Bingley sat lounging on the sofa still relieved at how well the night had turned out, while Fitzwilliam stood browsing through a shelf of Darcy's books.
Darcy had just finished his correspondence when the door to his study was knocked on.
"Cousin I am afraid to see who will come through the door next, I would not be surprised to see the Prince Regent himself!" A wild smirk twisted on Fitzwilliam's face.
"Come in." Darcy said all the while focusing his attention on sealing the letter on his desk.
Roberts entered the room followed by a short and stocky gentleman who was carrying two black leather cases.
"Good Evening Mr. Darcy." The gentleman declared bowing to the ensemble of important men. "Good Evening gentleman." Another bow was more formally directed to Bingley and Fitzwilliam.
Darcy stood the letter he had finished and sealed in his hand.
"Mr. Gray I assume my man has given you my instructions." Darcy spoke not looking directly at the jeweller as he walked towards Roberts to hand off the letter.
"Yes, yes Mr. Darcy, of course." Mr. Gray positioned his cases on the table situated in the middle of the room, and began to pull on a pair of crisp white gloves.
"Roberts I want this letter sent out directly and when you are finished return to me, for I have instructions I must go over with you."
"Yes sir." Roberts bowed swiftly and with the message addressed to Pemberley in hand he left the master to his purchases.
Darcy turned and approached the jeweller.
Mr. Gray had already begun to open his cases and in doing so unveiled a multitude of sparkling jewels. Each one in Darcy's mind undeserving to rest upon Elizabeth's skin.
As Darcy neared, Mr. Gray held up a glistening pair of emerald and diamond earrings.
"I believe these are the ones you made mention of in your note Mr. Darcy."
"They are." Darcy took the earrings out of the jeweller's hand to better inspect them.
"Miss Elizabeth is a lucky woman cousin." Fitzwilliam chimed in from his perch next to the grand window.
"I will be the lucky one." Darcy returned the earrings to Mr. Gray. "That is if she agrees to marry me."
"Why would she not agree to marry you Darcy?" Bingley inquired, straightening himself on the sofa.
"Well she has already refused once before." Darcy ignored the shocked faces of his cousin and friend, and instead began to point out rings he wished to examine.
"Well Darcy, now here is a tale. You have been hiding yourself from us!" Fitzwilliam placed his book down and walked towards Darcy who was now seated and looking at two rings.
"When cousin did you ask Miss Elizabeth to marry you, and when did she refuse?"
"It was many months ago now Fitzwilliam, at Rosings. She refused as quickly as I asked." Darcy handed back the ruby ring to Mr. Gray and picked up another sapphire ring to study.
"I have never known you to give up in your life and I applaud your persistence dear cousin!"
"I am more at ease this time around for Bingley has reassured me with his detailed account from Longbourn that Elizabeth will not be offended by my second proposal.
"I say not Darcy, for she all but professed her love for you in front of Jane, Mr. Bennet and myself." Bingley smiled at his friend and stood.
"Speaking of Jane, I must leave now, for I have kept my wife waiting far too long." Bingley stood and bowed towards Fitzwilliam. "I am happy to return home with glad tidings."
"Thank you Charles." Darcy stood to bid his friend farewell. "Charles you must have known before you came tonight that my intentions towards Elizabeth were pure?"
"Of course Darcy, of course!" A maid entered to hand Mr. Bingley his hat.
"I came to just double check!" And with that Chalres Bingley left the study and began his way back to Jane and their London townhouse.
Darcy watched Bingley disappear from the room and then turned to walk back towards Mr. Gray; a brilliant blue sapphire and diamond ring in his hand.
"An excellent choice sir!" Mr. Gray scrambled to retrieve the ring from Mr. Darcy's hand.
"Yes, I will take the ring and the earrings tonight." Darcy moved back to his desk. "I will also be sending my man to your shop within the week to make plans for a few other commissions, among them a silver jewellery box with the Darcy crest.
"Very good sir!" Mr. Gray began to carefully box up the exquisite gifts, beyond pleased with his luck in clients.
Roberts re-entered the room and stood awaiting his instructions.
Darcy sat at his desk gathering a few of his papers together.
"Roberts, first I want you to make ready the carriage; I wish to depart from London within the hour. Secondly, have the housemaids prepare the Colonel's chamber for he…"
Fitzwilliam interrupted. "Oh no! Darcy I am coming with you. There is no possible way you will have me sit here and wait for news!"
"Fine, fine! Roberts leave us and ready the carriage."
Darcy's man left the study, as Fitzwilliam happily sat back down to finish his third class of spirits.