The next morning, Darcy was finishing up preparations for his return to Pemberley. He was not looking forward to the journey, but he was eager to return home - to Derbyshire, to Georgiana, and to Elizabeth.
Before he could leave however, he had an early caller in Bingley. Darcy entered the parlor to find his friend nervously twiddling his hat between his fingers. "Bingley?"
Bingley turned and gave him a grand smile, but Darcy could feel the anxiety rolling off him. "Darcy, good, I'm glad I caught you. You do enjoy departing before first light and God."
Darcy returned his smile. "You're in luck. I was detained by my solicitor. What can I do for you?"
It took Bingley several moments of opening and closing his mouth with no sound coming out whatsoever before he dramatically flopped into the nearest armchair. "Tis no use, Darcy. I do not deserve her!"
It took everything inside Darcy not to roll his eyes. He was familiar with his friend's tendency towards dramatics, but he could only handle so much, especially in terms of love. Before he could reply, Bingley continued in his tirade.
"I allowed you and Caroline to sway me last November. A true man would not do so!" he wailed. "Even when you confide in me that she loved me in April, still I could not drum up the confidence to seek her out! And now -" he hung his head in his hands. "And now, what am I ever to say to her? How can I travel to Longborn and declare my love for her, to admit what a fool I've been all these months - nay! Closer to a year." He sighed deeply. "I truly do not deserve her."
Darcy pursed his lips in annoyance. "For the love of God, man, would you please shut up." Bingley immediately looked up in alarm at the words and his harsh tone, but Darcy rolled his eyes at the shock there. "I do not care for your melancholy, for you are correct - in this state, you do not deserve Jane Bennet. She is a respectable young woman, the closest dear relation to my wife, and - in your words - an angel, for she has put up with you!"
Bingley gaped, but it only fueled Darcy's fire. He began to pace. "You have it on good authority that she loves you, Bingley. Do something about it, before another man takes her hand."
Bingley croaked, "But how? How do I beg her forgiveness? You know me, Darcy! I will destroy any chance of happiness between us if left to my own devices! Pray, help me."
Darcy slowly cooled down and calmed his demeanor and tone. "I cannot stay." Bingley nodded sadly. "I cannot stay," Darcy said again. "But will you come to Pemberley at your earliest convenience? Name the day and I shall take it upon myself to bring Jane Bennet to Derbyshire."
Bingley leapt to his feet eagerly. "You would do that for me, Darcy? You mean it?" Darcy nodded. "I know I shall win her heart with you by my side. After all, you married her sister! Mrs. Darcy shall be there too! Oh, this is perfect, thank you!" He enthusiastically shook Darcy's hand. They worked out the details for his visit after his journey to Yorkshire in October. Bingley left Darcy House joyfully and full of hope, just as his friend was used to seeing him.
But then Darcy closed his eyes painfully. Bloody hell - somehow he just became a matchmaker.
Darcy arrived in Pemberley late morning a few days later. He found his sister and his wife performing a duet on the piano forte, which was quickly forgotten once they registered his presence. Georgiana immediately leapt up and hugged him hard, as if he were traveling several months versus a handful of weeks.
He chuckled at her enthusiasm and grinned at Elizabeth over her shoulder. Once Georgiana backed away, he was surprised and incredibly pleased when Elizabeth leaned forward and gave him a brief kiss on his cheek. He watched silently as her cheeks immediately blushed a deep red, and Darcy felt his mouth dry up.
Their eyes were locked on one another before Georgiana broke the reverie. "Fitzwilliam, where is Richard? Did he not travel back with you?"
Darcy blinked before looking away from Elizabeth and replied, "He found some, erm, business to attend to." He side eyed Elizabeth and a smile twitched at the corner of his lips.
"Oh no, did the army allow him entry?" Georgiana cried. "I had hoped he would really be with us through Christmas!"
Elizabeth met his gaze covertly and mumbled from the corner of her mouth, "I imagine our cousin found entry in rather more comfortable quarters."
Darcy bit his lip in an effort to stifle his laugh, but he couldn't stop the swelling of his heart at her use of "our," even just in regards to his rogue cousin.
Georgiana looked between them in bewilderment. "More comfortable than Pemberley? Not possible!"
Elizabeth had to turn away and cough, leaving Darcy to keep his facade still and console his young sister. "Fear not, Georgiana. Richard is still on leave until the new year. He shall be joining us again before you know it." Appeased, Georgiana returned to the piano forte, but Darcy had not dared look at his wife for fear of succumbing to the giggles.
Within the day, he reminded Elizabeth of her wish to assist in the construction once more. "I briefly stopped there on my way home Friday and they are to begin on the next row of homes tomorrow," he informed her at breakfast while buttering his toast. "A half dozen are now standing, almost ready for occupants. I hope to open the doors once the next row is complete so that families may live freely without fear of construction interruptions."
Elizabeth beamed. "What incredible news!"
Darcy nodded and smiled. "Would you care to join me tomorrow?" She nodded happily, although strangely a blush appeared upon her cheeks. He studied her a moment longer before returning to his newspaper.
The next morning was cloudy, yet the warmth of summer did not yet wish to disperse. The air felt heavy, but a breeze made their journey comfortable. Joined with them in the two horse open carriage were the same young men, supplies and tools at the ready.
Elizabeth fell back easily helping manage the children while the women cooked the upcoming lunch. They were now sheltered inside one of the cottages, a thick stew bubbling in the hearth, and the ladies chatting away as they patched clothing and mended shoes. Elizabeth felt incredibly at ease with them, a young baby on her lap, gurgling happily.
After laughing at the child's antics, she turned to look out the window and she felt her heart stop momentarily. Outside, Darcy held up a beam, his tall stature aiding the other man as they built up the frame of the house. As he reached up to steady it further, Elizabeth noticed that his shirt had escaped his breeches, and a sliver of skin could be seen. Swallowing hard and her eyes focused completely on that small, hidden piece of him, she did not hear the question from one of the mothers.
Blinking several times, she cleared her head and turned to the ladies, all of whom had sly looks upon their faces. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me. To what are we speaking?"
Elizabeth never heard their answer however, as they witnessed one of the men call out and the rest begin to pack up their supplies. She turned to the women only to find them doing the same. "Where is everyone going? Tis only midday."
One of them smiled softly at her, trying not to seem condescending at the lady's ignorance. "We dedicated our mornings to the build, ma'am, to aid in the growth of Pemberley. Our husbands have their jobs to attend to, however, so after lunch is complete, we will be leaving for home and they will be leaving for the fields, the trade houses, or the stables."
Elizabeth flushed with embarrassment. "I had no idea, please forgive me."
The woman stood, a baby on each hip, and she smiled. "Tis nothing to forgive, ma'am. Mr. Darcy is an excellent landlord and negotiates time with us to build and pays us for our extra work. We are happy to be here again tomorrow morning."
Elizabeth and Darcy sat next to one another during lunch, the fresh air aiding each of their appetites. Elizabeth ate heartily until she felt his knee brush against hers momentarily, and then her mind couldn't focus on anything other than the heat that seemed to radiate off him.
She attempted to forget the glimpse of his bare abdomen, but that only pushed her mind back to the other day when she abruptly kissed him hello, the feel of his warm, smooth cheek against her lips, and the rugged smell of him fresh from his journey. He smelled the same now, but mixed with sweat, grass, and freshly cut wood.
Not sure what had come over her, Elizabeth was thankful when lunch concluded, and the men and women packed and left quickly back to their own households and work. Darcy shrugged on his coat once more and then took extra time to survey the morning's work as the two lads packed the carriage.
Within only a few minutes, the sky blackened and a fierce rumble of thunder shook the ground. Before Elizabeth could even wait to see if another followed, the heavens opened up and she was almost immediately drenched by the downpour.
"Elizabeth, take shelter!" Darcy called out, having to yell over the next boom that grew exponentially. His next words were swallowed however as a bright burst of lightning appeared within a mile, causing the horses to jump and nay in apprehension. She immediately ran back into the house and watched from the window.
Darcy could barely see over the deluge of rain. The horses were increasingly skittish and he feared they would break free and strand them here next. He ordered to the young men, "Return the horses immediately and come fetch Mrs. Darcy and I once the storm has passed. Hurry! The stallion is about to bolt at any moment."
The boys quickly did as they were told and they, the horses, and the carriage disappeared from sight. Darcy ran into the home to find Elizabeth soaked to the bone and shivering by the windowsill.
"Elizabeth," he murmured before another large clap of thunder permeated the area, causing her to jump. He quickly strode over to her, removed his sodden coat once more, and wrapped it around her shoulders. Still she shivered, so he attempted to warm her by rubbing her arms. "Let me relight the fire. Please, come stand by it with me."
Elizabeth silently did as she was told, as Darcy squatted down on his haunches and was able to revive the fire within a few minutes. She stood by his side and sighed as the warmth spread, but almost immediately became silent once more when she next looked at her husband.
With his shirt and waistcoat dripping, the white linen clung to his shoulders and chest, stopping only where his sleeves remained rolled up just above his elbows. Her hand itched to touch his skin there; it looked so warm and inviting in the firelight.
Darcy stood, wiping soot onto his ruined breeches. "This will have to do until the storm passes, I'm afraid." He turned to look away from the fire and to Elizabeth. "May I do anything -" His voice caught once he saw the look in her eyes.
In the light of the thunder, Elizabeth focused still on the wet skin on Darcy's bare arms as it glistened. Tentatively, she gave into temptation and touched him there, and his warmth stilled her to the core, but her heart raced. A confused, yet hopeful look graced his face. Seeing it, his hope provoked her to move her hand further up the bare skin of his forearm. "Elizabeth?" he murmured.
Her hand was not her own anymore. It followed her heart rather than her head, but the rest of her body agreed on the trek. Swallowing hard, she traced his skin with fingertips until finding fabric, but she didn't stop there. Hard muscle laid hidden beneath, and something ached inside to uncover it. Still her hand continued until finding the collar and his shoulder beneath it, and she felt him shiver beneath her touch.
As her fingertips grazed his throat and moved up alongside his jawline, Elizabeth finally tore her eyes from its course and looked into his gaze and she gasped. The blue color there was stormy yet bright. Darcy remained still, allowing her to do as she pleased, but he closed his eyes in pained pleasure when her hands cupped his cheek and her thumb softly touched his lips.
Staring at his mouth and her breath now ragged, Elizabeth was no longer chilled. On its own accord, her body leaned forward and balancing on her toes, she slowly slid her lips over his. Darcy, unable to move, hardly unable to breathe, allowed her.
Slowly, absurdly slowly, Elizabeth explored his mouth with gentle brushes and caresses. Darcy's lips parted slightly, terrified he would scare her away, and this moment, a moment he only dreamt of every night, would disappear. But when he heard her sigh of contentment, his restraint faltered.
Gathering her in his arms, Darcy kissed her back carefully, and he was delighted to hear her moan softly in response. With a fervor that she didn't know she possessed, Elizabeth pressed her entire length against his body, her fingers sliding into his wet hair, and his coat falling off her shoulders in the process.
Hungrily, Darcy stroked her tongue with his and attempted to gather her even closer, but it was no use. Unable to stand even the closest distance from her, he backed them a few more feet into the wall next to the fireplace and devoured her.
Elizabeth could barely breathe, but she did not care. The itch to touch Darcy finally took over all her intuition and she now could not get enough of him. His hands clasped tightly around her waist and hips, causing something to pulse within her deep inside. It only grew the longer they embraced. Daringly, she slid one of her hands to his waist and found a section of his shirt that yielded to her pull. Miraculously, she found skin, and Elizabeth marveled at the heat he emanated.
Groaning into her mouth, Darcy pulled away, almost painfully, but careful not to disturb her exploration. With his breath coming short and fast until he murmured, "I cannot have you here."
Elizabeth only solemnly nodded, her hands still dancing across his lower back under the soft fabric of his shirt. His heat distracted her and her mind trailed off wondering how warm he might be elsewhere. A bloom of pink spread across her cheeks at the thought.
Seeing thus, Darcy allowed a small, crooked smile. "I cannot have you here," he repeated, languishing his hand up the curve of her back until it reached the collar of her dress. Slowly, he traced a single finger along the hem towards her collarbone. "Not yet, in any case."
Elizabeth gasped for breath and closed her eyes at the painstaking and delicious feeling of his hand against her bare skin. Impatient, she murmured back, her eyes now on him in resolve, "Then what shall we do?"
The smile appeared on Darcy's face again and she realized with a jolt of pleasure that she and she alone caused it. Confusing yes, but pleasurable all the same. His finger dipped lower until it caressed the soft skin on the curve of her breast, causing both of them to inhale sharply. His eyes still on hers, Darcy asked, "Allow me to worship you."
Elizabeth had no way of knowing exactly what she was agreeing to when she nodded immediately back. She didn't know, but yet she didn't care. As long as Darcy continued to touch her like that. To look at her as if he might die if he could not continue. To feel his body pressed up against hers in a heavy weight that somehow allowed her to in equal time clear her mind most completely but also get lost in the mind numbing feeling.
Seeing her nod, Darcy returned to the task at hand, immediately mouthing down her neck, kissing and nibbling. Elizabeth gasped loudly at the new sensation, her knees weak. He held her steady with his body as he took painstakingly slow time down the column of her neck and along the ridge of her gown. Nuzzling the soft skin on the swell of her breast, Darcy breathed in her scent, a mix of rain, lavender, and something distinctly Elizabeth. It was intoxicating, and he could not help but lick her for a taste.
Elizabeth knew not what to do. She clenched her hands tightly on his biceps, unable and unwilling to stop the parade of pleasure he caused her. The pulse inside grew between her legs and she whimpered when she felt his tongue graze the edge of her nipple.
She was shocked next to feel Darcy pull slightly away only for him to kiss down her bodice and fall to his knees. There was something so incredibly erotic to see him there before her, and he gazed up at her when he felt her fingers brush through his hair. Kissing the inside of her wrist nearby, Darcy's right hand drifted to her ankle and began to climb up her calf.
As her dress was pulled up to reveal her stocking, Darcy gently lifted her leg to rest on his shoulder. Painstakingly slow, he kissed up her leg, making sure to pay extra attention when the silk ended and her skin began. Elizabeth groaned when she felt his teeth scratch, and she covered her mouth with a hand in mortification.
Darcy barely blinked in response, besides tugging on her arm to force her hand away. "Never repress your response to me, Elizabeth. I want to hear you," he murmured against her skin. Again she groaned at the image in her mind's eye of her husband under her skirt, inching his way to the source of warmth between her legs.
Suddenly, they both froze. The distinct sound of a carriage and horses grew louder, and they both looked out the window in wonder at the sunshine peeking through the clouds, the storm well over.
Begrudgingly, Darcy smoothed her dress down and stood up. Unable to help himself, he brushed one final kiss on her lips, softly and gently, before they made their way outside to go home.