AN

Deanna - Georgie is angry as she's an adolescent teenager who shot the messenger, but has taken it to new heights. I did not wish for her to be a demure damsel in this story (I sometimes envision her as a limp lettuce) Then again, I don't think anyone is demure in this, lol (well maybe Jane) The stones only indicated the situation and the spell would take hold and start the emotions churning. Most it is instant, but some fight it, as ODC are.

Jan - Yep, couldn't resist responding to my guest review. :)

June 13th 1811

It would take a few hours to travel the twenty-four miles from Grosvenor Square to Netherfield Park. Darcy had anticipated that it would be a painful quiescent inside the carriage, for Elizabeth was still reluctant to even acknowledge his existence.

He had already sent word to Bingley two days previous, requesting if his friend could accommodate the couple, whilst they visited the area for a few days and his cousin for a day or two. Elizabeth had also sent her own personal missive to her sister, Jane, to advise that they would be arriving at Netherfield at around three in the afternoon and call upon the Bennet household that six.

"Are we to have no conversation during our travels, my dear?" Darcy asked his muted wife, who had cater-cornered herself as far as possible from him. There she sat, across from him, brooding over their argument of the previous day. Her body twisted in such a way, so that he went undetected within her peripheral vision. She had not spoken with him since her sedate greeting that morning, but even that was given with reluctance. Now he found that the interminable quietness within the four walls of their small enclosure had thickened the atmosphere to an unbearable level. His tolerance was surely being tested with every attempt of gentle communications, which were being received with an audacious glance. "Elizabeth? I asked you-"

"Yes," came her abrupt interruption.

"Yes? You wish to talk?" Darcy was ever hopeful. Please Lizzy, I beg of you. I am sure I am more interesting than the fields and clouds you wish to blindly gaze upon without acknowledging their existence.

"No, I agreed in that we will have no conversation."

"Ah, but are we not having one now?" he stated, trying to engage Elizabeth unsuspectingly with an attempt to lure her into discussion.

Of course this failed with her single worded answer, whilst she continued her fixation of the world of blue and green flashes outside.

"If you wish to continue with this little… charade, then I suggest we keep up a semblance of normality, whilst in the company of your family. I am sure you would not wish to offend your own sensibilities in front of your sisters and parents."

"Fine!"

Darcy abandoned his endeavours with a huff on hearing her churlish response, before he ended up in high dudgeon. He knew it was nigh on impossible to bring about any accordant resolution to their deadlock, whilst travelling the roads. He would, however, attempt to rekindle their relationship at some point, but the timing had to be absolute for it to be successful.

Elizabeth let out a sigh, when she realised they were nearly there, for she had spotted Stratton's Tower peering out from above the treetops, as they passed through Little Berkhamsted.

Within half an hour, the carriage drew to a stop in front of Netherfield Park. Elizabeth determined Mr Bingley waiting outside, but neither sister was by his side. "Darcy, Mrs Darcy, welcome, welcome!" he said with much eagerness.

"Bingley, it is good to see you again. I assume you have met my bride, but may I introduce you again… "Mr Bingley, Mrs Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire," he stated with bountiful pride, something Elizabeth instantly noticed. His demeanour was genuine, her importance to him authentic, his smiles in her direction were honest. She blinked a few times, marvelling at her husband. Was he so very proud of her? She then remembered their short discussion on the topic of a pretence came flooding back. It was a performance and nothing more, in order to avoid humiliation and preserve their dignity.

Elizabeth curtseyed and expressed her delight to being back in Hertfordshire, before they made their way into the house. Thankfully, she was immediately shown to her rooms, in order to freshen up after the long trip. She would then make some excuse to stay there until they were to travel to Longbourn for the evening.

"Your sisters are not at home?" Darcy asked, as the gentlemen made their way into Bingley's study.

"No, they returned to town this morning with Mr Hurst, for Caroline had rather a sore head. She was not aware you had wed until I told her over breakfast. When she heard, she went into hysterics. I even had to rescue my Delft Imari vase from her grasp, as she was about to throw it across the room, and most probably at my head."

"She was deluding herself if she felt I would take her into my bed. She is your sister and I would not wish to act in such a way with her."

"I could not believe she was so forward with you, not until I heard it with my own ears. She hated me for listening in on your conversation last year, but I could not help the fact that I had passed by the library just at the crucial moment. I do fear though that this piece of news will catapult her into the auction rooms and she will accept the highest bidder, regardless of who he is. I do not wish for my sister to end up a kept woman."

"She is probably sulking at the Hursts and making us believe she has taken that step into the promiscuous world of kept ladies. I doubt she will even attempt to seek out an auction house, let alone become one of its lots. Do not fear, Bingley, she will not waste herself on just anyone… Talking of kept ladies, I put a good word in for you with Rosemary. She has your directions, so you may receive correspondence at some point, inviting you to attend to her."

"Well, that is marvellous, ol' chap! She is such a treasure and I have always been envious of your connection with her. How did she take the announcement of your marriage? I bet she was not best pleased."

"I thought she took it well enough at the time, but she came by the house yesterday, thinking we had already left for Hertfordshire. She was enquiring after your directions from the butler, but I had to intervene and then Elizabeth found us talking on the square. Dear lord, my wife has a sharp tongue in her head."

"What happened? Was there a brawl? I quite enjoy watching two ladies fight, it is rather thrilling, do you not agree?"

"This was not thrilling at all. On the contrary, I was furious… I would say Elizabeth lets her feelings be known in rather a spiteful manner. Rosemary had already become exceedingly upset with what was happening, then Elizabeth told her a few truths. I was angry, so I took my wife back into the house with a view of telling her how I felt. However, when we got to our private rooms, she seemed to take over most of the argument with her own thoughts, after which she wanted nothing more than to be out of my company. I must admit, I do wonder if her feelings were more and she had concealed them from my view… but her tongue! Now she is barely talking to me."

"She will come to her senses soon enough. Now that you are here, she will revel in her family's companionship and this may urge her into a better mood. Maybe you could apologise to her when you return from your evening at Longbourn?"

"You do not know my wife. She is determined to make me suffer and no amount of reparation will restore what little felicity we had. When we were married, we argued constantly for the first day or so, and I thought we had eventually reached a place of understanding and contentment yesterday, just before Rosemary presented herself at my door. But now… I feel as though we are enemies on the battlefield once more."

"At least our hunting tomorrow will allow her some time alone. We can even invite the Bennets to visit tomorrow, if you like? I am to understand that Mr Bennet enjoys shooting and the sisters can spend time with your wife."

"Yes, but no more than the eldest daughter and her father. I doubt I could suffer the whole family at once with my wife barely talking to me. I already have the unpalatable event of dinner at Longbourn this evening as it is, and I know it will be a task and a half to complete if Elizabeth is not willing to even pass the potatoes, let alone the time of day. Hopefully Richard's arrival tomorrow will lighten the mood and so create a merry party."

Longbourn, Hertfordshire

And so, the newly-weds spent the evening with the Bennet family. Darcy's initial awkwardness was only felt and had not transmuted into his demeanour, so at least the rest of the family were unaware of the invisible wall that now prevailed between Elizabeth and himself.

He could not stop his attentions from wandering into her direction during the course of the evening, hoping for a glimpse of a smile upon her face. However, all affections were directed towards her family and he was left to only spectate at the tenderness she gave others.

He silently willed her to talk to him, attempted to broaden the conversation to include her, but she kept her own discussions to the ladies and on occasion to her father. At least Darcy had some entertainment when he ventured onto topics that Mr Bennet found engaging, but still there was a steady need for his wife's interaction.

Elizabeth's mood waned slightly in the presence of her sisters and mother, when the gentlemen retreated to the book room for a port and cigar. They were discussing what life would be like now she was Mrs Darcy. "My dear Lizzy, such a fine carriage you have, and the luxuries and pin money you will enjoy. Your husband is sure to lavish you with gifts, for anyone can see that he loves you," Mrs Bennet exclaimed, as the ladies took themselves to the drawing room. "And your dress! Such fine workmanship. Is it from Bond Street?"

"Yes mama, Mr Darcy will not let me procure from anywhere else. He only wishes for me to havethe best of the best," Elizabeth replied. This brought back the memory of the previous afternoon and their rather risky dally in his study. How happy she felt then, but now all she felt was an insufferable amount of misery.

"I would not wish for any such vulgar show of worth. Such over indulgence does not improve one's character, only the lady's appearance, and even on occasion that is not always successful. I would much prefer to indulge myself with hours spent in a bountiful library, improving my mind and widening my knowledge of the world," Mary stated in her usual self-righteous tone.

"Yes, indeed Mary. I also look forward to spending my days lazing around in that famous aged athenaeum at Pemberley, for surely Mr Darcy would have every volume under the sun in that particular room."

Elizabeth contemplated how her life would be, once they reached Pemberley. Would they return to a rather blissful state, or spend the rest of their lives determined to assault each other in their battle of wills, and so end up in constant turmoil? She was, however, provoked from her state of deliberations by her youngest sister's probe. "So Lizzy, is he as red-blooded as he looks. What say you of the marriage bed?"

"Lydia! We will have none of that!" Mrs Bennet commanded. "A maiden should not know such questions, let alone ask."

"But mama, I was only asking if he bucked like a stag. What of it?" she giggled.

"My word! How did I ever bring up such a daughter. Lydia, you spend far too much time in the company of those soldiers. I will need to discuss with your father about curtailing your contact with Captain Denny and Mr Chamberlain. They lead you astray with their vulgar talk."

"Oh mama! They do not discuss such things in front of me… But it does not stop me from listening into their private conversations when I hide behind the drapes," she snickered. "It was only that I noticed the way Mr Darcy was fixated on Lizzy throughout dinner. He was positively engrossed in her. He could not keep his eyes from you, Lizzy, and I am sure he was thinking naughty thoughts."

"I doubt that very much," Elizabeth murmured to herself, but Jane overheard her reply and saw the sad look upon her face. She grabbed her hand, giving it a slight squeeze to reassure her sister.

"Lizzy, do you care to join me upstairs? There are several items I believe you may wish to take with you, when you leave," Jane bid. She had observed her sister for a few minutes, scrutinising her every move and was troubled at what she saw.

As the sisters entered Elizabeth's old bedchambers, Jane could see the visible sigh in her body, which had been on high alert throughout the evening. "What is it Lizzy? I can tell something was wrong following Lydia's crass words."

Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed and started to explain the previous day's incident and that she and Darcy had not spoken at any length since. "I realise I should have quietened my anger towards him, when I was given his explanation of how that woman was not invited into our home and just turned up on the doorstep, unannounced. I feel that I have been too harsh upon him, but during the altercation he made an alliance, and it was not with me. He acted without a care and showed a total lack of respect for his wife. Did he not think of the consequences of being seen with that woman?"

"I would imagine he only wished for her to be gone and by whatever means possible. It is plausible that he did not consider the ramifications of his actions, when he thought only of your well-being."

"Oh Jane, I behaved abominably and I allowed myself to vent my anger in the most obnoxious of ways, and yet again I pushed him to his limits. I wish I had sent Sally out to advise him of my knowledge of their congress, and that I was not pleased. It would have ended their tryst without the devastating aftermath that succeeded to tear us apart once more.

"I know Mr Darcy was in the wrong to be venturing out into the open in such company, but my own harsh actions were not justified either. My convictions were steadfast. I would not budge from my judgement and I let myself sink to the levels associated with the dregs in society. But I was extremely upset."

"Upset with Mr Darcy?"

"Yes, at the time. However, I find that I am more upset with myself, for being such a lummox."

"So you will talk to him? Lizzy, you need to confide in him, tell him how you feel. Do you care for him?"

"I do not know. I am too upset at present to know what I feel. I do fear that if I try and converse with him for any amount of time, I will say something which will hinder our recovery further. I cannot express how I feel, for what is in my head does not come out of my mouth. I need to keep to myself until we are settled in the north, then approach him on the subject in an attempt to salvage our marriage."

"But that is days away! Do not leave it so long, Lizzy. I know you and your mood will fester and turn your regard of marriage gangrenous before you know it."

Then there will be no turning back, Elizabeth mused.

June 14th 1811
Netherfield Park

The following morning, Darcy woke up wrapped around his wife. He had wandered into her rooms during the night to be close to her, for he could not sleep without being in her bed, and with little disturbance, he snuck into her bed and fell back to sleep. He seemed to be getting rather accomplished at not waking his wife once she was in slumber, but knew he would have to deal with her animosity when morning came.

He hated himself for his own behaviour a few days previous. Why did he go and meet with Rosemary? Did he think he would get away with it? But he wanted her gone and his only thoughts were to not upset his wife.

He was conflicted, as he was appreciative that she had been possessive of him, had taken hold of his arm in an attempt to show their union, but not in the way she conveyed her feelings. But he had put her into that position.

Oh Lizzy, I know I behaved badly, but can you not forgive me. Why are you behaving like this? Do you not feel as I do? he pondered. If only I could tell you how I truly feel, but if I did, you would surely laugh in my face and tell me I was a damned idiot for thinking such. Was his life to be a tumultuous fluctuation of highs and lows?

Elizabeth opened her eyes and sat up in bed. "You are here‽" she asked, surprised to see her husband in her bed.

"Yes, where else would I be?"

"In your own room, where you were when I fell to sleep," she surmised as she got out of bed.

"I wished to be with you, I could not sleep. Come back to me," Darcy asked as he sat and held his arms out to her. His double entendre was intentional, he not only wanted her back in his arms, but also back in their marriage. He wanted his teasing, giggling Lizzy back, but she chose to ignore his request.

"No, What time is it?"

"Just before eight, come back to bed, please darling."

"No, and do not darling me."

"Elizabeth, we cannot keep this up forever."

"Mr Darcy, have you not remembered what has happened to our marriage? Give me time, I cannot forgive what has happened in an instant." Yes I can, yes I can, why do I say such things?

"Elizabeth, we had an argument, probably first of many. Well not necessarily the first…"

"Argument‽ You called that an argument‽ It was the beginning of the end, can you not see that?" Again, Elizabeth had let her emotions get the better of her and her tongue was unleashed. She did not mean to say what she had, but before she could stop herself, the words had left her lips.

"Dear lord! Are you being serious? Do you wish for a separation?" Darcy asked the unthinkable.

No! She was shocked at his question, and for once in her life she was speechless, too afraid to utter a word in case she agreed. But was he wanting a separation himself? Did he detest her that much to be wanting nothing more than to be away from her?

He interpreted her silence to be one of agreement. Had it come to this? To be estranged from one's wife of little over a week? He thought long and hard at the past several days, her stubbornness, her viciousness, her contradiction at every turn. There were moments, but with it came the bickering and misunderstandings. Yes he had done wrong, but he had apologised time and time again. Could he continue with the ups and downs of their marriage? He was already fatigued after such a short time, and wondered how long he could continue this farce. He only knew of one direction to go in and that was to give her what she wanted, or at least give her the impression of it, in the hopes that she would snap out of her obstinacy. However, he was well aware of the dilemma he would face, if she were to agree to such a suggestion. "At last madam, I feel that for once I will be able to please you and give you what you long for. You may have a cottage on Pemberley grounds, if that is your desire. However, if we are in society or visiting acquaintances, then I must have your presence and you must play the dutiful wife.

"We must be seen to keep up appearances for our families sake, as well as our own, in that we are a happily married couple. Within the privacy of our home, you may wish to live your life away from my own. When in the country, you will spend your time in your own accommodation, or if you prefer, I can grant you access to one of the more remote wings of the main house. I will supply ample allowance so that you can procure your own household. If I am in town, you will not need to accompany me, as I will be able to make your excuses within society.

"I will not require you to fulfil your wifely duties, so do not concern yourself that I will importune you in any way. Now, I hope this meets with your approval and the only thing left for me to say, is good day." With that final blow, Darcy removed himself and returned to his room.

Elizabeth heard the door close and could not hold her emotions any longer. Had he just agreed to a separation? The sound that left her body on this realisation would have sent the wildest beast to her side in order to comfort her. It was not demure, nor genteel, but a tragic gut wrenching wail of a cry. She sank to her knees as her body became weak in the aftermath of what her husband had just announced. They were to be parted, even if it was not in the eyes of the rest of the world. She now knew that he did not want her, or care to be in her company. How could she, for she had acted abominably since their wedding day. Her insolence had always given her an edge in an argument, but now she had met her match. He was not going to relent and submit to her opinions in this instance. He had walked away.

There she knelt, rocking back and forth with her arms wrapped around her fragile body. Her desperation was paramount at that moment and she could not think of anything else than to make her husband see that she did not wish for such, but how could she now go to him and admit that she was wrong when he so blatantly did not wish to continue with the absurdity of their marriage.

She knew her temper had a life of its own, her wit had matured and with it came a sharp tongue, so sharp that it had slashed their marriage in two. "No, no, no! I do not want this!" she cried over and over again before she slumped further down onto the floor, with her body weak and her mind exhausted.