What was originally four short chapters with some cliffies, has turned into one chapter. Please don't think of Edwin Fitzwilliam as just being a complete creep, he is a lot more complicated than that. SunriseImagination reminded me that on the last go-round of this story, Raquel Almeida referred to Edwin as being a "caixinha de surpresa" which translates as "surprise box." That is a perfect description of him.

Chapter 27: Insisting on Marriage

On my walk back to Rosings I thought of how much I had to tell my sister. However, I needed to consider just what to tell her. I was not sure of the extent of Edwin's perfidy. Perhaps he had evil intent or perhaps he wished to determine whether my interest in Miss Elizabeth would prevent me from marrying Anne. However, when back at Rosings I was unable to have so much as a moment alone with Georgiana as Lady Catherine kept her occupied until almost the moment that Miss Elizabeth arrived.

As I was determined to glimpse Miss Elizabeth again, even if for only a few moments, I made sure I was in the parlor with Georgiana. Unfortunately, however, Lady Catherine was present also. While Edwin had hinted that Lady Catherine knew all, I hoped that he had exaggerated.

If only Lady Catherine had not been there, I could have drunk my fill in gazing upon Miss Elizabeth, but as it was, I only indulged in surreptitious glances. These were enough for me to decide that she continued to look very lovely in the pale green gown I saw her in earlier that day, but her appearance was enhanced by a faint blush to her cheeks with eyes brightened by her walk.

We barely exchanged greetings when my aunt instructed, "Georgiana and Miss Elizabeth, you must not on any account delay your practice. Miss Elizabeth has much to learn from your tutelage."

Before I knew it, I was alone in the room with Lady Catherine. From the sour look upon her face (like someone who tried eating a lemon), I anticipated, rightly as it turned out, that I was to be chastised.

Lady Catherine stood up and came over toward where I was sitting, a finger already waggling as if preparing to scold me. I arose, which made me much taller than she and this must have displeased her for she placed her hands on her hips and shook her head "no" several times before asking, "What are you doing, Darcy, showing a preference for Miss Bennet? You are raising expectations that can never be satisfying and harming that young woman in the process. How will she ever be happy to accept a man of her own sphere after your interference?" It was plain that she did not want me to answer as she kept speaking rapidly with no pause between her questions.

"You have been promised to my Anne since you were both in your cradles! You are destined for each other with both of you descended from the same noble maternal line that has produced earls, with your fathers being from respectable, honorable and ancient, though untitled families. Your mother and I planned it. I know not how Miss Bennet has drawn you in with her arts and allurements, but it is a mere infatuation. She is a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world. She is without connections or fortune and from a different sphere, with uncles in trade and a cousin in Mr. Collins. She is suitable company, I suppose, to offer momentary diversion to your sister, but she is more likely to end up as a governess than recognized at court!"

As she drew in a breath to continue her tirade, I interrupted, determined that I would shrink no more in declaring me intent to all. "Who I chose to court and wed can be no concern of yours! My age and estate give me leave to offer for any gently bred woman I choose. I have no doubt in my choice and it shall never be your daughter. I ardently love and admire Miss Elizabeth Bennet, though with how I am, I am far from worthy of her hand. If she will be mine, I would be the most fortunate of men."

Naturally, my aunt was not willing to concede. She is most used to everyone deferring to her, so it was not surprising to me. She simply got louder and more emphatic, gesturing wildly as she spoke. "Surely my Anne is a much superior choice. She brings with her a vast fortune which would allow you two estates for your sons to inherit. Moreover, you owe it to your family to protect your cousin Anne when I am gone. Surely you recognize with your affinities you will guard her better than anyone else can. Think, Darcy, think! Do not be selfish, you owe it to our family to be the protector Anne needs."

Although my aunt continued to be strident, her eyes seemed to grow a bit wet, her nose to redden a little, and she took a moment to blow her nose on her handkerchief before continuing. "Your own sister has recognized her worth and helped Anne make progress in her desire to explore beyond the confines of this estate, but she will still need a gentle shepherding hand. If you are finally ready to take a wife, the choice is obvious, it must be Anne."

When she finally paused long enough for me to speak again, I was determined to be heard. "Madame, Anne shall always have my loyalty as my cousin. I vow to do all I can to help her short of ever courting or marrying her. It is good that you desire her well being as any mother would but joining our deficits in marriage would not be for our good. She is not ready to marry anyone. In many ways she remains but a child. I have hope for her improvement but marrying me will not cure her. I fear her health must at all times be closely guarded and frequent trips between here and Pemberley would strain her heart. Moreover, I do not love her as a husband should love a wife."

My aunt sighed and continued to shake her head, "no" but seemed to lose the vigor with which she had been making her case. She sat down in the chair beside my own and so, I, too, sat down as well. Her normally erect frame slumped. Softer now, she told me, "Fitzwilliam agrees you are the best choice for her husband. If not you, then who? I considered him for Anne, asked if he might ever consider marrying her but he laughed and said, 'If I were to marry a cousin, I would sooner wed Georgiana. Although she comes with a dowry rather than an estate like Anne, I would rather live simply with a true wife than be saddled with a defective.' I think he could see how this hurt me, for he apologized for his words, but it is clear he is not the man for her."

Lady Catherine steepled her fingers and stared at them rather than looking at me. Softer now, as if she was just talking to herself, she said, "His brothers may be worse; I have heard the youngest receives the favors of actresses. My brother the Earl has encouraged proclivities in them for which I disapprove. A man should not seek his pleasure outside of marriage. A man who marries her without knowing her may later decide she belongs in an asylum. We cannot let that happen to her."

I felt sad for my aunt. I understood that she had genuine worries, but I could not, would not, sacrifice my happiness on the alter of familial duty.

Lady Catherine sniffed once, twice, and then dabbed at her nose with her handkerchief. I feared she would cry. My aunt was always so confident and certain that I felt my world had tilted. Who was this woman before me? Had I won or was this another attempt to get me to comply?

I had my answer when she began to cry and said, "I hope you were not simply being glib in offering to help Anne. I will hold you to your promise to do all you can to help Anne short of courtship or marriage. Will you formally agree and promise me to be her protector, her guardian? Even if we draw up papers, you will not truly have that authority should me brother wish to interfere."

"Yes, I will," I told her. "Anne is family and I would care for her as if she were my own sister. But truly, I think you are worrying about this too much. You have many years ahead of you and I am convinced that Anne can improve."

Aunt Catherine twisted her lips when I mentioned her having many years and I did not know what that was supposed to mean. She answered, "I suppose that will have to be enough; it is more than anyone else has offered me."

She leaned toward me, her gloved, bony hand gripping over my own. "I am sorry for my dismissal of Miss Bennet. I meant no slight to her, truly I did not. I just hoped that perhaps I could sway you to consider Anne, but it seems it is too late. She is lovely and I can understand how you could admire her. She has a charming impertinence. If it is not to be my Anne, I hope you will find happiness with your choice."

I suddenly felt a dampness in my eyes. Although Lady Catherine had not exactly said so, it felt like I had her blessing. I told her, "I love Miss Elizabeth Bennet and I hope in time she might feel the same."

My aunt squeezed my hand harder, "You have a kind heart, it is like to your mother's heart. Miss Bennet would be blessed to marry you, my boy. I wish you much success in winning her hand. I have a feeling that she could be of great help to you in aiding Anne."

Our conversation after that was much more relaxed. I talked to my aunt for quite sometime about my ideas to help Anne and how Georgiana had already been implementing them. Finally, when she seemed to be feeling better (she had sat up and began talking more like her typical self), I turned the conversation to Edwin.

"Lady Catherine, I have been trying to make out how much Fitzwilliam's actions this morning were to carry out your wishes and how much he was acting on his own accord. Just what did you discuss regarding my interest in Miss Elizabeth?"

"Last night we both agreed that you had shown a marked interest in Miss Bennet by daring to sing about the young maid that does herself in after being seduced and defending her choice of song. It was so unlike you!"

When I made no response after she paused, she continued. "Fitzwilliam told me he learnt from his valet that the staff had deduced you were courting her. Apparently your valet and Georgiana's maid complained about you and Georgiana rising early each morning for a walk and the maid at the parsonage, who is the sister of my stablemaster, told her brother that Miss Bennet had also been setting out early for a morning constitutional and taking her time in returning."

"What did you ask him to do about it?" I asked.

"I asked that he try to discourage you and turn your interest to Anne and explain why she was the better choice."

Remembering what Edwin had done, I tried my best to control my anger. "Did you ask him to suggest an arrangement where I would take Miss Bennet under my protection rather marrying her?"

Her mouth gaped open and she briefly covered her eyes with her hands while shaking her head back and forth in denial. "Of course not; I do not approve of such arrangements. I wanted you to marry Anne, not dishonor your future wedding vows!"

"Edwin suggested he would take her as a mistress himself if he thought she would agree but I had more resources to tempt her." It hurt me even to say the words, to imagine her being so horribly dishonored.

"How could he suggest that of a member of the gentry!" My aunt's eyes were wide. She lept up and began pacing to and fro. "Miss Bennet's family may be relatively humble, but she would never act in such an infamous manner. And to think my own nephew would have such improper thoughts about the maiden you wish to marry, it is not to be borne! I would never endorse or condone such actions."

I told her, "I believe you," and I did. It had seemed unlikely for her to be part of such a nefarious suggestion, but I still had to determine if Edwin posed a danger to Miss Elizabeth, so I asked, "Forgive me for discussing such an improper topic with you and whatever distress it may have cost you, but I must know, do you think he might actually attempt to accost Miss Elizabeth and have his way with her?"

My aunt's eyes widened, and she gasped. "I cannot imagine him acting in such a way, but I could not imagine the words he has said to you. I hope his noble blood would turn him away from such a course of action, but if there is even the barest possibility we must take preventative action, however I need time to think of what to do. . . ."

When she said the word "time" it immediately made me wonder how long we had been talking. I glanced around until I found a clock and was horrified at how much time had passed. Was Miss Elizabeth still in the house?

I stood up, and told her, "Time is what we may not have. Has she already left the house? I have done my best to warn her about him, but it is not enough."

Lady Catherine immediately summoned a servant to find out while I went outside for a few moments to look around to see if I could spot him or her. When I returned inside, Lady Catherine told me, her eyes wide, "Darcy, she left a quarter of an hour ago and it seems Fitzwilliam insisted on escorting her there."

I know it was irrational and probably a vast overreaction, but I tore out of Rosings like a hound after a fox. My feet were already hurting and my throat burning when it occurred to me that I probably should have gone by horse even with the delay that visiting the stable and saddling one would have cost. Yet turning back by then would have been folly.

A few minutes later after I passed a tree thick with foliage, I spotted Edwin and Miss Elizabeth. As of yet they were very small dots but that patch of pale green that was her frock made her unmistakeable. As soon as I realized there was a good space between them, I slowed down to a trot and then forced myself to walk. It would do no good to approach them when I was breathing too hard to talk.

Edwin's back was to me, but Elizabeth was half inclined toward me. I thought, perhaps, she could see me approaching. They seemed to be talking and before I was yet close enough to hear their words, I forced myself to stand and wait, to settle myself down further. I did not want to overreact. Finally, when my heart was no longer widely thumping in my chest, I could breathe normally, and I no longer felt I was in danger of hitting Edwin, I proceeded, walking as softly as I could, hoping to find out what they were discussing before Edwin heard me.

When I was finally close enough to understand any words, it was Miss Elizabeth I heard: "If I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. However, I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. Why did you with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, choose to tell me with one breath that I am inferior to Mr. Darcy and my family is a degradation and in the next attempt to convince me that his condition makes him unsuitable for me? Was this not an excuse for incivility if I was uncivil? Through your high-handed actions, you have withheld the advantages which you know were his birth right, you have deprived Mr. Darcy of that independence which was no less than his due. You are his cousin, yet you treat his condition with contempt and ridicule."

I felt happy. She defended me!

Edwin replied, "I but made an honest confession of the scruples that should prevent you from entering into any understanding with him. Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and just. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections being joined to me through my cousin? To congratulate myself on the hope that you would produce five more children with Darcy's affliction? You are then resolved to have him?"

"I have said no such thing." She glanced toward me and colored slightly before turning back toward him and continuing. "I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me."

Miss Elizabeth had neither yet fulfilled my dearest hope nor rejected me. I had already stopped a few feet behind Edwin and wondered what would happen next. I was surprised that he, a military man, had not heard me, but it is probable it was because he was attending closely to her words.

Just then I heard the unmistakeable sound of horses pulling Lady Catherine's barouche toward us along the adjoining drive. I glanced over my shoulder to confirm that it was indeed hers, before turning back towards Miss Elizabeth and Edwin, and therefore saw them when they turned toward the sound, with Edwin startling when he saw me.

A minute or two later, the barouche pulled up beside us and I heard Lady Catherine in her most commanding voice say, "Miss Bennet join me, I am going to call on the Collinses." Parker opened the door and offered his hand. Miss Elizabeth quickly glanced at me, saw me nod and then she was off. I waited until the barouche was away before turning back to Edwin.

He straightened, placed on hand upon his waist and pronounced solemnly, "You may not like that I tried to get Miss Bennet to reject you, but I have done only what I feel is right and best serves the interest of our family."

I felt both angry and sad. I wanted to be reasonable, but I also knew that the arrangement between us had to change. I told Edwin, "When I was yet a child and our fathers arranged a plan by which you would help me navigate society, I know you helped me a great deal. You tirelessly worked to assist me, helped to lessen the effects of my errors and helped others abide me. Even after my majority you continued in your efforts as my father wanted. It was proper that I complied with his wishes as my father still commanded my filial respect as his son and heir."

He nodded and I continued. "When my father died, he rewarded you with an estate and no one would have thought it amiss if you had withdrawn then. We ourselves could have come to an arrangement about continuing your service, but we did not. Instead you continued on as if you were appointed in your duties for life and I acquiesced."

Edwin looked as if he were about to speak, but I held up my hand for silence and he closed his mouth. "Edwin, I used to think of you as almost an elder brother, but now it feels more like you are my keeper. It was never your job to fully arrange my life for me. I have come to realize that I will never truly be a man if I let this continue. Therefore, I release you from any further obligation. I will undoubtedly make many mistakes as I will never have your skills, but I will own them as my own."

He gestured with a clenched hand, "My father commands-"

"Your father does not command me!" I was firm; I knew I could not falter if anything was to change.

Edwin tipped his head slightly to one side, a slight tension between his eyebrows and in his jaw. The look in his eyes was different than what I was used to seeing when he looked at me; I was not sure if it was a positive or negative development. "My father will be displeased," he countered.

"That is an affair between you and he. I am sure the Earl can find other uses for your skills. Perhaps you will wish to marry; with your charm you should do well."

"Lady Catherine—"

"Has already acknowledged that my choice of bride is my decision and has accepted it will never be Anne. You no longer have her support in this matter. We are both appalled by what you would suggest for Miss Elizabeth. Return to Rosings; I would see you gone in the morning."

Edwin opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again. He turned and walked in the direction of Rosings. I turned the opposite way and headed for the parsonage.

As I walked to the parsonage I began to worry about my appearance. I had become quite hot under the collar from running and worry. Likely my face was red and my hair affright. I felt trickles of wet down my back and under my arms and worried that I had an odor. I was completely unpresentable.

By this time, I was almost there. I stopped and pondered a minute but then decided to turn back rather than have Miss Elizabeth see me this way.

I was too late. She must have spotted me from a window because as I started to walk away she came running out the door, calling, "Mr. Darcy! Are not you going to call on me?"

I paused, uncertain. I was worried about my appearance but was no longer that young man who would have run away in shame.

Miss Elizabeth stopped just a couple of feet away from me. She told me in a tone that might be playful, "I need to be called on twice a day, I think. We have but a few moments. Lady Catherine is out back, advising Mrs. Collins on her chickens." She smiled at me.

I felt the need to say something clever in return, yet I could think of nothing. "I did not think I should call when I look as if I have been working in the fields all day."

"That does not matter," said she. "I suppose I can wait until tomorrow. Lady Catherine has invited us all for dinner and has made it clear that any time we spend together should be properly supervised under her auspices or that of Mrs. Collins."

Some sense returned to me and I felt a need to explain about Edwin. I told her, "My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will be leaving on the morrow, I hope. I have asked him to go."

She nodded, "I liked Colonel Fitzwilliam well enough, but I fear that must mean I am a poor judge of character to have thought well of both him and Mr. Wickham. He does not approve of your plans for us."

I wanted to ask whether she now approved of what I wished for, but I did not dare. I wanted to say something clever in return, but I could not think of anything. I settled for responding, "He may not, but Lady Catherine is now more amenable to my plans than she once was; she wanted me to marry Anne but I believe she now accepts that can never be. My heart is quite engaged elsewhere."

I wished in that moment I could take up her hand and ask her the question I most desired. However, my lips would not form those words so instead I said, "I fear now that my aunt shall be chaperoning that shall still mean no more early morning walks."

"It is a pity," said she, "but I am glad to have a moment with you. I think, I know . . ." she paused and lightly bit her bottom lip. I was fascinated, my eyes were drawn there, memorizing how her lip looked with her teeth pressing into it, so much so that I almost missed her next words. "It is . . . that is . . ."

She looked down, avoiding my eyes and blushed. I wondered what was amiss and almost asked when she whispered quitely, "Do you still want my token?"

"Oh yes!" I cried out loudly before realising I ought to keep my voice low as she had done and then did my best to whisper, "there is nothing I have desired more."

"Nothing, Mr. Darcy?" She gave a little smirk and at that moment I knew not what to answer.

In my dreams and secret thoughts there was much more that I desired. I longed to run my bare hands along the sides of her face and gently hold her near as my lips touched hers, to run my fingers down the side of neck and trace the skin that disappeared beneath the edges of her gown, to perhaps feel her hands, gloveless against the top edges of my cravet. However, as I was not Edwin nor George, from me such things would never be spoken of in front of a maiden.

I was silent for several moments collecting my thoughts before I knew how I ought to answer, "Yes, some day if you are amenable, to formally court you, seek and receive your hand and then marry you."

She beamed and her eyes sparkled. "Hold out your hand," she instructed softly, blushing yet again.

I extended my hand, palm facing up, and watched as she dropped her yellow ribbon from her bare fingers into my hand. I closed my hand around it and felt its silky smoothness as I lightly stroked the ribbon against my palm with my fingertips. As I carefully put it in my pocket and nestled it beside my simple string, I had a sudden inspiration.

I decided not to care if such a thing was done or not. I did not need to please society, only she and me, and I thought she would be pleased.

"Fair Miss Elizabeth, while I have nothing as fine as your ribbon, would you accept a humble token from me?"

She nodded, her lips closed in a slight smile, twisting a curl beside her left ear that had escaped from where its fellows were carefully tucked away. Did she have any idea how every little movement she made charmed me so?

"Hold out your hand," I whispered, imitating her words. She did so and for a moment I studied her delicate palm and slender fingers. I had seen her hands before moving over the pianoforte, but it was different seeing the underside of one as she held it still. I noticed it was smaller than Georgiana's were. Then I recollected myself and gently placed my string down into her cupped hand, daring to gently touch her hand for a moment as I released it. As she had with her ribbon before, she tucked my string into her sleeve.

We stood silent for a minute, each watching the other. I began to hear voices and suspected my aunt and Mrs. Collins were coming near. I wished to make good my escape.

I bowed to her and she curtseyed. I said, "Until tomorrow." She nodded, turned about and headed back for the parsonage. I watched her until the door closed and then I went on my way.