Christmas at Pemberley Read online

  Christmas At Pemberley

  A Pride & Prejudice Variation

  Abbey North

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Blurb

  It’s Christmastime at Pemberley, and Lizzy is nervous to be hosting her first event. Her family is coming, and so is Lady de Bourgh. An unexpected and unwelcome guest also arrives. How can Wickham have the courage to show his face at Pemberley? Even worse, what is he doing to make poor Lydia so miserable? Lizzy and Fitzwilliam must unravel the details and deal with machinations that threaten their first Christmas together while helping to find Lydia a second chance to move past her marriage mistake and be happy.

  Join the Darcys, Bennets, and Bingleys for Christmas at Pemberley. This is a story intended for adults and contains love scenes between the married couple.

  Chapter One

  “Lizzy, do stop fussing,” said Fitzwilliam.

  She immediately stopped smoothing the doilies. “I am just so nervous.”

  He smiled at her, and it was a sight that still sent a jolt through her chest. “I do understand, dear wife, but your family visiting Pemberley is hardly cause for panic.”

  She laughed, though there was a strained edged. “My dear husband, this is our first Christmas at Pemberley, and my first time as hostess. Of course, I am nervous.” Lizzy did not mention that Lady de Bourgh’s presence did nothing to calm her nerves.

  Fitzwilliam had set her straight on his priorities before their marriage, but Lizzy did not believe she intended to happily accept their union. She had arrived earlier in the day and immediately took to her room with a headache. Lizzy suspected it was to avoid her.

  Fitzwilliam came to stand behind her, putting his arms around his wife and pulling her back against him. They were presently alone in the salon, awaiting the arrival of the carriages from Longbourn, so there was no need to scold him for impropriety. She did not wish to do so anyway. Having discovered earthily passions with Fitzwilliam, it was most difficult not to succumb to the temptation he offered.

  The sounds of carriages with horses interrupted his leisurely exploration of the column of her throat with his lips. With a sigh of regret, she stepped away as he loosened his hold. She composed herself then yelped at a sharp pain in her bum. “Fitzwilliam, what are you doing?”

  He grinned without repentance. “Pinching you. I eagerly anticipate tonight, Lizzy.”

  She blushed. They had been married for months, but just thinking about the intimacies in their bedchamber still caused her to feel flustered. “Honestly, Fitzwilliam.”

  With a swat on her bum, he took her hand, and they waited for the butler to open the door. The Bennet family poured in a short moment later. Dear Papa was first through the doorway, and she rushed to give him a kiss on the cheek before turning to do the same to Mother. She looked peaked, and Lizzy held her at a distance to look at her. “Are you ill, Mother?”

  “Just a spot of bother, really. A section of the road was quite rough, and the company…” She trailed off with a baleful look that caused Lizzy concern. “Let us just say I already had a sour stomach.”

  Before she could ask what her mother meant, Kitty and Mary came into the room, and she greeted them as well. Jane and Mr. Bingley would come later today or tomorrow, unless Jane was too unwell from pregnancy to make the trip. They had not received a messenger passing their regrets, so Lizzy assumed they still planned to come for this first Christmas at Pemberley.

  After hugging her sisters, she looked around for Lydia. “Wherever is Lydia? Mother said she had agreed to join us.”

  Mary wore a fierce frown. “Oh, she has, and she has brought a most unwelcome—” She broke off suddenly as Lydia entered the room.

  Her flighty sister was not alone. As bold as you pleased, Wickham had his arm threaded through Lydia’s. Lizzy regretfully accepted she was married to the wretch, but she had expected him to decline the invitation for propriety’s sake. It was no secret Fitzwilliam could barely stand to look at Wickham, and the low esteem was mutual, though Lizzy felt it unwarranted on Wickham’s part. Fitzwilliam was not the disreputable rake.

  Wickham acted as though he had been welcomed at Pemberley without interruption. “Hello, Darcy and Mrs. Darcy. The place looks splendid. It is much as I remember it from happier times.”

  Fitzwilliam stiffened beside her, and she discreetly squeezed his hand. “How is it you have graced us with your presence, Mr. Wickham? Mother believed you had alternate plans.” She tried to be polite but suspected he saw her unwelcoming attitude, because his mouth pursed.

  His tone remained cheerful and ostensibly oblivious to any tension though. “My plans changed, and I could not resist the chance to renew old acquaintances.”

  “Right.” Fitzwilliam sounded brisk when he stepped forward, partially shielding Lizzy with his body. Perhaps he thought Wickham was eyeing her inappropriately. She quite agreed.

  “Staff will ensure everyone is settled, and we shall have dinner at nine p.m. if that suits all?” Fitzwilliam looked around and received no dissent. “Welcome to Pemberley. As Lizzy’s family, you are mine as well.” He looked pained to say that as his gaze skipped over Wickham.

  Once the staff appeared to lead her family upstairs, she collapsed into Fitzwilliam’s arms. “I apologize. I was not informed he would be along.”

  “I understood that to be the case.” He put his arms around her. “Do not fret. It is only for a few days.”

  “Long days ahead, I fear.” With a sigh, she moved to sit on the chaise. “I was so looking forward to having my family here.”

  Fitzwilliam sat beside her, taking her hand with earnestness. “Do not allow that contemptible wastrel to disrupt your happiness in your family and the holidays, dear Elizabeth.”

  She managed a ghost of a smile. “I shall endeavor not to.”

  A mischievous smile crossed his lips. “Do you suppose a nap would improve your disposition?”

  She frowned. “A nap? It is far too early.”

  Fitzwilliam’s mischievousness deepened as he caressed her thigh. “You would not be napping alone, dear wife.”

  “Oh.” As she took his meaning, her cheeks flushed with heat, and she shielded her eyes with her eyelashes. “I should think a nap would be good for one’s constitution under those circumstances.”

  He chuckled. “I should think so as well.” He stood up, holding out his hand for her to take. “Shall we?”

  She accepted the extended hand and stood up, smoothing the crinoline of her half-dress before following him from the salon and up the winding stairs to their suite. Her stomach clenched with the familiar excitement as he led her inside and closed the door behind them. She heard the bolt latch but didn’t glance that direction.

  When Fitzwilliam came to stand in front of her, she met his gaze. Heat slicked her core, and she licked her lips as she appraised her husband. “I love you,” she said, enjoying the feeling of the words on her tongue, and the look of joy on his face. “I am most pleased to be your wife, and I should like to please you, if you want me to?”

  He nodded and crushed her body against his. “Of course, I want you to,” he said into her hair. “I love you.”

  Her hands slid from his face to his cravat. She undid the complicated knot in moments, having gained much practice during the past few months. Then she stripped off his jacket before turning her attention to his waistcoat. Lizzy undid the buttons slowly, ensuring his teeth were clenched as she stroked the expanse of his chest through the fine shirt. She flicked open two more buttons before Fitzwilliam’s hand stopped her. She looked up at him.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making love to you,” she whispered. She felt shy, but eager. Lizzy had not yet felt so bold, but she had been contemplating just this scenario for many days of late.

  He hesitated, appearing to be on the verge of wresting control.

  “Please,” she whispered. Lizzy stood on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his. She smiled when he relaxed, and his hand fall away. She continued to unbutton the waistcoat until it hung open.

  With some small assistance, she pushed it off his arms and to the floor. He stiffened when she reached for the hem of his shirt but did not deter her as she pulled it free from his breeches to strip over his head. That also required his assistance, since Fitzwilliam was considerably taller than she was.

  When he stood naked from the waist up, Lizzy buried her face against his neck. She had to stand on her tiptoes to nip the bend of his neck, which was a position she couldn’t maintain for long, so she took advantage of the moment.

  He groaned when she sucked on his neck. She giggled and slid her tongue down his neck, across his chest, to one of his nipples. Even through the layers of petticoats and gown, she could feel his erection jerk when she flicked her tongue across the peak.

  “Lizzy.” His voice was a cross between a growl and purr.

  She lifted her head, striving to sound innocent. “Yes?”

  “You are wearing too many clothes.”

  She didn’t protest when he spun her around to unfasten the dress. She didn’t bother to ask him to hang it up when he stripped it off her. Lizzy could sense his impatience, which reflected hers. He cursed softly when her chemise failed to yield easily to his attempts to
remove it. She gasped with surprise at the sound of tearing fabric a moment later. “Fitzwilliam, that was a costly garment.”

  “I shall buy you ten to replace it, love.” He paused to kiss her on the shoulder before pulling off the remnants of the attire. “If they all prove so stubborn to remove, I shall forever be replacing them.”

  Lizzy couldn’t hold back a giggle. “You have become quite savage, Mr. Darcy. You are not at all the proper and proud man with whom I became acquainted at that infamous ball.”

  “You bring out the animal in me, love. I am still proud, but I am also desperate to be inside your quim.”

  His words sent a new wave of heat through her, and she turned to face him as she stripped off her petticoats. She still wore socks and garters but didn’t bother removing them. Her hands trembled as she opened the fall of his pants. His hands covered hers for a moment, and she looked up uncertainly. “Have I erred, Fitzwilliam?”

  He seemed to be in pain and sighed before responding. “Not at all, my love. I am just tense with…anticipation. I need a moment to regain my control. I have never experienced a woman making love to me before. The excitement and novelty threatens to undo me.”

  She could infer he meant he feared finishing early, so she stepped back and waited for Fitzwilliam to remove his own breeches. When they joined the rest of his clothing on the floor, she returned to stand near him. “Are you ready now, sir?”

  Fitzwilliam pulled her close and buried his face in the hollow between her breasts to inhale. His deep groan vibrated through her chest. “I love your scent. You do not know how many times I dreamed of doing this after you rejected my proposal the first time, and I had much time alone to think.”

  She trembled when he moved his mouth to kiss one of her breasts. Fitzwilliam flicked his tongue across her nipple, and when he bit her lightly, she moaned. It felt so good to have his mouth on her. She was eager to touch him, and she put her hands on his shoulders. His other hand moved down her flank before steering her toward their bed.

  She bent her knees to absorb the impact of colliding with the mattress as he caressed her bare thigh. He slid his hand higher up her leg, and she drew in a ragged breath. He continued to kiss her as his hands roamed, and she realized she was no longer in control. That didn’t matter.

  Lizzy wriggled against his hands and mouth while running her hands through his hair, across his face, and over his back. She cupped his buttocks when he lifted her off the bed enough to reposition her so he could join her.

  When he laid atop her, she wrapped her legs around him and tilted her hips. He didn’t ignore the invitation. She groaned when his thumb slid along the edge of her seam, caressing her swollen folds.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her breasts to his chest, urging him to penetrate her. The soft hairs rubbed against her nipples, making her shift restlessly.

  “I desire this to last all night,” he said against her ear before he kissed her neck.

  “That would not be proper with guests,” she said, panting. “I want you now, Fitzwilliam, and I care not about a lingering experience.” She was gasping for breath.

  He pushed damp hair off her face. “Are you all right?” His expression was full of tender concern.

  She bit her lip and nodded. “I am as eager as you.”

  Fitzwilliam lifted her hips and positioned himself more snugly between her spread thighs as he tested her readiness. He found her slick and waiting. She watched with coiled excitement as he gathered her in his arms and looked down at her. She couldn’t wait another minute to feel him inside of her.

  When he paused before taking her, waiting for her confirmation, she nodded without qualms. She arched her hips and took him inside with one smooth thrust, smiling when she heard him gasp. As always, he felt too big for a moment before her body adjusted, which caused her to gasp.

  He didn’t move. “Are you in pain?”

  She shook her head, incapable of speech. For an answer, she thrust against him again, and then once more, until he picked up on her rhythm and took over. Lizzy tilted her head back and dug her heels into the mattress as he continued to thrust into her. With their pace matching, she quickly approached the peak.

  Moments later, as he stroked the nub hidden in her quim, a climax washed over her in shattering waves. He followed in seconds, and they clung to each other.

  Slowly, she became aware of her surroundings again. Her breathing returned to normal, but her heart continued to pound in time with his for several minutes. She pressed her ear against his chest, listening as his heart rate slowed gradually. They didn’t speak for several long minutes.

  He finally withdrew from her and rolled over onto his side, cuddling her against his chest. “How was it?”

  She smiled and snuggled closer. There were no words to tell him how incredible it had been, but she knew he needed to hear something. “When can we do it again?”

  Fitzwilliam laughed and kissed the top of her head. “Give me a few minutes, and I shall endeavor to satisfy you again, bawdy chit.”

  She giggled as she snuggled closer. They would soon have to leave the sanctuary of their bedchamber, but she needed this time to center herself and bask in having Fitzwilliam’s arms around her. He was all hers, and she still struggled to believe that at times. Having him hold her like this was a tangible reminder that she had captured Fitzwilliam’s heart and had no intention of relinquishing her claim on it or him.

  Chapter Two

  Dinner was an awkward affair. Lady Catherine had deigned to make an appearance, but her wrinkled nose and cold disdain could give anyone indigestion. If some hardy soul managed to handle her bitter expression without stomach issues, having Wickham at the table would certainly push one to a sour stomach and lack of appetite.

  Mary and Kitty talked with Georgiana, all appearing quite oblivious to the silent drama playing out at the dinner table. Fitzwilliam and Wickham took turns glaring at each other as Catherine sniffed every few moments, especially when she was offered a new dish.

  Lizzy gritted her teeth when Catherine waved away a platter. “I could not possibly eat that. The standards have certainly slipped at Pemberley.”

  Of course they had, because Lizzy was now the lady of the manor, so the household fell under her purview. She could disabuse Catherine of the insult by telling her the staff had everything well in hand and required only input for menus and daily activities, but she didn’t bother. Catherine was determined to find fault, so she might as well let her.

  “I find it lovely. Lydia has yet to find a decent cook, so she often attempts it herself. My wife is not talented in the kitchen.”

  Lizzy scowled when Lydia flinched. She struggled to sound polite when she said, “What is the trouble with finding staff? My husband certainly ensured Lydia has ample funds to afford a suitable cook.” She would guess Wickham harried any woman in his employment, quickly driving them away.

  Wickham frowned, looking annoyed at the reminder for a moment that his good fortune was only at Fitzwilliam’s good will and prompted only by his underhanded tactic of trying to ruin Lydia. “I do not know. I simply realize Lydia is ill-equipped to run a household to any standards.”

  “How dare you?” snapped Fanny Bennet. “I have taught my daughters all they need to know to run an estate.”

  Wickham dabbed at his lips with a napkin before looking at the older woman. “Perhaps that is true of a place like Hertfordshire, but she is hardly prepared to run a London household.”

  “Perhaps you should allow her to return to live in Meryton near Longbourn,” said Lizzy in a cold voice. “She would be much happier there.”

  Wickham frowned. “I should not enjoy that level of rustication, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “You are not required to live with her,” said Mary. “You have fulfilled—”

  “Enough,” said Darcy in a firm tone. He gave Wickham a warning look. “We shall discuss matters later.”