The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/N It is still going, sorry, last time I published I draft that contained part of this chapter and a shorter version of the current chapter 3. I recommend you read chapter 3 again.

Jane's promised-

They were at a ball. William stood watching Lizzie. Her dark blue velvet dress was made for her. It was the latest fashion showing the top of her soft breasts and her almost bare shoulders. As usual, she didn't wear many hair adornments. This day she wore a sapphire and diamonds set he gifted her before she left. Nobody was as pretty or as desirable as her. He thought she looked like a fairy princess. She was talking to Richard and Bartlett, laughing at something Bartlett said. William was jealous, thinking he should to be the one making her laugh.

Her soon-to-be-brother-in-law stood by him. He heard Leo's chuckle before he saw him, "I see your calf's eyes; you have a severe case of that so elusive and so ephemeral romantic love. You must know that kind of love doesn't last, not unless you are a beast that mates for life; or a fool who believes love stories are real. It is refreshing to see it, though. No doubt the sisters are exquisite; everyone thinks so; they are a prize to be had. Not only that, but they come from a powerfully gifted and wealthy family." Leo tapped his chin and shrugged a shoulder.

"Who knows, maybe one day I will feel the same for Jane, at least for the first couple of years. Tell me, is Elizabeth passionate in bed? I hope so; the females of her family are legendary for their passionate nature. I heard they can love every day, never tiring; you and I are lucky. Has anyone told you that your wife is nearly a replica of Liza, her same beauty?" For a second something changed on Leo's expression.

"Indeed, she is Liza. You found her before I did; though Jane is also a beauty. Many would kill for a chance to be on their bed, or to have them as their wives. I worry someone might want to kill me to have a chance with Jane. Many would go thru great lengths to have either of them." Leo shook his head and grinned.

William was furious, about to say something bad for asking such intimate questions, but her uncle was right behind them. He laughed, "Leo, you don't have to kill since you are marrying my niece. Be glad my parents are honoring the old contract, against my advice, I must add. Don't worry, I respect their decision. I will make sure my parents' desires are met. However, you should be aware the one you are marrying is my niece, my beloved sister's child, and you don't want to displease me. I hope we are clear." Her uncle Alexis smiled, not a nice smile; it was a predator showing his sharp teeth.

William could feel great tension. He saw something deep inside the diplomat's eyes, fear; the man was afraid of the uncle. He wondered what contract they were referring to.

The uncle added, "I am not quite sure I appreciate your reference to beasts; my parents might take offense. And you are wrong, real love does exist; I would hope you are no so jaded as I have heard. I am not my parents, remember that. I still have a long list of suspects; let's hope you aren't one of the ones I seek. I have my doubts; I have seen your acquaintances. As you can hear, I hope for a lot, and you know I don't like to be disappointed."

That was a threat; William was certain. The uncle's smile was frightening. He wouldn't want him as an enemy.

Jane's fiancé laughed, "Alexis, you are hard as steel; I can see. I heard you still wait for the elusive love; I hope you find it. Of course, I know what you are capable off, and I wouldn't dare cross you; nobody in their right mind would. But being jaded can be rewarding when you live such a long life." With those words, the man winked his eye and went dancing with Jane. William noticed many ladies looking at Jane's fiancé. The man was too pretty, too full of himself, not like Charles who only cared for Jane. Charles is right on disliking me, William thought, I ruined his life along with mine.

Alexis shook his head, "Ignore him and be patient with Liza; she holds grudges like her mother. Liza, my sister, was once mad at me for an entire year for something I don't even remember. But Leo is right; you have a wife many still want. That was how we found them, after Liza married you. Thomas dissapeared with the children to the country side when my parents wanted Thomas to go home with them. Someone recognized Liza, she is her mother. Be aware, several have offered my parents a fortune; they are hoping she won't stay married to you. I think they will be waiting for a long time. Shall we? Elizabeth is calling me, ask her to dance."

William wondered if he had a chance, but he doubted it. The uncle probably didn't know much. However, he wanted to see why the veiled threats and suspects of what. Anyway, he didn't doubt Alexis was a dangerous enemy. Maybe he could ask her uncle for advice, but no, that wasn't a good idea.

Jane's Secrets

The uncle came to see William, he greeted him with a squeeze of the upper arms. "William, my nieces will come down in a minute. I wanted to tell you that woman from the other day is no where to be found. Liza saw her near here; do you know where she might be?"

"No, I don't. But I also have people looking for her. Maybe she is already gone." William said with little conviction.

"I am afraid that woman is more than you think; I hope I am wrong. I must leave, be watchful. Make sure she always goes out accompanied." Alexis patted William's arm, with affection. "If you trust one of the servants have him be watchful for irregularities. Maybe the woman knows someone inside here."

William wondered how much did Alexis know; how he wishes he could trust him. "Before you go, Leo seemed to know Lizzie's mother quite well." William waited for an answer that didn't come.

"Many people admired Liza, young and old, but she loved my friend; not wise, may I add. I must go." Alexis smiled and readied to leave, when Georgiana was announced. She had come to stay and to help with the wedding preparations.

When Georgiana entered the office, without knocking as she always did, she stopped when she saw Alexis and blushed. "Ah, the young dove, Miss Georgiana, such a pleasure." Alexis walked to her and kissed both her cheeks, as he always greeted the ladies and the Russian men.

William noticed Georgiana; he wondered if she liked Alexis? He wasn't sure if he liked that. Though Alexis looked very young, it was a puzzle.

Georgiana asked William, "Is Prince Alexis courting someone? A friend of mine wanted to know,"

William grinned, "What friend?"

Georgiana huffed and left.

William went to ready for dinner; Leonidas was their guest for dinner. He couldn't stop thinking about Lizzie, hoping nothing would happen to her. He didn't like Leonidas, not sure why.

William hadn't noticed but he had a slight bruise near his face, from Lizzie's small bites. She was a passionate lover; once she said he tasted as good as he smelled, making him chuckle.

At the dinner table, in front of Jane and her much older fiancé, Lizzie asked, looking at his neck, "Why are you bruised?" Her lips were pinched and eyes narrowed.

Jane's fiancé smiled at William with complicity. "My dear, you should know."

William swallowed hard, realizing what she had seen, "Lizzie, I hit my face with the edge of my desk when I dropped a letter."

"Ah, I understand. You still lie; of course, you lowered yourself marrying me. I remember your words one by one. Keep your tawdry mistresses, I don't care." She was upset and angry; he could tell. Her hand held the fork much too tight; trying to hold tears back, her eyes blinked. He felt awful for causing her so much pain.

"My dear, don't be so passé, rich and powerful men like William and I, are expected to keep other loves. They mean nothing, just a past time; our love is for our wives." Leo, Jane's fiancé said in his educated, slightly accented, Oxford English.

Jane's eyes said it all; his comment had not set well. She was like Lizzie, she narrowed her eyes.

"That isn't true; whereas is true some of us make shameful mistakes, not to be repeated, having other women is wrong. We should respect our marriage vows, as we expect it from our wives." William reprimanded him.

Richard, who was visiting, agreed. "Our wives are to be treasured and respected. Don't we demand loyalty from them, we should do the same." Richard disliked the diplomat, something about him made him wary. He had heard the man was popular with the ladies, very. Lady Mari, Lizzie's lady companion, looked at Richard and smiled. It was the first time she warmed to Richard; that was the day she started talking to Richard.

The fiancé chuckled, "I don't expect it from my wife either; we are sophisticated adults. I wouldn't mind seeing my lovely wife with another, sounds enticing. I will be looking forward to it."

"Disrespecting our spouses by seeking others is not what I strive for. I made an unforgivable mistake, but I will never do it again, fashionable or not. I would not enjoying seeing my wife as you describe it." William wanted to say more, but this wasn't the place.

The magnificent set table lost its appeal. William disliked the fiancé. He saw Lizzie's tight lips, she was still angry, but her eyes softened a little.

Back in her room, Mari reprimanded Lizzie; Lizzie was surprised listening to Mari.

That night Lizzie didn't come back to his bed. Next day, the news of Charles's wife dying in childbirth reached them. They went to pay their respects, but Charles was cold and curt to William, and let the room. Jane went to the side to talk to the Bingley sisters, something William found unusual. Like always, Jane and Lizzie's footmen accompanied them; they didn't go anywhere alone. When out, their uncle was always with them, only a few times he left Jane go with his mother or aunt. That stopped a few days before, after he had his private talk with Jane.

When Jane left the drawing room with the sisters, the uncle stood up, leaving the room to look for her. Jane looked unhappy when she returned with her uncle Alexis. Alexis was cold and aloof the rest of the visit. When Lizzie asked Jane, she said nothing. William suspected the talk before and this time were related; a suspicion crossed his mind, but he dismissed it.

Lizzie's grandparents and other relatives arrived for the wedding along with many family friends that followed. The came from several countries, all wealthy, and handsome. They would be staying at their new house. But at the end, her grandparents and uncle moved to William's home, along with Jane.

The Bennet were also accommodated at William and at his uncle Fitzwilliams' homes to allow the guests the use of their home. Too many had arrived, so they were housed at the new house and everywhere else they could. Elaborate dinners and small parties were held daily. William escorted Lizzie but only for appearances sake.

Two weeks later Jane went out shopping with her Lady companion, her maid, and her assigned guards, who waited outside the shop where she was picking up something. Then she went to have tea with friends, sisters, and Lizzie, her companions waited outside. Her lady became sick before the shop and had to go back.

After two hours, one of the guards finally came in to make sure everything was in order. Jane wasn't there; she had left by another exit next to the kitchen, only for those working there. Lizzie and the other were at a different restaurant but Jane never showed up. The lady companion said Jane had poured her a cup of tea before going out, claiming Jane gave her something.

Lizzie was crying; the family looked somber. The uncle was furious; he also fell sick and had to go to his room. Jane had added something to his tea, and to her lady's as well. Her parents went up to their room, not wanting to be around the group.

Lizzie came to sit by William, seeming scared and fragile. He ventured and held her hand. She was sobbing and allowed him to hold her. It made him sad to see her crying; he had also hurt her before. Her family were checking him carefully; noticing his reactions to Lizzie. He put his arm around her shoulder, and held her to his chest while he rubbed her back. Her sobs distressed him. Now he was certain Jane was with Charles.

"I noticed she seemed troubled but she said nothing was wrong, just a little afraid of her coming marriage." Lizzie said between sobs.

Nobody was able to reach the fiancé; Richard gathered he was with one of his ladies. An Army acquaintance, an Austrian noble, L'Clej knew about the fiancé. He was there for the wedding, with his twin brother and his wife, a remarkable beauty; she was the tallest woman Darcy had met, she had white blond hair. He didn't like the Russian diplomat, neither did his brother, they said he had a dangerous acquaintance, a Lord Asher.

At first, a kidnapping was suspected. Richard suggested it, since the aforementioned Lord Asher was in one of the last balls, and was very interested in Jane. It turned out, Lizzie's family didn't like the man either; although, they said Lord Asher didn't like ladies. Tough William doubted it, he said nothing.

Lizzie wanted to sleep in William's room. He knew it was only for comfort, so he went up with her; she wanted to hold his hand. He waited; she came in her modest nightgown, lay on her side, holding his hand, then moved closer and fell asleep crying. She hadn't eaten much and was exhausted. When she was asleep, he went back to wait on news.