Chapter 8- Easy Intimacies

Upon reaching her chamber, Elizabeth was met with the happy appearance of her nightgown. Her faithful maid had anticipated her desire and also laid out all she would need to complete her toilette before retiring. She sighed with pleasure.

"Thank you Sarah. I believe I can see to myself tonight." A small bob and she was left alone.

Lizzie felt no remorse leaving her husband to their company, especially as their visitors were Jane and Bingley. Her sister and brother-in-law were so obliging and kind there could surely be no offence.

Her gown was one easily removed without assistance as it was simple in design and the only sound in the candlelit room for several moments was the soft rustle of fabric. Gloves and slippers were idly abandoned as she seated herself at the dressing table. She had just begun to remove her few hair ornaments when there was a gentle knock at the door. "Yes?"

The welcome figure of Fitzwilliam entered, the light of a single candle flickering in his hand.

"Your sister and Bingley have also retired for the evening."

"I hope they were not displeased with my leaving early," she replied as she took off her earrings. He left the candle at their bed and approached her.

"Not at all. I think you know that if they'd not had the inclination, I would have shortly made my own excuses and joined you."

She graced his reflected image with a smile before turning. "Certainly. And if you had not been prompt, I would have schemed up some way of having you brought to me, despite the impression it might have given our guests. "

He offered his own smile before silencing her with a kiss. "I know enough of your frankness to believe you capable of it."

They both laughed softly, briefly falling into happy recollections of the past.

Darcy moved to unclasp her necklace and Elizabeth brought up the loose portions of her hair to accommodate him. The chain loosened, she let them fall again.

"I am glad you sent away Sarah," he stated. Her eyes closed as she felt his fingers move upward. "I was hoping to have this pleasure tonight."

He had done so all during their honeymoon, sending the maid on another errand so he could unpin and brush her hair. Once the surprise of him wanting to do so had settled, she found she enjoyed the intimacy of it. Sarah, of course, always performed the task with efficiency and gentleness but it was a vastly different experience with her husband.

Pins clinked into the glass much more slowly. Strands were unwound deliberately. Free of all structure, she felt her hair fall about her shoulders.

The brush seemed to glide through the loosened mass and she gave herself over completely to the ministrations of Fitzwilliam.

How long he brushed she could not say but when she returned to herself, a braid secured with ribbon hung at her back and Darcy was kneeling at her side. "My beautiful wife."

Their lips met again and when he offered his palm, she accepted and rose. "Your skill with a brush never fails to amaze me sir."

"I hope I never cease to amaze you my dearest Elizabeth."

And she extinguished the candle.