"If you are just going to keep finding excuses to be alone with me, perhaps we should go to Gretna Green now and save everyone the trouble of planning our wedding," commented Diana dryly as she gazed at her fiancé over the edge of her book, one eyebrow raised in amusement.

Richard merely looked smug, not moving an inch from where he was comfortably laying down on the blanket next to her, his head dangerously close to her thigh. "You invited me to join you outside and then your maid left us alone, why should my reputation be compromised by a scandalous marriage in Gretna Green?" he teased.

Diana merely looked amused. "I invited you nowhere, I merely asked where the best view was."

"I could hardly describe it to you; what if you got lost?"

"Yes, darling, I'm sure that is what was on your mind."

Richard shook his head. "You merely want to compromise me."

Diana snorted. "Obviously, because your reputation is so immaculate that I must bring you down to my scandalous level, is that right?"

"Your reputation is hardly immaculate."

"'Tis better than yours, sir."

"Touché, my lady," it was Richard who looked like he wanted to laugh now. "And yet, to govern by fear is not the same as to be loved."

"Loved by every woman in London, you mean."

"I sense jealousy."

"Hardly," she scoffed. Richard waited for her to say more, but she pointedly held her book in front of her face, dismissing him.

However, he would not be dismissed. "I insist on knowing what your comment meant," he persisted, sitting up and scooting closer. Diana swatted him away like a fly, but he was undaunted. They were to leave for Darcy House in a few hours, and it was still early morning, so Diana had opted to take a light lunch outside on one of the rolling hills that surrounded the estate. At first, her maid had been willing to accompany her, but as soon as Richard had passed them by in the halls of the house and had drawn her into conversation, Sarah had made herself scarce and they had been alone for a good many hours.

"And I insist that you let me read," said Diana, her eyes focused but not reading.

"You would judge a poor man for his harmless flirtations before he met the love of his life?" Richard's tone was joking and overly dramatic, but Diana did not miss the underlying concern in his tone.

She sighed and put her book down, meeting his gaze and wrinkling her nose. "I find it distasteful," she admitted. "But I, of all people, cannot say anything about it."

"And why is that?" he caught her hand as it moved towards her book and pressed his lips to it, ignoring her sigh at the impropriety. "I have done worse, and you know it," he added, kissing her palm again before entwining their fingers and resting their locked hands on the ground between them.

Diana did not pull back her hand. Instead, she hesitated. Despite the fact that she did not want to have this conversation, she had decided that hiding what she was thinking from Richard only hurt them both - at least, this way, he appreciated her honesty. "I married someone else when you left me," she said quietly. She felt Richard grip her hand tighter, and she returned the pressure, fighting to keep her expression neutral, and yet soothing. "I will not lie to you and say he was hateful, or that I was miserable, because he was not and I was not. His only failing was that he was not you."

There was a beat of tense silence. And then…

"Pretty words," his voice was strained, but he was clearly trying to lighten the mood. Diana raised her gaze to meet his, and was relieved to see that, while there was pain in them, his eyes were still teasing. "Dare I say you have learned a thing or two from me, my lady?"

"You cannot take all the credit, I daresay you learned all your pretty words from me," she challenged, smiling herself when he threw back his head and laughed. It was not as hearty as she was used to, but it was a laugh, despite the sadness of the topic they had been discussing.

"I learned a great many things from you, and I learn something new about you every day," acquiesced Richard, still smiling. "But you never did complete your story. I left you and you got married. This gives me the right to flirt, is it?"

He had not let go of her hand. Diana tugged on it this time, inching closer and pressing her lips to his knuckles. She did not look up at him when she spoke. "How can I judge you for merely flirting with every pretty heiress you chance to meet?" she asked, her question purely rhetorical. The conversation was making her heart hurt, but she continued on. "You were stronger than I was - you did not form any permanent attachments while we were apart." She choked on the last word.

Richard closed the distance between them immediately, ignoring Diana's half-hearted, mumbled protests. He gathered her into his arms and pressed a kiss against the side of her head, his free hand caressing her hair. "You are all I ever wanted and all I will ever need," he murmured softly. "What is past is past. I will come back and you will never have to think on these subjects again."

"Oh, you silly man," Diana sighed, blinking away the traitor tears that had threatened to overcome her for only a few seconds. Nevertheless, she made no move to remove herself from her arms. Something he had said struck a cord within her, and suddenly she realized she needed to understand, once and for all, what he was thinking. "Can you promise me that?"

"I swear it, my love."

Diana shook her head. "No. Can you promise you will come back to me?"

She could feel his arms tense around her, and then he was pulling back and his eyes were sad. "That depends," said Richard slowly. "Would you like me to make a promise I do not know if I can keep?"

Diana closed her eyes, letting out a jagged breath slowly. Her pulse was racing, and the tears were once again burning behind her lids, but she was mistress of her emotions now, she would not let Richard see her cry when he was finally addressing the fears that had been dancing around in her head since the day she had read the letter from his commanding officer. "You've never lied to me before this," she said, her voice shaky but full of resolve. "I want to know what you are thinking."

Richard sighed, one hand rubbing his forehead in his usual sign of frustration while the other continued to hold onto hers tightly. "I do not know what you want me to say."

"Just the truth."

He frowned. "I have not lied to you about any of this, darling. I have answered your every query –"

"– with just enough information to make sure I am not uneasy," Diana completed his sentence for him. She shook her head. "I will worry about you no matter what, Richard. You could at the very least tell me what it is I must fear."

His eyes were sad. "I do not want you to be afraid."

"The man I love is going away. I am only afraid of losing him –"

"– and I hate myself for doing this to you –"

"– but I do not hate you."

"Diana, if you are wanting to say I should not leave –"

"I never said you should not go," said Diana immediately. He looked confused, and she forced herself to smile. "What kind of a woman would I be if I deny the man I love something he believes he needs?"

"And you?" his eyes were questioning. "What is it that you need?"

For you to stay with me. "Your safe return."

Finally, he cracked a smile. "Then I shall endeavour to fulfil your needs."

Her eyes twinkled. "For now that will do. Though I feel I should tell you that, more often than not, women prefer their wants to be fulfilled, not just needs."

"In that case, I intend to fulfil the wants and needs of my future wife, madam, I assure you," the spark was back in his eyes, and he tugged on a loose lock of her hair teasingly as he spoke.

"You needn't worry, sir, I hear your future wife would be quite happy with just her needs being taken care of," said Diana playfully.

"Is that so?" his fingers trailed down her temple to her jaw, and he stroked her cheek. "Then I am a lucky man."

Diana smiled and rested her face against his hand. "Yes, you are."

Richard chuckled. They sat that way for a few seconds, his fingers idly tracing her hairline and going down across her temple to the line of her jaw, then venturing up to her lips, and then he spoke. "May I say something?"

Diana tilted her head to one side at his odd request. "Of course."

Richard dropped his hand and reached for her again. Diana returned to his arms willingly, her back pressed comfortably against his chest as his arms wrapped around her middle. "I say this because you were honest with me, and in turn I wish to be honest with you," his words were quiet in her ear, his breath tickling her neck. Diana fought the urge to shiver. "I know I often jest, but if I could marry you today, without care for scandal and our families, I would. In a heartbeat. I need you to know that, my love."

"Of course I know," soothed Diana. She hesitated for only a second before continuing, "And I want it as well. More than anything." She covered his hands with hers and turned her head to the side to catch his eye, offering him a smile. He smiled back and kissed her temple reverently, resting their heads together as they enjoyed a few, peaceful moments alone before they had to travel once more.

I have been away for so long and I deserve none of your love and everlasting support but alas I must call upon it again, I swear I have been trying to update but uni is kicking my butt and its driving me crazy. This chapter is short, I know, but only because something MAJOR is happening next chapter (which will also be short but WORTH IT I PROMISE). Also, if you guess what happens in the reviews I will PM you at that instant and you will get a surprise - review to find out ;)

Speaking of reviews, THANK YOU SO MUCH to these beautiful people:

catelyntully11: Great to know you're on board with the impropriety, thanks!

LookingAnswers: Thank you for the love, hope youre enjoying the story

FeebleFluffyFan: Hello and welcome to the story! Hahaha I have considered a prequel but that would be a series of oneshots based off some R&D moments which are mentioned only in passing here, though their past is set exclusively during Henry and Emily's courtship so if I do end up doing a story about them you'll see all of the characters mentioned in this one quite a bit - but they were very different then compared to now, I warn you! Glad you're enjoying the story though xx

Jansfamily4: IF YOU'RE ENJOYING THE IMPROPRIETY then just wait until the next few chapters *hint hint wink wink*

Motherof8: Darcys will come in the next chapter, but Gretna Green not quite yet! (or maybe sooner than we all think?)

LovePP: Oh dear haha I hope it wasn't too much! I did try and temper it but those two just run away with the words, I can't help it!

Aaaaand that's all of them. If any of you wonderful people are still reading do give me a shout, I can't promise very regular updates (though I will try and maintain a 2 week schedule) but I will endeavour to keep you posted as to my schedule so you all have something to look forward to. Content-wise, this chapter only has one very very VERY significant line, but I doubt anyone will pick up on it - its almost so obvious that you could miss it (I do love writing this way, I'll be honest). Otherwise, its a bit of a feel-good chapter, helping us cement their relationship and sort of display how much its changed / how much is still the same, because, and I repeat, BIG THINGS ARE COMING UP IN THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS!

Also, the American election, guys... I'm not American, but political beliefs aside I am reeling in shock. Hence, the update - we all need something good in our lives, right?

Anyway, that's all for now. HOPEFULLY see you all very soon, for now I hope you enjoy this chapter! Much love xxx