I finally wrote it! After receiving over 20 reviews asking for a sequel I was encouraged to write one. =) I'm only adding one more chapter to this, so don't expect anything epic.
As Darcy relived his bizarre encounter with himself, his pace was slow. He simply strolled his way back to the house. It wasn't until he reflected on The Other Darcy's parting words that he felt the need to hurry. Once he was in sight of the house, Darcy was dismayed to see that nearly everything was ready for their departure. He skirted around Caroline who was overseeing the servants and went to go find Bingley.
Bingley was in the sad excuse for a library. He held a glass of brandy in his hand and stared out the window at the departure preparations with an almost sad air. But, Darcy realized, Bingley had every reason to be sad. His sister and best friend had just informed him that the woman he was in love with did not return his affections. Finally Bingley turned intent on pouring himself another glass when he spotted his friend.
"Darcy! I didn't hear you come in." Darcy smiled, but it was somewhat forced. "Where the devil have you been?"
"I took a walk to clear my head." Here he paused, but his mind conjured up a picture of Elizabeth, smiling and laughing, and his resolve was strengthened. "I've been thinking and I know that Miss Bingley and I told you that we didn't believe Miss Bennet returned your regard," Bingley took a large swig of his drink and turn back towards the window in response to Miss Bennet's name, "but I think that we may perhaps have been mistaken." Bingley's hand slipped from his drink as he whirled around to face his friend. The liquid spilled from the glass to the carpet, but it went unnoticed.
"You think she could love me?" Darcy nodded.
"She may just be shy and reserved. Leaving now may prove to be a mistake." Bingley's eyes widened and his mouth fell agape.
"But what of my business in London? It cannot be put off." Darcy thought for several minutes before his mind lighted upon the answer.
"Go to London, but only for as long as you originally planned. Once you come back, you will have time to see if Miss Bennet truly loves you."
"Will you not come back with me? Will you not help me determine Miss Bennet's feelings? I fear I may be somewhat biased." Darcy shifted uncomfortably. He did not look Bingley in the face as he placed his request.
"Actually, I had hoped I could stay here while you were in town." Bingley first expression was one of shock, but it soon melted away to a smirk.
"Has the heart of the great Fitzwilliam Darcy been touched at last? Are you hiding a girl here that I don't know about?" There was nothing serious in Bingley's tone, but Darcy chose to answer it as though it was a serious inquiry.
"Perhaps.…" Bingley was shocked once more, but he soon began to laugh.
"I must come back," he said around his laughter, "this is something I cannot miss." Erupting into another fit of laughter, Bingley left the library to inform the servants of the change of plans. A small smile played around Darcy's lips. So far his mission had been a success. Now it was time for the hard part.
Hearing a screech telling him that Caroline had been informed of the change of plans, Darcy walked briskly to the back door and exited into the bright, sunlit yard. He began walking unconsciously towards Longbourn. At least he told himself it had been an unconscious decision. Whether or not he planned to walk in that direction is not important. What was important, however, was his meeting the woman of his dreams on this walk.
"Mr. Darcy!" The lady exclaimed. Before, he might have misconstrued her outburst into a sign of her pleasure at seeing him, but now he knew better. Such thoughts were painful, but he also had hope. Had not The Other Darcy implied that he could win over Elizabeth if he made an attempt?
"Miss Bennet." He bowed to her, determined to be everything genteel and polite.
"I did not expect to see you sir. I was under the impression that all of the Netherfield party was gone and without the plan or inclination of returning." Internally Darcy cringed. How was he supposed to explain his sudden change of heart?
'I just realized this morning how deeply in love with you I was and I couldn't bear to leave you.'
'I ran across my future self and he told me that I shall forever love you, but will only have a future with you if I begin to woo you now.'
Oh, yes, she would surely take such information well. If she did not run away screaming, she must surely think him mad.
Suddenly it hit him. How exactly did she know of their previously not having any idea of returning to the house? Originally, Bingley had told their acquaintances that he would be going to London for a few weeks, but once he had been convinced to stay there longer they had informed no one, but the staff at Netherfield. As far as Meryton was concerned, Bingley's departure was merely temporary.
"May I ask how you knew we had little intention of returning?" He looked over at her face, but it was impassive. Yet, as he examined it more closely, he thought he could see faint traces of anger in her eyes.
"Miss Bingley wrote a farewell letter to Jane." The anger was more clearly displayed in her eyes now. It took much self-control for Darcy not to ask what in Caroline's letter had offended her.
"Ah," he said quietly, "well, plans have changed." She looked up in interest, hope lighting in her eyes. "I am to stay here as Bingley attends to his business in London." The hope died down again and she looked away. Darcy noted this with a heavy heart. "He will return in no more than a fortnight." The hope was back again, stronger than ever. It was only for her sister's sake that she wished the Netherfield party to remain.
"But what about your sister? Does she not expect you in town?" To say that Darcy was shocked would have been an understatement. Still, even through his shock he understood the underlying meaning to her words. She wanted him gone. It was as simple as that, yet all the more complex, because he didn't plan on going anywhere.
"I had planned to surprise her, but on further reflection I have decided there are enough inducements here to entice me to stay. Once I inform her of my reason for staying she will be delighted." Elizabeth's brow furrowed. Darcy stared at her, simultaneously wishing that she understood his hint and fearing that she would do just that. "And Bingley has expressed the desire that I stay with him." The last was rushed, spoken both to make her forget his previous words and to offer another excuse for his remaining in Hertfordshire. She made no reply other than a small nod and they walked on in silence.
Darcy was fully aware that he should not be walking with her as she had not invited him and was obviously looking for a way to escape his presence. All the while they were walking, Darcy kept his eyes on her. Sometimes he looked clandestinely while others he stared unabashedly. It was because of this intense observation that he noticed her shiver slightly. It was nearing December now, and the air held a certain bite to it. Elizabeth was wearing a dress and shawl that, while extremely pretty, did little against the cold. Without a moment's hesitation Darcy shrugged off his overcoat and placed it delicately around her shoulders, his fingers lightly brushing her neck. She shivered again in response to his touch and turned to look at him for the first time since they had stopped speaking.
They both had stopped walking now and Darcy had managed to edge closer to her. After observing him for quite some time her eyes were still confused. She looked down at the coat that seemed to dwarf her and back up at him. He sighed before answering her implied question.
"You looked cold. I could scarcely call myself a gentleman if I did not come to your aid."
"You needn't to have bothered, sir. We are nearly at Longbourn. I must return your coat to you in a matter of minutes." Darcy looked down at the ground with a sigh.
"If you must, you must. I had hoped to keep your company a little longer, but if your desire is to return to Longbourn, so be it. At least you cannot claim I neglected my gentlemanly duty of keeping you safe." A light blush colored Elizabeth's cheeks when he looked up again. The lady blinked at him twice before turning and walking again. This caught Darcy by surprise and he was several paces behind her before he too began walking. He could hear her mumbling to herself and he strained to catch the words.
"Oh my! Charlotte was right. I can scarce believe it."
Having longer legs than her, Darcy was easily able to catch up. Once he was beside her, the mumbling stopped. His eyes were on her and not on the road as they continued. This being said, it was not unlikely for Darcy to not see the great puddle stretching before them. It was probable that he would have stepped in this puddle, had it not been for Elizabeth stopping just short of it.
"Oh dear. However shall we cross this?" Elizabeth had made a circuit around the woods surrounding Longbourn and she was unaware that there would be such an obstacle in her way.
"Allow me." Darcy said from just behind her. She jumped in alarm. It seemed she had forgotten he was there.
Darcy held out his hands, asking her permission. She bit her lip and inwardly debated before accepting. Darcy gently put his hands on her waist and hoisted her up. In three quick strides he was over the puddle and carefully set her down on the other side.
"Thank you." She sent a beaming smile at him, which caused his heart to beat erratically. How could he ever have thought he wasn't in love with Elizabeth?
The silence between them on the remainder of the journey was companionable. It wasn't broken until the house was in sight. With a small sigh, Elizabeth shrugged off his coat and handed it back to him. Darcy expected her to leave then, but she remained, just looking at him.
"You seem different, Mr. Darcy." His heart beat began to accelerate again, but this time he could not tell if he should be pleased or afraid.
"Different how exactly?" She shrugged and looked thoughtful for a second.
"Just different. I admit I like you now more than previously." This brought a feeling of uncontained bliss into Darcy's heart. Improvement—any improvement—in her esteem was a very good thing.
"I am glad, Miss Bennet." Again they stood in silence. They had so much to say to each other, but they could put none of it into words. Not yet at least.
"I have been away from home too long, I fear. Good day, Mr. Darcy." Darcy reached out for her hand, and though his mind was screaming at him not to, he listened to his heart and placed a very light kiss upon her hand.
"Good day, Miss Bennet." She turned and walked away first, but she had gone no more than four steps before she turned. He was walking back up the path without once looking back. The spring in his step was so alien to her previous opinion of him that it was nearly comical. When he started whistling a merry tune, Elizabeth shook her head in pure wonderment. Yes, she liked this new Mr. Darcy very much.
That's all you get for the present E&D plot line. This was supposed to just end with the original one-shot, so I have nothing more planned for the present E&D story. The next segment will be about The Other Darcy and it will hopefully answer all your questions.