Chapter 27
The sound of tires screeching on the street finally woke him up. For the last ten minutes, he had been drifting between consciousness and slumber and there was no way he could come out from his current grogginess. His eyelids were heavy, his back was sore, his neck was stiff and his entire body felt as if he had been ran over by a truck. Slowly, he woke up and realized that this was not a bed -in fact, he was sitting on a sofa-, that this was not his house, and that there was a woman nestled in his arms. Finally, memory came and he was able to situate himself in place and time. This was Elizabeth's apartment, this was the morning after a very intense night rescuing her sister, and there, sleeping in his arms, lay Elizabeth herself.
He smiled, it felt nice.
How he ended asleep on this sofa was still a mystery for him. The last things he recalled were a sandwich eaten at wee hours, comforting Elizabeth as she wept, Amanda's rambling about her youngest daughter and then nothing else. He probably sat on the couch and passed out instantly.
He moved his body slightly so he could lean more comfortably against the armrest and give a break to his back but when he did that, Elizabeth stirred.
She stretched her body and glanced up. "Morning."
He met her eyes and smiled. "Morning."
"What time is it?"
Darcy raised his hand and checked the time on his watch. "Ten."
"We only slept three hours." She tucked her legs under her body and snuggled against him.
He enveloped her with his arms and closed his eyes again. He was so tired.
"You snore." She said softly.
"Now you know the horrible truth about me." His voice was hoarse from sleeping.
"Are there other 'truths' about you that I should be aware of?"
"Well, I smoke."
"I know and I'm not disgusted with that either as long as you do it in another room." As a matter of fact, she found him quite sexy when holding a cigar between his fingers. There was an air of mystery around him and she found that spicy scent thrilling. "Anything else?"
"There are a few more, but I think I'll let you discover them on your own." He smiled drowsily and kissed the top of her head.
She smiled broadly. She would love to discover each one of his defects.
Elizabeth knelt on the couch while stretching her arms over her head. He was almost in the same position he was when he fell asleep, sitting, reclined to his right, sleepy face, hair tousled, spread out in that manly way that made him look like the biggest little boy she had ever seen. He smiled at such an alluring exhibition and with intense, dark eyes, he slid his hand around her waist and slowly brought her closer for a kiss. A long, deep kiss. The kind of kiss that should be limited to bedrooms, that awakened desire, that shouldn't be shared on mom's couch.
Now fully awake, Darcy sat up and switched positions with her, rolling her onto her back so she was lying on the couch with his torso over hers. He never paused with his kisses, exploring the depths of her mouth while his hand ventured to touch places he had not touched yet. Without any kind of reserve, he pressed his hips on her leg, letting her know how much this exchange was affecting him and was rewarded by her allowance and her encouragement. He was very aware of the dangers of their actual position, they could be interrupted at any minute, but he just couldn't help it. She tasted so good, she felt so soft and above all, she was accepting and enjoying and it felt delicious.
"Do you always wake up so ..." Elizabeth smiled as he fondled her breast.
"Aroused?" He murmured, his lips brushing the skin of her neck.
"I was going to say playful." She chuckled
Darcy raised his head and looked into her eyes. His voice was all that was serious and intense when he replied. "This is not a game."
Elizabeth felt the reaction of those words in her skin, in her heart, in her entire body. Butterflies, goose skin, fluttering, everything was there. "I know."
He rose his body to rest on his elbows and smoothed her curls out of her face. "I'm glad you do, Elizabeth, because this is very serious for me."
Smiling, she touched his hair. "I know that."
"You really got me hooked. Didn't you realize that already?" He said smilingly.
She nodded and his lips immediately captured hers for another kiss. Mouths, tongues, breaths, limbs mingled and their embrace was so passionate that they were both struggling for air when it ended.
"Did I tell you how delicious you are?" He murmured in her ear.
Giggling, she replied. "No, but by the way you are biting me you are giving me a fairly good idea."
"Delicious and beautiful." This time he nibbled her throat.
Her mind went blank. That was his hand on her breast again, that was his thumb brushing her nipple and that was her entire body melting and tingling with his touch. The fire inside of her was so intense that she couldn't reply.
Knowing he was going too far, Darcy stopped in his advances before being really carried away. He raised his head and moved his hand from her breast and touched her hair, looking intently into her eyes. There were three words that he had been wanting to say for some time now, that he insinuated in between lines a couple of times, that he almost said the previous night while they were in the kitchen, eating a sandwich, and that he felt the urge to say now. Maybe this wasn't the most appropriate time or setting, it was too early and perhaps she wasn't ready to hear them, to handle them, but he needed to express what he truly felt.
"I love you, Elizabeth."
Her breath caught in her throat. She whispered a surprised "You do?" not because she didn't believe him, but because she was overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings and by his candor for expressing them so early in their relationship. She became suddenly tongue tied, moved, at loss of how to reply and then embarrassed that she couldn't respond to that statement the way it deserved. Her feelings for him were strong and had changed so radically in the past week that she still had to learn to understand them and transmit them.
This wasn't the reply he would have wished for but he knew he couldn't expect a different one. Right now, he would have to conform himself with observing her adorably confused face, with her passionate response and the prospect of making one step forward every day. She just needed time and he was a very patient man.
"Yes, and I want you to know it," he replied, smiling at her adorably confused expression. Maybe this wasn't the reply he had been wished for but the only one he could expect. Each day they made a step forward, and he was a patient man. "So there aren't any more misunderstandings between us in the future."
"There won't be."
Again, he lowered his lips to hers and they kissed, lovingly, softly, quite chastely comparing with the previous kiss, until the sound of a door-handle moving, a short gasp and a door closing again alerted them that the time on their own was over.
"I bet that that was my mom." Elizabeth giggled.
"I hope we didn't shock her," he grinned, not moving an inch from over her.
"Well, she's not used to seeing her daughter in this position every day. You are also the first man that has slept in this house in the last ten years, but no, I don't think she's shocked. She's probably got her ear glued to the door right now, trying to hear what we're saying."
"Then, I think I should be going," he announced. "I don't want her to ground you for misbehaving."
"After what you did yesterday? You are her hero."
"Anyway," he sat up, "I won't risk my luck."
"At least let me make you a cup of coffee."
"Only one." He gave her a quick kiss. "I must go. I've imposed on you long enough."
They rose from the couch and Elizabeth started fixing breakfast, making as much noise as she could so her mother would hear that she would not be interrupting anything.
"Good morning you two." Amanda joined them in the kitchen.
"Good morning, mom." Elizabeth greeted her mother. Was she blushing?
"Good morning." Darcy replied with a smile. The elder woman was obviously still feeling awkward for happening upon them in such an intimate position and he found the situation very amusing.
"Did you get any sleep, William?" Amanda asked him.
"Yes, a little." He reclined his body on the counter.
"Lizzy, is that all what you are making for breakfast?" She glanced at the bread her daughter was toasting. "Make him some eggs or something more substantial, you can't give him just that!"
"That's fine for me," Darcy interjected, "I don't eat that much in the mornings."
"Really mom, he doesn't."
"No, no, no," Amanda insisted. "You drove all night long, you only ate a sandwich and you slept on the couch. You are going to have a decent breakfast."
"All right." He said. He glanced at Elizabeth, who rolled her eyes when she saw him, what provoked him to smile and squeeze her cheek. And that put Amanda's heart into a flutter of happiness for her daughter.
They drank their coffee, Darcy barely touched his food and this time he announced his leave. Mother and daughter accompanied him to the door.
"Thank you for your hospitality." Darcy said to Amanda as he opened the door.
"No, darling, I'm the one that should say thank you," the elder woman replied with a shaky, moved voice. "What you did for us was simply marvelous and I don't think I'll be able to thank you enough."
He smiled briefly and then turned to Elizabeth. "Bye, Lizzy, I'll call you tonight."
Darcy was not the kind that would become inhibited because of the presence of his prospect of mother in law so he just did what he felt the natural thing to do: kiss Elizabeth good-bye. It was an open mouth, church-tongue smooch, but tongue nonetheless. Only then he left, leaving a fluttering daughter and a perplexed mother standing at the door.
Not much later, he was on the road back to Derbyshire.
That was an awkward Saturday. In spite of the little sleep they had the night before, neither Amanda nor Elizabeth could return to bed after Darcy left. Mother and daughter conversed for hours, not only about Lydia and what happened with George but also about subjects that had been buried for years and that needed to be brought into light. John Lucas, Thomas Bennet, old decisions, resentments, regrets, mistakes and the need to leave the past behind and start anew. Elizabeth was able to understand why her parents did what they did at the time, how they were both right and wrong, how stubbornness and selfishness from both parts lead to an ending that could have been different but that now was impossible to change.
The man that unwillingly produced this debacle and was part of this transformation was also thoroughly analyzed. His physique, his appearance, his character, his talent and even his snores were discussed either seriously or in between giggles. Elizabeth was in love and Amanda was thrilled with the prospect of having such a fine and noble man courting her daughter.
Lydia joined them after lunch, still looking embarrassed, guilty and ashamed. Amanda was gentle with her, the scolding was over, but during the chat the new rules that would control her life were established. No friends, no parties, no shopping, no nothing until Lydia proved that she was responsible and trustworthy. The two-week holiday break was about to start in one week's time so Lydia, now free from school and major distractions, would have enough time to meditate about what she did and what she wanted from now on.
The rest of the day was spent indoors, watching TV and putting some order into the apartment. They dined together and then they sat on the couch in front of the television until it was time to go to bed.
"Have you heard from William?" Amanda asked Elizabeth while she knitted. Lydia immediately looked down.
"No. Not since he left this morning." Elizabeth came from the kitchen with a cup of tea.
"I hope he arrived home safely. The poor man had so little sleep last night. Was he going directly to Derbyshire?"
"I don't know."
"I'm going to bed." Lydia announced quietly. "Good night, mom. Good night, Lizzy."
"Good night, Lydia." Elizabeth's eyes followed her sister until she disappeared into her bedroom. "Poor thing, she can't hear about William."
"No," Amanda sighed. "She's terribly embarrassed that he found her in that situation. She also said that she was even afraid of him at one point."
"I'm sure she was. Just imagine a guy of William's size showing up in the bedroom when you have no chance to escape. I know I would have been frightened if that happened to me."
Amanda didn't reply. She just bit her lip to repress a wicked smile from showing up. Elizabeth saw her and chuckled.
"Mom? What are you thinking?"
"Oh," she waved her hand. "Just forget about it."
"Mom!" Elizabeth insisted.
With color raising up to her cheeks, Amanda replied, "It's nothing, really, just that the way you phrased it. That thing about William's size and the bedroom. I'm not sure you would want to escape from that one."
"Mother!" Elizabeth's eyes widened and she began to laugh.
"Well, you certainly didn't try this morning, from what I saw!" Her mother laughed too. "I think I should go to bed. This tiredness is making me talk nonsense. I shouldn't be making those sort of comments about your boyfriend." Amanda rose and kissed her daughter's cheek.
Her boyfriend, Elizabeth really liked that definition. "Good night, mom."
"Good night, darling."
Now alone in the living room, Elizabeth tucked her legs under her body and held her teacup in her hands, as if warming them from the cold. Softly, she blew on the hot golden liquid and observed how the steam curled and turned up in the air. And then, like many other times, she felt this strange thing happening inside of her, like a connection, where smells and images blended and where her senses became alert and sensible to a presence she felt but that wasn't really there. Maybe it was the smell of her herb tea or the last traces of that perfume her mother used. There was a spice in the air that made the atmosphere turn intimate and sensual. And like many other times, she felt him. She sipped a little of her tea and she left the cup on the table. Her arms folded over her chest and her fingers played with her hair, wishing he was there.
Suddenly, the phone rang and she was startled out of her fantasy. Her heart started to race because she was almost sure of who it was.
"Hello?" Elizabeth answered the call.
"Hi." Darcy's voice was low. "Did I wake you up?"
"No," she smiled. "I was drinking some tea."
There was a pause before he talked when an almost imperceptible noise that came from his mouth told her that he was puffing a cigar. "How's your sister?"
"She's fine," Elizabeth sighed. "Still feeling embarrassed, but fine."
"And your mother? She was looking so tired when I left."
"Mom's tough, I told you. She'll be all right."
"And you?" He asked. His voice sounded like a soft caress that brushed her skin.
"I'm fine. Did you get any sleep?"
"I think I slept the longest nap of my life. Georgiana was so worried that she woke me up a couple of hours ago."
"Oh, you are in Derbyshire." Elizabeth couldn't mask the disappointment. That meant that he wouldn't come to see her during the remainder of the weekend.
"Yes, remember, I have guests at home." That was only half of the truth. He also returned to Derbyshire because he wanted to give Elizabeth and her family a break from him. They surely needed space and time by themselves so they could settle things with the youngest sister and he knew that his presence would invade the privacy they needed to talk things out. "But I'll be back in London on Wednesday and I'll stay for the rest of the week," he continued with renewed energy. "Maybe we could see each other during that time."
"I'd love that." She smiled
"When are you coming back to your uncle's?"
"I'm not sure. The holiday break starts a week from Monday and I don't want to leave my mother on her own with Lydia. Maybe we'll travel north for Christmas or New Year, but we haven't made any plans yet." As she talked, she heard the tiny sounds of his puffs, of his lips blowing the smoke and that made her feel warm and shaky.
"I ... think I should go," his voice became deep and low. "You're probably tired and I'm keeping you awake."
"No, It's OK." Absentmindedly, her fingers began to play with the neckline of her sweater. Before she could realize what was happening, she was drawn into the spice of the moment and his presence around her became so strong that she felt it in her skin. "William, I ... liked what happened this morning. I liked waking up with you."
He tapped his finger on the cigar to help the ashes to fall on the ashtray. Unconsciously, his mind played that scene again, her small body under his, the softness of her breast in his hand and warm moisture of her mouth kissing him back. And like that morning, his body reacted to such an exquisite sensation. "I liked it too."
"So, I'll see you next week?" She purred.
Smiling, he let his head fall back on the backrest of the armchair. "You will. I'll call you on Monday to see what we can do."
"All right." She replied softly. "Bye."
"Bye."
Darcy gave his cigar one last, deep puff and blew the smoke up into the air. He was so, so happy.
"Good morning, Margaret." Darcy almost sang when he entered the office.
The loyal secretary was speechless. His face was relaxed, there was an unusual lightness in his step and he even dropped an After Eight on her desk as he passed. She had not seen him in such good spirits in ages. When she gathered her wits, she trotted after him into his office.
Darcy let his body fall in his deskchair and swung it from side to side as she took her seat across the desk.
"Now, tell me what happened this weekend for you to be in such an excellent mood."
"That, madam," he smiled dreamily, "is absolutely none of your business."
Margaret knew him well enough to guess what that playfully evasive comment and those bright eyes meant: a woman and certainly not Ann. Now, the only woman he has had around him lately is Elizabeth Bennet. Since she came that day to the office, Darcy's humor had been excellent. He had also called her twice, he took her to Pemberley to have lunch with him, and he left the office early on Friday looking merry and anxious. Yes, maybe the cause of his recently found happiness was Elizabeth Bennet.
"I have a few messages for you, do you want hear them?"
"Later," he sat up, focusing his attention in more unpleasant subjects. "I want you to call George Wickham and schedule an appointment in London, in a restaurant or cafeteria, you choose the place, for Wednesday afternoon."
"And why are you meeting that rascal?" She had to ask.
"Do you want to know something?" Darcy replied in a light tone. "I would love to have a secretary who doesn't meddle in my private affairs, really, I'd love that. Someone gentle, silent, who would do what I ask without complaining or demanding explanations about subjects that aren't any of her business. That would indeed be nice. Maybe it's time to replace the one I have for someone younger and less confrontational. Would you start a search for me? Nice legs are mandatory."
"Very funny."
Darcy laughed at her annoyed expression. "Of all the things I inherited from my dad, Meg, you are the one that has given me the most problems. Now," he spoke in that charming manner that he knew would melt his secretary into a puddle, "I'll stay in London from Wednesday till the end of the week. Call Christopher Brandon from Free Children and schedule a meeting at his office. Here is the number."
"Free Children?" She raised an eyebrow. Of course she had to ask about this too.
"It's a civil organization against child abuse and pornography."
"Why? Are you making a movie about child abuse?"
"Maybe. I want to do some research first."
"Ah." She replied as she took note of it. Meg was clever, shrewd, and it didn't pass unnoticed to her that her boss would mention George and child abuse in the same minute. "Anything else?"
Darcy smiled inwardly, wondering how long would it take for her to link those two subjects and come up with an accurate conclusion. "Yes. Get me a list of the current plays in London."
"If you want to take this woman out on a date, I would strongly recommend the Phantom of the Opera." She suggested. "It think it's the best choice. You'll impress her for your class and sensibility."
He stared at her blankly. "Who said I was asking a woman?"
Margaret rose to return to her desk. "Do you want some coffee?"
Darcy frowned at the sight of her knowing smile. "Yes, please, and call Elizabeth Bennet at her house in Meryton."
"The Phantom of the Opera," Margaret said pointedly as she left his office. "She'll love it."
He blinked, wondering how she always managed to find out about everything concerning his life. Five minutes later, she passed through the call that Darcy had asked her to make.
"Hello, Elizabeth," he leaned back on the chair and started playing with a pencil.
"Hi, William." Elizabeth sounded a little agitated.
"I hope I didn't wake you up." He glanced at his watch. It was nearly ten so it wasn't an inappropriate time to call.
"No, I was just coming out of the shower." She smiled. He had called her on the previous night, they talked on the phone for nearly half an hour and she was surprised that he was calling her so early that morning.
A wicked smile grew on his lips at the image of Elizabeth wrapped in a towel that instantly formed in his head. "Oh," he said with feigned innocence, "I'll call you later if you are undressed."
"I'm not undressed. And if I were, you are not seeing me so it doesn't matter."
"Don't be so sure about that, I have a very fertile imagination."
"Oh yes?" she giggled at the playfulness in his tone. "And what are you imagining right now?"
"You are laying on your bed ..."
"Couch."
" ... on the couch, your black curls are dripping tiny drops of water over your bare shoulders ..." he said as Elizabeth adjusted the turban enveloping her head, " ... and that little towel you have wrapped around you is letting me see your perfectly shaped legs."
"I'm wearing mom's robe. It's pink and absolutely not sexy. It's a sort of Margaret Thatcher's robe." She replied while looking at her legs. She needed to shave them.
"It's my fantasy, Elizabeth," he smiled, "try not to ruin it, will you?" She laughed and it was music to his ears. "Now, would you like to see the Phantom of the Opera?"
"I'd love to!" She replied excitedly. "When?"
"Meg is trying to get me some tickets. I'm not sure if it will be on Thursday or Friday. We can have dinner together. What do you think?"
"Excellent."
"Then I'll call you back in a while to confirm the date. Be good. Bye."
"You too. Bye."
Turner's in Walton Street, that's where Margaret scheduled his meeting with George. It was nice elegant place, not usually frequented by press or public people so there was little chance that he would be seen in company of his ex-stepbrother. First, he thought of seeing him at his apartment or John's offices in London, but then he thought that a restaurant would be better. In a public place there were little chances that their chat would turn violent and that he would punch George again. He chose a table away from the windows and ordered a coffee while he waited for George to come.
Ten minutes later George showed up. He was wearing sunglasses, a Band-Aid across his nose and the shadows of a purple bruise over his cheekbone. Darcy repressed a smile.
"Darce." George sat across him at the table.
"George." He replied. That looked like a nasty bruise. "Do you want something to drink?"
"A martini."
A waiter showed up and he took George's order.
"Well, I'm all ears." George sat back on his chair.
Darcy mirrored his position, though looking a lot more relaxed and confident than his ex-stepbrother. "I'll go directly to the point, George. I want all the pictures you took of Lydia Bennet."
"Why?" George smirked, "Are you interested in teenagers now? It's refreshing to know that you are human after all, Wills."
There was a hint of irritation in Darcy's voice as he replied, "I want to return that material to her family. I want to give the poor girl the chance to start anew without the fear of seeing those photos printed or up on the Internet."
"William Darcy, the crusader. Is that your new hobby? Saving damsels in distress? You are wrong with this one. Lydia knew perfectly well what she was doing. She asked for it."
"And you couldn't resist it." Darcy replied with evident disdain. "Come on, George. Don't you have a little shame? She's just a child. You even told her that you loved her. Can't you act like a noble person just for once?"
George bit the inside of his cheek, meditating his reply. "And what am I going to receive in exchange?"
"A little money, not much, and the promise that the family will not press charges for child abuse against you. Remember, George, I have a video of you screwing her. She's sixteen. As far as I know, that is pornography involving a minor and that is a crime." he stated calmly.
"And you broke my nose, which is also a crime." George lifted his sunglasses so Darcy would see the damage. "Now you tell me how are you going to compensate me for this."
Darcy repressed a chuckle. George looked like a raccoon. "I just won't tell the decent reporters that hire your services the kind of scoundrel you are and we'll be even."
"Ten thousand pounds." said George.
This was Darcy's time to smirk. "Come on, George, for that money I can buy her a decent modeling career."
"That's what I want. Not a penny less. If you are here asking me this, it's because the family doesn't want to press charges. Just imagine the poor little girl with her sex life exposed so publicly. I wonder what the tabloids would say when they find out that your girlfriend has a sister with such a past. That's really juicy news. It probably won't affect you, but I'm sure your Lizzy will be upset. By the way, how is she?"
There was no reply.
"Come on, tell me. Did you succeed in bedding her? She likes playing hard to get."
"Don't risk your luck, George." Darcy said in a low voice.
"Calm down, Wills," he laughed. "You are a public person, you have an image to look after. You are not going to hit me in a restaurant, are you?"
George was trying to get to him, Darcy knew him well, so he maintained his calmness, no matter how much is cost him. "I think you don't get it, George. I am the one that wants to see you in jail, not the family. I'll just convince them that that is the right thing to do." With feigned boredom, he proceeded, "I'm sure that police will find more filth they can use against you once they'll start investigating."
George's drink arrived and the negotiation continued. Half an hour later, they reached an understanding. For a fairly low amount of money, George would give him the photos and sign a paper where he promised not sell or make public any other photo of her that could have been sold or copied and most of all, not to call her or see her again.
"I'll take the photos and negatives to your flat today at five," said George.
"And you'll sign a paper and I'll give you the check."
There was pause when George looked pensively at his hands. "How's Liddy?"
Darcy was surprised that he asked about her. "All right now. She was frightened and ashamed but now she's fine."
"I'm glad to hear it." said George. "I never meant to hurt her."
"Pity you didn't think of that before. Now it's a little late for regrets." Darcy rose after paying the check.
George didn't reply. After a moment, he stood and unhooked his coat from the rack. "Just a question. How did you learn we where at Henley?"
"Ask Myrna." Darcy put his coat on. "She also sells herself for a little money."
"Mr. William Darcy," the secretary announced as she opened the door for him to pass.
Christopher Brandon rose from behind his desk to shake the newcomer's hand. "Mr. Darcy, what an unexpected pleasure. I'm a huge fan of yours."
"Thank you," Darcy smiled and sat down. "The pleasure is mine."
"So, Mr. Darcy, what can I do for you? Are you interested in doing a film against child abuse?"
"No exactly, though now that I'm here and see the work you are doing and the dimension of this problem, I'm more and more interested in exploring such a delicate subject."
"Unfortunately child pornography and abuse is a very profitable industry that involves thousands of children every year. We try to inform the parents and the children about the dangers but I'm sure that a film would be an more effective way to reach them."
Darcy sat back on his chair, a relaxed smile on his face. "I was just thinking the same thing. TV has a massive penetration. Yes, a movie for TV would be the best."
"May I say that we caught your interest?"
"Absolutely. My people will contact you. I'll not be able to direct it personally, I'm involved in two major projects right now, but I can produce it through our TV division. And being such an important subject I can almost assure you the support of the major broadcasting companies."
"That's fantastic. Now, you said you had other reasons to come."
"Yes. The reason why I'm here is because someone tried to introduce a friend's daughter into this industry. She was 'saved', but the family is not pressing charges because they don't want this to turn public. That leaves the bastard who tried to do it free to continue to do it. I want to know if something can be done to catch him."
"How old is this girl?"
"Sixteen."
"Not exactly a child, but young enough to make this equally repulsive. If this blackguard used a minor once, he probably did it before and will continue to do it. Usually pornography not only involves sex. Drugs, abduction and even murder are also part of the business. We can investigate him and I'm sure that we'll find something else. With time, he'll get caught."
"I want you to know that you have my complete support, both financial and personal. I want to see him in jail." Darcy gave Brandon a folder. "This is all that I know about him."
"George Wickham." Brandon read the name.
"Exactly."
"Don't worry, Mr. Darcy ..."
"William." Darcy offered.
"William," Brandon smiled. "We'll take care of Mr. Wickham."