That the Colonel and his new bride were to be happy in their match would not be doubted by any right thinking individual, but there was much to explain, share, and arrange before such felicity could commence. The first task which Charlotte had to undertake was to explain to her overjoyed suitor that she had more than a daughter to bring to the marriage, and that it would be two little Collins babies that he would be expected to take on. He was bemused, amazed, and delighted.

"I cannot understand how I was so misinformed. Charlotte, I can only account for it by showing you Mrs Darcy's letter, which is written so small, and which has been crossed so many times that it took me almost an hour of interpretation to ensure myself that you were even alive after the happy event. The only words that were really clear to me were concern, fever, daughter, and long recovery. I had to try to fill in the rest with guesses and imagination."

Charlotte looked over the letter and agreed that it was one of the finer examples of Lizzy's truly dreadful penmanship, "I must tell her that, as a wealthy man's wife she really can afford to use more paper, and that her correspondents may greatly appreciate her not attempting to cram all of her news onto one sheet."

He explained further that he had been moving around so much in Vienna that mail had taken an age to find him and that Lizzy's latest letter had only reached him two days before.

"It was much more legible and to the point and left me in no uncertainty that if I did not return now, that I was likely to lose you forever. I was in no way confident that there was any chance of your being mine to lose, but I knew that I would live a life of regret if I did not even make the attempt, my darling Charlotte."

He kissed her gently, and Charlotte began to understand why Lizzy and her husband seemed so enamoured of the physical side of their relationship. She began to wonder what might await her in that regard and was forced to rein in her imagination when her worried fiancé enquired as to whether she was feeling quite well, her colour being alarmingly high.

The practicalities of the arrangements were complicated and both parties had to agree to a patient and secret engagement, unpublicised to all but their closest friends, until the respectful period had elapsed. It was agreed that an announcement would be made in the early summer, as soon as Charlotte's twelvemonths had elapsed, and that this would be followed as soon as a licence could be procured by the wedding itself. The secrecy was not easy or comfortable to maintain, but it was at least eased by the fact that their close geographical proximity meant that they were still able to spend time in each other's company almost every day.

There was pain along with the joy that both experienced. For Charlotte, the task of providing a negative answer to Mr Peterson was a sorrowful one, as she wanted not to hurt him nor to lose his friendship which had been so valuable to her. In the end, it turned out that most of her fears about that particular interview were unfounded. Mr Peterson returned having already been appraised of the Colonel's return to Pemberley. He confessed himself immediately to Charlotte as being well aware of what had likely brought the Colonel back, and was gracious and sincere in his warm wishes for her happiness. Charlotte was again moved to tears by his generosity and was delighted some time later to observe a growing affection between Mr Peterson and Joan Evesham, who were much thrown together over the coming months.

The major fly in the ointment, as expected, came from the Colonel's family. His own father was less than happy at the prospective match, although he had the good grace to be civil at least to Charlotte. Lady Catherine De Bourgh was apoplectic with rage, however, and there were some genuine fears, Charlotte was later told, that the news had overcome her faculties. She had apparently been unable to speak for ten whole minutes after being informed of the match, and had then flown into such a rage that her poor daughter had truly feared for her own safety. Lady Catherine was now convalescing quietly at home with the aid of some constant nursing supervision, and it was hoped that time would help to heal her mind sufficiently that she would be allowed to leave her rooms in the near future.

Charlotte was upset but unsurprised by these events, and was bolstered constantly by the support of her intended and her friends. Elizabeth soon forgave Mr Darcy for his earlier interference (but admittedly only after he had acknowledged himself as being utterly in the wrong and apologising to Charlotte, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and repeatedly to Lizzy herself), and it was a jolly party indeed who assembled in Pemberley's drawing rooms to celebrate the Christmas season that year. Surrounded by children and laughter and love, the inhabitants of the neighbouring estates had much to be thankful for and, in easy surroundings with no need to hide their plans, conversation between the newly affianced couple soon turned to their own future. Charlotte was apologetic to Lizzy about the prospect of abandoning the Dower House project, but Lizzy was unperturbed, confiding to Charlotte,

"Even should we get Georgiana to London this season, I somehow doubt that she will be returning with a husband. I think that we may well have an alternative tenant for the Dower House in my sister-by-law and, strictly between us, I would be astonished if we do not see her installed there by this time next year."

The Colonel, Mr Darcy and Mr Peterson spent much time planning how the neighbouring estates could best work together to improve their lands and to bring the Colonel's new holdings up to a suitable standard. It was hard work, but Charlotte did worry that this endeavour might not prove quite exciting enough for one who had previously lived a life of intrigue. She broached the subject quietly with him over Christmas dinner at Pemberley, and was met with a rather confused look in return.

"I understand that you might well think that you will prefer a quieter life, but might you not miss the excitements of your previous career? And did not Wellington mind you giving up your commission? Are your skills not rather attractive, especially in times like these?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned as he replied, "Charlotte, the thrills, such as they are, of the battlefield are something that I am more than glad to leave behind, and my 'skills' such as they are can be found in any number of my former comrades. I do not think that the General will be losing any sleep over my departure."

Charlotte shook her head and persisted, lowering her voice to a whisper, "you well know what I mean, I mean that running an estate will never compare to a career in espionage!"

She received a look in return that went through several stages of confusion and perplexity before the Colonel dissolved into laughter. "Charlotte, dearest, what exactly is it that you think I was doing on the continent?"

"Shush," she replied, scowling at his levity, "I know from Lizzy and Georgiana that you were one of Wellington's 'intelligence men' and I do have some idea of what this would have meant, you know!"

"I fear that the two Darcy women have somewhat romanticised my role in the wars, Charlotte. Yes, I did some scouting for the army. Yes I was useful to Wellington as my ability to speak Spanish and Portuguese was not a common feature at my rank. But I would not be able to make any assertions of having served in any more clandestine capacities than that! If you are marrying me in the hopes of gaining a romantic spy as your partner then I fear that you are going to be grievously disappointed, my dear!"

"Is not that exactly what an intelligence officer would say if challenged?" Charlotte rejoined in a spirited manner. "You will not fool me so easily. And you well know that I would still marry you had you been no more than a farmer all your life, so stop that nonsense."

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed at her merrily, "I make a pact with you, dear future wife. I promise to tell you the truth of my role in Wellington's army the day after we are wed. Will that suffice?"

Charlotte came back, playfully, "No, for if it is a bargain that you want, then I demand that the answers are given immediately after we exchange our wedding vows, so that my curiosity may be satisfied straight away."

Her fiancé shook his head firmly. "No Charlotte, you will find yourself not often overruled in our marriage I would imagine, but in this I will have my own way. Much as I love to talk with you, I have other plans for the night immediately following our wedding," he reached across to gently tuck an escaped curl back behind her ear, making her shiver slightly, "and none of my plans involve conversation."

To which sentiment, Charlotte could really think of no suitable objection.