Disclaimer: Not mine, yes? Ok, super.
A/N: Yay! Are you proud of me? I have the next chapter! I'm trying to finish something, so I'm going to get on with this story even if this kills me! Not a happy sentiment exactly, but good enough. Sorry it's taken so long for the update but my computer went on the fritz much to my chagrin. Shame. Well…
ON WITH THE SHOW!
The previous moments of mirth were long forgotten as Elizabeth sat staring into the empty fireplace of the magnificent Darcy library.
"So it is done." She stated quietly.
Darcy studied her blank expression for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yes. It is done."
Elizabeth hardly needed the confirmation but she felt sick at the thought anyhow. She sighed dejectedly and stood from the well-stuffed armchair. She turned to face the man before her and silently studied his features.
Feeling as if he was being watched, Darcy turned to meet her eyes. Contrary to his expectations, Elizabeth held his gaze and inclined her head slightly.
"Thank you."
Darcy grimaced. "Please, do not thank me, Wickham's actions towards your sister were very much my fault."
Elizabeth shook her head resolutely. "I refuse to believe such a thing sir. Lydia was spoilt since infancy and we, her family hardly took the time to check her, and her fate at the hands of Wickham is as much our fault than anyone else's."
Darcy frowned and attempted to alleviate her of blame but Elizabeth shook away the sentiments. Instead, she extended her hand in a gesture of gratitude.
Darcy hesitated for a moment before taking the delicate hand in his and bestowing a light kiss upon the proffered fingers. He held the hand lightly but hesitated to release it, instead, his eyes traced the path of her arm, up the smooth, graceful column of her neck to meet her eyes.
For a single moment, he attempted to read the emotions lingering in the lively gaze but Elizabeth felt herself unable to hold his gaze for too long. Quickly, as if his hand burned, she jerked away from his grip and took a cautious backward step. Giving Darcy a strained smile, she curtsied and took delicate steps towards the grand double doors.
However, slowly, her steps slowed then stopped. Looking back to see Darcy's eyes fixed intently on her, she turned towards him once more.
"I have intruded on your hospitality for too long Mr. Darcy. If I may ask you just one more favor? I would sincerely like to return to my family."
For a brief moment, Darcy felt a flicker of panic but he soon resigned himself to her will. He could not bring himself to meet her eyes when he nodded in acquiescence.
"When do you wish to leave?"
"Tomorrow morning if convenient."
Darcy nodded wearily. "If that is your wish, Miss Bennet."
Slowly closing his eyes, Darcy savored her scent, which lingered in his library. A jolt of protest thudded through his body before he jumped to his feet and chased after her retreating figure.
"Elizabeth!"
She turned and waited patiently, slightly startled by his outburst.
"Yes?" Her voice was a mere whisper.
For a moment, Darcy looked pained, his expression open and vulnerable.
"Have I…have I done something wrong…have I upset you in some way, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth started at his words and light tears rose to her eyes.
"No, Mr. Darcy, of course not…"
Darcy grabbed her hands to prevent her from leaving. He looked pleadingly into her eyes, searching for the withheld answer.
"Then why are you so eager to leave me?"
Elizabeth paled, her tears falling silently, leaving trails of glimmering silver on her pale complexion. She tugged at her hands but Darcy held on tightly.
"I…I…do not know of whatever you could mean sir! I must…"
Darcy's grip tightened as he bent forwards in an attempt to meet her downcast gaze.
"Then why won't you look at me?" He whispered.
Elizabeth wept in silence. She refused to look up for fear that he would see her inner conflict reflected in her eyes. She had to get away, had to leave before everything spiraled out of control. Wickham…it was all his doing…
"I love you."
Elizabeth gasped. Her breath came in short gasps. She felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs as those words swirled around her consciousness. The way he said it…so simply, so honestly, she was almost tempted to respond.
"I love you." He repeated.
This inspired a fresh wave of silent tears from Elizabeth.
"Tell me you love me." He whispered.
Lizzy's eyes met his. I do. I love you. I do. Her mind whispered to her, but she could not, would not utter those words. Because of Lydia, Wickham was now her brother. To think that Darcy could become affiliated with the very man whom he despised beyond any other. She would not shame the Darcy name, would not taint his family, would not expose he or Georgiana to that sort of censure. She would walk away and spare him.
She clenched her teeth and stared defiantly up at the man before her. He was watching her intently, quiet desperation lingering in his deep gaze.
"Tell me you love me, Elizabeth. Please." His voice wavered.
"Mr. Darcy, I will ask you politely to refrain from such talk! It is highly inappro…"
Darcy gave a choked sob and pulled her form closer to himself. "No…Elizabeth, why…why are you doing this?"
"Mr. Darcy, I must insist you release me…"
Darcy simply gripped her hands tightly, his face mere inches from hers. Carefully, he studied her defiant expression and stared deeply into her sparkling eyes. For a single heart wrenching moment, Darcy swore he saw a flicker of deep sadness embedded in the chocolate depths.
"Say it."
Elizabeth's eyes widened as she stared at his stricken expression. The words lodged in her throat and she simply could not bring herself to utter the words.
Slowly, as if he were afraid she would disappear, Darcy reached out his hand and rested it gently on the soft pale skin of Elizabeth's cheek. He stroked the skin which was tinged with pink and watched for her reaction.
Elizabeth could feel a slow crimson blush spread across her skin.
"Say it." God, he sounded so broken.
Elizabeth's throat tightened as her vision blurred from her tears. Blinking away her tears, Elizabeth breathed deeply and forced herself to address him.
"I don't."
Another choked sob was wrenched from Darcy. "No! Say it! Tell me you don't love me!"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Are you so intent on your own pain that you must hear it again and again?"
"Just say it, Elizabeth. Just say it."
"I don't love you."
Darcy's heart shattered. His last shred of control snapped as a single tear escaped from his crystalline eyes. "Perhaps, if given a little more time…give me another chance…tell me, I'll change for you…I'll do anything…"
Elizabeth shivered in desperation. "No! I will never love you!"
Darcy shook his head and dropped her hands. He watched as she took a shaky step backwards.
Elizabeth took one last look at his heart broken expression, and ran.
Georgiana Darcy sat at the breakfast table, her stomach churning with anxiety. Something was wrong, she could feel it.
Her brother usually was an early riser; he would always greet her smilingly and offer her daily glass of orange juice. But today, he was absent. What was even more concerning was Elizabeth. The older woman sat quietly at the table, her expression weary and pale. She barely acknowledged Georgiana and could barely take a bite of the food on her plate.
Attempting to break the tense silence, Georgiana turned to address Elizabeth.
"Lizzy. Now that you are well, would you like me to show you the more of the grounds? I know you toured the gardens before your illness, but there is so much…"
"No Georgiana, I'm afraid I am leaving as soon as the carriage is ready."
Georgiana blinked, then blinked again. "Whatever for? Why?"
Elizabeth never answered because at that moment, Mrs. Reynolds strolled into the sunny parlor and curtsied to Elizabeth.
"Miss Bennet, your carriage is waiting."
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you Mrs. Reynolds."
The older servant curtsied once more and retreated from the room. Meanwhile, Elizabeth turned to face the young blonde sitting shell shocked in seat. Approaching her carefully, Elizabeth laid a gentle hand on Georgiana's shoulder and waited.
Rising haphazardly to her feet, Georgiana whirled to face Elizabeth.
"No! You cannot leave! You simply can't. Stay Elizabeth, please!" Georgiana latched onto Elizabeth's arm, but Lizzy carefully pried herself loose.
"Georgie. I need to leave. My family requires me to be home. Please, allow me to say farewell. Let us part on amiable terms."
Georgiana Darcy shook her head furiously. "No, no, my brother settled all those matters remember? You…"
Elizabeth sighed wearily. "Georgiana, you must understand. My family would be under undue amount of stress at this instant, I need to be with my father."
Panic rose in Georgiana as her voice rose. "No! Elizabeth, do not leave. You can not go home just to dance attendance to that scoundrel Wickham!"
For a moment, Elizabeth was thrown off. She had never seen Georgie so passionate, so out spoken and in that moment, Georgiana too, seemed to be shocked at her own behavior.
Elizabeth took advantage of the sudden silence to plant a small peck on Georgiana's cheek. Pulling her hands from the slackened grip, Elizabeth quickly retreated from the young woman's side.
"Thank you for everything Georgiana, truly. Please farewell your brother on my behalf."
Before Georgiana could process her words, Elizabeth had fled from the room. Standing silently within the parlor, Georgiana could not help but despair.
As the carriage rolled away from the magnificent sight of Pemberley house, Elizabeth shut her eyes tightly and relaxed into the well-cushioned seat. Sighing dejectedly, she reminded herself that what she had done was for him. She had selflessly given him up so that he would never be associated with scandal or ruin. She knew he would never forgive her, but that was her aim.
She knew the moment he caught her in his arms in the library that she needed to distance herself from him. It seemed like such a twisted theory when she contemplated her actions. She would hurt him to save him. If he could not understand her then all the better. She needed him to despise her, to loathe her with every fiber of his being. If he hated her, he would never come near her again. She would never see him, never be tempted and never reveal the reason behind her actions. She wanted it that way. Needed it to be.
A quiet sob interrupted the rhythmic noises of the carriage. Every breath was a painful stab to her lungs. Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to stop breathing at that very moment, throw herself into the river of death and never look back. If only…
But no, it could never be. Damn Wickham! Things could be so different if he had never interfered. She was sure she would spend the rest of life pining after him. Even when her position as a spinster had become permanent and her hair would have grayed, she would still remember him. She would weave her tale of woe into a sort of twisted fairytale and beguile her young nephews and nieces with her story of a prince named Darcy and a dragon named Wickham.
She would remember him when her nieces married the men of their dreams, when a pair of fine eyes bewitched her nephews.
She would remember him as she held her great-nieces and great-nephews.
She would remember him on her deathbed, he would be her last thought before she succumbed to the darkness.
Elizabeth almost laughed at her last thought, she never considered herself to be capable of such poetic nonsense.
Yet, somehow, it would be true. She would never meet another man like Darcy and she would forever regret letting him go.
Georgiana stormed around Pemberley like a woman on a mission. Where was that damnable brother of hers? Georgiana was becoming increasingly frustrated. Elizabeth was gone. Her brother was missing. The servants were on their toes, gossip traveling through the hallways. Something had occurred yesterday. Why? Everything was coming along so brilliantly. Almost, almost. Her mind would not stop repeating.
She had come so close to acquiring a sister. Her brother had come so close to happiness. Then, as abruptly as she arrived, Elizabeth left again. If Georgiana did not adore her so deeply, she would have been intensely angered at this woman for toying with their lives in such a cavalier manner.
Georgiana almost stomped her foot as she turned from another empty room. He was not in his library, his bedroom, his study, the north parlor, the east dinning room, the west parlor, the music room, the sunroom or the gallery.
Georgiana knew there were hundreds of other rooms she could search. But these were his usual haunts. Goodness, she had even searched the extensive lands, which surrounded Pemberley. She had asked Darcy's personal steward whether he had any engagements that day or any sudden pressing matters, which had arisen.
Nothing! No one knew a thing! It was as if he had disappeared.
Suddenly an exciting thought occurred to her. What if…what if he had left with Miss Bennet? What if they had gone off together to Scotland, to Gretna Green? They eloped! For a thrilling moment, Georgiana gloried in possibility.
But…no. He would have at least informed her. And Elizabeth, she seemed so miserable this morning and after the scandal of her sister, she would never consent to such an action. Also, her brother was too honorable a man to do such a thing.
Dejected once more, Georgiana's ears pricked at the whispered conversation coming from the room near her. It seemed to be two of the young maids. Quietly, Georgiana snuck closer and pushed open the door so it sat slightly ajar.
"…It's terribly romantic, do you not think?"
"Oh, and right in the hallway too! I wish you had seen the look the young master was giving the lady, if any man had looked at me with half that amount of passion…"
"I never knew the young master to be so animated!"
"I simply cannot believe it, Nancy. How did she have the heart to give him up? With his looks, his status and even his fortune, I would never hesitate!"
"Betty! Come, share with me, whatever did he say to her?"
"You would not believe it if I told you, Nancy! He told her that he loved her. In no uncertain terms too! He just said it like it was a common place saying! But it was so beautiful, so…so perfect! Oh, he seemed as if he was about to kiss her!"
"Or perhaps ravish her!"
The two maids burst into a round of giggles as they pondered the last prospect.
Georgiana crinkled her nose in distaste but decided to pursue this little piece of gossip anyhow. Tracking down Mrs. Reynolds, the young woman cornered the elder lady.
For a moment, the elderly housekeeper seemed to fear her position, seemingly weary of the strange expression upon Miss Darcy's face. However, soon after, she drew herself up and straightened her spine.
"Miss Darcy how may I…"
"Mrs. Reynolds, what have you heard of these rumors of my brother and Miss Bennet? I must know Mrs. Reynolds! After Miss Elizabeth's abrupt departure this morning, I find myself unable to fathom the reason for it!"
"Miss Darcy…"
"And where is my brother? Surely, he is aware of Elizabeth's removal!"
"Miss Darcy!" The housekeeper eyed her charge cautiously.
Georgiana took a deep calming breath and stilled her frantic pacing. Tilting her head, she queried: "Yes, Mrs. Reynolds?"
"Miss Darcy, you are aware of my policy against gossip! If you wish to know yesterday's events, I suggest you ask your esteemed brother."
Georgiana nearly huffed in frustration. "Mrs. Reynolds, my brother is missing! Gone! Disappeared off the face of the planet!"
Mrs. Reynolds gave Georgiana an exasperated look and laid her hand gently on her shoulder.
"I'm quite certain I caught a glimpse of your missing brother in the master suite."
Georgiana frowned lightly. "Mother and father's former quarters?"
Mrs. Reynolds nodded despondently, "I suppose you could fathom the reason for that, can you not Miss Darcy?"
Georgiana's mouth formed a little 'o' of comprehension. "Oh my." She whispered.
Mrs. Reynolds gave a quiet smile. "Why don't you run along now?"
Georgiana nodded mutely and allowed herself to be guided from the room and into the wide hallway. Immediately, her rapid footsteps echoed through the empty passage, climbing the stairs, Georgiana arrived in the magnificent corridor of the third floor. She loved the scent here; it smelled of history, generations and generations of the Darcy matriarchs and patriarchs had claimed this very floor as their own and it had been vacant since her father's death. No matter how anyone would phrase the argument, her brother had always resolutely refused to utilize the rooms. So now, his presence here could denote only one thing: He had finally changed his mind.
As quietly as she could, Georgiana wandered the corridors until she came to the grand doors of the master rooms. Sunlight streamed through the dusty windows and there sat her brother, his silhouette glowing against the morning sun as he stared resolutely down at something grasped with his hand.
Tentatively, Georgiana approached him, her steps cautious and light, weary of startling him.
"William? William, where have you been?"
Fitzwilliam Darcy failed to answer; in fact, he failed to respond at all. Instead, he stared silently at something clasped in his hand.
Georgiana sighed. She ambled up to him and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"What interests you so, dear brother?"
Darcy offered the item to her and Georgiana hesitantly took it from his palm. Holding it delicately to the light, she gasped.
"Mother's engagement ring! But why…"
Darcy spared her a forlorn glance.
"Oh William…"
Georgiana leaned towards him and gently engulfed him in a hug. Taking a harsh breath, she straightened and smiled down at his hunched figure.
"Why are you still here brother?"
Darcy looked quizzical for a moment before Georgiana answered his unspoken question.
"Why have you not gone after her? It is quite clear you adore her, surely you will not simply let her go?"
Darcy shook his head. "She does not love me Georgie. She never will."
"What nonsense is this?" Georgiana cried.
"Georgiana! She told me! She…"
Georgiana shook her head violently in protest. "No! No! It is not possible! Tell me exactly what she said."
Darcy did not protest, he told Georgiana every last word burnt into his mind and waited for her to speak. Georgiana did not hesitate to question him with relentless enthusiasm.
"Did she hesitate?"
Darcy straightened. "Hesitate?"
Georgiana sighed impatiently. "Yes! Hesitate! When she said she did not love you! Did she hesitate?"
Darcy furrowed his eyebrows. "Yes, but…"
Georgiana squealed in excitement. "Then she loves you!"
Instead of the excitement she expected, Darcy's expression remained deadpanned. He shook his head.
"No Georgiana, don't."
She attempted to protest but Darcy would not listen. "I have made a decision."
Georgiana felt a prickle of fear. "What have you decided William?"
"We are leaving for the continent."
"No! We can't!"
Darcy shook his head impatiently. "Yes, we can. It would do us good. After all, have you not always desired to see Italy and the wonderful Tuscan sun?"
An icy silence met his words. Georgiana turned on her heels and flew from the room.
A/N: I'm done! Thank goodness! Hope you enjoyed it! REVIEW!!! See you around!
Love C.