Posted on Wednesday, 22 August 2001
'Tell me about Miss Darcy? Is she anything like her brother?' Elizabeth asked Col Fitzwilliam as they were walking.
'Yes she is. She is barely sixteen and she is very shy. That is what happens when you loose both of your parents at a very young age. Georgie hardly remembers her mother and hardly knew her father.' Col Fitzwilliam answered sadly.
'Is Mr. Darcy a good brother than?'
'I would say so but the only person to really answer that question would be Georgie. She loves her brother dearly and there isn't anything that he wouldn't do for her, just the same as I.'
'Oh I see. May I ask you another question?' Elizabeth said stopping and turning to her companion.
'Yes Miss Bennet, you may.'
'Do you know Mr. Wickham?'
Col Fitzwilliam hesitated a little but then answered, 'yes, I am sorry to say that I do know him.'
'I heard from someone that he treated Mr. Darcy very badly, is this true?' Elizabeth asked remembering what Miss Bingley had told her the night of the Netherfield Ball.
'Yes it is true Miss Bennet, you see Darcy and Wickham were practically brothers growing up. My Uncle Darcy was Wickham's godfather, so when Wickham's own father died Uncle Darcy took care of Wickham. He had hoped that one day he would choose the church as his profession.'
'And he did?' Elizabeth asked remember what Wickham had told her.
'No. He wanted to study the law, so Darcy paid him and that is the last time they saw each other, at least until last summer.' Col Fitzwilliam said with an angry look.
'And what happen last summer?' Elizabeth said, her curiosity growing with each minute.
'That I cannot say Miss Bennet. I am sorry but you are going to have to ask Darcy. But pray listen to me; Wickham is not to be trusted. He hurt both of my cousins very dearly and if he were to be placed in my regiment I would make him suffer. While he may have those pleasing manners that my cousin is to shy to show, he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Please believe me Miss Bennet.' Col Fitzwilliam said very seriously and earnestly.
'I will take what you said into consideration and I will bid you good day Col.' Elizabeth said bowing slightly and heading back to the parsonage.
'Good day Miss Bennet.'
Posted on Sunday, 26 August 2001
Elizabeth thought about what the Col had told her while she was heading to Rosings that evening for dinner. What if what the Col said was true? I really must speak with Mr. Darcy, but how?
After dinner when Elizabeth was playing, Mr. Darcy walked over once again to listen to her play.
'Mr. Darcy, may I ask you a favor?'
Darcy was a little started by her request but nodded his head in response.
'May you please turn the pages for me?'
'Yes I would be delighted to Miss Bennet,' Darcy said sitting down next to her. 'And may I ask you for a favor in return?'
'Yes Mr. Darcy you may.'
'Would you allow me to escort you into the gardens after you finish?' Darcy said glancing at her.
'Yes I would like that.' Elizabeth said placing her eyes back on the music and trying to ignore the feelings that are arising in her by his closeness.
'That was lovely Miss Bennet,' Lady Catherine said afterwards.
'Thank you Lady Catherine.'
'Darcy! Darcy come here at once.' Lady Catherine commanded at Darcy.
'If you would excuse me aunt, I would like to show Miss Bennet your excellent gardens. I don't believe that she had yet to view their splendor.' Darcy said smoothly.
'If you must Darcy, but don't delay long it will be getting cool outside.' Lady Catherine said turning her attention back to the others.
'Yes Aunt Catherine, please excuse us.' Darcy said bowing, then offering his arm to Elizabeth. Once they were alone he turned to her and continued. 'I heard you have been talking to my cousin today Miss Bennet.'
'Umm yes sir I have been.' Elizabeth said a little flushed, when they came to a bench both sat down and Elizabeth continued. 'I hope that you don't mind me asking, but I must know what happen between you and Mr. Wickham. I have heard his supposed dealings with you and from what your cousin says I am beginning to wonder what the truth really is.'
'Yes Fitzwilliam told me that you would mostly likely want to know.' He then turned serious and said very quietly. 'Miss Bennet what I am about to tell you is very personal and I beg you not to tell anyone else.'
'Of course Mr. Darcy, you may trust me.' Elizabeth said placing her hand on his.
Darcy gave her a small smile and started his story and after he was finished Elizabeth still had her hand over his and was just shocked.
'Oh Mr. Darcy I am so sorry. And I usually pride myself on being a good judge of character. How could I have been so wrong.'
'It isn't your fault Miss Bennet,' Darcy replied soothingly. 'Wickham, like I told you last fall, had those easy manners that makes anyone believe and trust him.'
'Yes you did tell me and I was a fool not to believe you then. May I ask...how is your sister now?' Elizabeth said raising her eyes to meet his.
'She is better, she is in town now and I will join her in a few days when I return. When do you plan on returning Miss Bennet?'
'In two days. My father wrote to me and said that he cannot bare without me anymore.' Elizabeth said smiling and laughing.
'Will you stay in town long?'
'About a week, Jane is still at my aunt and uncle's house. They want to take me and Jane to the theater before our return to Longbourn.'
'May I call upon you Miss Bennet and introduce my sister to you? I believe that she would very much like to meet with you.' Darcy said smiling at her.
'Yes. Yes you may Mr. Darcy, I would be very honored to meet Miss Darcy.' Elizabeth said blushing a little.
'Thank you.'
Elizabeth just nodded, slowly taking everything that just happen in and finally for the first time taking a real look at Mr. Darcy. He is very handsome indeed. Oh I was a fool to believe him to be arrogant and unfeeling. He is truly a good, kind man.
'Shall we return?'
'Yes Mr. Darcy, I guess we have to.' Elizabeth said rolling her eyes.
Darcy smiled and said, 'not wanting to put up with my aunt or your cousin any longer.'
'Actually I was thinking about the both of them.' Elizabeth said laughing, Darcy laughed as well and they both headed back into the house.
Posted on Wednesday, 29 August 2001
Over the next two days, Elizabeth and Darcy saw plenty of each other, both enjoying the walks and the time spent with each other. Both feeling like they are getting to know the other person a little better. Without Mr. Wickham's words and Elizabeth's past prejudices against Mr. Darcy she was able to see a very different side of him; more relaxed, youthful, and enjoyable to be around.
'So you are leaving tomorrow?'
'Yes, Mariah and me will be leaving tomorrow. Mariah will join her family in London and I will go to my dear aunt and uncle's house.'
'Will you allow me and my cousin to escort you both back to town?' Darcy asked looking at her.
'Yes,' Elizabeth said smiling. 'That you be acceptable, thank you sir.'
'My pleasure Miss Bennet.' Darcy said smiling and continued on their walk.
The following day was not as long or as boring on the return to London. The four-some made a delightful pair and the time was passed enjoyable until.
'So how is Jane doing Lizzy? Still sad?'
'Um yes Mariah, she is but doing a little better.' Elizabeth said giving her a glare to drop the subject.
Mariah ignored it and continued looking at Mr. Darcy. 'It is a shame that you all left so quickly Mr. Darcy, because I believe that Miss Bennet broke her heart.'
'Mariah! Please no more about it.' Elizabeth said sharply, Darcy all the while sat there thinking and looking out the window. Elizabeth noticed this and wondered, hmm place him back into society and he becomes like he was before, cold and arrogant. I wonder what happen to the person I was walking with yesterday?
During the horse change, Darcy asked Elizabeth, 'what is wrong with Miss Jane?'
'Jane? Nothing except for she misses your friend.' Elizabeth decided to tell him what she feels and thinks. 'I know that Jane does hide her emotions but she really did care for Mr. Bingley. It's just that I know there are some people who didn't want them to be happy.' She then turned on her heal and walked back to where Col Fitzwilliam was and started talking with him again. Trying to cool off before they all get back into the carriage.
As Col Fitzwilliam walked away to find Mariah, Darcy approached Elizabeth and said. 'I am sorry Miss Elizabeth. I hope that you can forgive me for my interference, from what you said I know that you know that I did play a part in taking Bingley away from Miss Bennet. I was only trying to protect my friend and if by doing so I have lost your friendship then I will regret it.'
Elizabeth looked at him and saw a glimmer of the person she spent the past few days talking with and thought carefully before she answered.
Posted on Sunday, 2 September 2001
'Mr. Darcy, I know that you were only trying to protect Mr. Bingley but he is not in need of your protection or anyone else's for that matter. He is an adult and able to make is one decisions about who he is to see and wants to marry. You should have voice your opinion and left it at that. Not told him to leave my sister and make Jane think that he is interested in your sister.'
'My sister? I don't understand Miss Elizabeth. Why would I do that Georgiana is only 16?'
'That is what Miss Bingley wrote in her letter to Jane.'
'Oh well then allow me to clarify the situation, yes I told Bingley the pros and cons of marrying your sister but that was it. It was his sisters that did the rest, I only wanted to protect him from a loveless marriage.' Darcy replied walking over to the carriage, as they were about to leave.
The rest of the journey was quiet and all inside noticed that something happened and it wasn't the same as it was before. When they arrived in London, they first dropped Mariah off with her family then proceeded to Gracechurch Street.
'Lizzy!' Jane came out of the house and embracing her much loved sister.
'Hello Jane, you look well almost glowing.' Lizzy smiled. 'Jane you remember Mr. Darcy?'
'Yes of course, how do you do Mr. Darcy?' Jane said nodding her head to the gentleman.
'Well thank you; allow me to introduce my cousin. Fitzwilliam this is Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Bennet this is my cousin Col Fitzwilliam.'
'How do you do Miss Bennet?'
'Fine and you Col Fitzwilliam?' Jane asked smiling at him, he was about to answer when a kind, well-dressed lady walked out and embraced Elizabeth.
'How are you Lizzy?'
'Hello dear Aunt Gardiner. Mr. Darcy, Col Fitzwilliam my Aunt Gardiner. Aunt this is Mr. Darcy and Col Fitzwilliam, they were kind enough to escort me here.' Elizabeth said smiling.
After the pleasantries were exchanged Darcy and Fitzwilliam left. However Darcy didn't go directly home.
'Bingley old chap it is good to see you again.'
'Hello Darcy. How are you doing? How was your trip?'
'Fair enough. Bingley I have a confession to make.'
'What is that Darcy?' Bingley said a little confused.
'Miss Jane Bennet is in town Bingley, has been since January.'
'What? Jane is here and you didn't tell me. Why Darcy?' Bingley asked slightly surprised.
'I thought that she was indifferent to you Bingley; I didn't want to see you in an unhappy marriage. I was wrong and I am sorry.'
'How do you know?'
'I saw Miss Elizabeth Bennet while at my aunt's house and she told me today. Also she mentioned that they are planning on going to the theater tomorrow.'
'Miss Elizabeth huh? The theater tomorrow, hmm are you going to go Darcy?' Bingley said smiling at him.
'Yes I am taking Georgie and to see Miss Elizabeth again.'
'I didn't know that you admired her, I only know that Caroline enjoyed teasing you about her.' Bingley said shocked.
'Yes Bingley I do admire her, although I believe that I have lost my chance with her. She is upset that I played a part in separating you and her sister and I am not sure that she still wishes to know me.' Darcy replied honestly.
'Look Darcy don't be so hard on yourself, I will meet you tomorrow at your place alone. No doubt my sisters played more a role in this than you did?'
'Yes.'
'Then don't worry, I will see you tomorrow and all will be ok.' Bingley said clapping his best friend on the back and smiling at him.
'If you say so Bingley, I just hope so.' Darcy replied leaving and on the ride home, thinking that he has fallen in love with Elizabeth Bennet despite everything and because of his past mistakes he might loose the only women that he could ever love. If only she could forgive me as easily as Bingley did, I guess I will find out tomorrow.
Posted on Tuesday, 4 September 2001
'How do I look William?' Miss Georgiana asked the next evening.
'You look wonderful little sister.' Darcy said admiring his little sister.
'I can't wait to meet Miss Elizabeth, do you think that she will like me?' Georgie asked timidly.
'She will adore you little one, just like I do.' Darcy said kissing her on the forehead.
'There they are,' Bingley said pointing to the new arrived party.
Darcy could only gasp at Elizabeth, she looked stunning in her simple but elegant dress. To him she never looked more beautiful. Elizabeth smiled at him and after the introductions of the new parties were made, they all were invited to sit with the Darcy's in their box. The seating arrangement went- Miss Darcy and Col Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bingley and Jane, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and lastly Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy decided best not to say a thing especially after the last time they talked but was surprised and happy when Elizabeth told him.
'You are forgiven sir.'
'Pardon me Miss Elizabeth.' Darcy asked not sure what he really heard.
'I do forgive you, how could I not. I am sorry for the things I said but after tonight and seeing Jane happy I couldn't stay angry with my friend long. We are still friends correct?' Elizabeth whispered to him,
'Yes indeed we are,' Darcy replied happily. 'Have you seen the play before Miss Elizabeth?'
'No sir but Much Ado About Nothing is one of my favorite plays. I just love Beatrice.' Elizabeth said smiling shyly at him.
'No doubt why? I always preferred Benedict myself.' Darcy said smiling at her. Elizabeth just blushed and looked curiously at Jane and Mr. Bingley.
'Hmm I wonder.' She replied quietly.
'What Miss Elizabeth?'
'Oh nothing it sounds silly.' Elizabeth said laughing lightly.
'What?'
'It's just that Mr. Bingley and Jane don't seem that surprised to see each other tonight.'
'You noticed it as well?' Darcy asked grinning.
'Yes. Jane didn't say much last night but I wonder.'
Darcy was about to say more but the play started. At the intermission Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner left wishing to return to the children and knowing that their nieces were safe left them to the care of the gentleman. When the play was over it was decided that Col Fitzwilliam would take Georgiana home because she was a little tired, so the remaining four decided on taking a walk.
'Shall we Miss Bennet?' Bingley said offering his arm to Jane. Jane took his arm and they started to walk, Darcy in turn offered his arm to Elizabeth and they both started to walk and talk.
'So what do you think?' Darcy said.
'Well I think that they have meet before tonight. I wonder when Jane is going to tell me.' Elizabeth said smiling.
'Yes I also wonder that, when I told Bingley yesterday he didn't react they way he should have. He was a little more calm about it, I was too busy worrying about something else to make an accurate notice of it then.' Darcy said frowning slightly.
'What is wrong? Did something else happen yesterday?' Elizabeth asked worriedly.
'Yes something did. I thought I lost my friend.'
'I don't think that Mr. Bingley would be that harsh on you Mr. Darcy.'
'I wasn't talking about him,' Darcy said stopping and reaching a point where it was only they and it was an isolated part of the park, turned to her and said. 'I thought that I lost you Elizabeth.
'Oh.' Elizabeth replied, not wanted to look at him.
'May I ask you another question Miss Elizabeth?' Darcy asked placing his hand under her chin to look her in the eyes.