Darcy's spirit had been so invigorated by the pleasant surprise of being contacted by the woman he craved, that he managed to pull himself together for three whole weeks. Georgie and Richard's shock and relief had been almost overwhelming at first and even now it was clear that they treaded carefully around him, afraid that anything would throw him back to the abyss he had been lost in. They talked to him without pause and engaged him in any and every activities. That his mind was usually otherwise occupied when he agreed to partake in whatever they wished to do, they didn't notice.

For three weeks, he ate with gusto, fenced and rode fiercely, went to inquire about every one of his tenants and was so efficient he probably wouldn't have any estate matter to look at for the next two months, save for the unpredictable troubles. He had an easy smile for his family and even took it upon himself to write Bingley a lengthy letter to enquire after his welfare. He flinched remembering how subdued his friend's usual cheerfulness and easy manners had been since leaving Hertfordshire, how he hadn't gotten better after a few weeks as he had believed, and no new angels had caught his eyes... what a devil he had been !

However, as good as the respite had been both on his mental, physical health and on his family, it was slowly coming to an end as every morning he had taken to ask about his mail, and every morning it was getting harder to hide his disappointment upon discovering he hadn't received word from her. He knew his cousin had noticed, as every morning he carefully looked at him, gauging his temper.

« Any letters ? » He eagerly asked his butler, carefully buttering up a toast to avoid meeting any knowing eyes. Thus he missed the small smile on his servant's face.

Wordlessly, the man slid a plate holding a few letters his way and he held his breath. The first on was from Lord Baston -again, the second from Bingley -they had already exchanged a few letters since the first one as they both had access to express dispatch rider and it was obvious both were relieved to get in touch again despite their respective ongoing pain. The third one made him pause.

Finally.

He didn't even try to keep in control and a huge smile broke on his face. He quickly excused himself and went to his office without waiting for a response from the two other occupants of the table. Throwing himself on his chair, he carefully broke the wax in opposition to the rush he had been in to get here. An awful thought crossed his mind then : it could be the last thing he ever received from her, the last time they exchanged anything. He had to treasure it.

He caressed the paper and slowly opened it.

Dear Mr Darcy,

Thanks to your own letter, I now have no shame in writing to you. Please be warned you may receive private access to my unbecoming thoughts from now on for if you allowed yourself the liberty of speaking freely to me, why shouldn't I return the favor ? However, I may have looked like an avid reader to you, but I am not a talented writer and my letters may be cause to annoyance sooner or later, please don't hesitate to cut our communication any time you may want. As impertinent as I am, I will never send two letters in a row without waiting for an answer.

HIs heart sang in joy. He could feel the relief seeping through him.

Now, we may not exactly be friends, but I am no fool to pass the opportunity to exchange with a man such as yourself. Our connection may just be an advantage one day and as you've made abundantly clear, I do not drown in useful connections.

He flinched at her words. Was she talking about her marital prospects ? He dearly hoped not. Though he would never deny her anything, if she ever took a fancy for a man, he begged the dear Lord to perish before ever hearing of it, to be made an argument to ease another man into asking for her hand was just unbearable a thought. If a man ever came to ask about her, he would probably come up with the most horrible tales just to keep her single.

For now, I would just like to boast. I have successfully set my family on a path to reform. Of course, I have my dear Jane and father to thank for it. Lydia has been denied a trip to Brighton and can nowadays be found sulking in her room, or somewhere around the house if she decides to join my mother in her complaints. Of course, we had to distance Kitty from her, so if you decide to visit London in the next few months, don't be surprised if you cross path with my dear little sister, though you may never as she is staying with our relatives from Cheapside and I have it made quite clear to me that you do not frequent the neighborhood. The distance from Lydia and the caring hand of my aunt Gardiner will help her better her manner and find herself I'm positive. Though she was surprised when Father sent her away, she quickly recovered and boasted day in and day out to everyone - much to Lydia's great displeasure. To say the week before her departure have been pure torture on both my ears and nerves is an euphemism. As of yet, she is still adjusting to the Gardiner's home and misses us, I think the discipline asked of her is still a bit too much, but she will get used to it in no time. As for Mary, she shares her time between Jane, I and both of us together. We are doing our best to bring her into our fold, and she is slowly coming out of her shell. What we will do from now on is still unclear, but I have much hope for her. Already the outdoors is doing wonder to her complexion.

My dear Jane is giving herself completely to her family, but I see in her eyes and manners when we are alone that she has not yet recovered from your friend. I know you won't blame me for resenting him. That he is an amiable man, I do not doubt, but I cannot lie and say my respect for the man has remained the same after everything. You and his sister are guilty of manipulation, but your ruse would not have been effective had he been of stronger character. His inconsistency caused my sister great pain and he is responsible for the hopes he had carelessly raised.

Darcy gritted his teeth, guilt rising in his throat and leaving a foul taste in his mouth. He knew from the conversation he had had with said gentleman that he suffered just as much if not more than Miss Bennet.

I myself am quite busy lately. Since I consider we made it past casual acquaintances, I can let you in on a little secret that I trust will not leave your confidence under the threat of being lethal to my reputation. You may not know but my father and I are very close, I am some kind of son and heir for him, and thus he taught me how to manage an estate which is what I am now doing.

The rest of the letter contained details on crops and other estate matters which shocked Darcy in their brightness. Every time, he thought he had been surprised enough and every time, she still managed to render him speechless. Elizabeth woman was the most marvelous person he had ever met, and he was a fool for ever thinking she wouldn't have anything to bring to a marriage. she had so much more than any other woman.