Chapter 27
Dinner that evening was a lively affair. They teased each other about their escapade on the lake’s small island and laughed until their sides ached.
Elizabeth shocked Darcy quite happily when she said, “And of course I alone received the pleasure of seeing you lying in the sun without the encumbrance of your shirt.” Her eyes gleamed wickedly and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe as his heart took off at a gallop.
“I daresay it wasn’t as enjoyable as seeing your bare legs through your wet dress,” he said calmly before taking a sip of his wine.
Her mouth dropped open and she flushed before grinning and laughing softly. When the footman came in with dessert, she gestured him to her side and whispered something in his ear. The young man nodded and left the room, dessert still in his hand.
Darcy looked at her quizzically and she stood, her chin out but her cheeks slightly flushed, giving away her nervousness.
“I’ve asked for dessert to be served on the terrace outside our chambers. I thought we could eat it after changing into more comfortable attire, if that suits you?” she asked, her voice steady but for the tiniest shake.
There is my bold Elizabeth. “Yes, it suits me very well.” He rose and offered his hand, pulling her close and kissing her knuckles before leading her down the corridor.
As he prepared for bed, though the sun was only just setting, he smiled to himself.
His plan had worked. He had been playful and carefree with Elizabeth today and look what had happened!
She had all but requested his presence in her private chambers.
He had hoped for positive results from his campaign, but never that they would happen so soon.
He would not question his good fortune. He was already wearing comfortable breeches, not the incredibly fitted ones that were so in style in town, and he changed his shirt for a loose linen one and dismissed his valet for the night, telling him he would ring for him in the morning.
Darcy padded out to the terrace in bare feet and settled into a chair by the table where dessert had just been laid. He poured two glasses of wine and looked at the sunset while he waited for his wife.
Elizabeth had her maid take off her light summer dress and let down her hair. Sanders pulled a tiny section from either side of her face and braided it, then wrapped it around her head to hold the rest of her hair out of her face but still maintain the look of tumbling, riotous curls.
“Which nightgown, madam?” asked Sanders.
Elizabeth looked back and forth between the gowns, trying to decide between a soft rose and a deep blue.
“Which do you think will look better at sunset?” Elizabeth asked with a glance at the window.
“I think the rose, madam, but the blue would be best in moonlight.” Sanders had a light flush to her cheeks but was otherwise the picture of professionalism. Elizabeth couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled forth.
“I shall wear the rose, then.”
Dressed and brushed and recently bathed, Elizabeth stepped out onto the terrace and saw her husband sitting in the light, watching the sunset intently. She approached him quietly, sliding her hands around his shoulders and hugging his back as she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello, darling,” he said lowly. Then he reached around and pulled her in front of him and into his lap before she could do more than gasp in surprise.
She instinctively hung onto his neck and cried out, “Fitzwilliam!”
Before she could say more he had covered her mouth with his and she responded as he wished her to, with fervor and hunger. He leaned over her, kissing her with relish before pulling back and settling himself into the chair so she was above him, all the while never releasing her lips.
She pressed her breasts into his chest and got as close as she could, her arms wrapping more tightly around his neck, one hand playing in his dark curls.
Her legs had been over the side of his chair and as he moved, she was at an awkward angle.
To steady herself, she went up on her knees, his head tipping back as she leaned over him, her hands coming to grip his jaw and wrap around to the back of his head.
He ran his hands up the back of her leg, skating beneath the silk of her gown and ghosting over her thighs.
He tried to nudge her legs apart and the movement made Elizabeth reach one knee to the other side of the chair so she was effectively straddling him, his form sinking lower as she towered over him.
He was so thrilled by this development he could hardly breathe, but he was thankful he had worn the looser breeches.
Elizabeth was enthralled by the feeling of power she had as she knelt over her husband.
She could feel how much he enjoyed what she was doing.
His heart was pounding against her chest and his hands trembled when they touched her.
The evidence of his arousal was obvious beneath her and his breath was ragged in her ear as she kissed his jaw and then further down his neck.
She felt something overtaking her, she knew not what, but just as she was about to question her actions, Fitzwilliam called her name and captured her lips in another kiss and all rational thought fled as she felt and followed and in turn led her husband.
The sun finally down, they sat side by side on the lounge chair, Elizabeth half on his lap so they would both fit. Darcy was nibbling on a biscuit filled with strawberry jam as she sipped a glass of water, half-wondering what had come over her not an hour before.
“Are you well, wife?” he asked gently.
“Quite well, husband. You?” she returned with a smile.
“I am ecstatic,” he said with a seductive smile that had her blushing to the roots of her hair.
Before she could respond, her stomach rumbled and Darcy laughed, suggesting she eat her dessert. The staff had brought a trifle as well as a tray of fruit, cheese, and biscuits. They were very well prepared, these servants.
She smiled and popped a small chunk of cheese in her mouth and washed it down with a sip of wine.
Darcy had a brief image of drinking wine from her mouth and eating off her delectable body—he thought her back might make an especially fine plate—but he shook his mind free and focused on the present.
Elizabeth had requested his presence, then had returned all his passion as she rode him to glory. He had never felt better.
“Dearest?” she asked some time later after they were both full and the tray held nothing but crumbs.
“Yes, love?” he asked, smiling at the endearment.
“Would it be utterly ridiculous to go to bed? It has been a long day and I think I am still tired from the journey.” To illustrate the truth of the matter, she released an enormous yawn and stretched her arms above her head, her robe slithering delicately over her skin.
“Of course not. I’m rather tired myself. Would you like to sleep in your chambers or mine?” he asked, not even considering they might sleep apart.
“I have never slept in a man’s chamber!” she said brightening.
“I should hope not!” he cried in mock indignation.
She smacked his arm and all but dragged him into his room.
They curled up in the center of the bed, the open terrace door letting the sounds of the night and a light breeze blow gently into the room.
She rested her head on his chest and he held her close, sighing in contentment before drifting off, only to waken and repeat the events from the terrace twice more before morning.