It was dusk when Miss Elizabeth finally opened her eyes. Darcy had been reading in the soft candle light, back lent against the chaise as he dared not move her an inch to sit on the couch. He quickly laid the book aside and stood when she stirred, giving her space to sit up. It was easy enough for him to see with the single candle flame, so he watched in silence as Miss Elizabeth stretched and rubbed the corners of her eyes. Her eyes roamed the now dark library until they landed on Darcy's silhouette amongst the shadows.
"What happened?" She asked cautiously, in a harder tone than he had heard from the soft girl.
Remaining where he was so as not to frighten the girl by drawing too close in such a situation, Darcy replied, "You fell from the ladder. It was a shock to your mind. I laid you down so you may rest comfortably."
"How much time has passed?"
"It is near midnight."
Elizabeth leapt to her feet, the sudden quick motion too much for her still waking mind, and she began to sway before Mr Darcy strode forward to place a steadying hand on her arm. Their eyes met in the soft light of the candle, and he could see confusion and slight fear in her wide eyes, the light reflecting off of them as if they were made of glass. The confusion Darcy understood, but the other emotion he could so clearly see written on Miss Elizabeth's face was baffling to him.
"It was midday when we entered here, sir." Seemingly stronger now, she stepped back out of his reach. "Did you call for a doctor?"
His eyebrows came together as he tried to understand her line of questioning. "I did not. No physical damage had been done."
"How would you know that I was uninjured, Mr Darcy?"
It was her sharp tone despite the growing fear in her eyes that finally enlightened Darcy to what the girl was insinuating. He realised his mistake all too late, and had answered her questions incorrectly. Of course this situation would look entirely different to a young woman; falling unconscious and having a man you barely knew keep you alone in a room, commenting on the lack of injuries to her body. There was no bleeding anywhere, otherwise he would not be strong enough to stand here and hold a conversation with Miss Elizabeth. However, stating that he knew her to be uninjured, no matter the innocence behind it, would cross her ears with a different meaning.
Rarely did Mr Darcy feel the need to explain himself. "You did not touch the ground when you fell. I caught you before any serious injury could occur, so it was safe to assume your physical health was not damaged. Now I see it was a misstep on my part. Please accept my apology, Miss Elizabeth."
"You caught me?" She asked after a single heartbeat.
"Yes. Soon after Mr Bingley came to speak with me. I explained to him what had happened, so it was known throughout the estate and he could write a letter to your family explaining that you would be residing at Netherfield Park for the evening," he explained, knowing full well that that is the course of action his best friend would have taken after discovering Miss Elizabeth's condition. Charles Bingley may seem aloof and childish at times, but he was the only one Darcy trusted with his secret. "If you would not like to remain here until morning, please allow me to arrange a carriage to escort you back to Longbourn."
There was a considerably long silence as she pondered everything he had told her. Miss Elizabeth's features were shadowed in the flickering flame, making her appear foreign to the kind hearted lady Darcy knew her to be. But how well did he truly know her? He had watched her sitting alone on the edge of the river bed in the dark, something no other woman would do. Instead of crying when her hand cut on a nail, she held a conversation with a men she barely knew, trusting him to mend the injury. Even though propriety called for her to assume the worst of the situation they were currently in, she stood tall and proud, listening to his version of events so she could respond appropriately. No, Miss Elizabeth was as intriguing as ever to Mr Darcy.
"How is my sister?"
Her question caught him off guard, as did her now softer tone. "I admit I had been to preoccupied ensuring your comfortability to inquire about Miss Jane."
She nodded slowly at his answer before stating, "I shall remain here tonight."
"The maids, I believe, have a room ready for you. Would you like for me to escort you?" Mr Darcy didn't realise until after he had offered just how much he wished to remain in her presence.
"If it is not an imposition," she said, any and all fear now gone from her eyes after their conversation. Miss Elizabeth's face was now as controlled as ever, keeping her thoughts a mystery. "I have kept you awake most of the night with needless worry."
Darcy responded only when she had taken a few steps towards the door of the library. "Not needless."
Elizabeth stopped to turn to him, a thoughtful glint in the depth of her eyes. They soon left the quiet library to seek a suitable guest room for Miss Elizabeth. Darcy paused to enquire with one of the night maids on where such a room could be located and was informed that Mr Bingley had thought to set up a room in the West wing of Netherfield. The estate was quiet as its occupants slept on, unaware of the man who walked alongside an innocent girl.
Mr Darcy's eyes remained forward, not daring to make the mistake of gazing upon Elizabeth. It had never been so difficult to stay away from anyone before. His usual alof disposition had all but vanished in place of a raw emotion that he could not identify. An infection had slowly began to spread throughout his body that he did not know the name of, brought on by that very first conversation where she managed to see right through every charade he had ever conjured up. Since that fateful night, she has been in his thoughts every second of every day, gnawing away at the carefully built pretense of his character. It was unsettling that a plain girl with little to regard her was causing him so much grief.
Lost in thought, Darcy almost walked past the door to the guest room Miss Elizabeth was to reside in. He allowed her to enter first, following behind with a match pulled from his pocket which he used to light a nearby candle. Mr Darcy walked about the room, sharing the flame with any unlit candle, hoping to afford the young woman a better view of the splendid decor of the large room.
"It is... spacious," she commented after a short while.
"You do not like it?" Darcy inquired.
Her lips pursed as her eyes flickered about the room, taking it the detailing of the drapes, the forest coloured wallpaper and matching seating arrangement in the centre of the opulent space. Then her eyes roamed over the four poster bed, complete with goose feather pillows. "As charming and exquisite as it is, I am afraid I am not the right person to critique it's design. I've never stayed in such a guest room before."
Mr Darcy strode towards the door once more, not wanting to linger for longer than courtesy demands. "I will depart so you may rest, Miss Elizabeth."
Without waiting for a reply, Darcy moved to exit, ensuring the door was firmly closed behind him. He did not want to leave her side for even a moment, but knew that that way of thinking was not a good sign. There needs to be space between them. Darcy pondered at his own emotions and instincts as he meandered back down the corridor. A strange object caught his attention, visible easily to his eyes even in the darkness, and after picking it up he soon realised it was a hair pin. Darcy remembered a small section of her hair had been pulled back when she arrived in the morning, keeping it from obscuring her face as she walked to Netherfield Park. Plain as it was, the fact that it belonged to Miss Elizabeth made it the most beautiful hair adornment in the world.
Excited he would have an excuse to visit her one more time before turning in for the night, Mr Darcy headed back into the guest room without a single knock. In his haste, he almost did not understand the vision before him until Elizabeth gave a squeak of surprise. Acting on instinct alone, not wanting anyone who may be close to get the wrong assumption and risk the lady's reputation, Darcy moved to cover Miss Elisabeth's scream of surprise by placing his hand over her mouth. His sudden proximity caused her to stumbled back into one of the wooden poles of the bed, with Mr Darcy's body towering over her own.
There was no time for him to revel in the feeling of her body pressed against his before Miss Elizabeth's arm shot out to smack him across the face. The blow itself did not hold enough force behind it to cause any harm, but it was the intent he could feel in that slap which was cause for him to take a single step back. Darcy's hand fell back to his side as he stared down into the fearful and shocked eyes of the defenceless woman. Her dress was a pool of fabric on the floor, and she tried desperately to cover herself as she stood in a thin fabric gown that did little to obstruct her beautiful skin beneath.
"I..." No words could make up for the indiscretion he had caused, or for the fear written across her face.
"Sir, step back," she said with much more fierceness than he would have thought possible.
"Miss Elizabeth, I did not-."
"I do not wish to hear your excuses. Nothing you say can be enough of an explanation for your actions." Elizabeth made to move backwards, however, was still trapped against the pole of the bed. "I thought you to be a kind hearted gentleman beneath the proud exterior you show the world. It would seem I am wrong, Mr Darcy, for you are like any other man who only seeks to get his way."
"It would be detrimental to your reputation if your loud outburst were to attract any servants here, where I stand in your room late into the evening. Believe me when I tell that that is the only reason behind my careless act," he told her in earnest.
Her chocolate eyes grew darker as she shot back with, "Why do you remain here then?"
"Because I-."
"If my reputation is what troubles you, then remaining here only places me in a more difficult situation, do you not think?" Pushing away from the bedpost, forgetting the thin gown she wore, Elizabeth stood so close to Darcy that he could feel the heat radiating from her skin as she glared up at him. "Or are you hoping to get something else out of the predicament?"
His mind went blank at her words as rage coursed through his veins, heating his core. Miss Elizabeth spoke of something completely absurd, but that is not what angered him. It was the fact that he had somehow given her the implication that it was he who thought of such a thing. His actions had been the cause behind such a worry in her mind, that he would, for lack of imagination, force himself onto her. Darcy already thought himself a monster incapable of companionship due to his cravings that were barely subdued around people. He did not need Miss Elizabeth to insult him in such a way, to make him feel a burning rage when he relied on his composure to refrain from the temptation that her nearness alone awoke inside of him. The monster inside him seemed to spring forward every time their eyes met, only now it was impossible for Darcy to control.
In a dangerously low voice, he finally replied to Elizabeth. "You do not know of which you speak."
"No, I believe I do-."
The woman's words died in her throat as Darcy's mouth came down on hers, unrelenting in their pursuit to feel Elizabeth's warmth. After a few seconds of struggle to release Darcy's hands from his waist, which kept her locked into place, he felt her surrender to the kiss. Miss Elizabeth gasped for air when he finally broke away from her. His hands firmly held onto her as he bent to gently kiss along her bare shoulder from where the thin undergarment had slipped down to expose skin. His lips paused on their ascent up the side of her neck, just before he would kiss where her beating pulse lay beneath her sun kissed skin. Darcy could feel every heart beat with Miss Elizabeth pressed tightly against his chest, as well as her rapid breathing as she caught her breath. All of this was enough to override his carefully constructed facade, breaking down each and every wall he had ever built until there was only the most basic instinct left, revealing the monster who he truly was.
Even so, there were some lines he could not - would not - cross. But when Elizabeth arched her back, pressing her breasts against his chest, the soft aroma of arousal filling the air, as she waited for his tender kisses, it was too much for him to resist. Never has anyone been able to break him like she did, and he could not care that she would soon regret her decision to not fight against him, which would have saved her from the monster. Instead she only fueled his instincts by rubbing against him, offering herself to him without understanding the cost.
"Elizabeth," he groaned into the crook of her neck, lightly pressing his lips to where her main artery pulsed beneath the thin veil of flesh.
Her voice was only a breathless whisper. "I have never been... I mean, I did not ever think that I would do such a thing."
Darcy lifted his head at her words, seeking something along the lines of trepidation in her eyes and finding nothing except exhilaration and provocation. There was nothing that indicated she wanted him to stop - not yet. "Do you wish for me to continue?"
It was only a brief pause before her whispering voice said, "Yes."
Knowing that there was no turning back now that the monster inside of him obtained the answer it wanted, Darcy lent further down to cup Miss Elizabeth's thighs so he could easily lift her up. A small shriek of surprise left her and the sound only added to his own feeling of incitement. He wasted no time in dropping her onto the bed, were she laid amongst the pillows, looking like the most gorgeous creature to ever exist. He soon joined her on the bed, carefully pulling her legs apart until he was was settled between them, each hand placed on either side of her head. Darcy made sure not to crush her smaller frame with his weight, lest he hurt her and cause her to rethink her permission.
"Is... am I in the correct position for... this sort of thing?" Her question was innocent, as was her face, tinged with a red blush that crept up from her neck.
"Lift your legs up," he instructed her with a gentle kiss to her neck, delighted in the goosebumps that rose on her skin.
When he felt her knees brush against the sides of his hips, Darcy allowed the lower half of his body to press against Elizabeth's pelvis so she could feel for herself how his body responds to her own. He was pleased when she allowed her most basic instincts to take over despite the shyness and uncertainty, moving her hips in a slow motion so her heated core rubbed against the bump restrained by his trousers.
Taking that as a sign that she would not back away from his touch, or be deterred from learning new experiences, he slid one hand down the front of her stomach, scrunching up the thin fabric that covered her until it left her bare from the waist down. Not giving her a second to voice any concerns by ensuring her mouth was otherwise preoccupied, Darcy allowed himself to slide two fingers along her slick womanhood, astonished at how wet Elizabeth was for him. The soft mewing sounds she made in her throat at the feeling of his fingers sliding between her folds was almost his undoing. She broke their kiss so she could take in a breath, all the while her hips rolled with Darcy's movements. He noticed the slight shudder of her body when his fingers encountered a small ball of flesh amongst the folds, and he was amused enough by the reaction to glide his fingers across it once more before giving it a gentle flick.
"Mr Darcy," she gasped as if the feeling it brought to her body left her breathless. "Not there, I-."
Pausing in the exploration of her body, he looked her in the eyes so that there was no way he could misinterpret the answer to his question as he asked once more, "Do you wish for me to continue, Miss Elizabeth?"
There was enough of a silence that he drew his hand back from her completely, waiting for her chest to stop rapidly rising and falling as she pondered his question in her mind. His eyes narrowed in on the blood that had pooled in her cheeks, along her neck, and he himself knew that continuing on down this path was dangerous. Allowing himself to enjoy the intimacy and experience of this was exactly what the monster wanted, as it new how easy it would be to take over once Darcy was so helplessly weak.
"Yes."
Barely a sound; a soft whisper that no mortal man could have heard. Darcy drove two fingers deep into Elizabeth's core, eliciting a shocked gasp from her, which only lasted until his mouth once against covered her own. His tongue swirled with hers, and it was one of the best tastes he had ever experienced. There was only one thing in this world that tasted better...
Moving his thumb gently across the little ball as his fingers continued to slid in and out of her caused Elizabeth to arch her back, sinking deep onto his fingers as she begged for more. He happily obliged, keeping the same pace as he could see how affected she was by the movements. Her core grow hotter and slicker, and he watched as her nipples strained against the fabric of her gown in between breaths of air. A few minutes later she cried out in pleasure as her walls closed tightly around Darcy's fingers. Once she laid there, panting for air, it was then that he pulled his hand back, using it to once again steady himself over her body.
"Are you alright?" He asked when she remained quiet for far too long.
"Yes, I am fine. Just... exhausted."
"Would you like for me to stop now?"
Her eyes met his with a deep level of confusion. "What else is there?"
"Oh, there is much more," he responded, hoping that she did not catch the darkness creeping into his voice. If she pulled away now, resisting when the monster inside of him was nowhere near done, then the situation would surely turn down a path he did not want to take. His feelings for Elizabeth were strong, but might not be strong enough for him to regain control. Sedating the creature lurking in the crevices of his mind was the only thing that might save her now. "If you allow me time to show you just how much pleasure can be had between man and woman."
Taking her contemplative silence as answer enough, Darcy stood to quickly strip from his clothing, once again settling himself between her legs. She was wet enough for him that it should not hurt too much when he pressed into her core once more. He knew she would be a virgin, however, her tightness still came as a surprise to him. After a few thrusts she began to loosen up, and then he heard her small whimper of pain as the wall within her tore open at his length. That sound caused pain to tear at his heart, though he knew it must be done before she could feel pleasure. Darcy continued to slide into her, building a good rhythm so he could last as long as possible, wanting her to feel a climax of her own before allowing himself to finish.
Too late he realised his mistake; bleeding was common when taking a virgin for the first time, something he had forgotten in his moment of lust. The smell of her blood mixed with the aroma of her excitement was mouth watering. Elizabeth leaned her head back with an expression of pleasure, exposing her slender neck. It was all too much, the feeling from being inside of her and the overwhelming scent of her blood, that Darcy could no longer hope to control the beast inside of him.
His front canines drew longer in his mouth, sore from their inuse, almost cutting his bottom lip with how quickly they came out. Darcy at least felt glad by the fact that Elizabeth's eyes were closed so he could not see the terror in them before leaning down to sink his teeth into the side of her neck. A second past before she realised what had happened and tried to scream. Mr Darcy once again firmly placed his hand over her mouth, pulling her head to one side so he could drink from her without obstruction. Her body tightened in response to the pain he undoubtedly was inflicting, adding to the sensation of each thrust, bringing him closer to the edge.
The taste of her blood was unlike anything he had ever allowed himself to experience. Only once before has Darcy drunk from a human, a mistake that ended in the death of a house servant when he was only a boy. Since then he vowed to survive off of regular food, not wishing to bring upon the same death to anyone else. That was the reason for the fake exterior he showed the world. Keeping people away was easier than trying to constantly battle the half of him that craved what could never be given. Taking what he wanted was never an option for him. Until now...
Darcy came quickly, letting every drop from inside of him be released as he continued to drink the deliciously warm liquid from Elizabeth. It was an amazing experience that left him clear minded long enough to notice that Elizabeth was no longer responding - or moving - beneath him. That slow realisation brought enough horror and concern to his mind to push the monster back, pulling his teeth from her neck in the same instant so that he may view her fully.
Ever so gently, he turned her head until she was staring up at him again, and he almost wished he hadn't done so. She wore an empty expression as silent tears rolled from her eyes, staining her cheeks and mixing with the blood that slowly dripped down her neck. Her usual warmth filled eyes, swirling with cunning and kindness, were now slates of brown with zero depth to them. It was as if her light had dimmed out; the spark that made her a wonderful, brilliant, adventurous woman was gone. Somehow this was worse than her fear, or fury, or pain. Because this... was nothing. And the reason why it was nothing was because he had just taken everything from her.
"Miss Elizabeth, are you-."
"Do not," she cut in with a tone he did not recognise, "ask me if I am alright."
Unsettled by her voice and reaction, Darcy dislodged himself from her, dressing urgently while she continued to lay there, fully exposed to him. He could still taste her on his lips, and he licked them clean, once again almost overcome by the creature below the surface. But the image before him, the damage he had done, kept him firmly in reality. Miss Elizabeth's neck was covered in blood, as was the pillow beneath her head, soaked crimson with her essence because he had been too greedy to slow down and ensure no drops were wasted. There were bruises blooming on her forearms, flickering an ugly shade of blue and black in the candle light. Darcy didn't recall ever holding her down, meaning he had truly stopped fighting against the other side of himself, allowing the monster to fully control him.
As she sat up, lowering her gown once more to cover her waist, Elizabeth swayed slightly due to the blood loss. She flinched away when Darcy sprung forward in an attempt to steady her, instead holding onto the bed post as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Please leave," she muttered, eyes drawn to the floorboards.
"Allow me to explain, or check your injuries," he desperately pleaded. "You've lost too much blood, Elizabeth. Please allow me to at least call for a doctor."
Her eyes flickered to his, and he saw fire in their depths, breaking through the expressionless nothing she displayed. "And what will you say to the doctor, Mr Darcy? What explanation shall you give? Will you tell the truth or lie?"
He knew her anger was rightfully placed, even so, he could not help replying with, "And yourself? Will you tell the doctor what transpired here if I will not?"
It was a low blow, and her small movement backwards, as if she had been stung by a bee, was indication that she knew of what he was asking. If word got out that she was no longer a virgin, no longer untouched, then she would have no future prospects. No man would ask for her hand in marriage, nor would any man come near any of her sisters - or the family. They would be ruined for life, and it would be his fault. Unfortunately, this was the only thing he could think of at the time that ensured his secrecy.
"Please leave me," was her only reply after a tense moment.
Mr Darcy gathered his coat on his way to the door, pausing momentarily when he heard the soft sniffles as she began crying before exiting the room. Her soft tears soon turned into sobs, and he stood leaning against the other side of the door, listening as she struggled for air with each body racking sob that tore out of her throat. He would stand there for the rest of the night, listening to the pain he had caused the woman he finally realised he loved.