In her shock at her father's words and the implication she had drawn from them, it was some time before Elizabeth felt herself again, and returned to the parlour. By which point her cousin, Mr Collins had appeared from whence he had been hiding. He greeted her entrance to the room with an oblique comment on her lateness of rising. Mr Collins explained that his noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh believed that those that kept fashionable hours were lacking in moral fibre. Jane quietly corrected the assumption that Lizzy had just risen as Elizabeth seated herself next to Jane in the light of the window. Her book was clutched in her hand but its title or its contents she could not guess at.

Mr Collins began to speak in praise of the constitution of his fair cousin and her endeavours to take morning exercise. Garrulously agreeing that he found the activity to be much enjoyed.

Jane turned to face her sister. "Lizzy? Are you well? You look quite pale."

"Oh, Yes. Yes Jane, do not worry about me."

"Has there been some news?"

"Pardon? Oh no, no, everything is well."

"Then Lizzy, why are you so shaken?"

Elizabeth smiled reassuringly, determined not to worry her sister. "I am well Jane." She patted Jane's arm, tilting her head towards the room. Jane heeded the unspoken message and replied with a look that communicated Elizabeth would have to tell the whole tale as soon as privacy could be assured.

When they turned back to the room, it was to hear a walk to Meryton proposed, and Mrs Bennet was keenly encouraging Mr Collins to join the outing.

Lydia and Kitty whose proposal it was, did not look pleased with such attentions but were unable to refuse lest their outing be curtailed. Mary professed no desire to join the party as she wished to spend some time in quiet reflection of her readings. Elizabeth held her tongue. She had no wish to join the party either but equally did not want Mr Collins attentions.

Soon it was all arranged. Lydia and Kitty took themselves off together, arm in arm and giggling, their heads bent towards each other. Mr Collins followed on, his gait hurried to keep up as the two young ladies quickened their steps.

Elizabeth stood on the front lawn of Longbourn watching them leave with a small measure of relief. Even on such a short acquaintance, Mr Collins was proving himself to be a trial. Jane came up beside her. "Come, Lizzy, we will walk in the garden, and you can tell me what it is that has you upset."

"I am not upset Jane, truly," Elizabeth protested.

"Lizzy, you are not yourself, whatever passed between you and Papa?"

Elizabeth sighed, capitulating to the gentle but insistent urgings of her sister. She recounted the tale to Jane she had told Mr Bennet including the conclusion Mr Bennet had drawn.

Jane smiled. "But that is wonderful Lizzy if Mr Darcy is coming to care for you. Truly he must be a worthy gentleman indeed."

"Jane, I fear you have missed the point from which my concern stems. Even if Mr Darcy is in some manner coming to care for me, it is for nought. His position in society is such that a marriage betwixt us would be received with scorn and derision. Our family connections are not those that he seeks. Our mother and both Kitty and Lydia are not people he could esteem. A match between us would be impossible."

"But if he loves you, Lizzy, why would that matter?"

"It would not, it should not. But Jane, the disapprobation we would receive would be great. How would I ever be able to trust that his affections would endure past the views of society? Miss Bingley is the least of what I would face.

"Lizzy, do you like Mr Darcy? I was quite certain you were set against him. Yet you speak as if you are considering a match."

"I was set against him, to begin with, but Papa would not have it. I confess to my shame I have not been able to leave his remarks about me behind as I should. But this morning he seemed a different sort of man altogether, and if I have mistaken his attentions so far..." Elizabeth looked at her sister, her lip caught between her teeth, her hands restlessly wringing together. "I do not know what to think. It is possible that now I understand better, that I might come to esteem him, but if I did not? I know I said I would only marry for the deepest love, but he is a man of such fortune, would I be foolish to turn his advances away? But then the thought of continual condemnation such as that Miss Bingley shows is too much."

"Lizzy, it would not be foolish to turn him away if you truly did not esteem him. To accept Mr Darcy and face the approbation Papa laid out without the deepest of love, though I cannot think it would be so very bad, would be the height of folly indeed." Jane cautioned.

"Some ladies certainly wouldn't turn him away for any reason, and his fortune would see our family cared for."

"Papa would never allow you to marry in that circumstance." Jane pointed out. "He loves you too well to allow you to do such a thing."

Elizabeth sighed and nodded her agreement. Her father would not let her marry where she was not assured of equal regard and feeling. She knew that and loved him for it.

Jane took Elizabeth's arm and held it tightly to her. "You are inventing trouble, my dear sister. Anyone who knows you would esteem you. Mr Darcy is coming to, which can only mean that any connection of his would be able to do so if they truly cared for his happiness."

"Our Father cautioned me about the reactions of any alliance between us might garner, he does not wish me to be hurt," Elizabeth confided. "He proposed that it might still come to nought and that a gentleman of Mr Darcy's standing may still decide on a wife from his own circle. He also said that if Mr Darcy were intent on getting to know me further then, he would no longer allow me to walk unaccompanied."

"Then until Mr Darcy makes his intentions clear one way or the other he will be a welcome acquaintance with whom you can converse. You have nothing to fear by meeting him again," Jane said warmly. "You must get to know him, Lizzy, as he is getting to know you. Then if you feel you can care for him, and Mr Darcy wishes to further the acquaintance you will have the opportunity to decide. Mr Darcy would, if he truly cared for you, agree to courtship. That would give you time to build upon any feelings you might have for him by then. Not all courtships end in marriage Lizzy."

"Yes," Elizabeth said with a sigh of relief. "You are right Jane. We will continue on as we were, I will try to get to know him better."

"Well perhaps not quite as you were. There would be no harm in introducing topics of conversation that Mr Darcy can excel at instead of teasing him all the time."

"I do not!" Elizabeth exclaimed with a laugh.

"Oh, you do Lizzy," Jane smiled back. "Of course you do. But perhaps instead of teasing, you might try to engage in deeper conversation with Mr Darcy. Indeed, I think you will get the opportunity to do so very soon."

"What makes you say that?"

Jane pointed over Elizabeth's shoulder where the gentleman in question accompanied by his friend was riding up to the driveway of Longbourn.

Elizabeth tensed, turning to Jane her eyes wide with concern.

"Now Lizzy, I believe you boast your courage rises when an attempt is made to intimidate you," Jane counselled as she turned them both in the direction of the house. "It is time to screw your courage to the sticking place Lizzy,"

They rounded the side of Longbourn and came upon the gentlemen. "Good morning Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy," Jane greeted genially, towing Elizabeth slightly behind her. Elizabeth took hold of her courage and raised her head in determination. She smiled, curtseyed and greeted the two men alongside her sister.

"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, how very good it is to see you. We were just coming to enquire after your health Miss Bennet. I trust you are feeling much recovered?" Mr Bingley exclaimed moving forward to meet them both.

Jane released Elizabeth's arm to take Mr Bingley's proffered one as she led him into Longbourn.

"Yes, Mr Bingley I am quite recovered. Your hospitality and care were most appreciated."

Elizabeth smiled ruefully at Mr Darcy as they were both left behind. The groom, alerted to the arrival of visitors came to collect the horses, and Elizabeth gestured towards Longbourn. "Would you care for some tea, Mr Darcy?"

"Thank you. It would be most welcome."

Mr Darcy proffered his arm. Elizabeth refused to allow herself to hesitate in taking it. She would not be missish if a gentleman of Mr Darcy's consequence wished to pay her some attention.

"We passed your younger sisters in Meryton."

"Yes, Lydia and Kitty have gone to call on our Aunt Phillips with our cousin Mr Collins."

"The parson we saw following them?"

Elizabeth tried to hide her wince at her sisters' poor manners. "Yes, he arrived yesterday from Kent. He holds the living at Hunsford. He is most fortunate that his patroness, a most estimable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is exactly the sort of patroness Mr Collins could ask for. Do you know of Hunsford Mr Darcy?"

Mr Darcy looked solemnly at her, a strange glint in his eyes that Elizabeth was unfamiliar with. "Lady Catherine is my Aunt."

Elizabeth closed her eyes in mortification. "My apologies Mr Darcy, I meant no offence by my comments." She risked meeting his gaze only to find him now with a merry twinkle in his eye, though his face was still is habitable solemn countenance. She believed she could see a slight curl at one corner of his mouth betraying his humour.

"Miss Bennet, please forgive me, but I know my Aunt well. She is quite forthright in giving her opinions and most appreciative of everyone finding her useful. Which she endeavours to be as much as she possibly can."

Elizabeth's embarrassment fled as she realised Mr Darcy was teasing. She smiled happily back at him, all her discomfort from earlier gone in the face of this new facet of his character. She had never met him when he aimed only to please. Or perhaps she had, and she was only now receptive to it.

"And do you, Mr Darcy, find your Aunt's advice helpful?"

They entered the parlour where Jane and Mr Bingley were already sitting together. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at Jane in query at the lack of Mrs Bennet in the room.

"I have sent for tea Lizzy. Mr Darcy please, will you join us." Jane asked pleasantly, ignoring Elizabeth's unspoken question.

Mr Darcy nodded at Jane and settled himself into the proffered chair. Elizabeth settled in the next chair over just as Hill entered with the tea things.

Jane took over the pouring and once the tea was distributed there was a lull in the conversation. Elizabeth strove to fill it. She had met the amiable Mr Darcy, and she very much wanted Jane to be able to give her opinion as well. Elizabeth would have to introduce a topic of conversation before Jane, and Mr Bingley forgot their company.

"Jane, Mr Darcy was just telling me that his Aunt is our cousin's patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

Jane looked surprised. "Truly, Mr Darcy? Our cousin has every praise for your Aunt. She has been of great help I believe in setting up Mr Collins' home."

"Yes," Mr Darcy said sardonically. "My Aunt has plenty of advice to dispense."

"My word Darcy, you do her no justice," Mr Bingley said jovially. He turned slightly towards Jane. "I have had the experience of meeting the lady herself. She came to visit Darcy in London. She is a most forthright person. I dare say I got but two words in edgeways and by the time she took her leave I had at least five ways to instruct my man on how to tie a cravat."

The polite laughter that followed was interrupted by the parlour door opening once again. Instead of the expected Mrs Bennet, who Elizabeth was sure Hill would have informed of their guests, Mr Bennet entered the room.

"Ah, I see we have visitors. Gentlemen." Mr Bennet greeted the two men before turning to Jane and Elizabeth. "Pray where is Mrs Bennet?"

Jane smiled sweetly. "I believe she is speaking with Hill about something Papa. Would you care for a cup of tea?"

Mr Bennet gave his eldest daughter an assessing glance before nodding his head. "Yes, my dear that would be most welcome. Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, please, sit. Tell me, have you finished shooting at Netherfield yet? How was the sport?"