Suddenly a smile broke across his face before he even realized what he was smiling about. Elizabeth would be very well rested when they reached the inn this evening. Surely after sleeping half the day in the carriage, she would be able to stay awake later into the evening. Why hadn’t he thought of it before? It was the perfect solution! Sleep in the carriage, remain awake at the inn. What a stupid man he was! But in his defense, he had never taken a long carriage ride, or any carriage ride for that matter, with a woman he was in love with or even mildly interested in. With this new solution in mind, and happy thoughts of being alone with his wife occupying his attention, he continued reading contentedly, not understanding more than one word in five.

Elizabeth was groggy. Her mouth felt a bit sticky and there was motion around her. She was pressed against something warm but slightly scratchy and it was…. Moving? Where was she? Ah, I am in the carriage with Fitzwilliam on the way to The Lakes. She stiffly tried to sit up and touched one hand to her head.

“Are you well?” Darcy asked.

“Yes, I just felt dizzy for a moment. Probably from all the motion,” she said.

“And you haven’t eaten much all day. There are some biscuits here. Would you like some?”

“Yes, please.”

She nibbled on the biscuit she’d chosen from the tin and looked out the window.

“It’s nearly dark. Will we be stopping soon?” she asked.

“Less than a mile now,” he replied.

They pulled into the drive of a rustic looking inn. There were roses to the left of the entry and she breathed in the fragrant scent gratefully. It was comforting after so many hours in the carriage. They had been driving with the windows closed to keep out the dust. Once they slowed their pace, they would be able to open them, but for now, she was happy for a bit of fresh air.

They were shown to a suite of rooms including a sitting room where Darcy ordered their supper be served as soon as it was available. Elizabeth walked to the large window overlooking the back garden and threw open the sash.

“A servant can do that. You needn’t bother yourself,” said Darcy.

“It’s no bother. I need the air.”

She leaned slightly out the window and took several deep breaths, willing her headache to recede and her aches to subside. She excused herself to freshen up and went into her room, once more lamenting the absence of a maid. Luckily the owner had sent someone up to help her change out of her traveling clothes. Wearing a light day dress and having the chance to bathe quickly from a basin did much to liven her spirits and she rejoined her husband with more energy than he had seen from her all day.