Jane Is Too Ill To Move

By Lucie

Section I, Next Section

Chapter 1

Posted on Wednesday, 6 February 2002

Elizabeth put on her bonnet and started out the door with her mother trailing after her wailing, "This is foolishness Lizzie, Jane will be well cared for at Netherfield I am sure. You would do better to go to town with Kitty and Lydia to meet some of the soldiers. Who knows, you might meet the younger son of an Earl or even a Duke. You will find no husband at Netherfield. Only Mr. Bingley and that dreadful Mr. Darcy are there and neither of them are interested in you, Miss. Mr. Bingley is in love with Jane and Mr. Darcy cares for no one but himself."

As Lizzie trod over the fields wet from yesterdays rain she grinned thinking how her skirts would be wet and muddy by the time she reached her destination. "How Mama would scold, she thought, she would head for her fainting couch in all haste."

As she rounded the tall hedge near the house at Netherfield Park, she was met by the unwelcome presence of Mr. Darcy, who looked startled at her sudden appearance.

Darcy could naught but smile as he looked into the blushing face of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, noting the state of her skirts.

When he enquired if she had walked from Longbourn she cooling answered, "As you see."

With a cold look in her beautiful dark violet eyes she asked the way to her sisters room.

Darcy grinned as he followed her swift footsteps to the house where he instructed a maid to take her to her sister.

"Miss Eliza Bennet has walked all the way from Longbourn in the wet and the dirt, Miss Bingley sniggered, you should have seen her skirts sister, mud to the knee's."

"Turning her attention to Mr. Darcy she cooed, I am sure you noticed, Mr. Darcy, I am sure you would nor condone such actions in you own dear Georgiana. Did you not think she was a dreadful sight.

"Indeed she was, Caroline, but what else can one expect from these country barbarians," Mrs. Hurst replied.

Caroline, however was interested only in Mr. Darcy's thoughts as she said "What say you Mr. Darcy, you would never want our dear Georgiana to act in such a manner I am sure."

"Why Miss Eliza looked almost wild, her hair awry, her face flushed from her exertions. Perhaps this little escapade has lessened your admiration for, her fine eyes."

"Indeed not, they were brightened by the exercise," Darcy replied, setting his cup down on the sideboard and leaving the room.

"Caroline looked at her sister in dismay, she had not expected this response, she did not like this, she did not like it at all. Mr. Darcy was showing too much interest in Miss Elizabeth Bennet and she meant to put an end to it or her name was not Caroline Bingley.

The first day Jane seemed to be getting on well and it seemed to be just a cold. Elizabeth stayed with her through the day and went to the dining room for dinner.

Mr. Bingley had insisted that she stay until Jane was better and had sent to Longbourn for some clothes for her.

She returned to her room after and encounter with Mr. Darcy. She found his remarks about not knowing a dozen accomplished women food for an argument, which she enjoyed.

The second night she again went down to dinner and after the meal she again had a disagreement with the arrogant Mr. Darcy.

She smiled to herself as she walked down the hall recalling the look of suppressed anger on his face as the conversation progressed from arrogance and pride to her deliberately misunderstanding his statements.

She was alarmed when she entered Jane's room to find her sister gasping for breath.

Catching a maid in the hall she sent her to tell Mr. Bingley to send for the apothecary Mr. Jones at once.

Mr. Jones came in all haste and after doing what he could told Lizzie that he felt Jane need a doctor but he didn't know when Doctor Adams would return from London. He assured her that if she did as he instructed Jane would improve.

A week passed and Jane was no better. Elizabeth had not been downstairs in that time. She was so afraid to leave Jane.

"Well I for one would rather Miss Bennet stayed with her sister and not interrupt the tranquility of our evenings with her impertinence and disrespect. How nice it will be when they are gone and we have the house to ourselves," Caroline sighed, watching Darcy out of the corner of her eye as she walked around the room displaying her finery for his benefit.

"Caroline, Charles, said in a shocked tone, "How can you be so cruel, Miss Bennet is very ill and I for one find her sister's devotion to her quite heart warming."

Caroline walked from the room in a huff, muttering, "I am sick to death of Bennets.

Darcy walked down the hall from his room early the next morning and saw Miss Elizabeth leave her room and start toward her sisters, she staggered and clutched the wall for a moment before straightening her shoulders and starting to go on.

"Miss, Bennet, you are unwell, he exclaimed, you mist send for the doctor, you cannot bear this burden alone. You will become ill yourself and that will be of no help to your sister."

Elizabeth looked at him with tear filled eyes, "The doctor has gone to Kent from London, she replied, he will not be back for at least a week."

As she turned into her sisters room Darcy heard her sob.

Returning to his room with quick strides he instructed his man to go have the carriage made ready in all haste so that he could go to town as quickly as possible.

Grabbing a few muffins and some bacon from the breakfast sideboard he left the house quickly before he could be waylaid.

Urging his driver to get to London as quickly as possible he sat thinking of those beautiful eyes, so weary, so tear-filled. The long dark lashes wet. That wonderful smile no longer there, replaced by worry and fear.

Dr Benchly was startled when Darcy dashed into his office speaking so fast that he had to slow him down in order to understand what he was saying.

After getting the story of two young girls in Herdfordshire who were in dire need of help and no doctor available he wondered why Darcy was so involved.

After the promise of good shooting he agreed to go to Netherfield with the distraught Darcy.

They had to wait for the two women who Darcy insisted must come along to nurse the sick girl so that her sister could get some rest.

Darcy paced the floor impatiently.

"You will find it difficult to make the younger sister leave her sister to rest he said. She is devoted to her and will not leave her. I fear she will become ill herself if she does not get some rest, but you will find her very stubborn, especially where her sisters health is concerned."

"Hmmm, Dr Benchly said, I might need a dash of this, putting a vial in his pocket. Have no fear Darcy, I can assure you the sister will be asleep soon after we arrive.

Mrs. Winston and Mrs. Barch wondered what was afoot as they walked into the house at Netherfield Park.

"This is a curious case, Mrs. Barch whispered, we are sworn to secrecy and rushed out of town to this place to nurse a girl who the doctor has never heard of. This is curious, is it not Marian."

"Let us not pass judgment, Mary, she replied, I want to keep working for Dr Benchly, the pay is good and I will do ask he asks."

"Of course, Marian, I feel the same but it is a puzzle."

Darcy stayed in his room until he heard a disturbance in the hall.

Walking out he say Elizabeth arguing with one of the nurses.

"Now, Miss, the doctor told you to get some rest, you had better do as he says, go to your room now, dear."

"I will not leave her, Elizabeth said stubbornly, Jane needs me. I am fine."

"Well my dear if that is the way it must be at least you can have a cup up my special herbal tea. It is just what you need."

Bringing out a chair for Elizabeth she brewed her tea while Elizabeth sat on the edge of the chair waiting for the doctor to come out to tell her about Jane."

"Oh, this is vile," she said, making a face as she sipped the tea.

"Now you finish that up, Miss Bennet or I will not let you see your sister again today, and I assure you I can keep you form her side, so drink up now, Miss."

"You had better do as she says, Miss Bennet, Darcy said, I do believe her quite capable of barring you from the room."

Elizabeth quickly drained her cup as she saw the doctor coming out of the room.

As she stood up the room turned upside down and she felt herself falling.

Darcy caught her before she could reach the floor and lifted her in his arms.

"This way sir, carry her to her room, I will take care of her after you get her there."

Lying her gently on the bed, Darcy looked at that lovely face for a long moment before turning to Mrs. Larch saying, "Take good care of her madam."

Chapter 2

Posted on Saturday, 16 February 2002

Ross looked out of the corner of his eye at his master standing looking out the window while he finished his duties.

Something was afoot with Mr. Darcy but Ross knew not what. He shook his head as he remembered yesterday. As a matter of fact it had started the day before when Mr. Darcy had sent Mr. Ross to London in great haste with a letter to Dr Benchley along with the widows of two of Pemberley estate's farmers telling them that they were needed here at Netherfield.

Dr Benchley had been urged to come to aid in the recovery of Miss Jane Bennet and the ladies to relieve Miss Elizabeth Bennet of the burden of nursing her sister 24 hours a day.

Why had Mr. Darcy taken it upon himself go send for the doctor Mr. Ross could not fathom. was it not Mr. Bingley's place to do so. They were his guest after all.

However even before Dr Benchley could finish his preparations Mr. Darcy had arrived himself saying that the doctors carriage was not large enough to accommodate him and the two ladies and all that they would have to bring for their stay.

The promise of good shooting and a fortnight stay after the Bennet sister was on the mend was all that was needed to put the spur to Dr Benchley and they had arrived back at Netherfield yesterday in the late afternoon.

Mr. Bingley greeted them with great enthusiasm. He was becoming more and more worried about Miss Bennet's condition, and was more than happy to see the doctor and the nurses.

His sister's were less happy to see the entourage with Mr. Darcy.

"Really, Mr. Darcy, I see no reason for this fuss, Miss Bingley snapped. After all these country girls are a hardy sort and I am sure Miss Bennet would recover without the help of a London physician. If her sister chooses to nurse that is her prerogative. I see no reason to bring those two ladies to do the nursing duties."

"This is a great waste of the time of all three, Mr. Darcy, I am sure Mr. Jones can handle this after all he is well acquainted with these country bumpkins and their ailments."

Doctor Benchley with a look at Darcy had followed him up the stairs to Miss Bennets room to examine her and confirmed Mr. Darcy's fears that Miss Bennet was indeed very ill.

"I fear it is pneumonia, Darcy he said, I think we are in time though."

Her sister was in a state of great agitation while waiting for the doctor to minister to her sister.

One of the ladies had brewed her some herbal tea and she had drunk it quickly, but when she was given permission to return to her sister she had collapsed into Mr. Darcy's arms and was carried to her room in the hope that she would get some much needed rest.

As he finished he asked his master if there was anything else he needed.

Mr. Darcy had thanked him and said no and excused him.

As he left the room he took on last look back in worry about Mr. Darcy. He was not himself he seemed so agitated . It was not yet sunrise and here he was dressed for riding and watching out the window as if willing the sun to rise.

Darcy leaned against the cool pane of the window. He must get out of this house and away from her. She had danced through his dreams all night. He must go riding and try to fathom why it was he could not get Miss Elizabeth Bennet out of his mind and his dreams.

Turning from the window he put on his coat and ran down the stairs to the kitchen to grab some cheese and a muffin. Quickly drinking a glass of milk as he headed for the door he thanked the cook and told her to tell Mr. Bingley that he was riding if he should as for him.

Saddling his own horse rather than awaken a stable boy he rode off into the misty dawn.

Chapter 3

Posted on Thursday, 11 April 2002

"Master Darcy is about early this morning, even for him," John the stableboy said to Mr. Michaels the Stablemaster.

"Aye, even earlier than yesterday, then he waited for the sun to be up completely before he was of. Seems to me he has something on his mind this morning," he murmured quietly, almost as if talking to himself.

"Get on with ye now, boy, you've duties to get done, be off with you," he said to John while watching Darcy and his big hunter disappear into the morning mist.

Darcy rode slowly up Martin Mount thinking about all that had happened in the last few days.

He dropped the reins to the ground, knowing that his horse was well trained and would stay where he was cropping the grass until the reins were picked up again.

Stepping around a fallen log Darcy walked to the edge of the mount and looked at the peaceful scene before him in the light of the rising sun.

A smile crossed his handsome face as he saw a doe leave the meadow below for the safety of the grove across the way.

Tossing his hat down beside the fallen log he sighed, what was wrong with him, he thought. Why did this country nobody have such an effect on him. She was impertinent, sometimes even uncivil to him, yet he sought her out at every opportunity.

Women had always thrown themselves at him because of his wealth and position in English society, the worst being Miss Caroline Bingley.

Miss Bennet, however, seemed unimpressed with either. She seemed to enjoy any chance to disagree with him and start and argument. An argument which he usually enjoyed immensely.

Sometimes though she went too far though, he thought as he remembered their disagreement three nights before when she had accused him of arrogance and pride.

This time, in his mind, it was not the usual good-natured banter but an assault on his character. He had found himself becoming increasingly angry as their confrontation went on and for the first time he was glad for Miss Bingley's interference, which put and end to things. Miss Bennet, he was sure had realized she had gone too far and bade them all good night and left the room with a gentle, warm smile for Bingley.

Darcy remembered the flash of anger he had felt at his friend. Why did she not look at him with the same soft look and smile. Why Bingley. Even now he scowled at the thought.

Sitting down on the log he ran his fingers through his thick dark hair.

"Darcy, Darcy, he whispered, how could you act like such a cad. How could you do such an ungentlemanly thing."

His mind had traveled from the music room at Netherfield to the last evening.

He had caught her as she started to fall and Mrs. Barch had tucked her head up on his shoulder, under his chin.

Even now he could feel the softness of her hair and the scent of her.

The same scent that wafted up through the windows of Pemberley. The scent his mother had loved so dearly and the vines she had tended so diligently.

Jasmine, the heady scent of jasmine. So soft, so subtle coming from her, enveloping him.

He recalled brushing his lips across her cheek as he placed her down upon the bed.

He was shocked at his actions and quickly left the room, praying that Mrs. Larch had not seen what he had done.

"How could you Darcy, he said aloud, how could you kiss her. She was unconscious, you cad."

"You know that you can trust Mrs. Larch, but, just pray that she didn't not see you. She would be shocked at such actions from the son of Mr. George Darcy, the landlord who she had loved and respected for so many years.

Picking up his hat he took up the reins and put them over Hadrian's head and mounting him turned back toward Netherfield. He wanted to have his breakfast before Miss Bingley and the Hursts came down. He didn't know how much he could stand of Caroline Bingley this morning, especially after their confrontation last night.

Mrs. Barch had seen his kiss, and smiled each time she thought of it.

"So Master Darcy is in love, and such a lovely young woman too."

Mrs. Barch knew what Fitzwilliam Geoffrey, Alexander Darcy had not yet figured out for himself. That he was completely and irrevocably in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Chapter 4

Posted on Tuesday, 28 May 2002

Darcy looked at his watch as he started up the stairs.

"Good," he thought, "it is just past seven o'clock, I have plenty of time to have a good bath and write a letter to Fitzwilliam before I go down to breakfast."

Mrs. Hurst was inclined to be a bit snippy if one came into her presence smelling of horse.

As he strode down the hall Mrs. Barch met him outside Miss Bennet's door.

"Please, sir, you know the young lady, Miss Bennet," she inquired,

"Yes, Mrs. Barch, I an acquainted with the young lady," he replied.

"If you please sir, would you come and have a look at her for me. She seems far too pale to me. I fear sir that I might have given her too much of the sleeping draught Dr. Benchley gave me. I would feel right bad, indeed if I have put Miss Bennet in danger."

"But Mrs. Barch, I could not go into the lady's bedchamber. That would be most ungentlemanly."

Mr. Barch was close to tears.

"Please, sir, I beg of you. There is no one about to see and you are the only one I trust to help me."

Darcy looked about the hall and seeing no one he agreed, with great reluctance to take a look at Miss Bennet.

Mrs. Larch was and old and trusted friend whose husband had been one of the tenant farmers at Pemberley and he did not like to see her so distressed.

Approaching the bed he looked at the young lady sleeping there.

He could scarcely breathe, she was so lovely and turning on his heel he rushed into the hall.

Mrs. Larch followed, wringing her hands in dismay.

"Oh, it is as I feared, is it not, I have put the lady in danger."

"No, no, Darcy replied, I can assure you Miss Bennet looks well, very well."

"Oh, bless you sir, Mrs. Larch sighed in relief. Her skin is so fair, I was troubled. I am too accustomed to seeing the ladies in town with all their makeup. I failed to remember that these country girls have such natural fair skin. I thank you sir, from the bottom of my heart. I am much relieved, I can tell you."

"I will never tell anyone that I asked for your help in such a way, not even Mrs. Winston. You are a true gentleman Mr. Darcy, just like your dear father."

As she watched his retreating form she whispered, "You love her, Mr. Darcy, and I don't think you even know it."

As his man prepared his bath Darcy stood looking out the window. He could see the dog running around the lawn. The same dog that he had watched Elizabeth playing with just a few days before. A smile crossed his faced as he remembered.

Garth wondered what had brought such a pleasing look to his master's face as he turned to climb into the steaming tub.

As he settled in Darcy said to the man fussing with his clothes a few feet away.

"Go down and have your breakfast, Garth, he said, I will ring for you when I need you. I shall be here for a while and then I want to write a letter or two. You will have plenty of time."

Darcy laid his head back and closed his eyes. As he did so Elizabeth's face swam before him. Her long dark hair spread out on the pillow an unruly mass of curls, one hand up by her cheek and the other on the comforter. Her eyes closed in peaceful sleep, the long thick lashes curling softly on her high elegant cheekbones.

"Good god she is beautiful, He whispered. I must stop thinking of her. She is a country nobody, I must put her out of my mind."

Standing up abruptly, he toweled himself off and put on his robe.

Striding to the writing desk he prepared to write to his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

Bingley had asked him if he would like to invite his cousin to come Netherfield, At first he had demurred, but the more he thought about it the more he thought it would be best if indeed Richard could come to Herefordshire. It would be diversion. He had to have someone there who could keep his mind off Elizabeth Bennet and Richard was just the man to do it.

As he tried to write the letter her face keep coming between him and the page.

"Darcy you fool, you are in love with her. It is useless to deny it, he thought. You must find the opportunity to ask for her hand. You will never be happy until she is your wife."

"No, Darcy, you cannot, she is too far beneath you. Your family, your friends, what would they think if you married this girl of whom no one has ever heard. She has no money, no connections, she is entirely wrong for you."

"Fitzwilliam, you must come," he said aloud. "You must help me cast off this spell she has put upon me."

Chapter 5

Posted on Wednesday, 12 June 2002

Darcy shook himself awake, slamming his feet to the floor.

Snatching his watch from the nearby table he cursed under his breath as he noted the time.

"Curses," he said, nearly nine o'clock. "I had hoped to have breakfast before Miss Bingley and the Hurst's come down. Perhaps if I hurry I can finish before they are about. Miss Bingley and her sister do not like to rise early."

Hearing his master's feel hit the floor Ross hurried into the bedroom to see Mr. Darcy putting breeches on. Reaching for his shirt he said, "Good Ross, I am glad that you are here. I wish to get to the breakfast room in all haste. If you will help me with the finishing touches here I will be off."

As he hurried down the corridor he saw Dr Benchley exit Miss Bennets Room and start down the hall.

"Benchley," he said, "I am glad to see you. Is Miss Bennet any improved?"

"I believe so, the doctor replied. She is resting well now, so, I thought I would go down and have some breakfast before she awakes. Mrs. Winston will send someone to fetch me if I am needed."

"Mrs. Barch tells me that her sister is still sleeping. I am glad to hear it. I told her to let her sleep as long as she can. The poor girl needs it."

"Yes," Darcy said quietly, "he is very stubborn and refused to let anyone else care for her sister even though we tried to get her to let the maids sit with her. They are very close, it seems."

Darcy breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the breakfast room to find no one there.

Helping themselves from the sideboard they took seats and the table ready to enjoy a good conversation.

"It has been all to long since we have been in each others company," Mark, Darcy smiled; "It looks like we can have a pleasant meal and catch up with each other. It is pleasantly quiet this morning."

Dr Benchley laughed, he knew what Darcy meant. He could never understand what his old friend saw in Bingley's two younger sisters, especially Miss Caroline.

"Such an arrogant overbearing snob," he thought. "She thinks herself far above her station. A most disagreeable young woman, in his opinion."

Their pleasure was short lived however for within ten minutes of their arrival the Bingleys and Mr. Hurst arrived.

Miss Bingley was first to the sideboard taking a muffin and some eggs.

"Mr. Darcy, Dr Bentley," she cooed, "How nice it is to have breakfast with ones peers without any of the locals to abide"

"But, where is Miss Eliza Bennet this morning. She is usually leaving about the time we arrive."

"Dear me, is she out walking already. It must be damp yet, but that doesn't seem to deter our country lass."

"She is still sleeping," Darcy replied.

"Still sleeping, Good heavens, did you hear that Louisa, our early rising guest is still abed. Dear me don't tell me that Miss Eliza Bennet it becoming a slug a bed," she giggled.

"I hope she sleeps for a good long time," Dr Benchley said coldly. "The poor girl was totally exhausted. I understand she has been attending her sister around the clock. That kind of devotion is certainly not found in the families who reside in London."

"Yes," Bingley chimed in, "I find her devotion to her sister very pleasing. It speaks of an unselfish and loving nature."

"Do you remember when you had that dreadful cold last winter, Louisa? Caroline would not come near you until you were completely healed."

Caroline shot her brother a look of anger but was afraid to give the sharp retort that was on the tip of her tongue and give Mr. Darcy the wrong impression about her.

"Louisa did not want me there," she said, testily, "I would have gone if she requested my company."

"If I remember, brother---," she stopped as the maid announced, Miss Charlotte Lucas.

The gentlemen rose and bowed as Charlotte entered.

"I am sorry I did not wish to interrupt your breakfast, I thought you would be finished," she said as she looked at the clock on the mantle.

"I have come to inquire about Miss Bennet. her father tells us she is truly very ill."

"Yes she is," Mr. Bingley replied, "I am sure though that a call from a friend and neighbor will help her considerably."

"May I introduce Dr Benchley, he can tell you more than any of the rest of us."

Dr Benchley smiled as her looked into her clear hazel eyes. "She was no great beauty like the Bennet sisters," he thought, "but she has a beauty of her own. A kindhearted, sensible young woman I think."

"Miss Lucas," Caroline said, "what a surprise, I did not hear a carriage, did you, Sister."

"No," Louisa replied, "perhaps like your friend Miss Bennet you are a great walker and came across the fields," she sneered.

"Yes Mrs. Hurst, exactly, it is such a lovely morning for a walk," Charlotte said, a touch of humor in her voice. She knew the Bingley looked on Elizabeth and herself as being too far beneath them for their notice and she found it quite amusing after listening to Elizabeth's imitations of the sisters.

Rising, Dr Benchley offered his arm to Charlotte saying, "If you would like, Miss Lucas I will take you to Miss Bennet and you can satisfy yourself about her condition."

"Thank heaven, Dr Benchley was here to escort her upstairs," Caroline snapped, "I do not believe I could stand a morning with the likes of Charlotte Lucas. I don not think I could abide any country manners this morning.

Darcy slammed his chair back in disgust and rose to take his leave.

"I find it pleasing that Miss Lucas should take the time to come herself to see how her friends do," he snapped.

As he went through the door Miss Bingley cried, "Mr. Darcy I would have a word with you, it is of great importance."

"Not now Caroline, Bingley," said sharply, "Darcy is I think going for his morning walk."

"OH good, Charles, I shall go with him," she smiled.

"Caroline, Louisa, stopped her, I think it would behoove you to let Mr. Darcy go alone right now, I don't think he wishes any company."

After a few minutes of arguing with her sister and brother Caroline gave up saying, "It is too late now, I wouldn't know where to find him. I shall find time this afternoon."

Elizabeth awoke to find her dear friend Charlotte sitting quietly beside her bed.

"Charlotte, what are you doing here?" she said as she put her feet over the side. "Dear heavens what time is it. I must go to Jane."

"It is 1:20, Lizzie," Charlotte smiled, "and Jane is doing very well. I have talked to her and she is much improved, Dr Benchley, it seems is a miracle worker."

"Oh, dear, how could I have slept so long, how could I not have been there with my sister."

"Lizzie, she is very well taken care of. It would do her more good if she knew that you have eaten and had a good walk. She worried that you had exhausted yourself and she is feeling guilty."

"Mr. Darcy said that you were completely spent and needed their rest before you put your own health in danger."

"Mr. Darcy, when did you talk to him," Lizzie inquired, scowling.

"He walked with me this morning and told me about you exhausting yourself caring for Jane," she said, he was worried about both of you."

"More likely he is thinking he will be glad when we are gone," Elizabeth snorted.

"Lizzie, I think you misunderstand, Mr. Darcy," Charlotte scolded, "He is truly concerned."

Elizabeth shook her head and changed the subject, she did not want to argue with Charlotte.

After her friend departed Elizabeth walked to Jane's room, only to find her asleep and the nurse Mrs. Barch watching over her.

Since Jane seemed well cared for she decided to go to the library and do some reading. She was not there long before she fell asleep on one of the sofas.

She heard voices as she struggled awake.

It was Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy.

"Please Mr. Darcy, I beg of you, You must speak to Charles, I fear he will ask Miss Bennet to marry him as soon as she is well. I know the signs. He thinks he is in love again. Miss Jane is a dear sweet girl, but I cannot abide the thought of her family being united with ours. You know he could do much better. He must marry someone with money and position, he must. He must not be allowed to marry any Herdfordshire nobody."

"You have helped us before, dear, Mr. Darcy, you must do so again. You know he will listen to you more than to me."

"I will consider it Miss Bingley," Darcy replied, as he stalked from the room.

Miss Bingley stood for a few minutes thinking aloud.

"He must not be allowed to marry anyone but Georgiana Darcy," she mused. "She is exactly the one to be our new sister. If this can be made to come about you will be more inclined to look on me with favor Mr. Darcy. I have bent over backwards to ingratiate myself with your sister."

"Mrs. Caroline Darcy, how well that sounds," she purred as she left the room.

Elizabeth sat up, her face white with anger, "How dare they," she hissed, "how dare they plot to break my poor dear Jane's heart."

Chapter 6

Posted on Thursday, 18 July 2002

Lizzy started back toward Netherfield. She had walked a good way but she needed to clear her head.

She was still angry with Mr. Darcy and Caroline Bingley. To think that they would plot to keep Mr. Bingley from courting Jane still rankled.

That had been three days ago and it had taken a great deal of strength for her to be civil to them.

She had said nothing to anyone about what she had heard. In Jane's condition she was the last one she could tell.

To make matters worse their mother, trailing Lydia, Mary and Kitty had come calling this morning. Mrs. Bennet had come, she said to see how her dear sweet Jane got on.

"Arrgh," Lizzie cried aloud as she recalled the visit.

Her mother had swept into the room where her daughter lay still very ill.

"Oh, my dear sweet Jane," she cried. Turning to Doctor Benchley she sighed "My dear sweet girl, she is very ill, is she not Doctor, she will have to stay here for some time, I think. Will she not Doctor."

Doctor Benchley agreed that Jane would not be able to return home for many days and started to leave the room thinking to leave her alone with Jane. Mrs. Bennet however, followed him into the hall.

"What is Charlotte Lucas doing her, doctor? I was so surprised to see her."

Doctor Benchley was surprised at her question. "Miss Lucas come to check on Miss Bennet's progress often," he replied. "She is a good companion for Miss Elizabeth and gives her a little diversion, which she badly needs."

"Yes, Miss Lucas is a very nice young woman, though sadly plain," Mrs. Bennet sighed. "She is nothing compared to Lizzie, is she. She is fated to be an old maid, poor dear. At seven and twenty there is little chance of her finding a husband."

"Dear Lizzie so caring of her sister, but then all my family are such thoughtful people, we all care for one another in times like this."

"I am devastated by Jane's illness, Doctor, my heart palpitates, my nerves are at the breaking point, I cannot eat or sleep. You do not know how I suffer."

"Perhaps you can examine me, perhaps you can give me something to calm me and put my heart at ease, I have not been a well woman for many years and Mr. Bennet refuses to let me go to London to see a doctor. Now you are here, I am sure you would be only to happy to help me in this time of trial."

Mrs. Winston and Mrs. Barch looked at each other with raised eyebrows and left the room.

"Who are those women," Mrs. Bennet asked, "why are they here?"

"They are here to nurse Miss Bennet back to health, Mrs. Bennet. It is far too much for her sister to see to her 24 hours a day. Mrs. Winston stays with her during the day and Mrs. Barch stays the night."

"Two nurses, I really think one would be sufficient. With Lizzie here to stay with her through the day only one is need for the night, don't you agree."

"Why that would be just the thing, the other could come to Longbourn and care for me until my dear sweet Jane is able to come safely home to us," she smiled with satisfaction at the doctor and Lizzie.

Doctor Benchley was shocked. This silly woman was supposedly here to see to her daughter's health and all she could think of was herself. He supposed she would expect Darcy to pay for the nurse she seemed to think he was sending home with her.

"I'm afraid I cannot spare either of the ladies," he said coldly. "It is too much to expect Miss Elizabeth to do all the nursing every day. I would not put her health in danger by letting her get overly tired."

"Oh what nonsense, doctor, Mrs. Bennet was incensed, Lizzie is healthy as a horse, and I know she wishes to take care of Jane. I am sure Jane is most happy to have her sister with her when she is awake. I need a nurse much more than she does."

"What if my heart was to beat until it bursts, Jane would be heart broken if she were to find that the very woman who could save her mothers life was sitting here, most likely reading a book or knitting beside her sister while her mother was dying alone and neglected at Longbourn."

Elizabeth blushed in mortification. "Mama, your heart is not going to burst," she stammered

"What do you know, Miss Lizzie, are you now a doctor," Mrs. Bennet snapped, "what do you care about your mother, you never care about what happens to me. When I am in my room feeling ill it is Jane who attends me, while you sit in the library playing chess with your father."

"Oh, doctor do you not see how I suffer, not only from my poor nerves but from the neglect of my family."

"I think, Mrs. Benne, considering the state of your nerves it would be better for both you and your daughters if you were to go home at once. I will give you some powders to help your nerves and make your heart stop fluttering."

"Mrs. Barch send ask one of the servants to fetch Mrs. Bennet's carriage at once, she is to ill to stay any longer."

"Come Mrs. Bennet I will assist you down the stairs."

"But what about my nurse," wailed Mrs. Bennet, "who is to take care of me."

"I will send someone around as soon as I can spare them," Doctor Benchly steered her down the stair and out the door to the carriage as quickly as possible, her three younger daughters trailing behind her.

"All the way down she was saying, "My Lizzie is almost as beautiful as her sister Jane, don't you think doctor. What a wonderful wife she would be. So caring, so lively. Or my Lydia, there is no one livelier than Lydia, or Kitty, so pretty and such a sweet girl."

"Good, heavens, such a woman," Mrs. Barch shook her head. "How could two such wonderful girls come from such as that."

Dr Benchley nodded in agreement as he mounted the stairs to his patient who he could see was very upset, enough so to require a sleeping draught.

After Jane was asleep he went to Lizzie, who apologized over and over for her mother.

Putting up his hand to stop her he said, "Please, Miss Bennet, you need say no more. I fear I must forbid any more visits from your family though. It is too upsetting my patient. She must have quiet. I fear she is going to have a setback from this."

Lizzie agreed saying that she would go home that very afternoon and speak to her father, asking him to keep her mother away.

"Good, I will send some powders home with you at least they will satisfy her."

Chapter 7

Posted on Wednesday, 30 October 2002

Elizabeth could not remember a time when she had been so angry. Her mother had long been a source of embarrassment to herself and Jane but today she had been impossible.

It was all she could do to keep from crying again as she walked briskly toward Longbourn, the picture of her dearest Jane coming to her mind with each step.

Jane weeping and gasping for every breath, begging her to keep her mother away from Netherfield.

"Oh Lizzie, she gasped, I am such an ungrateful child but I do not wish to see our mother again until I am better. Please Lizzie you must find a way to keep her away. Please, oh please, sister."

Doctor Benchley had spoken calmly to her assuring her that Her mother would indeed not be allowed into the sickroom until she was up and about.

His powders had at last begun to work and Jane drifted off into a fitful sleep, propped high on pillows in order to breathe.

Lizzie had left for Longbourn as soon as Jane was sleeping in some comfort.

Mr. Bingley had offered her a carriage but she needed to walk. She needed to compose herself and try to think of what she could do to make her father understand that under no circumstance was her mother to be given the use of a carriage for the journey to Netherfield until she or Dr Benchly sent word that Jane could receive visitors.

To her great relief when she arrived at Longbourn she found that only her father was at home. Her mother and sisters had gone to Meryton to visit her sister.

Her father was happy to see her but shocked at her appearance.

"Lizzy, what is it, you look dreadful. Have you been ill to, my dear child."

"No, Father, I am quite well, I am only upset by the chaos Mama left at Netherfield."

"You must stop her from returning, Papa, Jane is so upset by this visit, the doctor has forbidden any visitors but Charlotte and me."

Mr. Bennet looked at her over his glasses, "Lizzie, Lizzie, I am sure your mother and your younger sisters were their usual silly selves but I doubt there is any need to keep them from visiting Jane. I don't know how I can stop your mother from going over there is she sets her mind to it."

"Come, child stop pacing about and sit for a few minutes. I am sure that if you calm yourself you will agree that things are not as bad as you tell me now."

"Indeed they are Father. Doctor Benchley says that another visit such as this could well be the death of my most beloved sister."

"If you had been there to see how Mama threw Kitty, and me at Doctor Benchley. Telling him that I would be a wonderful wife for a doctor or if he was looking for some one of a more lively nature she was sure he would find none livelier than Lydia."

"Lydia fluttering her eyelashes at him and asking if he had ever worn a redcoat as she sidled up to him."

"It was disgusting, Father. Not only did she push Lydia and me at him but she decried Charlotte being there to help. She went on and on about Charlotte's age and lack of beauty."

Mr. Bennet interrupted, "Charlotte was there, why was she there, Lizzie."

"She been there almost every day helping to keep Jane amused, I have blessed her goodness to my sister every day."

"You must forbid Mama the use of the carriage and make sure she cannot use the pony cart, Papa."

"Lizzie, Lizzie, you know how your mother is when she is forbidden anything. My life would be a torment until she gets it."

Lizzie turned on her father.

"Father if anything happens to Jane because you cannot take command of the situation I will never forgive you. If my mother's actions cause Jane's death I shall leave this house and never return. I promise you that," she said so coldly that Mr. Bennet stared at her in astonishment for a few seconds.

When her expression did not soften, indeed it got colder, he cleared his throat.

"Well Lizzie, if it is as bad as you say I shall certainly keep all of them as far from Netherfield as possible."

"You must go to Uncle Phillips and Sir William as a matter of fact you must go to all the neighbors and let them know that under no circumstance should any of them let mama or my sisters use their carriages."

"I know, and I am sure you are too, that she will try to find another way to get there."

Mr. Bennet agreed, for he knew Lizzie meant every word she said. The thought that it was possible for him to lose both his eldest daughters strengthened his will to the point that he told her to go back to Netherfield before her mother returned and he would ride at once to everyone he thought her Mother might apply to and explain things .

All was peace at Netherfield for a fortnight when Mr. Bingley met Lizzie in the hall and informed her that he had sent the carriage to Longbourn to fetch her mother and her sisters.

Beaming at her as he awaited the look of joy her thought would come over her face. Instead she cried, You did what Mr. Bingley. You sent the carriage for my mother. Why did you not ask me before you sent it. Why did you send it?"

Mr. Bingley looked at Elizabeth in shock.

"Your mother sent a note this morning asking me if I could spare a coach. She said no one in the neighborhood would let her use theirs and she was most anxious to see how your sister fares."

"Mr. Bingley, no one will let my mother use their carriages because the last time she came she upset Jane so badly she came near death."

"What am I to do now. I must tell Doctor Benchley at once. We must keep her from Jane. She is so much better that I could not bear to see her plunged back to where she was after Mama's last visit."

Mr. Bingley looked confused and contrite as he tried to apologise but Lizzie ran up the stairs leaving him standing there.

When Lizzie told Dr Benchley and the nurses about her mother's impending visit Mrs. Winston patted her hand saying, "Now dearie, I know how to handle your mother, you just keep her downstairs til I get there."

Elizabeth had barely reached to hallway when her mother and sister burst through the door.

"So there you are Miss Lizzie, her mother scolded. You thought you could keep me away from my dear Jane did you."

"Well, miss, you and your father are not so wise as you think. I outfoxed you, I sent a note to Mr. Bingley asking for the use of his carriage, since no one seems to want to let me come here."

"How could you be so cruel to both you sister and your mother. How my heart beats and my nerves scream at you thoughtlessness. Keeping me from visiting my own sick child."

"Don't try to deny it Miss Elizabeth. Mrs. Hill told me you were home that day and left before I returned. Ashamed to meet me were you, after you had convinced your father to deny me the use of the carriage and sent him to do the same with the neighbors and even my own sister."

She burst into tears, "Ungrateful, cruel girl," she wailed.

"Yes, Lizzie, it was most high handed of you," Lydia put in, "I think you are wanting the doctor to yourself, you fear he might prefer me."

"Well, you needn't worry Lizzie, a regiment of militia has moved into Meryton and I find the soldiers in their red coats much preferable to your doctor."

"Yes, yes Lydia, I am sure she is jealous, I never thought of that," Mrs. Bennet sniffed and wiped her eyes.

"What is this, what is all this noise," Mrs. Winston said as she came down the steps, My patient is sleeping and I do not wish to have her awakened."

"Ohhh, ohh, my poor nerves, Mrs. Bennet, sobbed. You do not know how I suffer, My own daughter betrays me and keeps me from visiting my poor ill Jane."

Mrs. Winston patted her shoulder, "I know, I know, my dear she said soothingly, Children can be so ungrateful."

"You are in no condition to visit now, my dear. Your daughter is asleep but even when she wakes, to see her mother in such a state would upset her and send her into a decline. Now you go out and get into the carriage and I will be their in a trice to go home with you and nurse you until I think you are fit enough to withstand a visit."

"Yes, yes," Mrs. Bennet sighed, "I knew you would understand, I knew you were a kind woman."

"Help me out to the carriage, Lydia, Kitty, we will wait there for my nurse."

Lizzie followed Mrs. Winston into her room where Mrs. Larch was packing a valise.

"I can finish that Anna, Mrs. Winston said, if you would though would you bring me some of the powders. We must settle Mrs. Bennets nerves."

Elizabeth sat watching her pack, "I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, Mrs. Winston, she said. When will you return?"

"It is all I can do, my dear she smiled, I know how to handle your mother. She will enjoy having a nurse to tend her and she will not be back until I say she is well enough, I can assure you Miss Elizabeth."

"I will return when Doctor Benchley sends me word that your sister is well enough to bear a visit from her mother."

"I shall keep her nerves quiet," she smiled to herself as she packed the packets of powder into her case.

Chapter 8

Posted on Tuesday, 18 March 2003

Elizabeth turned from watching her sleeping sister to look out the window at the courtyard. A horseman entered and she smiled with pleasure when she saw that it was her father. Dashing past Charlotte, sitting by the bed sewing she asked her friend to keep watch while she went to greet her father. Running down the stairs and out the door with all speed she was able to meet him before he got to the house.

"Good heavens, what is that girl up to now, Miss Bingley snorted. I tell you Louisa these country manners become too much."

"I agree, Caroline," her sister replied, "but we may take comfort in the fact that she is out of the house, and pray that she does not return for some time."

Caroline smirked, "Quite right Louisa, and if you have not noticed Mr. Darcy is still in the library."

The sisters strolled to the drawing room with satisfied smiles on their faces.

"Father," Elizabeth cried as she ran to him, hands outstretched in welcome. "I am so happy to see you."

Mr. Bennet looking at her over the rim of his glasses said, "Well Lizzie, it seems if I am to enjoy any intelligent conversation I must come to Netherfield to find it. How does our dear Jane do, Lizzie? Charlotte said she was some better."

"Does that mean that you will soon be home, my dear. Longbourn is an empty place without my two eldest daughters."

"Come Papa, let us walk to the lea where we cannot be eavesdropped upon. I have noticed as I watch from Jane's window that Mr. Bingley's sisters like to walk the garden listening to private conversations on the other side of hedges. Yes, Father, Jane is showing fast improvement but it will be some time before she can be moved. If things progress as they are now, I should be able to come home for a day or two later in the week."

"Well, Lizzie, it seems that your fears for your sister and your mother's visit were pretty much unfounded."

Lizzie turned on him in an instant.

"They were not unfounded, if you could have seen and heard her."

"Please, gasp, Lizzie, cough, please, gasp, I cannot, cough, gasp, gasp, have Mama, gasp, here, gasp. Cough, cough, gasp. I am, gasp, an ungrateful, cough, cough, gasp, gasp, gasp, daughter, but, Cough, cough, gasp, gasp, gasp, you must keep, cough, gasp, gasp, away., cough, cough, gasp. gasp, gasp."

"I am not sorry for what I said to you, Father. I meant it, all of it."

"Lizzie, Lizzie, calm yourself. I am sorry, daughter. I know better than to doubt your word. It is just that I miss you so much, my love. If you can come home for a day or two as you say. I shall be content, I promise."

"How does Mama do with her nurse. Does she have all the neighbors in to see that she is so ill she must have someone to care for her."

Mr. Bennet laughed. I must say, Lizzie, your sending a nurse home with her was a stroke of genius. I have learned a great deal about handling your mothers nerves and palpitations."

"Whatever do you mean, Father," Elizabeth asked, with a grin.

"Whenever your mother has an attack of nerves or palpitations, Mrs. Winston orders her to her bed for the rest of the day, even if she is to go to tea or to play cards with the neighbors. If her sister or one of her friends is visiting the lady sends them home with all dispatch, when she has an attack of nerves. Your Aunt Phillips, I must admit doth protest a great deal, all the way out the door. But she is no match for Mrs. Winston."

"All you mother's pleas and tears go for naught. Mrs. Winston merely says that these only confirm her actions and she must insist that as her patient your mother must rest until she gives her permission to rise. Poor Mrs. Bennet, she has missed two teas at the Lucas' and three at the Long's to say nothing of her daily visits with her sister. I have noticed in the last few days that when she is invited to go out or she asks guest in, she no longer has any trouble with her nerves or her heart."

"Oh, Papa, perhaps she has provided the solution to my Mother's ills, Elizabeth laughed.

"Mr. Bennet would have the lady removed," Mr. Bennet chuckled, "but I remind her that she must not go until after Jane returns. I have another problem though, Lizzie. A platoon of militia is now encamped outside of Meryton and all Lydia and Kitty can think of is soldiers and red coats. I swear Lizzie I would like to send them to your great aunt Pearl on her island. I swear those two get sillier every day."

Elizabeth giggled as she returned to the house after her father departed.

"Mama, I believe you will be in far better health from now on."

Three days later Elizabeth took her leave of Jane.

"Please do not worry yourself about me Lizzie, Jane smiled weakly, I am sure that news from home will make me feel much, much better."

"Poor Father, I can imagine what goes on with a group of soldiers for Lydia and Kitty to pursue.

Lizzie walked home to Longbourn. Her mother was all smiles and hugs as she wailed, "Lizzie, Lizzie it is an age since I have seen you."

"How is my poor dear Jane, how I have worried myself into a state over her, I tell you Lizzie, my nerves are at an end, I shall not e able to sleep until you and Jane are home for good."

"Come Mrs. Bennet, your daughter's return seems to be a little too much for you. You must go your room until your nerves calm down," Mrs. Winston took her hand and pulled her from her chair.

"No, no Mrs. Winston, I vow, my nerves are even now improved. It is Lizzie's return, you see."

"I must insist, Mrs. Bennet. Miss Bennet says she can stay for two or three days. If you rest now as I say I am sure your nerves will be fine for the rest of her visit."

Elizabeth smiled to herself as she heard her mother insisting that she was quite well as she was taken up the stairs by her nurse.

"I'm sure your father will be home soon Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Hill said as she came in to collect the tea things.

"Well, since everyone seems to be in Meryton I think I will just walk down there and see if I am welcome at Aunt Phillips' party."

As she walked into her aunt's parlor she was welcomed by her aunt with open arms.

"Lizzie, Lizzy," she heard Lydia shout as she raced across the room, Kitty in tow, to greet her. "Is it not wonderful, Lizzie, all the redcoats. What fun we have had while you were playing nurse at Netherfield. All the soldiers. Are they not a sight to behold."

"See that handsome one speaking to Mary Long. His mane is Wickham, is he not the handsomest man you have ever beheld. He is new to the army but no one does more for a red coat than him."

"Lizzie, Kitty whispered, "he is from Derbyshire and he knows Mr. Darcy."

"They grew up together. Can you believe that, Lizzie."

After an introduction Mr. Wickham sat her down on a sofa and sat down beside her.

"I understand that you are friends with Mr. Darcy," He smiled. "I am acquainted with the gentleman, as I would imagine your sisters have informed you."

"I would hardly call us friends," Elizabeth answered, "we are acquainted though."

Mr. Wickham had heard just what he wanted to and proceeded to tell her of the great wrong Mr. Darcy had done him after the deaths of their fathers. How he had withheld the living His father had willed to him and left him nearly penniless,

Lizzie was aghast, "I am shocked, she said, I know Mr. Darcy to be proud and arrogant, but to do these things in spite of his father's wishes. It is insupportable."

"I am well, do not worry about me. I have my commission, all these fine friends. All in all I would say that I am better off by far than Mr. Darcy."

"But you must have legal recourse," Lizzie answered. "My uncle is an attorney. I am sure he would help you, come let us speak to him."

"No, no," Wickham said quickly, "I could not do that to the memory of my godfather Mr. Darcy, I could not let it be known that his son does not honor his wishes. It would be a stain on the memory of that dear man, who loved me so much. No, Miss Bennet, I am quite content. I must ask you not to say anything of this to your uncle."

"If you wish," Lizzie was indignant, "I must admire your protecting the Darcy name in your love for Mr. Darcy's father."

Wickham smiled at her retreating back. He had planted the seed, as planned. He was sure that as a woman she would never keep this to herself and her could set back and enjoy Darcy's embarrassment.

"Good, show Georgie," he grinned.

Mr. Bennet wondered what was wrong with his favorite daughter. She had come home for a visit but she seemed distracted and inattentive. She assured him that her mood had nothing to do with Jane's illness but she would say nothing more.

Lizzie decided to return to Netherfield to see Jane but she refused the use of the carriage telling her father she needed the walk to think. As she walked across the meadow to Netherfield she was met by the last person in the world she wished to see.

"Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said, "I see you are returning to see how your sister does. Mrs. Barch said only this morning that she is improving every day. If I may have a word with you Miss Bennet, please. It is important, I assure you."

Lizzie sat down on the stile as Mr. Darcy paced back and forth before her, taking deep breaths and looking at her strangely, as she thought.

"It will not do," he said with a deep breath, "In vain I have struggled. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how much I love and admire you."

Elizabeth could only stare in disbelief.

He proceeded to tell her of his struggles with his growing passion for her. He knew his family would be opposed. He then proceeded to tell her that in spite of his feeling of the inferiority of her family and the degradation he felt, he wished to marry her.

Elizabeth took a long deep breath before replying.

"In such cases as this, I believe the established mode is to express a sense of obligation for the sentiment avowed however unequally they may be returned. If I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot-I have never desired your good opinion and you have certainly given it most unwillingly. I am sorry to cause pain to anyone and I hope will be of short duration."

Mr. Darcy stared at her in disbelief. At last after a struggle with his emotions he said: "And this is all the reply I am to have the honor of expecting! I might, with to be informed why, with so little endeavor at civility I am rejected."

"I might inquire, with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you choose to tell me that you like me against your will and your reason, even against your character. Was this not an excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil. Do you think, sir that any consideration would tempt me to accept a man who means to ruin the happiness of my most beloved sister."

At his look of shock, she went on.

"Yes Mr. Darcy I heard you and Miss Bingley plotting to separate my sister and Mr. Bingley. You cannot deny it."

"You were eavesdropping," Darcy snarled, "I expect that of Mr. Bingley's sister, but I thought better of you, Miss Bennet."

"I had come down to get a book to read and fell asleep there on the sofa," Elizabeth explained. "Your voices awoke me. Miss Bingley does have a rather sharp voice, as you must know. I heard her ask you to intercede and convince her brother that he must not marry Jane. That she does not care for him and is only after his money. I heard her say that you had done this before. I can assure you Mr. Darcy that my sister cares deeply for Mr. Bingley, more that either of you, I would say."

"I have no intention of interfering with Bingley's pursuit of your sister," Darcy answered, "unless he himself asks. It is true I have done so in the past but only at his request, never anyone else's. I have seen Bingley in love so many times. He gets himself involved and then comes to me for help. I most certainly do not do for any of his sisters. I have observed your sister with Mr. Bingley, Miss Bennet, but I have never noticed any feelings for him, though she accepts his attentions with pleasure."

"Jane does not show her feelings any more than you, Mr. Darcy, I am sure that no one would ever believe you have any feelings for me. I have another reason for my dislike of you though Mr. Darcy. I met Mr. Wickham at my Aunt Phillips card party and he told me of your treatment of him."

"I am sure he had quite a tale to tell, knowing Mr. Wickham," Darcy snapped.

"Indeed he has told me of his misfortunes, all of your doing. You have reduced him to a state of poverty and withheld from him the advantages you know were meant for him. You have deprived him of the independence that is his due. Believe me Mr. Darcy after speaking with Mr. Wickham nothing could have made me accept you even if had you acted in a more gentlemanlike manner. You could not have made your offer in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept you."

"From the very beginning of our acquaintance your manners have impressed me with your arrogance, your conceit and a selfish disdain for the feelings of others. I had not known you a month before I knew that you were the last man on earth I should ever wish to marry."

She stepped down from the stile in preparation to leave him there.

"One moment Miss Bennet, I must be allowed to defend myself on the charges laid at my door by you concerning Mr. Wickham."

Elizabeth impatiently sat down again as he paced back and forth before starting.

"You are quite correct Miss Bennet. Mr. Wickham and I are long acquainted. We played together as boys and my father was fond of him and paid for his education. My dear father, like your sister Jane could never see any evil in anyone. But I as the years went by could see Mr. Wickham's growing cruelty and dishonesty. His love of gaming and drink and his insufferable treatment of women."

"He is charming to be sure, but when he gets what he wants they are thrown aside and he moves on to the next one. Five years ago my father died and left him the sum of 1000 pounds and the living at Kempton in the church there. My attorney informed Mr. Wickham of my father's wishes and he sent me a letter saying he had no interest in the church. He asked instead, for 3000 pounds, saying he wished to read for the law instead."

"I granted his wish and gave him a cheque for the 3000 pounds, and he left. Almost three years later he was back at Pemberley demanding the post at Kempton. He demanded that I send the present clergyman away and give him the parish. he cried that I must honor my father's wishes. I knew that he had been gambling a great deal and he was deeply in debt, but I had given him what he wanted and I knew he was not a fit man for the church so I refused his demands."

"He left in a rage. How he lived I know not, but it would seem he has joined the militia. For that I commend him. This Miss Bennet is all I can tell you of my dealings with Mr. Wickham. If you doubt my word you may ask my cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam who is co-executor of my father's will knows all about these transactions. Colonel Fitzwilliam is even now at Netherfield, having arrived whilst you were at Longbourn. I bid you good day Miss Bennet."

Walking to his horse which had been tethered nearby he rode off.

Elizabeth stared after him.

"I must have time to think on this," she said, "I must try to get into the house without any of the Bingleys knowing it. I must go to my room and think on this. Have I been so wrong about Mr. Darcy."

Chapter 9

Posted on Tuesday, 20 May 2003

Elizabeth went at once to Jane's room. She found her sister sitting up eating a bowl of gruel and in high spirits.

"Oh Lizzie, I feel so much better," she exclaimed, "I am sure I shall soon be well enough to go home. Come Lizzie, sit here and give me all the news of home. I am so anxious to hear about my dear family. How is Mama, is Father well? Does Mama still enjoy having her own private nurse?

"Are my sisters enjoying the redcoats, I would imagine Kitty and Lydia are, while Mary would find them beneath her notice. Ohh, how I am going on, I'm sorry Lizzie I ask you a question and then give you mo time to answer before I ask another."

Lizzie and Charlotte laughed.

"Jane, Jane dearest Jane how wonderful it is to se you are gaining your strength and can utter a complete sentence without gasping for breath," Elizabeth smiled.

"Mr. Bingley sends me flowers every day and is allowed to stand in the door to give me his good wishes," Jane said gently. "He has been so attentive, Lizzie, it makes me so happy."

"How could he not be attentive," Lizzie laughed, "he is in love with you, sister, of that I am sure."

"What of his sisters," she turned to Charlotte, "do they come to visit too?"

"Only for short periods and infrequently," Charlotte answered grimly, "I think they count the days till they are rid of all of us."

"I have no doubt of that," Elizabeth replied.

"Please, Lizzie, Charlotte," Jane exclaimed, "Louisa and Caroline have been most kind, do not speak so of them, I beg you."

"Mr. Darcy's cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has come the day after you returned to Longbourn," Charlotte changed the subject, "he is a very charming man. we have enjoyed his company so very much since his arrival."

"His cousin," Elizabeth exclaimed, "I have heard nothing of a cousin."

"You will enjoy meeting him, I am sure," Charlotte said.

Mrs. Larch entered the room and smiled at Elizabeth. "What do you think of our invalid, Miss Elizabeth, she looks well, does she not."

Lizzie wished Mrs. Larch and Charlotte would go. She wanted very much to talk to Jane. She needed to talk to someone about what had happened when she was on her way back to Netherfield. She knew Jane would be shocked to find that Mr. Darcy had proposed and that she had refused his offer.

What would Jane think? Would she be displeased. Jane as always found Mr. Darcy to have redeeming qualities.

Since it seemed she was not to have any time alone with Jane and it was nearing time to dine she decided to go to her room and change for dinner. She knew it would be unpleasant. She would be uncomfortable with Mr. Darcy there but perhaps the cousin who Charlotte liked so much would ease the tension.

As she went to her room she found that Mrs. Larch had followed her out of the room.

"Your sister is doing so well that she might be able to go home with in ten days, she said, the doctor has been most pleased with her."

"What a good doctor he is. I have seen him perform miracles like this so often. He is the best there is."

"Oh, my," Elizabeth exclaimed, "you and the doctor have been here so long and I have not thought to thank Mr. Bingley for bringing you."

"Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Larch cried, "Mr. Bingley had nothing to do with our coming. It was Mr. Darcy."

"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth gasped, "Mr. Darcy is the one who brought you here. I cannot believe it. Mr. Darcy, who never says anything but to criticize. He is the last person I would have imagined to do such a kindness."

"It seems you know little of Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Larch looked at her with scorn. "He is the kindest most thoughtful man in England, always has been, even as a child. There is not a person in Derbyshire who has not at some time received some kindness from him. "His servants adore him and his tenants would lay down their lives for him. He is the best landlord and Master in all of England.

"Let me tell you about this young man, who has so much laid upon his shoulders at such a young age. Running an estate and raising a sister. These are heavy duties indeed, but he has taken them on and done as well or even better than his dear father. How he does love Miss Georgiana. There is nothing he would not do for her. Even me and the other two ladies her doing the nursing have much to be grateful to him for."

Mrs. Barch had one son. A brilliant young man who had no interest in farming. Instead he had a bent for the law and Mr. Darcy's father paid for his education when he realized that Robert was too intelligent to be wasted on the farm."

"He is a successful attorney in London and married a young woman who considered his family beneath her. When Mr. Barch died of the flux there was no one to take over his farm and Mr. Darcy had to get another tenant to replace him. My sister went to London to stay with Robert but she was very unhappy there. A year after my own husband and Mr. Winston were killed in a carriage turnover. Since neither of us had children we too were left without a home.

"Mr. Darcy, God bless him, came to us after the funeral and said that the Dower House in London was empty and needed a tenant to keep it up. He said that since the two of us and my sister were all three midwives, Mrs. Winston and I delivered Miss Georgiana, he knew a young doctor who could use our services and would be all to happy to have us to do some nursing for him.

"We have been there for the past four years and are as grateful as it is possible to be to this thoughtful kind young man. It has been a happy arrangement for all of us. We can keep in touch with Mr. Darcy and Miss Georgiana and we have full useful lives, thanks to him."

Elizabeth stared in disbelief, could she be so wrong about Mr. Darcy. "Would you know Mr. Wickham," she said barely above a whisper.

"Wickham, what do you know of that ungrateful wretch. After all Mr. Darcy's father did for him, he has done nothing but make trouble for that family. When Mr. Darcy died he left him some money plus the living at the parsonage at Kimpton. He sailed into town saying that he had no intentions of taking vows and wanted money instead.

"Young Mr. Darcy gave him a cheque for 3000 pounds with the understanding that he was going to pursue the law. He spent nearly a month in town waving the cheque in everyone's faces, ordering fine clothes and running up bills at the inn and all about town; promising to send everyone their money when he returned to London and cashed the cheque.

"A year later no one had heard a word from him and they still were waiting to be paid. Mr. Blakewell the blacksmith mentioned it to Mr. Darcy, who tried to find the scoundrel, but he was nowhere to be found. Mr. Darcy paid the bills, since he felt that as Mr. Wickham had been a former resident of Pemberley he, Mr. Darcy was responsible to the people in town.

"Two years ago Wickham returned with no money and no prospects. He had to stay in Kempton since no one in town would have him. He went to Pemberley every day for a week demanding that Mr. Darcy now give him the living promised by his father. Everyone knew he was the last one who should be given such a responsibility including Mr. Darcy, who refused his demands.

He came into town ranting about how Mr. Darcy had no honor and would not give him what was rightly his, promising to have his revenge. How glad everyone was when he was gone.

"How do you know of him, Miss Bennet?"

"He is in Meryton with the militia, he is an officer with them," Elizabeth replied.

"Good Lord help us," Mrs. Larch gasped, "Wickham, a redcoat. You keep your young sisters away from him Miss Bennet. He likes young girls. When he left Kimpton he left the innkeepers 13-year-old daughter with child. He is a seducer of the worst sort."

"Oh, dear," Elizabeth cried, "what happened to that poor girl?"

"She was too young and she died in childbirth," Mrs. Larch replied, "she left a boy for her parents to raise. You look pale Miss, I had better leave you now, you have much to think upon," Mrs. Larch said as she walked out the door.

Elizabeth fell onto the bed and covered her eyes.

"What a fool I have been, she wept, I turned away from the best man and welcomed the attentions of the worst scoundrel in all of England if all that Mrs. Larch has said is true. I have accused Mr. Darcy of pride and vanity when it is my own that has been my undoing. He will despise me forever now, and I find that he is the best of men. Vanity, vanity, Elizabeth it is your bane."

Dressing quickly she stopped by Jane's room to find her alone and wanting to talk. As she poured her story out to Jane. Her sister wept.

"Poor Mr. Darcy, such a good man and so unhappy," she sighed, "You must find a way to let him know that you have changed your feelings, Lizzie. He deserves nothing less."

"How Jane, he will not speak to me after what I said to him and I do not deserve his forgiveness, I have acted in such a dreadful manner."

As she entered the dining room she noticed a tall young man in a redcoat speaking to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.

"Miss Bennet, Mr. Bingley called cheerful you must come and meet our new guest."

As she was introduced to Colonel Fitzwilliam she saw a twinkle in his eye and knew that she was going to like this man very well. She enjoyed the evening in spite of the uncomfortable feeling between her and Mr. Darcy who remained quiet all evening in spite of the Colonel and Miss Bingley's attempts to draw him out.

Colonel Fitzwilliam coaxed all evening to get her to play and sing for them. In spite of her protests he at last succeeded telling her that Mr. Darcy had sung her praises to him since his arrival saying that he had seldom heard anyone who pleased him more.

As she played and sang she could feel Mr. Darcy's eyes on her the entire time. She was so uncomfortable that she told the company that she was tired and wished to go to say goodnight to her sister and was ready to retire. Making her goodnights she hurried away.

Miss Bingley was not happy after hearing Colonel Fitzwilliam say that Mr. Darcy enjoyed Miss Bennet's performing above anyone else.

"Miss Bennet has a nice little voice, she sneered and if she had proper training I suppose she could play the pianoforte reasonably well. She will never achieve the mastery that your dear Georgiana has though Mr. Darcy, I am sure we can all agree on that."

"Excuse me, I believe I shall retire myself," Darcy said rising and leaving the room quickly, while Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley gaped in disbelief.

Colonel Fitzwilliam excused himself and followed his cousin. Going to Darcy's room he knocked and walked in.

"What is the matter with you cousin," he asked, "you scarce spoke a word all evening. You snapped at your hostess more than once. This is not like you Darcy, even though I have to admit Miss Bingley can be trying to be sure.

"It's Miss Elizabeth Bennet, isn't it Darcy, you are in love with her."

Darcy turned to glare at him, "What ever are you talking about, in love, what could make you say that."

"Darcy, you have been singing her praises since I arrived. Her beautiful eyes. Her intelligence, her wit, her skill at chess and cards, her playing and singing. The fact that she can speak of things besides fashion and embroidery, that she knows what is going on in the world. That she is a reader and a walker. Tonight your eyes scarce left her face.

"Not that I can blame you, she is a stunner and she does have remarkable eyes, never before have I seen violet eyes and the lashes so long and thick. They bring one's attention to them perfectly.

"Ask her to marry you Darcy, you will never find another so well suited to you"

"She is country nobody," Darcy turned to the window and pulled the curtain aside. "She has no money and no position. Her father's estate is entailed to that toady that Aunt Catherine has taken as a clergyman."

"What do you need of a woman with money," the Colonel snorted, "you have more than enough for two men. What do you know of her family. She may have a pedigree even greater than your own of you check. Where did her father's estate come from. The family must have some connections, even if it is long past.

"There are far too many miserable men who married because the woman was rich and had a place in society. It does not bring happiness in marriage Darcy, as well you know. Look at Hurst, the man is a miserable drunk but he married money and position. Don't make the same mistake, cousin, ask her for her hand, you will never regret it. Life will never be dull with Miss Elizabeth at your side."

Darcy turned again to the window as he said so quietly his cousin could scarcely hear, "She won't have me."

"What," Richard cried, "what do you mean, she won't have you."

"I asked her to marry me this afternoon," Darcy replied, "she refused me."

Richard stared in disbelief, "She refused, I cannot believe it Darcy. You are the most sought after man in the country."

Darcy sat down and told his cousin all that had been said between himself and Elizabeth at the stile that day.

"Wickham," the Colonel snorted, "he is here. The people here must be warned, Darcy. I shall go and talk his commander tomorrow."

"But enough of Wickham, What did she mean, you are arrogant and vain or that you have a selfish disdain for the feelings of others. I have never know anyone as kind as you, cousin.

"I have not been kind here in Herdfordshire, Richard. I did not want to come but Mrs. Ainsley thought it best that I get away for a time. She felt that I was smothering Georgiana and making her unhappier. When we arrived her we went to a dance at the Assembly Hall.

"As I watched all those young girls laughing and dancing it made me angry that they should be so happy while my dear sweet Georgie was there in London so miserable and unhappy. I know it is stupid of me and not the fault of anyone here but I have been as disagreeable as it is possible to be since I have been here. Looking with disdain on everyone showing no kindness to anyone, critizing all. Speaking as little as possible. She was right in her assessment of me, I do not deserve her, but I think I have saved her from Wickham. I do believe she believed what I told her.

"Please leave me now cousin. I need to think and to try to get some sleep before I decide what to do next."

Chapter 10

Posted on Wednesday, 4 June 2003

Colonel Fitzwilliam rose and putting his hand on Darcy's shoulder said, "I'm sorry Darcy, I know this is very painful but I must know, Did you tell her about Geo----?"

Before he could finish the sentence Darcy slapped his hand over his cousin's mouth and pointed to the door.

"What is the matter with you , Darcy, are you daft," Richard snapped as he backed away from him.

"It's Miss Bingley," Darcy whispered, "she loves to eavesdrop. I would wager right now that she is outside the door with her pressed to it. She is the last person I would wish to know about my poor sister."

The Colonel smiled understandingly and moved toward the door quietly saying, "As I was saying Darcy, did you tell her about the new stallion you bought before coming to Herdfordshire?"

"No, she is not a horse lover," Darcy grinned as he watched his cousin reach for the door handle.

As Colonel Fitzwilliam swept open the door to the surprise of neither of them, there stood Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.

"Oh, Colonel Fitzwilliam I, Uhh, that is we, uhh. Well we were just uhh." She turned to her sister, her eyes desperate.

"We, uh," Mrs. Hurst babbled, "we were just passing by."

"Yes, yes we were just passing by," Caroline added.

"But I thought your rooms were at the other end of the hall," Fitzwilliam answered.

"Uhh, we were walking the hall for some exercise," Louisa stammered.

"Yes, yes," Caroline put in, "we were walking the hall and decided that we would knock on Mr. Darcy's door to see if he is quite well, he seemed out of sorts at dinner. I do hope is not feeling ill."

"Are you quite well, Mr. Darcy, I do hope so, I should hate it if you were to catch Miss Bennet's illness."

Turning to her sister she raised her brows and said, "I was right, Louisa, we should have made arrangements to send that girl home. I knew no good would become of her and that sister of hers being her."

"And the visit from her family, Caroline," Louisa answered. "Her mother and sisters nearly made me ill myself before the were kept from here by Mrs. Winston."

"We have a great deal to thank that woman for, sister."

"You also Colonel, you have been spared the embarrassment of meeting the rest of the Bennet family. I am sure your dear cousin can tell you that."

Darcy turned from the window that he had been facing since his cousin threw the door open.

If Miss Bingley had been more observant she would have seen his shoulders shaking with laughter as he listened to the sisters try to talk themselves out of the situation.

"I am quite will, Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, I thank you for your felicitations, but I am very tired and would only like to get some sleep."

"I will see you in the morning, cousin, we shall ride early."

"Of course, of course, sir," Miss Bingley simpered as Colonel Fitzwilliam forced them out of the door into the hall saying, "I will escort you ladies to your rooms, mine are just past them."

"Why, thank you sir," Caroline cooed, "you are such a gentleman, but who would expect anything less from the son of the Earl of Matlock."

Rolling his eyes up at Darcy, Richard shut the door and proceeded down the hall between the sisters.

Louisa decided to go to her sister's room for a little goodnight chat she said as he left them.

He grinned as he went to his own room where he left the door open a crack just to see if he could hear anything the sisters might say.

"Oh dear, Caroline, do you think they believed us, I nearly died when the door opened so quickly. I was at a loss for words, I thought that you would think quickly enough to spare us the embarrassment of being caught listening outside the door."

"Did you hear anything, Caroline."

"Only a few words from the Colonel wondering if Darcy had told someone about a horse. Whoever it was is not a lover of horses because Mr. Darcy said he didn't say anything to them for that reason."

"I wonder who that could have been, I know of no one except Miss Bennet who dislikes horses."

Caroline snorted, "I doubt very much Louisa if it was Miss Eliza. Why would Mr. Darcy bother to tell her of a new horse."

"I suppose you are right, sister," Louisa answered, "well goodnight, Caroline."

Richard chuckled as he shut his door the rest of the way. "So the sisters were there to eavesdrop, he thought, but you have been doing the same Fitzwilliam, and for good cause."

The next morning Fitzwilliam and Darcy left early for their ride after eating a quick breakfast. As they rode to the top of ---mount they tethered their horses and sat down to talk.

"As I was asking last night, did you tell Miss Bennet about Wickham's attempt to elope with Georgie," Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

"No, I must protect my sister at all costs," Darcy walked to the edge of the mount and stared down.

"Do you not trust her," Fitzwilliam asked, "I thought she seemed most reliable, but them I have not had the pleasure of getting to know her well."

"Yes, I believe she is one of the few people I would trust, but I saw no reason to bring Georgie into this. She has suffered enough."

"You must tell her, Darcy," Richard begged, "It will help your cause if she were to know how very much you have had to suffer at the hands of that man."

"I cannot take the chance of Georgiana suffering anymore pain, even if it means that I might have a chance to make amends and win the hand of the woman I love. No, Fitzwilliam, It will have to be left to Georgie to bear the heir to Pemberley. I know that I can never love again."

Turning to his cousin he said, "She is the only woman I could ever love, Fitz, she is the only one who sees me as a man and not an estate and a place in society. I shall love her till my death Richard."

His cousin was startled by the look of deep pain on Darcy's face. He knew his cousin well, he knew that what Darcy said was true. The Darcy men had always married for love and this one felt so even more than his father, who had loved his Lady Anne so deeply that for all intents and purposes he died with her.

He recalled how his favorite uncle had become a recluse after his beloved wife's death. How Fitzwilliam had had to take over the running to the estate and the raising of his sister. Well, he wasn't going to let that happen here if he could help it. He would find a way to get these two together or his name wasn't Richard Geoffrey Edward Fitzwilliam.

As they entered the house on their return they met Miss Bennet in the hall on her way from the breakfast parlor to the upstairs to her sisters bedside.

"Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam," she greeted them with a glorious smile, "did you have an enjoyable ride."

"Indeed we did Miss Bennet, thank you," Richard grinned, "perhaps we can go for a walk in the garden later when you sister is resting."

"I should be delighted, sir," she smiled with a glance at Darcy who stood rooted to the spot.

Watching his cousin mount the stairs after she had disappeared from view, Richard thought, "She doesn't seem to find Darcy repugnant today, perhaps there is a chance Darcy, perhaps there is a chance."

"Colonel, Fitzwilliam, how divine to find you here. Would you like to come into the breakfast room and dine with me," he heard the voice of Caroline Bingley at his shoulder, "Mr. Darcy seems to be in a hurry to get to his room but he is so fastidious I suppose he wants a bath to get rid of the smells from your ride."

"I thank you Miss Bingley, but I breakfasted early." He answered, hoping to escape.

"Oh dear, I do so hate to dine alone and Louisa and Mr. Hurst have not come down yet and Charles has gone to walk in the garden. Would you not come in and have a cup of tea or coffee so that I am not left alone until my sister and Mr. Hurst arrive, or I could send Markham to ask Mr. Darcy to come to me after his bath."

"That will not be necessary, Miss Bingley, I should like a cup of coffee after our ride."

As she took his arm to walk into the breakfast room he thought, "Someday, Darcy, when you and Elizabeth are man and wife I am going to make sure you pay me for all I have put up with to ensure your happiness."

Chapter 11

Posted on Friday, 5 September 2003

Elizabeth spent most of her time in Jane's room in order to avoid the embarrassing meetings with Mr. Darcy. She didn't know what to think or what to do. She knew, after what the nurses had told her about him that she owed him an apology but she was at a loss to know when and how to do it.

He was so cold and silent when she was present, though she could feel his eyes on her most of the time. She had hoped to find him alone in the garden where he walked every day but Miss Bingley was always there either following him or making certain she went with him.

Elizabeth knew from her demeanor that Caroline Bingley was determined to keep herself between Mr. Darcy and the lowly Miss Eliza Bennet. She had enjoyed the walks with Colonel Fitzwilliam though. He laughed at Miss Bingley's pretensions and seemed to enjoy silencing her with his delightful wit. Colonel Fitzwilliam too praised Mr. Darcy for his kindness to his servants and the farmers who worked the land at Pemberley, and their devotion to him.

His contempt for Wickham he did not hide. He had gone to speak to Colonel Foster about he man and informed her that the Colonel had already started to keep a wary eye on his charming officer who had such an eye for the ladies. He had also been approached by several merchants in Meryton about debts owned by Lt Wickham along with rumors about cheating in games of chance.

Jane improved with every passing day and Lizzy hoped that they could soon quit Netherfield for good. She returned home for a sennight to make sure that her mother would not find a way to invade Netherfield and upset Jane again.

Four days after her return home she was overjoyed by the arrival of her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. She loved the two of them most of all her relatives. The wit and intelligence of the two of them made Longbourn a much happier place and she could naught but notice how much her father enjoyed having them there.

Her mother on the other hand found four young children in the house too much for her nerves and took to her room most of the time; giving Lizzy and Mrs. Gardiner time to visit Jane at Netherfield.

Jane's health seemed to improve even more rapidly with the visit from her Aunt Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner found himself most of the time with Mr. Darcy, who stayed at Netherfield whilst the Bingley's visited the neighbors.

After the second visit her talked most of the way home about how well he liked the young man and how her enjoyed his company. It seemed they enjoyed a mutual interest in business as well as fishing and Mr. Darcy had invited him to come to Pemberley to fish in his stream and pond whenever he should visit Netherfield.

"Lizzy, I cannot see why the people here find him proud and distant. I find him most amiable," he said as he handed her from the carriage.

They had been there ten days when and Jane had begun to come downstairs every day; much to Mr. Bingley's delight. She had dinner with them two nights before Elizabeth went home to spend the night to quiet her mother who was upset that Mrs. Gardiner could be allowed to visit her daughter while she was forbidden.

When Elizabeth arrived at Netherfield she found Jane in her room her face aglow with joy.

"Oh Lizzy I am so happy," she cried, "what have I done to deserve such happiness. Mr. Bingley has asked for my hand and I have accepted. He goes to Longbourn even now to speak to Father."

Below, things were not so happy. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were as unhappy about the news as Jane was elated. Accosting Mr. Darcy as he prepared to go for a ride both sisters were beside themselves with distress.

"Mr. Darcy, you promised to put a stop to this courtship before it could get this far," Miss Bingley said heatedly, "you have done it before why could you not stop Charles this time."

Elizabeth was at the top of the stairs preparing to go down to the library to return the books she had in her room. She was in a quandary, she certainly could not go down now in the middle of a heated discussion. If she tried to return to her room she was afraid she would make too much noise and the sisters would accuse her of spying; so she stood there frozen in place, hoping that she was out of their sight.

"I made no such promise, Miss Bingley, I said I would think on it. Yes, I have interceded before, but at your brother's request. He asked for no help to get away from Miss Bennet. Indeed, he, I believe is truly in love this time and he certainly could find no one more suited to be his wife than Miss Jane Bennet.

"Why can you not be happy that he has found such a sweet gentile young woman to marry. She is certainly superior to the false faced young women of the ton. Indeed, I can only wish them the best, they are so well suited to one another."

"It is the sister who has influenced you, Mr. Darcy. I have seen how she throws herself before you, hoping to gain your attention. This marriage is a perfect way for her to get into your good graces and enter society where all of the Bennet sisters may find rich husbands.

"Why are you so blinded to her wiles, why are men always blinded by a pretty face. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in you, Mr. Darcy, to condemn your best friend to a life of misery because Miss Eliza Bennet seeks your favor.

"She thinks that if Jane and Charles are wed you will be favorably inclined toward her and she will become Mistress of Pemberley and the Darcy estates. Can you not see this, sir, you cannot be so blind."

Darcy snorted, "How little you know, Miss Bingley," he gave a short sharp laugh and went out the door.

Elizabeth held her breath lest the sisters noticed her above them. They were too upset to even think of looking anywhere but at each other and they soon turned to go into the saloon.

Elizabeth slipped quietly back to her room.

She stood looking out the window at Mr. Darcy who rode off toward the hills as fast as he could go. She slipped from her room to Jane's to find her sister packing.

"Lizzy I have decided to go home," she smiled, "Doctor Benchley has given his permission and I mean to be off with all haste before Mama finds out about my engagement. You know that nothing can stop her from coming here once she knows.

"She will be impossible, Lizzy, she will embarrass both of us with her crowing and fluttering about. We must go off before Mr. Bingley returns. Perhaps Father will not tell her, but she is no fool when it comes to a husband for one of her daughters, and she will figure out why Mr. Bingley has come to Longbourn to speak with our father. Nothing will stop her then . Please go to your room and pack quickly dear Lizzy. Mrs. Barch will be happy to help you I am sure."

Between herself and the nurse Lizzy was packed in no time and the sisters departed after a hasty goodbye and thank you to the sullen Bingley sisters. As they rode home Lizzy looked out the window. She was happy for Jane and as she said never so glad to leave a place.

Her heart was filled with sorrow though as she thought that she had left without making any kind of peace with Mr. Darcy.

Turning to Jane as they entered the courtyard at Longbourn she said to Jane, "Where was Doctor Benchley today, Jane, I just thought of it but he was not present to send us off."

Jane smiled, "He walked Charlotte home, Lizzie, he walks her home every day, didn't you know."

"Charlotte and Doctor Benchley," Elizabeth gasped, "you cannot be serious, Jane, I saw nothing to make me think they were so well acquainted. How delightful, Jane, they are perfect for one another."

Jane took her arm, "Please, Lizzie, not a word about them to anyone, especially Mama."

Elizabeth laughed and put her finger to her lips.

Mr. Bingley joined and his sisters joined them for dinner that night where he informed them that Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had gone to London and no one knew when Mr. Darcy would return.

Miss Bingley looked even more sour at this, Elizabeth thought.

The Gardiners were to depart for town after the dinner for the happy couple. Mrs. Gardiner asked that Lizzie and Jane to accompany them. She knew the best places to find all that was needed for the wedding and she knew that they both would be happy to get away from Mrs. Bennet at this time.

Though it was hard they finally convinced their mother that it would be best if she stayed in Herdfordshire to make arrangements while they were in town.

Mr. Bingley decided to go too so that he might show Jane his house and see if she had anything she wished to change.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley decided to return also. Caroline declared that she would never live in a house where Jane Bennet was mistress. Mrs. Hurst had no choice but to give her a suite in the Hurst home in spite of her husband's protests.

They had been in London but three days when the maid came into the living room to announce the arrival of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy. They three ladies looked at each other in surprise and arose as the Colonel walked in with a sweet looking young woman who looked frightened to be there.

Elizabeth had known Georgiana Darcy but a few minutes when she knew that she was not proud and haughty as Wickham had told her, merely very, very shy. She was exceedingly surprised therefore when Miss Darcy asked if they could have a few words in private. Walking into the garden with Miss Darcy she was trying with all her might to figure out what this quiet shy girl would wish to speak to her about.

Chapter 12

Posted on Thursday, 11 December 2003

Elizabeth walked with Georgiana to the far side of the garden. When she turned to face her she was shocked and surprised to find her shaking and teary eyed. "Miss Darcy, are you unwell. Please sit down," she gasped as she indicated the bench before them.

"No, no, I am quite unwell, I am just a little nervous, I am not very good at conversing with strangers, but I must have my say," Georgiana whispered.

She paced back and forth for a few minutes while Elizabeth sat quietly watching her thinking, "How much like Mr. Darcy to pace about trying to find the words."

Finally she turned and said abruptly, "Miss Bennet I know that my brother is very much in love with you and that you refused his offer of marriage. It is my fault, it is all my doing."

Elizabeth tried to calm her saying, "It has nothing to do with you Miss Darcy. It is my own vanity and prejudice. I listened to the lies the Mr. Wickham told me about your brother. I believed him when he said that your brother had refused to honor your father's wishes and left him penniless and alone in the world when he would not give him the living at Kympton."

"But William did not refuse him the living. Mr. Wickham refused the living and asked for money instead and my brother paid him. I know this to be true because I saw the cheque. I was there the day he came to collect it."

"I know that now, Miss Darcy, but I was angry at your brother because he refused to dance with me at the Assembly ball and I was all too eager to believe the worst of him because he had injured my pride."

"I know about that and as I have said this is all my fault. Fitzwilliam was angry and upset when he saw all of you dancing and laughing and having a wonderful time. You see, last summer he sent me to Ramsgate in the charge of one of the ladies at the school I was attending.

"Mrs. Young showed a great affection for me and we both trusted her, so Fitzwilliam allowed me to go to Ramsgate with her for a few weeks. He thought I might meet some people my own age and have an enjoyable summer.

"We had not been there but three days when we met Mr. Wickham walking on the beach. He seemed surprised and delighted to see me and acknowledged my introduction of Mrs. Young with great courtesy and charm. We walked every day for ten days when he told me that he had fallen in love with me and wished to marry me.

"How silly and foolish I was. I believed him. I should have been wary when he was nervous about my wanting to write to Fitzwilliam to let him enjoy my happiness. He told me that I should wait for a time to make sure of my feelings before telling my brother.

"A sennight later I again approached the subject and he convinced me that it would be a jolly joke on my brother if we should elope and return to Pemberley from Scotland. It had been nearly three weeks that I had not written to Fitzwilliam so he became alarmed and to our surprise he showed up one day on the beach. I rushed to him almost knocking him down in my excitement and blurted out my happy news.

"He was indeed shocked and surprised and of course said he would have to talk to all of us about this marriage. When I turned to Mr. Wickham and Mrs. Young the looks of shock on their faces made me laugh, but they both recovered quickly and agreed to go to our suite and discuss the marriage.

"Fitzwilliam, my dearest brother, he is so wise. He knew that if he refused adamantly to allow us to marry Mr. Wickham would try to turn me against him, and run away to Gretna Green with him. Mr. Wickham too was surprised at my brother's agreement to the wedding and looked at Mrs. Young with a smile and a wink. I was too silly and too stupid to understand what he was thinking.

"The smile faded quickly when Fitzwilliam informed them that he and cousin Richard would maintain control of my money until I reached the age of 30. Father had stated in his will if they thought that the man I married was a gambler or a drinker and would abuse me or take the money and run away.

"He said he would find a small house in London for us and Mrs. Young could act as housekeeper and general factotum if she wished. He would provide a cook and a kitchen maid as well as a housemaid. He would allow me to have a personal maid but if Mr. Wickham wished to have a man he would have to pay for it himself. He would allow me a clothing allowance and would make arrangement for food and all other household needs so that I would not have to worry about paying any bills.

"It sounded so wonderful to me but as he went on I could see that both Mr. Wickham and Mrs. Young were getting more and more angry and upset. I could not understand why. It seemed to me that it was an ideal arrangement. We would never have to worry about anything. Mr. Wickham disagreed, he insisted that he wanted control of the money and if not he would not go through with the marriage.

"I became alarmed and tried to reassure him but he turned on me saying that he could never love such a silly fool as I, that the only woman he loved was Mrs. Young. He stormed from the room taking her with him saying it was time for them to leave, that their plan had come to nothing.

"I was devastated. I cried for a fortnight day and night. My brother happily found Mr. Ainsley, who has been my companion since. She has been such a blessing to me. She understands so well what it is to have you heart broken and has saved me from myself. She convinced Fitzwilliam to go to Herdfordshire with the Bingleys. She felt that it would do both of us good to be apart for a time. My brother of course did not want to leave me, but I assured him that I would like to see him go. I agreed with Mrs. Ainsley, we needed some time apart.

"He finally agreed and went in spite of his trepidation about spending too much time with Miss Bingley, especially in the same house. That is why he was so angry that night at the assembly, he was, as always thinking of me.

"He felt that he could trust you of all people with my secret, he said, but he just had to protect me, even if it meant his own happiness."

Elizabeth sat looking at her hands for a few minutes.

Finally she raised her head and said quietly and sadly, "You have a truly remarkable and loving brother Miss Darcy, but it is not anything that you have done or said that has put this breech between me and Mr. Darcy. It is my own pride and vanity that has made such a terrible chasm between us. You do not know what dreadful things I said to him.

"A man with your brother's pride could never forget or forgive that."

"But he says that you were entirely correct in what you said to him. He said that he had indeed been prideful and arrogant, without a thought to the feelings of the people in your family or the town of Merryton. He had been no gentleman, he says.

"He loves you still, Miss Bennet, I can see it and hear it when he tells me how much he loves to hear you play and sing because you truly love the music, as I do. He says it was so refreshing to find a woman with whom he could have an intelligent conversation. Who knows what is going on in the world and can speak of something other than lace and beads or feathers. Who can make conversation without abusing and making sport of everyone in the room.

"You love him too, don't you," she cried, " can see it in your face."

"I do, I love him dearly, but it is all too late I fear Miss Darcy."

"Lizzie, Lizzie," they heard Mrs. Gardiner call, "Colonel Fitzwilliam wishes to go, whatever you and Miss Darcy are speaking of will have to wait, I fear."

Georgiana skipped along the path to the house, a smile on her face. She was forming a plan and all she needed was a yes from Mrs. Gardiner.

As Miss Darcy and the Colonel readied to depart Georgiana turned to Mrs. Gardiner and said, "My brother and I would like to have a dinner for the engaged couple. Would tomorrow night be too soon?"

Mrs. Gardiner was surprised and pleased as she answered, "Tomorrow night would be fine, we have no plans for then."

Chapter 12

Posted on Monday, 29 December 2003

As he walked beside Miss Elizabeth Bennet in the park Darcy remembered his sister's excitement the night before as she told him of her visit that day to the Gardiners. He had been surprised to learn that his love was indeed in town and that Georgiana had met her.

Georgiana's words rang through his head, he could scarce believe what she had said.

"She loves you brother. She told me she loves you dearly, but she fears it is too late. She thinks that your pride is too great for you to ever ask for her hand again. She thinks you despise her, Fitzwilliam. I assured her that that was not true but I think she doubts my assertions."

Could this be true, could she love him. Was Georgiana not reading into Elizabeth's words what she wanted to hear. She had said Elizabeth admitted to loving him and ruing her words that day at the stile. Those sounded like the words of a woman who regretted refusing him and had since then fallen in love with him.

He could thank Mrs. Larch for a great deal of that. It seemed from what Georgie had told him that Mrs. Larch had indeed convinced Miss Bennet of Wickham's lies and his true character.

Taking a deep breath he said, "Miss Bennet, my sister tells me that you no longer hate me, if this be true it makes me a very happy man."

"It is true, Mr. Darcy, I have so much to apologise for. My words were spoken in anger and spite. I assumed that you would try to separate my sister and Mr. Darcy; but I find that you are responsible for getting them together again. I am so grateful to you for restoring my dearest sister's happiness.

"I accused you of pride and arrogance but it was I who acted so. I resented your refusal to dance with me and determined to dislike you without knowing you. Such arrogance and pride on my part, I am so ashamed. I believed Mr. Wickham because he confirmed what opinion I had formed of you. He realized my resentment and made the most of it.

"How unfair of me. Of course you would resent the happiness of all of us, dancing and laughing while you dear sweet sister sat in London weeping over Wickham's chicanery." "You said nothing to me that I did not deserve. How arrogant was I to blame all of you for my sister's pain, when you knew nothing of it," Darcy replied. "You have no apology to make to me Miss Bennet."

Taking another deep breath he turned to her and said, "You are too kind to trifle with me, if what Georgiana has told me is true, that you can love me please tell me so at once. I love you so very dearly and again ask for your hand in marriage. If Georgiana has misunderstood please tell me so at once and I shall be silent on the subject forever."

"Dear Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth smiled, "Georgiana does not misunderstand I do indeed love you and would be honored to be your wife."

Darcy stared at her in disbelief, "You have made me the happiest man in England," he grinned taking her hand and kissing it. "When do you return to Herefordshire?" I would speak to you father as soon as may be. I want to take you for my wife as soon as possible."

"My father arrives today, he should be at Uncle Gardiners when we arrive back there," Elizabeth laughed. "He will shocked and surprised, but he will be happy for me when he learns how much I wish to be Mrs. Darcy.

"My mother, though!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could spare you her raptures when she finds that she is to have another wedding at Longbourn. If we could make it a double wedding it would be delightful.

"Oh, dear, we have walked and talked longer than I thought. We must hurry back to Gracechurch Street. My aunt will be worried and my father beside himself."

Calling to Jane and Bingley they all hurried back to the Gardiner's where Mr. Darcy spoke to Mr. Bennet with all haste and received his blessing on the betrothal after receiving Elizabeth's assurances that she did love Mr. Darcy and wanted to marry him. He acceded to her request that they not say anything to her mother until they reached home."

Never had Bingley or Georgiana seen Mr. Darcy so happy. He paced back and forth looking out the window for the Gardiner's carriage.

Caroline Bingley, however, was not so happy.

"What is wrong with Mr. Darcy," she thought, "he seems to be on edge tonight. I suppose it is because Georgiana invited those people to dinner. What was the girl thinking, to invite a tradesman from Cheapside to dine not only in the Darcy house but to do so when the Earl and Countess of Matlock were there.

"I must speak to the girl about associating with people of such low rank.

Darcy hurried to greet the guests who were now arriving. He wanted to introduce them to his favorite aunt and uncle. When he had told them of his betrothal they were surprised and a little concerned in spite of the glowing reports from their own son Colonel Fitzwilliam.

They promised to reserve judgment until they met the Bennets and the Gardiners. His uncle was sure that he was acquainted with Mr. Gardiner through some dealings and his aunt wondered if this was the same Mrs. Gardiner who was so active with the Society For The Poor.

"Bennet, Bennet," his lordship had said. "I wonder if this could be the same Thomas Bennet who used to come to the chess club to play. He was had to best."

When the introductions were made they were all happy and relieved to find that they were old friends and the evening went well. As Lady Matlock watched the two Bennet girls through the dinner she began to see why these two young men should love them and Darcy's obvious happiness was a joy to see. The girl was perfect for him, he had chosen well.

"Poor Catherine," she thought. "She will be fit to be tied."

She smiled to herself as she thought of her most disliked sister in-law. She knew that Lady Catherine Debourg had planned for over twenty years to marry her sickly daughter Anne to Darcy. Now all her plans were dashed. Catherine would be in a rage.

Caroline Bingley was not a happy diner. Why did Mr. Darcy pay so much attention to these lowly guests while almost ignoring her and the Hursts. It was most unseemly. Georgiana too seemed to be taken with Miss Eliza and laughed and talked to her much of the evening.

Why did she never talk to like she does to her, Caroline thought. What has Miss Eliza Bennet done to enchant the Darcy's. Did they not see what she was. A social climber who was after Mr. Darcy for his wealth and position.

Well she would take care of that.

"Miss Eliza, she said coyly, how dull it must seem to you to be here in town with no redcoats coming and going."

"I have enjoyed London very much, Miss Bingley. Why should you think we would miss Meryton when we have the opera, the theater and the shops to enjoy here."

"Oh, I thought you might be missing Mr. Wickham, I know what a favorite he is of yours," she purred a smirk on her face.

Everyone jumped at the clatter of a knife as Georgiana dropped it, turning pale and looking desperate.

Elizabeth laughed, "Miss Darcy, I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who drops things. I have been trying so hard to be careful this evening so I do not drop anything as I have done in the past, so many times.

"Do you remember Jane when I dropped my soup spoon and knocked my bowl of soup into Lord Weatherby's lap as I tried to retrieve it." "Or the time you dropped your butter knife down the cleavage of your Aunt Phillips when she pinched you and made you jump," Mrs. Gardiner put in with a laugh.

Georgiana was so grateful to them she could have kissed all of them as they laughed and told of their own embarrassing moments. It seemed that all of them had done something at some time to be red-faced about.

Darcy smiled at Elizabeth with heartfelt love and gratitude. She had turned a humiliating moment for his sister into a triumph of fun and remembrances.

Caroline could not understand and she was angry. What she had hoped would be an embarrassing moment for Eliza Bennet had instead turned into what could have been a humiliation for Miss Darcy were it not for the Bennets.

She could feel a headache coming on. The evening in which she had hoped to shine was becoming a disaster. Mr. Darcy had glared at her with such anger contempt after she mentioned Wickham and he instead of finding Miss Bennet beneath him for her seeming preference for Wickham he was grateful to the tart for rescuing his sister.

Thank God they were leaving on the morrow for Longbourn. Charles was going back to Netherfield but she was staying in town. She wanted to make herself the best friend Georgiana would ever wish for and therefore put herself in a better light with Mr. Darcy. When the Bennets were gone she would spend as much time at Darcy House as possible.

"I will have him," she thought, "I will never let her win."

Chapter 13

Posted on Monday, 15 March 2004

Elizabeth smiled as she thought of this day.

Her sisters had gone to Meryton and her mother had gone to her room to rest for the ball at Netherfield tonight.

She knew, when her father came to the door and motioned her to follow him, that it was time to tell her mother the news of her engagement to Mr. Darcy and she sighed as she wondered what her reaction would be.

They had decided before Mr. Bennet left London to return to Longbourn that they would say nothing to Mrs. Bennet until the last possible minute. Mr. Bennet had agreed that it would be best to spare Mr. Darcy the vulgarities of Aunt Phillips and Mrs. Bennet as long as possible.

Tonight Mr. Bennet planned to make the announcement the at the Netherfield ball.

Elizabeth knew how much her father was looking forward to springing the surprising news to friends and family and friends in this way.

She and Jane had spent six wondrous weeks in town before Jane and Mr. Bingley returned to Herdfordshire to tell Mrs. Bennet of their betrothal.

Jane's letters had only made her more determined not to let her mother know of her engagement til now.

Poor Mr. Bingley, Jane had said, He had to suffer daily the pandering and gushing from both their aunt and their mother.

"Such a dear man," Jane had written, "he smiles and answered all their embarrassing questions with such amiability."

The time they spent in town was made even more enjoyable by the departure of Miss Bingley and the Hurst's as soon as Mr. Bingley told them he was going to marry Jane. Though they gave many excuses Elizabeth knew they were leaving town to escape the possibility of having to entertain the lowly Bennets and heaven forbid they should have to introduce them to their friends in society.

She and Jane had had the most glorious time of their lives going to card parties, plays, dinners, and the opera with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy and his sister

Since Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and for six weeks, Mr. Bennet was with them always no one suspected that she and Mr. Darcy were to be wed to. Everyone knew Mr. Bingley and Jane were to be married and congratulations flew everywhere they went

People fell in love with Jane at first meeting, and who could blame them, she thought.

Mr. Darcy had wished to keep his proposal a quiet until he could go to Kent to tell his Aunt, Lady Catharine Debourg that he was not to marry his cousin, Lady Anne Debourg.

Elizabeth worried about her sister Mary and her new husband Mr. Collins, who was Lady Debourg's clergyman.

Mr. Darcy was certain his aunt would be furious but he doubted that she would dismiss Mr. Collins whose toad-eating ways suited her ladyship very well.

When he had come to Longbourn two days ago he told her of his aunt's rage and her threat to send Mary and Mr. Collins from, Rosings at once if he did not promise to forget this engagement and post the banns with Anne at once. He had not relented, but assured Mr. Collins that he would find him a post if Lady Catherine made good on her threat.

As her father knocked on her mothers door Mrs. Bennet answered angrily that this had better be important if they were to interrupt her rest.

"Well," she whined "what is so dire that I cannot get my sleep. Are the tenants rising up against us?"

"NO, Mrs. Bennet," he replied, "it is not about the tenants it is about Mr. Darcy."

"Mr. Darcy," she snapped, "what has he done to you now Lizzie. Dreadful man, how I despise him even if he is Mr. Bingley's best friend."

"Well, Lizzie, what are we to do now," Mr. Bennet grinned, "I have given my consent to your marriage to Mr. Darcy and now your mother tells us she despises him and would rather never lay eyes on him again.

"Dear me, my love, we do have a problem here, but you will be living in Derbyshire and London so she will not have to entertain him and I shall be glad to visit you whenever I can."

Mrs. Bennet stared at the two of the her mouth agape.

Lizzie was beginning to wonder about her mother's health it was so long since she had even breathed.

Finally, Mrs. Bennet let out a squeak and rising walked about her couch four times before falling back into it only to rise and take three more trips around it before she squealed.

"Lizzie, Lizzie, my dearest Lizzie, Marriage to Mr. Darcy. Oh my dear girl, what jewels, what carriages, what clothes you will have. Why you will have more pin money than most people make a year.

"My dear girl, you must let cook know what our dear Darcy's favorite foods are so that we can serve them when he comes to Longbourn. Oh, dear, what time is it, do I have time to run to Meryton to tell my sister the wonderful news.

"You will tell no one until I announce it at the ball tonight Mrs. Bennet her husband said, sternly we will make it a surprise. Can you just imagine the looks on the faces when they hear,"

"But I must tell Phyliss, Mr. Bennet," she wailed, "you cannot be so cruel as to rob me of the chance to inform my family."

"No one," Mr. Bennet repeated, and when he saw the stubborn look cross her face he went on, "if I suspect one word gets out the wedding will be in London, I promise, Mrs. Bennet."

"Ohh, Mr. Bennet," she wailed, "Lizzie, you are so cruel."

"Mama, Mama, they heard from below, where are you Mama, we have dreadful news, our hearts are breaking."

"Lydia and Kitty," Mrs. Bennet, smiled slyly.

As she started to rise her husband put his hand on her shoulder.

"Not a word, Mrs. Bennet," he said sharply.

"Mama," Lydia wailed as they descended the stairs.

"That dreadful Colonel Fitzwilliam has come to town with a lady and he says she is Mr. Wickham's wife."

"Mrs Foster says it is true, what are we to do, she says they will be at Netherfield tonight."

Chapter 14

Posted on Monday, 15 March 2004

"Mr. Wickham, married," Mrs. Bennet gasped. "Oh dear, oh dear, my poor Lydia, and he has been showing you so much attention. This must be a falsehood my dear, I am sure Mrs. Foster is mistaken, it cannot be.

"Oh, dear, oh dear, my smelling salts, my smelling salts, Lizzie. Oh how could it be. Mr. Wickham, so charming, so handsome. I am going to faint, give me your arm Mr. Bennet."

"Perhaps Mrs. Bennet you will be too ill to go to Netherfield," was his reply. "Lydia, Kitty you will stay at home with your mother, she is becoming to ill to attend such a large function and I can see that you two are too upset to go either, especially you Lydia."

"No, no Father," the girls shouted in unison. "We will be well in time to go to the ball.

"I know I shall be the most well person there," Lydia cried, "I shall dance with all the redcoats. Lt. Denny will be only too happy to gain my attention. I know he has been very jealous of Lt. Wickham."

"I too am feeling much better, my dear Mr. Bennet and I can see that Kitty is too," Mrs. Bennet assured him.

"Come girls it is time to prepare we must look our best, you will be the most beautiful and popular girls there.

"Mr. Bingley's sisters arrived yesterday and we must not let them look finer than the Bennets so get on those lovely dresses Lizzie and Jane brought you from London and show everyone that the Bennet girls are as fine as any of the ladies in London."

The dinner was finished and the orchestra was setting up for the dancing when Mr. Bennet arose.

"As you know this ball is to celebrate the engagement of our daughter Jane to Mr. Bingley, however Sir William Lucas has an announcement to make so I give over to him."

To great applause he sat down with a look at Lizzie as Sir William rose, smiling hugely.

"My dear friends Lady Lucas and I are proud to announce the engagement of our daughter Charlotte to Dr. Benchley of London."

Claps and congratulations followed to Sir William and Lady Lucas' delight.

Mr. Bennet again arose.

"Come sister," Miss Bingley said taking Mrs. Hurst's arm, "let us go to the sitting room, I do not want to be a part of the congratulations and glad-handing which will go on when he is done."

Mrs. Hurst agreed, "What is Doctor Benchley thinking," she sighed, "Charlotte Lucas. I doubt the Earl will be happy about his son, marrying a nobody from Meryton."

"Where is Mr. Darcy and Georgiana, where is she?" Miss Bingley looked about the room, "I am sure they will want to be with us. I know they will not but condone Charles rash act."

"The are there with the Bennets," Mrs. Hurst, replied, "why are they there, Caroline."

Mr. Bennet made the formal announcement of the impending marriage between his eldest daughter and Mr. Bingley. Holding up his hand to stop the clapping and shouting he said with a satisfied grin, "We have a second betrothal to announce tonight, our daughter Elizabeth is engaged to marry Mr. Darcy."

A shocked silence filled the room as Mr. Darcy took Elizabeth's hand and brought it to his lips.

The silence was broken by a scream from the doorway of the room next to the ball room.

"No, no, no," a woman's voice screeched.

"Oh dear, that sounds like Caroline," Mr. Bingley cried.

Louisa Hurst jerked her sister out of the ballroom into the sitting room. Leading her across the room to the far side she shouted over the noise of the crowd at Mr. Bennets announcement.

"Control yourself Caroline, do not let them see your dismay. You must never let the Bennets know that you wished to marry Mr. Darcy."

"I cannot be silent about this, Louisa, he is mine, he is mine, sister, and I will never let Eliza Bennet have him."

"It is too late Caro," Mr. Hurst said, "over his wineglass. Too bad Caro, you lost to that country nobody."

"Get out, get out you stupid drunk," she screeched, "get him away from me Louisa or I shall not be responsible for my actions."

As Mr. Hurst, laughing, left the room as Caroline turned to her sister saying, "I must put a stop to this Louisa. I must speak to him. I must make him see that she is unfit to be Mistress Of Pemberley.

"I must speak to Georgiana, to Lady Matlock, I am sure she will not condone this marriage. Perhaps I should go to Kent to see Lady Catherine ."

"Stay out of it Caroline, you will only succeed in making Mr. Darcy angry. Do you wish to be banned from Pemberley, from all the Darcy homes and friends. If you try to interfere that is exactly what will happen."

"Nonsense, Mr. Darcy and I have been friends too long for him to give up our friendship for a country chit. Wait and see Louisa, I will prevail with Georgiana's help."

"Stop it, Caroline, stop it now. Have you not noticed how well Georgiana gets on with Miss Eliza, she loves her already as does her brother."

"I have seen it in the way he looks at her, Caroline as you have if you just admit it. Is that not why you have always hated Eliza, because you knew Mr. Darcy favored her from the beginning of their acquaintance. Now stop sniveling and raise your head up and return to the ballroom and our guests. The dancing is about to start."

Chapter 15

Posted on Sunday, 22 August 2004

"Caroline, you must get control of yourself," Mrs. Hurst snapped, "you must not let these people know of your unhappiness at the engagement of Mr. Darcy and Miss Eliza Bennet. Can you not imagine how they would laugh at the thought of you losing your dream to her."

"Of course, sister, you are quite right, I must remember who I am. I am so superior to these clods that I shall never let them see my true feelings.

"This is not the end though, I can assure you, I shall have a talk with Darcy in the morning before he has a chance to leave the house. I must make him listen to reason. I must make him see that she is entirely unsuitable to be Mistress of Pemberley."

"Let it be, Caroline," Louisa cautioned, "you do not want to make Mr. Darcy angry. You must never do or say anything that will get you banned from Pemberley. Let it go, Caroline and resign yourself to the fact that he is going to marry her."

"You are right of course," Caroline said with a small smile that convinced Louisa that she would do as she wanted whatever she or anyone else said.

With a sigh of consternation she followed Caroline back to the party.

Lydia was not happy as she turned to Kitty saying, "I don't see why he would marry her, she's not very pretty and she's old she must be at least thirty."

Kitty agreed, "I would think a man as handsome as Mr. Wickham would be able to find a better wife than her."

Lydia now turned her attention to the cluster of redcoats across the room.

"Why are they all giving so much attention to Miss Darcy," she said angrily, "I don't think she is very pretty either and she certainly is not at all lively. Why should they all give her so much attention when I am here and I am better looking and certainly I have more personality."

"They give her their attention because she is a lady of quality, " a voice behind them said.

Lydia recognized the voice at once as that of Captain Mark Cole.

She had thought she would never dislike any man in a red coat until she met Captain Cole. He was always trying to make her feel inferior and she hated him.

"If she is a lady of quality what am I," she said fluttering her eyelashes at him in an attempt to make him fall under what she called her spell.

"You are a tart, Miss Bennet," he said with a superior smile.

"A tart, how dare you call me that," Lydia glared, "all the single men in the regiment are in love with me and you call me a tart. If I were to tell Denny or Johnson what you just said to me they would call you out at once."

Cole threw his head back and laughed, "In love with you ," he gasped. "You are the biggest joke in the mess. The only reason they tell you that they love you is because you show them your breasts when they do.

"They make jests about which of them will bed you first, but I can assure you that you are quite safe, Miss Bennet. No one would wish to take the chance of having to marry such as you. You must be very happy that Miss Elizabeth is to marry Mr. Darcy. Think of all the men of the ton you will able to chase after."

"Lizzy, marry Mr. Darcy, of what are you speaking," Lydia gaped at him, "you have had too much wine sir. Lizzie marry Mr. Darcy, what a joke."

Your father just made the announcement. What a stupid child you are, you are so wrapped up in yourself and your jealousy of Miss Darcy that you did not listen to what your father said, stupid, stupid, girl," he said as he turned on his heel and marched off.

"Stupid, child, tart, I will show him," Lydia said angrily as she took off across the room to grab the arm of Lt. Denny.

"Denny, I must speak to you at once," she said trying to drag him away from Georgiana.

Denny angrily tried to get away from her, but she hanging on until he went with her.

"Why do all of you give all your attention to Miss Darcy," she snapped. "You said you loved me. You must fight a duel with Cole. You must defend my honor," Lydia cried as she repeated what the Captain had said to her.

"He called me a tart and said you laughed at me in the mess. I know it is a lie, I know how much you all love me, you have told me again and again."

Denny was getting more and more frustrated and angry as he watched Stewart move in to ask Miss Darcy to dance. The one he wanted to dance with her.

"Why should I fight a duel when what he says is the truth, he snapped at Lydia. Do you really think any man would love a girl who flaunts herself as you do, who shouts across the streets so loudly that the entire town can hear you calling our names, and begging us to wait for you.

"Cole is right Miss Bennet, you are a tart and everything he said is true. Now let go of my arm, I wish to join my friends." With a stern look at Kitty, who stood gaping at him he said, "You would do well not to follow your sisters lead so eagerly, Miss Kitty."

Elizabeth excused herself from her betrothed as she saw Lydia run from the room in tears. Catching her as she tried to open the front door without success she led her sister to a small room near the door.

"Now, Lydia tell me what has happened, I saw you talking to Captain Cole and Lt Denny and run from the room. What is it Lydia."

Lydia was crying too hard to speak but Kitty coming so quietly into the room that neither of them had heard her entrance explained to Elizabeth what had occurred. Kitty then began to cry too.

"Dear Lord, Lydia, tell me that this is not true. Surely not even you would expose your breasts to these young men."

Lydia wailed still unable to speak. One look at Kitty's face answered her sister's question.

"I can scarce believe my ears," Lizzie scolded. "What were you thinking, Lydia, of course they would think you a tart, only a tart would do such an improper, brazen thing. I am thoroughly ashamed of you two. I knew you were wild, but this is more that I would have dreamed.

"No wonder they spend all their time with Miss Darcy. She is the kind of girl any young man would be proud to be seen with, but you two are another matter." She felt ill as she turned to leave, "I cannot even look at either of you tonight."

"Wait, please, Lizzie, can you not forgive me, can you not teach me to be a lady of quality," Lydia sobbed.

"I don't know how, Lord knows Jane and I have tried but you never listen to anyone, and you Kitty you never have a thought for yourself, you follow in Lydia's footsteps even though I know that you know it is wrong."

"We will listen, we will do as you say, I promise," Lydia hiccupped and Kitty shook her head in agreement.

"Very well, go and wash your faces and wait until your eyes and faces are not so red and then come back. When you do try to act as if you had at least a little sense."

"Yes, Lizzie," Kitty tried to smile.

"Is it true, what Cole said, are you and Mr. Darcy to marry."

Elizabeth smiled radiantly as she confirmed her engagement.

"If you take the trouble to watch your soon to be sister, you will see how a lady of quality acts," she said as she went out the door.

The next morning Darcy was shocked to find Miss Bingley in the breakfast room when he entered.

"This is a surprise," he said, "I would have thought you would sleep until at least ten o'clock."

"I know," Caroline smiled, "but I wished to speak to you before you go for your morning ride."

"Indeed," Darcy was leery at once.

"I know you will forgive my frankness," Caroline went on. "But I must have my say, Sir."

"About what," Darcy asked.

"About this engagement which was announced last night," she continued. "I don't what witchcraft or other means she used to lure you into her web but you must know that Miss Eliza Bennet is really most unsuitable to be the wife of Mr. Darcy, Master of Pemberley and all the Darcy estates.

"She will entirely lost in Derbyshire and most of all in town. You need a wife whose is your equal socially, one who is well acquainted with your set of friends."

Caroline swanned around the room moving her hands and arms in her most graceful manner as she talked, hoping that Darcy would see that she was the woman who should be his wife.

Darcy watched her in disgust.

"I can assure you that there was no witchcraft in my falling in love with Miss Bennet," he chuckled.

"But what will you do when you find yourself with an entirely ignorant and unsuitable country girl as Mistress of Pemberley. No, no she will not do.

"Why do you not go to your lodge in Scotland for a few weeks. I am sure that there you will come to your senses and the cold air of Scotland will clear your mind so that you will see that I am right and thank me for saving you from such a grave mistake. You will recall last fall that I told you that she had set her cap for you but all you would say was that I knew nothing of the matter.

"Well I tell you now I do know all about these country girls and their lures and enticements and I will not let such a dear friend be taken in by one of them."

"You still know nothing of it," Darcy laughed, "that very day I had offered Miss Bennet my hand and she refused me."

"Refused you," Caroline gasped, "I cannot believe that Mr. Darcy, no woman would refuse a marriage proposal from you, why you are the most sought after man in all of England."

"I can assure you that it is true, Miss Bingley," he smiled. "It has been all these many months before I could prove to her that I was worthy of her. So you see Miss Bingley nothing you say can stop this marriage between my beautiful Elizabeth and me. We love each other and shall have a long and happy marriage."

Caroline fled the breakfast room to rush to get to her own room where she wept for and hour. She cried the hardest when she saw him ride away knowing he was going to the woman he loved.

She had lost everything she had dreamed of all these years.

Chapter 16

Posted on Monday, 7 February 2005

As the Hursts entered the breakfast room Louisa noted that her sister was not there.

"I wonder what is keeping Caroline, she said, I was sure she would be here by now. I hope she has not done something foolish."

She sat for a moment but before her husband took his chair she rose again saying, "Go ahead and have you breakfast Harold, I am going up to Caroline, she might not be feeling well."

"Feeling well," he snorted, "of course she is not feeling well. All her hopes and dreams of becoming Mrs. Darcy have been dashed by Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I could almost feel sorry for her if she didn't think herself so far above everyone else."

"Harold, how can you speak so of my sister, I know she is sometimes sharp with you but that is no reason to enjoy her heartbreak."

She swept from the room leaving her husband to enjoy his breakfast without listening to the sisters' abuse everyone of their acquaintance.

As she lifted her hand to knock on Caroline's door she heard her voice screeching, "Make haste girl, what is the matter with you, cannot you not tell that I wish to be gone from here as soon as possible. Move, girl, finish that packing."

Louisa threw the door open to see dresses, coats, hats, jewelry, and all other things owned by her sister being thrown at the maid Martine.

"Caroline, what are you doing," she shouted, "have you lost your senses? Leave us Martine, I would speak to my sister."

"Continue packing, Martine, my sister can have her say while you are doing it," Caroline snapped. "I am going back to town Louisa, I will not stay her and be humiliated. I will not be laughed at by these country nobodies. My mind is made up, you cannot stop me, Louisa, I mean to be off my noon."

"Don't' be a fool Caroline. You will stay here and face every one of these country barbarians. You will go to every tea and dinner and what is more you will host some yourself. You do not want to be laughed at by these unimportant people. What foolishness, How are any of them to know that you had designs on Mr. Darcy unless you tell them by running off to town to hide.

"Leave us, Martine, leave off with the packing. My sister will not be going."

"What am I to do Miss, you tell me to pack and Mrs. Hurst tells me not to, what am I to do."

Caroline turned to her maid screaming savagely, "What impertinence, how dare you interrupt a conversation between my sister and I."

As she finished her tirade she struck the girl across the mouth sending her reel and bringing blood to the corner of the lip. "Get out, get out, you French wench, get out, I never want to see you again, you are dismissed"

Martine tried to duck out of the way of the brush her mistress threw at her but she was not quick enough and she fled the room with a welt on her forehead and blood dripping from her mouth.

"Caroline, control yourself," Louisa grabbed her enraged sister by the arm and forced her into a chair. "Now you listen to me Miss Caroline Bingley, You say you do not want to be laughed at by these country bumpkins. What do you think will happen when you rush back to town?

"I can tell you what will happen. The banns have already been posted in the London papers, so every one we know is aware of the fact that Mr. Darcy is engaged to a country girl who no one knows.

"Can you not imagine how Lady Wentsel and her sister Lady Carter Jones will chortle behind their fans every time you enter a room. Do not think you can hide the fact that you have run away from here from any of them. Even if you hide away at the house and see no one they will know you are in town.

"They will all enjoy that, won't they, it will talked of at every party, the theater, and anywhere else they meet. The calling cards will be flying. Don't be silly enough to give them the satisfaction of seeing your pain and anger.

"Lady Matlock arrives this afternoon. You know that she will be only too happy to send an express as soon as she finds you gone. She will let everyone we know that as soon as the announcement was made you turned tail and ran to London so that you would not have to watch Mr. Darcy and his Eliza celebrate the engagement that you yourself have longed for all these years. I have tried to tell you that you should not make remarks about becoming Mistress of Pemberley, but you would not listen.

"You never listen to anyone, do you, Caroline. You went down this morning and tried to tell Mr. Darcy that he should not marry Eliza, didn't you."

She could tell by the look on Caroline's face that that was exactly what had happened. "Caroline, Caroline, did I not tell you to keep out of this. No do not try to justify it with me. You have made a fool of yourself already today and I will not allow you to further humiliate us by leaving."

Caroline opened her mouth to reply but Louisa would not be gainsaid.

"No, Caroline, do not try to justify you foolishness to me. Get those thing hung up and then come down and make plans with Charles and I for the dinner we will give to honor the newly engaged couples, including Miss Lucas."

"Very well, Caroline," pouted, "find Martine and send her to me. He said he loves her, that she is the only woman he could ever love," she said softly, "he said she is the heart of him, Louisa."

Martine had stumbled down the hall crying, only to bump into Mr. Darcy.

"Miss Martine, what is wrong, are you unwell. Here take my handkerchief, your lip is bleeding. Good Lord, that is quite a welt you have there. Come sit down and tell me what has happened to you.

As Martine sobbed out her story Darcy became angrier and angrier. He knew that Caroline did not treat her servants well but this is was too much even for her.

"What am I to do sir, She has dismissed me. How am I to find a new position here. How am I to get to town to start looking."

Darcy stopped one of the lackeys who was passing telling him to go to the stable and have his carriage readied and at the door in 15 minutes. Turning to Martine he said, "I am getting married miss and my new wife will need a maid. Go and pack your things as quickly as possible and be at the front door as soon as you finish."

He knew he was assuming a great deal by hiring a maid for Elizabeth without consulting her but he would take Martine to Longbourn and hoped that Elizabeth would accept her. If she would not have her he would find her another position so that she would never have to work for anyone like Caroline Bingley again.

Martine did not have much to pack and she wanted to get away as soon as she could so she was down stairs and in the carriage in 15 minutes.

When Elizabeth heard Mr. Darcy's story of Caroline's abuse of the girl and saw her face she was moved to tears.

"Of course, I will gladly have her, but I fear that Miss Bingley is even now looking for her, she had told all of us that this is the best maid she has ever had. She says that the girl is the best hairdresser she has ever seen and she keeps everything clean and neat.

"Yes indeed, I will be most happy to have her. We will be in need of all the hands we can find before this wedding is over."

"Thank you, my love from the bottom of my heart."

Taking Martine by the hand she said, "Come Martine, you must meet your new family."

Darcy smiled tenderly at her saying, "You have a tender heart my dearest, is it any wonder I love you so much."

Caroline stomped through the house finally asking one of the footmen if he had seen her maid. "I need her at once," she hissed "and wouldn't you know she is nowhere to be found. I need my things put away and she is dallying with one of the lackeys I imagine. Why did I take on a Frenchie."

"She left with Mr. Darcy, in his carriage," the lackey stammered, "backing away, she packed her things and went with him. She said you had dismissed her."

"Dismissed her, dismissed her," Caroline shouted, "find out where he took her and let me know at one, at once, do you hear me."

"Caroline," Charles spoke sharply, "of course he can hear you, they can hear you in Meryton. Lower your voice and try to speak as if you had some sense."

Caroline stomped down the hall muttering to herself, but she changed in a trice when she met Miss Darcy. "Dearest Georgiana, she cooed, why did you not tell me of your brothers attachment to Miss Bennet? We have such good friends all this long time, I would have thought you would let me know." She twined her arm with Georgiana's and moved on down the hall toward the yellow sitting room.

"I promised my brother that I would tell no one she, said he wanted to discuss it with the family before he made it public. He did not even tell your brother until yesterday. He wanted to surprise everyone last night."

"Well, it was certainly a surprise," Caroline snapped, "I did think that we were such good friends that you would trust me with it."

"I gave my word," Georgiana replied, stubbornly, "I would never break my word to Fitzwilliam."

"Georgiana, Georgiana, are you here," they heard her brother's voice.

"I am her brother," she called, in relief.

When Darcy entered the room he stopped, startled at the sight of miss Bingley.

"We were just talking," she cooed, "I am so fond of Georgiana."

"I am told that you absconded with my maid Martine. Whatever have you done with her?"

"You dismissed her, did you not?" he asked.

"I did, but it was all a misunderstanding, so you can bring her back so that she can arrange my things for me. Just tell me where I may find her and I will put her mind at ease with no trouble at all. I will give her a bauble or two and she will back and happy to be with me again."

"I cannot do that," he answered, "I have given her the position as my wife's maid. Elizabeth is in need of a maid and as you have told us so often, Martine is the best there is to be had. I-

Before he could finish his sentence, Miss Bingley leapt from her chair. "You have done what?" she screeched, "I will not have it , Eliza Bennet is to have my Martine, I will not allow it, I will not. She cannot have everything that is mine."

"It is done Miss Bingley, You dismissed her and I offered her a position on my staff which she was most happy to accept. She is already learning her new household."

Caroline ran from the room seething. No only had she lost Pemberley but she now had no maid.

Chapter 17

Posted on Saturday, 25 June 2005

Lizzie called Mrs. Hill to explain to her about her new maid Martine.

"A Frenchie, Miss Elizabeth, I do not think I like the sounds of that," Mrs. Hill scowled.

"She has been in the employ of Miss Bingley for some time, Hill and I know she is an excellent maid. It is very good of Mr. Darcy to hire her for me and I hope you will find it in your heart to make her welcome.

"Please, just take her to the servants quarters and introduce her to the rest of the staff," Elizabeth asked.

"Martine, come here, she called, This is Mrs. Hill, our housekeeper, she will take you and acquaint you with the staff."

"Good heavens child, what happened to you," Hill exclaimed when she saw the state of Martine's face.

"Miss Bingley did this before she dismissed me," Martine said softly as she lowered her head in shame.

"Well, you come with me miss, we'll fix you up."

Turning to Elizabeth, Hill snapped, "Miss Bingley, so this is the way she treats her servants. I never did like that woman, thinks too highly of herself, I say. Hrummp, typical of a tradesman's daughter."

As Hill and Martine walked off Lizzie heard her Mother's shrill shriek, "Lizzie, Lizzie, where are you girl."

Spotting her daughter she rushed to her wringing her hands. "Lizzie, Lydia say's that Mr. Darcy came and went away directly.

"What have you done girl, he came to break the engagement, didn't he. Oh dear, what did you do girl, I have told you again and again that your tongue will get you into trouble. What did you say to him to make him angry enough to leave without even a hello to the rest of us.

"My poor nerves, my heart is breaking, two daughter engaged to rich men and now you have ruined your chances forever."

"Mama, Mr. Darcy came only to bring the maid he has engaged for me. He had to go back to wait for Mr. Bingley. The engagement is still in tact, Mama, but if your nerves are in such a state I think I should write to Aunt Gardiner and beg to have the wedding there. I would not have you become ill from too much excitement.

"If your nerves and your heart are in such a sorry state you must got back to your room and stay there for the rest of the day. I will send Lady Lucas a message telling her we will not be there for tea. I will see Charlotte this afternoon though, when you are napping."

"No, no girl," Mrs. Bennet gasped, "You cannot deny me the pleasure of having your wedding at Meryton. See my nerves have calmed already. A maid, did he, such a gentleman, to send to town for a maid, such consideration."

"He did not send to town, Mama, it is Martine, Miss Bingley's maid. Caroline dismissed her and knowing what a wonderful maid she is he immediately engaged her services for me."

"Miss Bingley's maid! Lizzie why did Miss Bingley dismiss her?

"You cannot keep her, Lizzie, I know how much Miss Caroline thinks of her, she must have done something dreadful for her to dismiss her. You must send her packing Lizzie, I insist."

"Indeed I shall not, Mama. Mr. Darcy herd the whole thing and Martine is without fault in the matter. Miss Bingley lost her temper with her for asking a simple question and told her to leave at once after striking her.

Mr. Darcy simple stopped her in the hall and made her an offer which she was all too happy to accept."

"Miss Bingley, why I can scarce believe it Lizzie. I am sure she is sorry and will want her maid back. If she does Lizzy, you must let her have her."

"If she wants her back I shall let Martine decide, No Mama, that is my final word on the subject."

"Mr. Darcy," Caroline cooed as she met him in the hall. "What is this I am hearing, surely you did not run off with my maid."

"I engaged her for Miss Bennet," Darcy said tightly, "They will take care of the wounds inflicted by you."

"But she is my maid and I want her back. We have had these disagreements before and she has been happy to stay with me after I give a few baubles and beads. I shall offer her a dress or two, that should make her happy to return. Martine would never be happy living in the country, she is very much a town girl"

Miss Bingley was very wrong in her assumptions about Martine. She was only too happy at the thought of working for the Darcys. The fact that she had been seeing Mr. Darcy's valet made the offer that much sweeter.

"If you would hurry to retrieve her for me, I shall need her before we go to the Lucas' this afternoon."

"I shall not retrieve her," Darcy snapped, "if she wants to come back you will have to settle things with her, but I will not assist anyone who beats their servants."

Caroline gritted her teeth as she watched him go up the stairs two at a time. She hurried to the sitting room to discuss matters with her sister. Miss Bingley was beside herself with anger as she paced the room.

"How I despise that woman Louisa, Miss Eliza Bennet, I hate the name Eliza, I have always hated it, now I know why.

"This is not to be born, sister, first she steals my husband, now my maid. I will not have it Louisa, I will not lose either of them to that chit, that country bumpkin. He is mine, mine. I shall be Mistress of Pemberley, not Miss Eliza Bennet."

"There is nothing you can do about it, Caroline so you had better put on your best face and make the most of the situation."

"Oh, I don't know sister, there must be poachers around her with all the game. She likes to take long walks, perhaps a poacher will shoot her, or she might fall down a flight of stairs. It could happen, Louisa, it could."

"Caroline do not even think such things. Get some control of yourself. Do not try anything stupid."

Georgiana stood outside the door. She had come down in search of Mr. Bingley's sisters when she heard Caroline's tirade. She didn't want to see them now, besides if she entered the room they would know she had heard them.

She fled back down the hall in search of her brother and found him and Mr. Bingley preparing to leave for Longbourn.

"Please, William, let me go with you," she gasped

"Of course, dearest, Darcy, took her arm, we will go in the carriage."

"Bingley, tell the stable boy to return the horses to their stalls and bring the carriage round."

"Now Georgie, what is wrong, what has you in such a state. What has happened."

"Not till we get in the carriage." Georgiana was almost in tears. "You must warn Elizabeth, brother, she could be in danger."

"Danger," Darcy sat back in the seat, "what danger, Georgie, of what are you speaking."

"Danger from Miss Bingley," she cried. "When did you make an offer of marriage to her, brother, how could you propose to Elizabeth if you have already promised to marry Miss Bingley."

"Marry, Caroline," Bingley laughed, "you must have misheard, Miss Darcy. There is no engagement between your brother and my sister."

Between sobs Georgiana told the two men everything she had heard between the Bingley sisters. "You must protect Elizabeth, Brother. I love her already, I could not bear it if something were to happen to her."

"You have nothing to fear Miss Darcy, I shall attend to my sister," Bingley growled. "I will let the two of you off at Longbourn and return to Netherfield and have a talk with my sisters, perhaps it would do Caroline good to spend some time in a nunnery. Please tell the Bennets that I had to go back to Netherfield to attend some urgent business and I shall be back directly."

Darcy too several deep breaths to get rid of his anger before he went inside. "Her husband, she is the last woman in the world I could marry, Where did she get the idea that I wished to marry her," he choked, "Mistress of Pemberley, the thought is enough to make me ill."

Caroline and Louisa stared in shock when their brother walked into the room. Never had either of them seen him look so angry.

"You look upset brother, did you have a quarrel with the Bennets already, you are back uncommonly quickly."

"Do not say another word, Caroline," Bingley said between his teeth. "What do you mean planning the demise of Elizabeth Bennet? Do not try to deny it Caroline, you frightened poor Miss Darcy to tears. She heard it all."

"But I would never do anything to hurt dear Georgiana," Caroline wailed, "you must believe me, Charles. You know how much I think of that dear girl."

"I believe Georgiana, Caroline. Poor girl she was in tears all the way to Longbourn. What do you mean Miss Elizabeth has stolen you husband and your maid. Mr. Darcy has never made an offer for your hand and you dismissed Martine. Everyone in the house heard you.

"She will be far happier with Mrs. Darcy than she has been with you. She will not beat her. She far too much a lady of quality to strike a servant. You decry the fact that our father was in trade, yet you persist in proving that you are not such a lady as the Bennet sisters.

"If anything happens to any of the Bennets, I shall cut off your allowances and you Caroline will spend the rest of your life at the Sisters Of Mercy nunnery. Do I make myself clear to both of you?"

"Yes Charles," they cried in unison.

"Good, then I shall return to my beloved," Bingley stalked away his back ramrod stiff and his sisters staring open mouthed at him.

Chapter 18

Posted on Wednesday, 9 November 2005

"Oh, Jane, Jane, I am so happy," Elizabeth cried as she danced in front of her sister who was sitting on a bench in the garden

"Lizzy you are so funny," Jane laughed.

Elizabeth stopped and looked at her sister with love, before asking, "What have I done to merit such happiness, Jane, What have I done to merit Mr. Darcy's love.

"Oh Jane, I find it hard to forgive myself for the way I treated him all those months; for the vile way I spurned him when he first asked me to marry him. I cannot think of it without wanting to weep. My vanity, my stupid vanity."

"But Lizzy, Mr. Darcy says that it was the best thing you could have done. That it made him take a hard look at himself and he did not like what he saw. He says he hopes he is a better man for learning to cope with your refusal."

"I know, Jane, I know but I still am heartily ashamed of myself. I hope that in time I can be worthy of his love, I don't deserve it now. I don't deserve to be so completely happy."

"You on the other hand my dearest sister deserve all the happiness in the world and I am sure you will find it with Mr. Bingley. If ever I saw a man who completely adores his bride to be it is he."

"I love the way you have done your hair today Jane, Martine is the best there is. I am so fortunate to have her, I can well under Miss Bingley's consternation at losing her. I think thought that there is more to her choosing to stay with us rather than going back to Caroline. I do believe that there is something between my maid and Mr. Darcy's man. I have seen some very interesting looks pass between them."

"I hear the sounds of horses Lizzy," Jane leapt to her feet. "We must get to the house quickly. We must not let our beloveds get cornered by Mama."

Elizabeth laughed as the two of them ran for the house.

At Netherfield it was quite a different mood among the residents there. Mr. Hurst slept on the divan after a huge breakfast. Mrs. Hurst was beginning to feel a headache coming on as she watched her sister pace about the room. She was getting more than a littler tired of Caroline's constant tirades.

"So, Louisa, they couldn't even take the time to have breakfast with us. They are gone to Longbourn as soon as the cock crows."

"They were here for breakfast with us, Caroline, it is not fault of the rest of us if you sleep so late and take so much time to dress."

"I put the blame for that on Elizabeth Bennet's shoulders," Caroline snapped. "If she had not stolen my Martine I would not take so long. Now I have to wait for Roberta to finish your toilette before she can even give a thought to mine.

"That country clod, how could Martine prefer that family to me and Mr. Darcy what is wrong with him. I think he has lost his senses completely. Well, the Matlocks arrive today perhaps his lordship can talk some sense into him. I dare not utter another word on the subject."

"Yes, that is it I shall have a word with his lordship as soon as possible after they arrive. I know it would be useless to speak to Lady Matlock. I really don't understand why she dislikes me so much. I have tried in every way to get into her good graces but she disdains my efforts. "

"Come now, Caroline you know that to her ladyship you are just a tradesman's daughter and beneath anyone in her family."

"I know, I know, how I detest that term, tradesman's daughter. Will we ever live it down sister. Does our money and the position we now hold in society mean nothing."

Caroline's words only seemed to irritate Lord Matlock who finally spoke quite sharply to her letting her know that Darcy knew his own mind and if he would not intercede for his sister Lady Catherine Debourg he would certainly not do anything to help her put a stop to the wedding.

"Poor Miss Bingley," Lady Matlock smiled at her husband when he complained that the woman was an unceasing bore. "One could almost feel sorry for her if she wasn't so arrogant. She seems to think that her money can buy anything but she will have to understand that it will not buy her love, especially the love of our favorite nephew."

Caroline went to her room to cry and throw things, she had to admit at last that she had lost and it was not easy.

On the day of the wedding she stood ramrod stiff staring straight ahead, looking at no one.

"I will show them," she thought, "I will show them all. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy will rue the day he chose this country chit over Caroline Bingley. Even my own sister has gone to their side," She grimaced. Louisa had told her that she wanted to hear no more about it, it was done and they had to get on with their lives.

To make matters worse Louisa was with child and that would take time from her.

"I don't know how now, but I will come out on top to them," she scowled as the clergyman pronounce the couples husband and wife.

The End

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