A/N: Thanks to those of you that have followed me as an author. I wrote the first 1,000 words to my new story over the weekend.

Recap: Elizabeth confesses to Jane that she likes Darcy... A LOT; Jane and Charlie get married(!); Darcy's an Ice King:

As they neared the end of the aisle she knew she had to tell him everything right then before she lost her opportunity.

"Darcy," she said as they reached the seclusion of the area outside of the garden.

"If you'll excuse me," he said dismissively and walked away, leaving Elizabeth standing there, open mouthed.

Charlie witnessed the exchange between his best friend and new sister-in-law and hurried over with Jane in tow. "What happened?" he asked quietly as more of the bridal party joined them outside of the garden.

"He hates me," she whispered in a strangled voice. She looked up at Charlie and Jane with bright eyes. "Why does he hate me?"

"He doesn't hate you Elizabeth. He's hurt." Charlie gave her hug and moved her to shield her from the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen who were milling about. Jane took over and asked the others to walk up to the house for photos. They waited until the rest of the group had left and then trailed them several paces behind. "It's hard to find out someone doesn't like you the way you do them. He'll get over it."

She stopped in her tracks causing Jane and Charlie to stop as well. "What?" she cried.

Charlie looked at her, his face reflecting his confusion. He turned to his new wife for explanation.

"I think William misunderstood Elizabeth," she said gently.

Charlie looked at Elizabeth. "You didn't turn him down? You like him?"

Elizabeth nearly screamed in frustration. Why was this so convoluted and why were so many people involved? "I did turn him down but only because I thought I was protecting him. I had so many voices, both in and out of my head saying that I was rotten for him. I started to believe it. I thought I was doing the right thing." She took a couple more steps toward the house.

"So, you like Darcy?" Charlie repeated. "Like want to date him and all?"

Elizabeth covered her eyes. "I think I could be falling in love with him," she said miserably. Jane gasped and Charlie whooped for joy causing the bridal party to turn around and peer at him before continuing up to meet the photographer.

"This is fantastic, Elizabeth," Charlie babbled happily. "He will be thrilled. He thought you didn't want him."

Elizabeth frowned. "I just don't know what I'm going to say and he's running from me now. I haven't known him long enough to figure out how to get him to open up when he's retreated this far into himself. What should I do?"

Charlie smiled and put his free arm around her. "Give him a little time and space. He needs a chance to stew before he's approachable."

"But he leaves tomorrow," she complained. "I don't have that much time to give."

Charlie agreed. "Then give him an hour or so to calm down. Approach him at the reception."

"Okay," she said in a tiny voice.

Darcy was retrieved for the photos by Marie who had evidently received instructions to position him as far apart as possible from Elizabeth. She tried not to stare at him but found her eyes drawn to him as he continued to look anywhere but at her. A sharp pain in her wrist alerted her that she had been wringing her hands subconsciously as they relaxed between poses. She tried desperately to smile naturally but even the constant stream of Richard's dirty limericks and Mary's horsey guffaw weren't enough to deliver more than a half-hearted grin. When they were given the all clear from Marie, Darcy bolted back to the reception tent. Elizabeth wasn't sure how long it had been since the ceremony but she was itching to follow.

"I think you should go after him," Jane whispered in her ear. "We've got about 30 more minutes of photos and then we'll join the reception."

That was all the permission she needed. She nodded and kissed her sister's cheek, her heart pounding wildly.

"Are you going in the tent Lizzy?" her sister Lydia called loudly. "I want to go too."

"Me too," called Kitty.

"I'd be happy to accompany you, Lizzy," Bill jumped in, offering her his arm.

Elizabeth sighed, ignored Bill's arm and lead most of the bridal party down the gentle slope from the house to the reception. She paused at the entrance, allowing everyone, including a reluctant Bill, to pass her by. Louisa reached out and pinched her arm, giving her a huge smile. Elizabeth wondered if she somehow knew what was happening. Taking a steadying breath she stepped inside.

The reception tent was elaborately decorated and Elizabeth gasped at the transformation from the night before. The tent had been set up into zones with a lounge area, cocktail tables, dinner tables, and a dance floor. Beautiful purple and grey silk fabric was strewn from the highest points to the outer edges of the rooftop. White lights were interspersed in the fabric and Elizabeth saw dozens of tasteful lamps and lanterns fixed around the tent. A large sign gave information about the cocktail selection, dinner seating and schedule of the evening's activities.

She gave her eyes a chance to adjust to the dimmer light of the tent and looked nervously around for Darcy. Not yet seeing him from this vantage point she threaded her way through the different areas of the tent. He wasn't seated at their table - she was pleased to see they were to sit together - or standing at the bar. She began to be slowed by guests who were wishing her sister well or asking about herself.

"Lizzy," a voice called excitedly. Bill came rushing towards her carrying two cocktail glasses.

"Thanks Bill," she said genuinely relieved to be able to disengage herself from her parents' neighbors to accept the drink from Bill. "What is it?"

He frowned. "Either a Sea Breeze or Salty Dog. I really have no idea. I'm clueless about drinks and I just picked up two from the tray. They really have such stupid names."

Elizabeth laughed at the truth in his words and took a sip. The tang of cranberry and grapefruit juice caused her to close her eyes for a moment. She reopened them slowly, inadvertently focusing on a pair of eyes about fifty feet away. Darcy. He was gazing back at her and then turned away to speak to two women at his cocktail table. She recognized Georgiana from behind and the other woman was soon revealed to be his vile aunt.

Bill chatted on about the wedding ceremony while she watched the scene unfold before her. Darcy sipped an amber-colored liquid that Elizabeth assumed was whiskey. He had removed his suit jacket to reveal a grey brocade vest. He looked restless, shifting from one foot to the other. Elizabeth longed to walk over but she couldn't bring herself to do this with Catherine present.

Richard and their cousin Anne joined the table a few seconds later and Elizabeth was pleased to see Darcy's eyes flicker back to her. She would have to approach him later. Her mother walked by her and raised one eyebrow at her and motioned to Bill with an exaggerated smile. Elizabeth exhaled and tried to turn her attention back to Bill's never ending stories about carpet and the witch Catherine de Bourgh.

Richard had noticed Darcy's eyes straying over to Elizabeth as well. "Are you going to go rescue her?" he asked moodily. It still hadn't settled well with him that his taciturn cousin had somehow won over the most dazzling woman he had encountered in a long time.

"Nope," Darcy said coldly.

Richard frowned at his cousin and glanced at Georgiana. Her eyes were narrowed at her brother though she was taking part in a conversation with their Aunt Catherine and Anne. She doesn't know what is going on either, Richard mused. "Okay," Richard said, grasping his beer and leaving the table. If his cousin wasn't willing to seize an opportunity he sure would.

Darcy watched with dread as Richard went to perform the task he desperately wanted to but could not. Don't make her laugh, he pleaded as Bill skittered away and Richard struck up his conversation with Elizabeth. His stomach wrenched watching her eyes light up and a hearty laugh escape her lips. He was glad for the noisy din of the room so that he didn't actually have to hear the bewitching sound. He gulped angrily at his whiskey, finding the burn more soothing than uncomfortable.

"William?" his aunt asked in that voice that commanded attention.

"Yes?" he replied dully.

"Where did Richard go? I wanted to ask him about our arrangements to get back to the airport. Not that I'm not enjoying this... blessed event. If it weren't for Violet..."

"He's over there, Mother," Anne supplied, pointing at Richard, "talking to that tattooed sister of Jane's."

"Elizabeth," Darcy and Georgiana said simultaneously. Saying her name even hurt.

Catherine turned around and narrowed her eyes at the couple. "That tramp. She still thinks she can sink her claws into one of my nephews? I'm thankful she gave up you, William, at least it shows she has some sense but this is ridiculous!"

"What?" Darcy spluttered, spitting out a mouthful of whiskey.

Catherine frowned at the unsightly display. Georgiana and Anne were looking between him and Catherine with rapt expressions. "William, please clean yourself up."

Darcy stared at her for a second, not fully comprehending. Could this be the cause of Elizabeth rejecting him? What did Catherine say to her? He glanced at his sister who was looking at him with concern.

"Of course," he said gruffly. "Please excuse me." Darcy exited their table and left the tent.

"I think I'll go freshen up as well," Georgiana said quickly, following her brother before her aunt had a chance to object. She saw him walking slowly toward the house and ran to catch up.

"Fitzwilliam, wait for me," she called. Darcy paused at his sister's voice and allowed her to join him. "What's going on?"

Darcy looked down lovingly at his sister. "Don't worry Georgie," he said fondly, using her pet name. "Everything's fine."

"Bull shit," she said forcefully. "This is about Elizabeth, I know it. Don't lie to me."

He looked at her with sad eyes. "It's hard to remember that you're getting older, you know that?" He kicked a rock and sighed heavily. "Yes, this is about Elizabeth." He paused, looking at towards the garden where the wedding was held. What should he share with his baby sister? Was he ready to verbalize his feelings to anyone? The thought frightened Darcy to no end but his sister was looking up at him with such pleading doe eyes that the words spilled out before he could stop them. "I think I'm falling in love with her."

Georgiana smiled. "That's wonderful, isn't it?" Her face fell when he didn't respond. "Fitz?"

"She told me that it wouldn't work out," he said hollowly. He shrugged his shoulders. "I've never needed anyone... except you Georgiana. I need her. I can't believe that in three days I've gone from trying to push people away to wanting someone in my life so badly its painful." He chuckled darkly. "However, she doesn't feel the same."

"She does," Georgiana insisted. "She has to."

He stepped towards his sister and pulled her into a hug. "I wish she did."

Georgiana looked up sadly at her big brother. She knew Elizabeth was interested in him. She had seen the way she was looking at him the night before. This had to be a misunderstanding. As she accompanied him into the house her brain worked furiously to think of some way to bring them together.

"Thanks for that," Elizabeth said gratefully, sipping her drink.

"No problem. Some guys just can't take a hint," Richard said lightly.

"I've tried to be straight forward, I've tried dropping hints. Nothing seems to get through to him," Elizabeth complained.

"He likes you. This tends to make our species thicker than usual."

"No kidding! Why is that Richard?"

He winced. "You want me to speak on behalf of all men? That's putting a lot of responsibility on my shoulders."

Elizabeth laughed gaily. "I think you can handle it. Seriously, this is worse than the schoolyard. Am I going to have to sock him in the mouth to get him to leave me alone?"

"Isn't that what girls do when they like a boy?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.

She frowned. "I guess you're right. Okay, forget my schoolyard metaphor. I think I'm really going to have to get violent to let him know I'm not interested."

He laughed at her serious expression. "I believe you. Promise me you'll give me fair warning before you hit me, though I hope I'm not that dense."

Elizabeth's cheeks pinked and she smiled shyly at him. "About that..."

He smiled back at her and reached out to touch her arm. "It's fine, Elizabeth. I kind of figured it out when I saw you and Darcy together yesterday at the rehearsal. I'm disappointed to lose to my cousin." Elizabeth's blush deepened and she looked down at her feet. "I know I really shouldn't be that upset, but that wenker... Sorry," he rushed on, noticing her downcast face, " I probably shouldn't have said that to you." He squeezed her arm, his face etched with embarrassment.

She smiled at him, brighter than she actually felt. "It's okay." She fell silent for a moment, looking around the room.

"Look Elizabeth," Richard rushed on. "My cousin can be a complete idiot sometimes but he's a good man. He loves Georgie. I never thought he'd take a break from work but he did for Charlie because he cares about him. Even though he seems unsociable he would do anything for the people he loves."

Elizabeth felt tears prick her eyes. "I believe that he would."

"Elizabeth," a voice called sheepishly from behind them.

She turned to see her aunt standing a couple feet away, her face asking permission to enter the conversation.

"I'll leave you two alone," Richard said courteously.

"Please stay," she insisted, blinking back her tears. "I'd like to introduce you to my aunt. Come over Aunt Maddy, I'd like to introduce you to Richard Fitzwilliam."

She made the introductions and her aunt immediately asked where he was from.

"Born in Oxford and moved to London at a young age, so I guess I would consider myself from London." He looked at her curiously.

"I lived in a tiny village in Derbyshire for about a year. Not many people are familiar with it but if I meet any English I like to ask. It's called Lambton."

Richard smiled broadly. "I do know it, though not as well as my two cousins who are here at the wedding. They have a house near there."

Elizabeth looked up at him with interest. "Really? Come to think of it, when I told Darcy I had been to Lambton he asked about that house we toured. He said he knew which one we'd seen."

"Pemberley?" Maddy asked.

Richard chuckled. "That's the one. He should know it; its his house."

Madeline looked at her niece with surprise. "You've met the owners of Pemberley? How amazing. I don't remember seeing them when I lived in Lambton."

"Pemberley? Are you talking about Pemberley?"

Elizabeth greeted the young girl with a hug. "Georgiana," she said breathlessly. She hugged her tightly, her body conveying the affection she felt for her as well as the longing she felt for her brother. "Aunt, this is Georgiana, my good friend and evidently one of the owners of Pemberley. Georgiana, this is my Aunt Maddy."

Georgiana smiled at Elizabeth's aunt and exchanged pleasantries. "How do you know about Pemberley?" she asked Elizabeth. "Did Fitz tell you about it?"

"Not exactly," Elizabeth answered self consciously. "Maddy and I visited there last year."

"Can you imagine?" Richard asked with an enormous smile on his face. He was looking forward to poking fun at Elizabeth. "What an amazing coincidence. Elizabeth and her aunt visit your house before meeting you or your brother." He gazed at Elizabeth with a smirk on his face.

Elizabeth frowned at Richard while Maddy seized the opportunity to engage Georgiana about Lambton. She was dying to talk to her friend about the best ways to approach Darcy but really where could she begin? Richard kept smiling at her like an idiot. She supposed this was better than him sulking or his disapproval at her relationship with his cousin. Perhaps this was his seal of approval. She scanned the tent again, searching for him.

A few moments later the DJ announced that dinner was to be served. "Please take your seats, ladies and gentlemen. There is a seating chart near the mouth of the tent if you're not sure where you should place yourself."

Elizabeth smiled widely as Richard held his arm out to escort Aunt Maddy to her seat. She held back to speak with Georgiana. It was now or never. "Where's your brother?" she whispered. She tried to keep the desperation out of her voice but what was the point?

Georgiana squirmed uncomfortably. "He has business to discuss with Aunt Catherine. He asked if I could take his place at dinner."

Elizabeth started and stared ahead dully. Darcy, what are you doing? "Oh, he did?" she confirmed sadly. Her heart ached as Georgiana nodded. They sat down together at the head table. Jane exchanged an anxious glance with her sister who looked away hesitant to confirm Darcy's absence. What could she say? The man she could be in love with was now sending his sister as emissary? Could he really not even exchange the barest civilities with her?

Georgiana was looking at her expectantly and she forced herself to act as if nothing was wrong. "What a pleasant surprise that I get you as a table mate." She tried not to look at the nameplate that said William Darcy in front of his sister. "Did you enjoy the wedding?"

Georgiana brightened, seemingly more comfortable to talk now that Elizabeth had initiated the question. "Oh yes, your sister was beautiful. Charlie was rather handsome as well. I admit I fancied him when I was younger."

Elizabeth laughed. "I won't tell him. I imagine my new brother would get too much pleasure out of someone having a crush on him."

"You looked beautiful as well, Elizabeth," she said shyly. "I like how soft and romantic your makeup turned out."

"Thanks Georgiana. I think that dress is great on you. Green really suits your skin tone."

"You and Fitzwilliam looked good together too," she followed up cautiously.

Elizabeth pinked and took a sip of her water to gather her thoughts. "Your brother is a handsome man," she commented quietly. "I'm sure he would compliment any of the bridesmaids."

Georgiana waited, desperately wanting to shout at Elizabeth and ask her why she pretended she didn't want her brother; she knew that she did. She looked across the room to her own seat. She could see her brother by profile and could tell that he was only pretending to listen to their aunt. She wished she could ask him what to say to her.

Elizabeth watched her friend's face falter and suspected she knew something of her interaction with Darcy. "Georgiana," she began.

"What happened?" Georgiana interrupted urgently, her eyes bright.

Elizabeth faltered. What could she say? She scanned Georgiana's face and saw the pain and confusion she must have felt. "It was a mistake, a misunderstanding."

She smiled. "A misunderstanding? I knew it had to be. You do like him?"

Elizabeth smiled at her and nodded.

"Then tell him. He believes the most awful things."

Elizabeth reached over and squeezed her friend's hand. "I'm trying but he is slippery. I think he's avoiding me."

Georgiana looked at her with fire in her eyes. "Don't let him, Elizabeth."