Disclaimer: Jane Austen's, not mine :(

Ch 9

The next few days passed quickly, without much contact between Elizabeth and Darcy. The former was begrudgingly planning her wedding, the latter was reading his estate for its new mistress and planning his sister's arrival.

At Longbourn, Elizabeth's nerves were reaching their limit.

"Oh my Lizzy! How smart of you to catch such a rich man. You've already been able to throw Jane in the path of another rich man. Oh it's so wonderful! Although, I do hope you could find someone with a title for your younger sisters. I think a Duke will do for Lydia, or at the very least an Earl," Mrs. Bennet prattled on.

Elizabeth was always able to just ignore her mother's incessant chattering, but with everything that was currently being piled on her, it was becoming harder to overlook.

"Mama, you can hardly praise me for catching Mr. Darcy. I believe that praise should be saved for Papa," sighed Elizabeth.

"Even so, it's now your job to keep him from getting away," warned Mrs. Bennet.

"Trust me Mama, if Mr. Darcy hasn't left yet, I doubt he's going to," said Lizzy trying to put an end to the current conversation.

Mrs. Bennet, however, wouldn't be deterred and continued on with what fine jewels and carriages Lizzy would have.

Elizabeth lowered her head onto the table covered with laces for her dress. 'At least marrying Mr. Darcy will be saving me a large amount of ridiculous conversations,' thought Lizzy.

Elizabeth's mother was undeterred from her daughter's lack of enthusiasm and continued to make arrangements eagerly.

Mr. Darcy was experiencing a similar headache at Netherfield by the name of Caroline Bingley.

"And of course, Mr. Darcy, your little country lass must do a season in town. I doubt she has had the opportunity to do so as I have," boosted Caroline.

Darcy sighed while trying to read over his papers for Mr. Bennet a third time, but Caroline's constant jabbering keep forcing Darcy to lose his place.

Surely, Caroline didn't think Darcy was dumb enough to not realize what she was doing. Clearly, she thought herself superior to Elizabeth. Darcy would have to remind her which of the two women was tradesmen daughter and which was a gentleman's daughter.

"Caroline, please you're giving me a headache and I'm sure you giving Darcy one as well," cried Bingley in exasperation. "I'm sure if Darcy needed help planning his wedding, or his future, he would've asked you by now."

Caroline huffed as she sat herself on the chaise while Darcy smirked.

'That's it! ' thought Caroline smiling. 'I'll show Mr. Darcy just how good I am at these things and he will throw over that little country girl for me in a heartbeat.'

Darcy went back to preparing all the paperwork Mr. Bennet would require, and the rest of the week went by in a blink.

Before anyone realized, it was Sunday. The day the banns would be read and the process of Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage would be officially started.

Elizabeth had a headache. Was it really just a week ago that she had never heard of the name Darcy in her life? Now she was preparing to be his bride. Life surely had an odd way of surprising you when you least expected it.

She sighed while continuing to try and get a rouge curl stay in its spot. Everyone would be looking at her in church today and she would be meeting her future sister in law. While not a vain person, Elizabeth did want to look her best for such an important occasion.

Elizabeth sighed again as her hair refused to obey. 'Well,' she thought, 'Mr. proud, arrogant, handsome, rude Darcy will just have to deal with my looks as they are.'

Wait...did she just say handsome? It must have been a slip. Yes that was it. Surely she had meant to think something else.

Elizabeth shook her head. Now she was just being ridiculous. Of course he was handsome, everyone thought so. But that did not make up for his haughty, self important, unfriendly attitude.

He did, however, make her laugh.

Elizabeth shook her head again. This line of thought was not helping. Luckily for her, she was called downstairs to the carriage waiting to take them to church and did not have to think on the pestering thoughts that kept popping up in her head.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Darcy stood next to the sister by the church doors, waiting for Elizabeth and her family.

On the outside, the Darcys were everything proud and austere. But those who knew them knew they were beyond nervous.

Darcy was sure his sister hadn't taken a breath since they left the carriage.

"It'll be alright Georgiana," said Darcy

Georgiana gave only the slightest nod in acknowledgment of Darcy's statement.

The Bennet's carriage pulled up and the family quickly exited it toward the church.

As prearranged, Bingley bounded over to the Bennets to distract their attention away from Georgiana. And it gave Charles the opportunity the engage Miss Bennet in conversation.

Darcy smiled inwardly at his friend's ability to divert attention.

Elizabeth, however, dutifully walked towards Mr. Darcy and his sister thinking what a cold pair they made.

Mr. Darcy couldn't help but admire her lovely figure and the way her hair always seemed wild even when it was tamed.

"Miss Bennett, if you will allow me to introduce my sister Georgiana to you, Georgiana this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Elizabeth, I mean Miss Bennett," whispered Georgiana.

Suddenly, realizing that Miss Darcy was just shy, Elizabeth gave her a wide smile and said, "Please, just Elizabeth is fine. I'm so glad we have finally met. I'm truly looking forward to being sisters"

Georgiana gave a lovely smile at this and her breathing resumed it's normalcy. Darcy released a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Offering Elizabeth and his sister an arm, he escorted them into church.

Elizabeth paid little attention to the service. Her attention today was all on the Darcy siblings. Most people would probably think of Georgianna as being proud, when she was just extremely shy.'Could that also be a trait of Mr. Darcy's?,' thought Elizabeth. Surely a man of Mr. Darcy station couldn't be uncomfortable in the presence of new acquaintances, but now looking at him, she was starting to have second thoughts.

While he sat pretentiously with his chin held high, she noticed his right hand kept clenching and unclenching throughout all of the service. Could he truly just be uneasy around people who were not of his aquataince?

Darcy, feeling somebody was watching him, glanced over at Elizabeth. Not knowing what possessed her to do so, she gave him a small reassuring smile. His brow softened and hand relaxed as he gave her a similar one in return.

Everyone watching this display was sure the couple was in love. Especially one observer, who tore her prayerbook in half upon Darcy returning Elizabeth's smile.

The banns were read, and it was official Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire would marry Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire in a little more than one months' time.

After service, Mrs. Bennet held court for all the neighbors, so they could all congratulate her on such a fine catch for her daughter, while Mr. Bennet stood by her side, longing for his study.

The Darcy siblings and Elizabeth stood off to the side of the circus that was ensuing.

"Fitzwilliam?" questioned a voice toward his right.

"It's a family name," replied Darcy.

"Clearly," said Elizabeth

Darcy turned towards her readying for another verbal altercation, when he realized she was smiling. She was teasing! She was actually just teasing. Darcy couldn't help but feel the stress leave him and Georgiana was quickly approving of her future sister-in-law.

Darcy smiled and was just about ready to tell Elizabeth how lovely she looked, when a familiar voice turned his attention.

"Cousin, I've been looking all over for you! Sorry to miss service, but business was unavoidable"

Richard Fitzwilliam stopped in his track staring at Elizabeth.

Darcy, as was proper, instantly introduced his cousin to Elizabeth no matter how reluctant he was to do so.

"Well, I must say Darcy she is truly beautiful. You are quite a lucky man," beamed Richard.

"And you are quite the charmer Colonel," smiled Elizabeth coloring. "But you know little of my character. I could be as bad as Lady Macbeth and driving your dear cousin to an early grave," joked Elizabeth.

Richards threw his head back laughing. "She has a wit about her too Darcy. Yes, I think you are lucky indeed," said the Colonel, causing Elizabeth to color further and smile even wider.

'Confound it!' thought Darcy. He was supposed to be charming Elizabeth, not his cousin. Not that she needed to be flattered by him. He had already secured her as his future wife but still...

Darcy cleared his voice in an attempt to get Elizabeth's attention back on him.

"Miss Elizabeth, perhaps tomorrow you would like to take a ride with my sister and I. After being in town, my sister longs to get back on her horse." Darcy longed to have a conversation with Elizabeth that made her eyes sparkle with something other than anger. Or at the very least smile at him like she did to his cousin.

"I fear I must be the one to thort your plans. I am quite afraid of horses and have not been on one since I was a child. I clearly don't have your sister's bravery, " smiled Elizabeth, hoping to draw her new sister out.

Elizabeth was rewarded by Georgiana who gave her a small modest smile. Darcy, however, was growing frustrated. He was glad Georgiana and Elizabeth seemed to be getting on so well, but wished for himself and Elizabeth to get along so well also.

'Did everyone get along with her but me?', thought Darcy.

"A shame indeed. I would wager that you would look striking atop a mount," grinned Richard Fitzwilliam.

"Perhaps but not so well underneath it, where I would most certainly end up," said Elizabeth as her and the Colonel continued to joke.

Darcy's chagrin was increasing. He knew Richard was teasing him about his natural discomfort, but it was starting to bother him. He truly wanted Elizabeth to see the great man he was and could be, but with Richard's superior conversation skills he knew it would be difficult to draw her attention.

Elizabeth finally turned to her future sister and, wishing to know her more, decided on a different activity for the group. Instead of a ride they agreed to meet the next day in Meryton, so Elizabeth could show Georgiana around the shops and get her involved in selecting items for the wedding. The group parted ways, eagerly waiting for tomorrow.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Back at Netherfield, Darcy was quite put out with his cousin.

"Darcy, again I apologize for stealing so much of Miss Elizabeth time. But I my defense, you get to spend the rest of your life with that lovely creature," said Richard trying to lighten the mood.

"Please cousin. You make her sound like a mystical nymph. Anyways, I am not quite as mad at you as I should be. I'm just frustrated with myself. You know, I've never been at ease around women I have not known long. They've always come after me for my money and standing in society. I just have no idea how to get a woman to fancy me, and I would really like for Elizabeth to esteem me," sighed Darcy as he lowered himself into a chair, drink in hand.

"Don't worry Darcy. You truly are the best of men and would do anything for those you care about. You need to give her some time but she will see it, I promise you."

Darcy nodded at this and hoped his cousin was right. After all, tomorrow was another day, and another chance with Elizabeth.

AN: Hey everyone. Sorry this is a little late but I've been running around crazy today. Please forgive me! :). Thanks again for all your support and reviews. I greatly appreciate them. And of course as always thank you to my beta adrilu1192.

I know I went a little Scarlet O'Hara there at the end but it happens. :). Also I know Bingley is a little Ooc but I need someone to deal with Caroline so this I how I'd think he would be if Darcy was engaged. I've got about five more chapters to write till the end of the story so I'm planning to finish it up in the next couple weeks hopefully (but don't hold me to it). See you all next week.