Darcy watched the two most important people in his life ascend the stairs, wishing he could follow. He turned back to Bingley, only to see his closest friend smiling at him.

"We'll be brothers before the year is out, Darcy," Bingley said, grinning.

******

Elizabeth had been at Pemberley for a whole week, and she was enjoying her stay very much. Though Bingley had left for Hertfordshire and the Gardiners had departed to collect their children from the Bennets, Pemberley was a happy and cheerful place.

Georgiana was as dear to her as any of her own sisters, and the younger girl took great delight in showing Elizabeth around the house and grounds. Mr. Darcy was very attentive and solicitous of her needs, and the servants and staff of Pemberley were eager to please the Master and Mistress's favored guest.

Much of the general consensus among the servants was that Miss Bennet had done them a great favor of getting rid of "that Bingley woman." The observations of the serving staff regarding their Master's partiality towards the kind Miss Bennet sparked rumors and hopes of the Master's impending marriage.

Oblivious to the gossip that surrounded them, Elizabeth and Darcy continued to get closer every day. Every morning Georgiana and Elizabeth would go out walking, sometimes joined by Darcy. In the evenings before dinner Georgiana would often find Darcy and Elizabeth laughing together over something in the sitting room. And after dinner all the servants would crowd doorways and strain to hear the duets and songs drifting out of the music room. Every evening Elizabeth and Darcy would entertain Georgiana with a duet, and once again the air would be filled with passionate music.

One afternoon, about a week after Elizabeth's arrival, the three occupants of Pemberley were having a friendly argument over which composer was the truest master (Darcy was more inclined towards Mozart, while Georgiana preferred Beethoven, and Elizabeth was attempting to please both.).

After Darcy conceded to his sister, Georgiana suddenly spoke, "Oh, I must write to our Aunt, Fitzwilliam. I have not written to her these past two weeks."

"Lady Catherine?" Elizabeth asked, surprised that a sweet girl like Georgiana would be in regular correspondence with such a formidable woman like Lady Catherine.

Darcy laughed at Elizabeth's expression. "No, our aunt on our father's side, Lady Matlock."

Elizabeth's face dawned with recognition. "Colonel Fitzwilliam's mother?"

"Yes. She has been Georgiana's mentor and guide and will be sponsoring Georgiana during her debutante season this coming year." Darcy explained.

"Do you mind if I write her a letter now, Lizzy?" Georgiana asked. "Shall you be able to entertain my brother by yourself?"

Laughing, Elizabeth replied, "Oh, I think Mr. Darcy and I can find something to talk of without your help, Georgiana."

Georgiana smiled, and walked to the far side of the room, where she seated herself at a small desk and began to write. As she began the letter, she looked up to see her handy work. She had finally managed to get Lizzy and Fitzwilliam together alone without them becoming suspicious. Earlier in the week, she had tried to get them together alone by saying she wanted to meet with them somewhere, and then not showing up herself. This plan back fired as Darcy, on the way to the sitting room, where Elizabeth was waiting for Georgiana, came upon Georgiana trying to hide in the library.

Seeing her brother and Elizabeth chatting amiably, Georgiana turned back to her letter with a small smile on her lips.

"How have you liked your stay in Derbyshire, Miss Bennet?" Darcy asked. He was anxious to hear her approval of the county, and of Pemberley in particular.

Elizabeth let out a content sigh. "It has been truly wonderful, Mr. Darcy. The scenery is so beautiful, and the staff here at Pemberley has been most helpful and obliging. You have a beautiful home, sir. "

Darcy grabbed the opportunity to compliment her in return. "Indeed, Miss Bennet, Pemberley has not been graced by such easy and entertaining company as you."

Elizabeth blushed and murmured her thanks, while Darcy celebrated his success in complementing.

"Miss Bennet, has Georgiana shown you the rose garden yet?" Darcy inquired.

When Elizabeth replied the negative, Darcy called across the room to Georgiana, "Were you planning on showing Miss Bennet the rose garden, Georgie?"

Georgiana's voice floated across the room. "I confess, I wanted you to show her, Brother. You know so much more about it than I."

Turning back to Elizabeth's confused face, Darcy explained, "It was our mother's garden, and I spent many happy hours there when I was a child with her before her death. During my father's last few months he and Georgiana spent much time there as well."

"I should very much like to see it," Elizabeth said, quietly. "If it holds so many memories for you and Georgiana."

"Brother, why don't you and Lizzy go down now. I shall finish up my letter, and join you shortly," Georgiana said, drawing Darcy's attention from Elizabeth.

Finding this to be an agreeable plan, Darcy and Elizabeth started out towards the gardens.

"Well, here we are." Darcy announced, pushing open a small gate.

Elizabeth gasped. Everywhere there were roses in bloom in varying colors; red, pink, white, yellow. There was a small fountain in the middle of the small enclosure, and in each corner of the garden, surrounded by roses, were small stone benches.

Walking to the nearest rose bush, Elizabeth bent and inhaled the sweet fragrance. Darcy watched this simple act of beauty, memorizing every detail on Elizabeth's face.

As Elizabeth turned to examine another bush, Darcy turned to the nearest bush and broke off a flower. Hiding it behind his back, he motioned towards the nearest stone bench with his free arm.

Elizabeth sat down, still looking around her in wonder. "It is so peaceful here," she said, breathlessly. "The flowers are lovely."

Darcy handed her his flower and watched as she accepted it, slightly pink in the face, saying, "A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady."

Sitting back on the bench, Darcy began regaling Elizabeth with stories of his childhood adventures in the garden.

After laughing at the image Darcy painted of him playing pirates with his father and getting scrapped by the thorny bushes while trying to "protect" his mother, Elizabeth said, "You must have been a very entertaining child."

Darcy grimaced. "I would say I was very spoiled. You of all people know that I can be prideful and put on airs."

"It is because you are shy." Elizabeth said, matter-of-factly. "Upon closer acquaintance, people cannot help but see what sort of gentleman and master you are."

"Well then, what sort of gentleman am I, Miss Bennet?" Darcy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You are a kind landlord and master, and very understanding of the needs of others. I have not heard one bad word about you from the servants, which is a credit to you, sir." Elizabeth began. "You are a very good brother—if she could, Georgiana would sing your praises to the skies every hour of the day. Despite your judgment at times, you look after your friends. And you also ask for forgiveness when you see your mistakes."

Darcy ran his hand through is hair, ruefully. "I have my faults, Miss Bennet."

"I know." Elizabeth said, softly.

Their eyes met, and Darcy saw that she had truly forgiven him for all of his past behavior. There was something more in her eyes, a certain warmth and regard. Darcy's breath caught in this throat. Could he?.....

***

Elizabeth had grown increasingly conscientious of the fact that Mr. Darcy was sitting very near to her on the small stone bench. To get her mind off of this, she began to thank him for coming to her and her aunt and uncle's aid against Miss Bingley's insults.

"It was nothing at all, Miss Bennet," Darcy said.

"But for you to exclude her from your society forev—" Elizabeth started.

"Miss Bennet, I could hardly stand by and see Miss Bingley insult the Gardiners or yourself in my presence when I could do something to stop it." Darcy said replied.

Elizabeth bit her lip, nervous and worried at the same time.

"Truly, Miss Bennet. I meant every word I said to Miss Bingley," Darcy said in a low voice.

Looking up at Darcy tentatively, Elizabeth said, "Thank you Mr. Darcy, on behalf of my aunt and uncle, and myself."

Thinking that would be the end of the subject, Elizabeth was surprised when Mr. Darcy took one of her hands in both his own.

"You must know…Surely you know…I meant every word I said right before Miss Bingley cut in as well, Miss Bennet," Darcy said meaningfully, looking deep into her eyes.

Elizabeth froze. What was Mr. Darcy doing? Surely he was not proposing? She had given up hope of his renewing his addresses to her, believing herself to be Georgiana's friend in his eyes.

"Elizabeth…" Darcy paused.

Elizabeth held her breath, waiting.

The silence was shattered as Georgiana came walking into the garden. "Oh, Lizzy, Fitzwilliam, there are two letters that have just come express for the both of you!"

I got you there! You thought he was going to do it! Sorry! I am in a mischievous mood at the moment.