Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice Sequel Bundle: 3 Reader Favorites (200 page)

“No, William! I will rest here as you wish, but you go and dine with Georgie. Spend the evening with her as we planned. Marguerite will stay with me.” He started to protest but she interrupted, “It is merely a headache from the light. My own stupidity for not shutting the shades. It will fade quickly; they always do. You need to eat a complete meal.”

He argued further, but Marguerite assured him she would send for him if needed. As Lizzy was already slipping into a doze, he reluctantly relented. By the time he returned several hours later, she was awake, had eaten a hearty dinner, and the headache had dissipated. She sat on the balcony gazing at the stars when he joined her. She nestled onto his lap, cuddling contentedly, and they talked quietly. She appeared rested and in her usual lively humor, but he remained anxious for her health, internally chastising himself for not lowering the shades.

He kissed the top of her head where it nestled so perfectly under his chin, his arms tightening around her body. “As delightful as it is to stargaze with you I insist we retire. You need your rest for the remainder of our journey, and I will not risk the health of you or our child.”

“You worry unnecessarily, my love. The headache has vanished, I slept so
am well rested, ate an excellent dinner, and am currently blissfully embraced by my handsome husband. What more could a woman possibly want?” She smiled up at his anxious face, wiggled closer, nestled her face into his neck, and bestowed a light kiss. “Actually,” she said, imparting another kiss, “I do have a marvelous idea.” She slid one hand under the hem of his shirt, nibbled on one earlobe, and slipped the tip of her tongue into his ear. “A final activity to fully restore my health.”

“Elizabeth,” he sighed, eyes shutting in pleasure, “we should wait until… settled at Netherfield…please…” Moans interrupted words as she firmly situated his hand on a breast while her lips traveled deliciously along his jaw. “Your headache could return, beloved, listen to me…”

Lizzy stopped his voice by seizing his lower lip and sucking gently. Darcy moaned again, unconsciously rocking a burgeoning arousal into her bottom and rubbing her breast.

“You talk too much, Fitzwilliam.”

“No one has ever accused me of that!”

She smiled and began seductively stroking and kissing him. He earnestly struggled to dissuade her, but to no avail. Lizzy’s obstinacy was manifest in a myriad of ways, and one was when she desired him. Of course, Darcy never strived to avoid romantic activities with his wife, so he was not well experienced in how to do so!

Lizzy laughed at his stammering opposition. “I want to love you, Fitzwilliam, any way you desire. I crave your touch on my skin and your body on mine. I hunger to bring you pleasure and show you how ardent my love for you.” She kissed his eager mouth passionately, overwhelming senses with her breath and insistence. Pulling away finally, she whispered, “Take me to bed, my lover.”

He stared into her eyes for a moment longer, searching carefully for any residual pain or fatigue, but only sheer desire and love shone forth. With a sigh, gripping her securely in strong arms, he stood and entered their bedchamber. The inn’s bed was not as large as Pemberley’s , or as fine, but it was comfortable. Darcy sat on the edge, lying his wife gently back onto the downy comforter while kissing her lovely mouth.

Pulling back mere inches, he stroked the hair from her face, twining silky tresses about his fingers as he gazed at her. “Elizabeth, you are incredibly beautiful. With each day your loveliness increases. I do not comprehend how it is possible, yet it is true.”

In typical Darcy fashion he alternately caressed, kissed, and nibbled over each delicate facial feature, all the while murmuring endearments and praises for the beauty of his wife. Lizzy’s eyes were closed, her senses reeling with her husband’s words of devotion and heated touch. Darcy paused at her lips, running feathery fingertips over her flesh, observing her rising passion with tremendous satisfaction and indescribable happiness. “Elizabeth,” he whispered, “my wife, my lover.” He slid his tongue over her lower lip as she sighed. “Mine forever, beloved…Mrs. Darcy.”

Elizabeth had long ago succumbed to the amazing reality of her husband, but the magnificence of his physique never failed to overwhelm her. His potent masculinity and virility and stamina continually stunned her. The sensations they roused in each other at the tiniest touch, or even at a look, staggered her still, yet she embraced it as a heaven-gifted expression of the extraordinary bonding love they shared. After nearly six months of marriage, their passion only grew stronger, their lovemaking as necessary as breathing, with rarely a day passing without gratifying release and blissful devotion to the other achieved, often more than once. They occasionally purposed to experiment with some new technique from the books or a fantasy, yet usually their movements simply evolved naturally at the moment. Opportunities arose spontaneously and were latched onto with zeal, neither hesitant to try something new. Trust was unwavering, love unmatched, and desire to please the other first of paramount importance. Selfless giving was the central goal.

Tonight was different only in Darcy’s residual apprehension, which induced him to proceed in a reserved manner despite Lizzy’s clear desire for a wild interlude. In the end, she would not care, as their mutual rapture was as blissful and blinding as always.

Slowly reality and strength returned to them both. Lizzy moved first, turning in his arms and encircling his shuddering, damp skin, and bestowing a lingering kiss. “I love you,” they said concurrently and then chuckled, kissing one another tenderly.

Smoothing the tangled hair off her forehead, he kissed a perfectly arched brow. “Are you well, my love?”

“I am divine but sleepy. Hold me, William?”

“Forever, Elizabeth. Forever.”