Author's note:

Thank you all for your patience! I've found this next section quite challenging, as Elizabeth and Mr Darcy's relationship has evolved differently than I expected, so my original plan was no longer going to work.

I've also been very busy with work, Christmas etc., but I'm on holiday right now, so hopefully I will get a few chapters out.

11 - Pemberley - Relocate

The next few days passed in a blur, with preparations made to head to Pemberley, and before too long, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were arriving at the gates.

Mr Darcy was anxious to see Elizabeth's impressions of her new home - he knew her face would betray her emotions on the matter, and he desperately wanted her to approve of it.

He knew better than to think that Elizabeth's regard for him depended on his estate, but he had come to crave the delighted expressions her beautiful face could produce when she was pleased with something. Day by day, he found his thoughts increasingly occupied with contriving ways to surprise and delight her, and he had a few things planned for their arrival, but he was confident Pemberley would do that all on its own.

Mr Darcy had always loved the first view of Pemberley, as the carriage came around the bend, but for the first time he could remember, he turned away from the estate, so he could watch Elizabeth's reaction, and he was not at all disappointed.

"Oh, my!" she exclaimed, looking over at him, her face glowing and eyes bright, "I don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful estate, and so happily situated!"

"I'm happy you approve of it," Mr Darcy replied, smiling.

"I can scarcely believe we get to live here!" she exclaimed, then rested her head on his shoulder, continuing to admire the view for the remainder of the ride.

Mr Darcy, now torn between two beautiful views, chose to share the experience of the view of Pemberley with his wife, but not before placing a kiss on the top of her head, for good measure.

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Once again, as they entered their home, Mr Darcy chose to give Elizabeth a tour himself.

Elizabeth was overwhelmed by the beauty of the estate and the view of the grounds (which she was eager to explore), but even more so by Mr Darcy's attentiveness. If she did not know better, she would have thought he'd conjured the entire estate just for her benefit - he was so eager for her approval of it.

As expected, she was thrilled by the grand library.

She noticed two arm chairs cozily positioned near a window, with some new candles on a small table between them. Mr Darcy cleared his throat.

"My parents used to read together in those chairs," he said, "They're very comfortable and I've had them reupholstered - I thought perhaps we could sit there to read and discuss books, like we talked about. If… if you are still inclined."

He looked down at her, looking hopeful, but slightly nervous.

"That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth replied, softly, "You're very thoughtful, Fitzwilliam." She smiled up at him.

"I'm sure we'll spend many happy hours here."

Mr Darcy smiled, holding her gaze, then ran his fingers down the side of her face.

"I'm sure we will, Mrs Darcy," he replied, no longer smiling, but looking at her quite intensely.

Was he going to kiss her? Elizabeth held her breath, her heart fluttering. But then he leant forward and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering for a few seconds, before stepping back.

"Shall we continue with the tour?"

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Once they were settled in, Elizabeth scarcely spent any time alone with Mr Darcy - he was busy with estate matters, and they often had dinner guests.

But she had plenty of time to observe him in his interactions with the staff and tenants, and the staff often made remarks to her about her husband - all of them positive. So, she also had plenty of time to think again about just how wrong she had been about him.

Yet, she still did not know how to reveal to him that her feelings were changing. Most days, she felt confident that he loved her too, but on some days, doubt crept in - after all, she was constantly hearing about what a kind and generous man he was - was it possible he was just mistaking kindness and friendship for something more? She did not want to appear too forward or unladylike, and she certainly did not want to be rejected and humiliated.

She resolved to do two things: first, to be receptive to any advances he made in their relationship, and second, to try to look her best at all times.

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As illogical as it seemed, given they lived together, Mr Darcy felt himself missing Elizabeth. They had scarcely spent any time alone together since their arrival at Pemberley, and had not had a single one of their 'teazing conversations', as he liked to call them. He would need to find a way for them to spend more time together, to give things a chance to develop.

Mr Darcy had not yet managed to come up with a plan to win Elizabeth over. He felt that he was making good progress in showing her that he cared for her, but he was not sure how to convey his romantic intentions without scaring her off. The best he could devise was to take small steps, and judge her reception - if she welcomed him, he would take the next small step, but if not, he would apologise and wait.

That evening, they were to receive guests for dinner - the Matlocks and Fitzwilliams again, and two of Mr Darcy's friends from Cambridge, a Mr Saunders and a Mr Wycroft.

As Elizabeth descended the staircase that evening, wearing one of her new dresses, Mr Darcy wondered if he would ever get used to the sight of her, or if he would continue to be dazzled each time she came into view.

"You look beautiful, Mrs Darcy," he said, raising her hand to his lips, while looking into her eyes.

"Thank you, Fitzwilliam," she replied, blushing, "I hope I'll make a good impression on our guests tonight."

"They will love you," he replied, "And you know the Matlocks and Fitzwilliams already do."

"Although," Mr Darcy continued, "I'm beginning to regret inviting any of them."

"I'm sorry?" Elizabeth asked, confused, "Are you not feeling well?"

"No, no, nothing like that," he replied, "I've just been thinking that we haven't had an evening to ourselves since we arrived at Pemberley. Between my work and our guests, I've found myself missing our… conversations."

He smiled at her, with a glint in his eye, and she laughed in response.

"Yes," remarked Elizabeth, "I find I agree with you… perhaps we can steal a few moments tonight?"

"Oh, at a minimum!" replied Mr Darcy, "But perhaps tomorrow I'll also see what I can rearrange in my diary. I know you've been exploring the grounds of Pemberley already, but I've been wanting to show you some of my favourite spots."

"Oh, I would love that," replied Elizabeth, "The grounds are even better than I could have imagined, but so extensive. And I would love to get some more insights into you… into your favourite parts".

Elizabeth blushed so prettily, Mr Darcy could hardly stand it. He brushed her hair out of her face and cupped her cheek.

"I think we can manage both," he smiled, shyly.

"I… I would love that," replied Elizabeth, almost whispering. She was looking up at him so openly, he felt sure it was the right moment, so he began to lean in to kiss her, but they were interrupted by the sound of a carriage.

Mr Darcy sighed, audibly, then, removing his hand from her cheek, smiled at Elizabeth, ruefully, before turning around to greet their guests.

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Despite the earlier disappointment - would they ever kiss? - Elizabeth found herself enjoying the evening. The Matlocks were wonderful, as always, she got along well with the Fitzwilliams, and Mr Darcy's friends from Cambridge were lively and fun.

She was enjoying hearing the stories of Mr Darcy at Cambridge, but later in the evening, when the men and women had separated, she could overhear a more concerning conversation.

"What about Miss Reed, ey, Darce?" asked Mr Wycroft, "She was an eligible match if I ever saw one!"

"No, no," replied Mr Darcy.

"Oh, come on!" continued Mr Wycroft, "You had a VERY particular regard for her, paying her attentions, spending time unchaperoned…"

"She was very pretty, very elegant," replied Mr Saunders, "But I'm not sure there was anything beyond friendship…"

"Now, just because Darce is married, it doesn't mean he can deny anything that came before… and it doesn't mean it can't continue."

Mr Darcy looked up at that moment and saw Elizabeth watching, but before either could say anything, Elizabeth was drawn back into the conversation with the ladies.

She barely heard a word they were saying, though, so trapped was she in her own thoughts.

It had honestly never occurred to her that Mr Darcy may have had a previous love, but she realised now how naive that was. A man of his age who had lived in the world would surely have encountered many beautiful, elegant women, and surely at least some would have held his interest, if only briefly.

Perhaps his proposal to her wasn't the first time he was refused. Perhaps he was pining for this Miss Reed. And what did Mr Wycroft mean by continuing? Surely Mr Darcy would not have an affair?

But… was that why he was so happy to have a marriage in name only? His needs were being met elsewhere?

No, she shouldn't let her imagination run away from her. But how could she measure up to these women?

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Mr Darcy was furious with Mr Wycroft. He did not hold his liquor well, and could be quite indiscreet. He could not be sure what Elizabeth had overheard, but he did not have a chance to speak to her until later.

"Elizabeth," he said, after their guests had left, "I'm not sure what you may have heard earlier-"

"Oh," replied, Elizabeth, "It's none of my business what you may have done before we were married." She turned to leave.

"Wait!" called Mr Darcy, "Please, Elizabeth."

She stopped and turned back to him.

"Miss Reed was a friend," he said, "And I was interested in getting to know her better, but Mr Wickham got there first. I did not share this with Mr Wycroft, as he can be indiscreet, but she found herself with child, and when Wickham did not do his duty, I made sure she and the child were taken care of. That is all."

"Oh," replied Elizabeth.

"And it is your business," added Mr Darcy, "As my wife, you can ask me about these things."

Elizabeth nodded, before heading to bed.

Mr Darcy sighed. It seemed any progress he'd made earlier that evening had been lost.

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Elizabeth accept Mr Darcy's explanation, but as she readied for bed, she noted that her husband did not seek to assure her that he cared more for her than he ever did for Miss Reed.

And he did not clarify his current relationship with Miss Reed.