Page 95 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

D aylight and the sound of the wind blowing in the windows awakened Elizabeth from a dream she could not remember. She felt her husband’s gaze and smiled at him. He was sitting in the armchair, a book beside him. He moved to the bed.

“It seems I am late again,” she said.

“Much earlier than yesterday.”

“How long have you been sitting there?”

“Not very long. The time passed while I admired your sleeping beauty.”

“Oh, surely you did not watch me sleep?”

“I did.” He caressed her hair. “It gives me such joy to know I can admire you without restraint, that there is no obstacle between us.”

She gently touched his face, and he placed a lingering kiss within her palm. “You should have wakened me. I would like to spend the morning in bed with you,” she said then blushed at the meaning of her words.

He smiled at her embarrassment then leant on the pillows and pulled her to him. She was still wrapped in the sheet and sighed while he put his arms around her and her head found the perfect place upon his heart. “This is perfect,” she whispered, spoiled by his finger playing with her hair.

“Did you sleep well, Elizabeth? ”

“I did.”

“Are you… Do you feel any pain? I know it was only the second night and…”

“No, I…” She wished to put him at ease then chose complete honesty. “It is somehow painful when we…when you…but I believe it should be.”

“I have not been patient enough, I fear. I should not have bothered you for a few days.”

“Surely not,” she said, nestling in his arms then lifting her face to him. “The slight pain means nothing compared to the joy I feel with you, William. And you have been very patient indeed.”

“I am glad to hear that…and relieved… Just please always let me know if my insistence makes you uncomfortable in any way, and I will stop.”

“I will.” She rested her head on the hollow of his shoulder then suddenly chuckled. He tipped her chin to watch her face inquiringly. She laughed.

“Last night when I was in the bathtub and you entered, I did tell you that your appearance made me uncomfortable, but that did not stop you.”

He slightly frowned, but she laughed and daringly brushed her lips on his.

“Everything that happened these two nights has made me uncomfortable, but not for a moment did I want you to stop,” she whispered, her long hair tantalising him while the scent of her naked body, barely covered by the sheet, intoxicated him. His hands trapped her back, gliding along her spine.

“You make me lose my control and my mind, Elizabeth. My heart has long been lost to you.”

He kissed her forehead then slowly separated from her while his entire body craved her.

His lack of control had almost betrayed him once again, but he owed it to her to fight against it.

They had made love twice the previous night, and while he could easily see how much she enjoyed their intimacy, he also noticed—and she had just confirmed it— that she was still in pain at times.

He could and would wait at least until evening.

Elizabeth tried to conceal her disappointment—as well as her shame at admitting that she regretted the interruption of their interlude.

She knew she should be embarrassed by having her husband be more reasonable than she was, and she promised herself to censor her gestures in the future.

But in truth, she felt cold as soon as he left to his room.

Breakfast ended rather quickly, and then each returned to their scheduled activities.

Darcy went to meet his cousin and arrange for Lady Catherine to return to Kent, a task that was expected to be highly distressing.

Elizabeth was concerned about Darcy’s success in his endeavour but also preoccupied with the first dinner she was hosting for her relatives—and his.

She knew she had little reason to worry, yet she felt nervous about how his noble family would treat hers: a tradesman from Cheapside and his wife.

The fact that the Fitzwilliam gentlemen had already met them was an excellent start though.

With Darcy’s approval, she sent a note to the Gardiners, inviting them an hour earlier. She wished to speak to her aunt privately as there were many new things about which she needed advice.

Around noon, Elizabeth had everything settled and the preparations handled by the efficient staff.

Darcy returned with the news that Lady Catherine had left Town the previous evening with Anne and her companion.

He was relieved but somehow troubled by the easy resolution.

He needed a way to calm his suspicious mind, so he invited his wife to have a cup of tea with him.

The first thing that Elizabeth noticed was the frown on her husband’s face.

“You look concerned.”

“I am thinking of Anne. And it seems too easy a resolution, which worries me. ”

“Could you find a way for Anne to spend more time with her cousins? I am sure Maryanne would be pleased to have her as a guest. And I would love to welcome Anne to our home.”

“You are very kind. We shall think of something.”

They sat—she with a cup of tea, he with his brandy.

“I made an appointment with the modiste for the day after tomorrow for the last two dresses. And I should order some nightgowns, too. I did not think of that before, but my old ones are not fashionable enough.” She flushed and his eyes narrowed in laughter.

“You may order what you like, but I would suggest not wasting the family income on too many things that you will rarely wear.” His lips twisted mischievously, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

“I would never have imagined your speaking in such an improper manner, Mr Darcy!”

“I am sorry if I disappoint you, but you must remember that a man is defined more by his actions than by his words.”

Her eyebrow arched in challenge, and her cheeks coloured while her eyes laughed at him.

“If we are to consider the same subject , your actions are by no means more proper than your words.”

“True,” he admitted without hesitation then kissed her hand again and spoke seriously.

“Forgive me if I cross the line with some things that I say or do. I barely recognise myself at times. I often wonder whether I have lost my mind since I met you, and I believe it to be so! But I am so happy that you seem to accept my madness.”

She caressed his face with lingering touches.

“William, each moment I feel more and more that your ‘madness’ is everything that I have ever wished for in a marriage. And the fact that you have lost your mind—as you said—since you met me, I believe to be the most wonderful compliment a woman could receive.”

He gently captured her lips for only a heartbeat, then both withdrew.

“I believe I should go and change. My uncle and aunt should arrive shortly.”

“I will do the same in a minute. I look forward to spending some time with Mr Gardiner.”

Molly arranged her appearance. Elizabeth heard her husband in his apartment, but wisely, neither of them opened the adjoining doors, so they managed to be ready on time.

While waiting for the guests in the drawing room, an unexpected call disturbed the serenity of the evening. James Darcy’s appearance took both by surprise, but they invited him in, both remembering that they had last heard of him during their most tormenting fight.

“Mrs Darcy, what a pleasure to see you again! Forgive me for intruding. I would like a few private moments with my cousin if possible.”

“You are not intruding, sir—you are family. Would you like to stay for dinner?”

Both men looked at her with surprise, and she responded with the most charming smile.

“No, but I thank you. I am in a great hurry.”

“I shall leave you alone then.” She exited the library, noticing her husband’s frown.

Darcy had no time to inquire about the nature of the urgency as James started. “I need an advance on my inheritance. I have to make an urgent payment of one thousand pounds.”

“I am certain this must be a joke before dinner, James.”

“It is not. And I do not understand why I have to plead for something that is my right!”

“How can it be your right since it is my duty to take care of it for two more years? How will you ever repay me for all the effort I put in managing your properties, for my sleepless nights, and for the time I wasted on the road while you did nothing but enjoy yourself? How can it be your right to waste what I struggle so hard to increase?”

Darcy grew angrier, and James stepped back. “I only want one thousand. The income is at least three times as much for each property.”

“You threw away another two thousand two months ago. I have a nine-year-old boy in the house who worked more for one shilling than you have worked in the last five years!”

“This is scandalous, Darcy! You cannot compare me with the child of a servant!”

“Sadly, that is true.” He paced the room, followed by James’s worried gaze. “I must know why you need the money. If you have gaming debts, I will purchase them. I refuse to give you such a sum.”

“But I need the money! If you do not give it to me, I shall ask Annabelle Stafford.”

Darcy’s face darkened, and his voice sharpened. “Surely, you do not intend to use that as a threat against me! Go ask Annabelle Stafford, and you may repay her in two years’ time as soon as you take the estates under your full command.”

“That is unfair! You behave like the master of us all! You cannot run everybody’s life.”

“I would gladly put all the paper in your hands and be rid of the burden of your two properties! I am upset with myself for accepting your excellent father’s requests.

I should have refused and allowed a stranger to guard your fortune.

Or I should do nothing more to improve it—only wait two more years.

But sadly I am an unreasonable fool who entertains silly hopes that you will change.

Now go and do not ruin my evening further!

As I said, I agree to purchase your debts from whoever owns them—but no other arrangement. ”