Part 1

Posted on Thursday, 11 March 1999

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a church in the Western Hemisphere will have more than its share of hypocrites.

Elizabeth Bennet smiled wryly at her own adaptation of Jane Austen's words as she pondered the letter before her. It was an angry note from a mother demanding to know why her daughter was not chosen for a solo part in the upcoming youth choir concert. For the millionth time in her life, Elizabeth reminded herself that her involvement in Meryton Community Church was for the purpose of serving God, not for impressing other people. This philosophy, unfortunately, had escaped certain other members of her family.

"Edward! Edward, my dear! Have you heard the news?" Janet Bennet shrieked after hanging up the telephone.

Mr. Bennet looked up from the book he was reading, Part 1 of Calvin's Institutes of Religion. "Janet, I have yet to see the day when I hear anything before you do. What is this news of yours?"

"Oh, dear, the most wonderful thing! Pastor Lucas has finally hired a new children's minister! He is a young man just graduated from Netherfield Bible College, and he is not married!" Mrs. Bennet was nearly out of breath relaying such exciting gossip after an hour-long phone conversation.

"A single man. Humph! What is Lucas thinking?" Mr. Bennet asked rhetorically. "Unmarried ministers always cause trouble."

"How could you say such a thing?" demanded Mrs. Bennet. "Can't you see how fabulous this could be? He might very well marry one of our daughters. Maybe Jane, she's the oldest, and she already helps out with Sunday School and Children's Choir, so they would be sure to meet..." Her voice trailed off as she began imagining her Jane walking down the aisle to marry the yet unseen and unsuspecting young minister.

"And you, Janet, have just proven my point. Where there are single ministers, there are conniving mammas." And with that, Mr. Bennet intended to go back to his book. But his wife was not finished.

"I would not have to connive, as you call it, if we were able to send our girls to Netherfield. Then they would meet plenty of young Christian men. But no, you said there was no money for that. And so they will become old maids at Meryton College, where they won't find anything except heathens and Southern Baptists." Judging from Mrs. Bennet's tone, the two were roughly equal.

"Janet, can't you for once leave our daughters' marital futures in God's hands? We should be thankful that our daughters are healthy, serving God, and on the path to successful careers. Not everyone has to get married." Mr. Bennet's tone made it clear that he was now definitely finished with the conversation.

Mrs. Bennet went into the kitchen, muttering to herself. The very idea that her daughters did not have to get married! Well, maybe Lizzy and Mary didn't. They were her least favorite daughters. But Jane and Kitty and her dear Lydia! Her one dream in life was to see them sitting in the place of honor among the piles of gifts that brides always received at the Meryton Church Ladies Ministry wedding showers. And the honor would only be that much increased if they were to become ministers' wives! It was the one disappointment to Mrs. Bennet that her husband had never even been elected deacon. Mrs. Long's husband was recently elected, and Janet felt a keen sense of jealously for Mrs. Long's new prestige. But wouldn't she have the last laugh if Jane were to catch this Pastor Bingley?

Elizabeth and Jane Bennet had a new reason to spend plenty of time at the library studying during the next week. Home was unbearable because of their mother speculating over Pastor Charlie Bingley. And, as Elizabeth pointed out and Jane agreed, it would be imprudent for them to spend more time at the church then necessary. Others would assume they were lying in wait to chase Bingley as soon as he arrived.

"Jane, you must be sure to stand up straight and show off your good figure," Elizabeth said in a deadpan imitation of Mrs. Bennet. "He may be a minister, but he is still a man. You don't want Charlotte Lucas to catch him, do you? I'll bet that's the only reason Pastor Lucas hired him, to marry Charlotte!"

Jane found it difficult to contain her laughter. "Stop it," she hissed. "You're going to get us kicked out of here!"

"Sorry," Elizabeth said insincerely. "You can go back to making your finger puppets and I won't tell you what Charlotte told me about Reverend Charles Bingley."

"Just because I'm majoring in early childhood ed and you had to pick chemistry, you think all I do is play," Jane complained. "Now, what's the scoop?"

"Let's see, Charlotte remembers him from Netherfield. She said he was very friendly and walked around campus for four years with an interminable Prozac smile. Hmm, maybe Mom's right. He's a perfect match for you." At that point Elizabeth was hit squarely in the head -- by a finger puppet.

Services at Meryton Community Church that Sunday were decidedly unspiritual, for the simple reason that the congregation was too distracted by curiosity over the new staff member. But Pastor Lucas pulled a fast one on them. He presented to them not one, but two new ministers.

"I believe our friendly grapevine has already informed most of you about the coming of our Reverend Charlie Bingley," he said in his usual used-car salesman manner. "But this may come as a surprise. For the past few years, our church has been served very well by volunteer musicians to serve in leading worship and directing the choir and orchestra. However, in these exciting times, when our church is growing so very quickly, the board and I have decided that a more permanent fixture is needed to lead in the so very important area of music. So allow me to introduce to you our new minister of music, Reverend William Darcy!"

And like a ringmaster, Pastor Lucas gestured grandly toward the front row, where a tall man stood and made his way to the platform. Elizabeth had been tuning out the pastor's usual hype, but being a normal girl of twenty, she was brought back to attention by the appearance of William Darcy. He's "all that" and a bucket of ice cream! she thought, paraphrasing one of Kitty and Lydia's favorite slang phrases. And a musician, too! Maybe Mom's matchmaking ideas aren't so bad after all. She was interrupted by a poke in the ribs from Jane. "Lizzy, did you see his hand?"

"Uh, no." Elizabeth hadn't gotten around to noticing the hands yet. But she looked and saw what Jane was talking about.

There was no wedding band.

The new ministers both greeted the congregation. Charlie Bingley was excited about everything. Only his excitement was obviously real, not the manufactured kind used by Pastor Lucas and others like him to get the crowd worked up. William Darcy spoke all the right words, but with an apparent lack of warmth. This attitude did not go unnoticed by certain members of the congregation. However, the general consensus was that as long as he could sing, he would be all right.

Elizabeth and Jane conspired together to come up with a way out of Sunday dinner with the family, but were unsuccessful in finding an excuse that would serve them both. They decided to tough it out for their father's sake.

Mr. Bennet had his own plan of action. He uncharacteristically dominated the entire conversation at dinner. His topic was one that Mrs. Bennet and his younger daughters could not contribute to -- the theological soundness of Pastor Lucas' sermon.

Finally Mrs. Bennet interrupted him. "Edward, no one really cares about all those nit-picky details. Girls, aren't our new ministers something?"

Mary said, "My only concern is that Pastor Darcy will hear me sing as soon as possible. I would not want to lose my place as soloist."

"Maybe you will, Mary," said Lydia. "Me and Kitty might join the choir just to get a look at him during practice." And she and Kitty giggled and pretended to swoon.

"How will this affect your youth choir, Lizzy?" asked Mr. Bennet.

This question had not occurred to Elizabeth. "It shouldn't affect them at all. We have practice this afternoon. I suppose I'll find out.

Chapter 2 A

Posted on Thursday, 11 March 1999

Elizabeth was early to the youth choir rehearsal. This gave her time to get the music together and CD player hooked up and then be able to greet the teenagers as they came in. Kitty and Lydia, being in high school still, came with her, but were no help at all because they were too busy watching for the arrival of the boys.

Lizzy always allowed the kids some time for socializing before calling the practice to order. One reason for this was that she enjoyed the company of the kids as well. They respected her even though she was only a few years older than some of them. And because she was so close to their age, they confided in her in a way that they might not to someone older. Elizabeth was aware of quite a few crushes that existed between some of the kids. Maria Lucas excitedly told Lizzy about her acceptance to Netherfield Bible College, and Margaret Dashwood was looking for advice on her audition for a play at Meryton Middle School. Lizzy congratulated and reassured as the situation warranted, then began rounding up the kids for rehearsal.

The first song was for an upcoming Wednesday night youth rally with some other local churches. It was an upbeat version of the old hymn, "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." The kids had fun with it, and they knew this song well enough that Elizabeth did not have to spend too much time "pounding out parts" on the piano. The kids were standing up, singing their hearts out, clapping and swaying when the new music minister appeared in the doorway.

At the end of the song, Rev. Darcy approached the front. "Good afternoon," he spoke formally to the group, who were eyeing him warily as only teenagers can. "I'm sure we all appreciate the work Miss Bennet has been doing with the youth choir during this interim."

Interim?! I started this choir while I was still in high school! thought Elizabeth indignantly.

"Looking over my schedule, I have decided that I have the time to spend, and so I will be taking over the direction of the choir."

Lizzy was stunned at Rev. Darcy's pronouncement. Refusing to relinquish her position so easily, she restarted the CD. "Run through this one again," she instructed the choir. "Pastor Darcy, a word please?"

She led him into the hallway. "What is the problem here? You haven't heard more than a minute of rehearsal and you are taking this away from me? I don't suppose it occurred to you that this is a ministry for me, not just an unpaid job?"

"Miss Bennet," Darcy said. "I have two music degrees as well as a seminary degree. It is my job to make sure the most qualified person is in a position of responsibility. You are twenty years old and studying, what is it, chemistry?

"Furthermore, I don't think the type of music you are teaching these young people is the most appropriate for their musical training. That rhythm is atrocious. How can they develop their talents for the glory of God if they are so busy moving to the beat?"

Elizabeth could not believe her ears. She had never faced such unreasonableness from anyone except her mother. Arguments would get her nowhere, so she decided to let him fall on his face. She knew how her kids would respond to such an attitude.

"Very well then, they're all yours," said Lizzy. "By the way, what was your concentration in music? Piano or organ?"

"Voice, actually. I've hardly touched a keyboard since my undergraduate piano proficiency exam. Why?" Darcy was puzzled by this innocuous response. He would have figured this lady for a fighter.

"Just trying to learn more about you than I already know." And with that Lizzy walked away and left the Reverend William Darcy to his choir.

Darcy entered the rehearsal room to find the youth all whispering among themselves. "All right, let's begin," he said. "Where is your pianist?"

"Lizzy always --" began Kitty before she was punched by Denny.

"Lizzy always used tapes," said Denny innocently.

"Well, that will change," said Darcy. "These accompaniment tracks aren't fit for anything. Here is some music, an old classic of the church."

"Why does it say it was written in 1960?" asked Margaret. "Our other song was a lot older than that."

Darcy ignored her. "Altos, I'll play your starting pitch and we'll take it from there."

Any person with two music degrees should know that you can't teach teenagers with little musical knowledge singing parts with no accompaniment. Add to that the fact that the altos were very unmotivated, having just watched their leader be ejected, and the first verse was disastrous.

Darcy rapped his baton on the stand to call them to attention. "I can see this won't work," he said. "Altos, please come up to the piano and I'll play your part."

Darcy was better off with the a cappella instruction. Now he had to try to keep up with his fumbling fingers at the same time he was directing the altos, who were giving him very intimidating and even downright hostile stares. Finally Denny whispered to Amy Campbell, a twelve-year-old soprano,

"All right, I think we've all suffered enough."

Amy took her cue and went to the piano. "Would you like me to play, Pastor Darcy?" she offered sweetly.

Before he could answer, Amy's question was answered by a chorus of relieved "Yes"-es. Amy sat down at the piano and sight-read perfectly first the alto part, then on to the other parts as the rehearsal finally went somewhat smoothly. By the end of the hour, the choir was even ready to carry their parts on the first verse with Amy playing the piano accompaniment part.

Darcy dismissed the choir, then thanked Amy politely for her assistance. "You play incredibly well for your age. How long have you lived in Meryton?"

Amy seemed confused by the question. "All my life."

"Do you travel far for your lessons?" Darcy was sure that no teacher who could instruct a child like this would be found in Meryton.

"I used to a long time ago. But since Lizzy started teaching lessons a few years ago, I've been taking from her here at the church." And with that, Amy scampered away to join her friends, leaving behind a very stunned music minister.

Chapter 3

Posted on Monday, 15 March 1999

"You're home early," Mr. Bennet remarked to Elizabeth. "Where are Kitty and Lydia?"

"Dad, I'd appreciate it if you picked them up," requested Lizzy. "I don't think I could act courteously if I went back over there again."

"You walked out on the kids? But what about rehearsal?" Mr. Bennet was concerned that perhaps his youngest daughters had pushed their sister too far.

"I have been relieved from my position as youth choir director. Our new music minister apparently thinks that two music degrees are required in order to lead teenagers." Elizabeth spoke with such contempt that Mr. Bennet grew even more worried. He knew Lizzy wasn't angry often, but when she was, her emotions often got the best of her.

Sure enough, Elizabeth's voice was shaking. "Dad, it's not fair -- after all the work I've done!" Her face was a strange mixture of laughter and tears. "I know, now I sound like Mary. It's not really that, it's that I really care about these kids, and I don't want to be just bumped out of their lives like that."

Mr. Bennet pulled his favorite daughter to him for a much-needed fatherly hug. "Sweetie, your relationship to those kids won't be affected by some snobbish music minister. He may be a qualified musician, but you are their friend, and William Darcy can't change that."

Elizabeth wiped her eyes. "I just can't believe he was so obnoxious about it -- telling me point-blank that I wasn't qualified and kicking me out of rehearsal in front of all the kids!"

"His behavior can only make him look bad. I'm more worried about how you respond."

"I handled it pretty well," said Elizabeth, grinning. "In fact, I wouldn't surprise me if the practice went a little less than smoothly after I left." Seeing her father's reprimanding look, she protested, "I didn't do anything! He will only get what he brings on himself!"

Kitty and Lydia were very eager to tell of Pastor Darcy's foibles during rehearsal. "If Amy Campbell hadn't been there to play, things really would have been bad!"

Elizabeth was pleased to hear of her pupil's success. "But can't he play the piano at all?" she asked, somewhat insincerely, as she already knew the answer.

Lydia snorted. "Not enough to pick out a part. And Denny wouldn't let Kitty tell him that you usually played for us. A good joke, huh? He's the one who finally got Amy to play after nobody could stand to listen to Pastor Darcy anymore."

Elizabeth made a mental note to thank Denny in some indirect manner. It wouldn't do to look as though she was actively encouraging mutiny.

"Where's Jane?" she asked, having heard enough from her sisters on the subject. She would probably hear more from Maria, Margaret, and Denny.

Mrs. Bennet had just walked in and heard the question. "Oh, you will never guess! She is at the Lucas' house. Pastor Lucas invited all the children's workers over to meet with Pastor Bingley! And Jane looked so beautiful! I know he will fall in love with her immediately!"

"Well, I hope not!" declared Lizzy. "That certainly isn't what he's here for. Can you imagine what Jane would go through? She would be living in a fishbowl."

"Oh, Lizzy, you're just jealous!" retorted Mrs. Bennet. "Jane deserves any attention she gets, as beautiful as she is."

"If this Pastor Bingley is anything like his colleague, I wouldn't wish him on Jane." Elizabeth remembered Charlotte saying that Darcy and Bingley were from the same hometown and were good friends.

"Lizzy, are you stirring up trouble with that handsome new music minister?"

"Mom, he's not handsome, he's rude. I plan to stay as far away from him as possible."

Elizabeth's plans were for nothing, for later that evening William Darcy called her. "Miss Bennet," he began, "There was no reason for you to disappear so quickly this afternoon."

"Actually, there was no reason for me to stay." The nerve of you implying that this was my fault!

"I think if we both act mature about this, we can work something out."

If we both act mature? I'm way ahead of you there, mister. The next thought would not stay put in Lizzy's mind. "It's been a long time since that piano proficiency exam, hmm, Pastor Darcy?" she said sweetly.

Darcy sighed. He should have known the church grapevine would have informed her of the afternoon's disaster. (He didn't know she had two sisters in the choir.) "You could have told me," he said.

Is that a whine I hear in your voice? Remind me to buy those kids some pizza! They must have given you a hard time! "You didn't ask. I figured that with two music degrees, you might know how to lead a choir without a pianist."

You're expecting an apology, little girl, but you're not getting one. "Next week I will need your assistance on the piano. Amy did a tolerable job, but she should be singing."

Tolerable! Elizabeth bristled at this description of her student. She also resented Darcy's assumption that she would appear on command.

"Since I already have the rehearsal on my schedule, I will be happy to help my kids," Lizzy said. No use cutting off her nose to spite her face, she decided. But she was not about to give in to Darcy one inch.

Part 4

Posted on Tuesday, 16 March 1999

The grandfather clock struck midnight as Elizabeth heard Jane's key in the door. "Young lady, where have you been?" she asked in her sternest voice as Jane tried unsuccessfully to sneak in.

"Shh!" Jane hissed. "Do you want Mom down here?"

"I don't think you have much hope of escaping her. She was speculating all evening about you. It's a wonder Dad even got her upstairs. I think she's hoping you eloped with Pastor Bingley or something."

"Good heavens! I just met him this evening!" exclaimed Jane, but she blushed and Lizzy noticed.

"The thought crossed your mind, though, didn't it?" teased Lizzy. "Come on up to my room. You can tell me all about it without waking the rest of the family."

"And so the Lucases had to kick you out?" Elizabeth asked in amazement a half hour later.

"Charlotte just suggested that we continue our discussion somewhere that was open 24 hours. I felt so bad!! Charlie and I didn't realize it was so late."

Elizabeth's eyes widened at Jane's use of the pastor's first name, but she ignored it. "He was likable, then?"

Jane blushed again for about the tenth time. "There's nothing not to like. He is just precious," she sighed.

"Jane, if you let Mom hear you talk like that, she'll be over at the church office booking a wedding date. Snap out of it, girl, you've had crushes before!"

Jane stared at her sister. "Lizzy, I know you'll never tell a soul, but I don't think this is a crush."

Jane would have it this easy, thought Lizzy. Nice, good-looking guy meets her and falls in love instantly. And I get stuck in a battle of wills with a guy who has ego where his brain is supposed to be. Looking at Jane's face, she knew she would have no luck getting Jane to sympathize with her about William Darcy's rude behavior.

Wednesday night came, and Elizabeth went to the youth service as usual. She led a small group Bible study there with three of the teenage girls, a position that was hers for as long as she wanted it, she thought in relief. Charlotte also was a youth sponsor, and Elizabeth wasted no time in telling her about her experiences with Pastor Darcy.

"I'm not worried about you, Lizzy," said Charlotte reassuringly. "You can take him out with your little finger. And don't worry, I won't tell Dad. But I want to hear about Jane! She and Pastor Bingley were giving each other googly eyes all evening at our house. What time did she get in Sunday night, anyway?"

"On the stroke of twelve, just like Cinderella," replied Lizzy. "And still googly-eyed, though as her sister I can't report on anything else. I will say this, if she wasn't so sweet, I'd be jealous. She seems to live a charmed life."

"I don't think Charlie Bingley is your type," Charlotte said, laughing.

"No, you're right! I need something in-between the Prozac smile and," pausing as she saw William Darcy walking down the hall, "that."

Charlotte followed Lizzy's gaze. "He is beautiful, isn't he?"

"Until he opens his mouth, anyway. Makes me wish I could use a remote control on people -- I'd just put the mute button on him!"

Charlotte laughed. "That could be said for a lot of guys. With your studies we haven't had much hanging out time. Want to come over after church?"

Elizabeth agreed. "Only if we can watch Law and Order, though. I know I won't be able to at home. I can't tear Mom away from the religious network when the Reverend Catherine DeBourg's program is on."

"The Reverend Catherine Humbug, you mean?" Charlotte giggled. "Uggh! What's the point in a Christian network when you let people like that on the air? And that sidekick of hers, Billy Collins? Yes, I'd prefer Law and Order myself."

"One consolation, at least he's one guy you can use the mute button on!"

Elizabeth did not enjoy her favorite show as much as usual. The arrogant ADA Jack McCoy kept reminding her of William Darcy. Personality-wise, that is. And she couldn't ogle Benjamin Bratt without remembering another tall, dark, and handsome man.

Part 5

Posted on Wednesday, 17 March 1999

Sunday afternoon rolled around again, and Elizabeth steeled herself for the rehearsal to come. Lydia and Kitty were chattering wildly and pestering their sister with questions.

"What are you going to do to him?"

"Will you try to mess things up?"

"Don't you think he's cute?"

"Aren't you going to do something about that boring music he's making us sing?"

Elizabeth gave only a vague comment that she would be polite and that she expected them to do the same.

"Miss Bennet, you're here." If Elizabeth thought him capable of it, she would have perceived a hint of relief in Pastor Darcy's voice. "Here is the music we will be reading through today."

Elizabeth looked through the selections and was pleasantly surprised. Darcy had chosen a from a wide variety of styles.

"I thought the experience would be more educational if the young people were exposed to Christian music from throughout the ages," Darcy explained.

"Exposure and appreciation are two different things. I hope you can accomplish both," Elizabeth said. There was no way she would give him the satisfaction of hearing her approval.

Darcy began the rehearsal. The choir sang well, however Darcy had to pause frequently to ask some of the teenagers to stop whispering. "Please socialize on your own time," he said irritably.

The chattering ceased, but the eye rolls and grimaces increased. Darcy had definitely lost this crowd.

"Miss Bennet," Darcy said after practice. "I resent you turning the choir against me."

"I have done nothing but listen to the kids and instruct them to be polite," insisted Lizzy. "You have brought this upon yourself."

"How?" Darcy was doubtful, but willing to hear her out.

"By your unwillingness to consider their perspective. To them, this is their own time. And if you let them talk for a time before beginning rehearsal, they are much more willing to pay attention once you begin." Lizzy hated to turn loose any of her secrets, but her conscience would not allow otherwise.

"Interesting concepts. Do you have any more suggestions? I must admit I haven't worked much with young people." The words were humble but the tone of voice still contained Darcy's usual arrogance.

"Just remember the two words you just spoke. They're young, and they're people. Not your employees or servants. It would serve you well to remember this with any age group you work with. You'll excuse me, Pastor Darcy, my sisters are waiting."

"One more thing, Miss Bennet. Are you related to Mrs. Janet Bennet?" Darcy almost smiled.

Elizabeth did not trust that smile. "She is my mother. Why?"

"She called me at the office last Thursday. I wondered if there was any connection. I believe I am invited to dinner at your house Friday night."

Oh, no! Mom, how could you? "Well, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Mom's a great cook." And Elizabeth made her escape.

Chapter 6

Posted on Thursday, 29 April 1999

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as your Father in heaven has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32.

Aargh! I would have to read this today, Elizabeth said to herself during her morning Bible reading. She knew that Pastor Darcy was not evil, just insensitive. So, she had to forgive him and be kind to him. "But Lord, I wouldn't mind if you let the power go out or something so this dinner tonight wouldn't happen," she prayed.

Elizabeth went downstairs and began playing the piano, letting the words of the hymns she was playing flood her mind as she tried to find some peace. She looked up from the piano and saw her father watching her, smiling.

"This is what I dreamed of during all those years of piano lessons," Mr. Bennet said. "Waking up to the sound of beautiful music."

"Dad! It's not that early," Lizzy protested.

"Tell that to your mother. Her nerves are quite agitated today," Mr. Bennet sighed.

"It's just a dinner! Why can't she just calm down?"

"Lizzy, my dear, I think we both know why she can't calm down. And the fact that this Bingley fellow has been calling practically every evening does nothing to help matters."

Lizzy giggled. "Does Mom know he called to get your permission to take Jane to dinner tomorrow night?"

"No. And I'll disinherit you if you tell her."

"Dad, what inheritance? You're a college professor."

Mr. Bennet smiled because he knew his daughter was teasing him. Elizabeth had always found their lack of riches somewhat amusing.

"Well, at least Pastor Darcy is coming. One of his icy glares ought to dampen even Mom's excitement."

"Pray for him Lizzy. For that matter, pray for me that I make it through the evening without losing my mind or my temper."

"You do the same for me, Dad." And Lizzy gave her father a hug before getting ready for class."

Elizabeth went through the evening in a daze. Bennet family dinners were not normally the most pleasant events due to the clashing personalities of five very different young women and two parents at extreme ends of the intellectual spectrum. And neither guest contributed positively to the event. Bingley was too eager to please everyone and Darcy was too sullen, though Lizzy noticed he ate plenty.

With that physique I guess he can afford to eat plenty. In those casual clothes it looks like every bit of food goes straight to muscle. Then, upon realizing what she was thinking, Elizabeth groaned.

Kitty was sitting beside her. "Lizzy, are you all right?" she asked out loud, causing the entire table to look at her.

"Yeah, I'm fine -- sorry," Elizabeth muttered, embarrassed. It was definitely time to re-read her Elisabeth Eliot books. She needed some spiritual encouragement if she could lapse into drooling over someone as repulsive as William Darcy.

The only interesting point of the evening came when Pastor Bingley was talking about his family. He mentioned that his sister Caroline was coming to visit him. "She's been touring with a singing group for the last couple of years, but she is going to take a break from that and take care of her little brother for a while, as she puts it," he laughed.

The party reacted politely to this bit of news, but everyone's thought were different.

Mrs. Bennet: Not another single young woman at this church! Oh no!

Jane: I wonder what she'll think of me?

Bingley: I hope Caroline and Jane will be friends.

Mary: A professional singer? Oh no!

Elizabeth: What's her motive?

Darcy: Caroline Bingley? Is there no escape from this woman?

And without being invited to do so, Pastor Darcy's mind instinctively compared the conniving, artificial Miss Bingley with the young, sincere Miss Bennet. As much as he disliked the idea, Elizabeth Bennet appeared infinitely more attractive -- especially her eyes.

Chapter 7

Posted on Monday, 3 May 1999

"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, 'You sit here in a good place,' and say to the poor man, 'You stand there,' or 'Sit here at my footstool,' have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Elizabeth sighed, thinking about "her" kids. She was beginning to notice some of the more popular teens at church snubbing the "bus kids", those from poor neighborhoods who were brought in on the church bus because their parents did not attend church. Maybe she could go over this verse Wednesday night with her Bible study group. But she first prayed for God's guidance that she would apply the Scripture to her own life before using it to instruct others.

Meryton College had a football game today, and Elizabeth and Jane were supposed to go, but that was before Jane's dinner date. Elizabeth did not really blame Jane, but she did not relish the idea of going alone to the game. Neither did she wish to spend an evening at home, however. So she decided to go only after spending the morning and afternoon doing something useful.

What was useful? Playing the piano? No, that required being indoors. Working on arrangements for the youth choir? Scratch that, courtesy of Pastor William Darcy. Studying? Elizabeth mentally ran down the list of her classes, trying to think of something that would not be revolting to study on such a fine day. Organic chemistry, American history, genetics, history of theater, aha! Spanish composition. She had an assignment to write a descriptive essay of a pleasant scene. Of course it was not due for two weeks, but this was the perfect time to work on it. Elizabeth loved playing with words, even if they were not her native language.

Elizabeth grabbed her jacket and Spanish/English dictionary and, leaving a note on the table for anyone who might wonder where she was, rode her bike to the nearby park. The leaves were just beginning to turn, a breeze was blowing, the ducks were quacking, Elizabeth was perfectly content. She found her favorite magnolia tree and climbed it, then surveyed the scene before her.

The park was old, set in the middle of Meryton's historic district. No freshly-built gazebos or pavilions or bike trails were to be found here. The highlight of the park was a beautiful little lake that was surrounded by grassy meadows, wildflowers, and magnolia trees. Elizabeth set her dictionary on the branch beside her and began to write.

"Sento en un arbol. Por que? Porque la vista es muy bonita. Aqui, hoy, yo estoy duena de todo veo." Something about the grammar concerned Elizabeth. As she looked up from her notebook to ponder the sentence, she saw a man jogging along the side of the lake in her direction. She grinned and bent back over her notebook.

A minute later Elizabeth looked up again. The man was still coming toward her tree, but now she could recognize him. In her shock she let her notebook fall from the ground. It was Pastor Darcy!

Please don't let him notice the sound.

Please don't let him come find that notebook.

Please, please don't let him pick it up.

Elizabeth's pleadings to heaven became more and more desperate as each one of her fears was realized. Then came the worst of it. Darcy actually turned away as if to walk off with the notebook.

Elizabeth had no choice. She slid down the tree trunk in a manner befitting a squirrel. "Excuse me," she said.

The pleasure Elizabeth felt in seeing the dignified Pastor Darcy jump nearly out of his skin made up for her own embarrassing situation. "Miss Bennet," he said coolly after regaining his composure.

"Pastor Darcy," she greeted him, smiling. "I believe you have my notebook."

Darcy suddenly realized what had happened. "You were writing?" he asked.

Elizabeth replied in the affirmative.

"In a tree?" he smirked.

She nodded her head defiantly and held out her hand. "Will you please give it back?"

Unfortunately, Darcy was in a very rare playful mood, not at all brought on by the sight of Elizabeth Bennet coming down from a magnolia tree, of course. "I think I had better look through it first," he objected. He thumbed through the pages. "Hmm, chemistry formulas, history notes, more chemistry, more history, doodles, doodles, must be a boring class. So far, nothing that might be written in the park. Oh wait a minute, here's something interesting."

Elizabeth tried to snatch the book away. "It's in Spanish," she snapped. "Don't waste your time."

Darcy studied the page carefully. "I am sitting in a tree. Why? Because the view is very beautiful. Here, today, I am owner of all I see.

"Except for that man running toward me. He is an example of God's beautiful creation. But I could never own him. He is too beautiful, too strong and free. No woman could ever own him."

Darcy handed the book back to Elizabeth. "I apologize, Miss Bennet, I did not realize that it was personal."

"Of course not," Elizabeth conceded stiffly. "Otherwise you would not have read it. Just as I would have not written those words had I been able to see who was running."

She turned to leave but was stopped by Pastor Darcy's voice. "Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth faced him again, still angry and mortified.

"Please forgive me," Darcy said. "I hope you are not offended."

"There is nothing to forgive. You would have more right to be offended than I." Elizabeth's words did not ring with sincerity, but had the hollow sound of politeness. She then left quickly, wanting only to get home. Her morning outdoors was ruined.

Chapter 8

Posted on Tuesday, 11 May 1999

Elizabeth entered the house and slammed the door behind her. She ran upstairs to her room and treated her bedroom door in the same fashion. Then she began pounding her pillow. Realizing that abusing the pillow accomplished nothing, Elizabeth grabbed her notebook and began ripping apart the page that had been the cause for her distress and embarrassment. She wanted to scream, but that was obviously impossible. So she just cried tears of mortification and anger.

Jane entered Elizabeth's room without knocking, being the only one of the Bennet girls who was allowed to do that. "Lizzy, which dress should I wear tonight?" she asked before noticing her sister's state. Then she immediately became concerned. "What on earth is wrong?" she cried.

"Shh!" Lizzy hissed frantically. "Shut the door!"

Jane did so and Elizabeth recounted the entire story to her. "I hate him!" she declared vehemently.

"Elizabeth! You're not supposed to hate anyone!" Jane reproached her. "And it's not like this was his fault."

"Of course it was his fault. If he wasn't so stinking nosy..."

"He was only teasing you, Lizzy. Maybe even -- " Jane hesitated, "maybe even flirting a little bit?"

"Flirting?!? Oh, Jane, at least you can make me laugh." And Elizabeth began giggling through what was left of her tears. "The idea of Pastor Darcy flirting with me, or anyone! He wouldn't have a clue as to how to flirt, even if he had the slightest interest in it.

"But what I really hate is that he has the upper hand now. He knows I think he's fine, and that makes me seem just like a giddy teenager, no better than Lydia."

"So what? You don't want or need his approval," Jane pointed out. "Besides, you can always turn this around to your advantage."

"How on earth am I supposed to do that?"

Jane grinned wickedly. "Oh, now whenever he's giving you a hard time, just look him up and down like he's a piece of meat. I guarantee you'll fluster him really good."

Elizabeth stared at her sister. Who is this and what has she done with Jane Bennet? she wondered. "Is this how you got a date with Pastor Bingley?" she asked.

"No, not at all," Jane giggled. "Just because I can think of horrible things to do doesn't mean I would actually do them. I just put my sisters up to it."

"Thanks a lot," Elizabeth said, but she tucked away Jane's suggestion for future reference.

Mrs. Bennet was all in a dither, but not because of her oldest daughter's date. She knew nothing of that. Her excitement was because her husband was taking her out to dinner. Voluntarily. Without even the slightest hint from her lips.

Elizabeth was impressed with her dad's cunning. By taking his wife out for a "romantic" evening, Mr. Bennet managed to get Mrs. Bennet out of the house so that she could not do anything to spoil Jane's date. He even made an early dinner reservation (ostensibly to avoid crowds) so that they would be gone long before Charlie Bingley came to pick up Jane.

It was with a clear conscience that Elizabeth left for the football game. She had offered to take Mary, who had no interest in going. Kitty and Lydia had dates, and Elizabeth knew both the boys, so that was taken care of. Jane was busy making herself more beautiful than usual. Satisfied that none of her family needed her, Lizzy resolved to have a good time with no thoughts of William Darcy.

"Over here, Lizzy!" shouted a group of girls sitting several rows behind the Meryton College band. Elizabeth found her friends, grateful not to have to search for too long.

"Where's Jane?" Emma Woodhouse asked her.

"Date." Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "New children's minister at church."

"You mean your church has ministers young enough to date?" Catherine Tilney asked astonishedly.

"No joke," said Emma. "I guess there's something to be said for charismatic churches after all. I don't know where the Baptists hide our ministers while they're young and single, but they're all old and married by the time the Association lets them loose on the churches."

"I wish our music minister was still hidden away somewhere," Elizabeth said. Shut up, girl! You weren't going to think about him! Now they'll want to hear about it.

"Music minister? Is he young and single too?" Catherine asked.

Elizabeth sighed. "He's a grumpy old man in a thirty-year-old body." Don't go there, Lizzy. "And he's single, probably because the woman hasn't been born who could put up with him. He fired me from the youth choir."

"How could he do that? You are the youth choir at Community," Emma said.

"Oh, but I'm not nearly qualified enough!" Lizzy said sarcastically. Her voice dropped in an imitation of Darcy's baritone. "I have two music degrees plus a seminary degree. You are twenty years old and you study chemistry. You are not worthy."

"You'll get him back, I bet," Catherine said encouragingly.

Elizabeth laughed. "I already did. But he got the last laugh, I'm afraid." And she told the story of the piano episode, followed by her adventure at the park that morning.

Emma grinned. "He's that cute, huh?"

Lizzy could see the wheels turning in her friend's brain. "Don't say it, Emma, don't even think it!" she protested. "I would rather like a -- a -- a frat boy!"

Emma and Catherine looked at each other. Then they looked at Elizabeth with smirks. "You like him!"

Elizabeth shook her head "no", knowing it was useless. Her friends would simply have to meet Pastor Darcy in order to see how impossibly obnoxious he was.

At half-time, Meryton was losing miserably. The fans were used to this, however. Games were merely a social occasion. Lizzy was on her way to the concession stand when she was waylaid by some acquaintances.

Mr. Long was a friend from church that Elizabeth was always glad to see. An eighty-year-old widower, he had known Lizzy since she was born, and had treated her almost like a grandchild throughout her growing-up years. "Now, Lizzy, you can't get away without a hug," he insisted. "How's my favorite girl?"

"I'm just fine," Elizabeth replied, giving the elderly man a hug. "How about you?"

"Oh, I'm having a grand time. Hey, look who I found!" he called to some people coming up behind Elizabeth.

Lizzy turned and saw some of the men from the church choir. She was acquainted with all of them, and they teased and bantered with her for a few minutes. Dave Warner whispered to her conspiratorially:

"We're trying to get this Darcy to loosen up and have a good time, but it just isn't working. Maybe he needs to see a pretty face, hmm?"

"You're not old enough to be saying stuff like that to me," Lizzy teased back. "What would your wife say?" But she looked over in the direction that Dave was pointing and saw William Darcy standing alone, looking uncomfortable, watching her.

Before Elizabeth thought to analyze the wisdom of her actions, she took Jane's advice. She smiled a tiny smile at Darcy and raised her eyebrows expressively, then let her eyes travel appreciatively from the top of his head to his shoes. She was rewarded with a quick aversion of Darcy's eyes, and he turned and walked away quickly.

That wasn't nice, Lizzy.

He deserved it.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The thought of Pastor Darcy looking at her in that manner was more than Elizabeth could stand. She excused herself sweetly from the group of men and went along her way to the concession stand.

Posted on Wednesday, 28 July 1999

Pastor Darcy did not say much to Elizabeth after the incident at the football game. Lizzy did notice him staring at her quite often. However, she considered it best to ignore this. She had other interpersonal conflicts to deal with.

The first had been around for awhile now, and it was with Vhonda Forster, the youth pastor's wife. Elizabeth could not fathom what had come over a rational, spiritual man such as Pastor Forster to make him marry a woman as silly, and in Lizzy's opinion, just plain crazy, as Vhonda. Lizzy saw her as a bad influence on the members of the youth group, especially her sisters Lydia and Kitty. They were, unfortunately, two of Vhonda's favorites. The woman was shallow, devious, irreverent, flamboyant, and she flagrantly poohed authority, all with a sweet smile that apparently fooled those in the church who only saw what they wanted to see in the pretty little wife of their youth pastor.

Vhonda had somehow latched onto the idea of teasing Elizabeth about William Darcy. She constantly made innuendoes intended to embarrass Lizzy. For example, at a Bible study for the youth leaders, Pastor Forster was talking about God's special calling on every Christian's life. Vhonda took that opportunity to ask innocently, "Sometimes God shows us our calling through the talents and abilities He gives us, right?"

Her husband could hardly deny this, and Vhonda went on:

"Like you, Lizzy. I mean, with your love for people and commitment to God, I wouldn't be surprised if God was calling you to be a pastor's wife. Since you're so musical, maybe a music minister's wife."

The intent was clear, and some nervous laughter was heard in the room. The loose cannon had gone off again. But Vhonda wasn't finished. She turned to the music minister himself and said, "What do you think, Pastor Darcy?"

Even Pastor Forster winced at this. Darcy took a deep breath and was apparently struggling for an appropriate answer when Lizzy broke in. "I believe that there are more qualifications for being a minister's wife than those you have attributed to me," she replied. "Possessing the fruits of the Spirit is essential, especially meekness, self-control, and peacemaking."

"I agree," Darcy finally spoke up. "And one more thing -- sincere respect and caring for one's fellow church leaders."

That shut Vhonda Forster up, and both her victims silently appreciated the other for their brilliant handling of the outrageous woman.

Posted on Wednesday, 28 July 1999

Caroline Bingley was the other annoyance in Lizzy's life. However, she was mainly a source of amusement to Lizzy, for the woman was obviously after Pastor Darcy with a vengeance. Apparently, that was her motivation for coming to Meryton, for she turned up her nose at everyone else in the church except Darcy and her brother.

All it took was one of Vhonda Forster's remarks, and Lizzy was on Caroline's hit list. She even visited youth choir rehearsal and offered to help coach the sopranos. "After all," she purred, "young female voices can always helped by a mature woman's voice."

Darcy assured her that it was not necessary. "I'm afraid we're already in danger of having the proverbial 'too many cooks'," he explained. "If we run across any problems we can't handle, I'll be sure and let you know."

Elizabeth nearly laughed at Caroline's reaction at Darcy's use of the word "we". I have never seen a more jealous person, she thought incredulously. And he can see right through her, can't she see that? Or is she so desperate she doesn't even care?

What concerned Elizabeth was Jane's growing relationship with Pastor Bingley. Caroline professed great affection for Jane, claiming that she was her best friend in Meryton. Lizzy was suspicious, however, since Caroline seemed so disparaging of the rest of the Bennet family. Jane was falling in love with Bingley, that was for certain. And Lizzy did not want to see Caroline mess things up by wrongly influencing her easy-going brother.

Much to Lizzy's chagrin, fall seemed to be the season for visiting relatives. She was looking forward to one visit, her Uncle Edward and Aunt Madeline who would be coming at Thanksgiving with their new adopted baby. Elizabeth was thrilled for her favorite relatives, for they had been childless for so long. She could not wait to see the baby girl.

But first, she must endure the coming of Vhonda Forster's brother. Lizzy could not imagine a male version of Vhonda. And she knew he must be bad, for his sister raved about him.

"He wants to go into the ministry," Vhonda explained. "But he had to leave seminary last year for financial reasons. He's going to stay with us and work for awhile. Oh, he's so creative! He already has lots of wonderful ideas for the youth group. He will be such a help to my dear Michael."

Lizzy shuddered inwardly at what "creative" might mean coming from Vhonda Forster. She only hoped they didn't do too much damage to the church. Finally she decided that they couldn't do any more harm than Rev. Billy Collins. And he was also due to preach special services for a week at the end of October.