Chapter 27

With everything more or less back to normal in the house, and all the servants but Simon knowing their place and sticking to their own part of the house and their jobs, they hardly get to speak to Bob anymore, so that afternoon after riding they make an effort to find out how the faithful driver and stable-hand is doing.

He is not comfortable at all at being addressed personally and doesn't manage to talk to his master and mistress very well, but he leads them to the stalls where the two solidly built horses of the slow team are munching their hay quietly. By now he can speak again, and he proudly asks, 'Can you see the difference, master?'

Fitzwilliam looks them over well, and to his credit enters both stalls to feel their inhabitants' condition as well, before he remarks, 'They're very heavily muscled, Bob, I don't think they were before, and they seem quite a bit sleeker. And of course their coats are shiny and they seem very content.'

Beaming, the plain young man confirms, 'You always were a good judge of horses, master, I've been exercising them as much as I would the fast team, the poor creatures never get to see a meadow or even a paddock so the least I can give them is enough time to really stretch their legs despite the snow. I've found a perfect lane to let them go all out, even in the snow, I bet they won't be as lead-footed as they were for being lazy buggers.'

As soon as he hears himself speak he quickly says, 'I'm sorry Mrs Darcy, that is no way to talk in front of a lady.'

'No harm done, Bob, and the horses look fine indeed. They seem to be an exact match, while I have no trouble recognising Daisy, I couldn't keep the one from the other with these two.'

'Begging your pardon, Mrs Darcy,' the stolid servant observes, 'but master Hugo would never allow anything less than a perfectly matched team in the master's stables. Well, excepting the thoroughbreds of course, they're so rare and such a new breed that it's a miracle master Hugo found four the same colouring and more or less the same size at all.'

'It took a year before he had a full team,' Fitzwilliam observes, proudly, Elizabeth notices, he does have some vanity after all, 'and then he spent half a year getting them used to pulling a carriage. I had to wait nearly two years before I could show off my lightning fast team. How long before you were allowed to drive them, Bob?'

'As long again, master,' Bob replies, 'it must have been a full two years, and very proud I was to have master Hugo and yourself put such trust in me. It was mighty difficult to please master Hugo, but I've never been sorry to bear with his teaching methods, for being your driver is the best job in the world, master.'

'There is no-one I trust more, Bob,' Fitzwilliam returns the compliment, 'I hope you'll stay my driver for as long as you can handle the strain, physically and mentally.'

Now Bob looks positively doubtful, which is strange, for Fitzwilliam has been very clear how much he trusts this insignificant looking young man. At his master's inquiring look he explains: 'I like nothing better than being your driver, master, but something has come up that might become a kind of problem.'

'You have not been imposed upon again, have you?'

'No, master, no certainly not, everyone has been very nice, maybe a bit too nice, this being a problem of a very good nature, but a possible problem nonetheless.'

Another encouraging look is needed to make him speak up.

'Well, you see, there is Fanny, one of the maids Janine hired?'

Elizabeth knows whom he is talking of, a very pretty, sweet natured girl of almost twenty who was not dismissed when they had first returned to London and found the house in the grip of dissonance and abuse of power. A hard-working, gently spoken girl and elegantly beautiful as well, not stuck-up like some of the city maids.

As Fitzwilliam nods as well, acknowledging he knows who Fanny is, Bob states, with a lot of pride colouring his voice, 'Well, Fanny and me, we've become quite attached, and I'm thinking of asking her to get engaged.'

As he tells this, Elizabeth knows her surprise must be written all over her face, so rude, but how can such a plain, insignificant man capture the attention and affection of such a pretty and undoubtedly much-admired girl?

Bob is already explaining, 'I was surprised, too, when she told me she liked me more than just as a friend, I have heard that last a lot, you see, for being so plain, 'Bob, I like you very much, but you're like a brother to me.' But not Fanny, and she meant it too, I'm sure.'

'Now it's my turn to apologise, Bob,' Elizabeth tells him frankly, 'showing my doubts that way was very rude of me. I'm very sorry, I hope I haven't hurt your feelings.'

The young man laughs ingratiatingly, actually improving his looks quite a bit, and he rushes to say, 'Oh no, Mrs Darcy, I know I'm as plain as a board, and I'm quite used to being slighted by the girls. No offence taken, I was as surprised as anyone to be noticed by such a beautiful angel. But when I told her, for I did, she became quite annoyed and said, 'Bob Jones, don't ever let me hear you talk yourself down like that ever again! You are the sweetest man I have ever met, and you have a very important job. Simon said he heard the master tell you he trusts his life, and Mrs Darcy's, and Miss Darcy's to you and that you are irreplaceable to him. And I just know you'd never hurt the woman you loved, or take her money for drinking or gambling, and you'd worship the ground she walked on.' Where do you suppose she learned to talk like that?

Anyways, she managed to convince me that looks aren't everything, and we have been talking a lot and going out in our spare time, and I suppose we're in love.'

Fitzwilliam manages to keep a straight face through Bob's whole story, and gravely says, 'Congratulations, Bob, that is a very nice girl you've managed to find yourself involved with. But I frankly don't see any problem, you are allowed a life of your own, aren't you? I know it isn't common for maids to marry, but it's not unheard of for two servants of the same household to make match, is it?'

This is hard for Bob, he is really struggling to voice his possible problem. But after a few moments he tries.

'Well you see, master, Fanny is a city girl, and I'm away at Pemberley for most of the year, so we'd hardly see each other.'

'I see, and if you stay in this household you will not be able to drive the fast team for me anymore. Well, we'll have to get Mr Hugo to rush Bruce through training then.'

Is Fitzwilliam seriously making fun of Bob? Yes, he is, but the poor fellow is still so in awe of his master that he doesn't even get it, he's very upset but he doesn't dare to protest his master's seemingly flippant reaction, and rightfully so. Making fun of people can be very entertaining, but this is not funny at all to Bob. Or is it?

Slowly, a smile spreads over Bob's face, he is kind of cute like that, and he dares to speak. 'Master, you must be making fun of me, for I know you would never put Mrs Darcy's life in the hands of someone who let your horses grow fat and placid. But I suppose that means you have already thought of a solution, for you'd never joke about anything serious.'

So much trust in a single human being, how does Fitzwilliam live up to those expectations?

'You are right of course, Bob, Bruce will need at least a year of learning how to work hard before Mr Hugo will even think about letting him ride or drive a horse. I was thinking more in the lines of taking Fanny along with us to Pemberley a few times, see if she really can't get used to the country. I'm certain Mrs Reynolds can use an extra hand when Mrs Darcy and I ask some friends over to enjoy spring with us.'

'Thank you so much, master! I didn't dare hope you'd do that for us, Fanny reckons she'll be looking for a new job come spring, I'm sure she'll be thrilled to stay in your service a little longer.'

'And we'll be happy to have both of you, Bob. I'll ask Mrs Annesley to take of the details, you just pop the question. Or wait until Mrs Annesley has made our offer to Fanny, then make your proposals. I dare not give you advice there, since I have proven not to have a talent for that kind of business.'

Elizabeth suspects Bob is a quicker thinker than he seems to be, for the plain young man's face softens, then produces a big smile as he dares observe, 'Everything seems to have worked out just fine for you, master, I sure hope I will do as well. Thank you very much for your kindness, I think I'll wait a bit before I speak, that may be the safest way to go, it's only been three weeks since we really talked the first time.'

Realising she had never really talked with Fitzwilliam before she accepted his second proposal, Elizabeth considers that in fact she may have followed Charlotte's advice without even being aware of it. She didn't really know the man she married at all, of course his attachment was serious, and had stood the test of many months' adversity, but he could have been disappointed after really getting to know her, as might she.

As they take leave of Bob and go into the house, Elizabeth rubbing Daisy's good-natured long nose one last time as they pass her stall, she asks Fitzwilliam, 'Weren't you afraid that I would be a totally different person from the woman you fell in love with? That you would be sadly disappointed? We never exchanged more than ten very polite sentences without other people present. Apparently Bob and his Fanny have already talked intimately for several evenings.'

'There were certainly times when I wished desperately for an opportunity to speak with you frankly, to tell you how much I still loved you and to beg you to give me a chance to prove to you that I was not the man you hated so much.

But I never doubted you were the only possible woman for me, not even one moment, not even when all seemed lost. Isn't that strange? I truly think I would have loved you forever, even if you had refused me again. Remember, I'm almost ten years older than you and I had never met a woman that I could imagine being married to in all my adult life.

After Hunsford I decided I would allow myself to mourn your loss for six months, and then I would choose a genteel girl and marry her for duty. But after meeting again at Pemberley I knew I couldn't ever marry someone else, and the first time we really talked proved I had been right all the time, you were exactly whom I thought you were.

But dearest Elizabeth, you know I don't need to talk to be with someone, and though we never talked much, I did spend time with you, those moments so special to me despite little being said. And despite being so nervous I could hardly have spoken even if I had wanted to.'

He has taken her in his arms by now, his feelings needing some outlet besides the words he carefully formulates.

'And you my love,' he asks, 'did you ever fear I would turn out to be a totally different person than you thought?'

'After we met at Pemberley I started to develop an appreciation for you, started to understand we would have made a great match. Being convinced that match would never happen because of Lydia's shame, my appreciation turned into regret and desire to be with you. But that was all rationally, I wasn't passionately in love. I only discovered passion with you, when I first smelled your personal scent, when I felt your solid shape beneath my hands, when we kissed.

And since I decided I wanted to be with you in full possession of my wits and was never blinded by love, I suppose I was convinced you'd be the man I thought you were. Until just after our marriage, when I had met all your connections, seen your town-house, started to realise how rich you really were. Then I was a bit afraid I'd be a disappointment to you, until you proved to me I wasn't.

But I do think it is much more sensible to talk first, get to know each other.'

They are kissing now, in the little hall connecting the stables to the house, and between kisses Fitzwilliam says frankly, 'I think I am to blame for that, for when you think of it, didn't we have plenty of time to really talk? In Hertfordshire during parties, your sister and Bingley certainly talked a lot, but also when your sister was ill at Netherfield, and when I visited you at the parsonage or walked with you in the park at Hunsford. I could have started a true conversation any time, and I would have found out what you thought of me, and might have been able to make a better impression on you. Of course I was nervous and tongue-tied, but I was also afraid to encourage you before I had decided whether I really wanted to marry you at all.

But those doubts were solely over your family and mine, not even one concerned you, even then I knew you were perfect for me.

May I take you to the bedroom? I think I want to be really close to you, closer than decency allows, even in our very own home.'

'Yes, please, love, I want to feel you, too, without all these clothes between us. Let's hurry.'

They reach the bedroom without being seen, and without stopping too often for a few more kisses or some heated fondling. When they have finally closed the door behind them, Elizabeth considers how unfair it is that she has so many layers of clothing to remove, whereas Fitzwilliam has just her riding dress and a tiny corset under her coat to take off her. Well, and her woollen underwear, which may not be the most exciting garment to find one's young wife in.

'Aren't you cold in just that one dress, Elizabeth, and the coat over it? I have so many more layers of clothing than you, and your fashionable dresses are positively flimsy, aren't you cold in the house in the middle of winter?'

'The coat is actually very warm, my love, the fur collar stops draughts, and you'll soon find I'm wearing very disenchanting woollen underwear beneath my skirts, as well as those lovely boots you convinced me to have made. I thought it ludicrous to buy hunting gear in the middle of London, but they're the best boots I ever owned.'

He smiles at her praise of her new boots, and continues, 'And in the house?'

Her beloved clearly cannot believe she is not cold without wearing a coat inside, as he does even in the heat of summer.

'I have those woollen shawls whenever I get chilly, I'm totally fine. Your staff makes great fires.'

'I just feel it's not fair that you should have so many layers to peel off me, and I get only a dress and some underwear. Anyway, I'm thinking of wearing shoes more often, what would you think of that?'

Elizabeth thinks that is a great idea, but she's not planning to talk shoes right now. She unbuttons Fitzwilliam's riding coat and drapes it over a chair, then starts on the tight coat beneath that.

By now Fitzwilliam is all over her, and he removes her coat and puts it on top of his own, no reason for all their chairs to smell of horse. As his inner coat disappears to another chair, and the top buttons of his shirt are loosened, he starts on Elizabeth's dress, but not before kissing her.

Soon they are lying wrapped in their comfortable blankets, warm and snug, but stroking and feeling, Elizabeth's senses heightened by the heat smouldering inside her. She relishes her beloved's scent, so familiar and so exciting, and explores his slim figure with the smooth skin and the little hairs in exactly the right places. His chest is pliant, but not as soft as her own, he clearly has more muscle, of course he rides nearly every day, and his spirited black horse keeps his arms in constant action.

His stomach is firmer, almost flat, her own has flattened since she has started riding regularly, so she knows how his got that way, but he is rather ticklish so she strokes it less gently than his chest or he'll double up. His sides are too sensitive to really caress with her hands, she is trying to get him used to being touched there but it takes time.

Of course Fitzwilliam is not just lying there, he is stroking her with quite some heat, he is fondling her breasts, relishing the incredibly soft flesh, licking and gently sucking her nipples, giving her the shivers and a burning sensation between her legs.

Her own hands now explore his magnificent legs, solid with packed muscle, strong and very sensitive. His nice behind needs some attention, too, and then she turns to the part that isn't ticklish at all, already eagerly awaiting any attention it might get, firm and soft at the same time.

After fondling his manhood some more, she wants to feel its smooth head with her tongue, and she crawls under the blankets and explores all of it. That pleases her beloved more than a little, but after a short time he removes himself from her mouth and says: 'That's a teeny bit too exciting, love, it'll be over way too soon if you continue. Better let me for a while.'

And he carefully spreads her legs and returns the favour until she is shuddering with release, eager now to feel him inside her, but also to have him in her arms where she can hold him. Of course her love knows exactly what she wants, and before the climax wanes, he thrusts himself into her, and his solid, warm body covers her own, his mouth kissing her greedily as he puts in quite a lot of effort.

This just never gets boring, being so connected, so intimate, and all this time the heat inside her rises until she cannot keep from crying out in ecstasy as another high washes over her. Her beloved doesn't last much longer than herself, and after climaxing with an intense shudder, he lowers himself on her to relish their intimacy just a little bit longer.

After their long ride in the cold, the comfortable warmth of their little nest under the blankets, and the release of their heat make them drowsy, and before they know it they have dropped off, still entangled.

A knock on the door wakes Elizabeth, and Simon's loud whisper follows: 'Wake up, you lovebirds, dinner's nearly ready, and if you don't come down in half an hour, Miss Darcy threatens she will fetch the both of you herself. Without knocking first.'

He really has no respect, that Simon, but this sounds as if he is literally repeating what Georgiana told him to, in which case they must forgive him. Again.

'Better come in then Simon, and make us.'

Did Fitzwilliam really say that? And here Elizabeth was blaming Simon for lacking respect, but it's her beloved who encourages him, apparently. Will Simon do what his master says, despite his mistress being in the room with him, most likely totally undressed?'

'That is not fair, Mr Darcy, how can I obey you when doing so would anger the mistress?'

'All right, all right, Simon, never mind my silly remarks, just give us a few moments to wash and dress decently. Though I do kind of miss being woken by having the blankets pulled off the bed in one tug, or by having a wet towel dumped on my face.'

No wonder Simon treats his master as a comrade, Fitzwilliam wanted him to, and though her love now looks at her as if to assure her he really prefers to wake beside her, Elizabeth decides then and there to give him a prank now and then. Can't have him aching for horseplay just because he got married, now can she?

Shivering, they wash themselves as they always do after riding, then dress for dinner, Elizabeth indeed adding a knitted shawl to her outfit for she does feel the cold now. When they are fully dressed they admire each other, kiss once more, and within twenty minutes they arrive in the dining-room where Georgiana is already waiting.

'Simon said you'd probably fallen asleep, did you really?'

Fitzwilliam looks a bit caught and observes: 'We did, we'd had a long ride in the snow, you know how sleepy being out in the cold can make you once you warm up again.'

'Simon did suggest you warmed up really thoroughly before you fell asleep. I see. Oh well, it's not as if I cannot entertain myself for a few hours, and you both look very well, taking a nap before dinner must be very healthy.'