Author's note: This story is divided into 4 parts, 70 chapters, and about 60 K.

July 1813 – September 1813

During that summer, several times the Maxwells invited Jane and Elizabeth to the beach, and Mr. Harrington always accompanied them. Although Mr. Harrington conversed with everyone, it was clear his interest was focused on Jane. Elizabeth knew her sister very well and realized that she was also interested in him, but unlike in the past, Jane had not made any comments to her about Mr. Harrington. The situation was strange since until that moment Jane had never had any secrets from her.

One September afternoon after they returned from the beach, Elizabeth, curiously asked her sister what she thought and felt about Mr. Harrington...

"…Mr. Harrington is everything a gentleman should be; He is kind, polite, intelligent…"

Jane met her sister's eyes, and smiled slightly. "I know what you want to know, Lizzy."

"What do you think I want to know?" she asked innocently.

"You want to know if I like Mr. Harrington."

Lizzy smiled, "Exactly, although we have talked about him several times, every time I ask your opinion about him you answer vaguely or divert the conversation."

Jane sighed, "The last time I liked a gentleman, and I thought he was interested in me, it was just an illusion and I suffered a lot. I do not want to delude myself and suffer."

Surprised, Lizzy exclaimed, "Jane, you can't compare Mr. Harrington to Mr. Bingley!"

"Why not? Mr. Bingley was very kind and attentive to me…"

Elizabeth interrupted her, "Mr. Bingley was a manipulable young man who was easily influenced by his obnoxious sisters and his friend. On the other hand, Mr. Harrington is a man who knows exactly what he wants and acts accordingly."

Jane shook her head, "And if we are wrong? What if Mr. Harrington is just nice to me, but has no other interest?"

"Jane, I'm sure Mr. Harrington is in love with you."

"You were also sure Mr. Bingley was in love with me."

Lizzy sighed; she had never told her sister about Mr. Darcy's marriage proposal and the subsequent letter that had been burned in the fire. After thinking about it for a few moments, she decided it was better to tell her the truth.

"Jane, Mr. Bingley was in love with you. There is something I want to tell you…"

Jane listened to her sister's story in astonishment, if it weren't for the fact that she knew Lizzy never lied, she would not have believed her. After thinking about it carefully, she came to the conclusion that she did not hold a grudge against Mr. Darcy for his interference…, perhaps it was for the best. Surely Mr. Bingley would have abandoned her at the first problem they had.

October 1813

In October, Jane turned twenty-four; and Lizzy hosted a party and invited the Maxwells and Mr. Harrington. Mr. Harrington was the first to come with a pretty bouquet of flowers. Lizzy left them alone to help Molly finish cooking - If the reason she left them alone was something else, I leave that open to the readers' imagination.

Mr. Harrington had also bought Jane a gold chain, but he knew very well a gentleman should not give a lady that kind of gift if they were not engaged...

"Miss Bennet, I am at this moment in a dilemma." He smiled, "Do you want me to tell you about my dilemma?"

Jane looked at him curiously and nodded, "Yes, please."

"It's about a present I bought you for your birthday."

"Did you buy me a present?"

He nodded, "Exactly. I know very well that a gentleman can only give a lady a present if it is a relative or if he is engaged to her." He looked into her eyes, "For several months my heart has been committed to you and that is why it seemed the most natural thing in the world to buy you a present." He took both her hands and kissed them, "Jane, I am completely in love with you, would you do me the great honor of being my wife?"

Jane blushed, looked into his eyes, and with a big smile accepted. Mr. Harrington kissed her gently on her lips and gave her the gold chain he had bought for her.

Lizzy and the Maxwells were overjoyed, though not surprised, by the news of Jane's engagement to Mr. Harrington. Mrs. Maxwell even started planning the engagement party and the wedding… Victoria was in her element, she just had to find a suitable husband for Elizabeth… but she was apparently not interested in any gentlemen…