She bit gently at his lower lip, exhaled slowly, and lifted her eyes to his. “William, I—”
He stroked back a stray curl from her forehead. “I love you.”
A choked laugh bubbled from her as a tear spilt over her lashes. “You magnificent, impossible man, I love you more.”
Oh, to give in to the primal hunger!It was over—he was hers in every way that mattered. He groaned and crushed his face down to the sweet cleft of her neck and kissed her collar bone. A sigh shattered from her, and she pulled him until he lay her back and leaned over her on the billiards table.
Half his weight bore her down, and her hands at the back of his head restrained him there as he kissed her—softer now, more worshipfully. Little murmurs and whimpers filled the space between them—gasps of pleasure, promises better made without words. She drew in one long breath, closed her eyes, and tipped back her chin, exposing her throat, her form, and all she was.
“Hold me, William. Please, I beg you—hold me and never let go.”
“I will. Forever, Elizabeth, I will.”
Elizabethtriedtoremainsober and calm the next morning when she met her sister in the sitting room, just before going down to breakfast. It would not do to speak of it yet—not even to Jane, whose own fresh happiness would eclipse her powers of observation until any flightiness or elation tumbling from Elizabeth would not merit a second thought. That was some comfort because there was still much to work out. She and William had…
Had changed everything.
In a moment, hope had become reality, loneliness was traded for intimacy, and empty longing had been overpowered by appeased desire. Even now, she could still feel the tickle of his lips at her ear, sense the warmth of his hands at her waist and the strength in his body when he had held her close. The searing heat of his kisses—no gentle displays of affection, but possessive, needful caresses that betrayed rather more of his heart than his physical craving.
Yes, that was what she had loved most about her precious minutes alone with him. He yearned for her in every way a man longed for a woman, but he cared for her as his own—while not daring to claim what was not yet his. They had given fully of their hearts, but there yet remained a claim of honour, against which he would not trespass. If it were possible, she loved him even more for that.
Jane was glowing and trying her best to appear modest. “Good morning, Lizzy. Did you sleep well?”
“Not at all,” Elizabeth replied flippantly, before quite realising what she had said.
“Oh, no,” Jane lamented. “Not another nightmare—no, Lizzy, I believe you are teasing me, by the way you are smiling. You were up reading or sneaking off to the billiards room again if you were not sleeping.”
“Yes, you are quite right. My happiness for you was so great that I could think of nothing else, so I went down for an hour.”
Jane shook her head. “One day, Lizzy, you will try to slip down there and be discovered.”
Elizabeth’s only response was a quiet chuckle as she linked arms with her sister. “To breakfast with us.”
Jane stopped her just before they reached the door. “Lizzy, what about Mr Darcy?”
Elizabeth looked straight ahead. “What about him?”
“Come, Lizzy, do not play innocent. We were all there when Miss de Bourgh made her announcement. He will be making plans of a different nature now. Have you considered—”
“Yes,” Elizabeth interrupted, looking her sister full in the face. “Yes, I have considered. I mean to act in a manner conducive to my own pleasure. I have lost nearly everyone and everything else dear to me—let me reach for happiness when it is before me.”
Jane drew a hesitant sigh and took Elizabeth’s hand in her own. “I hope it will be as you wish.”
Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s fingers. “Jane, after all, I do not think there is anything left to befall me.”
Theearlnearlyburnedhimself by jerking and almost spilling his steaming cup. “Say what, Darcy?”
“You heard properly. I have already spoken with her, and the matter is settled. I intend to marry Elizabeth as soon as may be.”
Reginald set his cup aside and blinked vaguely for several seconds. “I will not deny that I saw something between you, but I viewed it only as a—a passing complication, at the very worst.”
“‘Worst?’” Darcy repeated.
“Well, come, you cannot seriously mean to present her in Society as your wife. I mean, it was well enough for a soldier, although imprudent as regards fortune, but I can see why he fancied her.”
Darcy bristled. “And I am not permitted the same admiration?”
Reginald rose and began to pace. “She has nothing to recommend her, apart from her rather rustic charm. Oh, I admit it, she is entirely pleasant to be in company with, and quite easy on the eye, once you acquaint yourself with the fact that she is no classic beauty. But she will never hold any credibility in London—”
