Chapter 1: Welcome Home Mrs. Darcy

It is a truth universally acknowledged that upon receiving everything one desired by means of conjugal felicity a woman is always in need of more. However, little is known of this by the ladies husband, it is always in a woman's nature to strive, continually, to make those around her just as content.

Such was the case as spring faded to summer and the extensive woods of Pemberly began to hold fast to their many secrets. The family was brought back at last to the magnificent house and all the splendors that Derbyshire had to give.

After a whirlwind wedding and a winter spent enjoying the season in London, Elizabeth began learning just how much her society had changed. Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy was finally brought home to her palace and was installed as if on a throne as the mistress of Pemberly and the keeper of a whole new world.

"What news have you discovered this morning my dear?" Darcy asked as he joined his wife in the drawing room.

"You are expecting perhaps some gossip or other; regarding a tenant or a stranger that has been spotted in the village. I have no news of that kind." Elizabeth said coyly as she turned from her perch at the window, "I do believe, however, that the fawns are recently born and that your woods are a stir with new life."

"That is indeed, a much welcome intelligence. It is a great pleasure to me that you dislike idleness and gossip," he smiled and came and settled by her side.

"We shall have enough of that to break the peace when my mother arrives," Elizabeth sighed, "it will be a lot of 'my dear Jane this and my poor Lydia that'."

"You have not yet been long enough away from your mother to merit a visit to this great estate that she writes so much about?" Darcy laughed.

"Have you?" Elizabeth asked playfully.

"Why she is my mother in law. I should think it my duty to encourage a visit; however taxing it may prove to my domestic happiness," he answered.

"Then you are far more the gentleman then I once thought," She smiled, "but I will admit that if it were not for propriety sake, I would not wish to have my marital peace so soon interrupted."

"My love, I feel the same," Darcy laughed, "but we must or it would not be proper."

"Then I shall consent to this Bennett invasion so long as I may enjoy our small family sphere until the latest possible time," she whispered her eyes glistening.

"It is not in my future to be leaving Pemberly as often as I would have. I dare say there is far more here to entice me to stay," he smiled.

"I am glad to hear it. For I would not be very pleased to have you leave me just yet. It is still too soon, my love," Elizabeth smiled, "besides there is nothing that your very capable steward cannot handle in your place. He rides here every morning to meet with you and I dare say you should not have to inspect the farms unless some act of God causes damage to the structures and the fields."

"That is precisely my belief on the matter. I am a married man now. I must remain in my home to be at my beloved disposal," he laughed.

"You are quite singular, my love, for I believe it to be customary for husbands to rush away as soon as their wives are settled and capable of running the household," Elizabeth teased.

"Ah, there is where you are mistaken, my dear. That only applies to men who have realized all of the faults of their spouses and who are not truly and completely in 'en amour' with their wives," he corrected.

"I shall never tire of hearing that from you," Elizabeth smiled, a blush rising on her cheeks and a tear glistening in her eye.

"I love you my dearest, most precious, Elizabeth," he whispered more tenderly.