Section I, Next Section

Part 1

t is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice" is the best novel in British Literature.

Ellayne Anne Bennet certainly thought so. She walked around the lecture hall, summarizing the social nuances to her students.

"…and we all want Caroline Bingley as a protective sister, now, don't we? Or how about old Aunt Cathy?" she teased. "I," she started, imitating Catherine de Bourgh, "Of course, being so rich, should be able to dictate everything that happens in that book…if you would call such a contraption a novel." Some students laughed at Ellayne's gestures. "Novels…" she sniffed. "I never read those…" she said, in a horrid aristocratic British accent. "I mean, get real!" she said, back in her normal voice. "Do you think the English aristocratic society liked being depicted that way? No! I wouldn't want to be painted that way! Mr. Elbertson!"

A young man sat up in his chair. "Yes, Professor Bennet?"

"What do you think of Caroline Bingley? I mean, I'm a female, so of course I think she's a disgrace to my kind, but what do you think, being a guy?" she asked, as the laughter died down.

"If such a woman ever approached me, I'd run for my life…"

Ellayne gave him a startled look, imitating Caroline. "Oh, you horrid young man!" she giggled, "And how much do you make in a year?" she batted her eyelashes artificially. Elbertson laughed, as did the rest of the class.

"Miss Darcy!" she continued the discussion.

A young woman on the other side of the room looked startled, her eyes widening at Ellayne… "Um, yes, professor Bennet?"

"I just thought it was rather interesting…your name is Georgiana Darcy…I was looking at the class roster earlier this year, and found that name quite interesting…does your mother like Jane Austen?"

"Immensely! Her name's Elizabeth…" Ana smiled. "My brother…"

"Good god! She didn't name him Fitzwilliam, I hope?" Ellayne smiled at Georgiana.

"No, his name is William Fitzgerald Darcy…"

"Fitzgerald?"

"My father liked F. Scott Fitzgerald, and he was determined for my mother not to have all her way."

"Wait…that name is familiar…where have I heard it before? William Fitzgerald Darcy…hm."

Ellayne smiled, as she looked at her watch, and cringed. "Sorry guys, kept you over again. Tomorrow, we'll talk a little about the good characters…Elizabeth and Darcy…over tea…I'll bring the tea, you all bring a little something for our wonderful class of 50!" she smiled.

Ellayne called into the apartment as she unlocked the door, "Jayne?"

"Up here!" a voice called though the halls.

Ellayne followed the voice to the desk room, where, on the floor, sat her sister, Jayne Louise Bennet, professor of American History, digging through some magazines.

"Urf, what are you reviewing in your class? The world war?" she asked, as she saw all the magazines scattered across the carpet.

"No, but close. I have to find some facts to present tomorrow."

"What's special about tomorrow?"

"They say Charles Binglyn from Netherfield College comes tomorrow, and I want to impress him…" she smiled.

"Ah, one of the best history profs of our times…" Ellayne smiled leaning back on the desk, and sitting on the edge. "Didn't you used to date him back in college?"

Jayne blushed.

"Ah…so you want to present a few facts about yourself tomorrow too, huh?" she asked, cheekily.

Jayne's eyes glittered with mirth. "Ella!"

Ellayne sighed, "I hope he doesn't break you heart, you know, 'cuz last time…"

Jayne looked at Ella, "He graduated. He couldn't help that!"

"You know, you two are very lucky you're still pretty young."

"Well, that's what love does for ya!" Jayne said, looking into her magazine.

Ella thought about it…love for another person? Nah! Only love for the subject. Ella was still only twenty-seven, and already a professor at Longbourne University…a pretty nice place to prof. Nice private school, located on the East Coast…it wasn't Pemberley, but it was nice!

"I've got to go out and buy some English tea for tomorrow…do you want anything?"

"How about dinner?"

"You know it's your turn, so do it!" Ella smiled, getting up from desk, and walking out of the room.

"Explain to me again, why you want me to go to this class of yours," William Darcy looked at his sister.

"You've got to meet my Brit Lit prof…"

"You know I don't like Brit Lit."

"You know I do…meet Professor Bennet…she's the reason why I came to Longbourne University!"

"I thought it was for an education…"

"It is, you see? I want a major in the British Classics!"

"God forbid…" William rolled his eyes. He looked at the hurt look on her face. "This is very important to you, isn't it, Ana?"

"Yes, very…and you'll love professor Bennet, even if you don't like Brit Lit. You see, after every major time period, she has "tea time", in which she has tea ready for our whole class, and she gets dressed up in the clothing of the time…kinda like the way you dress up in characters for your American Lit classes. She always looks so stylish, right out of the history book, only fresh and new instead. And then, we sit down, and discuss the novels throughout the class time. In the end, she allows us half an hour of social time, since she always talks from beginning to five minutes over on average other days."

"If your class actually all stays until she's done, I commend her for being interesting…"

"Oh, but she is, don't you see? She's a fascinating teacher, and I hope to be like her one day…"

"Then I better meet her, Ana, if I'll be looking at your future self!"

"Good day!" she smiled, her eyes glowing, and talking in a truly elegant English accent. Her hair was done up the regency way, the curls framing her face nicely, and she was dressed in a cream-colored regency style dress, with short puffed sleeves. It suited her nicely. She gestured to the doors. "I have some tea outside on the amphitheater, and I would like for you to join me! Now come on, and keep quiet in the halls, all right?" she smiled, continuing to talk in her accent, as the class started its thank yous.

William Darcy was stunned. She wasn't beautiful in the conventional sort of way, but everything about her gave a charm that passed as something even more spell-binding than beauty. She exuded this air, and he simply was left breathless.

Ana smiled at her brother. It was wonderful to see him like this. His eyes were softened, and he had a hint of a smile on his lips. She knew, from the moment Professor Bennet had entered the hall, that Ellayne Anne Bennet and William Fitzgerald Darcy were meant to be. "Come on, Will, you can meet her now…"

Ellayne smiled at Ana Darcy, one of the shiest girls in the class, "Hello, Miss Darcy…" Her accent was richened with a merriment that spread into Ana's smile.

"Professor Bennet, I would like you to meet someone…"

"So would my mother!" Ellayne rolled her eyes to the ceiling, and smiled, talking in her natural mid-West American accent.

Ana smiled even more. "I want you to meet my brother…"

"Your brother…"

"He's an American Lit professor…"

"Interesting!" Ella wasn't really partial to American Lit herself, but… "Wait, is this the 'William Fitzgerald Darcy' we were talking about yesterday?"

"Of course, who else?"

"Well, then, I'd love to meet him," she said. "When is he visiting?"

"Umm…he's here. Right now!"

"Oh really?"

"Yes, here is my brother, William Fitzgerald Darcy."

Ella gasped.

Part 2

Posted on June 15, 1998

"Of course! Now I remember who you are. You're the American Lit teacher at Pemberley! Ana never told me that she was your sister!" she smiled to the handsome young man before her, beaming with pleasure.

He was very handsome. The kind of handsome a girl would just look at and melt. The kind of handsome that would make a girl blush when those rich chocolate eyes would rest on your face. His hair was carefully styled, the thick hair was a luxurious dark brown. And he had the slightest hint of a shadow on his chin. He looked fit and trim, in a navy polo and khaki slacks. His arms were well toned, and bore a slight hint of strong muscle. Ella wanted to purr when his smile brilliantly sparkled upon her gaze.

Ella had seen many of William Darcy's papers before, and even secretly had a picture from the Pemberley Staff profiles blown up and taped on her wall. She wasn't crazy about American Literature, but William Darcy represented everything a man ought to be. Intelligent, and handsome as sin…as a bonus, his last name was "Darcy", therefore making him her "Mr. Darcy". Of course, they'd get along much better than the characters in Pride and Prejudice!

He was everything his picture hinted at and surprisingly, even more. Ella was almost overwhelmed, but maintained a composure and smiled generously to him.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Darcy."

"Nice to meet you, Ellayne." Drat. Darcy, you have the politeness of a rock…no not even; rocks let people sit on them. But I couldn't help calling her Ellayne…she doesn't look like a Mrs. Bennet, or a Miss Bennet…oh my gosh, she could be MARRIED. Darcy get a hold of yourself.

Kind of presumptuous, are we, Mr. Darcy? She liked how he said her name. It rolled off his tongue, glazed in chocolate, sweetly blending into her thoughts. However, she didn't like the fact that he did not return courtesy, especially when she had just called him Mr. Darcy. "So, William, Miss Darcy, shall we join my class outside?"

"Of course, Miss Bennet…" Ana looked at her brother, somewhat distressed.

William looked back at his sister, slightly confused, and just exited the room. So, she's not married…what are you thinking, you fool? She's a Brit Lit teacher. You don't like Brit Lit. She teaches at Longbourne. You teach at Pemberley. They're five states away. Granted, those states are small, but it would never work, and besides, she's a tease.

Ella looked after him. I get dressed up, I'd expect someone would be a gentleman and offer me his arm…a fine one at that. Ella, what are you thinking? You do realize that he just snubbed you, and you think he's NOT a nitwit? That poster comes down first thing when you get home! Face it, Ella Bennet, you don't suit, and he already knows you're head of heels for him…it was probably obvious, the perfect look of star-struck teenager-ism that came into your eyes when he stepped in front of you…Ella Bennet, you're an ego booster! He didn't even have the courtesy to open the door for me!

I am not good with woman… William Darcy walked down the hall.

As Ella walked down the hall, with Georgiana looking at her brother curiously, Ella contemplated the eerie parallelism that was now started in her life…to her favorite novel. A headache is coming…I know it is…that's my Mr. Darcy?

As she sat stiffly in her chair in front of her computer, writing out her final exam, she twisted a lock of curly hair in her fingers.

"Ella?"

Ella looked up, taking off her burgundy wire reading glasses. "Yeah?"

"It's eight. I picked up some Chung's. You want?"

"Sure, and while we're at it, you can tell me how your day went with Charles Binglyn from Netherfield," she smiled, slyly, getting out of her seat.

They sat at the table, smiling to each other, Jayne blushing, Ella smiling wickedly. "Come on, out with it…"

"He's been offered a post here!" she burst out, her smile glittering with happiness. "Oh! I'm so excited. He's considering it, too. It'll be great for the history department. We need another good history teacher, now that Elinor Dashwood is transferring to Devonshire University."

"Yes, I suppose it would be good for the school…but, really, Jayne, tell me how you really feel," Ella teased.

"Okay, I'm speechless with wonder! He's so handsome, and he's so intelligent!"

"If you like those smiling good-natured types…" Ella mused.

"And would you like a wicked man?" Jayne smiled to her. "Wait. Don't answer."

"Only a devilishly handsome one…" she smiled back.

"Mmmm…like William Darcy, huh?"

"What?"

"Oh, I've seen the poster in your room. I noticed you took it down, though. I met him today…Charles came with his sister Caroline and William Darcy. From what I hear, he went with his sister to her Brit. Lit. class, at her request…"

"Yeah…" Ella said, looking at her food.

"So?"

"So what?" Ella looked up to Jayne, from her food.

"What do you think? And does it have anything to do with the fact that the poster's no longer in its place of honor?"

"Well, first, what did you think of him?"

"Oh, he was nice enough."

Elly scoffed. "Nice? Undoubtedly, he's even more handsome in person, but nice? I don't think so."

"Uh oh…"

"What uh oh?"

"I know the tone of that voice. You didn't like him at all?"

"It's just that we're very different people, and he's not really courteous…and…and…he snubbed me! I'm slightly upset right now…"

"Oh, poor dear…" Jayne looked at her across the table, guiltily.

"I don't like that look. What did you do?"

"I promised to have dinner with Charles tomorrow evening, and I'm to bring you…Charles wants to meet you…William is going to be there."

"Oh Jayne, how could you?"

"I didn't know…"

"Oh…I know that…I'm just sorry this whole thing is happening…of course I'll go. It gives me reason to turn down Bill Collins's invitation for dinner…"

"Ella, if you don't like his attentions, why don't you tell him?"

"You know Bill. He thinks that I'm just playing hard to get. And besides, if mother got wind of it…you know she's an avid member of the alumni association, and then Bill is to be the future dean of Longbourne, after all…"

"Urf…why can't he find someone else? Like Mary? She's available…"

"Come on, Jayne. As her sisters, we both know that Mary is married to calculus, and she'll forever be married to it. You see the way she teaches it. She's brilliant, but she just gets into those problems, and forgets she's trying to teach a class how to do them at the same time. Do you think a woman who forgets to teach will remember that she might be married?"

Ella laughed. "All right…I admit, Mary is very into her books, but…I just wish Bill would be out of mine. Whenever he's around, I get the eebie jeebies…"

Jayne laughed, and they continued to eat.

Ella walked into the cafeteria by herself the next day at noon. Undoubtedly, Jayne, her usual lunch partner was sitting with Charles Binglyn, and she did not want to interrupt, and therefore, she sat by herself in a hidden corner, where she sometimes sat, if she needed the privacy to check papers.

As she started to take out a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she heard three people sitting down at the table on the other side of the greenery.

"Oh, I abhor this food…" a richly extravagant voice whined.

"I like Longbourne's food…" an young woman…undoubtedly Georgiana Darcy, Ella realized. "It's healthy and tastes good…"

"But it is nothing like Pemberley's!" the snobbish young lady scoffed. "Will, what is your opinion?"

Ella realized the third presence at the table was William Darcy, and listened carefully to his response. "It's good enough," he said. Had she been on the other side of the divider, she'd have seen him smile to his sister showing his true idea of the food. However, she didn't see his face, and therefore concluded him to be scoffing the food.

Well, William Darcy!

"…And so, while you were gone yesterday, with Georgie, I went with Charles and we walked about the office with Jayne Bennet. Sweet girl, but a little rustic for Charles's tastes. I can't believe Charles wants to teach here…"

"The history department is a rather excellent one…" Ella smiled as she heard Ana defend it. Again, she did not see William Darcy smile to his sister.

"Undoubtedly, not as good as Pemberley's!" the third woman scoffed. "Don't you agree, Will?"

"Oh certainly!" he sarcastically replied, casting a secret smile to his sister. Ella, on the other side of the divider, again scoffed. Again, insulting our school!

"And that brings us to wonder where you and your sister went yesterday?" the woman asked.

Uh oh…now we'll see what he really thinks.

"I brought William to my British Literature class…"

"Ew…British classics!" the woman whined. William and Ana were ready to fall out of their seats laughing. "I abhor Austen. The only character I ever liked was Caroline Bingley, and she didn't even get Darcy!"

"Oh, Pride and Prejudice was one of my favorites!" Ana replied enthusiastically. "I think William once said that it was the only book in British Literature he ever did like…"

At least he likes Pride and Prejudice… she smiled triumphantly.

"But the best part was that he met my professor…Ellayne Bennet."

"Bennet? Isn't that Jayne's sister?" the woman laughed.

"Yes…"

"And is she as beautiful as her sister?" the woman scoffed.

Ella listened carefully. Be careful about what you say, buster!

"Miss Bennet is not beautiful in the conventional sort of way, as her sister is, but her beauty is something that radiates from every move she makes. She breathes charm. She is in love with her subject, as anyone could tell, and her excitement of the subject is contagious."

Ella was not sure if she should feel flattered or insulted. She felt slightly insulted at not being called handsome in a conventional way, but the way he described her methods…

"Oh?" the woman's voice asked. "And when am I to wish you joy?"

"Caroline! A little early for marriage! And you know that I would ever ask a woman such as Ellayne Bennet to marry me. She teaches here. I teach at Pemberley!" In his mind, he was comparing distance. Ella, however, thought he was on an ego trip. What a jerk!

Ella chose that moment to step out of her hiding place, seeing that her lunch was finished, and she had just had enough…in the strictest sense of the word. She came around the wall of green, and tried to sneak away.

"Professor Bennet!" she heard Ana exclaim happily.

Ella turned and smiled to Ana. I'm doing this only for Ana, because she's a dear. "Hello Miss Darcy…William," she smirked at William Darcy.

"This is Caroline Binglyn, a…er…friend," Ana said.

Caroline shot an evil glance at Ana, and William gave Ana a sneaky smile. It did not go unnoticed by Ella, who was slightly confused at the joy he had with his sister.

"Caroline is here with her brother, Charles…"

"Ah, Charles Binglyn. Yes, I've heard of him. He visited my sister Jayne yesterday…"

"Yes, that's right!" Ana smiled to her.

Ella checked her watch, fighting for an excuse to leave William Darcy's blank stare. "Oh, will you look at the time? I have to teach in half an hour! So I must go back to my offices and gather some materials…if you will excuse me…it was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Binglyn," she offered her hand to Caroline.

She scoffed, but took the hand anyway. Caroline jealously noted the way William was staring at Miss Ellayne Bennet, and she did not like it one bit!

Part 3

Posted on Thursday, 25 June 1998

Editor's Note: This section refers to a Jane Austen-based web site located at www.pemberley.com. The "Bits of Ivory" is a place on that site for posting creative writings based on Austen's work.

She sat back in the chair in front of the desk, logging on, eating a microwave dinner of spaghetti. Sitting back, she sighed with relief as the connection was finally made, and the page was finally loading.

"Nothing like relaxing in front of a computer, reading Bits of Ivory stories!" Ella smiled, leaning back in her chair as she celebrated in the "Welcome back, Ella! Your last visit began on Thursday, 2 December 1998, at 7:23 a.m. Since then, 12 new stories have been posted."

She smiled, reaching for her reading glasses and putting them on.

"Will, how could you?" she sighed, cursing Joanna for yet again ruining her whole evening by putting a wretched "to be continued".

As she fell though the world of doctors, Florida, Australia, back to Pemberley, she sighed. Why did these authors do this to her?

Finally, she checked her e-mail.

From Bennet@home.com, she received…

Ella, get home before I kill your mother. I miss you and Jayne. Christmas is a few weeks away…and your mother has invited Billy Collins to Christmas dinner. You know I cannot survive an evening of his presence without something to temper my mood. You and Jayne always do so. Please try to make it.

Dad.

Ella laughed, as she looked at the e-mail she had received from "Jbennet@Longbourne.edu"…

Don't have time to talk to you. Out tonight with the Binglyns. Will be back past midnight. Don't wait up. Oh, Caroline has invited us to Netherfield College, to Charlie's for Christmas. Only for a few days…we'd get home in time for Christmas Eve. Of course, Caroline is in from Pemberley that week, so she'll be there. I accepted on behalf of both of us. J.

"Nope, not going," she smiled to the computer screen triumphantly. "Dad needs me at home."

Pleased that she had evaded a whole vacation with the dreaded Caroline Binglyn, she smiled, deciding that she'd get a head start on those P & P papers she had her students write.

She sighed, sitting at the table with Charlotte Lucas. "Isn't it so obvious? Jayne's so over her head for him!"

"To you, maybe."

"What do you mean? She's spent the last four days spending every free hour with him, or waiting for him!"

"Yeah, but that isn't much time, isn't it? Jayne's been quite busy. And she evidently doesn't show her affections."

"Well, you know Jayne. She's afraid of showing too much of herself, in case she gets hurt."

"Yes, but by showing too little, she may be showing nothing, which lands us nowhere."

"But anyone who knew Jayne would understand her behavior…"

"And you're saying that in this four-day acquaintance and their one year in college, that Charlie Binglyn should be able to read Jayne as well as you. You know Jayne is a very difficult person to understand. In fact, I don't know her very well myself, and we've been working together for about three years!"

"Say what you want…" she looked up from her ham and cheese sandwich to have her gaze fall on Mr. William Darcy. "Augh. He's staring at me again! Someone ought to tell him how to see straight."

"I think he likes you…" Charlotte teased Ella.

At that, Ella laughed. "Hm…I'm sure. AHEM" she cleared her voice, imitating Darcy's baritone. "Be realistic. I am a snob from Pemberley, while she is merely a little idiot from Longbourne."

"Better watch out…" Charlotte warned her, and immediately got up and left.

Ella's eyes followed her friend, confused, until Charlotte's path crossed William Darcy's, who was approaching her table.

"Hello William," she smiled. "Sit down, if you'd like," she smiled, feigning courtesy.

"Ellayne."

"If you're going to call me by my first name, you might as well as use Ella…"

"Ella? But Ellayne's such a pretty name!"

"Suit yourself, but whatever you do, don't call me Lanie."

"I take it you've had experience."

"It comes in a package called Lydia…who is supposedly my sister."

"Supposedly?"

"She's very unlike myself and Jayne…in fact, I should say that there are two sides to my family…my mother's and then my father's."

"How many sisters do you have?" he asked.

"Four. Jayne and I are scholars, and therefore, we are father's girls. He's a retired professor. He used to teach American Literature here."

"Really?" a glimmer of true pleasure melted into his eyes.

"Really," she smiled, encouraged. "Now, my mother likes Jayne quite a bit, because she's the prettiest…"

Of course, that's only HER opinion… he noted, looking at her ivory fingers clasped in each other.

"However, my mother's favorites are Lydia and Katherine…Lyddie and Kitty. And then, there's Mary, who isn't really accepted into the wings of anyone in our family…" Ella trailed off, her eyes becoming sad. "It's forced her to become rather aloof and independent. Ah, but I've talked too much now, a habit which my mother quite dislikes. So, we shall eat our lunch in silence…unless you have something interesting to say…"

"Such as?"

"Oh, how you like Longbourne…how the food is…" she trailed off…the size of the room, the number of couples…Ella, dang it…this is too familiar…

"Longbourne is pleasant, and the food is delicious. Will that suffice?"

She looked up, her eyes widening…no, this couldn't be happening, could it?

"Yes, for now…" she said, absently.

"Do you like to talk, by rule, during lunch?"

Her heart thudded. Her life was turning into a Jane Austen novel…and she wanted out. Jane Austen was a good read, not a good life path, especially now. Sure, William Darcy was handsome, but…come on! He was William Darcy! Unpleasant. And he was definitely not her destiny. She hardly knew him. How could she already know that she was to marry him? She looked to him, again, and responded, "Sometimes, to get on. You know, spending half an hour at a lunch table can get dreadfully dull without a little bit of talking. Oh, but look at the time. I've got to teach a class in fifteen minutes…" she got up, and went off.

You won't always have that excuse to hide behind… Will looked after her.

Elly's mind was otherwise occupied. Calm down, Ella. It's not as if Jayne was ill at Charlie's. This is real life. A mere coincidence that a proud guy name Darcy gets into your life, with a sister named Georgiana, and asks you if you talk by rule while eating. After all, it wasn't as if we were waltzing. Still safe. I swear, if a guy named Wickham comes in, I'll scream.

Part 4

Posted on Saturday, 11 July 1998

"Jingle Bells, Ella smells…" Lyddie chanted around Ella.

Home for the holidays… It wasn't exactly home. Home was back in Wisconsin. But her family had moved to be nearer to the girls after both of them had gone to college out East. Jayne was an alumnus of Longbourne. Ella had graduated from Pemberley. I wonder what Mr. High-And-Mighty Darcy would say to that!

Now, the Bennets lived two hours away from Longbourne University via car. Such a distance was extremely desirable to Jayne and Ella. Because of the distance, it was not hard to avoid her family, but it was still close enough to go home and relieve her father. Her last visit had been Thanksgiving, and her father was very adamant that she and Jayne return at least a week before Christmas began. So, the day the fall session ended, Ella drove home, and left Jayne at Longbourne. A earlier, Jayne had gone to Charlie's home in New Hampshire, by his own college of Netherfield, and spend a week or so there. She was to fly home a week before Christmas.

Ella had just arrived home an hour ago. Lyddie, a sophomore in high school, had already stretched her nerves very thin.

As the fire cackled by her, warming her body, she smiled at Lyddie was danced with the hot cocoa. "It's wonderful to be home again. I can't tell you how much I enjoy these conversations of ours…"

Lyddie sat down next to Ella. "Here, can I braid your hair? I want se a new style, but I don't want to see it on me yet. I want to see it on you, since you look like me."

It was true that Lyddie looked like Ella originally. Lyddie had the same dark curly hair as her sister, as well as the glowing eyes. Their faces were shaped similarly, and both of them had inherited their father's nose. From there, similarities ended. Lyddie wore dark blue eye shadow, even around the house, and bright pink lipstick. Her cheeks were always powdered up, and her hair was streaked with gold.

Lyddie wore revealing outfits, and a push-up bra. She tried to emphasize some womanly curves, which had not yet developed.

Also, Ella not only wore minimal makeup, and had the body her sister desired, but she also possessed the extra something in her smile, which made her eyes glitter and smile seem prettier than anything.

While almost all the Bennet girls had to have braces, even Jayne, Ella had gotten off easily, and even with all the work done on her overbite, even Jayne could not equal Ella's straight smile.

Ella sighed. "If it includes dying my hair any color, no."

"Just some red hair mascara."

"No."

"Ella…"

Ella got up, and walked away, taking her mug of cocoa with her. "I'm going to talk to Dad."

"He's busy. He's talking on the phone with your fiancé."

"My what?"

"You know, Bill Collins."

"Oh no…I'm not engaged to him…" Ella said.

"Well, Ma says it's a sure thing!"

"It's a sure thing that I'm not, and you can go ahead and tell Ma that!" Ella sighed. "Well, I just want some peace and quiet…"

Mary came into the room, after being outside, apparently, for snow was collected in her dark curls, and the warmth of the house clouding up her glasses. "Then why did you come home?"

"Where were you?"

"Library…"

"Oh! You didn't, did you?"

"Here you go," Mary handed her the bag, smiling.

Ella dug in, and Lyddie rolled her eyes.

"Let's see…you got some books about math…"

Lyddie whined, "Mary! It's Christmas!"

"Not for another week…" Mary teased her sister.

Ella looked to Mary. "You're a lot happier now. What's going on?" she asked, cautiously.

"Met a guy?" Lyddie asked immediately. "You never tease me!"

Mary smiled. "No, just happy, that's all…"

"Why?" Ella asked.

"Nothing! Now look some more…I was looking at the video rack at the library, when I found something you and Jayne would like very much…"

"PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ella exclaimed. "The A&E one, too!"

"Now, since the library's going to be closed for the next three weeks, we get to keep this for that long!"

"I've never seen this version before, but I'm going to watch this over and over during these next three weeks!"

Mary laughed.

Ella sprung up, and hugged her sister, "Thanks, Mary!"

"Don't mention it…" Mary smiled back, her eyes glowing with happiness through her glasses.

Ella smiled to see her sister so different from usual. *Who's doing this to her?*

She looked back to the video which was now in her lap. Six videos of Austen bliss…speaking of Austen, the memory of her mysterious, strange encounter with "Mr. Darcy" left her head reeling once more. She had not seen him after the lunchroom incident. She took pains to avoid his presence. And now, he was gone from Longbourne, undoubtedly, never to meet her again, at least. She felt relief, and regret. Strange enough, the regret took a strong hold of her. To never see William was a good thing for her, of course, but she couldn't deny that she had felt a little strange something with him.

It was Ella's fourth day home when the phone call came.

Ella was relaxing, looking longingly at the Pride and Prejudice videos across the room.

She had vowed that she'd watch them with Jayne, but now it was almost too much to bear. She finally gave up and exited the room to build a snowman.

She came back in to change her clothes and toast in front of the fire, with a flannel blanket about her. Her hair was now in a wet braid, and her bare toes were peeking out of the bottom of the blanket.

That was when the phone rang.

Ella let her mother get it.

"Ella! Its for you! It's a guy!"

Ella rolled her eyes. Now her mother would be on her nerves for the rest of Christmas. It was already enough with all the questions she had to answer about Charlie Binglyn, but now it would be worse.

Kitty brought the cordless into the family room, and handed the phone to Ella.

"Hello?"

"Is this Ella?"

"Yes, this is," she shooed away her mother, who stood in the doorway, with a curious expression on her face.

"Hey Ella, this is Charlie…"

"Hey Charlie!" she smiled. "How are you? I know, my sister said I'd come but my dad needed me back home…"

"Oh, it's not that. I understand perfectly. But I'm calling you for another reason."

"And that is?"

"Your sister is gravely ill."

Ella sat up where she was lying down. "What do you mean, ill?" The Austen nightmare was coming back.

"We went skiing yesterday, and she fell down the slope. We couldn't find her for a few hours. Finally, we found her about six hours after her fall. She had a broken leg, and she's got a large fever now."

Ella's face paled. This was much more serious than a small cold. This was serious. "Well, is she all right?"

"She's being cared for now. We don't know how she is going to be, but she's crying for you…" Ella's face paled. "I'll be there…I need directions, please."

The snow was falling hard on her hair the night she arrived at the Binglyn house in undoubtedly a right suburb in New Hampshire. From the looks of the beautiful house the Binglyns lived in, she could also tell that the Binglyns were an old money family.

She felt awkward, walking up the snow-covered sidewalk…at least she hoped it was sidewalk…to the door. Her car was parked back on the main road. It was reaching its death relatively soon. She had the feeling that it wouldn't take many more snow rides. It was just as well…she never drove unless she drove home for holidays or vacations.

She had driven the past six hours in a variety of weathers…snowstorms, rains, sunshine, gentle fall…but as the night concluded, she was now in a snowstorm, in darkness. Her watch said it was only ten. Relieved that she was not arriving at an extremely late hour, she relaxed a little, and rang the doorbell.

The door was opened by the maid, and the maid admitted her.

The first flavor in the air was the distinct flavor of really bad eggnog. Something Caroline Binglyn would make.

"Ellayne Bennet!" Caroline Binglyn smiled, her teeth gritted.

Ella had not seen Caroline much in the time that her brother had visited Longbourne. She had seen plenty of Charlie, and even some of William, since she had dinner once or twice with them. The only time she had seen Caroline was that one day in the cafeteria.

And she had hoped it was the only time she would.

But now, her concern for Jayne was more important that avoiding an undesirable presence.

Caroline's expression was one of amusement. Why, Ellayne looked like a helpless little girl! Truly a little girl from Wisconsin, from what Jayne had told her. Her hair was cloaked in snow, and so was her shabby coat. Her scarf and jeans were wet…the bottom cuffs of her jeans were soaked all the way up to her knees!

Caroline almost scoffed.

Charlie rushed form another room in the hall, followed by a surprised William, and Georgiana.

Ella had not expected the Darcys to be here!

The sight that William Darcy saw was the same as Caroline Binglyns, but had quite another effect on him. Her eyes were glowing with the warmth of the house, contrasted to the snow paleness of her cheeks, which were now just becoming pink again…fragile roses starting to bloom. Her hair was under a pretty pink beret, and snow was melting on the fringes of her hair. She looked like some snow fairy.

Ella say the strange look in William's eyes. Why did I even come? I should have known this would happen…but Jayne needs me… But remembering, she smiled as Charlie greeted her. "Why Ella! We weren't expecting you until tomorrow…the weather's horrible for driving."

"What's 350 miles when you have to see that your sister's all right?" Ella smiled. "Can I see her?"

In her mind, she was distressed. Surely, she did feel bad that her sister was sick. But in her heart, she also wondered what was to happen now.

Part 5

Posted Sunday, 19-Jul-98

"Oh, dear Jayne, how are you?" she melted onto Jayne's silk covers.

Jayne smiled to her, her face pale with illness, but eyes uncommonly flushed with fever. Ella had the feeling that soon, Jayne's face would erupt with warmth. She went to the sink, and took a towel, wetting it.

"Ella? Is that you?" Jayne asked, her eyes open, but not seeing.

"Yes, dear, it's me," Ella put the towel on Jayne's now heated brow. "I'm going to take care of you, and we'll go home when you get better. Come on. We've got a week or so until Christmas. Mom may forgive us for missing Christmas, seeing that you're at a rich man's home…" she teased. "But Dad would NEVER forgive us for leaving him there alone…"

"How is everyone?" Jayne asked, her breathing becoming shallow again.

"Hush…I'll tell you right now if you promise that you won't talk."

Jayne nodded her head.

"Well, it's the most interesting thing. Mary came back a day after I arrived. I tried to get her to leave Longbourne with me, but she apparently had an important meeting. Well, when I saw her again, she was all different. Let me tell you, Jayne, she's beautiful now. So sweet…Oh! That reminds me…" she went to her bag, and took out a big box. "Look what Mary found!"

"Pride and Prejudice! Jennifer Ehle! Colin Firth!"

"Now, I told you not to talk…" Ella scolded teasingly. "Yes, dear Jayne, when you're better, we'll watch it together. I bluntly refused to watch it without you. But when I was packing, I just couldn't leave it behind…what if it magically disappeared?" Ella smiled.

Jayne smiled, "Ella, dear, I missed you, very much."

"Oh, how have they been treating you, dear?" Ella's eyes were worried. "Have you gotten too much of Caroline Binglyn yet?"

"She's…so nice…" Jayne yawned, tired again.

Ella bent forward, and kissed her forehead. "Sleep, Jayne dearest."

She was guided into the room where the others sat, watching the late show.

Charlie stood up and looked at her when she entered the room. "How is she?"

"Umm…well…she's…" Ella tried to make it not sound bad. She tried hard. But there was no getting around it. "She's sick, and it's a bad fever. She was resting when I got in, but when she woke up, she started to get heated up again. It'll be a few days, I think. But I can't think to trespass on your kindness any longer. I think it would be best if I took her to a hospital…" Ella said.

She had rehearsed this speech over and over, once Jayne had fallen asleep. She was not going to stick around for the possibility that she might grow to like William Darcy. Never.

"But Ella…" Charlie began.

"No. We already owe you enough for doing this for us…" Ella said, as she saw Caroline eagerly watch her brother. The glint in her eye had sparked with hope when Ella had mentioned that she wanted to leave, as Ana's had lost luster.

Ella did not see William around. Inwardly, she sighed with relief.

"You can't go out now…" she heard a voice from a corner.

She turned, and saw the curtain at a corner being withdrawn.

Will Darcy sat at the window seat, where he was sipping something warm. He looked nice, in a black sweater and jeans. It was a cozy sight. And gripping.

The romantic in Ella caught her breath. *The perfect man* slipped into her mind, and she couldn't keep her eyes from his. How could he know that she had envisioned such a man, who denied a regular night in front of the TV to a secluded window, watching the snow fall? "What do you mean?" she asked, her pulse throbbing in her head.

"Just what I mean," his rich baritone filled her heart with wonder and embarrassment. She felt her cheeks fill up with fever. "You got in as a snow storm was in progress. It's gotten worse…" he said.

She felt a coldness hit her, like a storm. Her thoughts were muddled. Snowstorm, stuck here. Great.

William got up from the window seat, walked to a table, where he refilled his cup, not with eggnog, but with hot cocoa. He then took another mug and filled it with cocoa, and handed it to her. "This is Ana's secret recipe for hot cocoa…" he handed her the cup. "You look cold…"

The scent was appealing. Rich cocoa mingled with a scent of rich masculinity. The spice of William Darcy that went immediately to her senses and made her want to faint. It had a melting effect. Her brain was mush now.

Too late girl, you didn't even need a DAY to start falling for him, you dolt! "Thank you…" she said, sipping a little of the cocoa. "Mmmm…this is wonderful…"

Will saw her lick her lips in appreciation, her eyes flushed with warmth now. It stunned him, and made him wonder at the taste of cocoa, in Ellayne Bennet's mouth… Good god, Darcy! she doesn't like you…Don't get attached to her…

Caroline narrowed her eyes, and cleared her throat, walking up to the table, and right in between their close bodies. She poured eggnog into a new cup, even though another cup sat full at the table where she previously sat.

She was furious. All that time, William was hiding behind the curtain, when she thought he was already upstairs and asleep. Had she known, she might have been able to sit with him and get a good conversation going. She was not getting any younger, and she was getting sick of her secretarial job at Pemberley. She wanted to get married, and retire, to eat caviar all her life…

But Ella Bennet was a threatening factor. The girl had these nasty little enchantments…undoubtedly some form of witchcraft.

Though separated physically, the two still looked at each other. "So the snow is still falling?" Ella asked, tossing her head back, taking in the hot cocoa, letting it scorch her throat.

"Afraid so…" William replied stupidly.

"And when will it stop?"

"No idea…" William replied, trying to turn away. It would never work out. We live too far apart…she doesn't like me…we're probably as different as night and day… "I think I heard on the radio earlier that the snow would continue to fall until Wednesday…"

"But that's three days away…" Ella started.

"I'm sorry, Ellayne…" William said, softly. "But I think for your sister's sake, and for your own safety, you'd better stay here. Charlie has a nice warm room all set for you, and it's right by your sister's. Besides, at the hospital, they'll get enough patients with the horrible weather. And you won't be able to take care of yourself. We'd love to take care of you…" William continued.

Ellayne's cheeks flushed. "Well…um…all right, I think I'll go, um, find my room. I'm…um…very tired from my trip here."

"Undoubtedly…" William said. "I'll show you to your room myself…" he smiled.

Ella's heart was already pounding. Now it was sweating.

"Oh, no…Ana can do that…" Caroline stood up, a fierce look fixed on her adversary. She smiled, with a an artificial sweetness. "It's late, and I'm sure Ana wouldn't mind?"

Ana nodded reluctantly, though very disappointed that Caroline had interfered. At the rate her brother and Professor Bennet were going, Ana was sure that she'd have a sister by Christmas…but now…well, there was tomorrow.

The two women left the room, and Caroline moved the door to close it after them, loudly saying, "Darcy, you're such a charmer…kinda reminds me of all those stories Charlie used to tell me about of all those women you had eating out of your hand in college…"

At those words, Caroline smiled.

Outside the door, Ana blushed, and Ella's face paled.

Ashamed of herself, she smiled pathetically to Ana. "So, show me this room of mine. I only know that it's by Jayne's, but there are about a bijillion rooms that are "by Jayne's"."

Ana smiled, "I know how you feel. I get lost here too often…"

Ella smiled, linking her arm in her student's.

Part 6

Posted on Tuesday, 21-Jul-98

She got up at around dawn, and pushed herself up, stretching inside the covers.

"Mmm…" Ella sighed. She opened her eyes. Where was she?

After a few moments of puzzlement, realization sunk into her system, and she sighed in resignation. Ah…now she remembered. She was at Charlie Binglyn's, and her sister was very ill…and she was snowed in here, with one of her favorite students, her sister's pseudo-boyfriend, the bratty sis, and the man of her dreams…gone wrong.

This is the life. she got out of bed.

The room was very nice. It had forest green wallpaper, with gold ivy patterns, and teak wood furniture. The floor was hardwood, and creaked a little when she stepped on it. It was also very cold.

The curtains were forest green as well, and were closed right now.

Ella immediately went to them, and opened them, letting the beginnings of daylight come in. However, she could that the window was swirled with icy patterns, and through the distorted image, she could tell the snow had not ceased to fall. He was right…

She sighed, and checked the full-length mirror on the back of the door. She looked all right…if anyone bumped into her in the hallway, she wouldn't have to run away and hide. Her pajamas were of red silk, a birthday gift from Jane. It was always nice and cozy in the wintertime, even though the material was so thin itself. She got a towel that she had packed, as well as her bathroom accessories, and set out to find the bathroom.

William Darcy splashed water in his face for the hundredth time. If you can't sleep, then at least wake up!

Having taken his shower, he looked fresh and nice. His jaw was just shaved, and his eyes were slightly heavy-lidded, showing the lack of sleep he had the night before.

He had spent it wondering about Ellayne.

And yet, he still looked better than he usually did. He wore a gray Pemberley sweatshirt, and blue jeans. His hair was combed nicely. He didn't usually do so much for appearances when he stayed with Charlie…to keep Caroline away…but then, there were guests in the house now…there was a special guest in the house.

As he sighed, and stepped out of the bathroom, he found an unusual sight.

Ellayne Bennet, wandering the halls with some clothes and a towel draped over her arm, and her other hand carrying a bag of toiletries. She wore baggy red silk PJs, and though they were large, they still showed off some nice curves.

He found it difficult to swallow.

The shade of red was a deep rich red, the color that suited her eyes and hair just perfectly. And didn't he know it.

"Ellayne?"

Ella jumped back. "Yipe! Oh, it's only you. I thought it was a ghost or something. Maybe you can help me. I was wondering where the bathrooms were…"

"Well, there was one right next to your room…across from Jayne's…"

"Everyone knows this place better than me…" Ella turned, to walk back to her room, to find the nearby bathroom.

"You can always use this one…" he gestured behind him. "I just finished…"

"Umm…you know…" she sweat. The same bathroom he was in minutes earlier, surrounded by steam and nothing else? NO WAY! The temperature rose in her mind, and she started to stutter. "Well, um…you know…um…well my bathroom is…well, nearer to my room, so I guess I'll…you know…use it," she said, turning around. "I think I'll go right now…"

She practically ran down the hall, as William followed her with his eyes. Simply beautiful sight…

She took a very cold shower…trying to wash some sense into herself.

Okay, so William Darcy was very handsome. So what?

She stepped out of the shower, and put on some jeans, and a white turtleneck. Over this, she put on a burgundy fleece, and braided her hair, coiling it into a bun, and taking two pins, fastening it securely.

She opened the door of the bathroom, and got out, going to put her things back in her room.

"Good morning Ella!" Charlie smiled, sitting outside Jayne's door. "I was wondering how Jayne was, and well…"

"It's all right, I'm sure she wouldn't mind seeing you. let me go in first and see if she's awake…" And see if she's decent…

Jayne was now laying back and staring at the ceiling, and turned to Ella as the door opened. "Morning, Ella…"

"You better?"

"I think…" Jayne sighed. Ella felt her forehead, and shook her head. "Oh Ella, come on! I don't want to ruin the Binglyns' holiday any more than I already have!"

"You must be delirious, to think that. Besides, we can't help it now. We're snowed in here."

"No…"

"Yes…" Ella sighed. "And don't think I didn't try to get out…but anyway, I have to get you decent. There's a man outside who would very much like to see you…"

Jayne's face heated, and she fell back in the pillows, pulling up the blankets across her face. "Don't let him see me, not like this!"

Ella laughed. "Oh Jayne! When you're sick, you still look like an angel…he'd really like to talk, and while you do, I'll go make some breakfast…I'll even make my special pancakes for you…"

"If you can make some of your special eggnog, I'd like it…the stuff they give me here…"

"I know, it's Caroline's recipe…" Ella walked to the door, and turned back to Jayne. "He'll keep you company…I'll see you when I have your breakfast done…"

"Don't take long…" Jayne whispered.

She entered the kitchen, with a sunny smile on her face. The smile turned into a gape of surprise as she saw William Darcy with an apron on, frying something. Whatever it was, it smelled great.

Her heartbeat fried. Another person was standing at another end of the room, preparing what looked like a typical Caroline Binglyn breakfast.

Ella walked in, to the person, who she assumed, from her attire, was a cook for the family. "Good morning…"

She could just hear William turning to look at her.

"Good morning, how can I help you?"

"I would like an apron."

The cook reached into a drawer, and picked out the apron. "Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. You are cooking for yourself?"

"And my sister…"

"I'll make a note of that…" the woman smiled.

Ella walked around the kitchen, to find the eggs and flour and sugar.

As she started to walk to the counter, where she had a mixing bowl waiting, her grip started to slide on the flour. Her eyes widened, as she felt it slip through her grasp…

To find herself inside William's arms, who was gripping the flour that slipped from her grip. Her whole being was now quavering, and she feared she'd just drop to her knees.

He let the flour stay in the grip of one of his hands as he stepped away from her, and held the flour himself. Ella blushed.

"Here, let me help you…making pancakes?"

"Yes, and eggnog, real eggnog."

"If I help you with some of your breakfast, can I have some of it?" he smiled in that movie star way that made her insides melt.

"Sure!" she said. "Only on the condition that I get some of whatever you're cooking right now. It smells delicious!"

"They're my specialty, scrambled eggs," he smiled. "Now, about those pancakes…"

Ella laughed, as she playfully slapped his hands away from around her waist while he teasingly reached around her to grab some eggs. He grabbed her hands, and he smiled back, and tickled her at the waist.

It had been too tempting. He knew it was not good to get involved with Ellayne Bennet, that such a relationship would not only work…that he'd put himself in that post that he'd always be alone…but at this moment…how could he resist?

She turned in his arms, and tried to back away from him and found he had trapped her between his body and the counter. Laughing as he was tickling her again, she started to tickle him with her hand, and hitting his chest with the metal mixing bowl.

The two eggs he was holding in his right hand dropped to the floor, as did the mixing bowl Ella held in her hand. The clang was loud, and they froze, trying not to burst out laughing. The cook looked at them, hiding back a giggle, and they tried to look serious.

They cleaned up, and tried to cook without distractions for the rest of the time. Of course, they didn't totally succeed at that, but the time went by happily enough. As she flipped the last of the pancakes, standing next to him, as he started to squeeze some fresh orange juice for breakfast, to go with her eggnog, she smiled secretively. Yes, she liked him, but…

But what? Teasingly, she dipped a finger in the left-over batter, and licked it off her finger. He smiled. She dipped the finger in the batter again, and held it to his lips. "Come on…Do it for mommy…"

William Darcy was having the time of his life. The woman he was with was so lively, vibrant. He licked the batter, tasting the sweetness of the batter, and the tang of Ella's skin. He then took her hand in both of his, and kissed the back of it, and then turned it over the press another in the center of her palm.

Ella felt a pleasant tingle in her whole being, and just felt it. He was the man, wasn't he?

Suddenly, they heard a gasp. They reluctantly turned to let their gaze fall on the entrance.

At the door, Ana stood, eyes glowing, and a happy blush in her cheeks. When they focused on her, she turned away, blushing. "I'm sorry, I uh…forget it…" She ran back out of the door, embarrassed, and happy. Oh yes!

Ella was relieved. After Ana had appeared, Ella felt the slap in her face. The reality. What was she doing? She stepped away form William, and put the remaining pancakes on the now stacked plate. "Pancakes are done…" she said, gruffly.

She turned around, and walked to the counter, and untied her apron, to see to her eggnog. It was now ready to be served. Breakfast was now ready.

Sitting at Jayne's bedside, she smiled, "Oh, dear Jayne, it hasn't even stopped snowing, and you're not getting better…"

Jayne looked at her, "I'm not doing this on purpose…"

"I know, but…"

"Something is going on, isn't it? With you and William?"

Ella looked to her lap, where she held her well-read copy of Emma. Yes, something was going on, but she couldn't do anything about it…there was just something about William Darcy, that made her think he was someone special…but then…no, they were different people, weren't they? From what she had read about the "Pemberley playboy professor" before, he was rich, and doted on attending lavish parties given by his snobby aunt, the dean of Rosings College, in England. He was rich, and had women slobbering all over him…but, then…when she was with him, she could see…a sweet man, whom she could get along with…but what of all those society columns? Caroline's own remark yesterday night had only confirmed the rumors of the newspapers…William Darcy knew very well that he was handsome, and therefore used it to exploit women who went gaga over his looks…though that wasn't hard…she shook her head, and smiled pathetically to Jayne, "Come on, forget it. We're at your favorite part, now just relax, and I'll read some more…" she slipped back into the English accent she used when reading Brit Lit aloud.

She got no more than a sentence when the door was knocked on. Ella got up, and went to the door, to find a blushing and happy Ana standing at the doorway. "I'm sorry, I was just walking past when I realized I heard Austen…were you reading Emma?"

Ella laughed, "As a matter of fact, I was, and you're very welcome to join us…"

"Oh could I?" Ana smiled, brilliantly.

"Well…if you promise to play the piano for Jayne and me when she gets better…you wrote on your introduction sheet that one of your loves was to play…"

"Oh yes, but not in front of people!" Ana exclaimed.

"Don't worry, every year, my family sings at the piano, and we all sound like cats and dogs, and we never mind…it'll be nice to hear some real music, for a change…" Ella hurried Ana into the room, "now let's return to Highbury, ladies…"

She sighed, staring into the fire, toasting her toes. The lights were dim, and the reading lamp at the table behind her was on.

The snow was still falling outside, and it looked like a bride's veil, shimmering in the sky. As she lay back, and stared at the ceiling, she wondered what her father was doing right now.

Slowly, she felt herself drift into a darkness, a languorous sleep that soothed her aching muscles. She had spent much of the day moving around boxes, and helping Charlie get some Christmas things out of the basement…Caroline had claimed that the house was now too fancy for ridiculous things like Christmas decorations, but the conspiring two enlisted the help of "dear Ana".

Ana's brother was no where to be seen.

And Ella was mightily mad when she found herself dragging a box she thought William could have taken care of.

Now, she laid back, in her reverie, and dreams, and felt a warmth enclose her. She sighed, burrowing herself into it, and smiling.

She felt a strange floating sensation…as if she were being held in mid-air. Her dreams were laced with a headiness at being surrounded by a fresh scent, tinted with the warm hearty spice…a Mr. Darcy spice. Had she finally managed to do it? To finally slip into that dreamworld of Hertfordshire?

She felt herself being laid down now, gently, on something soft…a cloud? Oh no, it was not a cloud, it was soft and comfortable. There was something being drawn over her as well…another cloud? To be her blanket?

She relaxed, as she felt the wind kiss her forehead, and she drifted back into Pemberley, where her Mr. Darcy awaited her. Oh, William…I've waited so long…

Continued In Next Section