In the Arms of Mr. Darcy Read Online Free PDF

mouth to hers for a lingering kiss, lasting until Alexander decided he was replete.
    "Come to your father, sweet boy. Behave, as I do not have a cloth handy. Samuel likes you well enough, but not if you soil another garment. That's my good little man, what a strong burp you have! Yes you do, my precious. Give your papa a kiss. Hmm... delicious milk, so sweet. No wonder you like it so much. Perhaps soon your father can taste your mother's milk..."
    "William!" Lizzy laughed nervously and sharply slapped his knee. "Do not corrupt his innocent ears."
    "He has no idea what I am saying, but I do apologize and will attempt to refrain from verbalizing my desires in his presence. Look, he is falling asleep already, not at all perturbed or shocked. I could even express how urgently I wish to make love to you and he would not flinch. See?"
    "Please, William, stop. You are embarrassing me."
    Darcy peered closely at his wife's rosy cheeks and frowned faintly. "Forgive me, love. I was only jesting. Well, not entirely you understand, but I did not mean to make you uncomfortable."
    Lizzy shook her head, dropping to rest on Darcy's shoulder, her face hidden from view. Silence fell, Darcy snuggling Alexander while his mind raced. That Darcy desired his wife was a given, and he had assumed she felt the same way, both patiently waiting until her body was restored. Now he was not so certain how she felt and the doubt rocked him. Naturally they had avoided undue intimate contact; Darcy out of respect for her health and Lizzy, he thought, out of respect for his unremitting amorousness. Despite his yearning, he was quite content to wait. He wanted to wait for her, dreamt of it incessantly, imagining how blissful it would be when they finally renewed their intimate marital relationship. Did she not dream of the same? Or was it merely speaking of it in front of the baby?
    "I will lay him down," he said softly, kissing the top of her head. "Stay here, beloved."
    When he returned Lizzy was lying partially propped on several pillows, smiling warmly, and opening her arms to him. Instantly he experienced a rush of relief, nestling close and drawing her against his strongly beating heart.
    She squeezed him tightly, voice choking and tremulous. "I am sorry if I distressed you. I guess I am still a bit out of sorts. So many changes these past weeks, with adjustments to my body so suddenly and profoundly. And then all the visitors. I am so happy to have them all here, but it is tiring." She paused, resuming with a soft sob. "Mostly I want to be with you, truly and completely be with you, and I cannot. I am sorry."
    "Elizabeth, hush. You do not need to explain, as I already understand. Just kiss me and tell me you love me." He cupped her dear face, pulling her upward so they could drink the other in.
    "I love you, Fitzwilliam, with all my soul."
    He smiled, whispering just before claiming her mouth thoroughly in a kiss that would leave them both breathless and desperately wanting more, "That is all I ever need to know. I love you, Mrs. Darcy."
    ***
    Lizzy spent the next three days in the frustration of believing she would never manage to corner George alone. When it happened it was quite by accident. She entered the conservatory to pick flowers for Darcy's dressing room and discovered the usually sociable man alone, stretched on a lounge chair under a ripening orange tree with a book in his hands.
    Biting her lip, suddenly shy after seeking his undivided attention, she hesitated before slowly approaching.
    "Dr. Darcy."
    Brows rising instantly, he replied, "Yes, Mrs. Darcy?"
    Lizzy cleared her throat, glancing away from his unsettling and penetrating eyes. "I wished for your advice... medical advice, that is, on a matter of... some delicacy... and... well, a personal question if you take my meaning?" She was flushed nearly scarlet, with her eyes downcast.
    "Have a seat, Elizabeth. I honestly have no idea to what you refer, but I rather think after the events of