An Accidental Elopement

Chapter Seven


Elizabeth woke with a start from the oddest dream she had ever had. Comprises, elopements, handsome leading man. What had she eaten before dinner? However the tall figure sitting next to her brought it all back. She was in fact Mrs. Darcy.

"Mrs. Darcy welcome to Pemberley," stated Darcy.

Elizabeth, quickly wiping the sleep from her eye, noticed the other occupants were also just waking. It was once again dark outside. They must have arrived in the middle of the night. Elizabeth couldn't believe how soundly she slept but after all the emotional stress she had gone through, her body must have been in need of it.

"I'm sorry this is your first view of your new home but I promise you, once you are well rested, it would be my honor to show your aunt and yourself around," Darcy continued.

"Thank you Mr. Darcy. How lucky I am that being a tour guide runs in your family," Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana and she inturn laughed lightly.

Darcy realized that his sister and wife already had a private joke between them. It made him happy that his wife already seemed so kind toward his beloved sister but also rather jealous. Where that came from he couldn't say but chose not to analyze it for the moment.

If the house keeper was stunned by the news that Mr. Darcy, who had just left two days prior, would be returning with a wife she showed none of it. Mrs. Reynolds greeted her master and new mistress with every bit of excitement as if they had known about this occasion for years.

With everyone rather worn out, Georgiana quickly broke off to retreat to her chambers. Mrs. Reynolds escorted Mrs. Gardiner to the guest suite that had ready leaving Mr. Darcy to escort his new wife to hers.

After an awkward pause, either of them knowing what to say or where to look, Darcy presented his arm to Elizabeth. Taking it the newly married couple set off to their rooms.

Gathering courage he didn't know he needed, Mr. Darcy opened the door to Elizabeth's chambers. Too tired to be apprehensive Elizabeth strode in, looking around with great interest. She was closely followed by her husband.

"There was not time to have it redecorated," started Darcy. "This is of course your bed chambers. The two doors to the left lead to your private sitting room and dressing room and the one to your right next to the bed leads to mine...My bed chamber that is. It locks...from your side...incase you were wondering."

Darcy suddenly realize be was babbling, although Elizabeth could not have been more charmed. While trying to put his wife at ease he was making himself even more uncomfortable.

Giving him a sweet smile and laying her hand upon his arm, Elizabeth assured him everything was perfect and he assured her he would see her tomorrow morning.

Elizabeth had little time to finish observing the room before the maid appeared to ready her for bed. Even though she had slept well on the ride here, it was not quite sufficient enough and she quickly fell back asleep.

Her husband on the other side of the door was not as lucky. He had slept little on the carriage ride here, after all how could that be help. His new wife had shifted placing her head on his shoulder and hand on his upper thigh. He was lucky he was not driven insane by the intimacy of it all. Now all he could think about was his wife. He was married. How has his life gotten so turned around in the course of two days.

At least she seems kind and interested in his sister. He had always worried about the woman he was to marry not being able to connect with Georgiana. After all she was shy and closed off. The events of last month involving George Wickham did not help matters. Now in the course of a few short hours together, Elizabeth had already charmed his sister and made her laugh.

Hopefully she will be able to work a similar magic over the ton but he doubted it. They were a shrewd calculating lot and with no doubt be unhappy they lost one of their prize bachelors. Without knowing when, Darcy's fears and worries left him for a moment to allow him to rest.

Elsewhere in the country a number of expresses were being delivered and even though they all had similar messages the reactions were varied indeed.

•••

The early next morning a very well rested Elizabeth stretched her arms over enjoying the comforts of the softest bed she had even slept it. While she was still unsure or what the future held, she at least knew it held a deliciously comfortable bed.

Sitting up she decided not to disturb her new maid and quickly readied herself for the day.

Once she left her chambers she rethought her idea about ringer her maid. In her tired state last night, she was unsure if she could find her way back downstairs this morning. 'Oh well she shrugged. This is now my home, I presume I may wander about as much as I choose."

With that Elizabeth set off. After only two wrong turns she found her way into a very pleasant drawing room. From her ramblings she had to admit that Pemberley was one of the finest houses she had ever seen. It was elegantly outfitted without being austere. Large but still felt welcoming.

Crossing through the drawing room the view out the window drew her attention. The site she saw caused her breath to catch. The grounds, that which she could see, where every bit as spectacular as her aunt had described.

"Mrs. Darcy," a deep voice behind her spoke.

Elizabeth, being entranced by the view, jumped ever so slightly.

"Forgive me I had not meant to startle you," said Mr. Darcy.

"Worry not sir. I am not used to others being up as early as I. I thought I was all alone this morning."

Darcy nodded in understanding.

"I must say Mr. Darcy, your grounds are quite as magnificent as I have been told."

"Magnificent you say, I believe your words were mildly pretty," challenged Mr. Darcy.

Here Elizabeth broke out into a wide smile, "You have caught me sir. I was actually quite let down when we had to leave early and was unable to see the grounds of which my aunts spoke so highly."

Darcy's expression matched her own although perhaps on a smaller scale. "From the limited time I spent with your aunts I always knew I found her to be a wise woman."

"I'm glad you think so."

"Well Mrs. Darcy, since we are both early risers, do you wish to join me for breakfast?"

"I do indeed. Lead on my husband."

This comment caused a slight blush on the gentleman and smirk on his wife. Elizabeth had made a resolution to herself to make every effort of civility with her new husband but that didn't mean she could not also tease him. After all if she was angry and bitter about her current circumstance it did not seem that would be the best way to start a life together.

Once the couple was seated with their food Mr. Darcy turned to his wife. "Miss ...Mrs. Darcy I must thank you for the kindness you have shown my sister. She is very shy and does not open up often to many people. I know it meant a lot to her having her stand up with you at the wedding."

"It was truly nothing Mr. Darcy. Your sister is an absolute delight. She reminds me very much of my own dear sister Jane. Although once you meet Jane I fear you will be rather disappointed that you did not marry the beauty of the Bennet family."

Darcy found that hard to believe but choose not to mention it. "I look forward to meeting the rest of your family."

Elizabeth smiled at he statement, "I will hold you to that sir."

Darcy was unsure how to respond to that so instead they both lapsed into silence. He took the break to observe his wife. She took her tea with only the smallest hint of sugar and no cream. One slice of buttered toast and several pieces of fresh fruit were all that adorned her plate. No wonder she is so slight.

This thought drew his attention to her person. Her hair was quickly done and clearly without assistance, but he had to admit it was still fetching. Her dress however was another matter entirely. While it was well made and well fitted (very well fitted), the quality was still far below what someone of her new station should be wearing. However fine for the country, she would need to be outfitted before a return to town.

"Since you will need to see the dressmaker, would you prefer that be today or tomorrow?"

"Why would I need to see the dressmaker," Elizabeth at innocently. "Is there something wrong with mine?" Elizabeth knew full well she would need to elevate her level of dress but she could not help but to tease her new husband. So instead she innocently batted her eyes as she tried to wear her most serious face.

Darcy's expression suddenly turned worried. How was he to tell his new wife that she needed a higher quality of clothing without insulting her. He had already made that mistake once with her and was not eager to incur her angry again. Darcy started clearing his throat and attempting to loosen his cravat as it apparently was attempting to strangle him.

Before he could come with an acceptable answer he notice his wife quietly laughing into her napkin. Clearing his throat again, he gained her attention.

"Forgive me Mr. Darcy for I must admit I am a somewhat provoking person. Rest assured I fully comprehend what is going to be expected of me when we return to town. Whenever fits your schedule best is fine with me. Since my original plans for today were to visit a bookstore in town, I quite assure you I am at your disposal."

"Careful what you say wife, I may just hold you to that," Darcy teased back with a small mischievous smirk.

Blushing slightly but never one to back down from a challenge, raised her eyebrow saying, "I look forward to it."

"Well in that case let's be on our way," said Darcy as he stood, offering his arm.

Elizabeth startle. He'd he not just realized they were jesting? He wouldn't demand ... not in the middle of the day... with his sister and her aunt about. She slowly stood and took his arm.

Darcy couldn't help but smile to himself. Her very present kept him unsettled; it felt good she was as nervous as himself at times.

After a brief walk through a couple of corridors, Mr. Darcy stopped outside of a pair of beautiful doors.

"This way Mrs. Darcy," he motioned.

Elizabeth held her head high and marched past a smirking Mr. Darcy. She only made it a few steps into the room before she stopped and gasped. She was currently standing in the most beautiful library she had ever seen. The walls were stock high with everything from novels to books on botany, atlases, poetry, novels and a thousand other subjects to get lost in. It possessed a large, welcoming fireplace and numerous comfortable looking chairs and sofas. She couldn't contain her delight.

"Since you missed your trip to the bookstore I thought this would be the next best thing."

"You are quite wrong Mr. Darcy. I find this far superior. In London I would have only been able to select a few books, now I may select dozens'" smiled Elizabeth.

"I guess we should arrange the dress maker to come tomorrow."

Elizabeth agree eagerly to this scheme and head immediately to the closest wall. Darcy followed and spent the next couple hours with his wife explain how they were arranged, his favorite books as a child and a humorous story involving his cousin, a tall book shelf, a bed sheet and the determination to fly.

Elizabeth couldn't believe how happy she felt at that moment. Had she really just met this man a couple of days prior? She didn't want to believe it, not just yet, but her gut was telling her this man could be just the kind of man she had always wished to meet.

Elizabeth's musings were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Sir you have a visitor, it is the colonial."

"Show him in Jameson."

Elizabeth notice in an instance the laughing sweet man standing next to her disappeared. In his place now stood the proud arrogant master of Pemberley whom she had encountered several times on their trip.

The footman no sooner stepped away from the door when a tall man in a red coat steeped in.

"Darcy I just received the most interesting letter I have ever had from you in my life and at once set off to determine if it was true or if you were just trying to send my father to an early grave."

At this Richard Fitzwilliam finally notice the beautiful young lady that was also in the room with them.

"Well I wouldn't believe it if I had not seen it with my own eyes, but I must say Darcy I can see why you ran off. I wouldn't trust any other man trying to steal her away either," the colonial said taking Elizabeth's hand and kissing it.

"Richard this is my wife Elizabeth Darcy, Elizabeth my cousin Colonial Richard Fitzwilliam."

"Ah yes the one who was determined to fly. Tell me colonial, how did your arm heal."

The colonial pause for a moment then laughed heartily. "My heavens Darcy, beautiful and quick witted, I can not wait for the first family event."

"With family has adventurous as you, I look forward to it."Elizabeth said, smiling brightly at this compliment.

She had hope to gain the approval of Mr. Darcy's family and thought if they were all as friendly as the colonial it would be quite easy. Darcy on the other hand was irritated as to why his cousin was still holding his wife's hand.

"Richard is that all you wanted. To come and bother my wife?"

"Now now Darcy you know we have more to discuss then just that," he said casting a quick sideways glance at Elizabeth.

"Well you gentlemen obviously have some work to attend. I think I shall find Georgiana and my aunt. Good day gentlemen." And with that she swept from the room. She really wanted to stay and listen since she knew it was about her. Also felt that eavesdropping on her new husband was not the best way to start a marriage either.

Anyways Georgiana had promised a tour.

•••

Darcy and the colonial quickly retreated to the study and after an hour the colonial knew the whole story. The whole true story and the one that they would be relaying to everyone else.

"Well it won't be to hard convincing people you fell in love with her, Darcy she exquisite. I was only in her company for a handful of minutes and was really to steal her away myself."

This comment earned the colonial a cold glare from his cousin.

"Calm down Darcy. I won't...she's to poor," smiled the colonial earning his cousin ire even more.

"Come Darcy you know I'm just kidding. Your reactions however, I much admit, are suspect," he said swirling the amber liquid in his glass and studying his cousin. "Are you all ready in love with her."

"Of course not. Don't be ridiculous. She pretty and smarty to be sure, but I still know little of her family or how this will damage the family name. I must continue to be on my guard," Darcy said pacing.

"You know Darcy you can be on your guard and care for your wife no matter her wealth or family."

"It's to soon to talk about any of that cousin for now your job is simple. Tell anyone who asks it was a love match and I'm happy. I don't wish for any more scandal then this might already cause." With that he sank down into his chair and running his finger through his hair.

"Of course Darcy and who knows maybe by the time everyone hears it will no long be a story but the truth."

AN: I am SO SORRY I am late. I really thought today was Tuesday. Once the holidays hit (and sadly they start sooner every year) I literally lose all track of time. So again sorry for the rush job on this chapter. Well at least I have almost half of my Christmas shopping done. Again thank you as always for your encouragement. I truly appreciate your reviews. And continue calling out my error as I am editing them as you tell me them, then I will update all when the story is done. Any long messages please PM me. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Pride and Prejudice belong to Jane Austen. This story is protected under copyright law and is not allowed to be used, copied, or republish without written consent from the author.