The days leading up to Bingley's ball passed agonizingly slow for Lizzy. Mr. Collins had not ceased in his pointed attentions, much to the delight of Josephine and Phoebe, who took every opportunity they could to tease their friend about it. Her mother, also, had taken to rising earlier than was her usual wont, preventing Lizzy from sneaking out of the house to take a walk to find some peace.

Knowing she would soon burst, Lizzy conspired with Josephine and Phoebe to leave two days after the ball. Phoebe would claim her family had sent her word that she was urgently needed and would request Lizzy accompany her as a source of comfort. Josephine would stay at Longbourn, perfectly content to pass the time with Jane and smooth over any necessary details that needed addressing once Lizzy and Phoebe made their escape.

Despite knowing she would be welcome at the Weasley residence, Lizzy deeply wished to be with family around the holidays, and so sent a letter in secret to her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner requesting sanctuary with them in London. Their generous offer of hospitality arrived the day of the ball, and Lizzy was able to prepare for the festivities in a tolerable mood, even though she would have to dance the first with Mr. Collins.

"Oh, no, Jane, give that green to Lizzy," said Lydia. She and Adella had spread themselves out on Jane's bed, watching and offering commentary as the older girls got ready. "You look much better in blues and pinks. You'll do better with those ribbons there, on the right."

"I think those teal ones would suit nicely," said Adella. It had taken her a few days to become comfortable in the Bennet house, and especially around Jane and Lizzy, who she seemed to find intimidating, but now she was finally able to offer suggestions and share her thoughts without looking fearful.

"Adella, you brilliant creature!" Lydia cried, leaping off the bed to grab the ribbons her friend had identified. "They are perfect! Come, Jane, turn around and let me tie them."

Lizzy smiled at her youngest sister in the mirror. Lydia had come so very far in such a short time. The girl was still loud and impulsive but was hardly any more ridiculous than any other girl of her age. She had not even asked once if she could attend the ball, but had said multiple times what fun she would have with Adella, Kitty, and Hattie while everyone else was away. She even offered to include Mary and Calliope.

Mary had been thrilled when the idea struck her to tell her mother that Calliope was not allowed out at all by her parents, and that, as Calliope was her guest, she would have to stay home from the ball also. Mrs. Bennet had not been at all pleased but had conceded so as not to seem like a rude host that could not be trusted with the care of someone else's daughter. Calliope had been happy enough to go with the scheme, saying she looked forward to the opportunity to explore Longbourn in more depth, without the hindrance of extra bodies being about.

Lizzy rather thought Calliope planned on using the evening to search for some little-heard-of creature that must live in the area, but found herself more amused than annoyed. Truth be told, she was grateful Calliope would not be at the ball. She liked the girl well enough, but was very aware of how uncomfortable Calliope could make people, and was even more aware of the fact that Calliope said whatever was on her mind and would likely expose them all for being witches, otherwise.

"Have you not started on your hair yet?" Kitty gasped upon entering the room and catching sight of Jane. "You cannot possibly be allowed to be late for this ball!" She looked around the room wildly before demanding Jane sit at the vanity, then pulled Hattie over. "Hattie is wonderful at hairstyles," she declared. "She does everyone's hair in our room at least once a week."

"Kitty, perhaps it would be better for you or Lizzy to – " Hattie started.

"I've seen your work, Hattie, and would be very pleased if you would do my hair," said Jane sweetly.

Hattie positively beamed and set to work directly.

Lydia and Kitty, aided by Adella and Hattie, continued in their attentions to their older sisters until finally declaring the pair ready.

"Oh, Jane!" Mrs. Bennet wailed upon entering the room. "You are positively beautiful this evening! I do not think I have ever seen your hair in such a fashion. It looks very well on you, indeed."

Lizzy allowed herself a light laugh as Kitty looked laudingly at Hattie.

"Lizzy, you look well, also," said Mrs. Bennet, finally turning to look at her second daughter. "You'll never be as pretty as Jane, but you look very well indeed!"

Lizzy chose to be amused by her mother's commentary, rather than offended. In fact, she almost wished her mother had insulted her more directly, or at least complained about something. Then she would know she did not look truly appealing. She had been dressing rather dully the past several days, hoping she might fade into the background and escape Mr. Collins's notice. Such a tactic had proved futile, but she was desperate enough to continue attempting it.

After several more outbursts from Mrs. Bennet, goodbyes were exchanged, the carriage was loaded, and the ball-goers were on their way. Between Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins, not one second of the ride to Netherfield passed in silence.

"Are you sure we ought to wait two days before leaving?" Phoebe asked lowly, discreetly wiping her hand on her skirts after being handed out of the carriage by Mr. Collins.

"I couldn't do that to Jane," Lizzy answered. Just the day previously, while Mrs. Bennet was out visiting Mrs. Philips, Mr. Bingley had come to the house and had a private conversation with Mr. Bennet. Upon seeing him approaching unaccompanied, Lizzy had quickly engineered a way to keep her younger sisters and their friends occupied enough they would not notice an interview taking place.

"Oh, fine," said Phoebe. "But just say the word, and I'll put on a very convincing performance."

"Cousin Elizabeth," said Mr. Collins, approaching with his arm extended.

Lizzy was forced to part from Phoebe to enter Netherfield on Mr. Collins's arm.

Upon making her way through the greeting line – which was made quite a tolerable thing by Caroline's absence – and entering the ballroom, Lizzy was eager to find an excuse to part from Mr. Collins, and brought her friends with her to a corner where they were soon joined by Charlotte, who was very pleased to speak again with Phoebe and Josephine.

"Do you truly think he will make you an offer, Lizzy?" Charlotte asked her friend seriously after Phoebe and Josephine had gleefully related Lizzy's struggles of the past several days.

Lizzy chose commenting on Mrs. Goulding's dress instead of replying, but that was all the answer Charlotte needed.

Mr. Collins appeared and interrupted the blossoming conversation as soon as the strains of the first song began, claiming Lizzy for their dance.

"What do you think will become of Lizzy, Charlotte, when she refuses Mr. Collins?" Josephine asked after watching Elizabeth's foot be stepped on for the third time.

"I should hope she is not so headstrong as that," said Charlotte concernedly. "Mr. Collins seems a good sort of man, and he could provide Lizzy with a home of her own. Her childhood home, as a matter of fact, when the time comes."

Josephine and Phoebe exchanged wide-eyed glances at Charlotte's speech.

The evening proceeded as was expected. Mr. Collins danced with Jane and, much to Lizzy's delight, insisted on a set with Phoebe and Josephine as well. While Mr. Collins was occupied with trodding on Josephine's feet, Lizzy began moving about the room without ceasing. This was the first dance of the evening for which she did not have a partner, and she resolved to use that to her advantage by disappearing into the crowd, thus making it impossible for Mr. Collins to find her and ask for the supper set.

"Miss Elizabeth," said a deep voice when Elizabeth had paused in her weaving through people.

"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth greeted civilly.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing the next with me?" Mr. Darcy asked.

The wheels in Elizabeth's mind jammed and she could think of nothing to say other than, "Yes, thank you."

Mr. Darcy bowed and disappeared, leaving Elizabeth standing in the middle of a crowd with a very shocked expression on her face.

"Did he ask you?" asked Phoebe excitedly, seemingly coming from nowhere.

Lizzy flinched at her friend's sudden appearance. "I cannot think why," she answered after her heartbeat had calmed somewhat.

"Can't you?" Phoebe asked with a suggestive twitch of her eyebrow. "It's not just me and Jo that have noticed, you know. Charlotte's asked about it, too. She thinks you're quite the fool for stubbornly disliking Darcy."

"Phoebe, I do not need this right now," Lizzy hissed.

"Give him a chance, Lizzy," Phoebe suggested. "You might be surprised."

Before the supper set could begin, Mr. Bennet called the attention of the room.

"Oh, how I shall lord it over everyone's head, the fact that I was present for the engagement announcement," Phoebe said lowly.

Lizzy harshly hushed her friend and made her way closer to her father to better hear him.

"It is my pleasure to announce to you, friends and neighbors, that Mr. Bingley has offered my daughter Jane his hand in marriage, and she has accepted him," Mr. Bennet said loudly. He was not overly effusive, but Lizzy knew her father well enough to tell he was pleased.

Despite the fact that she had known this was coming, Lizzy squealed with joy and rushed through the crowd to hug her sister. She knew such a display would cause Muggle tongues to waggle, but she could hardly bring herself to care. She was so deliriously happy for her sister. Not even Mr. Darcy coming forward to claim her for the next dance could dampen her mood.


Darcy was wholly unable and unwilling to remove his eyes from the radiant creature across him. To see Elizabeth so thrilled for her sister made him look forward to the day their own news would be announced. If her smile was so great for her sister, how much more so would it be for herself?

"You sister seems well pleased," Darcy said as the dance began.

"Yes, very much so," said Elizabeth, casting an adoring glance at Jane and Bingley, who were happily receiving well wishes.

"She and Bingley suit each other well."

"Yes," Elizabeth readily agreed. "Bingley will make her excessively happy. I could not wish for more."

"Are those wishes for your sister only, or do they apply to yourself?" Darcy asked. He was rather proud of himself for being so bold.

"Of course I should wish to be excessively happy," said Elizabeth. Darcy was disappointed he had not succeeded in disarming her. In fact, she seemed to be ignoring his hint entirely. "But seeing Jane in such a state is more than enough for me. Nothing could please me more than to see her so well settled."

"And so close to home, as well," said Darcy, setting himself up again.

"Yes, that will be nice over breaks, to be able to still see her every day," said Elizabeth, her smile widening just a little more.

"You would not wish to always be so close to Longbourn, I should think," Darcy ventured.

Finally, Elizabeth seemed somewhat thrown off. Her brows drew in contemplation, just as they did when confronted with a particularly challenging set of instructions for Potions. Darcy had come to adore the expression.

"I suppose a woman might find herself too close to her family," Elizabeth said finally. She shook her head slightly and, with it, the look of confusion. "I doubt it shall bother Jane one bit. And even if it does, she will find a solution that satisfies everyone."

Darcy frowned. He had not wanted the conversation to turn back to Jane and Bingley. He attempted a few more times through the dance to get Elizabeth to piece his hints together, but he was unsuccessful. As he walked her into dinner, picking up a slightly limping Josephine on his other arm on the way, he decided he would take a much more direct approach, and he would do it tomorrow.


"Good morning, Lizzy!" Jane cried gleefully, throwing back the curtains of their room.

Lizzy groaned good naturedly. She and Jane had only finally fallen asleep a few hours prior. They had stayed up several hours later than usual talking with all the witches of the house, then only their sisters for a few more, and finally just the two of them. Lizzy was excessively tired, but could not find within herself the desire to be in a bad mood because of it. She smiled at her exuberant sister with her eyes closed, allowing herself to adjust to the light.

"Come now, get up," Jane demanded, pulling the covers off her sister.

Lizzy cried out in mock outrage and threw a pillow at Jane. The two dissolved into a hopeless fit of giggles that drew the attention of their sisters soon enough. Before long, all five of the Bennet girls were piled onto Jane's bed, simply enjoying the presence and happiness of each other.

Mrs. Bennet disturbed the joyous scene. Having been the first person to go to bed the night previous owed to her nerves tiring her out from all the excitement, she was also the first to rise and was already dressed for the day. "Jane, I am so very proud of you," she cooed. Her expression changed entirely upon her gaze latching onto Lizzy, who had Lydia lying across her belly. "Lizzy, child! What are you still doing abed! Get up!"

"Whatever for, Mama?" Lizzy asked. The movement of her speaking caused Lydia to burst into a new fit of giggles, which cascaded until all the girls were laughing again.

Mrs. Bennet strode into the room and pulled Lydia off Lizzy, then pried Lizzy out of bed. "Make yourself presentable, Lizzy, and get downstairs! Let us not waste this day!"

"You're in trouble, Lizzy," Mary sighed.

Lizzy huffed. She knew full well what was coming. The whole house did. The fact that it disturbed such an unrepeatable moment with her sisters only hardened her resolve to be excessively direct.

"Don't worry, Lizzy," said Kitty, popping up from the bed and beginning to undo the braid she had slept in. "We won't let you be left alone."

"Thank you for the offer, Kitty, but I think there will be less embarrassment in front of our friends if I simply face my fate," Lizzy said flatly. "Lydia, chose the most unflattering dress you can for me. Mary, you must do my hair, for no one can make it look as severe as you do."

Had it not been for the radiant joy of Jane's engagement, Lizzy might have spent each passing moment growing in anxiety and dread. Instead, she and her sisters made a great deal of jokes as they worked collectively to make Lizzy look as poorly as they possibly could. Once they had done what they believed to be their worst, they paraded Lizzy before Phoebe and Josephine, who declared they had never seen their friend look such a fright.

Already amusing herself by what her mother's reaction must be to her appearance, Lizzy made her way down to breakfast. She barely contained her laughter when Mrs. Bennet glared at her with tightly pursed lips. Unfortunately, Mr. Collins seemed not to notice that Lizzy's person looked decidedly worse than usual.

The rest of the girls made their way downstairs at various times and conversation proceeded well enough despite Mr. Collins attempting to insert himself wherever he could, Mrs. Bennet's terse replies whenever addressed, and Mr. Bennet's general amusement at all the ridiculousness before him.

Once everyone was mostly done eating, Mrs. Bennet told Lizzy that Mr. Collins wished for a word with her, then ushered everyone else out of the dining room.

Lizzy quite literally bit her tongue several times to keep from bursting out during Mr. Collin's monologue, in which he practically declared that he thought more of Lady Catherine's opinion than his own preference for Lizzy. When the silly man finally got around to actually asking Lizzy to be his wife, she was ready with her response immediately.

"Mr. Collins, as much time and thought as you put into those pretty words, I will have to decline your offer," Lizzy said, not unkindly.

Mr. Collins looked surprised for a handful of seconds before a smile came to rest on his face once more. "You cannot be serious," he stated. "You must be aware that another offer of marriage may well never be made to you. I can only conclude that you mean to increase my love by way of suspense."

Lizzy quickly bit her lip before she could begin laughing. "Indeed, sir, I am perfectly serious. Please do not concern yourself over my future. I assure you I shall make do well enough. I wish you all the luck in the world in finding whoever your bride might be, for it certainly shall not be me."

Lizzy rose from her seat and left Mr. Collins standing in the dining room, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. She was not surprised to find her irate mother upon opening the door, and, knowing what would happen well enough, simply made her way to her father's study.

Mrs. Bennet was quick to follow and slammed the door behind herself.

"What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Bennet asked lazily, turning a page in his book.

"Mr. Collins has proposed to Lizzy and she has refused him!" Mrs. Bennet burst. "You must make this ungrateful child change her mind, Mr. Bennet, or we shall be cast out with only the clothes on our backs when you die!"

Mr. Bennet slowly set his book down and carefully observed his wife, then his daughter. "Lizzy?" he asked.

"Mama is correct in her first statement, sir, but not the rest," said Lizzy evenly. "I certainly shall not change my mind on the matter."

"And you have considered the full ramifications of this?" Mr. Bennet asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have, sir," Lizzy answered readily. "You know full well that my sisters and I have a great deal many more options for our futures than does the average woman. I shall not be starving in the streets, and I shall not let my mother be so, either."

"There you have it, Mrs. Bennet," said Mr. Bennet, leaning back in his chair and picking up his book once more. "The matter is done and over with, now."

Mrs. Bennet screeched at Lizzy for several minutes, demanding her daughter change her mind and return to Mr. Collins, begging him to excuse the previous conversation and graciously accepting the proposal.

When Lizzy could take no more insults from her mother, she simply turned and exited the library without a word. Mrs. Bennet followed her the entire time, continuing her tirade. Lizzy gave no outward signs of acknowledgement, merely put on her outerwear and went out the door.

"ELIZABETH BENNET!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked. "Don't you dare come back into this house unless it is with a changed mind!"

Lizzy continued at an even pace until she was confident she was out of sight of the house, then burst into a run. She felt tears prick her eyes along the way, but brushed them aside determinedly. She was well aware of the fact that she was not favored by her mother, and she had made peace with it long ago, but to hear so many horrible things said by such a pillar in her life in quick succession hurt a great deal.

Out of breath, but feeling decidedly more level-headed, Lizzy reached the peak of Oakham Mount. Without a care for the chilly weather, she cast off her outer layers. She even went so far as to pull off the ugly shoe roses Kitty had hastily applied earlier in the morning and tossing them off over the steep side of the hill. Next, she ripped the pins Mary had put into her hair out and shook her head to fully let her tresses loose. She dug a hole with her shoe, muddying it in the process, and buried the pins, laughing all the while. Wondering what else she could do, Lizzy took off her shoes entirely and wiggled her toes in the mixture of dirt and old snow.

Entirely content with her wild state, Lizzy laid her coat out, then sat upon it. She grabbed a fistful of snow and began to eat it as she leaned back against a log and observed the scenery around her. She could not even bring herself to be worried when she heard footsteps approaching. Whoever saw her in such a manner would certainly tell everyone they knew immediately, but Lizzy remained unconcerned. After all, her mother had said she was not welcome back in the house. What should she care for the opinions of the neighborhood?

"Miss Elizabeth?"

That voice Elizabeth certainly had not expected. "Mr. Darcy!"

Mr. Darcy came fully into view, his brows knitted together in confusion. "Are you well? Have you suffered an injury?" he asked after observing her sprawled out on the ground.

"I am perfectly well, Mr. Darcy, thank you," said Elizabeth evenly. She decided to display enough decency to exert the effort to set herself in a seated position. "How fares our newly engaged friend this morning?"

"Bingley is incessant in his declarations of his felicity," said Mr. Darcy distractedly. "Are you sure you are alright?"

Elizabeth smiled serenely. "I am simply enjoying all that nature has to offer this morning, Mr. Darcy."

"With no coat, no shoes, and with a number of old, dead leaves mixed into your hair?"

"As you see," Elizabeth answered carelessly. She grabbed another fistful of snow.

Mr. Darcy lowered himself to a crouch to be able to see Elizabeth's face more closely. She did not shy away from his scrutiny, only raised an eyebrow in challenge.

"Please allow me to escort you home, Miss Elizabeth," he said, rising and holding out his hand to help her up. "I fear you've fallen and hit your head."

Elizabeth released a bark of laughter. "My head is at more risk at Longbourn than it is out here, Mr. Darcy," she said. "Besides, I have been told not to return," she added.

Mr. Darcy froze, true concern now showing on his face.

Elizabeth only laughed all the more. "Fear not, Mr. Darcy. My mother is simply in uproar because I refused Mr. Collins not an hour ago."

"Collins proposed?" Mr. Darcy burst.

"I would hardly consider his speech a proper proposal," Elizabeth answered with a shrug. "He did ask me to marry him, but I rather think he was more asking on behalf of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh than on behalf of his own wishes. He's rather a ridiculous fellow, don't you think?"

Mr. Darcy mutely sat himself on a nearby log and simply stared at Elizabeth.

"Should you like me to give you all the most delicious details, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth said teasingly. "I know how much you should hate for your personal life to be made fodder for gossips, but I am well used to mine being so. It's rather inescapable, when you grow up in such a small town. We all know each other's business. I'm sure that, even at this moment, the news of my great stupidity is flying from house to house!"

"I do not think your refusal at all stupid," said Mr. Darcy, his tongue finally unlocking.

"I see you and I agree on something, for once," said Elizabeth sagely. "Nonetheless, I shall be branded a fool that threw away an opportunity of security for her mother and her sisters.

"My greatest regret, and really my only, is this news overshadowing that of Jane's engagement," Elizabeth continued. She stopped for a full thirty seconds before suddenly releasing an acidic cackle. "Why am I burdening you with all this?" she asked. "Take yourself away, Mr. Darcy, for I know you are not interested in my ramblings."

"On the contrary," said Mr. Darcy. "I am exceedingly interested."

"Oh?" Elizabeth asked archly, her humor suddenly being replaced with her former ill mood. "What shall I inform you of, then? What can I possibly tell you to make you think even less of me…"

Mr. Darcy looked taken aback. "You believe I think lowly of you?"

"Come now, Mr. Darcy, it is no great secret," said Elizabeth. Her anger and her humor now mixed to put her in quite the strange state.

"It is a secret to me, I assure you," Mr. Darcy countered. "I have come to greatly admire – no, that is not adequate wording." He took a deep breath, made sure he had eye contact, and began again, "I have come to ardently love and admire your mind and your beauty, and have sincere hopes of getting to know you very, very well – even to the point of joining your sister and my friend at the altar. I should be very pleased, Miss Elizabeth, if you would accept my offer of marriage."

Elizabeth found herself taken aback only for a moment before launching into a verbal assault. "I shall call you a great liar, Mr. Darcy, and I shall tell you why.

"From the very beginning of our acquaintance – no, even before – I have been aware of the fact that you consider me merely tolerable," Elizabeth began, her tone no longer containing any hint of amusement, only malice.

"You heard that?" Mr. Darcy asked, his face quickly changing color.

"You did not make it difficult, I assure you," said Elizabeth snidely. She drew breath to continue, but was again interrupted.

"I hope you might allow me a sincere apology," Mr. Darcy said, hardly deviating from his usual even and detached tones, despite his pale face. "Those words were entirely false and said only in hopes of being left alone by Bingley. I was – I was not in an appropriate state of mind to be among society at the time."

Elizabeth laughed cruelly. "Again, I declare you a liar. I am well aware of the fact that I am no beauty, sir.

"As for an 'appropriate state of mind to be among society,' I believe you have no such state of the very beginning, your manners impressed me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of such disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike on my part."

"Arrogance!" Mr. Darcy cried, rising from his stump and beginning to pace like a caged animal. "Conceit! Selfish disdain of the feelings of others! These would be great failings, indeed."

"Would be?" Elizabeth asked, shocked. "Are! You forever look down on the company around you, refusing to engage in anything beyond the barest civilities! I have not once seen you even remotely pleased to be around another person that did not attend Beauxbatons! You believe yourself above the company of those without the means to send their children abroad, or those that chose to keep them close to home. You may freely admit it, sir, as so many people are aware of it already.

"Were your general rude manners not enough, did you think the extra disdain you have showed to my family could possibly endear you to me?" Elizabeth ruthlessly continued. "You all but openly mock my mother. My youngest sisters you believe to be exceedingly silly, as your facial expressions around them make abundantly clear. You have, on multiple occasions, exposed Mary to the ridicule of her classmates by callously abandoning her in the middle of a conversation. As if those faults were not enough, you look positively ill any time you see Jane and Bingley together. It could not be clearer you disapprove of them and would like nothing more than to see Bingley abandon her for someone of a higher caliber!"

"Ill?" Mr. Darcy asked, having abruptly paused his pacing. He took a few steps toward Elizabeth, stopping just before he came to truly tower over her. "Ill, indeed! With jealousy!"

"Jealousy?" Elizabeth could not help but ask.

"Bingley is so fortunate as to be able to express his affection for whoever he should wish to, no matter her situation and status," Mr. Darcy spat. "I envy his ability to be open in his regard for your sister!"

"Her situation and status?" Elizabeth asked, her face beginning to turn an even deeper shade of red.

"Yes, and that of your entire family," said Mr. Darcy. "Your family's estate is entailed away, your father a Squib, your mother a Muggle. Each member of your family, save your elder sister, displays a frequent want of propriety and decorum. You have several relatives in trade. Yes, I am jealous of Bingley, and hardly think I could be faulted for failing to rejoice at having come to develop an attachment to a woman whose position in life is so decidedly below my own! By doing such, I have failed the expectations of many of my friends, my family, and, I hardly need add, my own better judgement!

"Perhaps," Mr. Darcy continued with a snarl, "I might have been met with a kinder response if I had flattered your vanity and pride, as do many others. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence. My feelings will not be repressed, especially in any matter relating to a hopeful partner in life."

"Is such a declaration meant to impress me?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes cold enough to put the snow around her to shame. "If anything, it has spared me the concern I might have felt in speaking to you thusly, had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner."

Darcy noticeably started at this, and Elizabeth pressed her advantage.

"If you do like, or even love, me as you claim, Mr. Darcy, you have certainly come to do so against your will. I am confident, however, that all the impediments that exist that made you fight such an attachment will aid you in overcoming it. Your aforementioned pride, conceit, and selfish disdain for people in general are traits that will work greatly in your favor in this matter, I'm sure."

"You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness," said Mr. Darcy emotionlessly.

Elizabeth thought such a statement required no reply, and so grabbed more snow before resettling on her coat as Mr. Darcy's footsteps faded away.


Author's Note

Ah, the awaited confrontation. Did I do it justice?