Free Darcy Saga 01 Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan Page A

claimed her mouth, her body, her heart, and her soul.
    When they were blissfully spent, he rolled to the side, bringing her with him in a tight embrace. It was a while before either of them had sufficient lung capacity to speak. It was Darcy who broke the silence, "I am sorry, Elizabeth, if I was too rough, if I frightened you." He sounded so miserable and regretful. "I should not have allowed my petty jealousy to govern me. My passion for you overruled my senses."
    Elizabeth rose up to see his face and was pained by the sadness she saw where only happiness should reign. "William, look at me," she demanded, and he did. "If there is fault, it is mine for making such a poor jest. My tongue often rules over my reason, as you know." She moved closer, grasping his face in her hands firmly. "I love you beyond the words to express it. It frightens me how much I love you because my very existence is now inexorably bound to yours. I am not easy with these feelings of vulnerability. It is my nature to make light of serious matters or to tease when I am afraid. Forgive me for my thoughtlessness."
    He opened his mouth to reply but she stopped him with her fingers to his lips. "Know this," she continued, "You are everything to me. I have never loved another and I never will. I dream only of you and I desire only you. You have bewitched me, body and soul, Fitzwilliam Darcy. You are mine !" she finished fiercely and kissed him ravenously.
    When she eventually released him, he was breathless and flushed, lips ruddy and swollen. She smiled then, a smile of pure naughtiness, as she ran a finger along his jaw. "Besides," she said, "I rather liked what you did to me, if you could not tell. Rough is acceptable now and then."
    Darcy was at a momentary loss for words. Her declaration of love using the spontaneously uttered phrase from his successful proposal, followed by the intensity of her kiss, was a thrilling surprise and soothing balm to his fragile heart. He did not doubt the sincerity of her expressed love for him but was uncertain if its depth matched the all-consuming passion he held for her. Equally titillating was her obvious reciprocating ardor. He knew that Lizzy was passionate by nature; nonetheless, he had not allowed himself to automatically assume this would transfer to bedroom activities.
    While his mind was still whirling, Lizzy further proved her love and desire for her new husband by snuggling nearer and bestowing kisses to his chest, thus beginning a long interlude of mutual exploration and pleasure.
    Quite some time later, blissfully content in their sweet communion and satisfaction, Lizzy broke the silence first.
    "William, may I ask you a personal question?" she inquired faintly and with hesitation, not meeting his eyes.
    "Of course, beloved, you can ask anything of me. Have we not established this?"
    She did not reply hastily; instead, she toyed with the hairs on his chest and kept her face turned away. Darcy frowned, sensing her discomfiture and beginning to feel a rising concern. Just as he was about to force her to look at him, she spoke.
    "Before our wedding, when I told you about my fears and nightmares and you shared your past with me, you assured me you were... chaste as I was. I do not doubt your assertions. I know you would never deceive me, yet you..." She paused, not sure of the proper words to say or how to overcome her embarrassment to proceed.
    Darcy was flummoxed as to where she was leading. He had been truthful with her regarding his innocence and could not understand her thoughts, especially in light of how amazing the consummation of their union has been. Was she disappointed? Had he failed her in some way? He paled and the fears of inadequacy shoved aside before their marriage came crashing over him. He struggled to formulate a thought but then she resumed her inquiry.
    "Perhaps I am merely displaying my own innocence and... ignorance, William, but you seem to be... well, knowledgeable and confident,