The wedding breakfast was spent in a cloud that only encompassed her and Mr. Darcy, for she found she could not take her eyes off of him. He seemed likewise enchanted, and unable to look away. The rest of the crowd, well-wishers from across Meryton and beyond, gave thanks to the hostess of the wedding breakfast, and Mrs. Bennet had no problem taking all of the attention off of the happy couple in favor of reaping the praise.

The only one who did not pay attention to Mrs. Bennet much was young Miss Georgiana Darcy, who had been accompanied to Meryton by Colonel Fitzwilliam and her paid companion who was not quite a governess but still adept in those arts.

Georgiana, who had been delighted to properly meet the newly made Mrs. Darcy, had given Elizabeth a small trinket as a congratulations.

Notably absent, although word was that they were visiting Netherfield Park were the Bingleys. Mr. Bingley had apparently declined the invitation to Mr. Darcy's wedding with a short letter, saying that he was unwell and unable to attend.

Elizabeth wasn't too sure if she knew Mr. Bingley properly enough to comment, but she had thought that he was a rather hale and hearty individual and so the idea that he might be ill did not seem to ring true for her.

It was a shame, for him, at least, because she was lost in the throes of her new-found love for Mr. Darcy and did not quite care that Mr. Bingley had not arrived. It would have only hurt Jane if he had shown his face, after all.

"Well, Mrs. Darcy," Mr. Darcy said as she set her silverware down, the repast close to being completed. "I trust you ate well, and are of the mind to shortly get on our trip to Pemberley?" he asked. She looked up at him and then glanced at the assembled diners, giving a slow nod. The sound of him using her new name gave her a little thrill across the surface of her skin.

"That sounds like a solid idea, Mr. Darcy, and if you are quite ready then I also, am ready," she said, proud of the way she did not let her voice shake with nerves. The day prior, her Aunt Gardiner had pulled her aside for a short hour and explained the duties of a wife to her husband, and the expectations of the marriage bed. Elizabeth had been flushed at first, and then resigned. She only hoped it would not be as painful as expected, nor that Mr. Darcy should fall upon her and ravish her like a rutting dog.

Mr. Darcy nodded to her and stood.

"I will arrange for the carriage to be brought round, and give you a moment to say your goodbyes," he said quietly, and then was gone from her side. In anticipation of the wedding and their travel to Pemberley immediately afterward, all of her trunks and trousseau had been sent on a few days before. Only a small trunk had been kept back, with the things she would need for the trip.

She stood, and drifted towards the doorway, looking back at the people sharing the grand meal. Despite that it was her wedding breakfast, they were more caught up in the antics of her mother and younger sisters excepting Mary. Lizzy did not resent that matter, in fact she did not think she could withstand the scrutiny of the assembled persons as they watched her leave for her wedding journey.

Especially those who were already married, she had felt the knowing look of more than one elegantly dressed lady, and had caught one or two smirks from the men. The thought made her quite uncomfortable.

Jane caught her at the door, and wrapped her up in a swift hug, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Write as soon as you've arrived at Pemberley," she said with a cheeky smile. "I want to know all about your travels."

Elizabeth smiled back at her sister and nodded as she spoke, "I will, most assuredly. And I will send for you as soon as I am able, for won't it be lovely if you would visit me in my new home? Before the year is out, if you can."

Mrs. Bennet made a noise behind them, and they both turned.

"Oh my sweet girl," she cried out, flinging her arms around Elizabeth and hugging her tight, as if she had never been so distraught and happy all at once. Mr. Bennet just smiled at Elizabeth from across the room, shaking his head slowly. Elizabeth laughed, and hugged her mother back, for once not minding the display so much. She would be gone from Meryton and Longbourn soon enough, in minutes even, and she could not sum up one ounce of irritation at her mother's less than seemly behavior.

"Goodbye Mamma," she said, giving her mother a kiss before pulling away.

"Mrs. Darcy," Mr. Darcy arrived, her pelisse in hand, and he gently helped her into it. "Our carriage is outside," he said, before bowing to Mrs. Bennet, and then Mr. Bennet, who had finally gotten up and walked over to the hallway. "Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said, eyes glancing over Jane and then returning to Elizabeth. He offered her his arm and she took it, letting out a slow breath of excitement. She looked up at him as he led the way out of doors, and only gazed back once he had handed her up into the carriage itself. Jane was at the doorway, eyes misting over with happy tears, her fingers pressed to her mouth to stifle any sound. Guests from the breakfast had spilled out around her and Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Bennet was nowhere to be seen.

That was not a surprise, his disappearance, and she thought perhaps he might have retreated to his study already, so as not to be overcome with emotion at her leaving. At least, she hoped in her heart that was what it was. The carriage gave a jolt, and then they were off. She waved one last time to Jane, and let the curtain fall aside, leaving her alone, in the carriage, with Mr. Darcy.

Her husband, Mr. Darcy. She held her breath as she sat back in her seat, looking at the tops of her knees where her dress fell over her legs, not quite able to glance at him just yet.

Everything seemed suddenly quite real, quite near, and she felt as if he were right next to her, his breath hot on her ear. When she finally did chance to look up at him where he sat across from her, he was thumbing through a book, paying her no attention at all.

She sat still on her seat and swallowed. Was he not fully enamored with her that he wished to only glance at her? Confusion welled up inside of her. She saw his lips curve up.

"I do not stare at you, for if I did I would do nothing else for the entire journey," he commented, as if he knew what she was thinking. She bit back an immediate retort for a bare moment, then could not contain it.

"I did not think that you might stare at me," she said, tilting her chin up stubbornly.

"All women think that their men, and indeed any man, might stare at them," he replied before looking up at her, good humor on his face. She felt her cheeks flush.

"All women," she repeated and his lips twitched.

"Were you not wondering why your new husband was not gazing at you?" he asked.

"No," she lied, and then she shifted over the bench seat to the window, pulling back the curtains. Longbourn had disappeared in the time it took them to talk. She heard a curious sound, and when she looked over her shoulder, she saw Mr. Darcy was staring at her, a chuckle shaking his chest.

She huffed out a breath, and turned back to the window, determined to ignore him. He just continued laughing softly, and settled down to read his book.

Author Note: A mid-week surprise for you, an update! I've been a bit busy these last few weeks with planting my garden (oh my, dirt everywhere!), so I am sorry for the lack of updates. Thank you to everyone who has bought the book on Amazon, you truly have made my day and have afforded me the ability to buy a few more plants for the garden... And a little planter of tea roses! I love tea roses. I feel that Mr. Darcy would have adored them...