One day, at breakfast, in Brighton, Colonel Forster decided to have another cup of coffee. This trivial decision changed everything. Because the Colonel stayed longer in the breakfast parlor, when he exited it afterward, it was just in time to see a letter delivered to Lydia – from Wickham. The colonel confiscated it, he read it; Wickham's plans were thwarted, Lydia didn't run away.

This means that when Elizabeth met Darcy again at Pemberley, her stay wasn't interrupted by the news of Lydia's elopement. And when Darcy went to visit Elizabeth at the inn at Lambton, that morning, when Elizabeth was alone in the little parlor, reading Jane's letters, he didn't find her in tears, but ready to have a reasonable conversation.

Darcy was clearly determined to say… something… to Elizabeth, that morning.

But what?

Different ways this conversation could have turned out...

-X-

Option One: the right, respectable way

When Mr. Darcy entered the parlor in his own peculiar and decided way, Elizabeth was seated on the blue chair near the sofa, quietly reading. She smiled and stood up.

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy," she said amiably. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner have walked to the church. I am just reading some letters from Jane."

"Good morning, Miss Bennet," he answered. He walked to the middle of the room, and… stopped. In the early days of their acquaintance, Elizabeth would have been taken aback, but she was more used to his ways now. She drew a chair for him – still smiling.

"Will you not sit down?"

"No." He clasped his hands behind his back and watched her for a moment, with an impenetrable look. "I hope Miss Bennet is in good health?"

"She is," Elizabeth answered, thinking that it was not the first time Mr. Darcy had barged into a small parlor, while she was alone, reading Jane's letters – she felt color rising to her cheeks, and continued, "Please thank your sister for the extremely pleasant afternoon we spent together yesterday, Mr. Darcy. You weren't exaggerating. Georgiana plays beautifully."

"She does," Mr. Darcy replied, but his attention was clearly elsewhere. "Miss Bennett, I was hoping I would find you alone."

Elizabeth was too embarrassed to reply. Mr. Darcy took two steps forward, was silent for a few moments more, then started to say, in a very formal tone,

"Miss Bennet, I didn't come to renew my addresses to you – not yet, at least." She could only look at him. "I know it is too early for such a step. But my feelings for you are unchanged. Your refusal in Hunsford made your opinion of me extremely clear, but I want… I wish…" His voice broke, briefly, he paused, then started again, "I would like the opportunity to try to change your mind. I could visit you at Longbourn, if you… If you allowed it…"

He stopped – maybe his speech was over, or maybe he had just lost his nerve. Elizabeth's composure was quite lost too – she was seized by contradictory emotions – his gaze had not left her – she realized, after a few moments, that he was waiting for her answer.

"Mr. Darcy," she began, her voice unsteady, "I…" She felt that her hands were slightly trembling. "Please, allow me first to apologize for my conduct at Hunsford. I am so ashamed of it now. When I read your letter, I…" She paused, looking for words, and forgetting them all when she saw the intensity in his eyes.

"You… believed me," he commented, after a while. "You trusted my version of the events."

"Of course."

"I thought so yesterday, but I was not entirely sure…" he said, his voice very low, "you hated me so much."

"I did," she said, with a short tense laugh, "but…" The voices of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner resonated in the hall.

"Where is Elizabeth?" Mrs. Gardiner was saying, in a hurried, worried tone. "We must tell her to pack – she has to be ready as soon as possible…"

Darcy and Elizabeth both looked toward the door – Mr. Darcy was not very close to Elizabeth, but he still took a step back – the door opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner entered, looking rather distraught.

"Elizabeth," Mrs. Gardiner explained, in a strained voice, "I am so sorry – we have to alter our plans. We have received the most dreadful news from London. One of our warehouses burned down – we must leave at once."

Elizabeth exclaimed – and asked about the workers, and Mr. and Mrs. Salers, who oversaw the place, "We don't know much yet," Mr. Gardiner explained, while his wife was already starting the necessary arrangements, giving hurried orders to servants, "Mr. and Mrs. Salers are unharmed, but we don't know about the others…" Mr. Darcy asked questions, and offered his help, but there was nothing he could do, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had to go back to town as soon as possible, and Elizabeth had to follow – she ran back to her room, fortunately, she hadn't much to pack – when she came down again Mr. Darcy was conversing with Mr. Gardiner about insurance matters and the parlor was in a flurry of activity, servants coming and going. Mr. Gardiner went to his wife, Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth.

"Our conversation was interrupted," he said, in a low voice. On his right, Martin was carrying Mr. Gardiner's trunk. Near the door, the coachman was having a heated discussion with the innkeeper concerning the horses.

"Yes," Elizabeth answered, in the same tone. Then, "Yes. My family and I would be honored to receive your visit in Longbourn, sir."

He watched her for a few moments – they were very close – sharing a strange intimacy in the crowded, noisy room. "Miss Bennett, I seem to have some difficulty interpreting your statement. Is it politeness?"

She looked at him, trying, but not succeeding, to hide her emotion. "No." She took a breath. "I made a hasty, foolish judgment," she continued - she couldn't hold his gaze and decided to stare at the floor instead, "I am happy for… grateful for… any possibility of… renewing our acquaintance," her cheeks were burning now - there was a silence – and then Darcy took her hand in his, and didn't let go.

He didn't let go when Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner left the parlor – he just lowered his arm, so their hands were hidden between the two of them - fortunately the Gardiners were so preoccupied they didn't pay real attention to their niece; he didn't let go when the trunks were carried out, one by one – it took some time, one of the trunks was not closed properly – servants were exasperated; Darcy and Elizabeth didn't even look at each other, she felt her heart beating so fast – meanwhile the innkeeper and the coachman's dispute had deteriorated into angry yelling. Darcy turned to her, "Can I escort you outside?" he breathed, she nodded, so he had to let go of her hand, at last, to offer his arm, they walked through the main dining room in a perfectly respectable manner – except maybe a bit slowly – and in absolute silence. Outside - the horses and the mud and the bustle – and soon the angry voice of the innkeeper - the trunks were installed, and then the carriage had to be moved a few feet because – the reasons were unclear, or maybe Elizabeth was not paying attention – anyway – the horses moved, and for a few moments Darcy and Elizabeth found themselves alone in the interval created by the inn on one side and the left door of the carriage on the other.

It was just a few seconds, he took her hand again, he seemed ready to say something – there was a deep emotion on his face – unfortunately, Mrs. Gardiner chose that moment to call her niece. Darcy ignored the interruption, "Is there a chance," he began – "Elizabeth!" called Mrs. Gardiner in a worried voice, Elizabeth held Darcy's hand tighter – their eyes locked – but Mr. Gardiner was walking toward them – Elizabeth threw a last look at Darcy, and left.

Mr. Bingley's return to Netherfield was announced less than ten days after.