Premise: Darcy proposed in Kent but had no chance to deliver his letter. The very next morning Elizabeth is recalled to Longbourne.

"There you are, Lizzy."

Jane Bennet rounded the corner of the house to see that her sister had hidden herself safely from the rest of the family on a secluded bench in the garden.

"I am sorry, Jane, I could not bear it in there any longer." Elizabeth adjusted her black muslin to make room for her sister.

They sat together for a few minutes in silence until Jane said, "I suppose we will be turned out of the house any day now." She looked frightened, and at any other time Elizabeth would have tried to comfort her with even the most precarious of hopes, but the past days had taken their toll and she did not have it in her.

"Please, Jane, let us talk of something else."

"Alright. You have not yet had time to tell me of your stay in Kent. Was it agreeable?"

"Hardly."

"Whatever makes you say that? What happened?"

"Mr. Darcy was there."

"Oh, Lizzy, I'm so sorry. I know how much you dislike him. Were you obliged to meet often?"

"Too often for my comfort." Elizabeth sighed. "I could have borne it. I did bear it. I amable to surrender my inclinations to the demands of propriety – as you well know, or I would not have a shred of reputation left! But oh, Jane! I could not keep a civil tongue in my head when that infuriating man –" She stopped to control her indignation. "Jane, he proposed."

Jane's face had gone entirely blank. "He – who? Proposed? Mr. Darcy – proposed? Marriage?" Her usually ladylike and composed countenance was distorted in shock. "Lizzy, why?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at her sister's confusion, but silenced herself guiltily after a moment. "He said he loved me – I know! What a ridiculous notion – but went about the rest of it so terribly that I'm afraid I said some equally terrible things in reply."

"Oh Lizzy! Did you have any idea at all that he loved you?"

"With his taciturn manners and brooding expressions, I was convinced he took no notice of me. You can imagine my surprise at his declaration, which was equaled only by his shock at my refusal. The arrogant cad thought that any woman in my situation would be senseless with gratitude and ecstasy at the very thought of such an elevation."

"Lizzy, he did not say that."

"He implied as much and said far worse. I will not repeat it to you, for your generous and good sensibilities do not deserve such an offense." Elizabeth smiled and kissed her sister's cheek.

"Just think of it! But you cannot be entirely insensible to the compliment of having drawn the attentions of such a gentleman."

"The gentleman barely warrants the name."

"Are you still prejudiced by Mr. Wickham's account?"

"Prejudiced? I am not prejudiced – I am prudent. I pride myself on my sound judgment. And Mr. Darcy has done nothing to deny the story."

"You did not accuse him to his face?"

"I did."

Jane gasped. "You did not!"

Elizabeth tilted her head. "Why ever not? The story places such an irremovable stain upon his character that he could not hope to succeed in his proposal without justifying himself."

"And had he cleared his name successfully, would you have accepted!" Jane looked shocked.

"Of course not, Jane dear. I would only marry for love. But it would have improved my opinion of him immensely."

"And how did he reply to the accusation?"

"He made no reply. He appeared very agitated and affronted, and quit the room soon after, to my great relief. I received your letter the next morning and was gone by the afternoon."

"So you persist in hating him."

"I don't hate him, Jane. I just do not think well of him at all."

The sisters were interrupted in their conversation by the sound of a horse approaching. They looked out to the front of the house, but Lizzy quickly pulled her sister back to their hiding place when she saw that the figure atop the horse was none other than the gentleman they had just been discussing.

"Mr. Darcy?! Lizzy, what is he doing here?"

"Upon my word, Jane, I have no idea!"

"Do you suppose we should go in?"

"I would much rather not."

"Lizzy, I fear we must. He will have come to offer his condolences. It will all be over in a matter of minutes." Jane took Elizabeth's hand and led her through the back door and into the hallway. They saw Mr. Darcy before he saw them, and Elizabeth put a hand on her sister's arm to keep her from advancing further, so that they could see the interaction between him and her family without being observed.

"Miss Mary." He bowed very civilly. "Miss Catherine. Miss Lydia." His eyes scanned the room very quickly, no doubt looking for one particular member of the household, but the girls mistook his questioning glance. Mary spoke up, "Our mother does not leave her bed. Please excuse us – the household is in some disarray."

"Not at all. It is quite understandable." His voice was soft, gentle and unquestionably sincere. "I – I came to extend my sincerest condolences for your loss."

At this juncture Jane took her sister's hand and quickly pulled her forward before she could protest. Mr. Darcy looked up immediately, and his reaction was so fleeting that had she not been told, and had she not been watching, Jane would have missed it entirely. It was an instant and involuntary expression of happiness and adoration which turned quickly into stoic impassivity when he perceived Elizabeth's cold reception.

"Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth." He addressed them both and they curtseyed together in reply, though he looked only at one of them.

They stood for a minute, five women dressed in black and a gentleman with his hat in his hand, until Jane took the responsibility that was her duty as the eldest.

"Will you join us in the sitting room, Mr. Darcy?" Jane gestured to the door on her right and led the way.

Elizabeth seated herself as far from him as possible, and the other girls took seats around the room, fidgeting uncomfortably.

The silence stretched for some time before Elizabeth inquired politely, "I trust you left your aunt well?"

"Yes, I thank you." Not having appeared uncomfortable by the extended silence, Mr. Darcy did not now look relieved. "It was she who informed me of your trouble. I sought you out – " he caught himself and changed course – "We missed your party's company for several days, until on Sunday Mrs. Collins informed us of your departure early Friday morning."

"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed. "The express came at dawn."

Elizabeth spoke placidly, but Jane was no stranger to the mannerisms that belied her disquiet. Elizabeth's hand was tucked at her side, but her white knuckles were gripping and creasing her gown in agitated restiveness. Jane stepped in to carry the conversation. "And here you are a scant week later. It is very kind of you, sir."

Mr. Darcy surprised them all by inquiring directly, "What will become of you now?"

"Well," Jane began, "I suppose we may be turned out of the house at any moment. I do hope it will not be within the mourning period, but one cannot be certain."

Here Elizabeth felt compelled to comment. "Jane, Mr. Collins will arrive before the month is out. His finances are not in such a state that he can delay taking advantage of an extra income as soon as he decently can."

"Within the month is not decent, Lizzy," put in Kitty.

"Mr. Collins has his own understanding of decency, which rarely coincides with ours."

Jane continued, "Whenever the inevitable event does occur, my mother and the younger girls will live with my Aunt Phillips. Lizzy and I will go to London to our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner."

Elizabeth raised her head at this. "I will be a burden to no one," she declared, eyes blazing in Mr. Darcy's direction, daring him to pity her. "I will advertise as a governess or lady's companion. And I urge my sisters to do the same."

Mr. Darcy stood up. If this exchange had made him uncomfortable, he did not show it. He looked only as though he were thinking very quickly. "I will not trouble you ladies any longer. If I may though," he paused, "have a moment's conversation with Miss Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth looked up sharply. "Oh..." She was too shocked to speak but recovered herself quickly. "Certainly, if you wish it, sir."

"You may go to the garden, Lizzy," said Jane, "where you may be observed but not overheard."

"Thank you, sister." Elizabeth turned to give Jane a look of confusion and panic which the gentleman could not see. Jane steeled her expression to betray nothing and goaded her sister out the door.

Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth as he walked beside her to the garden. The black austerity of her dress was as incongruous to her character as it was to the blossoming spring outdoors. She walked purposefully, her back erect, but she could not entirely erase the weight of her burden with her deliberate bravery.

She sat down on a garden bench and he took a position a safe distance before her, his back against a tree whose branches shaded both of them from the warm April sunlight. He took the luxury of observing her for a moment while she adjusted her dress and pretended to pick at some greenery. Despite her pallor and weariness, or perhaps due to her sudden vulnerability, he thought she had never looked more beautiful.

"Miss Elizabeth," he began, "May I first tell you personally that I am deeply sorry for your loss. I did not know your father well, but what I did gather from the minutes I was fortunate to spend in

his company is that he was a very intelligent man and a deeply affectionate father. I lost my own father only a few years ago, so I can commiserate quite profoundly with your situation. I hope you will be comforted in time."

Elizabeth brought a hand to her face and he scolded himself for renewing her pain. "You are very kind to speak well of my father, and to come out of your way expressly to condole with us."

"I had an idea just now, while speaking to your sisters... I –" He paused and took a breath, then changed his direction. "Would you first permit me to apologize for my behavior towards you in Kent. I... fully acknowledge the truth of your rebuke and have taken it to heart in a way that I hope will become apparent." He spoke slowly and quietly, as if what he said brought him real pain. "I had never before encountered anyone who questioned my behavior. I was accustomed to associating mostly with those of my own circle, among whom my attitude never invited censure. Meeting you and your society was a new experience for me, and I'm ashamed at how badly I passed muster. I hope that in the future you will find me improved in civility."

Elizabeth could not help but blush at this. "I am sorry, sir, for the distress my words caused you – I really had no notion of them being taken in such a way, and I am sure I could have spoken more gently. I would apologize for my behavior."

Mr. Darcy smiled a little. "Perhaps neither of us are beyond reproach, though you are too generous to admit that I deserve the greater share of the blame."

Elizabeth stared at him as if it were an entirely new man who stood before her. He was so changed, in attitude and address, that she really felt as though the last week had been life-altering for them both.

"Miss Elizabeth, the idea I spoke of. I believe... I may be of assistance to your family."

She tilted her head and looked at him quizzically. "How is that, sir?"

He blushed a little and was slightly uncomfortable as he explained, "I could furnish the means for your mother and sisters to remain at Longbourne, and provide for their upkeep in the manner to which they have been accustomed."

"Really, sir, I hardly think that would be appropriate, I –"

"It would be appropriate, if..." he hesitated, and before he had finished Elizabeth knew what he would say. "...if we were to marry."

She sat absolutely stunned for a moment, in which he had time to look so anxious and concerned that in any other state she would have found it in her heart to sympathize with his position. "Mr. Darcy," she finally said, "That savors strongly of extortion."

He winced painfully. "Please do not say that. Extortion is intimidation, or threat. What I propose is an arrangement that will be beneficial to all. I am genuinely eager to help a deserving family caught in a desperate situation. I can think of no other way to do it and maintain propriety... and you understand why this solution was the first to occur to me. I force no decision upon you – I am sure that you will fare well wherever you go, but it is certainly a fate from which I would do everything in my power to spare you. Would you not rather be the mistress of a respectable estate than a poor relation in a relative's home, or a drudge in a stranger's? Would you not have your sisters provided with dowries and the connections to marry well?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Your offer is certainly very generous, and I do not doubt your sincerity in coming to our aid. But this arrangement is not, as you suggest, beneficial to everyone – you are the only one who does not profit by it. Why would you do all this for a wife who does not care for you?"

The pain in his eyes when she said this frightened her and made her regret her choice of words. He breathed in deeply and sighed, and his voice was quiet but steady as he said, "I will mortify myself by repeating what I have said previously – that I love you, and am willing to hope that in time you will come to return my regard. In many cases, affection comes after marriage, and I trust that it can be the same for us, for you. I will try my utmost to deserve your good opinion and perhaps with time we will come to an understanding."

Elizabeth found there was no reassurance she could offer on this point and remained silent for a moment before saying, "Do you not think this a precipitous offer to a woman within the month of her mourning?"

"Indeed I do, and would never have dared mention it if not for your own attestation that you could find yourselves without a home at any moment. I do beg your forgiveness for the indelicacy of the time. You can think it over. If you agree, and believe as I do that it is best arranged quickly, then... matters could be settled within a fortnight. By special license."

A cherry blossom fell from the tree and landed on Elizabeth's lap. She gazed at the pink and white flower adorning her black skirts. She faintly heard Mr. Darcy assuring her that she should consider and need not feel obligated to answer hastily, but her thoughts drifted away. I can save my family and buy their happiness. I dislike him, to be sure, but he is taking great pains to be agreeable and maybe in time he... She got up and walked around to the other side of the tree, he following her with his eyes but leaving her to her solitude. Would I not do it for them even with a more disagreeable and unpleasant man? It is my duty to my family. And after all, I shall not be uncomfortable, or friendless. If he loves me, as he insists he does, he will be kind. I could do worse. She sighed and was shocked to discover a tear had found its way down her cheek, the unconscious issue of a great buried sadness. I shall never have the chance to marry for love. I sacrifice my own happiness, but gain the happiness of all my family. I must do it. I should be grateful for the opportunity to do so much at so little cost to myself. I may not ever have married anyway...

She rounded the tree and looked at Mr. Darcy contemplatively. The gentleman stood with hands behind him, looking at the ground with a melancholy air. Perhaps he is not such a bad man. Perhaps I shall be happy. Perhaps there is another such tree on his estate, and I will spend much of my time there. I dare say his house is large enough to escape him in. Though really it all centers on this – that I would never forgive myself if I did not do this for my mother and sisters. I simply have no choice.

She went to stand before him and he raised his head expectantly. Perhaps it is he who should be pitied for so desperately wanting something which will bring him so little satisfaction.

"Mr. Darcy, I..." she sighed involuntarily. "I accept your generous offer."

She watched as his face was overcome with such an irrepressible expression of heartfelt delight, that she at once felt a terrible guilt at the inequality of their emotions. He did not take her hand, or begin the use of any terms of endearment, and for this she gave him credit. He did sit down on the bench next to her as she resumed her seat, and his boyish look of absolute triumph began to infect her own countenance – she could not but be flattered at the degree of happiness her acceptance produced – and she smiled hesitantly as well.

"Miss Elizabeth, I would ask you one thing. One great sacrifice which I hope in time you will come to see more favorably – but if you would kindly protect my honor in this one way – I would ask you to please create the appearance that this is a mutually agreeable union, and not a reluctant one on your part."

"Am I to lie to my family and friends?" She exclaimed in surprise, but her companion was pained.

"It will only cause them distress and worry – I think you would want to shield them from it, as I wish to shield my sister. Will you not try, with time, to be truly happy with me? Then it need no longer be a lie. I will do anything you ask."

Elizabeth bit her lip uncertainly. "I can try. But please do not become too hopeful, I … fear this will never be entirely what you desire it to be. I will be as honest with you as you do me the credit of being. I only accept for the sake of my family. It is not my own wish, surely you knew that before you spoke. But I do not believe I shall be very unhappy..."

His face fell gradually as she spoke, until he looked so dejected, she trailed off and was too flustered and sorry to remember what she had been saying. He ran a hand roughly through his hair and attempted a smile. "Of course I understand. I expected no different." He stood, and so quietly that it was impolite for her to acknowledge that she heard, he muttered, "I must be a very great fool indeed."

Elizabeth cast about for something encouraging to say. "But it is very kind of you to make us all such a generous offer, and I know you will be a benevolent and attentive husband. I will try my utmost to deserve your regard. In the name of all my family, I thank you."

His pained smile increased slightly, though it still did not touch his eyes. "You are an exceptional woman and I will content myself even with only such an assurance as this."

He stood, she sat, each looking at the other for a moment. "Shall I come into the house?" he asked.

"I think it is best if I prepare them myself. You can return tomorrow to receive your hero's welcome."

His eyes finally reflected some mirth. "I see I am to prepare myself for a lifetime of wit at my expense."

"And I to a lifetime of amusement." Her eyes twinkled as she threaded her hand through his arm and led him back to the house, and he swore to himself that there never lived a more wretched or more love-struck man in all the annals of recorded history.

When they had reached the front door, she dropped her arm and smiled. "Mr. Darcy, if we are to protect appearances, then you must kiss my hand before getting on your horse."

The smile on his face would not have seemed a matter of merely appearance to any of the five faces plastered at the drawing room window, as he said, "With the greatest of pleasure. Are you certain you don't mind?"

"Not at all. We may as well have sport with our little secret. Go on, then."

She would always remember the warmth and roughness of his hand as he slowly took her own, and the confusing sensation which fluttered in her breast as she felt his breath on her hand and his lips on her skin. He lingered over her hand and as he looked up at her she thought she had never quite appreciated just how handsome a man he was. She bit her lip in a confused smile as he whispered, "Till tomorrow," and mounted his horse.

She watched him ride away and then shook off her trance and turned to go into the house. As she entered the front door, she was accosted by five excited women all chattering at once.

"Mother," said Elizabeth, as they grew immediately silent at the sound of her voice. "We are saved."

Settle in, my dears – this will be a long one. I have 3 chapters roughly written, and outlines for most of the rest, which may require 10 or more installments to finish. This means you have a role in the shaping of the story! Ideas? Corrections? See me headed in a direction you are loathe to explore? Steer me onto another course! As always with my multi-chapter stories, you readers are an active part of the plot development. Let's see where it takes us, shall we?