A/N- Thank you so much for your reviews, dear readers. I apologize for not updating for so long. The blame is to be placed solely on my laptop which simply wouldn't work. Your review was so nice, Colleen, it kept me smiling all day long. I don't think this story is good enough for publishing as it is, but someday after better editing maybe I will. Brokenwing35, Motherof8, both of you are amazing! Your reviews are always short and so sweet. Mew-Star-Mew, the first name of Colonel Fitzwilliam was never mentioned in the original Pride and Prejudice but Anne Eliot's Georgiana Darcy's Diary (a Pride and Prejudice sequel) called him Edward, so that's how I'm used to thinking of him. And everyone who has been reading this story, thanks a lot. I really love you all.

Elizabeth remembered her conversation with Mary, and sought out Jane as soon as she returned to Longbourn.

'Jane!', she cried out when she saw her sister sitting silently, trimming a bonnet for Kitty in the parlor.

'Elizabeth, how was your walk?', asked Jane, smiling as always.

'Very enjoyable.', replied Elizabeth.

Jane nodded, continuing her work. After a few minutes, she spoke up.

'I apologize, Elizabeth, for keeping you away from Netherfields yesterday. I was merely teasing and did not intend to distress you.'

Jane spoke calmly, but Elizabeth knew she was bothered.

'Oh Jane! I should have known you would worry over this!', said Lizzy, hugging her sister. The expression in her eyes clearly spoke many things, and Jane understood only too well that she was forgiven, or rather, that Lizzy was never upset with her at all.

And her peace of mind was further restored when Elizabeth told her of all that had happened in the past two days, including Mary's helpful role, and then dragged along Mary to enthusiastically relate further exactly everything that had passed when Jane had still been in the dark.

Jane was heartily amused when she heard of the coded message that Lizzy had passed and gasped when she heard of Mr Darcy's not quite proposal.

'How forward of him!'

'I agree, Jane. I keep telling Lizzy to be careful.', replied Mary.

'Mr Darcy did not appear to be a rake to me, and Charles... I mean... Mr Bingley says that Mr Darcy is a man of principles.'

Lizzy and Mary exchanged looks at Jane's referring to Mr Bingley by his Christian name but chose not to remark on it, Mary because she approved and Elizabeth because she was eager to defend Mr Darcy's character.

'Mr Darcy has honorable intentions towards me. I am certain of it! Or he would have gone for Lydia instead.'

'Lizzy! Lydia is our sister!', protested Jane.

'Which is why we must not be blind to her ways, Jane dear.', replied Elizabeth.

Jane shook her head in distress.

'She may be a little wild, but our Lydia would never do anything inappropriate.'

Mary and Elizabeth exchanged smiles but dropped the topic, choosing not to continue.

It was not only Jane who was distressed. Mr Darcy was having what he would later describe as the most difficult times of his life.

He had been understandably displeased with his cousin's behaviour. He held great regard for Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and had revealed as much to the lady herself. He had initially feared that he had been too forward and that the object of his affections, while perfectly polite, might not return the sentiment.

Then Elizabeth had asked to meet him in the woods and though he did not know why she did not call on him when her sisters did, he was certain that she acted the way she did with the best of intentions and did not mean to lure him there in an attempt to force him into matrimony. Her teasing him and the genuine jealousy towards Anne made him feel hopeful that she returned his regard and was not a fortune hunter.

All in all, he had been happy with how the day was turning out as far as Elizabeth was concerned. She seemed so right for him. Not perfect, but perfect for him.

What he was angry about was his cousin. Edward had clearly understood what Darcy was thinking and how he felt towards Elizabeth Bennet. And though Darcy had known this inevitability, her felt justified in being displeased with how Edward had disclosed his feelings before Georgiana and Elizabeth.

He had meant to see how Georgiana and Elizabeth got along, before speakingng to Georgiana of his intentions. He did not wish to make his sister unhappy by his choices, and believed that his marriage was something that impacted both of them and should be done with both their approval. But now that Georgiana knew his partiality towards a certain young lady, she would think only of his happiness and not treat Elizabeth as merely an acquaintance, but a potential sister. She would not be as open about her opinion about Elizabeth.

Also, he did not appreciate Edward letting Elizabeth believe that he spoke of their rather private interactions to all his relations. He did not think she would appreciate the sharing of their private conversations anymore than he did, even though she probably told her sister Jane. But then, men and women were very different and if Jane knew anything, she didn't let it on, like Edward did.

Darcy knew that there was nothing he could do about his cousin, and yet he was angry, and this showed plainly on his face as he contemplated on what to do next. It was unfortunate for him that Miss Bingley was present and asked him the cause of his frown.

'Excuse my cousin, Miss Bingley. He is mooning over Mud Elizabeth's absence.', replied Edward.

Darcy gave his cousin an ugly look, but the damage was done, and though Miss Bingley swore that she would keep the secret, Darcy knew better than to trust her, and resolved to give his cousin a good talking to very soon.

A/N- I'll try to update again soon, dear readers, as long as you can excuse any typos that may be the result of typing on my phone. Drat that laptop! Don't forget to review, cause they're absolutely amazing.