AN: Hey, I'm here. I don't have anything much to say, thank you all for reviewing and try not to kill me after reading this chapter. And do tell me if you want dear Wickham.

Disclaimer: I am sure that you guys are not that stupid to think that I am Jane Austen. I am just a crazy Austen fan who owns only the Simmons family in this story.

The three couples walked on and on immersed in their own interesting conversations. To say about the conversations, well, they went somewhat along these lines-

The happy couple:

"Beautiful. Absolutely stunning." said Bingley, praising the 'beautiful' fountain, though looking at Jane as he said that causing her to blush.

"I agree with you, sir. I find it wonderful too."

They just walked on talking about general things, like the weather and Jane telling him one of the epic Lizzy- William wars. Soon, all the topics got exhausted and an awkward silence enveloped them.

Bingley seemed nervous and was occasionally throwing glances at Jane, who was all very much aware of his looking. She felt her cheeks go red.

Suddenly Bingley said in a high pitched and oh- god- I- am- so- damn- nervous tone,

"Miss Bennet, there is something I have got to tell you." At her encouraging smile, he continued,

"The very first time I saw you, I found every aspect of you attracting me and I knew that I had fallen hard. I thought you to be an angel, and that you are, dear Jane. Though it is my very wish, I know that it would be reckless of me to rush things and therefore I request you to permit me to court you."

He said the last part in such a hurry that it was a surprise that Jane understood. If her cheeks were red before, then it was ten times more red now. The biggest of smiles lightened her face and she said in a whisper,

"Oh Mr. Bingley! You would never fathom how happy I am right now."

"Do I take that as a yes?" She blushingly nodded.

Suddenly his smile faltered and he said in a serious tone,

"One matter still remains. I have to ask your father for permission. Will he disapprove?"

"I have no doubt about father's acceptance. He is all praises for you. But Mr. Bingley, I cannot say about William. And let me tell you, his permission is equally necessary, for father would never agree without William's approval."

"Oh, Darce will not disapprove of me courting his Janey. Will he?" he added, not that sure now.

"Did he tell you about that stupid nickname? We had a pact!" she said indignantly and then her lips curved into a slow smile.

"I cannot speak for him. But maybe, I could threaten to spill some of his secrets." she said, with a mischievous glint in her innocent blue eyes.

"So we know dark secrets, do we now?" Bingley said, lifting her hands to his lips.

"You wouldn't imagine how dark." said the angel devilishly.

The scheming couple:

"I totally agree with you Miss Lucas. Derbyshire is indeed breathtaking. I regret not staying here more."

Charlotte just smile and looked behind, but couldn't see her friend and Mr. Darcy anywhere.

"Well then Colonel. We have talked about everything except for the main topic. Let us get to the real aim of us walking together."

Richard also glanced behind, and seeing that the coast was clear, he gave a huge smile and said,

"So you did notice. And that too in the first visit itself. I give you credit, madam. It took me years and I came to the conclusion just recently."

"That is surprising, Colonel. Isn't the spark that evident as I felt it was?"

"Oh yes, now that I have noticed, I feel the same too. What do you suggest we do about it?"

"We need to plan carefully. But first, I would like to know about your feelings for Lizzy."

Richard was surprised and answered her,

"You are very frank madam. Right down to business."

"Well?"

"I hold a lot of affection for Lizzy, but they are just brotherly, I assure you. May I ask how this question is relevant?"

"Oh, it really helps to have one suitor less. And of course, if you had any feelings, this conversation would have been mighty awkward. Thank you for clearing that up. So now we can plan accordingly. "

Richard was very surprised and happy to find someone who thought so much like him. A beautiful lady, that too. He was really happy.

"I am at your service, madam."

"First of all, they don't seem to be biting each other's heads off. From all what I have heard, isn't that what they are supposed to do once they see each other?"

"Yes, that is what they were supposed to do. I believe it all changed after the ball."

He went on to recount all that happened at the ball. Charlotte was very happy with the news.

"That makes it all the more easier. Now let's see how Lizzy struggles to escape love."

Charlotte grinned wickedly, and Richard couldn't help but grin back.

The favourite couple ( aka the stupid couple):

"Are you in love with John?"

To say that Lizzy was shocked would be an understatement. Why, just yesterday they came to speaking terms. And now, here he was, asking her the most personal question he could muster up.

Once she got over her shock, she folded her hands over her chest and looked at him with her eyebrows raised.

"And why do you think that I would answer that question, sir?"

Darcy went all red and said,

"I am sorry to be so direct, Miss Bennet. Everyone has been talking about it so much that I must confess that my curiosity was piqued. I am very much confident that you would never enter a marriage where there is no love."

"And on what basis did you establish that? Did I ever show any indication or say something that proved that I would marry for love?"

Oh God, will she not? He tried to keep his cool demeanour and said with a small, smug smile,

"I know you well, Miss Bennet."

She was very irritated now. Their playful banter was in the verge of turning into a full fledged fight.

"Oh really? And how did you so arrogantly believe that you know me, when all we have done is try to cut the other's throat all the time?"

William started panicking. I should really learn to keep my mouth shut, he thought. Looking at her red-with-anger face, he said soothingly,

"Forgive me, Miss Bennet. I just attempted to joke and I see that I have failed miserably."

Lizzy calmed a bit at his statement and even managed a small smile as she said,

"You don't have to ask for forgiveness. It is alright. I believe that I have had enough of fresh air. Do you mind if we return?"

"Of course not, Miss Bennet."

And with that they started to walk back to Netherfield, each venturing in a few statements with the intention of lessening the intensity of the uncomfortable silence.

As they were entering Netherfield, Lizzy turned towards him and said with an arch smile,

"And I would never marry without love, Mr. Darcy, let me assure you."

Darcy's smile that brought his dimples to full display was paralleled with Lizzy's equally huge grin and both didn't notice some important facts.

One, that she felt the need to assure him and two, that he desperately needed to be assured.

But fact number three definitely did not go unnoticed. William and Lizzy got the greatest shock of their lives as they stood at the door to the sitting room.

There, inside the room stood Kitty, with Mr. Collins who was kissing her hand. And they stood scandalously close.

"Kitty!" shouted both William and Lizzy together, as they ran in to separate Collins from her. With one swift motion, Kitty stood in front of Mr. Collins, protecting him from the mad couple in front of her.

"What do you think you are doing, William, Lizzy? Do not create a scene. There is nothing to be frantic about."

"Kitty, explain yourself." said William, his voice bordering anger. Suddenly a look of understanding and pure shock dawned on Lizzy's face, and she gripped William's hand for support, clearly knowing and dreading what Kitty was about to say.

"There is nothing much to explain, William. Mr. Collins has proposed to me and I have happily accepted."

AN: Yes, I totally did it. I previously asked you guys not to kill me. I repeat. DO NOT KILL ME. And if you liked this approach, well, good for me. Review and tell me how it was. Stay tuned for the next chapter. Byeee!