I'm so sorry for keeping you all waiting these past two weeks. I hope you will forgive me, but if not I shall attempt to bribe you with two new chapters.
Enjoy!
When sitting down to supper Mr. Darcy anxiously watched Georgiana as she had been suspiciously quiet since returning from the shops. Mr. Darcy presumed that Georgiana was remaining silent in an effort to arrange a multitude of questions regarding his encounter with Elizabeth this morning and therefore he began mentally preparing for the assault.
Before Mr. Darcy could strike up a conversation and likely prompt a thorough interrogation, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was announced.
"Mind if I join you?," Richard asked already moving to take a seat.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No," his cousin retorted teasingly.
"Well then by all means, make yourself comfortable."
"What a gracious host your brother is Georgiana," Richard declared with a wink. "How was your shopping trip?"
"Interesting," Georgiana said feigning innocence.
Sighing Mr. Darcy accepted his fate.
"Go ahead."
"Oh Richard I met this young woman while looking for a pair of gloves and she was so kind and beautiful. We were talking and I lost track of time so Fitzwilliam came into the shop and you'll never believe it, he knew Elizabeth! You should have seen the way he looked at her! It was like she was the only woman in the room! I'm going to get a sister!"
Mr. Darcy started chuckling at Georgiana's unbelievably rushed and animated description of the meeting.
"Brother you must tell me everything about Elizabeth."
Mr. Darcy looked at his sister who was practically bouncing in anticipation and smiled as Elizabeth had evidently already begun to have a positive influence on Georgiana who hadn't spoken this excitedly since the incident at Ramsgate.
Attempting not to laugh at Richard's visibly shocked expression Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and began to recount his history with Elizabeth.
"Miss Elizabeth and I met when I accompanied Bingley to his new estate in Hertfordshire. I was introduced to the Bennet's at an assembly we attended shortly after arriving. Although I encountered Miss Elizabeth at other gatherings it wasn't until she roomed at Netherfield to nurse her elder sister who had fallen ill during a visit that I saw Miss Elizabeth constantly. Unable to deny the affection I held for her any longer I proposed one morning."
"You didn't tell me you were engaged to Elizabeth!," Georgiana yelled in both censure and delight.
"I'm not."
"You were rejected?," Richard asked skeptically.
"Yes and rightly so. During the proposal I cited all the reasons that I had fought my attraction to her including the inferiority of her birth."
"Fitzwilliam!," Georgiana scolded.
"But as it turns out Miss Elizabeth intensely disliked me before my tactless application for her hand."
"Why?," Georgiana inquired curiously.
"She overheard when I called her 'not handsome enough to tempt me' during the first assembly."
"You really do have a way with the ladies cousin," Richard said laughing.
"Anyhow," Mr. Darcy continued directing an annoyed look towards his cousin, "after being rejected I quickly exited Netherfield to return here and then attempted to mend by bruised ego."
"Until I made you read Mr. Bingley's letter."
"Yes. Mr. Bingley's express disclosed his plan to propose to Miss Bennet during a ball he was hosting the following evening. Believing Miss Bennet indifferent to Bingley I hurried back to Netherfield in hopes of dissuading my friend from entering into a loveless marriage. Assured however of Miss Bennet's feelings Bingley disregarded my advice and announced his engagement during supper."
"But you returned home the next day. What happened?"
"During the ball I tried to remedy Miss Elizabeth's opinion of me and I believed my efforts had been successful until I overheard her tell her friend that she still viewed me as the same man despite my attempt to change. I left the next morning not wanting to burden her with my company any longer."
"So you gave up after one night?," Georgiana asked disappointedly.
"I debated returning every day for the past month."
"Since Elizabeth appeared just as affected by your presence as you were by hers this morning, I predict that her opinion has shifted. This time I expect you not to declare defeat so easily," Georgiana commanded whilst glaring at her brother.
"Definitely not. Hopefully I shall secure you a sister in no time," Mr. Darcy stated teasingly.
"See that you do," Georgiana replied fighting a smile.
"I would like to meet this woman," Richard interjected resolute in his mission to ascertain whether Miss Elizabeth was merely a highly skilled fortune hunter.
"She will be joining us for supper on Wednesday. You are welcome to attend Richard," Mr. Darcy offered knowing his cousin's worries would immediately disappear after he met Elizabeth.
"Thank you, I will."
Mr. Darcy found that the rest of the evening and the entirety of Tuesday passed excruciatingly slowly. During this time Mr. Darcy contemplated whether he made the right decision in leaving Netherfield after the ball.
Knowing how many rumours circulated due to his changed manners it was possible that Elizabeth was simply attempting to quell any further gossip by refusing to announce her reformed opinion in a ballroom filled with eavesdroppers.
Mr. Darcy groaned in frustration.
If Elizabeth was lying to Miss Lucas then Mr. Darcy had wasted an entire month in wallowing when he could have been happily courting his love. Mr. Darcy admitted that he should have studied Elizabeth's body language rather than relying solely on her cutting words. Reviewing the evening, Mr. Darcy remembered that Elizabeth blushed a lot, teased him, and even flirted with him.
He was a fool.
Mr. Darcy knew that if he wanted a chance to further their relationship he needed to explain the reason for his departure to Elizabeth. He prayed she would understand his insecurities and hopefully they would make up for lost time and begin courting properly without additional misunderstandings.
When Wednesday finally dawned Mr. Darcy spent the day accosting his staff ensuring everything was perfect. During a discussion with his housekeeper Mr. Darcy suddenly erupted in laughter as he realized he was acting exactly like Bingley the night of the ball. Resolved to trust his staff Mr. Darcy apologized for his outburst and promised not to bother his housekeeper any more.
As Georgiana, Richard, and Mr. Darcy waited for the arrival of Elizabeth and the Gardiners, Mr. Darcy attempted to soothe his overwhelming nerves.
Tonight officially marked the beginning of Mr. Darcy's determined quest to win Elizabeth's love.
When the party was announced Mr. Darcy jumped to his feet and strode to the door of the drawing room ignoring Richard's snickering in the background.
"Mr. Gardiner. Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Elizabeth. Welcome to my home," Mr. Darcy said with an anxious smile.
"Thank you Mr. Darcy. It's great to finally meet the man these two beautiful ladies have been relentlessly discussing for the past two days," Mr. Gardiner said with a wink towards Elizabeth who blushed prettily at her uncle's teasing.
"Oh we've been privileged to the same rambles it seems as Darcy here couldn't stop praising Miss Elizabeth," Richard interjected enjoying embarrassing his cousin.
"Let me introduce you to my now least favourite cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"You wound me Darcy," Richard proclaimed dramatically.
After rolling his eyes in exasperation Mr. Darcy introduced Georgiana to Mr. Gardiner and encouraged everyone to make themselves comfortable as supper was not quite ready.
"It seems, Miss Elizabeth, that my cousin has not exaggerated just how beautiful you are," Richard said flirtatiously.
"Although those are pretty words Colonel I cannot accept your flattery as your comment was not truly meant for me but instead to cause Mr. Darcy discomfort. And judging by his strained expression I congratulate you on your success," Elizabeth said with a raise of her eyebrow.
"It seems Richard that you have met your match," Mr. Darcy stated proudly as he gazed appreciatively at Elizabeth.
"I look forward to sparring with you in the future Miss Elizabeth," Richard declared.
"And I with you," Elizabeth retorted.
"How is your family, Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy asked in an attempt to secure her attention.
"They are very well, thank you. Mary is now Mrs. Collins and is already ensconced in Hunsford presumably receiving lots of advice from your magnanimous aunt. Mama is fervently planning Jane and Mr. Bingley's wedding which is now approximately three months away. Jane and Mr. Bingley are much the same as they continue to stare longingly at each other effectively forgetting any other occupants in the room. Kitty and Lydia are persistently silly. And my father has managed to avoid all chaos in the confines of his library as per usual."
Mr. Darcy chuckled at Elizabeth's colourful description of the happenings at Longbourn.
Before he could respond the room was notified that supper was ready.
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said offering his arm to escort her.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth responded playfully mimicking the indifferent tone she used following their first dance at the Netherfield ball.
The couple proceeded to assume the very behaviour Elizabeth had described of Miss Bennet and Bingley as they momentarily got lost gazing in each other's eyes. They were quickly transported back to reality however when Mr. Gardiner subtly coughed.
During supper the animated conversations continued.
Mr. Darcy and Georgiana spoke with Mrs. Gardiner regarding their shared love of Lambton, the small village where Mrs. Gardiner grew up which is situated close to Pemberley - Mr. Darcy's home. Richard was pleased to find Mr. Gardiner an informed conversationalist as the two discussed their similar political views. Elizabeth enjoyed getting to know Georgiana and slowly drawing the shy young woman out of her shell.
Watching as the occupants of the dining room laughed at one of Richard's many jokes Mr. Darcy savoured the evening's success.
Feeling Elizabeth's stare Mr. Darcy turned to meet her gaze and their smiles seemed to brighten as each continued to feel more confident in their shared affections.
Forgoing the typical separation of the sexes the entire party returned to the drawing room following the completion of the delicious cuisine.
When Mr. Darcy boldly sat next to Elizabeth the rest of the group awarded the couple a little solitude and revived the entertaining supper discussions.
"It seems Mr. Darcy that our companions have, not so subtly, given us a little privacy," Elizabeth said teasingly.
"I believe you are right which means this is an excellent opportunity to tell you that you look positively enchanting this evening," Mr. Darcy said truthfully watching as Elizabeth blushed after his compliment.
"Thank you sir. You look quite handsome yourself," Elizabeth replied evidently attempting to fight the shyness she felt after receiving such flattery.
"Miss Elizabeth I wanted to explain to you why I hastily left Netherfield following the ball."
Taking a deep breath Mr. Darcy prepared to expose his heart.
"During the ball I attempted to change your poor opinion of my manners" Mr. Darcy started daringly. "When I overheard you tell Miss Lucas that your original estimations had persisted I retreated."
Mr. Darcy was shocked when Elizabeth began laughing.
"It seems our acquaintance continues to be plagued by ill-timed eavesdropping. Initially my dislike of you was formed after you insulted me during the assembly, and then after hearing the comment I made to Charlotte you immediately left Netherfield assuming your affections were not reciprocated."
"I have yet to apologize to you for that insult at the assembly. Know that I had hardly looked at you when I uttered those vial words. When I finally was afforded an opportunity to see you fully I immediately recognized that you were without a doubt one of the most handsome women I have ever known."
"You should know that I lied to Charlotte. The ballroom however was no place to tell her how completely my opinion had shifted," Elizabeth replied with a glowing smile.
"I was very unhappy that you left," Elizabeth disclosed a moment later.
"I shall forever attempt to make it up to you."
"I would expect no less."