Chapter Two

"Mr. Darcy." The butler addressed.

"Seems to be the case." Fitzwilliam answered as he made his way down the stairs.

Unfolding his arms, he kept a stoic expression as he walked. Glancing at the clock to the side, once he was on the first floor, he turned and addressed his butler, Walter.

"And ringing that bell has done me a great favor! Be thankful Miss Darcy is asleep."

"Don't blame me, sir! It was because of…"

Holding a hand up, Fitzwilliam replied.

"Excuses at this time of night are of no concern! I would suggest the two of you do as you expressed to Miss Bennet here," he gestured towards the woman who stood with the baby in her arms, which sent bells ringing in his head, as he finished.

"Lily? Take the baby and I'll speak with Miss Bennet."

"Yes, sir." Both answered and Fitzwilliam took a step back as he kept his eyes away from Miss Bennet as the couple gently walked over and the woman took the wailing babe. Walter, the butler simply nodded to Miss Bennet. Before he realized it, Fitzwilliam was alone with her.

Turning to her, he gestured for her to enter the living room, which was in front of them, as he asked.

"Miss Bennet?"

"Mr. Darcy. Thank you." He heard Elizabeth respond and she turned and walked into the living room. He followed behind though not closely as he bounced his eyes towards Lily. She was carrying the baby when she caught his eye and Fitzwilliam mouthed "Tea."

The woman nodded before she rushed along and still carrying the baby, Fitzwilliam heard.

"And you do need to be fed! Thank God you managed to journey through that snow!"

"And speaking of which," Fitzwilliam thought to himself, as he peered out the window to the side of the living room, "no one's going to be traveling in this now! It's painting the earth indeed!"

But it was here when he remembered his guest so he turned his attention to her. As he watched, Elizabeth Bennet seated herself on one of two couches and Fitzwilliam remembered how she would do this when she was in the business state of mind. He was thankful Georgina was asleep but he also disliked how that annoying front door sounded like the Notre Dame's bells! He remembered too how Elizabeth Bennet was a little headstrong but tonight? As he made his way over to the fire, ignoring her completely, Fitzwilliam wondered to what business she wanted to talk with him about.

Taking out a stoker, he started to push aside some of the logs as he asked.

"What business do you want to talk about with me, Miss Bennet? On such matters," he turned as he held the stoker in hand, "I wouldn't expect you to be here if there was no other reason. And you brought a baby besides."

When Elizabeth turned to him, the way he remembered how she would respond came.

"Mr. Darcy? The baby isn't mine. It's Jane Bingely."

"Ah, yes! Your sister." He answered and he remembered attending Charles's wedding but Elizabeth was not present. He was one of the groomsmen but Fitzwilliam pushed his feelings in when he asked.

"And what are you doing here at my manor?"

"I was told to come here and speak about that with you, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth replied and Fitzwilliam returned the stoker to its place.

It was at that a moment the voice of Lily, his cook, announced.

"Mr. Darcy? Here's the tea for Miss Bennet."

"Thank you, Lily. Set it here and then you are dismissed." Fitzwilliam said.

The maid entered and carrying in her hands, the steaming tray of tea, and Fitzwilliam thanked her. Once she was gone, he gestured for Miss Bennet to take what she wished. He kept his stoic expression as she thanked him before she politely poured herself a cup. She made the Sign of the Cross in thanksgiving and Fitzwilliam was reminded of this. He did so but he made sure she wasn't looking as she drew the cup to her lips. The wind outside groaned and Fitzwilliam glanced over and spotted the falling snowflakes. He wasn't going to intrude with her tea drinking so he remained silent as he approached the window. The curtains were drawn and Ftizwilliam remembered the maids would set to work with cleaning them sometime that week.

"Though part of me wonders who is willing to tutor Georgina." He thought to himself.

Then a feminine voice asked.

"Mr. Darcy? Should we discuss what we know about my sister's baby? Or are you going to stand there and simply stare out the window?"

"The typical Miss Bennet speaks." He replied as he turned and looked at her. If it wasn't for his thumping heart, Fitzwilliam would have wished to have Miss Bennet taken out of his house but he didn't as he walked over and seating himself opposite her, he folded his arms as he asked.

"What do you know from what Jane informed you about?"

Her tea cup was in her hands and Fitzwilliam wondered if he was being a little too harsh on his former woman he'd courted as she replied.

"There was a gun shout and Jane came running down when she informed me I was to rush here and bring her baby to you, Mr. Darcy. That's all the information I have because I wasn't told what was happening other than follow through and come here."

"There was a gun shout?" Fitzwilliam asked as he unfolded his arms.

His outburst caused Miss Bennet to nearly drop her tea but she caught it as she replied.

"Yes. I believe you know there is a reason?"

"Yes. Miss Bennet. There is." Fitzwilliam answered.

"When you left, was your sister acting in a strange manner?"

"Yes. She constantly looked over her shoulder, Mr. Darcy." Miss Bennet's response was.

It was here when Fitzwilliam narrowed his eyes as he stood. He started to pace a bit as he placed his hands behind his back. Elizabeth Bennet, if he knew her, was always curious and wouldn't pause at anything to know something if it involved her or her family. Fitzwilliam, after a moment, turned to her as he answered.

"Miss Bennet? I would recommend you stay here under my roof until we hear what has happened with your sister and her husband. If I know anything about how news will spread, we're bound to learn know what has happened by tomorrow morning. In the meantime," here, he walked over to the table and rang a bell, "Lily will show you to your room."

Then he drew his shoulders back as he took a step back and waited for the cook to return. When Lily, the cook as well as the housekeeper, appeared, she curtsied as she asked.

"You called, sir?"

"Yes. Would you care to escort Miss Bennet to the guest bedroom? She will be staying here until further notice tells us about what has happened her sister and her husband."

He spoke this in a manner which made it easier for him not to look at her. Though part of Fitzwilliam barked at him to stare at Elizabeth, he kept his feelings in when Lily answered.

"Right away, Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet? Would you care to follow?"

"But before you leave," Fitzwilliam said, turning to Miss Bennet, "I wish to make it clear that you lock your door and stay in your chamber until tomorrow morning. I will explain what I know tomorrow, Miss Bennet. Until then," he bowed to her, "have a good evening."

Then before he could depart, he heard Miss Bennet call.

"Wait, Mr. Darcy?"

"Yes?" He asked but his expression was tight. Something was bothering him and he didn't want to further explain what he dreaded took place with Bingely but he paused to hear what Miss Bennet had to ask.

"I heard you want someone to tutor your sister?"

"Yes?"

"I would like the position."

He laughed at her as he answered.

"You, Miss Bennet? Wish to tutor Georgina? That is a notion!"

"If you don't believe me, than try me." She replied and felt he was hit between the eyes. When he managed to shake himself out of it, Fitzwilliam looked at Elizabeth and he felt the sharp pains of their past return when he stared into her eyes who expressed she wouldn't budge until she received an answer.

Lily was standing in the doorway and she seemed to be on edge about what was happening between the former courting couple. Fitzwilliam longed to tell Elizabeth why he called their courtship off but in this moment? He wasn't in the mind to tell her so he answered.

"Alright, Miss Bennet. The position is yours. You may start tomorrow. And then I will explain what I know about Charles and your sister as well. Lily?"

He gestured with his hand.

"Take Georgina's new governess to her place."

"Right away, sir." Answered the cook and she quickly entered the room before she gestured for Miss Bennet to follow her. Fitzwilliam ignored Elizabeth as she rose before she silently thanked him and then followed behind Lily. Fitzwilliam was left, standing in the living room, with a clenched hand hidden from her sight. It was all he could have done but to run to her and gather her in his arms.

Because unknown to her he had a ring in a drawer stuffed away in his office desk.