Page 43 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

“And you mean to quit Trenwith House this morning?”

“As early as you wish.”

“Pray do not misconstrue my question, Fitzwilliam. You know you are welcome here for as long as you wish.”

The warmth with which she smiled upon him satisfied him that she was not trying to hasten his departure. But he wondered what might be troubling her. He would not have hesitated to offer his assistance if he could.

“I take it you will not be traveling to Hertfordshire again, if Charles means to quit Netherfield, but he only recently acquired the place did he not?” she inquired with more of her customary gaiety.

“His sisters and I are persuasive.”

“Ah, and why can you not allow a grown man his own choice in property?”

He decided to confide the truth. “Charles is in love—again. But I think it shall pass, as it has before.”

He reached for a slice of toast and ham to distract from the grimness he felt, but Abby was too perceptive.

“Indeed? You do not approve of his lady of choice?”

“It is a poor match, and her family objectionable, to term it mildly.”

“But that does not trouble your friend?”

“His sisters and I are in full agreement that his attachment to Miss Bennet would only do him harm.”

Abby looked up sharply from her coffee. “What has this family done to merit such a harsh assessment?”

“Their offense is not confined to a single egregious act but several instances displaying a want of character. Fortunately, they live in Hertfordshire, and if Charles can be convinced to quit his residence there, they may not cross paths for some time, if ever.”

“Your judgment has always been sound, but does it apply to every member of the family? Surely this Miss Bennet cannot be disagreeable if Charles is partial to her?”

Darcy frowned. “Miss Bennet is quite amiable and, from what I can determine, gentle in nature, if not a touch simple. She has also a sister who is…interesting.”

“Interesting?”

He realized the error in his choice of adjectives, for women were prone to pouncing on descriptives of other women.

“Intelligent,” he corrected, then felt the need to add as many negative qualities to dampen Abby’s curiosity. He had come to Trenwith House to forget, not expound upon, Miss Elizabeth. “But far too at ease with her intellect, at the risk of overestimating her own abilities. And rather verbose for my taste.”

While drinking his coffee, he felt Abby’s bright, keen eyes upon him. He changed the subject, inquiring, “What is to become of your latest pupil?”

“If you are staying at Rosings a while, she can continue with you. If you are up to the task.”

He nodded. The distraction he had hoped for at Trenwith House was very promising. For the first time in many days, his first thought in the morning was not of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

*****

The clock above the fireplace mantel chimed the noon hour, surprising Lizzy awake. She could not remember when last she had slept till such a late hour. Surveying her chamber at Trenwith House from her bed, she flushed in recollection of all that had transpired last night. Had she indeed allowed a stranger to flog her? Had she thrilled to his whipping and abandoned herself to its seductive qualities? And had he, through the application of pain with pleasure, elicited the most violent, yet delightful, release?

She clenched her thighs in affirmation. His hand had been there, in her most private area. Her own hand wandered to that part. How was it a man, and a stranger at that, produce a result more satisfying than her own hand? She fingered the nub of flesh that he had so skillfully plied. Feeling the carnal craving coming upon her, she stopped. Though a delicious consequence had greeted her surrender yesterday, she wished to confirm she could exert control of herself and her body. Nor could she dawdle in bed longer. What a wanton she had become!

“You are nursing a cold,” Abby defended for her when Lizzy decried the lateness of the day. “I can hear it in your voice still.”

The two women sat in the dining-room, partaking of a light meal. Having missed breakfast, Lizzy ate heartily of the bread, meat, and cheese.

“And I am pleased you slept well in an unfamiliar bed,” Abby continued. “I pray you were not awash in excessive guilt and remorse upon waking.”

Lizzy waited till the maidservant had left the room before answering, “I admit to some shock and horror at what I had done. But excessive? No. After all, I had given it sufficient thought prior to committing myself.”