by Enid Wilson
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
It was the night of their engagement ball. When Mr. Darcy walked near the grand ballroom, he came upon a vision. It was Elizabeth! They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abruptly did she appear before him that he thought a goddess had come down to grace the earth.
His breath caught and his heart stopped beating for a moment. She was wearing a simple yet elegant white silk gown. He blinked several times, not believing what he saw. Did the dress look as though it was held together by shimmering ribbons adorning her shoulders and waist? Under the bright candles burning in the house, her body seemed to sparkle. He had never seen her wear white before. The colour brought out the pink blush on her skin and accentuated the deep red colour of the rubies on the garnet cross and the bracelet.
Her hair was piled on top of her head in an alluring fashion with some pink rose petals woven into it. Several unruly curls escaped the confines of the pins and framed her face and delicate neck. Darcy itched to roll those mischievous curls with his fingers and pull loose the ribbons to reveal her lush body.
But nothing could compare with her fine eyes which dazzled like diamonds. They widened on encountering his intense gaze.
“Fitzwilliam,” she whispered.
“Elizabeth,” he murmured hoarsely.
He walked towards her in a haze, slowly breathing in her fragrant scent and devouring the rosy colour of her body. He did not stop until he was inches from her. Her breathing quickened. Her bosom rose up and down in quick pace. With mouth open in a tempting curve, she raised her head to keep eye contact with him.
His muscles felt the closeness of her soft skin, as the air vibrated and transmitted the heat from her body to his.
“You look very handsome, sir,” she sighed.
He was lost for words for a second. Instead, lowering his head, slowly, he repeated “Elizabeth,” before touching his lips against hers.
She gasped.
He could feel her tremble. Her lips were moist and hot. Her quivering sent a wave of shocks through his body. He did not dare to deepen the kiss nor wrap his arms around her waist, for if he did, he would carry her out into the night and worship her beauty in the most intimate manner until eternity.
He simply continued to brush her lips, in this slow and light manner for some time. When he broke off to catch his breath, he felt he had already united with her, in spirit and mind, as one soul.
He looked at her with devotion. The blush on her face and body was heightened yet again. It almost rivalled the colour of the garnet cross. Unable to help himself, he raised his hand and traced his fingertips along the porcelain smooth skin outlined by the jewel. He swore he could feel the pulse of her blood and the beating of her heart through his skin.
His wits seemed to have deserted him. Once again whispering “My dearest Elizabeth,” he lowered his head further to worship the garnet cross which sat upon her cleavage.
She squirmed and moaned in a husky voice.
When his tongue tasted the sweet scent of her body, he was in heaven. Not able to think coherently, he bent down to pick her up in his arms. He wanted to go somewhere and he did not know where. But he walked on and found the stairs leading to the balcony on the second level of the grand ballroom. She seemed so overcome with emotion that she did not protest but rested her head on his shoulder.
Not two steps up the stairs, Darcy encountered a musician carrying a violin who looked at them with wide eyes. That finally woke him from his sensual cloud. With a scowl at the violinist, he slowly walked back down the steps and put Elizabeth down. Once she seemed to have found the use of her legs, he took her hand, placed it on the crook of his arms and led her to the front parlour, where their family would be assembling to greet the guests.
Elizabeth was silent for a few seconds. But once they had turned a corner, she chuckled.
Her infectious laughter spread to him and he grinned.
“What are you smiling at?” She arched her brow and glanced at him.
“Nothing.”
“There can be only two reasons for such a display of cheerfulness.”
“And are you going to enlighten me, madam?”
“Either you are happy that it was not my father who interrupted your impulsive act or you believe you look handsomer when you smile.”
Darcy threw back his head and laughed out loud. “I think the word impulsive better describes your character than mine. But I thank you for admitting that I look handsome.”
~end
The Dance Steps Before the Ball
Excerpt from Fire and Cross by Enid Wilson
© 2010. All rights reserved.
by Enid Wilson
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
One to watch out for...
by Enid Wilson
Release date: December 2010
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