Author's Note: Another chapter. I've been on a bit of a roll though I'm not certain if I'll be able to get another chapter done before Saturday. Anyway, this chapter is a lot of D&E with a little Jane. Next chapter goes back to Longbourn and maybe we'll learn what Richard has decided.

Chapter 36
Sunday, 22 March 1812
London

The Darcys eschewed the family gathering at Matlock House after services, deciding to go straight home. Jane was to visit the Gardiners for the afternoon; her mother and aunt would depart London the next day. Elizabeth had visited her mother the previous day, but a week of constant activity had exhausted her. Both Darcys were even more determined to cut back on the events they attended after tolerating Lady Matlock's schedule for their appearances. They informed their aunt of their resolution at the dinner last night, hinting at the reason behind it. It was deliberately done since Lady Matlock would never cause a scene in such a public location. She was not pleased, though her face quickly softened in understanding as Elizabeth made a subtle reference to her condition.

After a light meal served in their sitting room, Darcy led his wife to their bed for a rest. She was asleep almost before her head touched the pillow, and though he was not as tired, he still settled in beside her. Plucking the book he had brought with him from the nightstand, he read while she slept, surprised when he woke several hours later, their bodies having become entwined while they slept.

Elizabeth smiled when she woke, held tightly in her husband's embrace. A quick glance indicated it was likely late afternoon, and she slowly turned in his arms to face him. As she gently traced her fingers along his face, she noticed how the worry lines softened in sleep. Her husband was not old by any means and in remarkable physical form — something she frequently admired in the privacy of their rooms — but when he was awake, the weight of all he carried was apparent on his face. However, he appeared almost boyish in sleep, and Elizabeth delighted to see him thus.

Darcy's nose twitched as she brushed it, so, smiling, she repeated the action. His eyes opened, and he stared into his wife's twinkling eyes and kissed her without a thought. Their passions grew, and they rejoiced in their intimacy, finding pleasure in their time together.

Sometime later, Elizabeth rested her head on his chest, and they spoke of Fitzwilliam and Anne. "What will Richard do?" Elizabeth asked.

"I hope he will accept Anne's offer, but I cannot be certain. Right now, he is too worried about the possibility of either of them falling in love elsewhere. He does not yet recognise that, yes, one can fall in love, but unless one encourages it, it will not survive."

"But I thought you fell in love with me against your will?" she teased.

He sighed deeply, leaning his head to kiss her forehead. "I was fascinated against my will. I could not get you out of my mind. I believe there are times when love arrives like a lightning strike, as it did with us, or at least, in my case, but Richard and Anne have a basis for a deep and abiding love. He just needs to open his heart to it."

Elizabeth sighed heavily and laughed when her breath caused the hairs on his chest to move. She slowly blew her breath out again, giggling when he shivered and tickled her in reply. "I apologise, my dear. You said the other day that Richard had never allowed himself to think about love and marriage since he was always aware of the necessity to wed an heiress. He did not want to be perceived as pursuing one for mercenary reasons."

"Yes, and that is another thing that makes it difficult for him to accept Anne's offer. It may have occurred to him on his own someday, but now that Anne has made the suggestion, he is thinking about it differently. I think he will eventually come around, but it will take him some time."

Nodding, Elizabeth remained quiet for several more minutes, tracing patterns across his chest and smiling whenever she garnered a reaction.

Before too much longer, Darcy broke the silence. "What of Jane?"

Elizabeth shifted her head, positioning her chin on his chest to gaze at him. "What about her?"

"Mr. Gardiner mentioned a suitor. He is due to call here on Tuesday. Did Jane say nothing to you?"

"No! She has said nothing. What do you know of this suitor?"

"Very little, actually. Your mother does not favour his suit, but that is because he has only five thousand a year. Like Bingley, he is the son of a tradesman, though he had managed to purchase an estate — in Essex, I think."

Elizabeth continued to stare at him in surprise. "She has said nothing to me of such a thing. Do you know the gentleman's name?"

"Oliver Stanton," Darcy replied. "I know him a little; he was a year or two behind me in school. In fact, I would guess he is like Bingley in more ways: very amiable and easy to please, though perhaps not as easily led. Thankfully, he has no sisters."

Though she grimaced at this, she was silent for several moments. "Perhaps Jane is not ready to mention it, especially if Mama is not in favour. I wish she had spoken to me about him. Now, I do not know whether to broach the subject myself or to wait for Jane to bring it up. Surely, she cannot expect to remain silent about him if he is to call here."

"I cannot understand how Mrs. Bennet protests his suit when he is so very similar, at least in wealth and status, to Bingley."

This statement made Elizabeth sigh heavily, and Darcy immediately apologised for offending her. "You did not, dearest. Mother objects to Jane making a match that is 'less' than the match I have found. Recall that I am her least deserving daughter, and Jane is far and away the most beautiful. If I could manage to 'capture' a man of your wealth and status, then Jane is surely worth more."

While there were still times when Darcy misread his wife's expressions, at this moment, the hurt was evident in her voice, tinged with sarcasm. He pulled her more tightly into his embrace. "Oh, Elizabeth. Your mother says such things as she cannot understand you. While I cannot deny that Jane is lovely, she never caught my eye. I looked at her dispassionately, as one looks at a lovely piece of art, but felt nothing. You, my darling girl, not only caught my eye at every turn but also held it despite my foolish efforts to turn it away. At first, I might have attempted to deny your beauty, but it was not long before I considered you quite the most handsome woman of my acquaintance."

As their intimacy progressed, it became somewhat rare for Darcy to make Elizabeth blush, so he delighted in watching her cheeks turn pink before progressing down her body at his compliment. Leaning down, he kissed her, and the two did not emerge from the bed for quite some time.

Jane returned to Darcy House after supper. Elizabeth and Darcy were in the library, reading together and laughing. As soon as Jane entered, Elizabeth engaged her in conversation, and the three spoke of their truncated plans for the week.

"So, Jane, Lady Matlock asked me to go on calls with her one or two days next week. My day at home is Friday, and hers is Wednesday, so I was thinking I would go on Tuesday. Would you care to accompany me?" Elizabeth asked innocently.

Glancing at her sister, Jane blushed slightly. "I would prefer not to accompany you on Tuesday and wonder if you might pay calls on a different morning." She paused, and her face reddened further. "I … I am expecting a call and hoped you might be willing to chaperone me."

Jane's eyes were on her shoes, and Elizabeth grinned at her husband before schooling her face into one reflecting only curiously. "Who is calling, dear Jane? Have I met her?"

Darcy coughed, though Elizabeth was confident he was covering a laugh. Elizabeth tried not to grin.

Her sister's eyes were still on the ground. "It … it is a gentleman, a … a suitor. His name is Mr. Stanton, and he has called on me a few times at the Gardiners'. I … I like him very much."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at such forthrightness from her sister. Jane rarely said so much about her thoughts; even with Mr. Bingley, she had been relatively circumspect in expressing her feelings.

"Do you have feelings for him?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly feeling far less like teasing.

"I do," Jane said quietly, her voice so low that Elizabeth had to strain to hear it. "He is like Mr. Bingley but a far more serious version. I like him very much," she repeated.

"Oh, Jane," Elizabeth whispered, hearing far more in this confession than what the words revealed. "Are you hoping he will make an offer?" When all Jane could do was nod, Elizabeth stood and wrapped her sister in a hug. "I am so happy for you, dear sister. Do you have reason to think he will?"

"Well, he had met Mama and still wants to call on me," Jane replied tartly, making Darcy nearly choke as he attempted to restrain the guffaw threatening to let loose.

"You may laugh, Fitzwilliam, but do keep in mind I have met your Aunt Catherine. Although, I suppose we were both fortunate that we were already wed at that encounter."

Darcy groaned. "I admit to laughing, but it was more from hearing your words leave your sister's mouth. I would not have thought you capable of such a tease, Jane; clearly, I have underestimated you."

Both girls laughed, but Elizabeth replied, "Yes, Jane, what has gotten into you? I have never heard you speak in such a way, particularly about Mama."

Jane colored. "Mama was trying today and is disinclined toward Mr. Stanton. I suppose after being at Pemberley and in London for this time, I have learned to speak my mind more directly and now find it difficult to tolerate Mama as easily. Aunt Gardiner and I have also spoken quite seriously about what I wanted from a suitor after the disaster with Mr. Bingley." Both Darcys protested, but Jane held up her hand. "Neither of us knew what we were doing or what we wanted out of a relationship. I think I cared for him, but I am unsure I was ready for marriage. He certainly was not. Mr. Stanton has no sisters, though he does have a mother, and we get along well. The Gardiners like him, and my uncle took the time to speak to him about his intentions."

Elizabeth and Darcy looked at each other for a moment. "I am happy for you, Jane. If I can do anything, please let me know, and I will be happy to chaperone his visit on Tuesday."

Smiling in return, Jane reached out to clasp her sister's hand. The two ladies spoke a bit longer, and Darcy returned to his book, though he did occasionally smile at hearing the two women giggle girlishly as they exchanged some confidence. Finally, it grew late, and Darcy indicated his intention to retire. Elizabeth reluctantly accompanied him, and Jane excused herself.

Darcy noted Elizabeth appeared slightly sad as they prepared for bed.

"What is it, Elizabeth?"

She smiled tenderly at him. "I adore being married to you and all that it entails," she replied, waggling her eyebrows as she teased him a little, "but I confess that I miss the closeness my sister and I shared. I do not regret leaving home and leaving Jane, but I have also enjoyed talking with her tonight as we did when we were girls. I am happy for her, and I would not trade our intimacy, Will, but sharing a bed with a husband is different from sharing with a much-loved sister."

Darcy grinned and kissed her nose. "Shall I remind you of all the advantages of sharing a bed with a husband, Liz?"

Her face turned bright red, causing him to laugh. Then he kissed her and thoroughly showed her again how sharing with a husband was preferable.