She removed the handcuff and rose to put her clothes on with her back to him.
When she turned back to look at him, his eyes were closed and he was still breathing hard. He had pulled his shorts over to cover his manhood.
“You’re okay?”
“Can we wait and talk after dinner?” He asked.
“I guess so.”
“You go first. I still need a few more minutes.”
With a last lingering look at him, she left the changing room.
When Elizabeth walked into the dining room, she felt awkward. It was one thing to lust after an arrogant man you didn’t like, but to nearly have sex with him while handcuffed together was another; and they hadn’t talked much since meeting again for the show.
I hope he won’t think of me now as a loose and easy woman who jumps into bed with just anyone. Will he ask me to spend the night with him? Should I or shouldn’t I?
With that troubling thought in mind, she put on her most serious and distant look when her gaze clashed with his across the dinner table. He was sitting there with a closed expression. Caroline was all over him on one side, and Richard on the other.
Elizabeth sat down in the only seat available, between Charlotte and Jane. They greeted her cheerfully and asked, “How was the massage? Did you enjoy it?”
She couldn’t help but blush and murmured, “So so.” She glanced at Darcy, not sure if he had heard their question.
Apparently so; she could see that he was blushing, too. To divert the group’s attention, she asked in turn, “Where’s Lydia? I want to chew her out royally for landing us all on this ridiculous show.”
“Both your sister and Georgie are hiding from us,” Richard said from across the table. “I was going to bite Georgie’s head off when I next saw her; but then I thought, if not for her, I wouldn’t have met all the lovely ladies from Boobie Hill.”
“I can’t imagine what sort of silly games they will have tomorrow. As a teacher, I feel that it’s highly improper for me to engage in stupid games. If it weren’t for my sweet Elizabeth, I wouldn’t ...” Collins said.
“At least it will be good for the business. They mentioned the Bennet Outback Resort several times when they introduced Jane and Lizzy,” Charlotte said, cutting off Collins when she saw that Elizabeth was embarrassed by his endearment.
“Darcy, you have to tell us – who’s the lucky lady you fancy?” Richard asked.
Caroline, who had one hand on Darcy’s shoulder and another on his arm, sat up straight. Seeing Darcy turned bright red, she came to his defence. “Mr. Playboy, it’s none of your business who Darcy fancies.”
“I see, Miss Ivy, that you don’t delude yourself into thinking that Darcy fantasises about you.”
“Miss Ivy? Delusion? What do you know about my relationship with William?”
“Isn’t your nickname Climbing Ivy? I thought Dar… Ouch!” Richard yelped in pain. “Who kicked me?”
“I didn’t know you were afraid of rats, Richard,” Bingley said, diverting the attention from his sister.
“My torture was nothing. Imagine mixing honey, cockroaches and fake breasts together! It will make for the most interesting gossip when the show airs.”
“Richard Fitzwilliam, if you say one more time that I have anything fake, I’ll sue you!” Caroline swore.
“Aren’t those fake eyelashes that you have there?” Everyone except Caroline broke out into chuckles. “Charles, can your sister sue me if what I said is true?”
“Leave her alone, Richard.”
“But she barged into my conversation with my cousin, not the other way around. Now Darcy, fess up, who’s the lady?”
Richard elbowed Darcy and then suddenly snapped his fingers and said, “I know! Is it Lady C? Did you have a Mrs. Robinson fantasy about her when you were young?”
On hearing that outrageous speculation, Darcy choked on his wine and started to cough, glaring at his cousin.
Elizabeth burst out laughing. “Richard, you really are too funny!”
“Funny? Miss, I think you have no taste at all. Mr. Playboy’s gross to imply that William might ever have such a thought.” Caroline said.
“Oh, Caroline, relax! Richard is our resident comic relief. Darcy and I are used to him.” Bingley said.
The banter and conversations continued, but no one was able to get a name from Darcy.
His plan to have a private conversation with Elizabeth was repeatedly foiled by Caroline, who kept close to his side all evening. When Elizabeth left to retire for the night, he thought about following her to her bungalow, but he still couldn’t shake Caroline off. In the end, he only managed to escape when he went to Richard’s room.
“How long will you be with Richard?” Caroline asked forlornly.
“A long time.”
“I brought you a present from Paris. I want to give it to you tonight.”
“Tomorrow’s fine.”
“What’s your room number? I can wait there for you. Maybe you can give me your key.”
Darcy shuddered and insisted, “Tomorrow.” He then escaped into Richard’s room and slammed the door shut.
Caroline was extremely vexed about the turn of events. She had thought she could force Darcy to reveal his fantasy tonight. She didn’t mind giving the man a taste of her fabulous body. This would be a small step towards her grand plan to become Mrs. Darcy.
Why did he have to retreat to that blasted playboy’s room? I wished I had paid more attention when they gave out room keys...
She was deep in her thoughts when she bumped into Annesley. “Hey, look where you’re going, big lady!”
“Sorry, Miss Matchstick!” Annesley retorted.
Caroline was ready to put Annesley in her place…but then she saw that she was carrying a clipboard of papers.
“Is that logistics? I need to talk to William Darcy about something urgent. Can you check his room number for me?”
“I’m not supposed to give out that sort of info.”
“Here’s $20. Just check!”
Such a nasty woman! “Keep your money, Miss. Luckily for you, I’m in a nice mood tonight. William Darcy? Let me check… Ah. Room 12.”
Caroline almost ran back to her room, forgetting the need to walk elegantly at all times. She decided to spend two hours to primp and perk her body up for the rendezvous with William. A facial, an orange-scented bath and a full-body oil treatment should do it. He was bound to be back to his room after two hours.
Knock or not? Better go through the balcony door. It’s so hot tonight, I’m sure he’ll have it open. And what a treat for him! Under the full moon, a perfectly toned body waiting to fulfill his every fantasy...
Caroline’s seduction plan was working out as well as she could possibly have wished. Under her sensual silk wrap, she wore only an orange see-through negligee. She wasn’t wearing a bra or panties. Why hide the perfect body when I had paid so much for it?
She was right on time, for once. And, to her immense satisfaction, she found the balcony door of Room 12 wide open. But before she could sneak in to present herself as a present to Darcy, she heard a woman moaning loudly.
“So, you fantasised about me all those times? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? No, don’t touch it like that. Do it like this. Yes! Thrust harder. I haven’t had an orgasm for decades…”
Caroline nearly fainted by the door! How could you, William! With that ancient witch, Lady C!
She crept on trembling legs off of the balcony, then ran back to her room as quickly as she could. After she slammed the door shut, she picked up the vase of flowers and threw it against the wall.
Her anger only subsided after she had smashed several other pieces of furniture in the room. Exhausted, she sat down on her bed. Can I ever forgive his transgression? I didn’t know he had a thing for old wrinkled woman.