A/N: I am really sorry I could have sworn that I completed this story!! Never mind, here you go, another chapter to the happy collection!

There was silence throughout Pemberley for a long space of time. Mrs Darcy had returned to the room and sat silently at her daughter's side.

"What are you thinking of Mother?" Rebecca asked softly.

"I am thinking of how similar your own circumstances are to mine when I was your age."

"What do you mean Mother?"

"When I first met your Father I despised him, his pride and conceit made me understand that I could never possibly marry him."

"I do not understand."

"Your Father did many unintelligent things in his life before he met me and during our acquaintance. When we visited his Aunt he decided that he wished to propose and I let him down in the same unladylike fashion as he requested it of me."

"You refused Father?"

"I did, but my feelings began to change and I saw the gentleman within and understood how much he was capable of love. So when he ventured to Hertfordshire with Mr Bingley to secure a relationship with your Aunt Jane he proposed again."

"You accepted him then?"

"Of course I did. I came to understand that I loved him more than life itself. I could not have lived without your Father then and now that he has gone, I feel exactly the same. That is true love Rebecca, a love which I think you have come to understand in the past months with Mr Richardson."

"So you understand how I feel? You know of how much I hated him when he first entered our home for the ball and how much I love him now?"

"I perfectly understand and I am sure that your Father would have done so. He would have been contented to give Mr Richardson your hand Rebecca, knowing that you were happy." Small tears fell from Rebecca's eyes as she thought of her Father.

"I wish he was here to answer such a question for me Mother. I would love for my Father to be the one to accept James as his son-in-law but I know that such a thing can no longer be. How I miss him Mother but I cannot help but think that I am disgracing my Father's name by engaging so soon." Elizabeth shook her head quickly.

"Never think such a thing! Your Father loved you both greatly and would never be affronted if you were seen to be in love. Let us wait until Mr Richardson has permission and then all we have to do is wait for the mourning period to pass."

"How long will the mourning period be Mother?" Rebecca asked in no more than a whisper.

"Your Brother will name length of time, until then no one can know of your engagement, after that the wedding plans can begin. It can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months my dear, you must be patient."

"Surely Fitzwilliam will understand how eager we both are and how much we love each other."

"Your Brother loves you very much Rebecca, he will do anything to secure your happiness." At this Fitzwilliam's strong voice echoed through the corridors of Pemberley as he shouted his sister's name. Rebecca and her Mother stood immediately.

"My goodness Mother, he disapproves!" Rebecca said as she gripped her Mother's hand tightly.

"Rebecca!" He screamed again. It was only a moment later when he entered the room staring at his sister, Mr Richardson following closely behind. Rebecca swallowed quickly before standing forward.

"Come Mr Richardson." Elizabeth said as she walked forward. "Give Rebecca and Fitzwilliam a few moments alone." They exited the room quickly closing the door swiftly behind them.

Rebecca stood perfectly still looking up into her Brother's face.

"Is this really what you want Rebecca?" He asked softly as he placed a soft hand on her cheek.

"More than anything." She said with tears in her eyes.

"I thought you hated him?" Rebecca laughed.

"No Fitzwilliam, he taught me many things as you have but he taught me to love. I never thought that I could feel like this about anyone but he is different."

"You love him then, my dear?"

"More than life itself." Fitzwilliam sighed slightly.

"Then it is settled. I gave my consent to James but I had to speak to you first. I had to be assured of your feelings for I did not wish for you to be unhappily settled."

"I will be the happiest woman in the world if you will give me your consent." He kissed her forehead softly.

"A thousand times you have my consent." Rebecca laughed loudly before embracing her Brother.
"Thank you very much my dear, dear Brother." He smiled quickly before his face fell. "What is it?"

"Are you aware of how long you shall have to wait to be his wife?" Rebecca shook her head. "Six months for the wedding plans…"

"Six months!" She interrupted. "That is not so very long."

"And six months mourning."

"A year!" She almost whispered. "You are going to make me wait a year!"

"It is necessary Rebecca, necessary for propriety." He held a hand out and touched her shoulder but she pulled away quickly.

"Damn propriety Fitzwilliam!" She pushed past him at this and pushed the door open quickly. There stood in the corridor was her Mother and James both looking at her with sadness in their eyes. She turned slightly and looked at her Brother one last time before turning to the corridor.

"Rebecca!" Her Mother cried out as she stepped forward and grabbed her daughter's arm. "Think of your name!"

"Do not judge me Mother! Think of the situation, yours was the same but did you have to wait a year!" Elizabeth's eyes fell to the floor. "I did not think so!" Rebecca pulled herself free from her Mother's grasp quickly and rushed up the corridors.

The three remaining occupants of Pemberley stood out on the corridor looking up where the woman had disappeared.

"I feel terrible Mother," Fitzwilliam said. "I have to keep my sister's name intact but I hate breaking her heart!"

"Her heart will heal, her reputation will not, I am sure that Mr Richardson understands."

"I understand perfectly and I regard your decision, it was the correct one. Someone however, has to speak with her to make her see sense." Elizabeth nodded.

"You are the only person who seems capable of doing such a thing Mr Richardson, come I will take you to her." He nodded slightly before following the mistress.

When Mrs Darcy smoothly opened one of the doors on the second floor of Pemberley James Richardson could do nothing but hold his breath for there laid on the bed, sun illuminating her figure lay his fiancée.

Mr Richardson was about to enter the room when the mistress stopped him.

"I trust you implicitly Mr Richardson. Please, do not allow me to think that I was wrong."

"I would never do such a thing, not while she bears the name of Darcy." Elizabeth nodded slightly before allowing the gentleman to enter and closing the door behind him.

Yet in the room James Richardson knew that his hardest trial was ahead, informing the woman that he was to marry that they had to keep it a secret for her own name and for no other reason. He knew that she had to be persuaded and that elopement was never an option. He just hoped that she felt the same.

TO BE CONTINUED….