Chapter 14

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all the encouraging reviews. They really have helped me keep up the rhythm of my writing. I hope you enjoy this episode as well, even if it is not what I think you will expect. Enjoy!

Jane

Jane's mind was so full of information and new questions that she really didn't feel she could fall asleep now. Tea with Miss Darcy had gone very well and now they knew more about Mr. Harrington, but the more she knew, the more she wanted to know. Lizzy clearly felt the same way as she entered her room and jumped on her bed, so the could talk before falling asleep as they had done many times before.

"So, what do you think about what Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy told us about your Mr. Harrington?"

"Please, don't call him that, I don't want to jump into anything. My heart jumped with Mr. Bingley and was broken."

"I'm sorry Jane, but tell me what you think or feel. I can tell that your mind and your heart have been going through loops."

"It's true. I like him, I like him a lot. It's funny, when we started on this journey I decided to be practical, to find someone that was acceptable even if he didn't move me as Mr. Bingley had, for the good of the family and then... Mr. Harrington is everything I thought I was not going to get, not that I will get him."

"Jane..."

"No Lizzy, I am talking realistically, we have only seen him once."

"Yes, but don't just dismiss any possibility. I think he liked you and he accepted to come for dinner, and Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy gave a good review of him."

"Mr. Bingley also had a good review from Mr. Darcy, and don't argue with me Lizzy, just let me finish. When I accidentally bumped into him in the theatre I could barely believe I had managed to crash into such a handsome man. I hadn't even realized I would find a man like him so pleasing. He is so tall and broad and his features so intense. Next to him, I felt tiny, but at the same time very safe, somehow I knew that he would never hurt a lady. And the way he stood up to Miss Bingley, with such confidence, strength and conviction, I found that even more attractive. I though myself in love with Mr. Bingley, but after meeting Mr. Harrington I'm starting to doubt. I found him pleasing, nice, amiable, but was it really love? Now I am not so sure. When I sat next to Mr. Harrington and he spoke in my ear, the feelings that came over my body... I have never felt anything like it. Mr. Bingley certainly never inspired such feelings at all. I think now, that he seemed a safe option, someone, that I enjoyed spending my time with and that would treat me well. After everything that has happened, that my eyes have been opened, I want something else, something more. But Lizzy I am so afraid my heart will be shattered again." Lizzy reached out for me and wrapped her arms around me. She held me for a few minutes and I felt so safe a supported, it felt so good to get everything out of my chest.

"It is normal to be afraid, Jane, I understand, especially after what happened with Mr. Bingley. But I don't believe Mr. Harrington will lead you on. Let's see what kind of attention he pays to you during tomorrows dinner and let's go from there, shall we?"

"Yes. Thank you, Lizzy. I am glad we are doing this together. So how was seeing Mr. Darcy again?"

"The truth is that I am not certain. My mind has been going around in circles. I don't know if you remember what I told about Mr. Whickam's claims, but he spoke quite badly about Miss Darcy, and after meeting her, it was all clearly a lie. And if he lied about that, what else could he have lied about? Also, when we had the funeral service he came to give his condolences and he was, kind. In a way, I didn't think possible of him. I realized then that he had lost both parents early on, been left in charge of a big estate and a young sister to raise. And he is clearly very fond of his sister. But at the same time, did you see how disapproving he became when we started to talk about Mr. Harrington? Like he didn't want us associating with him, after giving him a good review."

"Well, yes, it was quite obvious."

"He clearly still has a very low opinion of us. I am not sure if our association with Miss Darcy will go on now that he knows about it."

"Lizzy, why are you still convinced he has such a low opinion of us?"

"Did you not see him? It was just a few hours ago."

"Yes, I also recall how he could not stop staring at you at Netherfield, or that he chose to dance with you at the Ball. He also gave his condolences to you personally, only to you. Not to papa, not to me, you. You have been against him since his comment at the Meryton ball and created an image of him in your head that you have stuck with, and any action of his you twist to fit your theory of him."

"That is not true!"

"Lizzy... admit it. You have been unfair in judging him. You accepted Mr. Whickams story, which by the way was very inappropriate for him to tell you, especially the first time you met, at face value, just because it fit with your villainous Mr. Darcy theory." Lizzy turned her head away not wanting to look at her in the eyes. Jane could see that she was a bit embarrassed by possibly having misjudged him. But Lizzy was a fighter if there ever was one.

"Then how can you explain his actions today?" Lizzy argued.

"I believe he could have been jealous."

"What?!" Lizzy's face was one of shock and disbelief.

"That week that I closed myself off after Mr. Bingley abandoned me. I went through every recollection I had of our time together. I especially remembered the time we stayed at Netherfield. I remember his intense looks at you, but I really recall, Miss Bingley attitude against you. She did not want me to marry his brother, but her venom was towards you, always trying to belittle you while trying to gain Mr. Darcy's attention. Also, Miss Darcy knew of us when we met her at the shop, and she had positive information about us, that could only have come from her brother. Miss Darcy clearly thought that he would be glad of our presence in his home. And if you remember it was you who asked him if he moved in the same circles as him. You asked the first question."

Lizzy was silent, she could see she was in deep thought. Clearly, Jane's theory and the reasons behind it had made an impact on her.

"But I am also not certain Lizzy, it could be other things. How about we go to sleep and see how that situation also advances, who knows, we might not see Mr. Darcy again."

Lizzy nodded and left for her room. She went to bed and decided to put her mind to rest. Tomorrow would come and she would see how things went.

Lizzy

Lizzy had thought she would be excited for today, Mr. Harrington was coming tonight for dinner, but the conversation with Jane last night had left her out of sorts. She had barely tasted her breakfast and her practice with the piano had gone badly. She could see Jane and her aunt looking at her with worry and whispering to each other. They finally dragged her to the drawing room to talk. Her aunt Gardiner sat next to her before speaking.

"Lizzy, Jane has told me just on the surface the topic of conversation you had last night. It has clearly left you out of sorts. Do you wish to talk about it?"

"No aunt, I am still sorting things out. Just give me a little time, it's not like we will see Mr. Darcy any time soon."

A servant entered with a tray carrying a calling card which she gave to her aunt.

"Mr. and Miss Darcy for you Mrs. Gardiner" Lizzy could not believe what she had heard, so she took the card from her aunt and indeed it read Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. She heard her aunt telling the servant to let them in while Lizzy was still looking at the card in shock. But she did manage to stand up and greet them when they entered, as her aunt invited them to sit. Morning calls normally lasted 15 to 30 minutes but Lizzy thought this one was going to feel eternal. Jane and her aunt engaged Miss Darcy easily as they obviously were letting Lizzy talk with Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy sat down next to her but was clearly having a bit of difficulty coming up with something to say. Lizzy dug up her courage and took the first step.

"How are you today Mr. Darcy?"

"Very well. And you?"

"I am fine as well. We did not expect to see you again so soon."

"I had not expected to see you in my home, and well it felt a bit rude having to leave so soon, and Georgiana enjoyed your conversation a great deal. I have not seen her so animated in a long time, you and your sister seem to have a great effect on her." That was not at all what Lizzy had expected.

"Well, she is a very darling girl. We are very fond of her."

"I also felt very bad about not asking about your family after your loss. I hope they are all well?"

"They are. They all stayed in Longbourne, it's just me and Jane here."

"It must be hard for your sisters without you and Miss Bennet." Lizzy remembered how they had embarrassed her in the Netherfield ball, making fools of themselves. She suddenly felt the need to explain the changes they had made after her mothers death.

"They are not alone, Mrs. Taylor is with them."

"I don't recall a Mrs. Taylor." He was clearly making an effort at remembering, thinking that he had forgotten someone.

"You wouldn't, she is a governess that we hired after mama died. Jane and I felt that her death had affected us all greatly and that our younger sisters were not prepared to stay in society without mama's guidance. Lydia was especially affected so she was removed completely until Mrs. Taylor thinks she is ready, Meanwhile she is helping Kitty and Mary and instructing them now that mama cannot." The message that her mother had not been capable of instructing them properly was not said, but as Mr. Darcy had met her, he understood the message. He seemed pleased by the news.

"I am glad things are going well after such a tragedy."

"They are, mama will be missed but we are strong and our aunt and uncle had been a great support." She wondered what he would say to this, how he would react to her relatives that Miss Bingley had disparaged.

"Your aunt seems like a very kind and elegant woman. She seems to be providing excellent support to you both." She was glad to hear such a positive opinion of her aunt. Everything had said was true, but since her uncle was in trade, and the house was not in a fashionable area, she did not believe he would speak so well of her. Clearly Jane had been right, she had misjudged Mr. Darcy, thinking Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley to be the same.

"My uncle Gardiner is the same."

"Maybe the next I can meet him."

Before she had time to say anything in response Miss Darcy interrupted.

"Brother? The time?" Mr. Darcy looked at the clock.

"Yes, indeed, thank you Georgina. We are sorry but we have an appointment we cannot miss. We wanted to come early but it was also not possible."

Her aunt with her wonderful grace and elegance told them not to worry.

"It has been a pleasure to have you, thank you for coming."

They said their goodbyes and left. The visit had cleared things up a bit. Obviously Jane had been at least partially right, Mr. Darcy did not think badly of them, or this visit would not have occurred. The question now was, how correct were ALL of Janes theories, and how did Lizzy feel about Mr. Darcy?