Author's Note: The long awaited chapter has arrived. I am sorry it took longer for me to write it because I was debating on whether or not I should put Darcy in this one, but I decided my patience couldn't wait any longer and I did get such wonderful reviews.

Chapter 14

The week of Jane and Bingley's wedding was fast approaching. It seemed that nothing got accomplished at the end of the day making things very stressful for Jane. The fact that Mr. Darcy hadn't arrived yet wasn't helping things either. Not having the best man was a big set back. Especially since no one knew when he was arriving.

"Jane JANE! Oh where is that girl, I have to know about the flowers in the church." Mrs. Bennet grumbled to no one in particular. Elizabeth smiled to herself and all the commotion. She could hardly concentrate these days or find any place of solace.

"She is probably outside still Mama, with Mr. Bingley."

"Still, goodness gracious. She will catch her death out there and then there will be no wedding. Which might be better. Then I won't have to worry about anything, like these decorations, or the wedding breakfast."

"Oh come on mother admit it. You like all this fuss, it means that you will be getting rid of one daughter." Elizabeth smirked.

"Alright why don't you go and get your sister, you impertinent child." Mrs. Bennet teased back.

Elizabeth threw on her coat and scarf and went in search of the love birds. Rachel had gone with them with Colonel Fitzwilliam but she doubted that either party was near the other. Georgiana had stayed at Netherfield with Ms. Bingley for the day, much to her disappointment.

Elizabeth turned the corner just in time to catch Jane and Bingley in a rather intimate embrace. Embarrassed she quickly retreated hoping that neither had seen her. Moving some inches away she started to whistle to let them know that she was close. Walking around the corner for a second time, they were in fact separated although a guilty look was on both of their faces.

"Jane I am glad I found you. Mother is in distress, something about flowers and the wedding."

"Yes, oh I was going to help her with that." Jane admitted sheepishly, "I must have forgotten."

"I wonder why." Elizabeth said under her breath.

"Let us go back to the house then, my dear." Bingley gushed. Gazing into his eyes she nodded her head. Walking off they left Elizabeth by herself to laugh at the love birds.

Walking slowly along the pathway her mind began to wander. She thought of all that had passed in the last couple of weeks. It had been really busy, making preparations. Of course the subject of Mr. Darcy always came up. She wished they would stop speaking of him so often. She couldn't stand not having him near. They spoke of him at the dinner table, when the guest list was being analyzed. They talked of him when they were all gathered around in the parlor talking of nothing in particular. Even Ms. Bingley mentioned him while she was visiting with Jane.

It seemed she was doomed to never escape him. Of course she was constantly reminded of him by his sister. They had the same sweet smile and personality. And when she went to her room she would see the book that he had given her on the bedside table. No matter how hard she tried she had a thought of him almost every hour of each day.

As the days wore on, the pain grew deeper. She tried not to convince her self that the reason he wasn't here was because of her. Elizabeth's mind always went to the same thought, he was avoiding her. He didn't want to be here, which is why he was going to wait till the last second till he arrived.

He wanted to spend the least amount of time with her, which meant he wouldn't be arriving any time soon. That was her nightmare that she relived each time he came up in conversation. Another fear was that once here, he would ignore her and give her the cold shoulder. Once the wedding was over he would leave her and never return. Tears would well up in her eyes if she even thought of that.

Sighing she looked up and realized that she was a far way off from home. In fact she didn't even know where she was. The landscape didn't really look that familiar. Turning around she started toward what she thought was the direction of her home. Walking for a little while, she began to panic a little. The area still wasn't familiar, and what is more was the fact that she was getting really cold.

Rubbing her arms she trudged on, worrying that she might not find her way home. This was not how she wanted to die. Of course she was being just a little dramatic.

"Oh curse you Elizabeth, why did you have to go and wander off thinking about….him." she huffed. Looking around for the tenth time she was about to give up when she heard the galloping of a horse. "Hello, any one there? Please I am lost." She hurried to where the sounds were coming from, hoping that who ever it was had heard her desperate cry.

-o-

Darcy galloped along feeling the rhythm of the horse beneath him. He was very frustrated; the business he had hoped to conclude in a couple days took weeks. He had been there most of January, almost missing his best friends wedding. Next week was the date, and Darcy had just been able tear himself away. Of course the real reason for his frustration was the fact that his time with Ms. Bennet was shortened considerably. She probably thought that he didn't want to be in her company he mused. He just hoped that in a week's time he could express to her that his feelings were unchanged. Hopefully her feelings had changed, and were a little warmer towards himself. Suddenly a noise took him from his reverie. Slowly down the horse he listened carefully. Then it sounded again and he realized that it was a voice, a female voice. Climbing down from his horse he walked toward the voice.

Walking around the brush and down a little path he came face to face with an angel.

"Ms. Bennet!"

"Mr. Darcy!" She answered breathlessly. "I…um…"

"What on earth are you doing out here?" he asked very concerned, furrowing his brow in frustration.

"Well I was walking and…I got lost," she mumbled, embarrassed that the person who happened to find her was the very man she had been thinking of.

"I can see that." He looked around, noticing how far away she was from Longbourn. Elizabeth shivered slightly, catching his attention once more. "You're cold, here."

Darcy starting talking off his jacket to give to her when she began to protest.

"I could never take this." She held up her hands frantically, hoping he would comply.

"You can and you will." He said strongly, not allowing any arguments. Placing it around her shoulders he felt a warm rush up and down his body despite the weather.

"Come I will take you home now." He whispered, looking into her eyes, trying to find any flicker of affection. They walked slowly side by side neither of them speaking. Reaching his horse Darcy realized something, he only had one horse.

Embarrassed he turned to Elizabeth to see if she had realized this fact too. She had, she stood there concentrating on breathing.

"Um, Ms. Bennet, I know this might not be proper but… Well you are cold and the quicker we get you home the better. And if we…well…what I am trying to say is that, if…"

"Yes, I understand." She smiled weakly at his very red face which was very becoming. Getting up on the horse Darcy reached down and grabbed her hand before lifting her up to sit in front of him. Elizabeth's head spun at the close proximity of Darcy. Her back pressed firmly against his chest. She felt his deep breaths going in and out. She dared not look upon his face.

Wrapping one arm around Elizabeth's waist, Darcy kicked the horse into an easy trot. Elizabeth unconsciously snuggled closer to him for warmth. He could not believe that this was in fact happening, that she was in his arms almost willingly. Soon they reached the house, which to Darcy was closer than he hoped and unbeknownst to him Elizabeth was sharing the same thoughts. Getting down carefully, he reached up to help Elizabeth down. She landed on the ground with a soft plop. Darcy looked into her eyes, not removing his hands from her waist. Neither did Elizabeth remove her hands from his upper arms. Each was under spell that they were afraid to break. Darcy opened his mouth to speak but never got a chance for at that moment the front door opened.

Springing apart like they had suddenly touched coal, they turned their attention to the door. Jane yelled something inside the house before rushing out to her sister.

"Lizzy, Lizzy. We were so worried, we were about to go and look for you. Where did you go? Oh you are so cold, how did you get here." It was at that moment she realized that there was man standing relatively close to her. Jane's eyes widened in surprise and delight, a wide smile spread across her face. "Why Mr. Darcy, it is so good of you to finally come, we had been so worried." Darcy opened his mouth to speak but more commotion from the house prevented him.

Rachel and Mrs. Bennet came pouring out first, running over to Elizabeth to fuss and huge. Bingley and Mr. Bennet remained in the doorway watching the scene. Seeing Darcy standing next to the throng of women, he stepped over to greet his friend.

"Darcy, I am so glad you are here."

"So am I, so am I." He shook his hand firmly, wanting to get Elizabeth inside so she didn't catch a cold. Mrs. Bennet seemed to read his mind however and shooed everyone in, before greeting her new guest.

"Mr. Darcy I am glad that you finally arrived and that you returned Lizzy safely to us. Indeed we are indebted to you."

"It was no problem Madame."

"Jane take Elizabeth upstairs and get her into something warm, we mustn't have anyone sick for your wedding." Darcy watched as Elizabeth retreated to her room with his coat still wrapped around her. "And as for you Mr. Darcy come warm yourself by the fire."

"Here Lizzy put this on."

"I can't Jane, I can't go down there." Jane looked at her sister shocked at what she was hearing.

"What are you talking about?"

"I can't bear to see him again, it is too embarrassing."

"Lizzy you are being ridiculous. You have waited weeks for him to arrive and now that he is here you are not going to hide away in your room."

"I know but, I just am not sure what his feelings are for me. I will just feel awkward if I see him now." Jane grabbed her sisters shoulder gentle and looked her square in the face.

"If you hide now then he will never know how much you truly care. I can see it in your eyes when ever he is mentioned, and in the way you looked at him outside. You're in love Lizzy, whether you admit it or not. Unless you want him to think that you do not love him then stay in your room. Let the best thing that ever happened to you walk out of your life for good this time. You won't get a second chance, not like this one."

Elizabeth stared at her sister for the longest time. Knowing that what she said was true. She was surprised that her sister said this to her face, it was so unlike her. Slowly Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement and began to change into a heavy gown. Once dressed they headed down stairs to join the rest of the party.

Mrs. Bennet had arranged the seating as such to allow Elizabeth a seat next to Darcy right by the fire. Claiming that they both needed to warm themselves, ignoring her daughter's look of horror.

"I hope you are feeling well Ms. Bennet." Mr. Darcy asked quietly. Elizabeth looked up into his powerful eyes and blushed.

"Yes I thank you I am." Silence pursued, both staring awkwardly into the flames. "Thank you for rescuing me sir."

"No thanks are in order, I would have been more than happy to help you at anytime, Ms. Bennet." Elizabeth looked quickly way blushing profusely for the hundredth time it seemed.

"Has my sister been to see you?"

"Yes, I much enjoy her company. She stayed with Ms. Bingley today. She is such a sweet girl."

"I am glad you think so." Elizabeth smiled to herself as she realized that once again Darcy was fiddling with the ring on his finger. "What is so amusing Madame?" Being caught in the act she quickly shook her head, not wanting to reveal what really amused her.

"I was just thinking of the book you sent me. I enjoyed it very much."

"I am glad, it is one of my favorites and I had hoped that you would like it." He smiled at her which almost made her come unglued. Finally after what seemed like forever for the embarrassed couple, Bingley declared that it was time to leave. Elizabeth ran upstairs to fetch Mr. Darcy's coat.

When she came back down stairs everyone was outside and Mr. Darcy was waiting for her in the entry way. Handing it to him timidly their hands touched briefly sending sparks through each other. Elizabeth quickly with drew her hand, and suddenly found the floor very mesmerizing.

"I thank you again sir for the service you rendered me."

"Think no more of it. I am just glad that I found you at that moment." Bowing formally to her he turned to go. Once at the door he whispered something that she almost didn't catch but did, "I would do anything for you Elizabeth" and then he was gone.

Review! More Darcy moments next chapter, I love Darcy moments, I love him. I wish that I got his coat; I think I would hold it ransom and never return it. Hehe but review please and tell me what you think, I love reviews and reviews produce more story.