Jump to new as of November 25, 1998
Posted on Saturday, 21-Nov-98
Author's Note: The characters had a tiny bit too much to drink. Darcy and Elizabeth are not quite at the engagement point, but are more that friends.
Cast of Characters:
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth Bennet
Georgiana Darcy
Jane Bennet
Charles Bingley
Colonel Fitzwilliam
Caroline Bingley
Mr. and Mrs. Hurst
Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner
Preface
Elizabeth had informed her that she enjoyed reading Astrology, and looking at people signs in the zodiac.
Shortly after this exchange Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley had returned to the room. The Darcys then invited Jane, Elizabeth, and the Gardiners to dine at Pemberley the following evening. Georgiana, of course, made sure to ask Elizabeth to bring her Astrology & Numerology book.
Chapter 1
After the young ladies had given up on the hopes of producing anything that sounded nice on the pianoforte, Georgiana was struck with what she thought to be a brilliant idea.
"Elizabeth. Why don't we have a look at the book you brought. Please tell me what I am," said Georgiana excitedly.
"You mean apart from being annoying," teased Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Yes. Apart from that," she said calmly.
Darcy, was by now wondering whether it was the wine or Elizabeth Bennet that was affecting his sister.
Sighing in exasperation from her seat next to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth dug out the book.
"When were you born? I need to know the month, day, and year."
"July 14, 1797," she answered.
Flipping through some pages and seeming satisfied, Elizabeth cleared her voice, "That would make you Cancer. Cancer gives you a sensitive, impressionable nature which means that you feel things strongly. This is particularly true where your family or loved one is concerned, and you can worry yourself sick when pettiness or disputes upset harmony in the home. A house is not enough for you until you make it into a home which says welcome. You will forgo your own interests for the sake of your family.
"You are a born worrier and in this sense you are your own worst enemy. When someone says or does some little thing which hurts you, you will brood about it for hours. You are hypersensitive when it comes to little slights, hurts or insinuations.
"Where love is concerned you are very romantic and sentimental. You store memories and never forget many of those little things which happened long ago.
"You are naturally timid, perhaps shy, but patience and tenacity are two your strong points, so that once you decide on a goal you can show remarkable persistence. You sense how other people feel, and if they are in trouble you are quick to give sympathy. You have a strong instinctive urge to protect the ones you love, but when things go wrong in relationships you become moody or over emotional. You often are guided more by your feelings than you are by facts.
"You like people under the signs of Pisces and Scorpio and tend to be a little wary of those born under Aries, Libra and Capricorn."
Georgiana let out a squeal, "That describes me exactly."
"I agree as well," her brother replied giving Elizabeth a dashing smile.
Elizabeth just grinned right back, "They are supposed to be exact, Mr. Darcy."
It was at this point Caroline let out a snort and said, "This is all so stupid. Ruled by the stars Eliza. Only gypsies believe in that sort of nonsense."
At this remark Mrs. Hurst laughed.
Elizabeth in her tipsy state began to be slightly humiliated, could not look Caroline in the eye but good old Darcy came to his love's rescue.
"I believe in destiny and that we are ruled by the heavens. I for one love hearing this for fun, and if you think it is so silly, do not ask for your sign to be read. Isn't that right Elizabeth?"
At this Caroline's mouth dropped open. ELIZABETH! Why did he call her that?
"Quite right Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth agreed.
FITZWILLIAM! Who did she think she was!
Caroline turned to her sister for help to which her sister replied with a shrug.
On purpose just to make Caroline more infuriated, Darcy stretched his arm along the back of the couch where Elizabeth was seated.
"Lizzy you must read Mr. Bingley's sign," Jane requested.
"Very well," Elizabeth replied, "What is your date of birth?"
"It is March 11, 1789."
"You are a Pisces. Pisces makes you very sensitive and also impressionable to outside influences. Your actions and decisions are motivated more by feelings, emotions, impressions, and intuition than cold hard facts and logical analysis. There are both advantages and disadvantages in being so sensitive - in fact, some Pisceans have a keenly developed psychic ability and sixth sense.
"The drawback is that you are made vulnerable to every influence in the environment. Your whole being is receptive to changes of atmosphere. Consequently, undesirable associations can have an adverse effect.
"Pisces is the most flexible sign of all, making you very adaptable. You can adjust to changes without great difficulty because you are especially changeable. You are sentimental, romantic, and easily give way to worry or fretting. You have loads of sympathy and compassion for people in trouble but you flounder when it comes to positive action.
"Some of the weaknesses of Pisces are a timid, self-effacing attitude, and a tendency to apologize for making excuses. They are easily lead and far to trusting for their own good. On the plus side is their tendency to forgive and forget. They are never malicious or vengeful.
"You are a born idealist, with a vivid imagination, so you often have your head in the clouds. Being so sensitive you are likely to find it difficult to cope with harsh realities of this materialistic world, with its fierce competition, tensions and struggle to survive.
"Pisceans like Cancer and Scorpio types best, and find Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius types more difficult to get along with."
"That describes him exactly," Darcy said causing everyone to laugh.
"Easily lead, indeed!" retorted Bingley, "Am I easily lead, Darcy?"
"I'm afraid so, Bingley. Your sign has you down to the slightest detail. You can't argue with what the stars tell you," said Darcy as he looked out the window, from his seat on the couch at, at the now blackened sky.
Chapter 2
Smiling at Jane, Mr. Bingley asked, "Pray Elizabeth, what is your sister's sign?"
"She is a Cancer, the same as Georgiana."
Since Mr. Bingley was pleasantly fuddled he said with a goofier smile than usual. "That would make her compatible with Pisces!"
Lady Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Gardiner at this point found it virtually impossible to keep a straight face. Jane deep blush didn't help matters.
"Who will be the next victim?" asked Elizabeth.
Fake gulping, Colonel Fitzwilliam volunteered.
"Do you realize that means admitting your age?"
"Of course. I was born December 28, 1783."
"Awww! What a sweet Christmas present for your parents!" said Elizabeth.
"Sweet my, Aunty," exclaimed Lady Fitzwilliam, before she and Mrs. Gardiner dissolved into laughter.
"Ehemmm! What is the sign?" asked the Colonel as he hiccuped.
"You are a Capricorn...hee hee... Colonel Capricorn," giggled Elizabeth as everyone started laughing.
"I believe they would find anything amusing at this point in time," whispered Lord Fitzwilliam to Mr. Gardiner.
"I agree. Even one of Miss. Bingley's remarks, would strike them as amusing."
As they turned their attention back to the group around the sofa. Elizabeth, obviously recovered enough to read, looked down at the book and read.
"Those born under Capricorn are extremely ambitious and often put work before family. This does not mean they are not devoted and caring parents--far from it. They are intently loyal and make wonderful friends. The problem is that they can be fanatical about their work and hobbies. As they are not clock-watchers, the time flies very quickly for them. They get totally involved in the job at hand, oblivious to the hour.
"If you want a difficult job done, give it too a Capricorn. He or she will bring patient persistence to bear on the problem and will always find a logical solution.
"Capricorns are self-reliant and pay little attention to the opinions of others, especially those who seek to discourage them. They are born leaders, even though they lack great imaginative ability.
"They tend to take themselves a little too seriously at times and lack a great sense of humor..."
"Hey! I have a wonderful sense of humor!" cried Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Then why are you not laughing," asked Darcy innocently, as his cousin glared at him.
Butting in Elizabeth continued, "Do you mind! They lack a great sense of humor. The Capricorn person usually has a very fiery temper..."
"Better believe it!" he cried.
"...and does not find it easy to kiss and make up..."
"Exactly! Where is the fun in that?"
"CAPRICORNS have clear ideas about right and wrong and are to be trusted with confidences because they do not gossip. They hate frivolities of any description. This tendency is mirrored in their dress and general appearance, which is usually neat, clean, and scrubbed..."
"You haven't seen him when he's got a hangover," muttered Darcy.
"THEY ARE NOT their best at social functions, instead preferring home life..."
"Now that sounds like you Darcy!"
"...IF THEY HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE, they like to go by the fastest possible means or not at all!
"They are extremely good with money, which they seem to be able to handle and manipulate with great skill..."
"Now that is not a lie!"
"You wish, Richard," said Darcy.
"Now boys! Lets not try and prove who is more masculine!" teased Elizabeth. "They find their best friends among Taurus and Virgo. Aries, Cancer, and Libra are generally unfavorable partners."
To Be Continued...