Beginning, Section II, Section III

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Jump to new as of December 14, 1999

Chapter 14B

Posted on Wednesday, 1 December 1999

"Oh Mrs. York!" Beth cried and shook the old woman on the floor.

"Don't to do that!" Peter cried and pushed Beth, who was sobbing, away from her. Everyone else was frozen, not knowing what to do nor what had really happened.

Peter gently lifted Mrs. York up and asked where her room was. Mrs. Hall, who in her life had not done very much except good deeds and bustling, bustled over to Peter and bustled her way out of the room to show him the direction. Beth followed.

In Mrs. York's room, Mrs. Hall fussed and made quite a mess of things in her concern. At last, in exasperation, Peter told her that the best thing to do was to fetch a doctor. Mrs. Hall agreed and hurried out of the room to inform her guests that her mother was alive and that they should all calm down and drink their tea.

Peter pulled up a chair next to Mrs. York's bedside and sat down. Beth crept towards them and walked around the other side of the bed to take Mrs. York's hand. Peter started at her movements. She tried to smile at him but couldn't manage it.

"Is she dying?" Beth asked uncertainly.

"Oh no!" Peter cried. "She has fainted, that's all. For a woman her age that isn't very good, but she will not die!"

"You seem to be an expert at everything. There is nothing you can't do better than anyone else. You even nurse sick people." Beth said quietly, and Peter looked at her in a queer way. Beth managed a smile but her eyes filled with tears after a second. He had blue eyes! She put her free hand up to her face and cried quietly.

Before she knew it Peter was next to her and had put a comforting arm around her. She wanted to lean against him, wanted a friend to hold her, but did not really want that friend to be Peter Nether. She shrugged her shoulders and wiped her eyes. Peter let his arm drop and then walked swiftly back to the chair, avoiding her eyes.

"How do -- , no, how is Mrs. Solodkov, your grandmother?" Beth asked quietly.

"My mother, the youngest of the Solodkov's, married my father's best friend's son, Mr. Nether. I am their youngest son."

"I see." Beth now remembered; Mr. John Nether -- the man whose last name Rose couldn't remember. His son had married Rose's daughter, and Peter was their youngest son. Rose! "Is Mrs. Solodkov still alive?" Beth whispered.

"Why wouldn't she be?" Peter said casually, and then sobered when he saw the seriousness on her face. "You thought she was dead?" Beth did not answer and Peter was about to say something when Mrs. York's eyes flew open and she sat up.

"Are you alright, Mrs. York?" Peter asked. She looked at him hard.

"You are...?" She asked.

"I am Alexander Peter Nether. Call me Peter."

"I could never call you Peter, young man. You are so much like him." Mrs. York sat up and took his face between her hands. She studied it for a few minutes and shook her head. "No, I see other people in you, too. You have Rose's wavy brown hair, but your nose is different and other things are different. I can see that you are a Nether, but you still look so much like..."

"I know, ma'am. Mother always said I look like my grandfather. She said I have his eyes." Mrs. York nodded.

"Beth?" Mrs. York called to her.

"Yes, Grandmother?"

"Would you mind if I talked with Young Alexander for a little while? Besides, people downstairs will be wondering what happened..."

Beth rose from her seat and left the room, bumping into the doctor as he was walking toward the room with Mrs. Hall. Beth felt rather dejected. Mrs. York wished her out of the room so that she could speak to Peter about Rose and how she was doing. Well, Beth wished to know what had happened as well! Then, with a sinking feeling, Beth realized something: Solodkov was no more. Hadn't Peter been mourning the loss of his grandfather who had died six years ago? But then she pushed it out of her mind. It could have been another grandfather.

"Here you are, Beth!" Richard smiled at her when she entered the room. "How is Mrs. York?"

"She is a little better. She is awake and now the doctor is here and everything will be well, I'm sure."

"I do hope so! And what was all the nonsense about a Mr. Solodkov and Rose?" Richard asked curiously.

"Oh nothing, really. Just some people she knew a long time ago. She'll tell you about them some day, I believe." Beth said, avoiding Richard's eyes. She kept silent for the rest of the evening.

That night, after she had gone home, Beth wondered whose company she more preferred; Richard's or Peter's...? For some strange reason, now knowing that he was Solodkov and Rose's son made him seem more attractive. The thought that Beth was being absolutely ridiculous kept her awake late into the night. On top of all this, her kitty layed on her chest and purred extremely loudly almost all night.

Chapter 15A

Posted on Thursday, 2 December 1999

"Lady Catherine, you wished to see me?" Beth asked as she entered Lady Catherine's room timidly.

"Yes." Lady Catherine sneezed violently. "I wish to say that unless my heath improves it will be impossible for me to have your ball in a few days."

"Illness? I had no idea of your being ill." Beth said. Lady Catherine sneezed again and held a lace handkerchief up to her nose.

"I seem to be having sensitivities of some kind...the trouble is that I can find no reason for me having them at this time of year. There is no hay and grassy flowers about, and no animals in this house --"

"Did you say no animals?" Beth asked, her voice shaky, "Are you sensitive to animals?"

"Rodents, and birds, but especially cats." Beth's eyes grew wide. "Why do you look so frightened, child?"

"Well, perhaps there was a cat in this house..." Beth tried not to stare at the rash on Lady Catherine's face.

"A cat? But that is impossible! Why would anyone bring a cat into this house?" Lady Catherine almost shouted.

"But I -- I didn't know that you were allergic to cats!" Beth whispered and wished that the floor would swallow her up.

She now knew what the matter was with Lady Catherine. She was having a thing called allergies. She had heard of it from a doctor.

"You brought a cat in this house?" Lady Catherine screeched.

"Yes, I did. But I had no notion of you being allergic to them..." Beth said.

Lady Catherine ranted and scolded her for over thirty minutes. She then ordered the cat thrown out of the house immediately. Beth begged her to be a little kinder, but to no avail. The cat had to go, and Beth was appointed over-seer of this cruel event. She was to personally see that the poor kitten, which Beth had christened 'Charlotte' after her mother, was gotten rid of.

Beth scooped 'Lotte', (as she called her), into her arms and walked outside with her. She did not know where to take her. She walked along the street and eventually strayed into the park near Lady Catherine's house.

The garden was beautiful in summer and in winter it did not seem to be dreary. Beth enjoyed walking to the park whenever she could, but today she did not feel in good spirits. She walked slowly, her head bowed as she looked intently at the kitten, trying to memorize forever what she looked like. Lotte was so happy and content snuggled in a warm scarf that Beth had put around her and was carrying now. She was purring and looked lovingly up at Beth with her green eyes. With her gloved hand Beth caressed Lotte's black head, and then her white tipped paws. Beth thought she was acting childishly, but she could not help feeling ... heartbroken at the thought of abandoning Lotte. Beth sighed and walked slower, not paying any attention to where she was going until she bumped into someone!

"Oh, I am so sorry!" Beth said and was moving her way around the person when she heard a familiar voice chuckling; a deep, masculine voice.

She whirled around. The gentleman bowed and tipped his hat. "Good afternoon, Miss Bennet."

"Hello, Mr. Nether. What brings you to this part of the town?" Beth stammered.

"I live in this part of the town for the present. I have just moved to an inn not too far away from where you're staying." Beth remembered him having mentioned it once.

"How is the kitten faring?" Peter asked, and Beth's eyes filled with tears.

"I have to get rid of her." Beth said, keeping her voice as steady as she could.

Beth could see that Peter was unnerved at the sight of her swimming eyes, but he tried to stay cheerful.

"And why the gloomy face?"

"I do not want to get rid of it." Beth said.

"But why get rid of it?"

"Lady Catherine is allergic to cats." Beth said and looked down at the fur and scarf ball in her arms. Peter stifled a laugh.

"Had she broken out in spots?" he joked, and couldn't help laughing out loud when Beth nodded solemnly. "Well, do not be upset. There is only one course of action available to you..."

"And that is?" Beth encouraged.

"To let me take care of the cat. You would not lose it as we will be in the same company often..."

"We will?" Beth asked and began to feel much better.

"Oh yes," Peter said casually. "I have a few people I should like you to meet, and I'm sure they'll want you over to visit them often."

"But I shall not have much free time for social calls."

"And what will keep you so busy, if I may ask?" Peter's teasing eyes twinkled at her playfully.

"I'm busy with plans for my ball." Peter lifted his hat off his head and bowed at this.

"I beg your forgiveness, miss. I had forgotten that you were 'coming out' and would have more important things to do than make social calls from now on. Did you know that I am invited to your coming out ball as well?" he said and smiled at the astonished look on her face.

"Who invited you?" she asked, and then was sorry for having said this cold and rudely.

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself. Didn't you know that I, myself, am not unconnected in this country? I am to inherit a nice estate from a relative. Lady Catherine does not think I am a bad match for a young lady; rather the reverse, a favorable prospect." Peter said jokingly and absent-mindedly.

Beth's cheeks burned and she thrust the kitten into his arms so that he would not see her scarlet cheeks. She then said good day and hurried in the direction of home. Peter watched her hasty retreat and wondered, (not for the first time), what her real feelings towards him were. While opening the gate to the town house Beth wondered the same thing.

Chapter 15B

Posted on Tuesday, 7 December 1999

"I have decided exactly what we are going to do about your ball, Beth." Lady Catherine said to her two days later.

"I was under the impression that we already had everything worked out." Beth said as she took a sip of her drink while they were eating breakfast.

"Oh no! I had not quite decided what I was exactly going to do. The evening before your ball we will have a dinner. Then the next day will be your ball and presentation with a huge feast." Lady Catherine explained.

"And have we gone over the guest list?" Beth asked, remembering what Peter had said about his also being invited.

"I have that all worked out. You need not bother yourself about it." Beth looked at her plate and continued eating.

Lady Catherine was quite recovered from her attack of allergies. She was up and about again and was feeling extremely well. The ball was going on as it had been planned and would take place in one week on January the 12.

Beth put on her wraps and went for a walk. These walks had almost become daily. She needed some way to escape Lady Catherine. All she ever did was talk about her ball and tell her to marry the wealthiest man; and how she would help find Beth a good man. Beth knew perfectly well that she meant that Lady Catherine would choose the man she would marry, and she did not like that idea at all.

Beth walked in the park again, hoping to see Peter so that she might learn of how the kitten was doing. Instead, she met Richard Darcy!

"Hello Richard!" she called cheerfully.

"Good day, Miss Bennet. How are you this morning?"

"I'm very well, thank you, Mr. Darcy." Beth answered as they began walking together.

"I was actually walking around here in hopes that I would meet you. I have a few things to tell you."

"Oh, really?" Beth asked, trying to stay calm, but her heart felt fluttery.

"I make for Cambridge next year." He began.

"That is wonderful news!" Beth encouraged.

"Yes, well...I was wondering if..." he trailed off and looked into her eyes.

"If what?" Beth asked, and he grasped her hands, squeezing them hard.

Beth thought she would have loved to he held by Richard Darcy, heir to Pemberley, but now she found that she didn't like it as he tried to draw her close to him. She pulled away from him.

"No, Richard." She whispered. "It wouldn't work." He did not look at her.

"I thought you would say that." He said bitterly.

"Richard, you're going to meet someone else who can love you the way you deserve to be loved. This childish fancy will pass." Beth whispered to him.

"I knew..."

"What do you mean?"

"I knew you would say that because you're in love with that Russian!" Richard cried.

"In love with a Russian?"

"Yes, that man Nether!"

"Me in love with him?" Beth exclaimed in astonishment.

"Yes, with him. I see it when you watch him. The way you watch him, talk to him as if you were...I can't explain it."

"You're mistaken! I'm not in love with Mr. Nether, nor am I in love with you!" Beth cried. Richard moved away from her.

"I'm sorry." She said.

"I am too." He said and then raised his head. "But I'd still like to be friends. Can we still be friends?" he asked, childishly hopeful.

"I would be honored if you would still be willing to be my friend." Beth said, and he offered her his arm. She took it and he walked her back towards her house.

"I don't think you'd better come any farther. Lady Catherine does not like you and would not be happy if she saw you with me."

Richard left and Beth went home. What neither of them knew was that Peter had been watching them from his window on the other side of the street, had seen them embrace, then walk arm in arm and part. He had not heard any of the conversation, of course, and so was extremely disturbed and wondered what had happened between Richard and Beth.

Chapter 16A

Posted on Sunday, 12 December 1999

Beth fluttered around her room, trying to calm herself. Lily was trying to help her with her hair but Beth wouldn't keep still enough to let her do much of anything.

"Miss, if you do not keep still, I cannot do my job properly." Lily said.

"I'm sorry, Lily." Beth sat obediently. "But tonight is the dinner party and tomorrow the ball and I'm so nervous."

"You needn't be, Miss." Lily said as she arranged a small flower in her hair. "You're a very pretty girl, miss, and you've nothing to be afraid of. Everyone will think you're wonderfully pretty and everyone will love you because you're a wonderful person. There, miss. I'm finished now. So go on downstairs and meet your guests." Lily said, nudging Beth out the door a bit.

Beth turned and looked at her. "You're the best friend I've ever had, Lily." She said sincerely. Lily moved her towards the door without answering. Beth walked down the hall and grand stairs.

'Indeed, Lily mused, 'It was beginning to seem as if she were not a servant and Beth the mistress. They had become friends of sorts.' she sighed and traveled down to the kitchen.

"You must tell me everything that goes on up there, May." Lily pleaded.

"I will. But don't you think Miss Bennet will tell you everything anyhow?" May winked at her and took the tray she was carrying upstairs to where everyone was eating dinner. She served the food on the tray and then, having been given more orders, went back down to the kitchen.

"So? Is she alright?" Lily prodded May.

"She looks nervous. Hey Charlie! The fellows up there need more wine!" May shouted at a passing young servant.

"More wine?" Lily asked.

"Some of the gentlemen up there may be rich, but I wouldn't call all of them people with morals." May said as she was handed another tray and left the kitchen.

Beth watched the guests around her drinking and laughing and talking. She watched as some of the men drank more then was good for them and saw their spirits become unusually high. Lady Catherine was smiling at her from across the table. Beth weakly smiled back. She was unhappy, bored and nervous.

She watched Peter out of the corner of her eye for almost the entire evening. He seemed to be enjoying himself sitting next to a blonde-haired beauty - a member of his party. She sipped a bit of her drink nervously as he laughed at something she said. The table was long and Beth couldn't hear a word they were saying. All she knew was that Peter Nether was watching the woman with admiration and fondness, listening attentively to every word she said and Beth thought this very rude, considering that the party was being thrown in her honor!

Lady Catherine made a speech later on in the evening about all of Beth's good qualities, (basically saying that she would be a good wife). Beth was embarrassed by her speech and sat quietly in her chair until it was time for the guests leave.

That night, Beth lay in her bed late into the night. She rolled around in the huge bed trying to fall asleep. She never before had wished that she was not alone in the room. She wanted someone with her, even if it was only her kitten.

Beth tried to think of the good points about the dinner. She could think of none. Only half of the list had been present for the dinner - the ones Lady Catherine had thought the best prospects. The Darcy's had not been present as Beth had wished they would be. None of the people she was acquainted with had been present! Beth sighed.

She thought of Peter. He had been there but he had not spoken one word (except a cordial greeting) the whole evening. He had placed all of his attention on that girl.

Beth tried to remember her name, but couldn't. She had been introduced to many people that evening, even if it was only half of the guest list, and could hardly remember the names of any of them. She remembered the beautiful figure of the girl, her shiny blonde hair and beautiful face. She had everything beautiful that Beth now wished she had. But why? Beth wondered why she was so upset. Why was she wishing that she was as beautiful as the woman with Peter? Beth got up from her bed and lit the candle. She went over the mirror and studied her face intently.

Shy blue eyes stared at her from a pretty face. Her black hair was wavy, long and beautiful. Beth was a beautiful woman. She, however, saw her hair as an unfashionable color; wavy hair was not stylish, curly hair was. And sky blue eyes just didn't go with her hair.

Beth felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She brushed it away quickly and hit the dressing table angrily. She was a fool - crying over her looks; crying because she wanted to be as pretty at the woman Peter admired; crying for stupid reasons. She blew out the candle and sat in bed, trying to pinpoint the thing she was not admitting to herself, whatever it was that made her so upset.

Suddenly it hit her like an arrow. She was in love with Peter! Beth held her hands up to her face. And now he was in love with someone else. She began crying again - realizing that she was envious; envious of the woman he admired instead of her.

Chapter 16B

Posted on Sunday, 12 December 1999

"Good morning, Miss!" Lily said cheerfully as she opened wide the curtains in Beth's room. Beth opened her eyes but didn't make any attempt to get up. "Why, Miss!" Lily said, coming over to the bed and sitting down next to it. "Are you unwell?"

Beth sat up unhappily. "I'm feeling very poor in spirit. Tell me, Lily, what do you do when you are feeling low?"

"Well - I...never did feel very poorly myself, Miss."

"What do you do to cheer yourself up after a scolding?" Beth asked, hoping for some advice that might help lift the weight on her heart that morning.

"These days I usually confide in my dear fiancée and he helps me cheer up." Lily answered shyly.

Beth groaned and lay back down on the pillows, burying her head in it. Everything was going wrong! Everything in life seemed to revolve around Peter at the moment. Since she knew that he did not care about her, life was horrible. Beth tried to tell herself that her faith in God still helped, that Jesus still loved her that everything was alright because of that. This time, however, she didn't feel much better.

"What is the matter, Miss?" Lily asked.

"Oh, nothing, but everything is all wrong." Beth said and got up. "Help me get ready. I need to go down to eat breakfast."

"I would suggest you wash your face. It seems to be a little red and your eyes are rather puffy. Have you been crying, miss?" Lily asked, almost forgetting her place as servant.

"Just get me into a dress." Beth snapped, feeling in no mood for sympathy.

Lily obeyed, feeling hurt and unneeded. Beth saw that she had hurt her but made no attempt to make it up. If she was feeling miserable why shouldn't Lily, who hadn't had much pain in her life, feel some of the agony Beth was going through?

Beth's door was knocked on and then, without waiting for a reply, Lady Catherine opened the door and walked in.

"I assume that you are ready, Miss Bennet?" Lady Catherine said. "It's almost time to go down."

"Yes, Lady Catherine."

"Before you go, I would like to present you with this..." Lady Catherine held up a silver ring with a single, tiny diamond set in the middle. Beth gasped. It was beautiful!

"It's wonderful ma'am!"

"It's not very decorated, but it was presented to my great great grandmother when she came out. I want you to have it." Lady Catherine said rather gruffly.

"But...but why wasn't this given to Anne?" Beth asked as she slipped the ring on her right hand ring finger.

"Anne did not want it. Besides, she has a different ring that was also a family treasure, but was more decorated and expensive. The ring is yours." Lady Catherine said and then left the room.

Beth watched her leave, touched by the kindness of Lady Catherine. She fingered the ring, took a last look in the mirror and went down stairs to see if any guests had arrived for the ball.

The dancing had begun. Beth was claimed by many gentlemen for dances but took no pleasure in their admiration. She continually searched the ballroom for Peter, but never seemed to see him. She did however, after the first half hour of the ball, spot Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!

"I'm so glad you could make it!" Beth said as she came up to them and took hold of Mrs. Darcy's hands.

"I am as well, but I am not sure Lady Catherine will enjoy it." Elizabeth answered and kissed Beth on the cheek.

"I don't know where she is at the moment." Beth said, glancing at Darcy who was shifting nervously at the thought of meeting his Aunt after fourteen years of separation.

"You look tired, Beth. Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked, searching Beth's eyes.

"Everyone has been asking me that! Well, perhaps not everyone...but Lily asked the same thing this morning and now you. Do I look ill?" Beth said.

"You look lovely, but I observe that you are not as cheerful this evening as you usually are. Has something happened?"

"Well --" Beth began but was confronted by Lady Catherine coming up behind her and grabbing hold of her arm tightly.

"What is the meaning of this, may I ask?" she hissed. Beth turned as best as she could to face Lady Catherine.

"Oh, these were friends of my mother, and Mrs. Darcy is the cousin of my father. They are family and have come to my ball." Beth said stiffly, gesturing towards the Darcys. They bowed (or curtsied) graciously.

"But you didn't ask my permission!" Lady Catherine raised her voice. Beth forgot about the rare kindness Lady Catherine had shown her earlier that day when she presented her with the ring.

"You said that -"

"You didn't ask!" Lady Catherine was beginning to shout.

"Don't make a scene!" Beth cried. "It's my ball and I may invite whomever I wish to invite!"

Lady Catherine regained her composure. "Very well. Nephew, you will instantly leave this room and take that woman with you."

"Lady Catherine! People are beginning to stare! If you throw them out they will never respect you!" Beth cried, desperately wishing for them to stay. Lady Catherine looked around the room, seeing that people were beginning to observe the episode. She drew herself up.

"You are very welcome, Mr. Darcy. I am - " she paused, " - so glad that you could come." Lady Catherine then turned swiftly and left the room for the time being. The Darcys and Beth sighed.

"I'm so sorry, Beth. I am now afraid that you have made a permanent enemy of her." Elizabeth said.

"I was never great friends with her." Beth said, "And besides, I'd rather have you here with me than her. I'm glad you could come."

"It is a great honor, Miss Bennet." Darcy said, and smiled.

Beth felt wonderful inside for the first time that evening. Even Mr. Darcy was nice to her! He smiled at her! She looked at the Darcys looking around the ballroom and decided that, if she had a choice, these two would be the helpful parents she had never really had. She already looked up to them for guidance, and now was almost certain that they, or at least Mrs. Darcy, cared for her as much as she did them. It was a wonderful feeling - people caring for and loving her. Beth hadn't felt it since the death of her mother three years ago.

Beth's good feelings were suddenly crushed by the sound of his voice behind her. She did not turn for a few minutes, until he called her name again. She had to face him as if she felt nothing! She turned around with a smiled pasted on her face.

"Hello, Mr. Nether."

"Good evening, Miss Bennet." He said, and took the arm of a woman beside him. Beth recognized her immediately as the woman he admired. "I believe you've already met Miss Field."

The woman smiled at Beth. Beth's eyes didn't meet hers, but they stared over her shoulder. "Yes, we have met, I believe." She said as pleasantly as she could.

"It's so nice to see you again, Miss Bennet. I've heard much of you." Beth was forced to look into the woman's brown eyes.

"Indeed?" Beth said, raising her eyebrows. About her? "From whom?" she asked aloud.

"Oh from -" the woman began,(ncn) but was cut off sharply by Peter.

"Shall we dance, Alice?" she looked angry, but he quickly bowed and practically dragged her away from where Beth was standing.

She watched him go and felt her eyes filling up with tears. If Alice had been a nasty, selfish girl, Beth would have had a little more comfort in knowing that Peter had chosen a mean girl instead of herself. But since she was a nice girl with wonderful manners and an obviously kind heart, Beth was in a state of confusion. She had wanted to hate the woman he admired, but now she felt as if that was impossible to do.

Beth was soon claimed for other dances with gentlemen and another half-hour of the evening passed by swiftly. By this time Beth was again feeling tired and rather miserable. She was separated from the Darcys and was unable to find them - most likely because of the crowd of people in the room. She was also beginning to feel feverish from the heat in the ballroom, and exhausted from dancing, (which made her even hotter). The fan that she had wasn't doing much except blow hot air onto her, and Beth decided to take a breath of fresh air on the balcony.

Beth finished her last dance and then escaped from the room without being noticed by any other gentleman wishing to dance. She would not be out long, but long enough for her to be cooled off. She ran into a room next to the ball room and slipped out onto the balcony from there.

She had not expected the air to be so cold, but the January chilliness felt good to Beth and she stood looking at the stars for a few minutes until she grew cold. She rubbed her arms and stamped her feet, not wishing to go inside for a few more minutes. She wished that she had been clever enough to think of bringing a shawl.

"What are you doing out in the cold, Miss Bennet?" a voice softly said behind her. She did not turn around as she knew who it was.

"I can stand out in the cold if I wish to, Mr. Nether." She said.

"You shall catch your death of cold, come inside at once!" he insisted and took hold of her arm. She yanked it away.

"Very well then, I shall die." She said, telling herself that she was not cold at all.

"Miss Bennet..." he said.

"I will not g-go insid-de." Beth's teeth chattered, betraying how cold she was. However, she looked at Peter defiantly. She expected to see a light of triumph in his eyes at the realization that she really was cold, but she only saw concern.

"Then shall I get you a shawl?" Beth nodded consent and he left for a few minutes, returning soon with a warm one. He silently handed her the shawl.

"Where did you get this? It is not mine." Beth said, holding the shawl in one hand.

"No, it is Alice's." Beth wanted to drop it.

"Take it back then, I'm going inside." She whispered and started to go past him. He stopped her by taking hold of her arm again.

"What's the matter with Alice?" he asked.

"Nothing." She lied.

"Something must be the matter with her or you wouldn't be acting this way about her. I asked her if she would let you borrow her shawl since I didn't know where to get one of yours. I thought you two would get along splendidly." He said, trying to catch her eye.

"You wanted me to go in, and now you want me to stay out." Beth said, not wishing to speak any more with him and tried to pull from his grasp again, almost succeeding, but he still had hold of her right hand.

"Tell me why you don't like her." He urged.

"No reason."

"Don't lie to me, Miss Bennet." He said, and seeing that she wouldn't look at him, he stared at her hand for a few minutes.

Beth stood silently, looking at the door. She didn't want to answer because that would mean telling him of her feelings for him. She suddenly realized that he was being very quiet and they had been standing silently for some minutes. She turned her head to look at him. He was intent on her hand, not noticing that at last she was looking at him. He suddenly let go of her hand, as if it had bit him, and turned away from her.

Beth thought that she should leave now, it was her chance, but she didn't. She walked to where he was standing and stood next to him.

"What is it you want, Miss Bennet?' he asked coldly.

"Here is the shawl. Tell Miss Field I am thankful for her generosity." She handed it to him. He took it and looked at her hand - no at her ring!

"I will tell her that, Miss Bennet. And may I wish you every happiness?" Ah, now I see your reason for the 'hand' question.

"What?"

"In your marriage to Mr. Richard Darcy." He said, avoiding her eyes. Beth drew her eyebrows together in confusion.

"I'm engaged to Richard?" she asked. He took her hand and pointed at the ring on it.

"It's a pretty ring he gave you. I'm sure you will be happy." He said and then turned away from her. Beth's mind whirled in confusion. He thought she was to marry...?

"Why would you think that because I'm wearing a ring, I am engaged?"

"Because you are wearing it on your right hand." He answered.

"But you only wear engagement rings on your left hand. This was a gift to me from Lady Catherine." Beth asked, trying to make him understand.

"But -" he turned and faced her, and then his eyes widened.

"Then you're not engaged?" Beth wanted to laugh.

"No, indeed!" she said. "Are you?" she then added in a whisper.

"Me? To whom?" it was now Peter's turn to be confused.

"To Miss Field."

"To Alice? Why would I want to marry my cousin?" he asked, sounding rather appalled and amused at the idea. "We're friends, not lovers!" he chuckled, but then became serious as Beth turned from him and put a hand up to stop the tears from flowing. They were only cousins! "Don't cry!" he said and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to her.

"It's just I -I -" Beth couldn't speak. "It was such a misunderstanding!" she cried. "You thought I...and I thought you were engaged..." she trailed off. He lifted his hand to her cheek and brushed off her tears gently. She tried to pull herself together. She stopped crying soon and he took back his handkerchief.

"Shall we go back in? I'm sure everyone is wondering what happened to you." He offered her his arm, which she took, and they walked back inside and into the ballroom.

"Ah - I see that the dancing has not finished. Will you dance the next two with me, Miss Bennet?" he asked. She nodded and put on a smile.

He was acting happily now, and being very attentive to her. As they passed Alice he winked at her as if the two shared a secret, or had thought up a plan that was going well. He led her onto the dance floor and the dance began. It finished, then the next one passed quickly. For the rest of the evening he was near her and talking to her. Did it mean something? Could it mean that he loved her as much as she did him?

"Miss Bennet?" Peter asked as the ball was drawing to the end. "May I speak to you a minute?" she nodded consent and he led her to a quiet part of the room.

"I was just wondering if you would like another ring?" Beth laughed, having recovered from a sign of hope that perhaps...

"And who would give it to me?" she asked, smiling.

"If I should? For your other hand..." he said seriously.

"All right. I should like another ring. What does it look like?" she asked, looking into his beautiful eyes. He took her hand and it slipped over her left-hand ring finger. She looked down at it, a golden band with two pearls and a diamond set in it. All of the jewels were small, but beautiful.

"I should like to have it." She whispered and he took hold of her other hand.

"It's yours forever." He whispered back. "I love you, Beth. I want you to be with me always."

"I love you too." She answered. He smiled at her and then led her back onto the dance floor for the last song.

Epilogue

Posted on Tuesday, 14 December 1999

10 months after previous chapter...

Beth rubbed her cat Lotte's back as she purred loudly on her chest and glanced over at her husband laying in the bed beside her early in the morning. They had been married for eight months. He stretched and sat up.

"Morning, Beth."

"Good morning, Peter." She smiled up at him.

"We've got to get up!" he yawned, but made no effort to get up. Beth got out of bed and put on her robe. She went over to the window and looked outside.

"I still don't understand how Netherfield is yours. It's almost unbelievable!" she said.

"Don't you see the connection? Netherfield? Old Mr. Field died without an heir and I was the closest relative, besides his good friend, and he gave it to me. The Nethers and the Fields were always very close." Beth nodded.

"Oh, have you heard, Beth?" he asked.

"No, heard what?"

"That my grandmother is sailing here?" Beth's eyes opened wide.

"Your Grandmother Rose?" she gasped. Peter chuckled.

"I knew you would be surprised!"

"But a woman of eighty years old!" Beth cried.

"Oh, she'll be all right. Since Grandfather died she's been lonely. All of her children have moved to England for some reason. Except for her son, who lives on the estate there. But she has been wishing to see Elizabeth York ever since she got her letter. She ought to arrive soon."

"That's wonderful!" Beth cried and hugged him. "Do you think we should celebrate today and have breakfast served up here this morning?"

"What a wonderful idea!" Beth smiled and rung the bell for Lily.

She walked in and was ordered to bring the breakfast up, but only with the help of another servant girl. Peter had hired Lily from Lady Catherine which had enabled her to marry her gardener nine and a half months ago. She was now expecting and Beth wouldn't allow her to carry heavy things, even though she was only in her fifth month.

"Lily has been such a faithful servant and good friend to me! I'm so glad you hired her! And she is looking so well these days ..." Beth said as she looked at Lily's slightly swollen belly when she set down the trays and then left the room.

"She has, hasn't she?" Peter said absently as he sipped his tea, not noticing that Beth seemed nervous about something.

"Do you like children?" she asked quietly. He shrugged.

"Of course I like children!" He glanced up at her serious face as she sat down next to him. "Why do you ask?" he inquired, bewildered.

"Because in another eight months we are going to have one." His eyes widened.

"You mean..." He smiled as she nodded. "Well, I'm so pleased!" he cried as he kissed her.

"I was afraid you wouldn't be." She said when he finished.

"Well, let's eat now, I'm starving!" he cried. "And you must eat more too! I want you to be strong when our little one arrives!" he said happily.

Elizabeth York paced along the dock. Behind her stood the Darcys, the Nethers, and a few other relations. They were being kind and letting her be able to reach Rose first when she stepped off the gangplank, without them crowding her.

She squinted at the sun and then saw the ship coming. Her heart pounded and she felt light headed.

'There she is!' she thought.

The ship came in far too slowly for Elizabeth York's impatience. It was a beautiful ship, but more beautiful was the figure that Elizabeth was waiting for. She heard someone crying as the ship came in and the sailors prepared for the passengers to come off. She realized it was her own crying when she tasted the saltiness on her lips.

It was early in the day and fog was laying heavily on the earth like a blanket. Elizabeth couldn't see who was coming down first until the figure came near her. The woman had her white hair underneath a kerchief she was wearing over her head. It seemed like a lace sort of thing and framed the woman's face beautifully.

Elizabeth knew who it was when the woman came very close to her and she looked up into her face. It was old, wrinkled, but she saw the sharp eyes that were looking down at her; Rose's beautiful green eyes. Elizabeth saw that the eyes were swimming and then overflowing. Elizabeth reached out her hand to her and Rose took hold of it.

Neither of them spoke, but each knew what the other was saying.

'I love you. I missed you.'

"Welcome home, Rose." Elizabeth said, her voice breaking as Rose held her firmly in a long, beautiful embrace to make up for the years of separation.

'I love you, I missed you.' were the words that neither of the woman spoke while holding tightly on to each other. 'I love you...'

The End.