Chapter Nine: Butterflies
Disclaimer: Jane Austen owns Pride and Prejudice…not me!
Elizabeth yawned and leaned up in bed reveling in what had occurred the night before. She couldn't keep a smile from her face as she struggled to wake. She looked over to Jane on the other side of the bed who was still fast asleep. Late the night before they had been ushered into the house and fell immediately asleep. Elizabeth quietly slipped out of bed and began dressing for the day. As she searched for a dress to wear Elizabeth heard Jane moving out in bed.
"Good morning." Said Elizabeth to Jane.
"Good morning to you too." Said Jane. "Gosh, what time is it Lizzy?"
"I believe it is about 11 o'clock. We seemed to have slept half the day away!" exclaimed Lizzy giving Jane a smile.
"Well, we didn't get in till pretty late last night." Said Jane blushing a bit, remembering the events that had occurred.
"If mother or father ever found out we would be in trouble!" said Lizzy.
"You so more than me Lizzy. At the very least mother and father know I am engaged to Mr. Bingley. When are you going to tell them the good news?" asked Jane.
"I'm not sure." Lizzy paused to think for a moment, "I need to talk it over with Mr. Darcy, but I think I will tell them before the big end of the year ball in town. Do you think that would be appropriate?" asked Elizabeth.
"Ohh Lizzy! I am so happy! I'm sure mother will be so happy, and father will most definitely give his approval! At least, he will once he sees how much you care for Mr. Darcy." Said Jane enthusiastically.
"I hope so Jane. I just have a feeling that things wont turn out as smoothly as we hope." Said Elizabeth.
Later in the day Elizabeth and Jane were out walking when they saw Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley in the distance. They were riding the horses on the opposite side of the river. Both men had yet to spot the two young ladies. They seemed to be talking quite intensely about something. Then Mr. Bingley noticed Jane and Elizabeth on the other side of the river. Jane gave Mr. Bingley a little wave and a smile.
Even though it wasn't very gentlemanly he shouted "Hello! We'll be right over!" said Mr. Bingley with a huge smile on his face. It was clear that he was very happy to see his fiancée.
It only took a moment for Darcy and Bingley to reach the two ladies sides. Mr. Darcy took Elizabeth's hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. Elizabeth flushed lightly and looked into Mr. Darcy's eyes. She used to feel a little uncomfortable with the intensity that Darcy looked at her. But now she felt comfort in his feelings for her. Elizabeth knew that the time had come for Darcy and her to reveal their engagement. She just wasn't sure how it was going to go with her family. Elizabeth knew that they would be happy for her, but she was sure that they were going to be very surprised. Elizabeth looked around and saw Jane and Mr. Bingley talking beside his horse.
"Darcy, I think we should talk. It's very important." Said Elizabeth. Darcy led Elizabeth over to a flat rock beside the river and let sat down together. "I was thinking…" started Elizabeth, "I think we should announce our engagement." Said Elizabeth in a rush.
"I think that is an excellent idea my dear." Said Mr. Darcy almost immediately.
Elizabeth's eyes shot up to Darcy's and she asked "You do?"
"Of course. I've been waiting for some time to tell the world you're mine." Said Mr. Darcy smugly.
"Really? That's wonderful!" exclaimed Elizabeth, putting her arms around Darcy. "When should we tell everyone?"
"Whenever you want." Said Mr. Darcy.
"Well, I was thinking we should announce it in a few days, before the end of year ball." Said Elizabeth, "Then we can make it public at the ball that evening."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea Elizabeth. How do you wish to tell them? I'll want to talk with your father of course." Said Darcy.
"Yes, Yes. I had forgotten about fathers consent for a moment. You should probably talk to him before we tell anything to mother or my sisters." Said Lizzy pulling out of Darcy's arms.
"Alright. I'll come to your house before the ball that afternoon. We'll speak to your father and then to your family." Said Mr. Darcy once again taking Elizabeth in his arms. He set his lips to hers and wrapped Elizabeth more firmly in his arms. For awhile he was just content to kiss her lazily but the passion built up inside him proved to be too much. He began to kiss down Elizabeth's neck in a slow, lazy way. When he reached a spot below her ear Elizabeth gave a small moan he pressed closer to Darcy. Darcy captured her lips once again and when he felt her loosen he instinctively deepened the kiss.
'Ohh how can he do this to me?' thought Elizabeth, 'it's just too much.' After that thought Elizabeth broke away from Darcy. She looked around and thankfully Jane and Mr. Bingley weren't paying attention to them. 'It would be very embarrassing to be caught kissing you fiancée, even if you were caught by your sister.' Thought Elizabeth.
"Once again, I'm sorry I got carried away." Said Darcy taking Elizabeth's hands in his.
"That's alright. But I think Jane and I should be going. Mother will be wondering where we are." Said Elizabeth.
Elizabeth slid her arms around Darcy and squeezed him tightly. "I am glad I got to see you today." Said Elizabeth.
"As I am my dearest." Said Darcy.
Elizabeth left the comfort of Darcy's arms and went over to where Jane was standing with Mr. Bingley. Jane gave Mr. Bingley a little smile and then walked to Elizabeth. The two women walked down the river towards there home.
By the time the day of the ball had arrived Elizabeth was a nervous wreck. Darcy was due to arrive at any moment and talk to her father. She had spent most of the day outside trying to pass the time but the day went too slowly for her liking. She paced along the hallway beside the stairs unable to sit still. Every once and awhile she would look out the window to see if Darcy could be seen. At last, after waiting for what felt like all day, Elizabeth heard hoof-beats. She rushed to the window and saw Darcy riding up to her house. Elizabeth stood in the hallway when Mr. Darcy was let in. Their eyes met immediately but Darcy didn't embrace her like Elizabeth would have liked.
"Take me to Mr. Bennet's study." Elizabeth heard Mr. Darcy say to Mrs. Hill the Longbourn housekeeper.
"I'm sorry sir. You will have to wait. I'm afraid Mr. Bennet already has a visitor at the moment." Said Mrs. Hill.
This perplexed Elizabeth because she hadn't seen anyone come to the house all day. "Mrs. Hill, who is visiting father?" asked Elizabeth.
"I believe that Lord Aubrey is in with him Miss Elizabeth." Said Mrs. Hill before heading off towards the kitchens. She turned back towards Darcy and spoke once more, "Mr. Darcy, if you care to wait in the drawing room, Mr. Bennet will be with you shortly."
Elizabeth led Darcy into the drawing room and sat down on the chaise by the window. Darcy followed her there and sat down beside her talking her hand. "What do you suppose Lord Aubrey wants?" asked Elizabeth.
"I am not sure, but I don't like it." Said Darcy getting up and walking towards the window.
Before Elizabeth could respond she heard a screech from a room farther in the house. Elizabeth got up to check on the noise, but before she could get across the room, the door opened and Mrs. Bennet burst through.
"Ohh Lizzy! Something wonderful has just happened!! Lord Aubrey has just asked Mr. Bennet for permission to court you!"
Authors Note: I'm back from my mission trip!!! Yeah! It was so much fun but definitely very hard work. So how did you guys like this chapter?? What are we going to do about Lord Aubrey?? I would really appreciate it if you all reviewed for this chapter! It really helps me get ideas and to see if the chapter sucked or not! ;) Thanks to everyone who reviewed to chapter eight: tishtosh, riotgirllina, KoRnChildG, stacey.eats, courtney watt, flower123, RandomPerson97, EllaBella87, pryrmtns, Boo87, E.B.isme, Chez, DancingCavalier, Cali, orsinoslady, swpaintergal, LetsTwistAnotherFairyTale, Mrs. Dom Masbolle, frenchhornfreak, Wingless Feather, Asquared91, radclifflover, courtney, Iago96 and k8bob8. The next chapter should be up soon!! Thanks to everyone whose reading this!!
