Years behind Chapter 11

I am very sorry for the slow update

In this chapter: One of the main characters will explain a bit of Miss Pointers past, and what she has done, and what she is capable of. A couple of names will be associated with her but they are pretty irrelevant at the moment, perhaps later in the next chapter they will be brought up. They will probably appear at the ball to, to spice things up a little bit.

Also this chapter mainly focuses on Miss Pointer and Miss Bingley and what Darcy and Georgiana think of this.

Story starts here!

GD

Could my day get even worse then it was? The man of my dreams is engaged, Miss Bennet is still ill, and Miss Bingley and Miss Pointer are hanging off my brother's arm like a pair of baboons. They were really beginning to become a thorn in my side, they were ruining all my plans and what they did at dinner really was ridiculous, even Mrs Bennet would be proud.

My brother had just been made to come down to dinner when he obviously wanted to stay with Elizabeth. The pleading look he gave me was almost pitiful, and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from politely asking the superior cousins to go away. But before I could even do anything they had both latched onto one of his arms (Miss Bingley his left, and Miss Pointer his right) and marched him out of the door.

I looked at Elizabeth.

"You're the one who should be holding his right arm and me holding his left"

I sighed and walked quickly after my brother. This was going to be a very long evening.

Dinner was extremely tedious, and there was no interesting conversation. All Miss Bingley and Miss Pointer did was simper at my brother (not that they had interesting conversations in the first place, but it was still better than this).

"Oh Mr Darcy, do you like my dress? Georgiana helped me choose it"

I looked at the dress; I do not remember helping her choose that, it was ugly!

Miss Pointer who obviously decided that she must be part of the conversation, added

"Mr Darcy, who chose your fine attire? Which may I add looks remarkably well on you"

I noticed the look on my brother's face; I decided to change the subject into a more agreeable subject for him

"Brother, how does Miss Bennet fare?"

He looked up and gave me a warning look, why did he not want to talk about Elizabeth?

"I believe she is a little better Georgiana"

"Oh good! Miss Bingley, your brother has been most kind to her"

"I'm sure he has, Charles was always kind to the undeserving"

"And William has been very kind to; he has been most attentive to her. Haven't you William?"

This left Miss Bingley speechless which was exactly my intention; unfortunately it did not render Miss Pointer so.

"Oh I'm sure Mr Darcy has, he seems most kind. I suppose he becomes more attentive the longer you have known him. Is that right Mr Darcy?"

She slowly reached for my brother's hand, but thankfully he drew back very quickly, and sat even closer to me.

How dare she! Even I could see the implication in that, the audacity of her!

Miss Pointer was definitely more dangerous than I expected, I knew she would not win my brother's heart (I am sure Miss Bennet has it, for that I am certain), but I knew when she found she had not got a chance there would be trouble.

Who knows what she would or could be capable of?

The evening thankfully pasted quickly after that, Miss Pointer and Miss Bingley were still of course flinging themselves at my brother but he just ignored them and read is book while they took a turn about the room, or he quickly moved to stand next to the fire place.

He departed as soon as he could, and I have a feeling I know exactly were he was departing to.

This lightened my spirits considerably.

FD

"Mr Darcy"

Oh no, what must she think of me! Act like nothing is to do Darcy; perhaps she will not notice that she a top of you.

"Miss Bennet"

"I er….well you…..and I well hmm"

Was the Elizabeth Bennet speechless? This I knew was very rare, a very rare occasion indeed, and I fully intended to make the most of it.

"Yes Miss Bennet, we do seem to be in a fairly compromising situation. Would it not be better if perhaps you gave me more air though, if you and I wish to be more comfortable? You are quite heavy madam"

Elizabeth sat there staring at me a range of emotions swirling in her eyes, anger of course, shock, disbelief, annoyance, and something else I could not quite put my finger on.

I gently started to lean forward towards her mouth, when suddenly someone knocked on the door.

I groaned in frustration, I hated whoever was at the side of that door.

Miss Bennet jumped up looking exceedingly alarmed, and afraid? Was she afraid of me? I looked back at her, and saw her expression. Yes there was definitely fear in her eyes. Excellently done Darcy!

"Mr Darcy? Mr Darcy, are you in there?"

Elizabeth quickly walked towards her bed and "dived" in.

"Yes Miss Pointer I am in here"

I noticed Elizabeth peep her head out through the covers with a look of confusion on her face, and when Miss Pointer entered she frowned. Now why did she do that?

EB

Miss Pointer! Miss Abigail Pointer! What on earth was she doing here? Everyone knew her to be a fortune hunter, and an exceedingly crafty one at that! Mr Darcy could not have possibly fallen for her charms could he? She had already decided she was going to have him that I could tell. The money hungry look was on her face, and that malicious glint I had seen all too often was in her eyes. Yes I remember that look all to well,

I remember it was five years ago and I was staying with my Aunt and Uncle in Cheapside. My friend Annabel (who was three years older than myself), and her brother Steven had invited me to go and see what a ball was like in town, and I of course accepted. I was so excited, I got my best gown out, and had my hair done all nicely, and I looked wonderful. Although I quickly felt humbled as soon as I saw Annabel, now she looked truly beautiful. I had never seen her look so; she always had her head in a book, and never tried to look good, a bit like Mary. But tonight!

I knew why she looked like this; she had always liked one of Steven's friends, a Lord Walter Michaels (she even fancied herself in love with him). He though was unfortunately known as a bit of a rake, and I knew that even when Annabel was dressed up like this he would never notice her, well not properly.

Even though I was glad that Annabel had finally decided to become the swan we all knew she could be I was still weary that this night was not going to end well. When I had inkling like that I was usually right, but for once it turned it out that I would give anything to be wrong.

We arrived at the ball and of course nobody recognised Annabel or knew me, and for the first ten minutes no one came near us till they realized who Annabel was. Then everybody came and fawned all over her, and there was no room left for me. I had to go and fend for myself; this was when I met the infamous Miss Pointer. I had noticed Steven and Lord Michael in the corner and made my way towards them, and apparently I was not the only one with this idea. Half way there I literally bumped into her, and I had never seen anyone so angry in my life.

"How dare you!"

"I'm sorry, I am awfully sorry"

"So you should be you AWFUL little girl"

"I am sorry, I really am I did not mean it"

"Just get out of my sight"

I quickly moved again to Lord Michael's and Steven's direction, but she grabbed my arm.

"You are friends with Annabel?"

"Yes I am but…."

"Well tell her that Lord Walter is mine!"

"Are you engaged to him?"

"Of course I am not you stupid girl"

"Then why is he yours?"

"He will be, and tell the silly girl he will never look at her twice"

"He will"

"Of course he won't. Okay I will tell you a secret, Lord Walter and I are betrothed we have been planning on eloping. Do not tell anyone okay?"

I was utterly speechless, Lord Michael betrothed? I looked at her; yes she was beautiful with the golden hair, and the big brown eyes. But the malicious glint in them stopped you in your tracks; she must have been 24 or 25, yes she was Lord Michael's kind of lady.

"Okay now if you will excuse me"

"Yes, but remember tell your friend to stay away from him"

Did she see Annabel as a threat? I wonder why? Of course I had to find out, I did not trust this woman, and I wanted to find out the truth.

I walked towards Steven and Lord Michael, but something had angered them both, something had angered them both a lot. Steven saw me and his expression softened, he quickly pulled me towards them.

"Lizzy, you may hear some horrible lies about Lord Michael, but you are not to believe them. Do you hear?"

"Yes, but I have already heard one"

Then suddenly Lord Michael cut in, and spoke kindly to me

"What have you heard?"

"That you are engaged to that woman"

I pointed towards the woman I bumped into

"Abigail Pointer! What did she say?"

I quickly relayed to them what Abigail Pointer had said, but this only served to get Lord Michael angrier.

He quickly turned to Steven

"How does she know?"

Know what?

"I do not know, although I am going to find out"

Steven quickly departed in the direction of Miss Pointer

I must have looked thoroughly confused; because Lord Michael thought it his duty to explain to me what was happening

"Miss Elizabeth, you see…I lik…….no I lo…no well I have long since wanted to"

"Yes?"

"I have wanted to propose to Miss Annabel for quite a long while, three years in fact. But I did not think, could not think that she loved me. I love her with my whole heart, but I cannot marry her now, well not for a while, while these rumours are about"

"You love her!" I asked completely and utterly astounded

"Yes, did you think in time she can love me to?"

"Yes I think that is possible. Very impossible indeed"
"But you cannot tell her yet that I love her; she will not believe it while all this gossip is about. You promise not to say a thing?"

"You have my word sir. If you will excuse me sir, I believe that Annabel will be in need of being comforted"

I remember how I found her; this lie about Lord Michael had truly broken her. She was so upset, I had so wanted to tell her about Lord Michael's feelings for her, but I could not I had promised I would not.

Soon after this Lord Michael moved to the continent but the rumours would not stop, because Abigail was acting like a woman scorned (I cannot repeat some of the things she said). She ruined Abigail's life, and I will never forgive her.

"Oh Mr Darcy, must you spend all your time up here"

What? Spend all his time up here?

"Yes Miss Pointer, because Miss Jane Bennet is not here I intend to help look after Miss Elizabeth, until either Miss Bennet comes or Miss Elizabeth recovers"

Really?

I looked at Miss Abigail to see her throw an absolutely hateful expression in my direction, then of course a "seductive" smile at Darcy. Yes she definitely wanted him, and I suppose I could see why. He was exceptionally handsome, and he could (AT TIMES) be perfectly charming and gentlemanlike. He also has 10,000 a year, and a great estate in Derbyshire according to my mother.

"Well if you must Mr Darcy, but I trust as soon as Miss Elizabeth gets better, I will be more in your company"

She was drawing closer to him, but then I started to cough. Not of course because of her closeness to Mr Darcy, but because I was thirsty. I began to feel weak, and I could feel myself loosing consciousness again. And before I knew Mr Darcy was at my side.

"Miss Bennet? Miss Bennet, you must stay awake! Do you want some water?"

Mr Darcy was concerned…about me!

"Yes please that would helpful" I replied hoarsely. I felt so weak, and tired. I just wanted to sleep.

"Miss Pointer, can you possibly go down and ask Bingley to send for the doctor"

I looked weakly at Miss Pointer, to notice she looked extremely put out.

"Certainly" she answered with gritted teeth, and then she turned on her heel and left.

"Miss Bennet, please have some water!"

I lay back on my pillow; I did not feel like anything now, all I wanted to do was sleep

"No I thank you, I feel too tired"

I knew I needed to drink something, but I could not bring myself to do it.

With that I fell back to sleep, I vaguely remember my head being tilted forwards, and someone coaxing me to drink the water. It was a relief to feel the cool water drip down my throat, it relieved me considerably. It also helped to keep me stay awake, because otherwise I would have missed Darcy's words

"Come Elizabeth my darling, drink up"

Elizabeth? Why on earth was he calling me Elizabeth? My darling? What had I missed? I fully intended to find out

FD

"Elizabeth, please wake up"

I was becoming desperate; after I had given her some water she became unconscious again, and her fever was returning. I brushed the hair from her eyes, and gently kissed her forehead. Why was I so worried about her? I think of her as another sister, of course I do what else would I think. Yes I love her like I would love my little sister, yes I loved her like I loved Georgiana. Didn't I?

"William" Georgiana cried from the other side of the door before barging in, followed by Bingley. I had by this point removed my hand; I could not let my sister think I had formed an attachment to Elizabeth when I had not.

"William, we have just heard from Miss Pointer that Elizabeth has awoken, and is feeling under the weather"

"Under the weather? I think Georgiana she is a bit more than under the weather!"

"Shall I call for the doctor than perhaps?"

"Yes I think that would be best Bingley"

"No no no, noooooo doctor. I do not wish to see a doctor!"

I moved quickly towards the bed

"You do not wish to see the doctor, Miss Bennet"

"No I hate doctors"

With that she promptly fell unconscious again, must she keep doing that?

"Bingley just call for a doctor!"

"Yes good idea Darcy"

With that Bingley turned and left.

I was still in a state of anguish by the time Bingley had returned with the doctor, all Elizabeth had done was just shout and yell in her sleep. I was terrified, I the master of Pemberley afraid about a mere country girls fate.

The doctor examined her, and thought it best if we called for her sister as soon as possible, although the weather was too bad for her to walk, and the Bennet's carriage was not strong enough to withhold such a storm. Perhaps it would be best just to wait for the storm to stop; I was perfectly capable of looking after her without my emotions getting the way. Wasn't I?

I was hoping and praying that Elizabeth would still be alive to see the end of the storm or more importantly, her sister.

I sat by her side for two full days, I was not bothered by what the servants or Bingley's family thought of me. All I wanted was for Elizabeth to get better.

I sat here just talking to her, talking to her about the most trivial things. I tell her about how my sister is doing, and how Bingley asks after her. I also tell her about my mother, and father. I am not quite sure why I tell her about the later, but it just seems right.

"Elizabeth, my mother used to love writing. She wrote a letter to my father every day that he was away. I remember that she always put how much she loved him and how she wished he would return as soon as possible to Pemberley. I have always wanted a marriage like my parents; they loved each other so much. But it has been many years since I have realised I cannot marry for love"

"Why can you not Mr Darcy?" Elizabeth asked hoarsely

"Miss Elizabeth!"

"Are you not going to answer my question sir? Perhaps though could I have a little water first?"

"Certainly

I reached for the glass to give to her, and lifted it to her lips.

"Mr Darcy" she said reaching for the cup. "I am perfectly capable of drinking for myself"

Although she did not take the cup from me, she let me continue helping her

"Now Mr Darcy will you answer my question?"

"What question?" Hopefully she would not be persistent; unfortunately this was not the case.

"The question about why you can not marry for love"

"I just can not Miss Bennet"

"Why?"

"Must you be so persistent?"

"Frankly yes"

"Well then… will you allow me to be…. frank Miss Bennet?"

"Certainly sir"

"Miss Bennet, I am a rich man. How am I to know whether or not a woman loves me for myself or for my money?"

Why on earth am I telling her all this, a woman I hardly knew, practically a stranger to me. But it just felt right

"You will know. Well what did your father do?"

"What on earth is that suppose to mean?"

"Mr Darcy, presuming that your father was in the same boat as you"

"How do you know?" I replied somewhat childishly.

"Well he was a rich man in want of a wife was he not?"

"Yes"

"He must have been in the same situation as you, and as you said before he and your mother both loved each other very much. He must have found a way to find a woman who did not love him for his fortune"

"Yes I suppose you are right, but I do not know how he did it"

"Neither do I and I would very much like to know as well"

"You would?"

"Mr Darcy, you are not the only one who wishes to marry for love"

"I am not"

"No, because I wish it to"

"You do?"

"Yes"

Now this was an interesting development.

"Mr Darcy, I have a suggestion"

"Yes?"

"Perhaps we could help each other find our 'soul mates'"

Now I didn't like this.

"Er…."

"Do you not like the idea, Mr Darcy?"

"I well…. I can not think of anyone who could…."

"Marry me? No matter, I will still help you"

No that was not what I meant, and then suddenly a great idea came to me

"I will be perfectly happy with finding you a husband Miss Bennet."

"You would!"

"Yes certainly"

Although I will make sure that they are very few, and far between and completely odious, and pompous men.

"I shall leave you now so you can get some rest Miss Bennet. I will inform Mr Bingley that you are feeling bette….. You are feeling better?"

"Yes I certainly am thank you"

"Good, good I am sure Georgiana will wish to visit you. Good evening Miss Bennet" I bowed gently to her and left the room. All the while thinking about the awful men I would put on her doorstep.

EB

What on earth possessed me to say such a thing to him? What did I expect him to say, that Elizabeth any man would like to marry you, or I would be happy to marry yo…….what am I thinking!

Elizabeth, have you gone completely mad! He is much rich to think about the likes of you, don't be stupid, girl.

Although even though I have no chance with him, I will make sure that Abigail Pointer does not either!

I know that something like this wouldn't happen, but I wanted it to.

I didn't like this chapter. I am awfully sorry if you don't like, and I'm really sorry about how long it has taken to update.

I went back to school and I had lots and lots of homework, then I had to prepare for my talk. I also had tons of coursework to do, still do.

I hope you don't mind that little story about Abigail Pointer, she reminds me of a female Wickham a little bit (a little clue about why she is here)

Mr Good Listener will be back in the next chapter, quite a large bit actually.

I am awfully sorry about the slow update, I promise to have the next one up pronto. But I am starting to rewrite the first five chapters, they are awful I am surprised you all stayed with this story.

Now to all the lovely reviewers

k8bob8 Thank you very much! It was very nice of you to say so. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Dixie Volleyball Yes we will learn more about Mr Good Listener I promise. Sorry for the really slow update, but I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thank you very much for the review.

Arica, Princess of Rivendel... Thank you very much, I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope you like this chapter, and I am very sorry for the slow update!

Max designation X5-452 Thank you very much for your review, I hope I have answered all your questions (that is if you can remember them, as I have took so long to update) I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

terbear I am glad you like Georgiana, I was a bit weary about making her bold, but I am glad you like her. Thank you very much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Mrs. Dom Masbolle Thank you very much! I am certainly going to call Mrs Bennet a crazy old hag! It is such a good phrase! All will be revealed very soon on the significance of Mr Good Listener, hopefully in the next of couple of chapters. Probably a few hints will crop up in the next chapter about who he is, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter

aquamum Thank you very much for your review! I am glad you liked that he slept besides her (on the floor of course). I promise to something evil to Miss Bingley (but I suppose not marrying Darcy will be enough) but I am definitely going to do something bad to Miss Pointer, although it won't be painful, but it will be excessively evil. I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Zorro-chan Thank you so much for your kind words! I am awfully sorry about the slow update! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

naturalnin Thank you very much for your review! I am glad you like it. I am sooo sorry for the slow update

Lucy65 I am glad you like it! Yes I do not like Abigail either! All will be revealed about the mystery man soon! I promise, and Georgiana will find out about him soon to! I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Dolphindreamer Thank you very much! I am glad you think the cousin is an interesting development, and I am working on my to's and too's . I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

missusmesser Thank you for your review! I am glad you love Georgiana! I am really sorry about the slow update, but the next one will be up soon. I promise!

Lissa05 Thank you very much! I am glad you like this story, I hope you like this chapter! Sorry for the slow update

TanzSavino Thank you very much for your review! Your words were very nice! Ah all will be revealed about Mr Good Listener, although I think I can safely say he is not another Wickham. I know I love Darcy to hehe.

Thank you to all the reviewers they were greatly appreciated, and I got more reviews on the last chapter than ever before so thank so much. I am very glad people like this story, it is good to know.

Sorry if I missed anyone out!

I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint, although I think it could be better so don't hold it against me.

The next chapter will be better.

I promise

Thank you

Livdarcy

Please review, it would be much appreciated, and I would like to know what you think.