A/N: Secretsinger has given me permission to post the first chapters s/he wrote. They were edited by my lovely beta, Harriate Slate.
Chapter 1:
Elizabeth Bennett stood, facing Mr Collins, with an excessive amount of shock and anger; how could this man think that she would want to marry him. She wanted to escape, escape her mind and her heart; the only man she had ever hated this much was Mr Darcy. Just at the same moment she thought the words in her head Mr Darcy burst through the door.
"Miss Bennett, I must speak with you." He said then looking around the room only to set his eyes on Mr Collins. "I am truly sorry; I did not realise you had company." He turned to walk out of the room.
"Wait Mr Darcy, I will speak with you, shall we go for a walk?" He nodded, and right now Elizabeth Bennett had never been happier to see Mr Darcy in her entire life. Elizabeth turned to Mr Collins.
"Mr Collins, I have an answer to your question; I am sorry but I must decline." Elizabeth raced out of the room as she spoke the words, putting on her garments readying herself for the walk.
As the two walked down the lane, not speaking and every now and then looking at one another; Elizabeth, who would normally be uncomfortable in such a situation, was finding it rather relaxing.
"Miss Bennett, I hope you do not think me rude to ask but you seemed a little bit distraught when I walked into the room. I was just wondering why that is." It came as a shock to hear a voice suddenly and at first Elizabeth did not know how to answer; she could barely speak.
"I do not mind Mr Darcy; in fact it may help me to speak aloud. The reason for my actions was that Mr Collins had asked me for my hand, I said no as you heard. I am actually glad to be on this walk with you, you have saved me from a horrible fate." Mr Darcy smiled slightly.
"I am glad I could be of service ma'am, although I think that you fate will still be there when you arrive home."
"Yes, I dare say you are right, and usually I am not one to run, but my mother is scary sir, when she wants be. I forgot to ask, Mr Darcy, what is it that you were doing at Longbourne?"
"My reason can be forgotten at the moment, I dare say they will shock you when you find out though." He said with a smile in his voice, Elizabeth had never seen Mr Darcy like this before; he seemed relaxed and kind maybe he was not so proud as Elizabeth had thought, he did of course save her today.
"Mr Darcy as much as I'm enjoying this walk, I fear I have to go and face the wrath of what lies ahead." In truth Elizabeth did not want to leave. There was a feeling in her that was unknown, it wasn't hatred or disgust; in fact she was inclined to think it was love, or at the very least a strong liking. What came as most shocking news was that these feelings were felt towards Mr Darcy! As she spoke the words she did not want to say Mr Darcy's face fell, but the smile that had lit up his face only a minute ago was gone.
"Let me escort you back, Miss Bennett." Holding an arm out, an arm which Elizabeth gladly took, and for that instance it felt right.
As for Mrs Bennett, her nerves were all a flutter; she was quite vexed indeed, how could Lizzy refuse Mr Collins?
"Oh Mr Bennett, where could she be? I must speak with her; oh my poor nerves she has no compassion for my nerves." Mr Bennett was indeed wondering where his favourite daughter was, when Lydia and Kitty walked into the room with red faces from what was assumed too much laughing.
"Mama, papa you will never guess who is accompanying Lizzy right now, for he has walked through the door this instant with Elizabeth on his arm." Lydia said with quite an amused look on her face.
"Well my dear tell me who it is, for it may save her from a strong tongue lashing." It was Kitty's time to speak now.
"The man is Mr Darcy, mama." To say Mrs Bennett was shocked would be a misuse of words; but as to Mr Bennett, he was not quite as shocked, for Mr Darcy had talked to him this morning to ask him permission to marry Lizzy, although he did not say this out loud to the family.
"Mr Darcy, who would have thought it! Well, I shall go out and greet our guest." Mrs Bennett said; completely forgetting about earlier this morning.
Mr Darcy walked inside with Elizabeth on his arm and a slight smile on his face, he came today to ask Elizabeth to marry him and yet his path took a different turn when he found Mr Collins asking her the same thing, that vile creature had no right to take his Lizzy away from him. Saving her from a fate that was worse than death was as satisfying as actually asking for her hand. As Mr and Mrs Bennett walked into the room Mr Darcy looked at Mr Bennett and slightly shook his head, telling him that he had not asked her as yet.
"My dear Elizabeth; where have you been?"
"I went for a walk with Mr Darcy, mamma." Elizabeth replied sounding cautious. Mrs Bennett, as if just noticing Mr Darcy, smiled slightly.
"Mr Darcy, thank you for returning our Lizzy safely." Mr Darcy had decided to be civil to Mrs Bennett as it may have some affect on how Elizabeth responded to his feelings toward her.
"My pleasure Mrs Bennett, now as much as I would love to stay and chat a little more I must be leaving as I promised Bingley that I would go riding with him. Miss Bennett, it was a pleasure walking with you today; would you be able to consider walking with me again tomorrow?" He hoped that she would say yes. If she did, he could bring Bingley, and maybe somehow persuade him to ask for Miss Jane Bennett's hand.
"I would love to Mr Darcy, shall we say the same time as this morning." Nodding his head like a love sick fool, he bade his farewells, mounted his horse and rode off to Netherfield.
Elizabeth watched Mr Darcy as he left, wishing he could have stayed that little bit longer. When he let go of her arm she felt a little bit lonelier, Elizabeth couldn't believe how fast her feelings came to her, perhaps they were always there just buried away by pride. All Elizabeth knew was that she couldn't wait until tomorrow.
"Jane! Jane, where are you?" She needed to go to Netherfield right now! She did not care if they weren't back from their ride, she would wait as long as it took. Jane came into the room with a worried look on her face.
"What is it Lizzy, are you ill?"
"No I am not ill Jane, but I want to go to Netherfield, just you and I walking together." After some persuading, Jane agreed to accompany Lizzy to Netherfield. On their walk, Elizabeth told Jane of her feelings; Jane was surprised but of course was happy for her sister. She was even more proud of her sister because after Mr Collins' attempt to propose to her he left to dine at Lucas lodge. Once they arrived at Netherfield they were greeted by Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley.
"Look dear sister it is the Miss Bennett's, to what do we owe this wonderful surprise?" Miss Bingley said obviously not wanting Elizabeth and her 'fine eyes' anywhere near Darcy.
"Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, we are sorry for the abrupt visit, but Elizabeth just wanted to come to Netherfield." Elizabeth could not see Mr Darcy anywhere in the perimeter; maybe he wasn't back from his ride yet, or maybe he was inside.
"We were escaping into the lovely day and away from the men of the house, my brother and Mr Darcy are in the library and Mr Hurst has gone into to town on some business." Elizabeth's eyes brightened as she heard that Mr Darcy was inside. She did not realise that the Bingley sisters had taken Jane on their walk. She started to walk in the direction of the Library excited to see Darcy again, although having to compose herself for she knew Mr Bingley was in the same room. As she was about to knock on the door it opened revealing Mr Bingley with a silly grin on his face.
"Miss Bennett, what a lovely surprise, tell me did you walk here by yourself again." Elizabeth chuckled
"No sir, I actually came here with Jane, but I am afraid you sisters have taken her." His eyes lit up when he realised Jane was on the same premises as he was.
"Well then I shall go rescue her, feel free to enjoy the library. You and Mr Darcy may enjoy some tranquillity and peace." Mr Bingley excused himself and Elizabeth stepped into the library; seeing Mr Darcy, she curtsied and smiled, giving him a warm greeting.
"Miss Bennett, how are you?"
"Very well thank you sir, and yourself?" He nodded giving her confirmation he was well. "Mr Darcy, I must speak with you, and you may think me very unladylike and rude but at the moment I am not vexed by it." Mr Darcy stood very still, waiting for what she had to say. "I… I think… I think I love you." Mr Darcy was shocked, he had not realised Elizabeth felt the same, why Elizabeth had not known until this morning.
"Miss Bennett, you have surprised me greatly and you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. It was the reason I came this morning. To ask for you hand, and then Mr Collins was doing the same thing and I thought I would save you." Elizabeth was laughing in spite of herself and without thinking she threw herself into Darcy's waiting arms. She felt safe, secure and whole when she was in his arms; she knew that this is where she always wanted to be. "Miss Elizabeth Bennett, will you do me the greatest honour and make me the happiest man alive, and consent to be my wife." She looked up at him, into those piercing blue eyes, the eyes that at this moment were so soft and full of love.
"Yes, of course I will." Just as they were about to kiss they heard foot steps coming close and quickly broke apart, Mr Darcy picking up a book and Elizabeth doing the same. They sat down just as Jane and Bingley came bursting through the door with the biggest smiles on their faces.
"My dear Lizzy, you will never guess what just happened; it has possibly made me the happiest person in the whole world." She looked up at her sister and knew exactly what it was, Mr Bingley had proposed to her. Elizabeth smiled at her and then looked at Bingley, who was talking to Darcy, just that little bit quieter than Jane was talking to Elizabeth; Darcy looked over and caught her eyes, they exchanged a look that said they would not be sharing their news today.
"Let me guess, Mr Bingley has asked for you had in marriage." Jane started nodding looking as if she was about to burst with so much happiness. "Well Mr Bingley, I hear I am to congratulate you on your up coming wedding." Elizabeth said slyly, making Mr Bingley blush a crimson red. Jane and Bingley got to talking, holding hands and looking at each other with love that looked like it would last forever.
"Miss Bennett, would you like to go for a walk on the grounds with me." Mr Darcy asked.
"I would love to." She said taking his arm for the second time today.
Elizabeth and Darcy walked the grounds of Netherfield speaking to each other about anything that came to their heads.
"Mr Darcy, when are you going back to Pemberley?"
"I am not sure, I hadn't really thought about it; I do miss my sister. Maybe when I decide to go you can come with me, with a sister of course. I am sure Georgiana would love to meet you; can I ask something of you? Please do not call me Mr Darcy. Of course, in public eye, yes; but when we are alone can you call me Fitzwilliam or William?"
"How about I call you Fitzwilliam when I am mad at something and William just for everyday. Of course, then you will have to call me Lizzy."
"I think it is a wonderful idea Mrs Darcy." Elizabeth chuckled when he said her future title; she loved the sound of it.
"I love you Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I am not mad that time." He chuckled and at that moment she knew the words were the uttermost truth.
"I love you more than you can imagine Mrs Darcy." Darcy pulled her into his strong hold once more and once again she felt content.