Ok I do have a good excuse for delaying so long. I'm sick. :-( :-( The kind of sick that requires lots of time in bed and very short amounts writing. :-( Sorry. You should be proud of me though. This is my longest chapter EVER!

I am taking some liberties with the characters in the story. You probably will see them as the story progresses. The changes are necessary. So I hope you enjoy!

Elizabeth left to see her sister immediately upon arrival to the house. She didn't give a second thought to Darcy. She only had thoughts for Jane. She loved Jane most over all of her sisters. The only person who rivaled Jane in Elizabeth's affections was their father. She reached Jane's room and rushed to her side.

"Jane how are you feeling?" Jane smiled up at her sister.

"Oh Lizzy I feel so much better now that you are come." The sisters smiled at each other neither needing to fill the comfortable silence between them.

Darcy watched her race up the stairs full of worry for her sister. He felt a new emotion stir in his breast. It's name was jealousy. He wanted her concern and care directed towards him. He wanted to see her smile as he walked into a room. He wanted to feel her happiness as she carried his children. Their children. He found he really liked the sound of that.

He was struck by several thoughts of her at Pemberly. In the gardens, by the lake, in his bed... His mind tried desperately to shut away those very ungentlemanly thoughts, but they were far too pleasing.

His thoughts continued this way for sometime to his distress and enjoyment. Darcy could feel the gentleman in him appalled by what he was doing, but he couldn't stop his thoughts. They were interrupted to his again contradictory feelings, relief and disappointment. These feelings didn't last long once he heard the news. Elizabeth was staying while her sister was sick! He could hardly believe it. She was going to be so close. They would be in the same house. The gentlemanly manners that had been drilled into him his whole life strongly rebelled at the errant thoughts his mind had conjured up. He sighed. None of his fantasies would come true within the next few weeks. He had to control himself and slowly woo her until her could ask her father for a formal courtship and then go to her father once more to gain permission to marry her.

'Whoa, we have known her for a month. How can we be already making plans for matrimony?'

'She is perfect. And though you may hardly know her, I know her intimately. Everything about her speaks to me; begs me to love her. And I do. I will always love her.'

'But how? Love takes time to bloom. We have not spent nearly enough time together for it to have formed.'

'How you delude yourself. I knew we were gone as soon as I met those eyes. Like the sweetest violets, soft and beautiful.'

'We will find others. Women of standing and wealth with eyes just as fine.'

'No we will never find another. If we leave her we will be cursed to spend eternity comparing all other women to her. But we shall never find her equal.'

'There is no reason to rush though.'

'If we do not secure her now we may lose our one and only chance for happiness. We must marry her, and soon.

It was at that moment he felt the change. All other thoughts fell away. His estate could go to ruins and his fortune disappear so long as he could have her. So what if everyone turn away from him in disgust. He would have her and she all he ever needed.

She did not come down to the dining room that night nor the two following nights, choosing to spend her time with Jane. Darcy knew she could not stay up there forever so he waited and on the forth night she joined them for both supper and cards. She declined the offer to play cards instead choosing to read. Caroline made a rude comment at this, clearly designed to gain Darcy's attentions, but Darcy's immediate thoughts were of how well she would like his library at Pemberly. He was surprised when his companions brought up the subject of his thoughts.

"The library here is rather nice. It is nothing to Pemberly's I know. But Darcy is always buying books of some sort or another. I confess I feel there is little time for them."

"I cannot comprehend the neglect of the family library, nor any room in ones home. It is not so at Pemberly. Pemberly is the greatest house in all of England, if not the world." Darcy flinched slightly at Caroline's comment. "Charles, you should build a house yourself, in the model of Pemberly."

"I would but Pemberly outright if Darcy was willing to sell it."

"I'm talking of possibilities Charles." Caroline sneered.

"As am I. I should think it easier to get Pemberly through purchase than through imitation." Darcy stole an appraising glance at Elizabeth to see if she was at all impressed by his wealth and estate, but no. She continued to read her book paying no mind to the conversation. He was disappointed. Why was it Caroline who fawned after him and not Elizabeth. Why was she one of the few girls in all of England who did not care for his wealth?

Elizabeth closed her book and moved to stand by the table curious at the conversation. Darcy, excited, began to listen to the conversation once more.

"All women accomplished?" Caroline nearly shrieked. "Whatever can you be saying Charles?"

"You all can net purses, cover screens, play the piano and I know not what. I have hardly heard of a woman before being told she is accomplished."

"There are not half a dozen women I would say are truly accomplished." Darcy could truly only think of two accomplished women. His sister was one. He gave a sideways glance at Elizabeth. She was obliviously the other.

"Nor I." Caroline could never disagree with Darcy.

"Then you must comprehend a great deal in the idea." Darcy's head snapped towards the sound of his Elizabeth's voice. He loved her voice.

"I do." Darcy's voice was low and his stare added extra meaning to his words.

"Of course. She must have a through knowledge of music, singing, dancing, drawing and the modern languages to deserve the word. And something in her air and manner of walking." Darcy nearly groaned as Caroline's voice interrupted his very pleasurable thoughts. He turned once again to Elizabeth.

"And she must improve her mind by extensive reading." He glanced down at the book she still kept in her hands as he said this, to leave no doubt to her his meaning.

"I am not longer surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women, Mr. Darcy. I now wonder at you knowing any." Elizabeth turned away from Darcy's somewhat pointed stare. He made her uncomfortable. She hoped her comment would end the conversation, but it was not to be. Mr. Darcy was not to be deterred.

"You are very severe on your sex, Miss Bennet." Darcy strived to get her beautiful eyes to return to him.

"I speak as I find. I have never seen such elegance, taste or refinement in any woman to accomplish such a feat." Caroline and Louisa quickly made known their objections to this comment and much to Elizabeth's relief and Darcy's disappointment the topic was soon closed. Elizabeth retired to check on Jane soon afterward. Darcy's eyes didn't leave her until she was out of sight. Caroline, unable to restrain herself any longer began to insult Elizabeth as soon as she was out of earshot.

"Did you see her when she appeared that morning? Her petty coat was six inches deep in mud, I am certain. And her hair, so untidy and blowzy. What could she have been thinking? Walking three or four or however many miles, in the dirt, to see to her sister's trifling cold? It is unthinkable! I am sure you would not wish your sister to act in such a manner Mr. Darcy."

"Certainly not." Darcy replied coldly.

"Jane is a very sweet girl, but the sister and all other relations are repugnant. I have heard that she has an uncle in trade. Oh and the best part, he lives in Cheapside. She has another uncle who is an attorney. Her mother; well the less said on the topic, the better. The younger sisters chasing after officers and flirting with any man who has the misfortune to walk within a meter of them. I cannot fathom having such relations." Bingley's usually happy face was clouded by a deep frown, but he did not comment.

For another few days Elizabeth came down for supper, but did not retire to the sitting room after. She begged her sister as an excuse. Darcy grew more agitated and frustrated. How was he supposed to woo Elizabeth if he could hardly see her?

She came down three nights later and stayed after dinner. She joined in the cards this time. Darcy wasted no time in commandeering her for his partner for the game. After a few hands his curiosity won over and he could no longer contain his question.

"Pray, Miss Elizabeth, why did you not come with your sister Jane to dine here?" He desperately hoped she would not say or hint that she did not want to come. She looked at him confused.

"It would not have been proper that I came. I would not impose myself on Miss Bingley's hospitality." Caroline had turned a most alarming shade of red and was looking positively distressed. No one noticed however.

"Improper? Nay if you had been an imposition to Miss Bingley she would not have invited you." Elizabeth was looking at Darcy as though he had grown another head.

"Yes... That was what I meant." By now everyone at the table was thoroughly confused except for Caroline, who now looked dangerously close to fainting.

"I am afraid I do not understand." Bingley spoke up just as confused as Darcy.

"Mr. Darcy stated that if I was to be a trouble to Miss Bingley then she would not have invited me. As I was not issued an invitation I felt that I could not intrude on her hospitality." Both Darcy's and Bingley's heads whipped towards Caroline, who was attempting to sneak out of the room.

"Caroline!" Bingley jumped up and in a flash he blocked her exit. His face darkened with anger. "Why didn't you invite Miss Elizabeth?" Caroline fidgeted under his gaze.

"I...I...I thought I did. She must have misunderstood the letter." Bingley's eyes flashed.

"Come to my study." She looked at her brother and straightened herself to her full height.

"But-"

"Now!" Everyone was shocked by Bingley's threatening tone. Caroline even looked a little scared. She meekly followed her brother. Bingley turned back to the room and quickly said, "Please excuse us."

In the study Bingley turned to Caroline, a deep frown marring his face.

"Now tell me, truthfully, why you did not invite Miss Elizabeth." Caroline swallowed visibly.

"I did not wish her to come. I do not like her."

"This would not be such a large problem had you not, since her arrival here, insulted her and all her relations. She is a guest in this house, as are you. I will not have you berating my guests or causing them discomfort."

"I have never been mean to her face." Caroline whined. "I did not strive to cause her discomfort."

"It is not only Miss Elizabeth you have caused discomfort. You have been rude and cruel to Miss Jane Bennet as well. You have abused the whole family. This has gone too far." Bingley's fist crashed into his desk reliving some of his pent up fury. "Darcy, too, feels displeasure at having you so near. He does not like you Caroline. He will never marry you." Bingley was sick and tired of Caroline's behavior. If she was not family he would have kicked her out a while ago.

Caroline gaped at him. She could not believe what he had said. Of course Darcy would marry her. She was the sister of his best friend. She was the sort of lady he needed to marry, a high-bred

gentlewoman with a large fortune and impressive connections. Who else could fill that position?

"But Charles..."

"No Caroline I don't want to hear your excuses or lies. I will only tell you this once. Treat my guests respectfully or find somewhere else to live." Bingley gave her one last glare before her stormed out of his study.

Meanwhile the sitting room had gone utterly silent. No one could believe Bingley's behavior. Elizabeth laid down her winning hand of cards. She quietly got up and turned to Darcy.

"I believe I should go check on Jane." Darcy looked into her eyes wishing he could find a reason to make her stay. In the end he could do nothing but watch her quit the room.

Wow! I'm not sure where this came from. It doesn't follow the plot of P&P but I think it was time Caroline got put in her place, don't you? Hope you liked it. I am experimenting with deviating more away from the plot. Tell me what you think.