Will Darcy…

Will watched Elizabeth quietly—keeping his senses honed as he surveyed her upon exiting the plane. He had underestimated the woman enough. If he had thought that she was once a worthy opponent, then the plane incident had more than proved his suspicions were correct. She could cut people down with words the same way a warrior could lay siege with a sword. And still he fought the need to admire her. She was right in her own way to distrust him, to view him as an ogre who would throw a woman and her family out into the streets without any resources. That's how he wanted to be viewed—cynical and intimidating. Fear made people listen to you. But, truth was, he wasn't that way. He had no intentions of dismissing Elizabeth Bennet—never had. No, he only intended to move her to a department back in the states that he felt benefited her services more. Since the European office was his home base, there were class distinctions there and certain elements of propriety that had to be followed that he didn't think her capable of. Now he wasn't so sure he was right. Now, he felt a little niggling thing called doubt. And he loathed doubt. Doubt made you weak. She barely glanced at him as she scooted into the car that had met them in Rome beside him. Their bodies touched as everyone else climbed in, and he tried his best to ignore the way it made him feel. He didn't need to be attracted to this woman. If he wanted company, then he had a list of high society women he could call who would appreciate his attention. He was somewhat of a womanizer only because he feared commitment. Commitment interfered with business. Elizabeth shifted slightly as Jane crawled in, causing her to fall over him a moment. She supported herself by placing her hand against his outer thigh and he winced, not in pain, but in a different sort of agony. Maybe he did need to call one of the women he occasionally went out with.

"I'm sorry." She murmured as he nodded at her quietly, watching as her eyes perused him unabashedly. She seemed to come to a silent decision, and he frowned as she leaned suddenly toward him.

"Could I talk with you later?" She asked in a whisper, her cheeks flushing despite her attempt to remain unfazed by their proximity. He pretended not to notice as he nodded quickly. Her request intrigued him. He wouldn't pretend otherwise, not when she and he seemed to be at literal war with the other. Was she about to wave the white flag of truce? The thought made him laugh. Yeah, right. And still her request plagued him as the car drove through the streets, although Elizabeth's sudden excitement at viewing Rome almost made him forget about the feel of her breath against his neck as she asked him whether she could speak with him. Passing some of the city's major attractions, Darcy grunted as Lizzie…when had he started thinking of her as Lizzie….unexpectedly threw herself over his lap to look out the window, childlike wonder flitting across her face. He almost smiled at her innocence, but he wasn't fooled by it. He had seen the tiger that lurked within her naïve skin and knew that, despite her youth, the woman had claws and wasn't shy about using them. His admiration grew. The third time she threw herself across him, he sighed before placing his hand on her shoulder and pulling her face up to his. It wasn't a romantic gesture, just one that allowed him to speak to her quietly.

"Would you like to switch places with me?" He asked softly as she grinned cheekily. He almost smiled back.

"Could I?" She asked in return as he nodded before making her gasp when he lifted her slim figure up and over him before scooting over and sitting her back down. She seemed shocked at his gesture, but she weighed nothing and he was tired of her elbowing him in the gut. One look at Charles and Caroline sitting across from him and he knew he was in for an interesting evening upon reaching his aunt's estate.

Catherine DeBourgh always insisted he use her residence when he was in the vicinity, but he couldn't help but be wary about the situation, especially since his aunt tended to be…well…she was just one interesting character. And she was determined to wed him to his cousin Lady Anne despite his disgust at the thought. He constantly argued with her about the subject. It was incest, he would insist. She would counter by pointing out that the nobility had been doing it since the beginning of time. He blanched at her insistence. He would not and never would marry his own relation, even if it was a customary practice in the days of old. He tensed as they drew nearer to Catherine's estate outside of Rome. Lizzie seemed to feel his discomfort because she looked away from the window then in order to gaze back at him. He hated that she could sense his unease now, as if by arguing they were suddenly developing some sort of strange connection. Fate was not being kind. She looked out the window again and gasped. Most people did upon viewing Rosings Park. It could easily be considered the eighth wonder of the world. And Catherine, more than anyone else, would agree with that synopsis. If Elizabeth Bennet had accused him of pride, then he couldn't wait to see how she reacted to his ornery aunt. The car slowed and stopped. And then the doors to Rosings Park opened. Yes, Darcy suddenly couldn't wait to see how this visit would go over.

Elizabeth Bennet…

And the heavens opened the sun unto the world and the choir of angels sang…dear Lord! What a sight! A person could get lost just trying to use the bathroom at night. Lord knows, the idea of cleaning such a place could give a person a fit of apoplexy. And although I was rather contrite after the arguments with Darcy and confused over the gesture he had made upon relinquishing his seat for me, even I wasn't immune to the monstrosity in front of me. How friggin' wealthy were these people? It flummoxed me, enough so that I now questioned whether or not I still had the ability to speak. And then the door to the place opened and a woman of undetermined age stepped out into the late morning sun, shielding her eyes and glaring at the sky as if she were angry at it for not creating a cloud cover for her. Oh, dear Lord, another Darcy. When Jane had mentioned that we would be staying at the DeBourgh estate, I hadn't thought anything of it then. But now…well, I felt like a duck out of water who had clipped wings and couldn't fly away.

"Impressive, isn't it?" A voice whispered beside me, and I frowned as I realized it was Will…Will? When had I started thinking of him as Will? Ughhhh!

"It's just a house." I replied back with a shrug as he laughed softly from above my shoulder. Boy, the man was tall.

"Uh huh." He murmured as he brushed past me to greet the woman who moved now down the stairs, her nose poised slightly in the air.

"Auntie." Darcy remarked as she accepted his small kisses on each of her cheeks delicately. Watching the woman was like watching something off of the History Channel. She was demure and straight-laced, and it was slightly intimidating. I blew a stray wisp of my hair out of my face as I squared my shoulders and marched forward. Intimidating my ass! The whole family could kiss their own old fashioned arses for all I cared. Lady Catherine DeBourgh looked up then and nodded to us all respectfully, accepting the kisses that came from Caroline and Charles Bingley next as they were old acquaintances with her as well.

"Your sister Lady Hurst resides now within. I convinced her and her husband to stay here while you are visiting." Catherine informed Caroline and Charles regally before turning to face Jane and I. Jane smiled winsomely, and I watched as Charles stared at her from over Catherine's shoulders. There was something going on there. He was the reason she had known where to go in order to fly into Italy. He was also the reason she had known we were staying here. I could almost bet on it.

"Jane." Catherine said civilly as Jane bowed her head slightly. It was obvious they knew each other too from some past soiree or whatever they had in Europe that might conduce as formal get-togethers. Now, the woman turned toward me and her face grew rigid—pinching together in a gesture that reminded me of how my sister Kitty appeared when she ate a lemon. The thought made me smile despite the cold look that gleamed in her eyes. It wasn't as if I were going to win a popularity contest anyhow. To hell with it, right?

"Lady Catherine." I murmured while nodding respectfully as Jane had done before. Looking up, I could see Darcy's eyes twinkling in amusement as he surveyed the situation and I had the strange, childish urge to stick my tongue out at him. Lord knows, I probably would have too if Catherine hadn't nodded back at me then.

"Ms. Elizabeth Bennet, I presume?" She asked as I nodded again. I felt suddenly like one of those bobbing headed dolls that sat on the dashboard of cars. Deuced propriety! She nodded back before motioning toward the house with her weathered hands.

"Lunch has been prepared. Please come in and join me." She remarked as we all followed her when she turned on her heels. I fell behind a little as I stopped to peer up at the house quietly, feeling suddenly bereft by its size. It seemed lonely somehow—empty despite its grandeur. Realizing that everyone else was almost inside the door, I turned to head up the stairs as well only to find myself peering into Darcy's inquisitive stare. He had fallen behind too. Was he that aware of me? He blinked then and turned on his heel before heading into the house. His retreating back mesmerized me as he walked away. Something told me things were going to explode before long. I suppose it didn't matter. I was, after all, only temporary.