The afternoon sun streamed in through the windows of the parlour, bathing the two sisters in its warm light. Elizabeth Bennet and her sister Jane were sitting in comfortable chairs, sipping tea and engaging in pleasant conversation.

Elizabeth noticed that Jane seemed particularly content and blissful in the afternoon light, and could not help but smile as she watched her sister's happy expression.

"Are you thinking of your wedding or Mr. Bingley?" she asked.

"Actually," said Jane with mock anger, "I was thinking of how pleasant it is to sit here with you. I shall not be able to spend so much time with you when I am wed.

Elizabeth nodded in agreement and took a sip of her tea. "It is very pleasant indeed," she said. "I shall miss you, Jane, even though you shall only be a few miles away."

Just then, the door opened and in stepped Mr. Mallory. He was a tall, well-dressed gentleman, and his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. He gave them a warm smile as he stepped into the room and bowed his head in acknowledgment of their presence.

"Good day, ladies," he said in a polite tone. "I do apologise for the intrusion. I had hoped to catch you both at home."

Elizabeth rose to her feet and curtsied. "Of course, Mr. Mallory. Please, do come in and join us."

Mr. Mallory stepped further into the room and gave them a small bow. "Thank you very much, Miss Bennet," he said politely.

Elizabeth waved for him to take a seat, and he eagerly obliged, sinking into the grand armchair near the blazing fire.

"This is a most impressive parlour you have here," he praised, admiring the room. "It's positively delightful."

Jane smiled demurely. "Thank you, sir. Although we can hardly take credit given that this is our aunt and uncle's home."

He turned back to Elizabeth and Jane with an inviting grin. "Now, what was I so rudely interrupting? What topic of conversation had your attention?"

Jane glanced at Elizabeth before responding with a blush. "Ah, nothing of consequence, sir. We were simply passing the time and having tea."

Mr. Mallory settled himself in the chair opposite them and flashed his dazzling smile. "Well then, let us carry on as if I had not interrupted your tête-à-tête at all!"

Mrs. Gardiner rushed into the room, having been alerted by a servant of Mr. Mallory's entrance. "Francis! How lovely of you to visit!" said the lady in greeting. "I do beg your pardon; I know I ought not to call you that any longer."

The tall gentleman bowed slightly and smiled at her, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Mr. Mallory," Mrs. Gardiner began again. "How lovely to see you. I hope my nieces have been attending to you properly?"

"Of course, Mrs. Gardiner," replied Mr. Mallory with a charming smile. "Your nieces are the epitome of grace and kindness. I am delighted to be in their company."

Elizabeth felt a slight blush creep up on her cheeks at the compliment. Mr. Mallory continued to talk and joke with them, never pushing past the point of propriety and she began to think she had again judged too quickly. As she slowly opened up to him, she became conscious of the cadence of his voice, how he gestured delicately when making a point, and the twinkle in his eye that seemed to draw her in. She felt flattered that he had called just for her, instead of her betrothed sister, and couldn't help but feel more at ease in his presence than she had the previous night.

Mrs. Gardiner rushed forward and apologised for the interruption of her young daughter. "I am so sorry, sir," she said to Mr. Mallory. "Ellie must have escaped her nurse."

Mr. Mallory stood and bowed his head in acknowledgement of the young girl. "Good day, Miss Ellie," he said with a kind smile. "It is very nice to make your acquaintance."

Ellie smiled, completely enamoured by the handsome gentleman before her.

Elizabeth suppressed a giggle at her cousin's reaction to Mr. Mallory; it was quite clear that Ellie had taken quite a fancy to him!

The nurse appeared soon after, but Mr. Mallory asked that the child be allowed to join them for tea. Feeling very important, Ellie eagerly took a seat next to Elizabeth and chatted away to Mr. Mallory. Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how patient and kind he was with the young girl, and the way he listened intently to everything she had to say. It was a trait she found very endearing in a man.

"I must go, sir. Samantha needs me," Ellie suddenly announced, getting up from her seat and curtsying before leaving the room.

"Samantha is her doll," explained Jane with a laugh.

"I ought to depart as well. I have terrible manners and have well exceeded my allotted half-hour." Mr. Mallory smiled warmly at the sisters. "It was lovely to see you again, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. I hope to see you both at the next ball. Mrs. Gardiner, thank you for your hospitality."

Elizabeth felt a pang of regret as he bid them farewell, and was surprised by how much she was beginning to enjoy his company.

As Jane and Mrs Gardiner animatedly talked about the visit and the gentleman's family, Elizabeth looked off into the distance, lost in contemplation. She blushed when she noticed Aunt Gardiner's knowing gaze upon her, trying to discern why Elizabeth seemed so forlorn all of a sudden. She was not about to confess her momentary attraction to Mr. Mallory, not when her heart still belonged to Mr. Darcy.

"Mr. Mallory seems like a very pleasant gentleman," Mrs. Gardiner said kindly. "He appears to have taken quite a liking to you and your sister."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement but remained silent, not wanting to herself any further.

Mrs. Gardiner continued, "I am sure he would make a wonderful addition to your circle of acquaintances." She shot Elizabeth a knowing look and added, "It doesn't hurt that he is also quite handsome."

Elizabeth felt herself blushing again and quickly changed the subject before her aunt could see through her facade of indifference and suspect that there may be an attraction growing between the two of them. She asked Jane about the latest news from Longbourn and if any parties or balls were planned in the near future.

As Jane detailed their plans, Elizabeth could not help but think about what her aunt had said about Mr. Mallory. She had to admit that he was indeed handsome with his piercing blue eyes. And he was kind and witty too, always making her laugh with his clever remarks. But Elizabeth knew that those were not enough to make a lasting connection with someone.

She had learned that the hard way with Mr. Wickham, who had charmed her with his easy manners and flattery but ultimately proved to be a deceitful scoundrel. No, Elizabeth needed more than just charm and looks in a man. She needed someone who would challenge her intellectually, who would respect her opinions and values, and who would love her for who she was, faults and all.

And that someone was Mr. Darcy.

Despite the tumultuous beginning of their story, Elizabeth could not deny the exquisite intensity of her feelings for him. He was unlike any man she had ever encountered; proud and strong, yet also fragile and loyal. She knew he must feel something for her as well; that moment in the Netherfield library was something beyond what she had ever experienced before.

Yet even as she revelled in these feelings, Elizabeth knew that a match between them would be incomprehensible in the eyes of society. She was but a country gentlewoman, the daughter of a minor landowner, while he was an affluent gentleman connected to some of the most renowned families of England. Elizabeth tried to push these thoughts out of her mind as she continued to listen to Jane's plans. But they kept creeping back, nagging at her consciousness like an itch she couldn't scratch.

"Miss Darcy as well," said Jane.

The name caught Elizabeth's attention immediately. "Miss Darcy?" Elizabeth asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Did you not hear me? She will accompany her brother next week. She is on her way from Derbyshire now. Mr. Darcy does not feel comfortable having her so far away, what with everything going on."

Elizabet's heart skipped a beat. Mr. Darcy would come to London with Mr. Bingley. She had hoped for as much, but there had not been time to make exact plans.

"I see," Elizabeth said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I look forward to meeting her."


Jane sank into Elizabeth's dressing table chair, letting out a lengthy groan. "Goodness, I ate far too much." She clutched her corset strings, trying her best to loosen the garment. "Help me get this off. I think I'm stuck in it."

Elizabeth stifled a chuckle and walked over to help her sister. "I told you not to indulge on those pastries, Jane. But as always, you never listen to me."

Jane sighed in defeat, bowing her head low. "Yes, yes. I know. But they were simply too delicious to resist."

As Elizabeth helped Jane take off her dress, she couldn't help but drift away in thoughts of Mr. Darcy. Where was he now? What was he doing? Her heart ached with longing as his image flashed across her mind's eye.

"Is everything well, Lizzy?" Jane asked softly, glancing up at her sister's distant expression.

Elizabeth shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts and looked away from Jane's gaze, embarrassed that she had been caught in such an intimate moment of contemplation.

"It is nothing," she said, attempting to brush off the inquiry. "I was just lost in thought."

But Jane wasn't so easily fooled - she knew something else was troubling Elizabeth.. something only she would understand.

Leaning forward in her chair and placing a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, Jane whispered softly: "Come now, Lizzy... I know there's something on your mind. Out with it."

Elizabeth fought back the tears that threatened to spill from beneath her lashes; she had hoped to keep her feelings to herself for a while longer. But no matter how hard she tried - Jane was always so good at reading her innermost thoughts and emotions..so accustomed to deciphering what words could not express aloud.

After taking a few steadying breaths, Elizabeth finally took the plunge and uttered the words that felt like a confession more than anything else: "It's Mr. Darcy..." she said reluctantly, hating herself for being so vulnerable though completely unable to stop the flow of confession any longer. "...I'm..in love with him."

Jane's eyes widened in astonishment at her sister's confession and then softened into a gentle smile; she had suspected as much. "Oh, Lizzy," she said warmly, though her gaze was wary and her tone probing. "But why do you seem so troubled? Do you not think he feels the same way about you?"

Elizabeth shook her head as if to rid herself of negative thoughts, her gaze falling to the ground. She couldn't be sure - Mr. Darcy had never stated his feelings explicitly, but she had read between his glances and their conversations to assume that perhaps there may be something blooming beneath. But what if she was wrong? What if he didn't feel the same way? It would break Elizabeth's heart, for it wasn't just a passing amusement - she loved him deeply and could barely protect herself from getting hurt any further.

Jane spoke confidently in an effort to allay her worries. "That cannot be true, Lizzy. I have seen the way he looks at you, heard the gentleness in his voice when he speaks to you - I am certain that he loves you as much as you love him."

Elizabeth's heart swelled with hope at those words, tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. Yes, Mr. Darcy most certainly had been kind to her and they had shared many tender moments together, but Elizabeth could not help but doubt his affections for society still held so many expectations which seemed impossible to meet - surely someone like Mr. Darcy should marry within his own circles?

"I appreciate your optimism, Jane," Elizabeth sighed, trying to keep her voice level despite her inner turmoil, "but our social standings might be too far apart for even love to conquer."

Jane's expression softened into one of sympathy. "Love does not depend on social standing or wealth," she said thoughtfully. "If Mr. Darcy truly loves you, he will marry you - no matter what society or his family may think."

Elizabeth sighed as her mind spun with conflicting thoughts and emotions. On one hand, she desperately wanted to know what he thought of her, yet, the fear of rejection was more than she could bear. "I suppose I shall simply have to wait and see what happens," she muttered.

"I could speak to Mr. Bingley," offered Jane.

"Never! Promise me you will do nothing of the sort," Elizabeth exclaimed.

"I will not, since you do not wish it." Jane, the sole of tact and discretion, moved the conversation to more neutral ground. Neither sister was aware of how thin the walls were in the Gardiners' house, or that in the next room sat Mr. Witting, wondering what he ought to do with the information he had unintentionally learned.