A.N. Thank you, GemmaDarcy, Dizzy Lizzy, ThinkAboutItBabe, Mangosmum, for commenting. I feed on your encouragement. Very interesting suggestion, mangosmum, about Caroline and the Colonel. That is worth exploring. In this chapter, one thing is solved while another thing remains unresolved. Happy reading! Just to remind readers that in this story, Lydia did not elope with Wickham in Brighton.

Chapter 10

Elizabeth found herself falling in love with London, again. She and Jane were having a lovely time together, shopping and preparing for her birthday party. After a rather hot summer, September was bringing with it an early Fall, and the crisp air was invigorating to Elizabeth. London, it seemed to her, had never seemed prettier. Her spirits were up, as was her health.

~0~

Mr. Darcy had spent the last week working tirelessly with Cage and Peabody, and Colonel Fitzwilliam's lawyer, at Darcy's own expense. He felt that they were making substantial progress, and had not given up hope in finding the real culprit in Viscount Henry's murder. However, they were unable to interview Lieutenant Digweed as his regiment had left England to the front. Wickham's interview did not yield the result Darcy had hoped. The scoundrel had an alibi in the form of a tavern owner near Matlock estate. Still, Darcy was convinced of Mr. Wickham's guilt, but was, thus far, unable to prove it. He was currently in the process of looking into Mr. Wickham's financial affairs and had found that, as was to be expected, Mr. Wickham had amassed a great deal of gambling debt. Mr. Darcy speculated that perhaps Viscount Henry had loaned Wickham a great deal of money, or that Viscount Henry had information regarding Wickham and a lascivious woman, and had threatened to reveal it. All were strong motives, and all that Mr. Darcy needed was the proof. Time was of the essence for Colonel Fitzwilliam, whom Darcy had been able to visit on several occasions.

"How did the poor Colonel seem?" Elizabeth had asked her husband.

"His skin is a bit gray from the lack of sunlight, and he was fragile," Darcy replied, not hiding anything from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth knew that the Colonel's gaunt appearance would continue to motivate Mr. Darcy in his efforts towards the case, not that he needed any extra motivation.

"Do you think that he is being treated well in prison?" she also asked.

"I would think not, despite the money I laid out. Many men of low standing in society, the guards being of no exception, may look upon Colonel Fitzwilliam to represent all that they have never had. Their jealousy of his position in life may serve as a motivation to treat him cruelly. I wish I could move Richard to a guardhouse, but alas, that did not happen." Darcy responded with a shake of his head, to which Elizabeth was horrified. She could not bear to imagine Colonel Fitzwilliam, one of the nicest men she knew, being treated so terribly. Elizabeth could not guess what sorts of things happened in prison, nor did she wish too. She was sure that it was worse than anything she could fathom and dared not ask her husband.

Elizabeth was extremely grateful for Jane's company, and she knew Jane was thankful for hers as well. The two sisters had been inseparable every day, in their London ventures. One of Elizabeth's near-daily stops was Lackington Alley and Co at Finsbury Square. The bookseller's large shop housed more books than Elizabeth had seen in her life. She could spend hours browsing the titles, and reading bits from inside the novels.

"Oh, here we have 'Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman's Pleasure,'" Elizabeth whispered to Jane, flashing her the book's cover.

"Lizzy!" Jane exclaimed, "Put that back on the shelf at once, lest someone see you, and we shall be scandalized."

"Do you see anyone near to us?" Elizabeth teased, looking around the nearly empty bookstore.

"Shall we have a peek? Perhaps Charles would like you to take this home and read it?" Elizabeth smiled.

Jane became quite flushed. "No, he certainly would not, Lizzy, I beg you. Please, put the book back." Her eyes filling with tears.

Elizabeth immediately put the book back into its place on the shelf.

"I am so sorry. I would never wish to hurt or embarrass you," Elizabeth felt dreadfully sorry that she had made the joke.

"I know, please forgive my over-reaction. It is just that Charles and I have not...been together...as man and wife...in quite some time," Jane stammered, looking down to the shop floor.

"Come," Elizabeth tucked her arm through her sister's and led her through the large doors into the sunshine. "Have you tried talking to him about it?"

"Yes, but when I do, he insists that nothing is wrong. He says that he is quite distracted and busy with his business. He is still as kind as ever, and I am at a loss as to what is wrong."

"If he says that it is his business. I am confident that it is just that. He is a just man."

"He is," Jane said, assuredly.

"Now, shall we go to St. James Street, for a stop into a chocolate house?" she said devilishly as she twirled her parasol over her shoulder.

The chocolate shop had become something of a daily stop for the two sisters.

"Oh, all right," Jane agreed, smiling.

~0~

"Happy birthday, my dearest darling," Mr. Darcy said affectionately, kissing the top of Elizabeth's head. Elizabeth smiled, as she fingered the exquisite topaz necklace Mr. Darcy had presented her with that morning. Ever the modest man, he was sure to give her gift in private. Elizabeth was touched. Mr. Darcy had been extremely busy with his work on the case, she could not imagine where he had found the time to visit a jeweler's.

"I see that your family have made it," Mr. Darcy announced, peering down from the second-floor window, to the street below. Elizabeth joined her husband's side to share in his view. She watched as her mother fussed over her three sisters as they exited the carriage.

"It is but for a short visit," she reminded her husband.

"Or a long one, it depends entirely on one's own perspective," Darcy mused as he watched Mrs. Bennet.

"Mr. Bennet! Look at the giant jewel on your daughter's neck!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed when she saw Elizabeth. "It must have cost a fortune! Never you mind, though, I know you can afford it, right, Mr. Darcy?"

"It is nice to see you, Mrs. Bennet. How is your health?" Mr. Darcy asked, with a bow.

"We had the most excruciating trip. I thought that my poor nerves would not have made it!"

"It was less than a half day journey, nothing like the three days one we did for Jane and Elizabeth's wedding anniversary. Somehow Mrs. Bennet's nerves have always managed to prevail, though," stated Mr. Bennet. "I am glad to see someone that I might have a sensible conversation with," Mr. Bennet greeted Darcy, to which Darcy smiled.

"Lizzy, you look positively radiant," Mr. Bennet stated, kissing his daughter on the cheek. "Happy birthday. You do actually seem to be positively, glowing," he said, admiring his daughter.

"Thank you, father," Elizabeth beamed as she led her family into her home, where Georgiana was gracefully playing the piano for the Collinses.

"Oh, you must be tired," Mary announced, sitting down on the bench next to Georgiana. "I will play for a while, while you rest."

"Thank you, Miss Bennet, Miss Darcy is playing just fine," Caroline called from the chaise, where she was fanning herself. Having heard of Elizabeth's small party, Caroline could not resist inviting herself to London, to join Jane and Charles, having grown bored with Sanditon. Elizabeth observed that Caroline seemed to be back to her old snobbish self.

Georgiana, ever the gracious young lady, seemed quite unsure of what to do. Thankfully, Mr. Darcy stepped in and tapped a wine glass with a fork.

"Now, that everyone is here, I would like to personally thank you all for making the trip, and for joining us to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday."

"Well," called Mrs. Bennet, "It was high time that you invited us from Hertfordshire!"

Darcy nodded, and continued, "I know that Elizabeth is a special to you all, as she is to me. I could not imagine my life without her. Cheers to Elizabeth, my lovely wife," he finished, raising his glass.

"Here, here," called Mr. Bennet.

Mrs. Sutton came through the doors, carrying a huge chocolate cake.

"Oh, Lizzie, your favorite," Jane exclaimed, bringing a piece for Elizabeth to enjoy.

Suddenly, all of the people in the room seemed to be causing the place to burn up to Elizabeth, who at once felt very claustrophobic. She took one look at the cake and began to turn green.

"Are you feeling well, my love?" asked a worrisome Darcy on observing her change in color.

"Please excuse me," Elizabeth managed as she dashed back to her room, where she promptly upturned the contents of her stomach into the basin.

A worried Jane entered into the room after Elizabeth's servant, who offered her a cold, wet cloth and guided her to the bed to sit.

"Congratulations!" Jane said, excitedly squeezing her hand.

"I am fine. Perhaps my lunch did not sit well with me."

"No, dear. Do you not realize that you are pregnant?"

Elizabeth's hands flew to her mouth as she gasped. Of course, she was! Everything began to make sense now: her being tired, her eating, her feeling out of sorts and sick, her craving of chocolate, not to mention Mr. Darcy's comments that morning in bed of how beautiful and round her bosom looked.

"I am," Elizabeth confirmed in amazement, letting the truth of her condition sink in.

"Oh, I am so happy for you. I will tell Mr. Darcy to wait for you in the drawing room, so that you may tell him in private."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said, as she checked her appearance in the mirror, and smoothed down her hair.

Elizabeth found her husband in the drawing room, as promised. He rushed to meet her as she entered the room.

"Should I send for a doctor?" Darcy's face edged with worries.

"Not now. But perhaps in a few months," Elizabeth said, with a smile.

Mr. Darcy looked at her quizzically.

"It seems that all of our lovemaking has left me in a changed condition, despite our extra precautions."

Mr. Darcy's face registered Elizabeth's news and broke into a laugh. He embraced her tightly.

"Of course you are. Oh, I am so delighted. I hope to fill our home with children."

"I thought that you wanted to wait a bit?"

"Only because I thought that that was what you wanted. We are beyond blessed, are we not?"

"We are, indeed," Elizabeth agreed joyful and overwhelmed. "Now, I am afraid I must ask you to conceal your enthusiasm."

"Yes, you are quite right," Darcy agreed, as the two joined hands to return back to the party. "Your secret is safe with me, Mrs. Darcy," he said, grinning.

Elizabeth was relieved to find that her absence had not been missed by the rest of the group, who were enjoying her chocolate cake and a special punch that had been created by Mrs. Sutton. Darcy and Elizabeth separated and mingled with the guests. Elizabeth drifted off to the ladies. Mary had unfortunately convinced Georgiana to relinquish her playing, and it seemed that the volume of the party had increased as those around her attempted to talk over the noise.

"Miss Bingley, I have heard that you have been in Sanditon," began Mr. Collins.

"Yes, I went on holiday with some friends," replied Caroline, not missing a beat.

"Before I came to London, I was just telling Lady Catherine at Rosings that the sea air there might be just the thing for Anne's health-" Mr. Collins continued.

"Yes, it is amazing how the ocean can have such an effect on a person." Caroline returned, cutting him off and moving away to get more punch. Elizabeth put her arms protectively over her stomach as she considered Caroline's plight. Elizabeth wondered how Caroline could have done such a thing but reasoned that Elizabeth was in no place to judge her. She could not help but wonder what Caroline might be capable of.

"I would love a trip to the sea," Charlotte informed her husband.

"Perhaps we may persuade Lady Catherine to go with us." Mr. Collins speculated.

"Yes, we could not go on our own, or at least without her Ladyship's blessing," Charlotte said, looking at Elizabeth, who put her hand in front of her mouth to stifle a smile.

"You are right, of course," Mr. Collins agreed.

"Elizabeth," Lydia called in a whining voice. "Surely you would have thought to invite some young men for Kitty and me to meet, as we came all the way to London for your birthday," she said, looking around. "But alas, there are only boring married men here," she pouted.

"I am sorry, I meant to only invite close family and friends, and to have a small gathering."

"Mother was right, she said that you would only be thinking of yourself."

"It is of no matter, anyhow," Lydia said, brightening and seeming to remember something. "I happen to know plenty of bachelors who are here now, in London, and mother has promised that we all will stay on in London at the Gardiners, not in your rich but boring house, so that we might have a bit of fun. This party would probably be the most boring time that we had while we were here."

Kitty joined them at the moment. "Yes, I agree with Lydia whole-heartedly. I nearly bore to tears!"

"As you know, Caroline is unmarried, perhaps you two can talk to her about any friends that she might know of," Elizabeth offered.

"No, she quite hates me," Kitty announced. "When I was helping a maid to air the guest chamber at Jane's home, Miss Bingley…

"Now, finally a guest who is single," Lydia exclaimed, distracting Kitty in finishing her sentence. "At least he is widowed. I know he is quite rich. Do you suppose he will ever remarry?"

"Who?" Elizabeth asked, not remembering and widowers she or Darcy might have invited.

"Him," Kitty said, pointing a finger.

Elizabeth turned and was somewhat surprised to find Lord Matlock had entered the room and appeared to be most uncomfortable standing near the door. Elizabeth's eyes darted around furiously in search of her husband, who was no longer in the room. She acknowledged the fact that she would have to talk to His Lordship.

"Lord Matlock," Elizabeth approached and greeted him, giving him a small curtsy.

"Mrs. Darcy," he returned, rather smugly. "I was unaware that you were hosting a party, and I apologize for the intrusion. I had hoped to speak with Darcy regarding something rather important. Shall I return at a later time."

"Nonsense," Elizabeth returned, wishing to win the older gentleman over. "Please have a glass of punch as I search for my husband," she gestured toward the punch bowl.

"I shall, thank you," he said curtly as Elizabeth left to find Mr. Darcy. She found her husband in the small parlour, playing a game of cards with her father, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Gardiner.

"May I have a word with you, please?" Elizabeth asked, sweetly.

"Please excuse me," Mr. Darcy said to the others, laying his cards down.

"Are you well?" he whispered urgently in Elizabeth's ear.

"Indeed, I am quite alright, and I will ask you not to worry anytime I may wish to speak with you privately, or you may give yourself a state of nerves comparable to my mothers during these next nine months."

"Of course, you are right," he admitted, relaxing a bit. "What is it?"

"Lord Matlock is here."

"Are you quite sure?" Darcy asked, again puzzled.

"Yes. Mr. Sutton must have assumed he was here for the party, and shown him in. His Lordship wishes to speak with you."

"He must have some pressing information regarding Richard," Darcy speculated.

"That is what I, too, assumed."

"I suppose this cannot wait."

"Of course not, "Elizabeth walked with her husband back to the drawing room, eager herself to hear the news, although she knew it would have to be from her husband. It was only reasonable to assume that Lord Matlock did not wish for her audience, after the accusation His Lordship levelled at her family at Lady Matlock's service. The Darcys found Lord Matlock engaged in a conversation with Georgiana. Elizabeth felt relieved that he seemed to have found one of the sweetest people at the party to engage with.

"There you are, Darcy," Lord Matlock said in greeting. "I am sorry to have disturbed you during your party. May I have a word with you?"

"Your presence here is always welcome, Uncle. Please, come. Let us find some privacy so that we may talk."

"You may join us, madam," Lord Matlock said, looking at Elizabeth. "I know that if you are anything like my late wife, you will be pressing your husband for all details, so I will spare your husband that."

Elizabeth was astonished by Lord Matlock's change of attitude. Darcy led the three into the study, where they settled down comfortably across from each other. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy looked at Lord Matlock expectantly.

"I have some rather important news of which I must share with you," Lord Matlock began. "Nephew, you have always been much like family to my wife, and I, and my sons…" he trailed off sadly. "So I wished for you to hear this news from me before it is made into gossip all across England, which it will undoubtedly be."

"I thank you for thinking of me, as such, and for your consideration of my family in coming here to give me whatever news."

"Yes," Lord Matlock said, nodding. "I wanted to let you know that I have willed the Matlock estates, in the event of Henry's untimely death and Richard's exile, to George Wickham. I have applied for a writ of summons to the House of Lords, for a special remainder for him to inherit the title too."

"No!" gasped Elizabeth, who was too shocked to conceal her emotions.