Chapter 2.4 #2
“I would love that very much…to sleep in your arms. I could not be more uncomfortable in your absence than I am in your presence. Of that, you must have no doubt.”
It took another couple of hours until they finally fell asleep. At Darcy’s insistence, Elizabeth ate a little then had some more tea. Afterward, she lay with her eyes closed to subdue her headache, and he read to her.
Eventually, the candles were extinguished, and Elizabeth rested with her head on her husband’s chest while he gently stroked her back, her arms, and her hair until all her discomfort was gone. She was almost asleep when she heard him laughing and gazed at him through the darkness of the chamber.
“Forgive me for disturbing you, my love. I was just thinking of how silly we both were about this entire situation. Although, I doubt this will be the most embarrassing moment we have to face in our marriage. I am quite confident that there will be many others even worse than this.”
Her eyebrow rose in mocking reproach. “I am glad you are amused, sir.”
He quickly stole a kiss. “I confess I am now that I have no reason for concern. But I am mostly pleased that we overcame an incident that was equally stressful and unusual for us. I hope this will happen with any unpleasantness in our life together. I will certainly do whatever I can for this to happen.”
“And I can easily promise my share of commitment to it, my dearest husband.”
The night passed easily and restfully for Elizabeth as her husband’s closeness dispelled any previous discomfort. She slept more and deeper than in all the other nights since she married, and she only rang for Molly around ten o’clock.
Darcy found even less sleep than before as he was careful not to disturb his wife, and he found her presence in his arms rather disturbing to his rest—as happened so many times before they were married.
Therefore, he woke up around eight, drank a large cup of coffee while reading the past week’s magazines, then moved to his office to look through his business papers. He knew he needed to keep his mind occupied for a few more days.
∞∞∞
The next three days passed uneventfully. The young woman found in the park was slowly improving, and she was able to leave her bed and perform small tasks.
Elizabeth stayed in her room, and Darcy kept her company at breakfast and dinner.
She sent another long letter to Jane and one to her father then exchanged a few notes with Georgiana.
She also wrote a few words to her aunt Gardiner but kept the description of the “awkward intimate situation” to a moment when they would be able to speak—and amuse themselves—face to face.
The embarrassment completely disappeared between Darcy and her. And, as she was feeling better, she also grew daring with her teasing and admitted—first to herself and then to him—that she missed their passionate interludes.
The third night, as they prepared to sleep and he was again reading to her, Elizabeth tentatively stirred him by touching his face with her lips and his arms with warm fingers—and his restraint soon abandoned him.
Passion turned the chaste embrace into caresses and touches and kisses, which became a maddening torture since they could not bring it to the desired ending, and it needed all Darcy’s strength to put an end to it.
Elizabeth knew she should be ashamed of her wantonness, but she was not; quite the contrary, she enjoyed realising that she had the same power over her husband as he had over her, and if his caresses and kisses always made her dizzy, it was no different for him.
The following morning, Elizabeth awoke late and found herself alone. The fire was burning steadily, and fresh water for tea was placed on her table. She smiled and rose from the bed with a feeling of easiness. She was rested and well humoured, and she realised her difficult days had passed.
In haste, she called for Molly, washed, and dressed as quickly as she could. She wished to have breakfast with her husband downstairs, but she was told that he was out on business but would return soon.
Elizabeth was disappointed and curious about his early business, but all she could do was to wait.
She used the time to inquire after Maud. Mrs Hamilton informed her that the girl was much better and proved to be truly skilful at sewing and stitching and was diligent in her duties—news Elizabeth received with much contentment.
She returned to her apartment and started to read then moved to the window. Her heart raced, and a smile lit her face when she observed their carriage and then her husband entering the main gate.
Elizabeth lost all patience and almost ran downstairs. Darcy’s expression brightened when he saw her, and he did not hesitate to embrace her tenderly in the main hall and claim a kiss.
“Are you well?” he whispered, and she nodded in agreement.
“I am glad. Come—I have a surprise for you,” he said, taking her hand and heading toward the library. He closed the door and invited her to sit. His excitement was contagious, and she kept smiling, wondering what to expect.
“My love, do you remember when I brought you to the library to give you the ruby jewels?”
“Of course, I do. It was only a month ago. How could I forget? I also remember the way you kissed me then,” she said teasingly.
His lips only touched hers briefly then he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
“This is the first set made especially for you. Not from the family, but my gift for you.”
Elizabeth struggled with her emotions as she tried to overcome her surprise. She opened the box and discovered a stunning topaz cross pendant with matching earrings.
“It has your initials engraved on the back—both the cross and the earrings.”
She gasped and stared at it while Darcy pulled out the cross and placed it on her neck. The pendant was made from small teardrop-shaped pieces, combined to form a stylish cross that caressed and lit her skin.
“This is so beautiful,” she whispered.
Elizabeth moved to the small wall mirror and admired her gift. He put his arms around her, his lips lingering on her shoulder. While she wondered about the reason for such an exquisite gift, she finally realised and turned into his embrace.
“It is our one-week anniversary!”
“Yes, it is. I am glad you like it.”
“I most certainly adore it, my love. But I would have loved anything that comes from you—and your mere presence more than anything.”
Darcy caressed her face tenderly then captured her mouth in a long-desired kiss that took her breath away.