Chapter 15:

The news of Mrs. Anne Darcy's passing spread throughout the Ton at a slower pace than one would expect for such an illustrious family. The Darcys were reclusive, not once since getting married spending a season in London, and not many even knew that Anne deBourgh had always been sickly. Lady Catherine had always tried her best to shield the truth and since she had never gone to London nor interacted with society, there were very few who had seen her and thus new she had been sickly since birth.

News had arrived of the heir being born, but having forgotten or not truly known how sick Anne Darcy was to begin with, they did not give it much importance. The news did slowly trickle and Mr. Rochester, being very interested in any news regarding the man who had caught his Elizabeth's attention, learned them quite early on. He did not share the news with his mother nor sister, knowing that it would only complicate his perfectly laid plan.

Mr. Rochester was sure Miss Elizabeth Bennet would be the perfect wife for him and he had felt their attachment to be growing until that night when Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy danced with her a mere fortnight ago. It was evident, to him, that she had been affected and any mention of his name, she blushed and quickly changed the subject. Mr. Darcy had kept a straight face the entire time at the Ball and therefore Mr. Rochester could not possible know the depth of his attachment, or if there was any. He only noticed in Miss Elizabeth because he had been looking closely.

Mr. Rochester may be infatuated but he was not a fool—he could see clearly that they had a previous attachment and he was not sure what they both felt now. He did not feel personally responsible to ensure Elizabeth new of Mrs. Darcy's passing but he knew that it would surely impact her, in which way, he was not entirely sure.

And thus, he continued with his pursuit of Miss Elizabeth, feeling that as the weeks passed on, their attachment was once again growing and he could see himself happily married to the most beautiful and most intelligent young lady of his acquaintance.

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Elizabeth Bennet stirred in her bed, stretching her arms and yawing, as she stood up and began her day. She washed up her face and hands, donned her robe, and called on the maid that helped her put on her morning dress and do her hair. It was a simple and quick affair and she was ready within twenty minutes and found herself downstairs, knocking on the drawing room's wall, as if to announce her arrival to Jane, who seemed lost in her own thoughts.

"Were you crying?" asked Lizzy, now coming in and seeing her sister in a curled position on her favorite sofa, her warm shawl around her, her morning curls still down.

"No" said Jane, offering a weak smile, "I am rather tired" said Jane, yawing, "I did not sleep well last night."

"Oh, is anything keeping you awake?" asked Elizabeth, now joining her sister and helping herself to some tea and biscuits that were on the small table between the two sofas.

Jane wanted to say yes. She wanted to pour her heart out to someone, anyone. Her husband was dying, he knew all along, she had spent so many nights crying yearning for a baby, and now her world had been turned upside down. She had grown to love him, even if the love was more of a deep friend. She knew he had meant well but he had also lied to her—and that was something she was still trying to work through. Jane heard him coughing each night, attempting in vain to warm up by the fire or with blankets and blankets. However, each morning he would wake as if nothing, pretending that he had not confided in her of his condition, and would go off to work, leaving her worried.

Jane blew into her tea, thankful for the distraction, and took a sip, thinking deeply before responding.

"Yes" she finally said, "I will not lie, however, it is not a subject I would like to discuss just yet."

If Lizzy was taken aback by such honesty, she did not show it. Elizabeth had now been in the Baileys' house for two months and they had grown closer, there was still a distance that Elizabeth respected. She knew Jane was not vengeful and had done everything to make Lizzy feel at home—Lizzy would not force her confidence, not when she understood there were some things that were better left unsaid.

"I do, however, believe I should share with you some delicate news" said Jane, biting her lip. She had heard that Mrs. Darcy had passed and Lizzy had not mentioned anything—which meant she likely did not know. Jane had debated with herself if to tell her or not, for she knew Mr. Rochester wanted to propose—he had already asked their Uncle Gardiner for permission and his Uncle, unaware of Lizzy's previous attachment or hesitation, had given his blessing. Would Jane be ruining Lizzy's chance at happiness and security? She did not know. What she did know was that ignorance might be considered bliss by some, but not by her. Would she have been better off knowing of Mr. Bailey's illness from the beginning? Would Elizabeth want to know the truth?

"What is it Jane?!" asked Lizzy, worried, for she noticed Jane had hesitated.

"I have heard that..." began Jane but she could not finish her sentence for there was a knock at the door. The maid gave her a card and Jane silently nodded, knowing that would not be able to continue the conversation, "Mr. Rochester has called" she told Lizzy, handing her the card.

They were joined by the gentleman himself, who was smiling broadly and had a bouquet of flowers in his hand, a habit he had acquired since visiting Miss Elizabeth regularly.

"I thank you" said Elizabeth, standing up to greet him and graciously accepting the flowers.

"Mrs. Bailey, I apologize for calling earlier than usual—I was hoping to take Miss Elizabeth for a ride. There is a splendid place where I was hoping we may picnic" he said, now addressing the lady of the house.

"I do not speak for my sister, Sir, however, you are welcome here whenever" she added politely, "If you will excuse me, I will go attend to some house matters, I shall send you both some new tea and refreshments."

"I thank you" said Mr. Rochester, bowing slightly, and now holding his hat in his hand. He sat down next to Elizabeth and she noticed that since the first time since their meeting he looked nervous.

"Are you well?" asked Elizabeth, her eyes noticing his twitching hand.

"Very well" he said, smiling widely. He placed his hat on his lap and accepted some tea, which calmed his nerves. He had never done this before and though he was sure of her response, he was still anxious and nervous. He did not know how to ask a young lady to be one's wife nor how much passion he may demonstrate after such a proposal would be accepted.

"Would you like to come for a picnic?" asked Mr. Rochester.

"Oh" said Lizzy, catching herself by surprise, she knew he was nervous and she knew what it meant, she fidgeted with her hair, pretending there were some lose hairs that needed to be tucked in, "It would be my pleasure" she finally responded, feeling there was nothing else she could say. She had not yet made a decision, knowing that his intentions were clear since the beginning, and she had done nothing to dissuade him either. "I shall fetch my coat and gloves" she said, standing up and busying herself with her things.

Mr. Rochester's mother was already in the carriage, acting as their chaperon and smiled widely with Elizabeth came inside, offering her a blanket to cover herself, should she be cold.

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They rode on for an hour, to a place Mr. Rochester had found that was near a river and the servants laid out a gorgeous picnic for their enjoyment. They ate and talked—Lizzy lost herself in the conversation and was genuinely enjoying herself up until Mr. Rochester offered her his hand and asked her if she would like to go for a walk.

Elizabeth felt him place her hand on his arm and they walked on before he stopped, looking at the gorgeous scenery and the sounds of the river flowing near them.

"Miss Elizabeth" he said, gulping loudly and reaching for both her hands, "I have wanted to ask you a question for some time now."

Elizabeth looked up at his handsome face, his glittering green eyes and felt the air sucked from around her, as he held her hands in his.

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Sorry not sorry for the cliffhanger lol

I really love this story, there are some chapters that are easier to write than others and all the reviews have kept me going! I am determined to finish this and i hope you all enjoy it :)

what should she say? should jane have told her? would knowing make the decisione asier or more difficult?