Of Riding and Morning Walks

It was a beautifully sunny winter morning, as beautiful and sunny as any winter morning could be.

Elizabeth had woken up longing for her early morning walks. She reached for her new husband and burrowed her cheek on his neck. Both being early risers, they had discussed the improvement in the weather and the possibility of venturing out of doors. It had been three days prior when snowfall had significantly lessened, and indeed, just yesterday when it had seemed to completely cease.

"Oh, William, I do long for the outdoors!" She placed a kiss on Darcy's jaw.

No further words were needed for Darcy to relent to his new wife's request. For aside from his inability to deny Elizabeth anything, he also missed riding.

Very soon, they were wrapped in their winter attire and engaged in their favorite assignations. Elizabeth walked the length of the park nearest to the house, keeping to the packed snow path the gardeners and stablehands worked on just the previous day. At first Darcy had kept her company and had ridden beside her. But on Elizabeth's insistence, Darcy had taken his steed to the longer paths prepared for the draft horses and cantered on.

Winter turned the grounds of Pemberley into a fairyland. The white blanket that covered everything gleamed and sparkled under the winter sun. When Elizabeth first saw Pemberley in the summer, it had been beautiful indeed, the perfect setting to her blossoming feelings for Darcy.

Now, to be here in winter as Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, was a truly overwhelming experience for her. As the seasons changed, so did her feelings. Her love was grander, brighter, it gleamed like the vibrant snow touched by sunlight.

And as she walked the grounds of Pemberley, the thought of herself belonging to this place evoked a variety of feelings within Elizabeth. Very glad was she that Darcy was there to be her partner, her companion, guide, teacher, in this new phase of her life. Her thoughts went back to her husband, she sighed. How she missed him already! Silently laughing at herself, she shook her head. I am a fool, indeed! she thought.

Deciding to go no further, Elizabeth walked back to the stables to see if Darcy had returned. Furthermore, she was starting to crave the warmth of a fire, no matter how much of the outdoors she loved, winter was never the ideal time for long walks.

Where there was no path prepared, Elizabeth tread carefully, thankful for her winter boots as snow crunched them. Nearing the stables, she was gratified to see Darcy in the distance heading back. She moved to the paddock where it seemed her husband was headed, and watched with pride as he rode effortlessly, masterfully. His form atop a horse truly was impressive.

"A good winter morning to you, Mistress." Mr. Jones, the Pemberley stablemaster, greeted Elizabeth with a tip of his hat.

Caught staring at Darcy, Elizabeth's cheeks which had turned pink from the cold, bloomed red. "Good morning to you as well, Mr. Jones." Elizabeth replied with an embarrassed smile to the elderly man.

"The Master has not ridden long today."

"He might have gone earlier but he was ever so kind to keep me company in my walk around the park."

They watched as Darcy's steed cantered its way to them, the stablemaster soon excused himself from Elizabeth in expectation of his master's arrival.

Elizabeth's eyes followed Darcy's form. How handsome he was, how beautifully built. Her eyes roamed her husband's person, she watched the way he moved, stirring in Elizabeth a desire only he could evoke. The surge of his hips as he rode reminded her of an entirely different activity where Darcy employed the same movements. Suddenly feeling overheated, her gloved hand slid up to her cheek and towards her ear. Visions of Darcy and of herself flashed through her mind, visions of night, of candles and of a mirror. The memory weakening her yet making her heart beat fast at the same time.

"Watch." Darcy had softly commanded.

Elizabeth looked around her, in the winter morning these thoughts should have seemed so foreign, yet she could not rid her mind of Darcy's passions, their passions. Her mind was filled of the things he did to her, indeed, of the things she did to him.

"Elizabeth." She nearly jumped. Darcy approached her smiling. "I trust you had a good walk?"

Elizabeth blinked, unable to speak for a moment, she nodded.

When his wife remained silent, Darcy looked at her curiously, his head tilting to the side. He moved closer to Elizabeth, until they stood almost only a breath apart.

"Are you alright, my love?" Darcy asked softly, concern in his eyes.

"Oh!" Elizabeth shook herself from her stupor. "Yes! Yes, I am very well, thank you."

Darcy frowned, he studied her face, seeing closely her heightened color. He cupped her cheek and through his gloves, he could feel her heated face.

"Lizzy you have a fever!" Urgently, Darcy turned her around, "We must get you inside, I shall call for the physician."

"William, no you musn't, I am fine." Elizabeth tried to resist, but her husband moved her on.

"Are you able to walk? I shall carry you." He bent to pick her up.

Elizabeth gasped at the effortless way he supported her, her hands went around his neck, she inhaled his scent. She bit her lips for she dearly wanted to run her mouth, her teeth, along Darcy's jaw. She breathed deeply, controlling her impulses.

"Fitzwilliam please stop! Let me down, I am perfectly able walk!"

Ignoring her pleas, Darcy carried her through the main door.

"I should have known better than to have you walking about in this cold, forgive me, Lizzy, I have not introduced you well to Derbyshire winters." Regret was ripe in Darcy's voice.

"William! Put me down, if you please!" Elizabeth repeated, but all to no avail as Darcy quickly crossed the hall and climbed the staircase with her in his arms. Embarrassed and aroused all at once, Elizabeth buried her face in his shoulder, unlike him, she was not yet completely oblivious to the servants, the footmen who stood at attention. What a sight I must make!

"You ought to have said that you were not well, Elizabeth." Darcy said softly, kissing her temple, his lips lingered then moved to the corner of her mouth.

Elizabeth felt the softness of his lips, felt the strength of his body as he carried her, the stirrings of desire now completely engulfing her. Her breaths became short and shallow, her chest rising. She pressed closer to him, her hands clutched around her husband's neck.

When they reached her chambers, Darcy slowly lowered her to the bed. His hand went to Elizabeth's forehead to check her temperature again. "Good God, Lizzy, you are burning."

Elizabeth sat up abruptly and pulled Darcy to her, she gripped the lapels of his greatcoat and urgently covered his mouth with hers, teeth tugging at his lips.

"Lock the door, William." She breathed. Boldly, Elizabeth took Darcy's hand and pressed it against her breast.

Darcy's eyes widened, confusion and surprise reflected in his countenance. His eyes raked over Elizabeth's flushed face, over the fast, shallow breaths that made her breast rise in his hand. Understanding dawned on him, and with it a sudden and intense arousal. Darcy threw his head back and laughed. Only his Elizabeth could make him feel these myriad of feelings all at once. Without warning, his mouth took his wife's in a deep, sensual kiss.

"The door, Fitzilliam!" Elizabeth muffled against his lips, her hands tangling in his hair.

Darcy broke from their embrace and kicked the door shut. Laughing, Elizabeth insisted he lock it as well.

When Darcy returned to her, Elizabeth was divesting her outerwear. Darcy knelt down to take off her boots and stockings. His hands slipped up her legs, loving the softness of her skin, he stopped only when he reached her thighs, Elizabeth shivered, not from the cold, for the fire had been kept burning.

Elizabeth pulled Darcy up then leaped at him, she pushed at his greatcoat. She could not restrain herself, she bit his chin. That cleft on Darcy's chin, it had always driven her to distraction. She traced it with her finger, then rose on her toes and followed the same line with her tongue.

Darcy sucked in a breath, his hands gripped her waist as Elizabeth led them. He groaned, thoroughly enjoying, thoroughly aroused.

Further emboldened by his reactions, Elizabeth nipped at his jaw, while continuously removing Darcy's garments. His neckcloth fell unheeded on the floor, to be followed only moments later by his waistcoat, Darcy bent down and made quick work of his footwear.

Elizabeth pushed Darcy back to a nearby chair. Sitting astride him, she kissed his neck, hot, wet kisses that burned his soul. She bared his chest, opening Darcy's shirt until his whole torso was revealed to her, tossing the shirt aside. Her hands explored, her nails scraped, her mouth seared his skin with kisses. Her need for Darcy, her love for him knew no bounds, she felt wonder, joy at these sensations.

Darcy felt the hunger in Elizabeth, feeding his excitement. But he could not last any longer, he had to take the reins. Only wearing his breeches now, he surged upward, grinding against her, earning him a moan of pleasure from Elizabeth. He ripped at her gown, buttons flew and Elizabeth gasped. He pulled her gown down, revealing only her chemise. Darcy's brows raised at this pleasant surprise.

"You are without your stays, Elizabeth." His hands cupped her breasts, eyes devouring her form.

"Beautiful, beautiful love." He murmured, enraptured at Elizabeth's sensual beauty.

Elizabeth answered in a panting voice, her eyes closed. "I had no need of them, my pelisse was very thick."

"Thank the heavens for that." Darcy murmured as his mouth suckled at her breast through the chemise.

Elizabeth moaned, she could not stand it any longer. She grasped at his face. "I need you now, William."

More than ready to accommodate his wife, Darcy saw the passion in her eyes, he ran his thumb across Elizabeth's bottom lip. He shifted her slightly and opened the fastenings of his breeches. When he entered her it was in one swift stroke, Elizabeth let out a breath of relief. They moved together, mouths joined as their centers were.

Darcy's hands kneaded his wife's bottom, making her move faster, deeper. A groan escaped him, she intoxicated him. He could forget the world when he was with Elizabeth, his love for her manifested in this physical sense, great and utterly profound. Darcy licked the crevice of her ear.

"Ride me, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth's hips pumped faster, moved as his hands directed. Very soon, she arched backward as a release so powerful raked through her body.

"William!" Darcy covered her mouth with his hand, slipped his thumb in her mouth, muffling her scream.

Elizabeth bit down on Darcy's thumb as she reached her apex, the sensation this created pushed Darcy over the brink as well. He gripped her hips and surged upwards, powerfully fusing them together. It was thunder they heard, lighting they saw, the earth moved.

Utterly spent, Darcy and Elizabeth embraced each other. Both trying to catch their breaths, trying to comprehend how such feelings could be in existence. Elizabeth fell into a light sleep, her head cradled on Darcy's shoulder. After a while it was a rumble of silent laughter that awoke her. Sleepily, she played with the smattering of hair on her husband's chest.

"What is so diverting, my love?"

Darcy chuckled. "I was ready to have the physician summoned."

Elizabeth smiled against his chest. "Yes, there was no stopping you."

"If I had known that early morning walks would produce such results..."

"Do not be insolent, husband." Elizabeth pinched him playfully. "It was your riding." She teased him with her eyes.

Intrigued, Darcy sat up, shifting them both with his movement. "My riding?"

"Yes, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth trailed her finger down his navel until Darcy caught it and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

"My riding?" Darcy repeated waiting for an explanation.

"Well, the movement of your hips when you ride is the same as..." Elizabeth fluttered her fingers by way of an answer, her cheeks turning pink.

"What have I created?" Darcy grinned. "Tell me wife, what other innocent activity of mine has you thinking of making love? Shall I be accosted while I am writing a letter? While I am walking perhaps?"

Elizabeth shot Darcy a look that had him laughing. "You are not that irresistible, sir."

"Really?" Darcy's eyes gleamed. "And what if I do this?" He moved forward, mouth and nose skimming over Elizabeth's neck, barely touching, he breathed on her skin.

Elizabeth's skin prickled, she bit her lip and did not answer.

"Still resistible, I see." Darcy was enjoying himself. "And if I do this?" He stood them both up, glancing to see if Elizabeth was watching, he went to the bed, sat on its edge and took his breeches off slowly. He suspected Elizabeth had a weakness for his legs, he had caught her, on quite a few occasions, staring at that part of him. He never thought of mentioning it to her, but now was as best a time as any to test his theory. Completely naked now and fighting back a smile, he feigned dropping the garment accidentally on the floor. Darcy knelt down to retrieve it. Moving slowly, he flexed the muscles of his legs, secretly peeking at his wife. Elizabeth stood transfixed, watching him. He very much hoped that he was affecting her, for this endeavor was surely waking his passions again. Darcy straightened, he put his breeches on the bed then walked back to Elizabeth.

"Well?" Darcy smiled charmingly.

"You are insufferable." Elizabeth flung herself at Darcy.

With a muffled laugh, Darcy carried his laughing wife to the bed. Here they agreed that once again, they venture in a completely different kind of exercise from riding or morning walks, and both agreed that it was the exercise of the best kind.