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

A/n sorry, but things are difficult. I parked my car, when I came out found the car, I bought was keyed all around, and also the hood by a nasty old vandal.. There were witnesses, a couple tried to stop him, but he tan away. They were able to take his picture. Needless to say I am a little scared. Being a crime victim feels weird. I cannot understand why so many bad things happen. No wonder, I like fantasy. By the way, I don't feel sorry for Darcy.

Planning

Caroline looked like she had swallowed vinegar; on her way out, she glared at Mary. Lizzie and Jane looked at each other, smiling.

The Marchioness said, "Sir, your tastes are improving; now take your sister away. A piece of advice, she is a stone around your neck and will make your life miserable. Find her a husband, and she won't be your problem anymore. Come and see me; I might have the husband perfect for her, my cousin's son, Bert. But don't bring her; she is not welcome here or at any of my homes."

The moment the Bingley siblings left, they all started talking. Jane went to Lizzie and held her hand. Everyone congratulated Richard and Lizzie. Peter called a footman to bring champagne. During the entire time, the Marquis kept snoring, but nobody paid attention.

Richard whispered, "Lizzie, my name is Richard."

She answered, "I know."

Peter said, "I hope this is the last we see Miss Bingley; I hope Bingley doesn't end up as a relation anyway." He grimaced; he never told Jane he was jealous. He saw his aunt shaking her head; she was right, Jane loved him. She had told him to not ruin a good marriage like her husband almost ruined theirs. She knew all of her nephews and nieces well. Petra and Bert needed spouses. She had no idea who would take Petra. As for the orange Miss, a pretty but nasty woman was a good match for the recluse. Bert was handsome enough, jealous, and he never left his estate. She would get a title, but nobody would know it.

At Peter's comment, the Bennet sisters laughed, but Mary didn't say anything. The footman brought the champagne to celebrate. Richard's earlier gloom had vanished; Lizzie's hand worked like magic, making him feel a door had opened in front of him. He didn't remember being this happy since he was a child playing with William and George. They played with George before his stepmother had come and filled him with jealousy and envy.

He looked at the three sisters and realized they all had common features, but, to him, Lizzie was the prettiest; he thought she was perfection.

"So, old man, when are you planning to wed?" Peter asked Richard.

"I need to see her father first, but I hope in a few days if Lizzie agrees." Richard looked at her.

Lizzie nodded; why not, why wait? Her wedding dress was ready. After the kiss, she wanted more of the same. Besides, she had often thought about the Colonel. Err, about Richard, though she wondered if he were still close to ; she hoped not. They looked too much alike as it was, and that was bad enough. She almost said no, just because her cousin had hurt her with his nasty words.

When Mr. Proud sought her, she was flattered, and sadly, she had been a little attracted, until his proposal. Luckily, the cousin was in America. She remembered that her former fiancé had said as much. He would be gone for a year or so, she was glad, hoping not to see him anytime soon.

"My cousin, the Bishop, can get me a special license. Because of my mourning, there cannot be a big wedding; later on, we can have a celebration ball when the mourning is over. I hope you don't mind, my dearest." He looked at Lizzie. "Besides, I must get my young nieces; they are at a cousin's because my mother isn't well."

Richard wanted a chance for a kiss or two this night. Hopefully, she would grant him a few liberties, maybe not too many, because he wasn't so sure about his self-restraint. Now, If Miss Bingley had been a man, he would have punched him, at the very least. He hoped to procure the license quickly. He wasn't sure why, but he felt it in his bones that he better marry as soon as possible.

Peter, later that night, told him, "I am glad it is you marrying Lizzie. So you know, Earl D., Tobias Hurst, had asked me to speak to Lizzie tonight. He had an emergency at his estate and had to leave. As you can see, Lizzie is a beauty and a rich heiress."

Richard listened, maybe that was his rush, perhaps; but he wasn't so sure. He could feel someone coming.

Many years early

William and Richard were inseparable. Often, strangers mistook them for twins. When William was young, he was blond, but his hair darkened when they went to Eaton. George also played with them until his new stepmother filled his head with envy for what wasn't for him. She had ruined George.

One day, they were all playing in the forest, but George decided he had enough and went back. They were chasing each other when William slipped down and cracked his head. Afterward, he lay on the ground, bleeding. Richard's memories were hazy, though he was certain he saw a funny tiny man, shorter than he was at the time, coming from the woods. The small man, who seemed to know them, had said, "Richard, your cousin is dying, but he can be saved. I can do it, but it has a price. I wish it didn't, but I don't make the rules."

"Save him, please," Richard begged.

"You will be linked to him for life, what he likes or loves, you will as well. In a way, you are giving him a little of your life. It might not always be good because there will be times when people cannot share what both want. Ah, before you ask, both of you are my relatives in a way. My sister married your great grandfather, so you have what is needed and more. Maybe, one day, you will find out. I guess you will become blood-brothers and then some." The little man looked at him; he crossed his fingers hoping for a promise. They were what he wanted the most. He had been waiting for a while for someone just like them.

Richard was crying; understandable, he was seven years old, "Save him, I would do anything for him; I would give him whatever I wanted the most, even my life. I want him to be well, I don't want him to die." He knew he was making a binding promise, just like in the stories they read. But it was true, William was his best friend; he was his brother.

Richard didn't remember much about what followed. William opened his eyes after the little man was gone. Richard tried to tell him what happened, but he couldn't remember much.

Before the Wedding

William Darcy docked at Dover. He decided to go to London, it was the season, and Fergus was probably there. Georgiana asked him to send an express to Fergus. Maybe Richard was back; he would go to see him as soon as he was home and cleaned up. He had a sense of urgency; he felt it in his bones. That wasn't right, he felt it all over.

He had a lot of time to think. He could have tried to see Elizabeth before; he could have told his aunt he wouldn't marry Anne; Richard had told him it was a set up; but he no longer cared after losing the woman he loved. He could have done much, and he didn't. He settled for less, for the easiest. His pride got the best of him; he didn't want to beg Elizabeth. But no more of that, he had decided, if she were married to another, he would not look for anyone else. He knew the truth; he loved Elizabeth, and if not her, then nobody else.

From Dover he sent an express to Fergus. He also sent one to his aunt, asking her to have Richard meet him, in case he was back. Though, the more that he thought about, the more he thought if Lizzie was with anyone, she was with Richard. He hoped not, otherwise, his life would be pure misery. He probably deserved it. Fergus waited for them in London.

When Fergus arrived, he had news, "Wickham was killed by a jealous husband; he left a young widow and two small children. Mrs. Reynolds says she has a letter for you, from him. Apparently, he lingered some days after he was wounded." That was all Fergus said before he went to talk to Georgiana. Minutes latere Fergus told him they would be marrying in a few weeks. William was happy for her.

Fergus hadn't heard if Richard was back. So William decided to go to the Fitzwilliams townhouse in London; he was sure Richard had arrived.

Richard

Richard had met Lizzie's family. They were staying in London, at the home her father had inherited. Richard recoiled when the young widow was introduced as Mrs. Wickham. "Was your husband George Wickham? He was in the Army." He had to know.

Lydia grimaced, "Yes, he talked about you and your cousin, all lies. I prefer not to talk about him." She ran away crying. He noticed she was increasing, poor dear lady.

Lizzie already knew since her father had investigated Wickham. Lizzie felt bad for believing Wickham's lies. She had misjudged Mr. Darcy. She needed to talk to Richard before getting married; he should know.

Lizzie's father had received the news of his changed fortune the day Lydia ran away with the scoundrel. After nearly two months, with the help of her uncle and his new son Peter, they located Lydia and Wickham. The couple were living as husband and wife.

Lizzie asked Richard to go for a stroll in the park. He eagerly accepted, hoping to steal a few kisses. There was no chance in the carriage since Jane and her toddler came with them. He knew it would be possible this time of the day, and, honestly, he couldn't wait for the wedding.

They went alone since they were officially engaged. She held his arm, and he nearly fell down a couple of times for staring at her. "Richard, there is something you must know before we marry."Lizzie said, looking concerned.

His happiness changed to anxiety. He was afraid she had changed her mind; he was wrong. Her words surprised him, "At Kent, nearly three years ago, your cousin, Mr. Darcy proposed to me." When she told him what had transpired, her voice shook while his eyes opened like saucers. Then she started laughing, as she often did when talking about it with Jane. Actually, Peter overheard them and laughed so hard his stomach hurt. That day, Lizzie saw how foolish Mr. Darcy had been and laughed as well. Richard joined her and laughed with her.

"I hope this is a joke. Though it must be true, only William would do such a thing. His pride is his only fault; he is the best I know. Though, I must say, lucky for me you turned him down. " Richard didn't feel a tiny man sitting on top of his hat, laughing along. To others, he looked like a small butterfly. Size was relative, he could look as he pleased.

The tiny man had developed a fondness for Richard and often joined him. He liked silly William as well. Granted, he had been sly that time in the forest. He remembered… He had taken a couple of Richard and William's hairs, enlarged them, and made bracelets; it was the only way to follow them. He 'forgot' to tell Richard the other 'price.' He had sons and daughters that died during a long war, along with his brother and his wife. He never wanted to marry again. It was his right, firstly the boys were his blood, so when he saved William, as Richard had asked, he now had two sons. He touched the two bracelets, made with his new sons' hairs. No need to claim them yet, one day the right time would come along, and they would follow him willingly. Life was good.

Richard pulled her behind a tree, wanting to kiss her; unfortunately, it started to rain; oh well, he only had to wait one day and a half. For now, he wanted to know why her young sister married Wickham.

Elizabeth didn't want to lie. When she told him, he knitted his eyebrows; he was angry. "The scoundrel and his fondness for young ladies, your sister didn't have a chance." In all confidence, he told her about Georgiana, which made her feel sad, but not too much.

She looked at her handsome fiancé and sighed. Jane had explained much to her, and she was ready; his kisses made her hunger for more. She whispered, "I am happy, very happy."

Richard agreed, he wanted to say he wished William was there, but something told him to be quiet.

Later when he went home, the butler said he had a visitor. Richard came into the room and saw him. He wondered how William would react; he didn't want to hurt him.