Happy celebration day everyone - this is my 50th chapter posted on FFN (over 3 stories) since I started at the beginning of August, which makes me very happy. Thanks everyone for all the support and patience as I have been putting on paper the books that had invaded my poor old head.

And for this one - apologies for giving Darcy Senior two different names in two chapters - that has been corrected of course.


Chapter Seventeen


Edward Gardiner was smiling as he listened to the chatter of the four girls in his carriage.

"Lizzy, can I tell Charlotte all about Darcy House in my next letter?" Miss Lucas was asking excitedly, "It is ever so grand, and Miss Georgiana is so very clever and accomplished; I know she will be your sister, but I'd love to be the one describing her first. Between our time in Kent and the past few days in London, I have so much to tell everyone at home too."

"We all have a lot to tell our families, Maria," Mary answered for her sister, "but you must not talk about Lizzy's engagement openly before Mr Darcy announces it, it would not be proper."

"Oh, I didn't think of that. And if I told Mama we went to Darcy House, the whole of Meryton would know before noon the following day." Maria was frowning, then realising the import of her words, she blushed and added: "Oh, I am so sorry Mr Gardiner, I should not say such mean things about my mother like that."

The gentleman laughed. "Miss Lucas, you seem to have forgotten that I grew up in Meryton too and know your family well. There is no malice in Lady Lucas, your mother is never unfair or spiteful in her gossip; as long as you recognise her worth and her kindness, we can forgive a small slip of the tongue."

She nodded. "Thank you, sir. I do love my family, but I think for now I will keep my news to what happened in Hunsford, for we had so many new experiences. I believe we dined at Rosings eleven times and had tea there so often I did not count. And Mama will want to learn all about the parsonage."

Elizabeth patted the girl's hand. "Indeed my dear, Lady Lucas will want your opinion on Charlotte's felicity, and I will visit soon to confirm all your stories and tales, so she can be reassured that her eldest is not just comfortable, but happy. I do however give you leave to include anything you wish in your letters to Mrs Collins."

"I wish we could have stayed in London longer, uncle," Mary said a moment later, "I feel I have made so much progress with my playing already, I long for more lessons. And Kitty's drawings have improved so much, Lydia will beg her for a portrait before the week is out!"

"Your aunt and I will invite you again as soon as we can, my dear. You have both been very pleasant guests, and I am very glad Fanny suggested this visit."

The conversation continued until the carriage stopped in front of Lucas Lodge, where the whole family was waiting at the front of the house, ready to welcome their little traveller. The short journey to Longbourn was then undertaken in silence, each of the carriage occupants being torn between the anticipated pleasure of seeing Mrs Bennet and Lydia again, and the disagreeable thought that they would need to interact with the sarcastic and bitter Mr Bennet. All were pleasantly surprised to find that the gentleman remained in his study until dinner and barely spoke two words to his daughters during the meal.


Mr Gardiner returned to London the following morning, the Bingleys having arrived just in time to see him off.

"I am so glad you are all back, I was too busy to miss you at the start of the year, but since Louisa and Miss Bingley left, I have had far too much time on my own. Will you recount everything you did in Kent Lizzy? And you must tell me all about London Kitty and Mary, please!" Lydia was overexcited and her sisters laughed at her excessive enthusiasm.

"All in good time, Lydie dear," Jane answered, "we will hear all the news from Gracechurch Street and Hunsford, but first, Charles had quite an interesting letter just yesterday, so I think we must give Lizzy a chance to tell her news."

Elizabeth blushed as Mary and Catherine giggled. "Mr Darcy has proposed, and I have accepted his offer. I assume his letter was to accept our brother and sister's invitation to stay at Netherfield Park."

Mrs Bennet was silent for a moment, before bursting into tears. "Good gracious! Lord bless me! My dear girl, I was so worried he would mess it all up again, I could not have borne to see you hurt further. My sweetest Lizzy, I am so pleased, so happy. Such a charming man when he wants to be, so handsome, so tall. Oh, my dear Lizzy! Mr Darcy! I am sure he deserves you and I could not have parted with you to anyone less worthy. Two daughters married, both for the deepest of love! Oh, Lord! What will become of me, I shall go distracted."

Her daughters laughed at these effusions, while Bingley looked amused and committed as many details to memory as he could to regale Darcy with the tale when he arrived a few days hence.

Mary looked puzzled for a moment. "Mama, what do you mean you worried he would mess it up again? Did you mean the assembly in October or something else?"

Mrs Bennet looked at Elizabeth apologetically.

Elizabeth sighed. "Mr Darcy proposed after Charles and Jane's wedding in December. I'm afraid he did not express himself well, and I refused his offer. But you must not be upset with him, Mary, sisters, he has apologised and he never meant to hurt me; you will find that his honesty often leads him to say things very poorly, but his intentions and feelings are exactly what they should be."

Bingley snorted, unable to keep his hilarity to himself. "I apologise my dears. It's just that his cousin, the colonel, and I have been trying to get him to consider how his words could be understood before he opens his mouth for years. I did not know he had blundered so badly, and I am truly sorry he upset you, Lizzy, but I cannot say I am surprised. He is a good man and friend, but a terrible conversationalist."

"Are you truly happy, Lizzy?" Jane asked, becoming serious again.

Her smile would have been a sufficient answer, but Elizabeth wanted to ensure there could be no misunderstanding. "Indeed I am, Jane, you can be in no doubt of this. It is settled between us already, that we are to be the happiest couple in the world. I am afraid you may even be angry when I tell you that I love him even better than I do Charles." She added teasingly.

"Lizzy! I will not continue if you cannot be serious." Jane attempted to scowl, but she loved seeing her sister return to her playful self too much to be successful.

The morning was spent sharing stories and repeating much of the news that had already been shared by letter. Fanny marvelled at seeing the pure joy radiating from her second daughter, rendering her more beautiful than ever.


That afternoon, after Jane and Charles had departed, Elizabeth invited Lydia to join her on a long walk around the estate and the tenant farms.

"You are looking healthy, Lydia dear, and I believe you have grown since I last saw you. Thank you for taking such good care of our tenants and friends, I could see in all our visits and discussions today how much they respect and love you. Will you tell me in your own words how you fared over the past six weeks?" Elizabeth asked on the way back.

"I missed having you at home but learning all these little tasks from Mama did help keep me busy. And for the first four weeks, Louisa was here and we spent a lot of time together, and she helped me with the first few visits as I was a little scared to go on my own at first. I like her you know." Lydia answered.

"So do I, Lydie, I think Louisa will turn out very well; she only lacked confidence and getting the responsibility for Netherfield these many months allowed her to blossom. Both our new sisters have improved since the wedding, according to Jane."

"She invited me to join her this summer if our father allows it, the Hursts and Miss Bingley will be spending a few weeks in Bath and she thinks I would enjoy the social events and the society there. I don't think Mr Bennet will let me go, but it is nice to be invited, is it not?"

Elizabeth gently squeezed her sister's arm. "It is nice, and we should speak with Mama when we return home; I may have an idea to trick Mr Bennet into giving his consent. It will involve hiding parts of the truth, but no lie, I promise."

Lydia beamed at her sister, "Then what are we waiting for, let's hurry home. Come on Lizzy, we can walk a little faster."

They arrived a little out of breath yet energised by the exercise and, after taking a moment to refresh themselves, they found Mrs Bennet in her usual chair in the pink parlour.

"Mama, Lizzy says she has an idea to help me go with Louisa," Lydia blurted out before sitting next to Catherine.

"Lizzy?" Mrs Bennet looked at her daughter with an eyebrow raised.

"From one of Lady Lucas' letters to Charlotte, I have understood that the militia will be leaving Meryton in May to go to Brighton for the summer. When they first arrived, Lydia was on very good terms with Mrs Forster, and this would have come back to Mr Bennet's attention via the younger Mr Goulding, who enjoyed spreading gossip about all of us."

Elizabeth was looking at her mother with a wide smile, "Lydia could start talking about being invited to join her friend after the militia departs, casually at breakfast or dinner time without naming the friend. Bath is only twenty miles or so from the coast, so my sister dreaming of a delightful summer, filled with balls, parties and maybe even a little sea-bathing is no lie. I can play the part of the detractor, although it means I will have to chastise you little sister; I think of hinting about you being too young to travel on your own, with only a young married woman as chaperone, to a place full of naval officers and soldiers of all sort; what do you think?"

Catherine's eyes had gone wide and Mary giggled. "Lizzy, this is brilliant, and all of it is true, for Bath is well known to attract many officers for their health. And although not as young as Mrs Forster, Mrs Hurst can certainly be called a young married woman. Oh, I hope this works."

Lydia looked at her mother hopefully, "Can we try, Mama, please? I will be perfectly safe with Louisa, and I promise to behave with proper decorum at all times; I so want to see Bath and spend time with my friend."

Mrs Bennet nodded. "It may work, but we must act quickly. I fear that once Mr Darcy arrives, your father will be too distracted to pick up on such subtle clues, and I do not like being dishonest, even with that man, my sweet Lydia."

After a little more planning and discussions, the ladies retired to their rooms to get ready for dinner. Elizabeth went on the offensive that same evening, questioning her sisters about their plans for summer, gasping at Lydia's news about her invitation and openly asking her mother to forbid Lydia from accepting. As agreed that lady appeared undecided, seemingly hearing Lydia's plea to not force her to be the only Bennet daughter who would not be allowed to have a holiday away from home that year. After the soup course, the conversations moved to other topics, but Elizabeth and Lydia maintained the illusion of being cross with each other, and just as Elizabeth had hoped, Mr Bennet spoke as he was standing to leave the room.

"I see no issue with our younger daughter accepting her friend's invitation. Lydia, you may tell your friend tomorrow that you will be joining her for however long she wishes to have you. Lizzy, I do not want to hear another word from you about your sister's plans for the summer. This discussion is closed and my decision is final." He left the room with a smirk on his face, certain that Lydia would at long last ruin the family with a soldier or an officer.

As soon as she heard the door to their father's study close, Lydia rushed to Elizabeth to hug her, whispering a simple "Thank you, sister," before running to her room to pen a letter for Mrs Hurst.


It was not until the following Tuesday, five long days after Elizabeth's return, that the Darcys and Mrs Annesley, Miss Darcy's companion, arrived at Netherfield Park. Mrs Bingley, unnoticed by her husband, had sent the small gig Charles had bought for her use out before the introductions had been completed and a very happy sight welcomed Darcy when he came down from settling Georgiana in her rooms and changing out of his travelling clothes.

"Elizabeth!" he exclaimed as his betrothed divested her pelisse and handed it over to the butler.

She turned towards him and he was struck dumb for a moment by the brightness of her smile. "Good morning, William, I have been waiting for you these past three days, I hope you are not the bearer of bad news to explain this delay."

He quickly covered the distance that separated them and lifted her hand to his lips before replying. "No, my dearest, teasing Miss Bennet, our delay was due to the best of news as Richard has sold his commission and is now officially a gentleman of leisure; that is until he moves to Rosings to take over the running of the estate. He needed help with the legal matters surrounding his leaving the army, and Lady Catherine asked, well, demanded rather, that I act on her behalf with her solicitors to make the transition of the estate to his care official and binding. I expect she is still worried he will change his mind and return to the continent and never come back to England."

"Oh, William, this is simply wonderful; I am certain Mr Fitzwilliam will be a good master for Rosings - how strange not to call him colonel any longer; he will care for Her Ladyship and dear Anne too. But do you see? It means the ladies will be able to leave the estate and visit with me; I was so worried I would see them but rarely when I have become so fond of them."

Darcy chuckled, "I always thought I would be fighting my aunt when I chose a bride, not inviting her to Pemberley for months on end."

Elizabeth lifted her nose in the air, pinched her lips and frowned in a reasonable approximation of Lady Catherine's expression when she was displeased. "As a good friend of mine would certainly say if she was here, pish posh, Darcy!" She could not maintain this for long and grinned, "Admit it, my love, you are pleased to have her on our side."

Darcy kissed her hand again before slipping it on his arm and guiding Elizabeth toward the sitting room where her sister and brother-in-law were waiting. "Indeed, dearest, but not as pleased as I am to finally be with you again. I missed you these past few days."


Not one to delay confrontations or avoid unpleasant tasks, Darcy set out for Longbourn with Elizabeth that same afternoon, leaving Georgiana to get better acquainted with the kind and gentle Mrs Bingley. He could feel the tension in her posture and countenance as she sat stiffly in the carriage next to Mrs Annesley who had agreed to act as chaperone; they would not give Bennet anything to criticise in their behaviour.

The warm greeting he received from Mrs Bennet and her three younger daughters calmed his spirits; no matter what happened with Bennet, the one parent Elizabeth loved and needed approval from was eager to accept him as a son, and he held on to that thought as Mr Hill ushered him into the study.

"Mr Bennet," Darcy bowed politely, "I have come to request the hand of your daughter Elizabeth in marriage."

Mr Bennet reddened in anger. "No, you will not take Lizzy away, she will remain here! I will not see any of my daughters married to a man such as yourself. Leave now."

Having expected this refusal, although not the resentment and vehemence with which it was delivered, Darcy stood his ground. "In less than three months, Elizabeth will be of age. While I would prefer to have your consent and an earlier wedding, your refusal is not an insurmountable obstacle."

He paused for some minutes, observing his opponent's ire and discomfort rising, before attempting some form of negotiation. "I believe your daughter has been running this estate on your behalf, and I would be prepared to have one of Pemberley's under-stewards assume her former duties. His salary would easily be covered by not having the expenses of your two eldest daughters, allowing you to maintain your current lifestyle effortlessly."

Bennet stood and growled. "Who do you think you are? I will not have one of your spies installed here. Leave and never return, you are barred from Longbourn and you will not see Lizzy again while she is under my control. I know men like you, you will tire of her long before her birthday, and she will remain here as she should."

With some difficulties, Darcy kept his stoic mask in place. "The offer to provide you with a steward will remain for now. I will leave as you ask, but will return a few days hence once you have had time to think clearly on it." He turned and departed without even a glance towards the older gentleman, and quickly reached the front parlour and Elizabeth.

"I am sorry, my love," he had taken her hands, "as expected your father has withheld his consent and banned me from Longbourn, although I do not have a mind to follow this directive."

Mrs Bennet sighed, as she watched tears form in Elizabeth's dark eyes. "Perhaps you should go for today Mr Darcy and we will inform you of Mr Bennet's reactions and dictates a little later. Do not worry, dear boy, I will take care of our Lizzy."

Darcy nodded, holding onto Elizabeth's hands tightly for a moment, "If you can offer him a place in your stables, one of my grooms will remain here with a horse, so that you can send messages at will. I love you, Elizabeth Bennet; your father will not keep us apart for long." He released her hands and reluctantly took his leave.

Her sisters surrounded Elizabeth as soon as the gentleman's carriage departed, silently comforting her as only siblings could.


Bennet had seen the carriage drive away from his study. His anger prevented rational thinking, and he knew he had to cool down and find a way to prevent the marriage.

Lydia's future ruin was too far away; the girl would be led into sin and debauchery by the soldiers in Brighton, there was no doubt about it, but, entertaining as it would be to observe his wife and remaining daughters' despair, it would only come after Elizabeth's birthday, and Darcy was bound to arrive with a common license that same morning. There had to be a way to force her to break the engagement.

A small voice in his mind, which sounded suspiciously like his late mother's, kept telling him to let her go and accept the steward offered by her suitor, but Bennet silenced it each time. Elizabeth had to pay for her defiance over the last few months; letting her go to Hunsford had been a mistake, instead of coming back humbled by the overbearing Grand Lady his cousin had described, restored to her usual obedient self, she had brought that man back; if being nice did not work, then Bennet had to be harsher on the silly child. He would think of a way to quell her rebellion and punish his wife at the same time, for her behaviour since Jane's wedding had been unacceptable.

Sir William's threats had not been forgotten, but Bennet was confident he could ruin Elizabeth's engagement and Fanny's smugness without implicating himself. He just needed to be a little more patient and plan properly.

Worried his anger was still too raw to resist snipping at his daughter and triggering retributions from his neighbours, Bennet did not join his family for dinner that night. Instead, he drank more than he was used to and forgot to tell Hill to confine Elizabeth to her room, leaving her to enjoy a congenial evening in the company of her mother and sisters.