A/N: Hello ladies! We are back. Time to meet some other characters is it not?

And thank you again for being around! Comment if you would like and as I always say, speak your mind! And if you're not the commenting type, no problem! But remember, your thoughts make me happy XD!

Have fun!

Chapter 12

Lizzy woke up the next morning with a heavy arm around her waist, keeping her prisoner. She smiled as she recalled the previous night's activities. To sleep a whole night in his arms was something she would never forget. Darcy was usually very rough when he took her, but afterwards, he would be just sweet and caring. How she loved this way of him, maybe it's an effect of the unexpected. . . I thought I would never again speak to anyone, let alone be kissed and held.

As the man beside her switched position, Lizzy took the moment to free herself and return to her room unnoticed. She quickly dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen. It was difficult, especially in the mornings, for Lizzy to remember how she was supposed to act. The class differences were so important in this world, yet for her, they were utterly meaningless. Even back home those kinds of concerns never signified to her. So, as her mind was not able to fully understand what was considered proper manners in this culture, she entered the room without second thoughts if she should be there or not.

The kitchen staff was startled by Mr. Darcy's guest appearance below stairs. They had been discussing one of the household members that was still in bed due a terrible headache. The room instantly grew uncomfortably quiet when Lizzy's presence was noticed.

"Oh, I am so sorry. I did not mean to interrupt." Lizzy did not know really what do or say, she was just looking for some tea.

Mrs. Reynolds arrived in the kitchen soon after. "Miss Bennet, I am sorry! I think the room bell must not be working! What can I help you with?" The good lady was breathless, having walked very fast to get there.

"I did not ring a bell . . ." Lizzy said embarrassed, "I was just looking for some tea." She looked around and everyone was moving quickly, preparing what seemed to be a feast. "No, no! You do not need to . . ." She took a deep breath and continued, "Do not trouble yourself over me, I beg you. You just continue doing things as you are used to, I am the intruder. I guess that you were attending to Mr. Darcy's orders, am I correct?" With the nod of the servants, she proceeded. "So, just wait for him. If you could fetch me a cup of tea, I would be very grateful."

Lizzy took a seat at the kitchen table and was served her tea. She observed as the staff discreetly glanced at her suspiciously and smiled to herself. "Pray tell me, what was it that you were discussing when I rudely intruded?"

"Oh, that was nothing, Miss Bennet. Do not trouble yourself about such a minor problem." The cook said in a hurry.

"Of course, there was something. I could clearly hear you have someone sick." Lizzy was sipping her cup looking around the room. "I only would like to help. I know this must come as a surprise to all of you, but I am a doctor."

The servants glanced sideways with each other. How could a woman be a doctor? That would be very strange indeed.

Lizzy saw their hesitance and decided to act, "Look, I will go fetch some items that I need to properly examine the person that is not feeling well, meanwhile you prepare the patient and I will be back soon ."

As she left the kitchen, all the staff looked at Mrs. Reynolds, awaiting instructions. She raised an eyebrow and shooshed everyone, "What are you waiting for? Do as the lady said! We will be able to help Maria at last. Go, go, go!"

As promised, Lizzy was back in moments with all her medical belongings. She was directed to a room where she met a young girl, not yet seventeen. "Hello, Miss. . ."

"Maria, ma'am. It's Maria." The girl said in a wobbly voice, clearly in pain.

"Well, Maria, I am Elizabeth Bennet and I will take care of you now if you are agreeable to it."

"Yes, I am very grateful for your assistance, ma'am."

"So, please tell me when did you first felt ill, and how do you feel now?"

The girl described all her symptoms and when everything had begun. Lizzy listened attentively; she had almost diagnosed Maria's problem but needed to be sure.

"I will have to do a test, do you agree? It is a very simple─ "

"You can do whatever it takes, ma'am." Maria interrupted Lizzy and flushed in embarrassment for her lack of manners. "I am sorry, I did not mean to interrupt."

"There is nothing to apologize for, dear. Mrs. Reynolds, could you please stay outside just for a moment. This will be very fast." Lizzy had a high advanced x-ray prototype that would give results just as an MRI. NASA decided that this particular item could be very useful to the crew. They were right, it was indeed very handy.

After a few moments, Lizzy confirmed her suspicions. She called Mrs. Reynolds back into the room before she announced her diagnosis. "Maria, I believe that you have a condition called sinusitis."

"Is that dangerous?" Mrs. Reynolds was concerned.

"It can be very uncomfortable, but we can make it better." Lizzy gave a bright smile while she instructed both women as in what to do and promised to provide Maria with a good medicine for her condition before the day was over.

Mrs. Reynolds and Lizzy were chatting amiably as they returned to the kitchen which had become so quiet one could hear a pin drop. The women took only one moment to realize the reason of such quietude. Lizzy smiled and teased, "Are you trying to intimidate your kitchen staff, Mr. Darcy? I believe they look quite scared right now."

"I was waiting for you, Miss Bennet, to break our fast, when I was informed you were below stairs."

"Oh, I see. I am finished here, for now, we may do so then." Lizzy touched Mrs. Reynolds arm and proceeded to leave the kitchen. Darcy bowed curtly and immediately followed her.

"Lizzy," he said in a low tone. "What were you doing below stairs? You are a guest, you cannot do this."

"I am sorry, William. I forgot that this is not acceptable behaviour in places such as Pemberley. I take a while to get myself together in the mornings, I just did what I am used to doing in my home." Lizzy was embarrassed for the lack of propriety she had displayed this morning. It was just that sometimes it was too hard for her to keep her mind conscious of the proper comportment in this world. She did not care about this class thing, for her every person was the same, meant the same, but Lizzy did not wish to make Darcy uncomfortable for she knew he had already accepted a great burden when he decided to assist her.

Darcy sighed, "It is all good, Lizzy. My staff is very loyal, there will be no problem about that. You just cannot do this in any other circumstance."

Lizzy squeezed his hand before they sat down at the table. "I must tell you something, Mr. Darcy." Since a footman was serving the table, Lizzy reminded herself to speak formally, "When I entered the kitchen, your staff was discussing one of your maid's well-being, Maria is her name. They were concerned because it had been several days that she was confined to her bed. I hope you do not mind, but I had volunteered to see the girl."

"Of course not Li. . . Miss Bennet. Had I known about this before, I would have already called our village physician." Darcy replied sharply. He was annoyed, does she really think so little of me that she would feel like I would not approve her seeing the girl?! "I do care about my servants well-being, you know. I am not a heartless man that treats the ones under his care with disregard?"

Her eyes were wide open in pure shock, Darcy was truly offended by her question. She felt her heart clench in her chest, that was never her aim. "Mr. Darcy, I am . . . I do not . . ." She closed her eyes and lowered her head in her hands, trying to find the right words to better explain her concerns. Lizzy long ago learned that misunderstandings did no one any good at all. Her mother always made it very clear that you could not actually avoid being mad or hurt, but it was your choice to remain so. She also taught her daughters that they would, undoubtedly, hurt someone, but it was their obligation to make amends as soon as possible.

"You can't pretend you didn't do anything, Lizzy, or worse, that the person deserved to feel like that!" Mrs. Bennet was scolding Lizzy for an ugly fight the girl had been involved in at school. Lizzy got tired of being the constant target of her classmates bullying and decided to bully others herself. The problem was that, when her mind was set on in one thing, Lizzy would do it exceptionally well, it does not matter if for the good or the bad.

Lizzy was crying, she did not deserve to be grounded, she was the one always suffering! "But they bully me all the time! Every day, mom! I was tired!"

" It doesn't signify, Elizabeth! Your brilliant solution to your bullying problem was lowering yourself to their level? You are smarter and raised better than that!"

Mrs. Bennet heart ached hearing the sobs of her daughter. She knew Lizzy was having a hard time at school, but she couldn't allow her daughter to be so bitter. "Lizzy, everything will be all right. You are special and you are meant to be great, your classmates fear what they can't understand, and you are a mystery to them. Just let it be and focus on your brilliant future."

"I'm sorry, mom. I'm not a bad person. I'm sorry."

Mrs. Bennet held Lizzy tightly and said, "I never, even for one second, doubted that you were not good and kind, Lizzy. You are my little star."

"Mr. Darcy," Lizzy raised her head now that her heartbeat was back to normal, "I never meant to imply that you do not care, I just do not know if I should attend to the girl. This is your home and here I should consult with you before intruding myself."

"I am sorry, Miss Bennet. It is just . . ." Darcy could not speak freely now, they had an audience. He wished to say that she was supposed to know him better by now. They had a very intimate relationship yet she failed to see his heart. He would speak to her tonight, in the privacy of his bedchamber. "We can talk later, we had better leave now to see the tenants."

WA

Darcy, Fass, and Elizabeth toured the grounds together for the next several days. Lizzy thought it would be better to use horses for she feared the locals reaction to her car, but Darcy insisted that they would have to get used to modern machines as he intended to apply much of her science to Pemberley.

The weather was getting warmer by the day and Lizzy was daydreaming about pools and bikinis. I guess that I would shock everyone beyond repair if I were to build a swimming pool and sew myself a bikini, she mused.

The tenant's were all promptly charmed by the doctor. Lizzy's ability to engage so easily in conversation and how she was almost instantly held in high regard by every soul they met baffled Darcy. She really is so easy to care about, I was bewitched as soon as I caught her eyes.

Fass was instructed by Lizzy to gather all the information about the plantation's problems so they could evaluate it later. The tenants found Fass' manner somehow different but did not pay much attention to it since Lizzy was so kind and attentive.

Their tour took much longer than they had expected; Lizzy was always solicited to check on someone's health once they learned that she was a physician, and there was no possibility that she would refuse to help those in need. Darcy was beyond pleased with the outcome of his lover's interaction with his tenants. She was sure of herself, of her obligations. Although the expectations towards her of everyone in this world were quite different, she was acting as a great mistress of such a grand estate. Forget it, Darcy. She is not seeking marriage! Have you learned nothing from her 'movies'? She is her own person, for god's sake. She does not need the kind of support a marriage would bring nor is she looking for it.

Five days after the kitchen episode, Darcy decided to bring the his concerns to light. He had managed to escort Lizzy to his chambers unnoticed once more and asked her to join him by the window. "Lizzy, pray tell me, why do you always seem to get the impression that I will find fault in your behaviour?"

Lizzy glanced at him suspiciously, "I am afraid I do not understand what you mean, William."

Darcy averted his eyes to the window and rubbed the back of his neck. "You are always concerned that I may not approve your decisions. It happened here at Pemberley, about the maid's illness and when you decided to assist Georgiana. It even happened after I attacked you in a most ungentlemanly fashion that morning in your own home, for lord's sake!"

"Oh, your were most ungentlemanly that is certain. I am quite sure that I replayed those events in my mind for some time. They were very unpleasant indeed, sir." She gave him a mischievous look.

He sighed and turned to look at her eyes once more. "Please, Lizzy, I am serious. It hurts me that you would think so ill of me. I hold you in high regard and your decisions concerning the well-being of others are never at fault! I would not dare to question your actions in such an area for I share the same thoughts."

Lizzy was again embarrassed; it was becoming harder to try to fit into this society. She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. "It is just getting more and more difficult for me, William. My circle of acquaintance is getting larger by the minute and my interactions more meaningful, I am a bit lost. I never thought ill of you, not even for one moment. You are the most agreeable and thoughtful man I have ever met."

"So trust me, Lizzy." He put his arm around her shoulders and brought her closer to him, kissing her temple. "You do not need to feel lost around me. I wish to be your haven in the storm, can you not see it?"

Darcy's words sounded so sincere that Lizzy felt her throat clench and tears threatening to fall. She swallowed hard and blinked back her tears. "Thank you, William." She raised her lips and kissed him, a kiss meant to seal a permanent connection between them.

The couple stayed there, admiring the fine view of Pemberley's lake. "This is indeed a perfect home, William." Lizzy yawned, she was exhausted.

"Maybe we should go to sleep, Lizzy." Darcy was feeling the weight of their activities of the past few days, both mental and physical, himself.

"I agree, William. But I am afraid that I am in need of a good night's rest. I shall retreat to my chamber."

Darcy pressed his lips in a hard line. "As you wish, Lizzy." He did not want her to leave, he wanted to sleep with her scent lingering around him.

She rose and bent down to kiss him once again then left the room. Darcy did not move for quite some time, his mind was far away, contemplating about all things and nothing at the same time. He decided to lay down, praying for sleep to come take him, but it was no avail.

Giving up his attempts to sleep, he sat on the edge of the bed, restless. Something was wrong, incredibly wrong. She was supposed to be here with me. Why did she leave? What does that mean? Darcy supported his elbows on his knees and leaned his head on his hands when he heard a light knock on the door.

"Yes?"

"May I come in?" Lizzy opened the door slowly and tentatively poked her head inside. He smiled and nodded.

"I could not sleep. . ." she said shyly.

Darcy opened his arms, inviting her to come to him. "Neither could I."

Lizzy sat on his lap and held him tight. "I really need to sleep."

He chuckled, "Me too, Lizzy." Darcy eased her down and spooned his body behind her. They were then, finally able to fall into a deep sleep.

WA

Lizzy woke up slowly. She was facing the window and sunlight streaming through the open curtains took her away from a very pleasant dream that involved Darcy.

She managed to turn around so she could face him even though his arm was once again heavy around her waist, firmly securing her in place. He is so, so handsome. Lizzy felt her face flush with desire; she wanted him right now.

She gave his face some butterfly kisses, but he did not move. Hmmm, he must be very tired indeed.

Lizzy nuzzled his neck and inhaled deeply. I do so love his scent, it is intoxicating. She could not resist and spread moist kisses all over his throat, this time, Darcy stirred. Lizzy chuckled softly and resumed her attack now licking her way to his lips. She caught his lower lip between her teeth and bit him.

Darcy woke up confused, is this real or it is just another marvellous dream? Soon he realized it was not his imagination, she was there, kissing him, wanting him as much as he wanted her. He felt her hands under his nightshirt, tugging it up. He grinned and assisted her in removing his shirt and helping her out of her own.

She smiled brightly at him, her eyes shining. Suddenly Darcy felt overwhelmed. She was perfect, this woman in his arms, in his bed was a perfect match for him. Never would he find someone like her, she was unique, one of a kind. He knew at this moment that he was doomed. He loved her, and there was nothing he could possibly do about it. His heart ached as he reminded himself that she did not need him; she was a free spirit, she was able to walk her own path.

I love her, most ardently. I cannot profess my love to her, but I will show her. And, with his mind sat, Darcy made gentle love to Lizzy. He kissed her right cheek tenderly and moved across her face to the other cheek with feathery kisses. His hand moved lightly over her body as if he was trying to imprint her shape in his memory.

Lizzy was burning with desire and the way he was touching her just inflamed her more. Her mouth was dry and she was already filled with anticipation. "Kiss me, please."

Darcy did not speak; he just seek her lips. His kiss was tender and poured out all his feelings. He deepened the kiss as his hand arrived at her wet core. She moaned in his mouth, but he kept his lips locked on hers. Lizzy carved her nails in his back, wanting him closer to her. He took her cue and positioned himself between her legs. Darcy entered her with one long thrust and and after pausing for a moment moved slowly, kissing her face as he tried to silently express his love for her.

He could not manage to speak for he was as yet stunned by his discovery; so he kissed, licked and nipped her body. Darcy felt her climax as she clenched around him and he soon followed her into his own release.

They lay together, Lizzy's leg across his groin, his arms encircling her body. "William, are you well? You did not say a single word yet."

Darcy was afraid to speak. He did not know if he could refrain himself from saying 'I love you', and that would not do. If she did not return his feelings, it would be an awkward situation that he was not willing to chance.

"I am more than well, my lo. . . my Lizzy."

Looking away when he spoke, what Darcy missed was the warm smile that spread over Lizzy's when she heard him speak of her as 'my'.

WA

A/N: So ODB finally realized he had feelings for ODG! Now what? And fear not ladies. . . The real Elizabeth is coming very soon. If my muse doesn't decide to take a vacation again, of course.

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