Editor's Note: Parts of this story are a bit racier than most of the stories here and might not be suitable for our youngest readers.

A sequel to "The Profits of Education"

Part One, Chapter One

Posted on Wednesday, 21-Oct-98

Author's Note: For Darlene and Rebecca.

arry, just take care of yourself." Said Elizabeth Greenford to her only son Henry Baker, waving to the boy who was climbing into the bus. Elizabeth married George Baker when she was only twenty-one. She thought it was to be forever but it turned out that her husband and Henry's father thought differently and when Harry was four George left them for another woman. He divorced her, Elizabeth returned to her maiden name and was determined to bring up Harry to the best of her abilities. Hopefully she inherited after her grandmother a house in Northumberland and sufficient means to sustain Harry and herself until she finished business courses at the university. Her plan was to open a small hotel in her grandmother's house.

Now, Harry was ten and she received her diploma in business. It was mid-July and she was saying good bye to her son who was going on a three-week camp. During these three weeks she planned to clean the attic and prepare the documents required for legal opening of the hotel.

On the other side of the bus, a young looking man was telling his nine-year-old daughter, Sarah:

"Please, take care of yourself and don't fight with the boys. Promise me, you won't."

"I promise, daddy. When will mom return?"

"I don't know darling." Replied he knowing that his wife Caroline would never come back. In fact after five years he decided to divorce her. He started the procedures by post but he felt Caroline would want to convince him into resigning from the plan and as he had no intention of doing it he preferred to have Sarah was on vacations while dealing with her mother.

"Take care." Repeated he and led her to bus door. She waved him and seated herself in the last row of the chairs.

The bus drove away and Elizabeth Greenford together with other parents looked as it was disappearing from the sight. "I hope nothing happens to him." thought she, absolutely unaware that the father of a certain girl was thinking the same.

Chapter Two

Elizabeth returned to her house. It took her two hours to get there but when she found herself there, she was happy. She planned to have a free afternoon today so she opened a bottle of orange juice and sat down in front of the TV. BBC was showing "The Antique Roadshow" and when she heard an elder lady saying: "You might find something interesting in your attic," Elizabeth decided to start her work today.

When she entered the attic she noticed that no one was there in a long time. She could see old furniture and cloths. Nothing interesting. She was on the point of returning downstairs, thinking the old lady was wrong when she noticed a trunk in the corner. She came nearer and tried to open it. But she could not. She gathered all her strength trying to lift it up. To her surprise the trunk was light. She brought it to her bedroom and opened the lock using a piece of wire. Inside there was nothing apart from three books. She opened the first one and read the title page:

Chapter Three

Elizabeth started reading. It was one of the most amazing things she had read.

September, 14th,

We met Georgiana Darcy. I find her very amiable and agreeable. She is very intelligent, too. From what she tells me about her brother he must be a very good, intelligent and foreseeing person - it's hardly true, he is prejudiced, self-centred man and only his sister can really admire and praise him - added on Dec., 20th.

---

October, 22nd

"Romeo and Juliet" - really stunning performance

---

October, 23rd

It's lovely to spend a day in company of people who understand what you allude to. We went to Vauxhall Gardens, I joked about Burney's "Evelina". We had marvelous time.

---

October, 24th

It's been a lovely weekend. The three of us plus my Aunt and Uncle. How I long for such a family!

---

October, 25th

A letter from Mamma. How could she do it to us? How could she write saying we are not to come for Christmas? I would never do it to my children!

Georgiana invited us to stay at Pemberley. If she did not I would write father and go to Longbourn anyway.

I will meet Georgiana's brother. It may be nice to converse with somebody who is well-bred and knows the world. Charlotte would probably say that I should secure him but I would never do it, no matter who the man was. Nothing but the deepest love would induce me into matrimony.

I wonder if Mr. Darcy is as faultless as Georgiana says - HE IS NOT !!! (written on Dec., 21st)

---

December, 17th

We set off for Pemberley tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous.

---

December, 20th

We have just arrived. There was only Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam (Georgiana's cousin). The other guests are to arrive in two days time. Mr. Darcy wasn't very happy to see us. I wonder why? The Colonel was very agreeable.

The estate of Pemberley is beautiful. I was charmed by it the moment I saw it.

---

in continuation 11:20pm

Mr. Darcy is dreadful. How could he jump to conclusions just like that! I never thought one could be so suspicious. I was joking, telling Jane that she should secure somebody while staying here. He heard it (he was probably eavesdropping!) and not getting the joke believed I had some SCHEME. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

He is such a hateful man.

I had a pleasant conversation with the Colonel. At least he seems to be normal and not paranoid.

---

December, 21st, morning

I had breakfast at eight and went for a walk. I had to rethink what happened yesterday. On coming back, I met "my host". I showed him I heard him yesterday. He looked a little ashamed. Good, he should be.

---

Evening

This Miss Bingley is even worse than Darcy. No! You can see through her as her main objective is to secure Darcy, and you cannot foresee Darcy's actions. He deserves such a wife as Caroline Bingley.

Mr. Bingley seems to be attracted to Jane and she is taken with him though you have to know Jane to know it. If it goes like that she will accept him if he proposes.

---

December, 22nd

Lady Catherine DeBourgh and her daughter descended upon us. Lady Catherine is even more overbearing than my mother. However, she is not silly.

She loves to give advises. As for Miss Anne, let's remain silent.

---

December, 23rd

We were fighting with snowballs. The Colonel gave Georgiana and me a fencing lesson.

---

December, 25th

Bingley, Jane, Georgiana, the Colonel and myself, we were building a snowman. Someone put his nose in such a stupid manner that he resembled Mr. Darcy when he is set against his inferiors,

I have to be objective. Mr. Darcy has rather good looks but he has a hateful character.

I have noticed that he's been looking at me for the last three days. I can find no logical explanation for that. You don't look at people you don't like unless of course he observes me to find my scheme out."

Elizabeth laughed: "My great-great-great-grandmother was a personality". She closed the first book and opened the next. There was a big gap in entries to the diary. The front page of the next book said:

September 20th, 1814

My fate is decided. Today I've agreed to become Mr. Greenford's wife. I laugh at myself. Only two years ago I would swear that nothing but the deepest love would induce me into matrimony and I am to marry without love. Henry is a good sort of man but I don't have for him the feelings I have for Fitzwilliam Darcy, poor Fitzwilliam, victim of his society and his times. I love him and would do anything for him. In marrying Henry I am giving Fitzwilliam his chance for normal life. (written on Sept. 20th, 1824 - I was so stupid. I thought I was doing it for Fitzwilliam. No - I was doing it for myself. I made a decision and I did not admit I was wrong, and I WAS.)

---

December, 25th, 1814

I married Henry yesterday. Fitzwilliam's marriage took place a month ago and I cannot stop thinking about him. It's sick. I am a married woman. I am married to a good man. I shall be happy!

---

May, 15th, 1816

We have a son. Bennet Henry Greenford is a so sweat. Now, I have someone whom I can give all my feelings. Henry is very proud.

---

June, 23rd, 1818

Jane Frances Greenford was born - she looks like her Aunt Jane.

---

March, 19th, 1829

It's already a month since I've met HIM. ( written on Nov., 21st. 1849 - I should have never met him there. Life became more difficult after it. I shouldn't be saying that. Today's William's 20th Birthday. I am happy.)

---

November, 23rd, 1829

William Andrew Louis was born two days ago. I love holding him in my arms. He is so much like his father. Handsome, intelligent. I'll do anything for him.

Elizabeth read on. The diary related to the ordinary things. How the children grew up and what they were doing. Elizabeth felt tears were rolling down her cheeks when she read that Jane Frances married Jane Bingley's son and that Bennet fell in love with Elizabeth Wickham and finally married her. William married Louisa Hampton who detested her mother, Lady Caroline Hampton, for trying to part them.

Elizabeth closed the third book. It was already past midnight when she went upstairs to bed.

She woke up three hours later. "Oh my God," gasped she, "The dates. Does that mean that her great-great-grandmother did not retain her claims for reputation which her marriage had give to her? It cannot be!"

Chapter Four

Elizabeth could not sleep. She got up and reread the diary. Could that really be? Kept thinking she. Then another thought occurred to her. If her great-great-great grandmother gave birth to Fitzwilliam Darcy's child, is it possible that she was related to one of the best-known families in the country. Of course, she was illegitimate great-great-great grandchild but still. The problem was that she did not know who her great-great-grandfather was. She knew that her family was related to the Hamptons and the Bingleys but from which side she came she had no idea. Still holding the diaries she sat on a sofa. How many times has she read in "The Sun", "The Daily Mail" or in "Hello" about Mrs. Caroline Darcy who was one of the most elegant and beautiful women in Europe. How many times sitting in the dentist waiting room, has she thought "how would it be to switch places with her." About her husband, William Darcy, Elizabeth heard almost nothing. He was the head of Pemberley and Rosings Hotel Inc. He was the owner of a chain of hotels around the world but he preferred to stay away from high society. Unlike his wife, he was believed to be a calm and sensible man who took care of his child and business. He was in his late thirties, still young looking and reputed to be madly in love with his nine-year-old daughter, Sarah. If he showed in society, he attended various parties for children and for the last few years he had never come with his wife.

Suddenly Elizabeth remembered that in "Hello", she had seen in Sainsbury, there was an article about William Darcy. She dressed up and ran to her car. It was 5.30 a.m. and by the time she got to the shop it would be opened for sure.

Three hours later, Elizabeth was sitting again in her armchair reading the article about William Darcy for the thousandth time. It said that he was spending his holidays in his home at Pemberley and would not return to London until late August. Pemberley was an hour away. It was more than tempting to meet him. But then what could she tell him. Hello, my name is Elizabeth Greenford and it seems that may great-great-great grandmother gave birth to your great-great-great grandfather's child. It just happens that we might be related, although I am not sure whether I come from this child. No, it was idiotic. She could not do it.

She kept repeating it for three days and then she could no longer. On Thursday she dressed carefully and drove to Pemberley, Derbyshire. When she entered the gate she thought:

"Is that what my great-great-great grandmother saw?"

Part Two, Chapter 5

Posted on Wednesday, 21-Oct-98

Elizabeth pushed the bell button and waited. She heard someone's steps and the door opened. In front of her stood a young man, probably in his early thirties. He looked like a movie star, with his blond hair, blue eyes and athletic body.

"Hi!" said Elizabeth.

"Hi! May I help you?" replied he.

"I hope. My name is Elizabeth Greenford." She paused hoping her name would tell him something but he kept smiling in an innocent way. Stupid me. He cannot know! Thought Elizabeth but said: "I would like to speak with Mr. William Darcy."

"I'm afraid he is not available at the moment." Seeing her disappointed face, he continued: "But please, come in. Maybe I could be of some service. My name is Michael Wallingford, I'm William's cousin."

Elizabeth entered the house. It was beautifully furnished. Paintings of old masters hang on the walls. Michael led her to the sitting parlour and offered some refreshments. The day was hot and she gratefully accepted a glass of grapefruit juice and waited for Michael to sit down.

"What brings you here, Miss Greenford?"

"It's actually Mrs. Greenford but I prefer Elizabeth, if you don't mind."

"Michael."

"Pleasure…"

"..is all mine." He smiled. "So what brings you here?"

"It's a little difficult to explain."

"My middle name is Patience."

"I have inherited a house in Northumberland. I want to open a hotel …" she noticed Michael's face change. At first she did not realised what she said, then noticing the faux-pas blushed and continued: "… the reason why I am here has nothing to do with Mr. Darcy's business. When I was cleaning the attic, I found a box containing three diary-books from the early 19th century. I read them and it seems that my great-great-great grandmother was closely acquainted with Mr. Darcy's great-great-great-grandfather, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. I thought Mr. Darcy would be interested in knowing more about his ancestor." Elizabeth decided not to say anything about the possible blood relations. Darcy might have thought that she wanted to gain something. Her thoughts were interrupted by Michael:

"I am sure William will be interested. He has great passion for history. Would you like to see Fitzwilliam Darcy's portrait? It's in the gallery."

Elizabeth nodded and Michael led the way. When they found themselves in the large hall, Elizabeth heard voices coming from upstairs:

"I will never agree for divorce!" called a female voice, "Do you hear me, William Darcy? NEVER!"

"Caroline, I don't care. You left me and your daughter. You spent the last four years somewhere between Los Angeles, Spa, Davos and Monte Carlo. All you've managed to do for your daughter was send her postcards. Where were you when she had measles? Where were you when she started the new school? Where were you when she had her first big birthday party? I can tell you where you were not! You were not with her!"

"I will not let you take her away from me!"

"Stop ridiculing yourself, Caroline! There is no judge in this country who will give you the right to take care of this child!"

"She is my child, too. I laid in labour for eighteen…"

"I will not let you ruin her chances for normal life."

"And what about me? You know I love you…" Elizabeth grinned when she heard the change in tactics. The woman's sharp voice changed into sweet and promising one. But the man was not to be fooled:

"You don't. You never did. You always wanted my money. There was nothing else. You wanted to be called Mrs. Darcy and have unlimited access to my bank accounts. Enough is enough!"

"William, don't be angry. I'm sure you still remember our nights. It could all come back…"

"Caroline, God is my witness, I loved you like a fool. If you had said: jump from the Big Ben, I would have jumped but it's gone, it's over. I won't let you fool me again. I have the right to be happy, too. I have every right to have a happy family and live happily."

"So you dump me for another woman!"

"As far as I remember you dumped me." Said he laughing.

"Tell me, is there another woman? You found yourself a tart of some kind? Didn't you?"

"And what if I had. Am I to name your so-called friends: Ali Al.-Azbir, John Galdamo III? You want more?"

"Who is she?"

"None of your damn business! The divorce will be pronounced in two weeks. I thank Heavens for the marriage agreement my father forced on me!"

"I'll get you William Darcy! Sooner or later." Hissed she and within twenty seconds found herself in the hall where Elizabeth and Michael were standing. The man appeared behind her. Seeing Elizabeth, the woman, recognised by Elizabeth as Caroline Darcy, turned to the man and said:

"So this is this tart of yours? William Darcy approached Elizabeth, put his hand around her waist and said:

"If I were you, Caroline, I would not offend my future wife. He turned to surprised Elizabeth and kissed her passionately. She could not defend, she was too surprised and then she realised his lips were soft and tender. She felt the kiss with every bit of her body and it was… it was like magic.

Darcy's first objective was to make Caroline angry. He wasn't thinking in terms of premeditated using of the woman standing next to Michael. He just wanted to make Caroline mad. He recognised Michael's guest at once. He noticed her at the Camp Meeting Place on Sunday and remembered the beautiful dark eyes. He planned the kiss to be short, almost abrupt but then his plans rarely succeeded. After all he planned to live a happy life with Caroline. When their lips met, he felt that he could not break this kiss at once. Her lips were sweet, soft and tender. At a certain moment, he felt he was not the only one enjoying the kiss. She began to respond to his kiss and it felt… it felt like magic.

When he finally broke the kiss, Elizabeth could only see the Caroline, walking out of the door. It was the moment in which she exploded:

"Who the hell do you think you are to kiss a woman you have never seen in your life?"

"In fact, I have seen you. On Sunday, you were with your son, who was going to the Cotswolds Camp."

Elizabeth was again surprised. This man was good in making her surprised.

"How do you know?"

"My daughter went there, too. What brings you here?"

"I… I was telling your… your cousin that I may have something that can be of interest to you. My great-great-great-grandmother wrote a diary and it seems she was acquainted with your ancestor, Fitzwilliam Darcy."

"Really? Could I read the diary?"

"Yes. That's why I came. The books are in the sitting room. When you've read them, call me and I'll come to pick them up. I put my phone number into one of the books."

"Maybe we can go and sit…"

"No, I really have to be going. It was a pleasure to meet you, Michael. Good Bye Mr. Darcy."

"William, please."

"Only if you call me Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth, I'll walk you to your car."

"Thanks."

None of them said anything. Elizabeth stopped to say good-bye before sitting inside. William spoke first:

"I am really sorry for my strange behaviour and for using you. It's just that my wife… well, it's complicated and…"

"Let's not talk about it. When you've read the diary, give me a call."

"I will. Have a safe journey."

"Thanks. Bye."

As she drove away, she could still see his figure standing on the road. Her mind was busy and she still felt his kiss on her lips.

Chapter Six

Darcy returned to the house and went straight to the sitting room. Michael was sitting in a large armchair. On seeing Darcy, he started laughing:

"My dear cousin! It seems you've changed your approach to women. And you start with the married ones."

"Give yourself a break, Mike! I'm in no mood for stupid joked." Said he and then added: "And she is not wearing a ring."

He definitely likes her. But then who wouldn't? She has a gorgeous body, thought Michael, but instead said: "Here are the diaries."

"Thanks. I came to take them."

Michael wanted to ask something about Caroline but seeing Darcy's angry forehead decided it was better to shut up. Darcy took the books and left the room. Already in the door, he turned to Michael and said: "Jane is coming today. Could you pick her up from the station?"

"Sure. Is she not coming by car?"

"No, she says she won't add kilometres to her new TVR so she prefers to come on the train. She says, she can use one of the household cars while here."

"Can you understand women, Will?" asked Michael shaking his head.

"Did I tell you, you were cruel?"

Michael realised how stupid his remark sounded after what happened today. Darcy left and Michael started reading "Fame and Glory". His old, Oxford, Slavonic languages professor with whom he stayed in contact, recommended him the book. It was quite long and the original version posed problems but after reading two out of three volumes he almost needed no dictionary. Suddenly, he was distracted by Darcy's voice:

"What do you know about Elizabeth Greenford?"

"I know that she is from Northumberland, where she inherited a house which she plans to turn into a hotel. She has a son whom you have seen. That's all…. Oh, she doesn't wear a ring, but how she kisses you must know better."

"Shut up, Mike."

"You asked, I answered." Laughed Wallingford.

Darcy walked to the library. He turned his computer on. He opened Microsoft Exchange and clicked New Message icon.

To: priveye@bptnet.co.uk
Subject: msg. from W.D. - confidential
Message:

Mr. Backert,

I need information on Mrs. Elizabeth Greenford and her son. Mrs. Greenford lives in Northumberland, she had recently inherited a house there and she plans to open a hotel in it.

Her telephone is 629 25 50

Yours,
W.D.

He clicked SEND. The computer was establishing a connection. William opened the first diary. The mail was sent but there were eight new messages, including one from his attorney and another from the head of his hotel in Prague, which was as yet not profitable. He had to postpone the reading of the diary and put his curiosity on hold. Something was telling him that the diary would change a lot in his life. However, business had to come first.

Chapter Seven

Elizabeth was driving the motorway, rethinking the events of the day. A week ago, she would never have thought that she could meet William Darcy. And today, she shared with him one of the most passionate kisses in her life. Arriving home, she changed into her favourite shirt and sat in an armchair with a mug of steaming coffee. She could still feel his hand on her waist, his lips on hers. She didn't know why. Maybe, it was because of all those years alone. She caught herself thinking how it would be if they were together, William Darcy and herself. Out of the sudden, she started laughing. How could she think, even think about it? William Darcy used her. He quarreled with his wife and wanted to show her something. Elizabeth was a good object. The only one in fact. Who was she, Elizabeth Greenford, for such a tycoon like William Darcy? And yet, she could not forget the taste of his lips, the pressure of his body close to hers. George Baker had never woken up such feelings and want in her as Will Darcy had just in this single kiss. I am sick thought she he's just used me and I'm not even angry with him. I should be angry with myself at least.

She could not know that she occupied William Darcy's mind. He could not concentrate on his work. The documents made no sense to him and his attorney was shocked on reading his e-mail agreeing for the first draft of the deal with Orbis, concerning buying a chain of twelve hotels in Poland. He even commented Darcy's decision aloud, telling his secretary that his best client must have lost his business sense, an epithet he would normally never used as he considered such remarks unprofessional. He decided, he would wait a couple of days and contact William Darcy again, in hope, his senses came back.

William Darcy was distracted. Late in the evening, he started to read the diary.

Chapter Eight

For the next few days, occupied himself in the library. His aim was to find something private on Fitzwilliam Darcy. If his ancestor was so much in love with Elizabeth Bennet, he must have left some trace, some hint concerning the relationship.

It took Will four sleepless days to find what he was looking for. On the highest shelf, he found a thin book: William Shakespeare's Sonnets edited in 1794 and a sheet of paper in it.

William buried himself in the armchair and started reading. On the top of the sheet, it said:

Lady Georgiana Wallingford de domo Darcy

Catharsis - A.D.1859

My brother died yesterday. All those years he lived because he hoped to see Elizabeth. With her being dead, his life meant nothing to him. It is so sad to watch unhappy people, especially if they are dear to you.

From the day of his wedding with Anne, I knew he would be unhappy and so would be Anne. The first day of William's sorrow was the first day of my happiness. How strange it is! David proposed to me when William was repeating his unhappy-marriage vows that he could not break. I knew I would be happy with David, just like William knew he would be unhappy with Anne.

After 40 years of my marriage to David, I loved my husband like I did the first day, and William, he could not say that. Four years after David's death I miss him so much, but I remember everything about him. William missed for forty-five years, did he remember every detail, too? I think he remembered everything about Elizabeth, and it was the worst. The things we remember are the worst. We cannot forget, although we want it, but then do we really want to forget? Has William really wanted to forget? No.

I know that he met Elizabeth once in 1829, after Anne's death. I think they were both on the way to London. However, I know no particulars of their meeting. As far as I remember, he was quite cheered up for a month or two after the meeting but then his pessimism returned. I believe their meeting returned him to hope, but then he realised it was all in vain. He understood that Elizabeth would never be his Elizabeth.

He died with the Sonnet-book in his hands. Reading his favourite sonnet:

Shall I compare thee to the summer's day;
Thou art more lovely and more temperate;

I am convinced that Elizabeth was for him more lovely and more temperate.

Pemberley was inherited by William's grandson - Jeffrey. Beth is to live with her son who adopted the name of the Darcys. Jeffrey's father died and William arranged everything so that Jeffrey Wentworth would inherit the Darcy fortune and the name. William let Beth marry for love, but she also had little happiness in life. Major Wentworth died young, leaving Beth and Jeffrey.

I know that Jeffrey Darcy will be a good administrator. He told me just a few days ago that our family should invest in industry. He says that industry has future and he wants to offer tourist services. He is a sensible young man. He wants to build a shipyard and open an oceanic line between England and America. He says his company will be called Pemberley & Rosings.

We will see what will come of it.

I hope life will treat him better than it treated his grandfather. G.W.

William was moved. Life has indeed treated Jeffrey better than it did Fitzwilliam Darcy. He was a happy man who lived to see his great-grandchildren.

The clock struck eleven.

Instead of going to bed, he started to read the sonnets. He imagined how Fitzwilliam Darcy sat reading the book on the day of his death. Will read the last poem. He was closing the book when he noticed that the back-cover looked strange. It seemed that there was a double deck in the book. Using a letter knife, he opened it. There were two folded sheets of paper. He started reading them:

April, 21st, 1831

Dear Fitzwilliam,

I know I should not be writing this letter but I cannot stop. I don't know if you will ever receive it, but if you will, you will know what feelings I have for you.

It's been two years since our meeting, and I still remember your touch.

You must know that, when I saw your livery that day in the Inn, I almost decided to drive on, but I knew I would never forgive myself then. I've hurt myself once, by accepting Henry, I could not do it again.

I asked the innkeeper about you and I learned I had a room next to yours.

God is my witness that the temptation was great, and I don't think anyone would have withstood it. Or maybe I'm just trying to explain myself. When Lydia ran away, I kept thinking that I would never disgrace my name and yet, on that February afternoon, I knew I could do it. I knew I could disgrace my name, for the sake of love.

I still remember the expression of your face when you saw me in the door. You could not believe it was me, just as you could not believe, it was possible for us to meet. And then you said: "Come in, Elizabeth." And I did. I felt "It was love and I felt it was glory," as the poet says.

I remember the fire at which we looked and which burned in us. After all those years, I know that we were made for each other and that we've lost our chance.

You may have forgotten this, but I still feel how you had been learning the curve of my chin, kissing every millimetre of my face. You unbuttoned my dress, letting it roll down to the floor. I gave you my lips and you put your finger on them as though you wanted me to stay still. You took a brush and making me sit down, you started to brush my hair. Then, still brushing it, you let your hand go lower and lower. You caressed me, and I felt as though I was touching Heaven. You took me in your arms and placed me on the bed. I felt like a bride on her wedding night, and it was a strange feeling for a mother of two. I closed my eyes and when I opened them again, you were lying next to me. And I still remember how you took me in your arms and led to complete fulfillment.

It was one of those nights during which sleep is worth a capital punishment. If I were given a chance to make one moment of my life last forever, it would be that night.

Leaving your room at dusk I promised to write you but I could not.

Yours,
Elizabeth

November 21st, 1851

As you can see I decided not to send you the letter for the last 15 years. You may hate me now but I could not. Elizabeth.

For the first time since he was six and lost his favourite Teddy Bear, William Darcy was crying.

"And she still did not tell him! She must have known!" muttered he.

The clock struck four in the morning. A new day was beginning. William wanted to call Elizabeth as soon as possible, but it was too early. He went towards his bedroom. On his night table, he found a card from Jane. I didn't want to disturb you in the library. I knew you found what you've been looking for. However, Miss Steinfeld from Sarah's camp called and asked for you to be there tomorrow at eleven. Sarah is fine. Jane. PS. Get some sleep at last.

Darcy looked at the clock. It was quarter past three. He had four hours of sleep before the departure. He fell onto the bed and fell asleep. Four hours later, his alarm clock rang. It was time to go and his head was aching like hell.

Part Three Chapter 9

Posted on Wednesday, 21-Oct-98

Darcy arrived at the Cotswolds Camp Centre at a quarter to eleven. He parked his car in front of the building and went inside. He asked a young girl, presumably from the staff where Miss Steinfeld's office was and was directed to the first floor. To his utter amazement, he saw Elizabeth Greenford sitting on a bench in front of the room 123, where Miss Steinfeld's office was situated.

"Good morning." Began he.

"Good morning." Replied she in a surprised tone.

"In fact, you are the last person whom I thought to see here."

"Does it make you uncomfortable?" asked she

She is in a bad mood today, thought he but replied smiling: "I never said that. I wanted to tell you that I am very happy to see you. I wanted to cal…"

At that moment, Miss Steinfeld appeared:

"Please, come in." When the entered she added: "sit down, please."

Elizabeth was on the point of sitting down when she heard Darcy say:

"We'll much rather stand."

For some unknown reason, she obeyed, and Miss Steinfeld started:

"Mrs. Baker," Elizabeth could feel Darcy curiously gazing at her, "I am sorry to say that your son Henry can hardly behave within permissible rules. And that applies to your daughter too, Mr. Darcy."

"What is their crime?" asked Darcy and Elizabeth could swear she heard irony there.

"Henry started a fight with Sarah on the very first day. He claimed she provoked him." In that, Darcy could easily believe, but did not betray his knowledge. Instead, he said:

"Maybe I'm not good in mathematics," it was funny to hear it from a billionaire, thought Elizabeth, and Darcy continued: "but it's been twelve days since then. Don't you think it's a little late to talk about it?"

"Mr. Darcy, it is just the beginning. Five days ago, Mike Bacon teased Henry…"

"What?" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"Please calm down, Mrs. Baker. Mike said, Henry was a "criminal-to-be" because his parents did not live together. Sarah heard it. It seems that the old fight was forgotten and the two united their forces, so to speak. They got their revenge on Mike yesterday. They teased him to the extent that he had to be taken to hospital because he could not be calmed down…"

"Miss Steinfield," broke Darcy, "stop ridiculing yourself." That's his favourite saying thought Elizabeth. "I sent my child here, and I am sure Mrs. Baker had the same reasons, to let my child rest after a year of schooling. And what I hear? I hear that my child is being teased and laughed at for something that is not her fault!"

"But sir, Henry was the object…"

"Are you so ignorant or so stupid? Do you not see there is no difference? I believe you want me and Mrs. Baker to take the children away…"

"No, I…"

"In my opinion, it is Mike Bacon who should be expelled. You allowed this situation to happen. It is your fault, yours only! No child should ever be persecuted for his or her parent's faults. We are taking both kids away right now. Send for them." Miss Steinfeld wanted to say something but Darcy silenced her:

"And one more thing. I will not recommend this camp to any of my acquaintances."

Totally devastated, Miss Steinfeld left the room. When her steps were no longer to be heard, Elizabeth exclaimed:

"Who do you think you are to decide for me?"

"It was the only right thing to do."

"But you haven't consulted me!"

"So you wanted me to say: Excuse me, Miss Steinfeld, I have to consult Mrs. Baker here. People will never listen to you if you act like that. You must show others their place."

"Other people are just like you, human beings. You cannot treat the as inferiors."

"All right, then maybe I should have said: I take Sarah and Henry may stay. That's idiotic!"

"No,…"

"So what was I to do?"

"Consult me!"

"Women!" burst he and at that moment Henry and Sarah appeared in the door. They were a little afraid what the parents might say, after seeing Miss Steinfeld extremely annoyed.

"Where are your bags?" asked Darcy.

"In the hall." Answered Harry, seeing that Sarah was silent.

"O.K., let's go." Replied Darcy without looking at Elizabeth. He took Sarah's hand and walked out of the room. Already outside the building, he said loud enough for Elizabeth to hear:

"Sarah, would you like some ice cream? I saw a little café in the village."

Elizabeth was already repenting the words she said. Throughout the past few days, she had been trying to convince herself that she was mad at Darcy. But she was not, and when she saw him this morning, she felt angry with herself for trying to deny the fact that she was attracted to him. She knew he handled Miss Steinfeld well and was sorry for her outburst. She then heard, Sarah reply:

"Yes! Can Harry come, too?"

"You must ask his mother." Replied Darcy, and Sarah ran towards Harry calling:

"Can Harry come and have some ice cream with me and my dad?"

"I'm sorry Sarah," said Elizabeth, "but we should be going…"

"Please, Mrs. Baker," William backed his daughter, "I am sure we all need to cool down before getting into these hot cars." Continued he, hoping Elizabeth did not realise that his car was air-conditioned and think he was mocking at her, which he was not. Fortunately, Elizabeth did not think about air-conditioning, but she kept silent. Darcy added: "Ice cream will please the children, and I owe you an apology for what I said in the office."

"Apology accepted, only if you forgive me my outburst."

"It's forgiven. Shall we go?"

The children ran first.

Chapter Ten

The children were eating the biggest ice creams on the menu, and Elizabeth and William were sipping iced-coffee.

"I meant to tell you that I have read the diary. I wanted to call you today, but I had to come here."

"Isn't it amazing that a diary written almost two hundred years ago can be so … so contemporary?" replied Elizabeth.

"It seems as though Miss Elizabeth Bennet was born in the sixties." said he.

"Yes, but then she would have never lost her beloved one."

"Contemporary people are in no way different from their ancestors. These are the times that changed."

William didn't want to start the subject of Fitzwilliam Darcy's affair with Mrs. Greenford with children listening. It occurred to him that Elizabeth must have noticed the dates and the fact that William Greenford was most probably Darcy's son, and yet she did not mentioned it. He already had a plan how to know more about her.

At that moment, the children finished their ice creams and asked whether they could go and play in the café's garden. Elizabeth looked at her watch and said:

"Harry, we should really be going." She got up. Darcy paid and they all went towards their cars. Already next to Elizabeth's car, he said:

"Mrs. Baker…"

"It's Elizabeth, remember?"

"Of course, Elizabeth. My cousin has told me that you want to open a hotel. I am sure you have a lot of work before it happens. The camp should have lasted still over a week so Harry may be disturbing you…"

"Harry is never in my way."

"I did not mean that. I have an idea. How about if I took Harry to Pemberley? Sarah would be his companion. He will not be boring himself. Fresh air would do good for both of them. My sister Jane and Michael are in Pemberley so the kids will be supervised and then I'm there, too. So?"

"It's very nice of you, but I wouldn't want to give you troubles."

"It would be no trouble at all. Nothing will happen to Harry if that's what you are worried about. I'll make sure he calls you every day…"

"Please, Mrs. Baker," interrupted Sarah

Elizabeth turned to Harry and said:

"Would you like to go?"

She could read the boy's answer in his eyes.

"All right, you may go. William, I'm very grateful…"

"It's nothing. It is good to be of service. Come kids, into the car. I'll take Harry's bag. Elizabeth will you come with is? Said he when the kids were busy placing themselves in Darcy's Jeep.

"I would love to but I cannot. I am already behind the schedule. If you don't mind I'd love to come during the weekend."

"Weekend?! Great!"

"Once again, thank you for taking care of Harry."

"You are welcome. See you!"

"Yes, see you."

Elizabeth looked as Darcy and the kids drove away. He was looking at the rear-view mirror thinking about her handsome features and intriguing eyes.

It was almost six in the afternoon. Elizabeth was trying to concentrate on the legal papers she had on the table, when the doorbell rang. She wasn't expecting anyone.

"Hello" called William Darcy when she opened the door. He had flowers in one hand and a bottle of red wine in the other.

Author's Note: I owe a thank you to Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz for his characters I used in this story.

Chapter Eleven

"Hi!" said Elizabeth. Her first thought was: He surprised me again the second: "Is something wrong with Harry?"

"No. He's fine. He went horse riding with Michel and Sarah. Mike told me you wanted to open the hotel. I thought I might pop in and help…"

Elizabeth was silent.

"I hope you don't mind, I mean if you don't want to then I'll just give you the diaries and go…"

"Oh, no…, I mean it's very nice of you to come. Tips from the head of Pemberley & Rosings Inc. would be most welcome. I was simply surprised to see you."

"Can I come in then?"

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry. Do come in!" He gave her the flowers and came inside. He looked around the room. It was pleasantly furnished and showed good taste of the inhabitants.

Elizabeth went to the kitchen. William placed the bottle on the table, which was covered in half by papers. Darcy noticed they concerned an opening of an corporation. He then heard Elizabeth call:

"Would you like tea or coffee?"

"No, thanks." Replied he and within a moment she reappeared in the room caring two glasses and a bottle opener. She noticed he went through the papers. As if reading her thoughts, he said:

"I see you want to open it as an corporation."

"Yes. I believe it's better to separate private property and the company one."

"Good thinking. I see you are almost done with the legal work. As far as I understand you will have a nominee?"

"Yes, it's going to be my sister Sammie. But I still need a building permit. You know, it's a historic building and so on."

"Have you got any problems with this?"

"Not as yet, but they may refuse…"

"Don't worry about it. I'll call John MacGrew tomorrow. There will be no problems."

"Thanks, but I really wouldn't want to…"

"It will be a pleasure." Said he starting to open the bottle. Pouring wine into the glasses, he added:

"It's a lovely house. Do you use it all?"

"No, just three bedrooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs."

"How many rooms are there altogether?"

"15 bedrooms. I want to open something between a hotel and pension. We have a lake here and stables. There is only one horse at the moment, but I hope it will change. You know something for the whole family."

"You like family life?"

"Yes. You see I grew up in a large family. I have two sisters. Sammie lives in Japan and Marie in the US. I am the youngest and the only one living in England."

"What about your parents?"

"My mother is French and my father English. They live in Brighton. When I was little we always took family vacations in France or in Spain. My mother comes from La Rochelle. It's a lovely little town with Vieux Port. My grandparents lived in a villa by the sea. I loved going there but I never wanted to live there. Anyway, my mother's sister inherited the villa and we stopped going there. What about you?"

"About me?"

"Yes, what about your family life?"

"I grew up being a rich, spoiled boy."

"That bad!"

"No," answered he, "but I was rich and spoiled at times. My parents wanted to have a perfect son who would act according to etiquette. I was their only child for more than eight years. You see my father was a diplomat. It was his brother who owned Pemberley & Rosings Inc.. My uncle had no children, so I was the heir. I spent my childhood with my parents mainly in Poland. My mother was Polish. Her name was Royska."

"Can you speak Polish?"

"Yes. It may sound funny but I wanted Sarah to learn her origins. I take her to Ealing Broadway Polish Centre every Saturday when we are in town. She loves Polish food. My father met my mother during his first diplomatic mission. It was in the late '50s. He said it was a coup de foudre. He fell in love the moment he saw her entering the ballroom of the British Embassy. It was a ball of some kind and she came with her cousin Alexander Billinski and his wife. The Ambassador knew Alexander from before the war when he was a Prince Billinski. He lost almost all his family during the war. His mother survived but lived in France. Six months after their meeting, my mother and father got married. They left Poland in '59 and returned to England. I was born in '60 and two years later we all returned to Poland, we haven't left until 1976. I attended a normal Polish school in the mornings and then in the afternoon I had tutors with whom I did English and English history. The kids at school hated me. I could speak Polish just as good as they but I was different. I looked different and behaved different. They didn't like it."

"Was it because of the regime?"

"Oh, no. It was just because I was a good student who lived in a different world and they couldn't forgive me that. Children can never forgive. But I don't think it was because of the regime. You see, after 1956 Poland wasn't such a bad country and then after '68 it was pretty much like a normal one."

"But the empty shops and persecutions…"

"It wasn't so. In Gierek times, in the '70s, shops were full of stock. Poverty came after '76. I've never known it. I mean I wouldn't have anyway, I was British but I was raised among Poles and I had family there. Uncle Alo, I mean Alexander, lived near Warsaw in his late uncle's estate - Komorow."

"I thought there was nationalisation."

"Yes, but his grounds were small and he planted flowers there so no one was interested. Small agriculture stayed in private hands after the war. Uncle Alo married his cousin Lila at the age of 32 and they had two sons and a daughter. Janusz, the younger son is my sister's age. He is 30 now. I keep in touch with them. We spent last Christmas together in Komorow. When Alo returned from Monte Cassino, from Maczek division in '47, Komorow was a small place, about 40 ha. Today, it's about 700 ha."

"It seems that you've inherited good business sense from both sides." Laughed Elizabeth.

"I've never looked at it that way, but you are right."

"I see you like Poland very much."

"I do. Despite the fact that I hated it in early childhood, I have developed a certain fondness for this place. It's so different from England and yet so similar."

"In what way?"

"It's difficult to explain. You would have to go there to understand. David grasped it the moment he went out of the plane in Warsaw."

"David?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. David Wallingford, Michael's older brother. He married Maria Bilinska, Alo's daughter. You know, Michael was eighteen when he came to David's wedding and he fell for Poland, too. He decided he wanted to study Slavonic languages in Oxford and he speaks good Polish and Russian."

"So you all know Slavonic languages?"

"My sister's writing is poor but she speaks with ease. She was eight when we left Poland for good. What about you? You speak French?"

"Yes, fluently and so do my sisters but Harry for instance speaks poorly. He has French lessons now."

"You know a lot about me, and I so little about you. Tell me something about yourself."

"Well," said Elizabeth, "I was a really ugly kid…"

"I don't believe!"

"Honestly, I was. I hated reading and I wanted to be a singer."

He looked totally surprised.

"I hated reading because all books I was allowed to read were boring and treated children as though they were idiots. I fell for books when my grandma Greenford gave me "Anne of Green Gables." I was ten and it was the first book that interested me. It was also the first time when I realised my voice was so terrible that I'd never be able to make a career." He laughed. "I went to school. In high school I met George Baker. He was older by six years. I was mad about him. My friends envied me. I was about to enter Jesus College when George proposed. I agreed and gave up school. Harry was born and when he was four, George left me. He divorced me and married his secretary. You see, nothing like your life."

"Forgive me but you know little about my life. When Jane, my sister, was twenty, my parents died in an accident. They were on vacation with my uncle. They were flying and the plane crashed. In one day, I became an owner of a 30-million pound business and a father to Jane. I was twenty eight. I could barely cope with myself. It was then that I met Caroline. She made me fall in love with her. We got married and Sarah was born in '89. The business was rather poor. I spent nights and days in the office, on various planes, far away from home. I led a pathetic life. I had girls in every country I went to. In fact, they were after me, not the opposite, but I welcomed the opportunities. Then in '93, I was 33 and on a way back home I had a car accident. I fell asleep behind the wheel. I spent three months in hospital and understood I was screwing up my life. I didn't know my daughter and my wife was a complete stranger to me. I returned home and slowed down, but Caroline and I were incompatible. She started going out with her friends, she took the company plane to go shopping in New York or Paris. And then, she did not return from one of those trips. She said I had my fun time, now it was her time. I took Sarah to Komorow for two months. We got to know each other. We are great friends now. It's funny that only five years ago, I hardly remembered I had a daughter." Elizabeth looked at him tenderly. "You see," continued he, "I wasn't as perfect as you might have thought. No saint, at all."

"But you've changed. You've understood."

"Yes. Every cloud has a silver lining. Had it not been for the accident?…"

"It doesn't matter, now."

"Maybe, but it still hurts." Replied he.

"Especially Caroline?"

"Yes. I should not have married her. It was a mistake."

"But you have Sarah."

"You're right. Do you know that the first quarrel I had with Caroline was when we returned from our honeymoon, and she learnt that I was only worth 30 million. She thought it was at least twice that much. She was furious. And then, it occurred to me that she wanted my money. Being so lost in '88, I was an easy prey for her."

"I'm sure she had some feelings for you."

"Maybe, but she loved my money, not me. And I wanted to love."

"You are a romantic."

"Yes, a very sentimental one."

She touched his hand as though she wanted to comfort him. He looked at her thinking: She is so beautiful and I want her like I never wanted anyone in my life.

The telephone rang.

"Excuse me."

"Of course."

She approached the phone, cursing the person who called in such a moment: Five seconds more and he would have kissed me. "Good evening, Elizabeth Greenford." She listened and then said: "Mother, I am fine. Henry is, too."

Darcy could hear Mrs. Greenford talk but he could not discern the words.

"Henry is no longer at the camp. He is staying with his friend at her house."

Darcy got up and went towards Elizabeth. He heard her say: "No, I took him from there." He placed his hands on her arms.

She trembled. "I didn't think it was good for him. His friend, Sarah, lives nearby."

Darcy ran his fingers along her back placing them on her waist, pulling her towards himself.

She could feel his breath on her neck. She sighed.

Darcy could hear the elder Mrs. Greenford ask: "Lizzy, cherie, are you alone?"

Her daughter hesitated and said: "Yes."

Darcy was kissing her neck.

"Don't lie to me, Lizzy."

"I am not."

"Do you know what's the date today?"

"No mother," uttered Elizabeth feeling overwhelmed by William's passion, with which he tenderly learnt the shape of her neck.

She could hear her mother say: "Don't pretend! You know very well. It's the anniversary of your wedding."

"Mother, I'm divorced, remember."

Darcy's hands were all over her body. "You could return to George."

"Mother, he left me. I have nothing to return to, even if I wanted and I don't want." She felt Will's lips on her ear, discovering the secrets of her physiognomy. She gasped catching breath.

"Lizzy? Lizzy? Are you still there?" she heard.

"Yes, mother."

"You are not alone."

"Mother…"

"Are you? Who is he?"

Elizabeth didn't answer feeling weak and overwhelmed by William's passion.

"Is it George?" demanded her mother. Lizzy put the receiver down. But she still heard: "It is Georges. I am so happy…"

The moment the receiver returned to its place, William, still caressing Elizabeth with one hand, reached for the receiver with the other and placed it next to the phone. The line became busy. He turned Elizabeth and looked into her eyes. Holding her face in his hands, he tasted her lips. They were sweet and full of promise. Still being afraid to hurt or discourage her, his kisses were short, repeating one after another. He bit her lip once, twice trying to make her respond. Finally, he was rewarded. Placing her arms around his neck, she drew closer and forced him to kiss her longly. At first a little uncertain, as though asking for permission, the kiss became more and more passionate, never losing it's tenderness, allowing both partners to feel the sweetness of each other. He moved to kissing her cheeks, her nose, returning to her ears, he managed to whisper: "I need you, Elizabeth. I wanted you already, when we kissed in the hall of Pemberley."

His words brought Elizabeth back to reality.

"William, stop!" cried she, pushing him away. With tears she ran upstairs.

Darcy followed her calling: "Elizabeth, what is wrong?"

"Just leave me! I can't! I just can't!" called she sobbing.

"Dearest, I'm sorry. I should have controlled myself. It will never happen again. I am so sorry. It's all my fault." Repeated he.

Standing in the door of her bedroom, she turned back to him and said: "It's not your fault. It's me. It's beyond me. I am too afraid."

Chapter Twelve

Elizabeth ran into her room, slamming the door. Darcy wasn't sure what to do. O'kay, he might have acted too fast, but it was obvious she welcomed his courtship. He would have sworn, her eyes were saying kiss me just moments before the phone rang. He could hear Elizabeth cry in the room. He knocked on the door lightly. There was no answer. He pushed the door and entered the room. She was sitting on the floor, hugging a big, yellow Winnie the Pooh. He came to her and kneeling next to her whispered:

"There is nothing to be afraid of. I would never do you any harm."

Still hiding her head behind Winnie's ears, she murmured:

"I know. It's just me and…" she sobbed on. It seemed he could do nothing to console her. Gathering all his courage, he touched her and seeing no opposition took over the position of Winnie. With her face buried in his chest, she let out all the emotions, she has held back for years.

It took her more than an hour to calm down and throughout this time, Darcy rocked her in his arms, saying nothing, but uttering comforting hums. Having calmed down, enough to speak, she looked straight in his eyes and said:

"William, there is something I did not tell you."

He looked at her not knowing what to say.

"George, my husband, well, he wasn't then, he convinced me to have sex with him. I was almost twenty-one. I thought why not. We went to Ramsgate for the weekend. And he was the first man, I slept with. And I was so stupid, so inexperienced and…" her voice trailed off.

"You don't have to tell me this. I understand."

"No, you don't," objected she. "We spent a night together. It felt good, I was happy, and then one month later I discovered I was pregnant. That's why."

Elizabeth could see the question in his eyes, no matter how he wanted to conceal it.

"I was pregnant with Henry. My father bribed George to marry me. William Greenford still doesn't know that I know about it. There was a fast wedding and six and a half months later, Henry was born." She paused.

So that's why she quit Jesus College. I couldn't get it at first, thought he, and she continued:

"George and I have never shared the life of a married couple. We slept in separate bedrooms, and then he fell for his secretary. The rest you either already know or can imagine."

"I am sorry. It must have been painful."

"It was. At the beginning, I thought, he loved me but by the time Henry was born I realised I was indifferent to him. And then it hurt like hell."

Darcy pulled her towards himself, holding her tighter, caressing her hair. Suddenly, she lifted her head up and said:

"Make love to me."

He hesitated. "Elizabeth, you are not thinking straight. You will regret it…"

"Darcy, just kiss me and all your good reasons will disappear." And he did as she asked or rather she pulled him towards herself. Lying on the floor, she kept his face in her hands as though she was afraid, he might stop kissing her. Their kisses became more passionate. Elizabeth never imagined that someone could make her so desirous. It was so different from what she experienced with George. She still felt William's kisses on her neck but it seemed like ages when he was actually kissing her there. She wanted him with every bit of her body and she knew he needed her in the same way. She felt they were like one being.

It was already mid-day when Elizabeth woke up. William was still sleeping. Seeing his peaceful face with a tiny smile visible in the corners of his lips, Elizabeth smiled. She remembered the night. She felt so good, so satisfied, so happy that words could not express her feelings. She ran her fingers across the man's chest. He sighed and slightly opened his eyes. He smiled widely and pulled her towards himself. Caressing her hair, he whispered:

"How are you, darling?"

"Wonderful." Came the reply and he brushed her lips with his. She gave in easily, longing for his nearness and touch.

Two hours later, Elizabeth said:

"It's time to get up."

"So early?"

"It's a long time since it's been early. It's almost two. I'm going to take a shower."

"And you will leave me alone?"

"Don't you want to join me?"

He only smiled.

Seeing the enormous bath Elizabeth had, Darcy suggested:

"Maybe, we'd better take a bath?"

Elizabeth looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes and Darcy thought, This woman makes me go mad. She observed him for a while, grinning and then said:

"That could be at the very least intriguing." He pulled her towards himself and kissed. Still holding her close to himself, he said:

"I'll be back in a second." Kissing Elizabeth's hand, he left the bathroom. Elizabeth murmured: "Kissing a naked woman on her hand is a waste of time."

She was already in water when Will came back. He was carrying an enormous tray with steaming toast, marmalade and a jar of orange juice.

"I thought you might be hungry."

"I am starving, but I think I have something even more delicious than toast, before my eyes. Come to me William Darcy." Replied she.

He put the tray down and joined Elizabeth. Her body in steaming water intoxicated him beyond the ability to control his actions.

When Darcy and Elizabeth started eating, the toasts were already cold and the day was coming to an end.

Fifteen hours later Elizabeth was preparing coffee when Will came into the kitchen. The toast was almost ready and the kitchen smelled tasty. He approached her and kissed her.

"Will, I think the receiver is still next to the phone. Could you place it back?"

"Sure." The moment he did it, the telephone rang.

"Pick it up." Called Elizabeth

"Hello?" answered he and then exclaimed: "Jane, what happened?"

Chapter Thirteen

Elizabeth ran into the living room on hearing William's explanation. He was listening to his sister. He put the receiver down and said: "Elizabeth get dressed, we're going to the hospital."

"God, what happened?"

"It's Sarah. She fell off the horse yesterday."

"No!"

Within thirty-five minutes they were in the hospital.

"Where is Sarah Darcy?" asked William the first nurse they had encountered.

"Room 352."

"Thanks." Replied Elizabeth as Darcy was already running towards the room.

In the door, he met Jane.

"William, it's so good you are here. Sarah has been asking about you and…"

"Is she fine?"

"Yes, you may go and see her but I should tell you…" she could not finish as he was no longer there. Moments later she heard:

"Caroline, what are you doing here?"

"Taking care of my child, you keep neglecting."

"No fights, Caroline. Sarah needs peace."

"So concerned now?" muttered she, and Darcy sent her an angry coup d'oeil. "Sarah, darling, how are you?" said he.

"I'm fine, daddy. Harry and I were riding and then… I was here."

"And you remember nothing?" asked her mother.

"No. Where is Harry?"

"That little…" Caroline checked herself, "friend of yours is in the cafeteria with your Uncle Mike."

"Could he come?"

"Of course, sweetheart." Replied Caroline smiling, "I'll go and call him. Daddy, will stay with you."

Caroline went out. In the corridor, Elizabeth was talking to Jane.

"Aren't you afraid of your son?" asked Caroline sarcastically.

"I am sure he is fine with Michael. Jane sent them to have some hot chocolate."

"Do you think, I don't know?" hissed Caroline and walked away. "I won the first battle. William Darcy will be sorry he even thought about a divorce."

At the same time, Jane was telling Elizabeth:

"I'm sorry for Caroline, she…"

"It doesn't matter. She is a mother whose nerves let go because her child's accident."

None of them believed in it. Jane was always wondering what Will ever saw in Caroline, and Elizabeth rethought what Darcy had told her about his life the other day.

Sarah's injury wasn't serious, her elbow suffered but not much, and Darcy took her back to Pemberley the same day. Both daughter and father insisted on Harry coming along, and Darcy convinced Elizabeth to come too. She did not want to at first because she felt uneasy, but William was so persuasive that she agreed to go. Darcy claimed that after all she could always leave Pemberley. Caroline was nowhere to be seen.

For the next two days, Darcy learnt what life in a big and happy family looked like. Having Elizabeth, his sister, cousin and two kids running around the house, he felt safe. This feeling of safety that he'd experienced for the first time since his parents' death let him believe that life could be beautiful.

They took long walks with Elizabeth. Enjoying every moment they shared, they hardly thought about the future. With two kids around them, they felt like a good, old marriage. William arranged for Elizabeth to stay in a room next to his and joined by the door so they changed happy days to satisfying nights. Elizabeth could not believe that knowing Darcy for two weeks, she felt as though they had known each other for two centuries, not that she knew how it would feel.

The weekend passed and Monday came. In the morning post Darcy receive the proclamation of his divorce.

They were all sitting at breakfast when the housekeeper informed Darcy that there is someone waiting for him.

Ten minutes later, he returned. His face was pale. The children had already gone to play in the garden. He looked at Elizabeth sitting next to Jane and said:

"Caroline sued me. She wants Sarah."

"Oh, no!" cried both women.

"I have to speak with my attorney."

Part Four, Chapter Fourteen

Posted on Wednesday, 21-Oct-98

Author's Note: This chapter is the outcome of my recent studying the criminal law and the professor's passion for sexual crimes and bribery, combined with today's internal exam in civil law. Both fully accomplished.

The next three months resembled a summer day before the tempest. Darcy sent Sarah with Michael to Scotland and the hearings started. That was the tempest. Darcy's barrister, a Mr Perry, told him straightforwardly: "You have a fifty-fifty chance to win. Both you and Caroline have your sins, plus, she is a mother. Fifty-fifty, I can promise nothing."

Caroline seemed to be very confident when her barrister, a Mr Woodraw, called his first witness:

"The plaintiff calls Miss Lydia Falconeri."

The door opened and a tall blond walked in. She was wearing a Channel-like costume showing all that it should and no more. She was sworn and Caroline's barrister started asking his questions:

"Miss Falconeri, do you know Mr William Darcy?"

"Yes. More than enough."

"When did you met him?"

"In January 1990."

"Where?"

"In Georgio Hotel in Milan."

"In Italy?"

"Yes."

"In what circumstances?"

"We met at the private party thrown by Georgio Gaetano." She paused looking at Darcy.

"Please, continue, Miss Falconeri." Said Mr Woodraw.

"It was about midnight. I went out on a terrace. I was tired. He followed me. He brought a glass of champagne and said he's been observing me throughout the evening and he suggested we went to his room."

"Just like that?"

"Yes. He started touching me."

"Have you objected?"

"I wanted to but I was afraid."

"Why?"

"Mr Darcy was the owner of the hotel, I was working in. I could not afford to lose this job."

"Was Mr Darcy aware that you were his employee?"

"Objection, Your Honour." Called Mr Perry "The witness cannot judge my clients awareness of facts."

"Sustained."

"I withdraw the question. Miss Falconeri, what happened next?"

"We went to his room and he made me…" her voice trailed off.

"Calm down. I know it's hard but it has to be done."

"I know, I know." Replied she in a sobbing tone. "He… he made me have sex with him."

"Was there anything special about it?"

"Objection."

"Overruled."

"Miss Falconeri?" continued Mr Woodraw.

"I just can't." sobbed she.

"Try, Miss Falconeri. It's very important."

"I know what Paula Jones must have felt."

"Objection. The witness judges feelings of other persons."

"Sustained."

"Miss Falconeri, what did Mr Darcy ask you to do?"

"The same of what Paula Jones accuses Bill Clinton."

"I believe it speaks for itself." Called Mr Woodraw. "No further questions."

Now, it was time for the defendant.

"Miss Falconeri, how old were you in 1990?"

"Twenty-five."

"And you were working in Georgio Hotel in Milan?"

"Yes."

"Full-time?"

"Yes. For how long?"

"Ten months."

"What were you doing before?"

"Objection, Your Honour."

"Your Honour, I'm merely trying to show that Miss Falconeri was not as "untouched" as she claims."

"Your Honour, Mr Perry is abusing the witness." Claimed Mr Woodraw.

"Overruled, but make it short Mr Perry."

"Miss Falconeri, what were you doing before you started working in Georgio Hotel?"

"I was working as a model."

"Is it true that you were on the cover of Playboy and Penthouse?"

Lydia blushed and started murmuring.

"Yes or no, Miss Falconeri?"

"Yes."

"Miss Falconeri, were you in a relationship with Mr Gaetano when you met Mr Darcy?"

"Yes."

"Is Mr Gaetano known for his particular sexual preferences?"

"Objection."

"Sustained."

"I'll rephrase. Did you have any abnormal sexual intercourses or their substitutes with Mr Gaetano?"

"Objection, Your Honour. It has nothing to do with the case."

"Your Honour. I'm trying to show that Miss Fal…"

"I know but this procedure is about Mr Darcy's ability to take proper care of his daughter and not about Miss Falconeri's sexual life. Objection sustained. Mr Perry, to the point." Called the judge, a fair woman in her early fifties.

"Do you think William Darcy's behaviour had anything to do with his knowledge…?"

"Objection."

"Sustained. Mr Perry, I warn you."

"Miss Falconeri, when was the last time you had sexual intercourse with Mr Darcy?"

"Six days after we met. He was leaving Milan the next day."

"Have you met his daughter, Sarah?"

"No, never."

"Has he asked you to come with him to England?"

"No."

"Is it not true that went to Mr Darcy's room in Georgio Hotel freewillingly?"

"No."

"I remind you, you are under oath."

"And I repeat NO."

"No further questions."

Caroline's barrister kept calling one female witness after another in order to prove that William's conduct was despicable. Elizabeth couldn't even remember their names and they all told when, how and why they did it with William Darcy. And then Miranda Fernando-Fellows testified. She looked as though she was in mourning. She had red eyes, all in tears, which she was trying to stop with a handkerchief.

"Mrs Fellows, tell the court about your relationship with Mr William Darcy." Began Mr Woodraw.

"We met in '92 in Brazil. William, I mean Mr Darcy was on a business trip. He ran into me in a restaurant and destroyed my dress. He apologised and said he wanted to make it up."

"And?"

"He wanted to take me shopping and asked me to dinner."

"And you've agreed?"

"No, I said that there was no need for that but he insisted so I agreed for a lunch."

"What happened next?"

"We went to lunch and he was nice and agreeable. He drove me home."

"That's all?"

"No, three days later, about ten, he…"

"Ten in the morning?"

"No, in the evening. He called on me. I was surprised but I had no objections. We talked and then the telephone rang. I picked it up and then he came to me and started touching me and kissing my neck. I said "no" but he didn't stop and I admit I wasn't opposing later. He was really good and…"

Elizabeth was devastated. How could she be so naïve? He caught her on his old tricks. The telephone, how convenient! Thought she. And I believed he cared for me. I was just another number on his hit list. I'm ever so stupid. First George, now Darcy, that s**-of-a-b****! If that wasn't enough, the testimony of Miss Mariah Longbourg was. When Elizabeth heard her say:

"I met Mr Darcy in his office in London in 1995." She ran out of the courtroom. She didn't want to hear about William Darcy any more.

Chapter Fifteen

Elizabeth returned home. The first thing she did was switch the phone off. She didn't want to hear her mother, Darcy or anyone else. Harry was in his boarding school, so she had no immediate obligations concerning her child. She left her London apartment and decided to stay at her father's old flat in Earl's Court. She had the keys and when she wanted to run away from the whole world, she always stayed there.

She wanted never to hear about William Darcy again, but that was impossible. The scandalous hearing made it to the covers of each and every paper in the country. Wanting it or not, Elizabeth was forced to listen to the accounts of the procedures.

Mr Perry was calling Sarah's teachers, family friends trying to prove that Darcy was an excellent father. This couldn't help after the performance of Caroline's witnesses. Even if Darcy wanted to show the world that Caroline wasn't far behind him, he could not. Caroline's rich lovers managed to escape hearings. They were either nowhere to be found or on their "deathbeds". Darcy was sinking with all hands aboard. It was obvious that unless something miraculous happened, he would lose his child.

At first, Elizabeth was angry, then indifferent and finally she was sorry for him. Trying to reason Darcy's actions towards herself, towards his daughter and Harry, she had to admit they seemed so trustful and so sincere. Elizabeth was always proud of her intuition about people and Darcy was… well, he seemed good. Having spent with him more than three months, she was sure, there was nothing artificial in his behaviour. He could not have pretended for such a long time. Elizabeth thought that Darcy was made for her. They seemed to fit each other so well. Maybe Darcy committed great faults in the past but he was making them up. He was a good father and she could swear, he cared for her, Elizabeth. But then, all those women… When she was thinking about Darcy, tears rolled down her cheeks. He lied to her and it hurt so much. He lied about quitting his lifestyle after the accident and then he was harassing this woman in '95, here in London. But even worse was the fact that he seduced Miranda Fellows, the way he seduced her, Elizabeth Greenford. She felt dirty and yet something deep in her heart was telling her that if he came to her and explained himself, the contempt she had for him would disappear. This was that sort of weakness which made her disdain herself. She tried to forget everything that happened that summer of '98 but she could not, especially with the knowledge she now had. A part of William Darcy was within her.

And then, one February morning, she was walking through Hyde Park and she saw him. That proud, handsome William Darcy looked like a tramp, he smelled alcohol and he was holding a bottle of vodka in his hand. Her heart melted. She wanted to pass him by but she could not. She approached him and touching his hair asked softly: "William, are you all right?"

He looked as if he wasn't sure whether it was reality or his dream. He kept staring at Elizabeth, probably thinking she was a nymph in his head and not the real Elizabeth, his Elizabeth. And then he heard her say:

"William, do you hear me?"

"Yes. Are you in my head?"

"No, I'm real. Flesh and blood."

"It can't be. My Elizabeth doesn't want to talk to me. She hates me. You are not her."

"I am Elizabeth Greenford. William, you must be cold. Come with me. I'll take you to my home."

He stood up shakily clutching her arm. Through a fog of some kind, he could later remember that they were driving somewhere and then he woke up in an unknown room. At first, he could not decide what happened to him. Realising, he was naked, he looked around the room for his cloths but they were nowhere to be seen. The clock showed one p.m. There was complete silence. Noticing the bathroom, he felt how dirty he was. Taking the shower, he slowly remembered the events of the last two weeks.

On Saturday evening, two months ago, Michael called from Scotland. He said that Sarah remembered something form the accident. After Henry had galloped first, and she lost him from her sight, she turned back and at that moment heard a shotgun blast. She remembered nothing more, but it was already a beginning. Darcy organised a group of detectives to search the area of the accident. It took five days but they were rewarded. They found the carteridge. Darcy was flying. Next step was to find the gun. It was a hunting carteridge, which could be found in any hunting shop. For the next six weeks nothing was discovered and Darcy lost all the hope. Two weeks ago, he had been talking to Jane who was staying in Pemberley. She'd been telling him that one of the stable boys had an absolutely ravishing Jeep. Jane has always been mad about cars, and Darcy wasn't paying much attention to what she was saying now, until he heard:

"…it must have cost him at least twenty thousands."

"What?" exclaimed he.

"It's not a new car but it must have cost him a good £20.000."

"Where did he get the money from?"

"I don't know, but I tell you this engine is a beast."

"Jane, I have to go. Bye!" called he.

He jumped into his car and drove to the detective's office. Within six days, they knew that the boy had received two money transfers. One, two days before the accident, amounting to £7000 and the second, two days after the accident, amounting to £14000. They both came from the same unknown source. Two days ago, they discovered who the source was. The bank account belonged to a company owned by Caroline Darcy.

Not having consulted Mr Perry, Darcy decided to negotiate an agreement with Caroline. He was ready to keep his knowledge to himself, if she resigned all claims to Sarah. On his way to Caroline's apartment, he was sure of his success. Twenty minutes later, he was a devastated man whom Elizabeth found 24 hours later.

Caroline laughed at him when she heard his offer. She told him, he had no proof. Seeing the puppy expression on his face, she continued:

"I told you Darcy that you should have never even thought about the divorce! And then, why do you care about Sarah so much? She isn't even your daughter!"

Darcy's world crashed. He saw no future in front of him. Caroline won. She made him suffer. She took his child away. If what Caroline was saying was true, Sarah wasn't even his child. His tears mixed with water when he remembered everything that happened since July. If only there was Elizabeth, but she could not trust him, and he understood her. After everything she has heard in court… It was true that he slept with Lydia Falconeri, but it wasn't exactly the way she described it. She was picking him up throughout the evening, and then it was she who brought champagne to the terrace, but it was her word against his. With Miranda, it was a different story. He really cared for her. She was a great companion, but he soon learnt she was obsessed with him. She had a nervous breakdown every time he was late, so one day he left without saying goodbye. He received a letter from her, saying she would get revenge, but unfortunately the letter was lost. Again there was his word against hers. He saw Elizabeth running out of the courtroom when Mary Lewis began to testify. He thought Elizabeth must have misunderstood Miss Lewis when she said that he met her in London in '95. It was for an interview. She was later Sarah's baby-sitter and companion when he was away from Pemberley, but one day he caught her having sex with the cook on the drawing-room sofa. She was fired. She claimed it wasn't true, but Mr Perry discredited her in the eyes of the court.

Darcy turned the water off. He suddenly realised he was thinking aloud. He put on some dressing gown, a man's, though he had no idea to whom it belonged. He returned to the room and there she was, sitting on the bed and crying.

Chapter Sixteen

"Elizabeth what is the matter?" called Darcy sitting next to the crying woman and placing his hand gently on her shoulder. When he saw her, sitting like that and crying, all his own problems disappeared. She was the only person who mattered.

"Oh, William!…" cried she on. "I was so bad, so unjust…"

"Sweetheart, don't cry. Tell me what is wrong? It pains me when I see you in such a state."

"William, it's my fault! I treated you so badly. I was jealous and I didn't trust you…I ran away…I should have stayed at your side when you needed me!…I was so heartless. I was selfish…"

"Stop, dearest. It doesn't matter." Hashed her Darcy, realising she must have heard him talking to himself.

"It does matter. How you must hate me now! I wasn't good for you…"

"Darling Elizabeth, you are the best thing that happened to me in the recent years. You gave me hope. For the first time in my life, I felt really safe. You gave me this safety."

"You just say so to…to make me feel better but you blame me. You lost your child and…"

"The battle is not as yet over. I will fight." She kept sobbing but with every moment she was growing quieter. "Do you want anything?" asked Darcy, completely taken with concern about her. Something about her has changed but he couldn't tell what.

Elizabeth, who almost stopped crying looked at him and said:

"Could you bring me ice-cream and corrnichones?"

"A what?"

"The ice-creams are in the left hand side fridge and the corrnichones in the other."

Darcy got up to bring her what she wanted. It looked weird as a combination, ice-cream and cucumbers. But he did not comment on it. He watched Elizabeth eat them with appetite. When she finished, she leaned against his chest. She murmured from comfort and he started to caress her hair. Sitting like that for ten minutes without saying anything, she broke the silence:

"William, I think, I'm still hungry."

"You can't be serious."

"I am hungry. Please, bring me some radishes and sugar."

"Sugar?"

"Yes, sugar."

"Are you sure you are alright? I mean you eat strange food."

"William, please, I'm starving!"

"O.K I'm going. Radishes and sugar."

A few minutes later, he handed her the plate and observed as she was dipping the radishes in sugar. It must taste awfully, thought he. When she finished eating, she placed her hands on his cheeks and brushed his lips with hers.

"Kiss me, William Darcy." Commanded she.

"Elizabeth, are you sure you are fi…" he could not finish the sentence as she closed his lips with hers. Feeling her next to him made him forget all his troubles. Her warm body next to him, electrified him. "Hold me tight." Demanded she "I want you near me. I missed you so much. Did you miss me, too?"

"You know I did."

"William what are we going to do?"

"About what?"

"Sarah. You can't let her go!"

"Dearest, don't worry about it. You seem tired. Just relax!"

The was silence before Elizabeth ventured:

"William, will you be angry with me if I asked you nicely to bring me olives?"

"Olives? But you hate olives!"

"I've lately changed my tastes."

"That I can see."

"Please, I want some olives."

"I'm going. Are they in the fridge?"

"No, in the small cupboard. But please hurry, I need them." Darcy was beginning to worry. She was behaving strangely, eating strange things and she was…she was kind of glowing.

When Darcy returned with the olives and Elizabeth placed two of them in her mouth at once, he was really worried. She should go to a doctor. But before he could think any further, she got up and ran into the bathroom.

"Elizabeth!" Called he, following her.

"Don't come in."

"If you don't want me to." He sat on the chair next to the door and waited asking from time to time how she felt and whether she needed anything. After twenty minutes she called:

"Could you bring me some chocolate? It's in the bag in the hall."

Nothing could surprise him now, thought he as he came into the hall. Putting out the goods he noticed….

"Oh, my God!!!" cried he, "I am an IDIOT! 100% one!"

Keeping in his hand a KinderSurprise snack he entered the bedroom. Elizabeth was sitting on the bed. Handing her the chocolate bar, he asked:

"When did you want to tell me?"

She looked at the bar and started crying.

"Elizabeth, why are you crying? What did I say?" said he in a tender soft voice as he was kneeling in front of her.

"I knew you would be… mad. I was… afraid. And when I'm afraid… all the pregnancy "side effects" appear." Sobbed she.

"Why should I be mad? I am happy. I am all flying. We are going to have our baby. Elizabeth, how could you think I wouldn't be pleased. I love children and I love you. Will you marry me?"

"William, I can't because, you'll lose Sarah. I don't want to be the cause…"

"Elizabeth, I don't want to lose you and our child. Marry me?"

Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair. She looked straight into his eyes and kissed him. To William, it was the answer he desired and hoped for. She was his Elizabeth, now. Gently taking her into his arms, he placed her higher on the bed. She was a priceless treasure for him and kissing her, he wanted to remedy all the wounds he caused in her heart and soul throughout the past months. Unwrapping her from her cloths, he learnt again every millimetre of her body. Afraid to do her any harm, he tried to move slowly and gently…

Chapter Seventeen

Elizabeth woke up. She was lying on William's arm. And the owner of it was looking at her tenderly.

"Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, darling. I still can't believe you are here, with me."

"I hope you will like it for the rest of your life."

"I certainly shall. But it's time to be serious. Tomorrow, we will walk out of this flat and in the real world, you are in trouble. You fully realise that you may lose Sarah?"

"Yes."

"So?"

"So what? I have nothing to beat Caroline's arguments with."

"But you know about the shooting."

"I can't prove it."

"Then bluff. Lay out the information against Caroline. The public prosecutor's office will do the rest."

"And then Caroline lodges a denial of paternity suit. The court will order blood tests…"

"You don't have to agree to them. You may refuse without reason. Remember, you are the father in the face of law. She has to prove the denial."

"But does it really matter whether Sarah is my biological daughter or not. I love her, and she will always be my daughter."

"William, promise me that when it all ends, we will leave. We'll go somewhere, away from our past. You, me and the kids. Please."

"It's a promise, darling." Said he kissing her fore head, "If Sarah will still be my daughter." Added he in his thoughts.

The court sitting was scheduled for Thursday at 12 o'clock. Mr Woodraw handed a petition to the court in which Mrs Caroline Darcy denied William Darcy's paternity of Sarah Darcy. The court adjourned the sitting until Monday, and each and every tabloid was right now changing the front page of its afternoon edition. Darcy kept walking around the room, repeating: "She did it, she did it." He kept continuing like that for some ten minutes and then exclaimed: "She wants the fight, she's going to have it. I'm lodging against her."

This was the William Darcy, Elizabeth met in Pemberley seven months ago.

When Darcy gave the information on the shooting to the public prosecutor's office, the civil proceedings were stayed. Darcy knew it was his only chance to win Sarah. He needed proof and he needed it fast. They were sitting with Elizabeth at Darcy's London house when a telephone rang. Darcy picked it up, listened for some time and then exclaimed: "I'll be there in 15 minutes."

He was saved and so was Sarah.

Chapter Eighteen

Darcy married Elizabeth in April. Jane Marie Darcy was born on July 25th 1999. When the mother and the child were well enough, they left for the Continent. Darcy had taken a house in Mazury Lake District.

The kids had gone to bed and the proud mother and father were sitting in front of the fireplace.

"Darling, England and everything seems to be so far away." Ventured Elizabeth.

"Yes, but then it still lives in us. Everything that happened in 98 and 99." Replied her husband.

"I still remember the night and the telephone."

"Had it not been for Al.-Azbir, Sarah would not be here with us now. I remember, when I walked to this restaurant in Soho and he said: "William Darcy, I've never liked you but I'm going to help you. I prefer that my possible child grew up with you rather than with Caroline." And then he told me that he had an affair with Caroline since 1989 and that Sarah could be just as well his daughter. He said he had a proof that the stable boy was Caroline's spy in Pemberley and that Azbir paid for him. Caroline asked her lover to pay him £21,000 to cause an accident with Sarah. He hadn't agreed but taped it all."

"Yes, I remember when he came to the court and Caroline was so shocked."

"Yes, she should be coming out of prison soon." Replied her husband.

"Yes, it's almost three years."

A baby cry was heard.

"I'll go and check on William Junior." Said she. He followed her to their three month's old son's room, who has been everyone's favourite.

Sarah and Harry stayed best of friends and best partners in business, which they ran after William Darcy's retirement. Their friendship had never turned into other feelings, but their tastes were so similar that they married a brother and a sister. William Junior became a doctor and the creator of non-invasive natural cancer treatment. Jane Marie, bewitched by China, which she visited on the way to Japan, studied Sinology and worked in diplomacy as consul and ambassador in China.

Darcy and Elizabeth decided never to come back to England. Too many painful memories were revived there. When Darcy retired they lived in the house in Mazury, seeing their children and friends as often as possible.

THE END