In Good Favor


Elizabeth had never seen the snow. Well, she had, but only in pictures, never the real snow. This was her first winter in Europe after six months of marriage. Since she moved to London with her husband, she had been anxious about what the winter would bring. She wanted to see the beautiful landscape covered with pure white, play with the sled during those weekends in the country and wear those lovely winter clothes she saw in the stores. But it was so bloody cold that she didn't want to go out. It had been snowing for days and everything was so frozen and icy that it was exasperating. 

She was not used to this. She was a subtropical creature, an animal of jungle and prairie, raised in warm, humid summers and benevolent winters. And here she was, surrounded by snow and ice, covered by layers of clothing and that freezing temperature that penetrated to her bones. How is that these people managed to survive in this weather?

The phone rang and she grabbed the cordless. Surely that was William. He always called her from work to see what she was doing. He was such a sweetie.

"Hi, dear." she grinned on recognizing her husband's voice.

"Hi love, what are you doing now?"

"Nothing." she shrugged. "Thinking of what to cook for dinner. Do you want anything special?"

"Surprise me. Everything OK with the train ride?" 

"Perfect. Very punctual." 

"Good. Next time you'll take the car." 

"We'll see." Elizabeth smiled to herself. 

William preferred not to argue with her and conceded her point this time. She was not used to driving on the wrong side of the road -as she always said- and it was even more difficult to do it on the snow. He had to admit that his wife was not only stubborn, but wise too.

"Are you coming home early?"

"I hope so. I have a couple of meetings, but I'll try to finish as early as possible."

"Shall I wait for you in the kitchen?" she asked seductively, alluding to the day that he gave her the engagement ring.

William's voice turned smooth and low. He was feeling especially wicked today. "Wherever you want. The kitchen is a very good and hot place." 

'You want it hot, Mr. Darcy, you'll have it hot'. "But it's cold and lonely without you." she purred. "I need your heat to warm me."

"You do? Now?" he bit his lip. God, this woman knew how to turn him on.

"Your big, hard, hot and so powerful body to keep me warm and excited." She really sounded sexy when she wanted.

William was feeling warm himself. "I can give you some hardness when I get home." He had never done something like this. Where was that reserved, immutable and boring William Darcy he used to be? 

"I can use some hardness now." Her voice was very low. "You can't imagine how much I need it."

That did it. "You dirty little bitch." He said between his teeth as touched his erection under the desk. "When I get home I'm going to undress you with my teeth and show you what hardness is." Elizabeth giggled at William's unusual outburst. He had really loosened up since their marriage. Encouraged by her laughter he went on. "I am going to fuck you until your brain comes out through your eyes, until you beg me to stop, you'll ... BONK! (phone falling) … hrmmmmm … err … Andrea …uh? …oh, no, no … just leave it on the desk, thank you … (voice sounding casual now) Yes, Elizabeth, that will be fine."

"What happened?" she laughed.

"No, no, roast beef will be excellent."

"Your secretary entered?" 

His voice turned into a hoarse but playful mode. "You will have the shag of your life once I'm home."

Elizabeth was laughing hysterically. "Did she hear you?"

William was beet red but laughing too. "Just the brainfucking."

"I can't believe it!"

"She will have to get used to it. Anyway," he smoothed his tie, "I didn't call you to embarrass myself in front of my secretary."

"And why did you call?" she said sweetly.

"To tell you that we are going for a ski weekend in Mottaret."

"Will, I don't have skiing clothing!"

"Buy some."

"I don't ski."

"I'll teach you."

"But I'm afraid of heights!"

"So then," he said in a very soft tone, "we shall stay in that beautiful chalet shagging on the carpet in front of the fireplace all day long and perhaps go out to taste the most delicious food in the world."

"You really know how to tempt me."

"Yes, I just have to mention the food and you'll do whatever I ask."

"Silly."

"Lovely. I have to go now, behave. Bye."

"Bye."

"This is spectacular!" Elizabeth looked at the snowy mountains. The place just resembled a post card.

"Do you like it?" William parked in front of a lovely Alpine style chalet at the end of the road.

"Fabulous." 

"Come, let's go inside."

The interior of the chalet was simply gorgeous. It was spacious, classy like those perfect skiing huts Elizabeth was used to seeing in movies. The bedroom was even nicer. There was a huge bed, another fireplace, bathroom with jacuzzi, and a very attentive husband standing behind her trying to seduce her.

"William!" she giggled as he fondled her. "Aren't we going skiing?"

He was nibbling her neck. "In a moment."

"But you promised you would teach me how to ski." she pouted.

"You are right." He raised his head and cooled down his desires. "Let's get changed."

Knowing his wife's tendency to feel cold almost in every temperature, William helped to find the most appropriate clothes for the occasion. She finally came out in some very tight skiing pants, a multi-colored jumper and a fluorescent yellow and green parka. William wore his traditional dark blue and red skiing outfit and after checking on gloves, hats and sunglasses they went out to try the snow.

Elizabeth became a talented apprentice. She learned quite quickly how to maintain her balance and after a couple of tries she actually let go of William's hand and tried a few slides on her own. As for William, he really was a good skier. He would hold her until she gained speed and then rush ahead of her to stop her hasty descent. When she felt more confident about the whole thing, she even tried a few descents in the bunny slope. But the best fun was later, when they went to the cafeteria to drink a cup of steaming coffee and eat a piece of chocolate cake.

"All my muscles are aching." Elizabeth dropped herself dramatically on the couch when they returned to the chalet. "I didn't know I had so many!" 

William leaned over her and kissed her. "So many and so happily situated."

"My entire body is sore, I don't know how I'm going to move after this." 

"I know how," he grinned wickedly. "Come with me. I'll show you."

Elizabeth felt herself being pulled up and dragged to the bathroom, where her solicitous husband readied a bubbly bath for them. Their innumerous garments were thrown away and they slid inside the Jacuzzi to relax their tired bodies. They made love in the water and after a short and invigorating nap, they went out for dinner.

The night outside could not be more perfect. Everything about the resort was fascinating for Elizabeth. The alpine village, the torches, the people laughing in the streets, having fun. 

At the restaurant, their table was waiting for them. Elizabeth suspected that this was some very exclusive and expensive place as the attendees seem to be very rich people. She scanned the room as discretely as she could and, not wanting to look out of place, refrained from asking William if that woman at the other end of the room was really Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Elizabeth was almost sure she was, not only because she looked very much like Princess Stephanie (though her skin wasn't so perfect in person) but because of the numerous bodyguards that were watching the doors. 

"Do you like it?" William asked as he sat across the table.

"Beautiful." she smiled. "Thank you for bringing me to such a lovely place, William."

"We can come here more often, if you like." 

Sometimes she forgot they were so rich. "We'll see. I would love to learn to ski as well as you do."

"Don't worry, you'll learn." he took her hand over the table. "You only need to lose your fear of heights."

She laughed. "I'll tell you when we go up in one of those lifts."

"Did I tell you that you are looking absolutely breathtaking tonight?" She was really beautiful in that creamy white angora turtleneck and café au lait leather trousers.

William said this so spontaneously that he managed to make her blush. "You did, stop it." She looked down.

"What, you are shy tonight?" his voice was low and seductive as he entwined his fingers with hers. "I will repeat how beautiful you are until you are sick of hearing it."

She bit her lip in embarrassment and pride. "You are really spoiling me, William Darcy."

"Loving you and spoiling you are my most important goals in life, Elizabeth, so get used to it." 

The waiter arrived and took their orders. They were half-through the most delicious dinner Elizabeth had ever tasted when an unknown woman approached them. 

"William Darcy!" 

The couple looked up. The woman so much resembled Ivanna Trump. 

William stood up gallantly. "Janice, what a pleasant surprise."

"Pleasant indeed, darling." She eyed him from head to toe. He was looking gorgeous in that black jumper and tailored trousers. "I saw you around at the Wenworth's gala but it seems that our paths didn't cross. I was dying to talk to you."

"Did I introduce you to my wife?" he turned to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, this is Janice Brice, one of England's top social columnists. Janice, this is my wife, Elizabeth Bennet-Darcy."

Elizabeth smiled brightly and extended her hand. If her otherwise stern husband was being nice with this woman it was because she was worth the effort. "I'm delighted to meet you."

"I was dying to meet the woman that took William off the market. I heard you are from South America."

"Yes, from Santo Domingo. It's a little country southwest of Brazil."

"So that's why you look so tanned?" Janice laughed. "I'm dying for a little sun tan myself. I think it's time that I fly to Barbados on the following week. This is the longest winter we have ever had."

"We arrived from a short summer vacation two weeks ago." Elizabeth smiled. She was 'dying' to get rid of this woman and finish her soufflé.

Janice chatted with them for a moment, and left to join her party after an effusive good bye. When she was gone, Elizabeth asked her husband,

"Who is she?" 

"The queen of filthy gossip." William returned to his meal.

"That's why you acted so charmingly with her?" she teased him.

He looked at her with a frown. "Charmingly?"

"Yes. I've never seen you show your dimples to another woman, William. You were unusually attentive with her." Elizabeth said pointedly.

He shot her a smug glance. "I know how to handle her."

Her eyes widened.

William chuckled and took her hand over the table, driving it to his lips. "Always be in the good favor of the press. I just wanted her to adore you as I adore you."

She smiled as she raised her glass to her lips. "Do I need to be in her good favor?"

"You tell me when you see the next issue of People magazine."

Elizabeth choked on her drink.

 

On the next morning the couple resumed their skiing activities. Despite the ache of her muscles, Elizabeth was able to ski a little and actually stop by herself as William moved around her, controlling that nothing bad happened. Then they took one of the lifts to have lunch in the restaurant on the top of the mountain, and William skied his way down as Elizabeth returned in the same way she came, following her husband's descent until she lost sight of him.

By the time she reached the base, he was already waiting for her.

"You are really a good skier." Elizabeth embraced him. His face was very cold.

"You need a little practice. You are very clever and naturally gifted." That statement was accompanied by a wicked smile.

"You are terrible, you know." she brushed his lips with hers.

"No, I'm crazy about you." His expression was of pure love. Elizabeth grinned broadly and brushed some snow from his shoulder.

Snap! Snap!

"Hey! That man took a picture of us!" Elizabeth turned around in surprise.

"I don't think so." William gave the matter very little importance. "Princess Stephanie is in the resort. I'm sure he was looking for her."

"But Will!" Elizabeth was still perplexed. "I don't look like her."

"You are right." He encircled her waist and pulled her closer. "You are far more beautiful." And he covered her mouth in a long and sweet kiss.

Two weeks later

William entered the apartment and heard Elizabeth's 'I'm here' coming from the kitchen. He dropped a magazine on the low table in front of the TV and walked in to say hello.

"Hello, beautiful." he kissed her lips. "Mmmmmm, that smells good." he patted her bottom. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable."

"All right." She lowered the temperature of the stove and walked to the living room to set the table.

As she went for the dishes, she spotted a magazine on the table that wasn't there before. People magazine. 'Surely William brought this just now' she thought as she took the magazine in her hands. 

Elizabeth was the type of woman that disdained these kind of vain magazines but devoured them when she had them at reach, which usually occurred when she went to the hairdresser. She opened it and eagerly turned the pages. Nonsense about the Royal family, nonsense about actors, the house of a football player, the coverage of a fashion contest, publicity, actors, more publicity and she and William in Mottaret. She gasped. They were in the Resort, she in that shocking blue outfit, laughing and smoothing William's jacket. He was looking at her with adoration in his eyes and the cutest of smiles. It was a very nice picture. She read:


Newlyweds in the snow

Things are changing for top executive and England hottest businessman William Darcy. This gorgeous millionaire had been out of the arena since he divorced Caroline Bingley nearly three years ago, but now he is back, and in style. Now in charge of DID Investments, Will has been seen moving around the highest circles in company of his delightful wife, the wildflower Elizabeth Bennet-Darcy. The happy couple enjoyed a ski weekend in an exclusive resort in Mottaret where he gave his bride a few lessons in good skiing. Caro, you don't know what you've lost.


A smile came to William's lips when he heard Elizabeth's scream coming from the living room. She will just have to get used to this. 

On the other side of the city, a magazine flew across the apartment and crashed against a wall. 

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