Chapter 16

Darcy eagerly awaited Elizabeth at the house on New Brunswick Street the next morning. He had arrived an hour early, and sat impatiently, trying to focus on his book, all the while conjuring up ideas of what they could do once she arrived.

It was not just the lovemaking that he looked forward to either. He loved Elizabeth's witty mind and her intelligent conversation. He wanted to simply bask in her presence, no matter what they were doing, for as long as he could.

At last he saw a handsome cab drive up before the house, and a veiled figure step down from it, to hurry towards the door. This time she opened it without knocking. She closed it behind her, and swept back her veil.

"My darling Fitzwilliam!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. He laughed a little.

"I am pleased to have such an enthusiastic greeting," he said. "To what may I attribute it?"

"To your own wonderful self!" cried Elizabeth. "Of course, if you do not want to see me, I can always depart," she said teasingly.

"Don't you dare," he growled, taking her into his arms and kissing her. She responded eagerly, and somehow they made their way down the hall to the bedroom, where they tumbled down onto the bed.

"Not so fast," said Darcy. "I want to take my time with you."

She sat up and removed her bonnet. Next they both worked on disrobing, Darcy once again helping Elizabeth with her dress. He noticed she had brought a small leather bag with her.

"I brought some little things to make my stay here more comfortable; some clothes, a hairbrush, books," she replied when he inquired what was in it.

Once they were both naked, they returned to the bed, and Darcy climbed on top of Elizabeth to kiss her again, slowly arousing her with his hands and mouth. He thought she was less nervous this time. He knew that she had tried to hide it from him the last time, but he had felt it all the same. While he did not like to think of Carlisle, he could only suppose that the man had been a selfish lover, based on her responses to Darcy's lovemaking the first time. She had obviously never had an orgasm before, or even enjoyed sex.

He was glad to see Elizabeth relaxed and playful this time. He nipped at her neck, but not too hard. He did not want to leave any love bites that she could not explain away. She moaned and threaded her fingers through his dark hair, as he latched onto one pink nipple and sucked. He squeezed and plumped the other one with his big hand, teasing the tip, until Elizabeth was writhing beneath him. "Fitzwilliam! I need you!" she panted.

He was astounded by how quickly she was becoming aroused. She was truly a responsive creature. He turned onto his back, bringing her with him to lie on top of him. She looked confused at first by their position.

"You ride me this time, Elizabeth," he said, holding his erection straight up with his hand.

He watched as comprehension lit her eyes. She placed her knees on either side of his hips, and then sank down upon him with a moan. He groaned as well, feeling her warm wet walls surrounding him, squeezing him tight. She moved up and down on him, until he could no longer keep still. He thrust his hips upward every time she slammed down on him, and brought his hands to grip her hips. Her head was thrown back, and her long curly hair fell down her back as her breasts thrust forward.

Darcy realized that he was nearing his climax. The glorious sight of Elizabeth in her pleasure was eroding his control. He pried his right hand from her hip, and used his finger to find her sensitive bundle of nerves and make little circles around it. Elizabeth choked on a cry and her channel seized around him as she found her release. A moment later, Darcy pulled her off him with a shout, spilling his seed over both of them.

Elizabeth collapsed down on top of him, obviously not caring that their combined fluids were covering both of them. Darcy did not care either. He was breathing too hard, awash with pleasure.

"That was marvellous," Elizabeth said, once she had finally got her breath back. "I did not know it could be done in such a way."

"Indeed, there are many different positions," said Darcy.

"I look forward to trying all of them," said Elizabeth smiling, with a glint in her eyes.

"I will go get a towel to wash us up," said Darcy, but Elizabeth put a hand to his chest and pushed him back down.

"I shall get it," she replied.

She walked, still naked, down the hall to the kitchen, and returned moments later with a wet cloth, tenderly cleaning the seed from Darcy's skin. When her hand slowed, Darcy's eyes fixed on the golden wedding ring on her left hand. He hated the sight of it. Elizabeth followed his eyes and saw what he was looking at. Without a word she reached down and plucked it off. She got off Darcy and went to put it in her bag, then returned to his side.

"Henceforth, I shall never wear that when I am with you. It makes what we have tainted somehow," she said. "I am your wife in everything but name."

Darcy could only smile, and reach up to kiss her again.

As Darcy watched Elizabeth climb into the handsome cab several hours later, once more dressed and wearing her veil, he could only think on the joy he felt in her presence, and anticipate when he could see her again.

Saturday evening was the dinner with the Matlocks at Darcy House. Darcy could tell that Georgiana was feeling more confident in her role as hostess, since Elizabeth had come by for tea the day before, and had spoken to the housekeeper with Georgiana, helping her get everything settled for tonight.

The Matlocks and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived first, and then Lady Carlisle appeared, dressed resplendently, a silver long-sleeved dress with ruffles and lace. She was also wearing gloves, which Darcy was surprised she did not take off when she entered. He was also surprised by the long sleeves. While it was brisk outside, she had gone from warm house to warm carriage to warm house again. At once he began to be suspicious. Did she have more bruises she was hiding?

The moment he was able to get even semi-privacy with her, he asked in a low tone, "Are you all right, my dear?"

"Yes, of course, Fitzwilliam," she said, looking a bit surprised.

"You are not hurt?" he urged.

The slight hesitation in her manner told him the truth.

"What did he do to you?" He tried to conceal his anger in a whisper.

"Really, Fitzwilliam, it is nothing major."

"What did he do to you?" Darcy insisted.

"My wrist is sprained, that is all," said Elizabeth in a whisper.

"That is all! Why would he do such a thing?"

"I had dinner ready for the time he had specified yesterday, but he arrived late, and the dinner was spoiled. He was angry. Now, you are calling unwanted attention to us. Shall we not join the rest of the company?"

Stewing with anger, Darcy tried to keep his face blank as he offered her his arm. She placed her right hand on it, and he led her into dinner with the rest of the company.

Georgiana had set the table informally, so that guests could sit wherever they wished. She looked nervous but pleased as Elizabeth gave her an affirming glance. "It looks wonderful, Georgiana," she said.

The Matlocks and Richard made pleasant conversation with Elizabeth; they clearly had liked her the last time they had met. Darcy watched Elizabeth carefully, though, and noticed that she ate with solely her right hand. She could not hold utensils in her left, and that made her unable to cut her meat. She had to miss several courses because of this infirmity, and Darcy's anger rose inside him. When she had taken her gloves off for dinner, he had noticed some bruising on the left wrist that was not covered by the long sleeve.

Once more he felt impotent, helpless to protect the woman he loved more than life. If he could have met Carlisle in a duel and killed him, he would have.

Once they had finished eating, they moved to the music room. Darcy was surprised to hear Georgiana announce that she was going to play, after Elizabeth had whispered something in her ear.

"And I hope you will play next," said Richard. "Darcy has mentioned how well you play."

Elizabeth gave an uneasy smile. "I am afraid my wrist in a little weak tonight. Perhaps Georgiana will play while I sing."

But that was when Georgiana reached over to grab Elizabeth's left hand and examine it. Elizabeth winced and Georgiana looked upset. "But Elizabeth, you have a terrible bruise on your wrist! Whatever happened?"

Elizabeth chuckled, but it was weak. "It was so silly. I tripped while I was in my bedchamber, and when I put out my hands to break my fall, I sprained my wrist. Very foolish of me." She tried to smile.

The rest of the company accepted this explanation, then the two young ladies sat at the pianoforte to pick out the music. Georgiana chose a love song, and as she began to play, Elizabeth's sweet soprano rose above the notes. The Scottish ballad was one that Darcy was familiar with, but never had he experienced such emotions from it as when Elizabeth sang it, seemingly to him.

Black is the colour of my true love's hair.
His face is like some rosy fair,
The prettiest face and the neatest hands,
I love the ground whereon he stands.

I love my love and well he knows,
I love the ground whereon he goes,
If you no more on earth I see,
I can't serve you as you have me.

The winter's passed and the leaves are green,
The time is passed that we have seen,
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I shall be as one.

I go to the Clyde for to mourn and weep,
But satisfied I never could sleep.
I'll write to you a few short lines,
I'll suffer death ten thousand times.

So fare you well, my own true love
The time has passed, but I wish you well.
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I will be as one.

I love my love and well he knows,
I love the ground whereon he goes.
The prettiest face, the neatest hands,
I love the ground whereon he stands.

Tears welled in Darcy's eyes as he listened to the lyrics. It seemed that they fit perfectly for him and Elizabeth. He wondered if they ever truly would be together.

He saw Richard looking at him speculatively as the song ended, and Darcy was afraid that his cousin would corner him again after the others left; but fortunately Richard proved that he was capable of minding his own business, and he left with his parents without questioning Darcy.

Darcy bowed over Elizabeth's hand, and saw her safely in her carriage with her maid before they drove away.

"I do love Elizabeth so," said Georgiana with a sigh. "It is too bad she is already married. She would have made a good sister to me," she added absently before she retired to her room, but Darcy felt a pang center in his heart.