Gentle Reader,

Here we are at the end of another story. Thanks for reading and commenting. I so appreciate it. Your comments always make me think. I read all your comments and take your feedback seriously. As noted earlier, this is not a professionally edited draft, but it will be before it goes up for sale. Thank you again.

Grace

Longbourn, Again.

Spring had begun to show its green leafy self on the carriage ride back to Longbourn. For the first time, Elizabeth noticed green shoots on branches and emerging from the ground. The temperature warmed and all the passengers enjoyed the mild climate after the weeks of bitter cold. Sir Peanut, in particular, enjoyed stretching out in the sunshine during breaks from the carriage on the ride back to Longbourn.

"He is quite a lazy creature," Sir William said as Elizabeth and Charlotte sat outside a posting inn while the dog rolled on his back in the grass.

"Papa, you are too harsh. I think he is just making up for lost time when he was hungry and cold," Charlotte said.

The older man nodded. "I suppose if I were destitute and then found myself in the lap of luxury, I should hope to enjoy it. I amend my statement; he is not lazy, only clever. Look how he has you all doting on him."

The remainder of the trip was thankfully uneventful. It allowed Elizabeth long hours to consider the events of the past few months. She thought of Mr. Darcy and his actions, how she was certain he did not favor her at Rosings, and her puzzlement at his aid toward Lydia's situation. She decided she had not known him at all, so poorly had she interpreted his motivations toward her. She had always considered herself a good judge of character. She had been so wrong about Wickham and Mr. Darcy. Now with her new knowledge, she could see that perhaps, yes, Mr. Darcy had watched her often. Charlotte even commented on that. Where she thought he was finding fault, perhaps he was not. She shook her head. Not that it mattered anymore.

Hertfordshire bloomed when they finally arrived at Longbourn. How different the world was from the frozen one when she left several weeks ago. How differently she felt. Elizabeth was nearly six months into her mourning and as such, she could begin to add colors–dark tones, like purple or brown and gray–into her wardrobe here and there. It was not a great change, but it allowed her to feel as though she were coming out of winter and thawing out as well. Kitty, who missed Lydia desperately, took a great interest in Elizabeth's mourning dress and began to search dress shops for ribbons or flourishes of color she could add to her adornment. Elizabeth was touched by her interest.

Summer came slowly at first but then burst into bright and colorful blooms at Longbourn over the next few weeks. Over that time, Elizabeth thought of Mr. Darcy often in part because Sir Peanut became such a loved presence in the family. Everyone pampered the dog, and even her Mama, who declared she not a lover of animals, came to rely on him for his companionship. Finally, she found a captive audience for her many lamentations.

Elizabeth fell back into the habit during the first weeks of summer walking the fields and paths around Longbourn, only now with Sir Peanut in tow. He followed her everywhere and her Papa liked to say he was her shadow. She even had her day dress hemmed so she could walk without it dragging in the mud. It still gathered mud, but now less so.

It was one such day after her morning hike that she met up with her sisters returning from a Meryton errand at nearly the same time.

"Well, look at my daughters, all prettily flushed with exercise," Mr. Bennet said as he came upon them, untying their bonnets in the hall. "What a gratifying sight."

"There is news!" Kitty said, nearly breathless. "Where is Mama?"

At her side, Jane put her hand on her arm. "It is not as important as all that."

Elizabeth wiped off Peanut's paws as she too came inside. "News of what kind?"

From another room in the house, Mrs. Bennet called, "I am here! Do not share the news until I am present!" She emerged from the kitchen slightly winded.

Kitty took in all their expectant faces for a moment. "I can hardly stand it! Netherfield has been let!"

Elizabeth's heart began to beat quickly. "Is it true?"

Mrs. Bennet clasped the reluctant Jane in her arms. "I knew it was a matter of time! Oh, Jane! When does Mr. Bingley arrive?"

Jane pulled free of her embrace with a sad smile. "Mama, It is not Mr. Bingley. Lady Lucas did not know the name of the letter, but said it was an older gentleman."

Elizabeth felt her heart stop and start again.

"Oh, I see," Mrs. Bennet said, clearly disappointed. "Well, perhaps he may have parties there anyway."

"Yes, perhaps," Jane said, sticking her arms through an apron and quickly tying it. "I will see if Hill needs help in the garden." Then she left the room.

Mrs. Bennet looked at Elizabeth, eyebrows raised, and her daughter shrugged.

"Leave her be, Mama," Elizabeth said, and though Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips, she said nothing.

It was a glorious sunny morning a few weeks later as Elizabeth put on her lightest day dress and took Sir Peanut out to her favorite path. They had developed a routine whereby they would walk for a quarter of an hour, and then rest for several minutes in the nearest shade. Elizabeth was careful not to tire Peanut out, and at times even carried him if she thought him too fatigued.

Although it had rained the night before, the sun shone and was already drying up the puddles that had formed. The air was sweet, and she considered how much she enjoyed having Sir Peanut as he ran ahead of her, sniffing out any small rodent holes. Elizabeth took off her bonnet to enjoy the breeze on her face, even though she knew it was improper to be seen without one. Surely she could enjoy a few minutes, especially as she stood in the shade.

No one else was there to see her, so Elizabeth untied her bonnet and removed it, enjoying the cool wind blowing free through her hair. "Peanut, let's stop here," she said and the dog wagged his tail at her and sniffed the air.

"Do you smell something?" She momentarily considered that she was now talking out loud to the dog. But then, she had so few else to talk to these days, and no one could see her anyway. She was deeply grateful for the dog's company, both because he made her go outside and because she felt less alone. That the dog might have been drowned still upset her. He brought her so much joy now. When he ran, it sometimes appeared as though he were flying through the air. She happily watched him find a nearby brook and drink from it, and then step into it. She certainly would have been kinder to Mr. Darcy, but she knew she could not change the past.

The thud of a horse's hooves on the earth startled her. She listened, hoping it would not grow closer, but it did. Probably a rider coming to the nearby stream to refresh his horse. Perhaps he would not stop here but rather further up the stream.

She held her breath, waiting, but saw no one.

Hopefully the rider had moved on.

She looked for Peanut and did not see him.

Then barking started. Somewhere through the trees Peanut barked and growled at something she could not see.

"Peanut!" Elizabeth called, hoping the dog would actually obey her for once.

The shrubbery ahead of her parted, and for a moment, she saw only a horse with a saddle. Then a man stepped through, pulling himself up to his full height.

Mr. Darcy.

He looked as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

"Mr. Darcy!"

"Mrs. Collins." Her hair blew in the wind. She tried to gather it in and brush it behind her, but another breeze hit, pushing it again into her face.

They simply stared at each other for a moment.

"I did not know you were in Hertfordshire," she said finally.

"Yes, I am."

Her mouth quivered at the familiar vexation his cold manner brought out in her. Then she remembered how wrong she had been, and that she had vowed to apply a different philosophy to others.

"So I see. What are you doing here?"

Mr. Darcy swallowed, looking uncomfortable. "I am opening the house for the season."

"What house?"

"Netherfield."

"You have let Netherfield?" She sounded absolutely askance.

Darcy nodded and the breeze ruffled his hair around his face.

She bit the inside of her lip and forced herself to smile. "How pleasant for Meryton that it is let again."

This was not how Mr. Darcy wished to be reintroduced to Mrs. Collins. To be frank, she looked horrified to see him now. He was not sure he blamed her.

"Yes, I have taken Netherfield." He said quickly. "I am only here now to supervise its opening. But it was meant to be a surprise."

"Well, I am all astonishment," she said.

It unnerved him when he did not know if she was teasing him or not. He'd had a specific plan. He was going to bring Bingley to Hertfordshire and have a party and invite the Bennets. But then he saw that she still wore black and was in mourning, so she might not have come to a party. How had he forgotten she was in mourning?

Just then he became aware that something small and annoying was barking at his horse incessantly. The little dog he and cousin Richard had rescued at Rosings was there in front of him, rounder and fluffier, its yellow grown back thicker, but clearly the same dog.

"Sir Peanut, do be quiet," Elizabeth said and the dog reluctantly hushed, but he eyed Darcy suspiciously.

"You kept the dog?"

"Yes," Elizabeth said and nodded.

"I did not know you took him. I thought a groom might."

She looked at him and her lips turned upwards. "I was happy to see he had been saved. You were kind to do so. Thank you."

Darcy's face reddened and he cleared his throat. "I would not allow the dog to be culled. I am not as old fashioned as my aunt."

"No," Elizabeth said. "You are not." She bit her lip and looked at the ground.

"Mr. Darcy–" she said at the same moment he spoke. "Mrs. Collins."

They both started to smile at each other and he relaxed a bit.

"I must inquire. Did you receive my letter after I left Rosings?"

Now Elizabeth turned pink. "I did. I must say that I owe you an apology."

He shook his head. "Not at all. I only wished you to understand all the particulars…"

Elizabeth looked flustered. "Mr. Darcy, I said many harsh things which I now understand are not accurate. I must apologize." A hesitant smile played on her lips. "I tend to be very stubborn once I've decided on a notion. It is one of my many faults."

"A charming one," he said before he had time to think of it.

Her lips curved up again and a mix of emotions clutched his chest. He held himself back, watching her. He knew he needed to approach her differently this time. Darcy bent down to pet the dog, but the dog backed away from him. He held his hand near, waiting, showing it that he meant no harm. Finally, after several moments, the dog carefully sniffed and accepted his hand.

"He's still skittish," Elizabeth said, bending down too and patting him when he returned to her.

"He has reason to be," Darcy said and met Elizabeth's gaze. She smiled more now.

Maybe he might have another chance?

"You said it was a surprise. For whom? The people of Meryton?"

He laughed softly. "No, although I suppose that's true as well. I have amends to make. To a friend. And to you."

Elizabeth blinked. "To me?"

Darcy fought the urge to mutter an excuse and turn away. He bid himself to stay. He had vowed to handle himself better this time.

"To your family. I was exceedingly severe a few months ago. I behaved abominably."

Elizabeth's brows raised. "You were not entirely inaccurate."

"I was very unfair to you too."

Elizabeth inhaled. "I cannot say I treated you better. But perhaps we should start anew."

He smiled tentatively at her now. "My first obligation is to make amends to Bingley."

Here Elizabeth froze and her teasing smile fell away. He had been right. His treatment of Bingley on her sister's behalf had been his greatest error.

"I was wrong to influence him. It was a grave action toward your sister particularly. It's why I have let Netherfield. I cannot undo what I have done, but I can take new actions in the future."

"You let Netherfield for my sister?"

"To allow her and Bingley to spend time together after I selfishly stole that from them both."

Elizabeth gasped softly. She looked down but was silent. Darcy wondered for a moment if she was angry. She sniffed, and placed her hand to her mouth. She started to nod but tears filled her eyes.

"That is if your sister might be amenable to that?"

Elizabeth lowered her head to wipe her eyes. "I cannot speak for her, of course, but perhaps."

Darcy found his handkerchief in his coat and handed it to her. "Please do not cry. I have caused you enough grief."

"I know about what you have done for Lydia and Wickham."

Darcy's jaw tensed at his name. "I only regret that I did not stop him sooner. Your sister might have been spared."

She wiped her eyes. "Lydia might have found another Wickham to run away with."

"She might. We cannot go back and undo what's been done. That's a lesson I've had to learn this spring."

Elizabeth nodded but said nothing.

"Mrs. Collins," Darcy said. "Elizabeth," His voice grew softer when he said her name. "I have been wrong many times in my life. Most importantly in my behavior toward you. But I do wish to make amends. Might you find yourself amenable?"

She looked at him wide-eyed, smiling more easily than she had before.

"If you can overlook my misjudgments. I wrongly accused you of Wickham's misfortune."

"I now know why you believed what you did about him. We have both been foolish. As you said, can we start anew?"

Despite the breeze, Elizabeth pulled her hair back from her face and smiled widely. "I think that would be the wisest course. Once my mourning has ended, of course."

Darcy nodded. "Of course. Might you wish to join me in my subterfuge to put Mr. Bingley and Miss Jane together in Hertfordshire in a few weeks' time?"

"I am completely at your service, Mr. Darcy," she said and curtsied playfully.

He stepped near her cautiously, afraid of what her reaction might be, but wishing to come nearer. His heart beat faster. He wanted to pull her close, grasp a handful of her maddeningly thick glossy hair and bury his face in it. But he knew he could not. He would not risk anything by forcing the matter. Instead, he waited. Her behavior today allowed him to hope he might make things right between them. He would have the rest of their lives to make it up to her.

As a cloud passed and dimmed the sunshine overhead, she noticed his smile fade, and she cocked her head to study him. "Mr. Darcy, you've turned serious again. What is the matter?"

He realized he could only answer her truthfully. "At this moment, nothing at all. Everything is exactly as it should be."

She grinned again, and he noticed the dimple in her cheek deepen. He realized seeing it again made him ridiculously happy.

Two weeks later, Kitty came running breathlessly down the stairs at Longbourn and into the drawing room where her Mama and sisters sat. "Callers! Two men on horseback."

"Oh!" Mrs. Bennet stood and began bustling around the room, straightening lace covers and handing errant books, pencils, and papers to the maid to remove. "Callers never come at convenient times."

Jane went to the window. "It is Mr. Darcy and.." she drifted off and turned bright red.

"And who?" Kitty said impatiently. She ran to the window too. "It's Bingley!"

"What is that Darcy gentleman doing here?" Mrs. Bennet huffed. "I've a mind to tell him what I really think of him."

"Please do no such thing," Mr. Bennet said from the doorway. He crossed his arms calmly. "I believe Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are here to see me, at least partially. That is what their note said yesterday. But I know I am not as charming as my daughters. I thought you'd wish me to call on the latest residents of Netherfield."

Mrs. Bennet stopped in the middle of the room. "Mr. Bennet, you knew Mr. Bingley was coming here today and you did not inform us! I am quite at a loss! How could you? I shall never recover. Jane, do pinch some color into your cheeks."

Kitty raised her hands to Jane's cheeks before Jane waved her away. "Why is Mr. Bingley here?"

Mr. Bennet ran a hand over his chin and smiled. "I suppose it may have something to do with you, my dear."

Jane stood, looking shocked.

Elizabeth grasped Jane's arm and pulled her to the loveseat next to her.

"I should have worn blue," Jane said.

"Nonsense," Elizabeth said. "You look quite fetching in pink."

The butler announced them and the two men walked in the door, filling the room with their broad shoulders and long legs. Sir Peanut leaped forward to greet and wag his tail at them. Elizabeth, who suspected they might call this week, found it quite pleasant to see Mr. Darcy again.

"Gentlemen," Mr. Bennet said and crossed the room to shake their hands. "It is good to see you again in the country. You remember my wife and daughters, all save one, who is now married."

The gentlemen nodded to Mr. Bennet and each member of the family. Mr. Darcy hung back and let Bingley step toward Jane. "Miss Bennet, it is very good to see you again."

Jane stood, addressing Mr. Bingley. "You have let Netherfield? We were told it was an older gentleman."

"You may blame me for that. I am the one who took Netherfield this time. I owed Mr. Bingley a debt, and we both had unfinished business in Hertfordshire," Mr. Darcy said. "I did hide my identity. Thought to be fair, I am a few years older than him."

Elizabeth saw the shock on Jane's face. "Why don't we take a turn in the garden. It is a pleasant, clear day. All explanations are better made in the sunshine."

As they stepped aside to tie on bonnets, Elizabeth spoke to Jane.

"Are you well, Jane?"

Jane blinked, uncertain. "I had given up all hope of Bingleys' return. This is a great shock."

Elizabeth touched Jane's arm in support and wondered if perhaps too much had come to pass. "It is a surprise to be sure. But not a bad one. Let us hear his side."

Elizabeth and Jane stepped into the bright sun, and each walked alongside the respective gentleman. Though she could not hear all of what was being said by Bingley, she did clearly hear him say, I have been an inveterate ass. That seemed promising.

"How do you think your sister is faring?" Mr. Darcy asked quietly as they trailed a respectable behind Mr. Bingley and Jane.

"She is quite surprised, but I think she will come around."

Darcy smiled again, seeming much more relaxed than she had seen him.

"You seem pleased with yourself," Elizabeth said.

"Some have said that is a fault of mine." He smiled playfully. "But I believe I am engineering one of the most successful incidents of matchmaking in Hertfordshire history. Wouldn't you agree?"

Elizabeth watched her sister and Mr. Bingley speak and laugh softly, and felt a deep sense of relief. "I think you may be correct." She gestured at where the path ahead went off to a nearly bluebell field. "Shall we follow the path?"

Mr. Darcy nodded, dark hair curling around his face. "Mrs. Collins, are you trying to separate us from our party?"

She smiled widely. "I am only an old widow, you know."

"A widow, yes. Not so old."

A pleasant flush filled Elizabeth's face as they walked together to the field.

"You are beautiful when you blush."

Elizabeth laughed softly and placed her hands on her cheeks. "Then I am very beautiful right now." She lowered her hands when Mr. Darcy stopped walking.

"You are," Mr. Darcy said, now serious. He gazed into her eyes, searching. "I have expressed this sentiment to you before. You are too generous to trifle with me. If it is unwelcome, say a word and I'll not trouble you again."

"No, not unwelcome," she said, her voice quavering on the last word.

"I do find the feelings I expressed to you before are unchanged." He gazed at her with dark, steadfast eyes. She did not find them as vexing as she had in the past months. In fact, she wondered how she had ever found them so. There was emotion within them, and she wondered how she had ever considered him unfeeling and indifferent. "If you might have me, I should wish to provide a proposal of marriage." He had only just spoken the words when his brow furrowed. "Forgive me, my words do not do my feelings justice. But know that I have admired you for almost the entire time I've known you, and I shall be truest, more adoring husband if I am fortunate enough to call you my wife."

He was not a grave, indifferent man she thought when she first met him, but rather a man who, though slow to show his feelings, felt them deeply.

She reached out and touched his warm hand, taking it in both of hers.

"I am the luckiest of women that you have not grown to hate me over the last year."

Relief flooded his face. He raised her hand to his lips and she felt his breath through her glove. "Loveliest Elizabeth, I could never hate you."

She smiled despite herself. "I think the Mr. Darcy I knew a year ago would beg to differ, but I am pleased you do not."

"No, that Darcy might have said he found you vexing, but still charming."

A bark interrupted them, and Sir Peanut came running from somewhere in the trees, clearly pleased to have found them. He stood on his hind legs and placed his feet on Darcy's boots, wagging his small tail.

"Peanut! You will muddy Mr. Darcy's boots," Elizabeth said.

"No matter. They can be cleaned."

Elizabeth nodded. "What a surprising philosophy from a Darcy."

His brow rose. "I think you'll find we Darcys are more tolerant than you might think." He cleared his throat. "Some of us, anyway."

"Once again, I am all astonishment."

Darcy placed her arm in his and began slowly walking back again, a rare smile on his lips. "You are not the only one." He said more to himself than her, as he squeezed her hand. He lowered his head to hide his smile, but Elizabeth noticed it anyway.

Epilogue

Fitzwilliam entered the breakfast rooms still smoothing down unruly curls from his restful sleep when he found his new bride nibbling bacon and reading letters.

"My love, you rose without me?"

Elizabeth's eyes flashed to the servant as he left the breakfast room before grinning warmly at her husband. "I am sorry, but I was famished. The bacon and coffee smelled so good."

"You might have woken me as well."

She stood and planted a kiss on his pout. "But you looked so peaceful, and you had richly earned your rest. More than once, in fact," she added.

He flashed a devil-may-care grin. "What news from Hertfordshire?" Darcy asked, seeing the letters. "Does wedded bliss suit the Bingleys so well as us?"

Elizabeth held up a new letter from Jane, now Mrs. Charles Bingley. "Very much so. The sentiment seems contagious. She tells of a newly announced engagement–of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Robert Collins!"

Darcy's brows rose with surprise. "Truly? I did not foresee that. I hope she enjoys singing."

Elizabeth smiled. "It seems as though they may take up residence in Mr. Collin's old home and he may lead the parsonage. Lady Catherine has taken a liking to him."

Darcy shook his head and turned to see a pair of brown eyes that watched him closely add bacon to his plate. "This is none of your affair," he said to the dog, who stared and licked his chops. "Clearly you disagree."

"That is because he knows you are a soft touch. I have seen you sneak bacon to him when you think no one is looking," Elizabeth said.

Darcy shook his head. "That does not sound at all like me." He turned to the dog. "You were supposed to keep quiet about our arrangement."

Peanut grunted at Darcy and both his owners laughed.

"You certainly are the source of endless amusement," Darcy said, sitting down next to his wife. He kissed her hand one more time and began his breakfast. "Both of you are. You know, I did not know I wished for a small dog until Sir Peanut came along, and I did not know I needed you until I met you, and could not cease thinking of you. You both had a strange way of making yourselves indispensable."

Elizabeth grinned at the dog and decided they both had done extremely well for themselves.

The End.