Page 30 of Winter of Passion (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“Mr Darcy, Mama is looking forward to your arrival and has planned a dinner for you,” Jane interjected. “Since Longbourn is not large enough for all of us, would you approve of having a large dinner party here, the day after tomorrow?”

“Of course, Mrs Bingley. I shall gladly approve whatever you or Mrs Bennet plan,” he replied, much to Elizabeth’s contentment.

“I believe you two should call each other by your given names,” Bingley suggested. “We are family, after all.”

“We are indeed,” Darcy agreed.

The dinner continued, and the conversation was animated, but Elizabeth did not remember much of it.

She was aware of little else except for Darcy’s closeness and his scent that slowly invaded her.

Time passed in haste, and it was almost midnight when Georgiana and Mrs Annesley retired for the night.

Jane followed them, and so did Elizabeth, while the two gentlemen remained for a last drink.

As she walked to her chamber, Elizabeth’s knees weakened; she knew he would come to her and tried to remember the last time he had kissed her.

She entered the room and changed for the night; her body shivered at the touch of the silky nightgown, which was a poor reminder of his caresses.

She loosened her hair and brushed it, then put another log on the fire and looked out of the window.

The wind was blowing the trees, the sky was clear, and the stars were bright, so she imagined it was very cold.

She opened the window for a moment, and the wind hit her face, so she quickly closed it again.

“It is very cold,” she heard Darcy’s hoarse voice say. Startled, she turned round and saw him stepping towards her, then his arms closed around her.

“I have missed you painfully,” he whispered into her ear.

“No more than I did you…”

“I was hoping that was the case, my love.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, then climbed in next to her and pulled the sheets over them.

“I have locked the door,” he said before his lips became more pleasantly engaged.

“You must tell me what to do…what you wish me to do… Teach me,” she whispered.

He covered her face with small kisses, then his lips brushed over hers, resting upon her ear and tantalising her earlobe as he said hoarsely, “I wish you to do what you feel you want…and I shall do the same.”

Her heart raced, and she quivered as he leant closer, his body almost crushing her. Their nightclothes could not contain the heat of their bodies, which radiated into each other. She entwined her fingers in his hair, and his fingers glided through her hair as well.

He looked at her, and she struggled to breathe, while his lips returned to caress her face, her jaw, her throat.

“I have not kissed you for more than a week…” he said, his mouth capturing hers.

His scent was intoxicating, and she sighed in delight, abandoning herself to the pleasure that slowly grew inside her.

The kiss deepened, his tongue tasting her possessively, then his legs abruptly separated hers, resting between them.

She felt his hands pulling her nightgown up her thighs, then he hastily removed his shirt.

Her eyes locked on his bare chest, and she tentatively touched his shoulder, while he renewed his sweet exploration along her neck, down her throat, to the edge of her gown.

She gulped for air and licked her lips as his fingers brushed over her breasts.

She groaned, and her back arched. He leant over her, spreading soft kisses across her face, tantalising her lips.

His bold hand touched, felt, and caressed the softness of her breasts, closing upon each of them with possessive tenderness, then travelled gently down her body over the silky gown, sliding down along her ribs.

She quivered, and her fingers tightened in his hair when his hand returned to her breasts, tracing slow circles around them, sending waves of warmth inside her.

Her lips were captured in another passionate kiss, and she responded without hesitation, her lips and tongue joining his with growing boldness.

She heard him groan, and she moaned as she felt his caresses on her thighs, her legs, her feet. Then she realised her nightgown was gone — she was completely naked — and the caresses returned to her lower body.

Elizabeth opened her eyes to see Darcy watching her. Her skin was chilled, while she burned inside. His eyes slowly travelled down her body, and she shivered as though she could feel the touch of his gaze.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered as his hand continued its provocative conquest, tantalising her legs.

His hand moved higher, then his fingers began to rub, first gently then more daringly, burning her.

She had already experienced the exquisite sensation a while ago, but at that moment it felt much stronger, the pleasure almost painful.

A trail of warm kisses covered her breasts, capturing their soft hardness, and Elizabeth bit her lips to stop a scream when his fingers increased their stroking between her thighs.

Every stroke left her wanting more, building a deep need inside her.

Every movement of his fingers sent waves of pleasure through her body.

She heard his voice calling her, and she barely recognised it over the wild beating of her heart and the violent bursts of fire growing inside her.

Then everything seemed to collapse, and she needed a while before gathering herself together, spent from her emotions.

Some long moments passed before Elizabeth finally opened her eyes to see him gazing at her.

“My beautiful love, how I have missed you! Please tell me you will marry me in a week, or I shall die of distraction,” he whispered, and his lips touched her face again.

Her legs were still parted, and his were resting between them, their naked bodies brushing against each other.

Only then did she realise he was naked only from the waist up, still wearing his trousers.

“I would not wish you to die, my beloved Mr Darcy. I shall marry you as soon as it is possible.”

He moved to lie next to her, embracing her and resting her head on his chest.

“May I ask what your relatives said?”

“As expected…they were stunned and raised many objections, which I calmly addressed. They will need time to approve of our marriage but will not publicly oppose it. Richard will return for the wedding.”

“I hope our marriage will not ruin your relationship with your family.”

“You and Georgiana are my family, my love. Whoever wishes to be part of it will be welcome. Those who do not, I shall not argue with their decision. You must not worry.”

“I do worry — for you and Georgiana. As for me, my love for you leaves no room for any ill feelings.”

He took her hands to his lips, kissing her fingers.

“I shall come to Longbourn with you when you return home in the morning.”

“My mother will be thrilled. She waited for your return as she has waited for nothing else in her life,” Elizabeth joked. “Prepare yourself.”

“I am prepared. If I can bear Lady Catherine’s opposition, I can surely bear your mother’s approval.”

“You might be surprised!” She laughed and climbed on top of him for a kiss, which he readily returned.

“My love, I shall return to my room now,” he said moments later. “I must keep myself under good regulation for a few more days, and your return to Longbourn will be very helpful for my sanity.”

“You still have not taught me anything,” she whispered teasingly.

“You have learnt quite a lot. You may not realise it, but I feel it, as my body is under a torture that becomes harder to bear each time I am close to you. There is only one more week.”

She blushed, smiled, then placed a soft kiss on his chest, right upon his heart, tasting his skin, then finally moved away, allowing him to leave.

Only one week to go.