Her Husband's Affection: A Pride & Prejudice Sensual Variation

Chapter 2

The dastardly cretin snuck away after dinner.

"Lizzy, are you quite well?" Georgiana inquired. "Your cheeks appear uncommonly flushed."

Elizabeth rose. "I have a letter to write. Pray excuse me." She would give him a piece of her mind. He had to return and face her. And when he did, he would know the strength of her ire.

***

They engaged in a game of cat and mouse for a week before she was able to corner him. Elizabeth had the measure of his movements now and rose very early in the morning, well before first light, to catch him as he made his way from his bedroom.

After William's birth, her husband had removed himself to a separate chamber out of consideration for her need to rest—and he being one who tossed and turned incessantly at night—in addition to the need for her body to heal from its ordeal. It was her fault, really. She had noticed for weeks that he was gone, by the time she emerged from the lingering exhaustion and all-consuming of new motherhood, her husband was firmly ensconced in his separate chamber. She had done nothing out of consideration for his rest due to her insistence she rise in the night whenever their son awoke. She refused to employ a wet-nurse, no matter how plebeian her preference might be considered.

"Elizabeth," he said, startled when his bedroom door creaked open and he stepped out with the air of someone attempting to move as quiet of a fashion as possible.

"Where do you ride this morning, husband?" she asked, voice pleasant. "Might we have the pleasure of your company for luncheon?"

"Ah," He started, "the matter is, Elizabeth—"

"I see." She turned away. "Well, since you will not be present, I see no reason why I should not accept my mother's invitation to stay a week or two at Longbourn. She does so long to see her grandson."

She heard the click of his heels as he snapped to attention. "What? You will do no such thing, Elizabeth. I require you here."

She faced him. "Oh? You require me here, but yet you have so many pressing engagements that I am relegated to—"

"Oh, do stop," He stared at her, irritated, then bowed. "Fine. I will join you for dinner."

"I requested you join me for luncheon."

"You are the most stubborn—"

"Longbourn it is, then." She smiled at him.

His mouth shut with an audible snap of teeth and he turned, striding down the hall in high dudgeon. Elizabeth sniffed. He had better not be late. Tonight they would have it out, or she would demonstrate to him the folly of ignoring Elizabeth Darcy.

***

Elizabeth was dressing for dinner when the door to her sitting room opened abruptly. The maid paused in her duties, startled, and curtsied as Mr. Darcy entered.

He came to a halt in the center of the room, hands clasped behind his back, expression aloof. "I would speak with you, Mrs. Darcy."

Her brow arched and she rose, smiling to dismiss the maid and waited until the girl closed the door behind her.

"How may I serve you, husband?"

His eyes narrowed, an expression she did not quite recognize flitting across his face. "Have you abandoned this foolish idea to visit Longbourn? You are only nine months out of childbed and far too fragile to travel."

She laughed at him. "Only nine months? My! Yes, it is far too soon for traveling, or walking, or even sitting up in bed to brush my hair."

He strode forward, jaw tight. "I dislike when you mock me, Elizabeth."