A/N - this has been updated to correct grammar and spelling - a big thanks to my beta reader Ann ( goclimbatree), who has begun reading through and helping me fix errors and ensure clarity. I took down several chapters and am slowly adding them back. Some chapters have been split, so this is not the same as the original chapter 11.
Let me know if you continue to see any issues. This story will be published on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited at some point once it is finished (August?).
Chapter 11
Darcy woke from a nap with a light scent of lavender in the air and smiled as he thought about the events of the last few hours. He had followed Mr Gardiner's advice to communicate with his wife. Elizabeth had been so pleased when he told her he had never been with a woman, and the effect on her had been dramatic. Her shyness had evaporated, and although they were both nervous, she was an equal and eager participant as they learned the pleasures of the marriage bed. He had assisted her when she went to refresh herself, and they had returned to the bed, talking and kissing as they sipped their wine and fed each other fruit and cheese. Before long, their light kisses had become passionate kisses, and they made love a second time, drifting off to sleep with Elizabeth tightly wrapped in his arms.
William watched Elizabeth sleep, lightly touching her face with the back of his fingers. She is so beautiful, he thought. He heard movement in their sitting room and saw that it was nearly dark when he glanced toward the window. Their supper must be ready.
"Elizabeth," he whispered as he kissed her forehead. She turned slightly, blinking her eyes in confusion, until a pleased smile turned up her lips.
"William," she whispered, her voice husky from sleep. He kissed her deeply; it was several moments before either spoke again.
"Are you hungry, love?" William asked after breaking the kiss. "I believe I heard the sounds of our light repast being delivered to our sitting room. Would you like me to bring you a plate or would you like to go into the sitting room to eat?"
"Food sounds good, and I daresay we should go to the food," Elizabeth said, laughing lightly, as her voice turned teasing. "For some reason, I find myself rather ravenous."
William chortled. "You are rather fond of exercise, I believe, my dear Elizabeth. You must keep up your strength," he said with a rakish grin.
She blushed when he helped her rise from the bed and find her night rail and dressing gown before putting on his banyan. They held hands as they moved into their private sitting room. The servants had already departed, and there were several covered plates on the table in the corner. A tea kettle was keeping warm on a rack near the fireplace, and a bottle of wine stood on a side table.
"My goodness," Elizabeth said, surprised by all that had been delivered for them. "I do not think we will go hungry!"
He laughed lightly and grinned at her. "As I said, my dear, it will be important for you to keep up your strength. You need to eat."
The couple enjoyed the meal, talking and laughing as they ate. There was a chess board in one corner of the room, and Darcy challenged Elizabeth to a game. The game lasted for quite some time, as they were equally matched in their skill, which thrilled Darcy and further convinced him of his choice – not that he had any concerns. When he laid down his king in response to her cry of "checkmate," he grinned.
"I will need to practise more if I want to defeat you, my dear. You played very well." he said with a large smile. "I will ensure there is a chess set in our sitting room at Pemberley as well."
She smiled proudly at him. "My father rarely plays with me any more, since I beat him one too many times for his comfort. I look forward to honing my skills with you, William, and to many more matches."
Darcy leaned over the table to kiss her soundly. "Well, my love," he said, as he stood and gave her his hand. "Would you care to retire for the night?"
She blushed lightly but accepted his hand and allowed him to help her up. He began to lead her back to his chambers and she hesitated.
"Are you well, Elizabeth?" William asked as he noticed her hesitation.
She blushed brightly and opened her mouth to speak but could not find the words to ask the question.
"Elizabeth?" he asked again, concerned about her hesitation. "We do not have to … um … engage in intimacies again tonight, especially if you are sore, but I like us to always share a bed. That is … unless, unless you would prefer to sleep in the mistress's chambers."
Her face burned even brighter at his words. "I … I think I would like to share your bed, William. I did like waking in your arms earlier. And … and I do not think I am too sore … to continue our activities."
William leaned over to kiss her softly and hold her tightly to his chest. "I love you, Elizabeth, and I do not want us to follow the custom of separate beds and largely separate lives. I desire to be a partner with you, in all things, my dear, and I hope you know how much I enjoyed waking with you in my arms this afternoon. I will not press you again tonight, although I must confess I do want you – I am certain I will never get enough of you."
"I do not mind, William," she said. "I … I enjoyed our time earlier this afternoon and I found tremendous pleasure in your arms and in your touch. This is all just so new to me."
He held her tenderly to him and whispered. "I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have married such a wonderful, passionate woman who I love as much as I love you and who, I hope, loves me just as much."
She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I do love you so, William. I did not know I could love a person as much as I love you, and I confess, the feelings you arouse in me nearly frighten me in their intensity.
"I have always been self-reliant, and to feel that I need you as desperately as I seem to do is difficult at times. My aunt reminded me last night that in joining our lives together, I need to embrace this feeling of dependency, not fight it, as I am so inclined to do. We will be partners in all things, and in order to support each other, we must be willing to reveal our weaknesses, which is difficult for me. I do not like feeling weak or dependent, but I will do so for you, my dearest William."
He chuckled. "I had a similar conversation with your uncle, who, I think, sees some of the same traits in me that he admires in you. I have relied solely on myself for so long and frequently make decisions without consulting others. I will do my best to consult you in all things, Elizabeth, but I am afraid you will need to remind me that you are here now to help me and to support me. I do not wish to be officious or high-handed."
It was Elizabeth's turn to laugh. "I think we both have a lot to learn about how to be married. I will do my best not to get angry with you when you are officious and high-handed and to lovingly remind you you are not alone."
He smiled. "I think both here and at Pemberley, I should move a desk into my study for you, so that we may sit together while we work, at least some of the time, and you will be a visible reminder that I am no longer alone. Elizabeth, I meant it when I said I want us to be partners in all things, including the running of Pemberley and managing my, our, business interests. You are intelligent and have many good ideas, and I want you to be part of the running of our estates and our investments.
"Thank you, William," she said softly before lifting her head and turning up her face for a kiss. The kiss became passionate, and he lifted her into his arms, carried her to the bedroom, and gently laid her on his bed, where they lost themselves in their passions before falling asleep.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke first and watched her new husband sleep. In repose, his worries seemed to have fallen away, and he appeared younger. She reached up and caressed his face before lightly combing his hair away from his face, wondering if he always smiled in his sleep or if that was due to her — or perhaps their activities of the previous hours. Moving her attention down, she saw that his upper body was uncovered, and she studied his broad, muscular shoulders and his chest, with its smattering of dark, coarse hair. She ran her fingers through his chest hair before applying feather-light kisses to his neck and chest. She stopped when he moaned slightly in his sleep. "Elizabeth," he whispered huskily, before he drew her lips to his for a kiss.
They did not emerge from the bed for several hours, and when they finally did, they rang for breakfast and a bath. For the next week, they ate their meals in their sitting room at random hours, and only their personal servants saw them. The knocker remained off the door, and the post was delivered to William's study except for a few notes from close family, which, fortunately for the sender, did not require a response. Elizabeth and William amused themselves by reading to each other and playing chess, that is, when they were not participating in their 'marital duties.'
Copyright 2023 Melissa Anne
