A/N:

I've had this story in my head for a long time, and I really want to get it right. I've been in love with Jane Austen's characters forever, and this story really means a lot to me, but in these first few chapters that I've posted, I've been a really lazy writer, and I know the story can be so much better, and that I can be so much better as I am writing it. So, with that in mind, I am going to be overhauling the first few chapters with some much needed revision, and I am going to be putting more time into my writing. I will try to update more before school starts, but please bear in mind that I have other priorities, and that I am working on other fanfics in addition to this one.

I love the response this story has been getting so far, and I hope you all continue to enjoy it as much, if not more, after the revision.

Thank you all for being great readers!

xx -M

Summary:

Colonel Fitzwilliam is a good-mannered, hard working soldier in Her Majesty's Army with a soft spot for his cousin, Georgiana, and a fondness for prostitutes, when his older brother, the Earl of Matlock, dies in a tragic accident, leaving no children to inherit his title, and Col. Fitzwilliam's life is changed forever. He is now Lord Richard Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock. With this title comes more responsibility (and urging from the Duke and Duchess of Matlock) to find a wife immediately, but now that he is his father's heir, the Earl has no need to worry about marrying a woman with a dowry (although that would be ideal) and can marry whomever he pleases. So, he is on holiday with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Caroline Bingley when he meets the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and after a blissful courting period, Elizabeth accepts his proposal. But as Elizabeth gets to know Mr. Darcy better, her heart begins to long for another. Will she be happy with Lord Fitzwiliam?

A tale of love and trying to find happiness. Rated K+ for now, but will probably change rating later.


Lord Richard Fitzwilliam smiled to himself as he listened to the steady trot of the horses drawing the carriage and the jingle of the reins and fastenings snapping back and forth. He looked outside at the beautiful country of Hertfordshire, and the smile creeping onto his face broadened, something promising-something exciting!-was going to happen here this summer. He could feel it in his bones.

"Charles, I cannot thank you enough for the invitation to accompany you to Hertfordshire," Richard said, bouncing up and down in his seat like he did when he was a small child. He could not remember the last time he had been this...happy. After his brother's death, and the incident with Georgiana last winter, it had been hard to see the forest through the sleaze. Now that the sun was shining and he was looking out at vast, rolling hills, though, Richard could easily see life with a bit more optimism.

"Lord Fitzwilliam," Miss Caroline Bingley drawled, laying a gloved hand on Richard's forearm. "It is our honor, and our pleasure," she continued, chest heaving, and face flushed.

Richard had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes and removing her hand from his body. Caroline's gushing was a great annoyance to him. He saw Darcy smirking across from him, eyes never leaving the book he appeared to be engrossed in. Richard had the feeling whatever he was reading was not as entertaining to Darcy as listening to Caroline's flirtations. Richard sighed heavily.

Mr. Charles Bingley said, "Of course, it is wonderful that you and Darcy could join us. I appreciate you gentleman offering to help me get settled at Netherfield." He turned away from the window and Caroline hastily removed her hand from Richard's forearm. Although Charles was oblivious to her flirtation and manipulation of the many men with good connections in her acquaintance, Caroline was careful not to flaunt it in his face, lest he notice and threaten to take away her pocket money.

"You should know Darcy will be of far more help than I am apt to be," Richard said to Charles conspiratorially, drawing Darcy out of his book. "I know nothing of running an estate."

"Only how to bribe the staff and flirt with the maids," Darcy teased, putting his book away.

Richard and Charles laughed, but Caroline looked affronted.

"Darcy, didn't Georgiana give you a message to relay to Caroline?" Richard said, mollifying Caroline and trying to pay Darcy back for his smirk earlier, though Richard's retribution was far more consequential than a smirk, for Caroline rambled on for fifteen minutes about how she "wished her dear Georgiana could come," and how "she was so jealous that she was spending the holiday in Town" all the while batting her eyelashes at Darcy and making sure he had full view of her cleavage. "How is she, Darcy?" Caroline asked in a rough voice that was surely for his benefit, flushing like a dog in heat. "It feels like it has been ages since I have last seen her."

"She is well," Darcy said, very red in the face. "She is looking forward to spending the summer with her new companion, as well as working on her French with Mrs. Reynolds," he recovered, lying through his teeth. Both Richard and Darcy knew Georgiana was most likely moping around Pemberley, no longer touching her lessons, or more tragically, her piano forte. Richard felt immediately worse, for he knew Darcy was concerned about Georgiana and did not like talking about her. Darcy cleared his throat and opened his book once more. The attempt to escape Miss Bingley, however was not successful.

"How disappointing she could not come," Caroline said, licking her lips. "But I am thrilled, so very pleased, that you decided to join us, Mr. Darcy,"

"It is disappointing indeed," Darcy said, glaring at Richard, who, despite himself, was sporting a look boasting of triumph. Ever since he had become the Earl of Matlock, Caroline had tried to win his affection, but she had always nursed a soft spot for Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He did not envy his cousin as he watched Fitzwilliam look away from Miss Bingley uncomfortably. Caroline, unaffected, turned to her brother, who was again staring out the window.

"How much longer, Charles?" she whined, crossing her arms like an overgrown five year old.

"Just a few more miles until we get to Netherfield," Charles said, glancing out the window. "I think."

Darcy chuckled, both relieved that Caroline had finally retreated, and enjoying his dear friend's endearingly inattentive nature.

"Is there a ball tonight, Charles?" Richard asked suddenly. "I heard rumors of a dance."

"I believe a country assembly," Bingley said brightly. "Would you be interested in attending?"

"Oh we must," Richard exclaimed. "For we all know how much Darcy loves to dance."

Darcy rolled his eyes, but he couldn't fight a smile. Richard, while obnoxious and forward, was good for Darcy's spirits. His excitement was tangible, and his good mood was contagious. He drew Darcy out of his shell, and Darcy had thoroughly enjoyed the increased amount of time he was spending with his cousin, now that he was no longer in the army. Darcy was spending more time out in society, no longer wary of the money-lust mamas of the Ton when he had someone to help defer them and laugh about their manipulations later.

Darcy sighed as they crested the final hill before pulling into Netherfield.

Perhaps, seeing as he was in good spirits, he would take a walk; surely they would have plenty of time before the assembly. It would be nice to get away from Caroline, at least. After telling a flustered Charles, overwhelmed to be sure, Darcy started off on a promising path that seemed to lead to another property.

Darcy soon lost himself in the landscape, his eyes wandering away from the path. Though he preferred the country of Derbyshire, he could not deny that Hertfordshire was beautiful, full of rolling hills, rich, lush greens, beautiful wildflowers, and looming trees that seemed to have come out of a fairy tale. Georgiana would love it here, Darcy thought to himself. It would be good for her to feel the sun on her skin again.

He closed his eyes and relished the feel of the sun warming his skin and the tickle of the breeze on his face, walking briskly down a small knoll.

Suddenly, like the sharp intake of breath before you leap into water, he collided with something, or rather...someone.

Quickly dusting himself off, he tried to regain control of the situation...or, at least, his bearings. He saw the small brunette that he had literally swept off her feet, and a thick book of poetry that had fallen out of her hands.

He reached down and picked it up, quoting a passage as he dusted it off and slipped it back into her surprised grasp. Breathless, he recited, "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is a rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roars: I love not man the less, but Nature more…"

"You are very well read sir," the young lady said.

"My mother's favorite poet was Lord Byron," he said, waving off her compliment. "Instead of bedtime stories she would recite poetry."

"Did you dream of broken hearts and nature instead of heroic princes and monsters?" The woman asked, her eyes sparkling.

Darcy laughed. "I wouldn't know, for I never remember my dreams. I could have lived my entire life without dreaming and I would not know."

"How tragic," the woman said. "I love dreaming. I hardly ever want to wake up."

"What of nightmares?" Darcy said, as they both moved simultaneously, and apparently subconsciously together down the path.

"Are they as terrifying as everyone says?" he asked softly, as if relaying one of his biggest insecurities. The woman laughed when she saw the mirth in his eyes. Her laugh was like tinkling bells.

"Yes," the young lady said, equally as soft, as if she was telling him a grave secret.

"I see," Darcy said. "I am lucking to have gone all these years without the torture of my own mind,"

"Yes," she said, smiling. "But you have never experienced the wonder of a dream. What is darkness without the light?"

"Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life,"she continued. Darcy smiled when he realized she was quoting Byron back to him.

"But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of."

She laughed. "That is one of my favorite lines. Only second to:

There's music in the sighing of a reed;

There's music in the gushing of a rill;

There's music in all things, if men had ears;

The earth is but the music of the spheres."

They had reached the estate nearest to Netherfield. Longbourn.

Darcy smiled, the eloquence of the poem resounding in his mind. That had been his mother's favorite verse. "You are astounding," he told Elizabeth without thinking. For a moment they were both taken aback by his words.

"This is my home," the young woman said, moving towards the gate. "Thank you for the delightful conversation."

"No, thank you..." he trailed off, hoping that the young lady would tell her his name. When she didn't he prompted, "May I know your name?"

"Elizabeth," she said. Darcy was surprised by the forwardness of her giving him only her Christian name, but he liked the...intimacy of it. She held out her hand, and Darcy took it, bringing it up to his mouth and swiftly brushing his lips against her knuckles, not caring about propriety when their skin touched and he felt as though he was on fire.

"Fitzwilliam," he said, bowing slightly. "Pleasure to meet you."


Elizabeth was smiling absentmindedly as Jane was pinning her hair up. Jane, of course, was already dressed and ready for the assembly, looking breathtaking in a simple pink dress and her hair up in a careless bun with wisps curling around her face. Elizabeth was thoughtlessly humming to herself, smiling as she twirled a finger around a small lock of hair.

"Did you have a nice walk?" Jane asked, loving the opportunity to tease her sister, an opportunity that hardly ever came around.

"Yes, the weather's gorgeous, isn't it?"

Jane laughed lightly. "If by gorgeous you mean rainy, then yes," Elizabeth was jerked out of her daze when she registered the pitter patter of raindrops beating against the window.

"It was gorgeous when I was walking," Elizabeth said, choking down a laugh. "And I was reading wonderful poetry, you know how much I love Lord Byron,"

"Yes," Jane said. "Only because you read his poems at least once a week. It's never gotten you smiling like this before, though,"

"Well, we need the rain. Father said it would be good for the land," Elizabeth said, casting out for ideas. "Plus, I haven't had the pleasure of talking to Lydia today, and that always helps my mood,"

"Lizzy!" Jane said, laughing. "Will you tell me why you're really in such good spirits?"

"Would you believe it was because I am excited for the dance?"

"No, but I would believe it was because of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome that walked you to the gate today."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open, and she dissolved into giggles. "Jane! You just teased me! You just teased me!"

Jane laughed. "Well, I've been taught by the best." She gestured to her younger sister. "You're just lucky I was able to distract Mama and the girls," Jane said. "Or you would never hear the end of it, at least until he proposed."

"Don't be so dramatic, Jane," Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes. "I hardly know him. I'm not going to marry him, for goodness'..."

She was interrupted when her mother came clamoring up the stairs.

"Lizzy!" Her mother called upstairs. "Jane!" She ran up to the second floor as fast as her short legs could carry her, clutching at her stomach when she finally reached the girls' bedroom. "My poor nerves," she murmured, wiping her brow.

"What is it, Mama?" Jane asked sincerely.

"Yes, do tell us what has afflicted your poor nerves," Elizabeth teased. Jane looked at her reprovingly, but Mrs. Bennet was not fazed.

"Mr. Bingley, the gentleman who has let Netherfield Park is coming to town today! Rumor has it he is coming to the assembly!"

Lydia and Kitty, who had been listening at the door up to this point, came in squealing and flustered.

"Really, Mama?" Lydia asked, grasping her mother's hands and giggling. "Do you think he is in search of a wife?"

"Of course he is Lydia," Elizabeth commented. "All wealthy young men are, right, Mama?"

Mrs. Bennet did not pick up on Lizzie's sarcasm, but Lydia stuck her tongue out at her older sister. "We'll see if Mr. Bingley likes your sharp tongue, Lizzy!"

"There is more girls! He travels with Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, and his cousin, Lord Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock!"

Lydia and Kitty screamed once more, and ran to their rooms to change their dresses and redo their hair.

"Put on your best dresses girls!" Mrs. Bennet declared. "I shall find you a good husband yet!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes dramatically, but Jane smiled privately.

"Mama..." she ventured cautiously, careful not to show too much interest. "Do you by any chance know Mr. Bingley's Christian name? Or any of the other men traveling with him?"

"Why on earth would I know their Christian names, Lizzy? And why should you have need of them?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering. You know, silly, curious Lizzy who will never find a husband that will tolerate her nonsense."

"Too right you are," Mrs. Bennet said. "Hurry and get ready, dears."

Elizabeth put on her favorite dress, regardless, and paid extra attention to her hair. Jane smirked, but did not say anything.


"Charlotte!" Elizabeth called across the busy dance floor. "Charlotte!" She hastened to her friend, who was smiling and waving at her.

"Did you hear we have visitors?" Charlotte said, grinning with mirth. "Has your mama had a near heart attack, as well?"

"Goodness knows her nerves will never be the same after all this excitement," Elizabeth replied.

"Do you think they're handsome?" Charlotte asked, unable to conceal her curiosity, or her excitement for a minute longer.

"Lizzy knows they are," Jane said, uncharacteristically teasing again. "She ran into a very handsome, albeit nameless man, on her walk today."

"Is that so?" Charlotte asked, as Elizabeth blushed and was uncharacteristically quiet. "I should go on walks more often!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "It wasn't romantic," she said emphatically. "He just walked me back to Longbourn from the oak tree. It wasn't more than five minutes conversation."

"Must have been a good conversationalist if he's making you blush like that," Charlotte said in a loud whisper.

"Oh, for goodness' sake!" Elizabeth said, laughing, "He will probably walk in here and see Jane and fall in love with her immediately. I'm nothing to look at in comparison! Or he will dance with you and decide that you are far more witty, Char," she huffed. "So, instead of waiting for him to appear, I am going to dance."

She marched away, leaving Jane and Charlotte to exchange glances and then giggle.

"Who knew? A man has finally caught Lizzy's eye!" Jane said, astonished.

Elizabeth walked a few feet away, and stood near a pillar, catching her breath. Good Lord, she thought. I must get ahold of myself. One conversation with a perfect stranger, and I'm already snapping at Charlotte and Jane! She shook her head as if to clear it, and finally caught her breath, only to have it whisked out of her once more as a tall figure snuck up behind her, grabbed her hand, and whirled her dramatically out onto the dance floor.

"Tom!" Elizabeth screamed, breathless, as she caught up with the steps of the dance. He laughed as he spun her around. "Did I scare you?"

"Have you heard of asking a woman to dance, Tom?" Elizabeth teased. "You'll find a wife much easier that way."

"I'm not interested in a wife," Tom said, eyes sparkling. "None of the young ladies here are half as good of dancers as you are. And obviously I wouldn't want to marry you."

"Obviously!" Elizabeth said, laughing. Tom had been one of her best friends since she was a small child. Her father's best friend was Tom's father, and his father owned the bookstore. Tom and Elizabeth had grown up chasing each other around Longbourn and the small book shop in Meryton, much to their mothers' equal displeasure...for what could come of a friendship if the lady had no dowry, and the master had no property? It didn't seem to matter that Elizabeth's and Tom's affection for another would never surpass that of familial love.

"So, Miss Elizabeth," Tom said soberly as they stripped the willow, spinning around in a circle, addressing Elizabeth appropriately.

"Yes, Mr. Baxter?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Do you wish to know what that demon of a cat did today?" Elizabeth was already laughing as Tom launched into a story about how his small kitten managed to claw open a box of new books, and urinate on an entirely new shipment. Incidentally, Elizabeth had found the cat abandoned in a field on one of her walks, and she guilted Tom into taking it in, knowing her mother would say no.

"I've put lavender petals in all of the pages," Tom said, fighting a smile as Elizabeth had to stop dancing, for she was laughing so hard, and clutch at Tom, pulling him close and clinging to his shoulders, laughing into his chest.

"Yes," Tom said. "I'm glad you find this all so amusing. You better buy all of the books that smell like pee next time you're at the shop." He smiled fondly down at her as she launched into another fit of giggles crying she was laughing so hard.

The couples around them were laughing too, many of them knew how close Tom and Elizabeth were, and those who didn't know them well thought they were siblings, despite how they looked nothing alike, with Elizabeth's dark curls, and short body, and Tom's straight blonde hair and strong build. His shoulders were too broad to be related to Elizabeth, and his biceps were thicker than her head.

Mr. Darcy, however, did not make the assumption that they were siblings, when he saw Elizabeth embracing a tall, blonde, handsome young man who was smiling fondly down at her, as Elizabeth was laughing hysterically in the middle of the dance floor. He saw the couples around them looking at them fondly, like couples who were watching a young engaged couple. His heart had dropped violently into his stomach, and he thought he might pass out.

He saw the young man lead a giddy Miss Elizabeth off the dance floor to two other young women, and bow at all of them, before asking the other brunette to dance. His brow furrowed as he watched the blonde lead the other, taller, but more plain, young woman to the dance floor, and he watched as Elizabeth winked at him, and gave him a thumbs up. Surely that was not how two betrothed would interact?

Surely, the lucky man who was engaged to Miss Elizabeth would never stop dancing with her, would never let her out of his sight, even if propriety allowed him to dance with another woman.

No, they must not be engaged, Darcy decided, air flooding back into his lungs.

"Look at all of these pretty women, eh, Darce?" Richard said, stepping into the hall.

The room fell silent at their entrance, the entrance of two wealthy gentleman and the Earl of Matlock. Darcy was uncomfortable at their scrutiny, but with Richard laughing heartily at his side, it was bearable.

"Come on, Darcy," Richard said. "Let's go meet some papas so we can dance with their lovely daughters." He waggled his eyebrows at Darcy.

If there was one thing Darcy didn't like about Richard, it was his flippancy towards women. He supposed he was oversensitive, but, after all, Georgiana would be coming out in a few years' time, and he didn't want men like Richard asking to dance with her and pressuring her, especially after what happened with Wickham.

In all honesty, Darcy knew Richard would only settle down when his father made him, and even then, he would most likely turn to mistresses and prostitutes, much like he did now. Darcy knew Richard like a brother, and Richard would never be satisfied for long with only one woman.

Darcy followed him and Charles to the front of the room, where several men were standing and watching the dancing. Darcy searched the room and found Elizabeth who was being towed up to the front of the room, her eyes rolling, by her mama, who was looking determined. Oh, oh. Darcy thought. If there was one thing he could not stand, it was interfering mamas. Darcy saw too, beside Elizabeth, was a beautiful blonde girl, and following them was the short brunette who was dancing with the blond gentleman. Darcy already didn't like him.

A formidable looking man came towards their party, and introduced himself as "Sir William Lucas. This is my youngest daughter, Miss Maria, and my eldest..." he held his arm out, and the brunette hastened to his side, flushed from dancing. "Miss Charlotte Lucas."

He gestured to the rest of the people gathered around them. Darcy noticed Elizabeth's eyes kept wandering to his own, them flicking away when they made eye contact.

"This is my dear friend Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, and their daughters Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary Bennet."

Mr. Bennet bowed, and the ladies all curtsied.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I have two others, but they are already dancing!" Mrs. Bennet crooned.

"The pleasure is ours," Charles said, staring at the eldest Miss Bennet. "I am Mr. Bingley. These are my friends, Mr. Darcy," Darcy bowed his head. "And Lord Richard Fitzwilliam."

Richard bowed deeply.

"Miss Bennet," Charles said, walking over to Jane. "May I have the honor of your hand for the next dance."

Miss Bennet smiled and nodded, and Charles led her to the end of the floor.

Darcy opened his mouth to ask Elizabeth, but Richard beat him to it. "Miss Elizabeth?" Richard said. "Shall we?" Elizabeth smiled and gave him her arm, as they followed Charles.

Miss Mary looked down at her feet, obviously expecting not to be asked, and embarrassed.

"Miss Mary?" Darcy was surprised at the tenderness in his voice. Mary was probably Georgiana's age, and had just about as much confidence. "May I have the honor of the next dance?"

Mary looked up, astonished, and allowed her to lead him next to her sister.

Elizabeth looked over, surprise evident in her eyes, and was he mistaken? Or was there something in her gaze...had he impressed her? He skirted his gaze away before she thought that was his intention.

"You didn't have to ask me," Miss Mary said as the dance began. Her voice was quiet and unsure. "I mean...thank you, for the honor. But you didn't have to ask me...out of pity."

"Out of pity?" Darcy felt sorry for the girl, but she didn't need to know that. "I was going to ask you from the beginning."

Mary looked at him, surprised, and he lead her gracefully so she didn't miss the steps.

"Between you and me," he said, voice lowering, "I hate dancing. But you looked like a good conversationalist. I wanted to talk to you."

Mary allowed him a small smile. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. But I'm not, really."

"What do you like to do?" Darcy asked her gently. "That always makes for good dancing conversation. No silly small talk."

"Well...I like to play the pianoforte and read Fordyce's sermons."

"Ah," Darcy said, smiling friendlily. "Forgive me, for I am not well acquainted with Sermons for Young Women. But, my sister loves to play piano forte as well. What are your favorite pieces?"

And so it went, and before long, Darcy had made a new friend.

Darcy intended on thanking Miss Mary Bennet for the wonderful dance, and walking her back to her father, just as Richard would do with Elizabeth. This would be the perfect opportunity to ask Miss Elizabeth for her hand in the next dance, but things did not go as planned when he heard Richard ask Elizabeth to dance again. And again.

After the first dance, Darcy said,

"Miss Mary, would you like to dance again." Then, lowering his voice, "I won't be offended if you say no."

Mary surprised him, and laughed. "The question is not whether or not I want to dance with you, Mr. Darcy. The question is, is it really worth it for both of us to be harassed by my mama because of one set."

Darcy laughed, and said, "Should I take you back to your father?"

"Yes," Mary said, curtsying. "Thank you for the wonderful dance."

"Thank you, Miss Mary," Darcy said, escorting her back to the front of the room. "That was the best dance I've had in a while."

Mary beamed at him as she went back to her father.


Elizabeth could not believe her ears.

"The question is not whether or not I want to dance with you, Mr. Darcy. The question is, is it really worth it for both of us to be harassed by my mama because of one set." Mary, teasing someone?!

Could one dance really boost your confidence that much?

Then again, from what Elizabeth had heard, Darcy talked to Mary about their favorite piano pieces...a subject Mary could talk about for days. Darcy had been kind and encouraged her.

What a gentleman.

"Are you distracted, Miss Elizabeth?" Lord Fitzwilliam said as their second set together began.

"No," Elizabeth said smiling. "I am just happy for my sister, Mary. She is hardly ever asked to dance. It was awfully kind of your friend, Mr. Darcy, to ask her."

Lord Fitzwilliam smiled. "I think she reminds him of his younger sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy."

"Is she traveling with you to Hertfordshire?"

"No," Fitzwilliam said. "She is staying at Pemberley, their home in Derbyshire."

"Oh," Elizabeth said. "I have heard the country is beautiful there,"

"It is the most gorgeous place in the world," Fitzwilliam said. "But I, of course, am biased, for I grew up there. However, if it is any consolation, Hertfordshire is almost as beautiful. Beautiful people, here, too,"

Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm, and, for once, was at a loss for words.

"May I ask," Fitzwilliam said, pulling her closer to him as they danced. "What was the joke?"

"The joke, my Lord?"

"That had you laughing so enchantingly when we came in," Richard said. "I do hope I am not taking you away from your betrothed..."

"Oh, no! Tom is...Tom is a dear old friend. We were childhood playmates. He is practically a member of the family. He was telling me about his troublesome kitten."

"Must be a devil," Fitzwilliam chuckled. "If it made you laugh so hysterically."

"You will find, my Lord, it does not take much to make me laugh."

"I'll keep that in mind," Fitzwilliam said. "And please, don't bother with this 'my lord' business. Please, if you're comfortable, call me Col. Fitzwilliam. Or Richard. Anything but Lord Fitzwilliam. That was my brother."

"Col. Fitzwilliam?" Elizabeth asked, puzzled.

"I was not born the Earl of Matlock, my dear Miss Elizabeth. I was the Duke's second son, and to make a living for myself, I enlisted. Then my brother, his wife, and his son were killed in a carriage accident last year."

Elizabeth gasped. "I am terribly sorry, it is terrible to lose a loved one."

Richard laughed humorlessly. "My brother was terrible to me. I would not call him or his wife a loved one. But his son..."

"I miss my nephew everyday,"

Elizabeth placed her hand on his cheek.

"But, yes, I am still, technically, a Colonel." His boyish smile returned, and the light came back into his eyes.

"Will you be called into war?" Elizabeth teased.

"Only if the country is in really bad shape."

Elizabeth laughed, almost as hard as she did with Tom.

Darcy watched from the side of the room, his heart constricting painfully as he watched her. He longed to make her laugh that hard, and feel her hand on his skin.

He wanted to feel her again. The touch of her skin to his made him feel alive. Watching her dancing all night with Richard made him feel like he was about to vomit.

For Elizabeth, the night passed quickly. Dancing with Col. Fitzwilliam was wonderful...she felt as if after one night they had been friends for years, and his smile made her heart flutter.

Jane kept looking furtively over at her, and then quickly glancing at Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy...whose eyes haunted her from across the room. Who she could feel watching her as she danced, even as he made polite conversation with the gentleman and with her father. She smiled when she saw the look on her father's face. They must have been talking of books.

"My dear, Miss Elizabeth," Lord Fitzwilliam said after the final dance. "You are the best dance partner I have had in ages!"

Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm and she smiled unknowingly. "The pleasure was mine, Lord...Col. Fitzwilliam," she said. "Believe me, gentlemen like you do not often come to Hertfordshire."

"Men like me?" Fitzwilliam asked cheekily. "You mean rich and eligible."

Elizabeth's eyes twinkled at his teasing. "You know perfectly well that is not what I meant. But my fine mama is grateful for those characteristics. Please be careful to avoid her, she will ensnare you in her matchmaking."

"And you would loathe to be betrothed to me, I'm sure,"

"Naturally," Elizabeth said jokingly. "You are far too rich and handsome for a simple country maid like me."

"I do believe it is the other way around, madam," Fitzwilliam said. "You are too beautiful and intelligent for a wealthy cod like me."

Elizabeth blushed deeply but would not be outdone. "That is true, as well," she said.

Fitzwilliam chuckled.

He lead her back to her father, who was still talking to Mr. Darcy.

Their conversation was interrupted when Elizabeth and Richard stepped into the circle.

"Ah, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said, bowing his head. "Your father tells me that you love poetry."

Elizabeth giggled, and choked back a deep belly laugh, one that would have her laughing harder than any cat or colonel. "Lord Byron is my favorite," she said sweetly. "Are you a fan of poetry, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy nodded. "Not as much as my mother, unfortunately."

Richard smiled. "What was that poem she always used to read to us as boys, Darcy? It was her favorite! How did it go...there's music...oh, come on, Darce, help me out!"

"There's music in the sighing of a reed; There's music in the gushing of a rill; There's music in all things, if men had ears; The earth is but the music of the spheres," Darcy said quietly. Elizabeth gasped.

"Between two worlds life hovers like a star,
'Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge.
How little do we know that which we are!
How less what we may be! The eternal surge
Of time and tide rolls on, and bears afar
Our bubbles; as the old burst, new emerge,
Lash'd from the foam of ages; while the graves
Of empires heave but like some passing waves."

Mr. Bennet recited. "That's the end of that same poem," he said. "It is a long, beautiful,"

"Haunting," Mr. Darcy interjected.

"Yes, haunting," Mr. Bennet continued. "I would know. Lizzy had me read it to her every night before she would go to bed. What would you say, my dear?" He turned to his daughter.

"Read the magic poem, Daddy," Elizabeth said, blushing. "I have the best dreams when you read the magic poem."

"Haunting, indeed," Mr. Darcy said. "Maybe I should rethink my nighttime reading."

Elizabeth hid her smile behind her hand, but Darcy knew that he had outdone both Richard and the blond, for neither of them had made Elizabeth smile so beautifully.

Soon, Charles had walked Jane over to where Mr. Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and Lord Fitzwilliam were waiting with Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet, and the rest of the Bennet daughters.

"We'll walk you out to your carriage," Charles said, smile broad.

The walk was quick, but before they entered their carriage, Richard pulled Elizabeth over to the side.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" He asked roughly, softly, too close to her ear. His touch was too much, his eyes were too blue, Elizabeth was lost in them. "Of course," she said, just as soft. "I'll be at Longbourn."


The carriage ride was long back to Longbourn, at least for Elizabeth.

"Oh, my dear daughters, there is hope for you yet!" Mrs. Bennet droned, in raptures about how excellent the night had gone. "My dear Jane, dancing all night with that delightful Mr. Bingley! Oh, my favorite, my dear, dear daughter! You shall be married before the spring, I am sure of it, the way he looks at you! Oh, you will be so close you home! So close, my perfect daughter, so we will not be tossed into the hedgerows! My dear, sweet girl!"

Elizabeth's eyes threatened to roll up into her head.

"And my Lizzy! We have found a man for you after all! All these years you had me worried about your sharp tongue, but my dear child, you have caught the eye of an Earl! Think of the fine carriages! Think of the balls! You can invite your sisters to your home for the season, and they will find good, rich, husbands! Oh, I could not be more thrilled."

"My daughters! My daughters! We are saved! I knew you could not be so pretty for nothing!"

"It was a dance, Mama!" Elizabeth said, after five more minutes of her mother continuing in this vein. "They didn't propose."

"Don't you think I know how these things work?" Mrs. Bennet asked, before continuing to speak of her fine daughters and their excellent prospects, speaking loudly until she fell into bed, asleep.

Elizabeth sighed heavily as she and Jane entered their room, closing their door to the sound of their rapturing mama. "You'd think," Elizabeth said as she let her hair down and changed into her nightclothes. "You'd think that we had just gotten married, the way she goes on."

"To mama, a dance is a proposal," Jane said patiently. "You know how many men she would have married me off to, simply because they asked for one dance. You danced with an Earl for five sets, I'm surprised she hasn't called into town to get you fitted for a wedding dress!"

"Do you really think he likes me?" Elizabeth said, smiling shyly.

"Lizzy," Jane said, rolling her eyes. "If he didn't, why would he dance with you all night long? There were plenty of other women without partners. Plus, don't think I didn't see him whisk you into the shadows before we got into the carriage."

"He was just asking if he could see me tomorrow," Elizabeth said softly. "Don't make it anymore romantic than it is!"

"Like that's not romantic!" Jane teased, ducking as Elizabeth threw a pillow at her. The girls laughed heartily. "It's almost as romantic as him asking you to dance FIVE TIMES IN A ROW!" Jane said in a singsong voice before they dissolved into giggles again.


"Five dances, Richard?" Darcy said as he poured himself and his friends a hefty glass of port. "All the mamas in town will think you are on her way to propose in the morning. What were you thinking?"

"Oh, Darce, don't patronize me," Richard said, chuckling. "What was I thinking? I was thinking Elizabeth is the most delightful creature I have ever met. And that includes you," Richard said, blowing kisses to Darcy. "But don't get jealous, baby," he said. "You're still my favorite."

Darcy rolled his eyes as Charles laughed uproariously.

"Besides," Richard said with a smile, taking a drink. "I was not the only one with eyes for only one woman, tonight," He toasted Bingley and took another gulp.

Bingley immediately sobered. "She's an angel," he said, deadpan. "An angel straight from heaven."

He had a dazed look about him that made Darcy and Richard exchange looks and chuckle.

"You are always falling in love on me, Charles," Darcy said.

"She's different. Jane Bennet is...perfection."

"Why don't you scold him, eh?" Richard asked Darcy.

Because I don't have feelings for Jane. "Because one day Charles is going to settle down with a perfect girl and have cute babies with ridiculously red hair," Darcy said. "I'm worried you are going to get married, be happy for a month, and then get bored."

"Not with Elizabeth," Richard said wistfully. "She keeps me on my toes, Darce. I've never met a funnier woman. Or a prettier one. Those eyes."

Darcy, who had been pierced by her eyes as well, kept quiet, as Charles went on a rant about how Jane Bingley was the epitome of perfection.


"He's just..." Jane said, as they lie in bed trading secrets and feelings. "Mr. Bingley is everything a young man ought to be."

Jane's eyes shone as she thought about the young gentleman.

"Handsome, conveniently rich, and fond of dancing?" Elizabeth teased, smiling widely.

"He is intelligent, good-mannered!" Jane protested.

"Don't worry Jane, I give you leave to like him. And he must like you a great deal to dance with you for THREE sets. He only danced with Miss Charlotte Lucas once, and the whole time not taking his eyes off of my dearest Jane. Oh, I knew she could not be so beautiful for nothing!" Elizabeth crooned in her best impersonation of Mrs. Bennet.

Jane dissolved into a fit of giggles. "But that was only the start of it!" Jane said when she had recovered. "I do not envy you, Lizzy, for she would not stop going on about how much money you will have! She is absolutely thrilled you found Lord Fitzwilliam, and that he likes you enough to dance five sets!"

"Oh, can we please get over that?" Lizzy asked, laughing. "Honestly, it was not that big of a deal."

Jane laughed again. "Oh, Lizzy. But what of Mr. Darcy?"

"What of him?" Elizabeth asked, feigning indifference.

"Don't look at me like that!" Jane said. "I saw how you were looking at him when Sir Lucas was introducing us, and how he was looking at you!"

"Jane, what do you want me to say?" Elizabeth said, falling back into the covers. "If he liked me, like I thought he did, he would have asked me to dance."

"Maybe not," Jane said. "If I asked a girl to dance that you wanted to dance with, would you interrupt us when it looked like we were having a wonderful time? Or would you stand by and wait, because if you really liked the girl, you would want her to have a good time, no matter who it was with."

"That situation is entirely illegitimate!" Elizabeth said, giggling. "Because we are not gentleman!"

Jane laughed along with her. "But don't you see my point?"

"No," said Elizabeth. "There were plenty of moments when I thought he was going to come over and ask, it would have been appropriate, and we locked eyes, and everything, but he wouldn't walk over. He doesn't like me!"

"That's not what I'm asking you, Lizzy," Jane said softly. "I'm asking if you like him."

Elizabeth was quiet for a while. "He quoted Lord Byron to me as we walked home. He quoted Lord Byron and he kissed my hand and I misinterpreted it. But Col...Lord Fitzwilliam, he made me laugh. He's kind, and he has gorgeous blue eyes. And he asked me to dance. He wanted to spend the evening with me. He likes me. He wants to see me tomorrow. He is the gentleman I like."

"What about when he asked Mary to dance?"

"That was sweet of him," Elizabeth said. "But it has nothing to do with me."

"I like Mr. Bingley," Jane said softly, as if she were admitting it to herself for the first time. "Do you think he likes me, Lizzy? You are better at reading him than I am."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Lizzy said. "But I'm positive he's in love with you, even if he doesn't know it yet."

"Do you really think so?"

"Oh, Jane," Elizabeth said as she blew out the candle illuminating her room. "He looks at you like you're an angel."

She could hear Jane's smile. "Goodnight, Lizzy,"

"Goodnight, my dear Jane."


"Well...goodnight, gentlemen," Darcy said, standing up. "We are going to visit the Bennets in the morning?"

Charles and Richard gave their consent.

"Alright. See you all in the morning."

Darcy went up to bed then, and for the first time in his life, he had a dream.

All night long, he dreamt about a woman with dazzling eyes and beautiful smile that kept reciting poetry to him while stroking his hair, like his mother used to.