Oh lol, sorry. The blue couch is a warning for angst used on AHA (jane austen fan fiction website) I have no idea why it is blue. I think it is a couch as the implication is you hide behind it!

Chapter 6

...

Elizabeth was walking down the hall, of the Matlock London seat, when she heard Darcy's voice. She was caught by the distress in his tone. She looked around and spied an open door a few yards down the hallway. She presumed it was the study. She jumped as he spoke again, louder.

"Uncle, it was not like that!"

"Of course it was. I see what you see, she is beautiful I grant you, but couldn't you have set her up as your mistress? Or just taken what you wanted? I know you have only had the one mistress in the past but it was a long time ago, if you needed a seeing to you could have had that anywhere. Or you could have had an arrangement for her if you couldn't control your lust for her boy. But did you really have to bring her in to the family?"

"Uncle, for gods sake, I ..."

Elizabeth's cheeks burned with mortification and she hurried on to avoid hearing anything else. Is that what her uncle thought she was good for? A mistress? A few nights or weeks of passion and then to be discarded? Ha, not like there was much passion since their marriage. Darcy had visited her once since their first time, it was equally barren of passion. No kisses, no touching, he had just laid her down and done his business and kissed her briefly good night. It had hurt a little, but nothing like the first time. Even her uncle thought Darcy had married her for passion, why was there not any? What had Darcy been about to say? 'I ... cannot think of her like that?' Or 'I ... would not treat my wife like that?' She almost wished she had stayed, but eavesdropping was never likely to result in anything other than heartache.

She returned to the drawing room, after refreshing herself, to find that Lady Matlock had been joined by her daughter Lady Eleanor. Lady Eleanor had a cheerful mien and Elizabeth found her company somewhat distracting from the distressing conversation that was still taking place in another room. Lady Eleanor and Lady Matlock we're discussing the upcoming events of the season and how best to present the new Mrs Darcy.

Not long after the Earl and Mr Darcy joined their party. She barely spared him a glance as he entered, so worried that her cheeks would warm. Darcy walked over to her and kissed her hand when he returned, then sat by her.

They discussed plans for the theatre and Elizabeth agreed to the schemes of her new aunt and cousin. Eleanor had plenty of sensible suggestions and Elizabeth found she would like to get to know her better.

...

During the carriage ride back Elizabeth just looked out of the window. She was not sure how to face Darcy after what she had heard.

"Was it terrible Elizabeth?"

She jumped slightly at his soft voice, she turned and looked in to eyes full of worry.

"Your aunt thinks you married beneath you, but she will do what she can for the sake of the family" she tried to sound cool and detached but did not think she succeeded. She did understand the rules of society, but she did not have to like them. She also had the notion, possibly a naive one, that his family would accept her as they had married for mutual affection. At least she thought they had. The conversation about mistresses and passion came back to her. Could there be love without passion? Her eyes filled with tears and she turned to look out of the window to hide them.

Darcy had not enjoyed the visit. He knew his uncle would be unhappy, but he had not expected the crass natured of the discussion. It was also a difficult situation and not one he wished to speak of. He had defended Elizabeth as best he could but he knew he could not offend his uncle outright. A calm argument was the best way to get through to him. His resolve had been shaken when his uncle had suggested it was not too late to divorce her and set her up as a mistress.

He had firmly shut his uncle down and informed him there would be no more discussion of such topics.

"Elizabeth is my wife, I'll have no other and I would thank you to speak of it no more" that was when they had joined the ladies. Elizabeth had seemed subdued and barely greeted him, which had prompted the show of affection. Her warm face had been enough for him but now she seemed unhappy he did not know what to do. He shifted to sit next to her and gathered her in to his arms.

"What is your uncles opinion?" she did not try to pull away, but neither did she reach out for him. Darcy could not help but feel a twinge of disappointment, although he knew it was his own fault.

"His opinion is" he paused "irrelevant, I do not share it and I have told him so. He will speak of it no more and in time I hope he will come to love you."

Elizabeth smiled sadly.

They faced many challenges and new ones seemed to be piling on the old.

...

That evening Elizabeth arrived at the theatre on the arm of Mr Darcy. She was wearing an impressive deep red coloured silk dress with lace trimming and a lace ribbon around the empire waist. It was elegant and the colour suited her. The neckline was low, but the lace trim made it more modest. Darcy had presented her with a beautiful ruby and diamond necklace and bracelet for the evening, which matched perfectly. Her hair was elegantly arrange and studded with diamond hair pins. She looked every bit the elegant lady of the ton.

They moved over towards Lady Matlock and she loudly welcomed them. "Welcome, Mrs Darcy. Lovely to see you again."

Elizabeth curtseyed, thanking her for the invitation.

Eleanor was much more effusive "Elizabeth my darling you look divine. Let us away to the box, 'tis frightful crowded here". Eleanor took her arm and they walked together.

"You look lovely" she whispered to her.

Elizabeth smiled "you also, my Lady."

"Oh posh, call me Eleanor." She chuckled "Mother is impressed with you, I feel we barely had time to talk. Richard has told me some good things about you also but I would like to know you better. How do you find London?"

Elizabeth shot her a teasing look "Well this is the first time I am venturing out in to society, perhaps I could reserve judgment until after?"

Eleanor chuckled again, a throaty laugh that was infectious at the same time as demure.

"Indeed, although I beg you not to judge London on your first social engagement. The ton can be a hard nut to crack, they are fierce when they are protective and I fear you have ruined the hopes of many a matron."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes for only Eleanor to see.

"You know it is true, my cousin Darcy here was the rightful property of at least five ladies present tonight. I believe you have already encountered my Aunt Catherine?"

"Indeed I have. I certainly understand the ladies here hoping to catch my husband. My mother is not different, although when Darcy came in to my neighbourhood she discounted him as a prospective husband!"

"Really? Now that is interesting and sounds like a story worth telling."

Elizabeth flashed Darcy a cheeky smile over her shoulder, where he was following the ladies. She was just about to answer when a tall elegant lady stepped in his path.

"Darcy, how wonderful to see you again."

Elizabeth had stopped and Eleanor followed her lead, looking over to where Darcy had been caught. Elizabeth turned at the laugh that came out of Eleanor.

"Here we go" Eleanor murmured. "That is Miss Carrington, she is in her third season his year. She had hoped to catch Darcy last year. She has a good name and connections, but I believe her family have recently had to sell the town house due to hard times, she was hoping to catch a husband with a house in town and enough money to continue funding her lifestyle."

"Does she not realise Darcy is a country gentleman? Or how much he loves Derbyshire?"

Eleanor raised her eyebrow "as if such things matter to someone like her!" They both laughed and turned their attention back to Darcy, who was visibly uncomfortable with how close Miss Carrington was.

"Does she not realise he is married?"

Eleanor sighed "likely yes, but she maybe thinks she can tempt him in to getting rid of you?"

Elizabeth gasped

"Do not fear my dear, women throwing themselves at men is just part of the game. A married man makes a good flirting target as the woman's reputation is less likely to be touched. She also may be angling for an invitation to Darcy house for the family."

Elizabeth's eyes widened, surely he would not? "We must rescue him!"

Eleanor chuckled again "oh yes, let's."

"How polite do I need to be?"

"She is not so important in the ton that you need fear upsetting her."

Elizabeth nodded and they closed the distance.

"There you are my dear," Elizabeth came up on the side of Darcy that was not covered by Miss Carrington. "Eleanor and I had quite despaired of you. Should we not be heading to our box?" she then looked at Miss Carrington "oh I am sorry, I did not see your" she paused "friend!"

Darcy bit back the smile, using the surprise of Miss Carrington to extract himself from her grasp and offering his arm to Eleanor.

"I am sorry my dear, may I present Miss Carrington to you? Miss Carrington is a lady who I had the pleasure of meeting once or twice last season, Miss Carrington this is my wife Mrs Darcy."

The ladies eyes flashed, clearly unhappy with the description of her connection with Mr Darcy.

"A pleasure to meet you I am sure." Elizabeth's voice was all friendliness "I am sorry to steal away your conversation partner but we must away to the box, Lord and Lady Matlock will think we got lost in the crowd." She turned to Eleanor "tell me cousin, do they always let so many people in? Tis frightful crowded."

Before Miss Carrington had formulated a reply, the party had moved on.

"I thank you" Mr Darcy leaned down over Elizabeth and whispered in her ear. She shivered at the nearness of him and just smiled back.

The trio arrived in the box and Elizabeth spent the rest of the play admiring the show both on stage and off. Many people tried to find ways of inviting themselves in to the box in the intervals but Lady Matlock only allowed Elizabeth to be introduced to certain people. It was an amusing game to watch, and Lady Matlock was well practiced.

By the end of the evening Elizabeth felt as if she had been paraded, hidden, and displayed in equal measures. It was unusual and she was not sure she enjoyed it. She looked forward to a time she could just go to the theatre, watch the play, greet some people and leave.