Authors Note: Hello and thank you for continuing this story with me! While I'm making small changes to the original story as I go, please note:
Disclaimer- Pride and Prejudice, it's characters and settings are the work of Jane Austen. Sections in italics are taken directly from Pride and Prejudice, the novel OR the 1995 BBC Mini series (mmm Colin Firth)

And please review! I have the next 10 or so chapters planned - getting reviews is one of the BEST motivations to keep writing.

Chapter 3

Hunsford Rectory, Kent – March 1812

Elizabeth Bennet had been a guest in the Hunsford parsonage for over a fortnight, though she had yet to explore the full extent of Rosings Park. Each day she would enjoy a walk in both familiar and new parts of the grounds that delighted her. Days spent at the parsonage were rather repetitive, so she purposely sought this variation. Unlike her own family, none of the residents slept very late in the house, breaking their fast together before assuming their independent occupations for the day. The pace in Longbourne was leisurely in comparison. Mr Collins spent a great deal of time in either his book room or the garden - his role in the church rarely demanded daily employment. With the approach of the Easter celebration though, he was much occupied with the burden of a third original sermon since his ordination. He found his patroness a great source of guidance in this matter as with most. Unless he knew of set engagements, he would call up at the main house at some time during the day, though Elizabeth was not convinced he had access to Lady Catherine on every occasion.

Charlotte was more active in her role as the wife of the parson, most mornings she would spend an hour or two tending to the parish - whether it was hearing the grievances of those who were not worthy of Lady Catherine's condescension, or providing for the mortal needs of parishioners whom Lady Catherine had deemed the 'deserving poor'. Her engagement in these matters originated mostly from the commission she received in her marriage rather than any charity or compassion in her character, but Elizabeth still admired her friend for her endeavours. During recent days Charlotte was accompanied by her sister and friend on this business, which also allowed them opportunity to know the population of Hunsford better. There were not many families of equal standing to engage with, and unlike the neighbourhood of Meryton where ceremony was often set aside, here the social boundaries were strictly enforced, and the style of living of the neighbourhood in general was beyond the Collinses' reach. Civil relations with Charlotte's new neighbours was also impeded by her husbands insistence that evenings were always kept free on the chance that Lady Catherine might send for them. They had dined at Rosings twice a week already, but with part of that number, the invitation had occurred so late that Elizabeth did wonder if they were required only when Lady Catherine could not source other company.

Now and then, they were honoured with a call from her ladyship, and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during these visits. She examined into their employments, and advised them to do it differently with both Elizabeth's and Maria's crafts earning particular attention as she had such limited time to improve them. Her calls would often produce great activity at the parsonage for she usually found fault with the arrangement of the furniture, or detected the housemaid in negligence, and both the Collinses would not rest until the sins were repented for and corrected.

Charlotte and Mr Collins were perfectly content with the routine and while it was no evil to Elizabeth - she spent her time comfortably enough after all there were half hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte - she could not sustain such an existence. With some observation, she came to the conclusion that the match between her friend and Mr Collins had been fortuitous for both he and his bride though. And as the weather was so fine for the time of year, that she had often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she frequently went was along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine's curiosity.

In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away, however, from the earliest days of their time in Kent she had learnt of the expected arrival of Lady Catherine's nephews, one of which she believed would most likely bother the peace of their arrangement. And as the hour of that arrival drew near, she found herself agitated and concerned once more with matters she had not meant to pack in her luggage. It could be said that with each of Jane's letters, filled as they were with wilted hope, Elizabeth had spared thoughts towards Mr Bingley and his poor choices, but not his friend.
And since his engagement to Miss King, and their amicable farewells in Meryton, she had set aside all musings of Mr Wickham - for with his impending marriage, any interest felt by either of them must be rescinded and the match was mercenary enough to resolve all his former troubles. Even before his engagement, she had known herself to not be in love with that man, and was only slightly disappointed by it - despite her Aunt Gardiner's commiserations.
Still, she felt that even the coming of the abominable Mr Darcy could be agreeable as it would furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties, and she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley's designs on him were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady Catherine.

Of the other nephew Elizabeth knew not what to expect - for while Lady Catherine spoke a great deal of Mr Darcy in terms of the highest admiration, and of his coming with the greatest satisfaction, very little was reported about the other gentleman - except that he was the second son of her brother, the Earl of B- and a colonel with a celebrated career.

Their arrival was soon known at the Parsonage, for Mr. Collins was walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Hunsford Lane, in order to have the earliest assurance of it; and after showing all proper acknowledgement of elevation as the carriage turned into the park, hurried home with the great intelligence.

Rosings Park, Kent – March 1812

The great house at Rosings Park was not an old building. The design was modern and typical palladian style, though it's size and setting left it to be more imposing and unreceptive than it's architect had intended. While the grounds themselves had long been the home of the de Bourgh family - it was with Sir Lewis de Bourgh's elevation that the need for such a grand building arose. This was fortuitous as it was both the grandiose of the exteriors and bareness of the interiors which tempted the daughter of the former Earl of B- to accept his suit. Prior to their marriage, Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam, as the Earl's eldest daughter, had expected to be matched with a wealthy and titled husband. When her younger sister had become engaged though, she was driven to accept the newly styled Lewis, despite the lack of affection or familiarity, with the compromise and convenience of arranging the house and property to her taste. Sir Lewis, over a decade her senior, had a deferential spirit, and it was through the efforts of his bride that Rosings Park was distinguished throughout the country.

Sir Lewis also found benefits in his marriage - with it he was able to produce an heir and though he did not live to see her fourteenth birthday, he cared greatly for his daughter. There was little passion between the husband and wife but her family provided him satisfying society in his later years - as the only remaining sons in their respective families, Sir Lewis and George Darcy recognized some affinity in each other and they were soon easy companions. He was also a great favourite of all of his nephews - but his enthusiasm for military subjects meant an attachment between him and Colonel Fitzwilliam formed from when the younger man's commission as a captain was bought.

It was due to these alliances that the younger Mr Darcy was first sent to Rosings by his father and his cousin, a Major Fitzwilliam at the time, accompanied him. They were to attend to his aunt following the unexpected death of Sir Lewis from a strange sickness that had suddenly and violently struck late one summer. A sickness that his daughter, Anne, would survive but would always be weakened by. The arrangement had become a tradition, even after the death of the elder Mr Darcy, and despite their personal feelings on the matter - Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam alighted from the carriage out the front of Rosings house and were readily admitted.

They were shown immediately to Lady Catherine's preferred parlor and greeted with a barrage of questions of their journey, none of which required a response. Their aunt lamented the hour of their arrival - for there would not be any opportunity to sit long before they were needed to ready themselves for her guests that evening. She wondered at the reasons for their delay but dismissed any of Fitzwilliam's attempted apologies or excuses. Darcy simply bowed politely in both his aunt and cousin's direction and allowed Fitzwilliam to take the brunt of Lady Catherine's onslaught, which that gentleman did so with much affability and deference. The conversation, or rather Lady Catherine's sermon, was soon turned towards the goings of her neighbours.

"Mr Webb only called this morning, in gratitude for the ham which I had sent his family. And since your stay last year, I have installed a new parson for the parish - Mr Clarke has retired to the south as his health was so poor." She concluded, "Mr Collins is newly ordained and requires my attention often, but he is excessively gratified by it and has improved greatly with my encouragement. Just a six-month ago I instructed him to bring home a wife, and he is now married."

"I believe we saw the gentleman at your gates," Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled in reply, causing Lady Catherine to frown slightly. "I am all eagerness to meet him."

"Yes, well," she continued, "you may call on him and Mrs Collins in the morrow, or the next - for this evening I require your presence as we shall dine with Lady Metcalfe and her daughter, Henrietta."

This did make Fitzwilliam shift uncomfortably but he was soon in humorous spirits again. He was relieved of his aunt's frown for, after a moments thought and with a deeper frown, Lady Catherine had turned in Darcy's direction.

"Mrs Collins is being visited by her sister and friend this month. Her father came with them, a Sir Lucas - though I am sure I have not heard of that family before. Mrs Collins is a sensible young women, and you shall see - she is properly genteel, modestly plain, not at all brought up too high, unlike her friend - a Miss Bennet. At first, I thought her like her friend with some courteous enough manners. She is a daughter of a gentleman, I believe, and may be pretty but there is something of a lack of reserve that is unflattering in a gentlewoman. Whilst she is not entirely irredeemable - I learnt that she has some ability to play and sing - I have not heard her perform, and as she admits to an unconventional rearing, I doubt she may exhibit with any talent. Her boldness though is what offends. It is not surprising given that sort of upbringing that she might be so forthright- she gives her opinion far too decidedly for her age and shows little deference in the presence of rank - it is quite unbecoming. Though you would know all this, would you not, Darcy?"

Lady Catherine's tone was harsh, almost irate, but the triumph of her implication made Fitzwilliam steal a quick and curious glance at his cousin. Darcy maintained his indifferent countenance as his aunt continued with her heated accusations, fearful of revealing any of his true feelings. "Did you not make their acquaintance already - but that was before, when Mrs Collins was Miss Lucas? They have told me so - you were in Hertfordshire and met with them on many occasions. I am sure you might agree with me then, on Miss Bennet's character."

In a quiet and detached way, he replied - once she had paused, "It was not many occasions - though I have been in their company before."

"He neither comes to the girl's defense nor agrees with you," Colonel Fitzwilliam teased from his chair, his eyes dancing as they moved from his aunt to his cousin.

Lady Catherine continued her complaints, for as well as Miss Bennet's behaviour in her presence, she found great fault in the girl's circumstances - explaining to them about the Bennet family's situation, considering the entail of the estate onto Mr Collins, and her grief on hearing of five daughters raised without a governess, without time in town to see masters. As Darcy was aware of much of this, he chose instead to ignore the conversation; but Colonel Fitzwilliam was an attentive audience, amused at the fierce opposition his aunt seemed to have for this girl, and for her most incriminating characteristic - claiming an acquaintance with Darcy. Having expressed herself thus, Lady Catherine was satisfied in being both heard and supported in her opinions and was settled into changing the conversation to more pleasant subjects.

Darcy himself was neither diverted or assured in the exchange. A disconcerting wave of emotion passed over him and it took all of his resolve not to let any show - his logical mind proclaimed the victory of his previous decisions - he had suspected how his family might react, how they would look upon Elizabeth Bennet's family and situation in life, and why, from the earliest moments of noting her attraction, had he chosen to not show her too much attention. This objection to her person only confirmed what he had thought might occur if his actions had been anything else. He was disappointed though, his heart sunk a little with each of Lady Catherine's denunciations; there actually was no victory in being correct on this matter - he rather wished he had been wrong. If Lady Catherine had approved of her, he might have felt some relief in his interest, it would have been one less struggle that backed his resistance. His logical mind was bolstered by the validation of his actions; why should he change his path now. He longed to be foolish though, at least enough to contradict his relations, to declare that Miss Bennet's intelligence and tenacity should be admired, that they were some of her more appealing attributes, to defend her and claim her for himself. He could not, because he was not a fool - the inferiority of her connections and censure of his were foremost in his mind for many months and prevented him from forming any serious design for her. And from this, and above all of this unsettling sentiment, was the worst feeling of all - shame. His cheeks flushed and his gut ached with it - for his own traitorous heart, for wanting what he should not, for not speaking the truth about the woman he desired.

He was grateful then that he could escape the room, for the clock had struck upon the hour and they all needed to dress for dinner. Retreating to the bedchamber he had used since his first visit to the house, following his uncle's death, Darcy allowed himself a moment to recover and set aside all thought of Elizabeth Bennet for the evening.

The Metcalfes of Bowett Park were pleasant acquaintances of Lady Catherine, and as their eldest daughter had just been introduced in town, it was the ideal time for her to meet Lady Catherine's nephews - most particularly, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy was sure that the conversation during dinner was polite and every praise was given to his aunt for her table, however, try as he might, he could barely attended to the meals placed before him. The tempest of conflict and desire within him would not settle - even when he banished all thought of her from his mind. As Lord Metcalfe was unable to join them that evening, when the ladies removed to the drawing room - Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were left to their own conversation, and he hoped for some relief. It was not to be, however, as Lady Catherine's persecution of Elizabeth Bennet had stirred Fitzwilliam's interest in the girl.

"I have a venture, which after much thought I would like to put towards you. And you must tell me, Darcy - how my conjecture suits? Give me some answer and I will disclose the grounds of my speculation," he began, swirling his drink in the glass tranquilly. With a nod from his cousin he continued, "it is my belief that this Miss Bennet is, in actuality, quite beautiful."

Darcy attempted to appear thoughtful and shifted in his seat, to delay giving any response. He felt like a rabbit in a snare - caught with little option on how to answer. He would never reveal his entire opinion, Fitzwilliam would find much amusement in the knowledge and most likely make their stay in Kent even more unbearable. His cousin could not be told a lie though - they had been friends for far too long, no doubt he would recognise any fabrication, especially once he met her and formed his own opinions. The subject made Darcy uneasy, and he hoped the hour was near it's end.

As he was considering this, Fitzwilliam grew weary of the silence - "Shall I reveal my process? It has been simple, our aunt spoke of the girl earlier as 'pretty'. Now I suggest that Lady Catherine, while observant to a fault, does not easily compliment and in this matter might only represent half the truth. From this I believe that Miss Bennet must be more than pretty, perhaps even a great beauty, especially when compared to her modest friend - and so, now you must reply. When we call at the parsonage, shall I find a very plain parson's wife and her slightly handsome friend, or will the two - or perhaps only one - be more appealing to the eye?"

"I cannot predict what you might find Richard, as you well know - one man's Aphrodite is another's mediocrity. I recall there were some pleasing features to Miss Bennet's countenance, of Mrs Collins I have less recollection."

Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled at his diplomacy and made to reply, but was prevented by Darcy's diversion, "I do wonder at your interest in the appearance of a woman in another house, when there is a Miss Metcalfe in the drawing room."

With this Fitzwilliam laughed at little louder, it was satisfying to hear his cousin's usual wit. While Darcy speaks hardly a word when he comes into Kent, he's lively enough in other places. His silence even on their journey into the country had been disconcerting. It was Fitzwilliam's turn to consider the matter carefully before making his reply.

"I have some speculation about this Miss Bennet's nature as well, and as we so rarely have varied company in Kent, I wonder about this new company. To be as bold as she must have been, to make such an impression on Lady Catherine - I believe she must be either very bright or rather simple- if the former, I shall be glad and eagerly await her stimulating presence , for I am sure she is a wit and I shall enjoy laughing with her. And if the latter, then I believe I shall be amused with laughing anyway."