by April Karber
Elizabeth took his face in her hands, marveling at its warmth. He closed his eyes and savored her touch and she ran her fingers across the stubble that ran along his jaw. He kissed her thumb quickly and opened his eyes.
“On the subject of your love for me, I will never wish you silent. However, I must silence you briefly in order to give you my answer.” She drew her face slowly down to meet his, her lips shyly grazing his before pulling away.
“I beg you to grant me a longer silence so that I display my feelings instead,” he replied, standing up.
He wasted no time in hearing her answer, and bent down to press his lips firmly against hers. With one hand, he gently caressed the back of her neck, the other, her shoulder. When that was not enough, he again returned to his knees, parting her legs to kneel in between them. He put his arms gently around her waist and pulled her close, nestling his head on her chest before resuming more impassioned kisses. He stroked her back, making her relax against his chest as he gently slid his tongue into her mouth. Deft hands moved down to hold her waist, moving his thumbs gently over her stomach. When his hands moved to caress her thighs, she let out a surprised gasp and he moved away, returning to reality. Her haggard breathing made him want to resume, but the sight of her roughed hair and crumpled dress made him think otherwise. Things had nearly gotten out of hand.
“Before I can think of returning to such a pleasant occupation, I would like to state more formally what I am asking of you.” He took her hands again and placed light kisses on her forehead, her jaw line, and her neck before placing one solitary and lingering kiss over her heart. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, squeezing his hands.
“It will do to call me William now,” he said, smiling broadly.
“Then I am Elizabeth to you,” she said, heart pounding at his boyish grin.
“I confess I have been rather jealous of those who have been able to call you Lizzy,” his dimples deepened and she blushed. “Lizzy,” he started, “though I am hesitant to leave you, I do not wish to rob you of time to recover from this morning’s incident. We can discuss everything later, if that is satisfactory to you.”
“It is, thank you. But you will not tell anyone, will you?” She asked, unsure of how the announcements would proceed.
“I will tell no one, but I cannot promise to hide my elation.” He kissed her tenderly on the cheek and left her.
Chapter 34
! )*! Elizabeth woke hours later. Darkness had already fallen and she worried that the entire events of the day had been a lucid dream. She dressed quickly, made up her hair, and hurried downstairs.
She found everyone in the middle of supper.
“Oh, Elizabeth!” cried Georgiana excitedly.
“I did not intend to sleep so late,” she could look only at Darcy, whose eyes had
brightened when he saw her; or so she hoped.
She sat between the Darcys and took the opportunity of glancing at Jane and
Bingley while Darcy made her plate. She found the couple more amorous than usual,
quieter as well. Jane’s eyes met hers across the table and Jane smiled brightly at her, her
eyes aglow with happiness.
Darcy sat her plate in front of her, loaded with generous portions of her favorites.
She thanked him and began eating, famished after her day of sleep.
“I trust you slept well, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked.
“I did, though I was plagued with the most curious dreams.” She played with her
food while she waited for an answer.
“Nightmares?”
“Fortunately not.”
“I will not inquire further, I am aware that they cannot come true if you’re forced
to disclose it.”
“I hope your sleep is not affected tonight, Elizabeth, from your long rest today,”
Georgiana chimed in.
“We will know in the morning, if all our books have been disturbed,” quipped her
brother.
“Perhaps only the tedious anthologies, as sleep aids,” Elizabeth added. The rest of the meal was passed pleasantly enough, without any contributions
from either Jane or Bingley. When they retired to the music room for the rest of the
evening, they were made aware of the reason for the couple’s silence.
“Jane and I have an announcement,” Bingley said, ears as red as his hair.
Elizabeth realized at once; Jane was pregnant!
Chapter 35 When Elizabeth noiselessly pulled the door to the library closed behind her later that night, she was unsurprised by Darcy’s presence.
He moved towards her silently, drinking in the sight of her in her sheer robe. He escorted her to the armchair and sat beside her, taking her hands in his.
“I became slightly jealous at hearing about these dreams of yours,” he kissed down her neck, nipping tenderly on her shoulder once he reached it, causing Elizabeth to emit a small whimper. “And I will seek to outdo them if I can.”
“You misunderstand me,” it took all Elizabeth’s efforts to form words, “I feared the events of this morning were merely a dream.”
“Then I will seek to prove otherwise,” Darcy pushed her down and climbed atop her, covering her mouth with his and running his hands along every inch of her. She could not protest and only small gasps of pleasure escaped her lips.
! *+! “I have an idea,” he said, reluctant to part from her mouth. He nuzzled her neck, “would you like to hear it?”
“Any ideas prompted by our current entanglement are sure to be improper, and I
cannot say I would like to hear it.”
“At least for now, it is nothing to do with our present occupation. It seems that our
company has two important announcements that your parents will need to be made aware
of, but a letter will not do for what needs to be said. Nor do I look favorably upon a return
to Hertfordshire, for it would mean we would be in different households.” Elizabeth felt a flutter in her stomach when he looked at her, his look could melt
gold, she was sure.
“So with your permission, along with the Bingley’s, I will extend an invitation to
your family to come to Pemberley.” She kissed him hard, elated with the notion of her
family coming to Pemberley.
“By the time Jane’s news, our news, and news of my family’s arrival reaches the
ears of Caroline Bingley, she will never set foot here again.”
“There is much to rejoice over,” he kissed the top of her head and shifted his
weight to lie beside her. “But while my head is clear, I would also suggest that we go to
bed; otherwise, I cannot guarantee you’ll get any sleep.”
“I would not protest.” She kissed down his neck causing him to moan loudly
before pushing her gently away.
“I would not wish to ask your father for your hand and inform him of the need for
a hasty marriage in the same exchange.”
Elizabeth colored as she realized the implication.
“As much as I would like to further our…bond, Elizabeth, I cannot give society a
reason to treat you as my aunt already has. I would have married you the moment you
consented, but for the blessing of your father, and I would have been happy to marry you
as soon as I had his word, but for the scorn of others. The ton is a grueling bunch without
substantial reason, my aunt and Caroline are proof enough.”
“I understand,” she said, disappointed but touched by his concern. “But it does not make retiring to separate bedrooms any easier.”
Chapter 36 “Mr. Darcy is a changed man, Elizabeth,” Mr. Bennet said days into their visit. “But I wonder as to the cause of it. I might be forced to call him pleasant before our time he
re is over.”
“He and his sister have been very kind, Papa,” she answered.
“To be sure. As pleased as I am with Jane’s news, I had expected more.” Her father shot her a curious expression that made her feel uneasy. As much as she would have liked to apprise him of her engagement, it was Darcy’s place to broach the subject, and he had resolved to wait an appropriate amount of time before usurping the Bingleys’ news. “Or at least that was before I had become better acquainted with Mr. Darcy. I suppose I had presumed news that would elicit an invitation to Pemberley would be more…relevant to the master himself.”
! *"! “I guess it is a testament to the man himself, and his friendship with Charles. As to the news itself, what is more significant than an addition to the family?”
“An addition to the family, indeed.” Her father answered, with a knowing sparkle in his eyes.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy whispered one morning in the parlor, avoiding the notice of the rest of her family. “Your father requests your company. He is waiting for you in the library. I will escort you if you wish.”
Her father had given his blessing, this she learned along the way, but he still wished to hear her opinions on the matter. Darcy waited outside for her.
“I hope you are at no loss as to why I have asked to speak with you, Elizabeth,” Mr. Bennet started, “but I must voice my concerns before passing the news on to your mama.”
“I realize it is sudden, Papa.”
“I would say it has been a rather lengthy process, on the contrary. Mr. Darcy, as far as I was allowed to observe, has been smitten with you since the Meryton assembly. I was neither surprised nor concerned when no proposal was voiced because I knew you did not like him. I have seen you at Pemberley, I have seen him at Pemberley, and I am anxious to know what could have brought about the change.”
“An attachment would have formed sooner had misunderstandings not been in the way. I was blind, as was he, but I have come to know him much better. We are much alike, Papa. I am sorry to have not seen it earlier.”
“You have passed much time here unaccompanied by an attentive chaperone, Elizabeth. Has anything untoward happened?”
Her mind immediately returned to their night in the library. Darcy’s kisses, the comfort of his arms around her.
“Papa, Mr. Darcy is a perfect gentleman.”
“Well it is true that you will have a larger house than Jane, more carriages, more jewels, a kinder sister-in-law, but is that enough to make you happy?”
“I could do without any of it but Mr. Darcy.”
“I am grateful that a lengthy engagement will mean I have the chance to make sure that is true. I trust you, Elizabeth, but I find it hard to believe that anyone is deserving of you.” She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, Papa.”
“And you may tell that fiancé of yours to come in, I will be glad to spend more time with the two of you together.”
“Well, Mr. Darcy,” her father said when Darcy had reentered the library, “I am afraid that even the expanse of Pemberley won’t save you from the raptures of my wife once she learns of your engagement.”
Darcy laughed warmly and positioned himself near Elizabeth.
“But do I not stand the best chance here?”
Mr. Bennet laughed in surprise.
“You’ve chosen well. Time, place, and choice of wife.” He got up and patted
Elizabeth on the knee. “I will break the news to Mrs. Bennet as an engagement present.” He started to leave and stopped at the door, looking back. “It is late, I think. I will be able ! *#! to hold off the congratulations until the morning. Goodnight, Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy.” He raised one eyebrow and left them.
Darcy moved immediately to cover Elizabeth’s mouth with his. “I hope you have a hiding place in mind for me when my mother finds out,” she said when their lips parted.
“If you don’t mind sharing it with me, I believe my bedroom will suffice.” When she gasped, he took the opportunity to pull her onto his lap. She put her arms around his neck instinctively and rested her forehead against his.
“I’m afraid that is the second place they’ll think to look for me.”
“Then,” he whispered in her ear, “they’ll find you in my arms, where you belong.” He pushed her down and resumed his work of kissing her neck from on top of her.
“Mr. Darcy!”
“William,” he managed between kisses.
“William, anyone could walk in!” He allowed her to push him aside, and he resumed kissing her from a sitting position.
“They could only force us to marry sooner,” he said, smiling at her, “and I am beginning to favor a short engagement.”
“My mother would never consent, though she’s had our weddings planned from birth, she would insist on time to properly execute one, especially amongst the grandeur of Pemberley.”
“I can never thank you enough for agreeing to have our wedding here, sweetest.”
The conversation dissolved into passionate kissing. Then, suddenly, Elizabeth was swept up in Darcy’s arms and being carried out of the room.
“Wha..” she began, but he covered her mouth gently with one finger, silencing her.
Moments later, she was gently placed on a large four-poster bed.
“Your room?” she asked unnecessarily.
After locking the door, Darcy joined her on the bed and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“I am determined to have uninterrupted time with my fiancé before she is overwhelmed by wedding plans, so tonight is my only chance.”
When her eyes adjusted to the dark, Elizabeth took the opportunity to examine her surroundings. The room was large, masculine, and cozy, all dark wood and soft fabrics.
“Do you like it?” he asked, hopeful.
“I do,” she answered, admiring the large chairs by the fireplace.
“I plan to spend a lot of time with you here, Elizabeth.” She quivered under his gaze and they said nothing for a long time. Darcy finally broke the silence and climbed softly on top of her, straddling her.
“I’m not crushing you, am I?” He asked.
“No,” she laughed nervously, “it feels good.”
He ran his hands softly along her stomach and she arched her back in response. When he could no longer hold back, he bent down and captured her mouth in his, rolling to lie beside her as he thrust his tongue inside her mouth. When his hands found her breasts, she started and pulled away from him.
! *$! “I’m sorry,” he said, starting to move away from her. He stopped when she put her arm around his waist and pulled him back.
“It was unexpected, but not unpleasant,” she whispered, pulling him to her again.
“Even still,” he whispered back, “I should not have gone so far.” He gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek and pulled her tighter to him, wrapping her in his arms. “Can I hold you until you fall asleep?”
“What will we do in the morning?”
“I’ll transport you to your room while you’re sleeping, and none will be the wiser.” He raised one eyebrow wickedly. “But you will not be so lucky once we are married.”
“Oh no?”
“Oh no. We will be confined here to my bedroom, but there will be no sleeping. So I suggest you spend the next few months very restfully.”
“And perhaps reexamine that red book of yours?”
“Why don’t we look at it together, and that way I can answer any questions you may have with demonstrative explanations?”
This caused her to blush furiously, but she laughed all the same.
Though not much conversation followed, neither slept much that night.
Chapter 37 “Lizzy!” chided Mrs. Bennet, “surely you intend to see me to an early grave if this is how you intend to appear on your wedding day!”
Elizabeth, though aglow with happiness, was also extremely tired owing to a sleepless night in Darcy’s bedroom the night before. They had spent the evening m
uch as they had the night of their engagement.
“It is too late for Mr. Darcy to change his mind now, Mrs. Bennet,” her father said in Lizzy’s defense. “Besides, where could he escape to, we have quite taken over his home.”
It was true. The past three months had brought a swarm of visitors and wedding guests to Pemberley, mostly members of Elizabeth’s family, as the Darcys had few relations.
The ceremony was well arranged and the gathering afterwards elegant. The setting of Pemberley was both picturesque and ideal for the number of people and the level of grandeur such an event demanded, but as the couple soon realized, posed an uncomfortable obstacle. As host, Darcy was finding it difficult to excuse himself from company in order to begin his wedding night with his new wife.
He found Elizabeth alone, having just parted company with Charlotte Lucas. “Mrs. Darcy,” he growled, giving her goose pimples.
“Aha!” she declared. “There is my husband.”
“In all of our turbulent past, Mrs. Darcy, remind me, have you not accused me of
selfishness?”
“I have, Mr. Darcy, along with many other things.” ! *%! “I will perhaps display those other things later, Mrs. Darcy. As for now, I will act on the selfish impulse to take you into my arms, and take you up to my bed. Any objections?”
“Our bed.”
He scooped her into his arms and hurried away before anyone could see or delay them. “I love this dress, Mrs. Darcy,” he said once he had placed her atop the bed. “But it would serve my purposes much better on the floor.”
He joined her on the bed, deftly undressing her whilst kissing her passionately.
“I might say the same of your coat, sir.” Elizabeth gasped, fumbling with his buttons.
William groaned and went faster at his work. Before she knew it, they were both naked, rolling around under the warm, soft blankets. William massaged her breasts gently while his tongue urgently rubbed against hers. She gasped when he squeezed her nipple between his fingers, and he moved his mouth quickly to cover one nipple in light kisses, licks, and soft sucks. One hand slid down her stomach while the other made sure the other nipple stayed stiffened.