The uproar was most aggressive indeed. If Lady Catherine was prone to fainting, she would have hit the floor immediately. But as the great lady's style required more vocalization, including loud shouts and exclamations that all of Kent must have heard, she instead needed to be drawn away by both Collins into the foyer and several feet from Elizabeth.

Although the commotion was by no means brief, even after the trio had departed, Elizabeth and Darcy stood in silence for several minutes facing one another. Darcy keenly watched her, his face devoid of any emotion besides shock. Elizabeth just as keenly examined her hands in hopes of explaining her declaration when just hours ago she rejected the poor fellow.

"Sir, forgive me for…"

"I came as soon as…"

Each broke off back into silence after their simultaneous attempt. Elizabeth returned her interest to her hands, but Darcy took the lead. Taking a step back, he looked outside the window in an attempt at composure. "Colonel Fitzwilliam tracked me down. I came to Hunsford as soon as I heard of my aunt's flight."

Elizabeth nodded, still looking at her hands until finally forcing her eyes up to stare at the gentleman's back. "I knew not what else to do, sir, when it became apparent that we…" she trailed off sighing, looking back towards her hands.

Hearing the sadness in her sigh, Darcy turned towards her once again. "Of course," he replied stiffly. "I quite understand." Awkwardness stretched awhile until he added haphazardly, "Quite… quite necessary."

Feeling his gaze, she looked up once more to find Darcy as miserable as she. Silence stretched once more until impatience trumped all else, and she said, "Shall we plan the wedding?"

Immediately, Elizabeth winced, but Darcy ignored her painful attempt at breaking the tension and walked towards the front foyer. "I shall leave at once for London to apply for a special license." He paused before opening the door and turned back to gaze at her once more. "I shall see you at Longhorn." His statement hung more like a question.

Elizabeth nodded her agreement. "I'll request safe passage with Mr. and Mrs. Collins. I imagine we shall leave first thing tomorrow."

With her confirmation, Darcy nodded once to showcase his understanding and abruptly left Hunsford and Elizabeth without another glance.

"I thought you hated the man, Lizzie," Charlotte said slowly, as she sipped her tea. The pair were in her private parlor; Mr. Collins was busy at Rosings attempting to achieve the impossible and console Lady Catherine. They predicted he would be gone several hours.

Elizabeth sipped a long time, attempting to come up with some explanation until she realized she didn't have one. She sighed, placing the cup gently in the saucer and smiled sadly. "I promise you, I have no answers. One moment we were arguing, a great deal mind you, and the next we were kissing." She blushed crimson, but Charlotte hardly batted an eye.

Taking another thoughtful sip, Charlotte returned her smile with an encouraging one. "Well, I daresay you will find a most agreeable husband in Mr. Darcy." At Elizabeth's most unladylike snort of disbelief, she chuckled and continued, "Lizzie, do not be so steadfast in your dislike of the man. You are both young." She took another sip. "There are many years to come in your union, you must make the absolute best of it."

Elizabeth remained silently, but allowed her friend's words to penetrate her thoughts. Perhaps Charlotte was right. Perhaps she should give Darcy another chance.

Darcy, exhausted and dusty from the road, finally made it to his destination, Darcy House, in Grosvenor Square. He had sent word ahead his carriage of his imminent arrival and to a few contacts of his that he would be calling upon them within the day. But for now, it was time to rest and prepare for tomorrow, the day he would apply for his marriage license to Elizabeth.

Closing his eyes in pain at the thought, he tried to focus on the task at hand, and not what it might have felt like to apply for such a document had she happily accepted him. Taking a deep breath, he walked up the front stairs and was allowed entry.

To his surprise, the butler told him he had a guest. Frowning and thinking longingly of his feather soft bed, he strode into the sitting room to find Bingley, who leapt to his feet immediately. "Darcy!" He walked over to shake his friend's hand a touch aggressively. "I daresay I am quite a loss for words! I never imagined you finally marrying - your preference is so strict! But Miss Eliza - such a lovely young woman. I daresay you will be very happy, very happy indeed, my friend!"

Scowling slightly, Darcy poured himself a brandy, rolling his eyes slightly that Bingley already helped himself. He sat down in one of several chairs. "What are you doing here, Bingley? I clearly wrote that I would need your assistance as witness tomorrow when the license office reopens."

Undeterred by his grumpy friend, for he was quite used to his scowls and grunts, Bingley replied cheerfully, "I simply could not wait! I must know immediately how this future union came to be. How long have you cared for Miss Elizabeth?"

Darcy stared at the dark amber liquid before swallowing a large amount. "Quite some time," he admitted softly.

Slapping his knee with a hand, Bingley grinned. "I truly never thought I'd see the day, but I am ecstatic for you, my dear friend. Simply delighted!"

Darcy took another large swallow. "I thank you." If Bingley was put off by his taciturn tone, he did not notice. Darcy took the opportunity and stood. "I must beg my leave. I am weary from my travels, but I thank you for coming all the same."

Bingley also stood and shook Darcy's hand once again. "Until tomorrow then."

"Yes," Darcy replied quietly. "Until tomorrow."

Within a few hours the next day, Darcy was able to secure a special license and a rector to perform the ceremony in case the local vicar had issue with such a quick engagement. However, Bingley was sure that not one person in all of England would have the gall to say no to such a formidable man. Heaven on earth, Bingley swore Darcy would be able to bend the will of King George if he glowered long enough in tense silence.

By lunchtime, Darcy and Bingley traveled along the route toward Hertfordshire in time to arrive for an early dinner at Netherfield. Bingley lied languidly in the carriage, a small grin never leaving his face, most often due to the fact when he glanced at Darcy, his friend's countenance fell deeper and deeper in a foul darkness. Bingley was never able to stop torturing Darcy when he was in such a mood; he also knew he was maybe one of two people in the country that could do so and live.

Bingley sat up and yawned, patting his belly idly. They had skipped afternoon tea. "You didn't tell me how you asked for Miss Eliza's hand, Darcy." Darcy remained silent, looking out his window. "What did she say?" Bingley's grin grew along with the silence. "Whatever you declared must have been most romantic indeed if she allowed a kiss."

Darcy attempted to unhinge his jaw.

Bingley flopped back again with impatience. "I always sensed something between you both. I did notice your eyes drifting towards her most often, but as I am a gentleman, I kept this to myself."

Silence.

"Her affection, to be truthful, was less apparent, though I do allow her playfulness and sharp wit may have hidden any deep feel-"

Darcy turned abruptly to his friend, his voice surprisingly soft. "Miss Jane Bennet is currently in London visiting her aunt and uncle." Now the silence evolved around Bingley who immediately blushed crimson at her name. Darcy continued, "I have known this quite some time, Bingley, and I had chosen to keep it from you."

Bingley's mouth dropped open and he spluttered. "Why ever for?"

Darcy shrugged one shoulder. "I believed her indifferent to you. Caroline and I devised our escape to London last fall so that you would be parted from the Bennets." Bingley's countenance began to darken further still, now with anger. "I have now realized I was mistaken, Bingley. I had no right to interfere if you wished to pursue Miss Bennet. Please forgive me."

It took several moments of Bingley opening and closing his mouth until he finally gathered his thoughts and emotions. He burst out, "Do you mean to tell me that she could love me?"

Darcy gave his friend a small, but rather sad smile. "My dear chap, I am almost certain of it."

They rode in silence for a long stretch of time, just in time to see the hills of Hertfordshire appear and the road to Netherfield Park just ahead. Darcy allowed Bingley his time to digest everything, even allowing their entrance to Bingley's home to be in strict quiet.

Finally, as the pair strode towards the parlor to await dinner announcements, Bingley stopped Darcy with a hand and waited to face him. "I wish to see her," he announced softly.

Darcy raised an eyebrow at that. "Then you must see her. But first, allow me to wed her sister if you'd please."

Bingley grinned, unceremoniously pulling Darcy into a quick hug. "I should be quite cross with you, you know."

Darcy's thoughts trailed towards Elizabeth. "I do indeed deserve it."

Elizabeth returned to her family home alone having dropped Charlotte and Mr. Collins at Lucas Lodge. She knew it would only be a matter of time before Mrs. Lucas hurried to Longborn to confirm the news of her engagement in a state of fluttering gossip; Elizabeth must act immediately.

However, she arrived to Longborn must later than she anticipated; she had no idea Mr. Collins could lengthen such a short trip with stops of passersby to remark to them they are on their way towards his most esteemed acquaintance and that they may be lucky enough to glimpse at Rosings Park if they remained steadfast on this path.

It was well past dinner, her sisters and mother most likely enjoying tea in the drawing room while her father would be shut up in his study. He was where her feet immediately took her.

But to her surprise when she opened the door, Darcy was there in deep conversation with her father. Stunned, she burst out, "I don't understand." Both gentlemen stood, Darcy bowing to her. "I thought for sure you would not arrive until tomorrow."

Darcy placed his hands behind his back and strolled towards her. "I do believe it's customary for the man to request the father's permission, Miss Elizabeth."

Mr. Bennet silently watched the pair interact and his countenance deepening with narrowed eyes. Elizabeth took a breath and bowed her head to her betrothed. "You are indeed correct, sir. I only wish to speak to my father regarding our circumstance."

Darcy nodded once. "I believe we are finished, sir. I shall return in the morning if you wish to ask me anything else." He looked to Elizabeth. "Good night, madam." And he left quickly and silently, as though to sneak from the grasp of Mrs. Bennet just down the hall.

Elizabeth closed the door behind him and turned towards her father, who had already returned to his seat, rubbing his forehead. "Lizzie," he murmured. "Are you out of your senses? Tell me so at once why you have decided to marry such a man this Saturday."