Chapter 19

When Elizabeth awoke later, she was confused as to how she ended up asleep in her new husband's arms. The last thing she could recall clearly was toasting their marriage and asking Darcy for more champagne as they talked. She could not even fully recall what they talked about. She had watched her mother and youngest sisters over indulge, but had never done so herself. Try as she might, she could not recall her afternoon with her new husband.

"You are awake, Elizabeth," Darcy said kissing her forehead. "Are you well?"

Elizabeth frowned and said softly, "I do not usually drink much. I am afraid the afternoon is rather a blank for me. I have seen the way my mother and youngest sisters behave after over indulging and I fear my behavior may have been improper," she finished anxiously flushing.

Darcy stared at her in surprise. He knew it was possible for over indulgence to lead to one not always remembering events from while under the effect of alcohol. He indulged sparingly In the past because he disliked not being in control of himself. He had been concerned Elizabeth had to much champagne earlier, but had not realized his wife was drunk. He was horrified that he had been so caught up in enjoying having he next to him, talking to him that he had not realized that she was so inebriated. It was his duty as her husband to see to her welfare and he had already failed by allowing her to consume to much champagne.

"I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I should never have let you consume so much," Darcy said contritly.

"Let me? Like I am a child? I am afraid you cannot take responsibility for my behaviour. I choose to have more then I should have. I take full responsibility for doing so," Elizabeth said.

Darcy had thought about how he would atone for his lustful actions while she slept in his arms, but not what to do in this case. He had considered what he could do to reassure her he was not a beast. That he was a gentlemen despite the fact that a gentleman did not have marital relations of any sort outside with his innocent bride. He was unsure how to tell her that a single kiss from her caused him to forget everything but his burning need to feel her form under his. How he had moved himself against her until he released and he had then helped her to find her release. That she, an innocent maiden, had been trembling and shaking with sexual need. Need that he had happily fulfilled and looked forward to doing so again. If she did not remember it though, he wondered, what he was supposed to do? Telling her might cause her to feel distress even though he firmly believed he was entirely at fault. Not telling her though felt wrong, he wanted to apologize and to do so he needed to tell her. Darcy sat there debating if it was right to tell her in the name of honesty so he could give in to his selfish need to apologize to her or if it was better for his wife's sake to engage in a lie of omission, he disliked the idea of distressing her, and he knew she would be distressed.

"Was I terribly embarrassing?" Elizabeth asked, looking down in shame at Darcy's continued silence.

"No," Darcy said quickly. "You were completely enchanting." He had hoped to have Elizabeth in his bed tonight, not so that he could consummate their marriage, but so that he could show her that he could bring her pleasure like he did earlier without first acting like a beast. If kissing her sent him over the edge, he was now terrified of what actually being inside her would do to him. She was so small and he was so much bigger than her. He was terrified he would hurt her, that once he was in her he would not be able to stop himself from driving into her repeatedly, heedless of anything else. In the past he had sought sexual gratification from experienced women but had never wanted anyone has much as he desired Elizabeth. He had decided they would wait to consummate their marriage until he was confident he could do so without hurting her. If she did not remember him bringing her to sexual release though, how was he to suggest that she allow him to do so again, he wondered, still considering if he should tell her or not.

Kissing her forehead, he then said, "Let us go back. We can send someone out to clean this up."

As Darcy and Elizabeth neared the house, Darcy exclaimed in surprise to see a familiar coach. "What is Bingley doing here?" he said outloud.

Seeing a familar blonde being handed down from the carriage, Elizabeth exclaimed, " Jane!" and broke into a run slipping her hand off Darcy's arm.

Darcy stopped in shock, at first thinking that Bingley had done what he had and eloped to Scotland with his own Bennet sister. Then his eyes bulged as he took in his cousin Col. Fitzwilliam and two older men standing near the carriage. One of the older men looked a lot like Mr. Bennet, he realized. Realizing that his bride's father had come to Scotland, apparently in company with his two closet friends, Darcy hurried after Elizabeth. He knew logically that Elizabeth's father was not going to scoop her up, put her in Bingley's coach and take off, but he still wanted to have her with him when she greeted her relations. Reaching Elizabeth, he grasped her hand, she glanced over at him, smiled but did not stop, tugging him forward with her.

Jane seeing her sister running towards her, cast decorum aside and ran to meet her, "Oh Lizzy!" she exclaimed and ignoring the tall gentlemen holding her sister's hand, Jane threw her arms around her sister, demanding, "Are you okay, Lizzy? I have been so concerned. They said she drugged you and abused you. I hate that woman so!"

"Jane! Such an unforgiving speech! Who is this creature and what have you done with my gentle Jane?"

"Oh Lizzy, do not tease me. I have been going crazy with worry. When mama sees the damaged edges of my shawl she will be calling for her smelling salts."

"It appears Mr. Bingley found his way to Gracechurch Street after all," Elizabeth said merrily.

"Yes and your note was brief. Dearest Jane I have sent you a present. Hopefully he will be more consistent this time. I am well. Mr. Darcy is assisting me with a troublesome matter. His cousin will fill papa in. Do not be alarmed. All my love, Lizzy. How could I not be alarmed? Mr. Bingley was able to fill us in on what had happened. Both Aunt Maddy and I were shocked when he blurted out an invitation to travel with him to Scotland to celebrate your wedding." Her eyes widing and finally taking in Darcy at Elizabeth's side, as he hovered protectively over her, Jane said in a whisper, "Are you married, Lizzy?"

"Yes."

"Papa and Uncle Edward had both hoped to arrive in time to offer you assistance."

"I should talk to your father, Elizabeth, " Darcy said tightening his grip slightly on Elizabeth's hand.

As Darcy, Elizabeth and Jane approached, Bennet and Gardiner watched with hard stares, while Bingley was beaming at all three and Col. Fitzwilliam had a satisfied smile on his face. None had missed the way Darcy held onto Elizabeth's hand or that he was hovering protectively.

"Oh good Mr. Darcy is on his way," Mrs. Wiffle said as she came out of the house. "So good to see you Master Richard," she said and reached up to pinch his cheek.

"Mrs. Wiffle? What are you doing so far from Camwood?" Bingley asked in surprise.

"Mr. Darcy requested my services as a chaperone for his journey to Scotland," Mrs. Wiffle said camly.

"It relieves my mind to know he had the sense to obtain a chaperone rather then spend days alone on the road with her. At least Lizzy will have some choice whether to marry him or not. Assuming he has not already forced a union on her," Bennet said.

"Look at them Thomas, he has not forced her. If they are married she must have agreed to it," Gardiner said softly.

As Darcy approached guiding Elizabeth, so that his body was between her and the open coach door, Bennet said dryly, "Your family is the one with a proclivity to put my daughter into a coach and take off with her young man, so stop acting like you think I am about to steal my own child away."

"I am sorry for Lady Catherine's actions," Darcy said stiffly.

"The way I heard the story Lady Catherine was not the only one to put Lizzy in a coach without first receving her agreement to enter it and then driving off."

"Papa!" rebuked Elizabeth. "Mr. Darcy saved me. Would you have rather he left me on the ground until I woke up so he could ask my permission?"

Bennnet sighed and said, "Must you have a reasonable response, Lizzy?"

"Must you make unreasonable accusations about my husband?"

At the word husband Bennet drew in a sharp breath and said, "So he succeed in his goal? We are to late?"

"Elizabeth became my wife yesterday," Darcy said evenly.

"I have failed to protect you," Bennet said soflty. "I am sorry my girl." Turning to Darcy he said. "Your friends claim you are an honorable man. That even if Lizzy was married to you by the time we arrived, you would still see to a proper settlement. None of my daughters have much of a dowry as I am sure you are aware, their share of 5,000 pounds when my wife dies."

Darcy shook his head and said, "It is not necessary. I intend to settle enough on my wife that she will never want for anything, even after I am gone. I sent an express to my solicitor in London to have the papers drawn up in addition to adding a codicil to my will effective immediately the same day I caught up to the post coach Lady Catherine put Elizabeth on. I planned on having my solicitor meet me in Hertfordshire to sign the settlement papers before we went to London."

"Come in and have some refreshments while I speak with the housekeeper about having guest chambers prepared for you," Elizabeth said stepping into her new role of hostess. A large smile broke out across Darcy's face as she did so. Knowing Elizabeth was his hostess now that they were married thrilled him. She was no longer Elizabeth Bennet, but Elizabeth Darcy he thought with satisfaction.