“Of course not!”
His uncle placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a fatherly squeeze. “I suggest that you return to Pemberley in plenty of time for Elizabeth to dress. You will learn that women need a good deal more time than we men do.”
William smiled. “Thank you for the advice, Uncle, but I learned that lesson a long while ago with Georgiana.”
AFTER SEEING HIS UNCLE to the door, adding extra wood on the fire in the kitchen and putting a tall pot of water on to boil, William picked up more wood and went to the bedroom. Easing the door open, he was a little surprised to find Elizabeth watching him, her eyes almost black in the faint light.
“Sweetheart, I thought you might have gone back to sleep.” Instantly he noted that she was holding the bedclothes tightly around her, so he began placing the wood on the fire. “You must be chilled to the bone, but do not worry. I shall have the room warmed shortly and then you may wash up if you like, for there is water boiling in the kitchen.”
From behind him Elizabeth’s voice was low and enticing. “I do not think I shall ever be able to sleep again without being in your arms.”
Desire shot through him like a bullet, and he tossed the rest of the wood on the fire and hurried back to the bed, divesting himself of his breeches on the way. Naked, he crawled back under the sheets and snuggled close to Elizabeth.
“Your feet are cold!” she squealed, playfully hitting him on the shoulder.
“But the rest of me is hot,” he growled, kissing her passionately.
The next half-hour was spent in fevered lovemaking. Finally completely spent, Elizabeth collapsed upon William’s chest, his arms circling her waist. They lay like that as their breathing returned to normal.
“Will?”
“Hmmm?”
“Have you ever... ” She hesitated. “What I mean to say is... ” She stopped speaking.
“Whatever you want to know, sweetheart, you have only to ask. We said that there would be no secrets between us ever again.”
Propping on his muscular chest she ran a finger over the fine, dark hair there. “Have you ever had another woman?”
He groaned. “I know I said there would be no secrets, but do you really want to speak of this?”
“Yes.” She took a ragged breath. “I would rather know.”
“Very well, dearest. But I tell you this only to ease your mind. Please remember that it was years ago and not something that I am proud of.”
Her face fell. “Then you have.”
“I am sorry to say that I have. It was the first Christmas I was at Cambridge. Everyone had gone home for the holidays; however, Father had just died a few months before and Georgiana was spending Christmas with the Matlocks. I could not face being alone at Pemberley, and I did not relish being with the family, so I stayed at school. Several of my classmates who also had unhappy situations at home were there and they begged me to go into town with them. After a while, I acquiesced merely to gain some peace. But once we were at the local pub, they began buying me drinks and, in a bid to forget my sorrows, I let them.
“The next morning, I awoke to find myself at Madam Kate’s, a nearby gentlemen’s club. According to my colleagues, I drank far more than anyone else before ending up there. Perhaps that is why I have no recollection of what actually transpired at Madam Kate’s.”
“And you have never had any other woman? Not one of the ton?”
“No, no others. As the heir of Pemberley, I was taught to keep myself under good regulation and I managed except for that one instance. Besides, seeing firsthand the ruin caused by being promiscuous, I was resolute that my children’s mother would be my wife, not a maid, shop girl or tenant’s daughter.”
As Elizabeth looked into the face she adored, her eyes brimmed with tears. “Oh, Will. Then in truth, you do not remember any woman but me.”
“None but you.”
She sniffled as a tear escaped. “Then I am satisfied, for you have no memories with which to compare me.”
William’s expression grew completely serious. Then he rolled over, capturing Elizabeth beneath him, his face mere inches from hers as he stared into the depths of her ebony eyes.
“My darling wife, I can assure you that what I experienced in your arms these few hours has erased all else from my memory save you.”
“Oh, Will,” was all she managed to say before he kissed her deeply and the cycle began anew.
Needless to say, it was mid-morning before Mrs. Reynolds’ basket was opened and enjoyed, for the newly-reconciled couple had been starving for a lot more than bread and wine.
Chapter 29
Pemberley
Elizabeth’s Dressing Room
Having noticed some deep wrinkles on Elizabeth’s ball gown, Mrs. O’Reilly had taken it downstairs to steam them from the garment and was presently going back upstairs. Re-entering her mistress’ bedroom through the hallway, she crossed at once to the open dressing room door, where she had left Mrs. Darcy in her bath less than a half-hour before. When she walked into the room, she was stunned to find Mr. Darcy holding his naked wife in a passionate embrace. Instantly, she halted and backed out of the dressing room.
Once inside the bedroom, she quietly closed the door and let go of the breath she had unconsciously been holding. The sight of the Darcys sharing kisses and embraces in Mrs. Darcy’s suite of rooms was not uncommon since their return, but she had thought that Mr. Darcy was getting dressed and had not expected to catch them in the middle of another, especially with her mistress nude. Taking several deep breaths for composure, the maid gave herself a little talk.
Now, Kathleen O’Reilly, you were married, so you are not ignorant of the passions of a man and a woman. Do not act as though you have never seen such a thing and just be pleased that they have evidently settled their differences. Now, go to the door, knock and announce that you have her dress ready. That should give them time to recover and compose themselves.
After several minutes, she felt ready to try again. So she went to the door, took a deep breath and knocked lightly. Then she called in a calm tone of voice, “Mrs. Darcy, your gown is ready. Shall I bring it in?”
INSIDE THE DRESSING room, Mrs. O’Reilly’s enquiry caused Elizabeth to break their kiss and whisper as firmly as possible, “Will, we simply must stop. I have to dress and so do you. Otherwise, we will miss the ball entirely.”
At Elizabeth’s protest, William trailed kisses down her neck and across her shoulders. Catching his wife nude had been too much of a temptation as her silky skin beckoned to his baser instincts. He was not about to give up yet, even under threat of interruption.
“Will, please.” Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her throat as she now murmured more weakly, “Mrs. O’Reilly is waiting for an answer.”
“Let her wait,” William declared, moving to her breasts and eliciting a small moan from Elizabeth, just as he desired.
“I cannot fight you, Will. I want you as much as you want me. But remember, it is you who will have to explain to everyone, including the earl and countess, why we did not attend.”
Slowly her words sunk in, and William ceased his assault with a groan. Even so, his eyes burned for her as he pulled back to look into her face. “You force me to concede, sweetheart. If not for embarrassing you, I would send our regrets and love you for the rest of the night.”
“And while I would love to do just that, we must make the sacrifice and attend. After all, the Matlocks are expecting us as much as the Creightons. But we will have the rest of the night to ourselves once we are home.”
A flash of brilliantly white teeth cut across his tanned face. “Yes, we will.”
Softly he traced the outline of her jaw before slipping his hand into her thick hair and cupping the back of her head. Pulling her close for a last tender kiss, he whispered, “I shall leave you—for now.”
As he stepped away, he looked down at his soaked breeches, unbuttoned shirt and naked feet. A smirk played at the corners of his m
outh. “At least I was not wearing all my clothes. Adams will be upset enough that I have ruined my breeches and this shirt. I have no regrets, though.” He winked. “It was worth it.”
Another quick peck on the tip of her nose and he walked away. Though Elizabeth immediately ached for his return, she forced herself to stand firm by reaching for a towel and wrapping it about her body.
At the bedroom door, William turned to give her a wry smile. Then he opened the door to reveal Mrs. O’Reilly. He stepped aside, sweeping an arm to indicate that she should go inside. “Come in, Mrs. O’Reilly.”
Suppressing a laugh at the shock on her face, he disappeared into Elizabeth’s bedroom on the way to his own. Very slowly, Mrs. O’Reilly’s head swung back around. Elizabeth tried not to giggle at the expression on her face, for she had seen O’Reilly enter the room earlier and rush right back out. And now that William had walked past her in such disarray, she feared that the woman was scandalised.
Pretending that nothing was amiss, Elizabeth declared, “Oh, there you are, and you have my gown.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mrs. O’Reilly stepped closer, holding the gown out for her approval. “I steamed the wrinkles from the skirt.”
“That looks wonderful. Thank you.”
“Now, if we can get you dried off, I may have enough time to fashion your hair in a different style. Since the sleeves are off the shoulder, I thought to leave several long curls hanging over your shoulders and back.”
“My husband has often said that he loves my hair down, so I am certain that he will approve.”
The maid’s eyes twinkled. “I think Mr. Darcy would be pleased no matter how you wore it. He is like a different man today.” Catching her breath, Mrs. O’Reilly stammered, “Forgive me, ma’am.”
Elizabeth touched her hand. “I know that my previous situation was not hidden from you, and my melancholy affected you just as it did me. But that is all in the past now. Mr. Darcy and I are reconciled.”
“I have prayed for it to be so.”
“Thank you for your prayers.” Then Elizabeth smiled. “Now, let us see if you can work a miracle with this hair. The steam from the water has brought out all the curl and it looks a fright.”
“Do not worry. I can use the curls to our advantage.”
While Mrs. O’Reilly began to work her magic, Elizabeth reached for the one red rose that William had laid on her dressing table when he had entered the room to find her bathing. Bringing it to her nose, she inhaled the scent, remembering his words as he knelt by the tub to kiss her.
A secret sweeter than the soul can whisper, I shall love you forever.
CREIGHTON HALL
The ball
The enormous ballroom was exquisitely decorated from top to bottom, as only those with vast wealth and no concerns could afford. In Creighton Hall this night, there were enough candles, flowers, crystal, silver and linens to outfit three manor homes, for on this evening, one of the most enigmatic men in Derbyshire had not only agreed to appear at the Creighton’s ball, but he would also be bringing his new bride.
It was Mrs. Darcy’s first formal appearance in the neighbourhood and a feather in Lady Creighton’s cap, for she had been the only hostess to secure the Darcys’ company since their return to Derbyshire. That their presence was the result of Lord Creighton using his friendship with George Darcy to twist his son’s arm was of no consequence to Lady Creighton. This ball was meant to secure her reputation as the premiere hostess in Derbyshire, and if bribery was necessary, then she had no quarrel with that.
As the long line of arriving guests began to dwindle, Lady Creighton leaned out of the receiving line to peer at the Darcys, who were on the other side of her daughter and new son, Lord Bertram. Mr. Darcy had protested being part of the receiving line, but she had been adamant that he and his wife participate. After all, having secured their company, she wished to make the most of it. Nevertheless, Mr. Darcy had won one concession—he would oblige her only if he and his wife were positioned at the end of the line.
Still miffed at that demand, Lady Creighton examined the couple anew, wondering for the hundredth time what had possessed Mr. Darcy to marry someone like his bride when he could have had her Margaret.
Apparently, Margaret was thinking the same thing, for she leaned close to her mother. “What in the world does he see in her? She is certainly no beauty and from the way she smiles mindlessly at everyone, she is merely a country bumpkin.”
“Keep your voice down,” Lady Creighton said, looking about. “We cannot afford to alienate the Darcys.” Seeing that no one was listening, she added quietly, “But I heartily agree. She cannot hold a candle to you, my dear. If Darcy had been sensible, he would have offered for you last season. Then your father would not have settled you on that freckle-faced—”
“Hush, Mother,” her daughter said. “Bertram will hear you.” She glanced at her portly new husband who was conversing with the Darcys, oblivious of anything they said.
“I cannot help it. Every time I think of how ugly my grandchildren will be—what with his protruding teeth and—”
“Believe me when I say it pains me more than you. I cannot believe Father thought him suitable for me, even if he is a distant cousin of the Prince Regent.” Margaret glanced longingly at William, who looked extremely attractive in his black suit. “It would have been so much more enjoyable being bedded by Mr. Darcy.” Then she sighed heavily. “He is still the handsomest man of my acquaintance.”
As they both studied the man in question, he chose that moment to silently mouth I love you to Elizabeth.
Lady Creighton sighed. “That he is, Margaret, and who would have thought him a romantic, too. Just gazing at his masculine figure is a welcome respite from all the unappealing men of the ton.”
Lady Margaret cut her eyes at her mother. “He is young enough to be your son.”
“I am not dead, my dear. You will learn that, while a woman may age, inside she is still a young girl, and she can still appreciate the strapping figure of a virile young man.”
“Mother!”
GEORGIANA DARCY WAS not dancing. She would have liked to, but the man she most wanted to dance with, Lord Attaway, had been delayed. So after dancing with her uncle and her brother, she rushed to join her good friend, Lady Susan, who was standing with a number of ladies along the periphery of the ballroom. The group she joined were all straining to see every move the newly married Mr. Darcy made, and he was a sight to behold as he took to the floor to waltz with his new bride. If he adjusted his pace to accommodate his sore ankle, it was not evident.
Lady Susan’s eyes narrowed as they fixed on the one she desired. “Look at Fitzwilliam!” she hissed to Georgiana in a loud whisper. “I have never seen him so happy to be dancing—and to a waltz at that! One would think he would shun so scandalous a dance. What is more, in the receiving line, he claimed that he might not dance at all, for his ankle still pained him.”
“It is odd to see my brother so content dancing. I had to beg him to practice with me after learning to waltz at a friend’s house in London. Afterward, he said he thought it only suitable for married couples. I suppose that is why he seems unconcerned tonight—after all, they are married.”
Lady Susan’s countenance darkened, her gaze never leaving William. “Only days ago you assured me that they acted like strangers. They look well acquainted tonight.”
“All I know is that there was a definite coldness between them when I returned, and now there is not.”
“And you say that they stayed in Lady Anne’s cottage last night because of the storm?”
“Yes. If I did not know better, I would have thought that they married yesterday by the way they acted when they returned. Upon their homecoming, the entire atmosphere at Pemberley changed. From the lowliest maid to Mrs. Reynolds, everyone was suddenly in good spirits. It is simply nauseating. Not to mention that the Fitzwilliams, who already think Elizabeth is God’s gift to our family, are even more giddy than
is their usual wont.”
“Then why are the Fitzwilliams not here to support them?”
“They allowed that they did not wish to cause discord on a night meant to honour my brother and Elizabeth. Since the Earl and Countess Matlock were scheduled to attend, they decided it was best not to come.”
“I imagine you were relieved.”
“Enormously. At least they are not here to embarrass me, too.”
“In any case, you and I cannot become disheartened. This change in your brother’s situation only means that we have more work ahead of us. Given time, we will think of a way to discredit Elizabeth. Then your brother will toss her aside, and I shall be there to take her place.”
Feeling uncomfortable for not telling her friend earlier what had happened that day, Georgiana never took her eyes from William as she confessed.
“I am afraid that all is lost in that regard, for nothing can dissuade Brother now.”
Lady Susan’s head swung around. “Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because when he returned to Pemberley today, he made it plain that he would brook no more criticism of Elizabeth. No doubt, Uncle Joseph passed along what I had to say when they did not return last night. I was very vocal in blaming her for their dilemma.”
“What is wrong with that, as long as it is true?”
“Apparently everything! Fitzwilliam said that if I continue to disparage his wife, I will find myself living with the Matlocks permanently. In fact, I had to grovel in order to accompany them here tonight.”
“How odd that he would toss his own sister from the house to please some little chit!”
“Actually, I do not think she had a part in it. Brother is... well, I have never seen him so besotted with a woman.”
“Oh, I can dissuade him of that notion. And I will. I must!” The latter was added for emphasis before Susan leaned in to whisper. “I have our son’s future to consider.”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 49