An Unsuitable Marriage

By Lucie

Part 1|Part 2|Part 3|Part4|

Part I

I have often wondered what would have happened if Darcy's parents had been alive and he married Elizabeth against his mothers wishes.

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Lady Anne watched her son. He was seemed changed since returning home after those two months visiting with Charles Bingley and his two younger sisters at Netherfield in Hertfordshire. She couldn't put her finger on it but something was different about Fitzwilliam.

As Georgiana played on the pianoforte he had that strange secretive smile on his face that she noticed so frequently as of late.

She was happy to see that both he and Georgiana had recovered their good humor since he returned to Pemberley last summer bringing his young sister with him. When she inquired of him why he brougnt Georgiana from Ramsgate so soon instead of letting her stay the two months they had planned he had answered that he found that Mrs. Younge was a most unsuitable companion for a young lady and had dismissed her. He would tell her nothing more, but got that stubborn look that was so like his father whenever she pressed him.

She asked Georgie only once and was startled when the girl burst into tears and dashed from the room to hide in her suite for the rest of the day.

Giving in to her sons wishes and not wanting to cause her dearest daughter pain she complied when he asked her not to speak of it to Georgiana again.

The next three months there seemed to be a strain between her and her children but she could find no reason for it and so was most happy now that all seemed to be well with both of her children.

Georgiana threw herself into her lessons especially her music and was becoming very proficient on the pianoforte. To her mother's dismay though she seemed to become even more private and shy than before. Lady Anne had hoped so much that a summer at the seashore would bring her daughter out of her shyness, but it had not happened and she was at a loss to know what had happened.

After the holidays the Darcy's returned to London for the season where Lady Anne hoped that Georgie would somehow find it possible to be more open in society instead of hiding beside her mother. She thought that perhaps Caroline Bingley would be a help in acheiving this, but Georgiana for some reason did not seem to care for the company of Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst.

When she asked her daughter about this her reply was that she had never heard either of them utter a kind word about anyone and it made her wonder what they said of her when they were speaking with others. Lady Anne knew that Caroline would never say an unkind word about Georgie. She had plans that would be ruined if any word came to Fitzwilliam that her acid tongue had been at work against Georgiana

Lady Anne noticed a remarkable shift in her sons attitude toward Miss Bingley. Where for the last four years they had chatted between them selves about the people they saw at parties with her son enjoying Miss Bingleys acid remarks and her unflattering imatations of the guests. He seemed to like to make his own observations which seemed to match Caroline's.

Sometimes Lady Anne thought they went too far, but when she pressed her son about it he only replied that they were only stating what was the truth. He seemed to find most of the people in their set dead bores, not worth his time.

Though she liked Charles Bingley very much, she found that she liked his sisters less and less. Why couldn't they be as charming and amiable as their brother.

Lady Anne suspected that Caroline Bingley had set her cap for her son and before had feared that he might marry her out of sheer boredom. She feared that her sister Catherine's long planned union between Fitzwilliam and her sickly daughter Lady Anne DeBourgh was never to be. She knew that her son could abide the girl but not the mother. He most certinly felt no love for his cousin.

If only Catherine would cease to give him her unwanted advice on any and all subject including the right age for a young man to marry.

Lady Anne knew that it would be useless to ask her husband to interceed on Catherine's behalf. He would only say that Fitzewilliam would marry Anne if he loved her but he would not make him marry a woman he despised especially if her mother went along with the marriage.

Anne wished whe knew what had hapened between George and Catherin after Sir Henry's death. Before they visited back and forth between the two families for different holidays, but since Henry's death George refused to go to Rosings Park and would leave on business or for his hunting lodge in Scotland whenever Catherine visited.

Catherine became very incensed each time to find George missing and accused Anne of being jealous of her and keeping her husband from associating with her sister. This was such foolishness, but then Catherine was never one to conceed that she could be at fault.

Lady Anne heard Caroline Bingley make a remark about the girl with the fine eyes to Fitzwilliam but she could not hear his response though she could see that Caroline was not at all happy with it.

This was not the first time she had head Miss Bingley try to tease her son about the girls eyes. When she had asked about it Caroline had answered that Fitzwilliam seemed to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Herdfordshire to have unusually lovely eyes but had assured Lady Anne that the young woman's attitude toward him would preclude any attachment.

"You would not believe how impertinant the girl was toward your dear son, she seemed to seek to find something to argue about whenever they came into contact, she even bested him at chess and cards and took great delight in it," Caroline confided. I really don't know how Mr. Darcy kept his temper at times, she was most disrespectful."

Lady Anne could scarce believe this. every young woman she knew fauned over her son and made absolute fools of themselves, seeking to impress him. The mothers were not much better, Lady Anne thought.

"Well, she said to herself as she watched Caroline try again to catch her sons attention by making another remark about Miss Bennet's singing. We shall go to Rosings Park in a senight and he will be spared Miss Bingley's cattiness for a time at least."

She wished her husband would accompany them but knew that he would not. Fitzwilliam would find his time more enjoyable this time though, as her nephew Edward a Colonel in the Militia was to go with them this time.

Lady Anne had been elated to hear that Catherine's toady of a clergyman had married a most sensible young woman from Herdfordshire. She could not abide the man and was hard pressed to understand why Catherine seemed so enamored of him. Perhaps George was right, the fact that he was such a toady was what made him so suitable to her sister. Catherine did like to have her way and the last pastor she had, had not lasted long after critizing her treatment of her tenants and urging her to more Christian charity.

This young man would certainly never do such a thing, of that she was certain. Lady Anne laughed aloud at the very thought.

Hopefuly his marriage would keep him at the parsonage and away from the manor. The last two times she had been there he had been underfoot all the time bowing and scraping, extolling Lady Catherine's and Rosing Parks virtues until Lady Anne wanted to scream

As she thought of Mr. Collins and his new wife she recalled how her son had seemed relieved and surprised to find that the man had married this Miss Charlotte Lewis. He said he had met the young woman whilst visitiing at Netherfield.

When she asked if she was a friend of Miss Elizabeth Bennet he had smiled and replied that he believed they were best friends.

Lady Anne had met the girls father Sir William Lucas and found him an insufferable buffoon. How such a sensible woman as Lady Lucas could marry such a man was beyond her understanding.

Part II-A

Lady Anne sighed and shook her head as she watched her son stride across the courtyard to mount his black hunter and with a flick of the whip gallop off.

"What is it that troubles you, my dear," she heard her husband ask.

Turning from the window she walked to the chair beside her husbands and sitting down she sighed again, "I wish I knew what was wrong with Fitzwilliam, he is either pensive and inattentive or so very angry since we returned from Rosings Park. He is either with his fencing master or riding about the countryside outside of town." Miss Bingley says that when she has been returning from visiting friends in the country she has seen him several times whipping his horse into a hard run."

"What ever it is he will get over it and be his old self again in a short time, George replied. You had the same fears after he returned from Ramsgate with Georgiana as I recall. Stop worrying my dear, he is seven and twenty he is no longer your little boy."

"I cannot help myself, George she replied. Did you know that he has taken up that dreadful sport of boxing. Edward said they had to reprimand him for becoming too rough with his opponents and warn him that unless he could control himself he would no longer be allowed to participate."

"Yes, my love, his boxing master informed me of such and Fitz and I had a long discussion on the subject of self control for a gentleman of his station. Do not worry so my dear, he will be fine, give him time and do not press him."

"I must go to my chess club, dear, I am to play a new opponent today, a man named Edward Gardiner. Leedly says he is most intellegent and amiable man, and a worthy opponent.

As he rose to leave the room he kissed the top of her head gently.

"Do not worry, Lady Anne sighed, how can I not worry when my only son is so unhappy. Something happened when were were at Rosing. "

George Darcy snorted, "Spending time in the company of your sister Catherine is enough to make anyone angry and unhappy.."

Lady anne watched her husband leave thinking why does George think so lowly of Catherine, I know that she can be vexing and overbearing, but it is more than that.

Picking up her book to read her mind wandered back to their visit to Rosings Park. When they arrived the odious clergyman Mr. collins was listening to Catherine's advice on honey collecting. He had seemed surprised and happy to see that Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, and Edward had accompanied her. He immediatly informed her that he had met her distinguished son at a party at Netherfield, which she already knew.

He further informed them that Mrs. Collins' sister Maria and his cousin Miss Elizabeth Bennet were visiting and would be there until after the Easter holidays. He left at once to inform his wife of their arrival and imform her that Fitzwilliam would be calling with his sister and his cousin.

Lady Anne was a bit surprised at her sons calling on the neighbor especially this one, so soon after their arrival. Lady Anne herself claimed fatigue and went to her chambers whilst the young people went down the lane.

She had been much surprised two nights later when the Collins's and their guest arrive at Rosings Park for dinner to see that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was a stunning young woman. She recalled Caroline Bingley's description of her, "Her eyes, which your son finds so fine are to me small and shifty with a calculating look, her complextion has no brilliancy, her teeth are tolerable but nothing out to the ordinary, her nose is nothing of distinction, her hair is of that natural curly type that cannot not be comed into any style befitting a lady of fashion all in all she is a typical country lass."

Lady Anne smiled to herself as she thought that she should have known that this girl would be truly lovely if Caroline described her as she had. She was not however prepared for the elegant regal young woman whose mein and demeanor bespoke of the highest of breeding. Who were this girls people, they were more than mere country bumpkins of that she was certain.

She found Miss Bennet completely charming, intelligent and witty, and undaunted by the great Lady Catherinne Deborge.

Catherine and Mr. Collins hastened to inform her that the Bennet estate was entailed away from her and her sister and that Mr. Collins on Mr. Bennets death would become master of Longbourn.

Lady Anne found it comlepetly distastful for Mr. Collins to hold sway on the subject with the young woman sitting there, but she seemed to be resigned to it and paid him little heed, as did his wife.

She liked Mrs. Charlotte Lucas, she decided, a very sensible young woman. How she could have married such a fool was hard to understand, but then her mother had married that buffoon Sir William Lucas.

The days had passed quickly and happily for the three young people who accompanied her. Lady Anne DeBourgh spent most of her time in her chambers with various ailments giveing Georgiana the freedom to become well aquainted with Miss Moria Lucas and Miss Bennet. She was elated to see her daughter laughing and talking so openly with these two young women. At first Georgiana and Maria had been shy but Miss Bennet seemed to know how to bring them out of themselves and enjoy the company. She especially enjoyed hearing Georgiana and Miss Bennet play duets on the pianoforte or Georgie play whilst Miss Bennet sang

Catherine of course was certain that if her Anne had the opportunity to learn that she would surpass all of them and if she herself had learned she would be the best of all.

Anne smiled to herself as she recalled her mother trying to make Catherine practice to learn to play, but Catherine stubbornly refused and Lady Fitzwilliam had at last given up.

As she shifted in her chair she tried to remember what it could have been that would have upset her son so much. It could not have been the Bennet girl, she showed no interest in Fitzwilliam whatsoever. She did however flirt with his cousin and seemed to enjoy his company immensley. Edward in turn made no bones about how much he enjoyed her company.

Fitzwilliam just seemed to mostly sit and stare at them, though there was some good natured bantering between him and Miss Bennet, which Fitzwillian seemed to enjoy greatly.

Her son had taken long walks almost daily which had been a surprise to Lady Anne. she had expected him to spend his time at home playing billiards or cards with his cousin but he seemed to be happier away from the house as he returned each day with a satisfied look and a smile.

One morning Lady Catherine had insisted that he take her daughter Anne for a ride in the pony cart to his seeming dismay.

After they left she confided to Anne that she was sure that she heard Fitzwillian practicing a proposal in the confines of his room. She was certain that he intended to ask for Anne's hand and wanted to give them the opportunity to be alone together.

When they returned he was preparing to go for a walk when his cousin had come into the hall and informed them that he had met Miss Bennet as he took his yearly tour of the park, but that their stroll had been cut short when the young lady complained of a headache and returned to the parsonage.

Fitzwilliam had then changed his mind and challenged his cousin to a game of billards.

Catherine had cornered her daughter asking excitedly, "Did he ask you, what did he say, tell me at once child."

"He spoke not a word, Mama, Anne replied, what was he supposed to say."

"He spoke not a word, what do you mean he spoke not a word. Did he not ask you to marry him, what are you saying girl."

"He spoke not a word," Anne whimpered as she left the room, he most certainly did not ask for my hand, Mama."

That evening the Collins' and Miss Lucas came to dine again informing them that Miss Bennet still had a headache and decided to stay at the parsonage where there would be peace and quiet."

Lady DeBourgh raged at them that it was most unseemly of the girl not to accompany them. "What do you mean she had a headache, I surely would not let such a little thing as a headache keep me from such distinquished company as she would find at Rosings Park"

Lady Anne had noticed that her son ate little but sat pushing the food around his plate.

"What is the matter with you, Darcy? Cook fixed this delicious meal and you eat nothing," Lady Catherine snapped, "Is the food at Rosing not good enough for you? You prefer the tables in town, I suppose."

Lady Anne could see that her son was getting more and more angry but before she could intercede he pushed his chair back saying that he needed some fresh air and asked her to please excuse him.

In less than an hour he was back, storming into the house. When his aunt tried to intercept him he had run up the stairs to his chambers .

"You had better do something about you son, Anne, I am not accustomed to being ignored," Catherine stormed at her.

Lady Anne had replied, "He is not a boy, Catherine, and I no longer control him. I shall, however, endeavor to find out what is wrong."

As she tapped on his door after finding it locked he had told her that he did not want to be disturbed, that he had some very important correspondence that he must take care of. Though she returned to his door again when she was ready to retire he had again refused to open the door saying again that he must finish his letter.

The next morning she went again to his room only to be told by his man that he had gone out. Anne Was becoming very vexed at her son and meant to have this out with him when he returned.

When he returned however he informed her that he had to go back to town immediatley and expected to leave before noon. Edward had voluntered to go with him which relieved her greatly. Perhaps he could find out what had precipitated this sudden urge to get away. She wanted to know if he had felt pressured by her sister.

Before they left they went next door to pay their final respects to the Collins'. Fitzwilliam was back withing 20 minutes but Edward stayed for over an hour. When he returned he informed them that he had been waiting to say goodby to Miss Bennet but she had not appeared and he knew that when his cousin was ready to go he meant now.

Part II part B

Lady Anne was pleased to hear the servant announce Mrs. Henry Darcy. She loved her mother in law and more than once had gone to her for counsel.

"Mother Darcy," she exclaimed, "how wonderful to see you. I was going to call on you this afternoon, I need your advice."

"What is it, Anne dear?" Mrs. Darcy asked, "You do look unhappy. Has anything happened to Georgiana? I thought that she was much recovered from her ill spirits."

"No, oh no, it is not Georgie, it is Fitzwilliam. He left Rosings Park in such a rush, one day he was wanting to stay another sennight and the next he announced he was returning to town immediately."

"He has been angry and unhappy since. His seems to be constantly on the offensive and will tell us nothing. When I ask him he says that it is something he has to work out for himself. I wish he would let me help him, I want my handsome loving son back. This dark angry man is a stranger to me."

Lady Anne began to weep as she spoke, causing her mother-in-law great consternation.

"That does not sound at all like my grandson," Mary Darcy said, "he has always been the most gentle and considerate of boys, but he is no longer a boy, is he?"

"Has your sister Catherine been pressuring him to marry her sickly daughter? We all know that he has no intention of doing that, all except Catherine, that is."
"No, at least I don't believe so. he spent little time in her presence but seemed more content to wander the grounds even though his cousin Edward was with us."

After Lady Anne told Mrs. Darcy about their trip to Rosings Park her mother in law sat back in her chair saying, "He sounds to me like a lover scorned."

"But that cannot be there was no one there to whom he showed the slightest inclination. The only possible one would have been Miss Elizabeth Bennet but she showed not the least interest in him or he in her."

"You say he sat and stared at her and his cousin while they laughed and talked," Mrs. Darcy said. "Did he not speak to her himself?"

"Only very little, I particularly remember one conversation. I recall that Miss Bennet was telling Edward that the first time she saw Fitzwilliam was at a dance where he danced only four dances with Mr. Bingley's sisters though there was a shortage of men and ladies who were in need of partners. My poor Will tried to explain that he found it difficult to converse with strangers. Miss Bennet replied that she did not play the pianoforte as well as she would like but that was because she did not take the time to prctice. William of course caught her meaning and replied that she was perfectly right. I do not understand his last remark though, 'Neither of us perform well to strangers'."

"I must be on my way, dear Anne, tell William that I would like very much to see him, he has not visited me since his return and I miss him," Mrs. Darcy said as she prepared to leave, she wanted to see her grandson. She suspected what was wrong with him but could not talk of it to Anne until she was sure.

Darcy walked into his grandmother's sitting room with a smile. He loved his grandmother so much. She never pressured him and he knew that he could always confide in her. She kept his secrets well. Perhaps she could help him now, but he was not ready to talk to anyone.

"Well boy, what have you been up to, you have your poor mother worried half out of her mind," Mrs. Darcy said.

She knew that the direct approach would be the best way of dealing with her grandson.

"It sounds to me like you are a man scorned by love. I find that unbelievable though, I know that every mama with an eligible daughter has thrown them at your head for years. Caroline Bingley make no bones about wanting to be your wife. It is surely not that odious carriage makers daughter that you pine for."

Darcy stared at his grandmother, he could never hide anything from her, even when he was a child she knew everything.

He sat in a chair his hand over his mouth for a few minutes, then got up and walked about the room before sitting down again for a few minutes. Getting up and walking to the mantle he leaned on it as he said, "Please Grandmother will you be deadly honest with me."

"Will, have you ever known me not to be perfectly honest with you?"

Moving to the window he pulled the curtain aside to look down on the square as he said in a painful voice, "Am I arrogant and conceited grandmother, do I have a selfish disdain for the feelings of those not in my family, please tell me, I must know the truth?"

"The truth, you want dear, are you quite sure."

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life," he replied.

"Well, since you ask, the past few years I have seen more and more of your Aunt Catherine in you Fitzwilliam, I am sorry to say. I think you spend too much time with Caroline Bingley and have learned all too well her acid tongue. Why do you ask Will dear, I am sure no one would ever accuse you of being so, not to your face."

Darcy gave her a wry smile as he replied, "There is one who would Grandmother. When I asked her to marry me she refused me accusing me of causing her sister heartbreak and treating George Wickham in the cruelest way. I cannot believe how arrogant my proposal was I insulted her family in every way possible making it sound like she should feel grateful that I would condescend to ask for her hand."

"George Wickham, what has that scoundrel to do with this?" his grandmother exploded.

"He told her a sorry tale that my father had promised him a living at the parsonage at Kempton but my mother and I were jealous of fathers affection for him and had made him rescind the offer."

"That rake," she said, "of course he would not tell the truth, that you father caught him redhanded stealing from his cash box and sent him from Pemberley. All this after he had refused the post at Kempton and been given 3000 punds in lieu of the living. How typical of George Wickham that is. Of course he could charm the birds out of the trees, but how could she believe such a lie."

"She had good reason Grandmother, I treated her, I treated all of them abominably. I was prideful and arrogant, I know that now."

"Why would she accuse you of breaking her sister heart, dear, did her sister fall in love with you?"

"No, not with me, Grandmother," he laughed, "with Bingley. I thought that she was not good enough for him, she showed no sign of any inclination toward him so I convinced him that she was another fortune hunter and felt nothing for him. Poor Bingley, now I know how he feels, he still pines for Jane Bennet and has lost some of his amiable nature."

"Fitzwilliam Darcy, by what right did you interfer with your friends happiness? What a shameful thing you have done."

"But Grandmother, I could see not sign that she cared for him, the serenity of her countance was such that however amiable her temper her heart was not easily touched. In that I was wrong too, so it seems."

"And did anyone suspect that you were in love with her sister?" his grandmother said quietly.

"Of course not, I could not let anyone see how much I felt for her."

Mrs. Darcy looked at him over the rim of her glasses as she said, "It would seem that you and Miss Jane Bennet are alike in that, does it not, dear."

Darcy stared at her for a few minutes befor he turned red and said, "Just like me she did not show her emotions, what a fool I have been."

Take my advice, dear, do not let this girl slip away from you. She seems to be the only woman in England who did not see your station and fortune when she looked at you. She saw only the man, she is worth more than all the women in the ton put together, do not lose her dear. Explain to her about George and why you did what you did to her sister and Charles. She sounds like an intelligent young woman, I am sure she will forgive you when she learns the truth.A woman such as she will only marry for love and respect, do not lose that Will.

"I think not, she despises me, he answered in a tired voice. I gave her a letter explaing all before I left Rosings Park. I had to let her know what kind of man Wickham was, I could not chance her being hurt by him as Georgie was."

"You did not tell her what happened at Ramsgate, did you dear."

"Yes, Grandmother, I had to. Never fear, I know that she can be trusted with our secret, I trust her completly."

"Your parents still know nothing of this do they," she asked.

"No, my father has suffered enough heartbreak at that mans hands and my mother would do something we would all be sorry for, no I cannot tell them, I gave my promise to Georgiana and I will keep it."

Part II C

After the maid brought in the tea tray and left Mrs. Darcy said "Sit down Fitzwilliam, we must discuss this further, no dear not over there, here close to me.

Darcy smiled at his grandmother and moved to the chair next to her.

"I don't know what ther is to discuss Grandmother, the fact is Miss Elizabeth Bennet detests me and wants never to see me again."

"Just tell me everything that went on that night, all that was said by both of you and I will decide."

After Darcy had told her word for word about his disasterous proposal and Elizabeth's answer, she shook her head and said, "Oh dear me Will, what an abominable thing to say, of course the girl was insulted. How could say such things and expect to be accepted, no self respecting woman would say yes to such a proposal especially one as spirited and intelligent as I believe Miss Bennet to be."

"I don't know Grandmama, it just seemed to come out all wrong, I meant for her to know that though I knew that my family would object strongly to a marriage between us, but that I loved her so much that their objections would be meaningless to me. What does it matter now, all hope is gone. I shall love her till the day I die but she will never speak to me again."

"Perhaps not, love. I am sure that after reading your letter she will know that she has been too harsh on you and will soften her feelings against you. At least she knows now about Wickham's lies and will be spared from falling under his spell as so many others have."

"The best thing you can do, Will, is to take her admonitions to heart and stop standing around with Caroline Bingley making biting remarks about others."

"You can be assured that I no longer seek out the company of Miss Bingley, Grandmama, I have come to detest the site of the woman. She delights in making stinging remarks about my Elizabeth and making what she considers a joke about her beautiful dark eyes. I try only see Charles when his sisters are not about now and try to avoid them at parties as much as possible."

"I am very glad to hear that, William, but you must do more than just avoid MIss Bingley. You must try with all your heart to be more amiable and make an effort to converse with those who you would have before cut off without so much as a smile. Give little compliments to the friends of your mother and father, not too much but just enough so that they know that you are no longer the cold stern snob you have become these last few years. I would not advise you to be too complimentary to the daughters or they might put too much into it. Just try to act to others as you would have them act toward you. After a short time it will become less of an effort and you will find that you will feel better about yourself and them. You must have some aquaintances who are friends of the Bennets or at least know them. If you really try, dear, word will find Miss Elizabeth and she will see that you have changed for the better and think less harshly of you. I would advise you to start with Sir William and Lady Lucas. You say that they are neighbors and good friends. From what I have seen of Sir William, he will tell one and all about the new amiable Fitzwilliam Darcy."

"But what good will that do, Grandmother, if I never see her again?" Darcy said rising to go again to the window.

"You say she comes to town to visit her aunt and uncle in Cheapside, what do they do when they are there? Do they go to the theater or the opera."

"I know that they go to both as she said on numerous occasions how much she liked Shakespeare and loved the opera and ballet," Darcy said animatedly as he turned to face his grandmother with a smile.

"Well there you are, dear, you must make every effort to find out when she is in town and make certain that you go to all of them so that you may meet her there and converse with her and her relatives."

"But that will not be till the season starts, he said as he slumped into a chair dejectedly, by that time she could be engaged to someone else."

"I think not, Will, from what you have told me the girl is most particular. I don't think she will find anyone about Meryton in these next few months. She has lived there all her life and is still unattached. I believe I can safely say she will still be the same when the season starts."

"Now what are you going to be doing for the rest of the summer. Are you to go to Pemberley with your parents next week. I am so looking forward to this visit, it is so hot here in town and the north country air is just what I need."

Darcy smiled at his grandmother lovingley. She always made him feel so much better.

"Yes I shall be there, he replied, unfortunatly I invited Charles and his sisters some time ago and now cannot avoid their company even at Pemberley. I believe I shall be visiting many of the farms," he went on showing his dimples with a smile."

"Thank you so much grandmama, I feel so much better for having had this talk. I shall endeavor to take your advice. You always know how to make me feel better, don't you," he said kissing her cheek as he prepared to depart.

Part IIIa

As the Darcy family were entering the carriage for the trip to Derbyshire they were surprised to see the Bingley baroche box enter the courtyard.

"Depend on the Bingley sisters to want to make a grand entrance, especially to Pemberley, Grandmother Darcy remarked, they will find that the box is not as comfortable on a long journey as this carriage. Why would Charles allow his sisters use that thing for such a long trip such as this."

"Lady Anne tried without success to supress a giggle at her mother in law words as she watched Caroline Bingley descend fron the ornate box and approach their carriage.

"Whatever could that woman want now, Mrs. Darcy snorted, she is arrayed as if she were to appear at court instead of a long dusty two day journey."

"Mother Darcy, please, she will hear you, Lady Anne said as she opened the carriage door. What is it Miss Bingley is there perhaps some trouble."

"Not at all Lady Anne, Caroline purred with a satisfied smile, I thought that I might ride with you to accompany Miss Georgiana. We would have such a merry journey discussing fashion and friends. Oh Mrs. Darcy I did not know that you were to make the trip. I thought that at your age it would be far too strenuous."

She realized at once that she had mad a great faux pas as Darcy's grandmother bristled, saying coldly, "I am not yet in my dotage, Miss Bingley and I can assure you that I can withstand this journey as well as you or anyone else."

"Oh dear me, I did not mean that you were incapable of travel, I merely meant to express my concern for a lady of your years becoming tired and worn from a two day journey along rough dusty roads," Caroline stammered knowing that with she was falling more and more out favor with one of Mr. Darcy favorite people with each word, but she seemed unable to stop herself.

"Really Miss Bingley, Lady Anne interupted, I can assure you that Mother Darcy is quite capable of withstanding this trip. As to riding in our carriage, as you can see we are quite full and it would be most uncomforable to try to fit another in with us."

"Perhaps Georgiana could ride in our carriage, Caroline continued, I am sure that she will find a great deal of lively conversation there."

"I think not, Mrs. Darcy replied, I see all to little of my grand daughter and am looking forward to catching up on her accomplishments on this journey."

"Georgiana, what do you say to this," Caroline persisted.

"I thank you Miss Bingley, but I think I would like to spend this time with Grandmother Darcy," Georgiana said shyly.

"As you wish, dear, Miss Bingley replied. Where is your brother, I have not seen him since we arrived. Is he perhaps to be delayed for a time. If so we will be happy to await him and you can start your journey at once."

"Fitzwilliam is already on his way, George Darcy told her. My steward wrote asking for help on a matter of some importance and William voluntered to go early to Pemberley to settle the matter. He left at first light yesterday."

Mrs. Darcy had all she could do not to laugh aloud at the look on Caroline's face as she muttered, "Oh, I see, how strange that he did not inform us, he usually keeps us abreast of his movements."

The journey was indeed a long one, especially for those in the Bingley carriage. Caroline was most vexed that Mr. Darcy should have gone ahead of the rest of the party and expressed her displesure endlessly until Mr. Hurst demanded that she speak of something else and his wife agreed. "Really Caroline, there is nothing to be done about it, so why must you go on and on," Louisa said crossly.

Charles had had enough of his sisters by the end of the first day and chose to ride the rest of the way with the Darcy party leaving Mr. Hurst to bear the two women. Mr. Hurst was unruffled however and chose to sleep most of the second day.

"I should have asked Georgiana to accompany us on this leg of the journey," Caroline cried, I must become best friends with her and what better opportunity than a ride such as this."

"Still hoping to become mistress of Pemberley, eh Caroline, Hurst smirked. Give it up woman, Mr. Darcy has not designs on you what so ever."

"God to sleep, Hurst, Caroline snapped, you know nothing of the matter. Why are we falling so far behind the Darcy carriage again, they will be at Pemberley a full hour before we arrive at this pace. Why did Charles choose to ride with them, why could he not stay with us and spur this fool of a coachman on."

"I tried to tell you that we would make faster time with the other carriage, Mr. Hurst said, but you wanted to make it a grand tour letting all who see us know how wealthy you are. Speed and opulence do not go together, Caroline"

"Enough, both of you, Louisa snapped, I am sick to death of your carping, both of you be silent for the rest of the journey."

As the Darcy carriage pulled into the courtyard they were met by Fitzwilliam greeting them with a smile such as they had not seen him wear for many months.

Lady Anne smiled at her mother in law and her husband as she said happily, "Pemberley has a way of putting things right with our son, doesn't he look happy."

"I would say something more than Pemberley has put that smile on his face," his grandmother replied.

"Well William, you look like a cat who has found the cream jar, she said as Darcy assisted her and his mother from the carriage. What has happened to put such a happy smile on your contenence, something has occured without a doubt."

"Indeed, Grandmother, he replied with a grin as he turned to George saying, "Father, one of your favorite chess opponents is at this time in Lambton. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and there niece are visiting friends of Mrs. Gardiners in Lambton. They were here touring Pemberley when I arrived yesterday. They had been assured that the family would not be here until tomorrow and wished to come before we arrived so that they would not impose on us while we were here. Fortunately I arrived in time to catch them and spend some time in their company. I can see why you enjoy Mr. Gardiner's company so much Father, what a charming intelligent man."

"Fitzwilliam, dear, take time to breath his mother laughed, who is the niece who accompanies them, do we know her."

"You met her at Rosings Park, Mother, it is Miss Elizabeth Bennet," Darcy replied smiling at his mother.

Oh, yes, what a charming young woman, I hope they enjoyed Pemberley, but who is Mrs. Gardiner, you say she has friends in Lambton."

"She grew up there, mother, Darcy went on, her father was pastor at the church for a few years, Mr. Carter."

"I remember him, George Darcy mused, youngest son of the Earl of Brightly, I believe. I remember he had two daughter and a son, isn't that correct Anne."

I seem to remember them vaguely, Lady Anne said thoughtfully, it has been so long ago. i don't recall her right now."

"I must go to town to see Mr. Gardiner as soon as may be Mr. Darcy grinned, perhaps I can get a few chess games in after all."

"Tomorrow morning, father, Darcy said happily, before they are gone from the inn."

"Of course, son."

Oh, father may I come too, Georgiana asked, I would so like to see Miss Bennet again, I do so enjoy her company.

"If you like dear, her father smiled, at his daughters animation at the thought of Miss Elizabeth Bennet being so close, we shall all go early in the morning."

"I cannot go Lady Anne, said, someone must stay here to entertain our guests and I must see that Mrs. Reynold has everthing in order before all of our friends arrive."

"Well, I should like to meet these people also, Mrs. Darcy said, looking at her grandson's happy smile, but I think I must stay here with Anne. Perhaps you could invite them to Pemberley, George, It sounds like they would be a jolly addition to the party."

"Indeed I shall, Mother."

"I should like to go to Lambton with you, Charles Bingley added excitedly, I should very much like to speak to Miss Bennet, it has been all to long since I have seen her."

Part IIIb

Caroline Bingley was in a foul mood as she supervised the unpacking of her trunks and spoke snappishly to her maid.

They had not only fallen far behind the Darcy coach on the second day of the trip north but they had run into rain in the late afternoon turning the road into a quagmire and Mr. Hurst had insisted that they put up for the night in a small inn in a village but 30 miles from Pemberley.

If Charles had not been so selfish as to take to the saddle and ride beside the Darcy coach instead of staying with them and pushing the coachman on they might have made it all the way, but no he had to go on ahead of them.

Though the rooms were clean and neat and the food tasty, it was not up to the standards that she and Louisa were accustomed to. Caroline had so looked forward to spending the evening in the company of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy before the rest of the guests arrived.

Now she would not have the chance to seek his company for herself as the carriages of the Earl of Matlock and the Earl of Hemsley were being driven into the stables when they arrived meaning that they were already unpacked and the families would be in the morning room when she went down.

Caroline did not care at all for Lady Matlock or Lady Sophia Hemsley These two seemed to take particular delight in vexing her and her sister, and reminding them that their father had been in trade. Though they showed great civility to Charles and were in every way amiable to him.

As the sisters swept into the room they noticed that their brother, both Mr. Darcy's and Georgiana were not to be seen.

"Where is your family Mrs. Darcy?" Louisa asked, "I would have thought to see them here to welcome your guests."

"They have gone to Lambton, Mrs. Hurst," Lady Anne replied. "Fitzwilliam informed us when we arrived yesterday that one of his fathers favorite chess opponents was staying at the inn there along with his wife and their niece. I believe you know the niece Miss Bingley, it is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire."

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, surely you jest, what would Eliza Bennet be doing in Derbyshire, she has no relations here that I recall."

"Mrs. Gardiner spent a great part of her childhood in Lambton," Mrs. Darcy replied, "they are here visiting friends. I do hope they have no plans for dinner tomorrow as Mr. Darcy plans to ask them to dine with us. I have heard so much of Mr. Gardiner from my husband and his of wife from Lady Hemsley, who has worked with the lady for some years in the Society for the Poor, isn't she the very same lady that you have been telling me about Sophia?"

"Indeed it is Anne, I am so looking forward to seeing Madelaine Gardiner, what a charming generous woman as you will see for yourself."

"But Eliza Bennet, why she is a country nobody, I am sure she will feel out of place in such distinguished company as we have here," Caroline went on, "You cannot be serious Mrs. Darcy, inviting such people into your home."

Mary Darcy had heard about enough from Miss Caroline Bingley and with a cold look at her she said, "Miss Bennet's father is a gentleman, Miss Bingley, it is not as if the man is in trade, and Mr. Gardiner is cousin to Sir James Oglethorpe."

"Oglethorpe, of course, that is who he looks like, each time he has come to the chess club I have racked my brain trying to think of who it is he looks like," Sir John laughed, "why the man looks more like James than his own brother Charles."

As Sir John finished speaking the party from Lambton entered except for Darcy and Charles.

"Where are our two young men, dear?" Lady Anne, asked.

To Caroline's dismay Mr. Darcy replied that William had gone to see one of the farmers and Charles had ridden along with him.

"I can happily say that the Gardiners and Miss Bennet will be joining us tomorrow," Mr. Darcy said with a smile, "you will like all of them, my dear, such charming intelligent people."

"I already like Miss Bennet, I did so enjoy her company at Rosings Park last March and April, Georgiana had such a wonderful time with her and Maria Lucas, I was so happy that they were there to visit Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Even Catherine was pleased with the young woman."

As they started down the stairs the next afternoon to meet the Gardiners and Miss Bennet Caroline said to her sister, "So Lady Anne is pleased with the company of Miss Bennet, I wonder just how much she knows about the young lady and her circumstances. I believe we shall have some fun today after all Louisa."

"Caroline, please do not do or say anything we might come to regret,' her sister admonished.

"Of course not Louisa, I just think the guests of the Darcys should know who and what they are meeting, that is all."

Louisa sighed, she felt sure that Caroline was going to do something foolish but she knew that she was helpless to stop her where Caroline thought gaining any favor with Mr. Darcy was concerned.

As the conversation progressed Caroline saw her opportunity when Lady Anne asked Eliza if she had heard from her friend Mrs. Collins.

As Elizabeth answered in the affirmative Caroline smiled sweetly and said, "If I recall it correctly Miss Bennet, your home Longbourn is entailed to Mr. Collins. Lady DeBourgh's odious clergyman.

Turning to the rest of the company she said loudly, Such a foolish stupid man I have never before met. He is without a doubt the most toadying creature I have ever had the misfortune to encounter."

Turning back to the Gardiners and Elizabeth she went on, "If I understand this correctly, on the death of your father Mrs. Charlotte Collins, your best friend all of your life will become Mistress Of Longbourn, is that not true, Miss Eliza. I am led to understand though that at first Mr. Collins was thought to be seeking your hand in marriage. How did Miss Charlotte Lucas become the object of his affections instead of you, his cousin."

"Elizabeth smiled at Miss Bingley, "I believe that Mr. Collins realized that Charlotte was the perfect woman for him to marry. I am sure that she is much better qualified to be a parsons wife than myself and my cousin realizing this asked her to marry him."

'This was not the answer that Caroline wanted to hear, she had expected Miss Bennet to feel foolish and embarrassed by her questions and to react accordingly, instead she answered her with great civility and grace. Things were not progressing as Caroline had planned at all.

Lady Anne was aghast at Miss Bingley's rudeness and interupted before she could progress further in her attempt to make these guests feel ill at ease. "I believe my sister is in complete agreement with you Miss Bennet she said, Mrs. Collins is indeed the perfect clrergyman's wife and the parishioners are delighted with her. Such a kind dear young woman, never an unkind word about or to anyone and so generous to all."

Lady Anne had asked Mrs. Reynolds to seat Miss Bennet close to her at the table that she may observe and converse with her. Mrs. Darcy she put beside the girl and her son across the table. Before they went in to sit down she asked that Caroline Bingley be sat at the far end of the table away from them. Put her between Mr. Hurst and Lord John, she told Mrs. Reynolds, oh and put Lady Sophia across from her."

Mary Darcy was thoroughly enjoying the young lady who sat beside her. she was clever and witty and so easy to converse with, so well read and such an appreciation of the arts. She would be just the girl for Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Darcy thought as she listened to the good natured banter that went on between them. This was no fawning, cloying female such as he was accustomed to in society but an intelligent quick thinking woman who would lead him a merry chase all his life. Her grandson could do no better than Miss Elizabeth Bennet, no matter where he looked.

She feared that though her daughter enjoyed the company of Miss Bennet there would be trouble if she thought her son was inerested in her for his wife.

As they retired to the music room to await the men Lady Anne persuaded Miss Bennet and Georgiana to entertain them with a few duets on the pianoforte. What better way to keep Miss Bingley's acid tongue silent, she thought.

When the men returned Miss Bennet was persuaded to play and sing for them. Though she did not play with the skill of Georgiana or the Bingley sisters, her obvious joy and love of the music made the few small mistakes she made completly forgivable. Her voice though, seldom had they heard such a wonderful singer, a rich soprano with true pitch who made one feel the song as well as hear it.

Mary Darcy watched her grandson while MIss Bennet performed. His eyes never left her face and the smile that played on his lips and the look in his eyes bespoke of the greatness love for her.

"Oh, William, dear, dear William, she thought your face tells all. How can anyone in this room not see it."

As she looked around the room she saw though that she might be the only one who saw anything about him, except she suspected Mrs. Gardiner and from the smile that she received fron Lady Sophia she was sure that she might think so also.

When Miss Bennet finished her aria she convinced Georgiana to play for them and as she was walking to take a seat beside her aunt Miss Bingley stopped her saying smugly, "Tell me Miss Eliza, are the militia still quarted at Meryton."

"No, Miss Bingley, they are moved to Brighton," Elizabeth answered

"What a loss that must be for your family," Caroline went on with a glance at her sister who smiled cattily.

"We are bearing it well,"Elizabeth said with a small laugh.

"I would think that the loss of one young man would effect you greatly" Caroline persisted.

"I can't imagine who you mean, Elizabeth answered with a puzzled look.

"I understand that certain young ladies found the company of Mr. Wickham most pleasing," Caroline smirked.

She was startled to hear Georgiana hit a bad note and turned to look at her as Elizabeth hurried to the pianoforte saying, "You must forgive me Miss Darcy I have neglected you shamefully, how can you be expected to play when there is no one to turn the pages for you."

Darcy had started to rise to go to his sister when he heard Wickham's name mentioned but Elizabeth had spared him an embarrassing moment with her quick thinking.

Mary Darcy too had started when she heard Georgiana and was grateful for Miss Bennet's quick actions. she smiled to herself with satisfaction as she saw the look that passed between her grandson and this young woman he loved so deeply.

After the Gardiners and Elizabeth had departed Miss Bingley rose and strolled to the mantle saying,"How very ill Miss Eliza looked, I never before saw anyone so altered as she is since the winter, She has grown so brown and course. Louisa and I have agreed that we would not have known her."

Mr. Darcy replied that he had notice no great change, " She is perhaps a little tanned, he said, but that is to be expected when one travels in the summer."

Caroline was not to be gainsed however and she went on, For my part I never could see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin, her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome, her teeth are tolerable but nothing out of the ordinary as is her nose, and as for her eyes, which I have heard called fine, I can see nothing extrordinary in them. They have a sharp shrewish look, and in her air there is a self-sufficency without fashion that I find intolerable."

"I remember when we first met her at Meryton, how amazed we were to find her a reported beauty; I particulary recall you saying one night after they had dined at Netherfield, "She a beauty, I would as soon call her mother a wit." But afterward she seemed to improve on you, I even think you thought her rather pretty at one time."

"Yes," Darcy replied, "but that was only when I first knew her, it has been many months now that I have considered her one of the handsomest women of my aquaintance."

Begging them all to excuse him. Darcy then left the room.

"Really Miss Bingley, you have gone too far," Mrs. Darcy said sharply.

Asking the party to excuse her also she followed her grandson.

The rest of those in the room followed in rapid order leaving Caroline and her sister with the snorung Mr. Hurst.

"Caroline, I warned you, but as always you will not listen, Louisa snapped, now you have incured the wrath of not only Mr. Darcy but everyone in the house."

"What did I say that was not true, why are you picking on me Louisa, now when I need you the most to comfort me," Caroline cried, knowing that her brother was as angry at her as the rest of the guests.

Part III C

Lady Anne walked into the breakfast room to find only her husband there, reading a newspaper.

"I thought that Fitzwilliam was here dear, she said with a kiss for Mr. Darcy, I was certain that I heard his voice as I passed by on my way to speak to Mrs. Reynolds about todays events and check the menus."

"You did, love, but he has riden out already, you missed him by no more than five minutes."

"He left very early did he not. I would have thought that he would wait until Charles came down. I wish he did not have so much to attend to when we have so many guests to entertain.
Where did he go this morning."

"I know not, Anne, he did not tell me, he merely said he was going to town and hoped to be back by noon."

Lady Anne smiled at her mother in law as she entered the room to take a plate and help herself to her breakfast.

"William has gone to town so early, Mary smiled, no doubt to see Miss Bennet"

"Oh, Mother Darcy I think not. Why would he wish to see her this morning when they are to come tonight again. I would imagine he had some business with one of the merchants," Lady Anne answered.

Mary Darcy smiled at her daughter in law as she said, "You are most likely correct Anne dear."

"She suspects nothing, Mary thought, I wonder what would happen if she had the slightest idea that her son is deeply in love with Miss Elizabeth and wished to marry her. Would she accept his decision or would she forbid him ever to see the girl again. How much does her sisters wishes for a marriage between her daughter and William influence her thinking. I am certain that George does not look at all with favor on a union that would surely bring Catherine DeBourgh to Pemberley."

She wakened from her reverie to hear Lady Anne say, " I am most vexed at Caroline Bingley. She did everything she possibly could to embarrass and humiliate Miss Bennet, I will stand for no more of it. If she continues I shall ask her to leave this house and take her sister and her drunken husband with her. What is the matter with the woman, I know that she can be vulgar and crass but last night she went much to far, even for her."

George laughed, "Surely my dear you know that she is jealous of the attention received by Miss Bennet. You must know that she has designs on Will and means to be the next mistress of Pemberley."

"I knew that she did at one time, but she has assured me that she knows that Fitzwilliam is expected to marry his cousin."

"Not if I have anything to say about the matter, George said sharply as he rose to leave."

"But George dear, Catherine has planned for this union since Anne was born."

"Catherine may be planning it, but I am not, George said with a steely voice, I will not have your sister moving into my home and you know that if Anne and Will marry, that is exactly what she has in mind."

"Why does George so dislike my sister, Mother Darcy. I do not understand we were such friends before Henry died; now he will not set foot in Rosings and leaves anytime my sister comes."

"That is something you will have to settle with my son, Anne, I can tell you nothing."

"What are we to do about Miss Bingley and the Hursts, Anne dear, she is determined to make Miss Bennet and the Gardiner feel as uncomfortable as she can, but you cnnot ask them to leave, that would be most uncivil and beneath you, dear."

"I think Anne, dear that we will just have to try to keep her away from them. We can put her at the card tables in the far end of the room as far away as possible."

"I must say though that Miss Bennet handled her slurs and inuendo with great grace and charm, never for a minute giving in to spite or recrimination. She is very well bred and it showed in her dealing with such abuse as Miss Bingley heaped on her head last night."

"Poor Caroline she meant to humilate Miss Bennet and only succeeded in making herself look like the fool she is."

As Lady Anne started to answer she heard her son's step in the hall and called out to him, "Fitzwilliam come here, dear, I missed you this morning. Come and have a cup of tea or coffee with us.

Darcy stepped into the room to say, "Not at this time Mother, I have a most important letter I must write, I must get it off by express as soon as possible, and I must return to London this afternoon. I will be home for the weekend, but now I must go as soon as may be," and started to leave them.

"Fitzwilliam, what is it, what is wrong, you look dreadful, what has happened," Lady Anne cried as he reached the door, tell me dear what is it."

Darcy turned saying, "Not now Mother, there is no time to lose."

"What could possibly have happened, Lady Anne turned to Mary, something dreadful, I can tell. Why will he never tell me anything. He has been so merry since he arrived at Pemberley, now he is in the same mood he was when he left London."

"Do not distress yourself, Anne dear, I am sure it will be taken care of shortly, Just let him attend to it."

Mrs. Darcy rose to follow her grandson, something had happened, and she was determined to find out what.

When his grandmother tapped on his door a few minutes later Darcy called out, "Not now Mother, I beg you, I must get this message off."

Mrs. Darcy sat down on a chair and waited for her grandson to come out of his room to send his letter off, which was a very short time.

Calling to the footman Darcy said, Marks, get Splinter for me at once, make haste."

When the young man Splinter ran to answer the young masters call Darcy gave him and envelope and gave him careful instructions.
"Take this letter and the fastest horse in the stables and head for London. If I am correct you will meet my cousin Col Fitzwilliam either at the Blue Boar this evening or along the road to town. Give him the letter. I know that you are our best horseman and will make the best time." Handing him some coins, he wished him godspeed and turned back to his room.

As he entered he was confronted by his grandmother, "Now Will Darcy, tell me what this is about, something has happened to Miss Bennet, has it not."

Darcy stared at her, "Not here grandmother, he sighed the walls have ears."

"Then we shall go down and walk about the grounds, she said, we can find plenty of privacy there, I will not be gainsed, Will so come along."

"As they left the room they were confronted by Caroline Bingley, "Mr. Darcy, we have had no time to speak to one another since I arrived, if your grandmother would excuse us now perhaps we could go for a stroll about the gardens, I have noticed that the roses are beginning to bloom, I should so like to walk among them, nowhere are there finer flowers than here at Pemberley."

Mrs. Darcy heard her grandson whisper, "Oh dear God no, not now, where did she come from."

"Oh dear, I feel faint, Mrs. Darcy gasped, Miss Bingley please, run and get me a glass of water as quickly as possible."

Caroline seeing a chance to impress the man she craved rushed down the hall.

"Caroline, where are you running to," she heard her sister say.

"Not now, Louisa, I must hurry to get Mr. Darcy's grandmother a glass of water; you know how devoted he is to her and if I can show him that I am truly concerned for the old harridan it will help my chances greatly."

"Come Fitzwilliam, make haste, we must hurry out the back way before she finds some water and returns, or better yet follow me, Mrs. Darcy gasped.

Rushing to a room at the far end of the hall that was used for storing linens and household items she pushed open the door and as quicly as he entered shut it again. Walking across the room she moved some shelves and feeling around the rop of the panels behind it she soom found what she was looking for and slid one of the panels aside.

"Take a candle and follow me," she smiled at her grandson as he entered and she pushed the panel shut.

After going up a short flight of stairs they enter a small room with a table, two chairs and a small bed.

"Here we can find all the privacy we need," she said as she took one of the chairs and motioned for Darcy to take the other.

"Darcy laughed aloud, "Grandmother I knew about the secret room off the library but I certainly knew nothing of this one"

"Oh, they are scattered all about this great house, she grinned at him. Someday I will show you, but for now tell me what has happened to your Elizabeth."

Darcy sat for a moment, then arose to pace the room as he spoke.

"I rode to town in the hope of spending the morning with Miss Bennet and the Gardiners. When I arrived however, Elizabeth was alone in the room at the inn. She looked dreadfuly ill and I made her sit down while I sent a servant for her Aunt and Uncle who had gone to visit the church where Mrs. Gardiners father had been pastor."

"She looked so ill that I wanted to call her a doctor or at least get her a glass of wine, but she assured me that she was quite well. She was merely distressed by a letter she had from her sister."

"It is too dreadful grandmother, and it is all my doing."

"What is it, Will dear, what has happened."

"She burst into tears and cried for some minutes before she could speak. I was most distressed, but knew not what to do."

"When she regained her self control she told me the Wickham had eloped with her youngest sister. A silly stupid girl of but fifteen years. They left Brighton a week ago and have not been seen since. They did not go to Gretna Geen, of that they are certain. I am sure that he has no intentions of marrying her at all.

But Will, why else would he take the girl and why is he on the run. I would think she would be a hindrence."

"I know not, grandmother, but I would suspect that the creditors are hard on his tail and he fled to escape his debts, it is the usual reason for his quick departure ."

"But why take the girl, I do not understand his reasoning there."

I would imagine she knew too much and he had to take her or perhaps she found out he was going to run and imposed herself on him. I do not know, I only know that if I had told her father of Wickhams character this would not have happened. I thought I was protecting my family from hurt after his attempted elopement with Georgie; instead I have harmed the family of the woman I love."

"Will, you must not blame yourself for this, you could not have know this would happen; you had to protect your sister. You gave her your promise, you could not break it."

"It is of little matter now, Grandmother, the damage has been done."

I believe I know where he is and with help from cousin Richard I will find him and make him marry her, it is the only thing to be done."

"That will cost a great deal of money, if I know George Wickham, she said. If you need it I shall be glad to help in anyway I can."

"Darcy kissed his grandmothers cheek at he said softly, "I thank you dearest grandmama, but I have enough, My allowance is so generous that I do not spend it all and I have made some very good investments. I worry not about that, I only worry that we will not find him in time and he will already abandoned her and fled."

I know for certain when this is over I shall make every effort to right the wrong I have done to Charles and Miss Jane Bennet. I know that he still loves her and Elizabeth has said that her sister is still in love with him. We shall go to Netherfield as quickly as I can arrange it.

Caroline was furious. When she returned to Darcy's room there was no one about and his man knew nothing of him or his grandmother.

"The old lady had been acting, there was nothing wrong with her at all," she thought.

In her fury she flung the glass of water against the wall, shattering it to bits. After screaming for the servant to clean it up she stalked to the breakfast room.

Part III D

"Please Fitzwilliam, delay your trip to town untill morning, Lady Anne begged her son. You will not get far today before you have to put up for the night. If you wait until first light you will have a much more enjoyable journey. The roads will have another day to dry and your progress will be hastened."

"I cannot believe that you wish to leave when the Gardiners and Miss Bennet are to join us again this evening. You seemed to enjoy their company so much. Surely this business can wait for a few more hours, it cannot be that urgent."

"The Gardiners and Miss Bennet will not be joining us tonight, MOther, he replied, they are at this moment on their way back to Longbourn in all haste."

"Back to Longbourn, but they sent no message to inform us that they would not be here, are you certain of this, my son."

"I am quite certain, Mother, a family emergency has called them back in all haste. They asked me to convey their regrets and wish that you will forgive them for not attending dinner today."

"Of course, dear, what was the emergencey."

"Mr. Gardiner did not divulge that to me, Darcy said as he turned to leave the room. He knew that if his mother could see his face she would know that he knew more than he was telling but he had given his beloved his promise and he would not break it. "I have not lied to her, he thought, Mr. Gardiner did not divulge anything to me."

Caroline rushed into her sisters room smiling as if she had received a proposal from Darcy.

"What is it Caroline, I can tell that you have something to tell me and from the smile on your face I can see that it is good news. Miss Eliza Bennet has not fallen ill or her aunt or uncle , making it impossible for them to be here today."

"Better than that Louisa dear, Caroline answered as she twirled around the room, they have gone back to Longbourn. What better news could we have than this. I shall have Mr. Darcy to myself for the rest of our stay. I shall make myself so attractive to him that the thought of Eliza Bennet will never enter his mind.

"I shall be the next mistress of all this, sister, she spread her arms wide. I am determined to have a proposal of marriage from that man before we leave here."

As she glided into the dining room Caroline smiled he best smile at Darcy and crossed the room to stand beside him, "Would you be so kind as to escort me to my seat, Mr. Darcy?" she purred.

With a stern look Darcy complied, but to her consternation he left her immediatly and went to take his grandmothers arm seating her next to Georgiana.

Caroline was not going to let anything deter her as she changed her seat taking the seat opposite Darcy to give him full view of her finery.

"I hope you do not mind Lady Sophia, she smiled sweetly, I do so want to talk to Mr. Darcy and dear Georgiana and this seat is best suited for conversing with them. I know you will forgive me."

"How pleasant it is to be here with our own set, she went on, to be here without the imposition fo outsiders seeking favor here at Pemberley. Do you not agree Mr. Darcy."

"I know of no outsiders, he said with a cold stare, of whom are you speaking."

"Why the Gardiners and and their country lass niece, of course, she giggled. Surely you do not believe that story that they told about visiting friends in Lambton and just happening to be here when you arrived, you are far too intelligent to believe such a tall tale as that."

"Pray tell us, Miss Bingley, How were they to know that Fitzwilliam was to arrive a day early, or that any of us were coming for that matter," Mrs. Darcy asked with a snort.

"Why the servants of course, they talked round town spreading the word of our arrival and they Gardiners took advantage of the information to impose themselves on you."

Darcy gave a sharp bark of laughter, "And how were they to catch this bit of gossip when they have been traveling for the past month and arrived at Lambton but one day before I."

"Mrs. Gardiner has many friends in Lambton, I understand. They of course would keep her abreast of what is happening at Pemberley. They merely planned accordingly."

"Miss Bingley, no one, not even my steward knew that Fitzwilliam was coming ahead. If they had thought it possible that anyone would they would have been looking for me, not my son," George explained to her.

Caroline was determined that everyone would be suspicous of the reason for the Gardiner to be visiting Pemberley when Darcy rode in.

"You can be sure that people of their class have their ways of finding out these things, I can assure you," Caroline continued, determined to have her reasoning accepted.

"But Miss Bingley, if my brother says that they were very much surprised and embarrassed by his appearance, it must be so, he does not lie, he always tell the absolute truth," Georgiana said shyly.

Sensing that her favorite grand daughter was becoming distressed at Caroline's abuse of Miss Bennet, who Georgiana liked so very much; Mary Darcy reached over and squeezed her hand. "Pay no attention to her, love, she whispered, she is jealous of Miss Bennet, you know.

"Georgiana, dear, you are too young to understand the devious way the minds of people of that class work," Caroline said with a condescending smile.

"By that class, you mean people in trade, do you not Miss Bingley," Lady Sophia said sweetly, you of course would be well aware of how such people's minds work, is this not true."

Caroline glared at Lady Sophia, and started to continue with her abuse of the Gardiners and the Bennet but before she could speak Lady Anne spoke quietly.

"Miss Bennet's father is a gentleman, he is not in trade, Is that not so Fitzwilliam."

"Yes, mother, he is a well educated, very well read man with a great appreciation of the arts which he has passed on to his two eldest daughters."

Determined to have no more of Caroline's spiteful remarks the rest of the guest kept up a steady line of chatter throughout the rest of the dinner effectively silencing her.

Charles glared at her darkly, but she did not care, she was going to make Fitzwilliam Darcy see that she was the one woman in England for him.

AS they sat in the music room listening to Georgiana play while the servants set up the card tables Mrs. Darcy watched her grandson.

He sat with his hand cupped over his lips with such a far away look on his face that she knew that he heard not a note of his sisters concerto.

She knew that he was thinking of his beloved Elizabeth, planning what he would do when he found that scoundral Wickham.

When Georgiana finished the company clapped vigorously. She was becoming such an accomplished musician, her grandmother thought giving her a smile of appreciation.

Caroline Bingley slid over to the table where the tea and biscuits were laid out.

With a self satisfied smile she said to Darcy, "You are very quiet tonight, Mr. Darcy, I hope you are not pining for the loss of Miss Eliza Bennet."

Darcy gave her such a look of loathing and snapped, "WOT, Excuse me," so sharply that she recoiled and stared openmouthed as he stalked from the room.

She blushed as she saw the smile on grandmother Darcy's face.

"Well done Caroline," she grinned.

"If you will all excuse me, I really do not feel like playing cards tonight, I am, like my grandson rather tired so I too shall go up to my room."

"What time is William to start for London in the morning, George, she asked, I should like to speak to him before he leaves."

"He plans, to leave at first light, Mother, it will be very early."

"I am an early riser, as you know, I shall have breakfast with him, Now goodnight to all of you.

"What, why, of what are you speaking, Caroline gasped, surely Mr. Darcy is not returning to town so soon. He would surely not leave his guests. This must be a misunderstanding."

"There is no misunderstanding, Miss Bingley, Fitzwilliam would have gone this afternoon, but I pursuaded him to wait until morning, Lady Anne answered I will feel much better with him going then and not traveling at night. One never know when there might be highway men about."

Caroline stormed into Louisa's room.

"He is returning to town on the morrow, she raged, what is it that can be soomportant that he would leave his guest, it is not like him to be so uncivil."

"He is going to meet her, Louisa, I know it, she has not gone back to Longbourn, they have arranged for a tryst somewhere. I shall gainsay them though. I shall be going back to London with him. I shall go to my room now and have Marie pack my things so that I will be ready when he departs. I shall show Miss Eliza Bennet."

"You, be ready to travel at dawn, Caroline, I do not believe it. You are never about until after 10:00 o'clock. Forget this wild scheme, Caroline, he will not take you."

"Oh yes he will, Louisa, I am determined, I shall go to Charles now and inform him of my change of plans."

Part IV

Darcy was surprised to see his friend Bingley walk into the breakfast room and help himself to a hearty share of the items on the side board before sitting down across the table from him.

"What are you doing up so early, Charles, Darcy asked with a smile, I would have thought you would have laid abed for at least two more hours."

Mary Darcy walked into the breakfast room with a cheery, "Good morning, how pleasant to find my two favorite young men here to dine with me. I agree with my grandson though, Charles, I would have expected you to come down much later this morning."

"I believe I have prevented a most embarrassing situation for you, Darcy. My sister came to my room last night to inform me that she intended to accompany you on your journey to town this morning.

I of course forbad it, however I was afraid that she would pay little heed to my warning and try to impose herself upon you. I should have known though that Caroline would never rise at this early hour, let alone be ready to leave, it takes her two hours just to prepare herself to come down in the morning, I believe you are quite safe today, Darcy."

The words were no more than out of his mouth when Caroline sailed into the room dressed as if she were going to court.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy, she cooed, I was afraid that I might have missed you. I shall be accompanying you to town today. What a pleasant ride it will be, we have had all to little time to converse with one another, there has been so many here."

Darcy looked at his grandmother in alarm. "Miss Bingley, he gasped, I cannot believe that you would think of taking a two day ride with just the two of us in the carriage, think of what it would do to your reputation if it became known that we spent a night at the same inn without the benefit of another lady to accompany us."

"Oh, pish tosh, Caroline smiled coyly, who would dare to say anything about a simple trip to town with two such good friends as we. Everyone know that Fitzwilliam Darcy is the consumate gentleman, who would dare to darken your name."

"I cannot allow you to do this Mss Bingley, Darcy replied, I cannot allow you to be put into such a situation. I cannot be the instrument for the destruction of the good name of Bingley."

"What nonsense, Miss Bingley his grandmother put in, how can you even think of such a foolhardy thing. I am most surprised that a woman of you sensibility would even consider such a thing."

"Caroline, I forbid this, I told you last night that I would not allow you to undertake such a foolish quest."

"You cannot tell me what I can and cannot do, Charles, I am going to town and that is the last of the matter," Caroline said her voice rising with each word.

"I can tell you what to do, Caroline, I am the head of the household now, and wou will do as I say."

Darcy looked with alarm at his grandmother for aid, and when she gave a short jerk of her head toward the door, he quietly and quickly slipped hurridly out of the room.

The argument between the Bingley's went on for another half hour before a young footman entered to see if anything was needed on the sideboard.

"You, boy, Caroline, snapped, send someone up to my rooms for my trunks, young Mr. Darcy and I must be on our way."

The lad stared at her in confusion as he said, "Excuse me miss but the young Master has been gone this past half hour."

"Gone, she screamed, what do you mean gone, I am to go with him you stupid child, of course he is not gone."

Mary Darcy sent the boy on his way and turned to face Caroline, "The boy speaks the truth, Miss Bingley, William is long gone while you and your brother were arguing."

Mrs. Reynolds stepped into the room to find out what had upset young Mark. She had heard Miss Bingley far down the hall and knew that she had something to do with the boy running down the hall with a look of alarm on his face.

As she started to ask what was amiss, Caroline confronted her snapping, "Mrs. Reynolds I am in need of a saddled horse, send to the stables at once and tell them I wish one sent to the door immediatly."

When the housekeeper hesitated and looked to Mrs. Darcy, Caroline shouted at her, "Did you not hear me, are you deaf as well as stupid, woman, do as I say at once."

"Caroline, That is enough, Charles shouted at his sister, pay her no heed Mrs. Reynolds, there will be no horse to be ridden this morning unless I give my permission."

"I shall go and saddle one myself, if you do not allow the stablehands to do so Charles, I will have time to catch Mr. Darcy's carriage if I hurry."

"Dressed as you are, Caroline, I think not, and do not try to tell me that you will be dressed in riding clothes if the horse should be brought around. I know you, sister, by the time you find them among the myrid dresses you packed in all those trunks it will be tea time. Go back to your room Caroline until you can act like a proper lady."

As she turned on her brother Caroline nodded her head toward Mrs. Darcy and snapped, "You and this old woman have conspired against me, Charles, I shall never forgive you. Don't you know that Mr. Darcy is not going to town but has a rendevous with Miss Bennet somewhere between here and Meryton. Why else would he be so keen to be away so quickly."

Mary Darcy, stared at Caroline in disbelief, "What utter nonsense, she said shaking her head, this is unbelieveable even for you, Miss Bingley."

As Caroline opend her mouth to utter a sharp retort she heard the voice of George Darcy behind her. "Are you calling my son a liar, Miss Bingley, I can assure you that if he says he has urgent business in town, he has urgent business in town.

Caroline gasped, she had not heard anyone enter the room, "Oh dear me no, Mr. Darcy, I know that your son can be depended on to tell the truth, but Miss Eliza Bennet may have turned his head and lured him into her web."

"Caroline, you have said quite enough, go to your room until you can act sensibly," Mrs. Darcy told her.

Caroline ran from the room in tears. All her plans to force Mr. Darcy into a compremising situation were dashed, he was too far ahead now for her to ever catch him. She was sure that he was spurring his coachman to run the horses as fast as they could go in order to reach his destination with all speed.
*****************************************************************

Mary Darcy looked at her gandson over the top of her paper. He had been very quiet since returning from Netherfield.

He had found Wickham and the young Bennet girl and made the neccessary arrangements for their marriage and now they were in the north country. How much it had cost him she knew not, but she knew it was a great deal, there were bills to be paid and a commission bought in the regulars.

After all that was accomplished he and Charles had returned to Netherfield where Charles resumed his pursuit ot Miss Jane Bennent and was now betrothed to her.

What had happened between him and Miss Elizabeth she knew not, but she did not press him, she knew that in time he would tell her all.

Their quiet was disturbed by the voice of Lady Cathrine DeBourgh shouting, "Out of my way fool, I know my way, I do not intend to wait to be announced."

Darcy leapt to his feet, "Aunt, what are you doing here?" he said in amazement.

"I am just come from Hertfordshire," she snapped, "I have paid a call on MIss Elizabeth Bennet. A report of alarming proportions reached my ears and I sped to Longbourn to confront the young woman."

"What report, what young woman are you speaking of?"

"The report that you were to become betrothed to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she snapped. I went immediatly to her home to inform her that such a marriage was out of the question, that you are engaged to my daughter."

"Do you know what she had the audacity to say to me, she said that she had seen or heard nothing of such an engagement. When I told her that a marriage between the two of you would be censured, you would both be slighted and despised by everyone connected with you. Such an alliance would be a disgrace, your name would never be mentioned by any of us."

She replied that these would be heavy misfortunes indeed, but your wife would have such an extraordinary sources of happines attached to her situation, that she would, on the whole have no cause to repine.

When I insisted upon knowing if she was engaged to you she replied that she was not. However when I asked her to promise that she would never accept an offer of your hand, she refused saying that she would make no promise of the kind.

"I have come to warn you Fitzwilliam, the girl is determined to have you, I would advise you to go at once to Pemberley, as far from her as you can."

Finishing her tirade she turned and left them sitting there staring at each other, mouths agape in astonishment.

With a grin Darcy at last rose and started out of the room.

His grandmother laughed aloud, "How soon do you think you will arrive in Hertfordshire," she asked.

************

Part IVB

Darcy rode his horse slowly into the courtyard at Darcy house. He had meant to leave Netherfield much earlier but his reluctance to leave Elizabeth kept him there till well after tea.

To his suprise the house was well lighted and the Darcy carriage from Pemberley in the barn. He had not expected his parents for a senningt, but it seemed that they had returned to town earlier than expected.

He had hoped for more time to prepare for his announcement. A ride to Derbyshire would have given him time to prepare a speach telling them of his betrothal to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

He was certain that his father would welcome the news that his only son was to be wed at last, but he was uncertain of his mothers reaction. Did she really think in spite of all his protests that he would marry his cousin. He hoped not.

As he walked into the salon he was greeted warmly by his family.

"What a surprise to see you all here, he said as he kissed his mothers cheek and moved to do the same to his sister: I had not thought to see you here, I was prepared to leave for Pemberley at first light tomorrow."

"Your mother wished to come to town and there was nothing to keep us in Derbyshire, since you dispensed with the problem that had Mr. Davies up in the boughs, his father answered with a proud smile. Our guests had left soon after your departure and I believe she was getting a bit bored."

Darcy got up from his seat to walk to the mantle staring into the fire for a few minutes before moving to the window and peering out beteen the curtains. As he moved to adjust a vase on a small table heis mother laughed.

"What is it Fitzwilliam, you have something on your mind I know, you always pace about the room when you have a difficult problem to be solved."

Darcy turned to face his parents and with a deep intake of breath he said, "Mother, Father, I have asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to marry me and she has agreed. Her father has given his consent, the banns have been posted and the announcement will be in the papers."

There was a stunned silence in the room as they all stared at him in disbelief.

"Oh William, I am so happy for you, I like Miss Bennet so very much," Georgiana cried as she rushed to kiss her brother.

"Go to your room, Georgiana, her mother said in a cool voice, we wish to speak to your brother."

"But Mama," Georgiana started to go on before her father said quietly, "Go to your room Georgiana, dear, please, at once."

"Yes Papa," Georgiana said with a smile for Darcy.

Rising from her seat Lady Anne walked about the room for a few moments to collect herself and for Georgiana to be out of earshot.

Turning to face her son she said, "How could you do this Fitzwilliam, how could you get yourself engaged to this girl without consulting us."

"I thought you liked her Mother, he said, you enjoyed her company greatly when she was at Pemberley"

"I do like her son, she is lovely, intelligent, amusing, well read and a connoisseur of the arts, but she is most unsuitable to be the wife of the heir to the Darcy estates."

"Why, Mother, Darcy said cooly, surely you do not still believe that I would marry cousin Anne."

"No, dear, I have known for some time that you were averse to that union, but you must find a young woman in our own set, William. Miss Bennet will be most out of place with the members of our social circle."

"Though she is, as I said most lovely and amiable, she is best suited to be the daughter of some clergyman or a country gentleman, such as her father. Surely you can see this son."

"Indeed I cannot, Darcy replied in a tight voice, I thought she fit quite well into our social circle, all our friends were delighted with her, surely you could see that, Mother."

"Of course she did in the situation we were in at Pemberley, but they will treat her very differently when they find out that she is to be your wife."

Turning to her husband she said, "George, can you not talk some sense to your son, please, dear speak to him."

"There is nothing he can say, Mother, I love Elizabeth Bennet and I shall marry her, I would hope that you could find it in your heart to wish me joy, but if you cannot, so be it, I will not change my mind."

"Go up to your room, Will, his father said quietly, your mother and I will discuss this and we shall speak again in the morning. For now though I think it best that we all go to bed and sleep on this. You have given us a very shocking announcement, we must have time to think and consider."

"Goodnight, son."

"George, Surely you cannot give your blessing to this union, he heard as he passed down the hall, we will be a laughing stock, you must do something before this goes any further."

The next day Darcy walked into the breakfast room to find his father there alone.

"I had hoped to find you both here, Father, he said, I wish to get this settled. I want to go to see Grandmother Darcy and tell her my good news. she at least feeels the same way I do about Elizabeth and does not consider her beneath me."

"Your mother has a headache son, she will not be down for some time. Perhaps it is better that you go to Briarwood for a few days. It will be some time before your mother can think sensibly about this. If you go to your grandmothers there will be less tension in the air and we can talk about it. I do wish you had consulted with me though, Will. You must understand how your mother feels, she had such high hopes that you might marry Lady Nancy Hardy or Lady Marian DeWitt, or someone of their position."

"Nancy Hardy or Lady Dewitt, Darcy laughed, surely not Father, they are such silly foolish women, I should be bored to death."

"But they are titled, Will, you know how important that is to your mother and her sister."

"Lady DeBourgh, Darcy sneered, why does mother let her rule over her so, why does she not think for herself."

"It has been so since their childhood, son, this is one of those old habits that is hard to break for your mother."

"Well, I shall have to tell Martins to pack for me if I am to be banished to Briarwood, Darcy grinned, When do you wish me to come home, Father."

"Friday, Will, that will give me time to try to make your mother understand your feelings."

"I love Elizabeth with all my heart , Father, I will not be dissuaded from marrying her. She is the only woman I shall ever marry."

Part IV-C

Darcy smiled at his grandmother as they enter the blue room at Darcy House. She squeezed his hand and looked about her. George Darcy stood by the mantle, and unhappy look on his face. Lady Anne sat nearby with a stoney look on her beautiful face.

"This does not bode well for my grandson, she thought, Anne is still very angry."

Before anyone had the chance to utter a word they heard the stridant voice of Lady Catherine DeBourgh, "Out of my way fool, I know this house better than even you, I do not have to be announced."

"Oh, dear God, Catherine," he heard his grandmother mutter."

Charging into the room waving a letter in her hand she shouted, "There you are you foolish boy. What do you mean writing to tell me that you are engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. That is impossible."

"I came to town a month ago to warn you that the girl had designs on you and what do you do; you go to Hertfordshire and fall into her trap. Weak, weak that is what you are weak and foolish."

"This is the gratitude she shows me after I welcome her into my home and give her the benefit of my knowledge. She steals my daughters intended husband.

"This mariage you seek will never take place, I forbid it."

"I told that woman that you and Anne were promised to one another
My words to her at Longbourn have been ignored, This is why she would give me her promise that she would never accept an offer from you. She planned to get you any way she could. What arts and allurements did she use to entrap you."

"Catherine, of what are you speaking, Lady Anne asked, when did you got to Longbourn to see Miss Bennet."

"A month ago, you were still at Pemberley, when you should have been here to watch over your son, see what your neglect has done."

"Fitzwilliam is not a child to need tending, George put in, he is his own man. By what right do you interfer in his life, you have nothing to say about who or when he marries, woman."

"I have every right, Catherine, shouted, We have planned this union between him and my daughter for 23 years."

"You planned it, Catherine, George snapped, no one has agreed to this, no contracts have been made, it has been in you mind and your mind alone. We have known for these past five years that our son would not marry your daughter, but you would not listen, you would have your way. That marriage will never take place, Cathereine, you have my promise on that, you will not become Mistress of Pemberley."

"I have no intentions of becoming Mistress of Pemberley, my daughter shall be though, mark my words, this is true, is it not Anne."

When her sister did not answer at once Lady DeBourgh, turned red with anger. "This marriage that you aspire to will not take place Fitzwilliam Darcy, mark my words on that."

Turning to her sister and brother in law she stormed, "If he persists in this you will disown him George Darcy, that woman will not be allowed to pollute the shades of Pemberley. Anne will not have her in the house."

"Turning back to Darcy she snapped, "What do you say to that nephew, do you think that fortune hunter will marry you when she finds you without a grand home and an income of over ten thousand a year." '

"She planned this from the first time she laid eyes on you, she knew she only had to find a way to lure you into her web, and you stupid foolish boy have allowed yourself to be entrapped."

They all gaped at Darcy when he replied with a laugh, "If that be true Aunt, why did she refuse me the first time I asked her."

"The first time, Fitzwilliam, of what are you speaking, when did you ask her to marry you before, his mother gasped.

"When we were at Rosings Park last Easter, he replied. "If you will recall the last night I was there Miss Bennet did not accompany the Collins' to dinner. As you know I left soon after we finished dining. I went to the parsonage to ask Miss Bennet to marry me. she however refused me in no uncertain terms. When I think of what I said to her that night I am thoroughly ashamed, I insulted her and her family, I was arrogant and condescending, I thought that she would be grateful for my offer but she was disgusted instead. "

He smiled softley as he went on, "She said that I was the last man in the world she would ever wish to marry. She told me that she found me arrogant and conceited, and with a selfish disdain for the feelings of others. A statement that after careful consideration I had to admit to myself was true."

"She refused you, impossible, Lady Cathrine snorted, I do not believe a word of it. Every single woman in England would have been only to happy to accept you. That this simple country lass, would refuse such an offer is not to be believed."

"Catherine, you will leave us now, George Darcy commanded, we will settle this among ourselves, it is of no concern of yours."

"I will not leave until you tell me you will disown this ungrateful wretch of a son if he persists in going through with this marriage."

Turning to Darcy she said "What will you do then, boy. Where will you and your bride go, if you have no money and no home."

"I have made sound investment, Darcy replied quietly, I have enough to support my wife."

"Ha, see how long it lasts, once she gets her claws into it. Where will you live, to rent such a home as you are accustomed to will cost a pretty pence."

"They will lived at Briarwood, his grandmother said quietly, It shall be my wedding gift to them. Though it is not as grand as Pemberley, it is better than most that I know of. It will be a great relief to me to have someone to handle the tennants, and the income is between eight and ten thousand a year. I believe we can get on with that."

"Briarwood, Lady DeBourgh, screamed. Briarwood is to be Georgiana's."

"Georgiiana's", Mrs. Darcy scoffed, "where did you get that idea, Catherine, it is farfetched, even for you."

"Your grandmother gave it to you, it is only right that you should give it to your grand daughter."

"Don't be foolish Catherine, Georgiana will make a fine marriage and have her own home, Briarwood has always been meant for Fitzwilliam. I thought that he would have it in trust for his second son, but if you disown him, as she insists, George, he shall have it now."

"You cannot do this, I will not allow it," Lady Catherine screamed.

Lady Anne could see how angry her husband was becoming when she said to her sister, "Please Catherine, leave us, we will settle this, then I will contact you."

"No, I shall not leave until it is done, you cannot make me," Catherine shouted, brandishing her stick.

"Carstairs, George Darcy called, when the butler came into the room he went on, go to the stables and bring the two biggest and strongest stablehands we have."

Turning to Lady Catherine he said, "If you do not leave now, under your own power, I shall have the two men remove you forcibley, now go."

"You would not dare, Geroge Darcy," Lady Catherine snorted.

The look on his face showed her that he indeed would have her thrown into the street and she scurried out.

Lady Anne looked at her son angrily, "You see what this engagement of yours has done, Fitzwilliam. Your aunt is inconsolable."

"I cannot believe that if the girl refused you, you would still pursue her, Where is your pride, you are a Darcy, have you forgotten that."

"Pride, Darcy snorted, we have a great deal of that don't we Mother, when does pride become arrogance though. Unfortunately I fear we have mistaken the two.

"I was arrogant and prideful all the time I was in Hertfordshire and what did it get me, I was despised by all who met me even the woman I loved almost from the first time I laid my eyes upon her."

"Catherine is right , Fitzwilliam, if you persist in this marriage, I shall have no choice but to insist that your father disown you. We will be a laughing stock at such a union, cannot you see that, son."

Darcy snorted, "So your Fitzwilliam pride is of more importance than you son's happiness is it Mother. Well if that is how you wish it, so be it. I shall have Masters pack my things and leave your house."

Part V

Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst glided in to the blue room at Darcy house, where they found Lady Anne and her sister in law Lady Rebecca Fitzwilliam, and Lady Fanny Pennington conversing.

"Oh dear Mrs. Darcy we are here to offer you our sincere solicitude at this dark hour in your life, Caroline purred.

"We have been informed that your dear son Fitzwilliam Darcy has forfieted his inheritance to marry Miss Eliza Bennet. We were much shocked and surprised. He does so love Pemberley. That he should give it all up for a country nobody, with no connections and no fortune is unforgivable. I can scarce believe it."

"I knew that she had designs on him when I learned that she and her relations had come to Derbyshire uninvited and wormed their way into Pemberley. I never for a minute believed that preposterous story about visiting friends of Mrs. Gardiner's in Lambton."

"We were so surprised when we learned that they ahd been invited to dine at your beautiful country home, weren't we Louisa."

"Indeed we were, her sister answered; I mean her impertinance and the lack of respect that she showed Mr. Darcy all the time we were in Hertfordshire was insupportable."

"Indeed, Caroline went on, I thought he could find nothing about her to be liked, I certainly didn't. When we returned to town it seemed that he had forgotten all about her."

"This must be why she came to Derbyshire. Her mother I am sure sent her to try to entrap him. The woman made no secret of the fact that she was looking for rich husbands for her daughters."

"Miss Eliza would have done better to marry her cousin Mr. Collins. If she had done so Lady Catherine would have taken her under her wing and taught her how a proper young woman is to act."

"I am certain that none of you will be attending these nuptials. Louisa and I would not be doing so if our brother did not insist, I can assure you."

"Lady Catherine informs me that she has written to His Majesty demanding that Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy never be presented at court, lest she, Lady Catherine DeBourgh, never again set foot there."

"Good Lord, Lady Fanny laughed, surely you are joking, she wrote to His Majesty making demands."

"How like Catherine, Lady Matlock snorted, there is no one she will not order about."

Lady Anne passed her hand over her eyes. The last two people in the world she needed now were the Bingley sisters. "If they do not leave soon, I shall have a headache for the rest of the day," she thought.

"It cannot be true that his grandmother threatens to give him her estate as a wedding gift to replace the loss of Pemberley, Caroline purred, eyes wide with curiosity. Surely she would not deprive her family of all that to give it to such as Miss Eliza Bennet."

Lady Matlock could see that the visit of the sisters ws becoming a strain on Lady Anne and she determined to get rid of the two of them with all haste.

"What business is it of yours what Mr. Darcy or his mother do, she snapped.

"What do you know of Miss Bennets connections. I understand that Longbourn, though small is very comfortable and quite lovely. It has been in the Bennet family for over 200 years. It was a wedding gift from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to her lady in waiting, who married Mr. Bennets ancestor, as I am given to understand it."

"And who told you that, Caroline snorted, Miss Bennet, Mr. Gardiner?" Surely you do not believe such a tale, your ladyship."

"Miss Bennet nor Mr. Gardiner had nothing to do with my information, Miss Bingley. It is a matter of record, Lady Rebecca said coldly.

"I am sure that a carriage makers daughter would know nothing of how to gain such insight into ones background."

As to if we will be attending The marrriage of Fitzwilliam and Miss Bennet. That is none of your business, Miss Bingley and I would thank you not to inquire into my affairs."

Caroline turned white with anger.

Standing, she turned to Lady Anne saying, Louisa and I will take our leave, Mrs. Darcy, we only came to offer your our help if you should need us."

As they left the courtyard in the Hurst carriage, Caroline was still seething, "How dare she, how dare she Louisa, tell us that we know nothing about family background."

"When are we ever going to be rid of the stigma of our father being in trade, Caroline, her sister sighed. You will have to make a brilliant marriage sister, you must marry a title. It is the only way. Forget about Fitzwilliam Darcy that was a dream which would never be. You must look higher, sister."

As they passed through the gates unheeded by them the carriage of Lady Catherine DeBourgh entered.

Stomping into the room Lady DeBourgh glare at the two visitors.

"What are you two doing here, she snapped. Trying to convinced my sister to accept this unforgivable marriage, eh, Rebecca. There is no limit to how far you will go to vex me."

"As you know I have forbidden my brother to attend this wedding or acknowledge it in any manner. If he does so I shall never see him again."

"Will you swear to that Catherine," Lady Matlock answered with a smile.

"I shall not even honor that question with an answer," Lady Catherine snapped.

Turning to Lady Anne she said sharply, "When is George going to draw up the papers disowning that ungrateful son of yours. I asked my solicitor if he had done so and was informed that he knew of no such document being filed."

"Where is he, he must do this at once, I demand it. I will not have Pemberley fall into the hands of that woman."

"You will not have it Catherine, Lady Rebecca snorted. You have nothing to do with it. It is George and Anne's decision, stay out of this Catherine."

"I have nothing to do with it, Lady DeBourgh shouted, I have everthing to say about it. He is to marry my Anne, she is to be the next mistress of Pemberley."

George Darcy walked into the room.

"What is going on here, he demanded, I could hear you from the courtyard, Catherine, shouting like a fishwife."

"I have good reason to shout, you have done none of what I told you, Catherine snapped. You are weak George Darcy. You have not disowned your son. You have not forbidden your mother to give them a home. You are as weak as water. Just like Henry DeBourgh, weak, weak, weak."

You will leave this house immediatley, Catherine, I will not have you upsetting my wife."

"She is weak too, she always has been, you could have done much better, George Darcy, but you wanted my baby sister, and look what it had earned you."

Lady Catherine swept from the room.

Lady Matlock and Lady Fanny rose to leave also.

"Go to bed, Anne dear, Lady Rebecca kissed her cheek. I know you have a headache. How could you not, considering the morning you have had."

"What did Catherine mean, you could have done better, George, who else wanted to marry you when we wed," Lady Anne asked looking at her husband closely.

"Who would know, he sighed, Catherine was just babbling, dear."

Chapter VI Part A and B

Georgiana peeped shyly from under her lashes at her mother and father as they sat at the breakfast table. No one seemed to be eating much. Everyone was silent. As a matter of fact there had been a great deal of silence in Darcy house these past three days, since Williams wedding to Elizabeth Bennet.

Georgiana was glad that her brother had married Elizabeth. She knew how much he loved her. He had explained all to her while they were taking a pony ride around the park. He said he loved Elizabeth more than position or material things, such as Pemberley and Darcy House and the income that he would receive from his their fathers estates. He said that he would rather be poor with Elizabeth than rich with his cousin Anne.

Georgiana had to agree with him when he said that where Anne went her mother would go and he could never live under Lady DeBourgh's thumb, and that was just what would happen to whoever married her daughter.

He told her how much Elizabeth loved him, but that she too didn't need all the trappings of wealth to be happy, all they needed was each other.

She was glad that her Grandmother Darcy had given them Briarwood and her townhouse too. She could see them when she went to visit her grandmother. she knew that her mother would never forbid her that, even if her Aunt would insist that she do so.

She was sad to see that her father had brought his papers to the table again and kept his head in them, not looking at she or her mother.

"Goerge," Lady Anne said quietly.

"Not now, Anne, leave it, I do not wish to discuss it."

"But George, we must discuss this sooner or later."

Before he could answer they heard the sharp, strident voice of Lady Cather DeBourgh, "Where are they, tell me at once."

"Good God, at this hour, George said angrily, Does that woman have no sense at all," picking up his papers he left by the servant's entrance before Lady DeBourgh entered the room.

"Well, he did it, it is all here in black and white for all to see, Lady Catherine shouted shaking the paper that she brought with her in Lady Anne's face. That ungrateful son of yours has married Elizabeth Bennet."

"Georgiana, dear, why don't you take your cousin Anne to the music room with you, Lady Anne smiled at her daughter, perhaps you could teach her to play some notes."

Georgiann was only too happy to escape before her aunt could start what she knew would be a long tirade.

"They all attended too, Lady Catherine went on pacing about the room. Our brother and Rebecca, Lady Sophia and Lord John, Lady Fanny and Edward and all the others who I farbade to attend, they were all there.

It is here in the guest list. Even Richard, who has always done my bidding, Richard stood up for him. It is unforgivable. You know now who will stand beside you, Anne, it seems that I am the only one who respected your wishes. We shall wash our hands of the entire lot of them, it will be you and I together against the entire world, Anne, I shall not desert you as they have, we will never see any of them again."

Helping herself from the sideboard she went on, "I have had my attorney draw up the papers, since your husband seems to be so reluctant to do so. I have had him name me as executor of Darcy estates should anything happen to you and George."

Placing the papers on the table she said, "All you and George have to do is sign these and give them back to me and I will deliver them to Hasings, Fitzwilliam will be disinherited and this will all be settled."

Anne stared at her sister in disbelief, this was too much even for Catherine. George would never sign such an agreement and neither would she. If she presented this proposition to George she would cast her sister from Pemberley and all the Darcy houses.

What could Catherine be thinking of. Could it be true that all she wanted was to get her hands on Pemberley.

"Catherine, leave the papers with me, I will take proper care of them. If you try to present this to George he will never do it, you know how stubborn he can be."

"Bah, men they are all alike, Catherine snorted, but if you think it best Anne dear, I shall leave it to you this time.

"I think Anne looks very ill Catherine, perhaps you should take her to Bath, you know how the waters have helped her in the past, Lady Anne said, trying desperatly to divert her sister and get her to leave as soon as possible, If you leave now you should be able to get there today."

"I have been thinking of taking her there myself, Lady DeBourgh said, I thought perhaps in a day of two when we have this all settled."

"But I shall need time, George will not take to this lightly, I think you should go now and let me handle this myself," Lady Anne replied.

"Your brother has married Miss Bennet, has he not, Anne said quietly to Georgiana, I am glad, I like Miss Bennet, she was very kind to me when she was at Rosings last spring. I was afraid that mama would make him change his mind and force him to marry me."

Georgiana gaped at her cousin, "You did not wish to marry Fitzwilliam."

"No, Anne replied, if they had tried to make me do so I would have run away to the Sisters Of Mercy."

"But Anne, that is a nunnery, Georgiana gasped, why would you go there."

"I think I would be quite content there away from mama, and the bleeding that she forces me to have, I would not have them there. I would not be afraid of a little work, which I am told one must do there. I never want to marry anyone. Mama has told me what a woman has to do if she if married and I would never wish to do that," Anne said wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"Anne, Where are you girl, we must be off, we go to Bath today," Lady Catherine shouted as she came down the hall.

As she watched her sister's carriage Lady Anne picked up the papers and walking to the fireplace she tossed them in.

Part B

Lady Anne sat at her desk writing her letters. As she looked at the calendar she thought, "This is Fitzwilliams third anniversary, so much has happened since then.

When she did not receive her papers her sister had come to the house bringing a fresh set. An angry confrontation had ensued between Catherine and George and as she had predicted he had banned her from all the Darcy estates.

In the three years since she had frequently been called to Rosings Park where Catherine and her odious clergyman had tried to convince her that she could disown her son with or without her husband.

Lady Anne knew that Mr. Collins' interest was more in punishing his cousin for refusing his proposal of marriage than any great concern for Pemberley.

She knew that Fitzwilliam and his wife had a son, she knew that George went frequently to see them but she could not confront him and ask him not to visit his mother so she accepted it quietly, never broaching the subject.

She smiled to herself as she thought of her sisters reaction to the birth of her and George's grandson. Catherine had been enraged. When Fitzwilliams wife showed no sign of being with child in the first year of their marriage Catherine had declared that the marriage was cursed and there would never be any children. She had reveled in the thought and when she was proven wrong and the child was even a son she had been frightening in her anger.

Lady Anne could even think of her son these days without pain. She was very happy. The young Vicount Albert Dewitt had taken a fancy to Georgiana and a fortnight ago had asked George's permission to court her. "Georgiana, Duchess of Ashburn, she thought, how well that sounds."

Last night the two of them had come to her and George to ask their permission to marry.

They had very gladly given their consent.

Georgiana was so happy, she had bbeen singing all morning long.

Mr. Carstairs came into the room to announce that the Duke and Duchess of Ashburn were in the blue room.

As she went down the hall to see to her guests she sent Carstairs to Mr. Darcy's reading room to fetch him.

"Your Grace, Lady Ashburn, Lord Ashburn, how nice of you to call she said as her husband entered the room, please do sit down, I imagine you are here to discuss the wedding our two children are planning."

"There will be no wedding, Lady Ashburn declared coldly, we cannot consent to this."

"No marriage, but he asked for our consent last night and we have given it, Lady anne stammered, why will there be no marriage, they love each other."

Albert will not marry the daughter of a mere country gentleman , Lord Ashburn answered, he will marry no less than the daughter of the Duke of Cornwith or her grace Sylvia, Duchess of Avon. We have made this quite clear to him this morning. Unlike your son he was not willing to give up all for a girl whose connections are so far beneath him."

"Her Uncle is the Earl of Matlock, Lady Anne said coldly, she has connections and thirty thousand pounds."

"She is but the grand daughter of an Earl, Lady Ashburn said, haughtily, Albert will do better than that."

"We came to put an end to this before it could be spread about, the Duke said kindly, surely you understand, you have not seen or spoken to your own son since he made such an unsuitable marriage, it this not true Mrs. Darcy."

"You have in fact disowned the boy, as Lady Catherine tells us."

"Albert will go to Italy for the next year, I am sure that you can explain this to your daughter, we have sent him this morning.

"Lady Cathereine told you we had disowned our son, George said in surpressed anger, when did she tell you this."

"We saw her this morning at Almacks, her grace answered, when we informed her that we could not allow our son to marry Miss Darcy she was very understanding."

"Very understanding indeed, his grace snorted, she was most anxious to put her daughter foreward as a bride for Albert. Though the girl stands to inherit a grand estate she is not suitable for Arthur. He must have a wife whose health is not so poor, we must have a grandson to inherit, the name of Asbury must go on."

After they had taken their leave Lady Anne turned to her husband, white with anger, "How dare they, how dare they say that Georgiana is beneath their son. What gall, Georgiana is a Fitzwilliam, a name as good as Ashbury. "

I cannot believe that Catherine would be so callous as to agree with them and try of promote her sickly daughter as the next Duchess."

"Come, Anne you know your sister well enought to believe what you were told, Catherine will go to any length to gain a title for Anne, especially since Fitzwilliam refused to marry her."

"Never have I been so humiliated, so debased, Lady Anne, cried, never has anyone in my family been declared not good enough. "

"How can I bear this, it is so degrading. Has there ever been such humiliation in this family. Who would possibly know how dreadfully I feel."

"Your son's wife," George said softly.

Part VII

"Elizabeth, Lady Anne gasped, but this is entirely different, my father was the Earl of Matlock. Georgiana is his grand daughter. This is nothing at all compared to the Bennets."

"It is the same to Lord and Lady Ashton, George replied. If you recall your sister wanted Edward to marry Lady Margaret instead of Rebecca because she was the daughter of the Earl and Rebecca is only the grand daughter of an earl."

"There was more to it than that, dear, Lady Margaret is more pliable than Rebecca, which suited Catherine."

George laughed, "You mean Margaret will do whatever Catherine tells her and Rebecca has a mind of her own, don't you."

Lady Anne joined in his laughter, "Yes I suppose that is it."

"What are we to tell Georgiana, George, she will be home from her pianoforte lesson soon."

"Just tell her the truth, it all we can do. How I hate this, she was so happy when she left this morning. Perhaps I will go to my chess club."

"No you will not, George Darcy, you will stay here and help me face this terrible scene we will soon be witness to"

The words were hardly out of her mouth when they heard Georgiana 's voice in the hall, asking where they were.

"Mama, I thought I saw the Ashton carriage leaving as we were entering the park. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were out walking and stopped us or I should have been here earlier. Were they here to make the marriage settlement. When are we to be married?"

"Sit down Georgie, her father said softly, we have something to tell you."

Georgiana looked from one solemn face to the other, "What is it, why are you not smiling, I thought you approved of Vicount Ashton."

"We do approve of him Georgie, her mother said, taking her hand, his parents however do not approve and have forbidden the marriage."

Georgiana jumped from her chair, "That cannot be Mama, I know they liked me, Lady Ashton asked me to play at numerous afternoon parties. She has been so amiable to me. I know she likes me. You must have misunderstood."

"There was no misunderstanding, Georgie, her father said, putting his arms around her. The Ashton's will not allow their son to marry beneath him, they will settle for nothing less than a countess as a daughter in law. They have sent him off to Italy, dear. It is settled, he was not willing to give up his claim to the title and wealth of his family for marriage."

"I thought he loved me as Fitzwilliam loves Elizabeth, Georgiana sobbed, he told me he did, he said he would go to the ends of the world for my love, I cannot believe he would allow himself to be sent off without speaking to me first, explaining things. It is a cowardly thing to run away and not face me himself."

"He is not worthy of you my dear daughter, George said quietly, It is better this way if he is a coward and is unable to speak for himself."

"But I love him, Papa, I thought he loved me. I so wanted a love like Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have."

Georgiana ran from the room crying. Lady Anne rose to follow her but George took her arm saying, "Let her be for a time, my love, she must set things straight in her mind for herself."

"George this is so humiliating, Lady Anne turned to look out the window. I don't know if I can ever go out into society again, how can I face my friends after this."

"You will go out as always, with your head up, you cannot let this make you reclusive, Anne, that is the last thing you should do. Your friends will be behind you all the way, they love Georgie, and will not think ill of her for this. I doubt if they will have much respect for that young man though."

"We will go to the opera Friday next just as we planned, we must be undaunted Anne, We cannot let anyone make us feel unworthy and will show all that we are unconcerned about what the Ashburns think." Tomorrow you will make calls on Rebecca and even Sophia if there is time."

Georgiana sat at the dinner table eating very little, pushing her food around on her plate.

Lady Anne looked at her husband with concern but he shook his head at her when she started to speak to her daughter.

"Papa, I should like to visit grandmother at Briarwood for a fortnight or more, please Papa. I wish to speak to Elizabeth, she will know how I feel, she will be a great help to me. May I go Papa, please."

"Georgiana, her mother said, but George interupted. "Of course, Georgie, I think that will be the wise thing to do. I shall send a note to Briarwood at first light telling your grandmother to expect you in two days time."

Georgiana rose to go to her father, kissing him on the cheek, "Thank you Papa, I knew you would understand, may I be excused, I wish to start packing."

"George, how could you give her permission to go to Briarwood without consulting me, Lady Anne said sharply. I don't know if I approve of this arrangement. She should be here with her mother at a time like this."

"She should be with someone who understands her feelings, Anne, it is best she get away before the curious start turning up at our door. I would expect Miss Bingley to arrive within two days. She always know the latest gossip before even the papers. Mark my words she and her sister will be here as soon as they hear. I only hope that Georgie gets away before they arrive."

Georgiana left at first light two days later, fortunately the Bingley sisters were late sleepers and did not make there call until the afternoon.

"Oh Lady Anne, how is dear Georgiana, Miss Bingley purred. we heard the dreadful news last night at Lady Birdwell's party. How broken hearted she must be, We have come to console her. What a cad he must be to run away without a word to her."

After a few moments of cold silence after she accepted their words of sympathy and told them that Georgiana was not there the sisters took their leave, very much disatisfied.

"I wonder where she is Caroline mused, do you suppose they sent her to Pemberley. Of course, that is where she is. Louisa we must prepare for a trip to the north country, we must give our best to poor dear Georgiana."

"But Caroline you don't even know if that is where she went, Louisa whined. I should not like to make that long trip for naught."

Don't be foolish, Louisa, where else would she be. They certainly would not allow her to go to her grandmothers with Elizabeth Bennet there."

On the appointed Friday Lady Anne dressed carefully for the opera. she knew she must look her best, that everyone would be watching to see how she was withstanding this blow to her pride.

As they reached the stairs going into the building she heard a murmer and turned to see what everyone was looking at.

Mary Darcy's carriage pulled into the courtyard and Charles Bingley exited followed by her son, the lackey reached in to give a hand to a young woman. Lady Anne thought, "this must be his wife Miss Jane Bennet, she is truly as beautiful as reputed. What a sweet charming face she has," Lady Anne smiled.

Her son however waved the lackey aside and reached to help his wife out himself. The smile she gave him was radient as he kissed her fingers before tucking her arm into his and proceeding on. To Lady Anne's surprise Elizabeth wore no great jewels, laces, or feathers. She was simply and elegantly dressed with such taste as to surprise those who watched. The pearls around her throat were her only adornment.

Lady Anne hurried her husband to their box. She could not face a confrontation with her son and his wife. She had suffered enough humiliation in the last few days, she did not wish any more.

As the opera progressed she could not keep her eyes on the stage, instead she found herself watching the two young couples in Mary's box.

She noticed that her son too payed little attention to the players but seemed more interested in watching his wife's reaction to the drama before them. Turning to him Elizabeth smiled the same radient smile she had given him as she stepped from the carriage. Putting her hand up to touch his cheek she said something which caused him to lean over to kiss her softly.

Lady Anne turned away, she felt she had intruded on a very private moment. "She does love him, she thought, if only Georgiana could have found such a love instead of such heart breaking disappointment. She makes him happy, that is evident, she thought as she recalled Mary Darcy's words to her a month ago, "Their love is a shining thing, Anne."

Part VII-B

Lady Anne decided to stay in the box between the first and second acts. George begged her to go into the foyer and mingle with those whom they knew. Lady Anne, however refused, she did not wish to speak to anyone at this time. She wanted to be alone to think upon what she had seen of her son and Elizabeth. The two of them seemed to wish to stay in their box too, while Charles and his beautiful wife left, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth stayed talking to one another.

As she sat back in the box where she could not be observed Lady Anne saw her son again take his Elizabeth's hand and kiss the fingers. Elizabeth moved the hand up to carress his cheek and bring his head down to kiss him.

"Look at the two of them, she heard the harsh voice of her sister, they might as well make love in public. I cannot believe he has the nerve to bring that woman here, parading her about as if she was a prize catch, when she is a nobody and everyone knows it."

"Well, he will be shown. I believe I am about to contract a brilliant match for my Anne, sister. The Duke and Duchess of Ashborn seem very interested in the match also. Think of it Anne, my daughter a Duchess."

"Catherine, how can you come here telling me you are to pledge Anne to the Vicount, you know he and Georgiana love each other. He has been courting her for months."

"Love, nonsense, they are too young to know anything about love. Love is for novels, what is important is maintaining standards. Titles must wed titles. Surely you must see that Anne, dear."

"Georgiana is but the grandaughter of the Earl of Matlock and the daughter of a mere country gentleman. My Anne is the daughter of an Earl and the grandaughter of an Earl and has extensive properties which will come to her, as well as fifty thousand pounds which she will receive on her marriage."

"Catherine, how can you be so cruel, do you have no feelings for Georgiana's pain. She loves that boy and he loves her."

"Bosh, snapped Lady Catherine, I am getting tired of this love nonsense, Anne. Georgiana may think she loves his grace and he loves her but his love does not go deeply enough to give up his title and income for her. If your own son had as much sense as he, you would not be hiding here in this box for he would be married to my Anne and this conversation would not be taking place."

"Ah Catherine, I can hear you from the street," Lady Rebecca Fitzwilliam said as she entered the box to kiss Lady Anne's cheek.

"Being your usual thoughtful, charming self, eh, Catherine she went on as Lady Sophis entered to box also. We heard how you accosted the Duke and Duchess at first chance. Do you think that in view of your past with her grace she would really let her son marry Anne. I think not, dear Catherine. This is just another of your pipe dreams."

"What are they doing her, Anne, Lady DeBourgh, fumed. Unless you ask them to leave immediatly I shall be forced to go. Remember sister, who it is who has stood beside you during this trying time. Who it is who shares your disdain for the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy and that Bennet chit."

"Catherine, please, there is no need to shout, keep your voice down, I beg of you," Lady Anne pleaded.

"I will not be silenced, tell me at once which is it to be, Rebecca or me."

Lady Anne begged her sister with her eyes to become calm, when that did not work and Lady Catherine again asked her to make a choice in her loud piercing voice Lady Anne shut her eyes begging the lord to help her.

"Goodnight Catherine, Lady Rebecca, smiled, perhaps you can find the Duke and Duchess to commiserate with."

Lady Catherine stormed from the box, as she exited all eyes were on her. "Well what are you looking at, she shouted, get out of my way all of you."

"Thank you Rebecca, Sophia, I cannot face another minute of my sister tonight, Lady Anne whispered, tears forming in her eyes, I should have listened to George, I should have gone with him."

"Odious, thoughtless creature, Lady Sophia, said , how can you stand her company, Anne, she is unbelievably cruel when she wishes to be. I am only glad the dear Georgiana was not here. How is she Anne, dear."

She is with her grandmother Darcy, Lady Anne replied. George says she is in a great deal of pain, but finds solace there away from prying eyes. My poor dear child, I really thought that they would be wed. It never occured to me when he asked for permission to marry her that his parents knew nothing of their feeling for one another." I never for a moment believed that they would object to the union. It is so humiliating."

"She will recover and be the stronger for it, Anne, Lady Rebecca said, patting her hand. If he is this weak you are well rid of him."

"Anne, are you well, George Darcy asked as he entered the box. Everyone is talking about Catherine's visit to you. It seems she could be heard around the hall better than the actors on the stage. I am sorry dear, I should not have left you. If I had been here she would not hve dared to accost you as she did."

"Would you like to go home, my love, I will send for the carriage immediatley if you wish to do so."

"No, dearest, that is the last thing I should do now. I shall stay and leave after the last act with my head held high, I am Mrs. George Darcy, after all."

Part VIII

Lady Anne sat staring at her plate. She soon pushed it aside. she could not eat. Rising she signaled to the servant that the things could be cleared.

She walked to her sitting room and stood gazing out the window thinking of the dreadful quarrel she had had with George four days ago.

When she told him she would not be going to Pemberley for the Christmas holidays but would be going to Rosings Park instead, he had become so angry, more angry than she had seen him in 37 years of marriage.

She had tried to make him understand that she had to go to her sister. A letter had come from Catherine early that morning begging her to come to Rosings so that she would not be alone for the holiday. She had sounded desperate.

"She is alone, George, she has only me now, can't you understand how she must feel. Since Anne ran away she has no one there but Mr. Collins and his wife."

"It is her own doing, he said angrily, what mother with any feeling for her daughter would betrothe her to a man of more than sixty years, with a reputation for being the most notorious rake in history. all to gain the title Duchess for herself."

"She did what she thought best for Anne, it was silly and foolish, yes, but she wanted Anne to have a suitable husband."

"She gave no thought to Anne, She thought only of the title Duchess. Since her plans to marry her daughter to the Vicount Ashburn came to naught and Georgiana married the young Duke of Birwhistle she thought only to raise her daughter to the same level. She did it out of spite and jealousy."

"I wish you did not dislike her so George, I would so like to have you speak to her, to give her comfort. The rest of the family has nothing to do with her at all anymore. Our brother will not even allow her in his house, the house where she was born and raised."

"I think you are cruel and heartless, I shall go to Rosings Park and you shall go to Pemberley by yourself."

"I am not going to Pemberley to spend the holidays by my self. I shall send a letter to Mrs. Longstreet informing her that she will have to manage the holidays for the servants and take care of Boxing day."

"I shall go to Briarwood. since you are determined to spend your time with your family, I shall do the same with mine. I shall leave today as a matter of fact as soon as I possibly can."

As he stormed from the room Lady Anne began to cry softly but she would not go after him begging, she thought, she had too much pride for that.

That had been four days ago but it seemed like a year. She had been able to eat or sleep very little, she was so miserable.

When she saw the Darcy carriage come into the courtyard she rushed to the door thinking, "He is back home, he has been as unhappy as I, he has come to apologize and got to Rosings with me."

Her face fell as her mother in law entered.

"Hello, Anne, dear, Mary Darcy said , I am sorry that you are so disappointed at it being only me, but I will speak to you."

"Please come in mother Darcy, Lady anne smiled warmly, taking her arm We will go to my sitting room it is much cozier than any other."

"Baxter, please bring some tea for Mother Darcy and me."

After the servant had deposited the tea tray and departed Mary Darcy leaned over and took Lady Anne's hand.

"This has gone on long enough, love, she said. I will not stand idly by and see one of the few happy marriages I have known be destroyed. I am going to do something that I had never thought to do, but it must be done. I am going to betray a confidence that my son entrusted to me 20 years ago. I am going to tell you what has caused this rift between your husband and Catherine DeBourghh all these years."

"You have a husband and a son who love you and three beautiful grandchildren who you have never seen. It is time to right things. As much I detest doing this there is naught else to do.

Part IX

Ann Darcy looked at her daughter in law lovingly.

"Where do I start, She said, I suppose the beginning is best."

"As you know your father and Henry were great friends at their clubs and chess tournaments, though the families did not see a great deal of each other sociably. My husband was not a great lover of social functions, nor am I. We both despised the pettiness and the back biting that went on among the so called menbers of the ton. That is why we spent most of our days at Pemberley until George and Moria were of an age that they should be seen in the best social circles and make friends among their peers."

"Perhaps if we had not come to town Moria would be alive today, but that is neither here nor there. So many died of the pox that year, how fortunate that George was away at school and avoided that plague. or we would have been childless."

Edward and George as you well know became fast friends at school and George invited you family to spend a month at Pemberley after they had graduated."

"Henry had to go ahead to make the arrangements and I rode up with your family."

"As soon as your sister saw Pemberley she was awe stricken at it's beauty. I remember well her look of amazement that turned into one of pure averice so quickly that it frightened me. I knew at once that she wanted this place and would do whatever she had to do to obtain her desire."

"But, that could not be Mother Darcy, Anne interupted, Catherine was betrothed to Henry DeBourgh even then."

"That made no difference to your sister, Anne, dear. On the second morning after your arrival I was in the breakfast room checking that all was well for our guests. I don't remember what it was but something was missing and I went into the butlers pantry to check on it. Just after I entered you sister and your father stormed into the breakfast room, arguing loudly and angrily. Your sister declared that she was going to be mistress of this fine estate and nothing was going to stand in her way."

"Your father was extremely vexed and shouted above her tirade that she had been betrothed to your cousin Sir Henry DeBourgh in he cradle and she was going to marry him, he would never let her break the engagement."

"Cathering stomped her foot declaring that as soon as Henry arrived she was going to tell him that she would not marry him, she was going to marry George Darcy and she fled the room."

"I stayed in the pantry mnot knowing what to do, if I walked out your father would know that I had heard all and be most vexed and embarrassed. Edward however had lost his appetite and soon left."

I watched Catherine and my son closely and saw no inclination toward her on his part. He, however watched you closely and I could see that this was where his interest lay.

Catherine too, saw his looks and did all that she could to gain his attention and keep him from you. I could see that she was becoming more and more jealous.

"If you recall my love you were supposed to go into Lambton with George one morning but when you did not appear, Catherine begged him to take her in your stead."

"I learned from your maid that she had told you that he had canceled the appointment to visit one of the farms and would be leaving very early. You did not come down til much later and were very surprised to hear that the two of them and Mrs. Quick had indeed gone into the village. You, poor innocent accepted her story that there had been a mixup and George had begged that no one wake you since you were so tired the night before and consented to take Catherine in your stead."

"It seemed that every time you and George had an appointment to walk around the gardens or visit the greeneries, Catherine was there instead telling my son that you were not well and had sent her to accompany him."

"When your brother finally saw what was going on he explained to George that there was nothing wrong with you, That your sister was sending you notes canceling the appointments while she was there to go with him. He knew Catherine well enough to know what she was about and between the two of them they managed to upset her well laid plans from then on."

"Even then she managed to corner George and declare her love for him, promising to give fine strong sons. Telling him you were too weak and delicate to bear him any children."

George was horrified, and begged her to cease her raving, telling her he could not allow her to break her engagement to her cousin in the hope of making a marriage that could never be. He tried to point out to her that he didn't care for her and neither family would consent to such an arrangement or a broken engagement. He loved you he told her and meant to ask for your hand that very afternoon."

Catherine was enraged and declared that she would not give up her dream that she should be his wife. She would never let him marry you and make such a mistake that they would both regret in the future.

"How can you prefer that little nothing when I am offering you a real woman," she shouted.

"Poor George, he saw me standing there in the rose garden, mouth agape, knowing that I had heard. He turned on his heel and strode away, Catherine shouting at him to come back. Turning to me she berated me for eavesdropping and turning my son against her."

"I knew it would be useless to argue with her, so like my son I left her there.

"How well I remember that dinner. Henry had arrived only two hours before and Catherine had had no time to speak with him, fortunately. I shall never forget the look on her face when you father rose to make a toast to you and George on your engagement. Never have I seen such a look of shock, then hatred as she stared at you.. You had ruined all her well laid plans and in her mind stolen what she had come to regard as hers."

"She and Henry were married soon after, she would not let you marry first, she had to beat you there. Poor Henry, first he had a fiance who was reluctant to set a date and next one who wished to marry in all haste."

"When Fitzwilliam was born, Catherine refused to speak of him for months. I know you wondered why she was so distant and showed no interest in your beautiful son."

"When Anne was born however she saw in her daughter a way to attain what she had lost to you. She would betrothe the two of them from the cradle and in her mind it was accomplished."

"You reacall, dear that when you were with child the second and third time she begged you to come to Rosings to permit her to see that you got proper care."

"When you miscarried and were so weak and sleeping most of the time she saw an opportunity to extract her revenge. She went to George begging him to come to her bed. to get her with child. She wanted his son. She told him she could not abide Henry's touch and had no further contact with him after Anne's birth."

"When George pointed out to her that if she should become pregnant Henry would know that it was not his and with a little thought would know who the father was."

"Catherine was prepared for his answer and laughed that of course she would let Henry into her bed one time after she was sure that she was with child, he would never know."

"After the second miscarry, she came to George's room in her determination to have his child. She would not be gainsed. George in his disgust told her that he despised her and pitied poor Henry, having such as she for a wife. He would never again come to Rosings Park he told her and would see that you came as little as possible."

"He told me that he started spending the nights sleeping in a chair in your room until he could safely take you away."

"It was the only was he could avoid her, she still persued him, and he was sure that Henry knew what she was up to."

Lady Anne sat there in shock, this could not be. She recalled George sleeping in the chair though and as she sat there staring at her mother in law, somwhere from the dark recess of her mind the memory of her sister trying to tell George that she was not strong enough to be a proper mother to his child came forth. She thought that it had been a dream, a dreadful nightmare but it had been true. Catherine did tell her husband that he was passing up the chance for a real woman for this weak and sickly nothing lying there sleeping all day.

She recalled that after Georgiana's birth Catherine had begged them to come to Rosings Park so that she could nurse her back to health. George was adament however, he would not go to Rosings Park ever again.

Catherine had come to town to see her niece and it seemed that an unsteady truce wa declared. She could visit them in town, but no visits to Pemberley and none to Rosings for George. He had softened somewhat after Henr'y death however and permitted her and the children to go to visit her sister wheneve she wished.

"Anne, Anne, I am so sorry, dear, I know that this has been a great shock to you, but surely now you can understand George's feelings and even your sisters when Fitzwilliam declared for Elizabeth, thrawrting again her plans to be mistress of Pemberley. You can be sure my dear, that though Anne would be married to Fitzwilliam, Catherine would be the mistress of all.

"Anne, dear, are you well, I must leave you. I must return to Briarwood before it is too dark. Is there anyone I can send for. Someone who you can confide in, someone who will be a comfort to you."

"No, mother Darcy, I am well, I must have time by myself to think on this. Please do not worry about me I shall be perfectly well.

Lady Anne tossed and turned throughout the night, scenes from the past passing through her mind. Things that had happened that gave more and more truth to all Mary had told her. Her dear husband had kept this to himself all these years hoping she might be spared the pain of having to face the truth about the sister who she had considered even more of a mother to her than their own mother.

The next morning she rang for her maid.

"You may start packing, Alice, she said, we shall be leaving tomorrow first thing after breakfast."

"But your ladyship, I thought that our invitation to Rosing Park was for next week, Alice said, are we to leave so much earlier. I did not know you had herd from Lady DeBourgh."

"Just pack my things, Alice, I must take care of the arrangements for our departure," Lady Anne said forcefully.

Alice stared at her mistress as she left the room. What had happened, Lady Anne was so determined this morning, she was not her usualy calm quiet self.

Shaking her head she began packing.

Part X

Elizabeth moved to stand beside her father in law as he stood looking out the window. As she arrived she saw her husband and four year old son emerge into the courtyard below. As they started across it was apparent that though young Will was tall for his age his small legs could not keep up with his father's long ones. Stooping down Darcy swept his son up to settle him on his shoulders.

Will laughed with glee and spotting his grandfather and his mother waved at them joyfully.

Fitzwilliam turned his face up to the window and with a grin waved to the two them just as his son had.

How alike they look Elizabeth thought, the same dark eyes and curling hair, the same dimples when they smiled.

"Has there ever been born a more wonderful father, she said, he is in his glory, taking his son with him to town."

"She smiled at George Darcy as she said, "He tells me he has had the best model for a father, and I do believe him. It is very obvious how much you care for each other."

Mary Darcy coming into the room laughed, "Yes, they are much the same and it would seem that young Will is following in their footsteps, even at four years of age."

"What a commotion in the hall before thery left. Her fathers sharp reprimand must have been a great shock to Cassandra."

Elizabeth and George laughed as they recalled how Cassie had come running down the hall as fast as her three year old legs could carry her, trying to pull on her coat and crying, "Papa, papa, Cassie come too."

When her father had explained to her that only her brother would be allowed to go with him she had begun to wail, Cassie go with Papa, Please, Papa."

"No dearest, Fitzwilliam said firmly, we will bring you something from Mr. Cerdar's store though, but you must stay here with Mama."

"NO, NO, Cassie, shouted, throwing herself on the floor kicking and screaming, NO, Will stay, Cassie go."

"Cassandra, Her father said sternly, stop this at once. You shall not go, and there will be no gift. I will not have tantrums in this house."

"Take her to her room, Mrs. Daroway he commanded and keep her there until we return."

Cassandra Darcy stared wide eyed at her father, he had never spoken so to her in her three years of life. She had always been the apple of his eye and could get her way from him whenever she tried. Now however she could see, even at her young age that she had overstepped the boundries of his patience and as Mrs. Daroway, her nanny carried her up the stairs she held her arms out crying, "Papa, Papa," plaintively.

"I will not have a Guniverre Fitzwilliam in this house, Darcy said as he looked into the shocked faces of his family, Caroline and James spoil their daughter outrageously and her tantrums are legendary even at three years of age. I will not have my daughter trying to impose her will in such a manner. I know that I spoil her also, but she must learn that there are limits."

"I agree, my love, it is just that I never thought to hear you reprimand her thus, she always seems to know how to get what she wants from you. I am very happy to see that you will set limits for her and am sure that she will remember not to test your patience too far in the near future at least, Elizabeth said reaching up to pull his head down and kiss him soundly, Well done, my dearest husband."

"Well done, indeed, William, his grandmother chimed, I feared that you would spoil her to the point that she would be as bad as your cousin's child, but I am so happy to see that you have better sense than Caroline Fitzwilliam, Lady Hampton as she prefers."

Darcy strode to the door with a smile for his son, saying "Come Will, we must be off if we are to be home in time for tea. Your cousin Richard Bingley will be here, remember, as his father slapped him on the shoulder saying, I agree, my son very well done"

"Come Elizabeth, dear we must finishing preparing for our guests. What a merrry Christmas this will be, with Jane and Charles and their two, and Georgiana and Richard. Mrs. Wilson is beside herself with joy at such a gathering for the holidays, such feasts as she is planning."

"Yes, Elizabeth, laughed, I find it hard to control her enthusiasm, but I cannot let her run wild. Will you come with me to speak to her, Grandmother."

Rosings Park

Lady Catherine smiled to herself as she left her housekeeper to follow her orders and made her way into the morning room where her pastor awaited.

Anne would be here in a few days and she must make sure that everything was perfect for the visit.

"I have won she thought, George Darcy has lost his dear wife to me. You see George, you should have chosen me. I would never let a mere sister come between us. Our son would have married whom ever I told him too, he would never have defied his family to marry a nobody."

"Mr. Collins, I would imagine your wife is about finished with her preparations for you holiday in Herdfordshire," she said condescendingly.

"Oh yes your ladyship, she is almost ready as we speak. I must thank you again for your great Christian generosity in allowing us to spend the holiday with the Lucas's. My dear Charlotte is most grateful too, I can assure you." She--

"I would hope she would be, Lady Catherine answered in the middle of his sentence, I am in such a generous mood that I shall allow you to use one of my carriages for the trip."

OH, your ladyship, such generosity, such Christian charity, is there a more wonderful patroness in all of England. I can assure you your lady---

"Yes, yes, enough, her ladyship shook off his sweaty hand, go now and inform your wife. Dawkins will drive you, whenever you are ready."

Matlock Manor, London

"Anne dear, I am so sorry, but I am even more happy that Mary told you this," Rebecca said watching her favorite sister in law as she paced about the room.

"I cannot believe that all of you knew this and yet no one said a word of it to me, Lady Anne cried, why did no one tell me."

"George did not want you hurt, dear, he knows that you and Catherine have always been more like mother and daughter than sisters.

Besides, Anne, we felt that you would never believe any of us. That to try to tell you would only alienate you from the rest of the family. I hope you can understand, love."

"I understand, how could I have been so blind all these years, how could I not have seen that Catherine coveted my husband."

"You have always trusted her completly, Anne, dear, no one has ever been able to make you see her as we all did, selfish, mean spirited, viscious, shall I go on."

"No, Rebecca, Anne laughed for the first time since her arrival at Matlock Manor, I know all the words."

"It is not your husband so much as it is all that came with him, I think, Rebecca went on. I don't believe Catherine is capable of loving anyone, only consequence, and you are in possession of great consequence, Pemberley, the most beautiful town house in London, friends of the highest water, a favorite of the royal family. Catherine would like all of these, but she cannot have them because she herself drives away the very people she wishes to be of importance to."

"What are you going to do, Anne?"

"Lady Anne rose and kissed Rebecca on the cheek, "Right now Rebecca dear, I am going home to see if my packing is done."

Part XI

Lady Anne descended from the carriage while the lackey gaped at her in astonishment. As she looked up at the windows, lighted and inviting it occured to her that she was quite tired. She had intended to be here hours before but her arrangements had taken longer than she expected and it was now becoming dark. She was a bit hungry too, she had not eaten since tea time not wishing to stop at the inn for a light supper because of the hour she had pressed on, anxious to be here.

The letter to her sister had taken considerable time but she wanted it over with. She wondered what would happen when Catherine recieved the post that she had sent by special messenger.

As she entered the hall she was greeted by a look of astonishment by Mr. Silvers and the housekeeper who gasped, "Mrs. Darcy we were not expecting you."

"I know, Lady Anne smiled, I had not planned to come so soon but decided that I wished to be here before the Christmas arrangements were all made so that I might participate. Where is everyone?"

"You will find them in the drewing room, Maam, Mr. Silvers, stammered, I will announce you."

"No, please get on with your duties I will find my way myself, " Lady Anne replied.

As she walked down the hall she heard the deep, rich voice of her son.

Reaching the door to the room she smiled to herself thinking, "Charles Dickens, how like Fitzwilliam," she knew that he loved the stories by Mr. Dickens and would endeavor to pass that love to his children.

As she stood in the doorway she saw her husband in a chair to the right of the divan, holding a boy of about 4 years on his lap while the child gazed at Fitzwilliam with rapt attention.

"OH, dear, how he does look like his father and grandfather, she thought, this of course must be Fitzwilliam Darcy the second. What a handsome child."

Her eyes traveled to the divan where Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam sat a beautiful little girl between the two of the, leaning against her father.

"What beautiful eyes the child had, so like her mothers, large and dark with those same incredible long thick lashes. She fairly took Lady Anne's breath away.

As she stood there in the doorway the girl turned her eyes to the door and stared, pointing a plump finger at her saying, "Papa, lady"

Fitzwilliam Darcy rose to his feet staring in astonishment for a few seconds before saying hoarsly, "Mother,----mother.

"Anne, she heard George say in the same surprised tone. Anne I had not thought to see you here."

"Anne, dear , why did you not let us know that you were coming, she heard her mother in law say, we would have waited for you."

"I did not know when I would arrive and I certainly did not know how welcome I would be."

"Oh, Anne, what foolishness, of course you are welcome, you should know that, love," Mary Darcy said.

Lady Anne continued to stand in the doorway looking at her daughter in law. How did Elizabeth feel about her sudden appearance at her door, would she welcome her. Lady Anne could certainly understand if her son's wife were to turn her out. Her actions the past few years certainly had done nothing to endear her to Elizabeth.

A radient smile crossed Elizabeth's face as she came forward hands outstretched in welcome.

"We are so happy to welcome you Mrs. Darcy, she said, of course we want you here."

Lady Anne returned the hug her son's wife gave her, clinging to Elizabeth for a few moments crying softly, I have been such a fool all this time, please forgive silly overly proud, arrogant woman."

"It is forgotten, Elizabeth said quietly, come and greet the rest of your family."

As Lady Anne turned to survey the rest of the room she saw for the First time that Georgiana and her husband David were there also.

"Mama, I am so happy to see you Georgiana greeted her with a tearful hug. This will be such a glorious Christmas now that we are all together."

"I believe you know Timothy Bonhiem," Elizabeth said.

"Of course, Timothy how nice to see you it has been too long."

Lady Anne for the first time noticed the rather plump young woman at his side, there was something familiar about her, but her ladyship could not quite put her finger on it. She knew there was something familiar about young woman.

"And this young lady, is she with you," she inquired of Timothy.

She was startled by a burst of laughter from the company.

"Aunt Anne, don't you know me, It is I, Anne, Anne DeBourgh, now Anne Bonhiem," the young woman laughed.

Lady Anne sat down in astonishment.

"Anne, I really did not recognize you. You are so filled out, your complexion is lovely and your eyes and nose are not running, I do not think I have ever seen you when your eyes and nose were not running. What has happened to you dear, you are so well looking, so healthy.

"When I went to the convent, the bleedings stopped and I got stronger and stronger daily. Sister superior said I was being bled all to much and had not chance to recover any health as long as it continued. After two years I left the convent and came to Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth for refuge. It was here that I met and learned to love Timothy. We have been married for almost two years now and have a lovely son Henry."

"But why didn't you come to George and me for help," Lady Anne said, clasping Anne's hand warmly.

"You would have sent me home to my mother, Anne said quietly, we both know that Aunt Anne. I know that my mother has disowned me completly and will not speak my name."

"I have found such happines as I never thought possible, Aunt. We know that Rosings Park is legally mine and we could turn my mother out among the hedgerows, but what would that accomplish. Rosings Park is all she has, so I am content to let her live out her life there."

Mr. Parkinson knows all about Timothy and me and looks out for my interest without mama knowing a thing."

"Mary, Elizabeth, George, this is all too much for me right now, I am so very tired. Please forgive me but I should like to retire to think about this night. I am so very tired, it has been a long, long day," Lady Anne said, this has been shocking news, I must have some time to digest everything. Please excuse me."

"Of course, my love, I will take you up. Have your bags been seen to," George replied, taking his wife's are tenderly.

***************************************************************

Rosings Park

Lady Catherine took the letter from the maid who brought it to her on a silver tray.

"Ah a letter from dear Anne, she said with a smile, perhaps she plans to come earlier than planned."

She took the letter and walked into the garden, it was such a beautiful December day and a brisk walk about the rose garden was just what she needed as she read her sisters letter, she thought.

Stopping to check her favorite, the Fitzwilliam Rose, which she had nutured and developed herself she smiled contentedly to herself. She sat down on the bench beside the rose and opened her letter.

Leaping to her feet she screamed, "NO, No, it cannot be. She cannot do this, I will not have it. Who told you she screeched, who told you about George. It was Rebecca, It was Rebecca, I know it was her, she will do anything to vex me. she despises me as much as I do her."

Mr. Collins was standing beside the carriage which was to take them to Meryton, telling Mr. Glammon, his temporary replacement for the fourth time about his duties to Rosings Park and Lady Catherine when he thought he heard a scream emanating from the manor.

"Stopping with his foot on the step, he turned toward Rosings, with a frown on his round face. "It must be that peacock, he thought, what a dreadful sound those creatures did make."

As he again started to enter the carriage the scream came again.

"It is a scream," he exclaimed stepping down to start toward Rosing Park.

"Mr. Collins, get into the carriage, Charlotte said, whatever it is, Mr. Glammon can take care of it, Come Mr. Collins we must be off."

"Charlotte, my dear I cannot leave now, I must go to Rosings Park. Lady Catherine may be in need of me," and he trotted off down the path as fast as his bandy legs could carry him.

As he neared the house he could tell that the screams were coming from the rose garden and as her hurried to find out what was the cause of such a commotion he saw Lady DeBourgh swinging the silver tipped walking stick which she always carried at her favorite rose sending it in shreds around her, screaming, "NO, No, No."

"Your Ladyship, what is it, he gasped, what has happened."

His heart sank with fear as Lady Catherine turned to him with such a look of hatred that he leapt back in dismay.

"You, this is all your fault, she screamed, if you had married the Bennet woman as I told you, this would never have happened. She would be mistress of Hunsford and my Anne would be married to Fitzwilliam Darcy."

As she advanced on him swinging her stick Mr. Collins turned and ran, faster than he had ever run in his life back down the path to Hunsford, where her jumped into the carriage, shouting, "Off with you Dawkins, we are late, hurry, hurry.

Mr. Glammon stared in amazement at the lady who followed in a few minutes, shouting, "Where is he, where did he go, the coward. I will have his hide for this."

************

PART XII

Lady Anne stretched luxuriously as she opened her eyes to the new day.

"Oh my, she thought, I don't remember how long it has been since I slept so well as I have these last three days. Nearly seven years, Anne, you foolish, foolish woman," a still small voice said in her heart.

She lay back among the pillows thinking about the evening she had arrived here at Briarwood to find, not only her husband here with Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, but her dear daughter Georgiana and David. The greatest shock of all had been her niece Anne.

She and George had gone up to her room that night that she arrived. Dear George had sensed that she was hungry and after finding out that she had not stopped to dine on her way here to Briarwood had sent to the kitchen for bread and cheese and hot tea for her.

They had talked until she fell asleep, about what she had found when she arrived.

She shook her again in disbelief that she had not even known the girl who had grown up with Fitzwilliam, hoping, as she had thought to marry him.

What a shock it had been to her when Anne told her that she never wanted to marry her son at all and had planned to run to the Sisters of Mercy if she was to be forced to do so. She had planned her escape from the time she was 14 years old, with the help of Mrs. Custien, the companion who had preceded Mrs. Jenkinson.

Anne was sure that she had gone to Mrs. Custain when she left Rosings Park. Anne of course would never disclose how and when she entered the convet for sancuary. Lady Anne could not blame the girl for not trusting her now, considering how close she had been to her mother, Lady Catherine.

She had enjoyed meeting Timothy again and was much pleased to see that he loved and cherished his wife. How wonderful it must be for Anne to have someone who adored her, after all those years of being told that as a girl she was of little consequence.

Lady Anne could naught but smile as she thought of the plump happy son of Timothy and Anne.

"Henry would be well pleased with his namesake," she thought.

When her maid finished her toillete she sent her to the kitchen to eat her breakfast while Lady Anne made her way to the nursery. I hope the baby is well fed and attended to she thought, I will enjoy a few minutes with her before I go down for breakfast.

She found Lizzie, content and smiling and taking her to the window she looked out on a scene which warmed her heart.

To her joy she saw that the snow that had started the afternoon before must have continued on through the night. Today, however was bright and sunny and the snow glittered as if sprinkled with diamond dust.

Below her she saw her son pulling two year old Jane Anne on a sled while Elizabeth and the two older children crunched through the snow beside him.

Suddenly Elizabeth stopped and leaning down whispered to the two with her. The three of them reached down to fill ther hands with snow making balls, giggling all the while. When Fitzwilliam turned to see what the laughter was about he was hit with a hail of snowballs.

Taking up the challenged he too leaned down to scoop up the snow and return the fire.

Young William ran to his fathers side to assist him in the snowy war with his mother and sister, while Jane Anne clapped her hands with joy and laughter at what was going on around her.

She saw George come around the hedge from the stable to be met by a barrage of snowballs.

He, however instead in joining the fray, beat a hasty retreat to the house, followed all the way by well placed snowballs.

Lady Anne laughed with joy, and tapped on the window. Her family below aimed smiles at her and themselves proceeded to the house.

She heard the sound of Mary Darcy's laughter as she hurried down to hall to the breakfast room.

"Did you see what went on in the lawn just now," Mary asked wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"Oh, Mama it looked like such fun, perhaps after breakfast we can go out and build a snow fort and have a real snowball fight, Georgiana said as she and David turned, laughing from the window in the breakfast room, where they too had been enjoying the show.

As the miscreants filed into the room, rosy cheeks aglow Lady Anne could not help but say to herself, "William is so very happy and such a wonderful father. He loves Elizabeth so very deeply and it is obvious to all that she in turn adores him. How could I have been so blind."

"I hoped that we could go into the woods to collect pine boughs this morning, she said, that is all we need to complete the Christmas decorating. You young people do as you wish though."

"What a wonderful suggestion, Elizabeth said, what better day to go to the woods than today, when the snow is so beautiful."

"Oh, yes I agree, Anne put in, don't you think so, Timothy, we shall have such fun."

Timothy could not help but laugh and shake his head in agreement as he watched his wife glow with joy at the thought of a jaunt into the woods. "She loves the snow, just like a child. She deserved to have the pleasure of tossing it about and making snowmen and snowballs, he thought. Her mother had absolutely forbidden such activity when she was growing up."

"What are you thinking Anne, my love, George Darcy said as he watched his lovely wife looking out the window with a pensive look on her face.

"I was just wondering how Catherine reacted to my letter, she said, I had thought I might have heard something from her by now."

"She would never come here, love, George answered. she will survive very well Anne, She is probably making Lady Margaret's life miserable even now. After all Margaret is all she has left."

"You forget, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Anne replied. She will have them to fall back on."

"I would imagine she will take it all out on that poor weak shadow of a man," George said pensively.

*****************************************************************

Rosings Park

"You had better check to see if she is well, Mrs. Alexander, the housekeeper said to Maude, Lady Catherine's maid, as they stood outside the her ladyships suite. She has been in there three days now without coming out. She has not eaten enought to keep a bird alive and has had her meals delivered to her door and sets the dishes outside it when she is finished."

"I'm, not going in there, Maude replied, she threw a vase at me the last time I put my head in the door."

Lady Catherine paced about the room as she read the letter from her sister for the hundredth time.

Catherine,

I shall not be coming to Rosings Park for the holidays, as a matter of fact I don't know if I shall ever go there again.

I have waited three days to write this letter, hoping to find some relief from my feeling of anger and betrayal after I was made to admit what has been going on all these years, indeed, since our childhood.

I had thought that you loved me when you took over my raising after our mother became too ill to do so. Instead I find out that you despised me, blaming me for all our mothers troubles.

It was not my fault that our father loved me. You know that he did so because of my resemblence to our dear mother.

If you had been more caring of him and shown him a little love and understanding for the pain he was suffering he would have shown you the same affection he showed me.

You however, I see now treated him with nothing but contempt.

How could I have been so blind as not to see how very much you wanted George and Pemberley. Now that I have time to think on it, it I remember that you were the only one who did not wish me happiness when I became engaged to him, I thought you were joshing when you told me that I was not woman enough for him that her would be better to marry you.

The memories flow back to me now, the way you watched him, I should have known, but I was so in love with him I could not see the forest for the trees.

I thought I was having nightmares there at Rosings when I thought that some woman was trying to lure my husband to her bed while I lay there at deaths door.

I know now that it was no dream, but my own sister, begging him to get her with child, begging him to give her his son. It was you Catherine, I know that for the truth now.

How you must have laughed up your sleeve when I told you of the wild dreams I had, of the other woman chasing my husband, saying I could not give him what he needed, she was the only one who could make him truly happy.

How could I have blamed my dear George for the rift between our families. How could I not have known that he wished to avoid you because of your actions. He truly loved Henry, Catherine and your unseemly behavior only served to make him despise you.

Poor, dear cousin, Henry. He had loved you all his life, but you destroyed his love with you arrogance and contempt.

That is why he left Rosings Park in trust to Anne, isn't it Catherine. He knew what you were about. He loved his daughter, which is more than can be said for you. You told her all her life that she was of little consequence. Can you blame her for fleeing you. I cannot.

I can see so clearly now, it was never just the marriage to Fitzwilliam that you wanted. It was your way of obtaining what you wanted more than your family or anything else in your life, Pemberley.

You destroyed Henry for wanting it. He knew, I am sure and prefered death to living with you any longer.

Poor dear loving cousin Henry, to have been handed such a fate.

I shall go to Briarwood and try to make peace with my husband and son. I pray to God that Elizabeth will find it in her heart to forgive me someday. I go to meet my four beautiful grandchildren. What a fool I have been to have missed all these years when I could have been enjoying them instead of bowing to your every will and whim.

I know that George and Mary will welcome me. They love me.

Love Catherine. You should try loving at least once before you die, sister. What an empty life you have had, never loving anyone but yourself.

Anne

Part XIII

I have always thought that though we like to think that Lizzie and Darcy's marriage was ideal and without any bad spots in the road that is not possible. Especially thinking of the times they lived in and the medical practices in that period. In this part you will find a reference to a painful episode in their loving relationship.

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Lady Anne sat at her desk checking the plans for the holidays which were rapidly coming upon them.

She sat back in her chair, smiling as she thought of the excitement among the staff at the news that the entire family was spending them at Pemberley this year. It was the first time in years that they would all be here. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth and the children, Georgiana and David and their two, Anne and Timothy with their three.

Even Mary Darcy agreed to the trip in spite of how hard the journey would be on her. Lady Anne feared that this would be the last time her mother in law would make the trip to the north country. At 70 years old and suffering from rheumtism, travel was very painful for her, but she wanted to be part of the festivities this one last time she had written.

Mrs. Reynolds was quite beside herself with plans. Lady Anne had her hands full keeping her in check. The thought of a houseful of happy children had her in a spin of joy.

She smiled at her husband as he came into the room carrying a letter. Her smile faded at the look on his face.

"What is is George, dear, she asked, you look most upset."

"It is from Catherine," he said quietly.

"Catherine, it has been two years, since she last wrote demanding that I come to Rosings Park and bring her grandson," Lady Anne said with a scowl, what could she want now."

"There is but one way to fine out," George laughed, I leave you to your sister.

Lady Anne took the letter and moved to the window . She sat looking at the missive thinking of the last time she had seen her sister just before Christmas six years ago."

So much had happened in those few years. Some giving great joy such as Geofgianna's becoming a mother to two such beautiful children and Anne's great happiness in her marriage. what a wonderful mother she was, giving her children all the love that she herself had been denied in her childhood.

Ther had been great pain too at the death of their eldest grand daughter of the same blood disease that had taken both Lady Anne's father and her sister Josephine.

Not only was the shock and death of Cassandra been dreadful but Fitzwilliam had sunk into a deep valley of dispair for months, Eating little, sleeping little. Prowilng the house at night, sitting through the night beside that tiny bed where he had so many times laid his daughter to go to sleep, telling her stories of his own childhood until she drifted off into a happy dreamland.

They had spent months trying to find a way to bring him out of it but she did not know how to do so.

Elizabeth became so thin and pale, so worried about her husbands safety and sanity. In the end it had been her love and strength that had pulled him out of it.

She never knew what had happened that day in the reading room between him and Georgiana but she had heard the shouting between her daughter and son far down the hall.

Fitzwilliam had stormed from the room and out of the house to ride away furiously. he had not returned until well after dark.

The next day he had slept until the afternoon, with his wife on guard to let no none into the bedroom to disturb him. When he awakened she had taken a tray in to him and they had talked far into the night, not emerging until almost tea time the next day.

Fitzwilliam for a time had seemed almost like a child, seeming to fear letting Elizabeth out of his sight.

Elizabeth had devoted all her time to him, leaving the care of their children to Mary until gradually he became his old self again. Taking care of the business of the estate and playing with young Will, Jane Anne and Lizzie.

For the first time Lady Anne had realized that though Elizabeth loved her children and her home, Fitzwilliam would always be first in her heart.

Shaking her head Lady Anne came back to her sisters letter and opening it read;

Dear Anne,

I again beg you to come to Rosings Park and bring my grandson. I do not demand it this time, I beg it.

I wish to meet the young man who will inherit Rosings Park and see if he is being properly raised to know his station in life.

I would also like to make my peace with you. I cannot believe that you can be so cruel and unbending. After all I did for you for all those years.

I do not wish to see Mrs. Bingham or her two daughters. Girls are of no consequence to me, I only want my grandson. He should be here learning what it means to be a DeBourgh.

I fear he will grow up not knowing how great he can be as the grandson of an earl.

If Anne wishes to lower herself to that man's level that is her business, but her son is meant for greater things than just being the son of a simple country gentleman.

Please answer with all haste,

Your sister, Lady Catherine DeBourgh.

Part XIII-B

Pemberley

Dear Catherine,

My letter will be short and to the point as I am expecting a large company of guests for the holidays.

I shall not bring young Henry Bonhiem to Rosings Park. If you wish to become aquainted with your grandson you will have to make peace with your daughter and accept her husband and her two daughters.

Take care what you do Catherine. I can assure you that Anne and Timothy are well aware that they have the power to turn you out of Rosings out amoung the hedgerows at any time they wish.

Do not even think of taking her their son from them or their patience might be stretched to the point that they will do just that and then where will you go.

If you wish to make peace with me my terms are the same. You must accept Fitwilliam and our dear daughter Elizabeth without question or rancor.

Yes, Catherine, our daughter Elizabeth, we love her as if we had raised her ourselves and will never let you come between us again. I can do without you very well, sister, but I could not do without Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth and our grandchildren.

Please do not write to me again unless you are willing to accept our terms.

Lady Anne Darcy

Lady Anne sealed the letter and lay it on the silver tray for the servant to post.

She had just finished when she heard what sounded like several carriages enter the courtyard.

Dashing to the door she opened it to see that indeed three carriages were there.

From the first one her son stepped out to put his hand in and help Elizabeth descend with 1 year old Bennet in her arms. Next he lifted out 4 year old George bowing low to his grandmother with an impish grin on his face, followed by the governess Mrs Bailey.

From the second 12 year old Will stepped down to help his great grandmother out, after a bow of greeting to his grandmother. She smiled with delight. What beautiful manners these children have," she thought.

Following Anne Darcy, came 9 year old Jane Anne and 8 year old Lizzie.

The third contained Elizabeth's maid and Fitzwilliam's valet and a nanny.

As the staff rushed to unload the luggage, Mr. Carstairs the butler and Mrs Longstreet the housekeeper hurried to give instructions concerning where each piece should be taken.

"Elizabeth, my dear, I have been waiting for you all morning, she said as she embraced her daughter in law, Fitzwilliam, Mary, we are so happy to see all of you. This will be such a wonderful Christmas. Georgiana and David should be here soon and Anne and Timothy arrive tomorrow."

"What beautiful weather you had for traveling, It is a sign that the sun will shine on these holidays as it has not in many years.

"The children were hoping for snow and cold enough for there to be ice on the pond suitable for skating," Fitzwilliam said with a laugh.

They all followed Mary and Will, who still held his grandmothers arm to help her up the steps.

"Your father and I hope to convince your grandmother to move to Pemberley now that she is here, Lady Anne said to Fitzwilliam, as they moved toward the drawing room. She loves Pemberley so and should live out her years here. You manage Briarwood so well that there is no need for her to be there now."

"I think that she will be agreeable to that, Elizabeth said, She talks so much about her years at Pemberley these last few months."

"Grandfather, grandfather," they heard Georgie cry as George Darcy came toward them. Running past all of them he flung himself into his grandfather's waiting arms, while the rest of the party stood laughing at them and Bennet help out his arms crying, Bompa, Bompa."

"How strange it seems to come here and not see Mrs Reynolds waiting to greet us," Fitzwilliam said, sadly.

"Yes, we miss her too, but she trained her daughter well and Mrs Longstreet is as competent as her dear mother, Lady Anne answered. You must go to the Dower House and visit her as soon as may be, she is so looking forward to seeing you and Elizabeth, but especially the children. She has talked of nothing else this last fortnight."

"Anne, dear I believe Georgiana and David are here, Mary Darcy interupted, I know that voice when I hear it."

All were greeted with hugs and kisses as Georgiana and her family entered, followed by Anne and Timothy and family.

"Anne, dear you are most welcome, but we did not expect you until tomorrow, Lady Anne, said in surprise."

"We decided to travel together, mama, Georgiana said with a laugh. we were such a merry party."

As everyone finished their tea and the younger children along with Mary went up to their rooms to rest Anne asked her aunt if they could speak privately.

As they sat down in Lady Anne's study Anne twisted her handkerchief nevously.

"Oh, Aunt Anne, mama is trying to take our son from us, she sobbed. She has sent her lawyer to tell us that she feels that since Henry will inherit Rosing Park he should be raised there and she should be the one to raise him to be a proper DeBourgh."

"I know, dear, she has sent me a letter instructing me to bring him to her. You have nothing to worry about Anne, she can do nothing to you. You are the best of parents. Everyone knows that. She is a bitter, spiteful woman, who cannot admit that she could be at all at fault for what her life has become."

"Have your attorney send her a letter telling her that you will be only too happy to bring Henry to Rosings, along with the rest of your family, but she must vacate the place within a fortnight. That should silence her or bring her to her senses."

"Anne laughed, Oh Aunt Anne, I never thought of that, thank you. I shall send a letter to my attorney straight away. I hope that that will bring a stop to her threats and put a little fear into her."

"Perhaps her new clergyman can be of assistance to us, Aunt, we met him at church last week. He seems very different from Mr. Collins."

"Her new clergyman, Lady Anne gasped, don't tell me she dismissed Mr. Collins, he has always been just the type of pastor she wished for."

"Oh no, Aunt, I thought you knew, three months ago Mr. Collins was stung by his bees and passed away. He had been very out of sorts since Mr. Bennet's new wife gave birth to a second son, and it would seem he became careless."

"But no one told us, Lady Anne said, what had happened to Mrs Collins. I would have thought Elizabeth would tell us about that, she and Mrs Collins are still the best of friends.

"Elizabeth did write to you, I was there when she sent it, I wonder what has happened to her letter, I shall have to tell her."

"Charlotte and the children are still in the parsonage and will stay there until the new pastor marries, he insisted upon it."

Part XIII-C

"Oh, Mother and Father are the handsomest couple in the hall," sighed Jane Anne as she and her sister Elizabeth and brother Will watched from the balcony of the ballroom as their parents and grandparents lined up to lead the first dance, signaling the start of the holiday ball at Pemberley.

The three older Darcy children were permitted to watch the proceeding from the balcony for one hour before going to bed. With them were Mrs Reynolds, and Mrs Baxter the Darcy governess, and Charles Bingley 13 and his 10 year old sister Amanda Elizabeth.

"You will have to be very quiet, and no scuffling, children, we doin't wish to be heard by the dancers, "Mrs Baxter cautioned as she saw Will and young Charles start a shoving match for the best view of the dance floor.

"Oh please do be good boys, Lizzie admonished. I do not want to be sent to bed for your rowdy ways."

Both boys turned to make faces at thier sisters causing Jane Anne to gasp, "If you two are not better behaved Mrs Baxter will have James take you to your rooms, so you had better start acting like gentlemen as our parents would wish."

Amanda snorted, "They should be sent away, they are always rough housing and causing trouble for all of us."

"Hush children, Mrs Reynolds said with a smile, you do not wish to see your fathers come up here, I am sure."

Both boys looked at her and each other with alarm at the thought and quickly sat down to watch the rest of the hour as quietly as two young boys can for such a period of time.

"My father would not let me ride for a week if he had to come up here to scold me, Will whispered, or perhaps something even worse like giving away my Christmas gifts to the poor."

"Mine too, Charles sighed, he might even send me home with Mr. Davis. What a dreadful Christmas that would make, all alone at The Willows, indeed I shall not even speak again until we are safely in our rooms."

Lady Anne took a seat beside Mary Darcy as the set ended.

"How wonderful it is to have everyone here for the holidays, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have us all here at Pemberley at last."

"You do not have to tell me anything, my dear, it is quite apparent in your face, Mary laughed.

"It doesn't seem possible that it has been seven years since you showed up at Briarwood that for that Christmas, where has all the time gone."

"Seven years, Lady Anne sighed. I have wanted to have this for seven long years but there always seemed to be something to prevent. First the heartbreak of losing Cassandra and Fitzwilliam's short descent into the madness of grief. When next I thought we could be here both Georgiana and Anne were with child so we had to wait for that. Elizabeth's laying in with George meant that they could not come in those years. Then Elizabeth's mother's death, between the births of George and Bennet. Such a waste, if she had only listened to reason and not gone to Paris while there was so much illness there it would never have happened."

"She was a silly foolish woman, Mary said , she thought it worth the chance just to pick up some of the finery that the gentry were selling so cheaply after the defeat of Bonaparte. Stupid, silly woman, to subject her family to so much grief for a few trinkets."

"Yes, but it has turned out for the best for the family. Of course Mr. Bennets marriage two years later during the holidays meant that Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth would have to go to Longbourn. Such a wonderful woman he married, Madaline has made his life so very happy."

"I recall Mrs Bennet speaking of her when she was married to her first husband, Mary said, it seemed that all she could ever say was what a plain woman their neighbor had married. She seemed to think her and what she brought to the marriage as naught if she were not as beautiful as she herself had been when she was young. Though I must say she was a handsome woman for her age, but she could never understand that beauty means little in a marriage if there is no companionship."

"She could not understand that Robert Fitzhugh loved his wife for her wit, her wisdom and her goodnes. I never thought her plain, especially when she smiles. She has made Thomas Bennet the best of wives."

"When her husband was killed in the carriage rollover about the same time as Mrs Bennets demise no one gave a thought that the two of them would come to an understanding."

"Poor Mr. Collins, what a blow it was to him when within the year she had given birth to a Edward and 18 months later to add insult to injury James was born to them."

"Lady Anne smiled, "I would imagine my sister had a great deal to say on that subject to the hapless clergyman who hoped so feverently to become the great country squire."

"I was surprised to hear that Charlotte Collins was widowed. I seems that Elizabeth had written to me of the event of Mr. Collins death but somehow the letter was lost."

"I understand from what Charlotte has written to Elizabeth that Catherine was hoping that Charlotte would move to Rosings Park as her companion, but the new pastor Mr. Farrow, insists that she stay at the parsonage and assist him in gettint aquainted with the parisoners and continue her good deeds among the tenants of Rosings."

"Yes, he has been most generous with her. As he is the youngest son of her neighbor the Earl of Kenworth, Catherine cannot bully and cow him as she did Mr. Collins and as he stays with his parents it is only right that he let Charlotte and the girls stay at Hunsford," Mary replied.

She gave a small chuckle as she continued, I wonder how long Mr. Farrow will be at Hunsford. Catherine will not take well to a man who tells her that she is too harsh with her tenants and does not give them enough of the profits from their work on the farms."

"Oh, my I had not heard that, Anne laughed, poor Catherine, after such a man as Mr. Collins, to have one who admonishes her. She must be fit to be tied. I am sure she will be looking for someone more willing to bend to her will in just a short time."

"Oh, she tried, Mary grinned, but the bishop tells her she will have to put up with Mr. Farrow until he decides to move him elsewhere. After the way she has bombarded him with letters of complaint about the abuse she suffers from her new parson, I am sure he will not be too quick to make a change."

"What are you too talking about that is so pleasing to you, George Darcy said to his wife and mother. Is this a secret conversation or will you share it with me."

"I will tell you later, Lady Anne said rising, right now I believe they are to play a waltz and you promised to dance all waltzes with me tonight, George Darcy."

"How beautiful Elizabeth looks tonight, the green suits her so well and her taste for the elegant instead of the gaudy stands her in good stead tonight. Even Lady Jamison commented on how lovely and regal Fitzwilliam's wife is.

Not like some, she said as she watched Lady Hampton, nee Caroline Bingley pass by bejeweled and bedecked to the nth degree. Does she not know the word restraint. Odious woman, I would never have invited her or her sister if she was not married to James. Since he is a Fitzwilliam and a cousin there was naught I could do but ask them. She reminds me of a carriage horse with all her feathers bobbing about. How James could have marrried her I know not. Unfortunately her daughter it seems is to be just like her mother, Lady Guinivere already at nine years seems to think herself far above most of their aquaintance."

"Arthur is a good boy, though, much like his Uncle Charles and his father, George said. Arthur and Quinevere, only Caroline Bingley would give her son and daughter such lofty names. I wonder if she thinks that makes them closer to royalty.

She already has her mind set that Guinivere marry young Will. I suppose like Catherine, if she could not get Pemberley herself she wishes her daughter to become it's mistress."

"My love, you are by far the handsomest woman here tonight, Fitzwilliam Darcy said as he took his wife's hand to lead her to the floor. I am sure that every man here is jealous of me and my beautiful bride."

Elizabeth laughed as she looked at her husband with loving eyes, "There is only one man in the hall I care to be admired by, my love, and I am in his arms at this moment, I love you so very dearly, Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Part XIV

Darcy and Elizabeth set out for a morning walk after breakfast. It was a beautiful day, warm for January 3rd and they enjoyed the stroll up to the lake. The lake that he had taken a swim in that day when fate put her and the Gardiners in his path.

The Christmas ball had been a huge success, and the Boxing day festivities equally so. The guests who had not stayed after the ball had returned for the New Years gala and some were even now preparing to take their leave.

As they sat down on a log to enjoy the view he gave her a long look before saying. "It hardly seems possible that we have been married 14 years. Have you been happy Elizabeth?"

"Of course I have been happy, dearest Fitzwilliam, what is it my love, what has put you in such a melancholy mood"

"It is the conversation at breakfast. All the happenings that prevented all of us from being here for so many years."

"Yes, so much has happened in the last 14 years, Fitzwilliam, but I am glad we are here now, it has been a wonderful holiday. I don't understand though, why would you think that I have been unhappy."

"I have not always been the best of husbands, he replied. When Cassandra, he paused closing his eyes for a moment before saying again, When Cassandra, again he stopped to take a deep breath. When Cassandra----died I fell into a dark pit and could not find my way out. I became again the selfish self centered Fitzwilliam Darcy, with a selfish disdain for the feelings of those around me."

"Oh, William, you were beside yourself with grief, we understood that, you loved her so very much."

"I gave no thought to your pain, or that of anyone around me. I thought only of myself."

"I was so angry, all my life I had been denied nothing. Except the hand of a certain young woman who found me arrogant and unfeeling, and rightfully so."

"I was angry at myself because I had no power over that dreadful disease, I could do nothing to help her. I had always been there to pick her up and soothe het hurts, but this time I could do nothing. I was not even there when she went, I had business to attend to. I was not there when she needed me most."

Elizabeth sat quietly listening, saying nothing. Fitzwilliam had never spoken of his pain before and she wanted him to let it all out. She was afraid if she spoke he would stop.

"I was angry at the God who had taken this child from me. I saw nothing but a red wall of hate and anger at myself."

Tears filled his eyes as he turned to her saying, I am so sorry my dearest wife. I was so thoughtless and self centered. How you could have put up with me for those months without coming to despise me is a wonder to me, I had thought you would hate me for the way I treated you and my family."

"William, William, I love you. A love such as ours is not destroyed by adversity but it becomes stronger and deeper. I could not hate you for grieving for your daughter. I could only love you more for caring so much."

"I love you Elizabeth Darcy, he said as he gathered her into his arms. I will always love you."

They sat they holding each other for some time until she felt a shiver from him.

"My love you grow cold, she said, it is time for us to return to the house."

As they strolled across the lawn toward to door she said, "Louisa , Caroline and James are to leave this morning we should be there to bid them farewell."

"Caroline, he snorted, she gets more unbearable each time I see her. How James could have married her I cannot understand. I am glad she left the children at home though. Guinivere is a source of trouble each time our children are with them. Her superior ways and condescending attitude make her a target for our tribes wrath and I fear they can be quite cruel to her. William delights in dirtying her a bit and telling her she is ugly."

Even though I punish them, I understand their feelings."

"Arthur is a delightful child, though, Elizabeth said with a chuckle, he has his Uncle Charles's outlook on life to his mother's dismay."

"I only hope she doesn't succeed in turning into an insuferable snob like his sister," Darcy sighed.

"I don't think we need fear that, James is quite happy with his son and will not permit it."

"I think she feels a certain disgust with us for our rather large brood, it goes against her for some reason, I don't understand why."

"I think her feeling are more about they way they come about than anything else, Darcy laughed, I fear James has married an ice queen."

Elizabeth gave her husband a cheeky grin saying, "Would you care to try for another, my love."

Darcy threw back his head and laughed before kissing her soundly and replying, "Your wish is my command, Mrs Darcy."

James Fitzwilliam, Earl of Hampton walked to a window to see what his wife was watching so intently.

"Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth. They act like newly weds even yet."

"I think it is disgusting, Caroline snorted, in broad daylight there where anyone can see, even the servants, even as she thought, that could be me down there if it were not for Miss Elizabeth Bennet he would have married me, I know it."

"Caroline, are you not ready yet, she heard her sister say , we must be on our way if we are to reach the Red Rooster Inn before dark. Come you two, we must be on our way."

James lingered watching his cousins, Darcy has always had everthing, even a loving wife and a fine family."

Caroline was listening to her sister and missed most of what he said hearing only Darcy, and loving wife.

"Turning she said sharply,"What did you say James, I did not hear."

"Nothing of great importance, Caroline James sighed as he walked from the room.

James, James, wait, I want to know what it was you said. Louisa get out of the way. It is too late now he is gone to his room to send his things down. We are ready, Louisa, we have only to say our goodbyes."

Caroline stood for a few minutes thinking. Since Louisa had become widowed she had spent a great deal of time with her sister. Could James be feeling neglected. What did he mean, Darcy had a loving wife and fine family. Was he envying his cousin.

As she descended the stairs she thought James spent a great deal of his time at his clubs anymore. She saw less and less of him all the time.

A cold hand gripped her chest. Was she losing her power over him. From the beginning of their courtship she had been in command and he did as she wanted with a smile. Lately though, when she thought about it he seemed to ignore her and go his own way.

She scoffed at the idea that she could lose him but the picture of other women who enjoyed his company flashed through her mind.

"No, she said to herself, James would not take a mistress, he was too much in love with her," but a small spark of doubt was kindled in her mind.

She turned her most gracious side to the Darcy's as they said their good byes and thanked them for a delightful holiday.

As she stepped into the carriage she thought. James envied Fitzwilliam his wife, could he be in love with Elizabeth too. "Impossible, Caroline, put such ridiculas thought out of you mind "

Part XIV-B

Elizabeth had purposly asked Charlotte and Mr. Farrow to come earlier than their other guests so that she and Darcy could get aquainted with the gentleman before the others arrived.

She was delighted at the first sight of Charlotte's new husband. He was a tall man, though not as tall or as big as her own Fitzwilliam. His countence showed a man of a strong yet gentle nature, she thought.

His love for Charlotte was apparant to anyone who saw the looks that passed between them, and Charlotte, Elizabeth smiled Charlotte was so very much in love.

As she took Charlotte's arm to lead her to the drawing room, she gave Fitzwilliam a loving smile of her own thinking how glad she was to see her dear friend as happy as she was in her choice of husband.

She knew, from her mothers letters that Sir William and Lady Lucas were beside themselves with joy. She could well imagine Lady Lucas telling one and all with great pride that her plain Charlotte, who they at one time had given up hope of ever winning a husband, had now married the son of a Duke. How Sir William would be prancing about declaring the marriage to be '"Capital, Capital, she could picture clearly in her mind.

"Lady Lucas, is excessively proud of Charlotte's good fortune, her Aunt Phillips wrote, one would think he was to inherit the title instead of being only the 4th son."

"Oh dear me Aunt Philylis, Elizabeth had sighed as she read her aunts letter, your jealousy is showing."

"I dont's believe you remember me, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Farrow said, but I remember you quite well, you were the best horseman by far that I have ever seen. I have yet to see anyone who could sit a horse like you. I fear that I was not of much use on the hunts at Marshfield Manor. My father was quite ashamed of me, I believe."

"I remember you very well, now that I see you, Lucas, Darcy laughed. You always hung back not wanting to be in on the kill."

"To my fathers dismay, Lucas smiled, I fear he thought me less of a man because I would not kill any of Gods creatures."

"My own father admired your courage in sticking to your principles in the face of the derision that you endured, Darcy said, he could not unfortunately make your father see that is was out of strength, not weakness that you were not a huntsman."

The conversation flowed easily between the four of them until the other guests arrived.

When Elizabeth inquired into the health of Lady Debourg and asked how he had accomplished such a miracle in changing her so very drasticaly he had replied.

" There is nothing so powerful as fear, especially the fear of death and the thought of dying alone with no one to mourn you is the most terrifying of all. You will find her ladyship much changed and far happier than she has ever been.The Lord works in mysterious ways."

Elizabeth was delighted to introduce Charlotte and Lucas to their other guests and she could almost read the minds of each of them as they acknowledged the introductions.

Jane and Charles greeted them with uninhibited pleasure. Georgiana with her usual shyness. Lord and lady Matlock with their usual joviality. Col Fitzwilliam was overjoyed to see his old friend so happily situated , and greeted Charlotte too as an old and dear friend.

Mrs Hurst was cool but friendly.

Only Lady Caroline Hampton, seemed to be cold and distant, though James was his usual friendly self.

Caroline had been indignant when James had informed her that Chalotte Collins, nee Lucas had the great good fortune to marry again and to the son of a Duke, no less. Though there was little chance of the title going to Lucas, Caroline thought the marriage most unsuitable and wondered that Lady Catherine Debourg would permit it."

James had as usual only laughed at her and told her not to be so pretentious.

Only Louisa seemed to agree with her, Caroline thought.

"Why did you invite Caroline tonight, Darcy whispered to Elizabeth, she has that arrogant sour look on her face that usualy means that she is going to be unpleasant."

"You said that Lucas and James were old friends and that James was delighted that he had finally married, Elizabeth said quietly, I could hardly leave them out, Caroline really asked herself when Jane informed her that we were welcoming them tonight. I should have waited to talk to Jane until she had gone but I had to get home and I did not know how long she meant to stay. Unforunately I did not think before I talked, I should not have said a word in her presence, but it may turn our well, let us hope she is in a better mood than her countenece indicates."

"I wish we could think of some way to ask James without his wife, though," Darcy hissed behind her ear.

"Mrs Collins, I beg your pardon, Mrs Farrow, how fortunate you are in your choice of a second husband, Caroline purred. Not only is it a wonderful marriage for you, but it will put your daughters into the paths of rich men, will it not."

Mr. Farrow and Charlotte laughed, but Elizabeth could see the steel in his eyes as he said, "I don't think the girls will be put in the paths of anyone, I am but a country clergyman, Lady Hampton."

"Please do call me Caroline, Mr. Farrow, my aquaintence with your dear mother would dictate that you do so, and your niece Emily is such a close friend of our own Quinivere. Surely you will be visiting your family and attend parties and balls at Marshfield Manor, Caroline persisted, I am sure that Mrs Collins had that in mind when she accepted you."

"We have little time for balls or assembles, Lady Hampton, Lucas said coldly and my daughter are too busy helping the poor and helping to attend the tenants at Rosings Park to engage in frivolity. I do not think they will need any assistance in finding good marriages. They like their mother have high principles. It is a great deal too early to be worrying about marriages as yet."

Caroline turned scarlet at his reprimand and glancing at the Darcy's and her husband she knew that she had again gone too far. If she were to accomplish her goal of marrying her daughter to young Fitzwilliam Darcy she must do more to keep herself in their good graces, and Caroline was determined that her daughter should achieve what she had not. Quinivere would be the next mistress of Pemberley, that she would not be denied.

Part XV

As Elizabeth picked up her needlepoint she looked at her husband with his paper and Grandmother Darcy with her knitting.

"I shall miss you so very much Grandmother Darcy, she said with a sigh, I know how much you wish to return to Pemberley but we shall be lost without you. With William spending so much time at his studies and Jane Anne and Eliza visiting their cousins for the summer the house will feel quite empty. Even though Georgie and Bennet provide their share of noise and diversion, it is still a bit quiet here now.

"I know my dear, but I do so wish to spend my last days at Pemberley, where I found such happiness for so many years. Where I bore my children and entertained friends and family.

When Henry died I had to get away, it seemed that the walls of sorrow were closing in on me, first my two daughter died of influenza then not two years later, my dear Henry was stricken down so suddenly. I could not bear to stay there and George was old enough and experienced enough to run the estate by himself. How glad I was to have this place. My grandmother knew what she was doing when she willed it to me as her mother had willed it to her.I think somehow she knew that I would need a refuge in the future and took pains to see that I had this place to turn to."

"I shall miss all of you. It will seem strange to be in a place where there are no childrens voices ringing in the halls."

"Not for long Grandmother, Darcy put in, my father begs me to return to Pemberley to help him manage it and he is right of course, William is of the age when he should be learning all about the place which he will be master of some day."

"Mr. Fairchild has expressed an interest in renting Briarwood when his son marries in July next year. He says that he and his wife loved living here in the first years of their life together and Richard would very much like to start his married life here also."

"Fitzwilliam Darcy why have you not mentioned this to us," Elizabeth gasped.

"I did not want to raise your hopes until I was sure that the Fairchilds would take it. I did not wish to let Briarwood to someone I did not know. Richard is even now making plans with his bride to be to come to visit so that she can give her approval."

"Fitzwilliam, you sly dog, Mary laughed, how like your father and grandfather you are, to make these plans and tell us nothing until they are all accomplished."

"Mrs Timothy Bonhiem," Mr. Hendly announced.

"Anne dear, what brings you out so early, Mary said as Anne entered, we were so busy talking we did not hear you drive in."

"I have had a letter from my mother, Anne said, I want you to read it please and tell me if you think she is serious or if she is ready for Bedlam. Please read aloud Fitzwilliam."

Darcy took the letter and read.

Dear Anne,

I know you will be much surprised, nay shocked to have this letter from me.

I beg you daughter to come to me at Rosings and bring your family, all of your family, please Anne.

My new clergyman has made me see that my unhappiness and loneliness is of my own doing. I have been blaming everyone else because I was too arrogant to admit my own weakness.

Yes, Anne, my weakness. He has made me see that the greatest sin is the sin of pride. He has made me see however that mine was not pride but arrogance.

He has made me see that all these years I have been most unfair to my tenants, making them live from hand to mouth while I took the fruits of their labors and lived a lavish lifestyle.

Since I have given them more for their hard work the houses are remarkedly looking much better and in no disrepair and the people are happier and smile so much that I am humbled.

I have noticed a warmer feeling between myself and those who live around me and do my work, even my house servants seem to find Rosings a happier place to work.

I am most sincere Anne, I want more than anything to become aquainted with my grandchildren and my son in law. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for all my past sins against you and give me the pleasure of having a family round me.

I must write To my dear sister Anne also and make my humble apologies for what I have put her through these past years.

I hope too to make peace with Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth. I know she has been a good wife to him and that their marriage has been blessed with a wonderful family.

I have made my peace with Edward and Rachel and they tell me what beautiful children the young Darcy's are. I only hope it is not too late for me to make amends to them. I was very wrong to try to force George to disinherit his son because he would not bend to my will. George knew what he was about and ignored my admonitions, for which my sister will be eternally grateful, as I understand she has a close relationship to young Mrs Darcy even now.

I hope that they can find it in their hearts to invite me to visit Pemberley someday, but if it is not to be it is of my own doing.

Your loving mother

Lady Catherine DeBourgh

The four people assembled there in the morning stared at each other in amazement as William reread the letter.

"I knew that she and her new pastor had not gotten on well , but it never occured to me that he could have been the instrument of such a drastic change in your mother, Mary said in astonishment,the last I heard she was trying to have him replaced so that she could have another like Mr. Collins."

As he is the youngest son of the Duke of Wessex though she dared not go too far. I wonder how he managed this miracle, if what we read is true.

I really am in a quandry, I don't know what to do Anne, cried, The last time we heard from her she was trying to take our son from us, now this. What can it mean."

"There is only one way for you to find out Anne, you must go to Rosings Park and see if your mother is sincere. If not you will just leave, and leave her to her own devices, Darcy said thoughtfuly as he scanned the letter. I must say though that she does sound truly contrite."

"Do not go without Timothy though, Elizabeth said, you will be able to tell if she means what she writes here by the way she treats him."

Part XVI

"Charlotte, oh Charlotte I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you," Elizabeth cried as she rushed to greet her old and dear friend.

"Is not your new husband with you, we have been so looking forward to meeting him. Mr. Darcy says he is a miracle worker to have been responsible for such a transformation in his Aunt Catherine."

Charlotte smiled, "No dear Lizzie, Lucas is not with me today, but he is very much looking forward to meeting you and Mr. Darcy at dinner tomorrow night. We thank you for your kind invitation."

"You thank us, Elizabeth laughed, we are so happy to have you here in town to visit us, it has been far too long. We have so much to talk about. Letters are fine but one canmnot really express all that is in ones mind and heart on paper, I always think of so much that I should have said after I have posted my letters."

She pulled Charlotte's arm through hers and together they walked to the morning room where Mr. Darcy was reading the paper.

"Mrs Collins, I beg your pardon, Mrs Farrow, welcome, Elizabeth has been pacing the floor and looking out the windows in her excitement at seeing you after all this time, he said after rising to take Charlotte's hand in welcome. Is Mr. Farrow with you this morning."

Lucas has business with the bishop this morning, Charlotte answered. He is looking forward to meeting you with great anticipation."

He says he wishes to become friends with the man who defied Lady Catherine DeBourgh to marry the woman he loved."

"We have had a letter from her ladyship, begging us all to come to Rosings Park for Easter, Elizabeth said. But you must tell us Charlotte how did Mr. Farrow manage such a transformation in her ladyship."

Charlotte accepted a cup of tea from Elizabeth before she said quietly, "Lucas's road has not been a smooth one at Rosings. Her ladyship, of course hoped for another man who like Mr. Collins would do everthing she told him to without question."

"Lucas is not cut from Mr. Collins mode an iota, and being the youngest son of a neighbor, he of course knew her and her reputation. He came there determined to make a change, to help the tennants and the townsfolk, not to cater to the whims of Lady Catherine."

"How they did battle, her ladyship sent numerous letters of protest to the bishop, demanding that he send her a more amiable clergyman. The bishop of course would not do anything to raise the ire of Lucas's father, the Duke. So he ignored her letters for the most part and only raised her ire when he did answer sugesting that she follow Lucas's commands and try a little more fairness with those around her who were responsible for running her estate."

"Her ladyship wished me to become her companion after the death of Mr. Collins, but Lucas would not hear of it. He informed her that the girls and I would stay on at the parsonage where I would help him with his work and tend the tenants as I had done for Mr. Collins."

"Lady Catherine, of course was livid to think that he would defy her and rob her of the companion she had been planning on for so many years, to my surprise. It seems that Mr. Collins had promised her, after your father's marriage and the birth's of the boys, that should anything happen to him I would immediately become a companion to her, since she has had so much trouble keeping anyone after the departure of Mrs Jenkenson."

"She of cours threatened and cajoled me, but I was not about to become her pawn. I saw how she treated those who came after Mrs Jenkenson, poor frightened woman. She was so happy to go home to care for her sister that she nearly cried in relief in getting out from under Lady Catherin's overpowereing influence."

"Last winter her ladyship became very ill with the same malady that was the death of so many in the village. She begged Lucas and myself to write letters demanding that her relatives come to nurse her. We of course refused, and she became frightened at the thought that she might die alone with no one to morn her or even care.""

"Lucas finally made her see that her being left alone was her own doing. That is was her own false pride and arrogance that had put her in the situation in which she now found herself."

"I thought that he was being needlessly cruel to her but he said it was the only way to make her see herself as others saw her."

"Her recovery was long and slow and she became more frightened with each passing day, afraid that she would never see her grandchildren, her sister or her brother, or the nephews and nieces who had in their youth come to Rosings Park."

"As soon as she regained enough strength she vowed to make amends and so your letters. You will find a very different Catherine DeBourgh, should you decide to accept her invitation. Though she is frail, she still has great strength of mind and speaks endlessly of the wonderful times when her family were there at Easter and the house was filled with the laughter and noises of children."

"I hope you will accept her olive branch. She is very much in need of her family."

"Anne and Timothy were to come the day after we left and she was beside herself with excitement and begged me to leave my children there with her that Anne's children would find some companionship whilst they are there."

"I was going to ask you if any of the girls were with you, Elizabeth said, I had hoped to see them."

"You look so well, Charlotte, you have a glow about you that I have never seen before, I would say it is the glow of love."

"Yes, dearest, Lizzie, I love my Lucas so very deeply, he is a wonderful man as you will see."

"I believe you are aquainted with hin, Mr. Darcy, he tells me he remembers riding to the hounds with you when you visited Rosings Park as a boy."

"I am sure I will know him when I see him, Mr. Darcy smiled as he replied, it has been so many years though that I cannot recall him at this time, the Duke had four sons and I don't recall which was Lucas."

"We would like to know what happened to my cousin, if it is not too painful for you, Elizabeth said, we have wondered all this time."

Charlotte smiled sadly, Mr. Collins was so very angry when your father's new wife bore him a son and when the second was born he seemed to lash out at everone and everything. I do not know why he took it out on the bees that day, but he lashed the hives to pieces and of course the bees attacked him. We could not reach him for several hours for the swarming bees and when thy at lest went away it was too late he was already dead."

"Poor william, he did not have a happy life a miserley father, who seemed, as he told me to get his greatest pleasure in beating his only child. Many night he went to bed hungry because his father would not allow him to eat until he was finished and many times there were only crusts and crumbs left."

"Then to have a patroness like Lady DeBourgh, who demanded much and gave little. Her belittling him put him back into his unahppy childhood I fear."

"If only I could have loved him a little, but alas I could only try to give him a well run home such as he had not had before in his life."

"How he did want a son, and all I gave him were girls, to his great dismay."

"Charlotte you must not chastise yourself, Elizabeth cried, you did your very best, you gave him a happy home and a family, you are not to blame yourself for not bearing him a son. The Bennets are not given to begating sons in this generation it would seem."

Charlotte and Darcy laughed at her declaration, as Darcy said, "You seem to be the exception, my love, after all we have three sons, do we not."

Part XVII

It is now ten years later

"Mother who is the young woman talking to Lizzie, Will asked.

Elizabeth laughed, "William do you not recognize Lady Mary Thomas , surely you rememmber the little girl who followed you and her brother Robert about like a small shadow."

"But that was five or six years ago, where has she been, surely the school they sent her to to make a lady of her has not taken this long."

"Of course not will, she has been home, just not when you were. When you were home from school she was most of the time at her grandmothers. Lady Bulton was always happy to have her and her mother's nerves were not up to having a lively young girl about so she gladly let her stay with her ladyship."

Elizabeth smiled to herself as she remembered her own mother's nerves and thought that she too would like to have had somewhere to send her children. Except for Lydia of course.

"Miss Thomas is quite grown up since you saw her last as a rather rowdy 12 year old. Is she not, Will."

Elizabeth smiled and raised her eyebrows at her husband as their eldest son moved to join the group around Lizzie and Mary.

"Miss Thomas, how well you look, it has been such a long ime, I nearly failed to recognize you, Will said, is your father here, or Robert, I have not seen either of them."

His head spun as he looked into the most beautiful violet eyes he had ever beheld, and thought "What a great pleasure a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."

Mary smiled as she looked at Will saying, "I came with Robert, he is speaking to your father in the library. He has business to discuss with Mr. Darcy since our father was unable to attend tonight, our mother's nerves would now allow it."

"May I have the pleasure of the first two dances, Miss Thomas," Will asked as the music started, I hope you have not promised them to another."

"Indeed I have not, I would be delighted to dance with you Mr. Darcy."

As Will and Mary danced, obviously enjoying each others company Caroline Fitzwilliam watched them through slitted eyes.

"Where is Guinevere, she thought, the Thomas girl is making a great play for Will Darcy's attention. I will not have it, Gwen is going to be the next mistress of Pemberley, I am determined. I will not have a country girl ruin my plans this time as Miss Eliza Bennet did these twenty five years ago. I will not be gainsed this time."

Guinevere Fitzwilliam was her mothers daughter and though she knew her mothers plans for her she was determined that she would marry no one without a title. "No one less than an Earl, she said to herself, and if I can manage it I will become a duchess. I will not settle for a mere country gentleman. There are too many impoverished title holders for me to settle for less. Forty thousand pounds should buy at least the title of countess for me."

Caroline's thirty thousand pounds, which she brought to her marriage were still in tact and she had made it known that they were to be Guinevere's upon her marriage, added to that ws the ten thousand that her father promised, giving her a dowry to catch the eye of many.

As Will left the floor he was accosted by Lady Hampton, purring Will Darcy, how handsome you look tonight, I am sure you are most anxious to dance with our dear Guinevere, she will be devasted if you do not," as she took his arm to steer him away from Lady Mary Thomas.

"How happy your dear parents must be to be holding this ball to announce the engagement of you lovely sister, Jane Anne, such a dear sweet girl, and such a fine catch, the young Earl of Longstreet. Your father must be especially pleased to see his daughter married into the gentry as his father before him."

"Here is our Guinevere, Gwennie dear, I am sure you will be most happy to dance with your cousin Will, he is most anxious to claim you for the next set."

Bowing to Miss Fitzwilliam, Will took her to the floor as the music began.

Caroline walked to stand beside Jane and Elizabeth cooing "Don't our children make a lovely couple, so well suited, such close friends, they seem to be enjoying each others company greatly tonight, do they not."

Elizabeth looked at her sister with raised eyebrows, it was plain to everyone but Caroline it seemed that neither Will or Guinevere was enjoying the dance in the least. Elizabeth knew that Caroline had plans for her son, but Will, like his father before him would not be coerced into a marriage without love she was certain and her could barely stand to be in the same room with Guinevere let alone marry her.

Arthur, James and Caroline's son was another matter, a happy hearted amiable young man, much like his uncle Charles was a favorite of the Darcy's and spent a great deal of time at Pemberley.

"If Arthur and one of their girls should fall in love neither Mr. Darcy or I would have the least objection, Lizzie thought. Lizzie however is too old for her cousin and I believe Rachel far too young."

She grinned at her husband as he looked at her and then at the couple dancing so stiffly on the ballroom floor. Raising his eyebrows in question he shook his head, making her laugh aloud.

As the music stopped Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth escorted their daughter to the middle of the floor as he said, "Ladies and gentlemen I wish to announce the betrothal of our daughter Jane Anne Darcy to Sir Robert Caldwell."

The gathering applauded long and loud s the lovely Jane Anne Darcy and Sir Robert took the floor to lead their their guest to the dining room where a feast was awaiting them.

Following behind the happy couple and the Countess of Longstreet and her brother the Duke of Avon. Darcy took Elizabeth's hand and raised it to his lips saying, "How I wish Grandmother Darcy could be here at this moment," as George and Anne Darcy joined them in the parade.

Part XVIII

"Will seem to spend a great deal of time at the Thomas', Lady Anne said to Elizabeth as they moved into the day room, I know they were friends at school but it seemed that they saw little of each other theses past three or four years, even though they are neighbors in Derbyshire."

Elizabeth laughed, "I think the company he seeks is not so much James as his sister Mary. The two of them have spent most of their time with their grandmother since James finished school. Lady Bulton found that having two grown children around was too much for her nerves."

They had not heard George follow them and were startled when he snorted, "More too much for her vanity than her nerves. Having two grown children does not set well with Lady Bulton. she prides herself on how young she looks and James and Mary are reminders of her true age so she sends them away to their grandmother."

"The two of them are very happy to be spending their time with Lady Sarah, Elizabeth answered, she loves them dearly and they relish her kindness and welcome. How sad to send your own children away to satisfy a false sense of youth. Lady Bulton is a great friend of Lady Hampton."

"Lady Anne laughed, "Two who are well matched."

"How does your friend Charlotte? bearing a child at her age must be hard on her, I would imagine she finds it all worth the pain and suffering since she has borne a son."

"Indeed she does, and Lucas has hired a nanny to help so that she can get all the rest she needs, Elizabeth answered. He is so happy and so proud."

"Catherine and her husband are there to help also. How fortunate for Charlotte that her eldest daughter should marry a country gentleman so near to Rosings Park."

"I wish there were some way to avoid going to Lady Hampton's party tonight, Darcy said as he came into the room, are you sure you are feeling well, my love."

Elizabeth and the rest laughed as she said, "It is too late to come down with an illness now dearest, it is but a few hours until we are to go."

"I was surprised that she asked Mary and James, Lady Anne remarked. I know that she sees Mary as a deterent to her plans for Guinevere and Will so I really thought that the Thomas' would be the last two she would ask to her grand affair."

Darcy shook his head in disgust as he said, "From what James tells me she has set her sights on Lady Mary as a wife for Aurthur. It seems that she has both her childrens lives planned for them. To have Arthur marry the daughter of an earl would suit her very well."

"I fear that she is to be disappointed with all her well laid plans, Elizabeth said as she rose to go to dress, Arthur shows not the slightest interest in Mary and she cannot stand Caroline. to have her for a mother in law would be unthinkable in Mary's estimation."

"Gwennie is the last girl in the world Will wishes to marry., and her ladyship Quinevere has her eyes on the Duke of Marlow now, she will settle for no less than a title, poor Caroline."

The evening was half over when Will came to his parents side saying, "Mary is pending far to much time with Brian Fitzhugh, he is most unsuitable for her, she deserves better than that. I have only managed two dances with her. I spend most of my time avoiding Lady Hampton, though she has managed to coerce me into three dances with Guinevere."

"Will dear, if you wish to dance with Mary you have to let her know it, you must ask her and not let Mr. Fitzhugh deter you. She cannot read your mind Will, how is she to know that you wish to dance if you do not ask her."

As their son moved to join the group around Mary Darcy put his arm out to his wife saying, "Speaking of dancing my love, would your honor me with this waltz."

As they spun around the floor enjoying the music and the dance, but mostly each other they were completely unaware of the looks that followed them.

"What a handsome couple they make Lady Marsdon said, and so much in love even after all these years."

"She looks lovely in red Lady Hertford agreed, few women can wear that color so well as Elizabeth Darcy, and a usual she wears only the most tasteful jewelry. the rubies go perfectly with the dress."

"A great contrast to our hostess, Lady MacNeil added. Lady Hampton is a usual in her favorite orange and so overdressed with jewels, she must be wearing almost every diamond she owns, and all those feathers, she puts me in mind of a carriage horse."

"How lovely Eliza Darcy looks tonight too, the liliac dress suits her well and the small amethyst necklace suits the gown so well. Both of the Darcy girls look beautiful tonight. Jane Anne's husband seems to be so proud of his bride, and rightly so, she is a jewel of the first water, and Will so handsome, so like his father."

"Things were not going well at all, Caroline thought, Will is dancing with Mary Thomas for the fourth time and Arthur has not danced with her at all since the first dance when I put them together. If I had know that this was going to happen I would not have invited the Thomas' at all."

"Why does not Guinevere put more effort into finding favor with Will Darcy, why does she spend so much time with Marlow, even though he is a Duke he is impoverished and about to lose his family estate. He is a gambler and a womanizer, cannot Gwennie see that he is only after her money and will lose whatever is left after his debts are paid. Her father will not agree to such a marriage, she must know that."

"Eliza Darcy seems to have found favor with Sir Thomas Denby, she said to her sister Louisa. Do you think we will soon have another announcement from the Darcy's, another title, how fortunate for them."

"How old is Eliza Darcy asked Mrs Hurst, I don't think her father would allow her to marry young."

"I believe she is eighteen, Caroline said, I am sure that they would not find her too young for such a marriage. I am certain Mrs Darcy would jump at the chance to marry another of her daughters to a gentleman with a title."

Part XVIII-B

Elizabeth walked into the room wher her best friend Charlotte lay propped up on pillows. Beside her on a stool sat a solemn faced 8 year old boy reading to his mother.

"Lucas, how well you read, but I have brought Rachel to visit you while I chat with your mother. She is waiting for you in the parlor," Elizabeth said as she smiled at Chalotte's son. Miss DeLancy will take you for a walk in the park and perhaps you will find some of your other friends there to play with. It is such a fine day a healthy young man such as you should spend some time in the fresh air and sunshine."

"Go along Luke," Charlotte said, as her son looked at her with questioning eyes, "Mrs. Darcy and I have much to talk about and I would prefer that you get out for a time. You like to play with Rachel, she is one of your favorites. Go along, son, and have a good time. I will be just fine here with Mrs. Darcy. You would soon be bored with our gossip, you know."

"Such a handsome child," Elizabeth smiled as Luke ran to find Rachel.

"Are you feeling any better dear Charlotte, how I hate to see you here like this. You should have done as Lucas wanted and brought in a nurse as soon as Lucas was born, you should not have tried to do everything yourself. I know how much longer it took me to recover from Rachel's birth at the age I was. Caroline still wonders what I was thinking of have a child at the age of 36 and you were 42 when Luke was born."

"Oh, Lizzie I know," Charlotte sighed, but he was so small and so sickly, I had to nurture him, I had to keep our son alive. Then there was Lady Catherine and Anne. Anne needed someone to console her. Lucas of course needed me to hostess his friends and superiors when they came. I am so proud of my husband, Lizzie, a bishop at his age. It is almost too good to be true."

"But you taxed yourself beyond endurance, Charlotte. Lucas was right, you should have accepted help, you should not have tried to do it all, I know that my cousin would have expected it of you Lucas however worried about you and wanted to help, but you would not let anyone else do anything. Now you are paying the price and he is so distressed about you."

"I know Lizzie, but it is always easy to see what one should have done after it is over."

"Enough of this, I wish to talk of something more cheerful. did you go to the Fitzwilliam party. How is dear Lady Hampton," she giggled. I would imagine all of the creme de la creme of the ton were there."

"Does she still have her sights set on Pemberley for her daughter?"

"Of course, all of the best people were there," Elizabeth laughed, "I don't think we have to worry about Will though, he has his eyes set elsewhere."

As Elizabeth described the events of the ball to Charlotte she observed her dearest friend closely. She could see that Charlotte was failing quickly. Was it any wonder that Lucas implored her to keep an eye on his wife while he was at the conference in Bath. She wished there was some way she could make Charlotte to go home with her, but she knew that it would be fruitless to try to convince her.

"Perhaps it would work to try to convince her that Lucas would enjoy a few days at Darcy house," she thought, "it was well worth a try."

Charlotte, however refused, saying that Anne, her second daughter was coming with her family for a visit and Lucas should be there to entertain his cousins no matter how much he would rather be with Rachel.

Three of Charlotte and Mr. Collins daughter were now married, but the third, Rose, was another matter. An arrogant, sharp tongued young woman who thought that because her father had insisted that she be named after such a grand establishment as Rosings Park, that this meant she was above the rest of her family and she would have nothing to do with any of the young men who came to court her.

"I am meant for better things than my sisters Mama, she was wont to say. I am meant to be a lady, not the wife of some country pastor or any gentleman farmer. I was Lady Catherine's favorite and I must fulfil her expectations."

"Poor Rose, Charlotte sighed, I fear she will never marry, those she aspires to would not consider her and those who would wed her she will not consider."

"How does Anne Bingley do, Elizabeth asked, we have not seen her for some four months. she has become such a recluse. We plan to go to Rosings some time this month, before we go to Pemberley, which can't be soon enough for me. I tire of entertaining and attending balls and assemblies. I long for the peace of the north country. The more I see of society the less I think of it."

"Poor Anne, so much happiness and so much sorrow, Charlotte sighed, to lose your husband and all of your children in the space of a fortnight, I don't think I could bear it."

"She of course blames herself for being at Rosings Park nursing her mother through her bout of influenza while leaving her family in town. How could she know that the black death would again sweep through London taking all those she loved most in the world with it. By the time they would let her into the city it was far too late and she could not even recover them, the people in the city burned all the bodies, there were just too many to bury."

"To make it a complete disaster Lady Debourg succumbed after an attack of the heart at the news that the grandchildren she so adored were all three gone forever."

"Is it any wonder that Anne does not wish to go about in society, how could one stand the looks and condolences everyone would be giving, it would be too much."

"Perhaps we can convince her to come to Pemberley with us, Elizabeth mused, she has always loved visiting there, it might be just what she needs."

"Do now be surprised if she refuses, Lizzie, Charlotte said, Pemberely holds so many memories of the wonderful times when she had a husband and family."

"I shall do my best, Charlotte, we worry about her so much and the children would very much like to have her with us I am sure. I know Fitzwilliam and Mother and Father Darcy would welcome her with open arms."

"There are the children, it sounds like they had a good time, Charlotte, smiled, It is wonderful to hear Luke laugh, he has become such a solemn child."

"I do hope you have time to have tea with us before you leave, we would enjoy it so much."

"How was Charlotte today, my love?" Darcy said as he came into the room where Elizabeth was finishing a letter to Jane.

"Oh William, she fails so quickly, I can see it each time I visit, I fear the end is near, what will I do without her," Elizabeth sobbed.

"She knows the end is near, she asked me not to pine for her, she has had a good life, she says and has no regrets. What will Lucas do, he loves her so very much."

Darcy took his wife in his arms saying, "He will endure, my love, we will all endure, it is the best thing we can do to keep her memory alive. We must continue on for her family. Young Lucas will need his best friend and Rachel would do well to learn what it is to be of help to another. It is a lesson she will remember for a lifetime."

Part XX

"I am so very glad that you came to Pemberley to stay with us," Elizabeth said as she and Anne walked through the rose garden. The dower house has been empty since the passing of Mrs Reynolds. As you know she turned the reins of Pemberley over to her daughter Mrs Longstreet when she and Carstairs Reynolds retired. We miss them both, but she wished to take care of the house for Grandmother Darcy and we let them stay there until they both expired. I still miss her wise counsel, and Jamison is not yet the butler that Carstairs was. It has been delightful having you stay there."

"I thank you and Fitzwilliam for your kind invitation and your patience with me, Anne replied, I fear I was not the greatest of company when I arrived, but you were right, It was best for me to get away from Rosings Park for a time. I felt the comforting presence of Grandmother Darcy there with me from the day I moved in. It is however time for me to go home, Mr Allison, my worthy steward has asked me to return and I feel it is time. He has handled the affairs of my home very well, but it is time for me to take charge again. This time has given me a new outlook. I am sure I will find some sources of pleasure in my old home now."

"You must not leave before the ball Friday, Elizabeth answered, we would be most disappointed if you do not attend. The children will be very upset if you leave before then."

"Of course I mean to stay until next week, Anne said with a giggle, I would not miss Will's pursuit of Miss Thomas for all the world. Poor Will, I fear he is much like his father when it comes to courtship."
***************************************************************

Young Fitzwilliam Darcy stood looking out the window, watching for one carriage to arrive, much as his father had done 26 years ago at Netherfield. Like his father before him as he saw Miss Thomas exit the carriage he then walked quickly to the ballroom.

A frown of consternation crossed his handsome face as the lady in question was quickly surrounded by potential suitors vying for the chance to dance with her.

Mary was vexed at Will's seeming indifference and wondered what she had done to deserve such a look.

"Will Darcy, are you not even going to speak to me, she thought, you are a most vexing young man, I cannot decide if you like me or if you despise me. Sometimes you can be most attentive, but when there are others around you withdraw and look displeased with everyone and everything."

Making her way to his side as he stood talking to his cousin Andrew Bingley she said, "Are you not going to speak to me tonight, Mr Darcy, good evening Mr Bingley, how nice to see you, it has been some six months since we last spoke, I believe. Are you finished with your business that kept you in town so long."

"Yes, indeed, Lady Thomas, Andrew answered with a cheery grin, it was completed most satisfactorily, I than you for asking. May I have the honor of a dance or two this evening."

"Of course, I will be delighted, Mary said, I wonder though if your cousin intends to dance this evening."

"Of course I intend to dance, Will said a bit sharply, and if the first two are not already promised, I would beg that you allow me to claim them. I would imagine they are already gone though considering the rush of young men to your side as you arrived."

"No Mr Darcy they are as yet free and I would be most happy to accept you kind invitation, would you like to put your name on my card or shall I do it." She could barely supress a smile as she spoke, but she knew that for some reason Will was in no mood for joviality at this time."

Taking the card Will took the quill from the inkpot sitting on the table beside them and penned in his name for the first and the fourth set, which would be danced before dinner.

"May I have the pleasure of your company at dinner also, Miss Thomas," he said, handing her back the dance card.

"I would be honored, sir, Mary said with a happy smile.

"Your cousin Quinivere seems to have returned her attentions to Sir Robert, Duke of Ester," she observed as they surveyed the guests.

"Poor Ester, Will murmured, she will not rest until she has him saddled."

"Will, what a thing to say, Elizabeth said as she walked up to the three of them. Quinnie, is very lovely tonight, is she not, she takes after the Fitzwilliam side of the family with her red hair and green eyes. she looks very well in green, his grace seems quite enamored."

Will snorted as they moved to the floor when the music started, "Enamored indeed, it is fifty thousand pounds that he is enamored with."

"Will, Mary laughed, someone will hear you."

As she watched the dancers along with Jane and Anne Elizabeth sighed, "It looks as if Guinivere is going to get her fondest, the young Duke of Ester is I think going to ask for her hand soon."

"Will his mother allow it, Jane asked, she and Caroline do not get on at all, her ladyship cannot let Caroline forget that she is a tradesman's daughter."

"I fear that their financial situation is such that she has no choice, Anne replied, the creditors are hard on their heels since his father died, and if they do not come into a large sum immediately they will lose their estate in very short order. Quinivere's dowery will allow them to pay off their debts and leave enough for them to live comfortably."

"How very sad, Elizabeth said, I cannot imagine what it would be like to be married to someone for whom you have no affection."

She looked across the room and smiled at her husband, "I thank God I am married a man whom I love so very much."

Darcy returned her smile and with a loving look, that startled those about him and moved to ask his beloved wife for a waltz."

Anne and Jane gave each other knowing looks as they watched Elizabeth and Darcy whirl around the floor lost in each others eyes.

"I know of which she speaks, Anne said, but too many care only for position and consequence, affection is not even considered."

"Will seems to be enjoying himself dancing with young Mary, I believe he is very much in love with her, he just has to realize it himself."

"I do hope so, Jane said, I think she has loved him for a very long time, but she seemed too young. I believe there are five or six years between them."

"Anne smiled, "If I remember correctly there are eight between Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam."

Part XXI

"I shall miss Anne but I am very happy to see that she felt well and strong enough to return to Rosings Park," Elizabeth said to George Darcy as she took her place in the chair across from him.

They were very worried about Father Darcy. This past year he had begun to fail rapidly. He could hardly walk at all anymore, his rheumatism in his limbs was so bad that he spent most of his days sitting in front of the fire. At 74 he had lived longer than any Darcy.

"He is still such a handsome man Elizabeth thought as she gazed at the beautiful white hair and charming smile on the man sitting there across from her. I am sure that my Fitzwilliam will the same and I pray that he has a long life just as his father has."

"Yes, she was happy in the Dower House, but there comes a time when one wants to return to one's home," George answered, with a smile for this young woman who he had come to love so much.

"She said she felt the comforting presence of your mother there, I must say I know what she means, when I am in need of some grandmotherly counsel I go there myself, Elizabeth replied. I loved to go there and listen to her tell me stories of when you were young and when my Fitzwilliam was a lad."

"That last day I thanked her for the great kindness she showed me when William and I were first married. How different things could have been if not for her."

"I think you must give Lady Debourg her due, George laughed. If she had not been so overbearing in her abuse of you and her admonitions to the family not to accept you they would not have been there with such open arms. My mother's deeds of course went a great way in paving the road for you, but we must not forget Catherine."

Elizabeth answered with a smile, "Indeed I shall always be grateful to her ladyship for all her assistance. I am happy to think that we made our peace before she died. I am sure William is too."

"Your mother said that she gave us a home because she knew exactly what I was going through, that she had endured the same resistance as I had."

"Yes, my mother died when I was twelve and my Grandmother Hydewaite came to live with us and tend to the house. She was a woman much like Catherine."

She had chosen the Vicountess of Corintia as a wife for Henry Darcy and was appalled when he proposed to Mary Fitzhugh. She ranted and raved and declared that my grandfather must disown His son if he went through with such a marriage. I can imagine the battles that went on between them. My father was as stubborn as she."

"But grandmother was the grand daughter of earl's on both sides was she not," Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, but only a granddaughter, which was not good enought in my grandmothers eyes. My father had refused a title the year before and she was sure that if I married the Vicountess she could persuade him to become the Earl Of Derby. Mary's father was only a country pastor, you recall, and a fourth son. So there was little if any chance of his inheriting the title. That was highly unsuitable to my grandmother."

"I understand she never forgave either your father or you, Elizabeth said, how very sad. At least Lady Debourg made amends for her behavior and made us most welcome to Rosings Park the last three years of her life. she really did enjoy the children and would have been most happy if we had spent all our time there."

"Catherine was fortunate to have a pastor who put the fear of God into her, George laughed. I am glad though, in spite of our long standing differences that we became friends in the end, that is what really matters."

"Yes, I wish I could have seen my sister Lydia before her untimely death in the wilds of Australia, she was not five and thirty when she went. We never really got on, but I would have liked to see her one last time."

"I understand, my dear, George patted her hand, but you can be content in the knowledge that the man she married after Wickham's murder was so good to her and kept her happy and content."

"I think he was more of a father than a husband to her, Elizabeth sighed, he was but two years younger than our own father. I doubt if his children would have let her stay there if he had preceded her, they despised her. I am sure they would have sent her home to England with all haste."

"We will never know though, perhaps being married to him she became a little bit sensible."

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William dismounted his hunter and reached up to assist Mary Thomas from her saddle. He had persuaded her to ride with him this morning and he was hoping his courage would not fail him as he led her to a log to sit upon.

Walking back and forth in front of her for five minutes he at last turned to her and said, "I have so little time with you anymore that I must ask you now while we are alone, before the others reach us, Will you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage."

"Yes, William, Mary said quietly.

"I know that I have no title and that there are many who have been courting who are titled and much more at ease among crowds of people, but like my father I do not do well among those not of my family, I cannot think of an answer quickly or a wittisism as Lord Hendly does or his grace of Argon. I can understand if you refuse me, but I thought I must ask you as soon as I could."

Mary began to laugh but stopped as she saw the look of hurt that crossed Will's face. "Will--, she started.

William looked at her with a look of shock, I thought you might refuse me but I never thought you would be so cruel as to laugh at my proposal," he said as he turned on his heel.

"Will, Will, Mary cried as she caught up to him and clasped his arm, I said yes, but you were so intent on finishing you speech that you did not hear me. I am sorry Will I was not laughing at you for asking what I have been waiting to hear since I was but seven years old, I was laughing because, you were so intent on telling me all the reasons that you thought I would refuse you, that you did not even hear my answer."

"You said yes, Will gasped, you said yes, but I didn't hear you say a word. What a silly fool I have been. I was so unsure of your feelings for me that I didn't listen properly. Please forgive me dearest, loveliest, Mary."

"Oh, Will, I am so happy, I have loved you, for what seems like a century, Mary laughed, from the first time you came to our home with my brother I knew you were the only man I would ever love."

"You love me,Will exclaimed in awe, you love me. You have made me the happiest man in the kingdom."

Let us go to speak to you father at once. You don't think he will refuse, do you."

"No, dearest Will, he will not refuse, of that you can be certain. He loves you like a son, and my mother will be elated that we will be here at Pemberley and I will not be making a home far away from Derbyshire."

Part XXII

"Well, Mother Darcy it would seem that we are to have two weddings before Michalmas, Elizabeth as she walked into Lady Anne's sitting room with her embroidery in her hand, Lord Peter Westlake came last evening to ask permission to marry Eliza."

"I wondered how long it would be before he asked her, Lady Anne answered, he has had eyes for no other the entire season. What does my son think of the match?"

Elizabeth laughed, "He would like Lord Peter better if he were not so involved in politics. You know how he feels about politicians. I believe that more than anything has prevented the Darcy men from accepting titles. The thought of having to serve in the House Of Lords is abhorent to him."

Lady Anne joined in the laughter, "Just like his father. I believe George places thieves a step above a politician. He says you can be sure of what a thief will do, but not a politician."

"We shall have to start the guest lists, Elizabeth said, How I wish more of those who were at our wedding would be able to come but there are so many gone or unable to travel such a great distance. Elizabeth would like to be married in London, but her father of course wants both wedding here at Pemberley. I shall try to persuade him to acceed to her wishes. If they are married in town Uncle Edward and Aunt Rebecca will be able to attend since they spend most of there time at the London house now so that they are close to the doctors."

"Will your stepmother and the boys be able to come to both, Lady Anne asked, I know how busy she is managing such a large estate since your fathers death."

"Of course she will come, Elizabeth said with a smile, She does so well taking care of everything. The merger of the two estates with their marriage has made a great deal of work but my father relished it and trained her well when he knew his death was imminent. She is a wise, intelligent woman and he enjoyed teaching her. I always thought my father slothful, but after his marriage to Miriam he became a hardworking country gentleman if ever there was one. I think having two sons gave him what was needed to pull him out of years of lethergy. Of course having a young, lively wife had a great deal to do with the change him him."

"I shall speak to William also, Lady Anne mused, I think that between the two of us and Rebecca we will be able to make him change his mind. I vow, with each year it gets harder to get either him or his father away from Derbyshire."

"Father's rheumatisn makes the journey to town a torture trip I know, Elizabeth said, but perhaps if we can get him to London we can find a doctor who will give him some relief."

"I pray that you are right," Lady Anne sighed.

"Jane Anne's son should be old enough to make the trip by the time Mary and Will are married, Elizabeth said as she picked up her needle. Of course if Lizzy get married in town her sister will be a great help to her. I am sure that will be another argument we might use to sway Fitzwilliam."

"Elizabeth, George and I have been talking about it and we have decided to move to the Dower House after William and Mary are wed. Please do not try to argue us out of it. Two mistresses are enough for Pemberely, three is too many." We are looking forward to enjoying grandchildren but would rather do it in the peace and quiet of our own house. "

"I fear, my dear that the thought of having children running about underfoot does not set well with George at his age."

"I understand perfectly, mother, Elizabeth answered. Perhaps if Williams family gets too large I too will move there." I know how much father needs his rest. How it vexes me to see him in such pain all the time."

As Elizabeth entered Dacy's study and walked over to kiss the top of his head, he turned to her and said, "You and my mother have convinced me to let Lizzie get married in town, the arguments you put forth were just too good to be put aside. Of course I should like to have Uncle Edward and Aunt Rebecca attend. The thought that they might not wish to come to Pemberley never occured to me., which is foolish since they have not been here for three years. I do dislike being in town too long though. I am sure though that Jane Anne will be overjoyed at the thought of helping her sister."

"You and mother will be only too happy to spend time with our grandson too. Young George should be of an age where he can be enjoyed by that time. I am still a bit afraid of small babies I fear."

Elizabeth laughed as she moved around to sit on his lap, to his delight.

"What will you do when William and Mary start to fill the house with children, my love. You will not be able to avoid them when they will be living in the same house."

"Do you think they will have as many as we, he laughed, six children nearly grown, I can scarce believe it."

"Your youngest daughter is but nine, she laughed, so we have some ten years before she will be thinking of marriage."

"Do you ever think about how fortunate we are, William," she said as she curled up under his chin.

"Will will be the next master of Pemberley, George will inherit Briarwood, and dear Anne was so generous to leave Rosings Park to Bennet."

"Yes, I have often thought of how well situated our children are. all three of our sons have fine estates, our two eldest daughter have fine husbands. Even though Elizabeth is to marry a member of the House of Lords he seems like a reasonable fellow, with some sense in spite of being a politician."

"I do miss Anne and Charlotte though, Elizabeth said softly, especiall at this time. They would both so enjoy these weddings."

"Four of Charlotte's daughters have made fine marriages to men we all respect. The other though I fear will never marry. Those who would have her she will not give a consideration and those she would aspire to marry would not even give her a look."

"Lucas does well, Darcy said, I had a letter from him this morning. He still misses her terribly but is doing his best to raise young Lucas to be a man she would be proud of."

Elizabeth laughed softly, "So far none of our children have made what anyone would consider unsuitable marriages, but then we have three to go, don't we."

"Good heavens, Mary's Ester will be getting married soon, and Catherine's Thomas. We are inundated with marriages, my love."

"Don't forget Charles and Jane's two, my love. You are right we are above our heads in weddings, Darcy laughed.

Part XXIII

Elizabeth looked lovingly at her husband as he sat in the window seat reading his paper. They had taken their breakfast in their chambers as they did occasionally.

At sixty three his once dark curls were now a snowy white, giving him in her opinion a look of distinction. He still stood tall and proud, proud of who he was and what he had. A wife he adored, 6 living children, 5 of whom had made very satisfactory marriages and Rachel, their youngest, who they were both so very proud of.

Rachel at nineteen had her mothers dark hair, flawless skin and her long thick lashes which curled over the beautiful dark violet blue eyes, which she had inherited from her Grandmother Darcy.

Elizabeth could not but smile as she thought of her youngest child who had come along five years after she thought she was to have no more children. The doctor had informed them after the birth of Bennet that she would be unable to bear another child, yet five years later this wonderful source of joy had been given to them.

Rachel so strikingly beautiful and so unaware of it. Rachel who had the sweetness of her Aunt Jane mixed with her mother's intelligence and quick wit, which brought the young men in London and here in Derbyshire flocking to their door.

"What are you smiling about, my love," Darcy asked as he laid his paper aside.

"Elizabeth smiled at him and said, "Rachel, dear."

"Ahh, that will bring a smile to anyone's face," he said with pride and love.

"We shall have to go down, my dear, more guests will be arriving soon."

"I don't see why we have to have such a houseful, Darcy snorted, do you think Caroline and James will bring Louisa with them. When are they to arrive. Why can't we just have our family here."

Elizabeth laughed, "You know you will enjoy having Jane and Charles here for a month, and Georgianna and David should arrive this afternoon or tomorrow. I expect Jane and Charles before tea time, they were to leave Willows at first light."

"You would not deprive your children the happyiness of celebrating our thirty fifth anniversary, dear. They have been planning this for a year."

"Thirty five years, Darcy said softly, it seems like no more than a fortnight,I have loved you all my life"

"At least 36 years of it," Elizabeth answered with an impish grin."

"My life began that evening at the assembly hall in Meryton, when an impertinant young woman with the finest eyes I had ever beheld found me offensive and not so handsome after all," he replied looking at her with such a look of love that she quickly crossed the room and taking his face in hers kissed him softly.

"As did mine, my love," she whispered, kissing him ardently.

Wrapping his arms around her he whispered in her ear, "I think we shall delay going down stairs for an hour or so, do you not agree."

When she had a chance to catch her breath from his kisses, she readily agreed.

When Darcy left the master bedroom and started down the stairs, dressed in his riding clothes he was met by his eight year old , grandson.

"Grandfather, are you going riding this morning," he asked.

"Yes, Fitz, I am," Darcy replied.

"Could I go with you grandfather," young Fitzwilliam asked hopefully.

"I would like that very much Fitz," his grandfather said with a smile.

"Perhaps we could ride by Mr Simpson's, young Fitzwilliam said, his best horse was lame yesterday and I would like to see if it is better, he depends a great deal on that big Shire, it is indeed a fine animal."

"Well, son, if we are to ride that far you will have to have a bigger mount that your pony, Darcy smiled, perhaps you would like to ride Pegasus, would that suit you."

"Oh, yes Grandfather, that would be wonderful, I will not be long, I shall be in my riding clothes and ready to go by the time you have the horses saddled and ready to go," and he ran off down the hall

Darcy grinned at Elizabeth as she put her arm through his and walked down the stairs with him.

"He loves Pemberley as much as I do, even at his tender age, he said proudly, he is a most satisfactory Darcy."

"Grandfather, can I go too, they heard a plaintif voice behind them, Fitz said he is to ride with you this morning, and on Pegasus, can I come too please, please, Grandfather."

"No Annie, not this morning, he replied, perhaps later we will take a ride after Fitz and I return, if it is not too late.

When 5 year old Anne began to tear up Elizabeth said with a smile, "Oh no, Annie, love, you must be here to help us greet our guests, we need you to take care to see that Janie, and Charles are put in the right rooms and that they are on time for tea. They will be here soon with their grandparents. Don't you remember dearest."

Anne turned to her grandmother with a bright smile saying, "I forgot Grandmother I shall watch for them from the window."

Turning to Darcy, she said, "I forgot about my cousins coming grandfather, I must stay here to help grandmother, I don't know if I shall find the time to ride at all today."

As Darcy kissed Elizabeth goodbye, he grinned and whispered, Well done, my love."

Part XIII-B

After her husband an grandson left to visit the Simpson farm Elizabeth discussed with Mary the plans for the next fortnight.

Where each out of town guest were to be put, the meals, the orchestra for the ball. Who to sit next to whom at the dinners. The orders to be given to Mrs Price for the supplies which would be needed to feed and accomodate not only those who would be staying at Pemberley but the neighbors who were invited to different suppers, evenings at cards music and conversation.

Last and greatest the final grand ball.

"I do hope Aunt Georgianna will consent to play for us, Mother Darcy, Mary said. She is so very talented. Rachel has already agreed to play and sing. I shall ask Aunt Sara Fitzwilliam to play the harp for them, she does it so well."

"I am sure Sara will agree also, Elizabeth smiled at her daughter in law. Richard is so proud of her when she does so and she will do it to please him I am sure."

"I think it is so romantic the way they met," Mary sighed.

"Yes, a time which seemed to be so dreadful for him turned out to be the thing that changed his life and gave him so very much happiness," Elizabeth agreed.

"How did they meet grandmother", Jane Anne's daughter Madelaine asked.

"Elizabeth smiled at her eldest grand daughter as she replied, "Your cousin, then Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, recieved a wound at the battle of Waterloo which necessitated the removal of his left leg. He was in the deepest despair when Lady Sara Carter came to visit her younger brother, who had the bed next to his colonel. "

"Richard had ordered that he be placed in the same room as he, as he contributed the young man with saving his life."

"He was the younger son of Lord Whitlock and the brother of Sara. She came everyday bringing them fresh fruit, letters and good cheer.

She and Richard found that they held so many interests together and they spent hours talking."

"Even after her brother was removed to Brentwood she continued to visit Richard, and they soon discovered how much they loved each other. He loved her wit and intellegence and she loved the same things in him, plus his sense of humor, shich she found very diverting."

"A year after Richard went home to Matlock manner they were married. Her dowery of fifty thousand pounds and the money he had recieved from the militia enabled them to purchase the estate where they now reside and to live very well."

"Of course you know that they were blessed with five wonderful children, of course you know that well, since one of them is married to your Uncle George."

"Oh grandmother, what a lovely story, I wish I could have seen cousin Fitzwilliam in his regimentals," Madelaine sighed as she asked to be excused and left the room.

"Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Mary and laughed as she said, "Only ten years old and already her head is turned by a scalet coat."

Elizabeth excused herself also and went up to her sitting room where she pulled a letter from the drawer of her writing desk and read.

My dearest Elizabeth,

I shall leave this in my drawer knowing that you will find it.

I am writing this knowing that my time is near. Do not grieve for me my dear, I go to my reward gladly.

I love you all so very dearly, but since George's death the greatest light in my life has been extinguished and I await our reunion eagerly.

I write this to let you know how very much I love you, daughter. I could not love you more if I had borne you. You have brought such happiness to Fitzwilliams life as I never thought possible.

I have seen him change from a cold arrogant young man, thinking of no one but himself to a kind, generous, loving husband and master of Pemberley.

I know that as you have so often said the traits were there all the time but they were hidden under misplaced pride and arrogance.

I give the credit to you for that my dearest daughter. Without you he would never have changed, only become worse with time, aidied by his mother and his aunt Catherine.

I know how miserable he would have been married to his cousin Anne, but I was blinded by my own pride and the assurances of my sister that we must preserve the Fitzwilliam and Debourg lines.

You have brought joy into his life and ours.

You have given him six beautiful children, of whom we are all so very proud. Well done my dearest daughter.

My greatest regret is the years I wasted trying to maintain my pride of place and never getting to know what a truly wonderful wife you were.

I robbed myself of three years of our dear Cassandra's life. I was blessed by God to have that last year with her. It seems so hard to bear even yet that we should have lost her at only four years old.

Ours is not to question, though, rather we should be grateful for the time we had with her.

It took our dear Fitzwilliam a very long time to realize that, but your love and devotion brought him through that dark time in his life.

I am very tired so I shall put my pen down now. Know my dearest Elizabeth how very much I love you.

You loving mother,
Lady Anne Darcy

Elizabeth put the letter back in its resting place and walked to the window where she rested her head against the glass remembering the day she had found the letter.

Lady Anne had been gone for six months when Elizabeth was looking for a pin that she had left to Rachel. She had said in her will that it was in the writing desk, which Elizabeth would now use if she so chose.

After reading the letter, Elizabeth had wept and when Fitzwilliam found her and read it he took her in his arms and comforted her. He himself shed a few tears as together they talked far into the night about their life with both his parents and the happiness they all found when at last they came together as a family

Elizabeth left the window quickly as the first carriage with their guests arrived in the courtyard.

"Jane and Charles, she said to herself, how delightful. We can do some catching up before the rest of the guests arrive."

Part XXIII-C

Elizabeth rushed out the front door to greet her sister and Charles. Bingley emerged first with his walking stick supporting him. Charles had suffered a stroke some three years previous and still had to use a stick when he walked. His speech was no longer impaired though, and to the delight of all his happy disposition had not suffered either. He was still the amiable, cheery Charles Bingley, for which Elizabeth thanked God.

"Jane is even more beautiful than ever," Elizabeth thought as she
reached in to to assist her sister in getting her two grandchildren out of the carriage.

"Eliza and Robert wished so much to be here, Lizzie, she said. It is too close to her time though for her to travel even this short distance. I hope we get back in time for the birth of our newest grandchild."

"Well, where is our host, Bingley said with a grin, I had thought that Darcy would be here by your side to greet his guests, He has always been such a proper host. To arrive and not find him here to greet me is insupportable."

Elizabeth laughed along with Jane and Mary and Will as she explained that Darcy and their grandson had gone off to one of the farms.

"Fitz, and his grandfather went together, that must please Darcy, Charles said, to find his grandson so interested in Pemberley at such a young age must make him a happy man indeed."

"Yes, I believe our son is as much interested in what being master of Pemberley means as his grandfather is, " Mary replied happily.

As Mary went off to the kitchen to speak to the cook Elizabeth and Jane retire to Elizabeth's room for a chat, while the children ran off with Annie.

"You seem very melancholy, Jane," Elizabeth watched as her sister went to the window and looked out to admire the grounds.

"This is a happy occasion, sister, we have been married 35 years to two of the best men in all of England. They are good and faithful husbands a fact which is brought home to me each time I think of Caroline and James' Guinevere."

"After giving birth to two daughters she at last produced a son but a fortnight before the death of the Countess. Her dear and loving husband promply upon his mothers death moved into his mistress' house and Guinevere has seen nothing of him since."

"I think it means little to Guinny, Jane sighed, She is the Countss of Ester now and that I fear is all she really cares about."

"Did you ask her to come this weekend, Lizzy."

"Of course, Elizabeth answered, she is your niece, and as such she had to be issued an invitation. I doubt that she comes though, she was undecided when she answered my letter."

"Arhur and Meggin will be here though, such a happy natured boy. He is very much like his Uncle Charles."

"Poor Caroline, she again failed to gain access to Pemberley. She tried so hard to make Guinny marry Will, and when that failed it was Elizabeth and Arthur that she tried to push together."

"I know, though she has made amends to you for her past treatment she still yearns for Pemberley, and who can fault her for that."

As she again turned to the window she said softly, "Lizzie do you never think of those who will not be here, those who we have lost. "Mama and Papa, Mother and Father Darcy, Grandmother Darcy, Lydia and Wickham, Charlotte, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, and Aunt and Uncle Phillips. Lady Catherine, Anne and her family, Aunt and Uncle Fitzwilliam, Lady Sophia, Lady Fanny, your Cassandra and
our Thomas and Margaret, even our cousin Mr Collins."

"Of course I do, dearest sister, Lizzies joined Jane at the window, putting her arm around her. Right now though I prefer to think of those who we have with us who we could have easily lost. Your dear Charles and Richad Fitzwilliam. How close our cousin came to death there on the battlefield. I try to be thankful for such blessings. Your husband is alive and nearly as well as the day we married, for which "I thank "God", every day."

"And Papa, what great happiness he found those last few years, enjoying his Maddie and his two sons."

Maddie and the boys will arrive tomorrow. I am so anxious to see our brothers. They are quite grown now. Thomas is courting Maria Lucas's daughter. Can you imagine that, how time flies."

"Georgianna and her family will arrive either this afternoon or early in the morning, as will Caroline and James. I think Louisa is going to be with them but I know not for certain. It is a shame she never remarried after Mr Hurst's demise, I really thought she was going to at least twice but something slways seemed to happen and the gentlemen went their ways."

Jane laughed, "They all seemed to be more interested in her fortune than he. When they found that she would not part with a pence and expected them to support her in a lavish style they turned and ran, all of them."

"I hear Fitzwilliams step in the hall, he and Fitz are returned. I hope he and Charles have time for a good talk before the rest of the guest begin to arrive."

"Charles went up for a nap as soon as he found that he was to be without the company of his oldest and dearest friend," Jane said, perhaps I should go and wake him, it has been nearly two hours and he should be rested by now."

As she left the room after greeting Darcy he moved to stand beside Elizabeth at the window, putting his arm around her and kissing her softly on the top of her head.

"It begins," he whispered.

*************************************************************

If anyone wants to know how Caroline and Elizabeth burying of the hatchet came about you can find it in the archieves in Musings.

Part XXIV

Fitzwilliam Darcy looked with pleasure around the great dining hall filled with guests for the dinner celebrating thirty five years of marriage between Jane and Charles Bingley and Elizabeth and himself.

Each table had a member of their families at the head and foot.

Will and Anne. Jane Anne and her husband, Elizabeth and her political mate. George and Elyssa, Bennet and Margaret. Lovely, lively Rachel occupied the sixth for his family with great aunt Phillipa at the head.

Charles and Jane's family was represented by Darcy and Elaine Bingley, Madelaine and Robert Fitzhugh, and Alice and Peter Marshall. Their eldest daughter Elizabeth was at home awaiting the birth of her child.

Georgianna and David had consented to take the place of the mother to be, and Darcy could see that they were enjoying it immensely. David laughed a great deal as he conversed with Lady Bent and Lord Chaterfield while Georgianna glowed with pleasure at the lively converstion going on around her also.

Each of them seemed to be gracious hosts except for Bennet's Margaret who seemed to sit stiffly, smiling on occasion but mostly looking dour as usual.

When Bennet was courting Margaret, he recalled, she seemed to be the sweetest girl in Derbyshire, and stayed so until the birth of their son.

She seemed to start to change soon after they moved into Rosings Park and only got worse with each visit from her mother.

She had been content to be Mrs Darcy until Peter was born. It seemed soon after that as if the spirit of his Aunt Catherine had entered her mind and she began to think herself far above their friends and constantly nagged Bennet to spend more time among the gentry and less among the untitled.

She was not content to just live in the house of Lady Catherine Debourg but now she wanted the title Earl of ---- vacated by the death of his uncle Louis.

She constantly reminded Bennet that though her father had been pastor at the church in Kimpton, he was the younger son of the Earl of ---, and her mother was the grandaughter of the Earl Of ---- and as such they should petition the young Queen Victoria to bestow the title on Bennet.

Darcy could tell that they had quarreled again about it before coming to Pemberley. Though Bennet said nothing his avoidance of his wife and her snappish disposition told him that this was true.

She had tried to leave the two children with her mother but Bennet would not have it. He insisted that they attend their grandparents festivities. Margaret had no qualms about letting one and all know that she would much rather be in Kent with her widowed mother than her in the wilds of the north country.

"Bennet, he thought, kind gentle Bennet, who thought he was marrying a girl much like his dearest Aunt Jane only to find her possesed by his Great Aunt Catherine.

"Why couldn't Ben have as happy a marriage as his brothers and sisters, Darcy thought, but I suppose I should be glad that the rest of them have made such fine matches."

His eyes turned to Jane and Charles laughing and talking among the guests they hosted.

"Charles is in his element, how he does enjoy an audience. It is so good to see him so well again. We were much worried for a time but here he is the same cheerful amiable Bingley."

His eyes swept his own table to rest on his beloved wife, dressed in a deep rich royal blue silk with a small set of Darcy diamonds at her throat and on her ears. The dress was of his favorite color and seemed to glow as did the jewels she wore.

It seemed to him that even they could not match the glow given off by his wife as she talked vivaciously with their guests.

"Time has been kind to you my dearest lovliest Elizabeth, he said to himself. You are even more handsome than you were at twenty and my bride."

Elizabeth raised her eyes to her husbands and held them as she gave him a radiant smile that told him how much she loved him.

"This has been the most successful celebration, Elizabeth said as she took his arm to leave the dining hall to go to the ballroom. the children planned well, my love. Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time.

Except for Margaret, of course, she is determine3d to become Lady ---."

"I believe I can safely say that she will not get her wish, he replied, the Darcy's are not given to accepting titles, as you well know."

Elizabeth laughed up at him as she replied, "Especially if they have wives who find most of the gentry dead bores, and it would seem that the Darcy women have felt so for 400 years or more.

If I recall Lady Hampton expressed the same sentiments when you refused the title Earl of Derby, and she was unbelieving when Uncle Gardiner refused the honor of being knighted. she could not understand that a man could be so happy in his life as a commoner that her would not take the first opportunity to become a member of the gentry."

As the music started Darcy held out his hands to Elizabeth saying, "Would you waltz with me, my dear."

Charles, too took Jane's hand leading her to the floor, and when she at first protested he said with a grin, "I believe, my love that this leg can manage one waltz.

"What do you suppose our children will have planned for next year, Jane smiled at him, it will be our turn then."

Part XXV

Elizabeth sighed as she looked across the carriage at her husband.

"I thought that you liked Luke and Lucas, she said, He always seemed to be a favorite of yours. You know how much Rachel has loved working with him in the ghetto. She feels as if she is making a contribution to a better world for the poor souls who live there."

"Of course I like Luke and his father, Darcy answered, but Rachel. Rachel is so lovely, so good. I hoped she would make a brilliant marriage."

"Would you prefer Vicount DeWitt," Elizabeth asked archly.

"Good God no," Darcy snapped so sharply that he woke the sleeping Kitty from her nap tucked into the corner of the carriage.

Sitting up quickly she said sleepily, "What is it, what is wrong, have we damaged a wheel, are there highwaymen about."

Elizabeth laughed, "No dear Kitty, we were discussing Rachel's suitors."

"But Rachel is engaged to Luke, is she not, Kitty asked, I thought he was her only suitor."

Elizabeth and Darcy looked at each other and laughed causing Kitty to look at the as if they were mad and ask, "What is so funny, what are you laughing about, tell me that I might enjoy it too. Did Rachel have other suitors that I know nothing about.

"Oh dear, Elizabeth laughed there were many my dear sister but the most ardent was the Vicount DeWitt."

"The Vicount DeWitt, Kitty said, the future Duke of Ashburn. Isn't his father the man who asked for Georgianna's hand and then ran off to Italy at his parents insistance so that he would not have to marry her."

"The very one," Elizabeth grinned at Darcy.

"But I don't understand, Kitty went on, what is so funny about this."

"I think that you should tell your sister, dear, Darcy said, she will not be able to rest now until she knows."

Elizabeth sighed, "Some three months ago we were summoned by the Duchess of Ashburn to her home for tea."

"When we arrived Lady Asbury wasted no time in letting us know why we were there."

"You can have no doubts why I have summoned you, she said. My son has informed us that he intends to ask your for your youngest daughters hand in marriage. I tell you now that we will not approve of such a marriage. Robert will marry someone of his own rank. I am sure that you have encouraged your daughter to lure my son into her web. That you hoped that she would accomplish what you sister Georgianna could not, Mr Darcy. But I will tell you here and now that your plans will come to naught, there will be no marriage between your daughter and my son."

"She would not listen when we tried to tell her that we knew nothing of her sons plans, but we were spared further embarrassment by the appearance of the young man himself."

"Forbidding my marriage to Rachel to her parents, Mother, he said. Let me spare you the time, the young lady has refused my offer, in no uncertain terms. It seems she prefers the young clergyman Luke Farrow to the Vicount Dewitt."

Lady Asbury turned white, "She refused you, she cried, that nobody from the north country refused you, the next Duke of Ashburn. Surely you are joking, she could not do such a thing, I do not believe you. She has set a trap for you as I told you, she would not refuse such a title, such a position in society, such wealth."

"Indeed she did, Mother, it seems she finds me a dead bore, selfish and arrogant, with nothing to say for myself except that I shall on my fathers death become a duke. She declares that I make no meaningful contributation to society, to the betterment of those less fortunate than me. That I waste my time gaming and riding to the hounds, and visiting my clubs, while there are people starving outside my door."

"Oh she was very eloquent, mother, she spoke very well of my shortcomings and all the reasons she would never marry me."

"This is impossible, it is insupportable that anyone should speak so to you, especially someone so far beneath you you, I will not have it. I will speak to this young woman myself, she must learn to respect her betters," Lady Asbury stormed.

"She does respect her betters, mother dear, but we are not her betters, she is far above any of us. She spoke nothing but the truth. I am a dead bore, and I have nothing but my title to boast of, if I want to do that."

"Mr Darcy, you will inform your daughter that I shall expect her here tomorrow at two o'clock ,' Lady Asbury snapped.

"Indeed I will not, Darcy answered coldly, the matter is closed. You have forbidden the marriage between you son and our Rachel and she has refused his offer, that is the end of it."

"But," Lady Ashbury started.

Her son stood to shake Fitzwilliams hand and turning to his mother said, "Mr Darcy is right mother, do not embarrass yourself by making a scene which will make you a laughing stock. It is ended.

He then graciously escorted us to the door and bid us goodbye.

"I really feel sorry for him, he reall loves Rachel."

"His father came to call the next day to apologise for his wife's conduct. He told me as he was leaving that he still loved Georgianna, that he always would. That is why his wife dislikes the name Darcy so much.

He had hoped that his son would secure Rachels hand, he thinks she would be the best woman his son could marry and he is very sorry that it cannot be."

"What a shame, Ktty sighed, if only he had been as strong a man as Mr Darcy and married Georgianna in spite of his parents objections."

Elizabeth smiled across the carriage at her husband. "There are all too few men of Mr Darcy's ilk, she said, there indeed is only one Fitzwilliam Darcy."

As she spoke they looked at each other with such love that Kitty turned to look out the window.

Mr Darcy reached across to brush his wife's cheek with the back of his hand and she took it in hers and kissed the palm.

Kitty knew that for that short time they were the only ones in the carriage, that she was forgotten. She felt like an intruder in a most intimate moment.

As they pulled into the drive at The Willows, Lizzie and Darcy returned to the present as Lizzie said, "I wonder how many Jane and Charles will have here for the celebration of our thirty eight years of marriage."

"I know that Thomas and Edward and their families will be here, Kitty said. What would mama say if she knew that Maria Lucas' daugher was now Mistress of Longbourn."

"Elizabeth laughed, "Indeed, I too have wondered that many times."

"Well we know that all our children and grandchildren as well as all the Bingley's will be here, Darcy grinned, that alone should be enough to fill the house."

Part XXV-B

Jane and Charles came out into the courtyard to greet their guests with happy smiles.

"Lizzie, dear, I am so glad that you and Kitty and Mr Darcy are here first. It gives us some time to talk before the other guests arrive," Jane said putting her arms through Lizzie and Kitty's and walking into the house with them.

"When are William and Mary to come, I hope they are bringing all the children."

"They will be here tomorrow, Darcy replied, indeed the children are looking forward to the coming week. They always enjoy coming to visit here with the Bingley's"

"Is Caroline to come, Elizabeth asked, without James and Louisa she must be feeling quite alone. I do feel so sorry for her, Losing her husband and her sister within month's of each other must be devasting."

Charles sighed, "I really don't know, we have written to her several times begging her to come but she does not wish to travel alone."

"We have asked Arthur to bring his mother, I hope he can convince her."

"She would more likely come if Guinevere were to ask her, but somehow I doubt that the Countess would deign to attend such a lowly gathering."

"Charles, Jane said, please do not speak so of your niece, she has duties that she must attend to. Since she is widowed she must prepare her son for his duties as Duke and Master of that great Estate."

"We seldom see Guin, she has little time for her Bingley relations, Charles went on, Arthur though is a frequent visitor. His title has changed him little, he is still the same amiable good natured young man he always was."

"I would say it has been two years since we have seen anything of Quin though, don't you agree, dear."

"Quite so, my love," Jane answered as she took Lizzie's arm and led her to the yellow room for tea while the men went to Charles' study for a brandy.

"Are Mary and Marcus to be here, Kitty asked, I understood that the judge had an important case to hear."

"Mary and the children will come even if Marcus cannot," Jane answered.

"Who would have believed that the young law clerk from Uncle Phillips office so many years ago would today be a noted justice in London," Elizabeth said as he accepted her cup of tea.

"All the Bennet sister have done very well in their marriages. Even Lydia, if all she told us of her second marriage was in fact the truth."

Kitty rose and went to look out the window as she said quietly, "How sad that she should have died so young, just 35, and so contented with the life she had."

Jane rose to put her arms around Kitty saying, "We must rejoice that she found a man who took such good care of her and made her so happy, Kitty."

The three of them turned to the door as Darcy and Bingley entered followed by three of the Bingley grandchildren.

"Look who we found lurking in the hall, Bingley laughed, I am sure these three could do with some tea and biscuits, eh, children."

"Yes, please, grandmother, young Darcy answered. Lizzie especially is hungry. mother and father will be here soon. mother is speaking to Mrs Wilson and father has just returned from visiting one of the tenants, so he went up to change before having tea."

The afternoon seemed to fly by as the Bingley's and the Darcy's conversed and laughed, telling stories of the farms, childhood memories, and plans for the future.

Elizabeth rose early as always to go for her morning walk, today her husband joined her.

"I am worried about Charles, Darcy said, have you noticed how quickly he tires, he fell asleep at least three time last night before Jane made him retire."

"I know, Elizabeh answered, Jane worries that this week might be too much for him, but he insisted so vehemently that she could not deny him. Jane worries too, I do so hope all will go well."

Before she could go on Kitty ran to them saying, "Jane wants you two to come at once, the carriages are arriving so fast that the courtyard can hardly contain them."

Darcy and Lizzie were delighted, as they entered the front parlor to find Richard and Sarah there with their two youngest children.

Elizabeth went quicly to kiss Sarah and remark about what beautiful red hair the children had.

"One can hardly expect less, Col Fitzwilliam laughed, with their heritage is should wonder if the had anything but red hair."

They all stopped talking and stared in surprise as Caroline and her daughter entered the room with a swirl of skirts and feathers.

Elizabeth looked across the room at Jane and raised her eyebrows. The last person they had expected to see was Guinivere, but here she was, with her two children, all smiles and friendliness.

"Mama convinced me that we need some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life, she said. A few days in the country is what we both need, I believe, and it has been all too long since I have seen any of you."

She could not tell them that being the dowger Countess of Ester was the lonliest thing in the world. Most of her husbands friends still resented her and had tolerated her only while he lived, They still thought of her as the granddaughter of a carriage maker. Since John's death in Italy two years before they had all shunned her, while making her children welcome because Paul was now the Duke of Ester.

She was looking forward to a pleasurable week at her Uncle and Aunt Bingley's, but she would never admit it to anyone in this room, though her mother guessed it, she knew.

As she moved over to speak to Elizabeth she said, "I am told that your Rachel refused the hand of Sir Albert Dewitt, Vicount of Ashburn. It would seem that his mother is most irate that a Darcy should refuse her son. Poor Lady Asbury, she is beside herself. She is angry that it has spread about town and cannot seem to understand that it is she herself who started it. When she told Lady Markham she might as well as sent the town crier through the streets with the news."

Guinevere laughed, Lady Markham is the last person in the universe to entrust with a secret, I would think her grace would know that.

"She of course blames it all on the Darcy's, is that not diverting."

Elizabeth looked at her lovely unhappy niece, who was enjoying Lady Asbury's dismay. She knew that the countess was one of the leaders against Guin, but she did not like to hear her enjoy someone elses pain.

Guin, dear, let us forget the Ashbury's this week, she said, I think we will all be happier if we just enjoy our own families."

"You are right Aunt Darcy, Guin replied. I shall think of no one but this family for the next week."

"Is that Rachel, she asked, what a beauty she is, such a beautiful smile. I can see why the young men were all so much in love with her last season. Is that Mr Farrow her betrothed with her. A fine looking young man."

"Yes, it is Luke, Elizabeth smiled, his mother was my best friend , I am so happy for them."

By the end of the week all were exhausted, Charles more than anyone, but his happiness at the celebration was so apparant that everyone hated to leave.

As Jane and Elizabeth walked their brothers to their carriages they each promised to visit Longbourn sometime in the summer.

"How much Ellen looks like her mother, Elizabeth said to Thomas as she kissed him goodbye. What great friends we had in the Lucas' when we were growing up, but I would imagine Maria has told you all about that. Give her our love, brother."

As the lst carriage left the courtyard, Elizabeth and Jane collapsed into each other's arms.

"What a wonderful time we all had, Lizzie laughed, but I am getting too old for this, so many people when you count the children and grandchildren. We will soon not have room for all of them if they keep this up."

"Well, my love, at 66 I am but a lad, what a shame that I should be married to and old lady," Darcy laughed.

Part XXVI

Elizabeth dropped the curtain with a sigh. She had been watching out the window for a carriage which was to bring Jane to Pemberley for the Holidays.

Since Charles' death 10 months ago Jane had been from home. Going from one home to another visiting friends and family. Anywhere but The Willows where she and Mr bingley had loved so happily for 38 years.

First she had come to Pemberley for a month, then to Longbourn to visit her brothers for a month. She had stayed with Thomas in their old home, for she could not bear to spend time with Edward at Netherfield, where she and Charles had lived for the first year of their marriage.

From Longbourn to stay with Kitty, then to London with Mary and tehn on to each of her own children and the sons and daughter of aunt and Uncle Gardiner.

Young Charles had begged her to come home but she declared she could not until at least the holidays were over.

Elizabeth and Darcy had received a letter from him just two days ago asking them for help in bringing their mother home to them. The grandchildren missed her terribly and asked if their grandmother were angry with them and would never come back.

She turned and looked across the room at her husband. He was still the handsomest man of her aquaintance. The once dark hair was now snowy white, though still thick and curling. He was still a vital vigorous man at 68, for whick she thanked God every day.

He sat in the chair with a book in his hands and she smiled at the sight. They were both still avid readers. The smile turned into a chuckle as she realized that he was asleep.

She moved across the room to kiss him softly on the top of his head and he awoke with a start.

"Oh dear, I fear I fell asleep, has Jane arrived. I fear I have not been very good company, my love, falling asleep like this."

"I would not wonder at your being tired, Elizabeth said with a loving smile. You were out before first light to visit your tenants. Has all been set right with Mr Dillion and Mr Cartwright"

"It was really nothing, took less than an hour to settle. But with all the unrest among the tenants on some of the other estates I must keep my own men satisfied. So many of the young people are going to work in the cities and the mines instead of following in the foorsteps of their ancestors on the farms. Young Cartwright, however has returned to help his father and take over the farm soon. He found that working in a hole in the ground for little pay and dismal conditions unsatisfactory and was very happy to be received with such open arms by his family. His father was so angry when he left that he thought he would never be welcome again. all is well though."

"I know, my love, but enough of that. You will go up and rest. I insist on it."

"But I must be here to welcome Jane, my dear," he answered.

"There will be plenty of time for that, Elizabeth said firmly, You will go up now though, I insist. You know that Jane and I will have a long talk when she arrives and I know how you hate listening to gossip."

"If you insist, dear, have I ever said you nay, Darcy said with a chuckle as he kissed her and went from the room with a yawn, I believe I could use an hours nap."

He had not been gone a half hour when Mrs Birtwait came to tell Elizabeth that her sister had arrived.

OH Jane, dearest Jane you are so thin, Elizabeth cried. Come we have time for a good talk. william is sleeping, he was out before dawn this mornig and was in need of a rest.

"I have had a letter from Charles, he is very worried about you. Your grandchildren it seem fear that they have done something to anger you so much that you stay from home."

"But I love them all so much, how could they get such an idea, Jane said, I am sure you are wrong Lizzie, they know how fond I am of them, I am sure."

"It has been nearly a year Jane and you know how children always think that they have been naughty if something untoward happens about the house."

"You cannot understand Lizzie, I cannot bear the thought of the house without Charles. If something were to happen to Mr Darcy I am sure you would feel the same."

"I think not, Jane, I pray that Mr Darcy remains in good health and never leaves me. I something should happen though I believe I would prefer to stay here at Pemberley, here in these room where we have spent most of our married life, where we have been so happy. I would prefer to be here where I could feel his presence and talk to him when I needed to. He will always be with me Jane, and I would prefer to be here wher I feel closest to him. But we have never thought alike, Jane dear. You must suffer through your grief in your way as I should in mine."

"Oh Lizzie, I never thought of it that way, Jane sobbed. Of course you are right, that is what I have been searching for these past 10 months, somewhere where I could find Charles, while running from it all the time. Thank you dearest Lizzie, I shall feel better now, I am sure, I shall go home."

"Not until after Christmas, Lizzie laughed, your family is coming here, you can return to The Willows then. It is but two days to Christmas and it is too late for them to change their plans.

Perhaps you can be there for the New Year, Charles has taken steps for Boxing Day so you will now have to worry about that. I feel that this is going to be a good holiday, Jane, I think you will find the peace you have been searching for."

"How were all the relatives? Is Kitty getting on better with her daughter in law? Becoming a countess seems to have gone to that young womans head, she has become most unpleasant, thinking of nothing but her station and cutting out many of her old friends, even her won family."

"Kitty is doing well, she has moved to the Dower House. Robert visits every day, but Magdalene never. He sspends more time there than at his own house. He finds his wife becoming more and more unbearable. He has hired mor people to help raise the children and brings them to their grandmother daily. He fears that if they spend too much time with their mother they will become the same insufferable snobs a she is."

"Kitty a Duchess, and Mary the wife of a noted justice. All the Bennet girls have done well, have we not Jane. How Mama would have boasted. she would have lorded it over the neighbors until they would run when they saw her approaching," Elizabeth laughed.

"Yes, we have all chosen our mates well, Jane smiled, even Lydia found a good man in the end. I wonder how many of the people who declared our marriages unsuitable and that we were reaching beyond ourselves still feel that way."

Five years later:

Fitzwilliam Darcy put dow his quill and leaned back in his chair. He was the sole master of the Pemberley estates now.

For the past year his father had been confined mostly to his room. At 73 his heart would not tolerate the work any more and if he came downstairs it was in the lift that he had installed.

His mother spent most of her time up there with his father, taking her meals for the most part with her husband, unless there was a special occassion, such as a birthday or Christmas. His parents had been married for 45 years but he feared his father would not live to see 46.

His mother had gone to visit one of the tenants this morning however. Some of the older ones still insisted on dealing with his parents so she went to talk to them since his father was unable to.

As he sat remembering the happy days in this house his reverie was interupted by the housekeeper crying , "Master Darcy, Master Darcy, come at once. The stableboy has come running to tell us that the horses which were pulling your mothers carriage have returned to the stable without the carriage. Hurry master, it has started to rain, you must find her. They know not what is amiss, but there must be trouble if the horses returned without them."

Part 27

William had for the last two years had control of the affairs of the Darcy estates. His father's health would no longer permit him to do the work. As a matter of fact the past year he had seldom left his room. At 73 his heart was in such a condition that the stress of coming downstairs was too much.

His mother spent most of her time with her beloved husband. The only time they came to the table anymore was for special occasions such as Christmas or their 45th wedding anniversary. They took all of their meals in their chambers.

As he started to leave his fathers room the housekeeper, Mrs Rathborne came to tell him that one of the tenants wished to see his father. William said that he would take care of it but Mrs Rathborne said that the young man had insisted that his mother would speak only to his either the Master or Mistress, not the son.

"Tell him to come up, Darcy sid, I will speak to him."

"No, my love, I will go down to him, Elizabeth answered, I would expect that I will have to go to see what is troubling Mrs Maxwell this time."

After speaking to the son it was apparent that the old lady would tell no one but Fitzwiliam or herself what was bothering her.

Elizabeth sent for the carriage to be readied over her son's protests. "Never mind, William, dear, she said, I shall be back before sundown, I do not think this will take long."

Four hours later a stableboy came running to the house crying that the horse had returned to the stable without the carriage.

William shouted for the servants to prepare warm blankets and bricks to warm the bed, for it had started raining and he feared that his mother would be wet and chilled.

"Send a boy for the doctor, Mrs Rathborne," he shouted as he ran out the door carrying a large heavy coat.

He found his mother a mile from home, carriage turned over and a broken wheel. As he had feared the rain had soaked her through and through.

"Mama, do not fear, I will have you home in a trice."

"I know, dear she said, but I fear my arm is broken, so have a care when you lift me out of this mess.

The doctor arrived at the same time as they and ordered hot tea for the mistress.

William carried his mother up the stairs and would have taken her into her room had his father not come into the hall insisting that they put her in the large comfortable bed in his own room.

"Fitzwilliam, dear, do not fuss, Elizabeth laughed as her husband followed closely Williams progress across the room, let the doctor in, my love. The pain is becoming unbearable and I must have his attentions.

"William bring your father the chair there that he may sit here by me and hold my hand as the doctor examines me. It will be a great comfort to me."

"Well, Dr Basford said, You are very fortunate Mrs Darcy, your arm is broken, but it is not a bad break. I am more worried about the dampness, you seem to have a chill."

"Yes, Elizabeth replied, the arm would not be so painful if I could but stop shivering."

"The laudnum will take care of the pain in short order, but there must be warm blankets and hot bricks for the bed all night long, at your age the possibility of pneumonia is my greatest worry."

The doctors fears proved correct and in the next sennight William and Mary could see his mother slipping. Her breathing became labored and painful.

His father in spite of all they said would not leave her and they worried for the strain on his ailing heart.

Bennet had come as soon as he received the message from his brother. As he and his children left the sickroom, young Elizabeth, who at twelve was much like her grandmother said, "Father, Grandfather keeps saying over and over to grandmother that he loves her. They are old father, how can they love like that, love is for young people."

"Tell me children, what do you see when you look at your grand parents?" Bennet asked.

"Charles laughed, " What do I see, why what else is there to see but two old people with white hair and spectacles."

"Come with me, all of you grandchildren, Bennet said as he took them to the hall of their ancestors.

" So you see two old people, he said as he came before his favorite portrait. This is what they see, children. He looked up with a soft smile at the picture of a beautiful young woman in a pale yellow dress, with roses in her hair standing beside a handsome young man, a look of love and pride on his face.

"To each of them the other will always be young and handsome. The greatest gift I could ever wish for you is that you would find the same kind of love as they have, that in the eyes of your mate you will always remain young and beautiful."

On the ninth day Elizabeth said weakly to her husband, "I am so cold, my love, will you not warm me."

"Of course, dearest Elizabeth," he said as he climbed into the bed beside her wrapping her in his arms.

"Oh, my love that is so much better," she said as she snuggled up to him.

"Do you realize Fitzwilliam, that of all those who were there to see our courtship and marriage, save for Georgianna and Kitty, we are all who are left. Charles is gone these four years and my dearest Jane three. I am so tired, Fitzwilliam, when I sleep I see Jane and father smiling at me."

Darcy held her tightly for some minutes until he realized she had ceased breathing.

William, Mary, he shouted, send for Doctor Basford, we have need of him."\

"There is nothing more I can do for her Master Darcy, the doctor said, it was the pneumonia."

After the doctor left William said, "You must come into mother's room father, you cannot stay here."

"I shall stay with her tonight, children, his father said, leave us now."

"Father, please," Jane Anne, cried.

"Come, all of you, Mary said quietly, leave them be, let him have this time with her."

William could not sleep, he went to the door of his wife's room, but she was sleepig so he crossed the room to look out the window, which looked out on the back of the estate, faced the pond where his father had stoppped for a swim on the day his mother had come to Pemberley for the first time, faced the bench which she had placed on the spot in the little vale between the hill where the pond was and the rise in the lawn going to the house.

He stepped closer to the window to get a better look, the moon was full and very bright. There was a young woman with dark hair sitting there on the bench. She rose and started toward the house as a man started down the rise toward her.

She was dressed in garb from twenty years past. She put both her hands out to the tall, dark haired young man who came to her, dressed in clothing from the same time. He took them and kissed first one and then the other and turned with her to look back at the house. Taking her right arm he pulled it through his left and they started down the rise toward the bench where a soft mist was beginning to rise. As they approached the bench they again turned toward the house and looked up at the window where he was standing. She seemed to be saying something to him. He took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead, her eyes, her nose and lastly her lips. Then he turned her around again and put his arm around her shoulders while she put hers around his waist. They went down to the bench where the mist seemed to swallow them.

"William, he heard the soft voice of his Mary say, did you see the same as I."

"Oh, my love I did not hear you come in, he said. Yes I saw, I don't understand, who were those people. How often I have seen my father kiss my mother like that."

"Yes," she replied.

"Father, he whisperd, father."

Rushing to the door he flung it open and ran down the hall, Mary running behind him. As he came to his fathers chamber he flung open the door and rushed in, crying, "Father, father."\

There in the bed was his father holding his mother. "Come father, it is time to go to the other room," he said touching his shoulder.

As soon as he touched him he knew, and with a cry he stepped back.

"William, love, you have to know that he could not live without her, Mary said as she led him to a chair and sat him in it, It has been the sheer force of her will that has kept him alive this past year. Without her he felt he had nothing left to live for. As much as they loved you and the rest of their family, I have always known that there was just the two of them in their heart of hearts."

"Yes, I know, Wiliam answered, we knew that they loved all of us very dearly, but their greatest love was always for each other. That, I believe was why we had such a happy home. Their love was so great that it reached out and engulfed us."

"William, what is it, Lizzie asked as she came into the room, you made such a great racket running down the hall shouting for father that you awoke all of us."

As she turned to look at the bed she said, "He has gone with her hasn't he."

Walking to look at them she said, "I can understand how his arms could be around her but how did hers get around him?"

Mary and William looked at each other in amazement, "It was them," she said.

"What was them, Rachel asked, what are you speaking of."

Charles came into the room saying, "The couple at the bench, yes William, I saw them too, they lived together these 45 years, they have gone to their reward together."

Finis

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