Author's Note: Thank you to all my reviewers, you guys are great, the ones who reviewed this chapter and last chapters.

Bobmcbobbob1 –I know what you mean about the firth ness; I have to have a towel to catch all the drool. Do not fear the best is soon to come, lots of wonderful Darcy and Elizabeth moments; I just had to have conflict and Elizabeth fixing Darcy's ego a bit.

Sasha- thanks I am glad you liked the proposal scene.

Liz-hehe, thanks for reviewing, me like reviews ;)

Karlis87- more giggles for you, I would love Darcy to beat Wickham up but that wouldn't really fit my story, so it can't happen 

Chapter Nine

Georgiana sat in the window seat looking out at the streets. She had been waiting for her cousin to return from his urgent business for almost two days. She was worried about her brother and nothing she said or did had any effect on him. She hoped that Fitzwilliam could talk some reason to him and find out what the problem was. Darcy had refused to eat anything yesterday and was yelling at everyone. He even snapped at Georgiana, which had brought tears to her eyes. Her brother had never been this angry before, and even when he was upset he was always so gentle and kind to her. Since his outburst yesterday Georgiana had made a special effort to stay out of his way, the servants also seemed to be avoiding the master.

From a distance Georgiana could see Colonel Fitzwilliam's horse coming closer to the house. Jumping up from her seat, she waited anxiously at the front door. It seemed like an eternity till the Colonel came bounding up and into the front door.

"Well hello, Ana. What a surprise, I didn't know anyone would be expecting me." He said as he kissed her affectionately on the forehead.

"Fitzwilliam, I have some urgent business I must discuss with you." Fitzwilliam could tell she was worried and nervous by the way she was ringing her hands.

"Certainly," he led her to the parlor and sat down on the couch beside her. "What is it you would like to discuss with me that is so important?"

Georgiana looked down at her lap before continuing, "It is my brother, William. I am very worried about him; he has not been himself these last couple of days."

"What has he done that has made you so concerned?"

"Just yesterday he refused to eat anything and when I inquired what was ailing him he yelled at me." The thought of her brother raising his voice to her brought the tears back into her eyes; Fitzwilliam placed a hand on her arm to encourage her to continue. "He has been moping around the house; I haven't seen him since yesterday. He is behaving very unlike himself." Glancing up at her cousin, she could see that he was deep in thought. He placed his hand on his chin, brows furrowed.

"What do you suppose is wrong?"

"I have a suspicion, but I don't want to voice it. It all started the day after you left."

"Georgiana," he said this sternly giving her a reproaching look, "tell me all you know, if I am going to help at all I need to at least have some clue as to what is going on."

"Well, if you insist, but I doubt that you will like what I have to say. I think it has to do with Ms. Bennet." Pausing here she watch the Colonel's reaction, it seemed that he was not too surprised with this revelation. "He has written to me on several occasions talking of her, and praising her in the highest degree. He never mentions any woman in his letters to me, let alone praise them as he did. I also observed him during the performance, I think he was jealous of your relationship with Ms. Bennet, which accounts for is peculiar behavior at the theatre."

Colonel Fitzwilliam heaved a great sigh, his face grave. He had also suspected this the moment he mentioned her name to Darcy, and now having it confirmed disheartened him greatly.

"I will go and speak with your brother, don't worry Georgiana I will talk some sense into him and see what I can do."

He got up and headed for the library where he suspected he would be hiding. Knocking softly on the door there was no response. Slowly opening the door, half expecting it to be empty, he was greeted by quite a sight. There stood the prim and proper Mr. Darcy starring blankly out the window, looking the part of a rag doll. His face was scruffy from not being shaved for some time, his cravat was unbuttoned and his white shirt was in disarray, tucked here and there. His hair was frazzled and he had dark circles under his eyes. He hardly noticed Fitzwilliam step all the way into the room and shut the door.

"My goodness Darcy you have truly let yourself go." Darcy turned to glare at his cousin, wishing to remain in his solitude.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am here on behalf of your health and Georgiana; you have her quite worried Darcy."

"If you think that I am going to just pour my soul out to you, than you are quite mistaken." Darcy's voice dripping with bitterness and resentment.

"I am not in love with her if that is what you think Darcy, nor is she in love with me. It is true that I am attracted to her, but that doesn't mean that you have to go into depression. You still have a chance, don't give up all hope."

"You are mistaken Fitzwilliam, I have no chance with her. Now if you will so kindly leave me to my dismal thoughts."

Fitzwilliam gazed at Darcy for a long time, wondering what had been exchanged the night he left with these two. Obviously something had happened to make Darcy in this mood.

"Darcy I am your friend and I want to help."

"Then leave," he said softly, pain etched into his voice. Fitzwilliam couldn't fight with him, when he was like this. He shook his head, hoping he would be able to talk to him later.

"Do you think I am unfeeling Fitzwilliam?" Fitzwilliam stopped in his tracks and turned around to stare at his cousin, Darcy was still staring out the window with a far away look in his eyes. "I asked her to be my wife, and she refused which I really don't blame her for." continued Darcy when he saw that his cousin wasn't going to answer his question.

"You what?" Fitzwilliam couldn't believe his ears, he knew that Darcy had admired Ms. Bennet but love her enough to marry her. "Surely Darcy you must be joking" Darcy turned to look at Fitzwilliam, with all the pain written across his face. "You really are serious aren't you?" Fitzwilliam sat down in the chair in front of the desk waiting for Darcy to tell him the whole story. As if Darcy knew what Fitzwilliam was waiting for, he sat down across from him and began his story.

"I have admired her greatly yes, but I love her more than you know. I haven't always loved her so, it wasn't until recently that Bingley and you helped me realize the depths of my feelings. I have come to love her wit, and smile and laugh. The way the light dances in her eyes, her presence fills my soul with the void that is there when she is gone. I haven't done anything to deserve her love. While in Hertfordshire we were friends, we conversed pleasantly, and even flirted on occasion. I tried to keep myself in check because I thought that we could never marry. Unfortunately, my pride and arrogance got in the way and Wickham poisoned her against me." Darcy spat the name with malice, wishing now that he could take away some of the things of the past. "She tried once to ask me about him but we ended up fighting. She over heard me talking to Bingley about her sister, unfortunately she didn't hear the whole conversation."

Darcy had recently explained the situation to the Colonel, it was at that moment Colonel Fitzwilliam realized that when he found Ms. Bennet that day, she had been distressed about what she heard from Darcy.

"I grew jealous when I found that you also admired her, by then I already kind of knew my feelings. It wasn't till the play till I decided to ask her to become my wife. When you left I asked her, it was horrible, she has every right to hate me. Now all I must do is feel sorry for myself and what I have lost."

"Darcy I don't think she hates you, did she say she did?"

"No, but that doesn't matter. It is a hopeless case."

"Darcy listen to yourself, you still have a chance. Explain yourself, if you really care for Ms. Bennet like you say you do then you must fight for her. You can't give up on the matter that there was just a misunderstanding. You can't let a woman like that out of your grasp, besides; I think she does care for you Darcy."

Darcy eyed him suspiciously, trying to decide if he was just telling him what he wanted to hear, or what was true. "What makes you so sure of her feelings for me?"

"For one, her face when she saw you; I could tell there was something up when I introduced you two. She was nervous, but in her face I didn't see hate written on her face but something else. She seemed to always look at you Darcy, I didn't miss the glance you and her shared earlier. Obviously she has some feelings for you, but was confused about yours, and your personality. Prove her wrong; show her that you can be the man of her dreams." Fitzwilliam couldn't believe he was telling Darcy all of this; of course a lot of it wasn't true. He could tell that Ms. Bennet was uncomfortable, but that was all. He did admire her, but he never knew that the serious Mr. Darcy could ever fall in love. To see him so miserable about losing a woman made Fitzwilliam want to help, and if that meant giving up someone he could have come to care for so be it. After all that was what family was for?"

"Your right, Fitzwilliam I shouldn't give up. But I don't know how to start."

"Well you need to go and talk to her for once, explain to her the things that she is confused about, explain to her your actions." Darcy looked panicked, how could he face her, he couldn't not after her rejection he didn't think he could handle seeing her again.

"I don't think I can."

"Then write her a letter, I am going to see her soon anyway, I will deliver it for you."

"Agreed, I don't know how I will ever thank you. You are a great friend."

"Don't mention it Darcy."

Elizabeth sat in the parlor reading a letter she just had received from Jane. She couldn't believe what the letter contained. She had to reread it several times to grasp the full meaning of it.

My Dearest Lizzy,

I have the most wonderful news. I am engaged to Mr. Bingley, I don't deserve such happiness. I write to ask you to return home quickly, I need you by my side. Oh how I have missed you, please come home so I can acquaint you on all the details. I think I shall burst with joy.

Your Loving Sister,

Jane

Engaged, she would never imagine, she thought that Darcy had scared Bingley off. She smiled triumphantly to herself; it seems that Bingley's love was stronger than Darcy's friendship. She wished she could see Darcy's face when he found out that Bingley did not take his advice. Thinking about him made her want to cry. She hurried to tell her aunt and uncle the good news. She must leave as soon as possible, perhaps tomorrow would do she thought.

The next day Elizabeth got up really early to finish packing. She was so excited she could hardly sleep. She never knew how much she had missed her sister until now. Elizabeth was uncertain if she wanted to tell Jane about Darcy, the pain was still fresh and Jane was so happy. Perhaps she should wait; she just hoped that Rachel or Jane wouldn't tease her about Mr. Darcy as they usually did. Of course they will probably wonder why she left the ball so early and wanted to go to London, she never explained that. Also she didn't go and visit her Grandfather as much as she should have; her mother wouldn't be too pleased she mused. One of the maids came into the room, bowing in slightly to Lizzy.

"There is a gentleman here to see you ma'am, a Colonel Fitzwilliam." For a moment Elizabeth almost panicked, for she thought that it was Mr. Darcy.

"Tell him I will be right down." She quickly straightened her hair, and her dress. This would be the day that she would tell him that whatever it was they had going on couldn't go on. This was when she severed all ties.

"Colonel Fitzwilliam, what a pleasant surprise."

"The pleasure is all mine Ms. Bennet" he said while kissing her hand. "I hope you are well this morning?"

"I am thank you, in fact I just heard from my sister Jane, that she is engaged. I am going home today, actually this very morning, so you made it just in time."

"Tell her of my congratulations. We will miss your company immensely, but we can for go it because of your sister and that happy occasion."

"Yes, I will miss the company here too, but I do miss my family terribly and I am excited about returning. I don't think the city life suits me much, I prefer the country life."

"So does Darcy" after he said that he immediately regretted it, for Ms. Bennet paled slightly. "I can not stay long Ms. Bennet; in fact the real reason why I am here is to deliver something. A letter, if you would read it please. It is from my cousin, give him a chance Ms. Bennet, it contains nothing to alarm you."

Elizabeth couldn't believe what she was hearing, Mr. Darcy had given her a letter, and of course it was a little cowardly for him not delivering it himself. It also seemed that the Colonel knew something of what happened between herself and Mr. Darcy. She slowly took the letter from the Colonel's outstretched hand.

"Thank you" she spoke this quietly, hardly audible to anyone but herself.

"I am afraid I also must leave you. I hope that all is well with you Ms. Bennet and I am sorry that I was unable to get to know you better. Give my regards to your sister and my heartfelt congratulation to both her and Mr. Bingley. If you will excuse me." He tipped his hat and went out the door. Elizabeth starred after him, did he just say Mr. Bingley, how did he know who Jane was marrying she wondered. She began to speculate how much Mr. Darcy had told his cousin and what the letter contained. She was afraid to open it, least it be something very disagreeable. Going into her room she shut the door for a little privacy. Carefully breaking the seal she start to read the letter in the fine handwriting. What she read shocked and saddened her deeply.

Review please, the more reviews I get the more motivation I have to write. That is one of the reasons why I don't update this story so much is because I don't get enough reviews, so review please! Next chapter the dreaded or loved letter that changes and reveals all, to Elizabeth that is, because we all know.