Apparently you all quite enjoyed the talking side of things, so you have a hell a lot more of it!

This chapter fills in more of their lives, with a few surprises for each other along the way... You'll also be pleased to know the tattoo is finally out in the open (I hope it's interesting after all this build up)!

Also try this for Lizzy's dress: 20s_style_gold_beaded_sequined/thing?id=18401839

I love the idea of Charles Bingley being a bit more cheeky - I don't think he could have remained friends with Will without being able to jostle him from his moods or keep up with Rich. I think it gives him more confidence too to defy his friend when matters of the heart come about.

They are of course falling for each other, but I wouldn't expect either to admit it immediately, or for the journey to be all roses and sunshine. Just wait for a few more chapters – I think I owe them a fall, though it wont be for too long, I promise. Sometimes you just need a wake up call to realise what you've got. I will try and stick to canon as much as possible, but given the context, it might not be so easy...

As for describing the looks of Elizabeth (and Will) more clearly, I'm not sure I can - I have quite a clear picture of them both in my head (though I can't find a celeb to match), which means all of you probably do too. I'm sure each of our ideas of beauty are different, so I'm going to stick with descriptors that allow you to mould them to your own desires. Hopefully a clearer picture will emerge as we go on, but to sum Lizzy up as I've described so far, I'd always seen her with that beautiful mix of thick wavy dark hair, dark eyes and dark arched eyebrows, but striking alabaster skin – and obviously full lips and curves to die for. I have her pegged for around 5"7/5"8 - not too small to model, but small enough that Darcy still dwarfs her. I hope that helps!

Anyway, enjoy the longer chapter and revelations. Love to you all, x

"So are you ever going to tell us what we're going to see tonight and where?" Lizzy asked as they walked to their table where Jane and Charles were already seated, chatting quietly.

"I could, but that would make it far less of a surprise wouldn't it?" He smiled.

"You should know I don't really like surprises – I prefer to know what I'm doing."

"I'm sure you do, but good things come to those who wait, Elizabeth." Darcy replied in her ear, pulling her chair out and allowing her to sit.

His fingers brushed over her shoulders, soft pads on soft skin, but paused suddenly. Lizzy turned back to see his face scrunched pensively. His fingers gently moved her head forward and made their way up her neck, caressing behind her ear gently.

"You have a tattoo."

Lizzy wasn't sure if it was a statement or a question, but it was said with such reverence that she felt hot prickles creep down her spine.

"I do."

She felt him lean in, his face close to her neck, and the prickles grew. He was close enough to kiss her neck and she ached for him to do so.

"A Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n."

He spoke it like a secret, an oath between the two of them.

"Milton" Lizzy spoke, voice low.

"I know."

She felt his breath on her skin, but his lips didn't follow as he took the seat next to her.

"I can't believe I never noticed that before."

"That's sort of the point really. I had it done there so I could conceal it if needed. I don't often have my hair up, so it's rarely on show."

"And the quotation?"

"The mind is its own place–" she began.

"and in itself can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n". He finished with her.

"Very good Mr. Darcy. You know your verses don't you?"

"Well I always have a book handy. You'd be surprised how much sitting around time you get on photo shoots."

"I really wouldn't." She replied as Darcy continued.

"Why that quotation?"

"Well, for one, I love Paradise Lost. I love the lyricism, the magnitude, the humanity in it. I also like to be reminded of the power of my own mind. I alone can choose how I approach life and all its difficulties. I can only be hurt or happy if I allow myself to be – I like that. It has also been pointed out by several people that the quotation, how shall we say, is suited to my sexual proclivities."

Darcy smiled wickedly, full lips pulling over white teeth.

"You can make a heaven of hell, and a hell of heaven. Can't say I disagree with that."

He stared heatedly at her, dark blue eyes boring into her, and Lizzy felt the familiar heat mount between her legs.

"Though I would like to know who these several people are…" he added quietly.

Lizzy's heart jumped. There, in his eyes, she read not jealousy, but ownership. It was a sentiment she'd met before in other men, one she did not care for. But from him, from Darcy… her mind did not buck and rebel as she'd expect. How could it when this vision, this stunning man next to her who filled out a suit like a second skin, wanted her for his own? She would forever be her own woman, but she couldn't argue that she had let him subjugate her as nobody else had done. Looking at him now, she wasn't sure if she felt less powerful or more so because of it.

"Well, what you want isn't always paramount Darcy. And sometimes what you think you'd like and what you actually like are two very different things."

Her words did nothing to dispel the tension between them. She hadn't considered how difficult it would be to reign in her lust once it had been released. They were being pulled back into a publicly acceptable arena, one where fucking on the fine china wouldn't be allowed. If she were to get through the night without dragging him to a dark corner, they would have to cool their conversation. Darcy seemed to recognise her thoughts, and the spark in his eyes softened.

"Well, your love of Milton certainly explains the stage name a lot more."

"Actually, it's my dad's love of Milton that explains that – hence the middle name."

Will realised it was the first time she'd mentioned her parents, and he wondered that he'd never given them a thought before. He'd apparently forgotten this sprite before him must have flesh and blood parents.

"Ah, so he's a literature buff too?" he asked, determined rectify his negligence. She chuckled.

"Much more than I ever was. He used to be a professor of English and Philosophy. He can out-literature anyone I know."

Will saw the gleam in her eyes as she spoke of her father, one that spoke of absolute adoration.

"You're very close to him."

"And you're very perceptive" she smiled. "I am. My dad and I are very similar people, something that drives my mother to distraction. She's always saying that one of us was already too much to deal with." She rolled her eyes. "Jane is her darling girl. She has my mother's looks – always a bonus in my mother's eyes."

"Ah, so it must be your dad who's the dark haired gypsy. I do wonder how two sisters look so different."

She laughed. "Yes, so do we! I am most definitely my father's child. Jane is my mother's – at least in looks and popularity anyway. How about you and your parents? Do you get on with them?"

Darcy's face clouded over, just as Charles interrupted.

"Have you two decided what you want yet?"

They looked up to see Jane and him watching them and the two unopened menus in front of them that neither had noticed.

"Haven't actually looked yet." Lizzy replied, opening her menu and examining its contents.

"Jane said you'd be happy with red, do you have a preference? I thought we'd get a bottle for the table."

"Yes, red is great, thanks Charles. I'll bow to your superior knowledge however, since you did so well with the champagne…"

The others laughed, and Charles signalled the sommelier over whilst Darcy and Elizabeth made their choices.

"Wow, this all looks incredible. God knows how I'm meant to choose. Jane what did you go for?"

"I'm having the mushroom soup and the salmon. Couldn't choose between that and the lamb, so Charles is getting the other and I fully plan to steal some."

"Wise choice," Lizzy replied with a smile. "Sharing food. It must be love…" she murmured, Jane and Darcy both catching it. Jane glared at her younger sister, but quickly recovered enough to get her own back.

"Well if you can't decide, I'm sure Will would be more than happy to share with you." Jane replied sweetly. Lizzy suddenly felt all the danger of mocking Jane as her own cheeks reddened, and capitulated.

"No need, I think I've chosen. Parma ham then duck for me."

Charles finished poring over the wine menu and the sommelier left to fulfil his order.

"Well this is wonderful. I'm so glad we could all do this." He said, smiling like a puppy as his hand found Jane's on the table, her face mirroring his.

"Well thank you for inviting us. Far better than being at work on a Saturday night." Lizzy replied.

"Especially tonight. I hope Sanders and the temp get on okay. He doesn't always warm to everyone." Jane added.

"He seemed like a really nice guy" Will countered, "I like him. I can't imagine him being hard to get on with."

"What can I say, you made his grade Will. Helping him out in a crisis was a good start." Jane said, smiling at him.

"Sorry, what are we talking about?" Charles interrupted. Jane paused, mouth open, but Will openly explained.

"I popped into Qandisa last night and they were a man down behind the bar. I helped out."

Charles' eyebrows shot up, his eyes full of questions and disbelief. The look on Will's face however stopped his interrogation.

"You helped out… well, Giana will be proud. She always said you'd appreciate that course one day."

"I hadn't planned on telling her."

"Are you kidding? She'd love it. Her big serious brother behind the bar in a cabaret club! If you don't tell her, I will. Or I could just tell Rich…"

Will scowled at the idea as Charles smiled pleasantly.

"Sorry, I know Giana is your sister, but who's Rich?" Jane asked, trying to keep up.

"Rich is my agent. He's also my cousin." Will saw Elizabeth's surprise from the corner of his eye. "He's a force of nature, one that I rarely cross unscathed."

Charles laughed. "You make him sound terrifying. Rich is probably the funniest person I know, and he's rather good at all forms of teasing, practical jokes and charming the pants off everyone. Definitely a force, but not a bad one I promise. Actually, I think you and he would get on like a house on fire, Lizzy."

Lizzy grinned at Charles, but couldn't ignore the scowl Darcy also sent his way. Her smile faltered as she saw it – apparently Darcy had different ideas about who of his acquaintances she was allowed to meet. Her chest tightened a little: perhaps a friendship between them wasn't on his agenda after all.

The sommelier returned along with a waiter, who took their orders as the wine was poured. Charles caught both looks across from him and as Lizzy's thoughts eddied about, he elaborated.

"Rich has an incredible ability to taunt Will, you see, and as much as Will tries to hide him away in a professional box, Richard Fitzwilliam is a hard man to contain."

Lizzy looked up from her abstraction.

"Your cousin is Richard Fitzwilliam?"

"Do you know him?" Darcy asked almost worriedly, turning to her.

"Who in the industry doesn't? Apart from the fact, if magazines are anything to go by, he's a ridiculously rich playboy, he's runs the biggest modelling agency in Europe. I should have guessed he'd be your agent, but I never put two and two together."

Charles laughed. "Come to think of it Lizzy, you should definitely meet – I bet you could tempt him away from Will and poach him for yourself."

"I don't think Aunt Maddie would ever forgive her!" Jane chimed in. "Lizzy's been her pet project since her agency began."

Will looked up at the three of them, trying to comprehend their meaning. He turned on Elizabeth, who looked unusually sheepish.

"You… you model?!"

"No need to sound so disbelieving, Darcy. Is it really that incredible to you?"

Will's head pulled back in surprise at her harsh tone.

"I didn't mean it like that, I just… Hold on a sec–" he turned to Charles "–how did you know?"

"Jane told me. Duh."

He realised he should have guessed that, and turned back to Elizabeth.

"How come you never told me?" he demanded, but the flame in her eyes told him he was about to be burned alive, and he swiftly softened his voice. "Sorry, I'm just surprised. It's something we have in common. I would have liked to know."

He was relieved to see the edge in her eyes diminish, though her tone was still stern.

"Well knowing your propensity to prejudge, I didn't think slipping that into conversation would have gone down too well. It would have looked like I was angling for a favour or a foothold. It's not something I usually talk about anyway; I hardly have a career out of it. Just a few shoots here and there."

"I don't prejudge" he began, but Elizabeth stopped him.

"Oh, so you still think I'm a too large woman with a hefty, overly mature bosom?"

Will gawped, his mouth opening without words coming out. Luckily, Charles' laughter alleviated the building tension.

"You heard that? Brilliant. I always told Will his black moods would get him into trouble one day. I'm so glad you're the one to call him out on it!"

Lizzy couldn't help but grin gratefully at Charles.

"Okay, yes I say stupid things." Will conceded. "But, I'd like to think I've well and truly proved I don't believe them for long."

She finally bestowed a merciful smile on him, and Will felt the remnants of worry lift from him. He had no desire to ever piss Elizabeth off or upset her, and especially not tonight.

"I'd love to hear more about what you've been doing, and I promise I will not think you're using me. Not in that way anyway…" he added for her ears only.

Under the table, his leg brushed hers, and when she didn't move away he left it against the length of hers. He grinned openly at her and she returned it.

"Well, now that's all cleared up" Jane said, relieved to move conversation on to more pleasant topics, "here's to a lovely night."

She raised her glass of wine, and the others followed suit. It wasn't long before their starters arrived and the couples split off once again into their own conversations.

"So, will you tell me?" Darcy asked as they both tucked in.

"If you really like." Lizzy slyly replied.

"I do, very much so."

His earnest response was enough, and she told him of her modest beginnings in modelling with her aunt's help.

"Your aunt is Madeleine Gardiner?" he interrupted.

"You know her?"

"I know of her. Rich was telling me about her a little while back. He said she and her agency were one to watch out for."

Lizzy smiled at the compliment.

"He'd be right. Aunt Maddie works her arse off and deserves every success coming to her."

"Well she clearly has an eye for models."

"I thank you for my share of the compliment, but I think we both know I'm not your typical model."

Darcy nodded. "I think it's fair to say there's nothing typical about you Elizabeth."

She smirked. "You're on a roll tonight aren't you? But in all seriousness, you spend your life surrounded by beautiful models, all six foot tall and sylphlike with long limbs and no curves. You know I'm not what the business is looking for. But Aunt Maddie, miracle worker that she is, manages to find me more tailored stuff when it comes around."

"Such as?"

"I just started working with Coco de Mer." She replied, a shy pride in her voice.

"That's incredible Elizabeth! Rich knew women going for that job – long-term renowned models. He thinks he should be keeping an eye on Madeleine Gardiner, but he should probably watch out for you. Congratulations."

"Thank you." She beamed, holding his sincere gaze in hers. She could spend forever looking at his face and never get bored. It was like looking at a piece of art – timeless and exquisite.

"Ma'am may I take your plate?"

Lizzy jolted from Darcy's face to see the waiter at her side.

"Err, yes, of course, thank you."

Darcy cleared his throat as the waiter cleared their plates, before bringing the conversation back on track.

"So how was your shoot? I assume you've done one with them by now?"

"Just the one. They wanted a preliminary just to work over the ideas they had. Should be getting the contact sheet and feedback through this week, then I'll go back and do another the week after that."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Darcy, I choose to spend my life performing on stage and baring my body to people. Of course I enjoyed it."

"Point taken."

"Do you still enjoy it? I mean, I can't… I can't imagine you revelling in it all, you know? Making sweet love to the camera and all that."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I do, but not for the attention side of it. I enjoy the photography; I love the results, the things models and photographers can create together. I'd prefer to be on the other side of the camera, but for now… I do get a shitload of incredible clothes for free." He pulled at the lapel of his suit, and Lizzy nodded.

"And very nice they look too." She said, her eyes shamelessly checking him out. "So what exactly do your parents think of you selling their only boy's well-made body? I hope they get a good percent of your cut, given this is all down to their superior genes."

She grinned, gesturing at him, but stopped when he didn't smile back. He sighed, swilling his wine in his glass.

"They're both dead, actually."

Lizzy's tongue suddenly felt thick and useless in her mouth. She grabbed his arm and squeezed, waiting until he looked back at her.

"I'm so sorry Darcy. I really am, that was completely insensitive, I didn't mean to–"

"Elizabeth it's fine." He said with a small smile, moving his arm to grab her hand instead, fingers intertwining. "They died years ago. Not that that makes it easier, but it's certainly less raw. It's been just me and Giana since I was 19."

Lizzy did the math quickly in her head. She knew from shameless online stalking that Darcy was now 25 – making a whole six years alone with a kid sister to raise singlehandedly.

"How old is Giana now?"

"She's 19 herself now. My baby sister is all grown up."

"And at university I gather. What is she studying?"

"Music at Oxford." It was the biggest smile she'd seen on him yet, and Lizzy quickly realised she'd found Darcy's true passion – his little sister. "She's really enjoying it, though she's only in her first month. I get the impression most of it has been social. I just hope she's taking advantage of it."

"She's a 19-year-old going to university for the first time, of course she'll take advantage. Frankly, I'm surprised she's even had time to talk to you."

"She's… she can sometimes be shy. She's not always the most outgoing of people when faced with strangers. Not really surprising given her brother barely goes out in public. I really hope she's making friends."

"I'm sure she is. There are so many people at university she's bound to find someone she gets on with. Maybe even a boyfriend."

Darcy shot her a scowl and released her hand. Lizzy laughed.

"She's 19, Darcy. How on earth have you escaped her bringing boys home this long?" His blue eyes flashed black – a look she'd only seen directed at her in the most explicit moments. As it turns out, anger did it too. "Okay, with that look I'm no longer surprised. That would scare even me off."

"I hope not," Darcy smirked and suddenly the look was dangerous, charged with a meaning that she had begun to shamelessly need.

His hand found her leg under the tablecloth and caressed, the warmth of him bleeding through her dress and onto her skin. As his hand inched up her thigh, their moment was cut short.

"The duck?" The waiter intervened, laden with plates. "And the pheasant?"

Breaking eye contact, Lizzy and Will watched mutely as their dinners were delivered.

"Wow Lizzy, that looks amazing." Jane said, finally remembering there were people other than Charles at the table. "I wish I'd had duck now."

"Well, you can certainly have some of this lamb" Charles smiled as the huge plate of food was placed in front of him. "It appears to be entire sheep."

"I knew there was a reason I went out with you." Jane said, rewarding Charles with a kiss; one that he savoured far more than he should at a dinner table.

"Get a room" Lizzy said, and the two of them pulled apart without a hint of remorse. "How long do we have to eat by the way?"

"The show doesn't start till 7.30, we've got ages, don't worry." Charles answered.

As the others tucked in, Lizzy subtly pulled her phone from her bag and began typing under the table. If they had plenty of time and the show was at 7.30, the venue must be close by. That, she thought excitedly, could only mean one thing – the Royal Albert Hall. Before she could Google performances however, Darcy noticed her distraction.

"What are you up to so sneakily, Miss Bennet?" He asked, leaning in to see her screen. When he saw her typing, he snatched it from her.

"You are incorrigible!" he declared, causing Jane and Charles to look up.

"Give it back." Lizzy demanded, reaching for it.

"No. You'll find out what we're seeing in no more than an hour." Will replied, holding the phone out of her grasp. "God, you really can't stand to not know something can you?"

"Hit the nail on the head Will." Jane said chuckling.

"Darcy, give me my phone."

"Are these two for real?" Charles murmured.

"Not if you're going to spoil the surprise."

"Darcy…" she scowled at him, but her frown had the opposite effect to the one she'd intended.

Will moved so his face was mere centimetres from hers, and his fingers reached up to hold her chin, as he looked her in the eyes.

"Elizabeth Bennet," he whispered deeply "if you continue to act like a child, do not think I wont take you over my knee and spank you until you beg me to stop."

His breath on her lips, the rumble of his voice and the whispered threats sent Lizzy's body into overdrive. Right now, she wanted anything he was willing to give her.

"Now, be a good girl and eat your dinner." He finished, releasing her chin and turning back to his food. "So Jane, Elizabeth tells me your dad was a professor" he asked as if nothing had happened. "What does he do now?"

Jane smirked at his handling of her sister, who was looking more than a little abstracted.

"He gave it up to run a pub of all things. My mum always enjoyed making friends and meeting new people, he always liked cooking, so it came together quite nicely."

"That sounds ideal then. Where are they based?"

"In Hertfordshire – a quaint country pub where everyone knows everyone. All of us have worked there at some point in our lives. That's where Lizzy caught her chef's bug."

"It's more impressive that you didn't" Elizabeth said to Jane, rejoining the conversation. "How you could spend so much of your youth in a kitchen and not pick up anything is beyond me."

"Why would I need to?" Her sister smiled. "I have you."

"Do you visit them regularly?" Will asked the two of them.

"Every so often." Elizabeth answered ambiguously.

"We try to go once a month," Jane revealed "despite Lizzy's protests." Will raised a questioning eyebrow. "Our mother hasn't always… approved Lizzy's career choice."

"Ah. I can imagine that. My parents supported me modelling in my teens, but I'm fairly certain that's not what they hoped for me. My dad had me apply for business majors when I was 18, so God knows what he'd think now."

"Really?" Elizabeth said in surprise. "You, a business man… I never would have imagined it, but now you say it, I can see it. It's your scary face that does it. Perfect for the boardroom." She grinned at him. "So what did you do? How did you convince him otherwise?"

"I didn't" Will replied simply.

"I don't understand."

"Will did do a degree in business," Charles informed them. "Ended up watching seminars all over the country, but still managed to get his essays in on time unlike the rest of us mortals. He's a madman, frankly, but a hard-working one."

"I couldn't let my dad down after all he'd given me." Will stated softly.

Lizzy was undeniably tempted to pry further, to ask about his past and parents, but she knew this was neither the time nor place. Tonight she would have to stick to safer subjects.

"Well, did you find your degree useful in the end?" she asked.

"You could say that." Charles said laughingly, as Darcy moved uncomfortably in his seat. "Do either of you know DC Publishing by any chance?" He continued, to which the sister's nodded. "I'll give you one guess at what the D stands for."

Lizzy and Jane's eyes grew round as they turned to look at Darcy.

"It's Darcy?" Lizzy exclaimed. "You're DC Publishing? Jesus Christ, didn't I read something about them buying a department of Penguin the other day for a ridiculous amount?"

"Several millions I believe, wasn't it Will?"

Charles was clearly enjoying himself, but Lizzy just stared at Darcy. She had believed their standing was unequal before, but now… Of course, she'd always known in the back of her mind that he was rich, but this was on a whole other scale. Though usually not one to shy away, Lizzy felt a little queasy. Such total disparity between them was hard to swallow, but she knew she must say something as the others looked on.

"And you complained about not knowing I modelled." She said, the side of her mouth twitching unsteadily. Darcy returned a small, worried smile as she spoke again. "Excuse me whilst I pop to the ladies."

She stood, and if she hadn't been so flustered, would have laughed as Darcy jumped up with her, pulling her chair out and watching her every move. The glance she threw her sister had Jane also excusing herself and following her to the bathroom.

"Holy shit" she whispered as the door closed behind them.

"What's wrong?" Jane asked softly placing a hand on her back.

"What's wrong? What's wrong is I have been screwing around with what must be one of the richest men in England!" she cried, her voice echoing in the bathroom.

"Well, we knew they were both well off, and Will especially. He's a supermodel that lives in Belgravia, what exactly were you expecting?"

"Not this! I was already having trouble wrapping my head around that fact, without adding some sort of publishing giant into the mix."

Lizzy turned on Jane, grabbed her bag and began rifling through it.

"What are you doing?"

"Fact checking."

Jane stood still as Lizzy found her phone and typed.

"I don't see what the big problem is. You said yourself you're not dating, just screwing around. What difference does it make if he's a millionaire or a mailman?"

"Make that multi-millionaire." Her sister said, shakily holding the phone up to Jane's gaze to show a Wikipedia page. "Darcy Corporation Publishing. Their revenue is in the billions."

"Okay. Yes, that is quite rich…" Jane said, taking the phone off Lizzy. "But, I still don't see how that matters. If you were marrying the man, yes, this information would be important – if you were divorcing him, even more so." She grinned. "But by your own admission you two are only fooling around. That doesn't require a background check into his finances. I say just enjoy it – and maybe let him pay for dinner."

Lizzy chuckled at last, though the tightness in her lungs didn't release.

"It's just… he's so frustratingly perfect! His looks get us free drinks, he did a degree in his spare time, his sister's at Oxford, his house is gigantic – not to mention his cock! Now he's out-of-this-world loaded?" She breathed heavily. "I was already wary of how much better he is than me. I'm not sure I can deal with this too."

Jane's face hardened. "If you ever say someone is better than you again, Elizabeth Bennet, I will be forced to slap you."

"Jane you've never hurt a fly." She said, making for the door.

"Then I will burn all your underwear." That halted Lizzy in her tracks. "You are incredible Lizzy. No one can make you less so, only more. So don't worry about all this. Let's go back, enjoy the evening, and if it really worries you that much, then finish whatever this is with him tomorrow and move on."

Jane watched her words hit home, and sure enough, Lizzy's face dropped at the very idea. She smirked to herself as she grabbed her arm and dragged her from the toilets. Lizzy might be fooling both herself and Will, but there was no way she could fool Jane – sooner or later, it looked like Lizzy's control on life and love was going to be put to the test.