Chapter Sixteen #2
“Mrs. Darcy and I married while his lordship was in Town, for it was important to me to have my mother’s brother both witness and bless my joining.
Colonel Fitzwilliam stood up with me, as he and his parents graciously attended the ceremony.
In fact, Georgiana returned to Matlock with my aunt and uncle earlier today.
Elizabeth and I will leave for Pemberley the first part of next week.
I was remiss in informing you of my change in marital status.
It was shameful of me. I neglected my friends.
Forgive me. I pray you will think my happiness is well worth my lack of information.
The festive days are upon us and I wish to welcome the new year with the promise of happiness, at last.”
Bingley shifted uncomfortably. “It is perfectly understandable, Darcy.” He chuckled self-consciously. “Seeking you out was a reasonable excuse not to follow my sisters to Hampshire. In reality, I should thank you for aiding my escape.”
Elizabeth stood. “I will leave you to your conversation.” She returned her cup to the tray. “I hope you will join us for supper, Sir.”
“Mrs. Darcy, I cannot intrude on you so soon after your wedding.”
“Nonsense, Mr. Bingley. It is the least my dear William can offer you after causing worry. Moreover, my husband graciously encourages me to share our new home with my aunt and uncle. He realizes I will miss my family when we depart for Pemberley. With your permission, William, I would send word around to Gracechurch Street.”
“Charming idea. The Gardiners are excellent company, and you will wish to share the house with Miss Bennet. She must report to your mother regarding whether you are truly satisfied with your situation or not.”
“Miss Bennet is in London?” Bingley asked in surprise.
“My sister accompanied me to my uncle’s house.”
“I will be pleased to see Miss Bennet again.”
Elizabeth smiled at Darcy. “After I draft the invitation, I will speak to Mrs. Perkins about the menu.” She curtsied.
“I shall be in my sitting room if you have a need of me. I must wrap the packages to send home with Jane.” Elizabeth touched Darcy’s cheek in a loving gesture before turning to his friend. “Until later, Mr. Bingley.”
Elizabeth’s thoughts drifted to her husband.
She missed him. He was below with his friend, but she missed him.
She sighed in resignation and peered down into the withered garden.
But, as if she conjured him up with a wish, a light tapping on the door brought Darcy.
Just his presence brightened the room, and she bestowed a full smile on him.
“Mr. Darcy,” she greeted him, coming to her feet.
He appeared pleased to see her. “Ah, there you are, Elizabeth.”
“You required me, Sir?” She gazed at him lovingly.
Slowly he closed the door behind him and set the lock. “Mrs. Darcy,” his voice came out a bit raspy, “I always require you.”
Elizabeth rushed into his welcoming arms. Darcy lifted Elizabeth to him and held her close. She snuggled into him, resting her head against his chest. “I know it is the most absurd foolishness,” she whispered as he lifted her higher, “but I was just considering how very dear you are to me.”
“Oh, my dearest Elizabeth,” he murmured, his lips resting above hers. “Nothing is as right as you in my arms.”
“Do you think me foolish?”
Darcy smiled down upon her. “I think you are exquisite.” He set her gently on her feet before him, using his fingertips to brush an errant curl from her forehead. “I heard from your uncle,” he said, his voice as caressing as his touch or his lips.
“Will they join us this evening?” she said in distraction.
“Actually, I have a surprise for you, my love. Bingley suggested an evening out. So, I amended your note to Mr. Gardiner. Your uncle accepted for the family. We will dine here and then enjoy the musical entertainment from our box.”
“We have a box?” she asked with a giggle.
Darcy traced her lips with the tip of one finger. “We do indeed.”
“Oh, William!” Her arms laced around his waist. “You are the most generous man!”
“Then you are happy?”
“Happier than I have ever been.”
That was all the confirmation he required. He tilted her chin up to meet his kiss. She moved closer, and Darcy groaned as he held her tightly against him.
“What of Mr. Bingley?” she inquired provocatively.
“Let Bingley find his own wife.”
Caught in the heat of her, all reason left him. He backed Elizabeth towards the bed and pinned her down. He kissed her mouth. Her temple. Her ear. Her neck. Instinctively, her hips moved against him. Darcy’s mouth traced heat across the swell of her breasts before returning to her mouth.
He palmed her breast as he released the kiss, recognizing her growing need.
Looking deep into her hypnotic eyes, he said hoarsely, “It is wrong, but I must touch you. Please permit it.” As he spoke, Darcy edged her skirt tail up, exposing Elizabeth’s legs.
Yet he never looked away from her eyes. “You are so beautiful.” His hand slid up the inside of her calf, and a small warm pool formed inside her body.
He lowered his head and sucked gently on the side of her neck. His fingers massaged the back of her thigh, and so he sucked harder, lightly raking his teeth over her pulse. A new shiver of pure desire followed.
Totally involved, neither of them initially heard Sheffield’s knock. “Mr. Darcy, Sir,” came the familiar voice.
Darcy closed his eyes in frustration. Then he lowered his wife’s skirt. “Just a moment, Sheffield,” he responded in a strained voice, but Darcy and Elizabeth did not break their gaze. “I apologize,” he whispered, preparing to roll away from her.
But before he could do so, Elizabeth caught the lapels of his jacket and pulled him back.
“If you apologize for having to stop what we began, then I accept your regrets.” She turned his chin to her.
“However, do not ever make amends for showing me your affections. Touch me. Kiss me. I am yours.” Her lips brushed against his lightly.
Darcy swallowed hard to take command of his body. He straightened his waistcoat and combed his fingers through his hair. Reaching the door, he released the lock. Cracking it open only a few inches, he looked out into the worried eyes of his valet. “What is it, Sheffield?”
“Mr. Redford reports, Sir, that he found your gun and your cane in the recess off the main street where you dropped them while assisting Miss Darcy yesterday. But he found no traces of the sword. I placed the items in your chambers, Sir.”
“Thank you, Sheffield.”
Darcy closed the door as his manservant strode away. Immediately, Elizabeth was beside him. “You sent someone to retrieve your weapons?”
“I could not go myself. I sent one of the hired investigators. Wickham disappeared and Mrs. Younge crumbled into decay. I feared someone might have taken notice of our altercation. The sound of gunfire. The screams. Such is why I rushed you and my sister from the scene. To protect you. I wanted no evidence to link us to that battle. We must consider the sword’s disappearance.
Did it crumble as did Amelia Younge? Could Wickham have taken it?
Or could someone else have claimed it after we left? ”
“What did you tell the investigator?”
“Georgiana hurt her ankle, and a nefarious character attempted to take advantage of her before I brought the carriage around. I chased the man into the alley, and we fought. I was defending my sister’s honor. I dropped my weapons when I carried her to safety, for she was my only concern.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Another half-truth, Mr. Darcy?”
“It is the way of Society. One becomes accustomed to such shades of verity. People believe what they wish. A man would protect his sister’s honor by chasing her attacker into a service alley.
No more needs to be said.” He sighed in acceptance.
“I tell others what they wish to hear. I tell you the truth, for you know me as does no one else. I hide nothing from you. Not my fight to end the curse. Not my need to protect those I love. Not my barely controlled desire to possess you.”
Elizabeth caressed his chin, and Darcy turned his head to kiss her palm. “I know you, William,” she whispered in a thready voice. “Neither of us wishes to be found wanting.”
He held her gaze. “You, Mrs. Darcy, could never be found wanting.” He kissed her tenderly. His large palm held her chin, and his thumb gently stroked her lips. “Ah, what a tempting minx you are, but we have guests to whom to attend. Mr. Bingley will wonder at my absence.”
“Mr. Bingley will forget all our offenses once he reunites with Jane,” she claimed.
“You may be right, my love. Perhaps all the Bennet sisters have such powers.” Elizabeth swatted his chest, and Darcy chuckled as he stepped away. “I will send Sally to assist with your dress. Wear one of your new gowns.”
“The emerald-colored one?”
“No one who beholds you this evening will forget your beauty. I will be considered the most astute gentleman for having carried away the brightest jewel of the country.”