Three Dances and an Engagement

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Prologue

Posted on Monday, 1 April 2002

The candles guttered in their sockets in the upper story room at Netherfield. The servants were too busy with the Ball downstairs, and the solitary occupant of the room was too preoccupied to call for new ones.

So in the lowering candlelight he stood at the window looking out and twisting the ring on his little finger.

However, one should not think that this playing with the small ring was a nervous fancy or a habit, for its owner was deep in contemplation of the ring and its meaning.

It had been made on the order of the first Fitzwilliam Darcy, the soldier who had come to England with the Conqueror in 1066. The King had granted this Darcy the first land in Derbyshire as a reward for his valour in battle. That Fitzwilliam Darcy had fallen in love with a Saxon woman, and with the same determination that had rewarded him with land, had also dispatched his rivals and won her for his own. Hers was the ring originally, crafted by the finest of Saxon goldsmiths, and given by the first Fitzwilliam Darcy to his wife as a token of his devotion.

Family tradition for the next seven hundred years had been that the ring was worn by the heir to the estate, until he chose a bride. It was then worn by her as the Mistress of Pemberley till the next generation. It was also rumoured that the ring had never been altered in all seven hundred years of its existence, and while Darcy doubted that, close examination could not detect any sign of alteration.

Fitzwilliam Darcy looked out of the window to observe the arrival of the carriage he had been waiting for. His eyes strained in the darkness that was outside, but yes, she was here, Miss Elizabeth Bennet had arrived. His expression softened as he saw how beautiful she looked in her ball gown, simply adorned, yet with an elegance that put the Miss Bingleys of the world to shame.

He abruptly pulled away from the window, and speaking softly, not so much to himself, but to the ring on his finger. "Soon you will be leaving me little one, and taking your rightful place on the hand of the next Mistress of Pemberley".

With that he quitted the room and headed down to the ball.

Chapter 1

Posted on Monday, 1 April 2002

Elizabeth Bennet looked around the ballroom at Netherfield, and was not pleased. Her cursory inspection of the room had not been able to find Mr. Wickham, and her mood was not improved by advice from one of the other officers, that Mr. Wickham had decided to be absent 'on business,' but it did not take too much of her imagination, nor the significant toss of the head of her informant to make her realize that Mr. Darcy was the cause of her deprivation. Nor was she heartened by the fact that the first set of dances was claimed by her cousin, the rather officious, and she suspected, lecherous, Mr. Collins.

Her expectations of happiness for the evening were first of all trodden down literally by the clumsy foot work of Mr. Collins, and the lingering stroking of her hands by his rather sweaty fingers. But her fate for the evening was sealed by her acceptance of the hated Mr. Darcy for the next set of dances.

Elizabeth was annoyed with herself for accepting that man. Had she been more alert, she could have thought of some excuse she told herself angrily, and it was with a determination that neither she nor her partner would find any happiness in the dance, that she joined him on the dance floor.

It was with a grim feeling of satisfaction that Elizabeth had inserted a number of arrows into the thick hide of Mr. Darcy by mentioning Mr. Wickham, and so during the pause between dances she was feeling a little better in herself. The silence that had emanated from Mr. Darcy had pleased her, as it seemed her little shafts had gone home, and at the very least, she would not have to converse with the man much more this evening, perhaps for ever.

Had she seen within the mind of Mr. Darcy, however, she would not have felt anything like the triumph that she was. For in the veins of Fitzwilliam Darcy, coursed the blood of that first warrior Darcy, and his silence was that of a hunter about to pounce on his prey.

Chapter 2

Posted on Monday, 1 April 2002

As they waited for the next dance in the set to start, Sir William Lucas ambled up to Darcy and started gossiping on about the likelihood of Bingley becoming engaged to Miss Bennet.

Darcy looked hard at Jane and his friend, and, as he left Sir William and turned to join the dance, muttered, "Hmm, I see that I shall have to rescue Bingley from his next indiscretion."

As low as the mutter was, it did not escape the attention of Elizabeth, whose lightened mood suddenly became dark again.

"And who sir, do you think you are to interfere in such matters?"

Darcy looked at her in surprise. "Do you not think a friend should help another out of a tight spot Miss Bennet?"

"So becoming attached to my sister is a 'tight spot' is it Mr. Darcy? I wonder that if you hold the ladies of our family in such contempt, why you asked me to dance with you at all?"

"Good heavens Miss Bennet. Pray observe your sister, and Mr. Bingley. She is polite to him, but it does not look as though she holds him in any particular regard. Does she look as though she wishes to receive a proposal of marriage from him? Would it not be the best for someone to stop him before he embarrasses her, and is mortified himself by her refusal?"

Elizabeth was not a little discomfited by this answer, for in justice, she had to admit that her friend Charlotte Lucas had earlier in the evening observed that Miss Bennet really did not let her feelings show. However, she was still very angry with Mr. Darcy, and angry people are not the best judges of how to go on.

"As it happens Mr. Darcy, and for your information, my sister's feelings for Mr. Bingley, are fervent, but ill displayed, so your interference would have been officious and uncalled for. In fact in cases such as this, no one should interfere." She looked at Darcy with a kindling eye, challenging him to contradict her.

"Never? Miss Bennet." He said with a smile that looked all the world like a smug grin.

"Never!" She replied energetically.

"Would you like to put a little wager on whether or not I could think of some practical circumstance that would justify such interference?" He replied confidently.

Elizabeth was at the end of her patience. Not only had the evening gone from bad to worse, this arrogant man was taunting her with his attitude of superior understanding, and it was too much. She was determined to shut him up for good, and this was as good a time as any. Suddenly, a wicked thought came to her.

She returned a smile. "I should indeed agree to a wager, and the terms are simple, if you cannot provide an example that I agree to, then you will give Mr. Wickham the living that he was refused."

Elizabeth had expected that Mr. Darcy would be so insulted by this request that he would continue the dance in miffed silence, therefore she was completely put off guard by the grin that spread over Mr. Darcy's face.

"Agreed Miss Bennet! I accept your terms."

"You do? You will give Mr. Wickham the living?" She asked almost in shock.

"In the unlikely event that I cannot provide you with a practical example where my interference in the matrimonial affairs of others, I shall, but then and only then. But you, Miss Bennet must agree to dance the next set with me if I can provide an example."

Elizabeth regarded him with a suspicious skepticism. "Well, Mr. Darcy, pray proceed with your exposition. I agree to your terms, and am all ears."

"Well, Miss Bennet, before I solicited your hand for this set of dances, I was seated at the table behind your esteemed mother. While it is not my habit to eavesdrop, you may appreciate that I could not help but hear what she had to say."

Elizabeth reddened at the thought of her mother's loud habits in company, and bit her lip.

"Pray go on, Mr. Darcy."

"Well, it appears that not only is one engagement expected, Miss Bennet, it appears that I am to wish you happy, as your mother is of the opinion that Mr. Collins is to make an offer to you. The whole table was regaled with the story of how fortunate it was that the entail that would have you all dispossessed at Longbourn would be resolved by you accepting him."

Mr. Darcy paused to observe with some satisfaction that the look of anger that had originally suffused the face of his intended was now replaced with a degree of chagrin and apprehension.

"I also observed that your sister Mary, who seemed more than sympathetic to Mr. Collins, was mortified by the pronouncement by your mother. I would not mind wagering that she could be made happy by a marriage to Mr. Collins."

Elizabeth's head now hung low with shame. "Indeed, she does favour him." Was all she could utter.

"So, Miss Bennet, I suggest that without any interference, Mr. Collins will ask for your hand in marriage tomorrow. Would you accept him?"

Elizabeth's wince of pain told Darcy all he needed to know.

"So, if you refuse Collins, you will be embarrassed, he will be mortified and most likely seek a wife outside the family, as it is unlikely that on the refusal of one sister, he will solicit the hand of another. I doubt that he is even sensitive enough to realise that Miss Mary harbours tender feelings for him. Add to that the fact that your family's position due to the entail becomes extremely hazardous should the man harbour a grudge against you. Do I paint a reasonable picture of events to unfold, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth could only nod in assent. She was only just realising that there was far more to Mr. Darcy than she had first suspected, and as little as she liked the prospect, it seemed that the next set of dances would be his.

"Now I could interfere in this matter very easily by going up to Mr. Collins and, as the nephew of Lady Catherine De Bourgh, persuade him to pay his addresses, not to you, but to your sister Mary instead. I could also interfere in Bingley's affairs and tell him that your sister does return his affections. With all this interference Miss Bennet, I see two of your sisters happily married, your mother's worries about the entail removed, Mr. Collins happy in his wife, and, last but not least Miss Bennet, you would not have the embarrassment of an unwanted proposal. On the other hand, you could sacrifice all that to secure the living for Mr. Wickham." Darcy's eyes glinted as he made his next thrust. "By the way, have you taken any effort to assure yourself of the accuracy of his accusations against me? For if you have not, then there is a chance that you may be sacrificing the happiness of two sisters and your mother for that of someone who may prove undeserving. Yet, as undeserving as I believe Mr. Wickham to be, should you decide that my case has no merit, then he will have the living and of course," he continued with a grin that could only be described as evil, "you will have the pleasure of receiving a proposal of marriage from Mr. Collins."

At this point, the last dance of the set ended. Elizabeth replied as she curtseyed to him:

"Mr. Darcy, I thank you for the invitation to be your partner for the next set of dances...and I accept."

With that she hurried from the dance floor to seek out Charlotte and thereby avoid Mr. Collins.

Chapter 3

Posted on Sunday, 7 April 2002

The second set of dances proceeded, and Lizzy approached her conversations with Mr. Darcy a little more charitably. They chatted amiably about a range of subjects from art and poetry to science and politics, and it could be said that both were pleasantly surprised with the other. In fact right up to the last minute of the last dance of the set Elizabeth almost felt a sneaking feeling of admiration for Mr. Darcy.

Alas for Miss Bennet, this pleasant feeling was soon to be replaced by her former anger against him writ large. For Darcy was setting his trap, she had been lulled into a false sense of security, and now was the time to move to the next phase of her ensnarement.

As the dance finished Lizzy turned to Darcy and said with an almost-smile, "Thank you for an enjoyable dance and conversation sir."

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Bennet. Oh and by the way, I do hope you will let me know the particulars of Mr. Collins' proposal of marriage to you when he makes it. I should be glad to know if my predictions were correct."

Elizabeth looked at him stunned. "But, but", she stuttered. "Are you not going to recommend to him that he approach Mary? You said...." Her voice trailed off.

Darcy smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I gave no undertaking to do anything of the sort. I merely provided you with an example of where, theoretically, interference might help. I am so wholly unconnected with your family that it would be quite improper for me to interfere."

Elizabeth clasped Darcy by the arm. Her pleasant feelings of happiness for Jane, Mary and her mother quickly evaporating, and being replaced by feelings of desperation that only the prospect of being mauled by Mr. Collins on the morrow could bring.

"Please Mr. Darcy, I beg you." She said. "Will you not speak to Mr. Collins and Mr. Bingley?"

"Well Miss Bennet, I can do as you ask. But on one condition only."

"And what is that sir?"

"Very simple Miss Bennet. I would like you to dance the next set with me."

Elizabeth stared at him. "That is impossible sir. We have already danced two, and to dance a third would be quite improper. People are already talking about us. Three dances would have us engaged in the eyes of the district."

"Well, Miss Bennet, this is a private ball, so the rules of Beau Nash do not apply. But in any case..." He proceeded implacably. "My conditions are final. If you do not think your family worth the sacrifice, I can hardly be expected to."

Lizzy bristled. "This is blackmail sir."

Darcy raised an imperious eyebrow at her. "I beg pardon, but I thought that blackmail was where the blackmailer did something underhand to coerce his victim. As I understand it, we had a wager that you lost. It is coming it a little too brown Miss Bennet to claim that somehow, having lost the wager, you should claim some benefit. However, as I understand it, you think that dancing with me requires you to be recompensed by some exertion on my part. As little as I like the implications for my pride, as a gentleman I am prepared to comply with your wishes. I therefore am offering to help, in return for the reward of a dance with you.

But I have stated my terms, you may take them or leave them." With that he turned to go.

Lizzy ground her teeth, seething with impotent frustration at her tormentor, but recollecting that it was not only her feelings, but also the happiness of two sisters and her mother that was at stake, she reined in her anger.

"Wait Mr. Darcy!"

He turned to look at her, but to her lowering spirits, the face was resolute. "Well Miss Bennet? There is not much time, I see your father bearing down on us."

"Well sir, I will accept your kind invitation to dance the next set." With a flash of her fine eyes, that severely upset Mr. Darcy's equilibrium, she curtsied and was off.

Chapter 4

Posted on Sunday, 7 April 2002

Mr. Bennet approached Darcy with a little apprehension. The distinction of his dancing with Lizzy had not gone unnoticed, and although at times he assigned little importance to his responsibilities, there was no way that he was going to let any young man play fast and loose with his second daughter.

"Mr. Darcy." He began.

Darcy bowed. "How may I be of service Mr. Bennet?"

The older man harumphed. "Can you tell me what you mean by dancing two sets with my daughter?"

"Well." Answered Darcy with smile. "I have in fact secured her hand for a third set, the last of the evening."

Mr. Bennet stared at Darcy. "And I take it that you have an explanation for me?"

Darcy smiled. "I believe sir that you are a student of human foibles. I think you will be highly diverted by the story of our previous two dances, and under the circumstances will not begrudge me the third set."

Mr. Bennet looked dubiously at Darcy. "Sir, I am listening."

With that, Darcy regaled Mr. Bennet with all his doings over the previous two sets, and in the end Mr. Bennet was shaking his head. "You bested my Lizzy twice? I find it hard to believe, but there it is. If she has agreed to the dance, it must be so. You realise that you are the first young man that has ever had that distinction?"

Darcy only bowed in acknowledgement.

"In that case Mr. Darcy, you have my permission to partner my daughter in the next." With that he took off as he informed Darcy that no doubt he would have to soothe his wife's palpitations when she saw Lizzy dance with him a third time. And his departure was not delayed by his observing that Mr. Collins was also heading his way. Mr. Bennet was longing for the comfort of his library.

"Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy." The Rev'd William Collins approached Fitzwilliam Darcy with a curious gait that was a cross between a low bow as Darcy's station in life demanded, but combined with a curious puffing out of his chest as though he wished to make a challenge. It was all Darcy could do to keep a straight face.

"I had just now tried to solicit the hand of my cousin for the next dance, and she ... she ... she tells me that she has accepted you as a partner for the third time. What do you mean by it sir?"

Darcy drew himself to his full height and brought a gaze of frigid contempt to bear on Collins who suddenly looked as if he had been turned to jelly. Hardly any difference at all, really.

"And what sir, is your interest in the matter? I understand that Miss Bennet's father is here. Might I enquire what business it is of yours?"

Collins quaked. "Mr. Darcy, I mean no disrespect but, but..."

"Spit it out man." Demanded Darcy in arctic accents.

"Miss Bennet and I are about to become engaged, Mr. Darcy. It is most improper for her to dance with anybody else," squeaked Collins. As he spoke he sweated profusely, little beads of perspiration forming on his brow and upper lip.

"So you have obtained her agreement, have you, Mr. Collins?"

"Er, no, not..not..exactly, but she knows how I feel, Mr. Darcy, sir."

Darcy looked at Collins as a health inspector would view a cockroach. "I should imagine that that is the last thing Miss Bennet would wish to know."

"And you have approached her father have you Mr. Collins, and obtained his sanction?" Continued Darcy.

"N ... not yet, but I do have Mrs. Bennet's agreement."

Darcy put on a voice of boredom. "As I understand it Mr. Collins, the established mode is for you to get permission from the father, and from the prospective bride. You seem to have done neither of these. I ask again, what interest do you have in who Miss Bennet dances with?"

Collins was by this time reduced to gobbling incoherence, but Darcy was by no means finished with him.

"Despite the fact that neither Miss Elizabeth Bennet's concerns nor mine are any of your business Mr. Collins, I will still answer your question. Miss Bennet and I have an Understanding Mr. Collins. And furthermore, I have spoken to Mr. Bennet just before you came up to me." Darcy observed Collins' mouth opening and closing soundlessly with a degree of morbid satisfaction. Darcy smiled. "And Mr. Bennet gave me his permission. So you can see you are too late to secure Miss Elizabeth. You may be the first to congratulate me. I should also advise you not to be so tardy in future in such matters, I am sure that is what Lady Catherine would have expected."

"But, but, I ... er, Lady Catherine ... what am I to do? My goodness. Oh dear! How can I go back?"

Darcy assumed a look of spurious concern. "What is the problem Mr. Collins, I may be able to help?"

"Mr. Darcy sir, I was commanded by Lady Catherine to go back to Hunsford with a wife. I cannot go back without being engaged. You must see that sir. Oh dear, what am I to do?" He started wringing his hands.

Darcy took a step back to avoid the swinging sweat coming from the perspiring parson. "My dear sir, the solution is simple. There is more than one Bennet daughter, I suggest that it is a simple matter to transfer your attentions to the next in line, Miss Mary Bennet, and the thing is done. But you should hurry off now to secure her for the next dance. I should hate to have to write to Lady Catherine informing her that you had failed to carry out her instructions because of slothfulness."

With that Darcy bowed and walked off, leaving a confused Collins bowing and scraping back toward the Bennet party.

Biddle, the Bingleys' butler watching the interchange, chuckled to Mrs. Bateman the housekeeper, that he would have given a month's pay to hear what Mr. Darcy had said to the vacillating vicar to put him in such a quake. For Darcy had become quite a favourite in the servants' hall at Netherfield, being as it were he was fair on his demands, unlike that stuck up Miss Bingley, and not at all ungenerous if any extra services were required.

Chapter 5

Posted on Sunday, 7 April 2002

The feelings of charity that had characterised the last dance had now evaporated from Miss Bennet's breast. Ill used she indeed felt, and the fact that now all the assembled company were staring at her for standing up with Mr. Darcy a third time made the feeling of injustice all the more acute. This whole evening, she reflected bitterly had been a disaster. First, the absence of Mr. Wickham, the dances with Mr. Collins, and then Mr. Darcy, and now the eyes of the whole assembly on her, marking her out as having set her cap at Mr. Darcy.

Angry now, and somewhat tired, she was now not in the best position to cross swords with Darcy, but it is a paradox that when one should recognise such signs, one is least able to do so, and Darcy, sensing the vulnerability of his quarry was now heading in for the kill. Lizzy, unaware of her danger, was determined that Mr. Darcy should pay for her humiliation, pay dearly, and thinking she knew how to make him pay, was walking into the biggest trap of her life.

"Well Mr. Darcy." She began. "A few dances ago, you said that I should not necessarily take Mr. Wickham at his word. Perhaps you would like to explain yourself?"

"As I am unaware of the crimes that he has accused me of, I am at a loss as to how to start."

"Do you deny that he was promised a living by your father?"

"I do not deny it Miss Bennet."

"Do you deny, sir, that you withheld that living from Mr. Wickham?"

Darcy chuckled. "Indeed, I do not deny that, Miss Bennet."

Lizzy's anger bubbled ominously close to the surface. "And you find it funny sir, that he has been reduced to his present state?"

Darcy made as if to consider the question for a minute or so. "Not so much funny Miss Bennet, as just."

This was too much for Lizzy. "This, sir, is infamous. You have from your own mouth, admitted that you have deprived Mr. Wickham of the living your father promised, and yet you laugh and say that somehow it is his fault. Sir, you must allow me to say that your behaviour is infamous. No, You are infamous." Lizzy's chest heaved with rage and indignation. Not a wise set of emotions to be labouring under when being pursued by the likes of Fitzwilliam Darcy, unfortunately.

Darcy looked at her with a maddening smile. "Infamous? Oh no, I don't think I am."

"Indeed you are sir", she hissed.

"Another challenge is it Miss Bennet? Given the results of your first challenge, you might be wise not to try another."

The smug tone of his voice was too much for Lizzy to bear.

"Challenge sir? On this matter you would surely lose. There is no way that you can escape with honour sir. None."

"None Miss Bennet?" Again, the arrogant lifted eyebrow and the infuriating smirk.

"None!"

"Well Miss Bennet, perhaps you would name your terms?"

"If ... if you cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for your behaviour, I ask the same penalty as before sir. You restore to Mr. Wickham the living he was promised." Lizzy challenged.

"Miss Bennet, I want you to think and answer carefully. If I lose this wager, will you expect that I submit to the penalty?" Said Darcy.

"Most definitely sir. Without a doubt, I expect you to submit to the penalty."

"Well then Miss Bennet, but you must hear of my demand should I be able to prove that my actions were just, and it will be substantial." Darcy drew breath. Here was the trap, baited and set. "Miss Bennet, if I win this wager, you must agree to marry me."

Lizzy was stunned. "You cannot be serious sir!"

"Well, I suppose it depends how confident you are in your position Miss Bennet. If you are convinced of the righteousness of your cause, what have you to lose? Of course, if you are not all that convinced, then I advise you not to accept the wager. For I am convinced that I behaved as I should."

Lizzy frowned. This was getting a little complicated. She hesitated as she reviewed the facts in her head. Darcy had denied neither his father's promise, nor his own dishonouring of the promise. What other explanation could there be? Darcy's fault was patent. Hateful man! He was just playing with her.

Suddenly she made up her mind, casting caution to the winds. "Very well Mr. Darcy, I accept. I await your excuses."

The calm look that Darcy gave her belied the triumphal "YES!!" that was reverberating in his mind, and if the snap of the snare that had clamped itself upon her was hardly audible, yet it was locked fast as if it were made of unyielding steel.

"Well Miss Bennet, George Wickham and I grew up as boys and played together. He was a favourite of my father I grant you, and my father paid for his education at school, and then at university.

However, I was able to observe his behaviour, especially at university, and I am sorry to say, it fell far short of that expected of a man of the cloth. However, George's behaviour was concealed from my father till the last, and my father desired me to provide the living that you have mentioned.

Nonetheless, when it came time for Mr. Wickham to take up the living, he refused it, preferring instead to demand of me the sum of three thousand pounds in lieu. His stated intention was to study the law, but within two years, he had dissipated the lot, and came to me then for the living, which, as you might understand, I refused.

I suppose Miss Bennet, that Mr. Wickham omitted to tell you of the three thousand pounds, or that he initially refused the living?"

Lizzy felt herself go cold. "This cannot be so." She whispered. "It must be false."

"Unfortunately for Mr. Wickham, my steward is very efficient. Should you wish, I can have him forward the discharged bank draft for three thousand pounds, and Mr. Wickham's acknowledgement of receipt of the money. Given that you have undertaken to marry me should I be vindicated in my actions, I should not resent you for demanding to see it. Or perhaps you could face Mr. Wickham with it?"

"Marry you sir? Sure ... surely you were not serious? You could not have been serious sir?"

"Miss Bennet, I was never more serious in my life. I have wanted to marry you from the day you left Netherfield with your sister. And now you have agreed."

Elizabeth at once grew agitated. "Do you intend to hold me to this wager sir?"

"My dear Miss Bennet. I cannot hold you to anything, as much as I would like it. However, you must answer this. Had I lost the wager, would you have expected me to honour the agreement? If the answer is yes, then your own honour would tell you what you must do."

Lizzy was stunned, recollecting with growing horror, her own assertion only minutes ago that she would hold Darcy to the wager if he were to lose. What had she done?

Caught in the toils of his trap, she writhed desperately trying to escape. "Yet did you not say a short time ago that I was not handsome enough to tempt you, that you weren't in a mood to give consequence to young ladies slighted by other men? How has your opinion changed so vastly sir?"

Darcy looked pained. "As for your looks Miss Bennet, all I can say, is that I was wrong. For since then I have come to the conclusion that you are the handsomest woman of my acquaintance. As for the other..." He paused, and a serious look came over his face. "Miss Bennet, I should ask of your discretion, that what I shall tell you should remain a secret, in the strictest of confidence." He drew breath, "Only a month before that assembly at Meryton my sister went on holiday to Ramsgate with a Mrs. Younge as chaperone. There too went Mr. Wickham, and in league with Mrs. Younge, convinced my sister that she was in love with him and persuaded her into an elopement. It is by the merest good fortune and the good sense of my sister that I was able to thwart his scheme at the last minute. He did not love her. He merely wanted her fortune of thirty thousand pounds, and to revenge himself upon me. You may imagine how I felt Miss Bennet. My little sister, just fifteen years of age..." He paused, his voice choking with emotion. "... to be used as a source of quick money and revenge on me, a little life destroyed for his gratification. How do you think your father would feel if one of your younger sisters were to be thus taken advantage of? Do you think he would be out dancing and enjoying himself after a couple of weeks?"

"My sister suffers even yet," he continued with bitterness. "And yet, Mr. Wickham seems not to be too upset by the separation from my sister. As you have seen, he smirks and he simpers and makes love to everyone. I am sorry for my unsociable behaviour at Meryton Miss Bennet, but I ask you, what man who loves his sister as dearly as I do, could have enjoyed himself at such a time? My sister's hurt still pains me."

Lizzy hung her head in shame at her misjudgment of the man. It was some time before she could look up at him. He returned her regard steadily.

"So we are engaged then?" Said Lizzy in a dull voice. Somehow after Darcy's revelations about his sitter, it seemed impossible to dismiss the engagement.

"Indeed we are Elizabeth, indeed we are!"

Suddenly it all became too much for Elizabeth. She was tired and confused and could not think straight. There had to be some way out of this, but she could not see it tonight. She had to buy time.

"Sir, I believe that you will need to see my father. But I would have to say that his approval is unlikely to be given right away. He believes I dislike you, you see."

Darcy pondered for a short while. "I am sure that you can persuade him to change his mind. But I will agree to wait a week before we announce our engagement if you like. That should give you enough time."

Lizzy nodded her agreement in relief, thinking that in the next few days she should be able to extricate herself from this mire she had fallen into.

Darcy, on the other hand was relieved, for if Elizabeth was to escape, then her only opportunity was at the present. The longer their engagement lasted, the harder it would be to break. Besides, had he not told Collins of the Understanding between himself and Elizabeth? Darcy smiled to himself. He didn't think there was much chance that Collins would keep that a secret. No, it would be round Meryton within two days at the very most.

Darcy twisted the ring on his little finger. Soon it would be on someone else's.

Chapter 6

Posted on Sunday, 7 April 2002

"Darcy! Darcy!" The voice hissed. "Come into the library."

Darcy looked at the voice that appeared to be coming from behind a curtain.

"Whatever are you doing there Bingley? Come out here man."

"I want to speak to you privately Darcy and I don't want Caroline snooping."

Darcy shook his head and moved to the passage leading to the library, and once in the library, poured himself a drink watching with some degree of amusement as Bingley paced around.

"So here we are Charles, what do you wish to say to me?"

"It's about Miss Bennet. I have come to a decision. At least I think I have, but I need your advice"

"My advice Bingley, whatever for?"

"Well Darcy, I have decided to ask her to marry me, but..."

"But?"

"Well, the trouble is, I am not sure if she will have me. What do you think?"

Darcy shrugged. "Well, from my observation, she doesn't seem all that interested."

Bingley's face fell, and his shoulders slumped. "You really think so?" He said dejectedly.

Chapter 6 (Continued)

Posted Sunday, 14 April 2002

"Indeed I do, but on the other hand, I did speak to her sister about the matter. Her opinion was that Miss Bennet's feelings for you were, in her words, fervent but ill displayed."

Darcy paused to let this sink in.

"So, on the one hand you have my opinion, and I have even less knowledge of Miss Bennet than yourself. On the other hand you have the opinion of her sister who has known her all her life and who has stated that Miss Bennet harbours fervent feelings for you. I would choose the sister's opinion myself, but please yourself Bingley."

Bingley looked at his friend in amazement. "You mean while you were dancing, you spoke to Miss Elizabeth Bennet on my behalf? Oh what a true friend. And she said that about Jane? Marvellous, what wonderful news. I shall ride over there tomorrow, first thing." He started pacing about the room, whistling some tune that might have been 'Liliburloo', had he been able to whistle.

"Well, I am sorry to disappoint you Bingley, but I suspect that tomorrow might not be convenient for an engagement."

"Whyever not Darce? Why not strike while the iron is hot?"

"It is merely a guess Bingley. I have been wrong before."

And with that Bingley had to be content as Darcy thought it wise for them to retire to their chambers before Caroline discovered them, and Darcy had to write a letter.

After he had entered his chamber, Darcy sat at his desk contemplating the blank sheet of paper in front of him. There was just one loose end to tie up before he could declare this evening a success. He sucked absently on the end of the quill in his hand. Suddenly a mischievous grin flickered over his face, and he began to write the address of his steward at Pemberley.

Dear Mr. Moran,

You may recollect the unfortunate circumstances a few years ago where a Mr. Wickham left the district leaving some considerable debts and distress amongst the Lambton Village tradespeople.

As it happens, he has turned up in the Village of Meryton in Hertfordshire, and appears to be causing the same sort of mischief here.

While I undertook to help those in distress at Lambton, I have no desire to continue franking this man's profligacy throughout the whole of England, and think it prudent to warn the good people of Meryton so that neither they nor their daughters suffer as happened at home.

Would you therefore be so good as to inform such of the tradespeople of Lambton as you see fit, of Mr. Wickham's present direction, and would you further make such funds available as is necessary to ensure that they can travel here without loss to themselves or their businesses. Those tradespeople chosen should be those most able to give Mr. Wickham a true character reference.

I believe that Mr. Cooper, our blacksmith and amateur wrestling champion, is particularly desirous of re-establishing an acquaintance with Mr. Wickham over some matter concerning his daughter. Is it true that he can straighten horseshoes with his bare hands?

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Darcy smile as he sealed the letter. "That should take care of Mr. Wickham."

With that he changed into his nightgown, snuffed the candles and retired to his bed.

Chapter 7

Posted Sunday, 14 April 2002

Bright and early the next morning, at ten o'clock after breakfast, two riders took off from Netherfield bound for Longbourn.

As they approached the house, their ears were assaulted by the sounds of Mrs. Bennet.

"Oh Dear! Oh MY! I shall go distracted! Hill! Hill! Oh where is Hill?"

Bingley looked at Darcy in some alarm.

Darcy only laughed at his friend. "Did I not warn you that things may be in a state here. Do not expect to make your declaration today Bingley. Don't worry though. Let's go in and survey the damage."

They dismounted, and were admitted to see the whole family gathered in the parlour, with a smug Mr. Collins, and a blushing Mary.

"Oh Mr. Bingley! Such wonderful news! Mary has become engaged to Mr. Collins!! My Mary the first to become engaged, even though she is the plainest of my girls! How shall I bear the happiness?"

Mr. Bennet just shook his head and made off for his library.

Darcy and Bingley of course, congratulated Mr. Collins and wished Mary happy, and while Mary wished to feel modest about her engagement, she could not help the feelings of triumph and as neither the eldest nor, she had to admit, the prettiest, she was the first to become engaged.

As soon as the pleasantries were over, Darcy nudged Bingley and motioned his head toward the door.

"Mrs. Bennet," he said. "It is a lovely day outside, and you must surely have many things to do, and many people to tell of your good fortune. So perhaps, with your permission, we might walk out with your two eldest daughters."

Well dear readers, you may think that Mrs. Bennet was mean of understanding, and at the present moment overcome with joy at getting rid of one daughter, but an amount of low animal cunning and an eye to the advancement of two other daughters was certainly there. If that were not enough, Mr. Collins pranced up to her and whispered in her ear, accompanying the whisper with a pantomime performance of significant nods and winks at Darcy and Elizabeth that would have done Dame Beezneez at the local repertory company proud.

Lizzy blushed with mortification at such blatant antics, thinking, 'No, no, this cannot be happening. What an odious toad Mr. Collins is!'

Darcy, on the other hand was grinning in anticipation, thinking, 'Yes, yes this is all happening to plan. Stout fellow, Collins!'

"Why certainly gentlemen." Cried Mrs. Bennet. "Jane! Lizzy! Get your bonnets and pelisse and accompany these gentlemen."

Under the almost smirking gaze of Bingley and Darcy, both ladies hastened upstairs to change.

Not over forty minutes later, they all stepped out, and headed into the garden.

As soon as they were out of sight of the house, Darcy, by means of engaging Lizzy in polite conversation and a little dawdling, soon had the two couples separated, with Jane and Bingley well ahead. When they were out of earshot he observed to Elizabeth.

"As you see, I kept my promise to promote the match between Collins and your sister Mary." At this he inclined his head toward the rapidly disappearing Jane and Bingley. "And, from the closeness of that couple, my promise to further that match is soon to come to pass."

The significance of Darcy's stress on keeping of promises was not lost on Elizabeth. Her own promise to marry him was foremost on her mind after a sleepless night trying to think how she had been induced into making that promise, and how she could extricate herself from it. Now that there was no window in the house from which they were visible, Darcy steered her toward a garden seat, and they sat down together.

"Perhaps it would be best if we let your sister and Bingley have the run of the garden, don't you think?" Said Darcy.

Lizzy regarded him with a little suspicion. His face returned a bland innocence that she was slowly beginning to realise with a great sense of injury, concealed a scheming mind not to be trusted in the least. This suspicion was found to be justified when she found that his arm had somehow managed to place itself on the back of the seat behind her while they were in the process of sitting down.

Darcy noticed the direction of her disapproving gaze. "Surely you have no objection Miss Bennet now that we are engaged? And we cannot be seen from the house."

This was too much for Lizzy, and she bridled. "Mr. Darcy, I have not yet worked out how you managed to get this far. Nor have I any idea why you are perpetuating this farce, but I believe that it is time for you to deal a little honestly with me and tell me just what you are about. If it is to punish me for my prejudiced opinions of you, then you have done so. I am heartily ashamed of my behaviour toward you, and I apologise. I know now that you were not the unpleasant and dishonourable man that I once thought. So there! I have said it. I have admitted my error, and have been punished enough. Now will you release me from this little game of yours?"

"My dearest Elizabeth." This was said with such intensity and accompanied by such a gaze from those Dark Darcy eyes that Lizzy had to catch her breath. "Have you not considered that perhaps I am in love with you?"

"Impossible." She managed to get out, though it was with some difficulty, as for some reason her collar seemed to be constricting her throat, and she seemed only half aware that the arm that had been draped over the seat at her back had now somehow mysteriously found its way to an almost cuddle position about her.

"Elizabeth, I am now twenty-seven years of age, and for the past eight years have been the target of matchmaking Mamas each year as they have fired their daughters off into the ton." The hand that was in an almost cuddle position was now so cuddle-like that it made no difference. "And yet with all those Ladies of rank and influence, I never felt for any as I felt for you since you stayed at Netherfield. Never have I been so bewitched dearest Elizabeth. So if you are asking me to release you from your promise, that will never happen." With this, he moved himself toward her to take a kiss.

"Not so hasty if you please, Mr. Darcy," protested Lizzy, sinking but still game. "It is all very well that you have made up your mind, but I have not. Do you really wish to have an unwilling bride? That cannot be sensible sir!"

"Indeed Elizabeth, an unwilling bride would be the devil of a situation. But Elizabeth." He said contritely as he took her hand in his free one. "I would hope that you do not find me repulsive?"

His wounded puppy dog look with those big brown eyes did not fool Lizzy for a minute. She knew by now that here was a man without principles or scruples. She replied with some hauteur. "You cannot induce me to lie sir. You are very handsome. I...I could not hope for more."

"There can surely be no objection to my situation in life can it?" He said.

"You know that is impossible sir. But love does not subsist on looks and money alone Mr. Darcy. I respect you sir, but I do not love you."

"And yet Elizabeth, we are engaged unless you are prepared to break your promise. But answer me this dearest. Given the situation, that you don't find me repulsive, and it is a prudent match, why don't you at least give me a chance?"

Lizzy hesitated, knowing that she should put an end to this immediately. Yet she realised with some exasperation, that he did have a point. He was making sense, and what would be the point of rejecting him now, if at some point in the future she changed her mind and then have to induce him to renew his addresses. And...he was handsome, and rich and not any of the bad things that she had previously thought. Perhaps it was better to have him engaged while she made up her mind. Lizzy shook her head doubtfully. This was all too hard.

"I daresay I might regret this Mr. Darcy, but I agree. But on one condition sir, you get no liberties from me!"

"Well, that is settled then." Said Darcy. "Except in terms of 'liberties'."

Lizzy raised her eyebrows.

Darcy said. "Perhaps we could try something. If you don't like it, then I won't push the matter."

"And that might be Mr. Darcy?"

"Well, it is just something that might help you experience what being married to me might be like Elizabeth."

"Such as, Mr. Darcy?"

"I want you to just close your eyes and imagine something Elizabeth."

Lizzy regarded him suspiciously, but closed her eyes on request.

"I want you to just imagine that we are married, and have been out to some night time entertainment or other in London. I want you to imagine that we are both in the carriage going home and are tired. Can you imagine that?"

Lizzy nodded her head in agreement. The warmth of the sun on her face, her closed eyes, and the tiredness from last night made it easy to imagine the feeling he described.

"Now I just want you to imagine, that in the carriage, you rest your head on my shoulder. Will you do that for me?"

Almost without thinking, perhaps it was the sun's warmth? Perhaps her tiredness? Who can tell? In any case, Lizzy nestled her head on his shoulder and let out a sigh at its comfort. Within a minute, she was asleep in his arms.

This presented Darcy with a moral dilemma. Would he take advantage of the situation? Or would he be the perfect gentleman? Silly question. Darcy deftly removed Lizzy's bonnet, and nuzzled his nose amongst the sweet smelling and soft curls that strayed, and placed tiny kisses along her ears, cheeks and the nape of her neck. In her sleep, she smiled at this and let out a small purring sound, as though her dreams were just as pleasant to her as Darcy's waking activities were to him.

Still, thought Darcy, all good things must come to an end, and he heard the approach of Bingley and Jane. So he quickly replaced Lizzy's bonnet and gave her a nudge to waken her.

"Mmmph." She said grumpily. "That was the first good sleep I have had all..." She broke off and moved away from Darcy hastily as she realised the impropriety of her situation. Well, it wasn't really improper, since they were engaged, but it would not do to encourage the man.

"You looked as though you enjoyed yourself there Elizabeth, perhaps we could do that again tomorrow?"

Lizzy narrowed her eyes at him. "Perhaps, but you behave yourself. Jane and Mr. Bingley are here."

They both stood up to greet the other couple, and the look on their faces said it all.

"I take it that you two have come to some understanding then?" Said Darcy.

"Yes indeed! But we are not to announce it for a few days to allow Miss Mary Bennet her time in the sun," said Bingley looking adoringly into Jane's eyes.

"Ah yes Bingley, time in the sun can be quite beneficial," said Darcy blandly, to a look of puzzlement from Bingley and Jane, and a poke in the ribs from Elizabeth. "You should announce it officially before you leave for business at the end of the week."

"Oh bother! I had forgotten that business. What a nuisance."

"Never mind Bingley, you shan't need to be away for more than a week."

Bingley groaned at this. "Oh well, if I must."

"Of course you must - at the very least you should use the opportunity to get Miss Bennet some jewellery for the engagement."

With that they went into the house to the curious but eventually disappointed reception of Mrs. Bennet. The only thing that had Lizzy puzzled as she changed out of her pelisse and bonnet, was that she could have sworn that she had tied her bonnet with its knot on the left side of her face before she stepped out, but now it was knotted on the right side. Most puzzling.

Chapter 7 (Continued)

Posted Sunday, 21 April 2002

The rest of the week passed in much the same way, with Lizzy becoming much more comfortable in her conversations with Mr. Darcy, and in a slightly guilty way with her increasing enjoyment of her little 'sleeps' in the arms of her 'perhaps intended'. She was, however, increasingly nettled by the puzzle of the changing location of the knot in her bonnet strings, till on the day before Bingley was to leave, she felt she had to get to the bottom of it.

As was by now their habit, they sat down together, and Lizzy closed her eyes. However, this time, she only pretended to go to sleep.

Darcy, lulled into a false sense of security by his previous successes, undid her bonnet, and started to ply her with kisses until she jumped up and faced him with a rather angry look in her eye. Oh dear me, thought Darcy!

"Mr. Darcy. Over the last week, it seems that not only have you manipulated me most grievously, but I can also see that you are little to be trusted!" She cried.

Darcy looked rather guilty, surprised as he was. "Well, I do admit so some machinations over the past week..."

"Some?" She spluttered. "You have made Machiavelli look like a philanthropist sir."

Gathering his wits, Darcy replied. "And have not the results for your sisters and mother been worth it. And you cannot deny you have enjoyed your little 'sleeps'," he shot back.

"That sir, is not the point, and you know it?" She said scrambling back to the moral high ground.

"Then what is the point?" He asked. "Please tell me?"

"I don't wish to marry a man who will always manipulate me. It is that simple." With that she smiled evilly. "Put your hands by your side Mr. Darcy."

He hesitated.

"NOW! Mr. Darcy." Came the command. He instantly complied, and as he did so, she sat astride his lap with her knees pinning his hands to the seat with her whole weight. Painful. Still, Darcy did not feel the pain, as his mind was more occupied with the sensation of her body close to his with only her fine muslin gown, and his Bath Superfine pantaloons between them. Even more distracting was that fact that as she sat astride his lap, his eyes were directly in line with her neckline. This was very hard for Darcy.

"Oh Aaaagh noooooo!" Thought Darcy.

Lizzy was not slow to notice the direction of his eyes, and by putting her forehead to his, and pushing back, he was forced to look directly into her eyes and nowhere else.

"Mr. Darcy. Let me make it quite clear that after marriage, my husband will enjoy everything that a wife has to offer. I assure you that your table will be groaning with a banquet of sweetmeats, and I promise you that no man alive will have as much pudding as you. BUT, not one crumb, not one morsel will you have before marriage. Do I make myself clear sir?"

Darcy's eyes were glazed over and he did not reply.

"Do I make myself clear?" She repeated.

Darcy appeared to be in a great deal of difficulty, but he managed to nod his head and croak out a "yes."

At this, Lizzy slid off his hands and stood up, satisfied that she had made her point. " Mr. Bingley was to Speak to Father today, and I am sure the news must be out by now, we had best be getting back."

Darcy gasped. "I cannot."

"Why ever not sir?" She teased innocently.

"Because I am now in such a state that if I move even one muscle, I am likely to disgrace myself." He hissed through gritted teeth.

"Well then sir, perhaps you should realise that you are not the only person able to manipulate others.

How does it feel to be manipulated Mr. Darcy? I may promise not to do so in future, if you will do the same."

With that she turned on her heel with a smile, and headed to the house, leaving Fitzwilliam Darcy fighting hard for self control.

The next morning Darcy brought up the subject of Mr. Bennet and securing his approval for their marriage.

In truth, Lizzy had done nothing about this, since, she was in half a mind to end an engagement so unnatural that every decent feeling should revolt. Still, she prevaricated a little, and it seemed to work, as Darcy dismissed her mendacity with a quick 'Yes, yes'.

This should have been a warning to her that the man was scheming. But, as yet, it was too soon for her to know the depths of depravity a man will descend to when he is determined to attach an unsuspecting female.

Darcy then invited her to sit down and rest her head on his shoulder as she had done every day that week. And as she had done every day that week, she rested her head on his shoulder. But today there was something different. She knitted her brows for a minute in puzzlement, before realising that he had his hand by his side, rather than on the seat back, and there was not that comfortable space in his arms available. So without thinking, she grasped his arm, wrapped it round herself, and sank with a smile of contentment into his embrace closing her eyes.

The trouble was, that what Elizabeth had not noticed, and Darcy had, was that Mr. Bennet was strolling in the garden. He, with some astonishment, observed not Mr. Darcy taking liberties with his second daughter, but that second daughter brazenly wrapping Mr. Darcy's arm about herself and snuggling up to him like a common lightskirt. With his limited acquaintance with Darcy, it did not occur to him that Darcy had contrived the whole scene.

"ELIZABETH BENNET!" He roared.

Lizzy jumped a mile into the air, stood up, red as beetroot, and looking as guilty as sin.

Darcy too stood up, and before either Mr. Bennet or Lizzy could speak addressed the outraged parent.

"Sir, this is all my fault. Miss Bennet and I were only just talking about my coming to Speak with you. She has agreed to marry me, and it is only my tardiness in speaking to you that has caused this unfortunate scene. I pray you will lay the blame for this at my doorstep, and not blame your daughter."

"A pretty speech indeed sir." Growled Mr. Bennet. "However, I am able to see with my own eyes my daughter, who I thought would know better, encouraging your advances quite openly. Lizzy, I am ashamed. Still," he reflected a little more calmly, "I can at least have no doubt of your affection for the man."

Then, addressing Darcy he said. "Well sir, at least you have done the gentlemanlike thing and taken the blame on yourself, even though it is patent that you were the one being imposed upon. You had best come to the library with me so we can discuss settlements and the like. Given the performance of my second daughter, my permission to marry is a mere formality." He paused, "And you Elizabeth Bennet may go and inform your mother. That shall be your punishment. Mr. Darcy and I will be in my library until the hue and cry dies down. I think this calls for a bottle of my best cognac."

As Darcy bowed to her, before accompanying her retreating father, Elizabeth was almost certain that she saw him poke his tongue out.

With that, any notion that Lizzy had that there was any justice in the world evaporated, and she trudged off to the house. Piqued, repiqued and capoted! Bah! Humbug! "Manipulated again!" She thought. "Still, I am now starting to get his measure, and after we are married, he will not have it so easy."

The next morning before she arose, she lay in bed thinking about the events of the last two weeks. Her thoughts toward Fitzwilliam Darcy had undergone a substantial change to the extent that she actually enjoyed her time with him, and welcomed his attentions. Nonetheless, his manipulations were becoming more and more apparent, and worrying. For that reason, she had delayed telling her mother anything of the matter.

She swung her legs out of bed and contemplated the clothes in the wardrobe. As she sifted idly amongst her gowns, the thought suddenly struck her that over the past week, her selection of gowns for the day's outing with Fitzwilliam had come progressively from the better part of her wardrobe. In fact, the pretty pink confection that she had worn yesterday was her best. In an instant, it became clear to her where her fancies were taking her with the man. Still, there was that worrying manipulative side to him.

She creased her forehead with the effort of thinking about it, when suddenly inspiration struck, and a smile worked its way onto her face.

She immediately looked at the back of the wardrobe, looking for a particular gown, and there it was.

She lifted it out with a smile of satisfaction.

Unlike the others she had worn this week, this gown was a sober deep blue, done up to the throat, and with scarcely any lace. Her 'governess gown' Jane had joked. "That should do nicely for what I have in mind," she said to herself.

With that, she pulled her hair up severely into a bun and tried on her plainest bonnet.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she was well pleased with the effect.

She then discarded the bonnet and went down to breakfast and to mull over her plan.

Later that morning, as they were wont to do, they were walking in the garden when Darcy spoke up.

"So I take it that you have spoken to your mother as your father requested yesterday Elizabeth?" He said in a tone that Lizzy judged to be way too complacent.

"No sir, I did not." Was the reply.

He lifted his eyebrows and asked. "Why ever not?"

Lizzy turned and faced Darcy with her most forbidding expression. "Because I have decided to terminate our engagement Mr. Darcy."

He looked at her as though he had been hit by a sledgehammer. "Wh ... why, whatever can you mean? How? But your father?"

"Mr. Darcy. If it escaped your recollection, it did not escape mine, I am sure that I made the point that I did not wish to be manipulated. Then not one day later, you engineered that scene which made me look cheap in front of my father!" At this Darcy had the grace to look contrite.

"Is this the respect I am to expect from someone who says that he loves me? If it is, then I tell you, I want none of it. Or you." She added ominously.

"But your father, Miss Bennet, he has agreed!"

He was rewarded for this with a withering glare. "That Mr. Darcy is something that I would expect from Mr. Collins."

Darcy winced.

Convinced that her shaft had gone home, Lizzy continued. "I should think that after twenty years, I should be able to convince my father of the fact that you ambushed me yesterday. And since no-one else saw us, and I have not told my mother, you have fallen on your face."

At this, convinced by the sudden paleness of Mr. Darcy's complexion, that she had made her point, she continued in a more contemplative tone of voice. "And up till that point you were doing so well too. You know, I was almost convinced that I should accept you, and become your wife."

Darcy moved as if to start to say something, but she cut him off with another unsettling change of verbal pace.

"But Mr. Darcy, there is something that you have failed to comprehend. You are indeed clever, but I am just as clever as you are, and while you ambushed me when I was not expecting it, you had the advantage. However, I now have your measure, and I will not put up with patronising manipulation. And besides..." She added lightly. "...since I have your measure, your married life would not be the pleasure you expected since your wife would be up to your every trick. You may feel relieved at your escape." With that, she turned on her heel and headed back to the house. Her heart was beating wildly for she was not in the least sure that her speech would have the effect she desired, but she gritted her teeth and walked on.

Darcy stood there as if turned to marble, and almost that white. Finally, after an age, and when she was almost to the house, he finally managed to blurt out. "Elizabeth!"

She turned to face him. "Mr. Darcy, since we are not engaged, I request that if you address me at all, you address me as Miss Bennet."

He ran to her side in some upheaval of spirits. "Miss Bennet, I, I must ask you for your forgiveness. I have no excuse for my folly yesterday. I sometimes too clever for my own good. But please believe me when I say I had no intention of patronising you." He sighed. "It just seemed to be too good an opportunity to be missed." His shoulders drooped. "I was beaten a few times at school for just such trickery when I was caught at it. Your reproof is deserved, but please, I beg of you give me another chance. I shall try ever so hard to please you." This last was delivered in such a piteous voice that Lizzy decided to dangle some bait before him.

"Well, Mr. Darcy, I may resume the engagement, if you were to do something for me, and to convince Mr. Bingley to do the same for Jane."

"Anything Elizabeth." Lizzy looked at him sternly. "I mean, Anything, Miss Bennet."

"That is better, Mr. Darcy. And here is what you must do. You must go to London with Mr. Bingley and..." At this point she whispered the rest of her instructions into his ear.

His reaction was one of stunned relief. "I shall do so instantly, immediately!"

He bowed low, and headed off to Netherfield with all haste to join Mr. Bingley on his trip to London.

Lizzy smiled to herself as she headed back into the house idly contemplating the finger that she had wound Mr. Darcy round in about five minutes flat. "Not bad." She said softly to herself. "Not bad at all for a start. I think I may enjoy being married."

Chapter 8

Posted Sunday, 28 April 2002

In the days that followed, Lizzy's feelings grew more strongly as she realised that she missed her walks and talks with Darcy. She found herself listening for any sound of a horse or carriage and rushing to the window to see if he had arrived back. It was little consolation to her that Jane was doing the same, and that they would laugh at each other as they caught themselves looking at the door, or down the lane leading to Longbourn.

It was not till this time that Lizzy realised how insidiously this apparently honest intruder had insinuated himself into her thoughts, addling her brain and causing her to act more like her mother than her mother did. "Pull yourself together girl!" She had to tell herself twenty times a day.

Talking to Jane was no help either, in fact Jane made it disastrously worse, describing the delicious feelings of being kissed by Charles.

"But oh, Lizzy. Even though I love kissing Charles, it worries me so."

Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Worry dear Jane? How so?"

"But Lizzy, you don't understand. When Charles kisses me, I cannot help myself. It is not even as if I can't stop myself, it is much worse than that. Lizzy, I, I don't want to stop myself. I feel as if I am turning into a wanton. Lizzy, I am scared that one day I will go too far and give Charles a disgust of me. I mean, I don't really know what I want, but I do know that whatever it is, I want it terribly."

Lizzy remained silent at this, for after only a few days' absence, her feelings for Darcy were somewhat the same. This out of control feeling, scared her more than she was prepared to admit, even to Jane.

So, on the day the gentlemen were to return from London, two very anxious young ladies rushed out of the house to greet their beaux, completely ignoring their mother's call for decorum. They ran so fast that they had almost reached the church when they overtook the pair of gentlemen.

"Charles!!!" Cried Jane as she rushed into Charles' arms.

"Fitzwilliam." Was the slightly more restrained address by Elizabeth. "Did you do as I asked?"

Darcy pointed to something in the pocket of his trousers, and a similar shape in Bingley's pocket.

Lizzy broke into a smile and embraced Darcy. "Oh Fitzwilliam, I have missed you so much!" With that she put her arms about his neck and drew him toward her for a kiss. She was therefore a little confused when he drew back with a questioning look.

"Elizabeth. Did you not say that I could have no liberties with you before marriage? I am sure you did."

"Ooh!" She said in frustration. "In situations such as this, a good memory is unpardonable! Kiss me Fitzwilliam, and kiss me NOW!"

Encouraged by her use of his first name, and by the fact that a gentleman should never allow a lady to do chin ups on his chin, he willingly obliged.

At this point, it struck Lizzy with full force that Jane had been understating the case of the effect of a lover's kiss. She felt at first languorous, and then almost as if something was on fire within her. She could not stop. Her kisses became more fervent as she pulled Darcy toward her.

"Elizabeth, we must stop! Not here in public. There is only so much control a man has. Please?" He whispered. Her only answer was to pull him to her tighter.

"Elizabeth, I want you. I want to have you as a husband has a wife, and I can wait no longer!" With that he motioned her to the open door of the building nearby.

"Yes", she breathed, hopelessly out of control. "Anything you want."

She quickly moved into the darkened room, noting the cold tile floor. He looked about him to see that none had observed their entry and shut the door behind him with a clang. He took her arm with all the calm and poise he could muster and walked with her, arm in arm, to the covered table at the other end.

Before they reached it. He looked at her and said. "Are you sure Elizabeth?"

"As sure as I have ever been of anything my dearest Fitzwilliam."

"Well then."

He motioned her toward the altar, where Mr. Madden, the Rector, was waiting with the indulgent smile on his face founded on his many years experience of marrying young couples in the village.

" Good Morning Rector! We are ready."

"Ah, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy welcome! Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley are already here. Do you have the special license? Darcy removed the license that he had just obtained during his visit to London from his trousers pocket, and proffered it to the Rector. Good. Good! Well, let's begin shall we?" Said the Rector.

The priest then faced them.

"DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman, and this Man and this Woman, in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men..."

To be truthful, neither Elizabeth nor Fitzwilliam could remember much of the rest of the ceremony, except when it came time to give her the wedding ring. Darcy removed the ring from his little finger and placed it on her ring finger - it fitted perfectly as he recited the ancient words.

"WITH this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Thus the ring worn by successive Mistresses of Pemberley found its way to the finger of the next Mrs. Darcy.

Chapter 9

Posted Sunday, 28 April 2002

As the Darcys and Bingleys left the church, the only others present offered their best wishes and congratulations. And given that the only two present were Biddle, Bingley's butler and Mrs. Bateman the housekeeper, the felicitations were down to a minimum. We will get back to Mr. Biddle and Mrs. Bateman later.

The vicar was only too well acquainted with the vagaries of Mrs. Bennet's nerves to have any problem with the explanation proffered by the gentlemen that they wished to marry quietly and that the unseemly hoo haa that would accompany the public ceremony later on would be vulgar in the extreme. Mind you, the offer to fix the church spire, lately afflicted with dry rot, did not hinder the case at all either, and may serve as the reason that the more worldly reader would attribute to the vicar's easy acceptance of the need for a special license.

But back to Biddle and Mrs. Bateman. One might also think it a little unusual for a gentleman to invite his servants to his wedding, but there was method in his madness, for both of his guests were the soul of discretion, and both romantics to the core who had been touched by the opportunity to play Love's Supporters in what was almost an elopement.

Thus when Bingley and Darcy arrived at Netherfield with their wives and headed to their chambers, to examine the decor if you really must know, they rested comfortably, safe in the knowledge that by various Butlerian and Housekeeper-like strategies, Louisa Hurst and Miss Bingley would not be aware of what was going on. In this case by informing them rather mendaciously that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had not yet returned from London, so neither Mrs. Hurst nor Miss Bingley was at Netherfield when the newlyweds arrived. However, there was an unexpected visitor to Netherfield that day.

Lady Catherine De Bourgh paced around the Netherfield drawing room in increasing agitation (Finest Kid leather diamond studded slippers, forty pounds at Madame Reynards in Pall Mall) . This agitation was not only due to the effect of the cups of tea that arrived from the kitchen at frequent intervals just at each time she was about to search the house for her nephew. For while an excess of tea (China Black two shillings the pound at the Pantheon Bazaar) did strain the system somewhat, she reflected that the British Empire had been built on the ability to rise above the pressures that would cause lesser nations to explode. And she had to admit that the butler and the housekeeper were most attentive to her, appearing most anxious to locate her nephew, sending the servants out to scout the roads to hurry his arrival, so that the only ones left in the house were those attending to her.

Still, it was all too long in Lady Catherine's opinion when a rather exhausted looking Darcy and Bingley entered the drawing room, drawing up suddenly at the sight of Lady Catherine.

"Darcy!" She snapped. "Where have you been? You look as though you have been to one of those odious wrestling matches that gentlemen seem to favour. And dressed most carelessly! Where is your valet?"

Without waiting for an answer, she tumbled on. "A report of an alarming nature reached me a couple of days ago. That you, Darcy, were to be engaged to that Miss Elizabeth Bennet - an infamous report that I wish to have universally contradicted."

At this minute, Elizabeth (secretly) Darcy walked into the room. Lady Catherine looked at her closely. "You seem to be walking strangely Miss Bennet. Have you been riding? I am most attentive to these things you know. However, I will not be diverted. Are you engaged to him?"

She pointed an imperious finger (diamond encrusted signet ring, five hundred pounds, by Rundell and Bridge, Pall Mall) at her nephew, ignoring Bingley who seemed to have been turned to stone by all this.

To Lady Catherine's frustration, her catechism was interrupted yet again by the entry of Jane (secretly) Bingley.

"Miss Bennet, you too seem to be walking a little uneasily. Unless you practice your riding, you will never be a proficient, as I would had I ever learnt. Please do not interrupt! I demand to know, Miss Eliza Bennet" she said facing Lizzy, "Are you engaged to him?"

"Well, actually Lady Catherine I am not."

Lady Catherine let out a sigh not only to relieve the tea induced pressure building in her corsets (whalebone, the finest, twenty four pounds at Madame Maxines in the Strand), but also of emotional relief (Doctor Halliday's electrical cure, five pounds per consultation, not including cat fur).

"And will you promise me you will never become engaged to him?"

"I, I think I can safely promise you that Lady Catherine." Was the reply. "But in all honesty, I think I should add..." She got no further as she was cut off by Lady Catherine turning to her nephew.

"Well then Darcy, now that is cleared up, I wish to talk to you about your marriage. It is high time you were married and setting up your nursery."

"Well, Aunt Catherine. You are right as always. As I think my wife..." Here he paused significantly and indicated Elizabeth with a bow. "...was trying to tell you. We are not engaged, but married. May I present to you the new Mrs. Darcy."

Lady Catherine gobbled like a turkey, gasping for air. "Married? How? When? Impossible? It cannot be! "

"Indeed it can Lady Catherine, we were married this morning by special license. You may congratulate me Ma'am."

"Congratulate you? Congratulate you! Congratulate you?? She replied in strident terms.

"I thank you for those good wishes Lady Catherine." Said Elizabeth with a curtsey. "And I apologise for not receiving you immediately you arrived, as we were..."

"...unaware of your arrival." Finished Darcy hurriedly.

"Darcy! Whatever can you have been thinking? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"

All of a sudden she stopped, and knitted her brows as if some momentous thought had occurred.

"Aha! You were only married this morning, so you have not spent the night together. The marriage can be annulled!"

"I am sorry to disoblige you, but we have already..." Darcy paused, a little embarrassed.

"...started setting up our Nursery, Lady Catherine, just as you were suggesting he should." Continued Lizzy with a sideways glance at her husband.

"What!" Expostulated her Ladyship. "During broad daylight! Like, like common, people?"

"Indeed, Aunt Catherine." Said Darcy

At this stage, Biddle the butler discreetly entered the room and started to pour out cups of tea, not very expertly as it appeared, since the sound of trickling liquid reverberated through the room.

Lady Catherine gave a moan of pain, took up her hat (finest ostrich and osprey feathers, fifty pounds at Madam Tussauds), and ran for her carriage (Barouche enclosed with inbuilt chamber pot, seven hundred pounds, Bingley and Son, Manchester).

Darcy looked at the impassive face of Biddle, put his hand in his pocket, took out a golden guinea and handed it to him. "Biddle, you are a prince of butlers."

Thus by the judicious invitation of his butler and housekeeper to his wedding did Charles Bingley ensure that for most afternoons until their public wedding ceremony several months later, the Darcys and Bingleys enjoyed their privacy.

The End

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