Darcy nodded. Elizabeth smiled wickedly and leaned in to trail her tongue along Darcy's ear.
“What are you thinking, wife?”
“Oh, I am thinking on the possibility that I may have to entertain Lord Bingley if his sister does not behave.”
“You would have your guest call me out to defend his sister's virtue? Are you that eager to be rid of me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Lord Charles is hardly a marksman, William. And I doubt he can lift a sword.”
“You underestimate him.”
“Fine.” She pouted for a moment. “If you did not love her, why did you bed her?”
“My sweet, I am not comfortable with this subject.”
“I want to know.”
“I am a man. We fucked when the need arose, and Caroline was willing and available.”
“Oh.” She chewed at the inside of her lip.
“I have never just fucked you. Every time was important to me because I love you.”
“I know. Come, let us go back to bed and save our concern for the morning.”
“Concern for my past lovers or Charles's visit?”
“Darling husband, past lovers are of no concern to me. They are in the past and as long as they remain there, I am content to let them be.” She smirked. “As long as you leave my past lovers there too.”
“That is not even remotely humorous,” he muttered as he followed her back to bed.
“Really? Then why am I laughing?”
She giggled as he rolled on top of her and proceeded to become especially serious.
* * *
The fortnight passed in a trice and soon enough, Elizabeth and William received Lord Charles and the Right Honourable Lady Caroline in the Great Hall. Elizabeth sat on her newly-arrived throne—a slightly smaller version of Darcy’s—and took in all the pomp and circumstance that accompanied the lord's arrival with interest. First, Lord Bingley’s steward was presented, then other minor members of his retinue. Finally, the lord and his sister appeared, with Lady Caroline appearing more beautiful than Elizabeth remembered.
One glance at the woman and anyone with eyes could tell Lady Caroline had made special preparations in order to see her former lover again. She still desired him and hoped her beauty would secure his interest. Her jet-coloured hair was mostly loose and tumbling down to her waist in thick curls, the sides pinned up with exquisite gold and emerald combs and her bottle green eyes glittered with resolve, but her lips were thecoup de grace. They were plump and blood red, subtly begging for one of William’s incredible kisses.
“Lord Charles Bingley and the Right Honourable Lady Caroline Bingley.”
The siblings stood before the dais; Lord Bingley bowed low as his sister delivered a perfect curtsey.
“Rise and welcome, Lord Bingley. Rise and welcome, Lady Caroline.” William stood and offered his hand to Bingley then kissed Caroline's. “Since we have last met, I have taken a wife. Allow me to present High Lady Elizabeth, Princess of Pemberley.”
“My allegiance, ma'am.” Bingley bowed.
Lady Caroline mimicked him with a quick, shallow curtsey, but her eyes were icy as Elizabeth offered salutations. The party quit the Great Hall and went into an antechamber where they took a light repast and chose to hold off the business aspect of the trip until the next day when they were not weary from travel. When the meal was finished, servants escorted the Bingleys to their rooms and Elizabeth pulled her husband aside.
“It needs to be said that the Right Honourable Lady Caroline still desires your company within her bed.”
“Surely not,” William said. He fiddled with his fork, obviously trying to ignore what they had both seen.
“You need to speak with her and assure her nothing of the sort will happen.”
“My sweet, you know I want no other but you.”