..Don't worry. hes not forgiven yet! ;)

Let me know if you think this is enough!

ps. a few of you are out for Caroline's blood. sorry if I am disappointing you with this.

...

Chapter 24

...

It was some hours later that a number of their original party returned. The rest of the culprits were caught but they had found that they were closer to Birmingham and the colonel had decided to take them to the constabulary to arrange transport to London for trial, rather than trekking back north and then having to swing south.

It was a weary party that started out for Pemberley the following morning. They did not anticipate a long journey but no one was willing to travel at pace. The weather reflected the mood of the party. Dreary rain fell, not so heavy as to be considered poor travelling conditions but enough to seep inside the collar of every traveller and to weary the steps of the horses

On their return there were many matters requiring the attention of the master and mistress of Pemberley, such was it that Elizabeth spent very little time in her husband's company the first two days. That first nighttime she had gone to sleep the moment she had gone to bed, Darcy was still up and in the study, and so she did not know if he came to her. She was both dreading and anticipating time alone with him, keen to know what he would be like.

On the third day, after the attack, she sat down with Jane and Mr Bingley. They had not discussed Miss Bingley's actions, but Elizabeth did not want the woman in her house.

"This feels very formal Elizabeth."

"I apologise Jane, but I have a serious matter to acquaint you with."

"Darcy has already discussed his encounter" Bingley put in.

"This is about Miss Bingley."

Jane and Charles exchanged a glance.

"She is no longer welcome in my house."

Both Jane and Mr Bingley looked a little taken aback.

"Surely there is no call for that. I know you and she have never particularly got on."

"This is more than that Jane. She deliberately went through my personal correspondence, after tricking Georgiana in to allowing her time alone in my study, then shared a letter with Mr Darcy which he misinterpreted. No doubt that was her intention. She stole one of my scent bottles and then threw herself at my husband whilst he was inebriated. She is beyond the pale and I cannot have her sharing my house."

Jane looked shocked, Bingley also.

"Are you certain?" He ventured.

"My maid found the bottle in her room this morning, and Georgiana confirmed she had been left alone with my desk on the pretext of looking for a new pen." Elizabeth had spent an hour consoling the girl, who had feared she had acted poorly. " There is no shortage of pens in her rooms, just like yours."

"But Lizzy, even if what you say is true, what has that to do with ..."

She trailed off at the look on her sister's face.

"I am aware that more than just your sister are culpable in the events of the night I found them in the library." She had given Jane the details when she had returned from her pursuit of Darcy. "However, her actions were a deliberate attempt to interfere with my husband and I cannot forgive that. I realise we have other problems but until such a time as I can trust her in my house, she is not welcome. I apologise if that makes things difficult for you."

Jane looked concerned, but Bingley nodded "we understand, she should not have been invited anyway."

Jane gave her husband a look and he stood "I think I shall find Darcy, he was hoping for news from Fitzwilliam today.

"Lizzy, I understand, but you do realise what this action will precipitate?"

Elizabeth was quiet "you know she will spread gossip about you feeling threatened, or some such."

Elizabeth remained silent, Jane was unfortunately right.

"The gossip will harm her more than us. She will be considered fallen if there is any hint of impropriety about her. I will not cut her directly, at this point, and I will not say anything to damage her reputation, as long as she extends the same curtesy. But I cannot have her here."

Jane nodded, squeezing her hands. "Would it be acceptable for myself and Bingley to escort her to town? She might feel less vindictive if it does not appear if she is to be evicted."

Elizabeth sighed. Jane was to leave at the end of the week anyway, what was a few days difference. "I shall miss you, but if you feel that is best."

Jane moved and wrapped her in an embrace "you know my loyalty is with you, if you wish for her gone it shall be so."

"No, you are correct. I do not wish for more gossip about me." If Elizabeth were honest with herself she cared so little for Caroline that she just wanted her gone. She had toyed with revenge, shouting screaming, but really the woman was not worth it. Her actions were petty and doomed to fail, the actions of a child and Elizabeth intended to treat her like one.

Jane agreed to deliver the news. Miss Bingley did not take it well, but she was made to see reason. If she acted against the Darcys, they would cut her and she would not be welcome in the first circles. She would have to accept the compromise that Jane had brokered on her behalf. They would leave in two days and would not be invited again.

...

Darcy was pacing, again. He was in a tentative truce with his wife, his poor behaviour had been apologised for and forgiven, and he had vowed to himself to start a fresh. So why had he not really spoken to her since? Because he was a coward. He loved her, everything about her, and he desired her also. But, he was scared. He was scared of her rejection, he was scared he had ruined their relationship with his actions.

Society allowed for polite interactions between a man and wife, it was normal. Would this be normal for him?

The Bingleys were due to leave on the morrow, thankfully taking Caroline with him. She had occasionally tried to speak to him, but he had rebuffed her. If she entered a room he would leave, if she moved towards him, he would move away. Direct questions were answered in as brief a way as possible. In short, he was showing her he wanted nothing to do with her. Amusingly, he was not the only one. She was finding her time rather dull, as very few people were willing to countenance her behaviour. She was almost always ignored, or her conversation was tolerated and then the person would turn and begin another with someone else.

He noticed Georgiana turning to Kitty often, usually speaking of the travelling troupe as it was not a conversation Caroline could join in on, although she tried occasionally. He almost felt sorry for how frequently she was ignored, almost.

He was hoping to spend some time with his wife, they needed to reconnect. But first they needed to address the issue of the latest attempt on their magic and their lives.

Fitzwilliam had returned and they had convened in the study.

"Just wait whilst Mr Reynolds fetches Mrs Darcy."

Richard gave him a look.

"She should be here. It concerns her as much as, if not more than, us."

He shrugged and they waited.

Elizabeth walked in with some trepidation. She had not heard Richard had arrived and had merely been summoned.

"Oh!" She said with relief, not really understanding her reaction "cousin Richard, you have returned. I hope you do not bring bad news?"

"Mixed, I am afraid."

Elizabeth indicated they should all sit, and they did. Darcy offering Richard a drink, which was gratefully accepted.

"The constabulary has taken charge of the men and women we caught, they are in Cranstonire, the magical prison." Elizabeth nodded, she had heard of it. "They are awaiting trial. The civil courts do not deal with magical misdeeds but the society of magic will handle things. It seems they are not under Mrs Forsters orders, they are part of the order of the collectors or seekers. That's the cult that is in pursuit of more power. It is likely that Mrs Forester tipped them off and was going to try to re acquire you from them. We foiled her plans before she made it and she has not shown herself."

Darcy looked at Elizabeth grimly, but her eyes were fixed on the colonel.

"The perpetrators will be punished accordingly. Likely fully drained and transported or imprisoned." Elizabeth gasped, not that she did not think they deserved it, but still. "If they had done any harm to you or Darcy it would have been hanging" his eyes were sympathetic. Elizabeth nodded, raising her chin.

"What of Mrs Forster?"

"She has gone to ground. My man is in the separatist cult, and leaking information, but has not met her. He knew this attempt was not of their engineering. I suggested he stay until further notice, if that meets your approval?"

Darcy nodded, Elizabeth shot him a questioning look.

"We arranged for an old soldier friend of Richard's to infiltrate the cult, with an aim of joining the separatist faction. I was hoping he would track down Mrs Forster, or at least warn us of impending danger. I think he could be valuable to stay where he is, as long as he is safe"

Elizabeth nodded.

"There was a rumour that Mrs Forster has fled the country for the time being."

Darcy looked back at Richard, a question writ upon his face. "My man heard some people talking, they mentioned her by reputation and suggested she had fled."

"Let us hope that is true!" He spoke with some emotion in his voice.

"I must return to London."

Darcy stood and embraced his cousin. "We thank you for your timely help!"

Richard waved it away. "I am merely ensuring the right people are on the job."

He bowed to Elizabeth then allowed her to kiss his cheek before leaving them alone. 'Twas only when the door clicked shut that Elizabeth realised they were alone.

She turned towards the door "I must get back to..."

"Elizabeth" his voice was soft, "please stay."

She turned back to him, uncertainty in her eyes.

He moved forwards and picked up her hand, lifting it to his mouth for a kiss.

"We have much to discuss, still."

She allowed herself to be pulled to the settee and sat next to him.

"We said we would start afresh."

Elizabeth nodded

"I would like to court you again, I know I have made a mess of our marriage. My belief in doing things as I saw fit, rather than consulting you, keeping you in the dark about the threats we faced. I should not have done so. I have treated you badly and I wish to try to make amends."

Elizabeth was touched, but did not quite know what he wished from her. "You are making amends, you involve me in these decisions, you ask my opinion and .."

Darcy interrupted her again "that is the easy part. I do not like the distance between us, I know it is of my own making, but I do not wish to live my life with it."

Elizabeth looked confused so he decided actions would speak louder than his words, he leaned forward and placed a kiss upon her lips. She started slightly but he merely maintained the pressure until she relaxed and then he pulled back.

"That is not how you used to respond to my kisses."

Her eyes filled with sadness as she remembered how he had reacted when she had last kissed him, whenever she had shown affection.

"I drove you away, and it is selfish for me to want you back, but I do want you back. I feel an ache in me that is like a part of me is missing" he lifted her hands and pressed them to his chest.

"What if I cannot go back, what if I cannot respond as I once did? You say you do not wish to live like this, but how are we to live if I cannot meet your expectations.?"

Darcy sighed, self recriminations passing through his mind, again. He moved closer, drawing her head on to his shoulder, kissing her hair.

"I love you, Elizabeth Darcy. I have loved you for as long as I care to remember. I love the way you play the piano and sing, your whole soul comes through in your words and music. I love your thirst for knowledge, the way you cannot rest until you have understood some new magical theory or spell. I love the way you use your magic, the colours in your eyes and aura, the power and control you have learnt. I love the way you run my house, the way you treat our servants, tenants, friends, neighbours, my sister, your sisters. Your kindness compassion and vivacity is enchanting. I love the way you wrinkle your nose when you read something you disagree with and the way your eyes crinkle at the edges when you are amused but don't want anyone to know. If this is to be our marriage I will be content, I am sorry I implied otherwise. But I wish to try to fix the mistakes I have made, what I have done to you is unfathomable, and I cannot allow myself to rest without trying to undo it. I feel as if I have cast a spell on you, suppressing your natural curiosity, I wish to undo that. Will you let me try?"

Elizabeth had, at first, leant against her husband stiffly, ready to pull away at any moment. But as his words washed over her she had relaxed and by the end she was moulded against him. He spoke of her so tenderly that she could not help but be touched.

She opened her mouth, still uncertain what to say, but they were interrupted by a knock.

"I will send them away."

Elizabeth put a hand on his arm "no, do not."

His face fell.

"I have heard what you have said. I thank you for your words, they were beautiful. I need to think on what I wish for, if that meets with your approval? I .." she stopped, talking a breath "I am not ... Oh!" She huffed in annoyance at herself. "Please, may I have time to think?"

"Of course" how could he do anything other than what she wished for, he hid his disappointment. What did he expect? He had forced her to repress her passion and desire and now he wished for it to just return. He was being unreasonable, and he knew it. She could have all the time she wished for.

Forever if necessary, although he fervently hoped not.