Darcy and Elizabeth were taking their daily walk around the pond, a routine they had easily fallen into the last few weeks. At precisely two o'clock every afternoon, Darcy would seek her out and ask if she would like to take a stroll with him. She would hurriedly grab her shawl and take the arm he politely offered.

Their walks were often interspersed with discussion and silent pauses. It was now, during one of the quiet moments, that Elizabeth admired her husband's physique. She loved the feel of his strong arm intertwined with hers. She was by no means petite, yet her husband's tall stature made her feel that way. He made her feel safe, protected. Although she had asked him to take things slowly, she was discovering that she might want to speed things up a bit. Their first kiss had been quite enjoyable. She would not mind a second or even a third one.

Elizabeth stopped suddenly. Darcy, startled, glanced at her. "Is everything all right? Are you well?"

"Yes, very. I was wanting to stop and contemplate this beautiful view."

Darcy's eyes shifted from the ground to her face. "It is a shame you can not see my view. It is far more breathtaking than the landscape."

Elizabeth could not help but blush. Her lips slightly parted. The smolder in her eyes must have caught her husband's attention for he slowly approached her. The beating of her heart tripled at the nearness of Darcy's lips. His arm settled across her lower back and pulled her into his embrace. When their lips finally touched, Elizabeth could only hear a rushing in her ears and could only focus on the sweetness of this moment.

One kiss turned into two and so on and so forth. They must have stood there kissing for many minutes indeed, Elizabeth thought before slightly leaning back to catch her breath.

Darcy looked almost boyish as he pulled away from her and straightened his clothing. He shot her a lopsided grin. Holding out his arm, he asked, "Shall we continue?...Our walk, I mean."

Elizabeth shyly placed her hand on her husband's chest. "What I said about taking things slowly, I have been thinking..."

Elizabeth did not get to finish her sentence for a servant was dashing madly towards them. "Mr. Darcy! Mrs. Darcy! Miss Bennet must see you right away!"

Back at the house, Elizabeth found her sister walking back and forth worriedly, wringing her hands. Bingley, who was now officially her fiancé, stood staring at her helplessly as if he did not know what to do. Georgiana was on the verge of tears. Miss Bingley, the only one in the room not upset or agitated, sat calmly sipping her tea. The woman could not take a hint and had been hanging around Pemberley like a gray cloud on a sunny day.

Elizabeth rushed to her sister's side. "What is it? Did something happen?"

Jane nodded. "It is horrible news. We have just received a letter from our father."

Darcy seemed to note Jane's apprehension at disclosing further information considering the company present. "Georgiana, Miss Bingley, let us give them some privacy."

Reaching out, she touched her husband's hand and silently pleaded for him to stay. Darcy closed the door after his sister and Miss Bingley departed and walked over to her side.

"It seems that Lydia has run off, intending to elope. Mrs. Forrester woke up to find a note from her detailing her plans to marry Wickham. This was days ago. No word has been heard from them since. There is no evidence that they have wed. Father has gone looking for them. He believes them to be in London."

Elizabeth put her hands over her mouth and sank into the nearest chair. Poor, stupid Lydia, she thought. Her sister's reputation would be ruined forever. Of course Wickham had no intentions of marrying her. Guilt flooded her heart. She should have told her father about Wickham. It might have prevented this whole situation.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, Elizabeth caught Darcy's concerned gaze. What must he think of her now? Just as everything was finally going so well, all her hopes had been smashed to smithereens.

"Bingley, might I have a word with you in the study?" Darcy asked.

While Darcy and Bingley discussed the matter privately, Jane and Elizabeth were left to worry over the situation in the sitting room.

"Do you think Mr. Bingley will not want to marry me anymore after this?" Jane asked.

"Of course not, dearest. If something you can not control changes his mind, then he is not worthy of you."

Ironically, her sister's fears were a reflection of her own. She and Darcy were already married. It was not like that could be undone, but she worried about him looking at her differently. What if he did not want her to bear his children? The estate would go to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy liked and respected him. He might not mind his estate being entailed to him. No, she must focus on the matter at hand. No use worrying about what the future might bring.

It had been a few days since they had found out about Lydia and Wickham. Jane and Elizabeth had journeyed to Longbourn while Bingley and Darcy had traveled to London to help search for Lydia and Wickham. It was beyond tiring to deal with her mother's reaction to the news. Her mother refused to leave her bed and spent the days crying and raging about their ill fortune.

As she brought her mother her tea, she heard the sound of galloping foot steps approach. Her mother sat up. "What is that? Do you think it is news of our poor Lydia?"

Setting down the tray, Elizabeth nodded. "Maybe. I will see who it is."

Downstairs, she heard the housekeeper say, "Good afternoon, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth stood a few feet behind her husband, listening intently. He was exchanging greetings with her father. "Have you heard any news?" her father asked.

"We have found them," Mr. Bingley said. "Rather Darcy did. He knew of an old acquaintance of Wickham's and was able to discover their lodgings. They are married now. Mr. Gardiner and Darcy both thought that it would be best for them to get married right away."

"Yes, yes, of course. I know not how I shall ever be able to repay both of you. Thank you," Mr. Bennet said.

Elizabeth placed a hand over her heart. They had married. Thank goodness.

Darcy walked over to her. "How are you?"

Brushing some dust off his jacket, Elizabeth smiled, "A lot better now that you are here. Thank you. My father is not the only one who wishes to repay you."

"That is not necessary. You are my wife. I can not bear to see you distraught. I would do anything to ensure your happiness."

Feeling a mixture of joy and confidence, Elizabeth gazed longingly into his eyes. "I am eagerly awaiting our return home. I have very much missed our walks."