Dear readers, I thank you all for bearing with me. It has been another busy week at work so I have not had time to write. Just a thought, I am thinking of changing the title to "Change of Plans". Not a big change, I know. Just added a letter s. Lol. If you can suggest a better title or blurb, please help me. Thank you all for accepting my silly rat idea. A big rat scared off by a small rat. ;-)

Guest: I sometimes think everyone can guess at what is coming next, so I am happy that my story is not too predictable.

Deanna27: A big rat, indeed! Let us hope he just stays away.

Lisa: Thank you for your review. I really appreciate that you leave reviews regularly. It does help a writer get a feel of how his/her work is received.

RHALiz: Some rats can be big. I actually looked it up on the net. ;-) Their body length can average between 9 to 11 inches, excluding the tail. Yes, I think Mary is content enough to have a chance to marry and stay at Longbourn. She is not a romantic like Jane and Elizabeth, at least not in this story. I think she will be fine with Collins and they share a somewhat common interest in the matters of faith.

liysyl: Tee-hee! Thank you to the rat.

nanciellen: Saved by Mr Darcy and the rat. ;-) Thank you for reading.

MelodieMLB: I am happy you enjoy the story so far. I hope you like this chapter.

Belatrixie: Wickham is gone but will he be back? Hopefully not.

Guest: Yes, the little one can scare off the big, bad soldier.

PDS1: Thank you for your message. I am very much inspired by all the support from readers. Thank you for your reviews. They help keep me going.

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Chapter 9

Mr Darcy and Elizabeth started to walk back to Longbourn. They were both silent at the beginning, each occupied with their own thoughts.

Mr Darcy was furious that Wickham taunted him about Georgiana.

How dare he! And what was Elizabeth doing there with him?

From the conversation during their dance, he knew that Wickham had been feeding Elizabeth lies about their past and that she believed that worthless cad. He needed to find a way to correct her wrong perception of him. He knew it was not Elizabeth's fault to fall prey to Wickham's lies. That deceitful man had effortlessly charmed so many people, including his own father.

Elizabeth was incensed by Mr Darcy's reaction to Mr Wickham.

He was about to hit him! Why does he not want Mr Wickham to associate with Miss Darcy? Is he so arrogant that he does not want a man of lower standing to be friends with his sister?

In addition, she also felt mortified for placing her hands on Mr Darcy's chest. She realised it was wholly improper but at the time, she only wanted to prevent the situation from escalating. Mr Darcy would surely think more poorly of her now.

Before long, rain started to fall harder. Mr Darcy was very much aware that Elizabeth was not wearing a pelisse or cloak and would soon be drenched. However, he had not offered her his coat when it first started raining, hoping the rain would not last. He felt awkward asking her to wear his coat as he was unsure what she would think about wearing a man's clothing, more specifically, his. Eventually, he shrugged his coat off and offered it to her.

"Here, Miss Bennet. Please take my coat."

Elizabeth was surprised to hear this. It was inappropriate for her to see him improperly attired.

Mr Darcy seemed to have read her mind and continued,

"Please. Take it. It is raining harder now and your dress will soon be soaked."

Mr Darcy cleared his throat and looked away.

Elizabeth put his coat on hesitantly but she knew that what he said made sense. Her dress would be clinging to her body in a few minutes and that would be even more improper.

"I thank you, Mr Darcy."

Mr Darcy nodded his head and they continued to walk in silence.

Suddenly, Mr Darcy asked,

"What were you doing there with Mr Wickham?"

Elizabeth was startled out of her own musings.

"Mr Wickham kindly asked to join me on my walk, then he suggested we take shelter as it was about to rain."

"I urge you to stay away from that man! He is dangerous to your reputation."

"Dangerous? How could he be dangerous? He was everything polite during our walk."

"If you had taken shelter with him, that would ruin your reputation and he would ruin you."

"I do not understand why you speak so ill of Mr Wickham. Is it because he is inferior in wealth and standing? Or are you still jealous because of how your father cared for him?"

Feeling frustrated, Mr Darcy wanted to tell Elizabeth about all of Wickham's debts and women, including what had happened at Ramsgate and his refusal of the living in exchange for money, but it was not the ideal time and place to disclose such information.

"I am anything but jealous of him. Believe me, Miss Bennet. He is not to be trusted."

"That is easy for you to say but without proof or details, it is also difficult to believe."

Mr Darcy sighed. He wanted to tell Elizabeth everything and make her see the real Wickham but he cannot talk about Georgiana here.

"Just make sure you are not alone with him. Please. It is a good thing I arrived in time, otherwise you could have willingly taken shelter with him. You would have been compromised."

"I would not do such a thing! And even if I did, perhaps that is a better resolution than marrying Mr Collins!"

Mr Darcy was furious.

What is she thinking? Yes, Mr Collins is a fool. But at least he is not like Wickham who is a rogue disguising as an honourable man. And why does Elizabeth not even deem me as being worthy of her consideration?

"Miss Bennet, any other man is better than Mr Wickham. He is a gambler and a rake!"

Elizabeth was stunned at hearing this accusation. She was not paying attention to what she was treading on and tripped over a fallen branch.

"Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"

"Miss Bennet!"

Mr Darcy deftly caught her. By instinct, he wrapped his arm protectively wrapped around her small waist. He instinctively pulled her closer. Elizabeth placed her hands on his arms. He could feel her warmth through his wet shirtsleeves. Her touch was soft and delicate. He gazed into her green eyes and became lost in them. He then glanced down at her partly open lips.

By now, Elizabeth's heart was beating so fast. As they were so close, she was almost sure that Mr Darcy could hear. She could feel his gentle but firm hand on her waist and the strong muscles on his arms. She had never before been this close to a man. She looked into his blue eyes and was confused at the way he was looking at her. Warmly. Tenderly. Lovingly? She always thought he was very handsome despite his unpleasant demeanour. However, she felt oddly comfortable and safe in his arms. She saw that he was looking at her lips and she looked at his. She licked her lips and she heard him groan.

Mr Darcy slowly bent his head down…

"Darcy! Miss Bennet! Are you there?"

They both startled and jumped away from each other. Both of them were short of breath despite just being stood for a time. They could hear footsteps rapidly getting closer.

"Oh, there you are! Finally! I am so glad you found Miss Bennet, Darcy. I thought I heard your voices but they were faint. Here, I brought your cloak, Miss Bennet, and I have your greatcoat and hat, Darce. We need to hurry before it gets dark."

Elizabeth returned Mr Darcy's coat to him and put her cloak on. Both of them were still speechless.

After they donned their outer clothes on, they both quietly thanked Mr Bingley and resumed their walk back to Longbourn.

Before they arrived at Longbourn, Mr Darcy secretly slipped some folded sheets into Elizabeth's hand and spoke to her in a low voice,

"Please read it. And keep it safe."