Page 54 of His Dark Heart
Darcy looked at her sharply, most likely due to the disapproval in her tone. “Whatever do you mean?”
“It is a bit, I do not know, plain perhaps?”
“Plain?”
“Well, my lord, thy chair is so grand. I suppose I expected mine to be similar.”
* * *
Darcy cast his gaze about the room. Jane did not hide her smirk as she was prone to do when he was put on the spot, and his steward was busy looking everywhere but his direction. Footmen had been placed at random intervals throughout the room, and he could not dismiss them all without causing a scene.
“I am sorry you do not like it.”
“It will do,” she replied as though she had sensed his irritation. “It is not as though I spend a great deal of time here. Only the mornings when I tend to business.”
He crooked an eyebrow to let her know that he identified with that complaint too. With the skirmish between Hargrove and Foster, he had not had opportunity to explain certain things to her, especially once Hargrove was connected to the ambush and hanged for treason. It was the daily running of the realm of which he had neglected to inform her. His wife had done her best to learn by watching, but it was clear she had become frustrated and spent less and less time each morning in the Hall. Instead, she preferred to be out amongst the people: attending births, weddings, and funerals and visiting the poor. Elizabeth wanted to show that the people meant a great deal to her, and she had found a way, even when he had protested out of concern for her safety.
“Is that all, my lord?” Her eyes were wide, mocking him with her feigned innocent stare.
“Not quite, my lady. Will you accompany me?” He offered his arm, and he escorted her to one of the parlours where he proceeded to lock the door behind him.
“Am I to be scolded by the master of Pemberley for my impertinence?” The corner of her mouth curled in a wicked smirk.
“You cannot behave like that in front of our subjects,” he muttered while he tried in vain to ignore the sudden tightness of his breeches.
“Behave how? Like a spoiled child or a demanding princess? Ye have never deigned to inform me of my role, sir. Am I a princess in name only? Do I have duties other than keeping ye occupied in the bedchamber?”
He blew a breath of air out of his nose and tried to focus on his frustration to keep his arousal at bay. He was at fault, but he need not have her point it out to him. His mind was filled with worries enough without that discomfort. His concerns that he had gone soft had grown steadily. Had his people noticed his newfound lenience? With all that had happened in the last few days with regard to the traitors, he was once again ruling from a precarious spot.
Suddenly, Elizabeth's mouth covered his. He held her face and pulled her back; his eyes crinkled.
“Ye looked concerned. Ye never look like that.”
“Iamconcerned,” he admitted. “The traitors have been punished, and I dread the repercussions.”
“Ye will survive it as ye have survived in the past.” Her voice and manner were so confident.
“In the past I did not have anyone else depending on my survival.”
“Are ye implying that living for me is a hindrance to your form of government?”
Guilty, he looked away, his thumbs caressing her cheeks gently.
“Ye did not take into account that thy life would change when ye married, did ye? Neither of us expected that things would change so drastically, but they have, and we must accept them. Rule, sir, as ye have always ruled: with ferocity and certainty, and know that I shall support ye.”
“Even if you do not agree with me?”
“Oh, ye shall know when I do not agree with ye.”
“I had very little doubt in my mind regarding that, actually.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her lips once again. The kiss was long and slow, each of them seeking comfort in the other as their lips were crushed together and their tongues tasted the exquisite sweetness. Neither of them were fully aware of how she came to be cradled in his arms or how they came to recline on the sofa, but when their mouths finally parted, Elizabeth was panting, and Darcy was unfastening ties to loosen her gown.
“Surely this is no way to rule a realm.” She was moaning even as he pushed his hand beneath her skirts.
“Have you not found by now that I do as I please?” He dipped into the valley between her legs and stroked her softly.
“And ye certainly please.” Her backed arched and her knees fell open.
