Elizabeth, afloat upon a sea of need for him, wriggled, trying to bring his mouth to her nipple, but a low laugh from Darcy told her she was not likely to succeed. “You are trying to torment me!” she accused, her voice trembling with desire.
He moved on to her shoulder, not failing to dust her neck with kisses along the way. “You are quite correct, my best beloved,” he whispered between kisses. “I want to torment you, to tempt you, and to tantalize you, until you are as hopelessly desirous of me as I am of you.” His mouth continued on its journey down her arm, pausing in the hollow of her elbow, then again in the palm of her hand until he took her fingers one at time into his mouth, nibbling and sucking at them as his tongue danced against her fingertip.
The ache in her body was building to an almost intolerable level, and her desire to touch him and to bring him to touch her where she needed him most had gone beyond the rule of reason. “William,” she pleaded, again trying to bring his face to hers. He was clearly unready to hurry his enjoyment of her, though, and he set a leisurely pace, moving his lips back up her arm to her shoulder, the little hollows at the base of her neck, and finally up to her face. He paused with their faces just inches apart, delaying allowing her the satisfaction of their lips meeting at last as he whispered, “Do you want me?”
“How can you doubt it?” she had gasped as she finally pulled him to her, her hands insistently exploring the warm muscles of his back as she kissed him with all the desperate need he had awoken in her. He met her with an equal hunger, drinking deep of her desire for him and trying to sate himself momentarily with her kisses, because he was not yet ready to give up the pleasure of tormenting Elizabeth into wanting ever more of him, despite becoming increasingly distracted by the feeling of her hands upon him.
The ache Elizabeth felt in those sensitive parts of herself he had so deliberately ignored took on new power as his mouth returned to her breast, only to circle her nipple again and again. She involuntarily arched against him, arousing him by her insistence, until finally he barely skimmed her nipple with the tip of his tongue. She took in a sobbing gasp at this, and he looked at her for a moment in deep satisfaction before at last taking her into his mouth and suckling her. She could not help crying out at the sudden, intense pleasure of it, and his fingers travelled to her lips to quiet her as he continued to stimulate her, the movements of her body against his filling the deep need he felt for her desire and pleasure.
She caught his fingers between her lips, attempting to maintain some last trace of self-control, and rapidly discovered the impact she could have on him by teasing his fingertips with her tongue. Before she could enjoy her discovery for long, though, he withdrew his fingers and released her breast from his mouth. Their eyes locked as he spread her legs wide and settled himself between them.
This was the one thing which had shocked Elizabeth the previous night; she had been otherwise quite willing to follow his lead, but had been taken aback by the prospect of his mouth on her. It had taken a certain amount of persuasion and reassurance on his part to convince her to lie back and close her eyes, but it had been quite worth the effort. He had been extremely gratified by the intensity of her response when she finally was able to relax and allow herself to enjoy the pleasure he was giving her. Now he just looked at her and whispered, “May I?” as his fingers opened her to discover her deepest secrets.
Elizabeth hesitated a moment. She had not quite got past the shock of that first time, and was quite sure that in this they had crossed over the boundary into deeply improper behaviour. She could not forget either the exquisite and intense delight he had sent coursing through her body, and struggled with the even greater impropriety of not only having allowed it, but finding herself wanting him to do it again, and to transport her into the realm of pure pleasure and satisfaction. Without giving herself time to reconsider, she nodded quickly, then gasped as his tongue discovered and made free with the spot where all her pleasure began. She lost all compunction, all awareness of anything but him as he stimulated her into higher and higher levels of pleasure, until she was overtaken by pulse after pulse of deep satisfaction, drawn out and intensified by the continued gentle probing of his tongue.
He wasted no time in taking possession of her, his deep thrusts wringing further pleasure from her. She clung to him with her arms and legs, enjoying the feeling of him moving inside her, until he found his own oblivion and collapsed in her arms.
And now she faced him at the breakfast table. She could tell from the look in his dark eyes that he knew just what she had been thinking, and that the knowledge of the secret between them pleased and aroused him. She smiled at him sweetly, suspecting it would provoke him, and indeed his eyes flared at her. She found it quite difficult to concentrate on her breakfast.
During breakfast, the housekeeper came and asked to speak to Mr. Bingley privately, and shortly thereafter, Bingley returned and rather brusquely requested his wife to join him in his study, where they were closeted for some time. This unusual event did not pass unnoticed by either Elizabeth or Darcy, but neither commented on it owing to the presence of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Still, they exchanged a questioning glance when Mrs. Bingley returned, her usually peaceful countenance showing some signs of distress. Darcy, who was already feeling a certain amount of guilt about how much he had deprived Elizabeth of sleep in the previous three nights, made his excuses and went to seek out Bingley in hopes of gaining some insight to alleviate the concern he saw on Elizabeth’s face when she looked at her sister.
He found his friend still in his study, looking uncharacteristically gloomy. He hesitated slightly to interrupt him; he knew he had little of Elizabeth’s ability to elicit confidences, nor the capacity for appearing cheerfully oblivious when he was not. Still, he felt an obligation to Elizabeth, so he entered and asked Bingley if he could join him.
Bingley appeared startled at his appearance, but recovered and welcomed him. Without transition, he abruptly asked if Darcy had obtained the marriage license yet.
“Not as of yet,” said Darcy easily, feeling secure on this subject. “Elizabeth is awaiting her mother’s final decision between two dates, but I hope to secure it later this week.”
Bingley seemed to ponder this more than it perhaps deserved, then said in something of a rush, “I think tomorrow would be an excellent time for you to marry Lizzy.”
Puzzled, Darcy said, “Why? Is this a jest? I cannot think Mr. and Mrs. Bennet would be pleased by such a hurried wedding, nor to bid their daughter farewell so quickly.”
“Damn it, Darcy!” Bingley exclaimed plaintively, clearly uncomfortable with his situation. He hesitated, then added, “You have put me in a very difficult position. Until you place that ring upon her finger, I am responsible for Elizabeth’s well-being. God knows I have turned a blind eye often enough in hopes the two of you would come to an understanding, but there is only so far I can go!”
Darcy flushed as he looked at Bingley in sudden comprehension. He was silent a moment as he attempted to collect himself, finding to his surprise that, faced with this moment, he had no regrets whatsoever apart from having placed Elizabeth in an embarrassing position by having the misfortune to be caught out. He had become accustomed to the idea that they made their own rules to suit themselves, yet he understood Bingley’s point quite well. “There seems to be little I can say, then,” he said, his voice controlled, “beyond that I am far from having any objection to an immediate marriage; but I must warn you, Elizabeth may not be in accord with this.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Darcy, do not hide behind that one!” exclaimed Bingley in some annoyance. “She placed herself under my care when she came to live with us, and if she has some objection, I am sorry for it, but I was not planning to offer her a choice.”
It did not come as a surprise that his friend looked for a traditional response from the women of his household, but Darcy had spent sufficient time with E
lizabeth for his own expectations to have altered somewhat from necessity. He considered his words carefully, with concern for the conflict already present between Bingley and himself. “I will speak to her, and will certainly make the strongest case possible for it, but I am not prepared to insist if she refuses.”
“You do not seem to have been so loath to impose your will upon her last night!” said Bingley resentfully.
Darcy was sufficiently angered by this implication that he came close to retorting without thought, but he stopped himself just in time. The passion he appreciated in Elizabeth could cause her irreparable harm in her brother-in-law’s eyes; and if the only alternative was for Bingley to believe he would have used Elizabeth to that degree, he would not argue the point. Still, he felt the keenness of the cut that his dear friend would jump to such a conclusion about him, and he said stiffly, “I do not believe Elizabeth holds anything against me; she is very generous.”
“Well, I hope for your sake that she is,” said Bingley. “I am sorry, Darcy; I do not want to quarrel with you—but you must see my position.” He looked at Darcy in a silent appeal for his understanding.
“Yes, of course,” said Darcy, feeling once more in control of himself and the situation. “I bear you no ill will; and I will speak to Elizabeth directly.”
Bingley looked enormously relieved to turn over the responsibility of facing his spirited sister-in-law. “Thank you, Darcy,” he said. “Do let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”
“I will,” said Darcy, irony heavy in his voice.
***
He found Elizabeth in the garden with her sister, and indicated his need to speak privately to her. It was clear Jane was not prepared to leave them alone together—plainly the need for constant chaperonage had been discussed. Darcy was less than pleased with the idea of having this conversation under her watchful eye, but tried to make the best of it by taking Elizabeth off to a far corner of the garden where at least their words could be not be overheard.
Despite his forebodings, Darcy lost no time in acquainting her with the results of his conversation with their host. “I seem to have created a great deal of trouble for you by my own impetuosity. Bingley is insisting we marry immediately,” he said quietly, hoping she would not be too angry.
She looked at him in confusion for a moment, then her brow cleared and she laughed. “Poor Bingley!” she exclaimed. “The embarrassment he must be suffering! He does try so hard not to offend anyone, and I imagine he has not the least understanding of our predicament. I do not think he shares your nature, and I know Jane does not share mine.”
He was relieved she was taking this intelligence so lightly. “I am glad to see your only concern is for his embarrassment,” he said dryly, “but I certainly did not want to put you in this position.”
“Well, it is somewhat embarrassing for me as well,” she allowed, “but I have become rather accustomed to being embarrassed, and at least in this case it is for a sin I did commit, rather than one I did not! No, my dearest, I am not upset—except perhaps that it will make our nights more difficult,” she added in a teasing whisper.
He felt a surge of desire at her words. “Elizabeth—if you are attempting to distract me, you are doing an admirable job,” he said, allowing his eyes to drift down her form. “Our nights together are one of my very favourite subjects, but I do not believe your sister would be happy about the direction my thoughts are tending. Perhaps we should return to the subject at hand.”
She gave him an arch look, amused at the degree to which he could arouse her simply with a look and a few words. “Very well, I will attempt to behave, if that will make you happy. What is it you would like to discuss, then?”
He drew a deep breath. “You have not yet told me what you think of Bingley’s request. I am aware you would prefer to wait a little longer before marrying, and I do not know if you are willing to do so this soon,” he said carefully.
She looked at him, seeing his concern for her, and thought of what revising their plans would mean—the rushed packing, the abbreviated farewells to her family—and then she thought of how it would feel to formalize their marriage, and experienced a rush of warmth at the idea of being his wife. It would give us freedom to be together again, she thought, glancing at Jane. In sudden decision, she smiled up at him brilliantly. “Although it may not be the most practical approach, I would be well pleased to be married to you as soon as may be.”
His expression evinced not only relief but a heartfelt delight. “My best beloved,” he breathed, with a look in his eye which told her that he would like to be expressing his feelings in a much more direct manner. “I can think of nothing that would make me happier than to tell the world you are my own, and I am yours.” Unconsciously he shifted his body closer to hers.
She took the pleasure of losing herself in his dark gaze for a moment, but before the connection could become unbearably close, she said lightly, “Then it would seem we have a great deal to accomplish rather quickly.”
A smile grew on his face as he traced her beloved features with his eyes. “Yes, it would seem so,” he agreed.
Chapter 12
Within a brief space of time they settled the question of the order of the day. Darcy was to call on the curate regarding the ceremony, while Elizabeth oversaw the preparations for their departure. Afterwards, they would go to Meryton together to obtain the license, then call at Longbourn to announce the change of plan. First, though, it remained to inform the other inhabitants of Netherfield of their intentions, and they began with Jane, who expressed a slightly reserved pleasure in their decision. Bingley in turn responded with the greatest of relief, his reaction making clear how difficult he had found it to confront his longtime friend from whom he was accustomed to seeking advice rather than offering it.
Telling Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam proved a little more complex. Georgiana, though not displeased, was clearly taken aback and did not know what to make of the alteration in arrangements. “I am very happy for you,” she said hesitantly, “and I am happy for myself that I will have my new sister even sooner than expected.”
Elizabeth, seeing that she still seemed worried, asked gently, “Are you concerned about this change in our plans?”
“No,” said Georgiana shyly. “Or perhaps yes… I just do not know whether I should stay here without you, or go back to London, or…” Clearly neither of those options appealed to her, but she would not suggest joining the newlyweds at Pemberley.
Colonel Fitzwilliam shot Darcy an uncharacteristically grim look. “I have a thought, Georgiana,” he said. “I need to return to Matlock soon—why not come with me? My parents would be very happy to have you to visit for a few weeks. Then, if you wanted, you could go to Pemberley.” He turned to Elizabeth, and his look softened. “Though I should ask first if that arrangement would suit you, Miss Bennet.”
“I think it would work admirably,” said Elizabeth warmly to Georgiana. “Would it please you?”
At Georgiana’s silent and tentative nod, Elizabeth turned back to Colonel Fitzwilliam with a smile. “Thank you for such an excellent solution to our dilemma, sir.” It was strange, she reflected—although she had never before been able to perceive a family resemblance between Darcy and his cousin, somehow today she could see a familiar likeness in the set of his jaw and his expression.
After a few minutes of polite conversation, Darcy excused himself, pleading the necessity of finding the curate, but Elizabeth decided to remain a little longer to be certain Georgiana was adjusting to the idea of her changed plans. She asked her a little about her aunt and uncle, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, seeming back to his usual affable self, told several amusing stories about them.
Elizabeth was still puzzling a little over the rapid change in his demeanour when she abruptly realized what had seemed familiar in him earlier—his expression had reminded her of how Darcy used to look th
e previous summer when she was with Mr. Covington. In sudden comprehension, she thought back over the events of the previous weeks, seeing how very difficult the situation must be for Colonel Fitzwilliam. She wondered if Darcy knew, but decided almost immediately that he could not; it was not the sort of thing he could keep to himself, and in any case, he had shown no objection to her being in his cousin’s company despite what she knew to be a rather powerful propensity to jealousy.
She could not help but be saddened by the state of affairs; she was fond of Colonel Fitzwilliam, and at one point had been prepared to be more than fond, and she certainly had no wish to pain him in any regard. Feeling somewhat subdued, she excused herself in order to begin her preparations, with much to think about regarding the complexities of life.
***
Elizabeth had fortunately recovered her usual good humour by the time Darcy returned, and the sight of his high spirits as he told her about the plans for the following day cheered her immensely. To know his joy in their marriage was a pleasure for her, and helped her put her more poignant thoughts behind her.
They set off for Meryton, where they were to obtain the license, and Elizabeth was to purchase a few last items for the wedding and her departure. She was glad to be in the company of her betrothed, and it showed in her sparkling eyes and lively attitude.
Darcy’s mood could not be better, but he still had a little concern about Elizabeth. Finally he broached the subject, asking, “Are you in truth not dissatisfied with these new arrangements? I know that you wished to wait, and I feel as if I somehow selfishly got my own way at your expense.”
She smiled at him. “Truly, I am not dissatisfied. I think I am more prepared for it than I was when we first discussed when to marry, and it does not seem so huge a leap.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “After all, I have been getting in practice to be married,” she said provocatively.
His eyes grew dark. “Just think how much more pleasant our practice will be when I need not leave you, but can hold you in my arms the whole night through,” he said. He did not know how he had torn himself away from her these last two nights.
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