Page 20 of Midnight at Pemberley

“Must you?” Her words hung in the air between them. They were together because they needed to be. It was as if they lived in another world, where only they two existed.

“Would you permit me to hold you? To lie beside you? I will not take advantage. On my honor, I will not.” He had taught himself not to hope for happiness, but he feared Elizabeth might be his one great regret.

They did not light a candle. The moonlight told the story. Darcy rested beside Elizabeth, one arm embracing her. Elizabeth’s arm was on his chest, and her head nestled against his shoulder. He rested his chin on top of her head as he stroked the hair at the nape of her neck. “I will leave you with the light. Sleep. I will protect you.” He breathed in her fragrance and held his breath to keep it there.

Darcy waited until he was assured that she slept, and then his eyes drifted closed. How natural all this felt! She was a beacon to his tortured soul. He wanted more, but Fate had determined another life for him.

Chapter Five

WHEN DAWN BROKE, HE NO LONGER SLEPT BESIDE HER. THE WARMTH OF him lingered on her body. She touched her lips. She could still feel the pressure of his mouth on hers. He had hypnotized her with his charms— his desire to please her. Elizabeth Bennet was bewitched.

She observed him only briefly during the morning services. He sat with the Bingleys on a pew at the front, while she and Jane joined their family on the other side of the aisle. By leaning forward, she could view his profile. He sat with his eyes downcast throughout the sermon on Samson killing the honey-filled lion before vanquishing the Philistines.

Elizabeth wondered how Mr. Darcy could sit in a church—could walk about during the day. Although she could only name a few, every tale she knew of vampires and other beasts of the night rushed through her head. Did not vampires sleep in a coffin? Did they not shun the daylight? Did they not survive on blood? Did the sight of the cross not make them flee? Yet Fitzwilliam Darcy, an avowed vampire, did none of these. He slept in a bed, walked in the sunlight, ate food, and sat before the cross in a church. She could not justify the discrepancies.

When he took her hand to assist her into the carriage, Elizabeth felt him slip something into her palm. She clasped his note tightly. Without notice from anyone, she slipped it into her reticule. He nodded silently to bid her farewell as she and Jane rode away from Netherfield. Elizabeth felt as if she had left a part of herself behind.

Darcy fought the urge to chase after the carriage that transported her from him. Last night had been the most magnificent night of his life. He closed his eyes and felt her stretched out along the length of his body, their legs entangled, her hair mussed and falling across his arms. Desire shot straight to his groin, while frustration swam in his veins. Why can I not have her? Why has Fate shown me such a great unkindness? Reluctantly, he followed the Bingleys into the house. Charles appeared as devastated as he, but Darcy could not share his misery, for no one could understand what he possessed with Elizabeth Bennet. “Time cannot heal this pain,” he murmured before he entered the drawing room, a purposeful smile plastered upon his lips.

“Liberation!” Miss Bingley declared with gusto.

Darcy glanced to Bingley, who sat forlornly in a nearby chair. His friend was too accustomed to Miss Bingley’s sarcastic barbs to take note of Caroline’s bitterness, but Darcy did.

“I would think, Miss Bingley,” he said in tones of warning, “that you would recognize your brother’s desire to become a part of this rural society. A true gentleman takes the lead in his neighborhood. He sets the standard for what he expects of his tenants and his acquaintances. With Bingley’s generosity to the Bennet sisters, your brother has shown Christian duty. It would do us all well to perform as such.”

At home and alone in her room, Elizabeth reached for the reticule. The note rested on the bottom, and she withdrew it slowly, savoring the moment. She brought it to her face and smelled it—traces of sandalwood—traces of him. A smile flitted across her lips. She unfolded the paper and gave it her full attention.

Vixen,

Please come to the house tomorrow at eleven. I will be waiting, counting the moments.

D.

Elizabeth’s heart jumped in her chest. Yes.

Elizabeth hurried up the pathway to the back of the manor house. Darcy watched her from the small window in the lower level. He delighted in the sight of her. When she burst through the door, he caught her in his arms and pulled her fully to him, burying his face against her hair, kissing her with all the hunger of a starving man.

When he broke the embrace, she giggled. “You missed me, Sir?”

“I greet all my lady friends in this manner,” he countered.

“I beg to differ, Mr. Darcy. I do not believe you have kissed Miss Bingley in such a fashion.” She pulled away and crossed the room.

Darcy chuckled behind her. “I will grant you that. I would never kiss Miss Bingley.”

“And your other lady friends?” she said tauntingly.

He confessed, “Any there might have been are long ago forgotten. Only you exist.”

Elizabeth smiled. “The perfect answer, Mr. Darcy.” Then she took his hand and led him towards the hall. “I require more practice.”

“I never saw a woman who loved to fight as much as you.” He laughingly followed her. The practice rapiers rested on a nearby table. She picked up the nearest one and bent the steel, testing it. He picked up the other one and made a few practice forays. “Are you prepared, my dear?” He made an exaggerated bow in her direction.

“I am a willing vessel, Mr. Darcy. Teach me what I must know,” she purred.

“Oh, Vixen,” he moaned. “You should never say such words to a man who looks on a woman as I do you.”

She walked towards him, playfully sashaying her hips, and cupped his cheek in her palm. Darcy turned his head to kiss the inside of her hand. Then she rose on her tiptoes to kiss him briefly. “You, William, see a woman no one else does. Now, Sir, teach me a new move with the sword.”