The Ashes of Longbourn (21 page)

             
“I am a man who is starved for the delights of the woman he loves, and I do plan to feast on you. You are everything to me, Elizabeth Darcy, my heart and soul, and you are my other half.  I wish to be whole, to be one with you.”

             
Darcy allowed his fingers to trace lightly over his wife’s body, coming to rest over one of her breasts.  Caressing her, lightly at first, he noticed the look in his wife’s eyes told him she was finding pleasure.  He increased the pressure slightly before taking its tip in his lips.  Suckling, Darcy teased her nipple with his tongue, grazing over it lightly.

             
Elizabeth gasped at the tingling sensation that coursed through her as her husband teased and tortured her breast.  Soon, he moved to the other, lavishing the same attention on both.  Tension began to build inside her, causing her body to begin to writhe.  Never in her life could she have imagined such pleasure.  Remembering back to overhearing her mother discussing with Mrs Long the duty of marital relations, Elizabeth could not believe that this was the duty that her mother declared to be unpleasant and necessary to endure. 

             
Releasing his hold on Elizabeth’s breasts, Darcy kissed his way down, trailing his route with small nibbles at her skin.  When he arrived at her womanhood, Darcy smiled.  “You are truly beautiful, Lizzy.  Seeing all of you, oh, my dearest, you amaze me at how beautiful you are.”

             
Darcy moved his wife’s legs, parting them to give him access to her hidden treasure.  Returning his attentions to her, Darcy’s tongue began to trace her womanly lips, tantalizing her pearl with his tasting of her delights as he felt her moving as best she could to accommodate his ministration.  Feeling the tightness in his clothing, Darcy sat up, quickly divesting himself of his clothing. 

             
Seeing her husband’s bare chest sent barbs of excitement coursing through Elizabeth.  She had only seen the male form in art work, and nothing she had ever viewed could compare to the glory of her husband’s exquisite body.  His body was muscular, taut and perfect.  But when he peeled his breeches from his body, shock overwhelmed Elizabeth.  She could not imagine a man being so … enormous.  And she also could not imagine just how his…member… would fit inside her. 

             
Darcy was delighted to have evoked such a reaction as he saw written on his wife’s face.  The lustful look of wishing to know all of her husband, yet the maidenly shyness was conflicting within her; with her yearnings winning over what she had been taught was proper behavior.

             
“My love, I am not sure what you know, as a man and woman couple.”

             
“I trust you, William.  I know that you will not harm me.”

             
“When a maiden is taken the first time, there is some pain, when you are made a woman.  I will be as careful as possible, and if you wish for me to stop, please know that you need only say so.  I do not wish to cause you any unnecessary pain.”

             
Elizabeth nodded as she watched her husband prepare himself at her opening.  Still mystified as to how her husband would be able to fit such a large member inside her, the feeling of his slow and gradual entrance was exquisite.  Her eyes rolled back in her head as she felt him further and further inside her.  There was a moment that he stopped and took a deep breath, then pierced her final barrier, making her forever more, his and only his.

             
The pain was sharp, but gone almost as quickly as it had been there. Darcy had taken a moment for her to adjust and to relax, her muscles becoming accustomed to him.  Slowly, Darcy began to glide to the edge of her opening, before sliding back inside of her again and again.  There were no words that came to Elizabeth to allow her to express what she was feeling at that moment, as she rode wave after wave of pleasure, causing her body to writhe and tense, wishing more of him.  Suddenly, Elizabeth felt herself spiraling over the edge of a precipice that she had never known before.  She could feel Darcy moving faster and faster, moving inside her until, suddenly feeling his body spasm, her husband deposited his seed inside her.  He collapsed, partially on top of her, unable to think for a few moments.

             
When he was finally able to regain his power of thought, Darcy moved to Elizabeth’s side, though pulling her with him, holding her tightly to his chest as they lay on their sides, facing one another.  “Lizzy, oh, my loveliest, dearest Lizzy, I have never in my life felt such an exquisite, pure, release as I just enjoyed.  You are so tight and warm, I was nearly undone from the first moment I entered you.  I felt as if I would never be able to bring you to your pleasure, I feared I would not be able to control myself at all.”

             
“Then you are pleased?” Elizabeth said as she looked into his eyes, worried that she would not be enough for him.

             
“My love, pleased is an understatement of how I am feeling at this moment.  I feel as if I am the most fortunate man in the world to have such a delightful minx as my wife.  But I am concerned, did I cause you any harm?  Are you in pain?”

             
Shaking her head, Elizabeth smiled.  “I am well, my love, even wonderful.  I have never thought one could find such…I have no words for what I felt as you…”

             
“I do not know what you felt, though I know that if it was anything as glorious as you have made me feel, we are the two luckiest people alive.”

             
Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair, kissing him on the forehead as she pulled him to her.  “You are not disgusted with my body?” She asked tentatively.  “The scars…”

             
“Dearest Lizzy, your scars are a part of you.  Just as mine are parts of me.  Do the scars on my hands and arms disgust you?” 

             
“Of course not, I could never be disgusted by the pain you endured when you heard the news.  You were in such pain; I only wish I could have been there to take the pain away.”

             
“Why is it that you are so willing to understand my pain and what I had to endure, but never give yourself the same understanding?  You endured far more, and yet, it is as if you blame yourself for what happened.  You are not to blame, and it is time that you rid your mind of thoughts that your scars will repulse me.  You cannot repulse me.  The only thing that you can do to make me angry is to refuse to allow me to be at your side and to love you.  I will not tolerate being pushed from your life.  Can you accept this?”

             
Elizabeth looked away momentarily, causing Darcy’s heart to nearly stop.  All he could think of was that she could not possibly be preparing to ask him to leave her.  Not now.  When she returned her eyes to his, he could see the tears welling up, nearly overflowing down her cheeks. 

             
“Forgive me, William.  It will take time for me to grow past my fears.  I had not thought of the aspect that you just shared with me, and yet, it makes perfect sense.  I will do my best to move forward, to put the fire behind me, though I cannot promise that I will not slip from time to time.”

             
Kissing her lips, Darcy could not help but be comforted.  “I will be patient with you, so long as I may hold you when the pain roars inside you.  I will also ask that you hold me, when the past leaps at me; for I do not wish to be overwhelmed by the pain.”

             
“I will be your comfort, and you will be mine.  I love you, William.  Nothing will ever change that.” She lifted her head to capture his lips.  Darcy was pleased with her willingness to initiate such an intimacy. His lips soon parted, his tongue wishing to taste her, to roam freely inside her mouth.  Obliging him, Elizabeth allowed her own tongue to dance freely inside his mouth. 

             
Not long after their kiss began, Darcy found himself hardening again.  “My love, I do not wish you to believe me a beast, but I must have you again.”

             
Elizabeth’s eyes grew round.  “I thought a man could only…once…and then was unable to for some time.”

             
“I have never known another woman, relieving myself only as I was instructed when I came of age.  And I have never been known to have another so soon, but my body is craving my delicious wife.”

             
Giggling, Elizabeth nodded her head as she pulled his face back to hers, kissing him deeply as he prepared to join her body in the most perfect way he knew.  When he entered her, it was smooth and quick, making Elizabeth gasp with delight.  Their coupling was different this time, quick and breathless, hard and needing the other. When they had reached their peaks within moments of each other, both collapsed, completely exhausted.

             
Nearly two hours later, Darcy requested a bath drawn.  When it was ready, he carried his wife to the tub, sitting down in the warm water with his wife in his arms.  Darcy enjoyed rubbing the soap over Elizabeth’s body, kissing her skin from time to time.  Though they had been married for nearly a fortnight, the couple knew that their life together truly began that day, as they had bared themselves mind, body and soul, to the other.

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 17

             
Each morning, at breakfast, the previous day’s events were discussed.  Darcy and Elizabeth had been so consumed with her treatments that, when they dined in the evenings with everyone, they were tired and wished to enjoy the company of their family.  Any business was discussed first thing in the morning. 

             
At the end of the first week of Elizabeth’s treatments, there had been no change in the situation with Wickham and Jolly.  Lord Matlock had received two letters from his sister, ranting of her disapproval of his support of Darcy’s marriage, and of the marriage itself.  Lady Catherine expected the marriage to be annulled and for Lord Matlock to escort their nephew to Rosings, where he would be forced into marriage to Anne immediately. 

             
Lord Matlock wrote to his sister that the marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth was performed with his approval and he would support the newlyweds.  He also contacted the family solicitor to ensure Lady Catherine could not attempt to have the marriage annulled.

             
The soldiers had arrived and were keeping a watch on Wickham and Jolly.  They knew that there was still gun powder that was missing, and Colonel Forster meant to know where the remaining barrels were.  The men continued to watch for an opening which would allow them to take Wickham and Jolly without their ability of set off any barrels they may have in the cottages.

             
It was the middle of the second week that one of the soldiers came quickly to Netherfield.  An opportunity had presented itself, and Mr Jolly had been captured.  They brought him to Netherfield to interrogate him.

             
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Colonel Forster were alone in the room, questioning Jolly about the remaining barrels of black powder as well as Wickham’s habits.

             
“Jolly, we know that you were involved in the theft of the gun powder.  How many barrels were taken?” Colonel Forster asked.

             
“I know not of what you are speaking.  I am a loyal tenant of Longbourn, serving Mr Collins in tending his lands.  I know nothing of gun powder.”

             
“So, will you deny that your name is Benjamin Jolly, a private in his majesty’s service, serving under the command of Colonel Jennings?  Do you deny that you fled your post when you learned that you were to sail for France to fight in the war?” Colonel Forster continued as Colonel Fitzwilliam remained silent and watched.

             
“You are mistaken, Sir.  My service to my unit was over and I did not wish to continue, so I purchased my leave.  I am retired from the military life and wish to live out my days in peace.  As for this man, Wickham, I believe you said; I know nothing of such a man.  All of the tenant homes are abandoned. There is no one else living in the tenant houses.”

             
“We have been watching you and Wickham for several days now, and we are well aware of the fact that Mr Collins has fled from the neighborhood, and that you and Mr Wickham are facing charges of deserting your units.  You will tell us the truth of the whereabouts of the gun powder or you will face charges for the theft of it as well as the conspiracy to murder the entire Bennet family.  As it is, you face seven counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, as well as the other charges.  You will hang if we do not speak for you to be transported to Australia.”

             
“I had nothing to do with the deaths.  That was Wickham and Collins doing.  I only allowed them both to stay at my cottage when they needed, but I had no knowledge of what they planned.  When I learned of their plot, I was afraid that they would kill me as well.”

             
Colonel Fitzwilliam stood, his imposing frame overshadowing his opponent.  “I do not believe you, Mr Jolly, as you just admitted to us that you know Wickham.  You have been lying so long, most likely having learned from Wickham and Collins.  You were involved with the theft of the gun powder, and the attack on Longbourn, which claimed the lives of Mr and Mrs Bennet, their three youngest daughters, and two servants.  The attack nearly claimed the lives of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, leaving Miss Elizabeth crippled.  Can you not imagine the faces of all in the courtroom when we take her in to testify?  The sympathy they will all have for the fragile young woman, in a wheeled chair due to being paralyzed in the fire, you might as well put a noose around your neck, for you will be led to the gallows immediately after the verdict is read.”