Thanks everyone for all the great reviews! NYT, when you mention people's wish for a healthy child, you remind me of a post I saw somewhere about a special needs mom who said how much it hurt her when she hears that. In our era we have choices that they did not have then. While I do not wish to debate abortion (I think we get on FF to escape politics), I will mention that there are autistics that fear additional research into autism is motivated to find controlling genes so that in the future they may be aborted (analogously to what has happened to Down Syndrome babies). I absolutely do know, though, that my son's life is worth living even though it might not be the life that others would have chosen. Sacredwoman2k, glad you appreciate Darcy's honesty; that is very consistent with canon where sometimes he is too honest. Lily Draco, yes Darcy getting to address her fears certainly helps. DizzyLizzy.60, your mentioning the ten days spurred me in the last chapter to clarify where we are in the timeline. Thanks. Guest, glad you are feeling the emotions I am trying to convey, but sorry to have made you cry. Nanciellen, glad you are enjoying the story. Exceptionaldork, thanks for your review. I hope no one thinks I've been updating frequently to keep my story high on the page; it is just that writing and posting each day keeps up my momentum. I'm glad you are enjoying my characterizations of all and their motivations. I'm with you, I don't care about Darcy's estate concerns. I also think Caroline gets a much worse characterization in most FF than she deserves and we'll see more expanding of her character later when the plot line returns to London.

In the morning I attended the church service with my family. Though being a staunch member of the Church of England was expected of me, I could not help long for a service less stodgy and more fervent. The church service with its set readings for the day and indifferent sermon delivered by Mr. Collins did not particularly capture my attention when I knew Miss Bennet was near. I was very aware of her presence, wearing her yellow frock. I felt she had worn the dress that matched her ribbon as a special sign to me.

However being in church with the drone of Mr. Collins' voice left me free to think. The resurrection of our Lord reminded me that I had been redeemed from sin, but also redeemed in Miss Elizabeth's eyes from evils she had feared. True, as a man I had sins enough; I did not strive enough to help others around me, I had carnal thoughts, I was often impatient and hurried, I was too focused on things of this world. But I had not sought to separate Miss Bennet from Bingley, or purposely set out to harm George. I am a large man who when angry could harm someone smaller most easily, yet I had learned enough self control not to do so. I felt grateful that the Lord spared me from the worst of the evils of my condition.

Then I prayed silently as I was wont to do. I prayed in this manner: "God our Father, I thank you for all you have done, all the doors you have opened to allow me to pursue a courtship and marriage to Miss Elizabeth. Thank you for Bingley's invitation to Netherfield and thank you that I felt compelled to accept it. Thank you for arranging Miss Bennet's illness and Miss Elizabeth's tender loving care of her, so I could come to know her more. Thank you for the timing of her visit to Mr. Collins when I was also coming to visit Aunt Catherine. Thank you for Mr. Collins' letter that helped me know to bring Georgiana with me and hastened my departure for Rosings. Thank for those morning walks that allowed her a chance to know me. Thank you for protecting her from any ill intentions Edwin may have contemplated. Thank you for the moments you have arranged when I may speak to Miss Elizabeth without interference. I see your guiding hand in arranging all these things for my good. Surely our relationship has been preordained by you and having arranged it as such I will surely win her hand as it must serve your purposes. Thank you for keeping me from harming others. Please watch over Miss Elizabeth and protect her from all evil and hold the two of us in your merciful hands. I beseech you to ease any fear she may still have of myself or Anne. Please help Anne to learn to control her behavior so she frightens Miss Elizabeth no more and assist me, Georgiana, Aunt Catherine, Mrs. Jenkinson and even Miss Elizabeth in knowing how best to help her. I humbly ask that you also assist me in helping Miss Elizabeth learn who I am, that you make me more forthright and honest, quicker to share all she needs to know. I would ask that you judge me not for my affliction but for my attempts to serve you faithfully and that when I err you would not judge me too harshly. I pray that you would likewise help me to be who Miss Elizabeth needs and for her to understand my intentions even when the results of my actions are flawed and for her to forgive me when I err. I pray that you would draw her to me and that it would be your plan to unite us in marriage. Please place a hedge of protection around us, to protect us from the evils of the world which seem to want to separate us. Please give me a sign when the time is right that I would know to seek her hand. I pray that she would become my bride and I her bridegroom, and that you would bless our marriage with children. I pray for children as unblemished as she."

After the service there was not much time to exchange more than a greeting, but Miss Elizabeth seemed more than ease. I felt more at ease myself, having both thanked God and having requested His assistance.

Later that day I prepared to call on her with Georgiana. Apparently Georgiana had discussed with Aunt Catherine our desire for Miss Elizabeth to extend her visit with the Collinses, because our aunt insisted on accompanying us on the call. It took much longer to get the carriage prepared than the ride to the parsonage, which gave me that much time to become nervous. I did not want to make a single error, but I also resolved to be whom I am as she had requested.

The problem with my aunt's kindly interference was that once again I was a mere observer as she dominated the conversation with Mr. Collins all agreement as her faithful servant. My aunt talked about how much we all had missed her company, that Anne was sorry for their disagreement and hoped to see her once again. She also discussed extensively the outing she had with Anne, about how much she had learned and praised her daughter's knowledge and discernment.

However then she smoothly segued into observing that Miss Elizabeth seemed out of spirits and must not want to go home again so soon. "Since that is the case, you must write to your mother to beg that you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins will be very glad of your company, I am sure."

Mr. Collins rapidly agreed on behalf of himself and his wife, saying, "Cousin Elizabeth, please let me humbly request the extension of your visit as a personal favor to myself and Mrs. Collins. You may stay as long as you wish."

I wondered how Miss Lucas felt as the sister of Mrs. Collins, not being begged to stay longer, but was immediately distracted by that thought by Miss Elizabeth's reply.

"I am much obliged to your ladyship and my Cousin Collins for your kind invitation but it is not in my power to accept it. - I must be in town on Saturday."

My aunt scrunched her lips together before responding, "Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins so before you came. There can be no occasion for you going so soon. Mrs. Bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight."

"But my father cannot. - He wrote last week to hurry my return."

"Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. - Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father."

Mr. Collins seemed anxious to speak, and when my aunt paused he added, "Cousin, I can certainly write to your father and request that he extend you visit; surely he would understand how indispensable you are to the present company," he nodded at me, "and that there are certain things here that are yet in motion and not yet completed."

Was Mr. Collins thinking of my wish to formalize my relationship with Miss Elizabeth? Had he and my aunt talked about it? Miss Elizabeth seemed to think so, for she blushed before responding.

"I thank all of you for the kindness of the invitation, but all the plans for our return are already in motion and I believe we must abide by our original plan."

Finally I found an opening to speak: "May I please request one small alteration?" I saw everyone turn to look at me.

"My sister and myself plan to depart soon as well. I know she will join me in issuing an invitation for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas to join our traveling party to London. We can arrange to depart on your original date. The ladies may all ride together in our carriage."

"What a wonderful idea, Brother." Georgiana was quick to join in endorsing the idea. "I should so like the lively conversation of my two new friends."

"Oh, I insist that you join them." My aunt added, "You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the ides of two young women traveling by post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must certainly accept the invitation, as a personal favor to me."

I heard Miss Lucas quietly say, "I would like this arrangement if Miss Elizabeth will agree."

I did not know if Miss Elizabeth liked the idea or was merely resigned from the endorsement of it from Miss Lucas and my aunt, but she responded, "I will write to my father and uncle to let them know this change in the plans."

I was already picturing riding my horse beside the carriage and catching glimpses of Miss Elizabeth through the carriage window, yet wishing I could be inside it with her alone.

"We will have such a lovely time," Georgiana exclaimed. Shortly after that she prevailed on Miss Elizabeth to show her the new chicks. A few minutes later, having exceeded a visit of a half hour, we returned to Rosings.