Darcy had altered the dates for his visit to Rosings, so that it coincided with Miss Elizabeth's trip. However, due to a change in his timetable, Colonel Fitzwilliam was unable to accompany Darcy and so Elizabeth was not made aware of Darcy's interference between her sister and Mr Bingley.

Mr Darcy's proposal is also less harsh and more heartfelt. How would Miss Bennet react to his question?

Also, the militia embark to Brighton earlier than in the book, so that it ties in with this story.

Tightly based around our darling couple in the first volume, but expands to include other family members in the second volume (Chapter 9 onward)

M for future lemons (Hey! you should know me by now.)

Please review and let me know what you think. :)

9th April 1812

"Miss Elizabeth, I have struggled with my feelings and in vain I can bear it no longer. Since near our first acquaintance, I have come to have deep feelings for you, feelings that for months now have been a torment to me. I fought against my logic and the contrast of our stations in life, but it was to no avail. I came to Rosings with the sole reason of seeing you again, I could go no longer without telling you how I felt."

Elizabeth stood there, unable to utter a word. Had this man standing before her not been indifferent to her over the past few months? She did not understand his sudden admission of… what? He had not said, was it love? No, it could not be believed, if that was what he was admitting to.

Darcy on seeing her shock, continued, "I love you, love which I have battled with, but it has gotten hold so tight around my heart, that I fear if I fight it any longer it will strangle my soul. Please Miss Elizabeth," he stopped and took a step towards her, "I would be honoured if you would accept my hand," he said as he gazed at her. The expression on his face could not be mistaken, he was begging with his eyes for her affirmation.

Elizabeth felt extremely awkward at the scene that was playing out, she had no idea of his love for her, had he not stared at her during their whole acquaintance with disdain and conceit? "Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, but this is all so sudden. I had no idea of how you felt, I thought you were appalled by me and my family."

Darcy's eyes still locked onto hers, "No, I have only admired you from afar. I am ill qualified to recommend myself to anyone, I do not possess the talent to which some people have of conversing easily with new acquaintances," he said as he looked down, fumbling with the signet ring on his right hand. "With regards to your family, I must admit they are rather… loud… and dare I say there is a general lack of propriety, but that means nothing to me, not if I can have you by my side."

Elizabeth was taken aback at his backhanded insult of her family, but she quickly realised that she had always thought of that herself. Her mother and younger sisters had little to no regards of society's rules and her papa mocked people where he saw fit and had little thought for their feelings at such a tease, even her mother had been the subject to many a year of his jokes. He had just stated the truth, which she herself had wished to not think about. Her thoughts then turned to Mr Wickham and his misfortunes, "What about your involvement with Mr Wickham?"

Darcy froze, what had Mr Wickham said to her? Furrowing his brow, he tried to imagine what sort of slander that man would have fed her. "Mr Wickham?" is all he could say, hoping that Elizabeth would enlighten him further.

"What excuse can you give for your behaviour towards him," Elizabeth said, but observed the puzzlement that crept across his face. "You ruined his chances in life, have you already forgotten your actions towards him?"

Darcy hesitated, he sat down beside her and whilst fumbling with his ring once more, he began his explanation. "George Wickham was the son of my late father's steward, when old Wickham passed away his son was only eight years old. My father loved Mr Wickham as though he was his own son and gave him opportunities throughout his childhood and into adult life that only a gentleman's son would be privileged to. When my own dear father died he left him a generous living, but Wickham announced he had no intentions of taking orders, he demanded the value of the living so that he could put himself through law school. I reluctantly agreed to this, as I knew that this would not be the case and within weeks only to return to me demanding more money. Of course, he did return and I refused further payment and after realising he would get not another penny from me, left and I did not see him again. However, he came back into my life last year," he paused as he closed his eyes, a look of anguish crept across his face as he remembered the terrible pain and heartache that man had put him through. "he came back into my life last year and without my knowledge pursued my sister, declaring passionate love for her," he paused again and looked at Elizabeth, "Wickham as the ability to persuade anyone for whatever reason he chooses, his charisma tends to win most ladies over and he uses this with gust. He used such a tactic on my sister, finally persuading her to elope with him." He bowed his head and scrunched up his face, as though he was trying to block the memories from his mind, however he knew he had to continue, "My sister was to inherit thirty thousand pounds."

Elizabeth sat there stunned at the idea of her friend being such a fiend, she was about to say something when Darcy continued. "I discovered them in Ramsgate, her companion Mrs Younge, was also acquainted with Wickham and they arranged the whole visit to the seaside with the intention of carrying out his plan, whilst I was at a distance. However, I arranged to surprise her on her trip and found them together on the pier. Georgiana, being the age she was, told me everything, not realising that I would be angry. I insisted we return to the rented cottage and after telling Wickham that he would not see a penny of the inheritance, he walked out and never came back. I cannot begin to explain to you the depths of my sister's despair, she was but fifteen years old, at the time."

"I do not know what to say," she said, Darcy looked at her and saw her mirror the tears that had filled his eyes.

"Please do not give me your sympathy, Miss Elizabeth, I do not wish to think any more on the subject. This is the first time that I have spoken of it since last year, as you can appreciate this information is not to be discussed with anyone. I cannot put my sister through any kind of gossip, if it was ever to be overheard," he said thinking of Mrs Bennet.

"Of course not, but I cannot believe he can be such a libertine, he seems so gentlemanly."

"That is one thing he plays on, he is a very intelligent man and the fact he was brought up to be such a gentleman, at my father's expense, would not give anyone suspicions of his more machiavellian side, so is able to deceive when ever he wishes."

Elizabeth sat there and thought about all the conversations she had had with that man. Yes, she did think at the time of their first acquaintance that he was very forthcoming with information that no gentleman should consider a topic of conversation with such a new acquaintance. The doubt was now planted in her mind, had she made such a brave error of judgement in regards to Mr Wickham's character? She sat there and looked at the man, now sat in front of her, tears threatening to escape from his eyes. How could he make such a story up, she quickly realised that he could not, for he would indeed be risking his sister's reputation, if such a story was ever to get out and so allowing the gossips to run havoc.

She had already come to realise that he was a very handsome man, but she did not love him, but as he sat in front of her, she could not bring herself to further deepen that distraught state by refusing him. She also remembered her mother's attempts for a good marriage, but she knew that she could only marry for love. Therefore, her mind was made up, she would give neither a positive or a negative response. "Mr Darcy, in light of the revelation you have just proclaimed, I am unable to give you an answer to your question at this moment. I do not know what to say, I do not wish to accept you as our acquaintance has been tainted with Mr Wickham's words and I am yet to work out your true character, but I cannot say yes, as I do not love you. Could we agree to deepen our acquaintance, whilst we are at Rosings?"

Darcy was a mix of emotions, he felt glad that it was not a firm no, but he also hoped that Elizabeth could see what a good life she would have and that she would want for nothing, including his love. He therefore resigned himself to the fact that he would put all his efforts into securing her heart. "I think that is best, maybe my comportment in recent months has proved that I am an unreadable creature when it comes to my thoughts and emotions, another hindrance that I have acquired due to my upbringing."

They sat there in awkward silence, before Elizabeth broke the thick air that had started to surround them, "I do believe that we must converse, even if it is only small talk, for I fear that we will end up rather bored," she chuckled.

"You state the obvious, I have already admitted that I am not a social being when in company and in particular, whilst I am in yours. I feel my nerves take over whenever I am with you and as hard as I try, I cannot shift them."

"Oh, but you must try, maybe if you practised more, then you will overcome your shyness," she stated as he had said in not so many words that he was fraught with nerves.

"I do feel that practice will make perfect. So Miss Elizabeth, as a perfect teacher of the art of conversation, where do you think we should start my lessons to improve my ability to communicate better?" he said with a raise brow.

Elizabeth smiled at his playfulness, she had not seen this in him before, if this was how things were to be she could easily see her opinions change for the better. "I think, you may tell me more about your family, your sister in particular."

"You wish to discuss my family?" Darcy said with more than a trace of shock to his voice.

"Yes, why ever not?"

"Most people, if they were allowed to choose a topic with me, would choose something like my wealth or Pemberley, but you choose my sister?"

"I do not care for your wealth, Mr Darcy. That is not what makes a person, family and upbringing does."

"It does help though," he laughed.

"Indeed it can assist you in life, but you make of life what you will. You can be a pauper and still leave a reasonably fulfilled existence."

"Can you see why I have fallen in love with you," he said whilst taking her hand in his. "You are not like most women who just think of all the jewels and gowns I can buy for them."

Elizabeth felt her heart skip a beat as soon as they made skin contact. The jolt of energy that shot through her fingers could not be missed. She knew that he also felt it, for she felt him momentarily stiffen as a result. "Did you feel that?"

"I did, but cannot comprehend what it was," he breathed.

Taking a moment, he composed himself once more and began to talk of his sister, "Georgiana is like myself, rather shy around people and to a degree I blame myself for her awkwardness, whilst in company. She attends a finishing school at present in Derbyshire, so I do not see her as much as I wish. She is exquisite on the piano-forte and practises each day without fail, it has been her saviour for the past year," he said, the sad expression now returning to his face. "She has a thorough knowledge of the masters, she has a good grasp of the modern languages, but she sings terribly," he laughed, "I think it is a Darcy trait that we are all hideous vocalists."

"I will remember that and not request that you provide a rendition of a tune."

"I would not give it for I would not wish to torture you in such a way."

"So does Miss Darcy resemble you?"

"No, I take my likeness from my father, Georgiana is more like my mother. She is fairer in complexion and does not have the height that I have inherited from papa, which I feel is a godsend. What woman would care to be over six feet tall."

"Miss Bingley?" she chuckled at the lady's bad luck for being taller than the man in front of her.

Darcy shook his head, "You and she do not get along, I could tell that from very early on. Some of the things she had said to you at Netherfield was unforgiving, I nearly chastised her for her comments, but realised that I was a guest in her brother's house and therefore could not. The embarrassment that you felt made me angry, but I could not intervene."

"That was painfully embarrassing for I know my family to be a joke," she said as she bowed her head in shame.

"I would not worry about your family, I do not think there is a person in this world, who does not possess a member or two in their relatives to give them grief."

"No one but yourself, I dare say," she surmised.

"Oh, are you not forgetting my aunt? Lady Catherine is not a foolish type to embarrass, but she feels her station in life can allow her to be brusque most of the time and on occasion, exceedingly rude. I must apologise for yesterday evening."

"I do not understand."

"You having to perform and entertain us on the piano-forte last night, when it was clearly evident you did not wish to. My aunt forced you into something you did not want to do, that is typical of her."

"Typical? Has she bestowed the same disregard for your feelings also," Elizabeth mocked, thinking that such a woman could never behave like that to her family.

"She has gone one step further, she expects me to marry her daughter, which I have no intention of doing. I never have and Anne feels the same. My aunt has this deep rooted desire for us to wed and therefore unite the estates, but this will never happen."

"She wishes for you to wed your cousin?"

"Yes, but I do not love her like that, I love her as my cousin, but not as a wife. Besides her sickly nature will probably not produce an heir," Darcy said before he realised that this is what he expected of Elizabeth. He reddened as he felt the mortification rush over him, "I am sorry, I should have not said that, it was very ungentlemanly of me to bring up my cousin's weaknesses."

"I suppose you believe her weaknesses are my strengths?" Elizabeth teased. Darcy looked at her with such a smile, that it took a moment for Elizabeth to collect herself, for she saw in front of her a man so very handsome.

"I believe you must be correct in your assumptions, I can see you being a perfect wife for me." Darcy's gaze was intense and Elizabeth felt its presence immensely. Their proximity to each other was closer than they had sat before, he hesitated but bent forward slightly, the anticipation of the possibility of their first kiss was foremost in his mind. He longed for her lips to meet his and his eyes wandered across her face to see any sign of repugnance. He could see none and only her gazing back at him, lips slightly apart. However, he quickly realised that he could not continue with his wish, it would not do well for him to act like a lech, even in his mind he wished to do more than just steal a kiss. "I fear that I may do something that I will regret and you will hold it against me," he said as he moved away from her and so breaking her trance. "I need to remove myself for the time being, before I put you in great danger for I am a man desperately in love and I have urges, which I am finding hard to control."

Elizabeth gasped, "What urges to you mean?"

"To take you into my arms and kiss you, most passionately. But I will not do this as I fear this would frighten you." She thought on those words and her body reacted in such a way that was alien to her.

"I think we must part, are you to dine at Rosings this evening?"

"No, we have not been invited. I am to dine at the parsonage."

"I will meet you by the folly in the morning at around eleven o'clock?"

"Yes, that would be acceptable." Elizabeth confirmed and Darcy took his leave.

Walking back to the parsonage, Elizabeth had gone over their encounter numerous times in her head. His words regarding Wickham were most heaviest that weighed on her mind, for she had been fooled by that man for months. How she let him prejudice the character of such a man as Mr Darcy, who in the past two hours had proved himself to be nothing more than a pleasant enough gentleman. Mr Wickham on the other hand, had done nothing but spoke slander and spread falsehoods throughout Meryton and to the many people he was able to persuade to his way of thinking.

10th April 1812

Elizabeth rose from bed that morning, having not had much sleep. She gazed into the mirror, only to see a very pale reflection, Lord! Look at those dark rings under my eyes, I look like a panda, she thought. She readied herself and came down to the breakfast room, where Charlotte was sitting. "Where is Mr Collins?" Elizabeth asked.

"He has taken Maria to town, she wished to get some items from the haberdasher, they will not be more than two hours. Do you have anything planned today?"

Elizabeth did not wish for her friend to know about the proposal or indeed Mr Darcy's interest in her, for she knew she would be on the receiving end of a sermon regarding her friend's earlier perception. "I am going for an extended walk about Rosings, I wish to see all that there is to see before I return to Longbourn at the end of the week."

"Will you be back for luncheon?"

"No, I will not be leaving until much after half past ten, so will probably not return until late afternoon."

"So, are you meeting anyone? I just ask as it is a very long time to be rambling outdoors on your own."

Elizabeth blushed, did her friend know what was occurring? She could not lie, so answered the question with another, hoping Charlotte would be satisfied. "Do you suppose that I am in need of company if I am to be walking for some duration of time, can not one appreciate the outdoors by oneself?" Charlotte nodded, but there was a glint in her eyes that Elizabeth could determine all too well as a knowing look.

Elizabeth was walking towards the folly, where Mr Darcy had met her the day before. She could see that he had yet to arrive, but was not concerned in the slightest, as she knew that she had left the parsonage earlier than needed in order to escape Mr Collins' return.

She sat there with a book, which she had brought with her in case a distraction was needed during those silent moments, and began to read. Ten minutes later, she heard a crack of a fallen branch and looked up in the direction of the sound, heading towards her was Mr Darcy, wearing his new expression of a smile. She noticed also that he was carrying a rather thick blanket and a picnic basket. "Good morning Miss Elizabeth, how are you this fine morning?" he chirped.

Elizabeth smiled up at him, "I am well, although a little tired."

"Oh I am sorry to hear that, I fear that may have been my fault, did you not sleep well?"

"No I did not, but I anticipated a bad night when I retired. All the new information was spinning in my mind so much that it put a stop to my slumber."

"If it pleases you, I was the same. I have not slept well for many weeks, but last night proved the worst of all." Darcy, over the previous weeks, had been unable to sleep due to the thoughts of the delightful Miss Elizabeth and her playfulness. However, last night was rather a night full of anxiety and nervousness due to her impending answer.

"Maybe your picnic will give us sustenance enough to continue the day?" she eyed.

"I thought it best I bring luncheon as I was not sure how long we were to stay out. Have you given Mrs Collins any indication of your time of return?" Darcy said, hoping it would be more than a couple of hours.

"I have told her late afternoon, as I was not sure."

Darcy was happy with that answer, that allowed them a good six hours. "So, what were you reading when I approached?" Darcy said, eyeing the book.

"Oh, Sense and Sensibility, it is a fairly new publication."

"I think Georgiana has that book, I have not read it myself, but understand from my sister that it is about lost, threatened and found loves. I can relate to that."

"It is much more than that, it is also about a family, who is forced to reduce their standard of living due to a death in the family, that is something I can relate to," she said as she looked down at the book, thinking of what would happen if her father were to pass away.

"I had heard that Mr Collins will inherit, but surely he will not see you all out on the streets."

"I fear he will, he gave us a chance when he…" here Elizabeth stopped, realising what she was about to admit to.

On seeing this Darcy urged her to continue, "What chance did he give you?"

Elizabeth fidgeted in her seat, not wishing to tell him that he was not the first to propose, "I will tell you, but please do not react to my response. Mr Collins made me an offer of marriage, but I declined as it was not heartfelt and I did not love him. At that particular time I could even venture to say that I did not like him."

"He asked you to marry him?" Darcy gasped, "But he is married to Mrs Collins? I don't understand. He made two proposals to two different women in the short time he was in Hertfordshire back in November?"

"Oh his intentions to take me for a wife was only out of loyalty, nothing more. When I refused him he realised he had to return to Hunsford engaged, one way or another. He saw an opportunity in Charlotte, who is heading towards spinsterhood, so asked for her hand almost immediately. He is very eager and stupid enough to fulfil any of your aunt's requests with gust."

"But why you? I would have thought he more suited to Mary."

"I do not know, mother did say that he considered Jane first, but when she pointed out that she had formed an affection towards Mr Bingley, so she steered his eye towards me. That just shows you how little he thinks of taking a wife, he had actually considered three women within a sennight. So Mr Darcy, Mr Collins does not have any loyalty towards us poor Bennets as we… I, refused his hand."

"I could not bear to see you in the arms of another man Miss Elizabeth, I think it would kill me."

"Well, that may never happen, who can say what my answer to your question will be," she smirked.

"You are teasing me again, aren't you."

"Yes, and you will need to get used to it if I accept you, for I do love to tease." Darcy blushed and a shy smile spread across his face. Elizabeth thought his bashfulness was endearing, how could such a proud strong man, who frequented the upper circles of society, be such a shy docile creature in her presence.

As she was pondering this thought, Darcy's stomach saw fit to protest at its lack of sustenance. "Oh lord, I do beg your pardon, but my stomach is telling me that it's time to eat. Do you wish to sit here or on the grass? I have a blanket to sit on, if you wish."

"If we can sit under a tree, so that we have some shade from the sun, I do not wish to give Miss Bingley an excuse to say how brown I have grown during the summer months."

"She finds fault in most things, she has not got a good word to say about anyone outside of her immediate circle."

"That immediate circle includes you, you do realise she has designs on you," Elizabeth laughed.

"It is no laughing matter, I know full well how Miss Bingley feels towards me, she has attempted to get me to notice her for years. She does not realise though, that the only thing that I have noticed is her rudeness and incivility towards those who are undeserving of her scathing remarks."

"I take it that I have been subject to her comments."

"Indeed you have, but I will not talk of such words, you do not need to hear them," Darcy said hoping to shield her from the harpy's rants.

"I can take it, Mr Darcy, you do not need to wrap me up in a blanket." Mr Darcy smiled at the thought of his chosen mate to be wrapped up, naked, in his bed sheets sprung to mind. "What are you thinking now?"

"Oh, just a vision you reminded me of when you mentioned blankets." At this Elizabeth blushed.

"I fear this is a week of flushed complexions," she smiled.

They stood and walked to a near sycamore tree, where Darcy place down the blanket. On opening the basket, Elizabeth gasped, "Strawberries and cream! How did you obtain them so early in the season."

"Oh I have my ways," he grinned.

"Oh, you mean you crossed someone's palm with silver and they miraculously appeared."

Darcy laughed at the accuracy of her conclusion, "Yes something like that, although my aunt will be disappointed to learn from the gardener that they had perished in the hothouses."

Darcy took one of the fruits and dipped it into the cream, holding it up to Elizabeth's mouth, he nudged the fruit forward to persuade her to take a bite, but she did not. "If you do not take a bite Miss Elizabeth, I will be forced to cover your face in the cream."

"You would not dare!" she gasped.

With that challenge, Darcy proceeded to swing the cream covered fruit onto her face, which covered her cheek.

"Mr Darcy! You are insatiable!" she chastised.

Darcy laughed at the mess, but was dumbstruck when Elizabeth insisted, "Lick it off!"

"What?"

"Lick it off!" she repeated.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Well, I was requesting, but if you see fit to have it as a challenge, then I challenge you."

"And if I do and win the challenge, what is my prize?" he asked, playing along with the game.

Elizabeth thought for a moment, "You may have a kiss… on the lips."

"But Miss Elizabeth, that is rather improper, we are not yet engaged."

"I know, but there is no one around and I know that you have been wanting to do that since yesterday."

Darcy did not hesitate, he ran his tongue along her cheek and so lapped up the sweet cream. A satisfying groan was heard from deep in his throat, which sent a tingling signal straight to Elizabeth's nether region.

"Miss Elizabeth, I fear that if I kiss you now, I will never stop. Please say you will be mine, I implore you," he whispered as he cupped her face in his hand and brought her lips to meet his.

"I cannot say," she replied with an equally breathy whisper, but she was unable to finish her sentence as a soft pair of lips pressed against hers. He repeatedly kissed her again and again, moving across her cheek and down the side of her neck, making her head flop sideways. All too soon, Darcy came to his senses and abruptly pulled away. He got up and started to pace around, taking deep breaths as he went, to calm himself. Elizabeth, being in a similar state did not realise that he had sat back down beside her with his head in his hands, "I must apologise for my disgusting behaviour, I promise you it will not happen again, well… not until we are married, if you decide to accept me."

"William…" Elizabeth said all breathy.

Darcy looked down and found the woman next to him, she has sunk back onto the blanket and breathing heavily. "Heaven forbid Elizabeth, if we were wed, I would take you here and now and to hell with anyone who may come upon us." Elizabeth opened her eyes, her face portrayed her wants.

"Please, you are testing my controls and I do not wish to compromise you." Darcy looked away, but when he did he felt a small hand press against his back. On turning, Elizabeth has sat up and was looking at him with those eyes.

"Am I that much of a temptation to you?" she managed to whisper.

"You have no idea how tempting you are right now."

"But at one time, you thought me only tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you. Are you now saying that is not the case?" she said as her playfulness reared its head again.

"When did I say that?"

"At the Meryton Assembly, the first night we were introduced."

"I do not remember saying it," Darcy puzzled.

"You said it to Mr Bingley, when he urged you to dance, you refused his suggestion to dance with me and you said… that!"

"Dear god! I did, didn't I. You heard me? Oh, I am so sorry, I did not mean it, it was just… Bingley was really getting on my nerves that day and I said it to shut him up, nothing more. You caught my eye within minutes of entering the hall, but my shyness came into play and I ignored you, can you forgive me?"

The remainder of the afternoon was filled with talk and merriment and the odd kiss that Elizabeth could take and so testing Darcy's control to the limits.

11th April 1812

The couple met again the following day as before, Darcy brought with him the picnic, which they shared together under the sycamore tree.

"Mr Darcy, you are spoiling me, yesterday strawberries and cream, today oranges!" Elizabeth gasped as the gentleman pulled out the fruits from the wicker basket.

"Only the best, Elizabeth. By the end of the week, my aunt's hothouses will be bare of their harvests, but it is in a good cause," he laughed.

"I am sure she will not be happy with you when she finds out all her fruits have gone to such an undeserving creature as myself."

"Do not say that! You are deserving of every drop of nectar, which oozes from this succulent morsel,"he said as she squished the fruit and so allowing the juice to run down his fingers.

Elizabeth saw this and her mouth dropped open, Darcy placed the fruit he was holding to her lips and she allowed him to feed her the fleshy produce and once it had been eaten, Darcy brought his lips to hers and savoured the liquid that had escaped and remained on her lips.

"What are you doing to me? I cannot think straight," Elizabeth gasped as she lulled her head against his.

"I am making you fall in love with me, Lizzy," he whispered softly. He could hear a sigh come from her lips and hoped that he was correct, how different her attitude was now towards him from only two days ago.

"Do you care for some more?" he whispered into her ear.

"Not at the moment, for I fear spontaneously combustion if you feed me another piece," Elizabeth said. Darcy noticed her breathing was heavy and her bosom was moving up and down within the confines of her bodice. He kissed her once more in the dip of her neck, making Elizabeth groan.

"Please, William, I …" she could not finish her sentence as desire had overtaken her senses. Darcy could see her reaction, but knew that he could not push her further, for fear she would be angry at him for taking such a liberty.

"Lizzy, do you wish me to stop?" he whispered. Elizabeth could feel the warm air of his breath on her ear as he spoke, which confused her senses even more.

"Yes…. No…. Yes, I don't know," came her reply.

"I think I need to stop, as you will not thank me. I suggest we take a walk, to calm ourselves." Darcy moved to get up off of the blanket, which made Elizabeth jolt and so breaking her trance she found herself in.

"What are you doing?"

"We are going for a walk, there is a rambling brook over there that I think you have not seen before, it is in a more private location in the grounds and you cannot venture to it from the main pathways."

Elizabeth got up and straightened her dress, "I must look a sight."

"Slightly dishevelled suits you, you look divine," Darcy said as he eyed her full length.

"Mr Darcy, I do believe you just looked me up and down!" Elizabeth said in feign shock.

"Yes I did and I love what I see," he said, which brought Elizabeth back to the realisation that this man loved her, all of her. She flushed at the thought that he was having carnal thoughts about her, but had she not had similar thoughts as he kissed her neck and licked the juices from her lips?

Picking up the picnic basket and blanket, he took her hand. He led her towards the brook, the sound of running water was very pleasing and the vision picturesque. "We need to get to the other side, it is only shallow."

"But I cannot walk through that, I will get wet!"

"I mean to carry you, there are stepping stones and I am very well versed to crossing this part of the stream."

Darcy gave Elizabeth the items he was holding and picked her up, which made her squeal, "This is all rather improper, what if someone sees?"

"Then they will see me carrying the one I love across a stream, and in doing so, the lady will be indebted to me for such an act, for otherwise her petticoats will be drenched from the water."

"And what is the price I have to pay for your debt?"

"Marry me."

"William, I have not yet decided, please give me time," she said as she lay in his arms in the middle of the stream.

"Well then, I have no alternative other than to let you go and you will get wet," he laughed.

"You would not dare?"

"Oh, another challenge Miss Elizabeth?"

"No! No! No! I did not mean it, do not drop me," she pleaded.

Darcy laughed at her panic, "I will not, but please put me out of my misery, soon."

"I will, but I need to make sure I am giving the right answer, you would not wish me to rush my decision and have me give my response, which I may regret."

At this Darcy stiffened, he realised there was still a chance she would refuse him, even with their last two days and how her emotions had evolved. "I will not push you, you need time and I accept that, but it is killing me not knowing." At this Elizabeth giggled. "Oh you tease!"

As they got to the other side of the brook, Elizabeth saw a pretty little meadow, full of spring flowers. Darcy let her stand and took the picnic items from her once more. They walked over to a rather secluded area, again next to a sycamore tree. "Your aunt likes these trees, the groves are full of them."

"It was my late uncle, when they married he had a notion to plant the trees so that he could have the wood used for furniture. He was to employ master craftsmen to work on the carved pieces, but he died before they fell the trees, then aunt decided to just leave them. I think that is where her eagerness to furnish the place in garish items has come from, a complete opposite to what her husband had wished for. Since then the trees have spread by themselves."

"We have a few around the estate, but they are not as fine as these."

"Aunt does make sure the woodsmen tend to them, any disease is taken care of with haste. She does not wish for any to die, as it will be felt as another part of her husband has died again."

"I must admit, that if I see such a tree in the future, I will think of you," she smiled.

"Well I hope you will come back and tell me at once."

"Maybe, William, maybe," she teased.

Laying on the blanket, they stared up at the sky, guessing shapes in the cloud formations that slowly drifted across. "That one looks like a sheep!" Elizabeth shouted.

"It is more like a dog, it has a tail," Darcy contradicted.

"That is not a tail, it is not connected."

"Well, someone cut it off, it's an injured dog."

"William, you are not playing fair, what about this, it looks like a teapot."

"Coffee pot!"

"Heaven forbid! Are you going to disagree with me all the time?"

"No, I just prefer coffee."

"Oh, there is so much we need to know about each other, maybe we should ask simple questions and give our answers." Darcy nodded and prompted Elizabeth to go first.

"Tea or coffee?"

"You know coffee, I just said."

"I know, but I thought you might care for what I like, it's tea. Now… Lemon or milk?"

"Neither, black coffee." Elizabeth scrunched up her nose in disgust and confirmed she preferred milk.

"Left or right?"

"What?" Darcy exclaimed, thinking she meant what side he dressed on.

"What side of the bed? It is one thing I need to consider when making my decision," she laughed.

"Oh, we are going to share a bed?" Darcy said as he reddened, "I don't know, I have never slept with anyone before, I always sleep in the middle."

"I am on Jane's right."

Darcy smiled as they lay there, Elizabeth was indeed on his right. "We have got it right then," he laughed, but stopped when he heard a faint mumble.

"Insatiable!" Elizabeth continued, "Morning or evening?"

"All day if you allow me, Lizzy."

"No! Are you an early bird or is the evening your thing? What do you mean by all day?" Then the penny dropped and Elizabeth turned red, "You know I am an early bird, what are you?"

"Early."

"Country or town?"

"Country, Pemberley is far more beautiful, but I will not be looking at the landscape, when you are with me for I will be gazing upon you, only you."

"I prefer the country," was all that Elizabeth could say, her eyes were transfixed onto his and he moved over to her and kissed her.

As Darcy pulled away, he whispered, "I wish I could ask Yes or no, but I fear I will push you too far. So I will ask light or dark?"

"What do you mean?"

"Colours for your rooms at Pemberley."

Elizabeth shook her head, "I think Mr Darcy we will have to get back on track, no more questions that will give you my answer sooner than I care to say."

"A man can try, can he not? Britain or abroad?" Darcy asked.

"Holidays? Here, I do not care to travel abroad at the moment, I am too frightened another war will break out."

"I prefer the seaside to country, makes a change from Pemberley."

"Now, I think for some more intricate questions, what would you do if you did not have the money you have?"

"Probably cry," Darcy laughed, "Seriously, probably go into trade, maybe the textile business, a lady can not have too many dresses and there is a lot of money to be made in that industry."

"I will probably end up a governess, being accosted by her employer, who would try to lift her skirts all the time… What is your greatest fear? Mine is my father dying all too soon."

"You refusing me," Darcy closed his eyes at the thought of the pain he would feel, if she did just that. "If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My nerves would be top on my list."

"I think my inability to read people's character, I failed miserably with you."

"I do not think it was you who failed to read me, rather than myself not allowing my feelings to be read, there is a difference. Now, I think we must get back, it is late and Mrs Collins will be wondering where you are."

The couple stood and collected their belongings, "Do we have to go back over the brook?"

"No, there is another way, it's slightly longer though for me, but passes the cottage, I can walk you back."

"Oh, so long as you do not see me to the door. I do not wish for either Charlotte or Mr Collins to know I have been with you, your aunt will find out if we are seen."

"I will leave you at the end of the lane then, it will not be too far from there, but is out of sight."

When Elizabeth returned to the cottage, Charlotte and her husband were in the back gardens, taking tea. "Lizzy, you are back, you look well although a little tanned. You should take a parasol out with you next time," Charlotte said.

"Yes, I think I will for the sun was rather bright and has given me a slight headache, I will rest for a while, then will be down in an hour or so." Charlotte nodded and Elizabeth took her leave.

14th April 1812

Two more days had passed and the couple had met in the grounds each morning and spent the afternoon, relaxing under the sycamore tree or by the brook.

It was the day before Elizabeth was due to return home and as Charlotte and Mr Collins were to go to the local market with Maria, it left Elizabeth in the house alone for a few hours.

It was early, so Elizabeth quickly wrote a note to Mr Darcy and asked the servant boy to run to Rosings with it.

W

I find myself all alone,

At the house where I rest my head,

I sit and ponder on your words,

At revelations most recently said,

But my mind is awash with the question you asked,

A question with good or bad choice,

Come find me, come quick and seek me out,

For I now have my reply to voice.

E

On reading the note, Darcy shot up and run out the door.