Clomp, clomp. Clomp, clomp. Elizabeth listened to the sound of the horses' hoof beats. Since Darcy's visit to her room yesterday, they had not had a real opportunity to speak. Her husband had yet to be informed that he was going to be a father. The Bennets had surprisingly managed to keep her pregnancy a secret during her husband's short visit. She had been certain that her mother would blurt out the news at any given moment. Imagine Elizabeth's surprise when they left for Pemberley this morning and her husband was still none the wiser about her condition. Of course, if her mother had spilled her secret, then she would not have to do it herself. The one time Elizabeth would have been content with her mother's indiscretion. Elizabeth would have to tell her husband herself and soon.

Elizabeth glanced across the carriage at her husband. He was looking quite dashing in his green coat and tan breeches. His long fingers were softly tapping the empty space next to him. He caught her gaze, staring her down, daring her to look away.

"We have to talk, you know," he said. "We can not go back to Pemberley with the way things are between us."

Elizabeth sighed and twiddled her thumbs for a few seconds before saying, "I know. I know, but I am finding it hard to forget all the hurtful words you spoke. You ordered me about like a...like a child. I am your wife. I believe I deserve a little more respect than that."

A look of frustration swept across Darcy's face. "And do I not deserve a little respect as well?"

Confounded, Elizabeth stuttered, "Wh..whatever do you mean?"

"You allowed your mother to say anything she pleased during her visit to Pemberley. I understand that she and I will never be on good terms, but I would think at the very least my own wife would ask her mother to hold her tongue when she visits our home."

Elizabeth flushed red. It had been quite embarrassing to have her mother saying the things she had said. She had never learnt how to properly deal with her mother's uncontrollable tongue. It had been a sore spot within her family for years. Her mother never knew when to leave well enough alone.

Mrs. Bennet did not have quite the same breeding as Mr. Bennnet. And Elizabeth had seen what their marriage had become. What if she and Mr. Darcy turned out the same way? Elizabeth felt as if she behaved properly in social situations, but what if it was not enough? Did her country manners embarrass her husband? She hated how loving this man made her doubt herself.

"Not only do you allow your mother to be uncivil, but you have a blatant disregard for your own safety. How could you not at least tell the housekeeper you were off for a walk? Did you not think I would be concerned? That those moments when I did not know where you were or what had happened to you, would not terrify me?"

Shocked, Elizabeth realized that her sister Jane was right. The whole fight between them was just because he was concerned for her. Moving over to his side of the carriage, she gently rested her hand on his knee. "I am sorry," she said. "I did not intend to frighten you."

"Well, you did. I had never felt such fear in all my life. How could I live without you, my dearest Elizabeth?" Darcy asked as he gently cupped his wife's face in his hands. "Come. Let us have no more of this arguing."

Darcy's lips reached the corner of her mouth, placing the barest of kisses there. Elizabeth, too long without his touch, clasped him closer and made certain that he gave her a proper kiss. She knew her behavior was most unladylike, but she could not resist the warmth and sweetness of her beloved's caresses. Minutes passed as their mouths became reacquainted after such a long, dry spell. Yet, a tiny seed of doubt still festered in Elizabeth's mind. With the strongest of regrets, Elizabeth pulled away from her husband.

Darcy stared at her, bewildered. "What...what is the matter?"

Sighing, Elizabeth went back to her side of the carriage. "Many things. It still does not erase the fact that you hurt my feelings. Most grievously, I might add."

"Are you referring to my comment about Caroline Bingley?"

"That's part of it. Yes. I do not like being compared to her. She makes me feel...inferior."

"Elizabeth, there is none who can compare to you. You are everything to me. I only said what I did out of anger and wounded pride. You must know that."

Darcy got up and sat beside her. "I am truly sorry, my love. I know that I hurt you. Will you forgive me?"

"Darcy," Elizabeth whispered, plaintively.

Her husband's mouth claimed her lips once more, dragging her under, intoxicating her with his sweet kisses. Her arms lifted and found their rightful place around his neck. A gasp was torn from her as he pulled her closer into his embrace. Her breasts were trapped against the solid wall of his chest. If they were not in a carriage, she could imagine many more things they could do. But alas, they were.

Pulling away once more, Elizabeth straightened her skirts and shot her husband a glare when he had the audacity to smirk at her disheveled state.

"I am glad you are so amused, Mr. Darcy."

"I do not believe that 'amused' is the correct word, Mrs. Darcy. Aroused, feverish with desire, tempted beyond bearing. Those are words to describe how I am feeling right now. It has been a very, very long time since I have had you by my side."

Elizabeth bent her head, blushing slightly. Her husband's bold words delighted and embarrassed her at the same time. As enjoyable as intimacy was with her husband, she still felt timid about expressing her mutual desire for him.

Darcy bent to kiss her neck. Feeling the carriage slow down, Elizabeth quickly pushed her husband aside. "Darcy, not now. We're about to change horses."

"Later?" he asked.

Elizabeth looked sternly at him, but after a moment she sent him the smallest of smiles and said, "Maybe. If we can be alone."

"I will make certain of it."

Before the carriage came to a complete stop, Darcy slid his hand and cupped her cheek. "I'm truly sorry for all the hurtful and spiteful things I've said. Can we start anew? May I have your forgiveness?"

Elizabeth's heart and mind had been ready to forgive him from the moment he had walked into her bedroom last night. Giving him a peck on the cheek, she whispered, "Yes. Will you forgive me as well and forget all the foolish things I said?"

Darcy smiled and murmured, "I have already forgotten what we were quarreling about."