A/N: So, I was on a roll today, and got a chapter of this finished, too. This is winding down as well, so....enjoy it while you can! Heh. Oh, and any lines you recognize, yes, I did steal them from the book.
Disclaimer: I disclaim!
Chapter 4
Weeks passed. Elizabeth accepted Darcy's surprising offer to have her older sister brought there. Jane arrived, all quiet gratefulness towards Darcy. Caroline continued to seek out Elizabeth's sole companionship. Elizabeth's wrist slowly healed.
A week after Jane's arrival, as Elizabeth left the sitting room, smiling at Mr. Bingley's immediate return to the lover's state in Jane's presence, Darcy joined Caroline in the ranks of those wishing for her companionship.
"Miss Bennet," Darcy said. "I was just about to take a walk. Would you care to accompany me?"
Elizabeth, who was, by the day, growing ever more attached not only to Pemberley, but its master as well, agreed and went to get her things. When she returned, Darcy was standing at the bottom of the stairs, smiling up at her. He offered her his arm as she reached him. Flushed slightly, she took it.
They wandered through the grounds, Elizabeth getting a far more extensive tour than she ever had with Caroline. Darcy didn't prattle on as Caroline did, and pointed out all the best features to her, never once relinquishing her arm.
Elizabeth felt that she had never had a more enjoyable after noon, though whether it was because of the scenery or the company, she didn't want to admit to herself. Every time Darcy smiled at her, she felt her insides melt. His gentle touch made her feel protected, even though there was really nothing to be protected from.
"Elizabeth," Darcy said suddenly. Surprised, she looked at him. "Miss Bennet," he amended. "I—I've wanted to talk to you for a long time, but I …well, I hadn't been able to work up the courage." He let go of her arm to rub the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm not very good at this." Elizabeth waited, not knowing where he was trying to go. Darcy gave up on etiquette and went for bluntness. "I'm trying to ask if your feelings are as they were last April. If they are, only tell me and I will never mention the subject again."
Elizabeth was stunned. She couldn't move, could barely breathe. Was what she had wondered all along true? Was he really still in love with her?
She hadn't responded. What was she thinking? Darcy could almost feel impending rejection. He started to turn away.
Only to be stopped by her hand grabbing his arm. "Mr. Darcy," she said, her voice breathy, quiet, and…happy? "You asked me if my feelings are still the same as they were in April. My answer is no, they are entirely different. So different, in fact, that they are the opposite as then."
Darcy's fingers slipped down to hers, and they threaded together. Caught up in the moment, he pulled his fiancé—his fiancé!—towards him. Their bodies met, and his lips were on hers. Stiff with surprise for only a second, Elizabeth melted into him, kissing him back.
After a moment, Darcy came to his senses and pulled back gently. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Miss Bennet, truly, I—"
She placed a finger against his lips. "It's all right," she told him. "Don't apologize. And if we're going to be married, you must start calling me by my given name."
Darcy smiled. "Elizabeth," he whispered. "I should go to your father swiftly."
"And I should go, as well," Elizabeth said. She smiled slightly. "My father might need my reassurance that this is what I want."
Darcy smiled, squeezing her hand gently. "Shall we leave tomorrow then, my love?"
A small thrill ran through her heart at those words, and she nodded.
Caroline saw them come in together. She had seen them go out together, too, but something was different between them. They were standing closer together, and their hands were clasped. As she watched, Elizabeth dropped Mr. Darcy's hand, and Mr. Darcy sent Elizabeth a loving glance.
So that was it. It was over. Caroline sighed and turned away. She had lost.
They had agreed, on the way back, to say nothing of it until Darcy had asked Mr. Bennet for his daughter's hand, so the two lovers had to keep the fact that they were a secret.
That night, Elizabeth watched fondly as Bingley finally managed to win Jane over again. She could see the exact moment Jane gave in, and was happy for them both.
"Elizabeth," her aunt said, "you haven't forgotten that we had planned to leave tomorrow, have you?"
She had. Elizabeth wondered if Mr. Darcy had remembered, and that was why he had finally asked her today. She resisted the urge to glance at him, and nodded at her aunt. "No, Aunt, I hadn't." It would do no good to say that she had, and now they didn't need to think of an excuse to go back.
Later that night, Jane practically floated into the room.
"You look happy," Elizabeth observed.
"Oh, Lizzy!" Jane said. "How could I not be? Mr. Bingley has just asked me to marry him!"
"That's wonderful!" Elizabeth said, embracing her sister.
"He's going to follow us back to Longbourn tomorrow to ask Father. Oh Lizzy, how could I possibly be this lucky?"
Elizabeth smiled and embraced her sister again.
After the Bennets and their relations had left, it didn't take Charles long to leave, either. Caroline watched as her brother and his best friend loaded themselves into a carriage and set out for Netherfield, Longbourn, and their respective brides-to-be. She stood with Georgiana, watching them leave, and hoped that the younger girl would take her sadness as that of losing the company of Darcy, the man she had long "wanted", but merely because he was safe, and would never want her back.
She desperately hoped that Georgiana wouldn't guess the real reason. It would never do. But it was true. Elizabeth was taken, and that was that.
A/N2: Yes, I totally went there. No, you can't complain.
