Author's Note: I am so sorry for the wait! Life has been absolutely mad here, but hopefully things are settling down a bit. And, for those of you lovely readers still with me, I have the next chapter almost done, so it should be less than a week - I promise! You all are wonderful, and the notes of encouragement (and prodding :) really helped. Thank you!
Of course, I own nothing. All credit goes to the fantastic Jane Austen and the writers of Doctor Who. Many thanks as always to lastincurableromantic for the beta.
Shortly after calling upon them with his friend, Mr. Harkness surprised the Tyler family by paying them another visit, this time alone.
"How good of you to visit again so soon!" Jackie exclaimed. There was no doubt in her mind that he was still sweet on her Donna, that he was here to put things right, and that all would soon be most agreeably settled. That is, if he knew what was good for him.
Mr. Harkness smiled warmly. "You give me too much credit, ma'am. My motives are, I'm afraid, rather selfish; I've been looking forward to renewing our acquaintance for some time. I am truly grateful for your warm welcome," he declared fervently. "However I'm afraid that my friend, Mr. Smith, has had to return to London on business."
Resignation settled heavily on Rose's shoulders. She had not been mistaken in her suppositions. Mr. Smith had been so distant when they called, so much more like the man she'd met all those months ago at the Meryton ball. Now that she knew him - his kindness and warmth, his humor, his quirks, his generosity - seeing him withdraw behind those walls once more had hurt more than she would have guessed.
But what did she expect? He had admitted to loving her once, and she had openly and rather heatedly spurned that love. Despite his immense kindness to her family, Lucy's situation could not but add to his objections, if indeed he still cared for her at all. Regardless of the connection she'd felt between them at Gallifrey (and the disturbing frequency with which those memories graced her mind, waking or sleeping), she could not fault him for distancing himself. However, the prospect of not having him in her life at all was too painful to bear. She had so hoped for another chance to talk with him; she would happily accept his friendship, if that's all he could offer.
Shaking aside these disheartening thoughts, she returned her attention to the present. Mr. Smith had merely accompanied his friend to Torchwood, perhaps as a show of moral support. Her heart urged her to believe that he might have changed his mind about the couple, a thought that brought a small smile to her face despite her own sense of loss.
"He means to return in a week or so," Jack continued, drawing her gaze involuntarily to his face before she could fully conceal her disappointment. She was sure he saw it, too, his blue eyes studying her closely a moment before he flashed her an affectionate, knowing smile and turned his attention back to the others.
Rose did not know what to make of that, except that Jack had obviously noticed her reaction to Mr. Smith's departure. Her cheeks grew warm at the transparency of her feelings, but she could not help the joy she felt in knowing that at least she might see him again.
Once again forcing aside her selfish thoughts, it was now her turn to study. She watched with growing delight as Jack gently drew Donna into the conversation, showing genuine interest in what she had been doing while he'd been away and grinning as she gradually grew more animated and open.
Jackie had gone uncharacteristically quiet while the two conversed. Glancing briefly at her, it became apparent that their mother was attempting to gain her younger daughters' attention. Lynda was already watching her with a bemused expression, and Rose couldn't blame her. After staring pointedly at each of them in turn, Jackie began gesturing towards the door, tilting her head and rolling her eyes in what she must have believed was a subtle fashion. Her attempts achieved a much more comical effect, however, and Rose was forced to turn aside, stifling a laugh behind her hand. Lynda was more forthright.
"What is it, Mum? What's wrong? Is there something in your eye?" she inquired tactlessly.
Never let it be said that Jackie Tyler wasn't clever. Instead of belittling her daughter's obliviousness, she seized upon it. "Oh!" she cried out, blinking furiously and clutching at her eye. "I think there is! Lynda, would you be a dear and help me to the kitchen? It does sting a bit. I might need your help." And grabbing Lynda's hand she left the room, shooting a warning glance at Rose as they disappeared.
There was a moment's awkward pause before Jack quickly came to their rescue. "I must admit that I have always enjoyed living in the city. There is never a shortage of things to do or people to meet. But I believe my time at Torchwood has ruined it for me, a bit. I have grown rather fond of the country, and found myself longing to return. I find this area to be particularly charming," he declared, smiling adoringly at Donna, who flushed happily at his compliments. Only her own overwhelming joy kept Rose from rolling her eyes.
The door swung open abruptly to reveal their mother, who wasted no time in pleasantries. "Rose, sweetheart, Lynda and I would like your opinion on something. It's rather urgent," she added, her tone clearly declaring that she would brook no opposition.
Rose hesitated, seeing the pleading expression on her sister's face, but she knew that Jackie would not be easily put off without making a scene. She shot her sister an apologetic glance as she exited the room.
Jackie briskly escorted her to the drawing room, where Lynda sat looking bored. "'S plain as day he's still sweet on her," she averred proudly. "They just need some time, and I'm gonna make sure they have it."
Much to her mother's disappointment, all her scheming did not produce a proposal, although Donna smiled more that day than she had in the last few weeks. Before he left Mr. Harkness did agree to come shoot with Mr. Tyler the following morning, and Jackie quickly jumped at the opportunity. Upon finding that he had no other engagements, she convinced him to stay for dinner as well.
The next morning dawned brisk but pleasant, and both men enjoyed the outing more than they'd anticipated. Mr. Tyler soon discovered his neighbor to be not only affable but unpretentious and quick-witted as well, and they spent the morning in candid conversation and companionable silence. Mr. Harkness felt all the honor of his host's unusual openness, and it bolstered his courage significantly. They returned to the house looking quite content, causing the ladies to breathe a shared sigh of relief.
Dinner that evening was one of the most pleasant they'd had in quite some time, largely owing to Jack's winsome presence. He asked for Pete's advice about running the estate, complimented Jackie, shared stories of mischief and mishap that had Rose and Donna in (almost) silent fits of laughter and Pete's mouth twitching, and couldn't seem to contain the helplessly smitten smile that crossed his face whenever Donna's eyes met his across the table.
They decided to play cards afterwards and Rose, who had been meaning to write to the Collinses', excused herself to the breakfast room. She truly missed her friends. They had been unfailingly supportive through all the drama that had passed, and she found great joy in remembering her time in Kent and thinking of their happiness.
Setting the finished letter aside with a sigh, she wandered back down the hall to rejoin the others, noticing that the drawing room seemed suspiciously silent. Not until she had stepped across the entryway did she realize her mistake. Her mother had obviously been plotting again and would undoubtedly be ecstatic with the result. Rose, however, wished she could melt into the floor.
She had quite clearly intruded upon an intimate moment. Mr. Harkness and her sister parted hastily when she entered, Donna flushed and looking like she might burst with delight and Jack drawing back rather reluctantly, his hand still tenderly caressing her cheek. With a few whispered words and a lingering kiss to Donna's fingers he withdrew. He caught Rose's gaze as he left, his blue eyes twinkling with wonder and joy, and she nodded slightly, her returning smile wide and approving. The girls contained themselves just long enough for him to traverse the hall before they flew into each other's arms, mingled cries of joy and laughter escaping them as they embraced.
After several moments Donna pulled back just a little, clasping Rose's hands in her trembling ones. She was positively aglow with blissful radiance, causing tears to spring to Rose's eyes. Her heart resonated with the unparalleled joy of seeing a loved one find the happiness you've always wanted for them.
"He loves me, Rose! Oh, I'm so happy! I never thought I could have this… didn't know it was possible, a feelin' like this," she babbled happily before a passing thought suddenly furrowed her brow with worry. "Wait… this is real, right?"
Rose laughed, drawing their hands up between them and squeezing them earnestly. "It most definitely is real, dearest. I am so very happy for you. He is kind and funny and handsome, and he adores you completely," she added, regarding her sister tenderly. "I believe you will make each other very happy. No one deserves it more than you."
Normally Donna would have argued, scoffed even, but today Rose saw something different, and knew it was Jack's doing. His profession of love had pulled down the last of her defenses, allowing her to accept the joyful prospect awaiting her.
"Thank you," Donna murmured, her eyes brimming with happy tears. "Oh, Rose, I must go to Mum straightaway! She will be so pleased! Jack has already gone to speak with Dad. I just can't believe it!" And, after crushing Rose into another hug, she flew from the room, leaving her sister watching her retreating form with fondness.
Wandering over to the window, Rose reveled in the way the clean, sunny day outside seemed to echo the happy events passing within. All the clouds and grayness that had oppressed them for so long had been swept away and easily forgotten in the light of this long-awaited day.
Moments later Jack returned, clearly searching for Donna. However, upon finding Rose alone, he greeted her with an easy smile. He had always felt like a brother and treated her as such; now it would be official.
"She's upstairs with Mum," Rose said, answering his unspoken question as she walked toward him.
Opening his arms in invitation, he crossed the remaining distance, sweeping her up into a big hug. "So you approve then?" he asked eagerly as he set her back down.
"'Course I do, you goose," she teased. "This is the happiest I've ever seen her. You're a very lucky man, y'know." Although she was still smiling, her brown eyes met his solemnly, with both affection and warning in their depths.
"I know."
"Good."
That evening was even livelier than the last, the mood festive and everyone's spirits high. For once Jackie's effusions of praise for the happy couple were matched by all, and even Pete, in his own quiet way, was visibly pleased.
"I believe you will be very content, my dear," he told Donna after Mr. Harkness had left for the night. "He is a good man, and you seem well suited to each other, although you are both too kind and generous by far. Had I not learned how good you are with figures, Donna, I would fear you'd exceed your income." Though he kept a straight face, his eyes were sparkling with mischief, and Donna simply beamed at him.
"The nonsense you utter sometimes, Pete Tyler," Jackie exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "As if they could! Donna, sweetheart, you've made us all so proud. I never doubted for a moment! He is the handsomest, most charming man in all of England!" She smothered her eldest in a teary embrace, which Donna gladly returned, neither one of them minding the slight exaggeration of her sentiments.
After enumerating upon the many charms of her beau, the girls began postulating the advantages she would have as mistress of Torchwood. Joan promptly requested access to the library, eagerly seconded by Rose, and Lynda expressed, with a hesitating air and a furtive glance at her father, the hope of attending many balls there in the future.
They saw much of Mr. Harkness over the next week, as he often spent most of each day with them, the only exceptions being when some bothersome neighbor sought to steal him away for an evening. The lovebirds rarely parted company, but if ever Donna was preoccupied with other things, Jack was forthwith by Rose's side. They had an easy camaraderie, teasing and carrying on in a way that probably would have shocked polite society.
Evenings were usually her only chance to talk privately with Donna. Rose treasured their quiet confidences and muffled fits of laughter, knowing that this period in their lives would soon be drawing to a close. On one such night, as the girls readied for bed, Donna said, "Do you know, Jack says he never even knew I was in London? All that time, and I just thought he didn't want to see me."
Rose gritted her teeth; she'd expected as much. "'S a bit surprising, yeah? Considering?"
A fiery glint lit her sister's deep blue eyes. "What? You mean considering that his sisters knew I was there, yet neglected to tell him?" She sighed heavily before continuing, "I know they had hoped for a better match for him. I get that. I just hope that, once they see how much we love each other, they will accept me. I'd like to be on pleasant terms with them, seeing as we'll soon be family. I'm not sure we'll be friends again, though. If we ever were."
A mixture of sadness and relief washed over Rose as her sister spoke. "I'm sorry they hurt you, sister, but I'm glad that you've taken their true measure."
Donna clambered into bed, propping herself against the headboard and tucking the covers beneath her arms. "He loved me all along, Rose, even when he left," she said dreamily, "but somehow he'd gotten the notion that I didn't feel the same, the ninny."
Rose tried to cover the quick gasp that escaped her lips. How much had Jack told her? She couldn't bear the thought of Donna thinking badly of Mr. Smith. "It was a foolish mistake. But it shows his humility, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. He's usually so confident, though, and he certainly knows he's charming," she said with a wry smile, "but for some reason he thinks more of me than himself. Can you imagine?"
Kneeling on the bed beside her, Rose grabbed her hand. "I can. It just shows he's more than a pretty face; he's also got incomparable taste. I believe he loves you almost as much as I do," she said, her tongue peeking out as she smiled.