NYT, thanks for giving my story a chance. It definitely is cathartic to be writing this (it is also partially a love letter to my son, saying that despite his differences he is worthy of love and a HEA of his own). I have no plans to have Darcy find Nanny Stewart right now, though I have thought about it! :-) Sacredwoman2k, you've asked if Anne has the same malady as Darcy. I tgought it was already clear that she is supposed to have autism also from Darcy's comment in Chapter 1 that he thinks Anne is like him and from Edwin's comments about there being some familial inherited problem which is why Darcy should marry Anne (this issue at some point is going to come up with Darcy feeling obligated to tell Elizabeth that if they marry they may have children like him). Abujoe, you asked if Anne's autism is more severe than Darcy's or if her more obvious problems were caused by her environment. I don't have an answer for you; it could be either. A lot of y'all seem to be trying hard to figure out what Edwin's motivations are and are saying how annoyed you are by him or making him out to be a real bad guy. He is not intended to be a bad guy, just maybe someone who is a product of his time with misapplied family loyalty. He has his own sense of honor. I'm glad everyone likes Georgiana. Also, although no one has commented on it, I've noticed that there is a mild inconsistency between Ch 23 and Ch 28, with Elizabeth acting like they didn't discuss the assembly at all previously, which they did, so I will fix that. Also upcoming, watch for hints about what Anne's physical illness is and no it is not her autism, she really has ongoing medical issues.

I both dreaded and looked forward to seeing Elizabeth in the evening. Elizabeth had told me that Edwin had called frequently at the parsonage. She said she enjoyed his company, but it was not until that evening that I wondered if he had developed a tendre for her.

After the initial greetings, in which my aunt began to refer to Edwin and I by our last names, which was my cue to do the same and call her Lady Catherine, I once again prepared to hear the name of Fitzwilliam from her lips as referring to my cousin. For some reason I have never been able to understand, Georgiana was still Georgiana. I wondered then whether it might be that my sister was not yet out. Would my aunt start calling her Miss Darcy when she had entered society? Anne was still Anne; was that a sign of maternal affection or did she think of her as a child, too?

Individual conversational groups formed, Georgiana and Mrs. Annsley with Miss Lucas, Anne and Mrs. Jenkins with Mrs. Collins, Edwin with Miss Elizabeth, leaving me by default grouped with my aunt and Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins had many compliments to pay to Lady Catherine. He spent many minutes praising her condescension in blessing him, his wife and guests with this invitation and then many more praising everything within his view. She seemed to enjoy his fawning. I was merely bored but made an effort to be engaged as his letters had aided me. I was slightly surprised when he made reference to hoping he had been of use to me and once again apologizing for his cousins' cruelty.

"What is that?" Aunt Catherine's attention was caught. "Who was disrespectful to Darcy?" The expression she made was that of someone smelling something particularly vile.

I felt embarrassed; I did not want anyone else to know what George had been saying about me. Fortunately Mr. Collins only alluded to the fact that the son of my father's steward had said some vicious things about me that no one of quality would ever believe.

"Darcy, I have told you time and time again that you must take Fitzwilliam with you. He would have put a stop to all nonsense right away!"

That was the last thing I wanted. I needed friends and not a nursemaid. Edwin could not enjoy being expected to order his life around accompanying me. I turned to look at him. I could tell that as usual Edwin was being charming. I envy the ease with which he can interact with others. Normally he tries to assist me with company, however this time it appeared he was too focused on Miss Elizabeth to ease my way. Perhaps it was a punishment for me not showing any sign of listening to his advice to wed Anne. I supposed I did not need his help here as I was at least partially acquainted with everyone present. I was an adult and should be able to stand on my own. Of course Georgiana was there and though she was occupied elsewhere she still occasionally glanced in my direction to make sure all was right.

Then I suddenly understood another reason why Edwin might want me to marry Anne: if I were settled here with Anne, Aunt Catherine would be able to watch over both me and Anne perhaps his assigned duties to me would be at an end. I thought about what it would be like to, though no longer under the command of his general because he retired from the army, still be under the command of his father the earl and be assigned to serve me. I had not considered that maybe he wanted his own life, his own wife.

Now as I watched him with Miss Elizabeth I wondered if he might be becoming fond of Miss Elizabeth. Was all his calling on the parsonage his own attempt at courting? I saw Miss Elizabeth glance my way and I averted my eyes. Was I selfish to want Miss Elizabeth for me? She cared not for the wealth I had, would she not prefer a comfortable home with a man she did not have to struggle to understand, who would always know the right way to act? I felt foolish for trying to court her.