Hello my lovelies- as promised I have a new JAFF short for you! I have another percolating in my brain that's sort of a cross over. It borrows from the magical world in any event. Imagine if Caroline Bingley sent a howler on learning of her brother's engagement...

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If only, if only, if only. The phrase resounded in his mind. If only he had been less arrogant in the autumn. If only Lady Catherine had not learnt of Georgiana's folly. If only. But he had been arrogant and insulting, and Lady Catherine had learnt of Ramsgate. She used the threat of exposing her niece to accomplish her long intended goal of uniting Rosings and Pemberley. He had no sooner left Hertfordshire in November than he was confronted by his aunt and blackmailed into marrying his cousin. By Christmas it was done and Anne was firmly ensconced in the mistress's suite at Pemberley. When they left to visit Rosings at Easter, she had already placed orders to have her chambers and personal sitting room refinished and he was not best pleased. They would be gaudy and overdone and he instigated the first true fight of their marriage when he refused to allow her to redecorate beyond those rooms. She was still not speaking to him when the carriage arrived at Rosings and he thought the journey had been better for it.

Then there was Elizabeth. Sparkling, laughing, vibrant, and irrepressible, she blew into Kent like a tempest and changed his world. He had not set out to fall in love. For better or worse, he was married and his fate was irrevocably tied to Anne. But Anne retreated with her mother and he saw her only when the family gathered for dinner. Outside of his meetings with his aunt's steward, he was left largely to himself and found that he encountered Elizabeth nearly every day. Their encounters went from rigidly polite to fraught before settling to companionable and might never have gone further had Georgiana not joined them. She loved Elizabeth at once and the two were nigh inseparable. He could not, in good conscience, allow his sister to go unescorted to the parsonage and so accompanied her there nearly every day. It seemed the work of only moment after that. One day he was escorting his sister to her friend, and the next he was fussing like a school boy over his own appearance. He knew he was in real danger the day he set to walk out without his sister. She was finally taking tea with Anne and Lady Catherine, having no more excuses to avoid it. A note was sent telling Elizabeth not to expect Georgiana's visit that day, but she was still waiting on the path to the parsonage when he reached it.

They should have turned back, him to Rosings and his wife, her to the parsonage and her friend. They walked on. Around a bend in the path, witnessed only by the trees, he took her hand and gave it a light squeeze which she returned with a gentle smile before withdrawing her hand and moving it behind her back. They did not meet together alone after that, but there were glances exchanged, pages turned at the pianoforte, and a dance where their hands met for just a moment too long.

He next saw Elizabeth at Pemberley and all he could think was she belonged there. Belonged in the way he and Georgie did, the way Anne never would. She was touring the estate with her London relations and seemed surprised to find him at home. Georgiana immediately invited the party to stay for tea. Elizabeth tried to demur, but was overridden by her aunt. Anne deigned to join them, but did not stay any longer than politeness required before retiring to her rooms. The following afternoon he escorted Georgiana to Lambton to call on Elizabeth. When they arrived, her relations were absent and Elizabeth was distraught. He could not leave her to her pain. He sat with her and as the story of her youngest sister's folly fell from her lips, he gathered her in his arms and murmured nonsense words of comfort while Georgiana found the view out Elizabeth's window entrancing.

He quietly went to London the next day to track down the miscreants. If Anne ever learnt exactly how many pounds he had laid out to recover the girl, he did not doubt she would make her unhappiness known to all of London. The wedding took place with only himself and the Gardiners as witnesses and the couple were sent off to visit family before Wickham took up his post in the north. Darcy only regretted he was not able to get them sent further away.

He next saw Elizabeth at her elder sister's wedding. He still was not convinced of the match, but Bingley's honour was engaged and there was little Darcy could or would say to oppose his friend. Bingley had sisters enough for that office. The wedding breakfast was a stand up affair held at Longbourn. Mrs Bennet was in fine spirits and it appeared half of Meryton was in attendance. Anne was insufferable and had not ceased her complaints since their arrival. She was currently entrapped by Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, who were desperate for an invitation to Pemberley. He used her distraction to effect his escape to the garden for a moment's peace and solitude, only to find Elizabeth standing in the shade of a tree some distance from the house. She held her bonnet loosely in one hand and the gentle breeze had a stray curl dancing merrily across her face. He went immediately to her side, being careful to stand where the tree would protect their privacy. They stood in silence for several minutes before she spoke.

"I have never thanked you for Lydia," she began.

"I wish that you would not. Nothing I did was for her," he replied.

"I know and for that I am even more grateful," she said softly, keeping her gaze fixed forward as though the countryside held a deep mystery only she could discern.

"I wish I had behaved differently before," he confessed.

"I wish many things, but none of them are likely.' She was silent for a moment, then said, "Jane wants me to live with them."

His heart quickened with hope and he asked, "When shall you join them?"

"Never, I think," was her soft reply.

"Why not? I had not thought you wished to continue at Longbourn."

"I do not, but I have no wish to live in a constant state of mourning what I cannot have. She already speaks often and at length of visiting Pemberley. I could not always avoid the journey and to be there? So near to you?" She shook her head. "No. I fear not even your resolute temper could preserve us. 'Tis more than I can bear thinking of. Instead I shall remain at Longbourn, and perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr Collins in time," She answered as she turned at last to face him.

He could not laugh, though he heard the tease in her words. "Perish the thought. Should you meet ten men of more than twice his character, none would deserve you." He took her hand then and she allowed herself to be drawn in. The feel of her in his arms was an exquisite torture. "A kiss goodbye then?" He waited only for her nod of consent before his lips were on hers. He held her face gently between his palms, memorizing the cool softness of her cheeks and the warmth of her lips. Her hands moved to his chest as though to draw him closer, but several moments later he felt her gently pushing him away.

"You should go. Your wife will be looking for you, and I do not believe my family can withstand another scandal."

"Mrs Darcy will not notice my absence until she conceives of another reason to scold me," he answered.

Elizabeth gave a rueful chuckle and swiped at an escaping tear. "Any moment now, then."

He pressed his forehead to hers and brought his hands to her shoulders. "I love you, Elizabeth Bennet. I think I always have."

"And I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy."

He could hear Anne calling out to him then, her voice shrill and demanding. He sighed and pulled away, cursing fate and time once again.

Fifteen Years Later

The last of the mourners were scattered about the parlour, no doubt exchanging gossip in the guise of sharing condolences. Elizabeth moved around them, murmuring greetings when required, but otherwise keeping her silence. Her goal was the garden door. The room, for all it was a good size, felt small and stifling. She wanted out. The gardens were in full bloom and the air promised to be cool after the morning's rain.

She reached the door and took a final look at the room before stepping outside. She could not help the smile that crossed her face at the sight of Kitty acting as hostess. It was a distinction she deserved and one that would be accepted, as his other sisters were not in attendance. Mrs Hurst claimed illness, and Mrs Winston, who had never cared for an ill person in her life, insisted she could not leave her sister's side. Elizabeth allowed a brief smirk at the thought and stepped into the relative freedom of the gardens.

She had not been long on her path before she heard footsteps behind her. She stepped a little to the side to allow whoever it was to pass, and was surprised when the heavy footfalls came to a halt at her side.

"Lady Stewart? May I join you? It has been many years since I walked with an accomplished lady."

His voice, which she had not heard in ten years, was richer than she recalled and had not lost its power over her. It was as welcome in that moment as it had been those many years past. "Mr Darcy. Your presence is always welcome. I have just begun my walk. There is a lovely copse of trees ahead I have come to enjoy." She resumed her previous course and was pleased when he easily fell in step beside her.

He spoke as though it had not been twenty years since they were last in company together. "I thought you might not come."

"She was my sister, Mr Darcy, and no matter her faults or the distance between us, I loved her." Elizabeth's voice was sharp.

"I refer only to the distance my lady," Darcy defended himself. "Glasgow is no short journey."

"Far more than fifty miles of good road," she teased in forgiveness as they rounded a bend in the path. She allowed her fingertips to graze the tops of the lavender along the way. The air was heavy with their fragrance.

"Quite," he said with a smile.

"In truth, I did not come from Glasgow. We returned several months past. Lord Stewart's nephew has come of age and was ready to take possession of the primary estate. Kitty, the girls, and I were provided with a smaller estate in the will, but we have not yet decided if we shall take up residence there or remain in England," Elizabeth explained.

"I had not heard," Darcy said with surprise.

"I am not surprised. We have kept to ourselves and it is not as though we have friends in common. Unless you are still in contact with your aunt's former parson?" She said lightly.

"You have crossed from teasing to the ridiculous," Darcy said in a voice that suggested she was bound for Bedlam.

She gave him a wide grin then and said, "I thought not. In truth, we did not tell even Jane and Bingley. I confess I had not intended to come. But Kitty– ," she began, then hesitated.

"After all these years?" He asked with undisguised surprise.

"You knew?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not then. He told me later, when it became clear his wife held no admiration for him and he would not even be given the solace of children," Darcy admitted.

"It is why we kept the news of our return quiet. Kitty could not countenance the idea of having a family meal with them and we would have no reasonable excuse to offer. I have watched the pair since we arrived and unless I am much mistaken I expect we shall celebrate a wedding this time next year," she answered.

"Sooner, I should think," he countered. "Bingley once allowed propriety and expectation to dictate his choices, but I do not believe he will do so again."

"It seems you do not disapprove?" She asked.

"I do not. I cannot speak for your sister, but Bingley is due for a share of happiness and I would by no means oppose his manner of finding it," he confirmed. "You know it was never your family I doubted, only your sister's affections for him."

"I would have argued with you then. I would have insisted the compromise was entirely accidental and that Jane was not to blame. I did not know then that when he left the previous autumn he told her his wishes lay elsewhere. It was his first evening back at Netherfield and I later learned he had planned to visit my father the next morning. But now? I still do not know if she ever cared for him, or if she recognized the truth of his disinterest and could not bear the possibility of his leaving again," Elizabeth replied as they continued on the path. "Whatever the case, any tender feelings Jane may have harboured did not long survive the wedding. Marriage changed her and not in the manner we might have expected. She was most unhappy when I did not join her and grew ever more distant from the family, preferring the company of her friends in town. It remained thus until I married. Then I was once again in her favour and welcome in her circle. It was difficult, especially for mama who had expected to be often invited to visit. Even Bingley did not appear to have any desire to maintain a connexion to our family."

Darcy shook his head, "Had his heart not belonged to another, I suspect it would have been different."

Elizabeth hummed in agreement. "We could not know then why he had no wish to visit. Kitty did not tell even me of her prior claim to Bingley's affections until I was engaged to Lord Stewart. She has never accepted a courtship, not even when my marriage brought any number of eligible men her way. My mother was greatly disappointed when Mary accepted a suitor and Kitty did not."

She was treated to the sound of his laughter. "I would imagine so. As I recall, it was her greatest wish to see all five of her daughters well-married."

Elizabeth came to a stop in the copse of trees she was seeking and sat on a bench in their shade. From there she could see the large pond at the end of the path and into the woods beyond. Darcy took a seat on the other side so they were not quite touching.

"Who would have thought I would be my mother's least disappointing daughter?" Elizabeth asked philosophically.

"How so?"

"Jane's marriage produced no children and separated her from the family. Mary has five sons now, but chose an abolitionist who took her to the colonies to carry on his work. Kitty did not marry; and despite mama's hopes, Lydia rarely wrote and never visited either alone or with her many children, despite numerous invitations."

"Leaving you as a paragon of the married state?" He teased.

She laughed at that. "Oh no, my marriage to Lord Stewart produced only daughters. That failure was only forgiven when we brought her to live with us after my father died. She was greatly relieved to be shut of Longbourn before Mr and Mrs Collins arrived with their brood. She did not come to love her adopted homeland, she seemed content to have granddaughters to dote upon."

"I am certain she at least did not leave you bored," he said.

"She did not, and Lord Stewart found her behaviour more amusing than vexing, moreso when her lamentations were directed at Kitty than ourselves. Enough of my family, tell me of yours," she said with a smile.

"There is little to tell. I do not know if you recall my cousin, General Fitzwilliam? Only he was a colonel then." When Elizabeth indicated she did, he continued, "He sold his commission and married the daughter of a wealthy merchant. His father and Lady Catherine never quite recovered from the shock. Georgiana has been married some ten years now. She is the Lady Ashcroft and has three children, two sons and a daughter. Unless I remarry and produce an heir, her second son will inherit Pemberley when I am gone and the daughter will have Rosings. Lord Ashcroft has even consented to the boy taking the Darcy name when he inherits," he answered easily.

"Did you not have any children of your own then?"

He gave a shudder and said, "Absolutely not. Lady Catherine may have forced the marriage, but she could not force me into her daughter's bed. I never cared for Anne as more than a cousin, and in time even less than that. She was petty, demanding, and vindictive. She drove Mrs Reynolds mad and Georgiana retreated from Pemberley to live with our London relations within a year of the marriage. My resentment of our situation grew with every passing year and I confess I often entertained myself with thoughts of what I might have had if our lives had taken a different path."

"I allowed myself the same indulgence for a short time," Elizabeth said in agreement.

"I would imagine a house filled with dark haired imps creating all manner of trouble for their mother, then I would look across the table at my cousin and wish her miles away," he confided.

She moved as though to take his hand, but stopped before they touched. "I had always hoped you would find some measure of contentment. I am sorry to hear you did not."

"I did, after a time. Georgiana married and I became something between uncle and grandfather to her children. It was enough. And to you alone I shall confess one other thing," he said.

"And what is that, sir?"

"I took a perverse sort of delight in the knowledge that marriage to me did not turn out as my cousin expected," he answered with a grin that was almost a smirk.

"She expected soirees and every season spent in town?" Elizabeth asked.

"And a slavishly devoted husband, but no, not that. Worse. I would have gladly sent her to London every season if I could remain behind. She expected to turn Pemberley into Rosings."

"Blasphemy!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Darcy shook his head. "Laugh as you will, but you have seen both houses. Can you imagine all that useless finery in my ballroom? Even Georgiana was appalled at the idea. After my cousin had her own rooms refurbished, I forbade any further redecorating. I told her if she was so fond of Rosings she was welcome to resume her residence there."

Elizabeth laughed and said, "Goodness! I expect she was not best pleased."

"She was not," he agreed.

"I heard of Mrs Darcy's passing last year. I was remiss in not sending my condolences."

"You were not. Even I did not observe the mourning rituals except in public and then only for the sake of Georgiana and her children. Privately, I carried on with my life as though naught had changed—except that I visited Bingley more often in hopes of hearing news of you," he answered blandly.

She smiled. "I cannot blame you. Still, sending them along is the done thing. I should have met the obligation. It is too late now, you are beyond your mourning."

"By two months, I understand your husband has been gone for some time."

"He has. We lost him three years ago," she replied.

He looked out over the grounds as he spoke. "Was he a good man, your Lord Stewart?"

"He was an excellent father and a good husband. We were well suited in that while we respected and esteemed one another, neither of us desired or expected romance." She stood then and began walking again, beyond the garden and into the path that would take her past the stables to the pond and then to the woods at the edge of the property.

"I am surprised you would accept such an arrangement," Darcy said as he followed her.

"There was a time I would not have," Elizabeth agreed. She lifted her skirts to step over a root in the path and continued, "Everything changed after Jane's marriage. Kitty grew quiet and Mary bold. Papa began to worry over what would happen to us on his death and mama took to reassuring him that Mr Bingley would care for us all. But by then he and I knew what mama would not see— Jane would never allow it. It was as though the sky and the sea changed places."

"How disconcerting," Darcy commented.

Elizabeth said, "I finally understood I could not always be at Longbourn and my sisters did not accommodate my plan to become a favoured spinster aunt. They were most disobliging and I was forced to seek out an alternative. Mary was wed the year after Jane, and papa convinced me to spend the following season in London. I met Lord Stewart at the theatre and we became instant friends. It was not difficult to deduce I had been sent to town in search of a husband. He graciously arranged for me to be invited to several dinner parties and balls. They were not of the sort that Mrs Winston or Jane would approve, not for the first circles. But just outside them and where I might find someone willing to overlook my poor dowry in favour of my status as a gentleman's daughter."

They had reached the pond by then and Elizabeth stopped to take in the view. The sun sparkled and danced along the water where a small family of ducks were making their way from one side to the other. "By the end of the season I had not found anyone whose company I could bear for above half an hour. Meanwhile, rumours were beginning to circulate about him and he was under great pressure to take a wife to," she hesitated a moment before continuing, "maintain appearances. He called on me at my aunt and uncle's home to discuss our mutual struggle. The following day he rode to Longbourn to obtain my father's consent and we were married a month later. My mother was delighted and the wedding breakfast was larger even than Jane's, financed almost entirely by Lord Stewart."

"I see, I think. And you were not bothered by his—proclivities?" Darcy asked.

"I was not. In Scotland I was not surrounded by painful reminders of what I could not have. He did not hesitate to allow Kitty to join us and worked diligently to ensure our happiness. He even suffered the indignity of getting me with child because he knew I wanted to be a mother. He was discreet with his lover and when either family condemned me for failing to bear additional children he was quick to defend my honour. He was a kind and generous man whom I admired and respected. That he did not require my heart was to my benefit as it was no longer mine to give," she confessed. Darcy took her hand in his and she drew strength from the contact. She continued, "It belonged always to you. Or to the memory of you."

Her courage was rewarded. Darcy stopped and brought her to face him in one motion. She stood, breathless as he laid one bare palm against her cheek and she leaned into its warmth. His thumb caressed her face, drawing a soft line from just below her eye to delicately trace her lips. His fingers moved slowly along her jaw and with gentle pressure he raised her chin. Her arms moved with a will of their own, one to his neck, the other to the firm expanse of his chest. When she felt his fingers under her chin, she raised up on her toes to meet him in a kiss that was as gentle as it was passionate.

When he drew away she stepped further into his embrace and rested her head on his chest. "I have never stopped loving you," he said quietly.

"Nor I you. I did not know if I more hoped or feared encountering you here. I hoped to see you, to assure myself that you were well. Yet, I dreaded being in the same house, the same room, and learning you no longer cared for me. That after all these years it would be too late for us, and you were lost to me forever," she whispered in reply.

"So long as we both draw breath, there is time. But I would not waste another moment of it. I love you, Elizabeth. Would you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?"

She stepped back so she could meet his gaze. "You are scarcely out of mourning and I am to be entering that state. We will cause a scandal," she answered.

"We are too old to interest wagging tongues, and our sisters can be in no danger from our actions," he said with an intensity that caused her to shiver.

"What of my daughters?"

"Even here the name Stewart is well- respected. Too besides, they are only nine and it will be many years before they are out. When the time comes they shall have the protection of both the houses of Stewart and Darcy. None will dare disdain them. Marry me, Elizabeth Stewart. Be my wife. Come home."

"Yes," she said softly. "Yes, let us go home."

He kissed her again, this time with an aching tenderness that nearly made her weep.

They returned to the house together almost an hour later, having spent the time discussing the details of their wedding. It was decided they would forego a license and marry in three weeks' time from Pemberley with only their sisters and her daughters in attendance. When they entered the drawing room still holding hands they discovered they were not the only couple to renew their connexion.

Kitty and Bingley were stood together before the fireplace, far too close to be considered appropriate. The pair startled and quickly moved apart when the realized they were not alone. Kitty's cheeks were stained a faint pink and Bingley had begun to stammer an explanation before Elizabeth interrupted him, "You owe us no explanations. Let us be the first to wish you joy."

Kitty smile and gave a pointed glance to Elizabeth's hand where it was still joined with Darcy's. She smiled and said, "And are we to wish you joy in our turn?"

"Hush, Kitty," Elizabeth admonished.

It was too late though, Bingley had already crossed the room to congratulate his friend, "I say, Darcy! Well done!"

"Thank you," Darcy replied quietly. "We are happy.'

Kitty asked, "When shall you marry?"

"As soon as the banns are read. We do not wish to lose any more time," Elizabeth answered.

Kitty called for tea, and the group sat down. She looked to Bingley and after he nodded his head she said, "Charles and I will marry by license and, if Lizzy does not object to the scheme, leave for Fallkirk Abbey as soon as arrangements can be made to lease this estate. We have been too long apart because we followed the dictates of society. We shall not do so again."

"Why Scotland? Why not remain here? You have no children to consider and as I was recently reminded, we are too old to interest wagging tongues," Elizabeth asked.

Bingley answered, "Kitty tells me she loves Scotland almost as much as she does me. I would not deny her that comfort."

"Then of course I do not object, unless you plan to leave before I am wed," Elizabeth said with a teasing smile.

"Oh, I would not miss your wedding for anything," Kitty promised. "Nor would I miss the opportunity to witness when Mrs Winston learns that Eliza Bennet is to be the next mistress of Pemberley."

They all laughed at the sentiment. Elizabeth said, "But you cannot be serious. After all this time does she still hold such designs?"

Darcy answered, "She does. When my cousin passed, Georgiana came to stay with me. Mrs Winston called to offer her condolences. Every day. While there, she spoke frequently of her husband's poor health and how delighted her children would be with Pemberley."

Elizabeth did not attempt to conceal her shock, "Oh that was badly done. I hope her husband is not truly ill?"

Bingley laughed, "He is not. Winston shall outlive us all, much to Caroline's horror I am certain."

Elizabeth smirked and said, "Perhaps we should invite her to the wedding. What say you, Mr Darcy?"

Darcy looked incredulous, then his eyes took on a teasing light and he said, "Only if you wish to host her family for a month following the ceremony."

"There is no need to be uncivil," she answered tartly before joining the others in their laughter.

xXx

Elizabeth watched as her children chased one another through the meadow shrieking with laughter. The older ones would sometimes slowed their steps so the younger could catch them. The girls had mud in their petticoats and the boys had grass stains on their knees. A pair of strong arms encircled her waist and she leaned into the embrace. "I thought to never have this, Mrs Darcy," her husband said quietly and she shivered with delight as she always did at the sound of his voice. "Daughters, sons, you– " he said.

"Daughters with their petticoats six inches deep in mud?" She asked.

He chuckled, "Impudent woman."

She turned in his arms and tilted her face to his. "And still you love me. It defies all reason," she teased and he kissed her.

"Aye, that I do."