Chapter 1
The beauty of the April morning was captivating, and though the melancholy contents of Jane’s letter were clasped tightly in her hand Elizabeth could not forbear filling her lungs with the fresh, scented air of Kent, nor smiling at the pleasure it afforded her.
But her disposition was ill-suited to prolonged unhappiness and as she pursued the winding paths of Rosing's Park she felt a lively sense of existence animating her spirits.
Those first five weeks at Hunsford had been marked by little of consequence, until their tranquillity was at last shattered by the arrival of Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam at the great house. From that moment on whatever semblance of Lady Catherine’s former condescension, so nearly approaching amiability, that had existed was entirely withdrawn; and in its stead appeared a rigid, close-mouthed civility. A demeanour betraying far more hauteur than true politeness.
Elizabeth smiled, remembering how forceful the great lady was towards Mr Darcy, her own nephew, to get him for her daughter. The poor man had the look of a hunted animal under the lady’s overbearing attention.
However, she laughed when she realised that the quiet and taciturn Mr Darcy treated his own flesh and blood no differently than he had treated the mere mortals in Meryton.
The man was utterly insupportable and she could not stand the very sight of him.
However, she had to wonder at his constant scrutiny of her own person.
She had, a long time ago, decided that his unwavering stare must be to enumerate her many faults. But how many faults could she have that took him so long?
Elizabeth shook her head in dismay and looked at the beautiful park, which stretched ahead with its rolling hills and a plethora of exotic flora then decided to no longer waste precious time thinking of Mr Darcy and his absurdities. In many ways he was no different than Mr Collins; a ridiculous, pompous man puffed up with his own importance.
As she turned a corner of the heavy woods, choosing a less frequented path, she found herself almost face to face with Colonel Fitzwilliam:
“Miss Bennet, how good it is to see you in this fine morning.” The Colonel said with an exaggerated bow, as if they had just met in a grand ballroom.
“Good morning, Colonel.” Elizabeth laughed taking his offered arm as they carried on through the grassy path. “Do you walk alone this morning, Colonel, or is your cousin hiding from me behind the next tree?”
“I am all alone, Miss Bennet, but why should my cousin hide from you?”
“Well, it has been some time now that Mr Darcy has secured the position of my most severe critic.”
“Really? That is surprising.”
“Why should it be?” Elizabeth looked at him quizzically. “You see, I do not think Mr Darcy likes me very much or even approves of me… even a little.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam screwed his eyes in concentration as if trying to puzzle a problem out, “I think you might be mistakenabout my cousin’s dislike of you Miss Bennet. In fact I know for a fact that he thinks highly of you.”
Elizabeth’s delighted laugh rang out, “Colonel, I can guarantee you, the mistake is yours. Mr Darcy’s feelings regarding me are very similar to my feelings regarding him. In fact they are exactly the same.”
“Are you saying that you do not like my cousin or even approve of him… even a little?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I am saying.”
“That is indeed surprising.” The Colonel said looking almost sad. “He is a very good man, Miss Bennet and you will be missing out if you do not allow yourself a change of heart concerning him.”
“I think not.” Elizabeth said firmly and with finality to her voice.
“I have known Darcy all my life and he has always proven to be the perfect friend in a tight spot. Nothing is beneath him or too hard when it comes to aiding his friends and family.” He smiled and continued his high praise of his cousin, undeterred, “For example, I understand he congratulates himself for having recently saved a friend from a most imprudent marriage.”
Elizabeth stopped abruptly, “Really?”
“Yes! That is the kind of thing he would do when most people would leave their friends to fend for themselves.”
“Did he give any reasons for this interference? I mean, how was he to be the judge in the situation?”
“I think there were strong factors against the lady, indicating that she was just a fortune hunter and his friend was utterly infatuated with her.”
“A fortune hunter?” Elizabeth said with a strangled voice.
“That is what I understood.” The colonel continued without realising Elizabeth’s change in countenance, “You see, his friend is a younger man and quite naive. Not to mention that the ladywas apparently as beautiful as a queen and her mother pushed her towards his friend relentlessly, quite forcefully and in a most shameful display.
