Author's Note: Happy squeal: I love getting reviews, Hehe I think I am a little selfish that way. But thanks again to all my lovely readers, you guys are the greatest. I am glad that my letters were alright. I tried to keep this chapter closer in the dialogue to Jane Austen but she is just too magnificent to even compare to.
Chapter Thirteen
Elizabeth sat in the parlor pouring over the book that Mr. Darcy had given her for about the third time. She didn't know if it was because he gave it to her that she read it so many times or if she really did enjoy reading it. The Count of Monte Cristo was a very intriguing novel. She often wondered if Mr. Darcy meant something by giving this book to her. Did he want revenge for what she said and did to him? She quickly shook that thought out of her head. Mr. Darcy was not like that, but she still had doubts about whether or not she still had his good opinion.
Just then Elizabeth heard a carriage approaching. She hurried to the front door thinking that it was her sisters and mother back from London. They had gone right after Christmas to get Jane's wedding dress. Elizabeth wanted to go but decided to stay home and look after Robert. She also had another motive in mind, they were expecting Mr. Darcy and his party any day now and Elizabeth didn't want to miss them.
Opening the front door she was sort of disappointed that it wasn't her family but someone else's carriage that had arrived. Puzzled she stood back waiting for the occupants to step from the carriage. Elizabeth's heart fluttered when she saw Georgiana step out into the sun light. Seeing Elizabeth standing at the door she rushed up to her. Grabbing her hand like old friends they both beamed at each other.
"How are you doing Ms. Bennet? I have been anxiously waiting to meet you again."
"Please, call me Elizabeth. I have long awaited your arrival too." They smiled and giggled at each other. Elizabeth turned to get her other guests. Her face almost fell when all she saw was Colonel Fitzwilliam. Swallowing down her disappointment she put on a happy face.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam what a pleasant surprise. I am so glad that you came for Jane's weeding. Unfortunately everyone is in London for the week, getting her dress."
"That is perfectly fine Ms. Bennet. I have longed to meet your sister and I am sure I can wait for a little longer." He said smileing in jovial way.
"Come into the house, you'll catch you death out here in the cold." She escorted them into the parlor and then called for Hill to bring out some refreshments. "I hope your journey was pleasant."
"It was pleasant enough, wasn't it Georgiana?" She nodded her head in agreement, feeling a little shy. Her excitement finally wearing off to the point where she stopped saying too much.
"Georgiana couldn't stop talking the whole way. She was so excited to see you again Ms. Bennet that we had to stop here first. We haven't gone to Netherfield yet."
"Oh," Elizabeth's heart sunk even lower. If they hadn't been to Netherfield yet that also meant that Mr. Darcy was not with him. Georgiana saw her sadden face and had a pretty good idea what had caused it.
"My brother will hopefully be joining us soon. An emergency came up when we were ready to leave. He couldn't pull himself away, he was very disappointed." Elizabeth smiled half heartedly to her friend. Lizzy felt a little better but was still very put out. They stayed for a little while longer but decided that they had better get to Netherfield before Ms. Bingley got too worried. Elizabeth made Georgiana promise that she would come back tomorrow to visit before they said goodbye.
After they had gone Elizabeth didn't feel like doing much of anything. She had hoped that Mr. Darcy would be here soon. Now it seemed that he wouldn't make it till almost right before the wedding. Perhaps he planned it this way, perhaps he really didn't want to be in her company. She tried to get that thought out of her head but the more she thought of it the more it made sense. She didn't want to believe that it was true but she had to prepare herself for the worst. Elizabeth didn't want to get hurt like last time.
Georgiana came a little after breakfast. She did not come with Colonel Fitzwilliam. She wanted to spend the day alone with Elizabeth and didn't want the Colonel demanding any of her friend's time. This was practically the only time in her life that she told anyone what to do. Colonel Fitzwilliam had been very surprised when Georgiana told him he would be staying. Eventually he laughed it off and thought that the new Georgiana was very amusing.
Georgiana and Elizabeth decided to venture outside for a little while till the cold beat them and would force them to return to the house.
"Have you read that book my brother sent you Elizabeth?" Georgiana asked slyly, hoping she would respond in the affirmative. Elizabeth smiled at her, slightly embarrassed that not only had she read it once but she was going on her third time.
"Yes I have. I can honestly say that I am enjoying the book immensely."
"You are currently enjoying it?" Elizabeth laughed at this coy question.
"You have caught me dear Georgiana. I have read it twice, and I am now reading it again."
"In such short of time you have already read it that many times?"
"I am afraid so. Maybe it is because of the cold and I have nothing else to do." She reasoned.
"Perhaps, I know that I have only read the book twice in my life and I thought that I considered it one of my favorites. It is my brother's favorite by far." Elizabeth didn't respond to this last statement, hoping to drop the subject of her brother altogether. Georgiana got the hint and changed to a different topic.
"I do hope I get to meet your sisters soon Elizabeth."
"You will love them. Rachel my younger sister is closer to your age and I dare say that you two will get along splendly."
"I have always wanted a sister."
"But you have one splendid brother." Elizabeth blushed, realizing what she had just said. She could have kicked her self, bringing up that subject again.
"Yes I do. He is too kind to me. I have something I wish to ask you Elizabeth, if I am not being too forward?" Georgiana looked hopeful at her compainion, willing her to say yes.
"You need not ask, just ask." She stated warily.
"I was just wondering…….what you think of my brother?"
"Well….I…well.. I guess…I um." Elizabeth once again berated her self, surely she could say something. Of course she could say many things about Mr. Darcy. How kind and generous he was. His smile that light up his eyes and melted her heart when ever he looked at her. The way he fiddled with that ring on his finger when he was nervous. The considerate way that he always treated others. How he could tease, and be so charming. Elizabeth had a wistful look on her face and let out a little audible sigh.
Georgiana looked at her from the corner of her eye very amused. Clearing her throat she brought Elizabeth back to the present.
"Wha….Oh sorry I must have spaced for a bit there. What did you say, oh that is right your brother. Well he is nice." Elizabeth groaned inwardly, he is nice. She sounded so stupid and a little air heady. "It is mighty cold outside. Would you mind going back inside?"
"No, not at all. I am getting a little cold."
"Oh you poor thing. I will have Hill make us some tea to warm us up. Then we can talk more about you. There is so much I still want to know." Walking back to the house they never got to finish their conversation because her family had just returned from London.
Elizabeth excitedly ran to meet them all. They talked excitedly, hugging and kissing each other. After a few minutes Elizabeth remember that Georgiana was near by and turned to introduce her to everyone. Once the introductions were made everyone headed inside to look at Jane's dress.
"Ms Darcy, may I call you Georgiana? You may call me Rachel. Is your brother Mr. Darcy?" Rachel inquired hardly waiting for the girl's answer.
"Yes he is." She said quietly, feeling shy around these new people.
"I thought that he was. I just wanted to make sure because that would have been very embarrassing if he wasn't and I just assumed that he was. You do look like him. Is he coming to the wedding? Of course he is," laughing at her question she continued to talk. "Is he with Mr. Bingley right now?"
"Well he is not, he…"
"What! Where is he, where could he be?"
"Rachel, this is not an interrogation, so leave Georgiana be." Elizabeth hurried to the girl's side locking arms with her. She brought her over to sit by her, saving her from all her sisters inquires. Rachel could be like that sometimes. So pushy and forward; sometimes it scared rather shy people. She just kept talking without any response, but she was the dearest girl.
"Oh I do not mind Elizabeth." Elizabeth smiled at her sweet nature. The sisters talked amiably for an hour or so. Mrs. Bennet had retired to the library to spend time with her husband. Georgiana begun to feel easier in their company and not so out of place. Rachel had strategically placed her self close by, so they could continue to talk. Georgiana liked Elizabeth's sisters and wished that she had one. Of course she hoped that Elizabeth would someday be her sister.
Then Hill came into the room ruining the perfectly good time the ladies were having. "Excuse me miss, but Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam are here to see you." She said bowing and leaving the room. Jane's face immediately lit up hearing that her beloved had come. Georgiana was slightly disappointed because she didn't get to know Elizabeth or her sisters better before the men arrived.
Bingley went strait to Jane's side hardly acknowledging anyone else in the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to Elizabeth and gave her a kiss on her hand.
"What a pleasure it is to see you Colonel."
"Well it was very hard for me to even make it over to see you. Georgiana practically forbid me to see you." They both laughed causing the lady in question to blush. "I am glad that Bingley decided to come over, he said that Jane would be coming home today. I had hoped to meet her but I doubt that will be happening." They all looked over at the happy couple, who didn't even realize that they were being talked about.
"It looks like you are right sir. I don't think anyone could tear those two apart. But you can meet my other sister. Colonel Fitzwilliam this is my sister Rachel, Rachel this is Colonel Fitzwilliam. He is Georgiana's cousin."
"It is a pleasure sir." Bowing slightly.
"No I believe the pleasure is mind" He stated enchanted by this young beauty. Elizabeth raised her eyebrow in amusement, sensing that both seemed attracted to one another. They began to talk which left Georgiana and Elizabeth to talk. She turned to her and smiled happy that they could converse. That moment didn't last long however because Robert came marching in. He studied the room carefully, seeing that two of his sisters were occupied by gentlemen. He saw that Lizzy was in fact not entertaining a guy so she could talk to him.
Mrs. Bennet had to explain to him that he mustn't bug his sisters when they had male company over. He had interrupted Jane and Bingley many times, and Mrs. Bennet felt sorry for them so she had laid that rule down with her son.
"Lizzy do you want to play a game with me?" he asked while tugging on her arm.
"Not now Robert, I am talking to my friend."
"But she is not a guy." He whined.
"That doesn't mean that I can't talk to her."
"But mom only said that I couldn't play with anyone if they were talking to guys."
Georgiana snickered at this; she thought that he was a cute little boy. Elizabeth blushed slightly. "Robert why don't you go and see mother."
"I don't wanna."
"It is alright Elizabeth I don't mind; I have never had younger siblings." Robert looked more carefully at his sister's friend and decided that he liked her.
"See I can stay."
"Alright, but you must behave yourself." Nodding his head and sat next to his sister and held her hand.
"What is your name?" Georgiana continued kindly
"Robert"
"I am Georgiana Darcy"
Robert just smiled at her and started to play with his sister's hand. "You remember Mr. Darcy don't you Robert?" Elizabeth asked. Robert shook his head, trying to remember who his sister was talking about. "Remember that he was the gentleman who walked us home from playing that one day."
"Oh yea! I liked him he told me all the things I could do. I have gone fishing too and it is fun. Dad let me put the worm on the hook and I caught something. Is he here?"
"No I am afraid that my brother is not here yet."
Roberts face fell a little but it didn't ruin his happy demeanor.
"I wish he would come soon because Lizzy likes him and so do I."
"ROBERT!" Elizabeth's face turned a deep shade of crimson. "You shouldn't say such things."
"You don't like him Lizzy?" Robert looked at his sister very confused, Rachel had told him that Lizzy had and now she was saying that she didn't.
"Well he is a nice gentleman, but…Robert will you go and get my stitching."
"Ok." He scampered off, happy to please his sister. Elizabeth turned to Georgiana who had a wide grin spread across her face.
"I am terribly sorry about that, little brothers don't really say the most appropriate things."
"It is no problem" Georgiana was happy for the openness of the child. If she had it her way everyone should be like that and then they wouldn't have all these confusing problems and about love. She just wished her brother would hurry up and get here.
Review time. I thought this chapter was highly amusing and embarrassing for Elizabeth. Robert is so cute, he reminds me of my little cousin. Always curious and loud and stating things how they are, children are precious. Sorry this did not contain Mr. Darcy, but I am leaving you in suspense. If I get lots of reviews then he will be here next chapter along with the wedding if not then I think I might drag his absence out just a little longer, I am evil. So who is excited for the new Pride and Prejudice movie, I am a little prejudice to it and I don't think that anyone can match the wonderfulness of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.