Even though the wedding breakfast had been rather larger and rather longer than Darcy might have hoped, Darcy was gratified to see how happy it made the new Mrs. Darcy and the new Mrs. Bingley. It was right that they should have so many well-meaning relations and friends there to celebrate the long-awaited nuptials.

The day had gone quite smoothly; even Miss Bingley had been wise enough not to criticize anything within earshot of Darcy. She had behaved with civility, if not kindness, toward Elizabeth and Mrs. Bingley, and was still just as attentive to Georgiana.

The wedding breakfast had been at Longbourn, on account of its convenient location for the brides' family and to the Bingleys' home at Netherfield. And the journey back to Derbyshire, while too long for Darcy's liking (although it did, at least, mean a more satisfactory distance from Mrs. Bennet), passed more pleasantly in Elizabeth's company.

All of this considered, Darcy could not be truly easy, nor truly happy, until he was home with his bride at Pemberley, to enjoy the society of his dearest and loveliest Elizabeth alone.

The journey from Longbourn to Pemberley took two days, with Elizabeth and Darcy in one carriage and Mrs. Annesley with Georgiana in the other; they had stopped at an inn for the night, and had stopped at another inn to dine on the second day of their journey. Darcy was grateful, at least, that it was still light when they neared the end of their journey It was the golden hour, the very best time of day, when their carriage entered Pemberley's grounds.

Elizabeth fell silent. He watched her gaze out the window, and he could not prevent a smile from touching his lips. It was a joyous thing, and a solemn thing, too, to see Pemberley through Elizabeth's eyes. The estate was larger than Longbourn, to be sure, and it could at times feel overwhelming to manage; so many people depended on the Darcys for their land or for their living.

It was also quite, quite far from Elizabeth's family. At such a distance from the Bennets, Darcy resolved that Elizabeth should not be lonely, and that now that he was Elizabeth's family, he would make Pemberley feel like home for her.

"It has been too long," he said softly, taking her hand, "since Pemberley has had a Mrs. Darcy as its mistress."

Elizabeth exhaled, turning to meet his gaze. "I have so much to learn about running such a grand house. I fear I shall pale in comparison to your mother."

"You are an intelligent woman; you will learn quickly. More importantly, you are kind, which the staff will value even more," Darcy reassured her. He pressed her hand gently. "And as for my mother... she would have adored you."

Regardless of what Lady Catherine might have said about Fitzwilliam's mother desiring a marriage with Anne de Bourgh, Darcy knew his mother would have admired Elizabeth's spirit and sense.

Managing a small smile, Elizabeth lifted his hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to it.

"It is strange," she said a short time later, as the carriage drew closer to the house; "I have only been here once, and yet... somehow I feel as though I belong here." Her gaze returned to his, and she smiled. "I suppose it is because I belong with you."

"You do," he agreed. "Very much."

When the carriages stopped, Darcy was gratified to see that all of the staff had assembled to greet their new mistress. They made quite an impressive picture, standing in their fine starched uniforms, all in a neat line. Mrs. Reynolds, Darcy expected, had arranged it all, perhaps with a small hint from Georgiana.

Darcy alighted from the carriage and offered his hand to help Elizabeth from her seat. She looked a little pale, perhaps overwhelmed, but as soon as she was on her feet, she was smiling at the assembled servants. It took but a moment to help Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana from their carriage. Then Darcy resumed holding his wife's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"We thank you all for this courtesy," Mr. Darcy addressed the staff. "Mrs. Darcy and myself are grateful to have such a thoughtful and loyal staff."

"Please accept our very best wishes for your good health and happiness, ma'am," said Mrs. Reynolds to Elizabeth, on behalf of everyone present.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds," said Elizabeth warmly. "I am touched, truly, and very much look forward to getting to know all of you better."

Pride swelled in Darcy's chest; he was sure, quite sure, that Caroline Bingley never would have issued such a magnanimous statement to people she would have viewed as mere servants, not even if she had accomplished her dream of being mistress of Pemberley. It was one of a thousand reassurances that he had chosen the right woman as his wife.

"And we offer our sincere congratulations," Mrs. Reynolds said to Darcy with a smile.

"We hope you will share in our joy," said Darcy. "As we have already dined, we beg you will take the evening off until we retire; there is wine for you downstairs."

There were murmurs of thanks at this dismissal. It was, perhaps, paltrier thanks than Darcy might have wished, but he could not ask his sister or wife to go without a lady's maid at bed-time.

As soon as the servants had departed, Georgiana declared her desire to practice at the pianoforte. It was hardly an urgent priority; however, Darcy appreciated his sister's willingness to give the newlyweds privacy, and to do so in a way that was discreet. Mrs. Annesley, after congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Darcy once more, accompanied Georgiana into the house.

Left at the entryway with his bride, Darcy turned to her with a smile. At last, he swept her up into his arms to carry her over the threshold. She gasped in surprise before smiling up at him in delight, and he smiled in return.

Happy was the moment when Darcy held his beloved Elizabeth in his arms and murmured, "Welcome home, Mrs. Darcy."


Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this story! I want to say thank you to everyone who left a kind review. I left some details a little vague so that the chapters didn't get too bogged down with them, but if you're looking for more fluff, please feel free to check out this story's continuation, "Lakes and Love-Letters." You can also read more Elizabeth/Darcy fluff on AO3 with "Conceit and Concilliation" by Sunfreckle, "The Hour, The Spot, The Look, The Words," by Courtney621, and many more! Have a great day!