The morning is cloudy and windy, but doesn't stop Elizabeth from taking her walk. She decides to go further from the house today, to visit a park she hasn't had the opportunity of seeing before. All her life things have been black and white, literally. She can't see color until she meets her soulmate, and most people never have that opportunity. Finding one's true love is such a rarity it is considered unfashionable, so she consoles herself by reading a few occurrences of it in history books and novels.
She finally reaches the park and the wind blows hard on her, she holds her pelisse tight to her body, but the bow of her bonnet isn't enough to withstand the wind and she watches as it floats away in the direction of a gentleman, he has his back turned to her, a young girl in his arm. When he turns around as the garment hits him squarely on his back.
Elizabeth heads towards them, an apology ready in her tongue. The man inspects the garment and looks around trying to locate its owner when he sees her. Their eyes lock and Elizabeth can see nothing else, for a second she goes blind, and when her vision returns things look different. So very different. The trees and the sky are a completely different color. The dress she's wearing is not at all the color of her skin, closer to the shade of the sun, the same color of the little girl's hair.
She looks up at the gentleman, who has his lips parted staring at her. She notices his eyes are the same color as the sky above them. And his clothes are as dark as his hair.
Elizabeth is breathless as she takes an unconscious step towards him, he silently hands her bonnet and bows to her.
"Thank you sir" Elizabeth manages to get out. The man looks at her and she can see the confusion in his eyes "for fetching my bonnet I mean" she says, placing the garment back on her head and tying it firmly under her chin.
She doesn't know what to expect, and she has no idea what to do. She doesn't know this man and yet…he is her soulmate. She raises an eyebrow waiting for him to say something. He is staring deeply at her and she almost blushes under his gaze.
"Forgive my brother's ill manners miss" the little girl interrupts "I am Georgiana Darcyy and this is Fitzwilliam"
Elizabeth curtsies "It's a pleasure to meet you both, my name is Elizabeth Bennet"
Mr Darcy seems to finally have found the courage to speak.
"Indeed forgive me Miss Bennet, I believe you will agree this is a most uncommon set of circumstances"
"I do agree sir, yes" Elizabeth replied with a small smile
"Do you walk alone?" he asked, observing there is no one else with her
"I do yes, it is a habit which drives mama to a fit, but I can't help it"
"Perhaps you wouldn't mind too much walking with me and my sister for a while?" He asked, and seemed so genuine Elizabeth's heart clenched. He offered his arm for her and she took it. The little girl skipped ahead, throwing some pieces of bread to ducks and pigeons.