A/N There have been issues with the site for the last few days, so I have not seen any comments/reviews etc for those days. The pages are working again now but all my stats have vanished for Feb until yesterday, which is a bit disheartening. Ho hum. On with the story.

3rd December

By the following day, Lydia, to her mingled delight and dread, was deemed sufficiently recovered to join the others downstairs for a time.

She was pleased to be leaving her room at long last, but worried about her reception. So much so, that Elizabeth took everyone downstairs to task beforehand.

'I would ask you not to stare at her, as she is nervous about being seen by her family, never mind those outside the family. I know I can trust you all, but please be especially kind to her.'

After assurances from all that they would treat her as gently as if she were their own sister, she went back upstairs. Lydia was dressed and waiting for her, nervously twisting a ribbon through her fingers as she sat on the window seat.

'I'm not sure about this now, Lizzy. I wish I had a veil or something, to wear over my face.'

Elizabeth sat next to her on the window seat and put her arm around her shoulders. Giving her a hug, she said lightly, 'Dear me. What has happened to the Lydia I know and love?'

Lydia hung her head. 'I think she is gone away for ever.'

Elizabeth's heart gave a twang of sympathy. She closed her eyes for a second, took a deep breath and then straightened. 'Do come. It will be fine, I promise. Everyone here is very kind, you will see. Miss Bingley even made sure some of your favourite dishes were to be prepared for dinner.' When Lydia did not move, she added, 'You have to come out of your room eventually, so it is best to start amongst friends, and remember, if you are well afterward, and rest well tonight, we may be able to go home tomorrow.'

'I do so wish to be at home.'

'Well then, take a deep breath and let us prove you are well enough to do so.'

Lydia sat still, head bowed, for a few seconds. Then she blew out a breath, straightened up and stood. 'I am ready, I think.'

They paused outside the drawing room door, while Lydia prepared herself once more, then the door opened and Elizabeth entered, arm in arm with her sister.

Mr Bingley was instantly on his feet, ushering Lydia to a seat on the sofa by the fire and checking she was comfortable. Mr Darcy said he was pleased she was recovered so well, and Miss Bingley came to sit beside her, whispering reassurance. Then the Colonel, resplendent in his red coat, came over to be introduced.

Elizabeth watched, amused, as a flush of interest crossed her sister's face. She moved to sit by Mr Darcy and watched in awe, as the colonel expertly drew her sister out. By the time the dinner was announced, her sister and the Colonel were chattering away like old friends. She even took the arm he offered to go into dinner.

Elizabeth took the arm Mr Darcy offered and they followed the others.

'Your cousin is a desperate flirt,' whispered Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, on the way through to the dining room, 'but I cannot be angry with him. He has worked wonders on Lydia's confidence. I am pleased, as it has been at such low ebb since her illness.'

Mr Darcy chuckled, gave her hand a light squeeze, and helped her to the seat beside him.

Conversation flowed throughout the dinner, and Elizabeth was pleased to see her sister behaving almost normally, if less outrageously than usual. She behaved, in fact, the way she and Jane had long hoped she would.

After dinner, Miss Bingley led the way as the ladies withdrew, with Lydia and Elizabeth following, arm in arm.

Elizabeth nudged her sister with her shoulder and asked, 'How do you feel?'

'A little tired. I will have some tea and then retire I think.'

'You have done well, Lydie. I am proud of you.'

Lydia flushed. 'You were right. It was easier than I expected.' She paused and then said, with a cheeky grin close to her usual behaviour, 'I like the Colonel, I did not know you had arranged the presence of an Officer for my entertainment.'

'You were lucky he was still with us. He must leave soon, from what I understand. He has been recalled to barracks.'

'Maybe he'll be able to return.'

'It is possible. The outbreak has died down, but it is likely Mr Collins has it now.'

'It's very odd that Mr Collins should have caught it. Mamma was in her room at Longbourn when he was there, as was I, when he came here. How did he become infected, do you know?'

Elizabeth squirmed inwardly at her innocent question. 'I am not sure, dear. Ah, here we are, let me settle you by the fire and I'll bring you some tea.'

As she waited for Miss Bingley to pour, Elizabeth contemplated Lydia's query. She would need to speak with her father, to find out whether he planned to explain what had happened that night.

She would want to know, had it been her room that Mr Collins found himself in that night, but she was not sure how Lydia would react. Certainly, it would not do to mention it before she was fully well, but then the information had to be kept from her mother, else everyone would find out. Could Lydia be relied on to keep it to herself, even from Kitty?

She did not envy her father the decision, but she would support him in it.

4th December

A gleeful Lydia joined them all for breakfast the next morning. The doctor had given her the go-ahead to return home and she was desperate to see her mother again.

Elizabeth was a little less happy, as it meant leaving her Mr Darcy behind.

They had arranged, the evening before, to meet at their usual spot by the hedge leading onto the woodland path, for a final walk before breakfast.

As soon as they had passed through the arch and were hidden by the trees, she clasped his arm tighter. 'I will miss not having you always near.'

He covered the hand on his arm with his own and then stopped and turned to face her. 'I too. I was thinking to escort your carriage to Longbourn, and then speak with your father. Do you think that is a good plan?'

She nodded. 'As long as you are willing to wait a little before speaking with him. There will be family greetings to sit through first. Once Lydia has gone up to see mamma, then I think papa will be more than willing to retire to his library with you.'

He nodded, smiled and then stroked her cheek. 'Should I ask his permission for a courtship?'

A shy smile formed on her lips. 'No.'

He lost his soft smile and resumed his Darcy Mask. Drawing his hand back from her face he took a step back. 'Very well. I will keep my word and not importune you on this matter any further.'

He started to turn away, but she caught his arm, and turned him to meet her eye.

'You misunderstand. I think we have moved past the need for a formal courtship.' She waited to see if he caught onto her meaning.

His brow furrowed, then smoothed as his expression softened to a smile once more. Taking her hand, he turned it and dropped several small kisses on her wrist, almost causing her knees to buckle.

'Dearest Elizabeth. I'm not a man for making great speeches, instead I prefer to let my actions show my feelings for you, but… actions alone will not do. Not at this moment. So… know that I love you, most ardently. Would you do me the greatest honour anyone could ever bestow on me, and consent to be my wife?'

Fighting back the tears that had formed in her eyes, she took his hand and kissed the back of it. 'I would be delighted to become your wife. I am not sure how, or when, it happened, but the feeling of dread I had when I thought about leaving you here and going home, made me realise that I love you too. In the weeks we have spent here, I have come to better understand myself, and realise that I was attracted to you from the very first, much as I tried to deny it. That is why I reacted so badly to your words at the Assembly.' She gave a small chuckle, dropping her gaze to his chest and shooting him a coy look through her eyelashes. 'Can we marry soon?' She rested her cheek on his broad chest. 'For I cannot imagine being parted from you for very long.'

With her head against his chest, she felt his chuckle reverberate thought her body, before the rumble of his reply made her heart leap.

'We need your father's permission first, minx, but if I could, I would marry you tomorrow.'

She lifted her face to his and was rewarded with the vision of his smile of pure joy. Then his lips descended onto hers, and the world around them once more temporarily disappeared.