“You are my favorite fragrance, Elizabeth. Come, darling. Let me help you with your buttons.” He offered his hand, and she rose to stand before him.
He moved behind her and began unfastening the small buttons running down the back of her gown. When he finished, he asked, “Will you help me with my jacket and waistcoat?”
Her fingers trembled as she began working on the first button. She helped him remove his jacket, then worked at the buttons of his waistcoat. She then opened the buttons of his linen shirtwhile he untied his cravat. With a hesitant hand, she touched the smooth skin of his neck and upper chest, and he stood very still as he watched her.
She stopped and took a step back.
“Are you well, Elizabeth?”
“Yes, sir. But I will admit that I am feeling nervous, reticent. I, you… Your shirt.”
He understood. “Let me draw the heavy drapes. It will darken the room. Will that make you feel more at ease?”
She nodded. Darcy closed the drapes. When he returned, she was watching him, her eyes wide.
“Are you too nervous, darling? Do you want me to stop?”
“No, please continue. I am only embarrassed. I do not know where to look or how to act. I do not know what to do.”
“We need not do anything at all. We can lie in the bed and hold each other, and when you feel ready, you may tell me, and then I will love you.”
She still looked uneasy. He saw it in her eyes, and in the tense way she held herself, her hands clasped before her.
“It need not be today, darling. We can simply lie in each other's arms if you wish.”
“Yes, please. I need to familiarize myself with you. With being near you. And with touching you and with you touching me.”
He helped her out of her gown, and she slipped beneath the covers in her shift. He went to his own room, put on a nightshirt, and returned to lie beside her. He slipped his arm under her shoulders and draped the other over her waist.
The ordeal of the day had weighed heavily upon her, and before long she fell asleep, though she had believed she was far too agitated for rest. He, too, had been shaken, and without intending to, he fell asleep with her in his arms.
Elizabeth woke two hours later, rested and more at ease, still wrapped in his arms. She nestled closer, her cheek against his shoulder. She remained there until she felt him move. He was awake, and he tightened his arm about her.
The quiet between them grew weighted with feeling, and she lifted her face toward his. The longing in his eyes met the answering tenderness in her own. Elizabeth touched his cheek, and he bent to kiss her, slow and lingering. She returned the kiss hesitantly, then with eagerness that made his breath catch.
She gave herself to him, wholly and without reserve, and then he gathered her into his arms and showed her with reverent hands and tender devotion how deeply he loved her.
Chapter 45: Mr. Wickham
Jane and Elizabeth sat on a couch in the drawing room, awaiting dinner. “Lizzy, I am grateful to Mr. Darcy. After they spoke about the visit, Charles sent an express to Caroline and Augustus. Perhaps he will make me a good husband after all. He apologized for making the decision without including me and has promised it will not happen again. But I worry that he will bend to her will the next time Caroline wants anything.”
Elizabeth said, “Perhaps you should write to Caroline and tell her that in the future she is to reach out to you as the mistress of the home.”
Jane sighed. “As much as it pains me to do it, I will send her that letter, or else this will happen again and again through the years.”
“I truly believed that once she was married, you would never hear from her again.”
Jane groaned. It was a quiet, pathetic sound. “I thought so too.”
Mrs. Hurst entered and sat beside Jane. She took her hand. “Charles told me what happened. My dear girl, you must learn to speak up for yourself. Charles is a good man, but as you know, he is very amiable and easily led. If Caroline reaches him first, you will always find yourself on the losing side. But I know the two of you together will make a very good life for yourselves and for your children. You will be happy.”
Jane returned the pressure of Louisa’s hand. “Thank you. It will be difficult for me, but I am determined.”
Footsteps were heard in the hall, and then the men entered the room. Elizabeth looked for Mr. Darcy. He entered last, impeccably dressed as always. When their eyes met, her face grew warm, and she looked away as the intimacies that had passed between them came flooding back in vivid memory. She straightened in her chair and forced her attention on the two women who were still speaking of Caroline, but warmth swept through her entire body under the intensity of his gaze, and she wished she might conceal herself behind the drapes. Surely, someone would read her expression and guess what had passed between her and Mr. Darcy. She calmed herself enough to ask Jane a question, but then her eyes drifted back to his face, and she saw his was flushed too. He must also be remembering. A warm smile played on his lips, and then she looked down at the floor, determined not to look at him for the rest of the evening. She felt again his hands running along her bare skin, and the urgency of his lips, and her face burned like fire. This was torture. She should have claimed a headache and remained in her room. Well, it was too late now. She looked about her and realized what she needed was a distraction.
Her gaze moved to Georgiana, who sat at the piano playing softly. Elizabeth moved to her sister’s side and sat on the bench next to her. “Georgiana, I asked Fitzwilliam to teach me how to ride, but I must admit that horses frighten me. Would you introduce me to Daisy? Perhaps if I become acquainted with your mount, it will ease my mind.”
“Of course. It would be my pleasure. Elizabeth, you will love Daisy. She follows me everywhere like a pet dog.” Just then, Darcy came up behind them, and Georgiana turned. “Brother, Elizabeth says you are going to teach her how to ride.”
