Chapter 23
Darcy woke long before dawn; he breathed the scent of Elizabeth sleeping peacefully in his arms, and he smiled at her enchanting image, remembering her beautiful, glowing face after they loved each other.
He could easily recollect every moment of their first joining as husband and wife, each expression on her face while he conquered her body: surprise, wonder, pain, delight, tenderness, passion, desire, completion—each of her feelings was vivid in his mind.
She was so exhausted that she had not moved since she fell asleep; her long hair tickled his neck, and his body seemed painfully aware of her presence.
He glanced at her beautiful curves, protected only by the remnants of her nightgown, and the temptation to caress her soon became an urge.
He gently removed a lock of hair from her face, and his finger brushed against her lips so slowly that she likely did not feel it.
But she did; her sweet sigh proved it. She moved slowly and turned on her side towards him; suddenly her breasts pressed to his chest as her hand slid around his waist and her leg climbed his thigh.
He felt his body stiffening and he wondered at his complete lack of self-restraint.
In truth, he was not master of himself with Elizabeth.
To regain control of his senses, he directed his gaze towards the large windows.
Through the heavy curtain, he noticed the shy dawn attempting to appear.
He gently laid her against the pillows and rose from the bed.
He pulled the curtain away and opened the French window; immediately, the fresh breeze of early summer delightfully invaded the room.
He stepped onto the balcony and looked around; the beauties of Pemberley seemed more enchanting than ever before as the sunlight tentatively broke the darkness.
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and he hurried inside, leaning over her and covering her face with small kisses while he whispered, “Elizabeth, wake up, my love!”
A deep moan was her only reply, and her hand stretched to touch him; but her sleep remained as deep as before. He took her hand and kissed it then whispered again.
“Come, my love, you must wake up this very moment,” he insisted, and her lashes opened wider.
To her utter surprise, she saw him abscond with a few pillows, taking them out to the balcony; then he returned and lifted her into his arms. She gasped, staring at him in wonder, but she had no time to inquire as he placed her on the pillows spread across the balcony.
He then sat by her, his back against the wall, and enveloped her with his eyes.
Still half asleep, she leaned against him without even asking his intentions.
As long as she was in his arms, nothing else mattered.
“Look, my love,” he said, pointing in front of them. “This is our first sunrise together!”
All her fatigue vanished as her eyes finally spotted the beauty of the sun rising shyly from behind the hills. She pressed her hands against her chest to settle her heart.
“What splendour…” she whispered. They rose, and she slowly turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“Thank you for sharing this with me, my love.” Her eyes then returned to admire the beauty before them whilst she rested more closely against him, his hands embracing her waist, entwined with hers.
“After breakfast, I will show you the estate—or at least some parts of it. I thought we could have a thorough tour of the grounds in the evening before dinner.”
“That sounds wonderful,” she answered, shivering while he gently fondled her ear.
“It will be a long ride, but I am sure you will enjoy it.”
“I am sure I will… Will we go on Thunder?” she asked, and he started to laugh, turning her head so he could meet her lips.
“No, indeed. I really want to show you Pemberley, so we will take a phaeton. I do plan a ride on Thunder, though…in a few days…” he whispered against her ear, and she chuckled, then finally their lips met.
She was still in his arms, wrapped between his strong legs, her back against his chest; only her head was half turned so her lips could fully enjoy his passion.
Slowly, his hands became eager and gently caressed her thighs, her hips, and then up along her arms. She attempted to turn to him, so she could return the caresses, but his arms entrapped her, so she abandoned herself to his tender caress, their lips joined in a growing, passionate kiss.
Then his hands continued to explore tenderly; his left hand stroked her thighs while his right hand glided inside her nightgown, brushing her breasts with burning fingers.
Her moan was strangled within the kiss while his caresses became more urgent.
“William, please stop,” she begged, but for a long moment, he ignored her plea as his gentleness became insistent. “Please stop; we cannot… Please…”
Her voice, more strong and clear, stopped his movements immediately. “Forgive me, my love. I did not intend to force your will… I was just… Please forgive me…”
She rolled in his arms, so she could face him then cupped his face with her small hands. He looked at her; she was flustered, her lips red and moist, her eyes bright.
“We cannot do this on the balcony… Someone might see us…”
He finally understood the reason for her plea; his eyes lit in delight and relief, and he turned to kiss her palms. “You are right, of course. Shall we return to our room?”
She nodded, still flushed, and they entered, holding hands.
He closed the window and pulled the curtain then hurried to the bed and lay against the pillows, waiting for her to join him.
With a mischievous smile, her eyes laughing at him, she placed herself with her back against him, to resume the identical position from the balcony.
He laughed hoarsely. “You seemed to guess my wishes, Mrs Darcy.”
He trapped her with his hands, placing countless kisses on her head, neck and shoulders; she chuckled as his lips tickled her ear, but he turned her head to silence her with a kiss.
Without releasing her lips from his demanding kiss, he removed her nightgown; the room was half-dark from the heavy curtain, and she wrapped her arms over her breasts.
He gently pulled her back closer to his chest then slowly lifted her arms. His fingers brushed along her bare arms, her skin shivering from his touch, then cupped her breasts.
Their soft roundness fitted as perfectly in his palms as he remembered; he stroked them with slow movements, his thumbs tantalising her nipples, which hardened at his touch.
He was never more pleased than when hearing her moans of profound delight.
He felt her moving slowly against him, painfully arousing his desire.
“I wish so much to be inside you that it hurts me…” he moaned against her ear while his hand possessively caressed her breasts.
“Please do not toy with me…” she begged, and he suddenly rolled her on her back, his weight crushing her.
He watched her closely, their faces almost touching.
Her hands encircled his waist; his legs parted hers even more while he tenderly kissed her lips.
He tried to be gentle as he was certain it was still painful for her.
With great delight, he found her warm and moist, and he entered her slowly, smoothly, moaning with exquisite pleasure.
She released a cry, and he stopped, looking at her intently. “Am I hurting you?”
“No…no… Please do not stop…” she begged.
“You are so sweet…and warm…” he moaned, moving slowly with long, deep strokes.
Her moans and his combined, her hips joining his rhythm and their hands caressing each other, their lips tasting.
His thrusts increased their pace, stronger, harder and deeper, with equal pleasure and pain until her body shattered violently and she bit his lips, her fingers clinging to his hair.
Their lovemaking continued with growing desire and insatiate demand for each other, and they did not find rest until sometime later when the sun was already up and the day had started.
But their embrace lasted even longer; in the comfort of his arms, Elizabeth fell deeply asleep again, and he watched her sleep in perfect silence and stillness.
He barely dared to breathe, afraid that he might disturb her.
He allowed her to rest until she finally woke on her own, her eyes smiling at him with bright happiness.
“Good morning, my dearest wife; how are you feeling?” He smiled tenderly.
“Good morning, my dearest husband.” She smiled back. “How am I feeling? Very happy…and very hungry.” She laughed, and he kissed her hair.
“Then I must make amends… I shall first take care of your hunger and give proper attention to your happiness later. But for now, I asked for our baths to be prepared, and after breakfast I have a surprise for you.”
“What surprise?” Her eyes sparkled even more in delightful anticipation.
His eyebrow rose in disapproval. “Mrs Darcy, how can it be a surprise if I tell you what it is? But enough of this for now; Molly will be here in a moment to help you.”
In their separate rooms, they bathed and reunited a half hour later. They went down arm in arm, happily welcomed by Mrs Reynolds’s contented smile. She asked if they were well and hoped they would enjoy their breakfast; she was rewarded with Darcy’s approving smile.
After breakfast, Elizabeth barely had time to gather her bonnet and her spencer before Darcy decidedly escorted her out onto the lawn.
The soft warmth of the summer day and the splendour of the surroundings made Elizabeth gasp and sigh.
She looked at her husband, her eyes moist with emotion. “So beautiful…” she whispered.