So great you all liked d/e time. this is less toe curling but still, got a little more nice times before the ice.
...
Sunday April 14th; 1615, seven hours and twenty five minutes until iceberg.
A somewhat flustered Elizabeth led the way up to A deck and along the covered promenade, to the first class reading and writing room. She was glad of the time walking as it allowed her to calm herself and breathe more deeply, without the distracting scent of Mr Darcy. Had she really just allowed him to kiss her in public? What must he think of her!
When they reached the reading room she turned to him, managing to present him with a reasonable picture of equanimity.
"Mr Andrews told me he put in this room for the use of the Ladies after dinner. But he has found that we mostly stay at the table or go to the lounge. He told me that it is so frequently empty that he will put the space to better use in his next design."
The look of appreciation that had been gracing his face became something more and he drew her close breathing in the scent of her hair. "An empty room, rarely used!" He hummed, hand trailing down her back. He leaned back and looked in her eyes "I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be!"
Elizabeth felt warmth trail in the wake of his fingers, their light touch eliciting shivers which reverberated through her. She knew that he would not hold her so, not touch her so, if he disapproved of her actions earlier and so she decided to let go of her doubt and enjoy the moment, and what a moment to enjoy. His touch made her feel things she had never felt before. She wished to know him better and she resolved to speak to him of the important topic of their future soon, very soon, maybe.
They stood like this, so close, each revelling in the intimacy and the heady sensation of being in someone's embrace. After many minutes Darcy knew he must move, however much his body did not wish to, and so he gave her a quick, chaste, kiss and then stepped back.
She giggled and touched her lips.
"Something funny Miss Bennet?" His lips were twitching as her laugh was infectious.
She looked up at him with a saucy smile "I was just reflecting how much better your kisses were than my last attempt."
The smile left his face immediately. He was not too old fashioned, it was not the 1800's, he tried to be liberal minded but the idea of Elizabeth kissing other men sat very poorly with him.
She giggled again and reached up to smooth the frown lines between her eyes with her thumb, rubbing at the wrinkled skin. "No need for that look Mr Darcy." Her face formed a mock frown and her voice lowered in a poor imitation of a man's. "So serious!" She giggled and then, in a more normal voice, elaborated. "My first and only kiss was from Peter Goulding, a neighbour of mine. He was twelve and I was eleven. It was wet and that is the only reasonable adjective I can use. I have never cared to try again."
Darcy's face cleared and he chuckled at his own ridiculous possessiveness. She pressed her lips together tightly to prevent her own laugh.
He finally gestured around them, changing the subject. "So Miss Elizabeth, this is a reading room, would you care to read something?"
They sat together, cozily grouped on a settee, whilst he read to her from a book of poetry. Occasionally, if the room was empty, they would move closer together, hold hands or trail a finger down an arm, light touches eliciting shivers in both. They would smile and he would quickly return to reading.
They did not discuss what he most wished to, was she just enjoying his company with no thoughts to the future? Had she forgiven him? Did she like him? He wanted to ask for a courtship or something, anything, but he was too afraid the bubble would burst.
An hour later, her ankles were upon his lap and he was gently massaging her feet. Elizabeth did not think she had ever been this inappropriate, nor felt so comfortable with anyone not her sister. Even her father, mother and uncle had never seen her sat so informally. She was content and she could admit that easily. She was now reading to him in her lovely voice, when the bugle sounded from the promenade.
Elizabeth sighed, their interlude was at an end.
"I must away to dress for dinner."
He nodded "I must check on Georgiana, I am hoping I can persuade her to join us. Are you dining in the main dining room?"
She nodded and he helped her stand from the sofa. She stood, holding one hand as she wobbled to put on her shoe. It would have been easier to sit down but an odd part of her did not want to let go of his hand. She giggled as she managed to get her shoe on.
He smiled and squeezed her hand as they began to walk towards the door. "I shall look forward to seeing you then."
She smiled shyly and nodded again. He looked around before raising her hand to his lips to kiss the back, then quickly flipped it over and kissed the inside of her wrist.
His dark eyes looked intently in to hers and she felt her face warm. "Today has been the best day of my voyage, possibly my life."
She leaned in, resting her forehead against his and closing her eyes and whispered. "Mine also." Before giving him a quick chaste kiss and hurrying from the room.
...
April 14th 1810, 5 and a half hours before the iceberg.
Elizabeth stepped in the her room and immediately found herself engulfed in a tight hug from her sister Jane.
"Oh Lizzie! Where have you been? I have been dying to talk to you."
Elizabeth stepped back. Jane was wearing only her petticoat and corset, clearly having undressed and not got any further. Jane wore the newer, longer corset popular these days. It suited her willowy figure and Elizabeth felt a little jolt of envy. She quickly suppressed it. She knew her figure had its own strengths, even if it was not the fashionable one of the day. She flushed as she recalled Mr Darcy's hands upon her back, caressing her curves, murmuring appreciation for her figure.
Her face was red as she stammered her reply to Jane's question. "What happened Jane? I am sorry I.." but she did not have to explain for Jane was already speaking. Elizabeth sighed a small sigh of relief, for she had not thought what to say as to her whereabouts for the last six hours, let alone an explanation for her flushed face.
"I have had such a day!" Jane's was positively gushing. "I began, as you know, by attending church service, by the by, mama was mighty put out you were not there." Elizabeth assured her that their mother had already spoken to her. "Anyway, after services we went for tea and I decided to walk a little! You know how mama can be! Who do you think was waiting in the foyer?" She paused and Elizabeth debated answering but Jane, who had now sat down and begun brushing her hair, did not stop for long.
"Mr Bingley! He was most apologetic for having missed our meeting yesterday. He said he had been under the impression I had not wished for his company. Well I, of course, disabused him of that and he was so pleased. We walked out on the promenade until lunch! Lunch! Three hours we strolled. Oh, but it was magical. We talked of everything, his work on the railroad, where he has travelled, my work as a nurse." She sighed, doing a good impression of Lydia "then I joined him and Caroline for lunch at the Cafe Parisian, Oh Lizzie, it was delightful."
Lizzie smiled and took up the brush, brushing through Jane's long locks easily. When Jane spoke no more their eyes met in the mirror.
"Oh, are you finished?"
"Don't tease me Lizzie."
"I shall try not to, just for you. But how was the superior sister?"
Jane shrugged "she seemed to be trying, but a little less enthusiastic than previous. I think she was hoping Mr Darcy would join them."
Lizzie smiled a secretive smile, knowing exactly where Mr Darcy had been at that point in time "I'll bet she was!" But when Jane gave her a puzzled look she turned, starting to undo her day dress. "So, did Mr Bingley say what happened with lunch?"
Jane looked bashful. "Well, I think it was a misunderstanding. Caroline was supposed to tell me of a change in venue. But she said that she had misunderstood her brother."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. "And you believe her?"
Jane grimaced "well, not really. But she was trying to be nice and it's not like I can just be mean to her. I will tolerate her for the sake of Mr Bingley!"
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows "I think that is one of the least generous sentences that you have uttered!"
Jane grimaced and giggled.
Elizabeth giggled "are we to see Mr Bingley for dinner?"
Jane blushed and looked away, fiddling with the pots on their vanity "he will be dining in the main hall!"
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows "quite the coincidence." She teased and they both laughed.
"But Lizzie, where were you? Did you stay down with our Aunt and Uncle? Was your swim lovely?"
"My swim was lovely, I did see mama and Kitty and Lydia briefly for tea and I asked after you, strange how no one knew where you had gone." Jane looked uncomfortable and Elizabeth turned away, ostensibly to pull out her dress from the closet. She was interrupted by the knock from Jenny, their maid, and they both submitted to having their hair done. Jane went for the traditional glamour style, rolled and braided with a thin ribbon wound around her head. Elizabeth asked for something similar but could not resist a long curl coming down and over her shoulder. She had noticed Mr Darcy looking appreciatively at her hair and she was hoping he would like it.
She wore her favourite dress, a turquoise silk which wrapped across the bodice leaving a low v shaped neckline. The material fell from a high waisted position to brush the floor. The sleeves were short and made of a sheer net fabric, midnight blue colour, which also formed an over skirt which fell just below the main skirt, slightly longer in the back. It ruched up one side so that the clear silk material was evident particularly as she stepped forward with her left leg. The whole dress was elegant and suited her rather well.
"Oh Lizzie." Jane breathed "you look lovely."
"Thank you, dearest. But none look as beautiful as you."
Jane was wearing a more traditional Edwardian gown in a pale pink with a matching shawl. She did look lovely.
They both pulled on their evening gloves before leaving their rooms. Jane turned to knock on their parent's door whilst Lizzie knocked on Kitty and Lydia's door.
...
The Bennets traversed D Deck together, heading towards the reception room in which people tended to gather before dinner. Mrs Bennet on the arm of her husband, chattering happily about the honour Jane had received in being invited to lunch at the cafe. Jane walked arm in arm with Lizzie, craning her neck to look for Mr Bingley. Kitty and Lydia were chattering to each other and Lizzie was trying very hard to not listen.
When they reached the landing, and could see all the ladies and gentlemen of first class milling about, they all stopped for a moment to look around. Bingley approached them precipitously, bowing and welcoming them, which brought a smile to Mrs Bennet's and Jane's faces.
Elizabeth was less pleased to be approached by Lady Catherine.
"A word, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, if you please." Despite the polite words, the tone was unmistakably an order rather than a request.
Elizabeth looked around, her younger sisters had sauntered off, Jane was fully engrossed with Mr Bingley and her parents would likely have very little to say. She decided that whatever Lady Catherine had to say, might as well be said.