Page 168

Later that night

Alone in their bedchamber, Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed listening to the sounds of the inn as she awaited William’s return. He had stepped out to have another word with Richard, suggesting she prepare for bed and promising to be back shortly. As good as his word, he returned in a few minutes and began his preparations for bed, completely unaware of what had transpired whilst he was gone—something fated to affect him tremendously.

As Elizabeth had been waiting, the couple in the next room began to argue, and while she could not hear all the words, she could hear enough to be embarrassed for them as well as for herself. Apparently the walls were paper thin. That fact, along with the knowledge that Richard, Mr. Williamson and Evan were somewhere close by, caused her to reassess the activities that William had planned for that night.

As he slid into the bed beside her, she ran her fingers over his cheek. “Darling, perhaps—just for tonight—it would be wise for us to refrain from—” She stopped whispering, trying to judge his astuteness in ascertaining what she was trying to say.

Not liking the turn of this conversation, William tilted his head to study her. “From?”

“You know very well what I am talking about,” she replied softly as he pulled her towards him.

Seeing that she was serious, he stopped and his brow knit. Surely she was not suggesting…

She scooted even closer, wrapping her arms around him and laying her head on his chest as she related what she had heard through the walls. “My concern is that if you are half as vocal as you were in the cottage—well, I do not relish the entire inn hearing your oaths of love. How would I ever face your family, much less the other guests, in the morning?”

Trying to be understanding, William had to admit that even he would not want their lovemaking broadcast throughout the inn.

Smiling wanly at the look of concern in her eyes, he proffered, “Do not worry, my darling. It will not be easy, but I am a not a beast, and I can certainly abstain for one night. Just allow me to hold you.”

So spooning together, her back to his chest, they closed their eyes with the best of intentions. But good intentions often go awry. Needing the touch of her bare skin, he reached down to pull the hem of her gown up and over her head.

“William?”

“Just let me touch you, and I shall be satisfied.”

His hands slid around to cup her breasts, believing surely that would satiate his desire for intimacy. He was quite mistaken. Almost as though they had a mind of their own, his fingers began to slowly manipulate each soft mound until the centres hardened.

“Darling,” Elizabeth whispered, writhing against the arousal that had announced its presence by poking her. “We should not.”

Her words stopped completely when he palmed both generous breasts and began to place hot, wet kisses along her neck and shoulders. A sharp intake of breath announced her most willing compliance.

William’s voice was filled with desperation as he murmured, “Can we not make love very quietly? No one will suspect a thing if we do not make any noise.”

Wanting him as desperately as he wanted her, Elizabeth replied hoarsely, “I shall not make a sound if you do not.”

No further encouragement was needed and, not bothering to have her turn around, he quickly lifted her leg to lie atop his before he guided his shaft into her. The novelty of this position and the knowledge that they must be secretive only heightened their pleasure. The dilemma was—as their enjoyment increasingly rose—so did their exclamations of affection. And by the time they were in the throes of ecstasy, neither was concerned with what anyone might hear.

Afterward, they fell into a profound, restful sleep, so deep that neither knew that a thunder storm had developed and raged into the early morning hours. Only the considerable noise of servants pushing carts in the hallways the next morning succeeded in awakening them.

~~~*~~~

In the light of day, both Darcys were a little discomfited to realise that they had made considerably more noise than they had intended during their secretive activities of the night before.

“William? Do you suppose anyone ...” Elizabeth’s voice faded as William’s head instantly swung around and his gaze met hers. She was blushing a becoming shade of rose.

“No! And we shall not give anyone the chance to gloat, especially Richard.”

Elizabeth puzzled over her husband’s contradictory statements, but he only continued to make them. “Keep your eyes averted. No one can disconcert us if we do not acknowledge them.”

Now fully dressed, they left the room to join the others. With their eyes lowered and their faces devoid of any expression, they arrived in the common dining room to find Evan, Richard and Mr. Williamson already there, breaking their fast. At their arrival, the three glanced up and then quickly back down, though William chanced to see a hint of mischief cross Richard’s mien, before it quickly faded.

A bit of playful banter was exchanged as William and Elizabeth sat down at the table, but the men were very conscious of Elizabeth’s presence, and none would dare say anything that would make her uncomfortable. After they all had eaten and the trunks had been loaded, the party filed out of the inn into the early morning light, anxious to board the coaches.

As Evan and Mr. Williamson entered their coach, William assisted Elizabeth into theirs and was about to climb aboard when he felt a hand tugging on his arm, keeping him from taking the step. He turned to face Richard, who had made sure that Elizabeth was securely inside before he began to pull his cousin a few feet away. Finally William halted, the look on his face a confirmation that he would go no farther.

Richard kept his voice low as he stated very seriously, “I hate to bring this up, but I am afraid that I had to inform the proprietor that I was somewhat dissatisfied with our accommodations. In fact, I threatened not to pay for the room!”

William was afraid to ask to what he was referring so Richard leaned in closer as though sharing a state secret.