1 To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too) ~ Mr. Darcy's Tale Page 20

  Darcy rolled over unto his back, holding her firmly and positioning her astride his body while remaining deep inside of her. He was insatiable as he engulfed her with impassioned kisses, ardent caresses and sensuous teasing until he was soon as erect as before. He guided her up and down his length, favouring her in just the right spot for what seemed a gloriously infinite passage of time, until she exploded inside. Darcy hushed her endless ecstatic cries of bliss with impassioned kisses and soon released his seed deep inside her once more.

  ~ ~ ~

  Darcy awakened an hour or so later, happy indeed to find his bride nestled closely in his embrace, her head resting on his chest. The last thing he wanted to do was awaken her from her slumber. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever beheld. The passion they had shared was beyond belief, in his estimation. He never had dreamed it would be so.

  Reluctantly, he left her side to make arrangements for their meal. He returned to his room with a tray he had ordered for their evening repast. He had no intention for either of them to leave their rooms for terribly long, not even to dine. Placing the tray on a table, he went to his bed to stir his sleeping beauty. He feathered light kisses along her face and nibbled at her earlobes until she roused.

  “Come, my love. Let us have some dinner.”

  “Dinner? Is it that time already?”

  “Actually, it is long past dinner time. You have slept for hours… not that I object. You will need your rest, for I plan to keep you busy all night,” he said, as he kissed her moist lips.

  “That sounds promising,” she responded.

  “Indeed, now come, let me nourish you before I ravish you repeatedly,” he seductively teased.

  “I like the sound of that, Mr. Darcy. Hand me my gown please, so that I might join you.”

  “If you insist,” he said as he handed her the gown. She slipped the gown on while remaining under the bed covers. Darcy could not help but smile at her newly found modesty.

  After partaking of a light dinner, followed by a short repose in her sitting room to allow the staff some time to tidy his room, Darcy took Elizabeth back to his bed. They embarked upon a lovemaking excursion that extended late into the night. Hours passed, or so it seemed, as he sought successfully to bring her endless and repeated pleasures while managing to temper his own. When at last, he succumbed, it was wonderful.

  ~ ~ ~

  The early morning sun beckoning, Elizabeth wakened in Darcy’s arms, her head resting comfortably on his chest, his hand resting on hers. She snuggled closer and released a deep, contented sigh.

  Elizabeth glanced up to study his face. He was quite beautiful. Who would have imagined that a man of sense and education with much knowledge of the world could seem so youthful and innocent while he slept?

  Innocent, she thought with a smile as she recalled their wedding night. She had been all nerves and anticipation as any new bride should be—for despite all of their amorous endeavours in the days leading up to the wedding, absolutely nothing could have prepared her for becoming his wife. She had been told to expect some degree of pain. Was there any pain? She wondered. Whether or not she experienced pain, she could hardly recall, such was her need for fulfilment as he gently pushed inside her inch by inch, tantalisingly in tune with his slow, probing kisses. She seemed to remember his pausing, telling her to relax as he filled her completely. Amidst slow thrusts, urgent thrusts, time ceased to have meaning. At length, she experienced an incredibly powerful crest. She screamed out as euphoric sensation upon sensation flooded through her. With his lips engulfing hers, she felt a thunderous explosion ensued by a wonderfully soothing warmth.

  ~ Chapter 19 ~

  Again and Again

  The Darcys stayed tucked away at Pemberley for the entirety of the following week. They rarely left their rooms during the first couple of days. Both gained a greater appreciation of their love as they began to confide intimate details of their lives, Elizabeth more so than her husband. For after living in his homes for over a year and a half, Elizabeth was all too familiar with Darcy’s closest relations, their idiosyncrasies, and their expectations of him. Darcy, however, had not been in the company of her family since their earlier acquaintance in Hertfordshire. He was completely oblivious to the trials she had suffered at Longbourn. Elizabeth had grown so accustomed to confiding her innermost hopes and fears in no one other than Jane, and so it had been all her life. It profoundly touched Elizabeth when Darcy confessed to her that his greatest wish was that she would let him be the one she turned to. She was eager to share everything with him. Now, it seemed, her husband held that coveted role of friend and confidant in her life. Darcy understood as Elizabeth expressed her deepest concern to him.

  “I did not miss the fact that your mother thought very little of me, but then again, I did nothing to court her good opinion. I promise you that I will attempt to make up for that when she visits with us,” he said, when Elizabeth spoke of her mother’s abhorrence towards him.

  “I am afraid you do not know my mama. It is not that she merely dislikes you. She is not easily swayed.”

  “You underestimate my charms, I see. I believe I can be quite persuasive.”

  “Careful, sir,” she expressed, “too much of the famous Darcy charm and Mama might insist upon residing here at Pemberley with us.”

  “I understand. Nonetheless, I want you to be certain that your family, all of your relations, are welcome here at Pemberley for as long as they wish to stay. The dowager house has remained undisturbed for far too long.”

  “I appreciate that, more than you know, but I sometimes think that one can actually be settled too near one’s family. In such cases as this, no cause is better served by good roads. Where there is a fortune which makes the travelling cost unimportant, distance becomes no evil. What with your fortune, I should imagine the long journey to Hertfordshire is a trifling pursuit at best,” she spoke with a smile.

  “Then, that settles it. We will do all that we can in assuring that your mother lives comfortably, but she must continue to live far, far away in Hertfordshire,” he teased.

  “Thank you. I love you, Mr. Darcy.” She was glad that he understood her apprehensions as regarded her mother and would not let that affect his esteem.

  “Mr. Darcy?” he echoed.

  “William... I love you, William.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Soon Darcy found it necessary to work with his steward in preparation for his planned absence from Pemberley for the rest of the summer into early fall, as well as finish the arrangements for the wedding journey. This left Elizabeth with much time on her hands. Having resided at Pemberley for months, Elizabeth was no stranger to the overall workings of the great estate. She began to meet with Mrs. Reynolds daily to become familiar with the details of the household administration. She enjoyed an excellent relationship with Mrs. Reynolds, one that she was eager to keep up, for she recognised the value of having her as a strong ally. Elizabeth also recognised the importance of maintaining a strict routine in the household management. She was impressed with Mrs. Reynolds’s seemingly effortless rule. Elizabeth accepted that for the foreseeable future, what with the extended honeymoon they were about to take, Mrs. Reynolds would continue to manage the household. Still she was eager to learn all that she could, so that she might take over her responsibilities as mistress immediately upon her return.

  The next several days were spent thus. Darcy and Elizabeth generally slept late, as newly-weds ought and separated for a few hours during the day to attend to estate and household matters. They promptly reunited to enjoy leisurely afternoons in each other’s company, followed by intimate dinners.

  They spent each night agreeably, in the arms of one another.

  Georgiana returned during the second week to spend her last days at Pemberley before moving to her husband’s home in Stafford. Elizabeth endeavoured to keep to her schedule of daily meetings with Mrs. Reynolds, as well as to spend time with Georgiana during her stay. The Darcys also receive
d a few callers during that week—a very few, as they were anxious to spend as much time alone as possible without appearing inhospitable. Sometimes, it could not be helped.

  ~ ~ ~

  Lady Catherine and Anne were away from Rosings Park when the letter from Darcy arrived, in which he had stated his intention to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Lady Catherine was distraught by Darcy’s revelation at Matlock that he did not intend to marry Anne. The resulting getaway to Brighton had provided a much-needed period of convalescence. Somehow, Lady Catherine’s housekeeper had failed to forward Darcy’s letter to her during her sojourn. Having read the letter in haste and without properly ascertaining the all the details, she immediately arranged to travel to Pemberley to put a stop to such nonsense, completely unaware that the happy event had occurred over a fortnight ago.

  Upon her arrival at Pemberley to make her opinion on the marriage known, she was extremely vexed—first of all, to learn that the marriage had indeed occurred, and second, to find that the couple had departed for their wedding journey. Lady Catherine allowed little time to pass before travelling to Matlock to chastise her brother and sister for allowing and even participating in the travesty.

  “I always suspected that little upstart had Darcy in her sights from the moment of my acquaintance with her at Rosings Park. She practically had him sniffing at her heels and bowing to her whims. Imagine Darcy treating her, a paid companion, as Georgiana’s equal. I thought it merely a passing fancy. Never did I believe he would abandon the principles of a lifetime, only to succumb to her arts and allurements. Alas, I was mistaken. Nevertheless, fear not, I will carry my point. I will see to it that they are censured, slighted, and despised by everyone connected with us. Their alliance will be deemed a disgrace, their names will not be mentioned, and no one of decency will receive them. This is not to be borne,” Lady Catherine warned her brother and sister.

  Coming to Elizabeth’s defence, Lord and Lady Matlock both defended the union and spoke of the joy they had witnessed on the day of the wedding.

  “I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find both of you reasonable. However, do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede,” Lady Catherine persisted.

  “Then, it will be you who are perceived as a fool, for we will do all that is within our power in support of Fitzwilliam’s marriage. You would be wise to do the same, if for nothing else than for the sake of appearances and family harmony.

  “I will host a dinner party for the two of them immediately after the Twelfth Night Ball in January. Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy will be officially presented,” declared Lady Matlock.

  “Why, that obstinate, headstrong girl! Unrefined, a gentleman’s daughter indeed,” Lady Catherine spat, sarcastically. “One of five sisters, reared with no governess or benefit of the masters. She will prove an embarrassment to the Fitzwilliam family name. This marriage is a travesty. I came here with the determined resolution of carrying my purpose. I will not be dissuaded from it! I have not been used to submit to any person’s whims. I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment.”

  “Leave it, Catherine! It is done! It is time to make the best of it. Fitzwilliam appears as happy as we have ever known him to be,” Lord Matlock stated adamantly.

  Her Ladyship was highly incensed. “And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well, I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine I will be silenced on this, or that your desires for the new Mrs. Darcy will be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable; but depend upon it, I will carry my point.”

  Lady Catherine ranted on, in that way, until she was at the door of the house. Turning hastily around, she added, “I take no leave of you, brother. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased. You have not heard the last of me,” Lady Catherine threatened.

  ~ ~ ~

  At the same time, those at Longbourn engaged in the art of persuasion, as well. Mrs. Bennet was determined to set off for Pemberley, or London, or wherever the Darcys were, to teach Elizabeth all she needed to know to be a great mistress.

  When Elizabeth’s family received the news of her engagement to Darcy, Mrs. Bennet acclaimed to anyone who would listen how she knew it would be. She was sure Elizabeth was so clever for something. She would not even allow that Elizabeth was in love with the proud man and practically implied that her daughter simply was mercenary. She thanked God that her prayers had been answered and that their lot in life had been raised immensely. Now, her greatest concern was that Elizabeth would somehow ruin it all by failing to be a good mistress of Pemberley, thereby incurring Mr. Darcy’s wrath and stemming his benevolence towards the family.

  “But Mama, Lizzy has promised to invite the entire family to Pemberley for an extended holiday in December. Everyone is invited, including the Gardiners and my Uncle and Aunt Phillips. Surely, we should honour their wishes. It would be unmannerly to visit them sooner,” Mary insisted.

  Poor Mary... with Jane comfortably settled ten miles away and Kitty similarly situated with her husband, she alone bore the responsibility to sit with her mother and placate her nerves.

  “Oh never you mind all that!” Mrs. Bennet wailed. “Have you no compassion for what your sister must surely be suffering? I am her mother. Pray, why should I stand on ceremony? What does Lizzy know about being the mistress of such a grand estate? She needs me!”

  “Begging your pardon, but I shall not advance a single shilling to assist you in imposing upon Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.” Mrs. Bennet spun around and stared at her son-in-law with her mouth gaped open. “I demand that you desist at once and look forward to visiting with them in December, along with the rest of the family.” Mr. Collins spoke with such authority as to silence Mrs. Bennet from any further speech on the matter.

  ~ ~ ~

  Charles Bingley was delighted to hear that his old friend had finally chosen a wife. He was sure that they might reconnect now that Darcy had relinquished his bachelor status and joined the ranks of marriage. The fact that Lady Grace and Elizabeth got along swimmingly, he deemed favourable, as well. Bingley was positive that he and his family would always be graciously received at Pemberley.

  Miss Caroline Bingley was deeply mortified by the news of Darcy’s marriage, but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, decided it best to drop all her resentment. Once presented with the opportunity, she would be almost as attentive to Darcy as ever and would make an effort to pay off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth.

  News of Mr. Darcy’s wedding equally astounded Miss Theresa Rupert. She pondered long and hard as she considered his choice of a bride. Elizabeth Darcy née Bennet... Elizabeth Bennet, she thought, where have I heard that name before?

  Lady Harriette was beside herself with the news. Now that they were family, she felt that the elusive Mr. Darcy was firmly within her grasp. No matter, she thought, he is married, not dead. Of course, she would marry as well, undoubtedly to someone of high rank and birth. As regards Darcy, she would simply bide her time.

  ~ ~ ~

  The Darcys spent a glorious honeymoon in the beautiful spa towns of Bath and Cheltenham, as well as in Weymouth, the highly fashionable seaside resort. Darcy let the finest lodgings available in each town.

  Among the most exciting adventures during their stay in Bath were frequent outings to the theatre, assembly rooms, and concerts. Elizabeth’s favourite outing was a visit to Sydney Gardens. Darcy found that he enjoyed the concerts and the dazzling illuminations and fireworks displays as much as his dear wife.

  Though it rivalled Bath in its various forms of amusement, it was the semi-rural charms of Cheltenham that most delighted Elizabeth. The private lodging secured by Darcy for their stay was a spacious and airy villa with its own garden and staffed with a full complement of servants. Darcy and Elizabeth were contented with early morning walks before breakfast, leisurely afternoons in the seclusion of their holiday home, and nightly entertainment in the Assembly Room and t
he Royal Theatre.

  The final destination of the wedding journey was the picturesque coastal town of Weymouth. There, they lodged in a beautiful villa, situated by the sea. Elizabeth and Darcy enjoyed easy access to the beach, and took complete advantage to enjoy frequent sea bathing excursions.

  On one balmy afternoon, an attractive young lady and an older woman approached Darcy and Elizabeth whilst they were out for a leisurely stroll.

  “Mr. Darcy, imagine seeing you here in Weymouth, of all places!”

  “Lady Calder,” Darcy bowed.

  “I heard of your dear sister Georgiana’s, or rather Lady Georgiana’s, marriage to Lord Harry Middleton. Pray, how does she get along?”

  “She does quite well, thank you,” Darcy replied curtly.

  “And you sir, what brings you to Weymouth, of all places?” she asked, without acknowledging Elizabeth.

  “Pardon me, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, this is Lady Gwendolyn Calder. Lady Calder, allow me to introduce my wife.”

  “Did you say your wife?” she retorted. “Surely, you jest. I have not heard a word of your marrying. Can this be true?”

  “Would I say so if it were otherwise?”

  “Of course, if you say it, then it must be so,” she replied, sensing his annoyance. Still, she was curious. She asked, “When did this come about?”

  “Lady Calder, it is a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Darcy and I married nine weeks ago. We are here on our honeymoon,” Elizabeth intervened.