Chapter 10

Charlotte made sure Lizzie's apology video, episode 57, was set to automatically upload at 9 to Lizzie's YouTube channel and sat back. After Lizzie's frantic midnight phone call last night she'd stayed up expecting this footage to appear. Lizzie had been genuinely upset over the internet thinking Darcy was a bad guy. She knew as soon as she planted the suggestion of a public apology that Lizzie would decide to make a video.

Charlotte had suspected for some time that Darcy liked Lizzie, but wasn't sure if he would ever have the gumption to act on his feelings. From what she gathered during Lizzie's disjointed phone call he had in the form of a sudden passionate kiss in the hallway. This sent all of Charlotte's instincts on high alert. She picked up on all the little subtlies in the raw footage. Darcy may have maintained his poker face for the majority of the footage but the heat in his eyes when he looked at Lizzie suggested he wanted to throw her down on the sofa and have his way with her. Within the heat though was an unmistakable tenderness. That combined with the few times his poker face failed and he looked at Lizzie with such longing convinced Charlotte that Fitz was right. Darcy was in love with Lizzie.

Fitz's note at the bottom of the email, He loves her. We need to talk had certainly gotten her attention. Having watched the footage she found herself agreeing. Fitz clearly wanted to play matchmaker and depending on how Darcy responded to her when he came in today she might as well.

Charlotte knew Lizzie better than anyone else, there was only one reason Lizzie was so upset about the internet hating Darcy. Lizzie might have felt guilt but Charlotte knew that was just a cover Lizzie used to fool herself. Lizzie was in love with Darcy, she just didn't realize it. The only reason she had put so much energy into hating him was because the truth terrified her. Lizzie was excellent at seeing what she wanted, especially when scared. Lizzie had fooled herself into believing she hated Darcy and without that protective cover Lizzie was exposed and vulnerable. Like Lizzie, Charlotte was fiercely protective of those she cared about. She was willing to take on Darcy to protect her friend.

Anytime a guy tried to get close to Lizzie, Lizzie effortlessly pushed him away. She hadn't been able to effortlessly ignore Darcy, the first sign he was different Charlotte knew. Lizzie always claimed she was waiting for the deepest love. So far because of her refusal to let guys close she had managed to protect herself from heartbreak, but would she this time? Charlotte wanted to know how Darcy would treat her best friend before she agreed to help Fitz with his matchmaking. She would protect Lizzie, but hopefully wouldn't have too.

A knock on her door pulled Charlotte out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she called out.

"Ms. Lu," Darcy said stepping into her office.

"Mr. Darcy," she said standing up.

"I would like to apologize for keeping Lizzie out all night last night. I realize she is your houseguest and therefore you must have been concerned about her whereabouts. It was remiss of me to not have kept you informed of-"

"She called me late last night so I knew where she was. But thank you for your concern about my concern?"

"Ah she must have called you from the hallway."

"Yes."

"Um."

"Mr. Darcy, may I speak frankly?"

"Please, by all means."

"I realize you are in a position of authority over me, but despite that, if you hurt Lizzie I will hurt you. She is not some rich man's plaything."

"I-"

"I'm not done. She is my best friend, practically another sister to me. I want her happiness and if your it, that's great. But I need to know your intentions."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to love, cherish and protect her. I'd like to do everything in my power to keep her safe and happy. If she'll ever have me it would be my life's ambition to see her happy. I love her with everything I am Ms. Lu," Darcy told her softly.

"Good," Charlotte said with a smile. His answer was better then she could have hoped for. Lizzie's soft heart would be safe with him. It was time to talk to Fitz.

"Oh and Ms. Lu, keep up the good work. Mr. Collins is lucky to have you," he told her as he prepared to leave.