Sorry for the complete radio silence for these past few weeks! My computer, being a Mac, decided to tell me that my storage is completely full and that I can't write any more, despite there being next to nothing on my hard drive. I'll spare you the details because unless you're a tech nerd like me you'll be bored to death, but long story short, I had to manually erase my entire hard drive and back it up from a separate hard drive. Usually I love computers but I'm 99% sure Apple installs something in theirs to make sure something spontaneously combusts after your warranty has expired … last year my family had to pay a fortune to replace my battery because it had stopped working 3 weeks after the warranty had expired!

All our stuff from Canada finally arrived this week after THREE MONTHS as well, so I've been unpacking kitchenware and clothes for the past few days!

Anyway, back to the story. Wow! Over 100 favs! You guys are awesome :) I know this story isn't to the taste of everyone, but I wrote it for myself for a lark before deciding to share and continue it. I often wish that the real Darcy and Elizabeth did not have to conform to Regency rules and society all the time; hence their "inappropriate" behaviour here. But that's the merit of fanfiction!

I'm not going to try and please everyone, because that's nearly impossible, so for those of you who just want to read some Darcy/Elizabeth romance & fluff (and a teeny bit of angst) then this is for you! If you want proper Regency etiquette I can tell you now, if you haven't already realised, that this story isn't for you!

LovetoRead613: Sorry to disappoint about the lack of accuracy and realism! As for Mr Collins, he is currently trying to determine (in his simple and befuddled state of mind, I will admit) who it would serve him best to side with. I think we all know who he'll pick in the end though … poor him - trying to appease both the aunt and the nephew never works ;)

Thank you again for all your reviews and criticisms! You help make my story better :)

With the help of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mrs Gardiner, Elizabeth should soon begin to see the light … (she's so determined not to believe Darcy!)

Mr Collins's return brought mixed feelings to the neighbourhood. Mrs Bennet was still furious at what she perceived as his slight to their family by not choosing one of her girls as his wife. Elizabeth, while pleased Charlotte would now not move into spinsterhood, wished desperately she had not accepted so odious a man. She was also again missing the presence of one Fitzwilliam Darcy, who had ceased calling with Mr Bingley. She knew it was for the best, as neither of them wished false allegations to be spread amongst their friends and family.

She pulled herself together with the notion that she had been perfectly fine without male company before Mr Darcy had entered the neighbourhood, and would continue to be whilst he was here, or at least until Christmas. And so it was with a new spring in her step that she set off on her morning walk, her breath coming in small clouds in the crisp December air. Her feet took her on her usual path towards Oakham Mount out of habit. When she reached the top, however, she was surprised to find it already claimed by a tall, commanding figure surveying the landscape.

Her heart fluttered, but she tried to suppress it. 'Fancy seeing you here, Mr Darcy.'

'Miss Bennet.' He smiled widely, a smile she had not seen since the dance at Netherfield Ball. 'And how are you this morning?'

'Well, thank you. And yourself?'

'Exceedingly well, now.'

Elizabeth blushed. They were silent for a few moments, before he spoke again, hesitantly.

'Miss Bennet, I wanted … this morning, I – have you forgiven me?'

'There was nothing to forgive.'

He frowned at that, running an agitated hand through his hair. 'I spoke to you in a most ungentlemanly manner, and handled you – I did not mean to touch you without your consent, Elizabeth. Especially not while I was angry.'

'You have already apologised, Mr Darcy. You need not do so again,' she said, amused.

She was surprised by the earnestness in his eyes. 'I fear I must, Elizabeth. I require your forgiveness in all things.'

She frowned, puzzled. 'Well, you have it, sir.'

He smiled, satisfied, and then sobered. 'I fear I shall not be able to call upon you until we are to depart for Pemberley.'

Elizabeth's lips twitched. 'No. Mr Collins has quite taken over Longbourn at the moment.'

Darcy half-smiled, and took her hand, placing a lingering kiss on the back of it. 'I shall see you in three days, Elizabeth.'

He lingered for a moment more before heading off down the footpath. As Elizabeth watched him go, she feared more and more each time they met that he took another piece of her heart with him.

'– and, my dear cousin, even if Mr Darcy were to offer for you, you would surely not be accepted in his society. No, I think it best to merely be polite to him. After all, he does you a great honour seeking you out at the ball, but it is wise not to read more into it than that. Lady Catherine herself is often telling me –'

Elizabeth tuned out as Mr Collins droned on and on. Ever since he had returned to Longbourn, he had taken it upon himself to instruct her as to how to comport herself around Mr Darcy, and she was quite fed up.

Quite rudely, and without a thought for his feelings or any of the other members of the house, she got up and fled into the gardens before he could finish his speech.

As the days dragged on, Mr Collins began to take the hint, and spent less time at Longhorn, and more time at Lucas Lodge, much to the relief of all the residents of Longbourn. At last, the twentieth of December arrived, and with it, Mr Darcy, looking impeccably handsome. He was patient with Mrs Bennet, Lydia, and Kitty's exclamations, and Mr Collins's endless ramblings, and spent most of the time speaking of books with Mr Bennet as they waited for Jane and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had taken extra care in her appearance that morning, making sure every curl was pressed carefully into place. The mass of curls at the back of her head was held together with the comb Mr Darcy had bought her in London, and she was wearing a warm blue dress and woollen pelisse.

'Oh, do hurry, Lizzy, or we shall be late!' Jane said, hurrying back into their room. 'You look wonderful. Now do come on!'

They were to stop in London and stay overnight at the Gardiners' before continuing on to Pemberley on the morrow. Mr Darcy would, of course, be staying at his Townhouse with his sister, but he had graciously invited them all to dine there that evening.

Darcy turned at the sound of hurried footsteps from inside the house. Jane and Elizabeth appeared on the doorstep, flushed and smiling. His insides squirmed happily as he noticed the hair comb nestled in Elizabeth's chestnut curls.

'That is a lovely hair comb, madam,' he murmured as he kissed her hand in greeting. She blushed slightly, smirking at his teasing. He was becoming quite proficient.

'Be good, now, Lizzy,' Mr Bennet said as she hugged him goodbye. 'I am certain you shall have a lovely time, and will return a very happy woman.'

'Whatever do you mean, Papa?' Elizabeth asked curiously, but he merely smiled and ushered he towards her mother, who immediately began enthusing on how many rich and eligible gentlemen they would meet, seemingly forgetting that it was to be a family party, and that Elizabeth and Jane were already quite attached to certain gentlemen of their acquaintance. Sighing, Elizabeth bade her mother and three younger sisters goodbye, promising to bring them all something from Lambton when she returned. Mrs Bennet cheered up at this, and bid her goodbye quite cheerfully.

Mr Darcy helped her up into the carriage with a sympathetic, knowing smile, before assisting Jane, and swinging up behind them. Elizabeth waved frantically as the carriage started down the lane, before realising with a blush of mortification that it was not polite to do so in society, especially not in front of a gentleman. She caught Darcy's eye as she settled back in her seat. He was grinning from ear to ear. Jane promptly gazed out of the window, becoming immediately interested in the barren trees rolling past the carriage, a knowing smile on her face.

I hope to update at least once a week from now on! If not, you have my permission to nag until I do! :P (I may regret saying that)