by Pamela Lynne
“Well, dear, you are now engaged to be married. I know you will not marry for a while yet, but I thought it best to go ahead and speak about your marital duties.”
Elizabeth reddened. Though it was a subject she was very interested in, she could not help but be uncomfortable. Her aunt knew this, therefore, proceeded cautiously.
“Lizzy, you know that men and women are made differently. The design of our bodies is such that, when joined with a spouse, you truly become one. In order for this to happen, parts of the husband...change.”
Elizabeth furrowed her brow and tilted her head. Her aunt let out a long sigh. She was having a hard time being tactful. She assumed that, considering the amount of time they had been allowed alone together, liberties had been taken. She did not want to embarrass Elizabeth by asking, nor did she want to know what went on in her foyer at the end of Darcy’s visits, but it was important for her niece to go into her marriage with knowledge instead of fear.
“You have seen statues and paintings of nude males, so you have some understanding of what lies beneath a man’s breeches, correct?” Elizabeth nodded. “Well, before joining with a wife, the parts that make him a man harden and lengthen. This allows him to penetrate the part that makes his wife a woman. Do you understand?”
“I believe so.”
“Good. Now, the act of love involves a little more than just the joining. Before the man enters the woman, they can take time to enjoy each other. This is done by touching and kissing and…other things. If you are able to relax and accept your husband’s touch, then this will prove to be quite pleasurable and will lead to greater enjoyment when he joins with you.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Yes, the first time, anyway. And there will be some bleeding. Subsequent times will be more comfortable.”
“What does it feel like?” Elizabeth’s curiosity was beginning to usurp her discomfort.
“Physically, you will experience a feeling of fullness. The actual joining will occur as a series of thrusts that culminate in his releasing his seed inside you, which may or may not create a child. Emotionally, you will feel closer to him then than at any other time in your daily life. This is the physical expression of love, and it is truly a gift to be able to share such a bond.”
She went on to explain that though she should let her husband guide her, she not need be passive in the act. “If he does something to you, Lizzy, it is likely he will enjoy having that same thing done to him.”
Elizabeth continued to nod her head while she was thinking about what her aunt was telling her. She lifted her eyes, looked at her aunt, and asked, “So when he kisses me and I feel a hardness against my stomach, it means he is ready to join?”
Mrs. Gardiner tried hard to keep her features neutral. Elizabeth’s face contained innocence, curiosity, and a slight wantonness all at the same time. It would not do to laugh at her now.
“Yes, dear.”
Elizabeth sighed. “If I were to touch it before we are married, it would be wrong, I suppose?”
“Elizabeth! Have you been touching Mr. Darcy?” Her aunt was slightly alarmed.
“No!” Elizabeth cried indignantly, then slumped her shoulders and looked over her aunt’s head. “But I want to,” she said wistfully.
This time, her aunt did laugh. Lord, we need to hurry and get these two married!
********
Darcy, too, stood at his window that morning, willing his erection to subside before his valet arrived to help him prepare for the day. He had already brought himself relief twice since he left her the night before and worried continuing to do so might result in injury. He just could not stop thinking about her, not only the delights of her body, but all the pleasures of her mind and spirit as well.
All the pieces that made up Elizabeth combined in the most beautiful, enticing, and sensual woman who had ever made his acquaintance. He did not need to consummate the relationship to know that he was completely, utterly, and unapologetically hers and had been since he saw her on the lawn at Netherfield. He smiled with the knowledge that the poets were right. There was nothing as arousing as love—love and a pink dress.
When he was finally fit for company, he left his chambers and made his way to the breakfast room. He assumed with his late arrival that the rest of the house would have eaten already and was surprised to see a lone figure remaining at the table.
“Anne.”
“Darcy,” she responded curtly.
“I am glad to see you out of your chambers. How are you?”
“I am well, Cousin. The rest over the past couple days has been beneficial.”
“I am glad.” Darcy walked to the sideboard and filled a cup with coffee, suddenly not feeling hungry. He moved to the table and sat next to his cousin.
“Anne, I am very sorry. I never should have made those assumptions, and I certainly never should have spoken to you or Aunt Catherine the way I did. I honestly thought I was protecting your feelings by not interacting with you more at Rosings. Instead, I see that I only added to the rift between us that was caused by death and illness.
“I have learned recently that my efforts at self-preservation have not only caused me to be seen as an ass,” he said pointedly, “but have caused pain to more than one person whom I love. I hope you can forgive me and that we can be friends once more.”
Anne rolled her eyes. “Ugh. I want to stay angry with you, Darcy, but you are making it difficult. Can you go back to being conceited and selfish so that I may contentedly hate you from afar?”
Darcy smiled. “I am afraid not, dear Cousin. I am a changed man,” he said playfully.
“Alright then, I will forgive you, but only to retain my new friendship with your future wife. I find her company much more tolerable than yours.” She became serious and looked at him contritely. “I should not have spoken to you the way I did, either. I accused you of not acting civilly, and then I behaved like a child. I do not believe Elizabeth would behave in such a manner. Shall we let it be, then?”
“I am afraid my offenses far outweigh yours, Anne, but I am willing to put it all to rest if you are.”
Anne nodded and smiled. “Well then, Darcy, tell me how much you are looking forward to having all the Fitzwilliams in your house at once. Do you think your engagement can stand the weight of it?”
Darcy groaned, and Anne laughed as he proceeded to fill his plate. His appetite returned, but with it came a slight anxiety for the night to come.
********
That evening, the Fitzwilliams gathered in the Darcy drawing room and waited for their host to join them. He was uncharacteristically late as he was making arrangements for them to travel to Pemberley at the end of the week. In true Fitzwilliam style, they had decided to entertain themselves.
Georgiana looked on helplessly as Sebastian refilled everyone’s drinks. He was determined to get his family well lubricated before his cousin arrived with his lectures. They were going to need fortitude to get through the evening, especially his mother. Humbling herself before anyone, let alone a tradesman, was as peculiar for her as her overall appearance.
“Cousin, are you sure it is wise to consume so much libation before dinner?” Georgiana felt she should at least try to stem the drunken exhibitions that were sure to come.
“Forgive me, Georgie, but yes. You see, before I can enjoy the lovely evening I know you have planned for us, I must purge from my memory the half hour I spent this afternoon in the parlor of ugly woman number three, more commonly known as Miss Beatrice Wallace.”
Anne giggled at her cousin’s expression but quickly stifled her amusement and lowered her head when she heard Georgiana’s disapproving gasp. She raised her eyes to see if anyone had heard when Richard caught her eye and winked. She blushed but lifted her head and continued listening.
“Must you speak about a lady so, Sebastian? It shows a lack of respect, and if you are calling on her, you must be considering her for your wife,” Georgiana admonished.
&
nbsp; “Do not be so hard on him, Georgiana,” Lady Catherine began. “If she is anything like her mother, she well deserves the moniker. When we were at school together, I often wondered why, with her bovine-like frame, her father did not put her to pasture.” She then proceeded to laugh at her own silliness as she gestured for her nephew to refill her glass.
Lady Susan, who was only slightly paying attention to the conversation, held her glass out as well. “What is so amusing, Catherine?”
“The thought of your grandchildren walking on all fours and mooing.”
This time, it was Richard who laughed out loud while Sebastian groaned and rolled his eyes. The earl, who had been downing his brandy quietly in the corner, came and sat next to his heir. He patted him on the arm and said, “Do not fret, Son. She may be frighteningly ugly and cow-like, but if you close your eyes and take her from behind, you should be able to complete the task.”
Even though she was not entirely sure what he meant, Georgiana blushed furiously at her uncle’s words while Lady Catherine and Richard nodded in agreement and Anne stared into her sherry in blissful ignorance. Lady Susan was once again bored and so contented herself with toying with the feathers in her headpiece. Georgiana decided it was a good time to fetch her brother.
********
Bingley stood at the door to Longbourn, took a deep breath, and immediately regretted it. The wet and bitter cold painfully filled his lungs as he stood and willed his fist to rap on the door. He came much later than he had planned due to weather and a reluctant Caroline. He had waited to make his escape until she left the house, and she was slow to move considering the rain that had moved in that morning. After Bingley said he would gladly pay for two new gowns for each sister, they finally departed in the Hurst carriage, allowing him to make for Hertfordshire. By the time he arrived at Netherfield and refreshed himself after his journey, it was nearly dinner time. Remembering Elizabeth’s assurances of his welcome, he decided not to wait until the next day to pay a call.
Now, as he stood with just a slab of wood between himself and the woman he loved, he began to panic. All the things that could go wrong flew through his head. He found himself wishing for Darcy’s confidence or, better yet, to have the man himself beside him, giving a necessary push in the right direction. But Darcy was safe and warm back in London with his beloved, and now it was time to claim his own. Courage and determination had been his mantra during his journey, and he repeated it to himself a few more times before he finally knocked on the door.
********
Mary sat alone in the drawing room working on a sampler when the combined smell of musty flesh and cheap port alerted her to the entry of her cousin.
He had arrived at Longbourn earlier in the day and had been sequestered in Mr. Bennet’s library for hours, presumably going over the books. In reality, he was studying his ailing cousin with great curiosity. It was obvious he was ill by his pallor and slowed movements, not to mention the copious amounts of laudanum his was consuming. His body was weak, and his mind was growing weaker. It would not be long now.
Mary looked in his direction and fought the urge to flee. His greasy hair was falling over his brow, resting just above eyes that looked at her with unveiled licentiousness. He sat beside her, fingering the fabric she clutched in her hands.
“Cousin Mary,” he hissed in a low, lecherous tone, “it has come to my attention that you have petitioned your father to take your sister’s place as my betrothed. Although I am flattered by your desire to have me as your husband, I am afraid the decision has been made and will not be undone. However,” his hand moved from her sampler to rest on her knee, “you will always be welcome at Longbourn in some capacity. You may not have the enticing figure of my Elizabeth, but I am sure you have other things to offer.”
He squeezed her knee and leaned forward. Mary choked back the bile rising in her throat, pulled the needle from her sampler, and thrust it hard into the back of the hand that rested on her knee. The thin needle broke off into the flesh but caused enough pain to distract the parson and allow Mary to run from the room and straight into Mr. Bingley.
********
“What is it, Georgiana?” Darcy responded to his sister’s embrace with a question.
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, they are drinking.”
“Already?”
She nodded. “Yes, and Lizzy and the Gardiners will be here any moment. Brother, what if she sees how they are behaving and runs from us? I would not blame her if she abandoned us after witnessing the drunken mob that awaits her in the drawing room.”
“Georgie, you know she would do no such thing. At least, I hope not. Come, let us see if we can get them under control before she gets here.”
Darcy walked into the room with his usual grim expression and bowed. “Good evening, everyone.” A chorus of “Good evening, Darcy” followed as he moved to take away the brandy and sherry containers. “I think we can dispense with these for the time being. Was it necessary to begin drinking so early in the evening?”
A collective yes was heard, and Darcy again questioned the wisdom behind his decision to have them all there at once. Elizabeth was certainly accustomed to boisterous relations, but as far as he knew, they were never all in their cups around the dinner table at Longbourn.
Lady Susan stood and walked around the room as she spoke to Darcy. “I do not know why you felt it necessary to take away the sherry, Darcy. It is not as if any of us have been known to imbibe. We merely had a pre-dinner aperitif.”
“Both bottles are nearly empty, my lady,” Darcy spoke as if he were reprimanding a child.
“Catherine drank most of it.”
“I did not! And if I did, it was to fortify myself for an evening looking at that thing you have on your head. It is quite ghastly, Susan. With so many feathers, one would think you were trying to take flight.”
“I will have you know, Cathy, that this is the height of fashion here in town. Not that you could ever don something so remarkable. What do ladies wear in Kent these days, pelts and hides, or have the savages finally taken to wearing clothes like the rest of society?”
“I take back what I said, Suzie, I no longer believe you wear that thing out of a desire to join the real birds in the air. You actually need it to hide your horns!”
A snort was heard from the door as Jennings did not hide amusement at the scene before him. He composed himself just long enough to announce Elizabeth and the Gardiners, who had heard much of the exchange between the two ladies. Darcy moved forward to greet them, but a suddenly exuberant Anne got there first.
“Lizzy!” she exclaimed as she embraced her tightly. “I am so glad you are here. We are having ever so much fun, but I have to tell you,” her voice became low as she looks around furtively, “I have had a little too much sherry. I do not think anyone has noticed, yet, so shhhhhhh!” She giggled and returned to her seat where she placed her elbows on her knees and stared at Richard, who was dangerously close to falling out of his chair due to his laughter.
Darcy and Georgiana were mortified as they welcomed their friends, and when the loud snores were heard escaping the earl’s open mouth, Darcy grasped Elizabeth’s hands and held them to his chest.
“Dearest, please do not run screaming into the streets. I promise you will not be subjected to their company often, at least not so many of them at once.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Mr. Darcy, so far, I have seen an over-exuberant girl who may not yet be ready for society, two ladies arguing over a head adornment, and an overindulged man taking a nap. I am reminded of several scenes from our time together in Hertfordshire last autumn. We are not sailing uncharted waters tonight, Mr. Darcy, and I believe we shall come to the end of the evening unscathed.”
Darcy smiled broadly and was about to express his appreciation when Jennings once again entered the room.
“Are you coming to eat or aren’t ye. Soup’s cooling.” He left again, this time mumbling something about hens dressed as peacocks. Darcy gro
aned in embarrassment.
“Well,” Elizabeth said, “perhaps that is new.”
********
The inhabitants of Longbourn who were sitting at the dinner table may not have been in their cups, but one guest wished he was. Bingley looked at Jane sitting across from him in confusion. She smiled at him, but her eyes kept moving nervously from him, to Mary, to Mr. Bennet, and then back to him. He wondered at this momentarily, and if he had been a man of more sense, he would have seen she was terrified.
When she first entered the drawing room and saw him standing with Mary and Mr. Collins, she experienced a brief moment of joy. He had come back, but she wondered at his purpose. Perhaps he had only returned to the neighborhood to prepare Netherfield for Miss Darcy, whom she believed was his intended. She greeted him civilly and was, thankfully, spared from speaking further when her mother entered the room.
“Oh, Mr. Bingley, how good it is to see you! I have informed Hill that you will be staying for dinner. You promised to dine with us before you quit Netherfield, remember? Well, let us go in, sir.”
If she had caught her breath for a moment, Mary and Jane would have tried to suggest another time would be best. How could she forget that the situation at Longbourn was as such that it could only hurt her effort to secure Bingley for Jane? They sat at the table, and for a brief while, it seemed they would be spared Mr. Bennet’s presence. He finally arrived and, without speaking to anybody, sat at the head of the table. This was when Bingley noticed Jane’s peculiar manner.
“Mr. Bennet, we have a guest,” Mrs. Bennet said a bit too loudly. “Mr. Bingley has returned to the neighborhood, you see.”
Mr. Bennet looked up from his soup. He was not dressed for dinner. It appeared he had not changed clothes in days, and his brow was furrowed as such that one could almost see in him a resemblance to his cousin. His blue eyes, the only feature he had given to Jane, were clouded in confusion, as if trying to remember. “You are the boy who let Netherfield.”