Chapter 2 Recap

Darcy secures Mr. Gardiner's consent and Georgiana already sees Elizabeth as a sister, even though she and the rest of the Pemberley party are unaware of the engagement.

Chapter 3

Almost as soon as Darcy had handed Elizabeth down from the carriage, Georgiana was flying down the steps to greet them, barely able to stop herself as she came up to Elizabeth. Remembering her manners, the young girl curtsied before greeting her guest most enthusiastically, "Miss Elizabeth, it is so good to see you again so soon."

"You as well Miss. Darcy. I have been very much looking forward to tea this afternoon," Elizabeth smiled.

"Oh, please do call me Georgiana." By now the Gardiners had exited the carriage and were standing behind Elizabeth and were greeted appropriately. The party made their way inside the grand house talking and laughing gaily with one another.

Almost immediately upon entering the house Miss Bingley appeared in the hallway, ready to attach herself to Darcy at the first possible opportunity. She was disappointed to find that his right arm was occupied by Elizabeth Bennet and his left by Georgiana. That country chit is trying to steal his attention from me, thought Caroline, who was immediately began plotting the next way to recommend herself to Mr. Darcy.

After giving a barely civil greeting to the Gardiners and a slight nod to Elizabeth, she walked up to Georgiana and started complimenting her continuously. Georgiana sent a look of desperation to her brother and Elizabeth, but not before rolling her eyes. When they arrived in the sitting room, Mr. Bingley stood to greet them.

With no surprise to Elizabeth and Darcy, and to the dismay of Caroline, Bingley asked after the Bennets, in particular the eldest one. It was obvious that Darcy had yet to inform Bingley of his deceit, but Elizabeth had faith that he would do it soon. As if reading her mind, Darcy caught her eye and nodded before standing up and addressing his friend, "Bingley, would you join me in my study for a moment? There is a matter that I wish to discuss with you."

Replying in the positive, Bingley stood up and followed his friend from the room. He was smart enough to know that something was the matter, for Darcy never had asked his help in estate matters before, and was certainly far more experienced in that area than he was.

When the both men had sat down in the study, Darcy began his speech. "Bingley, I have a confession to make. When I persuaded you to leave Netherfield, I was ignorant of Miss Bennet's feelings for you. I have been told that she was far from indifferent to you. I heartily apologize for persuading you otherwise. There is another matter in which I am not as ignorant as I should wish. Miss Bennet was in London for three months, and according to her sister she was hoping to see you. She had payed a call on your sister, who returned it with severing the acquaintance. I am not pleased with what she did but I did have a hand in keeping this from you and for that I apologize."

Bingley sat there in shock for at least five minutes. His angel loved him and waited for three months to see him. Of course his sister would lie to him but to break the acquaintance altogether was unnecessary and she would have to fix that. Why would Darcy tell him this after all of these months? Maintaining a cool demeanor he asked, "What is your reason for waiting to confess this until now, or even confessing this at all?"

Darcy hung his head in shame. "I find myself quite in love with her sister," he said so softly that Bingley had to question if he had actually said that for a minute. "I proposed last April," Darcy said a little louder, "and was rejected. She said and I quote, 'Do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man, who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?' Bingley I am sorry, I know that I must seem like a hypocrite."

"She refused you on account of her sister?" Bingley said incredulously.

"She had also been poisoned by Wickham's stories. She heard my comment at the Meryton Assembly and was determined to hate me. She believed Wickham's stories because that was what she wanted to hear. She is also determined to marry for love, and she does not, or at least didn't love me then, I can only hope that she has changed her mind."

"Well Darcy, I forgive you and wish you luck my friend. I must return to Netherfield and try to convince Miss Bennet to forgive me." Bingley made to stand up.

"I think she will forgive you, for you dispositions are the same. I do, however, think that you may have a harder time regaining her trust." Darcy said as he walked out of his study and back towards his guests.

P&P.P&P.P&P

When Darcy re-entered the drawing room Georgiana was rallying the group to go for a walk, for she had planned for tea to be a picnic. They were to walk out to the pond and enjoy each other's company there. It was Darcy's intention to announce his engagement then, possibly while Miss Bingley was sipping her tea.

Offering his arm to his sister and fiance, he was out the door before Miss Bingley could reach him. While he did not talk much, he much enjoyed seeing Georgiana get along so well with Elizabeth. She was chattering on constantly, something he never would have dreamed of a week ago. Elizabeth was doing everything that she could to make the young girl comfortable around her; Darcy's eyes shone with love and admiration as he looked on at this display.

Upon reaching the the pond, Darcy sat with his escorts on either side, blocking any possible opportunities for Miss Bingley to creep up and attach herself to him. The blanket had already been unfolded and the food had been set out in advance. It was clear to him that Georgiana was trying her hardest to prove her herself as a hostess.

Once everybody had sat down and began on eating, Darcy discreetly squeezed Elizabeth's hand before clearing his throat. Mrs. Gardiner's eyes lit up with excitement before he said anything, already knowing what he was going to say, while Mr. Gardiner tried his best to remain indifferent, although he did not entirely succeed. Darcy saw this and smiled at the two of them before continuing with his announcement.

"I would like to say that this is the most fun I have had at Pemberley in a long time," he smiled at the group and saw in disgust as Miss Bingley thought he was referring to her company. Could a woman be so blind? She went to take a sip of her tea just as was going to continue, causing him to smile as he remembered his thoughts earlier in the day. "I would also like to tell Georgiana that she is soon to have a sister," he he made a point to pause. Everyone in the group knew that he was referring to Elizabeth with the exception of a certain fortune hunter, whose smile made him want to gag.

"I would like to thank Miss Elizabeth for making me the happiest man in the world and consenting to be my wife." Here, there were congratulations from Bingley and Mrs. Gardiner, an ecstatic hug from Georgiana, a smile from Mr. Gardiner and a loud shriek from Miss Bingley as soon as she had finished the unladylike display of spewing her tea all over Elizabeth.

Well folks, I think that I will leave off here. I feel awful about the lack of updates that you have been seeing, but I know that you do not want to hear my excuses so I will just say that I should get on a more consistent schedule of updating about once a week. As always, your reviews are my motivation and the source of my creativity, I need them. I want to know that every single one of you is enjoying this story. Constructive Critiscm is encouraged (in response to one of you- I am going to start looking for a beta soon, I just need to get on top of a few more things before I focus on that).

Have you guys read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? I think the idea of it is revolting, but I have heard that there is a movie in the making….. How do you feel about that?

~XOXO Darcy