Sorry it took so long to post, but work has been a killer lately!

Chapter 31

Caroline Bingley, unpracticed as she was in the arts of seduction, did not know how to go about arousing Mr. Clifton's passions. The two of them were alone in the house except for a dozen servants who would not, after all, intrude upon them unless summoned.

She regarded her fiance thoughtfully as he sat in the library reading the newspaper.

"Alex, will you not come sit next to me?" she asked encouragingly, patting the cushion next to where she sat on the divan.

He turned his head slowly to look at her. Her expression was clear and guileless.

"Certainly, Caroline," he said pleasantly, putting his newspaper aside and rising to his feet.

He sat down next to her, and she moved closer to him so that their legs touched, then reached over to pat his knee. He, in turn, put his hand over hers.

"We are quite alone, Alex," she said meaningfully.

He smiled. "Yes," he agreed.

"Most men would want to take advantage of such solitude," she said, her lips tilted up invitingly.

Good God, she wants me to kiss her.

"I...that is...we are in your brother's house, Caroline!"

"But my brother is not!"

There was nothing for it. They were alone, they were engaged to be married, and he would have to kiss her.

Alex leaned closer to Caroline, his lips brushing hers. It was an odd sensation, kissing her. It was not altogether unpleasant, but he felt no pressing desire to repeat the process.

"Surely you can do better than that, Alex," Caroline pouted.

He nodded and took a deep breath.

I must close my eyes. I cannot bear to look at her.

Caroline draped her arms around Alex's neck, and finally, he returned the embrace. He pressed his lips tightly against hers, then opened his mouth wider. It occurred to Caroline that one of them, at least, should be moving their lips, and it appeared it would be up to her to do so.

Alex shuddered, but Caroline interpreted it as a passionate reaction to her attentions, and was greatly encouraged. She had more than once come upon Darcy and Elizabeth, or Jane and Charles, kissing, and they certainly appeared more enthusiastic than she and Clifton. Still, the kiss was not all that bad for a first effort, she thought, and he smelled quite nice, as well.

There was the sound of footsteps in the hall, and the affianced couple pulled apart. Caroline assumed that Alex would require more intimate contact after they were married, and she had a vague, if rather incomplete, understanding of what such contact would entail. The mechanics of the act, as far as she understood them, seemed an unpleasant, awkward business at best, and she rather hoped it would occur most infrequently.

Still, she wanted Alex to want her, even if she did not want him. It was the only leverage, really, that a woman held over a man once they were married, and Caroline intended to use that leverage to her best advantage.

Alex never stared at her with that intensity she had seen in Darcy when he was looking at Elizabeth. But then, she reasoned, when Alex had been courting Elizabeth, he did not seem particularly aroused by her, either.

It was a puzzle, to be sure, but one that Caroline Bingley was determined to solve.

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Elizabeth and Darcy were still standing outside the house, and Jane Bingley greeted them warmly upon her arrival at Longbourn.

"Mr. Darcy, it appears you are now my brother, somewhat sooner than anticipated. Of course, I am most happy for the two of you, but Lizzy...how did Mama and Papa react to the news?"

"It was interesting, to say the least, Jane! Papa was disconcerted at first, and Mama more concerned about being deprived of a grand wedding celebration, but Mr. Darcy's tact and wisdom won the day, to the satisfaction of all!"

Darcy smiled. "You give me too much credit, Elizabeth."

"Not at all, Sir!" she said teasingly. "Once you reassured Mama that the Hertfordshire social event of the year could go on as planned, she was thoroughly reconciled to our early marriage and easily overcame the shock of seeing you emerge from my bedroom this morning!"

Jane's eyes widened.

"Lizzy! What is your meaning? We had assumed Mr. Darcy arrived at Longbourn early this morning!"

"You assume incorrectly, Jane. Mr. Darcy arrived at Longbourn in the dead of night and created quite a commotion, I assure you."

Bingley shook his head.

"I am shocked, Darcy. Impetuousness is one characteristic I would never have attributed to you!"

Darcy looked a bit offended at the ridicule.

"I assure you, Bingley, there was nothing impetuous about my actions. I have never done anything more logical in my life. My wife's place is with me," he said simply.

"You are far too accustomed to having everything you want, Darcy," Bingley replied.
"Not always," Darcy said softly, recalling the painful year he had spent apart from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth understood his meaning, and her expression softened. She slipped her arm through his.

"You make it very unsatisfying to tease you, Fitzwilliam!"

"Not so unsatisfying that you will cease doing it?" he said with a smile.

"As long as it makes you smile like that, no, I will never cease doing it," Elizabeth said brightly.

Georgiana said nothing, but reflected with satisfaction that she had never seen her brother smile so much as he had since Elizabeth re-entered his life.

Mrs. Bennet saw her two eldest daughters and her two wealthy sons-in-law from the window and went to the door to bid them come inside.

"Lizzy! Jane! Why do you all linger outside, luncheon will soon be served! And my grandson will catch his death of cold in that wind."

Elizabeth sighed and refrained from pointing out that little Charles was well covered, and that the breeze wafting over them was a warm one. She glanced at her husband, who returned her apologetic smile with one of his own. Even her mother's exuberance could not quell his good humour this day, it seemed.

Yes, Mr. Darcy was well pleased. Everyone in the world who mattered now knew of their marriage, and Elizabeth would lie by his side this night and every night to come.

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It was an awkward business for Mrs. Bennet to explain to curious friends and neighbours why Elizabeth was spending the final days before her marriage at Netherfield, rather than at Longbourn. Mr. Bennet himself frankly informed the Gardiners and the Phillipses that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were, in fact, already married, but acceded to his wife's desire to conceal the truth for as long as possible from all others. He had never been one to give much thought to others' opinions of himself in any event, and any concessions he had made to society and "propriety" over the years had been with the purpose of getting his daughters well married. As that purpose had been achieved beyond even his wife's grandiose expectations and he fully expected that his younger daughters, by virtue of their elder sisters' new connections, would be married to men well able to provide for them, he could now curtail even his half-hearted attempts at conformity.

He delighted in teasing Lizzy about being on her honeymoon at Netherfield before her wedding, which was not really a wedding at all!

"And after this supposed wedding, Lizzy," he said with a twinkle in his eye one night after dinner at Netherfield, "will there be another honeymoon?"

"We will remain at Pemberley, Papa," Elizabeth said patiently. "We had hoped to visit the Continent, but as Miss Bingley's wedding will be in early September, we thought it best to remain in the country."

"Ah, yes! Miss Bingley's wedding! To the cryptic Mr. Clifton. Excellent!" Mr. Bennet said, taking a sip of wine.
"Such a curious match," Mrs. Bennet said. "Such an unenthusiastic young man."

"Indeed," said Mr. Bennet. "Try as I might, I cannot imagine Mr. Clifton banging on the door at Netherfield in the middle of the night demanding to see his intended bride."

Mr. Darcy rolled his eyes.

"Papa, please!" Elizabeth whispered. "They will hear you," she said, glancing in the direction of Jane and Charles.

"And what say you, Darcy, of Mr. Clifton?"

"I have no opinion, Sir," Darcy answered, remembering how closely Mr. Clifton had come to banging on a bedroom door at Netherfield, but not that of his intended bride!

"Papa, really! Miss Bingley's opinion of Mr. Clifton is the one that matters, is it not?"

At just that moment, the couple in question entered the room. Caroline was talking, Clifton was listening, and the gentleman was in the room but a minute before his eyes roamed in the direction of the Bingleys. Darcy knew, and Elizabeth thought she knew, precisely whom the object of his desirous glance was, but they were united in their pity for him.

Mr. Clifton had learned since the near disaster at Netherfield to curtail his emotions, and while he was grateful for Darcy's discretion, he found himself embarrassed in that gentleman's company. He valued Darcy's good opinion, and while Darcy's interaction with him was as polite as ever, he wondered whether Darcy despised him underneath the cordial exteriour. So after indulging himself for a matter of seconds, he forced himself to look away from Charles Bingley and directly into the eyes of his fiancee. The effort was not lost on Darcy, and he felt a grudging respect for the man.

"Good evening, Alex," Darcy said. Mr. Clifton looked at him in surprise. Darcy, despite being considerably more civilized since his engagement and marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, rarely made the first move socially.

"Good evening, Darcy," Clifton answered, with a grateful nod.

"Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!" Caroline said. "How many days remain until your wedding? Oh, not your wedding, is it? What shall I call it? The celebration of your marriage?"

Darcy would not dignify her question with a response.

"Just two days, Caroline, as you well know," Bingley answered.

"It seems to me the celebration began well before the marriage," she said under her breath.

"What did you say, Caroline?" Bingley asked sharply.

"That it is a marriage well worth celebrating, Charles," she answered, with an air of injured innocence on her face.

Mr. Clifton, who had been standing close to Caroline, had heard exactly what she had said.

"May I speak to you privately, Caroline?" he asked, not waiting for her response as he steered her into the hall.
"Yes, Alex?" she asked.

"Caroline, you are not yet my wife, but it is time I made something clear to you. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are not only friends, but Charles's sister and brother. Your pointed remarks do not go unnoticed by them, and they will no longer be tolerated by me. Is that understood?"

"I beg your pardon?" she answered indignantly.

"It is not my pardon that is required, as you well know. Your latest remark was not overheard by anyone other than myself, thank the Lord, but be assured that if any of them had overheard it, I would demand that you apologize immediately."

"And if I refused?"

"I would no longer be willing to marry you, Caroline."

Caroline opened her mouth to respond, but the steely glint in Clifton's eyes forced her to shut it again.

"You are to be my wife, and hopefully the mother of my children, and I expect you to behave civilly, Caroline. I will not ask much of you, and I will give you much in return."

He waited for a reply, but none was forthcoming. He folded his arms across his chest.

"Well?"

Caroline coloured.

"I...I am sorry."

He nodded.

"Good."

And with that, he bent down and kissed her with more enthusiasm than he ever had before.

Caroline, quite suddenly, felt rather warm. Not just physically, but in her emotions toward Mr. Clifton.

Chapter 32

Mrs. Bennet awakened quite early on the morning of the wedding breakfast. There was to be a ceremony at church, a blessing of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy by the local vicar, who had seemed somewhat perplexed at the rather unorthodox request. He was quickly won over, however, by the elevated rank of the requestor, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.

The little country church was overflowing with guests. Mrs. Darcy dressed in pale yellow, to her husband's delight, and Mr. Darcy wore a morning coat of charcoal grey. They were a most striking couple, all the more beautiful for having made love more than once during the night. Mr. Bennet tried not to think about the reason for the telling glow on his daughter's face; instead, he gave silent thanks for her obvious happiness in marriage to a man who clearly adored her.
The vicar had been forced by circumstances to improvise, and he rose to the occasion admirably.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here this morning to celebrate the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, present before us. Let us ask God's blessing on them as we wish them prosperity and happiness in their future life together."

Elizabeth slipped her hand into her husband's as the vicar spoke. She looked around her, at her family and neighbours, and at Georgiana Darcy, who returned her loving smile.

Mr. Darcy squeezed his wife's hand. He, too, looked around him, at all those who loved them. He had caught the loving glance between his wife and sister, and he silently thanked God for bringing Elizabeth back into their lives.

He had, at first, agreed to this ceremony to make his in-laws happy, but he now realized that it was important for himself and Elizabeth as well. All these people, in varying degrees, had contributed to the progress of their courtship, and it was fitting that they all be there to witness the celebration of their marriage.

When the ceremony was concluded, Darcy needed no prelate's permission to kiss his bride. He leaned down and kissed her softly, but at such length that his father-in-law coughed loudly. Mr. Bennet had risen to kiss his daughter and shake his son-in-law's hand, and he whispered, "Mr. Darcy, you need not devour your wife, I assure you Mrs. Bennet has a bounteous wedding breakfast planned."

"Yes, Sir," Darcy replied, blushing.

Elizabeth laughed. How she would miss her father's acerbic wit, even when it was at her own expense!

"You must come to Pemberley often, Papa," she said, with tears in her eyes.

"I most assuredly will, child, and Mr. Darcy, it need not be with the entire family on every occasioni!"

"Your entire family is always welcome, of that you may be certain, Mr. Bennet," Darcy replied, and to his own surprise, he found he meant it. His eyes rested on his sister, who was exhibiting an uncharacteristically girlish enthusiasm in comparing wedding finery with Lydia and Kitty Bennet. Yes, there have been benefits to both of us in our association with the Bennets.

The entire assembly proceeded to Longbourn where, as Mr. Bennet had promised, the grandest of feasts awaited them. Elizabeth had never seen her husband so animated among company. He was even cordial to Sir William Lucas, who superciliously congratulated him on carrying away the jewel of the county, because he rather agreed with him.

Elizabeth was, indeed, a jewel, far more precious than the necklace of rubies and diamonds he had given her as a wedding gift.

Caroline Bingley and Alex Clifton approached, and Elizabeth prepared herself for the usual barbed remark, but to her surprise, Caroline was friendly and sincere in her congratulations. Her arm was linked through Clifton's and she appeared almost happy, Elizabeth thought.

"It was a lovely ceremony, Eliza, and your dress is quite becoming," she said.
"Why, thank you, Caroline," Elizabeth answered.

"Congratulations, Darcy," Clifton said, shaking his hand.

"Thank you, Alex," Darcy responded, somewhat in shock at Caroline's improved behaviour.

"I only hope our own wedding will be as joyful," Caroline added.

"I am sure it will be, my dear," Alex answered, reaching over to pat her arm.

Elizabeth shook her head in confusion after they departed. She looked at Darcy.

"Am I dreaming?"

"It does seem odd," Darcy said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps there is more there than meets the eye, Fitzwilliam. Perhaps they..." she said, but stopped, blushing.

"Let us not discuss the private lives of others, Elizabeth," Darcy said somewhat sternly. He knew better than any other how much more there was there than met the eye!

"You are right," she answered solemnly, thinking, I must remember to speak to Jane about this later!

Because the weather was so delightful, much of the celebration took place outdoors. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy circulated among the guests, and soon the unusual timing of the celebration, some three weeks after the wedding in Derbyshire, was forgotten in the excitement of the day. More than one gentleman envied Darcy his glowing bride, and more than one woman envied Elizabeth her handsome, wealthy husband. Elizabeth's dress, ring, and beautifully arranged hair were openly admired by the ladies, and her comely figure, enticingly displayed in the softly clinging fabric of her yellow silk dress, was surreptitiously admired by the men. Their glances were not lost on Darcy, who asked Elizabeth if he might drape her shawl around her shoulders, a rather curious request in light of the warm, sunny weather. She smiled at his solicitude, but replied in the negative, and he had to content himself with possessively draping his arm around her shoulders and glowering at the younger, and generally bolder, gentlemen in question!

"Come, my love," he whispered after the festivities were a few hours hold. "Let us return to Netherfield before the others."

"What do you have in mind, Sir?" she asked teasingly.

"A few hours alone with my wife," he responded, signalling to his man to summon the carriage.

"In broad daylight?" she asked, trying to appear shocked at the suggestion.

"Hardly," he said. "I will wait until we are indoors, I assure you."

He bent down to whisper in her ear.

"But not much longer."

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Upon their arrival at Netherfield, Elizabeth and Darcy proceeded to their bedroom with alacrity. He took her in his arms to kiss her, but she suddenly pulled away.

"You promised me, Sir, that when we were married you would tell me of your dream."

He frowned. "Of what do you speak, Elizabeth?"

"Let me help you recall. At Rosings, you came upon me in the park, and you wished to sweep me away with you on your horse. And that night, you dreamed, 'in explicit detail,' as you put it, of..."

"Ahhhh, yes," he said, seating himself in an armchair and leaning back, staring at her intensely.

"So now that we are married and the innocence you wished to protect is long gone, it is time for you to fulfill your promise and provide me with all those explicit details!"

"I see," he said, his eyes dancing. "Your three weeks' experience as a married woman has so corrupted you as to enable you to withstand the shock of hearing the particulars."

"Never mind! I insist you tell me!"

"Is that so, Lizzy?" he drawled.

"Yes, Fitzwilliam, you did promise me you would!"

"Perhaps it is better I demonstrate," he said.

"How so, William? We cannot saddle your horse here in the bedroom!"

"You may imagine the horse if you wish, Lizzy."

He spread his knees and beckoned to her.

"Come closer."

Her face burning, Elizabeth did as he asked.

"Between my knees. Now face away from me.Yes, exactly so. Are you imagining a horse, Lizzy?"

"I am imagining all sorts of things, William!"

"Imagine, then, that you are in front of me, astride a magnificent steed." Lizzy felt him fumbling with the front of his breeches, and she reached behind her back to take his erection into her hand.

"Magnificent, indeed," she said.

He slapped her hand away. "Might I remind you this is my dream?"

She giggled.

"And no giggling, naughty girl!" he said. "In my dream, as I recall, you were taken quite by surprise when your maidenly virtue was compromised."
He began to roll up her skirts, taking care to tuck the gathered fabric into the sash at her waist so that they would not fall back down. He reached between her legs, his fingers stroking her silky, wet recesses.

"It seems you were quite bold in your dream!" she exclaimed, writhing upon his hand.

"Well...perhaps I am embellishing a bit."

"Ahhhh...you embellish quite well, William" she moaned.

"And this is how we rode, Lizzy, until the horse came upon a bump in the path and you rose up quite suddenly," he said, his hands spanning her waist.

"And when you settled back down," he continued, lowering her slowly onto his rigid member, "you were impaled most pleasurably."

"Mmmm, William..." she sighed, as he slid easily into her, "this will make me far less inclined to ride sidesaddle in future. And tell me, Sir, at what pace did the horse proceed?"

"At a slow trot," he said, thrusting up and down, "until I gave him a taste of the crop." At this, he slapped her bare backside briskly with both hands and quickened the pace of his movements.

"Thus stimulated," he said, "he broke into a gallop."

Elizabeth began to move up and down rapidly with him.

"Faster, Lizzy," he urged, and she complied, taking his hand and guiding it between her legs, so that he might stimulate her where it was most effective. He gently encircled her most sensitive spot with the tip of his thumb, and she tightened around his erection in response.

"William...soon..." she said, as she felt the first wave of orgasm overtaking her.

"Yes, Lizzy, yes...just like that...how well you ride me...oh God...Lizzy...how tight you are..."

One last thrust, and he pressed his palms against the tops of her thighs, holding her tightly to him as they peaked together. She fell back against him, exhausted, as he kissed the back of her neck, whispering words of endearment.

"I love you so much...I know not how I lived without you, Lizzy," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist. She took his hands in hers and kissed them.

"My husband," she said softly. "How I love you."

She rested against him comfortably as they regained their composure.

"I fear your breeches are ruined, William," she teased, "and the chair..."

"...looks remarkably like my bed linens did after I awakened from that dream, Lizzy," he concluded.

Elizabeth blushed at his implication.

"So Lizzy...might we have conceived a baby this afternoon?"
"I do believe we might have, William. A little filly, perhaps?"

He threw back his head and laughed. "You are usually right, Lizzy, about most things."

And indeed she was.