He changed for dinner. His valet chose for him a dressy black coat, to be worn open, white breeches and white stockings. He matched it with a silver cravat, chapeau bras, and pumps. It was by far the most fashionable outfit in all his wardrobe. Perhaps he was letting on more than he should. Darcy should be more careful with his valet in the future, not wanting to sully Miss Elizabeth's reputation, although he also could not decide whether that was a good decision or not. She was making him question every decision he made. What a vixen.
As he exited his room and made his way down to the dining parlour, the only preoccupation in his mind was Miss Elizabeth. She has bewitched him. However, remembering her last comment to him, he could not help but wonder whether her cries for him last night were by design or genuine. If the former, he would be greatly disappointed. He would much prefer Miss Elizabeth to consider him handsome, irresistible, and - dare he say it?- sexy. He would much rather this attraction be equal so that they could enjoy the company of each other equally. Miss Elizabeth was a tease, making him question everything he knew about her. Darcy was perplexed and thus intrigued. He cursed Miss Elizabeth and yet praised her.
Upon reaching the parlour, Darcy chose to sit as far from Miss Caroline as possible. She was the most foul woman in his acquaintance, bearing no subtlety characteristic of learned woman. She was desperate, obviously so, and lacked every sense of decorum. Caroline Bingley paid no heed to propriety, to modesty, and to politeness. She was everything Mr. Darcy hated. She bore nothing to recommend herself to him, or to anyone for that matter, and Darcy hoped that Charles could see this and agree. Darcy would rather die alone, without an heir to Pemberly, than to marry her. Caroline Bingley was as undesirable to him as a dog with rabies. Every fibre of her being was repulsive to Darcy, but he would bear her company for the friendship he shared with Charles.
Darcy was startled out of his vitriolic musings when an angel descended from the stairs. Miss Elizabeth was striking in her purple dress. Darcy was stunned and looked upon her appreciatively, catching in the corner of his eyes, the jealous glare of Caroline Bingley. He ignored her, however, and noticed that Miss Elizabeth's hair was pinned in a most seductive way. A strand of her hair was left unpinned, caressing her long neck as Darcy's lips should. Pearls were scattered amongst her hair and sparkled in the candlelight. A large pearl hung low into the crevice of her bossom. It was strung on a lilac ribbon, draped about her neck in a most sensual way. She looked up from the stairs and noticed his longing stare. Being the tease she was, Miss Elizabeth gave him a knowing smile, awakening Darcy's member.
"Ah, Miss Elizabeth, thank you for joining us in such a timely manner," drawled Caroline Bingley sarcastically.
"Miss Elizabeth, how is your sister? Is she better?" Charles interrupted, always the peacemaker.
"Yes, I dare say she is. In a few days, she should be able to be removed to Longbourne. We will not trespass our welcome and impose upon your hospitality for much longer than we should," replied Elizabeth.
"Forgive me for saying so, but you don't seem quite as happy as you should be regarding dear Jane's recovery," Caroline Bingley provoked.
"On the contrary," answered Miss Elizabeth evenly, impressing Darcy, "I am much delighted that she would be well. It is, however, my regret that I shall have to leave the beautiful Netherfield behind. I have to thank you all for welcoming me and for allowing me and Jane to stay. Thank you, Mr. Bingley, Miss Caroline, Mr. Darcy."
"What has our Mr. Darcy done to deserve your thanks, may I ask?" Caroline Bingley interrogated.
"No, you may not," Darcy replied, stunning both himself and everyone else. He hoped Bingley would forgive him for this outburst. He has to know that Darcy was nearing the end of his patience with Caroline.
The awkwardness, however, could not be dissipated by Charles' friendly laughter. Nor could it be replaced by Miss Elizabeth's remarks about the weather. Miss Bingley was also unsuccessful by chattering on about London's latest fashions. As such, everyone ate as quickly as they could and retired to their rooms without bidding each other goodnight. No one entered the drawing room for tea and music. No one wanted to be in the company of each other apart from Darcy and Miss Elizabeth.
Darcy returned to his room, running up the final flight of stairs. He stripped down bare and naked, and washed himself as quickly as he could in scalding water. He did not bother with clothes, and donned a simple robe instead. Laying in his bed, Darcy put on his reading glasses and read Beresford. He wondered whether or not Miss Elizabeth would come to him at all after this evening's ordeal.
A quarter of an hour later, a scantily dressed Miss Elizabeth slipped inside his room, unbeknownst to Darcy. She walked towards his bed and snatched the book from his hand. Surprised, Darcy looked up immediately, only to be entranced by Miss Elizabeth's person. She was sitting on his bed, wearing nothing but a night shirt, reading his book. She made no move and neither did he. Her countenance was sweet, but it was obvious to him that she was concentrating.
"This is my favourite section of the entire book, Mr. Darcy."
"Is that so? This happens to be my least favourite. He discusses the damnations to be faced by all, despite everything we do on earth to salvage ourselves. Is that not a depressing thought, Miss Elizabeth?"
"No indeed, I think Beresford is telling us all to enjoy life while we can, because surely whatever awaits us in the afterlife will be nothing in comparison."
As Darcy pondered this thought, Elizabeth leant towards him and pressed her lips to his cheek. Darcy was lost, immediately, in her scent and the sensation. He grazed her cheek lightly with the back of his palm and looked her in the eye. He saw want and need. Darcy reclaimed his book and threw it to the floor, it was a nuisance they could do without. Darcy pressed his lips to hers with a force he did not know he had. Surprised, Miss Elizabeth yelped.
"I have never done anything before," she mumbled, "as in anything intimate. Please forgive my innocence."
"Trust me, you are all the more attractive for it."
With that, Darcy delved in again and caressed her lips with his. Miss Elizabeth started to reciprocate and gain control of the kiss. Having nothing of that sort, Darcy's tongue snaked out from within and licked her lower lips sensually, sending shivers all over. She opened her mouth instinctively, welcoming him in. Darcy's member was hardening again but he did not want to alarm her by being too aggressive. Suddenly, a knock came from outside and Miss Elizabeth disappeared in Darcy's wash closet. Cursing loudly, Darcy covered himself with his blanket and noticed a wet spot where Miss Elizabeth had previously been sitting. Smiling devilishly, he moved his person so that he was sitting directly on top of the wet spot.
"Who's there?" he demanded angrily.
"It's only me. Charles," came the reply.
"It is not locked, I believe."
Charles made his way in sheepishly and sat on the chair next to Darcy's bed. He would surely notice Darcy's blush and the pillow that rested on his lap. Darcy only hoped that Charles would assume that it came from Darcy's nightly activities alone.
"Darcy, I must apologize for Caroline's behaviour."
"Apology accepted. It is no fault of yours, Charles."
"I also came to ask of you a question."
"Go on, my dear friend."
"What do you think of Miss Bennet," Charles asked, "that is, as a wife. As my wife."
"The heart wants what the heart wants, Charles. The Bennet sisters are quite bewitching. However, I would advise you to observe her demeanours more closely and make sure she returns your feelings."
"So you approve?"
"I am in no position to disapprove, seeing as I am thusly bewitched by the other Bennet sister," admitted Darcy. He hoped to God Miss Elizabeth could hear, as he had not the courage to repeat this to her face.
"By God Darcy, I do hope you well. I shall leave you now. Thank you, old friend."
"It was my pleasure, I assure you."
With that, Bingley left the room and Miss Elizabeth returned. She smiled shyly, increasing his desire for her. How could she be so passionate yet innocent at the same time? He did not want to overwhelm her but equally did not want to be rid of her.
"Miss Elizabeth, perhaps we could spend the night discussing Beresford, instead. I would like to get to know you. If all goes well, we will have a lifetime to explore everything else."
"I agree, Mr. Darcy."
She sat on the other edge of his bed. Darcy moved closer towards her and hugged her close to him. She rested her head on his chest and they discussed literature, embracing each other fondly until the wee hours of the morning. Miss Elizabeth slipped back into her room to get dressed for breakfast. Darcy could not forget the last kiss she bestowed upon him, thinking her the most perfect lady in his acquaintance.
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