A/N: for the record: I can't take credit for the proposal I only took what JA wrote and tweaked it a little to fit the situation.

There was much to be talked of: what Elizabeth's feelings were after reading his letter and how deeply she regretted her accusations; how Darcy's initial anger had given way and he had come to feel the justice of what she had said and sought to improve himself; how surprised Elizabeth had been by the change in him and her delight in meeting his sister; how her tenderness toward him and his admiration of her had grown during their captivity and escape; their happiness for Jane and Bingley and their anticipation of that couples happiness though it could not be equal to their own, were all subjects to be discussed.

Darcy was sorry to recall that they must also speak of Mr. Wickham. He repeated what Colonel Fitzwilliam had told him and added, "I do not like to risk him speaking in a public trial but my failure to expose him before has led to his falling into even greater depravity. I never would have thought him capable of abducing us."

"You take too much on yourself. You are not to blame for Mr. Wickham's actions."

When he did not answer she took his hand and continued, "Fitzwilliam, you must do what you think is right. Whatever he may say of us, we can face it together."

Her words filled him with a warmth that momentarily distracted him. When he recalled himself he said, "I need to go see him" and moved as if he would put his words to action immediately.

"Must you go now? You have barely recovered from your fever."

"It will not do me any harm. I will go now… or rather…" he returned to her side and reached up to brush a stray hair from her face, took her in his arms, and kissed her on her forehead, her nose and finally her lips, "I will go soon…"

It was some time before he was free to speak again at which point he said, "Elizabeth even though I have not yet spoken to your father I would like to announce our engagement to my guests."

"Under the circumstances I think that is a good idea."

"And you must, that is, I hope you will write to Mrs. Gardiner immediately."

"I will gladly write to her, but why the urgency?"

"She… has reason to be concerned… I… I do not know how much you recall of our first night back, but I… fell asleep in your room. Mrs. Gardiner came in to check on you in the morning and I was still there. She responded with admirable good sense but we should not keep her in suspense for long."

"You were in my room?"

"Ah, then you do not remember."

"I…" she looked thoughtful, "Vaguely but I thought it was a dream."

"No."

"Oh…" she touched her cheeks as if trying to cover her sudden blush, "I begged you to stay. That was very…I should not have put you in that position. I cannot imagine what you must have thought of me."

"Do not make yourself uneasy. If I thought of anything beyond comforting you, it was to be pleased with your concern, and of how brave you had been. How could I think less of you for asking such a small thing after all you did for me, feeding me and… everything?"

Noticing that her eyes dropped and her change of expression when he alluded to what she had done for him in the cell and not wishing to embarrass her further he quickly added, "If anyone is to culpable it is I for entering your room in the first place. Do you blame me for being there?"

"How could I when you came only to comfort me? But, Mrs. Reynolds told me that door was locked and that she has the only key."

"She is mistaken. I hope you will not judge her too harshly. It is the first mistake I ever remember her making, though it is a large one. I can only account for it by thinking both she and my sister felt the rightness of your being in that room, though it was premature."

"I would be glad to think I had earned their approval. Perhaps if I had not been so tired I would have questioned it myself. It did seem remarkably fine for a guest room," with a mischievous smile she added, "I thought perhaps you kept it in case the queen should visit."

"Certainly not, when the queen visits we open the royal wing, of course."

For a moment Elizabeth looked stunned and he tried to keep his expression neutral but he must have betrayed something for her eyes danced as she laughed, "Fitzwilliam, you are learning to tease! I am delighted!"

With her laughter and her delight to sustain him he set out to meet Mr. Wickham, feeling he was equal to anything.

~.~

As Darcy followed the constable to the cell where Mr. Wickham was kept he heard voices raised in anger.

"…then you will have to be convincing! If you do not convince Darcy to drop the charges I will confess that you are the one who planned the whole thing! I have it on good authority he is very interested to learn your identity."

"You are and your men are the ones who let them escape!"

"If you had done a better job of identifying Miss Darcy everything would have gone smoothly. She would not have been…"

At this point the door was open and the conversation stopped. Darcy wished he could feel surprise at the man he found talking with Mr. Wickham. He had not wanted to believe it was him. They had been friends since school. It was he who had first introduced Darcy to Bingley. Darcy spoke coldly, "Mr. Hurst."

He turned pale, "Darcy!"

Darcy turned to his cousin, who had accompanied him, "Please take Mr. Hurst back to Pemberley and detain him there until I return."

Mr. Hurst sputtered, "Darcy I…"

"We will speak later." Darcy answered him sharply, "and you will no longer address me as if we are friends."

Mr. Hurst cringed at this but said no more and went away with the Colonel.

Darcy turned to Mr. Wickham, pleased he had been lucky enough to deprive him of a bargaining chip. Mr. Wickham must have come to the same realization for there was a tone of desperation in his voice when he said, "It was all his idea Darcy!"

"That hardly excuses you for participating."

"I got in over my head. I was desperate."

"No doubt."

"You are a man without pity but," his expression became more cunning, "perhaps you have not spoken to you cousin."

"I have but you are not in possession of all the facts. Long before you abducted us I asked Miss Bennet to marry me and she has accepted."

"No… you would not have proposed to her. She has nothing to temp you…"

Darcy remained quiet. While what he had said was misleading it was not, strictly speaking, untrue and he knew her having come to Pemberley with her aunt and uncle would add to the impression.

"It is not true!"

"Believe what you will." Darcy turned as if to go.

"Wait! Even if you are engaged you would not want her reputation soiled."

"Anything you say I will deny. Who do you think people will believe? I do not even need to accuse you of abducting us. It is enough that you stole my horses."

"The men I hired did that! I did not order it."

"Then it is unfortunate for you they have not been found to collaborate your story."

Mr. Wickham turned pale and he said in a very different tone, "Just me then. You will not punish Mr. Hurst. Do you wish me to hang Darcy?"

"It is not what I wish but I can see no alternative. If I do not press charges there is no way of knowing what your conduct will be in the future."

Wickham mumbled something in which the words "your father" were all Darcy could distinguish.

"My father would be deeply disappointed that you turned out to be so unworthy of his regard."

Darcy had not thought Mr. Wickham could manage to look any more dejected than he already did but he sat down heavily, his shoulders slumped and put his face in his hands.

Darcy was at a loss. He had expected Mr. Wickham to be full of bravado and accusations. The man before him looked broken and the truth was, as much as Darcy hated Mr. Wickham, he did not actually want to see him hang, nor did he feel hard labor was an acceptable alternative, as it would only be likely to kill him more slowly. He wanted Mr. Wickham out of his life and he wanted to be sure that, by being rid of him he wasn't causing trouble for someone else. But he did not want to be responsible for his death.

He stood for some time at argument with himself before saying, "Colonel Fitzwilliam mentioned a post in the East Indies."

Wickham looked up at him, "I could get a new start."

"But would you put it to good use or would I simply be providing you with a new group of people to deceive?"

"People change Darcy. I can change."

"I will think about it." With that Darcy knocked on the door to be let out.

The door was opened and just before he exited Wickham said quietly, "Whatever you think of me, I did love your father."

Darcy did not turn around, for fear of Mr. Wickham seeing the impact of his words, and said in a carefully controlled voice, "Then you ought to seek to be the man he thought you were."

~.~

My Dear Aunt,

I write to give you news which, if it gives you half as much happiness to read as it does me to write, will make you very happy indeed. I am the happiest creature in the world! This will be one of the last times you hear from Elizabeth Bennet for I will soon be sighing my name, Elizabeth Darcy. My father has not yet been applied to for his consent, so please keep this between yourself and my uncle until he has, but we wanted to give you the earliest intelligence of our news and thank you for responding with such ration and reason to a certain situation which I will not set in ink. I trust that you understand me. I thank you again and again for you must know I could never be so happy if I had not been left to determine my own feelings. I assure you of what you must already know that Mr. Darcy has behaved in a most gentlemanly manner and treated me with the utmost respect.

Here Elizabeth paused wondering if Mrs. Gardiner would feel the same if she knew all that had passed between herself and Mr. Darcy during their ordeal. It had been easy, a short while ago to speak bravely of facing whatever Mr. Wickham might say of them, but considering it now she could not deny it caused her some apprehension. If people knew how long they had been alone in the cell and that Mr. Darcy's hands had been chained behind him would they wonder how certain practical matters had been attended to? Elizabeth had not allowed herself to think of one particular matter. It brought up an odd mix of embarrassment, tenderness toward Fitzwilliam, and another feeling she could not define, a feeling which was both enticing and a little scary.

Determining not to let her happiness be marred by what might or might not come to pass in the future she set these thoughts aside and returned to her letter.

~.~

Having sent his cousin back with Mr. Hurst in his own conveyance Darcy hired a hack chaise to return him to Pemberley and endured the discomfort of an inferior ride along with the discomfort of his thoughts. He wished, on his return, that he could seek Elizabeth out to sooth him but it was necessary that he speak with Mr. Hurst.

He entered the room where his cousin was keeping Mr. Hurst, sat down across from him and said, "Why?"

"I have debts Dar.. Mr. Darcy. I was desperate."

"Why did you not come to me? I would have helped you."

"I could not do that."

"But abducting us was perfectly fine with you?"

"I did not expect… that is…"

"…to get caught?"

Mr. Hurst did not reply and Darcy realized how little he wanted to hear whatever excuse he might make if he did. But Mr. Wickham was right about one thing, he was not going to put Mr. Hurst on trial.

Darcy spoke again, "You will leave Pemberley as soon as you can pack. If you ever try to take advantage of another again, and I will make it my business to know if you do, I will ruin you."

"I will not have the opportunity to try anything like this again. Mr. Wickham's hatred of you made him a willing ally and willing to do most of the work."

"If the only thing stopping you is lack of opportunity and laziness it is hardly in your favor. You are not the man I thought you were Mr. Hurst."

With that Darcy left the room unable to bear to be in Mr. Hurst's presence any longer. Granted they had not been close friends, which was even more the case since Mr. Hurst had married, but they had been friends. Darcy expected betrayal from Mr. Wickham but not from one of his own set. He could only be grateful that neither had known Elizabeth's importance to him. If they had abducted her and left him free to pay the ransom he would have paid whatever they asked without delay.

Checking his watch he realized that it was too late to seek out Elizabeth before dinner and he ought to dress soon himself. He needed to collect himself before making his announcement. The thought of the announcement cheered him considerably as he retired to his dressing room and sat with a glass of port considering what he would say. He had not been sitting long when there was a knock at his door and Bingley entered looking distraught.

"Darcy!" he exclaimed, "I only just heard! I did not know! I never would have…I would have stopped him or warned you!"

Darcy bid Bingley sit and handed over his glass of port saying, "Calm yourself, Bingley. I never suspected otherwise."

Bingley took a large gulp and quickly continued, "Louisa swears to me she knew nothing about it and I believe her."

"I am glad to hear it." Darcy was not equally convinced but there was no reason to say so.

Bingley took a deep breath, "I will not throw her over Darcy, no matter how horrified I am but what my brother has done. I will not disown my sister. If that means the end of our friendship I am sorry."

Bingley was not one to keep his feelings hidden and Darcy could easily perceive what this declaration had cost him. He felt an almost paternal pride in his friend for standing up to him, though it was completely unnecessary for him to do so, "Of course it does not mean the end of our friendship. All I ask is that you do your best not to invite me and the Hursts at the same time. I am to be your brother too."

Bingley was noticeably relived, "Thank you Darcy I… my brother?"

"I hope I have not been presumptuous I understood from Elizabeth that her sister had accepted you."

"Yes but..." He could almost imagine that he could see the inner workings of Bingley's mind, "that would only… Are you to marry Lizzy?"

"Yes."

"You have made her an offer?"

"Yes."

"And she has accepted you?"

"Yes. I hope you do not object to the connection."

"Obj.. Darcy that is wonderful!" He jumped up from his chair to give Darcy a hearty handshake and slapped him on the back. "You could not have chosen better. She is just what you…" he suddenly turned sober, "You do care for her, do not you Darcy? This is not because of the time you spent alone?"

"I do care for her, but I may make you angry for we plan on being happier even then you and Jane."

They talked further, exchanging mutual congratulations and saying all the things that are normally said in these situations with true sincerity, until Wilkes came to see why Mr. Darcy had not rung for him and the two separated to dress for dinner.

Darcy dressed quickly and went to find his sister. He did not have much time to prepare her for his plans but her delight was such that no more than a brief explanation was needed.

~.~

Caroline Bingley was seething with anger at her brother-in-law. How could he do something so stupid? He had lost Mr. Darcy's good opinion! He had put the whole family in jeopardy! Selfish, foolish man! Thank goodness that Charles had somehow managed to stay in Mr. Darcy's good graces and the two of them were able to stay. It was almost enough that she was willing to forgive her brother for returning with Jane Bennet, though she could not help but wonder if Louisa might not have gotten her husband under control if Charles had not taken her away at such a critical time. It did vex her to think Charles and Jane were now likely to marry, when he could have done so much better, but with Louisa going away and Mr. Darcy having unaccountably changed his opinion of the Miss Bennets she had no allies.

Caroline took a large bite of venison just as Mr. Darcy announced that, before they had been so rudely abducted he had asked Miss Bennet to marry him and, pending her father's approval, she had accepted him. It was a lucky bite because her efforts not to choke kept her from expressing her initial mortification and gave her time to notice the happy smiles on the faces of the other guests, indicating she had no partner in her displeasure, and to think on the advisability of retaining the right of visiting at Pemberley. She swallowed her resentment along with the meat and forced herself to smile saying, "I congratulate you and I think you must give me some credit Mr. Darcy for you may recall I predicted many months ago that I would one day be wishing you joy."

Mr. Darcy merely raised his glass and thanked her before turning back to Miss Eliza. As the guests resumed their individual conversations she turned to Miss Darcy to ask about her visit to her brother's tenants, tell her how very much she admired her for going, express her dearest hope that Miss Darcy would play for them later, her ecstasies over Miss Darcy's most recent table design and say anything else she could think of to prove her excessive fondness for her dear friend.

Caroline could easily perceive that most of Mr. Darcy's guests were more than willing to believe the engagement had taken place before the abduction. His actions when Miss Bennet first arrived in the area had aroused many suspicions and if any wondered if the timing might be slightly different than what Mr. Darcy implied they were unlikely to admit to such an opinion, but she would not be fooled. Surely if Mr. Darcy had made Miss Eliza an offer she would have taken Caroline into her confidence immediately as if she considered her a close friend. That's what Caroline would have done to warn off a rival. It did not occur to her that even if Miss Eliza were not above such tactics she had never considered Miss Bingley as her competitor.

It was necessary that Caroline appear cheerful and save her irritation for later when it might be taken out on a cushion. She was not too distraught to remember that Colonel Fitzwilliam was the son of an Earl; Mr. Gillingham the son of a Baron; Mr. Randal was reasonably good looking and had three thousand a year; and, while Mr. Dixion was not equal to the merits of the others, he listened very attentively whenever she played and sang, was likely to appreciate a pretty girl offering to mend his pen, had only one sister who was neither too clever nor too pretty to be a valuable connection, and —with a little encouragement— was likely to sit admiring her letters, which would make for a refreshing change. With such an abundance of eligible gentleman she was even so generous as to leave Mr. Townshend to pay his attentions to Miss Dixion without interference.

~.~

After dinner Darcy and Bingley were not many minutes behind the ladies and Mr. Dixion and Mr. Kitteridge followed soon after them. Once the other gentlemen had joined them and tea had been served Darcy, after speaking quietly with his sister, surprised the whole party by suggesting they dance a reel. Bingley and Mr. Kitteridge declared they were always ready to dance and the other's had no objection.

When Darcy offered Elizabeth his hand saying, "Despise my taste if you will but I hope you will not refuse me." She accepted gladly and felt no more than a momentary reluctance when the dancing continued and he asked for her hand again saying, "No one here will mind how often we dance together."

The party seemed to bear him out for the Kitteridges, danced together almost exclusively, as did Bingley and Jane and —even when the Millfortes sat down to cards with Mr. Gillingham and Mr. Andrews— the single ladies were never without a partner. No one could think Mr. Darcy a neglectful host, for he danced with Miss Dixion while Elizabeth took a turn at the piano forte and with Miss Bingley when Colonel Fitzwilliam insisted on a turn with his future cousin.

As the party drifted off to bed Darcy said softly, "Elizabeth, may I speak to you a moment?"

She started, for she had not realized how close he was standing, and looked anxiously at the retreating figures of the rest of the party, feeling suddenly nervous to be alone with him.

As if he had guessed her thoughts he gave her a gentle smile saying, "Do not worry. I will not detain you long. But, there is much I would like to discuss with you and there is a garden I would like to show you if you are agreeable we can talk there tomorrow."

"Yes of course." It made no sense that she would feel any unease about being alone with him now. She told herself she was being silly.

"Also, now that we are engaged I hope you will accept this as a small token of my gratitude."

He handed her a small box, which she took automatically even though she felt her cheeks warm as she stammered, "Oh, that is very kind but you do not need to give me anything."

"I want to and, as you once told me, no one likes to feel a gift is unappreciated."

With the reminder of her own words Elizabeth did not feel she could refuse and opened the box to find a paper of pins. She almost laughed in relief, "Fitzwilliam, what made you think to give me pins?"

"You lost quite a few of them during our ordeal."

"That is very thoughtful, I thank you." She was truly touched.

"I would be glad to replace anything else that was lost or ruined, your gown for example." He said these words in the same tone of voice that he had used when speaking words of love and she was once again aware of how close he was standing.

"I thank you but no, please, I will be buying my wedding clothes soon enough."

"As you wish." He brushed the gentlest of kisses against her lips and though a moment ago she had been nervous about being alone with him she now wished she could think of a reason to stay with him longer. Shaking her head at her own foolishness she hurried off to her bedroom to convince Jane that her dislike of Mr. Darcy was entirely over and that she was sure she loved him as she should. If on her way to her own room she passed Miss Bingley's and heard muffled noises, as if someone were taking out her wrath on the cushions or screaming into her pillow, she hurried by without seeming to notice.

~.~

As they walked to the garden the next morning Elizabeth assured Fitzwilliam that she had written to her aunt.

"I am glad," said he, "that she will not be kept in further suspense. I like the Gardiners very much and I was particularly impressed with the way Mrs. Gardiner handled the situation we spoke of yesterday. She held me accountable without overreacting. I do not like to admit it but my uncle thought your family would use our being alone together during our escape to press me to marry you. I almost wish I could tell him how wrong your aunt proved him."

"Perhaps his attitude is not to be wondered at. One is always hearing stories of a couple, completely innocent of any wrong doing, that is forced to marry due to some unlikely mishap that has the appearance of compromise. Of course one never meets with a person this has happened to but everyone knows of a friend of a friend whose union is due to such a circumstance."

"I tend to think such reports are exaggerated but one cannot be too careful. I never go into a library during a ball or large party for fear of being accidentally locked in with a lady."

"Libraries are particularly dangerous," said Elizabeth, "I wonder that they all came to be designed in such a way, for there is only ever one door and it is always so thick that no amount of yelling or pounding on it can be heard from the other side, if one tries to ring for a servant the bell is broken or all the servants are otherwise occupied and do not hear, also the widows do not open or overlook a sheer drop off the side of cliff. All this must be true or couples would not be trapped in them so easily."

"In addition to what you say, there is never any coal for a fire, and regardless of the season, the room grows dangerously cold so that the couple is forced to embrace for warmth as a matter of life and death."

This gave Elizabeth pause, remembering that they had, in fact, embraced for warmth, though it had not been a matter of life and death. Fitzwilliam might have been struck by the same thought for he suddenly looked embarrassed, and wanting to encourage his playful banter, she forced herself to reply with good humor, "Now that you are under my protection, Fitzwilliam, you need never fear to enter a library for they are only dangerous to single men. But, I hope you will not spend social occasions skulking in libraries."

"Indeed I will not." He answered in a more serious tone, "I have been practicing making myself more agreeable in company and, as the art of conversation comes so naturally to you, I hope you will help me."

Elizabeth had only time to say, "It shows." Before they came to the door of a walled garden and he unlocked it.

"Oh, Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth exclaimed upon entering, "It is wonderful!" She let go of his arm in order to skip forward along the path calling out her delight in everything she encountered, "look at your roses!"

"They will soon be our roses," He said with a smile as he caught up to her, "I am glad you like the it," and taking her hand he added, "but I must admit I see no wonder in this garden equal to seeing you in it." Lifting her hand he turned it and kissed the inside of her wrist just above her glove. It gave her a curious shiver. He pulled her closer and kissed her. The kiss grew more passionate and she felt her body responding in unexpected ways, she wrapped her arms around him, returning his embrace and pressed against him. Then suddenly remembering herself she stepped back, and with the deepest embarrassment turned away from him.

"Elizabeth, please forgive me, I got carried away. I meant no disrespect."

Hearing the tone of concern she forced herself to reply, "You did not offend me."

"Then what is wrong? Did I hurt you?"

"No."

"Did I frighten you?"

"No, no, it was nothing you did, I only felt so… so strange. I do not know how to explain." She would not have admitted this much but she did not want him to blame himself.

"Elizabeth," He said softly, standing close but not touching her, "Did you feel as if you desired me?"

She nodded, her cheeks burning with shame.. She could not imagine what he must think of her.

"Elizabeth, these are feelings that would have arisen naturally once we were married. I think it must be because we spent so much time alone that you should feel this way now. There is no reason to be embarrassed."

"You are not displeased?"

"Have you ever felt this way before?"

"There was a moment or two during our journey when I felt something like it but not nearly as strongly."

"But never with another man?"

"No."

"Then it does not displease me… quite the contrary."

She finally turned and met his eyes. Until now Elizabeth had thought that the descriptions in novels, of a man's eyes burning with passion, were not something one would encounter in real life.

He gently touched her face, "It does, however, make it that much harder to wait for our wedding night." He took her hand, "I would marry you as soon as possible but it would look…"

"…as if we had reason to marry quickly."

"Yes, but I should talk to your father soon and I think that would be better done in person."

Elizabeth could not be comfortable at the thought of this interview, for while feeling reasonably convinced the Gardiners would be pleased for her she could not be sure how the rest of her family would react. She did not fear her father's opposition, but he was going to be made unhappy, and that it should be through her means, that she, his favorite child, should be distressing him by her choice, should be filling him with fears and regrets in disposing of her, was a wretched reflection.

"I ought to go with you, my father will want to speak with me and I would like to apply to my mother myself." She could not determine how her mother would take it. But whether she were violently set against the match, or violently delighted with it, it was certain that her manner would be equally ill adapted to do credit to her sense.

"Very well, in that case I think Bingley will wish to return to Netherfield. He must also be anxious to speak with your father and only stayed because Jane is here with you. I will arrange for a chaperone. Will it suite you to leave on Monday?"

It took Elizabeth a moment to recall that today was Friday. Missing church while they were held captive had thrown her. Monday would be the soonest they could leave without traveling on a Sunday unless they left almost immediately and travelled as quickly as Jane and Bingley had which would not be practical. She agreed to Monday if the others found it convenient, but even thoughts of her how her parents would respond could not distract her for long from the way she had reacted to Fitzwilliam's kiss, "You are truly not displeased?"

"Elizabeth, I know your virtue is beyond reproach. As your husband, I hope to inspire feelings that other men do not. I have long desired you. For you to feel anything like this in return is gratifying indeed." He was still holding her hand in one of his own and with this free hand he had begun running his fingers slowly up the inside of her arm. She did not remember his having removed his gloves.

He suddenly dropped her hand and stepped back. "It also makes the temptation that much stronger. It might be better if we were not alone like this until I have spoken to your father."

"Did you want to talk with me about your meeting with Mr. Wickham?"

"Ah yes, well that reminder has certainly cooled my ardor it is safe for you to be alone with me now."

They sat on a bench and he told her of all that had transpired between himself and Mr. Wickham and Mr. Hurst. "I know it must seem," he said when he'd finished, "That I let Mr. Hurst off too easily but I could not bear to be the cause of his death and I do not think he will try anything like this again. I will make sure he does not. He will not have an easy time of it being left to his creditors."

"I understand. What are you inclined to do about Mr. Wickham?"

"I do not know."

"It sounds as if you wish to be merciful but are afraid to do the wrong thing."

"He has been a constant thorn in my side but he said something that struck me. Two things actually, one was that people change, that he could change."

"Do you think he was sincere in wishing to?"

"I do. Weather his sincerity will last if he is no longer in fear for his life I cannot say but I have never seen him as he was yesterday. If there is any chance that he might redeem himself I would not like to keep him from doing so. Only I worry that if he reverts to his old ways he will hurt someone else."

"If you want my opinion I think it better to err on the side of giving him the chance to redeem himself. It is more easily reversed."

"That is true but I will still feel responsible if he hurts someone else. Mr. Hurst I can keep track of but in the East Indies Mr. Wickham will be outside my immediate influence."

"It might be best, for both your sakes, that he is. Fitzwilliam, you cannot hold yourself accountable for what Mr. Wickham might or might not do in the future. You can only make what seems the best decision right now with the information you have available. There is a type of improper pride in holding yourself responsible for everything."

For a moment he looked as if he would get angry but then he nodded, "You may be right. I need to think on this more. Thank you for your advice."

"Should I leave you alone?"

"Not yet." He drew her close and kissed her.

"Is it still safe for us to be alone?"

"No. You must not stay long, but let me hold you for a little while. When I think what could have happened to you…"

She removed her bonnet and put her head on his shoulder, "I know but I am well and the whole incident, I think, has brought us closer."

"When you put it in those terms I almost feel as if I should thank them." She laughed softly and they stayed like this, in companionable silence for some time. Then Elizabeth left him to his thoughts. As she left the garden she looked back at Fitzwilliam sitting beneath the roses that would soon be her own as well, and thought with pleasure that, in the years to come, they would often visit this garden together to find solace and speak of important matters. She thought of what Fitzwilliam had said earlier and had to agree. There was no wonder in this garden equal to finding herself in it.

AN: That kind of sounded like and ending but it's not. I still have a few things in mind for our dear couple in the next chapter so please keep reading. (Probably a chapter for events at Longbourn and then a brief one for wrap up- I got behind so I decided to post this without finishing first draft of the next.)

I have to admit I had to go back to the first chapter and look up how many gentlemen I originally put at Pemberley now that I had reason to name them all instead of leaving them in the background fishing and joining search parties. It's hard to keep track of such a large party of friends!

I know a lot of you already guessed it would be Hurst but he's not exactly a criminal mastermind so I'm ok with him having given himself away early on and it sounds like I may surprise a few of you. To try to keep it interesting I threw as much suspicion at Colonel Fitzwilliam as I could which is something I hadn't thought of doing until I heard from a reviewer who thought he might be the villain because I named him Charles. Actually I didn't name him Richard because JA seems to treat that name as a joke but when I realized that some think of him as Richard to the point that naming him something else seemed suspicious I decided to run with it. I gave Wickham a partner because he's such an obvious villain and he's not normally one for much planning. I choose Mr. Hurst because most of the time when he's around in the original he's just kind of there and we don't know much about him other than he's of "more fashion than fortune" and "he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards" which made him the ideal candidate to get into financial trouble and look for an "easy" way out. (Chatty author's note this time - now that I can finally talk about this ;))