Page 25 of Desired By Mr Darcy
He nodded, his hand sliding to cup her cheek.
“To stand so near and yet restrain myself… It is agony. Every glance, every word you speak - each one ignites a fire within me I scarcely know how to contain. And yet, I must, for you deserve a man who honours you, who does not succumb to his baser instincts.”
Elizabeth reached up, her delicate hand covering his as it rested against her face.
“Fitzwilliam,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute, “I do not wish to be honoured at the expense of your love. I want all of you, just as you are.”
He closed his eyes, his jaw tightening as he wrestled with the storm of emotions her words provoked.
“You cannot know what you are asking.”
“Then show me,” she whispered, her free hand curling into the fabric of his waistcoat. “Show me what it is you feel. Do not hideyourself away from me. Let me carry some of this burden you bear.”
The plea in her voice was his undoing. Darcy lowered his head slowly, his breath mingling with hers as he hovered a fraction away from her lips.
“Elizabeth…”
When their lips finally met, the kiss was not the hesitant brush of first lovers but the culmination of weeks of longing and restraint. His hand slid into her hair, tangling in the soft curls, while her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. He felt the soft press of her tongue against his lips and could not help the groan that escaped him. He was drowning in her, her sweet perfume filling his senses.
Darcy broke the kiss reluctantly, his forehead resting against hers as they both struggled to catch their breath.
“I fear I shall never have enough of you,” he admitted, his voice hoarse.
“I am glad,” she smiled, “for I do not intend to ever stop loving you as I do.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him. She wrapped own arms around his waist, her cheek resting on his chest. She inhaled deeply, the scent of him filling her senses. She would surely never tired of this; to be held in such a way was perfection in her eyes.
Perfection could never last.
There was another knock at the door, and the two sprang apart.
“Come in,” Darcy said reluctantly.
The door opened slowly and Miss Bennet peered round. She fixed Elizabeth with a hard stare; far more severe than he hadever seen from the most mild-mannered of the Bennet sisters. He knew he had made a terrible mistake in allowing Elizabeth into this room without another soul present. He knew he had made a far more grave mistake in kissing her so passionately.
“Forgive my intrusion, but Mama wishes to see you.”
“Of course. Goodnight, Mr Darcy.”
“Goodnight, Miss Elizabeth. Miss Bennet. I trust everything is to your liking.”
“Quite so, thank you. Come, Lizzy.”
With a final glance, Elizabeth and her sister retired from the room with the briefest of curtsies, and Darcy was once more left alone to contemplate his desires.
Chapter Seven
Elizabeth
“Why does Mama want to see me?” Lizzy asked, her brow furrowing as Jane tugged her down the hall, her grip insistent but not rough.
“Lizzy!” Jane hissed as soon as they had stepped away from the room, her voice a low but urgent whisper. “What were you doing? Oh, you should see your lips! I do not need an answer, for I know exactly what you were doing! I lied about Mama. Forgive me, but I needed a reason to steal you away!”
Lizzy stopped short, her cheeks flushing as she raised her fingertips to her lips. They felt slightly tender, and as her hand brushed them, she realised the truth of Jane’s words - her lips were faintly swollen beneath her touch. The memory of Mr Darcy’s kiss lingered like a ghost, haunting her even now.
“It was a kiss, that is all,” Lizzy said defensively, though her voice wavered slightly. “Surely you have kissed Mr Bingley!”
“That is not what we are discussing,” Jane snapped, her usual calm demeanour giving way to an uncharacteristic impatience. “A peck, that is all. Maybe two.”
