The tour of Pemberley was most intriguing. The insight the housekeeper gave such as his younger sister's preferred instrument, or Mr. Darcy's favorite tree to climb as a lad, added a dimension she had not expected. She had to admit that she fell in love with the estate. What would it be like to be mistress of a place such as this?
With her sister married to Mr. Darcy's best friend, perhaps she had a greater chance of that happening? But no, he had given no sign he was interested in her. Far the opposite in fact. She could not forget the first words she had heard him utter about her "not handsome enough to tempt me" or the slight to her mother. No, it was quite fine. She was not Mrs. Darcy and had no luck of it occurring.
With the conclusion of the tour, Mrs. Reynolds escorted her to the music room, where everyone was listening to Mrs. Hurst play the grand piano while Miss Bingley sang. A glance about the space showed their number was one short. Mr. Darcy was not among them. It was still daylight, and he was most likely busy in his study. The housekeeper had not mentioned the exact amount, but said the lands of Pemberley were extensive, with many fields and tenants.
"How was the tour, Lizzy?"
She turned to face her sister next to her on the settee. "Pemberley is beautiful. The furnishings and decorations are high quality but understated, just as I would have ordered it." She smiled at Jane's look, who well knew her thoughts about the estate's owner. "You should take a tour, too. I must warn you about the library though. I wanted to stay and never come out!"
"I am not surprised. You read more than any of us, other than Mary."
"But Mary only reads Fordyce's Sermons where I am quite happy reading novels, and books on a great variety of subjects."
Mr. Bingley leaned past his wife. "I am sure Darcy would offer you the use of any book in his library. I doubt he has read even one tenth of the holdings!"
She frowned. "Oh, I did not realize Mr. Darcy bought books to display and not read."
"Oh no, I am afraid I misspoke," said Mr. Bingley. "Generations of Darcys have contributed to the library. There are thousands of books. Darcy intends to read all of them, but has only perused one tenth so far. He keeps a list of what he has finished."
She sat back, relieved the handsome man had not disappointed her in that respect. Elizabeth could admire him and his estate, even though she was sure they would not suit. And she needed to keep reminding herself of that fact or she would be in danger of wanting to be his wife.
She winced as Miss Bingley started another song. The music did not benefit her voice and often she was flat. It was a good thing she was practicing without Mr. Darcy in their midst. Instead of securing his attachment, she would drive it away.
"I am going to explore the library." She muttered to Jane.
"If you are not at supper, I will inform a servant to fetch you from your books." Jane said with a smile.
Elizabeth laughed, then quit the room. She walked down the hall to the library, then looked around. No servants were in sight, and she did not hear anyone moving about. She opened the door and peeked in, tempted to enter and do just as she had said to her sister. But no, this was her chance to have a look behind the secret door.
She quickly slipped inside the gaming room and gently closed the door. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would burst out of her chest. Never had she secretly explored someone's home before. The only house she had resided in that was not a relative was Netherfield Hall. And Mr. Bingley had told her that any room was available to her while she was staying to see to Jane's care. She could not imagine Mr. Darcy saying the same.
Though he had been amiable so far, he had made it no secret that he had disliked her from the first occasion he had seen her in Meryton. Elizabeth was sure in another day he would be back to staring at her and cataloging all her defects.
She quietly walked over to the bookshelf to pull the books off the third shelf, when she noticed that the hidden door was slightly ajar. She gasped, then tried to calm her racing heart. Either someone was in the room now, or they had departed and the door did not latch. If it were her, she would have checked the door had latched when she stepped down on the staircase. Therefore, this was the opportune moment to explore.
She descended onto the first stone step, then turned and softly pulled the door closed until she heard the click of the latch. Her heart was beating wildly. Elizabeth tried to quieten her hastened breathing, then almost laughed at herself because there was no one in the cellar to hear her.
Down the steps she went quietly. She could not quite make herself behave as if not a soul was in the hidden room. The closer she walked to the curve in the staircase, the more her body thrummed with excitement. Finally, she turned the corner and stepped out into the secret chamber.
She did not know what she was seeing. It was all so bizarre, with no sense or reason why these items were stored together in this room. A padded bench and kneeler, like the kind found in a church but with padding. A whip hanging on the wall along with another item that must ease horse's muscles. It had a handle and several leather strips coming out that were tied in knots at the end. Was there a door to the stable from this hidden room? Could Mr. Darcy have a horse that he was raising in secret? Perhaps one that would race at Ascot for the Gold Cup?
Elizabeth turned to the right, expecting to see more equine related items, but frowned at the odd contraption against the wall. She knew little about horses or their care. At Longbourn they had only one horse that was wanted more in the fields than for pulling their carriage. She had learned to ride, but very ill. She walked to the large wooden thing that was shaped like the letter x. There were ties at the end of each wooden plank. How bizarre.
The sound of scuffing against the stone floor echoed throughout the chamber. She spun around looking down expecting to see a large rat tearing at something, but instead she saw two polished Hessian boots worn by muscled legs in breeches. Her eyes moved up the male body to a blue jacket, waistcoat, white cravat, and Mr. Darcy's handsome face.
Elizabeth stared. She did not know how to explain her presence in this secret chamber. If he threw her out for invading his privacy, she would have to stay at the inn in the nearest local village. But she had no money. Perhaps she could ask Jane. Mr. Bingley would surely give his wife money. She would have to ask Jane before he found out that she had angered his good friend.
All of this went through her mind in a flash. She still could not think of anything to say. Especially not with Mr. Darcy staring at her. Then she realized there was a rhythmic tapping sound. She slowly looked down. Mr. Darcy held a riding crop and was smacking the end against his boot. She swallowed and raised her eyes to his face again.
He did not seem angry, but his gaze was intense and caused her to feel breathless. She felt hunted somehow.
"Miss Bennet, I did not expect to see you down here. Though I should not be surprised. If anyone would have figured out I had a hidden room, it would have been you."
"I apologize. I found the door slightly ajar, and I had to explore. Please forgive me." She held her hands clasped in front of her, hoping he would not toss her out for this horrible breach of privacy. It would be so embarrassing. Caroline Bingley would lord it over her and surely spread the news all over Meryton. "I will tell no one that I saw this secret room for your horse."
The tapping stopped as he frowned. "My horse?"
"Yes. This must be a secret room for a horse you want no one else to see. Perhaps a winner for the Ascot Gold Cup?"
He stared at her like he had never seen her before. Then the edges of his lips turned up in a smile, the first she had ever seen on him. It transformed his features completely. She had thought him handsome before, but now her knees were weak.
"This room is a secret, but I am not keeping a horse here. This chamber and what is in it must stay a secret, Miss Bennet."
She nodded, hoping that meant he would not turn her out.
"You are very inquisitive. Would you like to know what these accouterments are for?" He waved a hand at the room.
"I am quite confused. I do not perceive what they could be for, If not for the care of a horse."
Mr. Darcy's smile grew into a smirk and his eyes intensely stared at her again. She felt a tug at her dress's hem. A quick glance down showed the end of the riding crop flicking the bottom of her dress. She looked up at him, frowning.
"This is a room that I have longed to see you in, Miss Bennet. I thought at first you were a vision that my mind had conjured up, but you are quite real."
Elizabeth opened her mouth, but she knew not what to say. She was off balance. Mr. Darcy was acting in a manner she had never seen.
He raised his hand palm up and lightly smacked it with the crop. "It is rather a loud sound, is it not? But it does not hurt. Well, not much." His eyes darkened. "Just enough to titillate. Have you ever felt the riding crop, Miss Bennet?"
Elizabeth slowly shook her head and wondered if she should step back to the staircase and make a run for it.
"This room I created under Pemberley is all about enhancing the senses. Would you like me to demonstrate?" He paused. She could only stare at this man that looked the same as Mr. Darcy but acted so unlike the proud, arrogant one she knew. "I would have your consent, Miss Bennet."
He slowly sauntered around her, his boots loud on the stone. She felt excited, which made her horrified at herself. Yet her body was tingling, alive. "Yes."
Elizabeth jumped at the small stinging smack on her rump. She covered the spot with her hand and turned towards him, glaring. She stepped backward, away from the tip of the riding crop he had been sliding down her hip and leg. Her breath quickened as he followed her movement, trailing the crop along her thigh. She tried to move, but her legs were like jelly.
"Does that not heighten your sense of touch?" He trailed it up the side of her legs, hip and up to her chest, touching the bottom edge of her breast.
She put her hands out and held the crop. "Mr. Darcy!"
"You wanted your senses enhanced. Allow me to show. I think you will find it quite pleasurable."
