Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (69 page)

“And what will you do with me?  Here in this bed?”  She smiled, biting her lip and reaching between them to touch him.  “How can you be so hard and so soft all at once?  Does it hurt to be this way?” 

Darcy laughed and kissing her he smiled down into her ever curious eyes.  “I will not even attempt to answer that, but I will gladly seek relief.” Settling his hips, they joined, both groaning, both so incredibly sensitive from their long night of repeated coupling that the silky wet warmth of their bodies gliding together soon sent ripples of pleasure over them.  Elizabeth clung to him with a soft gasp while Darcy shuddered and groaned as his release came, and upon opening his eyes was greeted with her delighted smile.  Sheepishly he blushed and kissed her.  “Do not tell me what I look like when it happens.”

“I love that face.”  Elizabeth laughed, caressing back his fringe of hair.  Darcy kissed her and separating, they spooned their bodies together.  

“Mmmmmmmm.”  Rubbing his bristly cheek against Elizabeth’s throat, Darcy settled his hands over hers and drew her back against his chest.  “Never in my life have I felt so good.”  He rested his head on her shoulder and smiled.  “Good morning.”

Elizabeth stretched and sighed.  “Mmmmmm, good morning.”  She turned her head to see his soft smile and half-closed eyes.  “You definitely resemble a very pleased cat.  If you could purr, I am sure you would be humming right now.” 

Darcy watched her gaze move to his mouth.  He traced his tongue over her lips and returned his head to her shoulder.  “Why do you always compare me to a cat?  There is nothing in the least catlike about me.”  

“I beg to differ; they are intelligent, elegant, independent, aloof . . .”

“Aloof?  You still think of me as aloof?”  He sat up a little and stared.

“I hurt you, I am sorry.”  She tugged on his arm and he settled back down.  “Perhaps aloof is too strong a word, let me think of another.”

“I wish that you would.  My tenants would not agree with it, nor would my servants.  At least . . .”  His voice trailed away and he fell into thought. 

Elizabeth turned to look up at him.  “I did not mean anything cutting by it.”

“I know.”  He spoke softly.  “It is just that your opinion matters more to me than any other, and I know that you are gifted with an eye for observation.  Am I approachable, do you think?  By those who need to speak to me?”

“I do not know, yet.  With those I have seen, yes.”  His brow creased.  She looked back to see him watching her intently.   “Protective. That is the more appropriate choice of word.  If you are appearing aloof, it is because you are protecting someone or something, including yourself.”  Seeing his expression soften, she smiled, squeezing his hands.  “Better?”

“Much.”  He snuggled back into her.  “Although I have yet to see a cat being protective.”

“Oh, then you have never watched one settle into your lap and give comfort, or so much affection that you cannot help but laugh at how you nearly have to push her away she holds on so tightly.”  Elizabeth heard him chuckle and felt his arms tighten around her.  “Does this sound familiar, dear?”

“May I be a lion if I must be a feline?” 

“The king of the beasts!  How appropriate, you are doubtless lionhearted!  Oh!  Do they not call families of lions
prides
?”  Elizabeth giggled when he groaned and nipped her shoulder.  “I will stop.”

“Never stop, dearest.  You make me smile.”   There came a soft knock, neither of them responded beyond burrowing deeper into their embrace.  The door latch opened and footsteps crossed the floor.  They heard the fire being stirred again, while another person moved around, picking up their rapidly discarded clothing from the night before. 

“Pardon me, Mr. Darcy.”  Parker’s diffident voice at last broke the silence when activity ceased.

Keeping his eyes closed, Darcy squeezed Elizabeth’s hands.  “Yes?”

“Sir, Mr. Barnes asked me for some of your time today.  I thought I would mention it before you make any particular plans.  We seem to have a mackerel sky this morning.”

“I see.  Then we had best make hay while the sun shines.” 

“Indeed, sir.  Judy and I are prepared to start your day; bath water is on its way.”  He cleared his throat delicately.  “I know that you are looking forward to it after three days of travel.”

“Thank you, please leave us for ten minutes, and then we will be ready to begin.  Please have coffee brought up . . .” He felt a little pinch, “And tea.”

“Yes, sir.”  Parker caught Judy’s eye and the two exited through their separate doors. 

Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s shoulder and she turned to face him.  He smiled down at her, “This is so wrong.  We should be permitted to remain right here for as long as we wish.” 

“Unfortunately we started our honeymoon too late.” 

“What honeymoon?  We have had nothing of a honeymoon!  I would love more than anything to give you the most wonderful adventure.”  He brushed back her very tangled hair. “You are blushing, dearest.  Why?”

“You were correct, earlier . . .  I am not at all used to being ridiculously wealthy, and I am once again overwhelmed to be in your home.  I know;
our
home.”  She smiled, pressing her fingers to his lips before he could correct her.  “I think that wandering about this house and seeing the grounds will be quite adventure enough for me.”  She rested her head upon his chest to whisper pensively, “Everything is new again this morning.”  Hearing the deep rumble of his laugh, she looked back up to him.  “I am glad that I amuse you.”

“You do.”  Darcy kissed her.  “Please do not be afraid here.”

“I am afraid that is a luxury I can only explore alone with you.”  Darcy’s arms hugged her and she drew a deep breath and brought up her courage.  “Now, we have others to satisfy, since we are
not
honeymooning.  Your steward wants to speak to you, but . . .”

“Georgiana is first, yes, I know, we cannot delay this.”  Closing his eyes, he pressed his mouth to her ear.  “I wish that you would agree to be with me.”

“Until she understands why we married . . .”

“We married because we love each other.”

“Yes, but . . .
when
we married was not because we loved each other.  It was because of her, and Susan told us that Georgiana distrusts me.  It must begin at least with you alone.”

“My sister is in no position to make judgements on anyone.”  Sitting up, he rested his arms on his knees and watched the flames dance over the glowing coals.  “I was so positive that she would instantly love you.”  Elizabeth reached up to rub his back as he shook his head.  “I should have known that fear would take precedence, how could it not when she remains ignorant of the truth?  But today, I will make everything clear.  And today, this family starts over.”  He looked down to Elizabeth resting against the pillows and was so tempted to join her.  He spoke determinedly.  “We should rise.”

“You go first.”

“Why?”  His brow creased as he studied her.  “What do you not want me to see?”

“You jumped to conclusions very quickly!”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Can I not be polite?  Besides, you are already sitting up.”   Frowning, Darcy did not move.  “Fitzwilliam . . . go.”  She gave him a little push with her feet and reluctantly he scooted out of the bed, and found that their robes had been laid across the end.  He looked again at her seriously then disappeared.  She smiled as the door closed behind him.  “No, you are not at all protective, dear man, and too prescient for your own good.” 

At last she faced the inevitable.  Carefully Elizabeth sat up, then stood, gasping a little, and slipping on her robe, started to walk.  “Oh my.  I am definitely still a new bride.”  Placing her hand against her stomach, she looked back at their completely dishevelled bed.  “Fitzwilliam Darcy, in the privacy of your home you are an ardent and passionate lover.  I think it was for the best that we began cautiously at an inn!”  Elizabeth laughed softly and taking another step, she breathed through the receding twinge as she moved.  She thought of the quiet and embarrassing conversation she had with her aunt the night of the dinner at Darcy House.   “Yes . . . I crave the feel of him and love how wonderful it is to make him so happy.” 

The door opened and Darcy appeared to find Elizabeth standing in the middle of the room, her eyes closed, her arms wrapped around herself, and her face reflecting some . . . unfathomable happiness.  Like a moth to a flame he went to her side, and drew her into his arms.   Elizabeth’s eyes opened.  “Where were you?”  He smiled.  “You are . . . you are glowing.”

“Am I?”  She hugged him and pressed her face against his chest.  “Aunt Gardiner was correct.” 

Darcy kissed her.  “Oh?  And what did she say?”   Elizabeth shook her head and smiled.  “No fair keeping secrets.” 

“I will let you puzzle it out for yourself.  Thank you for a wonderful honeymoon.”  She moved away and caressed back his hair.  “Dear Fitzwilliam.”  Walking through the door towards the mistress’ chambers, he watched her with his head tilted. 

“Lizzy, your gait, something is . . .” She looked back at him and raised one brow, then closed the door behind her.  His forehead creased.  “I did that?”  Worriedly, he stared at the door until the pleasure in her sparkling eyes came to mind.  A slow smile crept across his face,
A wonderful honeymoon
.  He drew a deep breath and stood straight and proud.  “
I
did that!” 

“I AM SORRY that you did not join us for dinner last night, Georgiana.  We missed you.  Are you feeling well this morning?”

“Much better, thank you, Brother.”  She nearly whispered and stood from the bench before the pianoforte.  Darcy entered the music room wearing his familiar slight smile; then clasping his hands behind his back began walking around the room, seemingly inspecting it.  Georgiana watched his busy fingers twisting his ring, and felt his discomfort.  It was probably as great as hers. 

“This room could use some freshening, I think.”  He observed and returning to face her, laid his hand on the instrument.  “And the place to start would be a new pianoforte.”

“Really?”  She smiled fully for the first time.  “Oh, that would be wonderful, Fitzwilliam!  This one is beautiful, but it does not sound as well as it once did.  The tuner was passing through Derbyshire a month ago and Mrs. Reynolds had him take a look at it.  He said that the soundboard was developing a tear . . .”

Darcy’s smile grew, listening to the sister he remembered.  “Well then that settles it, I shall write to Joseph Brodmann and order a new instrument.  Perhaps it will be delivered in time for your birthday this summer.”

“A pianoforte from Vienna?”  She gasped.  “Oh, Fitzwilliam!” 

He gladly accepted her fervent embrace.  “Only the best for you, dear.  That is all I ever wanted for you.”  Feeling her body tense, he remembered his purpose.  “We need to talk about everything today.  I think that we both know that you were not really ill last night.” Georgiana said nothing and remained standing with her face pressed to his chest.  “You cannot hide from the truth.”  Darcy said softly.  “Come, we will eat breakfast, and then we will talk.” 

“Yes, Brother.” 

Together the siblings walked silently through the house.  Darcy chastised himself, knowing already that he was slipping from his resolve to not treat her with kid gloves as he had from the day of their father’s death. 
Buy her a pianoforte from Vienna!  Buy her love, that is what you are doing!  You are rewarding her!  What will you do next, redecorate her sitting room?  Come on Darcy!  You cannot soften this!

As they walked, Georgiana leaned into Darcy’s shoulder; everything was back to normal again.  She looked up to see the eyes that matched her own looking down at her.  She smiled a little and they walked down the staircase.  Darcy took in the beautiful foyer, and his expression warmed.  His happiness was reassuring.  “What is it, Fitzwilliam?” 

He smiled and stopped when they reached the bottom.  “Elizabeth.  She was so surprised to see this.  I gave her no warning, and I insisted that nobody else tell her anything, no details.”  Looking down at her, he laughed.  “Well, besides Miss Bingley, she is unstoppable, but Elizabeth does not put much credence in anything she says, so that was easy to ignore . . . but . . . oh, her surprise was everything I could have hoped to witness.  I so look forward to showing her everything of Pemberley.” 

Georgiana felt the happy bubble burst around her, and spoke in a monotone.  “Where is your wife?  Still abed, I suppose?”

Darcy’s smile returned to her.  “Abed?  Not hardly, no, no, Elizabeth is not a woman to lie about waiting for the sun to reach its zenith before appearing.  She was awake . . .” He paused and his cheeks coloured again as he remembered just how they had awakened each other that morning.  “. . . early.”  Sniffing he started walking briskly.  “She and her maid made a thorough examination of her rooms and she is now off walking.”

“Walking?”  Georgiana stared. 

“Indoors, but she insists that she needs daily exercise to remain at top form.  She also said that she wants to get the lay of the land, without me along to distract her.”  Shrugging, he smiled.  “I cannot imagine why she would think I was distracting.”

“Oh you cannot, can you?”  Darcy’s head snapped up.  Elizabeth appeared from the door to the ballroom and walked steadily towards them.  “I am overwhelmed by what I saw, and I know I have barely scratched the surface.  And I admit now that I desperately needed you with me.”

“Aha!”

“If only to guide me back.”  She pursed her lips and joined them.  Darcy held out his other arm and she wrapped her hands around it, smiling up at his shaking head.  “You will take me on the proper tour and tell me what I am seeing this afternoon?”

“Gladly, love.  Were you dancing alone in the ballroom again?”  Elizabeth nodded and Darcy leaned down and brushed her mouth with a kiss.  “We definitely must return there and practice privately.   Are you hungry from your exercise this morning?”  He asked innocently.

“Famished!”  Elizabeth laughed and looked around his chest to her sister.  “Good morning, Georgiana.  I hope that you are feeling yourself again.”