AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have tried to keep this within the T rating. Remember that there will be an eventual HEA for D & E.
That very night, when Darcy walked Elizabeth up to her room, he asked, "You are not indisposed, are you?" She assured him that she was not. "Then, as soon as the staff has all gone, I will come to take you to him. The house should be quiet in an hour." He obviously expected that she still might refuse if he did not physically take her to him.
That hour seemed to go by slowly as she was very nervous. She did not realize that she had washed herself much more carefully than normal. She was tempted to wear her best nightgown, but decided not to. She was feeling like it could be her wedding night, except that she had waited in vain that night. She was quite sure this night would be different. When her husband tapped on her door, she came out dressed in a robe. Neither said anything as he led her down to Richard's room. He tapped on the door and opened it even before they heard anything from within. He stood aside to let her enter. Still, neither had said a word, even when he left. He just walked away.
Richard was waiting by the door and locked it behind her as soon as he thought that Darcy had gone back to his own room. He did not touch her; he just looked at her and said, "Elizabeth, I know that this is very awkward for both of us. I thought that we might sit for a while and have a glass of wine. Does that sound agreeable?" He did not want her to see how much he was looking forward to this.
They sat and he poured two glasses of wine. He noticed that she drank hers quickly, obviously very nervous. "Elizabeth, the only reason I agreed to do this was his threat to bring a stranger to you if I did not agree. However, I have to admit that I have liked you ever since we first met. This does not to be an unpleasant event for either of us. I promise that I will be gentle and patient with you." He almost said that he had dreamt of being with her in this way for a long time, but he did not want to risk that she might become angry at him for having inappropriate thoughts about her.
Neither of them said anything more until she whispered, "Let us get this over with." She went to the bed and took off her robe. She lay on the bed and pulled her nightgown up to her waist. She did not look at him; she just closed her eyes tightly and waited. "What are you waiting for? Just do it." She sounded almost angry.
Richard could not believe what he was seeing and hearing; this is not what he had in mind. He wondered if this is what she had experienced with Darcy. He went to the bed and pulled her nightgown down. This surprised her and she opened her eyes and looked at him.
He lay beside her and asked, "Elizabeth, do you trust me?"
"Of course I do. Did I not turn to you when I had that trouble with Mr. Wickham?"
"Yes, that was one type of trust. There is more to trust than that. Do you really trust me?"
"If you mean, do I trust you with my person, yes I do. I am here, after all."
"For that level of trust, I thank you, but do you trust me even more than that?" He had put his arms around her and had pulled her close to him. She did not resist even though this was not what she had expected.
"I do not understand what you are asking. Please explain." Now she was confused.
"Elizabeth, I do not know what your experience with Darcy has been and I will never ask. In my experience, making love can result in a great deal of pleasure and deep feelings for my partner. If our being together results in deep feelings between us, will you trust me with your happiness? I promise that I will never do anything to hurt you and I will do whatever you want, no matter what. I want only the best for you. I think that this will be difficult for me, at least, as I like you very much. I could never just get on top of you to 'get it over with.' That would not be pleasant for either of us. I would much rather have you trust me to do it in a better way; the way that a man and a woman should do it if they care for each other. I will try to be gentle with you and will do my best to make this pleasurable for you. I ask only that you trust me with both your person and your feelings."
He pulled her even closer to him and whispered, "Now, just relax. Do not worry about anything. Try not to think about anything; just empty your mind. Let your feelings be the only thing in the whole world. Just trust me."
He put his hand on the side of her face and turned her to him. He kissed her very lightly, and then kissed her again, just as lightly but for just a bit longer. Then he kissed her cheek, her neck, then back to her lips; this time taking longer and with a bit more pressure. She had been rigid, but he felt her whole body relax against him as she began to return his kisses without even realizing what she was doing. She just let herself go. He turned her on her side, facing him. He felt her put her arms around his neck. This is what he wanted; she was beginning to feel the effects of his kisses. He had thought that she would be responsive if he took it slow and easy.
She could not believe how gentle he was, how wonderful it felt to be held in a loving embrace. She had never been held like this ever before; it was wonderful. His lips were so warm, so soft. Kissing him was an unexpected pleasure. She had wondered what kissing would be like, but her imagination had not conjured anything even remotely like this actual experience. They became even more pleasurable as their kisses became longer and deeper. She had had no idea that kissing could bring so much pleasure. Her warm feelings moved from her lips to her whole body.
He was rubbing her back, and then moved his hand down to her bottom, pulling her closer to him. She could feel that he was ready and wondered why he did not just take her. Already she had been with him for much longer than she had ever been with her husband. As her feelings increased, all thoughts of her husband disappeared from her mind. He just continued to run his hand over her, moving down her leg to the hem of her nightgown. He put his hand under the hem and began to move it up her leg, caressing her slowly and softly. He continued to kiss her as he did this, which, with his touching her so gently, was giving her feelings that she had never experienced before. She wondered if there could be more to come. Was more pleasure even possible? This was sheer bliss.
As he continued to touch her ever so gently, she began to experience feelings that she had never dreamt were possible. How was it that she had had no conception that such pleasure could be had from marital relations? This was giving her feelings that she could never have imagined. She was soon floating, soaring; she gave in to the physical pleasures he was giving her. Nothing else existed in the world; just this moment. She was soon moaning with pleasure. "Oh! Richard! Oh! Do not stop!"
She reached a peak; a peak that she had no conception could have existed before actually experiencing it. "Richard! Oh, Richard!" Her moan was almost a shout. He held her lips in a kiss as he tried to swallow her excited cries so the whole house was not alerted. When her breathing became more normal, she whispered, "I had no idea such feelings were possible. What did I just experience? What did you do to me? That was simply incredible. Was that heaven?"
"Elizabeth, that was just a normal reaction to love-making when it is done right. I asked if you really trusted me as I wanted to have you experience what is possible between a man and a woman. It gets even better; the best feelings result from a couple who want only to give each other pleasure. I wanted only to make you reach the heights of ecstasy that I know are possible. Now, do you want me to reach those same feelings? Are you ready for me?"
"Yes! Yes! Please!"
He slowly and gently began to take his own pleasure; he noticed how ready she was for him. While he wanted so desperately just to reach his own peak quickly, he wanted to make this experience something that she would never forget. He was obviously very skilled at this and brought them both to the heights of indescribable joy at the same moment. He again had to stifle their moans and cries of joy. When they were both breathing normally, he carefully rolled them onto their sides, not losing his intimate contact with her.
"Richard, I had no idea that I could ever feel something as wonderful as that. I felt it twice! It was simple incredible! Unbelievable! Was it so good because you are very skilled and experienced in love-making?"
"Partly, but any couple should both experience this if they care for each other and take the time needed for its achievement." He had to be very careful at what he said as he did not want to disparage Darcy, even though he now knew now that he deserved it. How could he possibly not have known what joy could be achieved with such a passionate woman? He was actually shocked when he thought that Darcy had been either completely inexperienced or uncaring when he made love to this wonderful woman. She was obviously very responsive, so it did not require much effort or skill to give her pleasure. Was it possible that Darcy just did not care enough for her to want her to enjoy their physical relations? Is that why he could have asked him to be with her to provide him with an heir? Five minutes, indeed!
Before Elizabeth went back to her own room, they again enjoyed the wonders that they now knew were possible. This next time was even better as they were more comfortable with each other.
"Will you come to me tomorrow? Please? Darcy knows that a number of joinings will be necessary before you fall with child." He wanted to tell her how much he felt for her, even more now than before, but he did not dare. He knew their relationship could not proceed beyond these physical wonders. It was only later that he felt a bit guilty; after all, his wife had died so recently. However, when he was with Elizabeth, no one else in the world existed.
"Richard, nothing could keep me away." She reached up to give him a long kiss. "Until tomorrow." When Elizabeth went back to her room, she could not help but smile; she was still feeling the incredible ecstasy that she had felt. She was still warm all over. When she was back in her own bed, she could only think of Richard and the delights that he had given her. She wondered if their relationship could ever be the same; could their physical passion turn into something even deeper? What about her marriage and her husband?