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Chapter Seven

Posted on Friday, 4 August 2006

"It was more than she deserved, selfish girl, after she disappeared with Mr. Darcy. But, Mr. Bingley was so gracious as to solicit a second dance with our Lizzy. And they looked very well together, did they not, for though he is not as amiable as Jane's Mr. Bingley, he is quite as handsome, more even! You saw it, did you not, Mr. Bennet?" asked his wife as the carriage rolled homeward in the early hours of the morning.

"Mr. Bingley danced with Lizzy twice after asking to court our Jane? That does not seem very handsomely done!" teased Mr. Bennet, who knew perfectly well to which of the Bingleys his wife was referring.

"My dear, you know perfectly well to which Mr. Bingley I was referring! Thank heavens they are not identical twins, or I might run mad with all the confusion you people would create. Have some compassion on my poor nerves!" lamented Mrs. Bennet.

"Mama, I'm sure Mr. Henry Bingley was just celebrating the newly announced courtship of our two siblings. He said as much to me when he asked me. Please do not read more into it than exists," begged Lizzy, who was dissembling a bit. She felt that there might very well be more to the situation than even her mother saw, but she was certainly not going to let her know that! It was all so confusing.

"Bah!" exclaimed Lydia from her near stupor. "I care nothing for Henry Bingley. He is well enough looking, I grant you, but a clergyman! I cannot imagine why he would be an object of interest to any of you."

Before Jane or Lizzy could censure her for poor Mr. Collins' sake, Mary spoke up unexpectedly, "I think a clergyman would make a very respectable husband."

Mr. Collins veritably beamed at this further sign of her approval. He had danced with Mary twice, brought her supper, listened to her concerto, followed that up by many fulsome compliments, and finally sat by her side when she had declared she was too tired to dance anymore. They had discussed Fordyce and the theologians he preferred to consult when writing a sermon on a tricky passage. He had shared his joy in his bees and his garden, intimating that she would be welcome at Hunsford anytime. Mary had blushed almost prettily at this, and her fate had been sealed. The man was determined that by tomorrow evening, he would have secured himself a wife that would meet the approval of even Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself!

Mr. Bennet, who did not want to have to witness Mr. Collins making love to his daughter, interjected a change of topic, "Mrs. Bennet, you have not yet shared with us your raptures about the original Mr. Bingley. Is his courtship of our eldest not foremost in your thoughts tonight? There is enough time to marry off your other daughters some other time, I am sure."

"Courtship?" inquired Kitty. "Jane, did he really ask for permission to court you during a ball? Oh, that is so romantic. He couldn't even wait to pay a proper call. You are so fortunate! I hope I meet a man some day that cannot even wait one more day to ask such a question. When do you think he will ask you to marry him?"

Before anyone could say anything, Mrs. Bennet spoke up and shocked them all, "Kitty, dear, you are right to be so happy for Jane, but let us not get the cart before the horse. You did as well as you could, Jane dear, and a formal courtship is more than any of the Lucas girls is likely to get. Let us just enjoy this time." Then, sounding more like herself, she added, "This gives us more time to finish the embroidery on her linens and things. And to shop for a trousseau without all the pressure of also preparing a wedding."

"Thank heavens, Mrs. Bennet, you have regained your senses. With such a calm reaction, I was worried that all the punch had put you into a catatonic state!" Mr. Bennet quipped, and the entire family-including Mrs. Bennet who was rather relaxed-laughed and teased Jane the rest of the way to Longbourn. It had been a satisfactory evening all around!

"What an unsatisfactory evening!" exclaimed Caroline to Henry. "More than unsatisfactory, it was insupportable!"

"Caroline, it is much too late-or too early-to listen to your screeching. If you speak lower, I promise to commiserate to the best of my abilities," replied Henry, who was too tired to be entirely kind to Caroline, but thought he ought to make an effort.

"Commiserate. How could you possibly commiserate? You are the cause of some of my dissatisfaction! You encouraged Charles' attentions to Jane Bennet and now look where it has got us: almost related to those ridiculous Bennets. And you danced with them. All of them-even that tacky youngest chit! Insupportable! And twice with Eliza Bennet and her odious eyes. Well, I guess I cannot chide you for that, you did lure her away from Mr. Darcy, whom she had monopolised for over an hour."

"Now we come to the material point, do we not? Mr. Darcy only danced with you once and chose to dance the supper set with Miss Elizabeth. I'm rather surprised he didn't ask her for a second dance!" This small ray of hope revived his own flagging spirits a bit. "I daresay you would have had your choice of partners, Caroline, if only you were less condescending to all except for the illustrious Darcy. I am sorry to give you pain, Sister, but if you insist on pursuing Darcy, I am afraid you will find many a future occasion 'insupportable'. He is simply not interested."

Caroline blinked at him. Henry was never as easy-going as Charles, but he was usually not so cruel. What could have got into him? "Henry, how can you be so unkind? It is that Elizabeth Bennet. I begin to think she has bewitched both you and Mr. Darcy. You will not believe this, but when I asked Mr. Darcy about this courtship, he actually said 'your brother has made his choice, and I am inclined to think it not such a bad match after all'! Bewitched, I tell you. "

"Caroline, I believe I stressed that I did not want to cause you pain. Sometimes, however, a little pain in the short-term can save far more in the long-term. As often as we disagree, I really do love you and want you to be happy. Chasing after a man like you chase after-don't look at me like that, you know I am right-Darcy is only going to bring you dissatisfaction with him, with yourself, and with life in general. I know you dislike it when I "get preacher-like", but I feel I must say this. I believe that God created you for a higher purpose than this. Have you ever tried to discern it?"

"Now I know you have been bewitched too. It is all well and good to have a clergyman in the family, but one does not expect to hear a sermon in the middle of the night, dressed in evening attire and having been promised commiseration. I bid you goodnight, Henry, and I will hope that we can forget all about this little lecture. It is beneath us both."

She is beneath you. Remember her mother tonight-her sisters, too! Fitzwilliam Darcy normally slept the sleep of the just. Tonight, regardless of the lateness of the hour, he was tossing and turning, his head filled with thoughts of Elizabeth Bennet: her bewitching eyes, her impish smile, her acerbic wit, and her strange family. The way she had turned her mother's tactless comments into an opportunity to flirt. The way I turned her mother's tactless comments into an opportunity to flirt! How shall I conquer this enchantment she has wrought-especially now that a connection between my friend and her sister seems inevitable?

I thought to convince Charles that Miss Bennet did not love him, but I now see that I was really trying to escape a further acquaintance with Elizabeth that could only bring me frustration. The Bennets are not so far below Charles. Indeed, Jane is a gentleman's granddaughter, which is not true of the Bingleys, no matter how far they have climbed. But compared to my lineage and connections, my fortune and breeding, the Bennets have very little to offer.

He decided to cease his sleepless ponderings and do something productive. It would be an hour or two before the household would be up, some of them had gone to bed even later than he, and a morning ride would be just the ticket. He hated to wake up Parks, but it really couldn't be helped. He could not go out without at least a shave, no matter how unlikely it was that he would meet anyone of his acquaintance. No need to scare the common folk!

He called for Parks and was shaved and dressed in good time. Mounting his horse, he took off across the fields. Riding hard and seemingly aimlessly, he found himself staring across a final field to the manicured park on the south side of Longbourn House.

Laughing at himself, he cantered toward a small copse of trees next to a brook where Stallion, at least, could get a drink. As he approached, he was shocked to see a woman sitting by the brook. He pulled up sharply on Stallion's reins, causing the horse to start and snort in disgust at such cavalier treatment. The woman, who else but Miss Elizabeth Bennet herself, started as well and gasped, "Sir!"

Dismounting, Darcy said, "Be not alarmed, Madam. Though I may appear a fright this morning, it is only I, Mr. Darcy, and not some fearful apparition before you. I had not expected to meet any gentlefolk out this early, given the late hour of the ball's end. Are you quite well?"

Elizabeth chuckled and replied, "That is a very chivalrous way of saying, 'You look a fright yourself, Miss Bennet.' Have you not slept at all?'"

"Not at all, I assure you that I was only startled to meet anyone I knew. Now I am glad I awoke Parks, or you would have seen me an unshaven beast. However, Parks could do little to counteract an utter lack of sleep. I was hoping the ride would help. You, however, have a habit of side-stepping my questions. Are you well?"

"Oh, yes, but like yourself I did not sleep much last night. My thoughts were unquiet." When Elizabeth realised that she did not want him to ask more pointedly about her thoughts, since some of them involved him, she dissembled a bit, saying, "Jane and Mr. Bingley's courtship is quite a joy to me. I had hoped Mr. Bingley was insightful enough to see Jane's heart, but I feared that her reserve and his natural modesty might make for a very long road!"

Elizabeth paused here, and then resolved to continue hesitantly, "After your honesty and our shared mirth last night, Mr. Darcy, might I ask you a rather bald question? You seemed to give Mr. Bingley your approbation last night at the ball. Does he really have it?"

"After speaking to your sister briefly last night, I realised that her feelings for Charles are nearly as strong as his for her. That was my main concern. To be frank, he has been misled before by the flirtatious manners of the women in town. He would imagine himself to be smitten and assume that the woman was too, only to find out that her interest was only pocketbook-deep. You have seen his outward affability, but I have seen the results of more than one disappointment."

"More than one?

"Frankly, yes. Let me assure you, however, that he has never been seriously attached to anyone-certainly not so seriously as he is to your sister. I have never seen him quite like this." Darcy could not help but smile at that memory of Charles greeting Miss Bennet last night.

"So you do approve."

"I support my friend's choice."

"A very precise answer! I can see that will have to be good enough for now. Once you know Jane better, I am sure you will love her and approve of her. However, I am afraid you have been remiss, sir. Will you not introduce me to your friend?"

"What friend? Oh, yes, this is Stallion."

"I can see that he's a stallion, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth fought hard not to snicker. Talking about the sex of Mr. Darcy's horse was a strange way to spend a morning.

"Yes," smirked Darcy, "he is, but his name is also simply, 'Stallion'."

"Oh, how very original." Elizabeth could not help but laugh a little at the absurdity of the imposing Mr. Darcy having a horse thus named.

"My sister thought so. She was about five and quite my shadow that summer I was home from Cambridge."

"Well, if I should ever have the privilege of meeting Miss Darcy, I shall no longer be intimidated even though she is 'so accomplished.'" Elizabeth teased him, but it was devoid of its usual acerbity, and he found himself laughing in response.

"I cannot imagine Georgiana intimidating anyone, least of all you, Miss Bennet." He sobered then. "To own the truth, I wish she had a good deal more of your confidence. She was an ebullient child, but the deaths of our mother and father, as well as some more recent hardships, have made her a reserved young lady, nearly withdrawn. If you could meet her, I am sure you would find her 'so accomplished' at nearly everything but conversing with strangers. Somehow, though, I feel you would bring her out of her shell. I have seen you do it time and again."

"Really! And here I thought you were looking at me only to find fault. You, sir, are a secret judge of character. I knew we had a similar turn of mind-I just got the area wrong." Elizabeth's arch look softened as she added, "I am sorry about your sister's losses. She is quite young to have had so many."

"Yes, she is." Mr. Darcy was afraid that if he did not part with his walking companion soon, he may never have the strength. "I fear that day will be fully upon us soon, Miss Bennet, may I-may we-escort you back to Longbourn?"

"You may, Mr. Darcy." They walked home in companionable silence, each growing in their esteem for the other. For Elizabeth, it was a sensation she had only recently experienced; for Darcy, it was a habit of long-standing.

Chapter Eight

Posted on Monday, 7 August 2006

It was a habit of long-standing with the Bennet family that they would dissect every moment of a party or ball over a late breakfast the following morning. Lizzy was surprised, therefore, to arrive home to a very subdued breakfast table containing only Jane and Kitty.

"So everyone else is still abed?" After selecting some toast and jam, Lizzy looked at her sisters for confirmation.

Neither met her eyes, but Jane said softly, "Lydia is, thankfully, but the others are in Papa's study."

As soon as the serving girl left, having filled the coffee urn afresh, Jane became more animated. "Lizzy, you will never imagine what has happened here this morning. Thankfully Papa corralled Mama, Mary and Mr. Collins in the study before anyone but Hill heard, and of course Hill is silent as the grave. And Kitty has been helping me by staying quiet so that the rumour does not spread. But if Lydia were up, I cannot imagine we would be so fortunate. You are a good girl, Kitty." Jane smiled at Kitty and looked back to Lizzy as though expecting commiseration.

"I would sympathise if I could, Jane, but I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. I see no servants about, so why do you not tell me what is wrong."

"It is Mr. Collins. He's ... he's ... I'm sure he did not mean to do it on purpose, but it seems he has compromised Mary. And Mama discovered them; Papa too, I suppose. Now they are all in the library where I believe Papa is forcing him to ask for Mary's hand!"

The same serving girl was back with a boiled-egg done just right for Miss Lizzy's tastes, but it was all Elizabeth could do not to toss it in her face. Instead, she waited quietly whilst she was served. Once they were again alone, she got up and checked at both doors to ensure privacy.

"You cannot be serious. Mr. Collins! There is no way imaginable in which..."

Kitty burst into tears.

"Kitty, what is it, dearest?" Jane had been surprised at Kitty's uncharacteristic silence, but now she was truly vexed.

"I've been so very unkind to Mary for so long, but she is my sister and I love her. And now she will be forced to marry Mr. Collins. Can you imagine being stuck with him? Sharing...intimacies...with him? Oh, it is all too awful to be believed. I am so sorry I was not kinder to her before her life was over!"

Jane and Lizzy looked at each other in combined shock and amusement. When had little Kitty grown up so much?

"Kitty," comforted Lizzy, "I understand your perspective, I really do, more than you can know. But in the last week, and especially last night, I sensed a genuine regard for Mary in Mr. Collins. And I believe she would be happy knowing she is well settled and can keep Longbourn in the family. He is not to our taste, to be sure, but he is not vicious-at least I never thought so. Will somebody not tell me what has occurred?"

"From what I gathered, Mr. Collins was waiting outside Mary's chamber this morning in the hopes of taking her down to breakfast. The rest is not so clear, but I believe it involved a dropped book and something on Mr. Collins' neck, perhaps a button, becoming entangled in Mary's bodice. Then there seems to have been some stumbling and a ripping noise, followed by both of them ending up on the floor of Mary's bedchamber in an undignified position."

Lizzy could not help but laugh at this point. "Jane! This all sounds like something out of a French farce. You cannot honestly lead me to believe that Father would force a marriage out of a dropped book. I thought you implied that the servants did not see."

"Well, Lizzy, it seems that while they were on the floor in Mary's room ... disentangling ... one of them, I am not sure which, initiated..."

"Intimacies!" burst out Kitty.

"Kitty! No, not intimacies exactly, but definitely a kiss. At least." Jane blushed here and Lizzy wondered what in the world 'at least' meant. "There had been ripping, you see."

"Oh. Dear. That is really not something to laugh about, is it?" said Lizzy trying hard not to do just that. "I'm sorry but I am having trouble picturing all this!"

"I wish I were!" exclaimed Kitty. "I heard the noise and came to see what happened just as Mama and Papa came down for breakfast. I have never seen them act so in accord. Papa said, 'Mr. Collins' in a tone I have never heard him use; Mama did not even screech, but grabbed Mary and a shawl to cover her. Then they were both marched down to the study with Mary trying to explain and Mr. Collins too embarrassed by half to begin his wordy apologies. That is how I became acquainted of any of the particulars.

"I knew from the look Papa gave me as he said, 'Catherine, go to breakfast and mind this does not spread,' that he was more serious than I had ever seen him. So, I have been trying to act as though everything is normal, except that I did acquaint Jane with what I knew. But nothing will ever be normal again with such a brother. For they must marry-and he is such a man!"

"Kitty, do not trouble yourself so. I agree with Elizabeth. He is not so very bad, only a bit pompous, and Mary seems to like him well enough. I know Mary well enough to believe that duty is more important to her than love, but perhaps she will find both. Dry your tears so that the servants will not have cause to suspect any more than they already do." Jane was not easy herself with thoughts of Mary and Mr. Collins and ripping-accidental or not. However, she thought it best to keep things as calm as possible until they knew more. With Lizzy threatening to giggle and Kitty to wail, it was all she could do to keep herself reasonably normal-the rest of the world seemed to be turned upside down.

"What is going on? Where is everyone? Mr. Collins never misses a meal!" Lydia entered with her usual morning peevishness and began to fill her plate from the sideboard. "Oh, good, the coffee is hot, for I need a quart of it this morning. I am so fagged."

Instead of replying to Lydia's inquiry, Kitty looked to Jane and then Lizzy. As Jane was also looking to Lizzy, she was tacitly elected to manage the crisis.

"I have not seen anyone else this morning," Elizabeth misdirected. "I took a long walk this morning. It was far more invigorating than that coffee you prefer. You should walk with me more, Lydia. It would do you good."

"Walking! I'm sure I get plenty of fresh air walking about in Meryton and plenty of exercise dancing at balls." Lydia warmed to her subject, the absence of the others momentarily forgotten. "So, have I missed all the juicy gossip about the ball?"

"We were just about to discuss that, Lydia." Jane picked up the misdirection easily. It seemed it was a morning for the Bennet family to pull together. "Who was your favourite partner?"

"Lieutenant Denny, without a doubt, though I must own that for a clergyman, Henry Bingley dances very well. It was horrid unfair that Mr. Wickham did not attend. I thought to dance at least twice with him!" Lydia continued to talk and eat while the others warmed to the topic as well.

"I enjoyed dancing with Denny and the officers, but my favourite partner was Henry Bingley." Kitty surprised everyone with this declaration. "He surprised me. He talked to me like I was a real person-not just Jane's sister. For a cleric, he is quite gallant. Not at all like...other clerics we know."

"You know, of course, who my favourite partner was. Lizzy, who was your favourite? Are we to make it a Bingley brothers adoration society?" Jane, remembering her dances with Charles and her fondness for his brother, could not help but tease a bit.

Lizzy was stuck. How could she say 'Well, I cannot decide between Henry Bingley and Mr. Darcy. They were both such charming partners'? She couldn't. But neither could she outright claim Henry as her favourite because she was really unsure if it was true-especially after her morning encounter. She decided to avoid such a quandary with her usual humour. "I believe I would have to say 'Mr. Collins', for our thirty minutes together were the sanest we had ever spent. The dancing was not particularly fine, but I enjoyed his many questions about and praises for our sister, Mary. Lydia, I believe Mr. Collins is in love with her."

Kitty and Jane, who at first had been horror struck at Lizzy's bringing up a topic they had assiduously avoided, realised that she was easing the way for the announcement they all knew to be coming.

"Thank heavens! I cannot imagine him with any one of us, but for Mary he shall do very nicely, do you not agree? I beg you, though, do not make me chaperone them! I could not stand to hear him drone on about the moral superiority of his ladylove. Do not look at me so! You know it will be interminable. I hope he gets around to asking her soon so that he can be gone by Saturday as planned. I cannot imagine his staying a day longer than that." Lydia may have been simple, but she understood men and had a pragmatic grasp of the particulars of courtship and marriage. She had been well trained by one of the best.

"I am glad to hear you are in favour of the match, Lydia," replied Lizzy, "and I do hope you will show Mary your support for her and not your derision for her intended, should such an event take place. Mary would, after all, be helping to keep Longbourn in the family if she accepts Mr. Collins. That is of benefit to us all, especially our dear mother."

"You are right. Oh, Mama will be beside herself if it really does happen. But we cannot know for sure, can we? Just because Mr. Collins talked about Mary while dancing with Lizzy?"

"You are very wise not to put the cart before the horse, Lydia. Perhaps we should all just keep this to ourselves until it happens, if it happens?" Jane was quickly losing her composure. How long did it take for a man to propose?

"How long will it take for him to propose?" Mrs. Bennet whispered to Mr. Bennet outside the cracked door of the study. The discussion had gone on for far too long, between Mary's blushings and hand-wringings and Mr. Collins' long-winded apologies and explanations. Finally, Mr. Bennet had realised that both parties had probably been headed toward an engagement sooner rather than later anyway, and pointedly left them alone. He expected Mr. Collins to get to the point now that he had the chance, but he had underestimated that man's powers of speech. He was in the middle of a long-winded explanation of his connections with the noble family of de Bourgh, his reasons for marrying, and the fine parsonage that he was currently in possession of.

"Too long, it appears." Mr. Bennet was about to go in and bring the thing to a close himself, but as he opened the door slightly, he saw an amazing sight. Mr. Collins was going down on one knee and his words could be clearly heard by both parents.

"Miss Bennet, Cousin Mary, I have been so blind in my pursuit of a wife that I confess I did not even notice you at first. Now, however, you have my full attention. I have given you many reasons why I ought to marry, but I have not told you why I want to marry you. You are everything that is amiable and lovely. Your moral uprightness, your steadiness of character-especially when contrasted with some of your sisters'-and your kindness to me have won my esteem. Our kiss this morning, though in some ways regrettable, opened my eyes to you in a new way. You no longer possess just my esteem, but my affection. Please tell me that I have won some of your regard as well, and do me the honour of marrying me, Mary Bennet. Please?"

Mr. Bennet's eyebrows climbed nearly to his hairline, which was quite a feat, and Mrs. Bennet broke into great sobs of joy. Neither would have imagined that the ridiculous Mr. Collins, with his practised compliments and his taste for Fordyce, had the soul of a ... lover, at least, if not a poet. More amazing was that it had been unlocked by their most backward daughter in such a strange manner.

When the girls at the table heard the sobs, they were worried for their mother's health or sanity-perhaps especially Lydia who did not know the context for the wails.

They all rushed to the study, only to find the door flung open and Mrs. Bennet embracing Mary, saying, "My favourite girl, you have made my heart easy. Longbourn is saved. You clever girl, to capture such a man's attention. I am sorry, indeed, that I did not encourage the match from the start. If only I had known! One daughter engaged and one as good as, for I know Jane will secure Bingley if it is in her power. Only three daughters left to worry about. Mr. Bennet, God has been very good to us!"

Mr. Bennet was shaking his head a bit at his wife, but he reached his hand out to his cousin with far more goodwill than could have been expected an hour or even a day ago. "God has been good to us, my dear. Mr. Collins, welcome to our family. How shall you like to have a studious wife, four sisters-at least two of them very silly-and a matchmaking mother?"

"Mr. Bennet!" Mrs. Bennet was used to her husband's teasing ways, but he did pick the oddest moments to express them. "I will have you know that Mary and Mr. Collins found their way to each other all on their own. And now that Mr. Bingley is courting Jane, the girls will be thrown into the paths of other rich men. Or perhaps Mr. Collins might introduce them to some of his Hunsford circle. Now that we've begun, I am certain that it will be easy as anything to get husbands for all the girls."

"I want one in a red coat, Mama, do not forget!" Lydia was not about to let Mr. Collins or even Mary do her matchmaking. She had high hopes that, at the very least, some red coats would very soon pay a call.

"Do you think it is too soon to pay a call?" Charles Bingley, whose coat was green today, was overjoyed in his new-found courtship, but he still needed a bit of bolstering from Henry until he felt sure in his new role.

"If you do not pay a call today, Jane will probably be wondering what good a formal courtship is! After all, does not that status give you more right than any of us to pay a call? I daresay the Bennet family would be happy to see you most any time of the day or evening-even I could see you are a great favourite with all of them. I am eager to join you, if I may, since my time here in Hertfordshire is so short. I would like to know my future family as well as possible before I leave." Henry was eager to see one Bennet in particular, but until he had settled in his own mind what he should do about his probable rivalry with Darcy, he thought it impolitic to mention that. Charles, however, was more astute than he looked.

"Oh, so it is purely filial feelings that draw you thither, is it? There would not happen to be one Bennet sister for whom you have more than brotherly feelings, Hal?" Charles could not help but twit his younger brother a bit; he had never before shown more than a friendly interest in any lady of their acquaintance, preferring to devote himself to his studies and his calling rather than courting the fair sex.

"Charlie, I am not denying you may have the right of it, but I beg you to keep such suppositions to yourself for now. Let us focus on your happy news and the angelic Miss Bennet and leave a match for me to sort itself out, shall we?" Henry knew Charles meant well, but it was too soon to make any overtures, especially given Darcy's more bold pursuit of Elizabeth last night. It seemed that perhaps he was overcoming his scruples at last. I should be happy that Darcy is bending that stubborn neck of his, but all I can feel is jealous of his prior claim. Not very pastoral of me! "Shall we be off, then?"

"Shall you be off where? Longbourn, I presume." Out of nowhere, Darcy appeared looking ready to go out himself.

"Yes, Longbourn. I do not suppose you would care to come with us?" Charles asked, more out of politeness than a real desire to have his silent friend accompany them.

"Yes, I believe I will. Thank you for the invitation." Darcy shocked Charles with his desire to come, but Henry felt sure of his motives.

I guess I have the right of it after all. Henry thought with a sigh as the three friends set off for Longbourn.

The three friends set off for Longbourn, attired in their best regimentals. Wickham was eager to pay an early call after having denied himself the pleasure of dancing with Elizabeth at the Netherfield ball. Denny and Saunderson would not have been so bold on their own, but with Wickham's encouragement, they became quite pleased with their plan to pay a call on the Bennet sisters. Lydia and Kitty, of course, were first in their thoughts, but they always were served a very hearty tea as well. Longbourn's ladies and its larder were equal inducements to men so far from home and hearth.

Wickham was less interested in scones and jam than in Elizabeth Bennet's sparkling eyes and sympathetic ear. He was still smarting from having run from Darcy like a scared rabbit and sought to bolster his sagging morale. Imagine! Darcy happening to be in the very same neighbourhood as I. What are the chances of that? Thankfully, this was not Derbyshire, where its golden boy was adored and lowly George Wickham and his debts were notorious. In Hertfordshire it seemed that Darcy had acquitted himself with his usual hauteur and had made more enemies than friends. Funny. I would have thought even Darcy could appreciate the elder Bennet sisters. .

Chapter Nine

Posted on Saturday, 12 August 2006

The elder Bennet sisters were taking a stroll in the park, discussing the many events of the last day. Lizzy questioned her sister closely on her courtship (wonderful), how Mr. Bingley had asked her (so wonderfully), and how she felt today (wonderful), and then it was Jane's turn to scrutinise Lizzy.

"What of your dancing twice with Henry Bingley? I thought you were cross with him about Mr. Wickham. Oh, and Mr. Wickham's absence: I may have been preoccupied, but I did notice that. And of course, dancing with, escaping to the balcony with, and then eating placidly with Mr. Darcy-Lizzy, you really surprised me. I thought you disliked him so, but you seemed to like him well enough last night."

"And this morning." Lizzy had a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she interrupted.

"This morning! Lizzy, do be serious. You are going to have me thinking there is another romance afoot. Is not two enough? I cannot believe you saw Mr. Darcy this morning."

"O, thou of little faith! I did see Mr. Darcy and his friend this morning on my walk. I couldn't sleep and apparently neither could he. We met quite by accident, I assure you, so do not go on about romance." Lizzy's smile turned inward as she said, "I will own, however, that he does improve on further acquaintance."

"How could you meet Mr. Bingley this morning and not tell me?" Jane was surprised, as Lizzy had a generous heart, especially where her favourite sister was concerned.

"Silly girl, it was not Mr. Bingley I met, but a much older acquaintance. His favourite horse, Stallion." Lizzy laughed at Jane's expression but decided not to make her ask the obvious. "Not a stallion, but Stallion, so named by the talented Georgiana Darcy. When she was five, of course. Mr. Darcy gave me quite a different account of her than did Miss Bingley. I shall no longer dread meeting her. In fact, I believe I would rather enjoy it."

"Tell me, Lizzy, what did Mr. Darcy and Mr. Henry Bingley have to say about Mr. Wickham? I cannot believe him to be so very bad, though Charles did mention some confusion over legacies."

"Jane, I am afraid we were completely taken in by the smooth manners of Mr. Wickham. Mr. Bingley told me that he had voluntarily given up the living. He also intimated that Mr. Wickham's reputation and character were not well respected in Derbyshire. Mr. Darcy confirmed the whole, giving me such particulars, as I feel confident of their veracity. Mr. Wickham may have had truth in his looks, but Mr. Darcy, I believe, had truth in his words-and he was willing to humble himself by telling me all this.

"He said he was angered at the thought of Mr. Wickham imposing upon the ladies of Hertfordshire. I must admit I was shocked at such thoughtfulness. I made a flippant statement about 'Mr. Darcy having all the goodness and Mr. Wickham all the appearance of it', and I believe I actually hurt his feelings. Before last night I would not have thought there were many feelings to hurt! I had been so prejudiced against him, so ready to believe any possible ill. Until then, I never knew myself."

"Lizzy, I know you dislike being wrong about anything or anyone, but I'm glad you can admit you were wrong. I knew Mr. Bingley could not be a friend to someone so cruel. But, Mr. Wickham, what is to be done about him? Do you think we ought to expose him?"

"I think we should first ask Mr. Darcy what he thinks we ought to do. I know it cost him dearly to expose his private dealings in such a way, to such an impertinent miss, so I know not how he will feel about telling our circle. Greed is an evil, but it is the other behaviour they both hinted at that has me more concerned than his wanting a living he had given up. 'Viciousness, vice.' These are qualities I would not want in a companion for myself or for any of our neighbours. And what of our younger sisters? They are already enamoured of the man after only two meetings. How shall it be if the acquaintance is furthered?" Lizzy sighed. "I will at least ask Mr. Darcy if I can tell Papa. It is really his responsibility to handle this.

"About last night, however, there is yet more I had not told you. You know that Mr. Wickham had implied that Henry Bingley was also part of the plot? Well, when I first met your future brother, he made a joke that I took to be at Wickham's expense, and I lit into him quite fiercely. You were in the still room, and once you arrived it ended our little spat.

"I should really have apologised last night when I found out I was so deceived, but I found myself being swept away by Mr. Collins-all right, led away by Mr. Collins-and I never got the chance to do so. At supper I could have apologised, I suppose, but I was so distracted with both men suddenly taking more than a casual interest in me. Mr. Bingley, mine not yours, did not want to be safe, and then Mr. Darcy brought my white soup and was so open, and then both of them were talking of my attachments, and..."

"Elizabeth Bennet! You are normally one of the most cogent people I know, but at the moment you are making no sense. From what little I understood, it seems that in addition to owing Henry Bingley an apology, you think that both he and Mr. Darcy are, are, interested in you? Mine not yours? Safety? Attachments? I am afraid you lost me somewhere in that mélange of ideas!" Jane was certain she must have misheard and waited as patiently as possible for Lizzy to sort her out.

"I wish I could tell you that you were confused, Jane, but I believe you have the right end of the stick. I am afraid I have gone from despising Mr. Darcy and being peeved at Henry Bingley-and believing they felt the same-to wondering if both of them are not interested in me in a more than fraternal manner."

"And your ... interests?"

"Oh, Jane." How could she begin to explain what she barely understood herself?

"Lizzy?"

"I must say that I find them both quite agreeable, and certainly more interesting than any other one man I have met in a long time. But there are two of them. And one will most likely be my brother. And the other is his patron. I am half confusion, half hope."

"Oh, Lizzy. I thought my night was eventful. It seems as though solving the Mr. Wickham question has raised more than a few new ones!" Jane turned at the sound of footsteps.

"Beggin' your pardon, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, but your mother sent me to tell you that you have callers this morning." Mrs. Hill bobbed a curtsey at the sisters before returning to the house.

Jane had not even asked who the callers were, content in the knowledge that Mr. Bingley awaited her. Lizzy, however, wished she had thought to ask Mrs. Hill who was with Mr. Charles Bingley. Which friend would he bring with him today?

"And we have brought our friend Wickham with us, Mrs. Bennet, who most particularly wishes to make your acquaintance after having enjoyed the hospitality of your sister the other night. Would it be too much to ask to invite him in as well?" Denny had thought this would be awkward, but Mrs. Bennet was so affable and encouraging, he found it to be no trouble at all.

"Certainly, sir, I would love to meet this Mr. Wickham of whom I have heard such good reports. Hill, please fetch Mr. Wickham and tell him he is most welcome."

Lizzy and Jane were just in time to hear this last and looked at each other in consternation before entering the room fully. Denny and Saunderson bowed to the newcomers and resumed their conversations with Kitty and Lydia. Mr. Collins sat reading to Mary, quietly for a change, in another corner of the room. Mr. Bennet was absent, as usual, so Elizabeth had no way of informing him of the problematic introduction without causing a stir by leaving a room she had just entered and right before a guest was to arrive, too.

She decided that no matter how speedily she informed her father, there was no way to escape the greater acquaintance now. So she stayed and screwed up her courage for the inevitable meeting with the man who had so quickly taken her in with his false tales of woe.

Mr. Wickham entered with a spring in his step. He had just been admitted to one of the best houses in the neighbourhood, one where Darcy held no sway, and one that contained some of the prettiest girls he had met in quite a while. It also contained Elizabeth, the apparently sympathetic creature who just happened to be beautiful and witty and to dislike Darcy.

After the introductions between him and her mother, Mr. Wickham immediately crossed to where Elizabeth stood and struck up a conversation. His every query was met with an icy civility: if Elizabeth had been overly warm in her defence of Wickham, she was determined to be that much chillier in her disapprobation. Wickham did not understand why such a change had occurred, however, and was determined to melt her reserve.

"I was exceedingly sorry, Miss Elizabeth, to have missed the opportunity of dancing with you at the Netherfield ball. You must have heard that I was sent on an errand to town. I rode hard from the early hours just so that I could make it back in time to call on you today and extend my deepest regrets for having missed the chance to partner you."

Elizabeth decided that ice was not working as she had hoped, so she turned to one of her lesser-known accomplishments: storytelling.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Wickham. Your tale of an errand has put me in mind of another story, one that occurred last night. Would you like to hear it?"

"Yes, I would enjoy hearing anything you have to say."

"There was a lady who had been promised a dance with a most eligible, if rather plain, gentleman. It had been his mother's wish, you see, and she had arranged it with her son that he would dance with the girl at the Netherfield ball, if it were mutually agreeable. However, the mother fell ill and could not attend. Well, at the ball, the lady told the gentleman in question that she did not care to dance with him after all. She would rather dance with the handsome barristers who had decided to attend."

"There were barristers at the ball last night? A group of them?"

"You have found me out. Let us just call the story a parable, shall we? I am just getting to the best part! The lady flirted and danced the waltz and got tipsy with the barristers, but to no avail, none of them would ask her for a second set. Finally, she realised that she was going to be without a partner, and she rushed back to the plain chap, I think he was a clergyman, and begged him to dance with her. Can you imagine the audacity of such a thing? She turned him down as not interesting enough, pursued other men, and then returned to claim the dance she felt she was owed!"

Mr. Wickham was looking a bit pale, as the realisation of what she was saying began to dawn, but before he could speak, Elizabeth continued.

"You will never guess what happened after the clergyman rejected her inconstant appeals. She had the gall to tell her friends that the man had refused to honour his mother's wishes. Is this not a wicked way for a ball guest to behave? The worst of it is, of course, that her friends believed her and none of them would dance with the plain clergyman, who was really very interesting and not so very proud. Can I get you some refreshment, Mr. Wickham, you look a bit peaky?" Elizabeth flashed him a dazzling smile and left him, speechless, to serve tea with Jane.

Wickham was just declining tea and entreating his fellows to a hasty departure due to some imaginary, forgotten errand when Hill entered the room and announced, "Mr. Darcy, Mr. Charles Bingley and Mr. Henry Bingley."

Chapter Ten

Posted on Tuesday, 15 August 2006

Mr. Henry Bingley could not believe his ears. "You told him a parable?"

"Yes, as a clergyman, I am sure you know the value of a well-timed tale. I have not spent every Sunday in church my entire life without learning a few tricks of the pastoral profession, and Mr. Hammond is quite a good example. People are much more receptive to a lesson if it is not a scold but a story, well told, that they can relate to. And believe me when I say that Mr. Wickham could see very clearly what I thought of him, at least by the end. I was disappointed, I admit, that he was so slow at perceiving it. I was mistaken, it seems, in more than just his character!"

Mr. Darcy was standing within earshot but not partaking in the conversation. Upon seeing Wickham in the room, he had withdrawn into his usual mien and manner, hardly saying two words to anyone. Wickham had not stayed more than a minute or two before taking his leave of them, whisking away poor Saunderson in the middle of a tea cake that he was forced to squirrel away like a schoolboy who is called to bed before his supper is done.

Lizzy was enjoying regaling Henry Bingley with her chastisement of Wickham, but she was also uneasy. Why is Mr. Darcy so different in company than he was in the park this morning? Will it always be like this if our friendship grows? Would I tolerate it?

She decided to try to chivvy him out of his reserve. "Mr. Darcy, do you not want to hear my parable?"

"What? Oh, I am sorry, I was not attending. I was thinking of my sister, Georgiana. What did you ask me?"

"I asked if you would like to hear the parable that I invented to let Mr. Wickham know of my change of ... opinion."

Henry Bingley stage whispered to Darcy, "I thought she was going to say 'attachment'."

"Awful! No, I was going to say 'heart', but I knew you would misconstrue it. Teasing, teasing man. You are distracting me from hearing Mr. Darcy's reply." Elizabeth smiled at him encouragingly, hoping he would hear her tale and know she had truly repented.

"Yes, of course, I would enjoy any tale spun by you, especially one with such a noble purpose. Tell on."

And she did. She told them, with a few slight improvements as she warmed to her story, the parable with which she had snubbed her former favourite. She ended with, "You saw him leave in a hurry and imagine it to have been your presence that effected the departure, but I am confident that without my aid, we all would have had to suffer his presence for far longer."

"I would like nothing better than to never have to suffer his presence again!" Darcy's countenance had gone from delighted to dark in the course of his single sentence.

"Come, Mr. Darcy, we shall find a way to lessen his presence in our midst. I had thought I might talk to my father, if I could garner your permission to expose Wickham's lies. And if not, it is not as if he could try to become a clergyman in this neighbourhood. My father is the only one with a living to provide hereabouts, and our own Mr. Hammond is not going anywhere soon." Lizzy wondered at the vehemence of his response. It was upsetting, certainly, to be lied about and used in such a manner, but would that account for such black looks?

"Darcy, surely the man is but an annoyance. He can do no real harm to you beyond trying to sully your reputation, which is a harder thing to do than he had supposed. Do not worry so!" Henry Bingley was concerned for his parishioner's own thoughts of revenge.

"I have told neither of you the complete story, and I will not do so now as it involves another more nearly than it does myself. I will say, however, that after I denied him Kympton, Mr. Wickham revenged himself on me in a manner I am not soon likely to forget or forgive." Darcy seemed to collect himself enough to cease frowning, saying, "I had not considered it before, Miss Bennet, but perhaps a talk with Mr. Bennet and Sir William would be in order. I need time, however, to decide how best to accomplish this. As I have already said once, I am not accustomed to exposing my private business to the entire world."

"Unlike another gentleman of my acquaintance who shares made-up tales of woe with gullible maidens upon first acquaintance," said Elizabeth, by way of another apology. "Ah well, if I reserve the right to laugh at my neighbours' follies, I had better be even more skilled at laughing at my own or else be branded a hypocrite as well as a fool.

"But enough of this maudlin self-recrimination. I prefer to think of the past only as its remembrance gives me pleasure. The present is far too joyful. You may not realise this, but there is more than one happy couple in the room this morning. My sister, Mary, has accepted Mr. Collins' proposal of marriage."

"Really? I shall wish them joy!" Thus Henry Bingley retreated from the field, for today at least, still unsure of what he ought to do, but more sure than ever what he wanted to do. Why is it so much easier to be decisive on Charles' behalf? Elizabeth's parable and the deft way she had handled Wickham and brought Darcy out of his black mood had captivated him. She had improved her opinion of both him and Darcy; that much was obvious to Bingley from her open manners and friendly teasing. He could not, however, decide if he could discern anything more-for either of them-in her sparkling eyes.

Those same eyes followed him as he left the pair. Perhaps she had misinterpreted his flirtation last night. He seemed less persistent this morning in any case. I am beginning to sound like Mama, imagining marriage prospects in every eligible man. I guess that is what happens when love is in the air. Elizabeth turned as Mr. Darcy added his congratulations.

"I was introduced upon arrival to this Mr. Collins whom your mother talked of last night, and he told me the most extraordinary fact. I wonder if you can guess it."

"No doubt it had something to do with his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh," Lizzy intoned in a mock-Collins voice.

"Indeed it does. It seems my aunt was well Saturday week." Mr. Darcy delighted in the astonished and slightly guilty look on Elizabeth's face. "It is a small world, is it not?"

"Oh dear. Very small. Your aunt? I apologise for my tone, but Mr. Collins has mentioned her with reverence close to a hundred times since his arrival just over a week ago. She seems to command great loyalty." Elizabeth did not add that anyone who could choose her future brother as a rector must not be entirely sensible.

"Do not make yourself uneasy. I got a small taste of his loyalty upon introduction. It seems your sister will be living a stone's throw from my aunt. Perhaps we will have the pleasure of meeting there someday."

"Someday perhaps we will. But you sound as if we will not see each other here in Hertfordshire. I had not heard that you were leaving." Elizabeth would not have cared one bit if Mr. Darcy had left for the Americas just two days ago, and now she was surprisingly sad to contemplate it.

"Leaving? No, not yet. But I do plan to spend the Christmas holidays in London with Georgiana. I had thought to bring her here, but...circumstances have prevented it."

Elizabeth was even sorrier for her misjudgements. It was a shame Mr. Darcy could not bring his sister to Hertfordshire if he should so desire. Out loud she said, "Mr. Wickham's presence among them, I presume."

"How did you guess?"

"If I am wishing Mr. Wickham miles away, you who have so much more reason must want to keep your sister even safer. I am no simpleton, Mr. Darcy. I will not venture to guess the additional injustice he has done you, but it has wounded you more deeply than you like to admit. I am sorry you are not able to settle your plans as you are accustomed to doing."

"You have found me out! I am accustomed to arranging my affairs to my liking. Perhaps Wickham was sent into my life to teach me patience."

"A very philosophical perspective on suffering, Mr. Darcy. Between my parable telling and your lessons on suffering, we could make one fine parson between us."

"It seems to me there are enough clergymen in Longbourn parish to meet all the needs here." Mr. Darcy smiled at the thought of Miss Bennet taking orders, or himself for that matter.

"A 'surfeit of clerics' was a phrase I heard."

"A surfeit of clerics?" Mr. Collins had overheard the last comment as he was getting more cake. "May I ask to what you are referring?"

"Simply the presence of so many clergymen here in Longbourn parish at the same time, Mr. Collins. Nothing more dramatic than that." Lizzy hoped Mr. Collins would not begin a sermon on the respect one ought to have for one's rector, but his response was quite different.

"I would not call three a surfeit. Imagine my wedding day to Miss Mary. I have plans to bring two or three more with me then. I do not have any family living, so I thought I would bring my brothers in ministry." Mr. Collins bowed and left them, not being one to be distracted from his expected repast, to pursue the aforementioned cake.

Mr. Darcy kept his countenance admirably serious as he whispered, "That will be a surfeit of clerics, indeed."

"Then I guess we will not be needed after all!" laughed Elizabeth, increasingly amazed at the ease of her conversations today with this usually taciturn gentleman. She was having trouble remembering, from times not-so-long past, the forbidding Mr. Darcy.

"Why were you talking so much to the forbidding Mr. Darcy?" Mrs. Bennet was still imagining three weddings in as many months, and she felt that if Lizzy would take the trouble to secure him, she could easily catch a rector like Henry Bingley.

"Mama, perhaps we should not talk so of Mr. Bingley's dearest friend, even outside his presence. I have begun to think that doing so can only injure Jane." Elizabeth had no idea what her mother would do if she learned of her second daughter's growing esteem for someone with ten thousand a year, only that it made her shudder to contemplate it. It made Lizzy more than a little uneasy to dwell on her own changing opinions as well.

"Jane is getting on well enough. It is you I am worried about. I saw you talking to both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, and the next thing I knew, Henry Bingley was talking to Mary and Mr. Collins and wishing them joy. It was very kind of him, to be sure, but I do not know why you felt the need to entertain that Mr. Darcy for so long afterward."

"I apologise if I was rude, Mama. We were talking of the clergy."

"The clergy? The clergy? Well, Miss Lizzy, if you ever catch yourself a man, I am sure it will be very surprising for you do not follow my advice at all. Talking of clergy with Mr. Darcy when a perfectly good clergyman, who likely has a tidy sum in inheritance as well as a good living, is wandering around alone."

"Mama, I like Mr. Henry Bingley. He is kind and intelligent and resolute. But more than that I cannot say. I do not know him well enough to want to "secure" him, nor do I think that there is any rush to do so. Surely if things continue as they are, we will see him quite often in the future. I know you want me settled, but I would much rather be certain of any man whose regard I seek. Can you not understand that? Just a little?"

"Certain of him? What more is there to be certain of than that he has a good income and a steady character? If, like Henry Bingley, he is not ill formed, so much the better! What else is there to be certain of?"

"Oh, Mama. What about whether we would suit? Whether we have similar tastes, interests, or pursuits? Are these not also important?" Lizzy knew she was fighting an uphill battle but could not help but try, yet again, to share her own vision of marriage with her mother.

"You are far too fastidious, Elizabeth Bennet. I hope Jane and Mary are kind to you when your father is gone, for I shall not be able to keep you in books and gowns." Mrs. Bennet needed to see to the dinner and was thoroughly finished listening to such nonsense. It was hard for her to imagine that such an impractical child should have been born to her.

How could I have been born to a mother so unlike me? Elizabeth had adjourned to the garden to contemplate her increasingly tumultuous feelings. Why is love so easy for some and so difficult for others? Memories of childhood attachments gone wrong and her first proposal from a rather intoxicated Billy Lucas filled her mind, only to be overtaken by thoughts of the increasingly open Mr. Darcy and the charming but distracted Henry Bingley.

"Lizzy, what are you doing all alone out here? Mama is readying a congratulatory meal for Mary and Mr. Collins and Mr. Bingley is returning to join us. Are you simply escaping the commotion or are there other matters preying on your mind?"

"My mind will not be still, Jane. Everything that I thought about Mr. Darcy seems to be wrong or at least incomplete. It was so easy to believe Wickham's lies because I resented Mr. Darcy's early insult and his haughty ways. But I owe Mr. Wickham much, for if I had not been so misled, Mr. Darcy never would have corrected me and exposed so much of his true character to me. Still, I cannot let myself like him, for if I liked him, I might do more; and if I did more, I would break my heart over him, for I know he could not attach himself to me."

"There is not much room for confusion over Henry Bingley in there, is there? But just this morning you sounded as though you might like him as well."

"I do like him. What is there not to like? Only, he blows a bit hot and cold, and I cannot fathom why. Despite what Mama thinks, I have certainly not discouraged his attentions. Perhaps he is not interested after all."

"I happen to know that Mr. Bingley, my Mr. Bingley, that is, was perfectly willing to come alone this morning but found he had two very eager companions. He laughed and said, 'I'll leave it to you to decide where Henry's interest lies', and then nodded toward the two of you."

"Really? How odd! He was attentive but not exclusively to me. Well, it does not much signify as he is going away so soon. It is not likely that I shall see much of him in the near future. Perhaps I should just concentrate on your happiness and Mary's and stop this ridiculous self-examination. I was not formed for sorrow or for hours of contemplation. No. I am resolved. I shall enjoy my lively conversations with these two worthy men and think no more of futures that may or may not develop. And you will help me, will you not? I want to hear all about what your Mr. Bingley thinks of Mary's speedy engagement. Is he in favour of short courtships?"

"I am in favour of a short courtship." Charles Bingley had spent the call wondering why he had bothered with a formal courtship at all. Collins had the right of it! When you know you have found the right one, why wait?

"Charles, do think clearly, there is still time to escape the connection. If you commit fully now, it will be much more difficult to extract yourself if you discover that you do not suit." Caroline knew her brother well enough to know that he was already committed, but she hoped that something even more terrible than relations in trade and an overbearing mother would come to light.

"Caroline, I have no desire to escape the connection. I know all of your reasons for disapproving the match, but Jane is a gentleman's daughter, she comports herself with grace and decorum, and she has accepted me. Moreover, I love her and she seems to love me. Nothing you can say will change the fact that I intend, eventually, to ask her to be my wife. So why should I wait?" Charles had seen the look in Jane's eyes when he asked her. There was no mistaking her feelings for him as mercenary or merely pragmatic. She had beamed at him, and he longed to see that look on her face always.

"Charles, you know I consider your Miss Bennet to be all that you have said and more, but I implore you not to go over there tonight and ask for her hand. For one thing, it will overshadow Miss Mary's engagement, and I think she could do with a bit of attention. For another, you just asked Miss Bennet yesterday if you could court her." Henry was sorry to side with Caroline, ever, but in this case he felt she was right-if for all the wrong reasons. "Will it not seem awfully changeable of you to ask for her hand the very next day? Why not let her become used to the idea of marriage gradually? Give her time to adjust to the thought of leaving the home of her childhood. A formal courtship is a lovely gesture, but it loses all its integrity if you propose on day two."

"I agree. Now is not the right time. But I must say that I am warming to the idea of Jane Bennet as a sister. You have liked many a stupider person," said Louisa, much to Caroline's dismay. However, Louisa knew which way the wind was blowing.

"And do you even have a ring here at Netherfield?" Darcy had been quiet since their return from Longbourn, so everyone started a bit at his joining in the conversation.

"A ring. That is a good thought. I have my mother's ring, which I mean to give to her when I propose, but it is in safe keeping in London. I do not know that I should trust such a job to a servant, and I promised Jane I would not leave for London until we had had some time to enjoy our courtship. I suppose you are right, Darcy, and I should wait until I can reclaim the ring."

"I can improve on your plan. If you can wait till Twelfth Night, I shall be back from Christmas in London with Georgiana, and I shall retrieve the ring myself and bring it to you then."

"But I thought you did not approve of the courtship, much less a marriage!" Caroline was incensed that Darcy would be aiding her brother's folly. She had hoped for an ally.

"I do not disapprove so much as I did. I was able to see Miss Bennet's reaction to being courted first-hand at the ball, and her response was all that is lovely and genuine. After witnessing many a match in my London set, Miss Bennet's unstudied joy was very refreshing. Moreover, I have seen the way Charles has grown in confidence in the time since he made his choice. How can I second guess such happiness?" Mr. Darcy left out the part about their money having been made from trade. He knew Caroline well enough to know this would not assuage her hurt feelings one bit. He also did not mention that if Charles broke Jane's heart, especially on his encouragement, it was unlikely to endear her sister to him.

"Thank you, Darcy. I suppose 'not disapproving so much as you did' is high praise coming from you! I prefer to think of your offer to get the ring and the approval that implies to me."

"My offer stands however you choose to interpret it," replied a smiling Darcy. Who could remain unmoved in the face of such optimism?

Chapter Eleven

Posted on Tuesday, 22 August 2006

The absence of Charles' optimism made the Netherfield party quite dull that evening. Caroline was like a fractious child, angry at Charles' inopportune connection and Louisa's perceived abandonment. Louisa was not unsympathetic, but she felt that further disapproval on their side was counterproductive, especially with Henry still in residence. Henry was still deliberating over Elizabeth Bennet's charming impertinence and sparkling eyes-and whether Darcy had a prior claim to pursue their owner.

Darcy himself was in a foul mood. As little as he liked to admit it, his attention was not at Netherfield but at Longbourn, in the possession of one Elizabeth Bennet, which delighted and vexed him by turns. Moreover, he knew he ought to talk with Mr. Bennet and Sir William about that scoundrel Wickham when he had much rather ignore the man. How much to tell was the true quandary. Wickham's money grubbing and character defamation were bad, but perhaps they were not enough to encourage the men to bar him from their drawing rooms. Wickham's debts and trifling with serving girls and the daughters of respectable tradesmen ought to be sufficient. He knew, however, that Georgiana's tale would be incontrovertible proof that something drastic must be done. Was he willing to make that sacrifice?

After dinner, the separation of the men and women was lengthy. Hurst never had much desire to reunite with his wife when there was good port to be had. Henry had little desire to be in Caroline's presence when she was like this, though he hoped that Louisa might at least help her adopt the pragmatic attitude if not the gracious one. Darcy had no desire whatsoever to rejoin the ladies as their presence only heightened his longing for another woman: one far above them in character and disposition yet beneath them in circumstance and connection.

Hurst seemed content to nurse his port in silence, but Henry was hoping for conversation. At length he approached an equally silent Darcy and began, "So, you have decided to leave Netherfield for the Christmas holidays. I am sorry you have chosen town over Pemberley. Kympton parish has missed two of its own for quite awhile."

"Georgiana is well established in town right now, and I do not want to disrupt her routine too much. She is enjoying the company of a very respectable woman, a new companion called Annesley. And, since I plan to be gone only two weeks, it seems rather a long journey for the two of us."

"Why not bring Georgiana here after Christmas? I believe there will be engagement celebrations aplenty and perhaps even the Bennet-Collins wedding. It will be a merry crowd here in Hertfordshire. I am hoping to return in January myself, though not as early as Twelfth Night, unless you have any objection." Henry did not feel obligated to ask for permission for every small absence, but following so closely on his current one, he thought it wise to give Darcy the right of refusal.

"As to the second, as long as your curate can handle things, I see no reason why you should not return to celebrate Charles' engagement. I hear he is a good man and well liked, too. As to the first, I have some reservations about bringing Georgiana here, not the least of which is Wickham."

"Wickham again. Perhaps he will be less problematic by then. And surely you can keep him away from Netherfield. I had rather thought you might want to introduce Georgiana to certain of your acquaintance here." Henry felt he could not come right out and ask him about Miss Elizabeth again, but he dearly wanted to know if the field was clear. Henry wasn't sure whether this reticence was due to his public school upbringing, his innate sense of fair play, or perhaps something less noble like fear that if he competed with Fitzwilliam Darcy for anything that man really wanted, he was destined to lose anyway.

"I am sure Georgiana will become acquainted with Charles' Miss Bennet after they are married, if indeed they do marry." Darcy hated disguise, but he was not above evasion. Was Henry speaking as a friend or a potential rival?

"I was thinking of one of the other Misses Bennet, but I suspect you know that." Henry decided to stop beating about the bush. "In our conversation about Caroline's...aspirations," this was said with a glance at the snoring Hurst, "you denied having an attachment to Miss Elizabeth. Yet not a week later you asked her, and only her except my sisters, to dance-the supper set no less. Then you disappeared with her afterward for at least a quarter of an hour. All this argues against your stated position. It is my surmise that you had been struggling against potential feelings that have now found some level of fruition. Do I miss the mark?" Please tell me I have missed the mark!

"May I ask why you care? Are you acting in your capacity as a future brother, or is there more to your questioning than you are letting on? It seems to me that you take an eager interest in her attachments, real or imagined!" Darcy's foul mood was worsening. How does he know so much, and how dare he question me on it as though I owe him an explanation?

"Think what you like about my reasons but hear this, if I had met Miss Bennet at the same time as you, you can be certain I would have no scruples in seeking out her company and even pursuing her, whether or not you were doing the same. If I had not suspected your interest and tried to put your prior claims before my own, we would not be having this conversation, for I would have begged, borrowed or stolen an invitation to dine at the Bennets this evening." Henry checked his temper. What he desired most was a clear signal from Darcy one way or the other and getting incensed was not the way to achieve that.

"Listen, Darcy, I have always known you to be a good man though a fastidious one when it comes to matters of connection and status. I would have never dreamed that we could be interested in the same woman, but it seems we are. If I am wrong, or if I am right but you will not pursue her because of her family or situation, tell me so and allow me to pursue Miss Elizabeth free of the guilt I have been feeling. If not, and if you can assure me that you mean to try to win her, then I will step aside and continue to distance myself from her. Perhaps I will even leave Hertfordshire earlier than I had planned. My heart is not so engaged as to make this a very painful task-yet."

Henry's look was so very vulnerable and his tone now so kind that Darcy could not help but soften a bit. "And if I am undecided?" he replied softly after a few silent moments.

Henry let out the breath he did not know he had been holding. "And if you are undecided?" repeated Henry as though the thought was entirely novel. "If you are undecided, I would say, 'you had better make up your mind, for I will not hold back in the face of such indecision!'" Henry grinned at the thought of having a chance to pursue Elizabeth on a relatively even playing field. Though he had no illusions about Darcy's far greater claims to wealth and status, Henry had his living and a tidy sum in the four percents besides, thanks to his maternal grandfather. He doubted Elizabeth, who had admired Wickham, would be put off by his smaller fortune. His joy was short-lived, however, for Darcy spoke again.

"I love her." Darcy's voice was hoarse with anguish and his eyes were bright. Henry had never seen him so undone.

"Then what is the problem, Man? I have said I would retreat." Deep down Henry knew it was not his own possible suit that was holding Darcy back, but Darcy needed to say it, to confess it, or it would consume him.

"It is not you. It is I. I never meant...I tried...She has enchanted me since almost the first moment we met. Even though her situation in life is so decidedly below my own, even though her relations are unsuitable, even though I tried so hard not to, I have fallen deeply and irrevocably in love with her. And now I know not what to do. She is the possessor of my heart, but my will and my reason revolt. Do I not owe something to my family? My heirs? Have I not been trained since birth to seek a mate who would enlarge my holdings or increase my bank balance or improve my connections? Nobility at least, minor royalty if fortune shone on me?

"Enter Elizabeth: not royal or noble or even of the higher circles of gentility. No dowry to speak of, I hear. And yet. Yet. She is the woman whose vitality and wit and form so completely attract me. I should not be telling you this! It is madness to expose myself so. What has got into me this week? I am asked a question and, instead of replying in a straightforward manner, I spill my soul." While Darcy collected himself, a stunned Henry looked at him with pity and incredulity. Darcy abruptly said, "We should have joined the ladies long ago. Shall we join them, Gentlemen?"

"I agree. Nice to have a break from the ladies." Hurst came awake with a snort, a yawn and this non-sequitor. Henry started, having completely forgotten Hurst as Darcy "spilled his soul".

"Yes, let us join the ladies," Henry replied. As Hurst preceded them out of the room, however, he added under his breath, "Darcy, if you do not marry her, you are a fool. She would be the making of you, Man. I begin to think, however, that you do not deserve her."

"I do not deserve such happiness! Oh Lizzy, if only there were such another man for you. Wait, there is! What do you think about Henry Bingley? I daresay he is very handsome and amiable too. And his mind is more like yours. Yes, you could marry him, I could marry Charles, and our ten children could be double cousins and make Mama the happiest grandmother that ever lived." Jane was incandescently happy. Charles had been so attentive to her and so kind to all her family, not seeming to mind their mother's fawning or their father's quirky humour. She only wanted Lizzy to be equally content.

"Jane, Jane, since when are you the matchmaker? I thought that was Mama's occupation, or perhaps Lydia's. You, however, are not supposed to pick my future mate-it is too much like playing favourites."

"Lizzy, it is hard not to favour Henry Bingley. He is Charles' twin and must therefore have my loyalty, as Charles does."

"Does it also follow that I must like him? Since he will be your brother ere long? I thought Mr. Bingley might go down on one knee in front of us all this evening. He seemed impatient to have even more of your attention and affection, if that were possible!" Lizzy could not help laughing at Jane's irrational joy. She and Mr. Bingley were formed for happiness and for each other. Lizzy knew herself to be far less easily pleased by any other person or even by herself. The critic in her was always at work, except when wandering in her beloved nature or finding herself in the presence of Jane's serene-in this case, joyful-ingenuousness. Only then could she allow the analysis to cease.

"Do you really think so, Lizzy? I had thought that being courted would be enough and more than enough, but now that Mary is engaged, I wonder why we must wait, we who have known each other months longer than Mary and Mr. Collins. Oh, listen to me, I sound almost begrudging when I should be the happiest woman alive." Jane blushed at her near-criticism of Charles' decision.

"Yes, for you shall marry Charles Bingley and not William Collins!" Lizzy laughed heartily at the picture until she realised that, had timing been different, Mr. Collins might have chosen Jane and she might have been compelled by duty to accept him! "Oh, Jane, I am so glad you did not have to make Mary's choice. I do hope Mary will be happy."

Jane sobered. "Lizzy, I have thought many times about the timing of Mr. Collins' visit. Can you imagine if it had occurred a year earlier or even a couple of months? I might have been faced with the dilemma of choosing between my family's security and my own happiness. That makes the current situation ten times as welcome, I assure you, for I do not know what I would have done."

I know what I would have done! Lizzy did not voice this thought out loud. Jane had always been more malleable and obliging than she was, and there was no need to point out the obvious. "Thankfully, Mr. Collins' visit took place at the exact right moment. You are being courted, and Mary is to be married. Lydia's head is full of officers, but Kitty showed some real taste by preferring Henry Bingley as a dance partner even without regimentals to improve him."

"And you, Lizzy, would you welcome Henry Bingley's attentions? Or is there another man who has captured your fancy? It is hard for me to imagine your interest in two men at once when you have shown so little interest in the other men of our acquaintance-or even these self-same men a few days ago." Jane's constant heart could not fathom such sudden changes of direction.

"'Tis surprising, I know. Not about the other men of my acquaintance, though; there is not a man among them who has bothered to read more than the Agriculture Report these five years at least. Billy Lucas is a very nice young man, I am sure, but my opinions, even the fact that I have them at all, would have driven him round the twist before our wedding trip was through. And Richard Goulding? Jane, you cannot be surprised that I had not the patience to listen to all that talk of drainage, for all that it is vital to the proper growing of alfalfa! No, Mr. Darcy and the Misters Bingley are the most interesting men to cross my path in many a year. I do not know why I did not notice sooner, except in the case of your Mr. Bingley, of course, where I never stood a chance."

"Never stood a chance? Did you want to stand a chance?" Jane had never considered that her sister might be attracted to her Mr. Bingley.

"You mistake my meaning. Mr. Bingley-your Mr. Bingley-holds no place in my heart but that of brother-to-be, but you would be terribly cross with me if I lumped him in with Billy Lucas and Richard Goulding. I was merely being politick!" They would never get to sleep at this rate: neither Jane able to lie still nor Lizzy to keep from laughing at her. It had always been this way with the two sisters, so different yet so close.

"So now that you have noticed will you wait to see if either pursues a further friendship or will you take the initiative with one or the other?"

"Or both?"

"Do not tease so, Lizzy, for I know you are too kind to trifle with honourable men's feelings."

"But do you not see, Jane, it is exactly that which is my problem. I cannot conceive that Henry Bingley could have developed feelings for me in such a short time-especially when our first conversation was an argument!"

"Misunderstanding."

"Disagreement, at least. And Mr. Darcy has always been so brooding and formal. He has stared at me quite a bit, but I had always taken it for disapproval of my dishevelled appearance or impertinent ways. How can I be sure if either of them even has any interest in me beyond the fact that I am your sister and they support Charles and want to know us better?"

"I believe that is your key. Us. Henry Bingley did dance with us all and make an effort to converse with Father and Mother, but I do not recall Mr. Darcy dancing with Lydia or Mary! Oh, that is a quizzical picture, is it not?"

"Exactly. So one man is simply getting to know his brother's future family, and the other would never lower himself to be seriously interested in one such as I. The whole premise is a spurious one!" Lizzy did not want to come to these conclusions, but despite her morning rendezvous with Mr. Darcy and her enjoyable conversations with both him and Henry, she could see no real pursuit by either of them. And a lady does like to be pursued...even the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet.

"Lizzy, give it time. If you are unsure whether you could like either of them, take your time to get to know them better. My courtship and, I hope, eventual marriage to Charles will put you in their presence very often in the coming months and years. Is there any rush?"

"No. There is not." Lizzy decided to be honest and said, "My biggest concern is that I will get to know one of them well enough to want to give him my heart. I have always thought myself so brave; yet the idea of losing a part of myself in such a way scares me. It scares me even more to imagine giving it away and having it rejected. You must think me a terrible ninny when you are so fearless in this way!"

Jane was quiet for a moment. "But you are the strong one, Lizzy, and you always have been. It is hard to imagine my feelings for Charles as a kind of bravery. It seems so natural."

"For you maybe, but for me there is a resistance to not being self-contained. My walks, my books, and my schedule: for years now I have been the mistress of myself with very few demands laid on me by our dear parents. To give that up is a yielding that I have often wondered if I could ever do. Yet a part of me longs for it too. Do you see why this is all so vexing? And to have two such interesting men come to my notice in this way in the same span of days? My thoughts have been in tumult."

"Poor Lizzy. I know I will sound like Mama when I say, 'you think too much'. I have every confidence in your ability to love ... to yield as you put it. You have a generous heart. When a man, which one I know not, unlocks that in you, you will not have to struggle. You will know. And it will be well. Can you trust me in this?" Jane smiled and reached over to hug her sister before getting up to go to her own room, yawning all the while.

Before Jane closed the door fully, she heard Lizzy answer, "I will try." And Jane went to bed content.

Lizzy, however, lay awake far too long thinking about herself and one of the men in particular. How could two such unyielding creatures ever come together? It seemed improbable at best.

Chapter Twelve

Posted on Tuesday, 29 August 2006

It seemed improbable at best that Darcy would meet Miss Elizabeth for a second morning in a row. He told himself that there was no chance-that she couldn't possibly be up and out walking in the same place at the same time as he was riding yet again. He did nothing, however, to change the course of his ride though there were fields aplenty on three other sides of Netherfield. Stallion rode the same way as yesterday with such a little bit of coaxing that Darcy could convince himself that it was not his own choice but Stallion's that brought him hither.

Henry's words had tormented him all night. They had a long history of disputing matters of philosophy, theology, or current affairs, so he had not expected meek deference no matter what their putative relationship. Still, neither had he envisaged such a challenge as he received. He knew that if he did not mean to pursue Elizabeth in a speedy and honourable manner that he would face a full-blown rival, and he had no doubt of Bingley's abilities to charm a lady. His friend had been studious but hardly a hermit, and Darcy had witnessed the twins captivate a roomful of ladies with their affability and sincere desire to know more of their partners than just their position or income. Henry in particular had honed his listening skills even further in his pastorate and could make any person, including any lady, feel as though he were completely absorbed in the speaker's concerns. Yes, he would make a formidable rival if unrestrained by the compunctions that had held him back so far.

Why did I not say, "yes, I am pursuing her" last night when I had the chance? Why bring up my indecision and my scruples? I seem to have stoked Henry's interest rather than dampened it! He knew the answer of course; disguise of every sort was abhorrent to him, even in the game of love. And last night those objections had still been weighing on him.

As Stallion approached the brook, he cantered faster, eager to slake his thirst. Fortunately Darcy could think and ride at the same time, and he was able to rein in his eager mount in time to avoid running headlong into Miss Elizabeth as she emerged from the woods at the edge of the stream.

"Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth was startled by the horse and rider coming so suddenly upon her, but she was equally surprised that Mr. Darcy would turn up in the same place at nearly the same time two days in a row. Was this intentional?

"Miss Elizabeth, I am sorry we startled you," apologised Darcy as he dismounted. "I had given Stallion his head this morning, and it seems he has taken a liking to this place."

"Oh. So you came here quite by accident, did you?" Elizabeth could not believe that Mr. Darcy had been unaware in which direction his seasoned mount was carrying him.

"Quite," replied Mr. Darcy with mock solemnity. Then, breaking into a smile, he added, "I cannot take full credit for my presence here again today, but neither would I wish to imply that I am so easily led as all that. Shall we compromise and say that Stallion would bring me nowhere that I did not wish to come?"

"Is this brook so special, then, for you to seek it out twice in as many days?" Elizabeth knew she was playing with fire; she knew she might get burned, flirting in such a way with a man who held his status so dear. Nevertheless, in the hours before sleep claimed her, Elizabeth had decided to yield at least a bit. But would this unfathomable man yield back?

Darcy looked in her eyes, those eyes that had been the first step in his undoing, and he realised that they were also the last. He had spoken truly last night-he was deeply and irrevocably in love with her. For the first time in days, however, he did not view this as a curse but as a blessing. Henry, conscientious and kind Henry, did not know what a service he had rendered by chastising his friend so. The reservations with which Darcy had been wrestling seemed to fade in the light of this one thought: though I had imagined I would be the making of her, she will instead be the making of me.

"Sir?" Her soft question interrupted his revelatory reverie. Apparently he had been lost in her eyes for too long.

"The brook, yes, I mean, no. No, it was not the brook that drew me hither, though that was probably Stallion's main goal. Can you not guess why I might seek out this particular quiet spot?"

"A guess is not a certainty, and I have been mistaken about a great many things. It seems too unreal that you might come here in the hope of seeing me; we did not like each other, you and I, mere hours ago, or so I thought." Elizabeth's words were not coming out right. She did not like even this bit of yielding; her tongue was formed for teasing and her heart for ease. Should it be so difficult to begin?

"I cannot speak for your feelings, and indeed you have made your past opinions of me quite clear, but I never disliked you. Not hours ago, not even for one hour as far as I can remember."

"No?"

"Do you really think I would have exposed my dealings with Wickham to someone I disliked? Would I have asked her to dance or brought her supper or found a quiet spot, repeatedly I might add, just to talk with her? Are these the actions of a man harbouring implacable resentment?"

"But ... I was so wrong, so terribly wrong about you. How can you forget my defence of Wickham and my errors in judgement about your character?"

"Let us leave Wickham out of this. I am sorry I brought him up! He has no place here. As for your judgements of my character, I have come to understand them. I was rude on the night we met, and I am never easy in the company of new acquaintances. I lack the talent some, such as yourself, have of conversing easily with strangers. I can well believe that you thought me aloof."

"It was more than merely aloof; I thought you disapproving of me with every penetrating look." Elizabeth blushed, suspecting the true meaning behind those stares but wanting to hear his explanations nonetheless.

"Not disapproving, never that. Struggling against my growing approval is closer to the mark. It pains me to say it. I see now the folly..."

"Folly! Yes, it would be a folly indeed to approve of the daughter of a mere country gentleman." Elizabeth began to leave, her deepest fears of yielding coming true before her eyes.

"Wait! Please, wait. You misunderstand me. The folly was not in harbouring a growing approval of you and a growing...attraction to you. The folly was in trying to fight it."

Elizabeth's hope was returning, but surely all this talk of struggle was not a typical lover's declaration. Was he merely "too wise to woo peaceably"? Perhaps they both were. Finally, she looked up and dared to ask, "Then why did you?"

"Explicating my folly seems a foolish way to begin, and I am finished being a fool."

"Will your former thoughts not always be between us if you do not tell me?"

"May I tell you first how beautiful you look in the morning? May I say that I am sorry I ever gave you reason to think ill of me, and that I hope your opinion of me has improved at least a little? May I add that I hope to earn the right to court you properly? Not that I do not enjoy these accidental meetings thoroughly, but I would want to prove that I can behave pleasantly in a drawing room as well."

"Proceed." Elizabeth blushed, laughing.

"You are beautiful in the morning. I am sorry I ever gave you a reason to think ill of me. Has your opinion of me changed, at least a little?" He paused here, looking at her hopefully, almost boyishly.

"It has."

"And may I hope to earn the right to court you properly?"

"No."

"No?" Darcy was crestfallen.

"No, you may not earn something that is already yours, if you want it." Elizabeth smiled broadly. This is what yielding ought to feel like, at least when you are the impertinent Elizabeth Bennet.

"Mine? So I may ask your father today for permission to court you?" Hope had returned, as bright as Elizabeth's smile.

"Yes. You may, though I am loath to see you only in the drawing room. Is it terribly wicked of me to suggest future accidental meetings, at least once in a while? Could Stallion be persuaded to such a nefarious scheme?"

"I am sure I could not keep Stallion away!"

"Yes, my good friend Stallion, he has ever had a good opinion of me and I of him. Perhaps you ought to take lessons from him?"

"Oh dear, am I that bad?" Darcy began to look crestfallen again, but he was saved by Elizabeth's teasing reply.

"You have improved uncommonly in the last few minutes."

"Thank you. Someone once told me that you would be the making of me. I see now that he was right." Darcy laughed.

"Someone told you that? Who knows your affairs so nearly as to make such a bold statement? And you sound as though this advice is of long-standing, which seems incredible to me, given that all of Hertfordshire thinks us at odds."

"It was said last night by a very wise cleric."

"Mr. Collins?" Lizzy teased.

"No, Mr. Henry Bingley. I owe him a great deal. It seems that he had eyes to see through all my pretensions when I could not."

"I am surprised he was courageous enough to risk damaging his patron's good opinion by speaking of matters that are none of his concern."

"Henry is not one to shirk the office of friend or pastor no matter the cost to himself. That is why I chose him for the living at Kympton. Too many of our rectors have no mind of their own. What do you think of him?" Darcy could not help trying to discover if Henry's initial interest had been mutual.

"This is a strange way to begin! You want to know my opinion of the only other eligible man in my acquaintance?"

"There are many eligible men in your acquaintance, are there not?"

"None that I had not long ago rejected as unsuitable," teased Lizzy.

"And how many men have you rejected?"

"Only one outright, but there have been others that I stopped before the words were ever said. Did you think me a desperate spinster with no prospects past or future?"

"Never. But you still have not answered my question."

"Ah, yes, Mr. Henry Bingley. I think him handsome, amiable, well read, well spoken, kind, judicious..."

"I am sorry I asked!"

"You did not let me finish. He is all those things and well suited for some other deserving woman. He will be a wonderful brother, and I hope a good friend. But, he has one serious flaw."

"What is that?"

"He is not you."

"Oh. No, he is not. Poor blighter!" Darcy and Elizabeth laughed heartily. He reached out to grasp her hand, asking quietly, "May I?"

"You may."

"When may I call?"

"Whenever Mr. Bingley comes, you may join him."

"I am not bringing Henry Bingley when I come courting!"

"Mr. Charles Bingley. You remember him? Your friend who is courting my sister."

"I apologise. After my talk with his twin last night, I have not been able to get Henry's voice out of my head. Perhaps now that I have ceased my folly, it will leave me in peace."

"Voices in your head? This I was not informed of before your kind request! Perhaps I shall reconsider..."

"Then I shall tell your mother that I wanted to court you and you said 'no'."

"Wicked man! I see I am going to have a hard time teasing you when you are becoming so adept at teasing back. I knew we two were too wise to woo peaceably!"

"Beatrice! I knew you reminded me of someone. Well, fair Beatrice, I am afraid I must be off if I am to have breakfast and make myself presentable in time to leave Netherfield with my eager friend."

"My name is Elizabeth."

"I well know it."

"You have never addressed me as such, and yet you called me Beatrice."

"Are you asking me to use your Christian name, fair Elizabeth?"

"I am."

"And will you use mine?"

"I cannot."

"You will not?"

"No, I cannot. I do not know it. Perhaps I should call you Benedick."

Laughing, Darcy said, "What a strange world we live in where a man knows a woman's name from the very first meeting, if she is not the eldest, but a woman might be courted by a man whose name she knows not! I have never had occasion to consider that before."

"Are you named Rumpelstiltskin?"

"No!"

"Well, you seem to be avoiding actually telling me your name, so I began to wonder," Lizzy teased, chuckling.

"Have I told you how much I love your laugh, Elizabeth?"

"No, you haven't, Mr. Darcy."

"Oh, yes, the name. My Christian name is my mother's family name, Fitzwilliam. It is quite a mouthful, but not so bad as Rumpelstiltskin I hope!"

"I think I am up to the challenge, Fitzwilliam." They smiled at each other in perfect amity. Perhaps they would each get used to yielding if it was always so much fun.

"I am glad to hear it, Elizabeth. I will see you at Longbourn later."

"Are you going to Longbourn later?" Darcy tried to look casual, but Henry shot him a sharp glance nonetheless.

"Why yes, I am. Your opinion of the Bennets seems to have improved somewhat. Or are you just going to lend me moral support and a measure of privacy with Jane?" Bingley smiled at the thought of Darcy engaging Mrs. Bennet in small talk just to help him. He was a good friend, but that was beyond imagining.

"I had actually hoped to speak with Mr. Bennet," Darcy replied, causing Henry to glance up yet again.

"Oh, yes, that Wickham business. It is too unfortunate that he has to be dealt with at all, but I suppose we don't want him racking up debts and causing unpleasantness in the neighbourhood." Charles had still not guessed his friend's other interest in speaking to Mr. Bennet. "I, for one, need to freshen up a bit before calling at Longbourn. I seem to have got jam on my cravat. Shall we meet in an hour to go, if either of you are going?"

"I am not yet sure if I am going," said Henry. "But if I am, I'll be ready in an hour."

"And I," agreed Darcy as the elder brother left the room.

After a bit of silent eating and paper reading, Henry broached the subject on both their minds.

"You seem in better spirits this morning, Darcy."

"Yes, you might say that my spirits have undergone a sea-change. And it's all thanks to you."

"To me? I knew you respected me, but I did not imagine I was able to influence you so strongly."

"You said, did you not, that you pitied my state? You said as well that Elizabeth would be the making of me, did you not?"

"Elizabeth?" Henry swallowed.

"I apologise. Miss Elizabeth it should always be in public, you are right."

"But Elizabeth in private?" Henry goggled a bit. Had Darcy climbed Miss Elizabeth's bower last night? What scandalous behaviour had his own words wrought?

"Do not look so alarmed, Friend. I simply met Miss Bennet on my ride this morning. Stallion almost ran her down in his desire for water. I apologised. We talked. She accepted my suit."

"Oh, you apologised for nearly running her down and she accepted your suit? You have a strange way of wooing women, Darcy. Are you going to tell me nothing more? How did you change from a man who was spilling his soul to a man who is bursting with joy?" Henry could not conceive that last night's Darcy and this were one and the same.

"Your words haunted me all evening and into the night. I had considered that all the advantage would accrue to her: my name, my connections, my fortune, my breeding, and my estate. What did she have to offer? Herself and perhaps a thousand pounds? I would be the making of her, I thought. You turned it upside down by challenging me to see the true treasure belonged to her: her wit, her vivacity, her joie de vivre, her beauty, her grace and her very self. I talked of what I owed my heirs, but what more could I give them than a mother like Elizabeth? And, if that also means giving them a grandmother who is less than she might be and relatives in trade, so be it. The balance is still in my favour, I believe. You made me believe.

"I have much to thank you for. It is not lost on me that you could have chosen to obstruct me these past few days. You might have explained away your part in the Kympton affair without painting me in a good light. You might have told Elizabeth of some of my early judgements of her family, words that I would take back if I could. You might have pursued her more fervently, but you held back because you saw what I was too proud to see. You are a man of integrity, Henry Bingley, and if I win her, it will be largely thanks to you."

"That gives me great comfort, Darcy," said Henry sardonically, and then began to chuckle. "The next time I see a woman who interests me, I believe I will leave my scruples in the church at Kympton!"

Darcy joined him in laughing. "You could no more do that than Charles could write a well-penned letter-habits of long-standing cannot be put on and off like a surplice."

With a great mock sigh, Henry agreed. "I think I will not accompany you to Longbourn this morning. I am not quite that big of a man! Perhaps I will get lost on one of the paths hereabouts and meet my lady fair!"

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