Thank you for all of your wonderful comments...keeps the muse going! I hope y'all enjoy chapter three! See ya next Monday! Now let's see what Simi has in store for ODG:)

As much as I wish it, I don't own P&P, that honor belongs to Miss Jane Austen

~Liz~

Chapter 3

A few days before Christmas 1813

Simi was helping Elizabeth get ready for the day ahead. The days since Mr. Darcy's slight had been filled with laughter, but Simi knew that Lizzie was hiding her true feelings. Her smiles never reached her eyes and her laughter was almost forced. Simi looked at Lizzie's reflection and knew it was time to talk. She had let Lizzie try to figure this out on her own, but no it was time to intervene.

"Miss Lizzie are you alright?"

"Yes, I am fine Simi. Why do you ask?"

"You just seem sad sweetie."

Elizabeth looked in the mirror at Simi's reflection and knew, by the look on Simi's face, that she wanted to talk about Mr. Darcy. How was she going to talk about him? No one had ever affected her like this before. True she had never been cut like he did her, but she had never been drawn to a man before. Something about him called her to him. It scared her to death.

"What do you think about Mr. Darcy? I mean, I know it is ludicrous for me to dwell on him, but there is something about him Simi, something that keeps me from moving on about his slight. Why would he cut me like that?"

Simi looked thoughtful for a moment and finally decided that she should turn the tables on her. Lizzie was one never to hold a grudge, but for some reason this man brought out the worst in her emotions.

"Did you ever think that maybe Mr. Darcy felt the same way?"

Simi almost laughed at Lizzie's shocked expression.

"W-what? Why would he…that is ridiculous!"

"It's the way you feel about him. So why can't he feel the same about you?"

Elizabeth knew Simi was probably right, but she was not going to admit it, out loud at least. Elizabeth waved her hand and nodded her head for Simi to continue.

"I think that Mr. Darcy was probably not aware he cut you Lizzie. After what you described, I think he was thinking about you more than what you suspect. I bet he is feeling the same as what you are now."

"Simi the man is rich and could probably have any woman he chooses. Why would he pine over me? You my friend need to drop some of your romantic notions."

"Believe you me Miss Lizzie! I will wager a bet with you that you and Mr. Darcy will be getting along just fine next time y'all meet. Besides young lady it ain't like you're hurting for money."

Simi winked at Lizzie. Very few people knew that Lizzie was heir to all of what her father owned. Still even fewer people were privileged to know exactly what he owned. Uncle Thomas is going to be in for a complete shock when he goes to see the solicitor when we go to London, Lizzie let out a very unladylike snort at that thought.

Simi arched her eyebrow at Lizzie's snort. She knew Lizzie would take the bet, but Lizzie did not know what Simi had in store for her and her Mr. Darcy.

"I will take that bet Simi! How much?"

"Five pounds!" Simi was confident; she knew that there was something between them. She was going to make sure Mr. Darcy and Lizzie met again, even if I have to hog tie the two of them and put them in the same room. Sparks will fly, but at least they could hash it out. That girl is as stubborn as a mule.

"You are on! I am so going to win."

"We'll see Miss Lizzie."

Lizzie and Simi walked downstairs. Elizabeth had a lighter step and her laughter sounded genuine. Simi smiled, she knew her words were planting themselves in Lizzie's head. I just hope when they meet, Lizzie won't bite his head off! Her girl had a quick temper; she just prayed that Mr. Darcy would see over that.

Fitzwilliam Darcy was at a loss. He had spoken with Bingley at length about the lease of Netherfield with the hope of learning more about the Bennet family, but Bingley could not take subtlety. Hell with Bingley you have to be about as subtle as a flying brick! He was hoping that maybe he could learn of her someway and, he hoped, that he could try to put his feelings for her aside until it was time. He had spent days going over his crazy plan. He still could not fathom that he was in love with someone that he had only just met once. This is insane! I must get her off my mind or I will go mad!

He tried to concentrate over his correspondence, once again, but to no avail. Luckily for him Bingley bounded through the door with absolute glee. Darcy figuring he had met a new angel was about to be surprised with Bingley's information.

Charles Bingley was not as unaware of his friend's predicament as he thought. When they had met Miss Bennet, Bingley realized his friend's lack of manners meant something significant. Darcy may be proud and aloof, but he had never, in the time he had known him, cut someone as he did with Miss Bennet. Looking back at the encounter, he realized that Darcy had been staring at Miss Bennet with barely concealed lust and admiration. Since their return to London, Darcy had been preoccupied and thoroughly interested in Netherfield. Bingley could only assume that it was not Netherfield that interested his friend, but the lady who lived a few miles from it.

Today Bingley was going to test his theory. He had asked Mr. Brandley questions about the neighborhood and hit an information gold mine, well for Darcy anyways.

"Darcy are you busy?"

Darcy looked at his correspondence and sighed. He would never get through these letters. Not if you keep daydreaming about a certain young woman.

"No Bingley. What do you have on your mind?"

Bingley smiled, his friend just might take the bait.

"I spoke with Mr. Brandley today."

Bingley watched Darcy's reaction, he did not disappoint. Darcy sat up straighter and studied Bingley for a moment.

"Mr. Brandley? The steward to Netherfield?"

There you go Darce. Play nonchalant. Netherfield, what is Netherfield? Oh, you arse! You should have known who Mr. Brandley is! Bingley is going to find that odd.

Bingley tried to keep from laughing; Darcy had spoken with Mr. Brandley a few times since returning as well. Well, looks like you will fall after all.

"Yes, Mr. Brandley, the steward for Netherfield. I happened to mention wanting to know about the neighborhood, since we will be going there next October. He was completely obliging." More than that! I think I know every dark secret in Meryton since time began. Including Mrs. Bennet's ranting to her sister about Miss Elizabeth Bennet being her uncle's mistress…utter nonsense if you ask me. However Darce does not need to know that bit.

"Oh…umm…what did he say?" Please tell me something horrible so I can get over this ridiculous passing fancy that I think is love.

"Darcy come off it. We both know Miss Elizabeth Bennet has struck you in a way I thought the great Fitzwilliam Darcy would never have been touched."

Darcy froze at Bingley's words. Bingley knew. Darcy became decidedly uncomfortable. He pulled at his cravat. Damn, it is hot in here. He opened and closed his mouth a few times trying to form words.

Bingley was enjoying Darcy's discomposure. Finally Darcy collected his thoughts enough to form words.

"Am I that transparent?"

"No, not for those who do not care to look. You have been different since we returned from Hertfordshire."

Darcy nodded his head slightly.

"I can only imagine that your frequent late night trips to Madame Yvette's have to do something with someone we met there."

Darcy sputtered a bit. He knew he was in a jam. He just had to buy sometime before he confessed his true feelings about her.

"How do you know about my visits to Madame Yvette's?" That should hold him.

"Everyone knows Darcy. Everyone also knows that you have been visiting there more now, since we came back from Hertfordshire, than you have in years. Oh and do not change the subject, does this have to do with Miss Elizabeth Bennet?"

Darcy was dumbfounded. Everyone knows? He decided to store that information for another day.

"Y-yes."

"What are your intentions?"

"Good God man! I only just met her! What makes you think I might have any intentions?"

"Who are you trying to convince?"

Darcy sat there bewildered. This was not the Charles Bingley he knew.

"Who are you and what have you done with Charles Bingley?"

Bingley laughed, a deep laugh, from the belly.

"Oh, it is me. I just had a hunch and decided to follow it. Besides in all the years I have known you, I have never seen you cut someone the way you did Miss Bennet. When that happened I knew…"

"What! I did not cut her!"

"Yes you did."

This was not good. Fitzwilliam Darcy had never publically cut someone before. Not even Wickham, he thought bitterly.

"I did?"

"Yes." Bingley until now had been enjoying watching his staid friend squirm a bit. This was the only part he wished his friend would have realized on his own.

Darcy sat back in his chair, shoulder slumped.

"How bad was it?" Please not that bad, something minor. Think Darcy! You met her, you were introduced…Oh God in Heaven!

"By the look on your face, Darce, I think we both know the answer to that."

Charles Bingley was not a man who liked seeing anyone in any kind of pain. He knew that by the way Darcy had been acting lately, this was a heavy blow to his quest. If he has one. If he does not, well now he will.

"Well, now that you know, or should I say remembered, what are you doing to do about it?"

"Do about what? She is an American. Not only that, she is a very poor American. I feel sympathy for her loss of parents, being an orphan of sorts myself, but God man! My family and the Ton would eat her alive."

Bingley had a sly grin on his face. A grin that resembled a cat how had eaten the canary.

"That my friend is where you are wrong!"

"Wrong? Wrong about what?"

"Tsk. Tsk. Watch that Darcy pride, especially if you are going to win the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet. First before I tell you must make me a deal."

Rolling his eyes Darcy replied, "Fine whatever you wish, just get on with it."

"Like I was saying, Mr. Brandley said that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the only daughter of Mr. Bennet's younger brother, Jonathan Bennet. Apparently, Miss Elizabeth is the sole heir of her father's fortune."

"Really, interesting, what else?"

"Her mother was Maylee Randolph." Even I know who the Randolph's are, let us see if you do Darcy.

"Randolph…Randolph. Where have I heard the name before?"

"Her aunt's father is a very important person in the American government. Perhaps you have heard of him? Does the name Jefferson ring any bells?" Bingley sat back in his chair to let Darcy digest this information. She may be an American, but she sure does have some high connections.

Darcy's eyes widened. Thomas Jefferson is her aunt's father! That means…

"She has connections and wealth."

"Yes. Her connections are impeccable in American society, the elite, if you will. However, her wealth is a tightly kept secret. I do not think the even Mr. Bennet knows the true extent of it, Mr. Brandley did not. He overheard a conversation between Mr. Bennet and Mr. Phillips, the town's attorney."

"Amazing."

Darcy was astonished. He knew that even though England was currently at war with America, England would eventually need American goods again. That is just how the world worked. America would need English goods as well, a two way street.

"Better yet, I know the name of her solicitor here in London." This should make his day better.

"Well, Bingley do not leave me in suspense." Darcy tried to cover his want of information with sarcasm.

"Well, since you asked nicely, it is Anderson, Brown and Company."

Darcy tried to fight the smile on his face. He now had the keys to finding out everything about Elizabeth he ever wanted to know.

"Well, I thank you for informing me. However, Bingley, I must leave. I have a business meeting that I cannot delay."

Bingley looked crestfallen. His friend should be jumping up and down, thanking him for bestowing some information about the woman he was infatuated with.

"A business meeting? Now see here Darcy! I have spent hours listening to gossip just to gleam some information about her! I tell you and now all you have to say for yourself is 'I have a business meeting'?"

Bingley was riled up. He just knew that these two people would be perfect for each other. He just had to knock Darcy down from his high horse so he could see what was in front of his face.

Darcy was trying to fight the smile that was begging to be released. He sure can get in a mood when the occasion calls for it.

"Yes Bingley, I do. Now, if you will excuse me. Maybe we can meet later at White's, say around 4 o'clock?"

Running his fingers through his bright red hair, Bingley nodded his head.

"That will be fine."

Just as Bingley reached the door, Darcy stopped him.

"Oh Bingley! My business meeting…I have to go and see Mr. Anderson." Finally Darcy could release the smile that had been tugging at his lips for some time.

"Why…you…you really had me going Darce!"

"Sometimes Bingley, you can be so fun to tease!"

"Now it is my turn to ask, who are you and what have you done with Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

Darcy just laughed and saw Bingley out the door with a promise to meet at four at White's.

That's all for now folks...next chapter is kinda long, so I figured this was a god stopping place. Next week we meet Mrs. Bennet (you may want to dust of that blue couch)...some Darcy and a whole bunch of talking!

~Liz~