Elizabeth in London

By Louise

Jump to new as of September 14, 2003
Jump to new as of October 2, 2003

Prologue

Posted on Thursday, 26 June 2003

Continuing from somewhere in Chapter 42...

The time fixed for the beginning of their Northern tour was now fast approaching; and a fortnight only was wanting of it when a letter arrived from Mrs. Gardiner which at once disappointed Elizabeth excessively. Mr. Gardiner's business was having financial trouble with a rather eminent client and he was quite unable to leave London until the affair was settled, as his wife explained to her niece:

'... and so you see my dear, we do not know when we will be able to leave for the North, therefore we have decided to postpone our departure until the end of August. No doubt, the weather will be cooler for travelling at that time of year. You are, of course, still invited and meanwhile, would be more than welcome to come and stay with us at Gracechurch Street...'

Elizabeth's reaction upon reading this letter was that to be expected from one who has just had her hopes and expectations of delight dashed. But she took some pleasure from the thought that she would at least still see the Lakes, albeit later than expected. Their beauty in early autumn would not be inconsiderable and in the meantime, the shops, theatres and galleries of town did hold a certain charm for her.

To London, therefore, she decided to go.

Upon her arrival, Elizabeth's welcome in Gracechurch Street was as pleasurable as she could have expected. And the days that followed were scarcely less agreeable. The engaging company of her aunt and the novelties of city life contributed greatly to Elizabeth's amusement during the day and in the evenings, her uncle kept them all entertained by dropping dark hints about the mire of scandal in which his noble client was becoming ever deeper embroiled. Although Elizabeth despised society gossip, as did Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, her uncle assured her that the spiral of debt his business had unconsciously uncovered would cause disgrace at the highest level.

Elizabeth had been in London two weeks when her aunt informed her of their invitation to the ball of an old acquaintance that night. Miss Lewisham had been a very close friend of Mrs. Gardiner before their marriages and after a chance meeting the previous day, Mrs. Cholmondely, as she was now, was eager to renew the friendship. Her hospitality was celebrated and Elizabeth found herself extremely well pleased with her hostess, as she remarked to Mrs. Gardiner at the ball,

'I like your friend Mrs. Cholmondely very much, aunt. She has none of the pretension to grandeur which is so often evident in those who have married above themselves.'

'Yes, Victoria always had an amiable disposition. Witty and lively but modest. I believe that is what first attracted Mr. Cholmondely to her. He was such a quiet gentleman and- Ah Lizzie, here comes Mr. Leigh to claim your hand. Enjoy yourself my dear.'

Elizabeth did enjoy herself. Mr. Leigh was fortunate enough to be the young cousin of Mr. Cholmondely, making a name for himself at the Bar and possessed of both a handsome face and a ready wit. He was also fortunate in being so unlike a certain other admirer of Elizabeth's that she took thorough delight in his company. They had discussed what books they liked and the feelings they had when reading them, the generosity of Mrs. Cholmondely, the upright character of Mr. Cholmondely and were about to begin another topic when Elizabeth suddenly saw, over Mr. Leigh's smartly clad shoulder, the certain gentleman whom Mr. Leigh was so unlike. It was evident that he had just caught sight of her, such was the surprised expression on his face.

'What can he be doing here?' Elizabeth asked herself. She had not thought that he could be part of the Cholmondely's general acquaintance. Since reading his letter, she was not sure whether to think well or ill of him and it could not be said if pleasure or displeasure was more on her mind at that moment. Her greatest feeling was probably one of shock. However, a puzzled enquiry from Mr. Leigh forced her to recollect herself and turn her attention back to the dance as well as she could.

When Mr. Leigh finally returned Elizabeth to her aunt, with many professions of a desire to maintain an acquaintance, Mrs. Gardiner could not help but notice Elizabeth's heightened colour. At first she attributed it to Mr. Leigh but on seeing the arrival of another young man whose own appearance suggested more than a little embarrassment, she changed her mind. It seemed he and her niece were already quite familiar.

'Miss Bennet.'

'Mr. Darcy.'

Part One

Posted on Monday, 30 June 2003

It was hard to perceive who was the more disconcerted, but after civil enquiries on both sides, Elizabeth remembered the presence of her aunt who was eyeing them both with not a little bewilderment and hastily introduced her to Mr. Darcy. He was clearly surprised yet expressed his pleasure at meeting Mrs. Gardiner and apologised for interrupting them. His manner was so very different from their last encounter that Elizabeth wondered at the change for some time. That he could be civil and courteous after their bitter parting at Hunsford quite astonished her. When her aunt excused herself and she was left to face Mr. Darcy alone, Elizabeth rapidly tried to think of a subject for conversation and had to resort to asking about his stay in London. His main purpose was business but, as he told her,

'Mr. Cholmondely was a good friend of my late father and on discovering our presence in town, promptly invited my sister and myself to come tonight.' He paused. 'While we are on the subject Miss Bennet, Georgiana has long been desirous of meeting you. May I introduce you to her?'

Elizabeth agreed and Darcy led her to the far side of the hall where Mrs. Cholmondely and a tall young woman were talking quietly. The latter saw them approaching and smiled with delight as she set eyes on her brother. Elizabeth soon began to realise that Mr. Wickham's deceitful accounts had included the character of Darcy's sister; she found Miss Darcy charming, good-humoured and possessed of a natural modesty and shyness that could be mistakenly construed as pride by those who were not eager to be pleased. Together with their hostess and Mr. Darcy, they talked of music, books and of their mutual love of the countryside. It was with some wistfulness that Elizabeth enjoyed this lively, intelligent conversation- there was little to be had of it at Longbourn, even when militia were not quartered in Meryton. Mr. Darcy eventually brought the discourse to a close by asking Elizabeth with trepidation,

'Miss Bennet, I believe the next dance is about to start. Will you give me the pleasure of your company?'

Elizabeth could not resist remarking archly,

'Are you asking me to dance with you sir or merely favour you with my company whilst you perform the required movements?'

His expression betrayed his amusement.

'Elizabeth Bennet, will you dance with me?'

'Yes, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, I will.'

If Elizabeth was ever worried that this dance might be an awkward repeat of the 26th of November, then she need not have feared. Mr. Darcy's new-found ease and openness allowed a relaxed discussion and Elizabeth even found occasion to tease him gently, observing,

'For someone who dances rarely, you do not seem wholly lacking in proficiency, Mr. Darcy.'

'Miss Bennet, I confess that I dance rarely due to dislike rather than inability. I have been instructed in the art of dancing as any young man in my position would have been.'

Elizabeth smiled to herself at this remark; although it was perfectly true, his manner of saying 'any young man in my position' demonstrated that pride had not disappeared completely from his character. She was intrigued however, and asked him,

'May I assume that you are not dancing with me out of dislike then?'

'I only dance, Miss Bennet, when I admire my partner or because I feel it is my duty to do so.'

'And which of those two occasions is this?'

'Whichever you prefer.'

Being still confused about her feelings towards Mr. Darcy, or his towards her, Elizabeth did not know whether to be satisfied with this response or not. Her moment of indecision was interrupted when she noticed that her former dance partner, Mr. Leigh was approaching them, warmly greeting Darcy,

'Darcy! It is Darcy, is not it? I have not seen you since Cambridge! My cousin has told me nothing of you. Are you well? Is Georgiana here?'

Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy's face break into a smile.

'Robert Leigh! I see you haven't changed. Your cousin has not told you of me because I have hardly seen him myself. Georgiana and I are both well- she is over there with Mrs. Cholmondely. How are your parents? And your sister?'

Mr. Leigh's expression suddenly became inscrutable.

'You obviously have not heard of me for some time Darcy. My sister Lucy died almost a year ago.'

An awkward moment followed, during which Mr. Darcy tried to offer his sympathies and Mr. Leigh tried to assure him that his ignorance was perfectly excusable and that he should not trouble himself. After bowing to Elizabeth, Mr. Leigh left them; both the lady and Mr. Darcy being somewhat at a loss for words.

They were rescued by Miss Darcy who suggested shyly that Elizabeth and her relatives should dine with them within the next week. Her brother agreed with enthusiasm and Elizabeth could not but accept happily. They parted with much anticipation on either side- Mr. Darcy wanted to welcome her to his home, she was equally anxious for such an experience and Georgiana looked forward to observing the behaviour of them both. In short, the next day and a half could not pass quickly enough.

Mr. Darcy's townhouse was not, as Elizabeth was surprised to discover, on the most fashionable street in London, but rather was in a highly respectable, elegant yet secluded square off one of the main thoroughfares. The house itself was a graceful building with touches of classical style and as the Gardiner's carriage drew up to it, Elizabeth found herself quite charmed.

They were received by Miss Darcy who explained that her brother had had some unavoidable business late that afternoon and would be joining them shortly. She was accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam who immediately smoothed over any awkwardness by greeting Elizabeth with great pleasure and entering easily into conversation with herself and the Gardiners. Georgiana spoke a little and it soon became evident to Elizabeth that her brother's absence increased her shyness. However, Miss Darcy did seem eager to speak with her and they talked agreeably for some time until the arrival of their host.

His rather flustered entrance suggested that he had just returned. He stayed only a few moments, apologising for not receiving them properly, before leaving to dress for dinner.

Upon Mr. Darcy's reappearance, in a calmer, more relaxed state, Elizabeth noted with pleasure that he had lost none of his amiability of two days before. He immediately took a seat beside her and inquired as to how she had spent her time, then explained that both he and the Colonel were managing some business for their aunt, hence his urgent summons earlier that afternoon. Elizabeth could not conceal her amusement at Lady Catherine's attempts to direct the actions of her nephews, even from some distance away and Mr. Darcy's face told her that he was of the same mind. They passed an enjoyable half hour in conversation before the summons to dinner.

It occurred to Elizabeth more than once that evening that Miss Darcy and her cousin had somehow conspired against herself and Mr. Darcy. Unsure as she was of her sentiments towards that gentleman, Elizabeth was equally undecided as to whether she liked being thrown constantly into his company or not. She noticed that it was Georgiana who had made the seating plan, placing the two of them opposite each other at one end of the table and later it was the Colonel who proposed a round of whist, asking the Gardiners and Georgiana to make up the four. Furthermore, both of them did their best to keep Elizabeth's aunt and uncle occupied at every possible opportunity. Such occurrences could scarcely be due to coincidence.

When she and Mr. Darcy were not talking, Elizabeth observed, as she always did, how often his eyes were upon her. She could only guess as to what she was to comprehend by it. It was not until an almost insignificant event took place later that evening that she began to realise. It happened when Elizabeth was admiring Mr. Darcy's book cabinets whilst their owner was leaning against the fireplace on the far side of the room, apparently in deep reflection. Leafing through the pages of one of his volumes, Elizabeth glanced up suddenly and surprised him looking at her over his shoulder, a slight smile on his face. Elizabeth met Darcy's gaze for a moment, then turned away in confusion. She replaced her book on its shelf without having the smallest idea of its title.

The evening drew to a close and Elizabeth and the Gardiners left Clarendon Square to sincere farewells from the members of the Darcy household. It was fixed that Elizabeth and Georgiana were to meet in the park the next day and although Elizabeth looked forward to the morning, her head was full of him. The Gardiners were barely less interested in the gentleman, so ardently did he seem to be attracted to their niece. Whilst they did not discuss this with Elizabeth, she knew that they had their suspicions and this knowledge only added to the tumult of confusion she already felt.

Early the next morning, Elizabeth was preparing to leave Gracechurch Street to meet Miss Darcy in Grosvenor Park. She had just stepped out of the front door when the arrival of a young clerk of her uncle's stopped her. The boy was breathless and evidently greatly excited.

'Urgent message for Mr. Gardiner- it's about that business with Lady Catherine de- Oh!'

Mortification filling his face, he clamped a hand over his mouth.

Part Two

Posted on Saturday, 5 July 2003

To say that Elizabeth was shocked would be to underestimate her feelings. It was quite beyond her to conceive how her uncle could have business with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The immediate appearance of Mr. Gardiner in the doorway added to her discomposure.

'May I ask what is going on, Perkins? Lizzie?' he demanded.

The clerk, Perkins, handed him a folded note and made as if he was about to escape when a stern look from Mr. Gardiner stopped him.

'Perkins, you are to go back to the Mitchell Street office and wait for me there. You would be well advised to avoid telling anyone else about my private business. Lizzie, come back inside. I would speak with you.'

Elizabeth had never seen her normally jovial uncle look so serious. She followed him into the house and he ushered her into his study and closed the door.

'Sit down Lizzie,' he began. 'I apologise if I am delaying your rendezvous with Miss Darcy and I am not angry with you. The business to which Perkins accidentally referred should be treated with the utmost discretion but you are an intelligent young woman and, I am sure, could not have missed the name of the person whom it involves. I would rather I told you the truth than you picked up gossip and rumours from idiots like Perkins.

'I do not think you know that my business supplies, amongst others, the dressmakers of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. We are paid directly by her Ladyship- it is unusual but it is her preferred way and she does not wish to be cheated or overcharged by her dressmakers. However, for the last six months, her bills have not been paid. The sum owed was not very significant at first but has now become quite considerable and of some importance to my business. As a result, enquiries have been made at my request. Such actions would normally be despicable but I hope you will excuse them in the present situation. The investigations revealed other creditors in a similar position to myself. I have no particular wish to expose her Ladyship and I suspect unusual circumstances. Apparently, the Rosings estate brings in a clear seven thousand a year with a further two thousand from smaller properties. I am told that Lady Catherine does not live modestly but neither does she exceed her income. This means that... simply, Lizzie, something is draining her Ladyship's funds rapidly and it cannot be by a legitimate means. Her daughter is free from scandal and there are few other relatives and no other dependents. Lady Catherine is a devout Christian, which makes me doubt the idea of vices such as gambling, which has been suggested. With no wish to be melodramatic, Lizzie, that leaves the possibility of blackmail...

'But that is solely my speculation and it could be no more than speculation. As you can imagine, it would be best for all concerned if the matter could be cleared up quietly and satisfactorily. Am I assured of your absolute secrecy, Lizzie?'

Elizabeth could only nod. Her uncle continued in quite a different tone.

'Well, you had better be setting off for the park. If you wish, you may care to invite Miss Darcy and her family to dine with us tomorrow night. We have other company and more will liven our party. Do have a pleasant morning, my dear.'

Elizabeth walked briskly to Grosvenor Park. There was much for her to contemplate on her journey. She did not like Mr. Darcy's aunt but she would not wish such misfortune on anyone. It occurred to her that this must be the business Darcy and Fitzwilliam were trying to resolve. Lady Catherine had obviously acknowledged her secret to someone but it must have pained her greatly to do so.

On the subject of her Ladyship's nephew, some sleepless hours of reflection the previous night had allowed Elizabeth to clarify her sentiments somewhat. All negative feelings had gone and her surprise at discovering his civility and good-humour had lessened at finding that such qualities suited him better than arrogance and selfish pride. She liked Mr. Darcy now but whether her feelings extended any further, she had decided, would depend entirely on his own behaviour. Elizabeth could not quite believe that he might still love her- such generosity she had not yet met with- but his conduct was encouraging and she now felt that she could meet him as an agreeable, friendly acquaintance rather than as a teasing, ambiguous former admirer.

Sadly for Elizabeth, any such resolutions fell apart immediately as she saw the gentleman's tall figure standing alongside that of his sister in Grosvenor Park. Blushing, she approached them, hoping fervently that they would excuse her late arrival. Her anxiety was quite unnecessary. Georgiana was delighted to see her. Her brother explained that he had been extremely busy that morning and had accompanied his sister to the park to seek some relaxation. Elizabeth was amused.

'Some relaxation, Mr. Darcy?' she asked in mock puzzlement. 'Surely you must know that conversation between two young women could scarcely be called relaxing?'

Elizabeth and Georgiana exchanged mischievous smiles. Mr. Darcy responded in kind.

'You shock me Miss Bennet. I was so convinced of the innocence and piety of my sister and yourself that I expected you to be talking of no more than Fordyce's Sermons. I even brought my own copy, so that I may join in your discussion.'

And producing a little-used book from his pocket, he proceeded to read aloud a solemn passage in such monotonous tones that Elizabeth and Georgiana soon had to concede defeat and beg him to stop. Elizabeth was secretly thrilled to discover that both Mr. Darcy and his sister, despite her shyness, were each possessed of a wicked sense of humour. Georgiana quickly had Elizabeth laughing merrily at a tale of Miss Bingley,

'to whom I gave a copy of the Sermons last Christmas. You must have seen how she likes Fitzwilliam ever so much'- here Georgiana shot her brother a sweet smile- 'so out of politeness to me, she had to read them, especially since Fitzwilliam and I promised to talk about the book with her afterwards. She was so bored! But she had to pretend to be interested; Caroline is such an accomplished woman, after all!'

'Do you spend a great deal of time with Miss Bingley, then?' asked Elizabeth.

'A fair amount, yes. I do not dislike Caroline- she can be very kind- but I am afraid we have little in common. I love being outdoors and would happily spend hours walking but Caroline and Louisa only set foot outside between the house and the carriage. Charles Bingley is quite different from either of his sisters but he has been a little subdued of late and has not made particularly good company.' Georgiana lowered her voice to a whisper. 'I fear he's crossed in love.'

Elizabeth smiled, hoping that Mr. Darcy had heard the whisper, and changed the subject. She could not help feeling slightly triumphant at discovering that Mr. Bingley had made no advances towards Miss Darcy and also that Georgiana herself did not seem to expect them. A glance towards the brother revealed nothing; he wore the same complacent expression that he had done so all morning. Mr. Darcy seemed quite content to merely listen to their conversation, occasionally expressing an opinion when asked. His happiness at seeing the friendship between the two dearest to him left him with little inclination for speech. For her part, Elizabeth had never spent a more enjoyable morning and as they finished their tour of the park, she did not hesitate to mention her uncle's suggestion.

'Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy, my uncle and aunt would be honoured if you would allow them to repay some of the hospitality you showed us yesterday and would dine at Gracechurch Street tomorrow night. I would be equally delighted.'

On seeing Mr. Darcy smile at this, she added hurriedly,

'Colonel Fitzwilliam is of course welcome. My aunt and uncle have other guests but you would be as gladly received as any of them.'

A single look sufficed for agreement between brother and sister and Georgiana accepted. They escorted Elizabeth back to Gracechurch Street and some while later, left her, a little flushed from the exercise, at the front door.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had no reason to suspect that Elizabeth and Miss Darcy had been accompanied by anyone else during their morning at the park and so beyond enquiring after Georgiana, they asked Elizabeth no questions. Indeed, with the expectation of three extra guests at her dinner table the following night, Mrs. Gardiner had quite enough to worry about and enlisted her niece's help from the earliest opportunity. Supervision of the menu, dressing the dining room and planning the seating plan- taking care to place Georgiana in between Colonel Fitzwilliam and a handsome young friend of her uncle's- kept Elizabeth busy for the rest of the day. Preparing her own apparel and running errands for her aunt occupied the next morning and by the afternoon of the dinner, Elizabeth realised that she had passed some time without thinking anxiously of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy or the suspicions of everyone else.

By seven o'clock, the Gardiners' guests had begun to arrive. Elizabeth was so determined not to show more pleasure at the appearance of a particular party than any of the others that she greeted the Hamiltons, the Parkes, the Algersons and the Trents with great enthusiasm, then welcomed Mr. Darcy's family with a distinctly cooler manner. Miss Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were slightly disconcerted at first but both could well imagine Elizabeth's reasons. The principal object of her indifference was completely mystified but after he led her into dinner, to her seat opposite his, she softened considerably. By the end of the first course, she was smiling at his occasional witticisms; when the second was over, they were on the best of terms and by the arrival of the coffee, their engrossment with each other had nearly caused offence in more than one quarter. This included Georgiana who at last succeeded in attracting her brother's attention after trying for several minutes.

'Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Algerson declares she is giving a ball on Thursday and has invited everyone here tonight. She says she wants as many people as possible to come. It sounds marvellous fun. May I go, please?'

'It is most unlike you, my shy sister, to wish to attend the ball of a lady you have not known four hours.'

'Yes, but Mrs. Algerson is delightful and she is an acquaintance of Mrs. Cholmondely whom we both know quite well. Please, Fitzwilliam?' begged Georgiana.

Her brother gave a non-committal answer and turned back to Elizabeth. Miss Darcy groaned and left them to join Mrs. Algerson at cards, privately despairing of extracting any reason from him until he himself had extracted a certain answer from Miss Bennet.

The rich Mr. Darcy's partiality for the Gardiners' pretty niece went unnoticed by no-one and by the end of the evening, the mutual attraction was obvious to all but the two people between whom it arose. They rarely talked solely between themselves but during any conversation, each watched the other for an expression or a response. Now and then, Mr. Darcy would look at Elizabeth or unexpectedly reply to her teasing in such a way that she would blush but instead of turning away, would meet his gaze challengingly. After a particularly spirited skirmish, Georgiana attempted to begin a gentler topic by telling Elizabeth about the grounds of Pemberley.

'You must come and see them. My favourite place is a small copse not far from the house. In the spring, I sit amongst the bluebells and draw the house and the lake beyond. The bluebells are exquisite, they are certainly one of my favourite flowers. Do you have a favourite flower, Miss Bennet?'

'Oh! I had not considered it. I like lilies-of-the-valley very much; they have a beautiful smell.'

'Fitzwilliam?' Miss Darcy turned to her brother.

'Roses, I suppose,' he replied. 'Have you nothing more fascinating to talk about, Georgiana?'

'On the contrary,' remarked his sister. 'I think it quite interesting. A person's choices may reveal much about them.'

'Indeed!' cried Elizabeth. 'For example, your choice of roses, Mr. Darcy, struck me as very unoriginal. Roses are exchanged too commonly nowadays; they suggest an excess of sentimentality. I do not think them truly romantic at all anymore.'

Elizabeth's scorn did not invite a response and Mr. Darcy said nothing. Mrs. Gardiner's raised eyebrow indicated her surprise at her niece's vehemence but she too remained silent. Georgiana and Elizabeth moved to the piano for duets and little was said between Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy for the remainder of the evening. This was not a lengthy period of time; as soon as the card tables broke up, guests began to depart and the Darcy party presently decided to leave.

'Will you be at Mrs. Algerson's ball, Elizabeth?' asked Miss Darcy, standing in the Gardiners' doorway.

'Yes, I cannot see why I would not be. Will your brother allow you to go, do you think?'

'Of course he will,' smiled Georgiana. 'He will be there himself if you are to go.'

And with a mischievous glance from Elizabeth to her brother, who was waiting by the carriage, Miss Darcy turned and left. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner shared an amused look; they were clearly not alone in their suspicions. Their niece, however, seemed annoyed and after muttering her goodnights, retired to bed.

Elizabeth woke early the next morning- not because she had no need of sleep; she was in fact quite fatigued from the previous night- but because a young maid was tapping on her door in what sounded like great excitement. She bid her enter.

'Sarah, I am still very tired. Has something happened?'

'No miss, but these were left at the back earlier this morning. They're for you- the master and mistress don't know about them. I didn't know if it was quite proper, but I smuggled them in...'

'Let me see,' interrupted Elizabeth.

The maid handed her a large, partially unwrapped bundle. Drawing aside the paper revealed a dozen pale pink roses. Elizabeth felt herself turn crimson. A tiny slip of paper was tucked in the middle. She unrolled it tentatively. The note read, in an all too familiar hand,

'So roses are not romantic, are they?'

Elizabeth, quite overcome, had to concede that they were.

Part Three

Posted on Saturday, 16 August 2003

It was with a sense of overwhelming content that Elizabeth stepped out of her uncle's house that morning. Mr. Darcy loved her or, if he did not, liked her well enough to make charmingly flirtatious gestures such as sending roses at dawn. She knew also that she would soon see him at Mrs. Algerson's ball and that if he asked her to dance every dance with him, she would not refuse. Elizabeth had never been in love before, therefore she still remained in some doubt about the depth of her own feelings but the knowledge that she had the gentleman's admiration was enough to render her quite light-headed.

Her destination was a celebrated London bookshop; years of staying at Gracechurch Street meant that Elizabeth had long since devoured her aunt and uncle's library and as she had an order from her father, it seemed an ideal use of her time. On arriving there, she quickly found the books Mr. Bennet desired and then indulged herself by spending half an hour perusing the shelves at leisure. She was distracted by a voice behind her.

'What an agreeable surprise, Miss Bennet.'

Elizabeth slowly turned around and found herself looking at the handsome face of Mr. Leigh, the young lawyer she had met at Mrs. Cholmondely's.

'Mr. Leigh, how good to see you! I knew you were a great reader but I confess I did not expect our next meeting to be in a bookshop!'

'Neither did I. There are few young ladies of my acquaintance who would be purchasing books so early in the day. Why, it is not yet eleven o'clock! You must be a true book lover Miss Bennet.'

Elizabeth smiled. He was not to know that his compliments were wasted on her. He began again.

'I was delighted to see Fitzwilliam Darcy last Friday. Are you well acquainted with him?'

'I have known him almost a year. He is a very amiable gentleman.'

If Mr. Leigh's face fell, Elizabeth pretended not to notice.

'Indeed he is. I would gladly have spent more time talking with him but the mention of my sister made matters uncomfortable.' He paused. 'I must say Miss Bennet, you are not at all unlike her in appearance. And a sweetness of disposition is common to you both. Indeed...'

Elizabeth had an uneasy suspicion that this conversation could only lead to embarrassment for herself and Mr. Leigh. A change of subject seemed to be required but perhaps owing to a preoccupation with Mr. Darcy, her mind was only inspired so far as to inquire,

'What age was your sister when she died, Mr. Leigh?'

The gentleman was eager to reply.

'Not yet nineteen. A tragic waste of a life, I am sure you would agree, Miss Bennet. Her fiancé of four months broke her heart and a nervous depression weakened her constitution so much so that, in forty days, she had passed away.'

'You have my deepest sympathy. But what shocking behaviour on the part of her fiancé!'

'Indeed. The worst is that he acted solely under the influence of a third party who threatened him, Nicholas Mount, younger son of the late Earl of Loughshire, with disgrace or disinheritance if he married my sister Lucy- the daughter of a mere gentleman. Such is the conduct of the aristocracy, Miss Bennet.'

The name meant nothing to Elizabeth but Mr. Leigh's tale could not but inspire much compassion. Being reasonably familiar with the snobbery and self-importance of the titled classes, she could hardly admit to being surprised by the events but Elizabeth was saddened by them. She resolved further that she at least, would marry only for the very deepest love.

Her conversation with Mr. Leigh did not continue for a great deal longer. He assured her of his attendance at Mrs. Algerson's ball and they left the bookshop together. In the street they parted and Leigh walked quickly up the road, leaving a thoughtful Elizabeth behind him.

'Miss Bennet!'

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder, half expecting to see Mr. Leigh telling her she had forgotten something. Instead, she saw a face that afforded her a far greater pleasure.

'Mr. Darcy! You are acquiring some skill at meeting me unexpectedly, sir.'

He jumped down from his horse.

'It is a skill at which I am hoping to excel or of which I hope I shall soon have no need.'

He looked at her meaningfully. She blushed but quickly riposted.

'True, sir, for I am sure I shall see you at Mrs. Algerson's ball tomorrow night.'

'You know why I intend to go, of course?'

Elizabeth refused to let herself be beaten easily.

'I expect you are going for the same reason as I am, sir.' She paused. 'We are both curious to see how Mrs. Algerson throws a ball for so many strangers.'

He threw her an amused glance.

'It is quite useless, Elizabeth. You have conceded defeat and are displaying signs of it in your hair.'

So he had noticed that she wore his roses.

'Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. I was unaware that there was even a battle, let alone that I had conceded defeat.'

'You know perfectly well what I am talking of.'

She relented at his persistence.

'Perhaps I do, although further persuasion at Mrs. Algerson's ball would not be unwelcome. Will you take this sign of my defeat to remind you?'

Had they been in a private chamber, not a bustling London street, she could not have said anything more intimate or that would have pleased Mr. Darcy more. Drawing a rose out of her hair, she gave it to him. He said nothing, entranced. Hardly daring to meet his eyes, Elizabeth bid him goodbye and hurried home to Gracechurch Street, much on her mind.

The post awaited Elizabeth when she returned and to her great satisfaction, two letters from Jane had arrived. She greeted her aunt, who was leaving to call on a friend, made up her father's books into a parcel and settled down in the drawing room to read her sister's news. Descriptions of Longbourn life gave Elizabeth great delight and she thought a little wistfully of home. But upon turning the page, the tone of Jane's letter abruptly changed and Elizabeth read with horror:

'Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you- be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia. An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers, to own the truth, with Wickham!'

Elizabeth was alarmed and, in much distress, scanned the remainder of the first letter and began Jane's second.

'... Imprudent as a marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place... Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great... can I suppose her so lost to everything? ...circumstances are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here, as soon as possible.'

Despite being alone, Elizabeth exclaimed and hastened to the door, merely to collide with a serving-girl who had arrived to announce the presence of Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth immediately looked beyond the maid and on meeting the eyes of that gentleman, felt so much guilt at her initial pleasure in seeing him that she only felt more miserable. In considerable confusion, she expressed her regrets at being unable to receive him and asked for his forgiveness, assuring him that nothing was wrong. Mr. Darcy, however, knew her well enough not to be fooled.

'Come, Miss Bennet. I could not help but notice, the very moment I entered the room, that something is amiss. Are you ill? Has something happened to your uncle or aunt? May I offer any assistance? Indeed, you cannot expect me to believe that there is nothing the matter.'

She conceded and explained briefly the contents of Jane's letters. As soon as she finished speaking, she wished she had not. Mr. Darcy's countenance became impossible to decipher and other than immediately sending the servant to fetch Mr. Gardiner, he said very little. They sat in silence together for some time; Elizabeth privately wondering whether his admiration for her could overcome such family scandal.

Presently, Elizabeth heard her uncle enter the house. He walked down the hallway then, on seeing Mr. Darcy standing in the door of the drawing room, exclaimed.

'Darcy! Good to see you sir! I here you have an urgent message for me; we need to discuss this matter of your aunt and that fellow Nicholas Mount properly.'

'Indeed we do, Mr. Gardiner,' replied Darcy quietly. 'But that is not the reason why I requested your presence. Your niece Miss Bennet has just received distressing news from Longbourn.' He indicated Elizabeth sitting at the table, observing her uncle in silence.

'My apologies, Lizzie!' cried Mr. Gardiner. 'I did not see you there. My dear girl, what has happened?'

Making a considerable effort to speak calmly, Elizabeth explained. Her uncle listened, then, when she had finished, paced about the room in deep thought.

'Mr. Gardiner,' Darcy interrupted him. 'I believe I should leave; I do not wish to intrude on you and your family. I called on Miss Bennet because my aunt has just sent for me. I am required to go into Kent immediately and must quit London within the hour. After that, there is business at Pemberley to be dealt with. But I shall contact you sir, concerning the business to which you earlier referred. Please send your wife my good wishes. Good day, Mr. Gardiner. Good day, Miss Bennet.'

He turned and left; Mr. Gardiner making no attempt to stop him and Elizabeth watching him go with a sense of hopelessness. Whilst Mr. Darcy had been speaking, she had realised, quite definitely, that she loved him and that she would have happily accepted him. But all Elizabeth's hopes were surely in vain. Mr. Darcy must now thoroughly despise her family. He had expressed intentions of communicating with her uncle but purely in matters of business. There had been no indication of his desire to see her again and whether they would ever meet in the future was highly doubtful. Elizabeth's spirits, which had been so full of joy that morning, had never been so full of despair.

Mr. Gardiner rapidly devised a course of action. He would send an express to his brother-in-law, offering his aid and asking Mr. Bennet himself to come to London. Elizabeth should remain at Gracechurch Street to assist her aunt in looking after the children and to help with Lydia when they found her. If Jane had difficulty managing her mother and younger sisters at Longbourn, then Mrs. Gardiner and the children would travel into Hertfordshire.

'But if my sister's nerves hold out, then that measure should not be needed,' explained Mr. Gardiner to his niece. 'I will ask your father to come because I cannot devote all my energy to this matter- my business still has problems with Lady Catherine. She is being blackmailed, Lizzie, Mr. Darcy told me last night. We will begin by making enquiries about any dealings Mr. Wickham may have in London; that may lead us to him. Now, I had better send that express post-haste...'

Elizabeth was not optimistic. She was convinced that Wickham was an intelligent man and would take care not to be found if he did not wish it. How were her uncle and father- neither of whom was young nor wealthy enough to conduct a lengthy search- to find two people in such a great city?

The following few days were tediously uneventful. Mr. Bennet arrived at Gracechurch Street within a day of receiving Mr. Gardiner's express and although he and his daughter were relieved to be in each other's company, circumstances did not make their reunion a happy one. Information from Colonel Forster aided them in finding some of Wickham's friends but none of these men confessed to knowing his current whereabouts. Mr. Bennet's gloom quickly gave way to hopelessness and not even the energy of his brother-in-law could convince him that matters would not turn out for the worst.

There was little for Elizabeth to do at the house so she would walk to Grosvenor Park and pass an hour wandering amongst the groves, imagining she was in the country. It dispersed her unhappiness a little and her heart would be slightly lighter as she slowly returned home. A morning came when Elizabeth was in such a depressed state of mind that she began to doubt the importance of everything that had passed between herself and Mr. Darcy during her stay in London. How could he possibly still have loved her, after all that she had said to him in Kent? Her family's current disgrace ensured that he certainly did not love her now but why had he sent her those roses, with such a message? Was he playing with her feelings or simply attempting- and being successful- to prove that he had power over her yet?

Her thoughts ran along similar lines until she turned into Gracechurch Street where her contemplations were replaced by surprise at the sight of a handsome carriage pulling away from her uncle's house. Had she been in a more alert state of mind, Elizabeth would have sworn that the vehicle bore the Darcy livery but she told herself that her imagination betrayed her. Mr. Darcy had left London and had expressed no intention of returning in the near future. By now he would be at Rosings or might even have departed for Derbyshire. She was vexed with herself for even thinking that he might be in town and on entering the house, told no-one of what she had seen.

The lack of a breakthrough continued steadily for the remainder of the week. Each morning, Elizabeth walked to Grosvenor Park and back again but the carriage did not make a reappearance. On the fifth day, a sudden shower of rain cut her walk short and she hastened back home, the drops falling more heavily each minute.

Blinded by the rain, she did not see the carriage outside the Gardiner's house, nor did Elizabeth perceive the figure of a gentleman emerging from the front door. She ran straight into him.

'Good G-d! What is the matter ... Elizabeth!'

Scarcely believing her own ears, Elizabeth looked up. The shocked face of Mr. Darcy greeted her.

'Mr. Darcy, what on earth are you doing here? I believed you to be in Kent, or Derbyshire!'

'Forgive me surprising you, Miss Bennet. I had information about the whereabouts of Mr. Wickham and your sister that I saw fit to give to your uncle. But let us go back inside the house and I will tell you all about it. We shall be soaked through in this rain.'

He took her arm but she shook herself free, indignation evident in her expression.

'You have called here before to see my uncle, have not you? Has Lydia been found? Does my father know of your involvement?'

'The answer is yes, to all of those questions.'

'So you have been helping to find my sister and progress has been made?'

'Yes.'

If Mr. Darcy hoped that this might calm Elizabeth, he was quite mistaken. She continued angrily.

'Then why was I not informed of this? I am her sister and you...' she checked herself. 'I have every right to know what is going on. I have been living in despair this past week, not even aware that Lydia had been found! Why did not my aunt, my uncle or my father tell me?'

'Do not blame them Elizabeth. They would have told you soon enough. It was I who demanded that my involvement be kept secret from you.'

'Why?'

He paused.

'Because I did not want you to think that I was trying to ingratiate myself with you.'

'And are you?'

'Go back into the house, Elizabeth. It is cold and wet and you will make yourself ill.'

Exasperation rose within her.

'Are you?'

'Not directly, but you are the only reason I am involved in this business.' He spoke again. 'Are your feelings for me no different than they were in April because if so, this conversation is quite useless.'

'I assure you, this conversation is not useless. My feelings for you are quite the opposite.'

Mr. Darcy's joy and astonishment were evident but he quickly gained control of himself.

'Will you marry me then, Elizabeth?'

'Yes.'

He smiled and offered her his arm invitingly.

'And shall we go back inside the house?'

'Mr. Darcy, you are full of good ideas.'

Part Four

Posted on Tuesday, 9 September 2003

The rather wet and bedraggled appearance of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy created something of a stir when they reentered the house. Mrs. Gardiner wasted no time in rushing her niece off to a hot bath and sending for blankets for Darcy.

'I can tell from that look on both your faces that something important has happened,' she remarked sternly in response to Elizabeth's protests. 'But you will be of no use to each other if you catch your death of cold. You may tell us later. Mr. Darcy, I assume you will stay for lunch?'

Elizabeth's father, watching the scene with much amusement, had never seen the great Mr. Darcy so powerless to do anything but what he was bid. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had acquainted Mr. Bennet with the situation concerning that gentleman and his daughter and after he had overcome his initial disbelief and had met Mr. Darcy several times in the hunt for Wickham, Mr. Bennet was quite satisfied with his prospective son-in-law. All that now remained was for Elizabeth and Darcy to reach an understanding themselves.

An hour later, with no other indications of her mishap than slightly damp hair, Elizabeth joined Mr. Darcy and her family in the drawing room. Her fiancé greeted her with no more than a smile and a look, but it was enough. Her father, on the other hand, could not help taking some delight in her inevitable embarrassment and began in serious tones.

'Sit down please, Lizzy. I hope you have suffered no ill effects from your...' he hesitated, '... wet encounter. Now my child, this young man,'- he indicated Darcy- 'has approached me and asked for my consent to your marriage. He claims you have accepted him. Is he correct?'

'He is sir,' replied Elizabeth, bestowing a glowing look on Darcy.

'Well then, my dear, an unhappy predicament awaits the two of you.'

Elizabeth looked somewhat disconcerted.

'Yes, unfortunately, this union will absolutely delight your mother and I. We shall both congratulate you so frequently, invite Mr. Darcy to dine so often and call on you so many times that you will be completely sick of our company and will have no peace. A miserable outcome indeed- in fact I do not know why I have given Mr. Darcy my consent. For, when the children arrive...'

Here he stopped and met the eyes of his daughter. Then both simultaneously burst into laughter and he embraced her, telling her of his real happiness in the match and wishing her all the joy in the world. He shook Mr. Darcy's hand vigorously and was congratulated whole-heartedly by his brother and sister. There was probably not a merrier party who went into lunch in the whole of London that day and certainly not a more proud and loving father than Mr. Bennet. For in the marriage of his favourite child he looked forward to seeing all that he did not have in his- respect, equality and perfect happiness.

As soon as they were seated around the dining table, Elizabeth seized the opportunity to make enquiries of Mr. Darcy about his sister.

'Georgiana has spent the past week and a half with a friend in Greenwich,' he replied. 'She was sorry she could not call on you, the invitation was unexpected.'

Elizabeth could not help feeling deeply ashamed; she had attributed Miss Darcy's absence to her brother's disgust at her family's disgrace. Instead, he had shown complete discretion and sensitivity and the fact that she had even thought otherwise was a source of embarrassment.

'I expect her to return this evening,' continued Mr. Darcy. 'Do I have your permission to announce our engagement to her? Nothing would give either of us greater pleasure.'

Permission was granted immediately and both turned their attention to Mr. Gardiner who was addressing Darcy.

'Am I correct in assuming, Mr. Darcy, that my niece is now sensible of the reason you are in London?'

'She knows that I came to you with information concerning the location of Mr. Wickham, sir.'

'Ah. Well Lizzy, since you are to become Mr. Darcy's wife and are to have no secrets from each other, I am sure that Mr. Darcy can have no objection to me enlightening you.'

'I have no objection sir,' interposed Mr. Darcy, 'as long as I may be able to explain my actions to Elizabeth as I did to you.'

Mr. Gardiner therefore began to account, with the occasional interruption, how Mr. Darcy had gone to Kent, immediately after he had seen Elizabeth, in an attempt to further resolve Lady Catherine's problems. Whilst there, he had written letters to acquaintances who might know the whereabouts of Mrs. Younge, Georgiana's former chaperone and known friend of Wickham. Such enquiries proved fruitful. Upon his arrival in London, days later, Darcy was able to see Mrs. Younge and managed to persuade her to reveal where Lydia and Wickham were lodging. He then conducted several meetings with Wickham and with Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet before a financial settlement was arranged. And all this had been done, Elizabeth's uncle explained to her, because Mr. Darcy took the blame for not earlier exposing Wickham's true character to the rest of the world.

'So we are not allowed to thank him, Lizzy,' Mr. Gardiner remarked. 'It was all his own fault to begin with.'

'Mr. Gardiner, I must beg you to be serious,' entreated Mr. Darcy earnestly. 'I acted as how any man who has ever been wronged by Wickham would have done. Besides,' he added in a lighter tone, 'I have all the payment I could ask for in your niece.'

'Now there is the real reason for your actions!' exclaimed Mr. Gardiner triumphantly. 'I will excuse you, since I am a romantic old fool at heart.'

But it was not until quite a while later that Elizabeth found out from her aunt how much money Mr. Darcy had paid out and she realised that either his sense of guilt, or his love for her, must be very strong indeed.

Mr. Darcy's sister evidently took great delight in the news of the engagement for she called on Elizabeth almost immediately after breakfast the next morning. They embraced as sisters and had spent an hour in that happy, inconsequential conversation not uncommon between young women before either had realised how much time had passed. No pledges of eternal friendship were sworn before their parting; their strong mutual respect and Miss Darcy's invitation of dinner at Clarendon Square that evening made any such vows quite unnecessary.

A less popular addition to the family party at Gracechurch Street arrived early that afternoon in the form of Lydia, rescued from Mr. Wickham's rooms by her uncle, and bringing so few things with her that Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner were horrified.

'What of all your extravagant purchases you wrote to Kitty and our mother about?' demanded Elizabeth as she led her sister to the bedroom they were now to share. 'Your new gowns, bonnets and that parasol I heard about for two weeks?'

Oh! she cared naught about such matters now was the reply.

'And Mr. Wickham is only concerned about me, not my finery,' continued Lydia. 'Lizzy, our aunt has not ceased to scold me today. I do not see how I have acted so very badly and anyway, everyone should rejoice in my happiness. That Mr. Darcy will not even look me in the face and his rudeness to Wickham is quite disgusting.'

'You are not to speak of Mr. Darcy in that manner,' was the brief response.

'What is it to you? You care for him as little as I do.'

'You are mistaken, Lydia. Mr. Darcy and I are engaged to be married,' said Elizabeth and immediately regretted telling her sister. She however, was incredulous and it took her a full two minutes to reply.

'Lizzy! You sly creature- to have caught Mr. Darcy, of all people, and never dropped a word of it. To be sure, he is very disagreeable but that is nothing to how rich you will be. What a good joke! - you and I will return to Longbourn as Mrs. Wickham and the future Mrs. Darcy and we left but a little while ago as plain Lydia and Elizabeth Bennet! How everyone will talk! Now Lizzy, here is a question for you- who is the handsomer, my husband or yours? For although Darcy has the nobler countenance, he is not in regimentals and you know I think a man nothing without regimentals, do not you?'

Here, Lydia paused for breath and Elizabeth remarked tartly,

'Although Mr. Darcy might not give such credit to regimentals as Mr. Wickham does, I confess myself still in favour of his looks; he has the more honest face.'

On seeing that she would get no patience from her sister, Lydia huffed and went in search of better amusement. Elizabeth meanwhile, turned to the bedroom window to clear her mind of Lydia's impertinence and was delighted to see Mr. Darcy's hat pass beneath it. She hastened down the stairs and arrived at the bottom just in time to greet that gentleman as he walked through the front door.

'Ah, Miss Bennet,' he grinned and bowed formally. 'But you look a little vexed. Nothing is the matter, I trust?'

'Not at all- I have just had to bear my sister daring to compare the looks of yourself and her future husband.'

'Need I ask how you responded?' enquired he with another smile.

'Oh! I would reply "Mr. Wickham", just to tease you, but I am afraid that your great natural modesty might convince you that I was speaking the truth.'

'And so you would be, for Mr. Wickham has just acquired the happiness- which will no doubt make him handsomer- of the certainty of marrying your sister Lydia. It has been agreed this very afternoon. I came to tell your father and uncle.'

'They will be as relieved as I am, I doubt it not. We must thank you, Mr. Darcy, for all your efforts.'

'I was under the impression that we had discussed this.'

'We have, but I was hoping that more gratitude might persuade you to stay for a while.'

'I would need nothing to convince me, had I not an urgent appointment with my lawyer in half an hour.'

'You will not take just a little refreshment now?'

'I cannot. But you are to dine with us tonight, are not you?'

'My aunt has raised no objections. Lydia demands enough attention for two people.'

'Very well. I shall see you at eight.'

The Darcys' carriage duly arrived at a quarter to eight and Elizabeth was in Clarendon Square shortly afterwards. She was welcomed gladly by Miss Darcy and her brother. Colonel Fitzwilliam, she was told had left for Kent but sent her his warmest congratulations.

'It came as no surprise to him when Fitzwilliam broke the news this morning; however he was vastly amused that two people so well suited to one another had taken so long to realise it themselves,' Georgiana told her. 'Shall we go in for dinner?'

Elizabeth made to follow but Mr. Darcy seemed desirous of speaking to her privately and she stopped.

'Forgive me, I will be brief,' he began. 'There is a matter of which I have been meaning to speak to you for some time. It concerns Mr. Bingley and your sister.'

He could not have chosen a better subject to hold Elizabeth's attention.

'Mr. Bingley was to stay with me at Pemberley these past weeks but owing to my ties in London, that was impossible. Consequently, I wrote to him three weeks ago and suggested he return to Netherfield for the remainder of the summer. I also acknowledged my officious interference in his relationship with your sister and remarked that he, not I, should be the judge of her affections. He has spent some time with a friend in Staffordshire but was due to arrive in Hertfordshire yesterday. All I can say is that I hope I shall have his forgiveness as well as yours.'

He was assured, in no uncertain terms, that he had Elizabeth's forgiveness and that Mr. Bingley's generous nature would pardon him immediately. This appeared to render Mr. Darcy a little more at ease with himself and an evening in which Elizabeth had never seen the gentleman so relaxed and disposed to be agreeable and his sister so lively passed far more quickly than it should have done. Mr. Darcy's general expression of content faltered only once when, as she and Elizabeth moved to the piano, Georgiana enquired casually,

'Why did you call upon Mr. Townshend this afternoon, Fitzwilliam? You are not in any trouble, I trust?'

The reply, although prompt, did suggest an uncertainty as to how they might respond.

'Mr. Townshend has many connections within the legal profession, as well as being a very shrewd lawyer,' said Darcy. 'I went to ask his advice and make enquiries as to the general reputation and character of a certain Robert Leigh.'

Elizabeth was startled. Surely the friendship between Mr. Leigh and Mr. Darcy at Cambridge would imply a level of mutual trust. And exactly why Darcy would want to do such a thing was beyond her. Georgiana was equally surprised and appealed to her brother. He spoke further.

'Both of you are aware that Lady Catherine is being blackmailed. Elizabeth,' he explained to Georgiana, 'discovered it quite by accident and my sister,' he addressed his fiancée, 'worked it all out for herself in Greenwich and upon returning yesterday, informed me that she was perfectly familiar with both the reasons I was still in London.' His pride in Georgiana was evident but so was his self-consciousness at the expression 'both the reasons'. Miss Darcy interrupted and told Elizabeth,

'For Fitzwilliam not to take the opportunity of returning to our beloved Pemberley when he could meant that a women with considerable power over him must be detaining him in town. It did not take me long to guess that there are only two such women- yourself and our aunt Lady Catherine.'

'As I was saying,' Mr. Darcy went on, 'our aunt is being blackmailed and upon her admitting that she suspected a connection with Nicholas Mount, the nephew of Sir Lewis de Bourgh in whose marriage she interfered, I decided to seek the opinion of my friend Robert Leigh whose sister was engaged to Mount and who might know of some former lover of his sister who would wish to avenge her death, melodramatic as that sounds.'

'I find it very hard to believe that Lady Catherine could be blamed for Miss Leigh's death, whatever her intervention might have been,' remarked Georgiana. Elizabeth answered her.

'I can. Mr. Leigh told me of his sister's distress at the breaking of the engagement. She was very deeply in love. But I cannot see how Lady Catherine could be blamed without Nicholas Mount.'

'She has not,' replied Darcy. 'There are rumours that Mount has been blackmailed these past six months. Our blackmailer must be someone closely connected with Lucy Leigh. Only her immediate circle ever found out about the interference.'

This serious conversation did not last much longer for all the party were far more inclined to talk of the happier events of the week. It was only when Mr. Darcy was leading Elizabeth to the door that he was again quite solemn.

'You cannot imagine the happiness it gives me to know that these occasions when I watch you quit my house can only become fewer.'

'If you were to marry me tomorrow, now might be the last.'

'I was being serious, Elizabeth.'

'So was I,' replied she gently. 'But I realise that practicality and propriety demand that I was not.'

'Will you marry me as soon as I can return to Hertfordshire?'

'I would marry you in ten years if there was no other option.'

'As would I, but being almost unable to wait until tomorrow would make such a long time unbearable.'

They parted sombrely, each suddenly aware of the depth of feeling between them.

The next few days passed with no more major incidents in Elizabeth's life than returning Georgiana's call and seeing Mr. Darcy only as he passed in and out of her uncle's house giving Mr. Gardiner news of his progress. They were able to snatch several minutes of conversation together but Elizabeth's greatest diversion came from at last receiving a letter from Jane from whom she had not heard for over a week. It began thus:

'If my dearest Lizzy will forgive a somewhat unconventional opening to her sister's letter- all enquiries after your health and happiness will be made in due course- I will take the liberty of beginning with such information that I am convinced will give you as much joy as it has given me and our dear mother. I know not whether I deserve to be so blessed or if I am merely living out a most delightful dream but, to dispense with trivialities, here is my news. Mr. Bingley returned to Hertfordshire but three days ago and called at Longbourn almost immediately. Each morning since, he came, until today when he arrived after lunch, requested a private interview with me and proposed! I will not insult your intelligence by teasing you about my response. Lizzy, we are engaged and I am the happiest creature in the world! - all I need now is the company of yourself and our father, and the latter's permission, of course. Could you imagine that such a thing could happen? But I will spare you a letter of infatuated nothings and instead await your return. There, I am done.

'I hope you are perfectly well, and Lydia also. Send her my love, tell her my news if you like. I have written to our father separately. We are all in good health at Longbourn; we eagerly anticipate the conclusion of Lydia's situation but you will be pleased to know that our mother has at last quit her bedchamber. I cannot help suspecting that her decision was influenced by the recent abundance of gossip in Meryton; our aunt Phillips has called everyday. The uproar is caused by the sudden arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Lucas Lodge with no forewarning and all their possessions piled on the back of the coach. We are told that Mr. Collins' noble patroness is unable to support his living and he has no guarantee of being able to return to Hunsford in the near future! You can imagine how people are talking. I myself hope that it is all a misunderstanding; Mr. Collins' plight must attract heartfelt sympathy and Charlotte cannot persuade him to think anything but the worst. No-one can believe that Lady Catherine could cast him off maliciously- if it is true then she must be in a grievous state of affairs indeed.'

Knowing the entire truth as she did, Elizabeth, once she had recovered from the surprise, felt most for her friend Charlotte who, no doubt, had to endure the concerns of Mr. Collins and anxiety on her own part about their security. Yet the humour of the situation could not escape her and she wondered, a little ashamedly, how her father must be taking the news in his letter from Jane. She could not decide whether removal from the condescension of Lady Catherine would do her clergyman more harm than good.

'But I cannot suppose that Lady Catherine would be so abandoned by all her family to the extent that her parish would suffer,' she thought to herself. 'Mr. Collins will be reinstated in no time at all.' And with this comfort, Elizabeth forgot her cousin's troubles and considered those that were of more immediate importance: to get Lydia married to Mr. Wickham as respectably and as attracting as little scandal as possible.

Lydia's wedding day could not arrive without Elizabeth thinking of her own. Marriage to Mr. Wickham could scarcely be likened to marriage with Mr. Darcy but could Elizabeth have known that her sister was to have even a tenth of the happiness that she herself could expect, she would have been very well pleased for her. She was painfully conscious that during the ceremony, when she attended Lydia as her bridesmaid and Mr. Darcy stood up as groomsman, all would be aware of their union being the truly happy one. And the day of the marriage was also to mark Elizabeth's last week in London as she, her father and Georgiana, who was going to Netherfield at the invitation of Miss Bingley, were due to arrive in Hertfordshire the very day after the Wickhams had quit it. Mr. Darcy was not so fortunate; he had a blackmailer to find and business in Derbyshire to attend to before he was at liberty to travel.

'I will write to you as soon as I know when I may be in Hertfordshire,' he promised Elizabeth as he attended her, six days later, into the carriage made ready for the journey. 'I will not be longer than two weeks.'

'Indeed you will not, Mr. Darcy,' responded Elizabeth. 'Otherwise you will have much to answer for.'

'Is that a threat, Miss Bennet?'

'Yes, for I will be so bored without your company that, should you return to Longbourn after two weeks, you will find yourself marrying a madwoman.'

'A grave threat indeed. Although a mad Elizabeth Bennet excites my curiosity somewhat. But I shall give you something to think about, so you are not driven to insanity.'

'And what is that?'

'This.'

And with that, he kissed her, before her father and his sister, leaving an Elizabeth behind him who was not sure whether to be outraged or delighted. When everyone had regained their composure, the culprit had completely disappeared and Mr. Bennet could do nothing but, rather confusedly, order the coachman to depart for Hertfordshire.

Elizabeth and her father returned to Longbourn to find everything much as they had left it. The youngest daughter might be married and the two eldest engaged, but Mrs. Bennet was still frequently overcome with her nerves, Kitty remained jealous of Lydia and Mary had not yet finished Fordyce's Sermons. Consequently, Mr. Bennet soon retired to his study and Elizabeth quickly found Jane to discuss all that had happened. The relating of Mr. Darcy's proposal to her mother, she had decided, was best kept until nightfall when Mrs. Bennet was lying down in bed with no danger of harming herself. Telling Jane however, was not to be delayed and the two sisters hastened to the shrubbery where they might find some privacy.

A reunion could not take place without Elizabeth first congratulating Jane and listening, with much delight, to her sister's modest hopes of a happy future life in the company of a man she loved and respected dearly. Lydia's marriage, the fate of Mr. Collins and the health of the Gardiners must then be discussed before the younger sister felt ready to announce her engagement. When she did, Jane's silent astonishment was very similar to Lydia's but her eventual response could not be more different. Once she had ascertained that Elizabeth truly loved Darcy, Jane had no reserves in wishing her happiness that would be second only to her own.

They had the pleasure, the next evening, of having Mr. Bingley to dinner and Elizabeth was able to wish him joy with all her heart. He responded in kind and through talking of his friend, gave her as much satisfaction as she could have in Mr. Darcy's absence. His suggestion of throwing a ball at Netherfield to celebrate their engagements was welcomed cautiously by Elizabeth who only hoped that Darcy would return in time. However, the morning's post brought a letter whose pages were covered in the closely-written hand she had once studied intently and which was immediately carried away to Elizabeth's bedchamber for detailed scrutiny.

My dearest Elizabeth,

Completely lacking as I am in any experience of writing love letters, I beg that you will excuse me if I defer all expression of sentiment until I am by your side, which I trust will be within the next week and a half. This epistle is purely one of business and as such, is totally devoid of the sighing and romancing to which you know I am prone. I write simply to acquaint you with my progress in discovering the blackmailer of my aunt, Lady Catherine. I could not have found out as much as I have without the aid and support of your worthy uncle who, I strongly suspect, has thoroughly enjoyed his foray into detective work.

You know that I planned to see Robert Leigh to seek his advice and he duly showed concern and was most helpful in supplying me with the name and address of a former sweetheart of his sister. Mr. Gardiner and I then made enquiries all over London concerning this Edward Fox, who could no longer be found at his house. Perhaps, or perhaps not, you will be surprised to know that we discovered no trace of Fox and only heard, three days later, that Leigh had quit London suddenly, withdrawing a considerable sum of money from his bank before he did so. From that moment, we had no difficulty in concluding that Robert Leigh and our blackmailer were one and the same. Mr. Townshend, my lawyer, had informed me about the general skepticism when Leigh began to come into money, apparently at the bequest of a rich uncle and examination of his accounts later gave us proof. I am only shocked that we could all be so deceived as to his character but I must presume that the death of his sister altered his temperament irrevocably for the worse. All that remains now is for Leigh to be caught and I believe I know where we will find him. His reasons for blackmail, although malevolent, are perhaps understandable; what is more difficult to comprehend is in fact why my aunt ever sought to prevent the marriage of Nicholas Mount and Miss Leigh. She has only invited trouble upon herself. But I shall endeavour to explain to you what I believe to be the connection between them.

My aunt, Lady Catherine, married Sir Lewis de Bourgh, younger son of the third Earl of Loughshire. Sir Lewis' elder brother had two sons, the eldest of whom (the current Earl) is an invalid and has no children. Nicholas Mount, the younger child, is therefore heir to the earldom. Over a year ago, Mount became engaged to Miss Lucy Leigh, the sister of my friend Robert. The Leighs are a good family but the match was not what was desired for a prospective Earl. Mount's brother threatened him with disinheritance. In this he was more than supported by his aunt, my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. It will not surprise you that Lady Catherine has long seen Nicholas Mount as a possible husband for her daughter. I know that I too have been viewed as such; I may not be heir to a title but Lady Catherine is mercenary enough to realise that family and connections are nothing without fortune. To put matters somewhat indelicately Elizabeth; you are marrying a man of greater wealth than Nicholas Mount. The earldom of Loughshire does not generate as much income as my aunt would like. The persuasion of his brother and aunt convinced Mount to give up Miss Leigh and her subsequent suffering is presumably what drove her brother to exact some sort of revenge. Both my aunt and Mount have been blackmailed; I believe the brother has escaped because Leigh had not the courage to threaten an Earl.

Of this, Elizabeth was a little doubtful- if the man had had the courage to blackmail Lady Catherine de Bourgh, he could blackmail King George himself. She continued to read.

However, there is a little twist to all this, Elizabeth, of which my aunt was obviously unaware. It should not have mattered to her whether Mount was disinherited or not. In fact, it might have been better for her if he had been. The earldom would then have passed to the nearest male heir: the eldest son of my cousin Anne. But by letting her snobbery rule her actions, Lady Catherine failed to think them through. It could be said that without her interference, Anne could have married me and our children would inherit the earldom of Loughshire. However, I had the good fortune to fall in love with you and since Mount will never marry my cousin Anne, Lady Catherine will have to look elsewhere.

'Poor Lady Catherine!' thought Elizabeth. 'If it had not been for her need to interfere, she might still be able to commission chimney-pieces costing in excess of eight hundred pounds and, more importantly, my cousin might still enjoy her noble patronage.'

I hope the above is of interest to you,' continued Mr. Darcy's letter. 'As your uncle reminded us, we are to share everything and I would have you know all my dealings rather than be left in the dark. I was not intending to tell my sister the full details of Lady Catherine's interference but I dare say she would discover all in time and so I have told her. She has written to me expressing her delight in all the pleasurable activities she is enjoying in Hertfordshire, which I will guess to be of your making. Mr. Bingley has informed me of the ball and you have my word that I will be back to dance with you. Until then, I send you my love and remain, most definitely yours,

F.D.

This was only the second letter that Elizabeth had ever received from Mr. Darcy and despite the reversal of her feelings towards the author, it shocked her almost as much as the first had done. Yet another young man whom she had perceived as good had been denounced as a villain. But sympathy for Lady Catherine was not easily to be found- her influence on Nicholas Mount had been driven by little more than arrogance and pride. However, she did not deserve blackmail; exposure of her actions would no doubt have reduced Lady Catherine de Bourgh, condescending patroness of so many, to ridicule.

The next week passed quickly enough, for although Elizabeth had spent many a long hour awaiting Mr. Darcy's return, the decision of Mr. Bingley to host an engagement ball had brought normal Longbourn life to a standstill. Mrs. Bennet's maternal pride at the thought that the most eligible young man in the county was hosting a ball for her daughters had risen to such levels that many, including her husband, feared for the permanent health of her nerves. The knowledge that one of the most eligible young men in the whole of England was also to join the family, she could scarcely bear contemplating. On first hearing the news of both Elizabeth's engagement and the ball, she had had such flutterings and palpitations in her chest that she was quite unable to speak for two hours together. And in the days leading up to the ball, she was in danger of making herself ill. New gowns had to be ordered from the best London warehouses, a strict regime of Gowland complexion lotion had to be enforced and an additional maid brought in to help. So when the Bennet party eventually entered the Netherfield ballroom, on the Friday of that week, Mrs. Bennet could quite justifiably hold up her head in ecstatic pride.

Elizabeth, on walking into the room, was instantly aware that she would be the subject of many a whispered conversation that night. Mrs. Phillips had, of course, not repeated any of the gossip about her mercenary niece bewitching that disagreeable Mr. Darcy at Longbourn but Elizabeth knew that Meryton would be full of it. And since Mr. Darcy had yet to arrive, the talk could only get more unpleasant. The food was served and cleared away before the rumours died down and Elizabeth began to receive pitying looks. She contented herself with trying to appear as cheerful as possible and made a point of talking with Mr. Darcy's relatives- Georgiana and her cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam who had come directly from Kent to Hertfordshire to attend the ball. They too, were anxious that Darcy would be able to join them.

Mr. Darcy had arrived at Netherfield, soon after the start of the meal, but being hungry and tired from his journey, he did not wish to make a grand entrance, however much the ball might be to celebrate his own engagement. He was waiting until the dinner was over, then he might slip in unnoticed, catch Elizabeth's eye and enjoy an evening of quiet conversation. He occupied himself meanwhile by wolfing down whatever Mr. Bingley's cook could spare him and allowing his valet to assist him in his leisurely dressing. His friend knew of his coming but Mr. Darcy shuddered at the prospect of being greeted by Caroline Bingley and, a little guiltily, by his future mother-in-law.

He made his way into the ballroom through a side door and, still anxious to avoid attention, discretely asked a footman to notify Miss Elizabeth Bennet of his arrival. He had immediately caught sight of her, chatting animatedly to Charlotte Collins but with a distracted air. The change in her manner, the lighting up of her face when the servant whispered in her ear, affected Mr. Darcy not inconsiderably.

He watched her turn towards the door and caught her eye. She smiled slowly and Darcy believed that, had it not been for the throngs of dancers, she would have run to meet him. Most unfortunately however, another young lady had seen him and was calling his name enthusiastically.

'Mr. Darcy! So good to see you! We had quite despaired of you!'

It seemed to that gentleman that the eyes of the whole room were upon him. He saw Georgiana's smile of delight and Mrs. Bennet's barely contained excitement and before all of them, Miss Bingley advancing towards him.

'You are most welcome sir! How was your journey? You look very well Mr. Darcy, hardly tired at all!'

He did look well, exhausted as he was. Buffed and polished, in his evening coat, with no trace of his long journey upon him, Mr. Darcy was undoubtedly the handsomest man in the room. Perhaps it was this sight that prompted Elizabeth to draw herself up, walk through the parted crowd, sweep past Miss Bingley and hold out her hand to him. He kissed it for rather longer than he should have done.

'I am so very glad to see you, Fitzwilliam,' she said almost regally, but with a smile that would have scandalised Mr. Collins. Miss Bingley admitted a low, strangled choking sound whilst Mr. Bennet responded by coughing loudly.

'The pleasure is all mine,' murmured Mr. Darcy, full of pride. She was magnificent. Not only had she come as his salvation from Caroline Bingley but she had proven the depth of their affection to all the gossips he knew existed. It was the first occasion on which she had used his Christian name and to what effect! He, certainly, would never forget.

Together, they received congratulations from all Elizabeth's acquaintance, thanked Miss Bingley earnestly for her hospitality and enjoyed a few moments of truly agreeable conversation with Jane and Mr. Bingley, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bennet. Then, finally remembering that he was at a ball, Mr. Darcy turned to his betrothed.

'Miss Bennet,' he asked formally. 'Would you do me the honour- would you give me the pleasure of dancing with you?'

'I would much rather not.'

Darcy's confusion was evident but was soon relieved by Elizabeth's remarking, with a smile.

'You forget, Mr. Darcy, that I have not seen you for eleven and a half days. I confess I would much prefer to talk with you than dance.'

'But I thought you talked by rule when dancing,' replied he, teasingly.

'Yes, but some conversations are more suited to Mr. Bingley's balcony than his ballroom, do not you agree?'

Once Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had gained the relative seclusion of a spacious balcony overlooking Netherfield's formal gardens, there was a not a little natural awkwardness at being alone together after a separation.

'My journey down from Derbyshire went remarkably well,' began Darcy.

'Oh! So the turnpike has been repaired then?'

'Yes, it would seem as though it has. And the weather was very fine.'

'Indeed. And none of your horses were lamed?'

'No, they were extremely well shod.'

'How fortunate.'

A period of silence elapsed. Elizabeth could not perceive whether or not Mr. Darcy was discreetly amused at the situation but she spoke again with some determination.

'I must thank you for acquainting me with the true nature of Mr. Leigh. I hope your aunt will soon forget her ordeal.'

'A large part of the money she paid out has been restored to her; I am sure her recovery will be rapid.'

'All I can conclude is that I must be possessed of a talent to attract men who are not what they appear to be.'

Mr. Darcy rose to the bait.

'Am I not what I seem, then?' he asked, with mock indignation.

'Indeed you are not,' replied Elizabeth, perfectly serious. 'You may look like the picture of handsome, dull respectability but underneath I know you to be adept at blatant flattery, with a wicked sense of humour and an inclination to act the hero but at least in possession of an excellent taste in women.'

'Yes, you are quite right,' remarked Darcy. 'I am both amusing and heroic and I always thought Caroline Bingley was an absolute angel.'

Elizabeth answered in the haughtiest of tones.

'Mr. Darcy, you must be thankful that I am a lady. Or you should be reentering Mr. Bingley's ballroom looking considerably worse off.'

He raised an eyebrow.

'But, since I am kind, I think we should continue our relationship from where we left off in London.'

'With you waving me tearfully goodbye, do you mean? It could be arranged.'

'No, not that.'

'Did you sob hysterically on my shoulder? I do not quite recollect...'

She realised that he was teasing her.

'Try again, Mr. Darcy.'

'Well, were you hotly pursuing my carriage or did we swear vows of eternal love before we parted? If it is neither of those, then I am quite at a loss as to what you propose.'

Elizabeth looked up at him with a smile.

'It seems as if I shall have to refresh your memory,' she remarked archly.

And to his delight, she did.

Epilogue

Posted on Friday, 26 September 2003

The morning on which Jane and Elizabeth were finally to resign the name of Bennet arrived shortly after the engagement ball. Mr. Bingley, ever eager, had wanted to waste no time in bringing about his marriage and for once completely supported in the matter by Mr. Darcy, he ensured that preparations were swiftly underway for the arrival of a new mistress at Netherfield. His friend did likewise for Pemberley. Mrs. Bennet directed arrangements at Longbourn and any casual observer might notice that the steady stream of dressmakers, tradesmen and well-wishers entering and leaving the house did not diminish as the days went by; indeed, it increased as Mrs. Bennet's whims and the numbers of those keen to favour themselves with the future Mrs. Darcy fluctuated. Elizabeth and Jane felt obliged, rather than chose, to remain passive, happy in the knowledge that where, how and in what clothes they were married, mattered as little to their fiancés as it did to them. However, the wedding banns had not been published a week when the patience of Elizabeth, at least, was tested sorely.

The situation was this: Mr. Collins, still sheltering at Lucas Lodge, offered to perform the double wedding ceremony. This presented a dilemma to all concerned; the local parish priest had already been engaged and nobody wanted Mr. Collins to conduct the service- indeed, Mrs. Bennet still held very sour feelings against him- but his position as cousin to both the brides and clergyman of Mr. Darcy's aunt were circumstances highly in his favour and his current lack of occupation inspired universal pity. Eventually, he was politely accepted and was treated very graciously on the occasion by Jane and Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth felt a mixture of displeasure and anxiety that she would not be able to keep a straight face whilst Mr. Darcy had remained strangely quiet about the matter. That gentleman had borne the frequent impropriety of Elizabeth's relatives in a very civil manner and Elizabeth could not help suspecting that his acceptance of Mr. Collins was partly due to his own embarrassment at the rudeness of his family. Lady Catherine had not condescended to reply to her nephew's news of his engagement and was not expected to come to the wedding at all. Colonel Fitzwilliam's family were justly unable to attend- his elder brother, the heir to the earldom, had taken a bad fall from his horse- but eyebrows were raised nevertheless. Elizabeth had not felt so many confused emotions since Mr. Darcy had first arrived in London. She was always conscious of her considerable happiness, and the prospect of further joy, but it was tempered by the knowledge that her marriage would be talked of in unpleasant terms and that she would face scrutiny for some time to come. Fortunately, some hours before the wedding, a gift arrived from the man for whom she would have endured anything. The note attached to a bouquet of exotic lilies and late roses lifted her spirits.

'I would like to imagine that these hothouse blooms are your favourite, lilies-of-the-valley, but I am afraid there is little resemblance. In the spring I will show you the spot at Pemberley where they grow in abundance but, this autumn morning, please accept these as a poor substitute from your ever expectant F.D.'

She was wearing the roses two hours later when her father, beaming with pride, led Jane and herself towards the altar of Longbourn Church, one on either arm. First, Elizabeth saw the large figure of Mr. Collins, then the excited face of Mr. Bingley and finally she met the eyes of her fiancé. He did not smile, but held her gaze and discreetly took her hand when she reached him.

She was delighted to see Colonel Fitzwilliam seated close by. He leaned over.

'My brother has just turned the corner,' he murmured. 'I am most relieved; I would not have liked to have missed Darcy's wedding. Congratulations. You look beautiful.'

Elizabeth was tempted to start a conversation but Mr. Collins was desperately trying to command everyone's attention. She grinned at Mr. Darcy and turned to smile sweetly at her cousin. He began the service but had read no further than the first two lines when his book clattered to the floor. The whole congregation stared at him and then the door as a sharp voice behind it echoed through the church.

'Do not you know who I am? How dare you try to refuse me entrance? I have never been treated with such insolence. You will let me in now!'

The figure of Lady Catherine de Bourgh appeared in the doorway. Mr. Collins was beyond speech. Her ladyship advanced down the aisle.

'I have come,' she began graciously, 'to give my blessing to one of my two favourite nephews.' After smiling condescendingly at Darcy, she then fixed on Colonel Fitzwilliam.

'My dear Colonel, I am delighted to see you here. Your cousin Anne will also be very pleased, I am sure.'

Mystified, Fitzwilliam threw Darcy a bewildered glance. The groom looked from his cousin to his aunt and could not suppress a smile.

'Anne will be pleased, Aunt,' he said firmly. 'The Colonel will no doubt mind if I tell you that his brother is on the road to recovery and it is a cause for family rejoicing. For the Colonel, a little more so, since he no longer faces the responsibility of becoming heir to the earldom.'

Lady Catherine froze. Then with greater self-possession than Elizabeth had given her credit for, she remarked.

'Thank you. My mind is eased greatly to know that Robert is out of danger. I cannot stay for long, but I give you my blessing, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins, you are needed back at Hunsford. I take my leave of you all.'

The congregation watched in the same awed silence that they had maintained throughout her appearance as Lady Catherine slowly walked from the church. Colonel Fitzwilliam, whom she had not even wished goodbye, looked more astonished than most whilst the ecstasy in Mr. Collins' expression threatened to render him incapable of continuing the ceremony. Eventually, he did so and it was with a great deal of happiness that the assembled family and friends were able to watch what they had come for- the marriage of Jane Bennet to Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Darcy.

Once outside the church, Elizabeth Darcy turned to her husband.

'Poor Lady Catherine! Who will she marry Anne to now?'

'If you do not mind me saying, your own mother has had some success this year and is in more than a position to give advice. Perhaps you should acquaint the two of them.'

'Yes, perhaps I should. But that is not one of my first things to do as a married woman.'

'Elizabeth Darcy, you shock me.'

'Why? You do not wish me to change the furnishings of your house? To be sure, Pemberley is already very handsome but a little more lightness, a little more comfort would not go amiss.'

'Will you continue to tease me now that we are wed?'

'Certainly, it is my responsibility as a wife to do so. That, naturally, was my first thing to do as a married woman.'

Laughing, Mr. Darcy handed her into their carriage and to the many sincere wishes of farewell and good luck, they rolled away. Elizabeth looked back one last time and turned to face her husband.

To Pemberley she was at last to go.

The End

---