A/N: I realize that it seems Elizabeth and Darcy being together may seem a sudden thing. In my editing I shall try to show some interaction between the two of them which will explain their growing fondness for the other, but you must understand that Darcy was already half in love with her before he left Netherfield, at this same time in the original he proposes to her! Elizabeth in mine has not heard Wickham's lies, and therefore the only thing she can hold against him is her supposition that he pushed Bingley away from Jane, something she does not know as fact.

***Edit to chapter to depict time passing.

Chapter 17

Elizabeth was sure Mr. Collins would somehow divine her actions the previous night merely by looking at her over the table the next morning during their morning meal. Surely she was a different woman from before? Did it not show in her countenance for all to see? Mr. Collins did not know, and proceeded with his toast and eggs, unaware of his wife's furtive looks.

When she came upon Mr. Darcy and the Colonel that afternoon she wondered if Darcy had told his cousin what had transpired. She looked for hints in every speech, but could find none. Once she was satisfied that her secret was safe with Darcy, she wondered at his taciturn features as they strolled together, the Colonel supplying most of the conversation.

That night she teased him about it after they had made love. She ran her finger over his mouth, questioned him why he wore such a stern expression when around others.

"My Father died when I was just out of school, and though I had been educated on how to handle Pemberley, the enormous responsibility weighed on my shoulders. I felt if I gave in to any sort of childish whim it would all come crumbling down so I remained serious at all times."

Elizabeth frowned, "I am sorry."

Darcy turned to her and kissed her, "It is kind of you to worry over me, but that is all in the past."

The next night was the same, meeting at the abandoned cottage, making love to each other and then laying next to each other, arms and legs intertwined, talking about anything and everything they could think of.

"Would you like me to see you tomorrow before I leave?" He asked as they were dressing themselves.

Elizabeth had just put on her shift and stockings and was seated on the floor, looking up at Darcy. He had become so familiar to her, these nights they spent together, that she wondered why she had never taken the time to see him for who he really was. All his passion and virility, locked beneath a thin layer of control and self-discipline.

"I do not think I could handle it," she muttered, turning away so that he would not see her tears.

He knelt beside her, taking her into his arms, her back pressed against his chest, "Elizabeth," he murmured into her hair. "I wish events had been different."

She had told him about her Father's ill health being the reason she married Mr. Collins and he had confessed his fascination with her while he was at Netherfield.

"If only I had-" he was cut off by Elizabeth putting her finger to his lips.

"Please," she begged. "Do not speak of what may have happened...it would break me."

He nodded his head, kissed her lightly on the lips, then helped her finish dressing. She returned home that night and lay in bed going over every intimate encounter they had had. She wished to commit to memory every detail so that she might pull them forth for her to peruse in the future and have nothing left out.

"Mr. Darcy and the Colonel have left," Mr. Collins related the news to her the next afternoon.

Even though she had known he would be leaving, she still felt a tugging at her heart when she heard it.

"I hope they have a safe journey," she managed to say before she left the room.

The days slipped back into a regular routine; walking, visiting tenants and parishioners, dinner at Rosings. Her letters from home gave her great comfort, and as if to give herself penance, she tried harder to be a more caring wife to Mr. Collins. She made sure the house ran smoothly, that the house was quiet during the mornings while he read and prepared his sermons, his meals were his favorite, etc...

All the while she wondered what Mr. Darcy was doing. He had said he was going into London, news that had also reached Lady Catherine. "He will preparing for their marriage, I suspect." She had mentioned. Elizabeth glanced over at Anne and frowned. Anne would never bring him happiness, not the way she could have. She wondered what his sister was like, if she was anything like her brother or if she were morel like Lady Catherine.

One morning, a some weeks later, as Elizabeth was rising from bed, she felt a wave of nausea roll over her. She wretched into the chamber pot then called for Jenny to take it from her. She felt her forehead, a light sheen of sweat covering it, but no fever. With sudden realization she counted the days that had passed since her last cycle.

"I am late," she muttered to the empty room. She slowly lifted her hand to her abdomen, resting it on the cotton gown and rubbed. A smile played at her lips and tears filled her eyes. "I am going to have a baby!"

Elizabeth sat on the bed and tried to picture what her baby would look like. She held this news to herself like at treasure, a secret she wished to keep to herself just a little while longer. What harm could it do, if she waited a few days before telling Mr. Collins? He would surely tell Lady Catherine, who would, no doubt, be full of recommendations on which midwife to choose, etc... No, her baby would be her own for a while, and no one else's.

She could not keep the news for long. She soon realized that morning sickness was a misnomer, for she was sick at all hours of the day. When she ran from the room after breaking her fast Mr. Collins had followed her, concern etched into his features.

"My dear," he said from behind her door, listening to her wretch into her chamber pot. "Are you well?"

She opened the door to her husband, "I am with child." She told him.

Mr. Collins was shocked, at first. Then the realization that he would be having a child swept through him and he picked her up and squeezed her tightly to his chest. "Are you sure?" She nodded her head and begged to be put down before she was sick again.

"Oh, my dear, yes, of course, I must..." he ran down the hall, halted at the stairs, then ran back to her, "I need to," he turned to his room but stopped outside his door, "I do not know what to do."

Elizabeth laughed, "Do not worry yourself, Mr. Collins, you shall have nothing to do until the babe arrives. In the meantime I do believe I should like to rest."

"Oh, yes, of course." He helped his wife into her bed, pulled the covers over her and kissed her cheek. "Ring if you need me."

It wasn't until her mind was cloudy with sleep she had a horrible realization. She had spent three months with her husband with no results. She had spent three nights with Mr. Darcy and now she was pregnant. There was a very strong possibility this baby she carried within her could be Mr. Darcy's child, and not her husband's. The thought both pleased and terrified her.