"Well, there you are?" Darcy stood stock-still as Mary called from the very sofa that he and Elizabeth were occupying only moments ago. "Luncheon has been ready for almost half-hour." Mary had not noticed that Darcy did not even answer her; she was still so blind to human emotion. "Where is Lizzy?"

"She, uh, she must be wondering around here somewhere," he stammered.

"Well, I hope that she is close by. I have already searched this house through and through... knocking on every door. Fortunately I found Mr. Bingley and Jane! But that was only because I heard someone pounding on a door upstairs. Jane is very lucky, Mr. Darcy, for someone as prominent as Mr. Bingley still wishes to fix his own hinges." And with that Mary left the room.

Darcy could only wait a few moments until he burst out laughing. "Bingley, fixing hinges!" he gasped. "Jolly good!" he laughed some more, and in such a state, is the way Elizabeth found him.

"My dear, what is so funny?"

Darcy turned suddenly and straightened, for he thought it might have been Mary again. "Oh! Oh nothing dearest. Luncheon is being served."

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough, except Darcy kept snickering. Elizabeth's eyes widened in disbelief, for she thought it was because Mary was playing on the pianoforte.

"Fitzwilliam, if you are going to be rude, I shall be forced to leave," she hissed in a whisper.

"Forgive me," he pursed his lips to stifle another.

"I do not believe you are one bit sorry!" she pouted in a whisper.

"I am, my love. I am," he pleaded.

"I seem to remember that if you were offended by someone, you would sneer, but never snicker!"

"What?! Do you think... Please step out in the hall with me? Please?"

Darcy pulled Elizabeth into another room and told her his theory on the hinges and they both fell into laughter and guffaws.

The ladies returned home to Longbourn. As Jane and Elizabeth were turning in for the night, Elizabeth heard Jane's door creak and said. "Jane, maybe Mr. Bingley could come tomorrow and fix your hinges!"

"Lizzy!" Jane exclaimed and turned bright red as she saw Elizabeth race to her bedchamber.

Days passed and as it so happened, Darcy and Bingley needed to make provisions in their wills for Elizabeth and Jane, and therefore needed to go to London to visit with their attorneys. It was agreed upon that Mr. Bennet would escort the young ladies, for his signature was also required on the documents. The Bennet's would stay, of course, at the Gardiner's for a week.

It was arranged in such a hurried manner that neither Georgiana nor Bingley's sisters could be notified with any forewarning. Well, actually, that statement is not true, the trip was planned more than two weeks ago, but they all had to wait until Mrs. Bennet had a fit of nerves and could not be removed from her rooms. And so it was, in such a state, that they went on the London that very next morning.

Bingley knew that he would not wish to stay with the Hurst's and Caroline, for fear of an outburst from himself upon his conniving and insincere sisters. And therefore, he concluded he would stay with Darcy and only visit them when he felt he should.

Darcy knew that in less than two weeks, Georgiana would be coming down from Pemberley to Hertfordshire to spend a week with him and Elizabeth before the wedding. So there would be no need to send for her to come to London and then back again to Pemberley, plus the fact, if the opportunity arose, for he and Elizabeth to be alone for an hour or so.

The party arrived at the Gardiner's in the afternoon. Warm greetings were made and Bingley and Darcy stayed for tea and met with the Gardiner children. Plans were made for tomorrow morning: Darcy and Bingley would pick up Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner and meet with the attorneys, while Jane, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner would go shopping, etc. Then they would all meet for luncheon at the Darcy townhouse.

Bingley and Darcy went home for supper. Darcy wrote to Georgiana to tell her of their recent travels, but Bingley had still refused to notify the Hurst's and Caroline that he was in town.

"Goodnight Bingley! Oh, Bingley, I believe there are some doors around this house that need fixing! Could you take care of it, please?" chuckled Darcy.

"Goodnight Darcy! Of course I'll take care of it, but only if Jane is here with me," he smirked. "What about you, Sir? Are there no squeaky floorboards that need your attention?" asked Bingley as he quirked an eyebrow.

"Indeed! I shall venture to find some," smiled Darcy, remembering their conversation, confessions and plans on the night before.

On that night before, Bingley and Darcy vowed to please their fiancée's as much as the law and propriety would allow, and for themselves, to rein in their own lusts and delight in the awakenings of their intended's.

The morning shown crisp and clear. Darcy and Bingley arrived after breakfast and each managed to sweep a kiss on the hand of their beloved as the gentlemen took off in Darcy's barouche, while the ladies went in the Gardiner's carriage.

The ladies went to several warehouses to pick out gowns and such needed for their respective household's. They had a grand time and decided to sit and have tea at a quiet establishment north in the city.

"So my dears, I have received no recent letters from either of you. I am very disappointed that you would leave your favorite Aunt in the dark," Mrs. Gardiner pouted mockingly.

"We are so very sorry, Aunt. There is nothing new to report," said Jane.

"Mother is her usual self... Nerves and all. Aunt Philips continues to be crude..."

"No, that is not the information I seek. Those things are constant. What I would like to know is how you two are getting along with the most handsome men of your acquaintance."

Jane blushed, which spoke volumes to Mrs. Gardiner. Elizabeth spoke up. "Things are going well. Mr. Darcy is very attentive."

Mrs. Gardiner recognized the emphasis on Elizabeth's words. "Is there anything that you would like to ask me? I could be of great help to you, both."

"Aunt Gardiner, would you mind if we discussed this further at home? It is rather personal," asked Jane still blushing.

"Not at all, my dear. I am honored that you would want to discuss those things with me."

The ladies finished their tea and went back to their shopping and then to go to the Darcy townhouse.

After the gents finished up with the attorney's they went to the Club to have a drink.

"A toast! To the two most wonderful nieces a man could ask for!"

"Here, Here!" they all chanted.

"With no help from their silly mother," Mr. Bennet mumbled under his breath.

Darcy heard this and nearly choked on his port.

"Are you unwell, Mr. Darcy?" smiled Mr. Bennet. "Or is this a bit of wedding jitters?"

"No, Sir," Darcy caught his breath and smiled back at him. "Nothing whatsoever."

"You can tell me, you know? I have been around Lizzy, and Jane, for a good part of my life, and I dare say, all of theirs. Might there be some questions, you and Mr. Bingley want to ask?"

"Franklin, leave the poor boys be!" Mr. Gardiner laughed. "If there is something they wanted to know about your daughters, I'm sure that they would have come to you by now." They all laughed.

"I'm sure. But, maybe... there is something else they want to know."

"Such as?" inquired Bingley, as Darcy shot him a look.

"Such as... the wedding night," said Mr. Bennet, as both Darcy and Bingley blushed furiously.

"Or has a romp in the Continent made you experienced enough to know all about it?" implied Mr. Gardiner as he winked at both of the younger gentlemen.

"Well, uh, um, speaking for myself, Sirs. I am experienced, but little," smiled Bingley.

"And what of you, Sir?" asked Mr. Bennet to Darcy. "Do you need my instruction?"

Darcy pinched his lips to smother a laugh. "Um, no Sir. I too have some experience, but nothing much to speak of."

"Well, well, that is good! It will save me from embarrassing myself!" chuckled Mr. Bennet. They all laughed heartily. And in such a state as this, they finished their drinks and headed back to the Darcy townhouse to wait for the ladies, no doubt.

The gentlemen arrived on a few minutes before the ladies did. They were welcomed by Darcy and led into the drawing room.

"Shall I take you and your family on a tour of the house today, Elizabeth?"

"If it pleases you, Sir."

"Then we shall do so after luncheon."

During the meal, the ladies told of some of their purchases, gowns and such, but not of trousseaus and other delicates; the men talked of games and sport, and they all talked of the upcoming nuptials without reference to Mrs. Bennet. Then Darcy guided them on a tour of the house, everyone was impressed and talked animatedly about the details and furnishings of almost every room. Darcy intentionally left off the bedchambers.

"You may change whatever rooms you choose, Elizabeth."

"That is really not necessary, Sir. I love them all as they are."

"And I love you, as you are," he whispered.

Elizabeth trembled from his nearness and his tender utterings, but said nothing.

When the tea things were removed, the Gardiner's and the Bennet's left the townhouse.

Bingley and Darcy had supper together, Bingley went to bed early, while Darcy strode through the Master Suites. He had always been happy with his bedchamber, or at least since he had it redone after his father's death. But the Mistress' and middle bedchambers, he had no clue. He had Mrs. Cleary, the housekeeper, freshen it up a bit. But the same old linens, etc. from his parents were still there. He would have her go out and purchase new things this week, he determined. And thus he went to bed.

A meeting between the ladies was set for later that night in Jane and Elizabeth's room.

Mrs. Gardiner knocked and let herself in, they were waiting. "So girls, speak now or forever hold your peace," she teased.

All day, Elizabeth had rehearsed what she was to say to her Aunt. "Aunt, this is very embarrassing for me to speak so, but, I, I mean, when..."

Jane interrupted. "When Mr. Bingley kisses me, I get all tingly inside and there is such a heat between my legs!" Jane looked at Elizabeth to confer and Elizabeth nodded.

"Well, my dears, I will tell you what I know..." Mrs. Gardiner went on to tell the tales of mating, marriage, and mistresses. "So my dears, it is very fortunate that your fiancé's think to please you first, it will undoubtedly lead to a very happy marriage," she winked and before she left the room, she exclaimed, "However, you must not go too far!"

The next morning, Darcy and Bingley had breakfast and then went to pick up their fiancée's and Mr. Bennet as their chaperone.

Mr. Bennet had expressed an interest in Darcy's library while Jane and Bingley went on to the Hurst's townhouse to the south, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth alone. Which, if anyone was keeping score, was a dangerous and explosive situation.

"My dear, would you like to see the Master Suites?" queried Darcy in front of Mr. Bennet.

"Why yes, my dear."

"I did not want to put you in a possibly embarrassing situation with your family present. So I reserved that part of the house for you and your father. Will you not join us Mr. Bennet?"

"If you've seen one, you've seen them all!" and with that Mr. Bennet ensconced himself in the library.

"Then that would leave us, my sweet," Darcy leered as they went upstairs. "Alone."

"Sir, that would be imprudent!" she whispered.

Darcy laughed throatily as he opened the door to her chambers. "This is your room."

"It is lovely!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she traced the ornate headboard.

"I am having Mrs. Cleary order new linens. Do you have a preference of color or fabric?"

"I would prefer something lighter. An ivory perhaps. But of fabric," she shrugged. "As long as it is useful and comfortable."

"Then it is done. And this is your dressing room. And your private toilet. Your bath will be placed here. Do you need more closet space? You have an armoire in your room, would you require another?"

"No, Sir. There is more space than I will ever use. I require nothing further."

"Elizabeth, do not call me Sir, while we are in these rooms," he said as he cornered her in the back of the dressing room. "In fact, when we are married, you need never call me, Sir, again," he whispered in her ear and bit her earlobe.

"Fitzwilliam... we cannot..." she panted.

"I need to touch you," he breathed on her neck as he kissed it. "Please... do not deny me... the simple pleasures... I need to... get by," he said as he peppered her breasts with kisses.

"I could deny you... nothing," she trembled as his hand pulled up her skirt and raised her left leg to his waist. "Oh!" she panted. "Oh my!" she exhaled as his fingers gingerly grazed her upper thigh.

"Oh Lizzy, 20 days seems so far away," he breathed raggedly as he traced his fingers along her thigh, buttocks, and private area, although impeded by her garments, and kissed her lips feverishly. "I love you..." he winced as he pressed her against the wall.

"Oh Will, we must stop. We must!" she protested, but never let go of his lips.

"I know, I know..." he said as he dropped her leg. In such a state as this, he turned away and strode into the other room.

Elizabeth completely flustered, took several minutes to compose herself. Finally, she walked into the room to see her man sitting on the bed. "Shall we see the other rooms?" she asked and held out her hand.

"But of course," said Darcy as he took her hand placed it in the crook of his arm and walked into the middle room.

Elizabeth gasped as she saw the oversized canopy bed and she remained rooted to the spot. "Is that our bed?"

"Yes, it is. Is there something wrong?"

"No dearest. I had not, well, I did not expect it to be so, so... large."

"My father was almost as tall as myself. And therefore required a larger bed than most."

Elizabeth looked Darcy up and down, admiring his figure and height. "I had not... thought of that."

"There is a nursery, there," he pointed. "Closer to your chambers."

"May I see it?"

"It is not... It has not been used since Georgiana. I fear the room may not be fit to be seen."

"I should like to see it anyway. Perhaps this will be the first one redecorated."

Darcy smiled slightly and assented. "Allow me," he said as he opened the door. "There are other children's rooms down the hall across from your bedchamber and a play room nearest my room."

"And how many children would you like to have, Fitzwilliam?" she teased.

"I care not, Elizabeth," he said as he strode into his chambers. Darcy stood there and waited for her, but Elizabeth did not move. Darcy went back into the other room. "Come. Would you not like to see my room?" Elizabeth had such a look on her face. Initially, Darcy did not notice, but when he did, he ran to her. "Are you ill? Shall I call a doctor?"

"You, you care not?!"

"I care not what?"

"You do not care about children?"

Darcy gulped. "That's not what I meant," he twisted his pinkie ring nervously. "I..."

"Fitzwilliam Darcy!" she trembled with rage.

"You misunderstand me, my love. I meant that as long as you want to have children with me, I care not how many." He pulled her into his arms again. "I would like to see Pemberley full up! For my children, I do not want what I had there, and definitely not what Georgiana had. Lonely and no one to play with..."

Elizabeth stroked his hair as he said the last line. "Forgive me, darling," she whispered. "I was too quick to judge."

"Then I must tame thee, my wench!" and he kissed her ferociously. After groping each other for a few minutes, more like ten, Darcy pushed away. "We should visit this last room and return to your father."

"I'm sure we are not missed," she raised an eyebrow.

"Do not tempt me, Lizzy!" he cried as he walked into the other room, dragging her along.

"Very nice," said Elizabeth as she bounced on his bed. "But a little too soft for my tastes."

"Then maybe you should test out the other mattresses." This was said as more of a statement than a question.

"Not such a bad idea!" she giggled. "Come, sit by me."

"Oh no! You will not need to change my bed. Go back into the other rooms and see if they befit the princess and her pea."

"You must test the middle one with me," she laughed as she ran back into that room. "You see, if we are both to occupy this room, I must determine if it is right for the both of us," said Elizabeth as she pushed down on the mattress. "Which side do you prefer?"

"The right."

"Oh dear, so do I!" she said as she jumped up on the bed and scooted to the middle. "That might be a problem."

"Not to me! I see a great benefit," he smiled wickedly.

"Incorrigible!" she laughed throatily.

"Why don't we test it," Darcy said as he walked around to the right side of the bed and jumped in. With his great weight, compared to hers that is, Elizabeth rolled over to him. "You see, great benefits... tremendous advantages," he smiled as he pulled her onto his chest.

"Fitzwilliam, this is very compromising," she said lazily.

"Not yet, my dear." Darcy rolled Elizabeth over on her back and pinned her arms. "Not yet."

"Kiss me, you fool," she smiled cheekily.

"I am but a fool for thee," he whispered and kissed her.

As he did so, he climbed on top of her, Elizabeth wrapped her legs around Darcy's waist instinctively, and their clothed bodies melded together in a heated, yet rhythmic passion.

All was lost for a few minutes, until Darcy heard squeaking. "Damn!" he had to laugh as he sat up.

Elizabeth shrieked when she saw her reflection in the looking glass. "Oh Lord!" She ran to the dressing room and tried to fix her hair.

Darcy straightened up the bed linens as best he could. "Damn! Damn those floorboards! Damn Bingley! Damn!" he continued to curse himself.

Elizabeth managed to put her hair into some decent order, she was, of course, used to fixing it herself. "We cannot be left alone up here again!"

"What was that?" he yelled from the other room.

"I said that I will not be upstairs with you again, until the wedding! Please let us go down, it surely must be luncheon?" she said trying to straighten her gown.

And in such a state, Darcy escorted her to the hallway and when they were halfway down the stairs. "Well, there you are! I was just about to call out the dogs!" exclaimed Mr. Bennet. "Luncheon has been waiting for you, he laughed as he went down the hall to the dining room.

"We were looking at all the bedrooms, Papa. Mr. Darcy wants me to redecorate them for our many...," she blushed. "for our children, possibly," she said barely above a whisper.

"Of that I am sure!" he laughed and both Darcy and Elizabeth blushed a deep red. "You know, Mr. Darcy, if that Caroline Bingley were here, she would surely would have sent out the army after you two!" Mr. Bennet was having a terrible laughing fit at the expense of his second daughter and her fiancé, much to their chagrin.

After luncheon, Elizabeth entertained the two gentlemen on the pianoforte. Bingley and Jane appeared a bit before tea, and quite disheveled and at least an hour later than expected, but the rest of afternoon was spent in conversation. Bingley and Jane related their visit to the Hurst's and Mr. Bennet regaled stories of his marital bliss, much to the horror and embarrassment of his daughters, but the gentlemen knew that he was teasing, or at least they thought he was.

The Bennet's left with a promise that both Bingley and Darcy would join them at the Gardiner's for luncheon.

That night, Jane and Elizabeth shared their experiences on the day. Jane, of course, was shocked at the lengths that Darcy and Elizabeth had gone in their relationship, but never told of her and Bingley's experiences. Jane related that Caroline was her same sanctimonious self, whenever Bingley was not in the room. She sneered and sniffed, but that was all she did, until her brother returned, then the conversation was all lively again.

The next morning, the ladies again went shopping, but this time for a few things that Mrs. Gardiner had advised them on; tiny metal balls, shackles, ticklers, wigs, costumes, etc. They returned an hour before the gentleman came, to rest their weary feet.

"Aunt Gardiner, are you sure these things will work?" asked Jane.

"Oh yes, my dear! I have it on the highest authority," she bit her lips and turned away from her nieces.

"I don't know, Aunt. They are a bit... extravagant," ventured Elizabeth.

"Extraordinary!" cringed Jane.

"Now, now, girls. Madame, I mean Madam Girard, assured me that they are fail proof."

"Who is this Madam Girard? How is she such an authority? And what proof does she have that they will not fail?"

"Lizzy dear, if you want proof, all you have to do is ask me," smiled Mrs. Gardiner. "Do I not look happy? Does Mr. Gardiner not look... pleased?"

Jane and Elizabeth sat astonished, they concluded that their young aunt was way beyond modern, and were grateful for it.

"These things should be made useful during your marriage and not before. And not all at once! Please remember that point at least! You do not want to send your husband's to an early grave with stroke."

The ladies all went to dress for luncheon with the gentlemen. In such as state; Mrs. Gardiner was delighted with her guidance, Jane was still shocked but contemplative, while Elizabeth was planning her future.