Disclaimer: Y'all will see some hints of quotes from book and movie P&P. You will know which ones.

There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness

Four of the inhabitants of the manor house of Pemberley could find little to no sleep that night.

Although the master and mistress were worried for themselves individually, it cannot go without saying that each of them were more concerned for the well being of their relationship and for the general welfare of those around them that were affected by their relationship.

The other two occupants that found little sleep were, of course, the good housekeeper and the darling sister.

Mrs. Reynolds had been sought after twice now for very personal advice from her new mistress. It went without saying that although there had been no official mistress of Pemberley for many years since the former Mrs. Darcy had passed, that Mrs. Reynolds had assumed all the duties of the role other than the name. It would be natural for any of the Darcy family to go to her for advice, and all of them had many times. Elizabeth felt that after all she had heard of the woman she could also seek her counsel. Mrs. Reynolds felt very awkward giving it to her new mistress as she had known her for but a day the very first time she had been sought out. However, the depth of Elizabeth's turmoil the first day had washed away all awkwardness and had been quickly replaced by compassion for the young woman's situation. Although she was unsure of her advice it was given with the very best intentions and she hoped all would work out for the best. The same went for the second time.

Georgiana was desperate for things to work out for everyone's benefit, including her own. As enjoyable and diverting as London could be, it was not very fun longer than a week, as she was not yet permitted at balls and other social outings, as she was not yet out. For her own small selfish reasons she hoped all would be well so she was not sent back to London, especially with very little notice. The better parts of her thoughts were for the well being of her brother and new sister and that they could find a happy equilibrium. She knew there was deep affection on her brother's side but he was so very reserved and had so many infuriating principles. She knew Elizabeth had grown to care for him but the hole in which she could now find herself was much deeper than it should be. Georgiana and her should have told Darcy the truth from the off and they both knew it. However, there was nothing that could be done about now that the truth was out.

At dawn both master and mistress woke, although neither had slept so when the very first ray of light passed through each of the bed curtains they woke with much anticipation of what was to come. Elizabeth readied herself quickly and dressed as quickly as she could. As everyone was retiring the evening before Darcy had simply asked "The library?" Elizabeth nodded and it was understood by both that their meeting would take place "tomorrow" in the library. Elizabeth did not know when but was determined to wait all day if necessary. She hoped it would be early because the anticipation of what was awaiting was too much to bear for too long.

When Darcy woke he felt almost exactly as he had one morning when he was at Cambridge. It was the morning he had met Bingley, although quite by chance. Darcy was in his fourth year and Bingley in his second. Both was aware of the other but only knew the name and family history of the other. Bingley's good friend had called out Lord Mark Fitzwilliam, Richards's elder brother on cheating at cards at their club the night before. Neither Bingley or Darcy or Richard had partaken of the game but were all witness to what had occurred. Mark had, indeed, cheated and had been warned not to. He had been justly, although drunkenly, called out for his wicked actions.

Lord Mark Fitzwilliam was by no means an accomplished swordsman. He would either die or be a coward and not fight at all. His brother Richard would offer no help nor accept the position of being his elder brother's second. Darcy, who felt more pity than anything, agreed to be his second out of family loyalty rather than affection for his cousin. Although Bingley's friend Mr. Peter Smith had a common last name he was by no means without substantial means. His father had made a vast fortune in trade and had met Bingley's father some years ago. Peter Smith took his father's wealth for granted and lived the stereotypical life of an upper-class young man of the ton. A member of an elite club, a gambler, a drinker, and a man who made weekly visits to certain houses in a less than agreeable neighborhood of London. He had a knack for cards and so relied on his own smarts rather than taking advantage of other players, as Mark had done. Peter instantly regretted calling the future Earl of Matlock out for a duel for he was not too skilled with a blade, either. Bingley was his second although he could boast no more proficiency than many others, for his true talent lay in his aim and shot of a gun.

Mark and Darcy had made their way to the field a mile from town at dawn as well as Peter and Bingley. In his nervousness Mark had continued drinking the entire night and so was less than sober when he picked up his epée. As he stumbled over to meet his opponent he tripped and fell flat down. Peter was not in his best shape either and so Bingley tried to convince him to postpone the duel or to give it up. Proud men are hardly rational, especially when in a less than reasonable state to begin with. Peter was convinced he was not in a right state to fight but still insisted on his honor being withheld. Bingley said that if Darcy would take Mark's place then he would fence with him until the first palpable hit. Darcy agreed and so the two young men went at it. Darcy was quite surprised with the skill of the younger man and although both knew Darcy would make the first acknowledged hit it was an impressive clash of swordsmanship.

After the failed duel all the gentlemen went home for the day but two of them were at the club that evening. Darcy and Bingley spoke of many things and became quite good friends for the next five years until the present.

Darcy knew not why he woke up the morning of that duel with a lingering sense of dread, but he did. He now woke up with the same feeling in the pit of his stomach and knew he must face the day. He rose from his bed and changed into suitable clothes went to his door. He hesitated a moment and then realized he must bring the letter.

As it seemed every morning Darcy and Elizabeth were somehow connected so they woke and left their bedrooms at nearly the same time. This morning was no different as one closed their door quietly the other spied his beautiful wife. Darcy thought Elizabeth the most beautiful woman ever but he thought her especially beautiful in the morning with a freshly rested face with the remains of sleep in her lovely eyes.

Neither said anything but walked a small distance away from each other to the library downstairs. Darcy closed the door behind them and Elizabeth sat down in one of the oversized leather chairs near the fireplace. Darcy remained standing, paced a few times, and then sat down a few moments later.

"Would you like some tea, or coffee perhaps?" asked Darcy.

"No, thank you."

Darcy nodded and silence again ensued. Neither had any idea where to begin. Both knew some sort of argument was coming but had no idea where to start.

"May I read the letter?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Darcy handed her the letter. "Before you begin I would like to ask one thing of you."

Elizabeth waited for her husband's response.

"I believed myself to be calm and composed when I penned this missive, Elizabeth. Looking back I see I was bitterly angry and resentful and it shines through quite clearly in my manner of writing. You are angry with me and will undoubtedly be even more so by then end of it. Please know and remember how much as changed since then."

She nodded and began to read. She tried very hard to heed Darcy's words as she read through the contents of the letter but it was increasingly hard as her emotions were stirred. As she finished she could not collect what her thoughts were. She knew of Darcy's interference with Bingley and her sister but the thought of it still angered her. Now that they were married bringing up an argument about it would be fruitless. Georgiana, herself, had told Elizabeth of her misfortunes with Wickham but that Darcy would have told her, even in defense of himself, was touching. She was angry with herself because she had not had even then decency to read the letter, which would have caused none of this to occur and she might have even accepted Darcy without having to nearly be bribed into it.

So much would have been different. Who knew if her father would have died, although it was a natural occurrence she could not help but wonder at it. She was away at Hunsford and her mother was barreling down her father with her nerves. Could it be that his got the better of him before her mother? Perhaps Elizabeth's presence would have been a comfort to him and he would not have suffered so.

Much to Elizabeth's surprise she felt no anger at her husband as she thought she would have. He had been unjust in all his actions but she had paraded as if she knew the contents of the letter so the deceit rested with her alone.

"You have finished the letter I presume?" asked Darcy after some silence and her eyes had been directed at the floor for some time.

"Yes."

"Why did you marry me Elizabeth?"

The question startled Elizabeth more than if a gun would have been fired in the silence that they were sitting in. She had been wholly unprepared for such a blunt and, if not random, very unexpected question.

"What?" she asked as she tried to bide her time before answering.

"Why did you marry me? I knew you did not love me, but I had thought that I had some form of respect from you after reading the letter. Fear no ridicule from me in your answer, I simply wish to know," he said quietly.

"What other choice did I have? You were quite adamant that you wished me as your wife and I could not continue living off my uncle's kindness forever."

"With your sister's marriage to Bingley you would have been taken care of."

"Financially, yes. However, without my father my life would have been a very sad thing. I love my mother but I knew I could not live with her for the rest of my life."

"You could have married for love."

"I have," she said, as she looked him in the eye for the first time.

Darcy smiled at this. He was quite afraid that this would tear away any regard she had claimed she had on him. Her wonderful eyes that he had admired for so long were looking for the same reassurance that he was secretly hoping for moments ago. He stood and sat down next to her. He grasped her hands and kissed both of them.

"You have no idea what those words mean to me, Elizabeth," he replied as he gently kissed her forehead, too.

Elizabeth turned herself around and naturally leaned into him and rested herself against his strong chest. She had never felt so safe or wonderful in her life. She knew now, more than ever, that marrying the man she had so despised was the best thing she had ever done. Both knew that the words that would follow must be said with great care.

"I am sorry, William, for everything. I knew very well that disguise of every sort is your abhorrence. I took no pleasure in deceiving you. Everything happened so swiftly and I only wished for peace. If that meant keeping up the charade that I had intentionally hurt you and Georgiana forever that I very shamefully admit I was willing to do it."

"I know not what you must have felt. I will never forgive myself for what I said and abandoning you when you had never been so alone. I believed myself deceived in you in every way. You seemed so changed after that. So meek and it seemed as though you had accepted everything. I longed for the old Elizabeth whose courage would rise with every attempt to intimidate her."

"I find I prefer her as well, but I was very frightened of what would further happen if she were to make an appearance."

"Elizabeth, I know you were unhappy and we were quarreling, but you must promise me now as I will promise you. You must never be afraid of me. We will assuredly argue, disagree, yell, and anger each other, but I swear to God I will never hurt you or allow any harm to come to you so long as it is in my power to protect you. You must see that I can be annoyingly overprotective of those that I love. I am heartily sorry for separating you and Georgiana but I was afraid any mention of Mr. Wickham would hurt her. Again, I realize the foolishness of my actions. She needed to be here for reassurance and comfort rather than be sent away and wondering for weeks at the outcome of a problem she believed herself to cause."

"I must confess one further thing to you that will likely reignite your ire."

"Yes?"

"The morning after we married I sought the advice of Mrs. Reynolds to see what course of action I should take."

"That was a wise choice. Mrs. Reynolds has given me very wise counsel these past four and twenty years."

"Georgiana also went to her when she learned she was to be sent to London that morning." Elizabeth was trying to take this as slowly as possible so he could understand it all and perhaps sort it out before he angered anew.

She continued, "Your sister and I met that morning, with the help of Mrs. Reynolds. She explained all that Wickham had done and why his name caused so much grief in one night. We were in contact the entire time she was in London."

Darcy had no idea of this and he was not expecting it. He now felt a fool, indeed! Everyone knew the truth the whole time except him.

"The reason you and Georgiana were able to make up so quickly this morning – "

"Was because there was nothing that needed to be mended."

"I see," was all he said. She watched his countenance darken and he was clearly deep in thought.

"William, I beg of you. Any anger or hurt you feel please do not direct it at Mrs. Reynolds or Georgiana. This is my fault."

He looked up at her with an expression she did not recognize.

"I am not angry. I would have been, very much so, at another point in time but all I can think of is getting past this. I fear that we may never have complete closure of it and, if it is all the same to you, I should liked to put it behind us and never think of it again. Is that agreeable?"

"Yes."

"Elizabeth, you said you have married for love, is it too much to ask for us to make a fresh start? Marriage as a couple in love?"

"Indeed not. Although I fear I need a little more time before I can consent to that completely."

The hurt and surprise was clear on her husband's face. She chose her next words very carefully.

"Forgive me, William. I did not mean to say I do not want to begin now. I only meant that when we make this start, I wish it to be the only new start we need ever make. I would wish for that day to be as if it were the day of our wedding, in every sense," she finished to see if he took the meaning hidden in her words.

He seemed to and then said his reply with as much caution. "It pains me to think I ever bound you to a contract upon our marriage. I hope you know I will have it destroyed, Elizabeth."

"I made a vow before God, as did you, to be your wife. I have considered myself bound to you since that day. I accepted, rather reluctantly at first, that you were my husband. But, I accepted it nonetheless. I do not enter into promises lightly, especially not such a solemn and final thing as marriage. I know I have no right, biblically and by the law of England, to deny you your rights as a husband. However, I trust you completely and hope you will not mind a little while longer. My emotions have been on a very turbulent ride as of late and I wish to go forward with a steady mind."

"I have desired you for so long and would not wish for you to underestimate how much I long for what you speak, Elizabeth. However, please understand that I would be more than happy just to gaze at your loveliness forever. I know how lucky and undeserving I am to have you as my wife."

"I assure you I have very low standards, sir," she said. As Darcy watched her he saw the impudence he so loved return to her charming eyes and the arch of her brow he cherished.

"Indeed, madam. What is it you require of from the companion in your life?"

"In rejecting Mr. Collins I made a promise to myself that I would marry someone other than him."

Darcy was taken aback that Collins had proposed to Elizabeth. He was quite angry at the audacity of the man.

Elizabeth continued, "I assure you, sir, that you have met and exceeded my two expectations of marriage." Darcy waited for her to continue. "I am most grateful that you are not that insufferable man."

"And the other expectation, Elizabeth? Do you perhaps require a man in regimentals?"

Elizabeth's tinkle of laughter that followed made Darcy feel quite warm inside.

"Indeed not. My only other standard was more what I expected from myself but am more than happy to say I have found it, however it has taken a little longer than I expected. The following piece of information, the truth of which you can appeal to the testimony of Jane, was said on the night of the assembly when we first met. I said to her that only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony."

"Then I have met with your standards?"

"You have surpassed them in every way possible, sir." Their eyes met and they moved closer to one another on the large chair they shared.

"It is impossible to describe how much I love you, my darling Elizabeth."

"Would it be possible for you to repeat that phrase, but with another name?"

"Indeed not, for only one woman can claim a space in that sentence."

"I am honored to have that claim on your grammatical affection, however would Lizzy be an entirely disagreeable substitute?"

Darcy's lips had captured her own before she found the time to breath again after finishing her small speech. He had been wishing for the opportunity to seal their new promises with a kiss but found his patience drawing thin. Her lovely lips had transfixed him since such pleasant words began passing through them. They called out to be kissed. He was more than happy to oblige them and it seemed quite clearly that from the way they parted they were more than happy to be the lucky recipients of such arduous kisses. After many moments they pairs of lips parted from each other and the eyes met. Elizabeth's cheeks felt a pair of strong and rather large hands cup them.

"From the very first moments of our acquaintance I have longed to be able to call you my own. Your compassion for sister when she was ill at Netherfield, your lovely countenance when you arrived in such a wild state to tend to her, your very fine eyes, and your love for all your family and friends drove me wild with envy that I could not have such a claim for your affection. I enjoyed our arguments at Netherfield for I flattered myself to think you were flirting with me. When you said you despised me at Rosings – "

"But I do not – " Elizabeth's protests were countered and defeated with a hard and fast kiss and a "Shh" from her husband in order to silence her.

"When you said you despised me at Rosings I was a broken man afterwards. However, I quickly took that pain and tried hard to reform to make myself worthy of you. However, such dreadful events then happened I thought my chances were gone forever since you were removed from Longbourn. I confessed all to Charles and, after a few days, was forgiven. The point I am trying to make is that everyone around you that you loved and who loved you were permitted to call you by the only name I could ever think of you as but was not at liberty to call you. In my thoughts you have always been 'My Lizzy' and I am overjoyed that I shall now be free to tell that to the whole world."

Elizabeth had no idea how to respond to such an intimate feeling even if the man relating it was her husband. She merely looked up at him and smiled sweetly at him.

"I quite like the idea of being yours. So long as you shall always remain mine, as well."

"You need never fear on that score," Darcy said as he kissed her once more.

When they broke apart silence ensued for but a moment before it was most unceremoniously interrupted by a large grumble from Elizabeth Darcy's empty stomach.

Elizabeth turned a most becoming shade of red and Darcy was quite astounded that so large a grumble should come from so small a person.

"Forgive me, I could not find a hearty appetite last night and so find myself quite famished this morning."

"What say you, my lovely wife, to a quick stroll after a very light repast and then a picnic by the lake? This may be one of the last warm days of autumn and I should like very much to spend it in your company."

"Indeed I should like that very much. I shall be but a moment getting my jacket."

Elizabeth exited the room and nearly ran to her chambers to grab a light spencer jacket but more importantly to pen a very quick missive to her sister.

Georgie-

All is well.

She let the ink dry and as it was still early and Georgiana would be asleep, she slid it under the young girl's door. The delight Georgiana would feel upon reading it an hour later was nothing to the delight felt by the master and mistress of Pemberley as they walked hand in hand into the glorious morning.

Little did they know that a most unwelcome guest to Pemberley would soon interrupt their solitude.

I hope everyone had a great and happy holiday season! Posts may continue to be slower because I am transferring colleges in a week so I will be settling into a new life. Title by Josh Billings

Review!!!