Chapter Two: Mr Darcy

"Oh please call me Lizzie, everyone does." Miss Bennet replies, she seems at ease with him already.

How did he do that? I was never good at making introductions. In a courtroom I held my own but in intimate informal settings I was out of my depth. I prefer to be around people I know and can trust, even then I would always hide my true character. I was brought up to only display what was expected of me. People heard the name Darcy and the fact it was associated with Pemberley and Rosings and they expected someone with impeccable manners, a love of the fine arts and everything else good and proper. Very few people had seen the real me. I missed the chance to relax, to have fun, to take off the mask of the wealthy aristocratic Mr Darcy and just be Nick. What must it be like to come to something like this and just be yourself? Be care free and happy to chit chat with whoever you liked the look of. I would perhaps never know. I knew my aunt had plans for me, I had overheard enough hushed conversations to know whatever it was I wouldn't like it. The fact she was going to such lengths to hide it from me was proof enough.

I wasn't a child, I was a man and I should be able to make my own decisions reading my life. But it wasn't just my life, was it? My personal decisions had a way of affecting everyone around me. Being ten years older my parents had placed Georgiana in my care upon their deaths, which meant a reckless life was out of the question. I spent most of my days wondering if I was doing everything my parents would have wanted. I had already failed her once. I wasn't intending doing it again. I had a large estate and large workforce who relied on me to keep them employed. At Rosings I had my own career to think about, between all this an actual life for me seemed a distant dream.

My eyes involuntarily stray to her again. What was it about her that kept me coming back? She wasn't of any significance, just another young girl at a party. The black gown did nothing for her figure. My eyes slid down her body and came to rest of her feet. Her bare feet. Her toes were peeking out from under her long black graduation gown. My jaw drops in astonishment and I shake my head while gaping at her. For god sake. What sort of person takes off their shoes and wanders around a marque full of people? Had she no sense? I don't know whether to laugh or pity her. She was everything I had trained myself to refrain from over the years. Her personality a direct opposite to my own. The type of girl who would no doubt try to entice me with her charms and then when she had me under some kind of spell, leave with half my fortune. Luckily, I was not as easy as that or naïve. I had learned long ago to seek out the fortune hunters from the women truly craving my affection. Unfortunately, there weren't as many of the latter as the former. Not that I could blame them. I was a very wealthy man. Not only that which I had inherited but in my own career.

A loud woman is making an exhibit of herself, fawning all over the lecturers and telling anyone who will listen how gorgeous her eldest daughter was and how she couldn't have been beautiful for nothing, it was obvious she was to make someone fall in love with her. How lucky that someone would be to have her. Bingley's name was mentioned with relation to him buying Netherfield and she professed her opinion of how wealthy he must be. I gritted my teeth against the open disregard of manners. I couldn't think of nothing worse than to have her as a mother in law. No matter how stunning her daughter was, I couldn't lower myself to put up with relations like that. I find myself looking towards her again to see what her opinion is of the over bearing mother, instead I find her looking towards me. I know she's noticed me, she's met Charlie it's only natural we should make our introductions too and yet I remain here, across the room just watching the interactions between the different people and feeling jealous of not being able to behave that natural myself. Caroline is still at my side like a constant reminder of how we are different to everyone there. I used to think I preferred it that way, but lately I feel myself becoming more and more aware of the fact we are just closing ourselves off and restricting our chance of making new acquaintances.

They can't all be bad. Just because I was compromised once, letting friendship over power my better judgment doesn't mean it will happen again. What was it Georgie was always saying? Something about broadening our horizons and expanding our social circle? There weren't many people in our circle who I could even detest long enough for a conversation let alone find something in common with and actually get to the point where I enjoy their conversation. Charlie seemed to think the father; a retired Doctor, was a good man. He had met him at the club and they had bonded over old English architecture. He had been the one who had recommended Charlie sink everything he owned into restoring the wreck of a property in Hertfordshire. It was near the doctors own house and so they had become fast friends. It wasn't up to me who Charlie was friends with. His social circle was different to mine again. I couldn't afford myself that luxury. I had to always be one step ahead thinking constantly what the friendship could do to decrease my social standing or in rare cases; increase it. I had too much riding on my career to think about a personal life. Georgie's too, she was my responsibility she might think she's grown up now she's eighteen but that little episode three years ago was enough to remind me how precious she was to me and how I wasn't ready to let her go just yet.

I chance another glance at the happy party talking in front of me. A pretty girl with blonde hair is making her way over to them. I recall she's the one Charlie had been so anxious to meet since the minute we got to this godforsaken event. It was a complete waste of my time being here. We would never find a suitable candidate to be the next big thing at Rosings. I still can't believe I let Charles talk me into this. Thank god for Caroline's company or I may not have stood it all. The country folk were not the type of people I was used to being around. It was all a bit too laid back and friendly for me. Still even the country had its qualities. Miss Elizabeth Bennet catches my eye again and I'm forced to look elsewhere rather than being caught looking at her. As the blond got nearer to Charlie he began to blush almost as red as his hair. He really likes this girl. I could see the attraction; she was by far the most beautiful woman in the room, if you were to do a comparison. I ease away from Caroline and close enough to hear their conversation without making them aware of the fact.

Miss Bennet is smiling at Charlie and links her arm through the other woman's, pulling her in front of him. "Charlie. Well Charlie allow me to introduce my big sister Jane."

Jane offers her hand immediately to Charlie smiling serenely. "Charlie?"

"Bingley. Charles Bingley. Charlie. So pleased to meet you Miss Bennet." He was still holding her hand and now she was staring at him too. They seemed locked in some sort of trance. Miss Elizabeth Bennet opens her mouth to say something when her father returns and pulls her away.

I ignore Charlie for a moment and find my attention drawn to the brunette who is questioning her fathers' motives. "I don't think we're needed here Liz, but for heavens' sake keep your mother away from them. Give them a chance at least." He laughed.

"A chance?" She asks puzzled.

He just smiled, winked and weaved his way back into the crowd. Shockingly coming to a stop in front of the loud mouthed woman of earlier, kissing her on the cheek and then engaging her in conversation whilst shielding her from Jane and Charles. So she was the mother. The doctor's wife. Mother of Elizabeth Bennet. I chuckled to myself, yes I had a very lucky escape there. More fool me for thinking I could be interested in someone normal. Elizabeth looked back at Charlie and her sister warmly. She stands motionless just staring and softly a smile creeps on to her face. Her full lips turning upwards and her eyes sparkle. She's pleased. Pleased that her sister had found someone to settle down with. Pleased that her mothers' intentions have come to fruition and she has found wealthy husband for her daughter to hang off the arm of. Jane was a beauty there was no denying it. But did she really care for Charles? I examined them again. His attraction to her was plain for all to see. The way his eyes followed her around the room and made excuses to touch her or involve her in the conversation. Her, it was too difficult to tell, and that alone was not a good sign. Surely if someone was feeling the same they would show it. They may have only just met, but the way Charles was laying his heart out on the line for her, I worried she was about to trample all over it rather than offer her own in return. Elizabeth smiled again, chuckled to herself and skipped off towards her friend Charlotte.

This only cemented the suspicions I had had since I overheard their loose mouthed mother commenting on how she wanted her daughters to settle down soon with husbands that could provide for them. She was out for the money and saw only pound signs where Charles was concerned. Someone laughed and I turned to find the source. Elizabeth Bennet was laughing at something her friend had said. Her face showed nothing but admiration for her friend.

Charlotte Lucas was the young woman I had been introduced to earlier. Her parents were apparently important figures in the community and well thought of. She seemed a little shy and very naive about life and the world in general, however surprisingly, she had finished in the top third of her class. She had no ambition. She certainly wasn't the right material for Rosings. Caroline had agreed. Charlotte was older than both the Miss Bennet's. Yet she seemed to blend in well with them. I watched on as Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Lucas chatted animatedly for a while. Before long I felt myself drawn to her once more and found an excuse to get nearer to them and listen in again on their conversation, a bad habit I seemed to have picked up today and had no intention of dropping anytime soon. They were chatting about the ceremony and various University topics before Elizabeth turned unexpectedly and caught me looking at them. I looked away grieved to have been caught in such an embarrassing position. Hopefully she wouldn't have noticed that I was listening. She narrowed her eyes at me, I was backing away when Charlotte began to laugh. "Oh Lizzie, your face! What has Mr Darcy ever done to you?"

"Mr who?" She asks. So she wasn't aware who I was yet, that was one thing.

"Mr Darcy. He is a senior partner at Rosings Park, I thought you of all people would know who he is, in forty-eight hours he will be your boss."

I paused in my escape trying to digest this piece of information. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was coming to work at Rosings, she would be working for me. That could pose a problem. If I was having unwelcomed thoughts for her now, having only just laid eyes on her, what would happen if I were to see her every day? No this wasn't good, not good at all. This had to stop before it began. I wouldn't give her any reason to think I was anything but her employer. I wouldn't have her mother setting us up like she had so adamantly planned with Charlie and her eldest daughter.

"One of them." She corrected her. "Mr Darcy eh? I've googled him. Lady Catherine, the one whose husband started the firm, he's her nephew. As you say - a senior partner, along with his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam. I know all about him, but there was no picture. He could be good looking I suppose, if he was to smile occasionally. How do you know who he is? Why is he here?"

"I was introduced earlier, it was part of my 'Top Three' duties." Charlotte air quotes Top Three rolling her eyes, as if trying to complain. "He's here to scope out any potential wonders for the firm."

"Oh? Who's the red head, his wife?" she enquires. I stop myself from laughing out loud. Caz my wife! There had been assumptions made in the past. We were friends and nothing more, I thought of her more like a sister than anything else. She was Charles' sister and my close friend that was all. For some reason it pained me that Elizabeth may be thinking anything to the contrary. I had no way of setting her straight without revealing the fact I had been privy to such a private conversation between two friends. Luckily for me Charlotte Lucas was knowledgeable enough to correct her on this matter.

"No but I'm guessing she'd like to be." Charlotte chuckled. Elizabeth looked … what was that … could it be? … Relieved. "No, she's Caroline Bingley, her brother's around here somewhere, they're junior partners in the firm. They're here for moral support and because Charles, that's the brother, has decide to invest in some property around here."

"Charlie, yeah I've met him. He seems nice, completely besotted with Jane from the second he saw her of course, but seems genuinely nice. Wait, property around here? What can he possibly be interested in around here? There's nothing for sale, except…"

"Netherfield!" The say it simultaneously and begin giggling like school girls. I should find it irritating but I don't. I move closer wanting to hear the pleasant sound again. "Jinx!" Says Charlotte, "now you can't say a word until someone says your name!"

Feeling like I had already eves dropped on enough their private conversation I made my presence known. "Miss Bennet?"

She hesitates for a minute before swivelling around to face me. The first thing that hits me is she is a lot prettier up close than I gave her credit for. If I was to compare the two, I would say she was just as attractive as her sister, if not more so. It was in a more wholesome way. She looked natural and … beautiful, actually. Her eyes were particularly magnetic. Maybe my first impressions were made a little too hastily. She stares at me too without speaking. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" I repeat.

She nods before finally finding her voice and answering with a meek "yeah."

"Nicholas Darcy." I nod briskly. I could offer my hand but in all honesty the thoughts of her touching me, of my feeling her skin against mine is all too much right now. She affected me in a way I wasn't accustomed to. Not in a formal setting like this. Not with an audience. "I hear you're coming to work for us at Rosings?" I fiddle with my tie desperate for something to do with my hands.

"Mr Darcy. Pleased to meet you. Yes, I …" She hesitates swallowing and blushing ever so slightly before shaking her head and straightening her shoulders. With more resolve she continues. "I begin at Rosings on Monday. I'm looking forward to the opportunity very much. I hope I can prove myself."

I can't think of one intelligent thing to say. She has rendered me speechless with just her proximity, so I remain silent and nodding again move away. I walk quickly but not so soon that I don't hear her parting words. "Well that was rude! Who the hell does he think he is?" I turn a corner out of sight and look back only when I think it's safe. Charlotte was laughing again at something she had said. I swore under my breath. Why had my confidence abandoned me? I had spoken to women before, better-looking than her, richer than her. And yet with her I was left to appear a simpleton. Of all the first impressions I had planned in my mind, this was by far the most terrible. Monday morning was not far enough away. I would need time for this settle and for her to forget our meeting and begin to respect me once again. She would be working for me. At Rosings I would be able to convince her of my strength and not display so many weaknesses. The sooner we were out of Hertfordshire the better. I seek out Caroline and find her knocking back another glass of warm cheap champagne. It was barely lunchtime, she needed to watch herself. Although one could forgive her today, I felt like a stiff drink myself. I couldn't help but notice Elizabeth as she flittered around the marquee, chasing after what could only be her relations. They all shared certain attributes that would no doubt make them popular with any male crowd. The sisters I noticed were blonde like Jane and the Mrs Bennet. Only Elizabeth seemed to have inherited her father's dark hair and eyes. His was streaked with grey but it was obvious whom she took after.

Despite her pleasing appearance it was paramount I dismiss her from my mind and act indifferently around her. It would not do to encourage affection from her when I know nothing can become of it. I had already spent too much time thinking about her. She didn't know me, I didn't know her we were barely more than strangers and I didn't do well with strangers. Her gregarious character meant she was often the centre of everyone's attention whether she was aware of it or not, and that was another thing I was not a fan of. Particularly around those I wasn't acquainted with previously. I watched as many of the men at the party turned to get a better look at her. She was the kind of under stated beauty that could easily be ignored when compared with the elder sister, but who on second glance, was every bit as vivacious and confident as her sisters, and at the same time guarded. I felt that on occasions when she was surrounded by her mother and sisters she probably had to take a more sensible route and become the responsible one.

She was putting on an act to please others, a trait we had in common.

As I rounded up my own party I failed to restrict my glances and found my eyes wandering to whatever part of the room she frequented over and over. Finally I found Charles. Regrettably with Mr Bennet. The crowd's part revealing not only Jane and Mrs Bennet, but Elizabeth also. I halted instantly and begin trawling through my phone for want of a more convincing excuse for delaying my arrival. It doesn't go unnoticed by Mrs Bennet who makes some comment about peoples manners and how Charles is so polite compared to others, pointedly looking my way. Elizabeth glares at her mother and whispers something about me being able to hear. I pretend I haven't and continue consulting my phone.

Mr Bennet was talking to Charles. "Mr Bingley, are you free Sunday at all? We're having a bit of a get-together, a goodbye party for my Lizzie here and I wondered if you and your sister would like to join us. Nothing special you understand, but there will be plenty of food and the drinks will be flowing." He smiles at Charlie who in turn smiles at Jane. Mrs Bennet appears to be restrained by her husband. Say no Charlie please. Don't get involved with these people. I can find you plenty of attractive women to meet, not this family.

I could tell by Charlies widening grin he had no intention of missing another opportunity to spend time with Jane. "Yes please Mr Bennet, my sister Caroline and I would be delighted to join you, it will give me a chance to look at the house again and bounce some ideas of you all."

My heart sank.

There was no way Charles would go with just his sister knowing how harsh she can be. He would want me to accompany them. I shudder at the thoughts of spending more of my time with this family in some god forsaken place called Meryton. Something black swishing through the air catches my eye and I turn to face it. Elizabeth Bennet is removing her graduation gown. Under is simple fitted dress, it skins and hugs her curves perfectly, she huffs and slides her feet back into her heels toppling slightly before she rights herself. She smooths down the dress and it only clings to her more. I shouldn't be noticing her like this, I had told myself not to notice her at all; she was of no consequence to me. Insignificant. Not for me.