It was a few days later Darcy was finally able to get out of the house. He had wished to leave sooner but the rains and his aunt had delayed him. He would admit he still felt the sting of accusations laid at his door by Miss Elizabeth. He hated the idea someone would actively accuse and assume things about him.

He expected it from Wickham, it was in his nature. But for a relative stranger, one he thought he was getting along with and could have even fallen for to actively accuse and embarrass himself like that. Something in him felt it was important to make things right. He wanted to make it right.

Why he felt the need to defend himself to her he couldn't say. He didn't feel the same attachment he thought he was at risk of back at Netherfield. Though he did still admire her mind, to a degree. He just couldn't stand the thought of her thinking so ill of himself. He just didn't know how to go about giving her a letter, like Hepatica suggested without breaching propriety. Though Darcy was at the stage of working himself up just so, as to throw caution to the wind.

Writing a letter addressing all Miss Elizabeth accused – his history with Wickham, and adding his sisters near elopement, along with his dealings and what was said between himself and Bingley all those months ago, seemed the best thing to do. While keeping it in his coat pocket on the off chance he might see her once he was able to leave the manor, may be his only chance.

He felt dismayed when she did not join the Collins' and Miss Potter and Miss Lucas for dinner that night. Though the fact they made it to dine in the gap between rains of earlier and the down pour that hit during dinner was nothing short of miraculous. Darcy half wanted to also not join the party, while half of him was happy to have the company of Hepatica again. Her dress was very becoming though much simplier than fashion dictates, she made it work and enhanced her natural beauty. Darcy didn't mind dinning, conversing and watching her. More than he ever did Miss Elizabeth. He knew now she had delicate feet and smooth pale skin inder her dress, even if he did turn away once he noticed she didn't have any shoes on. He never thought the feet of a person could be considered becoming.

Darcy didn't feel himself. He watched as his cousin tried to flirt and talk with Hepatica, idly wondering if he would ever be able to call her by her first name in public instead of Miss Potter. There was a strange feeling watching them and seeing Hepatica be not as polite and engaging as she usually was. It gave him a nice feeling in his chest seeing her like that towards his cousin.

He knew his cousin was a charming fellow. Not sleazy as Wickham was but one that usually got what he wanted from a woman. Richard wanted Hepatica. Though he said he wanted her before they found out her situation, it didn't stop him fearing his cousin was trying too hard for that reason.

Hepatica almost looked relieved when asked to play for them. Darcy jumped at volunteering to turn the pages for her, despite his aunt's disapproval. He knew his aunt wanted him to marry his cousin but aunt Catherine didn't seem to understand the dangers of marrying too closely together. Just look at the history of the Royal family and their helath issue over time. His cousin, Anne was okay with it, they had spoken with Richard in the room so his aunt couldn't claim compromise and agreed they wouldn't marry. She had no interest in marrying at all. Her health and inclination making the prospect a unagreeable one. Plus he didn't feel that way about her either. As much as he wanted to marry someone equal to him, he didn't want a loveless marriage. Though what he considered an equal has been challenged and changed over the last year.

"How are you feeling Mr Darcy?" The sweet quiet voice asked him while pretending to look at music to play while situating herself. By now, after so many suppers together here, he had realised she picked something at random and played what ever came to her mind, hardly ever what was written before joing her at the piano forte.

"Better now. I think after thinking about what has happened, it would be a good thing to clear the air with Miss Elizabeth. I wrote a letter and will give it to her at the earliest convience. I fear I would not be able to defend myself properly if we tried to talk it out once more." Turning the page even though he could tell she isn't even looking at the page or playing what was written down, keeping up the act.

"That's good. I think her views on things were shaken up as well. Hopefully it will give her a chance to see how different the world is without her rose colored lenses on."

"Indeed." They fell to silence when Richard came over 'to hear her magnificent playing better'. Darcy thought he was going too strong. But as someone with no experience trying to court anyone. With the only girl he had thought might have been worth the effort turned out to not be what he thought. Who was he to judge. He could see that now, infatuation stemmed from a few conversations and the fact she didn't bend and faun over him, isn't a relationship make.

It was a few days after that evening, Darcy finally managed to run into Miss Elizabeth. He saw her first and could notice her reluctance to continue her path towards himself. Looking for another way to turn. Pre-empting her decision to turn around Darcy addressed her.

"Miss Elizabeth. I've been wandering to groves for a while in the hopes of running into you. I do not wish to re-hash our last conversation but if I may, address the accusations you laid at my feet," handing her the letter. "For the validity of the contents stated you can seek Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Potter or even your sister Miss Bennet knows of some of the particulars, if you should need." Not giving her the chance to refuse he placed it in her hand and walk away. Taking some satisfaction in rendering her speechless then leaving, for once.

Hepatica was on her walk, Lizzy already left still dealing with her own things. The young witch didn't want to disturb her she needed to sort it out on her own, that being said she had made it clear she was welcome to come and talk to her if she needed.

Running into the Colonel before she could get anywhere secluded enough for her ritual of walking barefoot in the grass and small streams, she resigned herself to a normal walk with Padfoot's youngest son. She didn't dislike him and now she knew it was to herself, all his flirting was meant to be aimed at. She saw it clear as day, how he was trying to put himself in a good light. She just didn't feel a connection to him. Their conversations were decidedly one sided. They talked about things she didn't feel the need to discuss. So their conversations weren't discussions getting to know each other. He honestly hadn't tried that hard to know her as a person, which was the one thing she had wanted her whole life, considering she started out as a neglected forgotten child then the face of a hero to the Wixen world and a face of hope during a war. No one had ever seen her as just Hepatica. Not even her friends when they first met, though that took some time and self-reflection and counselling before she saw it, even if in the end they did.

"Colonel," she started thinking of something to test the waters of an idea that popped into her head, cutting off whatever he was talking about, "If you had the means would you leave the army? Become a member of the Gentry or alike?"

"That's a very forward question ma'am. I won't deny I enjoy my time in the Army as a whole, considering the options for a second son isn't usually as lucrative as a first. But yes, that would be a thing to do. Marry with enough money to buy a property."

"What if you could have the option to own a property without having to marry for the money."

"I will not take out a loan and have it known. The interest on a loan like that alone would make whatever profit I managed to turn over not be able to go further than paying back the bank for too many years to be worth it. Even if my father offered to pay some."

"So, it is something you've thought about?"

"I would be lying if I said no." He looked like he wanted to say more, maybe question where this conversation was going.

"Are you aware sir, that your father borrowed almost £3000 from me to help pay off your brothers debt before cutting him off for anything more than his retainer?"

"I was not madam. Though in all honesty my father did mention your financial situation to myself and Darcy."

"Hmm, Mr Darcy mentioned that as well. Did he bandy it about to anyone else?"

"No, he wore us to secrecy."

Well that at least had Hepatica cooling a bit towards Padfoot, though she still felt the letter she sent him a few days ago was valid. Even if it was only to his son and nephew.

"How about a proposition then Colonel?" He looked confused yet intrigued. "I've been looking at properties for myself. Some land to build modest townhouses in Hertfordshire, as well as properties in Derbyshire at Padfoot's insistence among other Counties, I was always partial to Southern Wales. There are a few that caught my eye, they held a lot of potential though had been neglected long enough that they don't bring in much of their capable income. There is one that currently brings in £700 per year. Though in its prime was able to bring in £1500 per annum. The property is selling for £15,300. Mt aterney mentioned that was a decent price considering all factors." Taking a break, she looked at the gentlemen beside her, saw him watching her with an unreadable expression.

"My proposition Colonel is this; if I was to buy that property or one similar on your behalf all I would ask for is a portion of the profits, a fixed amount each year, with no interest added totaling eventually the price of the property. So, it would be in your best interest to make sure your land was as profitable as possible. It would all be kept quiet just between you, me and my lawyers if you wish. That way you wouldn't be so bound to what is expected of a second son. I'd be willing to look at properties up to $20,000 if they had the potential to bring good profit with good management."

The older man was quiet for a while. Probably thinking it over. They had stopped walking when she started her proposition. They continued on for a bit in silence while he thought about it.

"Did my father bring this up to you Miss?"

"No. Padfoot never spoke of it, though the way you kept bring up your situation I thought it may be welcome. The few times I've managed to spend time with him and Theo have usually been discussing me and my plans. Not that I have any definitive ones besides what your mother has planned. I'm just enjoying being free at the moment. You don't have to answer straight away." A thought occurred to her, how her proposition might sound, added quickly. "I don't want it to seem like charity, but family – what little I've ever known and experienced about family that is, always helps each other out. Padfoot and Theo are my family, closest things to a father figure I ever had, or uncle I guess. In an ideal world we probably would have been raised like siblings. I hope one day we may be as close as them." Smiling shyly up at him.

It was an admission she never said out loud but to have a big brother in this world, like how the Weasleys were to her before, would be nice. She'd like him more as a friend than a husband she believed. Maybe it might change if she had more time to get to know him but she doubted they would be a truly good match. She didn't get along with him like she did Mr Darcy, not that she had her eyes set to him. He clearly had some feelings for Elizabeth, but if she had to choose from her current acquaintances it would be him. Though she would see what this so-called 'London Season' would bring in terms of Marriage prospects. She was only 18 and never thought to get married that young anyway.

"We leave in three days back to London. Your mother wouldn't like it if I stayed longer, and put off my dress fittings any longer."

"Yes," came the quiet reply, he looked like he was reassessing everything that had happened the past few weeks, "You best not keep mother waiting for that, she'd be liable to coming to Rosing's herself and drag you back, or worse bring the dress and seamstress with her." He tried to joke, though Hepatica could see he didn't have the same energy he used to have. "Perhaps Darcy and I could accompany you back to London. I still have weeks of leave and I'm sure Father and Uncle would feel better knowing you were protected on the trip back. Three young girls travelling alone on post is worrying. Darcy's carriage is much more comfortable."

"Two, Maria is staying with her sister for a bit longer, it will be just myself and Lizzy."

"Ahh, still, Miss Elizabeth is good company, perhaps we could play a game or two of chess to beat the time for the trip." They continued on their walk with the Colonel escorting her back to the Parsonage so she could get ready for their possible last night dining at Rosing's.

Their trip home was brought up once more during dinner that evening. Luckily Lizzy had joined them this time, though she still seemed quiet and reluctant to participate. Lady Catherine thought it was from their leaving soon stating as much trying to bribe them into staying for another month with a promise of using her Barouche Box to get them back to London.

"I thank you for the offer Ma'am. But I'm afraid I cannot put off leaving any longer my aunt would be likely to storm the estate and drag me back. She was already put out with me coming here for this long instead of staying for dress fittings for my presentation in a few weeks."

"Yes, and my father is most anxious for my return he wrote just yesterday." Lizzy added.

"Well, I am most displeased with this. Most displeased indeed. Tell me Miss Potter is your aunt sponsoring you?"

"No Ma'am. She is sponsoring Miss Darcy her close friend Lady Sefton will be my sponsor. She was most insistent we both are presented this time."

"Pray tell, who is this aunt and uncle you talk about? Perhaps I know them considering I thought it would be my sister-in-law that sponsored Georgiana."

"You know them very well aunt. It is my father and mother. Miss Potter is Father's goddaughter and has taken guardianship of her. I just received a letter this afternoon stating his request of Darcy and I accompanying Miss Potter and Miss Elizabeth to London when they leave."

"Well I think I'll write my brother too tell him I'm most displeased with him for taking away such nice entertainment I have had this last few weeks. Though I am most put out that none of you ever mentioned Miss Potter's family connection."

"That was my request my Lady. I had only learnt of who Uncle Christopher was. I had only known him as padfoot. I didn't want it known that I was connected to the Earl of Matlock, rather I was enjoying the anonymity to visit my close friend in peace."

The group didn't stay for long after that, Lady Catherine was ready for bed. Hepatica didn't feel too bad letting her connections out now, she wouldn't be there for much longer then in London where her full connections would be known by the end of the month. It was what it was. Goodbye to anonymity as well as lush forests and nature for at least a few months. London didn't have too much in the way of nature besides the manicured parks and she couldn't go walking barefoot around them without dragging hers and Padfoot's and Theo's families reputations through the mud.

I'm not sure how much a nice property would have actually cost, such as the Bennet's or even Netherfield if put to sale only rough ideas of rents that don't include much in ways of household costs and alike. I couldn't find any prices for sales back then so I just threw a number out there that sounded reasonable for a undermanaged estate properties.