Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I am sorry there is such a wait between chapters.

Elizabeth had remained silent throughout the multiple courses of lunch. Mrs. Bennet did not hold back for the newlyweds, with the table teeming with enough rich food to feed the entirety of Meryton. She sat idly next to her mother, but attempted to ignore the constant chatter and focus on Charlotte's calming presence instead. Darcy sat at the other end of the table, in quiet discussion with Mr. Bennet. Both their countenances remained serious and both ignored Mr. Collins' attempts to turn the conversation towards himself.

Elizabeth watched her new husband and her father with narrowed eyes as it was clear Mr. Bennet was not pleased with something Darcy said, his arms crossed and a frown etched deeply on his face. Darcy remained cooly in control, a look of achievement evident. Elizabeth frowned, uneasy.

Just as she was to intervene, the front parlor erupted in noise. Before any of them could rise from their chairs, Jane rushed into the dining room, followed quickly by her aunt and uncle Gardiner. A rush of warmth flooded Elizabeth, and she immediately stood and hugged Jane fiercely. Before her sister could even utter a hello, Elizabeth pulled Jane upstairs to their shared bedroom.

Darcy watched the sisters as they raced towards the stairs. After a few moments, he turned back to his father-in-law, who didn't seem in the least surprised that his eldest daughters disappeared so abruptly. Darcy cleared his throat. "I thought Miss Bennet was away in town."

Mr. Bennet took a sip of wine and nodded. "Alas, she was, but I imagine a very stern directive was dispatched for her to return as soon as possible by your wife." His eyes twinkled over the rim of his glass. "If I may be so bold, I would recommend a room ready for the eldest Miss Bennet as soon as you can at Pemberley, or else you may very well be kicked from your own bed, sir."

Darcy choked on a bit of meat at that, but quickly swallowed a chuckle with his own wine. That was, before he grimaced thinking of how Elizabeth surely would not invite him to share a bed with him anytime soon, if ever. He cleared his throat again, his expression returning to its serious nature, although he could feel Mr. Bennet's mirth radiating through him. Darcy then decided he must be stopped. "It is a shame. Bingley must have missed her within hours on his way to London." Darcy lifted an eyebrow but continued to study his plate. "And if I may be so bold, sir, I imagine Jane will soon not share your surname if Bingley has anything to say of it." He took a bite of roast chicken and enjoyed the look of surprise on Mr. Bennet's face from the corner of his eye.

Mr. Bennet, however, recovered rather quickly and chortled, slapping a hand affectionately on his new son-in-law's shoulder. "I do think we shall get on quite nicely, Mr. Darcy."

Darcy quirked his eyebrow again but allowed a small grin. "That may very well be so if you finally agree to the dowries I am to provide for your remaining daughters at Longborn. They are, afterall, my sisters now."

Mr. Bennet groaned, rubbing a hand over his face at the return of the topic. "I surrender, sir! Enough! Let us speak of much more pleasant things than threats of dowries." Darcy's face broke out into a wider grin, truly enjoying the company of the elder. Perhaps his opinion of the family was made in haste.

Mr. Collins took the opportunity of the silence and injected, "Such a kind offer from a generous man, such as yourself, Mr. Darcy! If you will allow me to mention, I believe it must be the regal blood from your family. As you know, such generosity could only be contributed to your family line, and as I know from personal experience, your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bough…"

Simultaneously, Darcy and Mr. Bennet closed their eyes as if in pain.

Jane watched from the bed as Elizabeth paced back and forth through the small room. She still wore her traveling cloak and bonnet, but she paid them no mind. "Dearest Lizzie, it cannot be as bad as you say. You would not marry Mr. Darcy if you were absolutely set against it."

Her white gown long gone, Elizabeth continued to pace in fervor even as the maid attempted to wrangle her into a day dress. Why she was being forced into a new gown, she did not know, but she also did not care. Elizabeth's patience was at an end. "Jane, we spoke of this. I saved myself, and therefore you, from ruin. I had no other choice. I would make it again if I could." She grunted. "Although it gives me no pleasure."

"Surely there must be some good qualities about him, Lizzie. Why else would you…you and he… - you understand what I am saying - why would you - " Jane stammered off in embarrassment, her face blazing coming second only to her sister's crimson cheeks.

The kiss. Elizabeth pushed away the memory once again as it threatened to surface. No, that would not do. Mr. Darcy - her husband - could not be saved in her eyes, not after what he did to Wickham. Not after he continually separated Jane and Bingley from a reunion, even having the gall to so on their wedding day.

No, she would not think of the kiss. That would not do.

Elizabeth changed the subject immediately. "Have you seen my shawl? I cannot find it anywhere. I remember distinctly placing it by my pillow this morning."

The maid pulled Elizabeth back by the ribbons, trying to catch her breath. "It is all packed, Mrs. Darcy." She tried not to wince. "I imagine it is in the carriage by now."

Elizabeth froze. "What do you mean?"

The maid shrugged. "Well seeing that you be off with Mr. Darcy before sunset, I took the opportunity during the wedding to pack it then. I didn't want to rush if your husband meant to be leaving sooner than expected."

Elizabeth met Jane's eyes, and she felt her chin wobble slightly. Not caring a bit for her ruined ribbons as they fell to the ground, the sisters immediately embraced, tears threatening both sets of eyes.

"Oh, Jane," Elizabeth whispered, her voice hoarse. "What am I to do without you?"

Jane took a deep breath before breaking away and facing her sister. She gently rubbed tears from Elizabeth's face and gave her a watery grin. "Whatever you do, do not make it in haste. Lord knows what you're capable of without my guidance."

The pair chuckled and embraced once more. With identical sighs, they knew it was time to return downstairs.

Elizabeth could not do it. She could not step towards the chaise with Darcy and leave Longborn behind. Leave her family behind. Especially for what her future beheld.

After saying farewell one too many times that was deemed proper, and twice more after that with her father and Jane, Elizabeth finally turned her back and headed towards the coach. Darcy waited there patiently, and held out a hand for her to take as she stepped inside. She scurried into a far corner from sight, unable to look at her relatives again for fear that she would cry. She did not witness Darcy bowing to her parents and her aunt and uncle Gardiner before joining her.

Elizabeth was not sure what she was expecting, but it certainly wasn't Darcy sitting next to her instead of across. Although she can recall her parents and her aunt and uncles always did sit together in married pairs, for whatever reason his choice of seat shocked her to stillness. Further yet, her mouth slightly dropped open as she witnessed Darcy wave politely to her family as they departed.

Picking up her jaw before he could see, Elizabeth quickly turned towards her window, watching the countryside pass them by. She wished to memorize every tree, every bend in the road, every local face that was nearby.

Darcy recognized her need for silence, and he looked out his own window as the world went by. They remained liked this for close to half an hour before Elizabeth broke the quiet. "Where are we heading, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy turned and looked to his wife, his brow quirked. "Pemberley, of course."

"Of course."

After a long moment, Darcy added, "I know that Darcy House would be the ideal choice as it is so near, but my sister is eager to meet your acquaintance."

This uplifted Elizabeth a bit. "Your sister? Pray, tell me about her." She was eager to learn more about the girl after hearing various descriptions from others.

Darcy could not stop the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. Elizabeth found herself transfixed on it for a moment before he began. "Her name is Georgiana. She is a very accomplished pianist and lover of contemporary art and mystery novels. I am ten years her elder and have been her co-guardian since my late father's passing five years ago." He paused a moment before meeting her eyes and adding, "I think the two of you shall do splendidly together."

Elizabeth flushed with obvious pleasure at the compliment, but was equally confused by her reaction. As was naturally for her when she needed the upper hand, sarcasm took hold. Archly, she replied, "If by that you mean that your pristine sister will properly reign me in, you are probably right."

But Darcy did not laugh nor crack another smile. "Indeed not. I look forward to her flourishing in knowing you."

Elizabeth did not have a witty reply to that. She soundly shut her mouth and flushed again, but this time with embarrassment. "Forgive me. I should not jest."

"There is nothing to forgive. I am, of course, well known for my humor."

Elizabeth's eyes flew to his and found them sparkling. Unable to contain herself, a laugh burst from Elizabeth, making no effort to cover her mouth with her hand. Darcy was funny!

Darcy smiled at her, his heart warming to see her good humor once more, and that he was the cause of it. Elizabeth quieted down, but a wide grin remained on her face. They studied one another for a moment in easy silence. She felt her cheeks pinken in surprising pleasure. Elizabeth cleared her throat in an attempt to right the earth once more, but was eager to keep the light atmosphere. "After dear Georgiana flourishes under my watchful eye," she teased, "I imagine she will have many gentlemen callers to choose from, impatient to get their hearts broken by a Darcy."

It was as if shades shut immediately across Darcy's facade. His eyes darkened to a stormy blue, taking Elizabeth aback. "She is not yet seventeen. Do not believe she will be shipped off to the highest bidder or first money hungry swindler that catches a young lady's eye. She will remain at Pemberley until I see fit."

Darcy immediately turned back towards his window without another word, not even noticing the night sky seeping into the horizon. Elizabeth swallowed hard, unsure what just happened, but beating herself up silently for being surprised. This was hardly unlike Darcy, cold and unforgiving as she knew him.

She turned towards her own window and sighed. "As you wish, Mr. Darcy."