I do not own Pride and Prejudice.

Elizabeth stared out the window of the fine carriage carrying her away from the only home she'd ever known. She couldn't believe how altered her life had been in just a matter of three days.

After Mr Darcy's statement upon entering her Papa's library, it seemed things were done in a flurry of decisions...decisions she had not been a part of.

Mr Collins had blustered, saying that it was only right that he got to have her, as he had been there first. He also tried mentioning something about an engagement between Mr Darcy and his cousin Miss De Bourgh, but Mr Darcy shot that down, adamantly saying there had never been an agreement between him and his cousin.

Her mother then joined the fray saying that of course she would marry Mr Darcy, "Don't you know he has ten thousand a year?" She then went on to talk about carriages and pin money, clothes and lace, and how she would now be able to throw the rest of her daughters into the path of other rich men. Mr Bingley was all but forgotten in favor of an Earl or Duke for Jane.

Elizabeth was sure her father only chose Mr Darcy for her husband to shut her mother up. However it didn't change the outcome and three days later she was married to the man and leaving her childhood home behind her.

"Lizzy, do you think Miss Darcy will like me?" Came a timid voice next to her, and she glanced across the carriage to see her new husband feigning sleep.

"I'm sure she will, for what is there not to like?" She answered Kitty. The younger girl had come to her while she was trying to collect herself in the garden, having been forbidden from walking as punishment for spoiling her sisters' night the night before. She had been shocked when Kitty had thrown her arms around her, sobbing, and after some time she was able to calm the girl and coax the story out of her.

Kitty hadn't known about Lydia locking her in that room, that she had been waiting on her to come help fix her dress. She hadn't found out until later that night, when Lydia had told her while they were preparing for bed. The girl had gone to their mother to explain everything, only for their mother to praise Lydia on a perfectly executed scheme to trap a rich husband for one of her sisters. She hadn't cared that they knew nothing about the man, or if he would treat Lizzy with kindness.

*Flashback*

"I still don't see what all this fuss is about." Their mother's voice announced her presence before they even saw her.

"What if Mr Darcy isn't a kind man?" Kitty look at her mother, almost pleading with her to put an end to this.

"Well then, she shouldn't have let him compromise her." Their mother snapped at the younger girl, "The important thing is that we are saved. When your father dies we will go live with Lizzy in her big house, and I'm sure she will buy all you girls lovely gifts and dresses with her pin money."

"I would rather know she were safe than have all the dresses in the world." Kitty answered, Mary agreeing with the younger girl from a corner of the lawn she had been previously unseen in.

"Pish Posh, and now that Bingley is out of the way, Jane is free to find herself a Duke or an Earl. And I'm almost certain Mr Collins will accept Kitty in place of you, Lizzy, any moment now, after all, she is closest in look to you, and much more compliant, and will do as she is told." Her mother waved her hand dismissively, obviously intent on forcing Mr Collins on Kitty. No one was surprised when Kitty's sobbing began again.

"What do you mean Mr Bingley is out of the way?" Elizabeth gasped,

"I just received a letter from Caroline Bingley, the rest of the party is following her brother back to town, with no plans of returning to Hertfordshire." Jane's voice broke a bit and Lizzy wanted to go to her sister, but also didn't want to abandon Kitty. Jane must have picked up on her desires, for she gave her a tiny shake of her head before walking off.

*End of Flashback*

The sisters would talk later that night, and Jane would apologize for being so caught up in her own disappointment that she didn't see what was going on with Lizzy after the ball. The two were up until the early hours of the morning discussing all their father had told them of the conversation with Mr Darcy. The man had left shortly after the whole event had happened in the garden, going to London to procure a special license and to have the settlement drawn up.

*Flashback*

Lizzy sat next to Mr Darcy, and across from her father at the older man's desk in his study. They had just finished going over the particulars, and the two men had finally decided to ask her input.

"I must admit, some of this seems rather peculiar." She said, mainly referring to the paragraph stating that guardianship of Kitty would transfer to them. It was stated that it was so Elizabeth would have have the comfort of a sibling close by, but she thought if that were the true reason Jane would be the obvious choice.

Later, after the documents were signed, and the two had a moment of privacy, Mr Darcy explained that the men had heard everything through the open window the other day. He had heard Kitty apologize, and Mrs Bennet talk about forcing the young girl to marry their cousin. That when he heard it he was reminded of his own sister and his desire to protect the young girl.

Lizzy wanted to assure the man that her father would never allow that to happen. However, she had just seen the documents the older man had signed giving up not one, but two of his daughters to a man he'd never spoken more than ten words to prior to the man barging into his study.

*End Of Flashback*

She was pulled from her reminiscing by the quiet clearing of a throat. She could see they were entering London, and turned to look at her new husband. "I have informed my sister of you both and she is eager to meet you. I have also informed the staff that household decisions are to be brought to you now."

She was surprised to hear him say as much, and pleased to see he trusted her, and seemed willing to treat her as the true mistress of his homes. After being compromised and forced to marry her, she wasn't sure that would be the case, nor would she blame him.

"Currently the housekeepers make those decisions and only run the most important ones by me. They are both wonderful at what they do, and will not hesitate to bring you up to date on what has been done." She could see the fondness he held for the two women, and looked forward to meeting them.

"Feel free to make any changes you see fit, there have not been much updating since my mother was mistress, so I'm sure there is much updating required."

"Would you be at all opposed to me including the girls when I consider updates?" His eyebrows rose in surprise, and she saw the anticipation on Kitty's face. "I just feel it best to have Georgiana's input on what pieces have sentimental value to them. It would also be a wonderful way for us to bond." She was pleased to see him smile a bit at that.

"All I ask is that you have at least one foot man for each of you." She was about to argue, but he held up a hand to stall her, "It is merely a safety precaution. Georgiana and now Kitty are well dowered, and it wouldn't do for someone to try and compromise them. You are also at risk as someone could seek to use you to extort money and such from me. I know you are fond of walking, and would never try to stop you doing something you love, I just ask that you are safe doing so. I have had all my footmen trained to be discreet, so chances are you won't even know they are there unless you ask them to carry your bags." The last bit was said with a grin.

"Lizzy, could we see Aunt and Uncle Gardiner while we are in town?" Kitty asked eagerly.

"Gardiner, he wouldn't by chance be Edward Gardiner?" Mr Darcy asked, sitting up straighter.

"Yes, Mr Gardiner is our mother's brother." Lizzy answered, when Kitty shrank back a bit, obviously intimidated by her new brother.

"I've had a few lucrative business dealings with Mr Gardiner; Bingley is actually the one who introduced us." He answered with a fond smile, "While it is not spoken of amongst the Ton, the smartest of gentlemen do dabble in trade. Your uncle is one of the men I deal most often with, as I find him to be an intelligent and honorable man. I have not bet his wife, but I look forward to doing so if she is anything like him.

"We've always said Aunt Madeline is most like Lizzy, or, that is to say, Lizzy is most like her." Kitty offered up shyly.

"Even better." The man replied, as the carriage slowed to a stop. They waited until a footman opened the door, before Mr Darcy climbed out and handed them down. "Welcome home ladies."