a fresh new chapter. Elizabeth is conscious. Sparks fly. please review. previous chapters and this one have all errors edited. please review.

CHAPTER TWELVE

That very same morning as Caroline was preparing to leave for Ireland, and Mr. Darcy having received Mr. Bennet's note, in Lizzy's room at Longbourne, Elizabeth Bennet was in a sunny field lying on a bed of daffodils and daisies and other wildflowers, wind blowing her face and the clouds looking like little puffs of cotton. Suddenly the sky grew dark and she was transported to the Assembly Rooms garden with Mr. Wickham. This time she struggled but he was so unnaturally strong, she couldn't get away and someone discovered them. Wickham started laughing like a demon and Elizabeth covered her face. When she took her hands off, Wickham had turned into Mr. Darcy and they were inside the Ballroom tangled up. She tried shouting but all she heard were screams. She woke with a start and found herself in her house, in her bed, in her house, at Longbourne. Jane and Mary were with her and they had opened the curtains to let in the crisp autumn sunshine.

Jane was sponging her forehead with warm water and Mary had been rubbing and massaging her feet. Elizabeth said, "I thank you my sisters for taking such good care of me".

This was so wholly unexpected that Jane gave a little scream and Mary dropped Elizabeth's foot.

Jane, "Lizzy! thank god you're awake and conscious. Oh! my most beloved sister." she cried hugging her.

even the stoic and serious Mary was looking tearful and said," oh Lizzy! I am very happy you are alright."

Jane;"Mary please ring for one of the staff to come up here"

Jane called for some hot tea and broth for Elizabeth and said "How are you feeling now? Do you remember anything from last night."

Eliza: "I feel better, except my head is slightly heavy and my body feels sore and I am still feeling exhausted."

Jane and Mary looked at each other. Jane nodded to Mary and Mary went and closed the door.

Jane : "Lizzy dear, don't you really remember anything."

Lizzy got worried and scared. She said ,"I do remember a few things. Mother had told Lucy, our maid instructions to lace up my corset very tightly. It was so tight it made me feel as if a knife was digging into my body. I was talking to Charlotte and Mr. Wickham asked me for a dance. After that was done, I couldn't breathe and those stays were killing me. I went out into the garden for a breath of air and to loosen those confounded stays. Mr. Wickham followed me" here she broke down and tears spilled from her eyes. "Jane, Mary, my sisters, I know I can trust you to keep this a secret. He….Mr. Wickham, kissed me and tore my corset and groped my chest. He drew up my skirts and tore at my drawers. I managed to get him off me and ran toward the Hall. I ran into a dark room and I crashed into someone. And I felt all go blank!" she started sobbing,

"Please Jane, were we discovered? Please tell me I don't have to spend the rest of my life with that blackguard. He's no gentleman Jane. He came at me as if I was the town courtesan."

Jane and Mary gasped and Mary exclaimed "Mr. Darcy is innocent after all!"

Elizabeth started and sat up straighter, "Mr. Darcy! You mean that Mr. Darcy who's a friend of your Mr. Bingley. That proud and serious man !What does he have to do with all this. "

They heard a knock and Mrs. Hill appeared with a tray with hot tea, gruel, broth and a message,"Mr. Darcy is downstairs in the hall ma'am. Your father has invited him to take breakfast with us". She curtsied and left.

Elizabeth : "Jane , my lovely sister! What has happened? Why on earth is Mr. Darcy breakfasting at Longbourne?"Jane helped Lizzy out of bed and started helping her get dressed.

Jane: " Lizzy. keep your composure. please dont speak hastily. We'll try to explain what we can say to you. Father has asked us to let him know directly as you wake. He is the best person to explain the happenings" and again exchanged glances with Mary.

Mary said, " Lizzy, I am sure that when you ran in from the gardens, I imagine it was Mr. Darcy you collided with. Because there was a sudden crash and you and Mr. Darcy fell out from behind some curtains. You were half naked , Lizzy. Your skirts were all bunched around your waist. Your bodice and corset in tatters. "

Jane continued, "Father was furious. You were unconscious all through that time and Mr. Hayworth attended you. WE all had a meeting where Mr. Darcy agreed to marry you. Father was not satisfied and felt that he might return to London and not come back at all. So Miss. Darcy is a guest here at Longbourne, till Mr. Darcy returns with the license and settlement papers and the wedding solemnized. The banns will be read today and tomorrow. "

Elizabeth was shocked. From what she had seen and heard of Mr. Darcy, she had found him an arrogant, proud young man who looked down on them. And now he was in the breakfast room with her father. She had to remedy this. It wasn't Mr. Darcy's fault. It was atrocious. How could her father make wedding arrangements with a total stranger. It was all very irritating.

The 3 sisters went down to breakfast and found that Hill was correct. Mr. Darcy had come to breakfast. Elizabeth looked at him and her father and requested an consultation with both in the study. Her mother flew to her side and started fussing around with her. She started with, "A consultation, pray why do you need that, Lizzy. Please mind your tongue. Such a proposal. Such riches."

Elizabeth looked disgusted at her mother.

"Please father, I have to speak with both of you, now". Her father sighed and got up from the table and looked at Darcy who said, "lead the way, sir"

All 3 went to the study and Elizabeth turned to her father' "Papa, may I ask why Mr. Darcy has been granted consent to marry me in 4 days " she didn't even look at Mr. Darcy. "Please forgive my speech. But what I gathered from Jane was that I and Mr. Darcy were found in a most conspicuous I dont imagine that is any way to get married off to someone we dont know at all"

Mr. Bennet : "Daughter, please sit down. You have no idea what we saw at the Assembly Ball ? People's reactions!"

Lizzy:" I know father, Jane has told me all. But Mr. Darcy is not to be blamed. It was my own foolishness and Mr. Wickham" here she found she couldn't continue and she turned to Mr. Darcy and said," I am sorry about the whole affair. Nevertheless, I release you from your obligation. You don't have to marry me."

Darcy was stunned. He had always assumed that Elizabeth had trapped him after she heard about is riches. But here she was, releasing him from the engagement. But he found he didn't want to be released. Bingley was right. This lady was a breath of fresh sir. She had a mind of her own, and her own opinions. This was his chance to escape. He was getting furious with himself. He wasn't sure of what he wanted.

Mr. Bennet interceded, "Lizzy, you cannot do this. Please consider your reputation and your sisters as well. "

E:" Father, our reputations were at stake ever since Lydia and Kitty were out in society. It was just a matter of time before we would have issues with our reputation. They both did everything they could to spoil our good name. You never stopped them. Also you don't even know what had happened. And is your health so precarious or has Pastor Collins threatened to throw us out now, that I am being foisted off in such a fashion. But before I accuse everyone but myself of foolishness, I want to confess what really took place last night".

Elizabeth then recounted the whole story as she had told Jane and Mary. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet were stunned by the liberties taken by Wickham. Darcy knew about his habits of fraternizing with women of the night. But laying his hands on a gentlewoman was going too far even for Wickham. He would have been far too drunk to do this.

Mr. Bennet was beside himself and said, "I think its time the militia removed themselves from Meryton. I shall write to the Colonel and demand that he take his regiment to another place to camp. Lydia showing off was too much. But now a low ranking officer has dared take such liberties with the ladies of the town. And imagine his gall. He laid hands on my dearest child."

Mr. Darcy interjected, "Mr. Bennet. Please consider this again. You will have to explain yourself for such a demand and that cannot be done without explaining Miss. Bennet's role in the incident. This will be seriously compromising your reputations. Nay ! I have made a promise and I intend to keep it. I am a man of my word"

Elizabeth was furious now," Mr. Darcy, If this promise was to be kept between us, there is no need for you to act this way. I am very sure you have no desire to marry me and I return the sentiment. Why do you insist on this.? Were you so attracted by my charms that you have decided on this wedding. I am seriously speaking, Mr. Darcy. I want you to retract your suit. "

Mr. Darcy: "Miss Elizabeth, the whole town saw us. Your family wont be able to keep its place in society. your sisters will be ruined. Please understand. And I will be labelled as the most unscrupulous cad ever. You were practically unclothed and in my arms. I will be called the rake of all times. I have Georgiana to consider."

Elizabeth sat down dazed and sobbed, ''this is not fair. I don't want to marry you. NO matter what riches you're able to provide. I wanted to marry for love. Now I m trapped in a marriage of convenience and unpleasantness. Please father," she implored.

Here, at this very moment, there was a loud bang and the door flew open and Mrs. Bennet stood there, fire in her eyes' "Lizzy" she shrieked, "You wont refuse Mr. Darcy. You shall accept his suit. Do you want us to be thrown to the streets after your father dies. Mr. Darcy wont have you if you speak like this. You are the most ungrateful child ever. Oh! How I wished that you were a boy. Your father has spoiled you by teaching you all those university books of his"

Mr. Darcy looked at Mr. Bennet, "My estate is entailed upon Mr. Collins."

Mrs Bennet flew to Mr. Darcy and started, "Please don't take Lizzy's words to heart. She will be made to listen to reason."

"Lizzy if you do not marry Mr. Darcy, you shall see me dead. I wont have you throwing away such a alliance due to your hot headedness."

The whole house was in an uproar with Mrs. Bennet claiming she was faint, needs a doctor, her heart was thumping like a piston and all her other complaints. All members, including Miss. Darcy were alarmed. But Jane and Hill took Mrs. Bennet away shrieking about how they would end up in the poor house and her nerves were in shreds etc. etc.

Mr. Bennet looked at Mr. Darcy and said, "Welcome Mr. Darcy, to my world and family."

Darcy was dazed and looked at Elizabeth who turned her face and stalked off.