Fitzwilliam Darcy…

He could tell by the expression on Elizabeth Bennet's face that she was wholly opposed to the idea of going to Italy, but he needed a translator—someone who could remain with him for the duration and tell him exactly what was going on. Presently, he was studying Italian himself, but his understanding and fluid speech was still weak. He had been correct in telling Bingley that Elizabeth was temporary. He had just neglected to tell him it was because he was learning the language himself. Elizabeth cleared her throat.

"Are you sure that it's really necessary that I…." She began as Darcy looked up at her evenly, his facial expression reflecting his distaste. He was putting a stop to this questioning of his authority now! He looked around the room and motioned to those who had entered it.

'Out!" He ordered before placing a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and shaking his head.

"Not you." He finished as he watched Charles and Jane exit together, their gazes locked in a knowing expression that managed to unbalance him slightly. What did they assume he wanted to see Ms. Bennet about? That thought bothered him. Elizabeth just shifted from foot to foot almost restlessly as he shut the door firmly—the resounding thud echoing throughout the room almost eerily. The space instantly felt too small.

"Do you have a problem with the decisions I'm making, Ms. Bennet, or do you have a thing about questioning authority?" Darcy asked as he let his hand fall off of the door knob now behind him. The question was asked in anger he knew, but the morning had been a bad one, the day having tested both his patience and his resolve. He didn't consider himself a cruel man. Quite the contrary actually, but he did expect a lot from those who worked for him. And right now, he wasn't feeling as if he were getting out of his employees all that they were capable of at the moment. Elizabeth turned toward him confidently.

"Do you have a problem realizing when you are asking more of your employees than they may be willing to give? Have you even thought about asking me whether or not I am capable of leaving England when I just traveled here in the first place?" She asked in return ignoring the way he marched now toward his desk, backing away unconsciously as he approached.

"Is this annoying habit of yours where you answer a question with another question something that I should continue to expect from you, Ms. Bennet?" Darcy asked as he rounded his desk, coming to stand near enough to her that she began to circle the desk away from him.

"When I'm given a question I feel is worthy of answering, I will answer it, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth answered steadfastly, holding her ground despite the fact that he now made her more than a little nervous. Darcy sighed.

"I am aware that you are new here, Ms. Bennet, that you may not know the way that we do things here, but I expect my employees to do as I bid not question why I asked them to do it. I promise you, I know what I am doing. If you have problems with authority, I feel we should address that now. If you have problems with me personally, then I feel you should use this unbiased ground to unburden yourself." Darcy stated simply as Elizabeth laughed. Yes, laughed! Why wouldn't she?

"Unbiased ground, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked, giggling despite herself. What did he think this was? Hallowed ground? Will looked at her narrowly, inching forward again—smiling almost predatorily as he watched her keep rounding the desk. Before long the two of them would be chasing each other. What was wrong with him? He never lost his cool this way. She was not a good influence on him.

"Are you afraid of me, Ms. Bennet?" He asked almost humorlessly as he raised a brow in curiosity. Elizabeth scoffed.

"Of an arrogant, prideful man whose idea of authority is intimidation? We are not the military, Mr. Darcy. I do not feel the need to salute." Elizabeth countered, unaware how close to home she had gotten with her statement. It's not as if she knew about his military background. Therefore, he ignored her comment.

"Because you seem awful afraid, Ms. Bennet." He reiterated as he continued forward. Elizabeth bumped against the side of the desk as she backed away.

"You seem awful determined to have me afraid, Mr. Darcy." She replied sternly as he raised his brow again.

"Not afraid, Ms. Bennet. Just compliant." He remarked as Elizabeth stopped suddenly, allowing him to come toe to toe with her until both could feel the heat emanating off the other.

"I need you in Italy, Ms. Bennet, not because I want to make you miserable, but because I find that, in this situation, your expertise is needed." Darcy replied in a low tone, his chest heaving from his attempt to control the unsettled feeling she seemed to give him. She stared up at him.

"Then why not just ask? Have you ever been told that you have too much pride?" Elizabeth asked just as quietly. Will just shook his head.

"And this from a woman who automatically assumes I'm an ogre. And don't deny it, Ms. Bennet. I do have two ears in excellent condition. Have you ever been told that you are too prejudice?" Darcy asked as the two faced off speechlessly for a moment, both too talked out to even consider what to say next. Elizabeth finally sighed.

"I'll be packed and ready to go by tonight." She murmured as he nodded almost distantly, watching as she brushed by him toward the door, her arm brushing his as she went. The conversation had not gone anywhere near where he had wanted it to go. He heard Elizabeth stop at the door but didn't turn around.

"Did you own a dog when you were a boy, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked, causing Will to turn around in surprise.

"And that's pertinent how, Ms. Bennet?" He asked curiously. She smiled suddenly.

"Haven't you ever heard the joke that "dog" spells "god" backwards? People should consider that it might be the higher power coming down to see just how well they do, what kind of people they are. The animals are right here, right in front of us. And how we treat these companions is a test." Elizabeth answered thoughtfully as Darcy narrowed his eyes.

"And which of your clever authors or philosophers said that, Ms. Bennet?" He asked quietly. She just smiled even wider.

"Would you believe that it was actress Linda Blair. Something else, huh? Coming from a woman who played a possessed girl in the 'Exorcist.'" Elizabeth replied before walking out the door. Darcy just stood there a moment not doing or saying anything and he found himself doing something remarkable—smiling. Damn that woman! Her head popped back into the door suddenly and he frowned.

"I drink my coffee with both cream and sugar, Mr. Darcy. You should try drinking yours other than black." She commented before disappearing again. He waited for the door to close before laughing softly. He wondered what she would say if he told her that he only drank tea. Once again, damn that woman!