"As much as I would like to stay, I must get back to Netherfield," Darcy said reluctantly. His voice was deep and quiet, which made Elizabeth want him to remain even longer.

"Will you, at least, be joining us for dinner?" Elizabeth pouted, toying with his lapels.

"I don't think it possible. Caroline Bingley has just arrived from London, I came here to warn you." Elizabeth's face fell at the thought of another evening without Darcy and that Miss Bingley would have his company instead. "Although, now that I have seen how well you dealt with my aunt, you certainly won't be faltered by Caroline."

"I'm sure Caroline is a bit more spry than Lady Catherine, and jealousy is a powerful emotion. By the way, how did she take the news?" she asked, unsuccessfully hiding a smile.

"She does not know," he said almost sheepishly. Elizabeth was shocked and leant back to see his face clearly. "Bingley and I are going to tell her as soon as I return." Darcy pulled her close again, "Which is why it is so difficult to leave you."

"I think this visit is more for your protection than mine."

"You have caught me, I am being terribly selfish," he replied sarcastically. "I'll just go then," he released Elizabeth from his embrace and moved toward the door. She grabbed his hand before he got too far, and moved into his path.

"Don't go quite yet! You've hardly recovered from the encounter with your aunt, and you'll need every ounce of conviction to deal with Caroline," Elizabeth mocked reason.

"You are right, and with such a strenuous week behind me. Perhaps, I should stay a little while longer, to regain my strength." Elizabeth stood on her tiptoes, kissing him softly.

"There now, don't you feel stronger already?"

"Absolutely, but Caroline has quite a temper. The evening is sure to be unpleasant. I'm not sure I can make it through." So, Elizabeth leaned in to kiss him again. This time, however, he soon took over, pulling Elizabeth closer, and deepening the kiss.

"I think that should sustain you until tomorrow," Elizabeth said when they finally pulled apart.

"Yes, tomorrow, I almost forgot. Bingley has extended an invitation to you and Jane, to join us for a picnic tomorrow."

"I would love to, and I doubt Jane would want to be anywhere else, so I will accept on her behalf as well. But, will Caroline be there?" Darcy was dreading that part of the plan too, but thought having to deal with Miss Bingley, would be greatly outweighed by Elizabeth's presence.

"Yes, but we will have to face her eventually," Elizabeth gave in easily, with Darcy by her side, it would not be unbearable. "Also, Caroline has a tendency to throw things when she is angry, so being outdoors will not only limit her opportunities, but it will allow us to put a safe distance between her and us."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you," Elizabeth remarked, laughing at his logic. He silenced her with a goodbye kiss, and reluctantly they parted. Although she was saddened by his absence, she walked in a daydream.

Elizabeth related the next day's plans to Jane who happily agreed, and then they both counted the hours until morning. She also found a moment to thank Mary for her discretion, but the rest of the day was spent walking aimlessly and thinking of Darcy. He said, "We," she thought happily. She knew it was silly to overanalyze such a simple thing, but she couldn't forget his voice when he said it. So confident, and caring, like she would never have to face another problem, however small or large, alone again.

Jane and Elizabeth fidgeted with excitement all the way to Netherfield. The sisters smiled without realizing it, laughed without reason and blushed uncontrollably. They were happy, there was no other explanation for it. The older of the two tried her best to hide her joy, not wanting to upset Caroline, but Elizabeth had no intention of censoring herself for the lady's benefit.

The gentlemen helped the ladies from their carriage, and after their rather one-sided greetings to Caroline, the whole group set out. The woman, in question, stalked ahead sullenly, leaving the rest at least twenty paces behind.

"Bingley, what happened to your face?" Jane asked when Caroline was out of earshot. Elizabeth now looked more closely too, and saw that there was a slight bruise on his upper cheekbone.

"Yes, I… ah… fell,…out of bed," he was lying and not very well.

"It was likely you fault, Jane," Darcy stepped in to help, "He could have only been dreaming of you." The party laughed, while Jane blushed. They followed Caroline, but Elizabeth, who had been on Darcy's arm since her arrival, deliberately slowed him and allowed them to fall behind.

"We told her in the library, it was a first edition of Fantomina," Darcy said before Elizabeth asked. She laughed, then stopped him to examine his face. "Luckily, I am bit faster than he." She laughed again and they continued on their way.

Awkwardness set in when they regrouped on a small hilltop. They wasted no time in unpacking the lunch, it gave them something to focus on, other than the uncomfortable silence. Jane tried, in vain, to engage Caroline in pleasant conversation, but was slighted at every try. Despite Bingley's attempts to shield Jane from his sister's thinly veiled insults, in the end she was near tears.

Elizabeth had fought to remain quiet, but she had heard quite enough. Just as she was about to stand up for her sister, Bingley decided to stand up to his sister.

"Caroline, that's quite enough!" Everyone was shocked by his tone and volume. "You had your say last night and I told you then that nothing could come between Jane and I." He was not accustomed to shouting, and looked like he might faint afterward. One look at Jane, who beamed with pride, and Bingley was restored. "If you continue to insult my future wife, you will no longer have a room in my house."

That silenced her, but she could not bottle her anger for very long. After a moment, she let out what might be described as an exasperated growl.

"Caroline, perhaps you should stop before you embarrass yourself," Darcy cut off her rant before it could start, but his comment only fueled her rage.

"Me? Me embarrass myself?" her cheeks blazed a bright red. "You are the only one embarrassing yourself!" Darcy was speechless, Caroline had never raised her voice to him. He couldn't even recall a time that she had really disagreed with him. "I know my brother is incompetent and idealistic, but I expected more sensibility from you!" She was standing now, pacing around looking for something to throw. "She is abusing your finances and sullying your good name!" Now, Darcy stood, his fists tightly clenched.

"Not another word, Caroline!" he said sternly, but she was not finished. She threw a half eaten apple at him, which he ignored without flinching, as it bounced off his temple.

The rest of the party now stood, it was four against one.

"I do not need to restrain myself for their benefit," she exclaimed, pointing at the sisters. Elizabeth again moved to make her stand, but was again cut off, this time by Jane. It was a very odd afternoon.

"If you do not wish us ALL well, then I would prefer that you said nothing at all on the matter," Jane said without meeting Caroline's eyes. The determination in her voice more than made up for it. Now Caroline was not the only one speechless, as she turned in a huff and made her way toward Netherfield. Every few steps she let out a frustrated shriek, but did not actually say another word.

"Well done, Jane." Elizabeth said, proudly hugging her sister, then patting Bingley's shoulder. They all breathed a collective sigh of relief and relaxed for the first time that day. The other couple move off onto their own path while Elizabeth moved closer to Darcy, trying to examine his apple injury. "You at too tall, Sir," she commented, growing tired of standing on her tip toes.

"I'll try to work on that," Darcy said, pulling Elizabeth down with him as he sat.

"Mr. Darcy, was that a joke?" Elizabeth giggled, then feigned distress. "Well, if Jane is now standing up to Caroline, and you're now making jokes, what am I to do?"

"Well, I must keep you around for this," he kissed her lightly, "if nothing else." Elizabeth laughed at him once again, but soon grew quiet.

"I hate that she was right," she said simply. Darcy tried to contradict her, but she pressed on. "Do not deny it, I am ruining you!"

"No, I am!" This admission surprised both of them. His face softened as he took her hands, looking intently into her eyes. "Yes, I am marrying you, by choice, despite your lack of fortune or connections. I don't care about the social consequences. In fact, maybe now that I'm a disgrace, I will have some peace and quiet," he finished sarcastically.

Elizabeth held such admiration for the gentleman in that moment that she could not control herself. She flew into his arms knocking him onto his back, and settling on his chest. "Being ruined is the best thing that has ever happened to me." He sighed contentedly.

"I must say, the only thing better than finding such happiness, is knowing that this joy vexes Caroline so fully." Darcy's chest shook in laughter at Elizabeth's musings. He sat up easily despite her weight, and she let herself be pulled to her feet. They started their slow amble back to the house, relishing the comfortable silence and the fresh air.

"You don't suppose Caroline has been building up an arsenal while we were away?" Elizabeth asked once Netherfield Hall came into view.

"Not to worry, I'm sure I will make an excellent shield."

"You're joking, but we may be testing that theory very soon." Elizabeth once again felt secure by his side, like no sharp remark or glare could ever reach her. Darcy was indeed a good shield.