The ladies retired to their room later that evening, Elizabeth told Jane everything regarding Mr Darcy's part in her affairs, "Jane, he did it to safeguard me, I know it sounds unbelievable, how can anyone safeguard when they have ruined that person. Mr Darcy had said that other men treated their mistresses badly, even beating on them. He found out from his Cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam that I was available, so to speak. He forced the Colonel to arrange the whole thing, ensuring that I was not to know who he was, he was scared I would refuse him and end up with a bad man. We met in the park after that first encounter and he has wooed me since, up until yesterday I thought they were two separate men."

"So how did you find out?"

"Dear Jane, it all came down to a scratch on his face," Elizabeth said shaking her head, "I scratched him the day before and when he came to me in the park the following morning I just put two and two together. To make sure I know my thoughts were right I put some lotion on it, which had tea tree oil in it, later that afternoon when I was with Mr A, I could smell it, then after I knew for certain, little things were beginning to piece together."

"What sort of things, Lizzy"

"Please do not be shocked, but things like his groans, I could tell it was his sound even though I had not heard it other than in that room. His hair felt as it looked, even his smell was familiar, none of which I picked up on until yesterday. Then in my weakest moment, I declared my love for him, letting him know that I knew it was he who I was in the arms of. Jane, his reaction was almost heart wrenching, his declaration tugged at me so much that we were both in an emotional mess by the end of it. To say the man is not passionate is to say the sun does not rise in the morning and set in the evening, that the tides are not governed by the moon and we do not breathe the air to fill our lungs."

"I take it then he is a passionate man."

"Oh Jane, you have no idea, such a strong man, so determined to get what he wants and nothing will stand in his way."

"I wish Mr Bingley had been like that," Jane said as she bowed her head.

"Jane, it will be alright, if you do not wish to see Mr Bingley then you do not have to. I will not force it upon yourself and you can refuse him entry to the cottage, it is your home, we will not intrude on you."

"Thank you Lizzy, I don't think I care to see him any more."

"Are you saying that to guard yourself from yourself or do you really mean it?"

"I think I mean it Lizzy, I cannot be sure but the longer it goes on and the longer he has not called or enquired to how we are, the more I see him as a weak man. Being manipulated by his terrible sister, I now realise Lizzy how much of a threat she was to our association."

"Bravo, I am glad you have finally seen the light, sister. Miss Bingley is indeed a nasty harpy, I wonder what she will think when she realises I am to marry Mr Darcy, she wanted him for herself, did you know that Jane."

"No, I didn't know that."

"That is what she meant by saying Georgiana would soon be called her sister, she wanted Mr Darcy. We all thought she meant Mr Bingley and Georgiana."

"What a wicked woman," Jane said.

"Did you know he is at present on the continent with Miss Bingley?"

"No!" Jane said wondering why he would leave. She surmised that he no longer had feelings for her, "It seems that his mind is now elsewhere, he has probably found a pretty little Italian lady to dote on."

"Careful Jane, that sounds very much like jealousy."

"No! It is not, I am angry with myself for thinking he ever had deep feelings for me, they were shallow, he was playing with my emotions and I got burnt. I will not let that happen again, Mr Bingley can go jump in the river and be washed away for all I care. Now Lizzy, let us have no more talk of Mr Bingley!"

The following day, the Darcy Carriage arrived to take Elizabeth and Jane to the Bond Street Modiste. As expected, Lydia and Kitty wished to join them, but Mary claimed that she did not wish to go and would stay with Mama. "Mary, I will bring you back something, tell mama that I will buy her another black cap if they have them already made."

"Thank you Lizzy," Mary said as she waved her sisters off.

"Oh gosh!" cried Lydia as she looked around at the interior of the grand carriage, "Lizzy, what style we are travelling in and this will be the normal thing for us now."

"Lydia, this is a one off, I doubt Mr Darcy will be able to allow you his carriage at a drop of a hat all the time, he does use it himself from time to time," Elizabeth said with a smirk.

"Oh why not crush a girls dream Lizzy, I can imagine that I am the mistress who owns this fine carriage for a while, can't I?"

"Yes, but only if you remember that the master of this fine carriage is not yours either," Elizabeth said teasingly, "Besides he does not wear a red coat, Colonel Fitzwilliam does though..."

"Colonel Fitzwilliam?" Lydia gasped, "Who is he?"

"Mr Darcy's cousin, although they are more like brothers than cousins, you will meet him on Saturday at the wedding."

"Is he handsome?" Kitty asked eagerly.

"Kitty, keep your thoughts to yourself, Lizzy was talking to me!"

"Now now girls, the colonel is far too old for you, or should I say you are too young for him."

"How old is he? I am sure Lydia will be too young, but not me as I am a full two years older," Kitty said with a satisfying grin aimed in the direction of Lydia who just sat there with her arms crossed and a furrowed brow.

The sisters spent the morning at the modiste, Elizabeth chose a silk dress in cream with a Chantilly lace train. "You will look like an angel in this," Jane said, "Mr Darcy will not be able to keep his eyes off you you."

"I think it will be his hands, Jane," Elizabeth said quietly so that no-one else could overhear, "You saw how he was last night in the vestibule, he cannot keep away from me."

"That is the passionate man in him, Lizzy, you will have a wonderful life together I am sure. Initially I would have thought he too stern and haughty in his behaviour but I saw last night a passionate playful side to him, that is something that no doubt will be for your eyes only."

By midday everything was finalised at the modiste, Lizzy had been measured and the cloth and design had been chosen, the modiste said it would be ready by Thursday evening and would be ready for a final fitting on Friday. Lydia and Kitty chose some fabrics and a bonnet to mess about with. They knew what they were wearing to the wedding, they still have their ball gowns from the Netherfield ball in the trunks and decided they would make them over with some lace and new sleeves. Jane chose new gloves and some lace for a bonnet she was also making over. Elizabeth got Mary some darker fabric in plum and teal as she had decided to stay in half mourning and the modiste had a selection of black caps so Elizabeth procured 3 in different styles. By the time they got home, all were exhausted but Lydia was so full of beans, "Mama, Mr Darcy's carriage is a dream, it is so fancy and plush you would feel like a queen sitting in it. I nearly rolled down the window and waved at the people as we passed them by but Lizzy stopped me."

"Yes I did Lydia, that is no way to act, especially in a carriage where Mr Darcy's crest is above the door."

"Oh I didn't think about that, yes it would be embarrassing for him if he were to be told some silly creature was making a spectacle of herself," she snorted, not caring if he was told or not.

"Lydia, if you had done that and he found out you would not be allowed back in that carriage, so remember that for next time you wish to misbehave," and on those words Lydia stayed quiet.