Section I, Next Section
Posted on Saturday, 9 January 1999
Prologue 1-Scotland, April 4, 1808
In the darkness of the carriage, for this was nighttime, sat a man who looked to be around his early to mid twenties. He removed his gloves and hat and lay them beside him on the seat. With the hat gone one could see his black curly hair. When he turned his eyes toward his fair partner, one was at once caught by the expression in his deep brown eyes, which were filled with adoration for the lady who sat opposite to him.
The woman looked rather young, perhaps fifteen or sixteen. She appeared to be a graceful sort of girl. She had dark hair, a color similar to her companion, yet lighter. Some of her curls spilled out of her simple bonnet, only adding to her beautiful face. She smiled shyly under the man's intense gaze, before she stretched out her hand for him to take.
Prologue 2-Scotland, April 5, 1808
"Are you warm enough dear?"
"I am a little cold," she answered her new husband.
"Come over here," he offered as he made room for her on the opposite side of the carriage.
She gladly accepted and stood up as far as the carriage roof would allow. Just then the carriage hit a bump and set the young bride into her husband's arms.
Wrapping their arms around one another he kissed her eagerly, but he knew he must stop before he lost his control. He could not and would not do anything else than kiss her, even though there was nothing more he wanted to do than kiss her. There were certain circumstances that could not be overlooked.
The newlyweds sat side by side, just satisfied to be in each others company. The bride smiled as the man she loved more than anything, carefully placed the blanket around them both. She lay her head on his shoulder and soon fell asleep.
She woke when she heard him say, "Stop, the coach!" Turning to face her he said, "I'm sorry to wake you, but we agreed. You and I would walk back to the house to avoid some suspicion, until we are ready to tell the news."
"Hmmm," she murmured as she stretched.
They stepped out of the carriage to see a thin line in the sky, the sun was rising and they should hurry.
The man turned to his driver, "Remember, quietly and do not speak a word of where you went last night. Come along, dearest," with that he pulled her arm through his and they started walking.
They walked briskly along the path that lead to the side entrance which they prayed, would not be locked.
"Damnation," he muttered as the door wouldn't budge. Turning to his wife he said, "A change of plan. I went for a ride, you went for a walk. When we came back the door was locked."
"Agreed, my love...and to make such a story genuine. You go for a ride and I'll wander around this garden for a little while," she said this gently while stroking his cheek.
He could not resist tasting her lips one more time. She was far from objecting to such an action, which made his self-control weaken even more.
His frustration was great. Most husbands didn't have to wait to truly prove how much their wife meant to them. They didn't have to control their desires. They didn't have to worry about returning their wife to her family as pure as when she had left them.
Breaking reluctantly apart he said quietly, "I should go before the servant find us here."
"Yes. The after breakfast we can inform John and Harriet of our plan...I hope they will agree."
Prologue-3 Scotland, Burnley Hall, 8 miles from Gretna Green
Two couples sat in the drawing room of Burnley Hall. The newlyweds sat side by side, they were being asked many questions by the other couple.
"I am still in complete shock! I DID realize you were attracted to one another, but I did not think it went as far as sneaking out of the house, in the middles of the night to get married!" cried Harriet as she jumped up from her chair and started pacing before the large fireplace.
John looked at the couple, "Are you sure this was a wise action? I mean...Did you really only marry for love?"
The two blushed at the implications of the last statement, before the man said forcefully, "I love her, John! What could be more reasonable than to marry the woman I love?"
John opened his mouth to reply, but since nothing sensible came to his mind, he closed it and looked hopelessly towards his wife.
"Think of what your families' will say!" Harriet almost screamed, although she had to admit that this was extremely romantic.
"We are not going to tell them, not yet, at least," the bride answered looking at the carpet.
"Were not going to tell them! Then what is the point in getting married, for God's sake!" John yelled.
"My dear friends," Harriet said gently, trying a different approach, "Why are you going to keep this a secret from them?"
"We have to," the man answered.
"How long are you going to conceal this from them?" John asked in a voice that was almost calm.
"I fear that it will be at the most, 4 years," replied the man.
"How are you going to communicate? For I am certain you will want to keep in touch," asked Harriet, imaging secret meetings in some secluded area.
"That is where you come in..." said the young bride.
"OH NO!" exclaimed John throwing his hands up.
"John. Let us at least listen to what they have to say," Harriet requested, "What would you have us do?"
"This is what we have planned. I will write to her, or she to me. So we can avoid suspicion, we will send a letter to one of you, with the letters for each other enclosed. Then you would send it on to her or to me," the man explained.
"I don't want any part in this deception," John said firmly.
It took two hours of arguing, begging, and pleading before John and Harriet finally agreed to the plan.
Two weeks later the newlyweds returned to their families, and so started four years of letter writing. Until, the couple was reunited. Even then, there would be problems that would have to be overcome...
Chapter 1
Four Years Later
The dark-haired women sat on a stone bench reading a letter from her husband. He wrote lovely letters, they were very descriptive, making the women feel as if she were actually with him.
". . .Georgiana appears to be recovering her spirits admirably since the near disaster in Ramsgate. The irony of that situation does not escape me. There I was convincing her not to go to Gretna Green, when I myself have a wife whom no one knows about because we were married in Gretna Green.". . .
She quickly tucked the letter away when she heard her sister Jane calling her, "Lizzy! It is time to go to church!"
Sighing, Elizabeth went to join her sister.
"What news do you have from Harriet?" Jane asked amiably. Not even Jane knew her sister was married, nor did she know of a Mr. Darcy, for her sister hand never once mentioned him in any letters or conversations.
Elizabeth always felt guilty about her friends who made it possible for William and her to communicate. Though she always wrote a little letter to them, it must have been obvious that William had a huge, newsy letter. Harriet was always so kind, she would write a good page or two and tell her all the news, this helped with questions such as Jane had just asked.
"Harriet says she and John are quite busy with the twins and preparing for the new baby."
"I am sure they would be quite run off their feet, but I see Harriet still found time to write her usual long letter."
Elizabeth, thought it best to ignore that remark.
All through church, Elizabeth thought about the rest of William's letter. One thing that had puzzled her ever since she found out about Georgiana's intended elopement, was the fact that her husband had never told her who the man was. She knew, however, that he would tell her when the time was right.
As they walked home from church Mrs. Bennet immediately informed them of the news she had from Mrs. Long. Elizabeth nearly stopped dead in her tracks due to the little piece of news.
"A young man from the north of England with a large fortune is taking Netherfield. A single young man, my dear. His name is Bingley, and he will take possession by Michaelmas. Is this not a fine thing for our girls?"
"How so?"
"Mr. Bennet! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."
"Ah! If that be the case I shall have to put a good word in for my Lizzy."
"Do not worry about me. I am sure he would be much better suited to Jane," said Elizabeth. Ever since William had told her of his friend, Bingley, she had believed she had found the perfect match for Jane.
"Very true, Lizzy! Jane has much better chances of marrying well than you can ever hope for!" Mrs. Bennet.
'If only you knew,' thought Elizabeth.
Instead of following her family into the sitting room when the arrived at Longbourn, she quickly left for her bedchamber to read the rest of William's letter.
". . .Just think my love, by the time this letter reaches you, I will be twenty-seven, only one more year of waiting until I can claim my fortune as my own, then I can actually acknowledge you as my wife and the women I love, but as we agreed last year it will be a good idea to get married again and never admit to people that we were already married. I have lost count of the number of times we have wished my father had not left my fortune in the 'care' of Lady Catherine, but as I have said before he believed me to be behaving in a 'less than honorable fashion'."I truly would have hated these years had it not been for three things. Your constant affection, your cheerful and loving letters, and something you said in the first letter you ever sent me, '...think of it this way. If circumstances had been different and we had meet when your fortune was already truly yours, we may have hated one another'.
"I must go now my love. Georgiana and I are bound for a dinner party at the Fitzwilliams'.
"Your loving and devoted husband,
"Fitzwilliam
Chapter 2
Elizabeth repressed a sigh as she accepted a dance with Mr. Barlow. She had grown to dislike dancing, probably because she always felt disloyal to William, and dancing with someone else always reminded her how far she was from him.
As Elizabeth went through the motions of the dance, she remembered her last letter to William.
"...There is a piece of news that may interest you, if you have not already been informed of it. Your friend Bingley has taken a house near Meryton. Netherfield Park is only three miles from Longbourn. I was thinking you may try and get him to invite you, that way Harriet's visions of our meeting in a secluded place would not have been in vain."
Almost without realizing it, Elizabeth was lead off the dance floor to a chair by her friend Charlotte Lucas. She only really came back from her daydreaming when it dawned on her that Charlotte was talking to her.
"You really should try harder, Lizzy!"
"Try harder! Whatever are we talking about?"
"It is clear Mr. Barlow is enraptured with you. How do you ever hope to secure him, if you do not encourage him?"
"Secure him! Charlotte! Could you really think that?" cried Elizabeth.
"Yes, I can. I am a good eight years older than you, Lizzy. I know what it is like to look down the road at being an old maid and believe me, it is not something you should be welcoming with open arms!"
"Charlotte. I shall never worry about becoming an old maid...Oh Lord! Here is Mr. Merrick, I did promise him a dance."
With that Elizabeth resigned herself to another dance partner, who could never come close to having William's skill.
Since Mr. Merrick was not much of a conversationalist, Elizabeth was soon thinking about William, and after that the dance went by much more pleasantly.
While the third dance was starting Elizabeth went to join Jane and Charlotte, they talked happily, and just as the dance finished Charlotte looked up and said,
"Oh look! Mr. Bingley and his party have arrived. It looks like he only managed to bring two gentlemen with him, though."
Chapter 3
Elizabeth turned eagerly towards the group, she wanted to know what Mr. Bingley was like, but instead, she found herself looking at William.
William was as handsome as ever or maybe even more so. His fine features had, in fact, improved with the years. His eyes searched the room as if looking for someone. This brought a smile to her face when she thought who he could be looking for.
"Jane! Lizzy! Come here!" Mrs. Bennet called.
It was at that moment that William saw his wife. She was walking towards an older woman who he guessed was her mother. The tall blonde with Elizabeth, he assumed was Jane. William was right now on the verge of strangling Bingley, after all, he had been going on for five days about the famous local beauties, the Bennet girls. Now all he could do was tell Sir William Lucas how much he liked a county dance. William continued to turn his eyes in the direction of his wife and was gladdened each time by her meeting his gaze. Though she didn't really smile at him, her eyes conveyed all she felt. Her fine eyes said, 'I love you! Oh! How I have missed you! Do come see us, quickly!'
Elizabeth listened to her mother as she said in a high pitched whisper,
"£10,000 a year! Though, Mrs. Long has just told me and elderly relative is in control of his fortune...Oh, don't you think he is the handsomest man you have ever seen girls?"
"I prefer Mr. Bingley," Jane said shyly.
Elizabeth smiled and threw her husband the saucy look that she knew drove him crazy, then went on to say, "I wonder if Mr. Darcy would be so handsome, if he was not so very rich. Though I prefer him to Mr. Bingley. You shall have no competition from me in that quarter, Jane!"
"Oh Lord! They're coming over girls. Smile!" cried Mrs. .Bennet.
"Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Bingley has expressed a wish to become acquainted with you and your daughters'!" Sir William informed them beaming with importance.
"Sir! That is very good of you," simpered Mrs. Bennet, "This is Jane, my eldest. And Elizabeth, and Mary sits over there, and Kitty and Lydia, my youngest, you see them dancing."
'Yes, Mama dear! I do know who Elizabeth Anne Bennet Darcy is!' William thought rather impatiently.
Bingley smiled at the older Miss. Bennet and said, "Well, if Miss. Bennet is not already engaged, may I be so bold as to claim the next two dances?"
"I am not engaged, Sir," replied Jane blushing prettily.
Although, Elizabeth was pleased to see Jane and Mr. Bingley getting along, she was very eager for Mr. Bingley to introduce his friend. The, for once in her life, Mrs. Bennet's interference was very welcome to her second daughter.
"And you, Sir. I hope you have come here as eager to dance as your friend has."
Bingley at that point introduced his friend, as he should have in the first place, rather than staring at the angel.
"I rarely dance...However, if Miss. Elizabeth is inclined to dance with me, I am sure it would give me great pleasure."
"Of course, she will dance with you!" Mrs. Bennet answered for Elizabeth.
Looking angrily at her mother for such a display, Elizabeth said, "I would be very happy to dance with you."
The music started and as William reached out to take Elizabeth's hand, he noticed Bingley looking at them curiously. Charles and Jane followed the other couple to the dance and for the first minute of the dance Charles tried to come up with an explanation for his friends strange behavior.
First of all, when he suggested that Darcy accompany him to Meryton, Hertfordshire, Darcy couldn't wait to go. Secondly, Darcy urged him non-stop to take Netherfield and then jumped at the chance to join him there for a couple of months. Then Darcy was disappointed to not have met Mr. Bennet (Darcy had been out riding). This evening Darcy had actually been excited about the Assembly Ball (a country dance and Darcy was excited about it!). Now, Darcy, had asked someone he had only just met to dance!
"You are surprised to see me?" William whispered as he passed by Elizabeth.
"Yes," was all she had time to reply before the dance separated them.
"I told you I was coming, or did you not receive my last letter?" William asked at the next opportunity.
"No, obviously I have not."
"I sent it to Scotland by express, hoping it would reach you before I did," William said quickly.
Realizing they were being watched by may of the local gossips, her mother included, Elizabeth said in a normal tone,
"I understand you are from Derbyshire, Sir."
William, at first did not understand what his wife was doing, but when he saw a great number of people glance in their direction and then start whispering amongst themselves he fully understood and responded, "Yes, I am from Derbyshire. Have you ever been to that part of the country?"
"No, though judging by all I have heard of it, I should like to go there someday. My Aunt Gardiner lived in Derbyshire, in a little town of Lambton."
"Lambton!" cried Darcy feigning surprise, "That is but five miles from my estate. Pemberly."
"Pemberly? Indeed that does sound familiar, perhaps my aunt has mentioned it."
"Perhaps she has, Miss. Bennet," replied William amiably, quite unaware of Bingley looking at him in utter amazement.
Chapter 4
About an half an hour after his first dance with Elizabeth, William had watched her dance with three other men and each time he had wanted to stop them, but his staunch sense of propriety prevented him from doing any except watch and hope that he could dance with his wife once more this evening.
However, he realized her dancing with others kept up appearances, therefore he had danced with Mrs. Hurst, Miss. Bingley, Jane (must to the distress of Bingley), and finally with Miss. Lucas. He couldn't bring himself to dance with any of Elizabeth's other sisters', from what she had said of them and what he had seen of them he did not think he would enjoy himself.
Elizabeth, had now stood up with Bingley, giving William a chance to relax. Yet, he unconsciously created some rumors by watching them like a hawk.
By the end of the dance, William had decided to approach Elizabeth, once more. However, on his way to ask her, he was accosted by Sir William Lucas who insisted on discussing St. James's Court and all the delights of London Society. Then to add to William's frustration, just as Sir William had left Bingley came up to talk.
"So, Darcy, a country dance is not all that bad, is it?"
"I confess, Bingley, this particular Ball has had pleasures that no other can."
"Oh...I see," exclaimed Bingley, "Why don't you dance with Miss. Elizabeth again? She is at this moment free."
Turning to see his wife sitting with her sister Mary. William thought this would be the perfect time to tease her. After all, judging by her movements and facial expression she could hear Bingley and himself.
"I see that, Bingley, but I am in no humor to dance with young ladies who are slighted by other men!"
"Darcy! I thought you found her quite pretty."
"She is tolerable, Bingley," William said knowing he was going to get in trouble for this, "Go and dance with you partner, enjoy her smiles. Your wasting your time with me."
Bingley, happily, took his friends advice, this finally gave William the chance to see what Elizabeth thought. It was obvious she was trying to hide her amusement, but she also appeared to be plotting revenge.
Elizabeth stood up and walked passed her husband throwing him a challenging look, as she went to see her friend Charlotte. As William watched them he realized, Elizabeth was telling her friend what he had said.
He walked over to them just in time to here Miss. Lucas say,
"I think he was teasing you, Eliza. And if that be the truth, I do believe he is the perfect match for you!"
"Charlotte!"
"Miss. Elizabeth," William interrupted, "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
"Indeed, sir!" replied Elizabeth smiling and really giving the old gossips something to talk about. Since it was all over the room by now that Mr. Darcy thought Elizabeth Bennet only, 'tolerable'.
During the dance it was agreed, between them, that they would discreetly slip out of the room and spend some time...alone.
Chapter 5
As they had agreed, Elizabeth would discreetly slip out of the room first and then about 10 minutes later, William would go and meet her in the little room, off the coat room.
William walked around the room for five minutes before he finally sat down on a chair that was out of the way of everyone and where it would be convenient to make his escape, or so he thought.
He had not been sitting there a minute before a lady, known to him a Mrs. Long, came to join him. She immediately set about asking him all sorts of impertinent questions, which he opted not to answer. Though it was not his intention, he ended up offending the meddling lady, when he said,
"I need some air!" With that William found he had quickly left the main room and was now heading in the direction of the room he and Elizabeth had agreed to meet in.
Glancing around to make sure no one was lurking about, he entered. Elizabeth was sitting on a chair and on a nearby table a small candle was burning. This single candle gave the room a very romantic atmosphere.
"William!" cried Elizabeth as she ran into his open arms.
They held each other for a minute, before William pulled back from her and started to gently caress her face. She closed her eyes enjoying the sensation, then to add to the enjoyment of both, he slowly kissed her. It would have been hard for some to put four years of longing in one kiss, but for this couple it was easily accomplished and very agreeable.
When they finally pulled apart both their faces were flushed. William was about to kiss his wife for a second and very pleasurable time, when he looked toward the door and whispered,
"Did you hear that?"
Chapter 6
William and Elizabeth exchanged worried looks as they heard the voice of a Mr. Howard say,
"I am sure I smell smoke from in here!"
Elizabeth quickly blew out the candle and waved her hands over it to disperse the smoke. William and Elizabeth then ducked behind the door and not a moment to soon.
Mr. Howard opened the door, he looked around the room and glanced behind the door, but because William was wearing black and was hiding Elizabeth the gentleman didn't see anything in the dim light, or maybe he did, but his eyesight wasn't what it used to be.
"I definitely smell smoke!" he said rather loudly.
"My dear, please, Hetty really does need to get home, her headache is getting worse," the mans wife urged.
"Very well, but I still smell smoke!" replied he as the door closed and William and Elizabeth heaved sighs of relief.
"What do you think of our new neighbors, Mama?" asked Margaret, the youngest girl who was Lydia's age.
"Well, Mr. Bingley is a very nice young man. Mr. Darcy is a trifle proud and very handsome! But how like Mrs. Bennet to get them into dancing with her girls!"
"Why do you dislike, Mrs. Bennet, so very much?" Bridget asked. She was Mary's age.
"Oh, no reason, my love!"
"How shocking of Mr. Darcy, though!" exclaimed Margaret, "To say Elizabeth is only 'tolerable' and then not ten minutes later he asks her to dance a second time. Had I been Lizzy, I should not have accepted, no matter how handsome he may be!"
"I agree Maggie! In fact I would never dance with him," Bridget informed her family, not to mention the two listening from the other room.
"Oh yes you two would dance with him!" Mrs. Howard exclaimed, "After all, Mrs. Bennet can not expect to have all the most eligible men for her daughters. What do the Bennet girls have that you don't?"
"Mama, please may we go home?" Hetty begged.
"Yes, of course, dear," said her mother, "My dear, Mr. Howard, are we to go without you?"
"Not at all, I was just trying to think where that smoke would be from. Do you smell smoke?" he asked as they left the room.
Chapter 7
William and Elizabeth sighed in relief as they heard the Howard family leave. Turning to his wife William said, "Am I that disagreeable?"
"There was a time I thought so...However, I quickly saw your goodness. Give the others time," Elizabeth replied honestly.
"It is not their opinions that matter to me...Your feelings and opinions are of the utmost importance to me and in a close second...What you family thinks of me."
She smiled at him, deeply touched by his sweet sentiments.
"Now," he said with a wicked smile, "Where were we..."
She had not the time to respond because her mouth was otherwise engaged. They were really beginning to enjoy themselves when in the distance they heard,
"It is the last dance of the evening!"
Elizabeth broke apart from William with a sigh, "We should go before we are missed."
"Yes," replied William regretfully, though he did not sound fully convinced.
After a quick embrace they carefully opened the door. Elizabeth left first and slipped back, unnoticed into the ballroom. About five minutes later William returned. He was, of course, observed. Everyone now knew how he had snubbed Mrs. Long, though in her telling of it, the good lady had somewhat embellished his rude behavior.
Darcy and Lizzy entered the last set, along with Jane and Bingley. Mrs. Bennet could not resist pointing this out to Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas.
Bingley's Carriage
On the journey back to Netherfield the occupants of the carriage all sat thinking about the ball.
Not that it should come as a surprise, Caroline was fuming about the number of times 'her Mr. Darcy' had danced with Eliza Bennet. 'What does a pitiful country girl have that I don't?' was Miss. Bingley's main train of thought.
Bingley was still in a daze over the charms of Miss. Bennet and in typical Bingley fashion, he couldn't help thinking how well Darcy and Miss. Elizabeth had gotten on. He thought that if all went well he and Darcy may become brothers.
William was going over every look and every word and every touch he had exchanged with Elizabeth. He also thought about how he loved her even more now, than he did when they last saw one another.
"So, Mr. Darcy. What do you think of the Hertfordshire ladies?" Miss. Bingley's annoying voice interrupted his very pleasant thoughts.
"The ladies that I talked to seemed very pleasing, charming and agreeable," he tried to block images of his mother-in-law out of his head.
Miss. Bingley took a moment to compose herself, this was far from the response she had hoped to receive. Though, never knowing when to quit, she continued, "I suppose some of them are agreeable, the eldest Miss. Bennet is one, but the mother! The three youngest girls are so very silly! And Miss. Elizabeth...well she is not worth the notice that is in my power to give!"
'You are treading on very thin ice, Miss. Bingley," thought William, while he said, "I found Miss. Elizabeth to be a very charming lady. She is not one of those fortune hunting women who make it their business to 'know' what a man wants in a women, when they really have no clue what so ever!"
So shocked was, Miss. Bingley, that she could not say a thing for the rest of the trip and even once they reached Netherfield, she was still to stunned to think very clearly.
Longbourn
"Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet!" cried Mrs. Bennet as she and her daughters entered the room, "What a pleasant evening! How I wish you had been there! Jane was so admired, Mr. Bingley danced with her twice, and thought her quite pretty! But my dear Mr. Bennet...What else do you think happened? Who do you think asked Lizzy to dance!"
"Mr. Bingley?" he replied.
"Oh! How can you be so tiresome? It was not Mr. Bingley, but none other than Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy. He has £10,000 a year and a great estate in Derbyshire..."
"I thought his...well, some relative was in charge of his estate!" said Lydia always glad to offer a piece of gossip.
"True, but it is a well known fact he shall own it someday. I, myself asked Mrs. Long. Oh! What a fine thing for Lizzy!"
"I don't think he will marry Lizzy," said Kitty matter-of-factly (she really knew her mother very well), "For did you not hear what he said?"
"What did he say?" Mrs. Bennet demanded, pulling her mind away from her two eldest daughter's weddings'.
"Why, only that Lizzy was just tolerable," cried Lydia.
"Just tolerable!" screeched the distraught mother (as if she were ever anything else!).
"Mama," said Jane, "I don't know if it will be a comfort to you, but after that he danced with Lizzy a second time. Perhaps, it was just a joke..."
"Jane..."
"So, he slighted my Lizzy, did he?" said Mr. Bennet in pain (his ears were still ringing from his wife's outburst a couple of minutes before).
"I do not think he slighted me, Papa. That is...I did not take offense."
"Hmmm," replied he as he left for the peace and quiet of his Library.
Chapter 8
The morning following the ball found Jane and Elizabeth discussing their new neighbors.
"He is everything a young man ought to be, Lizzy. He is lively...and I never saw such happy manners."
"Well, I give you leave to like him. You have liked worse!"
Laughing at her sister's description of her, Jane continued, "And what of Mr. Darcy?"
"Mr. Darcy...Well, he is a tolerable gentleman!" said Elizabeth trying to keep her composure, remembering their...ah...meeting.
"Tolerable! Lizzy, I would have thought he would receive higher praise than that! You danced three dances with him. Mr. Bingley said it was very unlike his friend to dance with any young lady he was not particularly acquainted with. He certainly singled you out."
"It does not signify, Jane. He might have been bored and just wanted to amuse himself with dancing more than is usual." Elizabeth knew it was a pathetic excuse, but she hoped Jane wouldn't pry any further.
"Lizzy...I do believe you like..."
"OH! Look, Charlotte has come," cried Elizabeth as she ran off in the direction of her friend.
Charlotte's reason for coming to Longbourn was to invite them all to a party at Lucas Lodge. Mrs. Bennet was enchanted when Charlotte said it was a possibility that the Netherfield party would be coming.
Lucas Lodge
William had positioned himself at the mantle where he had a very good view of Elizabeth. Some small snippets of conversation were reaching him. He heard his mother-in-law say,
"Oh yes! £5,000 a year! And his friend..."
William didn't hear the rest but judging by the interested glances he received from, Mrs. Howard and another lady he did not know, it had something to do with his fortune.
He tried not to laugh, when he saw Elizabeth roll her eyes. William really wanted to go and talk with her, but that would mean being under the close scrutiny of the other women she was with.
William's thoughts of Elizabeth were interrupted by Lydia demanding that Mary play something else, because she wanted to dance. She won the argument with the help of her mother. 'How can they be related to Elizabeth?' thought he.
William was talking with his host when Elizabeth walked by. Sir William then suggested that they dance together, a plan that both were far from objecting to. The only catch was that the dance was not one that allowed much conversation.
The next half-hour saw William dancing with Kitty and Miss. Bridget Howard. Elizabeth talked with Charlotte and tried to keep the topic of discussion away from Mr. Darcy's obvious interest in her.
About fifteen minutes after William had finished his dance with Bridget, Elizabeth observed him discreetly going outside. Thinking this may be a good chance to talk with him, though she was fairly sure her mouth might be otherwise engaged, she made her excuses to Charlotte, saying she needed some fresh air.
Once outside she tried to ascertain which direction her husband had gone. Elizabeth took the path that led to a slightly secluded area of the gardens. She was not far from her destination when she heard a voice she recognized as Bridget Howard's say, "Oh...Thank-you very much, Mr. Darcy."
Knowing it would not be wise to be seen in the garden at night, Elizabeth ducked behind a tree and waited until she heard Bridget pass. Without further din, she emerged and went to find William.
She saw him standing looking up at the stars, he was obviously lost in thought. Sneaking up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Haven't you had enough my Darling?" he asked in a teasing voice.
"I could never have enough of you, Sir. As you well know!"
"AH! Elizabeth...I was wondering when you would be joining me for a moonlight stroll in this charming garden!" said he, turning around and kissing her.
They stayed this way for a good five minutes before taking a ramble through the romantic setting and then returned inside.
Chapter 9
The morning following the party at Lucas Lodge, a letter arrived from Netherfield, for Jane.
"Oh, Jane! Who is it from?" cried Mrs. Bennet.
Pausing a moment she answered, "It is from Miss. Bingley."
"Oh...Well, that is a good sign too! Give it to me!" she said as she darted out of her chair and snatched the letter from her daughter's hand. Repositioning herself, she continued, "Dine with Louisa and me today...laddy da...laddy da...As the gentlemen are to dine with the officers...Oh that is unlucky...Still, you will go and make what you can of it."
"May I have the carriage, Father?" asked Jane.
"The carriage!" shrieked Mrs. Bennet as if 'the carriage' were a force of evil, "Jane, you must go on horseback, for it looks like rain. Then you will have to stay the night! Oh! What a shame Lizzy wasn't invited, for she could have talked with Mr. Darcy!"
It was decided, Jane would go on horseback, there were no two ways about it. Mrs. Bennet was so very delighted when it started raining not twenty minutes after Jane left. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was worrying about her sister
Netherfield
That evening when the gentlemen returned, they were immediately informed that, 'Miss. Bennet, had taken ill.' Though this caused much inconvenience to the ladies, both Bingley and his friend were genuinely concerned.
The next morning word was set to Longbourn about Miss. Bennet's condition.
Darcy was taking a walk around the grounds, not far from the house, an hour or so since the note was set off, when he came face to face with Elizabeth. Her face was brightened by the exercise and her eyes (which he had always thought, fine) were sparkling.
"Will...Mr. Darcy," said she, noticing a gardener near by.
"Miss. Bennet!"
"I am come to inquire after my sister."
"On foot?" he teased, knowing very well her love of walking.
"As you see. Would you be so kind as to take me to her?"
"This way," said he, offering her his arm.
They were not far from the house when he chuckled quietly and said, "I can here Charles's sisters' now! 'Did you see her petticoat, sister? Six inches deep in mud.' You are going to cause quite a fuss."
"You are incorrigible!" replied Elizabeth glancing at her dress.
After getting Elizabeth on her way to seeing her sister, William went to the breakfast room to inform them all of the new guest.
Thirty minutes later Elizabeth came down stairs. Much to William's relief her entering the room stopped all the mean things that were being said about her.
"How does your sister do?" asked Bingley.
"I'm afraid she is quite unwell, Mr. Bingley."
"Well, I shall send for the doctor directly and you must stay until your sister is recovered."
"That is very kind of you...But I would not wish to inconvenience anyone," said she glancing at Miss. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.
"It would be no trouble. We will send for you clothes directly."
"Thank-you, Mr. Bingley."
Jane and Elizabeth had spent the morning with Miss. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Elizabeth had begun to tolerate them, but she knew very well they did not like her and she attributed that to William's obvious attentions to her.
When she went down to dinner, kind inquires were asked about Jane's health from William and Bingley. Elizabeth was unable to say that Jane was improving, but she hoped that her sister would be better in the morning. She didn't stay long and soon returned to her sister, leaving Caroline Bingley to criticize her.
Later that evening, Elizabeth, was walking down the hall to a room that had been set up for her, when she thought she heard something move behind her. Pausing, she looked around but saw nothing. Telling herself it was all her imagination she continued. Elizabeth hadn't gotten far when she felt an arm slip around her waist and a hand cover her mouth.
Chapter 10
"William!" cried Elizabeth as he 'dragged' her into his room, "What if someone finds out?"
"I don't care," replied William as he kissed her and slowly backed up towards the bed pulling Elizabeth with him.
"William...Believe me I would like nothing more than to spend the night with you...I...William are you listening to me?"
"In a way," he mumbled somewhere near her ear as he tugged her down onto the bed.
"Mr. Darcy! I am here to look after my sister. Not, however pleasant a prospect it is, to indulge in my own desires!"
"You have my attention. What do you propose? I don't think I can stand knowing you are under the same roof as I am and not with me."
"Would you at least let me go and check on Jane once more? Then I promise to come and spend the rest of the evening with you."
"Yes, go and check on you sister, make sure she lacks nothing, then return to me."
"Your wish is my command!" said Elizabeth with a smile
She made sure the coast was clear before leaving the room. Jane was resting, though she was not in her usual good health it appeared she would soon mend. After a quick stop off in her own room and changing into her nightgown Elizabeth ventured her way down the hall to her husband's room.
They talked for a while just curled up together in the large chair before the fireplace. William told her many things about Pemberley, things he couldn't have described in a letter and never had had a chance to tell her four years ago.
"So, are you going to spend the night here?" asked he running his hand up and down her back.
"I might," she teased.
"You might! I guess that leaves me with no other alternative but to try and find a way of persuading you..."
The only thing that came to mind was to kiss her and kiss her he did. Not really knowing how they made it to the bed, but they did. It was at this point that any vows they made about waiting to...well...you know...Until after their marriage was out in the open, disappeared.
The Next Morning
Darcy had been awake for ten minutes just watching his wife sleep when he heard movement coming from outside his door. If someone discovered them now it could be fatal!
"Darcy!" Bingley's voice called.
Elizabeth now woke with a start, she feared they had been found out. William gave her a signal to keep quiet and that she did.
"What is it Bingley?" asked Darcy getting out of bed and throwing his clothes on. It was all Elizabeth could do to keep from laughing when he picked up her stocking instead of his breeches.
"I thought you, Hurst and I were going shooting today," said Bingley, once his friend opened the door. William really should have stayed where he was and not opened the door. His shirt was buttoned unevenly and only half tucked in and if his smile wasn't tell all, nothing else could have been.
"I'm sorry, Bingley. I completely forgot...My mind was on other things. Give me a few minutes to get ready."
Chapter 11
Turning back to Elizabeth, William said, "Now, we have to get you out of here."
"And how would you suggest we do that?"
"I was hoping you would come up with something."
"What time do Mr. Bingley's sisters' usually rise?"
"Much later than this. We do not have to worry about them, but the servants...They are who we should worry about."
Elizabeth struggled out of the twisted sheets and started getting dressed while William passed up and down praying that he could think of a way to get his wife out of the room. He stopped his pacing when he thought he heard footsteps out in the hall. No doubt it was his servant.
Grabbing, Elizabeth by the arm he quickly opened the door to his dressing room. Just as he did that the other door to that room opened. He pushed his wife behind him and tried to hastily close the door, without his servant noticing.
"Now what?" whispered Elizabeth trying her best not to panic.
"I don't know."
They stood thinking about the next best way to get her out when William's valet asked quietly from the other side of the door,
"Are you awake, Sir?"
"Ah...Yes. I shall be out directly, Johnson."
Unfortunately, William, hadn't realized that his replying might guarantee, Johnson entering the room. Elizabeth ducked behind the door, while William tried to look inconspicuous.
"Shall you where the green coat or the dark blue coat, Sir?" asked Johnson displaying them, for his master's approval.
"It doesn't matter," answered William trying to keep the slight squeak out of his voice.
Johnson, looked confused. Usually his master was very decisive on this matter.
"Very well, the blue one, Man!" exclaimed William, "I am only going shooting. I'm not attending a ball."
Backing out of the room, he carefully laid the green coat aside and began preparing the blue coat. It was at that point that the state of his master's bed registered in his mind, being a married man, he was not unfamiliar to the explanation of the bed's state. Having worked for Mr. Darcy for 10 years he was, to say the least, surprised.
'But who?' he thought, 'Who could the lady be? Certainly not Miss. Bingley! I thought I knew my master well, Mr. Darcy was a great man of honor, he would never stoop to such levels. Who was she? What about those two young ladies who were visiting? The elder of the two has to be immediately ruled out. After all she is supposedly very ill. But the second girl? Was the second girl an impossibility? No, she wasn't...'
"Johnson!" said William a little louder than the first two times.
"Yes, Sir. The blue one, Sir."
'Good God!' said Johnson, to himself, 'The master is wearing the same clothes as he was yesterday.'
Little did they know that down in the breakfast room, at that very moment, Mr. Bingley had just had a similar revelation about his friend, 'More odd behavior!' thought Bingley.
As William finished buttoning his clean shirt, Johnson turned around to get the starched necktie. At that moment Johnson thought he saw, through the crack in the door to his master's bedchamber, a piece of white cloth. He allowed his eyes to travel upwards and saw that the white cloth did as well. It was almost like someone was standing behind the door.
"Johnson! The necktie, please!" cried William, becoming very exasperated by his valet's lack of attention. 'At this rate Bingley will be back at the door demanding to know what is taking so long and I still have to get Elizabeth out of here.'
"Yes, Sir!" answered he, producing the requested article.
Once, Johnson had finished tying the cravat in the appropriate style, William dismissed him. When the door was closed two huge sighs of relief broke the silence in the room, in fact, it sounded like they could have blown down Netherfield.
Elizabeth came out from behind the door and gave her husband the 'one eyebrow higher than the other' look, that he always found charming. She asked, "Have you thought of a plan?"
"The only thing I can think of is that you try to get to your room, unnoticed. If you should see someone, just pretend you came from your sister's room..."
"That is exactly what I was thinking," replied Elizabeth draping her shawl over her shoulders.
Luckily she made it to her room unnoticed and William was able to appear somewhat composed before Bingley and Mr. Hurst. However, during the mornings sport, William was caught with an unusually happy grin on his face, that was utterly bizarre.
Chapter 12A
Johnson, walked down the halls of Netherfield to the servants quarters, lost in thought. He had always been acutely aware of how lucky he was to have such a generous master. Mr. Darcy always allowed him to bring his wife, Ettie, along. Ettie worked as an assistant to the cook in all the great houses they visited, and she quickly became indispensable to them.
They had traveled all over, thanks to Mr. Darcy. Visiting such places as London, Bath, and even spending a short while in Ramsgate, last year. They visited Kent regularly, and stayed at Matlock. Once, about four years ago they had traveled to Scotland.
'Scotland, was a welcome relief to all of us,' thought Johnson, 'Mr. Darcy had recently lost his father and Ettie and I had lost that little baby.'
Shaking himself out of such gloomy thoughts he entered the kitchen in search of his wife.
"Thomas," said Ettie with a smile, "Would you like some tea?"
"I'd love a cup, Dearest."
She set about getting him a cup of tea while the cook muttered about the ridiculous menu Miss. Bingley had ordered.
"Tom...Thomas," said she, "Your tea."
"Thank-you," replied Johnson.
"Mrs. Johnson. Take a rest, I have to send the boy out for some fish," the cook directed with a sigh.
"Where were you?" asked Ettie sitting down on the chair opposite him.
"I was helping, Mr. Darcy, you know that."
"No. Just now, you were miles away."
"That I was...Do you remember when we went to Scotland four years ago and stayed at Burnley Hall?"
"How could I forget? But, why would that come to mind now?" she asked taking a sip.
"You may remember, I told you the master was acting mighty strange."
Ettie nodded.
"Do you remember that young lady, the friend of Mrs. Burnley? She was practically a child, not much more'n 16."
"Dark hair?"
"That's the one. The master always seemed like he was trying to impress her. Now, Mr. Darcy is always a man who dresses well, he always has been careful to appear orderly, but when it was possible he would meet her, he took so much care to make sure he looked just right. I mean, the Master would be very disappointed if his cravat wasn't quite straight, it would look fine to me but he could find fault with it."
"What is the point of all this dear?" asked Ettie patiently, she knew how her husband could rattle on.
"Now, I never told this to no one," he leaned in closer, "One night about two weeks before we returned to Derbyshire, he sent for me. It was around 10:00, I couldn't think what he would want. It turned out he wanted me to ready some clothes for him. Ettie, the man was a nervous wreck! He couldn't tie the bloody, pardon me, he couldn't tie his cravat. He then asked me not to breath a word of this to a single soul."
Ettie knew her husband was exaggerating on the 'single soul' part and that the pause was for dramatic affect.
He continued, "It was the next morning that I was walking past the drawing room that I heard Mr. Burnley say 'I don't want any part in this deception'."
"What does that prove?"
"It proves that something was afoot!"
"I do admit, I am curious, still I don't see what this has to do with anything."
"Well, once, about a week later, now I am not sure of this, I thought I saw him and the young lady kissing."
Ettie merely raised an eyebrow.
"Ettie, don't you see. There was something going on between those two. Now, I ask you. What was the young lady's name?"
"B something...ah...Benson...Benton..."
"Bennet?" asked her husband.
"Bennet! That was it..."
"Now, what is the name of the young ladies who are guests here?"
"Oh my Lord! ...Bennet."
"Does not the second girl remind you of the one we saw in Scotland?"
"Silly! She is the one," exclaimed Ettie.
"Now, if you had seen the shape my master's bed was in this morning, even you would have to admit something had happened."
"I can't believe it. He certainly isn't the kind of man who would take a mistress."
"Exactly, if you remember, Burnley Hall was not very far from Gretna Green."
"No! He didn't! ...Why would he not tell his family if that is truly what happened?"
"Remember the Crone of Rosings Park is in charge of Pemberley and lives in hope that the master will marry Miss. Anne."
Just then two of the chambermaids' came into the room with the sheets for the washing.
"Did you see Miss. Elizabeth Bennet's bed," one of them asked, "Wasn't even slept in!"
"While Mr. Darcy's bed was very slept in!" cried the other with a high pitched giggle.
Ettie received a pointed look from her husband.
The conversation continued, but Mr. Black (not his real name), knew that his 'master' would be very well pleased with this information. He remained hidden in the dark corner before slipping out just as he had come, unnoticed.
Chapter 12B
The gentlemen returned from their sport around ten. They were informed by Miss. Bingley that 'Miss. Eliza' had sent for her mother and that the women had soon come. They were also told that Mrs. Bennet had the impudence to bring her two youngest daughters with her.
"Are we to be invaded by every Bennet in the country? It is too much to be born!" Miss. Bingley complained as she followed the gentlemen into the sitting room.
"I quite agree!" Mrs. Hurst chimed in.
No one else said a thing. Mr. Hurst left, not wanting to be in the same room with those women.
A few moments later Mrs. Bennet with three of her daughters came into the room.
"Mrs. Bennet, I hope you did not find Miss. Bennet worse than you expected," said Bingley hopefully.
"Indeed, I have!" cried Mrs. Bennet, "She is a great deal to ill to be moved. We must trespass a while longer on your kindness."
"Of course," said Mr. Bingley, happy to be of any service to Miss. Bennet.
"Miss. Bennet, shall receive every possible attention. We assure you, madam," said Miss. Bingley in a very cold voice.
"That is very kind of you. She suffers a vast deal, I am afraid, though with the greatest patience in the world, for that is her way. My dear Jane has the sweetest nature I have ever met with, Mr. Bingley, I often tell my other girls that they are nothing to her!" This was said with a pointed look at Elizabeth.
William was angered by this speech, especially since it so degraded his Elizabeth. She had often told in her letters of how it was a well known fact at Longbourn that she was her mother's least favorite child, but this was the first time he had witnessed, for himself, the truth of Elizabeth's statements.
"Well, this is a sweet room you have here!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, dragging William back to the present, "I think you will never want to leave Netherfield."
"Indeed, I should be happy to live in the country forever!"
"You would?" questioned William with a wicked glance in Elizabeth's direction, "You don't find the society somewhat confined and unvarying for your taste."
"Confined! Unvarying! Indeed it is not, sir! The country is a vast deal more pleasant that town, whatever you may choose to say about it!"
"Mama! You misunderstood Will...Mr. Darcy's meaning," cried Elizabeth as she blushed realizing what she had almost called him. Mr. Bingley's look of surprise didn't help matters, she knew he had realized what she was about to call 'Mr. Darcy'.
"Do I? He seems to think the country is nothing at all," barked Mrs. Bennet at the back of the offending gentlemen who was now looking out a window.
"Mama!" hissed Elizabeth, but to no avail.
"I'll have him know we dine with four and twenty families!" With that she moved to sit down on a chair with huff.
Everyone, but Mrs. Bennet, heard the laughter of Miss. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.
Thankfully the visit did not last much longer and Mrs. Bennet left, much confused by Mr. Darcy's behavior. One minute he was attentive to her daughter, then the next he was offending everyone.
The rest of the day passed much as the previous one. Miss. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst spent some time with Jane, who continued to mend, but slowly. Not that Elizabeth wished her sister ill, but she hoped she would not recover too soon.
In the evening Elizabeth descended the stairs with the intention of joining the party for dinner, she was told, by Fosset, that Mr. Bingley was in the dining room. Thanking him, she stood for a moment trying to remember which way to turn when she heard a noise from a room down the hall.
When she entered the room she beheld her husband playing billiards, obviously this was not the dining room. He straightened up and smiled at her.
"How is your sister, Miss. Bennet?"
"I believe she is a little better," replied Elizabeth shyly. Their activities of the night before made it hard for her not to blush in his presence.
"I'm glad to hear it," said he as he put his jacket back on.
Coming towards her he said gallantly, "May I escort you to dinner?"
"Yes, sir."
They had almost reached the dining room when she felt him slip something into her hand that was resting on his strong arm.
Chapter 13
Making her sister the excuse, Elizabeth left. She really was going to check on Jane, but first she had to read the note. Going into her room she unfolded the piece of paper, and read in the familiar hand.
Dearest Loveliest Elizabeth,Come to my room tonight? I have a plan. You come downstairs to the drawing room and spend the evening with us, reading or something. Then around 9:30, say you must check on your sister one last time before retiring. As you stand up pretend to feel ill, a headache, perhaps. I (the dashing hero I am) will then offer to escort you to your bedchamber. Actually, I will take you to my chamber. Then, I will come back downstairs and make my apologies, saying I am retiring for the evening and in no time I will be back at your side.
I will know your answer judging by what happens at 9:30.
You Loving husband,
William
She smiled as she tucked the letter away in her things. 'You will know my answer at 9:30, William,' she thought.
After making sure her sister lacked nothing, Elizabeth returned downstairs. She entered the drawing room to find Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hurst at cards, while Mrs. Hurst watched. She located her husband at a table to the side of the room. Elizabeth would not have minded this sight, had not she observed Caroline Bingley to the right of William and obviously commenting on something.
"Miss. Bennet, is your sister improving?" asked Bingley.
"I believe so, Sir. I fact, I can see no harm in her coming down here for an hour or so, tomorrow."
"That is a wonderful idea!" exclaimed Bingley happily.
Elizabeth moved to the small seat that allowed her to hear all the conversation that passed between her husband and Miss. Bingley. Taking up some needlework she prepared herself to wait for 9 :30.
"Oh, Mr. Darcy! How can you write such a charming letter?"
William made no answer.
"How delighted Miss. Darcy will be to receive such a long letter!"
Again, William made no reply.
"You write uncommonly fast."
"You are mistaken, for I write rather slowly," replied he.
"You must have to write so many letters during the course of the year! Letters of business too! I should think it a very odious task!"
"It is fortunate that they should fall to my lot, then. However, I find that some letters are a pleasure to write. Such as a letter to my sister, and other...good friends," said William, with a glance in Elizabeth's direction as he uttered 'good friends'.
"Pray, tell your sister how I long to see her."
"I have done so all ready, at your request."
Elizabeth was beginning to feel angry. He was her husband and what right did Miss. Bingley have to talk to him so!
"How can you contrive to write so even?" asked the lady with a batting of eyelashes that really annoyed Elizabeth.
Determined not to let this go any further, Elizabeth rose from her seat and went over to the other side of William. Saying in a voice that was very a very well done replica of Miss. Bingley's she said, "Oh, Miss. Bingley...I do believe you are right. Mr. Darcy does write very evenly! And I am sure that should I read this letter I would find that he does, indeed, write very charmingly!"
William hid a smile behind his hand, it was all too obvious that Elizabeth was feeling somewhat jealous of the Lady in Orange, not that she had to worry.
"Compared to some, Mr. Darcy has a very elegant hand," said Miss. Bingley with a look in her brother's direction.
Bingley did not miss this for he had been observing the three of them, so he said cheerfully, "I know very well that you meant me Caroline. The only excuse I can offer is that my thoughts flow so rapidly that I end up leaving out half my words and blotting the rest. Darcy on the other hand studies too much for words of four syllables!"
"Mr. Bingley, your humility disarms any reproof! Yet, I am certain that Mr. Darcy would not study for four syllable words as you say he does when he is writing letters of a personal nature. Perhaps you should ask his sister if her letters show any sign of her brother's sitting for a good minute or two thinking of just the right word," said Elizabeth.
"I would have to disagree with you Miss. Bennet," said William, "For I am certain that should you read some of my letters that are of, as you put it, a personal nature, you would find that I do use as many four syllable words as possible! It is always my intention to convey my words in a descriptive manner that make the reader feel like they are with me."
"Honestly, I did not mean to start a discussion on Darcy's style of writing, I was merely trying to think of a way to illustrate our different ways of writing!" cried Mr. Bingley completely unaware of the hidden messages being sent between Elizabeth and William the last few minutes.
"I see, Mr. Bingley, but you must own that it is an interesting topic!" laughed Elizabeth.
"I suppose it is, Miss. Bennet."
With that Miss. Bingley went to talk with her sister, Bingley returned to the card game, William finished his letter to his sister, and Elizabeth concentrated on her needlework. For some minutes there was no sound in the room aside from the occasional rustle or the tick of the clock.
When the game was finished Mr. Bingley asked his sisters' and Elizabeth to play, for them. Miss. Bingley was all too pleased to show off her talents while, Elizabeth, politely refused.
Miss. Bingley was somewhat angered when William pulled a chair close to Elizabeth and there they sat quietly conversing until he song ended which she realized a little to late was a rather long piece, so it was with great relief that she finally handed the piano over to her sister.
Mrs. Hurst thought she may help her sister by playing a dance tune, however, she could not know how that 'played' perfectly into William and Elizabeth's plans.
"Do you not feel a sudden urge to dance, Miss. Bennet?"
"Indeed, I do."
"Well, please allow me the honor of dancing with you."
"I shall be glad to!"
As she stood up Elizabeth brought her hand to her head. William instantly asked in a genuinely concerned voice, "Are you ill?"
"I am afraid I do not feel my best. Perhaps I should retire for the evening, I could hardly help my sister recover by becoming ill myself."
"Then, allow me to escort you to your room, Miss. Bennet," said he unaware of the shocked look he was reciveing from Miss. Bingely.
"It is not necessary, Sir. I would not wish to inconvenience you."
"It would be no trouble to me."
"No, I shall just make my way to my room." Her eyes really told him to follow her up, soon after she left.
'Ah...You are wise my dear,' thought he, 'It would be considered improper for me to come with you.'
Everyone said goodnight and Elizabeth made her way upstairs. After checking on her sister one last time she made her way to William's chamber. She had not been in his room 10 minutes before he came.
After a warm embrace he said, "You had me fooled! I thought you really were ill, had I not seen the look in your eyes I would still be downstairs. After all, why should I retire early unless you are with me."
"I always wanted to be an actress! It would appear I have a natural talent of making my audience believe what I want them to. To think, had you been fooled I would have been sitting here thinking you to be the most frustrating and insensitive man in all the world!"
"That would have been a pity," he murmured as he kissed her.
This night they just lay in the bed and talked. So by four o'clock Elizabeth was safely back in her own room and no one was suspicious. What neither of them took into consideration was that the previous morning some suspicions had a been formed, not to mention the dark forces stirring with the help of Mr. Black.
Chapter 14
A man descended from his horse at a less than reputable tavern. His informant was going to meet him here. Going inside he ordered himself a drink. Spying, Mr. Black in the corner bent over his tankard the man worked his way towards him.
"You have information for me..."
"Money, first."
Throwing a bag at Mr. Black, that rattled with loose coins, he growled, "Tell me."
"T'ould appear, your Mr. Darcy ain't such a gentleman. He 'as," leaning in closer and taking a swig from the tankard, he continued, "A wife."
"Yes! Anything else?"
"He's staying at Netherfield, in Hertfordshire not far from Meryton, you were right 'bout that. Can you ever cause some trouble for 'im, when you go there. I believe 'is wife is one of the local girls. Seems to me she was staying at tha' fine house with her older sister and judging from what I 'eard from them maids he and..."
"You ass! I told you not to speak with anyone!" snarled the man as he grabbed his 'friend' by the coat.
There was a small struggle that gained some unwanted attention from the occupants of the tap house, calming themselves down, Mr. Black said defensively, "I didna speak to nobody! I just 'eard 'em say that it looked like Miss. Bennet's bed 'adn't been slept in, while Mr. Darcy's 'ad been very slept in..."
"How, does that prove she is his wife? And who is she...What is her name beside Miss. Bennet, you said there was an older sister?"
"You want proof...I was listenin' to his valet and the valet's wife a talkin'. They seem to 'member that he was quite taken by a women he met in Scotland, 'sides...Does it matter if she's 'is wife? I believe the wench's name is Elizabeth."
"Thank-you, Black. Continue to monitor him, I have other plans. Contact me should you receive anymore interesting information."
With that he left the tavern, called for his horse, and road off into the night.