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Elizabeth nodded grimly. "A fortnight, a bit more. After that, I shall have to contend not only with Mr. Darcy's determination to honour his ill-considered announcement of marriage, but also with Mamma's even more formidable determination to see me wed to anyone who can keep me."

"Do you truly believe your mother would be so forceful?" Arabella asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.

"Belle. You have met my mother." Elizabeth gave a laugh entirely devoid of humour.

Arabella’s grimace was sympathetic.

"The securing of wealthy husbands for her daughters is her life's most sacred purpose. To have one of us engaged to a man of Mr. Darcy's fortune would be her crowning achievement. She would sooner walk barefoot through the snow to London than allow such a prize to slip away."

“I should like to see that.”

“If there is anything I learned today, it is that Mr. Darcy does not admire me. He truly wishes to wed only to preserve our reputations. I cannot allow him to sacrifice himself in such a way.”

“Lizzy,” Arabella drew her name out. “It almost sounds as though you like him.”

“I cannot understand why I do, Belle, but so it is. He did not once bring up the debacle at your mother’s dinner, which was kind, I suppose.

And I have seen glimpses of humour in him.

But I cannot accept that he should be forced to marry me when he clearly does not wish it.

And before you say that is magnanimous of me, to give up such a man, it is for my good as well.

I will not have a man regret wedding me as my father regrets my mother. ”

She could be honest with Arabella. They had known one another forever, and she trusted no one with her secrets more, not even Jane, who was too dutiful to keep things private if she thought it unwise.

“Are you certain that he will?”

“How could it be otherwise?” Elizabeth rose from the settee to pace the length of the morning room. "I must convince Mr. Darcy to withdraw his offer before Mamma arrives and begins planning the wedding in earnest.”

"Lizzy," Arabella said quietly, “I cannot help but wonder if your father's words might merit some consideration."

Elizabeth folded the letter and set it aside. "Which words, precisely?"

"About considering the match with care before discarding it," Arabella said.

"Is it possible that Mr. Darcy, despite the unusual circumstances of your engagement, might indeed be a man you could respect and admire?

From all my father has said of him, he is honourable, intelligent, and possessed of many admirable qualities. "

"All of which may be true," Elizabeth conceded, "but they are hardly sufficient basis for a lifetime of matrimony." She paused in her pacing. "I have witnessed firsthand what becomes of a marriage founded on nothing more than necessity and social expectation.”

How many times had she watched her mother's desperate attempts to gain her father's attention, only to be met with cutting remarks or dismissive silence? How many nights had her mother declared herself unwell and remained in her chamber?

Elizabeth was sure that her mother’s nerves were largely caused by dreams of happiness that had withered into resentment and regret.

"I will not repeat their mistakes," she said firmly.

She resumed her pacing with renewed vigour.

"No, I must find a way to convince Mr. Darcy that I would make him a most unsuitable wife.

" She stopped suddenly and turned to her friend.

“Although you seemed pleased with Colonel Fitzwilliam’s company. He was most attentive to you."

A becoming blush crept over Arabella's cheeks. "He is easy to converse with. Unlike his cousin, he does not measure each word as though it costs him five pounds to speak it."

“He truly did seem amiable. Do you like him?”

“I do. Though I am not certain how he feels about me."

“I think it was evident today that he likes you very much.”

“He is a second son, with his way to make in the world.”

"Your father would not be opposed to such a match, surely? Colonel Fitzwilliam is the son of an earl, with an honourable profession and excellent connections."

Arabella hesitated. "Father has never expressed any particular preference regarding my future husband, beyond the usual expectations of character and conduct. But Mother would not like an officer for me. Too great a chance of becoming a widow."

They fell silent for a time.

“Well, it is early yet,” Elizabeth said at last. “I think you have time to discover whether his company is always as agreeable to you before you must discuss him with your mother.”

“That is true,” Arabella said. “But perhaps I ought to speak to my mother before you are forced to speak to yours.”

“True. I must make haste to ruin this engagement before my mother sets her heart on it,” Elizabeth replied, half in jest and half in dread.

Arabella patted the bench beside her. “Come. Let us practice our duet.”

Elizabeth complied. “Yes,” she said wryly. “Let us have a little music before the storm arrives.”