Elizabeth startled then hurriedly turned the water on in the sink and splashed her face. If it's Will, I'll... I'll... be alright. But that was two weeks ago and he hasn't mentioned it again...

"There you are!" Catherine smiled. "We thought you got lost."

I use to wish she would get lost. It would've made things much easier.

"Nope." She snatched a paper towel off the roll and wiped her face. "Here I am."

"Well, we're packing up and moving out. We didn't want to leave you behind."

"Who would miss me?" Elizabeth shrugged.

Certainly not me.

"Anne and I."

"Thanks, kiddo."

Catherine and Elizabeth walked back down the path where Anne was waiting. They all got on the boat for the long journey home.

They were enjoying a respite from the children as Miss Bates was taking them on a tour through vessel's engine room and pilothouse.

"What's so funny?" Anne asked as she placed a blanket across her legs.

"Nothing really," Catherine smiled. "I was just remembering our first meeting."

"You didn't think it was funny then," Elizabeth smirked.

I did.

"No. I guess not. Just think, it was 6 years ago today..."

"Oh! Ow! Why won't you act right?! Ow!"

"What's the matter, love?" he asked with a smile as he came into the bedroom.

"Stupid hair!" Catherine petulantly threw her brush down on the vanity table. "It just won't lay down!"

Tilney put the tray that he was carrying on the vanity as well. "Just keep at it. It'll all turn out well." He kissed the top of her head.

"It's this heat. I might be able to do something with it, but it won't last for long."

"I love your hair."

"Being wild and frizzy in the country is all well and good, but I can't possibly meet your friends looking like Bobo the Clown," she pouted.

"You look lovely, darling." He knew she was nervous and he would do all he could to ease her mind. "I brought up some iced tea to cool your fevered brow."

"You think of everything, Henry." It was her favorite. "No wonder I love you."

"I love you too."

"Now if I could only get your friends to love me."

"You worry too much. They'll love you for who you are."

"A country bumpkin with nothing to recommend herself," Catherine frowned.

Tilney did the only thing a new husband knew to do when his bride was at her wit's end; he kissed her, passionately.

"Let's stay home, please? I'd like nothing more than to stay here with you and you alone."

"Everyone's expecting us, darling. The Annual Spring Ball is the height of the season. What better way to introduce you to all my friends? You'll be the belle of the ball."

"Oh, Henry, this is too much! Please let's stay home? I didn't have the time to do any shopping or anything! Please?"

"Darling, stop worrying." He stood. "You'll be lovely in whatever you wear." He poured a tall glass. "We have a little time before we have to leave. Drink up. It'll relax you."

***

Little more than two hours later, the Tilneys pulled up to the Wentworths front lawn. Tilney, as any gentleman-like husband would do, helped his wife from the car.

"It's *hiccup* lovely, Henry!" she slurred.

"Good Lord, Cathy!" he gasped. "Are you drunk?!"

"No!" she giggled. "I can handle *hiccup* my iced tea!"

He placed his arm firmly around her shoulder and hurried her to the house. As soon as they crossed the threshold, he bellowed "Anne! Black coffee! Quickly!"

"What's the matter?" Anne came running into the foyer.

"Anne. Cathy. Cathy. Anne," he said frantically.

"Hi... *hiccup* So lovely to *hiccup* make your acquaintance."

"Welcome, Cathy." Anne then glared at Tilney.

"I put a little nip in her iced tea," he offered apologetically.

"A little?" she huffed. "Go. Go on and make yourself useful. Rick's in the living room." Anne took Catherine's arm after shooing Tilney away. "Come along, dear. I'll have you fixed up in no time." I hope...

"More iced tea?"

"Not on your life," Anne smiled and led her to one of the main floor guest bedrooms. After Catherine was comfortably situated, Anne made her way to find Mrs. Hill, her housekeeper, for the coffee. On her way back to her inebriated guest, she found time to admonish Tilney. "What were you thinking?" she hissed.

"She was nervous... So I put a little brandy in..."

"Brandy? Henry, you don't drink."

"I know, Anne. I'm..."

"Didn't you notice anything in the car?"

"She was quiet, that's all. I'm sorry. How is she?"

"I hardly know." Then Anne turned away and went back to the bedroom.

"Man, are you in trouble," Wentworth smiled and patted his friend on the back.

"I know..." Tilney sighed. "I was just trying to calm her nerves."

"How much did you put in there?"

He shook his head in uncertainty. "Half a bottle...?"

When Anne got to the room, she found Catherine prostrate on the bed, face down. "Oh..." she sighed. "... Cathy." Anne pulled the young lady off the bed and propped her in the chair at her vanity. Lightly slapping her face and calling her name to wake her. "Cathy! Cathy!"

"Mmmm!" Catherine shook her head to ward off the blows.

Mrs. Hill brought in the coffee things and left quietly.

"Wake up, Cathy." Then she unbuttoned her cloak. "Oh dear...!"

"That's exactly what I said..." she whimpered in a moment of lucidity. "Ugly, isn't it?"

"It's not that bad," Anne cooed. It was hideous - a glaring pink lacy thing with silk gardenia flowers sticking out from the most unseemly places.

"I know it is!" she sobbed.

"There, there," Anne comforted. "Drink this while I think of something to fix it..."

Anne disappeared for a few minutes and when she returned Catherine was on her second cup of coffee.

"Better?"

"A little," she sniffled.

"The first thing we have to do is get rid of those flowers." She handed her a pair of scissors. "You take the one at your navel and I'll get the ones on your shoulders."

Anne carefully slit the thread holding the corsages to the dress at the shoulders while Catherine hacked at the one hanging from her midriff.

"Oh no!" There was a gaping hole now in the stomach.

"Oh dear!" Anne gasped.

"I can't do anything right!" Catherine threw her arms and head on the vanity in utter mortification. "All I wanted was for you to like me! This is a wretched beginning!"

Anne was too busy looking through her closet to comfort the girl. It was a hopeless case. Catherine was at least 6 sizes smaller than she was. Not that Anne was large, no indeed! It was just this wisp of a girl was... well, for lack of a better word, tiny. Anne sighed in frustration and disappeared from the room again - hoping that Mrs. Hill had not yet gone home.

***

The housekeeper had not gone home and was able to make quick work in stitching up the hole, but the gardenia had to remain, as it was to cover up the patchwork. While that was taking place, Catherine was made to drink more coffee and Anne did a masterful job on taking off the frilly hem.

Catherine was fresh-faced and sober and with Anne's support, Wentworth's smile and Tilney's guilt, she was able to face the onslaught with some composure.

The Wentworths and Tilneys had made it to the Ball where they were placed with the Darcys as was customary. Greetings were exchanged and conversation flowed. After a while, most of the table went off to mingle and/or dance, but two remained seated.

"Would you like some champagne?"

"No, thank you," Catherine smiled. "I'm not going to embarrass myself again."

"I didn't see you have one glass all evening," Darcy said.

"Thank goodness for that!"

He looked at her oddly for an instance then turned his eyes on the dance floor to glare at Elizabeth as she danced with Tilney. Darcy pursed his lips together and narrowed his eyes as his wife gained a new partner at the end of the song and was now parading about with Christopher Brandon.

"Your wife's a great dancer," she ventured.

"Yes she is," he responded with a slight sneer.

"I bet you two would look great together on the dance floor."

"I despise dancing. My wife is fully aware of that fact and she takes delight in any and everything that I abhor."

Catherine did not really know what to say after that, so she looked around for her husband only to find him dancing with a stunning blonde. Not normally a jealous female, she got a tight feeling in her chest as she espied him laughing at some witty remark with a mischievous twinkle in his eye that she thought only reserved for her.

"I think I'll have some of that champagne now."

"What?"

"I'll have some champagne, please?"

"Sure." Darcy, keeping one eye on his wife, leaned to his right, reached for her glass and poured. When he laid the glass in front of Catherine, his pinkie ring somehow hooked onto a loose thread. "Enough?"

She looked down briefly. "Thank you, yes."

As Darcy returned to his upright position, the thread was still caught on his ring, but neither one had noticed as their attention was fully on the activities of the dance floor.

***

By the time the Wentworths returned to the table, Darcy was pouring Catherine's fourth glass.

"Yummy *hiccup*!"

Anne stopped Darcy's hand with her own. "Perhaps your wife is thirsty?" Then she gave him a sideways look.

"I wouldn't doubt it." He stopped pouring.

"Hey! I was just *hiccup* beginning to like the taste *hiccup*!" Catherine exclaimed.

"Try some coffee, dear," Anne said firmly.

Wentworth quickly grabbed the carafe and started filling Catherine's cup; his cufflink snaring another loose thread thereby unraveling the patched up dress even further.

"No, no! *hiccup* Champagne!" she giggled.

"No more, dear."

"No more *hiccup* champagne?" she gasped.

"I'm sure there's more champagne," Elizabeth interjected as she sauntered over to the table.

"Shut up," Darcy whispered.

She ignored him. "Don't tell me we've run out?" Elizabeth put her hands on her hips. "How dare the Country Club run out. The night is still young."

"Shut up," Darcy hissed as his wife sat next to him.

"Cathy..." Elizabeth pointedly said to her new friend with a smile. "If my husband will allow me to unseal the vault that he calls a wine cellar, perhaps we might be able to secure you a few bottles? You seem to like it."

"Prodigiously!"

"Cathy, darling!" Tilney called as he finally made his reappearance at the table. "I've convinced the bandleader to play some swing. I know how much you like it. Let's dance."

"I don't think..." Anne spluttered.

Too late. Tilney had already grabbed his wife and pulled her onto the dance floor.

Anne grabbed Wentworth and dragged him onto the floor.

"What was all that about?"

"She's drunk."

"And of your infliction, no doubt!" she hissed.

"How was I to know?" he spat.

Elizabeth shrugged and averted her eyes. "Sometimes it's the only way to survive this hell," she mumbled under her breath.

Darcy surreptitiously eyed his wife. "Is it?"

"Yes," Elizabeth answered truthfully.

Darcy had a smart quip on the tip of his tongue, but he looked fully upon Elizabeth's troubled expression and kept his mouth shut.

***

Tilney twirled and swirled Catherine around the floor for all the world to see. Even in her stupor she danced energetically. Wentworth and Anne chased them to the far corners without arousing too much suspicion. But one time, Tilney flung his wife out; her gardenia popped off and flew into someone's dessert.

Tilney stopped in stupefaction and Catherine skidded to a halt in horror right before she turned green. Anne grabbed a napkin from a table, brought it to Catherine's mouth and dragged her to the bathroom.

Wentworth went to retrieve the flower. "I'm sure you won't be needing that piece of garnish," he smiled at the matron. "Enjoy your cheesecake."

Tilney found his mind at last and went after his wife.

***

"I'm a failure!" Catherine wept.

"No you're not," Anne cooed.

"No one saw a thing," Elizabeth offered. "Now drink that coffee down and try not to move while I stitch you up." Elizabeth had many talents and sewing was one of them.

"Oh no! I'm not going back out there!"

"Yes you are," Anne said calmly but in a tone that brooked no opposition. "Think of Daniel in the lion's den. Strength and courage amidst your enemies."

Catherine had a pout on.

"Buck up, kiddo," Elizabeth smiled. "Besides, Henry's camped outside the door waiting for you with bated breath. You don't want to disappoint him, do you?"

"No, I never want to disappoint him. Ever. But I'm afraid my conduct this evening..."

"Shall never be mentioned again," Anne said.

"A good memory is unpardonable," Elizabeth winked.

***

Elizabeth had retreated from the bathroom as Anne gave Catherine a good talking to.

"I don't see Henry."

"He probably went back to the table." Anne subtly guided Catherine down the stairs. "Chin up. Back straight. Eyes forward."

She nodded and did as commanded. "Oh, there's Henry over there!"

They headed towards the balcony. A well-manicured hand reached out to stroke Tilney's arm tenderly and he smiled that mischievous smile again.

"He doesn't look like he's waiting for me with bated breath," Catherine frowned.

"Oh, Cathy! There you are!" Tilney stepped forward to greet his wife. "Are you alright?"

"Yes."

"I'm glad. I see you got that dress all patched up. Will it hold for a few more hours?" he chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Thanks Anne. I'll take it from here." He took his wife's arm. "There's someone special I'd like you to meet."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Mary Crawford. Cathy... my wife."

"Hi," she smiled as best she could.

"Hello," came Mary's sultry voice dripping with icicles. "So, this is the little woman? Oh Henry, she's adorable!"

"Witch!" Catherine hissed.

"I can think of a better word, a few in fact, but yours will do!" Elizabeth smirked and flicked her cigarette overboard.

"I never felt so small in my life."

That was my intent.

"You got through it unscathed though," Anne smiled.

"Yes, but if it wasn't for the two of you, I wouldn't have made it."

"Glad to be of help."

But will they be there to help you in your time of need?

"Give credit where credit is due, Cathy," Elizabeth smirked. "I was only there to stitch up your dress. Anne is the one with all the sage advice."

Sage? More like saccharine.

"Tish-tosh!" Anne tried to protest.

"Don't go all missish on me," Elizabeth retorted. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have survived the Queen Mary either."

"Nonsense, girl. You would've just invited her outside to have a little... tête-à-tête," Anne laughed.

A lady... if she's a true one, never involves herself with fisticuffs; she would much rather have someone else fight her battles.

"True," she conceded. "But you're the one that told me the secret to survival. 'Don't play dumb. Men hate that. Be yourself and help your husband in any way you see fit. Be his helpmate not his adversary.'"

"Well..." Anne fidgeted with her blouse. She had forgotten her own counsel last night.

"Does Will know that you only talk business while you're dancing with the gentlemen?" Catherine asked.

Business? If that's what pillow talk is, then by all means, let it be called business.

"I'm not sure," Elizabeth shrugged. "But Andrew Long let it slip at your anniversary party and I thought he'd figured it out, but... well... he never said anything about it." She shuddered remembering, once again, that night two weeks ago and needed a distraction. "Oh goodness! We're here already!"

Anne, Catherine and Elizabeth nervously stood up to prepare for departure.

To meet their fate.

The last school bus had just driven off with the remaining children and Miss Bates. All that were left on the docks were Elizabeth, Anne and Catherine.

"See you tonight." Elizabeth waved. "8:00 pm, right?"

"As usual," Anne waved back.

Elizabeth got in her Mercedes and pulled off.

Goodbye and Good Luck!

"Well...?" Catherine hemmed.

"Would you mind dropping me off at Jane's?" Anne asked. "I want to see my boys for a minute. I'll walk the rest of the way."

Don't doddle. You might miss your chance. Opportunity rarely knocks on the same door twice.

"Sure. I want to check on little Henry as well."

Of course you do. It might be your only link...

***

"How was the outing?" Mrs. Bennet asked from her seat on the sofa in the great room; she had moved in with the Darcys after Mr. Bennet's death two years ago.

"Pretty good," Elizabeth answered as she rubbed her neck.

"Get a good workout?" she smiled.

Not like she usually does.

"Yeah..."

"You sound tired, Lizzy. Why don't you go up and take a leisurely bath in that Jacuzzi of yours. You got two hours."

"That's my plan, but I need a drink first." She went around the bar and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels. "You want?"

"Sure, honey. Make me a Crème de Menthe?"

"I don't know how you can drink that stuff," Elizabeth shook her head.

"Well... your husband recommended it and I like it."

"Hmpfh!" she harrumphed.

"Speakin' of your husband... I haven't seen him all day."

Elizabeth had been wanting to speak to her mother on this particular subject for a while now. "You might not ever see him again," she answered flippantly.

"What?"

"I said you might not see him again."

"What are you talkin' about?"

"Will..." Elizabeth lit a cigarette. "... might be gone for good."

"That's nonsense!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "Who put such a notion in your head?"

I did.

"It's not nonsense, Ma. Will and I... we're not... compatible..."

"Oh, hold your tongue, girl! That man loves you!"

"Pfffth!" she snorted.

'Pfffth!' is right! He never loved her. How could he? Such an unfeeling, selfish girl.

"It's the truth. Will loves the ground you walk on, honey."

"He never shows it."

"He buys you anything you want."

"Gifts!" she spat. "I don't want gifts, I want assurances."

You deserve neither.

"Lizzy... you're not the easiest person to be around... and I should know. I tried to raise you to express yourself, but your father taught you to be cynical. I couldn't beat the two of you if I tried." Mrs. Bennet smiled wanly. "People don't know how to take your wit. Will might be one of them. You, my dear, must give your husband an opening."

"I wish I could be sure."

"Sometimes it's better to be brave than sure."

Elizabeth sadly shook her head.

"I'm a good judge of character, so you mark my words..."

***

Anne really did need the walk. The babysitter was only 6 houses away from her own, but she needed the time to compose herself. It was embarrassing enough to breakdown in tears in front of her boys for no reason and more than a humiliating spectacle to do it front of others, but it could not be helped.

Never let 'em see you sweat, Anne. Isn't that your motto?

She placed her cold and trembling hands against her cheeks, took a deep breath, and opened the front door.

***

"Henry!" Catherine called out. "Henry!"

No answer.

She calmly walked up the stairs to her bedroom and opened the door. Not seeing anyone within, she went straight to the nightstand next to the bed and pushed a button on her answering machine. 'You have no new messages.'

I do so love answering machines. Expectations are immediate.

***

"Rick!" she called. "Rick!"

"I'm upstairs!" Wentworth called to her.

Anne wasted no time in racing up the stairs, throwing open their bedroom door and running to fling her arms around her husband.

"Oh Rick!" She kissed him all over his face. "I'm so happy to see you! Oh darling, I've missed you so much!"

He chuckled, but enjoyed it all the same.

"I'm so sorry, darling! I forgot your birthday and I've been miserable because of it!"

He pulled back from her. "It's okay, honey."

"No it isn't, darling! My family treated you horribly and I'll make it up to you." She feverishly kissed his lips. "It'll never happen again. I promise..."

After several minutes... Wentworth ventured to ask: "What's gotten into you this evening? And more importantly, why now when we have less than two hours before the Ball?"

"Two hours isn't nearly long enough, but it'll do... for now," Anne smirked as she unbuttoned his shirt.

***

"Mark your words for what, Fanny?" came a deep voice from the doorway.

Elizabeth gasped aloud.

"I told you so..." Mrs. Bennet winked at her daughter and then turned to her son-in-law. "Oh nothing, William. Lizzy and I were just... talking. You know how women are," she smiled.

"Unfortunately, I do," he said under his breath.

"Thank you, darling." The elder woman grabbed her drink off the bar and glided from the room. "Enjoy your evening!" she called over her shoulder.

Darcy looked at Elizabeth. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I..." she swallowed. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"I live here."

"Do you?"

"Last I checked." He narrowed his eyes. "Why the third degree?"

She drew on her cigarette for courage. "Mary Crawford's left town."

"Really."

"I thought you might've gone with her."

"And why would you think that?"

"She wrote a letter to Anne, Cathy and me, saying she was taking one of our husbands' with her."

"And you thought it was me. No, let me correct that. You hoped it was me." Darcy stepped up to the bar and leaned towards Elizabeth. "You hoped and prayed it was me. 6 years of marriage isn't quite long enough to convince a judge to overturn the prenuptial agreement, but adultery and flight is. I bet you were checking the accounts on the way home, weren't you?"

She glared. "So what if I did?"

"Despite your actions, I take my vows seriously."

"I haven't see much evidence of it," Elizabeth spat.

"I asked you to marry me, wasn't that proof enough?" he hissed dangerously.

"You never asked. You told me I won," she gritted.

"Didn't you?"

"Did I?" Elizabeth retorted with a raised an eyebrow.

"Well I'm here and you're stuck with me. For better or worse." Darcy walked away.

***

"Cathy!" he called to her.

And for the hundredth time that day, Catherine rubbed her fluttering stomach. "Hello!" she smiled.

"Where's Henry?" Wentworth asked.

"He's... been delayed."

"Well, come on in. Everybody's here."

Catherine put on a brave face and walked into the living room. "Good evening."

Anne and Elizabeth sucked in their breaths slowly.

"Where's Henry?" Darcy asked.

Elizabeth shot him a withering look.

"He had a late meeting," she answered calmly. "Oh Rick, I almost forgot. Happy birthday... from the Tilneys."

"Thank you, my dear." Wentworth took the gift and kissed Catherine's cheek.

Anne came and draped an arm around her shoulder; she so much wanted to embrace her friend. "Would you like a drink?" she asked as she blinked away the tears in her eyes.

"No thank you."

"Is there..." Elizabeth grabbed her hand and felt how cold it was. "Why don't you sit down. We won't be much longer."

Needless to say, the pre-party was much subdued.

***

"Men!" she hissed as she jumped into the car. "For you to be as smart as you claim to be, sometimes you're downright stupid!"

"Alright, I'll bite," he snarled. "What did I do now?"

"Nothing."

"What?"

"I said 'nothing'."

After that brief conversation, the Darcys were silent.

***

Catherine rode to the Ball with the Wentworths.

"Did you want to stay with us tonight?" Anne asked.

"I'll be fine," she said indifferently.

"Are you sure?" asked Wentworth, clueless about what was going on, but was concerned because his wife was apparently uneasy.

"I just... nevermind." She blinked away her fears. "Why didn't you go fishing today?"

"I had an interview."

"For what?" asked Anne - in her passionate return to her husband she forgot to ask where he had been.

"I applied for an Assistant Coaches job with the Pee-Wee league," he smiled. "My boys should be able to play this summer and who better than their father to teach them."

Catherine sighed and looked out the backseat window.

Anne smiled tremulously at her husband.

***

Their arrival at the Ball was duly noted. Greetings and gaiety abounded, laughter, drink and food were aplenty. Everyone asked after Tilney but was effectively convinced by Catherine that nothing was amiss. She did her duty as one of the Committee members and when that part was done with, she sat herself down at the table with steady composure and head held high.

***

Elizabeth danced and twirled on several songs and although she looked to be enjoying herself, her thoughts as well as her eyes kept drifting towards their table.

***

"What's the deal?"

"Hmm?" she asked into his shoulder.

"What's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been holding back tears all evening... What's going on?" Wentworth repeated.

Anne stopped dancing and pulled her husband into a corner. "Well..."

***

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "You do this without fail!"

He wasn't paying attention to the voice two seats away from him.

"Why don't you ask Lizzy to dance?"

"Why don't you ask Lizzy to dance?" Catherine repeated.

"I'm sure my wife would not enjoy the interruption," he sniffed.

"Men!" she hissed.

That got his attention, since it was the second time this night that he had been so heinously accused of being one, and he turned to her. "I'm not going to participate in something that would expose me to ridicule... especially by my wife."

"Lizzy would never do that. She loves you too much."

"Pardon me?" His eyes widened in shock.

"You heard me."

"I heard you, yes. But I'm at a loss as to why you would say something like that to me."

"Because it's time somebody said something to you."

"That should be between my wife and myself," he responded darkly.

"She's just afraid that you'll reject her. You have no idea what she would do... does... for you."

"You love her too, don't you? Don't bother to answer. I know it all!"

"You know nothing of the sort."

"Don't let your pride get in the way of true happiness, Will. Lizzy is the one woman who loves you for who you are not what you can do for her."

"You don't want to see it," she huffed. "You struck a deal, or so you think, and both of you put up a good front, but don't you see the way she practically melts when you're nice to her?"

"No," he answered petulantly. "She probably had her eye on another trinket and was just trying to butter me up. I know her game and it ain't love."

"You're confusing love with vulnerability, pain, avarice and culpability. That's no way to live to together. Lizzy truly loves you and the feeling is mutual."

"So you know me through and through?"

"Yes. It's clearly written on your face every time you look at her when you think no one is watching you. You're envious of everyone she speaks to or laughs at. Stop being such a pigheaded wimp and tell her."

"She's afraid, Will. You need to make the first move. Tell her!"

"Tell who, what?" asked Elizabeth as she sat down between her husband and friend.

"Nothing," Darcy quickly answered.

"Tell-her!" Catherine glared.

"What's going on?" Anne asked as she came to the table.

"Tell her, Will!" Catherine was practically screaming now.

"Will, what did you do?!" Elizabeth spat.

Darcy shook his head; he had never seen Catherine this upset and his mind was reeling with the many tip-offs and hints from the past that had been filed away into his subconscious. The Wentworths sat down on either side of her to calm her.

"Tell her, Will. Please?"

Wentworth poured her some water; his wife had taken him aside earlier and told him her suspicions about Tilney's absence; he was shocked beyond belief but would do all he could to comfort Catherine.

"Hush Cathy," Anne soothed and patted her friend's hand. "Everybody's looking."

"I don't care! Tell her Will, before it's too late!" she implored. "You won't regret it."

"Tell her!"

"Rick, get the car," Anne demanded.

"Oh don't let me spoil your evening!" Catherine exclaimed in extreme agitation. "I'm just a foolish country hick in the... in the first trimester of her pregnancy and whose husband has left her for another woman!"

They all lurched like they had taken a blow to the stomach. None of them had known about the baby. She hadn't even told her husband yet.

"Excuse me!" Catherine got up from her chair.

"Wait!" Darcy called and grabbed her hand before she ran off. "Wait Cathy, please?"

"Go ahead." Catherine tried to smile down at him through her tears. "At least you'll be happy. But you don't need me to witness it."

"Cathy..." Darcy drew a deep breath and whispered "It wasn't Henry."

Everyone looked at him in confusion and wariness, but no one said anything.

"It wasn't Henry," he repeated firmly.

"What...?" Catherine startled - not trusting what he was implying but hoping it all the same.

"Sit down." At Catherine's hesitation, Darcy said "Please?" She nodded and practically crumpled into the chair to his left. "It wasn't Henry that was supposed to run off with Mary... it was me."

Catherine let out a small sob.

The Wentworths gasped.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and bowed her head.

"She tried to get me to go with her, but I..." Darcy hesitated as he looked into Catherine's encouraging eyes. "I... I love my wife."

Elizabeth looked up in shock.

Of its own volition, an empty champagne glass tipped over.

Ah well... I guess it wasn't meant to be. It doesn't reflect badly on me, however. Not in the least. I just chose a weak man. He was a hopeless case and I should've seen that.

Slow smiles of approval spread across Catherine, Anne and Wentworth's faces.

"Contrary to popular opinion and despite the fact that I've never told her... I really do love her." He slowly turned to his wife. "Ardently."

A stunned Elizabeth gazed at Darcy; her fine eyes (tears pooling in their ducts) drawing him in.

"I love you, Elizabeth. I always have."

"I love you too, Will," she sniffled. "Since the very beginning."

The happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before, and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. They embraced and kissed as though it was their first time.

A total want of propriety.

After a few moments, she pulled away. "But two weeks ago you said you wanted to end it."

"I wanted to end the conversation... just as I do right now." He gave her a significant look.

"Oh, Will..." she cried into his shoulder.

Darcy kissed her hair and in whispered entreaty profusely apologized for being an arrogant jerk and how he feared that she married him for his money yet was afraid to lose her and therefore used his disdainful façade to hide the hurt. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.

I can't believe that I actually liked the man, let alone thought I loved him. The lies I had to tell... Folly to the extreme.

At last, Elizabeth apologized, though not very fluently, for seeming such a gold-digging witch. The Darcys went back to their interrupted activity of kissing.

"What in the devil is going on here? Has the world gone mad or is Will making out with Lizzy?"

"Henry!" Catherine cried and jumped up to greet her husband.

"Hello, love." Tilney embraced his wife and kissed her. "Miss me?"

"So very dearly."

"I missed you too. Lord knows Reverend Lewis is long-winded, but today she took the cake."

"As long as you're here with me, nothing else matters." Catherine stroked his face tenderly and smiled then she stood on her tiptoes and planted a soft one on his lips. "Henry... I'm having a baby," she whispered against his lips.

"Yes, I know."

"You do?!" she gasped.

"Yes, darling. You've been a little edgy of late... and when you accused me of appreciating Mary more than you, my suspicions were confirmed."

"Oh... Henry..."

Tilney kissed Catherine's tears away.

This is utterly sickening. I'm feeling ill.

The Wentworths were hard pressed not to cry at the scenes before them. He brought an arm around her shoulder and pulled her toward him; she looked up and smiled.

"I love you," Wentworth whispered.

"I love you too," Anne sighed just before their lips met, briefly.

"Did you really think I would leave you?"

"I'm sorry I doubted you, but Mary can be rather persuasive... and we did quarrel last night."

"A little bump in the road would never sway me to another. It didn't do it the first time, nor will it ever. Since I met you, I never even looked at another woman."

"Not even Mary?"

"Not even Mary," Wentworth smiled. "We were meant for each other."

"As long as we both shall live." Anne leaned in for another kiss and was obliged diligently by her husband.

Really! Must you do this in public?

Tilney released his hold on his wife, looked around and said "Must be something in the water."

"Oh Henry!" Catherine giggled. "It's the Champagne!"

They all laughed.

So I made a teensy tiny little mistake. So, sue me. I've learned my lesson and now need only to move on. But what am I to do with this extra ticket? Hmm? There are still some good pickings left tonight... I have to be sweet, sly and slick, as is my usual, but I must find my next conquest and soon... I wonder if George Knightley can be persuaded to...

"Let's go home."

Go! Go! For I should never want to see you again.

"Here! Here!"

The motion was carried and all removed.

"And let's forget Mary Crawford ever existed," Darcy whispered into his wife's ear.

"Here, here!" Elizabeth sighed.