This is the last chapter!


Mr. Darcy breathed deeply and slowly to control his excitement. At the exhibition the other night, he had longed to be the one on the cross. Yet Lord Watsbane had been in authority, as it was his invention. He had not asked for and had not expected, that Watsbane would leave his contraption at Pemberley. Nor had he missed the aristocrat's order to use it himself. He would be able to write an opinion of it in a fortnight or longer, both as the giver and receiver of pleasure.

He would not push Elizabeth too much, as she was new to this sensual play. But yearned to see her standing unclothed in front of him, crop in her hand. Or dressed as if for a ball, with him in his finest evening wear, and they would descend to his dungeon to explore their senses. His rod strained even more.

"Touch me, Elizabeth. You will not hurt me. Rub it along my chest, legs or arms."

He wished he had a fire down here to fully highlight her figure through her nightdress. The light from the lamps was too faint and the shadowy tease of her breasts. Mr. Darcy closed his eyes in delight as she trailed the soft leather tip of the riding crop down his shoulder over his chest to his bellybutton. Elizabeth touched the top of his foot, then slid it up his calf and to his thigh. She was timid with slight touches which were riveting and far more sensual than if she had confidently slapped him with it. The next time, he would ask her to blindfold him. That would certainly make heightened experience dramatically.

He hummed in pleasure when the crop flicked his nipple. What a delight it was to not be in control, to not know what was going to happen subsequently. He was in safe hands with her. Mr. Darcy knew she would do nothing to hurt him. A pat on the side of his thigh brought his mind back to enjoying the experience. Followed by a light tap on his mouth. Then a flick on the end of his nose accompanied by a giggle.

"Elizabeth, please be firmer with your use of the crop on me. Stop teasing me, I beg you."

The scuffing of her slippers on the stone floor announced her locations as she moved around him. Then he startled as she smacked his stomach. It stung slightly, but that was better than the faint touches she had been enticing him with. She truly did not want to hurt him. He did not know how to explain that he wanted the pain.

Harder taps followed on his leg, midsection, chest and arms, but never near that part of him that yearned for her touch. Perhaps next time he could be tied to the cross with his backside exposed. That may make it easier for her to hit him stronger with it.

"Touch my nipples, the inside of my thigh, my rod. Explore me with it."

Her soft, warm hand on his chest followed that plea. It felt more sensual than the crop. Then the tip trailed down his side to the ticklish side of his leg. Lightly teasing him from his knee to his balls.

"Please be gentle with those."

He bit the inside of his cheek then, worried that she might completely avoid that area altogether now from fear of hurting him. In time, though, he hoped she would know his body as well as he did himself.

Finally she trailed the end up along his shaft, pulling deep groans out of his chest.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, no. It feels good. You are performing wonderfully."

Again she rubbed the tip up and down his cock, then flicked it over and over until he was straining against the ties, back arched, crying out. Mr. Darcy hung his head, worn out. His release had never been so powerful. He blinked away the stars as he raggedly breathed.

"Thank you. That was exquisite. You are a true mistress."

###

Mr. Darcy had slept better than he could remember. He could not keep a smile off of his face as his valet dressed him and quickly he was trotting down the staircase, eager for his breakfast. And to see his betrothed again. He hoped she would appear, but she would be sore and tired from their activities the night before. Disappointment flooded him that she was most likely taking the meal in her bedroom.

He walked into the dining room and missed a step as his eyes fell on Elizabeth, already seated in her customary place, to the left of his. Calming his heart that had sped up at the sight of her, he willed himself to walk slowly and act as usual so that no one would suspect their intimacy.

During the meal, he rarely glanced at her, as he found it was quite difficult to not smile and stare when his gaze reached her. He hoped notbody was paying attention to them. Mr. Darcy did not want her reputation called into question.

"I must tell you," Miss Bingley said over the sounds of clinking silverware, "how delicious I find your cook's dishes. She is a wonder. Could you call her here? Please, I want to recognize her skill."

The footman waited for Mr. Darcy's approval of the odd request. Miss Bingley had done nothing like this before. It might be a new method she was trying to ingratiate herself with him. It was far too late for her, but she did not know that. He nodded at the servant who quit the room using the servant doorway.

Not long after the attendant left, she had more to say. "Miss Bennet, I would think that you would be in bed ill today. I am surprised that you came downstairs to break your fast."

Mr. Darcy paused in the act of raising his teacup to his mouth and stared down the table at Miss Bingley. Silence filled the room as the usual sounds accompanying a meal had halted as the other room's inhabitants looked between the speaker and Elizabeth.

"I do not know what you mean, Miss Bingley? I am feeling quite well."

"You were wondering Pemberley last night in your nightdress and robe. I thought you would have caught a cold with such a lack of clothing. That you are not ill is a credit to your robust constitution." She smirked as she sipped her tea.

Mr. Darcy darted his eyes with concern to his now pale betrothed.

"I could not sleep. Cook thankfully prepared me hot milk, and I was able to slumber through the night."

He hoped his alarm did not show, but his apprehension had grown while she had spoken. Elizabeth could prevaricate, which was a tribute to her character, but in this situation would only make everyone suspicious. Damn that woman. How had she seen them? Miss Bingley must have been wandering Pemberley herself. Perhaps to trap him into compromising her.

Cook arrived in the dining room to flowery words from Miss Bingley. Mr. Darcy stared at the haughty gentlewoman as he was positive this was a farce on her part. But Miss Bingley was effusive in her praise and Cook beamed at the compliments. He relaxed and leaned back in his chair, bringing his teacup to his mouth.

"Also, could you share the recipe of your hot milk that you gave to Miss Bennet last evening when she could not sleep? I often find myself unable to fall asleep and would appreciate learning your method. Did you use cinnamon or nutmeg?"

Mr. Darcy stilled.

"I do not know what you mean, ma'am. Miss Bennet did not come down into the kitchen. Not for anything."

All heads were now turned towards Elizabeth, who had blanched. Mr. Darcy returned his teacup with a clatter, pushed back his chair and stood. All eyes were upon him with questioning and confused looks. He strode to stand behind Elizabeth, placing his hands on her slim shoulders.

"I had been waiting for a reply from Mr. Bennet before announcing the news. But this seems an appropriate time. I have asked Miss Bennet to be my wife, and she has accepted."

The look of horror across Miss Bingley's face gratified him immeasurably. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bingley were quick to share felicitations, their joy readily apparent. "We shall be brothers, Darcy!"

The Hursts shared their well wishes, which might not be heartfelt, but he thanked them all the same. All they heard from Miss Bingley was a choked "Excuse me. I feel quite unwell," and the sound of her footsteps as she rapidly departed the room.

The rest of the meal was full of happy discussions of the wedding location, date, trousseau and how delighted this would make Mrs. Bennet to have another daughter wed. Later that day, after wishing the Hursts and Miss Bingley safe travels as they suddenly realized they needed to appear at an important event in London, the happy couple were conversing in the sitting room when the butler entered with the day's mail. Mr. Darcy picked up the envelope from the Bennets and read Mr. Bennet's approval of Mr. Darcy's request to marry his daughter, Elizabeth Bennet. Since she was then residing at her new home, the Bennet family would travel North to view the estate and to attend the nuptials, which they assumed would be held in Lambton, the nearest village to Pemberley.

"Oh no, how could Mama and Papa do such a thing?" cried Jane. "I expect they have not already departed. You must have your wedding in Meryton to say goodbye to your friends, Lizzy."

Elizabeth was all smiles as she turned to look at Mr. Darcy with dare he hope, love in her eyes? "My close friends are right here. Charlotte moved to Hunsford with her husband, Mr. Collins, and you are currently here. No, I can travel back to Hertfordshire anytime, but I am content to stay here. I shall write Mama to have her bring my things with them."

###

That evening, after a day filled with happiness, Jane entered Elizabeth's room in her nightdress and wrap. "Lizzy, you did not tell me the truth last night."

Her attempt at a censuring look provoked laughter out of the younger sister. "Oh, Jane, I could not share the news with you yet." She crossed the bedroom to hold Jane's hands. "Not until Papa had given his permission to Fitzwilliam. I knew you would be unable to keep the secret. Will you forgive me?"

"Of course I will." Her smile faded, though, as Jane studied her countenance. "Are you sure about this? You have always professed your dislike of the man. I do not want you to marry and then be unhappy."

Elizabeth squeezed her sister's hands. "I am quite happy, Jane. He is the most amiable of men. My felicity is a certainty. I shall be happier than you in my marriage, I dare say."

"Lizzy! Be truthful, I am worried about your future."

"I am delighted with him, Jane. We understand each other, and I am in love with him."

Jane studied her, then shook her head. "But when did this occur? You have not spoken of this at all. When did you believe you were in love with Mr. Darcy?"

Elizabeth grinned then bit back laughter, as she could not tell her sister the truth. That it was Mr. Darcy's talented hands and mouth that drew her rapidly down the path to love. "I believe it was when I first saw Pemberley."

"Oh, Lizzy."

###

The wedding of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet was attended by the Bennet family, Bingleys, and surprise guests, the Collins of whom Charlotte was Elizabeth's good friend. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, learning that her nephew was engaged to another woman other than her daughter Anne, became so angered that the Collins decided it was an opportune moment to tour the peak district. Of which Derbyshire, and specifically Pemberley, were located.

Georgiana Darcy was elated to have a sister and arrived from London where she had been staying with their aunt and uncle, the Matlocks. In celebration of their nuptials, the Darcys hosted a ball, the first Georgiana had attended. She was beside herself with excitement and nerves but thought it good preparation for her Season in a few months.

Lord Watsbane received a favorable accounting of his invention from Mr. Darcy. However, the local club was sorely disappointed at the loss of their member. They would have to also find a new location to hold their meetings, as Mr. Darcy's dungeon was now and forever more for the use of only Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.

The End.


I am hoping to publish this soon as in a few days.

EDIT: Now published on all major online book vendors!