A/N: Wow! I would just like to thank every person who reviewed the last chapter, I did not realise that my stupid idea for this story would be so accepted.
IMPORTANT (PLEASE READ): This story is actually set just after Elizabeth refuses Mr Collins' marriage proposal so Elizabeth knows about Mr Wickham's "misfortune" and yes, she still despises Darcy. Darcy however, has started to have feelings for her but after her attitude in the last chapter, he refuses to show them. But for how long will that last? Will our favourite romantic couple eventually find love and put aside their differences? Read and find out! Italics are thoughts of Elizabeth and Darcy.
"Oh, Lizzy! What an opportunity for you!" Mrs Bennet screeched as she sat in her usual chair in the drawing room, staring at her daughter in disbelief. "Just to think of you so happily situated, and with so much money!" At this last exclamation Mrs Bennet took out a fan and brushed it in front of her face in the already cool room.
"Yes mother." Elizabeth said in reply.
"Oh, How proud your Father would have been!" Elizabeth swallowed at this, looking at her mother in a false happiness. Would he? "I can hardly believe it Lizzy, Mr Darcy! Of all people! He always appeared so proud but he has proved himself to be quite the gentleman!" Has he? Oh Mother, how unaware you are!
"He has Mother, quite the gentleman!" Lydia exclaimed as she collapsed into a chair.
"My dear, dear Lizzy!" Mrs Bennet added with excitement. "Are you content with him?" She did not wait for Elizabeth to answer but instead nodded her head viciously adding, "Of course you are! My goodness we have so many things to arrange! But we will have the lack of Mr Bingley's company at Longborne since he returned to town, how dull company will be for you now Jane!" At this Mrs Bennet's eyes fixed on the beautiful woman sat next to Elizabeth.
"I am sure that Jane will find ample amusement in society my dear, Mrs Bennet." Mr Gardiner asked as he laughed slightly.
"Of course she will! At least more that Elizabeth, now that she is engaged!" She screeched slightly at this. "Ten thousand pounds a year! Oh Lizzy how rich you shall be!"
"I am sure Mama, that Mr Darcy can find more adequate things to spend his income on." Elizabeth added quietly.
"No! No Lizzy! No gentleman can spend such a fortune on himself! Just think of all of your beautiful clothes and fine carriages! You should think yourself lucky, my dear!" Should I really? I do not feel such a way, how could I possibly when I feel nothing for the man but hatred! At this thought Elizabeth stood and excused herself from the room. She could tolerate her mother's comments no longer. They had fixed ideas of marriage that she did not wish to imagine. She did not wish for finery or large sums of money, but mostly she did not even wish to be engaged to such a man as Mr Darcy!
As Mr Darcy stood in front of one of the large mirrors in his chamber at Netherfield he suddenly realised how lonely he was. With Bingley's return to town with his sisters he was alone in the house. It was at this that his thoughts suddenly strayed to Miss Bennet. Elizabeth. Why was she so insulted by his proposal of marriage, he was after all trying to save her family from destitution.
Yet even before he had visited the home of the Bennet's he had ensured that the Longborne estate would stay in the Bennet name until their death. Mr Collins had been unwilling at first to allow such a transaction but after he had been informed by the Darcy lawyer of the amount of money he was to receive, he felt he had to accept. So it had all been arranged, with thanks to Darcy the Bennet's would always be accepted into society and have a home. But why did Elizabeth not appreciate it? Does she really hate me so much? If she does not appreciate it now, she will when we are married! He did most sincerely wish to marry her and yet when he thought of her being in the same home as him, as his wife, he was unsure if he would be able to resist her charms. I have to! I have to resist her beauty and character! I will!
Mr Darcy did not remain in Hertfordshire for the full four months of the engagement but instead occasionally ventured to town in the hope of being with his sister. It was on one of his short visits to Longborne that he made it understandable that the Netherfield party would be returning with his sister and Colonel Fitzwilliam, his cousin. Elizabeth confessed that she was not wholly surprised by this news but as the time passed and the wedding day approached she could feel herself becoming more nervous.
Darcy was also becoming nervous as the time approached. His main concern was if she would actually arrive to be wed, it would be fully understandable if she left him standing in the church while she deemed herself not to arrive.
Even Georgiana Darcy could see the nervousness in her brother's countenance and yet, although she had never came into acquaintance with Elizabeth Bennet, she had heard numerous rumours of her beauty and intelligence. Yes, she would make him a fine wife, but why was Fitzwilliam plagued by worry?
As Mr Darcy sat at the front of the church with the guests assembled behind him, it suddenly became apparent that she could easily humiliate him in front of this gathering by not appearing. Is that what she was intending? Was she intending to slight him for his inappropriate behaviour toward her in the past? But surely she could understand that he only meant to protect her family. Surely she would understand that he would keep her family safe, even if it was from the likes of George Wickham! Surely, she had to understand that he would keep his word to a name only marriage until she came willingly to him. She had to understand!
As a small muttering sound escaped from the people gathered in the church he turned his head to look at the entrance to the church and there, she stood.
The folds of white material flowed casually from her body emphasising her slim line figure and generous bosom. And yet as Darcy stared at her he could see no resemblance of black on her, so she had after all given in to his wishes.
As she walked toward him, Darcy was astounded by her beauty. Looking casually into her face, which was covered by a veil recently fashionable in London, he saw the fineness of her eyes. It was after all, the one aspect which first encouraged his feelings for her.
As the priest spoke Darcy was unsure of anything that had been mentioned, he was far too preoccupied in contemplating on the beauty Elizabeth.
Darcy said his part in the ceremony, certifying that he wished her for his wife but as Elizabeth said her vows, her voice seemed to become more distant to him. This is it! As the priest asked Elizabeth if she would take him for her husband, Darcy smiled slightly at his own capability at such a thing.
However, Elizabeth stood and listened carefully but as she was to say "I do" nothing but a deadly silence circled the room.