Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice…..
Chapter Ten: Permission to Court
Elizabeth stared aghast at her mother, trying to comprehend what she had just said. Lord Aubrey asked her father's permission to court her? Elizabeth could scarcely believe it.
"Ohh Lizzy isn't it wonderful? Thank goodness you turned down Mr. Collins…" Mrs. Bennet trailed off as she noticed Mr. Darcy standing in the corner of the room, "Good morning Mr. Darcy. What do we owe the pleasure of your company?" asked Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth answered for Mr. Darcy, "He is here to talk to father."
Mr. Darcy walked over to where Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet stood, "Yes, I had business to discuss with him, but I can see that now is not the time. Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet." Said Darcy tipping his hat to each lady.
Elizabeth's thoughts went into overdrive as Darcy walked out of the room. 'How could he leave without talking to her father?' Before she could think anymore about her problems with Mr. Darcy, her mother ushered her into the kitchen.
"Lizzy darling, how excited you must be! To think a man so noble and rich is interested in you! It truly is a miracle. You must be so pleased!" said Mrs. Bennet jabbering on.
"Well to be perfectly frank…." Started Elizabeth.
"You do not need to tell me! I can tell that you and Lord Aubrey will get along fine. After all, you spent much time in his company at the last ball." Interrupted Mrs. Bennet.
Jane, Mary and Kitty walked into the room before Mrs. Bennet could continue. Kitty was the first to rush over to Elizabeth.
"Lizzy! How lucky you are to have Lord Aubrey as a suitor! You will get many fine gifts during your courtship, I'm sure!" exclaimed Kitty.
"I do not need many fine things…" began Elizabeth, but with all tge talking she could barely get a word in. Only Jane did not speak, but she watched Elizabeth and saw that she was troubled.
Jane stepped to Lizzy and addressed their mother, "I think with all the excitement Lizzy needs some air." Jane took Elizabeth's arm and they walked out the door. When the two ladies were finally out of earshot Jane began asking Lizzy questions.
"Lizzy, what happened? I thought Mr. Darcy was going to ask father for your hand today? I was very surprised when mother announced that it was Lord Aubrey who talked to father and not Mr. Darcy. What happened?" Said Jane.
Elizabeth took a moment to respond, "I do not know Jane, I do not know. Mr. Darcy came to the house today, as planed, and went to speak with father. He was informed that father already had a visitor but he could wait to speak with him in the sitting room. Mr. Darcy and I waited in there together and five minutes had not passed before mother burst in with her 'good news'." Explained Elizabeth.
"Ohhh Lizzy. What are you going to do? I am sure that mother will push you to accept Lord Aubrey's suit." Said Jane.
"What I really want to do is speak with Mr. Darcy. Surely he will know what to do." Said Elizabeth.
"Maybe if Mr. Darcy also spoke to father he too could ask permission to court you." Said Jane as she took her sisters hand.
Elizabeth felt comfort in the touch of her beloved sister but it was not enough to stop the uneasiness she felt. "Before anything happens I need to speak with Mr. Darcy."
"But the question is, how will you speak with him. Mother and father do not permit me to go to Netherfield alone, even now that Mr. Bingley and I are engaged, so I am sure they wont let you go there. I think maybe you should send him a letter." Said Jane.
"Yes, I agree Jane. A letter is the only way I can contact him without anyone knowing." Said Elizabeth, "But I do not think it should be me who sends the letter. I think it should be you."
"Me? Why me Lizzy?" asked Jane surprise evident in her eyes.
"You have to do it because no one would wonder why you are sending a letter to Netherfield. After all, you are engaged to Mr. Bingley. But I do think mother would be suspicious if it were me writing." Explained Elizabeth. Jane and Elizabeth walked to a tree on the edge of their property and sat down, "You should address the letter to Mr. Bingley but I will put my letter for Mr. Darcy inside as well as a note explaining."
"Alright Lizzy. But we should do this soon. After all, we do have the ball tonight and you will want to get this resolved as soon as possible. I am sure that Lord Aubrey will start courting you immediately. He will most likely be at the ball tonight, but that cannot be helped." Said Jane.
"The ball! I completely forgot about the ball. I do not want to go anymore. This was supposed to be when Mr. Darcy and I announced our engagement. I know I will not have a good time." Said Elizabeth pouting a little. "We had better go write the letters now. I am most anxious to hear Mr. Darcy's reply."
Jane and Elizabeth walked back to the house and immediately started on the letters. Elizabeth wrote a small note to Darcy telling him how urgently she needed to speak with him. When she finished Elizabeth handed the letter over to Jane who sent it to Netherfield Hall. Elizabeth could hardly wait for the reply. She spent the rest of the afternoon preparing for the ball and wishing that Mr. Darcy would come and take her away. Just as the family was leaving for the ball a footman from Netherfield Hall appeared at the door.
"Jane! Your Mr. Bingley has sent you a letter. You better go read it quickly as we are due at the ball soon." Said Mrs. Bennet.
Jane took the letter from her mother and walked up the stair to her room. Elizabeth soon came up and Jane handed her the letter.
Elizabeth,
Do not worry, I have the matter well at hand. I will come to speak with your father tomorrow afternoon.
Yours,
Fitzwilliam.
"See, what did I tell you Lizzy? Mr. Darcy will speak to father tomorrow and all will be resolved." Said Jane confidently.
"We had better go downstairs. I know Kitty is very excited about the ball tonight and she will be wanting to leave as soon as possible." Said Elizabeth.
As Jane and Lizzy walked back downstairs they could hear Kitty complaining to their parents about the delay.
"But mother! Why can't we leave now?" whined Kitty.
"Kitty, they are coming in a moment. Just give them a little time." Said Mr. Bennet. When he saw Jane and Elizabeth coming down the stairs he turned to Kitty and said, "Here they are Kitty, now we can leave."
"I don't see why we have to go to the ball anyway. It seems like that is all we do lately. Did we not just go to one last week?" asked Mary.
"Yes we did Mary. But it is important for you, Kitty and Lizzy to meet as many young men as possible. We want you to make a good match. Well, Lizzy doesn't have to worry about that anymore does she?" said Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth blushed a little and tried not to look forlorn. She couldn't wait for all this craziness to end and for her family to finally know about her engagement to Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth knew that her mother will be a little disappointed by her lack of title. But Elizabeth hoped that Mrs. Bennet would see how much she loves Mr. Darcy. Her mother ushering all her girls out the door interrupted Elizabeth's thoughts.
"All right girls! Everyone in the carriage!" said Mrs. Bennet.
Soon the family arrived at the ball and walked inside the beautiful building. Many people were already present and the ball seemed to be a crush. Elizabeth and Jane separated from their family and walked to the side of the room. Before Jane and Elizabeth could saw Lord Aubrey approaching. His blonde hair gleamed in the candlelight and one couldn't help but notice the impressive cut of his coat. He looked very handsome.
He stopped in front of the two sisters and bowed. "How are you doing this evening ladies?" asked Lord Aubrey.
Jane answered first. "I am doing very well thank you."
He turned to Elizabeth and asked, "and you Miss Elizabeth?"
"I am also well, thank you for asking." Said Elizabeth.
Lord Aubrey bowed over Elizabeth's hand and then turned back to Jane. "May I take your sister away from you for a moment?" asked Lord Aubrey.
Jane looked at Elizabeth and then back at Lord Aubrey, "Alright. But only if you promise to return her." Said Jane.
"I promise." Said Lord Aubrey as he took Elizabeth's hand it put it on his arm. He led Elizabeth around the room to a door that was obstructed by a large candelabrum. He opened the door and stepped aside for Elizabeth to pass through. The door led to a small hallway that led farther into the house. As Elizabeth started to walk forward Lord Aubrey grabbed her arm to stop her. "Wait! We can talk here."
Elizabeth turned back to Lord Aubrey and waited for him to speak.
"I am sure that your father has told you I asked for his permission to court you." Began Lord Aubrey.
"Yes, he did tell me that my lord." Said Elizabeth.
"You must call me Sebastian, for I already called you Elizabeth." Said Lord Aubrey.
"I do not think that would be proper." Said Elizabeth turning away from him.
"Elizabeth! I am courting you. I don't think it would improper for me to call you by your given name." Said Lord Aubrey gently turning Elizabeth back towards him. "I brought you here only to tell you myself that I wish to court you. You are a beautiful and interesting young woman. I think you would make a wonderful Viscountess Aubrey."
"Isn't it a little early for that my lord?" asked Elizabeth, "After all I haven't even consented to have you court me."
"But you will. I always get what I want." Said Lord Aubrey with a glint in his eye.
"I think you better take me back to the ballroom." Said Elizabeth starting to edge back to the door.
"Alright. But I am determined to win you over Miss Elizabeth." Said Lord Aubrey.
Lord Aubrey once again took Elizabeth's hand and put it on his sleeve. They discreetly opened the door and walked back into the ballroom. Elizabeth was shocked at who she saw across the room. Mr. Darcy had come to the ball.
Authors Note: Hey guys!! Thanks again for reading my story! I hope you liked this chapter! I'm so sorry it took a little while longer to get up….I was distracted by the new Harry Potter book (which was amazing by the way! I loved it!) Thank you to everyone who reviewed for chapter nine: frenchhornfreak, Wingless Feather, L'Ange Romantique, tishtosh, Kent, Randomperson97, pryrmtns, Frances, Chez, riotgirllina, E.B.isme, KoRnChildG, lilsinch4eva, cleopatra32003, Cali, Mrs. Dom Masbolle, jillybean90, EllaBella87, stacey.eats, k8bob8, DancingCavalier, orsinoslady, LetsTwistAnotherFairyTale, Indigoxx, radclifflover, flower123 and asquared97. I'm working on the next chapter…so look for it later this week! Thanks again to everyone who is reading this! If you could please review and let me know what you think…I'd really appreciate it! Thanks again!