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Part 6

"I cannot just send her an express and tell her not to come! I am sending my own carriage for her. It will be at Longbourn tomorrow morning," said Olivia as she paced up and down the rug of her father's parlor.

"I was not going to suggest that," the Colonel replied with a smirk.

"Well, what were you going to suggest, sir? You are the professional strategist here. Think of something!" Colonel Fitzwilliam disarmed her with a smile, then threw himself on the settee and tried to accommodate the lady's demand. Olivia continued to pace the Aubusson rug. Turning back toward the Colonel, she caught a glimpse of the basket he had deposited on a chair earlier. She kept her eyes on the basket as she sidled over to the Colonel, who was deep in thought. She tapped him on the shoulder.

"Colonel Fitzwilliam?" The Colonel looked up. "What is in that basket?"

"Huh?" he replied. He had completely forgotten the gift he had planned to present to Olivia an hour earlier.

"Colonel? It is moving!" Olivia backed away a step or two, while the Colonel gaped at her. Then he caught her meaning and laughed. He got up, retrieved the basket, and drew back the cloth that concealed its contents. Immediately, a small head popped up and two big brown eyes fixed on Olivia's beaming face.

"I acquired him on my way south. I--." The Colonel paused and cleared his throat. "I thought that you might like a companion." Olivia stared at him blankly for a moment. Then she picked up the puppy and clutched it to her heart. The puppy nuzzled against her and she smiled.

"Whatever possessed you, Colonel?" she asked, charmed by his gift.

"Well, I have always wanted a Labrador, and besides, it reminded me of..." he replied sheepishly. Olivia held up the puppy and peered into its face. For her trouble, she received several licks upon her nose.

"Colonel, what is this?" Olivia held up the end of a well-chewed ribbon attached to the puppy's collar. Colonel Fitzwilliam's eyes bulged as he swore softly and grabbed the puppy from Olivia and stared at it.

"Oh, dear lord," he cried, holding the puppy aloft and examining its nether end. Olivia smiled as she calmly reached into the basket and pulled out a small round box, slightly damp and chewed but intact.

"Is this what you are looking for?" The frantic Colonel looked at the box, sighed his relief, then absent-mindedly shoved the puppy under one arm as he reached for it and tried to make it more presentable. Olivia clucked at the Colonel and took the puppy from him. She sat on the settee and scratched the puppy behind his ears. She looked up at the Colonel expectantly. He stood frozen for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and laughed. He had completely forgotten about his gift to Olivia when he first saw her, and the speech he had so carefully rehearsed had now fled his mind as well. He sat next to Olivia and blushed as he tried to piece together his proposal.

"Miss Crenshaw, I do not have to tell you how much I have come to admire you over the past few months...." Sensing that the moment had come, Olivia was not about to be denied every detail.

"Do you not?" she replied archly. The Colonel was thrown by her comment.

"Do I not what?"

"Do you not have to tell me how much you have come to admire me over the past few months?"

"Miss Crenshaw..."

"Actually, I would be very interested to know," she said with a flutter of eyelashes that kept pace with the fluttering in his stomach.

"Well, I--."

"Every agonizing detail," she grinned, as the puppy slipped from her grasp and dove into the Colonel's lap. "I think he is rather fond of you."

"Well, we have had some good times together these past few weeks," the Colonel replied as the puppy curled up in his lap and promptly fell asleep.

"Perhaps you should keep him then," Olivia said as the Colonel absently stroked the puppy's soft fur. "I would not want to be the cause of a division between you two."

"I thought we might share him, Miss Crenshaw." Olivia blushed becomingly and had to force herself to speak.

"So, you have had him two weeks? Have you given him a name as yet?"

"I thought that you might like to name him, but my staff has taken to calling him the 'Little Colonel.'" Olivia found the name very funny, and the Colonel folded his arms and waited for her laughter to subside. Olivia's demeanor suddenly grew serious, but there was amusement in her tone.

"Now, Colonel, if we are going to share this dog, might I make so bold as to beg permission to call you by your Christian name? I cannot go around referring to both of you as 'Colonel.'"

"You might just rename the dog, Miss Crenshaw," the Colonel retorted with equal humor as Olivia raised her brows, but he quickly added, "But I would be honored to have you call me Richard."

"Well, Richard," Olivia said, sliding closer to him on the settee and drawing her arm through his, "You were saying something about coming to admire me?" Colonel Fitzwilliam ducked his head sheepishly, then took her hand and looked into her eyes.

"I found the Little Colonel my first night on the road," Olivia started to interrupt, but the earnest look in the Colonel's eye stilled her tongue. "He had been abandoned, or lost, and he was cold, wet, and frightened. I took him in. He sort of reminded me of you...Not that you look anything like a sorry, wet, frightened puppy," he amended. Olivia laughed at the Colonel's discomposure. "But you do both have lovely brown eyes and an irresistible appeal," Colonel Fitzwilliam continued with a wink, and Olivia felt her heart melt. "As we traveled together, the Colonel and I, I decided that he might make a good companion for you while I was away from...I know that a Labrador retriever is hardly a fashionable lady's dog, but you are not a lady of fashion--I mean--. Miss Crenshaw, you have an amazing capacity to distort every reasonable thought in my head," he said, as he deposited the Little Colonel in Olivia's lap and retreated to the relative safety of the window. He took a deep breath and began anew.

"I actually had this silly, romantic notion of offering you two companions today," the Colonel continued, his eyes on the rug before him. "The Little Colonel and...." There was a knock on the door which both Olivia and the Colonel ignored as it opened to admit an unannounced visitor.

"...And the big Colonel?" Olivia quipped. But the Colonel did not answer. His eyes were fixed on the lady who stood in the doorway. Olivia followed his gaze.

"Lizzy!" she exclaimed, rising abruptly and depositing the sleeping dog on the floor. "You were not expected until tomorrow!"

Mr. Darcy went down to dinner reluctantly. He was not eager to be in company, but having brought his discomfort upon himself, he knew that he must ride it out. As Mr. Darcy entered the dining room he immediately noted the absence of the Miss Bennets, and the import of that fact only added to his guilt. Mr. Bingley, who had gone to Mr. Darcy's room with the express purpose of delivering Jane's message, had completely forgotten about it when he saw his friend's dejected face. As they talked, Mr. Bingley began to understand why Jane had rushed away, but he had never mentioned it aloud to Mr. Darcy.

"It seems that we a few short this evening, Mr. Darcy," Miss Bingley said with a smug smile. "Our dear Jane found something terribly important to attend to at Longbourn," she added with a significant look. Mr. Darcy glared at her stonily, then took his seat next to his friend.

"Oh, I must apologize, Darcy. I completely forgot to mention it to you earlier." Mr. Bingley said, casting his own glare at his sibling. "Jane wanted me to tell you that she could not stay to dinner; there was an important matter at Longbourn that demanded her immediate attention," he added, with his own significant look. "She...." Mr. Bingley thought better of revealing Jane's entire message before his sister Caroline, so he quickly amended his statement. "She looks forward to seeing you tomorrow."

Mr. Darcy bowed his head in acknowledgment, but rather than taking his friend's message literally, he concluded that Jane planned on bringing Elizabeth to Netherfield. He sighed heavily and began to disturb the neat pile of chives floating on his consommé.

So, it is to be tomorrow, is it? I had hoped for a few more days. But Elizabeth will already know that I am in the neighborhood. I suppose there is no reason to delay the inevitable....

Miss Bingley observed Mr. Darcy carefully. She could not be as at ease with him as she had thought herself previously. Mr. Darcy had been acting strangely since his return to London the past month. Now he appeared to be out of sorts with everyone, save her brother, Charles. Miss Bingley concluded that something must have happened in Kent to cause his sour mood. Whatever it was, she couldn't wait to see Miss Eliza Bennet become the object of Mr. Darcy's wrath. Yes, that would serve my purposes very well, she thought.

"I wonder if Miss Eliza Bennet will grace us with an appearance soon," she baited her brooding dinner companion. Her comment had the desired effect; she ignored her brother's apoplectic sputter and basked in Mr. Darcy's glower. Yes, she thought, as she delicately cut into her veal chop, I daresay Miss Bennet will no longer be an impediment when he gets through with her.

Elizabeth stood frozen in the doorway. It was obvious to her that she had interrupted a tete a tete between Olivia and Colonel Fitzwilliam, although he was standing some eight feet away from her, shuffling his feet uncomfortably. Elizabeth blushed and would have withdrawn, but Olivia spoke again.

"Do come in Lizzy... You remember the Colonel, of course?" Olivia said awkwardly. Elizabeth curtseyed and the Colonel managed a curt bow. He wondered whether Elizabeth's apparent flight from Hertfordshire was the result of, or precluded, an interview with his cousin. Olivia bade her friend to sit down and joined Elizabeth on the settee.

"How do you come to be here early, Lizzy? I have not even sent the carriage off," Olivia asked, concern evident in her voice. Elizabeth opened her mouth as if to speak, but instead she glanced at the Colonel, who immediately took the hint and started to take his leave. Olivia met the Colonel at the door. She reached out and touched his arm. Elizabeth walked to the place recently vacated by the Colonel and looked out the window to give the couple a moment's privacy.

"I am sorry, Richard," Olivia said in a low voice, her eyes communicating all the love she felt for him at that moment. She started to say more, but Colonel Fitzwilliam put a finger to her lips. He kissed the tip of her nose and pressed the little box into her hand. The door closed behind him, and as if to echo Olivia's sadness, the Little Colonel sat by the door and whimpered.

"And who might this be?" asked Elizabeth, who had turned around as soon as she heard the door close. She scooped up the puppy, which immediately applied his tongue to her face.

"That," smiled Olivia, "Is a young protégé of the Colonel's." Olivia walked over to the settee and threw herself into it. Elizabeth put the dog down and joined her.

"I am sorry for bursting in unannounced like that," Elizabeth said. "Your father assured me that--."

"Oh, it is all right, Lizzy," Olivia said in a tone that made it obvious to her that it was not.

"Did I interrupt something important?"

"Only the most important moment of my life thus far," Olivia replied airily. She placed the box on the table and sighed. Elizabeth, curious, picked it up.

"What is this?"

"I do not know, and I will not know until the Colonel returns. It was his gift to me, along with the Little Colonel there, and him--."

"The Little Colonel? That is a strange name for a dog," laughed Elizabeth. Olivia, however, was in poor humor. She was both concerned for her friend and frustrated that the Colonel had left again without proposing. She tried not to take it out on Elizabeth, but there was an edge to her voice as she repeated her original question.

"What are you doing here a day early? And just how did you get here?" Elizabeth bowed her head, and smiled mischievously.

"I ran away from home, Livy."

"You did what?" Olivia stared at her friend incredulously.

"I ran away. I packed a few things in a bag, casually walked into Meryton and caught the post. I had a little money saved up, and father had given me a sum to tide me over while I am in town. I just left a day earlier than I planned." Olivia, who had been slumped rather ungraciously on the settee, sat up.

"Whatever for?" Tomorrow you could have ridden in comfort and safety and in my own carriage at no cost!" She looked her friend in the eye. "What has happened, Lizzy?"

"Nothing has happened," she replied, slightly averting her gaze. "I just meant to see to it that nothing did."

"You are trying to avoid Mr. Darcy!" Olivia accused.

"How did you know that--of course, your Colonel told you of his visit to Mr. Bingley." Elizabeth sighed. "Yes. I am afraid I am not ready to face him just yet."

"Why not? You have had nearly several weeks to prepare for this...."

"I was preparing myself to face him at Jane's wedding, not before."

"What difference does it make?" Olivia grew impatient; she could now empathize with the Colonel's frustration at the muddled state of things. Elizabeth raised her hands to her face, and Olivia grew ashamed of herself. She stood and picked up the box.

"I do apologize, Lizzy. It is not every day that a man is on the verge of proposing marriage to me." Elizabeth rose and hugged her friend.

"...And someone bursts in and ruins it? I am so sorry, Livy." The two ladies hugged for a moment, their eyes moist with tears. They pulled away and began laughing at themselves.

"Well, we are a fine pair," Elizabeth said, wiping the corner of an eye. "One desperately awaiting a proposal of marriage and one desperately running from one." Olivia looked deeply into Elizabeth's eyes.

"Do you think Mr. Darcy will propose again?"

"I...I hope he will. I am just not certain that I will be able to accept him. That is why I came away from Hertfordshire. I cannot face him until I know."

Elizabeth's parents were not left frantic and wondering. Elizabeth had left a note on her father's desk in his library, and Mr. Bennet knew his Lizzy well enough not to panic. He sent an express to Mr. Crenshaw begging for a confirmation of her safe arrival. Mr. Bennet was worried about his favorite daughter. She had not been herself since the spring, when she returned home from her visit to the Collins'. He had attributed her mood to the unpleasant experience of living for six weeks under the same roof with Mr. Collins, and the revelations of a girl who had seen her close friend married and comfortably settled with no similar prospects for herself. But it was unlike Elizabeth to behave irresponsibly, especially since she had already planned to leave for London not twenty four hours later than the time she had run off. He had asked Mr. Crenshaw to have Elizabeth write to him, but Mr. Bennet felt certain that she would write to him as soon as she reached London, even without Mr. Crenshaw's prodding.

Mrs. Bennet saw Elizabeth's disappearance as nothing short of a scandal. Her sisters Catherine and Lydia were rather inclined to see it as an adventure. Lydia began to spin plans of her own flight from the tedium of Hertfordshire until her parents, in a rare display of similar thought, effectively communicated to her that she would be disowned outright at the first sign of any such attempt.

"It is bad enough that I shall have one daughter ruined; how shall I be able to show my face if I lose two daughters?" Her eldest daughter Jane and Mary, her third born, reminded their mother that Elizabeth was not on the path to ruin, but on the path to the home of a well-bred and fairly wealthy gentleman. "Well then, perhaps he will give a ball in Lizzy's honor, and he will introduce her to a wealthy young man of four or five thousand a year. I would not be displeased if she were to come home engaged, like you, Jane dear."

Jane knew that her sister's best prospect for marriage was currently residing three miles away in Hertfordshire. She retired to her chambers early and lay awake half the night worrying about both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. As early as possible the next morning, she made her way to Netherfield. She reached the great house as everyone was enjoying breakfast. Jane was shown into the morning room. The men rose to welcome her and Mr. Bingley invited Jane to partake of the meal. She declined, saying that she would not be staying and asked to speak with Mr. Bingley privately. He escorted her to the library to talk.

"What is it, my love?" he asked, drawing her to a chair. "You look pale. Is something wrong?"

"It is Lizzy. I am afraid--," she paused, realizing that she had begun in the middle. "When I left you yesterday afternoon, I went home to see Lizzy. You see she had been invited to visit a friend in London. I wanted to persuade her to stay, or at least to postpone her departure." Jane rose and fidgeted with a small East Indian artifact as she spoke. "After speaking with both Mr. Darcy and Lizzy yesterday I knew that they still loved each other. They just do not realize it--or at least Lizzy does not, Charles. I thought that, perhaps, if I could bring the two of them together...." Mr. Bingley nodded.

"I admit I tried to convince Darcy to go to Longbourn, myself. He said he was not ready."

"Lizzy said pretty much the same thing. Oh, Charles! I am afraid that I have ruined everything. Instead of bringing them together I have scared Lizzy away. She was meant to leave this morning. Olivia Crenshaw had arranged for her carriage to come for her, but instead Lizzy fled to London on the afternoon post chaise." Mr. Bingley was slightly shocked, but he was more concerned for his future sister's safety than her degrading mode of travel.

"And are you certain that she has gone to the Crenshaws?" Jane shot him a look, but realized that it was a reasonable question.

"Yes. Lizzy left a note. Father sent an express to Mr. Crenshaw and has already received word of her safe arrival." Mr. Bingley sighed in relief, and Jane sought the comfort of his embrace.

"Well, at least she is safe. Now the only thing is: what do we tell Darcy?" Mr. Bingley murmured into Jane's hair. Jane looked into his eyes.

"You will have to do that alone, I am afraid. Miss Crenshaw's coach will be arriving at Longbourn any minute now, and I mean to go to Lizzy in London."

In the morning room, Miss Bingley buttered her toast with an artful smile on her face. She looked at Mr. Darcy, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"It looks as though there is not going to be a wedding after all," Miss Bingley said, satisfied by the certain knowledge that should Jane Bennet break her engagement to her brother, Mr. Darcy would have nothing to do with any other Bennet sister.

"Why do you say so?" Mr. Darcy asked, his reverie broken.

"Jane did not look at all happy when she came in just now." Miss Bingley smiled cunningly. "Whatever you said to her yesterday must have upset her a great deal."

"What I said to her yesterday was that I was responsible for four of the most miserable months of her life. I confessed to having separated her and Bingley, and I humbly begged her forgiveness for it," Mr. Darcy stated evenly, although his voice tightened as he spoke. "Consider yourself fortunate, Miss Bingley, that I did not include your name in my confession to Miss Bennet or your brother."

"Well, perhaps she thought better of marrying Charles, anyway," Miss Bingley countered, ignoring his implied threat. "After all, if his best friend disapproves--." Mr. Darcy rose to his feet and threw down his napkin.

"Miss Bingley, I do approve of your brother and Miss Bennet's marriage. Nothing would please me more than to stand at Charles' side as they take their vows, if only to see the look on your face afterward." This was said with a deadly calm that made Miss Bingley's blood run cold. Mr. Darcy strode from the room, where he could not prevent overhearing Jane and Mr. Bingley as they came his way from the opposite wing.

"But Jane, do you have to go to London today? I am sure that Miss Elizabeth is quite safe...." Jane froze in her tracks as her eyes met Mr. Darcy's. Mr. Bingley bumped into Jane and he, too, froze. Mr. Darcy looked at each of them in turn.

"Mr. Darcy," Jane said with a curtsey. "I am afraid that I must leave for London immediately," she glanced at Mr. Bingley, "To see to my sister. I am sorry that we will not be able to spend time together today, but I hope," Jane paused for effect, "I hope to be able to return shortly." Jane curtseyed once more and headed for the door, a tiny smile on her face. Mr. Bingley made as if to follow her, but Mr. Darcy grabbed his arm.

"What has happened to Elizabeth?" Mr. Bingley, taking Jane's cue, played his role to the hilt.

"I do not know. Neither of us will know until Jane arrives in London. Jane has promised to send word...." But Mr. Darcy had already run after Jane, who was being helped onto the back of her mare.

"Miss Bennet! Miss Bennet!" cried the breathless man. "You must tell me. What has happened to your sister?" Jane tried to look troubled.

"I cannot say exactly. She was supposed to leave for London this morning for a planned visit to Olivia Crenshaw, but she disappeared from Longbourn yesterday afternoon."

Mr. Darcy went pale. He turned and ran into the house. Jane worried that she had gone too far, then decided it was for the best. Mr. Darcy abruptly bolted out of the house again. He shouted something to a stable hand and then approached Jane once more, who sat on her mount, confused by Mr. Darcy's erratic behavior. Mr. Bingley had followed Mr. Darcy out of the house and was equally perplexed.

"Miss Bennet, if you wish to go to London, may I offer you the use of my carriage?" Mr. Darcy asked excitedly.

"You are very kind, sir, but I am going to London in the carriage that Miss Crenshaw sent to transport Lizzy." Mr. Darcy nodded absentmindedly. Then he bowed and rushed back into the house, very nearly colliding with Miss Bingley.

"I think I will go and visit my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner this morning, Elizabeth said over breakfast. "That way if your Colonel Fitzwilliam returns," she smiled at Olivia, who blushed and made a face that her father did not see.

"Oh? Does the Colonel plan on coming by today? I suppose it is to be expected...I should get used to it," Mr. Crenshaw said with a wink to his daughter. Edward, whose two week leave had just begun, could not contain his curiosity.

"Has the Colonel proposed yet?" Mr. Crenshaw gave him a look of warning. "And how come the Little Colonel is here?"

"The Little Colonel--we do have to find another name for that dog--is here because he was the Colonel's gift to me," Olivia said, smiling down at the dog which was at that moment at her foot consuming a sausage.

"Really? I would have thought that he could afford a ring," Edward retorted, and both Olivia and Elizabeth made faces at him.

Mr. Crenshaw reminded Elizabeth to write to her father before she left, and she retired to his study for writing things. She hoped that Olivia's coachman would return soon with her luggage. She had slept in Olivia's nightgown, and was struggling to maintain her dignity in one of Olivia's morning dresses. Elizabeth hoped to retrieve a dress she thought she had left at the Gardiner's. That way, she would be able to breathe normally until her trunk arrived. Later that morning she was received by her surprised aunt, who sternly scolded her for her foolish behavior. Elizabeth accepted the scolding she knew she deserved, and in turn she imparted the entire tale of her relationship with Mr. Darcy.

"And now he is come to Hertfordshire, and I do not know how to face him again. I said such ugly, hateful things to him. He must despise me so," Elizabeth said through her tears.

"That is not what Jane told you. Why do you doubt her?" Mrs. Gardiner said in a soothing tone.

"I do not--I simply cannot believe it." She raised her head from where it lay in her aunt's lap. "It seems too good to be true. And if it is true...I do not know that I am equal to his love."

"Oh tush, child! I never heard such nonsense." Mrs. Gardiner said, handing Elizabeth a second handkerchief.

"I did not know I loved Mr. Darcy until after I thought I had lost him forever. It may all be some sick fantasy of mine, pining for what is no longer within my reach. I am afraid that what I feel for Mr. Darcy is not what it ought to be. His feelings for me are so intense...I--." Mrs. Gardiner drew her niece close and hugged her tightly.

"Nonsense," she repeated.

The Colonel was admitted to Olivia's presence by Edward, who seemed reluctant to leave the couple alone. Olivia glared at her brother significantly, but it was the Colonel's commanding demeanor that ultimately made him withdraw. Olivia put aside her sewing and the Colonel joined her on the settee. The Little Colonel immediately joined the couple, curling up in the Colonel's lap.

"What has become of Miss Bennet?" the Colonel asked.

"She has gone to visit her aunt," Olivia replied with a blush. "She was most embarrassed by her untimely entrance yesterday and was determined not to repeat it."

"Good," Colonel Fitzwilliam declared, relaxing a bit. "We can discuss her problems in a moment. But first, you and I have some unfinished business." He rose and went to the table where the small box sat. He retrieved the box and opened it, revealing a double strand of pearls. The Colonel held it up before Olivia and said simply, "May I?" She tilted her head forward and the Colonel clasped the pearls around her neck.

"I know it is traditional to offer a ring, but my grandmother made me promise to give these to the lady I marry. You will marry me?" Olivia made a face.

"Is this your idea of a proposal?" she asked tentatively. It was not what she expected, but if this was as good as it was going to be, she was not about to pass up her opportunity.

"Far from it," the Colonel laughed. "But on two occasions I came here ready to propose and failed utterly. I thought I should secure a commitment from you right off, before anything else befell us," the Colonel grinned. "Then I would be more than happy to launch into raptures about the beauty of your hair, the wonderful curve of your throat, the--." Mr. Crenshaw and Edward entered the room at that precise moment. "See?" the Colonel said with a jerk of his head as he picked up the puppy and rose to greet his future father in law.

"Look at my engagement gift, father," Olivia said, as her eyes met the Colonel's. He smiled at her and accepted the congratulations of his future father and brother in law. Olivia went to the mirror above the mantle and peered at the elegant necklace with the diamond-encrusted clasp. She turned around and smiled at the Colonel, the two of them momentarily oblivious to the activity around them. After a second, they rejoined the conversation and began to discuss their future.

Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth found the dress they were seeking in the closet of the guestroom, and Mrs. Gardiner went to the attic and found another dress that could be let out slightly to fit Elizabeth, just in case. They repaired to Mrs. Gardiner's room, where good light and a steady breeze could be found. As they sat at their work, a noise was heard in the hallway. A moment later, Jane was announced. Both women were surprised to see her.

"Have you run away as well? You were not expected here for another week," Mrs. Gardiner said as she kissed Jane. But Jane's eyes were fixed on Elizabeth, and Elizabeth rose and blushed as Jane responded to her aunt's question.

"I thought I would come today, Aunt, since there was an empty carriage at my disposal," she said, not taking her eyes off of her sibling. Mrs. Gardiner went to see about arrangements for Jane, tactfully leaving the two ladies to talk.

"Jane, what are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked anxiously. She feared that Jane and Mr. Bingley had gotten into some sort of quarrel. But Jane sat on the edge of the bed and would not be distracted from her own agenda.

"I might ask the same of you, Lizzy," she said defiantly. Elizabeth was slightly amused by Jane's recently developed assertiveness, but she attempted to disarm her nonetheless.

"I am here visiting my aunt. Olivia was to receive a special visitor this morning and I wanted to allow her some privacy..."

"You know full well what I mean, Lizzy," Jane snapped, eyes aflame.

"I know nothing of the kind. You asked me to stay and see Mr. Darcy and I told you that I would think about it. I decided to make my trip to London as planned."

"As planned? As I recall, you had no plans to go slipping off in the dark of night!"

"Oh, Jane, do not be melodramatic! I left in broad daylight in the early afternoon!"

"Do not be coy, Lizzy!'

"Jane! What has got into you? If you are so concerned about Mr. Darcy, you can rest assured that I will speak to him upon my return to Hertfordshire."

"You can rest assured that Mr. Darcy will be in London before nightfall. He knows that you are in town, Lizzy."

"You did not--you could not! Jane," Elizabeth cried. "What have you done?"

"I have done nothing. I simply told Charles that you had gone to London unexpectedly. Mr. Darcy overheard our conversation. He loves you, Lizzy. If you will not see him in Hertfordshire, he will come to London to see you." Elizabeth sat on the bed. She felt faint and numb. An hour earlier she had felt lighthearted and free; now she was trapped. Mr. Darcy had the resources to track her to the ends of the earth. And he had the tenacity to pursue her: Was this love or just an obsession?

Mr. Darcy had, in fact, arrived in London well before Jane. Since she had refused his offer of a carriage, he had ridden on horseback to save time and, to the surprise of his household staff, he appeared at his townhouse before noon. Now he sat in his chambers pondering the very same question as Elizabeth. Had he gone too far? Perhaps he should have waited for her in Hertfordshire. How would Elizabeth react if she knew he had followed her to London like a desperate man?

Since Jane had intended to come to London in July with her mother to purchase wedding clothes, it was decided that Jane should remain in town and make her purchases early. Mr. Gardiner sent an express to Longbourn with that news and Jane silently prayed that her mother would not choose to drop everything and join her in London. There was enough to worry about with Elizabeth--their mother's presence would only complicate things. Jane asked Mr. Gardiner to include a line in his express to make certain that Mr. Bingley was informed of her change in plans. That taken care of, she turned her attention to Elizabeth's problem.

"Aunt Gardiner," Jane said after Elizabeth returned to the Crenshaw's home, "I am afraid this is all my fault. I am afraid that I frightened Lizzy into leaving Hertfordshire by insisting that she go and speak to Mr. Darcy."

"Lizzy has never been bullied into anything in her life, least of all by you, dear," Mrs. Gardiner laughed. "She has always acted according to her own judgment, though in this case I am not at all certain that she knows what she is doing."

"We have to do something, Aunt," Jane said worriedly. "Two people so much in love should be together."

"Even if one of those people very nearly ruined your chance of happiness with Mr. Bingley?"

"I have forgiven Mr. Darcy. I do not believe he acted out of malice. And even if I did, if Lizzy truly loved him...I would like to think that I would not be so cruel as to begrudge her what was denied me." Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece indulgently.

"Lizzy is right about you," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "You are too good."

When Elizabeth reached the Crenshaw's home, she immediately set about unpacking the trunk that had arrived on Olivia's carriage. Olivia popped her head in through the open door. She held out the battered box that she had shown Elizabeth a day earlier.

"Would you like to know what this contains?" she asked coyly. Elizabeth looked up from her task and spying the box, eagerly came forward.

"Yes, please!" she grinned. Olivia made a display of opening the box, withdrawing the velvet pouch and laying the precious pearls in Elizabeth's hands.

"They are beautiful, Livy! I have never held a strand of pearls before."

"They make an unusual engagement gift, do they not?" Olivia said airily, anticipating Elizabeth's reaction. She was not disappointed.

"Engaged! Colonel Fitzwilliam finally proposed?" Olivia showed her a wry smile.

"Well, suffice to say we are engaged." Elizabeth frowned, then pressed Olivia for details.

"Livy, I do not believe one word of what you say!"

"It is true. The Colonel told me that his grandmother left the pearls to him with strict instructions that he was to give them to the lady that he married (otherwise, I suppose, they might have ended up in the hands of some opportunistic showgirl or something). Anyway, the Colonel placed them around my neck and said, 'You will marry me, will you not?' He promised to regale me with the two speeches he wrote earlier and failed to deliver and to devote hours to rhapsodizing on my perfection at another time," Olivia laughed, with a particularly inept imitation of the Colonel's voice.

"And you accepted such a proposal?" Elizabeth managed through her laughter.

"Yes, I did," Olivia said, growing serious. "I am afraid I have fallen hopelessly in love with the man, and there is no way he could have made his proposal that would have prevented me from accepting." Elizabeth got a faraway look in her eye and Olivia, deciding that it was too soon to broach the subject of Mr. Darcy, left Elizabeth to her unpacking.

As Mr. Darcy made his way downstairs, Mr. Harris, the butler, informed him that Colonel Fitzwilliam was in his study. Surprised, to say the least, Mr. Darcy immediately sought out his cousin. He found the Colonel seated at his desk.

"Fitzwilliam! What on earth are you doing here?" The Colonel glanced up briefly and then continued writing.

"I am writing a letter to Mama," he said brightly.

"You came here to write a letter?" Mr. Darcy was still perplexed.

"I came here to see you, cousin," the Colonel replied as he applied his seal to the hot wax on the missive.

"How did you know I was in town? I only arrived a couple of hours ago," Mr. Darcy asked as the Colonel abandoned the desk and slipped into an armchair. Mr. Darcy poured out two glasses of port and joined him.

"I saw Miss Elizabeth Bennet yesterday." Mr. Darcy immediately tensed. "I do not know whether or not you saw her in Hertfordshire, but either way, it was an even bet that you would follow her to town."

"How did she appear? Was she all right?" Mr. Darcy asked anxiously.

"She was fine, a bit tired perhaps from the journey." He observed Mr. Darcy closely. "What did happen in Hertfordshire?"

"Nothing," Mr. Darcy replied, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "I never even saw her. I arrived at Netherfield two days ago and spoke with Jane Bennet--."

"About her sister?" the Colonel interjected.

"No, at least not by design. Miss Bennet greeted me with all the warmth and sincerity of an old friend. I felt so guilty about deceiving her I thought it only fair that she know the truth about my interference in the matter of her and Bingley."

"How did she take the news?"

"She took it better than I had any right to expect. She thought that I was trying to protect my friend." Mr. Darcy paused, uncomfortably, and then pressed on. "She asked about Elizabeth and I told her that Elizabeth knew of my role in separating her and Bingley. She left Netherfield soon after our conversation, and when next I saw her this morning, she informed me that Elizabeth had disappeared from Longbourn."

"Olivia had invited her for a visit. She simply left Hertfordshire a day earlier than planned," the Colonel said, trying to ease his cousin's anxiety.

"Yes, her sister did say that. And yet--." Darcy looked up abruptly. "Since when is Miss Crenshaw 'Olivia' to you, Fitzwilliam. Has something happened?" He could not suppress a smirk as the Colonel blushed slightly.

"Olivia and I are to be married," the Colonel said, feeling himself blush and feeling foolish for blushing. Mr. Darcy's face brightened for the first time in weeks.

"Fitzwilliam! You never told me you were contemplating marriage!"

"Are you not the cousin who has been counseling me to marry Miss Crenshaw for the past four months? I may be slow, cousin, but I know a good idea when I hear one," the Colonel laughed. Mr. Darcy poured out more port and toasted the Colonel.

"This calls for a celebration! I will host a dinner for the two of you. It is official, I take it?" Mr. Darcy asked.

"The banns have not been published and we have not set a date or ordered white soup, or whatever it is that engaged couples do. But I have given her grandmother's pearls." Mr. Darcy emitted a low whistle. He clapped his cousin on the back and went to his desk to prepare a guest list.

"Of course, we shall have to invite all the Crenshaws," Mr. Darcy began.

"And Miss Bennet?" the Colonel asked innocently. Mr. Darcy stared blankly. "She is their houseguest, after all, Darcy." Mr. Darcy laid down his pen and turned his gaze to the window.

"Fitzwilliam, I believe I made a mistake in coming to London," he said as he stared out over the riot of lush blooms in the garden below. The intoxicating scent of lavender wafted up to him, instantly bringing back memories.... "I acted impulsively. My following her here can only damage my cause." The Colonel was inclined to agree with his cousin but resolved to hold his tongue. He observed Mr. Darcy closely. His looks had improved a good deal since he had last seen him in Derbyshire. Everything about him spoke of the Darcy of old, but for the pained look in his eye. The Colonel sighed once more. He was out of answers. He and Olivia had briefly spoken of ways to bring the two together but this latest development was beyond his ken.

"Fitzwilliam?" Mr. Darcy asked suddenly, "How did you court Miss Crenshaw? How did you make her love you?" The Colonel could not prevent himself from laughing at the question.

"I am no expert on courtship, cousin. I have yet to make Miss Crenshaw a proper proposal." Mr. Darcy was all confusion.

"I thought that you said--."

"Let us leave that explanation for another time," the Colonel urged, "And address the problem at hand." He stood and paced a bit, scratching at his head, trying to think of how to begin. "I hope the Little Colonel does not have fleas," the Colonel said absently, as he scratched his neck.

"What?" asked Mr. Darcy. The Colonel paused from his scratching and looked up.

"It was nothing important." Colonel Fitzwilliam ruminated for a moment. "I did have the advantage of falling in love with a woman who does not despise me..." he offered sheepishly. Mr. Darcy smirked at his cousin, but had to concede that to be an advantage.

"I suppose it would not hurt to choose as the object of one's affections a woman not predisposed to resent one's very existence,"" Mr. Darcy said sarcastically.

"You know, Darce, having had the opportunity to observe the two of you together in Kent, I must say that the two of you are very much alike."

"You are correct, Fitzwilliam. I am disposed to despise myself as well," Mr. Darcy retorted. "Now, have you anything of use to offer?"

"I am afraid not, cousin. All I can do is advise patience," said the Colonel, half expecting Mr. Darcy to reject the suggestion outright. His cousin, however, slumped in his chair, seemingly lost in thought. "Will you return to Hertfordshire?" Mr. Darcy glanced up.

"I do not think so. Not just yet, anyway." He laughed ruefully. "I am afraid Bingley will not let me pass through the front gate again until I have made my peace with Elizabeth Bennet. No. I will remain here awhile. I have some thinking to do, and I do want to celebrate your engagement. How are your parents taking the news?"

"I will know once Mama responds to my letter. It only happened this morning, Darcy." Mr. Darcy looked surprised. The Colonel picked up his things, preparing to take his leave. He clapped Mr. Darcy on the shoulder as he passed and Mr. Darcy mumbled something in farewell. As the Colonel opened the door of the study, his cousin called him back.

"Fitz?" The Colonel turned. "Who is the 'Little Colonel'?" The Colonel laughed and headed out the door.

"It is part of that long story I will have to tell you some other time," he called over his shoulder as he left.

The morning sun shone brightly as Olivia, Elizabeth, and Jane met outside Madame Jalabert's shop. Mrs. Gardiner had stopped in at Mr. Ferber's shop up the street to pick up her husband's newly repaired watch. The three younger ladies were too excited to wait for her and entered the shop amid giggles and squeals. Madame Jalabert greeted the ladies and congratulated Jane on her forthcoming nuptials.

"I am not the only one soon to be a bride, Madame," Jane said with a blush. "I have learned just this morning that Miss Crenshaw is also engaged."

"Ah! Then we shall have two brides to ply our humble arts for." Madame Jalabert kissed the cheeks of both brides, then turned to Elizabeth.

"And when shall some lucky young man claim your heart?" One look at Elizabeth's eyes made her regret her innocent question. Elizabeth immediately fled the shop in tears, nearly colliding with her aunt.

"Lizzy, dear! What has happened?" Mrs. Gardiner asked as she embraced the girl.

"Oh, it is nothing, Aunt. It was silly of me, I..." Elizabeth paused to dab at her eyes. Madame Jalabert, who had been given a hasty explanation by Jane and Olivia, came out of her shop to apologize.

"I am so sorry, mademoiselle. I did not mean to upset you." She embraced Elizabeth soothingly.

"Oh, you need not apologize. It was nothing, really. I have just been so..." Elizabeth could not think of words to explain her emotional state of late. The ladies soon re-entered the shop and returned to the task at hand. Elizabeth's misery was soon forgotten as she helped Jane and Olivia select fabrics and discuss options. Mrs. Gardiner and Madame Jalabert left them to amuse themselves and chatted as the three ladies poured over stacks of catalogues and magazines. Eventually, a few decisions were made, and the ladies decided to go to lunch. Mrs. Gardiner treated them to luncheon at a fine establishment near a little park, where wedding plans continued to be the main topic of conversation. The fact that Olivia and the Colonel had yet to establish a date for their wedding was no impediment to the flow of conversation. Elizabeth grew quiet once more, and Mrs. Gardiner began to grow worried about her. She suggested to the ladies that they all take a walk in the park, but Jane and Olivia pleaded exhaustion from the morning's exertions. They remained behind in the café with a second cup of tea, therefore, while Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth crossed the street and entered the park.

"You have held up remarkably well, Lizzy, considering what you have been through today," Mrs. Gardiner said as the two ladies made their way down a narrow path to a tiny pond where a pair of ducks was holding court. Elizabeth bent down to throw the remains of her sandwich to the ducks as she replied.

"Aunt Gardiner, I could hardly call bursting into tears and fleeing into the street like a madwoman holding up well," she laughed.

"Oh, I was not referring to that. I was referring to your putting up with those two," her aunt said with a jerk of her head towards the café. "Madame Jalabert and I considered fleeing into the street like madwomen ourselves at one point! I have not heard giggling like that since you and Jane were little girls and I caught the two of you playing in my clothes." Both ladies laughed at the thought as they linked arms and walked on.

A short distance away, a man stood observing the pair. He could not believe that he had been so fortunate as to witness what had appeared, like a beautiful apparition, before his eyes. Mr. Darcy's first instinct was to follow, but he forced himself to take a seat on a nearby bench. He sat for several moments with his eyes closed, savoring the memory of Elizabeth, standing not a dozen feet away, and laughing, completely at ease with her companion. He had not fully trusted his cousin's assessment. Now he had proof that she was all right. His Elizabeth was alive and well. The import of those words hit Mr. Darcy like a stone. She is well and happy because she thinks me fifty miles away. He sighed heavily, then, and rose to return to his home.

Back at the café, Olivia grabbed Jane's hand as soon as the other two in their party were out of the door.

"You must tell me all that happened in Hertfordshire," she demanded eagerly.

"Did Lizzy tell you nothing?" Jane was surprised. She knew that her sister confided in Olivia when she could trust no other, even herself. "Mr. Darcy came into Hertfordshire a few days ago. I saw him just after he arrived at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley's estate. We had a chance to talk...he asked to speak with me about an important matter. Olivia, he told me the most dreadful tale!"

"About you and Mr. Bingley?" Jane's mouth fell open.

"You knew of this?"

"Lizzy told me of it when she came to London in the spring. She did not want to upset you, especially since everything worked out in the end..." Jane sat back, a bit put out. It took a squeeze of her hand to bring her back to Olivia's question.

"Mr. Darcy told me about his interference in our courtship and begged my forgiveness. He also told me that Lizzy knew of it--."

"..And thus refused to marry him," Olivia finished the sentence with a hint of impatience. "What happened then?" Jane bowed her head.

"I was so moved by Mr. Darcy's speech that I immediately forgave him, although I do not know that I told him so. I suddenly remembered that Lizzy was back at Longbourn packing for her trip to London, and I rushed home to persuade her to stay in Hertfordshire. I could tell from speaking with Mr. Darcy that he is very much in love with her, and although she has not spoken of him since I returned to Longbourn, I know that she still thinks of him." Jane shrugged. "I only wanted to help them. But it seems that I was responsible for this whole muddle."

"Jane," Olivia said slowly, for her patience was beginning to wear thin, "You are not making yourself clear. In what way are you responsible?" Jane's look was one of incredulity.

"Do you not see? It was my fault that Lizzy ran away! I begged her to go to Netherfield and see Mr. Darcy. Had I not done so, she probably--."

"She would probably have come to me as she originally planned, Jane. Do not blame yourself." Jane shook her head. "Is there more?"

"I let Mr. Darcy know that Lizzy had run off. I went to Netherfield to let Charles--Mr. Bingley--know that I was going to London, and Mr. Darcy overheard." Jane fixed her eyes upon the hand that Olivia held tightly. "I do not know what I was thinking, Livy. I allowed Mr. Darcy to assume more than had actually happened. I am certain that Mr. Darcy followed me to London." Olivia let the hand loose and sat back in her chair. She did not know whether to laugh or cry at this turn of events.

"Does Lizzy know about this?" Jane nodded.

"I made a point of telling her so as soon as I reached Gracechurch Street." The chime over the door of the café sounded at that moment, signaling the return of Mrs. Gardiner and her niece. Olivia looked at Jane, and the two ladies rose and joined their friends.

Part 7

"I do not understand why we have to quit Netherfield. I had only just gotten settled, Charles, when you suddenly decide to change your mind and uproot us again," Miss Bingley said disdainfully to her brother. He was hardly listening, however. He had had to endure his sister's whining complaints for the past two hours. He sighed and silently prayed that London would soon appear on the horizon.

"Just how long do you expect us to stay in town?" Miss Bingley asked after a minute.

"As I told you before, Jane will be in town only for a few weeks, and I mean to remain in town as long as she is there. I also told you that you were welcome to remain behind at Netherfield," he said through gritted teeth.

"With those provincial savages? Pah!" Miss Bingley eventually quieted, and her brother closed his eyes. "Do you think we will see Mr. Darcy this evening?" Miss Bingley suddenly asked.

"The only person I care to see this evening is the future Mrs. Bingley. By the bye, we have an invitation to dine with her aunt and uncle tonight," Mr. Bingley replied without opening his eyes.

"In Cheapside?" Miss Bingley spat distastefully. "I do not want to be seen in that neighborhood."

"Caroline, you know as well as I do that the Gardiners do not live in Cheapside, and you certainly had no qualms about visiting the Gardiners when you hoped to prevent me from proposing to Jane," Mr. Bingley said, his eyes wide open and glaring at his sister. Miss Bingley immediately became quiet again and did not utter another word until the carriage entered London.

"Charles, do you think we could stop in _____ Street. I have nothing appropriate to wear to the Gardiner's tonight," Miss Bingley said beseechingly. Mr. Bingley cast a wary glance at his sister.

"I find that amazingly difficult to believe, Caroline." Miss Bingley pouted, but it was a gesture her brother was completely immune to.

"But I did not bring all my finery to town, Charles. I just need a few things. Please," she purred, knowing that Mr. Bingley would comply just to be rid of her. Moments later the carriage turned off the road leading to Mr. Bingley's townhouse and deposited Miss Bingley in front of an elegant row of ladies' shops. Mr. Bingley promised to send the carriage back for her as soon as it was unloaded, then he gratefully sat back and enjoyed the relative peace all the way to his abode.

"Good morning, Colonel Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth said with a warm smile. "Livy will be down in just a moment. She asked me to keep you company until then." She offered the Colonel a seat and laughed as the Little Colonel immediately jumped into his lap and settled himself.

"It has been some time since you and I have had any real conversation, Miss Bennet," Colonel Fitzwilliam said, absently stroking the dog's soft chocolate brown hair.

"Not since Kent--much has happened since then," Elizabeth said with a blush. Her smile faded briefly, and the Colonel felt uneasy, but Elizabeth immediately brightened again. "I understand that you are soon to marry my dearest friend. I congratulate you on your excellent taste, Colonel," she said with a radiant smile. The Colonel acknowledged the compliment with his usual good humor, but he had to stop himself from wishing Miss Bennet a similar fate.

"I consider myself the most fortunate and happiest man alive," he began. "I can only hope that you...." Elizabeth ducked her head and both parties were trying to recover from their embarrassment as Olivia entered the room. The pair welcomed the distraction and immediately turned their attention to Olivia, who was somewhat surprised at the effusiveness and enthusiasm with which both Elizabeth and the Colonel welcomed her. She reckoned that she had interrupted an awkward discussion. Elizabeth rose to leave the room, but the Colonel asked both ladies to join him in a walk.

"I am certain that you would rather have Livy all to yourself, Colonel," Elizabeth said with a twinkle in her eye. The Colonel returned her smile.

"I cannot deny that, madam," he said with a wink to Olivia. "But how I could never forgive myself for wasting such an opportunity?" Olivia and Elizabeth exchanged glances, then looked at the Colonel.

"Opportunity?" they said in unison.

"Yes," the Colonel said as he offered an arm to each of the ladies, "The opportunity to be seen with the two loveliest ladies in all of England." Olivia and Elizabeth rolled their eyes, and took the Colonel's arms. The Little Colonel, who had been given a real name that no one was inclined to use, joined the trio on their walk. They had not gone a block when Olivia remembered that she needed to make a small purchase to complete the ensemble she would wear to dinner that night at the Gardiner's townhouse. The trio returned to the house and ordered Miss Crenshaw's carriage. In a short time, it pulled up in front of Harley's, a venerable old shop where women of fashion had been buying fabric, trims, and accessories for over fifty years. The Colonel and his four-legged counterpart waited outside while the ladies went inside to select the perfect shade of ribbon to match Olivia's gown. As they examined samples, Elizabeth heard her name being spoken. She turned and saw Miss Bingley, conversing with an acquaintance in a stage whisper.

"I understand that there was some scandal that made her flee from her home in the dead of night," she said to her companion. "It was all over Meryton that she had gotten into some trouble with a man." She glanced in Elizabeth's direction, but by then Elizabeth had turned her back on the pair. Miss Bingley was certain that Elizabeth had heard her. The acquaintance, a Mrs. Greaves by name, was none too happy to find herself the recipient of such gossip, nor did she take any pleasure in being made a part of Miss Bingley's obvious scheme to embarrass Elizabeth. She hastened away from Miss Bingley as quickly she could and went to the far end of the counter where Elizabeth and Olivia were standing.

Elizabeth had half a mind to inform Miss Bingley that the man with whom she was allegedly in "some trouble" was Mr. Darcy, but she could not bring herself to do so. She blushed crimson, too mortified to speak, as Olivia selected three shades of silk ribbon and made her purchase. Olivia however, had also heard Miss Bingley's performance, and was not about to let it go unanswered. She casually made her way down the counter and stopped when she was standing next to Mrs. Greaves. Without taking her eyes from the showcase of elegant hatpins, she addressed the woman.

"If you want to know the real truth, no man was involved in my friend's decision to flee the country. She practically begged an invitation to come to town simply in order to avoid Miss Bingley's tedious company," Olivia said matter-of-factly. The woman smiled.

"Now that I can believe," Mrs. Greaves said, and she winked at Elizabeth as she turned and left the shop. Elizabeth's mouth fell open, for she was unaware of what Olivia had said to the lady. Elizabeth was relieved to find that Miss Bingley was long gone when she had recovered enough of her composure to turn around. The ladies left the shop, Olivia smiling and self-satisfied, Elizabeth pale and slightly angry. But her anger was soon forgotten as the Little Colonel's effusive greeting restored her good spirits

Later that afternoon, Olivia dressed for their evening at the Gardiner's home. Elizabeth knocked on the door as Olivia's abigail wove the last few inches of ribbon into Olivia's auburn hair.

"Oh, Livy, you do look beautiful," Elizabeth said as Olivia stood and twirled to give her friend a full view.

"I believe the Colonel will like it," Olivia declared as she turned her critical eye on her friend. She pushed Elizabeth into the chair she had just vacated and began to fuss with Elizabeth's hair.

"That is an understatement," Elizabeth replied as she tried to fend off Olivia's attack. But Olivia was not to be gainsaid, she had her abigail fetch a length of pale green ribbon and bade her make repairs to Elizabeth's coiffure.

"Jenny just spent ten minutes doing my hair," Elizabeth protested good-naturedly.

"Jenny may be a wonderful maid, but she knows nothing about dressing a lady's hair to its best advantage," Olivia said as she directed her personal maid to pin back an errant ringlet. There was a knock at the door. Olivia took command of the ribbon while the abigail went to open the door.

"Father wants to know if there is the slightest possibility that you ladies will complete your toilette before midnight," Edward Crenshaw said, poking his head into the room. As expected, his remark was greeted with a hail of pillows. He retreated downstairs and was soon joined by the ladies.

They entered the parlor and found Edward engaged in conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam, who beamed with pride when he saw Olivia wearing his grandmother's pearls. The pale peach of her gown provided the perfect complement to the delicately colored strands. The Colonel bowed to Elizabeth before greeting his future wife. He took both of her hands in his.

"You look magnificent, Olivia," he said in a whisper.

"Thank you, Colonel," she breathed.

"I only wish my grandmother could see you tonight."

"Do you think she would approve of me?" Olivia whispered back.

"I do believe she would love you as much as I do," he said, applying a chaste kiss on her forehead. "On second thought, that would be placing quite a burden on my grandmother. Suffice to say she would be absolutely delighted with my choice of bride."

"Oh, Richard," Olivia said, her voice choked with emotion, just seconds before Edward tapped the Colonel on the shoulder.

"Sir?" Edward said meekly, for although the Colonel was soon to become his brother, he was still his superior officer. Colonel Fitzwilliam did not answer. "Uh...sir?"

"Yes, Lieutenant," the Colonel growled, his eyes still locked with Olivia's.

"My father has asked me to deliver a message to you, sir."

"And?" the Colonel asked, as he heard Elizabeth giggle in the distance. Colonel Fitzwilliam turned then and saw that the rest of the party had already left the room. "Where is your father, Lieutenant?" the Colonel asked, as Olivia tore herself away from him and went to pick up her reticule.

"He is in his carriage, Colonel, and asks that you and his daughter join him when it is convenient." The Colonel sighed, and offering his arm to his fiancée, made his way to the carriage.

In deference to Elizabeth's eagerness to see her sister, the Crenshaw party made a point of arriving at the Gardiner's home a bit early. They were graciously welcomed by Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, who received the Colonel like an old and valued friend. Jane had not yet come downstairs, so Elizabeth went up to her room. She tiptoed to Jane's door and opened it slightly. Peering in, she saw Jane preening before the mirror.

"Really, Jane! Do you truly hope to improve upon perfection?" she asked, hands on hips in a mock display of pique. Jane turned and gave her sister a quick hug.

"You think me presentable, then?" she asked, turning back to the mirror. Elizabeth took her by the arm and led her downstairs.

"If you become any more presentable, the rest of us will not stand a chance of being noticed by anyone the entire evening," Elizabeth laughed. The two ladies reached the bottom of the stairs as Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Bingley, and Miss Bingley came toward them from the vestibule. Jane immediately rushed to Mr. Bingley. Miss Bingley curtseyed to both ladies with cool civility. Elizabeth returned the curtsey with a grim smile on her face that immediately warmed as Mr. Bingley came and took her hand.

"It is good to see you again, Miss Elizabeth. I am afraid you gave us all something of a fright the other day, disappearing from the country unexpectedly." Mr. Bingley's tone was teasing rather than reproachful, and Elizabeth immediately seized upon the opportunity to avenge herself upon his sister.

"Why Mr. Bingley! Do not tell me that you have been listening to those malicious rumors about me that someone has been spreading around town." Elizabeth cast an almost imperceptible glance at Miss Bingley, whose face instantly lost its color. Mr. Gardiner heard Elizabeth's comment and demanded to know about the rumors, and Mr. Bingley furrowed his brow in a show of filial concern. Elizabeth took her uncle's arm and led the way into the parlor.

"Do not worry yourself, Uncle," she said soothingly. "It is nothing." She took a seat on the settee next to her aunt, but neither Mr. Gardiner nor Mr. Bingley was mollified. The Colonel, as well, who had heard Elizabeth's comment from the hall, was somewhat alarmed. All eyes were on Elizabeth. She looked around, a serene smile on her face. Her eyes came to rest on Miss Bingley, who was standing near the window. "Oh, it truly is nothing. I am sure that someone who knows what has passed between Mr. Darcy and myself is putting about the rumor. Only a person without an ounce of sense would credit it."

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner seemed satisfied by this explanation, as did all but three others in the room. Mr. Crenshaw and his son, who knew nothing of Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Darcy, both raised their eyebrows in surprise. Miss Bingley, equally unenlightened, fairly swooned. Mrs. Gardiner rushed to her side.

"Miss Bingley, are you unwell?" Mrs. Gardiner cried as she and Mr. Bingley helped Miss Bingley to a chair. Mr. Gardiner fetched a glass of brandy, and without a moment's hesitation, Miss Bingley took the offered glass and swallowed half its contents in one gulp and was instantly overwhelmed by paroxysms of coughing. Her eyes grew red and she drew her fan from her reticule and fanned herself furiously. Olivia sent for water, and brought Miss Bingley the glass herself.

"Miss Bingley you do look terribly ill," she said. "Drink this down." Miss Bingley was grateful for the water but resented Olivia's attentions. She glared at Olivia as she continued to hover about, a tiny smile on her lips, although her every action sought to relieve Miss Bingley's suffering. Edward, Jane, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, meanwhile, were trying to conceal their amusement, while Mr. Crenshaw and Mr. Gardiner considered sending for a physician. Elizabeth alone remained calm and unruffled amid the confusion, observing Miss Bingley in quiet triumph. In a very few minutes Miss Bingley's coughing episode had subsided and the Gardiners and their guests repaired to the dining room, where a curious Edward could no longer contain his curiosity.

"Livy?" he whispered from his seat between Miss Bingley and his sister, Olivia. He was unheard by all but the two ladies beside him. "Exactly what did happen between Mr. Darcy and Lizzy?" Olivia silenced her brother with a look, but not before Miss Bingley had choked on her soup.

Mr. Darcy awoke early the next morning and took a long, leisurely stroll in the park. He had made a point of keeping to the house for the last two days, the better to resist the temptation to seek out Elizabeth Bennet. But on this morning he grew restless and soon found himself standing at the spot where he had seen Elizabeth back in March, on the grassy knoll by the pond. He stood for a moment and indulged himself with thoughts of what might have been, but he would not allow himself to succumb to morose reflections. Mr. Darcy walked on, his heart full of Elizabeth, content to think of her as he did last spring before everything went so terribly wrong. He was making his way to his club for an assignation with an old Cambridge friend when he heard his name being called. Mr. Darcy froze in his tracks, then slowly turned to see Miss Bingley rushing to catch up with him.

"Why it is you, Mr. Darcy! I was just about to get into my carriage when I thought I saw you." Mr. Darcy was less than pleased to be reunited with the lady.

"I thought you were still at Netherfield, Miss Bingley," he said in a tone slightly tinged with irritation.

"Miss Jane Bennet has come to town," Miss Bingley answered haughtily, "And my brother cannot bring himself to live without the sight of her for more than a few days' time. He has decided to drag us back to London after I had just gotten settled in Hertfordshire. Really," she added, with a roll of her eyes, "I find his engagement to that woman too tedious." Mr. Darcy held his tongue and began to turn away.

"I must be off, Miss Bingley. I am meeting Benton Fowler at my club and I do not wish to keep him waiting." He made a curt bow, but Miss Bingley took hold of his arm to stay him.

"Mr. Darcy, I am afraid I must warn you about a most scandalous report that concerns you. I think that you should put an end to it immediately before your good name comes to ruin." Miss Bingley had succeeded in gaining Mr. Darcy's full attention.

"What manner of report, Miss Bingley?" he asked.

"A report of the most sordid nature, I fear," she whispered in a conspiratorial tone. Mr. Darcy became suspicious, but he wanted to hear what she had to say. "I had dinner with the Gardiners last evening." Mr. Darcy squinted at her.

"The Gardiners--I do not know them." Miss Bingley sighed petulantly.

"Then you are most fortunate. They are an insignificant little pair with high opinions of themselves. They reside in Gracechurch Street and parade about like people of fashion. It was all too tedious." Mr. Darcy drew out his watch and Miss Bingley hurried her tale. "They are also aunt and uncle to the Bennet sisters."

"And the Gardiners are spreading scandalous reports about me?" he asked dubiously. He could tell where this was going, and he was in no mood to hear Miss Bingley insult Jane Bennet again.

"No, Mr. Darcy--Elizabeth Bennet, she of the fine eyes you so admire--has been telling people that you have gotten her into trouble." Mr. Darcy didn't even blink.

"I find that impossible to believe, Miss Bingley," he said, letting his annoyance show. He began to turn away once more.

"Well, I did not actually hear her say that she was with child," she added hastily, "But she made it quite plain that she was intimately involved with you." Mr. Darcy cast a warning glare at Miss Bingley, who had gone too far to back down. "The worst of it is, Mr. Darcy, that I am sure that it was not the first time she had told the lie. Her family did not seem at all surprised by the mention of your name." Mr. Darcy had heard enough and he signaled for his carriage, which was waiting a short distance away. Miss Bingley followed after him.

"Mr. Darcy, your own cousin was present at the gathering. If you will not believe me, then speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam! He will confirm what I have said. Surely you do not wish to let her go on spreading such a lie?"

Mr. Darcy caught a glimpse of himself in the glass as he entered his carriage. He turned his smiling face to Miss Bingley and said, "Who said it was a lie?" as the carriage sped away.

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fowler had just parted when Mr. Bingley arrived at the club. Mr. Darcy was on his way out, and had stopped to speak with an acquaintance when Mr. Bingley hailed him.

"I say, Darcy! I was hoping to find you here. Have you eaten yet?" Mr. Darcy shook Mr. Bingley's hand.

"I have just finished my lunch, but I would be more than happy to keep you company while you dine." The two men went into the dining hall of the illustrious club and secured a table.

"I met your sister this morning," Mr. Darcy said. "She told me that you would be in town a few weeks." Mr. Bingley colored slightly and admitted that he couldn't seem to find peace in Hertfordshire while Miss Bennet was in London. Mr. Darcy smiled tolerantly and wondered yet again at the remarkable change the love of a woman had wrought in Mr. Bingley. His part in depriving his friend such joy oppressed his spirits momentarily, but Mr. Bingley's ebullience soon dispelled Mr. Darcy's guilt. As the waiter brought Mr. Bingley's soup, Mr. Darcy realized that he too had been indelibly altered by his relationship with Elizabeth Bennet. Indeed, had he not fled to London for the same reason as his friend? Mr. Bingley sampled the soup and, wiping his mouth with his napkin, addressed Mr. Darcy's very thought.

"I suppose you know exactly how I feel. Have you spoken to her yet?" Mr. Darcy took an uneasy breath. "What are you waiting for?"

"Bingley," Mr. Darcy said in a low voice. "I was not two days in Hertfordshire before Miss Bennet bolted for London. Do you think she would welcome my appearing unbidden on her doorstep? She is likely to flee London and to who knows where!" Mr. Darcy picked up a roll and absentmindedly tore it to pieces as he spoke. Mr. Bingley watched him with some amusement, but he had to agree with Mr. Darcy's sentiments. "I believe I made a mistake in following Miss Bennet to town," Mr. Darcy continued, pushing away the bits of bread and crumbs that now littered the surface of the table. "I cannot pursue her, and yet I cannot bring myself to leave."

"You are absolutely right, Darcy. I did not think of that." Mr. Bingley was silent for a moment. "Perhaps what the two of you need," he said brightening, "Is a neutral setting in which to meet." He paused to finish his soup. "I have just the thing." Mr. Darcy waited impatiently as the waiter brought Mr. Bingley's entrée and carefully whisked away the mess of breadcrumbs. "Well?" he finally asked in frustration.

"Oh!" Mr. Bingley said, wiping his mouth once more. "I am to take Miss Bennet and the Gardiners to the opera tomorrow night. Jane has asked if Miss Elizabeth may join us. I think she will be staying with the Gardiners for a few days. Anyway," Mr. Bingley paused to apply his concentration to his beef. Mr. Darcy began to drum his fingers. "If you were to also attend...your box is not too far from mine...well, I am sure you can figure it out, Darcy," Mr. Bingley said as he prodded a chunk of potato.

"Miss Bennet may be no more eager to speak to me in a public theatre than--."

"But that is the beauty of my plan, Darcy! She does not have to speak to you if she chooses not to, and if she does, well..." A smile suffused Mr. Darcy's face.

"What opera is to be performed?" Mr. Bingley stared at Mr. Darcy for a moment.

"What on earth difference does it make?" he exclaimed.

"I want to bring the right libretto with me," Mr. Darcy smiled. Mr. Bingley shook his head, and laughed. As the two men spoke, Elizabeth was putting her few personal items into the drawer alongside her sister Jane's. She would be staying with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner for a few days while the Crenshaws were entertaining the family's eldest son and his family. Elizabeth sat on the bed she would be sharing with her sister, and stared out of the window. It had been more than a week since Jane had arrived in London. Elizabeth remembered their painful confrontation that afternoon. You can rest assured that Mr. Darcy will be in London before nightfall.

Nine days had come and gone since Jane had arrested Elizabeth's heart with those words. Nine days had brought no sign of Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth laughed ruefully; she was not sure if she should be happy or saddened by this turn of events.

"Disappointed--that is it, Mr. Darcy. I am disappointed in you," Elizabeth declared aloud. "Not that I would welcome an interview...." She threw herself back and pulled a pillow to her chest. "Oh, Lizzy, you do not know what you want, do you?"

"I suppose you will want to get dressed before Mr. Bingley arrives," Jane said as she entered the room. Elizabeth immediately sprang to her feet, blushing at the thought that Jane had overheard all that she had said. But if Jane had heard her, she did not let on. The two women were soon dressed and ready for the evening. Mr. Bingley was to dine with the Gardiners before they left for the theatre, and Jane was most eager to see him. The pair made their way down the hall teasing each other about which of them had taken the longest to fix her hair.

They descended the stairs to the sound of a small commotion in the vestibule. Elizabeth gasped as she saw the source of the calamity. Unexpectedly, unaccountably, and most unwelcome, her mother stood before her. Mr. Gardiner and Mrs. Gardiner were trying to compose themselves and make Mrs. Bennet welcome, but that lady was oblivious to their distress. Elizabeth managed to walk forward and kiss her mother's cheek, but Jane, frozen in her position on the stairs, chose that moment to do what heroines in novels have done throughout history; she tripped down the last three steps and twisted her ankle.

"What is that?" Mr. Darcy asked in a tone of mock condescension. Colonel Fitzwilliam, unperturbed, calmly sat down, and the brown puppy immediately took its usual place in his lap. The Colonel opened his mouth to speak, but Mr. Darcy stopped him with a hand. "No, do not tell me--the Little Colonel?" he asked with a smirk. The Colonel did not deign to reply. "How did you ever manage to come up with such an original name?" Mr. Darcy asked as he poured his glowering cousin a brandy.

"I adopted the beast while I was on a tour of the southern camps. My men took to calling him the Little Colonel because he followed me around during an inspection one day. I gave him to Miss Crenshaw on my return, but she has asked me to keep him for a few days while her brother and his family is in town. It seems Richard Crenshaw's wife has a morbid fear of dogs."

"Afraid of that?" Mr. Darcy pointed at the dog derisively. "You know, Fitzwilliam, a Labrador retriever is not a lap dog." The Colonel made a face.

"I know, but as a lady's dog he's not likely to do much hunting in the field either, is he?" Mr. Darcy leaned back in his chair.

"Somehow I still cannot picture him in Miss Crenshaw's lap. What does she think of the Little Colonel?"

"They are very fond of one another," the Colonel sniffed defensively.

"And she calls him the Little Colonel?" Mr. Darcy was rather enjoying his cousin's discomfort as Colonel Fitzwilliam reddened.

"She actually did give him another name, but it is even more embarrassing."

"This I must hear!" cried Mr. Darcy.

"I thought you had planned an evening at the theatre?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, hoping to divert his cousin. Mr. Darcy pulled his watch from his fob pocket.

"Would you care to join me, or do your babysitting duties prevent you?"

"I have an engagement of my own. My old commanding officer is retiring and his men are giving him a send off tonight," the Colonel said as he picked up the dog and stood. Mr. Darcy looked disapprovingly at the Colonel. The Colonel quickly put the puppy on the floor, and tugged at the leash to make it stand.

"I must be off, cousin," the Colonel said. "Remember: Saturday evening at six. Mother will be expecting you. Enjoy the opera." Mr. Darcy took the stairs to his chambers two at a time. He barely contained his excitement as he bathed and changed. In twenty minutes he was ready. Tonight would mark a new beginning; he would see Elizabeth again. Tonight he would learn if he would have any hope of ever earning her love. As Mr. Darcy waited for his carriage to be brought around, he said a silent prayer that the night would turn out well. He picked up his libretto and strolled out to his carriage with his heart in his throat.

Mr. Darcy arrived at the theatre early by design. He wanted to be there when Elizabeth arrived. He wanted a chance to see her before she...well perhaps this time she would not run away.

"Darcy!" Mr. Darcy turned and came face to face with Benton Fowler. "You did not tell me that you were coming to the theatre tonight," he said, shaking Mr. Darcy's hand.

"I did not know myself, at the time" Mr. Darcy replied, sheepishly. "I only decided to come when I heard that Pantani would be singing," he added as an afterthought. He did not want to tell Mr. Fowler his real reason for coming to the theatre on this night.

"Ah, Pantani," Mr. Fowler replied. "I first heard him on the Continent years ago. We are in for a special evening." The two men chatted, while Mr. Darcy surreptitiously surveyed the crowd. Suddenly, Mr. Fowler tapped Mr. Darcy on the shoulder.

"I say, Darcy. Who is that ravishing creature on the arm of Bingley?" Without looking, for he dared not look in Elizabeth's direction until he had prepared himself, Mr. Darcy answered.

"Her name is Jane Bennet, and she is his fiancée," he said as he braced himself for the inevitable.

"Quite stunning; but I must say I never imagined Bingley with a brunette. He has always had a preference for blondes." Mr. Darcy's head spun around, and he grabbed the railing and peered over the balcony. His eyes immediately met Elizabeth's. She was indeed on Mr. Bingley's arm. Jane Bennet was nowhere in sight. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy stared as each other for a moment. Then Elizabeth lowered her eyes as she approached the steps. Mr. Darcy swallowed hard. After a minute he turned to Mr. Fowler.

"I was mistaken, Fowler. The lady with Bingley is not his fiancée. She..." Before he could say more, Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth, and a couple he assumed to be the Gardiners, approached.

"Good evening, Darcy, Fowler," Mr. Bingley said a bit sheepishly. Mr. Darcy tried to appear disinterested, but he could not help staring at Elizabeth. For her part, she was having equal difficulty distracting herself. "Darcy, you know Miss Bennet, of course, but please allow me to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Benton Fowler." Handshakes and curtseys were exchanged. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fowler were fixated on Elizabeth and Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner observed Mr. Darcy with great curiosity.

"Are you a fan of the opera, Mr. Darcy?" Mrs. Gardiner assayed boldly. If neither her niece nor Mr. Darcy was inclined to speak, she would certainly not hold her tongue. Mr. Darcy had to force himself to focus on the lady's question.

"Yes, Mrs. Gardiner. I have loved the opera ever since my parents first took me as a child." Elizabeth opened her mouth as if to speak, then shut it, averting her eyes. "Have you ever seen Pantani perform?" Mr. Darcy asked Mrs. Gardiner, trying to keep some semblance of a conversation going. Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Fowler had fallen quite easily into a discussion of the evening's program.

"Pantani?" Mr. Darcy's heart leapt at the sound of Elizabeth's voice. Mrs. Gardiner was equally pleased at this small victory. Slowly and awkwardly, Elizabeth and Darcy made small talk about the principal tenor, the opera company, and the night's program, with gentle prodding from Mrs. Gardiner. The conversation was as delicate as a peace negotiation, both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy afraid of saying the wrong thing and wanting to say so much. "I have never seen this opera before, sir. Are you familiar with it?" Elizabeth asked as the group made its way toward Mr. Bingley's box.

"It is one of my favorites, Miss Bennet...please, allow me to offer you my libretto. It may enhance your enjoyment of the performance," Mr. Darcy said, holding out the small leather-bound volume. Elizabeth hesitated.

"I could not deprive you, sir," Elizabeth said haltingly, but Mr. Darcy insisted, and he pressed the book into her trembling hand and bowed to the ladies before disappearing into his own box. Mr. Bingley followed him into his box and hastily explained the absence of Jane Bennet.

"Unfortunately, she tripped and sprained her ankle," he said apologetically. "I would have postponed our outing entirely if Jane had not insisted that we come. I think she was more interested in bringing you and Elizabeth together than in her own health." Mr. Darcy colored slightly.

"I hope it is not serious," he replied with genuine concern. His respect and admiration of Jane Bennet had increased considerably since their meeting at Netherfield. Mr. Bingley assured Mr. Darcy that Jane's ankle would heal in a matter of days. "And what of Mrs. Bennet? I did not know that she had also come to town," Mr. Darcy said. Mr. Bingley sighed.

"Nor did I. She insisted on staying with Jane, who had tried to get her to come out tonight as well," he said with an expression that needed no explanation.

"And where is Miss Bingley tonight?"

"She decided to remain at home. It was the strangest thing. When I first told her that I was taking the Bennets to the theatre a few days ago, she seemed rather interested in coming out with us. But yesterday she suddenly told me that she would be staying home this evening. I know she has no great love for Jane or Miss Elizabeth, especially after our dinner at the Gardiner's our first night in town, but--."

"What happened at the Gardiners'?" Mr. Darcy asked, all curiosity.

"Well, Miss Elizabeth mentioned your name. She didn't speak of your proposal to her per se, but merely invoking your name in conjunction with her own was enough to make Caroline nearly faint," Mr. Bingley said, shaking his head at the revelation.

"I am afraid I probably made matters worse when I saw your sister yesterday," Mr. Darcy confessed. "She accused Miss Bennet of spreading rumors about me, and I..." Mr. Bingley's eyes lit up.

"Darcy! You did not!" Mr. Darcy shook his head and smiled as Mr. Bingley disappeared, his laughter echoing down the corridor. Mr. Fowler soon replaced him.

"I say, Darcy. That lady is most enchanting." Mr. Darcy felt a pang of jealousy and suddenly wished he had not invited his old school chum to join him in his box. "If she is not Bingley's fiancée, who is she? More importantly, what is he doing with her?" Mr. Darcy hid his glare in his program.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet is Jane Bennet's sister. Miss Jane Bennet injured her ankle but insisted that the others come out this evening," he intoned.

"She is unattached then? Better and better!' Mr. Fowler said. Mr. Darcy wanted to tell Mr. Fowler of his own interest in Elizabeth, but did not feel that he had that right. Elizabeth, meanwhile, sat beside her aunt and uncle, clutching Mr. Darcy's libretto in her hand. She said a small prayer of thanks that her mother had chosen to remain with Jane. Having her mother present at her first meeting with Mr. Darcy would have been intolerable. Elizabeth thought back to her mother's untimely arrival. Everything about it boded ill.

Mrs. Bennet had been uncommonly silent since her arrival, even when confronted with Jane's injury. She had allowed Mrs. Gardiner to take charge of the situation and made no argument when Jane insisted that Mr. Bingley and his party go on to the theatre without her. She was up to something, of that Elizabeth was certain, but try as she might to figure out what, Elizabeth was woefully distracted by the certain knowledge that Mr. Darcy was in the same building, less than a hundred feet away. She had seen him. She had spoken with him. He had touched her hand when he gave her the libretto. She looked down and fingered the slim volume. Elizabeth opened the libretto and read, To Fitzwilliam, from your loving mother. She turned a few pages and found a piece of paper, a note from his mother. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the note and read,

Since you insist on spending so much time at the opera (your father and I do hope that your interest is in the music!), I thought this might be of use to you.

Elizabeth blushed, and quickly replaced the note. She closed her eyes and remembered her first sight of him at the top of the stairs. Her heart had raced; her throat had become dry. She was glad of Mr. Bingley's support or else she might not have had the courage to take that first step. And suddenly, too swiftly, she found herself face to face with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled, glad that she had not swooned like some frail heroine in a novel. She glanced to her left and saw her aunt smiling at her. Elizabeth blushed again and returned to perusing the libretto.

"He is very handsome, your Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth's embarrassed reply was no more than an "Mmm." But Mrs. Gardiner was not satisfied with that. "I grew up not five miles from Pemberley, you know. Our family was not of the first circle, of course, but we did see the Darcys now and again. The late Mr. Darcy was a fine man." Elizabeth dropped her pretense of reading the libretto and looked at her aunt. Mr. Bingley entered the box, and taking the seat on Elizabeth's other side, observed her reactions to her aunt's comments.

"You did not mention this before, Aunt."

"I really had not thought about it. The younger Mr. Darcy also seems like a very fine man, Lizzy." Elizabeth began to squirm in her seat and felt relieved when the concertmaster and conductor made their appearance in the orchestra pit. Elizabeth sighed and attempted to focus her mind on the stage. In another box a short distance away, Mr. Darcy tried to do the same. But his mind kept going back four months to that night in another theatre when Elizabeth sat opposite him. Now she was closer, much closer, and yet Mr. Darcy had never felt farther away from her than he did at that moment.

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