I own nothing but the passion of writing...lol

Chapter 2

"Interesting or not, I really do require an answer, and quickly, if you please. There really isn't any time to waste. Either you say yes, or you say no, but either way, I beg of you, end the suspense and tell me" she pleaded, near to tears with her need for his response. "What else can I say, being a gentlemen except...yes. I could never leave a lady in need. " His eyes betrayed none of the many emotions he was feeling inside. Delight at having her with him to do as he wanted, pity because of her sisters foolish actions which forced Elizabeth to have to come to this kind of arrangement, and guilt for having accepted. He knew he should just say he would do it, just because she needed the help, and not require any payment for it at all. But he couldn't. He knew that if he let her ago again, he might never see her. Or if he saw her, he dreaded that it may be with her and another man. And he could not bear to think of that. So he was taking her up and what she was freely offering.

"Oh, you will? Are you sure? You will never know how much this means to me, Mr. Darcy" she said, looking up at him through lowered lashes. He looked at her for what seemed like ages before he finally replied. "As good as I may seem, you do remember that I'm not going unpaid for my troubles. I'm a proud man, Elizabeth, but not too proud to take what I want when it presents itself to me. You know how I feel about you, and it is my belief that this is the only way I'm to ever have you. So now it only remains for me to decide in which capacity I want you in my life. I could make you my mistress, but no, your a gentleman's daughter, it would never do. Or as my wife. I once asked for you hand Elizabeth, only to have you reject me. My pride would not withstand another cruel blow as that. But now, now you must accept my hand" he answered her, his hands tightly gripping her shoulders, grasping harder and harder with each word he spoke.

"Mr. Darcy, as this is my idea, I am in no position to deny you whatever it is you ask of me. But I beg of you, make it honorable. Do not punish me with a loveless marriage. I have seen how they work, and believe me, they are not pretty. I will of course respect your final decision, but please, choose wisely. Marriage is a irreversible event, and if trapped in such a union, I believe I shall grow to hate you" she said, with such conviction in her words and eyes that he seemed thralled by her stare. It was minutes later when he finally found his voice, speaking carefully, as if trying to pick the exact words so he would not upset her.

"Alright, Elizabeth. I have an idea that might suit us both, at leaste for the moment. Stay here a few days, and we will renew our acquaintance and get to know each other better, furthering our friendship. If, by the end of a fortnight I do not feel that you could ever come to feel anything for me except disdain, I will let you go. No charge for my deeds, and you will owe me nothing. But if I feel you softening towards me, even slightly, I will make arrangements for our wedding. And I warn you; if I think your deliberately aggravating me, it will be marriage immediately. It will be more punishment for you than me, as we both know. Do you understand?" he asked as he searched her face for any signs of agreement.

"Yes I understand. And I agree to your terms. But I have a few terms of my own to name. I feel I must ask Jane come and stay with me since I am to reside here with you. If you decide that marriage is for the best, then she can help plan the wedding. But if you decide we wouldn't suit, then my reputation will not be ruined, therefore destroying any chances for my future happiness" she said, the familiar glint now back in her eyes, daring him to argue with her. Which he had absolutely no mind to do. He quite agreed with her, and had thought to suggest the same thing. "Agreed. You shall stay at the inn until she arrives, and then you shall both move in here so we may further out acquaintance" he replied easily.

"Very well. And now I must say goodnight. I shall return to the inn at once and write to Jane. I shall see you tomorrow?" she questioned him as she readied herself to leave. "Oh mostly definitely. Goodnight, Elizabeth" he said, looking deep in her eyes, as if searching for something. "Goodnight Mr. Darcy" she answered as she walked out the door. Hours after her departure, William sat in the room in which the earlier conversation had taken place, replaying it over and over again, trying to find any sign of softening on her part, but could not discern any. She acted the same as she usually did towards him. Aloof and teasing, and impersonal. 'But that is all to change' he thought, and found that for once in a long while, he was looking forward to tomorrow.

Sitting alone in her room, Elizabeth replayed the days events in her mind. She remembered his words about her having no other choice but to accept his hand, and the passion she saw in his face when he had said it. His eyes had flashed like lightning, his voice rumbled like thunder. There was no doubt about the fact that on some level he attracted her, but then again, he always had. He was like a magnet to which she was perpetually drawn to. She just couldn't figure out why. 'I suppose it doesn't matter anymore, though. If I cannot find a way to convince him that a marriage between us would be nothing but trouble for the both of us, I will find out sooner than I thought' she silently mused to herself. 'Enough is enough. Time to act' she thought as she set about writing the letter to Jane.

Dear Jane,

I write to you from the inn at Lambton. I have spoken to Mr. Darcy and have convinced him to help us search for Lydia and Wickham. If you would be so kind and join me here as soon as you possibly can, so that we may help Mr. Darcy with anything he needs. Thank you darling and I cannot wait to see you.

All my love,

Elizabeth

'Short but sweet and to the point' she thought as she finished. She just couldn't bring herself to reveal more in the letter in case her mother happened to read it. She would be shocked and appalled by Elizabeth's actions, and her father would come and drag her back home, as well as call Mr. Darcy out. No, it was better this way with only Jane in her confidence.

She rose early the next morning, having slept fitfully the whole night, having dreams were the storms rumbled like Mr. Darcy's voice and the lightning flashed like his expressive eyes. No matter what she did, she could not seem to be able to escape him. She readied herself for the day, trying not to think about what was to come, and how much her life had changed in a few short days. She arrived at Pemberly and was immediately admitted and shown to the sitting room where she was to wait for Mr. Darcy.

Meanwhile upstairs, Mr. Darcy was getting dressed, trying to pick out the colors that suited him best, and making sure not a hair was out of place. He rushed down the stairs, gave his butler an inquisitive look, and when he had heard her location rushed to the sitting room and stopped in front of it, trying to gain control of his emotions before he walked in to face her again. He opened the door slowly, as if to give her warning that he was there, and entered the room, walking in to see her sitting on the chaise lounge, fast asleep. He walked across the room silently and careful not to wake her, sat next to her and just studied her features. Her sooty lashes fanned across her pale cheeks, her rosy lips slightly parted in slumber. Her hair curled beguilingly around her temples and a few tendrils escaped by the base of her head, making her appear younger than she was. It was all he could do not to carry her to his room and show her how much he desired her. Instead her traced the outline of her lips, then trailed along her jaw and played with the stray hairs. He leaned down and softly planted a kiss on her forehead. As he watched, her lashes fluttered open so he found himself lost in her dark and seductive stare. Slowly, so slowly he leaned down and place his lips fractions above her, letting her decide if the kiss was meant to happen. It was. She couldn't seem to help herself. She was still in a bit of a daze from her impromptu nap, and his breath was warm on her face. She lifted her head just a touch and brushed her lips against his, testing the texture and softness that was his mouth. But soon it was not enough. He pressed hip lips fully against her, running his tongue over her top and bottom lips, teasing them until she opened them, granting him full access to her mouth. With a groan he plunged his tongue in her mouth, teasing her and teaching her how to kiss back. When he ran his hand down the front of her dress, she whimpered and pressed against his hand, trying to get closer to him.

They were seated as such when a discreet knock sounded on the door. She pushed him away and jumped up to go stand by the window the the door opened, and in walked Charles Bingly. "You have the worst timing" William said giving Charles a dark look before he stood. "Well Charles, don't just stand there man! What's the matter?" he inquired as he straightened his jacket. "Miss Bennet, how delightful to see you again! I'm sorry to intrude, but Darcy, we've found them!" Charles declared, looking from William to Elizabeth.