As though she had thought him into existence, Mr. Darcy turned around the corner and was immediately before her. He started when he found her on the ground. "Are you well?" He took a few rushed steps toward her, but stopped, realizing it would not be proper to come to her aid again.

Elizabeth watched his agony as he kept his distance. Unsure what to say, she quickly rose to her feet. Despite a slight wobble, she managed without help. "I am well," she declared hastily. Only her mind was rushing through a million thoughts. Her body was completely healthy. She pondered her situation for a moment. It would not do to confide in Mr. Darcy about her troubles, and she did not think she had the courage to speak to him of such an intimate topic. Surely, she thought, the gossip would end soon enough, and she had no desire to become Mrs. Darcy. Realizing he was expecting an answer, she quickly stated that she felt perfectly fine and was proud that her voice did not tremble.

Mr. Darcy nodded and offered Elizabeth his arm, intending to return with her to Rosings. Elizabeth accepted, but she could not put pressure on his arm, wondering what he could be thinking.

"I hope the ground was dry enough."

Elizabeth sighed. He would learn how to make small talk now. "We have not had much rain, but I suppose the dew can be surprisingly damp at times. However, I found a very nice place that kept me dry." She glanced at him, then realized how often she had done so and looked away, wrinkling her forehead in frustration. How was she supposed to act normal in such a situation? She wished she could steal some of his calm demeanor.

They walked in silence for a few minutes. Elizabeth wished it could have been considered companionable silence, but she was only barely conscious of the fact that they remained silent. After another hasty turn of her head when she glanced at him and found him observing her, she tripped on the hem of her dress. Immediately, his arms surrounded her, keeping her from falling to the ground. Her head fell against his chest, and she inhaled deeply of his scent while she attempted to regain her equilibrium.

After a slight cough to clear her throat and still her heart, she pulled away only to find her hair caught on one of the buttons of his coat.

"Wait, hold still, Miss Bennet!" His arms firmly held her steady such that she could not move. She placed her hands on his torso to steady herself, allowing him to move his hands to free her hair. With a small tug, she was free. Immediately she stepped back a few paces. He followed her and offered her his arm again. "Have I hurt you?"

"I shall be fine, Mr. Darcy. I believe I am more tired than I thought. We should return to the house." She tried to begin walking, but he held her back.

"I will have the doctor summoned to ensure your head has healed properly. You hardly ever trip." He spoke with such confidence, Elizabeth had to wonder how observant he had been on their walks.

"That is not necessary. I am perfectly well, and the doctor certainly has other patients needing his care more than I do. I assure you that I have had my share of trips in my life. I am not accustomed to Miss de Bourgh's dresses. They have been fitted for me; however, I do not quite feel myself in them yet."

"The quality is likely better than you are used to."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and refrained from huffing in annoyance. He would call her family poor just to vex her. To avoid offending him, she kept quiet. Thankfully, he moved to allow them to walk again, and Elizabeth hurried her steps to end their walk as quickly as possible.

He seemed to sense her need for quiet and wisely kept his thoughts to himself. It did not seem to bother him that her arm barely touched his where they were connected. The silence continued as they entered the house and moved through the foyer. At the stairs, they were stopped by Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"I was just thinking, if you are such an expert at billiards, then I cannot be wrong when I say that you probably also play chess. I should like to play against you, Miss Bennet, if you would indulge me."

Elizabeth smiled. The colonel did not deserve her ire, but she could not play chess at the moment. "Our game shall have to be delayed." She paused to glance at her escort. "I am feeling somewhat tired. I believe some quiet rest is all I require. Perhaps we can play later today."

"I shall hold you to it. My cousin is too formidable an opponent, though perhaps you are as well. I look forward to playing with you, knowing that conversation will come easily. Speaking with my cousin is like pulling teeth sometimes."

Elizabeth started to laugh at the colonel's easy teasing, but another glance at Mr. Darcy showed he felt more than he would normally let on, so she coughed it away. "Until later, sirs. I can find my way to my room on my own."

She pulled her arm away and hurried up the stairs before Mr. Darcy could think of a reason to follow her. Instead, he rounded on his cousin. "Pulling teeth!"

"You rarely contribute unless forced, cousin, and you know it." The colonel stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Have no fear, she will like getting to know you as I know you. You simply need to relax and be yourself." He winked when his cousin started to pale.

"I have no…"

The colonel cut him off. "Yes, yes! You have no desire to court her, but you like her, and I believe it is only a matter of time until you propose of your own free will. She would be good for you, and I wish you every success."

"You cannot raise expectations. She would be devastated if it comes to nothing." If anything, Mr. Darcy had turned even paler.

"Breathe! Fitzwilliam Darcy, you like her, and she would be a great asset to have at your side, both in London as you navigate the Ton, and at Pemberley, where you sit lonely every evening and read. Once you realize she is your equal in every way that matters, she will make you very happy."

As the words sank in, Mr. Darcy blushed more deeply than the colonel had ever seen. Laughing, the colonel turned around, declaring he had a chess board to set up. "Think on what I have said. I shall be ready to discuss your thoughts in detail when you are ready." Knowing his cousin needed to process this information, he disappeared to the library.

Mr. Darcy stood at the base of the stairs for some time. Could he offer for Elizabeth? Would his family approve? Would the Ton accept her? Would she be good for Georgiana? That was an easy question. Elizabeth would adore Georgiana and know just how to help her grow into adulthood. His heart raced as what had seemed impossible grew inevitable. He wanted her as his wife. His other questions needed to be answered, though. Hearing Mr. Collins chatter in the hall upstairs, Mr. Darcy quickly dashed to the library where he hoped they would not be disturbed.

AN: Thanks for reading!