Beginning, Section II, End Section

Chapter 15

Mr. Darcy stood in the middle of the room with Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Mr. Collins's face held such a look of joy that Elizabeth wondered for a horrible instant if her father had died, but Charlotte's look was also one of great pleasure which immediately eased her worry.

Elizabeth's pulse raced with anticipation.

"Miss Bennet." Mr. Darcy greeted her with a deep bow. He wore his scowl, and she did not know what to make of it. Her stomach flipped and she curtsied, then could not raise her eyes to his.

"Cousin Elizabeth," said Mr. Collins, "Mr. Darcy, Lady Catherine DeBourgh's nephew and one of the most illustrious personages in the land, has vouchsafed us the greatest honor. He has condescended to pay us this visit even before stopping to visit his noble aunt." He paused for a moment in confusion. "Not that Lady Catherine is not of course so much more deserving of his attention than our humble party . . ." His face changed again, and a look of fear overcame him. "Not of course that you, Mr. Darcy, could be in error on such a matter of propriety, for I know that you are of such an ancient, aristocratic family, of noble . . ."

"Yes," interrupted Mr. Darcy, with a look of irritated amazement. "Thank you, sir, for this extravagant welcome. I have come to speak to your cousin, if I may."

He turned to Elizabeth with his scowl back in place. "I bring news of your sister, Miss Elizabeth. She is well, as are all your relations at Gracechurch Street. If you have a moment, may we walk outside to my curricle? She has asked me to give something to you. Please," he said to every one else in the room, "we will just be a moment."

Before the astonished gazes of the others, Mr. Darcy escorted Elizabeth out to his curricle. They stood beside it, in full view of the drawing room windows, facing each other.

"Well, my love," he said, and Elizabeth's smile broke like the dawn, "I did not precisely lie. Your sister did suggest I come here earlier than scheduled to give you this."

He held out his empty hand and smiled, showing his dimples for the first time. Elizabeth laughed as she took it in hers. She turned it over and examined it. "I have always wanted one of these."

"Then please take mine," he said earnestly. "Take my hand. You already have my heart, dear Elizabeth. Please marry me."

"Oh, yes!" she cried, and just stopped herself from jumping into his arms.

His delight was greater than she had ever seen as he kissed the palms of both her hands. "You have made me the happiest man in the world. My dearest beloved."

Suddenly they heard a crash and turned toward the house. Charlotte and Maria stood in the drawing room staring out the window open-mouthed, but Mr. Collins was nowhere in sight. Then the two women cast shocked glances down at the floor between them before stooping down to help the pastor to his feet. He immediately banged on the window and shouted, "Cousin Elizabeth, please come inside. I wish to speak to you."

Charlotte then grabbed her husband's arm and shook a finger at him while voicing, Elizabeth suspected, her opinion on the matter.

"Oh dear," said Elizabeth happily. "What have you wrought, sir?"

"Is he drunk again?"

She laughed and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. The argument inside immediately stopped as all in the room once again stared outside with mouths agape.

"But my family," Elizabeth said. "Have you come to terms with the behavior of my family?" She could not have said ‘no' to him if her life had depended on it, but she still feared this aspect of their life together.

He laughed ruefully and said, "Come to terms? I am not sure about that, but do you remember my little speech about tolerance? How I would have to learn to tolerate your family?"

She nodded and could not stop herself from asking with a saucy grin, "Do you now suppose them tolerable?"

"My God, do not do that when I cannot kiss you!"

"Do what?" she asked, unrepentant.

"Elizabeth," he growled, "I will wipe that smile off your face with my lips."

The corners of her mouth turned downward, and she said in a low, somber voice, "Is this adequately dour, Mr. Darcy, or should I wear a black veil?"

"Good God," he muttered as he dragged her by the hand around to the side of the house, away from any windows. He held her by the arms and kissed her. She began giggling against his lips, so he redoubled his efforts; her mouth soon opened and their tongues met in an eager dance.

"Oh," she gasped, "Fitzwilliam, I have missed your kisses."

He pulled her tightly to him for another kiss. The feel of his firm body imprinted itself on hers, and she moaned as an unfamiliar need began to build within her. Now is the time, she instinctively knew, to stop this!

She pushed him away. They stood for a moment facing each other while they shook with deep, ragged breaths.

"Mr. Darcy," she said in an exasperated tone, "how can I help but smile after that!" She put a hand on his chest to stop his immediate movement towards her. She again asked, "But what of my family?"

"Yes," he said as he recollected himself, "yes, your family. Tolerance. I was speaking of tolerance. Well." He held the back of his hand to his mouth for a moment. "As I went about my business in Town the last few days--in a decidedly distracted manner, mind you--I was deeply troubled by the possible behavior of a family member, one of my own. I have become greatly concerned about Lady Catherine's reaction to our engagement, Elizabeth. She knows not how to regulate her behavior, she is as selfish a woman as has ever lived. Next to her, your mother is a saint!"

She reached out and took his hand in hers. "She can not be as bad as all that."

"Just wait," he said ominously. "So when it comes down to it, you have to tolerate the bad behavior of myself and my family. I need only tolerate your family, since as you were kind enough to point out, your faults are quite insignificant."

She laughed and his gaze darkened. He flashed her a warning look before continuing. "The equation, you see, favors you most decidedly. It is humbling to realize that it is a good thing I have Pemberley and 10,000 a year to throw into the balance!"

Again fighting the urge to jump into his arms, she said quietly, "I really do have faults, you know. I worry when you make me sound perfect, because I am not and you can only be disappointed."

"Ha! Do I not know of your faults? You are vain, you are quick to judge, you have a temper."

She looked at her feet and thought, Well, I asked for it! Then she felt his hand lifting her chin.

"Dearest Elizabeth, you do have faults, of course, but your faults are the faults of your virtues. You are vain because you care about others' opinions; you are quick to judge because you are confident; and you have a temper because you abhor injustice and always leap to the defense of your friends and loved ones." He swallowed hard and said, "You, madam, are wholly admirable."

She said tenderly, "I do not need Pemberley or 10,000 a year to marry you."

His dimples flashed, overwhelming her self-control. She launched herself into his embrace and planted her mouth on his in an urgent kiss.

Chapter 16

"Now what," Elizabeth asked him when they separated. "I am unfamiliar with the process."

"This is a first for me as well, you know. We need your father's consent. I will visit Longbourn tomorrow. I imagine this will be something of a surprise."

Elizabeth‘s smile disappeared and his immediately followed. "More like a shock," she said. "He only knows that a few days ago I did not care for you."

"Will he refuse?"

"Not if I can convince him that I chose you for the right reasons. I will write him a letter for you to deliver."

"What are the right reasons?"

"Respect and affection. Not money, regardless of what my mother says. You may have noticed that my parents do not have a very good marriage. I think it would hurt my father to see me in a similar situation. That is why he would not force me to marry Mr. Collins." Elizabeth again smiled happily, in spite of the melancholy turn in their conversation. She had only ever discussed such things with Jane, but after all he had told her of himself and his family, of his dear sister's trials, she felt able to confide in Mr. Darcy.

It was as though a bright new world was opening to her. It was utterly delightful. He was utterly delightful.

"So it was Collins you refused," he said with a disbelieving shake of his head. "I should have known from the way he was sniffing around you at the Netherfield ball."

"I am not a dog, Fitzwilliam. Young men do not sniff around me."

"They had better not." He kissed her lightly. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "on the one hand I wonder at my bad luck that with all the fathers in England who would love for me to ask for their daughter's hand, I had to fall in love with the daughter of Mr. Bennet of Longbourn. On the other hand, if not for your father you would now be Mrs. Collins." They both shuddered. "Tell me you can convince him."

She rubbed his arm. "I am sure I can. It will be an interesting letter, and I will have to leave quite a bit out," she smirked at him, "but he will probably read between the lines. He is quite clever--like you."

He considered her with a frown for half a minute after this, until she could stand it no more. "What is it? What are you thinking? I must have my part in it!"

Mr. Darcy laughed. "With such a dead-on imitation of aunt Catherine, you are practically a member of my family already. I was wondering why you do not tell your father in person."

"Because he is fifty miles away!" she cried in astonishment.

"What is fifty miles of good road? It's an easy distance."

"Easy for you perhaps." She glanced at his curricle and team of grays. "When would we leave? How long would we be gone? I can't take much with me on that thing."

"We leave right away--or as quickly as you can pack--and I will take you to Gracechurch Street. We will be there before dark. Then tomorrow I will take you to Longbourn." He grinned. "And how much does one need to pack for a curricle ride? As I understand it, sturdy shoes and a magnum of champagne generally suffice."

She laughed. "You do not need champagne, Mr. Darcy. You only need bring yourself and my virtue is in danger."

His eyes opened wide and his neck and cheeks colored. Overtaken by an urge to touch him, she put her hand behind his neck, pulled his head down and kissed him thoroughly.

"Tell me," he gasped, "that you do not want a long engagement!"

"That would seem to be the height of folly. I am afraid that I spoke very closely to the truth about my virtue being in danger." She shook her head. "It is really quite remarkable. I have never had difficulty behaving properly before--I've even been known to beat up young men for making improper advances."

"Are there many damaged curricles in Hertfordshire, Miss Bennet?"

"I can hardly claim, Mr. Darcy, to have inspected all the curricles in Meryton, let alone Hertfordshire." She stood on her toes and whispered in his ear, "But having admired yours from a distance for some time, I am anxious for a closer perusal."

There was no telling where that comment might have led had they not seen a farm cart rolling slowly down the lane in front of the parsonage. They reluctantly separated by a few feet.

They stared at each other until Elizabeth, to defuse the tension, asked, "When did you see Jane?"

"She and Georginia have visited each other almost every day since you left, either at Darcy House or Gracechurch Street. I saw her several times." He cleared his throat. "Yesterday I got some things off my chest. I told her about my interference with Bingley. She actually forgave me, just like that--he was right, she really is an angel. I also told her that I loved you and would offer you marriage in two weeks."

He shook his head and chuckled. "She said, ‘Do not be a fool, Mr. Darcy. Why wait? Go to her tomorrow and offer her your hand.' I have grown rather fond of Miss Bennet."

"So you do like beautiful women."

"Indeed. That is why I am engaged to the most beautiful of the Bennet sisters." He gently toyed with her cross for a moment. "We must go back inside. We are in danger of perpetrating a gross impropriety out here all alone. And you need to pack."

He had actually humbled himself to Jane! Oh yes, Elizabeth thought, Fitzwilliam's virtues put my virtue in very real danger! They would walk a fine line until their wedding, but afterwards! She shivered from excitement as he escorted her inside the parsonage.

They found Charlotte and Maria alone in the drawing room. Charlotte smiled at them with bright eyes. Maria watched them with a look of sheer amazement.

"Well, Mr. Darcy," Charlotte said, "was Elizabeth happy with your delivery?"

"I can not speak for Miss Bennet, Mrs. Collins, but I am rather pleased." He looked rather pleased.

Elizabeth said, "I am returning with Mr. Darcy to London now, Charlotte."

Charlotte hugged her. "Oh, Eliza, I am so happy for you! And you too, Mr. Darcy. As my father would say, you are carrying away Hertfordshire's brightest jewel!"

He laughed happily and Charlotte and Maria stared at him in shock. He said, "We would like to keep the secret until we receive Mr. Bennet's blessing. I am sure you understand that I want to personally tell my aunt and cousin, but I am reluctant to do so until it is official."

The two sisters shared a worried look.

"Mr. Darcy," Charlotte said, "I am very sorry, sir, but I am afraid that is not to be. While you were outside, my husband," she said the word with considerable distaste, "hurried off to Rosings to inform her ladyship of your arrival. No doubt he will share all the circumstances."

Mr. Darcy walked to the window and scowled out at the yard. He twisted his signet ring behind his back and sighed. Elizabeth felt ashamed of her cousin--what a fool Charlotte had married. But she was surprised to feel no personal shame. She saw its absence as a symptom of her confidence in Mr. Darcy's affections. He held no illusions about her family, and this behavior was only what should have been expected from Mr. Collins. The whole business only affected her as it hurt him.

She was not surprised when he turned to them and said, "This is my fault. I had intended to speak to him first, to let him know where his interests lie and ask him to keep our secret. I delayed overlong outside."

"His interests?" asked Elizabeth with a blush at the memory of what had delayed him.

"He is loyal to my aunt for her patronage." He shrugged. "I--we--have more to give."

"You would bribe a man of the cloth, Mr. Darcy?"

"Not at all, madam," he smirked, "I would merely explain the situation fully."

"Ah, yes, 10,000 a year."

With a parting grin, Elizabeth went upstairs where she packed lightly and changed into a traveling outfit. In a half hour they were on the road to London.

Chapter 17

Their trip to Gracechurch Street was a joy for Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy was happy, she was happy and the weather was beautiful. They conversed easily and they kissed tenderly, and they tried to exercise moderation--it seemed very unwise to compromise her virtue on the high road to London.

"I meant it when I suggested a short engagement, Lizzy," Mr. Darcy said to her after a particularly tender kiss.

"You called me Lizzy!" She kissed him again in delight. "How lovely it sounds. What do people call you? Is it always ‘Fitzwilliam'? Is there not room for just a ‘Fitz' or a ‘William'?" She giggled at his smile. "Or perhaps ‘Fitzwillie'?"

"For heaven's sake, stop before you get to ‘Fitzybill'!" They laughed. "All anybody ever calls me is ‘Darcy' or ‘Fitzwilliam'. Well, Georgiana calls me 'brother', but I don't suggest you use that."

"Then what should I call you? I cannot see myself calling you ‘Fitzwilliam' all the time, and I refuse to call you ‘Darcy'--you might confuse me with Mr. Bingley."

"Little chance of that. He hides his cross behind his cravat. And for some reason, even when it's visible--when we are fencing, for instance--it does not seem to draw the eye as yours does."

"I will certainly rest easier tonight with the knowledge that you can so easily distinguish me from Mr. Bingley! But a name, sir. What shall I call you?"

He thought for a moment, then said, "Let us try an experiment. Call my name, right now before thinking about it."

"Mr. Darcy!" she shouted laughingly.

"Oh, no! I will not have cries of ‘Mr. Darcy' ringing through my bedchamber." He laughed at her blush, leaned closer and ran his finger along the soft flesh at the neckline of her spencer. In a low voice he asked, "In passion, madam, what will you cry? Will it be ‘Mr. Darcy'? Do you think of me with so little tenderness? Should I call you ‘Miss Bennet' as I express my love on our wedding night?"

Elizabeth, by now head to foot bright red, grinned saucily. "Indeed not--I hope you call me ‘Mrs. Darcy'!"

He smiled but was clearly disappointed at her answer, so she said, "I believe you are my dear, sweet love by any name. You are mine, and that is what matters." She placed a hand on his thigh and leaned in for a kiss. "However, I am not so certain that a short engagement is a good idea."

At his crestfallen look, she continued hurriedly, "Remember that we have only been in this state a few days. I do not know you nearly as well as I should like to before we are married. Should we not have a season of courtship, a time to discover each other?"

"I feel as though I already know you, Elizabeth. But I can understand that you would not feel the same. You have always been open with me, always behaved as yourself, while I expended a great deal of effort for almost our entire acquaintance hiding myself from you."

"I have found you now, sir, and that is what counts. But I want to know you better."

He said quietly, "Are you having second thoughts so soon?"

"I am not having second thoughts, Fitzybill!" She was relieved to hear him laugh. "I will marry you, sir, you may be assured. But I want to know you better before moving into your home and combining our lives."

"It sounds as though you hope not to repent at leisure."

"There is probably an element of that, to be honest," she said thoughtfully. "But I no more expect to break our engagement in its tenth week than in its first. Still, let us not be stupid."

He sighed. "I understand. You are very sensible--it is one of the things I love about you. And if I am honest, I want a quick marriage simply to get you in my bed." They both colored violently. "Blood has apparently been flowing away from my brain again. Very well, no short engagement. How long should it be?"

"Three months?"

"So some time in June?" he said dolefully. "Heavens, that is a long way off. But it sounds reasonable. I suppose we can settle the exact date with your parents."

She smirked--he really was adorable when sulky. "That gives me time to say my farewells, buy clothes--Miss Bennet's wardrobe will not suit Mrs. Darcy, you know--pack my things, plan my move, etc."

"Yes, and I will have to get the settlements drawn up. And our housekeepers will have to prepare for a new Mrs. Darcy, and you must engage an Abigail. You will probably spend some time in Town, will you not? You must get a better look at our townhouse so I can make changes to suit you." His face suddenly lit up. "Pemberley! Can you visit Pemberley before our marriage?"

Elizabeth smiled delightedly. "Oh, that would be lovely. But will there be time? It would be foolish to spend a week traveling for a visit of just a few days. Of course, we can always have a five month engagement," she said with a wicked grin.

He laughed. "Pemberley can certainly wait--one must have one's priorities. Though I truly can not wait to show it to you. I planned to go there around the beginning of August. Bingley and his sisters are invited." His eyes rounded. "Perhaps Miss Bennet would like to visit as well? The more the merrier."

Elizabeth kissed his cheek. "Oh, Fitzwilliam, thank you! Jane deserves another chance with Mr. Bingley, though I have decided that he is sadly lacking in backbone."

"Their future is for them to decide. I should never have interfered." He took her hand and kissed it. "You know, Elizabeth, you will be Pemberley's mistress--you can invite whomever you choose."

"That will take some getting used to. To be mistress of such a great estate is not something I have ever before contemplated. It is a great responsibility."

"You have nothing to worry about. You are one of the cleverest people I know. Think of all the idiots who regularly handle such responsibilities. You will do very well, I am certain."

"Thank you." After a short silence, Elizabeth decided to broach a sensitive subject. "There is another reason for a long engagement. It will avoid talk of a scandalously hasty marriage."

"Time would prove that sort of speculation wrong."

Let us hope, she thought a little uneasily. She was not confident that she could abstain for three months in his presence. Mr. Darcy was a mighty temptation. The memory of all she'd seen and felt of him was so very compelling.

She swallowed her embarrassment and said, "I am worried, Fitzwilliam."

"What is it, my love?"

"I am resolved to do the right thing, to come to you on our wedding night as a virgin." He colored and swallowed, and she continued, "You must help me. I love you so much that I can easily give in to temptation. Please do not allow me to do that."

His eye rounded and his mouth fell open. He turned to face the road and suddenly his scowl returned. He straightened up in his seat, took the reins in both hands and said, "Certainly, my dear. I will help you in any way I can. I am very sorry if I have made it difficult for you."

Oh goodness, this was not what she'd had in mind! She wanted him to not take advantage of her lapses, not to withdraw. Now what? Wanting to bring him back, she placed her hand on his thigh again and said, "Um, darling, I do not believe you understand. I do not want to be separate from you or to never touch or kiss you, but I hope you will not take advantage of my fondness for you."

He sighed heavily and continued to scowl. Finally he said, "Elizabeth, if you move your hand another six inches this way, you will discover how difficult a thing it is that you ask of me. I ache for you, do you understand? I have a physical reaction to you that I cannot control, and as you fear you may give in to temptation, I also fear it."

As he spoke, she glanced to his lap and saw the hard evidence of his ache. She now hungered to touch it and her hand unconsciously squeezed his thigh.

"Oh, good God," he mumbled as he stopped the curricle and jumped out. He ran some distance and began pacing in his familiar way.

Elizabeth found herself very unhappy that he had left before she got her hand to its natural destination, before she grasped what she truly wanted.

But as she watched him pace, her own passion gradually cooled. She became embarrassed at her behavior. She had expected him to do what she could not, expected him to stave off temptation while she reveled in it. She had wanted to have her cake and eat it too.

No, this would not do! She would assume some responsibility. She would not kiss him whenever she felt the urge, she would not put her hand on his thigh just to feel his strength, and she would certainly not grab him there! Not for three months at any rate, she thought with a little smile.

When he returned to the curricle and climbed aboard, she said, "Please forgive me. I expected you to take all the responsibility for our behavior. That is unfair. You may depend on me to help you, as I hope you will help me."

"I am sorry as well," he said as he smiled and took up the reins. "But, Elizabeth, I long so much to express my love for you in a physical way, that to some extent I am at your mercy. Neither of us can expect the other to behave if we will not."

They rode in silence for a time. Elizabeth eventually said, "But I long to express myself physically as well. What can we do about this, Fitzwilliam?"

"My dear, I believe that when God created chaperones, he may have had us in mind."

Chapter 18

They pulled up in front of the Gardiners' house before nightfall, as Mr. Darcy had said they would. Back to the land of chaperones, Elizabeth thought with some relief. For the last part of the trip they had consciously limited themselves to holding and kissing hands. It had helped to keep their ardor cool while providing the comfort of physical contact they craved.

They had also begun to see the absurd humor of their situation. To have to fight to be good after so many years of effortless propriety was simply ridiculous, and by the time they reached Gracechurch Street their blushes often ended in laughter and shaking heads. As long as they did not overly tempt themselves by fondling crosses or squeezing thighs, they could laugh about it.

As they walked up the steps to the front door, another carriage pulled up behind the curricle. Mr. Darcy said, "That is my carriage."

The driver smiled and tipped his hat. "Sir," he called down, "didn't expect to see you here. We've brought Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley to the Gardiners' for dinner."

"Excellent," Mr. Darcy called up to the man.

He hurried to the carriage door just as the front door of the house opened to reveal Jane and Mrs. Gardiner. "Lizzy!" they cried in unison.

"Brother!" Miss Darcy said as he handed her out. "What are you doing here?"

Mrs. Gardiner took control of the confusion and ushered everyone indoors. When they were seated in the drawing room with glasses of wine, she said, "So, Lizzy, where did Mr. Darcy find you this time?"

When the general laughter had subsided, Elizabeth said, "Just where I was supposed to be, aunt, when my dear sister sent him to me."

Jane smiled sweetly while Miss Darcy said, "Is that what happened? I wondered why you left so abruptly, brother. Jane, what did you tell him?"

"I merely gave him some advice, Georgie. Sometimes men need our help to figure things out."

Mr. Gardiner entered the room and said from the doorway, "Feeling outnumbered, Mr. Darcy? Do not worry, sir, there are now two of us to stand against the feminine horde!" Then he saw Elizabeth. "Niece, what are you doing here?"

"I was just about to ask that," said Mrs. Gardiner. She turned to Elizabeth. "Well, dear?"

With a glowing smile, Elizabeth said, "I am staying here tonight, aunt, if I may. Then tomorrow Mr. Darcy and I will travel to Longbourn to speak with my father."

This caused an uproar the likes of which Gracechurch Street had seldom seen.

"Oh ho," said Mr. Gardiner merrily, "this was your secret mission, eh Darcy? Well then, sir, you must allow me to congratulate you--well done, I say, well done! I should have expected it would take a man like you to tame our Lizzy!"

"Uncle, I have hardly been tamed! Have I, Mr. Darcy?" she asked sweetly.

Mr. Darcy only blushed and shook his head in response, but his dimples never faded. His delight was manifested in his every look and action, and Elizabeth felt she had never been happier.

Miss Darcy said, "Miss Elizabeth, this is wonderful. I have always wanted a sister, and now I shall have five." She looked suddenly shocked at such bounty.

"Do not be too excited, Miss Darcy," Elizabeth said with a teasing grin, "my sisters are not all as wonderful as Jane and I."

"Nor am I," Miss Darcy said, a little too somberly for Elizabeth's taste.

"Oh," cried Elizabeth, "try telling that to Miss Bingley. I believe you are the epitome of an accomplished young lady as far as she is concerned. She would find such a remark highly blasphemous."

Suddenly Miss Darcy brightened and cried in delight, "I shall be the sixth Bennet sister!"

Almost under his breath, Mr. Darcy said, "You first need to develop a fondness for red coats."

Elizabeth gave him a reproachful look and he shrugged happily.

"How will you travel tomorrow, Lizzy?" Mr. Gardiner asked.

"I believe we will take Mr. Darcy's curricle," she said with a look to her fiancé who nodded with a smile. Oh well, she thought with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, so much for chaperones!

Mr. Gardiner nodded and asked, "How long will you be at Longbourn?"

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy looked at each other with raised brows. "We had not discussed anything beyond talking to Papa," she said.

"I do not believe I will stay longer than overnight," Mr. Darcy answered. "I have business with my attorney. And Lizzy," Elizabeth smiled delightedly, "do you think it wise to return to Kent? If we are to be married in three months, you probably ought not to stay at Hunsford for five more weeks."

"I suppose that is true. Perhaps I will stay at home and send to Charlotte for my things."

Mr. Gardiner then cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Darcy, may I have a word with you in my study?"

The two men went away for several minutes while the ladies continued their discussion of the happy news. When Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy returned, Mr. Darcy wore a more serious look. He went to Elizabeth and led her into the hallway at the foot of the stairs.

"Elizabeth, your uncle would prefer that we not travel to Longbourn alone together in my curricle."

"So, you had a serious discussion. Perhaps that is for the best. Something about your curricle, sir, affects my sense of propriety." Feeling daring with their relations in the next room, she whispered, "When you suggested I move my hand six inches, I very nearly did it."

His gaze darkened and his breathing seemed to stop. He looked into her eyes, then at the door to the drawing room, before dipping his head to kiss her on the mouth as his hand ran up her side to lightly graze her breast.

"Oh," she gasped.

"A simple reminder, my untamed tigress, that you may not tease me with impunity." He repeated his kiss, allowing his hand to linger at her bosom a moment longer, before taking a step back.

Elizabeth, feeling sure she would collapse, sat abruptly on the stairs. "Your warning is duly noted, Mr. Darcy." She shook her head and said, "This is only the first day! How are we to make it three months?"

"Perhaps less talk about moving hands and more time with chaperones would be good." He let out a sigh like a groan. "But in all honesty, I do not know how we will make it. What has happened to us?"

Suddenly they broke out in laughter. "That's better," said Elizabeth when they had calmed. "Let us see the humor of it. Honorable Mr. Darcy skulking in hallways like a schoolboy. Virtuous Lizzy Bennet thinking about--well, things best not mentioned."

She smirked, and they laughed again.

"Who is to be our chaperone?"

"You uncle suggested Georgiana, but Wickham may be in the neighborhood and I cannot countenance that, at least not just yet. I want to talk to her first and make sure she is comfortable with the idea."

"Of course, I understand. What about Jane?"

"That would be fine if she is to stay at Longbourn, but otherwise she would need a chaperone to return with me."

"Fitzwilliam, if we are to be married at Longbourn in June, Mr. Wickham will probably be in the area. If Miss Darcy is to attend our wedding she will chance seeing him. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to speak to her about it."

Elizabeth felt nervous advising him on his care of his sister, but she knew that would be part of her role as his wife. He would have to get used to it.

He looked very thoughtful for a time, then nodded slowly and said, "Very well. I will speak to her about it now. If she agrees, she can accompany us tomorrow. She does seem anxious to meet her new sisters." He grinned and caressed her cheek lightly before helping he to her feet.

While Mr. Darcy spoke to his sister in Mr. Gardiner's study, Elizabeth asked Jane about her visits with Miss Darcy.

"Oh, Lizzy, she will be a delightful sister. She is quite shy, but very accomplished and as sweet as can be."

"At least one member of the family will like me."

"His lordship will like you, I am sure. He seems very happy with our society. He accompanied Georgiana and I on several of our visits."

Mrs. Gardiner looked away to hide her smile, and Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "Jane," she said, "have you seen much of Lord Matlock?"

"Oh, Lizzy. Aunt, do you have any ideas for Lizzy's new wardrobe?"

Jane and men! Sometimes all Elizabeth could do was shake her head at the effect her big sister had on the male sex, and her apparent obliviousness to it all.

Mr. and Miss Darcy returned, with Miss Darcy looking resolute. It was decided that Miss Darcy would chaperone the lovers to Longbourn in the morning. Elizabeth would remain in Hertfordshire to begin wedding preparations, but the Darcys would only stay overnight and return to London on Wednesday. Elizabeth would have her things shipped home from Hunsford, and Mr. Darcy would arrange an appropriate escort for Maria Lucas when she decided to return home.

"I still plan to visit Rosings with Colonel Fitzwilliam for Easter," Mr. Darcy said. "However, there is a good possibility that visit will be indefinitely delayed. And I will write Bingley to request the use of Netherfield so that we do not have to continually impose on Longbourn until June. Who knows," he said with a glance at the now blushing Jane, "he may want to return to Hertfordshire for a visit of his own."

With a sly smile, Mrs. Gardiner said, "How fortunate, Mr. Darcy, that you rescued Lizzy the other day south of town. What happiness has resulted from that piece of chivalry. It is amazing, is it not, what a man can accomplish with his curricle?"

Mr. Darcy choked on his wine as his sister and Elizabeth rubbed his back.

"Let us go in to dinner," Mrs. Gardiner said innocently.

Chapter 19

Posted on Monday, 5 May 2008

Tuesday morning, Elizabeth sat in her uncle's window watching for the Darcy carriage. Anxiety nearly consumed her: anxiety over her father's reaction to Mr. Darcy's proposal; anxiety over Mr. Darcy's interactions with her mother and sisters; anxiety over getting to know Miss Darcy better; and anxiety over the possibility of encountering Mr. Wickham again.

It seemed likely to be a stressful couple of days.

Surprisingly, she was not anxious about maintaining proper behavior with her fiancé. They would never be alone this trip, if she knew her family, and Mr. Darcy's prescription of chaperonage would go into effect by default. She laughed and shook her head at her ambivalence--it was a relief to have temptation put effectively out of reach, but oh how she tingled at the thought of time alone with Mr. Darcy.

At last, about an hour after breakfast, the large Darcy carriage turned into the yard. Mr. Darcy himself rode alongside. Elizabeth leapt up from her seat, smoothed her dress, and went to the front hall to put on her pelisse and bonnet. She was checking herself in the mirror when a servant opened the front door and Mr. Darcy entered with a footman. His face lit up at the sight of her.

"Miss Bennet," he said taking her hand, "how are you this morning? You look very well."

She smiled back. "I am very well, sir. And you?"

"Quite well. Are you ready? Do you have any luggage? Georgiana and her maid are waiting in the carriage."

The footman took her bag out to the carriage as Mrs. Gardiner and Jane appeared from the kitchen and said their goodbyes.

"Remember us to your parents and sisters, Lizzy," her aunt said. Then she kissed her cheek and whispered, "It may be best, my dear, to tell your mother the happy news in private, if at all possible."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and nodded, and she and Mr. Darcy went outside.

In the yard, she nodded toward his horse. "Riding, Mr. Darcy? Will you forego the pleasure of hours of conversation between young ladies?"

She was truly disappointed that he would not be in the carriage. Her memories of their curricle rides were quite vivid, and she had looked forward to again being in his company in close quarters, though well-chaperoned

"Yes, it seemed best. I do not always fit easily into a closed carriage." He gestured to his long legs and Elizabeth colored. He bent closer and said softly, "And while touching knees with you all the way to Longbourn would indeed be a pleasure, it would not leave me in a state to be seen by my sister and her maid."

She felt the heat rising up her neck and gave him a mock scowl. "Sir, you cannot discompose me like this just before I see your sister. Let us wait here a moment, and say nothing to me about knees or crosses," he began to laugh, "or curricles!"

They chuckled and smiled together for a moment. Then she said more seriously, "I do wonder about you riding. My uncle said this morning that he thought the weather was about to turn."

"I will be fine."

"And if it rains?"

"I am no glutton for misery, my dear. I will join you in the carriage if the weather turns bad." He kissed her hand and smiled. "There, we had a serious discussion. Are you ready to join my sister now?"

She laughed and nodded, and he helped her into the carriage. They were soon on the road to Hertfordshire.

Elizabeth sat beside Miss Darcy and they made small talk about the weather and their families' health while Miss Darcy's maid, a plain, middle-aged woman named Clark, sat across from them and unobtrusively did needle work.

Miss Darcy's manner was more reserved than it had been the previous evening, and as time passed she became visibly agitated. She began to smooth her skirt and tie and re-tie her bonnet and play with her gloves. After a half-hour of this, she suddenly blurted, "Oh, Miss Bennet, what must you think of me!"

Clark looked up with concern as Elizabeth took Miss Darcy's hand and asked, "Miss Darcy, whatever is wrong?"

"My brother told me that you know about, well, about Ramsgate," she said quietly. "What must you think of me, of my behavior? What I did was so wrong, I nearly threw my life away."

Elizabeth glanced with concern at Clark, and Miss Darcy said, "Clark knows. She was with me, she was the only one who tried to talk me out of it." Clark turned back to her work with an embarrassed smile. "She told me I should not meet with Mr. Wickham regardless of what Mrs. Younge said, that it was not proper, but I did not listen. Oh, Miss Bennet, I hurt my brother so badly!"

"Miss Darcy, did your brother tell you how he found me the other day?"

"He said you were out for a walk."

"Oh, I was walking alright, but not by choice. My dear, I know Mr. Wickham personally, that was why your brother told me of Ramsgate. Mr. Wickham had told me lies about Mr. Darcy to poison my opinion of him and to ingratiate himself to me." Elizabeth looked at her shoes and said, "I was quite taken in by the man, I assure you. I liked him a great deal. I had been riding with him alone the morning your brother found me. I was afoot because Mr. Wickham had got drunk and tried to kiss me."

Miss Darcy gasped. "What happened?"

"I punched him and kicked him." She looked at her hand and said proudly, "I bruised my fist on his nose. It has healed or I could show it to you."

Miss Darcy looked in awe at Elizabeth's unmarked hand. "Oh my," she said. Then she brightened into a dimpled smile. "That is wonderful!"

"My aunt Gardiner and Jane thought so." They laughed together. "After I beat him up," she grinned saucily, "I ran away--or he ran away, I'm not sure--and then I began to walk the ten miles back to Gracechurch Street. That is when your brother found me."

"I had no idea. But you would never have agreed to marry him, you are too clever!"

"I wish I could be sure, but I just do not know. That man has such a charming manner, and he had lied to me about his eligibility, telling me that your brother had granted him the Kympton living after all." Elizabeth grew very thoughtful and said in a near whisper, "If he had asked me to marry him before trying to kiss me, I do not know what I would have done."

She truly was unsure, especially given what she had recently learned at Mr. Darcy's hands of her own passionate nature . She shivered at the unpleasant possibilities, then brightened and said, "But that is all hypothetical. He was no more capable of acting reasonably than I was capable of not fighting back. I imagine the last thing he wanted to do was to actually marry me. My fortune is only a thousand pounds, you see."

"So little? But I thought. . . That is, Fitzwilliam said that unequal marriages can not succeed." She brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh, I am sorry, I do not mean that your marriage will be a failure!" She blushed violently and looked at her lap. "Please forgive me."

"No my dear, you are quite right. Someone in your brother's position," or Mr. Bingley's, she thought uncomfortably, "must be on guard against fortune hunters, against false affections. Perhaps you should discuss some of this with your brother. I can only say that I love him very dearly, but he can explain better why he believes it!"

Elizabeth smiled impishly and Miss Darcy laughed. They relaxed and talked more easily about music and novels and the passing scenery. By the time they entered Hertfordshire and Elizabeth began narrating the last few miles of their journey, they were "Georgie" and "Lizzy" to each other and quite looking forward to their future as sisters.

Suddenly Clark looked up with wide eyes and said, "Did you hear that? It was thunder, I am sure of it."

Chapter 20

The rain drummed down on the carriage in great, fat drops, running in thick rivulets down the windows. They came to a stop, the door on the leeward side flew open and Mr. Darcy jumped inside onto the bench opposite Elizabeth, with water streaming from his hat and coat.

"Ladies," he said, "we meet again."

Miss Darcy switched places with Clark to sit next to her brother, and she and Elizabeth each asked anxiously after his comfort.

"I am fine, do not worry. I did not get very wet."

He took off his outer garments and let them drain into the floor. While he did this, his knees rubbed against Elizabeth's left thigh, one on each side of her leg a good half-way beyond her knee. Her leg was in effect held between his.

She colored brightly and turned to the window. She cast him a sideways glance and was almost certain she detected a smirk on his own blushing face. Touching knees indeed. If only it was just knees!

He leaned forward to hand his wet things to Clark, and Elizabeth felt her captive knee actually press up against him between his legs. That which she had longed to grab the day before was now pressed firmly against her. She gasped silently and gave him a stern, round-eyed look. With a marginally repentant grin, he relaxed his legs' grip and eased back into his seat.

"Sorry, Miss Bennet. I hope I did not crowd you."

Elizabeth tried to speak, but nothing came out. She cleared her throat. "I was not overly uncomfortable, sir. We are a bit close in here, though, I admit."

"It always seems closer when it is raining," Georgiana offered.

Elizabeth leaned her face near the cool glass pane and breathed deeply. Another glance at Mr. Darcy showed a most satisfied man. This would not do!

She unbuttoned her pelisse and deliberately toyed with her cross between her fingers. She leaned toward him and said, "Are you sure you are well, Mr. Darcy?" She leaned further forward so that her neckline dipped indecently. She lightly bit her bottom lip. "You are not feeling warm?"

Mr. Darcy was struck by a most satisfactory coughing fit, though Elizabeth was mortified to hear a distinct snicker from Clark beside her. Oh well, she thought, a little mortification was apparently the price of victory.

She was stuck once again by their good fortune at being well-chaperoned. Truly, if this was how they behaved in front of his sister and her maid, they could not be trusted.

Their carriage now entered Longbourn. The estate was bordered on three sides by a narrow creek, and the road that passed through the property from south to north crossed the stream at both ends via shallow fords.

"The water is rising," Elizabeth said as they crossed the southern ford, a quarter mile from the house. "It has already covered the stepping stones. This often happens during storms. The fords will be impassable for a time, but I doubt the rain will last through the night. You will have no problem leaving by noon tomorrow, I should think."

Miss Darcy glanced nervously out the window.

Her brother took her hand. "It is no worse than Pemberley some winters, when we are isolated by heavy snowfalls."

By the time they pulled up in front of the house, the storm had ceased to rage and had settled into a steady rain with only occasional crashes of thunder. They climbed out of the carriage and rushed through the front door.

"Is this your home?" Miss Darcy asked nervously as she glanced about the seemingly empty house.

"I don't understand," Elizabeth said. "Where is everybody? Where are the servants?"

Then she heard Hill's footsteps coming quickly down the hall.

"Oh, Miss Lizzy!" Hill cried. "You are home."

Sarah appeared and helped her mother take their coats.

"Where is my family? Mother and Father?" This was not the homecoming Elizabeth had expected. It was all so anticlimactic she nearly laughed out loud.

"They're out, Miss. Everybody is at the Gouldings' house to celebrate one of the Miss Goulding's finally becoming engaged. John and Sally are there helping--you know how small the Goulding household is." She hurried down the hall with their coats and called over her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Miss Lizzy, we didn't know you was coming home today."

"It was rather sudden, and I did not send word. Hill, we have guests for the night. This is Mr. Darcy and his sister Miss Darcy." Hill's eyes went wide at the names. "Please have rooms prepared for them. Miss Darcy has her maid, and Mr. Darcy has two coachmen and two footmen. Mr. and Miss Darcy will want to freshen up before lunch. We will eat in an hour."

"Yes, Miss."

Hill and Sarah hurried off and Elizabeth showed her guests into the drawing room.

"Well, Mr. Darcy, Georgie" she said, "would you like some tea while we wait for your rooms? It will be a few minutes."

Miss Darcy said tea would be fine, and Elizabeth rang for it. Mr. Darcy simply stood in the middle of the room looking shocked.

Elizabeth said, "Fitzwilliam, it is not so bad. My father will be home eventually and we can speak to him then. We just have to wait. We shall be quite merry, shall we not, Georgie?"

Miss Darcy smiled, but her brother asked, "What about the fords? The creek is rising."

Elizabeth flushed and looked out at the rain. "Then we will see him tomorrow at the latest. We will be comfortable alone here for the night, I am sure."

"We certainly shall," said Mr. Darcy with a raised brow.

Elizabeth began to doubt the wisdom of the way she had teased the man in the carriage. Perhaps she should have worn a higher neckline, or at least not leaned so far forward. He had certainly seen just about all she had to show, she thought with a little thrill. She should not have behaved so provocatively; but she had not thought that they would find themselves so nearly alone at Longbourn--and besides, he had started it.

"Perhaps we should send a note to my father," she said. "At least let him know we are here."

Mr. Darcy frowned. "Do you want him to try to get home if it is dangerous?" He sat next to Elizabeth and said softly, "Do not worry, dearest, I will not press you to do anything tonight. I am not a rake. I am no Mr. Wickham."

She shook her head and whispered, "It is not your behavior that concerns me, Fitzwilliam. Not after the way I behaved in the carriage. Oh, dear!"

Miss Darcy walked to the other side of the room and looked out a window in an obvious effort to give them some privacy, and Mr. Darcy said, "My sister is turning into a very sensible young lady, is she not? Lizzy, you do not have to worry. I will give you my word that I will not take your virtue." He grinned. "And even as inexperienced as you are, my dear, you must know that you need my cooperation to loose your virginity."

"But you told me yesterday that you feared giving in to temptation." Then, knowing she should not say it, wondering if there was no end to her brazenness, she grinned guiltily and whispered, "That was right after you told me to move my hand six inches to feel your . . . ache."

"Oh, good God," he muttered as he stood and walked briskly out into the hall.

For some time, Elizabeth could hear his footsteps rapidly thumping across wooden floors. She shrugged at Miss Darcy's questioning look and stared out the window. She felt so ashamed of teasing the poor man yet again, and she resolved anew to help Mr. Darcy protect her virtue, even as she tingled in contemplation of what might occur between them after dark with only Miss Darcy and the servants in the house.

Chapter 21

Elizabeth's resolution held throughout the daylight hours and into the evening, as the rain slowed to a sprinkle and the lightening flashes faded away to the south. The key, she quickly realized, was to remain at all times in Miss Darcy's sight.

That young lady quietly performed her chaperone's duties with remarkable compassion that seemed almost to stem from experience. Elizabeth uncomfortably considered how much experience a girl could acquire while being privately courted by Mr. Wickham. Or maybe Miss Darcy just read a lot of novels.

In any case, she spent most of the time with Elizabeth. They talked and ate and read aloud together, they turned pages for each other at the piano-forte, and they assisted each other in their rooms when changing for dinner. Her compassion showed in the few times she left her brother and his fiancée alone together. They were thankful to her for the opportunity to engage in quick caresses and endearments, and equally thankful that she never remained away for very long.

All in all, the time passed about as well as Elizabeth had dared hope.

"I believe we must all be exhausted," she said shortly before midnight. "I have had a very pleasant evening, but it is time to retire."

She could not help looking into Mr. Darcy's eyes as she stood. He stared back with an intensity that made it hard for her to breathe. She colored brightly and tore her gaze away, directly into Miss Darcy's eyes.

"Lizzy," Miss Darcy said, "I will go upstairs with you. We can assist each other again. I so enjoyed that."

Oh wise, clever Miss Darcy! "That sounds like fun, Georgie. Do you need any assistance Mr. Darcy? Our man servant is out, I'm afraid. I am sorry for the inconvenience."

"Not at all. I just need some soap and water, and soap and hot water in the morning for shaving." He smiled. "But don't expect my usual standard of sartorial splendor tomorrow."

Miss Darcy looked at her shoes and said softly, "I will return these books to your father's library. No, I can find it Lizzy. You wait here." She left them alone in the drawing room.

Even in the dim light from the lamps and the small fire, she could see his color rise. But neither of them moved until Elizabeth grinned and said, "Coward."

He laughed and rushed over to her. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed ravenously, Elizabeth using all the enticing tricks she had learned since he had first kissed her in his curricle on that quiet country lane south of London. And more. She intentionally rubbed her body against him and felt his firm response. She became light-headed from passion, and without thinking she reached down between them to run her hand up and down the front of his trousers, to encourage him to do . . . she knew not what, but something!

Then footsteps, so loud that Elizabeth would never have believed them to be Miss Darcy's, came toward them down the hall. They pulled apart, gasping and sweating in the cool air, just before the door opened. It was indeed Miss Darcy, who had apparently felt the need to test the construction of Longbourn's floorboards by stomping on them all the way back from the library.

"Shall we go up, Lizzy, brother?"

They climbed the stairs in silence and separated outside Elizabeth's room. Mr. Darcy kissed her hand and softly said, "Goodnight, my love," before the two ladies entered and closed the door behind them.

If Elizabeth had been able to sleep easily that night, she would have been surprised. Instead, after Miss Darcy had gone to her own room, Elizabeth lay awake thinking about Mr. Darcy, about their wedding, about her feelings. The more she considered it, the less certain she was that a long engagement was necessary. Why torture ourselves, she thought, why put our virtue at risk? Did she truly worry about the speed with which she had fallen in love? Did she really think there was a significant risk that she would repent at leisure over their hasty marriage? And if she were worried, would three months of being engaged reduce her concern?

Or was she only trying to conform to what was expected of her? A quick marriage would cause speculation that she had been compromised--she blushed at how her neighbors would stare at her, looking for changes in her body, wondering if there was a babe already on the way. The gossip would be rampant. Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas and all the others, her mother's closest friends, would have a field day. And she would be at the center of it.

But her mother, Elizabeth knew, would quickly overcome the mortification of such gossip with thoughts of "10,000 a year"---indeed, such thoughts might even be enough to silence the babbling biddies of Meryton altogether. Could she, could Elizabeth, overcome her own mortification with thoughts of the other sources of happiness she would undoubtedly find as the wife of Mr. Darcy?

As she remembered the feel of one such source beneath her hand, she blushed again and cried, "Oh, I am ridiculous!"

Coming to a decision,. she threw her covers back and left her room headed for the library. She told herself that she wanted a book, but knew perfectly well what she really hoped to find. Might not Mr. Darcy also be awake? Might he not be restless and searching the library for something to help relieve his tension? If so, Elizabeth thought with a wicked grin, that something was coming down the stairs wearing nothing but a thin nightgown and a shawl!

Elizabeth turned down the hall at the foot of the stairs and saw a light in the drawing room. She looked in and found Mr. Darcy lying on the sofa and staring at the ceiling, with a book closed upon his chest. A single candle burned in a holder on the small table by his head, and his long legs dangled over the other armrest. He did not seem relaxed despite his recumbent position.

She stepped softly into the room and said, "Mr. Darcy, are you well? Can you not sleep?"

He jerked to his feet and the book fell on the floor. He wore only his nightshirt and tasseled nightcap, and was quite barefoot. Elizabeth giggled nervously and quickly covered her mouth.

"Miss Bennet!" he cried. "I did not expect to see you here, or I would have, well, dressed."

"You have handsome feet, sir."

"Oh, good God," he cried as he tried to make his way past her, but she reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Mr. Darcy, we must talk."

"Now?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes, before you speak to my father. He could be here at any time tomorrow morning, and I want there to be no misunderstandings. I have been thinking about our engagement, sir."

Worry spread across his face. "You are having second thoughts?"

"For heaven's sake, Fitzwilliam, will you stop asking me that?" She shook her head in exasperation. "I am marrying you, sir! I want to discuss the length of our engagement."

"Is three months not enough?"

"Well," she said with a smile, "I was thinking that perhaps three weeks would be a better idea."

His dimples lit the room. He took her by the arms and said, "Do you mean it, Lizzy? You are not worried that you do not know me well enough?"

"I certainly do not know you as well as I might, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that getting to know Fitzwilliam Darcy will take a lifetime. You are a very complex man, having already made a complete mockery of my first impressions of you." She reached up and placed her hands behind his neck. She said softly, "I believe that you require years of intimate study at the hands of your most loving wife."

He swallowed. "Three weeks?"

She nodded happily.

"Well," he said as he bent to kiss her, "I believe that deserves a celebration."

Elizabeth quickly discovered the difference between an intimate embrace when fully-clothed, and such an embrace when there are only two thin pieces of material between the participants. As their tongues explored, she could feel every inch of him, every muscle, and she wanted more. She felt his heart pumping and a corresponding heat pulsing against her abdomen. And she wanted more.

She felt him push her nightgown below her shoulders and his mouth trail down her neck. "Oh, God, Lizzy, I've wanted to kiss this mole since you showed it to me in the carriage!" he breathed, as he licked and nibbled the soft flesh newly exposed.

"Oh, yes, my love! Kiss it!" She reached below his waist and gripped him and pulled, and he moaned against her bosom as she . . . heard a noise in the hallway.

The door opened.

"Brother!"

"Georgiana!"

"Lizzy!"

"Papa!"

Oh dear!

Chapter 22

"Oh my," cried Miss Darcy as she turned and ran back into the hall.

Mr. Bennet simply stared with his mouth open while his daughter turned away and pulled her nightgown up. Mr. Darcy quickly stooped to pick up his book, then held it with two hands before the rapidly-deflating physical evidence of his desire.

After some moments of silence, Mr. Darcy was the first to regain his composure. "Mr. Bennet," he said in a firm voice, "I have come . . . er, arrived at Longbourn to ask for your permission to marry your daughter, Miss Elizabeth."

If anything, Mr. Bennet only looked more shocked at this pronouncement.

"Papa," Elizabeth said in a wavering voice, "it is true. We wish to be married."

Mr. Bennet shook his head violently and closed his mouth. He said sadly, "Wish it or not, you seem to have little choice in the matter." He stared at them a bit longer, then nodded at the doorway. "Who is that young lady in the hall?"

"That is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy."

"And what would you do, sir, if Miss Georgiana Darcy had some gentleman's mouth on her bosom in your drawing room?"

Mr. Darcy blanched. "I imagine I would call him out, sir."

Mr. Bennet almost smiled as he said, "Yes, well, that would not appear to be a viable option in this instance. We would not want Mrs. Bennet tossed into the hedgerows upon my demise at your hands, young man."

"Papa!" Elizabeth groaned. "Please, I am very sorry. I do not know what came over . . ."

Her father held up a hand. "Lizzy, enough. Just tell me this--have you lost your virtue to this man?"

"No, I have not."

"It appeared not." Mr. Bennet scowled. "Not tonight, at any rate. That is something, I suppose. Well, there is no telling what the servants have seen or heard. Mr. Darcy, you said you have a request to make of me. Please follow me to my library."

The two men left the room. Elizabeth followed them into the hall and stood with Miss Darcy while they shut themselves away.

"Oh, Lizzy," Miss Darcy said with considerable embarrassment, "I am so sorry. I was restless so I stepped out of my room for a turn about the house. I saw your door was open and you were not there, so I came downstairs to find you." Her voice dropped. "But really, you should known better. I never even did that with Mr. Wickham. I did not realize I would actually have to sleep in your bed with you to keep you two apart!"

That was certainly a blow. To be chastised by Miss Darcy. To think that she and Mr. Darcy had behaved worse than Wickham!

Elizabeth sighed and watched the closed library door as though the conversation within would be scrawled across it. She heard murmurings, but could only make out an occasional word from inside. She had expected a more lively conversation, more raised voices.

She could not believe how wrong things had suddenly gone.

She and Miss Darcy sat quietly in the drawing room for over an hour before the library door opened. They went into the hall to see Mr. Darcy go directly up the stairs with only a stern nod.

Mr. Bennet poked his head into the hall and said, "Lizzy, may I speak to you, please?"

Elizabeth squeezed Miss Darcy's hand, then followed him to his sanctuary. She closed the door behind her and took her usual seat. She waited.

After a short silence, Mr. Bennet said, "For just a moment, Lizzy, I actually wondered how it was that Lydia had arrived at Longbourn before me, as I left her with your mother and sisters asleep at the Gouldings'."

Suddenly Elizabeth felt tears welling up. She said with a sniff, "Please, Papa, it was not Mr. Darcy's fault. He was simply reading in the drawing room. I came looking for him."

Mr. Bennet seemed surprised, but said nothing.

"I came to tell him," she continued, "that I wanted a short engagement." Suddenly she broke into sobs, saying, "I love him so."

Mr. Bennet came around his desk and sat beside her. He took her hand and said gently, "That was no excuse for what he did, my dear. To take advantage of you so."

"But he tried to leave, Papa." Mr. Bennet looked surprised again. "Yes, I grabbed his arm when he tried to leave me. He is always leaving me when I want to kiss him, you see, he always says, ‘Good God,' and scurries away from me and paces and mutters to himself. Well, I had had enough of that. I wanted him to stay this time. I wanted to kiss him!"

"Good gracious," Mr. Bennet said with a soft chuckle, "perhaps I did walk in on Lydia."

"Papa!"

"I am very sorry, my dear, but this is so strange. Mr. Darcy of all men! You despised him when you left Longbourn a few days ago, and now I find you encouraging him in gross improprieties in my own house!"

"Please, I am sorry. I will behave, but please, do not refuse your consent."

"Oh, I gave him my consent, along with a piece of my mind. He is the kind of man I would hardly dare refuse anything he condescended to request." At Elizabeth's teary glare, he said, "I am sorry, my girl, this is no teasing matter. You really must marry now, so it is a very good thing indeed that you love him so immoderately.

"Now," he said, "tell me the truth, Elizabeth. Are you still a virgin?"

"Yes."

He patted her hand and went to sit behind his desk again. "Let me hear the whole tale."

So she recited it all, from Mr. Wickham's first visit to Gracechurch Street, to Mr. Bennet's finding them together at Longbourn. When she finished, she stared at her lap waiting for the storm that was sure to come.

"Now that is a story!" Mr. Bennet said with a grin. "And it is roughly the same as the one your Mr. Darcy told me, though I must say that you and he seem confused over which one of you displayed more moral fiber. Mr. Darcy said that he was continually imposing himself on you, but you resisted his passionate advances with admirable fortitude; whereas you would have me believe that you have thrown yourself at the man relentlessly for a week, and all he has done is walk briskly away and mumble. Oh, this is truly rich!"

And Mr. Bennet began laughing. Elizabeth did not understand at first, then it struck her that her father was taking his amusement with her.

"Papa, this is not funny!"

Mr. Bennet continued to laugh and simply waved his hand toward the door. "We can discuss the details in the morning, my dear," he blurted between guffaws.

Elizabeth rose and walked out into the hall with a scowl at her father, which only made him laugh harder. She went to Miss Darcy, who was listening to Mr. Bennet's laughter with amazement, and shook her head. Then she smiled.

"Well, Georgie, we are to be sisters."

Chapter 23

The next morning, shortly before eleven, Elizabeth was awakened by shouts of, "Where is my nephew? Where is Darcy?"

"Georgie," she said, nudging Miss Darcy who lay beside her in bed, "your aunt is here. Lady Catherine is here."

"Oh no!" Miss Darcy scrambled to the floor and reached for her robe. "Do not tell her I am here, Lizzy. Please!"

"Georgie, calm down. This is not Rosings and she is not your guardian. There is no need to worry."

Elizabeth put on her robe and went out into the hall. There was Lady Catherine at the top of the stairs pushing past Hill and Sarah, who were trying to stop her without actually resorting to physical force.

"You," Lady Catherine pointed her walking stick at Elizabeth, "Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Where is Mr. Darcy?"

"He is certainly not in my room, your ladyship."

"Miss Bennet, this is not to be borne! I insist on speaking to him at once." Lady Catherine banged her stick on the floor.

"Hill, will you let Mr. Darcy know that Lady Catherine DeBourgh is here to see him? Thank you. Sarah, will you show Lady Catherine to the drawing room? I will be with you shortly."

Lady Catherine looked unsure for a moment whether she should follow Elizabeth's directions, but apparently decided that no one could sneak past her if she waited downstairs, so she turned and followed Sarah.

Back in her room, Elizabeth did not see Miss Darcy anywhere. "Georgie? Where are you?"

She heard a muffled, "Is she gone?" from her closet.

"She went downstairs, dear, to wait for your brother. You were not mentioned."

Miss Darcy peeked warily out of the closet, then stepped into the room. "Thank you, Lizzy. My aunt Catherine terrifies me. In case you had not noticed," she said with a small grin.

"Yes, she seems to have that effect on people."

Elizabeth dressed quickly with the help of Miss Darcy and her maid, and headed to the drawing room. She found Hill at the foot of the stairs.

"Miss Lizzy," Hill whispered, "Mr. Darcy went riding two hours ago with Mr. Bennet. To look over the estate, they said. They'll be back by noon."

Just then, the front door opened and Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters stepped into the foyer. "Hill! Hill! Oh, the rain, the dirt! That Jenny Goulding, engaged! Oh, my head! My poor girls, why can they not catch husbands?"

"There, there ma'am," soothed Hill as she helped Mrs. Bennet with her pelisse.

"Good morning, Mama," Elizabeth said.

"Lizzy!" Mrs. Bennet rushed over and hugged her. "What are you doing here, my girl? Where is your father? Mr. Goulding told me he got a note and returned home last night. Did he know you were here?"

"What are you doing home, Lizzy?" Lydia asked.

"Yes," Kitty snickered, "why aren't you in Kent with that awful Mr. Collins?"

Mary greeted Elizabeth with a smile and a brief hug.

"Is that my nephew?" Lady Catherine walked into the foyer from the drawing room. The newly-arrived Bennet ladies all froze and stared at her ladyship in wonder. "This, I suppose, is your mother. And these are your sisters?"

"Yes," said Elizabeth, fighting to suppress a grin, "Lady Catherine, this is my mother, and my sisters Mary, Catherine and Lydia. Mama, sisters, this is Lady Catherine DeBourgh."

Her mother and sisters gasped that such an august personage had just emerged from their drawing room.

"Lizzy, you brought Lady Catherine home with you?" Mrs. Bennet asked in confusion.

"I am here to see my nephew."

Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters gaped in incomprehension.

"Her ladyship," Elizabeth said, openly smiling now, "is here to see Mr. Darcy."

"Ha!" said Mrs. Bennet. "Well, you are certainly in the wrong place. What would that proud, disagreeable man be doing here, might I ask?"

Now Lady Catherine gaped wide-eyed at Mrs. Bennet. As she gathered a resounding response, the front door opened, and Jane entered along with Lord Matlock and Mrs. Annesley.

"I knew it," his lordship cried. "Catherine, I told you to leave these young people alone!"

"Uncle Matlock," shouted Miss Darcy from the top of the stairs. She ran down and embraced him. "Jane, it is good to see you, and Mrs. Annesley. What are you doing here?"

"Georgiania Darcy," Lady Catherine said, "you are here, too? Where is your brother?"

Mrs. Bennet asked incredulously, "You are Miss Darcy?"

Elizabeth yelled over the chaos, "Please, if I may have everybody's attention!" All eyes turned to her. "Thank you. Allow me to explain. Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy is out riding with my father, and they will be back by noon. Mother, Mr. Darcy is here to ask for my father's permission to marry me, and this he received last night. Lord Matlock, Mrs. Annesley, welcome to Longbourn. And welcome to you, dear Jane."

With that, she rushed to hug her big sister.

Lord Matlock bellowed, "Congratulations, Miss Elizabeth. Your dear sister was beside herself with worry when I called on her this morning, so we rushed here straight away. Glad to see it has all worked out."

"His lordship called on you, Jane?" asked Elizabeth with raised brows.

"Oh, Lizzy." Jane shook her head at Elizabeth and turned to ask after her mother's health.

Lord Matlock escorted his sister outside to the park for an animated conversation, while Elizabeth introduced Miss Darcy to her astonished family.

A few minutes later, Mr. Bennet joined the crowd in the foyer. "Good gracious, Lizzy, did you know there is an earl in the park?"

"Yes, Papa. I believe it is the Earl of Matlock, to be precise."

"Indeed, that is what your fiancé said. He has joined his aunt and uncle for what appears to be a most entertaining conversation." He took Elizabeth's hand and said, "He is a good man, your Mr. Darcy. Very surprising. You know, he actually has a sense of humor?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Yes, I know. He does keep it well hidden, though."

"He has some interesting ideas on estate management. Gave me some things to think about. No wonder that Bingley always follows him around." He gave his two eldest daughters significant looks, then turned to the rest of the group.

Jane looked downhearted at mention of Mr. Bingley, so Elizabeth said, "I imagine Mr. Darcy will ask Mr. Bingley to open Netherfield for our wedding. He will probably be asked to stand up with him as well. You, dear Jane, must stand up with me, so I suppose you and he will be thrust together time and again in the future."

Jane smiled sweetly at Elizabeth, and said, "Just because we are back in Hertfordshire, dear sister, does not mean that I can no longer pinch."

Suddenly Mrs. Bennet, who had been silent for some minutes, cried, "Heavens, Mr. Darcy! Ten thousand a year! Oh, the jewels, the pin money! Lizzy you will be so rich! Oh, forgive me, Miss Darcy, for calling your brother disagreeable--do you think he will forgive me? So tall, so handsome!"

Happy was the day three weeks later, when Mrs. Bennet got rid of her least favorite daughter. Mr. Bingley opened Netherfield and returned to Hertfordshire to stand up with his friend, and he was very happy to renew his acquaintance with the beautiful Jane Bennet, though he was less than happy that he had to compete for her attention with the Earl of Matlock.

Mr. Bingley's suit was ultimately successful, however, and seven months later a second marriage was held at Longbourn. This time Mr. Darcy and his five-month pregnant wife returned the favor and stood up as best man and maid of honor.

The next year, after months of daily visits from Mrs. Bennet and her daughters, the Bingleys moved north to an estate less than thirty miles from Pemberley, and to Elizabeth's joys was added the close proximity of her most beloved sister.

But what of Mr. Wickham, who had been the means of uniting the Darcys that day in London's outskirts? To escape gaming debts, he deserted the militia when they traveled to Brighton in the summer, and eventually made his way to Lyme where he was killed when a young woman jumped atop him from the upper cobb.

Epilogue

July 18, 1852

They were tourists, about two dozen in all. They were well-dressed by the common standard, in clothes any of them would have been proud to wear to a wedding or an Easter service. The men were members of a fraternal social club in London, and they were lower middle class mostly, clerks and mid-level tradesmen and artisans of various kinds.

They had brought their families and loved ones on a summer tour. Steam locomotives had carried them from the great metropolis to the northern counties, in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost such travel would have consumed forty years earlier. Already they had visited several great estates and toured the peaks and shopped for souvenirs in the towns along the route, most recently in the picturesque village of Lambton in Derbyshire.

Today they were touring Pemberley.

It was not so convenient a place to see as Chatsworth, where there had actually been an inn at the park entrance for three-quarters of a century just to accommodate tourists. The family at Pemberley, while welcoming to all, did not see their home as a tourist attraction. This had the effect of making it a more prestigious sight to see, a better story to tell friends back home, even though it was not as great an estate.

"It's wilder than Chatsworth or Blenheim," said a young man to the pretty young woman on his arm. "No cascades or reflecting pools, just the lake and stream and groves."

"But it is so lovely," she said from under her parasol. She had been smiling all day. He was a gentle, thoughtful young man, and she had such hopes for their future together, and here they were on holiday in a place that could fuel any maiden's dreams. "Thank you for bringing us, Gregory. You are very sweet."

And he did blush sweetly as they strolled along the gravel drive towards the front entrance to the great house, ready to board their carriages for the ride back to Lambton. Then, noticing a large carriage had pulled up since their arrival, the group hesitated. The carriage was glass-enclosed with gleaming brass fixtures and drawn by four handsome matching grays. Liveried footmen hovered about in obvious anticipation.

"You suppose it's for the Darcys?" the young woman whispered.

"I don't know who else it could be for," her mother said behind them. "What a beautiful carriage."

Then a soft murmur went through the group as a woman exited the courtyard on the arm of a tall man. Though both were gray-haired and beyond middle age, they seemed oddly youthful, not elderly at all. The man was lean with a stern look about him. The woman was plump, though seeming rather more voluptuous than fat. Their clothes were of the latest evening fashion, very luxurious, and she quite dripped with jewelry.

To the tourists they appeared as apparitions from another realm, a place of spectacular wealth and dazzling elegance.

The gray-haired woman's eyes crinkled as they heard her say, "I will not have any dawdling, Mr. Darcy. Lady Carwood said to be prompt." She laughed delightedly. "I think she meant you most particularly, sir. She knows how well you love a ball."

The stern man's face broke into a dimpled smile and he bent down to brush his lips against the gray hair on the woman's head. She then noticed the group of tourists and, disengaging from the tall man, walked over to them.

"Welcome to Pemberley!" she cried merrily. "I hope you are enjoying our home."

With bows and curtsies, all in the group claimed to be enjoying themselves very well.

"Oh, I am so glad to hear it. I am Mrs. Darcy, and that dour, taciturn, ridiculously handsome old man there is Mr. Darcy." The crowd all laughed as Mr. Darcy came over to them with a deliberate stride.

"Welcome to our home," he said with a bow. "Lizzy," he turned to his wife, "we will be late. And you will blame me." He lifted a brow.

"My dear," she said with a saucy grin, "it would hardly do to blame myself. And even if I did, who would ever believe it?"

Mr. Darcy looked again at the group, which included some children and older people, and said, "Would you like some refreshment before you leave? It has been a hot day. Mrs. Darcy, should we have some lemonade brought out?"

"Yes, I believe so, Mr. Darcy." She turned to the group. "Do you have time for refreshments? Good. There is a sitting area by the Italian gardens--some lemonade will be brought out, and whatever snack cook can come up with." She gave them a bright smile. "Goodbye, it was a pleasure meeting you."

The group watched as Mrs. Darcy spoke to a servant before her husband handed her into the beautiful carriage. He climbed in after her and with a snap of the driver's whip, the carriage rolled away through the gate.

The tourists ambled cheerfully to the Italian gardens, which had been a highlight of their visit, and discussed the sparkling old couple they had met.

"His grandfather, they say, was an earl, his great grandfather a duke," the young man told the young woman.

"What about her?"

"She was the daughter of a minor country gentleman from the south. It was a love match," he said with a warm smile. He knew how she liked a fairy-tale ending.

"Well," said the young woman's mother, "we surely have something to tell the folks back home now. The Darcys. Did you see their concern for us? That is the behavior of a true gentleman."

The End