As they ate and talked merrily, the skies parted, and rain started pouring intensely. Strong winds made the trees dance wildly. The whole party shared looks. The intensity of the rain was concerning.
"Roberts," Mr. Darcy called a footman. "Please send a stable boy to check on the waterways of the property and that of the tenants."
"Yes, sir. Right away."
"Have him take the barouche. I don't want him catching his death in this weather."
"Of course, sir."
"Brother, I don't think the roads will be safe…" Georgiana pouted. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, please stay the night. I would be beside myself with worry if you left with this weather and I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you and Lizzie," she did her biggest puppy eyes to Mr. Gardiner.
He shared a look with his Maddie. "We wouldn't want to inconvenience you, sir. You have already been very accommodating."
"It would be no inconvenience at all, sir. We have rooms aplenty, and a rider can go fetch you some clothes from the inn so you can be more comfortable," Mr. Darcy replied.
"We would appreciate that."
Gigi smiled conspiratorially to her brother, then to Lizzie, and asked, "Dessert?"
The fastest rider had gone to the inn and back. He reported that the roads were already dangerous for carriages. Mr. Darcy offered for them to stay until the weather improved. He had never wished so hard for bad weather. Mrs. Reynolds had two rooms ready for the guests almost immediately. Georgiana had informed her that she would do her best to keep them overnight, so she had asked the maids to prepare just in case. Mrs. Reynolds made sure to give them all rooms in the family wing. She wanted to give her master ample opportunity to casually "run into" her. She ended up placing Miss Elizabeth next to his room. Georgiana's room was on the other side of Mr. Darcy's bedroom, and the Gardiners were placed across the hall from Miss Elizabeth.
Lizzie walked into a room with Georgiana. It was magnificent. It was all colored in creams, gold, and pastels. The bed looked really comfortable. Her clothes that were brought by the rider were already placed in the armoire. "This room is breathtaking."
Gigi smiled, "I am glad you approve."
"Mr. Darcy, this is the most beautiful room we've ever stayed in."
"I am glad you approve, Mrs. Gardiner. Your clothes were already brought up. You must be tired. If you need anything at all, ring the bell. A maid and a valet can come to help you. Would you like a hot bath?"
"That would be most welcome, sir. It got rather chilly very quickly."
"Of course. There's more firewood in that corner. I'll have the kitchen send up tea, spirits, and hot chocolate in about an hour," Mr. Darcy smiled. "The thicker comforters are in that chest by the foot of the bed. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy."
As they ate and talked merrily, the skies parted, and rain started pouring intensely. Strong winds made the trees dance wildly. The whole party shared looks. The intensity of the rain was concerning.
"Roberts," Mr. Darcy called a footman. "Please send a stable boy to check on the waterways of the property and that of the tenants."
"Yes, sir. Right away."
"Have him take the barouche. I don't want him catching his death in this weather."
"Of course, sir."
"Brother, I don't think the roads will be safe…" Georgiana pouted. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, please stay the night. I would be beside myself with worry if you left with this weather and I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you and Lizzie," she did her biggest puppy eyes to Mr. Gardiner.
He shared a look with his Maddie. "We wouldn't want to inconvenience you, sir. You have already been very accommodating."
"It would be no inconvenience at all, sir. We have rooms aplenty, and a rider can go fetch you some clothes from the inn so you can be more comfortable," Mr. Darcy replied.
"We would appreciate that."
Gigi smiled conspiratorially to her brother, then to Lizzie, and asked, "Dessert?"
The fastest rider had gone to the inn and back. He reported that the roads were already dangerous for carriages. Mr. Darcy offered for them to stay until the weather improved. He had never wished so hard for bad weather. Mrs. Reynolds had two rooms ready for the guests almost immediately. Georgiana had informed her that she would do her best to keep them overnight, so she had asked the maids to prepare just in case. Mrs. Reynolds made sure to give them all rooms in the family wing. She wanted to give her master ample opportunity to casually "run into" her. She ended up placing Miss Elizabeth next to his room. Georgiana's room was on the other side of Mr. Darcy's bedroom, and the Gardiners were placed across the hall from Miss Elizabeth.
Lizzie walked into a room with Georgiana. It was magnificent. It was all colored in creams, gold, and pastels. The bed looked really comfortable. Her clothes that were brought by the rider were already placed in the armoire. "This room is breathtaking."
Gigi smiled, "I am glad you approve."
"Mr. Darcy, this is the most beautiful room we've ever stayed in."
"I am glad you approve, Mrs. Gardiner. Your clothes were already brought up. You must be tired. If you need anything at all, ring the bell. A maid and a valet can come to help you. Would you like a hot bath?"
"That would be most welcome, sir. It got rather chilly very quickly."
"Of course. There's more firewood in that corner. I'll have the kitchens send up tea, spirits, and hot chocolate in about an hour," Mr. Darcy smiled. "The thicker comforters are in that chest by the foot of the bed. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy."
Georgiana was leaving Lizzie's room when he walked toward them. "I hope you manage to rest comfortably."
Georgiana turned to her brother, kissed, and hugged him. "Good night, brother."
He kissed her forehead. "Good night, dear."
Gigi walked away toward her bedroom.
"Miss Elizabeth, would you care for a hot bath?"
It sounded delightful, but the cost made her hesitate. "It is quite alright. I don't want to be too troublesome for the staff."
He stepped closer, "The staff loves having people to tend to… I don't spend as much time as I would like here, and my sister is a very easy-going young woman, so she doesn't need much minding. Please, have a bath, relax, and enjoy yourself."
She smiled, "Thank you. I would love a hot bath, then. Baths are to the body what hot chocolate is to the soul, sir," she chuckled. "Especially on rainy days."
"I'll see about your bath," he said with a smile. He daringly took her hand and kissed the back of it, lingering so he could smell her supple skin. Her rewarding smile made his chest swell.
Lizzie gasped. The bathroom was large, with a beautiful claw-foot copper tub in the center. The towels were the softest she had ever felt, and there was candlelight all over.
"Miss, would you like me to stay and help you change?"
"No, thank you. I have already derailed your duties enough. I think I can manage."
The young maid smiled, "It is my pleasure to serve, ma'am. I will retire, then. Have a good evening. I will come back tomorrow to clear off the water, Miss."
Lizzie touched the water. It was the perfect temperature. She undid her pins, and her curls fell down her back to her waist. She reached back and gasped. She had completely forgotten that this was not a dress she could undo without help. She took a candelabra and went to her aunt and uncle's room and knocked softly, but there was no response. She did the same in front of Miss Darcy's door, no response either. She moved to the next door and knocked even more softly, hoping to get no response. This was all very untoward. The door opened, and her eyes widened. She blushed at seeing Mr. Darcy without a coat, vest, or cravat. His top two buttons were undone, and she could see some of his chest hair.
"Miss Elizabeth, are you alright?" He struggled to find his voice. Her hair was down, and it smelled lovely.
"I am so sorry to intrude," she looked down.
"You are not. I wasn't sleeping yet."
"I tried my aunt and uncle and Georgiana, but they are probably already asleep."
"Is something the matter?"
"A maid offered to help me. I refused her because I thought that I could do it myself, but I forgot I was wearing this dress, and it has very tiny buttons that I can't really reach properly."
His mouth went dry, "And you want me to… help you?"
She blushed bright red.
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have assumed-"
"Seeing as the maid retired to sleep and you are the only one awake… Yes?"
She looked down both sides of the hall and pushed him back into his room. "We can't exactly do that outside," she said.
His heart was beating so fast that he thought she could feel it as her hand rested on his chest. She closed the door behind her. She looked around his room, "It smells like you," she inhaled as she whispered.
He couldn't breathe, "W-What?"
"It's just… Your letter smelled like this too… for a while," she blushed.
"Oh?" Dear Lord, she smelled my letter!
"It's my favorite smell…" she trailed off. The glow of the candles illuminated her face. That tidbit of knowledge would live rent-free in his heart forever.
"Elizabeth…" he said her name like a prayer.
She looked up. Her name on his lips was like a gentle caress on her body. She turned to hide her heated face, "My buttons, sir. The top four are enough; I think I can reach the other ones."
"Yes, of course," he said. He gathered her long, silky tresses with trembling fingers and pushed them forward over one of her shoulders. "You have the most beautiful hair…" he trailed off, and as slowly as possible, he began undoing the first button.
Lizzie's breath caught when his fingers grazed the back of her neck. She was overwhelmed with a want for something she didn't understand. His smell was everywhere. His warmth was palpable.
He marveled at every bit of soft skin he could see as he worked on the second button. She sighed when his fingers grazed the exposed skin, and he felt that sigh all over his body. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, bury his nose in her voluminous, fragrant hair, kiss the back of her neck, and feel her sigh against his body. His eyes betrayed him, and he saw his bed. It was so close. They were all alone.
No. Focus. Do not let your base desires overthrow your education. You are a gentleman, and she is a lady who asked for your help.
A third button followed. She rotated her head to relax her shoulders. He wanted to massage them to hear her sounds of contentment. He undid the fourth button. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck. Goosebumps exploded on her skin, and her breath got shaky. His fingers undid the fourth button. He noticed her simple necklace, which had a smooth black cord with a small stone he didn't recognize dangling from it.
"Do you want me to remove your necklace too?" he whispered.
"Yes, please," she whispered.
He tried to remove it, but it seemed stuck; he dipped his head to loosen the cord with his teeth. There was little give of the thin cord, so his lips ended up practically kissing the delicate skin beneath. She sighed. He pretended he couldn't loosen it so he could essentially graze her neck with his lips some more.
"If it won't come off, just leave it."
Her words made him let go immediately. "I am so sorry. I really thought I could get the knot."
"It's alright. I thank you for trying," she reached her hands back and pretended she couldn't get the fifth button. "Oh no."
He licked his lips, "Do you want me to continue?"
She nodded.
His fingers carried on. He tried not to be too openly happy that she was leaning back into him, but she was. Three more buttons were down. The sides of her dress started parting by the sixth button. About an inch of skin was showing. He could see her cream corset and some of her chemise. He went on until all the buttons down to her waist, ten, were open.
"Would… Would it be too much to ask for you to undo the knots on my corset and loosen the ties?"
He bit his bottom lip, "No, not at all. But I would have to open the back of your dress more."
She nodded. He did just that, trying not to open it too much for the sake of his little remaining sanity. He undid the ties and loosened them enough that she could easily remove them.
"Thank you, sir."
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" he asked. He wanted her to ask for anything that would allow him to keep touching her.
"How good are you with hair?"
"What?" he blinked repeatedly.
"Nevermind… I was going to ask if you can braid hair, but that's absurd. Why would you? I have been spoiled with so many sisters."
"As a matter of fact, I can braid hair."
"You can?!"
"Yes. I learned when my sister was a little girl. For a while, she wouldn't let anyone but me do her hair."
"Oh?"
"May I?"
She nodded, throwing her hair back. He brushed the length of her mane with his fingers, trying not to moan in delight at all the sensations. The silky hair, her smell, her sighs, her warmth… it was overwhelming in the best way.
"Do you have a ribbon?"
"In the other bedroom, but I don't think we should leave out of your front door."
"Our rooms are joined by a parlor," Mr. Darcy said with a blush.
"They are?" her eyes widened.
"Yes… You… You are staying in the Mistress of Pemberley quarters."
She gasped. "I am?" No wonder everything was so well taken care of, elegant, and beautiful.
"There's a small sitting room between the rooms where my parents used to spend time together."
He took her hand and led her to the adjoining parlor. It was beautiful and cozy. He went to a small jewelry box and took out a key to open the door to her room. Once he went inside the Mistress chambers with her, he handed her the key. "This is the only key that opens this door."
He helped her to the vanity and took a brush. He divided her hair into three and started to braid it. He had her hold onto the end of the braid so he could tie a ribbon around it. She examined the braid, "You are really good at this."
He blushed. "Thank you. It is quite like making rope… Enjoy your bath. If there's anything… anything at all I could do to make your stay better, please let me know."
She stood. She looked like she was about to ask for something but ended up shaking her head, "No, sir. Anything else would be greedy on my part…"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He nodded. She walked him to the door that went to the parlor and closed it behind him. He never heard the door lock. He suddenly remembered something she had said and left for the kitchen in a hurry.
Lizzie had the best bath she ever had. The water was perfect, and the soap and oils were decadent. She used some lavender oil on her braid. She put on her sleeping gown and robe. She undid her braid in the vanity. She heard steps in the parlor. There was a knock on the connecting door. She wrapped the robe around herself and tied it snugly to her waist. The temperature had dropped quite a bit. She opened the door. It was him. She smiled. "Mr. Darcy?"
"I thought you could maybe want some hot chocolate and pastries."
She blushed. "Thank you." Lightning fell sharply in the nearby woods, and she jumped toward him in fright.
"It's alright. That happens sometimes," he was holding one of her hands.
"Does it always rain like this here?"
"Not always. I should leave you to enjoy your drink. Have a good evening," he turned to leave.
"Mr. Darcy, wait!"
He looked down at her, "Yes?"
"You don't want some of this? It's too much for just me, sir."
"Oh… I-"
"Please join me. Stormy nights are not my favorite. Stay. At least until the storm moves further away."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," she looked around and saw a beautiful tea set in a cart. She took a cup from it and poured the hot chocolate on it. She handed him the cup. He waited for her to pour herself another cup and sit before he sat down next to her. He was about to move to the chair across, but she turned to face him with a smile that melted his brain a bit. "What was it like growing up here in the North?" she asked.
He smiled in between sips and started to tell her about his childhood. She was an attentive listener and asked just the right number of questions.
"I imagine your childhood was a bit more chaotic than mine," he prompted.
She laughed, "You imagine right."
They talked for hours while the rain kept falling. They were melting against the couch, getting closer to each other. Eventually, her eyes started to drift closed, and she fell asleep. He stared at her, reveling in the fact that he could see her so up close, so unguarded. She slid on the back of the settee; her head landed on his shoulder. He inhaled sharply. His arm ached to wrap around her and pull her to rest on his chest.
No. Take her to bed… HER bed, damn it.
He waited a few minutes until her breath deepened and stood slowly. He lifted her in his arms, marveling at how close they were, how light she was, and how this made him feel so complete. He placed her down in the center of her bed. He pulled off the covers beneath her and made sure to cover her well, tucking the comforter around her. His heart yearned to see this scene thousands of times. His Lizzie, asleep in the Mistress' chambers, with a small smile on her face. He wanted nothing more than to lift the covers and join her, holding her against him.
He bent down to kiss her forehead, "Sweet dreams, Lizzie."
Her eyes opened lazily, clearly more asleep than awake. She pulled him close and softly kissed his lips, "Sweet Dreams," she whispered, snuggling against her pillow, asleep immediately.
He froze and brought his fingers to his lips. He couldn't breathe. It was a simple peck, a pressing of her pillowy, soft, full lips against him, but to his battered heart, it felt like a passionate embrace. He pulled back and left the room before he did something he would regret. He wouldn't risk a compromise. He wanted to marry her more than ever. But he would never force her hand by causing a compromise. He locked the door to the parlor with the key he gave her and left through the front door. The house was all quiet except for the rain, wind, and thunder outside. Luckily, he could walk around in the darkened hallway with his eyes closed. He reached his room and jumped into his bed. He took deep breaths to calm down.
How was he to keep living now? Before, all he could do was imagine. Now he knew. He knew what she looked like lying in bed. He knew she had a few freckles on her back that formed a diamond. Now, he knew exactly how long and full her mane was, how silky and fragrant too. Now, he had memories of his Lizzie walking around the rooms, the hallways, the parlor… his bedroom. The memories he now had of undressing her in his room would haunt him for the rest of his life if he couldn't have her as a wife. He groaned against a pillow. She had ruined him. He couldn't even imagine sharing what he did tonight with any other woman. She was everything he had ever wanted. His breeches were uncomfortably tight. He resigned himself to tossing and turning most of the night. His hands kept closing around fistfuls of his sheets, wishing she was next to him.