Ch 2

Disclaimer: I don't own pride & prejudice. It's all Jane Austen's

Darcy had now been at his desk for a full quarter hour staring at the same piece of paper. The shock had not quite worn off.

His father had arranged a marriage for him? Judging from the date it was done shortly before his death.

Did his father know his end was coming soon and wanted to make sure his son's future was settled before he passed?

If so, why did he never mention it to him?

Darcy racked his brain trying to think of where he had heard the name Bennet. It definitely was not among the ton. He may not have been the most agreeable, friendly person when it came to making new acquaintances but for the life of him he could not remember any woman by the name of Elizabeth Bennet.

Not only that but judging by the dates on the contract, they should be planning their wedding now.

Darcy's mind was swirling. He had a thousand thoughts and unanswered questions.

Suddenly he remembered someone by the name of Bennet sending his condolences after his father's passing. That must be it.

Darcy wretch open the second desk drawer and pulled out the stack of them.

Many people might think it was a macabre practice to keep them so close at hand but to Darcy they were a constant reminder of how loved his father was and how much he wanted to strive to be like him.

Quickly he started digging through the large stack of letters finally coming across one from a Thomas Bennet of Longbourn. This one had to be it.

Apparently this Thomas Bennet was an old school friend of his fathers. Reading further down the letter Darcy noticed it held no mention of the contract. That wasn't surprising though. It's not really something one would write about when sending their condolences.

But why hadn't he written since?

The questions in his head continued to mount.

Had something happened to the girl or had the family assumed he had wanted out of the deal and was awaiting their 5,000 pounds?

Of course that was it. Having not heard from him on the matter, they undoubtedly expected him to pay the sum. He'd probably be hearing from their solicitor any day now.

Darcy felt he had to rectify the situation and soon. He would ride to Hertfordshire and just explain that he knew nothing of the contract until recently. His father had been too ill to tell him about it. Darcy was sure they would understand and was even more sure that both parties could exits without further issues.

Yes the contract did say the only way to exit out of it was for the party wishing to leave to present the other party with the aforementioned sum but surely there was a loophole somewhere that didn't require him to have to pay such a hefty amount. That was it. They'd find a loophole, dissolve the contract and be done with it. Surely if both parties wanted out then neither would have to pay that sum.

This thought made Darcy pause. Is that what he wanted? Perhaps he should just keep with the contract. Clearing the girl was not married yet or else he would have received their payment.

Darcy's mind was suddenly clear. Of course he would just keep with the contract and marry this girl. Clearly his father thought it was a good idea. And was that not exactly what he had just been worried about; not finding a wife suited for himself?

This woman was obviously good enough for his father. In marrying her Darcy knew he'd have a wife that his father approved, something that he never thought he would have after his father's passing. The idea of that made him feel lighter then he had in a long time. His father approved of his future wife.

Yes he would ride to Herfordshire and marry this Elizabeth Bennet. He just knew she would be just as thrilled after all, who would not want to marry Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley?

Hertfordshire. Was that not where Charles was talking about leasing an estate? Bingley had asked him to accompany him to this Netherfield Park. Initially he thought about declining since the whole Wickham debacle. But now this worked out perfectly. He'd have a place to stay in town while the wedding was planned.

Finally, thought Darcy, things seem to be going his way.

"You look rather pleased cousin"

Darcy head snapped towards the voice coming from the large mahogany door to see his cousin leaning against its frame.

"Richard how are you?"replied Darcy standing.

Colonel Richards Fitzwilliam was the closest thing to a brother that Darcy had. When it came to being a soldier he was a very serious man but in all other aspects of his life he was a fun, open, engaging person. The exact opposite of Darcy.

"Better now that I'm back in England. How's Georgian doing? I'm sorry I could not get back any sooner but I had thought I might be able to cheer her up some now that I'm here".

"She's doing a little better" Darcy said as his smile dimmed, "but I'm sure if anyone can make her laugh again it will be you."

"From your letters I gather you've been in a rather dark mood Darcy." said Richard. "I am too, knowing we don't have a legal reason to kill Wickham."

This comment elicited a small smile from Darcy.

"So pray tell" Richard continued, "why did you look so happy when I came in just now?"

"You can be the first to congratulate me cousin" beamed Darcy. "I am to be married and hopefully rather soon."

Richard Fitzwilliam stood in shock. For the first time in years he was at a total lost for words. He couldn't have been more surprised if his cousin said he was selling Pemberley, joining a circus and telling peoples fortunes.

"Well that certainly is some news" said Richard slowly. "And of course I congratulate you Darcy. Who is the lucky lady? Please don't tell me your friend's sister, who always wears that awful turban, managed to get you into a compromising position"

"Not at all" laughed Darcy. "In fact my father has arranged it all for me."

Oh no thought Richard. This incident with Wickham has truly made his dear cousin loose his mind.

"Are you sure about that Darcy?" asked Richard while sending his cousin a concerned look.

"Don't look at me like that Richard. I know what your thinking."

Darcy handed Richard the papers and watched as his cousin's eye grew wider and wider.

"Darcy how can this be? He never said anything!" exclaimed Richard.

He sudden broke out a huge smile and began laughing. "This is great Darcy. All this time Aunt Catherine has been going on and on about you and Anne being betrothed but you already were to someone else! What fun this will be! Please Darcy," Richards said grasping his cousin, "please let me be the one to tell Aunt Catherine."

"I'm glad you find our aunt so amusing" Darcy replied dryly as he shook off his cousin. "Anyways you'll have to wait till she gets back from the continent."

"Then I'll just have to ride to Italy myself and tell her. I would truly be heartbroken if I missed her face when she heard the news" joked Richard.

"You just got back, plus you need to stay here and watch Georgiana till I can send for her. I also need to ride to London, meet with my solicitor, talk to Charles about joining him in Hertfordshire, ride to Hertfordshire, meet with my future in-laws, then I plan to announce it. Or do you think I should arranged to have it announced before I head to Hertfordshire?" Darcy questioned.

Sitting back down to ready his travels and absorbed in thinking over everything that needed done, Darcy barely notice Richard still in the room.

"Well I guess I'll go see Georgiana." Richard said clearing his throat. "But Darcy, your first thing should really be to tell Georgiana."

"Tell Georgiana what?" came a sweet timid voice from the doorway.

Darcy looked up to see his sister there looking at him questioningly.

Darcy quickly walked over to his sister and hugging her said "Georgiana I'm finally going to give you something you've always wanted, a sister"

Georgiana's face grew pale as she said "please don't tell me it's Miss Bingley"

At this Richard's and Darcy's laughs echoed through Pemberley.

Miles away at Longbourn Elizabeth Bennet sat under a tree, blissfully unaware her life was about to change very soon.

AN: Hello everyone! I am totally blown away by all the reviews. Can't tell you how much they mean to me. I get so nervous before I post a chapter but your reviews really help me continue. I wish I could respond to all the reviews but I have limited time and really want to finish this story. But they seriously help! And thanks for all the congrats on being a new mom! Anyways I just started working with a beta so hopefully this will be the last chapter riddled with grammar and auto-correct errors. Seriously I hate auto-correct.

Anyways as for this story, it's now running at about the same time frame as Pride & Prejudice but some events are going to be altered (ie Lady Catherine in Italy) but trust me, they are like that for a purpose.