Elizabeth had never been blind to the improprieties of her father's behavior. She had always seen it with pain, but respecting his abilities and grateful for his affectionate treatment of herself, she endeavored to forget that which she could not overlook. Until that evening she had never felt so discouraged by his habitual breach of respectability or been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a direction of talents.

The guests having departed for their homes, and her mother to her dressing room; Elizabeth made her way to her father's library, guided by anger and disappointment. "Father, what has come over you! Why have you decided to so cruelly punish your daughters? Is is so wrong to find men of worth who wish to distinguish and honor us, or to deny those that have not the sense to know when their attentions are both unsolicited and unwelcome?"

"Elizabeth," her father replied sternly "you seem to be making reference to a private conversation held within the confines of my library in the company of gentlemen, whom I am distinctly aware you were not a party. I am at a loss to understand how you have become privy to these matters. Is Mr. Darcy so little to be trusted?"

"He had every right to share with me that which was said and done tonight, as it impacts my happiness in every way."

"Oh - and how so? How can it affect you?"

"You must know that Mr. Darcy and I have come to an agreement and that he wished to seek your approval this evening."

Mr. Bennet sighed out of both relief and disappointment. After the interaction that he had witnessed earlier, Mr. Darcy's offer was both an expectation and an obligation. It eased his mind that Lizzy was not being trifled with, and yet it did not naturally follow that he was any more pleased at the idea of losing his daughter.

"There is no reason why you should so unreasonably delay Mr. Darcy and me from marrying. You know full well Jane will feel no slight from my being engaged, she is all goodness and would only receive more, not less, pleasure from it." At this she struck a nerve, for Mr. Bennet could not deny that dear Jane would undoubtedly side with Lizzy. Unfortunately, Elizabeth's next attack was not so well delivered. "And do you mean to say that you would have Lydia marry that dreadful man?"

"Consider, Lizzy, that someone must marry him, and someone most certainly will. Do recall that this someone will be the mistress of Longbourn when I am dead. I do not think it unreasonable to hope she may be one of my daughters. Or would you trust Lydia to make a match for herself? He may be unpleasant, but he is not vicious; do you put so much faith in her that you believe she would choose better?" In her current state of mind Elizabeth could not - would not - give her father any credit nor could she give Lydia so little.

In his usual manner Mr. Bennet tried to laugh Elizabeth's concern away, "if Lydia won't have him, perhaps Kitty will do. I might not recover, were Sir Lucas to deprive me of such a son-in-law. Oh, Bingley and your Mr. Darcy have their fortunes and their good sense, but I imagine neither could indulge my taste for the absurd more than Mr. Collins."

"Father, it pains me that you can make light of such matters. My happiness and that of my sisters' rests in your hands. Perhaps you can dismiss the good fortune I have had to be distinguished by a man such as Mr. Darcy, but I cannot be ignorant of it. It shames me that you should treat with so much disdain and neglect the man that I will marry, with or without your approval!" Elizabeth crossed her arms defiantly and tipped her nose to the ceiling, fighting back tears.

"Elizabeth! There is no need for such threats or theatre. I assure you, your Mr. Darcy will receive my approval when he applies for your hand. I sought only to forestall, not to prevent your engagement. A delay of some many weeks may feel a tremendous burden but do not be cast down; Mr. Darcy is rich enough that he can secure a special license. If you should choose, you could be married only days after your sister. In no time at all, you will be mistress of a grand estate, with not a thought in your head for your father or mother." All humor lost, Mr. Bennet could not hide his melancholy, "but, oh, how I shall miss you."

At another time Elizabeth might have taken pity upon the man or even delight in the misguided display of affection. On this night, however, she was too tired and too hurt to make any allowances for her father's nature. Tears welling up in her eyes, she stormed from the room, up the staircase, and into the comforting arms of her sister.

For a full half hour, Mr. Bennet stared into the dying fire and neither his sherry nor his Shakespeare could provide comfort. He had ruined for awhile, at least, the happiness of his most beloved daughter. Only hours ago basking in triumph, he now was conscious stricken by his selfish and unjust actions. But it was done - he told himself - and done for good. The only salve for his daughter's grief was patience.

Georgiana waited expectantly through the entire carriage ride to Netherfield Park. Surely her brother was to announce his engagement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet at any moment. She clung to his arm as he helped her down the step and escorted her all the way to her room. He bade his good night, and she paused with baited breath, an arm still looped tightly around his hoping that he would continue. At length, she released him and turned into her chamber, perplexed.

She rose early. Her brother entered the dining room to find her pouring Richard his second cup of coffee and peppering him with questions about the previous evening. They both waited silently until Darcy finally explained to her that he had not had an opportunity to propose. He told her how Mr. Bennet declared that until his eldest was married he would not allow any of his younger daughters to accept a proposal. Knowing his sister's heart, he spared her any worry over the strain of friendship between him and his cousin by leaving out the role that Richard had played. "And so, it will be six weeks, at least before we can enter into an agreement."

Georgiana's heart broke as she observed the disappointment in her brother's expression. "Is six weeks really so long? I'm sure that there will be plenty of opportunities for you and Miss Bennet to meet and spend time together. We shall visit every day or nearly every day. And there will be assemblies and parties. If I were to guess, you would likely be able to spend a better part of each day together. It will only be the early mornings and nights when you are separated and, as those moments are primarily made of sleeping and waking, it will really be like you are not apart at all."

Richard smiled at his young cousin's innocence and then smirked at the elder Darcy. "Yes, Darce. Who needs marriage at all when it is put that way?"

"Georgiana, if it could be as you imagine I'm sure it would not bother me at all. Or nearly at all." A slight upturn at the corner of his lips betrayed him. "But you know I must spend a few weeks, at least, in town. We do have to return to London eventually."

Despite his guilt for the part he played in his cousin's current situation, Colonel Fitzwilliam had no patience for such brooding."Do you hear yourself, Darcy? You sound like a man defeated! This is a setback only, and you can take comfort that you have found a woman whom you care deeply for and who loves you in return. Clearly, she is unaware of what a stubborn, selfish fool you really are."

Noting the furious gaze Darcy threw at him, Richard continued quickly, "perhaps a prolonged engagement will produce some advantages. Recall the terrible shock it was for you to become master of Pemberley overnight. I won't pretend that the circumstances are the same; you were stricken with grief and worry over the responsibility of caring for a young sister and an estate. Even so, think what a change Miss Elizabeth is about to experience. Is there not some way that you can help to ease the burdens that will inevitably follow from her becoming Mrs. Darcy?"

Jumping at a chance for uninterrupted time with her future sister, Georgiana embraced her cousin's suggestion. "Of course, Richard! Elizabeth must return to London with us and become better acquainted with the house and our servants there. I'm sure it would ease her mind to learn more of the world of which she will soon take over management. Pemberly would even be better, but I suppose that must wait."

Georgiana and Richard waited silently while Darcy turned the idea over in his mind. "I'm certain her father would not consent. People would talk, it would be highly improper for us to be alone, in the same house, and not married."

"But brother, you are not her fiance," Georgiana reminded him. "Not yet!" She added quickly to avoid her brother's disapprobation. "To the world, you are only the older brother of her dear new friend. Her father will not prevent her from a visit, not when she has been invited to be the particular companion of such an esteemed young lady." Georgiana laughed at herself and looked to her brother and cousin for approval. She added, "Mrs. Annesley will be with us to provide a proper chaperone at all times. Miss Bennet could come too, of course. Think of all the fun we will have in preparation for the wedding. And Elizabeth can make arrangements for her own without raising suspicion! Oh - it is so perfect! We shall have such fun. Elizabeth and I must go to Hatchards and pour over the latest novels, and we can spend a morning at Hyde Park before it becomes unbearable."

"And then there will be Bond Street" Richard suggested drolly, to which she rolled her eyes. He continued. "Angel, it sounds as though you have things worked out admirably. At this rate, your brother will spend no more time with Miss Elizabeth in town as he would if she remained in Hertfordshire. Unless you are willing to share her conversation at breakfast and dinner?"

"Perhaps he may have one or the other." She replied playfully.

The two cousins continued in banter happily whilst Darcy was lost to distraction. He imagined Elizabeth in his London home; strolling through town with her on his arm; sharing a nightcap together in the library after a busy day. His chest was tight and the sensations - now quite familiar - that stirred when he dwelt too long dreaming of their future threatened to conquer him.

"Enough!" He bellowed harshly. Too harshly, he acknowledged; regaining his composure and calmly replying, "You are too right, I should not allow self-pity to cloud my reason. Elizabeth and I will marry, and it will be an enormous change for her. I have given no thought to how overwhelming it might be, especially if she does not have ample opportunity to prepare. If we must wait to marry, then at least I can use the time to allow her to adjust. I trust, Georgiana, that I will have your help?"

"Oh, yes! There is nothing that would make me happier."

As soon as the rest of the Netherfield party had joined them and broke their fast, Mr. Bingley and his guests set out for a visit to Longbourn. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Caroline were to join soon after but declared that they must stop at the shops in Meryton first.

The Bennet family were all gathered in their drawing room, each of the daughters occupied with their needles and brushes as their mother supervised their work and frequently interjected on those little improvements that would make them even more alluring to any single man in possession of a fortune. Mr. Bennet was quietly hiding behind a book hoping to avoid the looks of censure directed at him by Jane and Elizabeth.

Upon entering, Mr. Bingley, much to his disappointment, was immediately drawn into conversation by Mrs. Bennet before he could cross the room to his betrothed. "So Mr. Bingley, is it true that you will be soon returning to London? I suppose there is business to which you must attend. Oh, if I could only convince Jane to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner with me we could shop for the wedding, and she could join you in town. But she insists that she has no need to make the trip."

"You must have heard incorrectly; I have no plans to leave Hertfordshire. At least not until the wedding," Bingley declared with surprise and then turning to Jane to he added reassuringly, "though if you were to travel to London, I would happily visit at the same time." Jane was pink from embarrassment. She had made no mention to her fiance of the letter from his sister, but her mother had overheard a conversation between her and Lizzy and could not let sit the idea that he might leave, no matter how much the sisters tried to soothe her anxieties.

Drawing attention away from her sister; Elizabeth joined the conversation. "While haunting the shops of London is always an adventure, there is nothing like the peace of the countryside, don't you agree? For my part, without excellent company and assurance of good roads, the trouble often exceeds the enjoyment of so far a journey."

"It is proof of your attachment to Hertfordshire. Anything beyond the neighborhood of Longbourn, I suppose, would appear too far." Bingley asserted, revealing more of his feelings that Elizabeth's.

At these words, a hint of a smile graced Darcy's features which Elizabeth longed to know the meaning of.

Taking a deep breath and gaining her courage Miss Darcy turned to the two eldest Bennet sisters. "Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. I would be very happy if you would join me when my brother and I soon return to London. Our visit is expected to last a fortnight, and I'm sure that Ja... Miss Bennet could use the time to complete arrangements for her wedding. And I would very much enjoy the pleasure of your company."

The invitation instantly set the room into a flurry of excitement. Before either Jane or Elizabeth could recover from their surprise and delight, Mrs. Bennet had announced that "of course they must accept. What an honor! Oh - how I should love to go, too! But you must take dear Jane to only the best shops." Mr. Bingley immediately repeated his intentions to make the trip if Jane were to also. Mary remarked that she found little enjoyment in shopping and that London held no attraction to her. Kitty and Lydia lamented that they, too, should not be invited - for they had known Georgiana just as long and were closer in age - after all.

Mr. Darcy drew his chair slightly closer to Elizabeth and added quietly enough so that only she might hear, "I, too, would very much enjoy the pleasure of your company."

Mr. Bennet remained alarmingly silent. He could not refuse without upsetting the women he most loved in this world, and his wife also. And yet, to let his daughters spend two weeks in London with Mr. Darcy; for Elizabeth to stay at his home before they were wed! It was insupportable.

"You will excuse me, Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Darcy and I were unable to finish a discussion last night - too eager were the gentleman to return to you and the ladies' company." Turning to Mr. Darcy, sharply he continued, "I had hoped that I would have a few moments this morning, if you would be so obliging, Sir?"

The gentlemen withdrew to the library and were gone for fifteen minutes complete. Upon their return, Mr. Bennet headed towards Jane and Elizabeth and congratulated them on their upcoming trip. "I do expect that you will behave and that your conduct - while in the home of such a distinguished family - will be above reproach." The last he spoke with his eyes fixed firmly on his dear Lizzy. The two ladies offered their assurances and glowed in anticipation while Mr. Darcy stood silently in the corner with an expression of victory evident to only those who knew him well.

After the commotion had died down, Elizabeth sat down to write a short note to the Gardiners while Mary and Georgiana entertained the household at the pianoforte. Before long, Mr. Bingley stood to bid his goodbyes and make apologies for the absence of his sisters and brother-in-law. Moving across the room, Darcy found himself as close to Elizabeth as their current circumstance would allow. He longed to step closer, to pull her into his arms and act on the thoughts that had been running through his head since the moment he saw her. She bowed deeply and he reached out to place a parting kiss on her hand. As he released her, she revealed a carefully folded note that he quickly retrieved and slid into his pocket. His heart raced as she cast a mischievous smile at him.

He rode ahead of the others and upon arriving at Netherfield Park proceeded straight to his quarters, unfolded the treasured paper, and read:

My love,

Let me never accuse you of being anything less than a brilliant man. I confess a small part of me takes pity on my father for your masterful triumph. The greater part, however, takes delight in the thought of many days spent in the company of you and your sister. Please impress on her how very excited I am to have an opportunity to continue our friendship. Oh, what trouble we shall make. I assure you that she, too, will be teasing you before I am done.

It is not without some nervousness that I look forward to seeing your (oh - I long for the day that I can say our) home, but it is overshadowed by my anticipation to witness in you those intimate habits and tendencies that one only displays in the privacy of domestic confinement.

While we may not find the solitude that we have been so fortunate to have here in the country, still I have heard that there are some parks and gardens where I hope that we may be able to continue our morning walks together. I can imagine no better way to begin my days than with you by my side.

I love you even more today than I did when I first spoke the words. You may leave me with the knowledge that you have-

- all my heart,

EB