Elizabeth hardly slept the entirety of the night. Too embarrassed to ring Hannah for dinner, she remained starved, satiated, and skittish, uncertain if Darcy would follow her into her bedchamber after her rather rude and unceremonious departure from his bed.

Her heart and her head were at war with one another. Yesterday evening with Darcy was beyond her explanation. She still felt every touch, every kiss, and every wave of pleasure he created within her. Feeling his body, allowing her access to whatever she pleased, and his resulting response - it was a heady and exhilarating sensation new to her, and it was addicting.

Elizabeth knew, tucked deep within the back of her mind, that Darcy still loved her. She had known that in the cottage and she had known it before walking into his bedchamber. But to hear it once again from his own lips, lips that ravished her only hours before, it was almost too much to bear. She could never allow herself to love him in return, and this fact grieved her throughout the night and well into the morning.

She put off descending for breakfast as long as she could; she did not know if she wished to see Darcy or not, but her heart won out as soon as she glimpsed his tall frame, pouring himself another cup of coffee by the hot plates.

Georgiana was nowhere to be seen, most likely either by her piano or with her lady's maid, Mrs. Annesley. Only Darcy and a few servants were present in the room, and seeing as she could not simply sit down without anything on her plate, Elizabeth walked over to the station to stand next to her husband.

Darcy tensed when he realized her presence, unable to stop his gaze from drifting to her. He was surprised to find her flushed, which did nothing for his mind running away back to the previous night. From the corner of his eye, he watched the remaining servants leave the room. As soon as they were alone, Darcy moved behind her and kissed the long column of her neck.

Elizabeth stilled at the sensation, but she could not hide her gasp of surprise. He kissed her there again before murmuring, "Forgive me, Elizabeth. I did not mean to upset you last night."

She swallowed hard before facing him, unfortunately ceasing his mouth in its pursuit. She pursed her lips, unsure of how to proceed, but she decided on honesty. "It is I who should ask for your forgiveness, sir. Your words…" she trailed off. "I'm afraid I am ill equipped to process them."

Darcy nodded and attempted to keep the sadness from his face. "I understand. My love is one-sided, as I know and accept, no matter my wishes. I will not force such profound feelings onto you. I shall attempt to keep my feelings to myself in the future." He eyed her hopefully. "That is to assume, I mean - that is if you -"

Her heart breaking for him a bit, Elizabeth attempted to divert the tension and she gave him a coy smile. "It would be suffice to say that I quite enjoyed myself last night, Mr. Darcy. I would be willing to -" Her face flushed darker still. He gave her a small grin and she swatted him playfully. "I hope to visit your bedchamber often, sir," she murmured. "But I would ask that you return the same favor you ask of me."

"And that is?"

She took his hand in hers in earnest. "Forgive me for being blunt, sir, but I was brought up by my father who cherished candor: I may not love you in the way you do me, but I have come to enjoy our relationship as husband and wife - inside and outside the bedchamber." She blushed brilliantly again. "Do not repress your response to me. I qui- quite enjoyed hearing it," she stuttered.

A slow smile slid across Darcy's mouth and Elizabeth was delighted to see dimples appear. Leaning down, he was about to give her a kiss when Georgiana entered the room, but was talking over her shoulder to someone. The pair jumped away, as if found in some lewd act. Elizabeth quickly began loading her plate up, and Darcy walked back to his seat, effortlessly carrying his coffee back.

Georgiana beamed to them upon entry but immediately frowned. "Dear sister, you are flushed!" She hurriedly walked to her side and placed her hand upon Elizabeth's cheek. "You may have caught a chill from yesterday! You feel much too warm."

This only caused Elizabeth to blush even more and Darcy to cough into his cup. Elizabeth shot him a look across the table, but attempted to hide her smirk. She looked up to Georgiana from her seat. "Do not make yourself uneasy, Georgiana. I am very well."

"But truly you do not look like yourself!"

Darcy calmly stirred honey into his porridge. "Elizabeth must have just enjoyed a morning walk or perhaps a refreshing stroll in the garden." He flicked his eyes up to meet Elizabeth's. "Did you not just endure some exercise, wife?" He smiled innocently to her. If he were close enough, Elizabeth would have kicked him in the shin, and he knew it.

Instead, Elizabeth smiled sweetly back. "Ah yes, that must be it, husband. I do so enjoy stretching my legs, as you are well aware."

They stared at one another, unaware of Georgiana looking back and forth between them curiously. She decided to give up and walk to retrieve a cup of tea. "Marriage is so strange," she murmured to herself.

Elizabeth could feel Darcy's eyes on her throughout the course of the meal and it was exhilarating. Any trepidation she felt before had long since passed. Her heart raced and her body ached. Sweat even appeared on her brow as if she were some feral beast in heat; he plagued her.

As soon as it was clear that Georgiana was due to be occupied with lessons in the main ballroom for the rest of the morning, Elizabeth and Darcy abruptly stood at the same time. She made an excuse that she had business to attend to in her private parlor, and he replied the same that he would be busy in his study. Quickly moving their separate ways in opposite ends of the house, Elizabeth feared it would not be far enough to tame herself.

After nearing a quarter hour of pacing causing wear into the ornate rug, Elizabeth finally stopped and decided to seek him out. It would not do to be so distracted; she had duties to attend to. She could not simply lie in bed with her husband for all hours of the day.

Determined that she would innocently inquire after him and then depart to actually complete some work, Elizabeth opened the door only to find Darcy standing on the other side.

They stared one another down a long moment, but Darcy rushed inside and crushed Elizabeth to him. Slamming the door with a foot, he moved them clumsily until the back of her legs met her desk. "You torment me," he muttered, unable to wrench his lips from hers for long.

Elizabeth replied by pushing his coat off his shoulders in order to grasp tighter to his shoulders still. "And you aggravate me." Hungrily, she pulled his hips against hers and they both gasped at the friction.

Darcy began to devour her neck, moving quickly down her chest. His fingers slid the sleeve of her dress from her shoulder, revealing a perfect and heaving breast. Immediately, he placed her nipple in his mouth and sucked.

"Darcy," Elizabeth cried at the newest sensation. Her back arched to allow him better access, but her hands gripped his rear end to try and get them closer. "Darcy, I cannot wait any longer. Please put me out of my misery."

As much as Darcy desired nothing more than to exemplify her misery in this way, he too could no longer wait. With a casual show of strength, he lifted her to sit on the desk, splaying her legs around him. Gathering her skirts out of the way, she worked quickly to free him from his breeches.

He entered her hard and fast, causing them both to moan lewdly. Elizabeth kept up with his quick pace, unable to do more than move and hold on. "God, Lizzie," he murmured in her ear, and her affectionate nickname instantly caused her to shudder around him. Darcy quickly followed, slowing down his movements until he had nothing left, and he simply held her in place.

Darcy stroked her back as he stood up, helping her fix her dress before buttoning up his breeches once more. He brushed a kiss on her cheek and whispered in her ear, "Aggravated still?"

Light on her feet with pleasure, Elizabeth blushed but was able to suppress a giggle. She arched an eyebrow instead. "Shall I torment you later then?"

Darcy grinned but could not help but kiss her again, softly against her forehead with affection. As he was about to pull away once more, he paused and pressed his lips to her skin again. He reared back in alarm. "Elizabeth, you are burning up."

Teasingly she replied, "Must be from all the exercise you mentioned."

Darcy frowned. "I am serious." He cupped a hand on her cheek and felt the clammy skin. "You are not well. You are equal parts flushed and pale. And you're trembling!" he exclaimed, holding onto her arms.

She smirked. "No need to crow, Darcy. I enjoyed our exercise as much as you."

Darcy glared at her. "Do be serious, Elizabeth. You are not well."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, moving to step from his space and to the door. "I am very well indeed."

And then she promptly fainted.

Darcy wrung his fingers through his hair for the hundredth time while the doctor reviewed Elizabeth's condition. He sat nearby her bedside, unwilling to part with her.

Elizabeth gave him a chastising smile. "I am fine, sir." She turned to the doctor. "Please, tell Mr. Darcy I am fine."

The doctor stood and gave her a smile. "Mrs. Darcy is perfectly fine. She simply has a bad cold. Nothing rest and fluids won't cure. Her fever should subside within a few days." They both thanked him and he made sure to call on him again if she worsened.

Darcy immediately grasped Elizabeth's hand in silence as Hannah worked around him, fluffing pillows and replacing cool towels on her forehead. Elizabeth gave her a thankful smile as she departed, closing the door behind her. She turned to Darcy. "Pray, calm yourself, sir. Tis only a fever and cold. If I had known you would literally sweep me off my feet, perhaps I would have sought out Mrs. Reynolds instead," she added teasingly.

Darcy looked absolutely miserable. "You jest, but what if my actions caused you permanent harm?"

"The only permanent harm done to me is my own when I fainted like a blundering debutant at the feet of an eligible bachelor."

Elizabeth had succeeded; Darcy cracked a smile. He moved closer to her. "Pray, what can I do for you? What comfort can I provide you?"

Elizabeth arched a playful eyebrow, and Darcy scowled. "Do be serious, madam. I am all aflutter; I must do something to aid you."

She sighed. "Very well. I could use a new rag for my forehead, this one feels too warm." Darcy immediately stood and found a new cloth to dip into cool water. Placing it gently on her forehead, he stood and waited. Elizabeth grinned internally. "Perhaps another pillow?" It was fetched at once. Looking at him through her eyelashes, "Growing up, there was a particular book my father would read to me when I was ill. Perhaps a trip to Longbourn…"

Laughing when Darcy looked to leave and don his riding gear for a long journey post haste, Elizabeth called him back to her bedside, and she motioned for him to sit once more. "Forgive me, I could not help it. Please, I only wish for your company. I shall die of boredom soon if I do not have someone worthwhile to torment."

Darcy muttered at her but eventually grinned and took her hand once more. "That was not fair."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "You are right, of course. It was a cruel joke." An idea came to her in that moment. "Darcy, perhaps I could write to Jane to come to Pemberley? Then you would not need to fret so -"

"No!" Darcy exclaimed, surprising both Elizabeth and him. He cleared his throat. "No, I do not think that is wise." He thought fast, eager to delay Miss Bennet's trip at least a month so that it would coincide with Bingley's stay. "Remember, we are on our honeymoon. She and your mother - nay, all of Meryton - will think it odd to visit at such a time. I fear it would risk the exposure regarding our quick nuptials."

Elizabeth stared at him a long time, but then sighed, defeated. "Very well."

Darcy grimaced, knowing he was cause of her current pain. "Perhaps Miss Bennet may visit us closer to the holidays?"

She nodded dutifully, no longer wishing for company. She yawned plainly. "Perhaps," she agreed.

Darcy stood, brushing his lips on her forehead before leaving her to rest. Once outside her room, he cleaned his back against the closed door and shut his eyes painfully. He hated being the cause of her disappointment, but all shall be well in the end. He would see to it. He would bring her every happiness he was able.

Elizabeth was restless. For an entire day once her fever had broken, she slept, read, or sat around, dutifully taking care of herself. Darcy would not hear of her leaving her bed, even once her fever disappeared a mere 24 hours later. It truly was just a trifling cold, and all that she was left were her thoughts.

She did not know why she was surprised when Darcy wouldn't allow Jane to visit her. His excuse was flimsy, but this was also the man who separated Jane from Bingley as she was not seen as a suitable wife for his friend in his eyes. She knew not when she would see her beloved sister again.

On the third day, Elizabeth had had enough. Insisting on Hannah dressing her for the day, Elizabeth descended for breakfast, only to find Darcy and Georgiana in a quiet argument.

"Fitzwilliam, I implore you to listen," Georgia hissed. "Even you are not too mighty as to be immune to -" She looked up and saw Elizabeth. "Sister! Why aren't you in bed?"

Elizabeth gave her a smile, and quickly hugged her from behind her seat. "I am much better, dear sister. My fever had broken over a day ago. I am no longer chilled, and my energy has returned." She gave her a wink over her shoulder as she gathered some breakfast for herself. "Prepare yourselves."

Georgiana giggled. It was true; Elizabeth was very much herself, her color normal, and her voice even. "Tis wonderful news!" She turned to Darcy. "Isn't that wonderful news?"

Darcy frowned miserably from his seat, his coffee grown cold. "The doctor recommended a week of bed rest, Elizabeth."

She gave him a pointed look before sitting in her chair. "When did a 'few days' turn into a week complete, sir?" She sipped her tea and raised an eyebrow to his over the rim.

Georgiana turned to her eagerly. "I am so thankful that you are well, Elizabeth. Just in time too - Fitzwilliam must have caught whatever it is you had. He is being most stubborn."

At this information, Elizabeth arched her eyebrow again and gave him a long gaze. "I wonder what the doctor shall recommend, Mr. Darcy. We should send a missive to him straightaway."

Darcy glowered at both of them. "I am no need of the doctor. I am perfectly well. It is only a headache." And then he violently sneezed, his skin ashen.

Elizabeth covered her smile with her hand at his obvious foul mood and his determination to remain downstairs. She stood and walked to him. Placing a hand on his cheek and then his forehead, she hummed. Darcy could not help but close his eyes at the lovely coolness of her hand. "You are burning up, sir. Please, allow us to escort you upstairs."

Darcy rubbed his temple once she pulled away, his eyes remaining closed. "I do not wish to argue any longer. I have business to attend to. I cannot remain in bed ignoring my duties."

Elizabeth crossed her arms and stood over him. "You leave me no choice, Mr. Darcy. I shall have to call for her."

Darcy's eyes flew open. He knew immediately who she meant. "You wouldn't dare."

She smiled wide before catching the dark skirt passing by the open door. "Oh, Mrs. Reynolds," she called and Darcy groaned, only spurning her to smile wider. Mrs. Reynolds immediately entered the morning room. "Mrs. Reynolds, I fear Mr. Darcy has become ill. Are the maids finished in his chambers? I fear he must return to bed immediately."

Mrs. Reynolds gasped as she began to fawn over Darcy, lamenting on how every comfort will be provided for him immediately, calling on Parsons and others to assist him up the stairs.

Darcy narrowed his eyes at his wife and his sister, and he scowled.