Author's Note: In my fic "Coming Home," when Mr. Gardiner goes fishing with Darcy, Elizabeth's uncle tells Darcy that Elizabeth wanted to go to the Lakes but their trip was cut short. This fic originated with that idea, but you don't have to read it to follow this story; that's just my head canon of how Darcy knew of Elizabeth's interest in the Lakes. Thanks for checking out this story, and I hope you enjoy it!

PS This story is rated T for kisses, since they ARE newlyweds ;) Things are implied but nothing will be explicit. Also, I have researched the Lake District, but not specifically in the time period of P&P, so you may encounter some mild anachronisms or errors; just remember that we are all here to have fun :)

After a pleasant dinner with Georgiana, and a few lively duets at the pianoforte, Elizabeth and her new husband retired to Darcy's private library.

They both genuinely enjoyed time with Georgiana, and she with them. Furthermore, the newlyweds were not so bold, even a mere few days after their wedding, that they dared go directly from the dining-room to a bedchamber. The past two evenings, however, neither of them had entirely succeeded at concentrating upon any reading.

It seemed, almost as soon as they had settled into their separate arm-chairs, that tonight would follow the same trend. For as soon as Elizabeth had taken up a book - the same she had endeavored to read for some days, but had not absorbed the contents of a single page - she felt her husband's gaze upon her.

Looking up, she saw that he was watching her expectantly. The newly-minted Mrs. Darcy obligingly laid her book aside.

"Yes, my dear?" she said with a smile.

"It occurred to me that you have been denied some enjoyment, and I might provide a remedy."

"Quite right," rejoined Elizabeth, feigning solemnity with some difficulty. "You have hardly kissed me all day, Mr. Darcy."

Her husband of three days was still enough of a newly-wed to flush pleasingly at this remark.

"I meant-" he composed himself rather than acquiescing to her request - "that is, I understood that you very much desired to visit the Lakes, only your uncle was unable to take you there due to his business obligations and... your younger sister's marriage."

He faltered at the last phrase, and Elizabeth blessed him for not uttering the name of Wickham, which she had rather not hear in general, especially in a house where he had wrought such havoc.

She was even more gratified that he had recalled such a cherished wish.

"Oh, FItzwilliam," she breathed, "I should like above all things to go there with you. It sounds sublime!"

"Then we shall go directly," he declared with a smile, clearly satisfied to have the opportunity of pleasing his wife. "I have already begun to consider the arrangements, and waited only for your approval."

Elizabeth, however, having been raised with four sisters to consider, knew there was one other person whose approval they ought to seek.

"Is Georgiana to accompany us?" she asked.

"She shall remain here with Mrs. Anneseley, and may issue an invitation to Miss Bingley if she chooses."

"Oh," Elizabeth murmured. To be sure, she was pleased at the prospect of time alone with her beloved Darcy, and yet... "I do feel rather sorry for her, to be left behind in such a way. We need not go, Fitzwilliam."

Darcy's lips pursed, and Elizabeth knew him to be suppressing a sigh, but at the next moment, he smiled.

"I know we need not," he replied, "but I very much wish to take my bride on a wedding-trip."

"I own that I would like nothing so well as spending time with you amidst rocks and mountains," she said. "But Pemberley's grounds are so very fine, I would be quite content at present to explore them with you. Besides, Georgiana is so fond of you; I would be loathe to pull you away from her."

"After your rapture at the prospect of such a trip, you shall not sway me from the idea," Darcy replied. "Pemberley shall certainly still be here for us to traverse upon our return."

Elizabeth looked at him archly; he had not yet assuaged her fears.

Darcy continued unperturbed, "I am most gratified by your concern for my sister. I assure you that after yours, her happiness is foremost in my thoughts. Yet she is not unaccustomed to my absence for a month or two, let alone a fortnight. I believe her greater loss shall be your company, by which Miss Bingley's pales in comparison. Miss Bingley, however, is at least an attentive friend to her."

Even though Miss Bingley had certainly not extended such sincere courtesy to Jane prior to Jane's marrying Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth had no doubt that Miss Bingley's attachment to Georgiana was sincere. Who truly knew Miss Darcy and could not admire her?

"You have spoken to Georgiana of your plan?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not yet; I wished to speak to you first."

"Then promise me you will attempt to know her mind before you make any arrangements," Elizabeth requested. "I could not be easy, even among the Lakes, if I thought Georgiana had been made unhappy by our going."

"I will ask, though I am certain she will not detain us," Darcy promised. "Will that satisfy you?"

"Quite." Elizabeth smiled, rising from her seat. "Though there is still the other matter to attend."

Ever the gentleman, Darcy stood as his wife did, in keeping with propriety.

"If you will allow me to acquit myself, it would have hardly been proper to... to embrace you in the halls," he said, "no matter how much I wished to do so."

"I believe newlyweds may be permitted a little impropriety from time to time," Elizabeth retorted playfully. "You are right, of course, that Georgiana or Mrs. Reynolds might encounter us in the main parts of the house."

"All the more reason," Darcy replied, "for me to steal away with you on a wedding-trip."

Elizabeth laughed at the idea of honest, upright Mr. Darcy stealing anything - even though the prospect of him whisking her away to the Lakes was deliciously thrilling.

"Until then," Elizabeth suggested, "are there not some more removed corridors in the house that you might show me?"

"I shall be glad to oblige you tomorrow," Darcy replied. "Until then, however, I have yet to address the first concern you raised."

"Then I shall be glad to see a part of the house with which I am more familiar," Elizabeth assured him with a smile.

With that, they removed to Elizabeth's rooms, and if Elizabeth had been disappointed with a dearth of kisses earlier that day, her husband was all too glad to make up for lost time.