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Miss Darcy took an apple from the basket, more intent on turning it around in her hands than taking a bite.

“Last evening when William returned from the ball, he asked if I would consider sharing my history with you; I am in no doubt of your discretion, though I confess it is a more frightening prospect than simply making the apologies you and your sisters are owed. For what it is worth, I am sorry. It was not until last night, when Mrs. Hurst spoke to me all evening of what tricks I might play, that I began to see how absurd and pathetic I have become. I am very sad that Mr. Bingley prefers another over me, but I regret behaving like a child. It is hardly the first lapse in my judgment.”

“I appreciate the sentiment,” Elizabeth said kindly. “My sisters and I would be perfectly willing to begin again as friends. I can hardly fault your judgement, when my own has not always been sound. I spoke very harshly to your brother.”

“No, no indeed - he said you spoke very thoughtfully, and he was glad that you applied your own reason.” Now it was Miss Darcy who smiled with reassurance.

“He indicated there was more to his story than he could tell me at a ball. Is this why he would have me hear your history?”

“Yes; it is my story to tell, and he would never have said a word of it without my consent, even though he was so cross with me.”

“I will hear you, but only if you truly desire it,” Elizabeth said carefully.

“I think it right that you should know all, for my two dreadful transgressions are not unrelated. Last summer I travelled to Ramsgate with a hired companion, Mrs. Younge. Not long after we let a little cottage, Mr. Wickham arrived in Ramsgate, seemingly by chance.”

Elizabeth felt that she might well guess the rest, but she urged Miss Darcy to go on.

Already she was seeing the girl with fresh eyes, seeing her as she was when first they met, as a child who would likely tell her of ill-usage by Mr. Wickham.

She despised herself for ever listening to that odious man’s poison, for not instantly berating him for speaking so ill of a young girl; she ought to have known then that he was foul.

“Mr. Wickham was always kind to me as a child, and I thought very well of him. I thought it delightful to meet with him again, and styled myself quite grown up. Mrs. Younge encouraged me. She said that I was soon to be sixteen, and it would not be long before I was out in society, that I should act as a lady ought and receive his attentions with charm and grace. And so I did. I believed that he had come to love me, to see me as a woman grown, and I enjoyed the sensation very well. I even consented to an elopement. I thought my brother would be so pleased to see George become a true member of the family, for I knew nothing of what had passed between them.”

“What made you reconsider?”

“Chance - or fate, perhaps. My brother surprised me by coming to see me the very morning I was set to make for Gretna Green. I confessed everything to him - our plans, the liberties I allowed, all my shame. He was very angry, though chiefly with George - Mr. Wickham. I spent months attempting to regain my brother’s good opinion, and he has been so kind about it all, but now I have spoilt it by behaving so badly. ”

Tears spilled down Miss Darcy’s face and she brushed them away. “You must see that Mr. Wickham thought only of my fortune, and perhaps of how he might revenge himself on my brother.”

“I understand, and I appreciate your confiding in me. I am ashamed of ever giving credence to his assertions. But, I must ask….” Before Elizabeth could pose any questions to Miss Darcy, she looked up and saw Mr. Darcy coming to join them.

She smiled softly at him as he approached, admiring his stride as much as the look in his eyes.

And such a man as this, handsome and imposing and intriguingly complicated, had declared himself at her command!

Mr. Darcy came to stand beside them and said, “I have sent a note to my cousin, asking him to ensure Wickham will depart the village without making any trouble for your sisters, or anyone else. Pray, forgive me - I hope I am not interrupting.”

“You are very welcome, William,” Miss Darcy replied. “I have done as you asked. But, Miss Elizabeth, you said you had a question for me?”

Elizabeth glanced between Mr. Darcy and his sister, and hesitated. “I fear I may seem impertinent.”

“After my behavior, you are entitled to speak as you choose,” Miss Darcy replied.

At the same moment, Mr. Darcy said, “I would not have you any other way.”

Elizabeth gave a rueful laugh. “Very well, then. Miss Darcy, you said that your two transgressions were not unrelated. I wonder if you mean to suggest that your, ah, fascination with Mr. Bingley has aught to do with what happened at Ramsgate. In truth, I am surprised that you should seek another attachment so soon after such a devastating heartbreak.”

Mr. Darcy looked as though Elizabeth had struck him in the head, and he sank down onto the bench beside her. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, as he spoke to his sister. “Georgie? Could this be?”

Fresh tears flowed from her eyes as Miss Darcy nodded her head.

“Mr. Wickham did not - did not entirely ruin me, you understand, but we - there were kisses - oh! It was enough that I fear nobody will ever have me. We saw the Bingleys not long after Ramsgate, when William brought me to London. Mr. Bingley was so kind to me, and Miss Bingley so desirous of an intimate acquaintance, and I thought…. I suppose you know what I thought.”

“Our aunt and cousins nourished a seed that had already been planted,” Mr. Darcy said, and his sister nodded emphatically.

“Yes. I thought it must be the perfect solution to my troubles. He is so fond of you, William, that surely he would forgive my misdeeds and be glad to call you brother. And he is such a good man, everything I thought Mr. Wickham was, and better still. I suppose I felt that it would be like correcting my mistake, making a better second choice than my first had been. It thought it was a way to prove my judgement was sound, when in truth I have accomplished the reverse.”

“Your feelings were natural, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said, so moved by the girl’s pensive contrition that she caught herself just before she reached for Mr. Darcy’s hand.

“Your behavior was not acceptable, and I shall not pretend otherwise, but you are to be commended for reflecting on it as you have.”

Miss Darcy smiled. “Brother, is she not generous?”

“Very,” he agreed. “But why did you never tell me what you have told Eliz - Miss Elizabeth?”

Miss Darcy sighed, her gaze darting about as if she knew not any sensible answer. “I just wanted you to be on my side. I wanted to be right.”

“We are all of us prideful creatures. If we wish to be forgiven, we must endeavor to do better,” Elizabeth said to the girl, though she turned to meet Mr. Darcy’s gaze. She wished him to understand that she spoke not only of Georgiana, and he bowed his head at her. He understood her perfectly.

“It is far easier for me to be your ally when your behavior is worthy of such defense. But I must agree with Miss Elizabeth, that your feelings are natural. And I hope with all my heart that someday you find a man as affable and compassionate as Bingley, though I have no wish to part with you any time soon.”

To this Elizabeth added, “I hope you will not deprive your brother of the opportunity to see you grow naturally into the woman you wish to be. I have seen traces of it in you, especially when first we met. A hasty marriage is no substitute for time, Miss Darcy.”

“You are kinder to me than I deserve,” Miss Darcy replied.

“I hope you know that I am truly sorry for my behavior. I wish to make amends to Miss Bennet, and to Miss Lydia, as well. I should not have tried to vex her, and I will make no further impediment to Mr. Bingley courting Miss Bennet. And, William, I do mean it, this time. Life at Pemberley begins to seem a happier prospect, if you will forgive me, and see that I am trying. I feared that nobody could ever love me after… but I know that you always shall.”

Elizabeth began to shed a few of her own tears, and Mr. Darcy passed her his handkerchief, his fingers lingering over hers.

Miss Darcy looked up, and when Elizabeth followed her gaze she could see that Jane and Mr. Bingley had meandered into their line of sight; Mr. Bingley kissed Jane’s hand before striding toward the house at a rapid pace.

“Well, now - I believe I might go and speak to Miss Bennet without interrupting anything I would not wish to.”

When Miss Darcy left them, neither Elizabeth nor Mr. Darcy moved from the bench.

For a minute they only stared at one another, and then Mr. Darcy took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.

“Miss Elizabeth, that was magnificent. You have accomplished what I failed thrice in achieving with my sister, and I am in absolute awe of you.”

“I confess I am as surprised as you are,” Elizabeth said, flexing her fingers as he released her hand. “Perhaps, despite the newness of our acquaintance, she found it easier to convey such tender sentiments to a fellow woman.”

“Not any woman, but one she knows I consider the finest woman of my acquaintance. None but you could have managed it with such gentle wisdom and insight. She is no more moved by your warmth and your brilliant spirit than I am, Elizabeth.”

And then, to Elizabeth’s supreme astonishment, Mr. Darcy clasped her hand and dropped to one knee before her. “I see in you now more than I ever imagined I should require in a true partner, and I beg of you to end my torment and consent you be my wife.”