Chapter 1
He was beautiful. There was no other way to describe him. Well, he did have an air about him; one could even say he seemed haughty. Yet it did not distract from his darkly handsome bearing. Jane felt her heart flutter within her chest, an occurrence that was unique to her. He glanced her way. Fearing that she had been caught staring at him she quickly lowered her eyes and turned her head slightly away. That her whole being was overcome with a blush pained her. She prayed he had not caught her staring. But was she the only one? She was sure that all feminine eyes were trained on the tall gentleman who had walked into the assembly room with Mr. Bingley's party. Was he Mr. Bingley?
Darcy was almost resentful that he had allowed Charles to coerce him into appearing at this appalling establishment against his will. One swift sweep of the room with his eyes and he found everything lacking. In all his years he had never entered an establishment like this in a social setting. Be done with it William, he told himself. There is nothing you can do about it now. He would endure the evening and chalk it up to an experience to be forgotten. Charles owed him. While Charles effused in his usual manner to some gentleman during what he assumed was an introduction, as he was only half listening, he saw her. She was beautiful. He was surprised. He never expected that someone of her genteelness, and beauty could be found in this part of the country. He noticed that she tried to hide the fact that she had been staring at him before. He was use to it. He knew that women found him attractive, and if they did not force their attentions on him, he did not take offence. Truth be told, he hardly cared, as vanity was not one of his flaws. No, this genteel beauty did not offend him at all. Actually, he found himself rather amused at her desire to hide her attraction to him.
"Darcy?"
He then realized Charles was looking at him expectantly. Arching a single brow he returned Charles impatient look with a silent inquiry of his own.
"Come man. Mr. Lucas has graciously decided to introduce us to Mrs. Bennet and her daughters."
Darcy's annoyance returned. Just as he was somehow distracted from his discomfort of his surroundings, here was Bingley offering to transfer him from the pot into the fire. The man knew how incessantly he hated meeting strangers.
Darcy obligingly followed his friend across the room, unable to conceal his frown at his friend's jubilant expression over the idea of meeting the locally famous Bennet daughters.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Lucas had stopped in front of a party of women which contained the embarrassed beauty. He was somewhat mollified as he was curious about her.
As the woman named Mrs. Bennet introduced Charles and myself to her four daughters, she then went on to unabashedly offer them up to us for dance partners. I was amazed and put off by this woman's lack of tact. I noticed her eldest daughter, Jane, blushed even more at this new mortification.
Charles readily complied and sought the eldest Miss Bennet's hand. I smiled slightly at Charles predictability. Before the woman could importune me with an offer of the hands of her three remaining daughters, I took myself out of their way by excusing myself. I scouted the room seeking a place where I would be least noticed, or bothered, and staked my claim instantly. I was also relieved to see that Miss Bingley had been engaged for a dance, sparing me the trouble of being of service to her. Having secured myself away from the garish goings on of the assembly, I did what I do best. I observed the tableau before me.
He looks thoroughly bored, Jane thought. Mr. Bingley came into her line of vision as he reached for her hand to pass her in another step of the dance. She smiled into his openly beaming face, but was impatient to get back to observing the beautiful and enigmatic face of his friend. Mr. Darcy. His name was not as haughty as his look. From what her mother had told her, she could well understand why he would be proud. She had never supposed she would ever encounter anyone of his stature or wealth. She wondered if it was the first time he had ever been to an assembly like this. It was strange. Wholly strange that she would find herself attracted to this stranger. She would never have assumed him to be her type. If she had any that is. She had always supposed herself falling for a kind, gentle man. There was nothing gentle appearing about Mr. Darcy. Everything about him was dark, from his coloring to his mood. Look at him brooding. I wonder what Elizabeth would make of him? Never had she wished Elizabeth's presence at the assembly as she did now.
Elizabeth fumed at the fates, her father, her luck, and most of all, the offending appendage propped up on a pillow. For all of her twenty years she had traipsed the Hertfordshire countryside with nothing to show for it but good stamina and sturdy health. Now instead of being at the assembly enjoying herself, she was stuck glaring at a bruised and swollen ankle. Why hadn't she looked before she jumped off the fenced gate that led her to twist her ankle in the mud filled hole? Elizabeth moaned when she thought of all the fun she was missing, especially the ability to avail herself of the curiosity that was Mr. Bingley and his party. She hoped that Jane was diligent in storing away all the happenings so that she could faithfully relay them to her. She knew Jane would be gracious and restrained in her narration, which gave Elizabeth even more freedom to color them with all the relish of an active and playful imagination. If only Mr. Bennet had conceded to let her hobble along, she would not have to use her imagination. But he remained unmoved by my piteous state of having to miss a good dance, even though I would not have danced. I wondered if on this night of nights the dark mysterious stranger of my fanciful dreams had fortuitously descended upon Hertfordshire's assembly room. Right Lizzy, and Mrs. Philips just discovered she was the King's lost daughter. Elizabeth closed her eyes and imagined herself at the ball dancing with her mysterious gentleman.
"May I have this dance Miss Bennet?"
Jane felt her heart leap into her throat. His voice was as deep and rich as her dearest fantasy.
"Yes, thank you sir."
He reached for my hand and enclosed it in his own as he led me to the head of the line where the other dancers awaited the start of the music. Everyone in the room stared at the handsome couple. Jane was always conscious of people admiring her beauty, but never before had she received such attention by standing up with Mr. Darcy. His eyes were so intense. Does he realize how deeply he looks at others? It was most intimidating. She sought to keep eye contact with him, but his rich dark brown eyes were too penetrating. She knew then that his man was too much for her, how could she ever fare herself his equal? Yet knowing this, she still wanted him. What had become of her? She was always satisfied with her lot, never daring to want what she knew she could not have. That was always left to spoiled Lydia, and fearless Elizabeth. What would Lizzy do? Could she stand the heat of this man's gaze? She knew Lizzy would daringly ascertain such a thing, but what would be the reality? We had never encountered a man like him before. Of this she was sure. Would Lizzy desire him as she did now, knowing that he was not a man their limited experience could handle?
Jane. He did not like her name. It was too plain, but she was a simple girl, beautiful but placid. She spoke in a soft serene voice, answering his questions about her neighborhood and family. He could tell that she loved her family as she spoke of them warmly. He liked that, as loyalty was of the utmost value to him. Yes, he liked this sweet temperate girl. There were not many young women like her and it pleased him to be proven wrong on his mean thoughts on the opinions of women outside of his own small circle, at least in this instance. He also felt in no danger of loosing himself to this woman. He liked her, was pleased by her genteel sensible manner, but he was not aroused to any passion by her, which was a good thing as he could tell that Charles was beside himself over her. He chuckled quietly to himself. Darcy you have yet to be in danger from attachment to any woman. Why would you even question yourself over this quiet woman? Who knows, he was restless he guessed. Having resigned himself to an uncomfortable evening, being pleasantly surprised by encountering someone of good breeding must have caused his idle mind to drift. Who is this Elizabeth she goes on about? Oh yes, another sister. There were five of them. He gently smiled in acknowledgement to her query of whether she was boring him with her narration about her family.
"You are too charming to ever bore Miss Bennet."
Jane felt herself flush yet again. Would this affliction continue to embarrass her all night? He was so different from his friend Mr. Bingley. They were like night and day. Mr. Bingley was a nice gentleman, easy going and friendly. He smiled perpetually. Unlike his friend, except that small smile he almost released which caused my knees to quiver as his dimples peeked out in his handsome visage. I had never wanted an evening to both end and go on forever as I did that night dancing with Mr. Darcy at the assembly room. In one unexpected evening, I, Jane Bennet had fallen in love with the most unlikely of men.
Chapter 2
Jane cracked open Elizabeth's bedroom door a notch to check if she was asleep, only to find her sister sitting up in bed and her sparkling eyes staring expectantly at her. Jane smiled and gladly ran into her sister's room and alighted on her bed with as much grace she could muster. Elizabeth grabbed her hands.
"Well?"
Jane suddenly became shy. What would her sister think of her if she told her of the things her breast was filled with tonight? Would Lizzy laugh at her? She was so eager to share with her at first. Now she feared Lizzy would teasingly making light of what had now become dear to her.
"Jane! What is it? What could have happened to make you blush so?"
Would she ever recover?
Suddenly tears fell from her beautiful doe eyes.
"Jane, my love. Please tell me what is wrong? Did something bad happen at the assembly room. You ought to tell me Jane."
Elizabeth was truly worried now. What had upset her sister so. This was not at all like Jane. Even in trying times Jane fought to hide her emotions, even from her.
Jane gave her sister a quick hug, then pulled away.
"It is nothing Lizzy. Do not worry about me. I am just being silly."
Elizabeth doubted it as she had felt the slight tremor in her sister's body. She would go mad if Jane did not confide what it was that was troubling her.
"Please Jane. You know you can trust me with anything."
"As I told you Lizzy. I was just being silly. I ... I have encountered someone tonight who ... I have felt such things tonight Lizzy. Things I never expected to feel in a million years."
Elizabeth was astonished and intrigued with what she heard in Jane's voice.
"You met someone?"
"Yes."
"Was it the Mr. Bingley?"
"I did meet Mr. Bingley..."
"I knew it. I knew he would not be able to resist your beauty, for who could?"
"Lizzy..."
"Oh Jane. I wish I could have seen you together on this most important of night. Your first dance together."
"Lizzy ... it is not Mr. Bingley I speak of. Yes I met him, and he was a very cordial and eager young man, but it was his friend I spoke of."
"Hmmm, so he brought along a young and dashing friend in his party. I don't think I am enamoured with this Mr. Bingley Jane."
Jane laughed at what she knew to expect from Lizzy.
"Why is that Lizzy?"
"He shows a lack of judgment, parading about the countryside with a gentleman who could compete with him for the affections of any lady he may fall for."
"You suppose that was his design in coming here Lizzy? To seek out young ladies in Hertfordshire?"
"What! Don't you know that every young man of fortune must be in want of a wife? Surely you jest with questioning such a motive after having it on such good authority."
"Lizzy..." Jane could not help her laughter. Oh, how she loved her sister. Trust Lizzy to temporarily distract her from the unfamiliar and passionate feelings stirring within her breast. She wanted a respite from thinking of him.
"So you met his friend Jane. What is he like?"
Jane got up from the bed and paced the room. How could she describe him? She could enumerate his handsome qualities, but it would not do him justice. It could not make up for the feelings he stirred by his intense presence. He tries to go unnoticed, but it was impossible. You could sense something brewing beneath his broodingly intense good looks. Mr. Darcy was not what he appeared, or what he would like to present to the world. She was attracted by what she saw there, but also afraid. Afraid of such passion as she suspected lay beneath the surface.
"He ... he was a gentleman, just like his friend, but a bit more reserved."
"Trust you to like that quality in a man Jane. Go on."
"We danced. He is a very tall man, but he danced with such effortless grace."
"That is one quality that would do him good in Hertfordshire. Did he take a turn with many ladies in the room?"
"No. He danced only with the ladies of his party, and myself."
"What a complement to you Jane. For your sake I will try to like him, but I must say that he has fallen some in my esteem already."
"Why is that Lizzy?"
"I am sure if I was present he would have refused to stand up with me, as he was so choosy in his dance partners."
"As I said, he seemed very reserved. Very quiet. I do not hold it against him Lizzy."
Elizabeth looked slyly at her sister.
"Fine. I will try not to hold it against him then. Besides, he was fortunate in that he did not have the chance to refuse me. There. He is excused."
"Oh Lizzy." Jane could not help but laugh. "I am tired. I will go to bed now. I am so sorry you did not get to come. Knowing you are on your way to mending was the only thing that brought me relief as to your situation." Jane then kissed her sister on the cheek.
"You are too kind Jane. I confess I did entertain myself with self pity, but you know such an emotion cannot reside long within my midst. I am happy you had fun and may have met your reserved, and gentlemanlike Prince Charming."
They smiled at each other and Jane departed.
Elizabeth lay against her pillows and sighed. She was happy for Jane, but she could not see herself ever being satisfied with such a man as Jane as described. She would have a man that would challenge her. He would be kind, but not insipid. To each his own. As long as he treated her sister well, that was all that mattered to her. Lizzy reached out and blew out the candle at her bedside and was soon fast asleep.
Jane did not fare as well. She tossed and turned most of the night while dwelling on the happenings of the night. Sleep finally claimed her in the early hours of the morning.
Where was Lizzy? Where was father, Kitty, and Lydia for that matter?
"Mama, have you seen father?"
"He is gone to Meryton on business Jane. I hope he stops by the Phillips. I dare say Mrs. Phillips had said she would have some news to relay to me and as she did not think she could get here until Wednesday, I hope Mr. Bennet would stop by to see Mr. Phillips and then...."
"Mama, you know father would do no such a thing."
"Why not? They are is his in laws, and if Mrs. Phillips gives him a message for me, why should he not carry it back. It is quite natural Jane. Oh Jane, how lovely you looked last night. How admired you were. I think Mr. Bingley has taken a liking to you, which is all well and good, but I would encourage Mr. Darcy too. How handsome and tall he is. Why, when he stood up to dance with you, I felt faint with joy. A more handsome man was never seen. Ten thousand a year, at least! I would never have thought it. Jane, your beauty will serve us well..."
"Mama, have you seen Kitty, Lydia, and Lizzy?"
"Oh they are about somewhere. I saw them take Lizzy out to the gardens. Trust Lizzy to make such a display of herself, hanging unto her sisters while she hops about. If she would stop traipsing around the countryside so, she would not be in this situation, and maybe she would have gotten Mr. Bingley for herself. But there is still time, if she will hurry and heal."
"Thank you Mama."
Jane left the small sitting parlour where her mother held court and Mary read, to go look for her sisters. She spotted Lydia and Kitty by the swings in the wilderness garden.
"Kitty, where is Lizzy?"
"She took Nelly for a ride."
"What!? Kitty, she is injured!"
"No she is not. The farm hand brought her around and she looked fine to me."
"I did not mean Nelly. How could Lizzy be so reckless?"
She was not a great walker as her sister, and so knew it would be fruitless to go looking for her. She just hoped that she did not take any risks, and managed to return before their father did. Ruefully she acknowledged to herself that that would not signify much as Mr. Bennet would only appear stern for a minute, but could not remain out of spirit with his favorite daughter for long and Lizzy knew this. Her one hope was that she knew that Lizzy did not like to ride, so she would most likely sedately sit upon Nelly as she slowly meandered about the country side. Nelly was a gentle old mare, and Lizzy knew the countryside like the back of her hands. If she did not return before lunch, then Jane would set out to look for her.
Elizabeth was in heaven. Though she detested the bumpy ride Nelly offered, she was still grateful that she had allowed her to escape the confines of Longbourn to engage in her favorite activity; communing with nature. As she looked contentedly around her, she grasped the reigns more tightly as Nelly made a cautious descent down a hillside. Suddenly the mare cried out and started to side step. Elizabeth held on for dear life, crouching low on the horse as much as her side seat would allow her. What on earth!?
Then she saw them. They seemed to have stepped out of a dream, rather a nightmare. There before her, a great big black monster with a dark figure astride it, raced past her down the hillside. They had barely missed her and Nelly. She watched the rider skillfully try to reign the horse to a stop, not a small feat as the great beast must have been flying at the time. So engrossed was she watching this dance between rider and horse that she forgot that she was trying to stay astride Nelly. As Nelly danced in one direction, she went tumbling in the other.
Ungraciously she was ceremoniously dumped on her hide. Right before the broodingly dark stranger who was now glaring ferociously at her.
"Are you mad? You could have gotten us both killed!"
Elizabeth could only just manage to stare at him in opened mouth astonishment. Did he just blame her for what just happened?
Alighting off his horse, the stranger grabbed the reigns of his horse and stalked over to her.
Elizabeth forgot her indignation for a second as she watched the madman bear down on her with his beast in tow.
"Stop!"
Mr. Darcy stopped at the command and the wild state of her appearance. She was afraid. He felt the anger leave his breast. It was a frightening experience for all involved. Thank God no one was hurt. Was she hurt? He stepped closer to the fallen woman.
"I said stop!"
Darcy knitted his brow at this. What did she mean speaking to him like this? Why should he stop? He only wanted to ensure that she was not injured. Then he realized that she was not looking at him, but at Thunder. The horse flared its nostrils in impatience. She was afraid of his horse.
"Don't move. Let me secure the horses then I will see to you."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She would so love to get up and ride away on Nelly without a backward glance at this insufferable stranger who now had the temerity to be ordering her about, but she could not. Oh deuce. This was just not her week.
She watched his tall form lead the two horses, which were such a contrast to each other, over to a large shaded maple, where he secured them. He then turned and strode towards her with long purposeful strides. She silently admitted that he walked with an unusually graceful gait for so large a man. When he reached her she refused to look up at him. She was already in an undignified position. She would not crane her neck to squint up at him.
Darcy crouched beside the young lady.
"Are you hurt?"
"What do you think? You and your horse nearly killed me."
Darcy was taken back by her accusation. Surely she realized it was an accident. How could he have known that she was galloping along on the other side of the small hill? If he didn't know better, he would think she thought he did it purposefully. Darcy took off his beaver and ran his hand frustratingly through his dark curls. Taking a deep breath, he tried again.
"Miss, I am truly worried. I apologize for what happened. It was not my intention to startle you. May I be of service to you, are you hurt?"
"Yes. I have a sprained ankle, and..."
Elizabeth turned her head to really look up into his face then, and was shocked at what she saw. She stared into the most handsome face she had ever seen. His dark eyes seemed to bore deeply into hers. She forgot where she was and what she was about to say.
Darcy felt his breath catch. He found himself staring into the most beautiful pair of eyes he had ever seen. They literally sparkled with life and intelligence. Darcy was so taken aback at what he felt at that moment that he immediately stood.
Elizabeth was brought back to the here and now.
"Where are you going?"
Darcy wanted to ignore her. He did not trust himself to speak. He was alarmed and disgusted with what had just occurred, but he knew he had to appear as if nothing had happened. Clearing his throat he spoke without looking back as he strode over to the tree.
"To get your horse. The ground is damp and I would not wish for you to catch a cold."
"Oh."
As Darcy brought the horse over to her, he fought to quiet the unrest that had arisen in him. Was he loosing his mind? How could he feel what he had just felt for this complete stranger? This woman?
Darcy knelt beside her and put her arm around his neck. She obliged and he was able to get his arm below her knees and easily sat her upon the mare. He then held her at her waist to ensure that she was steady but found himself unwilling to remove his hands after the task was done. She was staring into his eyes. He felt almost hypnotized. Darcy lowered his gaze to her full red lips. She parted them slightly. He felt himself leaning in, but caught himself in time. Darcy was in shock. What had he almost done? He had to get out of this woman's presence. Letting go of her waist he stepped away from her. He tried to collect himself.
"Uh, do you live far from here?"
"No. I ... I will be fine, thank you."
Darcy nodded and strode back towards his horse.
Elizabeth watched him go. She then resignedly turned Nelly toward home. Just as she reached through the back gates of Longbourn something told her to look back. She gasped. There he was in the distance on his big black horse watching over her like some avenging angel. He had followed her to Longbourn. Elizabeth looked away as if he had caught her in some guilty act. Her heart pounding away in her chest, Elizabeth tremblingly led Nelly towards the stable.
She was safe. Darcy tugged on the reigns of Thunder and turned away from the source of his disquiet. He gave Thunder full reign and the horse did not disappoint. Darcy sought to outride what was within him. He had almost kissed her. He, Fitzwilliam Darcy, son of a noble woman had almost compromised a total stranger because he had felt hot desire, such as he had never encountered, scorch him just from the soulful look of a woman. What if she had but tried a little to engage him? Would all have been lost to both of them? He was terrified at his loss of control. This was not like him at all. What if it happened again? Well he would just have to see to it that it didn't. He would avoid the green eyed beauty, that was all there was to it. Darcy drove Thunder even harder.