Disclaimer: Jane Austen's not mine :(

Ch5

The front door of Longbourn closed behind the well-dressed young gentleman as he took his leave.

Never in all of Darcy's eight and twenty years on this earth had he ever seen a woman of gentle breeding look so wild. Sure, Georgiana got dirty once in a while, but that was when she was a young child.

Quickly mounting his horse, Darcy rode toward Netherfield to clear his mind.

Even with his betrothed's rather crazed appearance, he still insisted to Mr. Bennet that he wished the contract upheld. After all, this was the girl Darcy's father thought was the best, and who was he to disagree with his father?

Of course his father was rather sick at the time when he drew up the contract.

Darcy shook this thought from his mind, determined to focus on the positive. Beneath the leaves and branch, her hair was a rather fetchingly rich dark brown. And her enthusiastic eyes were of an extremely catching hazel color. Yes, her eyes were very fine indeed. And her dress... was covered six inches deep in mud.

Darcy shook his head once again. Surely she was embarrassed at her appearance. No doubt she would make her apologies when they were properly introduced. After that he had little doubt she would be just as demur and sweet as her sister.

This thought brought a small smile to Darcy's face as he rode on to inform Charles of his meeting and to let him know he had an "angel" for a neighbor.

He quietly laughed to himself at the thought of Charles sprinting from the house, grabbing his horse and riding at full speed to meet this new angel.

Feeling better now that he had a chance to clear his head, Darcy looked forward to his next meeting with the woman that possessed the lovely eyes.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lizzy had entered her house through the kitchen in an attempt to avoid her mother's detection and find her father to act as her diversion.

No sooner had she found him, she noticed a very striking and handsome young man. She could tell he was tall, even though he was seated, and broad. He appraise her with deep gray eyes and his wavy black hair was flawless.

Quickly excusing herself she exited determined to change swiftly and inquire to her father just who this man was. Was this the new neighbor? Why would he be calling on them if he was?

Lizzy had, by some miracle, avoided her mother, since Mrs. Bennet was elsewhere in the house interrogating her eldest on the young man she had shown in.

She changed quickly and upon reentering the study found her father alone.

"I guessed the front door closing was the gentleman leaving," said Lizzy grinning as she stood next to the chair their guest just vacated. "Papa, are you keeping from us the fact that you know young handsome eligible men? If so, you know mama is going to be furious"

Mr. Bennet smiled sadly at his daughter. He truly would miss her wit.

"Please take a seat Elizabeth," said her father solemnly.

Lizzy's eyes widened with worry as her grin disappeared. Her father only called her Elizabeth when he had something serious to tell her. The last time he said "Elizabeth please take a seat" was a little over a year ago, when he told Lizzy her beloved dog had died while she was away visiting her aunt and uncle.

Elizabeth slowly lowered herself in the chair as her father continued "I need to tell you about the gentleman who just left here..."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It had been a half hour since Mr. Bennet finished explaining everything to his Lizzy.

He told her why he agreed to the contract in the first place and why her name was on it; why if he bought out her share, the girls would truly be penniless and how the young gentleman insisted the contract be upheld. Everything.

His usually witty Lizzy had still yet to say anything. She just sat staring straight ahead, eyes wide and breath quickening.

Mr. Bennet continued to stand by her holding her hand.

Finally finding her voice she said, "So what is to be done now?"

Mr. Bennet sighed as he released her hand and reclaimed his seat behind the desk.

"It seems that this Mr. Darcy wishes to start planning a wedding. From what I gather, he has already met his solicitor," explained Mr. Bennet.

"But you said you were good friends with his father. Surely he'll understand what his father was trying to do and release me without further entanglement. I don't want the money; I just want out!" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"It appears as though he won't be dissuaded," continued Mr. Bennet. "He wants nothing more than for the contract to be fulfilled."

"Oh! does he now" said Lizzy narrowing her eyes and forgetting just moments ago how attractive she found him. "Well, I'll just have to do something about that."

"Lizzy, I don't think Mr. Darcy is the kind of man you want to upset," warned Mr. Bennet.

"Of course father. I just want Mr. Darcy to know what a wonderful wife he has acquired," said Lizzy with false sweetness.

"Lizzy, his father was the very best of men. I'm sure if it did come down to it, this gentleman would make a fine husband. Plus, he's under the assumption that you knew of this the whole time. It would look strange to complain about it now" sighed Mr. Bennet rubbing his temples.

"Father, I understand but it is still too presumptuous of him to force the issue. He just seems far too high and mighty for his own good." argued Elizabeth.

"Lizzy, I think you're being a bit presumptuous. You haven't even met him properly. He may be a little proud but I don't believe him to be malicious. I believe he may feel closer to his father by honoring this contract. Clearly he wants a wife that his father "chose" for him."

"Well" replied Elizabeth "I hope he also wants a wife that likes to speak her own mind". Elizabeth's eyes shone with fiery soul within.

Mr. Bennet sighed. Between her stubbornness and Mr. Darcy's arrogance, Mr. Bennet was hoping they would come out of their first meeting intact.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"So tell me again Darcy, just how blue were her eyes?" Bingley asked while leaning forward excitedly.

"Charles I have already described Miss Jane Bennet four times." Darcy said rolling his eyes. "Nothing has changed since the first description. Plus, don't you want to hear more about the woman I am to marry?"

"Oh! Of course, forgive me my friend. So...are Miss Elizabeth's eyes as blue as her sister's?" inquired Bingley.

Darcy sighed exasperated at his friend's enthusiasm. He knew he should have waited till after he told Charles about his meeting with Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth to mention her sister.

"Bingley, I need to speak seriously for a moment" said Darcy.

"Well, no one knows how to do that better than you my friend" grinned Bingley.

This only earned Charles a narrowing of his friend's eyes as he ignored the comment and continued.

"I will have Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth visiting shortly since we were not formally introduced. I know your house is not officially opened yet, but I was hoping to be able to use it for this meeting."

"Of course Darcy, anything you need. And feel free to inform Mr. Bennet that if Miss Elizabeth feels shy about the meeting, she could bring her sister to easy the awkwardness." said Charles beaming.

This earned Charles another sigh as Darcy stood to retreat to his chambers and caused Bingley to laugh hardily.

Walking away, Darcy felt some nervousness built. By this time tomorrow he would probably be meeting his future wife. The woman who would run Pemberley with him and help Georgiana come out into society. Yes, his nerves were definitely building.

AN: I can't believe I got over 200 reviews! You guys are awesome! Thank you so much. I can't tell you how happy you reviews make me. Thanks again as always to my beta adrilu1192 for being great as always. I do want to warn you all my next installment might be a week late. Long story short I have family in town for Mardi Gras and they are sucking a lot of my free time up but I'm still going to try to get it out on time. Especially since the next chapter is the big meeting :).

Hopefully see you this time next week but until then: Laissez les bons temps rouler!