Chapter 3.17
Darcy was the one who opened the door for them, eager to welcome his wife. It was the first time they had been separated for almost the entire day since they married.
Emily was still shy and she said a quick “good day”, then hurried downstairs, followed by Sarah.
Darcy took his wife in his arms and, before he even helped her remove her outerwear, he claimed a kiss.
“I have missed you so much,” he said.
“Surely as much as I missed you.”
They immediately retired to their apartment, happy and relieved to finally be together, alone, finding comfort in each other’s arms and sharing the events of the day.
With great effort Elizabeth managed to calm Darcy when she related the story of Lady Catherine.
Eventually, they agreed to meet the Matlocks the next day and discuss the best way to avoid any scandal at the theatre.
Later, they prepared to dine properly, despite Darcy’s efforts to convince Elizabeth otherwise.
“I see no point in dressing formally for dinner, only to undress again later. I have dreamed of loving you all day. Minute by minute,” he whispered hoarsely, his lips tantalising her ear.
She chuckled and attempted to reject his insistence.
“Mr. Darcy, we are expected to behave properly. The dinner will be ready and Emily will come to greet you. We must think of etiquette, would you not agree?”
“Not at all. I would happily see Emily tomorrow. As for dinner, I will ask for it to be delivered here.”
She quickly met his lips again. “Surely you must be hungry after such a long day. I surely am.”
“You surely are ignorant about the sort of hunger that troubles me now, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I am counting on you to address my ignorance later, Mr. Darcy,” she teased him. “After dinner.”
“I admit I am rather displeased with your present disobedience and stubbornness, Mrs. Darcy, he replied, dressing himself.
“I am sorry to hear that, but you were warned by your aunt long before we married. It is your own fault that you disregarded her advice.”
“Perhaps. I must struggle to overcome such faults, Mrs. Darcy. Later on. After dinner.”
With more teasing and stolen kisses, they finally arrived in the dining room. As the first course was being served, Sarah entered, holding Emily’s hand. The girl was smiling in her new dress and shoes. She curtseyed properly and dared to even look at Darcy.
“Thank you for coming to see me, Emily. You look lovely,” Darcy said earnestly.
“Thank you, Master.”
“Do you enjoy staying here?”
“Oh, yes…”
“May I ask what do you like the most?” he asked in a warm and friendly tone.
“I like Mrs. Darcy and Sarah. And my bed.”
Even Darcy was touched by such an answer.
“Have you dined yet tonight, Emily?”
“Oh yes. I ate very much, I hope you do not mind…”
“I most certainly do not mind. We are delighted to have you here, Emily.”
“Thank you, Master,” she repeated.
“Emily, your necklace is in my drawer. Do you wish to wear it?”
“Oh no; I am afraid I will lose it. Please keep it for me, Mrs. Darcy!”
“Very well, my dear. You may ask for it whenever you want.”
The girl nodded and curtsied to them again.
“Pour soul,” Darcy whispered after Sarah and Emily had retired.
“Yes… She needs so little to be happy… And that little has been denied to her for so long… Even Lady Matlock was appalled after she spoke to Emily. I shall not visit Madame Claudette ever again, and your aunt declared the same.”
“I hope to not hear about Madame Claudette ever again,” Darcy declared. “Come, let us finish dinner. I have already told you that I am starving.”
∞∞∞
It was still early evening when the Darcys were finally ready for the night. Stevens had shaved Darcy, so he appeared in his wife’s chamber after she was already changed into her nightgown, with her hair hanging loose down her back.
There were only two candles lit in the room, the fire and the moonlight entering through the half-open curtains.
Elizabeth was already in bed, leaning against the pillows, with a smile full of promise and anticipation.
He sat near her, slowly removed his shirt and gently pulled her nightdress up over her shoulders, throwing it away, then did the same with his trousers.
She closed her eyes and felt him lying upon her, covering her with his naked body.
His hands trapped hers at either side of her head and their fingers entwined instantly.
“My love, please open your eyes,” he whispered as he kissed her eyelashes.
Their gazes met again, while his legs separated hers.
He kissed her briefly and then freed her hands which readily encircled his neck.
His hands travelled down and rested on her hips for a moment, stroking her thighs.
She moaned, and he lifted her legs to encircle his waist, kissing her dry lips.
She struggled to keep her eyes open and held her breath.
Barely controlling his yearning, he entered her slowly, inch by inch, with gentle moves, his intense gaze never leaving her face.
Her eyes closed again as the sensations overwhelmed her.
It was tortuously slow, and she tightened her legs around his waist to pull him closer.
With a last thrust, their bodies finally fully united, and she opened her eyes to meet his.
He began to move inside her, bare skin burning bare skin.
His mouth captured her lips, and his tongue tasted them greedily.
With her hands imprisoned, she could not touch him or explore him as she wished, but she adored the feeling of complete surrender to him.
She moved beneath him and against him, their bodies brushing over one another.
She broke their kiss in search of air and bit his shoulder.
He moaned as her tongue tasted his throat, then bit him again, gently.
He thrust inside her even harder — and she bit him again.
With great surprise, she suddenly felt herself rolled over; he was on his back and she was now lying atop him.
Her breasts were crushed against his chest while her legs, which still encircled his waist, were trapped beneath him.
She remained still for a moment, staring at him.
She felt him pulsing inside her and her hips moved instinctively.
He freed her legs, and pushed deeper inside her.
Her moan of delight was the sign he needed.
He embraced her bare back, stroking her from her shoulders to her waist while his movements increased.
She lost her rhythm, but his strong palms lingered on her hips and guided her body until it matched his pace.
She learned quickly, and became even more daring, enjoying the discovery that she could breathe easily, she could move easily, and she could use this freedom to her benefit — and his.
She slid her fingers into his hair and squeezed it as he was squeezing her thighs.
He groaned with pleasure as her breasts brushed against the hair on his chest; the sensation sent shivers across her skin, and she repeated the gesture until she heard him crying her name.
His voice brought her as much pleasure as his deep moves, which became wilder with every passing moment. She kept her body moving together with his while her lips tantalised his earlobe.
“Is this pleasant enough, Mr. Darcy?”
“God, yes!” he articulated breathlessly, then he rolled her back against the pillow as he reclaimed his place upon her. She was surprised — again — but only for an instant. Her legs entwined around him and her arms encircled and stroked his back.
He demanded she open her eyes again, so they could see each other in the moment of blissful pleasure and their swollen lips cried one another’s names.
They remained united, silent and still; he only rolled their joined bodies over to relieve her of the burden of his weight.
“I have missed you so much today, my love,” he said, caressing her hair. “I was starving for you.”
“As much as I missed you, my dear husband,” she repeated their earlier teasing. “And as much as I was starved for you, too.”
He did not doubt her words. He continued to stroke her hair until he felt her breathing peacefully in her sleep and kissed the top of her head. He knew he could not possibly fall asleep with her warm body pressed to his, but he did not even need sleep if he had her.