Chapter 1.20 #7
It was quite a large party, then, that reached Mr Darcy’s home an hour later. Georgiana’s delight in receiving her visitors raised her spirits, especially when Becky climbed onto her bed to bestow a noisy kiss on her cheek.
Arriving some time later, Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Annesley did not hide their pleasure at seeing Miss Darcy surrounded by the children and conversing easily with Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley, who were seated on a settee near the bed.
Mrs Hamilton expressed her satisfaction in having Elizabeth there and assured her that the whole staff had been informed of her status as future mistress of the house.
Elizabeth thanked her and blushed but could not add anything more as Mr Darcy entered the room and the ladies excused themselves.
Elizabeth had felt his presence even before seeing him, and she could not take her eyes off him from the moment he appeared. Her gaze held fast with his as he approached her and took her hand, whispering in her ear. “I shall leave soon. Will you accompany me outside?”
She nodded in agreement, squeezing his hand, happy to feel his closeness and his tender touch after two long days apart.
Mr Darcy made his goodbyes to his sister and his guests, while Mr Bingley could not help making sport of him.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Darcy, just go! You will be gone two days, and you make these preparations as if you will be gone for two years. Georgiana will be fine, and so shall I—in case you were worried about me.”
“No, Bingley, I was not at all worried about you. Do not flatter yourself.” He left the room in a good humour, taking Elizabeth with him.
Her hand was clasped tightly in his, their fingers entwined, and she already felt a shiver travelling from her palm throughout her body, anticipating the moment they would be alone and he would kiss her.
He pulled her after him, however, apparently in a great hurry, passing Georgiana’s sitting room and then the hall without stopping.
They reached the head of the stairs, and he changed direction to his left down another hall and opened a door, pulling her inside.
She cast a quick glance around, not recognising the room, and then turned her eyes to his. “William—”
“Hush…do not worry. I only wanted to spend a few minutes alone with you, and in this house, there is no other place to have some privacy. Do you mind?”
“No, I do not mind…but this room…?”
“It is my room.”
Her breathing stopped for a moment and her heart began to beat wildly.
A shiver ran up her spine as his left hand encircled her waist while the other glided over the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him.
Soon she was so close that their bodies touched and she could feel his the steady beat of his heart.
“My dearest Elizabeth…it has been two days since I last kissed you, and another one will pass before I kiss you again. I cannot bear it any longer. I shall die if you do not allow me to kiss you.”
His voice was deep and hoarse with passion as he tightened his hold on her, and she could not breathe or speak…
or think. But her arms, guided by their own will, rose and found their way around his neck.
She did not divert her eyes from his, and her lips parted slightly in a silent acceptance—no, a silent invitation.
Her whole face was covered by small, tender kisses until his hungry mouth reached hers, gently and tentatively at first, and then growing impatient, demanding, and possessive.
She was leaning with her entire body against his, her arms clinging to his neck, as her knees became weak with her growing passion.
She felt as if she were floating, and indeed his embrace had lifted her off the ground as he moved, taking her with him until he found a chair in which to sit, pulling her into his arms. Their lips remained closely joined in a desperate attempt to satiate their need for each other.
Mr Darcy withdrew from her but held her close a few moments as they tried to regain their breath. Her head rested on his shoulder as his hands moved along her back.
“I must go now so I can return tomorrow before dinner.”
“Tomorrow? But you said you would be gone two days. Shall I return to my uncle tomorrow night?”
“No indeed.” He placed a quick kiss on her ear. “I know what I said, but there is a chance that my business may be concluded sooner than expected, especially when my reward will be an evening spent with you…almost alone in the house…with no one to disturb us…”
Mr Darcy was almost lost in the delightful anticipation of their next meeting when he felt her startled reaction as she tensed and caught her breath. Only then did the import of his words strike him.
“Elizabeth, I did not mean that…”
He moved her gently so he could see her eyes and then cupped her face, smiling at her. “Please believe me that it was not my intention to suggest anything improper when I spoke of spending the evening together.”
He paused and started to laugh before adding, “Or rather, nothing more improper than this.”
A smile brightened her flustered face as she fully realised that she was in his room, sitting in his lap, her arms around his neck. What could have been more improper than that?
“Elizabeth, I shall not deny that I desire you more than I could have believed possible. I can understand that my passion might appear frightening to you. Sometimes I am frightened myself by the intensity of my feelings. It is true that I desperately enjoy holding you, kissing you, fondling you and that sometimes I am too demanding, and I have never allowed you to tell me whether you are displeased with my insistence…”
“I am not displeased. You know that…” Her voice was only a whisper as she averted her eyes.
“I am very happy to hear it. But perhaps you think it is too soon? Would you prefer we postpone these…private encounters until after the wedding? Please tell me the truth.”
No answer came, but she shook her head in disagreement.
“Then what is it?” He searched her distressed countenance a few moments in an effort to understand her. “Are you afraid that I shall demand…something more from you? That I shall insist on having my way? Am I correct in assuming this?”
“William, I am not afraid of you. I do not believe you would insist on having your way with me. I am more afraid of what I feel when we are together. I know I could refuse you nothing and I do not want to…I would rather wait until we are married to…”
Her eyes were moist with tears from distress and embarrassment, and Darcy covered them with light kisses, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs.
“I understand you, my love. I must confess that I am very impatient to have you as my wife, but I am content to wait as patiently as I can until that day comes and to enjoy your company, your closeness, your love…and all the charms of our engagement. I know you have already been more generous than I deserve and that you have allowed me more liberties than propriety would allow, but do not be afraid that I shall take advantage of your generosity or that I would do anything against your will.”
Her eyes lifted to face him as he spoke, and she nodded, smiling shyly at his last words. Staring so deeply into her eyes that she could feel his dark gaze penetrating her soul, he continued, his voice deep and low but so powerful that it made her tremble.
“You must remember one thing: I desperately desire you, but my love is a hundred times stronger than my desire.”
∞∞∞
It had been more than an hour since the noisy family party returned to Gracechurch Street, leaving Elizabeth with Georgiana at Darcy House.
The master of the house had left for Kent a couple of hours before noon, and Elizabeth was resting on a couch near Georgiana’s bed, reading as the younger lady slept peacefully.
A sudden tumult of voices resounded from downstairs, and Elizabeth rose instantly to demand silence for Georgiana, trying to understand who would dare to be so disrespectful.
Before she could take a step further, she was startled by the door being violently thrust open. Georgiana awoke in great distress, and the two of them turned to stare at the imperious guest—a woman of Lady Matlock’s age, no less impressive but utterly different in demeanour.