I haven't updated this one in a while, but as we have been getting into darker territory with Sweetness and Innocence Spurned, I had the urge to shift to this light & fluffy modern parody.
If last chapter was Hunsford, then this one is the beginning of Pemberley. Enjoy! ;)
When she considered going to see him, Lizzy felt like a weak little infatuated fool. Surely, I cannot forgive and forget quite so easily. The man was clearly bipolar, and it would be the height of irresponsible insanity to see any more of him. The flowery words of his letter meant nothing; he was sure to come back with another bout of his intolerable temper sooner or later. Had he not seemed the perfect picture of a little submissive that day in his office, first in the corner and then tied nude to a chair? So much for that. A few minutes later, he went on a rampage. Even if he is trying to put his trust in my hands, how can I possibly trust him after everything he has done?
When she mentioned in passing that he might be redeemable to her sister, Jane gave her a look that clearly said "you're insane."
When she took his photographs out stealthily inside her securely locked bedroom at the same time as her vibrator, she felt as if she were betraying her anger. But those images were too fucking sexy to ignore, god dammit. Much sexier, to tell the truth, than Jared, her newest casual fuck buddy.
His letter went unacknowledged for a day, a week, then another. She was surprised when no further communication came from the enigmatic man. He seemed to have well and truly left the ball in her court. She was suitably impressed.
Eventually, however, the time came to face the inevitable, when one night Lizzy opened the door to a very distraught Jane.
"Janey, dearest, what is the matter?" She could not help the worry overtaking her at the sight of Jane's puffy red eyes.
"I broke up with Charles," was her sister's direct reply.
"You – wha – what?!" Lizzy could not believe what she was hearing. "But you seemed so perfect together! Jane, sweeting, what did he do?"
It was unbelievable. Jane and Charlie were the most perfect couple Lizzy had ever had the pleasure to observe being so sickeningly sweet. They had been together for nearly a year, their anniversary coming in only two weeks, and Lizzy had not detected any discord. What could have possibly gone wrong?
Jane ruefully shook her pretty head and slumped inelegantly onto the couch, her head in her hands.
"He wants to hold our anniversary party in Darcy's new penthouse." Jane had ceased referring to William Darcy as Will a month prior.
Lizzy panicked. Did Jane and Charlie break up because of her?
"Jane, really –"
But her sister did not let her finish. "How can he be so insensitive?! I told him never to allow that man into your sight, and he up and goes and arranges our celebration at that man's home. What does he expect, that I will just let my little sister get hurt right on my anniversary? It's supposed to be a joyful day! How does he expect me to be happy at a placed owned by that jerk?"
Ok, Bennet, time for some damage control.
"Janey, did Charlie give you any reason for his actions?"
"Nothing worth listening to, that's for sure. He says that he cannot believe Darcy to be that bad, and that he won't forsake his best friend. Oh, and that he is actually doing this on purpose, to give you and 'Will' a chance to clear things up. Hah! As if blackmail and abuse can just be cleared up."
Lizzy gently took her sister's hand. She was truly grateful for dear Jane's protectiveness, but it was time to face things straight on and clear this situation.
"Jane, I mentioned a week ago that I have come to think much better of William. He is truly trying to make amends, and perhaps Charlie is right. Perhaps what has happened is a little out of character for Will. I am by no means ready to forgive him or to believe that he will not let his temper rule him in the future, but it might be fair of me to at least speak with him. Please, don't let this come between you and Charlie. Let Darcy host a party a week before or a week after; and go out just the two of you on your special day. I will come and speak with Will, but that will likely be it. We can resolve any residual tension, and meet as casual acquaintances in the future."
"Lizzy, how can you be so calm about this after the way he treated you?"
Oh Jane, if you saw those pictures and read that letter, perhaps you would understand. Alas, she had too much respect for Darcy's privacy to share those intimate details with her beloved sister.
"He is really not so bad, believe me, Jane. He has sent me very convincing communication a couple weeks ago, and has remained respectfully distant since then."
Jane looked skeptical, but no longer enraged. "What kind of communication, Liz?"
"Sorry, I cannot share that. Suffice it to say, he has shown that he holds me in high enough esteem to be willing to give me enough to blackmail him should I ever wish to do so. I believe he is truly repentant."
Three weeks later, their little party's meeting was cordial and almost pleasant. William Darcy beamed at them as he took their coats, undeterred by Jane's skeptical look and Lizzy's hesitant one. They were the last to arrive. Charlie rushed to greet his girlfriend with a warm embrace. His older sister Louisa and her husband Benjamin Hurst were speaking to each other in low tones on the sumptuous leather sofa. Charlie's younger sister Caroline was attempting unsuccessfully to attach herself to Darcy's left arm.
As they walked into the living area, Lizzy gasped. The spacious apartment sported refined, elegant décor and the most breathtaking view of New York City she had ever seen.
"It's beautiful," she murmured without realizing that she said it out loud.
"I am glad that you approve of it." Will stood right behind her, giving her a hopeful look that sent goosebumps over her skin. "Perhaps I could give you two lovely ladies a tour?"
"Oh William darling, I would love a tour!" Caroline now took up his right arm. Lizzy found the fawning rather amusing, until she was reminded of Will's letter and felt herself grow inexplicably sad.
Darcy carefully but firmly took Caroline's hand off of his arm. "My apologies. Three lovely ladies." He turned to Charlie, Louisa, and Hurst. "And would the other lovely lady and excellent gentlemen care to join us?"
With a last glance at Lizzy, Will began to lead the entire party through the palatial penthouse. There was a reluctance in his gaze that made Lizzy wonder if he had hoped for a more private tour.
"The master bedroom." Lizzy attempted to tune out Caroline's saccharine praises, but found herself wholeheartedly agreeing with them. The room was resplendent. And what a lovely walk-in closet! Ooh, a jacuzzi and a bidet!
There was a smaller but equally charming guest bedroom. Just as pristine and untouched as the master bedroom.
And then an unexpectedly bland and unimpressively sized third bedroom. The bed cover was slightly less perfectly sculpted than in the other rooms, and Lizzy spotted a man's jacket hung over the desk chair and some papers sprayed over the desk.
"The servant room," Darcy said simply, and led the party to the roof terrace. This room clearly held little interest to any of the guests.
Lizzy lingered, as she was hit with the realization that this was the only room that looked lived in. Now that she thought of it, the impressive walk in closet in the master bedroom did not hold a single piece of the owner's clothing. What could he mean by that? Some nagging feeling of insight was chewing at the back of her mind, but she swiftly dismissed it and rejoined the party.
Having completed the tour, the host led the guests back to the glamorous dining room, where they enjoyed the evening meal.
Lizzy did not recall ever having such an uncomfortable evening. Jane and Charlie were in their own little world as usual, and Lizzy had always found Caroline's, Louisa's and Hurst's company rather dull. She could feel William Darcy's intense gaze on her own person throughout the meal, but was at a loss as to how to speak with him. They needed to talk, that much was clear, but about what? She was not even certain herself what she wanted from that man. Other than his big cock and sexy ass. Damn, he looks nice in casual clothes. Designer jeans and a pristine white button up shirt with rolled up sleeves and top button open fit the dark handsome man perfectly.
Having spent half an hour in silence, Lizzy thought that, after all, it would have been wiser to bring Jared with her. She did not invite her latest casual boyfriend out of some misguided consideration for Mr. Darcy's feelings, but it was not like the confusing man was doing anything other than stare at her.
Just then, Darcy rose to his feet to make an announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, I have bought this place only last week. What you don't yet know is the purpose with which I purchased it." He looked Lizzy straight in the eyes before continuing. "This suite has been registered under the name of Elizabeth Bennet and belongs to her."
Lizzy heard the other guests' gasps and stood, about to protest. Darcy stilled her with his hand.
"Please, Miss Bennet, allow me to finish. I have treated you abominably when you were under my employ. Think of this gift as my reparations. Had you chosen to pursue legal action, as you were well within your rights to do, your limited resources would have likely meant a settlement out of court. I think the value of that settlement would have likely be close to the price of this property. So please, do not protest what is only fair. This is not a favor or a present; it is merely reparation for harassment."
Lizzy was speechless. What the man said actually made sense, and he appeared to be genuine. She glanced around the room, not dwelling on Caroline's glare, Louisa's narrowed eyes, Hurst's indifference, or Charlie's bright smile. Instead, she sought out her sister's eyes. Jane looked thoughtful, but also pleased. Lizzy was not an expert on expensive real estate, but she estimated the penthouse to be worth at least five million dollars. That seemed like an amply generous settlement.
With a tentative smile, she conceded. "Very well. It looks like we are moving, Jane." She looked at her sister hopefully, waiting for the support of solidarity.
Jane smiled sheepishly. "Um, actually, I'm afraid you will have to move all alone, Lizzy-bear. Charles and I have an announcement of our own to make."
Charlie chimed in. "Last week, on our anniversary, I have asked Jane to move in with me and she agreed."
Lizzy reluctantly joined in the applause that followed. She felt lost, confused, and played. To give herself a break from company and gather her thoughts, she took a few of the empty plates from the table, and went into the beautiful modern kitchen to wash them.
Just as she turned on the tap, Lizzy felt her hand stilled. William Darcy leaned in dangerously close and whispered in her ear. "No, Elizabeth. That is not your job."
"Oh? Does this place come with help?"
"Naturally. You have seen the servant room, have you not? It is my hope that you will accept me as your submissive and allow me to occupy that bedroom whenever I am in New York. When I am not around, there will be a capable maid coming in on every other day."
He had taken the plate out of her hand and begun washing it by now.
"The great William Darcy, doing my dishes?"
He turned towards her and smiled. "Always. Although I expect to be a little less… dressed… when doing so."
She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. "What's stopping you now?"
"Hmm, let's see." He pretended to think it over. "While I do not particularly relish the idea of being nude in front of Caroline Bingley, I would actually quite enjoy the look on her face at seeing me presented as your submissive. Charlie knows as much about my inclinations as anyone else in the world, so that's not a problem. I just rather thought you might not appreciate my revealing this side of our… relationship… to your sister. At least not until you give me your verdict on whether this relationship will even be allowed to exist."
Lizzy nodded her assent, and quietly watched his arms flex as he made quick work of the dishes. A man to serve and pamper her? She could get used to this.
She decided to tease him. "So when you are a naughty boy, do you expect me to punish you by making you clean the floor naked on all fours?"
Darcy laughed. "No, no, silly. That will be a normal part of my duties even when I am a good boy. If I am naughty, you will have to be more creative."
"Hmm, and what would you recommend, Mr. Darcy?"
He was giving her such a brilliant smile that it nearly caught her breath. "Well, let's see. You could make me clean with my tongue. This place is rather spacious, so you might want to restrict that punishment to one room or a specific area. Alternatively, you could place a nicely sized butt plug into my naughty rear right before I drop to all fours with the wash cloth. Or you could make me perform my cleaning duties in front of your newest boy-toy. Jared, is it?"
She nodded numbly. How can this man make the most ridiculous, nasty things sound so hot?
Lizzy shook herself out of the fog, and attempted to gather her bearings. "Is all of this a condition for my ownership of the apartment? Or can I choose a different occupant for the third bedroom?"
She felt a peculiar little pang of pain as she watched his face drop. "Of course you can, Mistress. You are under no obligation to have me as your submissive."
Her smile at him was almost grateful. "Good. I see you have learned something in the past months."
He looked at her ruefully. "I certainly hope so, Elizabeth. And I do hope that you give me another chance."
He continued washing the dishes in silence, and she continued to stare at him thoughtfully, until their tete-a-tete was interrupted by Caroline offering her simpering help and expressing a fawning sort of disapproval at having such an important man performing such a menial task.
They did not speak privately again until much later in the evening, after Louisa and Hurst had left, taking a reluctant Caroline with them, and Jane and Charlie took over the cleaning duties. Lizzy wandered into the master bedroom, seeking some solitude to contemplate the whirlwind of changes in her life.
She was looking out of the floor-to-ceiling window when she heard him enter and walk to stand beside her. It was absurd how immediately her body reacted to his presence. She wanted him, badly.
"I am not sure if you noticed, but the servant room is immediately adjacent to the master suite."
"So that I can summon you whenever I need?" She could not help herself, turning towards him, then running her hand over his perfectly sculpted behind, and down imbetween the jean-clad cheeks, applying slight pressure to where she expected his asshole to be underneath all those blasted layers of clothing.
She was pleased at the slight moan she elicited, as he closed his eyes in pleasure. "Yes. That, and the walls in this building are just as thin as everywhere else."
"Oh? And why does that matter?"
"When you have company, you can send me to bed in my room, and take your lover to yours. And I will hear – every – single – thing."
She hid her surprise, and brought her free hand to the front of his pants. Oh yes, nice and hard.
"You naughty boy, does the thought of me with other men excite you?"
He shook his head slightly. "It infuriates me, pains me, torments me. And yes, excites me. I don't know how to explain it to you, Elizabeth, but I do so enjoy the idea of being treated as your slave. Think about it." He pieced her with such an intense gaze, that she could not look away even if she wanted to. "You will know that I am there in my single bed, listening to everything you do to your lucky man, jealous and so very aroused. You will know that a strong, powerful, handsome man is listening in to your moans of pleasure and resisting the urge to touch himself because he belongs to you and is not allowed to play with his cock without your permission. And I will know that you are thinking about my submission while fucking another man and that it is turning you on. And it will be hot. Torturous. Maddening. Exquisite."
Damn it. That does sound hot. So hot that I want to try it right now, and then fuck this confusing man right after.
Darcy smiled. "I think you like what I describe, my Mistress." Am I that easy to read?
"Maybe."
"Will you give me a chance, then? Will you permit me to occupy that servant room? I promise to do everything I can so as not to disappoint you, Mistress."
Lizzy attempted to shake off the fog of desire that was quickly taking over her brain. "We need to talk first, Will. What happened to discussing things like mature adults and setting boundaries?"
He gave her an adorable lop-sided grin. "Well, Mistress, you can't expect me to be the mature adult in this relationship – I am but a naughty little boy who needs a lot of spanking to behave himself."
She laughed. He smiled, pleased, then turned serious. "You are right, of course, Elizabeth. Perhaps tomorrow morning, after I help bring over your things, we could talk?"
She nodded. "I would like that."