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Lydia was laughing loudly at her at this, Kitty smiled slightly. The children were also giggling .

At length the conversation turned to other matters.

“Jane, when will Mr Bingley be joining us for dinner?” Their mother asked.

“I do not believe he intends to while we are in mourning, Mama.” Jane said gently.

Elizabeth sighed as her mother exclaimed at this comment and Jane tried to get her to see reason. “We will see him at church tomorrow.”

Elizabeth longed to escape the house and roam freely in the gardens and further afield.

It has been days since she had been for a proper walk.

She did not consider when they had been searching for Mr William Collins as a proper walk.

Mrs Bennet had not wanted her to leave the house during his illness, for she must of course tend to him.

After his death, Mrs Bennet had kept her close by with arrangements for his funeral.

It was about half an hour before a chance presented itself, the youngest of the Gardiner children had knocked a work-box over, and in the general confusion Elizabeth managed to leave with room without drawing her mother’s attention.

Within another minute she had a bonnet and shawl and was walking out of the door.

Elizabeth didn’t have a particular idea about where she was walking to, and was rather surprised to find herself at Lucas Lodge. She had not seen Charlotte in a long time, for she had been so wrapped up in her own world.

She spent a pleasant hour with her friend and was generally happy when Charlotte told her she was engaged to her sailor, Captain Northam.

He had indeed followed her back to Hertfordshire, calling on her several times.

Elizabeth smiled happily at her dear friend’s quiet happiness.

It was good to know in a world without her father there could be happiness.

She left Lucas Lodge feeling happier with the world in general, pulling her shawl around her shoulders to ward off the chill in the year. The season was beginning to change, but it was taking its time.

She walked aimlessly for a while before she saw him. He was walking towards her, his horse slightly behind him. He looked up and smiled when he saw her, and then bowed.

Elizabeth suddenly felt very embarrassed-so much had happened. She hardly knew how to act around Mr Darcy any more. So many angry words had been exchanged. So many emotions hinted at. Everything that had stood between them was no longer there.

“Miss Bennet” he said, “I hope you are well?”

Elizabeth replied formally and asked after himself and the Netherfield party.

He answered in the normal way and they stood looking at each other in silence for a moment neither knowing what to say.

At length they both spoke at the same moment,

“Would you-” He said as she said “I hope-”.

They smiled slightly. Elizabeth said, “Please continue sir.”

“Would you like to continue your walk together?” he asked, offering his arm.

She accepted and they walked on in silence again for the moment. At such a time much might have been said, and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but there seemed to be an embargo on every subject.

At length she enquired about his sister’s plans for the next day.

“I do not believe she has any plans in particular. Were you thinking of calling her?” He said hopefully.

“I have not seen her lately.” She responded. They spoke of Miss Darcy for a few minutes, before moving onto Mr James Collins.

“Mr Bingley and I must call on him to welcome him to the neighbourhood.” Mr Darcy said. “He is like his brother?”

“He does not appear to be but he has not been with us long. I will have a better picture of his character after dinner. ”

They parted fifteen minutes later, with very little having been said on either side. But with the promise that Elizabeth would call on Miss Darcy the next day.

* * *

The Path to Netherfield - Darcy

Darcy was not satisfied with his encounter with Elizabeth. He was angry at himself for not having said more to her. She did not seem comfortable either, not with him but with the situation.

He would have to wait. Bide his time and try to be patient.

Most importantly there was reason to hope.

With Mr Collins’ death there was nothing to prevent him from asking her to be his wife.

Well, of course, he would have to wait until she was out of mourning.

But nothing that time would not take care of.

Hopefully the time would make it easier in each other’s company again. He smiled at the thought.

* * *

Longbourn - Elizabeth

Elizabeth returned to Longbourn. She felt more relaxed than she had for a while now.

Seeing Mr Darcy again since everything had happened had been good.

She longed to be able to deepen their relationship, but also was scared to do so.

She had never seriously had to address her feelings for him.

They were never going to come to anything. But now, everything is different .

She had been gone quite a long time and Jane was waiting for her in their room.

“Lizzy, there you are. Mama was sure you would miss dinner.”

Elizabeth hurriedly prepared herself for dinner. Hoping it would be over quickly.

* * *

Longbourn - Mrs Bennet

Mrs Bennet had planned this evening ever since she had realised that Mr William Collins would die and that he had a younger single brother. She had ordered a good dinner and had been able to arrange fish. Thankfully she had more notice with this Mr Collins.

Where was that girl? Lizzy would be the death of her. First her behaviour with Mr Darcy during her engagement with Mr Collins and now she had disappeared from the house and was nowhere to be found.

She had told Sarah to tell her the moment Miss Lizzy came home. Sarah was to do her hair. What a pity they were in mourning or Lizzy could have worn her dark pink gown. Maybe she could wear a coloured shawl? Black was such a dull boring colour.

Ah, there was Sarah.

“Miss Lizzy is in her room, Mrs Bennet,” the girl said.

“Thank you, Sarah.” Mrs Bennet said as she rushed into her eldest daughters’ room.

After a lot of disagreement Lizzy agreed to wear a coloured comb in her hair. She would not relent to a colourful shawl. Mrs Bennet sighed, knowing full well that Lizzy would hide the comb in her hair so it was hardly visible. The girl really had very little sense for all of her witty comments.