Elizabeth gazed out the window, watching the hills roll by. She had bid farewell to her family less than an hour ago and all she could think about was how much she was going to miss them, even her mother. Now that she was married, her visits home would be a rarity. The worst part about marrying Mr. Darcy was the loss of her father and Jane's companionship. Elizabeth felt a tear slip from her eye and roll down her cheek. Hurriedly, she brushed it away. That tear was soon replaced by another, and another. Taking out her handkerchief, she turned her head as she wiped her eyes. Try as she might to hide this display of weakness, she could not escape Mr. Darcy's prying gaze.

"Elizabeth," he began.

"I am…fine," she said in a wobbly voice, furiously dabbing at her eyes.

"You do not seem well at all."

Of course, she was not well. She had left the comfort and security of Longbourn for a life with a man she found insufferable. At this thought, her soft crying turned into a full sob.

Elizabeth watched as Darcy crossed over to her side of the carriage and sat beside her. Taking her hand, he squeezed it gently.

"I know that the loss of one's family, whether temporary or permanent, is hard to bear. That is why I have made plans with your father to visit Longbourn around Christmas."

Elizabeth gently removed her hand from his. He had said those words to comfort her. Yet she felt no comfort. "Thank you. I am quite well now," she replied, tensely.

Nodding, her husband quickly returned to his side of the carriage. "Very well."

Darcy and Elizabeth sat in awkward silence. After a few minutes, Darcy said, "It doesn't have to be this way."

"What?" Elizabeth asked with a slight sob still in her voice.

"Our marriage. Our life. It doesn't have to be so unpleasant or horrifying."

Elizabeth felt the ire in her soul rise. "For you, maybe. But not for me."

"Pray tell. What do you mean?"

"I mean that you are getting what you wanted while I…" Elizabeth stopped herself from completing her sentence with harsh honesty.

"While you have to suffer an existence with a man you do not love? You had a choice Elizabeth. You could have said no. No one forced you into this marriage."

"I did not really have a choice. My family needed me. I was being a dutiful daughter."

Darcy crossed his arms and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Do you have a problem with my family? Do they cause you embarrassment? Are you ashamed to call them relations? Because no one forced you to marry me. No one forced you to ask for my hand," Elizabeth spat at him.

Instead of responding back in kind, Darcy shut down. Stiffly, he replied, "I have no cause for rejoicing at the connections I have made but I do not regret my choice for a wife. I only hope that one day you will find contentment in our match."

Elizabeth glanced at him. Surely, this man was not being serious. She would never find contentment or happiness with a man such as him.

They journeyed the rest of the way in silence.

"Master Darcy, it is good to see you again. How was your journey from Hertfordshire?" asked the housekeeper, taking Mr. Darcy's hat and her coat.

"It went well. Mrs. Jones, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy."

The housekeeper curtsied and beamed at her. "We are so glad that you are here Mrs. Darcy. We have been working day and night to ensure that everything is perfect." Turning to her master, she asked, "Were you and the Misses wanting supper?"

"Thank you, but we've already eaten. I believe Mrs. Darcy would like to retire for the evening. If you would be so kind as to show her to her room…I shall see you tomorrow, Elizabeth," he said, then quickly left the room.

Elizabeth breathed a vast sigh of relief. Her husband did not expect her to share his bed tonight. At least that was one less thing to worry about.

"Mrs. Darcy, if you will come with me, I will show you to your room. The boys will bring up your luggage shortly. Would you like a bath drawn?"

"Yes, that would be lovely." Elizabeth appreciated the friendliness of the servant. Her stay here might not be so terrible if there were a few kind faces around.

As Mrs. Jones and Elizabeth walked up the stairs, Elizabeth spied a picture of a young girl with dark curls. "Who is that?" she asked.

"Oh, that is Miss Georgiana. I heard that she was not able to attend the wedding. You will meet her soon enough. She is the apple of everyone's eye, especially her brother's. A darling girl, but much too trusting. After last year's debacle, Mr. Darcy has made sure she is in the best of care. I still can't believe that…" Mrs. Jones stopped in mid-sentence realizing that she had spoken too much.

Not wanting to cause more embarrassment to the housekeeper, Elizabeth politely nodded her head, but she was intrigued. What had happened last year? Mr. Wickham had said that Georgiana was as proud and haughty as her brother was, but the housekeeper spoke of her with such affection that Elizabeth thought that it was possible he had misjudged her.

When they reached her bedroom, Elizabeth had to restrain herself from showing her delight. The room was magnificent. The décor, the furniture, the fireplace, everything was rich and elegant. She would not mind her stay here at all, she thought wickedly. Being wed to Mr. Darcy had a few benefits after all.

"If there is nothing you need, madam, I will let you rest. Judy should be up here with your bath water in a few minutes."

After the housekeeper left, Elizabeth threw herself on the bed. What a day this had been! She was glad that it was nearly over, but happier that she did not have any wifely duties to perform this evening. She hoped beyond hope that she never would.