I was not eavesdropping this time! Truly, I was not! Not even close! I had managed to snag my waistcoat on a passing branch while walking through the woods to the parsonage, so when I got to the edge of the path, I naturally had to pause to fix it.

Even after all the confidences and awkward moments of the previous week, I knew that I was still far from being out of the doghouse with Elizabeth. In fact, I thought all I had accomplished to date was to be allowed to move away from the corner of the doghouse where she kept her bear trap. In a month, I might be able to approach the door, and for the moment, I wanted nothing to go wrong.

Naturally, whilst repairing the damage to my attire to the best of my abilities, I saw she was feeding her poultry again. Not wanting to disturb such an important activity for the third time in the six days since I arrived (only six days… a lifetime). Of course, I was frankly a little bit frightened of her geese. I thought it prudent to wait and just watch her for a while. I am absolutely certain it could have been no more than a minute or two; or, well ten at the most.

I was still well out of sight, working my nerve up to approach Elizabeth again when I saw all four of her sisters walk around the corner of the parsonage. I thought it the better part of either valor or wisdom to allow them their reunion without my presence. Perhaps I should have turned around and returned to Rosings, which I admit would have been the most gentlemanly thing to do, but I was rooted to the spot as usual.

The remaining Bennet sisters looked different, as if they had gone through some momentous changes over the past year. Perhaps, it was not just Elizabeth that had endured a difficult time. Gone were the nearly constant giggles and flirtations manners of the two youngest and the constantly disapproving look of the middle. Sadly as well, gone were the constant smiles of the eldest. They all appeared to be everything that is mild and proper with respect to deportment for any young lady. There was no skipping, jumping, exclamations or anything else I had come to expect as a natural part of the Bennet character.

Of course, all of that fell out the window as soon as they saw Elizabeth. I knew from her reports that they had been completely disconnected for a year, but it did not seem to matter in the least. I do not think I have ever seen five such happy people in my life, and I once again seriously wondered about their father's sanity. Why had he kept the sisters apart, or why had Elizabeth? Did any of the sisters know the true state of things at the parsonage? Had they any notion of the endeavor they were about to land in the middle of? And of course the big question, why had he sent all four at once, going against his agreement? Was his health in even more precipitous decline? I did not know, but was determined to find out.

There was such joyous screeching and fluttering that I was actually quite jealous. Nobody in my family had ever greeted anyone else with that level of joy in five generations at least, as far as I could tell. That the sisters had all endured something was clear. In fact, it must have even been beyond the hints of scandal I had heard about from Elizabeth. Perhaps they had been subjected to a very strict governess or been in a French prison camp. Perhaps their father had finally decided to do his duty and make them actually marriageable. For the moment they seemed to be able to just feel the joy of reunion.

After a few minutes, things settled down and they all by mutual agreement seemed to be willing to simply discuss the particulars of their visit. The sisters had apparently left their trunks at the stage stop. Why their father had made them travel post was yet another mystery, but at least that was something I could take care of if I could discreetly get Elizabeth's attention. She did not know I was about just yet, since I had been very careful to stay quiet and out of sight.

It was therefore a bit of a surprise to me when Elizabeth raised her voice just the tiniest bit and said, "Come along Mr. Darcy. I believe we are soon to be in need of such a great tall fellow!"

I actually smiled at that one. Apparently I was not the only one that could quote fragments of our discussions from Netherfield word for word. I still had no idea how she always knew I was about, but I could canvass that subject another time. For the moment, I thought I thought to try my best to at least be agreeable to the sisters, because they all looked at me with the same look you would give a fox sitting in the middle of your poultry with one half-eaten bird in its mouth and five more dead ones scattered about.

Apparently schooling your countenance was a talent that came naturally to the Bennets, because I only saw the look for a moment, before they almost instantly and simultaneously became thoroughly indistinguishable from any collection of genteel, well educated and proper ladies of the ton. By the time I got to where they were gathered; their backs were straight, their hands were in front of them, and I imagined they were basically daring me to either find something to criticize, or step even an inch out of line. Nobody who did not know them very well would read their countenance now, but I had seen their thoughts before they managed to school their expressions.

For her part, I thought I saw a small look of amusement on Elizabeth's face, which was the first bit of the old Elizabeth I thought I had witnessed since arriving in Kent, and I was unspeakably happy to see it. She may not have been enjoying my discomfort per-se, but she was deriving something from it. Well actually, forget that; I do believe she was enjoying it, but I did not know if it was malicious or just impertinent. I chose to think it was the latter. I suspected I had better be on my best behavior, so I gave four proper bows, "Miss Bennet! Miss Mary! Miss Catherine! Miss Lydia!"

All the ladies curtsied very properly, motions that would not be amiss if they were being presented to the queen. The youngest, Lydia, in particular also gave me a bit of a stare-down, and I suspect she was surprised I could both remember all the names, and attach each name to the right lady. Of course, I was not going to tell them that I was not entirely certain I could when I started. They had conveniently arranged themselves in proper order of precedence, and I just remembered Lydia was the youngest and Mary the third eldest so it was just process of elimination.

The second youngest, Catherine, said, "I go by Kitty."

I was surprised when the youngest, Lydia, said, "Kitty" with a tone and look that any governess would envy, and the rest of the sisters looked to Miss Lydia in what appeared to be a quest for guidance. Was it possible that the sister who had fallen the most had risen back to lead? Miss Bennet seemed inclined to leave the office to Miss Lydia. I assumed Miss Lydia was thinking that Catherine was being too forward in her address, and I thought I should help the poor girl out of her distress, if indeed either of them were feeling such.

"Miss Lydia, may I presume you are correcting Miss Catherine for being too forward?"

The youngest looked at me carefully, and a bit uncertainly, then finally nodded.

I asked carefully, "May I address the issue, not as anyone with any authority mind you, but merely someone who has been in society more?"

The ladies were all now looking at me as they might some new and previously unknown species of animal that they were trying to decide whether to kill skin and eat; or take home for a pet.

I took their silence as permission and continued, "Miss Catherine, your sister is correct that it was just a bit forward to suggest a nickname, but it was not a particularly egregious maneuver and nobody but the greatest stickler, such as my aunt, would ever criticize you for it, and frankly anyone who would is probably not worth knowing. To your sister's point though, I will say that I have not earned the right to use such a familiar name, so for the moment I prefer to give you the respect you are due by calling you 'Miss Catherine' until such a time as I may have become well enough acquainted to use the shorter name. Of course, at seventeen years, I suspect you may well outgrow the name for all but your family and most intimate acquaintances soon anyway, but regardless, I shall address you as you prefer."

The young lady nodded, apparently both confused that I was even present, let alone talking with her and aware of her age; and perhaps happy with my explanation. I looked forward to getting to know her a little bit better.

"Miss Lydia, I see you are trying your best to insure the family acts with decorum, particularly when you think yourself in hostile territory. That is what you think my presence is, correct? You need not answer, as it was a rude and forward question, but I do want to assure you that I completely understand your position. I must admit, as your sister has rightly pointed out more than once, my actions have not been those of a gentleman. I do however hope to improve, and perhaps over time to earn your approbation through my improvement in character."

I gave Elizabeth a glance, and there was not the slightest doubt that a touch of amusement was creeping into her countenance. Perhaps, I could defuse the bear trap with a stick. The rest of the sisters had finally lost their countenances, and were staring at me in open confusion. I had to remember that my Elizabeth had several days, and several very uncomfortable conversations, to adjust to my change in deportment, but the sisters had not. They only remember the stiff and ill‑mannered brute I had been in Hertfordshire.

I thought I might as well continue with trying to establish a different idea in their minds. I thought the best strategy was to shock them with the change all at once, and then let them recover.

I continued, "I can see that all of you have had some schooling over the last year. I will not presume to judge it successful or not, or even a good idea or not, but I must say that you all carry yourselves very well… as well as any lady I know. Presumptuous as it sounds, I would also like you to know that I am at your disposal, should I be able to render any assistance whatsoever."

Now the youngest four had lost most of their polished demeanor and were simply staring at me as they would a blue calf or two headed monster; or worse yet, Bingley. Elizabeth was sporting the first genuine albeit small smile I had seen since I arrived in Kent. Perhaps it was the first she had experienced in some time, and if so, I was insufferably proud of myself for raising it.

Miss Jane finally exerted herself and said with the closest thing to a frown or a grimace I could imagine on her face, "I find your presence here… surprising, Mr. Darcy."

So, not out of the doghouse with the Bennet sisters just yet! The eldest Miss Bennet knew all about my behavior the previous year, and the only thing keeping me from believing she had worked out my interference in Bingley's affairs was my unshakable belief that she was much too kind to believe it of me.

I gave a little chuckle as well, and said, "I am afraid Elizabeth finds it surprising as well, but here I am and here I intend to remain for a time. As a matter of fact, this is my best day in Kent so far!"

Miss Mary surprised me by asking curiously, "How so?"

Elizabeth looked at me with the same curiosity… oh, she was definitely finding this whole thing diverting, so I answered with a bit of a grin.

Retrieving my pocket-watch I glanced at the time and said, "I have been in company with Elizabeth today for a full ten minutes at least, and she has not asked me to get out of her sight and preferably out of the county forevermore even once!"

All four sisters gasped at the impertinence of the statement, while Elizabeth even had an almost smile on her face. Miss Mary asked timidly, "Is that unusual?"

I replied, "She usually averages about one such declaration for every five minutes of conversation, so I am quite well ahead today. I must credit you ladies for my reprieve, and you may be assured of my gratitude."

They looked like they were quite understandably getting more confused by the minute, and Miss Catherine said, "How is it that you use her Christian name when she is apparently trying to get rid of you on a daily basis?"

I gave a smile. The Bennet sisters had been filed into perfect gentlewomen, but the behavior was not engrained enough to make them act with perfect decorum at all times. The impertinence of the question was refreshing after a season in town. I was liking the Bennet sisters more and more, and beginning to suspect that if they all truly did wish to be married, Lady Catherine would not be necessary in the least. Finding suitors for four such delightful sisters, with improved manners and deportment when it was necessary, and without the obnoxious presence of their mother, should take me a few months at most, particularly if I helped them out just a tiny bit. The biggest problem was going to come down to sorting the wheat from the chaff.

I looked directly at Elizabeth, and asked, "May I answer?"

Miss Catherine asked, "Why do you ask Lizzy?"

I answered carefully, "Because it is her story to tell or not as she pleases."

Elizabeth nodded her permission, and I continued, "Elizabeth will need to give you all the particulars, for it is not my story to tell, but suffice to say that she does not particularly like the name 'Collins' for reasons I suspect you are all aware of; and neither 'Miss' nor 'Bennet' makes any sense. We have agreed to simply use her Christian name whilst not in formal company, and I presumed that I could treat you all as close acquaintances, though I have not quite earned the privilege. Perhaps in a year I will have improved enough in her estimation to get her to use my given name."

Elizabeth gave a small laugh, and said, "Let us not get ahead of ourselves Mr. Darcy. I did not even know your given name until your aunt said it last evening."

Surprised, I started to give her leave to call me anything she liked, but she gave a small shake. I assumed that she preferred to keep me at arm's length, but since I had managed to extract a laugh from her, even if only a short one, I was most satisfied with my day's work thus far.

Miss Catherine looked at me suspiciously, and said, "Are we expected to be in company with you often Mr. Darcy?"

I simply nodded and said, "Elizabeth and I have certain… affairs we have been discussing this past week. Your sister has also been slowly learning that I am a stubborn and implacable man, so it seems likely, and besides…"

With the hook set, I paused for Elizabeth's reaction. She took the bait and asked, "And besides, sir?"

I continued, "I must at the very least be here to introduce you to my sister who I have taken the liberty of inviting to your supper tomorrow."

And with that and a little chuckle, I gestured to suggest perhaps we should retire to the parsonage and start preparing for their stay, while Elizabeth had a look of either shock or annoyance, or most likely both on her face. I suspected she would be back setting her bear trap momentarily, but she did look like amongst the annoyance, there was a tiny bit of amusement. Springing my sister on her was probably a bit cruel, but making the arrangements had seemed right and natural when I did it, and we never seemed to be able to have a conversation that did not leave one or both of us beat into the ground feeling like we wanted to die. Thus, I had simply never had the opportunity to ask properly, so I had taken a risk. If she was annoyed, it would be neither the first nor the last time.

I doubted very much that Elizabeth had been planning to have me about the parsonage for the entire day, but in this case I thought I might be of use. Rosings would not collapse overnight without my review, Anne would be neither more nor less inclined to marry me and the material chances of me offering for here would still be zero as they always had been.

Borrowing a trick from my cousin the colonel, I snatched Elizabeth's hand and attached it to my arm and herded the sisters toward the parsonage, still chattering happily; much to my satisfaction.

Elizabeth seemed surprised when she found her hand attached to my arm, but its presence felt right. It was where her hand belonged, and I could not make myself repent my action. She, strangely enough, made no effort to remove it, nor even seemed discomforted by it, which made me happy… very happy indeed.