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Elizabeth rubbed her temples, trying to ease the tension that had taken up residence there. The strain of caring for her father, managing Mr Collins’ visit, and her own tumultuous feelings were beginning to take their toll.

The following morning, seeking respite from Mr Collins’ attentions, Elizabeth took a solitary walk in the garden.

The crisp air did little to clear her muddled thoughts.

She had once found Mr Wickham’s charm irresistible, but now it felt hollow compared to the depth of feeling Mr Darcy stirred in her.

Yet, could she trust those feelings? Or was she simply trading one misguided infatuation for another?

As Elizabeth returned from her walk, she felt a dull ache beginning to form behind her eyes. The weight of her conflicted emotions seemed to manifest as a physical burden, leaving her longing for the simplicity of her former convictions.

* * *

Wednesday 12th of February 1812

Pemberley Study - Darcy

Darcy’s business took longer than he had expected it to, so it was nearing three weeks before he was able to return to Hertfordshire again.

Georgiana had enjoyed their stay a great deal, although he had not been able to spend as much time with her as they would have liked.

She had learned how to stand up on her own on the ice in her skates, although she still fell when she moved around too fast.

She had had one letter from Elizabeth in reply to the one she had sent from London, which she had read him some of the passages of. He was pleased not to have been completely cut off from her. Elizabeth had not written in good spirits, that much was clear .

As Georgiana shared passages from Elizabeth’s letter, Darcy struggled to maintain his composure. The lack of Elizabeth’s usual vivacity in her writing stirred a mixture of concern and determination within him. He longed to be in Hertfordshire, to see for himself that she was well.

The mention of Hertfordshire in Elizabeth’s letter seemed to reignite Georgiana’s interest in accompanying her brother on his return journey.

“Why won’t you let me come with you to Hertfordshire, brother?” Georgiana had asked again one evening.

“You know very well,” he replied, not looking up from the book he was reading.

“But if it is alright for you to be there, then surely it would be for me to join you?”

“I am not a young lady, Georgiana. Men are blessed in some ways and most certainly in matters like this.”

She sighed, “But why should it be such an unpleasant matter? I do not see why at all?”

Darcy sometimes forgot just how young his sister was, or how little knowledge she had of the world.

“I will speak frankly now but I will not do so again. If I am successful in my purpose, then the engagement between them will not last much longer. However, engagements once made public are almost as binding as a marriage is, at least as far as reputation is concerned.”

“So you are worried about my reputation? But how can I be affected?”

“By being my sister. If everything goes to plan, then my involvement in the matter will not be known except as a friend of Mr Bingley’s. However, these things do not always go to plan.”

“But how could I be any more affected there than I would be in London? I am still your sister no matter how far away we are. ”

“That is true, but if you are in the neighbourhood there is a much larger risk. There is also one other reason I do not want you to go into Hertfordshire. Mr Wickham is staying in Meryton.”

Georgiana started and coloured, for she had not been expecting that. They never spoke of the events that had taken place at Ramsgate.

“Fitzwilliam, you cannot believe me in danger from him now, surely?”

He studied her face for a moment or two before responding.

“No, I don’t believe you are in danger now. But I do wish to spare you any pain that is in my power.”

Darcy marvelled at how his feelings for Elizabeth had indirectly strengthened his bond with Georgiana. His sister’s empathy and support had been a balm during this uncertain time, and he found himself more appreciative than ever of her presence in his life.

As he prepared for his journey, Darcy carefully considered his approach.

He would need to be discreet, yet decisive.

His first task would be to ascertain the true state of Elizabeth’s feelings, both towards himself and Mr Collins.

Only then could he determine the best course of action to dissolve her engagement without causing a scandal.

Darcy’s purpose was clear in his mind: to free Elizabeth from her ill-conceived engagement and offer her a chance at true happiness - with him.

However, he was acutely aware of the delicacy of the situation.

He would need to navigate the social expectations and potential for scandal with the utmost care, all while trying to win Elizabeth’s heart.

As Darcy contemplated his strategy, he couldn’t help but consider how his actions might impact Bingley’s pursuit of Jane Bennet.

He hoped that his friend’s courtship would provide a convenient excuse for his own frequent visits to Longbourn, but he also worried that any scandal surrounding Elizabeth’s broken engagement could potentially harm Jane Bennet’s prospects as well.

The matter required more thought. Of course, if they were married, or engaged it would be easier to handle.

He meant to discuss what the delay was with Bingley.

In considering his initial approach to Elizabeth, Darcy decided on a strategy of quiet attentiveness. He would observe her closely, looking for any signs that her feelings towards him might have softened, before making any overt gestures.

Darcy planned to use Bingley’s courtship of Jane Bennet as a pretext for his first interactions with Elizabeth. By joining his friend on visits to Longbourn, he hoped to ease into Elizabeth’s company without raising suspicion.

The presence of Wickham in Meryton added another layer of complexity to Darcy’s plans. He determined to keep a close eye on the man’s activities and, if necessary, use his influence to have Wickham removed from the militia stationed there.

In the quiet of his study, Darcy allowed himself a moment of introspection.

The man preparing to return to Hertfordshire was not the same one who had left it weeks ago.

His feelings for Elizabeth had transformed him, awakening emotions he scarcely recognised.

As he faced the prospect of seeing her again, he felt both exhilarated and terrified.

Darcy’s customary self-assurance wavered as he contemplated his return to Hertfordshire.

The challenge before him was unlike any he had faced before, involving not just strategy and social manoeuvring, but the deepest feelings of his heart.

For perhaps the first time in his life, Fitzwilliam Darcy felt truly vulnerable.

* * *

Monday 17th of February 1812

Longbourn - Elizabeth

Elizabeth was upstairs with her father one morning when she heard the sound of someone at the door, her mother’s voice carried upstairs, “Jane come quickly, it is Mr Bingley.”

Elizabeth felt a small smile tug at her lips, happy for Jane despite her own reluctance to join the gathering. Her sister deserved every moment of joy Mr Bingley’s visits brought her.

Elizabeth decided to remain where she was; she was not in the mood to listen to Mr Collins and he had become in the habit of attaching himself to her the moment she appeared. Her father asked her to close the door so that they might not hear Mrs Bennet’s joy.

* * *

Longbourn - Darcy

Darcy knew his first encounter with Elizabeth would be crucial. He resolved to approach her with a gentle warmth, hoping to put her at ease while subtly conveying his changed feelings towards her.

In considering his initial approach to Elizabeth, Darcy decided on a strategy of quiet attentiveness. He would observe her closely, looking for any signs that her feelings towards him might have softened, before making any overt gestures.

Darcy was more than ready to see Elizabeth again; he had been away long enough and did not want to be away for as long again. He had arrived at Netherfield that morning and upon discovering that Bingley was planning on riding over to Longbourn, he decided to join him.

As they entered the house the lingering scent of freshly baked bread from the morning’s breakfast mingled with the aroma of tea, creating a homely atmosphere.

Darcy noticed Mrs Bennet’s face fall as he entered the room behind Bingley. Although she inquired after his journey and his sister, Darcy was surprised by the warmth of Miss Bennet’s smile and greeting, so different from her mother’s reaction.

He was disappointed to find that Elizabeth was not present in the room and even more so that Mr Collins was. Darcy’s shoulders tensed imperceptibly as he scanned the room, his hopes of seeing Elizabeth quickly fading. Darcy watched as Mr Collins bowed, his manner as obsequious as ever.

“Lady Catherine was in the best of health just two days ago, Mr Darcy,” he said with a bow. “She gave me a message to give you in case I saw you here. Her ladyship said to say that she looks forward to seeing you at Rosings with herself and her noble daughter this Easter.”

As Mr Collins began to speak, tension radiated through Darcy’s body. His jaw clenched, shoulders tightened, and fingers dug into the arms of his chair, betraying the strain of maintaining his composure. The man’s obsequious tone grated on his nerves even more than he remembered.

“You are too kind,” Darcy replied, taking the letter from Mr Collins’ hand, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Darcy’s eyes swept across the drawing room, noting how the morning light highlighted the faded floral wallpaper and well-worn furniture that spoke of genteel poverty.