by Beth Massey
“Your father writes that his love for you is stronger than he believed possible.” Mrs Bennet’s face was wreathed with such a peculiar look that Elizabeth knew not whether to believe her ears. “I am very proud Lizzy that you have won such a man. Ten thousand a year is nothing compared to constancy in the face of adversity. You are a lucky woman.”
On hearing her words, she determined that her mother’s reaction was very odd indeed, but Lizzy was not in a mood to probe her change in attitude toward marriage.
After breakfast everyone retired to their rooms to prepare for their journey the following morning. Elizabeth returned downstairs to gather some recently dried lavender from the cold room. She wanted to layer the sprigs between her gowns in her box. As she was passing through the front hall she observed a hired carriage pull up outside. She was dismayed to see that Mr Collins had arrived unannounced. Certain his visit would not be pleasant, she waited apprehensively for his entrance.
Elizabeth decided she would determine the reason for his arrival at their home. If he had come to see her father, she could send him on his way without having to disturb her mother’s or sisters’ preparation for their journey.
She showed him into the parlour, and asked him to be seated. “Mr Collins, what has brought you from Kent? Are you and Charlotte visiting her parents?”
“Yes. Well, no, I truly came to speak with your father on a matter of some gravity.”
“My father is in London. The entire family leaves tomorrow to join him.”
“My dear Cousin, I felt compelled as both your relation and a clergyman to condole with you on the grievous affliction under which the Bennet family now suffers. A letter from Hertfordshire informed me only a few days ago of the actions of Miss Lydia. Be assured, Miss Elizabeth, that Mrs Collins and myself sincerely sympathise with you and all your respectable family, in your present distress. Your humiliation must be of the bitterest kind, because it is a stain of a type that no time can remove. No arguments am I able to offer could alleviate so severe a misfortune… or that may comfort you under the circumstances.”
Elizabeth decided it would be humorous to hear her cousin out before sending him packing. She did not want to deprive herself the pleasure of allowing him to gloat over her family’s ruination, and watching his face as she told him of Lydia’s upcoming marriage to the Viscount Colton and her own to Mr Darcy. She smiled sympathetically at his words and he was encouraged to continue.
“The death of your sister would have been a blessing in comparison to this. And it is the more lamented, because there is reason to suppose, as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in Miss Lydia has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence. However, I prefer to think that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such a grievous indiscretion at so early an age.”
Elizabeth had almost allowed a smile to dispel the look of contrition on her face when he spoke of Lydia’s death being a blessing. How delightful it would be to tell this sanctimonious toad eater that Lydia was to one day be Lady Blessing, and would not be in any need of his or Charlotte’s sympathy for her plight. She was only half listening to his degrading words, when she saw her mother enter the parlour. Mr Collins was turned in such a way that he could not observe that part of room. Mrs Bennet put her finger to her lips to signal her daughter to not acknowledge her presence.
“Your family is to be grievously pitied. Lady Catherine and her daughter join me in this opinion. I have related the entire affair to both of them and they agree with me that this false step by Miss Lydia will be injurious to the fortunes of you and your other sisters. For who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family? This consideration leads me to reflect, with augmented satisfaction, on a certain event of last November. Had you accepted me, I would have been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace. If your father were here, I would advise him to throw off his unworthy child from his affections forever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence.”
For the first time his words caused her some apprehension. Lady Catherine should learn of their marriage from her nephew and not from her parson. Her realization was unfortunately too late, as her mother replied to the reverend.
Mrs Bennet stepped into Mr Collins line of vision as she spoke, “Sir, I am appalled that a member of the clergy would speak such unchristian words. My daughter is but fifteen, and you would have my husband abandon her with no protection to the vagaries of a harsh world. Before you dispensed your cruel advice, I had determined to tell you civilly that you need not concern yourself with my family’s sorrow and disgrace. However, I am now compelled to advise you to leave immediately. As long as my husband lives, this is not your property. I am the Mistress of Longbourn and insist you remove yourself from my house. However, before you go I would like to inform you, your wife, her parents, your patroness, Lady Catherine and her daughter, that my youngest child, Miss Lydia Bennet, will wed the Viscount Colton; and my second oldest daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will marry Mr Darcy of Pemberley in less than a fortnight at Saint James in London.
Mrs Bennet took Elizabeth by the arm, and they left the startled parson alone in her parlour.
That evening Elizabeth was mulling over Mr Collins visit as she prepared for bed. Someone knocked and she was surprised to see her mother when she opened the door.
They sat together on her bed and Mrs Bennet took her daughter’s hand, “I am concerned there might not be another chance to speak to you about certain things before you marry. May I tell you of a husband’s expectations of a wife?”
Elizabeth nodded her agreement for her to continue. All day she had been thinking of her mother’s words at breakfast about constancy in the face of adversity and welcomed the chance to probe her as to their meaning.
“Among a wife’s duties is to be available for her husband’s pleasure. Mr Darcy will want to lie with you and you must submit. The act of joining may or may not be enjoyable for you. Even if it is not, your primary duty as a wife is to produce an heir. I was unsuccessful, and my fondest wish is that none of my daughters will face the disgrace of that particular failure.”
Elizabeth was distressed by her mother’s sense of inadequacy. She squeezed her hand in sympathy.
Her mother smiled in appreciation of her daughter’s compassion, “Mr Darcy is an important man who is used to being given his way by his acquaintances, tenants and staff. His expectations of you will be the same. Do you fear the physical relationship you will be required to have with your husband?”
Elizabeth was apprehensive of saying too much and making her mother suspicious of prior indulgences. She simply said, “No, Mama.”
“He is a very large person and you are petite, and that makes me concerned for your comfort. However, your father is impressed with the depth of his love for you, and he thinks him a compassionate man. I trust he will treat you gently.”
Elizabeth was glad for the chance to question her mother, “Mama, was it painful for you?”
Mrs Bennet blushed with the pointed question—then a smile stole across her visage and allowed her to answer. “No, your father was considerate of my needs. However, I have heard stories that not all men are. I am hopeful your Mr Darcy will not treat you as some of the married ladies of my acquaintance have described their husbands.”
While her mother was still warmed by pleasant memories, she asked her question. “Why did you and Papa wed? Did you fall in love?”
Her mother’s normal flustered demeanour returned, “We did… or at least I thought we loved each other… yes, he loved me. At the time, your father seemed not to be able to wait to wed.”
Mrs Bennet’s countenance softened with images of a happy time. “At seventeen, I was beautiful and comely and admired by most of the men in the neighbourhood. Your father was but two and twenty. His father had recently died, and he was in possession of Longbourn. To me he was a fine catch; and my heart flut
tered when in his presence. His eyes followed me with such a look of longing. Marrying him just seemed the right thing to do.”
Strains of darker recollections stole across her face. “I believe his father had thought he should wait to marry until he was older, and he had always advised your father to marry a gentlemen’s daughter. When I think of the way we were, I realize we were not well suited. I have always enjoyed being in company, and your father prefers a solitary existence with his books. Like Lydia, I loved to dance. Courting me, required him to indulge, but once we were wed your father no longer felt the need.
A resigned look came to the fore. “Despite our different outlooks, had I been able to give him an heir, I do believe he would not have totally abandoned me in spirit. We could have continued to at least enjoy a satisfying physical relationship—but there had been too many times without passion in the hope of a male child.”
Elizabeth treasured the gift of truth her mother had bestowed. She hugged her and said, “Oh, Mama, please know that Mr Darcy and I share many interests in common. We have both thought a great deal about why we desire to marry. His proposal at Pemberley was his second. I refused his first in Kent, and that was his impetus to regulate his pride and make himself worthy of my affection. During the time we were apart, I also learned I had misjudged him and shed my prejudices with regards to his character. We are not marrying in haste.”
Both carriages stopped at the Gardiners’ house. Mr Darcy was waiting her arrival. He helped her out of the carriage, and she took his hand while bestowing a smile ripe with the answer to his prayers. She took his arm, as they walked inside to greet the gathered family and friends. The warmth of his body caused her to shiver, and her reaction elicited the trace of a seductive smirk from him.
Lydia ran to her when she entered the parlour with a hug so powerful it threatened her ability to breathe. While she had Elizabeth trapped in her embrace, she whispered in her ear, “Lizzy please tell me you have agreed to join me at Saint James. I must know even before you give Mr Darcy your answer.”
Elizabeth realized her sister’s ordeal had not curbed her exuberance. She replied, “I will be with you, dearest.”
Lydia’s sisters and mother were introduced to Lord Colton. Elizabeth felt in awe of such a powerful presence, and noticed that he laughed almost as often as Lydia giggled. Kitty was rendered speechless in the presence of this giant of a viscount. Mary’s reaction was the most peculiar. She smiled flirtatiously at her soon-to-be brother.
After about thirty minutes of greeting and congratulations, Will whispered to her. “Your father has given me permission to be alone with you for ten minutes, in order to receive your answer to my question about a double wedding.”
They walked to Mr Gardiner’s library casually speaking of her journey. Will locked the door behind them and they fell into each other’s arms. His mouth found hers, and their tongues became reacquainted with startling enthusiasm. This kiss was an urgent one, and it prompted him to grasp her bottom and pull her close. Elizabeth soon felt his arousal and moved her body in such a way as to rub against it. Her hands found their way inside his waistcoat in a desperate attempt to touch bare skin. When she felt him lift her gown, she smiled with the knowledge of the surprise waiting for him. As it dawned on him she was wearing nothing restrictive beneath, he laughed at the possibilities.
His urgency was evident as he bent her over her uncle’s desk. His lips began kissing her bare bottom. She mewed her enjoyment but wanted her part in dispensing caresses to prove the truth of her decision. She turned and sat on the edge of the desk. She pulled him close into the vee her legs made when she opened them. The fall of his trousers was before her. Quickly releasing his arousal, it presented itself at the perfect height. She began licking and kissing him until she heard moans of pleasure and tasted the salty anticipation that oozed out. Once again, she revelled in her power over this man she adored. Laying back, she pulled her skirt and chemise to her waist. “Take me quickly, Will, before my father comes to tell us we must return. Oh, and if you have not figured it out, I am saying yes.”
“You have made me very happy.” He stroked her opening until she was panting. He blew on her sex as though it was too hot to taste, sniffed his wet fingers before popping them into his mouth. Yum, yum, you taste and smell marvellous, Lizzy. Grasping her bottom with ferocity, he impaled her with one quick thrust. For the next several minutes they were lost in the rhythm of love. Her hands fought for stability using her uncle’s desk, backside lifting with each retreat in a plea for him to return. His thumb passed over her nub as a harbinger of each of his advances. The tightness of her release brought him near his own. She watched in amazement as he did something he had not done in the cottage. He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and though convulsing with the beginnings of his climax, he withdrew from her, emptying his seed into the cloth.
Once calmed, they adjusted their clothes and appearance to hide the evidence of their activity. As they prepared to return to the parlour, she said, “Mr Darcy, I love how you poke me.”
15
STRAIGHT TALK
At her words of praise for his performance, Will enveloped his love. He whispered, “Thank you, my luscious one. I truly appreciate your being prepared for the possibility of a quick poke. It was the perfect way to grant my request.”
Lizzy giggled in his arms and nuzzled him with her nose. “I thought I should be ready just in case the opportunity presented itself. As I dressed this morning, your letters speaking of ‘needing’ reverberated in my ears.” Elizabeth placed her cheek against his chest and sighed. “I love to listen to your heart. I believe I will enjoy lying in your arms and being thusly occupied as I await slumber.”
Enjoying the comfort of an embrace, he waited for her to speak again. Her words when they came were on a very different topic. “Will, why did you spill your seed in your handkerchief?”
He had been consumed with his own thoughts of her presence in his bed and was unprepared for the abrupt change in direction of her query, “Someone… err… something reminded me recently… I should have done that in the cottage in order to protect you from becoming with child.” His mind recalled the delight that was that day, and it prompted him to find her lips. He hoped his kiss filled her with the memory of their afternoon would divert her. “I was carried away with the glory of our lovemaking and was not prudent. A few days later in the curricle… it was my fault you were surprised by the possibility. I was so very remorseful that I frightened you with my questions.”
Elizabeth pulled out of his embrace and her expression became quizzical. “Where did you learn about doing that? In preparation for our marriage, my mother warned me many husbands are not very good at pleasing their wives. Did they teach you that at Cambridge when they were teaching you to be such a wonderful lover?”
Fitzwilliam first looked startled by her question, and then he chuckled. The only word he could muster was, “No.”
His chuckle was enough to raise her ire. Her hands went to her hips and her left eyebrow was raised in annoyance as she said, “Why is my question so humorous? If you were not taught at school, then where did you learn such useful information… and why does no one teach young ladies?”
“Because young ladies are not…,” Darcy decided to refrain from that answer, and instead attempted to deflect her question in order to give him time to collect his thoughts. He cursed the fact that his wayward tongue had betrayed him again. “Did you experience your courses since you returned from Derbyshire?”
His question managed to spark even more anger. “Why would you to ask me about that?”
“Remember, I told you I was going to ask a woman friend about the symptoms of being with child. She told me that your courses would stop if you were.”
Lizzy’s voice was brittle. “Why are you so concerned with whether or not I am with child? I agreed to the double wedding, and I allowed you to make love to me. Are you once again having second thoughts?”
&nbs
p; Now, Elizabeth perceived a quiet sort of rage in him that reminded her of his reaction to her rejection at Hunsford. His words sounded clipped as though he was trying to prevent any from being hurtful. Still, there was the same odd form of desire on his face, as she had seen that day. He leaned toward her as though he wanted to kiss her… no that was not exactly right… his look was contradictory… he seemed to want to punish her… silence her hurtful words with a kiss. She wished she had not implied he doubted her.
Finally he spoke, “I have never had second thoughts. Once I accepted how much I loved you, I have never faltered. Not even when you told me ‘I was the last man in the world you would ever consider marrying.’ Even those devastating words did not cause me to doubt my love for you. Elizabeth, once again, you are unable to trust me.”
“I am sorry, Will, I should not have said you were having second thoughts. I was just annoyed that you seem to have so much more insight about lovemaking than I do. Your laughter at my lack of knowledge embarrassed me.”
Darcy did kiss Elizabeth, but it was not the punishing one she had seen in his eyes a moment before. This one was filled with passion and seemed designed to extinguish the tension between them. It simultaneously conceded the wrongness of his humour at her expense and accepted her apology. He pulled away and grasped her hands. Staring deeply into her eyes, he said, “At Netherfield, one of our verbal jousts involved a discussion of the tendency in every disposition to some particular evil. I argued that not even the best education could overcome this natural defect.”
Elizabeth smiled in recollection, “Yes, I remember I said yours was a propensity to hate everybody. I, of course, was truly expressing my belief that you hated me. How totally wrong I was both about me and about others. As I have become more acquainted with you, I know there are very few people you despise. Wickham is the only one who comes to mind; and that is with good reason.”