` With no hope of escape, Alex knew that she couldn't avoid Edward for long. She'd see him in town and at various balls, including the annual Darcy family ball that is held at the end of every summer, which is usually something to look forward to. Various Bennet relatives are running around, making a mess and causing chaos, and until this year Alex and Maria would take pleasure in making fun of Lizzy who would attempt to keep the whole ordeal with some inkling of decorum. But there was nothing to look forward to this year. Maria was gone with no hope to visit and she was getting too old for childish games, at least that's what her mother kept telling her. It was going to be a long, hot summer.

Alex filled her days, beginning with her chores. Her mother always said that money isn't always reliable and told her that if she ever had to, she would know how to run her own household by hand. She would gather eggs and help cook prepare breakfast, then she would eat and hurry outside to read her novel. She would fill the rest of the day with horseback riding and stitch work, and end the evening with a piano lesson and drawing.

To most people, she would seem accomplished. She would have that air about her, the one that her aunt mocks condescendingly, but she never felt like she was fulfilled. She was educated and graceful and all things poise, but she had a heart for adventure. She had just been daydreaming about Maria and her trip to New Dehli when she was interrupted by Ms Landle.

"A Miss Charlotte Kinsley to see you Miss."

Alex sat straighter and put down her novel.

"Ms Landle, we will be taking our tea outside today." Charlotte came walking through the grass, with a smooth, elegant strut and was soon beside Alex near the fountain.

"Miss Charlotte, what a lovely surprise!" Alex was half surprised herself at how genuine that phrase was.

"Miss Alexandria, please forgive me for intruding upon your home. It seems that my days are not as appealing as yours."

"Oh not at all Charlotte, please call me Alex. I was just thinking that I could do with some company when you happened to stop by. Indeed, it was a great fortune that you came and rescued me from another afternoon of stitch work." Both of the girls laughed and walked to the canopy erected in the south grounds.

"Alex, I hope you have thought over what I had said to you the other night. My family, my mother especially is keen on this working out. She believes it would be in the best interest of both of our families."

Alex's happy mood slowly disintegrated.

"Miss Charlotte, I have thought about what you have said and I am afraid I cannot oblige. I am aware that it is the proper thing to make a suitable marriage based on relative income, but I assure you that I cannot betray my heart and marry any man, for anything less than love. It may sound foolish in the eyes of someone who knows better than I, but that is one sacrifice that I am unwilling to part with."

Alex stood her ground and although she was shorter than Charlotte, she looked her straight in the eye.

"I can see that you will not be persuaded. My brother has his work cut out for him." Charlotte just chuckled and Alex relaxed a bit.

"Shall I call for some tea?" Alex smiled graciously.

Edward had never had a female acquaintance before. He had no idea how he should behave. Should he call on her? Should he only acknowledge her at social gatherings? Should he compliment her? The whole thing baffled him. He spent a solid week, walking the grounds of Derbyshire, encountering her while she was reading, and ran, either hiding or turning back. Each day he would say to himself, today is the day! after all, he was man of somewhat high social standing. He was not a coward.

He marched to the door and picked up his hat and walking cane. He left and charged toward the Darcy residence. The walk seemed shorter than he remembered. He came up on a stretch of trees that seemed to hide a trail, that is where he would see Alex reading. She always looked quite peaceful. Staring intently at the pages of her book, not minding her posture. Her delicate lips mouthing the words to the book ever so subtly, making him smile.

He reached the bench where she usually sat, but she was absent. At first he was disappointed but then he decided that it was better this way, now he had time to prepare.

"Miss Darcy! Fancy meeting you here, I was just walking and I saw..."

"Alex? I didn't know this was here, I thought I was alone..."

"My face is healing splendidly, if you cared to know. Not that I didn't deserve it..."

Edward practiced behind a nearby tree.

"Miss Alex, how lovely to see you again."

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Kinsley." Alex had come up behind him and was enjoying the entertainment.

Edward turned around so quickly that he lost his footing and stumbled. Alex just giggled.

"Right, well, I was just taking a walk." Edward said lamely.

"I can see that. Tell me Mr. Kinsley, do you often take walks down this stretch?"

"Well, I'm not sure you can call it often. I was just trying to get to know my new surroundings. Would it be a terrible inconvenience if I could ask for a tour?"

Alex eyed him suspiciously, "I suppose it would be the duty of any acquaintance."

Edward smiled a half smile and followed Alex. They remained silent for the first while but it soon became unbearable for Edward.

"So you go to St Maria's?"

"Yes."

"My eldest sister Charlotte went to St. Maria's, she just recently graduated."

"Oh?"

Edward nodded and walked on in silence.

"I was riding past your house the other day and saw that your mother made many great improvements to the garden."

"Hm? Oh yes, I suppose she did."

The whole situation was quite awkward for the both of them.

"So, you are in acquaintance with that young women I met in London, Gwenevere Bertrand?"

"I am, she is my cousin. Well, a cousin of a cousin. I see her quite often. I could introduce her if you'd like." Alex forced herself to look sincere.

"Well, I don't think she'd want to see me again. I made quite a fool of myself last time I was in her acquaintance."

"It wasn't that bad. I've seen worse, unfortunately." Edward stopped walking and smiled at Alex. She was always so kind, even when she wasn't.

"May I walk you home Miss Alex? It's getting dark."

Alex noticed the sky for the first time in a while and nodded.

"If you would like, Mr. Kinsley, we could meet tomorrow at that bench. I can tell you all about the families in Derbyshire."

"I'd like that very much Miss Alex. Good night." He bowed and left her standing at her back door.

Well, it could have gone worse. She thought.