What can I say… I can resist everything except temptation.

~OD~

Darcy had been back in London for a week.

He and his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam had departed the morning after his ill-fated proposal to Elizabeth Bennet. On the journey he had pretended to have a headache rather than an aching heart to avoid explaining himself to his cousin.

In the days since his return, Darcy had spent most of his time at home coming to terms with his rejection. He was torn whether to be glad or sorry for the outcome, but he was certain that he admired the modesty of Miss Elizabeth who must be determined to remain in the sphere to which she was born.

His moping was interrupted when he received a note from Colonel Fitzwilliam, urging Darcy to join him at his club where he was meeting with a mutual friend whom they had not seen in some time as he had been in mourning for his father, the Earl of Denton. Darcy had always liked Alexander Harrington, whom he and Richard had met at school. Alex had been an excellent student like Darcy, but he also had a mischievous streak like Richard. As a result, both had felt comfortable in his company.

When Darcy arrived at the club, he was happy when he was led to a private room, avoiding many of the members for whom he did not care.

As he entered the room, he found Richard and Alex convulsed in laughter.

'Darcy, I am glad that you could join us,' cried Richard. 'Alex has a tale which will cheer even you.' The Colonel had noticed that his cousin had been even more quiet than usual.

Darcy greeted his friends and accepted a glass of wine, as he took a seat in one of the comfortable leather chairs.

'Alex, what have you been doing with yourself? Are you settling into your new role as an Earl?'

'I am getting on quite well since father spent long enough training me and I expect that soon things will become even easier,' Alex grinned.

'Would you believe, Alex is going to be married,' exclaimed Fitzwilliam with a grin. 'Now that Darcy is here, tell us, how did you meet the love of your life.'

'A few months ago, just after the end of my mourning period, I visited an old friend of my father's to return some books. As it happened, I met his daughter, and I could not help but fall in love with her. She is beautiful, intelligent, educated and witty. Yet she is kind and considerate.' Alex smiled as he shrugged. 'In February she came to town, and I had a chance to court her. We have a great deal in common and we thoroughly enjoy our debates. Eventually I proposed and she accepted.'

'Congratulations, that is wonderful news,' replied Darcy, feeling somewhat envious of his friend.

'Thank you.'

Not wanting to be reminded of his own failed attempt at a felicitous marriage, Darcy changed the subject. 'But tell me, what caused all the hilarity I observed when I arrived?'

'Would you believe that while Alex's intended was visiting a friend for a few weeks, she received yet another proposal.'

'I would have expected anger from you, Alex, rather than such mirth.'

Alex grinned. 'Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, but it seems that my beloved received the worst and most ridiculous proposal in history.'

He fortified himself with a sip of wine. 'Would you believe the idiot who proposed to her thought that she was eagerly awaiting his addresses and that he could win her hand by insulting her. Instead of seeing what a wonderful lady he was addressing, he told her that marrying her was a degradation of his own lofty family and went on to insult her family and he claimed her presence would pollute the shades of his ancestral home.'

As Alex related that choice piece of information, Darcy was in the process of swallowing a sip of wine. The shock of hearing words very similar to those he had said to Miss Elizabeth made him gasp and the wine went down the wrong way, causing a fit of coughing.

'Sorry, Darcy. I should have warned you not to drink while I tell you about this, considering Richard's reaction.'

The Colonel was indeed laughing again and prompted, 'Tell Darcy about the mother and the aunt. I thought the contradiction was hilarious.'

Alex chuckled and shook his head at Richard's antics but complied. 'Lizzy has several unmarried sisters and naturally their mother is anxious for the girls to find good husbands. Can you believe that idiot objected to her mother and called her mercenary and yet he has a wealthy aunt who keeps pushing her only daughter at a man with an income of then thousand a year.'

Darcy had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was simply not possible for two men to have had such similar experiences. And Alex had called her Lizzy. Could it be?

But what was that about the mother and the aunt. He distinctly remembered that Miss Elizabeth agreed with him when he called her mother mercenary and she even cited Lady Catherine as a role model. But the way Alex related the story, it took on a completely different aspect. Had Miss Elizabeth been sarcastic? If she was mocking about Lady Catherine… Darcy had to know. 'Why do you call that man the idiot?'

'Lizzy refused to give his name to protect his identity as well as his reputation and she had to call him something. Considering how he went on about loving her against his wishes, his reason and even his character, he must be a complete nodcock.' Alex shrugged again and shook his head. 'But she is a kind woman and went along with his delusions while she gently rejected his offer.'

Darcy took a large gulp of wine before he said, 'It seems that you have truly found a paragon, but why have we not heard of this engagement?'

Alex sighed. 'I had to deal with an emergency at home while Lizzy visited her friend, and only had a chance to ask for her father's approval yesterday. Since we both arrived back in London today, the announcement will be in the papers tomorrow.'

The Colonel had calmed down enough from his hilarity to ask, 'You still have not yet told us the name of the lady who has captured one of the most elusive bachelors in the land.'

'Her name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet,' the Earl of Denton said full of pride.

Even though Darcy was already expecting this answer, it still was a blow, although he was uncertain whether the pain was greater to his heart or his inflated pride.

If he had not dithered because he thought that Miss Elizabeth had no connections, he could have courted her while he was at Netherfield. He could have fixed her affections before Alex had a chance. And without his prejudices, he might have managed a proposal without insulting the lady. Now he would never know what might have happend.

Still, his pride caused him to maintain a stiff upper lip, and despite the suspicious glances from his cousin, was able to survive the evening.

~OD~

One lady was furious when she saw the notice in the papers, because she realised if she had not interfered in the courtship of her brother, she could be related to an Earl by marriage.

When Miss Bingley went to visit Jane Bennet at Gracechurch Street to rebuild bridges, the lady refused to receive her.

~OD~