Hi everyone. I hope you are all well and ready for another chapter.

It has been very busy at work and I tried really hard to squeeze in some time to update this story. Again, I will have to edit and polish this sometime this week as I have work to do. I had an accident a few days ago and I am hurting. I fell down the stairs and I am still sore and bruised. So if my writing is really bad, I have an excuse ;-)

Thank you very much for continuing to read my work. Special mention to these honourable reviewers:

Nell Lime, Shelby66, Lisa, Eleoopy, Jansfamily4, Deanna27, ArnettinCA, Colleen S, roses0002, Shemilliah, crispill, PDS1, Motherof8, liysyl, Levenez, Maria Teresa C, Happy Lizzy, RHALiz

And thank you to the reader who sent me a PM. I was not sure if you wanted me to name you but THANK YOU.

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

"George…" Mrs Younge tried to rouse Mr Wickham.

"Hmmm?"

"It is past three in the morning. Are you sure about your decision?"

"Yes, darling. I think it is best not to go to Hertfordshire now. Colonel Forster and his men might be on the lookout for me," replied Mr Wickham in a sleepy voice.

"What are your plans now?"

"I do not know yet. I might have to wait it out first. Stay in hiding for a few more days for things to settle down over there. Make them think I am really gone."

"I see. But… what if they come to Hatfield again and continue searching for you here? A few officers asked about you yesterday," Mrs Younge sounded worried.

"You have paid some messenger boys to tell them I am bound for London. Hopefully that will mislead them."

"I hope so too. I am just worried they might knock on my door if they intensify their investigation. What am I to say?"

"Get a servant to be at the door. If they insist on meeting the lady of the house, appear in your mourning clothes. They would leave you alone then."

"George… you know I care for you… but I am really scared they might find you here eventually if you stay too long… you know Mr Darcy will never forgive me if he learns I am involved again…"

"Let me stay for at least one more night, Sarah. Please. I promise I will leave soon. I just need a little bit of time to consider my options. Now let us get some more sleep."

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Mr Darcy was very pleased with how the conversation with Miss Elizabeth had turned out. Truth be told, he was quite anxious before he delivered his apology. He knew Miss Elizabeth to be a spirited and opinionated young lady and he could well imagine that she could become feisty when provoked. Fortunately for him, she had been very gracious and understanding and immediately accepted his explanation. This made his admiration for her character grow even more.

"Mr Darcy, whatever could you be thinking?" He was brought out of his musings by her enchanting voice.

"I am merely thanking my lucky stars that you forgave me so readily, Miss Elizabeth. To be honest, I was not sure what reaction to expect from you," he answered with a genuine smile.

"Pray do not think that I would be so easy on you next time, sir. I am known to have a temper. Consider yourself warned," Miss Elizabeth teased. Inwardly, however, she thought that if Mr Darcy looked at her so tenderly and smiled at her so warmly, she probably would not find it too difficult to forgive him for any future transgressions. He really was a very handsome man, more so when he smiled. Now she can also appreciate that he can be charming in his own way. If the ladies of the ton had been witness to this side of him, he likely would have found it an almost impossible challenge to escape all their fawning attentions.

"I will be sure to remember that. I have no wish to be the target of your wrath, madam." Mr Darcy was surprised that he was able to tease back without feeling awkward.

"I am glad you comprehend my meaning, Mr Darcy. You do not want to see me angry," she retorted in what she thought was her best menacing voice.

In his mind, he envisaged an irate Elizabeth, with her cheeks attractively flushed and her fine eyes turning fiery. That would indeed be a sight to behold, as was the pretty picture of her now, smiling impishly at him. How he longed to be able to kiss that smile away from her enticing rosy lips!

"Mr Darcy, I was only speaking in jest. I hope I have not caused any offence," Elizabeth explained after hearing no reply from the man, whose appearance suddenly looked somewhat intense.

Prying his eyes away from her mouth, Mr Darcy mentally berated himself for being distracted. The last thing he wanted to do now was to scare Miss Elizabeth with the strength of his feelings. He had to be careful with his actions and take things slowly. They had only just cleared their previous misunderstandings and he was aware that he needed to allow her time to warm up to him first before he applied for a formal courtship. Remembering her poor initial impression of him, he deemed that it would be better for him to be patient than waste this opportunity to demonstrate his true self.

"No, indeed, you have not. I was merely distracted…"

"Is it Miss Darcy, sir? Are you very worried about your sister? Oh, I am so sorry to ask. I do not wish to intrude on something so personal," Elizabeth said with real concern.

"Not to worry, Miss Elizabeth. I do not mind talking to you about Georgiana. Speaking of my sister, I should like to introduce her to you one day, if you would be inclined to make her acquaintance. After this business involving Mr Wickham is resolved," Mr Darcy remarked in a hopeful voice.

"Of course, Mr Darcy. I would be delighted to meet Miss Darcy." Elizabeth was truly honoured to be asked by this prominent gentleman to be introduced to his most accomplished sister.

"Georgiana will be very pleased to know. I thank you, Miss Elizabeth."

"Pardon me, sir. I do not quite understand. Does your sister know of me?" Elizabeth was confused.

"Yes, she does. I have mentioned you in my letters," he answered sheepishly.

"Oh. Does she know of our… previous… dislike for each other?"

"I never disliked you, Miss Elizabeth. But in answer to your question, no, I did not disclose that type of information to her. I spoke well of you, in fact, if that is what you are worried about," he reassured her.

"Given our history, I find that hard to believe, sir. But I will have to trust your word."

"You may enquire as to the veracity of my statement with my sister once you are introduced. I think she would very much enjoy gaining you as an acquaintance," Mr Darcy said sincerely.

"I am looking forward to meeting her, Mr Darcy."

Mr Darcy looked around to see if his friend and Miss Bennet are on their way back to the house. Not seeing any sign of the couple, he was glad that he still had more time to spend with Miss Elizabeth. A week ago, he never thought he would feel so grateful to Mrs Bennet for anything. He was more than pleased that Elizabeth's mother seemed to be favourable to the idea of him pursuing her second eldest daughter.

"Miss Elizabeth, I would like to know what you thought about the book that I lent you. I hope you found it to be a pleasurable read."

"I confess, sir, that I had not finished reading it. I used the book so I can return your sister's letter safely to you without any further delay."

"Thank you for keeping the letter safe, Miss Elizabeth. I am certain that you understand how important that letter is to me. Would you like to continue reading the book? I have brought it with me," he offered.

"Yes, please. I would love to be able to find out what happens to Benedick and Beatrice, as well as Claudio and Hero. I am positive that you already know, sir, but please do not reveal the ending."

Mr Darcy was amused to see her eagerness. A fondness for books is one thing they have in common. After he passed the book to her, she quickly looked for the page marker and opened the book to the section she was to read next. Elizabeth started to read in silence, not paying any attention to the man sitting about a foot away from her. To her surprise, after a few minutes, she heard Mr Darcy laughing. This caused her to stop reading and turn to face him, wondering at what could possibly be so funny.

"Whatever could be the source of your entertainment, sir?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"You, Miss Elizabeth."

"What did I do? I was only reading quietly. Was I mumbling the words?"

"No, madam. It is only that you completely ignored me as soon as you had the book in your hand. I did not realise I am so easily dispensable."

"Oh, I do beg your pardon, sir. I am so engrossed with the story that I neglected you. I am such a poor companion. Would you prefer to join Mr Bingley and my sister or perhaps return to the house?"

"I am quite content here, Miss Elizabeth." He wanted to add that he would sit there happily and watch her all day if he could.

"Oh. Erm… ahh…"

Mr Darcy was again amused by the young lady and her expression. It was rare for her to sound less than eloquent. He knew she was keen to resume reading but at the same time, she did not want to appear rude.

"I have a suggestion. Instead of idly sitting here, what do you say I read some sections of the book to you?"

"You are going to read the text aloud?"

"Yes, but not loudly. If you wish, we can take it in turns. I see that you are reading Act IV Scene 1."

"Very well, if you are sure. I do not wish to inconvenience you."

"On the contrary, I think I would find it diverting."

They then began reading, alternating between the characters' lines. Within a short amount of time, they had covered a few pages.

"I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?"

When Mr Darcy voiced out these lines from the character Benedick, he could not but help glancing at Miss Elizabeth and spoke with feeling, as if he was saying the words to her. He did not know whether or not he wanted her to recognise the emotion in his voice. He was relieved to some extent when the young lady continued to read her part, seemingly not noticing anything different in his speech.

As they were sharing one book, they had unconsciously moved closer to each other on the garden bench. Soon after, Mr Bingley and Jane came upon them and they all returned to the house together. Little did they know that someone in the house had been surreptitiously observing their interaction. Mrs Bennet felt quite proud of herself on her discreet matchmaking skills, and giddy to see the attachment slowly develop between her headstrong daughter and the once inscrutable Mr Darcy. Perhaps she will have three weddings to plan! Oh, where are my smelling salts?

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

For the ones who asked for more D/E moments, I hope that was satisfactory.

As I mentioned before, more D/E interaction will come after Wickham's capture so please bear with me. We have some business to deal with first.

Thank you for sharing your answers to my last question. Again, very thoughtful replies. I loved reading them.

To anyone who wishes to answer another one, here goes:

If you had a chance to be a fly on the wall in one of the PnP scenes, which one would you choose?

Wow, there are so many to choose from!

The first proposal scene would be great to watch. But I think I am going to be nosy and want to know more about conversations that were not fully spelt out in the book like:

Darcy talking to Mr Bennet in his study, asking for consent to marry his favourite daughter

Lady Catherine confronting Darcy about the rumoured engagement

The negotiations between Darcy and Wickham to make the latter marry Lydia

I cannot decide between the first two choices, sorry… they could both be entertaining to watch.

Thank you again and please stay safe ;-)