by Jane Hunter
“Yes,” she said simply. Her eyes were dark pools of desire, her lips plump and ready for his, her cheeks stained with passion. He wanted her, and she wanted him. It was everything had ever dared to hope for.
“Yes?” Had he heard her correctly? Did she forgive him? Did she feel the same way for him as he did for her?
“Yes,” she said again, as though reading his thoughts.
Darcy pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply, his lips mouth open and hot against hers. Elizabeth gasped against his mouth as she responded to his kiss. Darcy dragged his hands down her shoulders, pulling her chemise down to expose her breasts and Elizabeth gasped as her nipples came into contact with the coarse hair that covered his finely muscled chest.
Darcy pulled her deeper into the lake until she floated against him. Without his prompting, Elizabeth brought her legs up around his waist, trapping his hardness between them. He could feel the heat of her most secret place against the thin fabric of his breeches. She wore nothing beneath her chemise, and Darcy groaned deep in his throat as he realized how close he was to her most intimate depths.
Now that Elizabeth was cradled in his arms, her breasts exposed to him, he could not resist bending his head to seal his mouth around one taut peak. The chill of the water and the excitement of their attraction had worked to tighten her nipples to a tantalizing hardness, and as he ran his tongue over each nipple, he reveled in her gasps of surprised pleasure.
Elizabeth threaded her fingers through his dark hair and held him close. Each pull from his mouth made her press tighter against him, and Darcy groaned with every movement of her hips, encouraging her reactions and glorying in the way she responded to his touch.
Unable to take any more, Darcy pulled his mouth from her breasts and slid his hands down to her hips pulling her tight against him.
Elizabeth bit her lip and looked at him with dark trusting eyes as Darcy moved his hand down between them and slid his fingers through her delicate folds. Elizabeth moaned and rocked against him.
His fingers teased her entrance, her moisture mixing with the water making her impossibly slick.
“Oh, William... I need you.”
Darcy pressed his lips against her throat and slid a finger inside her. It was exactly what she wanted. Or at least it was a start. Darcy moved his finger slowly inside her, pulling up against her the top of her secret depths then slowly pulling back out. Elizabeth rocked against him again and Darcy slipped another finger inside her. She moaned and flexed her muscles around his digits, trying to pull him in deeper. His fingers were thick, but not as thick as his manhood. That’s what she really wanted.
Darcy moved his hand slowly, coaxing moans and soft cries of pleasure from her open lips. She shuddered against him as her climax came. She wound her arms around his neck and cried out against his shoulder, her secret depths gripping his fingers as she came.
Darcy kissed her gently, smiling when Elizabeth gasped as he pulled his fingers out of her and lifted her to slide his hard length inside her even before her body had stopped quivering.
“Oh, William!” she gasped. He was deep inside her hot depths, and it took every ounce of strength he had to stay upright. The chill of the water, and the need to bring the beautiful woman he had captured in his arms to the brink of pleasure was the only thing keeping him together.
Darcy’s hands were on Elizabeth’s hips, and when they were both able to breath, she started moving, her hands on his shoulders. Darcy kept his eyes on hers and she stared back. It was as if she couldn’t look away. Each thrust brought them both closer to the edge of release, and Darcy gritted his teeth, straining to give her what she needed.
They moved together in the water and Darcy kissed her gently as she began to cry out at the sensations building inside her. He could feel her velvet walls begin to quiver around his hard length, and the grip of her hands on his shoulders tightening with each thrust.
They were both so close. Darcy let out a groan and held onto Elizabeth hips hard as he thrust into her.
“Yes, William... yes,” she whispered in his ear, and that was enough to send him spiraling over the edge. He held her tight against him as his manhood jumped and twitched, spilling his seed inside her as her own climax vibrated through her body, leaving her shaking and gasping against his chest.
Elizabeth was limp in his arms, her legs clamped tightly around his waist, and he cradled her gently. “My own Elizabeth,” he said softly, kissing her with more gentle passion than he had ever felt in his entire life.
It was impossible that they had come through such adversity to this moment. That she had hated him so fiercely... that he had treated her so poorly... to have her in his arms now, it was a dream. A dream he could never have dared to believe possible.
But she was real, this weight in his arms... He closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of her hair and her skin, the freshness of the summer grass and the early morning breeze.
He opened his eyes, thinking to look deep into her passion darkened eyes once more, but he was alone in his study, a glass of brandy untouched on the edge of his desk and a throbbing sensation in his loins that could only mean one thing...
Darcy leaned back in his chair with a regretful groan and pushed his hands through his dark hair. A dream. Nothing more.
But what a dream it had been.
A smile played across his lips as he replayed it in his mind... and then a realization struck him, he would have to sit across the supper table from Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her aunt and uncle and his dear sister. He must do his best to keep such thoughts from rising to the surface... Elizabeth Bennet could never know what passions she inspired in him.
In his dreams she had forgiven him, but what of the real Elizabeth Bennet?
Perhaps he would never know, but if his dreams were any indication, his mind, body and heart were already bent in her direction. All that was required was one word from her; one simple word that would change his world for the better... or destroy it utterly.
* * *
...To be continued in Book 2 - Where the Lilacs Bloom
Where the Lilacs Bloom
Fitzwilliam Darcy moved about Pemberley’s wide halls like a man possessed. Elizabeth Bennet and her aunt and uncle were coming to supper tonight at his invitation, so he had no one to blame but himself for the way he was acting. Georgiana was due to arrive from Ramsgate at any moment, and he wished that her carriage would hurry. She had written him to say that she would be making all haste to return to Pemberley, but that had been days ago, and she could not have known how things had changed in that short amount of time.
But they had changed... Darcy had not known if, or when, he would see Elizabeth Bennet again. To have her here at Pemberley was nothing short of the most serendipitous twist of fate that had ever been visited upon his life. He would have to do everything in his power not to ruin everything.
Elizabeth Bennet would have remembered him as a proud, difficult man, and perhaps he had been. No, he had been those things.
Mrs. Reynolds was doing her own share of fretting over the preparations for supper.
“It has been ever so long since we had guests, sir,” she stated with an exhausted sigh.
“I trust it will not be too much for you, Mrs. Reynolds?”
“No, no, sir. No, indeed. Mrs. Lyon is very prepared and the dishes being prepared for tonight will be some of the best served at this table in many a year.”
“I am pleased to hear it,” Darcy replied. He could not tell his housekeeper that everything for tonight’s supper should be the epitome of perfection and grace. If nothing else, he wanted to impress Miss Bennet and her relations with an elegant display. If Miss Bennet could see past the display, and realize his true intentions, perhaps her heart would soften towards him even more. She had seemed gracious and welcoming, if a little surprised, when he had spoken to her in the courtyard.
Darcy shook his head to banish the image he had conjured of Elizabeth Bennet in the cool
waters of the lake. That would do him no good, especially when she would be sitting across from him at supper. He would have to make polite conversation, ask about the health of her family, and make every effort not to think about how it had felt to take her into his arms. It had only been a dream, but there was nothing he wanted more than to make it a reality. But that would depend entirely upon Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
* * *
***
* * *
Georgiana Darcy could not understand her brother’s mood, she had arrived from Ramsgate just after luncheon to find the master of Pemberley pacing the drawing room.
“My dear brother, your pacing is making me nervous! Do sit down and take some tea with me,” she said, ringing the bell to alert Mrs. Lyon. Darcy groaned and settled himself into a chair. “What is happening, William? You must tell me for I fear that I am weary from traveling and I shall never guess.”
“We are having guests for supper, rather unexpectedly, I might add.”
“Unexpected? Why, William, that it not like you at all,” Georgiana laughed. “What prompted this impulsive invitation?”
“I... I am not sure,” Darcy replied honestly. “I fear that while I have been away from Pemberley I have created somewhat of a problem for myself, and I may have jeopardized my own happiness, and the happiness of a dear friend.”
“But, William, I am sure that this is not true. You must tell me if there is anything I can do to help.”
Darcy shook his head ruefully. “Alas, I must correct this mistake myself. One of the injured parties will be attending this supper, and if there is anything I can ask of you, Georgiana, it will be for you to be your wonderful, welcoming self.”
“You must tell me who this person is, William. How else am I to prepare?” Georgiana leaned forward eagerly, intent on learning her brother’s secret.
“Her name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy began. “I became acquainted with her in Hertfordshire...”
“Hertfordshire? Whatever were you doing in Hertfordshire?” Georgiana laughed. “Did Charles Bingley drag you into the countryside, he promised that he would not do such a thing!”
“He did indeed, and I went willingly. Every gentleman should know the comfort and ease of a country estate. Netherfield Park is indeed beautiful, ‘nothing to Pemberley,’ as Charles would say, but he was very happy there.”
“Was? Is he not there now?” Georgiana asked, her eyes wide.
“No, indeed. I had convinced him to return to London.”
“Whatever for?”
Darcy sighed, this was the most difficult part of his confession – the confession itself. He could admit to himself that he had been selfish and prideful in his admonishments of Charles’ decision to woo Jane Bennet – but to admit it to his sister was quite another.
However, he knew that if he did not reveal his entire role in the events that had transpired in Hertfordshire, Georgiana would never forgive him or understand what he was trying to make right; and he needed her on his side, especially tonight.
“I believe, Georgiana, that I have made a very grave mistake. One that I would rectify, if I thought it would be well received. But I fear that it will not be.”
Georgiana laughed lightly. “William, you are most bewildering this evening. Say what you mean to say.”
Darcy hesitated for just a moment as he pondered how best to phrase his statement. “While I was in Hertfordshire, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters...”
“Oh, William, why did you not tell me about her sooner? You should have written! Am I to finally have a sister? I cannot think of a time when I was happier!” Georgiana clapped her hands gleefully, thrilled at the prospect of another woman taking up residence at Pemberley.
Darcy grimaced and held up his hand to quiet his sister. “I have not finished. I must admit that I did not behave in the most... admirable manner during my stay. I confess that I must have made a very poor impression.”
Georgiana made a face and crossed her arms over her chest. “Really, William, when will you ever learn...”
“Do not admonish me, I have spent enough time scolding myself.”
“And this Elizabeth Bennet, what is she like?”
Darcy smiled, recalling Elizabeth Bennet’s face when he had seen her yesterday in Pemberley’s courtyard an the way her fine eyes had sparkled in the morning sun. “She is witty, and well-read... and her conversation is very agreeable. A handsome woman, though I was not able to admit it at first.”
Georgiana shook her head. “For you to say she is witty, I can only guess that she is an exceptional woman, for you never bestow such compliments lightly.”
Darcy shook his head ruefully. Georgiana might have been young, but she was observant, and knew how to use it to her advantage.
“What else, William? Surely that is not the end of your interactions with her.”
“Indeed not,” he said, releasing the breath he had been holding. “Under ill advice, I proposed to her...”
“Ill advice?” Georgiana said sharply.
“It was my own advice,” he replied. “I confess that I made rather a fool of myself, and I was not... it was not the proposal I would have wanted. And she very rightly refused me.”
“I am all astonishment!” And indeed, Georgiana’s expression was one of keen surprise. “But if she refused your proposal, what then?”
“She accused me of a great many misdeeds, some of them true, and some false.” He did not need to wound her with news of Mr. Wickham’s lies, the less she dwelled upon the memory of him, the better. Darcy still seethed with anger towards the man, and even the thought of having to defend himself against the scoundrel’s claims made his stomach twist painfully. “I wrote her a letter, explaining myself. But I also admitted to her that I had discouraged Charles Bingley from his pursuit of her sister’s affections.”
“William! How could you do such a thing?”
Darcy shook his head. “I do regret it, very much. Charles may yet forgive me, I only meant to act in his best interest, but Miss Bennet may not.”
“If she is everything you say she is... I confess I must agree with you. Now, why are you telling me all of this?”
“I am unburdening myself, my dear sister, because I want you to act as my advocate tonight.”
Georgiana squeaked and clapped a hand over he mouth. “William, how shall I do that?”
“Speak kindly on my behalf, if you have the opportunity to do so... I have not had the opportunity to speak to her since that disastrous day.”
“I will do what I can, brother, though I make no promises. I am intrigued to make the acquaintance of a young lady who has the courage to refuse you.”
“I do hope that you will assist me, Georgiana, and not see an opportunity for mockery. I have every intention of changing this young lady’s mind.”
Georgiana smiled broadly, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked at her brother. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, am I to believe that you are in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
Darcy looked down at the carpet beneath his boots and smiled. He was in love, most ardently. He just needed Elizabeth Bennet to see it clearly, without the veil of anger or resentment hanging over her eyes.
“Perhaps,” was all he replied.
A maid entered the room bearing a tray laden with tea and tarts, and Darcy hoped that the distraction would be enough for Georgiana, he could use any excuse to try to think of anything but what he had dreamed about. Thankfully, with a cup of tea and a tart in her hands, Georgiana was content to share the news of her friends in Ramsgate and Darcy was grateful to have something else to dwell upon. The supper hour would be upon them soon, and the arrival of Elizabeth Bennet and her aunt and uncle would soon disturb this moment of calm.
Fitzwilliam Darcy had always been confident in himself, and it bothered him now that he felt nervousness eating away at his composure. It was a supper, nothing more. Pemberley was no stranger to parties and revelry, a
nd this supper was a simple affair by comparison. He had sent a carriage to collect Elizabeth Bennet and the Gardiners from the Lambton Inn, and it would only be a matter of time before they arrived.
“William, do stop pacing,” Georgiana said from behind him. “It will not make the carriage arrive any faster. Should I play the pianoforte for them tonight?”
“Yes, of course, whatever you wish,” he replied absently.
“William, you must stop this at once. If Miss Bennet is as astute as you say, she will be able to see right through this abysmal display. I cannot plead your case if you insist upon behaving in this manner.”
Darcy sighed and placed his hand upon the window frame and stared out into the waning light. The sunset had painted the sky in beautiful colors – red, pink, purple and orange gold. He took a deep breath. The sunsets in the country were among his favorite things, and he tried to steady himself with the knowledge that no matter what happened, the sunset would paint the skies over Pemberley tomorrow, and the next day.
“Ah, finally,” Georgiana said, and Darcy looked out the window to see the carriage coming down the drive. She rushed from the parlor towards the foyer and Darcy took a deep breath before raking his hands through his hair and straightening his waistcoat. It was just a supper.
“Miss Bennet! How thrilled I am to finally meet you!” Georgiana’s excited voice echoed into the parlor and Darcy swallowed thickly before stepping into the foyer to greet his guests.
* * *
Supper was a merry affair, and Darcy was beyond grateful to have Georgiana at the table to carry the conversation. For all of his confidence, there was nothing that could have prepared him for how he would feel when seated across from Elizabeth Bennet. She was beautiful, undoubtedly. But there was more to her now, he could see that. The ready wit and sharp tongue had served her well against Caroline Bingley, but here, alongside family and amplified by Georgiana’s charming conversation, Elizabeth Bennet was a luminous example of everything he desired in a wife.