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Dear Readers,

I know have been away far longer than anticipated - life has just been very busy! I have moved house which has take up more time that I thought it would. My apologies as I didn't wish to leave it this long before posting. But I am going to try to do better with my posting schedule.

I am so overwhelmed by the amazing comments I have received for my last chapter. I knew I would divide readers with this side of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth but it is just another version of them. And what can I say I love a kinky D&E!

This chapter is shorter than the previous ones but it sets up what is to come!

ENJOY - and please let me know what you think in the comments section.

Thanks!

HQ Xx.

Also - apologies for any glaring mistakes - I try my best!

FOURTEEN

Elizabeth awoke feeling reborn. Have I ever been so comfortable in my life? So relaxed and well-rested? Stretching she blinked at the ease of the movement, wondering if she'd grown three inches as memories of what she had done in Mr Darcy's study came flooding back to her. The aftermath of the most intense pleasure she had ever felt, how she had sobbed in his arms as he had lifted her and carried her through a passage hidden behind one of the bookcases and brought her into this room and tucked her into the sheets. Sitting up Elizabeth, glanced about the palatial bedchamber decorated in masculine greens, golds and dark woods. She could see from the large windows that the sky was now dark, the moon muted through sheer white curtains under the open navy velvet curtains on the large four poster bed.

Craning her neck to listen for any other movement Elizabeth surmised that she was indeed alone, in what appeared to be Mr Darcy's bedchamber.

Sitting up, Elizabeth used the lighting materials left on the bedside to light a single candle and rose from the bed. She still wore her dress, now awfully creased from being slept in and sighed as her stockinged feet pressed into the luxurious rug. Curling her toes into it she relished the feel of the plush fabric and took a few tentative steps.

The light in the room dimmed, the moon caught behind a sudden cloud, as she drew near to the mantle searching the filagree faced clock for the time. Nearly eleven, and she was still in Mayfair, far from her own lodgings. And there, hanging from the door of a wardrobe, was an elegant blue satin day dress with puffed sleeves. Had that been left for her? Where was Mr Darcy? Surely, he would not leave her here alone… but perhaps in doing so he has afforded her with an opportunity she could never have achieved had she planned it… Elizabeth thought to herself spotting a writing desk near the window. There might be correspondence from Mr Bingley in there, something that might give her Jane's direction.

Inching closer, Elizabeth felt her breathing grow loud and heavy in the room. Stopping suddenly, her gasp caught in her chest at the sound of a door opening further down the hall outside the chamber. Was that Mr Darcy? Should she run back to the bed and feign sleep? For several long minutes Elizabeth maintained her position with only the sound of the clock ticking as she worked to calm her nerves. Finally feeling as though she were safe to continue, she rushed towards the desk and began to carefully rifle through the papers but could find nothing there of any interest. Moving to the drawers she found several ledgers with such detail and sums Elizabeth realised exactly how much her dear papa had been lacking in his bookkeeping.

Pushing the last drawer shut, she cursed at the lack of anything significant. "He must keep his letters and correspondence in his study." She muttered aloud looking the bookshelves against the wall. Was this the other end of the hidden chamber? Elizabeth looked around and noticed another set of shelved along the wall opposite too. "Even if I do find it, he might be in there!" she huffed. But then she could simply say she was looking for him…

Decision made, Elizabeth began running her fingers along the spines of the books in the middle shelves pulling them slightly to see if they would reveal the secret chamber, when one of the books, lighter than the other tomes, fell to the floor and opened. Elizabeth stood amazed looking at the book between her feet, which was in fact hollowed and containing several letters!

Crouching down Elizabeth moved to examine the papers when she heard voices through an adjoining door across the room. Panic flaring, she haphazardly threw all the papers into the hollow of the book slamming it shut. Taking a quick look at the spine, she memorized the title; 'Carissime Fili – G.A.D' Frowning down at the latin she couldn't decipher a moment longer Elizabeth shoved the book back to the shelf noticing the edges of one of the letters poking out, but she had no time to correct it as the door on the far end of the room opened and a liveried man entered and went to the fireplace. As he bent however, he caught sight of her a frown marring his expression, before standing, offering a quick bow and exiting through the door he had just entered.

Pushing past the knowledge that she must look a state, Elizabeth grabbed at a random book from the shelf next to her to give the appearance of someone who had just been looking for something to read - when she heard the voices clearer than before.

"Thank you, Miles," came Mr Darcy's voice as he walked into the room, looking to the bed for her and then around the room until finally his gaze settled on upon her.

"I had wondered where you were." Elizabeth said, speaking quickly through her nervousness.

"Did you find anything of interest?" he asked with a flick of his wrist in her direction.

Paling, she swallowed, "What do you mean?"

Frowning in confusion he elaborated, "The bookshelves. Feel free to borrow what you like." He offered, then tilted his head to read the spine in her hands. "Horses in Society", he read aloud. "I did not know you were interested in horses?" he asked.

"Why should you be surprised, sir?" she replied, raising her brows.

"I do not believe I have ever seen you ride."

She faltered at that, "Well, you are not wrong. I do not ride."

"You do not ride?" he asked in astonishment.

"No, sir."

"You are afraid?"

"A little uncertain of them, but that is because I have never spent enough time to become comfortable in their company." Elizabeth said with a small smile.

He nodded thoughtfully and was silent a moment before he asked, "Would like to learn?"

"Oh…"

"You are not inclined to do so?" he asked.

"No - I should very much like to learn. I had not expected such an offer."

He nodded. "Perhaps, if we are ever in position where you might join me at one of my country estates we could begin your lessons."

Elizabeth nodded, unsure of how to respond and not wanting to give away how touched she was by his generosity.

"Would you care to borrow that book?" he asked a little awkwardly.

"Oh. Thank you, no." She laughed putting the book back. "I was merely browsing but now that you are here, I should really be going."

"Of course, my valet, Miles will take you home." He replied evenly something flashing in his eyes she could not decipher.

"Thank you. Do you happen to know where my shoes are?" she asked wriggling her toes.

Smiling he bent to retrieve them from beside the bed and bent to allow her to step into them. Her breath caught as one large warm hand encircled her ankle, cradling her foot into the slipper. Repeating the same actions on her other foot she sighed as he allowed his hand to travel up her calf. Her hands moved to his hair of their own accord, and she suddenly felt a lump of emotion in her throat as she looked down at him and he rested his forehead against her abdomen. Then just as quickly as the moment formed, he broke it. Taking her hands from his hair he looked at her with no little emotion before standing and clearing his throat.

"Miles, please will you see Miss Spencer home and make sure to use the back entrance to the house." Came his swift instructions to his valet who was now waiting by the door with her outer garments in hand.

Elizabeth could not bring herself to speak for fear of crying, so she simply stood and watched as he bestowed the barest of kisses to the back of her hand and bid her goodnight. Only when she was safely in the darkness of the carriage did she allow a few tears to fall freely. What a mess this all was! And the look he had given her spoke of so much that could have been and what would certainly now, never be.

It would be best for everyone involved to sever this relationship now – but she could not. Not until she had found Jane! She needed to devise a plan to get into his study and find his letters from Mr Bingley – but how? What if she were to somehow sneak into his home and if she were caught could pretend that she was simply waiting to surprise him and seduce him… or she could try to do the same but reverse the order of things. Get him in his cups, seduce him and then sneak into his study while he slept…

Elizabeth pounded her fist against the cushioned seat! It was all too risky. "What a mess!" she sobbed to herself as the carriage rocked along the cobbled streets.

Darcy entered his bedchamber shortly after watching the carriage drive away from the back courtyard. It was getting increasingly difficult to part from her each time they were in company. Even more so now that they were completely uninhibited with one another. Elizabeth matched him in every way and yet still managed to challenge him in way he did not know he needed to be challenged. Her need for secrecy was the most vexing thing. If she would only trust him, there was nothing he would not do for her and yet now there seem to be something else he had failed to see before. It was not just her fear for the young girl in her care's safety. There was something else she was keeping from him.

He walked to where he had found Elizabeth. She had been nervous at his appearance. Why? What could he have that she would need to insert herself into his life to find? The thought caused his chest to tighten. Could she be working with someone to cheat him? Could it be Wickham who held her heart after all that he had put her family through? Surely not! Elizabeth was a woman of sense who wouldn't be so easily fooled. If he was wrong in that assumption, what could Wickham possibly try to extort out of him now? Georgiana would not be a target now that she was married with her own family.

Looking around he drummed his fingers atop the desk and pondered what she might have been looking for it not idly browsing the shelves….

His eyes caught on the hollow book his father had gifted him upon his sixteenth birthday. He hadn't looked at it in years, but it had clearly been moved. It had nothing in there of value to anyone but Darcy, holding letters from his mother and father he had chosen to keep, and a few letters from Georgiana from his time at university. Had she read them? Or simply stumbled upon them and panicked at finding something so personal of his?

Walking to the window he stared out unseeingly into the darkness, trying to ignore the pull of Elizabeth on his senses. He instantly felt cold and lost without her. He should feel angry and wish to cut ties with her at her constant duplicity, instead he tried to rationalise turning up at her home after having only just taken his leave of her. Technically, he could go and demand more of her time as per the terms of their agreement, but then if she did wish to extort him, he would be making himself vulnerable to her. He must exercise control over his need for her and be patient. She would eventually have to reveal her hand to him, because otherwise whatever she needed from him, he would most certainly not be easily tricked into giving it to her.