A.N.: Wow! This story has already gotten a much better response than I expected. Thanks for all the support! In light of that, I'm sorry it took me so long to post this next chapter; I suddenly found myself trying to juggle way too many projects at once, and this one sort of took a backseat to the others.
Elizabeth wondered whether the universe - or, more particularly, her life - was governed by the whims of Random Chance or the directives of Fate, and if the latter, whether that Fate was sentient and enjoyed tormenting her. She had not been home long when she was called upon by duty to leave once more. His Majesty - or, more likely, one of his generals - had arranged for every county in England to be toured by one of the premier warriors of the nation, who would visit each of the Great Houses in their assigned region and report on the state of their fortifications.
Elizabeth had been flattered when she'd been chosen as one of the participants, positively thrilled at the prospect - until she'd been told where she would be sent: Derbyshire.
He lived in Derbyshire. She had already agreed to the office, however, so it was too late to object.
Elizabeth, with two soldiers accompanying her as a sort of honor guard, arrived at the inn at Lambton as the sun was setting. She'd managed to put it off until the very end of her assignment, but there was now only one House with its attendant fortifications that she had yet to review: Pemberley.
The next day found her walking along the perimeter of the walls, taking in each detail of design and making a careful note of all she saw. Having received an assurance that morning that the proprietor was not at home, with no plans to return until the morrow, Elizabeth's relief allowed her to simply focus on- and, even, enjoy - her task. She found herself greatly admiring the fortifications; they were truly something, though not perfect. She documented the handful of places in which better maintenance looked to be required and jotted down a suggestion or two for additional lines of defense. All in all, however, she was deeply impressed; they were the best defenses she'd seen in all of Derbyshire.
As she approached the front gates, nearing the completion of her circuit, she was surprised to see a figure on horseback apparently having just arrived. As he entered the gates, he caught sight of her and stopped, and as they looked at each other, she recognized him.
Elizabeth blushed at the thought of meeting him here. Oh, how embarrassing it was! But, he wasn't supposed to be there! She'd been informed that he was away, and not expected to return until the next day.
Perhaps he will ignore me, she reasoned. He cannot be any more eager to see me again than I him after our last meeting.
She was mistaken, however. Apparently, he did have some interest in renewing their acquaintance, for he approached her, surprising her with his civility when he dismounted upon reaching her. Recovering some measure of composure - or, at least, a passable show of it - Elizabeth performed a slight curtsy, murmuring in greeting, "Mr. Darcy."
"Miss Bennet," he bowed.
They stood for a moment in awkward silence, neither sure what to say to the other, before he asked after her family, and she managed to stutter out, "They are well. I thank you."
There was another moment's pause before, flustered, Elizabeth hastened to inform him that she hadn't meant to intrude and that she had, in fact, chosen to perform her office at a time when she had been informed he was not at home, "Indeed, I was given to understand that you were not expected before tomorrow."
He acknowledged the truth of it all, and said that business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a little before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling. "They will join me early tomorrow," he continued, "and among them is one who will claim an acquaintance with you - Mr. Bingley."
She answered only with a nod. Her thoughts were instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley's name had last been mentioned between them, and if she might judge from his complexion, his mind was not very differently engaged.
"Perhaps," he began after a slight hesitation, "Perhaps, you would not be averse to the idea of calling on me tomorrow? I am sure Mr. Bingley would like to see you again, and I confess I am quite curious to hear your impressions of my fortifications; I always like to review them after I have been away for a while, and I am sure such a great warrior as yourself will have many insights that will help me strengthen them further."
Elizabeth blushed at the unexpected praise and stood for a while in silence, shocked at the invitation. Finally, she gathered the presence of mind to excuse herself by saying that, after finishing her report that afternoon, she would have to depart early the next morning to carry it to headquarters.
Before Mr. Darcy could make any sort of reply, however, one of the two soldiers, who had hung back throughout the conversation, stepped forward to state that, after Elizabeth finished her report, her duty would be fulfilled, and he and his companion would see her report delivered, leaving her free to return home when and as she wished.
"Excellent," Mr. Darcy said before she could object, "Then I may expect you tomorrow? And, perhaps, you would not mind extending your stay another day or so to depart with Mr. Bingley? I am quite sure he will wish to return to Hertfordshire with you after a certain matter which he and I must discuss, and I believe you would both be glad of the company."
Having no civil way to object, Elizabeth was forced to say, "I suppose...that would be agreeable."
They parted soon afterwards, Elizabeth's head spinning as she tried to make sense of the encounter.
When she arrived the next day, she was informed that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were, at that moment, shut up in the former's study. As she waited in the next room, she thought she heard muffled yelling in a voice that sounded like Bingley's, but she could not hear the words and had trouble believing one with such a mild disposition as he would do such a thing.
A few moments later saw him storming out the door, but he stopped short when he saw Elizabeth, taking a moment - and a few deep breaths - to compose himself, unwilling for his frustration to taint his interaction with her. Surprised, she wondered what could have so upset the temperate man.
He greeted her, and his smile was only a little forced. They talked for a short while, and he asked after her family, with an air about him a few times that suggested he wished to ask more particularly after a certain one of her sisters, but he never did.
As their conversation drew to a close, he said, "Mr. Darcy," and the name was accompanied by a surprising stiffness, "suggested that you might be amenable to travelling back to Hertfordshire with me. How would you feel about leaving tomorrow morning?"
A little off balance, and very curious, Elizabeth managed to express her approval of the idea, and Mr. Bingley left her then to make the arrangements. As he walked away, she remembered the conversation she'd had with his friend the previous day, and in particular, his saying, I am quite sure he will wish to return to Hertfordshire with you after a certain matter which he and I must discuss.
Could it be...? she wondered.
Hesitantly, she approached the door to the study and knocked lightly. At the sound of a gruff, "Enter," she did so, seeing the room's only other occupant standing at the window on the far side of the room; at first glance, one might think his posture cold, but to Elizabeth, he looked a bit forlorn.
He looked around as she stepped inside the room, careful to leave the door partway open for propriety's sake, and seemed surprised to see her.
"Miss Elizabeth."
"Mr. Darcy." She hesitated, then, but wanted confirmation of the subject she believed they must have discussed.
"I've just seen Mr. Bingley," she began slowly, tactfully. "He appeared rather upset." She paused before taking a breath to steady herself and continuing, "Yesterday, you mentioned that you planned to discuss something with him that you believed might...encourage him to return to Hertfordshire."
His only answer was a stiff nod.
"You spoke to him about Jane, didn't you?"
"I did," he answered shortly, apparently unwilling to speak much on the matter.
Hardly knowing why she did, Elizabeth said, "That was very...good of you."
He looked surprised at that, speechless for a moment, before saying, "It was the least I could do. He deserved to know the truth. And, now, I feel I should apologize to you once more for any pain I may have caused your sister." Though not without some awkwardness, his words seemed sincere.
Elizabeth thought for a moment, unsure how to respond. Resolving to be as honest as she could, she said, "While I cannot condone your presumptuous interference in this matter...From what you have told me, your intentions were good and pure, and I believe you only acted out of concern for your friend; that being so, you shouldn't blame yourself. Your candor with Mr. Bingley now says more than any apology ever could."
He blinked in surprise, before hesitantly asking, "Then...I have your forgiveness on this point?"
"Completely," she answered, a little surprised at how wholly she meant it.
Afterwards, they held their promised discussion of Pemberley's fortifications, and she found herself enjoying it far more than she might have expected. He seemed to share her pleasure.