by Wells, Linda
Elizabeth saw him grimace and reached her hand out for his, they entwined their fingers and squeezed. “Fitzwilliam, something has upset Audrey.”
“I noticed dearest, but I am sure she will be well.” Further conversation was curtailed when visitors began to appear, claiming a desire to give their good wishes to Elizabeth and Darcy, but in truth it was to get a good look at the unknown woman who stole one of their own.
“Elizabeth, this is Lord and Lady Creary.”
She curtsied and smiled, but inwardly she was cringing, waiting for the tall man to recognize her. “I am happy to meet you.”
Lady Creary looked her up and down and raised her brows. “And we are pleased to meet you. I was telling my husband that we must come and see the girl who won Darcy. We had heard so many whispers of you around town, and of course you know that gossip should never be trusted.”
“Gossip tends to inflate small facts into outrageous fable, inspiring equally spectacular conjecture, particularly if it is born with a malicious intent.” Elizabeth said without flinching. “Please allow me to correct any misunderstandings you may have heard of me.”
The woman’s brows rose. “You speak rather decidedly for one so young.”
“I have learned that not to speak is to invite confusion. I prefer to live in the light.” She smiled and laughed. “Of course, the truth rather curtails everyone else’s enjoyment.”
Darcy took her hand in his and kissed it before placing it on his arm. “I prefer honesty to entertainment.” He smiled into her eyes and looked up to Creary.
“Well you are known to be a stick in the mud amongst the younger set, Darcy.” He sniffed and looked Elizabeth over. “You seem to have done a good job on Darcy.”
“I have charmed him as much as he has charmed me, sir.”
Creary barked out a laugh. “She has a wit, Darcy. That should last over the years.”
“Do you mean when her beauty fades, Husband?” Lady Creary asked acidly. He flushed and rubbed his chin.
“I meant no offence, my dear.”
“Hmm. Miss Bennet, your dress is particularly beautiful, your modiste?”
“Thank you; I visited Madame Dupree, on Lady Matlock’s recommendation.” The woman smiled and nodded her approval, and the couple was soon replaced with several more, all making subtly intrusive inquiries over Elizabeth’s home, opinions, interests, challenging her thoughts and Darcy’s patience. When the last of the visitors left, she practically shrank away when the weight of performing was lifted. Darcy was smiling at her with pride and leaned to whisper his admiration to her. When she looked up her eyes were bright with tears of appreciation and he did not attempt to hide his feelings. She noticed Audrey clapping silently and nodding at her, Harwick tilting his head and smiling, and creased her brow when she noticed Jane watching Harwick’s smile unhappily.
Bingley approached and took her hand. “Miss Elizabeth, please, you must give me some lessons on tact and speech. You were magnificent!”
“I hardly know what I said. Look, my hands are still shaking.” Darcy enveloped them in his clasp and she smiled up to him. “As long as I did not embarrass Mr. Darcy …”
“Nonsense! I am convinced that you are incapable of such a thing.”
The gong sounded and everyone returned to their seats. As lights were extinguished the couple stared at each other. Again they kissed as soon it was dark, this time there was a sense of urgency in the caress, and again it was over far too soon.
When the second act ended, Darcy was on his feet quickly. “Come, shall we get something to drink?”
“Oh yes, that would be nice.” Elizabeth took his hand and looking over at Stewart, noticed that he was speaking to his parents. Audrey was doing the same with her husband, and was succeeding in engaging him in an apparently easy conversation. Harwick stood after trying several subjects with Jane, and fell into conversation with Bingley. When they gained the hallway and approached the table selling lemonade, Elizabeth felt that the eyes of the crowd were a relief compared to the tension in the box. “What is happening in there?”
Darcy sighed. “I have no idea, and I have no desire to interfere. It seems though that whatever happened at the beginning is being ignored now.” He stared distractedly out of a window to the street below.
“Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth said quietly. “Fitzwilliam.” She touched his arm. “Something is bothering you, and it is more than the behaviour of our companions.”
“You are too good at reading me.”
“You are too obvious in your discomfort. Please tell me what it is, do not force me to drag it from you.”
He smiled a little. “I can just imagine us having countless talks like this someday.”
“Someday is now. Please tell me.” Elizabeth’s brows rose and she folded her arms.
A steady stream of people approached and they both had to adjust their behaviour and go through the motions of introductions and meaningless conversation. When at last they were alone again, Darcy saw that Elizabeth’s smile had disappeared and an increasingly familiar insistent gaze met his eye.
“Do you realize that you were so preoccupied with continuing our conversation that you forgot to be nervous while meeting a Duke?” She was not to be distracted, and he could not help but admire the quality. “Very well.” He sighed and closed his eyes while he gathered his thoughts. “Waiting for me at home are my Aunt Catherine and Cousin Anne. They are there to protest our engagement, and I am sure, press my marriage to Anne.” Elizabeth’s mouth fell open and she hugged herself. “They arrived just before I came to collect you, and I have only the barest idea of what my aunt has planned. I will hear her out in the morning.”
“They are staying with you?”
“They invited themselves.” He said bitterly. “I could not very well refuse them.”
“Why must you listen to her? Can you not feed them breakfast and send them away?”
Darcy heard the fear in her voice, pried her arms from her chest, and placing her hand on his arm, rubbed some warmth into it. “As tempting as that is, I cannot treat them that way, not unless there is cause. So far it has been tense, but civil. I have no desire to cut ties with my family unless it is necessary.”
“I understand, I do not like it but I understand. You are tolerating my connections, after all.” Elizabeth swallowed and tried to control her emotions when so many eyes were upon them. Darcy presented her with a glass and she gratefully concentrated on the drink. When the cup was empty, she felt him take it away, and then touch her hands gently.
“You have nothing to fear, Elizabeth.”
“Would it help if I …met them? You thought that I might battle your aunt well.”
He laughed quietly. “I know that you would, but I think that I must have this meeting on my own. Thank you for offering, though. You will meet them before too long.” The gong sounded and they looked up. “Well, what awaits us within our box, do you think?”
“I hope that everyone is back to normal.” They started walking slowly and Elizabeth stopped before they entered. “Jane is not doing well with Mr. Harwick, is she?”
“He is undecided as yet.” Darcy said honestly. “He is trying to imagine them living together.”
“And she is making little effort to display her assets.” Elizabeth sighed.
“Forgive me Elizabeth, but beyond her looks and kindness, what are they?” Her eyes flashed and she started to open her mouth to protest when she was struck dumb. “You can understand Harwick’s hesitation then.” He smiled sadly and they were almost to the box when Stewart and his sister emerged. Darcy looked between the siblings and caught Elizabeth’s confused expression. “Stewart …”
“I am sorry Darcy, but we really must dash if we are to return to our seats in time. Laura wished to greet Audrey, Mrs. Singleton.”
“We will see you at the Derby!” Laura called as they hurried away.
Darcy looked at Elizabeth. She seemed just as confused as he was. “We shou
ld go in.” He kissed her hand and they entered the box to find everyone in their places. Harwick was talking with Singleton seriously and the man was listening. Audrey’s head was down, but she was listening to the conversation. Bingley was speaking happily to Jane and she was smiling gently at him. Darcy sighed with relief and felt Elizabeth’s tense clutch relax a little. “One more act.”
“When the lights go down …”
He smiled as they sat down and leaned close to her shoulder. “Do not worry sweetheart, I have not forgotten kissing you for an instant. What do you think has been buoying me through this evening?”
Elizabeth laughed as the lamps were extinguished, and when the box once again became pitch black and the musicians began to play; she was silenced with his lips covering hers, and his hands drawing her hard to his chest. He did not withdraw quickly this time, but allowed a hand to slide up from her waist to cup and fondle her breast, and continue to slide up her throat to support the back of her head with his palm while exploring her mouth deeply with his tongue. The kiss ended gently as she daringly nibbled his lower lip. They rested their foreheads together and tried to contain their ragged breathing. He moved his mouth to her ear, “I pray that you are feeling what I am, if we were alone, I would make sure that the fire racing through me was shared by you.”
She pressed her lips to his ear and kissed him, and felt his shudder and tightened embrace. “I cannot describe what I feel when you touch me, but if you call it fire, I can only anticipate you fanning the flames.”
Darcy contained his moan by pressing his mouth against the pulse rapidly beating on her throat, and when he gradually regained some control, he settled her into his arms. As the actors’ singing filled the hall he whispered, “Knowing that your desire matches mine … I can face anything now, my love.”
ANNE WOKE AND BLINKED. The moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtains when the breeze blew them apart and she realized that she was not in her room. As always when she woke at night, her mind was not slow or fuzzy from her elixir and it did not take long for her to sit up and remember that she was in her new home. “I am in Darcy House!” She said softly. Climbing from the bed she stood and looked around; then lit a candle, and frowned. “I do not remember our wedding.” Shaking her head and swearing to never take that elixir again, she explored the room. It was lovely but it did not seem quite right. “Surely this is not the mistress’ chambers! Why am I not in my proper place? And why has my husband not come to me, surely I would remember that!” Becoming agitated, she opened the door to the hallway, and carrying her candle she walked along, and spotted a door she remembered from childhood. “The master’s chambers!” She turned the handle and found it was locked and frowned again. “That cannot be correct.” Continuing along she came to the door she remembered belonging to her namesake, and now knew was her own. She entered and was suddenly assailed by the scents of fresh paint and saw drop cloths everywhere. Her frown disappeared and a smile spread. “Oh, of course, he is redecorating for me; I knew that he loved me!” She held her candle up and examined the chamber. “I will have to chastise him for doing this without seeking my opinion. Gently of course, but I must make my feelings known.”
Looking about she saw so many doors, but quickly calculating the position of Darcy’s room, she unerringly selected the one that opened into his chambers. The handle turned silently and she slipped inside. Standing at the bedside, she saw her husband stretched out, the covers disturbed around him, and his broad back gloriously bare. He lay with his arms embracing a pillow, deeply asleep. Giddy with delight, Anne untied the top of her nightdress and let it drop to the floor, and whispering words of passion excitedly, she climbed in, wrapping her thin body against him and pressing kisses against his slightly parted lips. Darcy groaned and muttered in his sleep.
“Wake up, Husband!” Anne whispered, touching him and rubbing his back as she kept kissing. “Wake up!” She said louder. When Darcy did not wake she became angry. “WAKE!” She cried. At last he stirred, but still not awake he blinked and closed his eyes again, drifting back to sleep. Anne kissed him determinedly, and in his exhausted haze, he thought he was dreaming.
“Elizabeth?” He murmured, and returned the kiss. When he felt a response he kissed again. “Elizabeth.” He sighed, and without thinking drew Anne’s body to his. “Oh Elizabeth, I need you, how did you come to be here?” His lips found hers again. As he awakened further, his eyes opened. “Elizabeth?”
He received a sharp slap across his face. “MY NAME IS ANNE!!!” Again he felt the sting of her hand as he stared in horror at his nude cousin in his arms. “I am your wife!!! HOW DARE YOU cry another woman’s name!!” Darcy jumped up and away, snatched his nightshirt from the foot of the bed and quickly donned it.
“ANNE!” He bellowed. “What the devil are you doing in here?”
“I am coming to consummate our marriage, Husband.” She said sweetly and crawled towards him slowly, a soft smile on her face. “I have dreamed of this night.” Darcy stepped further away from the bed and she leapt off and lunged forward to wrap her arms around his waist. “Love me darling.”
“Good God.” He whispered and fought to find an acceptable location to place his hands and push her away, and giving up, grabbed her shoulders to force her back. His eyes darted around the room and he spotted her gown. She is delusional! Forcing calm he moved swiftly away to grab the gown and noticed that she was standing still and looking very angry.
“Why did you push me?” She screeched.
“I was … being playful, Anne.” He said steadily. “You do not know the ways of the … marriage bed.”
“ohhh.” Immediately she brightened and a happy lilt came to her voice. “But you will teach me now, will you not, Husband?” In a heartbeat she was back and clutching him. “Why did you dress?” Beginning to pull at his nightshirt she felt resistance, and then reached down to lift the shirt up to his waist. “Ahhh!” She smiled happily to find his decidedly flaccid member. She grabbed at him and he quickly moved his hips away.
“Do not touch me there!”
“Why?” She looked at him. “That is what you want, is it not? I watched the footman with the maid.”
“You what?” He said in disbelief and realized she was still nude. “Put this on, Anne. Please.”
“The maid was naked.” Anne shook her head stubbornly. “Am I not pleasing for you?” She spread her arms out and he closed his eyes to the sight.
“I …I prefer that you be modest …I find it …enticing.” He held out the gown and again a soft smile appeared on her face.
“ohhhhhh.” She slipped the gown over her head and he breathed in relief then looked around the room. What can I do? Anne stood before him and smiled. “Is this better, Fitzwilliam?” Darcy’s head snapped up. “Oh, you like me calling your name? Fitzwilliam?”
“No …no please call me Darcy.”
“Oh, no that is not what a wife calls her husband!” She slid back to him. “Fitzwilliam, you may love me now.”
“No, no Anne, I … it has been a tiring day, I would like you to return to your chambers and we will …talk in the morning.”
“I will sleep with you!” She ran to jump in his bed and he grabbed her arm.
“NO!” She stopped and turned. Her eyes were angry again.
“What did you say? I am the mistress of Pemberley. I am the mistress of Rosings. NOBODY TELLS ME NO!!”
“I DO!” He bellowed. “YOU BELIEVE ME TO BE YOUR HUSBAND? FINE, I WILL BEHAVE AS ONE. YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY OVER ANY ESTATE ANY MORE. YOU GIVE THAT UP WITH MARRIAGE. YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DO AS I SAY. GO TO YOUR ROOM!!”
Anne smiled obediently. “Of course Fitzwilliam, will you escort me?”
Darcy returned her to the guest chamber, allowed a peck on his cheek, and closed the door. A footman was standing in the hallway staring fearfully at him. Darcy pulled himself together and met his eye. “Miss de Bourgh is ill. Please locate Mrs. Jenkinson and have her come here immediately.
After that I want you to remain stationed here for the rest of the night. Under NO circumstances is Miss de Bourgh to exit these chambers. Am I clear?”
“Yes sir!” The man ran down the steps to the servants’ quarters in the basement. Darcy drew a deep breath and leaned against the wall, trying to take in what had just occurred.
“She is insane, is that it?” He tried to put it all together. “Thank heaven I did not … how could I possibly think that she was …oh my Elizabeth, I am so very sorry.” He closed his eyes and felt guilt overtaking him. It did not matter that he had been asleep. He had not touched a woman since the day he learned his father was dying, the day he met Elizabeth. Until tonight. His silent agony ended when footsteps pounding on the stairs entered his consciousness. Mrs. Jenkinson appeared, a bottle clutched in her hand.
“Mr. Darcy, did she harm you?” She was examining his face. He touched his cheek and remembered the slaps.
“No, nothing damaging. Is that some medication for her?”
“Yes, may I give it …?”
“Yes, by all means and when she is calm, I would like to speak with you, if you can leave. The footman will tell you where to find me.” The woman nodded and he could see her steady herself before entering the room. He could hear Anne’s happy voice become angry when Mrs. Jenkinson offered her the drug, but after a protracted conversation, Anne seemed to calm, and there was silence. Darcy slowly returned to his chambers and found a pair of breeches and a shirt, and went to wait in his sitting room, a quarter-hour later Mrs. Jenkinson knocked. He invited her to sit down.
“Mrs. Jenkinson …what ails my cousin?”
“Sir, I have been forbidden to speak of it by Lady Catherine. I value my employment, sir.”
“If what I suspect is wrong is true, I sincerely doubt that my aunt would be in any hurry to replace you with another. She is quite renowned for her sharp address to servants, but you are valuable to her.” He relaxed his grim expression slightly, “I will be sure to remind her of that if necessary.”