Dear Reader,

!SPOILER ALERT—Darcy's going to figure it out in this chapter!

Side note-I've noticed some of you don't care for Darcy tying up Lizzy all night, which is totally fair. I'd just like to say that this is a story born of a bored mind, and none of the ideas or actions in it should be emulated in real life, particularly without further research. To those I may've offended, I apologize for your discomfort, however unintentionally it was caused. Of course, this is a decidedly fictional story, meaning our hero(in)es do not experience the repercussions of real life, and that is important to remember.

As always, I would be delighted to read your reviews.

Love,

LaBelleABoisDormant

The next morning, Darcy kissed his wife's cheek, then released her wrists from the bedframe. She tried to pull him in for a kiss, but he diverted and pecked her on the cheek instead.

"Not until I know your secret, love." With that, he rolled off the bed and left to get dressed.

At breakfast, a messenger came in from several of the Darcy's tenants, bearing the news that many of them had noticed food and livestock disappearing from their barns.

"Well, Bingley, care to do a little investigating today? I'd like to have something more solid than reportedly missing livestock before we attain the assistance of the sheriff."

"Certainly, Darce, when shall we set out?"

"Immediately after breakfast, I should think. James," Darcy summoned one of the footmen. "Do have two shotguns and horses prepared at once, won't you?"

"Right away, Sir." James replied with

"Oh, Charles, do be careful," beseeched Jane, looking worriedly at her sister.

"Of, course, Jane, darling," Charles smiled.

"Are you sure you can't send someone else to check on the farms, William?" Lizzy asked worriedly.

"As much as I would love to remain here and enjoy the delightful company of you ladies, it is my responsibility. I can't ask someone else to take a chance protecting my—our—lands."

"William, while I very much love that about you, I can't say I like it very much right now. What if it's something dangerous?"

"I would not care to meet the beast more dangerous than a loaded gun. I'll be back before you've noticed my absence, my love."

A few hours later, Darcy and Bingley had visited several of the farms where reports of missing animals had been reported. They found no sign of blood or footprints that would indicate a wild animal, but they did see several sets of boot prints, matching none of the feet belonging to the farm.

By mid-afternoon, they tracked the footprints towards the woods surrounding Pemberley, where they decided it would be unwise to venture forward without further assistance.

As they turned their horses slowly back toward the great house, Bingley decided to inquire as to the reason his wife was so suddenly summoned to care for a sister who appeared to be thriving.

"To tell you the truth, Bingley, I have no idea what is wrong with Lizzy. She shows signs of illness, but insists she is quite well, and will not permit me to summon the physician."

"Really? What sort of signs?"

"She has been expelling her stomach, and, while I was away, I am told she fainted in the garden. Apparently, the doctor has restricted her to walking no further than the gardens, and she is not permitted to run under any circumstances. And she's been saying strange things to Georgie and Mrs. Reynolds, and now Jane. She especially seems preoccupied with the way I…touch her." Darcy blushed at this last sentence, hoping his friend would not require more detail.

"Tell me, Darce, does she request anything unusual to eat?"

"Yes, actually, last night before we retired she said she was hungry still, and she went downstairs and prepared—for herself, mind, she did this of her own volition—eggs with a bit of melted chocolate. I was concerned, but I decided not to question her, and we went to bed. I tried to get the truth out of her before she went to sleep, but she is quite determined…pray tell, Bingley, what is it about my situation that amuses you so?"

Bingley had turned quite red in the face trying not to laugh in his friend's face. "Darcy, can you not puzzle it out? Lizzy is most assuredly not ill."

"How can you know that?"

"Because, my friend, Jane told me that she has been hoping for every sign your wife is showing. Apparently, Mrs. Bennet also had quite the proclivity for unusual combinations of food when she was expecting a child."

"What has Mrs. Bennet to do with…a WHAT?" Darcy's eyes got large, and suddenly he could see neither Bingley nor horse. He was seeing his wife, holding an infant that had her exact eyes, and presenting him with the first of his offspring. Suddenly, he kicked the sides of his horse, and raced back to Pemberley.