**thanks for the lovely reviews everyone, so encouraging. I am sorry if some chapters are a little more rushed than others, some I am writing way too late at night and shouldn't be posting them, but I want these characters to get their HEA so can't help myself :-) **
Despite his words, Edward felt obliged out of respect for his cousin to offer some explanation, so said "Darcy, Mary has injured her wrist a little – I think it may be wise to call for the carriage – I could travel back to the townhouse with you?" Darcy knew his cousin well enough to be unconcerned for Mary, he was however curious, so it was agreed, and Mary soon found herself seated in the carriage beside Elizabeth and opposite her new fiancé. The silence within the carriage belied the communication between the couples: Mary, whose fingers had been absentmindedly wandering on her lips, raised her eyes from her lap to find Edward smiling meaningfully at her, suggesting his mind had been similarly occupied. She found herself unconcerned at being discovered in such agreeable reverie by the subject of it, so gave a nonchalant shrug and affected the most impertinent smile she could. This charming display prompted Edward, who had been meditating on his very good fortune, to retaliate in kind.
Elizabeth and Darcy had been observing the new couple, exchanging significant looks of their own. Lizzy caught the Colonel sending Mary a surreptitious wink, which was enough for Elizabeth, who now glared at Darcy to intervene. He cleared his throat, "You two are intolerable. Have you completely forgot you are in company?" his tone was of teasing rather than chastising, having found himself quite amused by the silent tête-à-tête.
"Ah, a thousand apologies Darcy, Elizabeth" Edward replied, looking anything but sorry. "However, I do think it rather proper that one should find oneself so enamoured of their new fiancé, as to forget themselves in company, do you not agree?" he added with mock solemnly, provoking them all to laugh as the carriage arrived at Darcy House.
The ladies made themselves comfortable in the drawing room, while the men went to Darcy's study. "I understand your feelings, Lizzy. You think it sudden and so far removed from the fate I resolved for myself only days ago" Mary spoke quietly. "Oh Mary, if you only knew how highly I respect the Colonel, he will make a wonderful husband, of that I can be in no doubt. Nobody who has seen you together could think you wanting for compatibility. You are right however, it is all too quick. I fear it is the Colonel who needs protecting, since I do not think you can be rational Mary," the last part Elizabeth said quietly, realising she may upset her sister in admitting her concerns.
Mary's history of role playing had afforded her much experience in listening and considering opinions of others. She understood her sister's sentiments and could not allow herself to be cross with Lizzy, since she could not deny such feelings were entirely reasonable given the circumstances.
"You are perfectly right Lizzy. Indeed, I find I am unable to account for the sudden change in my feelings and cannot know for certain they will not change so suddenly again. But Lizzy," her voice was impassioned, "I loved Frederick, do not forget I am aware of how it feels to be in love. This is different. I am attracted very much to the Colonel's company; his conversation and personality induce me to wish myself near him very often," Mary paused to check they were alone, "and perhaps it is because I am older, but I find myself most distracted by the Colonel - physically - I confess this is something I never experienced with Frederick." The last sentence was practically a whisper as Mary's cheeks flushed.
Elizabeth was content with Mary's speech, she understood her sister's feelings on that subject well, and anticipated that love must follow soon enough. She had almost forgot the precipitous engagement, when she recalled she meant to satisfy her interest in that respect, "Dear Mary, I consider what you have revealed to me, and my own observations between yourself and the Colonel – you are of age and your choices are your own to make. I hope you understand I want only the best for my sister and my cousin – I wish you and Edward the happiest of marriages" she put her arms around her sister and held her in an affectionate embrace. "I know the Colonel to be an efficient sort of fellow Mary, but I admit that disregarding a courtship seems perhaps a little officious – do tell me what occasioned it, for I am certain there must be a reasonable explanation?" Again, Mary was unable to fault her sister's questioning and told her of Mr Banks' unwanted advances, the Colonel's subsequent rescue of her, and how, upon realising that in comforting her, Edward had inavertedly compromised her, neither found themselves unhappy at the prospect of being forced by propriety to marry. "He offered me formally and I accepted, and I confess that any reservation I may have had disappeared entirely when he kissed me. And then you and Darcy found us" Mary frowned at Elizabeth teasingly.
"Well, I daresay the relationship is off to a good start, Mary" Elizabeth said hopefully as she heard the men enter the room. "Fitzwilliam has come to take his leave. Would you excuse Elizabeth, Mary? Our housekeeper has a pressing matter to discuss with her?" Darcy looked pointedly at Elizabeth and then to the door. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, understanding very well that the Colonel meant to be alone with Mary. Assured by Mary's smile that she was comfortable, she left with Darcy.
Edward crossed the room and sat himself beside Mary. "Darcy approves of our union, not that his disapprobation would have changed my mind, but it certainly makes me happy to know our relatives will be pleased for us," he looked at the door Elizabeth just exited, "What did your sister have to say?" Mary was unsure if he should be told of Lizzy's concerns since they involved her affection for Frederick, and she would have to disclose her most intimate thoughts – at length though, she determined he was to be her husband and so, should know, "She was worried for you." The Colonel looked confused a moment before he realised Elizabeth must have been concerned about Mary's attachment to Frederick.
"Should she be?" he asked her with some unease. Mary wondered if she was being too open, and yet she could not be dishonest with him, so she said, "I told her that my feelings for you are different to those I had for Frederick. I loved him, I will always love him – you will have to accept this if you are to marry me. Let me tell you though, that I know now that there are many forms of love -" Edward looked so uncertain that Mary felt he needed some encouragement, "- put simply, my love for Frederick was that of a young girl. I am now much older and while it would be ridiculous to claim that I love you already, I admit my feelings toward you are very warm, indeed I am certain I can and will love you, no doubt more quickly than society thinks appropriate – I would not have accepted your offer if I did not believe it myself." Edward could not have been more pleased with her answer, his own feelings at this moment reflecting Mary's.
"You are rather close, Edward," she stated for no other reason than to break the silence. "And I intend to keep this close to you forever more Mary. I hope it does not bother you?" She relaxed since he was obviously happy with her response, she felt she could return to their earlier playfulness in the carriage. "I find I am bothered, not undesirably so, though. I find your proximity causes me to recall a time earlier this evening when we were last this close…"
When the door was cautiously opened again, Darcy and Elizabeth found Mary and Edward seated at opposite ends of the small settee. If they noticed that Mary's cheeks were more flushed, or that the Colonel's hair was decidedly untidier than when they had left them, they did not mention it.