It felt wonderful. His long, lean fingers grazed her sensitive nipple, enticing it to life. But she wanted more. She wanted him inside her again.

With a whimper of need, she parted her legs and rubbed herself up and down against his thighs.

Darcy startled awake at the movements against his legs. “Elizabeth, my love, what are you doing?” He raised himself and leaned on an elbow to look at her.

“I feel hot… here!” She moved his hand down to cup her womanhood. Her voice trembled, and her heart felt as if it were racing. She thought she would burst if he did not take pity and fulfill her needs now. “I woke up with a sudden warm sensation in my body, and now I feel extremely wanton. Fitzwilliam, I want you!” With a flirtatious smile, she pushed him to lie on his back, then climbed on top of him. Bending, she kissed him frantically, on the mouth, the jaw, the pulse that beat at his throat, then downward to his shoulders and chest. Straddling him more broadly, she rubbed her secret lips against his firming manhood. She uttered soft moans, and whispered incoherently as she kissed him, telling him how she loved every part of his body and how he made her feel, so very wanton and lustful.

Mr. Darcy noticed that her eyes looked dazed and unfocused, as if she were caught up in some kind of a dream, her body felt feverish against his. “Did you catch a cold this morning, my love? You are burning up!” Concerned, he wanted to press her back down on the bed so that he could fetch a doctor, and yet, with each passing moment, he was more helplessly aroused. His manhood sprang up, tall and proud, and Mr. Darcy could not deny that he was vastly enjoying the unexpected attentions Elizabeth bestowed. She continued to kiss him wildly as she tried to position herself to take his massive shaft into her. But she was still very new to the art of lovemaking, and clearly did not know how to do so.

She cried out in frustration, “Fitzwilliam, help me! I need you. Please, come inside me! I feel as if I am on fire!”

At first, he was deeply worried, but her amorous ministrations were soon too much for him to resist; he could not resist giving in to her demand. He pressed her back on the bed and entered her with one almighty thrust. Her body shook with the force of his entry, but she never wavered. Rather, she wrapped her legs around his waist and continued, hungrily, violently, to kiss him. Spurred by her ardent reaction, and urged on by her touch, he pounded into her more and more quickly, on and on, until she cried out with satisfaction. Her convulsing muscles squeezed his manhood tightly, sending him into a vortex of bliss. He howled and spilled his seed into her as he reached a powerful climax.

* * *

From midnight until dawn, Elizabeth refused to sleep. She was, by turns, flirty, wanton and wild with lustful needs, and he satisfied her many times, in different positions, before she finally felt the blood cease to rioting in her body. When dawn came, Darcy gently carried her back into her own bedchamber, speaking softly to her, reassuring her of his love and promising that he would care for her, not letting anything or anyone harm her. He waited by her side, sated and devoted, until she finally fell into a deep sleep.

He was, of course, still puzzled, for he knew that she had been behaving very strangely. She might yet be sick, although she no longer seemed feverish. He decided, with a belated pang of conscience, to ask Mrs. Gardiner to look after her while he sent for the doctor.

When he went in search of the Gardiners, he heard Miss Bingley giggling with her sister, around the bend of the corridor. He was ready to retreat to avoid the pair, but he froze when he heard the words being spoken in her muffled voice. “…witch gave me a special doll…make the upstart wanton…pounce on the first man she sees…will be scandalous …until she is satisfied by the man or after a few painful hours …indeed!”

Darcy crept closer, intent on catching each vicious syllable.

“…reputation will be ruined…cannot wait to see the results…going to love seeing her complete humiliation! Mr. Darcy will be freed from his obsession with that impertinent hussy…he will see that I am the perfect mistress for Pemberley!” At that, Caroline cackled, sounding as if she herself were a witch!

Mr. Darcy, furious, wanted nothing more than to confront her and berate her for her shameful behaviour, but he realised that he did not have the luxury of doing so, for he had left his beloved alone. It was his duty to watch over her until he was sure that the last effects of the witchcraft were gone. Immediately, he returned to her bedchamber, summoned a startled maid, and requested that she bring Mrs. Gardiner to him.

He would explain only that he had overhead Miss Bingley confessing to having perpetrated some kind of evil black magic on Elizabeth, and explain that his concerns over his fiancée’s health had forced him to disregard propriety and check on her, thus accounting for his presence in her bedchamber.

Even after Mrs. Gardiner’s arrival, he insisted on waiting with her for Elizabeth to wake up, schooling himself to wait for the grim pleasure of confronting the villain.

An hour later, Elizabeth finally woke up. She did not feel the wanton, lustful sensation anymore, but her body ached in any number of unaccustomed places. She greeted her aunt with a sheepish look, and looked upon her beloved with a shy and shamed expression.

Mr. Darcy, breathing out a sign of relief, asked for permission to speak with her alone for a moment. When Mrs. Gardiner moved out of hearing distance, he confided to Elizabeth what he had overhead from Miss Bingley. She was horrified, but he reassured her that he was not shocked by her wanton behaviour, for he knew her to have been under some kind of evil spell or curse. He also told her, with a gleam in his eye, that he had enjoyed their night together very much. He loved her still, as ardently as ever, and they would be married in two weeks, as they had previously discussed.

Next, Darcy reassured himself that Mrs. Gardiner would not, under any circumstance, leave Elizabeth alone. He then took his leave, prepared to forcefully evict the unwanted guests from Pemberley.

Chapter Seven

Mr. Darcy instructed Mrs. Reynolds, his housekeeper, to take care of a few things. Then he walked into the breakfast room, ready to evict Miss Bingley when a loud voice was heard.

“Where is my nephew? I must see him at once!” Lady Catherine stalked into the room, unannounced.

Darcy turned to greet her. “Lady Catherine.”

“Fitzwilliam.” Lady Catherine surveyed the unknown faces in the room and asked archly, “Who are all these people?”

“Have a seat and some tea, Aunt. This is Mr. Gardiner, my guest. These individuals are Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. They are relatives of my friend, Charles Bingley. Their carriage broke down near Pemberley. They are waiting here while it is being repaired, but they will be leaving very soon.”

“It is a cold autumn. There is no hunting or rambling. Whyever did you invite guests to Pemberley? And what sort of people would permit their carriage break down during such weather? Your friend’s relatives are most ill-planned. They should fire their head coachman. I have no time to spare for tea, for a report of the most alarming nature has reached me.”

“About?” Mr. Darcy asked dryly.

His aunt bridled, still standing, but she did accept a tea cup that a brave maid offered. “Do not be facetious, young man. I was told that you are engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, that young woman who had to take charity from her cousin’s invitation for a visit to my illustrious Rosings. Of course, it cannot be true! But I am distressed that anyone would even compose such a fiction.”

“It is no fiction,” he said flatly.

“What?” His aunt recoiled. “For shame, young man. For shame! How could you even consider lowering your standards for such a woman?”

Darcy gritted his teeth. He would not allow anyone to berate his fiancée but neither would he argue with his aunt in front of everyone. “Lady Catherine, we shall discuss this in my study.”

She look at him in astonishment. “I am having my tea now. Umh, surprisingly good tea, actually! Where did you procure it? I have been traveling from Kent for nearly three days, without pause. I am tired and I want answers. Simply tell me, once and for all, that it is not true.”

“It is quite true. Miss Elizabeth Bennet and I are engaged, and we shall be married in Longbourn, her father's estate in Hertfordshire, in two weeks. I intend to send out the invitation to you shortly.”

His aunt stiffened. “Engaged!” Her fingers tightened, and Mr. Darcy wondered whether the tea cup might shatter in her grip. “What nonsense is this? You are engaged to Anne!” Lady Catherine exclaimed.

“Engaged?” Caroline echoed. “Mr. Darcy, you cannot marry Miss Eliza. You simply cannot!”

“So soon!” Georgiana cried. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I am so happy for you and Miss Elizabeth!” His sister sounded jubilant.

Mr. Gardiner was the only who remained silent.

“Silence, Georgiana!” his aunt thundered. “How can you congratulate your brother on such a match? This is not to be borne! The woman has no fortune and no connections. Besides, your brother is engaged to Anne. It was always the fondest wish of your mother. How can he defy the hope of his own mother? How can he ally himself with a woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world?”

Eyeing the assembled women sternly, Darcy asserted himself. “Miss Bingley, pray mind your language. I allow no one to slander my fiancée. Aunt, pray do not speak to Georgiana in such a manner. I am sorry to contradict you, Aunt, but I never once heard my mother speak about Anne and I marrying. I have only ever thought of Anne as my cousin. I would never offer for her, for I firmly believe that our temperaments would not suit. I am in no need of Miss Elizabeth’s fortune or connections. I am a gentleman and she is a gentleman’s daughter. In that sense, we are quite equal.”

“But who is her mother? Who are her uncles and aunts? They are merely lawyers or merchants of trade! How can you bear to link yourself with that sort of people?”

Mr. Gardiner finally spoke. “Lady Catherine, I am Elizabeth’s uncle – the one who is in trade,” he added wryly. “Perhaps you will not wish to continue to drinking tea, for I am responsible for its import from Ceylon. After all, you were quite clear that you do not wish to be linked with us in any way.”

Lady Catherine, who had indeed been sipping the tea, nearly had it burst out from her nose. “What?” she croaked, coughing. “Fitzwilliam, how can you allow a merchant to grace your table?”

“Aunt, if you are so strict with your associations, I must ask Miss Bingley to leave the room as well, for her family’s fortune was also from trade.”

Miss Bingley’s face turned bright red on hearing Darcy’s remarks. Lady Catherine sent her a condescending glance and continued, “No wonder she dresses in so vulgar a display of fortune, with such presumed elegance. Mark my words, Fitzwilliam! This merchant woman is after your wealth and position too.”

“Thank for your concern, Aunt. I consider myself to be a decent student of character, able to recognise those who are genuine in their regard for my well-being.”

“Mr. Darcy, I am only looking out for your best interests. Have you forgotten that Miss Eliza was amorously involved with one of those red-coat soldiers?” Miss Bingley demanded shrilly.

“Miss Bingley, pray do not speak regarding matters about which you know nothing. Miss Elizabeth’s heart was utterly untouched, except by me. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, you have best prepare for departure. Your carriage is repaired.”

“I do not care to leave just yet,” Miss Bingley said smugly. “Not until I have witnessed her downfall. You will know soon enough that your so-called fiancée is no better than a harlot…”

“What a very provocative statement, Miss Bingley. Did you also hear the alarming report that someone has been trying to harm her? She began to feel unwell, last night when we were chatting together. I am happy to reassure you all that I enjoyed looking after her throughout the night, as a fiancée should – under the chaperonage of Mrs. Gardiner, of course. Miss Elizabeth had quite recovered by this morning, and I have sent Mrs. Reynolds to search for the culprits and the evidence of their misdeed. Anyone who has tried to harm her will, naturally, have to answer to me."