*This story is copyright protected

Uploading Weekly / Fortnightly.

Please enjoy!

V x

ANOTHER CHAPTER!

We have arrived at Elizabeth and Darcy's wedding night!

Thank you for all the comments that you left - I have been bitten by a spell of inspiration and hopefully will be giving you another update soon! But for now please enjoy :):):):)

You are all the best and I love being able to share this with you - and my apologies for any grammatical errors and/or spelling mistakes xxx

Please leave a comment, if you feel so inclined - I would like to say a special thanks to all those who are reading and following this story. Especially for all those who have left comments! I am so touched by your kind words and thank you for keeping me motivated and inspired to write more chapters !

Chapter 19

It had been no longer than quarter of an hour since Mr and Mrs Darcy's departure and all of the guests had returned to the house to indulge in more of the wedding breakfast tea and champagne. Mrs Bennet's triumphant gloating could be heard with crystal clarity from the gardens surrounding Longbourn, though Mary was doing her best to find a quiet sanctuary on the tree swing, instead she tried to focus on the gentle sway of the ropes as she moved her legs in rocking motion.

"I cannot believe she is gone and married. It has all happened too quickly to digest." Came the sad notes of her sister Jane's gentle voice.

"It is true, but it pleased me to see that they appeared happy, and my friend will always cater to her best interests. In my opinion you sister could not have found a better partner in life than Darcy." Came Mr Bingley's reassuring reply.

"Charles, you really do know what to say to appease my worries."

Charles?! Thought Mary with a frown. Have they come to an agreement already?

Turning she saw them mooning over one another and heading her way. Desperate not to interrupt a possible proposal Mary stood and moved as stealthily to the gap in the hedges leading to their father's neglected orchards and stumbled on Sir Percy and the Earl of Matlock in a heated conversation. Pressing herself backwards into her hiding place she found she was trapped between too happenings that were none of her concern and gulped at the embarrassing thought of being caught in such a precarious position.

"Are you listening to me? You will desist with your attentions to any of these women."

"Come now, my Lord, I think you are surely being a bit much over a little harmless flirting." Said Sir Percy in usual drawl.

"It had better be, I will not have our family more entwines with such ill breeding - and do not roll your eyes at me. You have a daughter; you should know better!"

Mary felt her knees buckle and she would have fallen to the ground had the hedge not kept her upright. He had a daughter…

"I know my responsibilities!"

"Then stop toying with that little chit. Heaven's think of your wife!"

"Do not bring her into this conversation."

"Why should I not. Someone needs to think of her. Honestly, what is it with this God forsaken part of the country that has addled all of your brains?" cried the Earl in an angry hiss.

Mary heard no more of the conversation as her heart beat so wildly she was sure that both parties could hear it. She wildly began to think over every interaction they had shared, and she began to see each time they had been in company he had been nothing but a gentleman… she had fooled herself into believing he was attracted to her and was flirting with her. Looking down at her skirts peeking from beneath her outerwear she felt a mockery of her former self. What had she done?

Mary looked to leave her hiding place but could not safely do so without Jane and Mr Bingley seeing her. She might just be able to sneak past if she moved slowly enough…

"It is rude to eaves drop." Came the deep rumble of Sir Percy's voice behind her.

Spinning on her heel she collided with the wall of his chest.

"Oh, forgive me I had not intended… that is… I-I did not hear anything."

"No?" he questions with an arch of a dark brow.

"I will not repeat any of what I heard." She whispered dashing a tear that traitorously ran down her cheek.

After a tense moment Sir Percy offered his arm to Mary and the walked into the orchard, which Mary was relieved to see deserted. The Earl must have left through the gate at the other end.

"It is not a secret that I have a daughter." He spoke once they had walked a short way between the trees.

"Yet you have not mentioned them during your stay? Forgive my impertinence that is none of my business and it is not my place to say anything of it."

"It is none of your business and I owe you no explanation… but I find myself wanting to give you one regardless."

Mary's breath caught in her lungs. Though she had just acknowledged that he had not given her any direct reasons to hope that there was anything other than friendship between them, she did not know how well she would handle hearing about the woman he loved enough to marry.

"I married some six years ago now and my wife unfortunately passed shortly after the birth of our daughter. My daughter is solely in my care, and she is the most wonderful and amazing little girl. I did not mention her or my wife because it did not feel like there was an appropriate moment, nor did anyone ask me if I were married etcetera. I did not lie to you, Miss Mary."

"What is your daughter's name?" she choked out, trying to take in this wealth of information he was sharing with her. He spoke flatly when he discussed his late wife, but with deep emotion when speaking of his daughter. Naturally Mary took this to mean his late wife was not up for discussion.

"Her name is Beatrice -" he broke off looking up at the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Percy, come we are leaving." Said his brother Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Miss Mary, allow us to escort you back to the house."

Colonel Fitzwilliam extended his arm in the direction of Longbourn and gave Sir Percy a pointed look which did not go unnoticed by Mary, and the walked back together discussing neutral topics only.

Mrs Elizabeth Darcy. Thought Elizabeth to herself as she sat in the Mistress' chambers of Darcy House.

It felt very odd for her name to change when she still felt the same. But then, she wasn't exactly the same, was she? She was still sister to Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia, still a direct relation of the Bennet's of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, but now she was more as well.

The journey had been uneventful. She had meant to mention the conversation she had overheard at the ball, but it did not feel appropriate. Perhaps she would find it easier to take her new husband to task if he had not defended her or if he was treating her unkindly, but he was not. Elizabeth had been so tired from all that had occurred in recent weeks that she had fallen asleep only to awake as they entered London. In her sleep Mr Darcy had covered her in blankets and placed a pillow at her head, proving his attentiveness. She could only hope she had not drooled or talked in her sleep as she was known to do at times.

Please Lord let me not have been caught snoring!

Darcy house was situated in the most affluent part of London in Mayfair and at first look was overwhelming in its size and edifice. In truth she had not even pictured Pemberley to be such in its dimensions and the thought intimidated her more that she would ever admit. The main staff had all been present and waiting on the marble steps outside of the large double door entrance to the grand home. She took care to remember the names of Giles the Butler and Mrs Gregory the housekeeper, but the rest of the names blurred as she had gone down the receiving line.

It surprised her greatly to have Mr Darcy introduce her to each of them in turn never once unsure of any of their names. For him to show such care and attention, made her feel a little better in her new surroundings. The thought of it being just the two of them in such a large place had unsettled her. How ever would she have found ways to keep him entertained!

She had then been shown to her rooms and introduced to her lady's maid Matilda and there Mr Darcy had left her. Thankfully he had not felt the need to enter her rooms with her and gave her some time to find her bearings. Matilda was a little older than Elizabeth, who had been elevated from a lower position in Pemberley. She was shy at first but soon followed her new mistress' example and was happy to converse but always maintaining the level of respect to her new Mistress.

From what she had seen of her new home, it was all marble, from the polished floors to the vaulted ceilings, to the majestic pillars at each of the room's four corners, with warming carpets and drapes. Nothing was overdone or garish, the space had been thought out and decorated sympathetically, notably her favourite room outside of her chambers had been the main entry hall with its intricately painted ceilings in favour of Greek mythology.

Her chambers were charmingly decorated in pastel teal walls with white bordering and gold trimmings. The draperies were a deep pink silk with blue, yellow, and purple flowers with green stems scattered over them with thick gold fringing and gold tasselled ties. They were the most beautiful and tastefully designed silks. To have had them described she did not believe she would have thought the design would work; however, to see the fabric had her wishing for dresses to be made in the same fashion.

Dinner had passed and Elizabeth could hardly recall the taste of the lamb they had eaten, nor could she remember what they had discussed with the little conversation they had shared. Now alone she stood examining her image in the mirror, as she stood in her usual modest night gown, that floated over her figure in a diaphanous, opaque shield.

For her wedding night, Elizabeth's new Aunt Dorothea had gifted her a nightdress that she had expressed would be just the right thing for a fine figure like hers. Elizabeth was already very fond of the eccentric lady but had shied away from her gift. Aunt Dorothea had chosen a scandalous ivory silk nightgown which had clung to her curves, so thin it was nearly transparent. When she had stood before the looking glass in it, she had gasped at the lack of modesty it had afforded her. The outline of her dusky nipples and the curls over her womanhood were clearly visible even in the candlelight, and she had changed out of it and hung in the back of her closet. Elizabeth took it as another sign that her new family thought she were too forward and would be brazen enough to wear something the first time she welcomed her husband to her bed, and she refused to give into such behaviours.

Her dark hair fell in waves around her, brushing cascading down past her breasts, framing her face as her mother had said she should, but then she could not possibly be the best person to listen too given the strong objection of her from the Earl. Touching her hair self-consciously, Elizabeth quickly set to work braiding it, reasoning it practicality in saving her an additional task before she slept.

Although there was a matching robe for her nightgown, Elizabeth had decided not to put it on as it did not suit the thick wool of the nightgown she had settled on. After all, it would much more comfortable to sleep in once he left her and she doubted he would notice it once under the covers.

When the heavy knock on the door between her and Mt Darcy's room finally came, she nearly jumped in surprise because her nerves were so overset, which she hated as she had spent her entire life trying to pretend this vulnerable part of her didn't exist.

"Elizabeth?" came her husband's voice through the door before the doorknob turned.

Elizabeth felt her awkwardness keenly as she had planned to already be in bed when he came to her.

He froze on the threshold as he took her in and seemed to swallow before he managed to drag his gaze away long enough to close the door. She noticed that he had not changed his attire since dinner though he had removed his boots and cravat leaving his collar was open at the neck giving her a glimpse of his chest. She noticed he had rolled his shirtsleeves up to expose muscular forearms with an alluring smattering of dark hair with prominent veins sitting under the surface of his skin. This masculinity caused her heart to race as she stared fascinated by the exposure of his skin.

"I trust you find your rooms acceptable?" He asked as he glanced briefly at the room.

The question caught her off guard and she eyed him puzzlingly.

"Yes, they are beautiful. I do not feel I could have designed it to suit my tastes any better." She replied clasping her hands in front of her.

"I am glad to hear it," clearing his throat he added, "I have come tonight as it has come to my attention that we have not discussed such details of the intimate aspect of our marriage. Though I hope we shall have children this is not something I should wish to force upon you. I feel it might be best that we wait for a time when you might welcome such advances or perhaps be more comfortable with me as to accept them..." he trailed off clearing his throat once more.

"Oh. Very well. As you wish." Elizabeth replied, her face flaming as she struggled for composure in the face of his rejection. "I thank you, sir that is most considerate." She finally managed to reply happy that she had indeed chosen to change her nightgown.

"Not at all. I bid you good night, Mrs Darcy," he said his eyes warming as he offered her a slight smile. Rubbing the back of his neck absentmindedly he gave a small bow.

"Good night, Mr Darcy." She whispered as he turned towards the adjoining door. "You do not desire me?" She asked unable to stop from saying the words.

He paused with his back to her a moment before turning to face her. In the warm glow of firelight, he could see her emotions dancing across her face casting small shadows upon her delicate features.

"Do you truly believe that?" He asked seemingly shocked.

"I do not believe it is a regular occurrence for a husband not to visit his brides bedchamber to consummate their union on the first night of their marriage." She replied archly.

Elizabeth's gaze was once more drawn to the tantalizing expanse of skin exposed at his neck as it moved each time he spoke or swallowed.

"I desire you very much. I did not wish to pressure you into our marriage bed before you are ready. You were so tired when we travelled… it has been a long day." He replied softly. There was something hypnotic about his dark eyes, when he said he desired her, something that demanded her attention and refused to release it.

"I am as ready as I can be." She declared bravely as she spun on her heel and went to the bed. Climbing into the bed and looking up at the canopy.

Darcy remained frozen in shock. Nothing was happening as it should. If he was going to do this, he should wish to kiss her and see her, but she was probably terrified and this show of bravery from her was most likely on the verge of crumbling. This wasn't how he'd seen his wedding night going, but then again this wasn't how he'd seen his marriage commencing anyway. He might as well embrace it. Tonight, he would let her set the tone for how she wanted it to play out.

"Would you like the candles extinguished?" He asked gently.

She looked to him, her eyes wide and she looked so small and uncertain that his heart went out to her. He extinguished all but two candles so as to provide enough light combined with the fire burning steadily opposite the bed and hated the growing awkwardness forming between them. Something had changed and he had wanted to speak with her about it after she left without a farewell at the ball, but his aunts had convinced him to give her some space and allow her the last days with her family. They had assured him she had been very well and asked after his health when they had seen her, but there was something that had shifted in her…

"Do you… did anyone tell you what to expect tonight?" he asked coming to sit on the side of the bed.

Elizabeth jumped when she felt the bed dip, and blushed nervously before nodding.

"Is there anything you wish to ask me? Would you perhaps care for some wine?" he asked solicitously.

"I am fine, thank you." she said in a strangled voice.

"Elizabeth, will you not look at me?"

She did as he bid and when he bent his head to give her a gentle kiss, she froze her lips clamping shut. He pulled back and looked down at her. She offered him an encouraging smile, though her eyes were wide as saucer.

"It is perfectly normal for you to feel some apprehension. We may cease if you wish it. You need only tell me to stop." He said plainly.

"I do not wish to stop," she said a little panicked. "Forgive me, I am not very good with things that are not known to me. But I know my mind and what I am ultimately feeling, and I am ready to become you wife in body." She whispered her cheeks crimson.

Darcy was at a loss for what to do, he could not see how it would not destroy her confidence and desirability if he should leave her now, but she was not allowing him to initiate the act with any other intimacies… Standing, he looked down at her for a moment before his hands moved to pull his shirt free from his breeches.

Gulping Elizabeth looked away to give him some privacy, her cheeks growing even hotter with her embarrassment, and her mind whirring with what to expect next. Fighting the most insistent urge to turn and look to him, watch him. How far was he undressing? Would he be completely nude?!

He lifted the covers and got into the bed beside her.

"Please do not be afraid of me." He whispered bringing a hand to her chin and turning her face to his.

"I am not afraid of you." she replied closing her eyes as he kissed her again.

She felt breathless all too quickly though the kiss was chaste and turned her head away to gulp in some much-needed air. Her new husband seemed to understand her need for him to continue with the 'deed' as her mother had called it and brought himself to settle his weight over her. Moving at first with slow deliberation raising the hem of her nightdress to her hips before forcing her legs apart to accommodate him. He rested his hips lightly against hers, supporting his weight on one side. Elizabeth had been distracted at having him so close to her. Her eyes glue to the muscular definition of his shoulders and chest that she visibly startled and tried to close her legs when she felt the sensation of Mr Darcy's fingers trailing up her thighs.

"I must ascertain that you are ready for me." He explained, although she could not make sense of how he would know simply from touching her in such a way. She did her best to relax her legs but could not remove the rigidity from her limbs with him touching her there... between her legs... with his fingers! It was shocking to say the least!

"I will be as gentle as I can," he promised. He was pleased and a little surprised to find her wet and had wanted to pleasure her more with his fingers, but she was so embarrassed by everything he had done so far, he did not want her to tense up any further.

"I need you to open your legs wider." He said in a gravelly tone she had not heard from him before.

Then she felt the hot blunt head of his member rubbing up and down between her lips, making her jerk as he touched a particularly sensitive spot. Watching he response he repeated this action a few more times. His chest hairs causing her nightdress to rub torturously against her painfully erect nipples until she felt a warm pulse where Mr Darcy's hips were undulating. Was that coming from her? She thought worrying she might have started her courses.

Elizabeth forgot her embarrassment when she felt his lips at her jaw and then claiming her mouth and felt herself struggling to maintain her composure. Once more she turned her head away gasping and trying to tether herself outside of this experience, she did not know how well she would manage with his lips on her neck as her skin began to tingle and prickle with something unknown. Was this the 'deed'? if so, why has she thought it so terrifying and been taught it would be a painful initiation?

Then Mr Darcy changed his ministrations, and she felt his hardness nudge at her opening between her legs. He pushed forward ever so slightly, working the head of his member inside her tight sheath. The walls squeezed him like a fist, and he had to close his eyes, breathe deeply, to keep from plunging deep too quickly.

Taking a deep breath, she came to the realisation that this was the part that would cause her discomfort. She desperately tried to gather and prepare herself as she stared resolutely at the ceiling trying to ignore the stretch that was starting to sting as he slowly pushed inside of her. Elizabeth gasped against his neck, then flinched crying out when he seated himself to the hilt. A lone tear trickled down her cheek and down her neck.

"Shhhh, I am sorry this first time had to cause you pain," he whispered kissing the cheek where the tear left a cool trial. "I'm going to keep you filled for a moment to stretch you and accustom you to my size."

Elizabeth tried to nod and answer him but instead another tear followed the first and she felt terribly for the anguish she saw in her husband's face. It was such a very odd sensation, something inside of her and the tears were more from the shock of such an invasion that the level of pain.

"It's all right." She pressed her nose into his neck, trying to hide her face from him. "I was only surprised."

"I can s-stop if you are in too much pain. Do you want me to stop?" he asked struggling to keep a level voice as though he were in pain too.

"Do not stop, I am feeling much more accustomed to you." she whispered into his neck not sure if she was saying the correct thing.

He pulled back and thrust again until Elizabeth's breath caught. She was sure he would split her in two.

"Breathe, Elizabeth." She did as he bade her and then held her breath as he slid all the way in again. She felt the tremble of his body as he held her full. "That's my girl." he praised soothingly, and Elizabeth was surprised by the elation he elicited from those three words.

He started to move, rocking into her, while his palms stayed on either side of her head. Elizabeth's body struggled to accommodate him, but with each stroke, the discomfort faded bit by bit into a dull ache. The fullness wasn't as unpleasant as it had initially been, though the sting was still present. A stuttered groan escaped his lips as he began to move with less control. Elizabeth was certainly feeling more discomfort than she'd expected and didn't know how much more she could take. Unbidden she whimpered at the discomfort and clamped her lips together. She tried to distract herself by focusing on keeping her body still, her thighs spread, knees bent and resting on the mattress, but then the feel of him changed as something began to build in her core. Winding tighter and tighter making the burn pleasurable, giving her the strongest urge to embrace him and touch him. Fisting her hands in the sheets and screwing her eyes shut and trying to maintain even breaths so that she not act too forward and wanton.

Looking to her Darcy felt his heart plummet at his beautiful wife's pained expression. She had turned her head away and seemed to be enduring his attentions in silent. Never in his life had he experienced such an encounter with a woman although, never had he bedded an innocent before, and his aunt had warned him that first time they coupled would be a painful ordeal for Elizabeth regardless. He wished now that he had taken the time to prepare her properly, but she did not seem to want to build on the kisses they had shared. Giving a shake of his head he tried not to allow these feelings and emotions to consume him and dampen his ardour, as she lay passively beneath him.

Elizabeth meanwhile felt the slight change in his rhythm as he picked up his pace and suddenly, she felt an urgency in herself as his pelvis kept brushing hers with each thrust. There seemed to be something there that fluttered and sent shudders through her each time. She drew in a sharp intake of breath as she struggled to maintain her self-control, digging her heels into the mattress to keep from arching into him, when he hilted himself with a savage thrust and stiffened, his taut body spasming and jerking as he filled her. Elizabeth gloried in the feel of each and every contraction of his thick organ, burning the moment into her mind.

Pleasure washed over him, and he gritted his teeth, muscles quivering, he held himself braced over her to keep his weight from crushing her as he emptied himself inside of her. It was the first time he'd ever done so inside a woman and the pleasure of it was indescribable. How he wished this could have been in the arms of a woman who welcomed him, though perhaps this would be something that would always need to be built on with an innocent.

"Forgive me. Are you well?" he asked gently.

Unable to speak she gulped in much needed breath and felt him tenderly bestow a kiss to her temple as he drew back from her, pulling himself free from her. She couldn't prevent her sharp hiss of pain at the sting she felt both literally and emotionally from the breaking of their connected bodies.

"Are you very sore?" he asked.

"Please, do not worry yourself. I am perfectly well, this is... I have been told that this is part of the course." She said blushing.

He simply nodded as he moved to rise from the bed. Elizabeth looked away quickly at the canopy above once more though, she did spy his bared back from her peripheral vision. She pulled the covers up from her chin and waited for him to retire to his own apartments. A tug on the duvet startled her and she looked up at him in confusion. Thankfully he had pulled on his shirt and breeches.

"If you will relinquish the covers, I shall see to your comfort..."

"My comfort?" she puzzled and then noticed the wet cloth in his hand. "No need Mr Darcy, I shall do so after you retire."

She was surprised to see a moment of hurt flash across his features and hastened to add, "Thank you for your care, I am afraid this has been a rather overwhelming and momentous day with many changes to take in."

"Of course. I will leave you then. Please do ring for any staff should you need them."

"I shall, thank you and good night."

"Very well. Good night, Mrs Darcy." he said with an awkward bow before he quit the room.

Elizabeth waited a moment for him to leave before she moved her hand down to the juncture in thighs to find that she was in need of a clean. Her thighs were sticky and lifting her knees to spread her thighs once more she groaned at the heavy soreness of them and then froze at a noise through the connecting door, worried he might come back to her. But after a moment relaxed and carried on with her task. Wiping herself she gently drew the cloth over womanhood and delighted in the cool feeling against over sensitive skin. Even in the dim light Elizabeth could make out the faint pink staining the white fabric. A bubble of excitement and giddiness ran through her at what she had experienced, and she laughed to herself in awe that she had done and survived this act with none other than Mr Darcy. And that they were married, and he was her Husband!

Frowning she then replayed what had happened and realised she didn't really know what had happened or what on Mr Darcy's body had joined with her. She knew it was called 'his member or staff' from her mama but not what it looked like. From the feel of its size, she did wonder at how he could conceal something so large within his attire?

Is there something you use to contain it? like a lady's stay's perhaps? or a garter that you wear across your hips?

Yawning Elizabeth laid back in the bed moving to the opposite side and allowed herself to feel proud of how well she had conducted herself. The experience had not been terrible and though it had hurt but she found herself not averse to welcoming him to her bed again. A bed which had the most comfortable mattress she had ever had the pleasure of sleeping in. As Elizabeth drifted off, she felt happy and content with her first day as Mrs Darcy and was looking forward to exploring Darcy House further the next day.