The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
A/n thanks to all the reviewers liysyl, serenite rose, Shelby66, LoveInTheBattleField, Deanna27, Wyndwhyspyr, gabyhyatt, ChrisM0519, es133, QOP, Jansfamily4, and the anonymous ones, I will answer later.
Thanks to the anonymous reviewer who refreshed my memory about the Lucas and Anne.
A short note for those who need a reminder. Once again, I will exercise my right to write, and you can exercise your right not to read. This is not a professionally edited version, and you can read for free in this version.
Although I like to ignore nasty comments, some are too much. Reminding me that I am sick and following scathing comments about my writing need a response. For those who feel the need to spew their nasty, passive aggressive comments, please refrain of doing so because nothing is gained. There is enough hatred all over the world, poisoned words just make it all worse. Let's play nicely in this sand box. Blessings to all, may you all find peace.
Winning Elizabeth-
Mr. Darcy stood waiting for Elizabeth's response, still not sure if he had imagined the entire episode, but it felt real. His heart was about to explode.
After a short deliberation, she nodded. "Yes," Elizabeth said, as she took his arm. Darcy was in heaven; her gloved hand felt like a hot plate on his arm, warming his body. Sally moved to walk by Elizabeth.
"Jane is in London," her face looked sad.
Both heard a tiny chuckle this time, looked around, and saw nothing. Elizabeth suspected that one or more of her pesky relatives were there. They were nosy and spied on her. She remembered, she wanted her powers, but her uncle denied them, so unfair. "Come with me, and you can have them." If she had her powers, she would be able to help Jane.
"Why the sad face? Is it because of your sister?" He asked. When he saw her lip trembling, he felt like a sewage rat.
"She couldn't see Mr. Bingley, she thinks something was up," Elizabeth's voice was but a whisper.
She was upset, he could see that. It made him wonder what if Charles would have been faithful to Jane? No, Charles had many women, and, probably, several by-blows. Later on, Darcy found out that Charles was like that since Cambridge. He liked Charles but remembered all those things he found out in the future. Charles was like that before and after. However, Charles had confessed his feelings, thus, Mr. Darcy wondered if people could change. They could, he was the proof, he had changed a lot after he lost Elizabeth.
The two younger Bingley, were not a good lot. In the future, Hurst finally took his wife when his cousins came and dragged him away. He said that Miss Bingley had interfered and ruined his marriage. At that time, Hurst was bloated, a drunk, a glutton, and nearly dead. Low and behold, years later, Darcy had seen Hurst and Louisa; they had two children and were happy. The new Hurst was brimming with health and wealth, a country gentleman, busy working and conducting a little trade, the later was an idea of his now assertive wife. Last he saw them, Louisa was expecting a new child.
Darcy swallowed hard, he was the reason Bingley hid. Time to speak, he thought, "Hmm, may I be frank?"
Elizabeth finally answered, she nodded, tears threatening to spill. He saw them, stopped, and offered a handkerchief, "Here, don't be sad." He took a chance and touched her eyes with the handkerchief. What he wanted was to lick her tears. He was hopeless, her scent was opium, making him feel odd like he was flying,
"I think he hid from her, after asking her to call on them when in London. Mr. Bingley has hurt my sister." Her lip stuck out. Again, tears filled her eyes.
"Miss Elizabeth, maybe it is a blessing." How much to say? "Charles is whimsical, he is charming, but maybe not, ahem, loyal? Ahem, perhaps, you know. "
"Like with other ladies? Does he have a mist... never mind." Lizzie tightened her lips disapprovingly. Her body tensed, he could feel her dislike, this was new.
"Perhaps, but if you wish, I could talk to Charles," Mr. Darcy offered quickly.
Elizabeth pondered, what if he made Jane sad? Her uncle said all happened for a reason; even marrying the horrid Mrs. Bennet. Her uncle despised her mother; she meant Mrs. Bennet.
"Thanks for the kind offer, let me think." She was going to ask her uncle. He always came when she called.
They walked and talked until a footman stopped them, "Sir, the Lady wants you back, right now."
He remembered that Aunt Catherine spied on him, "I am busy, tell her I will be by when I am done." He glared at the footman. "Tell whoever is following me to be afraid. If you are the one, expect trouble."
Darcy looked at the footman trying to read him. The footman brought messages from? Darcy concentrated, from whom, he wasn't not sure. Reading others was also new, maybe he needed to practice.
Elizabeth was surprised when she saw him glaring at the scared footman. Mr. Darcy really wanted to be with her, amazing. As for the footman, she had seen him before, carrying messages from Lady Catherine to and fro the Collins' home.
"I've seen him before, he runs errands for Lady Catherine," Elizabeth said, but held back the messages information, not wanting to be a gossip.
"I see, my aunt thinks she can impose her will on me. I am having the most pleasant time in years, and I'm not willing to cut it short. So, Miss Elizabeth, how about a stroll after lunch, my girl needs her walk, she is getting fat." Darcy grinned, remembering Sally's fat belly were pups. Nobody had known since Sally had never bred before, and she was seven. The old girl had fallen for a terrier from a neighboring state. In the future, Sally would stay home most of the time, she was ole; but now she was his walking and traveling companion.
"Yes, it would please me." Yes, it would, Elizabeth liked this new version of Mr. Darcy. This wasn't the man she remembered, not at all. He was a most pleasant companion.
The other spies, Darcy figured were Collins and his wife, "It would be better if you didn't tell Mrs. Collins."
Elizabeth nodded, he must have his reasons, maybe Charlotte talked to his aunt. Lady Catherine had told her Mr. Darcy would be asking for Lady Anne's hand; though her uncle had told her not to believe all she heard.
Darcy was nearly walking on a cloud when he was back at his aunt's home. Yes, yes, Elizabeth would be his.
But it wouldn't be easy, someone was aware of a significant change. Damn, Argo was too mighty, he had to change the tide of time, but for only a few. It was time to investigate, the someone decided.
Darcy asked for a tray to be sent to the library for lunch. When his aunt sent for him, he answered, "Tell her that I will see her later today." He knew she was going to interrogate him, "Fergus," Darcy called his younger valet/cousin/guard. He and his brother were with with the Darcy family since they were left as orphans.
"Go to the kitchen, be discreet and bring a couple meat pies, apples, cheese, bread, a bottle of wine, napkins, a sharp knife. Also pinch a couple of flowers. Put everything in a satchel along with a blanket. When I leave, make sure I am not followed. Tell Angus to go to Kent and buy jellies, biscuits, and chocolates. Tonight, bring a mattress to my room, while I am here, either you or Angus sleep with me." Darcy thought about Anne walking into his room.
Darcy changed into country gentry's clothes, more suited for a stroll in the woods. Elizabeth waited for him far enough from the Vicar's cottage; when Elizabeth saw him, her heart fluttered. He was grinning, making him look different, his clothes suited him. They walked fast, away from the Vicary. They talked, both had read a lot. Darcy couldn't get enough of her; this must be a dream, he was sure.
His looks made her heart accelerate. Elizabeth had taken her gloves off to pick up wild berries. When both went for the same berry, his hand landed over hers. Though the touch lasted only for a few seconds, she felt strange, an ache down in her privates.
Darcy felt a frisson of desire, touching her skin hardened his body, making him ready for her. He was glad that Sally, his fat terrier, was barking, since she had found the berry patch, and wanted the humans to share with her. Her barks drowned his moan, he was in trouble. When they sat down to eat, her dress went up enough to see her calves, and he had nearly lost it.
Two days went by, and Elizabeth found her heart softening. More than softening, during the last walk, he had kissed her hand when they said goodbye. She wanted more, but what she wasn't sure what more was. His lips tingled, the kiss went to his groin. He wished he could go further, but wanted to do things right. They both stood looking at each other for a few seconds, before she walked away. It was a moment he would remember, it filled him with hope.
Darcy hadn't heard from Prince Argo and wondered. He had also managed to avoid his aunt, but it was getting harder. He was going to ask Elizabeth if he could court her.
Elizabeth was taken off her bonnet when she saw Charlotte.
"Where were you?" Charlotte asked curtly. Her tone wasn't very nice. She was staring at the roses Elizabeth was carrying. She and Mariah were visiting parishioners, and Lizzie hadn't been invited.
"I was strolling," she heard the nastiness on Charlotte's voice and was taken aback.
"Tongues are wagging, be careful." Charlotte nearly gritted her teeth. Elizabeth blinked, surprised.
Elizabeth ignored her. She excused herself and went to her room, fuming; she had to hold her tongue. Claiming a headache, Elizabeth took her lunch to her room. She heard Mariah and Charlotte whispers, they were in Mariah's room, fools, she thought.
Darcy was having problems with his aunt; Lady Catherine was spying and demanded to see him. He could no longer avoid her.
"You are playing with fire with the country miss. Remember that you are nearly engaged to marry Anne. You promised." She went on and on. His aunt demanded to set a date.
"I never promised to marry Anne; those are your dreams, not mine. I am tired, I am going to my room."
That afternoon when Darcy saw Mr. Collins' coming to see his aunt, he decided to eavesdrop. His hearing was terrific, a change. Sure enough, his aunt wanted Elizabeth gone. The Collins were reporting to his aunt.
When Darcy met Elizabeth, as agreed, he decided to ask, "Why don't you and your sister come to Pemberley, in a couple of weeeks. My young sister will be there, and my cousin Lady Fitzwilliams will be there as well. It would please me."
Elizabeth was wondering if Mr. Bingley would be there, "I thought about it; it would be best if Mr. Bingley is not there if we come." She had asked her uncle earlier; her uncle didn't think Mr. Bingley was a good husband choice. He had come to lunch. Elizabeth was upset, but her uncle told her that Mr. Darcy could make his own decisions and to ignore Charlotte. "Dear, they are jealous that Mr. Darcy is paying attention to you. He is handsome, wealthy, and intelligent."
When Elizabeth came from her walk, Charlotte was waiting for her; she apologized but said that Elizabeth needed to cut her visit short since Mariah wanted to go home. When she thought about it, she knew that it was because of her strolling with Mr. Darcy.
Charlotte wanted Darcy to marry Miss Anne. Charlotte has said as much, "We cannot aspire so high, Mr. Darcy is a gentleman destined for someone much better than us. I have seen you strolling with him several times. I just want to be your friend and advise you well. We are country gentry. He is rich and sophisticated, beyond us. My dear, your father doesn't even have a tittle like my father."
Elizabeth held her tongue, wishing she had her powers to do something, like turning her friend into a toad.
After lunch, which she ate in her room, Elizabeth went out for a stroll. The Collins had gone to visit the tenants and hadn't invited Elizabeth to come alone, which suited her.
As soon as she saw Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth accepted his invitation. "I am going back, Mariah wants to go home."
Darcy wanted to hold her and comfort her; he felt her distress, but he didn't want her rejection. "Please go in my carriage, so you don't have to travel in a coach. I would feel better if you did so." Darcy wanted the best for her.
Since Elizabeth was unhappy with Charlotte, she accepted. Their walk was tinged with sadness of the imminent separation.
Later that day, Charlotte wouldn't let Mariah travel with Elizabeth when Elizabeth asked. Elizabeth was incensed, "I see. Please don't invite me to come again. Our friendship has suffered an irreparable break. I understand where your loyalties; please don't write."
"I am most disappointed you used my hospitality to lure Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins is right, you are a wanton."
Elizabeth couldn't help it, she slapped Charlotte's face. A good thing, a pesky relative stopped her hand, "Err, you had a bee about to sting you," was Elizabeth's excuse as she ran to pack, and then went to look for Mr. Darcy. He had hinted he would be walking, later on, the moon was bright. Besides, Darcy had noticed he had perfect night vision; and Elizabeth could also see in the dark.
Darcy found Elizabeth sitting on a bench near the Collins' home. He'd heard her crying. Sally sat by Elizabeth. She stood and ran into his arms. He held his Lizzie in his arms while she sobbed at Charlotte's pettiness. "I will send Fergus to pick you up. Don't be sad." He kept his distance as well as he could, his arousal would scare her; although he wanted to kiss her tears away.
"I changed my mind, why make Jane suffer, invite Mr. Bingley." They heard a groan, but both ignored it.
He kissed her forehead, exhibiting self-control he lacked. Elizabeth had, for a second, expected a kiss. Maybe I am a wanton, so be it, she thought.
Charlotte kept an eye on her while she packed, Mariah was whining, wanting to ride in the fancy carriage. "No, Elizabeth is nearly fallen," Charlotte answered. Amazingly a bee landed on Charlotte's nose and bit her. A bee nobody saw. Her nose was swollen to twice her size, Mariah laughed non-stop. Elizabeth didn't offer assistance, all she wanted was to run away from that house.
Elizabeth woke up at the crack of dawn after a bad night of tossing and turning. She waited outside, not wanting to be in that house. In the carriage, she found a basket with bread, cheese, cold chicken and ham, a sweet-tart, apple cider, and other treats. He sent her a bouquet of flowers and made sure there were blankets and a hot coal box, in case she got cold. On the seat, she found a wrapped parcel with books to read. Mr. Darcy made sure she was comfortable. Fergus posed as a footman to make sure she was safe. He had also sent a box with biscuits and jellies for her sisters.
When she was leaving, Mariah came out running with the maid helping her with her trunk. "Please wait and take me. I just insulted Mr. Collins, and he bid me goodbye. I will tell my parents what he told me. He said that I was on the road to perdition defending you. A bee bit his nose when he said you were Jezebel. Laughing, I said, "You and my sister match; a fit punishment for calumny." So he said that I had to leave, Charlotte agreed and said that wasn't welcome again. When I asked how should I go? Both said that it was my problem. Looking at their noses, I couldn't stop laughing." Mariah talked without taking one breath, when she finished, she was grinning. Elizabeth had to smile.
Since Elizabeth was so angry with Charlotte, letting the sycophant, wormy husband of hers call her names, she allowed Mariah to come. Mariah declared this was the best carriage ever. Mariah told Elizabeth all kinds of gossip. Some about Charlotte's sending several messages to Lady Catherine, "Charlotte is jealous because you get the prince, and she gets the frog. My parents won't be happy, kicking me out their home. Charlotte will be in trouble; I hope so!" Mariah's expression reflected her desire for swift retribution.
MRs. Lucas thanked Elizabeth profusely when she brought Mariah in such a fancy carriage. Mariah was an actress, breaking down and sobbing, twisting the tale, making her sister sound like a jealous and petty villain. Sir Lucas came out in the middle of the story and was outraged. Elizabeth left in a hurry, letting Mariah fib. Earlier, Mariah had been gossiping about her with Charlotte, not her problem.
When Elizabeth arrived home, Mrs. Bennet started to reprimand her, nastily, for riding alone, until Fergus intervened. "Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mariah left her shawl, we can drop on the way back."
"Please do so," Elizabeth smiled, well knowing that Mariah hadn't left her shawl. Her uncle was right; her mother, Mrs. Bennet, was not a very nice person. Some said she and her sisters were witches, it sounded right.
When Fergus brought in her trunk, Elizabeth thanked him and gave him a short letter she had written to Darcy, telling him about Mariah and to thank him.
In her room, she found her uncle. He was pint-size. "You look happy. Tell me what happened."
"I am sure you know." Elizabeth stared at him, a little cross because she hadn't seen him since she was asked to go home.
He didn't know because he had been busy. But when he heard about the bees, he guffawed. "Imagine, you created the bees. Love can unlock some of your gifts. Your mother called insects to do her naughty deeds, often. Are you in love, do tell?" Her uncle Argo looked at her intently.
"No, not in love, but I like Mr. Darcy," she smiled mysteriously, and her uncle also smiled, knowingly. "So I have a gift, I wish I had them all. But I wasn't with Mr. Collins when the bee bit him," Elizabeth pondered.
Her uncle laughed harder. "I guess they will be stung every time they speak badly of you. You didn't remove the bee calling, unless you go back to their house, it will happen over and over. You are your mother, she was goodness with a hot temper and a naughty streak. Well done darling."
Elizabeth sat in the bed to laugh, not feeling a bit sorry, revenge tasted sweet. The idea of the Collins with semipermanent red noses brought her great satisfaction, making her feel somewhat vindicated.
a/n Mr. Darcy is going all out to get his Lizzie. Elizabeth is finding she likes a little revenge, good for her.