Elizabeth fidgeted nervously with her skirts as the carriage rattled down the road to Netherfield Park. Now that she was finally alone with Mr. Darcy after their abrupt wedding, an awkward silence fell between them. She stole glances at him out of the corner of her eye, but he seemed lost in his own contemplation, staring pensively out the window.

She blushed, unsure what to say. After all, they still barely knew each other, despite now being husband and wife. She wracked her brain for a topic of conversation to break the tense quiet. Perhaps she could mention the lovely weather they'd had for the wedding or inquire politely about his journey to London.

But each idea died on her tongue. The creaking and rattling of the carriage filled the silence as it turned down Netherfield's tree-lined drive. Elizabeth took a deep breath.

When they pulled up outside the handsome portico, Mr. Darcy alighted first then handed Elizabeth down. As she accepted his offered hand, their eyes met for a brief moment. Elizabeth was surprised to see a flicker of desire in Mr. Darcy's gaze as he looked at her. It disappeared quickly, his expression becoming formal again as he escorted her up the front steps. But Elizabeth was certain she had not imagined it.

A thrill went through her at this evidence that her new husband did not find her wholly unappealing, despite their awkwardness. Perhaps the passion she had glimpsed would emerge again when they grew more comfortable together.

Elizabeth felt her cheeks flush and a warmth kindle inside her under Mr. Darcy's brief ardent gaze. Her hand rested on his firm forearm as they ascended the steps. The heavy oak door swung open, and they were greeted by a astonished looking footman.

"Mr. Darcy...Miss Bennet..." he stammered in surprise.

"Mrs. Darcy," Mr. Darcy corrected firmly as he handed his hat and gloves to the flustered footman.

Elizabeth felt herself blushing furiously as the footman's eyes widened in shock. But Mr. Darcy's steady hand at her back reassured her as they moved inside.

Before they had progressed far down the hall, hurried footsteps preceded the emergence of Mr. Bingley.

"Darcy!" he exclaimed in surprise. "We did not expect you back from London so soon." His kindly eyes alighted questioningly on Elizabeth.

Mr. Darcy's mien turned solemn. "Indeed, I have returned earlier than anticipated. And not alone, as you see."

Mr. Bingley's gaze darted between them in confusion. "Miss Elizabeth?"

At that moment, Miss Bingley appeared from the drawing room in a flutter of silks. "Charles, what is all the..." She froze at the sight of Elizabeth standing with Mr. Darcy.

"Miss Eliza..." she breathed in shock, pressing a dramatic hand to her heart.

Hurried footsteps sounded from the stairs. All eyes turned to see Lady Catherine de Bourgh descending imperiously, her voluminous skirts causing the footmen to scramble out of her path.

"Nephew!" she exclaimed. "What is the meaning of this?" Her sharp eyes fixed on Elizabeth like hawk sighting prey. "And with the Bennet girl, no less! Explain yourself at once."

Mr. Darcy straightened to his full height. "Aunt Catherine," he acknowledged civilly. "Allow me to present my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy."

Stunned silence met his pronouncement. Miss Bingley reeled back as if struck. Mr. Bingley's brows shot up in astonishment. Lady Catherine's face mottled red with fury.

"Your wife?!" she thundered. "You dare stand there and tell me you have married this.. this..." She seemed at a loss for words to convey her indignation.

Mr. Darcy raised his chin. "Indeed, I do. Mrs. Darcy and I were wed just this past hour at the parish church."

She rounded on Mr. Darcy. "This is outrageous! I strictly forbade you from marrying Miss Eliza, yet you have willfully disobeyed me. Mark me well, I shall not stand for this betrayal. You will annul this farce of a marriage at once!"

Mr. Darcy's spine stiffened, his hand going protectively to Elizabeth's back. "With respect, Aunt, you have no power to dissolve my marriage. Elizabeth and I wed legally and with solemn intent this day." His eyes flashed with defiance. "So I suggest you reconcile yourself to the new Mrs. Darcy's presence."

"Reconcile myself?! Preposterous!" thundered Lady Catherine. "I shall do no such thing. You have flouted my express wishes and failed in your duties. No true nephew of mine could commit such insolence!"

She fixed Elizabeth with a venomous glare. "As for you, Miss Eliza, you may congratulate yourself on bewitching my nephew into this folly. But do not imagine you will keep him long! Your arts and allurements shall fade, and Darcy will tire of his ill-bred country bride soon enough."

Lady Catherine drew herself up furiously as Mr. Darcy stood firm. "Well! If you insist on standing by this foolhardy marriage, you leave me no choice. I refuse to remain under the same roof as you and your country bride!"

She fixed him with a stern glare. "And you are henceforth banned from setting foot in my home or on my grounds at Rosings Park. No nephew of mine could commit such insolence against his own flesh and blood!"

Mr. Darcy's expression darkened. "Then I suggest you remove yourself swiftly. For I will not have you disparage my new wife any further while you remain at Netherfield."

Scowling, Lady Catherine turned in a huff of silks and quit the hall, her footsteps echoing angrily. The heavy front door slammed forcefully behind her exit.

Miss Bingley, who had stood frozen during the confrontation, now seemed to rouse herself. "Pardon me, I feel quite faint ..." She pressed a hand to her forehead. "I must retire to my room at once."

She hurried away without another glance at Elizabeth or Darcy. Mrs. Hurst cast them an uneasy look before following her sister upstairs.

Mr. Bingley shifted his weight, glancing uncertainly between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Well! That was...quite a surprising turn of events." He offered them a tentative smile. "But please allow me to offer my sincere congratulations to you both."

Mr. Darcy's stern countenance softened somewhat. "Thank you, Bingley. I appreciate your graciousness, despite the abruptness of it all."

"Of course, of course!" Mr. Bingley exclaimed. His natural cheerfulness began to reassert itself. "Why, soon we shall be brothers, you and I!"

He grinned and clapped Mr. Darcy on the back. Turning to Elizabeth, he added warmly, "And Mrs. Darcy, you must consider Netherfield your home as well for as long as you and Mr. Darcy wish to stay. I invited him to remain indefinitely, so naturally that invitation extends to his lovely new wife too."

Elizabeth returned his smile gratefully. "You are too kind, Mr. Bingley. I thank you for your warm hospitality."

"Think nothing of it!" Mr. Bingley gestured animatedly as he spoke.

Mr. Darcy spoke up. "It has been a long day for us both. With your permission, I will show my wife to our rooms so she may rest before supper."

He led Elizabeth upstairs to a grand, spacious bedchamber. She gazed around in wonder at the rich damask wallpaper, gleaming wood furnishings, and enormous canopied bed. Such opulent surroundings reminded her that she was now married to one of England's wealthiest gentlemen, even if this was not Pemberley.

"I hope you will be comfortable here during our stay at Netherfield," Mr. Darcy said somewhat stiffly, clearly still adjusting to their new relationship.

Elizabeth turned to him with a shy smile. "It's lovely, thank you. Far grander than my room at Longbourn."

An awkward pause followed before Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. "Yes, well...I should bathe and change out of my travel clothes. Please make yourself comfortable."

He disappeared into the adjoining dressing room, leaving Elizabeth alone with her racing thoughts. She jumped slightly at the sound of splashing water as Mr. Darcy's bath commenced. Blushing, she busied herself unpacking her small trunk, trying not to imagine her new husband naked in the next room.

Eventually, the splashing ceased and soft footsteps signaled Mr. Darcy finishing his bath. Shortly after, the door opened and he emerged looking refreshed in a crisp white shirt and black evening coat. Elizabeth couldn't help but admire how handsome he looked.

"Shall we go down to supper?" Mr. Darcy extended his arm. She took it, pulse quickening as they made their way to the dining room.

Elizabeth felt self-conscious entering on Mr. Darcy's arm and taking a seat at the grand table. Mr. Bingley offered a friendly smile, but his sisters remained stonily silent.

"You must try the roasted pheasant, Mrs. Darcy," Mr. Bingley recommended cheerfully. "Cook prepared it with a delightful herb sauce."

Elizabeth held her chin high, ignoring the glares from Mr. Darcy's friends and relations. "The roasted pheasant is excellent, Mr. Bingley. Please give my compliments to your cook on such a fine dish."

"I shall pass along your praise, Mrs. Darcy!" Mr. Bingley replied jovially.

"Why Mrs. Darcy, what a...rustic choice of dress. I can see you are not yet accustomed to the styles of Town," Miss Bingley slyly remarked while sharing a glance with her sister.

Elizabeth merely smiled. "You look lovely this evening, Miss Bingley. I must say, I've always preferred the simplicity of muslin to the intricacies of lace and frills. But you wear the ornate style so well."

Miss Bingley's eyes narrowed slightly at the subtle rebuttal. Before she could reply, Mr. Darcy spoke up approvingly. "Indeed, Mrs. Darcy's taste is impeccable. She needs no gaudy adornments to enhance her natural grace and beauty."

Elizabeth flushed at the compliment as Miss Bingley pursed her lips in displeasure. But no further barbs arose to disrupt the remainder of the meal.

As the ladies retreated to the music room, Elizabeth noticed the hint of a smile play on Miss Bingley's lips. She braced herself for whatever manipulative game Caroline Bingley planned to spring on her.

"Sister, won't you play," Caroline asked of Louisa as they entered the room, "I do so love listening to the sound of your playing."

"Of course, I'd be delighted," was Mrs. Hurst's quick response, taking over the pianoforte in an efficient manner that left no doubt about her claim to it.

Miss Bingley gestured towards Elizabeth invitingly. "Do join us, may I call you Eliza?" she asked, her eyes gleaming unkindly. "You must have many stories to share from your time in the country."

Elizabeth held back a sigh and allowed a diplomatic smile to grace her lips. "Indeed, life in the country has its simple charms, as I'm sure city life has its own… excitement."

Mrs. Hurst's fingers fluttered across the keys before striking them to produce the first notes of a sonata. Without looking away from the sheet music, she casually joined their conversation, each note of her song intertwining with her words.

"Oh yes, I couldn't agree more. The Town is truly unique, unlike anything else. So many opportunities for discourse unforeseen in rural realms. Then again, domestic pleasures are of a simpler sort, are they not?"

Caroline nodded slowly, eyeing Elizabeth curiously over her thick eyelashes.

"They are indeed which perhaps incites reflection and deeper understanding of smaller joys in life; like a beautiful morning sunrise or idle walks through fields," Elizabeth quietly contributed as the room filled with melody. "Such are often neglected in the hustle and bustle of town life."

Miss Bingley looked surprised, evidently not expecting such a poised answer. Louisa's fingers faltered slightly on the keys before quickly resuming their previous flawless rhythm.

Elizabeth wondered if she would ever grow accustomed to the Bingley sister's bitter games. As her mind wandered, she thought sincerely of Mr. Darcy, her wholly unexpected husband. She warmed at the recollection of his chivalrous tenacity against his aunt's wrath, making him stand out gallantly against the others around him.

While he lacked Mr. Bingley's natural social charm, there was something refreshingly sincere about Mr. Darcy. Even though they were wedded under rather peculiar conditions, Elizabeth could acknowledge that he had shown nothing but respect and kindness towards her.

Lost in thought, Elizabeth didn't notice that the gentlemen had joined them until, the wrapping up of Miss Bingley's musical performance brought her attention back into the room.

Elizabeth clapped politely, recognizing it was expected of her, as Louisa arose from her seat, flashing her an insincere smile.

"Mr. Darcy, I must confess I am still rather stunned by the news of your marriage," Mr. Bingley commented when he had settled himself comfortably in the room.

Mr. Darcy responded with a disciplined calmness. "Certain, shall we say, convolutions arose regarding Longbourn's inheritance. These complications necessitated immediate action, leading to our prompt nuptials."

Elizabeth felt herself blush under the heat of those assembled in the room. She caught a glimpse of the Bingley sisters exchanging a drawn-out glance.

Mr. Bingley then shifted topic to the day's earlier drama. "Lady Catherine certainly did not hold back on expressing her indignation," he noted, managing to articulate the shared observation with characteristic goodwill. "A rather thunderous response from your aunt."

Mr. Darcy merely quirked an eyebrow slightly. "She has always had strong views regarding family matters."

With the evening grew late, Mr. Darcy helped Elizabeth rise from her chair. "I think it best if we retire early tonight."

As Mr. Darcy rose from his chair, assisting Elizabeth to her feet, a shadow crossed Miss Bingley's face. Her lips thinned into a taut line as the color drained from her complexion.

The trip up the stairs seemed impossibly long for Elizabeth. She hesitated slightly before entering their bedchamber, her earlier composure faltering ever so slightly.

Understanding her discomfort, Mr. Darcy offered her a reassuring suggestion. "Elizabeth," he began softly, "Let us agree that tonight, we simply rest. There will be time to... celebrate our marriage when we're more familiar with each other."

Relief swiftly washed over her at his words. Murmuring a quiet "thank you," she withdrew into the sanctuary of her dressing room to prepare for bed, gratitude mixing with a fresh wave of nervous excitement.

When she returned to the chamber, dressed in a simple muslin nightgown and robe, she found that Mr. Darcy had abided by their agreement. He was already awaiting her in bed, holding up the bedding to provide her space to climb in comfortably.

Feeling hesitant and overwhelmed, she gingerly slipped between the inviting sheets. Forcing every ounce of courage within her, she turned to face him, trying to assure herself that everything was going to be alright.

At length, the room filled with darkness as Mr. Darcy extinguished the last candle. Shadows played across the high ceiling and corners of the room. The silence it brought only amplified the pounding in her chest and the irregular rhythm of his breathing beside her.

Thank you for all the fruit fly trap suggestions! I apple cider vinegar, water, dish soap container has so many dead fruit flies I'm a bit astonished. Next I will attack the kitchen sink and bathroom drains!