The Darcy's walked into Pemberley in quite a good mood. It had been a beautiful day in many ways and both were happier than they could ever remember being in a very long time. They had spent a long time out of doors and it was soon to be time for supper.

"I think we both need a little time to freshen up. What do you think of dinner in an hour and a half?" Darcy asked Elizabeth as they entered the foyer and began to make their way above stairs.

"That is more than sufficient time. Although I have not spoken to the kitchen staff yet, I suppose I should go do so now."

"Let me take care of it. Go rest and freshen up." Darcy offered.

"Thank you." Lizzy smiled.

"Lizzy?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"I have a distinct feeling that dinner will be just the two of us tonight," he added with a smile and a wink.

Lizzy's stomach began to do butterflies at what she would wear. Should she dress more formally or should she wear an everyday gown? She always liked the idea of dressing more formally for dinner. Darcy and Georgiana had always done so and were very meticulous dressers. She decided on a lovely pink gown and wore a necklace of pearls her Aunt Gardiner had given her for her eighteenth birthday.

A knock at her bedroom door interrupted her from her reverie and she admitted the disturber. It was a maid looking quite nervous.

"Yes, Mary?"

"Forgive me for the interruption, madam, but a lady is asking to see you."

"A lady?"

"Lady Catherine – "

"DeBourgh," Lizzy finished for her.

"Yes ma'am"

"You are quite sure it is her? And it is me she is asking for, not Mr. Darcy?"

"Yes ma'am. The master cannot be found."

"I see. Would you lead me to her then, please?"

"Of course, Mrs. Darcy. She is in the parlour downstairs, ma'am, if you'll follow me."

The maid led Lizzy downstairs to where she could hear Lady Catherine within the room storming about.

"Lady Catherine. To what to we owe the honor of your arrival?"

"I have come to take Georgiana back to Rosings with me this very night." Lady Catherine replied.

"I beg your pardon, madam?" Elizabeth asked. This was the very last thing she had expected to hear.

"I have written my nephew many times of late demanding he renounce you as his, his, well he will not divorce you even if society does not recognize your union." Lady Catherine made no effort in keeping her tone at a civil level as Lizzy was trying very hard to do.

"What has your anger at his choice of wife to do with his sister? Whom he has raised and cared for these past five years?" she asked in an even a tone as she could manage.

"It has everything to do with it!" Lady Catherine raged. "Do you think that I, his nearest relation, will let my sister's daughter be exposed to such a vile and common woman as you, Miss Bennett?"

"Although I find it impossible to where you base these insults of my heritage and character I will forget them at present. I can assure you, Lady Catherine, that while under this roof Georgiana would never be exposed to anything of the kind. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have done a marvelous job, with the help of her companion, to see that her education, deportment, and surroundings are absolutely impeccable."

"That is absolutely impossible! Not with the likes of you 'under this roof!' as you say." Lady Catherine was nearly screaming while Lizzy watched as calmly as she could manage at this time.

"I would humbly bed your ladyship to explain what is so repulsive about the 'likes of me,'" asked Elizabeth.

"Why that you are the daughter of a woman whose family comes from trade!"

"I believe your ladyship forgets my father was a gentleman. My husband is a gentleman and therefore we were equals upon our marriage." Elizabeth's tone was growing icier as the seconds drew on.

"I see. However I believe, Miss. Bennet, that your mother was the only parent present at your wedding. Your uncle gave you away, your uncle from Cheapside. You come from trade Miss. Bennet. Your father is dead." Lady Catherine was so worked up at this point it looked as though she were almost smirking.

The blow that Lady Catherine had just dealt was too much for Elizabeth. Angry, hot, tears came most unwillingly to her eyes. She tried to manage a response but found no words to say to such a cruel remark. She opened her mouth but it was not her voice that managed to respond in the way she'd hope to be strong enough for.

"Aunt Catherine. You will leave this house immediately." Darcy's glacial voice broke the silence between the two women.

"Fitzwilliam Darcy you have absolutely no authority to speak to me in such a fashion." Lady Catherine shouted.

Elizabeth never imagined her loving husband could look or speak with such hatred.

"You forget yourself, Aunt. You are now at Pemberley and I am master of this estate. You just insulted the mistress, my wife, in every way possible that you will say no more to her unless it be an apology," Darcy said.

"This is not to be bourne! I demand to see Georgiana, at once!"

"Absolutely not. She is upstairs and will remain there until you have left. I know your reasons for coming here, as you were not discreet in the least in your attempts involve my wife in your useless schemes."

"I will not stay a moment longer! I will be back with your uncle and he will force you to see reason." Lady Catherine shouted.

"Lord and Lady Matlock have just left after a visit. They were delighted in my choice of wife and my uncle gave me every assurance that he would support my wife in any attempt to slander or deprive her of the respect that is due to her as Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley. Your schemes and manipulations are useless Aunt and I respectfully suggest you reform if you wish to stay in the good graces of the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families. I will offer you supper in this room if you have not eaten but will welcome you no further on this occasion. Mary will see to your needs and your carriage will be ready when you are ready. I can have a man sent to reserve a room in Lambton, if you wish."

"No I do not wish! I will not stay a second longer but hear me this is not over. Georgiana – "

"Georgiana is my sister and is under no ones authority but my own and the Colonel's. Goodnight, aunt Catherine. Come, Mrs. Darcy." He offered his arm to Elizabeth and she immediately took it. Darcy ushered her into the dining room and immediately dismissed the servants for the present.

Elizabeth's resolve immediately broke and her tears turned into sobs. Darcy enveloped her instantly and sat down on a chair with her. He cradled her in his arms and held her until she was able to breathe and speak again. Darcy gently caressed her back and kissed her hair and forehead as she cried.

"Forgive me, my darling. I only went to my study to retrieve something and when I came to your room you had been taken down to Lady Catherine," Darcy whispered.

"I am only so happy you came. I do not know what I would have done. Perhaps she would have been able to see Georgie. When she said what she did I was ready to give her anything so that she would stop. I did not know if you would come before – "

"Oh, my lovely Lizzy. Pemberley is a grand house but I assure you, the walls are not thick enough for Lady Catherine to accomplish anything that would hurt us permanently. I heard her from the beginning. Forgive me for not making my presence known. I do not know why I did not come to your aide before. Although this was not the direst of situations, please know I will come for you always. You will never be in harms way so long as I live. I will always come for you."

"I am only glad you came." Lizzy kissed his cheek softly but he would have none of it. Her lips were the only thing he desired at the moment and did not stop until his desires had been fulfilled.

"I went to my study to fetch something my uncle reminded me of." Darcy pulled out a green velvet box from his coat pocket. He opened it and Elizabeth gasped. Inside was the largest, yet tasteful, and most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It was an emerald encircled with diamonds on a silver band. Darcy shifted so Elizabeth stood from his lap and he too stood. He then took her hands before him and knelt down.

"I know we are already married but I know I should have asked you the right way. The way I asked you to marry me was no way a man in love should have asked. Although certain circumstances prevented me from doing so, seeing as you loathed me, I could not and hope you will allow me this second chance?" Darcy asked smiling. Elizabeth could only nod and wait.

"When we married we were not equals. I loved you and you did not love me in return. I wanted to marry you and you more or less did not want to marry me. You treated me respectfully and during that time which I do not wish to look back on I treated you as my subject or subordinate. I treated you no better than Lady Catherine treated you."

"William, no! You could never be on her level!" Elizabeth insisted.

"It is the same to me, Elizabeth. We had our differences and were not of the same understanding. Tonight you put it into perfect words. We are now equals. We are both of equal heritage and we both possess loving hearts. I now humbly beg you to be my wife, knowing how much I love, respect, and cherish you."

Tears could not help but pour down Elizabeth's face as she smiled and laughed with joy. She nodded vigorously and said

"I want nothing more in this world you be your wife and love you forever."

Darcy put the ring on her finger and kissed her hands and thanked her.

"This was my mother's ring from my father. They loved each other very much and I know they would love you as much as I, Lizzy." Darcy beamed at his wife as she leaned up to kiss him.

"If they were anything like you or Georgie I will love them even without making their acquaintance."

"If you are not otherwise very famished I would like to show you something very quickly before it is too dark." Darcy asked.

"By all means." Elizabeth took his arm and they walked down a path she had never been on away from the garden walls.

They neared Pemberley Chapel and walked underneath a large weeping willow. There were three small monuments with the names of Darcy's parents and a third.

"I had a sister for a short time. Her name was Laura. She was born a few years before Georgie and died of pneumonia sixth months later."

"Oh, William. I am so very sorry! Your poor parents. You must have loved her very much."

"I always shall. She would have been a beautiful young woman. Her eyes were very much like yours. I believe that was what drew me to admire your lovely eyes."

Elizabeth only smiled softly at him as she knew this was the most personal thing he had told her thus far.

"Would you mind if we sat here for a little while longer?" Elizabeth asked.

"Of course, my love. For as long as you wish."

Darcy leaned against the willow and Elizabeth leaned between his legs and rested her head against his chest. They sat quietly is this position for a long time and Elizabeth's voice broke the silence.

"You have proposed to me the way both of us wished for and I would now ask you allow me to say my wedding vows the way I would have wished. In the presence of your family, save Georgie, but I do not think she would mind very much," said Elizabeth.

"Of course." Darcy said.

Elizabeth turned to face him and took his hands in hers.

"I Elizabeth. Take you Fitzwilliam. To be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part," kissed his hands.

"I love you, Elizabeth. I believe I have always loved you. And I will forever." Darcy said.

"And I you."

Darcy took her in his arms and kissed her quite forcefully and passionately, as was his wont with her so close to him. After a respectable amount of time the happy couple made their way back to their home for supper.

Review, please! More to come as soon as I can!