Jane finished reading her sister's latest letter and smiled. She wondered if Elizabeth even realised how much she wrote about Mr Darcy.

This time, it was about how he has managed to accidentally - Jane snickered at Lizzy's use of that word - come across her on her walks several times. Apparently, he speaks with her comfortably enough at Oakham Mount, though they argue as often as they agree, yet he barely acknowledges her in wider company.

To Jane's mind, this Mr Darcy appeared a cautious sort of suitor who quite understandably wanted to escape Mrs Bennet's notice for as long as possible. He surely would not seek her out on walks if he were not interested.

She was less certain about her sister's feelings about the gentleman. Elizabeth wrote in quite indifferent terms of him, yet it was belied by the sheer frequency of references. Besides, Lizzy had many paths she enjoyed walking, so if his accompaniment were irksome she surely could easily avoid him. Yet she appeared surprised at his continually turning up!

Jane considered questioning her sister directly. Perhaps Lizzy was confused and writing more explicitly about her feelings could help her gain clarity. But she would be unable to reply to this letter until at least tomorrow, because -

"Jane, it is time to depart for Rosings!" said Mr Collins as he burst into her sitting room.

She covered Elizabeth's letter, stood and smiled at her husband. "I am ready, William."

He gave her an adoring smile as he stopped to take her in. "You look beautiful as always, dearest," he said as he kissed her hand. "Now let us make haste, for we cannot make Lady Catherine wait!"

During their walks over he always found some splendid aspect of Rosings to describe to her, and this time was no exception. He discussed the superior arrangement of the rose garden, and Jane agreed that it was lovely, for roses were a particular favourite of hers.

"When we move into Longbourn I will ensure a rose garden is added for you, Jane. Of course it will be nothing to the one here at Rosings, for Longbourn is not nearly so grand, and Hertfordshire is not known as 'the garden of England' as Kent is. But surely we can create something that pleases you."

Jane frowned a little at her husband's eagerness to take over Longbourn; this was nowhere near his first reference to that eventuality. However, she appreciated his thoughtfulness in looking for ways to make her happy. He really did care about her, to the best of his limited ability.

"I should like to have my own rose garden someday," was the reply she gave him.

Jane found her mind drifting during tea while Lady Catherine expounded on some subject or other. She was suddenly brought back to the present, however, when the name Darcy reached her ears.

"Excuse me, my Lady," Jane said cautiously; "did you say Mr Darcy?"

"Yes, my nephew Darcy. His own estate is in Derbyshire, and of course he spends most of his time at Pemberley and London; although, right now I believe he is off visiting that friend of his, the tradesman's son. Anyway, as I was saying, when he marries Anne you two shall have to split your time more evenly between Pemberley and Rosings, for I could not bear to have you so far away all the time, Anne, especially once I have grandchildren."

"Please forgive me, Miss de Bourgh, for I did not know you were engaged. I congratulate you. May I ask when the wedding will be?" Jane managed to question without losing her serene demeanour.

As usual, Lady Catherine answered on her daughter's behalf. "Oh, Darcy is taking his time coming to the point, and nothing is yet official," she waved her hand. "I am hopeful things will be arranged during his next trip here. After all, this match was his mother's dearest wish."

Jane barely heard another word spoken during the visit, and excused herself to her own chamber the moment they returned home. Mr Darcy of Pemberley, who was staying with a friend, and important enough to have a relation such as Lady Catherine: that was all in keeping with what she had heard from Elizabeth. She could not contain her shock and alarm and she paced the room in agitation. Much as she disliked thinking poorly of someone, there was only one conclusion she could draw.

If it was the same man, Mr Darcy was practically engaged, yet secretly pursuing her poor sister! Suddenly it became perfectly clear why he was so willing to interact with her in private but not in public. He was not trying to avoid Mrs Bennet's raptures; he was avoiding anyone finding out, any way his perfidy could reach Lady Catherine's ears. His intentions towards Elizabeth could not be honourable. She must write and warn her immediately!

#

Mr and Miss Bingley called on the Churchills' home of Ashworth, as they often did. On this trip they personally issued an invitation to the ball they would be hosting at Netherfield the following Tuesday. The family were delighted by the announcement, and Bingley was particularly pleased to note the happy smile Olivia gave him.

As they rode their carriage home, Caroline asked her brother, "When do you plan on proposing to Miss Churchill? I believe proposing at the ball would be absolutely marvelous; you would be able to make the announcement that same night."

"Hmm, I am not certain that is a good idea," Bingley replied doubtfully. "I do not know if she would appreciate making such a spectacle. And how humiliating would it be if she refused me! It would quite ruin my night. No, I believe I shall wait a while longer, and perhaps ask her at Christmas."

"She certainly shall not refuse you, Charles. Surely you need not wait so long to ask!"

Bingley reflected for a few minutes while they drove.

"I simply am not ready, Caroline. You need not fear that it will never happen. I just do not think the ball is the right time."

Caroline decided not to press him; she would get what she wanted soon enough.

"Very well," she said. "You know best."

#

Elizabeth read and reread the letter she had received from Jane earlier that day. She knew she should prepare for her aunt Phillips's card party that evening, but she could not resist reading it one more time.

Just that morning she had walked with Mr Darcy again. If she were honest with herself, she was beginning to enjoy his company, though it had confused her as to why he did not approach her much to talk in company. Now she understood, and she was surprisingly distraught by the intelligence.

The ladies' maid she shared with her sisters knocked and entered her chamber, so she put away the letter and focused on getting her dress and hair done.

The maid left, and she thought about the handsome new officer she had met in the street the day before. Her father had curbed her youngest sisters' socialising with officers in the militia that had recently been stationed in Meryton, but he allowed them to speak in public spaces as long as Elizabeth or an older relative were present. The three sisters had just been introduced to Mr Wickham by his compatriot, Mr Denny, when they chanced upon Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy who were running errands in town. The pair did not stop to talk more than bare greetings, but Elizabeth was caught by the cold manner in which Wickham and Darcy acknowledged each other before Darcy and Bingley rode away.

She was exceedingly curious to know the history between the two men, but Darcy had not brought the subject up on their walk that morning, and she could not properly ask. Now that she would be seeing Wickham that night at her aunt's house she hoped he would be more forthcoming. Perhaps he would elucidate Darcy's character enough to confirm whether he could dishonour a promise to a woman by trifling with another for his own selfish motives.

#

Wickham looked around the Phillips's parlour as he entered with his host and a few fellow officers. He was pleased to see the three lovely Bennet ladies he had met the day before, along with what appeared to be a fourth sister and a handful of other young ladies.

One lady in particular, the eldest Miss Bennet, had caught his eye when they met as the prettiest of the bunch. The younger two were certainly more naive, and he would see what he could get from them later, but he also liked a challenge and Miss Bennet seemed quite proper. Furthermore, he could not help noticing that she had observed his short interaction with Darcy. He could not tell the nature of their relationship, but the brevity of his stop with his friend hinted that they were not particularly close.

He settled into a seat next to Elizabeth and spoke of general topics for a while. He could not appear too eager to bring up the subject he really wanted to talk about or she would become suspicious. He was uncertain whether she would fully believe what he planned to tell her about Darcy, given that the two were already acquainted, but he was well practised. She looked like someone who would be very sympathetic and so far she appeared to quite enjoy his company. He was hopeful.

"Have you known Mr Darcy long?" he finally asked.

She pursed her lips. "About a month, and as well as I ever care to know him."

Wickham barely prevented the wide grin that threatened to spread across his cheeks. This would be too easy.