Desired By Mr Darcy (…By Mr Darcy #2)

Chapter Twelve

Darcy

E lizabeth slipped away from the study with a breathless kiss and a whispered goodbye, leaving him alone in the dimly lit room. Darcy remained motionless for a moment, his pulse still thundering in his ears, his breathing shaky and uneven. Then, slowly, he sagged into the chair, running a trembling hand over his face.

He could scarcely comprehend what had just transpired. The silk of her skin still lingered like a ghostly imprint beneath his fingertips; the taste of her, warm and intoxicating, remained upon his lips. She had undone him completely, reduced him to a state of dazed yearning, where every rational thought crumbled beneath the force of his desire.

Yet his body was not yet sated. His arousal still ached, insistent and urgent. He would not - could not - debase himself in a public room again. With a sharp breath, he pushed himself to his feet and strode to the lamp, extinguishing it with a flick of his fingers. The study was swallowed in darkness.

Darcy moved swiftly through the silent halls, his footsteps measured, though his restraint was fraying at the edges. Every brush of his clothes against his skin only served to remind him of her - of the way her body had yielded to his touch, of the quiet, desperate sounds she had made against his lips. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself forward.

At last, he reached his chambers, shutting the door behind him with more force than necessary. The latch clicked into place, sealing him in solitude. The fire had burned low, casting flickering shadows across the room, but he paid it no mind. He needed relief. Desperately.

His hands trembled as he undid the buttons of his waistcoat, Elizabeth once more consuming his mind. Elizabeth - how she had looked in the dim glow of candlelight, the flush on her cheeks, the parting of her lips. A groan escaped him, rough and unbidden.

He had never known such exquisite torment.

He had felt so ignorant of her body, knowing little of what brought a woman pleasure. He did not know what possessed him to bury his face between her heavenly thighs, but he had enjoyed it almost as much as she had seemed to. He would spend every moment there if etiquette allowed.

He shed his clothes, slipping beneath the covers. His whole body ached, the tension of being so near release for so long too much to bear. He wrapped a hand around his cock, squeezing tightly. His hand felt coarse and unwelcome as he thought of Elizabeth’s hand, so soft and so gentle, touching him with such reverence. Though inexperienced, she seemed far more confident than him; a siren, luring him to her body. A woman, desiring the man she loved.

He groaned, each movement of his hand bringing him closer and closer to the release he so desperately craved. He was lost to her, her name on his lips as he spilled, her touch burned into his skin, her love carved into his heart.

∞∞∞

The next morning, he woke once more feeling a deep sense of regret. He was drunk with love, it seemed, the setting of the sun stealing his senses. In the cold light of day, he saw the true danger of what had occurred last night. Being alone together was no longer possible, for he could not control himself. That was a lie, of course – he could control himself, and he would never ask anything of Elizabeth that she was not willing to give. Indeed, he was not sure he had actually asked for anything the night before; Elizabeth had made the demands, Elizabeth had held all of the power, and he would have it no other way. He was hers to command.

He allowed his valet to ready him for the day, and he went downstairs for breakfast. The breakfast room was blessedly empty, and he took his coffee in silence as he read the morning news.

“Fitzwilliam?” a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Lizzy,” he rose to his feet at once. “You are awake early.”

“My mother and sister will join us shortly. I thought Colonel Fitzwilliam or Georgiana would be here with you.”

“No, it is just me.”

“I see. May I join you?”

“Of course.”

She took her seat as the servant fussed over her, ensuring she had all she would need before withdrawing to see to more tea.

“Are you well?” he asked.

“Quite well. And you?”

“Quite well, thank you. And you?”

“Quite well, as I have established,” she said with a wry smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

“As did I.”

Their eyes met; the secret they shared burning between them. He noticed, to his horror, a tiny bruise on her neck. Had he been so rough last night as to leave a mark? She caught his staring, and raised her hand to cover it.

“I believe we will depart for Hertfordshire tomorrow,” she continued innocently. “Will you join us?”

“I have a few more things I must see to, but I will return in good time for the wedding.”

“I am glad; it would not be much of a wedding without the groom.”

They sat in silence, neither knowing quite what to say. Just as the quiet stretched on for so long that it became unpleasant, his cousin burst into the room. Dressed for morning, he had clearly not been expecting to find Darcy and Elizabeth alone in the room. He bowed to Elizabeth in greeting, and directed an irritatingly knowing smirk towards Darcy.

“Good morning! Dear Miss Elizabeth, I see you are an early riser like my cousin. Good, good. Are you well?”

“Quite well, thank you, Colonel. I trust you slept well?”

“Like a log. Though, Darcy, I’d have the place checked for mice. I’m sure I could hear something scurrying around.”

“How so, if you slept as soundly as you say?” Darcy asked, though he felt his heart race.

Elizabeth busied herself stirring sugar into her tea, the morning light doing nothing to hide the distinct blush on her cheeks.

“A dream, then. I say, Miss Elizabeth, are you hot? You’ve turned quite pink.”

“Yes, yes, I am rather hot. I believe I will go for a walk after we have eaten.”

“Good, good. Nothing like fresh air to cool one’s blood.”

The three of them ate in silence, though his cousin’s glances to try and catch his attention did not escape Darcy’s notice. Fitzwilliam had never been subtle, and today was no exception. It continued when Mrs and Miss Bennet joined them, as well as Georgiana, and Darcy quite lost his patience when he felt his cousin’s boot connect with his shin.

“I will leave you all,” Darcy said, standing up abruptly and interrupting the ladies’ conversation. “I will see you for tea. A good day.”

“I’ll come with you, Darcy. We need to discuss that…that thing.”

Darcy tried his very hardest not to roll his eyes, merely gesturing for his cousin to follow him. He walked, Fitzwilliam trailing along as his shadow, to his study.

“What is the matter with you?” Darcy barked. “I am sure I shall be quite bruised.”

“What happened last night? I know it was no dream, and the pair of you were behaving as though you had been caught stealing the silver. Tell me, Darcy.”

“It is none of your concern.”

“Perhaps not, but I wish to know all the same. Did the two of you anticipate your vows last night? Lord, Darcy, that was not what I meant when I said you ought to be a bit more passionate. And in the library! The girl deserved a bed.”

“We did not.”

“Then what had you both acting so strangely?”

“It is our business. Our paths crossed in the library last night, that is all. We were alone for a time, reading.”

“Reading,” Fitzwilliam repeated. “At night. In the dark.”

“Candles are a marvellous invention, you ought to try them.”

Fitzwilliam raised an eyebrow.

“My, my, Darcy, was that sarcasm? I never thought I’d see the day. I will drop the matter, but I advise you to control yourself. You will be married in a matter of days, no need to put the cart before the horse.”

“However will I manage without your advice?”

“Sarcasm twice in one minute! You truly have been changed by Miss Elizabeth. I am not sure I like it, you know. I speak sincerely, cousin; do not seek her out tonight. For all of my bravado, I must advise caution.”

“I had no intention of seeking her out.”

“Good. I never thought I would have to say this to you, but you must control yourself. I trust the book has been instructional?”

“It has,” Darcy said begrudgingly.

“Good, good. This time next year, I am sure we will have a little Master or Miss Darcy running around.”

“They would be but an infant. They do not run.”

Fitzwilliam chuckled, patting Darcy on the back. Darcy shrugged him away, and Fitzwilliam merely continued his inane laughter.

“Quite right. Well, I’m off out for the day. Things to do, people to see. A good day to you, Darcy.”

He was left alone, and stayed in his solitude until the light began to fade and the day turned to evening. He startled at a knock at the door. Elizabeth entered.

“Good evening, sir,” she greeted him with a teasing smile. “I came to check that you yet live. Nobody has seen you since breakfast.”

“I apologise. Have you had a pleasant day?”

“Yes, it was spent at the milliners. I am sure I do not need so many bonnets or fripperies, but your sister is quite the magpie. I am sure when she is out in society, our modiste bills will be considerable.”

Darcy offered her a half smile, but he could not find the will to laugh.

“Something troubles you, my love. What is it?”

“You must not search for me tonight.”

“I was not searching for you,” Elizabeth protested. “I was looking for the library, and you happened to be in it. Is that what you think of me?”

“No, no. Forgive me. I mean only that we must stay in our own quarters tonight. I meant no offence.”

“You can be assured I will stay where I ought. I did not realise last night was so dreadful.”

“My cousin heard us. I told him nothing occurred, but men…men know what goes on in darkened rooms. I trust in his discretion, but we cannot risk a discovery by anyone else, not now. I allowed my heart – perhaps not my heart – to control my mind, and I put you in danger. The next time we are alone like that, you will be my wife, and we need never be parted.”

Elizabeth’s eyes darkened, her lip catching between her teeth. He watched her, helpless, as he itched to touch her. She stepped forward, reaching up to him and whispering in his ear.

“When we are wed, Fitzwilliam, I would welcome your attention every minute of every day. I will touch you as you touched me, I will taste you as you tasted me. I am yours, and you are mine. You bid me to stay away, and I will listen. Know only that I will think of you in my dreams. I love you.”

He inhaled sharply. She was a wicked temptress, smiling at him innocently as she pulled away and left his study with a curtsey. He was left with a need that would go unmet until she touched him once more, and a heart that loved her desperately.

He could not wait to make Elizabeth Bennet his wife.