Chapter 21

"I must say Darcy," Colonel Fitzwilliam said as he strode into the study, "your Miss Bennet is quite the young woman. To hear her tell stories of her and her sisters' many exploits, it is quite remarkable none of them have married yet. Indeed, if it were not for Miss Bennet's lack of fortune, I would be hard pressed not to extend an offer to her myself."

Darcy looked up from the ledgers in front of him to glare at his cousin. Despite his many attempts, Darcy had been unable to escape Lady Catherine's wrath after having denied her the opportunity to introduce the ladies at the parsonage to Fitzwilliam. Everywhere he went he was shadowed by at least two footmen, and the few attempts to venture outside had been joined by the stewards apprentice who insisted on showing him improvements needed and those already made around the park in the past year.

After two days of being unable to escape her servants, he had attempted a bit of magic to distract them and make his grand escape by switching up a few pictures in the gallery. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine kept a tight rein on her household and his little trick immediately caused much confusion and panic. Several staff members had been severely punished and, feeling guilty, Darcy decided that it was too dangerous to attempt any further magic while at Rosings. He did not desire for others to be punished for his doings.

As a result, Darcy had spent the majority of the week inside with Lady Catherine, her steward, and occasionally his cousin Anne, poring over all the estate books and ledgers. When no mistake of the steward's had been found and that all was as it should be, Darcy pointed out to his aunt that she must have been mistaken. She in turn tried to convince him that she knew her steward to be very competent and was only allowing him the opportunity to work thus as an attempt to relieve his own worries. Angry with her manipulations to keep him prisoner in her home, he merely nodded his head and agreed to finish the work for her. The sooner he completed the task, he reasoned, the sooner Lady Catherine could no longer lay claim to his time.

Much to Darcy's displeasure, his cousin had not been as unfortunate as himself. Now that he had made the acquaintance of those at the parsonage, Lady Catherine saw no reason to disallow the Colonel his now daily visits. Every morning saw Fitzwilliam leave for a ride around the park while the early afternoon brought him to Hunsford. His waltzing into the study every afternoon to relate a new witticism of Miss Elizabeth's had turned into a daily torture session for Darcy. To know that his cousin was able to freely visit her while he was not was nowhere near as painful for Darcy as knowing that she had charmed and was in turn charmed by his cousin.

Refusing to give in to his cousin's taunt, Darcy looked back down at the ledgers spread before him. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Fitzwilliam poured himself a glass of brandy before plopping down into one of the armchairs before the desk. Rolling his eyes at his Fitzwilliam's careless attitude, he focused on the numbers in front of him. He only had a few more accounts to settle and he would be done...

"You should have seen her eyes as she struggled not to laugh at that odious cousin of hers, Darcy. Going off as he was about his sermon for tomorrow and how condescending our gracious aunt was to make several improving suggestions. Although from how he said it I am certain Lady Catherine considered them as corrections instead," Fitzwilliam sniggered before taking a deep swallow from his glass. "Remember when I teased Georgiana for reading all those sappy novels and believing eyes could truly dance? Well I need to apologize when next I see her, for no doubt Miss Bennet's eyes were truly dancing with merriment. I have never seen golden eyes until this day, Darcy, and I dare say, I should like to see them again."

Darcy's white knuckles as he gripped his pen tighter were the only outward sign that he had heard his cousin's words. Inside he was seething that his cousin had been privy to such a sight from his beloved while he was denied her presence. To be so close to her yet unable to see her was nothing short of pure torture to him. However, he refused to give into his anger as he knew his cousin was purposefully trying to get a rise out of him. It was a game they used to play as boys whenever one was hoping to get the other to reveal a secret. While he had often lost to his cousin growing up, Darcy knew he could not fully disclose his reasons for pursuing Miss Elizabeth so he must remain silent at all costs, no matter the pain he was suffering. His cousin's determination to know more about Darcy's interest in her, however, was nearly as great as his own to keep silent as Fitzwilliam had made several similar comments throughout the week.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Darcy relaxed his hold on the pen and continued to write. Fitzwilliam only allowed him a few lines before he began to speak again.

"I am glad our aunt has not changed her mind about inviting the Collins' and their guests to tea tomorrow evening. Although it is still a possibility that she will not extend the invitation since we are to leave Monday morning and she would not dream of sharing our company with others our last evening here. Imagine, tomorrow at church might be my last opportunity to converse with the lovely Miss Bennet." Sighing dramatically, Fitzwilliam placed a hand over his heart while taking another swig of brandy.

Fighting the urge not to snort at Fitzwilliam's pathetic performance, Darcy finally looked up at his cousin and cleared his throat. Amused he watched as Fitzwilliam immediately sat up straight and leaned forwards as if expecting the information he had been seeking all week. Drawing out the moment, Darcy bestowed a look of resignation upon his cousin before leaning forward conspiratorially. Eagerly Fitzwilliam leaned forward even further, a look of anticipation on his face as Darcy took a breath to begin.

"Well, Richard, in light of your disappointment, I find I must relieve it by informing you that we shall not be leaving Monday as planned. Lady Catherine was quite pleased to hear this afternoon that we shall stay another week."

Horror immediately overcame the Colonel's features as he fell back into his chair. Pleased, Darcy leaned back into his own and watched a myriad of emotions cross his cousins face.

"William, please tell me you are not serious!" Fitzwilliam finally spluttered. "We agreed years ago that we would never stay above a week. This place is oppressive and the inhabitants even more so. Ever since the year Anne became ill, both she and Lady Catherine have become unbearable. Despite the unexpected pleasures to be found at Hunsford this year, you cannot expect me to believe you are in earnest."

"I most certainly am in earnest, Richard." Seeing his cousin was about to begin to protest again, Darcy raised his hand up to stop him. "Surely you cannot expect me to leave without having spent time with Miss Elizabeth. I believe I quite clearly stated to you our first evening here my intentions towards her during our stay. I will not leave having only seen her twice, Richard, especially after the misunderstanding we had thanks to you. Perhaps you have forgotten that while you have been free to visit with her, I have been held here against my will taking care of estate business for our aunt."

"I have not forgotten, although I still see no reason to delay our departure. Surely you will have other opportunities to meet with Miss Bennet and improve her opinion of you."

"I am unwilling to take that risk," Darcy said as he rose from his chair to pour his own glass of brandy. Standing by the liquor cabinet he swirled the amber liquid as he stared at his cousin willing him to understand. "Due to Georgiana's sudden need to withdraw to Pemberley last November and the harsh winter we had in Derbyshire, I was unable to maintain any connections with those I met in Hertfordshire. And since Bingley no longer has any desire to return to the neighborhood, it would seem odd for me to show up uninvited, unannounced, and alone simply to visit one woman. By doing so, I would be openly declaring my attentions to all and since she holds no cordial feelings for me at this time, I fear such an action would only hurt my cause not forward it."

Swallowing his brandy in one large gulp, Darcy replaced his glass in the cabinet before striding back to the desk and collapsing in his chair. "Truthfully, Richard," he began again hesitatingly, "I had only started to improve my reputation in the neighborhood two days before I left suddenly. Before that, I had not portrayed myself favorably. Now with my extended absence, I cannot return alone without causing talk and I will not harm Miss Elizabeth in such a manner. As such, when I discovered Bingley had remained in town for the winter instead of returning to Netherfield, I despaired of ever seeing her again. Now I have been given this opportunity, and I will not waste it simply to appease you or our aunt."

Fitzwilliam watched his cousin carefully unsure what to say to such an admission. Never before had he heard Darcy admit to having behaved with less than perfect decorum with such remorse as he showed now.

When it became obvious to Darcy that Fitzwilliam had no reply, he heaved a sigh, picked up his pen, and quickly began to finish his work. After several minutes, and ledgers, later, Fitzwilliam swallowed the last of his drink and stood to leave the room. Determined to finish all that was left before dinner, Darcy failed to notice his cousin's hesitation to leave until he cleared his throat. Looking up, he was surprised to find Fitzwilliam standing by the door regarding him warily.

"When you first told me of Miss Bennet, I doubted that she was as indifferent to you as you suggested. Yet I now believe she truly despises you, William. Every time I have mentioned your name, she scoffs and laughs or her face scrunches up in displeasure. Whatever you have done to make her feel so, I doubt you can overcome it easily."

"Richard, you have never been more right, yet I will not give up. I will do whatever it takes to change her opinion of me because there can never be another woman whom I could love as I do her."

Shaking his head, Richard eyed his cousin disbelievingly. "Truly she is a remarkable woman, but surely you will find another one just like her one day. Perhaps you had best leave off where you are and forget her. I do not wish to see you hurt by her continued dislike of you."

"There is no one else like Miss Elizabeth, and no, I cannot forget her. She is a part of me, and one day, she will remember me, and when that day comes, all our misunderstandings will be forgot."

"Remember you?" Fitzwilliam asked eyeing his cousin with confusion. "How is she to remember you when she has never forgotten you? Have you met prior to making her acquaintance in Hertfordshire?"

Mentally berating himself for having slipped, Darcy shook his head before answering. "No, I had not met Miss Elizabeth Bennet prior to the assembly in Meryton last October," he said truthfully. "What I meant to say is that one day she will come to know the real me, and when she does, I know that she will love me as I do her."

With a dry laugh, Fitzwilliam shook his own head in disbelief. "I admire you and your forbearance where the lady is concerned. Very well then. While I highly disagree with you in regards to her feelings, I cannot deny such a plea from you. I will stay with you here at Rosings Park and will even sacrifice some of my time to spend with Lady Catherine to allow you a chance with Miss Bennet. Although I must warn you William, I do believe you are setting yourself up for failure. I doubt even the great Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley can overcome her objections and make her Mrs. Darcy."

With those final words, Fitzwilliam turned and left leaving Darcy feeling utterly alone. "I sincerely hope you are wrong, Richard," Darcy spoke quietly to himself. "Although, if anything is to be gained by looking at the past, I fear you will have won this debate nonetheless I doubt you will be able to triumph over me because if I do fail, both Miss Elizabeth and I will be dead."

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Darcy anxiously awaited the arrival of the party from Hunsford after dinner. The brief exchange of greetings they shared after church services that morning was not long enough to ease the longing he felt for Miss Elizabeth's company. While he had been granted only a measly curtsey in reply to his greeting, his cousin had been blessed with her conversation. This had put him in such a foul mood that he knew could only be appeased by speaking with her once more.

When the Collins' and their guests were shown into the drawing room, Lady Catherine extended a short civil greeting before returning her attention back towards Darcy not allowing him the opportunity to greet the party. Frustrated, he listened to Lady Catherine waiting for a chance to escape her conversation while he watched the new arrivals.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat down close to Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson and began a conversation while Fitzwilliam gratefully placed himself next to Miss Elizabeth with Miss Lucas sitting close on her other side. He continued to listen to Lady Catherine with one ear, while the other sought out the conversation between his cousin and Miss Elizabeth from across the room.

While he had always been envious of his cousin's easy manners among others, never had Darcy felt such jealousy as he did now. He listened as the two conversed about the many beauties to be found in both Hertfordshire and Kent, of the benefits of travel compared to remaining at home, and of their enjoyment of certain books and music. Although he knew he should not ignore his aunt as he hoped to lessen her anger with him, he could not help but let his eyes wander to where his heart yearned to be. Eventually his inattention and the liveliness of the conversation between the two drew Lady Catherine's curiosity.

"What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is," she demanded quite loudly ending all other conversations in the room.

"We are speaking of music, madam," Fitzwilliam replied with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I must have my share in the conversation, if you are speaking of music. There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?"

Slightly amused at how boastful his aunt was of her imagined accomplishments, Darcy, with a few comments of agreement from Fitzwilliam, was happy to bestow affectionate praise upon his own sister's proficiency.

"I am very glad to hear such a good account of her, and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel, if she does not practice a great deal," Lady Catherine said.

"I assure you, madam, that she does not need such advice," Darcy replied barely concealing a snort of amusement at how little Lady Catherine truly knew her niece. "She practices very constantly."

"So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often tell young ladies, that no excellence in music is to be acquired, without constant practice," she said puffing her chest up as though the action would increase her importance to those in the room. Darcy merely rolled his eyes at this action but stopped in horror as Lady Catherine continued. "I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well, unless she practices more; and though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the piano-forte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house."

Ashamed at his aunt's ill breeding in making such a comment to a young gentlewoman, Darcy glanced at her in regret. He watched as her face registered shock upon seeing his shame for her sake then turned to concealed disappointment at Fitzwilliam's amusement. Relief flooded his thoughts. Although it was obvious that Miss Elizabeth currently preferred his cousins company over his own, she was not blind to Fitzwilliam's indifference to the feelings of others not well known to him. Darcy wondered at how he could not see that while Miss Elizabeth often found enjoyments in the follies of others it was usually a defense mechanism to avoid feeling slighted.

Feeling uncomfortable with the growing silence and seeing Miss Elizabeth's growing embarrassment, Darcy decided to relieve them both by engaging his aunt once more in conversation. Although he still desired to exchange places with his cousin, he knew that to keep Lady Catherine's attention away from his beloved would be a more welcome respite to her.

As the evening continued on, Darcy was beginning to wonder if he would ever be able to obtain a few moments in Miss Elizabeth's company. Eventually coffee was served and Fitzwilliam took the opportunity to remind Miss Elizabeth of her promise to play. She immediately sat down to the instrument while Fitzwilliam drew a chair close to her.

For a short while, Lady Catherine listened to the performance, then halfway through the first song began to converse once more with Darcy. He, however, had had his fill of conversation and wished to enjoy the opportunity of seeing Miss Elizabeth play. Without a word, he stood up leaving Lady Catherine to the mercy of Mr. Collins and walked towards the piano-forte.

As he approached the instrument, he saw Miss Elizabeth glance up at him in surprise. With a slight smile, he deliberately placed himself where he could have a full view of her fair countenance as she performed. Somewhat confused by his actions and his smile, she took advantage of the first convenient pause in the music and with a small smile of her own addressed him.

"You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? But I will not be alarmed though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me."

Darcy allowed his smile to grow upon hearing her words. He knew full well how stubborn she could be when challenged, and always enjoyed seeing the result of said stubbornness. "I shall not say that you are mistaken" he replied, "because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know, that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own."

Darcy watched mesmerized as Miss Elizabeth laughed heartily at his words, grateful that she saw the challenge for what he intended. Here, he thought, was his opportunity to begin the improvement of her opinion of him since his farewell and apology in Hertfordshire had apparently not been substantial enough. He was surprised, though, to discover her addressing her reply towards his cousin instead of himself.

"Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so well able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy," she said finally turning back towards him, "it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire - and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too - for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out, as will shock your relations to hear."

Delighted that she had accepted his challenge, Darcy's smile continued to grow as he said, "I am not afraid of you."

"Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of," cried Fitzwilliam. "I should like to know how he behaves among strangers."

"You shall hear then - but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball - and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances! I am sorry to pain you - but so it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact."

"I had not at that time the honor of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party," he replied hiding the reminder of the disappointment he originally felt at believing he had not found Iliana among those gathered.

"True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room," she replied glancing at him curiously as though sensing his hidden disappointment. With a slight shake of her head, she turned once more to his cousin with a smile. "Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders."

"Perhaps," Darcy said unwilling to let his chance at conversation with her pass by, "I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction, but I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers."

"Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?" Miss Elizabeth said still addressing Fitzwilliam. "Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?"

"I can answer your question without applying to him," said Fitzwilliam with far too much jollity for Darcy's liking. "It is because he will not give himself the trouble."

"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," admitted Darcy, "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."

"My fingers do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do," she replied with an eyebrow raised in either amusement or confusion he could not tell. "They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed It to be my own fault - because I would not take the trouble of practicing. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution."

Darcy smiled, and said, "You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much betters. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers."

Darcy watched as what little amusement on her face turned to full confusion. Before she had a chance to reply, however, they were interrupted by Lady Catherine who insisted on knowing what they were talking of. While Miss Elizabeth immediately began to play again, Darcy and Fitzwilliam both glanced towards their aunt as she stood to approach the trio.

After listening for a few minutes, Lady Catherine said to Darcy, "Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practiced more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn."

Fighting the urge to contradict his aunt's appraisal of Miss Elizabeth's performance, Darcy watched as she glanced up from the music to assess his own reaction. Realizing that here he had a chance to share a small portion of his feelings with her, he smiled before surreptitiously rolling his eyes and giving a tiny shake of his head. Amused, he watched as she stumbled over a chord due to her surprise at his reaction.

Having been satisfied that her words had been noted, Lady Catherine removed herself from the trio and walked back towards her carved chair. The moment she sat down, Darcy noticed Miss Elizabeth shudder as though repulsed. Confused, he watched her even more carefully for the remainder of the visit.

Between the two men's requests and encouragements, Miss Elizabeth remained at the piano-forte for the remainder of the visit. Although Lady Catherine continued her remarks on the performance, Darcy noted that not once did Miss Elizabeth glance her way. When her ladyship's carriage was announced ready for the guests, Fitzwilliam grandly offered his arm to Miss Elizabeth and escorted her to the center of the room so that she could extend her farewell to Lady Catherine. Darcy's frustration with his cousin was immediately replaced by concern when he noticed Miss Elizabeth refused to look directly at her ladyship and instead glared at the chair upon which she sat. But it was the terrified glint of gold in her eye that truly worried him; a look he had only seen once and bestowed upon him in a moment of great anger and betrayal. Feeling a sudden surge of magic in the room emanating from her, Darcy reacted quickly before allowing himself time to think.

Cautiously he glanced towards Miss Elizabeth trying to gauge her reaction. All was as he expected. There she stood, unable to move any part of her body besides her head, staring at him with a mixture of anger and horror while the others were frozen in time.

"What have you done?" She asked sharply.

"I have merely acted in a manner that would prevent you from doing something rash that you might later regret," Darcy stated as calmly as he could despite the panic still resting in his chest. "You know not, Miss Bennet, the incredible power you wield and were about to unleash on those in this room."

"Are you accusing me of witchcraft sir?" Her eyes wide in dismay.

"Far from it for your power is pure and much stronger," he replied watching the fear course into her eyes. "Now, I need you to calm down Miss Bennet so that we can discuss this rationally without causing harm to the others, but we must do so quickly for we will not be allowed much time."

"I do not understand, Mr. Darcy. Of what exactly are you talking of and why are all the others thus frozen?"

Running a hand through his hair, Darcy exhaled a frustrated breath glancing towards the nearest window. "We do not have the time to discuss this right now Miss Bennet, but trust me when I say that all is well. I believe you once claimed an experience such as this to be a dream."

"I did indeed, although I fail to understand why such dreams only occur when you are near for they cannot be true. I refuse to believe that you have the ability to stop time or could truly care for...well, it does not matter for this cannot be real."

Forcing down feelings of disappointment, Darcy took a cautious step closer. "You must be right, Miss Bennet, although I cannot fathom why you would dream of me thus." Pleased he saw a slight blush spread across her face. Shaking his head slightly to regain focus he drew even closer. "Now, as I said, I believe we have little time before he will arrive and interfere again. Will you not tell me what has angered you so to cause you to become so frightened?"

"He?" She asked perplexed ignoring his own query.

"Yes he. I know not who he is but I do know him to have spoken to you when I am around. He does not wish for us to become closer, so he has kept you from your true self by telling you lies about me."

Darcy watched as Miss Elizabeth swallowed awkwardly knowing he had hit upon the truth. Had she the ability to move, he was certain she would be shifting from foot to foot as was her normal habit when truly uncomfortable. With compassion in his voice he stepped even closer to her. "While I wish I could more fully explain, we do not have the time and this man is not a concern of mine at this moment. I ask again, what has upset you so?"

Quirking her head to the side, she considered him a moment before answering. "If this is indeed naught but my own dream, then how can you not hear and see that which I can?"

Displeased that he must fib in order to keep her believing that he was not really conversing with her, he forced a light chuckle. "These dreams are your own musings, and if I am correct, you are convinced that I believe myself to be perfection. Therefore, would it not make sense that in your imaginings I am far less so than yourself? You believe me to be a most disagreeable man. Why should I not in your own thoughts be imagined as admitting to my flaws?"

Darcy watched as her eyes widened in shock. Although he wished he could simply draw Iliana out, he knew that he must play to Miss Elizabeth's desires of believing these interactions as false for the time being. As such, he knew that by using the same term she used to describe him while sharing Wickham's tale to her sister in the garden at Longbourn during the private conversation he overheard as Cyrus would help convince her of her own desires.

"Very well," she reluctantly admitted, "I can see that you are right. But still, can you not hear it?"

"And what should I be hearing Miss Bennet?"

"The pain and disgust."

"I am well aware of the pain in my aunt's history that has thus led her to being disgusted and displeased with all around her. What I fail to see, however, is why you do not laugh it off as I have seen you do countless times before. This resolve of yours to refuse to let others know the pain they cause you is one of the many traits about you that I admire most."

"I...I thank you, sir," Miss Elizabeth replied hesitantly, "but it is not your aunt of whom I am referring. It is the chair upon which her ladyship sits that cries out."

A dark look immediately overcame Darcy's face as he glanced towards the insulting chair covered in despicable carvings of their races. Realization dawned upon him as a wave of compassion for Iliana's sensibilities towards the wood surfaced. "The wood, it speaks to you, ashamed of the purpose it has given its life for. Am I correct?"

"Yes," she said with a tone of fear. "Mr. Darcy, since you seem to have so many answers, can you tell me why it is that I can hear the wood cry out to me in pain and suffering?"

"I can Miss Bennet," he said with a loving smile upon his face causing her to blush anew. "As I said before, you have great power within you, a gift from your past that allows you to feel the life in the wood all around you."

"My past?"

"Yes, one that we shared, Ellette," he replied unable to stop himself from reaching out to brush the back of his fingers lightly down her cheek. The moment he touched her, however, he felt the watcher's magic fill the room and knew his time was up. "I must go now, Miss Bennet," he quickly said, "but I will share this with you. You are descended from a great race which is depicted on that chair. However, the carvings you see are far from accurate and in actuality are quite offensive. Fairies are not all scantily clad buxom women, while elves are not all short grumpy men. The most beautiful woman to have ever lived is an elf while the greatest man I know and look up to is a fairy." Seeing her disbelief and feeling the watcher's magic increasing he took a quick step back. "I know you do not believe me at this time, Miss Bennet, but I assure you it is true. You have the ability to sense the life of the wood, and what you hear from that chair is nothing but pain and sorrow at being disused so. But I beg of you, while I do not care for the chair any more than you do, to wish to destroy it will bring you nothing but trouble."

As he began to turn from her, he was surprised to hear her call out to him to wait. Knowing that he should not keep time frozen any longer, he was helpless to deny her request. Looking back towards her, he saw confusion cross her features. "I have visited this room several times before, Mr. Darcy," she began, "so why is it I can suddenly hear something that I could not hear before? I will not deny that I have never cared for her ladyship's chair, but until today, I have heard nothing from it."

"You will find, Miss Bennet, that whenever I am near, your powers are closer to the surface due to our shared past which I hope you will one day soon remember."

He watched as she considered him for a second before doubt and anger crossed her face. "I can more readily believe, sir, that you have instead placed a spell upon me in the hopes of further degrading myself before you and your relatives."

Unable to reply knowing that the watcher had once again spoken a lie to her, he merely bowed before restoring time to its normal flow. Refusing to glance directly at her, Darcy turned to his cousin Anne while watching Miss Elizabeth finish giving her farewells from the corner of his eye. Although he strove to show no indication that anything out of the ordinary had happened, he noticed she was glancing at him with a mixture of curiosity and anger. However, his heart began to pound furiously as he saw her touch her cheek where he had caressed her and a tear fall from the corner of her eye as she followed the Collins' from the room.


AN: Hi Everyone! Long time, I know, but I won't bother you with my crazy life story. Needless to say, stuff has happened - some serious, some not so much - and I haven't had the time - or the ability when I did have time (being sick sucks) - to write as often as I want. But, all is well now, or as well as it can be with the holidays upon us. But let me reassure you all once more. No matter what is going on in my life, this story is never far from my heart or mind and I will finish it no matter how long it takes me to do so. And once I do, I have another one I would love to get started. So there is my motivation to make more time for writing. For as soon as I finish Curse I can start on a new one! Yay!

Also, a huge thanks to the continued support you all have given me. Despite the fact that I haven't posted in forever, I am constantly receiving emails about PM's, new followers or favorites and even a few reviews. I am astounded! So thank you everyone!

Until next time, Happy Reading!
Love, Allahteeah