Sorry! Writer's block and I really wanted this to come out right - but I am still worried that it didn't. Let's say hello to Lady C shall we. . . .

Nephew! It is as I had feared – you have been drawn in by some subterfuge employed by Miss Bennet to engage your affections. At what were you smiling, nephew? I must have my share of the amusement.' Thus saying, Lady Catherine ungraciously inserted herself into their company.

Mr. Darcy spoke, 'Lady Catherine, may I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn? Miss Elizabeth, may I introduce my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh?'

Though Lady Catherine would choose not to reply, Elizabeth wished to show a greater degree of civility and offered her two companions to accompany her in examining a lovely bit of wilderness further along, where might be had more privacy. Mr. Darcy, with appreciation for her circumspection, proceeded in the direction indicated, requiring his aunt to walk alongside, else she would have no chance of further speech with such a near and beloved relation.

'Lady Catherine,' inquired the great woman's nephew, 'May I ask what has brought you to Hertfordshire? Anne is not ill, I hope?'

At the mention of Miss de Bourgh, Her Ladyship pronounced, 'Your betrothed is as well as can be expected and it is commendable that your first thoughts are for her, as they should be. My presence in this neighborhood was immediately influenced by the conversation of Mrs. Collins and her husband, who related quite the tale.' Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were instantly attending her words more closely and each noted tension on the countenance of the other, which, perversely, buoyed the spirits of both.

'And from this communication you found it necessary to travel such a distance and so quickly? I am truly concerned that the business did not justify the exertion and any trouble you may have endured during your hasty journey. You would share news of this information so that I may aid you in its resolution?'

Elizabeth was diverted by Mr. Darcy's strategy and added, 'Lady Catherine, is there a way in which I could assist you? It is not a comfortable distance you have traversed this day and must be in want of refreshment. Perhaps after you have spoken with Mr. Darcy, you would care to enter Longbourn and I am confident my family would be honored to provide you sustenance.'

The Mistress of Rosings stopped her progress and began thus: 'Although I would not otherwise converse with you, Miss Bennet, there is a matter which has been brought to my attention of utmost importance and I have come here to hear you refute the blatant falsehood. Speaking with you in my nephew's presence might be enough to ensure that I carry my point. There is a report circulating that you, Miss Bennet, believe that you will entrap and ultimately marry Mr. Darcy. I am secure that one of my relations would not be so lost to duty as to ignore his responsibility to his family; therefore, the source of this report must be from your own self, as all advantage in such a match would be on your side. Who is your father? Who is your mother? You have no connections of which I am aware that are to be lauded. However much you might attempt to force such a misalliance on my family, it will not be borne. I would have you contradict such a rumor.'

Though Elizabeth was discomfited by Lady Catherine's manner, she answered calmly, 'I have not heard of the existence of this story but your coming here would only serve to impart truth to its claims. If you were indeed secure, as you stated, in your belief that Mr. Darcy would offer for no woman without the sanction of his nearest relations, then what purpose have you to depart your home and travel these many miles merely to listen to my voice?'

Mr. Darcy was astonished at his aunt venturing to Hertfordshire to lambast Miss Elizabeth about an attachment which he himself had only just begun to hope for. There was only one person to whom this occurrence could be attributed – Mrs. Collins. He felt keenly all of the mortification being visited upon the one lady whom he wished to have as his wife, unlike Mr. Bingley's sister, who was the initiator of their current discomfort.

It was impressed upon him that Miss Elizabeth was acting with far greater courtesy than Lady Catherine and he was deeply embarrassed at the incivility with which his intended was being thus accosted. Consequently, Mr. Darcy spoke before his aunt had the opportunity to reply in what he knew would be an unpleasant exchange.

'From your words, Lady Catherine, I shall assume that you derived your information from Mr. Bingley's sister, Mr. Collins' new wife. While your anxiety over my possible distress is appreciated, I can assure you that Miss Elizabeth does not deserve your censure. She has conducted herself above reproach, which is significantly more than one could say of Mrs. Collins prior to her marriage.' Lady Catherine was silenced briefly by the completely unexpected and unprecedented statement by her nephew, not merely that the reticent gentleman had extolled a lady not her daughter but that he was complimentary and evidently enamored with the lady in question.

The great lady coldly but angrily pronounced, 'You plainly have already been drawn in and are unable to use sense. Can you not see that an alliance with this young woman will cause you to be censured, slighted and despised by all? Would you pollute the shades of Pemberley by attaching yourself and Georgiana to a girl of no consequence and no fortune? Your mother and I had planned your future while you and Anne were still in your cradles to benefit our entire family by the connection. It was a favorite wish of hers, to so join our houses. Have you made Miss Bennet an offer of marriage? I must be told that I may know how to act.'

Mr. Darcy stood tall and looked upon his relative. 'No, Lady Catherine, I have not requested her hand as of yet. If you would be so good as to remain with us, however, I would be honored to have you witness my offer.'

Lady Catherine started to disagree, to challenge his utterance but her nephew frowned and said disdainfully, 'Do not speak or we will certainly move away for a greater degree of solitude.'

He smiled and turned to an astonished Elizabeth, who was having difficulty assimilating all that had just passed. Had Mr. Darcy just intimated that he was to. . . . . . But she could get no further, as the gentleman in question began to speak and, once she heard his speech, thought became of a lesser import than listening and attending to what was being said.

'Miss Elizabeth, it has been some time now that I have found you to not only be the handsomest lady of my acquaintance but also the most intriguing and fascinating. Your loyalty and kindness are precious and uncommon attributes and your understanding and opinions are very pleasing. I have come to realize that there is a want of liveliness in my existence; there is much of duty and responsibility but happiness is what I seek. Would you continue to be my partner and agree to be my wife?'

Elizabeth was profoundly affected by his sentiments and what could only be termed his eloquence. She found herself to be unable to speak, due to her strong emotions, but forced herself to talk and communicate to the waiting and tense man that she was exceedingly glad and delighted to accept his offer. If not for Lady Catherine's presence, there was a considerable chance that they would have sealed their new accord in a rather more loving manner; as Her Ladyship had been kind enough to witness their betrothal, both parties chose a more restrained form of expressing their joy.

Mr. Darcy stood quite close to Elizabeth and said, 'As you are my aunt, my mother's sister, I must have care to show deference for your rank and age. Nevertheless, I will not condone any insult of my future wife. If you wish to forward well wishes, we would be willing to receive them but if you have less pleasant sentiments to relate, then we shall take our leave. I will brook no lack of respect for Elizabeth, regardless of the source.'

At Lady Catherine's increasingly vexed appearance, Mr. Darcy turned himself and Elizabeth around and escorted her back to Longbourn to share their felicitous news, leaving the gentleman's aunt standing – alone and offended – on the lawn.