*This work is copyright protected.

FYI: I did write a wedding day... but I was not completely happy with it and had spent so much time looking at it and in the end, I decided not to use it. As many of you have asked for a 'wedding chapter', I will share this with you. I would ask that you are kind with your comments on this chapter LOL. For some reason I do not find weddings an easy thing to write about.

By popular demand I give you the wedding day!

Enjoy :)

THE WEDDING!

The day had arrived, the day Elizabeth became Mrs Darcy and left Elizabeth Bennet behind. She was reeling at the level of calm she felt standing at the altar, sneaking a look at Mr Darcy, he held the same expression as he always did, an inscrutable and aloof countenance. He never gave any indication as to what he was feeling or thinking, but in the few times when he smiled it transformed his features completely. His smile revealed a glimpse at a whole other man that could have been Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

He stood proud next to her in a navy jacket, crafted expertly to accentuate his slender frame, though his muscular shoulders and arms, boasted of a leashed power within. He wore a white shirt with a matching waistcoat and black breeches. She looked down at his hands, he had such manly hands, from experience she knew they held a few callouses from his gentlemanly pursuits. He turned slightly looking down at her catching her looking at him, and his gaze softened slightly as he gave a barely perceptible nod of encouragement. She felt a warmth grow in her stomach as she knew him well enough to be able to notice those little nuances to her soon-to-be husband's character.

She had hoped he would be pleased with her appearance, even though she would never admit it to anyone, every choice she had made, from her hair to her gown had been in the pursuit of pleasing Mr Darcy. Of course, Ella and Georgie had convinced her to choose the most luxurious fabrics and had bespoke beading the corseted bodice of her dress, made from the finest silk. The dress itself Elizabeth, had chosen specifically to match the crystal blue of Mr Darcy's eye in the moonlight, the memory of that night still caused ripples of pleasure to coarse through her… but she really ought to focus on what the Minister was saying.

Her heart skipped several beats when he turned towards her, and pledged to love, honour and obey… the only thing that spoiled the moment was the slight flatness to his tone and was she imagining it or was he not looking directly at her? The veil, which Ella had also insisted be adorned with scattered beads and lace matching her bodice had moved when they turned to face each other, so she could not clearly see his face.

Elizabeth's pulse began to thrum loudly in her ears as he took her hand and neatly removed her ivory glove, he slowly slipped the gold ring onto her finger with steady hands. When she had to do the same to him, her fingers shook so much that she nearly dropped the ring, causing a small chuckle to ripple through the guests.

She stopped breathing altogether when they were pronounced husband and wife! Mr Darcy lifted her veil, her face flamed when he bent to place a chaste kiss upon her lips before turning to walk through the guests and out of the Cathedral, as Mr and Mrs Darcy!

Mr Darcy had thought the wedding had gone off without a hitch. The ceremony had been… fine. He had nearly choked on some of the words, but of course no one would have been able to see his reticence. He had cultivated his impenetrable demeanour over the years, even when he felt anxious, he appeared unreadable, and if he were truthful, he could admit that he was looking forward to being married to Elizabeth. With my body I thee worship… yes, he would definitely have no trouble with those vows. Elizabeth looked beautiful! When he had lifted the veil, she had stolen his breath.

Ella had asked him his thoughts on the dress, but he had been so withdrawn until the moment he lifted her veil and then he could only stare into her soulful emerald eyes. His sister had of course rolled her eyes and Hugo had teased him. Georgie hadn't stopped crying, he was tempted to ask Elizabeth if she would mind, if she were to accompany them… but she would be terribly bored in the country without the twins. He most certainly had no intention of sharing Elizabeth for their week of seclusion.

Now arrived at the morning breakfast at Darcy House, he stood and observed the crowd as Elizabeth, standing beside him, engaged with the numerous well-wishers. He saw Hugo once more, paying particular attentions to Miss Jane Bennet, which would not be an issue if it were to end with a marriage… Hugo, however, was at that age where he grew bored very quickly, Lady's like Miss Jane, would most definitely be expecting a commitment… he would speak to Hugo before they departed for Derbyshire and let him know his regard for Jane has been observed and he should only continue if he intends to court her and ultimately offer for her -.

"Oh, yes, well I was unsure too, but now seeing them together it is most definitely a love match!"

"Can you see how they adore each other!"

"How it must feel to have Mr Darcy, be in love with you!"

Suddenly jarred from his thoughts and registering the whispers around him, he saw guests twittering away and looking pointedly towards him. Panic started to creep in and the blood began to roar in his ears…

"Look at how she glows when she looks at him!"

"Well, yes, it was obvious to me too sister, from the moment she clapped eyes on Mr Darcy, she was lost," he heard the unmistakable voice of Mrs Bennet, shouting above the din.

All of a sudden, his neck cloth felt too tight, but he resisted the urge to tug at it. Looking down at Elizabeth, she sensed his stare and looked up at him, beaming with happiness, before her attention was captured by another guest. She would not be so foolish as to engage her heart in this marriage...! The laughter was becoming too loud and the air too close when he felt someone brush past him, a little too close for comfort, against his back and had to resist the compulsion to flinch at the contact. The bile was beginning to rise in the back of his throat... he started seeing the burning cottage and could taste the cloying soot from all those years ago, his father's rage - .

Abruptly excusing himself, he left the room calmly so as not to draw attention and went to his study. Once he had shut his door, creating a much-needed barrier, he began to breath harshly and rushed to open a window to cool the clammy skin.

After a few minutes he began to finally calm down, he knew what must be done. He would not ruin this day, but he would withdraw a little, so that she did not form the wrong sort of attachment towards him. He was not a man capable of more, it was not worth the pain, and he would be damned if he turned out like his father! Lust and love were two completely different emotions. And that was all this was!