Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (116 page)

Darcy’s brows rose and he met Parker’s eye.  He regarded Judy’s back as she worked and moving deliberately, he approached her.  “What else does Mrs. Darcy feel?”  Seeing Judy shoot a look at the washroom door, Darcy turned so that his back was to it and her view was blocked.  “I would like to know your opinion.  I have admittedly not been myself of late and if I have missed something, I want to hear about it.  She is excellent at hiding her feelings of insecurity, is that what is wrong?” 

Judy looked relieved.  “Of course, sir.  Everyone is heaping praise upon her for rescuing you, but she does not want praise.  She was terrified of losing you.  She has had no time to learn her place at Pemberley; it was one crisis after another.  And now there is this trip to see her father . . .” 

“Yes, but as difficult as it is, it must be done for her sake.  Mrs. Darcy confides in you, or is this intuition?”

“A bit of both, sir.”  Judy cast her eyes down.  “Forgive me for speaking out like this, sir.  I realize that you know all of these things of her.  I just . . . want to make sure that you do.” 

“I do.”  Darcy nodded.  “But thank you for reminding me.”  He looked at Parker.  “I spoke to you of my uncle’s valet keeping his concerns to himself instead of sharing them with his wife and son.  While I regard our privacy and the loyalty of our closest servants to be imperative, I want you to feel free to come to me if there is something worrying you about Mrs. Darcy, and . . . I give you permission to speak to her about me.  Do you understand?”  He looked between the two of them and they murmured their agreement.  The washroom door opened and he turned to smile at Elizabeth.  “My turn?”

“Yes.”  She watched him walk by and blushed when he stopped to caress her cheek and bend to kiss her.  The door closed and she saw Judy and Parker busying themselves.  “What were you three discussing?”

“The roads.”

“The weather.” 

She looked between them, still only seeing their backs, and crossed her arms.  “Out with it.”

“Mr. Darcy was interested in your well-being, madam.”  Parker spoke for his master.  “He wishes to make you happy.”

“I
am
happy.”

“As we assured him.”  Parker bowed diffidently and catching Judy’s eye, disappeared with her from the room. 

When Darcy reappeared, he was faced with a wife whose foot was tapping and whose brow was raised.  His lips twitched.  “Shall we go downstairs?”

She remained stationary.  “I am happy, Fitzwilliam.”

“I had no doubt of that.”  He took her arm and placing it firmly on his, opened the door.  He began to step out when he realized she was not moving. 

“Are you in pain?”  She demanded.

“Does it matter what my answer is?”  With a tug, he started them walking down the hallway towards the stairs.  “Dearest, whether I am suffering or not, we are going to the tavern, we are settling into our chairs, and hopefully enjoying a hearty repast and an amusing atmosphere.  Nothing you say about my level of discomfort matters.”  He gently closed her gaping mouth and glancing around, kissed her.  “There, I can reach your mouth, so I must not feel too bad.”

“Will . . .”  He tilted his head.  “Whether or not you feel the way that you sound, I . . . I am glad to hear you . . . sounding like yourself again.” 

“And what is that?” 

She lifted her chin and waved her free hand, “Oh you know; arrogant, self-assured . . .” 

It was his turn to gawk.  “Elizabeth Darcy!  Are you wishing for me to return to the man I once was and you found hateful?”

“I never found you hateful!  You found
me
hateful!”

“No . . .
You
assumed that I did. 
I
found you intolerable.”  His eyes twinkled when she huffed and he squeezed her fingers.  “I thought that we were past all of this and that you could read my mind now.”

“Obviously you cannot read mine if you are interrogating the staff about me.” 

“Perhaps they volunteered the information, if indeed we were speaking of you.”  Darcy smiled as her eyes found the ceiling.  “If I was able, love, I would be carrying you back to our bed right now and vigorously showing you how self-assured I am.”

“La, I wish that you would!”  She said wistfully and stopped walking.  “Will, how did we do that?”  They had arrived at the bottom of the stairs. 

Darcy was every bit as surprised as she.  He looked up at the top and back down to her.  “We distracted each other.”  He pursed his lips and said thoughtfully, “Perhaps I might show you something of my self-assurance after all tonight.  We have always had good luck at inns.” 

“I think that you are pushing your luck. Heal, dear, and then you may perform with as much vigour as you desire.” 

He growled against her ear.  “I desire a great deal, Elizabeth.  I am desperate for the feel of you.”  She hushed him and after looking around quickly to be sure they had not been heard, they moved forward again.

Entering the noisy tavern, Darcy waved off the suggestion of a private table and they were seated in a corner by the fire, she with her mug of hot cider, and he with his ale.  Plates of steaming food were set before them and eagerly they dug in.  It was the most relaxed they had been in weeks and they took their time eating, talking, and just enjoying their relief from everything.  “Look there.”  Elizabeth nudged him.  “Newlyweds.”

“How do you know?”  Pushing away his empty plate, he sipped from his tankard and happily watched her imagination come to life. 

“He is inhaling his dinner and she is picking at hers.  Oh poor thing, she is nervous!  I hope that he is gentle.”  Elizabeth fretted.

“By the looks of him, he will have lost his initial eagerness within two minutes and she will be left wondering what all the fuss was about.”  Elizabeth gasped and kicked him beneath the table.  Darcy pointed with his chin.  “Dearest, look at him!  If he peeks down her dress one more time he will spend in his breeches!” 

A single brow arched.  “And you have never lost control in your eagerness?  Shall I enumerate . . .?”

“I was not speaking of me.”  He sent her a look and managed a blush.

“Your face is reddening and you may not blame it on the heat of the fire.”

“I blame it on the bruising, then.”

“They are fading.  And they are blue.”  Her eyes danced.  “Try again, Mr. Darcy.” 

He leaned to her side and spoke softly, “It is not my fault that you excite me beyond reason.”  Elizabeth did not say a word, instead she held his eyes.  Darcy could feel the anticipation of her response rising but he was entirely unprepared for the sight of Elizabeth savouring a spoonful of thick custard.  He stared at the creamy white sauce on her tongue and groaned when she swallowed and delicately licked the remainder from her ruby lips.  Beneath the table, he took her hand and placed it over his raging erection.  His breathing had become erratic.  “I have something much tastier to feed you, love.” 

“mmm, you most certainly do.”  Elizabeth smiled and rubbed over him. 

Darcy’s eyes closed.  “It occurs to me, Mrs. Darcy, that you and I are long overdue for a long night of extensive lovemaking.” 

“That has only just occurred to you?  I have been thinking about it for weeks.”  Her laugh opened his eyes and his hand slipped between her thighs.  Their gazes met and Darcy’s nostril’s flared.  Blushing, Elizabeth remembered where they were, and returned her attention to the treacle and custard. Darcy’s hand had not moved and she looked at him pleadingly until reluctantly, he relented and reached for his ale.  “If we are so terrible now, than what shall we be when you are at last capable again?” 

“Desperate.”  He murmured into his drink and catching her soft smile he added under his breath, “I was serious, Lizzy.  I am desperate to feel you.  I will not feel recovered until I do.  I think that . . . my mast is ready to come aloft again.”  A flood of giggles erupted and he tried not to laugh as he drank.  “I thought you would like that.”

“What on earth has struck you?  You are merciless!  Your mind is full of one subject only!”  She regained her countenance and he shrugged shyly as she considered him.  “Ohhh, of course.”

“What is it?” 

“You are under the influence, my love.”  His brow creased and she tapped his tankard.  “No wonder laudanum is more popular than gin.”  Darcy’s eyes widened.  “It is addictive, is it not?”

“Good Lord!”  He stared. “How easy it is to become a slave to this feeling of . . . well-being!”  Disappointment crossed his features.  “So I am not . . . I thought that I was . . . flirting with you.  Rather well.” 

“Oh Will!”  Elizabeth laughed and leaned against him.  “You were!  I think that this was just you feeling good because the pain is relieved.  You are not behaving oddly at all.  You are relaxed and happy, and I love it.  Did I not respond in kind?  And I am under no more influence than your handsome presence.” 

“Are you certain?  Should I stop taking it?”  Darcy asked worriedly. 

“Not if you hope to arrive at Netherfield upright.  There is no harm in finding relief with medication if it is judiciously administered.  I am glad that you feel good enough to flirt and speak of your desire to . . . abandon yourself in my embrace.”  Blushing furiously, Elizabeth stared back down at the custard and remembering what she had been doing with it, pushed it determinedly away.  Darcy’s fingers entwined with hers.  “What must you think of me?” 

“I love that you want me.  And that you forget yourself.”

“We are very much alone here in this crowded room.”  She looked back up to find his little smile on his lips.  “What are you thinking?”

“I think that if we cannot actually perform these acts of love then perhaps we can find another way to occupy ourselves.”

“How?”  Darcy kissed her hand and returned to his drink.  “Will!”

Chuckling he smiled at her exasperated glare.  “Wait and see.”  

“Darcy!”  They both were startled to see Richard beaming and making his way across the room.  “I
knew
that was your crest on the carriage outside!  I told Father that we had to stop here for the night just in case it was you.”  He came to the table and resting his hand on his cousin’s shoulder, shook his head to prevent his rising.  “Lord, you are a sight.”  His sharp eyes took in the fading bruises and examined the wound across his cheek.   Turning, he scanned Elizabeth’s face, noting the dark circles beneath her eyes and the nearly healed scrapes, and gently kissed her cheek.   “I am elated to see you.” 

“And we are flabbergasted to see you!”  She laughed as he took a chair by her side.  Richard waved over a maid and ordered some ale, and she watched the delighted man stretch out comfortably and smile between the two of them. 

“What brings you here?”  Darcy demanded.

“We are heading to London.  We were to leave a few days ago, but had a small rearrangement in plans.  I bet Father a pound that we would meet up with you somewhere along the way, and here you are!”

“Where is Uncle?”

“Settling in, he will be along momentarily.  I came down to wet my throat.”  Picking up his tankard, he took a good swallow.  “Ahhhhhh. Not bad.”  Spotting the maid, he asked for a bottle of port.  “Shall we celebrate?”

Darcy smiled. “What are we celebrating?” 

“That you two are sitting here, pussy footing with each other in your dark corner.  I was watching you for some time; I can only imagine the conversation.  Have you finished your dessert, Elizabeth?”  Richard snorted when they looked at each other with widened eyes.  “Lord, you are a pleasure to bother.”  Leaning forward, he examined Darcy closely.  Self-consciously, his hand went to the mark on his cheek.  “I have seen worse from a brawl in the barracks.  You will have a handsome scar, though.”  Richard laughed to see his cousin’s frown and pouring out some port, handed him a glass.  “I sincerely doubt that Elizabeth will be offended.”

“I think that it adds to his character.”  She said proudly.

“There, you see?  Love is blind.” 

Darcy raised his brow and said smugly, “I think that my wife chose me with her eyes wide open, Cousin.” 

Elizabeth nudged him.  “If you recall, I had nothing to do with the choosing, dear.  And as
I
recall, my eyes were closed.” 

Caressing her ring he smiled fondly, “As were mine.” 

 “You are feeling better if you cannot stop yourselves.”  Richard chuckled.  “So you are returning to the scene of the crime?  I am amazed to see you so comfortable; I thought that you were out of your mind taking on this journey to Netherfield.  I thought that at this point if you managed to walk down the stairs and sit your backside in a chair unaided you would have been making great progress.”

“Well, I am not entirely unaided.”  Darcy said uncomfortably and letting go of Elizabeth’s hand, sat back in his chair.  “It seems that opiates are rather effective on other members of our family.”

“Watch yourself, Cousin.”  Richard said seriously. 

“If I do not, my wife certainly will.”  He looked to her nodding head, but his cousin’s warning had struck him.  It was a few moments before he realized Richard was speaking again.

“. . . and when that dose wears off reality will return, and your ribs will be glad to remind you that they were cracked after three days in your coach.  You may be setting your recovery back by days, weeks with this journey.  At the very least, do not attempt to rush it by doing anything foolish before it is time.”  He smiled at the familiar look of defiance that crossed his cousin’s face and disappointment that appeared in Elizabeth’s.  “Well, whatever you do, do not claim that I did not warn you.  Complaints will fall on deaf ears.”

Speaking stiffly, Darcy grasped Elizabeth’s hand beneath the table.  “I did not anticipate a carefree journey, but I do this for Elizabeth.  She has given up enough to be married to me.  She was nearly killed over it.” 

Richard’s eyes rolled as Darcy began to brood.  Holding up his hand to halt Elizabeth’s protests; he took a sip of his port.  “Ohhhh, you cannot possibly understand how good it is to taste some tolerable wine.”  He looked towards the door and spoke in a low voice, “I swear that the swill Father puts out is only good for cleaning boots.”