Enjoy.


A time was decided for Mr. Bennet to call the following day then the gentlemen departed. Mr. Darcy was dropped at his solicitor's office. The solicitor, Issac Jameson, received his client cheerfully.

"How may I help you today, Mr. Darcy?" he asked once they were seated in his office.

"I need you to write up a marriage settlement."

"You are engaged? Congratulations, sir."

"Thank you. It is not a settled thing yet but I wish to be prepared."

"Do you need to speak to the lady's father? If so, it might be better to wait before we begin the settlement."

"I have spoken to her father." Mr. Darcy replied. "I have some papers on the matters he wishes addressed in the settlement. I plan to follow my father's lead for my side of the settlement." The papers were passed over. "How soon could you complete the documents?"

Mr. Jameson looked over the papers.

"Let me fetch the copy of your parents' settlement."

Mr. Darcy nodded and Mr. Jameson left briefly. The man was back quickly. He returned to his seat and looked over the papers in front of him.

"Sir, have you read your parents' settlement thoroughly?" Mr. Jameson asked.

Mr. Darcy nodded, "I wish to provide my wife with the same settlement."

"The same settlement comparatively?"

"The same settlement exactly."

"The amount settled on your mother was fair considering what she brought into the marriage and her status before the marriage it was expected. Offering a comparative settlement is perfectly reasonable. To offer more when your intended is bringing to the marriage barely half what your mother did..."

"My intended will receive her due as Mrs. Darcy."

"As you wish, sir." Mr. Jameson said.

"When can the documents be ready?"

"You stated that the engagement is not a settled thing yet..."

"With luck it will be tomorrow. The wedding is being planned for Monday morning."

"Monday? So quickly?"

"I see no need to dally. I will pay twice your usual fee to ensure they are ready on time."

"I can deliver them on Monday morning myself, if that is truly your wish."

"Is nine o'clock convenient for you?"

"Yes, sir."

"There is also another matter I wish to discuss involving George Wickham and his debts to me."

"Do you wish to call in his debts?"

"Yes but it must be done in a way to prevent him from realizing who it is collecting."

"Let us review the details then."


Mr. Darcy returned home some time later to discover a joyful Georgiana in the parlor. He smiled and asked after Elizabeth.

"She is resting. We had such a day."

"Did you?"

"It was wonderful. Jane and Mrs. Gardiner called as well as Anne and our aunt." she replied with a large smile. "We had such a time. Anne and Aunt Rachel told stories of you and Richard as children."

"Not in front of Elizabeth, I hope."

"Of course with Elizabeth."

He groaned.

"Do not worry, Brother, I am sure she found them endearing. She smiled so much."

"She smiled?"

"She did. She is much improved. The bruises on her neck are beginning to fade. The poultice Jane suggested is helping. She can turn her head on her own now and smile. She can lift her arms but still has trouble moving her legs. I know that is troubling her though she tries not to show it. Jane and Anne both shared that she enjoys walking."

"She does. She is a fine walker."

"She would enjoy the trails at Pemberley."

"I am sure." Mr. Darcy replied thinking of Elizabeth strolling the trails of Pemberley on his arm.

"Jane told her she would have to confine her walks to drawing rooms until she is fully recovered and wished her a better partner this time. Elizabeth gave her the most incredulous look but then she grinned."

Mr. Darcy laughed.

"What do you know that I do not?"

"A great deal, I am sure."

"I mean about Elizabeth's walking partner."

"When I was at Netherfield, Miss Bingley invited Elizabeth to take a turn about the room with her when she stayed while Miss Bennet was ill."

"I thought Miss Bingley did not like Elizabeth."

"I do not believe she does but she knew a bit about my interest in Elizabeth."

"So she asked Elizabeth to walk with her because of you."

"Miss Bingley had spent the day trying to gain my attention. In the drawing room after dinner, I was trying to politely ignore her by reading. Miss Bingley began to walk about the room. When she did not gain my attention on her own, she invited Elizabeth to join her."

"Did that gain your attention?" his sister asked with a sly smile.

"Indeed it did." Mr. Bingley said entering with Colonel Fitzwilliam. "I think you nearly scandalized Jane with your comment."

"What did you say?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked with a grin as they sat down.

Mr. Darcy shifted slightly in his seat.

"Once Elizabeth rose he closed his book almost immediately."

"I was merely surprised at your sister inviting Elizabeth to join her." Mr. Darcy put in.

"So Caroline invited him joined them but he declined stating he could only think of two reasons for them to be walking about the room together and him joining them would only interfere."

"What were the reasons?" the colonel asked watching his cousin try to appear solemn while reddening slightly.

"He said they are either in each other's confidence and had secrets to discuss or they knew their figures appeared at the greatest advantage when walking."

The colonel chuckled.

"Then said if it was the first, he would be in their way and if it was the second, he could admire them better as he sat by the fire."

"Brother!" Georgiana said wide eyed while the colonel descended into laughter.

Mr. Bingley grinned.

"Do not worry, Miss Darcy, Miss Elizabeth bested him well for the comment. So much so that Caroline refocused her time trying to impress him with her skills at the instrument rather that with conversation."

"When Miss Elizabeth is in the room, everyone else's conversation pales in comparison for Darcy." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked. "I cannot fault him for it though. She is a delight."

Mr. Darcy simply smiled and nodded.


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