Disclaimer: Jane Austen's, not mine :(

Ch 6

Mr. Bennet sent word to Netherfield that he and Elizabeth would be visiting for tea the next day.

He felt tea would be better than lunch, since it was a little more relaxed environment and required no sharp knives to be present.

Mr. Bingley was flitting about the house like a trapped bird, getting ready for his very first guest at his very own estate. His excitement was not containable.

Darcy, however, sat cool and calmly in the library. At least that's how his outer appearance was. Inside, his mind was rather unsettled and Bingley's constant running back and forth between rooms asking about napkin colors wasn't helping.

While lying awake the night before, Darcy kept replaying the events of earlier that day. One phrase kept standing out in his mind: 'I'm warning you, I don't believe she will take this too well'.

What had Mr. Bennet meant by that? Sure, his daughter climbed trees and muddied her dresses, but she was no doubt a reasonable young woman. After all, who wouldn't be elated to marry Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley? Once she understood she was marrying one of the most sought after bachelors in all England; certainly she would be overjoyed.

With that thought in mind, Mr. Darcy finally closed his eyes and succumbed to sleep. But now, as the time drew near, his nerves had resurfaced.

Finally steadying his unease as much as he could, Darcy went to meet Bingley in the sitting room to wait for their guests' arrival.

The clock struck the hour and shortly thereafter the Bennet party was announced.

Proper introductions were made, with the proper accompanying bows and curtsies, as they all sat themselves for tea.

This time, Darcy was able to obtain a more thorough look at Elizabeth Bennet. She was certainly more petite then her sister but her figure was still womanly and pleasing. Her face was rather pretty and her eyes even more spectacular then he remembered.

"I can't tell you how excited I am to have you here, Mr. Bennet," proclaimed Bingley, his voice breaking through Darcy's musings.

"Thank you for allowing us the use of your house for this ... meeting" finished Mr. Bennet.

Mr. Bennet quickly looked over at his daughter to see how she was taking it. But Elizabeth held her head high and showed no signs of distress.

"Oh! you are quite welcome sir. Now, I understand you have another daughter," inquired Bingley as he eagerly leaned in.

This comment received an unobserved kick by Darcy. At this rate, he would never get to speak with Elizabeth.

"Yes"-replied Mr. Bennet. "Four more, to be precise"

"Four more! That is exciting news..." started Charles, but was quickly cut off by Darcy.

"How was your ride over, Miss Elizabeth?" asked Darcy

"Quite well, thank you sir. The roads are excellent this time of year," replied Elizabeth cordially.

"Yes, they are not quite fine as in Derbyshire, but still acceptable," said Darcy as Elizabeth's eyes narrowed imperceptibly for a moment before returning to normal.

"And Mr. Darcy, how do you find the country here? We have such lovely woods and groves," asked Elizabeth trying to find something to please this man.

"They do not possess the wild, openness of my home but they fill their purpose by means of distraction," replied Darcy trying to easy his nerves.

This response caused Elizabeth to grip her cup tighter than necessary and Mr. Bennet to hid a smile.

Darcy was sure that by painting Derbyshire in a positive light, he would make Elizabeth eager to see it.

Their discussion continued on the weather and foliage of Hertfordshire, while Charles and Mr. Bennet discussed their families.

After a lovely and quaint afternoon tea, Bingley suggested taking a walk in the Netherfield gardens. He wanted Mr. Bennet's opinion on what would best grow in this area (and of course to give his good friend a few minutes alone with his betrothed).

The group walked into one of the gardens and broke into pairs, but for proprieties sake, they were still within view of each other.

Darcy could not believe how much he lucked out. Just as he thought this young lady was everything engaging and sweet and...

"So Mr. Darcy, pray tell how you find you latest acquisition. Do I suit all your requirements? Or is there a better version of me in Derbyshire?"

Darcy quickly turned towards the hardened voice next to him. Gone was the pleasant girl who spoke of how suddenly the weather can change in Hertfordshire. In her place stood a fiery woman with arms crossed in front of her and eyes narrowed in anger.

'The weather here certainly does change quickly,' thought Darcy as a chill ran down his back.

Elizabeth was clearly waiting for an answer, but Darcy was a smart man. He knew there was no right way to answer that question.

But he was beyond niceties. How dare she mislead him? She wanted the truth? Then he would give it to her.

Equally narrowing his eyes Darcy replied, "Tolerable I suppose. I will say your family is inferior to mine, I'm sure the ton will talk about me marrying someone so far beneath. My family will of course be disappointed on me. You are handsome, but nothing out of the common way. And your inclination to climb trees make your manners questionable."

Elizabeth stood in shock. Had he really just said those things to her?

Quickly regaining her composure, Lizzy volleyed back. "These crimes are heavy indeed. No doubt you wish to send me to the gallows for them. Although I doubt your pride and conceit will allow it. To hang ones wife, how disgraceful".

"Yes, my wife. That is what you are to be. The sooner you learn your place, the better." Darcy responded coldly.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes further: "My person and manners are fine just the way they are. I don't wish for your clear propensity to dislike everyone and everything you see."

"Clearly your 'propensity' is to willfully misunderstand. But be warned Miss Bennet, my good opinion once lost is lost forever."

"A failing indeed my dear. I wonder how many of those I'll find in your character." Elizabeth challenged.

"I've already counted six in yours," replied Darcy.

Here they stood openly glaring at each other. Lizzy's arms still crossed in front of her while Darcy's hands lay clenched at his sides. Both sets of eyes narrowed in anger. Only separated by a foot.

Elizabeth's eyes were bearing as much anger as possible at Darcy, and were determined not to notice his strong square jaw or how well his clothes fit his athletic frame. Darcy, likewise, was steadfast to show Elizabeth just who was in charge while trying to ignore just how enchanting her curls looked when the wind caught them.

How long they stood this way, neither one knew, but the clearing of a throat suddenly aroused them.

Elizabeth and Darcy quickly broke apart and turned towards the sound. Only a few feet away stood Mr. Bennet and Charles; both casting their eyes between the pair and both rather amused.

"Perhaps it's time we head home," said Mr. Bennet.

All parties readily agreed. They all made their proper bows and curtsies, thanked their host for his graciousness and parted. One set in a carriage, the other back into the quiet of Netherfield.

While walking back into the house, Bingley smiled while asking, "So, how did it go?"

All he received in response was a humf as Darcy stalked off to the library slamming the door.

'So' thought Bingley grinning ear-to-ear 'Darcy has finally met his match'.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Mr. Bennet couldn't help but be somewhat amused on the ride back to Longbourn. Any man able to hold his own against his Lizzy... Even though this wasn't what they had intended, maybe George and him weren't too far off to pair these two together.

Elizabeth sat across from her father angrily tapping her fingers. 'How dare he. HOW DARE HE! Her manners were just fine! His manners were the ones in need of adjustment.

"You know we'll have to tell your mother. She'll probably start the wedding planning instantly," joked Mr. Bennet

He had been able to distract his wife this afternoon by saying Lizzy and himself were going to Meryton to buy books. But if they returned home without any, he knew his wife would know something else was up. Fanny may be silly but certainly wasn't stupid.

"Perhaps we should wait Papa. After that little display, I have no doubt Mr. Darcy will rethink this matter entirely. By tomorrow we may no longer be engaged," this thought brought a small smile to Lizzy's face.

"If you wish my dear," replied Mr. Bennet.

Little did Elizabeth know at that moment an express was being sent from Netherfield to London.

oooooooooooooooooooo

Lizzy spent the rest of the day and night in a foul mood. Even her dear sweet Jane couldn't bring her out of it. She had yet to tell Jane of the contract. She didn't want her sister to worry until she knew there was nothing that could be done.

All she could think about was her meeting with Mr. Darcy. What a proud arrogant man. Sure he was also the handsomest man she had ever met, but that in no way made up for his rudeness. Even though, thought Lizzy, she had not been a saint herself.

Great, now she felt guilt too on top of everything else.

Once she got some rest, Elizabeth had little doubt things would look better tomorrow. It usually did. Maybe tomorrow she would no longer be engaged! Then she could apologize for her behavior and everything could go back to normal.

With these thoughts in mind, she was finally able to rest and did in fact felt better the next morning. So much that she decided to go for a quick walk.

She didn't know that while on her walk, she would miss her mother screaming as she fainted dead away, the morning paper opened to the following announcement:

"Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire announces his official engagement to a Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire."

AN: Hello all! Thank you again for all your inspiring review. I love them! And of course thanks as always to my beta adrilu1192 who even when I give her the chapter super late she still gets it back to me on time. :)

Anyways as for the future of this story I'm still keeping with the weekly updates till I can finish the story. Once it's done I will increase my weekly updates to twice a week. I'm doing it this way to make sure I have a constant update schedule. It's taking me long that I thought to write this (still typing it w/ one thumb on my phone) so I figured you would rather have a chapter a week then a bunch of chapters quickly and then wait a month between the next one. Thanks again for all you support!