Hi. Sorry for the delayed update. Frankly, I had been worrying because I do not know HOW to write the rest of the story. Ideas for upcoming scenes are becoming more complicated (in my head). I am anxious that things might not all tie up but I will just have to do it one bit at a time. If things do not work, I can always do a rewrite after being lambasted. And if that still does not work, I can just say that I have read other more ridiculous stories ;-)

Thank you for following my work. Special mention to the following who left comments:

leavesfallingup, RHALiz, Gedoena, Lisa, ColleenS, midnitewanderer, Shelby66, Deanna27, roses0002, MrsSP9, Janwel, pemsnowy, Jansfamily4, crispill, Motherof8, Eleoopy, Levenez, ChrisM019, Maria Teresa C

I start work next week so I am on edge and will be busy. I have 3 subjects to teach this year so it will be manic. I will keep writing when I can but updates may become shorter and less polished. Apologies in advance.

Stay safe everyone. ;-)

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As planned, Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at the Kings' residence two hours before dawn. They secured their horses in the empty stalls and made their way to the hayloft where they decided to lie in waiting.

Nearly two hours later, Mr Darcy nudged his cousin awake as he had dozed off. There was nothing to do in the darkness except sit and try not to fall asleep. They did not engage in conversation to avoid the risk of being overheard by Wickham.

"Is he here?" the colonel whispered.

"No. I do not think he will appear now. He will not risk being seen eloping when it is this close to first light."

"Are you sure he did not arrive?"

"I did not shut my eyes unless to blink, Richard. I am certain I would have heard anyone entering the stables. Several officers on rota have been allocated at various places around the property since last night so it is impossible that he had evaded all of us."

"Do not underestimate the enemy. Wickham is one slippery fish. But we will catch him."

"You sound convinced."

"He cannot go into hiding forever. He has no money and perhaps more importantly, he is running out of options."

"What do you propose we do now?"

"We need to meet again with Colonel Forster later. I will send word via one of his men. But for now, we better return to Netherfield and have a bath. You do not want to smell of horse when we call at Longbourn," said the colonel as he stood up. He groaned when he stretched his legs after staying in the same position for a long time.

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Once the men were presentable, they made their way down to the breakfast parlour, hoping to partake in some comforting food. They only had coffee earlier this morning so now they were quite famished. Mr Bingley appeared half an hour later and was informed about the news with regards to Mr Wickham's non-appearance. The Hursts had not yet come down for breakfast. As it was Sunday, the three men intended to attend the morning church service and call at Longbourn afterwards.

When the men arrived at the local church, the members of the Bennet family were already settled in the pew they regularly occupy. Their presence was acknowledged by polite smiles and nods. The service was about to commence so everyone faced towards the front, waiting for the vicar to assume his place at the pulpit.

About ten minutes into the sermon, the colonel started to lose interest in the message being preached. Becoming restless, his eyes wandered around to observe the features of the church as well as the attire and facial expressions of the churchgoers. The Bennet family was seated on the other side of the aisle, but one row forward in relation to their position.

"Fitz, are you paying attention to the vicar or to your young lady's neck?" the colonel asked while trying not to move his mouth.

Mr Darcy gave his cousin a sideways glare but said nothing.

"She does have a pleasing figure," his cousin persisted.

In response, Mr Darcy shifted further away from the colonel to make him know that he was not inclined to enter into a discussion with him at present, certainly not about Miss Elizabeth and not whilst they were attending church.

At that moment, Elizabeth turned her head around to glance in their direction. The amiable colonel flashed her a brilliant smile while Mr Darcy regarded her with a solemn air. With the corners of her lips curling up, Elizabeth brought her focus back to the vicar.

"Why do you have such a severe aspect when you are looking at her?"

Mr Darcy sighed and continued to ignore his distracting relation. Miss Elizabeth peered at them again but quickly faced forward after hearing the following words from the vicar.

"… and I urge you to listen intently to the word of God. Do not allow yourselves to be swayed by external forces…"

After the lengthy service, Mr Darcy made haste in leaving the premises of the church, feeling quite embarrassed by the behaviour of his noisy companion, who thereafter followed him out. Mr Bingley lingered inside in the hopes of speaking to Miss Bennet.

"Wait up. Why are you in such a rush?" the colonel asked his cousin.

"Why would you not stay quiet during the service? I think Miss Elizabeth heard you hence she kept glancing our way. And I am sure the vicar was not impressed with your disturbance of his speech."

"You are always so grave. You do not have to take everything so seriously. I do not know how to you are going to succeed in attracting the interest of a vivacious young woman when you behave so."

"One of us has to be sensible."

"I agree. That is why I am here. I will help you win your lady --"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr Darcy," came the greeting from an exuberant Mr Collins.

The Bennet family was also outside the church by this time. After the customary curtseys and bows, Mr Collins addressed the two men once more,

"Would you like me to pass on any messages to your most illustrious aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh? The first of the banns have been called out today and I am quite looking forward to journeying back to Hunsford on the morrow so I can make the necessary preparations in readiness for my loveliest betrothed's imminent residence at the parsonage. I have some very inspired ideas of how to refurbish the interior of the house, not the least of which involves the installation of shelves in the closets. Miss Mary, I am certain, will be very pleased with the outcome of my efforts."

Both men stared at Mr Collins, wondering if he had finished his monologue.

"No. Thank you, Mr Collins. We shall write to her if there is anything we wish to convey."

"Oh, I can deliver your letter to Lady Catherine in person to save on time and money. It will not be a burden at all. I am most willing to be of service to my patron's distinguished nephews. She must be quite eager to hear some news from the both of you. If you could prepare the correspondence today, then I can make sure that it is received by the great lady at the soonest possible opportunity."

"There is no need, Mr Collins. Thank you," quickly turning to Mr Bennet, "Sir, may we call at Longbourn? There are matters we need to discuss with regards to Mr Wickham. Unfortunately, he is still at large."

"Yes, of course. If you can invite Colonel Forster, that would be most helpful. I believe he is still around waiting for his wife to satiate her need of improving her knowledge of societal concerns. We will see you shortly."

The Bennet party started to walk ahead but Jane and Elizabeth were the last ones to move. Mr Bingley and Jane gazed at each other as if they were about to be apart for years. Elizabeth smiled at the colonel first, but Mr Darcy felt that her eyes had a twinkle to them when she beamed at him. His breath caught and he remained motionless and enthralled until he felt his cousin prod him with his elbow. Recovering himself, he returned Elizabeth's smile with one of his own.

Yesterday, Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised when Mr Darcy smiled shyly at her while they were in the gardens at Longbourn. She had thought that smile rendered him more handsome. But this time, Mr Darcy had given her a full smile, showing off his dimples and it made him appear more open and youthful, almost boyish. She had always vowed to marry for the deepest love. Now that she had the assurance that this man had a good and sincere heart, and demonstrated that he was also thoughtful and responsible, almost the complete opposite of what she previously believed him to be, she felt that it was quite possible that she could be in danger of losing her heart to him in time. Would she want to get to know Mr Darcy, the man, with his guard down and without all the expectations society and he himself had created? Sensing Jane tugging at her arm, she then started to follow her family on their way back home.

The colonel observed this interaction between Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth with amusement. He waited to see how long it would take for his normally stoic cousin to snap out of his trance. Yes, he still had the goofy smile on his face. This was something he would never let him forget, and he would be sure to recount this scene to all his family when he had the chance.

"Fitz…"

"Hmm?"

"Fitz!"

"Yes, Richard?"

"We need to find Colonel Forster now."

"She smiled at me. She actually smiled AT me."

"She smiled at me first."

"But her smile for me was different. Did you see?"

"Yes, yes. Come on."

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I only added that last scene on impulse. Sorry if it was cheesy but some readers wanted more D/E interaction. I hope it does not come across that Lizzy was only drawn to Darcy physically. She knew of his good character first, then acknowledged the attraction. Finally! There has to be some level of attraction, right?

It is tempting to have a quick resolution, catch Wicky, marry off ODC, two chapters -done! But I do not think it will be satisfying so I might take a slightly longer route. This may exceed 40 chapters… I hope that's okay.

I loved reading your answers to my last question. Very insightful, thank you. The one about why Darcy did not tell Bingley immediately about Jane -- I had been wondering about that too.

If you would like another question, here goes:

If you can invite 3 PnP characters for dinner, who would you choose? You can include ideas of what to serve them or what you want them to do.

My answer: Elizabeth, Darcy and Richard. Oh wait, I cannot leave Georgiana out! So Elizabeth can sit on Darcy's lap! Or she can take my seat.

But if I want fireworks or entertainment, maybe Lady Cat, Mrs B and Caroline. LOL. Oh, Mr Collins can be a server/footman.

Thank you everyone.