Ch7

Darcy was in a foul mood when he returned to the Netherfield library.

What was his father thinking engaging him to a woman so... He couldn't even think of a word to describe her!

He was glad Bingley thought it amusing.

Well, if she thought she was going to get out of the contract by arguing with him; she had another thing coming. Darcy would show her who was truly in charge in this relationship. He wasn't about to be intimidated by a woman that didn't even come up to his chin.

With that in mind, he pulled out a piece of paper, writing an express to be sent to London. He wrote to his aunt, the Countess of Matlock, of his impending marriage.

Angry people rarely made wise decisions but Darcy couldn't help it. He knew his aunt was a powerful, out spoken woman who would write immediately to Elizabeth and explain just what a privilege it was to marry him.

Any women of sense would be honored to receive a letter from such a superior person and would no doubt adhere to it.

He could barely keep the pen steady as he wrote. Never in all his time had a woman ever spoken like that to him! Never had anyone spoken like that to him!

He sealed the envelope and sent it immediately. Now, sitting at breakfast with Bingley the next morning he wasn't sure that course of action was the right one to take.

'Well, not going back now' thought Darcy.

Bingley sat chuckling behind his morning paper. "Care to enlighten me on what you think is so humorous? " asked Darcy.

"Of course my friend" smiled Bingley, "I was just reading the announcements in the paper this morning and could have sworn I heard my sister Caroline scream from all the way in London. I guess I won't have to tell her after all."

"What ever do you mean?" said Darcy.

Smiling widely, Bingley handed over the paper. Darcy quickly turned a rather stark shade of white causing Bingley to laugh even heartier.

"I'm glad you find the situation so diverting", said Darcy dryly.

"How can I not? Clearly from your expression, you had not meant this to be in the paper. Not to mention I've never seen you show that much emotion toward any woman. Yes, I think she'll do quite well for you." Bingley said smiling even wider.

Darcy felt a squirm in his stomach. 'She was rather pretty' thought Darcy. Her eyes were even more amazing while angry. And he never wanted a simpering, simpleminded woman for a wife.

Could he truly find his match in someone so impertinent? 'No! Of course not!' thought Darcy quickly. It would be like any other arranged marriage among the ton. These thoughts still didn't quiet the little voice in the back of his mind.

"Perhaps we should ride to Longbourn this morning" said Darcy.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Back at Longbourn, chaos ensued.

Lizzy returned home to find her unconscious mother sprawled out in the chair being fanned by her younger sister Kitty, Lydia laughing, Mary ringing her hands and pacing the floor, Jane sitting quietly next to her mother holding her hand and her father standing off to the side holding the morning paper.

"Did someone die?" asked Lizzy.

But the look that everyone cast her as she walked into the room made her realize they all had found out about the contract.

Before she had a moment to ask how, her father handed her the paper in his hands.

Lizzy barely had to glance at it before she realized what had happened. "Just think Kitty, we shall get very fine new dresses for Lizzy's wedding" crowed Lydia.

Jane quickly grabbed her sisters' hand and led her from the room to the open air outside. "I thought it best if you were not in there when mama woke up or before Lydia said anything" whispered Jane, "but Lizzy how could you not tell me?"

"Truly Jane, I thought it would all blow over and nothing would come of it" sighed Lizzy, sitting on a bench outside that her sister led her to. Elizabeth had gone from having a pleasant morning walk, to having a headache that radiated to her feet.

"Father says Mr. Darcy's father and himself were old friends. Surely the son cannot be that bad." tried Jane, but not receiving any answer as Elizabeth tried to calm her displeasure.

Jane tried again "He still wants to marry you after having met you. Clearly he has excellent taste".

This did not elicit even the smallest of smiles from Lizzy. Trying one more time, "You have to admit Lizzy, he was quite handsome" smiled Jane.

This brought a sudden blush to Lizzy's cheeks. She couldn't help but remember how his dark wavy hair fell across his forehead and how his eyes looked like the sky before storm.

Before Lizzie could respond, the sound of horse hooves drew their attention. The man himself appeared moments later with his friend at his side. "Speak of the devil", Lizzy murmured under her breath.

"Lizzy" whispered Jane warningly.

"Good day Miss Elizabeth! How do we find you this fine morning?" cried Mr. Bingley as he and Mr. Darcy dismounted their horses.

"A good as can be expected" said Lizzy with a smile. It was hard not to, around someone with such a cheerful exuberance.

Ignoring the look Mr Darcy was giving her, she continued:

"Please allow me to introduce my elder sister Miss Jane Bennet. Jane, this is Mr. Bingley of Netherfield and of course you've met Mr. Darcy", Elizabeth's introduction ended on a cool note.

"Of course Mr. Darcy, it's a pleasure to be formally introduced. And Mr. Bingley, it's an honor to make your acquaintance." Jane said sweetly.

"Truly the pleasure is all mine Miss Bennet." grinned Bingley.

And with that the two love-struck people forgot Darcy and Elizabeth.

Lizzy could have sworn under her breath Mr. Darcy sighed the word 'honestly'. It took everything in Lizzy to bite her lip and not smile at this comment. She would not smile at man who did everything in his power to ruin her life.

Jane asked the gentlemen if they wished to take a walk around the gardens. She knew her sister and Mr. Darcy needed more time to understand each other's dispositions. Plus, it gave her a chance to meet their charming new neighbor.

Pairing off quickly, Jane asked Mr. Bingley if he wished to see the new tree they just planted and he readily agreed, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth standing near the hedge.

Lizzy was absolutely fuming. How dare he announce their engagement?

Darcy, however, was clutching his hat nervously.

Silence.

Finally, clearing his throat Darcy spoke "I don't know if you have read this morning paper yet Miss Elizabeth..."

"I have" cut in Elizabeth while raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, well then please accept my apologies for the suddenness of the announcement." Darcy paused here to wait for a response from Elizabeth.

He received nothing more than an icy glare. So he continued, "I wrote to my aunt yesterday to tell her of my situation. I fear that in her eagerness she may have put it in the paper".

"Your aunt? Is this one of your family members who would be disappointed in your choice?" asked Elizabeth.

She knew he was trying to apologize for an error of his making, but she couldn't help but recall his comments yesterday.

"You mean the Countess of Matlock? Yes, she is one of them" said Darcy with more of his coolness and pride returning. "Although" sighed Darcy, "at this point I think she's just happy that Pemberley will finally get an heir."

Darcy had really meant to say that more to himself. Upon realizing he had not, his head snapped to look at Elizabeth, who chose at that moment to blush an incredible shade of red.

The awkwardness between them to was almost oppressing. Since neither one of them knew what to say at this moment, they both continued to keep quiet.

Suddenly, two other voices wafted toward them as they drew near.

"I do so love butterflies," said the female voice.

"As do I," the male responded.

"They are just so pretty," said the woman.

"And colorful" added the gentleman

"And enchanting" they both said in union. This elicited a giggle from each of them.

"I can't believe they're carrying on a conversation about butterflies! Only Bingley" sighed Darcy shaking his head.

This time Lizzie had to dig her nails into her palms to keep from laughing. 'I will not laugh at this proud, conceited man. 'I will not laugh. I despise him.'

"Ah Darcy, Miss Elizabeth there you are. We were looking for you", said Bingley joyfully.

"Charles, we're standing in the exact same place we were when you left to look at a tree," said Darcy dryly.

This statement again caused Lizzie to dig her nails furthers into her palms and hold her breath.

"Well how were we to know?" exclaimed Bingley.

This caused a small chuckle to come from behind the group. They all turned to find Mr. Bennet there with a kind smile on his face.

"Mr. Darcy I think we need to have a conversation, if you'll follow me. Girls, why don't you show Mr. Bingley in for some tea? Avoid the living room," said Mr. Bennet sending his girls a knowing look.

The group retreated into Longbourn and split up upon entering.

Once the door was closed to Mr. Bennet's study, Darcy launched into the apology he had earlier been trying to give Elizabeth. At roughly the same point as earlier, Darcy was stopped as Mr. Bennet raised his hand.

"What's done is done. It seems a wedding now is all but inevitable." grieved the older gentleman.

"I'm sorry your daughter marrying me is causing you so much distress," said Darcy coldly. How could they not understand he was one of the most eligible bachelors out there?

"Don't get your feathers all ruffled young man. True, I wished my daughter to marry for love but I have no doubt you'll at least keep Lizzy on her toes. I just didn't think I would lose my favorite child so soon. I'm sure you think you're quite the catch with your money and connections but you'll never find anyone better than Elizabeth." said Mr. Bennet with a withering look.

After this speech the two gentlemen sat in silence, the younger one absorbing the older one's words, the older gentleman observing the younger one.

"Well now that that's settled," Mr. Bennet said bringing Darcy out of his deep thought "I expect to have the marriage settlement on the my desk by the end of this week. After which we will start the reading of the bans."

"Of course" said Mr. Darcy and with that he bowed exiting the room.

Collecting his besotted friend and bidding his now official fiancé a quick and awkward adieu, Darcy and Bingley rode back to Netherfield.

At that moment, Darcy's mind was going over everything that had happened in the pass few days. Had he really expected to come into a town, order a woman to marry him and she was supposed to be happy about this? Perhaps he needed to alter his approach. He was schooled in many things, but wooing was definitely not one of them.

Darcy sighed again, feeling the situation had to get better. At this point it couldn't possible get any worse.

He was of course unaware of a shady character in a disreputable part London reading of Mr. Darcy betrothal and thinking hard.

"Well, Mrs. Young, I think is about time I find employment."

This comment elicited a questioning look from the older woman.

"I read here the militia are quartered in Hertfordshire. Perhaps I should go there and see if they are in need of any more good men".

AN: Hello again all. I am so blown away by all your reviews last time! Thank you so much. It really makes writing the story even more enjoyable. Thanks as always to my beta adrilu1192 who even when my stuff goes crazy and send out my story it a weird format, she still manages to figure it out.

So I'm sorry it's taking me so long to finish this story. As you know I'm writing this on my phone while breast-feeding and my little one's new favorite game is to try to swap the phone out of my hand. So it's taking me a bit longer to finish then I thought. Hopefully it'll be done by the end of March and I can increase my updates, but that might just be me being hopeful. Thank you all again.