The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

Lizzie and Charles

"Lizzie," Charles grinned; his smile made her warm all over, "Would you do me the honor of being my wife?" He pressed her hand against his chest; she could feel the loud beat of his heart.

Lizzie couldn't speak; whereas she had suspected he would ask, she felt a new emotion nevertheless. "Yes, it would make me happy," Lizzie's voice was shaky, though her smile was radiant.

The air felt lighter; Charles stood up, pulling her up to him, his lips closed over hers. All his feelings poured into that kiss. First, he opened his lips, and she did the same when he ran his tongue along her lip; when she followed suit, his reality tipped.

His mouth opened, their tongues touched, and he pressed his body against her. Thru her thin cotton gown, she could feel the long hardness. She pressed against him. He moaned, he was breathing hard, in spurts. Goodness, he could feel her body through the thin material. He could be inside her, easily. But no, she was going to be his wife; he would wait.

He sat on the bench. Lizzie sat over his aroused cock; he lifted his hips, moving them slightly. Oh dear, he thought, feeling the warmth of her cunny. Lizzie liked that, making her want more; she pressed and moved against the hardness. She moaned, wanting more. He never stopped kissing her; his hand moved across her back, up and down, just above her bum; both moaned softly. Darcy closed his eyes; his hand went over his sex; wishing he was Charles, he started opening his trousers' buttons.

Before the kiss went much further, a crow cawed loudly, making the kissing couple stop. Charles held her against his chest; his chin over her shoulder, "Darling, we better walk back; I am not so sure I have enough self-control. I know you don't understand what I am saying, but it is the truth."

"I do, I know. Living in the country, we see much. I am not so sure that I would want to stop you." Lizzie was honest; she would have allowed him more; she still wanted it. Why stop something that felt so good?

He traced her lips with a trembling finger, "Let's marry this weekend; I have a special license; Reggie's cousin got it for me. I will ask your father, the settlement is ready. It is best, safer." His voice was husky. He bent to kiss her, and she looked up, her lips half-open. She wanted more; it was clear to Charles.

He smiled wistfully, "No, I want to wait till we are married, no scandal for you, my darling." He knew he loved her, but he wanted it to be mutual. He knew what was right. Granted that he was now allowed more liberties, this wasn't what he wanted. When he had made plans with William to share a wife, they never said they would damage an innocent. No, this was his beloved, his wife to be, his Lizzie, his only love till the day he died.

"Oh," she sounded disappointed; she was so since she liked kissing. It was her first kiss, and her body had responded. "I liked it, I never been kissed before."

Charles chuckled. "Soon my darling, soon." He pulled her up gently, helping with her bonnet, and straightening her clothes. He was gentle and loving. He finger-combed her wild hair and patted her lips with a handkerchief.

Charles' tenderness made her care more for him. And just like that, she knew what she was feeling, she was falling in love.

They walked back holding hands; the day looked brighter, Lizzie thought. Charles thought the same; he felt he was walking above the ground with his Lizzie. He nearly fell down a couple of times for looking at Lizzie, making both of them smile.

Lizzie's Father

Her father sat on top of a tree; he sent many gifts to Charles, protecting him against the darkness. Lizzie's father was what some called the Fae. He had been called many names, a woods dweller, a fairy, and at times, an angel. Whatever he was called, he was one whose job was to fight the dark, a war that never ended.

He would protect Charles; not only he had a bright soul, but he respected his child, something he hadn't done with Fanny. To be fair, he had followed Fanny for nearly six months. He remembered...

One day, after feeling an unusual need to be in the area, he had come across the divides. The divide separated the mortals' word from theirs. The passages he used were controlled by his warriors but were always open for him. When he saw Fanny, his body woke up; he was on fire. A mortal, a human, how odd she should call to him after so many had wanted his suit over his long existence. His people worried he would never have an heir to inherit his magic, and if something happened to him, the danger of being destroyed would be upon them. He never felt physical needs; thus, the intensity of the new feeling surprised him.

Right away, he knew how unhappy Fanny was; her husband was a scholar who cared little for worlds outside his books. Bennet was attracted to his beautiful wife but considered her beneath him. Sadly, he often ridiculed Fanny because she lacked proper education. Not only that, her playfulness and her need for physical closeness made Bennet uncomfortable; hence, he made his wife made feel bad for it. Bennet only wanted her for a few minutes every so often, then went back to his private world. He saw her crying that first day after her husband had ridiculed her in front of wealthy neighbors. Whenever Fanny cried, Lizzie's magical father wanted to console her.

How wrong Bennet was, Fanny was a happy creature, full of joy and goodness, sensual and beautiful, but her marriage was destroying her. So when he saw her alone, he decided it was time to make her his. She didn't disappoint him; she was warm, passionate, and giving. He brought her to his side, slowing the time. They spent hours together; he couldn't get enough from her. Sadly, when he asked her to follow, to be his spouse, she was afraid of him. All was not lost; although she was scared, she gave him her heart that day. Because she did, he could relive the memory; it helped him wait during the years that followed. He often visited her in her dreams, dreams to her, reality to him. During those dreams, he brought her to his reality thru the dream gate.

Her father felt sorry for William Darcy, but he wanted his daughter's happiness even more. Darcy would have treated Elizabeth as if she were beneath him, always. If he wanted her, he would need to change a lot. He had nothing against sharing a spouse; it was common amongst his people. What wasn't tolerated was breaking your promises. Damn, he saw a something scurrying, something wicked, and sent one of his people to find it; but it was gone. This didn't bode well; he feared for his daughter. Maybe an enemy had found her.

Darcy's Pain

William Darcy nearly ran back to Netherfield; he went into the library and poured a glass of brandy; bitter tears rolled down his face. Meredith saw him and sneered, "You are ridiculous. I know the reason behind your tears; it is not the first time; it is over a country mouse and her pretty boy." It was a statement, not a question.

"Don't talk to me Madam. I might be ridiculous, but you are contemptible. All you want is my fortune; you go thru it without any regard. Leave me." William snarled, not bothering to dry his tears.

"I like your body, your good looks. I love your big cock, the best I had; and I have tried many. I more than fancy your amatory prowess; you can make me reach ecstasy many times. Too bad you are too selfish to share your body, pining for what is not and will never be yours. So you know, you are right, I like your fortune. Thus, you will never be free." She moved and tried to grab his cock; she was able to and tried to unbutton his trousers with her other hand. He pushed her hand forcefully, gritting his teeth.

"Your vulgarity never ceases to surprise me. Leave and let me be." Darcy bared his teeth; he looked like a savage.

Beautiful Meredith left laughing, "You are my husband, so it is not vulgar. You don't scare me; you look like a savage, so what? Will you tear me apart? Ha, all I have heard is pure nonsense."

That day the Bennet and the Bingley celebrated the engagement at Netherfield. The Lucas family and all Lizzie's relatives came. Lizzie also asked Mr. and Mrs. Hill to join the gathering. An express was sent to the Gardiner, who arrived late but got there. Caroline and Louisa were over the moon; Lizzie would be their sister. It was a joyous celebration; everyone could see Charles' feelings for her.

"Charles is in love. Have you noticed he has never called Lizzie an angel?" Carolyn smiled.

"I have; he loves her; I am glad that he is so happy." Louisa sighed.

William Darcy stood away from others; he ignored his wife, since all he could see was Elizabeth. He drank too much and went to bed as soon as he could excuse himself. Richard felt sad, knowing why his cousin was hurting. William was seeing the one he loved marrying his best friend. William's wife was a disgrace, poor his cousin.

That evening, while still celebrating, and to Charles' dislike, several of Meredith's friends arrived. Her fashionable friends said they would be staying for many days. She hadn't asked, but he didn't know how to turned them down. The newcomers and Meredith consumed opium ask soon as they were settled; even the fashionable Lord Byron stopped by. One of the men, a very rich lord known for his cruelty, was enamored of Lizzie; and he didn't hide it. He stayed around Elizabeth while she was there. Trying to talk to her, or simply, standing as close as he could, staring at Lizzie.

Meredith Darcy, noticed William's eyes fixed on Lizzie, making her angrier that she had been right. She was also upset with her latest love, the hateful Lord, another beautiful man who only had eyes for Elizabeth. He was the one who suggested, to the newly arrived guests, to come here, after receiving an express. A friend of Meredith told her how the Lord had insisted they went to Netherfield.

During the few days that followed, Lizzie's mother seemed better; she had even gone for a couple of walks and came back smiling. Her father was jovial, happy for his Lizzie. Lizzie should have been a male; his Lizzie wasn't a silly goose like other females, he often told his daughters. Growing up around men, Mr. Bennet didn't think much about women, but Lizzie was the apple of his eye. He taught her all he knew; to him, Lizzie was his son.

Lizzie couldn't wait for her wedding day; she knew she had chosen right.

Wedding Bells

The Bennet sisters were busy with the wedding celebrations. Her mother helped her get ready, "My dear don't be afraid; marital relationships are good." She explained it, sort of. Elizabeth probably knew more already.

At her wedding, Elizabeth wore the dress her mother had kept for her. She said someone sent it for Lizzie long ago. Simple, yet exquisite, the empire cut dress was made of lace with soft cotton lining, embroidered with seed pears and silks. It showed a modest amount of cleavage but enough to distract Charles. Charles disliked large bonnets, so she obliged. Instead, she wore a half-tiara that had been in the Bennet family for centuries. She embellished it with a modern feathery head adornment, similar to Jane's on her wedding day.

At the church, Lizzie saw the unseen; they came to see her. Nobody else could see them. They filled every corner; they were everywhere. She saw them against the light; all dressed in finery; every one of the unseen was smiling. Her unseen father, wearing magnificent clothes, stood near her; his hand on her shoulder; it was the perfect day. Peter, Jane's husband, invited his family to the event. They weren't alone, many members of the Ton attended the wedding. Fanny Bennet was delighted to see that two of her daughters married well, making her decision easier. She knew she was very ill; she had hidden the truth from her daughters, well knowing not much could be done.

A day of happiness – A day of sorrow

Mr. Bennet was proud that his daughter had married well. Jane also had a good husband, but Lizzie married a sunny man, matching her like disposition. Charles would always treat her with due respect, would never look down on her, knowing his Lizzie was a prize. It eased the pain caused by the death of child; the pain of seeing what Wickham did to Lydia; one day, he would shoot the scoundrel.

Mr. Bennet couldn't close his eyes without remembering the day he found his young child naked, and a man buttoning his trousers. His baby, his Lydia, just lay on the filthy bed, staring at nothing; he had wrapped her in his coat and took her back with him. She never spoke a word after that. He came to see her daily, asking her to live, but she was already dead inside.

His very ill brother had no heirs; hence, the title would be his; it wouldn't br]e long. That day, the wretch would die; exalted people got away with much. Unknown to his family; he paid someone to keep tabs on Wickham, waiting for the right time to kill the scoundrel. Mr. Bennet might be a scholar, but he was a gentleman and knew how to shoot. For now, his best child was marrying well, gladdening his aching heart. At first, he blamed his wife; but now he knew he was also at fault for not paying attention. He was a man; he could have seen what Wickham was all about. Thus, it was his job to kill Wickham, to make his death as painful as possible.

But not everyone was happy; William stood up stoically but dying inside. It could have been him standing by the magical wood fairy, by the one he would always love and want. Too bad that Meredith's beauty and her favors had seduced him.

Meredith stood by his side, smiling nastily, knowing his pain. Meredith appraised the couple; they were tempting; she gave the beautiful boring man that much. She wanted to try them; it would be fun. The country mouse looked delicious; maybe the boring man was right. She knew what to do.

That day, Lizzie was very glad to see her mother's happiness. But, later, on the day of Lizzie's wedding, Fanny Bennet left forever.

Mary came by after teatime. She told Caroline that her mother had gone to her room when they went home. When she didn't come for tea, Mrs. Hill looked for her, but she was gone. Caroline asked her not to tell Lizzie until the next day and sent people to help.

Mrs. Hill, crying, said a tall man riding a giant grey steed came by. The gentleman, wearing very fine clothes and a hat obscuring his face, had asked to see Mrs. Bennet; he told Mr. Hill he was an old friend. Nobody saw him leave, but she disappeared. It became obvious that she had planned to leave; she had let her jewelry divided for her daughters and granddaughters. She had taken their miniatures, locks of their baby hair, and many of the sketches made by Kitty and Lizzy. From her clothes, she didn't take many, only a change.

She left a letter as well explaining why she was leaving. The day of happiness was marred with sorrow.

Meanwhile, Lizzie prepared for her wedding night.

a/n now we know about Wickham's rotten ways. Poor Darcy, we shall see. Apologies I have not been answering on all the reviews. I've been still under the weather. Thanks for all the reviews. Give Charles a chance; he is a good person in this story. He already stood up to William. In case you missed it, both William and Charles common interests.