Disclaimer: I do not own Pride & Prejudice, the plot is of my own imaginings, and any characters that are unfamiliar.
14 December, 1811
14 December, 1811
Dearest Georgiana,
I just received your letter. I am glad to hear you are well and that Fitz hasn't endangered you too much. He did try to blame the chair on you, Dearest, but as I read your letter first, I'm more inclined, at the moment, to believe you, but let us leave him in suspense for a little while longer. Richard did break both of his arms, although not at the same time. Fitz just doesn't learn from his mistakes, once the doctor had wrapped his arm he was back straight away on the horse and breaking the second arm.
Cricket and Arcturus are healthy, Cricket has made a new friend, and he enjoys teasing me greatly through this friendship. The ball was lavish, Charles was excitable, and no, I did not hide in the corner the entire night, only part of it. I did dance, and it was pleasant enough. I have not acquired you a new sister, no matter how much you or Richard think otherwise. I may be very persuasive, but I suspect inducing a woman into marriage takes a little more time and effort than Richard believes. What do you think, Georgie, what would be the best way to convince a reluctant woman to marry me? That should keep you busy and out of trouble for a few days at least.
By the by, I met a curious dog named Plato recently, who I think would get along very well with you. Plato does not, however, like me. I even attempted bribery to no success except his owner's smirking laughter.
With the snow as bad as it has been I probably won't be able to make it to London for Christmas, but as soon as it is safe, I will of course be there. If you would like, Georgie, we may celebrate Christmas again when we are together.
Love,
Fitzwilliam
Darcy had carefully constructed his letter, keeping it playful but refusing to answer any of the more personal questions. He had yet to mention Elizabeth by name to Georgie for fear Georgiana would burst from excitement. Darcy had mentioned a lady who was argumentative and was quite kind, but that was the extent. Georgiana, Darcy had no doubt, would get along famously with Elizabeth. That in itself gave Darcy a few reservations. Georgiana and Elizabeth were all too capable of getting the best of him separately, together Darcy would be outnumbered and without mercy.
Setting aside that letter, Darcy set to work on a second.
14 December, 1811
Fitz,
I am glad to hear that you and Georgie are safe, the weather here is temperamental. One day the snow will begin to melt just a little and the next it will be raining and snowing anew. I've already informed Georgiana that I likely will not be able to reach London for Christmas. It is only now that the post is being carried by sled and that takes several days because of the temperature. As to the chair, well, if it were anyone else but Georgiana… But it was Georgie who broke it so I cannot be too upset with her.
I would ask you not to encourage Georgiana in hoping for a sister, because my attempts thus far have been misunderstood and not as successful as I would have liked. The lady in question is the one with whom I argue, her name is Elizabeth. She is a gentleman's daughter, and quite accomplished. She is very bright and witty, and kind and she would make a wonderful mother, Richard. I have told her of my, and Georgiana's, dealings with Wickham, and she has taken it as best she can, she cried for Georgiana's sake, for mine.
The only problem is that she doesn't love me. Not yet, at least. She hated me until very recently, and I have loved her very nearly our entire acquaintance, I was only in denial that I did not love her. I have set about to persuade her into marriage, but it is easier to plan than to enact. Her dog, Plato, is entirely against it—he glares at me as if I am going to pick Elizabeth up and run off with her. Of course, he may have some basis for those thoughts. I would very much like to hold her in my arms constantly. Cricket, too, has begun to tease me. Only the other day he rested his muzzle in her lap, I had never before wished to be horse, but in that moment I did.
I must be off, I have work to do if am to convince Elizabeth to marry me before Christmas.
Your Cousin,
F. Darcy
"Lizzy," Lydia's scream echoed through the halls of Longbourn, reaching everyone without fail, including their intended recipient.
Elizabeth Bennet stepped out of her room and peered down the hallway at her youngest and silliest sister, "Yes, Lydia?"
"Mama says you must take Kitty and I into Meryton to buy presents for each other while the weather is nice," Lydia grinned madly.
"What about Jane and Mary," Lizzy asked, hoping that at least one of her more sensible sisters would come along.
Lydia stalked forward, grabbed Lizzy's hand and pulled, "They are staying home and sending their lists with you and Kitty. La! I shall have such fun shopping for you all, I don't suppose I could convince anyone to marry you on such short notice, what do you want for Christmas, Lizzy?"
One less sister, Lizzy thought darkly. "Your love," Lizzy smiled sweetly, affecting a very Jane-ly nature, "is all I need."
"Ugh," Lydia huffed, rolling her eyes. "You are so boring Lizzy! Don't you want a handsome man to pick you up and kiss you!"
Gratifying Lydia with an answer would only bring madness, so instead, Elizabeth set to dressing warmly for the weather. Plato watched her carefully from the bed, knowing that his mistress only wore so many layers when she was going to spend hours out of doors.
"Do you want to come to Meryton with Lydia, Kitty, and I," Lizzy asked Plato.
Plato dropped his nose to the bed and one giant paw reached up and dropped across the dog's eyes and muzzle. That would be a categorical no. Lizzy couldn't help but smile. Plato may love just about every person and animal, but given the choice, Plato would not tag along to listen to Lydia's shrieks and squeals. And Elizabeth would be right beside the dog if she could.
"Fine," Lizzy playfully scowled, "abandon me! See if I don't get kidnapped just to spite you for this." Elizabeth planted a kiss on Plato's head before heading out the door.
Elizabeth walked slightly behind her two sisters, perusing the notes that Jane and Mary had given her, their gift-lists. They weren't too complex, a new book for Mary, a collection of ribbon for Lydia, and a new bonnet for Kitty, from Jane. Mary's list detailed a book on embroidery for Kitty, a book on etiquette for Lydia, and a book on gardening for Jane. Kitty had been charged with collecting Mary and Jane's gifts for Elizabeth, clearly being the more responsible choice of the two youngest girls.
Lydia and Kitty were, at the moment, giggling excitedly, they had been just as trapped as Lizzy, although they had born it better. They were not the subject of their mother's ire, and they had a gift for ignoring anything and everything they didn't care about. Lydia and Kitty had mostly spent their confinement in Longbourn giggling and chatting and arguing over who looked better in which dress. Jane had spent much of that time breaking up small arguments and preventing dresses from being torn at the seams.
"Mr. Darcy," Lydia giggled loudly, turning to Kitty and whispering something not so kind about the gentleman that had appeared before them.
Darcy was startled out of his thoughts of Elizabeth by his own name, followed by a severe round of giggling. There she was, Elizabeth, and then there were her sisters. "Miss Kitty, Miss Lydia, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy greeted with a quick bow.
"Mr. Darcy," Lizzy greeted slowly, unsure slightly.
Kitty glanced at Elizabeth before turning back to Mr. Darcy, "We are going to Meryton to shop for presents, where are you going, Sir?"
"Well I was going to walk to Oakham Mount and spend a little time outside before walking into Meryton to arrange to send a couple of letters," Darcy explained, his eyes lingering on Elizabeth.
Elizabeth pocketed the lists and smiled kindly, "We won't keep you, Mr. Darcy, please enjoy your walk."
Lizzy nudged Kitty and Lydia into walking only to be stopped by Mr. Darcy's voice. "Would you allow me to escort you into the village."
"There Lizzy," Lydia smirked. "You can be boring with Mr. Darcy and Kitty and I can have fun!" Lydia started forward, pulling Kitty along with her, heading for the bridge that was only a short ways off.
Mr. Darcy chuckled as the girls dodged past him, reminding him just a little of his own sister.
"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy offered his arm, and was gratified that she took it so quickly.
Lizzy blushed both from Mr. Darcy holding her arm so close to his body and from Lydia's words. "You do not really need to accompany us into Meryton, Mr. Darcy."
"It is my pleasure," Darcy responded easily as he led Elizabeth towards the bridge, Kitty and Lydia already a good ways ahead but still within sight. "Where is Plato today?"
Elizabeth inhaled deeply, "Plato is napping today, I am sure. He managed to escape this foray."
"From all I know of you, Miss Elizabeth, I had thought you enjoyed walking," Darcy teased, knowing full well that it wasn't the walk that made her hesitant.
Lizzy shook her head, leaning a little closer to Mr. Darcy as they crossed the bridge, the snow mostly cleared but still very slick. "I envy you, Mr. Darcy, for you have only one sister, and I four."
Darcy chuckled mirthfully, "My sister, I know, would envy you, for having four sisters her only me."
Lizzy smiled up at Mr. Darcy, "I think if she were to live for a week with four sisters, she might be very thankful to only have you." Elizabeth's lungs refused to work properly as she gazed at the tall man, how she wanted to be wrapped in his arms again, but that was not to be. It just wasn't imaginable as real possibility. In her fantasies…oh being in Mr. Darcy's arms was always imaginable.
"Be that as it may," Darcy brought is free hand up to trace a curl that had escaped Elizabeth's bonnet, "Georgiana is quite insistent that I find her a sister."
"Oh-ho," Lizzy snickered, "Then it is not just match-making mothers and society ladies that you must dodge, Mr. Darcy, your own sister is determined to marry you off!"
Darcy nodded, "And my cousin, Fitz, he too is determined I marry, and soon."
"Oh, poor Mr. Darcy," Lizzy cooed, bringing her left hand up to gently pat and stroke Mr. Darcy's upper arm, and there her hand stayed, despite rules of propriety.
"Poor indeed," Darcy moaned, his entire body tense under her touch, "what should I do?"
Lizzy smiled at the pouting man, "You have very little choice, Mr. Darcy. I think you must choose a wife."
"Must I," Darcy asked. "And who would you suggest?"
"Hmm," Lizzy puzzled, "I suppose Miss Bingley is out of the question, and your cousins, that does limit your options."
"Remember that you have agreed to put me out of my misery if I end up engaged to someone awful," Darcy encouraged her.
"Oh yes," Elizabeth smirked. "Then you should marry wisely, a lady of accomplishment, wealthy, and beautiful, that way I might be spared committing any crimes."
Darcy frowned, "I am lucky, I am well established and may where I please, my wife need not be wealthy, or so accomplished as to be terrible to behold."
Elizabeth looked up startled, "Oh, I see. Then you must have given who you would like to marry some thought?"
"Yes," Darcy agreed.
"Then you are teasing me, if you have given it so much thought, I shouldn't have to put you out of your misery," Elizabeth's eyes narrowed.
"And what if she rejects me," Darcy asked, "what if I am rejected and then entrapped by another?"
"You are so sure she will reject you," Elizabeth frowned. "The great Mr. Darcy rejected by a society lady, oh the scandal."
Darcy was so close, so close to just admitting it all, begging Elizabeth to marry him. It took Darcy a great deal of effort to keep his tongue in check. "That is why I must persuade her to fall in love with me, if she loves me, she cannot refuse me."
Lizzy smiled gently, "And does she know your intentions?"
"No," Darcy frowned, "I am almost certain that she is oblivious to how much I love and admire her, how much I desire her to be my wife."
Elizabeth's smile faltered, her heart clenched at the tenderness in Mr. Darcy's words. He was in love.
"One of the hardest things in life is watching the person you love, love someone else."
A/N: 14/25. This is getting nerve-racking. Poor Lizzy and poor Darcy, love never runs smooth. Posting this a little earlier today so my fellow Chicagoans can get to bed a little earlier, yes I realize it is Friday and you probably don't have to get up and go to work in the morning, but still… Lots of love, and keep all those lovely reviews coming!