Chapter XXI

The Bennet ladies completed the first half of their journey shortly before sundown and had dinner at an inn where they were also to spend the night.

Emilie and Mrs. Bennet retreated to their rooms when the dark began to creep up the clouds but Anne chose to stay up a little while longer. Traveling long distances always made her sick—it was a miracle she hadn't regurgitated the dinner she struggled so much to eat—and only fresh air could do her well.

Sitting on a bench right outside the inn, Anne closed her eyes as the evening breeze swept over her. Darcy stood by her, hands clasped behind his back. He'd hardly had a clue how to aid his mistress every time he heard her whimper in pain or felt her clutch at his sleeve.

She never said a word, only took deep breaths and tapped her forehead with a handkerchief. He'd had to help her out of the coach, cradling her in his arms and supporting most of her weight as he led her inside the inn.

Dinner was a chore but Mrs. Bennet insisted that she must eat. Now, after she'd let her stomach rest and the chilly wind cooled down her livid cheeks, she finally looked peaceful.

"Darcy," she called feebly, opening her eyes.

He leaned forward, to show he'd heard her and not have to yell as he replied, "Yes, Miss?"

"Will you bring me some water? Make sure it is cold."

"Certainly."

He straightened up and walked into the inn to fetch the water. When he went back outside, a group of three dubious men surrounded the bench on which Anne was sitting.

"Oh."

He stepped closer. Anne stared up at her predators, trying to stand when one of them sat next to her. He grabbed her wrist, though, and pulled her back down.

"I have brought your water," Darcy said out of the blue, startling the men.

Anne smiled slyly at him. "Thank you, Darcy." She then turned to the man holding her hand. "Would you please let go?"

He held her tighter in response. Anne winced.

"Walk away, mate. We got 'ere first!" The man motioned to Darcy to get lost while his two companions shielded him.

The demon tilted his head. "I apologise, Miss, I did not realise I was disturbing you."

She glowered at him. "Darcy, must I remind you of your obligations?"

He grinned, squinting his eyes. "By all means, do remind me."

"Get rid of these men," she hissed, "and be quiet about it." She regarded the baffled man by her side with a disgusted look. "I should not like to rouse tired travellers from their slumber."

"Certainly," he bowed.

Before the two standing men could even blink, the demon knocked them out cold and towered over the third individual, the glass of water still intact.

The man didn't cower in fear as Anne had expected. Instead, he dragged her onto his lap and gripped her neck. Her eyes widened. Her screams died in her throat.

Darcy frowned. "That is not how you treat a young lady whom you are trying to seduce," he murmured and reached for the attacker's arm. He pried it off Anne in an instant, twisting it. A yelp of pain froze on the man's lips as Darcy's foot connected with his face.

Anne had sprung away from her captor, falling in a heap on the ground. Darcy hauled her up with just one arm once he was done with the man, handing her the glass of water. She took it with shivering fingers and emptied it in a few gulps.

"Are you all right, Miss?" the valet sweetly asked.

"Yes, I believe so." She gave back the glass. "We should go inside now. I—I need to sleep."

Her mother and her sister were already fast asleep in one of the rooms they'd taken. Anne thus had a room all to herself, which would have normally pleased her but tonight she was frightened.

"Good night, Miss," Darcy said after he escorted his mistress to her chamber. Holding the door open, he waited for her to walk inside but she didn't.

She reached for his hand. "Where will you go for the night?"

He stepped closer to her. "Are you worried about me?"

His cocky grin made her reconsider her intention to reveal her weakness to him. Mischief masked her fear and turned her plea into a dare. "Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Of course," he replied after a pause and followed Anne into the room. Closing the door behind him, he swiftly locked it and watched his mistress plop down on the bed.

With a sigh, she began to untie the lace of her boots but then she remembered she had a valet. "Darcy," she called, holding out her feet.

He knelt in front of her, rolling up his sleeves, and proceeded to take off her boots while she endeavoured to remove her gown. After he pulled down her stockings, she stood up and let the gown drop to the floor.

"You should be more careful with such fine garments, Miss," the valet scolded as she began to undo her undergarments. Now that she had her own room and Darcy to guard her, she could indulge her old habit to sleep naked.

"Will you give me a hand?" she seductively asked her demon.

Darcy folded the gown and glanced at her. "As my lady wishes," he answered, taking off his gloves.

He approached her slowly, leaving only an inch's worth of distance between their bodies. His deft fingers loosened the laces of her corset and once that was out of the way, he pushed down her chemise, kneeling as he lowered it past her waist.

Stretching out like a lazy cat, she crawled onto the bed and cuddled on the duvet. Her feline grace was enchanting and Darcy took a moment to admire her delicate curves. She looked like she would purr if he touched her.

After neatly putting away her undergarments, Darcy walked to the wash-stand and picked up the copper jug. "Would you like to wash, Miss?"

Anne lifted her head as her valet poured water into the basin. She would have gladly washed, had she not made herself so comfortable on the bed. Her whole body was sore with exhaustion and sticky with sweat. Cold water on her skin would have been such a blessing.

Darcy saw the desire in her eyes and grabbed a cloth, dipping it in the basin. "May I?" he asked, standing by the bed.

Anne crossed her arms beneath her chin, closing her eyes. "Please."

He sat down and ran the damp cloth along her spine, to the small of her back. Goosebumps peppered her taut skin and she giggled as he repeated the motion until she could no longer withhold her purrs of pleasure.

She spun around, to look at him, and their gazes met halfway—his playfully wicked, hers hooded with arousal. Darcy licked his lips. Anne was his to toy with, his to torment, and he could barely resist it.

And why should he, when she was such willing prey?

Without taking his eyes off hers, he leaned in and pecked the mark below her breasts. Her fingers threaded through his hair, caressed his scalp, while his tongue traced every line of the seal he had embedded on her body.

Each passing second seemed to accelerate her heartbeat and she soon found herself out of breath. Gripping his hair, she pulled his head up to her face and pressed their mouths together in the most passionate of kisses.

She clung onto him as if he was her only source of oxygen and he reciprocated her fierceness, nearly draining her soul dry. His left hand—his marked hand—slid between her thighs and she arched her hips to meet the warmth of his palm. Anne moaned, and Darcy chuckled into the kiss.

That seemed to break the spell. Cupping his cheeks, she pushed him away and held him at a small distance for a while.

"Enough," she whispered. "Enough."

"As you wish." His hot breath scalded her face and she closed her eyes, dreading the desolation she felt once he retreated his hand.

"Good night, Darcy." Steadying her nerves, she curled up under the duvet, in hopes sleep would quickly take over.

"Good night, Miss."

Darcy stood up, wiping his hands clean, and dumped the cloth in the basin before straightening his sleeves and putting on his gloves.

"Good night," he murmured again as he slipped into his jacket, "I'll be watching over you."

And watch over her he did, stationed at the foot of her bed. Her restless slumber was quite an enjoyable spectacle.