Antigone, A Lady, and A Colonel No Longer

Breakfast at Netherfield was rather formal due to the fact that Caroline Bingley and the Hursts were present. No one wanted to give Caroline an excuse to complain more than she had been lately, except for George Darcy, who still flaunted his Indian styled apparel and general disregard for standard English manners. It was a large party around the table, Jane and Elizabeth had arrived just on time, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley eagerly awaiting their arrival at the main entrance. George Darcy, Georgiana, Caroline, the Hurst's and Mr. Jared Bingley, a close cousin to Charles, and his wife Matilda.

The conversation much revolved around the upcoming nuptials of Elizabeth and Darcy, the next morning, and Jane and Mr. Bingley within the next month. Both couples were secretly relieved at the end of breakfast, however, when the various guests and inhabitants of Netherfield dispersed to pursue favorite pastimes, Mr. Darcy took Elizabeth on his arm and led her through the gardens.

They were quiet for a while, feeling thankful for the presence of each other. The sun was bright and warm on this last day of May.

"Pray tell Mr. Darcy, where are you leading me?" Lizzie asked teasingly as they ventured even farther into the twisting paths within the garden. She could no longer tell from whence they had come, and therefore suspected some grand plan of his.

He brought her over to a bench secluded in bushes and the shade of a cherry tree, smiling at her. "I wish to show you something, but first," Darcy leaned over to kiss her, Elizabeth happily complying with his wish. "Good morning, Lizzie," He said with a smile when the kiss was abandoned.

"Good morning William,"

())}-%-

"This is Mella." Darcy said, placing a hand on the horse's back. The horse being a magnificent mare, supposedly thoroughbred. Though quite taken with the beauty of the animal, Lizzie raised an eyebrow at her fiancé as she stroked Mella's nose.

"You wished to show me a horse?" She asked, the horse in question snorting as if it understood Elizabeth and felt indignant, so she took a carrot from the young stable hand and appeased Mella.

"Not exactly, but she is an important part, and I therefore felt it was prudent to introduce the two of you." Darcy explained, smiling. "You see, quite some time ago, about a year actually, while Mr. Bingley was staying at Pemberly as he does every year, Mella and Agaue were found in a rather..." He struggled for words, unsure how to explain.

"Compromising situation?" Elizabeth suggested with knowing mirth, causing Darcy to laugh.

"Yes, precisely." He offered her his arm and they left the horse to travel to a different stall, one that was seemingly unoccupied until closer inspection. Lizzie audibly sighed as she gazed at the young white foal, with a smattering of darkly colored spots on its back. "We're not sure where she got her coloring," Darcy inputted.

"She?"

"Yes, she was born to Mella but a week ago, and Bingley insists she belong to me."

"What is her name?"

There was a pause as Darcy opened the stall and offering her entrance, which she gladly accepted, kneeling slightly to pet the filly, which gladly accepted the affection. "That is your decision, if you would so like it."

Elizabeth looked up at Darcy, who was smiling at her.

"My decision?"

"Yes, I would like her to be yours if you want her. As soon as she is named and we are married, Bingley has agreed to sign her over to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy."

Elizabeth froze, her hand stilling on the foal's head. The tiny white horse whined slightly, nuzzling its nose into her hand, begging for attention. "William, you cannot possibly give me a horse..." It was not that she didn't want her, for Elizabeth was already deeply enraptured with her, but she had never received a gift so grand. Also, she found her skills with a horse to be mediocre at best.

"I can, and I will." He insisted. "Besides, owning a horse is practically a requirement with being a Darcy. Georgiana owns one even, though she unfortunately does not find much time to ride."

"I suppose... if I must in order to be initiated fully to your family," Elizabeth said with a smirk. "I fear, however, I am appalling when it comes to riding side-saddle, as is surely required."

"Indeed," Darcy assented, "However when we are traveling privately through our grounds, I will not begrudge you riding astride your horse."

"Our grounds," she murmured, returning to stroke the horse that would soon be all hers.

"Ours."

The silence that surrounded them was filled with happy thoughts of the future and the sound of horses and the wind.

"What will you name her?" Elizabeth considered the question seriously, gazing about for inspiration. Such a grand horse as hers was sure to be deserved a grand name. She spotted Mr. Darcy's horse not to far away, a horse that was bequeathed a Greek name, and therefore she decided hers would as well. "Antigone."

He thought over her decision for a moment. "A beautiful name, to be sure, but it has a tragic meaning and a tragic story behind it."

"Indeed," Elizabeth nodded, "However I have always adored the name, and we shall make sure our Antigone had not the same dire circumstances in her life as the tragic heroine. Plus our horse's names go together. Antigone and Agaue, how beautiful it sounds."

"I like William and Elizabeth more," Darcy took her hand and led her from the stables where he could kiss her away from the prying eyes of stable hands and the like. He had once again been rendered breathless by her beauty, but it was the talk of the lands of Pemberly belonging to both of them that moved his thoughts away from naming horses and ancient Greek tragedies. In less then a day she would be his bride, and in less than two days he would be bringing her home to Pemberley once more, not as a guest this time, but as its mistress.

After a detour in which both of their honor was called into question yet again, they encountered Mr. Bingley and Jane, which was just as well because Elizabeth was eager to show her newest friend to her sister.

"Mr. Bingley, thank you so much for your generosity! Mella's filly is simply amazing,"

"It is nothing, Miss Elizabeth. Darcy has much more enthusiasm for horses, and as the very foal in question was fathered by his own horse, I saw no reason why she should go to a more caring family."

Jane looked confused momentarily, enquiring as to just who was receiving a horse. "Mr. Bingley's mare gave birth but a week ago to a rather spirited foal, and he insisted I keep him." Darcy explained to his future sister-in-law. "I have instead insisted she be signed over to Miss Elizabeth."

Jane laughed demurely. "Lizzie, you own a horse? But you never ride, you prefer to walk."

"Easily remedied by the overall splendid ness of her new horse," Darcy countered.

Bingley grinned, "Not to mention I doubt she has any choice in the matter, knowing the Darcy tradition."

The four friends teased each other as Darcy and Elizabeth led the way back to the stables to show Jane Antigone. They talked of her blood lines and when she could be removed from her mother and have stamina enough to make the trip to Pemberley. It would be another year or two before Elizabeth could really ride the horse, but that was long enough for her to become an expert rider in both side saddle and sitting astride.

Besides the black spots on her back, everyone agreed Antigone was of the purest white they had ever seen in a horse, and was sure to be the most beautiful, coveted by all. Nothing less for Mr. Darcy's future wife could be expected.

-%-{(()

"Oh dear, it appears poor Mr. Darcy has suffered a fall," Elizabeth laughed as she stood looking down on her fiancé, who looked severely annoyed at the dirt accumulated on his bottom. He was walking her as far as the outer edges of Longbourne. For propriety's sake no one could know they had been walking together unescorted for such a long duration of time, for no one could be trusted alone with a future lover, especially a couple as in love as they. Darcy had insisted, however, on making sure the majority of her walk was 'traversed safely,' but at present time, Mr. Darcy's safety was called into question, not Elizabeth's.

"I find no humor in this," he grumbled as he pulled himself to his full height, his impassive Darcy mask in place as he suffered through his embarrassment. Instead of annoyed at his stony expression as she used to be, she found all the more delight in his chagrin. What a treat it had been to observe the proud and honorable Mr. Darcy stumbling over a nonexistent root he claimed was not three feet away. Even better to watch him land on his backside with the stunned expression of a child having their favorite toy taken away but not knowing why.

The pair was not a quarter mile away from Elizabeth's house, and so she had challenged Mr. Darcy to a race, sprinting ahead to her favorite childhood climbing tree. Apparently he had deliberated whether to chase after her or maintain his dignity, and so his legs had become entangled in a sort of indecisive battle, causing his fall.

Laughter finally subsiding, Lizzie remembered herself and asked if he was hurt. "Nothing but my pride," he replied tersely, and she giggled a little replying, "Your secret is safe with me, sir. You can sleep soundly tonight knowing your reputation will remain intact." She resumed walking, and he followed suit.

"I doubt I will sleep very much tonight," he mused quietly, and she agreed. "It will be a long twenty three hours," he sighed, referencing of course to how long it will be until he next saw her; at the altar ready to become his wife.

Longbourne was soon in their view, and he stopped to bid her a lengthy goodbye. "Until next time, my love,"

Elizabeth walked away with a skip in her step, hearing him say the words 'my love' over and over in her mind, anticipating the next time she would see him. Eager to talk of sisterly things with Jane, who should have already been delivered by carriage, her own choice of travel, Lizzie picked up her skirts and ran, approaching from the back of the house and entering through the kitchens. The first person she encountered was Hill, and with a smile on her face, barely sparing her a glance, greeted her.

"Miss!" Hill hissed quietly in such an urgent manner that captured all of Elizabeth's love struck attentions. The lady's face was stressed, alerting Elizabeth to the odd silence of the house.

"What has happened?" she asked worriedly.

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh is here Miss, and she has been asking for you."

Upon entering the drawing room after making herself more presentable, she was struck by the oddness of it all. Lady Catherine demanded all attention despite her being a guest in the Bennet home, and her daughter Anne was not with her. The fact that her mother and two youngest sisters had been stricken silent was even more confounding. When she did make her presence known, however, Lady Catherine demanded everyone leave the room except for Elizabeth, a demand that was adhered to all too eagerly.

"You of course know why I am here Miss Bennet," Lady Catherine snapped, standing from her chair as soon as the door was closed behind its previous inhabitants.

"I might assume it is to do with my approaching nuptials to your nephew," Elizabeth said stiffly, knowing full well that this was in fact the topic she wished to address, though it was obvious that Lady Catherine was not here to offer her congratulations.

"You selfish, insufferable, manipulative child!" The Lady exclaimed. Her next words flowed so effortlessly one could assume she had rehearsed her speech. "Have you no respect for yourself or for my nephew? You, employing your witchcraft on him and enticing him, tricking him into matrimony! To think, the future mistress of Pemberly, a country chit! Wanton and selfish, oh if my poor sister were alive today she would die of heartbreak. It was her sincerest wish to see her son married to my daughter, Anne. And lo, he marries into the gentry! A girl of no circumstance, no connections, inferior birth, and related to tradesmen and lawyers. Your mother and sisters silly women with no thought for propriety and lacking manners, your father! Neglectful, irresponsible man! I-"

"Lady Catherine!" Elizabeth cut in, unable to stomach more of her insults. "Have you come only to insult me? I am to marry your nephew tomorrow, and there is nothing you can do to prevent that. You have traveled all this way for nothing."

"I have traveled all this way," Lady Catherine fumed, "Not only to inform you of all the reasons you are unsuitable and unworthy of my nephew, Mr. Darcy, but to offer you what he was too weak to. I can be a generous woman, Miss Bennet, and I have found a way to make everyone happy."

"Pray, do tell," Elizabeth said dryly with no amount of interest in her voice. She would be quite happy to turn the lady out without a second glance if she was not to be a future relative.

"I am prepared to offer you ten thousand pounds, Miss Bennet, as compensation for agreeing to go no further with marrying Mr. Darcy." Lady Catherine looked extremely serious, and it was with great effort Lizzie did not laugh.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I know not what you expected out of this union, but marrying Mr. Darcy is not only incredibly selfish and unfounded, but it would destroy his reputation. His friends and family would never speak to him again, and all of society would look on it as a scandal. A scandal much worse than calling off a wedding. I will pay you ten thousand pounds if you agree to this, never speak to my nephew or his family again, and keep quiet about it. Mr. Darcy is in fact to be engaged to my daughter."

Elizabeth knew not which matter to address first. "Lady Catherine, I can assure you I have not tricked your nephew into making me an offer. I will not accept your bribe money, and I am extremely angered at your accusations against both my character and Mr. Darcy's. If indeed he was to marry Lady Anne, you are suggesting he is a man not of his word, but I can assure you, he is. If it was his understanding he was to be joined with your family, he would not have made an offer to me. As it is, he has told me of your beliefs and assured me there was no foundation in them. You have insulted my family, my fiancé, and myself in every manner possible. I must ask you to leave immediately."

"You are denying my generosity?"

"Indeed, I am not. I have heard no offers of a generous nature, only insults and lies."

Elizabeth was nearly concerned Lady Catherine was suffocating due to the extremely bright hue to her face. "I have never been treated thus in my entire life!" she bellowed, turning on her heel and marching to the door. "Mark my words," she cried as she wrenched open the door, a flash of skirts disappearing suspiciously farther down the hall, "My nephew will hear of this, he will see reason! Then you will regret rejecting my offer Miss Bennet." The front door shut with so much power the house shook, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

Not wanting to deal with the questions of her family, who no doubt heard the entire debacle, she turned and exited the house much the same way she had entered not a quarter hour ago.

())}-%-

Darcy strode obliviously happy into the drawing room at Netherfield with a smile on his face, a sight not often seen out of his own privacy. He was so engrossed in his memories that he did not notice the figure standing quietly by the window.

"May I enquire as to why there is dirt all over your backside Darcy?" A familiar voice asked from behind. Darcy turned around with a mixture of delight and embarrassment. He had thought all the dirt was gone, but was exceptionally pleased to see his Cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam smiling at him.

"A mishap on my walk I fear, Colonel." Darcy explained quickly.

"I am not to be called Colonel any longer Darcy," Richard said grimly.

Stunned momentarily, Darcy inquired, "What has happened, Richard?" A longer inspection of his cousin made him realize he looked tired, and perhaps a bit sorrowful, expressions as foreign on Richard as a public smile was on Darcy. The feelings his cousin was obviously subject to were in such stark contrast to his own, that Darcy could not fathom what was wrong. However, before Richard could begin to explain, the door burst open revealing the furious form of Lady Catherine, followed by an extremely bewildered Mr. Bingley, who had never met the imposing woman before.

"Darcy, I demand you put an end to this nonsense of marrying Miss Bennet at once!" Lady Catherine declared, not even wasting time in exchanging greetings or even an introduction with the master of the house, Mr. Bingley.

"Aunt-"

"She is an insufferable, fortune hunting country chit you have been tricked by. Put an end to this and make good on the promise you have made Anne! It was your mother's dearest wish-"

"A wish only you have claimed to be true, and a promise I have never made. You delude yourself in many areas, Lady Catherine, and I know full well both my own intentions and Miss Bennets. If you cannot respect my decision in this matter, I beg you do not return tomorrow morning for the ceremony. I take your insults against Miss Bennet personally, and I will refuse to acknowledge our connection until you have apologized to both Elizabeth and I."

All three men present in the room nearly expected smoke to billow from her ears. "Think of your sister, Darcy, of the people you are associating her with-"

"I will beg you not to bring Georgiana into this discussion aunt."

"- and the Earl! The Earl of Matlock will look upon this union with as much distaste as I, I can assure you! You will have estranged your whole family-"

Catherine was once again cut of, but this time by Richard, which was a shock as he usually tried to remain as neutral as possible when disputes of this nature arose between Darcy and their aunt.

"I can assure you madam; the Earl of Matlock is indeed pleased at the upcoming union, and thinks Miss Elizabeth is a delightful woman."

"Poppycock," Lady Catherine exclaimed. "Your brother is much more sensible than you, Richard. Jonathan will look on the union much as I do, for he has not the opportunity to meet Miss Elizabeth and succumb to her charms as you have. Shame, Richard. I was sure you had proper pride for your family."

"Do not speak of matters you know not of, Lady Catherine. I come on this festive occasion unfortunately bearing sad tidings. My brother, the Earl of Matlock has suffered an accident. The title as been passed on to me. You will find no allegiance here."

Stunned silence engulfed the room.

A/N: dun dun duuuuun. Yes, I can't help but adding a little drama. I keep saying I'm going to end the story soon, but I always add a little twist. Darn it all ;)

I've wrote a little song to the tune of row row row your boat.

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