It fell in rhythm with her own. Lizzy set her head upon his shoulder, her legs growing weak every time he kissed her on the top of her head. She felt as though she had sipped too much punch at a dance.

  Darcy tilted her chin up, so they were look into one another’s eyes.

  “I never speak a word I don’t mean, Elizabeth.

  She allowed herself to collapse into Mr. Darcy’s arms. He reached out and caught her, holding her close, then set her down on the bed with an easy touch. When she was laying before him, Darcy leaned in and ran his fingers along the length of her body, from her cheek, all the down to her ankles. Elizabeth felt a flame burning through her with each touch, as if he were leaving fire behind on every inch of skin he traced. at the top of Even though Darcy was still fully clothed, Lizzy could see his manhood growing stiffer, a sight she had come to appreciate and desire in a way she never imagined.

  Lizzy could hear the argument continuing downstairs, so she knew that no one would be interested in their location, which was why she allowed him to strip away all of her clothes until she was left in her underthings. For a moment, Darcy seemed to be admiring her body, all the way from the top to the bottom, before he brushed against her and gave her a deep, powerful kiss. He tasted delicious, like the most perfect piece of cake or the most delicious strawberry. His hands were touching her the entire time they kissed, his tender touch made her whole body shake. Elizabeth found that when his hands left her body, she missed them desperately. The idea that she might feel this way for the rest of her life only brought her greater joy.

  She no longer looked upon Fitzwilliam Darcy as a prideful man with no manners. She now saw all of the good in him, the kindness, and it made her love him deeply. Elizabeth Bennet loved Fitzwilliam Darcy… it was a sentence she could scarcely believe she was thinking.

  “Mr. Darcy,” she whispered into his ear, “I do believe I have fallen in love with you.”

  Darcy pushed away a strand of air from her eyes, his handsome smile making her hear skip a beat.

  “Can you not call me by my given name now? I believe it is customary when two people are in love.”

  Elizabeth could not help but laugh, which only made her want him more. Darcy leaned forward once again and kissed her, their tongues tangled with a powerful passion. As they kissed, Darcy’s hands slid up and down her thighs, inciting a warmness in her that traveled over her entire body and settled in her womanhood.

  While they kissed, Darcy pressed against her, and she could feel the weight of him on her thigh. It made it impossible to concentrate, because she wanted to feel him entirely. Darcy loved every smile he elicited from her; her pleasure gave him even more of his own. A moment later, the gentleman slid his fingers back up her thigh and let his fingers drift inside of her with a lazy curiosity. She moaned with pleasure, but he wished to experience her fully, and he could not wait much longer.

  As they continued to kiss, Lizzy could not wait any longer; she slid her hand down Darcy’s chest and on to his pants, tracing and exploring the heft of his manhood. He sighed softly into her mouth each time she touched him, a reaction that provided her even more pleasure.

  It seemed as if Darcy totally lost control of senses as he peeled away Elizabeth’s undergarments. He was desperate to touch her, to kiss every part of her. When her breasts were bare before them, he traced her pert nipples with his tongue until she began to shiver beneath him. A long, lustful moan escaped her lips, which she quickly hid behind her arm. They may have still been shouting down stairs, but neither Lizzy nor Darcy wanted to chance being found, especially on a day such as today.

  Darcy could not drag himself away from Elizabeth’s breasts, so he let his fingers probe her womanly depths once again. Just as she seemed close to the edge, he pulled away from her and slipped from his trousers and underclothes. All at once, his strong, powerful manhood was in front of her. It was unlike anything she had ever imagined, and she wanted more.

  “May I?” he asked with a sweet smile. Elizabeth simply nodded and then, he entered her, filling her up entirely. There was pain at first, but it quickly turned to pleasure. With each thrust of his hips, the joy he was providing her only intensified, until one look at his handsome face pushed her totally over the peak of her pleasure. She was dizzy with it… and she never wanted it to end.

  It felt as if she were being carried away on a cloud of happiness and Darcy was her only guide. He was the only thing in the world she needed to be blissful, which she had never expected. All at once, they both exploded together in a kiss, and everything else in the world disappeared. The waves of it went up and down, until finally, they settled together, the room coming into focus once again.

  It took time, but at last, they both were able to speak.

  “Elizabeth, my love, you never gave me an answer. Will you be my wife?”

  Lizzy laughed and turned to him with a kiss.

  “Of course, I will Fitzwilliam. Nothing in this world would bring me more joy.”

  Darcy reached down and took her hand in his, kissing it once again.

  “Once your sister is married, we can speak to your father. I believe your parents have enough to concern themselves with right now.”

  Elizabeth pulled him as close as she could, then set her head on his shoulder.

  “I know they are as grateful as I. You have not just saved my sister, Fitzwilliam. You have saved my family. And now, you shall be a part of it.”

  He kissed the top of her head with a smile.

  “I only wish to be yours, sweet Elizabeth. I only wish to be yours.”

  ~The End~

  12

  The Proposal Disaster

  We open on Elizabeth’s room at Hunsford...

  “You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.”

  And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth heard him the next moment open the front door and quit the house.

  Lizzy stood frozen in place, shocked at the arrogance Darcy had shown in believing she would actually marry him. How could he even consider such a disastrous proposal would be enough to win her heart? She was just about to sit down to write Jane of the incident when the door to her room opened once again.

  Mr. Darcy had returned.

  “Did I not make my position quite clear a moment ago, sir? What possible reason could you have to return here?”

  The gentleman took a confident step forward, his shoulders squared and his cheeks red with the fire of convictions.

  “Miss Bennet, I must insist that we discuss this matter further. I understand that you have your quarrels with me, and I will not determine today whether or not they are justified. However, what I will do is make it very clear that no one will ever love you as I do.”

  Elizabeth scarcely knew what to say. She believed that he had said all he intended to during his first attempt to woo her and it had been less than successful. Neither could Lizzy believe that he was putting forth this much effort to win her over. Since the first moment she saw him, he had done little more than insult, degrade, and belittle her, as well as her family. Why would a gentleman such as Darcy wish for her to be his bride?

  “Mr. Darcy, I do not understand what it is you are trying to tell me. That is, of course, I understand the words for they are quite plain. But how is it possible that yo
u love me when every interaction we have had has been unpleasant, unkind, and most infuriating. Now, you come to me with this proposal and expect me to believe that it is honest?”

  Darcy sat in a chair on the other side of the room, as if he meant to give Elizabeth the space to consider what he was about to say.

  “I know it might seem unexpected, but you must believe that I have not been able to cease thinking of you since the evening we met. You, too, have driven be mad. You are independent and wilful and you speak without considering your words, but these are the qualities I have come to admire in you, Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth could not help but laugh in spite of her desire to remain immune to his overtures.

  “Sir, if those were meant to be compliments, I am afraid I did not understand them as such.”

  Much to her surprise, Darcy stood from his chair and crossed the room, then knelt in front of her. He took her hand in his and kissed it, his lips brushing against her skin with such delicacy, Elizabeth felt a shiver all through her. If he were only playing a trick on her, surely he would not kiss her as he did now? There would be no purpose to it. Was it possible that he truly did wish to marry her?

  When she recovered from her shock, Lizzy pulled her hand away.

  “Mr. Darcy, really. I do not think it is proper for you to be…”

  The gentleman did not allow her to finish her sentence. Instead, he stood to his feet once again, but this time, he pulled Elizabeth into his arms and kissed her.

  For a moment, her head became dizzy and she could think of nothing else but his touch.

  Elizabeth faltered in his arms and Darcy was forced to use one arm to hold her aloft as her legs shook. They continued to kiss, with passion and no small amount of desperation, as if they were both dying of thirst and the other was a cool glass of water. Darcy slid his hands up her legs and underneath her skirts. Elizabeth ran her fingers up and down Darcy’s back, enjoying the soft shiver her touch elicited from him, even as she shivered herself. She knew they should not be doing it, that it was inappropriate in every way, but neither could she stop. The feelings he drew out from her were unlike anything she had ever experienced and she never wanted it to end.