Darcy's Temptation (70 page)

Darcy could not resist kissing her lightly; Elizabeth's words moved him. “I remember our wedding; you were so beautiful. It was all I could do not to run to you and take you in my arms.You, however, were all calm and innocence.”

Elizabeth brushed her lips over Darcy's before speaking. “Mr. Darcy, I am so pleased my acting skills improved to such a degree; I assure you, my Love, calmness was not part of what I felt standing next to you.”

Darcy's breath became shallow as he asked,“Then, pray tell, what did you think?”

Elizabeth flashed him a quick smile; she kissed him lightly, allowing her lips to linger close to his. “I kept thinking, oh, please, Reverend Woodson, hurry and make me this magnificent man's wife before he changes his mind.”

Darcy chuckled,“Magnificent?”

Elizabeth gave him a little growl in his ear, and then accented each of her words with a kiss along Darcy's chin line. “Magnificent . . . superb . . . handsome. . . .”

Darcy allowed his hands to drop to Elizabeth's lower back after pulling her hips to him. “I will again surrender to your charms,” he gasped as Elizabeth continued to distract him with her closeness. Darcy lost himself to his wife's body for a few minutes, his interest in Elizabeth's intimacy increasing rapidly. Then a thought crossed his mind, and Elizabeth felt Darcy's body stiffen. He blushed when he asked, “Did you speak to Georgiana about what she should expect tonight?”

Elizabeth could not completely stifle her amusement as the “prideful” Mr. Darcy asked about his sister's wedding night. “I spoke to Georgiana,” she gave him at last. “I told her the same thing I told Kitty—what my Aunt Gardiner shared with me.”

Darcy's eyebrow shot up.“Mrs. Gardiner? Not your mother?”

Elizabeth laughed out loud. “Trust me, my Love, if I listened only to my mother's advice, I still would be denying you my bed.”

“I always respected Mrs. Gardiner.” Darcy's smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he returned to kissing Elizabeth deeply.

Finally, she asked,“Will you not come back to bed, my Love?”

He paused in his need to kiss Elizabeth's neck and shoulder. “Soon, Mrs. Darcy.” He withdrew from her a few steps and tried to settle his emotions. “I believe I want to stay here for a few more minutes. As tempting as you are, Elizabeth,
I fear I am missing my sister this evening a bit more than I reasonably should.”

“Do not question whether you did your duty to Georgiana, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth stepped up behind him and lightly touched Darcy's back.“She could not be more prepared for the life she chose.The only thing more surprising than the chance Georgiana is taking is where that chance is taking her.”

Darcy kissed Elizabeth's cheek. “I know you try to ease my mind, my Love, but I still question whether I did well by Georgiana.”

Before she could answer, a light knock came at the door. Darcy strode quickly to the opening. He found Henry standing outside. “I beg your pardon, Sir,” the valet stumbled over the words, “but a late post came a few minutes ago. I thought it might be important.”

“Thank you, Henry.” Darcy took the letter from the silver salver and closed the door.With shaking hands, he crossed to sit in a chair close to the candle where he could read. “It is from Georgiana,” he said distractedly. Darcy broke the seal and unfolded the paper, reading the words out loud.

Darcy's words drifted off as tears welled in his eyes, and Elizabeth slipped out of the room to allow him some privacy. Darcy continued to read his sister's missive, only now, he did so silently.

Darcy swallowed hard, fighting back the emotions. Georgiana knew he needed her tonight, and his sister answered his silent call. He watched as Elizabeth slipped back into the room; she carried Ella, sleeping quietly in her mother's arms. Elizabeth came to where Darcy sat; she placed the sleeping child in his arms and seated herself on the floor at his feet. She leaned against his knee, stroking the back of Darcy's calf while he held the child close, lightly caressing her face with his index finger.

Finally, Elizabeth spoke tenderly, but with passion. “Ella needs the same kind of love you always gave to Georgiana. She needs to know what to value in this world. Ella will need to make good choices; as a woman, she will need a strong man who will help her find her worth. Your daughter needs the
same lessons you gave to your sister; it should be easier this time, my Love; you learned well with Georgiana.”

Darcy directed his attentions to his wife. With a smile he asked,“If it is to be so for Ella, what should I teach Lucas?”

“His family duty,” she teased.

“Never, Mrs. Darcy.” His humor returned. “My son must learn to value the women in his life.”

“Even if they are progressive in their thinking?” Elizabeth got on her knees and moved in closer to where she could touch him.

Darcy met her taunt by looking deep in Elizabeth's eyes. “Especially if they are progressive in their thinking—they are the most difficult to understand but are the most worth knowing. Maybe my princess needs to return to her crib,” he smiled, “and we need to return to our bed, Mrs. Darcy.”

“I was thinking something similar. Is it not wonderful we two think so much alike?” Elizabeth took Ella from him. “Warm the bed, Mr. Darcy; I will be right back.”

Elizabeth headed back to the nursery. Returning a few minutes later, she found Darcy already under the counterpane. She slid in next to him, warming herself against his body. She encircled his neck with her arms and began to kiss along Darcy's neck.“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”

“Both you and Georgiana knew what I needed tonight.” He raised his chin to allow Elizabeth access to the indentation at the base of his neck.

“All I did, Mr. Darcy, is remind you others need you as much as Georgiana.” Elizabeth now kissed along his collarbone, and Darcy felt the warmth spreading through his loins.

He cupped her chin and brought Elizabeth's mouth to his. “My dearest Elizabeth,” he said, his voice taking on a seductive huskiness,“thank you for reminding me what I want and what I need lie in you and the children. A dreamer is protected by the security in being home.”

Elizabeth kissed him deeply. “Life offers each of us a thousand chances; I am pleased I am the one with whom you chose to spend your life. Love comes gently when we least expect it—like walking in a dream.”

Darcy pulled Elizabeth as close as he could, pressing her body to his. He kissed her passionately while touching her intimately.“I love you, Lizzy,” he whispered into her ear.

“Umm,” she moaned,“perfection lies in those words.” Elizabeth draped her leg across Darcy's body.

“Lizzy,” he murmured as he directed kisses to her neck and chest.“I must have you.”

Elizabeth touched him in the way she knew would enflame his passion further.“Where you are, my Love, is where I intend to be. I surrender to your charms; I want to be where no one will dare to interrupt us.”

“Then it is a good thing, Lizzy,” he teased,“you lie with the Master of Pemberley.”

“It is an
excellent
thing to lie with the Master of Pemberley.” She gasped with Darcy's assault of her sensitive spots.“In fact. . . .”

Darcy put his fingers over her mouth.“This is not the time to demonstrate your wit, my Love.”

A teasing smirk flitted across her face. “What should I demonstrate, Mr. Darcy?”

“How much you love me, Mrs. Darcy.” His kiss this time left Elizabeth gasping for air.“Tell me you want me, Lizzy.”

Her fingers tugged at the curls along the nape of his neck. Darcy met her eyes with an intense rush of desire.“I want you, Fitzwilliam.”

“Kiss me, Lizzy,” he demanded as he began to take pleasure in the love Elizabeth freely offered him.

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¹
William Shakespeare,
The Tempest,
Act IV, scene 1, line 156.

²
Michel de Montaigne,
Essays.

³
Madame de Staël,
Corinne.

⁴
William Shakespeare,
The Tempest,
1.2.

⁵
Motto of the Order of the Garter, Edward III (1327-1377).

⁶
New Testament,
I Corinthians, vii, 3.

⁷
Cicero (106-43 B.C.),
De Officiis
.