Author's Notes: I've had this chapter written since three weeks or so but I didn't have the time to sit down and type it up. My exams ended on the 11th and I've been partying. :D I've been feeling so utterly bored since the last three hours and just now I realised that I could've typed this thing up. –headdesk- Anyway, now I am typing it.

My lovely reviewers and all those people who favourited me or this story: thank you so much! :)

Disclaimer: I wish I owned the book just as Darcy wishes to meet his Princess. Fortunately for him, his wish will come true. Unfortunately for me, it's Jane Austen who gave birth to this and is the sole owner of the book, not me. Though I am glad that she shared the precious book with us.


Chapter 2 – Our Hero Talks

Mr Darcy's driver stood outside, standing next to the sleek black BMW. It was a beauty, Stevens thought with reverence. A beauty his employer didn't look twice at. He only ever purchased it because he needed a car and the BMW was both spacey and unostentatious.

He looked up as he heard sound of feet. The feet which were so precious as they belonged to a billionaire who was the sole reason why thousands of families had the basic necessities in this time of recession. Stevens immediately straightened as he saw Mr Darcy approach nearer. A quick glance at his watch told him it was 12:15 pm on the dot. Mr Darcy was never later and never early. He was always there exactly on time.

Stevens opened the left side of the back door of the car, greeting his employer with a 'Good afternoon, Mr Darcy'. The man returned back in kind and slid into the car, shutting it himself. Stevens walked in front to the driver seat and started the engine. He already knew where he had to drive to. Mr Darcy gave him a sheet of paper every morning which listed the places they had to visit and at what time. They went to all of them. There were never any last minute cancellations or additions. Mr Darcy always had everything planned out from before. No surprises, no impulsiveness. And right now, they were to go to the Darcy townhouse.

There was no small talk on the way. There never was. Mr Darcy was polite but that was it. He didn't realize that Stevens wanted—no—needed to talk to someone. The whole day he was the disposal of Mr Darcy who scarcely dropped a word from his mouth other than the usual greetings and thanks. He could have talked to the guards but he knew that it wasn't right, so instead he just sat in the car listening to the radio. Stevens thrived on Sundays when he could stay in the servant quarters talking with whomever and enjoying the hot meals cooked by Mrs Reynolds. Mr Darcy rarely worked on Sundays. It was a rule with him. Sunday was family time and it was only ever disrupted if there was some extremely important business meeting which couldn't be rescheduled and really needed Mr Darcy's presence.

Stevens continued driving, aware that chances were that his employer was busy with his BlackBerry. He wondered what Mr Darcy would do if this device didn't exist. He knew the man had never thought about that. It worked and it helped him with his business. It did exist so it wasn't any use worrying when everything was fine. Mr Darcy was always practical.

Five minutes later, Stevens stopped his thoughts as he pulled up the car in front of the Darcy townhouse.

0o0o0

Wilhelm walked up the stairs towards Gia's room eager to see her. The door was open and he could hear laughter from the inside. He peeped in the room and saw his sister and another girl, who, he thought, was probably Gia's friend, dancing together whilst a song he didn't recognize played on the laptop.

They were having fun, he could see. He stood on the doorway, arms folded, a grin growing on his face. He had a sudden urge of joining the two but he hurriedly squashed it. He wasn't introduced to the girl and it could get awkward. As it was, he wasn't in the habit of dancing with strangers nor was he the habit of giving into sudden whims.

He started clapping as the song ended and the girls came to a standstill. Both were surprised but then the girl looked at him and laughed. His sister blushed but then shook her head and walked forwards to hug him.

'Wilhelm!' She took his hand and brought his forward, making the introductions.

'Kate, Wilhelm, my brother. Will, this is Kate, my best friend. I told you about her last night.'

Before Wilhelm could say 'nice to meet you' or something similarly polite, Kate shook his hand and then turning to her friend said: 'Wow, Gia, your brother's smoking hot.'

The 'smoking hot' brother heard her though Kate's voice had been low. He shifted uncomfortably, not expecting the remark about his looks. The next second Kate looked at him and grinned.

'I guess you heard me, so I'll tell you straight on to your face. You're very handsome.'

Wilhelm had only just been relieved that she had at least called him 'handsome' and not 'smoking hot' on his face when she continued. 'And you can get that frown off your face. I'm just stating the obvious, not hitting on you, so you needn't worry.' She smiled as Wilhelm's eyes widened slightly with shock but he recovered in record time.

'Kate, nice to meet you. And thank you for the compliment. Good to know that you won't throw yourself at me. I find it highly disgusting behavior,' Wilhelm replied thinking he should give a veiled warning just in case.

'Warning's appreciated though not needed, you will be glad to know.' Kate winked. 'I don't blame you though; it must be a bore getting any woman you want. I know I would prefer a challenge.'

Wilhelm couldn't help it. He had to laugh. 'You're right,' he said and turned to Gia who was looking partly bewildered and partly amused watching the exchange. 'I can see now what happened, and I'm glad it did.' He kissed Gia's forehead and then said, addressing the two: 'Okay, ladies, I'm going to go get rid of the coat and tie, then we'll meet for lunch in ten minutes, all right?' he smiled and left.

'Wow, Gia. Your brother is bossy,' Kate commented whilst admiring said man's retreating figure.

'Maybe to you he is but he always says things which are right, so, of course, he doesn't expect anyone to argue. And he was right this time too, it is lunch time. Let's go downstairs to eat. Mrs Reynolds makes amazing meatloaf,' Gia explained, straightening her clothes and hair.

'Mrs Reynolds makes amazing everything,' Kate replied as they left the room together, laughing.

0o0o0

'Delicious food as always, Mrs Reynolds,' Wilhelm said after they were finished.

'I'm glad you liked it,' the woman replied as she moved around collecting the dirty plates. 'Would you like me to set the dessert right now or shall I send it to the sitting room after some time?'

'I am stuffed, Mrs Reynolds. But I can't miss the opportunity of eating dessert made by you. Send it upstairs later?' Kate said and then turned to Wilhelm. 'If you don't mind.'

Wilhelm nodded. 'No, it's okay.' He smiled at the housekeeper. 'Could you please sent it to us in half an hour or so?'

Mrs Reynolds nodded and her employer thanked her.

Wilhelm and Kate then left the room, Gia lingering behind for an extra minute as she asked Mrs Reynolds if she needed any help. The answer was a negative one as always though it gladdened the old woman's heart that the girl even bothered to ask.

Gia exited the room as well, following her brother and friend to the sitting room. She settled herself down on a comfortable couch, glad that her brother approved of Kate. She was unusual, yes, but she was Gia's best friend.

'I didn't see you yesterday at the gathering. Were you there?' Wilhelm asked Kate wondering why he had never seen her around when she was his only sister's 'best friend'.

'I was there, and I saw how much you were enjoying yourself,' Kate replied mischievously. 'You probably never paid me attention because I wasn't swooning at your feet like that blonde,' she teased.

'Which blonde? There were so many,' Wilhelm quipped, pokerface.

Kate started laughing. 'Oooh. Nice. Gia, your brother jokes!'

Gia sent her friend a mock glare though she was amused herself.

'If you acted more like this last night, I must just have been following you around too,' Kate said hald seriously.

'That's the whole point,' Wilhelm replied laconically.

'He likes to intimidate women to keep them off his back,' Gia explained. 'It works on half of them, the other half, well,' she gestured lamely. 'You saw them last night.'

'It's our circle, Gia. They are taught to act like that. They can't help it.' Kate shrugged and then let out a squeal. 'Oooh, Mrs Reynolds! That looks mouth watering. Gia, I'm going to steal your housekeeper or move in your house forever.'

Mrs Reynolds smiled and handed around the plates of chocolate mousse and then she faced the Darcys and said: 'the staff and I would like to thank you for the cake. They say they are always delighted to serve you no matter what the time.'

'You're welcome, Mrs Reynolds, and so is the staff,' Gia said, smiling. 'It was a pleasure baking it for you all. I'm glad Will suggested it last night.'

Wilhelm smiled and nodded his head, pleased that he had thought of the staff the previous night. They had returned from his birthday party later and slept even later. The whole time half of the household had been up with them as the Darcys, Charlie and Richard celebrated at home.


Chapter End Notes: I'm not all hot about this chapter, maybe I'll edit it later because if I start working over this AGAIN, I'll probably muck everything up and abandon this fic. Anyway, next chapter will be the birthday flashback, half of it will be from the one shot posted before, so this shouldn't take much time, hopefully.

Also. I'm still in need of a beta, guys. Anyone who can point out the Americanisms or Briticisms and general grammar, etc.

Lastly: review! :D

-Afifa