Chapter 2.14 #2
The following morning, Elizabeth woke with a feeling of restlessness.
She was alone and hurried to knock on her husband’s door, but he was not there.
While she rang for Molly, Elizabeth’s thoughts of the previous night invaded her mind again.
She could sense that something was amiss and feared that some problem might have troubled her husband and he did not want to share it with her.
And not knowing what it was only increased her uneasiness.
When she entered the library, she met Darcy’s tender gaze, which dispelled her worries. He came to her and held her hands, then kissed her palms.
“Good morning, my love, did you sleep well?”
“Yes…and you? Did you wake early? I see you have business to attend.”
“I read some documents for a brief meeting with my uncle and my solicitor. I will be at the club at noon but will return very soon.”
“I see…very well then.”
“I was also informed that Maud rose from her bed today. Dr. Harris was kind enough to keep me company for a while.”
“That is wonderful news.”
“It is. Now—shall we have breakfast? Georgiana is already in the music room, waiting for us.”
Darcy’s behaviour was everything Elizabeth could hope for, and his warm voice, loving glances, and small touches during breakfast put her mind at ease. It was a lovely day, and the sun shone through the open curtains, brightening the room and Elizabeth’s disposition.
Darcy left the house for a couple of hours, and Elizabeth spent the afternoon with Georgiana. It was the first day that they had some time alone, and both enjoyed it exceedingly. They played together and made plans for attending the theatre and for the much-expected journey to Pemberley.
Elizabeth shared her intention to finally host a dinner for their common relatives, and Georgiana gladly approved.
“I remember the first time we had dinner together with your family, Elizabeth. I was very ill and kept to my bed. And you were so kind to visit me. And you tricked me to eat. From the very beginning, I hoped you would someday become my sister. I knew of William’s affection for you, and I prayed that you returned it. ”
“Thank you, my dear Georgiana. My happiness with William is complete having you as my sister.”
Elizabeth smiled with no little emotion.
She vividly recollected that dinner. It was the evening she and Georgiana met.
And when Darcy kissed her palm and her wrist for the first time—and told her she had the power of bringing joy into their lives and asked for permission to call the next day—it was the moment her dreams of an arrangement with Darcy first came to life.
She shivered just remembering those sweet moments but also the painful, heart-rending hours that followed when they learned of Lydia’s elopement, and she was certain her happiness was gone forever.
“Elizabeth?” She startled at her sister’s voice, and a glance was enough to see that Georgiana’s thoughts were not far from her own.
“Do you have news from your sister Lydia? How is she?”
Elizabeth caressed the girl’s hand.
“I do have news, dearest. She is well—or so she wrote us. She seems happy with the balls and the parties. As you can well imagine, she asked for some monetary help to purchase a few new gowns—both from me and from Jane. I will talk to William about that and see what he thinks. I would like to help my sister, but I cannot possibly allow her to take advantage of us.”
“I am glad she is well. If I may suggest something: perhaps you could help by purchasing her some gowns and bonnets and reticules—everything she needs—instead of sending her money.”
“This is wise advice, my dear, very wise indeed. I am very glad we had the chance to talk. So, what would you recommend as a main course for the dinner?”
Their conversation continued until Darcy returned and joined them. He seemed in excellent spirits, and after a short greeting, he invited them both for a walk in the park to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
Arm in arm, the ladies informed him about their recent decisions. He approved everything they said, content to see them as close as two real sisters could be.
“So, whom do you wish to invite to dinner? The Gardiners, Bingley and his wife—and who else?”
“Well, your uncle and aunt and the colonel. And Mr Bingley’s sisters of course. It would be impolite to do otherwise.”
“Oh…” said both Darcy siblings at the same time.
Elizabeth laughed. “Do not make me feel guilty for inviting them. After all, they were a regular presence in your houses for years. Surely, it cannot be worse this time.”
“Probably not. But my tolerance and self-control appear to have diminished lately,” Darcy admitted.
“Besides, Miss Bingley admires you both very much. I am the one she hates, but I am already accustomed to it, and I dare say I bear it quite well,” Elizabeth concluded.
“Miss Bingley always admired William; she only befriended me by extension.” Georgiana chuckled, glancing at Elizabeth.
Her brother rewarded her with a stern and disapproving glare, contrasting with the smile that twisted his lips; then he addressed his wife.
“Well, you will be responsible for entertaining and abiding the ladies. I shall be accountable only for the gentlemen, so my mission will be rather easy.”
“Yes, but I always count on your support, sir,” Elizabeth teased him. “I am sure you would not abandon me to Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst’s censure.”
“Madam, I trust you will succeed in handling the situation properly by yourself. You always did before.”
“Such a cowardly response, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth mocked him while Darcy stared at her lips, wondering what would happen if he kissed her there in the middle of the park.
∞∞∞
After dinner, Elizabeth felt tired rather early, but she did her best to remain awake long enough to hear Georgiana play for half an hour.
Afterwards, she excused herself and declared she wanted to retire.
Georgiana followed her, but to Elizabeth’s surprise, Darcy wished them good night and told his wife that he would join her soon as he still had something to finish.
Elizabeth’s distress returned, but she refrained from saying anything in the presence of Georgiana.
Once in her room, she rang for Molly, changed for the night, then dismissed the maid and knocked on Darcy’s door.
He was not there, so she returned to her bed for a few moments then hurriedly left the chamber.
She found her husband reading in the library. At her entrance, he rose and came to her.
“What happened, my love? I thought you would be asleep by now.”
“Nothing happened to me. Is there anything happening to you, William?”
“Not at all. I was just looking through some notes.”
“In the middle of the night? Is there an urgent situation?”
“No…not really.”
“Then would you finish your reading tomorrow, please? I would like to go to bed together.”
He hesitated only a moment then put his arm around her shoulders.
“Of course, I will. Come, let us go to sleep, my dear.”
Inside their apartment, he gently helped her to the bed and briefly kissed her lips while he wrapped the covers around her.
“I will change and return in no time,” he said, and she followed him with her eyes while he entered his own chamber.
A few long minutes passed, and he did not return. Elizabeth impatiently left the bed and entered his room unceremoniously. He was having a glass of wine, staring out the window.
“William, this will not do! Please let me know what is happening, and I beg you not to tell me it is nothing. Why do you avoid my company?”
“I do not avoid your company, quite the contrary. Have we not been together most of the day?”
“You do avoid my company when we are alone. You cannot deny that you purposely avoid me. You wait for me to fall asleep, and in the morning, you leave me before I wake up. We have not made love in many days—and I know it is my fault because I spent so much time with Maud, and then I was tired all the time. Now I feel that a distance is growing between us, and I wish to change that. I want things to be as they were. How can I do that?”
Her emotions intensified as she spoke, and he swiftly embraced her as tightly as he could.
“My dearest, you have done nothing wrong, and surely there is no distance between us. You have my heart, and I can hardly breathe at all when I am not close to you.”
He attempted to keep a light tone while he pulled her into his arms and carried her to her bed. This time, he laid her against the pillows and joined her. She cuddled to his chest, and he kissed her hair again.
“William, we have always been honest with each other. Please do not keep your distress from me. I sense your tension, and it greatly troubles me.”
Elizabeth gently caressed him through the thick fabric of his shirt then untied it and placed warm kisses along his chest. She brushed her body against his and almost lay atop of him.
He turned her on her back and kissed her face then captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss while his caresses matched hers.
He removed the gown from her shoulders, then his lips lowered along her neck toward the softness of her breasts.
She groaned, and her body arched toward him while her hands entwined around his neck and she whispered in his ear. “My love, please…please do not make me wait any longer…I missed you so much…”
He needed no more begging, and their moans of delight combined as his body finally joined hers.
Her hands and legs tightened around him, and they moved together, slowly sharing the overwhelming pleasure until the rhythm increased and Elizabeth shattered in anticipation of what she knew would come.
Her body reached its completion first, and she continued to move against him, expecting to sense his warmth release inside her.
She held her breath when he unexpectedly pulled away from her, and only his moans tickled her neck. Elizabeth’s heart raced as Darcy embraced her and placed small kisses on her shoulder while he struggled to breathe regularly.