More Agreeably Engaged

Summary

The morning of Mr. Collins's proposal, Elizabeth leaves Longbourn for a walk, furious at the parson for proposing and her mother for pressing her to accept, eager to put some distance between herself and those who would persecute her. While walking, she meets a most unexpected acquaintance.

Fitzwilliam Darcy is dealing with frustrations of his own. Caroline Bingley, fearful that her brother means to propose to what she considers an unsuitable woman, has demanded that Darcy support her determination to prevent him from making a drastic mistake. While Darcy might have agreed with her view, what she suggests strikes him as deceitful.

Their meeting on the path proves fortuitous, for it allows them a chance to work past their first impressions. As they meet every day the following week, they understand more of each other, their regard growing, barriers between them falling. While misunderstandings drove them apart, on the paths of Longbourn estate they have the chance to set all right between them and attain happiness together that neither thought possible.