Thank you once again for reading, following and reviewing. For a novice like me, it means a lot. I know I said that I sort of know where this story is headed but after reading your comments, I really think some of you have much better ideas than what I had in mind! Why did I ever think of writing something longer than a one-shot???
Kent: Thank you. I have no plans to publish. I co-authored a maths textbook years ago but that is entirely different to this silly story.
Guest: Glad you liked the stuck-in-the-window scene.
crispill: I like the thought of Darcy and Wickham fighting over Elizabeth. Is it going to happen here?
Guest : I am happy to know you had fun reading my piece.
DSLeo : Your idea is very funny! I can just imagine Elizabeth whacking Wickham in his… ahem. Serves him right, eh?
liysyl: I did not expect I would include Wickham in this story. He certainly was not in the plan when I wrote the first few chapters. Change of plan ;-)
DW.618: Let us see what Wickham is up to.
Guest: Darcy-Wickham confrontation! That sounds exciting.
Belatrixie: Darce is on his way!
Lisa: Wickham is not one to be trusted but I kind of need him in the story. Glad to know your appreciation of algebra. I wish all students felt the same way.
Deanna27: I think we all need a laugh sometimes.
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Mr Bingley had taken Mr Darcy's great coat and hat before he left. He also carried Elizabeth's cloak on his arm, which Jane hurriedly passed to him on his way out. He felt fortunate to have met such an angel. She was beautiful inside and out and showed care and affection in her own subtle way. He was determined to speak to her in private the next day to make his intentions clear. The young man hoped that he had read her expressions correctly and that she did reciprocate his feelings.
Mr Darcy felt relieved to get away from the madness at Longbourn. The Bennet women can be crass and loud, with the exception of Miss Bennet and Elizabeth, but he was most glad to escape the presence of Mr Collins. He could not bear to listen to any more of his nonsense. That man certainly thought too highly of himself to think that he suited Elizabeth! Elizabeth deserved a better man than that sycophantic fool. After he finds Elizabeth, he would get his chance to make her an offer away from her family and Mr Collins. Perhaps that was why she did not encourage him to make an offer a while ago. It would not be ideal to have a boisterous audience. He was convinced that when he gets a private moment with Elizabeth, she would not have any reason to refuse his offer. After all, he was considered one of the most sought-after bachelors in England, and Elizabeth should be honoured to receive his attentions. He expected that they would be betrothed before they return to Longbourn. That will show Mr Collins!
Mr Collins rested on the settee, trying to drown out the bickering noise from the Bennet women. He was worn out from trying to run after Elizabeth. That silly girl! How could she refuse him? After demonstrating extreme generosity by selecting her to be his bride-to-be, he had been sorely rejected! She must not be that clever then if she could not see that he would make an excellent husband. Looking around the room, he did not see Mr Bennet, who must have fled to his study. He heard Mrs Bennet, Lydia and Kitty arguing about who was going to marry him to save Longbourn. Those two youngest daughters were even sillier than Elizabeth. Ribbons, lace and chasing after redcoats seemed to be their primary topics of conversation. Jane was serene and very beautiful but he had been made aware of Mr Bingley's interest in her. Thinking about it now, he did not want to be pitted against Mr Darcy for Elizabeth's hand, even though he thought he would emerge victorious if he pressed his suit. Now that only left one Bennet daughter, Mary. He looked at Mary and considered her. Admittedly, she was not much of a beauty, but her demeanour was nothing like that of her younger sisters. Any advocate of Fordyce's sermons must be sensible. She would do her Christian duty and obey her husband. Lady Catherine will be pleased if he returned to the parsonage with a compliant wife. His former choice, Elizabeth, might be more trouble than she was worth. He would rather have a quiet, predictable life and he realised that would be nearly impossible if Elizabeth were to be his wife. Fortuitously, Mary was sitting on a chair diagonally from him and he could speak to her without the others noticing. And so he did. He simply asked her the question. Mary looked surprised at first and paused to think for a few moments, but she quietly accepted after. So as it happened, Mary was the first Bennet daughter to be engaged.
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Mr Wickham carefully studied Elizabeth's reaction. She was usually cheerful and lively but this time, she was not so. The young lady clearly had not expected to see him, and had appeared to be deep in thought when he saw her, as if there was something troubling her.
"I hope you do not mind my company, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth was unsure how to respond. She had left Longbourn to be able to think clearly but she will not be able to do so if Mr Wickham was with her. Perhaps it would not be so bad. She liked Mr Wickham and he could serve as a welcome distraction.
"No, of course not, Mr Wickham. I apologise that I was lost in thought."
"Not to worry, Miss Bennet. I hope everything is well. How was the ball last night?"
"Oh, it was splendid! I dearly love to dance so I found the ball very enjoyable."
"I am sorry to miss the chance to dance with you, Miss Bennet. I did not want to cause any trouble with Mr Darcy so I thought it best not to attend."
Just then, Elizabeth remembered her dance with Mr Darcy and their conversation about Mr Wickham.
"Is something the matter, Miss Bennet?"
"No, it is nothing. I am just curious, is all."
"Oh? About what?"
"About Mr Darcy."
Darcy? Why is she asking about him?
"Is there anything in particular you wish to know? I may be able to enlighten you. We do go a long way back, as you are aware."
Elizabeth already knew why Mr Darcy hated Mr Wickham based on the latter's stories, so she thought to ask about something else.
"Would you happen to know anything about his cousin Miss de Bourgh, Lady Catherine's daughter?"
Miss de Bourgh? I wonder why she wants to know about her.
"I have heard of gossip that they are intended for each other but Darcy does not seem to have made any move to make it happen. Maybe he is looking to marry a titled lady or someone who is more, erm, who has a stronger constitution. Miss de Bourgh is known to be a bit sickly."
I am certainly not rich, not do I have a title. So what does Mr Darcy mean when he said that I will get an offer from him?
"… Perhaps Darcy will marry her to gain Rosings and find his… pleasure elsewhere… these rich men have the means. I apologise if this offends your sensitivities, Miss Bennet, but such is the way of worldly men."
Elizabeth was horrified. Surely Mr Darcy did not mean to make her a dishonourable offer! But he made his declaration in front of other people, so it cannot be!
Mr Wickham was very much intrigued by Elizabeth's question. Was she interested in Darcy? He supposed that most women would consider Mr Darcy a catch but he thought that Elizabeth was different. She did not seem to be impressed solely by wealth or rank. He had even deliberately painted Darcy in a bad light during their conversations.
"Oh no, Mr Wickham. I thank you for the information. I beg your pardon for my question. It is none of my business."
"Feel free to ask away, Miss Bennet. I hope you know that you can trust me. Did Darcy dance at all at the ball? I know he is not very fond of the exercise."
"Ah, yes. He danced with the hostess. And with me. I did not notice if he danced with anyone else."
This is interesting. Is Darcy interested in Miss Bennet? She is pretty, intelligent and... curvaceous. Is she what Darcy wants? Darcy has always been principled and could very well want to marry for love.
"It looks like it is about to rain, Miss Bennet. If I recall correctly, there is an old shed not too far away from here where we could take shelter."