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

A/N I am not well at present, getting over surgery. Trying to write.

Learning

William Darcy closed the door; the footman appeared nervous. William sat on his desk, opening a drawer, slightly, to pull out a pistol. "Yes, I am loistening."

"Sir, I was sent by someone who knew your grandfather, a family friend. He recognized you after your Lady married you. He worries you, your sister, and your wife are in danger and wanted me," he stopped to pull an envelope out of his vest, "to give you this. Your Ladyship is with child which is worrisome. I am sorry but I overheard. Wickham was with, shall we say, unsavory characters."

William took the letter and read it. "I see, you are not a footman. I want my wife's uncle to read this before I make up my mind."

"No, I am not a footman, I was advised to pass for a footman, easier to help you. I am Colonel Jackson Vaughn, I recently got a title after my oldest brother died. You don't remember me, I was two years ahead in Eaton and Cambridge.

Jane and Reality

Leonidas was fast asleep when she came into the room, worrying that she might have been wrong. She was also scared of her uncle; she had seen twice what he could do. Once this day, and when they were on an outing. Alexis was showing them their lands when six males had tried to take Lizzie and her. He had killed two and disabled the other four; the latter were sent to a confinement area. He had done it in a few minutes; he was terrifying. The ones he didn't kill were begging for mercy.

Her uncle believed in loyalty and hated lying. After she accepted Leonidas, he told her that it was forever. Then, Jane had lied more than twice. Using what she knew and could do, she had risked much.. Now, that her uncle looked inside her memories, she was ashamed. He had never done this before, always respecting her privacy, but he no longer trusted her.

Her sisters would pay for her behavior, Jane feared. Her poor father, after Lydia, was again worried for his daughters. Though he would blame her mother, this time it was Jane's fault. She stared at her husband.

Leonidas only wore a thin shirt and linen trousers; his tiger-like streaked hair, quite similar to the Darcy and Mari's, just as wild but lighter, fell over his forehead. He lay on his side, his legs tucked, looking like a young kid. Goodness, she had forgotten how beautiful he was. She remembered Leonidas daring touches, urging her to do the same; but never, not once, touched her without her consent.

Leonidas' passionate kisses always left her breathless, wanting much more than kisses and touches. She felt the same after the wedding, when she claimed she no longer cared. It was a lie; she knew it but couldn't tell anyone how she didn't want the kiss to end. Whereas she believed to be still in love with Charles, the day she saw him at the ball, she also thought she loved Leonidas. When she met Charles, clandestinely, those times, he never asked, taking what he thought should be his.

Her uncle said it; it was a fact that Charles's intentions had been less than honorable. Not until his wife died had he talked about marriage.

Jane wished someone had told her that Charles, before he married his now-dead wife, had turned down William's invitation; it would seem William was also right. A thought occurred to her, what if Leonidas were to find out what she allowed Charles, and he left her? While it was true he said he wouldn't; what if he did? Thinking of Leonidas with other women made her insides hurt. That was why she started seeing Charles in more private places, not to feel the pain at the dinner table.

Georgina was right, Charles was handsome but couldn't compare to Leonidas. He was charming, but lacked substance. She sat by the bed, trying to remember how she started with Charles.

The letter

In his office, William asked, "Before I get my wife's uncle, do you know Wickham?

"Yes, in Cambridge, you don't remember me, but I was two years ahead in Eaton and Cambridge." Vaughn answered.

Darcy nodded, standing up to get a drink for both.

"Later on, I was his commander; I often heard him bragging about being close to you. He was a problem wherever he went; he gambled and liked the younger ladies; my father didn't believe he was close to you. Now, that I know many of his misdeeds, my father and I agree tat Wickham has no idea who he is dealing with." He waited to see if William had any questions.

"I also know what happened to your wife's sister; for that alone, he should die. Not many know about the young lady, but I happen to know because he came around looking for money to hide, so sorry. When I heard the young lady was your wife's sister, the ones who heard about it 'forgot.'" The man lowered his eyes.

Damn George, what he wanted was to kill him. William was certain George had brought Beverly into his life. Probably by talking too much, after George Darcy had done so much for him. No doubt, George needed to die. "I hear you; please allow me to get Prince Alexis."

When Alexis came in, he read the letter. "I see. William, I never asked, but did you have problems with Wickham before?"

"Lord Vaughn do you mind waiting outside?" William asked.

"Please call me Jack," Vaughn smiled.

Darcy stretched his hand, "William, in private, for now, though you should not be acting anymore, if Wickham recognized you, he will dig deeper."

When they were alone, William sat next to Alexis; he had noticed Alexis liked physical closeness with those he cared, just like the Darcy family. "George and I grew up together…" William told him much that Lizzie didn't know, including Wickham's friendship with Mrs. Young. Alexis listened quietly, until William said, "He tried to lure Georgiana, well, more than tried, Richard found him at a cheap hotel. He was in a hired room with her. When Richard came, George was disrobing her, hoping that I allow him to marry…"

William couldn't finish, Alexis roared, sounding like a wild beast. His coloring changed, appearing to have bluish skin; his eyes were not human; it lasted but seconds. "How could he had dared? If Leonidas finds out, he will seek him and tear him to pieces. He has nearly zero relatives left after the last persecution. But he doesn't need to do so; I will do it myself. She is but a young dove, and she was barely 15, a child, nearly. Not her, he must be punished." Alexis was angry; it was easy to see. William realized that Lizzie could be right; Alexis more than liked Georgiana; William wasn't sure if he cared for it.

Alexis breathed deeply, "There is much you need to learn, but now I understand what is going on. The letter says your family, the ones who came over, had a gate key. It isn't a real key, but a device. When they escaped the persecution, they came here because they knew there was a gate. I think your great-grandfather locked the morph so that they couldn't be found. As to how he did it, it must be in hidden records. Someone must know about it and want the key, access to the gate, and the records they brought along. Every family has secrets, some dangerous in the wrong hands. I agree they, whoever they are, want to get them; maybe they wanted your mistress to have your child, who knows." Alexis explained.

"But what is the danger with Lizzie, and why my child?" Darcy asked.

"They must think if they have your child, they can force you to give them what they want. Of course, our females are also wanted for many reasons. They will try to get Lizzie, as they did long ago when they tried to kidnap Jane. I think they might be the same ones who attacked Liza, my sister; they wanted Liza as well; you heard with Leonidas said. Or some use our children for rituals, to unleash who knows what. I believe that Wickham must be part straggler. Stragglers are despicable creatures, evil. The legends about vampires, witches, demons, and other lore creatures come from them." He saw Darcy's worried face.

"No, Wickham is just rotten." William was sure, "His mother was jealous and envious, she filled his head with bad ideas."

Jane- oh Jane-

Jane felt Leonidas' hand over hers, "Dushka, why did you kiss me back after the wedding?" His hand caressed hers. He tried to reign his emotions, he wanted to finally be able to kiss her body, to seal their bond. He regretted not marrying her back home.

"Because I liked it; I always have." She didn't want to lie; right at that moment, Charles didn't exist. Leonidas cologne was drugging her. His husky voice went straight to her sex; she knew she wanted him. But what to do, what if he were to find out?

"Stop it, don't think; I didn't lie when I said I could care less what you might have done with Charles, moreover, I don't want to know. If you have his child, I will love him or her; but the dishonorable swine will pay with his life. William said it, he intended to make you his mistress. Did he ask for marriage before his wife died?" His voice was hard.

Jane shook her head, looking downtrodden, tears running down her cheeks. Her eyes were opened. It didn't feel so good.

He sat up, patting his lap. "Sit here; we all make mistakes. As for me, I was faithful to Liza until she married Bennet; when I first saw I wanted you to be my wife; though I confess I was startled when I saw Lizzie; she is her mother. I don't want you to be with anyone else or to share you; you are mine." Leonidas picked up her chin, and Jane closed her eyes.

His lips fell on hers, hungrily. Jane opened her lips; they were alone, so she could do as she pleased with her husband. His tongue caressed her lips; she kissed him back. When he lay down; she lay with him.

His hands caressed her back; after moving his hand, her dress fell to the ground, along with her other clothes, but for the chemise. They rolled on the bed, touching and kissing. His hands went under her chemise, between her legs. He touched her naked sex for the first time ever. In a husky voice, he asked. "Ah, you burn for me, don't you, my kitten?"

"Yes," Jane whispered; now afraid of how Leonidas would react if this went further.

"Jane, all I care is that I am the only one, no more of what his name." Leonidas wouldn't bring up Charles's name; though he wanted her loyalty from this moment forwards.

"Only you," Jane meant it. What she felt with her husband was different, a desire that made her body ache and burn.

Leonidas knew she was the one for him, and knew he wanted the bonding he had for long avoided. He kissed her neck and shoulders, moving his fingers, making Jane moan, softly. "It is daytime, maybe not a good idea." Jane was afraid.

He grinned and quieted her with a kiss, a kiss that pierced her lip, enough to bleed. Itbwas intentional. Leonidas' body shook with pleasure; he thought she tasted of heaven. His mind was one with hers. He thought he wouldn't care, but when he saw the images of Jane and Charles, he let go of Jane with an anguished cry. Jane knew it. With her blood, meant for bonding, he had seen painful images.

Jane realized, maybe too late, that Charles was an old romantic dream. Lizzie was right, she was never as happy as when she has been with Leonidas. She counted the seconds to see him; her body wanted his touch, to hear him, to be with him . When he sat on the edge of the bed; he has also taken his shirt off; all he had was the bracelets he always wore; he was beautiful all over.

She sat with him; Jane was afraid she lost him. "Do you love him?" Leonidas's voice was different, sad.

"I thought I did. Leo, I am sorry if I hurt you. William is right, I only thought about myself." Jane didn't know what to say, maybe the truth?

Jane moved behind him, kneeled, and rubbed his shoulders. He sat, slumped, holding his head on his hands. "Dushka, oh Jane." That was all he said, his voice braking.

"I am sorry. The truth is he never asked. Before, he was respectful, but when I started seeing him; he was different. It wasn't like with you, never. I could say I was influenced, but I cannot. Yes, his sisters knew about many of your lady loves and told me all about it. After you said you had other lovers, I was sick with jealousy. When I told Charles, he changed. We were never alone for that long, but on the carriage ride. Sorry for all I allowed before. But on the carriage, he, I, well, " Jane hesitated. "What we did, or he did, he wanted to be in, you know. But I moved, so he, we…" She couldn't say more.

"I will ask; but first you should know I already want to kill him. The dishonorable worm wanted to make sure you were his. His sisters, are harpies, surely trying to influence you. Whatever they said isn't true, not after I travelled back with you; there has not been anyone else, zero, not flirting, nothing. Now, did he, err, come inside you? Did he spill his seed inside your channel; and if so, did your instructors teach you how to block impregnation? Sorry for talking like this, but you are my wife." Leonidas turned sideways to look at her.

Jane started crying, sobbing, the weight of her actions were too much to bear.

Another Visitor

Thomas Bennet had someone spying at Charles. The man came to report the Bingley family was in their way to see Mr. Darcy. He loaded his pistols, and told his wife and daughters to pack quickly. They were going to visit Lizzie.