A/N: There was a comment asking about the folklore for the pudding stirring. Check out the Wikipedia entry for Stir-up Sunday (I can't add a link to it here). Check through the other comments (one arrived shortly after I added this note) for one with the full Stir up prayer written in it.

They added small, silver charms (often family heirlooms) to the pudding which told the finder's fortune, should it turn up in their portion of the pudding. For example:

-Button: Bachelor (if unmarried).

-Thimble: Spinster (if unmarried) or thrift.

-Ring: Married within the year.

-Horseshoe/Wishbone: Luck.

-Coin: Wealth.

-Anchor: Safe harbour.

100 years earlier, the 'charms' would have been a little different:

-a bean for the king.

-a pea for the queen.

-a clove for the knave.

-a twig for the fool.

-a rag for the slut.

You can see why they changed them. What woman in Regency times would have wanted to find the rag?

2nd December

Lady Catherine left for town the next morning.

Before she left, she had two private conferences - the first with Colonel Fitzwilliam and the next with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Both emerged from the study wearing smiles, albeit a rather stunned smile in the Colonel's case.

Her two nephews went outside to wave her off. As the coach trundled off down the driveway, Mr Darcy turned to his cousin. 'Tell me, what did Aunt Catherine have to say that gave you that bemused look?'

'Can we go back inside before I tell you? I still find it a little hard to believe.'

Mr Darcy slapped his cousin on the back. 'Of course. I'm sure Bingley will not mind if we borrow his study again. Come.'

Once they were settled, the Colonel said, 'She wants me to marry Anne, so that Rosings can be kept in the family.'

Mr Darcy nodded. 'I thought as much. We discussed it, and I suggested you.'

'YOU did? But do you not want Rosings?'

'I never had any desire to marry Anne, or to add Rosings to my responsibilities' Mr Darcy replied. 'Aunt Catherine knew this, even though she hoped I would change my mind. Now that she knows where my preference lies, she asked for my advice.'

'Miss Elizabeth Bennet.'

Mr Darcy nodded. 'Indeed. She was disappointed, mostly because of Anne, but ultimately accepted my choice. She likes Elizabeth, which helped. I suggested you, mostly because I worry that one day you will not return from the war. You would be a good caretaker for both Anne and Rosings.'

'I have not agreed, as yet. I told her I would think about it. You know Anne will not be with us for long?'

'She did mention that Anne is weakening, yes. You have no other interest?'

'Given my circumstances, I could only consider an heiress, and you well know how insipid or malicious they all are.'

Mr Darcy laughed. 'I do. It took me a trip to the country to find a lady who was suitable. I will not try to influence you either way, but I do advise you think carefully about it before deciding.'

'I will do so. I also want to speak with my father.'

Mr Darcy gazed into the fire. 'Much as the thought of Anne's death grieves me, it seems you would become a widower sooner, rather than later, should you accept. When that happens, you will know exactly how I have felt these last years. You will be hunted.'

The Colonel grimaced and then grinned. 'Then it is lucky that I have had experience evading the enemy, is it not?'

They spoke more on some general topics, and then Mr Darcy left his cousin to his thoughts and sought out Elizabeth.

Mr Darcy found Elizabeth about to leave the house for a walk and asked if he could join her.

She smiled up at him, a warm flutter beginning in her belly. 'You would be most welcome. I was hoping you would be free.'

Once he had donned his outerwear they left, arm in arm, for the gardens.

'Have you spoken with Colonel Fitzwilliam? He seemed pleased, if a little surprised, after speaking with your aunt.'

'I had some idea of what she would say to him, but at present I am more interested in what she had to say to you.'

'She was surprisingly kind. After her inquisition at dinner, two days ago, I was expecting to be told I had unsuitable aspirations. She explained about her daughter, and how she had hoped you and she would make a match of it.' She stopped walking and turned to look at him. 'Why did you not do so?'

'She has my affections as a cousin, but those affections are not the kind a wife should expect and were never likely to become so. The other aspect, of course, is that I need an heir, and Anne is too frail to ever bear a child.'

Elizabeth tilted her head to one side, 'I understand she is not expected to live for much longer. Was not the temptation of having your cake and eating it, of gaining Rosings Park and your freedom at some point in the near future, of interest?'

He cupped her cheek, and she leaned her head into his hand. 'Never. Especially not if it meant losing you.' After a long moment he gestured, and they resumed walking. 'In fact, I suggested she approach Fitzwilliam on the matter, but do not mention it to him. He has a big decision to make.'

'You would be happy were he to accept and resign his commission, I think.'

'The idea of him being lost in battle has given me many a sleepless night over the years. Were he to marry Anne, he would be safe and well settled for the rest of his life. I would be delighted for him.'

She nodded her agreement. 'I too. I like the Colonel very much, and against my expectations, I have to admit, I also like your aunt. She gave us her blessing and hopes to be invited to the wedding.' She blushed and looked away. 'Should we decide to progress in that direction.'

'My aunt, being as direct as ever. I will not apologise for her in this case, though. I would like to have her come to our wedding.'

He stopped again, turning her toward him. Her eyes met his and locked. He gazed down at her, his eyes darkening, and her breath caught. Heat rose up her neck and onto her cheeks as she licked suddenly dry lips. This action caught his gaze, and it dropped down to focus on her lips. He leaned imperceptibly closer.

Another long moment passed, and then he closed his eyes, groaned and leaned away. 'You, my dear, are far too tempting. We should walk.'

Feeling a little disappointed, she turned, and they resumed their stroll toward their favourite woodland path.

As they passed under the arch in the hedge, she decided they had been serious enough. 'You never did explain why you changed your mind about me. After being less than impressed with my charms at our initial meeting, I am left wondering what made you look at me with a friendlier eye.'

He was thoughtful for a few steps. 'I was always impressed with your charms, I just did not wish to acknowledge the fact to myself.'

She grinned and gave him a sideways glance. 'I suggest it was my very impertinence that changed your mind. After deference and officious civility from everyone, to have someone disagree with you, refuse to dance with you, to be as unlike those others as it was possible to be, roused your attention and drew your interest. There, I have explained it to my own satisfaction!'

He laughed. 'Maybe it was. You will no doubt add a distinct lack of convention to my family, but,' he said, glancing down at her with a smirk, 'you must beware you do not become another Lady Catherine.' At her gasp, he added, 'She and I both noticed the similarities.'

She swiped his arm, while mock pouting. 'Much as I like your aunt, I am not sure I could ever be that officious. Did she explain to you what she and my father discussed?'

'No, she did not.'

'I asked my father before we left yesterday. It seems she told him that after her talk with me at dinner the night before, she was aware he was looking for a companion for his youngest daughters and that she would send a list for his choice. He also told me that she apologised for Mr Collins' actions and she would do what she could to have him sent somewhere he can do no more harm. She also welcomed the Bennets to the family! My father then asked me if there was something he should know. I did not know where to look.'

Mr Darcy smiled. 'I wish I had been a fly on that wall.'

'I too. Still, my father was not offended. He seemed amused by it all, and if we can find a suitable companion for Kitty and Lydia sooner because of it, then I shall have no complaints.'

They had walked on a little further, and the edge of the woodland section of their walk had just come into view, when he said, 'I am afraid that I have a complaint.'

'Oh?'

He stopped, took her hand, and drew her off the path and behind a tree. 'Yes, indeed, Elizabeth. I have been very patient but cannot wait for another moment.'

She leaned back against the trunk, gave him a shy half smile, and said, 'Why, Mr Darcy. What can you mean?'

He placed one hand on the tree trunk, caressed her face with the other, then leaned forward, 'I mean—' He kissed her forehead. 'I have—' He tilted his head and his lips touched her left cheek. 'Been waiting—' He repeated his actions on her right cheek. 'Too long—' His lips came gently down on hers, brushed across and lifted. 'To kiss you.'

She moaned as his lips descended more forcefully and her arms wrapped around his waist, one hand creeping up to tangle in his hair. For the present at least, all sense of time and place disappeared.

Like all good things have to, the kiss ended. Suddenly shy, she buried her face in his shoulder and listened to his heart pounding as rapidly as she knew her own heart was beating. He rested his chin on the top of her head, arms wrapped around her, as their heart rates and breathing slowed back to normal.

Elizabeth mumbled into his chest and he pulled back a little.

'Say that again.'

She took a deep breath, looked up at him and smiled. 'I think the sooner Lydia and I go home, and you can speak to my father, the better.'

'I think you could be right,' he replied, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. 'Come, we should return to the house.'