Beginning, Previous Section, Section XII

Chapter 30

Darcy woke early, feeling reenergized, even though he and the Colonel had stayed up late talking. By all accounts he should have been loath to start a new day, especially since the evening's entertainment promised to be the Anniversary Ball and Darcy was not fond of large, social events or dancing in general. But, things had been going so well for him ever since his return to Pemberley that he could not bring himself to think negatively.

For the first time in many years, Darcy actually welcomed the start of a new day.

Darcy started out his day in the most unlikely of places, in his son's bedroom. Carefully inching his way onto Colin's bed, he wrapped an arm around his son's thin shoulders, and shook Colin awake. "Wake-up sleepyhead," he commanded gently. "It is a bright new day today."

Colin shifted sleepily and yawning, stretched his arms up high into the air, narrowly missing his father's nose. When he became aware of the presence of another person in his bed, he yelped and sat up straight. "F-f-father?" he asked confusedly.

Darcy grinned stupidly and somewhat shyly. "I thought we might have breakfast together and then go for a walk, that is if you would like to."

Colin stared at his father blankly for a moment and then said, "Absolutely!" Scrambling off the bed, he hurried to wash up and dress himself.

All the while, Darcy remained lounging on Colin's bed and happily watched his son moving around the bedroom. He looked healthy. He looked lively. He looked happy. Darcy still could not believe everything that his eyes were seeing. He said one more silent prayer of thanks to whomever it was that had allowed his son to have another chance at life.

When Colin finished his morning ablutions, father and son, shocked the Darcy household as they entered the breakfast room hand-in-hand. The rest of the family and guests were still abed, so it was only the servants who witnessed the momentous event, and they gossiped about it all morning long as they went about their chores. Before they could be waylaid by well-intentioned guests, Darcy ushered his son out the door so that they could begin their walk and the start of their new relationship.

It was the first time Darcy had walked the Pemberley grounds with his son since Colin had been a babe and Darcy had carried Colin around in his arms. With an arm around Colin's shoulder, Darcy walked the paths of his own childhood, remembering when he had walked the land with his own father. It was on these walks that his father had first impressed upon him the importance of carrying on the Darcy name and traditions. It was something that Darcy intended to emulate now.

For the first time, Colin was seeing his home through his father's eyes. It gave him a new sense of appreciation and instilled a sense of pride for his home, family, and heritage. It also allowed him to see his father as a person as Darcy shared stories about his childhood antics.

"Do you see that tree?" Darcy asked his son, pointing ahead. When Colin nodded his head, Darcy continued. "I taught your aunt how to climb that tree when she was just your age. Your grandmother, my mother, was furious when she found out. Your other grandmother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, was visiting with your mother on the day that I put Georgiana in that tree. My mother had given us strict instructions that morning to stay near to the house and to take care that we did not ruin our clothes. When Lady Catherine arrived, however, we were nowhere to be found. When we finally reappeared, my jacket and shirt were mussed and my breeches stained green from the grass. Your aunt faired no better. Georgiana's white dress was all smudged with dirt and tree bark and her stockings had been ripped to shreds. But her eyes were sparkling with glee."

Colin stared at his father wide-eyed with shock, unable to imagine his father misbehaving. "What happened then? Were you very much in trouble?"

Darcy grinned ruefully. "Your aunt was immediately whisked upstairs for a change of clothes and was reprimanded at the same time. I, on the other hand, was not as lucky for I was older and should have known better. I suffered a worse fate, but the worst of it all was that for the rest of Lady Catherine's visit, which lasted at least a week, Georgiana and I had to hear about how Anne, your mother, would never have imagined to lower herself like that."

"Was that true?"

"Perhaps. But, I don't know. Your mother... though we were cousins, I did not know her very well," Darcy admitted. "But, after we married, I, we became better acquainted and she was continuously surprising me with the different facets of her true nature."

"Will you teach me how to climb a tree, Father?"

Darcy looked earnestly at his son. "I will teach you how to do anything you want."

"Really, Father?"

"Really. Do you know how to fish?" Darcy asked. Colin shook his head. "No? Well, I shall have to teach you then! Your uncle and I used to spend hours in our youth fishing in the stream."

Excited by the prospect of fishing and spending time with his father, Colin clapped his hands and jumped up and down. "What else did you do, Father?"

"We fenced, we raced."

"On horses?"

"Of course!"

Colin bit his lip and then looked up. "Will you teach me how to ride a horse, Father? Dickon knows how to ride and I should like to be able to ride as well as he."

Darcy stared at his son utterly amazed. Goodness gracious. A boy his age unable to ride. It was unthinkable, but so it was. He shook his head in astonishment. There were going to have to be so many changes.

"Of course you shall learn how to ride, Colin," Darcy clapped his hand on his son's shoulder. In fact, I'll tell you what. As soon as your aunt's house party is over, I shall see about getting you your own mount. What do you think of that?"

Colin's jaw dropped. "My very own horse? You really mean it?"

"Of course! Every boy should have his own horse and you are old enough to be responsible for the care of a horse, don't you think?" Colin nodded his head eagerly. "Good, then it's settled. You shall have your horse, and once you have it, I shall personally see to it that you learn how to ride."

"Oh, thank you, Father!" Overcome with happiness, Colin flung himself into his father's surprised arms.

"Well," Darcy hugged his son back somewhat awkwardly, but very pleased. All in all, it had been a good morning. A most propitious sign.

Darcy glanced at his watch fob and noted that an hour had already passed. How quickly the time flew. "Shall we head back to the house, son? No doubt your aunt will be looking for us."

On their way back to the house, they ran into Elizabeth who was being led by Mary and Dickon.

"Colin!" Mary broke away from the group, "There you are! We have been looking all over the place for you."

Grabbing one of Colin's hands, Mary pulled him over to stand with Dickon. The children, happily chattering away, were oblivious to the awkwardness that flowed between their chaperones.

"Good-morning Miss Bennet," Darcy sketched a brief bow.

"Mr. Darcy."

"I hope you slept well?" Darcy politely inquired.

Elizabeth colored, remembering how she had tossed and turned all night long, thinking about Darcy. "Ahem, well enough," she coughed.

"Good. I am glad to hear it."

"Erm. You are up very early this morning, sir," Elizabeth finally said.

"Yes, well, I took Colin for a walk. I thought it high time we got reacquainted." Darcy's gaze shifted over to his son and Elizabeth's heart melted as she witnessed the love and warmth that were present in his hazel flecks.

"I have been gone for far too long," he sadly added.

"It is good that you are returned and making an effort," Elizabeth said gently, for there was fondness in her heart for the child. "Children are the most resilient of all creatures, and the most forgiving."

"And you?" Darcy could not help but ask, "Are you as forgiving, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth cocked her head in confusion, "I-I don't know what you mean."

Darcy was about to open his mouth and say something when Colin interrupted them. "Father, may I go with Mary and Dickon?"

Darcy narrowed his gaze. "Where are you children off to?"

Guessing that his uncle did not want them returning to the garden, Dickon quickly said, "To the river."

"Well, alright then. But do be careful and take care to not muddy your clothes. I should not want to be there when your mother sees you if you do."

"Yes, sir."

As the children scampered off, Darcy turned his attentions back to Elizabeth, relieved that they would finally have a chance to speak. Elizabeth, however, was much more flight-footed. The moment she had Darcy's attention again, she hurried to say, "Pray excuse me. I agreed to help the children look for Colin, not realizing how long it would take to find him. But, I do believe Georgiana wanted my assistance with something this morning and if I do not return to the house immediately, she will be missing me."

Before Darcy could tell Elizabeth to wait and that he did not think Georgiana would mind if she were absent this morning, Elizabeth had already turned back to the house and was hurrying away. Darcy sighed. Would he be forever watching her backside?

Disconsolate, he did not want to go back to the house where he knew he would have to put on a pleasant face and make idle conversation. He went the one place where he knew he would find peace and quiet. He went to the Secret Garden.

Darcy had always been an organized man. There was nothing he did by halves, and he always had a plan for any course of action. Envisioning the wooing of Elizabeth as another one of his more difficult tasks, he immediately set about to create a foolproof plan.

His mind completely preoccupied by his thoughts, he plucked a rose from the white rose bush. Next time, he told himself, he would not let Elizabeth run away from him again.

Plucking another rose, he promised himself, that he would make sure that Elizabeth was in no doubts as to how he felt. He would declare himself at long last.

And he would not let Elizabeth go until he had the answer he wanted, he told himself as he forcefully plucked a third rose.

When he accidentally pricked himself on the rose thorns, he did not even bat an eye. He was too content, feeling much more at ease now that he had a plan.

Elizabeth spent the remainder of her day taking care to be occupied at all times. Industriousness spared her from the perils of idleness. Her talk with Georgiana the previous night still weighed heavily on her mind, and she wasn't ready to deal with it. The revelations Georgiana had imparted were so surprising that it was simply too much to bear.

Along with making sure that she was actively engaged about the house, Elizabeth also took care to stay out of Darcy's way. Indeed, she made sure that she stayed out of everybody's way. She knew that Darcy had been about to say something that morning, and she also knew that she had taken the coward's way out by running away as she had. Reclining and relaxing in the rose-scented water that the maid had drawn up for her, in preparation for the ball, Elizabeth recognized that she could only go so long without confronting the truth.

Elizabeth dressed with more care that evening, although she could not put into words the reasons for why it was so important to do so. Long accustomed to dressing her hair without any help, Elizabeth pulled it up in a simple and loose knot, letting her natural wave do the rest. As she appreciated the way the wispy curls framed her face, Elizabeth's eyes roved over to a small bud vase that had been placed at the edge of her dressing table. The maid must have brought it to her when she came in to brush out her dress.

White roses. How thoughtful.

Elizabeth surmised the white roses to be a gift from Georgiana, as only she would have known how well the flowers would match her ball gown. A smile played at Elizabeth's lips. She had not given her friend enough credit. Plucking the three blooms from the vase, Elizabeth wove it in and around her hair. A modest woman by nature, even Elizabeth had to admit that the effect was quite flattering and most becoming. She was pleased.

Next came the dress. Requiring some assistance at this juncture, Elizabeth rang for the maid. With the maid's help, Elizabeth donned the billowing ball gown slowly and carefully, not wanting it to tear or wrinkle. Everything had to be perfect. Not one strand of thread could be out of place, nor could a single crease ruin the effect of the dress.

The maid guided Elizabeth's arms through the puffed sleeves of stiff satin and then fastened the remaining buttons along the spine of Elizabeth's back. At last, Elizabeth had finished her toilette. Her cheeks were aflame with a natural glow. It could have been from all her exertions, but it could have been from her anticipation of that evening's events too. Even Elizabeth was hard pressed to say whether it was one or the other.

Prolonging the inevitable, Elizabeth stared at herself in the full-length mirror in her room one last time. She was startled to find an attractive woman reflected in the mirror. Though no longer in the first blushes of her youth, Elizabeth saw that she was also not the old maid on the shelf she was always calling herself. No, indeed. The years had been kind to Elizabeth. Maturity had only added to her charms and Elizabeth was rendered a handsome woman because of it.

Elizabeth was pleased to make such a discovery. She had a feeling that it would come in handy for whatever it was that was yet to come.

Darcy paced the length of the hallway, his head held low and his hands clasped firmly against his back. The gentle hum of conversation wafted down from the ballroom. Already it was filling with the overnight guests, and within the next hour it would become packed with friends and neighbors traveling from near and far to attend the his sister's Anniversary Ball. Darcy knew he should have been inside, greeting his guests, but could not help himself. He wanted to wait for her, to be the first to see her.

His head snapped up in attention at the soft sound of a woman's slipper making its way down the stairwell. It was not Elizabeth. Despite his disappointment, he nodded his head in acknowledgement, and managed to say, "You look lovely, Georgie. Happy Anniversary."

"Thank you," Georgiana beamed. "You look rather dashing yourself this evening," she added as she raked her eyes up and down in approving appraisal.

Darcy sighed as only an elder brother could. "It doesn't matter that you are a married woman and a mother, I still see you in pigtails and braids when you stand in front of me."

Georgiana stood on her toes to pat her brother's cheek affectionately with her gloved hand. "You need someone else to whom you may turn your attentions."

"I'm trying," Darcy muttered before he resumed his pacing.

Georgiana watched her brother with a small pang in her heart. She knew how frustrated her brother was becoming, but there was nothing she could do. There were some things that she simply could not force. They had to come naturally. Placing her faith in providence, she prayed that it would come sooner rather than later.

"I came looking for you because your absence in the ballroom is growing increasingly apparent. It is time you joined the receiving line, Fitzwilliam."

"Couldn't you..."

"No," Georgiana cut her brother off before he could plead his way out of his responsibilities. "You know it is your duty as host and master of the house."

"I know," Darcy sighed resignedly. "Very well, let us go."

Georgiana took the arm her brother offered and tucked her own within its crook. "Don't worry," she said reassuringly, "she'll come, and when she does you shall have your chance."

Elizabeth waited until the last of the carriages had circled around the driveway before descending to join the party, hoping to slip into the ballroom unseen and without the necessity of being announced. When she finally came down, she was relieved to find that most of the other guests had already arrived indeed. Only Georgiana remained in the receiving line to greet the straggling guests.

"There you are!" Georgiana exclaimed. "I was wondering when you would appear. I almost sent a servant after you. I was beginning to think you were having second doubts and had decided not to attend after all. I am so glad you did."

Elizabeth blushed and murmured, "I thought I would wait until the last possible moment to come down. I don't really know anyone here."

Georgiana nodded understandingly and patted her friend's hand comfortingly. "I shall have to introduce you to some of my dearest friends this evening. They will be enchanted by you, as you will be by them," she promised.

Elizabeth gave a non-committal answer. She was not sure how she felt about being introduced to members of the ton. Quite frankly, she did not know if she cared to know anyone from the elite society. She changed the subject. "Do you stand here all alone in the receiving line?"

"Richard and Fitzwilliam were forced to stand beside me earlier, but after most of the guests had arrived, the were dragged away by an old school chum, George Knightley. Their excuse was that they had not seen each other in years, but I would not be surprised if was all part of a plan they had concocted previously with George. You cannot put anything past them, especially my husband. Richard and Fitzwilliam have always hated having to stand in the receiving line and do all the social niceties that go along with it." Georgiana told her.

"Are you not yet going in to join the guests?" Elizabeth asked politely.

"In a minute. There are still a few more that have yet to arrive. We will wait a little longer before we start the dancing." Elizabeth nodded her head just as the sound of carriage wheels crunching along the graveled path of the driveway drew near.

"Ah, here are some more guests I think. You will excuse me, Elizabeth."

"Of course, I shall see you later in the ballroom."

"Take every opportunity to enjoy yourself tonight!" Georgiana winked at Elizabeth before waving her off with warm wishes for a magical evening, and then she turned away to greet the Snyders who had traveled from a neighboring estate.

Elizabeth walked into the ballroom, and her senses were immediately overwhelmed. There was so much to see, so much to take in, it was more than her eyes could bear. With an appreciative eye, she noted that Georgiana had surely outdone herself. The decorations were sumptuous yet tasteful. No wonder she was such a paragon of a society leader in the ton, Elizabeth thought admiringly.

The ton it seemed had come in droves. They had been driven in part by their desire to attend a fete given by the elusive member of their class, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and in part because they knew that any ball co-hosted by the lovely Georgiana Fitzwilliam would be nothing short of a success. Standing on the outskirts, Elizabeth felt out of place. She might have been a lady, a born and bred gentleman's daughter, but she was a country mouse standing amidst a city crowd. The country assemblies of Meryton were nothing compared to Pemberley's ballroom, and for the first time in a long time, Elizabeth actually wished she was there instead of here. At least Meryton was familiar.

Shots of silk, satin, and organdy in all colors and styles flashed past her, followed by the glittering of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Elizabeth absently fingered her only adornment, her garnet cross. She could not help but notice that even the youngest members of the crowd, in their whites and pastels, wore more jewelry in the form of their pearl necklaces than she.

The ruffles, the ribbons, and the lace all fluttered in Elizabeth's face. Not a single color of the rainbow was absent in the ladies' dresses, and their ruffles and fine silks added to the flair. Fingering the silken folds of her own gold and silver gown, Elizabeth was suddenly glad she had allowed Georgiana to talk her into buying it and keeping it. Her dress might not have been created by one of the fashionable French modistes in London, but she knew that her dress could rival most of the other dresses in the ballroom. It was the most luxurious gown Elizabeth had ever owned, and she was grateful. She would need all the help she could get to sustain her confidence tonight. Elizabeth, crossed her fingers for luck, took a deep breath, and then allowed herself to be swept along with the swell of the crowd when it crossed her path.

From her hidden spot behind a potted palm, a pair of cat-like eyes narrowed. She was still seething with the knowledge that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was in residence. It was not fair, she practically hissed. That she was present at the ball only spelled further disaster. She was going to have to do something, and fast. As she marked her destination and cut her path, the first strands of the opening waltz began. She took larger steps, determined to beat the music. Elizabeth Bennet was within eyesight, just a few more steps. She slowed down to eye her prey, baring her gleaning white teeth as she smiled sinisterly. The minutes she wasted to indulge her desire of reveling in her hunt and kill turned out to be costly minutes. Just as she reached out to wrap a hand around Elizabeth Bennet's arm, the said woman was swept away and taken out of her reach. She looked up immediately alarmed. Feeling deprived and cheated, she received an even bigger blow to her senses. Elizabeth Bennet was being waltzed away by the very man she had been determined to keep away.

Fitzwilliam Darcy had been watching the door to the ballroom all night long, waiting to see her again. It had only been a day since he had seen her, dripping pond water in his garden, and a few hours since he had seen her again this morning. But, oh, how he ached to see her. Like forbidden fruit, the more he saw of her the greater the need it was to see her again.

Elizabeth had hidden herself away after this morning's chance meeting, and Darcy had promised his sister he would not push her. But still, the light in his eyes sparked as he thought about the precious and unexpected gift he had returned home to find. Now, he waited, rather impatiently to see her again.

Darcy only half-listened to Richard and George, who were yammering on about something or other beside him. For his own part, Darcy could not figure out how they could discuss the merits of crop rotation at a time like this. His attention was entirely focused elsewhere.

A sudden movement by the doorway caught his attention, and as Darcy turned to find a vision standing before him, he knew that he had come home to find not one but two precious gifts waiting on his doorstep.

His mouth went dry as he watched her standing there. She could not have been anymore lovelier or looked anymore angelic in that gold and silver concoction. All she needed, he vowed, were wings to complete the image. He admired the way her dress hugged all the fine curves of her body, and sent a silent word of thanks to no one in particular that the neckline of her dress was not as low as some of the others he had seen so far. If it had been any lower, he might have felt compelled to march her upstairs to wrap something more substantial around her neck. As it was, her present neckline was much more fetching; it hinted and teased the eye. He glanced appreciatively at the silken curls of her auburn hair, and wondered how it would look loosened from its chignon and wrapped around his fingers. He wished he were closer so that he could see the twinkle and sparkle in her eyes, those eyes he loved so much.

Darcy watched her hesitate in the doorframe, and all of the sudden it was as if the entire ballroom had disappeared, leaving only the two of them behind. Entranced, Darcy watched her roll her eyes heavenward as if to say a silent prayer before the throng of the crowds carried her away. His eyes never lost sight of her. Darcy branded her with his eyes; he would never lose sight of her again.

When he saw his sister step into the ballroom, Darcy knew he had no time to lose. He had to get to Elizabeth before any other man did. No one would have the first dance but him. He reached her just in time.

Georgiana gave the previously arranged nod to the musicians right before her husband pulled her into his arms to open the ball as the guests of honor and circle around the room in what was the most scandalous waltz. Darcy knew that there were probably a number of old biddies who were right at that moment furiously fanning themselves and wondering why the incomparable Mrs. Fitzwilliam would actually let her brother open the ball with the indecent waltz. They would have preferred that this dance, which was fast becoming a favorite amongst the younger generation, had been avoided altogether. For his part, Darcy was elated by his sister's choice. He was immediately down upon his Elizabeth, sweeping her off her feet into a surprising waltz right behind the opening pair.

Elizabeth, startled, looked straight up into a pair of dark, probing eyes. "Hello Miss Bennet. It is so lovely to see you again."

Elizabeth saw the mirth hidden in his eyes and was shocked into even more numbed silence. She had never imagined that she would ever dance with Mr. Darcy again, and in a waltz no less. For the second time in her life, Elizabeth had been rendered speechless. Why did he always have this effect on her?

The rich sound of music wafted through and around them. Candlelight rained down in glittering light-drops from the dome of the ballroom, highlighting them in the starry luster of the moment. It was a magnificent feast for the eyes, but Elizabeth closed her eyes to it all, preferring to feel rather than see the moment. She wanted to feel every powerful sway of the dance, the swish of her skirt brushing against his lithe legs, the feel of his textured clothes, and the strong, hardened muscles beneath.

All of the sudden, her skin burned at his touch and she pulled back abruptly. She would have tripped and fallen, but Darcy's hands were on her immediately, steadying her. Darcy tightened his hold; he would not let her go. Elizabeth let him keep hold of her and did not try to pull away again for she suddenly found that she needed his strong support. With surprise, Elizabeth found she was practically out of breath and afraid that without him to steady her, her knees would buckle and send her sprawling to the floor.

It was also at that moment, in their third circuit around the room, that Elizabeth remembered she had never learned the waltz! And yet, as she danced gracefully within his arms, it was so easy and so natural. Mr. Darcy, for all that he hated to dance, was a natural leader and made it easy for her to follow. He was a wonderful dancing partner, indeed. Elizabeth felt as though she were a bird, soaring through the clouds. It had been years since she had felt so free. With that sobering thought, Elizabeth choked. The music ended, which seemed like perfect timing to Elizabeth. She reopened her eyes only to discover Mr. Darcy's intense gaze still on her. Elizabeth felt like the carpet had been swept out from under her feet. Feeling bereft and lost, she did the first thing that came to mind. She bolted.

Darcy gazed frowningly at the empty air in front of her, and then at the small back that only seemed to grow smaller as she ran away from him. Where had he gone wrong? He could have sworn that when he had held her in his arms out there on the dance floor she had been enjoying herself. Hell and damnation, Darcy knew she had been enjoying every minute of it! For it had been just as sensuous and enticing an experience for him. How utterly frustrating! Richard and Georgiana's words came back to him. He had lost her once before; well, hell, he was not about to lose her again. Not when he had her within his grasp.

She had returned to her spot by the potted plant after her earlier thwarted attempt. There she had watched and seethed with anger and distaste as Elizabeth Bennet was carried around gracefully as though she were some sort of high-born lady in the dancing arms of Fitzwilliam Darcy. She put a fist to her mouth to prevent herself from yelling out the swearing words that threatened to escape. She must always remain a lady, she reminded herself. After all, she was much more of a lady than that Elizabeth Bennet. It should have been her who was danced around the room, and shown off to all of society to see. Elizabeth Bennet did not care about the ton, and the ton did not care about Elizabeth Bennet. But... oh, she definitely cared about the ton, and if the ton were smart, they would care about her too.

As the music came to a dying halt, she licked her lips and waited anxiously to see what would happen next. For once in her life she actually prayed, prayed that he would not lead her out one of the side doors to a private interview on one of the darkened balconies. When she saw what happened next, she gave a silent yelp of joy and vowed she would pray more often in the future. Whoever it was that was up there sure did his work in fast and mysterious ways. She could not believe her good fortune as she watched Elizabeth Bennet tear herself out of Fitzwilliam Darcy's arms and run away. The chit had some sense after all!

She tore herself away from the potted plant too. Taking a circuitous route around the ballroom this time, she was careful to avoid anyone who might try and waylay her. A few narrowed eyes and hard glares ensured that she would not be interrupted by frivolous conversation. She would not be stopped; she was hell-bent on carrying out her mission in full this time. Much to her satisfaction, she did.

The room, once spellbinding and intimidating all at the same time, was now a haze of distant activity to Elizabeth as she tore across the room. She was not sure what it was exactly about him that made her run from him as though she were shamed and had something to hide. All Elizabeth knew was at that moment, when the music had ended, and she had looked up into his eyes, she had seen something that she was not yet prepared to see. Its suddenness had scared her. And now she wanted nothing more than the privacy of her bedroom, where she could be alone to think, and pray for guidance and deliverance.

Elizabeth reached the staircase with relief; she was half afraid that Georgiana would have seen her flight and tried to put a stop to her. She unexpectedly found her path blocked as she ran straight into another person. Covering her mouth as though to cover her shock, Elizabeth rambled hurried words, eager to be on her way yet feeling the need to make sure that she had not hurt another person, "Oh, I am so sorry. Pray forgive me; I was not watching where I was going. Did I hurt you?"

With concerned eyes, Elizabeth turned to look at her victim. Expecting to find a hurt person, perhaps doubled over even from the forceful way Elizabeth had rammed into him or her, she found something entirely different instead.

"Miss Bingley!"

Miss Caroline Bingley, in full form, drew herself up to great heights and used it to lord over her nemesis. "What a surprise to see you amongst the guests this evening. I am surprised that Georgiana would allow one of her employees to join the ton, even if it is her own Anniversary Ball," she drawled.

"I believe you misunderstand my purpose for being at Pemberley, Miss Bingley," Elizabeth said stiffly. "I am not in the Fitzwilliams' employ. I am their guest."

"How strange," Caroline purred, stroking her cheek simultaneously. "I had heard that you had taken up employment as a governess. Was I mistaken?"

Elizabeth bristled and her pluck returned. "Not at all, Miss Bingley. As always you are most informed. I am indeed a governess, but the family is away at the moment and I have come to visit our niece, as I believe was mentioned to you previously."

"Oh yes. Now that you refresh my memory, I do believe that was mentioned to me. It had slipped my mind though."

"That's not surprising," Elizabeth muttered matter-of-factly.

"How kind of you to take leave of your post so that you could visit her. She must be grateful for your condescension. I wonder if she appreciates the sacrifices you have made to come to Pemberley, or the sacrifices of your employer I should say."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows for two points. First, she wondered if Caroline Bingley even knew the name of her niece. Second, she wondered what kind of game she was playing by insisting upon making continuous insinuations about her position as a governess.

"Not at all," Elizabeth answered lightly. "There were no sacrifices made on either party. My employers were pleased for me when the invitation arrived. They gave me a generous leave of vacation and I was happy to come."

"Eager to be rid of you?" Caroline asked rudely.

Elizabeth feigned shock at such a suggestion, though in truth she was not the least bit shocked to hear Miss Bingley say such unkind words. "Of course not!" She did not deign to elaborate any further though. Elizabeth knew that any words were wasted words on Caroline Bingley.

"I must confess, I was quite surprised when I learned that you had taken a position as a governess."

"Oh?"

"I did not think that anyone would actually willingly denigrate themselves to such a level of servitude unless circumstances forced them to. Of course I suppose I should not have been all that surprised."

Elizabeth's temper flared. "Just what is that supposed to mean," she demanded hotly.

"Well, you know. Your family." Caroline waived a dismissive hand in the air, as if that was supposed to explain everything.

"My family," Elizabeth repeated questioningly. "I am not quite sure I understand your meaning, Miss Bingley. Would you please clarify your position?"

Caroline laughed airily. "Oh, you know."

"Oh! I know." Elizabeth exclaimed, as though she had finally caught on to what Caroline Bingley was trying to say. "Is it that my father is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter, while you are nothing but a tradesman's daughter?"

Caroline gasped, "How dare you!"

"I dare a great deal. I would venture to even say that your brother made a most fortunate match when he allied himself with my sister. I mean, really, I tried to warn Jane about all the disadvantages of such a marriage, but she would not give up. She would ally herself, a gentleman's daughter, with the son of a tradesman."

Elizabeth put great emphasis on the word and let it sound like it was the most reprehensible word in her entire vocabulary. It probably was to Caroline Bingley.

"You really had the right of it when you tried to persuade your brother to give up my sister, Miss Bingley. I only wish you had succeeded," Elizabeth lied.

Caroline blanched at the thought of her ever having the same thoughts as Elizabeth Bennet. To be on the same sides with such a woman! To have the same cause! Caroline shuddered.

Caroline resumed her haughty airs. "There is a world of difference between a poor gentleman's daughter and a wealth tradesman's daughter."

Elizabeth rolled her head from one side to the other, pretending to think over the distinction for a little while. "You are absolutely right. For, no matter whether wealthy or poor, I will always be a gentleman's daughter. Whereas you, as a rich tradesman's daughter are a Cit!"

Caroline blubbered, speechless with anger and disbelief. How dare this country nobody slander her! To be called a "Cit" was an insult of the highest degree. Everyone knew that a Cit was not only beneath the ton, but also a member of that class which tried to get into their good society with their crude manners and more important merchant wealth. Well, Caroline was not going to be called a Cit, least of all by Elizabeth Bennet. She, Caroline Bingley, was an accepted member of the ton's ranks, and she would be shown the appropriate deference.

"That was most uncalled for, Miss Bennet, but I will not hold it against you. One cannot be blamed for one's breeding, after all. And besides, since I had stopped you with the good intentions of warning you as an old friend anyways, what is one more good deed?" Caroline asked.

"Indeed," Elizabeth muttered. "And pray what is this worldly piece of advice you would give to me?"

"Mr. Darcy."

A jolt of shock and surprise ran through Elizabeth's body. Of all the things she had been expecting Caroline Bingley to say, his name was the last thing she had anticipated. "I beg your pardon?"

"I would not get too attached to him if I were you." Caroline cast a shrewd eye over the woman in front of her.

"Oh, you poor thing. You already are attached to that man, aren't you?" Caroline put a false arm around her shoulders. "You innocent thing. Don't you know? Mr. Darcy is a confirmed bachelor. Why everyone knows it! His sister was lamenting over it with me only hours ago. She would like to see him remarried, but her brother is resolute. He only sees women for one thing these days, and marriage is not it."

Elizabeth looked at Caroline, and looked hard. Lord, she is the same as ever, Elizabeth realized with a start. Laughter bubbled inside of her, threatening to erupt.

"I do not want to see you get hurt," Caroline insisted.

"Miss Bingley," Elizabeth said arrogantly, throwing off her arms. "What makes you think I am welcome to your advice? I seem to recall similar attempts in the past, and they were rebuffed just as I am choosing to pay no heed to you tonight."

Caroline's eyes narrowed to those of a wily cat and smiled triumphantly. "If I remember correctly, I believe the last time I tried to offer you some friendly concern, they pertained to a certain gentleman by the name of George Wickham."

"He is no gentleman," Elizabeth announced shortly. She subdued the inward chills she felt at the mention of that name. She would not give Caroline the satisfaction of knowing that all those years ago she had been right about George Wickham, while she Elizabeth had been wrong.

"I see you have come to agree with me. Now perhaps you will acknowledge my wisdom and heed my second piece of advice."

"You may be wise, but I am not. I prefer to take the chances of discovering the truth for myself. Your words go unappreciated, now please desist!"

Such display of stubbornness! Caroline stilled herself, and counted to ten. It would not do to let her anger gain control of her at the moment. Besides, a red face would clash horribly with her new, tangerine-colored ball gown. Meanwhile, Elizabeth wished Caroline would turn red. A glorious shade of blazing red sun.

"Forgive me. My words were kindly meant, Miss Bennet. Knowing that you probably do not get around much in society now that you are a governess, I thought to give you warning so that you would not be taken advantage of. I see you do not need my interference. I apologize if I spoke out of turn."

Caroline's cool effort, at the expense of Mr. Darcy's reputation, to smooth over what was clearly an attempt to throw Elizabeth off the path just because she wanted Mr. Darcy to herself and perceived Elizabeth to be a threat to her chances enraged Elizabeth. Not for a moment did Elizabeth believe the truth or sincerity of Caroline Bingley's "advice." She wondered what it would take for Caroline Bingley to realize that she had no chance. Though Elizabeth did not really for sure know how Mr. Darcy felt about Miss Bingley, she did reason that if Mr. Darcy had any feelings for the woman he probably would have acted upon them by now, especially after all these years.

"Mr. Darcy has always been all kindness and gentlemanly with me," Elizabeth shot back. "He has always treated me with the utmost respect and esteem, and as such I will give him the same deference. I daresay I am old enough to be a good judge of character," Elizabeth gave Caroline a pointed look.

"Until Mr. Darcy gives me reason to believe otherwise, I will not accept idle gossip as truth. It would be injudicious of me to turn a cold shoulder on a man without giving him an opportunity to defend himself, don't you think?"

Caroline had nothing left to say. She had played her last card and clearly lost. With a sinking heart, she realized that she would have to retreat and reevaluate her battle attack.

Elizabeth nodded knowingly. "If you will excuse me, Miss Bingley. I suddenly find that I have a piercing headache. If you do not mind, I will not accompany you back to the ballroom."

Elizabeth swept up the stairwell without a backward glance, dancing a merry jig along the way at having bested the poisonous serpent.

Fitzwilliam Darcy could have damned himself to perdition for having scared Elizabeth like that. Why, just that evening, while he was dressing for the ball, he had promised himself that he would take things slowly and not rush matters. Georgiana had reassured him that Elizabeth was not going anywhere, so he knew he had time. But, when he had held her in his arms, he had lost all control and he could not stop himself from showing her all that he felt in his eyes.

And now he had scared her away with his precipitous overtures.

Well, Darcy was not going to let her get away so easily. Now that the first card had been dealt, he and Elizabeth would deal the rest of them until they reached an understanding. He started across the ballroom, following in Elizabeth's path. Unfortunately, Elizabeth had the advantage of being a virtual unknown.

As the host, as a member of society who had been conspicuously absent from the recent functions, it seemed like everyone wanted to stop and have a word with him. One person wanted to compliment him on a fine evening planned; Darcy told her he would pass along the compliments to his sister. Another person wanted to know how he had found France; Darcy put it succinctly and told him that he found France to be utterly French. He put on his haughty attitude to scare away any others who dared to stop him; unfortunately, there were those few who did dare.

Since Darcy had to put up with what seemed to him to be every guest before he could catch up with Elizabeth, he was surprised to find that she had not yet already disappeared. It was then that he realized she had not disappeared because she was talking to someone. He halted mid-step, hiding himself, trying to discern the identity of the other speaker. His fists relaxed and unfurled when the other speaker spoke with a feminine lilt to her voice. His stomach had instantly tensed at the thought of Elizabeth having an assignation with another man. He took deep breaths, calming himself down.

Darcy was about to walk in on the conversation and beg an audience with Elizabeth when he realized with a start that the other speaker's voice belonged to none other than Caroline Bingley. Now what was that woman up to?

Darcy had been surprised to see her name on the guest list, but he had supposed that Georgiana had invited her out of respect of his friendship with Charles and did not say a word. As he eavesdropped and heard more of Caroline and Elizabeth's conversation, he began to wish that he had had the foresight to inform Georgiana about his last run-in with Caroline Bingley. There was no way his sister would have invited Caroline Bingley if she had known about that.

Darcy was livid when he heard Caroline's thin attempts to malign his good name. Not want to marry, indeed! If only she knew, he thought.

Oh, Darcy had every intention of remarrying if luck would be on his side, only the bride would not be Caroline Bingley.

If Darcy was furious one moment, he was pacified the next. Elizabeth's staunch support of his character did more for him than anything else. His heart soared to great heights to hear her defend him in such a forceful manner. Darcy grinned; all was not lost. Perhaps luck would hold out for him after all. They had certainly come a long way from their first impressions of one another.

Filled with hope for the impossible, Darcy did not try and stop her a second time, letting Elizabeth go. Buffeted by what he had just heard, he knew he had not ruined things earlier in the evening after all. In the meantime, he had other matters to take care of.

"Miss Bingley," Darcy called out quietly, stepping out from the shadows. "I am surprised to see you out here all alone. I would have thought that you would be in the ballroom, no doubt swept off your feet by some eager and devoted gentleman by now."

For the briefest of moments, Caroline knew panic. She wondered if he had overheard any of the conversation between her and Elizabeth Bennet. From his comments, it did not appear to be so. She let herself relax.

"Mr. Darcy," she called out in a sugary voice. "What a pleasant surprise, for I was looking for you."

Both knew she was lying.

"In the hallway?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Mrs. Marchmont swore she had seen you come this way," Caroline hurried to recall someone she remembered seeing amidst the crush.

"Interesting..." Darcy mused, "for I do believe I just had words with Mrs. Marchmont before I came out here, and do you know, she did not seem the least bit surprised that I was not out in the hallway?"

Caroline bit her lips for an explanation, and then said slowly, "She must have realized by then that she had made a mistake. But how on earth she could have made such a mistake, I do not know! I should never mistake another man for you, Mr. Darcy!" The flattering compliments guaranteed to make a man's ego swell were just a little too fake and enthusiastically given to suit Mr. Darcy's taste.

"Come, Miss Bingley, let us be honest with one another. We have known each other for too many years, and know each other too well, to play such games."

"Games, Mr. Darcy?"

If you only knew what sort of games I would like to play with you, Caroline ran a tongue across her upper lip. I promise we would know each other even better then.

Darcy did not bother to beat about the bush. "You and I both know that you were not looking for me."

Caroline's hand crept slowly to her throat.

"In fact, it is Miss Bennet you were looking for."

Caroline squawked. "I am not sure what you mean, Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet and I happened to meet by chance."

"Oh?" Darcy was in disbelief that she would even continue to try and uphold this charade.

"Uh... yes, we were merely reacquainting ourselves with one another after so many years. I was so surprised to see her here. Miss Bennet has not changed at all since I last saw her."

Darcy wondered if that was supposed to be a compliment or not.

"Indeed she has not," Darcy agreed. "Miss Bennet is still the same lovely and delightful person she has always been." He took great delight in knowing that his honestly felt words were also giving Caroline a lot of pain. He hoped his words were as powerful and lethal as a knife twisting in one's side.

Caroline's mouth opened and closed, like a fish trying to breathe.

"I confess, Miss Bingley, I am a little surprised. I did not realize that you and Miss Bennet were so well acquainted."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Well, it is just that I heard you telling Miss Bennet that you wanted to give her a piece of advice, as an old friend, and I never knew you were so intimate. Surely only the dearest of friends would presume to give advices to one another."

Caroline blushed crimson red from the tip of her toes to the ends of her hair. She realized that Mr. Darcy had indeed heard every word of her conversation with Miss Bennet, and he was far from pleased. If she were not such a lady, she would have cursed right then and there. Instead, she thought them in her head and directed them all towards Elizabeth Bennet. Surely everything was always her fault.

"I see you finally know what I mean," Darcy said. "Now let me say a few more words so that we may be perfectly clear on where you stand with me. I thought I had made that clear in London, but apparently I did not. So I let me rectify the matter now."

"Putting it simply, you have no standing with me, Miss Bingley. You never have, and you never will. I have no idea why Georgiana saw fit to invite you to the ball; I am sure, however, that it was not out of any great desire for your company," Darcy let the effect of his words slide over Caroline, knowing that he was paying her back for using his sister against Elizabeth earlier.

"I suppose she thought you should be invited since you are sister to Charles and aunt to Mary. Thank goodness for all of us that I have not the conscience that my sister has. I have no scruples in turning you out of my house in spite of your relations to my best friend and ward, especially when I have done it before."

Caroline, who had been dazed into silence, now gasped. She was being turned out of Pemberley. Impossible!

"Believe me, Miss Bingley. I would have you out of my house and out of my life, forever, starting from tonight."

"But..."

"I refuse to stand by and watch you try and run my life and ruin other's when you have no standing to do so. I am sorry Miss Bingley, but really you brought this on yourself. I understand that you have no time to pack, so I will have your maid do the packing for you and send your things after you tomorrow. I will even pay for the expenses," Darcy sneered.

"But... You cannot... What will people... What will I...?"

Darcy was oddly amused by Caroline's inability to complete her sentences. He liked seeing her flushed and disconcerted, he decided. Darcy yawned as though he were bored, "If you do not mind, I would appreciate it if you hurried to be gone. I must return to my guests and I suddenly find that I cannot stand your presence any more than is necessary. I believe you know the house well enough that you can find your way to the door. Please do not make me have to kick you out, Miss Bingley."

As he turned away, Caroline trembled, her world shattering around her. How had it come to this? Where had she gone wrong? For years she had primped and preened, waited, schemed, sacrificed, and for what? For a man who was so blind he could not see sophistication if it stared him in his face? For a man who was so tasteless he wanted nothing more than a country nobody? For nothing! Caroline snapped, and leapt at his back like a madwoman.

Darcy turned around instinctively, not the least bit caught off guard. Catching her against the wall in a prison-like trap, his temper turned menacing. "Do not push me," he warned in a low voice. "You will not like it, I promise."

Caroline trembled and whimpered, knowing real fear for the first time in her life, so Darcy released her. "Hells, Caroline, can you not see how wrong you are for me? You always bring out the worst in me. Now, please, just go."

Darcy tugged his coat jacket straight and picked at his sleeves, waiting for her to move. When she finally did, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was bad enough having to kick her out as he did, he did not want to have to make it worse. He wondered what Charles would say. Darcy sighed. He would worry about that later. He had other things to consider... like Elizabeth.

Although Elizabeth normally dressed and undressed herself, the state of her ball gown was such that she needed assistance in removing it from her person without harming it in any way. Just as she was about to ring for the maid, there was a knock at her door. It was amazing how well the Pemberley staff anticipated the needs of its guests, Elizabeth thought.

Crossing the room, Elizabeth opened the door and was stunned a second time this evening.

"You took off so quickly I never got to tell you how lovely you look this evening." Shell-shocked, Elizabeth said nary a word, so Darcy continued. "I hope you weren't retiring for the evening, it's just begun."

"I was planning on it," Elizabeth finally said, her eyes downcast.

"I see."

Silence ensued as the star-crossed pair stood in the doorway each wanting to say something, but not knowing what.

It was Darcy who eventually broke the silence as he took Elizabeth's hand and said, "Come."

Surprised, Elizabeth allowed herself to be dragged down the back stairs and out of the house. "Where are we going?" she asked breathlessly as she struggled to match Darcy's longer stride. Darcy would not answer her, he only continued down his path.

When they arrived at their destination, he turned to her and placed his hands on her shoulder. "Here," he finally answered, "Where it all began."

"No," he amended, dropping his hands so that they hung limply by his side, "for it began much earlier than here. But it was here that I first felt hope that you might feel the same as I did."

Elizabeth's breath hitched in hopes of what Darcy would say.

Scared, Darcy wasn't sure how he was to begin. "No, wait," he paused, "before I begin, I just have to know. Are you going to run away from me again right now?"

"I," Elizabeth leapt to say. Then, her cheeks blushing a becoming rose, she turned mute and shook her head instead. Besides, even if Elizabeth had wanted to run, she couldn't. Her legs were rooted to the spot.

"No? Good." Darcy exhaled a sigh of relief. That she was willing to stay and hear what he had to say was definitely a good sign.

Darcy hesitated a good while, struggling to find the perfect words to express everything he had ever felt for Elizabeth. How could he put into words the depths of his emotions? How could he explain the actions of his past? How could he ask for her forgiveness and more importantly, her love?

In the end, he did what came naturally to him. He gazed into her eyes and cupped her cheek. "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, do you know how much I love you?"

Elizabeth could scarcely believe it. It was true! Everything Georgiana had told her was the truth. Tears of joy and disbelief running down her face, Elizabeth stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, giving him the answer he desired. Bouts of relief wracked through the both of them.

"Oh, Elizabeth," Darcy breathed into her hair, his lips gently feathering over her forehead. "Tell me this is real."

"Tell me this is real," she implored in turn.

Darcy gently pried himself away so that she could look into his eyes and see the truth for herself. Hazel eyes meeting hazel eyes, their fingers touched, slid, twined.

"My heart," he told her, "has always been yours to have and to hold."

Any doubts that Darcy might have had that Elizabeth had ever felt differently were erased when he leaned forward and claimed his kiss. The sweet, perfect kiss.

There would be time to explain past misunderstandings in the future, but for now, the two lovers were simply content to embrace one another and revel in their newly found and shared love.

As Elizabeth tucked her head into the cranny below Darcy's neck, a tinkling of wind chimes sounded and was immediately followed by a silvery sort of laughter, which Darcy recognized to be Anne's. Looking past Elizabeth's shoulder, Darcy witnessed the faint outline of a figure clothed in white. She looked pleased. And she was waving as if to say good-bye.

The apparition went as quickly as it came. It would be the last time Darcy ever saw her, even in his dreams.

Darcy closed his eyes, hugged Elizabeth closer, and breathed in the heady smell of the sweet fresh air. The soft, subtle aroma of the blooming roses tantalized their senses as the gentle summer breeze danced over their skins, caressing them with its warmth. The chirping crickets and deep-throated sounds of nearby frogs serenaded them as they embraced. Everywhere around them, nature clamored to be seen and heard.

The Secret Garden, having lain dormant for so many years, had finally come alive.

Epilogue

Reclining on the grass under the shady arbor, Elizabeth watched her sister Jane pour a second, tall glass of lemonade. She licked her lips and smiled appreciatively as Jane held it out to her.

"Thank you. Lord, I am so parched this morning."

Jane smiled demurely. She and her husband Charles were visiting Pemberley along with their daughter Mary. Ever since their return from India, it had become an annual tradition to spend at least one part of the summer with the Darcy's, even though the Bingley's lived nearby on an estate that was within a day's traveling distance.

"Where is Mr. Darcy this morning?" she asked. No sooner had Jane made her query did the man in question appear in the doorway of the garden.

Though the walls still stood as a testament to the years passed by, gone was the wooden door that had once barricaded the garden from outside visitors. Nowadays the archway was adorned with climbing roses that wove their way around lattice trellises and other ivy vines that had been growing there for years.

Darcy looked around and smiled in satisfaction, enjoying the scene before him. His eyes lit with pleasure as they rested upon his sweet's wife form, lying on the ground without a single care. Darcy was wont to tease his wife about being the only lady of the ton who could claim an entire closet full of grass-stained dresses.

A small bundle of arms and legs careened into his legs without warning, and almost sent Darcy tumbling backwards. Chuckling, Darcy braced himself and then bent over. After some manipulation on his part, he managed to pluck the small child from his right leg and hefted his daughter into his arms.

"Well, hello to you too, Danielle."

"Hello, Papa," was Danielle Darcy's muffled reply, as she shyly hid her face into the crook of her father's neck.

"Have you been a good girl this morning?" Darcy asked. His daughter nodded her head.

"Really?" he continued in disbelief. Darcy knew how rambunctious the cousins could all be when they gathered to play in the Secret Garden.

"Yes," Danielle lisped. "I even shared my doll with Jen-fer like Mama told me to."

"Did you?"

Being the same age as her cousin, Jennifer Fitzwilliam, was both a good thing and a bad thing. While Danielle and Jennifer got along well for the most part, occasional squabbles over toys and attention could send the cousins into tiny snits that took their parents forever to unravel.

"Uh-huh. And look, Papa. I gots a boo-boo." Danielle grandly held up her elbow to show-off her battle scars.

Darcy made the appropriate sympathetic sounds and asked, "How did that happen?"

"Jen-fer and I was running, then she twipped and then I twipped over her. Cowin kissed my boo-boo," she informed her father.

"Did he?"

"Uh-huh. Jen-fer cwied a lot, but I didn't cwy, Papa." Danielle shook her head emphatically to demonstrate that she had not cried. "Mama says I was very bwave."

"My little girl is growing up," Darcy said proudly.

She was not the only one growing up far too fast for his liking, Darcy reflected. As he carried Danielle over to Elizabeth, he watched his son, Colin, fencing with his cousin, Dickon, in the far corner of the garden. In several weeks, Colin would be leaving home for Eton, where Dickon had already been a pupil for one year. It would be good for Colin to know someone familiar while away from home, Darcy thought. It would certainly put Elizabeth more at ease; he knew she was feeling especially anxious at the prospect of Colin leaving the nest.

As for himself, Darcy had mixed feelings. Though he was proud that his son would soon be following in the grand, Darcy tradition of attending the hallowed school of Eton, he also knew that he would miss his son a great deal. Father and son had come a long way since Colin's early childhood. Along with Elizabeth, they had become a real family.

When Danielle had come along a year later, Colin had relished his role as the doting, elder brother. More importantly, ever since his last trip to France, Darcy had stuck by his promise of never being away from Colin for more than a few days at most. It would be very hard indeed, Darcy reflected, to send his son off to Eton in a few weeks.

Mary Bingley turned around from the fencing match, saw her uncle, and smiled. Stepping away from the boys, she met Darcy halfway and relieved him of his gentle burden. "I'll take her for you, Uncle Fitzwilliam."

"Are you sure?"

Mary shrugged. "I was getting tired of watching Dickon and Colin anyways. They never let me fence," she complained.

Darcy grinned, and simply said, "Thank you, Mary."

He knew how much his niece enjoyed engaging in sports that were often considered strictly male. Her spirit and somewhat peculiar inclinations were constant reminders of his wife.

"Mary, would you please make sure that Danielle's hair isn't all knotted and tangled?" Elizabeth called out, seeing that her niece was about to take Danielle and rejoin Jennifer by the water fountain where the girls had taken to floating boats made out of rose petals. "Her ribbons look like they have come undone."

"I will, Aunt Elizabeth," Mary called back.

"She's growing to be a fine, young woman," Darcy complimented Jane as he eased himself downside by his wife.

"Yes, she is, isn't she?" Jane said. "She's become much more grounded as she matures. She's not quite the little rapscallion Charles and I knew when we were living in India. We are so relieved."

"I always knew she would turn out beautifully," Elizabeth spoke with great authority. "After all, just because one happens to be especially exuberant and headstrong in their youth does not mean that he or she will still be overly energetic in their adulthood."

Darcy exchanged amused glances with his sister-in-law over Elizabeth's head. "And just because one happens to be especially exuberant and headstrong in their youth does not mean that he or she will not still be overly energetic in their adulthood either," he teased his wife.

"Are you mocking me?" Elizabeth demanded to know, twisting around in her reposed position so she could confront her husband.

Jane hid her laughter behind averted glances and a polite cough, and said, "I think I shall leave you two before you drag me into one of your little quibbles."

"We do not quibble," Elizabeth sniffed, watching her sister join her husband who was supposed to be watching the two younger girls, but was actually reading a book.

"Yes we do," Darcy countered.

"No we do not," Elizabeth pouted, crossing her arms in front with such an air of finality to the matter that it made Darcy smile.

"Fine, we never quibble. Happy?" Elizabeth nodded her head.

Darcy shifted his body so that Elizabeth could move closer and lay her head in her husband's lap. "Tired?" he asked.

Elizabeth nodded her head somewhat drowsily. For a person who tired easily these days, the sun had an especially hypnotic effect on her.

Darcy absently stroked his wife's hair as he took in the scenery before him. What he saw was much more than just friends and family scattered around the garden, chattering happily to one another. What he saw was love. Endless love, that flowed from all the various forms of life.

It never ceased to amaze Darcy how much his life had changed ever since Elizabeth had reentered it. And it was not just Pemberley that had changed; he had changed as well.

"Did you ever think that it would one day be like this?" Darcy asked his wife wondrously in a whisper.

When Elizabeth did not answer, he guessed that she must have fallen asleep. Smiling indulgently, he shifted himself into a more comfortable position and closed his own eyes, preparing to join his wife in her nap.

After a while though, Elizabeth surprised Darcy by blindly reaching around to grab his hand. As his eyes came fluttering open, she twined their fingers and wrapped his arm around her so that their joined hands would rest along her stomach, where it was just beginning to show the telltale signs of swelling.

In a very low voice, her story began:

"There once was a garden, so beautiful and so complete that it was known throughout the countryside for its spellbinding effects. It was universally acknowledged that no other garden was equal to this one in either grandeur or size. The grounds were as exceptional as they could come and the woods were some of the finest in the country..."

The End