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Chapter Seven

Posted on Saturday, 9 September 2000

The next day, Jane was feeling better so it was decided that she would join us in the drawing room for a little while later that evening. Until then, I spent my day as I had the previous; sometimes in Jane's room, other times in the library, and other times on walks.

I was just heading out for an afternoon walk when Mrs. Hurst caught up with me and asked if she could join me. I reluctantly agreed, and we set out. Unfortunately, we had to keep to the garden walks as Mrs. Hurst thought it scandalous to walk across meadows without any paths. Absently, I listened to Mrs. Hurst's rambling about fashion and other nonsense of no import.

Fifteen minutes into our walk, we happened upon William and Miss Bingley walking on another path. Immediately, Mrs. Hurst disengaged my arm to take the free one of William, leaving me to walk by myself; not that I minded. I would rather have gone on a more exciting path.

Fitzwilliam must have felt their rudeness and said, "This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the avenue."

But I only laughed, "No, no; stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped, and appear to uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a fourth. Good bye," before skipping off in another direction.

I rambled about for a while until I walked to the top of a hill. Facing towards Longbourn, I sat on the hill, enjoying the fresh air. I do not know how long I sat there, but my solitude was eventually disturbed when I felt, rather than saw, somebody sit next to me.

"Enjoy your walk?" I teased William as he silently sat by my side.

Looking sideways at him, I noticed him scowl before answering, "What do you think?"

Grinning, I replied, "Hmm. If I were forced to take a walk with both Bingley sisters, I wouldn't enjoy it very much. Even if I had to walk with just one sister," I added, scrunching up my face.

Will chuckled, but then we sat silently, enjoying each other's company. After about ten minutes, William suddenly said, "I feel like taking a ride. Do you ride horses anymore?"

"Of course!"

Jumping up, William held out his hand to help me up. "Do you want to take a ride? It'll get us away from Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for a while."

I consented, and we made our way to the stables. I really should have changed into a riding dress, but I was too impatient to ride. Besides, I couldn't remember if I had packed a riding dress or not.

William picked out a horse he knew would be the best for me and had it saddled. I was about to mount outside of the stable, before quickly running back into the stable. Finding a corner where a stack of clean hay was, I took off my bonnet and threw it in the pile. When I walked back outside, William gave me a strange look. It wasn't until I mounted that he asked, "What did you do that for?"

"Take my bonnet off?" I questioned. "I hate riding with my bonnet. I rather feel the wind through my hair."

"Most ladies would be afraid of tanning their skin."

"I am not most ladies," I smiled cheekily before trotting off ahead of him. He soon caught up with me and we trotted side-by-side for a while in companionable silence. But all of a sudden, a playful urge hit me and I urged my horse into a gallop across a field. I got a little ahead of Will before he urged his horse to catch up to mine. I had the horse gallop a little farther before slowing him down and eventually stopping him.

I turned to William and grinned, "Care to race?"

"What makes you so sure you can win with a horse you've never ridden before?"

I feigned a sigh and replied, "Oh, Will. Don't you know anything about horses? It's not the horse that matters, it's the manner in how the master or mistress treats it."

"But you don't take care of it; he's Bingley's horse."

"Yes, but he will go faster if I urge him with my voice right."

"Do you really think so?" William teased.

"I do."

"Then we will race. To the tree line over there."

"Okay. Let's race."

And we did. At the beginning, William was ahead of me, but leaning over, I talked into my horse's ear, urging him to go faster; and slowly, he did. Little by little, I gained upon Fitzwilliam and his horse, and soon, I over-passed him.

I laughed at the sensation of moving so fast. I could feel my hair come undone and fly behind me as the wind blew through it; this, along with the galloping horse made it feel as if I were flying, and I loved the sensation.

As I drew closer to the trees, I started to slow my horse down until I was completely stopped. A couple of seconds later, William joined me. Breathless, I grinned at him, and he finally conceded, "You were right." I was about to comment on my victory until he continued, "For now. Who knows what will happen another time."

"I will win again, of course."

William only chuckled while taking off his hat and running his fingers through his hair. While he did this, I couldn't stop staring at him; and it was at this point that I realized that he was the handsomest man of my acquaintance. He looked exactly like his father; yet, there was something else about him that made him appear more attractive. No wonder why Miss Bingley had been chasing him. A lady would have been crazy to let him ago. But maybe that was the "long-time friend" part speaking.

Before he could catch me staring, something in the corner of my eye caught my attention. Looking across the field, I perceived a lone horseman that appeared to be my brother. I told William what I saw, and he agreed once he saw the horseman. Slowly, to allow the horses rest, we walked to where the horseman was trotting. As we came closer, it was clear that it was my brother. Bringing my horse to a trot, I soon caught up to him and greeted, "Andy!"

My presence earned a genuine smile from my twin. "Hello Lizzy," he smiled as he stopped his horse. "And hello William."

"Hello Andy."

Although Andy was smiling, I could trace lines of frustration along his face. "Andy, is there something wrong?"

My brother shrugged and replied, "Nothing more, really, than the typical frustrations at Longbourn."

"Is Aunt Fanny in the middle of another nervous attack?" I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, and this time, you're the cause of it."

"Why? What did I unintentionally do now?"

"Attract too much attention from William."

"Is that all?" I scowled. "I thought I put an end to that yesterday."

"Why, what happened?" asked Will.

"Aunt Fanny seems to think I came to Netherfield to trap you into marriage."

Will chuckled. "And what if you did?"

"I would never hear the end from my aunt. She seems to think that you would make a good husband for one of my younger cousins."

A trace of disgust flashed across Fitzwilliam's face, but he quickly changed it to a look of a repentance aimed at me. Laughing, I said, "Don't worry, Will. I'm not going to scold you for that look of horror. I think it would be horrific, too, if she trapped you into marrying one of them."

"And why would that be?" Andy gave me a teasing smile.

I glared at his implication, but responded, "Mary would lure poor William into a stupor with her Fordyce's Sermons; Kitty would be too afraid of his stern countenance to even speak in his presence without stuttering; and Lydia would drive him insane with orders to buy her every bonnet and dress from here to London."

My brother and friend chuckled at my description, and Andy commented, "A very accurate description. But speaking of our adoptive family, I better be back before supper. Come back soon, Lizzy; Uncle and I need a little sense put back into the household."

I chuckled, "I'll try to get back as soon as Jane is allowed to take the carriage ride home."

Andy gave us one last smile before turning his horse back towards Longbourn. He wasn't a long way off until he called back to me, "Don't forget to fix your hair, Lizzy! Knowing you, you will keep it down like that through supper."

"Don't worry, Andy! Your big sister can take care of herself." Turning to William, I asked, "Ready to get back to Netherfield?"

William nodded and started riding back to Mr. Bingley's estate. We rode together back to Netherfield silently, not needing to talk to fill up the gap. The stables had just come into view when I felt Will staring at me. Turning my head I saw him gazing at my profile. Amused, I grinned, "Will?"

He was startled out of his reverie by my voice and asked, a little bit delayed, "Yes?"

"What are you thinking?"

"Err. Um. You have really long hair."

I laughed at his comment and replied, "Yes, that is what happens when ladies just let their hair grow."

By then, we had arrived at the stables and I jumped off of my horse. A servant came out and took the reins of the horses to clean them and feed them. Quickly, I ran into the stables, grabbed my bonnet, and ran back out to find William waiting for me. When I reached his side again, we began walking towards the house.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Not yet four, actually. I thought it was later."

"So did I." I paused to think before continuing, "I don't think I'll go inside just yet. I want to take one more walk around before dressing for supper."

We reached the front entrance to Netherfield, and William said, "Okay. I will see you at supper then." He quickly climbed the steps, but turned before entering the house. "What about your hair?"

"What about it?"

"Your brother told you to put it back up," he teased.

"I will have all my hair back in place before supper. You can count on it."

"It looks pretty down, though," he grinned. "You should keep it like that through supper."

I blushed but replied, "I highly doubt the superior sisters would approve of that. And thinking about it, I don't think I approve of myself doing that either!" I smiled cheekily.

William only chuckled as he entered the house.

It was about a half hour later when I decided to return to the house, but I was suddenly distracted by a rather large dog, barking for me to play with him. Laughing, I chased him around the house to where he stopped and picked up a stick a little bigger than a twig and walked over to me. Grabbing the stick, I started a tug-of-war with the dog until he let go. Throwing it as far as I could, I cried, "Fetch."

Laughing, I watched the dog turn around and run to find the stick when I felt someone staring at me. I turned around, trying to look for an intruder, but the only thing I saw was a curtain swaying in a second floor window, as if somebody was leaning against the curtain, looking out the window. Not knowing who occupied that room, I just shrugged and looked back towards the dog, ready to play another game of fetch.

The evening passed uneventfully, save for the fact that Jane joined us in the drawing room after supper. The next morning, she got up and dressed, and joined us for breakfast for the first time. Seeing that she was well, I consulted with her, and then wrote a note to Longbourn, asking for the carriage to be sent. A reply was sent, saying that carriage could not be sent until Tuesday, therefore completing my aunt's plan of Jane staying for a complete week.

Jane and I, both feeling that it was unnecessary to take advantage of the Bingleys' hospitality, decided to ask Mr. Bingley if he could spare the use of one of his carriages. At the question, we were met with objections; that Jane's health could not be risked so soon after recovering. Finally, Jane and I relented and allowed instead for us to return to Longbourn on the next day.

After that was settled, the Bingley sisters and their brother claimed Jane for the day and took her on a short walk. Not wishing to overcrowd Jane, I declined their offer to join them and instead sought out William's company.

I found him in the library, sitting in an armchair, reading a book. On a sofa next to his chair, snored Mr. Hurst during his afternoon nap. Clearing my throat to get Fitzwilliam's attention, I stood in the doorway waiting for him to acknowledge my presence. A moment later, (I assume after he finished a paragraph or a page), he looked up and raised his eyebrows in question.

"Mr. and Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, and my cousin are outside on a walk."

"So?"

"So now that the house is empty, save you, myself, and Mr. Hurst, who doesn't look like he will wake anytime soon, you can play the pianoforte for me without any fear that you will be heard."

"And why do you wish to hear me perform?"

"Because I have not heard you since before your going away to Cambridge."

William sighed and put down his book. "Very well, I will play a little. What do you wish for me to play?" he asked while getting out of his chair and walking towards me.

"What do you think?"

"Do I have to sing, too?"

"Of course!"

William had just reached me and put his hand on the base of my neck to propel me out the library door. When he touched me, a tingle went down the base of my spine, confusing me as to why I felt like that. But a second later, William himself was out of the library, and he removed his hand; with it, the sensation.

We made our way to the music room, and William sat down at the bench, playing a scale to warm up. I planted myself in a chair that faced the pianoforte, so I could watch, as well as hear, him perform. Growing up, I remembered that William's face would express the emotions of the song while he performed, and I used to love to watch his face change.

Hesitantly, William began to play. His playing had improved tremendously since twelve years ago, and his voice had deepened to a baritone that was pleasing to listen to. As the song progressed on, I left my chair and went to sit next to him on the bench, as I used to as a child, and began singing with him. When he heard my voice, he looked down and smiled at me, never faltering in his song.

I am a man who would fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever knowing together
that we did it all for the glory of love

At the end of the song, an intruder made his presence known with a snort-like sound. "Caroline and Louisa should hear you two," Mr. Hurst said as he walked to the armchair that I previously occupied. "They should be humbled by how exceptionally you two play together, and how average they sound."

My jaw almost dropped open at hearing such a long comment escape from Mr. Hurst but I managed to say, "Thank you," along with William.

Glancing at my companion, I could tell he was embarrassed about being heard, but greatly relieved not to be heard by Miss Bingley.

The next day, Jane and I left Netherfield with many well wishes from the family, even including Mr. Hurst.

When we returned to Longbourn, we were met with disappointed cries from my aunt at how Jane should have stayed longer. Well, Jane received them anyway; my aunt just ignored my presence. However, even though I was ignored by my aunt, I was greatly welcomed home from my uncle and brother, glad to "have some sense back in the family," as Uncle Bennet put it. I was also relieved to be at home, away from the superior sisters. You can count on me not being impatient to see them again.

Chapter Eight

Posted on Saturday, 7 October 2000

The next morning, my uncle addressed his wife, "I hope, my dear, that you have ordered a good dinner today, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party."

"Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming I am sure, unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in, and I hope my dinners are good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home."

"The person of whom I speak, is a gentleman and a stranger."

Aunt Fanny's eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "A gentleman and a stranger! It is Mr. Bingley I am sure. Why, Jane, you never dropped a word of this; you sly thing! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley. But, good lord! How unlucky! There is not a bit of fish to be got today. Lydia, my love, ring the bell. I must speak to Hill, this moment."

"It is not Mr. Bingley," my uncle replied, "it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life."

At this proclamation, there were exclamations from my two youngest cousins speculating at which officer was the guest. At their loud voices, my uncle gave them a stern look, and luckily, Lydia and Kitty both quieted down.

"About a month ago I received this letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases."

"Oh!" cried my aunt, "I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it."

Mr. Collins was the root of all problems for Aunt Fanny. When my uncle dies, Mr. Collins is to take possession of Longbourn, and if it were to please him, he could force my aunt (if she is still alive) and any other unmarried daughter out of the house.

"It certainly is a most iniquitous affair," answered Mr. Bennet, "and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner in expressing himself."

"No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it was very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could not he keep on quarreling with you, as his father did before him?"

My uncle answered by reading the letter from this Mr. Collins out loud. I wish I could say that the letter indicated him to be a sensible man, but it was quite the reverse. I will not bore you with repeating the letter, but I suppose I should tell you some things he wrote so you could get at least an idea of what kind of man he is.

The first thing he mentioned was the breach between my uncle and his father and how he wanted to heal it. Then he went on about his occupation. Mr. Collins was a clergyman, but his patroness's name struck me by surprise because it was one I had heard quite often while growing up; indeed, I actually met her and her daughter as a child. The patroness was Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, of Rosings Park. Lady Catherine was the sister of Lady Anne Darcy, and therefore, William's aunt. A number of summers, she visited Pemberley, and I had the "honor" to be in her company. The way Mr. Collins was talking about her, you would think she was a saint, but she was one of the proudest ladies I had ever met in my childhood. She was friendly to my family, of course, but she was condescending to servants, and even gentry who weren't rich enough for her standards.

Anyway, it seemed as if Mr. Collins adored her. After his explanation of his patronage, he went on to write how he had no wish to do my uncle's "amiable daughters" any harm and was to arrive at Longbourn by four o'clock that afternoon.

At the conclusion to the letter, I asked my uncle what he thought about his cousin, and we both agreed that he could not be sensible. My uncle even said that he had hopes to find Mr. Collins "quite the reverse."

Punctually at four, the heir of Longbourn arrived. He was tall, but was rather... how should I say this kindly? Plump is a good word. And his hair looked like he hadn't washed it in a long while.

He was quickly introduced to our aunt and uncle and their daughters. They were met with low bows and compliments from Mr. Collins. My aunt looked pleased at the attention her girls were getting, while Catherine and Lydia weren't trying hard to stifle their giggles.

Finally, which wasn't slow enough, Mr. Collins was introduced to my brother and I. Unfortunately, my uncle did not forget our titles.

I never thought anyone could bow so low.

Mr. Collins was practically kissing the ground at our feet. "My lord, my lady. It is a pleasurable experience just to be introduced to two fine people." The man addressed me, "Lady Catherine is the daughter of an earl, too."

"Yes, I know," I answered almost too shortly.

"You know? I did not think I mentioned it in my letter..."

"You didn't."

"What? Well... Oh! Of course two fine personages like yourself must have come into contact with another fine person like Lady Catherine."

"Yes, yes, of course." I turned my face towards my brother and rolled my eyes while Andy was trying to disguise his chuckles with a cough.

"My lord, are you all right? You shouldn't be standing out here in such a dusty walk! I do not deserve so much attention."

I've noticed.

"Mr. Collins, I assure you I am all right," my brother responded. "I am perfectly all right to be out of doors. I spend most of my time out here as it is."

Mr. Collins bowed to acknowledge him.

Luckily, my uncle thought it wise to lead us back into the house. The rest of the evening was spent with Mr. Collins dividing his attention amongst flattering my aunt, trying to seem intelligent to my uncle, admiring my cousins (especially Jane, which made my stomach turn), and fawning over my brother and me.

I breathed a sigh of relief when the time came to go to bed.

The next day, Lydia and Kitty wanted to take a walk to Meryton to see if Captain Denny, their current favorite officer of the militia, returned from Town. Jane and I also decided to go to step in to see our Aunt Phillips.

It wasn't until it was too late that we found that Mr. Collins was to make the trip with us to be an escort to Lydia. When I realized his sister of preference, I almost lost myself to its humor. My aunt must have told him about Jane and Mr. Bingley that he suddenly changed preferences. But I couldn't understand why he had chosen Lydia.

On the walk to Meryton, when Jane and I were not talking, I amused myself to see Mr. Collins try to keep up with Lydia's energetic pace while trying to hold on a conversation with her. He didn't get to say much as he was mostly huffing and puffing.

Eventually, we arrived in Meryton, but my two young cousins couldn't find any redcoats around so they kept busy by looking in the stores' windows. Eventually, their patience wore thin and they turned to face the street to look for any redcoats. Obviously, Lydia must have found who she was looking for because she shouted across the street, "Denny!"

She received a stern, "Lydia!" from Jane, but disregarded it, and instead spoke to Kitty about the stranger next to Mr. Denny. Kitty observed that the stranger was "fearful handsome," but Lydia claimed that unless he was in regimentals, he was nothing to a redcoat.

As I watched the two men walking towards us, I recognized something familiar about the stranger. I recognized his face from somewhere, but could not figure out where. It wasn't until he was only a little distance from us that I remembered him from my childhood. George Wickham.

I remembered how he used to make fun of me and instantly frowned. However, I didn't want to renew acquaintance on bad terms; he could have changed from when I last saw him.

The two gentlemen reached us and Lydia initiated the conversation by saying, "We had just come to see if you were back from town."

"There was nothing amusing enough to hold us there!" Mr. Denny exclaimed before introducing his friend, "This is Mr. George Wickham. I brought him from London when I found he wanted to join the regiment." This was met with excited whispers between Kitty and Lydia before Mr. Denny introduced my family. "Mr. Wickham, this is Miss Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet, Miss Lydia Bennet, and their cousin..."

"Lady Elizabeth," Mr. Wickham finished before bowing slightly to me.

"Mr. Wickham. It certainly has been a long time since I have last seen you."

"Aye, it has. And you have certainly grown into quite the lady."

I only nodded at this compliment before turning my head. I wasn't too sure what he meant by it, for he had a look in his eyes that I didn't trust. When I looked back at my group, I found Jane introducing Mr. Collins to the two gentleman, and the former making his usual speech of flattery.

Bored, I looked around the town and down the road towards Netherfield, wondering what William was doing. The object of my reverie suddenly entered my field of vision as I saw him upon his horse, and Mr. Bingley right beside him, riding towards my little group. Immediately, I smiled, as I hadn't seen William since I had left Netherfield, and wanted to talk to him about the sudden appearance of Mr. Wickham.

Before too long, William and his friend reached us. Upon greeting us, Mr. Bingley exclaimed, "How very fortunate! We were just on our way to Longbourn to see how you were, Miss Bennet," before jumping off his horse and going to Jane's side. I smiled at his act before turning back towards William.

He looked as if he were about to jump off his horse too before I saw his attention get caught by Mr. Wickham. Instead of a greeting between the two, I observed Will go pale, and Mr. Wickham go red as he tipped his hat in salutation. Before I knew what was happening, Will rode away without saying anything. Frowning, I turned to watch him go before turning back to Mr. Wickham. Wordlessly, I raised my eyebrows in question, but he only shrugged. I guess I had to wait.

That evening, my cousins and I were at my Aunt Phillips's house for a small dinner party held for the officers. My aunt and uncle did not come, nor did my brother, saying "I have no wish to be at a dinner party with a bunch of women fawning over men in red coats."

I was sitting alone, watching my youngest cousins chase after officers when I observed Mr. Wickham sit in the chair next to me.

"Surviving my cousins?"

"They sure are lively, but they are pleasant girls."

"Hmm," I only responded while taking a sip of my tea.

"Did you notice how Mr. Darcy and I greeted each other earlier?"

My ears perked up at his question. This was the perfect opportunity to hear what went on between William and Mr. Wickham. By their looks, I knew something happened other than the pranks Mr. Wickham played as a child. Fitzwilliam was not one to hold grudges over that.

"Yes, I could not help but notice."

"Well, perhaps you should know what happened. His behavior to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him any thing and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father."

"Disgracing his father? How so?"

"Perhaps you did not know, but his father intended me for the church. He sent me to Cambridge with Mr. Darcy and intended to give me a living at Kympton once it fell vacant, but it happened to do so after his death. Instead of given to me, the living was given elsewhere."

I did not know quite what to think yet, so I acted the part of the pitying party and cried, "Good heavens! But how could that be? How could his will be disregarded? Why did not you seek legal redress?"

"There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law. A man of honor could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it or to treat it as a merely conditional recommendation, and to assert that I had forfeited all claim to it by extravagance, imprudence, in short any thing or nothing. Certain it is, that the living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done anything to deserve it. I have a warm, unguarded temper, and I may perhaps have sometimes spoken my opinion of him, and to him, too freely. I can recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me."

"This is quite shocking! He deserves to be publicly disgraced."

"Some time or other he will be, but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him."

My whole conversation with Mr. Wickham confused me. I did not think William could do something as bad as this, but I also knew that some things about Mr. Wickham's story had to be true. Something must have happened to make Mr. Wickham resentful of William, even if William essentially did nothing wrong.

Besides the part of the conversation that I have revealed to the reader, Mr. Wickham also had claimed that Georgiana was as "proud as her brother," and was living in London with a lady who supervised her education. Mr. Wickham also revealed that William was betrothed to Anne de Bourgh, daughter of the infamous Lady Catherine. I didn't know why, but that was the most disturbing revelation of the evening; I couldn't bear to hear that William was to marry his cousin.

The next day, I was walking with Andy and Jane in the garden when I related the whole story to them to ask them their opinion. Both of them basically thought the same as me.

"They have both been deceived, I dare say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea," began Jane. "Interested people have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side."

"That is what I think," I explained, "to a point. But I tend to think it's Mr. Wickham who is doing all the misunderstanding, or intentional misunderstanding, whichever it may be."

"I wouldn't be so harsh to say intentional, Lizzy. Perhaps Mr. Wickham is a better man than he was a boy."

"I doubt it, Jane," I sighed helplessly.

"I don't believe George either, Lizzy." Andy said. "William would never disgrace his father's name as George claimed."

We had arrived at the front door of Longbourn while we were walking, and while Jane and Andy proceeded inside, I decided to go for a longer walk outside of Longbourn's boundaries.

I was walking among a road that was more like a path for about ten minutes when I saw a horseman approaching me. As he came closer, I noticed he was William. As he approached, I smiled because I hadn't seen him in a couple of days. Besides, I wanted to know what happened between him and Mr. Wickham.

"Hello William!"

"Liz!" he declared while jumping from his horse. "How are you?"

"I am good. I have missed your company these past couple of days."

"Well, I am sorry I could not stay and keep you company yesterday," William replied with a look that told he was thinking of Mr. Wickham.

"Mr. Wickham filled me in on your past with him..." I began.

But before I continued, Fitzwilliam interrupted, "And you believe him?"

Seeing the hurt and angry look on his face, I quickly answered, "No, no. I do not. He told me some things, and I immediately knew that all he said could not be true. But I also know that something must have happened between you two to cause his resentment." I said this almost as a question, hoping that William would tell me what happened.

It seemed as if he did because he sighed and made his way to a fallen log and sat upon it, leaving enough room for me. "What did he tell you?"

"He only told me that you denied him a living at Kympton, despite your father's wishes."

"Well, my father did wish for George to have the living at Kympton if he were to take orders." Here, William stopped a moment, took a breath, and then continued, "My father also left him with a legacy of one thousand pounds. At the death of my father, George declared his resolution of never taking orders, but instead, he wanted to study law. Believing that a thousand pounds could not be enough to support him on his study, he asked for, and was granted, three thousand pounds. For three years, I heard nothing of him, but at the end of that time, he appealed to me again. It seems he spent those three years in idleness in which he spent all his money. He came back to me again to ask for the living my father meant for him. You can hardly blame me for not giving him the living; I knew he was not meant for the clergy since a boy."

Here, he stopped. I could tell by his face that he was leaving something out, something very disturbing to him, but I did not press him. I only said, "No one could blame you, William. Mr. Wickham brought his poverty onto himself, and I doubt anything can change him."

Suddenly, William stood up and faced me. "I had better escort you back to Longbourn before it grows dark."

I nodded and stood up, but my foot caught on a root of a tree, and I tripped forward. I was saved from falling on the ground when I felt William grab my arms to keep me steady. I looked up to his face to thank him with a smile, but stopped when I met his eyes.

It was then I realized I had fallen in love with him.

Chapter Nine

Posted on Wednesday, 20 December 2000

The realization hit me so suddenly, I could not say anything for a while as we walked back to Longbourn. William did not say anything either as it had always been comfortable for us just to be in each other's company. But the silence was not to stay. Soon, I heard William speak.

"While we were out walking, Bingley and his sisters have been visiting at Longbourn."

"Really?"

"Yes, there is to be a ball next Tuesday, on the twenty-sixth."

"No doubt there are more than two people very happy at home right now," I chuckled.

"And how about you?"

"Am I happy about the ball, do you mean?" William nodded. "I am always happy for a ball. It breaks the monotony of every day life. I also love to dance," I smiled.

"Then you are lucky. At least you can enjoy a ball."

"You don't?"

"No. I prefer a small party with only close acquaintances. During a dance, you are always forced to talk about inconsequential things with a partner you barely know."

"I suppose that is true, but all you have to do is practice once in a while and soon it will come with ease," I teased.

"Thank you very much for the advice, but I think I would much rather prefer to stalk around the crowd, intimidating everyone who comes near me into thinking I am the proudest of all men," he chuckled.

"You already established that! So why don't you turn around completely and be the friendliest of all gentleman?"

"That would require me to change overnight, and I doubt I can do that."

"True. I will just have to check up on you periodically to make sure you are not making too bad of an impression."

William laughed, "Please do. Maybe it will keep Miss Bingley away from me."

"She probably will anyway. She has founded a new gentleman to chase in my brother."

"Poor man."

"That didn't sound too sympathetic to me!"

"That is because it isn't. I think it's time that somebody else has a feel of misery!"

We both laughed and then quietly walked back to Longbourn.

That night I could not sleep. For an hour I tossed and turned until, finally, I got out of bed, grabbed a shawl, and went to sit in my window seat. Situating myself in a comfortable position, I gazed out the window at the expansive sky and all the stars. Overcome with a childish urge, I found the brightest star and did something I had not done since before my parents' deaths.

"Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." Closing my eyes, I wished for love. Love for Jane and Mr. Bingley and love for Andy and Charlotte.

But most of all, I wished that William would return my love.

I had no reason to suppose he would; since being reunited with him, I hadn't been given any indication that he thought me more than a younger sister. I wished I could change that, but years of fraternal camaraderie and care could hardly be suddenly transformed into romantic love.

But did I really love him? I had only really "known" him as an adult for a couple of days. Yet I had a feeling I really did; after all, my father fell in love with my mother at first sight, and their love lasted until their deaths.

My thoughts turned to the upcoming ball. I was excited at the prospect of one; most of the balls we had were assemblies in Meryton or spontaneous dances at a party. I wondered if William would keep his "promise" and not ask me to dance. I hoped he would not. I wondered what it would be like to dance with him so many years after our parents made us dance together to learn the basic steps.

With all these thoughts going through my head, I eventually fell asleep there with the stars watching over me.

"My lady," I heard somebody whisper.

"Mmm."

"My lady." A pause. "My lady, you should get up. It is almost breakfast time and you've been sleeping here all night."

"Hmm?" I slowly opened my eyes and realized that the sun was shining on my face. Next came the realization that my head was resting against the cool window and my back hurt from sleeping in an awkward position all night.

Next, I turned my gaze to the maid. "Oh! Sarah! What must you think of me?" Quickly, I got to my feet and stretched. "Is the bath water ready?"

"Yes, ma'am. Everything is ready for you to wash up."

I quickly took a bath and got dressed. I was able to make it down to breakfast just a minute or two late. When I entered, I was greeted by the sight of Mr. Collins standing up only to bow so low his face almost went into a plate of bacon and sausage.

I made eye contact with Andy after observing this and it caused me to almost erupt in giggles, but I held back and calmly made my way to my seat. I had hardly sat down when Lydia addressed me.

"Lizzy, you aren't planning on hogging Wickham all night at the dance like the other night, are you?"

"Good heavens, no! You can have him all night if you would like."

"My fair cousin could not," Mr. Collins interrupted. "For she has promised the first two dances to me."

"Yes, but those are only the first two dances," Lydia pouted.

All of a sudden, my aunt snapped, "Why would Lizzy want Mr. Wickham, anyway, when she's been chasing after Mr. Darcy?"

"Aunt! -" Andy and I started to protest.

"Mama!" Jane exclaimed.

"Mrs. Bennet!" My uncle's voice rose above all of ours. "If I hear another word out of your mouth like that again, I will take it upon myself to die suddenly!"

If my uncle wasn't truly mad, I would have laughed at his comment. But I could see he was upset with his wife over all the comments she had been making over my apparent chase of Mr. Darcy.

After my uncle's censure, the dining room settled into silence that was eventually broken by Mr. Collins.

"Did I hear you say Mr. Darcy?"

"Yes, Mr. Collins," I muttered.

"The esteemed nephew of Lady Catherine DeBourgh?"

"Yes, Mr. Collins."

"He is in Hertfordshire?"

"Yes, Mr. Collins," I replied, but then muttered under my breath, "Why else would we be talking about him?" I tried to be polite. I really did. But there was something about him that tried my patience.

"Well, it sounds like you are quite familiar with him, my lady."

"Yes, I grew up with him, Mr. Collins," I said through my teeth.

Mr. Collins looked pleased at this. "Perhaps, if I may not be too bold to ask, you could introduce me to him."

"Perhaps." Not bloody likely. I would not put that much torture on poor William.

I was thanked by him with his normal sickening smile.

Later, I was walking in the garden by myself when my brother caught up with me. For a while, he just quietly walked by my side.

"What's wrong Lizzy?"

I looked up in shock but denied that something was wrong.

"I know you, Liz. There is something wrong."

"Nothing of importance," I shrugged.

"Yes, there is something wrong," he said again, this time knowingly. "You've been like this ever since you came back from your walk with Darcy."

I shrugged and continued to walk.

"You're in love with him."

I stopped right in my tracks.

"How can you tell?"

"Like I said, I'm your twin. How could you tell that I was in love with Charlotte?"

"Because I know."

"Exactly." Andy put a comforting arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry. If he doesn't love you, you always have me to comfort you."

I laughed, "Yes, I'll always have my Andy. And if I never marry, I'll just become an old maid and teach all your children to sing and play their instruments very ill."

Laughing, we made our way back to Longbourn.

Chapter Ten

Posted on Thursday, 1 March 2001

Time passed quickly until the day of the ball arrived. Everyone, excluding my brother and uncle, was anxious all day. You could even notice some anxiety in Jane's face, although she tried hard to disguise it.

The hour to depart for the ball finally arrived, and the whole family climbed into two carriages to take us to Netherfield.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked my brother when I saw a slight smile on his face.

"Hmm?" Andy turned to look at me. "Oh! Nothing in particular."

"Charlotte?" I smiled slyly.

Andy didn't have to answer, I saw enough of his blush to know I hit it on the head. "Did you already ask her for the first two dances."

"Maybe."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

"You're being mean!"

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

"Am not!"

"Am too!"

"Hmph. So are you engaged for the first two dances?" Andy asked me.

"No, I am not."

"You can have Mr. Collins!" Lydia offered.

"My dear cousin! I will certainly dance with your cousin, but only after I have had my first two dances with you. I would never go back on a promise," Mr. Collins leered.

"How did we end up with them?" I whispered in my brother's ear.

"I don't know," he whispered back. "I guess Jane wasn't quick enough to get into this carriage."

"Hmm. And she is too nice to ask them to move."

"So are you going to dance with William tonight?" Andy teased.

"He promised never to dance with me," I said in a dejected voice.

My brother chuckled before replying, "You know he was only teasing, Lizzy. He wouldn't say anything like that to an old friend."

"William doesn't break any promises."

Andy shook his head and smiled. "Lizzy, sometimes you are too sensitive."

"Well, I didn't ask for your opinion," I pouted.

The rest of the short ride was made in silence, except for Mr. Collins occasionally ramblings that nobody paid attention to, anyway. The carriage finally arrived. Andy left the carriage first to hand me out, but he left Lydia to Mr. Collins.

"Andy, that was mean!" I scolded as we waited by the foot of the front steps for the rest of our family to leave the carriages.

My brother only shrugged before replying, "He would have wanted to hand her out anyway, and she will have fun with him, don't worry."

"How?"

"By ridiculing him in her own way. Just let her be, eventually she'll grow up."

I was saved from responding by Jane walking up to us with a smile on her face. Together, the three of us climbed the steps and entered the receiving line. The Bingleys were how I expected them to be. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst fawned over my brother and me, Mr. Hurst seemed like he didn't care about the ball, and Mr. Bingley was enchanted with Jane.

As I walked towards the ballroom on Andy's arm I glanced back to see Mr. Bingley smiling down at Jane and my cousin blushing. I felt for sure that there was going to be a wedding between them soon.

The ballroom was already full of people. There was a small orchestra at the end of the room playing, and all the chandeliers and candles were lit, giving the room a pretty glow.

I immediately started looking for Will in the crowd, but my eyes caught site of Charlotte first. I was about to go to her, when I realized that Andy also saw her, and was already heading in her direction. Instead of following him, I decided to give them time alone. I was about to turn around to look for Jane again, when somebody reached from behind and pinched my nose.

Quickly turning around to scold whoever did it to me, I was pleased to see that it was William. I voiced my surprise at his action.

"Well, you were just standing here, doing nothing," he explained. "I had to get your attention somehow."

"There must have been a nicer way!" I teased.

"Not for you!"

I laughed, "You're just like my brother! Always being mean to me."

"You, like every other lady, are just sensitive," William grinned.

"I am not."

William only chuckled before changing the subject. "So, did Andy abandon you for Miss Lucas?"

"I'm afraid he did," I sighed. "He left me to fend for myself. That is, until you came along to entertain me."

"I'm glad I'm good for something."

"Yes, you are," I grinned just as the first dance song of the evening began. I looked over the couples, and I smiled when I saw Andy and Charlotte lined up to dance. I mentioned this to William.

"Andy's not serious about her, is he?"

I turned my head to look at William. "Yes, he is. Why?"

"Well, because he's an earl. And she doesn't come from that high of a birth."

I paused before answering. I was upset at what he said, but I knew he did not want to be too harsh. "Maybe her birth is not high," I began, "but she is one of the most sensible ladies I know and she certainly has more decorum then some ladies of high birth have."

Will nodded slowly and then sighed, "I guess that is my pride talking again. If Miss Lucas is really how you described her, then I wish Andy all the happiness in the world."

I smiled my thanks at my friend.

"Now that that's all settled," he said, while holding his arm out, "will you honor me with the next dance?"

"I thought you promised that you would never ask me to dance again," I teased.

"I lied."

"I see," I replied while taking his offered arm.

For some moments into the dance, we did not talk that much. I just observed the other couples and was amused to see Lydia stand up with Mr. Collins again. Down the line, I saw Jane and Mr. Bingley dancing, and smiled.

After absorbing the picture of the couples, I realized that William and I had not spoken a word since beginning the dance. Grinning mischievously, I began, "I believe we must have some conversation, Mr. Darcy. A very little will suffice." I observed a slight smile appear on my friend's face. "You may say something about the ball perhaps, and I could remark on the number of couples."

William grinned before replying, "Do you talk by rule then, while you are dancing?"

"Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together, and yet for the advantage of some, conversation ought to be so arranged as that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible."

"Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?"

"Both," I replied archly, "for I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the éclat of a proverb."

"This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure. How near it may be to mine, I cannot pretend to say. You think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly," he teased.

"I must not decide on my own performance."

At that moment, we had reached the end of the line, in which we were to stand still for a couple of bars. Sir William, on perceiving us there, came to speak a few words with William.

"I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear Sir. Such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Lady Eliza," he glanced at my cousin and Mr. Bingley, "shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in! I appeal to Mr. Darcy: - but let me not interrupt you, Sir. You will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me."

William and I weren't too far up the dance again when I realized that we hadn't spoken since listening to Sir William.

"Will?"

"Hmm?"

"You're not saying anything!"

He turned his head to face me again. "I'm sorry," he paused, and then added, "Lovely Lady Lizzy."

I was surprised and a little embarrassed that he called me that again. "You haven't called me that since we were children."

"I know." The dance ended and he bowed and I curtsied before he continued, "I think it is the name that fits you the best."

"Do you always flirt like this with ladies?"

"No, but you are not a lady."

"But you just called me one."

"Correction, your birth calls you a lady, not your personality," William grinned.

"You big tease!"

"I know!"

I could only grin as I realized that even if he did not love me, it was good to be friends with him again.

Chapter Eleven

Posted on Sunday, 18 March 2001

Late that night, I was restlessly lying in my bed. The ball started out very well, but during dinner, my family decided to make fools of themselves. My mind began to relive the humiliation...

Dinner had just started when I was suddenly accosted by Mr. Collins.

"My dear Lady Elizabeth! I have discovered by accident exactly who Mr. Darcy, the nephew of my patroness is. I happened to overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honors of this house the names of his cousin Miss De Bourgh, and of her mother Lady Catherine. How wonderfully these sorts of things occur! I was beginning to think that the night was to pass without any opportunities for me to pay my respects to him, which I am now going to do, and trust he will excuse my not having done it before. My total ignorance of the connection must plead my apology."

"You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy?" I asked.

"Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it earlier. It will be in my power to assure him that Lady Catherine was quite well yesterday se'nnight."

I tried to talk him out of it, assuring him that Will would consider his addressing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt, but he would hear none of it. I could only watch helplessly as Mr. Collins made his way to William.

William's surprise at being addressed in such a manner was plainly evident, but he stood there to listen to Mr. Collins's ramblings for longer than I thought was even possible. However, Will only spoke a few words at the end of Mr. Collins's speech, made a short bow, and left the heir to Longbourn standing in his place.

I could not blame William for leaving him like that. I would have tried to get away from Mr. Collins as soon as he approached me, but I still felt embarrassed.

But that was not the last of it. It was not a half an hour later when my aunt decided to speak loudly about her two precious daughters, Jane and Lydia, who were about to become the wives of the best men in England.

I was sitting next to my aunt, who was sitting next to Lady Lucas. At first, my aunt behaved but it wasn't long before she began talking in a loud voice about Mr. Bingley and Mr. Collins. And it was just my luck that William had sat down across from me when Aunt Fanny began her speech.

"Mr. Bingley is such a gentleman! And five thousand a year! I can hardly wait until Jane is settled down in Netherfield, just a mere three miles away!"

I quickly glanced at William to find him eating intently, but with a grim look on his face. It was obvious that he could hear my aunt, and did not think too highly of it.

"And Lydia will make a fine match with Mr. Collins. It will be such a relief to have her settled down with such a fine, young man, and my own future secured. At least I'll know that if Mr. Bennet were to die, I would not be kicked out of my own home."

I hid my eyes at my aunt's bluntness, and refused to look up to William. However, the sound of him clearing his throat caught my attention, and I slowly looked up. I was relieved to see him give me a small smile before standing up and leaving the table.

Those two incidents was enough humiliation for me to last a lifetime, but fate would have other plans. Even after that happened, Mary was determined to sing, exposing herself to ridicule at her weak voice. Then, my uncle decided to embarrass her by saying quite bluntly (and loudly) that she had better stop and give other ladies the chance to exhibit. As soon as Mary was out of the picture, Mr. Collins had to stand up and declare his love for music. I thought he would actually break out in song if it weren't for Mrs. Hurst getting up to perform a complex piano piece - with no need for singing.

By the end of the evening, I was glad to leave, but I did not get a chance to speak with William, so I was lying there, wondering what he thought of me. I always knew that he was critical of the Bennets, as he even expressed earlier that night, but I didn't know if he would think any less of me for how they acted that night.

Silly, I know, but people in love often think foolish things.

The next morning, I felt much better. I managed to forget my family's actions for the time being in concentration of the entertainment that was unfolding right before my eyes. Mr. Collins had managed to corner Lydia in the dining room and propose marriage to her. Lydia, obviously, had other plans.

"MAMA!!!!" could be heard around the house as Lydia came running out of the dining room to find her mother standing outside, anxiously waiting for the result of Mr. Collins's proposal. "I cannot marry him!" Lydia screeched.

"Of course you can, child! You will not find a better husband!"

"I will not marry him! He doesn't wear a red coat!"

"Oh Lydia!" my aunt yelled, "Your fancy for redcoats will wear off soon enough. Think, you will be mistress of Longbourn!"

"But I want a redcoat!" Lydia stamped her foot.

"What's all this?" my uncle asked as he stepped foot out of the library to find his wife and daughter at odds.

"Mr. Collins has made an offer to Lydia, and she won't have him."

"Lydia, you will marry Mr. Collins," Uncle Bennet commanded.

"No I won't!"

"Yes you will! That is final! Maybe being a wife will teach you to settle down." My uncle turned around to speak to Mr. Colllins. "You have my consent to marry my daughter, preferably as soon as possible." He turned around to address all of us who gathered around to watch the show, "Now, I will be in my library, not to be disturbed."

"I hate my life!" Lydia screamed before running up to her room.

"Well," I sighed, "I think she took that rather well."

The next day, Jane and I were discussing Lydia's engagement in the sitting room when Mrs. Hill entered with a note for Jane from Netherfield. At first, I expected it to be another invitation for Jane to spend the day with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, but I quickly saw that I was wrong as I watched Jane's face fall.

I moved over to sit next to her and took her hand. "Jane, what is it?"

When she spoke, Jane's voice was weak. "Miss Bingley writes that by now, she and her family have left for Netherfield for London." She swallowed. "Without any intention of ever returning."

"What? It cannot be true."

"It is, Lizzy," Jane whispered handing me the letter. "Read it for yourself."

I did, and I did not trust it all. It seemed as if Miss Bingley was trying to keep her brother in London, all the while telling Jane that he would have never returned to Netherfield anyway. There was also another part that bothered me. She inferred that an engagement between Mr. Bingley and Georgiana Darcy would be ventured upon in the near future.

When I was done reading, I looked up to see Jane staring at me pleadingly. "What think you of this, my dear Lizzy? Is it not clear enough? Does it not expressly declare that Caroline neither expects nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is perfectly convinced of her brother's indifference, and that if she suspects the nature of my feelings for him, she means, most kindly, to put me on my guard? Can there be any other opinion on the subject?"

"Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you hear it?"

"Most willingly."

"You shall have it in a few words. Miss Bingley sees that her brother is in love with you, and wants him to marry Georgiana. She follows him to town in the hope of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he does not care about you."

Jane only shook her head.

"Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. No one who has ever seen you together, can doubt his affection. Do not doubt me. If Mr. Bingley is not back by your side in another fortnight, I will be very much surprised."

"Do you really believe that Lizzy?" Jane asked hopefully.

"I do."

But as Jane stood and left the room, I could only wish that I knew for certain that Mr. Bingley's love could overcome his sister's will.

Chapter Twelve

Posted on : Saturday, 2 June 2001

The days slowly passed away without any word from the Bingleys. Finally, a letter came from Miss Bingley for Jane telling my cousin that it was now quite certain the Bingleys would remain in town.

I did not know how to comfort Jane. I was so sure that Mr. Bingley would return to her, but it was obvious that I was mistaken. Furthermore, I did not want to deal with the guilt that was building up inside of me for producing hope in her. There was nothing I hate more than having hopes crash to the floor, which is what I thought I caused Jane's hopes to do.

Jane would try to hide her disappointment, but I knew that she was not showing her true feelings. One day, seeing her serenely work on her embroidery, I finally had to say something.

"Jane, I know you have not been yourself since Mr. Bingley left. Please don't hold it inside," I pleaded. "It cannot feel good when you don't tell anyone."

Jane got up and walked to sit next to me and take my hand. "Oh, Lizzy. Do not worry for me. I am perfectly all right. I just..." Jane began.

"You just what?"

"I just found Mr. Bingley to be the most amiable man of my acquaintance, and I thought that he thought likewise about me."

"He thought you an amiable man?" I teased, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Lizzy," Jane admonished, "you know that is not what I meant."

I immediately sobered and straightened my slight smile. "I know, Jane. I just do not like to see you so down. I feel as if it is my fault, that I had no right to get your hopes up."

"Oh Lizzy, you misunderstood Mr. Bingley, as it is clear that I have."

I did not believe that, however. I was positive that the Bingley sisters had something to do with Mr. Bingley's staying in London.

Christmas season passed by, along with Lydia's wedding (she was whining right up until she walked down the aisle), and my hopes that Mr. Bingley would ever return to Jane. Instead, I was going to make Jane go to Mr. Bingley. I persuaded my cousin to go with the Gardiners back to London, hoping that she would at least run into him or his sisters while there.

During this time, I also began to wonder why William did not even write to myself or Andy. I didn't think him as fickle as that to stop correspondence to us while he was in town.

Every day, I would ask Andy if he received a letter, but he would always respond, "No, Lizzy. He's probably busy with business in town."

On top of it all, I had to see Mr. Wickham at least a couple times a week, and every time I saw him, I would think of William.

I needed to get away.

A few days after the New Year, when Jane was already gone, my uncle called me into his library.

"How would you like to visit your cousin, Mrs. Collins?" he asked.

"Will Mr. Collins be there?" I asked, scrunching up my face.

My uncle laughed but answered, "Yes. However, I believe the visit will you do you good. You look as if you need a break. From what, I do not know, but I won't press you into answering me. And wouldn't you like to see the right honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"

I chuckled, "That, I can do without. However, I rather would like to see Kent. But how come you don't let Kitty or Mary go?"

"I'm afraid Kitty would get herself into trouble with Lydia. Kitty has been improving, I dare say, without her younger sister's influence, and I'm afraid seeing her would undo the improvements of these past few weeks. And Mary just does not want to be bothered to travel. Perhaps, you can teach Lydia a little decorum if Lady Catherine hasn't done so already."

I sighed, "I still don't know. I'll only have Lydia and Mr. Collins to keep me company while in Kent."

"I'll tell you what," my uncle suggested, "why don't I let Andy go with you? I may be stuck in Longbourn with people of no sense, but if it makes you happy, I can spare you and your brother. Besides, maybe you'll tire quickly of your cousin and come home soon."

My face lit up at the thought of having my brother for company. "Thank you, Uncle Bennet. I greatly appreciate this."

"Well, my dear, I believe you also deserve some time away from your aunt once in a while. Hopefully then, you won't go insane before it's time for your twenty-first birthday."

I laughed, "I think Andy and I could survive until then."

"Yes, good. Good. Now go prepare for your trip before I change my mind."

A week later, Andy and I found ourselves in Kent. More specifically, Hunsford Parsonage. Lydia did not seem as if she had changed at all. The first words out of her mouth were about balls and parties, and possible future husbands for myself. Unfortunately, Mr. Collins did not change either. When he gave Andy and me the tour of the parsonage, he went on and on about how Lady Catherine had such a grand house, such a grand this, and such a grand that. When the tour was over, I breathed a sigh of relief as I made my way to my room to rest.

However, the rest was not to last. It wasn't a half hour after I lay down that Mr. Collins came yelling up the stairs.

"Lady Elizabeth! Lord Wesley! Come out here at once, please!"

Grudgingly, I opened the door to see Mr. Collins panting on top of the stairs. A moment later, my brother came out of his room. "Whatever is the matter, Collins?"

"Lady (pant) Catherine has (pant) invited us (pant) to dinner tonight (pant). We must leave here (pant) in a half hour."

"Thank you Mr. Collins, for informing us," I answered, "but don't you think that it was a little rude of her to ask us to dinner when we had just arrived?"

"Rude? Of Lady Catherine?" I thought Mr. Collins was going to faint at the thought of Lady Catherine being rude. Indeed, I though Mr. Collins thought she could never be so. "Indeed she is not!"

"Never mind, Mr. Collins. I did not mean it," I tried desperately to quiet him before he ran off with his tongue. "We will be down in twenty minutes."

"Thank you, my Lord, my Lady."

As soon as Mr. Collins made his way downstairs, I only rolled my eyes at Andy before stalking into my room.

It was going to be a long vacation.

True to my word, Andy and I were downstairs and ready to go in twenty minutes. However, we were kept waiting because of Lydia. No matter how many times he called his wife, Mr. Collins could not get Lydia out of her room.

"My dear Mrs. Collins!" he called, "We are already late! Now please come down!"

"No!" I heard from upstairs. "I can't find my rouge, and I look dreadfully pale without it!"

"You know Lady Catherine disapproves of that face paint! I forbid you to wear it at anyway!"

"You forbid me?" Finally, the voice was coming nearer, along with the thud of Lydia's footsteps. "Ha! You cannot forbid me to do anything! I don't care what you say!"

Watching this scene, I muttered to Andy, "Looks like marriage did not change her one bit. In fact, I think it made her more stubborn."

Andy smiled wickedly and answered, "Yes, she hasn't changed yet, but I doubt one year with Mr. Collins won't change her, whether it be turning her insane, or making her grow up."

I chuckled and then turned my attention back to my cousin and her husband. "My pet, we cannot argue about this now, we must go! Lady Catherine must be seriously displeased as it is!"

"No! I won't go!" Lydia stamped her foot.

"Yes you will!"

"No I won't!"

"Yes you will!"

I will not bore my readers with the rest of this conversation. All you need to know is that this went on for about another five minutes before Mr. Collins finally had his way and we set off on the lane to Rosings. Lydia pouted the whole way, while Mr. Collins pointed out useless landmarks to Andy and me, while neither my brother nor I paid much attention.

I had to admit Kent was a beautiful county. The lane to Rosings was marked with wildflowers and old, gorgeous trees. I had no doubt that my stay with Mr. and Mrs. Collins would be enjoyable as long as I could spend as much time outdoors as possible.

When Rosings came into sight, I gasped. It was a very beautiful building, built in the same time as Windemere, which made me remember my childhood home with melancholy. The surroundings were beautiful, too, except perhaps a little too severely cared for, for my tastes. I preferred more of the natural wilderness found in Longbourn or Windemere.

We were brought to the drawing room and introduced. My eyes immediately caught Lady Catherine, who looked like she hadn't changed a bit, except maybe a little older in years. She was sitting in the midst of a throne-like chair, appearing as if she was a reigning queen.

"Lord Wesley, Lady Elizabeth!" she greeted with a smile before turning to Mr. Collins and Lydia, greeting them with a condescending nod. After she invited us all to sit down, she turned back to my brother and me, and said, "I remember when you were young children. I am sorry to hear about your mother and father, such lovely and genteel people they were."

I had to hold back a Lydia-like snort. Obviously she never knew my mother's family was in trade, or else she would not say that.

"Such a shame they had to die so young, and that you had to be brought up in a poor family." Lady Catherine sighed in resignation. "At least the Bennets are genteel folk..." At this, Lydia snorted, and Lady Catherine glared at her before continuing, "... no matter how poor they are. You can see it in your clothing..."

I interrupted her, "But Lady Catherine, it is because we live near Meryton; there are no dressmakers like in London..."

"Yes, yes. It does not matter. You are here, now, and now I can make sure you get the care and service you deserve."

Oh dear. I gave Andy a look of horror.

It was going to be a long night.

Chapter Thirteen

Posted on Wednesday, 6 June 2001

The next day, I was walking on a particular beautiful path when I came across a lady I did not know. When she saw me, she froze in her spot, terrified and asked, "You won't tell my mother, will you?"

I didn't know what to say. Here was a woman who I have never seen before asking me if I won't tell her mother something. "Umm. I don't have the pleasure to know what you speak of."

"You're Lady Elizabeth, right? And you're staying with the Collins's over at Hunsford Parsonage?"

"Yes, but...?"

"I am Anne DeBourgh."

"Oh, Miss DeBourgh, forgive me. I did not recognize you from when we were children."

"Oh, do not worry about it. But, I must ask again, you won't tell Mother, will you?"

"Tell Lady Catherine what?" I asked, perplexed.

"That I'm out walking!"

"Why would she be upset? Because you are unescorted?"

Miss DeBourgh sighed and walked closer. "No, because she thinks the outside cannot be good for me."

"Why ever not?" I was surprised. My parents always persuaded me to spend as much time outside as possible, even if it was with boys.

"She feels that I am sickly."

"And obviously you are not."

"Exactly. Mrs. Jennings knows I am not, but my mother insists I am."

"Mrs. Jennings?"

"My caretaker. She's wonderful! She knows I am not sick and never gives me anything my mother tells her to. She's the one who helps me sneak out of the house."

"Oh I see." We both started walking in the direction I was originally going. "Forgive my impertinence, Miss DeBourgh..."

"Oh! Please call me Anne!"

"Very well, Anne, and you must call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy."

"Good," she smiled.

"But why weren't you at dinner last night?"

"Oh, I really was sick last night. I fear I caught a trifle of a cold, but a night's rest cured me."

"That is good to hear," I smiled.

"I hear that your brother is with you, too."

"Yes, he is. My uncle decided we needed a slight vacation from my aunt, so he offered to send us here to visit Lydia."

"Is your aunt so very bad?"

"Well..." I began. "Her intentions are good, I suppose, but her nerves always seem to be acting up. Lately, she has been taking out her nervous attacks on me because she seems to think I was trying to steal Mr. Darcy away from her daughters."

"Fitz wrote me from Hertfordshire, saying he found you and Lord Wesley there. How exciting! To be lost from each other for so long and then to meet up so unexpectedly!" Anne had a dreamy smile on her face.

"A romantic, I see."

"Oh yes, I love fairy tale endings too." She paused and then began, "Fitz and Richard are coming in a couple of days, you know."

My heart fluttered at the thought of William coming, but I stopped to ask, "Richard?"

"Oh, Richard Fitzwilliam. He's a colonel now."

"He was the second son, if I remember correctly."

"You do, and has grown up to be the most handsome of men," Anne sighed.

I laughed, "And how long have you been in love with him?"

She stopped in her tracks. "In love with Richard? I think you're mistaken, Lizzy. I just think he's handsome."

I chuckled, "Yes, and that is why you said he was so handsome with a sigh?"

"Well, how can I help it? There are no handsome men around here. They're all old... Or too much like Mr. Collins!"

I burst out laughing at her scrunched up face. "I think, Anne, I'm going to enjoy having you as a friend."

Anne smiled and linked her arm with mine, "Good! I think I'll enjoy being your friend also!"

With that, Anne walked with me back to the parsonage where we said our good-byes.

As soon as Anne left me, I ran inside the parsonage to find my brother. I found him in a sitting room, reading a book.

"Andy! You'll never guess who I just met!"

"The devil?" He asked sarcastically.

"No, silly! Anne DeBourgh!"

"Really. And is she really as sickly as Mr. Collins makes her out to be?"

"No. I ran into her while walking in the woods. She was all alone," I laughed, "She was afraid I would tell on her to her mother." Andy raised an eyebrow at me. "And you'll never guess what else she told me."

"Hmm. I don't know. That she's secretly married to one of Lady Catherine's footmen?"

I pouted, "Well, if you're just going to be sarcastic, I'll just leave you to yourself." I began to get up out of my chair, but Andy reached out and grabbed my arm.

"No, don't go, Elizabeth. I'm sorry, I just had a trying day with Mr. Collins."

I made a snort-like sound. "Really. Like that's hard to believe."

"No kidding. So what is it that you were so anxious to tell me?"

"William and his cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam ... You remember him, don't you? Well, anyway, they are coming in a few days. Now we finally get to ask William why he didn't write."

"William and Richard are coming? Finally! Some relief from this tedious company here."

"I know!" I sighed and collapsed in the chair. "I don't know how much more of Mr. And Mrs. Collins and Lady Catherine I could take without some relief!"

The next day, I took Andy on my walk with me, in hopes that he could meet Anne. I knew he would like her as much as I did, and I also knew that Anne would be as good relief as any for the time being, even for Andy.

"So this is where you go off to everyday."

"Yes, isn't it beautiful?"

"It is, but I'm afraid I prefer Derbyshire over everything else." I detected a hint of sadness in Andy's voice and I laid my hand upon his arm.

"Oh, Andy, I miss Windemere too." I sighed. "But, we will be back there soon; we turn one and twenty in about two months."

"But that is just the thing," Andy threw his hands up in frustration. "I'm afraid I won't be a good master of an estate. How do I know how to run one?"

"Andy!" I scoffed, "You have been helping Uncle Bennet run Longbourn since you were sixteen, I hardly doubt you don't know how to run an estate."

"Longbourn isn't as big as Windemere," Andy objected.

"Well, William will help you, I'm sure, as long as you're not too proud to ask for help."

Andy was about to answer when we were interrupted by huffing and puffing.

"Lord Wesley! (puff) Lady Elizabeth! (puff) You must come to the (puff) parsonage at once! (puff)" Mr. Collins yelled. "Mr. Darcy (puff) and Colonel Fitz(puff)william have arrived!"

I smiled, "We'll be along in a few moments, Mr. Collins. Tell them we'll be right there."

"Hurry, my lady, hurry," my cousin's husband only got out before running back to the parsonage.

"Well, Lizzy," Andy said, "Looks like you will meet your Will again at last."

Chapter Fourteen

Posted on Thursday, 21 June 2001

When at last I entered the room where William and Colonel Fitzwilliam were visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, my eyes were instantly drawn to my old friend. When I caught sight of him quietly listening to Mr. Collins's ramblings, I smiled, although it was a few moments before Will realized that Andy and I were in the room. When he did, he grinned at me before standing up to greet us.

"Wesley!" He exclaimed while slapping my brother on the back. (My brother and Will turned from calling each other by their first names to their surnames like gentlemen friends tend to do.) "And Lady Elizabeth," William laughed while kissing my hand playfully.

"Why, Mr. Darcy, aren't you in a cheerful mood this morning," I teased.

"Yes, indeed," he answered, "It must be the beautiful weather." He then stepped closer and to the side so that the other guests couldn't hear what he was saying, "Actually, it is because I'm happy to see some intelligent people enter this room. Mr. Collins never gets tired of talking about my aunt's house."

I chuckled, but tried to hide it by coughing as we were drawing the attention of Lydia and her insipid husband. To ease my "coughing fit" Andy stepped up behind me and "brotherly" slapped me on the back, hard, to try to help me stop. When I glared at him, he only whispered, "Well, that is what you get for whispering with a grown gentleman in front of company."

If we had been alone, I would've hit him in the stomach, but as it was, I could not, so I only gave him another glare.

"Wesley, Lady Elizabeth," Will's voice started me, "do you remember Richard Fitzwilliam, now a colonel."

"Indeed we do, Darcy," my brother answered for both of us before turning to Colonel Fitzwilliam to extend his hand. "How have you been, Colonel?"

"Wonderful, and yourself, Lord Wesley?"

"As well as I could."

Colonel Fitzwilliam then turned his attentions to myself. Kissing my hand he said, "My, how lovely you have grown, Lady Elizabeth."

I laughed, "Same to you, too."

As the colonel chuckled, I observed him. He certainly was handsome with sandy blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. I could immediately tell that he was just as pleasant as he was as a child; indeed I knew I would like him.

"I have heard a great deal about you, Lady Elizabeth."

"Oh really?" I raised my eyebrow and glanced to where my brother sat talking to William before turning my attention back to the colonel. "And were they good things or bad things, Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

"Nothing but the best," he smiled. "Indeed, Darcy was very excited that he saw you and your brother again. It was like he was a little boy again."

I chuckled, "Somehow I can imagine that."

"Well, you should. You and your brother probably knew him better than myself and all Darcy's cousins." I blushed, and he continued, "I also hear that you continue to play the pianoforte."

"I do, but very ill indeed."

"I would like to hear you while you're at Rosings," the colonel smiled.

"If I get a chance, I will play, but I'm sure William grossly exaggerated my ability."

"I'm sure he hasn't."

I took the opportunity of the lull in the conversation to glance back at William again. When I saw him, I frowned. He was almost glaring at Colonel Fitzwilliam and I. I gave him a questioning look, and his face immediately softened, but he still seemed angry.

I turned back to his cousin, "Do you know what is bothering William?"

He laughed, "Probably jealous that I get to spend time with you."

I burst out laughing, probably too loudly, "Jealous? Why would he be jealous? I'm just like his little sister."

"Well, because you are a lively, charming lady!"

"Colonel, you flatter me!"

"Indeed, I do not!" He answered, pretending to be offended.

I only smiled and shook my head. No doubt, with both William and Colonel Fitzwilliam at Rosings, my visit there wouldn't be as boring as I thought it would be.

That evening, we ate at Rosings. After dinner, I made a better introduction between Anne and my brother. Together, we had a lively conversation while Colonel Fitzwilliam (poor man) entertained Lydia, and William suffered through a conversation with his aunt and Mr. Collins.

After about a half hour, the colonel managed to extricate himself from my cousin and join my conversation. When I saw to it that the colonel and Anne were chatting more, I leaned in to whisper to my brother, "Come on, let's go talk to William."

"We can't just leave Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne!" He whispered back.

"Yes we can!"

"No we can't!"

"Yes. We. Can." I gave him a significant look, and then gestured towards the couple who were by then, in the midst of a conversation that involved only themselves.

A light of recognition passed through Andy's eyes and he quietly got up to go to William. I followed him, and we managed to seat ourselves in a way that William could turn around and leave the conversation he was listening in on between Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins without leaving his chair.

"Look at them, William," I said when he had turned around. "Don't they make quite a pair?"

"Anne and Richard?" He asked in surprised. "I don't know, I never really even thought of it."

"Well, I have, and I have decided they will marry," I answered proudly.

William and Andy just stared at me with their mouths open.

"Lizzy," my brother warned, "leave it to them. It was one thing of leaving them alone now, but don't try any matchmaking schemes."

"Relax! I'm just giving them a little shove."

"Lizzy..." My brother began.

"No more shoves!" Will finished.

"Fine," I pouted.

The three of us had just managed to find a safe topic of conversation when Lady Catherine interrupted, "Lady Elizabeth, if I remember correctly, you used to play the pianoforte."

"That is correct, Lady Catherine."

"Why don't you play us something now? I would dearly like to see how you got on with your lessons."

"I can assure you, ma'am, that I am not at all accomplished in that instrument."

"I'm sure you are being modest, my child." My child??? "Go on," Lady Catherine motioned towards the piano. "Play!"

"As you wish, Lady Catherine. However, I will need a page turner."

"I'll do it!" Colonel Fitzwilliam jumped and volunteered.

What? He's not supposed to do that! He's supposed to stay with Anne! "No, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I'm sure Andy will turn the pages for me."

"I don't see why," Andy smirked up from where he was still sitting, "after all, Colonel Fitzwilliam did volunteer."

I glared at my brother before turning back to the colonel with a smile, "Well, if you would like to help me, it would be most welcome."

When I sat down at the instrument, I asked my companion, "And what would you like me to play for you?"

"Anything at all, but I love Mozart."

"Then Mozart it is," I smiled.

I knew my performance wasn't my greatest, but yet Lady Catherine led the group in applause. I couldn't get over how generous she was to my brother and I, yet so condescending to my cousin and her husband.

"Lady Elizabeth, I must say you were overly modest before when talking of your abilities."

"Colonel Fitzwilliam, you must have seen how I fudged and slurred over the difficult passages. That definitely was not a stellar performance."

"Nonsense! And I have never seen anyone play with so much emotion before... Except maybe Darcy and his sister."

At the mention of William, I looked over at my old friend who was glaring at us again. I couldn't imagine what I did wrong; it wasn't like I was pushing the colonel and Anne together again. When our eyes met, he got up and walked to the instrument.

"I trust Lady Elizabeth is keeping you sufficiently entertained Fitzwilliam." The statement sounded lighthearted, but I could see the gravity in his face.

"Of course, Darcy," Fitzwilliam chuckled. "She really is a jewel, is she not?"

"Yes she is," William answered, looking at me intently. Unable to hold his gaze, I blushed and looked down at my lap. "Lady Elizabeth, if it would be no trouble, would you take a turn with me in the garden?"

I looked up, surprised at his request, "Why of course, Mr. Darcy."

Silently, I took his offered arm, wondering what he wanted to talk about. Well, I'm about to find out.