Elizabeth felt a half happy anxiety twist through her body when she walked out to meet Darcy the next morning. Though it was a bright sunny morning, Elizabeth gave no attention to the scenery absorbed as she was in her thoughts.

Her nerves fell away as she saw Darcy eagerly looking out towards her, in his handsome green coat. His face brightened once she became visible. A quick step brought her immediately to his side, and after their greetings they both fell silent. Despite their mutual happiness, the air felt tense between them. Each knew this morning would be different.

Both were silent until Elizabeth decided — if she were to speak of her feelings it might be easier, or at least a better story afterwards, to do so in a picturesque location. "There is a very pretty glen I just recalled, it is some thirty minutes' walk from here, but much worth seeing."

Darcy nodded, and kissed her hand as had become his habit, before taking her arm.

They made light conversation on the walk, but were more silent than not.

Elizabeth led them to a place where a stream ran through a coppiced wood, and next to a small waterfall the owner had placed a bridge, with a wooden bench right past it that had become stained with time. The woods had been cut to create a small clearing with a profusion of flowers.

The morning sun brightly lit the clearing, and sparrows flit to and fro looking for seeds. Elizabeth and Darcy sat on the bench in a soft green shade. Elizabeth was not sure whether she grabbed Darcy's hand, or he grabbed hers. But as they sat close she drew in her breath, pushed away her hesitation, and began to speak. "Fitzwilliam —"

At the same instant Darcy said in a strained voice, "Elizabeth."

They smiled at each other over the coincidence, and the humor of the moment relaxed Elizabeth's nerves. Darcy nodded for Elizabeth to speak first, and she began, "Fitzwilliam," enjoying the way his Christian name sounded on her lips. "Fitzwilliam," she said it again with a smile, "I — I no longer feel anxious, I am comfortable with you, happy in your presence. I — you are the best man I know. I love it when you smile. I love — I love the shape of your nose, and the way you let your hair fall over your forehead."

Darcy's eyes on her were intent, and she saw his color rise, and the dark look in his eyes deepen as she continued, "When I fell asleep yesterday morning I felt safe and warm in your arms, I hope to do that again, and again — I want to fall asleep in your arms again. I — when I wake, I desire it to always be with you. I wish to start my morning walk with you, instead of towards you." Elizabeth felt her eyes begin to tear with emotion, and Darcy placed the hand which was not squeezing hers against her cheek, and with his thumb slowly brushed her tears away. "Fitzwilliam, I love you. I love you; I want to marry you." She felt suddenly shy and lowered her eyes, nestling her cheek closer into Darcy's hand, "There's nothing I so desperately wish as to marry you, and live with you."

Darcy continued to brush her cheek, and pulled her face up so she looked at him again. Their faces were less than a foot apart. "Elizabeth, I love, love, love you." Elizabeth felt his low voice vibrate in her middle. A smile broke through his impassioned gaze, "I can do nothing but accept your proposal."

Elizabeth giggled through her tears, and bringing his head even closer, Darcy said, "Your laugh is the dearest sound in the world to me."

"I believe you shall hear a great deal of it."

"Why do you think I agreed to marry you?"

Elizabeth's laugh cut off as she realized how close Darcy's face had come to hers, and saw how he looked at her mouth. She felt nervous tingles all over, and half consciously licked her lips. She leaned her head forward to meet his kiss.

She had never felt so happy, safe, or pleased as when their lips met.

They spent some twenty happy minutes with their mouths against each other; when they slowly stopped and pushed their foreheads against each other Darcy felt an elated lightness in his stomach. He had never been so happy. Elizabeth's rosy cheeks, bright eyes and delighted expression proved her happiness. They silently agreed to stand and return to Longbourn. Darcy's stomach swooped, and his knees felt unsteady as he stood.

Elizabeth nestled herself against his side, and tightly held his arm as they began to stroll back towards Longbourn, along the shaded path through the woods. Darcy had a wide happy smile. Though he still dearly, dearly loved to hear Elizabeth laugh, Darcy thought he might enjoy kissing her even more.

She laughed, "That was a new experience."

"Had you never been kissed before?"

"Never like that."

Darcy felt himself puff up at this victory over Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth laughed. Darcy felt too happy for words, but several times a minute their eyes would meet, and Elizabeth would blush and widen her smile. Each time Darcy felt his happiness bloom again.

After a few minutes of silent communion Elizabeth began, "Come Fitzwilliam," — he loved the sound of his name in her voice — "We must speak, and speak on a serious matter — did Georgiana order you to marry last night?"

Darcy laughed remembering the previous evening, "I daresay I have rarely been so embarrassed, as when my shy little sister began to speak on how she wished a sister, and how she thought Lydia would become her sister should I marry one of hers. And with Bingley the entire time laughing in the background."

"Oh, I at least was alone when Lydia gave me her orders — which were somewhat more direct. She gave the impression she worried Georgiana would fail to perform her part creditably, and it might depend upon me."

"Hardly. We must tell Lydia her sister performed her task with exceptional skill and forwardness. Now I must speak on a serious matter of my own. Did you intend all along to be the one to propose? For I had a quite pretty speech planned out and was not able to use it at all."

Darcy loved how her clear skin flushed when she became embarrassed, and the direct way she always found to turn the tease around, "Oh! If it is that pretty, I must hear it. I am quite ready to let you make love to me for howsoever long you wish."

"Nay, nay — I believe I shall save it for some special occasion, and in any case," Darcy lowered his voice and leaned his head to Elizabeth's, "now that I have kissed you, I must first add some lines to my description of your virtues."

Elizabeth turned very red, and lowered her eyes. But then she looked directly back at him, bit her lip, and said in an alluring tone which Darcy felt in his stomach, "Then I shall expect it to be a very pretty speech indeed."

Her expression was such that Darcy felt he had no choice but to kiss her again, and he did.

When they turned to walk again, breaking out of the woods and into the open sunlight Elizabeth spoke, "It is my turn to ask a question, when did you find you loved me?"

"I must say it began from our first conversation, however when Jane was sick at Netherfield I first realized how attached I had become. I decided, to my shame, your connections to trade were too far beneath my own for us to marry. I thought it best to tell you I had no serious intentions. But —"

"I believed as much," Elizabeth interrupted, "Charlotte pointed out to me that a man likely feels a great deal if he cares enough to make it clear he does not feel enough to marry."

"Yes, I believe I spoke more to convince myself to feel less, than to warn you. Though, in fact, I would wish you to forget all I said at that time, I cannot think of my attitude and behavior then with anything but abhorrence. I can see your next question in your eyes, I realized I had been a fool to think such considerations mattered when you smiled at me the day after Bingley proposed to Jane, and explained how you would have refused the arrogant proposal you imagined me giving."

Elizabeth laughed again, "It fits my picture of your character completely that being told decidedly a woman might refuse you would convince you that you must marry her."

"If you did not promise the refusal in such a charming manner it may not have worked as well, I believe your mischievous smile at that moment will stick in my mind forever, I daresay a week has not gone past since then when I did not bring it to mind."

It appeared such a statement deserved a kiss, or at least that Elizabeth believed it to.

A minute later they began to stroll towards Longbourn again, and Darcy asked, "It is my turn to learn: how did you come to be in love with me?"

"Why, I must confess my pleasure in your company has grown steadily since I discovered in our first conversation that you sometimes take opinions not your own for the sake of being contradictory. After that trait was established everything else combined to convince me no other man could be so suitable for a woman such as myself."

"I will acknowledge few men could be as suitable as myself for you," Darcy replied with a smile.

"Oh my! And your vanity had just begun to recede. I fear I will be forced to tease you dreadfully and constantly to fight its resurgence."

"I fear it may be a hopeless case, it is impossible for a man attached to such an excellent woman as yourself to do other than think well of himself."

Elizabeth's laugh and pretty blush delighted Darcy, as she said "My goodness, I believe I may be the one who becomes vain if you continue to speak of me in that manner. We will make a fine couple, far too self-satisfied by our cleverness — as proven by finding such a fine companion — to be good company anywhere. Though, at least we shall always have each other to praise and flatter."

Darcy laughed, and was joined by Elizabeth who added, "To continue my own story, after that night I believe from the first I wished I had accepted you, but I refused to allow myself to feel completely certain until you had returned, and I saw you again. I knew when you remembered my words from our first conversation, and then turned them against me."

At the pleased look in Elizabeth's eyes, and her upturned mouth, Darcy leaned over to kiss her again. They found as they looked away from each other they were in the view of an amused farmer who was bringing a cart laden with vegetables towards Meryton.

With a deep blush Elizabeth called out, "I must have your congratulations Mr. Smith."

At that the farmer doffed his cap, "I am very happy for you Mrs. Elizabeth, you as well Mr. Darcy." The farmer added in a hesitant voice, "will this change the —"

"No business today! None till Jane is married. But do not worry, the arrangement we made regarding your rents will not be changed; it was on Mr. Darcy's advice I offered to modify the lease in that manner. In fact, Mr. Darcy and I think alike in all matters where it is not entertaining for us to think separately."

The farmer appeared relieved by Elizabeth's statement, and bowed his head again, "the best of happiness to you both!"

As they walked towards Longbourn again Darcy said, "It is a very serious matter for many people when a major land owner marries. I know all of the tenants and servants at Pemberley will be very pleased at how well I have chosen as they discover your merits."

Elizabeth blushed prettily at the comment, Darcy chose to tease her further, "I had no idea my words at the ball had such an effect. Though, in fact, it does not surprise me. I always have seen you to be one who wishes to be so well spoken that her words are remembered and passed down among the hearers with the force of a proverb."

As Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply Darcy silenced her with a kind pat on her hand "do not worry: as your husband it shall be my study to memorize your words and turns of phrases, and repeat them back to you at appropriate moments."

Elizabeth laughed, "I certainly shall get a big head from your praise. Come, we are almost to Longbourn, you will need to talk to my uncle; he is my closest male relative, and will wish to be there when we speak about the settlement — though I heard enough of your conversation yesterday to know that with the bribe of Pemberley's ponds in the back of his mind he will hardly be a fierce defender of my interests."

"Which is why we will have Lydia there as well."

Elizabeth turned to Darcy, "What?"

"When I asked, I believe it was the second evening we met — at Lucas Lodge — you said you intended to have Lydia there when your marriage settlement was negotiated. And just now you acknowledged the necessity of it since your uncle, though I would not have guessed such from his manner, is easily corruptible. I'm certain I shall not be able to corrupt Lydia."

With a laugh Elizabeth shook her head, "Now, now my uncle is an excellent man. You merely have found his weakness." Then she turned her eyes prettily on Darcy from under her bonnet and exclaimed in surprise, "oh! You are serious about Lydia." Elizabeth giggled, "This shall certainly tickle her fancy."

They now entered the familiar grounds around Longbourn, and before they walked to the entrance Darcy pulled Elizabeth off to the side. In an enclosed space behind a tall hedge Darcy kissed her again and the two kept themselves pleasurably engaged for some minutes.

Rather sooner than Darcy would've liked Elizabeth pushed him away and said, "I must let Jane share in my happiness." Then with a quick step Elizabeth walked to the entrance and opened the door. Mrs. Hill was there to help Elizabeth and Darcy take off their outerwear, and tell them the entire family, along with Bingley and Georgiana, were gathered in the parlor. The housekeeper realized from their body language and smiles, and with her own wide smile said, "Oh!"

"Indeed, we do have a most special announcement to make," laughed Elizabeth. A happy wide grin pulled at Darcy's cheeks as the housekeeper shook both their hands, and said "I know you'll both be very happy. I am very, very pleased to hear this news ma'am."

It proved unnecessary for the happy couple to say anything, since the moment they entered the room Lydia and Georgiana stood and shrieked. Lydia's shriek sounded like, "it worked." Moments later both Elizabeth and Darcy were mobbed by their happy family who wished to hug and congratulate them.

Darcy loved seeing how Georgiana and Elizabeth happily embraced each other, and listened as Elizabeth laughed in reply to Georgiana's question, "you and Lydia certainly shall be able to visit a great deal. You shall be sisters, after all." Georgiana blushed brightly, but despite her embarrassment her countenance was very pleased.

Bingley heartily shook Darcy's hand, "I am, very, very happy I shall be able to call you brother."

"And I as well."

Darcy watched Mrs. Bennet step up to Elizabeth, with some worry, Mrs. Bennet embraced her daughter and said, "I am so pleased — so happy. And — my dear Mr. Bennet would have been as well."

Elizabeth said with a happy smile, "Yes, Papa would have been very pleased."

When Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner came up to shake their hands, and embrace Elizabeth, Darcy said to Mr. Gardiner, "I will be very proud to call you uncle. You are Elizabeth's closest male relative, and," Darcy took Elizabeth's hand again and squeezed it, "She respects you very much. Would you give me your blessing to marry your niece?"

"Most heartily." Mr. Gardiner smiled, "We all trust Lizzy's good sense, but everything I've heard or seen shows you are a man of very good character who I will be proud to call nephew."

Darcy smiled at the man's words, and thought how a few months earlier he would have never cared for the good opinion of a tradesman. Elizabeth really had made him a better man.

After they shook hands again, Elizabeth embraced her uncle. Darcy added, "Elizabeth thought you would wish to be there when we spoke on the settlement."

Mr. Gardiner nodded, "I do not believe you would abuse Lizzy's interests — or that she would allow you to — but, even when a woman is competent to manage the affair on her own, it is best to have an older party who is — unattached — present to make sure her interests are cared for."

Darcy turned to Elizabeth, and caught her eye with a smile. She blushed rosily, knowing what he was about to say, "I agree completely. However, Elizabeth feared my ability to bribe you with access to my ponds meant she could not trust you to fiercely defend her interests."

The older man's eyes danced merrily and in his mischievous expression Darcy clearly saw the family resemblance, "Why Lizzy, I'm shocked you would think so little of my integrity. I would at least hold out for your aunt to be taken round Mr. Darcy's park in a phaeton."

Everyone laughed, and Darcy said, "That is a capital idea. I have just the cart for it, and a nice pair of ponies. We shall be certain to travel round when you are in Derbyshire this summer. However, Elizabeth clearly needs someone else present to look after her interests — Lydia, we can trust you not to accept bribes."

Lydia's eyes widened, "Mr. Darcy, Lizzy was joking about Uncle Gardiner."

Darcy grinned widely, "I daresay she was. I, however, still wish your presence. Elizabeth needs someone who will not be charmed by my ponds to look out for her interests."

Lydia brought her eyebrows together in thought, then nodded seriously, "I'm glad you suggested it, my uncle can be trusted, but a woman should be present. Most times Lizzy could handle her own affairs — but, she does love you, and love is a form of insanity."

Lydia reddened as everyone except Georgiana laughed at her, "It is! It may be pleasant, but one hardly acts as they normally would once in love."

"I could hardly deny that," Darcy said, "but it still is better to be in love. Bingley, the scheme I have in mind involves you as well."

Elizabeth had told him that, after Mr. Collins had died, she swore no one she cared for would ever again need to worry about money. Darcy was certain Elizabeth had put thought into how to guarantee her sisters' interests in the marriage settlement. But he wanted to surprise and please her by offering an even better plan than hers.

The group went to Elizabeth's study, and Darcy sat next to Elizabeth on the pretty white and pink embroidered sofa. Mr. Gardiner, Bingley, and Lydia all pulled up wood backed chairs with white seat cushions around the table in front of the sofa. Darcy spoke, "First, I wish to put up twenty thousand pounds to add to the sum Elizabeth and Bingley collected for Mary, Kitty and Lydia. That will bring their dowries to about thirteen thousand pounds each — while not a great fortune, it is a very respectable amount."

Mr. Gardiner laughed, "It may seem little to you — but in some circles thirteen thousand pounds is a great fortune."

"I'm glad to have your support; I shall ensure your wife is taken round the park each morning if she so wishes while you are at Pemberley."

Mr. Gardiner grinned widely in reply, as Darcy felt Elizabeth poke him with her elbow. Darcy smiled at her, and she said, "Be nice to my uncle."

"I do think," Darcy added, "while the income should be irrevocably settled upon the sisters, the capital should be only released if each of us agree." He smiled at Lydia, "Surely you cannot object to that clause; after all, you think should you wish to marry you would be insane."

Lydia blushed at everyone's laughter, but said, "You are right. It is a good idea." She looked at Elizabeth, "Women in love really cannot be trusted with their own interests." With a serious voice Lydia asked, "And what plan for Longbourn? While a large amount I know twenty thousand pounds is much less than its value."

Darcy approved of how she tried to take seriously her role as Elizabeth's defender. Her closeness with Georgiana was a good thing. "That was the second part of my scheme. One third of the income from the estate and use of the house would be settled upon Mrs. Bennet during her life, and —"

"Why settle anything upon her?" Lydia interrupted in a clipped voice, "She does not need much."

Darcy frowned, and looked at Elizabeth, a third was the traditional widow's portion. Any deviation from that would be Elizabeth's choice, not his.

Elizabeth smoothed her dress along her legs and she looked down. "Lydia," Elizabeth's eyes turned to the portrait of her father above the fireplace, "She is our mother."

"So? I recall what she did when he —" Lydia stuttered to a stop as she recalled the presence of the three men in the room.

Darcy saw that Elizabeth had grown pale, and he took her hand and slowly kissed it. Elizabeth took a deep breath, as Lydia said "I'm sorry Lizzy, I should not have —"

Elizabeth shook her head, and said, "No. You more than anyone have a right to remember that time." She looked down, and flicked a speck off her dress. Darcy squeezed the hand he still held. Elizabeth turned to him with a smile, then looked to the side with a frown. She held her free hand up and said, "Allow me to think."

Her lips moved, and Elizabeth's eyes grew unfocused as she whispered slowly to herself. Darcy admired the way her forehead wrinkled in concentration. At last she said, "I think five hundred pounds. Her income would then be greater than seven hundred pounds, which is one third of what father and her had when he was alive. It is much less though, than one third of the estate."

Lydia leaned forward with a tense posture and opened her mouth to argue.

"No." Elizabeth cut her off, "I shall not do what you desire."

Lydia stiffly sat back and Elizabeth gave her a wry smile, "Mary once told me — you shall have to ask her just who she quoted for I did not recognize it — the best revenge is to be dissimilar to the one who performed the injury. We have no need to act in the way you suggested."

At last Lydia nodded. Darcy continued to hold Elizabeth's hand; he felt her squeeze his hand in return. He settled himself so he sat a bit closer to her, and could feel the warm line of her leg against his own. Bingley appeared confused, but aware would not be proper to ask why both Lydia and Elizabeth disliked their mother. Mr. Gardiner frowned, looked between Lydia and Elizabeth, and with an unhappy sigh busied himself scribbling notes onto a sheet of paper he acquired before they sat down.

Elizabeth broke the silence, "Well, Fitzwilliam" — the novelty had not yet worn off. Darcy felt a happy flutter deep in his stomach when she used his Christian name. Elizabeth leaned her head against his shoulder, "Let us hear it: what nefarious scheme have you planned for the rest of Longbourn's income?"

Darcy blushed, it was silly, but explaining his idea embarrassed him. He hoped Elizabeth liked it. "I know, you worry for your sisters, and wish to ensure that they are always well. You — you told me once that you hoped to guarantee that not only your sisters, but their children also — and the generations after would be safe. You wanted to guarantee no girl related to you ever would need to marry to avoid poverty."

Elizabeth squeezed his hand, and gave him a soft smile when Darcy paused.

"Well," Darcy cleared his throat and looked into her eyes, "I want us to establish a fund to support any female relative of yours who might ever be in need. It would be left alone for at least two decades, since your sisters will have sufficient dowries. The fund would grow to a substantial sum. Then no matter how many daughters your sisters, or their children might have, none would ever be in real need."

Elizabeth looked up at him with luminous eyes but said nothing, and Darcy began to babble, "I know due to the laws against perpetuities, and the difficulty of controlling future generations I can't guarantee all descendants of the family will always be well cared for but — I do have some thoughts on what can be done — and my, our, lawyers are very good, and —"

"Thank you," Elizabeth put her fingers against his mouth, "I like your idea very much." She began to tear up, "Very much. You — you really are the best man I know."

Darcy looked at her with a soft smile, and forgot the rest of the room.

Mr. Gardiner harrumphed from the background to catch the couple's attention, "That is a very generous scheme Mr. Darcy. Very. If you put Longbourn's rents into such a fund, you will gain no income by marrying Lizzy. And you plan to give up some twenty thousand pounds in ready cash." He leaned forward and raised his eyebrows, "Perhaps, it is you who need someone present to protect their interests?"

"I am a wealthy man," Darcy half shrugged, "and not an extravagant one, and neither was my father. I have put aside thousands of pounds every year since I took the estate — I assure you, this does not harm me."

Mr. Gardiner frowned, and bounced the back of his pencil against the table. Darcy had not anticipated any objections to his scheme, as it was very generous. However, if he had imagined an objection, it would not have been that he intended to cheat himself. He began to better understand why Elizabeth held Mr. Gardiner in such high esteem.

"Uncle," Darcy spoke firmly, and held Mr. Gardiner's eyes, "I will do this. It is a plot which has been in my mind for several weeks, and not a sudden thought. Elizabeth's happiness is all that matters to me. This will not hurt me, and I will not regret it."

They stared at each other then Mr. Gardiner shrugged and relaxed, "Well. You violent young lovers always wish to carry everything your own way. There's nothing I could say to convince you."

Darcy openly put his arm around Elizabeth and pulled her closer to his side, "There is not. Besides, I am gaining Elizabeth's services — you know she is a most excellent estate manager. She will be involved in making all our future decisions," the strength of his smile nearly stopped Darcy from speaking as he said 'our '. "In the long run I shall come out ahead."

"Oh!" Elizabeth exclaimed from his side. Her eyes were still teary but she smiled happily, "The truth comes out. Despite all your pretty words about the sound of my laughter, it seems you marry me for money."

Her eyes were just six inches from his, and Darcy held them as he replied, "Of course, we Darcys are pragmatists. You can have no cause to complain; you were the one to propose."

The fine skin of her cheeks and forehead turned a very pretty pink, "I fear you shall repeat that story endlessly."

"Of course I shall," Darcy's voice was low, and he almost whispered, "Your boldness in acting so — that is part of who you are and what I love about you. I never would wish to forget it."

Elizabeth's face softened, and her lips parted as she held her bright eyes on him. Darcy had begun to lean forward to kiss her, when Mr. Gardiner coughed loudly. "Ahem. Not that your lover's talk is not fascinating — it is." He grinned, "It surprises me not at all that you would be the one to speak first Lizzy — but you are in company."

Darcy felt himself blush like a schoolboy while Elizabeth jumped several inches away from him and took her hand back. Mr. Gardiner continued, "I also must insist your engagement last a month at the most."

Lydia's eyes were wide, "I had known a girl could encourage a man to speak, but I had no idea it might be proper for her to ask herself."

"I daresay it is not quite proper," Darcy laughed, "though I think any man who would take offense should you ask them would make you a poor husband."

"La!" Lydia replied, "I would never marry such a man, in any case."

Elizabeth said, her face still very red with embarrassment, "I am pleased you now think you might wish to someday marry."

"Perhaps. Though not 'til I am almost an old maid."

Everyone smiled at Lydia.

Mr. Gardiner said, "I am entirely satisfied by your plans Mr. Darcy. And I daresay I would be even if I were not to receive an excellent bribe. Lydia, what think you?"

Lydia stilled, surprised to be put on the spot, she frowned and looked at Elizabeth, who nodded with a smile. Lydia said, "I have no objections to your scheme, Mr. Darcy, as far as I can tell it seems to be a very good one."

Darcy smiled, and stood offering his hand to pull Elizabeth up. "I'm glad to hear it. Shall we rejoin the rest of the family?"

As they walked out of the room Darcy was surprised when Lydia rushed up to them, and very quickly embraced him. Stepping back and flushing, she said, "I will be very pleased to have you as a brother."

Darcy felt touched, and with emotion in his voice replied, "And I will be very pleased to have you as a sister."

We are almost done now, just two more chapters.

I hope you don't mind if I make quick appeal on a very important subject that has little to do with the story. Every month I give money to Doctors Without Borders. You should too. There are still places where medical care is worse than what Darcy or Elizabeth would have had access to. Ten dollars a month, or twenty, or whatever you feel comfortable giving, will help build a world where babies don't die when a cheap pill could save their life, and where childbirth almost never kills. Several thousand people are reading this story, if only a tiny fraction of you act, we will make a real difference.