Later that day, when the two courting couples found themselves walking in the gardens, Jane pulled Elizabeth aside. "Lizzy, I am very pleased with your courtship. It is just that I am unsure this is truly what you wish for."

"Jane, I do not wish for a courtship. I wish for an engagement and then a marriage. Mr. Darcy mentioned elopement this morning. That would be just the thing, in my opinion. Can you imagine, being married in a few days' time? I would like it very well."

Jane was stunned by her sister's confession. "How? How has it come to this?"

"You just said you were pleased for me, yet you do not think I know my own mind. Please speak plainly, Jane."

"I knew Mama wanted for you to marry Mr. Collins. I was too selfish to offer myself to save you, so I pushed you toward Mr. Darcy. And now everything has moved so quickly. It is too quickly. If this goes badly, I will be to blame." Jane was distressed as she shared this with her sister.

Elizabeth sat her on a nearby bench and tried to sooth her sister. "Our Jane, always taking too much upon yourself. Answer a few questions for me, if you will." Jane agreed that she would. "Why did you push me toward Mr. Darcy? Why would you not have me marry Mr. Collins?"

"Mr. Collins, besides being inane, is not compatible with you. The difference in your temperaments would surely make a union between you disastrous. He will not help you grow and learn."

"Agreed. Now, Mr. Darcy."

"There is also a difference in temperament between you and Mr. Darcy. However, I feel your differences compliment one another. You will supply what the other needs. I, also, saw what both of you did not, there was an attraction between you. Your minds are more in accordance."

"I can agree with that as well. You saw that, you pushed me toward him, but you are concerned all the same. I think I know what troubles you. We are on safe ground when we speak of attraction or suitability on an intellectual level or when we speak of disposition." Jane nodded. "But as you have noted, I have been overwhelmed by a physical attraction for Mr. Darcy as well. That has affected me, as you know, but I think it forced me to examine my feelings in a way I might not have done before. And I am sure of my feelings. This is not youthful infatuation. I am not Lydia."

"I know you are not Lydia, but it is so unlike you, Lizzy. You have never behaved like this; it is so impulsive."

"Is it unlike me? I have never been in love before, so we have no basis for comparison. It is intoxicating. I find myself saying things to Mr. Darcy I would never dream of saying to anybody else. I believe if I were to marry him tomorrow, I should have as good a chance of happiness as I would if I were to study his character for a year. Charlotte always said happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. At one time I thought it a very unsound philosophy but now I am rethinking my previous opinion. I think my chances are quite good"

"Truly? You will forgive for both my misgivings and my interference?"

"Truly, Jane. You need not feel any guilt. I shall have no cause for regret."

~~OJ~~

On the other side of the garden a similar conversation was taking place.

"Darcy, I am very pleased with your courtship. It is just that I am unsure that it is truly what you wish for," Mr. Bingley said.

"Bingley, there is nothing more that I wish for. It is exactly what I want and need."

"I fear I have been too forceful in my opinions of late. You did not let that influence you, did you?"

"Bingley, I have been known to have my own opinions. If anything, the thought of your future felicity with Miss Bennet was inspiring."

"But it is all so quick."

"Is it? I have known Miss Elizabeth just as long as you have known Miss Bennet. In fact, I have had greater opportunity to speak to her. We had all that time while Miss Bennet was ill and there have been our morning meetings as well. And I dare say we have spoken of deeper topics than some people have in the course of their entire acquaintance. That notwithstanding, none are saying you have moved too quickly. Why should my courtship with Miss Elizabeth be considered quick when yours is not?"

"You do have a point, I suppose. I will trust you know what you are about," Bingley said.

"Thank you so much," Darcy said dryly. "However, speaking of quickly, the wedding may be another story."

"What do you mean? Whose wedding?"

"I took the liberty of setting a date, tentative, of course, for my and Elizabeth's wedding when I spoke to Mr. Bennet."

"Darcy! You are engaged? I thought it just a courtship." Darcy shushed his friend; he had not had the opportunity to tell Elizabeth of his meeting with her father.

"It is just a courtship, at the moment. But my course is decided. The wedding is inevitable."

"That is impressive, Darcy, even for you. Will not Miss Elizabeth have something to say on that?"

"Oh, she will but not in the way you mean. I based the date on a conversation we had this very morning. Six weeks. Given that we have progressed from me calling on her to a courtship in the span of a day, a three-week courtship before I propose seems positively drawn out. And then, a three-week engagement while the banns are read."

"Six weeks." Bingley looked thoughtful before once again questioning Darcy. "What of your family?"

"Did you not instruct me on the value of character and feelings over name and duty, only recently. Are you trying to talk me out of my engagement, I mean courtship?" Darcy stood in front of Bingley and clapped him on both shoulders. "Bingley, it is well. I am happy. I, Fitzwilliam Darcy, am happier than I have ever been before in my life. I think it is only going to get better."

~~OJ~~

As the couples came back together, Darcy was able to bring up his actions in her father's study. "Miss Elizabeth, I did something you may find presumptuous when I spoke to your father."

She looked up at him with such trust, he almost feared he would ruin it all with his next words. "I took the liberty of proposing a wedding date." A line appeared between her brows as they furrowed. "I am very excited to be courting you. I will be just as excited, if not more so, to be engaged to you. I may have let my excitement to get the best of me."

"When?" she asked.

"Six weeks' time." She sighed in disappointment. Disappointment in him, he thought.

"So long?" She was almost pouting.

"I love you, Elizabeth Bennet. Dear God, but I love you." He said, laughing.

"I love you, too, but these six weeks will seem endless. Since we know it will happen should we not just get engaged now? That would only leave us three weeks."

"Do you have any concerns about how this is all happening? It is not as romantic as in a novel. I had not imagined that the first time I told a lady I love her it would be in such a way. I did not toss out those words, carelessly. I do mean them, from my very soul."

"I know. I feel it just as profoundly. I think this is just us. We should not try to compare ourselves to others, real or on the page. Can you imagine Jane and Mr. Bingley acting as we are? Can you imagine them sneaking off into the hedges to kiss?"

"Are you trying to compromise me, Miss Elizabeth?"

"Yes," admitted Elizabeth.

"Just wanted to be sure, lead the way." Darcy nodded.

They both checked to see where Jane and Bingley were and, unfortunately, they were walking toward them. Again, Elizabeth sighed.

"Not that I want to take advantage of your position in society, but how does one go about getting a special license?"