The Trouble with Mr. Darcy (19 page)

The fact is that they spoke for a few more minutes, laughed over their circumstances, and then recognized that the risk of being caught alone was too great. So they discreetly exited the library and rejoined the assembled guests with renewed spirits. Kitty was introduced to Major General Artois’s father and two brothers, military men all, conversing politely until individual duties to family separated them. Aside from warm glances across the crowded room, Kitty and Randall would share no additional words that day. Before either could digest their impressions or the impact of the encounter, the day was over and they had gone their separate ways.

In the three weeks that followed, Major General Artois would think about Miss Bennet from time to time. He admitted that she had struck a chord within him, her wittiness and beauty intensely intriguing, and was honest when he told her that she was one of life’s glories. Meeting her had been a pleasure and he contemplated seeking her out, but decided that boldly appearing upon the doorstep of Darcy House was inappropriate. He felt no fervency over the encounter, not out of a negative response to her, but rather because of his natural inclination.

General Artois had almost given up on his son. The father of seven, widowed since the youngest was only five years, was in many respects like Mrs. Bennet in that he keenly felt the tremendous responsibility to ensure his offspring were safely married. Aside from the purely selfish desire to be surrounded by grandchildren, he wanted his sons and daughters to find the joy of steady companionship that he had experienced with the departed Mrs. Artois. To this end, he had succeeded with all but his third child, Randall.

Like all the five Artois boys, Randall had joined the military, displaying a subtle mind, sharp intellect, and reckless bravery. He rose fast in his chosen career and already outranked his two older brothers. General Artois was immeasurably proud but remained baffled by his son’s personality and outlook on life. Randall had endeavored to explain his feelings on the subject of life and marriage to his father on numerous occasions, but it was futile.

It was difficult for Randall to articulate because he did not comprehend his odd peace either. All he knew is that from a young age he had looked at life as something that largely passed by with minimal control on his part. Some would call him a fool, and maybe they were partially correct, but Randall preferred to see it as a peaceful reliance on something greater than him. He did not necessarily attribute it to God, although he was willing to accept that probability, but rather to a serene trust in destiny unfolding as it was meant to be.

Melancholy never afflicted him nor did great passion. Nothing riled him. This steady temperament contributed to his success as a soldier and officer. As for women, the same complacency ruled. He enjoyed women, in every way one can, but strong emotions did not exist. The perfect gentleman he was, treating them with kindness and respect, but easily able to walk away.

This detachment might have bothered him except that from his earliest forays into the world of women, he had known, simply known, that there was a woman out there just perfect for him. Thus he proceeded to amble through life, advancing in his career, amusing himself with friends and family and the occasional lover, all while confidently believing that
she
would fall into his lap when the proper time came.

Therefore, he was not remotely surprised when he rounded a corner onto Bond Street and nearly physically bumped into Miss Kitty Bennet. Again. She blushed becomingly but demonstrated the charm that he recalled from their wedding introduction. The conversation was brief, both remarking on the humor in both encounters involving nearly plowing into each other, and he seized the opportunity to ask if he could call upon her.

Within a month of frequent social interactions Randall was in love and had not the slightest doubt that Katherine Bennet was the woman fate or God or whatever had been preparing for him. His entire family adored her, his father so relieved to see his reluctant son clearly in the throes of love that he would have blessed the union no matter what her background!

Kitty, however, struggled with her emotions. The joy she felt with Randall Artois was intense, but the wounds from her previous romantic misfortune intruded upon her complete happiness. Her heart was thawing, but fear of further pain and disappointment made it difficult for her to trust fully.

Randall sensed her reserve and patiently persevered with no demands placed upon her fragile shoulders. He never pushed for an explanation, and when she finally revealed her previous heartbreak, Randall interpreted her disclosure as a positive development and his heart soared. Of course, he also wanted to dash off and beat Mr. Falke to a pulp for hurting his Kitty and then extend profuse thanks to the idiot for allowing such a treasure to slip through his fingers!

He did neither, naturally. Instead he trusted in the familiar serenity that ruled his life, knowing without the tiniest doubt that Miss Bennet would someday be his wife. He offered friendship only, kept the depths of his sentiments controlled within his heart, and allowed their relationship to advance in small increments toward the goal he knew was inevitable. When the summons came to leave for an extended deployment, he was not disturbed. He was granted permission by Mr. Bennet to write to Miss Bennet via her father while he was away, confident that fate was playing a part in their unusual courtship.

The restrained tears in Kitty’s eyes when they said their good-byes were pleasing. As he hoped, the separation with frequent letters filled with details of his daily life and humorous ramblings allowed her love to blossom. Her trust in his steadfastness grew as his correspondence never wavered, his voiced affections never diminished, his devotion to her never waned, and his respect never faltered.

When he returned to London after months away and trials within their separation, his reception was more than he could have dreamed of. The self-possession employed to prevent launching into his arms the second he walked through the door did not inhibit radiant joy from infusing her face. Major General Randall Artois had never been so happy. Less than a week later he proposed; his happiness lifted to rapture when she accepted. With the date set, Major General Artois anticipated the future with the same calm assurance that had been a comfort all his life.

Until, that is, he kissed her for the first time.

He had never doubted the passion lurking inside Kitty, even during the early months of their friendship when she was emotionally guarded. She was too alive, too bubbly not to have the potential for wantonness. That natural aspect of marriage was important to him and he considered Kitty’s animation as another positive sign.

Then, the day of their engagement, after the congratulations were exhausted, he finally found a moment to be alone with his betrothed. They were only in the small garden at Longbourn and his only intention was to steal a chaste kiss. And in the end that is all it was. A slow, regulated, closed mouth kiss with their hands clasped together between their bodies.

Randall was utterly shaken by the sensations provoked! He was far from an innocent, knowing the joy of a woman’s touch from a relatively young age, but
never
had it felt like this. And that was merely a kiss! In the six weeks since, she had grown bolder, while he grew increasingly rattled. His innate patience had deserted him to be replaced by vivid images of them together, teetering restraint, and an aching yearning to possess her. Every ounce of energy went into dampening his need and the physical arousal experienced nearly all the time—this from a Major General well into his thirties!

Staying away for two weeks had been a choice made to curb his passion and regain clarity. Yet before a handful of hours passed he realized the danger was worse than ever.

He leaned against the wide tree trunk with Kitty weakly sagging onto his chest, her breasts agreeably squeezed to the point of nearly spilling out of her décolletage. Discipline learned over years of military service was harshly brought to bear to avoid plundering her body right there and then.

Suddenly the wisdom of whisking her away seemed poor indeed. She engaged his lips forcefully in a kiss more intense than he intended and grazed her fingernails over his scalp while running through his hair. He groaned and his knees weakened in response. Then, God help him, she pressed her entire body onto his with a wiggle he assumed was unconscious, although maybe not, targeting a certain part of his anatomy that definitely did not need to be encouraged at this point.

Fire radiated in a piercing arc from groin to every other part of his body, a fierce growl emitted as he deepened the kiss far beyond what her innocence deserved. He grasped onto her bottom, every sense of decency gone in blinding surges of desire, holding fast with the dim hope that pressure would alleviate the painful need.

He was wrong, of course. But before he could assimilate that fact, and before morality and gentlemanly behavior restored a modicum of lucidity, she started rocking her hips and releasing soft gasps into his mouth. Randall stiffened, hands stilling where they held her derriere, surprise startling him into coherency. In all his struggles it never occurred to him to consider that she might be feeling the same uncontrollable passions.

Bursting with delight, he shoved the final vestiges of gentlemanly concern away and decided if giving her this gift eased her ache for him, he would happily comply. He readjusted his hips, one hand still cupping her bottom to aid her unsure movements with subtle guidance while the other lifted one leg over his waist, and met her writhing with counter-pressure. So lost was he in observing the beauty of her impassioned face, listening to her pants and moans, and absorbing her shudders of release that his throbbing need was momentarily forgotten.

She sagged into his arms and he held her tight, hands caressing over her back as her trembling ebbed and breathing normalized. He whispered into her hair, “I love you, kitten. Always. You astound me with your innocent needs and trust. I am honored by your faith, my respect and love stronger each day.”

“That was… amazing,” she interrupted his assurances, lifting to stare boldly into his eyes. “Better than I imagined or have felt in my dreams of you. And I know this only scratches the surface of how it will be when we are completely together.”

Randall’s eyes widened with astonishment. “You… imagine us? Dream of us… together?”

“Does this shock you, Major General?”

Her satisfied smile and husky timbre sent fresh jolts of desire through his body, making speech difficult for several moments. Then he grinned lasciviously and pressed her into his swollen groin. “I am surprised I suppose, but pleasantly so. I want you badly, but did not anticipate the same in return. I am not sure what to say, Kitty, other than that I love you so much it hurts.”

“Your misery can end soon if you wish, Major General. I will be staying at Netherfield for a few nights at the behest of Georgiana. We have so much to catch up on. But once that is completed, I could, well”—her eyes lowered, a blush spreading over her cheeks—“it would be easy to slip into your room.”

“No,” he wheezed, swallowing the lump in his throat and willing his brain to lead rather than his overactive libido. “No, Kitty. God help me, I have never wanted anyone more than I want you right now, right this very second. The thought of you being in the same house with me, abed, in nightclothes…” He paused, looking away from her lustrous eyes and face still radiating with sexual heat. “Quite frankly I think it may well be more than I can bear. Have pity! Do not tempt me further. As it is I will need to drink myself into a stupor at the pub tonight to prevent banging your door down.”

“I like that vision. So manly and romantic.”

“Are you enjoying my suffering, Miss Bennet?”

“I am offering you relief from your suffering, Major General, as well as mine. This”—she pressed against his straining groin, Randall groaning and buckling slightly—“was not enough for me and it was no help to you at all.” Then she grew serious, the teasing lilt gone from her voice as she clasped his face in her hands. “I am tired of waiting. I want to be your wife now, Randall, not a week from now.”

“We have waited this long. What are a few more days?”

“An eternity.”

They stared at each other. Kitty’s eyes were firm and resolute. Randall’s were a bit wild. His will was wavering, badly, and her next words did not help his stability.

“You believe in fate. Fate brought us together. Fate kept us faithful to each other while separated. Fate has now brought me into your bedroom, so to speak. How can we ignore fate after she has been right all along?”

“I will lock my door,” he offered feebly.

But Kitty just smiled, lifting on tiptoes to kiss him slowly, after whispering, “No you won’t.”

And he knew she was correct.

C
HAPTER
N
INE

Mysteries of Love

Georgiana’s soft knock upon the door was answered with a rushing swing before her knuckles finished rapping. In less than a heartbeat she was gathered into Kitty’s arms.

“I tarried, but you are dressed for bed and have completed your toilette, I see.” Georgiana laughed, pulling away although still affectionately clasping Kitty’s shoulders.

“Faster than you, Miss Darcy. If I was not so anxious to gossip and be a silly girl for one night I may have snuck out to see my handsome fiancé!”