Pride & Prejudice & Passion: Jane Austen for the Adult Reader

Chapter One-2

“Should you care to come over to the bed, miss?”

In a trance, seemingly unable to make any decision for herself, Elizabeth walked to the bed and lay naked upon it. Nell sat beside her and began again to stroke her, this time her hand smoothing Elizabeth’s bare belly, her thighs, and then pushing between them. A flush of desire spread through Elizabeth’s loins. Shamelessly, she opened her legs to facilitate more caresses. Nell got on her knees and bent her head low, to kiss Elizabeth’s thighs and belly, and to nuzzle between her legs. Elizabeth spread them wider still and Nell buried her face there, her mouth kissing Elizabeth full upon her s*x, then sucking the lips of Elizabeth’s cunt before sliding her tongue between them. Elizabeth moaned with pleasure. It was evident that Nell was well-practised in such acts. Her tongue went unerringly to Elizabeth’s clit, circling it slowly, seeking to find those touches which gave the most delight. At the same time her hand strayed upward and once again took possession of a breast, this time pinching the n****e hard, so much so that Elizabeth moaned softly. With her own hand she stroked Nell’s hair, occasionally venturing to guide her head to the position best suited to the form of caress she most desired. Nell quickly learned exactly how to perform with perfection, and in no time at all Elizabeth found her breath coming short, the muscles in her belly tensing, her hips straining upwards and an almost unbearable orgasm sweeping over her. When it had subsided she stroked Nell’s hair again.

“A girl with hidden talents,” she said with a smile.

“I would have offered sooner, miss, but I was afraid you did not care for such things.”

“I was not sure if I did. But now there can be no doubt.”

Since that time there had been frequent love-making between the two girls. They had to be careful; though there was a lock on Elizabeth’s door, it was not generally used. Her sisters were in the habit of intruding uninvited into her room, nor was her mother an infrequent visitor. But Elizabeth was prudent. Her determination to enjoy as many s****l pleasures as were available to her, her lack of shame and abhorrence of hypocrisy, did not blind her to the fact that most of her family and acquaintances, to say nothing of the outside world, would have been profoundly shocked had they known anything of the secret life she led.

Of course it was not entirely secret, since Jane was fully apprised of Elizabeth’s actions and her other sisters had some inkling that she held to no conventional beliefs where s*x was concerned. Elizabeth also had some friends to whom she divulged her secrets, and one or two who practised much the same activities as she herself. And of course the men with whom she shared her person knew at least that part of her s****l life which involved them, though they were all enjoined to secrecy, on pain of having her favours withdrawn. Elizabeth had a dislike of being the subject of gossip, and she cared not at all for the idea of her lovers exchanging notes on her performance.

Since her first encounter with Nell things had progressed considerably. It had soon become apparent that, in a reversal of their roles in society, Nell was the one who held dominance in bed. Elizabeth had been surprised by how ready she had been to concede to Nell’s initiatives. It seemed that within the carefully circumscribed confines of their relationship, Elizabeth was able to give free rein to impulses which she would never have acknowledged in encounters with men. With them, she was always in control; she insisted on it, and those men who could not acquiesce soon found that their services were dispensed with. Whereas with Nell, Elizabeth was able to surrender, allowing the other girl to do with her much as she pleased, and taking great pleasure from it. It was rare in their love-making that Elizabeth was the active one. Sometimes she felt a little guilty at all the pleasure she imbibed from Nell’s skilled hands and mouth and would attempt to give pleasure in return. But usually Nell would permit only a few of Elizabeth’s caresses before rolling her onto her back and taking her once again, making her employer groan and moan in ecstasy as she drew yet another orgasm from her. Generally after such excesses, Nell would pleasure herself, lying alongside Elizabeth, whom she permitted to caress her breasts while Nell busied herself with her own hand between her legs.

And so, since there was now close intimacy between the two girls, despite their differences of rank, Elizabeth usually felt some degree of desire when Nell came to undress her. This particular evening, her earlier conversation with Jane was weighing on her mind. She thought that some distraction and alleviation of tension would help her sleep, besides being agreeable in itself. Accordingly, when she was naked, she stood up and took Nell’s hand. “Come pleasure me with that pretty mouth, Nell,” she said, leading her to the bed.

There for the moment we must leave Miss Bennet and any further description of her relationship with her maid. Suffice it to say that Nell’s ministrations produced in Elizabeth a calmness in the mind and a repose in the body which was conducive to sleep. As she fell into the doze that is the frequent consequence of a satisfying orgasm, Elizabeth not only felt her anxieties about Mr Bingham slipping away, but even derived some confidence from the perception that with Nell she was able to relax the need for dominance that so often affected her sexually. Perhaps she might be able to carry a little of that into her forthcoming encounter with Bingham, aping her sister’s customary compliance in s****l matters and encouraging his forthrightness. She had the sense to realise that her usual attitude towards men would not be likely to produce in Bingham the behaviour she wished for.

The next morning Jane was invited to Mr Bingley’s seat, Netherfield Park. Elizabeth arranged to accompany her. There they found not only Bingley, but his sister Caroline, a handsome woman of a rather haughty demeanour whom Elizabeth did not warm to. After taking tea, Elizabeth contrived to separate Bingley from his sister by asking if he would be good enough to show her the view from the back of the house, which she had heard was equally as splendid as that from the front. Once he was alone with her, Bingley lost no time in raising the issue which she had come to discuss.

“So, Miss Bennet, how do you find yourself?”

“Tolerably well, Mr Bingley. It is good of you to enquire.”

“I think you know that I have had occasion to discuss you with your sister.”

“Indeed?” said Elizabeth.

Bingley looked awkward. “Am I mistaken? Have you not come to an agreement concerning me?”

“Jane has asked for my advice concerning her engagement, it is true.”

“I hope that she is happy? There is no impediment?”

“None that I know of,” Elizabeth replied. “Only that I think there may be room for some adjustments.”

“Adjustments?”

“It is rare,” said Elizabeth, in her most pedagogical manner, “that two people are perfectly suited in every way. Do you not think that a happy marriage is one in which there has been some adaptation?”

“Well,” said Bingley, still looking uncomfortable, “I allow that perfection is rarely to be found in human affairs.”

“How true. And it is my observation that this is nowhere more true that in matters pertaining to the bedroom.”

“The bedroom? Does dear Jane complain of inadequacies there?”

“Inadequacies? Certainly not. But you will have noted that Jane is in such matters shy, diffident.”

“I think that is proper in a young woman.”

“Be that as it may, Mr Bingley, it means that she finds it difficult to discuss such matters with you. And that is why she has enlisted my help.”

“I see. And what is it that you wish to convey?” Bingley’s manner was guarded, even a little hurt, as is common whenever a gentleman’s s****l performance is in question. Elizabeth began to see that the matter might not be as simple as she supposed. Nevertheless she resolved, as always, to speak her mind.

“Mr Bingley, you should not confuse Jane’s modesty with reluctance. I think it is to your credit that you defer to her feelings, but I think you are inclined to mistake them.”

“Mistake them?”

“Jane may appear to you to sometimes shrink from your embraces. Take it from me, this is not because they are unwelcome. She is a girl who needs her man to be manly, forthright, firm and determined. Not to put too fine a point upon it, she needs to be conquered, overcome. Her resistance is instinctive. But as I say, it is not to be interpreted as reluctance. You must not take no for an answer.”

“I see,” said Bingley pensively. “Then I must consider how to proceed.”

“This is where I come in, I believe,” said Elizabeth. “Should you like me to show you how the thing might be approached? I mean, show you in a practical manner?”

“You wish to make me a demonstration? Of how a man ought to behave towards his fiancée?” There was an edge to his voice which Elizabeth ought to have seen as a warning.

“Jane wishes me to do anything with you that may make clear her feelings. She has given me carte blanche, and I believe she has said to you that she would welcome your participation in any acts that conduct towards the ultimate goal, that of bettering understanding between the two of you. She also wishes you to understand that she does not regard marriage as a straitjacket. She is content to allow you such liberty as is consistent with your duties as a husband, which amount to putting her happiness and welfare above all else.”

“Naturally that is my position. I would not for the world risk her happiness, nor mine.”

“Then how should we proceed? Discretion is paramount. There must be no hint of scandal.”

Bingley thought for a moment. He seemed undecided but then his expression changed to one of resolve. “There is on the far side of the lake a small summer-house. You can see it from here.”

Elizabeth looked across the lake. She saw a small wooden building surrounded by a white picket fence enclosing a garden filled with flowers. It looked a charming spot. “Yes, I see,” she said.

“I go there sometimes of an afternoon to read. The place is kept locked and I have the only key. No one else visits.”

“That sounds perfect,” said Elizabeth. It crossed her mind to wonder how many other ladies Mr Bingley had invited into his summer-house.

“Shall we meet there at noon tomorrow? You may approach through the woods and so will not be seen.”

“Very well.” Elizabeth bowed slightly, and moved away, back to her companions. Jane looked at her with a blush, knowing full well what had been discussed.