A/N: I guess it's time to spice things up a little bit ;) This is Rated MA for a reason.
Also, there are lots of movie (film) references in this chapter, so I would have linked them all to IMDB if I could in here… Just google them.
Chapter 09
"What am I supposed to do, Mr. Darcy? How am I supposed to act? I am so nervous." Lizzy took a series of deep breaths and closed her eyes attempting to compose herself.
"Everything will be fine, Miss Bennet." Darcy took her gloved hands into his. She was incredibly beautiful this morning, wearing a rose and white dress, her hair up as was proper, cheeks bright from the excitement, and her eyes shining in the deepest emerald colour he had ever seen. "They are just eager for you to share your knowledge, as am I; you will have them all spellbound." He squeezed her left hand and caressed it lightly.
They approached a very imposing house in the heart of Piccadilly. "This place is very intimidating, Mr. Darcy." Lizzy's eyes looked into the windows surprised by the grandiosity of the place; she had never had a chance to visit her world's version of such a building.
If she enjoys this, what would she think about Pemberley? Darcy smiled and said aloud, "Indeed, this is a very important building, Miss Bennet, filled with very important people."
Still standing on the footway, the party was joined by Mr. Tilney. "Darcy! Finally! We were getting quite tired of waiting, I was afraid the old gentlemen would fall asleep before your arrival."
"We are on time, Tilney. Leave your playful manners for later; let me introduce you to your guest." Darcy had Lizzy on his arm. "Tilney, this is Dr. Elizabeth Bennet, the person you have been looking for. Miss Bennet, this is my friend, Henry Tilney."
Lizzy let go of Darcy's grip and curtsied politely just as she had practised many times the night before. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Tilney."
Tilney smiled and raised Lizzy's hand to his lips. "The pleasure is entirely mine, I assure you, Miss Bennet."
It was a consensus decision between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy that Fass would not accompany them to the Royal Society meeting, for it would be impossible to conceal from such enlightened gentlemen his true nature. As Lizzy was ascending the stairs that led an enormous and elaborately carved door, Tilney held Darcy back for a moment to have a private discussion.
"This is fantastic, Darcy. Look at her! She is like Aphrodite, all those curves, and her eyes. . ." Tilney murmured ogling the good doctor.
"You should be more respectful of a lady, Tilney. Keep your cock out of this interaction, will you?" Darcy cast a reproachful look at Henry.
"Oh, I see . . ." Tilney tilted his head, "I will say nothing more, I assure you, Darcy."
Lizzy stopped at the door, looking down at the sidewalk, waiting for the gentlemen.
"We should not keep the lady waiting, Darcy. Let the show begin."
Joining her, Darcy watched carefully as Lizzy took a thorough look around the room they had been directed to. Everything seemed to be so very important and so very proper; she feared her intentions would not be welcomed. A movement caught her eye whenas several gentlemen walked towards her.
"So you are the long sought doctor we have all heard of." A middle age man bowed. "I am William Henry [1], my lady, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." he said with a commanding voice.
Lizzy felt as if she must be a hummingbird, so fast was her heart beating. Darcy lightly touched her elbow and she remembered herself. "Mr. Henry, the pleasure is absolutely mine. I am acquainted with your work with gases, and it is ground-breaking." Lizzy took a couple of breaths and continued, "Oh, I forgot my manners. I am Elizabeth Bennet; it is an honour to be here with all you, gentlemen."
"Let us introduce you around, Miss Bennet. I am quite sure this is the first time we have had a woman invited to be a visitor. Of course, we are not counting her highness, the Queen."
"I am flattered, Mr. Henry." Oh, my god, I am talking to William Henry! Lizzy was almost tearful so great was her joy, one of the most important names in the history of science, here, in front of her and they were talking. OMG!
The party proceeded to a gallery where current and former fellows' portraits were hung. Lizzy recognised some of the faces looking back at her, and almost fainted when she glanced at one of the current ones. "Who is this fellow, Mr. Henry?" she asked tentatively.
"This would be Charles Darwin, Miss Bennet. He is currently on-board of the HMS Beagle, travelling the world to study what he calls 'Natural Selection', a theory he is trying to prove at the moment," Mr. Henry replied enthusiastically.
Jesus, he is already here and studying the origin of species! This world is ahead of where mine was at this time. "And how long does he anticipate this trip will take, Mr. Henry?"
"We do not know, Miss Bennet. But he has been gone for almost five years now."
Then he is on his return voyage! "I am sure he will be back soon, with incredible discoveries!"
"As are we all, Miss Bennet."
As they approached a large sitting room, all the gentlemen chatted animatedly amongst themselves and Darcy took the distraction to ask after Miss Bennet's well-being. "Are you well, Miss Bennet? You seemed a little overwhelmed earlier."
"I am more than well, Mr. Darcy. All these people are of great consequence in the world of science, Fass can explain to you later. Charles Darwin changed the world, forever." Lizzy sighed, letting out a breath she had long been holding before she grew faint.
Tea was served and some questions were asked. "So, Miss Bennet, we have heard you have knowledge of science much more thorough than any of us sitting here," one of the gentlemen stated. "We accept new theories without prejudice, you see, for we know there is so much mystery or pride around science. Tell us one of your theories, please."
"What is the most accepted atomic theory amongst you?" And in this way, the conversation flowed freely back and forth about subjects Darcy was not very aware of, but he made a resolution to learn as much as possible the next time he would be able to question Fass. As the tête-à-tête moved on to less theoretical fields and to more applied science, Darcy felt more comfortable to join into the conversation. Ever curious about science, he was animatedly discussing some concerns about roads. Glancing over at the discussion, Lizzy again saw the intense Mr. Darcy who she had encountered the afternoon after their quarrel. He is indeed a very handsome man; his blue eyes and dark hair are amazing, so sexy!
"Miss Bennet, shall we demonstrate to the gentlemen how your carriage functions?" Darcy's question recalled Lizzy from her less than scientific thoughts.
"Indeed, Mr. Darcy. I think it is time to take our leave so that we may go outside and we could introduce them to my vehicle." Lizzy turned to the gentlemen, "My carriage does not need horses to propel it, it uses electricity."
They proceeding outside, however, Darcy and Lizzy were not able to leave for some time; the scientists were so impressed with her car that she was obligated to drive them around the corner, so they could experience what it was like. They had many questions and it took Lizzy a long time to satisfy their curiosity. She was only allowed to go after making a commitment with the gentlemen that they would be able to exchange letters through Mr. Darcy, of course, in regard to matters of science and, after some disagreement between them, that she would soon visit both Cambridge and Oxford. Lizzy drove towards Darcy House mentally tired but very content with the outcome of this visit.
Against Darcy's fervent protests, Lizzy decided to leave for Meryton that same day as she had duties to fulfil back at her laboratory. So it was just in time to dress for dinner when Darcy arrived at Netherfield a bit annoyed for not having had his way to stay in town longer with her, but more fulfilled for being able to assist Miss Bennet in her quest for scientific camaraderie.
The next day Lizzy found herself working alone, for Darcy had gently but eagerly requested to borrow Fass for a couple of days during their return trip; a request that Lizzy was happy to comply with since he had been so kind to her.
Darcy needed to learn more about her science, about her culture, and about herself. Everything about her intrigued him. She was unalike the women of the ton. She occupied far too many of his waking moments, and he knew Fass was his way to achieving his purposes.
Fass went to Netherfield bright and early to help the gentleman begin achieving his goals. He could easily understand what it was that Darcy truly wanted to know even with his awkwardly phrased requests and used the best tools in his knowledge base to teach him. Darcy was quite intelligent and had a way with engineering. Fass availed of this particularity inclination to focus his tutoring to that field so that Darcy could become a good partner to Lizzy for she needed a great deal of support in that area.
Although Darcy dearly loved to learn such important subjects, he was more than willing to learn about her. How different must be her culture if she is so unattached to proper behaviour. So he decided it was time to follow her suggestion and learn more about her culture through her music, her literature, and her plays.
"Mr. Fass, what would you recommend for me to understand your land better? You know . . . your culture."
"I am certain that a good selection of movies would greatly aid in that task, Mr. Darcy."
"Oh, the moving pictures. Could you make it so that I may see them?"
"Of course, Mr. Darcy. I will present to you the evolution of our culture through the presentation of some representative works we have," Fass replied. "I shall begin with an episode set in the mid-nineteenth century showing the struggle your society underwent as technological changes came rapidly. It from a novel by a woman of the time call Cranford and I will show you the coming of the railways to rural counties such as this changing everyone's way of life."
Darcy while marvelling at the moving picture accepted the portrayal of life Fass should him as it related to his own. Fass then proceeded ahead. "This is a late nineteenth century inspired work, named Ripper Street. This one is set in London in the year 1889, based on a true story of a famous murderer that had created panic in Whitechapel the previous year. The person in question was never found and so was only known as Jack, the Ripper."
Fass began to reproduce some episodes, and Darcy was transfixed by the whole things. This is incredible, it is like seeing it right in front of me. Fass answered some of Darcy's questions, mainly about historical facts, seeing a future London was quite interesting.
Even after a two hours demonstration, Darcy did not wish to stop. Fass decided to move forward and present the early twentieth century with Downton Abbey. He explained to Darcy the cause and strife of what was known at the time as "the Great War", and how it affected Lizzy's world. Although the fashion was already different, their customs were not so far from those Darcy lived with. Fass explained how the injustices in the British class systems was so drastically emphasised with the sinking of the HMS Titanic only to be further stressed by the call to war. Grasping the rapid change, Darcy's understanding about Miss Bennet personality was increasing by the moment; he could see a lot of his doctor friend in the character of Lady Sybil. It had become very late and Fass informed Darcy that he needed to stop as it was time to his daily system check. Darcy did not quite understand the meaning of such a term, but figured it must have something to do with Fass's well-being as the doctor was wont to check many things.
Darcy joined Fass the next day and it was spent much like the previous one. Fass explained some science upon Darcy's request, answered many questions which had occurred to him as he tried to comprehend all that he had been told or shown, and later Fass showed Mr. Darcy more movies. Fass began with an easy film about England in the 1930s, The King's Speech and Darcy was pleased to learn that the cast included some of Miss Bennet's favourite actors. But he followed it immediately with the dark period of the Second Great War; Fass decided to avail the moment to present Darcy to animated movies, so the film of choice was The Grave of the Fireflies. Darcy was very touched by such a sad tale and baffled with the horrors imposed on Lizzy's world.
As Fass was very aware of Lizzy's preferences and to ease Mr. Darcy's concern, he also decided to educate Darcy about her passion for Comics. Darcy found the idea interesting, and so Fass choose for him Captain America: The First Avenger.
Men, women, and children from her culture or exposed too much more than even gentlemen of mine. No wonder she laughs at our rules of proper deportment.
"Fass, is this true story as well?" Darcy was amused. Lizzy could be just like this Peggy Carter [2] . . . Did I just call her Lizzy?!
"No, Mr. Darcy, this is all fictional. But it is very popular in our land. The films I showed you earlier were based on events that had occurred in real life mostly, but comics are based on fiction, fantasy." Fass replied simply. "I have to do my daily system check now, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy groaned; he needed to see more, to know more. "Can you do this check of yours and then come back for just one more moving picture? I do know it is quite late, but . . ."
"As you wish, Mr. Darcy." Fass bowed and left the room.
Later that night, Fass displayed Breakfast at Tiffany's. They were now in the 1960's in Lizzy's world. Darcy found the story quite nice, and could now see such difference of cultural rules. A woman living alone, having love relationships with man, not a maiden. He could see women in her world had much more freedom. Holly Golightly certainly did.
The third morning, Netherfield's other occupants had begun to worry about Darcy's absence. They would see him only when proper decorum demanded that he join the rest of the party for meals. Charles tried to relieve Georgiana's concern, reminding her that Darcy was a man with a very curious intellect, and what Fass was offering to show him would be irresistible to him. Georgiana agreed. After the sadness and humiliation she had brought to him she was glad that her brother was taking time for himself again.
Though Darcy had initially asked for time with Fass for a couple of days, his curiosity and combined with Elizabeth's need for someone in this place to truly understand her world and why she was like she was caused the education to continue. So Fass further exposed Darcy to Lizzy's culture using the same protocol: science in the morning followed with the movie, Dirty Dancing. Darcy began to understand where all that sensuality that Miss Bennet exuded came from, that was until Fass informed him that Lizzy's reality was very different from this movie as it took place decades before her. Proceeding further into her future, Fass played two movies in a row about culture not history, Pretty Woman and American Beauty. Darcy was shocked by both! What must a respected gentlemen from the circle of an Edward Lewis be thinking to appear in public with a prostitute! And the other story was so difficult. Miss Bennet's reality is indeed very disturbing.
The next day, Darcy's journey through Lizzy's world began once again with the now familiar pattern of science lessons, followed by movies. He watched and was completely intrigued by Bridget Jones's Diary and Love Actually. He found the stories rather sweet for his taste, but it was heart-warming to see how love was seen through Lizzy's eyes.
The last movies presented to Darcy were The Devil Wears Prada and The Social Network. Fass explained what a big thing fashion and appearance were in Lizzy's land with the first and how people usually interact using social media where they were from. Darcy had a lot of questions about relationships between a man and woman and was glad he could ask them of Fass who would not tease him or make him feel ashamed. Fass explained in detail and matter-of-factly how things usually worked there. This kind of interactions between a man and a woman seems a much better arrangement, If you think about it, we do not really come to know the person we are to be attached to for life until after we are married, how can someone be happy in marriage that starts this way?
Later that night, Darcy lay in his bed, his mind too busy trying to absorb all the knowledge he obtained in his few days with Fass that had passed far too quickly, there was much to learn. Yet he felt satisfied he understood how a man showed interest in a lady of her world. And he was very much interested. He decided to visit Lizzy the next morning, for there was so much he wished to discuss with her.
It has been four days since Lizzy's last discussion with Mr. Darcy. Fass would spend most of the days at Netherfield while Lizzy was working on syntheses in her lab; she was trying to produce hormones to provide a birth control option for women in this world. Although it was a very difficult chemical procedure, she was obtaining some excellent results. This is a great start for women here to be self-sufficient.
It was now Saturday, she woke up feeling homesick after Fass had told her which movies he had played for Mr. Darcy, some of her favorites, so she decided to do what she always did when she was missed home, she would not be a scientist. She would just be a girly girl! She dressed in her clothes that she had snuck on board the ship; the crew had not been allowed to bring impractical clothing due to space limitations, but Lizzy would have none of it and carefully packed up and stowed away a few pieces. After all, a spacewoman can't be expected to spend the rest of her life without just being a girl once in a while.
So, with the desire to just be a young woman of fashion, she put a high waist red flared mini-skirt with a tight white top, her curls were flowing freely on her back and her lips coloured with a beautiful Shiseido pink lipstick that she also had snuck on-board. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and was satisfied with what she saw.
She went downstairs to cook some of her favorite recipes from home when she could find the needed ingredients here. Lizzy had been beyond happy when she realized that it was possible to do both a Spaghetti alla Carbonara for lunch and a Crème Brûlée for dessert, two of her guilty pleasures. She gathered all the necessary ingredients for the brûlée and turned some music on. She dearly loved to dance while she cooked.
And so engaged, she never heard Fass and Mr. Darcy coming into the cottage.
After the intense four days he had spent with Fass, Darcy was impatient to see Miss Bennet. Now he understood her ways as not defying propriety but simply the way of her world and how very difficult it must be for her to live in a culture so confined and unvarying as this one with its expectations of proper behaviour when she had been so different. His first impressions of her had been so wrong. Darcy needed to tell her that, now more than ever, he accepted her as she was, not as others thought she should be or act. She could count on him.
He walked in the direction Fass had pointed and could hear the music coming from the kitchen and her voice singing along. As he stepped into the room, even with his new expectations of her, he was not prepared for the sight before his eyes. Lizzy's back was to him as she continued to sing and was moving her hips. Her long, beautiful legs were in plain view and her dark, luxurious chocolate hair hung loose covering what seemed to be a very revealing blouse. Seeing her world's attire for young ladies through Fass's presentations had not prepared him for seeing her now, in front of him. And what an enticing vision she is. He wanted . . . No! He had to touch her, to hold her.
Somehow sensing she was not alone, Lizzy turned around to see Mr. Darcy standing in the middle of her kitchen, staring at her with a look not of disapprobation, but desire. Maybe, if she were not in such a good mood, she might feel embarrassed from being caught dressed as she was, considering this world's rules. But Lizzy was happy, really happy, and could not miss such a perfect chance to tease Mr. Darcy. She looked directly into his eyes and began to sing to him along with the background music.
You give me
What a girl feels, what a girl likes
What a girl needs, what a girl wants
All. . . I. . .
All I want is you [3]
Darcy could not control himself any longer; she was irresistible with her sparkling eyes and her short dress that revealed her ankles, her legs, her . . . He closed the short distance that separated him from the woman that he had come to want so much. Without seeking permission or even giving it a second thought, Darcy put one hand on the small of her back, pulling her body hard against him as the other hand wrapped around the nape of her neck and he lowered his lips to hers.
It was not a chaste kiss. No, this kiss was demanding, full of craving, and full of need. Lizzy felt her body react instantly and let her arms encircle him. She tightened her arms and moaned softly when he deepened the kiss; his tongue searching for every inch of her mouth.
Lizzy opened her eyes only when he broke the kiss, able to breathe again and looked into his eyes darkened with desire. She could not and did not resist him kissing his throat, his neck, trailing kisses along his patrician chin until her teeth lightly bit his earlobe; his scent was so intoxicating. She could feel his hardness pressed against her, and revelled in the sensation, one she had thought never to know again.
He groaned loudly at the contact of her hot, swollen lips with his heated skin. He used one hand to keep her in place while the other wandered over her body, searching for her bare skin. He internally blessed the modiste who designed such a small piece of attire when he reached her buttocks. Darcy decided that one hand touching that warm flesh was not enough and lowered his other hand so he had a grip on both sides of her hips.
She held him even tighter for a moment before taking a step back. He was breathing heavily, eyes closed, and instantly missed the contact. When Darcy tried to take her in his arms again, Lizzy just held his hand and silently asked him to follow her. She could not care about the consequences that what was about to happen would have; she needed this; needed him.
Lizzy felt somehow embarrassed when they reached her bedroom. "I. . . I am. . ." She looked away from him, searching for some courage deep within her heart. But she did not have a chance to find it, for Darcy violently attacked her mouth again; she could barely breathe.
Darcy put his hands on her thighs at the bottom of her skirt, red was his new favourite colour, and lifted her so she had no choice but to encircle his waist. Never letting go of her lips, he walked to the bed and gently bent to lay Lizzy on the counterpane. He ceased touching her for a moment, just enough time for him to discard his too many layers clothing. Darcy was back, caressing her face with longing. "I have dreamt of this for so many nights."
Lizzy could not speak; her mouth was dry with expectation. He knelt on the bed and lowered his lips and kissed her with abandonment. One hand supported him and the other continued to explore her body. He needed to disrobe her desperately, to see all of her. "How do you take this off?"
She took his hand and directed it to the side zipper of her skirt. "Just lower this down."
Very practical vestment, indeed. He mused as Lizzy lifted her hips slightly and the skirt was thrown on the floor. Darcy took the hem of her blouse and she sat up as he raised it over her head. She lay down and he stood up so that he could see her. Her hair spread on the pillow, her full breasts were the most delightful cream colour topped with light brown nipples. Darcy could not resist touching them. They fit perfectly in his hands as in his dreams. At the beginning he just caressed them, but when he looked up at Lizzy's face, she had her eyes closed, lips partially opened and was breathing erratically. He smiled and pinched her nipples, watching them growing hard under his ministrations. Lizzy winced in pleasure, moaning louder. His hand travelled lower until he was touching a small cloth that covered her nether region. "What is this type of undergarment you wear called?"
"They are called panties," she said panting. "Please. . ." She was desperate to feel his mouth on her breasts; his hands stimulating her moistened area.
He smiled wickedly at her as he slid the barrier down her legs. He slowly raised his hand up her calves. "You are so perfect, like a nymph, like Aphrodite herself." Darcy was so engorged it was almost painful, but before he could allow himself to reach completion he needed to taste and touch her. As he did in his dreams, he captured one nipple with his hungry mouth, licking and nipping, and then altering with the other. His hand found her folds and began a slow, tortuous rhythm.
Lizzy buried her hands in his dark curly locks and lifted her mouth to his so that she could kiss his lips. He was more than willing to comply and kissed her sybaritically. She was crying out in pleasure and digging her nails into his back. Lord, she is so sensual. Not even in the places I visited I have encountered such a woman as her. He was delighted by her responses to his attentions, it was better than in his dreams. Lizzy was almost reached her peak when Darcy removed his hand, positioned himself between her legs and looking into those emerald pools, entered her with one hard thrust.
The pair simultaneously cried out with the sensation of his member stretching her walls. He was assaulting her mouth once again, and moved slowly, in and out.
She could not take this pace any more; it was killing her. "Darcy, faster, please."
Her pleading made him lose the little control he retained, and he thrust with abandonment, burying his head in her neck listening to the most sensual sounds he ever heard coming from her lips. He felt her pinnacle arriving and sped up his pace so they could fall together.
She cried aloud, holding him tighter, and Darcy finally found his release. "Yes! God! Lizzy!" He shuttered and then he let his weight fall over her.
He rolled to his side, holding her close to his chest.
"You called me Lizzy," she said smiling at him.
Darcy chuckled. "Indeed, I did, my Lizzy." He kissed her forehead as he gently caressed her back. And he stood there, with this fantastic woman in his arms and thought 'which knows only equality, the measure common to all, which allows no differences or disparities.' [4]
(A/N)
[1] William Henry was an English Chemist. One of his best-known papers (published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 1803) describes experiments on the quantity of gases absorbed by water at different temperatures and under different pressures. His results are known today as Henry's law.
[2] Margaret "Peggy" Carter is a fictional character from Marvel Universe. She is one of the S.H.I.E.L.D's founders, and the great love of Steve Rogers. She is also British and amazing.
[3] The song is 'Come on Over' by Christina Aguilera (yeah, I love pop music!)
[4] Jean-Luc Nancy Tombe de sommeil. Paris: Galilée, 2007.
If you haven't yet, just watch The Grave of the Fireflies… It's … yeah…