Hey guys. I am so pleased to see so many people drawn in to my story. I was a bit worried the angst would scare people away! Anyway, as I said. good stuff in the bad, D is trying. hes just forgetting that a wife can be helpful.

i'm gonna concentrate on getting chapters posted quickly. i'm almost done with writing. and the parts im writing are (hopefully) gonna make up for the angst. :)

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Chapter 4

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Dinner was pleasant, they discussed what they had done that day, who they had met. He told her some amusing stories about the members of the ton whom he knew well.

"Was your business successful his morning my love?"

Darcy stiffened imperceptibly, clearly he did not wish her to know his difficulties. "I have some difficult matters that are becoming troublesome."

Elizabeth noticed the tense set of his shoulders but did not wish to leave him alone in his troubles "is there anything I can help with?"

"No" the answer was sharp, Darcy noticed the look on her face and added in a softer tone "I thank you, but this is business I must settle alone."

Elizabeth was silent, his aura was clear, he was telling the truth. Maybe she had asked the wrong question, but she dared not press her luck. She nodded and turned her attention back to her food. Darcy cursed himself for removing the comfortable feeling in the room.

After dinner he asked her to play and they passed the rest of the evening in the music room.

At the door to her room she turned to him, he bent his head a brushed a light kiss to hers. She leaned in to deepen the kiss but he stepped away, the closed look back on his face.

"Good night"

Elizabeth just stood there as he disappeared in to his room, lips tingling, almost a physical ache for more.

...

And so a pattern was set.

Most days they would each spend time in their own pursuits in the morning. She with her maid and the housekeeper or getting to know the staff. He; in his study. He rarely talked to her about the business matters that took up his time. When he did it was about investments or something to do with the estate management. She relished his questions, loving that he shared even a tiny piece with her.

After lunch they would practice magic, and they would walk or shop. Georgiana came home after a few days and Elizabeth was overjoyed at having her new sister in the house. Mrs Annesley was going to stay with them for a while but she was going to have some time off, to visit relatives, when the Darcys returned Derbyshire. For now she was going to stay with her charge and her new mistress.

About a week after arriving in London both Elizabeth and Darcy knew they needed to start going out in to society. The catalyst was a welcome visit.

They were in the ballroom practising magic. Darcy was showing Elizabeth how to create a shield from magical energy.

"Shields can be made from any of the four elements but will only protect against that magic. I can hold an earth shield for a good amount of time and can hold a fire shield combined with that with reasonable strength. I can only infuse a very small amount of wind or water magic in to mine. Although with the practice using all four elements to find Ley lines I may be better at this. I confess it is not something I have practiced much since Cambridge."

"Were you taught offensive magic at Cambridge?" Elizabeth was fascinated by what educational opportunities men had.

"Not officially, we were taught defensive magic, but if you have a classroom of boys wanting to practice shields, you have to teach them to throw things at each other also."

Elizabeth smiled at the image of teenagers hurling magic at each other, how fun it sounded. "I see" she chuckled. Darcy smiled too.

"We did make a bit of a mess sometimes!"

They practiced throwing and stopping pebbles, all they dared inside, and small fire balls. Darcy taught Elizabeth how to throw a fire arrow, which had more strength and direction to a fire ball. In essence a more effective weapon. He also showed her how to throw a burning lump of coal.

She frowned "why would I need to do that?"

"If you throw a magic ball of fire, your opponent need only put up a basic fire shield, possible for anyone with any level of training in fire magic. The shield removes the fire magic, which is the only fuel for the fire, and the fire goes out."

Elizabeth nodded, understanding so far.

"If you have something burning, the fire magic would be gone, but the coal provides another projectile and fuel source and can carry on its course, assuming there is no earth shield. It can distract your opponent enough for you to get away"

Elizabeth smiled brightly, "I see! How ingenious, distracted by the fire an attacker might end up with a stone instead!"

Darcy nodded, once again impressed by her dedication and how quickly she took to new skills. They practiced that for a while.

"How about ice pellets?"

Darcy looked puzzled "do you have a supply of ice around you?"

"No, but I can create some."

The puzzled expression only deepened "I do not understand."

Elizabeth laughed, "not something taught at Cambridge then? I suppose it wouldn't be."

"Enlighten me!"

"How good is your air magic?"

"Tolerable I suppose"

Elizabeth cheeky grin came out "but not handsome enough a magic to tempt you to practice?"

Darcy looked chagrined and Elizabeth hastened to add.

"Fear not, I have long forgiven such a remark, but you must allow me to tease on occasion!"

Darcy's eyes sparkled "I am at your disposal Madame" they laughed.

"What do you feel when you extend you wind senses?"

There was a pause "the air?"

"Moving?"

"I suppose."

"Can you feel a difference in the air by the window and the air by the fire?"

He frowned, closed his eyes and Elizabeth thought again that he looked adorable concentrating. Although she half expected his tongue to come poking out.

"I am not sure I can." He sighed in frustration.

"Well, can tell you that the magic in the air near the fire is moving faster than the cooler air by the window?" Darcy only shrugged. "You May have to trust me until we can practice that for you. If I focus I can slow down the movements of the air and it cools it. If I have water, and concentrate on both elements, I can make the water turn to ice."

Darcy looked stunned

"Truly?"

She raised an eyebrow and demonstrated. First she pulled some water and formed it in to a thin arrow shape, spinning slowly in the air with the water magic holding it up. Then she focussed on the air around it, slowing the movement in it, frost started to form, she slowed the air even further and the water started to freeze. When she was finished she had a sharp icicle hovering. She passed it over to Darcy who turned it over marvelling.

"Well, that would certainly be useful!"

Both Elizabeth and Darcy jumped at the new voice, Elizabeth scrambled to her feet, ducking her head as Darcy lazily rose next to her.

"Richard, we did not hear you come in."

"Evidently."

Elizabeth dropped a small curtsey "Colonel Fitzwilliam."

She was flushed red, she knew she was not supposed to display her magic to others. She had not discussed with Darcy about his family, or about who she was allowed to talk to. Thinking about it she was not sure he would approve of the time she was spending with her maid. She was worried about his reaction, she briefly felt a flash of sadness that she did not know how much she should share with him. She had always felt that she would share everything with her husband, but discussions like this required time alone, and they did not have too much of that.

"You should be a general Mrs Darcy, our men would be better off for it!" Richard bowed smartly in her direction.

She chuckled, a strained laugh. Glancing nervously at Darcy. He seemed unconcerned.

"I should leave you gentlemen to catch up. I had promised Georgiana to practice a duet with her."

She dropped another curtsey and left.

The colonel turned to Darcy with a frown

"Was it something I said?"

Darcy flashed him a smile

"Come Richard, let's to my office and you can tell me why you would interrupt a newly married couple with no knocker on the door."