After breakfast the next day, Darcy groaned to Natasha, "I loathe how you can drink as much punch as you do and look as fresh as a baby after being bathed."

"Some of us are born great," Natasha said, "The younger of us are walking to town to see Mrs. Fury. Do you care to join us?"

Darcy shook her head. "No. I think I will read something light before venturing out on a walk to Lucas Lodge."

As Natasha left the parlor where only Darcy and Mrs. Coulson remained, Dr. Banner entered. "May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Darcy, when I solicit for the honor of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?"

Before Darcy could say anything, Mrs. Coulson responded enthusiastically, "Oh dear! Yes! Certainly. I am sure Darcy will be very happy. I am sure she can have no objection."

"Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Dr. Banner must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself," Darcy said

"No, no, nonsense, Darcy. I desire you to stay where you are," Mrs. Coulson said. "Darcy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Dr. Banner."

Darcy realized that she could not oppose her mother at that moment and that it would be far more sensible to get it over with as quickly as possible. After Mrs. Coulson left, Dr. Banner sat next to Darcy and began to speak.

"My dear Miss Darcy, thank you for taking your time to give me an audience. It is quite kind of you. I am sure you are aware of what I am to ask you. Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my future life. You are clever, intelligent, and care deeply for your family. I believe that we could make one another happy. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Darcy said in all sincerity, "I thank you, Dr. Banner. I am very sensible of the honor of your proposal, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to decline them."

Dr. Banner nodded. "Thank you for your time, Miss Darcy." He moved to leave.

"Sir," Darcy said, "I wish you to know I think you a good man. May I suggest a walk to clear your head? Down to Lucas Lodge perhaps?"

Dr. Banner smiled slightly and looked away. "Is it that obvious?"

"Both you and Betty are quite fond of each other. Though I appreciate that you wish to keep Longbourn in my family, I do not think either of us wish to marry purely out of obligation," Darcy said.

Dr. Banner bowed to Darcy. "Thank you, Miss Darcy. Best of blessings upon you."

Darcy retreated to her room, ignoring her Mother. Mrs. Coulson did not hear much of the conversation, but heard enough to know that Darcy had refused Dr. Banner. Mrs. Coulson tried to persuade Dr. Banner to stay, but he kindly requested that he be allowed to have a walk to clear his head.

Mrs. Coulson rushed to her husband's study. "You are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and make Darcy marry Dr. Banner. She says she will not have him and if you do not act, he may change his mind to so that he will not have her."

Mr. Coulson looked up from the papers he was reading, not even raising an eyebrow. "And what am I to do about it?"

Mrs. Coulson knelt down next to Mr. Coulson's seat. "Phil, you know that Darcy will be safe with Dr. Banner and that the girls will have a place to live after you have passed. Please. Dr. Banner and Darcy do seem to like each other, at least from what I have seen. Maybe she is trying to increase his affections by seeing if he will propose a second time?"

He sighed and kissed his wife's forehead. "I will speak to Darcy and see how she feels about the man."

&%&%&%

Darcy came to the library when she was summoned.

"I understand that Dr. Banner has made you an offer of marriage and you have refused it," Mr. Coulson said.

"I have, sir," Darcy said.

"And why so?" Mr. Coulson said.

"Neither of us love the other," Darcy said, "His heart is elsewhere."

"Well why did you not say that second part?" Mrs. Coulson said, "I never would have pressed the matter otherwise, silly girl."

Darcy tilted her head. "You are not angry?"

Mrs. Coulson embraced Darcy. "Dear Darcy, I would never place you in a match where one partner loves another. Love may grow, but not in a place where there is something already growing."

Darcy began, "I did not expect…"

Mr. Coulson interrupted. "Your Mother and I were a love match and as best as we can, we want the same for you as long as you are protected."

"Thank you," Darcy said softly.

&%&%&%

Dr. Banner spent the rest of the day at Lucas Lodge. He again returned to the place the next day while the girls went to Meryton to visit Mrs. Fury. There they found among the officers Mr. Barton.

In confidence, he confessed to Darcy, "I found as the time drew near that I had better not meet Loki, I mean Mr. Odinson. I felt that to be in the same room, the same party with him for so many hours together, might be more than I could bear. Scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself."

"I think that was the wisest course of action, Mr. Barton," Darcy said. She found that once she was in his presence again, she could find no fault in the marksman.

&%&%&%

Soon after the Coulson girls returned, a letter arrived for Jane from Netherfield. Jane's cheerful countenance slowly ebbed away as she read the letter. When she had finished, she read it again, just to be sure she understood.

"Jane," Darcy said, "What's wrong?"

Jane took a deep breath. "It is from the Lady Sif. The entire party of Netherfield by this time has left for London… without any intention of coming back again."

&%&%&%

A/N: I have not abandoned you, dear readers. Life, school, and the first fan fiction series I posted has interrupted writing this story. I am terribly sorry for the wait. Even my dear Beta, T. J. Elise, has not read this in my rush to get this to you.