Truth or Dare?
Knock Knock.
“Come in,” called Elizabeth Bennet. It was a stormy night that had prevented Lizzie and Jane from returning home after dining with the Bingleys, Mr. and Miss Darcy. All the occupants met this with great joy, though it was show more by some than others, except Miss Caroline Bingley who glared at Lizzie.
Georgiana entered the room dressed in a flowing nightgown and a matching dressing gown.
“Are you comfortable here? Sorry that we couldn't have two rooms prepared with such sort notice and all,” she said quietly.
“Yes, very thank you and you need not apologize because one we wouldn't have it any other way and two it's not your house. Would you care to stay the night with us? You know like a girl's night together,” offered Jane. The young girls face lit up in response.
She rushed over and sat down next to Lizzie.
“So what do we do?” she asked.
“Play games and talk. We use to do this with our sisters occasionally,” said Eliza, “tell me are you fond of checkers?”
“Oh yes, my brother and I use to play when we were younger,” she replied. They searched the room and found a basket of buttons and using a checkered sheet began their game.
It was Jane vs. Georgiana while Elizabeth waited to play the winner however, she did not need to wait long because Georgiana proved very skilled at the game. Elizabeth was more of a challenge and after half an hour, the young girl was defeated. They carried on like this for another hour telling stories of their past.
“Do you remember that silly game Lydia made-up, truth of dare?” Eliza laughed at the memory.
“Yes I do,” she said shuddering at the distant memory.
Could we play it, if it's not too much trouble that is,” asked Georgiana. Jane and Lizzie exchanged worried glances and explained that her darkest secrets might be told and she could have to do something very embarrassing. This however did not change her decision.
“Very well, then you may start. Ask one of us truth or dare and if truth then ask us a question and if dare then tell us to do something,” explained Jane.
“Jane, truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“What is the worst lie you have ever told?”
“A few years ago, Lizzie and I where running a muck the countryside and ended up throwing mud at each other. Well Mother inquired to our stat I told her that we were splashed by a passing carriage,” she replied blushing slightly, “now Lizzie, truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to jump up and down while clucking like a chicken.” She completed her dare much to the amusement of the other girls.
“Now Miss Darcy, truth or dare?” She thought about it and decided on dare.
“Your brother is very protective of you no? Then I dare you to walk up to him in nothing but your nightgown and have the sleeve falling off,” she said. The young woman look very shocked though slightly amused at the idea and after sending a playful glare at her left to finish her task.
xxxxxxx
Fitzwilliam Darcy was sitting in the library deeply involved in a book when there came a soft tapping (A/N like someone softly rapping) at the door. Called them in fully expecting it to be Charles. He did not intend for it to be his sister… hardly dressed. She was not wearing a dressing gown and her sleeve was falling off her shoulder. He did not realize that he had dropped is book or that his jaw was hanging in a very improper way until she pushed it up.
“Good night dear brother,” she said and left. He had never seen his sister act so he had to follow her. He remained a few feet behind her a observed that she was returning not to her room but to that of the Miss Bennets. He was just about to enter and demand an explanation but was stopped by an outburst of laughter.
“It was so funny. He was speechless. His jaw dropped and he was unaware of everything as his book fell and he did not notice. Now out of revenge Miss Elizabeth truth or dare?” asked a voice that he guessed to be Georgiana's.
Mr. Darcy sat outside their room listening to their game. He soon learned that Lizzie feared horses due to receiving a bad bite, Jane once wanted to be an actress, and Georgiana fancied Colonel Fitzwilliam, much to his disliking. Not long after that Mr. Bingley tripped over his outstretched feet causing him to fall right on his face.
“My God Darcy! You should be more careful. Why are you sitting outside my dear Jane's room?”
“”Because my sister is in there and they are playing an very interesting game,” he managed to reply before the door he had been leaning against was opened.
“Good evening Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley. Have you been out listening the entire time?” she choked out between laughing at the sight in front of her. Mr. Bingley was sitting in the hall and the mighty Darcy was laying at her feet caught by surprise.
“Most of it actually though Bingley just dropped in,” he answered truthfully. Jane then asked if they would care to join them.
“Sure, why not? Come Darcy,” Bingley answered. The two gentlemen drew up chairs and the game proceeded.
It was Georgiana's turn.
“Mr. Bingley truth or dare?”
“Truth miss,” he replied.
“What was your most embarrassing moment.”
“When I was eighteen, I was attending a ball and asked this lady to dance. Well everything was going fine when in the middle of our dance I tripped over the rug. I naturally grabbed the nearest thing I could, my dance partner. To say the least she was furious,” he reminisced turning red, “Miss Bennet truth or dare?”
“Dare,” Jane said.
“Do your best impression of Mr. Darcy,” Bingley said but was promptly pushed out of his chair by his friend. It took a moment for Jane to regain her composer as she was stunned, along with most of the party, to see Mr. Darcy do something so rash. Then she pulled her best cold and angry face. Everyone burst out laughing.
“Mr. Darcy truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“What do you think of my sister?”
“I think that she is a charming and very opinionated woman who's acquaintance I do not regret in the least,” he said holding back so much, “Georgiana?”
“Truth,” she said a bit worried at what her brother would ask her.
“Who was the first person you ever fancied?” he asked grinning menacingly. His younger sister shot him a death glare and then said something to quiet to hear. Her brother prompted her to speak up.
“Mr. Bingley, when I was twelve,” she hurriedly replied glowing red.
“Lizzie?” she asked.
“Truth as that seems to be a trend here,” she replied.
“Have you ever been proposed to and if so by who?” Elizabeth glared at the girl for a moment before speaking.
“Tom Jenkins, the blacksmith's son, though he was drunk, Mr. Collins, and,” she paused and looked down at the quilt, “Mr. Darcy.”
The couple blushed furiously and the two girls stared in disbelief at the two. Mr. Bingley had fallen off his chair and was now recovering it.
“Mr. Bingley, truth or dare?”
“D-d-dare,” he said still stunned by the awareness for his friends partiality for the girl only months ago he had called tolerable.
“I dare you to tell us what you think of Jane without holding anything back,” she said faking innocence.
“I think that she is an intelligent, agreeable and very handsome young women who is so adorable when she blushes,” he said adding the last bit as Jane blushed with embarrassment, “Darcy, truth or dare?”
“Well sense I am going to be asked the same thing no matter what truth,” he said exasperatedly.
“Tell us about this proposal we've heard so little about.”
“You want me to quote it word for word.”
“Yes.” Mr. Darcy pushed his friend out of his chair again before beginning.
“Very well, `Miss Elizabeth, I have struggled and I can bear it no longer. These last months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single objective to see you. I fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth, my rank and circumstances, and I am willing to put all these things aside to ask you to end my agony. I love you, most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand,” he said with his eyes filling with tears at the distant memories.
“I think we should call it a night,” Elizabeth said breaking the thick silence that fell. Everyone agreed and Mr. Darcy gave her a thankful look.
“Miss Bennet I was wondering if I might have a private audience with you in the hall?” Bingley asked Jane. They stepped out into the hall and a few minutes later reappeared in the room with huge smiles on their faces.
“So what was that about?” Lizzie asked with a knowing look on her face.
“Mr. Bingley and I are engaged,” Jane said and was then almost knocked to the ground as her sister and Georgiana pulled her into a hug. Darcy on the other hand just offered his congratulations and shook hands with Bingley, which was the highest praise to receive from him being so closed up. After a few more minutes, the two men did finally leave and the girls fell into excited conversation.
“Jane I am so happy for you. Hopefully the rain will let up so that you can go tell Mama and Papa,” Lizzie told her eldest sister.
“Oh yes, you are so lucky ad I wish you nothing but pure happiness. I hope I will be as lucky,” Georgiana said softly.
“I am very happy. I feel like I could just die right now. I hope you all will find happiness too that is equal or if possible greater to how I feel right now,” she replied to them both and then turned to her sister, “though I think that you aren't to far behind Lizzie.” Her sister gave her a puzzled look.
“I am talking about you and Darcy. He seems to be very much in love with you still and I am sure that I am not the only one who saw the tears in his eyes,” she answered.
“He is; he talks about you quite a bit. I would love to have a sister who is a wonderful as you. So tell me do you return his feelings or if he were to ask would you refuse him again?” Georgiana asked.
“I honestly don't know,” she answered, “I mean my opinion of him has changed drastically but to say I love him I couldn't say.”
After a few more hours Jane and Miss Darcy finally fell asleep but Elizabeth could not.
The two men retired to Bingley's study, as neither where the least bit tired. He poured them each a glass of scotch and they settled into two armchairs by the fire.
“Well that was exciting,” the host said, “I am sorry we had to leave so soon and to leave the company of Miss Jane.”
“Yes it was exciting and some of the content was amusing though I am glad that it ended sooner rather than later. I'm also glad that you have finally found someone to be happy with who is so good natured and charming as Jane. I wish you the best of luck,” his friend replied. Bingley then bombarded his friend with questions about a certain young woman, which were answered reluctantly. Darcy admitted that it was not love at first sight though it wasn't long after. He also told of his harsh rejection, and how his pride had pushed her away. It was a brutal reality check.
During this conversation their glasses where refilled several times, and Bingley noticed that around the fifth glass Darcy was starting to be less composed than normal. `Perfect.' All according to plan.
“Darcy truth or dare.”
“Oh god Charles no.”
“Oh come on, please?”
“Very well, truth.”
“Do you love Eliza?”
“More than life itself, I thought I made that clear tonight. Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Well aren't we the exciting pair. Very well how did you propose to Jane?”
“It was a very classic proposal. I got on my knee, told her how I loved her, and asked her to marry me. Nothing creative, truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to propose to Elizabeth if you truly love her as you claim,” Bingley said hoping that Darcy couldn't hold his alcohol like he thought. Now normally Bingley would have received the infamous Darcy stare but tonight, thanks to the drink, Darcy had a thoughtful look about him. Suddenly he stood up and quitted the room saying only one thing.
“Thank you Charles.”
xxxxxxxxx
Lizzie was brought out of her thoughts by a series of loud taps at her window.
“Lizzie what is that?” Jane asked her groggily. She told her that she wasn't sure and approached the window.
“It's Mr. Darcy!” she exclaimed, waking Georgiana and causing them to run over to her.
“What does he want?” Georgiana asked.
“Let's see. Mr. Darcy what are you doing?” she called out the now open window.
“My fair Elizabeth,
`Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.'”
Elizabeth was grateful that it was dark because her face was turning bright red. She was also trying not to laugh at eh most ridicules, but none the less sweet, thing he had ever done. Her roommates, however, were crying at the sweet gesture.
“'So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives beauty to thee'.
Now would you please join me, Miss Elizabeth, down here?”
The three girls scurried about the room looking for her shoes and coat and two minutes later Lizzie was being pushed out the door with words of luck being called behind her. She ran down the stairs and out the back door to find him leaning against a wall a few feet from her. As she approached, he stood up.
“Now Miss Eliza truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Do you love me?” she was shocked by his forwardness.
“Yes I do,” she answered truthfully, “truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Show me how you feel,” and as soon as she said that did he sweep her into a breath-taking kiss. It was gentle and passionate, the mirror of his feelings.
“Will you marry me?” he asked her when he pulled away.
“Yes, dear god yes. I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she whispered, feeling like she could happily die in his arms.
“As mush as I would love to stay here like this, I fear that I must return you to your room as we have much to do in the morning,” he told her and they walked to door.
“I have one question for you. Why are you so poetic all of a sudden?”
“Scotch has that affect on me,” he told her and earned a heartfelt laugh, “Oh one last thing, tell my sister that if I ever see her do something as rash as we just did, may God have mercy on her.” She laughed again at this, knowing that he loved his little sister too much, but promised to pass it on.
She walked to her room in a dreamlike state but as she entered the room quickly found she falling to the ground as her sister and sister-to-be tackled hugged her. They then proceeded to drown her with congratulations and wishes of their felicity.
“Thank you but can I get off the ground,” the hastily agreed and she pulled herself up, “and before I forget, Georgiana, your brother says that if he ever sees you do something so rash as that then only God can save you though I'm sure your sisters probably could as well.” They all laughed at this and Georgiana relished in the fact that she now had seven sisters.
“As happy as we all are we need to go to bed. It is already 3:00. Lizzie and I have a lot to do tomorrow. Hopefully mother won't die of shock,” Jane said and they all laughed as they climbed back into bed.
Due to the long night, almost everyone slept late, until about noon. Caroline, who had retired early the night before, was quite surprised that the rest of the house was still asleep. Mr. Darcy always rose early and one of the first down, and her brother never slept later than nine. As for the ladies, she was not so sure about, but after ten o'clock was considered improper and decided that she would need to talk to Darcy about Georgiana's sleeping habits. When the others did show up though, they all rushed out of the house with no more than and explanation that the gentlemen needed to attend to some urgent business and would be taking the Miss Bennets home who both said their departing wishes to she her again soon. She was once again left alone except for Georgiana who was quieter than usual.
Charles and Darcy had agreed ahead of time that Caroline should not be told about their engagements until they had returned from Longbourne as to avoid the unpleasant conversation that would follow. Luckily everyone slept late so conversation was avoided before they left and the women had been intercepted before hand so that Georgiana could be told their plan and save her from the wrath of Caroline Bingley. She understood completely.
The family was in the parlor, minus Lydia of course, and Bingley and Darcy requested to speak with Mr. Bennet and the three disappeared into his study. This left Jane and Eliza to softly break the news to their mother and sisters.
“Whatever was that about?” she asked concerning the disappearance of her husband and her, unknowingly, two soon-to-be son-in-laws.
“They wishes to discuss something that happened last night with Father,” Lizzie quickly explained. Mrs. Bennet's first thought then was that some terrible crime had been committed.
“No Mama, Mr. Bingley proposed last night and I accepted,” Jane replied shyly.
“Oh Jane! I'm so happy for you. I knew he could never refuse you,” she replied while pulling her eldest daughter in a hug, “but why did Mr. Darcy go to?”
“To ask for permission to marry me,” Elizabeth answered more confidently than Jane had.
“Elizabeth! This is no time for your sarcasm! How dare you ruin this happy moment for dear Jane!”
“I assure you that she does not jest. I saw the whole thing,” Jane reassured her mother.
“Lizzie engaged to Mr. Darcy?” and she fainted.
“Oh dear. Should I get the salts?” Mary asked snapping out of her stunned silence. Kitty was still incapable of speech.
“No I think we should just let her be for now and if she doesn't come around in ten minutes time then yes,” Jane answered.
“Oh and congratulations you two, I am happy for the both of you as is Kitty,” Mary told her older sisters. Just then Charles entered the room with a huge smile on his face and headed towards Jane to tell her the news. Darcy, on the other hand looked slightly nervous which alarmed his fiancé.
“Your father wished to speak with you first. Is she alright?” he asked upon spotting Mrs. Bennet.
“She will be. She fainted when I told her about us,” she informed him, earning a musical laugh.
“Don't worry,” he told her as he pulled her into a hug and kissed her temple before allowing her to go to her father.
xxx
Minutes before…
“Please be seated. So what can I do for you gentlemen?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“We would like to ask for your daughters' hands in matrimony,” Bingley began.
“Both of you?” Me. Bennet asked in confusion. He had suspected Charles of being affectionate towards Jane but Mr. Darcy? Never had he imagined this.
“Have they agreed to this already?”
“Yes they have,” Mr. Darcy finally said.
“Well then… could I possibly speak to you individually.
“Of course sir. Bingley can go first as you were the first engaged,” he answered Mr. Bennet and Bingley's questioning look. He stepped out of the room and had only to wait five minutes until his friend exited saying that he would wait for him. He didn't need to be told his friend's answer as it was written across his face.
“Good natured boy he is. He and Jane will do well together without a doubt. Now done to business, you and Lizzie. You must know that I won't be able to give you much for her. We are not wealthy at all but she is an incredible young lady and I can't give her to just anyone. I need to know that she will be happy. Until now I did not know that anything but dislike existed between you two. How do I know that she'll be happy with you?” Mr. Bennet asked him.
“Sir when I first meet your daughter I did not give her much thought. I will admit that. But soon after words she began to occupy my every thought. I have come to regard her as the most intelligent, charming, witty, handsome, and amazing woman I have ever met. I fell in love with her in not a month but I could not show her. She has also taught me a great lesson. Because of her I feel I've become a better person. She may not be the most proper woman but she is the most unique and loving one and I respect and admire that. She has made me so happy and I know with time it will only increase. As for how I know that she will be happy is the fact that she accepted me. The first time I proposed to her, and please do not ask me about that now, she readily refused me. She told me that I could never be able to make her happy but this time she agreed most sincerely. There was not a look of doubt in her eyes. As for the dowry, do not worry, I ask nothing of you other than your consent,” he finished praying that his argument would be enough.
Mr. Bennet was stunned silent. He never expected this from the proud man but here he was confessing undying love for the very girl that he slighted last fall. Finally words came back to him.
“Well Mr. Darcy, I do not doubt your feelings for her but I would like to speak with Elizabeth before I give my answer,” Mr. Bennet said finally.
“I'll send her in,” he said as he exited the room.
“I think things aren't going as well in there,” Bingley said as his friend still looking joyous, “what's wrong Darcy?”
“I just showed more emotion to a stranger than I have ever showed to one in my life, and he wished to speak with Lizzie first,” he explained as they walked back to the parlor. Charles ran ahead of him when they got closer. Darcy tried to put on a brave face for Elizabeth but from the look on her face, he had failed.
“Your father wishes to speak with you first,” he told her and then he spotted the matriarch sprawled across the sofa, “is she alright?”
“She will be. She fainted when I told her about us,” she told him and he laughed imaging that. `That's not a good sign.' She turned to leave but instead he pulled her to him and kissed her temple.
“Don't worry,” he said to partly her but mostly to himself trying to believe everything would work out. She smiled up at him at reluctantly left the room. He stared after her for a minute, oblivious to the stares he received until Bingley spoke up.
“Well it would appear that the mighty Darcy has been struck down by Cupid's arrow. Don't worry man, Lizzie will put his worries to rest,” Charles teased his friend.
“Did he really call her Lizzie?” Kitty asked trying to imagine Mr. Darcy calling her that. Mr. Darcy just rolled his eyes in response to everyone's amusement.
xxx
20 minutes later…
“He agreed!” Elizabeth cried as she ran into her fiancés arms with such force that she threw him to the ground.
“That's wonderful love. However I think we should get up off the floor,” Fitzwilliam said as his face reddened at the failed attempts to control laughter by the young people. Mrs. Bennet on the other hand was over come with joy.
“Oh blessed day! Two daughters engaged and to such fine and wealthy men too. Oh, we are saved. Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley you must stay for dinner. Nothing fancy I fear but we will celebrate none the less,” Mrs. Bennet told her “saviors.”
“We'd love to,” Bingley replied.
“However we must return to Netherfield first. Bingley has to tell his sister and I must write to my aunt and cousin. If you will please give my thanks to Mr. Bennet I would be very appreciative,” he and Bingley then both made as if to leave when he suddenly turned back, “ Mrs. Bennet, would it be too much trouble if I were to bring my sister as well?”
“Of course not, I've heard so much about her that I look forward to meeting her. Miss Bingley is welcome too. Girls why don't you walk them to the door,” she replied.
“Thank you. I will extend the invitation to her though I do believe that Miss Caroline was feeling ill this morning,” he lied as Elizabeth took his arm.
“Very clever, Mr. Darcy. So now you have the joy of telling Caroline that she did not win your heart?”
“Yes and I am not looking forward to it. So if I do not return then you know that all did not go well,” he joked.
“Would it be easier if I dared you to?”
“I fear not. Well my love, I will see you in five hours,” he replied and let her go to face the lion.
xxx
“Good to see you home? Is everything taken care of now?” Caroline greeted them.
“Yes, Caroline we need to talk,” Bingley told her. He led her toward the sitting room followed by Mr. Darcy.
“What's this all about Charles? Is something wrong?”
“My dear sister, Mr. Darcy and I are engaged to the two eldest Miss Bennets. We left this morning to speak with their father,” there he said. A tension filled the room as had never been known before. All color drained from Caroline's face and her hands clenched into fists.
“Are… you… two…CRAZY?” Bingley flinched and Darcy was slightly unnerved, “Why would you do such a thing? Look at their family, connections, and lack of fortune. They have nothing to offer either of you. What possessed you to do this?”
“Love, Miss Bingley, love. That was the ultimate deciding factor. Their family may not be the wealthiest, greatest, or even the most sensible but there is nothing truly wrong with them. Actually their Aunt and Uncle in London are two of the nicest people I ever met and I have no problem connecting myself to them. Maybe one day you will see that,” Darcy cried.
“That maybe fine for you but Charles doesn't have that choice. We are not so fortunate as you so he needs to choice better. I can't allow you to let our family down.”
“That is not your choice! I could not live with myself if I passed up my one chance at true happiness. Caroline I love her and if you cannot understand that then maybe you should go to London with our sister until you can,” Bingley explained. The other occupants were stunned at this outburst, Never had they heard him raise his voice before. Darcy couldn't help but be proud of him.
“Oh course Charles, I understand completely. I am sorry that I questioned your judgment and I wish the four of you the best of happiness,” she said and left the room quickly.
“Well Charles I'm impressed. I have never heard you stand up for your self like that,” Darcy said.
“I don't know what came over me,” he replied.
“You defended your future wife. Now if you don't mind, I have two letters to write and I need to recover the large amount of emotion I have shown in the last 24 hours,” he said and retreated to his room.