And might I remind you, sir, you never told me your age! I do not like to be kept in ignorance on such a subject. And I still do not know your favorite meals. And, most grievous of all, I do not know your given name. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I do not, and I would be mortified to ask my father and admit to my ignorance. If it was ever mentioned in Hertfordshire I have forgotten, and your aunt and cousin always called you ‘Darcy’. I know it begins with an ‘F’, but that is the extent of my knowledge. So in two weeks’ time, I am to marry a man whose name and age I do not know, and whom I shall likely feed inedible meals because he will not tell me if he prefers venison to mutton. For shame! I must insist you rectify these mistakes, at once, sir!

Impertinently Yours,

Elizabeth Bennet

~

My Dear Elizabeth,

I will wait upon you as soon as possible and answer all your questions. We cannot have you walking down the aisle in ignorance, now can we? I shall be right behind this letter.

F.D.

Elizabeth looked up from reading this latest to see her father entering the room, followed by Mr. Darcy.

“Mr. Darcy!” She stood hastily and his letter dropped from her hand. He quickly stepped in front of her and picked it up while she gave a hasty curtsey.

“Hello, Elizabeth,” he said warmly.

She felt her cheeks flush. Smiling nervously, she said, “Hello, Mr. Darcy.”

“Fitzwilliam.”

“Hmm?”

“Please, call me Fitzwilliam. It is my given name.”

“Oh! Oh, of course, Fitzwilliam,” she said shyly.

He smiled. “Would you care to take a walk?”

“My father…,” she looked around, suddenly realizing her father had left them alone. Again. “Yes, a walk would be nice.”

She led him out of the house and down to the shore. They walked along silently for a few minutes before he spoke.

“How are you?”

“I am well. And you? Was your journey pleasant?”

“Yes, perfectly uneventful. We made excellent time,” he replied.

She nodded and continued looking at the ground.

“Is there nothing you wish to say? No questions for me?”

She could tell by the look on his face what sort of questions he had in mind. Would that dratted letter follow her forever? “No sir, I said I would say no more about it, and I shan’t.”

“Truly?”

“A lady keeps her word, sir,” she said, slightly offended.

“Very well, then. But please allow me to say, Elizabeth, I have the greatest faith in our felicity. We are well suited, truly, and I can assure you I will be the best of husbands to you. You will have no cause to repine.”

She blushed at the ardent look on his face. “Neither shall you.”

He smiled, nodded, and tucked her arm into his.

“Do you have many engagements this week?” he asked.