Elizabeth had yet to speak to Jane. With all the commotion of her surprise arrival, then adding in the reactions of Caroline (cold) and Georgiana (ecstatic) of welcoming Jane and the Gardiners to Pemberley, Elizabeth had not even a moment to sit with her sister let alone speak.

She sat on a sofa on the edge of the room with her aunt as they watched Jane, Bingley, Richard, and Georgiana chat and laugh animatedly. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner were in quiet discussion across the way. Caroline begged her leave with a headache.

Although Elizabeth was intensely curious to see how well Jane and Bingley got on, her focus drifted quickly to her husband and the genuine smile he just gave her uncle. She could not look away.

Mrs. Gardiner's eyes followed her niece's. In a low voice, she leaned in and said, "Do not be so surprised, dear Lizzie. Mr. Darcy has proved several times over to be a kind and generous man. Why are you shocked by his current demeanor?"

Elizabeth blinked but could not look away from Darcy. "I am not shocked, aunt. You make it seem as if I think my husband a monster." As soon as she said it, Darcy's previous words of anguish filled her head.

"Then how did you expect him to react to our arrival?"

Elizabeth finally looked away and down at her hands. She did, in fact, expect Darcy to react negatively, almost churlish toward her relations. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but Elizabeth realized in that moment her preconceived view of her husband still grew from her past disdain of him, and not of her current love for him. No wonder Darcy despised her.

Tears filled her eyes, and she attempted to blink them away. "Oh aunt, what a fool I have been. I have told him how high my regard for him is, but he had looked straight through me, as you have done just now. How do I rid myself of my prior prejudice and realize I am losing my husband due to my own devices? How do I let go of the past?"

Mrs. Gardiner gave her a smile full of pity and wrapped an arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "My dear, as you are now honest with yourself, perhaps you could be honest with your husband."

Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner sat together watching the party in silence, one brimming with hope and the other with trepidation.

When Elizabeth had finally cornered Jane to herself, it was as they hurriedly dressed for dinner. By that point, Jane's focus was elsewhere.

"Lizzie, he wishes to speak with me after dinner. Will you act as chaperone? I would feel so much calmer if you were nearby."

Elizabeth grinned and slipped an arm in. "Of course, if you wish, although I gather he will ask you to a private audience in time if you reconnected as you say you have."

Jane glowed. "Oh Lizzie, he is even more wonderful than I remember. He apologized for last fall, several times in fact. But he promises that he will remain steadfast in our relationship as long as I wish for it."

Elizabeth could not help but give her sister a hug. Together they departed to the dining room, rather late. As they finished descending the stairs, Elizabeth gave her a stern look. "I must impress upon you that your Mr. Bingley better allow your sister some more time with you tonight. You still have not yet told me how you came to be at Pemberley."

At that, a coy smile graced Jane's face, a look very unlike her but it became her beauty. "I shall tell you everything after dinner. I will see to it."

Dinner was a lively affair. Elizabeth enjoyed herself immensely, and she witnessed Darcy also smiling with the others across the long table. She longed to be a part of his inner circle, but she hesitated to join in once dinner had completed. A well of emotion had begun to form within her, ever since Darcy's departure for London, and it continued to grow. When it would peak, she knew not, but the anticipation of its crest both scared and excited her.

After dinner, the ladies departed into the drawing room and the men left for the billiards room. Elizabeth watched Jane's eyes trail Bingley, and she was rewarded with a backward glance from him and a full smile. Jane blushed prettily.

Georgiana and Caroline were busy entertaining Mrs. Gardiner with a duet on the piano forte. Elizabeth finally had Jane all to herself.

She clasped her sister's hand in her own. "Dear Jane, I am thrilled to see you so happy. Pray, tell me. Are you truly and completely in love once more with Mr. Bingley?"

Jane blushed again but smiled. "I came to Pemberley to see for myself if I could still love him after last year, and I knew almost instantly upon seeing him. I love him still and he loves me."

Elizabeth's eyebrows flew up. "He has said as much?"

Jane nodded. "Oh yes, many times, and he has spoken of a future together. I made it clear to him that I shall not be led astray again, for it is unfair and my heart would not be able to take it. He wholeheartedly agreed and I am very sure he is speaking to our uncle now for permission, as our father gave him authority to act if this trip went well."

Elizabeth gasped and immediately hugged her sister. "Oh Jane, how thrilled I am for you!" She pulled back after several minutes and wiped tears from both their eyes with a giggle. "He is a very good man, and I do hope he can make you happy for the rest of your days. But pray, you said that you came to Pemberley to see if you still loved him. What does this mean? I must know everything."

Jane took a breath, ready to complete her tale. "I am not sure if you're aware, but Fitzwilliam spoke to me while he was a Longbourn. He told me everything that transpired last fall with Charles, and he admitted his part in it."

Elizabeth's jaw dropped once more, putting aside that Jane felt comfortable enough with Darcy to use his given name. "What did he say? Exactly?"

"As you know, we suspected interference from Caroline and perhaps Fitzwilliam when Charles departed so suddenly, and he confirmed it. He made sure that I knew Charles still loved me. He was the one to tell Charles where I was located during your wedding, although he was unfortunately incorrect of course. He orchestrated for Charles to come to Pemberley for the single notion of meeting me once again. Fitzwilliam did it all."

Jane gave her a curious look, as the color blanched from Elizabeth's face. "I know my arrival was a shock for you as your husband did wish to surprise you, but dear Lizzie, why are you all astonishment?"

Elizabeth could not reply. A door opened and the men returned once more to join the ladies, Bingley immediately seating himself next to Jane, his face flushed with merriment. "Good evening, ladies. To what are we speaking of?" His hands instantly took hold of Jane's and she blushed with pleasure.

Jane answered. "I was just finally telling Lizzie how I came to be at Pemberley."

Charles gushed with his reply. "The happiest day of my life, to be sure." He looked to Jane and gave her a sincere smile, full of longing. "That you agreed to meet me once more, my dear Jane, I will forever be grateful that you chose to come."

Elizabeth perked up. "It was your choice, Jane? I thought you said Darcy orchestrated it."

Jane nodded immediately. "At first, I did not know Charles was staying here when Fitzwilliam first wrote to me and invited me to join you. Once the dramatic affair occurred between Lydia and Wickham, his plans were ruined, but Mr. Darcy then decided to lay out the complete truth to me, allowing me to decide my own way, without fear of needling or coercion."

Bingley nodded quickly, his expression sad. "And I agree now that it was absolutely the best course of action. If I had only the gall to declare myself to you, Darcy need not go through so much trouble. But alas, you, dearest Jane, were the bravest by far, and for that I am eternally grateful."

The pair blushed in embarrassment together, before Charles added, "Actually, I had just spoken to Mr. Gardiner. Jane, do you think…?" He gestured to the adjoining dining room, which was now empty and quiet.

Now crimson, Jane nodded happily, and they left Elizabeth together.

Elizabeth could hardly draw air into her lungs. Darcy was the sole reason for her sister's happiness. He took on everything, did everything, in secret. Why he kept it from her, she knew not, but it did not matter in this moment.

Her eyes searched for him across the room, where only recently he stood with Richard, but he was no longer in sight. Finally, she noticed the door to his study open, which was closed before. Elizabeth rushed to it.

Inside, she found him sitting at his desk, reviewing some documents. If he noticed her arrival, he did not show it, and Elizabeth closed the door behind her. Her voice shook as she asked, "Is it true?"

Darcy did not betray any emotion. "Is what true, madam?"

Elizabeth stepped closer to him until only his desk separated. She leaned against the polished wood in an attempt to steady herself. "Did you ask Jane to come to Pemberley?"

"I invited Jane here; it was her choice whether to accept the invitation."

Elizabeth curled her fingers in frustration. "Do not play coy, sir. You know what it is I ask." She took a deep breath. "Did you ask Jane to Pemberley to reunite her with Mr. Bingley?"

Finally, Darcy looked up and met her gaze briefly before looking back down to the papers on his desk. "Yes."

To his alarm, a ragged sob broke from Elizabeth. Startled, he unconsciously walked around the desk and placed his hands on her upper arms to steady her. Elizabeth gulped in air but she continued to cry loudly. "Are you unwell?" Darcy asked, alarmed. "I will fetch the doctor. Please, sit. You are most unwell."

Elizabeth shook her head violently until she could speak again. "No, I am well. It's only just -" With her eyes wide and gleaming, she gave Darcy a pleading look, and he recognized it immediately. It was the same look in her eyes as when he handed her back her correspondence to Wickham. Seeing it, Darcy removed his hands from her and took a large step back, clasping them again behind him.

Watching him, Elizabeth stifled another sob with a hand, watching as his expression visibly drained of any warmth. Swallowing hard, she calmed down enough to continue. "It's only just that the very best of men stands before me, and I have lost him almost as soon as I have found him."

Darcy stared at her in silence, his face still betraying nothing. Shakily, she continued. "You are everything good and true; I was so blind. You cannot know how my previous actions haunt me. I know I have lost your good opinion, and I only have myself to blame. I will do anything in my power to regain it once more. I know if that happy event is ever to occur, it may very well be a long time away." She took a tentative step forward, her hands together fraught. "But you must allow me to - to- tell you. To tell you how much I care for you." She paused before adding with a strained murmur, "To tell you how I love you."

The only physical reaction from Darcy was a brief twitch in his jaw as he flexed it hard. It was several long moments of silence before he replied. Looking back down to his letter, he walked around the desk and sat once more. "I apologize for not taking your words to heart, madam. I feel they are simply out of gratitude and convenience due to the knowledge you just received from your sister." He sat quite still as he attempted to ignore the pain stricken on her face from the corner of his eye. "I must finish this letter. Please do excuse me. I shall join the party momentarily."

Gulping, Elizabeth nodded silently at the dismissal, but she could not return to the others in her current state. Fleeing from the room via the other door, she slipped into the hallway, up the stairs, and to her bedchamber for the remainder of the night.

She had lost the love of her husband, and it was entirely her fault. Elizabeth knew she had been selfish and irresponsible, but until that moment of clarity with Jane and Bingley, she did not know herself. She had not known Darcy.

Shame coursed through her. Shame and regret kept her up the entirety of the night. Whether it was the adrenaline of insomnia or the will to rectify what she had broken as soon as possible, she did not know. But she had harmed Darcy in more ways than she could count, and he only attempted to bring her happiness and love.

Love. Elizabeth also realized she did not fully accept that Darcy loved her until the previous evening. He had been so taciturn and distant before their impromptu marriage. Yes, he had repeated those words to her, many times, but his recently discovered actions spoke of the depth of his affection. As he did not yet believe her words of love, her actions must be what convinces him.

As dawn tumultuously broke over the hills of Derbyshire, barely visible through the impending clouds, Elizabeth had just finished another lengthy letter to one of her correspondents. The term must be used lightly as she had yet to receive a reply from all three of them, but it had only been a day and they had not likely received her letters yet. So she was hopeful, and hope was all she had remaining.

Elizabeth descended the stairs for breakfast early, well before any food was ready. After depositing her letter on the foyer table for delivery later that day, she was thankful to find a hot pot of tea just made, and she helped herself.

She took her cup and decided to go to the library to kill time before breakfast as the weather did not look favorable for a walk outdoors. She was wired, and now with caffeine coursing through her, she needed something tangible to do.

Inside the library, Elizabeth found her sanctuary. She had not been to Pemberley long, but she tried to spend as much time as possible within its walls, delving into its stories. She had just finished her latest novel and was in search of a new one.

As she turned a corner, it was a moment of the past relived. Fast asleep on one of the armchairs in front of the last embers of a fire was Darcy.

Elizabeth took a few tentative steps forward but stopped immediately as his eyes fluttered open and he immediately straightened from his awkward angled position.

"Please do not get up on my account, sir," she said quickly. "I was simply looking for my next read and happened upon you."

Darcy nodded sleepily and gazed out the window with narrowed eyes. "What time is it?"

Emboldened by his softened tone, or perhaps it was his adorably tousled hair, Elizabeth sat in the chair opposite his. "Early morning, well before 8 as breakfast has yet to be served." She paused a moment before asking, "Have you slept here all night?"

Running a hand over his face, Darcy yawned into his palm. "It appears so. I remember feeling most tired but I was not yet ready to ascend for bed. Next moment I know is waking to your presence."

Elizabeth cocked her head to the side, delighted they were having a civil conversation, especially after last night. "By why did you not wish to retire? You must have been most uncomfortable in that chair."

Darcy mulled over her question for a bit. As he did not wish to rehash last night, he did however wish to be honest with his wife, no matter their current situation. "I was waiting until I felt it safe to retire without fear of another altercation."

She stilled. Elizabeth appreciated his candor, but now knowing that he was waiting for her to fall asleep so that he could sneak into his bedchamber still hurt. She looked to her hands. "I understand. I am truly sorry that you felt so much trepidation in retiring to your own private quarters. Everyone deserves a safe place to be by themselves if they do wish."

Darcy watched her warily. She took a breath and met his eyes. "You once reassured me that you would not enter my bedchamber until I was ready and wanted you to join me. I would like to return the favor." Inching closer to the edge of her seat, Elizabeth added wholeheartedly, "Darcy, I will not enter your bedchamber nor your private study until you expressly wish it. You have my word. Unless Pemberley is burning or some similar catastrophe, you shall have a place for reprieve."

Darcy listened to his wife carefully, and even chuckled lightly at the end. Delighted at hearing it, she smiled softly back. He cleared his throat after a moment. "I appreciate the effort, Elizabeth. I thank you."

He stood and stretched, his clothes from the evening before rumpled. It took everything in her power not to touch him but in her promise to him she also vowed to herself not to force any intimacy either. He yawned again. "I am going to refresh myself upstairs and I shall be down once breakfast is ready." He paused a moment, eyeing her tea cup, before adding, "Unless there was coffee also at the ready?"

Elizabeth laughed and stood with him to escort him toward the morning room. "If not, I shall ask cook to send you up a cup or two or twelve."

At the end of the staircase, Darcy turned to look at his wife. He briefly looked over her with his eyes full of longing, but the moment broke, and he climbed up the stairs and out of sight.