Thanks for the reviews!!!!! After a lot of planning I decided to add Wickham. I just want to note ahead of time that there is no history between Darcy and Wickham in my story. They meet for the first time in this chapter. Hope this makes everything clear.
Thanks for reading. :-)
Elizabeth was confused. She didn't like to be confused, but unfortunately for her, she had met someone who constantly confused her.
Mr. Darcy was handsome, she had to acknowledge this, but her first impression of him had also been of his proud, disagreeable nature. Then again, when she had talked to him for the first time he had been very polite. After that somewhat awkward conversation he had been going out of his way to be charming and nice to her. She could not make him out at all. How could one man have so many different facets of character?
That he liked her, she was nearly certain. It had seemed that nearly every word he had spoken to her was filled with double meanings, and when he wasn't speaking to her, more often than not, he was staring at her. It made her quite uncomfortable. She was sure he was attracted to her, but had she any attraction to him? She did not think so. She hoped, desperately, that Darcy wouldn't take his attraction too far. If he did, she would not be at fault for the pain he would receive.
Jane and Elizabeth had arrived at Longbourn and both happily greeted their father. They then moved on to their mother. Greeting her was not so pleasant.
"Jane? What are you doing home? You should still be at Netherfield! What if your cold comes back? What use will it be to you here, where there is no Mr. Bingley to see you? You have no compassion on my poor nerves." Jane tried to soothe her mother, while Elizabeth locked eyes with her father. Both eyes held similar expressions of amusement and suppressed laughter. Mr. Bennet finally recovered himself and decided it was time to inform Mrs. Bennet of some news he had received.
"I hope, my dear, you have ordered a good dinner today. For I have reason to expect an addition to our family party." Mrs. Bennet immediately forgot her sorrows about Jane returning home, and focused her attention on her husband. "It is my cousin, Mr. Collins, who when I am dead will inherit Longbourn."
"Oh, pray don't mention that odious man. I think it the worst thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own five children."
Mr. Bennet went on to read the letter he had received from Collins with great amusement. The letter was written with a very pompous air. Mr. Bennet was rather excited for his cousin to arrive. He was sure that Mr. Collins would be a very diverting man. Even if he didn't mean to be.
Mr. Collins was very prompt and arrived exactly on time. All of the Bennets came out to great him. He greeted them all, very civilly, in return, especially Jane. Mrs. Bennet waisted no time in telling him of the very handsome and rich Mr. Bingley, who seemed to have formed an attachment to Jane. She said nothing of Darcy, however. She could not believe that he would ever make any adresses to her daughter. So Mr. Collins switched his attentions to Elizabeth, much to her displeasure.
Lydia proposed a walk to Meryton, but Elizabeth was reluctant. It took much encouraging on Lydia and Jane's part to finally convince her to come and 'have a great time'. As they began their walk she found out, to her horror, that Collins was to walk with them. She was forced to listen to his monologue of the greatness of Rosings and his patroness, Lady Catherine DeBurge.
When they reached Meryton, Lydia and Kitty spotted Denny and another man and soon called them over. Introductions were made all around. Denny's friend was named Wickham and was a new recruit of the malitia.
Wickham was very charming. He spoke well and was much informed of many subjects. Elizabeth found herself drawn to him. Wickham was also very handsome. Elizabeth found it hard not to stare. Wickham's wit complemented hers and they fell into very easy conversation.
Horse hooves were heard and Elizabeth looked away from her compainion reluctantly to see the new arrivals. They were Bingley and Darcy. Elizabeth barely suppressed a groan. She could easily tell by the look Darcy was giving Wickham that her conversation was soon to be over.
Both Bingley and Darcy dismounted. They moved towards the group and addressed greetings to all of the assembled, but their eyes stayed firmly locked on the objects of their affections. Bingley moved to talk to Jane and Darcy to Elizabeth.
"Miss Elizabeth, it is good to see you. You are doing well, are you not." Darcy chose to ignore Wickham.
"I am sir." Elizabeth looked at her shoes uncomfortable by his staring.
"Will you introduce me to this," Darcy hesitated trying to remember his manners. "Gentleman."
"Oh. Mr. Darcy, this is Mr. Wickham. Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy." Both men bowed to each other and in what seemed to be a polite manner, but Elizabeth could feel the tension radiating off of both of the men. They locked eyes and held each sizing the other up. Collins bounced up Elizabeth's side. The other men immedatly stopped glaring at each other and turned to their new rival.
The silence in their group was absolute until Bingley's voice floated over to them.
"May we accompany you home, Miss Bennet?" On Jane's approval three male voices spoke in unison.
"Miss Elizabeth, may I have the honor?"
"May I offer you my arm, Miss Elizabeth?"
"Dear cousin, shall I escort you back to Longbourn and your most excellent parents?"
Elizabeth eyed the three men cautiously. She knew there was more hanging on her answer than just who would walk her home. Whoever she chose would see it as a sign of her affection and those she did not chose would see it as a sign of her indifference to them or preference to another. Who should she choose? It was really a choice between Darcy and Wickham. She liked Wickham and would be happy to get to know him better, but she could see the burning jealously in Darcy's eyes and felt fear creep into her heart. She couldn't chose Darcy, because she didn't want Wickham to think that she liked him. If she chose Darcy, it would also make him think she had feelings for him. If he thought that he might do something frightening, like propose! It was a situation that was impossible for her to come out on top. She sighed and reluctantly adressed one of the men.
"I would be honored." With that she took the man's arm, leaving two very unhappy and confused men behind.
Darcy was smiling as he rode down Meryton's streets with Bingley. He was actually smiling! Bingley was very surprised at Darcy's mood and willingness to accompany him to Longbourn, but he could guess at the reason. All of Bingley's thoughts driven away, however, when he spotted his angel, Jane.
Darcy's smile faultered and disapeared before Elizabeth ever got a chance to see it. Darcy saw his Elizabeth with another man, talking and laughing. He could feel the jealously raging in his heart as he caught a glimpse of the man's face. He was very young and handsome. Damn him.
Darcy dismounted and moved toward them, his scowl prominent. He addressed Elizabeth with civility and asked the name of her companion. It was Wickham. Darcy turned his full attention on Wickham, mentally pointing out all of his faults. Darcy's head snapped back to Elizabeth when yet another man came up to her side.
He heard Bingley offer to escort Jane home and Darcy hurried to do the same for Elizabeth. Unfortunately the other men had the same idea. They all watched in silence as Elizabeth seemed to contemplate the three of them. Darcy waited with hope expanding in his breast. He started when she finally made her choice.
"I would be honored." Elizabeth took Mr. Collins' arm and the two of them walked off leaving Wickham and Darcy with nothing else to do, but stare after them. Elizabeth looked back and sighed at the expressions of the two men. It had been an eventful morning, but she had certainly not had a great time.
What do you think? I wasn't sure who the have Elizabeth go with, but to me Collins seemed the best choice. It was really fun to write though.
I wrote the proposal scene, but I'm still trying to decide if it will take place in Kent or Hartefordshire. It's much different than the books so be prepared. Well that's it till next time. :-)
