The forest was still. Darcy drew a breath of its clear green air and rubbed his horse's neck.

"There, sir."

Bryant pointed.

At last.

Between the trees, horses came: a brash brown, and a smaller, stumbling grey, no more than a pony. Darcy snorted in recognition. "I am no longer surprised that we have caught them within two days," he remarked to Bryant as they readied their horses to intercept the newcomers. "I am amazed that this beast did not collapse beneath its rider within the mile."

He kneed his own mount and it trotted briskly forward.

The grey halted as he approached, shied away.

Darcy reached across and calmly took the reins from the horse's rider, murmuring the beast's name as he did. "You belong in the dairy," he said. "You've no business here in the woods, with wildlings and faeries."

"I am no faery," declared Lydia Bennet. "I am a lady and I insist that you return me to my betrothed this moment!"

Darcy smiled at her wryly. "I fear he sits close by even now, Miss Bennet. And it would benefit you to begin acknowledging that soon, and publicly, for the extremely short duration of your engagement."

The brown horse skittered nearer. Its rider removed the reins from Darcy and smiled.

"Darcy, well met. You never mentioned that the lady was so headstrong. Or so captivating," Wickham added as Lydia turned towards him in startlement.

Wickham managed both horses expertly. Darcy dismounted and helped Lydia to the ground. "We have a carriage, "he told her. "Your sister Elizabeth is in it and has been most worried for your safety."

Perhaps he had hoped, even yet, for feminine tears and self-reproach.

He did not get it. Lydia tilted her chin and said, "You are too late, Mr Darcy. Mr Tolfrey is my husband in all but name."

Her bold eye and womanly form were certainly striking, Darcy allowed. But this brazen speech must be curbed. "All the more reason to join your sister as you must have much news to share."

Lydia held out her arm to him with great disdain. It reminded him not a little of his great aunt... The certainty of her own superiority, in the face of all available evidence.

Wickham brought the horses through the trees to where a small, battered open carriage waited in the road. Elizabeth sat at the reins, calm, but keeping a watchful eye all around. Beside her sat a large bag, and a basket of flowers.

When she saw Lydia, she flung down the reins and jumped down, running to embrace her. "Lydia! Oh, Lydia, you stupid girl, what have you done? Are you well? Is she well, Mr Wickham?" This last, sharply to Wickham who was fastening the grey and brown to the piebald pair drawing the carriage.

"She is well, Miss Bennet. "

"Where is Tolfrey," Elizabeth asked then, holding Lydia at arm's length to inspect her.

"He is with my companions from the regiment," Wickham said. "They will bring him to the necessary place."

"Then let us repair there as soon as we may," Darcy said. "We go to St George's at once. Miss Bennet, please ready your sister for her wedding."

Lydia saw the flowers and exclaimed. "What, is my mother here? But where is Tolfrey?"

Elizabeth reached into the carriage for the bag, and began drawing items from it. "Lydia, please wrap yourself in this cloak, and tie on this fresh apron. Your hair is shocking. Stand still while I try to make it good."

Darcy and Wickham turned tactfully away as Elizabeth hurried with Lydia's toilette. Bryant helped Wickham off with his rough riding coat.

"Darcy," Wickham said in an apologetic tone. He jerked his head in the direction of Lydia.

"Of course," said Darcy. He took out a folded paper. "My banker is on the Strand. He will make the arrangements."

Wickham glanced at the paper, whistled, then tucked it away with a nod. "Thank you," he said. "This amount is more generosity than I had expected."

"Wait til you meet her family," said Darcy. "Then you may tell me how generous I am."

Soon all was ready. Darcy turned and saw Lydia, crowned with great flowers, and draped in a soft grey hooded cloak. A bright white apron concealed her dirty clothes.

"I can do nothing for her shoes," said Elizabeth with a sigh, "but the rest is improved."

"Am I really to be married today?" Lydia asked, eyes shining.

"Yes," said Wickham, coming forward in his red dress coat to take her arm, "we are."