Author's Note: I do not own any of Jane Austen's characters or works, this is merely for the pleasure of entertaining my wonderfully patient readers. Apologies for the time delay, but this is exam time and I know my priorities. However, my last exam is on tuesday so after that I'm all yours and though I can't promise them to be one after the other (I wouldn't want to give you a rush story), they will be much more timely than usual. Love you all and look forward to hearing from you - these next ones are gonna be gooood!

Turned and Tossed and Stretched

Friday 16th June 1815

11.57am

The spring came and blossomed into summer. Even in the north, the hot sun had allowed young couples and their families to spend their time outside and both Bennet and Christiana enjoyed the chance to discover nature at their will, much to the delight of their Aunt Georgiana, who passed her eighteenth birthday at the turn of the seasons. Whilst staying at Pemberley, Kitty and Mary marvelled that they still could not find their way around the vast halls and mazes, and though their hosts brief sojourn to solemnity had not escaped their notice, neither girl knew the cause, and only assumed the concern surrounded Elizabeth's fainting spell.

Both Lizzy and Darcy were worried that Georgiana's gentle nature would easily give way to sadness if she knew the truth and her ability to sense her sister's thoughts frightened them, though perhaps Darcy more then Elizabeth. The young woman was unaware of this, however, as the gentle nature about which they were so concerned more easily gave way to positive musings and so she thought Elizabeth was only sad to return from her family in Hertfordshire.

By June, Kitty and Mary were due to leave Pemberley and travel the 30 miles to Beningbrough to stay with Jane and Bingley. As they prepared to welcome their sisters, Jane also prepared to liven up the spirits of her most precious sister.

"How is Elizabeth?" Bingley asked, inquiring after his wife's apparent interest in her letters.

Jane glanced up from the wealth of papers in front of her: one of their propertied neighbours, Mrs Tauton wrote devotedly every week, informing her of her latest achievements in the culinary field because she assumed the kind new Mrs Bingley would wish to know. Jane thought to herself that Mrs Bennet might enjoy her company as they could compete for achievements. Now, though, she assumed Charles thought she was reading a response from her sister. "Oh dearest, this is not a letter from Lizzy. She is wonderful . . . as always."

Bingley watched his daughter topple and pull herself up again and again and thought how much he felt for his dear brother and sister, the anguish of losing a child would never have left him. Yet he was aware how much joy they derived from their own son. "It is only we and Darcy and Elizabeth who know the reason for her brief ill health, is it not?"

Jane nodded as she, with a sigh of relief, folded away Mrs Tauton's superfluous correspondence. "Yes, indeed, and I think my brother and sister wish it to remain that way." She said, matter-of-factly. "If I know my sister, and I do confess a great ability to decipher her moods, her son shall soon cheer her up."

"And Darcy?" Bingley asked, leaning forward, eager to hear his wife's opinion. "Do you also claim to be able to hold such ability with regards to him?"

Jane replied that with Darcy this was not quite so easily done, and Lizzy seemed to be the only one able to interpret him frankly. Lifting a different letter from the drawers, one in a softer and more elegant hand, in her genteel manner, Jane continued: "Lizzy seems happier and happier in her words to me; she is not quite as melancholy as before."

Bingley watched and smiled, intrigued, as he saw a sudden gleefulness pass over his wife's placid expression. "And what, pray tell, has affected your countenance so?" He inquired.

Jane smiled delightfully.

Saturday 17th June 1815

8.57pm

Though not as cunning or as willing to enter into deception – even for the good of a worthy soul – as her family and friends, Mrs Bingley managed just as finely to plan a surprise evening for her own relatives and especially for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. She was not put out and her spirits were not dampened by the knowledge that Lizzy had in fact guessed soon after the date was set, rather, Jane was ever so slightly relieved; she had worried the gesture may move Elizabeth to an emotion she would not want displayed before her extended family.

On Elizabeth's part, she was as aware of her sister's worries as Jane had been aware of the need for a social evening. Truthfully, she was excited at the prospect of some theatrical entertainment, especially considering that the family had missed that social season due to her own physical condition and Georgiana's coming out had been pushed to the following year. Despite her guilt on that count, Lizzy could see that her dearest friends were happier to now she was well.

"Jane, I shall warn you now; you shall need a miracle to rid yourself of so many guests." Elizabeth smiled. "Although you have not given birth yesterday morning, so I understand the courage I see in your expression."

Jane watched her extended family, her Aunts and Uncles and Cousins, milling about amongst the seats she had placed in the main hall. "I am not worried." Elizabeth made a face telling of her surprise at this comment. "It is the middle of the season in London, and I imagine Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam and their children should very much like to return to London as soon as possible."

Elizabeth nodded and thought of two absentees whose children would prevent them from attending any such evening this year; her youngest sister Lydia and Victoria, each of whom welcomed another child into their family.

"Charles, darling," Jane gestured to her husband, "I think we should begin, hmm?"

He nodded, kissed her cheek and addressed the company. Darcy held his wife's arm and led them to their seats. He smiled when Elizabeth would not take her curious expression from him. "You shall never have had a better time in your life, Lizzy."

She laughed and turned to whisper in his ear, "I doubt that very much, William." And when he looked at her, the suggestion in her face both shocked and amused him and brought a wide smile from Lizzy.

"Jane," said Lizzy when her sister took her place beside her and they observed Mr Bingley as he stood at the foot of the improvised stage, "I do think there have only been two occasions on which I have seen your husband quite so gleeful and both of those instances most certainly will not take place at this moment." Mr Bingley did indeed look very happy; his cheeks were flushed as though he had been exercising in the afternoon and his manner of standing not dissimilar to, Lizzy saw, Bennet when his father offered to take him on horseback.

Jane's look mirrored that of her husband, greatly intrigued Lizzy, and she consequently could not take her eyes from the speaker, who began: "I shall not make this a formal introduction of any kind, as I do not believe the occasion requires one, I shall only say that this evening is held in honour of those who have welcomed the new generation of children that have recently joined us."

With that, Mr Bingley retired next to his wife, and Lizzy grew ecstatic when it became obvious that they were to be treated to a performance of the first play her own father had ever introduced to her, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

When the evening was over, the audience found they were quite delighted with their magical and comical entertainment and Miss Darcy and the two youngest Miss Bennets threw roses at the feet of the actors, as the elders declared these London Players quite the finest ones they had ever seen. Lady Eleanor in particular addressed Lizzy and the two ladies found themselves enraptured in conversation, allowing Darcy to thank his brother and sister for their kindness in hosting such an evening, for which they welcomed him.

Sunday 2nd April 1815

8.30pm

Elizabeth watched her sister walk tentatively along the corridor partnered with one of her dearest friends as they began an entrance into society she had started herself not three years before. She remembered her own white gown and her own nervousness, and she perceived that Georgiana did not seem to feel quite so out of place as she had upon this moment. Recalling that Miss Darcy had spent all her life in the company of the echelon of society and that she herself was only truly experiencing it for the first time when she was presented, Elizabeth felt herself to breathe out, though she had not known she was holding her breath.

Truly, Miss Darcy was one of the handsomest young women there, partly because she held herself with the pride of her brother and Elizabeth was reminded of a portrait she often looked upon of Mrs Darcy. Lizzy often wondered if her own daughters would bear such a resemblance and she laughed at the thought that her own little sister carried herself better than she did. Little did Elizabeth's knowledge inform her that Georgiana had modelled her behaviour entirely on her sister's.

"Miss Darcy looks very well. Lady Anne would be very proud, I think." Lady Eleanor was proud herself, and of Mrs Darcy, for it was Elizabeth who had primarily prepared Georgiana for this occasion and Elizabeth who made the introduction as Mrs Darcy.

Elizabeth smiled. "She does look quite becoming, though I think her brother may be a little uncomfortable at his younger sister looking quite so attractive." The ladies laughed as they watched Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. "My Dear," said Lizzy to the former gentlemen, "if your sister sees your frown and becomes discomposed I shall never forgive you, and you will be haunted by the women of the family until you can adequately make it up, which I must say would be very difficult indeed." Darcy reconciled his expression, taking his wife's hand for support and the entire family waited for the moment.

11pm

"Lizzy!"

"Georgiana, you were so well received, were you not?" Elizabeth was among many who congratulated the young woman about her appearance; the king and queen had even enquired as to the health of her brother and sister and were happy to hear she was an Aunt twice over. "I think you very popular; do you not, Mr Darcy?"

Her brother kissed her hand. "Indeed you were. Should you not like to join your friends?" He gestured to some young men and women who were quite anxious to keep her company.

The young lady exclaimed, "oh no! I have spent many hours with them and I find I am not quite ready enough to pass a whole evening without my sister's guidance. I declare this room quite hot."

Lizzy laughed and suggested she at least pay call to her Aunts and Mrs Bingley, who were conveniently situated on the balcony. When the lady had left, Lizzy addressed her husband with surprise. "I am astonished that you should so encourage her to rejoin such a group, full of young men."

He replied dismissively. "It is occupied chiefly by the ladies, I think."

"Darcy." She said, firmly gaining his attention.

"I trust her. She has quite grown before my eyes and I find that as this is her entrance into society she may have free run of the room, take her sister's advice and be merry with many guests, some of whom, of course, may be men." He sipped his wine. "We are very well-acquainted with every one of these families."

"Yes," spoke Lizzy suspiciously, piquing her husband's interest, "but I observed your research into each one of their histories, Fitzwilliam."

He avoided her gaze for some moments, but knowing it impossible to escape without an answer, he said: "She may dance and talk with whomever she chooses, but it is I who will be deciding whose calls she returns." With that, Elizabeth saw the Colonel retrieve a certain note from his pocket and they proceeded to study it deeply, eyeing the man with whom Georgiana was now in conversation. Though she knew this young gentleman to be honourable, she prayed for his safety.

Thursday 6th July 1816

7.03pm

Having now passed several years at Pemberley, the passing of the previous year was not of any significance; anniversaries were honoured, seasons spent happily in town and Mr and Mrs Darcy had the pleasure of watching Bennet discover everything they knew themselves, and of knowing that he was theirs. Darcy could easily recall the first time he laid eyes on his wife, their dances, conversations and, having decidedly forgotten about his first proposal, her acceptance. These were remembered especially well in moments when he and Elizabeth would argue, and when one or the other would reconcile he noted that he was still thrilled to lay a kiss on her.

For her part, Elizabeth felt all that her husband did. She adored watching their boy toddle about when she could so freshly see him passed to her after he had been delivered only moments before. Bennet's personality was almost a perfect mix of that of his mother and father; he had Lizzy's insatiable curiosity for everything, which often meant he would be found hiding in the oddest places after a panicked manhunt for him; but he had his father's sense of pride and their caring nature. So he would allow only his mother to nurse him when he fell or tripped, and he had an uncanny awareness of his little cousin's needs.

The Darcy's time did not seem to be spent chiefly at home and alone, where they would prefer to be. Their days were often taken up with social calls or the Season, more important now that Miss Darcy was out. Consequently, Elizabeth and Darcy made the choice to miss the beginning of the 1816 Season, and take a second honeymoon.

For that reason they were now seated in the coach, travelling in the dying heat of the Scottish summer. And they were alone, quite alone.

Unfortunately, despite the breathtaking view in front of her, Mrs Darcy's mind could not keep from straying to her son, now holidaying with Earl and Countess of Matlock, or, as he called them, 'Uncle and Aunty Fizz'. Darcy was all too aware of his wife's thoughts, having watched her anguish increase from Derbyshire to the Borders.

"I know that you do not worry about his safety, Lizzy. That would be ridiculous." She drew her look away from the window and gazed at her husband, in whose face she always caught Bennet's expression. "There must be a first time to leave him, dearest. Think only of his joy on seeing us return."

She nodded, and he kissed her in a way reminiscent of their first, which thrilled her. "I am sorry. I do not mean to ruin our holiday. I am only thinking of the changes that have taken place; perhaps we might miss something?"

He laughed and drew her next to him. "No, indeed you must forget. Pretend, if only for me, that we are only newly married."

"So we must ignore all our acquaintances and spend the entire day in bed?"

"We did not spend the entire day shut up. That is an utter exaggeration." Lizzy raised one eyebrow. "Not every day, Elizabeth, but we may certainly do so now if you wish." She replied that they might spend one morning alone, and found comfort from embracing her husband.

The lovers' tryst did not last long, however, as the drive of the Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse came into view. Elizabeth declared herself lost for words at the vista it afforded; the house was not large, but perfect for them, and the green parkland that surrounded it was only matched by the sound of breaking waves Elizabeth could hear above the roar of the wheels on the rough gravel and the possibilities it held. The unassuming exterior brought solace to the young couple and made their smiles relaxed and happy, expressions reflected in the faces of those who showed them to their suite.

Their rooms were pleasant and held a view of the beaches along that part of the coast which Elizabeth had begged to see. She also saw her beloved wildernesses; the woods and forests that she and her husband might explore, more rugged and untamed in the North than anywhere else in the world. She had noted that the roads had grown steeper as they travelled further and she relished in the idea of being situated where one might take in the best air, the best views and the most enchanting explorations.

"Our hosts have requested touring the grounds with us, have they not?" Elizabeth replied that they had. "Then I might suggest horseback along the edge of the garden for this evening, and tomorrow we can walk along the beach."

Lizzy thought carefully, watching the last of the porters leave. "I am not . . . fond of riding horseback, William. But I do look for-"

"Lizzy?" Darcy looked confused. "Not fond of riding horses?" She nodded. Darcy did not understand her; he could recall countless occasions when she had ridden horseback and not made the slightest protest of dislike. However, he also knew when she was uncomfortable, and he concluded that her present melancholy was turning her into odd fits of behaviour and he concluded that she was not quite ready to meet their hosts. "Very well, we shall walk, I know your feet are desperate for exploration."

She smiled and he noticed her relief. "I am glad that we have some little company. The Mistress of Tarvit seemed to be very much looking forward to having us and she expressed her knowledge of the privacy young couples require. Oh!" She had been studying the contents of her cases, not noticing that her husband stood behind her, until he picked her up as though about to carry her across some invisible threshold. "William!"

"Do not protest!" She was taken by fits of laughter and could not speak, and her husband was similarly afflicted, barely able to hold his grip on her, causing her to yelp and laugh more breathlessly. At length, she was thrown unceremoniously onto the bed, and he beside her, unable to catch his breath.

"Will – William . . . ! I cannot breathe!"

"I did not mean to paralyse you!" She chuckled, blushing in a way he had not seen since their engagement, and brought her hand to her mouth as though she felt some impropriety in what he had said. "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth."

"Hmm, I remember when you first called me that. You had never addressed me in such a way before. No man had." He kissed her hand and began to remove her shoes and stockings. "I could not even look at you for fear that I would lose my composure."

"I thought as much at the time." He stopped and kissed her. "You blushed quite profusely." Lizzy smiled, and, leaning into her husband's arms, they fell asleep for several hours, something that had not been enjoyed by either parent for several years, until the bell to dress for dinner was rung.

The couple dressed simply, not having brought much in the way of evening attire, as they did not intend to have the fuss of such a night on this holiday. Upon entering the dining room, the couple were greeted by a middle-aged husband and wife, who immediately began a pleasant line of inquiry as their rooms and their general state of health.

Mr and Mrs Tarvit were much of what Elizabeth had expected. They were not very rich, but they were well-brought up and respectable. Their clothing was smart but simple and reminded Elizabeth of the Lucases, but their conversation revealed them to be in possession of more tact. She listened with great fascination to the inflections of their accents with which had been little acquainted in her life.

Elizabeth felt that she was watched by Mrs Tarvit with an extra degree of intrigue and excitement, but dismissed it as their reputation having preceded them.

"I have three daughters, Mrs Darcy, thank you." The lady replied when Elizabeth begged to know of the young women she observed in the portraits on the wall. "They are my pride and joy, madam, and quite accomplished. Their father has been very gracious in also affording them knowledge of their own area, for I do not believe it healthy to keep a lady indoors her whole life, despite what may be the fashion! How else are they to be kept healthful?"

Had her expressions been conveyed with a slight irritation, Elizabeth might have assumed her to be living above her company, but she always seemed to speak in jest, to amuse those around her. Both husband and wife would have described their hosts as joyful characters.

"You are such a young couple, indeed, to be taking a second sojourn!" Exclaimed Mr Tarvit, smiling at his guests and requesting more wine to be brought.

Mr Darcy returned the smile, and Elizabeth was glad to see him comfortable and thought it because they had similar manners to the Gardiners. "Perhaps we are but we have been married three years, give or take several months. We have a son."

"A son! I declare!" Mrs Tarvit placed a hand on Elizabeth. "I do envy you, we have no sons! Tell me of him, Mrs Darcy, is he yet walking, talking? Oh, I do think I may faint with excitement!"

"Indeed, he is walking and talking madam, though he is determined to run and hide everywhere, God bless his poor nurse. Had I known you were so fond of children we would not have hesitated in bringing him with us." Elizabeth felt Darcy's reassuring hand on her knee.

The lady looked at Lizzy with a face that told of an understanding of her anxiety. "I know, my dear. They are very hard to part with, but if I do say so myself, you will not meet with better distractions than in this country. I have heard of your penchant for wildness and you shall not be disappointed."

Elizabeth smiled. She had felt that this holiday would be one to remember, but she was as yet unable to put her finger on the source of such emotions.