Disclaimer: Jane Austen's, not mine :(.

Ch 11

Mr. Darcy finally emerged from Mr. Bennet's library and went out in the garden to look for Elizabeth.

Mr. Bennet was shocked by his tale but determined to take action. His younger children had run around unchecked for too long. Now they would feel the full weight of previous behaviors.

Mr. Darcy found her on one of the stone benches with a contemplative look on her face. Here, he was able to view her unobserved. It suddenly occurred to him,that he really was rather lucky to have Elizabeth in his life as she sat there with worried lines etched into her brow.

Yes, they fought rather often, but at least she had a mind of her own, she was witty, smart, amusing and she really was quite appealing...

Snapping a twig underfoot, he suddenly brought Elizabeth out of her reserve.

"Miss Elizabeth, I believe I owe you an explanation for my behavior," said Darcy as he took a seat next to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded and waited for an explanation. Darcy sat, crushing and releasing the brim of his hat. Finally placing the hat next to him he stood up and started pacing in front of her.

"Miss Bennet, Elizabeth, I have spoken to your father and asked him if I could relay this information to you in private. So please don't feel uncomfortable." Lizzy nodded at this so Mr. Darcy continued.

"No doubt you noticed my reaction to a certain gentleman you met earlier. No, gentleman is not the word for that cad! I'm getting ahead of myself. First, let me inform you of my acquaintance with George Wickham."

Here Mr. Darcy launched into a story of how the two grew up together almost as brothers and how George was a favorite of Darcy's father. But as Wickham grew, he quickly became quite the rogue. Darcy kept the drinking, women, and gambling from his father, for fear of exacerbating his already frail state of health. On the event of his father's passing, a living was bequeathed to Wickham. Wickham having no interest in the church was granted the sum of the living and Darcy was glad to have him out of their lives.

Here, Darcy paused taking a breath and Elizabeth could tell it pained him to continue.

"This past summer my sister Georgiana was sent to Ramsgate on a holiday. Wickham followed her there and convinced her to elope with him. By fates design I arrived the day before their intended departure. Wickham's intent was of course to acquire my sisters fortune of 30,000 pounds and of course to get some twisted revenge on me for being my father's son, not him. It was shortly after this, that I found the contract and thought it was truly destiny. I would be having a wife and Georgiana a sister that would help us build an even better, stronger family. And now having met you I can't think of anyone who would be better for Georgina than you," 'and for myself' thought Darcy.

Elizabeth experienced many emotions during this tale; shock, disbelief, relief and finally a blush at the compliment he gave her. Elizabeth thanked Mr. Darcy for sharing such a personal story with her.

"I have told this to your father and don't mind you telling your sister Miss Jane, for she seems to be your close confidant, but please I don't wish for this story to be spread around and diminish my sister's chances at making a good match," finished Darcy.

"I promise you my discretion Mr. Darcy and I am quite sad I will not be able to make further acquaintance with for sister before the wedding. She truly seems like a lovely sweet young woman and I look forward to being her sister," said Elizabeth raising to meet Mr. Darcy.

"Also" added Darcy "I wanted to warn you not to go anywhere unescorted. I have no doubt Wickham is here by design and I don't know what I would do if he tries to hurt you to get to me."

Darcy's eyes darkened as his meaningfully stare made Elizabeth's breath catch, but she nodded in agreence. Darcy bowed, lightly kissing her hand and thanking her for this audience and he left immediately to secure his sister's quick departure from Hertfordshire.

Elizabeth, on reentering the house, went immediately to her room to think about everything that had happened and everything she had heard.

It was here that she realized that her hand was still tingling from where his lips met it. Lizzy was sure it was from the cold. But even as she tried to dispel that feeling, she couldn't help but to remember how her heart raced when Mr. Darcy took his place between herself and Mr. Wickham.

Elizabeth was never one for damsels in distress being rescued by a shining knight on a white horse, but the thought that her tall dark betrothed riding up his blackened steed caused her heart to race once again. Surely, it was just the memory of such an intense, heated moment. Nothing more than that. But Elizabeth wasn't quite sure she had convinced herself.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Darcy raced back to Netherfield to ready Georgiana's departure. Upon reaching the staircase, a voice stopped Darcy cold in his tracks.

"Why Mr. Darcy. It seems like ages since we've had a nice chat. Please join me for some tea," Caroline Bingley's voice dripped with false modesty.

"Forgive me, Miss Bingley but I must see to my sister directly," answered Darcy.

"Oh ! Mr Darcy your sister can spare you a moment for tea, surely," cooed Caroline

Darcy forced every ounce of strength not to roll his eyes. Thanking her for the offer he hurried off to the safety of Richard and Georgiana.

Caroline cursed under her breath. She only had a little over a month to show Darcy just how much better than Miss Eliza she would be as mistress of Pemberley.

Huffing she hurried off to work on her plan while adjusting her peacock feathers.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Darcy entered Georgiana's room expecting to find her packing and ready to go. Instead, he found her sitting stubbornly in her trunk with her arms crossed in front of her.

"Don't look at me. This is none of my doing," came an amused voice by the window.

"Richard, as her guardian I would have hoped you would be slightly more authoritative with her," said Darcy while glaring at his cousin.

"I'm not going anywhere! " cried Georgiana breaking up her guardians' argument.

"Please Georgiana you're acting like a child! " boomed Darcy.

This only caused tears to well up in Georgianna's eyes.

Darcy sighed,feeling sorry to have upset his sister "My dear sister, please this for your own good," he said calmly while clasping her hand.

"I know William, but I'm tired of running. I want to get to know Elizabeth and I no longer want to be intimidated by George Wickham. It's time I stop hiding from my mistakes and face them head on."

"I don't know cousin, she sounds pretty adult to me," smiled Richard.

"Georgiana, you know my main concern is your safety. And Wickham knows the best way to get to me is through you. Please my dearest. Let Richard take you back to London," begged Darcy.

"What about I stay and Richard keeps an eye on me here," countered Georgiana.

"That is true Darcy. I have finished all my business for the time being. I can make sure she's safe. Wickham may be scrum but he's not stupid. He wouldn't try anything with me by Georgiana's side," said Richard.

Darcy was about to continue his argument but, looking between his cousin and his sister, he knew he had already lost.

"Fine," sighed Darcy causing Georgiana to jump into his arms hugging him with all her might. "But hear me, you are not to take one step outside Netherfield without Richard or me or both. Do you understand?"

Eagerly nodding her head, Georgiana squeezed her brother one more time and quickly started removing herself and the few items she had placed in her trunk.

"Why do I have a feeling I'm going to regret this?," asked Darcy shaking his head.

"Have no fear Darcy. Additionally, this way I get to know your charming Miss Elizabeth better," smirked Richard causing a rather cold glare from Darcy.

"Buck up dear cousin," laughed Richard. "At least at this point, what more could possibly go wrong now?"

AN: Hello all! Thank you as always for my wonderful reviews. I really have the best reviewers ever! Your support and encouragement is truly helpful. Thank you as always to my beta.

Sorry if I shortened Darcy's letter to much for some of you; but I feel as though we've all read it or heard it two dozen times. Thank you again and I'll see you all next week.