The days passed quickly and slowly all at the same time. Alex and Edward had been meeting in the garden path along the edge of the Pemberly property in secret for many days now. They would meet in mid afternoon, and spend until dark talking and laughing. Then Edward would walk her back to her home, always holding her hand a second too long before she said her goodbye.
"Mr. Kinsley, it is always a pleasure." Alex smiled as he walked up to her.
"I ensure you, Miss Darcy, it is never a chore to sit in your company." They both chuckled at the formality.
"Have you gotten word about the ball that my mother is hosting?" Alex glanced toward him out of the corner of her eye.
"Indeed I have."
"My cousin Gwenivere is due to arrive the evening before."
"I heard." Silence befell the two. Alex could feel a twinge of awkwardness bubbling up from just beneath her skin.
"That's good news, no doubt. You will have another chance at wooing the poor girl." Alex couldn't meet his eyes.
"I suppose I will." She looked at him, "She is very beautiful, and educated, and she is everything that my father wants for me."
Alex remained silent.
"She has poise, and culture, and etiquette. I suppose I must woo her." He drifted off toward the end a little, and they both remained silent.
"Then I suppose, as your friend, I must help you, marry, my cousin." Alex said slowly.
"My friend." Edward tasted the words in his mouth, barely audible, "I suppose I shall be going now Miss Darcy."
Alex watched him go, with more fervor than he has ever shown. He almost sprinted across the lawn. Watching him go, made her heart hurt.
"Alex! The Kinsley's are coming for dinner. Be sure to wear a nice dress!" Elizabeth Darcy called up the stairs.
"Why are they calling mother?" James whined from the yard.
"James, do not whine! It is not becoming of a young gentleman. The Kinsley's are coming for dinner because I asked them to. You will mind your manners and you will be a gentleman. Do I make myself clear?" Lizzy spoke with assertion.
James nodded and ran off to play in the yard.
"Mama, might I ask, why did you invite the Kinsley's to dine?" Alex asked as she walked down the stairs.
"Alexa, I expected this from your brother, but I don't think I need to explain myself to you. They are relatively new in the neighborhood and it is our duty to make sure they are settling well." Lizzy couldn't quite meet her eyes.
"What have you planned mama?" Alex crept closer.
"What is your thoughts on the young Mr. Kinsley?"
"Mother! Are you trying to marry me off?"
"I understand how you feel Alexa, but you are almost finished with school, you've only one semester. You are of age. Your coming out ball is in a fortnight. It is nearing the time that you should start thinking about marriage." Lizzy spoke bashfully.
"Mother! You of all people know that I cannot be forced into a marriage that harbors no love. I will not. How many times have you spoken of your mother, and how she would force the idea upon you. You never gave in and you married well." Alex was getting angry.
"My dear, I mean you no distress," She paused to collect her thoughts, "I worry about you Alexa. Your father and I will not always be there for you as we promised when you were a child. There will come a time when you will be on your own, and I don't wish that for you. I want you to be happy, and I see the way that boy looks at you."
"He does not love me. He loves Gwenivere."
"Then we'll just enjoy a dinner with our new friends."
The evening came upon Edward quickly. He had gotten dressed in his finest coat and was about to accompany his mother and sister to the Darcy's.
"Edward, may I speak with you?" His father asked from the doorway to the library.
"Yes, of course father."
"Why don't you ladies wait in the carriage a moment. The air is warm tonight and will you do you well." Mr. Kinsley told his wife and daughter.
"Is something wrong father?" Edward asked.
"You have finished with your education Edward, you've scoffed at my attempts to get you into trade as I have done. What profession is it that you will choose?"
"Father, we should discuss this at a later date, we will be late."
"Let them wait." Mr. Kinsley said with an odd sort of calm.
"Sir, I can give you no other answer than law. I know it is not what you wish to hear."
"It is time for you to grow up Edward. You are no longer a child. You know well enough that your mother wishes for you to marry soon, but you have nothing to offer a prospective wife. I will give you until the end of the season, and you will have at least begun your law training, or you will not have a family to come home to." Mr. Kinsley coughed.
"That seems very fair father." Edward's heart grew heavy.
"Good, shall we be on our way?" He nodded.