“Elizabeth, what…”
Words abruptly ceased when Lord and Lady Stewart appeared from around the corner. Pleasantries were conveyed, Darcy recovering quickly although he kept glancing to Lizzy, who acted as if nothing was amiss. In fact, she was particularly effusive. The second they were out of sight he turned to his wife, running hands over her upper body as if checking for injury. He noted the redness to her right palm before she had the chance to speak, eyes widening with sudden shock as he peered into her mildly embarrassed but triumphant eyes.
“I do not believe Lady Underwood will be as pretty as she usually is for several days. Perhaps that will inhibit her ensnaring any other innocent gentlemen.”
“You… hit her?”
“Well, she deserved it!”
“Indubitably.” He laughed shortly, taking her elbow and steering her to the third-floor stairwell. “I should scold you most profoundly, but I…” He laughed again, a bit hysterically, leaning his head back against the wall with eyes pleading heavenward. “Lord, why? I honestly did wish for a simple life. Was that too much to ask for?”
“Oh bother! Simplicity is overrated. Spirit and passion are preferential. Now quit whining and take me to breakfast. I have worked up an appetite.” She tiptoed for a quick peck to his cheek, but he stayed her for a sober examination of her eyes.
“Are you certain you are well, Elizabeth? Completely, heart and soul? And our child? I truly was very frightened when you were gone.” His voice caught, Lizzy doused with sorrow. She encircled his waist tightly, entire body pressed hard against him with their son protesting and kicking vigorously.
“I assure you we are perfect, body and soul. I beg your forgiveness, but it was something I had to do. Tell me you understand?”
He nodded, but his eyes were troubled. “I suppose I do. But you could have been injured, Elizabeth. Like it or not, it is my duty to protect you and handle physical confrontations.”
“There are some matters that are mine to deal with, William.” She looked up into his face, smiling comfortingly although her voice was resolute. “No woman will ever be allowed to touch you without hearing from me. Never!”
Lady Underwood departed the resort that morning, offering no good-byes. Speculative gossip abounded, but the Darcy name was never mentioned. As for the Darcys, they spoke no further on the subject. Lessons were learned, similar errors would never be made in the future, and thus the book was closed. Darcy would not completely forget. He was not a vengeful man by nature so did nothing permanently designed to punish Lady Underwood. However, his claim of power was not an exaggeration. There were ways available to a man of superior means, avenues open to exhibit one's clout and potential without actually doing anything. Suffice to say, Lady Underwood also learned a lesson and would be a bit more cautious in her future seductions.
Chapter Nine
On the Road Home
The remaining days of their seaside sojourn would pass exclusively at the resort and were uneventful, comparatively speaking. By mutual agreement they decided that sightseeing, although educational and exhilarating, was not as preferable as simply lying about the beach and assuredly not as divinely stimulating as seabathing. Therefore, they reverted to the pattern established on their first few days: sleeping late and dining late followed by a time in the water; lazy afternoons on the beach; leisurely strolls along the wooded trails or shoreline collecting shells; evenings in various pursuits with the other guests; quiet contemplations of the ever-changing sunset; moonlight walks on the sand or pier; and the occasional individual recreations.
One day it clouded and drizzled, but Lizzy insisted on taking their walk regardless, to Darcy's initial discomfort. The nuzzling kisses enjoyed under the close confines of the umbrella dispelled most of his unease; the rich aroma of wet loam and pine allayed the residual. The storm worsened in the afternoon, causing the surf to roar and upsurge dramatically. They sat cozily in the parlor sipping hot cocoa before the fire and watched the impressive display all afternoon.
A hastily discharged missive to the Lathrops was equally hastily replied to, the positive response arriving the day before the Darcys were to depart. They were both very anxious to be home, but decided a short three-day visit to the Lathrops' estate, Stonecrest, a perfect cap to a perfect holiday.
Their final night was passed on the end of the pier. Dinner was arranged by the resort staff, privately by candlelight as the sun provided a majestic living mural in its decline and the tides supplied the music. The fare was superb, but it would not have mattered as it was the atmosphere and communion that brought the greatest joy to their hearts.
“May I have this dance, Mrs. Darcy?”
Lizzy laughed, taking her husband's proffered hand and assuming a waltz pose. He did this frequently, surprising her at odd moments with a request to dance as he hummed a tune. Of course, the primary excuse was to hold her tightly, the formal posture of a strict waltz not maintained for very long. Darcy could not sing if his life depended upon it, but he could hum fairly well, or at least enough to set a tempo for the amusement. Over the course of time he had taught her a number of couples dances learned during his travels, most of which were far more intimate and livelier than the waltz. Lizzy was only proficient in the typical English country line dances, but was growing exceedingly fond of the duo dances popular in more progressive countries. Along the way they invented their own steps and movements, usually involving motions clearly sensual in nature and thus wholly inappropriate for public viewing, but quite scintillating in the privacy of one's bedchamber.
Here at the far end of a lonely pier they allowed themselves to cross a few boundaries, but did retain a dignified restraint. Darcy was as graceful and debonair as always, body fluid and flawless as he guided his wife and lover over the rough wooden planks. Lizzy experienced a slight awkwardness with bulging belly preventing total ease and refinement, but they enjoyed themselves nonetheless. They ended against the rail in the shadows after a lavolta lift and turn, Lizzy breathless in Darcy's arms with his face inches from hers.
“I did not think you would be able to lift me,” she teased, seconds before his lips met hers with astounding passion. He cupped long fingers around her neck, thumbs caressing as the kiss varied in intensity and lasted for endless minutes. On and on they kissed with no sense of hurrying, both abundantly content to focus all senses on shared breath and taste. Lizzy's hands rested lightly on his waist, Darcy never left her slender neck or creamy shoulders. He withdrew for brief moments to caress her face with his eyes, never halting feathering strokes with delicate fingertips, and always returning to her mouth for more.
I love you whispered ceaselessly by both, kisses traveling unhastily over jaws to ears, passion bubbling, but overruled by adoration as moonlight shimmered palely.
“I am sure it is unnecessary, but I am compelled to verbalize to you how remarkable this entire holiday has been for me.” His voice was low and vibrant, Lizzy shivering at the sensations educed. “Superlatives are jumbling in my mind, competing with each other to adequately convey my joy, but none do it justice.” He paused for an interlude of fresh kisses and nibbles, knuckles lightly rubbing up and down her neck. “I love you, Elizabeth, with all my heart and soul. My happiness is higher than the heavens. I may live to be one hundred, and pray I do with you by my side, but I will never forget this time with you.”
Claiming her sweet mouth yet again, Lizzy now encircling his shoulders with fingers running through his hair, he slowly glided downward, brushing over her breasts to the beautiful swell of their child. Tenderly, devotedly he smoothed and kneaded big hands over her abdomen, adoring the feel of taut flesh cocooning their baby. The wonder of it never failed to awe him. Daily she expanded as the product of their love grew stronger, miraculously nourished and harbored by his mother while adored by an eager father. Lizzy was well into the seventh month of her pregnancy, health generally excellent if a bit prone to fatigue and slight imbalance. She was lovelier to him than ever, glowing, robust, and with a peace emanating from her core.