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Thank you all for bearing with me! I am glad this has been so well received thus far and that you are all enjoying 'the slow burn' of ODC (a reviewer coined the term, but I cannot locate the review to give kudos at the mo, as my app is playing games with me :()

I also just want to acknowledge two points as they have been mentioned in the comments and reviews;-

Some of the happening's and circumstances etc. in my fic are not historically correct - that I am aware CPR was not a think in Regency England and though the fox hunting scenario where the fox was captured and released for the hunt was not practiced often, it was something that was done with the royals to enjoy their guests enjoyed good sport from their hosts, when wanting to be 'the hostess with the mostest' vibes. I'm just playing around with a few things for the sake of the narrative !

Thanks for sticking with it - and I hope you continue to enjoy my contribution to the P JAFF world!

Please enjoy!

V x

Please leave a comment, if you feel so inclined - I would like to say a special thanks to all those who are reading and following this story. Especially for all those who have left comments! I am so touched by your kind words and thank you for keeping me motivated and inspired to write more chapters !

Chapter Seven

The next morning Darcy dressed quickly and broke his fast in his room, in preparation for his early meeting with Mr Bennet. They were to discuss the particulars of the marriage settlement and then off to London he would go. He had already written ahead to inform his solicitor; Mr Thorne, that he would speak with him the following day, explaining to him his need to acquire a special license and made mention of the legal marriage settlement documents that he would need drafted as per his instruction but not finalized in case any amendments made by Miss Elizabeth or her father would need to be added. It was his hope to be done with this quickly and to be back in Hertfordshire by the week's end.

Making his way downstairs he was so caught up in his thoughts that he nearly barrelled straight into Bingley.

"Charles forgive me I was miles away." Darcy apologised.

"No bother. Are you off to London now? Before breakfast?" asked Bingley.

"Almost. I am going to speak with Mr Bennet and then I will be going to London from there. I need to speak with my solicitor in order to have everything settled for the wedding." He explained.

"Charles? Mr Darcy?"

Both gentleman turned to see Caroline Bingley.

"How fortuitous to find you both here. I am just making my way down to breakfast myself. Now you shall have the pleasure of escorting me, Mr Darcy." Said Caroline Bingley pausing her steps and making her way towards them. The unflattering colour of vivid green of her gown looking as though it created a buzzing glow around her.

"I am afraid I have already breakfasted in my room, Miss Bingley. I am for London shortly but must call at the Bennet's beforehand." Said Mr Darcy.

"My, my, you have been spending a great deal of time at the Bennet's humble home." She said with a slight sneer, "I fear you are going to further the gossips of this small town with such behaviour." Miss Bingley admonished coming to rest her hand on his arm.

"Ah, Caroline…" began Mr Bingley.

"Indeed Miss Bingley. Forgive me I had forgotten that you were not well enough to attend the dinner yesterday at Longbourn, therefore you are ignorant of the announcement. You are to wish me well; I am betrothed to be married to Miss Elizabeth Bennet." Mr Darcy revealed.

A brief moment of hesitation, and then Miss Bingley began to laugh loudly, looking from her brother to Darcy and back. Wiping at her eyes she said, "Mr Darcy you are too much!"

"Caroline, he is being perfectly serious. I for one am very happy that this has happened. I think you will have a cracking marriage! And it gives me more incentive to settle roots here in Hertfordshire!" Mr Bingley said clapping his old friend on the back.

Miss Bingley's grip tightened on his arm, and he felt the faint scratch of her nails through the wool on his jacket and the unmistakable sound of her teeth grinding.

"W-W-Well." She spluttered. "I am all astonishment, Mr Darcy. I -" she broke off her eyes bulging.

Bingley stepped forward anticipating the need to subdue her as her complexion began to turn purple and she looked as though she was about to explode. Darcy looked halfway between alarmed and impatience as he glanced pointedly at her hand and tried to extricate himself from her grasp when a movement drew their eyes to the stairs.

"Ah Louisa, will you take Caroline to sit in one of the parlours, she is unwell." Instructed Bingley to his other sister.

Mrs Hurst looked confused for a moment but collected herself quickly upon seeing the pallor on her sister's face, leaping into action and leading her away softly speaking comforting words and asking what had happened to cause her distress.

Both men stood a moment awkwardly and had just begun to walk towards the stairs when they heard a door close and shortly after followed by shrieks of outrage and a smash of glass.

"Please forgive my sister…" began Bingley.

"It is quite all right Charles, perhaps I should have let you be the one to inform her. I do not believe I thought it through." said Mr Darcy. "Forgive me, but I had best be off. Mr Bennet is expecting me." He added uncomfortably .

"I am due to make a call there myself… but perhaps I should see to Caroline first." Said Bingley distractedly.

"Excellent I shall await you there before I leave for London." He said as he continued down the stairs and to his an impatiently saddled Domino waiting for him. He felt a small pang of guilt as he too the reminds from the stable hand and swung into the saddle. He did not envy his friend for the task of calming Miss Bingley's temper.

Lucky sod! Thought Charles as he turned towards the sound of another object breaking against the wall with a smash. Why must his sister have such a temper. He had spoken to her before their sojourn to Hertfordshire and he hoped she had finally understood that he knew his friend and his intentions towards her better than she… apparently not.

Entering the room he managed to dodge a pillow as it sailed threw the air towards his head.

"Caroline!" he exclaimed aghast as he beheld the once pleasantly arranged parlour turned upside down. Vases shattered upon the floor, cushions scattered about, paintings askew, with chairs pushed and moved this way and that.

"H-H-How could he?" she snivelled. "I w-worked so hard to be everything he could want for his Mrs Darcy. My whole wardrobe was purposefully as bright and cheery as can be to draw his eye." She wailed throwing herself down onto the settee and gesturing to the puce green ensemble with matching feathers, with an irritant flick of her wrist. "I embroider cushions prettily, paint a beautiful canvas and play the piano forte excellently. It was supposed to him and I... n-not home and her!

Charles stood uncertainly and felt a little pity for his youngest sister. Watching her as she sniffed and pulled the largest feather from atop her coiffeur with real sadness in her eyes.

"There, there Caro. All will be well." He tried to soothe as he moved nearer.

Louisa went to comfort her too. Only to be pushed away when she tried to put her arms about her shoulder.

"All will not be well!" she hissed in a whiny mimicking voice, pointing the feather jaggedly at him. "I have been usurped by a country nobody... Me!" she shrieked the veins in her neck protruding.

"Now Caroline…" tried Louisa, but her younger sister pounded her fists upon the cushions and began to shout derogatory comments about the Elizabeth Bennet and the entire Bennet family.

"Enough!" Bellowed Charles shocking the room into silence. "I have never seen such a vulgar display. It is beneath your station sister. Yes, you had your sights set on Darcy, but I have warned you previously he sees you more as a sister. Indeed, it would be impossible not to, our friendship is of such long standing it…"

"He has led me on! You will…"

"I am not finished! And I will do no such thing as try to bend my friend's ear. He has made a good match and it is only for us to wish him every happiness for their future."

"I will not!" Caroline pouted, her chin wobbling as her bottom lip quivered. "Am I so ugly and unaccomplished brother?" she added in a weak voice.

"My dear sister you are one of the most beautiful and accomplished women there is. You must think of this outcome and not feel downcast. There is a gentleman out there waiting for you. One who enjoys town as you do and will rejoice in taking you to balls and to the theatre. You will see." He said reassuringly coming to sit beside her and take her hand.

"I suppose…" she whispered as Louise seated herself at Caroline's other side. "I am just so disappointed by this news. I am embarrassed too. I hear what you say brother, but there is only one gentleman I want, and I thought he held me in great esteem. Now I realise that I am simply the little sister of his best friend, unremarkable and unmemorable to him." More tears began to fall.

"Come now, you are being too harsh. These things happen dear." Said Louisa gently. "You will find someone much better than him and you will laugh that you even considered him as a potential mate!"

"Thank you, Lou!" she said leaning her head upon her sister's shoulder. "I take little comfort also that if it were not for the rumours that have been circulating, he would have proposed. But he is a true gentleman who acts honourably."

Deciding it best to allow herself this small untruth for her pride, he thought it best to move on from this conversation. "What say you both to doing as we did when Papa was still alive and one of us was feeling downcast? We shall have sweet meats for breakfast from our laps in front of a roaring fire!"

"Oh Charles! You will always be so easy to smile. Do not change." She smiled as she snatched his handkerchief from his pocket and blew her nose.

"We can discuss the plans for the ball we will be holding here in a fortnight. You always enjoy your duties as a hostess, do you not sister?" he said jovially.

"There is going to be a b-ball?" she sniffed, wiping the tears from under her eyes.

"Yes. We are going to be holding a ball for Darcy and Miss Elizabeth's engagement." He replied before thinking better of it, it was only as the words had left his lips, did Charles see the alarmed look on his sister, Louisa's face.

"WHAT?!" shrieked Caroline, causing both her siblings to recoil and cover their ears.

Elizabeth awoke and dressed in her favourite spotted muslin in a pale pink colour and green ribbon to cinch in her waist. She was excited to make her call to the Lucas' and discuss all that had happened with Charlotte. Though, Jane was always the one who would make her see the good in both herself and others, her childhood friend was always able to help her to see the logic and sense in any situation.

Once in the dining room she found her aunt, Maggie, Jane and Mary sitting at the table, looking up cheerfully to wish her a good morning. Helping herself to some apples and a scone, she frowned at the ominous clouds she could see encroaching on her view of their gardens.

"I wonder if we would do well to take the carriage for our call this morning?" she asked Jane.

"I was of a like mind. It does look rather ominous. It has just been so hard to predict what the clouds are forewarning." Jane replied glancing out of the window.

Bobbing and fidgeting in her seat, Maggie asked, "It looks as it did before we became lost in the clouds, cousin Lizzy."

"It does indeed." Chuckled Lizzy watching her young cousin eating the jam with a spoon from the dish.

"Margaret, please try to have some oats with your jam. And you will desist swinging your legs. Jane will not appreciate it if you bruise her shins." She scolded affectionately as she played with her daughter's ringlets resting down her spine.

"Yes mama." She said turning and giving her mother an exaggerated toothy grin, but immediately doing as she was bid and scooping a a liberal spoonful of the jame to her porridge.

"Good morning my dears. Are we all well?" asked Mrs Bennet entering the room just as the rain began to fall, creating a pitter patter against the windowpane.

"Oh dear!" Sighed Mrs Bennet joining them shortly followed by Mr Bennet who once seated requested Hill rouse his two other daughters to join them.

"And what of my Uncle Gardiner. He is usually an early riser?" Asked Mary.

"Papa has gone somewhere early this morning." Supplied Maggie.

"Yes, he had business with your uncle, Mr Phillips. And will return shortly." added Mrs Gardiner.

"He should not tarry too long. I will be wanting his company when we come to discuss the marriage settlements and the like." Supplied Mr Bennet.

"Mama?" asked little Maggie.

"Yes sweet?" Replied Mrs Gardiner wiping some crumbs from her daughter's cheek.

"Who is getting married?" she asked trying to dodge her mother's swipes with her napkin.

"Lizzy and Mr Darcy will be getting married." Mrs Gardiner replied softly.

"Lizzy!" she shouted dropping her spoon with a clatter. "Does that mean that I shall get to see Domino all the time? Thank you, thank you!" she gushed excitedly.

Elizabeth laughingly went to respond, but Mrs Bennet beat her to it.

"I could not agree more my little dear. How lucky we all are! And now we shall have to set a date." She clapped. "I have given it some thought and think April or June will do nicely. It is the better of the warmer months. For you know what they say…Marry in May, rue the day."

"Oh, I shall be sure to steer clear of May then, Mama. But I am not April or June will be suitable. I am sure we shall be wed a lot sooner than you would like..."

"Oh pish! Of course April is a suitable option. Why would it not be? We need to make a real event of it and show you off! We cannot do that without months of planning," scoffed Mrs Bennet.

"It is not because of a certain friend of yours is an incorrigible gossip!" she said with a huff. "You shall have to be more reasonable Mama."

Mrs Bennet gave a dismissive wave of her hand as Kitty and Lydia took their seats at the far end of the table.

"I always thought it would be Jane, who would be the first of my girls to make an advantageous match. It is not that you are not beautiful too my darling girls, all my daughters are such pretty and lively girls! But it is that the fairer looks are what is fashionable in these times. We women have to use what allurements we have at our disposal and I could not be prouder of you Lizzy my dear. So much of our lives are decided for us!" she paused sighing for affect.

"I believe I shall take my breakfast in my study. I fear I have already reached my capacity for silliness this day!" Said Mr Bennet excusing himself.

"May I come?" asked Maggie and without waiting for his reply following him from the room.

"Do not turn your nose up at us miss Mary Bennet!" snapped Mrs Bennet catching her third daughter rolling her eyes. "You are a beautiful girl too, though you choose not to recognize it. Going about in that sombre mood with your sermons and your concerto's, when you have much to be grateful for... I should seek the advice from your sisters now that you will have such a rich and handsome brother! Who knows... one of the Earls' sons might be set for the church? Or perhaps the colonel may want a wise and dutiful wife, you have much more to offer than you realise." she mused aloud. "Anyhow you will need some new gowns. We shall arrange a trip to London so that we can get purchase some fabrics when we are getting Lizzy's things for her trousseau." she clapped excitedly.

Mary sat in stunned silence for a moment, blinking widely, before storming from the room as kitty and Lydia erupted first into giggles and whispers about her and then into wails and pleas for new gowns of their own. Mrs Bennet was firm in telling them that; "Of course that shall have new gowns, but they are too young to be looking for husbands. And now they will be of an elevated status they will have such fine and pretty things they can enjoy a season or two before finding a husband."

Mary flew up the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her and once finally in the sanctuary of her room, Mary leaned back against the closed door and slid down the length of the wood until her bottom plonked in the floor with a muffled thud. A Colonel or a second son of an Earl. One would surely want a wife whom they could talk seriously with. And would they look like Mr Darcy? She had noticed his noble and more amiable qualities and admired him from afar before Elizabeth, but of course he had not seen her, just all other gentlemen do not see her. Mr Darcy is tall, dark and awfully handsome, just as the sort of gentleman she had a partiality for. What a boon that he was honourably heroic too! The way he saved Lizzy... and not boastful of his accomplishments and standing, but appropriately prideful! A blush crept up her neck and she moved to throw open her window the cold November air cooling her cheeks. What nonsense had overtaken her. She was a woman of sense not one to be foolishly stricken by any number of fancies. Mary scolded herself and shutting her window paced her room. Though she had a slight inclination towards Mr Darcy she did not put any significance on it as she had felt the same about Charlotte and Mariah Lucas' older brother, Mr Samuel Lucas. She had thought he had a preference for her once upon a time, but it appeared that he had been polite to her in order to gain the attention of her sister Jane. And though she was hurt she could not be cross with her sister, who was most sincerely so pure of heart, she could never knowingly do wrong to another.

Mr Samuel had a year later found his lady love and moved away from Hertfordshire, favouring the city for his career aspirations… What a windfall it would be should she be able to gain the favour and attention of an Earls son! She would no longer be the source of never-ending amusement to Kitty and Lydia, but the main source of their admiration.

Deciding she was in need of distraction. She would apply herself to her music studies for the rest of the morning she decided. Pausing her stride when she caught her reflection in the looking glass. Gently she reached up to pull her glasses from her face and squinted clear her vision of her reflection "You are a beautiful girl too…" had said her mother... perhaps now Jane was soon to be secured in her endeavours with Mr Bingley and with Lizzy off married to Mr Darcy, her time had come to be the one distinguished by her mother's eye... No longer invisible little Mary Bennet.

"Oohhh!" She huffed feeling silly at her display of vanity and pushed her glasses back to the bridge of her nose.

When the rain had stopped after a short downpour, it appeared all the clouds had lost their ominous grey colour and so, the two eldest Bennet girls decided to walk to Charlotte's. They called always request to borrow their carriage home if the weather worsened once more. As Jane and Elizabeth were walking up the driveway to the Lucas' home, they looked up to find Charlotte walking towards them. Her head bent to her task of fastening one of her outdoor gloves.

"Charlotte!" the called in unison.

"Lizzy, Jane!" she said in happy surprise waving to them.

Laughing the friends as they greeted one another on the driveway of Lucas Lodge.

"What fortuitous timing. I was just ready to leave for Longbourn in search of you!" said Charlotte Lucas with a warm smile. "Come inside, it is dreadfully cold outside, and Mrs Bennet would not forgive me should either of you catch cold." Said her friend ushering them in.

It felt like it had been an age since Elizabeth had seen her dearest friend and she was shocked at the sting of tears in her eyes when they embraced. Once seated in the smaller of the sitting rooms and away from any other intrusions Charlotte poured them both tea and gave Lizzy an appraising look.

"Are you really going to wait for me to ask, Miss Lizzy?" she teased.

"Oh, very well. But I should like to know what you have heard from the whispers that are spreading." Elizabeth replied.

Taking a sip of her tea, Charlotte looked about as though organising her thoughts and then gave a small nod to herself before she began.

"It is a difficult story to tell as it has become quite confused… the more scandalous from the rumour mill, which is what I know you are really asking for is not worth my saying as everyone in Hertfordshire knows you Elizabeth and they do not credit it. I fear however, that as it has spread father than our little nook of the country is where the trouble lies. You see only those who know you, understand your feelings or lack thereof for Mr Darcy..."

"Come now Charlotte, how have you managed to tell me so much without telling me anything at all?" said Elizabeth with exasperation.

"Lizzy!" scolded Jane.

"Well, it was said that you were seen galloping across the countryside clad only in Mr Darcy's coat, in his arms no less. It has also been said that you were caught in an embrace of sorts." Replied Charlotte in her even and analytical voice as she watched her friend carefully to see her reaction. "But then there are talks of a great romantic rescue and of a hidden love between you both."

Jane gasped and placed her cup to her saucer with a clatter. "Oooh, why should someone wish to tarnish someone's respectability in such a way. It is vicious!"

"And you know I have always seen that there was something between the two of you… no matter you are to be married regardless now." Said Charlotte after topping their teas. "Now you must tell me what really happened, and how you came to be engaged."

"Honestly… the rumours are not completely incorrect… I was on his horse and in his arms but only because necessity demanded it. My young cousin Margaret was in my arms atop the horse too and yes, I was in Mr Darcy's coat, but I was still wearing my own garments too." Elizabeth huffed, embarrassment that all her friends in her small town thought she had been seduced and flaunting it so openly.

"Lizzy, I think it would be best to start at the beginning so that Charlotte can understand properly what happened." Said Jane softly.

Nodding, she put her tea on the table beside her and began.

"I suppose it started with me wanting to escape Mama. She was having one of her episodes and blaming me for everything and anything she could and so I had decided to remove myself from her target and go for a walk. My Aunt had asked that I take Maggie along in effort to tire her out. It did not take long for a thick fog to descend over us, and I could not see a thing. I was terrified we would be lost and wonder into the path of danger. The next parts are harder for me to remember… it comes and goes in flashes… I remember hearing horses and a carriage. It seemed every sound was exaggerated in the stillness and the next I remember hearing the river when it faded and then I was suddenly falling and plunged into the freezing cold depths of it." She shivered remembering the shock of the water's temperature.

Charlotte gasped in terror and her hand flew to her chest.

"Then I remember Maggie standing on the water's edge looking at me as I held onto a branch to stop from being swept further down. Then I lost my grip and the next all I can see is that I am holding onto a jutting rock and Mr Darcy is in the water ahead of me and trying to convince me to let go and make my way to him..." she trailed off frowning in concentration.

"And?" prompted Charlotte after a moment.

"And I did. I let go but the current dragged me under. I was convinced this was it, and a calm washed over me at knowing at least Mr Darcy could take Maggie back to Longbourn, when suddenly something captured my arm and then I was being pulled from the water. I have been told by Maggie that Mr Darcy did put me in his coat and had me take off my pelisse but that was all and after there is not much else, I remember. I fear the relief and trauma was too much."

"Thank our merciful Lord that Mr Darcy was there! Do you know how he came to be there?" asked Charlotte.

"When Lizzy was still gripped with her fever, he explained that he had been following the sound of the river as he had become lost in the fog too, when he heard Elizabeth's scream as she fell. It is just rotten that Mrs Hershay had been visiting when they arrived back at Longbourn." Added Jane.

"That woman! I tell you she has been waxing lyrical about Mr Darcy." Added Charlotte rolling her eyes.

"She has not!" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"Oh yes, she came here saying that she saw it all. And Mr Darcy looked like a hero from a gothic novel in his wet shirtsleeves. All rippling muscle and something about not needed to pad the lining of his clothes. I am in no doubt she has spread the both the rumours of his heroics and also of your debauchery, sighing in dramatic affect."

"Charlotte!"

"Do not be so missish Eliza. You already know this, and I say it has worked in your favour to land Mr Darcy. How many times have we talked of the unlikelihood of our making advantageous matches in our marriages, if marrying at all? I know you are a romantic Lizzy, but I am not and if you look at this for the security and comfort you will be gaining you are in no position to complain." Said Charlotte in her usual way.

"I knew that would be your stance on the situation. You put nothing on marrying for love and passion."

"From what you have told Jane and I, you have managed to land a partner who can spar with you on many topics. Affection will come with time."

"I know! You know I am just annoyed that it is something I have been forced into and not of my own choosing." Elizabeth grumbled biting into a biscuit

"I know. But such is a woman's lot in life, as any man has to get a father's approval. It always falls to a man to decide our fates… but enough of that I have thought of another blessing of your union as I am sure he has many matters of estate business to attend to. I have heard those of his acquaintance at Netherfield praising his focus and diligence in looking after his properties and lands. If you and he do have a disagreement your home will be big enough to avoid him and he will be busy most days with his tasks as a landowner." Charlotte said as a matter of fact.

"That is very true. We shall each take a wing of each of his property and live as married strangers! And no one will notice if there is any discord between us publicly as he rarely speaks anyway!" she teased.

"Come now, Lizzy. You are being unfair. He has tried to be very accommodating towards you and is putting in a real effort to spend time with you and converse with you." put in Jane, gently reproaching her younger sister.

"I cannot deny it, he has. And to my shock it has not been so terrible." Elizabeth admitted.

"And he is ever so handsome, Lizzy." Said Charlotte with a small wink. Then turned to Jane before her friend could respond in her usual sarcastic defence. "Now! Jane let us give Eliza a reprieve and hear your news. I assume you have been spending more time in Mr Bingley's company now that Mr Darcy is spending so much time at Longbourn…?"

Jane began blushing, with a besotted smile brightening her face. The young women spent the rest of their morning gossiping between themselves and vowing that even though they were all entering the part of their lives where they were going to be expecting betrothal and getting married, they would not allow their friendships to dwindle. Elizabeth vowed, it would not happen, and she would be sure to introduce Charlotte to many of her soon to be husband's rich friends and male relatives! Charlotte of course ever practical demurred and declared herself a spinster happy to become governess in one of their households.

At the end of their call, as it had begun to drizzle, Charlotte rang for the carriage and decided to join the two sisters' home to keep them company and was invited in for a light lunch by Mrs Bennet who could not wait to boast of their good fortune.