A Letter Lost, A Love Found

By Fiona Kathleen

Chapter One

Posted Monday, 8 November 2004

When Miss Georgiana Darcy was twelve years old she had just been given permission by her father to walk anywhere on the estate. Previously to this she had to ask permission and if it were too far away she would have to be accompanied by a maid. However yesterday her father had decided that she was old enough to walk anywhere so long as it was within the bounds of Pemberley.

So on a delightful spring day Georgiana set off to discover an exciting adventure, in the manner of many twelve year olds who read far too many novels and have romantic sensibilities. It had been raining for some days so this was the first walk that Georgiana had taken in what seemed forever. She was careful to avoid the puddles, as she was wearing her favourite blue dress with the pink trimmings, but all the same her petticoat got rather muddy. Georgi walked slowly breathing in the delightful smells of a new season, she could smell the new grass coming up and the leaves unfolding in the trees. As she reached the road that separated Pemberley from the rest of the world she saw the mail coach rattle past. Watching it in the manner people often do when there is something that does not usually occur but is rather mundane all the same she saw something rather odd happen. Just as the mail coach turned the bend a white letter escaped from what was an obviously poorly closed door floated towards her and land face down in a puddle not six feet from where she was standing.

Georgi ran toward it, stopped realizing that the puddle was outside the bounds of Pemberley, recollected and then ran toward it. She managed to fish the letter out before it was completely destroyed; however any letter that lands in the mud is destined to be damaged in some way. However whilst the directions were smudged and illegible, the seal had come open and the writing inside was still relatively intact. Georgi knew she shouldn?t but her curiosity was too great and she looked inside the letter?

Miss Lizzy Bennet
Longbourne, Hertfordshire
My dear Aunt Gardiner,
I hope you are enjoying your visit to Lambton and seeing all the friends I know you so dearly miss?

Georgi didn?t read any more but she had an idea and setting off at a most unladylike run she helter skeltered back to Pemberley.
Sitting down at the writing desk that had been a present from her big brother Fitzwilliam last Christmas, Georgi took a fresh sheet of paper, mended a pen (wishing someone like Miss Bingley was there to do it for her, then she remembered what Miss Bingley was like and retracted that wish) and began to write.


Miss Georgiana Darcy,
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Dear Miss Bennet,
Be not alarmed madam upon receiving this letter,

That didn?t seem right; Georgi crossed it out and began again. Never having written a letter to a stranger before it took four false starts until she had something she was satisfied with.

Miss Georgiana Darcy
Pemberley, Hertfordshire
Dear Miss Bennet,
Recently whilst walking around the edge of my property I saw your letter fly off the back of the mail coach and landed in a puddle not six feet from me. Whilst the front directions were smudged so I could not send the letter on, I have enclosed it within this one so that you might resend it. Be assured that I have not read the letter myself I merely noticed your address as the seal was broken.
Yours Sincerely
Georgiana Darcy.

Georgi closed the letter, sealed it and rang for a maid directing her to ensure that it was posted directly. Once this was done she stared out the window until it was time for lessons upon which she completely forgot about the matter all together, and studied her French.
Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Bennet got up on the morning after an assembly reflecting upon what had transpired the day before. Dressing herself she wondered if she would ever be known as anyone else besides the younger sister of the pretty Miss Bennet. The night before, she had danced certainly, and enjoyed herself immensely, yet no one seemed to pay her attention in the way men fawned over her elder sister. Indeed she had heard two men talking, the first remarked upon how pretty Jane was, this was normal Lizzy heard it all the time. The second than made a remark about how it was unfortunate that the younger sister was not so blessed in looks. Lizzy knew that was true, her face was too wide and her ears were too big for the rest of her face.

The maid came in to dress her hair, and once it was put up in its usual bun she made her way downstairs intent on taking a walk. The countryside was beautiful at this time of year, albeit slightly muddy. The fresh wind did much to revive Lizzy?s sprits so when she came home for breakfast she could endure her younger sisters? noise with at least some patience.

When the mail came that morning Lizzy was surprised to see two letters for her. One was from her aunt Gardiner who was currently in Lambton, the town where she grew up visiting old friends, with her husband. The other also seemed to be from Derbyshire, but from an address that Lizzy did not recognize. So excusing herself from the table she went outside to sit at her favourite bench and read this strange letter.

Upon opening it a very muddy piece of paper fell out that appeared to be a letter that she had sent to her aunt. Once she read Georgiana?s letter she was surprised to say the least but was intent upon thanking her. She might even make a friend in Derbyshire, she thought, as the handwriting and tone of the letter appeared to be of someone her own age or a little younger.

Sitting down at the writing desk that she shared with all her four sisters, not that Kitty or Lydia ever wrote a letter. She addressed a friendly note to the kind girl who had returned her letter.


Miss Lizzy Bennet
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Dear Miss Darcy,
Thank you so much for returning my wayward letter. It was to my aunt who is visiting your home county where she herself grew up. I personally have never been to Derbyshire but my aunt speaks of it in the highest terms that I am convinced that it must be the second most beautiful county in England, second only to Hertfordshire. I have lived in Hertfordshire all my life with my family, which consists of my two parents and their five daughters of which I am the second.

I have been to London several times to visit my Aunt and Uncle and whilst I enjoy the joys that being near the theatre and the large array of shops I have to confess, most unfashionably, to preferring the countryside. It is here that I can take long walks and feel the breeze in my hair and whilst the society may be confined I have a dear friend whose house I can easily walk to.

Yours Sincerely,
Lizzy Bennet.

Thus sprang up a friendship between the two girls, many letters were sent over the course of the next couple of years. First they began with the letters of new acquaintances telling of their families and favourite books, but as time went on and the ?miss?es were dropped so that the letters between Georgi and Lizzy were that of close friends. It was to Georgi that Lizzy confessed her fears about never being as beautiful or as good as her elder sister, and it was to Lizzy that Georgi poured out her heart when her father died. Georgi showed a great deal of insight when she suggested that Kitty was only suffering from a lack of attention, being neither the favourite of either her parents. Lizzy found that on spending more time with Kitty that this was true, and the sisters became a lot closer as a result, with Kitty becoming less insipid by the day.
Lizzy became Georgi?s mentor as the girl had no mother or elder sisters only a constant stream of Governesses, and then once she reached fifteen, companions. It was Lizzy who explained to her that marriage for love was the ideal, and it was Lizzy that sent the express that fateful summer at Ramsgate advising Georgi not to elope with Wickham. That if he truly loved her he would not be afraid to be married with her brother present. Georgi knew by Mr Wickham?s reaction when she told him that she wanted to marry with her family present that all he was really after was her money.

Fitzwilliam Darcy was aware that Georgi had a friend who she regularly corresponded with from Hertfordshire, but when he heard that it was Lizzy who saved his sister from such a terrible fate he felt eternally grateful to the woman who had befriended his little sister. His sister only referred to her friend as Lizzy however and since Fitzwilliam never thought himself likely to venture into Hertfordshire he never enquired as to her full name.

Chapter 2

Posted on Monday, 15 November 2004

The spring of 1813 had two significant events, firstly it contained the twentieth birthday of Miss Elizabeth Bennet and secondly it was in London that autumn that Lizzy and Georgi met for the first time. Georgi was still slightly subdued from her Ramsgate experience and so to cheer her up Fitzwilliam had decided to take her for two months to town so her aunt could take her shopping and he could take her to the theatre and to music recitals. It so happened that unexpectedly that spring Lizzy?s Aunt Gardiner asked Lizzy to come and stay as Mrs Gardiner?s friend was sick and so that she could spend time with her friend she asked Lizzy to come and help look after the children. Both the trips were unexpected so each girl sent a letter to the others home before they left and neither letter arrived in time.

In the third and final week of Lizzy?s stay, her Aunt?s friend had made a miraculous recovery so for the first time she was able to venture out to the shops. Stepping into a jewelers to buy something trivial for Lydia and Kitty, her attention was caught by the shopkeeper saying, ?Miss Darcy, can I tempt you with any of these lockets? and holding out some monstrosities with garish jewels, and some even with feathers imbedded within them. Lizzy turned and saw a tall girl, with a womanly, graceful figure. Her dark hair was piled fashionably on her head, and her pale pink gown was obviously of the highest quality, she was murmuring, ?I don?t think any of those are quite Lizzy?s style.?

?Indeed they are not!? Lizzy replied and Georgi whirled around to see a smaller, but older woman standing behind her. She was wearing a simple gown of a cream coulor that whilst out of fashion, was elegant and refined. The last four years had ensured that Lizzy grew into the once objectionably large ears and her face had matured so that that it was no longer wide, but very pretty but also expressive. ?Lizzy??

?Georgi??

The two girls embraced and immediately started talking at such a fast pace the shopkeeper could not follow them. It turned out that they could not follow each other either, so Georgi hesitantly suggested that they retire to her house that was not far from the shop in which they were standing. Lizzy immediately agreed and writing a short note to her aunt, she gave it to the footman who was accompanying her and entered the Darcy carriage.

Soon the girls were comfortably sitting on the lounges in the Darcy townhouse, sipping tea and exchanging their news, explaining their reasons for being in town. It was a delightful afternoon, only marred by the fact Lizzy was going home in two days and so their friendship would have to continue by letter.

When Fitzwilliam Darcy returned home from his club that afternoon he was astonished to see his little sister in such a good mood. When she explained that it was because Lizzy had been there he was sorry to have missed her. Not only because she was his sisters saviour but because his sister talked of her in such glowing terms that he wanted to meet this woman. Georgi now went even so far as to say that she was exceptionally pretty which excited Darcy?s interest even further.

Two days time saw Lizzy?s return to Herefordshire and the next month Georgi returned to Derbyshire. There lives continued as normal, and they wrote each other letters at least once a week, their friendship strengthened by a face-to-face meeting.

In the autumn of the same year Elizabeth Bennet attended an assembly with her four sisters and her mother, this assembly was particularly of note as Netherfield Park had been let (at last) and the party which was staying at the afore mentioned house was attending this assembly. Lizzy and Kitty were standing with Lizzy?s particular friend Charlotte Lucas when Mr Bingley and his set entered. Charlotte explained that the ladies with him were his sisters, and that the gentlemen were the husband of one of the sisters and Mr Bingley?s friend Mr Darcy. This statement captured Lizzy?s interest and she saw that the mentioned man was a tall, dark handsome man who did look vaguely like Georgi. Charlotte went on to explain that he had ten thousand a year, and a large estate in Derbyshire. Lizzy was now convinced that this must be Georgi?s brother.

The dancing recommenced and Lizzy?s partner came to claim her for the next dance and she enjoyed herself immensely, especially upon seeing that Mr Bingley was standing up with Jane. As the evening progressed however her enjoyment diminished somewhat for whilst Mr Bingley danced twice with Jane and once with herself she was astonished by the behaviour of Mr Darcy. He seemed to be proud and disagreeable, not at all like Georgi?s description of him as the perfect brother and kind gentleman. Lizzy reasoned that he must be some distant cousin, or even not related at all. It was conceivable that there were two Darcys with estates in Derbyshire, from Georgi?s letters Elizabeth had the opinion that she must have a proliferation of cousins.

Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for her to overhear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it.

"Come, Darcy," said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."

"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."

"I would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Bingley, "for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."

"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

"Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."

"Which do you mean?" and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She reasoned that this man could in no way be related to Georgi, it was just a coincidence, but knowing Georgi would enjoy the story she made a mental note to tell her in her next letter. Then spotting her friend Charlotte across the room, she told her of the events with great spirit, characteristic of her playful nature.

A couple of days after the Assembly, Lizzy was writing to Georgi at her desk when Jane and Kitty entered. Lizzy quickly placed her letter under a blotter, her sisters were aware that she had a friend who she wrote to in Derbyshire however that is all Lizzy would tell them and they and they respected her privacy. For her part Lizzy liked to know she had a friendship that she did not share with her sisters, it was something that made her different from the rest of the Bennet girls.

Lizzy turned to Jane and rather wickedly asked her what she thought of Mr Bingley.

"He is just what a young man ought to be," said Jane, "sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners! -- so much ease, with such perfect good-breeding!"

"He is also handsome," said Kitty, with a smile at Lizzy; "which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete."

"I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment."

?I did? said both Lizzy and Kitty at the same time, and then laughed.

Jane blushed and smiled at her sisters, then diverted the conversation by turning to Kitty remarked that she also danced twice with a young man. ?Oh yes? replied Kitty, ?Mr Morrison I could not get rid of him, he was always there whenever I turned around holding out punch or leering over me.?

?You poor thing, I?m sorry I didn?t take better care of you.? Lizzy was feeling quite shamed that she had let her confusion about Mr Darcy, forget her role as an older sister.

Jane smiled at Kitty ?He can not be all that bad can he? He is rather handsome,?

?Yes he can!? Kitty replied. ?He stepped on my toes countless times when we were dancing, did nothing more than stare at my bust and mutter when I tried to make sensible conversation. Mama flatters him and makes me dance with him too, as he has three thousand a year. I wish he would divert his attentions to Lydia I know she would enjoy them far more.?

?I think we shall have charming neighbours in the Bingleys.? Jane pronounced. Kitty and Lizzy merely nodded their heads and rolled their eyes at each other thinking how could even Jane believe that the Bingley sisters were nice. However Lizzy was glad that she had not changed Jane's opinion of the sisters when Jane had to ride in the rain to visit them the next week.

Chapter 3

Posted on Monday, 22 November 2004

Georgiana Darcy was surprised to receive two letters from Hertfordshire. She was even more shocked to see that one of them was from her brother, she had thought him in London. Opening his letter she read?

Fitzwilliam Darcy
Netherfield, Hertfordshire.
My dearest sister,

You will be surprised to see the address of this letter, I am in Hertfordshire visiting Charles Bingley's newly purchased estate. This decision was rather hurriedly made so I apologise for not informing you in advance.

The estate is a pleasant one and most suitable for one in Charles? position. The society around however is lacking. For example there is one family called the Bennets. The eldest daughter seems to have caught Charles? attention. The mother is a large loud woman who has no sense of decorum, the daughters of which there are five, excepting the eldest, seem to be vulgar and the youngest especially is a persistent flirt.

I must go, Charles is calling me reminding me of some engagement with the general Meryton populace.

I hope you keep well,

Your Loving brother,
Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Georgiana dropped the letter shocked. Her dearest brother who she had always thought faultless had just deemed her dearest friend vulgar. She turned to Lizzy?s letter hoping for some answers. She chuckled as she read of Lizzy?s description of the Bingley sisters and smiled at her glowing praise of Mr Bingley. From Lizzy?s descriptions of Jane, which Georgi had many of over the past years she thought that, Jane and Mr Bingley were indeed ideally suited. Georgi then came to the bit where Lizzy described Mr Darcy. Georgi at once realized that her brother had been painfully shy at the assembly and had not reacted in the way he normally would. This was a serious problem and one that she would have to fix. Walking to her writing desk she sharpened a pen and wrote two letters, which she then sent off to Herefordshire.

When Lizzy Bennet first received the note to say her sister was ill, she was immediately angry with her mother who had put Jane in such a precarious situation. With all the feelings of a sister who cares deeply for her siblings she told her family that she was going to Netherfield to see Jane. Kitty offered to walk with her as far as the Lucas?s as she wished to call upon Maria and so the two girls set off, each reveling in their love of country walks but their enjoyment was dampened by the fact that their sister was ill.

Lizzy reached Netherfield in good time, helped by he short cut across a very muddy field. However she found that upon arrival she had weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise. However none of these could be helped and as she did not feel the need to impress anyone in the house, all she was there to do was to see Jane; she made herself known without hesitation.

She was shown into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Jane were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good-humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, a strong reminder of his sister who often took such walks however always within the bounds of Pemberley and doubt as to the occasion justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast. Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not well enough to leave her room.

Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.

When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth remembered a letter that Georgi once sent her about a woman named Caroline who was a sister of her brother?s friend. Georgi had said that this Caroline had a preference for wearing orange and had set her cap at Fitzwilliam. Caroline was horrible and mercenary; however she was very nice to Georgi who knew it was to get at her brother. Georgi once recounted a very funny story to Lizzy involving Caroline, some cream cakes and a large dog. Lizzy remembered this now as she stared across at Caroline?s, interesting and most defiantly orange outfit, and wondered if it could be the same lady.

When the clock struck three Elizabeth felt that she must go, and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern in parting with her, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay and bring back a supply of clothes.

That evening, after seeing that Jane was asleep she joined the rest of the party in the drawing room. On entering the room she saw that the Bingleys and Hursts were playing cards and that Mr Darcy was writing a letter. She declined the invitation to play cards thinking that the stakes would be too high, and sat down on the sofa to idly peruse a book, waiting until she could leave again and go to Jane without seeming rude.

After answering some questions and insults from Mr Hurst and Miss Bingley she hoped to actually be able to read her book when she was distracted by the conversation between the others.

"I am astonished," said Miss Bingley, hoping to open a conversation that did not involve Miss Elizabeth Bennet who seemed to be attracting too much of Darcy?s attention, "that my father should have left so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!"

Lizzy looked up in surprise there could be no doubt about it now; Mr Darcy was Georgi?s brother. She was amazed that this proud, insulting man could be related to her dear sweet Georgi.

Caroline seeing the look of surprise on Lizzy?s face said condescendingly and with the air of one who knows her subject intimately ?Pemberley is Mr Darcy?s estate in Derbyshire.?

"It ought to be good," he was replying; "it has been the work of many generations."

"And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books." That was Caroline. Elizabeth tuned out, partly out of shock and partly because she was realizing that she had sent Georgi a letter with some very uncomplimentary things in it. She must write and apologise.

"Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?" said Miss Bingley; "will she be as tall as I am?"

"I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet's height, or rather taller."

Lizzy who was at that point slightly shaken by shock of finding out who Mr Darcy was and not in full control of her thoughts, blurted out, ?Actually, when I saw her in the spring she was a good two inches taller than me.?

All eyes in the room turned to Lizzy, who then realized what she had said and blushed. Caroline asked, ?Have you met Miss Darcy then, Miss Eliza??

Seeing no hope for it then, Lizzy answered, ?Yes, we met the first time last spring.?

Mr Darcy, then put the pieces into place and asked also without decorum ?You?re Lizzy??

?That is what Georgi calls me.? Lizzy replied.

Caroline was flabbergasted, this young upstart from the country, knew Miss Darcy, and was calling her Georgi? Once or twice Caroline called her Georgiana, but Miss Darcy replied so pointedly calling her Miss Bingley that she never tried that familiarity again. Who was this Miss Bennet and how on earth did she know Miss Georgiana Darcy. Seeing that the conversation was attracting Darcy?s attention toward Miss Eliza, Caroline opened the piano and began to play so ferociously that those watching feared for the safety of the keys.

The following day after assuring herself that Jane was resting peacefully Lizzy decided to explore some of the gardens that surrounded Netherfield. She took one last look at Jane and after getting lost several times made it out into the autumn sunshine. She was walking along a path when she encountered Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst and Mr Darcy taking a walk. Mrs Hurst invited her to join them and she accepted. They continued on and as they did they entered a walk where the path was to narrow for four to walk comfortably. Mr Darcy executed a quick movement that meant Miss Elizabeth Bennet suddenly found herself upon his arm walking in front of the two sisters before either Lizzy or Caroline could work out what happened.

Mr Darcy set a quick pace that soon left Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley, who were not dressed in clothing suitable for walking, behind. When he saw that they were a long way behind he turned to Elizabeth and said ?Miss Bennet, I can not begin to express how grateful I am to you for what you have done for my sister, most especially for the well timed express you sent her last summer. I can not begin to thank you enough for the way in which you befriended her.?

Lizzy looked up in amazement at Mr Darcy, she never expected such words to come from such a man, she replied ?Mr Darcy, do not trouble yourself Georgi is a true friend of mine and last summer I only acted in a manner that any friend would have. There was nothing particularly unusual about what I did.?

At that moment reached the front of Netherfield and saw that the Bennet carriage was there, Lizzy excused herself and quickly made her way inside. Darcy was left wondering at her reaction to his thank you, she did not act in the manner of women about the ton, who smiled, blushed, flirted and giggled when you complimented them trying to make the most of an opportunity. Instead Miss Elizabeth acted in almost a self-depreciating way, but not so much that he felt obliged to correct and compliment her further. This woman was truly unusual.

Darcy entered the house and was told by the butler that the Mr and Miss Bingley, Miss Elizabeth as well as the visitors were in the breakfast-parlour. Darcy turned a and followed the sound of high pitched shrieking to that room and discovered that what he had thought was a dying pig was only Mrs Bennet.

Entering the room he saw that Mrs Bennet was talking to Charles with her youngest daughter Lydia occasionally chiming in on the conversation, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were sitting on a sofa as far removed from the Bennets as possible and Miss Elizabeth was talking quietly to her sisters Miss Kitty and Miss Mary on a different sofa, every so often Kitty or Elizabeth would interrupt there mothers conversation to prevent her from saying something too embarrassing. Just as Darcy entered they were discussing Jane?s health. Bingley was expressing his hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

"Indeed I have, sir," was her answer. "She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness."

"Removed!" cried Bingley. "It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."

"You may depend upon it, madam," said Miss Bingley, with cold civility, "that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us."

Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.

"I am sure," she added, "if it was not for such good friends, I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are nothing to her. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming prospect over that gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease."

?Whatever I do is done in a hurry," replied he; "and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here."

?That is exactly what I should have supposed of you," said Elizabeth.

"You begin to comprehend me, do you?" cried he, turning towards her.

?Oh! yes -- I understand you perfectly."

"I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through, I am afraid, is pitiful."

"That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours."

?Lizzy," cried her mother, "remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."

Darcy, seeing that his sister's savior had instantly blushed and dropped lashes as had her sister Kitty, interrupted the conversation immediately. ?Mrs Bennet have you seen the view from this window? It is a particularly fine one. I think I can see Longbourn in the distance however I am not sure. Do you know if that is Longbourn?? He said wildly pointing into the distance.

Mrs Bennet, shocked at a display of civility from this man bustled over to peer into the distance at what Mr Darcy appeared to be pointing at. After some consideration, she agreed that it must be, for she added to herself it would be better to agree with this rich man than to point him out as a fool.

Most members of the room were shocked, Caroline and Mrs Hurst were appalled at this display of civility from Mr Darcy toward one of the most unrefined women in England. Kitty and Lizzy were amazed to see Mr Darcy behave so civilly after his insult of Lizzy, Kitty began to suspect something but she wasn?t quite sure what, she only knew that a little idea had formed in her mind. Lydia was too busy thinking of officers and Mary of Fordyce for any study of the people around them. Mr Bingley just took it as a matter of natural course that his friend Darcy should be civil.

The Bennets left a few minutes later. As Kitty was walking down the drive she suddenly remembered that she had a letter for Lizzy. Turning around she ran back and handed it to Lizzy saying, ?Sorry Lizzy, I forgot this letter came yesterday from your friend in Derbyshire.?

Chapter 4

Posted on Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Lizzy stared at the letter that Kitty had put into her hands, and then excused herself from the others to check on Jane. Finding Jane resting peacefully she took out the letter and stared at the front. It was indeed from Georgiana. She broke the seal and opened the letter?

Miss Georgiana Darcy
Pemberley, Derbyshire
My dear Lizzy,

Thank you for your most entertaining description of meeting my brother. I dearly enjoyed reading about how he behaves in company, shocking isn?t it?

But rest assured he is not like that all the time, indeed he is only shy. He is the dearest brother you could ever imagine, and has been so good to me since the death of our parents. Please accept my apology on his behalf and give him another chance.

I am very sorry that you have met Caroline Bingley, a worse fate is hard to imagine, however her brother is a dear man and I am glad your sister thinks well of him. I know Caroline has hopes for a match between him and myself but I can only think of him as an elder brother, the teasing sort unlike Fitzwilliam. From what you have told me of Jane and what I know of Mr Bingley I cannot think of a better match.

In Friendship,
Georgi Darcy

Lizzy read the letter again and thought about what Georgi had said. Mr Darcy was just shy? Lizzy refused to believe it. How could a man of sense and education, obviously used to social gatherings and interaction be shy? Yet Georgi, the person who knows him best thinks he is. Lizzy then remembered how he had distracted her mother from the embarrassing conversation in the breakfast parlour. ?I will forgive him Georgi for your sake, not for his own, not yet.?

?What?s that, Lizzy?? Jane asked, roused from her sleep by Lizzy?s murmur.

Lizzy blushed realizing that she had just spoken her thoughts out loud. ?Nothing Jane dear, how are you feeling??

Jane smiled and answered that she was much better, seeing her mother had improved her spirits, and the pain in her head was much less. Lizzy proposed that she should come downstairs for a while that night, and Jane eagerly agreed, partly Lizzy suspected to see a certain Charles Bingley, whom even though Jane was staying in his house propriety demanded she rarely saw.

Meanwhile Darcy had returned to his room frowning. Georgi had sent a letter to Elizabeth Bennet but not him, since when did he, her closest relation come second. Upon entering his room his valet handed him a letter that had just arrived. Sure enough it was from Georgiana.

Miss Georgiana Darcy
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Fitzwilliam,

You?you?I can?t think of the words to express how angry I am with you. Firstly you take off into Hertfordshire without telling me and then you casually insult my best friend who has also saved our family from utter disgrace. Who are you? Are you sure you?re my brother, or are you his evil twin replacement?

Only write if you have apologized to Lizzy!

Your very, very angry sister
Georgiana

Darcy ran a frustrated hand through his hair, insulted her best friend? She obviously meant Lizzy but when did he insult her? He couldn?t remember ever saying anything rude to her. He thought back over their acquaintance, they met at the assembly in Meryton, he didn?t even speak to her there. Charles had asked if he wanted to dance with her and he declined?wait had she heard that?now he knew why Georgi was so angry. Darcy also knew that he had to apologise.

That night Lizzy carefully helped Jane downstairs to join the others in the drawing-room, where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared. Their powers of conversation were considerable. They could describe an entertainment with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh at their acquaintance with spirit.

But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object; Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy, and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed himself directly to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he was 'very glad'; but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley's salutation. He was full of joy and attention. The first half-hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer from the change of room; and she removed at his desire to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be farther from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to any one else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great delight.

Mr Darcy surveyed the room. He knew that he had to get Miss Elizabeth alone to apologise to her, but how to do that was difficult and Caroline Bingley was watching his movements like a hawk. Suddenly inspired he asked, ?Miss Bingley, you are a delightful pianist would you favour us with an air?? Then he mentally kicked himself for praising Caroline Bingley as she flushed with pleasure and moved toward the instrument.

Darcy sat himself down next to where Elizabeth was at work on the other side of the room, after making a few polite remarks about her work he said, ?Miss Bennet, you must allow me to apologize for the comment which you overheard me make at the Meryton Assembly, it was rude and ill mannered of me.?

Elizabeth stared at him, astonished, however she gathered her wits enough to reply, ?You are forgiven, Mr Darcy.?

?I hope then, that you and I could be friends, for I know how dear you are to Georgi and she is very dear to me.? Darcy said smiling.

?I am sure that we could be friends,? Elizabeth replied, ?for we do seem to have a mutual love in your sister.?

Caroline Bingley looking up from the piano expecting to see Mr Darcy gazing at her in adoration instead saw him in an intimate conversation with Miss Eliza, her fingers stumbled. She however regained her composure and finished the piece. Determined to get Miss Eliza away from ?her? Mr Darcy she asked the former to play. Elizabeth accepted and chose a simple melody that she knew well. Caroline?s plans were foiled however as Mr Darcy choose to spend his time staring at Georgiana?s pretty intelligent friend, wondering if one day Georgi and Lizzy might be sisters. He then quickly dismissed this thought from his mind, reminding himself that Miss Elizabeth had only agreed to be his friend a few minutes ago, it was a long journey from newly made friend to wife.

The sisters left Netherfield on the following Tuesday, Jane was sad to leave Mr Bingley but somewhere inside she knew that their courtship could now continue in the proper manner. Lizzy was glad to be returning home, but she felt an unexpected disappointment in leaving Mr Darcy. Over the past few days he had proved that he indeed wanted a friendship between the two of them. He had helped her tend to Jane, he had collected books off the top shelf of the Library when she couldn?t reach, and they had had long conversations about the merits of Cowper over Blake, the character of Hamlet and other such topics. They had formed a comfortable friendship, and Lizzy was sorry that its development would now be stilted by not living in the same house any more.

Charles Bingley watched the carriage go with regret; his beautiful Jane was going away from him. Mr Darcy felt similarly; however about the other sister, he however knew Lizzy only thought of him as a friend, whilst Charles was certain that Jane cared more deeply about him

Chapter 5

Posted on Wednesday, 23 November 2005

Upon arrival back to Longbourn, the two eldest Bennet sisters were surprised to find a mass cleaning of the house occurring. Their unasked questions were soon answered by Kitty however, who came flying into the hall to meet them. "Our Cousin Mr. Collins is to arrive tomorrow," she stated breathlessly, "Mama wants the house, and us, to appear at its best for him."

Lizzy rolled her eyes at the other two knowing her mother as she did Lizzy was certain that her mother would not rest until Mr. Collins had married one of the Bennet sisters.

The three girls entered the house, whereupon Lizzy and Jane dutifully went to speak to their mother who at that moment decided to call for them.

The Reverend William Collins needed a break, after a year of suffering under Lady Catherine de Bourgh's patronage he was ready to jump in front of any passing carriage rather than suffer another evening at Rosings. So when the aforementioned Lady suggested, or rather decreed, he should marry he jumped at the chance to take a month?s visit to Longbourn. "Who knows," he thought, "with five unmarried daughters, I might indeed find a wife."

Mr. Collins' mother had been a very intelligent woman however she had never got along with her elder brother Thomas, who she thought was lazy and unfeeling. She fell in love with the young curate Joshua Collins when she was 16, married him within six months, moved to Yorkshire and never contacted her brother again. She was blessed with only one son, William who followed his father into the ministry. Her excellent husband had died in time to see Will ordained and she followed him to the grave two months after Will had accepted his living at Rosings.

Will reflected on his mother as on Monday the 18th of November his transport was arriving at Longbourn at four o'clock. Alighting from the carriage with an easy step he surveyed the family standing in front of him. Mr. Bennet looked skeptical, Mrs. Bennet look hysterical, Miss Bennet was smiling serenely, Miss Bennet (2) was grinning at him, Miss Bennet (3) was frowning at him, Miss Bennet (4), was looking past his shoulder, and Miss Bennet (5) had just pulled her already revealing dress down a little lower at the bust. He stepped forward and shook Mr. Bennet's hand. Mrs. Bennet then pulled him forward into a rapturous hug and kiss following this introduced him to each of her five daughters and then they all went into the house.

Later that evening, Kitty crept along the hallway to the room that her two eldest sisters shared. (She normally wouldn't creep but with a strange man in the house she thought that it would be best.) On entering she found Jane and Lizzy already discussing Mr. Collins. ?He is so handsome!? Kitty exclaimed throwing herself onto the bed in her best impression of a swoon. Lizzy and Jane looked at each other with raised eyebrows, he was good looking surely, with floppy mid brown hair and sparkling green eyes that lit up when he smiled, but ?so handsome? was a bit over the top. Kitty hadn?t finished however she was describing the way he had amused them after supper with tales of his patroness? arrogance and total lack of common sense. It had been little more than five hours since she met him and Kitty was in love or at least firmly on the way.

Back at Netherfield Darcy lay on his bed, finally having escaped the claws of Miss Bingley, who was insinuating how much she would like to be Georgi?s sister. As he lay there he thought of none other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who seemed to fill his thoughts today like he was a school boy, everything she said or did was imprinted in his mind. He tried to think rationally about it but she consumed all his thoughts.

The following morning Elizabeth woke early and dressed quickly intending to take a walk before breakfast. As she walked out the door she heard Mr Collins calling her name, turning around she saw he was also dressed for a walk and the two agreed to walk together and set off.

After exchanging remarks about the others health and the weather and the loveliness of the countryside the conversation turned to the Bennet Sister.

"I was so glad to remember that you were Elizabeth," Mr Collins laughed, "I have never been very good with names and was sure that I was going to call you the wrong one."

Lizzy smiled at him and replied, "Yes, people do get confused often between us, not that we look particularly alike. Jane is the eldest, we are particularly good friends, then there is Mary who wears glasses. Next is Kitty and Lydia and there confusing because although Lydia is the youngest she is the tallest."

"I remember Kitty," Mr Collins smiled, "She is the one with the sparkling blue eyes and..." he trailed off and blushed.

Lizzy grinned at the horizon thinking of Kitty's revelation last night, things could be about to get interesting. However judging by the height of the sun in the sky it was time to return to the house. The rest of the journey was passed in amicable conversation, punctuated by much laughter, so that Lizzy Bennet and Will Collins were firm friends by the time they were in view of Longbourn.

Mr Collins easily slotted into life at Longbourn, accompanying the sisters on trips to Meryton and to parties at their aunts. Mrs Bennet held hopes for him and her second daughter as the two always seemed to be laughing or joking about something or the other. But what Mrs Bennet did not notice was that Mr Collins often took long walks in the garden with her fourth daughter and in the evenings the two could often be found talking quietly, blue eyes sparkling at green ones in the firelight.

Chapter 6

Posted on Wednesday, 25 January 2006

A few days after Mr Collins? arrival the Bennet family were invited to dine at the Phillips, Lydia had persuaded her aunt to invite some offices as she had heard that there was a new, particularly good looking officer named Mr Wickham who had recently joined the regiment.

Upon arrival at the Phillips after all the necessary introductions, Mr Collins and Kitty went to sit on a sofa together, Lydia was soon surrounded by a number of young men and Jane and Mary were seated together, leaving Elizabeth on her own. She went and sat near Mr Collins and Kitty pretending to listen to their conversation, as people do at parties where no one is talking to them. Lizzy was not alone for long however, she was joined by a good looking young gentleman in a red coat.

?Mr Wickham, is it?? Lizzy queried, as her mind raced trying to remember where she had heard that name before.

He smiled at her, and Lizzy stopped thinking about where she had heard the name Wickham to notice how attractive he was. ?It is indeed, and you are Miss Elizabeth, am I right??

Lizzy agreed that she was and a conversation ensued about the countryside, and after some time Mr Wickham enquired how far was Netherfield from Meryton. After receiving the answer, he somewhat hesitatingly queried whether Mr Darcy had been staying there long.

?About a month? said Elizabeth, and suddenly her mind clicked, Wickham was the name of the man who tried to convince Georgi to elope with him. Lizzy wondered if was the same Wickham and therefore asked ?Are you acquainted with the Darcy family at all.?

?I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my infancy. The current Mr Darcy and I played together as children.?

That was just like Georgi had said, Elizabeth felt immense dislike well up inside her, however she forced herself to smile as Mr Wickham continued. ?Are you at all acquainted with Mr Darcy??

?I have not known him long but he seems to be a gentleman despite a preference for Cowper over Blake.? Lizzy replied, trying to think of a way she could end this conversation.

?I have no right to give my opinion,? said Wickham, ?as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long and to well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for me to be impartial. I have found often though that the world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.?

Elizabeth here denied that she was blinded by fortune in her judgment of character. ?I am glad to hear so for he has used me very ill,? Wickham replied, ?We are not on friendly terms, and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding him but what I might proclaim to all the world; a sense of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a thousand tender recollections. His behavior to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him any thing and every thing, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father.?

Elizabeth wondered how he could say such things against the man, it was Wickham who had used Darcy ill.

Wickham continued, ?The late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere.?

Elizabeth felt that she could listen no longer, speaking in a low tone she spoke in a falsely conversational voice ?Mr Wickham, let me tell you a story of my own, I have a very dear friend with whom I correspond regularly. Last summer this friend was visiting the seaside, a place called Ramsgate. Whilst she was there she ran into someone whom she thought was a friend from her childhood. However this man was no friend, he convinced my friend that she was in love with him and persuaded her to elope with him, his object of course was my friends fortune of twenty thousand pounds. Fortunately the elopement did not come to pass.?

Elizabeth looked up and gazed steadily into Mr Wickham?s eyes, she had the satisfaction of seeing that his face had gone very white. ?I may not be well connected Mr Wickham, but I have lived in this town my whole life. If you blacken peoples names without cause I will use every power I have to blacken yours. I am afraid that will prevent you from joining any polite society, running away with any women of fortune, or running up debts with your fellow officers and the local trades people.?

With that pronouncement Elizabeth stood up and went to join her sister Lydia in a game of lottery tickets.

Later that evening Lizzy, Jane and Kitty gathered in Lizzy?s room to discuss the party. After the elder two had listened to a long monologue from Kitty about how wonderful Mr Collins was and everything witty he had said, and how he had complimented her eyes and what did they think that meant, the conversation moved on to Mr Wickham and how he had singled out Lizzy.

?What were you talking of?? asked Jane.

Lizzy deliberated whether to tell her sisters, they could be powerful allies if indeed she needed help against Wickham. She would have to tell them she knew Mr. Darcy?s sister, but she could omit anything that would harm Georgi's reputation. She filled them in ?You know I have a friend in Derbyshire.? Her sisters nodded.

?Well, her name is Georgiana Darcy, Mr Darcy?s little sister. It is quite complicated how we began corresponding, and its irrelevant. Anyway, Georgiana knows Mr Wickham because he was the son of her fathers steward. She has told me of his character and how he has tried to hurt her family. This evening whilst we were talking Mr Wickham tried to malign the Darcy family reputation to me. So I threatened that if he told the story to anyone else I would ruin his reputation in Meryton and among the officers."

Kitty laughed and gave her sister a congratulating hug. Jane, however was shocked, ?Lizzy!!! How could you say such a thing!?

Lizzy looked pensive, ?I don?t know, but I did.?

Kitty grinned mischievously, ?Its because she?s in love with Mr Darcy!? then she ran out of the room very fast, narrowly avoiding the pillow that was flung in her direction.

Lizzy blew out the candle at that point so Jane couldn?t see her blush and lay down, firmly declaring, ?I am not in love with Mr Darcy?.

But as she drifted off to sleep she wasn?t exactly sure.

Chapter 7

Posted on Sunday, 30 April 2006

The following day the Bennet?s were visited by Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy and his sisters who came to invite them to a ball they were to host at Netherfield. Mrs Bennet was flattered that they had come to deliver the invitation personally.

Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley sequestered Jane in a corner and inundated her with insincere comments about how delighted they were that she had regained her health. Mrs Bennet was talking at Mr Bingley, and was profuse in her delight about the ball, telling him about all the balls she had ever been to that she could remember, Lydia was occasionally adding her own comment to this tirade. Mary was reading a book, which left Mr Darcy, Mr Collins, Lizzy and Kitty to talk. Which they did, and what followed was a light hearted discussion which followed a variety of topics, that reflected the participants mutual enjoyment of each others company.

As Darcy rode across the Hertfordshire countryside that afternoon he reflected on the mornings visit. He was surprised when he realized that Mr Collins was his Aunt Catherine?s clergyman. He didn?t think that she would have such a sensible clergyman, his aunts clergymen tended to be more obsequious and flattering to her ladyship. This vicar seemed quite normal. Mr Collins and Miss Elizabeth had seemed to really enjoy each others company, they laughed and had a easy repartee, between them that had the conversation flowing easily and many laughs were shared.

The morning had ended abruptly when a momentary lull in the conversation had allowed everyone to hear Mrs Bennet declare to Mr Bingley her hopes for a match between Lizzy and Mr Collins. Both the mentioned parties blushed deep shades of red as did Jane and Kitty, Miss Bingley tittered audibly and had looked at him seeking approval of her ridicule, finding none she had turned to her sister. Everyone was silent for a moment, even Bingley had struggled to come up with a response.

?Charles,? Miss Bingley had called, ?we still need to call upon the Lucas?s before the morning is over.?

Bingley had nodded at his sister and made his apologies to Mrs Bennet and her daughters, and with that the Netherfield party had left.

Darcy pondered over Mrs Bennet?s words, he didn?t like the idea of Elizabeth marrying Mr Collins but he hadn?t thought that his feelings for her were so strong as to merit feeling disgruntled over her marrying someone else. He thought it had been a passing pleasing thought, a pleasant day dream but not a serious consideration. But the thought of another man marrying her made him angry, he spurred the horse into a gallop.

After the Bingleys and Mr Darcy had left the Bennet women fell to excitedly discussing the upcoming ball. Mr Collins who had never seen such effusion from women in his life was bemused and a little scared. He watched them whilst him mind roamed from how long he could stretch this visit out so that he could prolong his return to Lady Catherine for as long as possible, to Darcy?s obvious admiration for his second oldest cousin, to whether he could financially support a wife. He was dwelling on this last topic when his attention was caught by Mrs Bennet saying his name.

?Mr Collins,? said she, noticing that he was in the room for the first time since Bingley?s entrance. ?The invitation includes you, you will come with us won?t you.?

?Indeed ma?am, I love to dance and I hope to dance with all my cousins during the night.? He replied smiling at Kitty, she smiled back, her cheeks turning a becoming shade of pink.

?What good cousin you are! You shall you shall dance the first two with Lizzy.? Mrs Bennet decreed. Jane, Lizzy and Kitty turned distraught stares upon their mother. ?Mama, you shouldn?t say such things, it?s Mr Collins choice who he dances with.? Lizzy said in a undertone.

?But I?m sure that Mr Collins wants to dance with you.? Mrs Bennet replied in an normal voice, making Lizzy and Jane blush even harder, and Kitty look like she was about to cry. ?You want to dance the first set with Lizzy, don?t you Mr Collins?? asked Mrs Bennet, as she turned to the man in question.

Mr Collins paused, he wanted to dance the first two with Kitty but didn?t know what to say to Mrs Bennet that would not be rude, whilst he paused he saw that Lizzy looked uncomfortable, Kitty?s face had gone pale and that Mrs Bennet was expectedly awaiting his answer. It was Mr Bennet who settled the question however, walking into the room (he had been attracted by the sound of silence) he was astounded to find all the women sitting silently looking at Mr Collins. ?Mr Bennet,? said his wife turning to him, ?Mr Collins was about to tell us whether he would dance the first dances of the Netherfield Ball with Lizzy or not.?

?I hope your not going to slight my Lizzy.? Said Mr Bennet to Mr Collins looking severe, making Lizzy feel more embarrassed and awkward than before.

?No? no sir.? Mr Collins replied, ?Cousin Elizabeth would you do me the honour of dancing the first two dances with me??

?Of course she will.? Mrs Bennet replied for her. Mr Bennet raised an eyebrow at this but declared the matter settled and returned to his study.

Kitty declared she was going to take a walk in the garden and asked Jane to accompany her. They rose and left and Lizzy went to find her father. After a few moments Mr Collins also excused himself saying he had a letter to write.

Finding her father in his study Lizzy quickly told him what she thought of his interference in the matter of her dancing with Mr Collins. Mr Bennet listened in astonishment. ?Lizzy, you can?t be serious. It is two dances at an insignificant country ball.?

?Yes, but father, what if Mr Collins had wanted to ask someone else, or what if I didn?t want to accept him.?

?Lizzy you are being ridiculous. If you are going to behave like a silly female please leave so I can enjoy my relative peace.? And with that the discussion closed.

Jane and Kitty wandered around the garden for a short while then retired onto a bench. They sat watching a bird jump from a branch to the ground and then fly away. Jane broke the silence, ?I?m sure it will all work out. You know that Lizzy only thinks of Mr Collins as a cousin, she didn?t want to dance the first two with him, and I don?t think he would have asked her if he had had a choice.?

Kitty sighed and looked desolate, ?But Lizzy is so pretty and she makes people laugh and she and Mr Collins get on so well, they are always laughing about something or the other and I never liked anyone so well as I like him and?? here Kitty had to pause to take a breath. She never finished the sentence she just sighed again and stared into the middle distance.

Jane put an arm around her sisters shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. ?You are special because you are Kitty and Lizzy is special because she is Lizzy. Yes Lizzy is all those things you said but that doesn?t mean she is suitable to be Mr Collins? wife. Do you think that she would be happy in the confined life of a vicarage? Do you think that either she or Mr Collins think that they would make each other happy? Don?t under judge yourself Kitty your pretty too, your kind and you are not lacking in wit.? Kitty smiled up at her big sister, ?Thank you Jane, you are a wonderful sister.?

They were interrupted by Mr Collins himself joining them. They made small talk for a few minutes about the mornings visit. Mr Collins explained that Mr Darcy was the nephew of his patroness Lady Catherine de Bough. Jane then stood up and wandered over to the flower bed and busied herself in examining the daisies that were growing there, leaving Mr Collins and Kitty in relative privacy.

?Miss Catherine, would you be so kind as to save the supper dances and one other set for me at the coming ball.? Asked Mr Collins moving to place his hand lightly on Kitty?s.

She smiled at him all earlier worries gone, ?I would be delighted to Mr Collins.?

Chapter 8

The day of the Netherfield Ball was proceeded by a week of rain, however the day its self dawned clear if not sunny. The Bennet sisters spent the majority of the afternoon getting ready for the ball, and the end result was charming. The two eldest sisters looked delightful but then they always did Jane in cream and Lizzy in dark green that suited her slightly darker complexion. Mary who was possibly not as pretty as the rest of her sisters, but was not unfortunate to look at was wearing a dress of blue that made her eyes look surprisingly hazel. Kitty who was wearing a pale pink dress with a white sash, looked lovely. Her eyes sparkled with the idea of dancing twice with Mr Collins, there were some who said she looked prettier than her eldest sister that night. Lydia looked very attractive but her dress was far more low cut than her father or any of her older sisters approved of. All together accompanied by Mr Collins, who looked handsome in his formal attire it was easy to see why they had gained a reputation as local beauties.

When Lizzy entered the ball room at Netherfield the first thing she wanted to ascertain was that Wickham was not there. She glanced about, trying no to look to conspicuous in her surveillance of the officers when she was approached by one of them who bowing said, ?Mr Wickham was called away on business to London. It took us all by surprise as he seemed to be the sort of man who enjoyed conversation and dancing with beautiful ladies.?

?Indeed,? Lizzy replied, feeling relieved, now she could enjoy the night, as best as one could with an embarrassing mother and younger sister. The young officer continued, ?And may I take this opportunity to ask you to save me a dance tonight.?

Lizzy replied in the affirmative and smiled at him as she spied her good friend Charlotte Lucas across the room. The night was looking up. It should be noted here that Lizzy feeling a combination of relief at Mr Wickham not being there, excitement of the ball and the joy of seeing her friend, smiled her acceptance so brilliantly at the young man that he developed the most ardent crush on her. Indeed many years later when he was happily married to Mariah Lucas had five children and was a colonel in his own right he happened to see her in a London park. He stopped suddenly and could do nothing but stare for a few minutes even after she had gone. This was most amusing for his youngest daughter who he happened to be walking with. But that is not important to our story.

Lizzy and Charlotte greeted each other and began to swap their news. Soon they were approached by Mr Morrison who came to ask Lizzy if she would dance the first two with him. She replied that she was already engaged for those but promised him two others. Mr Morrison then turned to Charlotte who smiled at him and agreed to dance the all important first dances with him. Now Mr Morrison was a nice slightly older man with a small estate in the area, however his social skills were decidedly lacking and he was an especially bad dancer. Consequently he spent most of the dance looking at his feet which led the ladies he was dancing with to believe that he was looking at their chest gaining him a reputation as a dull sleaze-ball.

After Mr Morrison had left them to greet Colonel Foster and they returned to their gossip. Elizabeth was relating a story that Mr Collins had told her when Charlotte indicated that there was someone standing behind Lizzy. She turned and saw that Mr Darcy had drawn near. The two ladies curtsied as he bowed his greeting and then turning to Elizabeth he also asked her to dance the first two with him. She smiled at him but had to explain that she was already engaged. Darcy looked disappointed but then asked if she would save him the supper dances instead.

Charlotte was surprised, her friend Lizzy was undoubtedly pretty but to have three men ask her for the first dances and two in such quick succession and one as rich and good looking as Mr Darcy was a little astonishing. However before she could make any comment on it Mr Collins came to claim Lizzy for the first dance.

The couples took to the floor, Bingley opened the dance with his sister but Lizzy could see that him sending wistful looks in Jane?s direction. Lizzy herself danced with Collins who was kept glancing at Kitty, who was dancing with Mr Pratt who was looking at Lydia?s chest. Lydia was dancing with Denny who was looking for his friend Wickham, who Darcy had already looked for, and on ascertaining that he was not there had directed his gaze at Lizzy.

?Come, Mr Collins we must have some conversation, a very little shall suffice.? said Lizzy who was happy that her sister Kitty had fallen in love with someone who seemed to return her affection but would rather that the man she was dancing with would look at her rather than her sister. Collins snapped out of his Kitty dream and smiled at Lizzy.

?I am so sorry cousin Elizabeth, I have been ignoring you. Let me tell you stories of my secret life as a pirate.? He replied, smiling so engagingly that she couldn?t help but laugh and join in his silly conversation.

From his vantage point Darcy could see that two of them laughing as they danced. The sight disturbed him more than he liked. As he walked to a different part of the ballroom he past Mrs Bennet and Mrs Long chatting and inadvertently (well it was hard to miss) overheard. ?Oh, it will be such a delight to have two of my daughters married. Jane will be settled so near at Netherfield and Lizzy marrying Mr Collins will keep Longbourn in the family.?

Darcy turned back to the dancers and saw that Collins and Lizzy were still happily laughing together. A wave of disappointment rushed over him, he had never been so strongly attracted to a woman before. And now finally here was a woman who he could consider marrying and she was already taken. He went to find himself a drink.

Chapter 9

Posted on Friday, 16 June 2006

Two of the Bennet sisters would remember the night of the Netherfield Ball as the most magical in their lives. Kitty, despite Mr Collins dancing with her older sister for the first two dances, was enjoying for the first time in her life the feeling of being the prettiest girl in the room. She never sat out a dance and had pleasant conversations with all of her partners however the happiness their smiles excited could not come close to the feeling when they returned her to her mother and Mr Collins was there waiting for her.

It was unusual for Jane not to be universally admired as the prettiest girl in the room yet the Netherfield ball for Jane would declare later was one of her two favourite balls of her life, eclipsed only by the engagement ball of her daughter. She danced with Mr Bingley twice, had several other charming partners, chatted amiably with the Bingley sisters, but most importantly she found that when she looked into Mr Bingley?s eyes she could see a future of smiles, love and happily ever after.

Five months later Mary was hard pressed to recall the any specific details of the Netherfield Ball, beyond that it had happened. Lydia couldn?t remember it the next day, she was only fifteen and she had had quite a bit of punch.

Lizzy however remembered the ball more clearly than any of her sisters, she remembered for months afterward how Lydia and her mother embarrassed the family. Mrs Bennet through loudly talking about how nice it was going to be when she could visit her daughters Mrs Bingley and Mrs Collins, Lydia through flirting with anything that wore breeches. She could still recall the next year her pleasure at seeing Mr Morrison dance two dances with Charlotte, he seemed not to be as awkward and embarrassed around her as he normally was around women. And she remembered for the rest of her life how after her dance with Mr Darcy he had led her off the dance floor, brought her hand to his lips, looked into her soul and left.

Before the description of the Netherfield Ball ends, there is one more conversation that has to be overheard. Mr Collins was standing on the outskirts of the dance floor alone watching Kitty dance with a young officer. As he stood there he realized with startling clarity there was no question about it, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kitty Bennet. ?But how to propose?? he murmured to himself.

?I was thinking the exact same thing? said a voice behind him, Collins turned and saw that Charles Bingley was standing behind him, ?How do I ask her to marry me??

A third voice then interrupted their conversation, ?That is a tricky question, made all the more trickier by the fact that you two young gentlemen will be asking two of my daughters to marry you within a few days of each other. Therefore your proposals will be discussed and compared. Making it even more necessary for you to make the perfect proposal.?

The two young men looked aghast at Mr Bennet, realizing that what he said was true. Not only did they have to work up the courage to propose they had to do it better than someone else.

?Now what I suggest, ? Mr Bennet continued, ?Is that I make myself available between eleven and twelve o?clock in the morning the day after tomorrow. At that time I will be quite at leisure to hear the requests of any young men who wish to ask permission to marry one of my daughters. You may come then, that gives you plenty of time to determine the best way to propose and to carry out your plan of action.? And with that Mr Bennet walked away chuckling to himself and thinking how pleased Mrs Bennet would be with how he speeded up the courtship of two of his daughters. Collins and Bingley were likeable young men, Jane and Kitty would do very well.

William Collins went to bed with a problem. He knew that Mr Bingley had far more resources at his disposal, so Will?s proposal had to be spectacular.

Bingley on the other hand worked out what he was going to do within minutes of the challenge being issued. At the end of the night when he thanked the musicians for playing he asked for a favour, promising that they would be well rewarded.

The following day, Georgiana Darcy was finishing a letter to her friend Elizabeth Bennet, when her brother whom she had thought was in Hertfordshire walked into the room. ?Fitzwilliam, you look terrible!? she cried.

Darcy looked quite shocked, he hadn?t seen his sister in two months, and that was the greeting he got. Georgi realized what she has said, ?Oh, I am very glad to see you, of course, but brother what have you been doing??

Darcy caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror, ?Sorry Georgi, for giving you a shock, I have rode through the night from Hertfordshire, I will go and change then come and greet you properly.?

An hour later after a bath and a change of clothes he found his sister practicing her scales in the music room. She smiled at him as he entered and got up and gave him a hug. ?That?s much better, you look like my brother now, not a highway man. But why are you in London? Did something happen in Hertfordshire that you left in the middle of the night??

Darcy paused, he hadn?t worked out what he was going to tell his sister. That he had fallen in love with her friend, but it was unrequited? ?I just missed you and being at home.? He said lamely.

She looked at him curiously, ?So you left in the middle of the night??

He realized he would have to come up with a better excuse, ?Miss Bingley just got far too annoying and I couldn?t stand her any longer.?

Georgi stared at him strangely for a little longer but then smiled and to his relief seemed to accept his excuse. Darcy asked her about what she had been doing since he last saw her, and she filled him in on all the family and town gossip. But later when he left to write a letter to Charles Bingley to explain why he had left, Georgi added a postscript onto her letter for Lizzy.

P.S. My brother has just come back from Hertfordshire, he rode straight through the night and didn?t even tell Mr Bingley that he was leaving. He won?t give me a good reason why he left. Do you know why? Did something happen that you know about?

No matter what time Lizzy went to bed she always was up before seven, she was that kind of person. On the morning after the Netherfield Ball, knowing that her sisters wouldn?t be awake for hours to discuss last nights events. She went for a walk hoping to get a glimpse of a certain inhabitant of Netherfield on his early morning ride.

Mary thought that rising early was a virtue, and so got up at seven-thirty despite the fact she really needed more sleep. Consequently Mary was often cranky and suffered from headaches, which she rarely complained about.

Jane and Kitty enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together the next morning, being two women lost in dreams their conversation ran a little like this;

?Last night?? said Jane.

?Mmm? smiled Kitty.

?Such a wonderful dancer?? Jane replied

?And such wonderful conversations?

?? and the way he smiled?

?Would you pass the milk??

?Such a noble nose?

?And he looked wonderful in his green coat?

??mmm?? Jane then hesitated she was sure that Mr Bingley had been wearing a blue coat last night. She had especially noticed the way it had made his eyes look like a cool brook on a hot summers day. ?Green coat? He was wearing a blue coat last night.?

?No? Kitty replied, ?It was defiantly green.? She was sure that it was green because it had made her think that it made his eyes look like a field in springtime.

Jane realized that maybe there was something wrong with this conversation, ?Who are you talking about, Kitty?? she asked.

?Who are you talking about?? Kitty replied. ?Oh, I know who you were talking about.?

Jane smiled, ?And I guess you were talking about a certain cousin of ours.?

Kitty blushed and tried to hide her face by drinking some tea.

The ladies finished their breakfast and retired to the morning room where they found Mary reading. Jane took out some embroidery and Kitty tried to look like she was sewing some lace onto a hat, when really she was day-dreaming. They were joined shortly by Lizzy and Mr Collins and the four of them fell to discussing the previous nights ball. Well, three of them discussed it and Mary added comments when she forgot that she was trying to be serious. Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Mr Bingley who came and proposed they went on a walk. He sent a meaningful look in Mr Collins? direction who took the hint and suggested that Mary looked to tired for walking, and that as Lizzy had already been walking that day she would not want to join them. Lizzy was about to protest when she saw a look in her cousin?s eye that made her think the better of it.

Soon Kitty, Jane, Mr Collins and Mr Bingley were walking along a country lane near Longbourn. It was a little muddy, but fortunately a day and a half of sunshine meant that it was satisfactory for walking. Kitty and Mr Collins were soon caught up in an amiable discussion and were content to let Jane and Mr Bingley outstrip them. Mr Bingley appeared to be leading the group and seemed uncharacteristically nervous.

After about half an hour of walking Jane and Mr Bingley were far ahead of Kitty and Mr Collins. After a while Bingley suggested to Jane that they follow a little path that one of his footman had told him about. He tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. Jane looked back and saw that Mr Collins and Kitty were now a long way behind them. Mr Bingley smiled at her, ?Don?t worry I told Mr Collins that I wanted to explore this trail.?

Jane looked a little unnerved, it wasn?t that she didn?t trust Mr Bingley, it was just that it wasn?t quite proper. But then he smiled at her and she promptly forgot all her fears.

They went down the trail a little way, and upon turning a corner they trail stopped for they were in a clearing. Jane gasped, for the moment they stepped into it a small band, a fiddle, a cello and a flute, began to play softly.

Mr Bingley handed her a bouquet of flowers that were conveniently handy, and as she admired them he got down onto one knee and said, ?Jane, I am not the most eloquent of men, but I know what I want to say. I love you. Will you marry me??

Jane?s mind raced, but when she looked into his eyes she knew there was only one answer, ?yes?. And as the musicians played softly in the background they shared their first kiss.

Several hours later Jane floated though the front door of Longbourn, Mr Bingley said that he would ask her father?s permission the following day and that they would be married as soon as they could.

That evening Kitty was walking down the hall toward the drawing room with her embroidery when Mr Collins handed her a thick woolen shawl and asked her to come outside with him.

Chapter Ten

Posted on Saturday, 5 August 2006

That evening Kitty was walking down the hall toward the drawing room with her embroidery when Mr Collins handed her a thick woolen shawl and asked her to come outside with him.

Kitty looked at Mr Collins a little askance, it was very cold outside being late November. However she did as she was asked and he lead her out the door. He took her hand and lead her to a prettyish kind of wilderness on the east side of the house.

Kitty gasped as the entered the grove, for someone, she would later discover it to be the gardener?s son, had lit what looked like hundreds of candles in the garden. Mr Collins turned to face her, ?My dearest Catherine, I really love to be alone without all the ache and pain and the April showers. But it isn?t long before I long for you, like a ray of hope, coming through the blue moon. When it all gets dark again the whole thing falls apart I guess it doesn't really matter about the rain because we'll get through it anyway. We'll get up and start again. *.

Kitty stood stunned and shivering for a little bit. Then Mr Collins continued, ?What I?m trying to say is, I love you Catherine Bennet. And no matter what the world throws at us I want to get though it with you. Marry me??

Catherine Bennet had never been a person very sure of her own mind, preferring to follow the lead of either Lizzy or Lydia. But at that moment she was absolutely sure of what her answer was. ?Yes.?

And with the candles going out in the biting cold wind, the two lovers shared their first kiss. Suddenly Kitty wasn?t cold anymore.

Just as Lizzy expected as soon as she and Jane had retired for the night she heard footsteps running along the corridor from the room Kitty shared with Lydia to the one Lizzy shared with Jane. Soon Kitty was flopped on the bed wearing the most love struck smile that Lizzy had ever seen, until she looked across at Jane and saw a worse one. Lizzy rolled her eyes and waited for her sisters to begin talking. She waited and waited, and waited what seemed to be an age, but was in reality only actually about four minutes. All her sisters did was sit and smile, once Kitty raised her hand to her lips and touched them softly. Finally Lizzy demanded, ?Well??

Both sisters were startled out of their reveries, ?I?m engaged? they squealed unanimously and then looked at each other. All three burst into giggles. ?Tell me all.? Lizzy ordered. But before either sister could get a chance, the door was opened and Mary was standing there, ?I want to hear this.? She said.

?Me too!? said Lydia, appearing in the doorway. ?As if we could get any sleep anyway, we can hear you three all the way down the corridor.?

And so Jane and Kitty shared their stories as the five sisters sighed and giggled in the appropriate places and interrupted in all the wrong ones.

The following morning at eleven o?clock Lydia stepped out of her room after enjoying a long sleep in. She was walking down the staircase when she was amused by the sight of Mr Collins walking along the corridor toward her fathers study looking most apprehensive. When he reached the door, he stopped , appeared to be about to knock, stopped again and noticed that Mr Bingley was walking down the corridor toward him. Mr Collins motioned that Mr Bingley should go first. Mr Bingley however said, ?No, no, you were here first.?

They stood silently debating the matter by use of hand gestures and shuffling their feet until Lydia decided to intervene. She raced down the stairs stepped between the two gentlemen and declared, ?Mr Collins you go first as you were both here first and sure of receiving a positive answer. Mr Bingley however is more doubtful and may take longer.? Then she ran off to find breakfast savouring the look of horror on Mr Bingley?s face.

Meanwhile Lizzy was reading her letter from Georgiana. Mr Darcy had left after the Netherfield Ball? Was dancing with her so distasteful? Did he realize then that unlike his friend he did not want to get married? Or at least not to a country girl with no fortune or connexions? She pondered. She had two sisters who were very shortly to be married but there appeared to be no one for her. The prospect of being left at home with her increasingly reclusive father and a silly mother and sisters was not an appealing one.

Jane came to sit with her, well rather to sit and then to get up and pace, and then to sit and to get up again. Lizzy was amused and a bit frightened at seeing her usually serene sister in such a state of agitation. ?Mr Bingley arrived a few moments ago? Jane explained in between sitting down and getting up. ?He is in the study with father, I think.?

Kitty came running into the room, ?Mr Collins is in the study with Father. Mr Bingley is waiting in the hallway.? She addressed this last part to Jane. Lizzy laughed at the looks of apprehension on her sister?s faces. ?I?m sure Papa will give his permission to both of your suitors. What possible objection could there be??

?You wait till your turn comes!? Kitty growled affectionately, hitting Lizzy on the arm with a cushion.

?Don?t hit your sisters Kitty or I won?t marry you.? Mr Collins said walking into the room. Kitty jumped up and flung herself into his arms. ?He said yes??

?He said yes!? replied Mr Collins, picking her up and swinging her around dangerously close to a table where Mary was keeping an intricate embroidery. Then he remembered that Jane and Lizzy were in the room and put his fiancée down blushingly to find her sisters laughing at them. Mr Collins smiled at them saying ?Well, future sisters. I hope we have your blessings.?

?Of course you do.? Laughed Lizzy, Jane smiled but was reminded that she was not yet sure of her father?s blessing. Collins seeing her worry went over and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder said, ?Mr Bingley went in just after I came out, your father can have no objection to him, if he does not object to me.?

?Collins, that angel you are touching will be my wife soon, unhand her or I will call you out!? Mr Bingley strode into the room trying to look imposing but failing miserably, the smile that could not be hidden stretched from ear to ear and was soon matched by one from Jane. The five soon fell into easy conversation but Lizzy could tell that the couples really just wanted to be alone together, so in the pretext of going to ask Lydia something she rose and left the room. She wondered down the hall and saw Lydia having breakfast, the two sisters chatted briefly, before Lizzy went to write a letter to Georgiana.

*Yes, it does appear that Mr Collins was far above his time and is quoting the Lighthouse Family. These are lyrics from their song Lifted.

Chapter Eleven

A day later both Georgiana and Fitzwilliam received mail from Hertfordshire. Georgiana took the mail from the butler and went in search of her brother to give him his letters. She was happy to see that there was one from Mr Bingley, she liked Mr Bingley like a brother and hoped that his news would lift Fitzwilliam from the despondent state he had been in since his return from Hertfordshire. She found him in his study staring out the window, some estate matters on his desk, it looked like he had been sitting like that for a while.

She walked into the room and stood in front of him for a full minute but he did not notice her so she said. ?I have just realized that I really do love George Wickham so I am going to elope with him, he?s waiting for me outside. So goodbye, I will see you in a few weeks.?

Darcy turned to stare at her, and as what she had said dawned on him, he jumped up and began to shout incoherently. ?What!? NO!?! Georgiana!! He? SCUM? George Wickham???

She rolled her eyes and handed him the mail as she said, ?Sorry, just wanted to get your attention, here?s the mail. You have a letter from Charles Bingley and a few other things that look boring.? And with that she exited the room to read her letter from Elizabeth, smiling at having got a reaction out of her brother.

Fitzwilliam sat down massaging his heart, he turned to his mail. Starting with the letter from Charles he saw that it was as smudged and blotted as usual. From what he could make out it read,

Darcy,
Wonderful news, I am engaged? something? something? angel? something Jane Bennet. We are to be married ?something? March. Caroline is something not happy?something seriously displeased. Miss Bennet?s something sister also engaged, something Collins. Will something my best man?
Charles Bingley.
Somethingfield, Hertfordshire.

Darcy went back to staring out the window, if possible more despondently than he had been before the mail had arrived.

Soon Georgiana came flying into the room. ?How exciting, I love weddings. Mr Bingley engaged to Elizabeth?s sister. But of course you already know you have had a letter from him. And there?s another engagement as well, and did you know that Mr Collins is Aunt Catherine?s clergyman??

?I don?t wish to discuss it Georgiana.? Fitzwilliam interrupted her. Georgiana stopped short, looked surprised and hurt and walked out of the room. Her brother returned to staring out the window. Sometime later he regretted his words and went to apologized to his sister, telling her that he was in a bad mood, but making it clear he didn?t want to discuss anything to do with Hertfordshire.

Life ambled along at Longbourn, parties were held to celebrate the two engagements Jane and Kitty began to get excited about planning their weddings. They decided to have a double wedding that spring. Elizabeth enjoyed helping her sisters plan but couldn?t help but feel left out and a little lonely, she was losing her two closest friends. She now more often walked to Lucas Lodge see Charlotte, so her sisters wouldn?t feel guilty about abandoning her to talk to their fiancées. She also tried to improve her relationships with Mary and Lydia, but found it an uphill battle, however when Christmas came around she was pleased with the progress she had made. Having had several sensible conversations with both sisters finding Mary just in the need of some attention and Lydia wanting some boundaries despite her façade of not caring.

When the Gardiners arrived to spend Christmas with the Bennet family they were happy to see that Jane and Kitty seemed to be in true love matches and that Elizabeth seemed to be content. However as the visit went on they saw that she was struggling to be cheerful and the sparkle seemed to have left her eye. One day her aunt addressed her about it privately. ?Lizzy, my dear could you not tell me what is troubling you??

Lizzy blushed and turned to her aunt. ?I?m just sad about losing my sisters.? She said.

Her aunt gave her an appraising look, ?I know that it's more than that Lizzy.?

Lizzy stalled for a little while, but she did want to talk about it with someone, and there was no one who she trusted or respected more than her aunt. ?Its just that I have never met anyone who? I?. well I guess made me feel?well, I didn?t know him for all that long, but I just can?t help but feel that I preferred him to every other man I have ever met.? She blushed again and looked down at her hands.

Her aunt looked across at her niece and smiled, ?Who was this man Lizzy??

?He was a friend of Mr Bingley?s who came to Netherfield with him, he stayed until the Netherfield Ball, we danced and then he left that night. So he obviously doesn?t care for me.?

Mrs Gardiner privately agreed that this did not sound promising. She reached across and gave Elizabeth a hug. ?My dear, if he did not care for you then he is not worth it and obviously has very poor judgment. There will be others. I know that?s not want you want to hear but it is the truth. And I have some news that will cheer you up, your uncle and I plan to tour the lakes this summer and we want you to come with us.?

Lizzy smiled over at her aunt and made the resolve to be cheerful from that point on.

So Christmas was celebrated at Longbourn in a cheery and merry manner with much good natured bantering among the family, with many visits to neighbours, quiet suppers with just the family and the two fiancées. Elizabeth managed to smile and laugh her way through the days but sometimes as she lay in bed at night all she could think about was him, and what might have been.

In contrast, Christmas at the Darcy townhouse was a quiet affair, the two siblings exchanged presents and went to church together. After dinner Georgiana played Christmas carols on the piano, Darcy watched her play for a while and then decided that he was being unfair to her, being so depressed on Christmas. So he sang along and the two of them enjoyed a pleasant afternoon at the piano, while snow fell quietly around the house.

Chapter 12

Posted on Sunday, 24 September 2006

January came and the Gardiners went back to London. Mr Collins also returned to Kent as he could not neglect his parish any longer as well as needing to prepare Hunsford for a new bride. Kitty moped around the house for several weeks but was able to find solace in wedding plans and letters from her fiancée.

Elizabeth took her aunt?s advice to heart and began to be more cheerful. She helped her sisters plan for the wedding. Mrs Bennet tended to fawn on Jane so Lizzy was able to feel useful in helping Kitty, who actually relished in not having her mother dictate what her dress would look like or how she should do her hair.

Furthermore, she increased her resolution of spending more time with her other two sisters, especially seeing as they were to be her future companions. She cajoled Mary into taking long walks with her, and was surprised to find her an avid debate partner, Mary seemed to have an opinion on everything, Lizzy had just never taken the time to listen to her before. Both the sisters were able to temper the strong views of the other a little, and the result was good for both of them. Lydia presented a challenge, but with Georgi?s help, Lizzy was able to concoct a scheme that would help her.

Lizzy had asked Georgi to buy something in London that Lydia would love but not be able to get in Meryton. Georgi had purchased a silver necklace, that had large colourful stones set in it, it was flashy, because that is what Lydia would love, but tasteful, because Georgiana would never buy anything that wasn?t. (Lizzy would never know but Georgi had actually spent far more on the necklace than the money that Lizzy had sent.) As predicted, when Lizzy showed her youngest sister the necklace that Georgiana had sent Lydia was wild with jealousy, but no amount of pleading, whining or complaining to anyone in the house would get her one like it. Lizzy suddenly had a wonderful pulling power over her sister with which to bribe her into good behaviour at parties, reading improving books and applying herself generally.

February came around in London and Georgiana Darcy was looking for her brother. She had hoped that time would heal whatever wounds he had been nursing, but whilst she could see that he did attempt to make an effort to be cheerful, the brother who loved to laugh, who took an eager interest in all that she did seemed to be replaced by a morose stranger.

She found him staring out of the window in the music room. Crossing the rooms she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and looked at her. ?I was just wondering when you were going to leave for Hertfordshire??

He looked at her in surprise, ?I?m not going to Hertfordshire.?

?Your not going to Mr Bingley?s wedding??

?No.?

Georgiana thought that she must have a clue, Darcy and Bingley had fought. This would explain some of his melancholy. ?He didn?t ask you to be his best man??

?He did.?

?Then why are you not going? I don?t know what happened in Hertfordshire but you are Mr Bingley?s friend and thus you have a duty to go and be with him on his wedding day.?

Darcy stayed silent.

?If you don?t go to the wedding it will be considered a snub to the new Mrs Bingley, and you don?t want a friendship that you?ve had for so many years ruined do you? I remember when he came home from Eton with you for holidays, Father used to wonder how he stayed happy all the time. Just go to the wedding, brother. You can travel, attend and return that day if it is going to be painful for you. But Fitzwilliam, you must go.?

Darcy looked at his little sister, and realised she was right. So to Hertfordshire he would go.

It was the night before the wedding and Jane, Lizzy, Kitty, Mary and Lydia had all gathered in Jane and Lizzy?s room for one last time. In many years time the equivalent of what they were doing would be called a hen?s night. It was a night of merriment, much giggling and much blushing from the brides to be.

After the younger sisters had retired to their rooms, Jane smiled at Lizzy. ?Oh, if only you could be as happy as I am. I had always imagined that we would have a double wedding. I love Kitty, but I wish that tomorrow I was sharing with you.?

Lizzy?s mind raced to think of something flippant to say in reply but couldn?t, ?Don?t worry Jane, I will be alright, and my happiness comes from seeing two sisters who I love dearly, marrying men who love and respect them.?

This seemed to make Jane content for she drifted off into a pleasant sleep, smiling in her dreams. Lizzy turned her face into the pillow and cried.

About the time when the Bennet sisters started their pre wedding party, Darcy arrived at Netherfield. He planned to leave straight after the wedding breakfast. He would have intended to leave without speaking to Elizabeth at all but his sister had given him a letter to give to her, so he could not escape it. The following morning he greeted Charles as he had promised Georgiana he would, full of delight about the wedding.

Bingley seemed to be in another word traipsing on clouds though fields of green to his darling Jane. He couldn?t sit still, he kept getting up to pace and whistle and rhapsodize about his angel. Mr Collins was also staying at Netherfield, Darcy greeted him silently, shaking his hand firmly before turning back to Charles. If Mr Collins was shocked by this brusque greeting he did not comment.

The atmosphere in Longbourn was chaotic at the best of times. Words fail this writer to explain what it was like on the morning of Kitty and Jane?s weddings. Suffice to say Mrs Bennet was almost in hysterics, Kitty was giggling nervously, Lizzy was trying to ensure that Lydia and Mary were dressed appropriately, Mr Bennet and Jane were oblivious, him because this was a practised art and her due to the happiness she felt that she was marrying Charles Bingley.

Nevertheless all the Bennets were at church on time and Lizzy, Mary and Lydia took their places in the congregation near the front. As Lizzy walked in she saw Mr Darcy standing tall and proud up the front next to Mr Bingley. She was ashamed to admit that her heart skipped a beat and her breath caught in her throat. She quickly sat down next to Lydia who with unusual perception noticed that her sister was flustered. If Lizzy hadn?t been so busy staring at her feet and picking at an invisible thread on her dress she would have seen the look of pure shock on Mr Darcy?s face. As it was Lydia was the only one who did. And when Lizzy looked up again she merely saw him in earnest discussion with Mr Bingley.

Bingley was happy, deliriously happy to be exact. He was concentrating on Jane and the deliciously wonderful time they were going to have as man and wife when Darcy?s voice cut through his thoughts ?Who is Mr Collins going to marry??

Bingley stared at Darcy blankly, what had he got to do with anything. Then he remembered that Mr Collins was getting married that day too. ?Jane?s sister. I thought you knew that.?

?Which one??

Charles was very unsure of where this conversation was going, he was about to get married and they were discussing which sister was going to marry the clergyman cousin.

Darcy?s voice was now urgent and pleading, ?Which sister, Charles??

?Miss Catherine? Then the organ music changed tune the congregation went silent and Charles straightened up, Mr Bennet entered with his first and third daughters as Darcy?s whole world seemed to do a loop-the-loop.

Everyone agreed afterward that it had been a beautiful wedding. People talked for years afterward about how beautiful Jane Bennet had looked in her wedding gown, a radiant smile of happiness upon her face. Some failed to even notice that Kitty and Mr Collins also married that day. However the couple themselves preferred it that way, their close friends celebrated with them, while attention from all and sundry was showered on Jane and Charles.

Toward the end of the festivities Darcy went to find Miss Bennet, as she must now be called her older sister being married. He had been watching her for most of the morning but he had not found the courage to go and talk to her. He found her standing by a window, smiling at her sister who was talking to Mrs Long but watching her new husband Mr Bingley. Such impolite distraction was unusual for the unfailingly polite Jane. Elizabeth looked toward Mr Darcy as he approached. ?Miss Bennet?

?Mr Darcy?

?I hope you are well.?

?I am sir, and you? And Georgiana??

?We are both well, I left Georgiana in London not two days ago. She sent this letter for you through me.?

Elizabeth took the letter from him and looked up and smiled. He smiled back. ?It was a wonderful service.?

?Yes I have never seen Jane and Kitty look so happy, nor so beautiful.? Lizzy replied.

?They both looked very well. Georgiana made me promise to describe their gowns to her when I got home, but I am sure that I will not be able to do them justice.?

Lizzy smiled as she imagined him describing a wedding dress to his little sister. ?Tell her that I will send full details in my next letter.?

He thought once again what a good friend she had been to his little sister. ?What shall you do now your sisters are gone??

?I still have two sisters left but I will miss Jane and Kitty. So I imagine I will be a little lonely.?

?You could marry me.? It was said before he thought it, it seemed to bypass his brain and come straight out his lips.

?I beg your pardon.? Lizzy thought she knew what he just said but she wasn?t at all sure, he wouldn?t say that.

Just then Mary came up. ?Sorry Lizzy, Mr Darcy, but the couples are leaving now.? Lizzy allowed herself to be lead away by Mary, her mind in a frantic state of agitation.

Chapter 13

Posted on Tuesday, 14 November 2006

Lizzy was distracted as she said goodbye to her sisters, in the general confusion of the moment however no-one seemed to notice. She hugged Jane close to her, sorry to see her leave but safe in the knowledge that she would see her in a few weeks, when after their wedding journey the Bingley?s would return to Netherfield. Kitty she wept over, her little sister was moving all the way to Kent. Lizzy would not see her for possibly months. Yet even as she said goodbye her mind raced with the words ?You could marry me.? What had he meant? Was he serious? Did he love her or was he just saying the first thing that came into his head? If he did love her why had he left on the night of the Netherfield ball and not come back for months and months? It was all too confusing and too much to comprehend.

People began to leave once Kitty and Jane had gone. Soon there was only the Gardiners, the Phillips and the Longs left. Mrs Bennet had retired to a chair and was complaining of her nerves whilst intermittently sharing views of the day with the Mrs? Phillips and Long. Surprisingly for most people Mr Darcy of all people was still there, feeling the need to continue his conversation with Elizabeth he had struck up a conversation with Mrs Gardiner, in the hope that people would think that he had forgotten the time. She was not fooled however seeing the way that he was shooting covert glances at her now oldest unmarried niece. Remembering the conversation she had had with Elizabeth late the previous year Mrs Gardiner was in a quandary. Had this man left Netherfield and scampered off to London like a rake, or had there been some genuine misunderstanding. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

?I think that Derbyshire must have some of the prettiest gardens in the whole country? she said, trying to maneuver the conversation into a usable stream.

?I have to confess that whilst I am unashamedly prejudiced toward Derbyshire in every other matter. I know that near my Aunt?s house in Kent are some of the finest gardens I have ever seen. Derbyshire I find more beautiful because of its untamed, raw beauty.? Darcy replied.

?What you say about Derbyshire is true, however I have never had the fortune to travel into Kent. I know that the garden here at Longbourn is beautiful in the spring, have you ever had the chance to see it??

?No, I have not had that pleasure.?

?I know that it is slightly early in the year now, but I believe that some of the flowers are beginning to bloom, should you like to have a look? without waiting for an answer, she beckoned Lizzy across from the other side of the room. ?Lizzy my dear, Mr Darcy has expressed a desire to see the garden, and I know that you know it far better than I. Will you come outside with us??

Lizzy nodded and went to get her outdoor things and Lydia who had been listening to these proceedings did also, insisting that she wanted to show her aunt the early daffodils. The four proceeded outside and Lydia grabbed her aunt?s arm and dragged her into a prettyish kind of wilderness where indeed the daffodils were beginning to blossom. Darcy and Elizabeth followed at a more sedate pace. Madeline Gardiner laughed at her niece?s eager matchmaking, but scolded her in a low tone, ?I know you see what I see Lydia, but it doesn?t pay to be too obvious about it. You wouldn?t want to turn into your mother would you.?

Lydia was shocked to see how little she minded her aunt?s reprimand, she saw the wisdom in that point, and smiling she changed the subject asking after her various cousins. The two of them sat on a bench enjoying the pale spring sunshine sharing possibly the first decent conversation they had ever had, whilst Madeline kept a discrete eye on Elizabeth.

That young lady was currently blushing as she lead Darcy to a different part of the garden, she was trying to think of something intelligent to say about the flora of Hertfordshire, but her head was still reeling from what he had said earlier. It was Darcy who first found his tongue. ?Miss Bennet, I wanted to apologise for my ill timed words earlier. It was most un-gentleman like of me.?

He stopped, and tried to judge how Elizabeth was feeling by the look on her face, unsuccessful he continued, ?That is not to say that I do not want to marry? um? you. But I should not have proposed without warning, especially after disappearing to London for such a long time.? Here he paused again however her features were still unreadable so he ploughed on, ?There was a misunderstanding, I am afraid, something I overheard which I shouldn?t and then something Charles said? I should have checked but I am afraid I was too struck and ? disappointed. I thought that Mr Collins? well I thought that you were attached but (he continued hurriedly) I am very glad you are not.? And having said all this he stopped trying to work out what he had been rambling about for the last few minutes and whether any of it had made any sense.

Luckily for him, after a few moments thought Lizzy saw the light, ?You thought I was going to marry Mr Collins.?

Mr Darcy blushed, ?Well? uh?. Yes.?

Suddenly Lizzy felt happier than she had in months, he left because he thought she was going to marry someone else. ?My mother had seen it that way, however it was him and Kitty that fell in love.? Then she felt compelled to utter the boldest thing she had ever said, looking up into his eyes she murmured, ?It is not Mr Collins that I love.?

Mrs Gardiner noticing that things on the other side of the garden were getting a bit steamy was about to wander over, however Lydia tugged on her sleeve, ?Remember what it was like, aunt, give them a little more time. You wouldn?t want to interrupt a proposal would you?? Seeing that she had made her point Lydia hurriedly continued, ?Now tell me was it Jack or Freya who walked first. I recollect Jack was walking last Christmas but I remember you telling me that Freya was a very early walker.? And fortunately for the couple on the other side of the garden Mrs Gardiner was drawn back into a conversation about her children.

Darcy took a deep breath, ?Miss Bennet, I apologised earlier for proposing so inappropriately to you, when in fact I was not sorry at all. There is nothing I would like better for you to be mistress of Pemberley, Georgi?s sister and my wife. I love you and I always will. Please, will you marry me??

Lizzy had thought that she felt happy a few moments ago, she decided now that until this moment she had never known happiness. ?There is nothing I would like more.? And looking up at him she saw how well an expression of heartfelt delight became his face.

They continued standing there smiling for some time. Lydia was now watching them unabashedly, she turned to her Aunt, ?I think he must have proposed by now. I am going to interrupt before I throw up,? and striding across the garden she called out to her sister, ?Lizzy, have you shown Mr Darcy the rhododendrons yet??

Both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy jumped and then quickly took a step back from each other, they turned to glare at the source of interruption. Lydia continued unabated, ?They are particularly pretty at this time of year Mr Darcy, you really should see them.?

?I am afraid that I must have overstayed my welcome. All the other guests must have left,? Mr Darcy replied, ?I am most sorry but I must leave also.? He said this last bit with his eyes on Elizabeth, she blushed under his gaze. Lydia let them have the moment, briefly.

?Will you call on us tomorrow then?? She demanded in a voice louder than necessitated.

Her sister and Mr Darcy jumped again, Lydia was enjoying this. Mr Darcy turned and saw that Mrs Gardiner had also come to join the group. ?I call tomorrow, I would love to continue our conversation about Derbyshire, (this to Mrs Gardiner.) and there is a matter which I must speak to Mr Bennet about.? With this last sentence he again looked at Lizzy and Lydia seeing that this whole process could go on endlessly, decided to take firm action.

?Well, that will be nice. We will see you tomorrow. I?m sure that Lizzy will be particularly pleased. I?m getting cold, let's go inside.? Mrs Gardiner and Lizzy looked a little abashed at her rudeness but Darcy didn?t seem to mind. Turing to Lydia, ?Miss Lydia, and I am so sorry for keeping you out in this cold. Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet.? And with that he bowed to the ladies and strode across and out of the garden. The three ladies watched him leave then the youngest and the oldest turned their eyes to Elizabeth with expectant expressions, but she merely said, ?It is cold, let?s go inside.?

There was no opportunity for discussion that didn?t centre around Mrs Bennet and the wedding that evening. So it wasn?t until that night that Lydia got a chance to talk to her older sister. Lizzy came into what was formerly Kitty and Lydia?s room but now just belonged to Lydia to say goodnight to her sister, coming in she closed the door and said ?Lydia, there are no rhododendrons in our garden.?

Lydia grinned, ?No, but maybe you have some news you want to tell me, for example you're engaged??

Lizzy raised her eyebrows at her little sister and went to walk out of the room, but Lydia was too quick for her, ?I know you're dying to tell someone, Elizabeth and there is no Jane in your room waiting for you.?

Mary walked into the room, ?I couldn?t help overhearing. Lydia you really should speak softer. I want to hear this story too.?

And so Lizzy sat down on Lydia?s bed and hugging a pillow to her chest, started at the very beginning with her receiving a note from a Miss Georgiana Darcy all the way through to that afternoon?s events.

Chapter 14

Posted on Thursday, 29 March 2007

The Bingleys returned from their wedding journey very happy but slightly wary. They had a strong feeling that the entire Bennet household might be at Netherfield to welcome them home, and as much as they both loved Jane?s family they wanted one more day to enjoy just being Mr and Mrs Bingley. So they were slightly surprised and not a little relieved to find that their only welcoming party was the servants and a note from Mr Darcy. Looking at his wife in surprise, Charles picked up the note and read it aloud.

?Dear Charles and Jane,

I hope that your journey was pleasant and comfortable. I have taken the liberty of staying here at Netherfield for the past two weeks due to its close proximity to my fiancée?s house. I am dining at her home tonight and look forward to seeing both of you tomorrow.

Yours sincerely,

Fitzwilliam Darcy?

The couple stared at each other in shock, Charles read it again to make sure that he had got it right.

?He is engaged?? Jane asked, ?but to whom??

?I don?t know,? replied Charles, ?It must be someone from the area,? here he paused and after a moments thought asked, ?Do you think it?s someone we know??

?If it is, it could only be Lizzy.?

?Shall we call at Longbourn then??

So Jane and Charles Bingley found themselves going to see the people that they had hoped not to see that night.

Lydia had been idly staring out the window, she was holding some embroidery in her hands and occasionally pushed the needle in and out of the fabric, but it would be incorrect to say that she was actually being productive. Mary was reading a book in the corner and Lizzy and Darcy were talking quietly on the couch. Mrs Bennet had retired early with a headache (after much persuasion from everyone else not to go wait for the Bingley?s return) and Mr Bennet had long ago disappeared into his study.

When Lydia saw the Bingley?s carriage draw up, she saw an opportunity to have some fun, such that when Mr and Mrs Bingley were brought by Hill into the room it was Lizzy who was staring out the window and Lydia who was talking to Darcy on the couch. Suffice to say the look on Jane and Charles? faces was enough to crack a smile from even Mary.

Charles recovered first, ?Darcy and Lydia? uh?. I wish you every joy.?

?As do I? added Jane her face clearly displaying a mix of disapproval and puzzlement which she quickly schooled into happier features.

Lizzy stood up, ?I think you wish instead to congratulate me.? She practically ran across the room to give Jane a hug, which the older sister returned with all the warmth and affection that would be expected.

The sisters held each other close as Charles exclaimed ?I?m so relieved? and made his way across the room to pump Darcy?s hand.

Lydia looked momentarily affronted by that remark but then got caught up in the conversation as Lizzy and Darcy were telling their story. When they reached the end Charles laughed and said ?To think all the trouble that Collins and I went to with our proposals and you do it like that. I would have thought that fastidious Darcy would have planned it, right down to the last detail.

Darcy smiled at his Lizzy, ?I found that I could not repress myself and just had to declare my feelings, no matter how they came out.?

Jane and Mary sighed and Lydia rolled her eyes at this romanticised version of the truth whilst noting that the engaged couple were getting lost in each others eyes again. So she quickly asked the Bingleys how their wedding journey had been.

The evening passed away in delightful conversation and merry company, only briefly interrupted by Mr Bennet coming in to welcome home the Bingleys. There was a damper, however, in that Lizzy shared a letter recently received from Kitty, who whilst ecstatically happy in her newly wedded life and with the news of her older sister?s engagement, was suffering from the interfering advice of Lady Catherine de Bough.

Lizzy and Darcy were married not more than three months later in a ceremony that Mrs Bennet declared was the best wedding she had ever organised. People were too polite to remind her that she technically had only previously organised one other and merely agreed that she had outdone herself. The happy couple was oblivious to most everything besides each other, however Darcy was able to take his eyes off his bride for time enough to have a conversation with his brother Collins. Lydia and Mary spent their time making the first moves toward a new friendship, as they now would be the only Bennet sisters left at home. Georgi spent the day in a semi-delirious delight fully taking all credit for the match, as it was she (so she told everyone who would listen) that made her brother initially apologise to Lizzy and also is was also she who convinced him to go to the Bingley?s wedding.

After a month long trip to Italy the Darcy?s made their way to Pemberley where Lizzy found to her surprise that Kitty and Will were living not at all far away. Darcy had given Mr Collins the living at Kympton which had recently fallen vacant and both Kitty and her husband were flourishing away from Lady Catherine. Within a twelvemonth the Bingleys had also moved to Derbyshire finding that living so near to Longbourn was not to their liking.

Lydia and Mary seemed an odd combination at first but their polar natures rubbed off on each other to the betterment of both. So when Lydia was invited by Lizzy and Mary by Jane to spend the season in London both of the older sisters found the younger ones much changed and much better company.

Georgi, who loved Lizzy as a sister and a friend, but tended to regard her as a mentor found in Lydia a true comrade and confidant, which was only strengthened when Lydia married the Duke of Devonshire and Georgi his little brother.

Mary married a gentleman by the name of Mr Stevenson, who had a truly bizarre sense of humour. Whenever the ex-Bennet sisters and their husbands got together, as they did often; all living within less than a days carriage ride of each other, Mr Stevenson would make jokes that Mary found hilarious, that Lydia and Mr Darcy sometimes agreed were very clever and that no-one else could make head nor tail of.

And so it was that all the principle characters got the happy endings they deserved. In time the elder Bennets passed on and Kitty and Mr Collins moved to Longbourn where they raised their five sons. Jane and Charles employed a wonderful steward such that they never had to worry about their servants cheating them and settled down to raise eight children. As for Mr and Mrs Darcy, they grew old together enjoying life?s pleasures and supporting each other through the heartaches, always thankful that one day a letter was lost, and consequently their love was found.

The End

© 2004 Copyright held by the author.

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