Darcy
Darcy, not one to normally sleep in, woke early but with a blinding headache. He had imbibed in too much wine last night due to his frustration with what he was know referring to as the 'Bennet Situation'. It had become quite clear to him that not only was Charles in great danger of making an imprudent match but the longer he stayed in Hertfordshire, he was as well. Elizabeth Bennet was more beguiling every day. Her wit, intelligence, her willingness to challenge him, combined with what could only be described as a very pleasing (although petite) figure drew him further in every time he met her.
So, rather than rising before the rest, he did something he almost never did (and was sure he never hear the end of), he went back to sleep. A few hours later, he woke to the sound of a familiar voice and not a pleasant one just outside his door. However, try as he might, he could not place it. Opening his eyes, light flooding the room, he instantly realized he was NOT at Netherfield! Sitting bolt upright in bed he saw her reflection in the mirror across the small room.
In the name of all that was good and holy... Elizabeth Bennet's reflection stared back at him and she was in only her night shift with her hair was falling from a loose braid down, around her shoulders. Other than the confused look on her face, she looked exactly how he imagined she would (although he never thought to see her in this state here at Longbourn). He reached his hand up to touch her cheek and groaned. Her skin was so soft. Elizabeth's reflection made the same movements. Standing, he walked to the mirror and stood there, staring at her. He often stared at her but never so openly. Without meaning to, he noticed that the buttons of her shift had come undone in the night and he could easily make out the swell of her breasts before suddenly realizing to his horror that he was essentially intruding on her privacy and he quickly put on the robe that lay at the foot of her bed. Elizabeth would rightly be furious with him if she knew he had taken even that smallest liberty and he was for the first time in recent memory ashamed that he had let his mind wander so far in that direction.
Darcy was nothing if not practical and though he could not understand his current situation, he began to ponder all daily activities that would require a breach of her privacy and in return, his privacy by her. He colored at the thought of her having to dress him, bathe him - all those activities that were essential but not something one wanted to be witnessed doing. He also began to think on the physical differences each would encounter being suddenly thrown into the body of a member of the opposite sex. For instance, he was certain getting dressed today would require him to put on very intimate apparel. What if he is not returned to his body before her womanly time occurs this month (oh, please don't let that be the case)? How was he to get back into his own body? How did this occur? What if Elizabeth was not in his body but someone else was? And how was he to find out? How could he behave as Elizabeth normally would when he was not acquainted with these aspects of her life? He had no idea how women spoke amongst each other. He could not embroider or paint. As luck would have it, he was musical but not on the same instruments - and though he loved to listen to Elizabeth sing - even he would admit to having better technique due to regular practice with Georgiana.
Georgiana! Whatever will I do about her guardianship? I trust Elizabeth to make the best decisions she can but there is much of which she is unaware, not to mention, Georgiana is MY sister! That settles it, I must find Elizabeth as soon as I reasonably can without drawing suspicion. In the meantime, how am I to get dressed?
Fortunately, as if summoned by her innate understanding that someone was in need, Jane knocked at the door.
"Good morning, Lizzy. You are not dressed? If you don't hurry all the strawberry tarts that Hill made will be gone and I know you love her tarts!"
He allowed Jane to help him pick out a day dress that only required a relatively simple girdle and pantaloons - for which he was much relieved. However, despite his best effort, he was also quite aroused by this whole exercise and was very glad that the only noticeable physical evidence of this (unlike for men) was his face and neck being flushed. If Jane noticed, she said nothing and they were soon downstairs, joining the others for to break their fast.
As predicted, it had taken longer than usual to make himself presentable and by the time they had joined the others, the strawberry tarts were indeed, gone. However, the many other choices available left nothing to be desired (Darcy actually preferred lemon tarts anyway) and he sat down at the only place left at the table.