Caught In The Rain

By Aunrea

Chapter One

Posted on Saturday, 10 April 2004

Elizabeth was glad to be out on a walk. Her mother had been lamenting on Mr. Bennet's refusal to call on Mr. Bingley after his arrival at Netherfield. Elizabeth could not stand another moment in her mother's presence and had immediately went for a walk. Even though she was glad to be out she wondered on her wisdom to walk so far from home when dark clouds were forming above.

As she contemplated turning to head for home a curricle came quickly around the corner. Upon seeing her in the middle of the road, the driver pulled back on the reins. The horses reared up at the sudden pull, which caused the curricle to turn on its side; throwing the driver from his seat. The horses continued for some distance, dragging the curricle behind them. This slowed them enough to give Elizabeth time to get out of their way.

After Elizabeth was safe from the horses, she searched for the driver to see if he was all right. She found the man lying unconscious on the ground at the side of the road. That was also when the clouds decided to release rain; a heavy chilling rain that soaked her to the bone.

Elizabeth went to the man's side. He was very tall and well built. His dark hair was wavy and was sticking to his head from the rain. He wore fine clothes that flattered his frame. Of course, Elizabeth did not notice these things since she was more worried about the man's health. She checked to see if he was breathing, which he was, and saw that he had a cut on his head and that it was bleeding. She ripped some fabric from her petty coat and pressed it to the cut to stop the bleeding.

What am I going to do about this rain? We will both catch pneumonia if we stay out here for much longer. She looked around her to see if there was any shelter and noticed that with the curricle tipped on its side it made a shelter, especially if she could get the top to close around them. She decided to unhook the horses first so that they could not drag it while they were seeking shelter inside. She left the man's side and unhooked the two horses and tied them to a tree, where they could get some shelter from the rain. She was able to get the cover to the curricle to close only partially but it was enough to protect them from the rain.

Now I just have to get the man under the protection of the curricle. She walked over to the man and tried to lift him by placing his arm around her shoulder and somewhat dragging him. He was quite heavy and Elizabeth was only able to drag him half way. She rested for a moment and then tried again. As she put the man's arm around her, he groaned.

"Sir, can you hear me?" she asked.

He mumbled something incoherent but did nothing else. Elizabeth continued with her efforts to get him to the curricle. As they got closer the man started using his feet, helping Elizabeth with his weight. When they got to the curricle, she helped him sit within the makeshift shelter. After seeing him seated, she sat next to him.

The man was shivering from the cold rain and Elizabeth pulled him to her so that she could wrap her arms around him and keep him warm using her body heat. She did not think of the impropriety of the situation. She was more worried about the man's health than decorum. The man stopped shivering and had snuggled into Elizabeth, his head resting on her shoulder. Elizabeth checked his head wound and saw it had stopped bleeding.

They sat together like this for fifteen minutes before the man gained full consciousness. He opened his eyes, confused on where has was. He then realized he was in the arms of an unknown woman. He quickly pulled himself away, which turned out to be a mistake because it made his head spin. Elizabeth watched the man as he waited for equilibrium. She was started by his sudden movement, but was happy to see him awake.

Chapter Two

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"My head hurts a great deal," he responded.

"You cut your head. The bleeding has stopped but you were unconscious for quarter of an hour."

The man touched his head where he was cut. "What happened?"

"Your horsed tipped over your curricle; throwing you to the side of the road. It started to rain so I brought you here, in the shelter of your curricle. I tied your horses to a nearby tree so they won't run off."

He looked at her in surprised. "You did all that? How did you get me here? I hardly think you could have carried me this far."

"I had to drag you a bit." He started shivering again. "You are cold. Move closer so that my body heat will warm you."

He looked at her in astonishment. "It would be very improper for me to do so."

Elizabeth blushed. She did realize how improper her suggestion was, but she didn't want to the man to fall ill. "I know it is improper but if you don't warm up you will catch pneumonia."

"But I can't compromise your virtue."

"I believe you already did so when you snuggled up to me."

He looked at her in shock. "I did what?"

Elizabeth smiled at him. "You were unconscious at the time. Are you afraid you will be forced to marry me if we are found? I assure you I will not expect it. But I cannot have you become ill. You have your choice between a chance of being forced into marriage or death."

The man smiled at her. "You make a good argument. How can I refuse when I am faced with death if I do." He moved closer to her but not as close as before. He was still cold but his shivering was less pronounced.

"Well if there is a chance of being forced to marry due to our improper situation then we should get to know each other. My name is Elizabeth Bennet."

"I'm Fitzwilliam Darcy, I am visiting a friend in the area. Are you from around here?"

"Yes. I live several miles from our location. If it was not pouring I would walk to Netherfield, and estate not a mile from here, to get help."

"I was heading for Netherfield. My friend recently leased it."

"You are friends with Mr. Bingley?"

"You have met him?"

"No, but there is much talk of his arrival. Where are you from?"

"I own an estate in Derbyshire but I was recently staying in London. Do you often wander far from your home?"

"Usually I stay closer to home but I was quite aggravated by my mother. She is very upset with my father for refusing to call on Mr. Bingley. She can be very exasperating when she gets herself worked up, especially when my two youngest sisters join in and I fear they were going to do just that as I was leaving."

"You have two sisters, do you have any brothers?"

"Actually I have four sister and no brothers. That is why my mother was all worked up. It is her goal to try and get all her daughters married as soon as possible. Knowing that Mr. Bingley has some wealth has made my mother more adamant about it. Maybe you should warn your friend."

"Is that your goal too? To marry a wealthy man?"

"No. I could not marry a man unless I was in love. My eldest sister, Jane, feels the same way. Kitty and Lydia are of the same mind as our mother. And if Mary were to see me now she would be preaching to me about loss of virtue. Do you have any siblings?"

"I have a sister. She is twelve year younger than me."

"That is a very large age difference. You are probably not very close."

"Actually Georgiana and I are close. I am like a father to her. Our mother died when she was very young and our father just five years ago. Our father spent little time with her so I have always been the only family she knew. Of course, we have aunts and uncles and cousins, but we only see them a few times a year."

"That must be very hard, raising your sister, plus you had to take on all your father's responsibilities, didn't you?"

"Yes. I was left in charge of Pemberley. It is a very large estate with many tenants, but my father had been training me to take over Pemberley someday. We had never expected it to be this soon but I was ready."

Darcy started shivering anew and Elizabeth pulled him closer. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"You are still cold. You need to warm up."

"But if you pull me any closer I will be in your lap."

"Your right, it's probably best if I sit in your lap than you in mine."

Darcy blanched at her statement, but then he noticed that she was smiling. He was caught by the way her eyes lit up when she smiled. "You're teasing me, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. Now seriously you need to come closer if you want to warm up. What if you wrap your arm around me and bring yourself right up to my side. You will be much warmer."

Darcy did as she suggested. He did find himself warmer but for a different reason. Her body pressed up against his sent heat all through out him. To Darcy, their bodies touching didn't seem to effect Elizabeth, but it did. She also felt a heat all through out her body.

Chapter Three

"Is that warmer," Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." He looked at her, his eyes falling to her wet lips. He quickly looked away before he gave into the urge to kiss her. You don't even know her and you already want to kiss her? You have already compromise her enough.

They sat in silence and listen to the rain. After some moments, Elizabeth interrupted the silence. "Do you think it will rain long?"

Darcy looked up at the sky. "It doesn't look like it will end soon. Actually it looks as if it my start thundering and lightening."

As if to prove Darcy right, a flash of light lit the sky followed by a loud crack of thunder. Elizabeth jumped and the arm that she had around him, squeezed him. "Are you afraid of thunder and lightening?" he asked her.

She had a scared look on her face as the sky lit up again and jumped when there was another crash. "N- N- No," she lied.

Darcy knew otherwise and pulled her closer. As another flash and crash came she jumped and he pulled her into his lap and started rocking her. Elizabeth hid her face into his chest as he stroked her hair. He said words of comfort as the storm continued. Neither thought about how improper their current positions were or that they found the other persons closeness very comforting and somewhat arousing.

After some moments the sound of thunder dulled down and Elizabeth was able to calm some. She suddenly realized that she was in Darcy's lap and tried to pull away. He had her firmly clasped in his arms and he didn't let go.

"Mr. Darcy, would you kindly release me?"

Darcy looked at her, bewildered by her request. He had not realized that he had her tightly in his arms and lap. For some reason unknown to him, he did not want to let her go. "Are you sure you want me to release you. You do not find it more comfortable in my lap?"

Elizabeth was loss for words. She really did not want to leave his arms but she knew she must. It was very compromising to be in a man's lap that was not her husband's.

Darcy took advantage of her hesitation to pull her closer. Their faces were only inches apart. Elizabeth licked her lips to wet them and Darcy couldn't resist. He brushed his lips against her than pulled her into a firm kiss. He continued to put pressure on her lips until she opened up and let him deepen the kiss. He ran his hand through her wet curls while his other hand was holding her against him.

Chapter Four

Elizabeth was shocked by his kiss but was caught up in the sensations she felt through out her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. She moved herself closer to him, pressing her body against his.

Darcy's head started to spin and he pulled away from her. Elizabeth looked at him with confusion and dismay. She wasn't sure what happened. When she noticed how pale Darcy's face was, she immediately became concerned.

"Are you well? You look pale."

"I'm well," Darcy responded.

"No you're not. Tell me what is wrong."

"I just- I feel a little dizzy."

"You should lie down."

"I cannot lie down with you here."

"You can and you must."

"But-"

The look on Elizabeth's face told him that she would not allow him to win this argument. His head was still spinning, so he lie down with her help. When he was comfortably, as comfortable as you can be on the cold ground, on his back Elizabeth laid beside him.

"What are you doing?" Darcy asked.

Elizabeth stopped and looked at him with a frown. "I was going to lie next to you. You need to keep warm."

Darcy protested as Elizabeth laid out beside him. She pressed herself against his side and one of her arms went over his chest. She was soon asleep. Darcy realized that she must have been exhausted and didn't want to tell him. Darcy fell asleep soon afterwards.

Chapter Five

Mr. Bennet was worried about his daughter. She was not home yet and a rainstorm had come and gone. He decided to go riding and search for her. He was close to Netherfield when he came upon a man riding a horse.

"Good day sir," the man called out. "Have you seen a curricle come by here?"

"Good day," replied Mr. Bennet. "I have not seen a curricle come by. Have you seen a young lady walking along the road?"

"No I have not. It seems that we are both looking for someone. Would you mind joining forces with me? We can search more efficiently with two people."

"That is a sound idea. My name is Andrew Bennet. I own the estate of Longbourn."

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Bennet. My name is Charles Bingley and I just recently leased Netherfield."

"Ah, so you're the man my daughters have talked about incessantly."

"Uh, I guess so. So, who is this person you are searching for?"

"I am search for my one of my daughters, Elizabeth. She left for a walk sometime before the storm and has not returned."

"I can see why you are so worried. I am searching for my friend, Mr. Darcy, who was on his way here from London. He was suppose to be at Netherfield some hours before the storm."

What if Mr. Darcy found my daughter in the rain and took her somewhere? Mr. Bennet thought. He became more worried about her welfare and now her virtue. They rode down the road towards London.

"Does your daughter walk out this far?" asked Bingley.

"Not often, but when she is stressed, as she was today, she will walk far before she realizes where she is."

They rode over a hill and saw a curricle lying on its side. The horses were nowhere in sight.

Chapter Six

"Good God!" exclaimed Bingley. "I hope Darcy is okay."

They rode quickly to the curricle and dismounted. They both walked up to the curricle to examine it and saw that there were two people inside. Darcy and Elizabeth were sleeping soundly with their arms wrapped around each other and their bodies press up against the other.

"Lizzy!" exclaimed Mr. Bennet at the same time that Bingley yelled "Darcy!"

Darcy and Elizabeth both awoke with a start. They both looked up at the two men. Elizabeth blushed with embarrassment. She pulled away from Darcy and sat up. Darcy tried to sit up but a dizzy spell hit him. Elizabeth noticed this and helped him to sit up.

"Father," Elizabeth said. "Mr. Darcy needs a doctor. He hit his head when he was thrown from the curricle. There is a cut but it has stopped bleeding. He was unconscious for about fifteen minutes and has been feeling dizzy since."

"I will go get my carriage," said Bingley with concern. "I'll have a doctor sent for."

Bingley immediately got on his horse and rode off. Mr. Bennet was still in shock from finding his favorite daughter in the arms of a man she had just met.

Elizabeth ignored her father's disapproving stare and asked Darcy, "How are you feeling? Are you much better after sleeping?"

"My head doesn't hurt as much," responded Darcy. "But I still feel dizzy and it hurts to move."

"You probably bruised you body when you hit the ground. Do you still feel cold?"

"Not as cold. The rain has stopped and you, uh, well, you kept me warm," Darcy said shyly.

Mr. Bennet heard enough and spoke up, "Lizzy, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Elizabeth looked at her father. "I have nothing to say."

"Elizabeth Bennet! You will answer me!" yelled her father.

Elizabeth had never seen her father this angry. "I- I was walking down the road when Mr. Darcy's curricle came around the corner. He pulled back on the reins so he would not run me over but his horse reared up causing the curricle to tip onto its side and throwing Mr. Darcy to the ground. It started to rain so I drag him into this shelter. He was shivering from the cold and the only way to warm him was with my body heat. Our proximity of each other was only to keep ourselves warm during the storm and nothing more. Mr. Darcy was a perfect gentleman the whole time. He actually protested but he saw the sense in it when I argued that it is better to disregard decorum than to die of pneumonia."

Mr. Bennet calmed down some and tried not to smile at Elizabeth's logic. She is right, you know, it is better to disregard decorum than die of pneumonia. He set his face to look grim and turned to look at Darcy.

"Is this true, sir? You did not take advantage of my daughter?"

Chapter Seven

Darcy looked at Elizabeth with a strained face. He looked as if he was struggling with himself. After a minute went by he said, "I cannot lie to you. Your daughter was trying to protect me. I did take advantage of her at one point. She was afraid of the thunder and lightening and had brought herself into my lap and I- I kissed her."

"Did you do anything more than kiss her?"

"No! I would not dishonor your daughter in such a way. I felt horrible for kissing her."

"So you did not enjoy kissing my daughter?" teased Mr. Bennet.

"I enjoyed kissing your daughter. What I meant was that I felt horrible for taking advantage of her."

"Papa! Will you stop teasing Mr. Darcy? He did nothing more than kiss me. It was very innocent."

"Innocent?! I would hardly call a kiss innocent." Mr. Bennet was still in teasing mode. It was his way of dealing with the anxiety of the situation.

"Father!" cried Elizabeth.

"So, Mr. Darcy, when will you marry my daughter?"

"Marry?" asked a befuddled Darcy. He felt light headed.

"Yes. You will marry my daughter, won't you? After all you did compromise her."

"Father! He did not compromise me. I will not force him to marry me."

Mr. Bennet now became serious. "It is not up to you to do the forcing, Lizzy. I am the one who will be forcing him to marry you."

"But papa, I do not wish to marry Mr. Darcy."

"Why not? You allowed him to kiss you. You have slept beside him. You must marry him."

"He is right, Miss Bennet," spoke up Darcy. "I have compromise you and I must marry you. It is the gentlemanly thing to do."

"But I don't know Mr. Darcy well enough to marry him."

"You will marry him Lizzy. We will speak more on the subject when Mr. Darcy is well. Right now you will get on my horse and ride back to Longbourn."

"Papa, you know that I don't ride."

"You have had riding lessons. You can ride. You just refuse to do so. You must go home and change out of your wet clothes. If your mother questions you tell her to talk to me when I return."

Elizabeth reluctantly stood up and walked over to the horse.

"I cannot ride without a lady's saddle."

"Lizzy, I know you better than that. You never used a lady's saddle during your lessons. Now get up on that horse."

Elizabeth did as he asked. She tried her best to keep her legs covered as she straddled the horse. She turned the horse towards Longbourn and rode off.

Mr. Bennet turned to Darcy and asked him questions about himself. By the time Bingley returned with a carriage they were on the subject of literature. With the help of two footmen, Darcy sat comfortably in the carriage. The footmen, Bingley and Mr. Bennet moved the curricle off to the side of the road where it would not impede on other travelers. They all rode to Netherfield in silence. Upon arriving, two more footmen came out to help Darcy into the house. Bingley directed the footmen on the carriage to bring Mr. Bennet to Longbourn.

Chapter Eight

Darcy laid in his bed. The doctor from London had just left him telling him he just needed some rest. Darcy was glad to know there was no serious damage done to his head. He still felt a little dizzy but the doctor said it was normal for head injures.

Darcy's thoughts then moved to the kind young lady who had helped him. He was surprised by her disregard for propriety, even in the their situation. He knew that no lady of the ton would have done so. No, scratch that, they would actually be very happy to disregard decorum, but only to force me to marry them not out of concern for my health. Elizabeth was different. Even when faced with a scandal she did not wish to marry outside of her convictions.

She does not know the full extent of my wealth and connections. When she learns of it she may be all too happy to marry me. The grim thought of Elizabeth changing her convictions when faced with great wealth, made Darcy's head hurt. Would she really change her mind about marriage to me if she knew about my wealth? I hope not. She seemed to be a nice girl. I hope our marriage will be a happy one.

There was no way Darcy was not going to marry Elizabeth. He had compromise her and he would make things right. It was his duty. Georgiana could use a female influence and Miss Bennet seems like the perfect lady for the job.

Darcy's thoughts were interrupted by yelling in the hallway outside of his room. He could tell it was an argument between Mr. Bingley and his sister Caroline. The yelling stopped and the door to his room opened and Miss Bingley ran to his bedside. Mr. Bingley followed, trying to stop her.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy!" cried Miss Bingley. "How terrible it must have been! I was scared to death when Charles came home and told me that you had been injured. He would not let me go with him to retrieve you. I wanted to. I was so sick with worry."

"Caroline, Darcy needs to rest. You are disturbing him. It's best if you go downstairs and eat some lunch. Are you hungry Darcy?"

"I still feel a little nauseous," replied Darcy. "I don't want any food now but I will try to eat some dinner later. Is Mr. Bennet still here?"

"No he left right after arriving here. He needed to go home and check on his daughter. I have been meaning to ask you Darcy, how did Miss Bennet end up with you?"

"Miss Bennet?" asked Miss Bingley.

"She is one of the daughters of the gentleman who owns the Longbourn estate," answered Mr. Bingley. "He helped me find Darcy while he was out looking for his daughter."

"Miss Bennet was there when the accident happened," said Darcy. "She was the one who brought me to shelter when it started raining. I was unconscious when she did so."

"Good God, Darcy! She carried you to the curricle?" responded Mr. Bingley.

"It was more like she dragged me. I hope she is well. She was just as wet through as I was."

"I will send a note to Longbourn in the morning to ask after her. What did her father have to say to you?"

"He had some questions, Miss Bennet answered most of them, but after I am well I have to meet with Mr. Bennet. We have to arrange for Miss Bennet and I to marry."

"Marry!" exclaimed Miss Bingley. Darcy and Mr. Bingley somehow miraculously had forgot about Miss Bingley's presence. "Why would you marry Miss Bennet?"

"I have compromised her, Miss Bingley," answered Darcy. "We had to keep each other warm so that we did not freeze."

"Not a marriage of sacrifice, I'd say," spoke up Mr. Bingley. "You seemed to be enjoying Miss Bennet's company. I don't blame you, Miss Bennet is uncommonly pretty, even when she is wet."

Darcy felt a wave of anger go through him from Mr. Bingley's comment. Why do I feel angry? I cannot be jealous, can I?

"But can not you keep this information quiet?" asked Miss Bingley. "If only you, Miss Bennet, Mr. Bennet and Charles know of the compromise then you could not say anything and no one would be the wiser."

"I would know," said Darcy. "And that is enough. Besides that, her father was there and what father would not want his daughter married after she has been compromised, even if only a few people know of it?"

"Darcy is right, Caroline," added Mr. Bingley. "It is the gentlemanly thing to do. If you need any help, Darcy, just let me know. Come Caroline, we need to let Darcy rest."

Mr. Bingley led his sister from the room, closing the door behind him.

Chapter Nine

Mrs. Bennet was in a frenzy. She has been in her frenzy for several days, since she heard about Elizabeth's situation. If she had known that her soon to be son-in-law was worth ten thousand a year she might not have been in a frenzy but in a flutter. Both would end with the same results: Mr. Bennet would be locked in his study, Elizabeth would be on a walk, and Jane would be tending to her mother. Such was the case on this day except Elizabeth was with her father.

"Lizzy, I just received a letter from Mr. Darcy and his solicitor," Mr. Bennet told his daughter. "He has offered quite a settlement on you. I think your mother will be very pleased. Did you know that Mr. Darcy is a very wealthy man of ten thousand a year?"

"Ten thousand?" asked Elizabeth. "He will surely think I trapped him into this marriage."

"Oh, I think he knows you did no such thing. You were more worried about his health than anything. You recommended yourself very well to him. I bet he is all too please to have such a caring wife."

"Papa, I do not wish to marry him. I do not love him."

"I know dear, but you have been compromised. Let's hope your caring nature has found you a man worthy of your respect. He seems decent enough. When he is better we will invite him for dinner so you can get to know him better."

They spent the rest of the day talking about the books that Mr. Bennet had just added to his library. At dinner, Mr. Bennet told Mrs. Bennet about the settlement on Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet almost fainted with joy.

"Ten thousand a year!" cried Mrs. Bennet. "Just think of the pin money you will receive. And the dresses! You will be the best dressed of the ton! An estate in Derbyshire! And a townhouse in London! Just think of all the wealthy men you could find to marry your sisters! The balls you will go to! Oh, Lizzy! You have caught yourself a fine husband!"

"Mama! I didn't mean to catch him," Elizabeth stated.

"Of course you did Lizzy. You are a very clever girl. Helping the poor man when he was injured. Lydia, you could be as clever as Lizzy and catch yourself a wealthy husband."

Elizabeth excused herself from the table, complaining of a headache that was very real. She was distraught over her mother's assumption of the situation. She hoped her mother did not say any such things in front of Mr. Darcy.

Chapter Ten

It was a week later and Mr. Darcy was fully recovered from his injury. He had dined with the Bennets the evening before and had found that Mr. Bennet was a pleasant man but that Mrs. Bennet was a nuisance. Miss Bennet had been quiet the whole evening.

Tonight they were going to announce their engagement at the Meryton Assembly. The Bennets were going to be there, including Mr. Bennet even though he usually did not attend such events. Darcy was a little nervous. He hated social events. He always felt uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. The only good thing to come of it is he would be able to dance with Miss Bennet.

Darcy arrived at the assembly hall with Mr. Bingley and his sister. They exited the carriage and entered the building. Darcy could hear the music and cringed. It was not of the standard he was use to.

When they entered the hall the room fell silent as the dance ended. All eyes turned to them and Darcy grind his teeth. He hated being stared at in such a way. Mr. Bennet immediately went up to Darcy and greeted him, as Sir William Lucas welcomed Mr. Bingley. Darcy was grateful when Mr. Bennet led him to Elizabeth's side and left the two alone.

"I hope you are well, Miss Bennet," Darcy said to her after they were alone.

"Yes I am well. Are you well?" she asked.

"Yes. My headaches are gone."

"I'm happy to hear it."

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me Miss Bennet?"

"Mr. Darcy, we are betrothed. You can call me Elizabeth."

"Then you must call me Fitzwilliam."

"I would be happy to dance with you, Fitzwilliam."

Darcy led Elizabeth to the set as others lined up. The music started and they began the dance. Darcy was impressed by Elizabeth's dancing skill. She moved with grace and dexterity. Elizabeth asked him questions about Pemberley and they spent the whole dancing talking about Darcy's estate and what Elizabeth should expect when arriving there after their marriage.

Darcy was happy to hear that she had a good understanding of what would be expected of her as Mistress of Pemberley. She seemed to take her future position there very seriously. When the set was done they went and got some refreshments and sat out the next set. Darcy spoke of his sister and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. He even told her about what happened at Ramsgate. If she was to be his wife and Georgiana's sister, she would have to know.

As the set was coming to an end, Mr. Bennet came over to Darcy and Elizabeth and told them he was going to announce their engagement. The three of them walked over to where Sir William was standing near the musicians. The room fell silent as the music stopped and Sir William spoke.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sorry I have to interrupt such merry dancing but Mr. Bennet wishes to make announcement."

"Thank you, Sir William," Mr. Bennet said. "It is my greatest pleasure to announce the engagement of my daughter, Elizabeth, to Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire. I hope these two have a happy marriage."

Mr. Bennet then quickly walked away, leaving all eyes on Darcy and Elizabeth. Both looked shyly to the floor. Then to their relief, the music started up and another set was formed. Darcy led Elizabeth to the set and they danced, speaking of Elizabeth's childhood.

Chapter Eleven

A month had gone by and it was the day of Elizabeth's wedding. She was very nervous. She now knew Darcy better but she still did not love him. She did like him very much and respected him, but she wished to marry for love. She was happy that her sister Jane was very much in love with Mr. Bingley and that Mr. Bingley seemed to feel the same way towards Jane. At least Jane will marry for love.

Elizabeth's thoughts were disrupted by her mother, who rushed into the room and yelled at her to make haste. Elizabeth dressed and sat as her hair was put up by one of the maids. She was led down to the carriage where she would ride to the Longbourn church with her father. The rest of the Bennets would walk since the church was not that far.

Elizabeth's nerves were getting worse as Mr. Bennet helped her out of the carriage. They waited outside the church until the music started and her father took her arm and led her inside.

Elizabeth's eyes immediately found Darcy's. She was surprised by what she saw. His eyes glowed with a warmth that she had never seen there before. She gazed into his eyes as her father led her down the aisle. She did not realize she was walking until she had stopped in front of her betrothed.

She felt a warm serenity come over her as he took her hand. The priest began the ceremony, but she did not hear a word. She was lost in Darcy's brown eyes. She felt safe in his gaze. When she had to say her vows she did so with warmth and certainty. It wasn't until then that she realized that she had fallen in love with her soon to be husband. It made her feel as if she were floating. The ceremony ended and Darcy gave her a very chaste kiss before leading her down the aisle.

When Darcy saw Elizabeth walk down the aisle towards him, he was awed by her beauty. He kept his eyes on hers. Her eyes sparkled with happiness. He took her hands in his and warmth rose up his arm and into his heart. When the priest started the ceremony he did not hear a word of it. He was pulled from his revere when the priest asked him to say his vows and he did so with a passion he did not know he had. That was when he realized that he was very much in love with Elizabeth. When the ceremony ended, it took all his self-restraint not to pull her towards him and take her with his kiss. He gave her a quick kiss and led her down the aisle.

When they emerged from the church Darcy pulled Elizabeth to him and brought his lips to hers for a deep kiss.

"Mrs. Darcy, you look so beautiful," he whispered when he pulled away enough to breath. He kissed her again, more passionately then he ever did before. As the guests started emerging, Darcy pulled away. He caressed her cheek and said in a tender voice "I love you, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smile, her eyes were wet with unshed tears. "I love you, Fitzwilliam."

Disregarding the guests, Darcy pulled Elizabeth back to him and kissed her deeper then before. It was a joining of their hearts and souls. They would never forget the day when they were thrown together or regret that they were forced to marry. Their love grew as the years went by and their family grew.

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