Pride and Prejudice

Thanks for the reviews. They keep me going! I’m glad you’re all enjoying it.

Kazfeist: In P&P the girl did get a fever yeah but no worries she doesn’t die.

This next chapter heats up a bit.


Chapter 4

Hermione tried to calm herself as she drew closer to the dining room. The two men sitting at the long mahogany table stood up as she entered the room. She was relieved to see that Miss Bingley hadn’t arrived yet. Both greeted her and Mr. Bingley helped her into her chair. He sat at the head of the table with Darcy at his right and an empty chair for his sister at his left. Hermione had been placed next to Mr. Darcy much to her discomfort. At least she would not have to look at him across the table all night.

After assuring Bingley that she was more than pleased with her room and that she had everything she needed, Hermione sank into silence as the two gentlemen discussed a possible hunting trip on the grounds for the next morning. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the silver cuff link on Darcy’s arm glint in the candle light. The spicy scent of sandalwood seemed to emanate from his body and she took deep breaths of the beguiling aroma. She was relieved when Miss Bingley arrived so that she had something to avert her attention from the man sitting next to her. The woman had on a long golden sheath with cream stripes at the bottom hem and her hair was done up in a Grecian style. As she stood to greet Miss Bingley, Hermione plucked at her own simpler dress which was all her family could afford. Now that everyone had arrived the party sat down and the first course was brought out. Hermione sipped at the French onion soup.

From across the table Miss Bingley said in an innocent voice, “Miss Bennet, what a quaint outfit you have on. I have always adored the older conservative style. My grandmother has a gorgeous dress just like the one you have on.”

Annoyance at the woman’s backhanded compliment had Hermione flushing pink, but she wouldn‘t let the comment get to her. Pasting a fake smile on her face she said, “Mmm…why thank you, Miss Bingley.” Hermione did not add that she was glad she at least she did not look like she’d wandered out of a brothel in the middle of the night.

“Oh, dear. You must call me Pansy. What with you staying at the Manor now. I’m sure we’ll be the best of friends,” said the other woman in a sickly sweet voice.

Hermione nearly choked on her soup but managed to reply, “Yes…yes I’m sure. And you must call me Hermione.”

The sarcastic tone of her reply was thankfully drowned out when Mr. Bingley broke into the conversation. “I’m glad you ladies are becoming such fast friends. Miss Bennet, do tell me how is the rest of your family doing?”

Hermione smiled and replied, “Oh they are quite well. Just concerned for Ginny. And we are all so grateful at your hospitality towards our family.”

Mr. Bingley grinned and assured her it was no trouble at all. “It has been wonderful having Ginny here at the Manor. She has such a wonderful sense of humor. I enjoy visiting with her.”

Hermione tucked that bit of information away to share with Ginny later. Mr. Bingley obviously had it bad for her sister. The next course was brought out shortly and the delicious smell of roast beef and buttered potatoes had Hermione’s stomach growling. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast. She dug into her food happily and the dinner conversation continued on pleasantly for a while until Miss Bingley opened her annoying mouth. “Hermione, I envy your gusto for food. I can never finish my plate. I would never fit into my gowns the next day.” She chortled lightly as she took a bite so small it was almost invisible on the fork and Hermione glared down at her nearly empty plate. “Oh the trials of being a woman. Always having to worry about one’s figure for men. Wouldn’t you agree, Hermione?”

“Not particularly, Pansy. I don’t believe women should have to mold themselves to a man’s ideal. I eat if I’m hungry. The end,” replied Hermione in a syrupy voice.

“Oh that’s shocking, Hermione. I think that a lady’s duty is to be as beautiful and elegant as possible. They must be like a jewel on their husband’s arm. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Darcy?” asked Pansy in a simpering tone that had Hermione fighting the urge to hurl her fork at the other woman.

Mr. Darcy, who up until then had kept his conversation to Mr. Bingley, spoke up drawling, “A lady is everything that is beautiful and elegant.”

Hermione whipped her around to glare at the blond next to her. “Oh really? So you think women are nothing more than an amusement? Only their to fill a revealing dress for you to admire?” She was pleased to see she had gotten to him when she saw his jaw clench.

His eyes looked like pools of melted silver as he turned towards her. “I never said that, Miss Bennet. A gentlewoman should be much more than an appealing body in a dress.” His eyes seemed to shift over to Pansy for a moment as her laughter suddenly ceased. “A lady’s true beauty lies in her accomplishments and the elegance of her demeanor. A woman should be accomplished in literature, music, foreign languages, and art. He shot a heated glance at Hermione and she felt naked as his eyes seemed to survey her body. “I have met very few women that I feel truly live up to these standards.”

“Well said, Darcy. That was so eloquent,” purred Pansy as she leaned forward obviously trying to reveal as much of her décolletage as possible. Darcy nodded his head at her and she turned to ask her brother something.

Hermione looked at Darcy in disbelief trying not to let her mouth hang open. “A woman has to be all of that to be a lady? I can see why you have met very few of them then. I can‘t imagine how you found any at all.”

Mr. Darcy’s eyebrows shot up at the tone of her voice and he replied in a voice only she could hear. “A lady must also know when the time is right to challenge her husband and when she should submit to him as her master and lord.”

She refused to break eye contact with him as she angrily whispered back, “It sounds as though you see a woman as nothing more than a docile lap dog. She gets a pat on the head every now and then if she can perform up to her master‘s standards.”

Mr. Darcy’s eyes seemed to catch on fire as he growled, “I believe you misunderstand me, Miss Bennet. I’m saying that a wife should be the second half of her husband and not some ‘lap dog’ as you put it.” He grabbed her arm under the table roughly as she rolled her eyes and tried to turn away from him. She could feel the heat of his breath on her neck as he whispered closer to her ear, “You should learn to watch your tongue. If you were my woman I’d give you much more than a pat on the head. I would teach you what it means to be an obedient wife.”

Hermione wanted to slap him in the face for his rude comments but at the same time she felt an underlying urge to press her mouth to his sneering lips. She tried to pry his long fingers from around her forearm but his grip was too strong. Grinding her teeth together she replied, “Well it’s a good thing I would never marry a chauvinistic arse like you. Now let go of me you brute.”

By then Mr. Bingley had noticed the angry body language of the two and cut in nervously to make sure the argument went no further. “Ah…well that was a delicious dinner. Perhaps you and I should retire to the study for a whiskey, Draco. I’m sure Miss Hermione would like to visit her sister before she gets some rest. She looks tired after her journey.” He gave Darcy a stern look and the man seemed to gain control of himself. He released her arm and ran his fingers through his hair. Hermione rubbed her forearm where angry red fingerprints could still be seen.

“Of, course, Harry. We need to plan for our hunting trip in the morning.” The two men bid the women good evening. Hermione only nodded curtly at Mr. Darcy trying to avoid making eye contact with him. She was left alone in the dining room with Miss Bingley.

Clearing her throat as she stood to leave, Miss Bingley said, “Well it has been an interesting evening. You and Mr. Darcy seemed to be engaged in quite the conversation.”

Hermione tried to keep her reply nonchalant. She didn‘t need the gossipy woman sticking her nose where it didn‘t belong. “Yes….he was telling me about some books he has been enjoying lately.”

Pansy gave her a long look and replied, “Books? It looked like more than that. I have never seen him flush such a deep shade of red over books before.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Pansy. We were just discussing literature. If you will excuse me I would like to visit my sister.”

The blond woman glared at her. “Whatever you say, Hermione. Just understand that I fully intend on him being mine.”

Hermione stopped at the doorway and turned around to look at Pansy. “I would never in my life be interested in Mr. Darcy.”

Miss Bingley smirked at that. “Of course not. Well good night, Hermione. Sleep well.”

Hermione mumbled obscenities under her breath as she headed to Ginny’s room.

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Later that night Hermione tossed and turned in her bed unable to sleep. She had talked to her sister and Ginny had been able to sooth her temper somewhat. Hermione had always been hot headed and she was a little ashamed at the way she had acted during dinner. Mr. Darcy was an egotistical prat but she should have just ignored him. Groaning Hermione tossed the heavy down duvet off her and slid out of the high bed. Despite the chill weather outside, the room was stuffy and her thin nightgown was damp with sweat. She had on the sheer lace nightgown Ginny had made her for last Christmas. Her hair hung loose in a mass of riotous honey brown curls.

Hermione wished she had a book to read since she couldn‘t sleep. She thought she remembered seeing the study on this floor when she had arrived earlier that day. Sliding on her robe quickly leaving it untied, she padded barefoot out into the hall. A good book would make her feel better. The hallway was completely dark except for the moonlight that seeped in through a window. She headed in the direction where she thought she’d seen the study. Up ahead a door was partially open and light seemed to be coming from it. She peeked her head inside and discovered that there was a low fire in the grate. She pushed the door open further and walked in once she was sure there was no one in the room. A window set up high in the wall allowed in some moonlight and Hermione began examining the rows of books. She was so absorbed in reading titles that she didn’t hear the floor boards creak as someone else entered the room.

“And what are you doing here?” She jumped at the sound of his voice and her head cracked against the book shelf. Huge hands wrapped around her upper arms and pulled her up before she could fall. “Are you all right?” She was mute as she stared up at Darcy’s handsome face in the firelight. He had on the same breeches from earlier that evening but his jacket was gone. The shirt underneath was partially unbuttoned revealing a tantalizing expanse of smooth skin that left Hermione speechless. “Answer me you daft woman. How is your head?”

Coming back to herself, Hermione pulled away from his grasp and put a good couple feet between them. She winced as she examined the knot on her head. “I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting anyone to be in here. You frightened me.”

He frowned at her and a look of concern flashed across his features. “Well I left my jacket in here earlier after dinner and I came back for it. I didn’t mean to scare you, Miss Bennet.” He reached out his hand to her but Hermione jerked away.

She glared at him saying, “Please don’t touch me. I still have marks on my arm from where you grabbed me at dinner.”

He looked disgusted with himself. “I am sorry. I would never hurt a woman. You just made me angry and I lost control.”

“Well I am sorry you cannot handle a woman who speaks her mind.” Hermione backed away from him as he almost snarled at her response.

“I have no problem with women who speak their mind, Miss Bennet. You in particular just seem to drive me insane.” He was inching closer to her.

“Well it isn’t my problem that you are mentally unstable,” replied Hermione in an offended tone as she eyed the door.

“That’s it. Don’t even think about trying to leave. I’m going to teach you a lesson, Hermione.” She barely noticed his use of her first name as she darted across the room towards the exit but he blocked the doorway before she could get to it. Turning on her heel she fled behind a large chaise lounge. “I’m going to teach you how it feels to let go for a man. I’ll have you begging for me.”

Hermione gasped at that. “Stay away from me. I could never want you.”

He laughed roughly and said, “We will see about that.” The look in his eye had her backing up slowly until one of the large bookcases lining the wall prevented her from going any further. He pulled the robe off her and tossed it aside before pressing her up against the wall. Her breasts tingled as his body heat soaked through her thin nightgown. That irresistible smirk spread across his face as he bent his head and ran his lips along her neck. Before she could get out anything more than a squeak his mouth had descended upon hers. Her fists beat against the hard wall of his chest to no avail.

He pulled her arms up and draped them around his neck. She felt his tongue at the seam of her lips and her gasp allowed him entrance. As the kiss deepened she felt herself responding against her will. Her mouth opened wider as she began to return his ardor. She hung onto him as her legs became limp underneath her. He released her mouth only to start applying hot sucking kisses to her neck that had her moaning and tilting her head back.

He kissed his way down her chest until he reached her breasts. Through the nightgown he found one of her already puckered nipples and sucked it into his mouth. Hermione groaned aloud at the new sensation and fisted her hands in his blond hair. He moved across to pay the same attention to the other nipple and the wet lace of her gown rubbed against her sensitive flesh. As he bit down on the nub, Hermione couldn’t help but groan his name. “Oh, Draco. Please.”

He straightened up pressing kisses along her collarbone and neck. Then he crushed her mouth in another bone melting kiss. He broke the kiss and stood their panting with her still pressed to him. He let her go and turned away. “See I told you I could make you beg for me.”

A sick feeling flooded Hermione’s stomach and hot saliva filled her mouth as she fought back the urge to vomit. He was just trying to make her look like any other easy woman. “You bastard.” She ran from the room. The hall seemed longer than before and her legs didn’t want to hold her. She closed and locked her bedroom door and collapsed onto the bed sobbing.

She had let him touch her so intimately and he was only trying to make a point. He had turned her into some quivering idiot with stars in her eyes and fluff in her head. What a fool she had been. Wiping the hot tears from her cheeks, Hermione vowed that she would get even with Mr. Darcy.

A/N: Haha ok so I hope you liked that. Draco is a butt sometimes but he‘s hot. I had to build up the tension between them. And Pansy telling Hermione she looks like a grandmother. Made me laugh.