Author's Note:

Hi, guys!

I enjoyed writing this chapter so much! I hope you like this playful and teasing side of Darcy! I think he might be spending too much time with Lizzy.

Btw, I looove how you predict some of the things I have written, but not yet posted. I won't tell you much, but… Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth will have to make decisions together that they wouldn't have had to make in the original P&P.

I know many of you were waiting for this chapter! This comes with a little warning and SPOILER ALERT: I know that almost no physical contact was allowed before marriage during the regency period, but I think people are people and they probably stole a kiss or two, right? Especially if you are already engaged and you are as bold and passionate as Lizzy. She was a very unconventional woman then. So, I wanted to warn you that there will be some kissing from now on. It miiiight get a little hot and heavy, but first base only, not even second base. Not even open-mouthed kisses, honestly. I may allow their thoughts to get ahead of them, but not their actions. I like to keep it regency when possible.

Stay safe and healthy!

Jen


"I have just realised I have not written to my parents. They must be very worried by now. I should write to them immediately."

"Well, if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you, and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did. But I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer neglected."


20.

"If we do not hear from Fitzwilliam to-day, George, I will saddle a horse and ride to Hertfordshire myself!" Lady Anne complained that afternoon, her maternal and protective instincts had started to arise by the second day without a letter from her son.

"I agree with you, my love, in that we must have news from Fitzwilliam sooner rather than later, but I do not believe it will be necessary for you to ride there." Before his wife commented on that, he quickly added: "But, as you said, let's give him until the end of the day before we start taking measures."

No sooner had he said it that Williams entered the study with a letter for his master and mistress.

"From Master Fitzwilliam, Your Ladyship," Williams bowed and handed her the letter.

"Oh!" She jumped in excitement. "Thank you, Williams!"

"Well, read it!" Mr. Darcy hurried her after the butler had left.

Lady Anne read out loud:

"Netherfield, Hertfordshire
October 7th, 1812
10:20 PM

Dear Mother and Father,

Let me begin by apologising for the lateness of this letter. I am afraid I was in no state to write and my spirits were so drastically altered that I hope you shall forgive me when I tell you that writing was the furthest thing from my mind."

"What does he mean? She could not have rejected him again, could she?" Lady Anne asked.

"Read on, my dear"

"My journey to Hertfordshire was uneventful for the weather was as fine as it could be for an autumn morning and the paths were clear enough that we rode with little difficulty. Once the snow starts to fall, I wonder if it will be as easy as it was that day. Winter in Hertfordshire is not as violent and cold as it is in Derbyshire—or so Bingley has been told by the locals—and so I suspect that my friend will not be trapped in his own home for weeks as we are at Pemberley."

"He is speaking of the weather?!" Lady Anne complained.

"Read on, Anne."

"Speaking of my journey, I did notice that one of our horses—you might remember him, Father, a very handsome and strong one, named Beau—seemed to be feeling a little under the weather and was not his usual fast and eager self. I ordered a stable lad to keep an eye on him as soon as I arrived, for it would not do to have something befall such magnificent horse. I shall keep you informed, Father, for I know you love your horses as much as I do."

"Can you believe this?!"

"Anne," he sighed.

"Upon my arrival, Bingley was as happy to see me as he always has been, and I was glad that he truly does not resent me one bit. We played billiards and he informed me about some of his tenants' concerns which I shall relate to you."

"Ough! I will read ahead," Lady Anne said.

"My dear, do not. Keep reading. I am sure sooner or later, we shall have more answers."

"I need only one."

"Then you better read on."

"Mr. Harper, the aforementioned tenant, seemed to be having some trouble cultivating his land, though Bingley and I could not find anything wrong with it. Upon closer inspection, we found that his little daughter, an adorable five year old named Lucy, kept little rabbits as pets in the stable. Miss Lucy was extremely worried that Bingley would kill all her rabbits, but my friend, being the kind and compassionate soul he is, gave her his word as a gentleman that he would find a more appropriate place for her beloved pets where they would be taken care of without endangering her father's crops. He even said that he would try to take her to visit them from time to time if he was able."

Lady Anne frowned, but before he could say anything, Mr. Darcy said:

"Keep going, my love."

"Miss Lucy, though unhappy to have to separate herself from her friends, was very understanding for such young a girl and so, Bingley took care of everything and made Mr. Harper give him his word that he would not punish the child as she did not know she was doing anything wrong. Mr. Harper promised he was not angry with his little daughter and everyone parted in good terms. I am proud of Bingley; he found the cause of the problem and managed the situation very well and I know that he will be an excellent master, and with Miss Bennet—who is a gentleman's daughter and has been trained to be mistress of such a home—no one will ever remember he was not born into the landed gentry.

By now, my dear Mother, if I know you well enough, I would say that you have tried to skip some parts of my letter, and Father, always an organized man, has not allowed you to do so."

Lady Anne looked up as she heard her husband laugh very loudly. She glared at him—with a small smile she could not quite hide on her face—until he managed to stop.

"I am sure you are anxious for other kind of news from me. I apologise for teasing you, but you must blame my fiancée for that."

"Fiancée! Oh, fiancée!" Lady Anne jumped in happiness in a very unladylike manner.

Her husband catched her and held her to him for some time as they laughed and celebrated.

"I will open a bottle of champagne," he said.

"At four in the afternoon?" Lady Anne chuckled.

"Indeed, we need to celebrate."

After the confused servants—who were too well trained to ask any questions—had brought and poured some champagne. Lady Anne continued reading:

"Yes, Mother, my fiancée. Can you believe we are engaged? I cannot. I have woken up twice now knowing she will be my wife and I still can hardly believe it. Each time, I wake up terrified that everything was a dream and that I am at Netherfield as I was in September. Mother, Father; you, who have known everything that I have felt the last year... do I need to tell you of my happiness? You shall soon see it, of course, for I cannot hide my elation. My emotions have gone so drastically from pure misery to the greatest happiness I have ever known that I feared for my poor heart. Such strong feelings cannot live together within one body in such a short period of time, do you not think?

You will want to know how it came to be, I am sure. Upon my arrival at Netherfield, I rode to Longbourn as fast as I could convince Bingley to go—and given that Jane also lives there, it took me about a minute. Bingley suggested we went for a walk and so Bingley, Jane, Elizabeth, Kitty, and I went out. You will be as surprised as I was, I believe, when I tell you that, after Kitty had gone to visit Miss Lucas, Elizabeth began thanking me for helping the current Mrs. Wickham. You know I did not wish for her to find out, but apparently, one cannot trust Mrs. Wickham with a secret. After Elizabeth had found out I was at their wedding, she wrote to Mrs. Gardiner and demanded to be told everything. I was worried, but could not remain silent, and told her that I had thought only of her and that my feelings and wishes remained the same. I cannot with words tell you how elated I was when she told me her feelings were the exact opposite that they had been in April. How this came to pass I do not know. Although she did explain it, I cannot quite believe it yet.

Father, allow me to stop here to make a request of you. I want you to raise Mrs. Reynolds' pay for she is the one who planted the seed of my happiness."

"Mrs. Reynolds?" Mr. Darcy asked surprised.

"Indeed. Please, do allow me to continue, Mr. Darcy," Lady Anne smiled mischievously.

"Elizabeth told me that my letter convinced her of Mr. Wickham's sins, but she could still not forgive me for everything else and could not see me in any other light as the one I had shown her. Then, when she was visiting Pemberley before our arrival, Mrs. Reynolds—who had no knowledge that I knew Elizabeth until much later—started singing my praises. I cannot repeat all the compliments she offered, but knowing the affection she holds for me and Georgiana, you may imagine how effusive she was. Elizabeth, the kind soul she is, spoke with many servants—as is her custom for I have witnessed it at Netherfield and you have too, when she helped Susan—and received more unsolicited praise from others. We are very lucky our servants are so loyal, and I am particularly lucky that Elizabeth values their opinion more than she would value the opinion of my equals.

My changed behaviour at Pemberley helped solidify this new opinion she started creating of me. I was indeed trying to let go of my reticence and to show her my true self, instead of the aloof and serious man I try to display to the rest. I suppose she liked this version of me more for she told me she truly regretted our parting at the inn and thought she would never see me again. You might wonder, then, if she did see me in a favourable light, why did she act so distant when I was at Longbourn last month. She told me she had believed that my prejudice against her family—which I have so shamefully expressed in my first proposal—had been proven correct by her youngest sister's elopement and she thought that her being sister to Wickham, added to the other considerations I had previously expressed, would make me grateful I had escaped being joined in matrimony with her. She believed my feelings could not possibly be strong enough to survive my previous objections to our marriage, her rejection, and now, brotherhood to Wickham. She was wrong, of course. You very well know that my feelings are such that they could withstand anything. And so, she kept her distance, embarrassed that I had helped her family right Mrs. Wickham's mistake and sure that I would not want her to approach me. While I thought that she blamed me for her sister's current situation and kept my distance thinking my attentions would not be welcomed. Do we not make a curious pair? I am happy that now that we are betrothed, we can communicate freely and are not left to wonder what the other thinks. We are both too prone to blame ourselves.

As for her family, I did not find Mr. Bennet to be the happy and excited father I had always envisioned would welcome me when I finally made an offer to a woman. No, Mr. Bennet cannot care less about the size of Pemberley or our annual income. He had no inkling of my feelings for Elizabeth or hers for me. And since at the beginning he was reluctant to give his consent, I told him an abbreviated version of the story I told you. It took me an hour to convince him that I was in love with his daughter and that my feelings were not of short duration. Still, he would not give his blessing until he spoke to Elizabeth, and so he kept her in his study another hour to make sure she was truly happy with her decision. Elizabeth managed to convince him and we are now officially betrothed. Mrs. Bennet was elated to have another daughter married and Jane seemed genuinely happy that we shall be siblings. Bingley was right: Jane is an angel. She received me with a bright smile when she first saw me and reached her hand out in friendship even though I did not deserve such a welcome. To my shame, Elizabeth tells me that Jane is the only Bennet who always liked me, and she was the one I hurt the most. My youngest sisters-to-be, Mary and Kitty, seemed afraid of me to different degrees and I shall do my best in the following weeks to get to know them better, and hopefully, build a relationship with them. They are important to Elizabeth, and so they are to me. Lastly, you can imagine Bingley's happiness when he heard the news. He declared that his prophecy of our future as old married men had become true and what better friends as our wives than such beloved sisters!

You will wish to know about our wedding. Bingley and Jane have been as kind as to allow us to share their wedding day and so, Elizabeth and I will marry the first week of December at Longbourn chapel. Bingley has ordered me to invite you all—both of you and Georgiana—to stay at Netherfield from this day to our wedding if that is your wish. I cannot be parted from Elizabeth for anything in the world, and so I will be happy if you decide to join us here. Elizabeth and Jane will need to go to London at some point for their trousseau—where, I am sure you know, Bingley and I will follow—but they would prefer to do so after Elizabeth's birthday. Elizabeth told me that Mr. Bennet will send the engagement announcement to the newspapers tomorrow and the banns will be called for the first time this Sunday at Longbourn chapel and I will send a letter to our parson in Lambton so they will be called there as well. If I had my say, I will marry three Sundays from now, to be honest, but of course we must allow Jane, as the eldest and the one who has been engaged the longest, to marry first, or at least at the same time. I would also not like to create rumours that our wedding had to be hurried that might make it harder for Elizabeth to be accepted. But, as you have seen her defending herself to my aunt, and I have seen her defending her family to me, we all know she will not cower away from anything. Still, we shall marry in around eight weeks. And I thank Bingley and Jane for that! I shall be a married man next year! I have mentioned my aunt, and I realise that I should inform our family, especially Aunt Catherine, soon. I shall send her a letter right after I send this one and hope she will not come back to Hertfordshire to abuse my future family.

Mother, Father, I would write more, but my dear Elizabeth—for I can now call her so—is sitting right in front of me at this very moment, penning a letter to Mrs. Gardiner, and I find I would rather look at her than continue writing. Please, write soon to confirm when you will be arriving at Netherfield for Bingley said you must come!

Your son, the happiest man in all England,

Fitzwilliam

P.S. Elizabeth loves her ring, Mother. Although at first she was very reluctant to take it, for she believed it should belong to you, when I insisted it had been your idea, she accepted it. I believe she was more touched by your gesture than by the ring itself. She has been wearing it since Mr. Bennet gave his blessing. I can now see it on her finger as she seals her own letter. And now, I shall seal mine."

"Oh, they shall be married!" Lady Anne beamed.

"Indeed, my love. I could not imagine a happier outcome," Mr. Darcy commented. "My son will have his happiness and, God willing, the estate will have a next generation of Darcys. Cheers!"

"We must go to Netherfield!"

"Yes, we must. We will do everything we can to show the world we approve of Fitzwilliam's choice."

"I shall ring for Mr. and Mrs. Williams to inform them," she said before she pulled the cord.

"We still have some things to finish here, but I suppose we can be there in three days. That would give us time to settle before Miss Bennet's birthday."

When the butler and the housekeeper entered the study they were received by a smiling couple.

"Yes, sir?" Mr. Williams said.

"We have some wonderful news to share with you," Mr. Darcy said. "Fitzwilliam is engaged to be married."

"Oh, that is wonderful news, sir, congratulations!" Mrs. Williams smiled.

"Congratulations to you and Master Fitzwilliam," Mr. Williams added.

"Thank you both very much," Lady Anne replied. "Now, our future daughter lives in Hertfordshire where our son currently is, and we shall be leaving to join them on October 10th. We would like for you to make preparations before then. We shall return to London at some point when Miss Bennet, our son's intended that is, will be shopping for her trousseau, but until then, we will remain in Hertfordshire."

"Miss Darcy will accompany you?" Mr. Williams asked.

"Yes," Lady Anne chuckled. "She and Miss Bennet are great friends and she will not be left behind for anything I am sure."

Just as she had said that, they heard a knock at the door. Mr. Darcy barely finished saying 'Enter' when Georgiana walked in with the biggest smile they had seen on her face, clutching a letter to her bosom.

"Oh, Mama, Papa, is it not wonderful?" she said, oblivious of the butler and the housekeeper in the study.

"I assume that you have received a letter from Fitzwilliam," Mr. Darcy smiled.

"Yes! And one from Elizabeth, too. Oh, I shall have a sister!" she twirled.

Lady Anne and Mr. Darcy watched in amazement as their shy daughter acted so out of character.

"But, are you not happy?" she asked her parents.

"We are, indeed, very happy," Lady Anne chuckled. "But my days of twirling are past me, my love."

"Oh, Mama, Elizabeth shall be my sister!"

"Yes, she shall, my dear."

"Oh," Georgiana said when she noticed Mr. and Mrs. Williams. "I am sorry, I did not know."

"Do not worry, Georgiana," her father said. "We had just informed the Williams of your brother's news and we were telling them that the three of us shall depart for Netherfield on the 10th."

"Oh, yes! Elizabeth's birthday! May I tell her?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then I shall do so, immediately," she said and left the study as happily as she had entered it.


"My sister has written," Fitzwilliam told Elizabeth the next day as they walked together.

"Oh yes, she has written to me, too," she smiled.

"Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her delight, and all her earnest desire of being loved by her sister."

"She is so easy to love, she has nothing to be worried about. Did I tell you she reminds me of Jane?"

"No, but I can see the similarities."

"I am pleased that at least your immediate family will accept me."

"Every member of my family whose opinion I care is happy for us. Once we are married, you and our children shall be my immediate family. I will not allow anyone to insult you."

"Lady Catherine, we know, shall not be happy. But what about other members of your family? I assume that Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents are your aunt and uncle."

"Yes, Henry and Ellen Fitzwilliam, Lord and Lady Matlock. My uncle is the elder brother of my mother and Lady Catherine."

"Your mother is the youngest, is she not?"

"Yes, she was Grandfather Fitzwilliam's favourite, just as you are your father's." Fitzwilliam smiled at her. "My father also had to convince his future wife's father to let him marry Mother."

"Really?" Elizabeth asked surprised. "Why did he not approve of him?"

"It was not that he did not approve of him, but my grandfather thought Father was not good enough for her."

"A Darcy?" she asked, faking astonishment now.

Fitzwilliam chuckled. "Well, we might be wealthy, but we are untitled. And my mother is the daughter of an earl, so my grandfather had expected her to marry a man with a title."

"But he still allowed it."

"Yes, he loved her too much to deny her anything. Much like your father," he repeated.

"He would be horrified that you are marrying me, then."

"I do not know. I was very young when he passed away. My mother is certainly not horrified."

"No, she has been more than kind to me," Elizabeth agreed. "May I ask why did they name you Fitzwilliam? Is it not confusing?"

"It is a tradition in the Darcy family that the first born boy, the heir, bears his mother's maiden name. It is not as confusing as one might think. People usually call my uncle 'Matlock,' not Fitzwilliam, though it does create some confusion with Richard."

"Richard?"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam."

"Oh. But then, your father is named George. Was that his mother's maiden name?"

"No," Fitzwilliam chuckled. "Her maiden name was Alastair: Miss Rose Alastair. But as my father is not very fond of it as a Christian name, he goes by his middle name."

"I see," she nodded and thought about what their first son would be named. She knew 'Bennet' was not a very prominent name as Fitzwilliam was.

"I hope you will allow for the tradition to continue and we will name my heir Bennet," he said as if reading her thoughts.

"Is that your wish?" she asked, surprised.

"Of course! Fortunately for him, it is a good Christian name, and he may go by Ben if he prefers it," he said. Elizabeth laughed so merrily that he could not but join her. "I think I should be offended that you are laughing at my son before he even comes into existence."

"Oh, I could not help it. Bennet is a good name, though, and I admit that I find 'Ben' to be a very sweet nickname."

"You will allow it then?"

"Of course. Will your parents allow it?"

"My parents? The naming of our children will be our responsibility. As much as I value my parents' opinion, it is only yours that matters in this particular subject. But... I am sure they will agree for it is a tradition they decided to follow, too."

"What if we have no sons?" she asked, a little timidly. She had spent her entire life hearing her mother's complaints and had no wish to disappoint him.

"Our eldest daughter will inherit and we shall hope that her husband—or one of her sons—is willing to take the Darcy name. If we do not have children, Georgiana and her children will inherit."

"Would you be terribly disappointed?"

"I would like to have children with you, Elizabeth. And not only for an heir. But I will love you if we have ten children or none, if they are all daughters or all sons. Neither of us can decide how it shall be. I admit I would prefer to have a big family, but I will be perfectly happy with only you if that is our fate."

"I am happy you think so, because those are my feelings, too. Coming from such a big family myself, I would also prefer to have many children, but it is not necessary for my happiness."

"You need not feel pressured. It shall be whatever God intends for us. Do not worry about anything, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled tenderly at him, before she said:

"Papa will be thrilled about Bennet—if we do indeed have a son—for he never had a boy to be named after him in any way. This shall be the closest thing he will get: a grandchild that bears his name."

"Then, Bennet it shall be," he whispered, trying to suppress the desire to bring such a child into existence. "Speaking of family," he said to distract himself. "You know you need not shield me from yours, do you not?"

"Not all of them," Elizabeth smiled. "But Mama and Aunt Phillips—"

"Are angels compared to my own aunt," Fitzwilliam interrupted her.

Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, I cannot deny that, but you and I have different levels of patience and forbearance. When someone is being ridiculous, I simply laugh at them."

"While I am horribly rude."

"You might implement my tactic and try to be amused."

"I shall try, but, Elizabeth, I have learnt to take the good with the bad, as your dear uncle says."

"I admit I also look forward with delight to the time when we shall be removed from society so little pleasing to either, to all the comfort and elegance of our family party at Pemberley."

She must have seen something in his eyes then—a love and passion more open that he had allowed himself to show before—for she smiled, took his hand and led him out of the main path.

"Where are we going?" Fitzwilliam asked.

"Patience, Mr. Darcy," she only said.

If he had already been disorientated as to their whereabouts before, he was completely lost now. Finally, she stopped and turned to him.

"Do you know where we are, Elizabeth?"

She faked offence as she said:

"Mr. Darcy! I have lived here all my life, I know every lane, every tree and every path around here."

"Well, I am relieved, for one of us should know how to go back."

"Well?" she asked after some seconds had gone by.

Fitzwilliam smiled at her lovely, expecting face. "Well, what?"

"Shall you kiss me or not?"

Fitzwilliam was so stunned that he stood staring at her for a whole minute before he shook his head and chuckled.

"Only you, Elizabeth, could be bold enough to drag me into a secluded place and try to take advantage of me. Is not the man the one who is supposed to try to take liberties?

"I think so, Mr. Darcy, but since you do not seem eager to take advantage of me, I thought I would take advantage of you."

"I was trying to be a gentleman," he said, but took a step closer. Closer that propriety allowed.

"Was that it? Maybe you had not been lying when you said I was not handsome enough to tempt you."

She could have no idea how tempting she looked then, with her bright eyes smiling at him, her skin shining so beautifully, and her cheeks flushed by the exercise. He looked down at her lips, so red and full and plump and pouty. How many times had he dreamt—both asleep and awake—of taking those soft, delicious looking lips with his own? The knowledge that they would be his for the taking for the rest of their lives had been exciting enough, but he had always supposed he would have to wait until they were married. And now she was offering them to him? He should have known she would not be shy and demure. No, his Elizabeth was bold and confident.

"Elizabeth," he whispered so close that she felt his breath on her face. "You tempt me beyond reason and that is exactly why I kept my distance. I did not wish to scare you."

"Do I look scared, Fitzwilliam?"

He smiled as he brought his lips closer to her.

"You look as if you need to be kissed," he said, right before he joined their lips together.

He could hardly describe what he felt at that moment; when her soft rosy lips were finally on his as he held the love of his life in his embrace for the first time, knowing this would be the first of many more such embraces only made the experience better.

He tried to show her all the love, passion,and desire he felt for her in that kiss while keeping it as innocent as possible for his own sake. How could her lips be so soft? He thought his heart could not possibly beat faster and his hands could not clutch her waist any closer, and then he proved himself wrong. He felt dizzy when he felt her hands on his head, threading her fingers through his hair. She pulled his head closer and he was lost to everything else. How long did it go on for, he had no idea. He could only feel her lips, her hands, and her waist; he could only hear her breathing and smell her scent, but most importantly, he could only taste her.

When he felt that such kisses could not be enough and that he would soon try to pry her mouth open with his tongue, he pulled away, keeping their foreheads together.

"Elizabeth," he said in a hoarse voice, and could not help reclaim her lips. She went willingly and he kissed her once, twice, thrice more, until he felt his body responding in a completely ungentlemanly way.

He pulled away, horrified that she would notice, and mourning her lips already.

"Such torture!" he said.

"Torture? I did not perceive it as such myself," she smiled.

"It is, when I know we cannot go on. I should not have complied to you, Elizabeth. Now that I had a taste, I will never be able to stop."

"Well," she said, the smile still on her face. "As I am to be your wife soon, I shall declare it a good thing."

"Soon? Eight weeks is an eternity!"

She chuckled and said mischievously:

"Then you shall have to kiss me again."

"Impertinent woman!" he exclaimed smiling, and he indeed kissed her again.


I do not own any Pride and Prejudice properties, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.

Characters and situations, created by Jane Austen, are taken from Pride and Prejudice and from the Pride and Prejudice (1995) adaptation created by Simon Langton and distributed by BBC.

This story is released under the GPL/CC BY: verbatim copying and distribution of this entire work are permitted worldwide, without royalty, in any medium, provided attribution is preserved.