Chapter 21

Darcy was a mere mortal, and as such, was as tempted as would any man be when faced with a beautiful, willing woman who would, after all, be his wife very soon, whether it be tomorrow, or in two weeks' time. But he was also a man who was accustomed to thinking for others: his family, his friends, his tenants; and tonight he would think for both himself and Elizabeth. He knew what he wanted, but he also knew what was best, and he came to a decision.

"No, Lizzy, I will not make you my wife in the manner you imply until we are married in the eyes of God. However...," and here he paused, bending down to kiss her lips, "...however, there is no reason to wait for two weeks, or even until tomorrow."

"What is your meaning, William?"

"I have no doubt that the Rev. Mr. Presley, with the proper inducement, will be most willing to marry us tonight."

"William, it is after ten o'clock, surely Rev. Presley is asleep!"

"Perhaps, but I will exercise my right as his patron and landlord to awaken him. His vocation requires him to be available for any situation of urgency that arises at Pemberley."

"William, I dare say that a marriage ceremony that could just as easily take place tomorrow or two weeks from now hardly qualifies as 'urgent.'"

"Lizzy," he whispered. "I want you tonight. Urgently!"

"But, William," she replied, in an exasperated manner. "I have already informed you that I am willing to..." she blushed and swallowed hard, unable to say the words... "and that we can wait until tomorrow to marry!"

He leaned back against the wall, his arms folded.

"No," he said simply. "Marry me tonight, or I shall bid you good night and retire to my own bedchamber."

"William, you know it is impossible for us to marry tonight!"

"I intend to make it possible. Just this once I will behave in a manner that will justify your early opinion of me, Lizzy. Arrogant...demanding..."

He crushed her to him, kissing her until she was breathless.

"Say yes," he demanded, and when she did not respond quickly enough, he kissed her again.

"Say yes," he repeated.

"William, I..."

He kissed her yet again.

"We can be back here in an hour's time, Lizzy. In my bed, together. And should we be discovered, a certificate of marriage will quell all of Bingley's protests!"
His body was pressed hard against hers, reminding her of what awaited her in his bed tonight, and what she would forego should she reject his proposal.

"You are insufferable! Yes, then! Yes!"

"Come with me then, Lizzy. I will send my man for the carriage. And we must be quiet, my love, I do not want to awaken..."

He looked past Elizabeth, a startled expression on his face. She turned her head, following his gaze.

Georgiana stood at the end of the corridor outside her bedchamber.

"I heard voices, and...why are you sending for your carriage, Fitzwilliam? What is the matter?" She looked at her brother with concern.

"We decided...that is, I wish..." Darcy's voice trailed off.

"What is it, William? Please tell me, is anything wrong?"

"We are going to Kympton, Georgiana, to be married."

"Tonight? Whatever for, William? Are you not to be married at Longbourn in just two weeks' time?"

"Yes, but Elizabeth is here now, at Pemberley, and I..." Good Lord, this was embarrassing.

Georgiana's expression softened.

"I see." And, indeed, she did.

She came to Elizabeth and took her hands.

"As I am so anxious to have you as a sister, Elizabeth, I find it easy to understand why Fitzwilliam can wait no longer to have you as his wife. You may both count upon me to be discreet."

Darcy hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

"Bless you, dearest. We will return quickly, I promise."

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When the Rev. Mr. Elton Presley was awakened by his manservant, who informed him that Mr. Darcy of Pemberley was in the parlour and was in need of his services immediately, he thought the worst: that someone at the great house was gravely ill or injured and required last rites. He hastily changed out of his nightclothes into his customary clerical attire and awakened his wife as well.

With his wife beside him, he was surprised to find Mr. Darcy waiting downstairs accompanied by a lovely young woman whom he introduced as Miss Elizabeth Bennet, his intended bride. Reports of Mr. Darcy's engagement had been circulating throughout Derbyshire since his return two weeks ago, and there was much speculation about his fiancee. It had been rumoured that Miss Bennet intended to visit Pemberley before the wedding, but it was curious, indeed, that the wedding was to be such an impromptu affair, and here in Derbyshire!
The Rev. Presley's elderly mother, who lived at the parsonage with her son and daughter-in-law, quickly glanced at the young lady's midsection to determine if the reason for the hurried wedding was the usual one! But no, Miss Bennet did not appear to be with child, and her deportment was that of a true lady. The elder Mrs. Presley narrowed her eyes at Mr. Darcy. Perhaps Mr. Darcy, like other rich, spoiled young men, was accustomed to having his way in all matters, and had attempted to compromise Miss Bennet once she was under his roof.

In that case, she could only assume that it was Miss Bennet who had insisted on the hasty marriage ceremony in order to protect her virtue. The old lady smiled at Miss Bennet approvingly and patted her arm.

"Good girl," she whispered, to the amusement of Mr. Darcy, who instantly comprehended her thought process and wryly thought that, if Mrs. Presley were to know the truth of the matter, she would think Elizabeth a bad girl, indeed!

Mr. Darcy produced the marriage license, and with the Rev. Mr. Presley's mother standing in as witness, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet were united in marriage in the parlour of the parsonage at Kympton. The room was illuminated by more than a dozen candles, one held by the good reverend so that he could read the words of the marriage rites. His own wife Priscilla's eyes filled with tears, so affected was she by the romance of the affair. Such a beautiful couple, Mr. Darcy and his bride! He, so tall and imposing, his usually stoic face alight with a quiet passion tonight, she so young and fresh, her dress, the colour of summer roses, shimmering in the candlelight.

Darcy was quietly assured of the rightness of what they were doing tonight. He knew he could not stay even one night with Elizabeth at Pemberley without having her in his bed, and he would not have her in his bed unless she was his wife. With any luck, and with Georgiana's assistance, no one need know they were married and another marriage ceremony would take place at Longbourn as planned. He would reveal the truth to no other unless it became absolutely necessary to protect Elizabeth's reputation.

"Are we ready to begin?" asked the beaming Rev. Presley. He seldom was called upon to marry as august a personage as Mr. Darcy, and was secretly pleased that the honour had not been given to some other cleric in the wilds of Hertfordshire. He was not disturbed at Mr. Darcy's request that the ceremony be kept secret; in fact, he was flattered to be in Mr. Darcy's confidence. The story of this night was one he would relate, with much embellishment, to his children and grandchildren in years to come.

"I, Fitzwilliam Darcy, take thee, Elizabeth Bennet, as my wedded wife..."

How reverently Darcy pronounced those solemn words, words he had despaired of ever having the privilege of saying. What was the magic in them, he wondered, that elevated their love to something more than what they already shared? Was it for themselves or for God or for the precepts of proper society that they were necessary? For himself, he knew they spoke of possession, of permanence, his declaration to God and to the world and to Elizabeth herself that she was his, and that he was hers, for eternity.

"What God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

Darcy slipped the simple gold band on Elizabeth's finger, and it was done. His fondest hopes, crushed at Hunsford, and resurrected just a few weeks ago in Hertfordshire, were finally realized. Elizabeth's love had been hard won, and he swore to himself that he would strive always to be worthy of it.
With God's blessing now theirs, there was no force on earth that could separate them this night.
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His arms wrapped tightly around her, Darcy held Elizabeth close to his heart during the brief journey back to Pemberley.

My wife, he mused. It is my right to hold her, to kiss her, to take her to my bed. I have had other women, but never before have I loved or been loved.

"I adore you, Mrs. Darcy," he whispered. "I know not how I will prevent myself from proclaiming you 'Mrs. Darcy' to all the world, as tonight I find they are the two most beautiful words in the English language."

"Could I think of a word that would express my love more adequately than 'adoration,' William, I would say it. I can only say that I did not know true happiness until I accepted your love and loved you in return. And the only two words I find more beautiful tonight than 'Mrs. Darcy' are 'my husband.'"

Both Mrs. Darcy and her husband spoke no more, their lips being joined for the first time since their marriage in an activity far more pleasurable than speech.

It was nearly midnight when the Darcy carriage returned to Pemberley. Georgiana had been too excited to go back to sleep, and she was waiting for them in the entrance hall upon their return.

Darcy swept Elizabeth up into his arms and carried her into the house. He smiled broadly at the sight of his sister and said, "Miss Darcy, may I present Mrs. Darcy?"

"Oh, brother, I am overjoyed for the two of you! No one is more deserving of happiness. I should like to kiss you, Elizabeth, if Fitzwilliam would only set you down!"

"Your brother insists on carrying me, Georgiana, although I am quite capable of walking on my own."

"Hush, Elizabeth," he replied. "We do not want to awaken anyone, and one pair of feet on the stairs will create less noise than two!"

"I will bid you good night now," Georgiana said. "I could not sleep until you were safely home."

She blushed and averted her eyes.

"Tomorrow morning, I will knock upon your bedchamber door after everyone else has come down to breakfast, so that you and Miss Bennet...I mean, Mrs. Darcy...will not be observed together."

Darcy was somewhat surprised that his sister was capable of such deviousness, but he was grateful, nonetheless.

"Thank you, Georgiana. Without your assistance, I dare say this happy event might never have taken place. My everlasting gratitude is yours, dear sister."

Georgiana rolled her eyes.

"For goodness sake, Fitzwilliam, it is your wedding night! Enough of your everlasting gratitude!"

Elizabeth laughed at the startled expression on her new husband's face. He shook his head ruefully.
"Two teasing young women, how shall I ever survive?"

Georgiana smiled as she left them, turning on the stairs to blow them a kiss.

"Good night," she said softly. "I love both of you so very much!"

"Well, Elizabeth," Darcy whispered hotly in her ear, "it is time to put the bride to bed. I have dreamed of you, here at Pemberley, in my bed, since...I do believe I had such thoughts very soon after I met you."

Elizabeth responded as he carried her up the stairs.

"You dreamed of me...as your bride, Sir?"

"Mmmm...not necessarily. Not at that juncture," he replied roguishly.

"Yet tonight you insisted on marrying me, William, before taking me to your bed."

"Dreams and reality are not the same thing, Lizzy. I promise you, reality will be much, much better."

"Ah, I see. But it is dreadfully late, William, and I am so fatigued by this eventful day and night, that I may fall asleep when we reach your bedchamber."

He kissed her as he opened the door to his chamber and closed it quietly behind him.

"I think not," he said, as he turned the key in the lock.

Chapter 22

Elizabeth, understandably, had never before been within the confines of a gentleman's bedchamber, and she looked about her with some curiosity after Darcy gently set her down on the bed.

The room was spaciously high-ceilinged and elegant, as would be expected of the room occupied by the master of a great estate such as Pemberley. The four windows facing the front of the house ran nearly ceiling to floor, and upon drawing back the curtains, one was treated to a panoramic view of the park and lake beyond.

The atmosphere of the room was decidedly masculine, its furniture heavy mahogany, the draperies and bedclothes woven in earthy hues. There was a marble mantelpiece atop a large fireplace, its fire unlit as it was early summer and the weather was quite warm. Several books, tossed carelessly on the nightstand next to a drippy candle, attested to Darcy's habit of reading before bed. A pair of high leather boots stood near the door, and a dark blue coat was casually draped over the chair near the writing desk. The room was comfortable and expensively furnished despite its simplicity, but it was lacking in liveliness and warmth.

Until tonight. Just one glimpse of Elizabeth sitting on his bed and for Darcy, the room became a magical place.

He lit a candle and bid her stand so that he could help her undress. There would be no inhibitions tonight, not behind a locked door with his wife. And if they were discovered?

What of it? Truly, he would be relieved if they were spared another wedding ceremony. It was tonight's ceremony that had meaning for him, tonight's ceremony that gave him the right to savour the joy of slowly unveiling his wife's body. He unbuttoned the back of her dress, far enough so that the bodice fell open to her waist, then pulled the pins from her hair, so that her chestnut curls tumbled down around her bare shoulders. Pulling her to him, he kissed her, his hands reaching around her back to open the remaining buttons, and the dress slid down the length of her body to her feet.

Chemise, slippers, stockings: all were removed and discarded, with little care as to where they landed! Soon her hands were pulling at his clothing as eagerly as his, and Darcy felt a surge of unadulterated joy at the sight of her fluid, feminine garments, still warm and fragrant from touching her sweet flesh, mingling with his heavier, tailored ones on the floor and on the chair. How ridiculously miniscule and frivolous her satin slippers appeared next to his large, utilitarian leather boots. A pale silk stocking was caught on the bedpost, and when Elizabeth attempted to remove it, he prevented her from doing so.

"Leave it there," he said, his voice catching.

Shimmering rose silk draped across navy blue broadcloth, soft pale breasts now crushed against a muscled, masculine chest. How foolishly he had struggled against letting this woman into his life and into his heart...and now?

Now there was a silk stocking on his bedpost, and his life was changed forever.

Elizabeth, naked and unashamed, reclined upon the bed. Her husband, tall, proud, aroused, stood before her. She was unafraid, and he was glad of it. He knew her passionate nature, and she was no blushing bride. A virgin, yes, and limited in experience, but no longer the innocent she was just a month ago.

He did not touch her for some minutes, rather he inspected her intimately from head to toe. "Touch me, Elizabeth," he whispered, and she bade him come to her so that she could do as he asked. He got up on the bed and straddled her hips, and she eagerly reached up to stroke his thighs, then took his thick, erect manhood into her hands.

"Closer, William," she pleaded, and when he complied, she kissed his erection and guided it into her mouth. Darcy thought he might die from the pleasure of it, and he closed his eyes, every nerve ending in his body alert and tingling as she sucked him.

He knew he could not endure much longer, and it took all the self control he had remaining to withdraw from her mouth. He spread her legs and knelt between them, slid his hands under her bottom to elevate her, then eased himself into her. He restrained himself, his penetration of her slow and shallow, as he did not want to inflict any more pain on her than was necessary.

"Elizabeth, my wife...my own..." he said She was so tight, so soft, that he feared the stimulation would cause him to spill before he fully penetrated her.

"Oh, God, William, please," she said, and with that, he drew back and plunged into her, erupting inside her as she gave a little gasp of pain.

"Lizzy, Lizzy, I am so sorry, my love...I have hurt you," he cried, tears welling in his eyes as he collapsed on her, his face buried between her breasts..
She comforted him, stroking his back, kissing the top of his head.

"It is all right, William...shhhh...I swear to you, my love, it is all right..."

She had not reached completion, and he knew this.

"I fear, Lizzy...that is...I did not give you the pleasure you deserve."

"Holding you and loving you like this is pleasure enough for now, William. We have tonight, we have the rest of our lives."

Husband and wife lay entwined, Darcy restless at what he saw as his failure to fully love Elizabeth. When she began to softly kiss his neck, her breasts brushing up against his chest, he felt his manhood beginning to stir again, and he was determined to pleasure her to completion.

He nudged her legs open and stroked the silky flesh inside her thighs with his fingertips, then moved higher, slipping one finger inside her, while flicking his thumb against her most sensitive spot. With his other hand he teased her nipples, taking them between his thumb and forefinger, gently squeezing and pulling.

"Talk to me, Lizzy. Tell me how it feels."

"I need more, William. You...you inside me," she whispered.

More than ready to meet her demands, he mounted her, pulling her legs up around his waist. He met little resistance this time as he slid easily inside her, making love to her with long, hard thrusts. She grabbed his hand and guided it between her legs, so that she would be doubly stimulated, and they were so in tune with each other that he immediately knew what it was she wanted, to be touched there as he had touched her before, this time while filling her with his swollen manhood.

"You first this time, Lizzy. Yes, my love. Just like that...tighten...tighten around me."

As if on demand, she felt the first pulsations beginning, crying out and digging her nails into his backside. He responded by thrusting more forcefully into her, holding back his own orgasm until he felt hers gaining strength.

When finally she tensed her body, straining upwards and crying out, he plunged deep inside her and remained still so that he could better feel her body's every shuddering spasm. When she came down from the peak and he felt her softening and heard her contented sighs, he pulled back and gazed upon her face with satisfaction. Only then would he take his own pleasure, gently, slowly, murmuring her name.

Darcy settled back down on the bed, cradled his Lizzy in his arms, and pulled the coverlet up over them.

"My wife," he said simply. "Sleep with me. Tonight, and every night."

Elizabeth moved up the length of his body to kiss him.

"Tonight, my love, for certain. But on the morrow?"

"Yes, Lizzy. Tomorrow and forever. I will not have it any other way."

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Elizabeth awakened shortly after dawn, and before she even opened her eyes, she thought of the startling events of the previous night.

I am a married woman, she thought, and as though to convince herself, she held her hand in front of her face to confirm that there was, indeed, a wedding band on her finger. Far more imposing a confirmation than one small gold ring was one very large, warm, naked man lying in bed next to her, his arms wrapped securely around her.

He looked younger somehow, his face unlined by care, his lips parted. She touched his mouth with one finger, smiling when he wrinkled his nose at her touch. His eyes fluttered open, and his expression was momentarily confused, as though the sight of her was unexpected.

"Good morning, Mrs. Darcy," he said sleepily.

"I am gratified to hear you address me as such, William. I was not dreaming, then, that you spirited me away in the dead of night to be married?"

"No, 'tis true, Lizzy, you are my wife, and there is no turning back."

He looked at her a bit apprehensively.

"You would not want to turn back, would you, Lizzy?"

She ran her fingers through his tangled curls.

"Silly man. Turn back? And never awaken to the sight of so handsome a gentleman in my bed ever again?"

"You did seem quite enthusiastic about taking me to bed last night, Lizzy. What choice did I have but marrying you with haste?"

"You might have married me in two weeks' time, William."

"Far too long to wait. Lizzy?"

"Mmm?" she answered, while kissing his chest.

"Must we proceed with this subterfuge? Not allowing anyone to know we are married?"

"It does seem pointless, William. Although my mother is quite set on presiding over a grand wedding celebration."

"Could we not have it both ways, Lizzy? Reveal that we are married and then have a celebration with all our family present in Hertfordshire?"

"I suppose it is possible."

"Lizzy, " he said earnestly. "Now that we are married, we will be together this night and every night. I am not willing to forego the pleasures to which we are entitled, as husband and wife. I will honour your wishes as to whether or not to reveal we are married, but please do not ask me to be without you. I was without you far too long, my love."
"I would not want to be without you either, William," she said softly.

"Good," he said, almost shyly. "It pleases me greatly to hear that. Last night...did it bring you pleasure, Lizzy?"

She smiled.

"So much pleasure that I am loath to leave you this morning, William. As it is still quite early and Georgiana has promised to furtively summon us when all the others are safely downstairs, I believe we might remain in bed for another hour, at least."

"Much can be accomplished in one hour, Lizzy."

Correctly interpreting her new husband's words as a tantalizing promise, Elizabeth set about seeing to it that he fulfilled that promise. They were both conveniently unclothed, and she clambered atop him. He was so appealingly disheveled, his curly hair untamed and his face grizzled.

"Men have a distinct advantage over women, William, it is quite unfair."

"How so, Lizzy?"

"I suppose I should qualify my statement so that it is not so sweeping. I know not of other men, but I can remark with certainty that you look entirely too handsome for one who has just awakened. I am afraid I, like all women, require at least a half hour's preparations to look presentable!"

"I beg to differ, Mrs. Darcy. You look intoxicatingly beautiful this morning, and I fear a half hour's preparations would make you less appealing, not more."

"Explain yourself!" Elizabeth demanded.

"At the very least, you would emerge from your chamber after that half hour clothed and with your hair properly pinned up and secured. I much prefer you as you are now," Darcy said.

"Shocking!" Elizabeth replied, but her eyes glowed at his words.

"Yes," he whispered. "As you are now, so I can touch you, like this." He reached up with both hands to stroke her breasts."

"I am beginning to see the sense in your opinions, William," she said, lifting herself up, then down again, so that his erection was sheathed inside her. Her husband thrust upwards in response.

His words, his heated expression, and his deliberate, sensual motions, aroused Elizabeth, as she felt his growing excitement and her power over him. In this position, it was she who controlled the pace of their lovemaking, ensuring that she realized her own pleasure before Darcy did. He enjoyed the novelty of her domination and watching her reach completion, and she was already over the edge when he spilled his seed into her.

"You could not possibly look more beautiful than you do at this moment, Lizzy," he said as they recovered afterwards. "If our marriage were known, I would bid you remain thus the entire day, here in my bed."

"I promise you, William, when we return to Pemberley after our wedding in Hertfordshire, that is how we shall pass our first day at home together."

"I intend to hold you to that promise, Lizzy," he said, taking her into his arms and kissing her.

But today, he thought, I must face the distressing reality of Caroline Bingley and the hapless Alex Clifton at my breakfast table instead of spending the day in bed with my wife.

"It shan't be so unpleasant, William," Elizabeth said, discerning his thoughts with an astonishing degree of accuracy. "We have the company of Georgiana and Charles, and the day will pass quickly. And tonight..."

"Yes," he answered. "Tonight we shall find a way to be together again. Tonight, and every night until we leave for Hertfordshire."