"You can not be serious?" Elizabeth heard Bingley say in a confused tone. "How can you not be eagerly awaiting the arrival of your first born, your heir?"

"You know what the difference between your marriage and my marriage is? You entered yours happily and completely in love. Elizabeth and I were not so happy and both of us were not in love. We struggled quite a bit at the first. Then, a few months ago everything was sorted out. I thought we could finally have our time together as a content and peaceful couple. Now, we have a child arriving in a few short months. I fear our lives shall never be this peaceful again."

Bingley laughed, "That is true. Children never seem to get the message that they are meant to be seen and not heard. That is why you are so unexcited about the child? Because your precious peace will be shaken to its core?"

"Do not be silly. I have always wanted a child and not just one. I just...I wanted to have more time with my wife before we had parenthood thrust upon us. We never had the chance to be truly happy just the two of us. Do not misunderstand me, we are quite happy now, but she is always tired or under the weather. It is not only her and I any longer. It may sound selfish but I am not ready to share my wife with another person yet, even if it is a tiny infant."

"Have you told Elizabeth how you feel?"

"No. I do not want to worry her about something so childish and insignificant. I am certain once the babe arrives I will adjust quickly to my new role. No point in upsetting her for nothing." Elizabeth heard a cough, then her husband say, "We have been here for awhile. Elizabeth and the guests might start wondering where we are soon. Let us return to the festivities."

Elizabeth scuffled quickly away from the door, still in shock from what she'd learned. She could not ignore this. She would have to confront him about this. And soon.

"Tonight went well I believe," Darcy said as his arms encircled his wife. "People seemed to enjoy themselves."

Elizabeth snorted. "Not quite everyone. Miss Caroline Bingley told me it was very quaint, but she was a touched bored."

"Of course, she would say that. Just ignore her, darling."

Turning around, Elizabeth caught her husband's gaze. "I can ignore her snide remarks, but there's something I can't ignore."

Darcy stared at his wife. His heart slowly sinking in his chest. What had he done this time? He was doing everything he could think of to keep her happy. No more arguments, no complaints about her family visiting, no trips by himself to London. He was staying by her side, trying to keep her as calm as possible. He hadn't even complained about the fact that even though they shared a bed they had not SHARED a bed in over a month. Patience was a virtue he had long ago learnt to endure. If she needed to wait a few months, he could wait a few months. What he could not endure was Elizabeth shutting him out again.

Elizabeth's hands made their way up her husband's chest and around his neck. Standing on the tips of her toes, she kissed his cheek. "You know that no matter what my love for you will not diminish? Our child will never override your place in my heart. This baby will not take away from our love, but will only add to it. He is a symbol of the love we share. We will find time to be together after he is born. I promise."

Smoothing his wife's hair behind her shoulder, Darcy grimaced. "You overheard my conversation with Bingley, did you not?"

His wife nodded. "Why did you not tell me? I had no idea that you felt that way."

"We finally had a modicum of peace in our lives. I did not want to upset that."

Elizabeth smiled. "We have had quite an eventful time for so short of a marriage. We must always endeavor to tell each other how we feel. No matter what we need to be open and honest with each other."

"Can I be honest with you then?"

"Of course, dearest."

"I miss being with you."

Wrinkling her brow, Elizabeth shot him a perplexed look. "But I am with you right now."

"I think you misunderstand me. I miss being with you. It has been a great many nights since we have shared more than a kiss. Thirty-two to be exact."

Elizabeth flushed a beet red. "I did not know you were counting the days. I did not realize it had been so very long since we last..."

Pulling her closer, Darcy murmured, "Well, Mrs. Darcy there is something you can do to remedy the situation. That is if you are well enough for it?"

"I believe I am," Elizabeth replied as her husband gently laid her back on the bed.