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Arriving home, she knew by the smell of fresh coffee that her father was awake and downstairs. Despite having made her decision, she was nervous about telling him.

“Good morning, Papa.”

“Good morning, my dear. Did you have a pleasant walk?”

She nodded.

“You look like you’re headed for the gallows, so I can assume you have decided.”

“Yes. I have.”

“You sound as sad as you look. Are you sure you made the right one?

“As I am still not of age. I need you to sign this,” she said, producing the special license.

His face brightened. “I must remember to thank the young man for providing me with this unexpected gift.”

“Are you so ready to be rid of me?”

“Of course not. I have been dreading this day for years, but this paper,” he said, taking it. “When you leave, there will be no one to have a decent conversation with now? You may have your little quirks, but you are not nearly as silly as your sisters. This paper will save me several weeks of hearing of wedding plans from your mother.”

He put the license down and picked up a thick packet to show her. “I guess I should start on this. I must say the man is thorough. Everything in place and ready to go. I doubt I will have any complaints about this, but give me some time to read it. Do you want to tell your mother? The news might make her head feel a little better.”

“No. I will leave it to you.”

“Are you so unhappy?”

“Yes and no. Everything I am used to will change.”

“True, but you will see that it will be for the better. It is a natural step in life. I have no doubt that you will adapt and thrive. Since you don’t want to tell your mother, find me some cotton for my ears when I give her the news.” He said with a wink.

Elizabeth left the house upon hearing her mother’s cry of joy. She thought that running off to Gretna Green might have been the thing to do after all. Halfway to Lucas Lodge, she came across the person she was going to see.

“Charlotte, what a surprise. I was on my way to see you.”

“Does that mean you have decided?”

Elizabeth nodded. “I will marry.”

“I knew your sensibilities would win out.”

“I don’t know if I would call it love, but I believe my feelings run deeper than simply liking him.”

“When did you figure out this revelation?”

“I think I have known for some time now, in my heart at least. I just had to realize it with my head. When he told me he would not care if the Regent said no to our marriage, it all finally caught up with my heart.”

“So it was not his kiss?”

She blushed a deep red. “I should not have told you about that. That addled my thoughts, not clarified them. So no it was not because of his kiss, but I did enjoy it.” She said blushing again. “It was during our second dance.”

“Charlotte hugged her friend and wished her happiness.

“Speaking of the Regent. Did you know he met with your cousin?”

Elizabeth shook her head, trying to recall seeing the two together.

“It was soon after your dance with him. Your cousin was distraught afterwards.”

“Is that why he started avoiding me? What happened? What was said?”

“He was told if he did not leave you be, he would find himself shipped off to the bleakest church the Regent could find.”

Elizabeth gasped, her eyes widened in shock. “I promise you, I did not ask him to say anything.”

“I did not think you had. The poor man was scared witless.” That would not be so hard to do, Elizabeth thought as Charlotte continued. “He is having dinner with us tonight. He said he would like to talk with my father.”

“Oh, Charlotte, what a mess this all is. I would have refused Mr Collins even if I had never met Mr Darcy. Do you think he will turn his attention back to you?”

“I believe so. There was enough light in the carriage to see he looked my way before and after he asked to talk with my father.”

“Will you say yes?”

“I have not decided. If he had stayed the course when he first showed interest, I would have said yes without hesitation. Now I am no so sure,” she admitted. “He… I have a lot to think about. I must be getting back home. I was only going to visit long enough to find out if you had decided yet, so you saved me some time.” Charlotte curtsied. “May I be the first to congratulate you, Countess Fitzwilliam,” she said solemnly.

“Charlotte Lucas, stop that this instant,” cried in embarrassment. Charlotte laughed. They hugged as Elizabeth admonished her.

Elizabeth watched from her bedroom window as Darcy dismounted and handed the stable boy the reins. He was here to sign the marriage articles. She went to her vanity table and sat. The mirror showed her coiffed hair to not have a strand out of place, and she hated it. Her mother insisted on it and when she would not let up until she relented so she would have peace. The episode gave her a glimpse of what her father must go through. She would have stayed alone longer but the cold was seeping into the room as the flame had gone to embers.

Her mother looked at her hair with a satisfied nod. She had feared her obstinate daughter would ruin it. “You must look your best,” she had said more than once while supervising the work. Elizabeth went to the fireplace to warm herself.

“Elizabeth, do not stand so close. The heat will ruin your hair.”

“I am cold, Mother,” she replied, sorry that she had also relented on her mother’s choice of dress.

“It shows you off your charms.”

“Mr Darcy is not about to change his mind if I came down in a proper dress for this weather.”

Mrs Bennet ignored her and returned to talking with her sister, who had arrived with Mr Phillips, who was there to ensure all the papers were properly signed and attested to.

She did not have to wait long before Darcy entered the room. After greeting his soon-to-be mother-in-law and aunt, he went to Elizabeth.

“You do not like my hair.”

“I did not say that.”

“You did not have to. The look on your face said it all.”

“I like it. It was unexpected. I prefer the way you usually wear it.”

“It was my mother’s idea. Just like the dress. She thinks you will change your mind if I do not present myself in the best light.”

“When the opportunity arises, I shall mention how much I like your hair in your usual style. Or better still, in a loose braid hanging over your shoulder.”

“Oh you wicked man.”

“I do like the dress,” he admitted with a smile. “Though it means we cannot escape for a walk.”

She looked at him nervously.

“I swear I am not going to change my mind. The breach of promise clause I agreed to carries a hefty penalty.”

“No. You see. Wickham came by yesterday,” she said as nonchalantlyas she could manage.

His brows furrowed. “Why?”

She glanced around to see if they were being watched, then pulled the heavily folded letter from her dress. “To give me this.” Darcy’s face darkened. “He said I could read it with you, so...”

“Do I need to read it?”

She shrugged. “He confessed to the lies he told.”

“Does he mention Georgiana?”

“Hints at it but no details. I assume he believed I knew nothing about it.”

He shook his head slightly. “Then I do not need to see it.”

She nodded and tossed it into the fire. They watched as it smoldered before catching fire.

“If you had known his father, you would wonder how the apple could have fallen so far from the tree. Time will tell if he turns his life around, but enough of him. We have a date to set. Shall we go sit with your mother and decide?”

“You do not have to. I can talk with her later.”

“I think we should settle this now.”

“No longer than a few days.”

He looked surprised. “Are you that eager to marry?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know. I know it will save my nerves and my fathers from her planning.”

Darcy chuckled. “She will have another wedding shortly.”

Elizabeth looked at Jane, sitting quietly while listening to her mother and aunt.

“Why has he not already proposed? We thought he was going to at the ball. He made his intention obvious to all when he all but ignored everyone, including the Regent.”

“He is waiting for ours to be over.”

“That is silly.”

“He is doing it for your sister as he knows your mother will make more of yours.”

“Ours,” she corrected. “I guess that is sweet of him. Even though she did not say it, I know she was disappointed.”

“He is to go into town tomorrow to attend to some legal matters. I will ask him to delay it and bring him with me.”

“Don’t forget Georgiana and Lady Anne.”

“I will. They are excited and happy.”