Author's Note: Thank you so much to everyone for their encouraging feedback, I really enjoyed reading it. Hope you enjoy this chapter as much.

Chapter 2

My first impulse was to run, but I was frozen to the spot, unable to move an inch. I could feel my face quickly flushing bright vivid red, as my gaze continued on him. His stare remained steadfastly fixed on me. My only consolation was that he was blushing too. He was the first to recover, "Miss Bennet." His voice shook ever so slightly and he managed to bow, breaking the uncomfortable eye contact.

"Mr Darcy." I returned dropping a slight curtsey, whilst twisting my hands uncomfortably. "I… I did not realise, sir." I succeeded in muttering out incoherently.

"Oh are you two acquainted?" The woman interrupted excitedly.

"Why in some respect yes. Let me introduce you, Miss Bennet, my erm… Lady Arabella Darcy. Madam, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the children's new governess." As he said these words his voice got lower and lower. The usual pleasantries were exchanged by her and perhaps I returned them as civilly as I could, for truly I was so embarrassed that I could not remember.

The next thing I knew I had bolted out of the room and up the stair case, back to my rooms. Once there I began impetuously dragging out my trunks and flinging my belongings into them haphazardly. The only coherent though was that I must leave, immediately, without fail. I could not bear to be in this situation, in front of that man! It was just too mortifying. The only viable option was that I leave – for I too have my pride and to be in the employ of my spurned suitor was more than I could possibly bear. I could not leave with my head held high. To remain here in this house, in his presence everyday with him gazing at me! Mocking me! It was just more than I could live with. There was a timid tapping on my door and I recklessly bid entry, "Miss…Miss Bennet, Master Darcy would like to see you in his study, if you please ma'am." And quickly she ducked her head out of the door, clearly shocked by my wild behaviour, for she must have observed the state of my room. She awaited me outside, for quite some while, for I needed to calm down before I could possibly face him, have a conversation with him. Impossible!

He angrily bid us entry to his study and I found him with his back to the room, staring out the window. A stance I was well familiar with. I had seen him thus on many occasions, and always when he was discomposed, he would glare out of the window until his temper had subsided. I stood and waited for his discomposure to pass, he was silent and so was I. While waiting I wondered what he was thinking, and which of the two of us was more mortified by our present situation. "Miss Bennet." He began in his usual stern manner, "Perhaps you would like to explain to me how it is that you came to be on my payroll?"

"I am truly very sorry sir, you… you must believe me that I was unaware that… you see I thought… that is to say… I did not realise… my apologies sir." Oh, how was it he always succeeded in vexing and agitating me so.

"Miss Bennet, your apologies are not needed, nor were they requested, I would like an explanation and I am accustomed to receiving what I demand."

"I thought, sir, the Sutton children they are not yours." Was my ridiculously stupid reply.

"Indeed, I am a perfectly certain the last time we met I did not have any children ma'am, your intelligence continues to astound me!" He replied icily, I rose from my chair, after everything I had said to him in the past he still continued to treat me like…like a speck of dirt. "Sit down Miss Bennet, until this has been discussed you shall not leave this room, do you comprehend?"

"With all due respect sir, our notions of a 'discussion' seem to be operating on vastly different levels. I will not sit here to be talked down to by you again. I do not have to remain here and suffer under your scrutiny or opinions. This discussion, as you call it, is one we have covered before and I for one do not intend to repeat it."

"I believe Miss Bennet you have a job to do. I also believe that since you are now most decidedly my inferior it is not your place to continue to challenge me at every turn, you shall do as you are instructed."

"You are mistaken Mr Darcy, there is no reason for me to remain here, to live in such conditions, I shall leave immediately!" I declared irrationally.

He began pacing and I envisioned another scene, very similar to this one from a year and a half ago. He was stomping about the room in that infuriating manner after I had refused his paltry attempt at a proposal of marriage. I had not seen him since then, and I was thankful for it. But, now we were acting in exactly the same manner as always, it was insufferable and at the same time it was amusing. I laughed in fact I confess that I was close to hysterics. "Miss Bennet I fail to see what can possibly amuse you so much at this very moment, I believe I said once before that I disapprove of everything in life being rendered ridiculous at a joke."

I suppose he thought me to be laughing at him. I suppose in such a situation as he was in, he too was fairly mortified. I however, had no thought for him because I too was mortified beyond belief and if I did not laugh at the situation I would have been in tears and I was never going to cry in front of Mr Darcy. Besides what did I care for his opinion of me? I have never desired his good opinion. "I am…I am sorry sir." I managed to gasp, "It is just… well do you not find it slightly amusing."

"No Miss Bennet, I do not find your conjectures amusing in the least bit. And I would urge you to desist so we may continue our discussion in a sensible manner."

Looking up to face him, stifling a giggle I could perceive some pain in his eyes and thought again how my behaviour must appear. Cruel. That is the only word that fitted. In my opinion it seemed wisest to laugh at the situation. To him it more likely looked like the cruel sentiments of the scornful woman who had once refused him. He was a proud man, I should have known better than to laugh. Looking down at my hands and closing my eyes, I took a few calming breathes preparing to tell him my thoughts, "Sir, it is just that our 'discussion' is taking a similar bent to the last one we had and well I am certain it is not one either of us has particularly wanted to repeat. I was not laughing at you Mr Darcy."

He winced, perhaps that was not the best thing to say but it had to be said, "Miss Bennet, that… incident is not something I want discussed in this house ever and if you chose to remain here then perhaps you should abide to it."

"Yes sir."

"Now can we agree to remain cordial to one another or would you prefer to leave I can procure you another position if you desire."

I swallowed and scowled slightly, unsure how to respond, would he prefer me to be gone, I supposed he did, "I will defer to your wishes sir."

"If you agree to abide by certain rules then I am certain that we can inhabit the same house in an amicable fashion." He returned coldly.

Although angered that it should all fall upon my shoulders, and that once again the wretched man was acting haughtily believing himself above any sort of reformation I consented to his wishes. For to return to Gracechurch Street after only one day was a weak and needy action, and Mr Darcy was not going to scare me off that easily. It seemed some of my old pep was returning to me again. Thus I asked him what exactly my role would entail. He told me he wanted me to teach the children. The girls needed to learn music, geography, history, the modern languages, sowing, a little accounting, drawing if I could. I assured him I knew the basics and had some little sketches and imitations with me however; I certainly could not claim to be a proficient. In turn he assured me it was not necessary and a master would be hired for particular subject when my knowledge had been exhausted. Thomas needed to be taught the rudiments too all that was required there was to teach him to read, I was informed a tutor would be hired when the time came for his education to be broadened, in Greek, Latin and so forth. "I can read a little if you want me to show him the basics." He looked a little astonished by this, no doubt he was of the opinion that women did not need to know such things.

"You astonish me Miss Bennet, who could have taught you such a thing?"

"My father taught me, sir."

"Ah, I forgot you never had a governess, was your father trying to raise five independent young men." I bristled, was he trying to say something about my family's behaviour, undoubtedly for if I recall we were all uncivilised, uncultured savages. I opened my mouth to start another argument with him, fortunately, or maybe unfortunately there was a knock on the door interrupting us and omitting the butler entry to the study.

"Excuse me Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy has arrived just this minute."

"Thank you, Evans. Miss Bennet that shall do for now, the children's presence shall be required this evening after our dinner I should like you to join us." And with that he left, without giving me a chance to answer.

Since the children had been given a holiday I was left with the afternoon to myself and I had nothing to do. My belongings had all been arranged, I had written to Jane and the Gardiners the evening before to inform them of my safe arrival. The letter had been sent so I could not add what had transpired to it. Instead I decided to write to Kitty and her family; she knew something of the past level of my acquaintance with Mr Darcy and in some respects was more in my confidence now than Jane anyway, I had not wanted to burden her with my problems in the months she had been in London.

After that was completed I puzzled over what to do next, I did not want to disturb the rest of the family by using the library or the forcing my presence upon the children, since I was their governess I doubted that I was the person they most wanted to see on a holiday. Instead I set about working on lesson plans for the children. Thomas was easy, a hornbook and copybook or slate could be acquired somewhere in the house. I had gathered from Priscilla that she had had a governess before now but that although Roberta had learnt to read she had no other learning. I would start simply with her, and she was only six perhaps I would check her reading writing ability and then teach her to stitch and Priscilla I would set to work on a sampler. It was then I discovered that I did not have any samplers to show her so set about work on a new one. While working I ruminated on my current position again. Would I be able to tolerate living under the same roof as Mr Darcy everyday for an indefinitely long period of time? I supposed I would, doubting that we should come into daily contact anyway, Lady Arabella did not seem overly interested in her children and he was not their real father nor had he chosen to adopt them as his own. I would endure this for as long as I possibly could, determined not to be scared off by that man.

By mid afternoon, the sampler was half way to completed, the flowers, birds and curlicues at the top and running down the sides were finished, save a small section which I intended to demonstrate on as well as half the alphabet, all the upper case letters were stitched in and the lower case had not been started, for the same reason, the verse would be left until a later date as it still had to be selected. It was growing dark so it was laid aside till a candle was lighted or I would work on it during the evening.

My meal that evening was eaten in Mrs Turner's rooms along with Lady Arabella's maid Marie who spoke incredibly broken English and Mrs Chambers, who was the most abominably rude woman in the world! We were joined for coffee by the butler Mr Evans, the first footman, who everyone called James, but whose real name was Robert and Frasier, Mr Darcy's valet, apparently his steward was married and always ate with his family.

After returning to my rooms to dress for the evening in the drawing room, once again I puzzled over what to wear. My agonies were saved by a knock on the door and Elsie again made an appearance, thankfully. For an inexplicable reason tonight I wanted to look pretty and the colours presented to me all seemed so ugly, because they were a reminder of the ugly truth of my current situation, they were there to remind me that not only were my mother and father being mourned, but also Lydia. Mr Collins once wrote in a letter 'her death would have been a blessing in comparison.' Would it have been preferable to mourn Lydia if she had not died in disgrace? Was that an unkind thought?

Elsie selected a dress for me finally, it was an heliotrope batiste. The rich purple colour became me quite well it was trimmed with black and Elsie wove ribbons of both colours into my hair which she arranged in smooth ringlets. She chattered away quite happily for the greater part of this time, "An' you still haven't met all the girls yet, Miss Bennet, 'tis a shame you had to go to the Pugs Parlour to eat…." She abruptly trailed off blushing fiercely, almost the same shade as her hair. "Beg pardon ma'am." She muttered quietly.

"For what Elsie?"

"My tongue ma'am I'm sorry for bein' so impert'nent, Mrs Turner said I ought' be more careful." Sensing Elsie concern I sought to reassure her.

"Elsie, have no fear of me, I am just the same as you."

"But here you are dressed all fancy and ready-in' yourself to go down and sit with the family for the evenin' and here's me talkin' to you like a chambermaid."

"I am not really spending the evening with the family, I am watching the children. Mr Darcy certainly would not consider me as being in his company, he made that clear."

"Oh no ma'am I'm sure he didn't mean it, he's the kindest master that ever was seen, I declare!" Again her tongue began to get the better of her and she blushed at her forwardness. She couldn't speak again after that. It seemed Mr Darcy had an admirer! Because if not, there was no plausible explanation that she should think well of him; well in my opinion anyway.

The children had been allowed to stay up later that evening, instead of retiring at half past six when their parents would eat their evening meal they accompanied me downstairs at eight o clock, quietly and well presented, the girls again decked out in white and blue and Thomas in blue also, they looked very sweet. Somehow they managed to stay seated while we waited for the entrance of the Darcy's but there was a significant amount of wriggling going on too. They amused themselves with dolls and a single toy solider while I set to work on my sampler; I had selected an appropriate verse while pondering on my position that afternoon:

"If I am right Oh teach my heart
still in the right to stay
If I am wrong Thy grace impart
to find a better way."(1)

As I set about working on this Roberta and Priscilla questioned what I was doing. This time when the door opened I quickly rose from my seat to greet the three Darcys to be promptly introduced to Miss Georgiana Darcy, she was on a larger scale than I and not as handsome as her brother, the few minutes which were spent saying how nice it was to meet her convinced me that she was only shy not proud as Mr Wickham had said, I should have known better. Why should anything that man said be trusted? Once again that day I cursed my stupidity, how could the words of that man still be listened to as if they held credibility after all that had happened, yet still I seemed to think there was veracity in his words.

The brother and sister settled down both with a book and the children scampered around their mother for a few minutes until her complete lack of interest deterred them, in fact she lacked interest in anything, she sat on a sopha alone back straight looking around listlessly, occasionally plucking at the silk folds of her skirt or adjusting her hair style. After about half an hour Mr Darcy went out the room and several minutes later Thomas' fortress and all his soldiers were transported downstairs. He aided Thomas in setting them up whilst on his hands and knees and remained there by the fire to play with him. They made a pretty picture, one could almost have assumed they were father and son but for the great contrast in their colourings, the Sutton children were all fair compared to Mr Darcy, whose dark curls I had always admired. Priscilla and Roberta walked over to the window seat where I was working and tugging my sleeve Roberta asked me most politely to play with them. Mr Darcy looked up when he hear the inquiry "Do not disturb Miss Bennet if she is busy girls." He said in an unreadable tone, "You can come and play with Thomas and myself if you like."

"Soldiers are for boys, sir." Roberta exclaimed making the funniest face and causing both him and me to laugh. Stopping short I realised I had never heard him laugh before and recalling Colonel Fitzwilliam's words about him being 'lively enough in other places' I resented that never before seen this side of his character , for he was more likeable when he laughed.

"There is no need, if the girls want to play then I shall join them, truly my work is not that important."

"Disagreeing with me again Miss Bennet?"

"As always sir." I laughed and sat down with the girls. Miss Darcy's astonished gaze followed me and remained steadfastly upon me, it was almost as unnerving as her brothers. However, unlike his hers were questioning looks of awe in her face, almost as if she were astonished that I should be so impertinent to her brother. Her book lay on her lap completely forgotten, "Shall you not join us Miss Darcy?" She nodded her head and cautiously came to join us on the sopha we were placed at.

Young children have an astonishing ability to 'make-believe' but it is one of those characteristics which become lost with age. So whilst Priscilla and Roberta were quite content to babble away in nonsense to the dolls there was a definite need for sane conversation on my part. Talking to Miss Darcy proved quiet difficult all I received in answer was a monosyllabic 'yes' or 'no.' Instead I recalled that it was only polite to inquire of Mr Darcy after common acquaintances, of which there were not many, but I was most interested to hear of Mr Bingley, but thought that it may be easier to begin else where so tactfully I inquired after Colonel Fitzwilliam. "He is well thank you Miss Bennet; he is on the continent at the moment with his regiment My Aunt and Uncle are slightly concerned for him, but he will be back by August. No doubt unharmed as he always is." Smiling slightly at this news I saw that he was not. That was quite possibly the longest sentence the man had ever uttered in a civil conversation, yet he looked for a second as if he had said too much or that he was angered by something.

"And Miss Bennet how is your family?" Lady Arabella suddenly joined and husband and wife both turned to glare at each other. It was one of the most difficult moments I had ever experience.

"Quiet well thank you." I answered stiffly. Hoping fervently that we would not have to go into great detail about the current situation of my family, the drawing room was not the place to discuss it and most certainly not in front of the children. This was certainly not a polite topic of conversation.

"You are in mourning." She observed rudely. Goodness, surely this was not Mr Darcy's definition of good breeding, for if it was it seemed all she had done was stand in front of a mirror and recite, 'niminy piminy.'(2) Looking over at him to see how he was bearing under such a display he once again wore his mask of pride so it was impossible to understand what he was thinking but knowing the man well enough I was almost certain that he was not accustomed to bearing with such displays. Why Lady Arabella was nearly as bad as my mother had been on occasions.

"Yes."

"Who…"

"How are your sisters Miss Bennet?" Mr Darcy quickly put in, evidently trying to stop his meddlesome wife.

"They are well thank you, sir. Kitty is married and settled, to a clergyman." I added purposefully.

"Your mother must be quiet proud."

"I am sure she would have been." I commented a look of understanding crossed over his face.

"I am sorry, and how does Miss Bennet do, Miss Elizabeth?"

"She is…" How could one tell him that she was much worse than the last time we had spoken? "She is living with my Aunt and Uncle at Gracechurch Street." He looked puzzled at my choice of the word 'living', "Longbourn has passed to Mr Collins, sir. I am surprise Lady Catherine has not informed you."

At the mention of that lady his face clouded, it seemed that was not the best thing to say. Then I realised why, Mr Darcy was to marry Miss DeBourgh I imagined all contact with her had been broken on his marriage, due to her ladyship's disapproval. That meant that he did not know about my current situation and now probably was not the best time to bring it up. "I am very sorry to hear that Miss Bennet." He commented stiffly and then closed his mouth completely; it seemed that our conversation was at an end. Thankfully, although would it be better to reveal the truth to them sooner rather than later. It would not do to think they had been deceived and the master of propriety himself would deem me a disgrace. It would be best to get it over and done with before becoming too attached to the children. Because, no doubt I would be turned out of the house before you could say Jack Robinson. Tomorrow, I would ask for an interview with him and reveal Lydia's disgrace to him, then return to Cheapside with well, no dignity in tact, But, surely that was the least of my concerns. I should have left this morning when given the option, surely he did not want me here anyway, but then he said that he did.

"Do you have two sisters then Miss Bennet?" Lady Arabella interrupted.

"I have fou… three sisters, ma'am." Out of the corner of my eye Mr Darcy's head jolted up and he had a most queer expression on his face.

"Can you not count Miss Bennet, should we be concerned that our children's governess is unable to calculate?" She laughed annoyingly at her own joke, but it was more like an attempt to conceal her rude comments. It seemed that the lady had at least some breeding although she was close to being of the Miss Bingley breed, yet somehow worse.

"Madam!" Mr Darcy passed his hand over his forehead then got up to stride to the window and stare out of it again. There cannot have been much for him to look at it was pitch black and even the street lighting did little to aid one's vision. She paid him little heed and continued on with her inquisition, thoughtlessly.

"Tell me sir, since you two are passed acquaintances you should advise me on how many sisters she has."

"Four is that not correct Miss Bennet?"

Sadly I looked down at my hands and began to fiddle nervously with my fingernails. Now we were coming to the point. I shook my head and the room was silent, continuing to look downwards. Miss Darcy passed me a handkerchief, thinking that it was needed shaking my curls with a quiet 'thank you' followed by several deep breaths my eyes ventured upwards to look Mr Darcy in the face. He looked a little flustered, a little astonished. Lady Arabella for once looked interested in her surroundings; apparently she had a penchant for gossip, but then again there are very few women who do not. The children, evidently aware of the adult's curiosity had fallen silent and although they looked up occasionally they for the most part were more interested in their toys than anything else. Maybe the conversation would be left now. Surely it would other wise go beyond the bounds of politeness.

"I think you must be incorrect for Miss Bennet proclaims she has but three, sir. What have you to say in defence of your mistake?"

"It was four, I am certain you had four sisters." He stated looking incredibly distressed and shaking his head, "Miss Bennet, then you, then Miss Mary, Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia." He counted them all off on his fingers then looked at me as if for some form of approval or agreement. Personally I had no desire to continue the conversation and thought he had understood that.

"Indeed I did sir." I murmured quietly. "Lydia died in May."

His eyes widened, I think both of us were recalling our memories of Lydia, the strong, stout vigorous young girl, who was forever running around the countryside chasing officers to flirt with. For these images would have been both mine and Mr Darcy's last images of her. They hardly corresponded with an early death. "I am very sorry." He muttered.

"Was she ill Miss Bennet?" Again Lady Arabella inquired thoughtlessly.

Now how was one expected to answer that? "No."

"Then how, was there some sort of accident."

"No" In my mind it was an accident, but somehow I did not think they would see it the same way as I did. Lydia should never have been allowed to go Brighton, and then she should have been properly chaperoned. The Forster's and Brighton had been an accident waiting to happen.

"Surely it must have been…"

"Madam!" Once again Mr Darcy attempted vainly to stop her onslaught of questions. However, it seemed she was impervious to his orders and only turned to give him a stately glare. I could not help but feel a little kinship with the woman, despite my dislike of her. Any woman who could defy the overbearing Mr Darcy was worthy of respect, even if, as his wife, it was not her place.

"Surely it must have been one or the other."

"Miss Bennet…" He sounded very cross. What had I done wrong?

"No, no. It is only right that we know our governess's situation, sir." She brushed away his terse words. 'Only right' indeed, Lady Arabella was one of those ladies who could smell gossip at twenty paces it appeared, for before she had not been half so interested in the welfare of her children. It was at this moment that I knew there would be no way of escaping this; she was like a hound on the trail of a fox. I was the fox and about to die the most horrible of deaths. Taking a deep breath I took the plunge.

"My sister died in child birth."

There I had said it.

"Was she very young, it must have been a great loss for her husband?"

"Lydia was but sixteen."

"How positively horrible for her husband, still girls of such a young age should not be married." My head dropped downwards again and my cheeks flushed, it was impossible to reply, "Pray tell me how old was she when she wed, she cannot have been much more than fifteen?" She waited for an answer, looking expectantly at me the whole time.

"'Tis shameful to admit, but she never married ma'am."

Well that was an effective silencer. It appeared Lady Arabella's onslaught had finally been stopped; she looked a bit like a fish as she sat there gasping for air. "Never married!" Eventually came out of her mouth in a slightly suspicious accent, "Pardon me," she corrected herself, "never married?"

"She was full young and her companions did not take proper care of her, she was persuaded to elope." Whilst I was desperately trying to defend my situation Miss Darcy who was sitting besides me stiffened, Mr Darcy glanced over at her, quiet pale about the face as well. For a man who betrayed very little of his feelings he had certainly reacted incredibly violently, surely he could have expected something of this manner from my family. He had been a witness to Lydia's behaviour whilst at Netherfield. I was quiet confused.

"But she never married." By now Lady Arabella was sitting forward eagerly in her chair, "May one inquire after who the worthless young rake was."

"Madam!" Once again he tried to chastise her. "That is hardly a polite question. Quiet enough had been said on the subject. Miss Bennet, my sincerest apologies." Goodness, Mr Darcy apologising to me!

"No, sir, it is I who should apologise. You should hear this. You see Lydia eloped with Mr Wickham."

It was aimed as a sort of truce between the two of us, an open acknowledgement that it was I who had been in error of my opinions, which had been so openly spoken to him. For Mr Darcy had been right, Wickham was not a trustworthy man, Mr Darcy was and his warning should have been observed. That was the intended effect, in fact though it was quiet the opposite. Miss Darcy gasped audibly, paled and made to rise from the space she occupied on the floor, next to myself and the two girls, she appeared close to tears. And Mr Darcy had actually gone whiter, in anger then suddenly green. Perhaps it had not been my wisest decision ever. Seriously though, what had upset them so, whilst I was aware that he disliked the man, understandably, Miss Darcy seemed positively terrified and not just of my words but of me. "Miss Bennet," He addressed me sternly, "would you play for us." That was an order that would certainly be obeyed. It was probably to be the last as well, except for the one where I was told to pack my bags.

"Miss Bennet, do you need a page turner?" Roberta, spoke excitedly. About to accept he interrupted me,

"No thank you Roberta, you may turn Miss Bennet's pages another evening. Georgiana," Miss Darcy who had been slinking silently out the drawing room stopped dead, "would you be so kind as to turn Miss Bennet's pages." The sister silently nodded and then followed me over to the instrument, showing me where the music was kept, after several minutes of rifting through the sheets looking for something to play I found one that was suitable. Sitting down and testing the keys before singing:

"Thus, in a single day,
Must I lose ceremony and greatness ? Alas, wicked fate!
Caesar, my godlike beloved, is probably dead,
Comeia and Sextus are defenceless
And cannot come to my aid. O gods!
There is no hope left to my life.
I shall lament my fate,
So cruel and so pitiless,
As long as I have breath in my breast.
But when I am dead
My ghost will, wherever he may be,
Torment the tyrant by night and by day."(3)

1) From Patty Coggeshall's sampler of 1792

2) Little heard nowadays, it was used to deride an affected mode of pronunciation. It was first recorded in the late eighteenth century play, The Heiress 1786 by General John Burgoyne 1722 – 1792. In which Lady Emily tells Miss Alscrip that to acquire the right fashionable manner all you had to do was stand in front of a mirror and repeat 'niminy piminy,' then, 'The lips cannot fail to take the right plie.'

3) Julius Caesar Scene III Cleopatra, solo con guardie Cleopatra: 'E pur cosi'. Aria: 'Piangero' George Fredric Handel