A/N: Dear readers, sorry about my delinquent post. It was a situation where real life intruded on my fictional one. I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Between that, spring break and a health scare for a loved one, I didn't have an opportunity to write or a way of warning you. This is a very short chapter but I wanted to get something up so you'd know I hadn't abandoned the story. I will post as I can but it may be slow going for the next couple of weeks. Regards, LR

Chapter 37

The Times

The Latest About Towne

This column reported last November that a certain tall and handsome Mr. D of Derbyshire was said to be rusticating in the wilds of Hertfordshire. This reporter went to verify the story only to find that he had mysteriously vacated the neighborhood for parts unknown before reappearing in London after a few days' time.

New information has come to light about how those autumn months in M—ton were spent or more correctly, with whom. Multiple sources have confirmed that Mr. D was much in the company of a local dark-haired beauty that is said to be a small landowner's daughter. There are reports of cohabitating under the same roof, a scandalous waltz and an early morning tandem ride in the secluded countryside.

The most shocking thing for this reporter was learning that the clandestine couple has since reunited in London 'for his amusement and convenience.' For shame, sir!

Darcy threw down the paper and pounded his fists on the breakfast table in rage. His assault on the place setting upended several plates and utensils and the sound drew servants from various entrances to the room.

"Forgive me," he uttered to his astonished staff. He had never acted in violence in front of them and was embarrassed. He grabbed the paper and ran into his study. He read the article a second time before feeding it into the fire.

"Damn you Wickham!" he spat. The last 'quote' screamed Wickham. Darcy knew that he had the ear of a journalist at the Times but it could only have been Sophia that put him up to placing the story in the first place. He could feel his protective walls rebuilding around him, physically manifesting itself by making his strides more restrictive and exact, as he lamented how short-lived his happiness was.

Last evening had been so wonderful. After joyfully receiving Elizabeth's hand, he had a brief but intense discussion with her uncle before gaining his approval. A very lively and pleasant dinner followed. He greatly enjoyed getting to know her relations and found them to be intelligent and kind. His favorite part was watching Elizabeth with her cousins when they were briefly allowed to join them after dinner. He could very well imagine her with their own children and it filled him with much hope and happiness.

Parting from her had been hard but he also wanted to return home so he could inform Georgie of his momentous news. She was understandably surprised that he had come home engaged but Darcy had explained how he was overcome with emotion and in his heart he knew that the time was right. Thankfully, she accepted his explanation without too many questions and they had spent hours hashing the details of the proposal and plans for the future. He and his sister even wrote to their Aunt and Uncle together to apprise them of day's outcome and to convey the ladies' acceptance of his aunt's invitation to tea for that day.

Now, the circumstances of their stepmother's ploys and Wickham's involvement would have to be revealed to her. He didn't know how Georgiana would react to the knowledge, especially knowing that Wickham was nearby.

Darcy pulled the bell and waited impatiently for his butler to answer his summons. When Larson entered the room, Darcy asked him to bring Carters and Sanders to him despite the early hour. The butler was about to leave when Darcy inquired if Georgiana had come down. At the negative reply, he apologized again for his temper and requested that his sister not be informed of the earlier mishap then dismissed him once more.

Both his men came to him directly and Darcy started in right away. "Carter, did you see this morning's Times?"

"No sir."

"It seems Wickham is up to his old tricks again of colluding with Sophia and planting stories in the papers. I thought we had a man watching her house? Have they seen Wickham? Dammit, why hasn't that scoundrel been found?"

"Owens and Dean have been taking turns watching the Younge townhouse. I haven't received their report this morning but I expect it soon."

"I want you to double the men watching Sophia and I want her followed around the clock. And let it be obvious that she's under watch. If I'm to be under scrutiny then so shall she. Document where she goes, interview the people she talks to, and don't let her out of our sight.

"I also want another person guarding Elizabeth. There's a chance that the reporters may find out who she is and I don't want anyone approaching her unawares. Have someone ready to accompany Miss Bennet by this afternoon and I will introduce him to her at tea this afternoon. Sanders, have the unmarked carriage from yesterday ready. I have to return to the Gardiners again to explain this situation," Darcy finished unhappily.

Darcy soon left the house after asking his butler to inform his sister that he had business to attend to but that he would see her at their Aunt's for tea. He also left word for Richard to attend the tea also if he should finish his duties for the day early. He was so glad to see that there were no reporters waiting outside his door that he failed to notice the other unmarked carriage discreetly following his as he made his way to Gracechurch Street.

En route, Darcy ruminated over the irony that the vehicle he used to visit his past mistresses was now needed to convey him anonymously to his betrothed. He wanted nothing more than to announce his commitment to Elizabeth to the world but this morning's pre-emptive strike would brand the woman he loved with the stigma of a courtesan. He couldn't let that happen. Elizabeth's reputation must remain intact even if he had to remove himself from her. It just brought home what he knew from the start: danger and unhappiness followed anyone associated with him.

Darcy arrived at the Gardiners in time to see Elizabeth and Mary leaving the house and making their way to the awaiting carriage.

"Elizabeth!"

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I mean, Fitzwilliam," she said shyly. "I didn't expect to see you here so early."

"Obviously, as you are on your way out. Where are you going?" Darcy said trying to hide his concern.

"This is our morning to spend at the hospital," Elizabeth said matter-of-factly.

"A good morning to you too, Miss Mary," he said as he helped her into the carriage. "Do you mind if I spoke to you sister for a minute? Thank you." Then taking Elizabeth a few steps down the sidewalk, Darcy asked quietly, "Did you happen to read the Times this morning?"

"Yes, I did. I can't imagine how they were able to garner such information. The article seemed to insinuate something more than appropriate but the details were pretty accurate except that last quote, of course."

"It was the work of my stepmother and Wickham. He must have had a friend spying for him in Meryton. Regardless of how they know about us, doesn't this whole situation bother you?"

"Why should it? The article doesn't even name me and once we announce our engagement, all will be cleared up."

"No, Elizabeth. You don't know the ton like I do. Once we announce my betrothal to a lady from Hertfordshire, they're going to put two and two together and I will be essentially naming you as my mistress. They will assume that I am marrying you because I was forced to by your family or in response to certain 'consequences' of our actions. This will be a scandal of spectacular proportions and I cannot inflict such harm on you."

"Fitzwilliam, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we should return to the house and discuss this with your uncle. Is he still at home?"

"Yes he is and you are welcome to talk to him but I will not let some idle gossip affect my actions. I, WE, have done no wrong and I will continue to do what will constitute our happiness with no regard to people so wholly unconnected to me. Now, Mary and the patients at the Holy Cross are relying on me to be there and so there is where I shall go this morning."

Elizabeth took Darcy's hand and squeezed it. "You told me just yesterday that you were putting your life in my hands. I have already accepted it and I am not letting you go so don't be putting notions of self-sacrifice into your beautiful head. I love you and I will see you at your Aunt's house for tea, sir. I cannot wait to meet Georgiana. I hope she likes me." With that, Elizabeth gracefully alighted the carriage and with Daniels accompanying them, they took off. Darcy stood watching the Gardiner carriage make its slow way down the street in the morning traffic, as hope and anxiety warred inside him. He slowly made his way to the Gardiner's door and knocked.

The small, unmarked carriage that followed Darcy to Gracechurch Street now trailed the new transport carrying the ladies.