Shielding her eyes from the bright sunbeams peaking over the horizon, Lizzy saw a horse making its way through the dew laden meadow just a few yards away from her. The figure atop the white stallion was an indiscernible shadow from her vantage point, but the rider apparently could make her out as he drew his horse to a sudden stop next to her. A large hand reached out to Lizzy and a familiar gruff voice urged, "Lizzy you must hurry back with me! A horrendous tragedy has come to pass! Come!" Lizzy accepted the hand stretched out to her and was swung aloft the large horse. Clinging to the strong torso of Mr. Darcy, the horse quickly took back the land she had recently strolled across. When they arrived back at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy jumped down from the horse unceremoniously encircled Lizzy's waist with his hands and helped her down. When her feet hit the ground she found herself to be much nearer to this man than she had ever been to another man before. His hands still wrapped around her waist, she felt his breath against her forehead and looking up she was met by his grief stricken gaze.

"What has happened sir that caused this untoward journey to be necessary?" Lizzy questioned.

"Ms. Elizabeth, I cannot break such new to you here, come let us go set down inside where I can break it to you with less pain." He spoke into the heavy air.

She refuted, "Sir, I think it would be best if you told me out here, I find that nature provides more comfort than a soft chair in a silent sorrow filled home."

Taking her gently by the elbow he led her into the small garden off to the side of the house. Enclosed in the hedges was a world of hushed peace filled with the first budding flowers of the summer. Darcy took her to a small bench nestled between a stone wall covered by roses and a gently bubbling fountain. He made sure she sat down before kneeling infront of her. He took her hand and spoke to her in earnest, "Ms. Elizabeth, a most unfortunate event has just happened to your family. I know that you have been heavily laden with the recent passing of your dear sister Jane. I too have lost someone I have long viewed as a brother. I am afraid that I have no idea how to tell this to you without causing you even more pain; so I will simply tell you. Last night your sister Lydia snuck out of her room and meet with a man you may know; Mr. Wickham, the two then made their way to Gretna Green and have eloped. This tale was found by your mother in a letter left by Lydia before she left. The shock of this unforeseen event along with the recent deaths caused your mother to go into a state of shock and it is unknown if she will ever pull herself out of the coma she has gone into."

Lizzy sat stunned gripping Darcy's hand tighter as he told her this story. Rising she let his hand go and made her way over to the exposed stone wall. Leaning heavily against it she closed her eyes and tried to understand what she had just been told. Her baby sister eloped, her mother asleep forever, and her dear sweet sister Jane dead. What was she to do? How could her father watch Mary and Kitty, arrange the funeral, and hire a doctor to care for her mother?

Taking in a deep breath she opened her eyes to see Mr. Darcy standing far closer to her than proper agony in his eyes. Again he reached out to her and pulled her against his sturdy chest murmuring into her hair, "Lizzy, I will take care of everything, you mustn't let these unfortunate events break you. I am here and I will do all that I can to protect you from the sorrow surrounding you. Just breathe, my love, I am here."

Shocked by his declaration, Lizzy pulled away to look into his eyes, there she saw shock; apparently his declaration had surprised even himself.

Darcy captured her cold small hand in his large grasp and said, "Lizzy, this is not the time I know, but I must act." Again he knelt before her startled form.

"I love you. Most ardently. I never wish to be parted from you. These tragic events have opened my eyes to the fragility of life, and if you will have me, we can journey forward the rest of our lives together. I will give to you every happiness for I know the only happiness I can hope for is that you might stay by my side."

Lizzy gaped down at him, 'He loved her?' she wondered. This man who had always seemed so distant to her. So far removed from any longing that she might hold in her heart. Yet he just declared he felt the same.

She meet his earnest blue eyes and hesitantly replied, "Mr. Darcy, sir, I had no idea you felt any such attachment to me. You have been a wondrous help in these horrid times, but I do not think that this is the time to be making such declarations."

Darcy stood and hung his head in distrate, "Ms. Elizabeth, our relationship has never been like the sort society would accept. Surely you must see that I have always been drawn to you. I danced with you at our first meeting. do you not remember? When I danced with no one outside my party, but then you caught my eye. From then on I knew that you were the breathe of fresh life that I needed. I cannot keep distancing myself from you after all the death I have just witnessed. I need you now and forever! What is the point in prolonging my agony?"

Lizzy stepped back from his urgent form and found herself pinned between him and the stone wall. She gasped as she felt his heated breath against the tear tracked lines of her check. Her eyes flew up to his face, mesmerized by the passion brimming from his eyes, she then traced the elegant contours of his nose and was drawn to the lips that had just declared his love. All reasonable thought fled her mind as she was consumed by the strong pull of his passion.

She leaned gently into his form and found him even closer than she assumed. Strong arms made their way around her waist as his lips meet hers. All too willingly she gave in to the tide of her love that she had tried to keep hidden.

Sorry for the long break between chapters! I just moved into collage, and I actually had some unfortunate events overtake my family. I hope to be posting more regularly again. Hope you like the story if you have any comments, suggestions, reviews, or whatever, please leave them for me!

I am putting some of the chapters together and working on editing grammatical errors

The next chapter should be up by Saturday!

Hope you have a lovely day.