As Elizabeth sat at the dinner table, she marveled at the opulence that surrounded her. The china at Pemberly was stunning. It never failed to amaze her that they seemed to have a new set for practically every day of the month. The silver service was always polished to perfection; she could all but use a serving spoon as a mirror to ponder her reflection. The crystal goblets were prisms of perfection that danced rainbow light onto the silk, brocade tablecloth.

After two months of living at Pemberly, Elizabeth was becoming used to the elegance, but tonight she had ample time to consider her surroundings, as there was no dinner conversation to be afforded her. She and Fitzwilliam regarded each other with a stoic silence that was only occasionally broken with in response to a query from Georgiana.

Elizabeth allowed her thoughts to drift back to the exchange of this morning. She and Georgiana were discussing the harvest ball at the breakfast table. To be more exact, they were discussing the ball and a certain young man whom Georgiana fancied.

"Elizabeth is a wonder, brother." Georgiana hugged Elizabeth as they joined Fitzwilliam at the table. "I can scarce believe how she is able to plan this ball so calmly."

"Good morning." said Elizabeth, as Fitzwilliam's nose remained buried, as usual, in his morning papers.

"You are far too modest, Elizabeth. My head would be abuzz with the details. I don't know that I'd ever keep it all ordered. Don't you think so, Fitzwilliam?"

Fitzwilliam Darcy mumbled something indiscernible in response as he turned a page.

"Pretense all, I assure you, Georgiana." said Elizabeth in honesty, as she took her seat. "I am not quite sure I am making the right decision from one moment to the next."

Although there were three people at the table, there might as well have only been two. For so far, all Elizabeth had been afforded from her husband was a grunt and an accompanying nod. Busy as her husband was, Elizabeth was starting to find this morning routine a trifle irksome. Surely a simple "good morning" was not beyond his capabilities.

"Elizabeth, you have the very best taste and I do so very much want just the right dress. Do you think we could go shopping for it soon?" Georgiana was positively gleeful as she asked her questions. She then turned to Fitzwilliam with an anticipatory look, "Can we go up to London with you today, Fitzwilliam? You are going to town today, are you not?"

At last Fitzwilliam replied irritatedly, "Georgiana, I really must put my full attention to this work. I'm sure that you and Elizabeth are quite capable of working out the particulars."

"Well it is a fine day for us to go to London. As your sister just said, I do hope that we will be able to travel with you." Elizabeth paused to wait for a response and finding none, said rather pointedly, "Fitzwilliam?"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at her husband, as he looked up from his work, at long last aware that anyone had addressed him once, let alone twice.

"Georgiana and I were asking whether is would be convenient for us to travel up to London with you today-"

"Elizabeth, I leave the details to you there are ample carriages available for your use."

"Yes, but the availability of transport was not the question. It was whether-"

Georgiana interrupted. "We would so prefer to travel with you. We could better convey to you our plans on the ride and-"

"Plans for what?" Fitzwilliam now looked both thoroughly confused as well as irritated.

"For the harvest ball." replied Elizabeth tying but failing to keep the exasperation out of her voice.

"Yes, fine, we shall travel together. Whatever you wish."

"Are you sure that is all right with you, Fitzwilliam? You do seem rather preoccupied." Any attempt at diplomacy was now devoid from Elizabeth's tone.

"Were this ball a matter of import, Elizabeth, I would have paid the conversation more mind." replied Fitzwilliam dismissively.

The words stung. It was as if Elizabeth had been rebuffed at their first meeting all over again. Instantly temper and temperance were the farthest things from Elizabeth's mind. Her tongue was swift and sharp.

"Of course," Elizabeth was deliberately tearing her toast into shreds piece by exacting piece, "and where are you off to today, Mr. Darcy?

"First my club, and then to-"

"Yes, of course, a most important mission. One must not keep the members at the club waiting we wouldn't want to slight them with a lack of attention," Elizabeth stabbed a piece of toast with her fork and then proceeded to jab it forcefully into her egg yoke, "Georgiana and I will most assuredly detain you no further. Clearly, we shall prove nothing more than an idle distraction on such a essential day. We shall obtain a separate carriage."

With that, Elizabeth rose from the table to make the preparations with the staff; she was no longer hungry. Even though she could have just as easily rung the bell and made them from her seat at the table.

And there it was. It was now dinner and her conversation with her husband had been strained since their last exchange that morning. Neither of them managed anything beyond the basic forced pleasantries.

Georgiana had excused herself from the table early claiming a slight headache. She had given a forced smile, and urged Elizabeth to stay at the table claiming she would be quite fine to find her room alone. Now, much to Elizabeth's dismay, there was no other distraction.

The minutes at the table seemed interminable. Elizabeth thought the silence could not possibly be worse until they moved to the drawing room where she and Fitzwilliam continued their ever so polite charade. Fitzwilliam was at his writing desk, while Elizabeth picked up a novel that she pretended to read.

Occasionally Elizabeth would look up from her novel and almost catch her husband staring at her. She wished almost that she had caught his glance, it would make starting a real conversation so much easier if she only knew his mood. She was starting to regret being so shrewish. Granted Fitzwilliam should have not disregarded her so, but her response was rash. She knew what he had meant. It wasn't that he found her unimportant. His words just came out wrong, and in the confusion and she allowed herself to willfully misunderstand them.

At last Fitzwilliam spoke. "I believe I will be retiring for the night." He looked as though he might have said something else, but then decided not to. His only response was to hold his arm out to Elizabeth as if to lead her from the room."

Disappointed in his lack of personal response, Elizabeth replied, "I believe I will stay up awhile longer."

After a quarter of an hour, Elizabeth dropped the book that she wasn't reading and decided to go to her room. The drawing room was overwhelmingly depressing without Fitzwilliam or Georgiana to distract her.

Elizabeth sighed deeply as she left the room and slowly ascended the stairs to her room. The corridor was already cold, and she hurried to enter her own room where the servants had lit a fire. The firelight cast a romantic glow about the room, but there was no romance to be had. Fitzwilliam was in his own room next door, the adjoining door firmly closed. As Elizabeth changed into her nightgown, she looked wistfully at the closed door. She thought that perhaps all of this would be better after she had a good night's sleep to clear her head. She couldn't have been more wrong.

Elizabeth found herself pacing her room. She couldn't sleep. She had slept alone before, but that was different. There were other reasons then, Will had been away from Pemberly or it had been her time of the month. Presently he was most assuredly in the room next door. She was more than just slightly vexed at the moment, it was not anywhere near her time of the month. She had herself largely to blame for her current situation, and unlike her time of the month, she could have prevented the current circumstances.

Elizabeth paced the floor some more throwing a pillow at the wall in frustration before pausing at he door that adjoined her room and Fitzwilliam's. One knock, all it would take was one knock. Surely Fitzwilliam would not deny her entry, and all could be put to rights. She raised her hand midair and then stopped. Why on earth was something so simple so difficult? Why must she make the first move? Surely he is capable of giving admission to some part in their current state of affairs!

Bravery left Elizabeth; she was just too tired and frustrated to think clearly. She lowered her hand in resignation and was just about to return to her bed in desperation when she was startled by a knock at her door. It was so faint that she almost had not heard it, in fact, she wondered if she had imagined it. She waited and then, yes, she was positive it was a knock. Only, it was coming from the main door to her room, not the side door that adjoined her bedroom suite with Fitzwilliam's.

Though she thought it quite odd that Fitzwilliam would knock at the other door, Elizabeth went to it without hesitation, eager to settle what had come between them. Fitzwilliam must have returned downstairs, perhaps for a brandy as he was want to do from time to time. This must be why he was presently at the suite's main door. Once she had collected herself, Elizabeth hurried to open it not wanting Fitzwilliam to remain in the hallway and to be open to the idle gossip of the servants.

"I am so glad you came; you have no id-" Elizabeth cut her words short in surprise as she opened the door. Standing before her was not her husband, as she had expected. Rather, her sister-in-law stood before her looking most grievously ill indeed.

"Dearest, whatever is the matter?" Inquired Elizabeth as she led the shaking Georgiana into her room, and sat her upon the edge of her bed.

In the faintest of voices Georgiana sobbed, "It is all my fault. You and my brother have not spoken a civil word to each other all day. Were I not so silly and foolish you wouldn't be so quarrelsome and-" With that, the young woman's words were cut short with a body wracking series of sobs. It took Elizabeth several minutes of soothing and cooing before her sister-in-law sufficiently regained her composure.

"Georgiana, whatever you may have imagined, the trouble between your brother and I is not of your doing. I'll grant you that perhaps it provided the catalyst for what transpired but it would have come to pass, I fear, sooner or later without your intervention."

"But I should have known not to interrupt Fitzwilliam while he was at his business, and I completely forced you into an awkward position." responded Georgiana guiltily.

Elizabeth smiled, "Well, what I believe is necessary is a compromise. Whereas I do admit that we certainly did distract Fitzwilliam from his work, there is a time and a place for everything. I don't begrudge him his privacy and the necessity of uninterrupted quiet while he deals with matters of money. The breakfast table, however, is no place to conduct such business. For that, he has a study. He should no more conduct business at the table than you or I should address ball invitations there."

"But he has always done business in the manner in which he did this morning." said Georgiana, as if wishing to excuse her brother's behavior.

"That may well be true, but that does not mean it is the best way to do business, especially if there are other people in the house. Just because something has been traditionally done, doesn't mean it must continue as a never ending tradition." Elizabeth thought a moment before continuing, "Of course that also means that you and I should give Fitzwilliam his privacy when he does retreat to his study. It's the matter of finding a balance. Don't fret, Georgiana, your brother and I will work this through. I can be headstrong and a veritable intolerant tyrant when I let my temper get the better of me. It took both Fitzwilliam and me to make this situation and it will take the two of us to rectify it. I promise, by this time tomorrow all will be as it should."

Georgiana looked up at Elizabeth hopefully. "Are you sure? Is there anything I can do?"

"No, this is one thing that your brother and I need to do on our own. I daresay it isn't our first disagreement, although it is our first since we've been married, but I am more than sure knowing our temperaments that it won't be our last.

Georgiana instantly leapt to her brother's defense, "But Elizabeth, he has told me most explicitly-"

"You are no longer a child, Georgiana, who must only be seen and not heard. Civilized people expect civilized conversation in the morning, and to that, your brother must adapt." Elizabeth paused a moment to insure that her words were really penetrating. It also gave her a moment more to reflect on her own actions.

"Also, Georgiana," Elizabeth continued softly, and truthfully somewhat embarrassed, "I cannot hold myself above reproach in this matter. I have a sharp tongue and a quicker temper. Were I more patient and diplomatic I could have sought a conversation with Fitzwilliam before things ever got to their present state."

Georgiana looked up at Elizabeth doubtfully. For the first time Elizabeth had a keen understanding that her harsh words could wound more than just one victim, and for that she was truly sorry.

"I do have one thing to ask of you, Georgiana." said Elizabeth penitently.

"What? Anything?" Georgiana sniffled and stifled a slight hiccup as she looked urgently at Elizabeth.

"Can you forgive me for allowing my foolish pride from preventing me from putting it all to rights hours ago? I wasn't blind to your reactions, but I convinced myself that I was doing no real harm to you, and clearly that was not so."

With a final sniff Georgiana nodded her agreement. She reached over and drew Elizabeth into an emotional hug, "I feel so much better now, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was relieved that she had made amends with at least one member of the Darcy clan this evening. She hoped that Georgiana might spend the night in her room. It would be like having Jane back with her, almost. She was just about to issue an invitation to Georgiana to stay when her hopes were soon dashed. Georgiana sprang up from the bed with new, found energy and went to the door.

"I'll request breakfast in my room tomorrow. That will afford you and Fitzwilliam the opportunity to speak freely. Good night, sleep well." With her final words, Georgiana closed the door behind her as she disappeared into the dim corridor.

Elizabeth sighed resignedly. It was to be a lonely night, or so she thought. She had not noticed that the door adjoining her room with Fitzwilliam's now stood open. Her husband, clad in only his nightshirt, stood framed in the doorway.

"Pray, Elizabeth," his voice was low and had an odd tone, "can you bear one more intruder this evening?"

Elizabeth smiled coyly, "An intruder I could not bear, but I would be most upset if my husband did not come over here."

Fitzwilliam wasted no time in traversing the room. Elizabeth moved over to grant him space upon the bed. As he sat beside her, her heart jumped when she saw the look in his face. She could see not only love, but also the words "forgive me" clearly upon his face as though they were etched there.

"How much did you hear?" Elizabeth ventured.

"I meant not to eavesdrop, but I was concerned for Georgiana when I heard her cry." said Fitzwilliam by means of explanation. His voice than softened as he gazed into Elizabeth's eyes, "I have been a daft fool. Once again I was allowed my foolish pride to rule my actions without taking in my circumstances. Can you forgive me?"

Elizabeth rose to her knees on the bed, put her arms around her husband and settled her head on his chest as she said, "Only if you can forgive my foolishness as well."

Elizabeth assumed the answer to her question was yes as Fitzwilliam held her tightly, stroking his hand along her back as he gently kissed her hair. It never ceased to amaze her how at the same time he could hold her so tightly yet gently. This was heaven, being held like this. She snuggled closer still, one hand free enough to play absentmindedly along his collar line. In Fitzwilliam's arms she felt so safe and loved.

Elizabeth spoke still snuggling close to her husband; feeling his heartbeat in her ear, "Let's promise not to let quarrels keep us apart again."

Elizabeth felt her husband's hands gently pry her back, so that they were again face to face, "I heartily agree, Lizzie."

"Will-"Elizabeth tried to reply but her husband stopped her. He brought his hand to her face and brushed his thumb gently across her lips as he cupped her face in his hands.

There was a roughish smile that now adorned her husband's face, "So, you have forgiven me enough to return my Christian name to me, or at least your own shortened version of it?" he then again turned serious, "I never meant to disregard your feelings. Your forbearance with my faults is beyond whatever I could have hoped."

"Will, I didn't mean-" Elizabeth was soon hushed into silence with Will's gentle yet firm kiss. Usually the result of such ardor was Lizzie forgetting exactly whatever she was about to say. However, tonight she couldn't forget. She had to voice the words even if Will seemed to understand already, she needed to say them.

As their lips parted, in the very real necessity for air, Lizzie found her opportunity. Pushing her hands gently against Will's chest and tipping her head upward, she met Will's warm brown eyes. They were, as she had discovered almost upon the moment of their first meeting, quite the cliché of being the very mirrors to his soul.

Before she could speak his eyes at once reflected a multitude of questions: Why does she pull away? Does she not want me here? Have I still given offense in some manner? Is there something more I am to do?

Although almost a man of thirty sat on her bed beside her, Lizzie felt as though part of her husband was at this moment an unsure schoolboy of ten. Lizzie wanted at once to reassure him. "Will, please allow me to say what I must. Some things cannot go unsaid. I know that you heard what I said to Georgiana, but it's most important that I say it directly to you. I was quick tempered, and petulant, and-" Will made a motion to return Lizzie once again tightly to his embrace, but Lizzie stopped him, "Please… I have to…and I assure you that I'll strive to never again be so headstrong as to remind myself of Lady Catherine. I am truly sorry. "

All the questions in Will's eyes were now erased. In truth, one question did remain reflected in emotion. As Will looked into Lizzie's eyes, she thought she could almost hear the words, "How did I deserve you?" She only had but a moment to register that question, because she no longer desired to prevent Will from having the embrace that he clearly longed for.

What started as merely an embrace, of hands and arms gently encircling, rocking and caressing soon turned needful. As their lips met, their exploration traveled the same road as had their hands. A gentle, chaste brushing of their lips developed into vigorous nibbles. This then soon transpired into an urgent, deepening union. Lizzie found her hand clutching at her husband's back as his hands simultaneously pulled her closer to him.

They were both precariously at the edge of Lizzie's bed. Will, half standing and half sitting, held Lizzie about her waist drawing her to barely kneeling upon the mattress. They almost found themselves upon the floor as Will's attempt to divest Lizzie of her nightdress coincided with her attempt to remove his nightshirt.

Stifling a giggle at having nearly been upended, Lizzie caught her balance. She moved to the center of her bed dragging Will by the arm along with her. She wanted to be with her husband more than anything, but the floor was not the location she desired.

Before she could again attempt a resumption of her affections, Will blocked her. He held her fast, at arms length by her shoulders. It was now Lizzie's turn to question. Her mind was alive with queries: Why does he stop? Surely he doesn't believe I'm vexed about having barely escaped upending? Does he think himself too rough?

It took only a moment. When Lizzie met Will's glance, she saw the question mere seconds before he verbalized it. He needn't have asked it, but she was most happy he did.

"I am truly sorry, Lizzie. Can you forgive me, for being such a fool? No gentleman should ever dismiss his wife or sister as I did today. I thought to make amends in the sitting room after dinner, but I put it off deluding myself into thinking that I had not offended either of you."

"Well then, we are fortunate that Georgiana is less stubborn than either of us. Without her, we would still have a closed door between us." Despite Will's grasp, Lizzie tenderly managed to bring her hand up to the side of Will's face, brushing his hair from his eyes.

"Yes, Lizzie, Georgiana was the catalyst that brought me to the door, but I assure you that I was already awake. I was bereft of slumber. By the time I left you and arrived at my own room I could no longer deny my error."

Lizzie was torn. She wanted a resumption of their affections and was growing impatient as well as cold sitting atop the bedcovers. On the other hand, she wanted to know what caused Will to discover his blunder. The silent emptiness of being in her own room had given Lizzie all the reflection she had needed. To what did she owe her husband's change of heart?

"Whatever did you find in the corridor and staircase leading to your room that caused your great epiphany?" asked Lizzie as she moved beneath the bedcovers propping herself up on the pillows. She held the covers aside inviting Will to do the same.

Will pulled his nightshirt over his head before joining her. Apparently he was getting impatient as well. "Two things, Lizzie." He replied tersely as he snuggled close to her, propping himself up on one elbow, "One, the fact that you were reading a novel upside-down for more than a quarter hour, and two, that you didn't retire upstairs with me. The walk along the corridor was empty without you and my room…well frankly, it seemed suddenly vast."

"Well," said Lizzie practically and coyly, "I think we have each done more than enough talking for the night. Would you not agr-"

Lizzie had no time to finish her question. Will's mouth was over hers silencing her as he had done before. However, this time, the passion that was rapidly building between them was much improved as they were no longer plagued by regret, nor were they cold!

Lizzie reveled in the sensations of Will's desire. He had rolled over slightly so that he was almost atop her. The pressure of their two bodies touching was exquisite. Lizzie's nightdress was a flimsy barrier at best.

Lizzie's breath quickened as Will gently suckled along a path from her ear to the base of her throat. His hot breath meeting the dampness of where his lips had just been was causing a most wonderful sensation. One of her hands was firmly entwined in her husband's hair to keep him exactly where he was.

When Will's hands at last sought the bottom of Lizzie's nightdress she arched her back up to allow him to pull it unencumbered over her head. As she fell back to the mattress, Will paused to look at her. Despite being married several months, Lizzie always found herself blushing whenever he did this. She was not embarrassed, but self-conscious. In a way she could not believe the obvious power she had over Will. It always made her nervous with anticipation.

Will's affections did not disappoint. There was only a long pause in his ardor. In that space of time, Lizzie found her husband looking deep into her own eyes again as she reached up and stroked her hands along his chest. Through a barely suppressed moan he was able to speak the words, "Dearest Lizzie, I love you."

Normally she and Will would have held and caressed each other intimately for several more minutes, neither of them rushing to any finish. Tonight was an exception. Perhaps it was the late hour, or all the pent up emotions that had just come flooding forth. In actuality thought Lizzie, it was all of those things and the absolute unbridled need for each other.

The only word to escape Lizzie's lips in response was, "Will!"

There was no need for Will to ask. By his reaction her eyes had evidently said it all: I love you and I need you now!

After they had both come together and found the release that each of them sought Lizzie lay contentedly facing Will. Her head rested on the pillow gazing at him as he drifted off in to slumber.

Lizzie sighed deeply her contentment as Will's left arm rested lazily just above her thigh. It fit so perfectly in the indention of her waist there. Occasionally, his thumb would stroke the soft and tender skin it lay upon. Although she was tired, Lizzie didn't want to sleep just yet. This was a moment to be savored, she told herself. It was not a special date that they would commemorate in the future, but it was an important date nonetheless. Today she realized for the first time how she and Will were truly one; one could not do without the other. This night and how peaceful her husband looked as he drifted into blissful sleep she wanted to remember always.