Part 1

Posted on Wednesday, 24 February 1999

"...and the kind of half-expectation which Mrs. Gardiner had formed, of their being followed by a letter from him, had ended in nothing. Elizabeth had received none since her return, that could come from Pemberley."

Darcy thought back over the brief time they had spent together in Derbyshire. It was clear to him that her opinion of him had improved, but dare he hope for more than that? He did not know. Once or twice when she had looked at him, he had felt there was reason to hope, but he could not be sure. He sighed. It was clear the fire would not provide the answers to his questions. He meant to rise early in order to begin the journey back to Pemberley, so he went to bed. Unfortunately, sleep would not come.

The next morning, Darcy entered the coach for the long journey back to Derbyshire. His route took him past a point less then fifteen miles from Longbourn. He resisted the temptation to order the coach to turn. He did not relish seeing Wickham, and he had no idea whether he himself would be welcome. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. Sleep did eventually come, but it was not peaceful. In one particularly vivid dream, he found himself some twenty years in the future. By chance, he met Jane Bennet, who confessed to him that her sister had been deeply in love with him, and had waited several years, vainly hoping he would propose again before agreeing to marry another.

Darcy awoke with a start. He could not allow that dream to become a reality. He did not know what Elizabeth's feelings were, but if there was a chance, however slight, he knew he had to ask her again. How was he to go about it? The obvious answer was to convince Bingley to visit Netherfield, but Darcy was not sure that was a wise idea. He knew his interference in Bingley's relationship with Miss Bennet had been wrong, and he knew Bingley had not forgotten her, but what did he know of Jane Bennet's feelings? To be sure, Elizabeth had told him at Hunsford that her sister cared for Bingley, but that had been six months ago. If she had forgotten him, he had no right to raise his friend's hopes. He would only speak to Bingley after he had a chance to ask Elizabeth if her sister still cared for him.

Next Darcy considered asking Bingley if he might have the use of Netherfield himself for a few days. Darcy was sure his friend would agree, but he also knew his friend would wish to accompany him. Besides, Darcy did not want Elizabeth's family to know his intentions unless she accepted him. The last thing he wanted was for Mrs. Bennet to pressure her daughter into accepting him if that was not her wish. He was sure if he turned up at Netherfield alone, and called at Longbourn alone, everyone's suspicions would be raised. Darcy spent the night at the inn, and the better part of the next day trying to decide what to do.

When he arrived at Pemberley, his sister greeted him warmly, and asked him about his trip and about London. He mentioned that he had dined at the Gardners. Georgiana spoke fondly of the time she had spent in company with them and their niece. She asked if the matter which had forced their departure from Derbyshire had been successfully resolved. Darcy allowed that it had been. Georgiana hesitated a moment, and then asked: "Do you think it would be all right for me to write to Miss Bennet? I so enjoyed her company, but..." Georgiana did not know how to finish. "I am sure" Darcy replied, "that she would be glad to hear from you." His emphasis on the last word did not go unnoticed by Georgiana. She hesitated a moment before continuing, "I thought you and she got along very well...." When Darcy made no reply, she continued, "I know you told me that after what happened in Kent, you felt there was no hope that she would ever accept you, but....." Darcy was heartened that his sister seemed to think he had a chance. "What should I do?" he asked, explaining his unwillingness to put her in a position where others would know of his proposal, if she did not wish it.

Georgiana thought about it for a few minutes, then suggested, "perhaps you could write her a letter? I could include it inside my letter, so no one need know about your letter."

Part 2

Posted on Friday, 26 February 1999

Pemberley
3 September 1812

Dear Miss Bennet,

Darcy stared at the page, and then raised his eyes to look at the five previous attempts crumpled in the waste basket. What on earth was he to write?

I see from that papers that your youngest sister is now married

Darcy again crumpled that paper. Why was he mentioning that mess at all? He did not like concealing from her his role in it. Darcy tried again.

I hope this letter finds you in better spirits than when we last met

The clock on the mantle chimed. Darcy sighed and returned to writing the letter. Perhaps he should ask her about her sister's feelings for Bingley. If he had been wrong about her feelings, he really owed it to both Jane and Bingley to set things right. Besides, if he asked Elizabeth, it would show her that he no longer had any objections on that score. Darcy started again;

I hope you will forgive the liberty I take in thus addressing you, but there are two questions which your unexpected departure from Derbyshire prevented me from asking you.

It was early morning before Darcy had completed a draft he was willing to sign.

Elizabeth was sitting in the drawing room at Longbourn, listening to Mrs. Wickham loudly proclaim that if her sisters would but join her in the North for a visit, she was sure she could find husbands for them all. Her mother interrupted every so often with expressions of happiness. Elizabeth felt almost physically ill, and tried to think of some plausible excuse to escape. Her father had several hours earlier retreated to the library, using urgent business as an excuse.

"Perhaps I should check on Papa," Elizabeth suggested. Her mother nodded absently, still engrossed in what Lydia was saying. Elizabeth hurried from the room, nearly colliding with Hill, who was coming into the room with a letter.

Hill handed the letter to her, saying, "this just came for you, Miss Elizabeth." Elizabeth did not recognize the delicate feminine handwriting on the envelope, but the Darcy seal left her in do doubt as to who the letter was from, and she hurried from the room before anyone could question her about it.

Once outside, Elizabeth pried open the seal to find a second sealed letter tucked inside. Her heart raced as she considered what the second letter might contain, but she managed to restrain her curiosity long enough to read the first. It was indeed from Miss Darcy, who expressed her delight in their acquaintance, her sorrow that Miss Bennet and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's visit had been cut short. She expressed her hope that they might see each other again soon. She mentioned a new piece of music she had recently received, and asked Elizabeth if she were familiar with it. There was no mention at all of the second letter, nor any hint of who its author might be, or what it might contain.

With trembling fingers, Elizabeth pried off the second seal and unfolded the letter.

Part 3

Posted on Monday, 1 March 1999

Unfolding the letter, Elizabeth read the following:

Pemberley
3 September 1812

Dear Miss Bennet,

I hope that this letter finds you and your family in health. I beg your forgiveness for the liberty I take in thus addressing you, but there were two questions which your unexpected departure from Derbyshire prevented me from asking you.

In April, you suggested that I had misjudged your sister's feelings for Charles Bingley. If this is the case, and her feelings are unchanged, I should like to right the wrong I have done to them. I feel certain Bingley still cares for her, but I hesitate to encourage him to return to Netherfield if your sister would not welcome it.

My other reason for writing is to enquire about your own feelings. If they are still what they were in April, I beg your forgiveness for having written, and shall never raise the subject again. My own feelings and wishes remain unchanged, please tell me if I have any right to hope.

Yours etc.
Fitzwilliam Darcy

P.S. If you do not wish to reply to my letter, please give my sister some idea of your sister's feelings, so that I may know how to proceed.

Elizabeth felt her heart was about to burst with joy. While she did not wish to lose any time in replying, she was so overwhelmed as to be unequal to the task. Placing both letters in her pocket, she walked for over an hour, contemplating the happiness before her. Returning to the house, she went to her room to compose replies to both letters.

Longbourn
6 September 1812

Dear Mr. Darcy,

Elizabeth laughed as she read what she had just written- it sounded so terribly formal. She would have to do better. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Hastily placing the letters under the blotter, she said, "Come in."

It was Jane. "Where have you been Lizzy?" she asked. "Mama was annoyed when you did not return, though I can understand your desire to avoid...." Jane's voice trailed off.

"I went for a walk," Elizabeth said hesitantly. Thankfully, Jane did not question this.

"Who was your letter from?" Jane asked.

Elizabeth hesitated a moment before saying "Miss Darcy. I do not know if I told you, her brother introduced me to her while we were in Derbyshire."

Jane was astonished, and a bit uncomfortable about this revelation. "I.... Does she... What is she like?" Jane asked.

"She is a very sweet girl, though a bit shy," Elizabeth replied.

"I am glad," Jane said a bit hesitantly. "I should hate to think that he...."

Suddenly understanding what her sister was trying to say, Elizabeth said, "Jane, having seen them together, I can assure you that Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley are nothing more than friends.."

Jane's jaw dropped. "You saw him?" she asked.

Elizabeth bit her lip. She had not meant to mention that. "Yes," Elizabeth replied. "He and his sisters were visiting." Both sisters were silent for a time. Finally, Elizabeth asked, "Jane, if Mr. Bingley were to arrive at Netherfield next week, and were to ask for your hand, would you accept him?"

"Lizzy! Do not tease me with such impossibilities."

"Would you?" Elizabeth asked. Jane nodded. Elizabeth smiled. "There is a possibility he may be coming to Netherfield this Fall," Elizabeth said.

"Did Miss Darcy say that?" Jane asked. "My information from Pemberley was not specific," Elizabeth replied, "but it is a strong possibility."

Darcy and his sister were sitting in the drawing room when a servant came in with a letter for Georgiana. She smiled, and announced, "It is from Miss Bennet."

Darcy's heart sank. It did not appear that there was a letter from the same source for him. After several minutes, he asked, "Did she say anything about her sister Jane?" As hard as he tried, he could not keep the disappointment out of his voice.

Georgiana looked up. "If you asked something about her sister, I should imagine Miss Bennet would respond to your question in her letter to you. After all, I do not yet know her sister."

"Georgiana," he said in an anguished tone, "I have not received a letter."

Just then the embarrassed servant returned to the drawing room. "Begging your pardon, Sir, but Mr. James dropped this in the entry." Darcy snatched the letter from the surprised servant and tore open the seal.

Part 4

Posted on Wednesday, 10 March 1999

. With trembling fingers, Darcy opened the letter and read:

Longbourn 6 September 1812

Dear Mr. Darcy,

Thank you very much for your wonderful letter, which I received this afternoon. I am so happy to learn that your feelings are still the same. After the horrible things I said to you in April, I would not blame you if you hated me, and I did not dare to hope for such a letter. As for my feelings, I was so foolish in April, I did not then know your real character. My feelings now are completely different. I am grateful for your continued regard, and happy to be able to assure you of my own regard.

As for my sister, I can now readily see how you misunderstood her feelings, and I do not blame you for your mistake. I believe she is still very much in love with Mr. Bingley. Perhaps you could persuade him to return to Netherfield? If Mr. Bingley does come back to Netherfield, I sincerely hope you will be able to join him, as I am very anxious to see you.

I have told no one of your letter, though I fear Jane is already suspicious, for my happiness is too apparent.

Yours etc. Elizabeth Bennet

P.S. I suppose you saw from the papers that my sister Lydia and Mr. Wickham were married last week. Mr. Wickham has taken a commission in the regulars, and they are to depart for Newcastle in three days time.

Pemberley 8 September 1812

Dear Bingley,

I hope when you have read this letter you can find it in your heart to forgive me, for I have greatly wronged you. Last November, when I told you Miss Bennet did not return your regard, I believed it to be the truth. Last winter, Miss Bennet stayed several months with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in Gracechurch Street. During that time, she called on your sisters, and I believe Miss Bingley also called on her once at her uncle's home. I did not tell you this, for I feared it would only give you additional pain to hear of her. Last April, when I saw Miss Elizabeth Bennet in Kent, she said some things which made me think I might have mis-judged her sister's feelings. I recently asked her about this, and today I received a letter from Elizabeth in which she assures me that Miss Bennet did in fact love you, and still does. I imagine you will wish to leave for Netherfield as soon as may be. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I hope you will allow my sister and I to join you there.

Yours etc.

Bingley received Darcy's news with great joy, and immediately set about packing, telling his sisters only that a matter of business required his immediate attention. After several hours, Bingley suddenly realized he had not replied to Darcy's letter, and set about composing a reply. As he read Darcy's letter, the full meaning of his words suddenly caught him today I received a letter from Elizabeth... Bingley laughed out loud and to the empty room declared, "Darcy, you sly devil." He sealed his reply and sent it to the post.

The next morning, Darcy received the following:

Scarborou[blot] [blot] September 1812

Darcy,

Of course I forgive you! I will leave tomorrow at first light, and will stop the night at the inn at ----ton. If you can meet me there, we can go on to Nether[blot] together. Otherwise, I will see you and your sister at Netherfield whenever you arrive.

Yours [blot]

Char[blot] Bingley

Part 5

Posted on Tuesday, 16 March 1999

Author's note: I have changed the story a little, and Lydia has not made her confession about Darcy being at her wedding.

Elizabeth was sitting in the woods behind Longbourn, re-reading Mr. Darcy's letter, when she was roused from her seat, and her reflections, by someone's approach; and before she could strike into another path, she was overtaken by Wickham. "I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear sister?'' said he, as he joined her. Elizabeth quickly put the letter in her pocket, before he could see it. "I understand from my wife," he continued, that you recently received a letter from Miss Darcy." "I did indeed," Elizabeth replied. "Her brother introduced me to her while I was traveling in Derbyshire." "And do you like her?'' he asked. "Very much," she replied. `I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved within this year or two. When I last saw her, she was not very promising. I am very glad you liked her. I hope she will turn out well.'' "I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age.'' "Certainly,'' he replied, biting his lips. Elizabeth hoped she had silenced him; but he soon afterwards said, "I was surprised to see Darcy in town last month. We passed each other several times. I wonder what he can be doing there.'' Elizabeth was shocked, to say the least. She had thought he had been at Pemberley all this time. Was it possible he had had some role in her sister's marriage? "Indeed," Elizabeth said somewhat distractedly, "I do not know." She resolved to ask Mr. Darcy about it at the first opportunity. As she gave only vague answers to Wickham's questions about her travels, he soon left her in peace.

Darcy and Georgiana had already packed, so they left almost as soon as Bingley's express arrived, and managed to meet him at the inn at ----ton late that evening. Georgiana could not help laughing when she saw a mirror image of the joy on her brother's face on the of his friend. Early the next morning, the three continued their journey to Netherfield together, arriving mid-afternoon. The servants had not been warned to expect them, so there was a bit of a commotion when they arrived. Once the luggage was safely inside and they had freshened up, they set out for Longbourn.

"Good HEAVENS" screeched Mrs. Bennet, as she spied the trio alighting from the carriage. "What is it mother," Jane asked calmly. "It is Mr. BINGLEY!" she screeched. Kitty ran to the window to see if her mother were correct. Jane looked at Elizabeth with some alarm. Elizabeth smiled reassuringly. "There is a gentleman and a lady with him...." Kitty announced, but before she could elaborate, her mother dragged her from the window, hissing that she would be seen. A moment or two later, Hill entered the room, announcing Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Darcy. Elizabeth quickly introduced Miss Darcy to the others. Mrs. Bennet was surprised at Elizabeth's knowing Miss Darcy, but she was too overjoyed at Mr. Bingley's presence to give it much thought. Jane was a little uncomfortable in Miss Darcy's presence, remembering as she did Miss Bingley's hints, but she made an effort to be cheerful.

Elizabeth desperately wanted an opportunity to speak with Darcy in private, but had to satisfy herself with their eyes frequently meeting. Instead, she had to endure her mother's attempts at small talk, which unfortunately included a reference to Lydia's marriage and the Wickhams' recent visit. Both Jane and Elizabeth looked at Miss Darcy with some concern, but her discomfort was not too great, and only they and her brother noticed that anything was amiss.

Before the Netherfield party departed, Mrs. Bennet extracted their promise to dine at Longbourn the following day. As soon as they were out of sight, she rushed off to Meryton so as to be the first to announce that Mr. Bingley had not only returned, but called at Longbourn. Jane assured her sister that she quite capable of meeting Mr. Bingley in the future as only an indifferent acquaintance. Elizabeth laughed, for Bingley's feelings had been quite apparent.

The next morning, the gentlemen arrived without Miss Darcy. They explained that she had been fatigued from the previous day's journey, and would join them for dinner. Bingley, noting it was a fine day, suggested they all go for a walk. Mrs. Bennet declined, but the others agreed. As Elizabeth was getting her wrap, Mrs. Bennet whispered that she must do all she could to give Mr. Bingley and her sister a chance to be alone. Elizabeth readily agreed to separate herself and Mr. Darcy from Jane and Bingley, but expressed the fear the Kitty would go with Jane and Bingley. "Oh dear," said Mrs. Bennet. "I had not thought of that. Well, I shall just have to keep her behind." When everyone had reassembled for the walk, Mrs. Bennet asked Kitty if she had yet responded to her Aunt Gardner's letter. Kitty looked confused, and asked "what letter?" Mrs. Bennet instructed her to go write it. "But....." Kitty stammered, as the others departed.

Mr. Darcy, of course, needed no real encouragement from Elizabeth to walk slowly, and Jane and Bingley were soon out of sight. As soon as they themselves were out of sight of Longbourn, Darcy took her hand and said, "You can not imagine how happy I was to receive your letter." Elizabeth smiled, and replied, "You can not imagine how happy I was to be able to write it." Darcy's expression suddenly turned serious. He produced a ring from his pocket, and placing it on her finger asked, "Elizabeth, my dearest loveliest, Elizabeth, will you marry me?" Elizabeth gasped at the beautiful ring on her finger, and was speechless for a moment, before replying, "Yes, oh yes."

Darcy asked her if she had yet told anyone, and she replied in the negative. She asked him the same question, and he laughed and replied, "My sister was in the room when your letter arrived, and I could not have kept it from her if I wanted to. I did not mean to tell Bingley, but he seems to have deduced it from my letter to him." Elizabeth laughed. "Elizabeth," Darcy asked, may I speak to your father tonight?" She readily agreed, and then asked, "Do you think you will be the only one speaking to him tonight?" Darcy laughed, and replied, "I doubt it."

Remembering her conversation with her brother in law the previous day, Elizabeth said, "Just before they left, Mr. Wickham said something about his seeing you in London. I had thought you were at Pemberley all this time?" Darcy sighed, and revealed his role in arranging Lydia's wedding. Elizabeth was greatly surprised, and expressed her gratitude for his kindness.

When they returned to Longbourn, Jane quickly took her sister aside and told Elizabeth her news. Elizabeth laughed and made a confession of her own. Bingley had already spoken to Mr. Bennet, and Jane had told her mother, so it only remained for Mr. Darcy to speak with Mr. Bennet, and Elizabeth to speak with her mother. Both tasks were accomplished before the evening was over. Mrs. Bennet was of course overjoyed, and congratulated herself on her ingenuity in keeping Kitty behind. Kitty was glad to learn that she did not, in fact, have to write to her aunt, as Jane and Elizabeth were eager to do so themselves.

FINIS